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Sunday morning Foundations Classes
Angels/Demons & the End Times -- Lesson #12
Do you believe in Bible prophecy concerning the End Times? Do you believe in a literal Tribulation and Antichrist, possessed by Satan? Do you believe Satan is active in the world today and will increase the intensity of his evil attacks during the Tribulation? His greatest weapon is deception. We see this in Revelation 12 & 13, where Satan imitates the Holy Trinity with a diabolical trinity: Satan, the fallen angel Lucifer (a.k.a. the Dragon); the Antichrist (a.k.a. the Beast); the False Prophet/religious leader (a.k.a. the second Beast)—shown in the image.
We ended the last lesson by looking at the temple mount as it stands today, with a Muslim shrine and mosque on the site where the temple once stood; concluding with the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. Why so much focus on Israel and the Temple? As stated often, history and news events often go hand-in-hand with Bible prophecies. I find myself paying particular attention to what I see as potentially related events, often asking myself, “Are we there yet?” Are we where? Efforts to rebuild the Temple is a significant signal that yes, we are almost there. The approach to the End Times will see a downward spiral in our society where evil is embraced and declared good, and good is rejected and despised as evil. Sound familiar?
I downloaded the following comment from an Israel news website, which is available online for anyone interested in exploring it further: Israelnationalnews.com: “The campaign was launched last week to raise money for the Temple Mount organizations during the Nine Days, the period of mourning for the destruction of the Holy Temple and Jerusalem. So far, the campaign has raised half of the targeted amount.”
The image shows where a rebuilt temple would be located, adjacent to the Islamic shrine, Dome of the Rock, and what it would look like. I’m sure that most of us were not even remotely aware that a temple restoration fund had been established in Israel. At the end of this lesson, I added a link for a 6-minute video that discusses the building of the temple from an Israeli perspective. I can’t help but draw attention that Pastor John MacArthur stated “emphatically”, in his lesson #11 video message that “a temple will be built.”
Gershon Salomon is director of the Temple Mount Faithful, an organization that has been trying to prepare Israeli society to accept and promote the rebuilding of the Temple through demonstrations at the Temple site, the construction of a cornerstone for the Third Temple, and the making of various Temple-related utensils.
An important part of the End Times prophecies is Jesus’ own words that the Gospel must first be preached to all nations before the end comes (Mark 13:10). With today’s technology, such as smartphones, worldwide cable news, the world-wide-web, social media, etc., the ability to do so exists now more than ever, even to remote corners of the world. This slide and the next one go hand-in-hand…
And after the Gospel is preached to all nations, only then will the end come. Never before was that possible, until right now. Those who reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer do so of their own free will. The light of the Gospel will be ignored and extinguished by man’s sinful heart and desire for self. Just turn on the TV, examples are all around us.
Some believe that in these verses, Jesus was warning about the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. But, as Jesus stated in v.14, that first the Gospel will be preached to the whole world, which, again, wasn’t possible back then, but is now. In v.21 He tells us that the destruction was unequaled from the beginning of the world until that time. What about Noah’s flood? Certainly that was greater than Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem? Or as in v.21, He tells us that it will never be equaled again. What about the A-bombs dropped on Japan? Certainly that was greater than Rome’s destruction of the Temple. In v.22 He tells us that unless those days are cut short “no one would survive”. No one is all inclusive, the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans was regional and not all inclusive. Jesus certainly wasn’t referring to the limited destruction caused by the Romans in 70 AD, as some Amillennialists believe and profess.
As shown in the image, Daniel’s 69th week ends at Israel’s rejection and crucifixion of Christ. The 70th week is yet to come, which is the Tribulation week that equals 7 years, as does each week, where 7 years is represented by a “week” in the prophecy.
No one in the modern world, especially in light of the current Muslim dominated Middle East, ever thought or even imagined that the temple mount would ever be under Israel control again. But thanks to the 1967 Six Day War, Israel recaptured the West Bank and all of Jerusalem from the Jordanians—an Arab nation.
When Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 70 AD, many Jews were dispersed throughout distant parts of the world as shown on the map, called the Jewish Diaspora—a Greek world meaning “scattered”. Many of their descendants well integrated into Europe for centuries; suffering through the Nazi Holocaust they were displaced from Europe, and returned to their ancestral homeland as one of the few places of refuge available to them; but even that was difficult—a lingering hatred for the Jews forced them to abandon Europe. How then can anyone claim the modern State of Israel is irrelevant? I find it hard to believe that the very existence of Israel isn’t one of the keys in understanding Bible prophecies related to the End Times, as laid out in the Book of Revelation.
When will it come? No one knows… as Jesus tells us in Matt 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
The Great Tribulation is a period mentioned by Jesus in what is referred to as the Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:5-38) as a sign that would occur in the time of the end; i.e., End Times.
Luke 21:5-6 – 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
Some Bible scholars believe He was referring to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 AD. It also constituted the 69th week of Daniel’s 70 week prophecy, with the Tribulation being the 70th week. All of Daniel’s prophecy is about Israel, including the 70th week and not the church as Amillennialists profess.
