Is Rapture Biblical?

The Rapture: Why?

By Jack Kinsella - Omega Letter Editor

www.omegaletter.com

"These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

According to the editors of the "World Christian Encyclopedia: A comparative survey of churches and religions - AD 30 to 2200," there are 19 major world religions which are subdivided into a total of 270 large religious groups, and many smaller ones.

For eighteen of the world’s major religions and its 270 sub-divisions, the concept of the sudden and instantaneous translation of millions of adherents from one form of existence into the next is completely unheard of.

It is even a controversial doctrine within Christianity. There are entire huge subdivisions, or denominations within Christianity that totally dismiss the concept of the Rapture. I found a column at the appropriately-named AgainstDispensationalism.com that argues belief in the Rapture is little more than “The Arrogance of the West.” I chose that column to highlight because it is a shining example of why the Rapture is so controversial.


To Jerry Johnson, the president of something called the Nicene Council, the Rapture is “paperback” theology and a recent theological concoction never taught by the ‘historic church’.

(For context, the ‘historic church’ would be the one that embraces replacement theology. And my Bible is paperback).

Notes Johnson: “One is hard pressed to think that all of the great minds from St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin and Charles Haddon Spurgeon, that though they had read I Thessalonians 4 failed to understand the important teaching of a pre-millennial, pre-tribulation rapture.”

Then he lashes out with his best, Sunday punch.

“Pre-tribulation rapture theology is at its foundation conceited!”

This is the main objection to the doctrine of the Rapture – the misconception that the Rapture is a Great Escape. Why should Christians escape the Great Tribulation while others do not?

“It’s unfair and God isn’t unfair.”

One wonders if they find it equally unfair that some go to heaven and others go to hell. My bet is that some do, but others don’t. (But all would agree that Hitler shouldn’t go to heaven.)

That’s why God is God and theologians are not.

Assessment:

As noted, no other religion has anything resembling a Rapture doctrine, including whatever ‘historic church’ Jerry Johnson was referring to. So where did it come from and why is it there?

The first thing anybody does when trying to answer that question is to hopelessly complicate the issue so that whatever answer they come up with, it is practically impossible to decipher.

If you take enough verses from different places throughout the Bible, you can make a case for a Rapture, against a Rapture, for pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, amillennial, premillenial, or post millennial, with or without a 1000 year Kingdom.

I know that to be true because there are scholars that adhere to each and every one of those positions (which is why they have names for them) and I refuse to believe that they hold those positions without some kind of Scripture to hang them on.

If one sees the purpose of the Rapture as a “Great Escape” then it is easy to take verses from all over the Bible to refute it. Not because the Rapture is a false doctrine. But because that isn’t the purpose of the Rapture. Knowing why provides valuable clues as to when and how.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ promised His disciples that when He ascended into Heaven, the Holy Spirit would come upon them and indwell them and empower them. That indwelling Power would come upon and indwell all who believed.

Jesus called Him the Comforter. Jesus promised that He would abide with me forever.

Let’s examine the simplest questions first.

What does it mean when Jesus Christ makes a promise to the Church? Is it reliable? What does “forever” mean? Is there a time constraint on forever? When would forever run out? Does abide forever mean “abide forever for every generation but one?”

Houston, we have a problem. According to my paperback theology, the Comforter is:

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:7)

So, the Comforter is the Spirit of Truth and He indwells me. That’s what my paperback theology teaches me.

Then comes Part Two of the paperback Promise.

“I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

So how to resolve this obvious “contradiction” in Scripture? There is only one way.

The Holy Spirit continues in indwell me throughout the Tribulation Period. Therefore, by the authority of the Word of God, specifically, 1st John 4:4, “Greater is He (the indwelling Holy Spirit) than he that is in the world.”

Since the indwelling Holy Spirit is greater and since He will not leave or forsake me during the Tribulation, it is not possible for the antichrist to overcome my indwelling Spirit and pledge allegiance to him.

