Month: January 2015

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Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy – The Coming of Israel’s Chosen King Part 4

Daniel 9:26 – Gabriel Reveals Events in the Gap between Weeks Sixty-Nine and Seventy

By GF Herrin

Verse 26 describes some of the events that were to take place after the first sixty-nine weeks had been completed. It is commonly believed that the prophecy regarding the Messiah being cut off refers to the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice for sins on the cross at Calvary (Anderson, 125). So, “cut off” could be understood to mean “killed”. It is obvious from the wording of the text, “after the sixty-two weeks”, that the cutting off would take place after the second set of weeks had been complete. The phrase “cut off” is similar to the wording used by Isaiah: “He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people He was stricken” (Isa. 53:8). The interpretation of the verse in Daniel could also be that the Messiah would be cut off both from life and from having children. Jesus did not have any natural descendants so He was left with nothing and no one to survive Him. Also, the text states “but not for Himself.” This implies that the Messiah would die sacrificially, or for someone else. We know now that this refers to Christ who died as a ransom for our sins so that men could be reconciled to God through His Son’s shed blood on the cross. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

The second part of this verse introduces “the prince who is to come” as someone who is distinctly different from the Messiah. The passage states that it will be the people “of the prince who is to come” who will destroy the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (temple). The text states that the end would come like a flood. And until the war ended in Jerusalem and in Israel, desolations were determined that would occur. The understanding here is that a sudden attack or influx of a large army would cause the desolations to occur. We know from history that Jerusalem and the second temple were destroyed in A.D. 70 when the Romans laid siege to it.

Josephus describes the desolation of Israel after the war:

And truly, the very view itself was a melancholy thing, for those places which were adorned with trees and pleasant gardens, were now become desolate country every way, and its trees were all cut down. Nor could any foreigner that had formerly seen Judaea and the most beautiful suburbs of the city, and now saw it as a desert, but lament and mourn sadly at so great a change. For the war had laid all signs of beauty quite waste. Nor had anyone who had known the place before, had come on a sudden to it now, would he have known it again. But though he {a foreigner} were at the city itself, yet would he have inquired for it (Flavius Josephus, The Complete Works of Flavius Josephus, The Wars of the Jews, 1901, Chapter 1.1, 666).

Futurists, those who believe in a future fulfillment for certain prophetic Scripture, interpret “the prince who is to come” to be the same person who is the subject of verse 27 – “he”. This is the one who “shall confirm a covenant” and “bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” So, there is the understanding from verse 26 that the people who are of the same nationality as a future prince to come will be the ones who destroy Jerusalem and the temple. Since the destruction was in fact carried out by the people of Rome, or the Roman soldiers, we discern that future prince from verse 27 who confirms a covenant and stop the sacrifices and offerings made at the temple will in fact be a Roman or one of the people of the Roman Empire.

Preterists, those who believe that most of the prophetic Scripture of the Bible has been fulfilled, contend that this reference to the “prince who is to come” refers to Titus (Mauro, 26), who along with his soldiers besieged Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Mauro interprets this passage to say that the people under a contemporaneous ruler will destroy the city and temple rather than interpreting that the destruction will be accomplished by the people who are the same nationality as the ruler whose coming is yet future. Mauro seems to make this assertion because of his presupposition that “he” in verse 27 (see next section) refers to Christ, instead of the future ruler from the Roman Empire who many scholars believe is also referred to in Daniel 7:25 (Mauro, 29). Mauro, in essence, holds to the opinion that all of the prophecies of the seventy weeks were fulfilled by A.D. 70. Mauro writes, “Thus the entire prophecy of the Seventy Weeks encompasses in its scope the rebuilding of the city and the temple, and the final destruction of both. It covers the stretch of time from the restoration of the people to their land and the city in the first year of Cyrus, down to their dispersion by the Romans into all the nations of the world” (Mauro, 26).

But how is that possible? There is nothing in the text in verse 26 to cause someone to conclude that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, along with the dispersion of God’s people, Israel, takes place within the seventy weeks. All that can be concluded is that the events in verse 26 take place after the first sixty-nine weeks. Since the Messiah’s death, the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem all occurred between the years of A.D. 2 and 70, well after the completion of the sixty-ninth week, this by necessity creates a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks. Yet, Mauro insists that to suggest a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks is to “destroy the prophecy as a whole” (Mauro, 37).

But Alva McClain suggests that Old Testament prophecy is not always given in a continuous chronology:

Although certain areas of the future are definitely clocked as to time sequence and extent, we shall find in Old Testament prophecy no absolutely continuous and unbroken chronology of the future. The prophets often saw together on the screen of revelation certain events which in their fulfillment would be greatly separated by centuries of time. This characteristic, so strange to western minds, was in perfect harmony with the oriental mind which was not greatly concerned with continuous chronology. And the Bible, humanly speaking, is an oriental book (Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom, 1974, 137).

