Monumental Messianic Misunderstanding

The spiritual blindness of today’s Israel was on display in a recent report of the words of one of the most revered present-day Jewish scholars. The report, I think, is strong evidence of Paul’s words about Israel’s condition until Christ returns—a condition brought about by Israel’s rejection of Him when He first offered Himself as Messiah.

“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day” (Romans 11:7-8).

This is what the article reporting the scholar’s words gave as his credentials:

Rabbi Mendel Kessin is a respected Torah scholar and lecturer with semicha (rabbinical ordination) and a PhD in psychology from Fordham University. He is best known for his teachings on Jewish mysticism, history, and the Messianic era, often weaving together Torah sources, world events, and deep spiritual insights. His lectures are widely followed in both the Jewish and broader spiritual community.

While his religious and academic credentials certainly exceed my own and those of most Bible prophecy scholars I’m familiar with, he displays the great spiritual blindness the Apostle Paul said will be Israel’s plight until the Lord Jesus returns in power and great glory at Armageddon.

He addresses, through that human-conceived purported acumen, what the evil perpetrated by Hamas and other perennial anti-Israel actors against the Jewish people means:

In a recent lecture delivered just days after the Trump-brokered ceasefire that resulted in the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza, Rabbi Mendel Kessin offered a deeply spiritual—and provocative—interpretation of current events. Far from being merely a geopolitical turning point, Rabbi Kessin argued that the hostage ordeal is part of a larger divine accounting, a cosmic reckoning unfolding in real time.

“Everybody’s got it basically all wrong,” Rabbi Kessin declared. “Let me try to explain what the whole idea of the hostages is, based on the Divine plan.”…

“So what we clearly see, this is a divine assistance that the Arabs are on the way out militarily and so on. The Arabs are on the way out, militarily and otherwise,” Rabbi Kessin said. “According to the divine plan, they are losing influence and the ability to harass Israel. This is what’s happening, and it’s being done miraculously. It’s almost like Israel doesn’t fail.”

“So the question as we approach the Messianic era, because that’s really what it means. The last enemy of the Jews, basically, is Ishmael, the Arabs. They are the last enemies of the Jews, and their reign ends at the end of time, and this is what we’re seeing. You see, that’s very important to understand now when that happens.”…

Rabbi Kessin framed the hostages not as random victims, but as spiritual representatives—“volunteers,” in his words—chosen by God to bear suffering on behalf of the Jewish people.

“As we approach the Messianic era, God must accelerate the process. This is the problem; therefore, the hostages now become the solution. The hostages are in the hands of the Arabs, and it’s not just 250 people; the hostage pains the Jewish people all over the world in many ways, God chose 250 people as what He calls ‘volunteers’ to represent the ability of the Arab people to dominate the Jews… to pain the Jews,” he said. “They don’t realize it, but their reward will be infinite.”…

“We have been released from [the Arabs’] claim that we have done to them for thousands of years.”

Rabbi Kessin connected the suffering of the hostages to the suffering of many Jews today—through illness, poverty, family crisis, or doubt—arguing that these too may serve the divine plan.

“Righteousness is losing. Many people are becoming apikorsim—heretics—because evil has a claim,” he explained. “God has to use this to level the justice claim of what goes on.”

“This hostage event, which was terrible for two years, is part of the Divine plan to remove the weight of error against the Jews and to continue the Messianic process.” (“Rabbi Kessin: ‘The Hostage Crisis Was Part of a Final Divine Reckoning,’” by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, Israel365 News)

Rabbi Kessin, like all who maintain forms of Orthodox Judaism, views Israel’s Messiah as still to appear to bring all of Israel’s problems to an end. Jesus Christ, in their view, is still considered an imposter to the title “King of the Jews.”

All that’s happening now with things seeming to go more and more against the Arabs (Ishmael’s progeny) is, in his view–and those of like mind in Judaism—a divine bringing-about of prophetic fulfillment. The four thousand years of perceived wrong Ishmael’s offspring have considered as Israel’s evil against them has now or is rapidly coming to an end, he believes. All will now be “good,” as the rabbi puts it.

What a monumental misunderstanding!

Their Messiah will soon come to Israel’s rescue, but it will not be His first visit to them–a visit Jesus accused the Jewish religionists of hypocrisy for not understanding the Messianic time in which they stood.

But before that “understanding” is attained, there must come the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). It will be a time of God’s wrath being poured out against the left-behind rebels of earth and a causing of the whole house of Israel to accept their True Messiah–Jesus Christ, their King and the King of all kings.