But that contradicts Revelation 13:7 which says that he can. And it’s not a little contradiction, either.

For the antichrist to overcome an indwelt child of the Living God, he must defeat the Indweller. Unless the Holy Spirit no longer indwells me. And if He doesn’t, did He ever?

And if He did, where did He go? And how did He do that without breaking Jesus promise not to leave me Comfortless? The Tribulation is, after all, the time of greatest spiritual trial in all of human history.

And although every generation, from those thrown to the lions to those being massacred today in Iraq, have the benefit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, during the Tribulation I will be Comfortless?

How does that work? If the Rapture is a Great Escape from Tribulation for Christians, then wouldn't the opposite be when Christians suddenly have the Comforter ripped from them just when He is most needed?

And if I am still indwelt, then what is the purpose in sealing the Jews of Revelation 7 with the Holy Spirit so they can share the Gospel? What’s wrong with using me? Isn’t that my job since the Great Commission?

Here’s the Rapture narrative in summary. The Age of Grace began at Pentecost with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Age of Grace concludes at the Rapture with the withdrawal of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Promise to the Church is kept precisely as it was given by the Lord Himself.

Now, if one really works at it, one can find creative ways to portray the Rapture as the Great Escape and from there, all kinds of creative ways to dismiss it as paperback theology.

But the simplest answer is still the only one that makes sense.

Global Surveillance, When?

The 666 Surveillance System

John McTernan

www.defendproclaimthefaith.org

Revelation 13:16,17

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (666).

No Man Might Buy Or Sell Except He Has The Mark

There is not a more spine chilling chapter in the entire Bible than Revelation chapter 13. This chapter describes the rise to power of a demonically inspired world dictator, similar in nature to Adolph Hitler. He is called the Beast, but is better known as the Anti-Christ. He uses a world financial system to control the people, as no one can buy or sell unless they are linked by a mark with a number to this system. This is found in Revelation 13:16,17 with the number being 666. It seems that everyone knows about the number 666, even those with little knowledge of the Bible, as it is identified as the devil's number! This is probably one of the best known verses in all the Bible.

For centuries, the fulfillment of these verses was a mystery. The mark was believed to be a tattoo. Christians believed by faith that, just prior to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, a system would be in place where no one could buy or sell without this Mark. However, the understanding of these verses along with the possible fulfillment has really come into focus in the last 25 years.

There have been dramatic technological developments, which have spilled over to both the government and private industry on a world-wide scale. This technology, in the very near future, could monitor all buying and selling. The heart of this monitoring system is the computer and the digitization of all information.

The entire world is heading towards total computerization with a system that is linked world-wide through satellites and electronics. Literally, the day is now upon us that it will be possible to monitor all buying and selling. The computer and the world economic system are creating, at unbelievable speed, the conditions in which Revelation 13:16-18 could be fulfilled. It will soon not be possible to buy or sell without a computer being involved with the transaction.

How is this all coming about? The prophet Daniel predicted that at the time of the end, the period just prior to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus, there would be a tremendous increase in knowledge.

Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Knowledge, and especially computer technology has exploded, and now in less than every two years knowledge doubles. Computer related technology only a few years old becomes obsolete. The ability to monitor and store vast amounts of information about people and have it on instant recall is now available to all levels of government. Society has reached the point where now there is a total computerization of all information.

This explosion of knowledge and computer technology has led to a nearly cashless society. The vast percentage of transactions today is now electronic while the use of cash and checks are becoming less and less. Many banks are phasing out checks. Many items are so expensive that it makes it impossible to carry large amounts of cash for the payment. The use of credit or debit cards is by far the most common instrument for purchasing an item.

A person may use a credit card virtually any place in the world. It has become the universal financial instrument throughout the entire world. This instrument is taken for granted today, but think how technologically advanced economics have become, when a person can make a purchase in a foreign country without currency! And, this purchase then is instantly registered to your account at home and the funds withdrawn!

