In the past couple of weeks, there have been several things worth noting (and I am covered up with work) so I will try to mention five of them with just a few sentences about each.

First, on June 14, 2017, prominent leaders from 22 religions (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindus, Buddhist, etc.) launched a video with subtitles in many different languages. These leaders called for everyone to make friends with people of other faiths.

Christians believe in tolerance and most will not have a problem with this. But some Christians will view this as a step toward establishing a world religion. If leaders from many different religions try to change or go against what the Bible says, it could lead to persecution.

Friendship is one thing. Trying to silence Christians on abortion, gay issues, Jesus is the only way to be saved, etc. is an entirely different matter.

Second, on June 17, 2017, it was reported that the state of Illinois owes 15.1 billion dollars on unpaid bills and the state is close to having its bond status reduced to a junk rating.

The state of Illinois could be the first state in history to declare bankruptcy. But the States of New Jersey, Maine and Connecticut are not far behind. In fact, Gov. Chris Christie has already declared a state of emergency and ordered a partial shutdown of the government. At some point, hopefully not before the Rapture of the Church, there will be a global economic collapse.

For whatever it is worth, a few so-called experts are saying it could happen in the next few months, perhaps before the end of the year. We shall see.

Third, on June 19, 2017, it was reported that Japan has passed a series of laws that allow authorities to arrest people before they commit a crime. People that are thought to be in the planning stages of a crime can be locked up before they do anything wrong.

One troubling matter about these laws is that they allow government officials to arrest unruly citizens that object to government decisions. The mark of the beast will be used to arrest people that object to government decisions.

Fourth, on June 21, 2017, DebkaFile called the appointment of Prince Mohammad bin Salman to be the new Crown Prince and heir to the throne in Saudi Arabia a game-changing international event.

DebkaFile believes the appointment of this man will create a new U.S.-Arab-Israeli alliance to stop Iran. In their eyes, this new alliance increases the possibility of a Middle East peace treaty. President Trump’s tweet that “Interesting things are happening” has added fuel to the fire.

I believe the Bible teaches that Egypt and others will get into a war with Israel at the end of the age (Isa. 19), but they will eventually settle their differences and during the Millennium there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria (Isa. 19:23).

In the meantime, keep an eye on President Trump’s peace initiatives. The Bible clearly teaches that the Tribulation period will begin when the Antichrist confirms a treaty for seven years of peace in the Middle East.

Fifth, in the Old Testament, God told the Jews that were physically able to do so to take a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Temple three times a year (Deut. 16:16).

On June 27, 2017, it was reported that Israel has decided to modernize Jerusalem to accommodate millions of visitors that will be visiting on a pilgrimage in the future. More hotels, better roads and rail systems, busses and more are needed.

According to the report, a fast train system is already under construction from the airport to Jerusalem and the decision has been made to extend it to the Temple Mount to accommodate visitors. This is amazing.

During the Millennium, millions of people will visit Jerusalem and the Temple Mount to spend time with Jesus. Apparently, God has started preparing the way.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com

 

I know many people will disagree with me, but here is what I believe.

As Jesus and His disciples were leaving the Temple, His disciples pointed out the buildings. Jesus said, “There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

They went out to the mount of Olives and asked three questions (Matt:24:1-3):

1. “When shall these things be?”
2. “What shall be the sign of thy coming?”
3. “And of the end of the world (or age)?”

Question #1: When shall these things be?

Keep in mind that Jesus is talking to Jews and there was no church at that time.

Jesus mentioned false Christs and wars and rumors of wars and He added, “but the end is not yet.” He mentioned famines, pestilences and earthquakes and He added, “All these are the beginning of sorrows (birth pains)” (Matt. 24:4-8).

All of these things are plural meaning there will be many false Christs and many wars before the end. There will be many famines, many pestilences and many earthquakes before the Second Coming and the end of the age. These things are just the beginning of the birth pains.

