Zephaniah's World Destruction -2012?

Did Zephaniah Read the Mayan 2012 Prophecy? First, who was Zephaniah? He was ninth in the literary order of the minor prophets, the son of Cushi, and great-grandson of Hezekiah.  (Zeph. 1:1) He prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (B.C. 641-610). He was also a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah.

Zephaniah was an inspired prophet of God. He received his message from the Spirit of God. He prophesied that God would bring the world to an end.

I will utterly consume everything from the face of the land,” says the Lord; I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, the fish of the sea, and the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land, says the Lord.” (Zeph. 1:2-3)

Not only did God say he would destroy everything from the face of the earth, he also said he would burn it up.

But the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land. (1:18; 3:8)

We must ask, does Zephaniah prophesy the end of all life from the planet? Does he predict a fiery conflagration at the end of time? Certainly, the words of Zephaniah imply that and more. He said the great day of the Lord is near; it is near and hastens quickly. (1:14)

“I will stretch out My hand against Judah, and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, I will cut off every trace of Baal from this place, the names of the idolatrous priest with the pagan priests.” In other words, God would punish Judah and Jerusalem for the worship of idols.  It is common in scripture for God to use language which to us sounds as though the planet is about to be wiped out.

Understanding Zephaniah

Yet, Zephaniah spoke not of the end of the universe, but of the Chaldean (Babylonian) invasion of Judea and destruction of the temple of Solomon in 586 BC.  The language employed is that which is common to the fall of nations throughout both the Old Testament and  the new. In fact, this is the source from which the Apostles of the New Testament drew their messages of the end.

What is interesting is that Zephaniah uses the world erets (Hebrew for earth), but which is correctly translated land over 1000 times in the Old Testament. The Greek equivalent of erets is ge. This term is used in many New Testament passages which speak of the end time events to come upon the earth. See Matthew 24:30, Luk. 21:35, Rev. 3:10. Most significant is that 2 Peter 3:7-12, uses the same language found in Zephaniah to speak of the destruction of the land by fire.

Understanding 2 Peter 3

Now, does 2 Peter 3, refer to the end of the universe? Many Bible expositors belief so. Yet, the word “ge” (translated earth) which means land means no more in 2 Peter 3, than it meant in Zephaniah. The irony of it all is that 2 Peter 3 is likewise discussing the destruction of Jerusalem and the second temple, i.e. Herods, which the Romans destroyed in A.D.70. Peter uses the same language Zephaniah used to discuss the event.  In his first epistle he said the day was at hand, that the time of God’s judgment had come and that the day hastened upon them using the exact words as those found in Zephaniah.

The truth of the matter is, both Zephaniah and Peter drew their language of the fiery destruction of the earth (land of Palestine) from Moses per Deuteronomy 32:22. Moses said of Israel in their last days, that the fire of God’s anger would burn to the lowest hell and consume the earth (erets) or land and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.  Neither text spoke of the end of the planet, but only the end of Israel.

Did Zephaniah Read the Mayan 2012 Prophecy?

You may compare God’s use of erets in the promise made to Abraham. “Now the Lord had said to Abram: Get out of your [erets] country, and from your family and from your father’s house, to a [erets] land that I will show  you.” (Gen. 12:1) Now does God tell Abraham to leave the earth so that he could show him a new earth? This is the same word used in Zephaniah and its Greek equivalent is used in 2 Peter 3. The Septuagint (LXX), Greek translation of the Old Testament, often translates erets with ge, or land, whether speaking of the land of Canaan, or the land of Egypt, etc.

So, the Bible knows nothing at all about the end of the planet. Those who are afraid of the bogey man Mayan calendar 2012 prophecy have nothing to worry about when they understand the Bible. The movie is simply entertainment, not factual. The Mayan calendar is a pagan calendar and its prophecy is false.  For a more in depth study on the subject, see my new book and audio CD Set All The Earth Destroyed?

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• Waiting for the end of the world (cnn.com)

Rapture Video

No doubt, all of us have some garments
which tend to wrinkle more than others.

I can think of linen and cotton, which
require some pressing, starch or dry
cleaning to solve the problem.

In the area of eschatology, it may
be wise to ask, “Does Your Rapture
Ready Garment Have Wrinkles?”

We’ve pointed out a couple of the
wrinkles in the Rapture teaching
advanced by “Charting the End Times.

With all the charting in the book, it never addressed the “little while” time parameter of the end! Note the following passages.

John 16:16–19

A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”

Now, let’s insert John 14:3. I go to [My Father] to prepare a place for you, and if I go [you will not see me and again, [a little while] I will come come again and receive you to myself [and you will see Me, because I go to the Father, that where I am, there you may be also.

Now this questions perplexed the disciples. How could Jesus leave them and they not see him, and then see him because he went to the Father?  What was this “little while” all about?

Does Your Rapture Ready Garment Have Wrinkles?

Wrinkle No. 1

First, the first wrinkle is the time of sorrow and lamentation for the disciples, while the world rejoiced. Christ described this time as a woman, when in labor who has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” (John 16:21–23, 33).

This is the time of persecution and the war waged against the saints in the last days of Israel. Matthew describes it under the exact same metaphor, Matt. 24:8.  There it is calling the beginning of sorrows, —literally, the beginning of labor pangs.

The time is the same, that between Jesus’ going away to the Father’s house. The little while of Matthew 24 is described as “this generation,” (Matt. 24:34), literally showing that the disciples would live to see Christ in the Father’s house upon his return.

Wrinkle No. 2

The period between Christ’s going away and his return is the time he sends the Holy Spirit. In fact, it was to the disciples advantage that Jesus went away, because if he did not, the Holy Spirit could not come.