The entire world is heading toward this system and the only way to avoid it will be by bartering. The technological ability to operate a world-wide cashless economic system is now in place for a good percentage of the world. The elimination of cash is all that is needed to bring this system totally on line. The present world-wide economic crisis with the collapse of many currencies and economies is a major indicator that a world-wide cashless economy is very possible.

Along with the move toward a developing cashless society is a universal numbering system. America already has one called the Social Security number (SSN). This number is used for nearly everything. If you open any type of bank account or make any financial transaction, it is needed. It is required for a driver's license, to obtain medical coverage and virtually all contact with government.

This number is the common denominator which allows the various levels of government, along with business to merge computerized information about you. The social security number has become the universal key in society. Whether you realize or not, your identification is already by number. Try dealing with the government, or obtaining a job, or opening a bank account without this number!

The use of this number is endless, but it is a universal numbering system. It is very possible that in the future the government could monitor all buying and selling through a numbering system which includes in some way the SSN. All commercial transactions would be linked to government computers and, through the SSN, the government could allow or block transactions. The technology to do this is available now. All it would take is a concerted effort by the government, and in a relatively short time this system could be operational. The computer hardware and software is in place along with the electronic connections through fiber optics, the internet, and satellites. What is needed is the directive to accomplish it.

In addition, crime and terrorism factor into the development of “The 666 Surveillance System.” Crime and now terrorism are major factors in the unification of this surveillance system. White collar crime is a key in merging many independent arms of the government. To combat fraud and schemes, government computers are being merged. What has developed is a national computer network to fight white collar crime. In addition, there is a vast merging of computers to identify and thwart terrorists. Huge data bases have been created to watch for terrorists. This includes monitoring travel and telephone calls.

The effort to combat crime and terrorism is creating a vast world-wide interlocking computer network. This network will be the very heart of the coming surveillance system. As technology increases, more and more information about individuals will be compiled and centralized until no one can by or sell without the government being aware. What is ironic is that crime is at the heart of creating this system. On one hand, people are inspired by satan to steal or commit acts of terrorism, while on the other satan then uses these acts to create “The 666 Surveillance System!” I doubt whether this system could come together without crime and terrorism.

The above Bible verses mention a mark on the right hand as the source of the numbering system allowing one to buy or sell. Again, the technology is nearly complete to allow this. What has been developed is a small chip that can be placed in the body, right under the skin. This small chip is about the size of a grain of rice. It gives off a signal that can be detected by various scanners. This technology has advanced now to the point, where people with a chip in their hand can have it function as a credit card or signal to unlock doors or turn on computers. In Mexico , officials in the government use this type of chip for security. In order to gain access to certain locations or computer files, a person needs the chip in the hand with the correct code!

This chip has been used for years to identify pets and livestock. Its function was perfected on animals, and now the technology is nearly in place where it can be used in humans for all types of applications. This would have been radical thinking 20 years ago, but today the technology is falling into place to activate such a system on a massive scale.

When studying the Bible about the Greek word "mark," it gives the impression of being engraved or etched. It could represent a stamp, maybe a tattoo or more like a branding. The chip under the skin does not fit this description. The technology fits but not the chip under the skin. There is technology now being developed where by a tattoo type of stamp is placed on the skin which contains electronic circuitry on it! The technology is being perfected as I am writing this. What I see in the future is a form of stamping on the skin that will be able to send and receive information. This stamp or electronic tattoo will be visible for all to see, and it will not be a chip hidden under the skin. Maybe the tremendous surge in tattoos is a precursor to what is coming. Years ago hardly anyone had a tattoo, but now a very large percentage of the population does. Is it possible that this surge in tattoos is preparing the population to receive the "Mark of the Beast"?

What appears will happen in the near future is that technology reaches the point where all buying and selling will come under the control of the government. The governments of the world through technology will have nearly complete control over people's lives. All information will merge into a massive computer system which I identify as "The 666 Surveillance System." This massive system will be tied into sources of information such as passports, GPS, UPC, RFID (Radio-frequency identification), biometrics, security cameras, cellphones, iPods, etc., in order to monitor all travel and information. The use of the Internet will be monitored. All financial information and medical records will be tied into this surveillance system. The government will control people through legislation such as Environmental, Banking reform, and Health Care.