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Eye on the End Times – Ezekiel’s Gog – MaGog War Coming Soon?

Scholars commonly interpret the country of Togarmah, which is mentioned as being one of the countries that attacks Israel in the Gog – Magog war (Ezek. 38-39), as the modern country of Turkey. So, this news item below, in which the Prime Minister of Turkey mentions invading Jerusalem should serve notice that the End Time stage setting to the war could be speeding up.  Since Ezekiel’s prophecy tells us that it will take 7 years for the weapons from this war to be destroyed (Ezek. 39:9), I believe that the Gog – Magog war will take place just before the Great Tribulation and may even be the catalyst that leads to the Jews’ re- building of the third Temple in Jerusalem (since God will miraculously prevent Israel from being destroyed – Ezek. 39:6-8).

 

The Prime Minister of Turkey Is Now Having Talks About Invading Jerusalem, In A Major World War

http://shoebat.com/2014/12/29/prime-minister-turkey-now-talks-invading-jerusalem-major-world-war/

 

By Walid and Theodore Shoebat (Shoebat Exclusive)
A major talk was organized in Konya the birth place of Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoğlu and in his presence before a jubilant crowd shouting in Nazi style Davutoğlu can be seen elated at the statements spoken by the leader of Hamas, Khalid Mashal. The fiery speech hailed Turkey headed by Erdogan and Davutoğlu as the representative and head of the entire Muslim world and praised him for the soon invasion of Jerusalem in the coming world war.

In the speech, which was not aired in major media (Shoebat.com was able to obtain the footage thanks to Willi Adelberger) and after the crowd calmed down their Nazi style chants, Mashal reminded that “Jerusalem is the first center of direction for Muslims. It was Konya that in 1980 when Jerusalem was threatened rose up for Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque”. Looking towards the near future Mashal declared:

As Turkey for centuries was the main defender of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, likewise with you are the center of the Muslim Umma (Muslim nation) which will carry on the mission of liberating Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.

At the 6:10 mark of the video Khalid Mashal declared:

know this, that strong Turkey is the strength of Palestine and of Jerusalem.

At around the 7:14 mark he exclaimed:

Turkey is the strength that represents all Muslim nations.

Ahmet Davutoglu, Erdogan’s right hand man, is seen instantly clapping in jubilation at such affirmations the moment Khalid Mashal spoke of conquering Jerusalem with the crowds waiving flags that stem from the Turkish favorite colors in which the Ottomans prided themselves with the “fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow” (Revelation 9:17) which are also the colors of the flags the neo-Ottomans like to carry. In every time one can see Davutoğlu, he is smiling in joy.

Mashal complemented the AKP Islamic party of Turkey of their accomplishments in what he termed “lightening speed to have accomplished what they accomplished for the advancement of the Muslim world”. “Allah is with us and is with you for victory” Mashal reminded of war against Israel. He ended his speech reminding that he will invite Erdogan and Davutoğlu into the Temple Mount: “We were welcomed in Istanbul and now in Konya and tomorrow we will welcome you into the platform of Al-Aqsa (Temple Mount) in the next conferences, by the will of Allah”.

It is obvious what this signifies: the Turkish government wants to invade Jerusalem in a holy war, or jihad. World War III will then be over Jerusalem, which indicates one glorious coming event: the Crusades will be revived, and the Final Crusade is will occur.

What is very sad, though, is that the Muslim world still has the spirit of jihad, and we in the West are still stuck in the mindset of the Enlightenment, in which the idea of Holy War or a Crusade is mocked and seen as lunacy, and where secular wars are praised over religious wars.

We must revive the spirit of Holy War, for no secular war will fully extinguish the enemies of Christianity. With secular wars there is an invasion, battles, and then compromise. In religious war there is no compromise, only obliteration of evil for the cause of the good.

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Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible

I was surprised when I talked to a Muslim man recently and he questioned why the Bible was different in validity from the Qur’an. Well, for starters, the Bible is a much older book than the Qur’an, which was only written in 632 A.D. But, also, in contrast to the Qur’an, which contains no prophecies that have come true, the Bible contains numerous prophecies that have fulfilled.