Well, what’s the wrinkle? The Holy Spirit remains until Christ returns! Christ only returns at the end of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. This is the “going away” which is in apposition to his “coming again.”

The ministry of the Holy Spirit fills the entire period with no interruption, (uh that would be the alleged rapture), —until the time of judgment. The Holy Spirit’s work was not completed until the time of Judgment and the banishment of Satan.

Christ’s would return only when the Holy Spirit’s work consummated, (1 Cor. 1:7–8), a time which Matthew places at the end of the Jewish age, (Matt. 18:20). Compare Mk. 16:19–20.

Charting the End Times, places the judgment, and the destruction of Satan, after the alleged rapture and therefore, before the Holy Spirit’s ministry was complete, (Chapter 18). This only means it is not the coming of John 14:3, and thus, the text does not teach the rapture doctrine.

So, If your “rapture ready” garment has wrinkles, you’re not ready to fly!

Learn more about Christ’s return in 70 AD. Get your copy of the Re-Examination today.

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Rapture_Video

One of the most important elements of events is time, i.e.
when is that event going to occur. Everything in life is an
event in that everything occurs or exists in time.

What Did Charting the End Times Miss on the Rapture of
the Church? One of the most important elements of the
event, —time.

Charting the End Times, a very graphically pleasing book
of charts on eschatology authored by Tim Lahaye and
Thomas Ice, devotes a chapter on the Rapture. It is there
purpose to “chart” the time of the end, i.e. when the last days

events will occur. They begin with several points on the events of the rapture beginning with John 14:3.

I Go To Prepare A Place For You

In ways that I am only beginning to appreciate, the Old Testament messages of the New Testament books are fascinating. The subject of John 14–16, is neither isolated from other events in that gospel, nor of events in the Old Testament.

In fact, John’s Gospel has a very significant focus on the tabernacle imagery of the Old Testament. (See Exodus 25:1f)  It is no accident that of Christ John wrote that He was made flesh and “tabernacled among us,” John 1:14).

This idea connects with his words of chapter 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” However, this was a statement the Jews did not understand, nor did Christ’s disciples understand until after his resurrection.

Chapter 14 has as it’s background, Haggai 2:6–8, where the prophet spoke of the building of a new temple whose glory would be greater then that of Solomon’s.

Certainly the temple rebuilt by Zerubbabel and which caused the old men to weep at it’s lack of splendor and glory did not qualify, (Hag. 2:3), even with Herod’s embellishments of 46 years.

What Did Charting the End Times Miss On the Rapture of the Church? – Haggai’s Little While

Haggai threw a “monkey wrench” into the rapture ready end times charting program which LaHaye and Ice omit from their book. He expressed that the time for the preparation period would be completed in a little while, once it began.

Haggai was charting the end times, long before the two “signs of the rapture” authors went to print with their book. Christ quotes Haggai in John 14–16, the entirety of his “going away, coming away” message.

However, both Haggai, and the “little while” is missing from their book. On the other hand, both Haggai, Christ, Paul, John, Peter mention the “little while” in their writings. Jesus’ going away and coming again of John 14:1–3 is carried through to chapter 16.

He uses the “little while” phrase several times. In fact, it was so prominent in the discussion of his going away that the disciples questioned it in their minds.

The Lord, knowing their thoughts brought the subject out into the open. thus when Christ spoke of going to prepare a place, he said he was only going for a little while and afterward would return in a little while. (John 16:16–19).

But the little while doesn’t provide enough time to get all the fancy rapture charts found in the book, so they leave it out! Go figure. With the “little while” inserted, there is simply not enough time for them to be caught up in the clouds.

Other References to the Little While

1  Peter 1:6 Heb. 12:26–29 (A quote from Haggai 2:6–8)

Rev. 6:10–11

We’ll continue to look at John 14 in the next post so stay tuned. Be sure to add your comments and take a moment to bookmark and comment on the blog post using the icons below. Thanks in advance.  If you’re a blogger and you want to make the process easier, check out this new commenting tool.

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Is Generation X Prepared For the Rapture?
Many people are concerned about being
raptured to heaven, leaving others behind.

Not to worry because God already created
a flawless plan for you that works extremely
well regardless of your generation x, y or z.

In view of that, what can you do to prepare?

Get Life Insurance

First, take a very good insurance policy. Your children and relatives are going to need it. They’re going to be here for quite some time, so you would not

want them to be left without adequate coverage in your absence.

Save and Invest For the Future

Secondly, save for the future. They’ll also need spending money for vacations, education, clothing and many of the comforts they didn’t get to enjoy when you were around. So don’t skimp on the insurance. You love them and they deserve to have a good time to make up for all the service they gave you.

Take Care of Your Health

You’ll want to delay your cloud ride as long as possible so get out that treadmill, get in the gym, go outside and walk in the fresh air and exercise that body.

Make Burial Preparations

No need to leave these last minute details to your family. They’ll be under enough stress when that day comes. Be thoughtful and pro-active and get these details all squared away now.

Make Peace With God and Man

When time comes for you to be raptured, you won’t have much time to call all the friends you have wronged to make things write. Remember, it’s sudden, quick and may be unexpected.

Check to Make Sure You Have the Correct Address

If you’re going somewhere to stay that long, better get that address correct. Rapture people move in two directions, one up and one down. Which way are you going?

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the “rapture” happens everyday at about 1 person every ten seconds per wikianswers.com. Yes, people are left behind. If you’re reading this, you’re one of them at this moment.

Yes, some have gotten their final destination address mixed up. Yes, many leave without making adequate preparations for those they leave behind creating emotional and economic Armageddon in their lives for what could last for a millennium.

