Written by Stan Goodenough
Posted on Thursday 6 January 2011
Some Christians are so bugged by Israel that they suffer in their health.
They are bugged at the Jews being “God’s Chosen People.” It irks them no end that their God calls Israel His “special treasure.” And as for Him referring to them as “a holy nation!” Well!
Also hard to stomach is the Almighty’s affixing of the name of their founding fathers to His own great and holy Name: He is forever “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” He is “The God of Israel” and “The LORD God of the armies of Israel.”
He is not “The God of George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.” He is not known as “The God of England or the God of France.” And He most certainly does not go by the title “The God of the armies of NATO.”
Man! That really gets under some people’s skin – under some CHRISTIANS’ skin!
Apparently such Christians struggle with a sense of inferiority, lacking an understanding of what it means to have received “the spirit of adoption.” Israel being “the chosen” means they – these gentiles – must somehow be second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God.
Instead of recognizing and confronting their own fears, these Christians – who sadly are not few in number – look for reasons to discredit Israel: Today’s Jews surely cannot be the true physical descendants of those who were driven from the land 2000 years ago. They are fakes; their claim to having an ancient history in the Land of Israel is fraudulent.
Proof is to be found in the spiritual state of the nation today. Somehow forgetting the often-depraved state of their own countrymen – many of who likewise claim to be “Christian” – they point with shaking fingers at the immorality and corruption in Israel and declare with conviction:
“There’s nothing holy about them!”
Wrong, dear gentile onlooker and critic: Israel is holy. She is a holy nation. She is holy because God designated her as holy.
Because, simply put, there are two ways to be holy: The first is being holy by divine designation. That is, a vessel, object, person or nation is holy if it has been set-apart, or sanctified by God; has been given a God-ordained special and specific purpose.
The second meaning of being holy is as a verb. This way can exclusively be acted out by human beings: A person is holy if he behaves in a way that reflects the holiness of the Lord. “Be holy as I am holy.”
Israel is a holy nation first in the first sense of the word. From the calling out of Abraham Israel has been set apart by God; sanctified by His act and will, for His purposes. It’s entirely a God thing.
Israel’s holiness in this sense has to do with her calling, not her behavior. She is holy by dint of her designation.
Her behavior – the behavior of Jewish individuals and the behavior of the nation – where unholy, has never affected the nation’s set-apartness. It cannot. Her set-apartness is set in stone. God made it everlasting.
What her unholy behavior has and does affect is: a) how Israel reflects God to the world and, b) how God treats her and deals with her: Will she enjoy His blessing and dwell peaceably in the land He gave her forever, or will she labor under His curse far away in exile from it?
I am not, and never have been, blinded on the issue of national Israel’s spiritual state. Yes, the people who comprise this nation are sinners, just like the people who make up the South African nation and the American nation and every other nation on earth are sinners.
As in every other country, we have organized crime, murders, prostitution, burglary, drug peddling and abuse, cases of violent assault. The prisons are full. There is an aggressive homosexual movement here; abortion is widespread. And successive governments in Israel have been plagued (it seems increasingly) like “normal” democratic governments elsewhere. In all layers of the political echelon there has been corruption, abuse of office, immoral activity and cronyism.
However, there is also the other side. Millions of Israel’s Jews are truly God-fearing men, women and children. Their lives exhibit high standards of holy behavior often far exceeding those of great numbers of professing Christians ‘out there.’
Take the settlers. Yes, you heard me right. The settlers: those universally despised and hated Israelis who are portrayed as the worst villains of the piece; those “obstacles to peace” with the effrontery to build their homes and communities on “occupied Arab lands.”
Please note – I do not put this behavior in with Israel’s “sins.” And do you know why? Because the settlements are not an expression of sinfulness; they’re an expression of holiness, of faith.
Why? What do I mean?
It’s pretty straightforward: The Jews whose homes dot the Judean and Samarian hills are there (by and large) in obedience to the biblical command that they settle those lands. They take God at His word when He promises the territory to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s descendants forever – which they are. (How many Christians take God at His written word these days?) And they refuse to be intimidated off the land by a hysterical world accusing them of being occupiers because they know the charge to be untrue. They suffer no guilty conscience about being there because they are not guilty of anything. The accusation that they have stolen Arab land is, plainly and simply, false.
Let me tell you something: If the United States had proportionally as many truly God-fearing Christian citizens as Israel has truly God-fearing Jews that country would be unrecognizable from what it is today. America would truly be a city set on a hill.
Be that all as it may – let me make a profound statement that may shock some readers: Even if Israel, through the settlements, WAS guilty of building on Arab lands; even if Jews were stealing Arab lands, that behavior would not affect the holiness of Israel insofar as her separation for the purposes of God goes.
Get this. Israel is holy because she has a national calling. This never changed in the past when she became corrupt and even downright wicked and God drove her into exile. There were terribly painful consequences for her behavior, but that behavior did not negate her calling.
This, then, is another bedrock principle we need to keep in mind as we try and assess, understand, and seek to flow with God’s purposes for the Jewish people: Just as the Jews cannot forfeit ownership of the land of Israel by their behavior, so too can the Jews not forfeit their holy designation by their behavior.
I am thankful that the Jews in Samaria and Judea are NOT guilty of land theft; that the blame for the Arab-Israeli conflict cannot be laid at their doors. I am glad that I know the truth, that those lands have never been Arab lands; that they were illegally occupied by the Jordanians and before that they were under the British Mandate and before that they were part of the Ottoman Empire and before that they were part of different Muslim empires and Crusader kingdoms but they were NEVER Arab lands and they were never part of an Arab country called Palestine.
And way back, from time immemorial, long before the Islam-inspired Arabs came pouring out of Arabia to occupy the Middle East, these lands were Jewish.
By settling those lands today the Jews – members of that always holy nation – are living in obedience to God – are living holy lives.
This we should get straight.
Egypt: What’s happening, and where could it be headed?
Posted on Monday 31 January 2011
How quickly the world can be turned upside down. The political map of the Middle East is being revised almost more rapidly than analysts can describe what is taking place.
Most news watchers will have followed the events since the fire that Mohammed Bouazizzi ignited with his body on December 17; the desperate act that lead to the violent overthrow of Tunisia’s dictatorial regime in what became known as the Jasmine Revolution – set new fires across our region.
One month after the Tunisian’s self-immolation, four Egyptians copied him. The initial result of their attempted suicides was the same: Hundreds of thousands of Egypt’s 80 million-strong population poured into the streets, protesting and rioting in their effort to terminate with immediate effect the 30-year-long rule of autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.
At the time of writing, Egypt is poised for further convulsion in a seventh day of riots and protests, organizers hope will culminate in a “million man march.” Mubarak is said to now be clinging to what could be his last moments in power and could have to face off against Mohammed ElBaradei - the Nobel Prize for Peace Laureate, recognized for his work as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ElBaradei stood in a crowded Cairo square Sunday evening, demanding the immediate and unconditional departure of the president and all those associated with him.
A couple of weeks ago Israelis were anxiously following developments to the north, where the Iranian-founded Hizb’allah has maneuvered to upgrade its control over Lebanon. With that situation still in flux, Israeli eyes have nervously swung around to watch the mushrooming potential for an equally threatening development on their southern doorstep.
When the protests erupted on January 25, Israeli analysts were almost dismissive, positive that Mubarak would quickly crush the dissidents. How wrong could they be?
In fact, Israel’s new chief of Military Intelligence has been hauled over the coals in the local press for his failure to foresee what has happened. In his debut appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the very day protests began in Egypt, Major-General Aviv Kochavi’s assessment was that Mubarak’s regime was not under threat.
Six days later, in both Jerusalem and Washington, everything was being revised. Statements and assessments from recent months, and policies and approaches that have been in place for years – the whole lot’s under review.
Here in Israel consternation is acute. Eager to not antagonize Mubarak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his government to keep quiet on the crisis, and has called on the international community to curb criticism of the Egyptian leader. Jerusalem has observed with unease how the tune out of Washington DC has changed, from initially defending Mubarak as “no dictator” who should be secured in power to now officially talking about the need for transition to a new leadership.
Why so concerned?
For more than 30 years, a peace agreement has been in place between Israel and Egypt.
Israelis have called it a “cold peace,” at least from the Egyptian side, where Mubarak himself has helped keep alive the deeply rooted hostility towards the Jewish state.
Despite this, the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty has worked to maintain a state of quiet along their common border even as tensions have ebbed and flowed between Israel and nations to the north, and east – Lebanon, Syria, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, and Jordan, until the peace agreement with that state in 1994.
For Israel, which has had to fight a war at least once every decade and is constantly anticipating the next one, not having to spend its strung out military resources in the south has been a big deal.
More than this, the Egyptians have been richly rewarded for signing that peace treaty: The United States has poured billions of dollars worth of military equipment and know-how into the country, transforming the Egyptian army into the mightiest Arab force in existence today.
The fear is that if Mubarak is taken down, the peace treaty will be swept away. The long-suppressed but well entrenched Muslim Brotherhood may ascend to some level of power – possibly as part of a new coalition government. And everything will change.
According to Fox News Monday evening, a source “at the highest level of government in Israel” said “they are terrified that Egypt will become another Iran on the southern border.” Israel could suddenly find itself facing an Arab version of the its Persian foe – a powerfully armed (by America!) and well-trained Islamist state eager to ally with – even once again lead – Syria and Lebanon into war against the Jewish state. And all backed by Turkey, Iraq and an, about-to-go-nuclear, Iran.
The transformation is happening as we speak. Israel’s news media has already reported that a regime change in Cairo may force the IDF to boost its forces in the south.
And the latest news: Israel has agreed to allow Egyptian troops to enter the Sinai for the first time since 1979. By helping the Egyptian leader secure himself against the popular uprising it appears Israel has decided to take a stand on Mubarak’s side.
No one seems to know how things are going to turn out. Some experts say Mubarak will manage to hold on until his term expires at the end of this year and then hand over the reins to the man he swore in as Vice President – former spy chief Omar Suleiman.
Others, knowing how volatile the Arab world can be, are bracing for the worst-case scenario described above.
It could suddenly become the new reality facing Israel and the West.
How quickly the world can be turned upside down. The political map of the Middle East is being revised almost more rapidly than analysts can describe what is taking place.
Most news watchers will have followed the events since the fire that Mohammed Bouazizzi ignited with his body on December 17; the desperate act that lead to the violent overthrow of Tunisia’s dictatorial regime in what became known as the Jasmine Revolution – set new fires across our region.
One month after the Tunisian’s self-immolation, four Egyptians copied him. The initial result of their attempted suicides was the same: Hundreds of thousands of Egypt’s 80 million-strong population poured into the streets, protesting and rioting in their effort to terminate with immediate effect the 30-year-long rule of autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.
At the time of writing, Egypt is poised for further convulsion in a seventh day of riots and protests, organizers hope will culminate in a “million man march.” Mubarak is said to now be clinging to what could be his last moments in power and could have to face off against Mohammed ElBaradei - the Nobel Prize for Peace Laureate, recognized for his work as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. ElBaradei stood in a crowded Cairo square Sunday evening, demanding the immediate and unconditional departure of the president and all those associated with him.
A couple of weeks ago Israelis were anxiously following developments to the north, where the Iranian-founded Hizb’allah has maneuvered to upgrade its control over Lebanon. With that situation still in flux, Israeli eyes have nervously swung around to watch the mushrooming potential for an equally threatening development on their southern doorstep.
When the protests erupted on January 25, Israeli analysts were almost dismissive, positive that Mubarak would quickly crush the dissidents. How wrong could they be?
In fact, Israel’s new chief of Military Intelligence has been hauled over the coals in the local press for his failure to foresee what has happened. In his debut appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the very day protests began in Egypt, Major-General Aviv Kochavi’s assessment was that Mubarak’s regime was not under threat.