Below are several biblical prophecies that have all been supernaturally fulfilled:

Prediction Prophetic Scripture Fulfillment
The Succession of Great World Kingdoms Daniel 2:37-42 (written between 605 B.C. to 520 B.C.) The Kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome
Cyrus King of Persia Isaiah 44:28; 45:1 (written around 700 B.C.) predicts by name the reign of Cyrus Cyrus founded the Persian Empire, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C., and allowed the Jews to re-build and return to Jerusalem
The Destruction of Tyre Ezekiel 26:3-14 (written around 590 B.C.) Partially fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city of Tyre in 575 B.C. and left it in ruins, then, completely fulfilled when Alexander attacked the city and removed the stones, dust, and timber when he utterly destroyed it in 332 B.C.*
Jesus Christ’s coming Daniel 9:25 predicts that the Messiah will come 483 years after the command to re-build Jerusalem is given (see Nehemiah 2:1-8) Matthew 21:1-12 – April 6th, A.D. 32 – Messiah Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was worshipped as King
The Return of Israel to the Land Isaiah 11:11 The modern State of Israel was re-gathered and became a country in 1948, nearly 2000 years after the Jewish people were sent into exile
The Closing of the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem Ezekiel 44:1-2 In 1543, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent closed the gate and walled it up. It remains sealed to this day awaiting the return of the Messiah when it will be re-opened for Him to enter through it*

 

*Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, 1999, 613-14.
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Immortal and Unstoppable – The Power of the Resurrection

 

 By GF Herrin

They were world beaters, maybe not in the traditional or worldly sense, but for sure in the manner that they went about their work. The original eleven disciples, hand-picked by the Lord Jesus when He walked the Earth, possessed boldness, courage, and determination to spread the Gospel despite the obstacles that stood in their way. Perhaps the most determined of all of them was an uneducated fisherman, a man of action, who, as far as anyone knew, had always been that way. Never content to sit around, Peter had an energy about him that was apparent to everyone. If a matter presented itself to be talked about, discussed, debated, and pondered, he wanted to resolve the question quickly so that the real work could begin.

After he met Jesus, Peter knew (Matt. 16:16) he had met God in the flesh, the Messiah, and also knew that the long awaited anointed one who was prophesied from long ago (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 42:1-4;Dan.9:25; Mic.5:2) had finally come.

It was Peter who offered to build tabernacles (shelters or booths) for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah on the high mountain (perhaps Mount Hermon) when Christ was transfigured (Matt. 17:1-9). It was Peter who got out of the boat to join the Lord in walking on the water (Matt. 14:20) it was also Peter who, filled with dismay, spoke up at the thought of His Lord being struck down by the chief priests, elders, and scribes (Matt. 6:21-22).

But, even Peter, in his moment of weakness had denied Christ, and along with most of the other disciples, had avoided the scene of the cross. What had occurred to transform the disciples from doubtful, un-motivated men mourning their dead teacher into determined, fearless witnesses for Christ? One event was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The major event, though, was the Resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus and His appearance to the disciples three days after He died.

The disciples must have felt the change inside of them. A boldness rising up within….A need to proclaim the Gospel….As if their very souls were bursting with joy and the power that His Spirit gave them all at once…and all their doubts had been erased in an instant…By His glorious appearance and Resurrection on that Sunday after the Passover. In one instant Christ had made everything new. No longer was there any uncertainty of what awaited each of them after they died. The disciples knew that they would be resurrected just like their Savior and Lord. Death’s grip would never truly have a hold over anything they did again.

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Heb. 2:14-15).

Regarding the early followers of Christ’s willingness to surrender their lives for their faith, the second century Greek satirist, Lucian wrote, (these) “creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all times, which explains the contempt of death and voluntary self-devotion which are so common among them.”

We can see from the Acts of the Disciples that the certain belief that they had in their own resurrection made a significant difference in their actions as well:

“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words… Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know– Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it” (Acts 2:14, 22-24).

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them–walking, leaping, and praising God” (Acts 6:7-8).

Today, we are live in a dark time. Many Christians worldwide are persecuted on a daily basis for their faith in Christ. Christians in Iran and other Muslim countries choose to stand for Jesus and willingly die rather than deny Him and live in a world where there is no hope. Many Chinese brothers and sisters gladly gather together in secret so that they can worship the Lord, encourage each other, and continue to live boldly for Him. In the United States, now, many are concerned that we will be persecuted for our proclamation of biblical values and pointing out sins to our neighbors in order to tell them how they can be saved.

It is interesting to note that the word witness in Greek is “martyr”, which means, testimony. In the English language, the word, “martyr” brings up connotations of someone who has died for what he or she has believed in. They have paid the ultimate price. To witness or testify for Christ means that you in a sense do become a martyr. You die to yourself, so that you are faithful and loyal to Jesus who loved you and paid the ultimate price for your salvation. This should not be a strange concept to us, as we all die to ourselves when we come to Faith in Jesus Christ.

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 10:39).

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Though we have died to ourselves, God’s spirit now lives in us, regenerating us and giving us strength and assurance that we belong to Him, no matter what happens now or in the days to come.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Be bold and encouraged to live and stand for Christ. Remember, you are essentially immortal and unstoppable!