Why am I showing this? Why was the Six Day War important to the very survival of Israel? Was Israel’s victory the fruit of their own efforts or God’s providence and protection? If Israel is no longer relevant, someone would have to explain to me how this small group of Jews, not only defeated, but destroyed the combined Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian armies in six days, and more than doubling the land under Israel’s control.
This map shows how in 1967 Egyptian and Arab armies aligned against Israel as shown, threatening the very existence of Israel and the very extinction of the Jewish people, which is what led to the Six Day War, yet Israel prevailed against overwhelming Egyptian and Arab forces. Most Arabs in the region have an intense hatred of the Jews, and desire to destroy and eradicate Israel, which reflects Satan’s intense hatred against the Jews and God.
The Six Day War wasn’t arbitrary but was provoked by Egypt by cutting Israel off from its imported oil supply. Israel’s economy rest on the availability of oil for energy. Closing access to the Straits of Tiran blocked Israel’s access to oil impacting its economy and quality of life. The same hatred of Israel will be displayed by the Antichrist.
Why is such an intense anti-Israel hatred fueling Middle East unrest? For one reason, Satan’s hatred of Abraham’s faith in God’s promises and Jesus’ birth into Judea, which will always be a reality that Satan cannot stand, a legacy that he will do anything to destroy. One way is to wipe the Jews off the face of the earth, all of which makes the Jews and the State of Israel relevant to the Middle East and the Great Tribulation, because the Antichrist will accommodate their desire to destroy Israel beginning with the rebuilding of the Temple, and displayed during the second part of the 7 year Tribulation.
For those who are interested, a brief look at the Suez Canal showing its strategic importance, especially back in 1967. Again, I’m showing this because it further highlights Israel’s relevance in that region. How can any Bible scholar totally discard Israel’s relevance in End Times Bible prophecy?
We have seen in past studies how in the O.T., God fought Israel’s battles with his angelic hosts, which is what led us to angels in the beginning of this study! God apparently is still doing so, without which Israel may not exist. What makes it even more dramatic is that many in Israel’s army were children and grandchildren of the Holocaust survivors.
How can so few—with Israel being greatly outnumbered—accomplish so much, if it wasn’t God’s angelic forces. Spiritual warfare will reach its climax in Rev. 20:10, with the Devil being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Another role I believe we can attribute to Michael is the 1967 “6 Day War” in which a small army of the Israel Defense Force defeated the combined armies of the Arab states of Syria and Jordan, and Egypt. The Israel Defense Forces launched preemptive air strikes that crippled the air forces of Egypt and its allies including its tanks that were ready to pounce on Israel.
As humans, we typically imagine God’s protection as a magical force field that keeps us from all harm. Angels have been cited all throughout the bible for their amazing ability to protect God’s people from harm. I believe Israel’s very survival is God’s protective angelic hosts protecting them, which brings us back to the early part of our study showing the interaction of angels—good and evil—with mankind.
Psalm 91:11 “For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.“
Psalm 34:7 ”The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
Dan 12:1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered.
Was the 1967 Six Day War, a preview of what is to come and God’s protective shield around His remnant in Israel, just has He has done throughout ancient history?
As stated often and in lesson #11, Bible prophesies and history often intertwine. The 1967 war, a miracle in and of itself, transferred Jerusalem from Arab into Israel hands, which makes rebuilding of the temple a possibility, that would otherwise have been impossible. You can click on the map to enlarge it for the details.
The map shows what portions of Israel were occupied by Jordan before the Six Day War. The next slide shows modern day Israel, today. I can easily envision Michael and his angelic hosts leading this charge. Israel in reclaiming the land, did not drive the Palestinians out. Hatred of Israel in general and the Jews in particular has not subsided and will not until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when He set up His throne in Jerusalem and all, both Jew and Arab will worship Him as Lord and Savior.
When God promised the land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he drove its inhabitants out in doing so. The land was promised to Israel and God always keeps His promises. Map shows how the land was given back to Israel between 1947 and today. Some may say, “Gee, that’s not fair.” The entire earth belongs to God and He can distribute it or redistribute according to His will, not man’s preference. If Israel wasn’t relevant to the End Times, why would God even bring them back to their historic homeland, the land that was Jesus’ home when He walked the earth. Sorry, but I can’t emphasize the relevance of Israel enough, may it truly honor God’s promises as true and unbroken no matter time or circumstances. Jesus’ blood stained that land and can never be washed away or erased by the will of man; His blood not only stained it but left an indelible mark on it. It is where the New Jerusalem will be when it descends from heaven (Rev. 21:1), at which time God will reclaim the entire world for His glory.
In a world of Muslim hatred of the Jews, Israel is but a “blip” in that region as shown on the map. The 2011 populations of the Muslim nations in the region surrounding Israel, with a deep-seated hatred of the Jews, was over 100+ million on Israel’s borders, and Iran with a burning hatred for Israel not that far away. It’s amazing that there even is an Israel, with a population of 7.5 million in 2011; 8.38 million in 2015.
