Covenant Presbyterian Church
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Sunday morning Foundations Classes
Angels/Demons & the End Times -- Lesson #19
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This lesson mixes the Amillennial and Premillennial views, and their differences. In understanding the End Times, I believe it’s essential to understand the relevance of Israel. The Jews are rejected by many based on the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, believing they fell out of favor with God for rejecting the Messiah and were replaced by the Church. Were they set aside and replaced by the Church or just put on hold pending their redemption during the Tribulation? The Amillennial view believes they lost all relevance in 70 AD. In contrast, the Premillennial view accepts the relevance of Israel in the End Times and the Tribulation, which was the tie breaker for me.
There cannot be a desecration of the temple (Matt. 24:15) if there isn’t a restored temple. Act. 15:16-17 (quoted from Amos 9:11-12) and 2 Chronicles 7:16, indicate there will be a third temple. It indicates that some gentiles will be saved during the Tribulation. In 2 Chron. (below) did God mean “forever” or just up until AD 70? I think “forever” means “forever” if the English interpretation of the Hebrew word is correct.
Acts 15:16-17 – 16 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'.
2 Chron. 7:16 – I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
The Premillennial view believes the temple mount, now occupied by the Dome of the Rock, is where the temple will be rebuilt--covered in lesson #14 (Blog Archive, 08/30-9/06). The Amillennial view, since it doesn’t recognize the relevance of Israel, takes much of it as symbolic rather than literal, even seeing the temple as symbolic for something else or someplace else, even at the Vatican, as stated in John Piper’s attached video-message. Some believe that 2 Thess. 2:4 relates to Rome’s desecration of the temple in 70 AD. But v.9-12 (shown on next slide) go well beyond Rome’s physical destruction of the temple and City of Jerusalem.
2 Thess. 2:4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Slide lays out the End Time with Bible references, but doesn’t show the Rapture, which occurs just prior to the Tribulation. The lawless one in 2 Thess. is the Antichrist and not Titus the Roman General—who is not known historically for miracles, signs and wonders—but for destroying Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. As Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians, all the people going through the Tribulation refused the truth about the need for Jesus as Savior and consequently were perishing (v.10)
2 Thess. 2:9-12 – 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
In the 1967 Six Day War, Israel took control of the Old City of Jerusalem that included the “temple mount’ and “wailing wall”—covered in lesson #13 (Blog Archive 08/23-08-30). The Israelis knew if they destroyed or even damaged the Dome of the Rock shrine it could have potentially triggered a war with the entire Muslim world (map on next slide). Muslims believe it’s where Mohammed ascended into heaven, making it the third most sacred of Muslim shrines, and as such is still under Muslim jurisdiction.
In today’s Middle East, Israel is situated within a sea of Muslim nations with over 100 million Arabs on its very borders, yet Israel not only survives but even prospers. Coincidence or God’s Providence? Muslim nations, even beyond that region, have expressed hated for Israel and the Jews. All of which makes the Dome of the Rock shrine untouchable. For the Jews to take over and build a temple on that spot would be unthinkable in today’s political climate. Just imagine the outrage in the U.N.
Artist concept shows a rebuilt temple adjacent to the Islamic Dome of the Rock. This could very well be an acceptable justification for rebuilding the temple. So, the Antichrist, like Satan, a master of deceit, could use such a plan to persuade the regional Arabs and worldwide Muslims to agree, even if they don’t like it. He would be declared the great peacemaker across the world which would further increase his influence and authority.
The prophecy in Rev. 11:1-3 (shown on next slide) was written 25 years after the second temple built by Herod was destroyed by the Romans, so it has to be referring to a future temple. The third temple, as such, will be completed and put into service during the first half of the tribulation and then will be desecrated by the Antichrist at the mid-tribulation.
42 months = 3 ½ years. 1,260 is approximately 3 ½ years. As noted, the outer court was given to the gentiles, as shown on the next slide.
Shows the layout of the Jerusalem temple and the area allocated for the gentiles (Rev. 11:2).