So, the “divine reckoning” the rabbi looks for is far different than he knows. His is a monumental misunderstanding of the True Messiah and His coming to bring a remnant of Israel into His eternal Kingdom.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

–Terry

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How Can We Not See?

I love Leanna Crawford’s story behind one of her songs. She told of a time from her childhood when she saw fireflies lighting up her backyard at night. Her dad responded to her amazement by asking, “How can you not see the Creator in all this?”

Her father’s question later led to her song, “How Can You Not See God?” In it, she asks, How can people not see God in the beauty and wonders of creation?

You might guess where my mind goes when I hear such questions; I wonder, “How can we not see the fulfilling of biblical prophecy everywhere we look?” For those of us who already recognize the signs of the last days, the following questions confirm what we already know and believe.

How Can We Not See God’s Hand in Israel’s Miraculous Reappearance as a Nation?

The most significant sign that we live in the last days is that of Israel’s existence as a nation. Just as the Lord predicted long ago in Isaiah 66:8, Israel miraculously became a nation on May 14, 1948:

“Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment?”

Despite the amazing fulfillment of this prophecy, many Christians refuse to believe that the Lord had anything to do with Israel’s reemergence as a nation. Author and speaker David Reagan wrote the following about such disbelief in an article on Harbinger’s Daily:

The Christian leaders of the mainline denominations laughed at these literal interpretations and boldly asserted that Israel would never exist again. Once the state of Israel became a reality in 1948, these same Christian leaders began to argue that it was just an “accident of history” and not a fulfillment of prophecy!

How can people not see God’s hand in this? There’s no other record of a people scattered and persecuted for two thousand years suddenly becoming a nation again with the same language and in the same location. Only the Lord could preserve His people in this way and bring about such a miracle.

How Can We Not See the Multitude of Signs Pointing to the Start of the Tribulation Period?

The “spiritual blindness” to which Dr. Reagan refers extends far beyond not recognizing the significance of Israel’s reemergence as a nation. Many also miss the multitude of signs telling us we live in the last days.

In my writing, I often discuss several signs pointing to the nearness of the tribulation period and thus to Jesus’ appearing. Below are just a few of them:

1. Third temple fever in Israel.
2. Warnings of economic turmoil the likes of which we read in Revelation 6:5-6.
3. Pole shift warnings that closely match prophecies in Revelation 6:12-17 and Isaiah 24:19-20.
4. An increase in the rumors of catastrophic wars.
5. Mark of the Beast technology that makes the fulfillment of Revelation 13:16-18 likely in the near future.
6. Transhumanism
7. The century-long push for a one-world government.
8. The “Peace and Security” mantra among today’s powerbrokers.
9. Peace agreements in the Middle East that include “the many.”
10. Perilous times on steroids.

Concerning the nearing arrival of the one-world governance, author and speaker Pete Garcia aptly wrote this on his blog:

Finally, we can see the final beast system starting to take form. It is using the crisis of health and money to steer the world into a biometric digital currency that will one day be used to control all buying and selling on the planet. At this point, it’s becoming violently obvious as to where this is all heading. In fact, one would have to be intentionally ignorant of Bible prophecy to purposefully ignore what is happening and where it is headed (see Revelation 13:16-18). Even non-Christians are starting to identify much of this stuff as having prophetic importance.

The words of the book of Revelation are coming to life before our eyes. I’m amazed that so many Christians cannot see the many warning signs.

How Can We Not See How Today’s Deception Fulfills the Words of Jesus?

When asked about the signs of the last days, Jesus’ first words were, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). In 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10, we again see lawlessness and deception as signs that would mark the appearance of the antichrist, who can’t appear on the world scene before the Rapture.

How can we not recognize the deception of our day as the fulfillment of these prophecies? The mainstream media anesthetizes people and Christians to the truth, making them unable to recognize the dangers that lie at their doorstep. With advancements in AI, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to know what’s real and what’s fake.

How Can We Not See the Nearness of Jesus’ Appearing?

I believe Jesus is coming soon for His church. What we see tells us that we surely live in the season of His appearing to take us home. If you look at world events and think the Lord should have already come for us, you are not alone. I wonder the same thing. But I know that soon, the Holy Spirit’s restraining work will come to an end, and we will meet Jesus in the air.

What we see in the world around us exactly matches what the Bible said it would look like in the last days. Once we see it, we cannot unsee it. How can we not eagerly anticipate the soon appearing of our Savior?

Maranatha!!

-Jonathan

From Zechariah’s “Cup of Trembling” to Trump’s “Board of Peace”

Prophetic progression has suddenly accelerated, but not exactly in the direction many Bible prophecy “watchers on the wall”—including yours truly—anticipated.