Six days later, in both Jerusalem and Washington, everything was being revised. Statements and assessments from recent months, and policies and approaches that have been in place for years – the whole lot’s under review.
Here in Israel consternation is acute. Eager to not antagonize Mubarak, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his government to keep quiet on the crisis, and has called on the international community to curb criticism of the Egyptian leader. Jerusalem has observed with unease how the tune out of Washington DC has changed, from initially defending Mubarak as “no dictator” who should be secured in power to now officially talking about the need for transition to a new leadership.
Why so concerned?
For more than 30 years, a peace agreement has been in place between Israel and Egypt.
Israelis have called it a “cold peace,” at least from the Egyptian side, where Mubarak himself has helped keep alive the deeply rooted hostility towards the Jewish state.
Despite this, the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty has worked to maintain a state of quiet along their common border even as tensions have ebbed and flowed between Israel and nations to the north, and east – Lebanon, Syria, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, and Jordan, until the peace agreement with that state in 1994.
For Israel, which has had to fight a war at least once every decade and is constantly anticipating the next one, not having to spend its strung out military resources in the south has been a big deal.
More than this, the Egyptians have been richly rewarded for signing that peace treaty: The United States has poured billions of dollars worth of military equipment and know-how into the country, transforming the Egyptian army into the mightiest Arab force in existence today.
The fear is that if Mubarak is taken down, the peace treaty will be swept away. The long-suppressed but well entrenched Muslim Brotherhood may ascend to some level of power – possibly as part of a new coalition government. And everything will change.
According to Fox News Monday evening, a source “at the highest level of government in Israel” said “they are terrified that Egypt will become another Iran on the southern border.” Israel could suddenly find itself facing an Arab version of the its Persian foe – a powerfully armed (by America!) and well-trained Islamist state eager to ally with – even once again lead – Syria and Lebanon into war against the Jewish state. And all backed by Turkey, Iraq and an, about-to-go-nuclear, Iran.
The transformation is happening as we speak. Israel’s news media has already reported that a regime change in Cairo may force the IDF to boost its forces in the south.
And the latest news: Israel has agreed to allow Egyptian troops to enter the Sinai for the first time since 1979. By helping the Egyptian leader secure himself against the popular uprising it appears Israel has decided to take a stand on Mubarak’s side.
No one seems to know how things are going to turn out. Some experts say Mubarak will manage to hold on until his term expires at the end of this year and then hand over the reins to the man he swore in as Vice President – former spy chief Omar Suleiman.
Others, knowing how volatile the Arab world can be, are bracing for the worst-case scenario described above.
It could suddenly become the new reality facing Israel and the West.
The burden against Egypt
From the Website Jerusalem Watchman: click on the link above to go directly to his website.
Posted on Sunday 20 February 2011
Politicians and journalists have not been alone in scrambling to respond to the Egyptian revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak a week ago. Leading Christian voices, too, have been throwing their understandings into the ring, directing their constituents to pray into the situation as Egypt moves towards the establishment of a new political reality for its people.
Thank God for those who are praying at this hour. The more believers who comprehend that the first battle is in the spiritual realm, the better. Action almost always beats apathy or disinterest.
At the same time, as a soldier trained to fire mortars will tell you, there is little to be gained by lobbing rounds in the general area of the enemy; even less by firing in the completely wrong direction. Unless guided by his spotter, who in turn is following his commander’s orders, the gunner will waste his ammunition and even endanger his own comrades with friendly fire.
How much more is this the case when manning the gap as watchmen, and conveying what we see and understand to the intercessors, who are eager to take aim as the battle rages before us.
Virtually without exception, all the prayer leaders I know have been instructing their intercessors to pray in three primary directions.
First – For the Christian believers in Egypt: their security, for provision for their needs, for their ability to continue to share the Gospel so that more and more Egyptians can be brought into the kingdom.
Second – For the nation of Egypt: its transition to a new form of government based on righteousness and justice after years of despotic and corrupt rule; that they will emerge from this turbulent time with greater freedoms than ever before; that this unrest would not lead to the radicalization of the Egyptian people; that God in His mercy will not let the Muslim Brotherhood come into power; and (this from inside Egypt) for the establishment of “a new ‘constitution’ based on the principles of the Word of God, to establish a ‘new foundation’ for His kingdom to come.”
Third – For the relationship between Israel and Egypt: for God’s intervention to ensure that whoever wins the power struggle in Cairo will honor Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, and “not rip it up and open a new front of war.” They point to the rapid political shifting taking place throughout the Middle East, with Lebanon’s sharp swing towards Islamist radicalization that, just weeks ago, radically altered the defense situation on Israel’s northern frontier. Israel doesn’t need an Islamically-energized Egypt, which has the most powerful army in the Arab world, to suddenly be the new reality in the south.
Is this the right guidance for intercession at this time?
Certainly we can all amen the first focus – for our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt. They have been increasingly targeted for maltreatment and recent weeks have seen a sharp spike in anti-Christian aggression. We should pray for their protection against violence and other forms of persecution. We should also ask God to strengthen and equip them to victoriously endure whatever it is that HE wills and plans for their nation in the days ahead.
On the second focal point, I am less sure as to precisely how we should pray. There is “thy will be done,” which we are mandated to send up in every situation. But the question I am taking to the Lord is: what is His will? What, in His purposes, is best for Egypt today, and how does He intend for her to reach it? To effectively petition the Throne it would be helpful to have a working knowledge of what His plan is.
In this regard, many of those praying have gone to Isaiah 19, which I’d encourage you to read now, in its entirety.
The Lord has a lot to say in this chapter, which is introduced as “the burden (or prophecy) against Egypt.” He predicts massive turmoil in that country; civil strife that threatens to tear the nation apart.
In verse 2, God says He will pit “kingdom against kingdom” in Egypt. It was at the height of the protest, when anti-Mubarak crowds in Tahrir Square were crying out “Allahu akhber” (Allah is greater), and pro-Mubarak forces racing to attack them were crying out “Allahu akhber,” that the words of Jesus came strongly to me: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23-25) Both sides were declaring their belief in the superior greatness of their god – the same god. Kingdom was pitted against kingdom. The question we’ll see answered in the coming weeks – what will the victor attain?
Back in Isaiah, God says that, when the nation is in civil strife, He will give it into the hands of “a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them.” (verse 4). Terrible tribulation will follow, and as it comes the prophet asks:
Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt. (verse 12)
Suffering will continue for the nation, unemployment (already rampant before the revolution) will increase and increasing terror is set to strike fear into the hearts of the Egyptians.
All this will add up to what God calls His intention to “smite (or strike) Egypt.”
And the purpose of it all? In striking Egypt, God will heal her.
Egypt’s future is foretold to be glorious. In the midst of her suffering God will send “a Savior and a Mighty One” to deliver her. And after Egypt has entreated God, the one, true God, and sought His mercy and salvation, He will restore her to health and establish a highway of peace and blessing that will extend from Egypt through Israel into Assyria.
But that glory follows a period of extreme turmoil and even suffering in order to turn the Egyptian people to the Lord.
Now, some prayer warriors believe God has directed them to pray that He will hold off on smiting Egypt; that she will be delayed from entering this extreme period so that missions work there can continue for as long as possible.
Others are saying, no, the sooner the country comes under God’s judgment to repentance, the sooner the Egyptians will be delivered from their spiritual bondage and be healed.
In this, latter, instance, the very ascension to power of the Muslim Brotherhood could hasten the day when God will save and redeem Egypt.
Clearly there are different ways to “argue” these positions, but of course argument is not what we should be after.
As we seek to engage the enemy, we need direction and guidance and are encouraged to pray, personally, in the name of the Commander of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5) for God’s Spirit to lead us as to how to wage this war.
Let’s not be swept along by popular, preconceived, “classically Christian” prayers.
Which brings us to the third and, as touching Israel, the most immediate and crucial question: How do we pray concerning the Israel-Egypt peace treaty?
Do we pray for it to be protected, upheld and perpetuated? Or do we pray for it to be torn up and thrown away, so that Israel is no longer bound by it? Or is there another way?
For the majority of people who desire to see Israel live in peace with her neighbors, this would seem to be a no brainer.
The next article I post will look more closely at this question.
Posted on Sunday 20 February 2011
Politicians and journalists have not been alone in scrambling to respond to the Egyptian revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak a week ago. Leading Christian voices, too, have been throwing their understandings into the ring, directing their constituents to pray into the situation as Egypt moves towards the establishment of a new political reality for its people.
Thank God for those who are praying at this hour. The more believers who comprehend that the first battle is in the spiritual realm, the better. Action almost always beats apathy or disinterest.
At the same time, as a soldier trained to fire mortars will tell you, there is little to be gained by lobbing rounds in the general area of the enemy; even less by firing in the completely wrong direction. Unless guided by his spotter, who in turn is following his commander’s orders, the gunner will waste his ammunition and even endanger his own comrades with friendly fire.
How much more is this the case when manning the gap as watchmen, and conveying what we see and understand to the intercessors, who are eager to take aim as the battle rages before us.
Virtually without exception, all the prayer leaders I know have been instructing their intercessors to pray in three primary directions.
First – For the Christian believers in Egypt: their security, for provision for their needs, for their ability to continue to share the Gospel so that more and more Egyptians can be brought into the kingdom.
Second – For the nation of Egypt: its transition to a new form of government based on righteousness and justice after years of despotic and corrupt rule; that they will emerge from this turbulent time with greater freedoms than ever before; that this unrest would not lead to the radicalization of the Egyptian people; that God in His mercy will not let the Muslim Brotherhood come into power; and (this from inside Egypt) for the establishment of “a new ‘constitution’ based on the principles of the Word of God, to establish a ‘new foundation’ for His kingdom to come.”
Third – For the relationship between Israel and Egypt: for God’s intervention to ensure that whoever wins the power struggle in Cairo will honor Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, and “not rip it up and open a new front of war.” They point to the rapid political shifting taking place throughout the Middle East, with Lebanon’s sharp swing towards Islamist radicalization that, just weeks ago, radically altered the defense situation on Israel’s northern frontier. Israel doesn’t need an Islamically-energized Egypt, which has the most powerful army in the Arab world, to suddenly be the new reality in the south.
Is this the right guidance for intercession at this time?
Certainly we can all amen the first focus – for our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt. They have been increasingly targeted for maltreatment and recent weeks have seen a sharp spike in anti-Christian aggression. We should pray for their protection against violence and other forms of persecution. We should also ask God to strengthen and equip them to victoriously endure whatever it is that HE wills and plans for their nation in the days ahead.
On the second focal point, I am less sure as to precisely how we should pray. There is “thy will be done,” which we are mandated to send up in every situation. But the question I am taking to the Lord is: what is His will? What, in His purposes, is best for Egypt today, and how does He intend for her to reach it? To effectively petition the Throne it would be helpful to have a working knowledge of what His plan is.
In this regard, many of those praying have gone to Isaiah 19, which I’d encourage you to read now, in its entirety.
The Lord has a lot to say in this chapter, which is introduced as “the burden (or prophecy) against Egypt.” He predicts massive turmoil in that country; civil strife that threatens to tear the nation apart.
In verse 2, God says He will pit “kingdom against kingdom” in Egypt. It was at the height of the protest, when anti-Mubarak crowds in Tahrir Square were crying out “Allahu akhber” (Allah is greater), and pro-Mubarak forces racing to attack them were crying out “Allahu akhber,” that the words of Jesus came strongly to me: “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:23-25) Both sides were declaring their belief in the superior greatness of their god – the same god. Kingdom was pitted against kingdom. The question we’ll see answered in the coming weeks – what will the victor attain?