God’s rapture is death. All will experience it. None will escape. Since it works so well, there’s no need for him to improve upon it with the likes of a future rapture in the clouds per dispensational dogma.

Is Generation X Prepared For The Rapture?

Watch the video below for more insights on how God
fulfilled Christ’s return in the first century generation.

Learn more about fulfilled bible prophecy. Get your copy of the Re-Examination: A Study of the Lord’s Second Coming in 70 AD, by ordering over our secure server. Click here to order.

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, incites emotionally
charged discussions about the resurrection
and the rapture.

Students of John Nelson Darby, credited
with popularizing modern Dispensationalism
cite the text as incontrovertible proof of
the Rapture.

However, these exegetes (scripture
interpreters) violate hermeneutic principles
in their application of the text.

The following demonstrate some of the
errors glossed over by futurists and pre-
tribulation rapture advocates. Resurrection in 1 Thessalonians 4: Are We Who Alive Dead?, addresses the specific audience of the text.

The problem with most interpreters on the Lord’s return is that they read themselves versus the audience into the text.  We show this

as a faulty premise.

We Who Are AliveAnd Remain

Paul addresses first century Christians in the first century. Seems like a trivial point? Not at all. It is the key to arriving at a correct interpretation. Knowing to whom a text was written and to whom it applies makes all the difference in properly understanding it.

How is it that Paul and the first century audience is overlooked in the fulfillment of the text? It is so commonly assumed that the text applies to 21st century Christians that many do not question it. Others dismiss it as absurd.

However, there are those who make an attempt to address the issue. Some say Paul uses the “editorial we” as a generic reference to all Christians of all times. Rather, we suggest the phrase is inclusive of first century saints and exclusive of those who lived before or after that time.

Two Conditions

The first condition is “we who are alive.” When Paul wrote the letter, he could not possibly have spoken of any future unborn generation. Not only did Paul’s words not include a future generation, they also did not include past generations.

Likewise, “we who were alive” did not include previous generations. How could those whose generation died out before Paul be included in “we who are alive?” So the term is very descriptive and limited excluding both prior and subsequent generations.

Thus we suggest it is focused exclusively upon the generation living in the first century. Next, observe the second conditional exclusion of the text.

And Are Remaining

The force of the Greek text is the present tense describing present action that was continuing at that time. Those who were alive were remaining serve as a contrast between those who had fallen asleep.  To remain was to yet be physically alive.

In 1 Corinthians 15, a similar expression is used to compare and contrast those who yet remained alive with others who had died. Speaking of those who saw Christ after his resurrection, the same apostle penned similar words.

“After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, some have fallen asleep.” (1 Cor. 15:6)

Here again, we see that Paul speaks of a contemporary group of individuals. The only difference in this statement and that of 1 Thess. 4:15, is that he attaches a number to those referenced in the Corinthians text.

We know that that group was limited to some number above five hundred. Some unknown portion of that group had died, but the majority of them were yet alive, i.e. remained.

It would be as erroneous to include anyone living today in the numbered “living/remaining group of 1 Corinthians 15:6, as it would be to include 21st century Christians in the Thessalonican text.

We Who Have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8:23

Another point glossed over with these saints that identifies them exclusively as first century saints to the exclusion of past or future generations is their designation as the firstfruits.

Firstfruits, from the Greek term aparche, means the first ripe of the harvested crops. In Exodus 13:1, God required Israel to sanctify to himself all of their firstborn both of man or beast.

Now let’s say you come from a family of 9 children as I did, and God said, the firstborn belonged to him. In my family I would not qualify. I am the 5th born, not the first. That position would go to my older brother. He is the firstborn or firstfruit from the womb in my family. No other child born could be the first other than the firstborn.

In like manner, no other generation of Christians could be firstfruit Christians or the firstborn ones into Christ. James writes to first century Christians calling them the firstfruits, Jas. 1:18.

Paul says they were the firstborn Christians, Heb. 12:23. There were no firstborn Christians before the first century Christians and there could be no firstborn Christians after them.

Those wo participated in the resurrection were first century Christians called the firstfruits who had the firstfruits of the Spirit. In no other generation did God pour out his Spirit except upon those living in Paul’s day, –in the first century.

Thus, to approach 1 Thess. 4:15-17, as a text speaking about 21st century Christians and argue for a future resurrection, rapture or coming of the Lord in our day and time is illogical and erroneous. It is the clumsy blunder of Dispensationalism and Rapture delusionists.

It means that first century Christians would initially experience Christ’s coming. We today experience the benefits and blessings of that coming. Further, this accords with Christ’s words that he would return before some living in the first century generation died.

For This We Say By The Word of the Lord

Twenty years prior to the Paul’s letter to the Thessalonicans, Christ said his generation would not pass until he returned in the clouds at the sound of the trumpet, Matthew 24:30-34.

Paul merely repeats the Lord’s words, showing that event would occur before the “we who are alive” of the first century died. They have all physically died. Christ came in their lifetime.

The Re-Examination is a study of Christ’s return from the first century perspective. It is covers topics including Christ’s coming, the resurrection, 2 Peter 3 and many other end time themes. To order today see ReExamination

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The Great Tribulation

The great tribulation announced by the
prophets Jeremiah and Daniel precedes
the consummation of the Jewish age.

Will we today face the great tribulation?
Many think so. Others believe that an
Arab-Israel (Zionist) war, in the Middle
East will signal an end time Armageddon.

Many labor under an end time myth. It is
believed that we are headed for the great
tribulation, a precursor of an end time battle
of Armageddon.

Jeremiah wrote of the great tribulation.  He called the time of Jacob’s trouble. (Jer. 30:7) The time would be so severe that God likens it to men having babies like women in labor.