For a number of years, we’ve heard Israel is prophetically destined to be the victim of an attack from its immediately surrounding enemies. This is termed the “Psalm 83 war.” I have tried to see this threat in order to agree with many of my colleagues who propose that passage is about a literal military assault on the verge of taking place.

But I have continued to maintain that the Psalm 83 matter is an imprecatory prayer by God’s chosen people, Israel, pleading for God’s retribution against the enemies who have bedeviled the nation throughout the millennia. I continue to hold this view. Specifically, I believe it is a prayer that will be answered when the Lord destroys all but one-sixth of the Gog-Magog force that attacks (as recorded in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39).

Could I be wrong? Yes. The “prophecy” can be interpreted either way. I believe, however, that my view is correct based upon surrounding context. And I believe recent developments pointing to unfolding events regarding Israel and its surrounding nation-antagonists give further evidence that my view is likely correct.

Zechariah the prophet, as recorded in chapter 12 of the book with his name, said Israel will become “a cup of trembling and a burdensome stone” to the whole world. And, certainly, we’ve watched that condition developing, especially since Israel’s rebirth into modernity in 1948.

Israel was attacked from the moment of that rebirth. America’s President Harry S. Truman recognized the new Jewish state on behalf of America and the prophecy that it would again be a nation–and one born in a day.

Despite overwhelming odds of survival against relentless attacks by forces much larger than its own, Israel remained standing when the smoke cleared. The nation was attacked in overwhelming numbers by surrounding enemies in 1967 and 1973, and again its enemies were routed.

God said Israel would be His chosen nation forever. His promise has not failed. But the modern buildup against the Jewish state has been quite powerful in these days during which we see so many other circumstances and events setting the stage for prophetic fulfillment to take place. Zechariah’s prediction that Israel will become a “cup of trembling and a burdensome stone” for the world of nation-states certainly fits this time in which we find ourselves. Practically every country in the UN views Israel as a problem and votes against the Jewish state at every opportunity.

The nation chosen by God to be His own has continued to face down bitter enemies, both near and far.

Iran, the area of ancient Persia, has been its most directly threatening enemy. We all witnessed the buildup of Iran’s nuclear program—and its obliteration, with the help of America dropping the massive ordnance into Iran’s mountainous nuclear-weapons facilities. The entire time, there was a sense of that “trembling” Zechariah predicted. But with the success of destroying Iran’s weapons-development facilities came a strange change—not only within Iran, which was forced to acquiesce to the demands of Israel and America, but a change of attitude and comportment, almost immediately, within the leadership of all of Israel’s surrounding Arab-Islamic neighboring states. Middle Eastern States, most of which had great numbers within those nations, were shouting “death to Israel” and “death to America!”

So, have we seen Zechariah’s “cup of trembling and burdensome stone” prophecy fulfilled? I believe we have seen the first, perhaps, of several stages of that prophecy fulfilled. But more is to come. We know that because of the Gog-Magog assault that is yet to come.

What I find most fascinating is that Zechariah 12 seems to be setting the world up for an even greater “cup of trembling,” that of a prophetic fulfillment that will truly cause all nations that have come against God’s chosen people to be “cut to pieces,” as Zechariah also prophesied.

“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:3).

We have watched within a week or two President Donald Trump perform what almost might be called a geopolitical/historical miracle. He has managed to gather most all of Israel’s enemy neighbors into a peace corral, of sorts. Those leaders who have perennially attacked Israel with a collective passion flowing from an eon of hate-filled rage are suddenly praising Trump’s efforts and are totally aboard the twenty-point peace plan, under what Trump terms the “Board of Peace.”

I always considered the prophecy Paul gave in his epistle to the Corinthians exclusively a cry for peace because of the fear of nuclear war that would bring worldwide destruction. Here is that prophecy:

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The fear of nuclear war—of worldwide destruction—will no doubt cause a future “cry for peace and safety,” as Paul predicted. However, we might be witnessing the first stage of this prophecy being set up for fulfillment.

The sudden climbing upon the Trump Board of Peace train by Israel’s blood-drenched, avowed enemies is not a “cry for peace and safety” out of fear of worldwide nuclear war, as I view this profound effort for Middle East peace led by the American president (a president, incidentally, the entire nation of Israel is cheering as a reincarnation of Cyrus the Great).

To my way of looking at this phenomenal turn of events, this is not a fear-engendered cry for peace, but rather a jubilant expression that now we have a real and—as Mr. Trump proclaims—everlasting peace.

This current “cry for peace and safety” smacks, perhaps, of the moment Paul referred to: the moment sudden destruction comes and those left behind will not escape.