This legislation will grant government more control over the lives of the people, and the advanced technology will be applied to the details of the law. This system is already in play. To complete this system, it is just a matter of tying it all together and applying the controls. There will be no way to avoid or hide from this system. It is the advanced technology which makes it so dangerous. The control of buying and selling is just the tip of the iceberg of this coming surveillance system.

All the advanced technology that is now in place or coming on line will be used to create this system. It will be the ultimate "mouse trap." The electronic marvels we now live with and make life easier will be harnessed and used by a Fascist type state for complete control. What is needed is a cataclysmic world economic crisis to create the atmosphere for world unity which will drive the desperate masses of people to accept it.

Right now the world is on the verge of such a crisis. There are numerous world and financial leaders who are calling for a New World Order. They are out in the open calling for a one-world economic and political system. (See my blog: johnmcternan.name as I have posted many articles about the New World Order being out in the open.) A world economic collapse, with the chaos that followed, would create the situation, which could forge a New World Order virtually overnight.

Adding to the instability of the world's economy, an all out war in the Middle East would strike fear throughout the world. Such a war would collapse the world economy as the price of oil would spike to unprecedented heights and paralyze the financial markets. Even a spike for a short time would collapse the fragile world economy.

In addition to the world economy, it is highly likely that during this war Israel would resort to nuclear weapons. The Bible details that entire Arab nations are going to disappear and in some cases, become uninhabitable. The nations directly involved are Egypt , Jordan , Syria , Lebanon , the Palestinians, Iraq and possibly Saudi Arabia . It is highly probable that other nations like the United States will be involved. There is the possibility of millions dead with tens of millions of refugees. This war would create fear throughout the world and create new political alliances. People will become overwhelmed by fear because of the magnitude of both the war and the world-wide economic collapse. The combination of the war and economic meltdown could simply overwhelm the nations.

At this time, the New World Order will come to the forefront. It will use all the advanced technology available to create a world government and economic system for controlling the people. A man will rise to leadership over this system. The Bible refers to him as the antichrist, Beast or "Man of Sin." He will have the answers for the people's fears and will implement "The 666 Surveillance System" with nearly complete control over people's lives. The Beast will be just like Hitler or Stalin only on a world-wide scale. And, just like tyrants of the past, he will use all available science and technology to control the people and destroy all who resist him. All the tyrants of the past did this, and, according to the Bible, the future Anti-Christ will follow this pattern.

What will happen is that all who have rejected the Holy God of Israel and the Lord Jesus will be herded into this system as evidence of judgment by God. Satan is the one who created this system, through the minds of scientists and a vast array of other people, building the ultimate trap, to ensnare the masses of people with no way out. The technology for accomplishing this is now in place. All that is needed is the crisis to create the conditions for the people desiring this false security and for the masses to accept it. The technological explosion we are now witnessing has an end game. It will result in the perfect trap for everyone who rejects the Bible and the salvation God offers through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The coming Beast is different than was Hitler or Stalin in that he demands worship. He will be both a political and religious leader. He is going to use "The 666 Surveillance System" as part of His religious system. The Bible always associates together the Mark of the Beast with the Image of the Beast. In the book of Revelation, these two are always mentioned together as part of a worship system. This is found in Revelation 13:14-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; and 20:4. The following is an example of the two found together:

Revelation16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

I fully explain the Image of the Beast in my article titled Singularity and the Image of the Beast. It appears that man through technology also is racing to create a cyborg type creature that will become the exact image of the Beast. When it is completed and in operation, the Beast will require worship of both him and his Image. The political, economic and religious realms will be merged into one system headed by one man. The technology that now surrounds us will be used to create both the Image of the Beast and the surveillance system. There is an end game at play, even though the vast majority of people at this time cannot see where this is all heading; however, the Bible explains the direction where this technology is heading.