For some in Israel it meant destruction. For others, God promised to save them. It would be a time to refine and purify and as with precious metals, the valuable ore saved while the dross is cast off.

These are the prophecies that the Left Behind Series authors Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins, and others such as Rapture enthusiasts, i.e. Thomas Ice, and John Hagee, etc, continue to butcher to pieces on the end time.

They like many who follow them bought into what the United Nations charged is the illegal occupation and invalid actions of Zionists in Israel, (The Jerusalem Prophecy, Randall Price, p. 163).

This illegal occupation is by them viewed as God ordained and thus subject to fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets.

Daniel and the Great Tribulation

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that time and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall aware some to everlasting life, some to everlasting contempt. (Dan. 12:1, 2)

According to Daniel, the great tribulation directly precedes the end time which is concurrent with the resurrection. This however creates a problem for those who hold pre-tribulation view of prophecy.

Without scripture or exegetical support they imagine and insert a 1000 to 1007 year gap for a literal millennium before the end occurs.

Their contention is that the Rapture occurs seven years before the great tribulation at which time Christ returns, fights the battle of Armageddon and reigns on earth for a literal 1000 years.

All is brought to consummation when Christ returns, defeats all enemies and raises the dead. But this theory is all messed up, biblically and logically.

Yet, they’re claiming the battle of Armageddon is about to begin, and they’re ready as “Hagee” urges to preemptively strike Iran to see that it gets off to a good start.

The Great Tribulation Is Past

All truth sounds strange at first. To say that contradicts all we hear in the media about the war in the Middle East and from premillennial dispensationalist pens and pulpits.

1. The coming of the Lord associated with the great tribulation was Jesus’ coming in judgment upon Jerusalem in 70 AD.
2. Christ, quoted Daniel’s prophecy connecting it with the overthrow of the temple, Matt. 24:3, 21.
3. Immediately following the tribulation of those days, Christ would come in judgment upon the tribes of the land, Matt. 24:29, 30.
4. All would happen in their generation which could not pass away till all were fulfilled, Matt. 24:34.
5. The apostle John encourages his readers saying that he already was in the companion in the tribulation, Rev. 1:9
6. The at hand message of Revelation demonstrates the  great tribulation was about to end. It shows those who were before the throne, Rev. 7:14, 15; i.e the firstfruits, (14:3–5,, therefore first century Christians, coming out of the great tribulation.

Will We Face The Great Tribulation?

We conclude that Christians today will not face the great tribulation spoken of in scripture. That event was associated with the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. It is now past.

That said it is no guarantee that Christians are immune from conditions in the world in which we live. Natural disasters, war, and other political upheavals may surface at anytime creating discomfort in life.

Because of the victory we have received in Christ, we have the source of the greatest resource to weather those storms with confidence and internal peace, (Phil. 4:6; Eph. 3:20).

William is the author of the Re-Examination a study of Christ’s return in 70 AD. Click here to order now.

Are You waiting for the Second Coming?
One church of 45 members in Strong
City New Mexico recently waited till midnight.

Wayne Bent, claims to be anointed by
God as the Messiah. Recently, he and
his followers hopes were dashed while
they waited till midnight for the Rapture.

They were tired of the burden’s of earthly
life and wanted to checkout early, via
deliverance from the Lord.

Somehow, they miscalculated on the
date of the Lord’s return. They expected
to hear the last trumpet sound to end
the year of Jubilee.

Unfortunately, all was silent and according
to reports from Strong City, Mr. Bent, went
to jail.

This is a clear example and logical end
of the erroneous Rapture doctrine.

It leads to the escape mentality desired
by Bent’s 45 adult followers who shared
his disappointment in hope of Christ’s
imminent return.

Are you waiting for the Second Coming?
Before you settle in, Check out the errors
made by the Bent followers:

1. Missreading Matthew 24
2. Ignoring Jesus’ comments on the
   year of Jubilee, Luke 4
3. Liberalizing the last trumpet, Rev. 10:7
4. Selfishness versus serving, Phil. 1:22

Mis-reading Matthew 24

The context of Matthew 24, also called the
Olivet Discourse is the Parousia of Christ,
the end of the age and the destruction of
the Jerusalem temple.

It is with this event that Jesus assigned his
return, (Matthew 24:3, 30–34). The clear
and precise wording of Matthew’s account
of the event accords with first century history.

Josephus, a Jewish historian who witness the
Jewish conflagration, recorded his eyewitness
account in Wars of the Jews, Book VI, Ch. 5,
Sec 2–4.

Jesus predicted the event to come upon his
very own generation.

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will
by no means pass away till all these things
take place.” (Matthew 24:34)

Why some have difficulty accepting that Jesus’
return occurred in the first century. Partly
because he says no one knows the day or
the hour of his return, (v. 36).

However, this is not an objection but a miss-
interpretation of the text. The meaning
revolves around the distinction between
“general” time and “precise” time.

Accurately predicting the generation in
which events would occur does not
indicate that the precise day and hour
was known.

Signs were given so that the disciples would
not be misled by false christ’s or even the
natural calamities, wars and rumors of wars
that preceded the event.

These were all well documented in both
Biblical and secular history. For example,
Acts records the great famine which
occurred in Judea, 11:28; Matt. 24:7).

If the precise day and hour were known,
there would have been no need to give
signs.

A simple announcement of the date
would have sufficed, especially since it
was the Lord’s purpose to forewarn his
disciples and lead them to safety.

The coming of the Son of Man was just
as it was in the day of Noah. God told
Noah early on that he would bring a
flood to destroy the inhabitants.

At that time, Noah knew the flood would
occur in his life time. Yet, he did not now
the day and the hour it would occur.