Back in Isaiah, God says that, when the nation is in civil strife, He will give it into the hands of “a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them.” (verse 4). Terrible tribulation will follow, and as it comes the prophet asks:
Where are they? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts has purposed against Egypt. (verse 12)
Suffering will continue for the nation, unemployment (already rampant before the revolution) will increase and increasing terror is set to strike fear into the hearts of the Egyptians.
All this will add up to what God calls His intention to “smite (or strike) Egypt.”
And the purpose of it all? In striking Egypt, God will heal her.
Egypt’s future is foretold to be glorious. In the midst of her suffering God will send “a Savior and a Mighty One” to deliver her. And after Egypt has entreated God, the one, true God, and sought His mercy and salvation, He will restore her to health and establish a highway of peace and blessing that will extend from Egypt through Israel into Assyria.
But that glory follows a period of extreme turmoil and even suffering in order to turn the Egyptian people to the Lord.
Now, some prayer warriors believe God has directed them to pray that He will hold off on smiting Egypt; that she will be delayed from entering this extreme period so that missions work there can continue for as long as possible.
Others are saying, no, the sooner the country comes under God’s judgment to repentance, the sooner the Egyptians will be delivered from their spiritual bondage and be healed.
In this, latter, instance, the very ascension to power of the Muslim Brotherhood could hasten the day when God will save and redeem Egypt.
Clearly there are different ways to “argue” these positions, but of course argument is not what we should be after.
As we seek to engage the enemy, we need direction and guidance and are encouraged to pray, personally, in the name of the Commander of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5) for God’s Spirit to lead us as to how to wage this war.
Let’s not be swept along by popular, preconceived, “classically Christian” prayers.
Which brings us to the third and, as touching Israel, the most immediate and crucial question: How do we pray concerning the Israel-Egypt peace treaty?
Do we pray for it to be protected, upheld and perpetuated? Or do we pray for it to be torn up and thrown away, so that Israel is no longer bound by it? Or is there another way?
For the majority of people who desire to see Israel live in peace with her neighbors, this would seem to be a no brainer.
The next article I post will look more closely at this question.
The Greatest Progress Toward the Rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Modern History: Blueprints for The Holy Temple
NOW PRESENTING
The Greatest Progress Toward the Rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Modern History: Blueprints for The Holy Temple
Blueprints and Computer Animation of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone
In his recent USA speaking engagement tour, (January 2011), Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute revealed to the public for the very first time detailed construction plans for the Chamber of Hewn Stone: the seat of the Great Sanhedrin which is a central component of the Holy Temple complex on the Temple Mount. These complete and highly intricate plans constitute the first stage of an historical undertaking of the Temple Institute: the drafting of blueprints for the entire Holy Temple complex. These plans, drawn up by a top Israeli architectural firm hired by the Temple Institute, take into account the specific requirements of the Sanhedrin assembly hall, known historically as the Chamber of Hewn Stone. At the same time these plans incorporate modern technological infrastructure necessary to a twenty-first century facility: this includes internet ports, wireless communications systems, computer data storage, elevators, air conditioning and underground parking. All these modern amenities, and many more, have been integrated into the Sanhedrin structure without compromising the integrity of the great assembly's physical or spiritual character.
No land can be prepared, no foundation can be laid, no wall can be erected without a detailed architectual plan first being drawn up, approved by engineers and presented to the appointed site manager. The plans you are viewing on this page fulfill every requirement necessary for the immediate commencement of work on this aspect of the Holy Temple complex.
The Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone is but a single chamber in the northern wall of the Holy Temple. It was chosen as the initial focus of the blueprint project, not because of its architectural significance, per se, but because of its overwhelming spiritual significance to the world. The seventy elders of the Sanhedrin have been vested with the authority of the seventy elders whom G-d commanded Moshe to appoint in the desert:
"Then HaShem said to Moses, 'Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people's elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.'" (Numbers 11:16-17)
These elders are not only judges, but also teachers who task is to ensure that "for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3) This being said, it should also be noted that the Chamber of Hewn Stone sits in close proximity to the Ark of the Covenant, from which the sages draw Divine inspiration.
We invite all souls who long for the Holy Temple and seek a role in the historical undertaking that we have begun, to join us in our efforts.
The video below is a virtual computer-generated walk-through of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone.
http://www.templeinstitute.org/blueprints-for-the-holy-temple.htm
The Greatest Progress Toward the Rebuilding of the Holy Temple in Modern History: Blueprints for The Holy Temple
Blueprints and Computer Animation of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone
In his recent USA speaking engagement tour, (January 2011), Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute revealed to the public for the very first time detailed construction plans for the Chamber of Hewn Stone: the seat of the Great Sanhedrin which is a central component of the Holy Temple complex on the Temple Mount. These complete and highly intricate plans constitute the first stage of an historical undertaking of the Temple Institute: the drafting of blueprints for the entire Holy Temple complex. These plans, drawn up by a top Israeli architectural firm hired by the Temple Institute, take into account the specific requirements of the Sanhedrin assembly hall, known historically as the Chamber of Hewn Stone. At the same time these plans incorporate modern technological infrastructure necessary to a twenty-first century facility: this includes internet ports, wireless communications systems, computer data storage, elevators, air conditioning and underground parking. All these modern amenities, and many more, have been integrated into the Sanhedrin structure without compromising the integrity of the great assembly's physical or spiritual character.
No land can be prepared, no foundation can be laid, no wall can be erected without a detailed architectual plan first being drawn up, approved by engineers and presented to the appointed site manager. The plans you are viewing on this page fulfill every requirement necessary for the immediate commencement of work on this aspect of the Holy Temple complex.
The Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone is but a single chamber in the northern wall of the Holy Temple. It was chosen as the initial focus of the blueprint project, not because of its architectural significance, per se, but because of its overwhelming spiritual significance to the world. The seventy elders of the Sanhedrin have been vested with the authority of the seventy elders whom G-d commanded Moshe to appoint in the desert:
"Then HaShem said to Moses, 'Assemble for Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the people's elders and officers, and you shall take them to the Tent of Meeting, and they shall stand there with You. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will increase the spirit that is upon you and bestow it upon them. Then they will bear the burden of the people with you so that you need not bear it alone.'" (Numbers 11:16-17)
These elders are not only judges, but also teachers who task is to ensure that "for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3) This being said, it should also be noted that the Chamber of Hewn Stone sits in close proximity to the Ark of the Covenant, from which the sages draw Divine inspiration.
We invite all souls who long for the Holy Temple and seek a role in the historical undertaking that we have begun, to join us in our efforts.
The video below is a virtual computer-generated walk-through of the Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone.
http://www.templeinstitute.org/blueprints-for-the-holy-temple.htm
3 Beasts and the 7/10 Crowns
The ‘Crowns’ on the Dragon and the Scarlet Abyss Beast are chronological symbols (clues) that represent the ‘timing’ of imminent Pre- Great Trib events. The appearances of these crowns are more than just pretty ornamentation; they also have profound chronological significance.
In Rev. 12:3, 17:3 and 13:1 we read the following Passages respectively:
Rev. 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev. 17:3
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev. 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
In Rev. 12:3 we see imminently ‘prior to’ a period of 1260 days (42 months) the Red Dragon drives the ‘Woman’ Israel into the wilderness. (Rev. 12:6) As such the Red Dragon Satan is pictured here having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. What do these 7 crowns upon the 7 heads mean? The 7 crowns reveal that just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation ALL 7 Kingdoms of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast have now been crowned – even the ‘short space’ 7th Kingdom itself that was to come and did not exist in John’s day. (emphasis added)
Rev. 17:10
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
In addition, Rev. 12:3 also reveals that the 10 Kings had NOT yet at the time of the Red Dragon been crowned and had NOT received their 10 Kingdoms – thus there can be ‘no AC’ at this point because according to Daniel 7:24 the ‘Little Horn’ must rise ‘AFTER’ the crowning of the 10 Kings.
Daniel 7:24
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Going forward, in Rev. 17:3 we see a Scarlet Abyss Beast with seven heads and ten horns, however there are no crowns on either the seven heads or the ten horns – the 7 Heads and their crowned Kings have already come and gone by this time. Therefore, this Abyss Beast cannot be the man AC because as stated before the Little Horn AC cannot rise to power until AFTER the crowning of the 10 Kings. Meanwhile, at this point the Great Tribulation has not yet begun because the 10 Horns have not yet been crowned.
In Rev. 13:1 we see the Sea Beast which is none other than the Scarlet Abyss Beast of Rev. 17:3 having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. Here we see that the Scarlet Abyss Beast has received all 10 crowned Kings and therefore the Little Horn can now come into existence. However, it must be noted that in Rev. 13:5 a specific period of time is set forth from this point hence, 42 months or the Great Tribulation has now begun or is imminent.
A description of the Scarlet Abyss Beast is recommended. According to Rev. 17:7-11 and 13:3 the Scarlet Abyss Beast has 7 Heads, 10 Horns, once ruled one of the former first 5 Heads of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast, was wounded to death and healed, shall ascend from the Abyss, and shall be the King of the 7th and final Empire. Please note this ‘entire’ Scarlet Abyss Beast at one point was ONLY one of the ‘single’ Heads and not the whole Beast itself of the now 7 Headed and 10 Horned Beast. Then, How was this Abyss Beast ‘transformed’ from being only one of the Heads to now becoming the entire body and all of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast, including the 8th Head also?
Rev. 13:2
…and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Scripture seems to clarify that the 7 Heads of the Beast are always the ‘same’ 7 Heads (Kingdoms/Kings) no matter where in NT Scriptural passages they may appear – there are no references to 7 Heads in the OT especially with that of Daniel’s ‘Undescript’ 4th Beast. Meanwhile, there is only a direct reference to the 10 Horns in the OT which are to futuristically come or ‘originate from’ Daniel’s 4th Undescript Beast.
Therefore, if we interpret Rev. chpt. 12 as literal rather than figurative regarding the Red Dragon Satan pursuing the ‘Woman’, which is most likely by all accounts the nation of Israel, driving her into the wilderness for the 31/2 years of the Great Tribulation (a time, times and a half-time) this is indeed a specific period or allotment of time for an event that has never historically taken place. Moreover, if the Red Dragon has his 7 Heads Crowned, and the 7 Heads are the same 7 Heads defined by Rev. 17:9, this would seem to suggest that the 7th Crowned King/Kingdom had/will have already come into existence by this point but the 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms had/have NOT.
Rev. 17:9
…The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Therefore, based on this supposition it would be problematic if we assume that the 10 Kings/Kingdoms ‘existed’ as both the defined 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms of Rev. and Dan., before this specific event and timeframe – there are NO ‘Crowns’ on the 10 Horns of the Red Dragon just 31/2 years prior to the 2nd advent of the coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.
Moreover, as per the 10 Horns of the Beast, the ONLY place that we see the 10 Horns as ‘Crowned’ is in Rev. 13:1. (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
As such, these Crowned 10 Horns are associated with a direct time reference of ‘42 months’.
Rev. 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
In summary, this would seem to indicate that the prophesied 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms are narrowly defined and limited to an existence of no more than 31/2 years hence, the 8th and final Kingdom of the Abyss Beast/AC and The Great Tribulation. As such, per Dan. 7:24 if the ‘Little Horn’ is to rise AFTER the 10 Kings/Kingdoms then the man AC as a Scriptural Prince or King cannot exist outside of the specified timeframe of the final 31/2 years.However, this does NOT mean he is not alive until the crowing of the 10 Kings but Scripture itself seems to be silent with respect to a ‘benign’ AC.
Going forward, when we view Rev. 13:1-7 we see ‘3’ Beasts excluding the Beast Satan himself (Red Dragon). The 1st Beast is a description of the final geographical 7th Kingdom of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast. The 2nd Beast is the 7 Headed 10 Horned Scarlet Abyss Beast. The 3rd Beast is the ‘Mouth’ of the first two Beasts – the 7th Kingdom & the Scarlet Beast.