For whatever it is worth, Dr. J. Vernon McGee taught that the first eight verses of Matthew 24 are about the Church Age (Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Volume IV, Matthew-Romans, pg. 126). The Church Age must run its course before the end of the age.

Question #2: What shall be the sign of thy coming?

Jesus’ Second Coming is at the end of the Tribulation period. The Church is not on earth. The Church comes out of heaven with Him (Rev. 19:1-16). So, starting at Matt. 24:9 Jesus is talking about those on earth (Israel and others) during the Tribulation period and the Church will no longer be on earth.

Jesus said they (Israel and others) will face persecution, martyrdom, betrayal, false prophets, deceit, iniquity (lawlessness or corrupt government) and cold hearts. He added, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt. 24:9-13). All Israel will be saved at the end of the Tribulation period (Zech. 12:10-14; 14:1-11).

He said the gospel will go all over the world “and then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14). The preaching of the 144,000 Jewish servants of God, the Two Witnesses and an angel will fulfill this during the Tribulation period (Rev. 7; 11 and 14:6).

He said the abomination of desolation will stand in the holy place (Matt. 24:15). This will happen at the Temple in Israel at the middle of the Tribulation period (Dan. 9:27).

He said, “Then, let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains” (Matt. 24:17). Judaea is the West Bank in Israel. This is another event that will happen in Israel at the middle of the Tribulation period (Rev. 12:13-14)

He told those who flee to not try to take anything with them and to pray that they don’t have to flee on the sabbath day (Matt. 24:17-20). Why? Because Israel will be back under the Law, offering animal sacrifices, etc., and they will be limited to how much they can carry and how far they can walk on the sabbath.

He said, “then shall be great tribulation.” That is the last half of the Tribulation period, Satan will be on earth and he will hate and kill Jews (Rev. 12:15-17).

Jesus mentions the “elect” three times (Matt. 24:22, 24, 31). There is no doubt that the word “elect” refers to the Church in many verses of Scripture. But here Jesus is talking to Jews about Jews under the Law during the Tribulation period after the Rapture of the Church. Understand that the word “elect” can also refer to Israel. God called Israel the “elect” (Isa. 45:4; 65:9, 22).

God doesn’t change. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Rom. 11:29). He has not forsaken Israel (Rom. 11:25-26; Heb. 13:8). He also called both Old Testament and New Testament Jews “saints” (Psa. 79:1-2; Matt. 27:52; Rev. 17:6). The words “elect” and “saints” can refer to Israel or the Church. In Matt. 24, Jesus keeps talking about Israel, but He never mentions or uses the word “Church.”

He said His coming will be like lightning coming out of the east (Matt. 24:27). He was still talking about His coming at the end of the Tribulation period.

He said, “Whersoever the carcase is there will the eagles be gathered” (Matt. 24:28). This is a Jewish proverb about Palestinian eagles (vultures) gathering for a feast at the battle of Armageddon in Israel when Jesus comes back at the end of the Tribulation period (Rev. 19:17-18).

He talked about cataclysmic events that will happen immediately after the tribulation of those days (Matt. 24:29-31). The sun will dim, the moon won’t shine, stars will fall, the universe will shake and people will see Jesus coming in the clouds.

He talked about the fig tree and that is Israel (Matt. 24:32-34; Hos.9:10; Jer. 24:1-10).

He talked about the generation that sees all these things and all of it happening in one generation (Matt. 24:33-34). The Church won’t be on earth to see the Antichrist defile the Temple, but Israel will (II Thess. 2:1-12).

Question #3: What shall be the sign of the end of the world (or age)?

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). He added, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matt. 24:36).

No one knows the day or the hour of the Rapture or the Second Coming (Matt. 24:42), but in Matt. 24:36, Jesus was saying no one knows the day or the hour that heaven and earth (the world) will pass away.

To bring this to a close, this writer believes most of Matt. 24 is about Israel and the Tribulation period not the Rapture, or the Church or the Church Age. Jesus answered the three questions that He was asked including the one about the end of the world (or age).

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com