The rebirth of Israel in 1948 is a miracle in itself—which was both unplanned and unexpected if not for the Holocaust. After the Holocaust and the displacement of most European Jews the world did not know how to handle all those refugees. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution on 29 November 1947 recommending the adoption of the Partition Plan for Palestine, allocating portions of that land for the Jews being it was their original homeland. Historical coincidence or God’s providence?
Rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 included Jews from all across Europe to the far reaches of Soviet Union, as prophesied in Isaiah 11. Does it really sound like God was finished with the Jews after the crucifixion and that the Church is the New Israel? The Jews were displaced from the land given to Abraham and his descendants, at various times in their history—Egypt (1523 BCE – 1313 BCE); Babylon (423 BCE - 372 BCE); Persia/Media (372 BCE – 348 BCE)—and by the Romans in 70 AD being the last time; but He always brought them back to the promised land, just as He did in 1947-48. It’s apparent that God was not finished with the Jews in 70 AD; nor are they any less relevant during the End Times.
The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 broke out when five Arab nations invaded territory in the former Palestinian mandate (1st map) occupied by the Jews, immediately following the announcement of the independence of the state of Israel on May 14, 1948 (2nd map). As you can see from the first map (and on next slide), there is no way Israel could have survived with the original partition. The second map, the Arabs attacked in an effort to destroy Israel and the Jews, but they were defeated, which cleared land for the modern state of Israel, not otherwise possible. How long would it have been before the Arab nations successfully overwhelmed and destroyed Israel with the original partition plan? Again, Satan meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
Blue line on the map outlines the areas originally intended for the Jews, which over time they certainly would not be able to defend. Red arrows show attacks of Arab armies. But little did they know that the Jews had Michael on their side (Dan.12:1-2). How many miracles will it take for the entire Church to recognize that Israel was established by God and not an accident of history?
Dan 12:1-2 — 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people [Israel], 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. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake [resurrection]: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Not only was there a rebirth of Israel 72 years ago, but they have thrived as a nation in what had been barren desert land; which they steadfastly reestablished and replenished with orchards and vinelands.
This belief distinguishes the Amillennial view from the Premillennial view. Jesus came as Savior—to die on the cross—not as a political liberator to drive the Romans out as the Jews anticipated. Jesus didn’t conform to their concept of Messiah—the Jewish religious leaders’ distain led to their rejection of Him and His crucifixion, which was always God’s plan. The Church’s historic rejection of Israel is rooted in what is referred to as “Replacement Theology” that the Jews were punished for rejecting Christ and replaced by the Church, which could be justified up until the rebirth of Israel in 1948. Many see modern day Israel as an accident of history with no spiritual significance, which is the basis of Amillennialism that sees the Church as the new Israel; as such they believe Christians go through the Tribulation.
The fact that there even is an Israel makes them relevant. What’s described in Deuteronomy 28 sounds exactly like what happened in the 1967 Six Day War, where Israel should have been crushed by a significantly larger and superior Arab army.
Against all odds, Israel defeated a vastly larger combined Egyptian/Arab army. In doing so Israel reclaimed even more of its historic homeland. Map shows points where they drove out the Egyptian army in the south and Arab armies in the north, which allowed them to reclaim all of Jerusalem. Coincidence or providence?
For centuries what had previously been barren desert land, Israel transformed with vast stretches of vineyards and orchids (Deut. 28:8). OT promises are still being fulfilled.
Deut. 28:8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
These verses in Jeremiah certainly did not apply to ancient Israel. Most likely it is a prophecy in reference to the remnant of Jews that come out of the Tribulation, professing Jesus as Messiah, Lord and Savior, and reign with Him during the 1,000 Millennium.
This is one example of the increasing interest in Israel for rebuilding the temple. Many, if not most Christians believe Mark 13 (below) was in reference to the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and not Israel today. But, I don’t see how we can we ignore Jesus’ words in v.8 (nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom; earthquakes and famines)? There are no recorded historical records of any of these cataclysmic events being associated with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.