Thus, he knew the general time without
knowing the specific time. God said Christ’s
return was of like nature. (24:37–39).

The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9)

Once again, the Bible text is ignored by those
hopeful of a future return of Christ. Jesus
declared he had come to proclaim the
acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18, 19)

The “acceptable year of the Lord” is the year
of Jubilee, when God would set at liberty all
those who were oppressed.

However, coupled with the promise of setting
the captives free was the vindication of God’s
martyrs and the day of vengeance upon the
wicked nation.

The first century Jews understood well Jesus’
quote, which conspicuously omitted the
“day of vengeance from Isaiah 61:1–2,).”

However, the Jews well acquainted with the
text, understood the implication from the
reference.

He laid out their plans and subsequent
rejection of him as their Messiah, words
that ignited their wrath.

Their reaction was so strong that they
attempted to murder him on the spot,
by throwing him off a cliff, but he escaped.
(Luke 4:23–30).

Thus, he set the stage for the coming of
the year of Jubilee within the time of the
ancient Jews of Palestine. This is why the
last trumpet is mentioned in Matthew 24:31).

It corresponds with 1 Cor. 15:52, 1 Thess. 4:17,
and Revelation 10:7. Note that the Revelation
passages states that when the last trumpet
sounds God’s mystery would be finished.

Since Matthew 24:31, says the trumpet would
sound in connection with the fall of the ancient
city all before that generation passed, (v. 34)
then the last trumpet sounded in the first century.

No amount of hoping, ranting and rapture ready
rabble rousing will change that fact.

The current premillennial prophetic speculation
originated in the minds of Morgan Edwards,
(1722–1795), Manual Lacunza, (1731–1801)
Edward Irving (1792–1834).

Later, John Nelson Darby (c. 1800–1882) borrowed
and popularized it. The modern influence of
premillennialism doctrine received wide influence
through him.

Prior to the Morgan Edwards, it was unknown to
students of Bible prophecy.

Literalizing the Last Trumpet

As we have alluded to the texts on the last
trumpet, we shall briefly not that the time
references to the first century generation point
to a figurative or apocalyptic use of the term.

Early on Dispensationalists were warned about
literalizing scriptures, a concept borrowed from
Jewish interpreters, that landed them into much
fanciful speculations about the future.

Selfishness Versus Serving

Paul, certainly believed in the imminent return of
the Messiah, albeit in his own generation. He
along with other apostles taught that Jesus’ return
would come in their life time, Rom. 13:11, 12, Phil.
4:5, James 5:7, 8; 1 Peter 4:7, 17; Rev. 1:1, 3, 22:
6, 10).

Yet, Paul recognize that as desirable as a departure
from the earthly life might be [through natural death,
not escapism through an imagined rapture], he
sought a more practical end.

“For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a
desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far
better.

Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful
for you. And being confident of this. I know that
I shall remain and continue with you all for your
progress and joy of faith. (Phil. 1:23–25).

Paul’s aim was to remain on earth, serving the
church, deeming it more beneficial than his
own departure to be with the Lord.

Those who want to be swooped up out of this
world to leave the wicked behind are expressing
one of the most anti-gospel sentiments imaginable.

They want to be served, rather than be servants.
Yet, Jesus said, he that is greatest among you
let him be your servant. There’s lots of work to
do on earth.

Paul likewise warned the Thessalonicans, who
got overly enthusiastic about the imminent
return of Christ, placing it about 20 years to
soon.

Many of them had quit working and serving
society to become busy bodies. He offered
them severe rebuke.

“For even when we were with you, we commanded
you this; If anyone will not work, neither shall
he eat.

For we hear that there are some who walk among
you in a disorderly manner, nor working at all
but are busy bodies.” (2 Thes. 3:10, 11)

None of us will escape alive, so we might as well
forget these notions of Rapture and dig in to
service.

How many times can we allow Tim LaHaye,
Hal Lindsey, and Thomas Ice, to falsely predict
the coming of the Lord?

Once is too many! See Deuteronomy 18:22.

Apparently Mr. Bent, got too caught up in the
false notions invented in the mid 18^th century
and appears to be a victim of more “Left Behind”
errors.

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• Review: Millennium by Tom Holland

In an article by Rapture Ready writer Jack Kelley, the
question is raised, how would Jesus vote? The
undertones of the article subtly suggests that
Jesus would proudly be a “conservative” Republican.

There is a political and religious bias that somehow
believes that to vote Democratic is both ungodly
and unChristian. Wonder how an independent’s
faith is classified?

The Rapture Ready scribe argues that America
was founded as a Christian nation. Well at least
we can say it “professed” to be.

Were these the same “born again” Christians who
claimed land belonging to American Indians as their
own? What Biblical principle did this uphold? Thou
shalt steal? Thou shalt covet?

So, if you want your neighbors land, just shoot him
and move his family on a vacant lot and call it a
reservation! Reserved until when and for whom?
The Rapture? How is that righteousness?

If an alien from Mars landed on earth today and planted
a flag on the White house lawn claiming they discovered
a new nation while Africans who had arrived in American
before them navigated the space ship, by what logic or
Christian principle would America belong to the Martians?

So, the native Americans were discovered by aliens
and that makes it right in the sight of God! Does
America Need Change, Obama or the Rapture?

Would conservative Republicans have viewed Jesus’
decision to pay taxes to Tiberius Caesar’s government
treason or blind support for an ungodly nation? We
know how the Jews felt about it.

While Jesus paid taxes readily, and the Jews did so
reluctantly, it was the latter who later accused him of
treason and insurrection. Yet they actually rebelled
against Rome because of their opposition to paying
taxes in the name of patriotism and conservative
Judaism! Was the Lord unpatriotic?