When studying the linkage between the Image of the Beast and his mark, it appears that receiving the mark is the initiation into this religious system of worship. The mark will be the visible seal that a person is a member and will worship the antichrist and his Image. The Bible states the mark will be in the right hand or forehead. It is possible that the mark in the forehead is reserved for high ranking officials in this system, while the hand is for the average person.

Receiving the mark will then allow the person to function and live in this 666 system. No person will be tricked into joining, but they will know exactly that this system rejects the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. This mark is not just for buying or selling, but it is the initiation into a religious system of worship. This will be absolutely clear to all who receive it.

If a person refuses to worship the antichrist and receive the mark, he is killed.

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (9) If any man have an ear, let him hear. (10) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The Bible is very clear that once a person receives the Mark of the Beast and is initiated into this 666 system, he is damned forever with no hope of escaping from it. With the strongest possible wording, the Bible warns that whoever receives the Mark is forever separated from God in a literal place called hell.

Revelation 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

While it is very clear from the Bible that anyone who receives that Mark will be eternally separated from God, I think there is a human angle to this damnation. It might be possible that people who receive the Mark will damn themselves.

For years, I have been studying science and technology regarding the interfacing of man and machines. When both are fully integrated and merged, what scientists refer to as Singularity will have been reached. I regularly post on my blog updates how science is progressing with this merging. What I noticed is that every aspect and function of the brain is being unraveled and digitized. The exact location of moral decisions and spiritual awareness has been identified along with every other aspect of human thinking and emotions. The scientists soon will be able to wipe out thoughts in the mind and affect moral decisions. Right now this tampering with the mind is done by implanting a computer chip into the brain. In the near future, technology will advance to where most of the tampering will be done externally.

It is very possible that when a person receives the Mark of the Beast, it will also involve altering the thinking process. The location in the brain for decision making or worship will be tampered with in such a way that it will be impossible to change. By taking the Mark, the person is forever locked into worshiping the Beast and his Image, and thus has damned himself for eternity. Remember, all this advanced technology has an end game. In part, it will be used to seal people into “The 666 Surveillance System” with no way of repentance from it and turning to the Lord Jesus for salvation.

The Bible mentions two marks. One is taken to reject God and enter into a system that is in complete rebellion against Him. This mark leads directly to eternal death. The second is for those that have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are marked with the name of God and will live forever with the Lord Jesus in heaven. One mark is for eternal death, while the other is for eternal life. There will only be two marks in eternity.

How will you be marked? If you are not marked with the name of God, now is the time to be sealed by the Lord Jesus for eternal life with Him. Please do not delay. What is needed is repentance from sin and turning to God by confessing the Lord Jesus as your Savior from sin. Events are now racing to fulfill the Mark and Image of the Beast. Please do not delay, but turn to the Lord Jesus and come under the Mark of His name on you!

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Can Israel be destroyed again?

Israel Cannot Be Destroyed Again

By Daymond Duck 

www.raptureready.com

The Bible clearly says that God gave the Promised Land to the Jews forever. It’s even an undeniable fact of history that Jews have lived on the Promised Land for centuries. Even during the Babylonian and Roman dispersions there were still some Jews on the Promised Land. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon to hear Church leaders in mainline denominations refer to major portions of the Promised Land as “occupied territory” because Jews live on it. These Church leaders claim to understand the Scriptures, but if they do they are making themselves willingly ignorant of what the Scriptures say.

GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

God asked Abraham to move to the Promised Land. After he moved, God said, “I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Gen. 17:7-8).

A) God’s covenant with “thee” means with Abraham.

B) With “thy seed after thee” means with Abraham’s descendants after him.

C) In “their generations” means anytime Abraham has living descendants.

D) For an “everlasting covenant” means God’s covenant will last forever.

E) “I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land” means God gave the Promised Land to Abraham and his descendants (the Jews; see below).