Mark 13:5-8 – 5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
Since so much of the Tribulation hinges on Israel, which I believe makes it important to demonstrate their relevance. After WWII God gathered Jews from the four corners of the world, resettling them in the land He gave Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 15:18-21). There is no biblical indication that He withdrew His promise in punishment for the crucifixion. For many Christians it seemed logical that they were punished by Rome’s destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation. Not all Israel will be saved in the End Times; many will perish during the Tribulation with all the other sinners who reject Christ. But a Jewish remnant will be saved and dwell in their homeland during the reign of Jesus Christ. God is immutable and does not withdraw or renege on His promises, including those made to Israel in the Old Testament.
Nowhere in the Bible do we see evidence that God withdraw His promises to Israel. Jesus’ crucifixion was an intended part of God’s plan. He didn’t disown Israel because they crucified Christ, He planned it. He also allowed their punishment by the Romans in destroying the City of Jerusalem, the temple, and the nation itself—also part of His plan.
Here’s one concept (opinion) of how the Holy Land will be divided and allocated according to tribe, during the 1,000-year Millennium.
How it was partition by tribe when first settled by the tribes after they came out of Egyptian slavery and wondering in the desert.
I could not find many Amillennial or Postmillennial sermons, which doesn’t really surprise me. Dr. John Piper is the exception. I wanted to give the Amillennial view another chance. In contrast there are a lot of Premillennial sermons, including Pastor John Hagee, the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX. You’ll have to decide for yourself which message is the most convincing.
The Amillennial view is that Christians go through the Tribulation. If Christians go through the Tribulation this is a possibility of what can be expected. But, would God really allow this to happen? Yes, it did in ancient Rome under Emperor Nero in the Coliseum or some other arena. And yes, the Church is being persecuted in certain parts of the world, even with beheading. So persecution is very real. But is that the purpose of the Tribulation or is it God’s plan to punish the punishers (sinners) and redeem a remnant of Israel? I think so.
John Piper’s one-hour message focuses on today’s times and the coming Antichrist. One thing is clear, lawlessness will increase as we continue to approach the End Times. His message excludes a pre-tribulation Rapture and a rebuilt Jerusalem temple, believing the temple is symbolic and can be anything or anywhere including the Vatican. I think his message can easily apply to liberal churches in regard to the Tribulation, who preach a social justice message—those who profess to be Christian (in name only) who are consequently left behind at the Rapture. His message can be difficult to follow at times, but I wanted to be fair and balanced in presenting the different views. Close caption are available via lower right corner of the video screen.
The photos shown, express John Hagee’s view of the direction of the state of the Nation, clearly being in a state of spiritual warfare. Remove God and Satan will fill the void. Some see the protestors/rioters as just unhappy, discontent people who feel the odds are stacked against them. It’s difficult to claim that it’s because of white privilege, when most of the protestors/rioters are white.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Pastor John Hagee’s 28-minute sermon puts the “Signs of the End Times” into perspective (Matt. 24:4). Jesus is coming back…twice. His first return is to rapture His Church and bring them to heaven for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Seven years after the Church is raptured, Christ will return to the Mount of Olives, splitting it in half. Then the war begins (Rev. 16:16; Dan. 2:44). What are the signs of his return? Pastor John Hagee is a strong defender of Israel as shown in his video. His 28-minute sermon lays out a clear message of the End Times, it also shows how Christians can influence National policy. Jesus may not come back in our day, but we certainly should live in anticipation of His return and the Rapture of the His people. (Closed captions are also available on his video).
John Hagee’s closing prayer highlights its importance for our Nation, especially with our President and First Lady having gotten COVID-19 as well as members of the President’s Administration. They certainly need prayer… Some media folks stated that they wished he died. It demonstrates the level of evil that has infected our Nation with a dark spiritual sickness. Pray also that the Lord will put a shield of protection from COVID-19 around V.P. Pence and a full recovery for the Trumps. Satan has many weapons in his arsenal. Prayer is our principle weapon.
One lesson to go. Until next week, pray!!! Our Nation and President need our prayers.
END OF LESSON #19