In fact, the conservative Jewish tradition of resistance
to change was the direct cause of the destruction of
of the Jerusalem and the end of Biblical Judaism in
A.D. 70. (Acts 6:13, 14). These Jews made the same
claim as Kelley, that their holy place and laws were
being polluted by liberal Christians.

Will Republicans refuse to pay taxes when Obama
assumes the office of the presidency? Will their support
of the government mean they support all of Obama’s
personal beliefs? Then why must it be so for Democrats
or even other Republicans who voted for him?

Did Jesus support all the views of Caesar? Did the
believing Jews who obeyed and followed Christ’s example
and commandments to “render unto Caesar that which
is Caesar’s” commit sin? (Matt 22:17–21)

Why do Republicans feel they are the “godly” party
and everyone who does not vote as they do are
condemned to hell? Do others not have the freedom
to choose the candidate of their choice? Apparently
so.

The apostles Paul and Peter wrote to Christians
as a direct command to be subject to governing
authorities. (Romans 13:1–7, 1 Peter 2:13, 14).

How many racists stood in defiance of human rights
moral laws and biblical principles to deny other
humans their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness, “in the name of Jeeezus!”

When Paul wrote Romans 13, Nero was the
commander in Chief of Rome! The governing
authorities of the Jewish people were murdering
and imprisoning innocent Christians!

Do conservatives advocate that we withhold our
prayers for “kings and all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and reverence?” (2 Tim. 2:1–3)

Somehow the early Christians were able to make
sophisticated distinctions between submitting to
government and endorsing every ideology of the
government. Isn’t that what we do with all people,
husbands, wives, children, etc.

In contrast, the bible makes it clear that “civil
disobedience” is valid when a government requires
submission to principles which conflict with those
of God, (Daniel 6, Acts 5:29), which is an individual
choice even upheld by the constitution.

Citizens can object by vote or by protest. How else
could America have justified its existence? Remember
the Boston Tea Party started the Revolution over a
protest mantra of “No taxation without representation!”

The U.S. Constitution recognizes that people
may have differences with their elected officials who
govern is one of the protections of a civil society.
How else could their be a democracy?

Why then is it considered unpatriotic for a person to
exercise their vote for a candidate that may have
personal opinions that differ from their own, but a
consensus agenda that unites people toward common
goals and objectives?

Or is it only conservative Republicans who are not
impacted by the current financial Armageddon? If not
what were the bailouts all about? When did sharing
wealth become unChristian? (1 Tim. 6:18)

Further, throughout the Bible, we see godly statesmen
such as Daniel and Nehemiah in the courts of Persia,
accepting responsibility, praying to God and asking for
the forgiveness of the sins and crimes of their fathers,
Nehemiah 1, Daniel 9).

Will conservative Republicans offer an apology for the
governments role in institutionalized slavery? Will they
accept the responsibility of the crimes of their
fathers in robbing the material and human wealth of
African nations through over 200 years of institutionalized
slavery to build the wealth on Wall street?

So far no, but many with blood on their patriotic hands
salute the flag and pledge their allegiance to the
government as though they have no king but Caesar
and all who will not bow to them are not Caesar’s friend.

As I recall, the conservative and patriotic Jews didn’t
worry much about their own blood stained hands or
those of their children, (Matthew 27:25).

This is not an indictment against all Republicans. Nor
does it exonerate Democrats, Independents or any
other political party.

It does however seek to expose the utter hypocrisy
of those whether conservative Republican or Democrat
who claim they are the only righteous torch bearers
of the nation.

Mr. Kelly reveals his true concerns in saying that this
election could bring about fundamental change in America.
That certainly would be a welcome breath of fresh air
if change means what it should mean, “repentance”
for the sins enumerated above.

He also speaks of peace, financial security, tolerance
and choice as “campaign code words” for rebellion
against God, when desired by Obama supporters.

Hopefully there is at least one Republican in the land
who would find such words shocking especially in view
of the financial crisis and turmoil of the nation and the
growing global community.

There is a good chance that many in America
and the larger global community are outgrowing the
narrow-minded immaturity of the Republican party as
it stands.

Yes, change is not only desirable for an Obama campaign,
it seems those who resisted it the most need it the most.
According to the news media, they have lost their way.

Some in this nation are so holily grieved that they
are looking past president elect Obama to the next
election as though they will bear with him as the ‘boils
on the body of Job’ until his term ends, —all in the name
of restoring righteous conservatism in the government.

How godly is it for a nation to take care of its rich
while neglecting and abusing its poor? This is not
about individual industry and self-determination.

The American people have had their tax dollars
stolen with huge billion dollar bailouts at tax payers
expense. A trillion dollar deficit hocks the future while
oil companies and banks profited at their expense.

What’s at stake Mr. Kelly asks? He laments that
the foundations of our society are being uprooted
by modern and ungodly philosophies. We do see
this happening in many ways, without the need to
adopt conservative Republican agenda. However,
his solution is why worry, the Rapture will come
soon and end it all.

If the Republicans believe that strongly in the Rapture
why have a Republican party at all? Let them eat,
drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die. Such are the
sentiments of Mr. Kelley and his recommendation for
retreat now that he sees the country going to hell
in a hen basket because Republicans are not controlling
the White house.

One thing is evident. The Rapture doctrine of retreat
from responsibility and accountability has not changed
since its “founding fathers” advocated it a century and
a half ago. Yes, we need philosophic eschatological change,
to renounce the defeatist retreatism Rapture doctrine.

We also need political change to address and improve on
achieving the ideals of one nation under God, with liberty
and justice for all. That would in fact be a “Christian
government.”