F) “All the land of Canaan” means all (not part) of the Promised Land belongs to Abraham and his descendants (the Jews).

G) “For an everlasting possession” means all of the Promised Land belongs to Abraham and his descendants (the Jews) forever.

H) “I will be their God” means God made a covenant with Abraham to be Israel’s God.

THROUGH ISAAC NOT ISHMAEL

Some ask, “Does God’s covenant with Abraham go through Isaac, Ishmael or both?” God answered the question: “Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year” (Gen. 17:18-21). God said the covenant will go through Isaac not Ishmael.

This is not unfair. God loved Ishmael and promised: 1) to bless him, 2) To give him many descendants, and 3) to make him into a great nation. Ishmael now has about 300 million descendants. Ishmael’s descendants now rule in more than twenty Arab nations. God gave them billions of barrels of oil. But God didn’t give Ishmael’s descendants (the Arabs) the Promised Land. God said His covenant will go through Isaac.

The descendants of Isaac (not Ishmael) will eventually possess all of the Promised Land forever.

THROUGH JACOB NOT ESAU

The answer to this question is found in God’s covenant with Jacob. God told Jacob, “Thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel . . . And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land” (Gen. 35:10-12).

WHAT IF GOD DOESN’T KEEP HIS COVENANT

If God didn’t keep His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants through Jacob, God would be a liar or the Bible is wrong. But God does not lie and the Bible is not wrong. All of the Promised Land belongs to Israel and none of the Promised Land belongs to the Arabs or Muslims.

WHAT IF THE NATIONS REJECT OR IGNORE GOD’S COVENANT

God’s Word is settled forever (Psa. 119:89). He won’t break His covenant. If the nations keep rejecting and ignoring God’s covenant by attacking Israel without His approval they will eventually wind up in a battle with God called the Tribulation Period and the Battle of Armageddon. Don’t forget that the covenant says God is Israel’s God.

WHAT IF THE JEWS SIN

God clearly said they would sin and He would put them off the land, but He would not forget the covenant. Concerning their sin, He said, “And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD” (Lev. 26:44-45).

In the days of Jeremiah, He said, “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner” (Jer. 31:35-38). Israel won’t cease to be a nation as long as the sun, moon and stars are shining.

ISRAEL WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUPY THE LAND AND NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE THEM

God said, “And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God” (Amos 9:15).

The prophet Ezekiel spoke of a time that the Jews believe is beginning to come true today. God said, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded” (Ezek. 36:26-33).

ISRAEL IS THE KEY TO BIBLE PROPHECY

Israel must exist to be God’s people and exist in the latter years and latter days (Ezek. 38:8, 13). Israel must exist to be God’s people and God heritage at the Battle of Armageddon (Joel 3:1-2). Israel must complete all seventy weeks or 490 years of her punishment all prophecy is fulfilled and the time of everlasting righteousness begins (Dan. 9:24). Israel must exist for Jerusalem to be a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone for the whole world at the end of the age (Zech. 12:2-3). Israel must exist to sign a seven-year covenant at the end of the age that will begin the Tribulation Period (Dan. 9:27). Israel must exist to rebuild the Temple (Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:4). Israel must exist to resume the animal sacrifices before the Antichrist can stop them (Dan. 9:27). Israel must exist to flee into the wilderness when the Antichrist defiles the Temple (Matt. 24:15-17).

WHAT THE NEW TESTAMENT SAYS

Paul addressed the question this way, “I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Rom. 11:1-2a).

Paul also said, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Rom. 11:25-30). God will not repent or change His mind about His gifts and calling of Israel.

When the angel Gabriel announced the virgin birth to Mary, he took a message from God and addressed it this way, “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:26-33). Jesus didn’t sit on the throne of David or reign over the house of Jacob forever at His first coming, but He will. He will come back and the government will be on His shoulder (Isa. 9:6).

Prophecy Plus Ministries

Daymond & Rachel Duck

daymondduck@bellsouth.net

rachelduck@bellsouth.net