The first Beast as the 7th and final Kingdom is described as the following: (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The second Beast as stated is the surrogate 7 Headed 10 Horned Scarlet Abyss Beast which Satan temporarily ‘loans’ his personal Kingdom to for 31/2 years (Great Trib.) – the 7 Headed 10 Horned Kingdom of the Red Dragon. (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:2
…and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The third Beast is the human ‘Mouth’ aka AC/False Prophet of the other two Beasts. It cannot be denied that a ‘Prophet’ is a ‘mouth’ for someone else hence, John the Baptist was the mouth for Jesus, Jesus was the mouth for God, etc., etc. Daniel repeatedly refers to the ‘Little Horn’ as a ‘mouth’. (emphasis added)
Daniel 7:8
…and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7:20
…and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Meanwhile, as stated above the Scarlet Abyss Beast is ‘given a mouth’.
Rev. 13:5-6
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. [6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Therefore, if as I have suggested, the ‘Scarlet Abyss Beast’ is NOT human but actually a satanic angel which will rise from the Abyss as the 8th angelic King of the final 7th Kingdom (formerly one of the angelic Kings of one of the first 5 Heads) then he will need a human representative King hence, a ‘mouth – a false prophet/AC’.
When we analyze the geographical 7th Beast Kingdom itself as stated above we see that it has 7 Heads, 10 Horns, is like unto a Leopard, with the feet of a Bear, and the MOUTH of a Lion. Therefore, there were only 2 dominant Kingdoms of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast which had the well known symbolic references of a Lion and, they were the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires.
To this end, if as Scripture suggest that the man AC will be an Assyrian (Nah.1:11, et. al.) then this human ‘mouth’ (false prophet) will come from the above described geographical ‘mouth’ of John’s descriptive 7th Beast Kingdom – the mouth of a Lion (Assyrian).
In Rev. 12:3, 17:3 and 13:1 we read the following Passages respectively:
Rev. 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev. 17:3
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev. 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
In Rev. 12:3 we see imminently ‘prior to’ a period of 1260 days (42 months) the Red Dragon drives the ‘Woman’ Israel into the wilderness. (Rev. 12:6) As such the Red Dragon Satan is pictured here having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. What do these 7 crowns upon the 7 heads mean? The 7 crowns reveal that just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation ALL 7 Kingdoms of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast have now been crowned – even the ‘short space’ 7th Kingdom itself that was to come and did not exist in John’s day. (emphasis added)
Rev. 17:10
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
In addition, Rev. 12:3 also reveals that the 10 Kings had NOT yet at the time of the Red Dragon been crowned and had NOT received their 10 Kingdoms – thus there can be ‘no AC’ at this point because according to Daniel 7:24 the ‘Little Horn’ must rise ‘AFTER’ the crowning of the 10 Kings.
Daniel 7:24
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Going forward, in Rev. 17:3 we see a Scarlet Abyss Beast with seven heads and ten horns, however there are no crowns on either the seven heads or the ten horns – the 7 Heads and their crowned Kings have already come and gone by this time. Therefore, this Abyss Beast cannot be the man AC because as stated before the Little Horn AC cannot rise to power until AFTER the crowning of the 10 Kings. Meanwhile, at this point the Great Tribulation has not yet begun because the 10 Horns have not yet been crowned.
In Rev. 13:1 we see the Sea Beast which is none other than the Scarlet Abyss Beast of Rev. 17:3 having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. Here we see that the Scarlet Abyss Beast has received all 10 crowned Kings and therefore the Little Horn can now come into existence. However, it must be noted that in Rev. 13:5 a specific period of time is set forth from this point hence, 42 months or the Great Tribulation has now begun or is imminent.
A description of the Scarlet Abyss Beast is recommended. According to Rev. 17:7-11 and 13:3 the Scarlet Abyss Beast has 7 Heads, 10 Horns, once ruled one of the former first 5 Heads of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast, was wounded to death and healed, shall ascend from the Abyss, and shall be the King of the 7th and final Empire. Please note this ‘entire’ Scarlet Abyss Beast at one point was ONLY one of the ‘single’ Heads and not the whole Beast itself of the now 7 Headed and 10 Horned Beast. Then, How was this Abyss Beast ‘transformed’ from being only one of the Heads to now becoming the entire body and all of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast, including the 8th Head also?
Rev. 13:2
…and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Scripture seems to clarify that the 7 Heads of the Beast are always the ‘same’ 7 Heads (Kingdoms/Kings) no matter where in NT Scriptural passages they may appear – there are no references to 7 Heads in the OT especially with that of Daniel’s ‘Undescript’ 4th Beast. Meanwhile, there is only a direct reference to the 10 Horns in the OT which are to futuristically come or ‘originate from’ Daniel’s 4th Undescript Beast.
Therefore, if we interpret Rev. chpt. 12 as literal rather than figurative regarding the Red Dragon Satan pursuing the ‘Woman’, which is most likely by all accounts the nation of Israel, driving her into the wilderness for the 31/2 years of the Great Tribulation (a time, times and a half-time) this is indeed a specific period or allotment of time for an event that has never historically taken place. Moreover, if the Red Dragon has his 7 Heads Crowned, and the 7 Heads are the same 7 Heads defined by Rev. 17:9, this would seem to suggest that the 7th Crowned King/Kingdom had/will have already come into existence by this point but the 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms had/have NOT.
Rev. 17:9
…The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Therefore, based on this supposition it would be problematic if we assume that the 10 Kings/Kingdoms ‘existed’ as both the defined 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms of Rev. and Dan., before this specific event and timeframe – there are NO ‘Crowns’ on the 10 Horns of the Red Dragon just 31/2 years prior to the 2nd advent of the coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon.
Moreover, as per the 10 Horns of the Beast, the ONLY place that we see the 10 Horns as ‘Crowned’ is in Rev. 13:1. (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
As such, these Crowned 10 Horns are associated with a direct time reference of ‘42 months’.
Rev. 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
In summary, this would seem to indicate that the prophesied 10 Horned Kings/Kingdoms are narrowly defined and limited to an existence of no more than 31/2 years hence, the 8th and final Kingdom of the Abyss Beast/AC and The Great Tribulation. As such, per Dan. 7:24 if the ‘Little Horn’ is to rise AFTER the 10 Kings/Kingdoms then the man AC as a Scriptural Prince or King cannot exist outside of the specified timeframe of the final 31/2 years.However, this does NOT mean he is not alive until the crowing of the 10 Kings but Scripture itself seems to be silent with respect to a ‘benign’ AC.
Going forward, when we view Rev. 13:1-7 we see ‘3’ Beasts excluding the Beast Satan himself (Red Dragon). The 1st Beast is a description of the final geographical 7th Kingdom of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast. The 2nd Beast is the 7 Headed 10 Horned Scarlet Abyss Beast. The 3rd Beast is the ‘Mouth’ of the first two Beasts – the 7th Kingdom & the Scarlet Beast.
The first Beast as the 7th and final Kingdom is described as the following: (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The second Beast as stated is the surrogate 7 Headed 10 Horned Scarlet Abyss Beast which Satan temporarily ‘loans’ his personal Kingdom to for 31/2 years (Great Trib.) – the 7 Headed 10 Horned Kingdom of the Red Dragon. (emphasis added)
Rev. 13:2
…and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The third Beast is the human ‘Mouth’ aka AC/False Prophet of the other two Beasts. It cannot be denied that a ‘Prophet’ is a ‘mouth’ for someone else hence, John the Baptist was the mouth for Jesus, Jesus was the mouth for God, etc., etc. Daniel repeatedly refers to the ‘Little Horn’ as a ‘mouth’. (emphasis added)
Daniel 7:8
…and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Daniel 7:20
…and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
Meanwhile, as stated above the Scarlet Abyss Beast is ‘given a mouth’.
Rev. 13:5-6
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. [6] And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Therefore, if as I have suggested, the ‘Scarlet Abyss Beast’ is NOT human but actually a satanic angel which will rise from the Abyss as the 8th angelic King of the final 7th Kingdom (formerly one of the angelic Kings of one of the first 5 Heads) then he will need a human representative King hence, a ‘mouth – a false prophet/AC’.
When we analyze the geographical 7th Beast Kingdom itself as stated above we see that it has 7 Heads, 10 Horns, is like unto a Leopard, with the feet of a Bear, and the MOUTH of a Lion. Therefore, there were only 2 dominant Kingdoms of the 7 Headed 10 Horned Beast which had the well known symbolic references of a Lion and, they were the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires.
To this end, if as Scripture suggest that the man AC will be an Assyrian (Nah.1:11, et. al.) then this human ‘mouth’ (false prophet) will come from the above described geographical ‘mouth’ of John’s descriptive 7th Beast Kingdom – the mouth of a Lion (Assyrian).
The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse
The Book of Revelation we are introduced to the ‘Four Living Creatures – greek zoon ‘ and their unusual appearances in the realm of God’s Heaven.
Rev. 4:7
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
1st Beast – Face of a Lion
2nd Beast – Face of a Calf (Ox)
3rd Beast – Face of a Man
4th Beast – Face of an Eagle
It is traditionally suggested by Jewish sages that according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, as per Biblical reference, that each of the Twelve Tribes marched under a different ‘banner’ which was representative of their particular Tribe.
Numbers 2:2
Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
Thus, four Tribes, with three Tribes in each direction (North, South, East and West) and the Levites in the center were to set up camp according to the following Biblical specifications during their Egyptian exodus and wilderness travels. It is recorded that Judah and two other Tribes camped on the eastern side of the congregation, Reuben and two other Tribes on the southern, Ephraim and two other Tribes on the western, Dan and two other Tribes on the northern, while the Levites camped alone in their center.
Meanwhile, Jewish tradition also suggests that the ‘standard/symbol’ for the Tribe of Judah was a Lion, the standard for the Tribe of Reuben was a Man's Face, the standard for the Tribe of Ephraim was an Ox and the standard for the Tribe of Dan was a Serpent, (Gen. 49:17) which was later changed to an Eagle.
Therefore, with this in mind assuming that the Four Living Creatures in Heaven open the Four Seals of the Book of Revelation in the sequential order of each of their aforementioned identifications – 1st Lion Faced, 2nd Calf (Ox) Faced, 3rd Man Faced and 4th Eagle Faced, “then we must ask what is (if any) is the relationship between these Beasts faces and the events of each of the described first four Seals?”
In Ezekiel Chapter 1 we find the following passage:
Ezekiel 1:10
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Therefore, the above passage reveals the same type of faces as per the Four Beasts in Rev. 4:7. Thus, what we see from the above Scripture is that the four ‘Living Creatures’ seen by the Prophet Ezekiel had four faces pointing in all ‘four directions’ – man face forward or southward, lion face to the right or eastward, ox face to the left or westward and eagle backward or northward.
1st Seal & Lion Faced Beast (Judah) – White Horse Conquer - East
2nd Seal & Ox Faced Beast (Ephraim) – Red Horse War/Civil Unrest - West
3rd Seal & Man Faced Beast (Reuben) – Black Horse Famine - South
4th Seal & Eagle Faced Beast (Dan) – Pale Green Horse Death - North
To this end, if we extrapolate this with respect to the Four Beasts of Rev. 4:7 and the Four Seals, we can suggest that the Eagle Faced Conquering fallen angel is dispatched to the East, the Ox Faced War/Civil Unrest fallen angel is dispatched to the West, the Man Faced Famine fallen angel is dispatched to the South and the Eagle Faced Death fallen angel is dispatched to the North.
However, an astute observation reveals that the 1st White Horse Rider is the Only One of the four to be given a Crown.