Who is the new king of Ezekiel 37:22–25 that will reign on
David’s Throne over the reunited kingdom of Judah and Israel?

This prophecy is very important because it says that at that
time God makes Israel one nation again, he would gather
them from every side and bring them into their own land;
and one king shall be over them.

Some take this prophecy as a literal return of Israel to the
land of Palestine citing 1948, as its fulfillment. Premillennialists
have gone on record saying that 1948 was a “Super Sign of
the End ” of the age, meaning the Rapture was imminent and
that Israel had to be restored at that time so that the Rapture
could occur.

Hal Lindsey went so far as to predict the end of the age
within 40 years (one generation) identifying 1988 as the
year it would all come to pass. Well, why are we yet here?

The late John Walvoord wrote that Ezekiel 37:24–25, in
prophesying of David’s rule over the united kingdom, meant
that it requires the second coming of Christ, the establishment
of David’s kingdom on earth, the resurrection of David, and
David’s sharing the throne of Israel as coregent with Christ.
Major Bible Prophecies, p. 393

He further states:

“The fact that David will share the throne of Christ in the
millennial kingdom is brought out in many other passages
(Jer. 30:9; 33:15–17; Ezek. 34:23–24; Hose. 3:5)” He
concludes, “This prophecy cannot be fulfilled today because
David has not been resurrected and because there is no
Davidic throne on earth.

Premillennarians cannot claim that the millenium (thousand
year reign of Christ) has begun, because there has been
no Rapture, and neither David nor Christ are reigning on
a literal throne in Israel.

This means that if the modern state of Israel is in the
land without David ruling over them, they have no
promise from God that they will remain in the land
forever. That promise applies to the time when David
reigns (v. 25).

But the Premillennarian interpretations have more serious
problems. When “David” reigns over them, they would
have a covenant of peace, and a temple to signify that
God would be their God and they his people. They have
neither.  So what do we make of the modern state of
Israel and 1948, according to Ezekiel 37?

The facts of the matter are that none of the conditions
of Ezekiel 37 have were met in 1948. How then can this
be a fulfillment of the regathering of Israel? Observe:

1. The Ashkenazi people who predominately make up
   the “Jewish” state are not descendants of Abraham.
   Abraham is a descendant of Shem, through Noah,
   Gen. 11:10–27. Ashkenzi Jews are Germans from
   the Rhineland, (Wikipedia). They cannot think
   within themselves that they have Abraham as
   their father.Further, the genealogical tables allowing the Jews
   to trace their lineage were destroyed in the A.D. 70,
   destruction of the temple, so even the ethnic people
   of Palestine who may be descendants of Abraham
   cannot trace their lineage.

   If those who established the state of Israel in 1948
   are not the descendants of Abraham, then it is not
   the regathering of Israel as was prophesied in the
   Scriptures.

   This is not to say that the modern state of Israel
   should not be recognized politically, but they are
   no more “the” holy nation, that is Iran, Iraq or the
   U.S.

2. God did not pour out his Spirit prior to setting up
   the state of Israel in 1948, a requirement to bring
   them into the land.
3. God did not resurrect Israel. Walvoord is correct
   in reasoning that “David” had to be resurrected
   to reign over the reunited kingdom but is incorrect
   in that it would be a joint reign between Christ
   and the ancient Israelite king.
4. The modern state of Israel was not “born again”
   according to the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:25, 26,
   as demanded by Christ in John 3:3–8. In fact,
   the majority of the Jews in Israel reject Christ,
   and yet, will not have “this man reign over them.”
5. Per number four, they as a nation have not been
   washed from their idols, nor preempted from the
   ravages of war. Such would constitute the new
   kingdom under “David” according to the prophecy
   in Isaiah 2:3, 4).
6. There is no covenant of peace in Israel today and
   they certainly have not turned their swords and
   spears into plowshares and pruning hooks. They
   have exchanged them for weapons of mass
   destruction!

Not only is the absence of “David” among this modern
state of Israel a testimony that God has not recognized
them as the regathered kingdom, it is necessary to
understand what and who this David is to further
support this point.

David’s Throne is Now in Heaven Not on Earth

The promise of Isaiah 9:7, is that the Son born, (meaning
the Messiah, Christ Jesus) would reign upon the throne
of David. Luke records this prophecy saying of the Christ
born of the virgin Mary, that:

“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His
kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32, 33).

So God would give to Christ, the throne of David. Thus,
Christ is the “David” of the prophecy who sits on the
throne, only that throne is not literal and on earth, but
in heaven at the Father’s right hand.

Peter states in Acts 2:29–35:

• Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of
  the patriarch David, that he is both dead and
  buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
• “Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that
  God had sworn with an oath to him that of the
  fruit of his body, according tot he flesh, He
  would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
• he, foreseeing this, spoke, concerning the resurrection
  of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades,..
• This Jesus has God raised up, of which we are all
  witnesses.
• Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God,
  and having received from the Father the promise of
  the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see
  and hear.
• For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he
  says himself: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My
  right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.

David himself prophesied that God would raised up the Christ
from the dead to sit on David’s throne. That means David’s
throne is no longer on earth, but in heaven.

God prophesied through Jeremiah that no one would prosper
sitting on the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah.
(Jeremiah 22:30). Thus, if Christ were on earth, he could
not occupy the throne of David.

Further, God poured out the Spirit through Christ, signifying
that the time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy had
begun through Christ.

In addition, Israel is commanded to believe, repent of their
sins and be baptized or washed from their uncleanness. Thus,
the new birth for Israel had begun on that Pentecost as well.
(Acts 2:37–41)

Further, the gathering of Israel into one nation begins during
the apostolic age. Hosea’s prophecies are fulfilled through the
ministry of Paul to the Gentiles. (Romans 9:25–26). Likewise,
Peter tells the Jews of the Diaspora in his day, they are the
fulfillment of Hosea 1:10, 11, 2:23).