The Great Tribulation centers on the Jerusalem temple. Rebuilding of the temple as shown is a possibility, without destroying the Islamic shrine. Perhaps this is the very concept the Antichrist will sell to both Jews and Arabs, with Satan’s persuasive powers and influence. Then during the “abomination of desolation” the Antichrist will sit in the Holy of Holies, proclaiming himself as God (2 Thess. 2:3-4).
Expanded illustration shows the temple mount with the rebuilt temple and Muslim shrine. Why is this stuff starting to surface now? I never saw anything relating to this before. Is the groundwork being laid for the Antichrist's rise to power? In all things, we can only go with what God reveals, when He reveals it. After saying all that, I will add a special 30-minute video to the very last lesson in regard to the Temple and temple mount. So stay tuned.
Daniel’s 70th Week explained. The first 69 weeks of Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy were fulfilled up until the Jewish rejection of the Messiah (Jesus). But the history of Israel and Jerusalem is prophesied as 70 weeks, so there is one week (7 years) remaining. That remaining week will be fulfilled as the 7-year Tribulation, which is pivotal with the rise to power of the Antichrist.
The treaty could potentially include one or more Muslim nations, such as Jordan and Egypt or Syria. Again, the Amillennial and Postmillennial views see it as only symbolic. The Premillennialists, on the other hand, view it as literal, though expressed symbolically for now, but still yet to come. The Bible always corresponds to reality, because it is God’s Word.
Daniel 9:25 tells us that the temple will be restored (rebuilt) at the beginning of the Tribulation, followed by 3 ½ years of peace in Israel and with its neighbors.
The second half will be quite different (Dan. 9:26). As we see in v,27 (next slide) the Antichrist’s armies will come and destroy Jerusalem and the temple.
V.27 picks up where v.26 left off, all within the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy. Like Christ, the Antichrist will come to Jerusalem, but, as the opposite of Christ, he will be enthusiastically hailed and revered by the Jews. During his reign he will rebuild the Temple in the first 3 ½ years, and then sit on the throne of Solomon in a sacrilegious inversion of the priesthood. Is the many in v.27 the Arab nations, USA, EU, perhaps even Russia and Iran? Satan once again is the great imitator. In Revelation 12 & 13 he imitates the Holy Trinity, with a diabolical trinity as seen on the opening slide to this lesson.
The slide explains the 70th week of “Daniel’s 70-weeks’ prophecy”, as a period of 7 years divided as noted, in accordance with Daniel 9:27. As John MacArthur’s sermon in lesson #11 explained, the time of Tribulation under the Antichrist will be like nothing the world has ever experienced.
Shows the layout of the Jerusalem temple. You can click on the slide to enlarge it. Notice it shows a comparison in size with an American football field in upper right corner. The influence of the Antichrist can bring it to fruition. Will the temple be rebuilt in our lifetime? Israel reacquired the temple site in 1967, 53 years ago. Are they ready? Is he ready? But there may be a catch, that I will withhold for now, that will be added to our very last lesson, a 30-minute video on the topic of the temple mount and temple itself.
Dr. David Jeremiah is Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, a Southern Baptist megachurch in El Cajon, CA.
Dr. Ed Hindson is professor of O.T. studies and eschatology at Liberty University.
Both are Premillennialists who profess and defend a pretribulation rapture. There are very few sermons or lectures that I can find for Amillennial and Postmillennial views. So, this lesson leans toward the pretribulation rapture but I think both messages are worthwhile. The next lesson will be balanced between the two views – Amillennial and Premillennial.
Dr. David Jeremiah’s message is a 22.5 minute sermon on the Rapture. Finding sermons or lectures of the other views to play alongside of Premillennial videos, like it was done in lesson #11, is like searching for a pea in a barrel of sand. Consequently, we will conclude this lesson without an Amillennial video message. Pastor David Jeremiah is a conservative evangelical Christian.
Dr. Hindson is professor of O.T. studies and eschatology at Liberty University. His 25-minute message defends the Tribulation Rapture of the Church. A very clear explanation. He earned the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from Westminster, and the Doctor of Philosophy (D. Phil.) from the University of South Africa. Video is from 2013. Facts change over time, and not until Christ Himself reveals the End Times, all we can do is second guess “when”. Keep one thing in mind, God isn’t finished with the Jews just yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO1tc-2g-0E
As stated in the beginning of this lesson, the following link will take you to a six-minute video on the Third Temple reconstruction. (you can skip the ad)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thl-i5Lbxp0
Also following is a 3-minute virtual tour of the Temple, which states “The Third Temple of Jerusalem is round the corner, a huge sign of the times.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiO1pMmJ_Gs (no longer available)
Solomon's temple 3 minute virtual tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2tha7ogpec
I say this with the deepest concern for our Nation, for our children, grandchildren and all future generations. If the Left is elected for president and congress, be fully aware, that yes, we are there.
If governors and mayors have the power to ban collective worship and even singing in church, we can be certain that the Antichrist will have the means to close churches under any guise at all; we certainly have seen how easy that is for the government. We will continue our study, including “two opposite views” videos, next week. So stay tuned. Until then, blessings to all.
END OF LESSON #12