As I have suggested earlier, in similarity with Zechariah 6:1-8, I think all four apocalyptic riders are fallen angels sent on specific missions to specific regions of the world – North, South, East, and West.
Zech. 6:5
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
Therefore, we must be very careful here and NOT think that the 1st White Horse Rider is the man Antichrist. Why?
As I have stated above, the four riders of Apocalypse are four Fallen Angels on a geographic mission and thus, I suggest the 1st fallen angel is actually the 7th Beast of the Seven Headed Ten Horned Beast. He will be the 7th Fallen Angelic King/Prince that will temporarily rule and help to establish the 7th Empire (Middle Eastern) of the Seven Headed Ten Horned Beast in preparation for the 8th Fallen Angelic King/Prince (Abyss Beast – Abaddon/Apollyon) and his hosts - the Man Antichrist, during the Great Tribulation.
Rev. 17:10-11
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; [7th White Horse Rider] and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. [11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, [Abyss Beast – Abaddon/Apollyon] and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
To this end, here is something freighting, the 2nd Red Horse Fallen Angelic Rider, if I am correct, goes to the West and takes ‘Peace from the earth’. However, the Greek word ‘ghay’ used here for ‘earth’ is not necessarily meant to be global and is used in several other locations throughout the New Testament to signify a country, or a land hence a region.
ge, Greek 1093, Strong’s
ge, ghay; contrete from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application) :- country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.
Thus, here is the important part – the 2nd Fallen Angelic Red Horse Rider is given a ‘Great Sword’ and causes the people to ‘Kill Each Other’. Thus, it would seem the people of the West will ‘Kill Each Other’ rather than being killed by foreign invaders/warriors. This would seem to indicate some sort of social/civil upheaval (civil war) or economic collapse. These Western peoples could most likely be either Europe or America or even both.
Meanwhile,the Fallen Angelic Black Horse Rider of Famine goes South to what will most likely be the continent of Africa? Please note that the 3rd Angel is told by a voice in the midst of the ‘Four Beast/Living Creatures’ “Hurt not the Oil and the Wine”. Why?
If we look at Olive Oil and Wine production in Africa, we find that it is predominately in the South – especially South Africa. Therefore, I suggest that the Fallen Angelic Black Horse Rider of Famine is being cautioned and limited as to the geographical regional extent of his Famine and is warned to STOP before entering Southern Africa – the Oil and the Wine production region.
Finally,the Fallen Angelic Pale Green Horse Rider Death goes North as the released Abyss Beast Abaddon/Apollyon and possesses his host - the Man Antichrist, BEFORE the blowing of the 7th Trumpet ends, and the Resurrection of the Dead in Christ, the Rapture of the 144,000 Messianic Jews, and the general Rapture of the Church,invading Israel and capturing Jerusalem - hence, the beginning of the Great Tribulation and the last 31/2 years of Daniel's 70th Week.
Rev. 4:7
[7] And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
1st Beast – Face of a Lion
2nd Beast – Face of a Calf (Ox)
3rd Beast – Face of a Man
4th Beast – Face of an Eagle
It is traditionally suggested by Jewish sages that according to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, as per Biblical reference, that each of the Twelve Tribes marched under a different ‘banner’ which was representative of their particular Tribe.
Numbers 2:2
Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
Thus, four Tribes, with three Tribes in each direction (North, South, East and West) and the Levites in the center were to set up camp according to the following Biblical specifications during their Egyptian exodus and wilderness travels. It is recorded that Judah and two other Tribes camped on the eastern side of the congregation, Reuben and two other Tribes on the southern, Ephraim and two other Tribes on the western, Dan and two other Tribes on the northern, while the Levites camped alone in their center.
Meanwhile, Jewish tradition also suggests that the ‘standard/symbol’ for the Tribe of Judah was a Lion, the standard for the Tribe of Reuben was a Man's Face, the standard for the Tribe of Ephraim was an Ox and the standard for the Tribe of Dan was a Serpent, (Gen. 49:17) which was later changed to an Eagle.
Therefore, with this in mind assuming that the Four Living Creatures in Heaven open the Four Seals of the Book of Revelation in the sequential order of each of their aforementioned identifications – 1st Lion Faced, 2nd Calf (Ox) Faced, 3rd Man Faced and 4th Eagle Faced, “then we must ask what is (if any) is the relationship between these Beasts faces and the events of each of the described first four Seals?”
In Ezekiel Chapter 1 we find the following passage:
Ezekiel 1:10
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Therefore, the above passage reveals the same type of faces as per the Four Beasts in Rev. 4:7. Thus, what we see from the above Scripture is that the four ‘Living Creatures’ seen by the Prophet Ezekiel had four faces pointing in all ‘four directions’ – man face forward or southward, lion face to the right or eastward, ox face to the left or westward and eagle backward or northward.
1st Seal & Lion Faced Beast (Judah) – White Horse Conquer - East
2nd Seal & Ox Faced Beast (Ephraim) – Red Horse War/Civil Unrest - West
3rd Seal & Man Faced Beast (Reuben) – Black Horse Famine - South
4th Seal & Eagle Faced Beast (Dan) – Pale Green Horse Death - North
To this end, if we extrapolate this with respect to the Four Beasts of Rev. 4:7 and the Four Seals, we can suggest that the Eagle Faced Conquering fallen angel is dispatched to the East, the Ox Faced War/Civil Unrest fallen angel is dispatched to the West, the Man Faced Famine fallen angel is dispatched to the South and the Eagle Faced Death fallen angel is dispatched to the North.
However, an astute observation reveals that the 1st White Horse Rider is the Only One of the four to be given a Crown.
As I have suggested earlier, in similarity with Zechariah 6:1-8, I think all four apocalyptic riders are fallen angels sent on specific missions to specific regions of the world – North, South, East, and West.
Zech. 6:5
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.
Therefore, we must be very careful here and NOT think that the 1st White Horse Rider is the man Antichrist. Why?
As I have stated above, the four riders of Apocalypse are four Fallen Angels on a geographic mission and thus, I suggest the 1st fallen angel is actually the 7th Beast of the Seven Headed Ten Horned Beast. He will be the 7th Fallen Angelic King/Prince that will temporarily rule and help to establish the 7th Empire (Middle Eastern) of the Seven Headed Ten Horned Beast in preparation for the 8th Fallen Angelic King/Prince (Abyss Beast – Abaddon/Apollyon) and his hosts - the Man Antichrist, during the Great Tribulation.
Rev. 17:10-11
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; [7th White Horse Rider] and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. [11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, [Abyss Beast – Abaddon/Apollyon] and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
To this end, here is something freighting, the 2nd Red Horse Fallen Angelic Rider, if I am correct, goes to the West and takes ‘Peace from the earth’. However, the Greek word ‘ghay’ used here for ‘earth’ is not necessarily meant to be global and is used in several other locations throughout the New Testament to signify a country, or a land hence a region.
ge, Greek 1093, Strong’s
ge, ghay; contrete from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application) :- country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.
Thus, here is the important part – the 2nd Fallen Angelic Red Horse Rider is given a ‘Great Sword’ and causes the people to ‘Kill Each Other’. Thus, it would seem the people of the West will ‘Kill Each Other’ rather than being killed by foreign invaders/warriors. This would seem to indicate some sort of social/civil upheaval (civil war) or economic collapse. These Western peoples could most likely be either Europe or America or even both.
Meanwhile,the Fallen Angelic Black Horse Rider of Famine goes South to what will most likely be the continent of Africa? Please note that the 3rd Angel is told by a voice in the midst of the ‘Four Beast/Living Creatures’ “Hurt not the Oil and the Wine”. Why?
If we look at Olive Oil and Wine production in Africa, we find that it is predominately in the South – especially South Africa. Therefore, I suggest that the Fallen Angelic Black Horse Rider of Famine is being cautioned and limited as to the geographical regional extent of his Famine and is warned to STOP before entering Southern Africa – the Oil and the Wine production region.
Finally,the Fallen Angelic Pale Green Horse Rider Death goes North as the released Abyss Beast Abaddon/Apollyon and possesses his host - the Man Antichrist, BEFORE the blowing of the 7th Trumpet ends, and the Resurrection of the Dead in Christ, the Rapture of the 144,000 Messianic Jews, and the general Rapture of the Church,invading Israel and capturing Jerusalem - hence, the beginning of the Great Tribulation and the last 31/2 years of Daniel's 70th Week.
The PALE HORSE RIDER
Who is the 'Pale Horse' (greek chloros) Rider of Rev. 6:8 known as DEATH?
Revelation 6:8 (KJV)
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Please take a moment to look at the photo of the two locusts below. Within 2 hours, the solitary, green locusts on the right will transform itself into the extremely sociable, yellow or red version on the left, that gather in voracious and destructive swarms of up to several billion strong.
I suggest that the greek word 'thanatos' Death (Strong's 2288) carries BOTH a literal and a figurative meaning.As such, the figurative meaning of the word DEATH would imply from any normal dictionary definition, when used as a 'noun', the definition of 'DESTRUCTION'.Therefore, the Name of the rider of the Fourth Horse of Rev.6:8 (Death) and the symbolic color of the horse that carries this Rider (Green),are the two critical keys to identifying the Fourth Horse Apocalyptic Rider.
There is a fallen Angel now locked in the Abyss who is himself THE (greek definite article) KING of the Demonic Locusts and his name is Abaddon/Apollyon.
Revelation 9:11 (KJV)
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
However, what must be noted about his name is that this is NOT this Demonic Spirit's actual name, but rather his occupational/vocational name -DESTRUCTION. For example, as I have stated elsewhere,the 7 Heads symbolize BOTH Mountains AND Kings (Rev. 17:9-10) - there is NOT one without the other.As such, Rev. 9:11 reveals, by definition of the names, that the fallen angel Abaddon/Apollyon is THE (greek definite article) DESTROYER.
Therefore, with regards to Abaddon/Apollyon ruling one of the former 7 Heads of the Scarlet Abyss Beast we see the following correlation with reference to the Kingdom of Babylon in Jer. 51:25.
Jeremiah 51:25 (KJV)
25 Behold,I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth:and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that per the rules of the greek grammatical structure with respect to Rev. 17:11 and context, the 8th King must be one of the grammatical 'antecedent'7 Kings, that is just previously mentioned in this self same Passage and the 'antecedent'(previous) Passage - Rev. 17:10. We have NO reasonable grammatical authority to look beyond or outside the identified 7 Kings of Rev. 17:10 for the identification of the 8th King.
Revelation 17:10 (KJV)
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Revelation 17:11 (KJV)
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Moreover, with respect to both Rev. 17:8 and 11 we see that the Beast will go into 'perdition' which mean DESTRUCTION.It is a very common misconception here, with regards to these two Passages that the Beast will 'go to his destruction'.While it may be true in his finality that he will indeed be destroyed,that is NOT at all what these two Passages are suggesting regarding the statement -'goeth into perdition' of the Beast.
What the above statement actually reveals is that the Beast will 'go into' his VOCATION of Destruction rather than 'go into' his LOCATION of Destruction. For example, how many times have you heard someone ask a potential college student, what are you going to 'go into' or simpler yet what are you into? As such, are they being asked about a VOCATION or a LOCATION? The occupational/vocational intentions and design for Abaddon/Apollyon is that of a DESTROYER, and not merely to be released from the Abyss and then head straight to his destruction - that would make little to no sense.
Going forward, with respect to Rev. 6:8 we see that the Pale Horse Rider is followed by, union with, or accompanied by HELL.As such, we must remember that Abaddon/Apollyon is the King of the Demonic Locusts of the greek Hell (Strong's 86 - HADES/Abyss). In later Judaism Hell included the interior depths of the earth and the prison of evil/demonic spirits. Therefore, what we can easily ascertain from this is that Hell/Hades actually includes the Abyss.