Follow Peter’s message concerning the Gentiles in Acts 15:7–9,
James declares that the tabernacle of David was then being
rebuilt with the inclusion of the Gentiles. (Acts 15:15–17).
This was the manner in which God was regathering Israel to
himself through Christ.

Even the unbelieving Jews in who plotted to kill Christ recognized
that significance of the death of Christ and the consequent
regathering of the nation, (John 11:50–52).

Ezekiel’s prophecy of the two sticks joined together representing
Israel and Judah is the message of unity in Paul’s epistle to the
Ephesians which culminates in the rebuilding of the temple,
(2:11–22), all of which takes place through Christ who reigns
from heaven on the throne of David.

Premillennarians overlook these prophecies as being the
fulfillment because they reject the spiritual nature in which they
are fulfilled. Rather, they opt for revivification of all the Old
Testament shadows and types in lieu of the substance
through Christ.

God says that which was natural was first, afterward that which
is spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46) Premillennalism reverses God’s order
opting for the natural and national as the conclusion of God’s
redemptive program.

In conclusion, it should now be clear that David’s throne is set
up in heaven. Christ was raised up to reign on David’s throne
forever, and to regather the nation, in him. The Holy Spirit was
poured out, Israel received her new birth as a nation (2 Cor. 5:17)
and the new temple and covenant resulted in their salvation and
resurrection from the dead. (Hebrews 8:6–13)

Many would like to make the subject of the resurrection a matter
of the nature of the resurrection body only. While it is valid to
address and identify the nature of the resurrection body, it is also
valid to address Preterism’s timing of the resurrection in eschatology
if futurists and other rapture ready advocates expect to build a
convincing case.

“When Shall These Things Be” edited by Keith A. Mathison a book that
sought to address the major issues of the preterit view with the hope
of convincingly refuting them, Robert Strimple had these comments
on the issue of time and resurrection.

“Obviously an orthodox Christian response to hyper-preterism must
address the prophetic “time texts” of the New Testament…” , p 290.

Strimple however passes on that attempt, trusting that the editor has
done an adequate job. However, it seems that this impressive line up of
authors did not take the time to read and fully understand the
implications and ramifications of what they had written previously
on the subject of time.

In other words, Kenneth Gentry, Jr. and Keith Mathison, use the very
same text to teach the exact opposite views. This seriously impacts
Strimple’s assumptions on the nature of the resurrection body.
It eats the heart out of his more desirable “methodology” approach.

Gentry ‘s Preterist Implications on the Timing of the Resurrection

In seeking to bolster the claim that time is not a matter of critical
importance in establishing the nature of resurrection, Strimple
waves a hand of approval to Mathison’s arguments on the
eschatological time texts.

However, Mathison and Gentry are at odds on the most critical
argument offered by Mathison. What is the net result? It weakens
the argument of Strimple on the nature of bodily resurrection.

Mathison, not at all confident  in his previous arguments,
(p. 180), asks us to “assume” that this generation in
Matthew 24:34, “refers to the generation of Jews who heard
Jesus’ words,” i.e. meaning the first century generation.

One does not have to assume anything by reading the message
addressed to those same Jews in Matthew 23:36, a brief while
before Jesus’ offered the same phrase in chapter 24:34. Compare
the two phrases.

“Assuredly, I say to you , all these things will come upon
this generation. (Matthew 23:36)

“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass
away till all these things take place.” (Matthew 24:34)

Now for just a moment, imagine you are Peter, James John and
Andrew listening to Christ utter the words in chapter 23:36.
Later, you ask him what he meant by those words and he offers
the wording in Matthew 24:34.

Would you come away with the understanding that “this generation”
in the former chapter is emphatically a reference to the overthrow of
the temple in A.D. 70, while “this generation in chapter 24, is not?

Mathison realized he could not escape the force of the text. He has
no confidence in the floundering “double-fulfillment prophetic
telescoping arguments offered by dispensationalists though he
does not categorically dismiss them.

He timidly offers the linguistic argument on “ginetai” as an
ingressive aorist, (signifying action in its beginning or entrance
in a state or condition). In other words he would not take a firm
position on this speculative argument that “ginetai” means to
“begin to come to pass,” versus a completed action.

Mathison notes that dispensationalists believe the coming of the
Son of Man (Matthew 24:30) refers to the second coming but they
disagree that this generation means the first century Jews.

He also acknowledges that Preterists believe the coming of the
Son of Man is the second coming but accept the consistency of
“this generation” to mean the Jews of the first century in both
Mathew 23:36, and 24:34.

What is his solution? Acknowledging that both views above accept
the coming of the Son of Man as the second coming, he denies
exegetically and linguistically that “this generation” refers to
a future generation.

In this he agrees with Preterists on the time of the text. However,
he opts for a totally different view of the coming of the Son of Man,
namely that it is not Christ’s coming in A.D. 70.

But in the words of Amos, Mathison has “fled from a lion and a bear
met him! He went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall and a
serpent bit him,” as far as this exegetical “new twist” is concerned.

One of Mathison’s contributors, Kenneth Gentry, Jr. offers arguments
on the very text in question that the coming of the Son of Man,
is the A.D. 70 coming of Christ in judgment upon Jerusalem, defending
a preterist interpretation of the chapter against dispensationalist
Dr. Thomas Ice, “The Great Tribulation, Past or Future?, pp. 53-61,
Kregel Publications.

For an excellent resource to help in understanding the time texts related
to eschatology, see Don Preston’s “Can God Tell Time?”

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…