Whatever the case, we know it is a sudden and strange turn of events, this peace that defies millennia of failed efforts to achieve. It is, to me, one of the most powerful newly developing indicators of how near this generation must be to the Rapture.

Here again is how to not miss that great event and be left behind to face the “sudden destruction” that, according to Jesus, will then befall those who cannot escape:

“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

—Terry

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Signs In Unexpected Places

As the time of Jesus’ appearing approaches, our understanding of Bible prophecy continues to grow.

For example, we have much greater clarity today regarding the mark of the beast (see Revelation 13:16-18). The combination of technical advances in the following areas during the past twenty years not only makes it possible for one man, antichrist, to control worldwide buying and selling, but also increases its likelihood of happening in the not-too-distant future:

• 5G cellular technology that may increase to 6G.
• The creation of gigantic databases.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).

Other biblical signs of the times are popping up in unexpected places.

The Many

For several years, one word in particular from Daniel 9:27 puzzled me:

“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (emphasis added)

It’s clear from the context, as well as from Isaiah 28:14-18, that this “covenant” will include the nation of Israel. But why the reference to the “many”? One clue from the text and another from just a few weeks ago might just explain it.

In the Hebrew, the sense of “make a strong covenant” is that of taking an existing agreement and making it better. This suggests that the antichrist will use an existing framework and strengthen it when he puts in place the agreement referred to in Daniel 9:27.

The other clue comes from the deal that recently sought to end the Gazan War. President Donald Trump included many other nations in his peace initiative as a way to make it more appealing to both sides. Please know I am not saying President Trump is the antichrist or that this deal is not the one referenced in the above verse. We will not be here when the antichrist inks this deal. But is it not possible that the antichrist will copy the current arrangement when he makes his deal? Just this past week, Vice President JD Vance said the current peace accord with Hamas would serve as a model for future peace agreements in the Middle East and elsewhere.

The Witnesses

In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave this command to His followers:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The church began in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and spread to the entire world, just as Jesus instructed. In recent years, and in particular after the massacre of October 7, 2023, many are boldly proclaiming the Gospel message in the city of Zion. In recent Understanding the Times broadcasts, Davie Tal, former Israeli Army officer and prophecy expert, described the many ways that Israelis are hearing the good news.

I am also aware of other ministries, such as The Joshua Fund, founded by Joel Rosenberg, actively witnessing for Jesus in Jerusalem and the rest of Israel as charitable organizations.

Why is this prophetically significant?

First, we know that the remnant of Jewish people who survive the Tribulation will turn to Jesus shortly before He returns (Zechariah 12:10-13:1). They will recognize Him as their Messiah amid much weeping and repentance. Having escaped the antichrist’s terrors, they will realize their mistake in trusting this charlatan and turn to Jesus.

In Matthew 23:37-39, Jesus spoke of the day when the residents of Jerusalem, the Jewish people, would welcome Him with shouts of “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” I believe the impact of active Christian ministries in Israel is already preparing the Jewish people for what will happen at the end of the Tribulation (although many are already turning to the Savior).

Second, the presence of the two witnesses, recorded in Revelation 11:4-13, tells us something will change between now and when they begin their ministry during the first half of the Tribulation. Because the Lord charged His church with the task of being His witnesses in Jerusalem, the presence of other witnesses in Jerusalem signifies the absence of the church at this time.

The transfer of the Acts 1:8 mission from the church to these two witnesses in Jerusalem strongly supports a pre-Tribulation Rapture.

The Lie

In 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Paul wrote that during the Day of the Lord, God would send a “strong delusion” among those who refuse to “believe the truth” so they would “believe what is false.” What might be the lie that many will believe after the Rapture?

In recent years, speculation has grown among students of Bible prophecy that the elite of the world will explain the disappearance of so many as an alien abduction. As possible verification of this, the claims of UFO sightings have grown from that of small mobile aircraft to that of gigantic alien vessels. Much speculation exists regarding 3I/Atlas, which has a width of up to seven miles. It’s unusual nature has many people speculating that it’s not a comet, but rather an enormous alien spacecraft.

Its gigantic size would accommodate the disappearance of a great many people. 3I/Atlas, and other similar large alien vessels receiving much speculation in our day, would make a suitable alternative to the truth regarding the Rapture. And based on what I read on social media and elsewhere, many would believe such a lie.

When we add these things to the multitude of other signs of the approaching Tribulation, we recognize today for what it is: the season of Jesus’ appearing to take us home. We do not know when the Rapture will occur, but if ever there was a time to eagerly watch for it, this is it!

-Jonathan