The Hebrew word Abaddon (Strong' 3)is derived from the Hebrew word Abaddown (Strong's 11) which means - concrete Hades; Destruction.
To this end, we can clearly see that Death and Hell here work hand and hand.Meanwhile, when we analyze the 'KILLING' instruments/methods of the Four Horse Riders of Apocalypse they are as follows:
Rev. 6:8 ...to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
As can be seen the White Horse Rider with the bow (greek toxin) in his hand kills no one but is GIVEN a Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Red Horse Rider kills with the Sword of War, the Black Horse Rider kills with the Hunger of Famine, but the Pale (Green) Horse Rider kills with BOTH Death/Destruction (in ALL forms) and the Beasts of/from the Earth. Therefore, these Beasts of/from the Earth are both human Beasts on the Earth AND the demonic Beasts from the Abyss/Hell which are symbolized by the Locusts. It is Apollyon/Abaddon's DESTRUCTIVE Mission to 'ruin and destroy' by all manner and means possible the very fabric of LIFE itself and those commodities that are essential to sustaining life - that is what Locusts do.
In Rev. 9:4-5, 10 we are given the descriptive capabilities of the Abyss Locusts. Thus, we see that they have the ability to destroy green vegetation, kill men, and to sting men. However, this particular group when they are released are commanded by some commanding force undisclosed, not to DESTROY the green vegetation nor to kill men - ONLY to torment the 'unsealed' men for 5 months by stinging them. Nonetheless, we know that natural Locusts cannot directly kill men, nor can they sting men - so these Locusts MUST be demonic beings/creatures/Beasts.
Revelation 9:4 (KJV)
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Revelation 9:5 (KJV)
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Revelation 9:10 (KJV)
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
As stated in other places, Abaddon/Apollyon is the King of ALL of the Abyss Locusts (not merely these of Rev. 9:4-5, 10) and therefore the method/instruments of KILLING by the Pale (Green) Horse Rider is BOTH Death (Destruction) AND the Beasts of/from the Earth, which I suggest to be symbolized by the Demonic Spirit Locusts - they have the capability to both KILL and Destroy.
Revelation 6:8 (KJV)
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Please take a moment to look at the photo of the two locusts below. Within 2 hours, the solitary, green locusts on the right will transform itself into the extremely sociable, yellow or red version on the left, that gather in voracious and destructive swarms of up to several billion strong.
I suggest that the greek word 'thanatos' Death (Strong's 2288) carries BOTH a literal and a figurative meaning.As such, the figurative meaning of the word DEATH would imply from any normal dictionary definition, when used as a 'noun', the definition of 'DESTRUCTION'.Therefore, the Name of the rider of the Fourth Horse of Rev.6:8 (Death) and the symbolic color of the horse that carries this Rider (Green),are the two critical keys to identifying the Fourth Horse Apocalyptic Rider.
There is a fallen Angel now locked in the Abyss who is himself THE (greek definite article) KING of the Demonic Locusts and his name is Abaddon/Apollyon.
Revelation 9:11 (KJV)
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
However, what must be noted about his name is that this is NOT this Demonic Spirit's actual name, but rather his occupational/vocational name -DESTRUCTION. For example, as I have stated elsewhere,the 7 Heads symbolize BOTH Mountains AND Kings (Rev. 17:9-10) - there is NOT one without the other.As such, Rev. 9:11 reveals, by definition of the names, that the fallen angel Abaddon/Apollyon is THE (greek definite article) DESTROYER.
Therefore, with regards to Abaddon/Apollyon ruling one of the former 7 Heads of the Scarlet Abyss Beast we see the following correlation with reference to the Kingdom of Babylon in Jer. 51:25.
Jeremiah 51:25 (KJV)
25 Behold,I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth:and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that per the rules of the greek grammatical structure with respect to Rev. 17:11 and context, the 8th King must be one of the grammatical 'antecedent'7 Kings, that is just previously mentioned in this self same Passage and the 'antecedent'(previous) Passage - Rev. 17:10. We have NO reasonable grammatical authority to look beyond or outside the identified 7 Kings of Rev. 17:10 for the identification of the 8th King.
Revelation 17:10 (KJV)
10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
Revelation 17:11 (KJV)
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Moreover, with respect to both Rev. 17:8 and 11 we see that the Beast will go into 'perdition' which mean DESTRUCTION.It is a very common misconception here, with regards to these two Passages that the Beast will 'go to his destruction'.While it may be true in his finality that he will indeed be destroyed,that is NOT at all what these two Passages are suggesting regarding the statement -'goeth into perdition' of the Beast.
What the above statement actually reveals is that the Beast will 'go into' his VOCATION of Destruction rather than 'go into' his LOCATION of Destruction. For example, how many times have you heard someone ask a potential college student, what are you going to 'go into' or simpler yet what are you into? As such, are they being asked about a VOCATION or a LOCATION? The occupational/vocational intentions and design for Abaddon/Apollyon is that of a DESTROYER, and not merely to be released from the Abyss and then head straight to his destruction - that would make little to no sense.
Going forward, with respect to Rev. 6:8 we see that the Pale Horse Rider is followed by, union with, or accompanied by HELL.As such, we must remember that Abaddon/Apollyon is the King of the Demonic Locusts of the greek Hell (Strong's 86 - HADES/Abyss). In later Judaism Hell included the interior depths of the earth and the prison of evil/demonic spirits. Therefore, what we can easily ascertain from this is that Hell/Hades actually includes the Abyss.
The Hebrew word Abaddon (Strong' 3)is derived from the Hebrew word Abaddown (Strong's 11) which means - concrete Hades; Destruction.
To this end, we can clearly see that Death and Hell here work hand and hand.Meanwhile, when we analyze the 'KILLING' instruments/methods of the Four Horse Riders of Apocalypse they are as follows:
Rev. 6:8 ...to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
As can be seen the White Horse Rider with the bow (greek toxin) in his hand kills no one but is GIVEN a Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Red Horse Rider kills with the Sword of War, the Black Horse Rider kills with the Hunger of Famine, but the Pale (Green) Horse Rider kills with BOTH Death/Destruction (in ALL forms) and the Beasts of/from the Earth. Therefore, these Beasts of/from the Earth are both human Beasts on the Earth AND the demonic Beasts from the Abyss/Hell which are symbolized by the Locusts. It is Apollyon/Abaddon's DESTRUCTIVE Mission to 'ruin and destroy' by all manner and means possible the very fabric of LIFE itself and those commodities that are essential to sustaining life - that is what Locusts do.
In Rev. 9:4-5, 10 we are given the descriptive capabilities of the Abyss Locusts. Thus, we see that they have the ability to destroy green vegetation, kill men, and to sting men. However, this particular group when they are released are commanded by some commanding force undisclosed, not to DESTROY the green vegetation nor to kill men - ONLY to torment the 'unsealed' men for 5 months by stinging them. Nonetheless, we know that natural Locusts cannot directly kill men, nor can they sting men - so these Locusts MUST be demonic beings/creatures/Beasts.
Revelation 9:4 (KJV)
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Revelation 9:5 (KJV)
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
Revelation 9:10 (KJV)
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
As stated in other places, Abaddon/Apollyon is the King of ALL of the Abyss Locusts (not merely these of Rev. 9:4-5, 10) and therefore the method/instruments of KILLING by the Pale (Green) Horse Rider is BOTH Death (Destruction) AND the Beasts of/from the Earth, which I suggest to be symbolized by the Demonic Spirit Locusts - they have the capability to both KILL and Destroy.
The Life of Enoch Part One
There are numerous questions concerning whom the two witnesses will be that will prophesy during the Tribulation. Many people believe that one or both of them could be Enoch, Elijah, or Moses. In Jewish literature, there have been more books written about Elijah than that of Moses, or any other figure throughout the Bible. As we go through the three characters of Enoch, Elijah, and Moses, we will unlock the shrouded mystery of why it is important to know who these men were. In addition, I will give reasons as to why I personally believe it is Elijah and Moses who will be the two witnesses.
First, let us start with a series of questions concerning Enoch:
A. What Is Enoch’s Pedigree?
B. Who is Enoch?
C. What did Enoch do on earth?
D. Where did Enoch go?
What Is Enoch’s Pedigree?
Enoch walked with God 300 years after the birth of Methuselah. God counted Enoch a preacher and a prophet who walked in holiness and in righteousness. He was well pleasing to God. Adonai took Enoch up into heaven without experiencing death. I believe in order for us to understand who Enoch is, we must first extract his lineage from the descendants of Adam. The author of Genesis has given us a brief genealogy of where Enoch came from. Genesis chapter 5:20: “Jared was a hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch.” So far, we have established Enoch’s father is Jared. Although this is a brief genealogy, we can still bring out some important information regarding this biblical character.
As we keep reading about Enoch’s pedigree in verse 21 of chapter 5, this is the first introduction to Methuselah, one of Enoch’s children. How many children did Enoch have? Important note, though Methuselah is the only child mentioned by name, it’s well documented that Enoch had more children. Remember that Methuselah was sixty-five years of age when he had his first child. In Genesis chapter 5:22, we are informed of other children Enoch had. “And Enoch found favor in the presence of God three hundred years after he begot Methuselah, and begot sons and daughters.” The details of Enoch’s other children are not known; their names and what they did, are absent from scripture. The Old Testament does not mention any further details about his lineage. However, there is still more to know about the well-known man called Enoch.
Who is Enoch?
Now that we have established a bit of Enoch’s ancestry, our goal is to find out “WHO” he was! Unfortunately, we don’t have much to work with since the majority of his life is absent from Scripture. However, we can still start a molding process about Enoch from what we do know. He is regarded highly, respected, and righteous. Scriptures say he was even godly. In Hebrews 11:5, we are given an account of his faith: “He had pleased God”.
We are also informed in Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God”. In a way, he was very similar to Noah. Let’s take a look at Genesis 6:9, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God”. These two Godly men are both fascinating. They were righteous and walked with God.
In Scripture, we have a detailed account of how long Enoch remained on earth until God took him. Chapter 5, verses 21-24, “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years”. Enoch’s name means Dedication. “His name translated in the Hebrew is חנוך [Chanowk / khan•oke].” The Hebrew name for Enoch can be found in Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity.
What I have just written is an account of Enoch’s holy life with God. This important Biblical figure lived to be 365 years of age. He served God the father and was a pastor and a prophet of righteousness who witnessed to the unsaved world of his day. It is pretty amazing what one person can do to change the people and the world around him just by simply preaching the Word of God.
First, let us start with a series of questions concerning Enoch:
A. What Is Enoch’s Pedigree?
B. Who is Enoch?
C. What did Enoch do on earth?
D. Where did Enoch go?
What Is Enoch’s Pedigree?
Enoch walked with God 300 years after the birth of Methuselah. God counted Enoch a preacher and a prophet who walked in holiness and in righteousness. He was well pleasing to God. Adonai took Enoch up into heaven without experiencing death. I believe in order for us to understand who Enoch is, we must first extract his lineage from the descendants of Adam. The author of Genesis has given us a brief genealogy of where Enoch came from. Genesis chapter 5:20: “Jared was a hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch.” So far, we have established Enoch’s father is Jared. Although this is a brief genealogy, we can still bring out some important information regarding this biblical character.
As we keep reading about Enoch’s pedigree in verse 21 of chapter 5, this is the first introduction to Methuselah, one of Enoch’s children. How many children did Enoch have? Important note, though Methuselah is the only child mentioned by name, it’s well documented that Enoch had more children. Remember that Methuselah was sixty-five years of age when he had his first child. In Genesis chapter 5:22, we are informed of other children Enoch had. “And Enoch found favor in the presence of God three hundred years after he begot Methuselah, and begot sons and daughters.” The details of Enoch’s other children are not known; their names and what they did, are absent from scripture. The Old Testament does not mention any further details about his lineage. However, there is still more to know about the well-known man called Enoch.
Who is Enoch?
Now that we have established a bit of Enoch’s ancestry, our goal is to find out “WHO” he was! Unfortunately, we don’t have much to work with since the majority of his life is absent from Scripture. However, we can still start a molding process about Enoch from what we do know. He is regarded highly, respected, and righteous. Scriptures say he was even godly. In Hebrews 11:5, we are given an account of his faith: “He had pleased God”.
We are also informed in Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God”. In a way, he was very similar to Noah. Let’s take a look at Genesis 6:9, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God”. These two Godly men are both fascinating. They were righteous and walked with God.
In Scripture, we have a detailed account of how long Enoch remained on earth until God took him. Chapter 5, verses 21-24, “When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years”. Enoch’s name means Dedication. “His name translated in the Hebrew is חנוך [Chanowk / khan•oke].” The Hebrew name for Enoch can be found in Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity.
What I have just written is an account of Enoch’s holy life with God. This important Biblical figure lived to be 365 years of age. He served God the father and was a pastor and a prophet of righteousness who witnessed to the unsaved world of his day. It is pretty amazing what one person can do to change the people and the world around him just by simply preaching the Word of God.
Revelation 13:18
From the website Torahresource.com
Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Rev. 13:18 Ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν. ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου, ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν, καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ
ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ. (666)
(א, P, 1006. 1841. 1854. 2053vid al)
χξς (666)
(A, P47 051 M; Ir Hipp)
ἑξακόσιοι δεκα ἕξ. (616)
(C, Irmss)
χῖς (616)
(P115)
ἑξακόσιοι
ἑξήκοντα πεντε (665)
(2344)
Neron Caesar (Greek)
רסק ןורנ
Nero Caesar (Latin)
רסק ורנ
50
200
6
50
100
60
200
50
200
6
100
60
200
= 666
= 616
The other numerical sums, found in a few manuscripts (e.g., manuscript 2344 which has “665”), are probably scribal errors or perhaps were done by scribes who misspelled the Hebrew transliteration of the Greek or Latin name Nero Caesar. If, for instance, Nero was spelled הרנ rather than ורנ, the numerical sum would be 665 rather than 666.
Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Rev. 13:18 Ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν. ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου, ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν, καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ
ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ. (666)
(א, P, 1006. 1841. 1854. 2053vid al)
χξς (666)
(A, P47 051 M; Ir Hipp)
ἑξακόσιοι δεκα ἕξ. (616)
(C, Irmss)
χῖς (616)
(P115)
ἑξακόσιοι
ἑξήκοντα πεντε (665)
(2344)
Neron Caesar (Greek)
רסק ןורנ
Nero Caesar (Latin)
רסק ורנ
50
200
6
50
100
60
200
50
200
6
100
60
200
= 666
= 616
The other numerical sums, found in a few manuscripts (e.g., manuscript 2344 which has “665”), are probably scribal errors or perhaps were done by scribes who misspelled the Hebrew transliteration of the Greek or Latin name Nero Caesar. If, for instance, Nero was spelled הרנ rather than ורנ, the numerical sum would be 665 rather than 666.
The Altar and the Anti-Christ
You need make for me only an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your offerings of well-being, your sheep, and your oxen; in every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. Exodus 20:24.
The Temple Mount Institute has started construction on the stone altar. This construction began on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av, 2009. The 9th of Av is very significant in Jewish history (though it is also a sad event in their history), for it commemorates the destruction of the first temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. Albeit, it is a reminder of the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD. The building of the altar that the Temple Mount Institute is constructing is momentous since we are living in the end times. This altar was foretold in the book of Daniel.
This altar should have a prophetic impact on the Christian world as well as wake us up spiritually. In nature, we are witnessing political events, and world events, which are beginning to line up with the Bible. However, there are two Judaic organizations Jehovah has raised up for the end of days. They are the Temple Mount Faithful, and the Temple Institute. It is important to note that these two organizations are dedicated to rebuilding the third temple.
The Temple Institute has recreated all of the sacred vessels and have made things such as David’s harp, the priestly robes, and a copper vessel that will be used in preparation for the meal offering. In addition, the Temple Mount Faithful has successfully created two cornerstones both weighing 13 tons (26,000 pounds).
Over the years they have purposely tried to position the cornerstones at the Temple Mount so they can start rebuilding the temple.(Then, Jews believe this will usher in the Messiah Ben David). This altar they are currently constructing will be smaller than the previous two altars. Multimedia director of the the Temple Institute, Yitzchak Reuven, mentions that the “base of the altar will be three and a half meters wide, the height of it three and a half meters wide, and the ramp ten and a half meters long.” The organization purposely created it small for the mere fact that it would be easily transportable to the third temple.
The Messianic publication Yavoh is Hebrew for “He Is Coming.”
Monte Judah, founder, director, and editor, describes the size of this altar in Yavoh. “It is six meters square at a height of four meters. It will have a ramp extending some thirty-six feet.
In imperial measurements this altar will rise more than twelve in the air and sit on a base nearly twenty feet by twenty feet.” The Lord made a commandment to Moses and the children of Israel about building the altar. The God of Moses stressed about not using any type of tools that could chip or chisel or break away any part of His stone altar.
Deuteronomy 27:5, “There you are to erect an altar to Adonai your God, an altar made of stones. You are not to use any iron tool on them, but are to build the altar of Adonai your God of uncut (unhewn) stones; and you are to offer burnt offerings on it to Adonai our God.”
In adhering to God’s direct order, the Israelites were to collect stones for the altar that would please YHWH. For inasmuch as, no iron tool or any iron tool of warfare was permitted to touch these stones. For, He knew iron tools have been used for warfare and for killing people. Therefore, any iron tool touching the altar stones would invalidate those stones. A similar correlation would be the inspection of the Passover lamb.
Any blemish would disqualify it for being the perfect corban (gift). In the Mishnah, a New Translation by Jacob Neusner, on page 879, it states, “For iron is created to shorten man’s days, and the altar is created to lengthen man’s days.”
Our next phase of writing will shed some light about the future anti-messiah, and the altar. Prophecy, in the book of Daniel, reveals to us that the Jewish Temple will be properly functioning. For it has to be fully functional for the anti-Christ to stop the burnt offerings and to commit the utter blasphemy against the holy stone altar. The anti-Messiah will then pledge his allegiance to Satan and claim that he is God in the Third Jewish Temple.
Paul reveals to us the character and evil nature of Satan’s anti-Christ. However, the extremity of his true character and his evil nature takes its apparent form once the three years of peace (false peace) has ended. After the three years expire, that will begin the days of Jacob’s Trouble. There are many theories out there explaining the ethnicity of the anti-Christ. Some scholars and pastors say he has to be Jewish since Jewish people will only accept a Jewish savior, and others believe that he will be of Muslim origin.
For now, until the time comes, it is difficult to be absolute about his ethnicity, whether he (anti-Christ) will be a Jew or Muslim. Many Jews have rejected Judaism and turned to Islam. Therefore, there is a chance for the anti-Christ to have Jewish origin, and his religion be that of Islamic nature.
For me, I am leaning towards the possibility of the anti-Christ being Muslim, with Jewish origin, just for the fact that the book of Revelation tells us that there will be many beheadings of innocent people who rejected the mark of the beast or who did not worship the beast. (In Islam we can truly see this prophecy coming to pass about the anti-Christ).
Paul tells us in Revelation 20:4, “ Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.”
From the historical figure of Antiochus Epiphanes, God has given us clues about the upcoming anti-Christ. Epiphanes was a despicable person who was basically a blueprint for the anti-Christ. The anti-Messiah will have similar spiritual components as Antiochus Epiphanes. God reveals that both of their natures are destructive, rebellious, murderous, and anti-God. Below is a list that reveals the anti-Christ’s nature. They are compared to Antiochus Epiphanes in 1 Maccabees, chapter 1 verse 10, 37, 44 through 47.
1.Antiochus came out of a wicked root. 1 Maccabees 1:10
2.The Anti-Christ will come from a wicked root.(Satan will possess the anti-Christ).
3.Antiochus shed innocent blood. 1 Maccabees 1:24
4.The Anti-Christ will shed innocent blood.Revelation 20:4
5.Antiochus changed the seasons and laws,and profaned the temple Sabbaths. 1Maccabees 1:49
6.The Anti-Christ will change the sacred seasons and the law. Daniel 7:25
7.Antiochus stopped the grain offerings and the altar.
1 Maccabees1:59 8.The Anti-Christ will stop the grain offerings and the
altar sacrifice. Daniel 9:27
9. They erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees1:54 10. The Anti-Christ will set up the abomination
that desolates. Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31
11. Deceitfully, Antiochus spoke peaceable words to them,
and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the
city, dealt it a severe blow and destroyed many people
of Israel. 1 Maccabees 1:30
12. He (Anti-Christ) shall make a strong covenant (False
Covenant) with many for one week. Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 20:4
Whenever the Bible talks about Satan possessing the anti-Christ, it reminds me of when Judas Iscariot was briefly possessed by Satan. The author of John 13:27, gives us clues about Satan entering into Judas Iscariot. “After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.” However, once Satan enters into the anti-Messiah, it will not be as brief. It will be a longer duration, that is, until Satan and his anti-Christ completes the prophecies which are spoken of in the Bible.
Then, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever and ever. In Revelation 20:10, Paul tells us this important fact, “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
The book of Matthew speaks of the anti-Christ standing in the holy place. Then, after this, disaster will strike Jerusalem, especially in Judea, where sweeping persecutions will take place. It will be so devastating that Matthew 24:21-22, warns us, “For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”
So, when all of the people of Judea and Israel see or hear that the anti-Christ is now standing in the holy place (Holy of Holies), they are to immediately flee into the mountains away from their houses. They are not even to grab any clothes or any supplies that are in their homes. In Matthew 24:19-20, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.” The author of Matthew gives us an expedient warning (to flee now).
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must have given the apostle John a glimpse of the future. It seems God had given him an urgency that quickened his spirit to write what he did as an emergency plan for the people of the future who will witness the incumbent anti-Messiah. The emergency plan is to flee from your homes and businesses, synagogues, and churches and buildings of any type.
Where will the Israelites flee? Common knowledge says they will escape to the mountains of Petra and Bozrah for safety. During the hard times of the anti-Christ’s rule, the Jewish people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Jewish Messiah will be fleeing to these two ancient cities.
Their travel from Judea to Petra will be approximately 120 miles (193 kilometers). Unfortunately, no one will be using vehicles as a means to escape the anti-Christ and his forces. They will be fleeing by foot to Petra and Bozrah.
An important fact to consider is during the wintertime in Jordan the temperatures can get down into the thirties and even colder at times. This is possibly one of the many reasons why the author of Matthew has said, “Pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
It would be physically challenging for everyone, especially for pregnant and nursing woman walking this long, treacherous journey to Petra and Bozrah during the wintertime. Matthew 24:19, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!”.
Typically, their winters last from December through January. I believe the author of Matthew was actually alluding to something more serious than the temperature of wintertime; though, it will have an effect on the people who have to actually traverse to these two places during those days.
The anti-Christ’s takeover of the Third Temple would be especially tragic if it occurred on the important Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the 25th of Kislev. Hanukkah is a time of rededication of the temple. It is called the Festival of Rededication and the Festival of Lights.
Here is a brief but very important history lesson about the Maccabees. A wonderful website: Written by Les Turvey. I will paste his website below. http://www.biblestudy.org/question/what-is-hanukkah-and-can-christians-celebrate-it.html(All words in Italics are from Les Turvey).
“Antiochus IV Epiphanes became ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire in 175 B.C. In an effort to unify the Greek elements of his empire he initiated a campaign to FORCE the Greek culture upon those living in Judea. In 167 B.C. Antiochus orders an altar to the Greek god Zeus be erected in Jerusalem's Temple. Pigs (a Biblically unclean animal) are brought in the Temple and sacrificed on the altar of Zeus. In the same year the altar is erected a Jewish priest named Mattathias starts a revolt against the Seleucid overlords by refusing to worship the Greek gods imposed on them.
Mattathias dies about a year after he started the revolt. One of his sons named Judas, however, becomes the military chief of the rebellion. As a recognition of his ferocity in battle, Judas is referred to as Judas Maccabaeus (or Judah the Maccabee), which when translated means ‘Judah the Hammer.’ Judas Maccabeus leads an army of Jewish dissidents to victory over the Seleucids. After his victory he enters Jerusalem in triumph and religiously cleanses the Temple (which was profaned by the pagan Seleucids).
The temple is rededicated in 165 B.C. on the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev. According to tradition, although there was only one day's supply of oil for the Temple's menorah (which was required to burn throughout the night every night), it miraculously burned for eight days. Eight days was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh oil for use in the Temple.”
Here, God gives the Jewish community and the Christian community a blueprint from the very words of the Maccabees found in the Apocrypha. He shows us what might possibly take place again, history repeating itself. God is basically saying His words very clearly as He reveals them to the remaining believers of the Messianic community and the Christian community fleeing Judea. They need to take His words to their very heart. “Pray that your flight may not be in winter.” When we see these events forming and taking shape before our eyes, we ought to look up for our redeemer is seven years away from rapturing the remaining believers up unto Him..
Written by Michael Jones
The Temple Mount Institute has started construction on the stone altar. This construction began on the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av, 2009. The 9th of Av is very significant in Jewish history (though it is also a sad event in their history), for it commemorates the destruction of the first temple destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. Albeit, it is a reminder of the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD. The building of the altar that the Temple Mount Institute is constructing is momentous since we are living in the end times. This altar was foretold in the book of Daniel.
This altar should have a prophetic impact on the Christian world as well as wake us up spiritually. In nature, we are witnessing political events, and world events, which are beginning to line up with the Bible. However, there are two Judaic organizations Jehovah has raised up for the end of days. They are the Temple Mount Faithful, and the Temple Institute. It is important to note that these two organizations are dedicated to rebuilding the third temple.
The Temple Institute has recreated all of the sacred vessels and have made things such as David’s harp, the priestly robes, and a copper vessel that will be used in preparation for the meal offering. In addition, the Temple Mount Faithful has successfully created two cornerstones both weighing 13 tons (26,000 pounds).
Over the years they have purposely tried to position the cornerstones at the Temple Mount so they can start rebuilding the temple.(Then, Jews believe this will usher in the Messiah Ben David). This altar they are currently constructing will be smaller than the previous two altars. Multimedia director of the the Temple Institute, Yitzchak Reuven, mentions that the “base of the altar will be three and a half meters wide, the height of it three and a half meters wide, and the ramp ten and a half meters long.” The organization purposely created it small for the mere fact that it would be easily transportable to the third temple.
The Messianic publication Yavoh is Hebrew for “He Is Coming.”
Monte Judah, founder, director, and editor, describes the size of this altar in Yavoh. “It is six meters square at a height of four meters. It will have a ramp extending some thirty-six feet.
In imperial measurements this altar will rise more than twelve in the air and sit on a base nearly twenty feet by twenty feet.” The Lord made a commandment to Moses and the children of Israel about building the altar. The God of Moses stressed about not using any type of tools that could chip or chisel or break away any part of His stone altar.
Deuteronomy 27:5, “There you are to erect an altar to Adonai your God, an altar made of stones. You are not to use any iron tool on them, but are to build the altar of Adonai your God of uncut (unhewn) stones; and you are to offer burnt offerings on it to Adonai our God.”
In adhering to God’s direct order, the Israelites were to collect stones for the altar that would please YHWH. For inasmuch as, no iron tool or any iron tool of warfare was permitted to touch these stones. For, He knew iron tools have been used for warfare and for killing people. Therefore, any iron tool touching the altar stones would invalidate those stones. A similar correlation would be the inspection of the Passover lamb.
Any blemish would disqualify it for being the perfect corban (gift). In the Mishnah, a New Translation by Jacob Neusner, on page 879, it states, “For iron is created to shorten man’s days, and the altar is created to lengthen man’s days.”
Our next phase of writing will shed some light about the future anti-messiah, and the altar. Prophecy, in the book of Daniel, reveals to us that the Jewish Temple will be properly functioning. For it has to be fully functional for the anti-Christ to stop the burnt offerings and to commit the utter blasphemy against the holy stone altar. The anti-Messiah will then pledge his allegiance to Satan and claim that he is God in the Third Jewish Temple.
Paul reveals to us the character and evil nature of Satan’s anti-Christ. However, the extremity of his true character and his evil nature takes its apparent form once the three years of peace (false peace) has ended. After the three years expire, that will begin the days of Jacob’s Trouble. There are many theories out there explaining the ethnicity of the anti-Christ. Some scholars and pastors say he has to be Jewish since Jewish people will only accept a Jewish savior, and others believe that he will be of Muslim origin.
For now, until the time comes, it is difficult to be absolute about his ethnicity, whether he (anti-Christ) will be a Jew or Muslim. Many Jews have rejected Judaism and turned to Islam. Therefore, there is a chance for the anti-Christ to have Jewish origin, and his religion be that of Islamic nature.
For me, I am leaning towards the possibility of the anti-Christ being Muslim, with Jewish origin, just for the fact that the book of Revelation tells us that there will be many beheadings of innocent people who rejected the mark of the beast or who did not worship the beast. (In Islam we can truly see this prophecy coming to pass about the anti-Christ).
Paul tells us in Revelation 20:4, “ Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.”
From the historical figure of Antiochus Epiphanes, God has given us clues about the upcoming anti-Christ. Epiphanes was a despicable person who was basically a blueprint for the anti-Christ. The anti-Messiah will have similar spiritual components as Antiochus Epiphanes. God reveals that both of their natures are destructive, rebellious, murderous, and anti-God. Below is a list that reveals the anti-Christ’s nature. They are compared to Antiochus Epiphanes in 1 Maccabees, chapter 1 verse 10, 37, 44 through 47.
1.Antiochus came out of a wicked root. 1 Maccabees 1:10
2.The Anti-Christ will come from a wicked root.(Satan will possess the anti-Christ).
3.Antiochus shed innocent blood. 1 Maccabees 1:24
4.The Anti-Christ will shed innocent blood.Revelation 20:4
5.Antiochus changed the seasons and laws,and profaned the temple Sabbaths. 1Maccabees 1:49
6.The Anti-Christ will change the sacred seasons and the law. Daniel 7:25
7.Antiochus stopped the grain offerings and the altar.
1 Maccabees1:59 8.The Anti-Christ will stop the grain offerings and the
altar sacrifice. Daniel 9:27
9. They erected a desolating sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees1:54 10. The Anti-Christ will set up the abomination
that desolates. Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 11:31
11. Deceitfully, Antiochus spoke peaceable words to them,
and they believed him; but he suddenly fell upon the
city, dealt it a severe blow and destroyed many people
of Israel. 1 Maccabees 1:30
12. He (Anti-Christ) shall make a strong covenant (False
Covenant) with many for one week. Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 20:4
Whenever the Bible talks about Satan possessing the anti-Christ, it reminds me of when Judas Iscariot was briefly possessed by Satan. The author of John 13:27, gives us clues about Satan entering into Judas Iscariot. “After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.” However, once Satan enters into the anti-Messiah, it will not be as brief. It will be a longer duration, that is, until Satan and his anti-Christ completes the prophecies which are spoken of in the Bible.
Then, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever and ever. In Revelation 20:10, Paul tells us this important fact, “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
The book of Matthew speaks of the anti-Christ standing in the holy place. Then, after this, disaster will strike Jerusalem, especially in Judea, where sweeping persecutions will take place. It will be so devastating that Matthew 24:21-22, warns us, “For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”
So, when all of the people of Judea and Israel see or hear that the anti-Christ is now standing in the holy place (Holy of Holies), they are to immediately flee into the mountains away from their houses. They are not even to grab any clothes or any supplies that are in their homes. In Matthew 24:19-20, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.” The author of Matthew gives us an expedient warning (to flee now).
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must have given the apostle John a glimpse of the future. It seems God had given him an urgency that quickened his spirit to write what he did as an emergency plan for the people of the future who will witness the incumbent anti-Messiah. The emergency plan is to flee from your homes and businesses, synagogues, and churches and buildings of any type.
Where will the Israelites flee? Common knowledge says they will escape to the mountains of Petra and Bozrah for safety. During the hard times of the anti-Christ’s rule, the Jewish people who believe in Jesus Christ as their Jewish Messiah will be fleeing to these two ancient cities.
Their travel from Judea to Petra will be approximately 120 miles (193 kilometers). Unfortunately, no one will be using vehicles as a means to escape the anti-Christ and his forces. They will be fleeing by foot to Petra and Bozrah.
An important fact to consider is during the wintertime in Jordan the temperatures can get down into the thirties and even colder at times. This is possibly one of the many reasons why the author of Matthew has said, “Pray that your flight may not be in winter.”
It would be physically challenging for everyone, especially for pregnant and nursing woman walking this long, treacherous journey to Petra and Bozrah during the wintertime. Matthew 24:19, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!”.
Typically, their winters last from December through January. I believe the author of Matthew was actually alluding to something more serious than the temperature of wintertime; though, it will have an effect on the people who have to actually traverse to these two places during those days.
The anti-Christ’s takeover of the Third Temple would be especially tragic if it occurred on the important Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the 25th of Kislev. Hanukkah is a time of rededication of the temple. It is called the Festival of Rededication and the Festival of Lights.
Here is a brief but very important history lesson about the Maccabees. A wonderful website: Written by Les Turvey. I will paste his website below. http://www.biblestudy.org/question/what-is-hanukkah-and-can-christians-celebrate-it.html(All words in Italics are from Les Turvey).
“Antiochus IV Epiphanes became ruler of the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire in 175 B.C. In an effort to unify the Greek elements of his empire he initiated a campaign to FORCE the Greek culture upon those living in Judea. In 167 B.C. Antiochus orders an altar to the Greek god Zeus be erected in Jerusalem's Temple. Pigs (a Biblically unclean animal) are brought in the Temple and sacrificed on the altar of Zeus. In the same year the altar is erected a Jewish priest named Mattathias starts a revolt against the Seleucid overlords by refusing to worship the Greek gods imposed on them.
Mattathias dies about a year after he started the revolt. One of his sons named Judas, however, becomes the military chief of the rebellion. As a recognition of his ferocity in battle, Judas is referred to as Judas Maccabaeus (or Judah the Maccabee), which when translated means ‘Judah the Hammer.’ Judas Maccabeus leads an army of Jewish dissidents to victory over the Seleucids. After his victory he enters Jerusalem in triumph and religiously cleanses the Temple (which was profaned by the pagan Seleucids).
The temple is rededicated in 165 B.C. on the twenty-fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev. According to tradition, although there was only one day's supply of oil for the Temple's menorah (which was required to burn throughout the night every night), it miraculously burned for eight days. Eight days was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh oil for use in the Temple.”
Here, God gives the Jewish community and the Christian community a blueprint from the very words of the Maccabees found in the Apocrypha. He shows us what might possibly take place again, history repeating itself. God is basically saying His words very clearly as He reveals them to the remaining believers of the Messianic community and the Christian community fleeing Judea. They need to take His words to their very heart. “Pray that your flight may not be in winter.” When we see these events forming and taking shape before our eyes, we ought to look up for our redeemer is seven years away from rapturing the remaining believers up unto Him..
Written by Michael Jones
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