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The forty days following Jesus’ resurrection culminated in His ascension into the presence of the Father.  Prior to His ascension, from Acts 1:1-11, He was asked by some, if not all, of the first called-out assembly a question concerning ‘time’ (6).  While we may not ask the same specific question, we undoubtedly ask similar questions concerning the events of ‘the last days’ with a specific focus on ‘time’. 

In an article from The Jerusalem Post dated June 27, 2024, (https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-808109) Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran is “on the march to conquer the Middle East”. 

In the article, Netanyahu refers to the seven front war Israel is currently fighting.  With respect to ‘time’ and the numerous prophecies concerning ‘the last days’ the consideration of Iran exercising dominance in the Middle East may, or may not, generate questions concerning the possible fulfillment of specific prophecies. 

First, will Iran exercise dominant influence throughout the countries of the Middle East?  Will the individual countries fall to the Iranians or simply, as exemplified in Lebanon and Syria, allow the existence and exercise of specific terrorist groups who are sponsored and supported by Iran?  Additionally, if such an influence is exercised will it lead to the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Israel’s being attacked from the north – Ezekiel 38?  One of the criteria which the king of the north, “Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezek. 38:1) will identify is that the “people of Israel are dwelling securely” (Ezek. 38:14, CSB).  So, the challenge is to try to understand ‘time’ as it relates to both current and prophetic events. 

Second, will the escalation of events that appear to be leading to a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon be a part of the prophecy of the storm from the north?  Will the aftermath of the multi-front war in which Israel is engaged lead to a time of ‘peace’ or security?  When peace, which will be temporary at best, is produced – possibly by force – how will it be achieved?  Will there be a great storm in the Middle East followed by a time of temporary peace that is achieved by the popular interpretation of Daniel 9:25-27? 

Now that I have asked these questions, let me go back to the importance of ‘time’.  When Jesus ascended, Acts 1:7, He told those of the first called-out assembly, “It is not for you to know times or seasons …” (ESV) which does not contradict His previous, numerous, instructions to be prepared and watching.  At the same time His words bring us face to face with the importance of the work into which we are called:  the teaching and practice of “the gospel of God” (Rom. 1:1).  As we try to identify and determine the ‘time’ ahead of us, let us be vigilant and dedicated to redeeming the present ‘time’ to share the Gospel – especially to those who are clueless about ‘time’.

Ezekiel 38

Last Saturday, October 7, 2023, the atrocities of evil were unveiled and unleashed in southern Israel.  By now, you are acutely aware of its many activities and demonstrations.  Those will not be enumerated.  Instead, please pray for those who are grieving and those who do not know the condition or location of their loved ones who were abducted.

Early last Saturday I received a call from a dear friend who is a brother in Christ who asked, “Is this it?”  As we talked of what had happened, based on what we had heard and read, we considered the following:

1.   Although this attack was not from the North, as prophesied in Ezekiel 38, there must have been external influences involved as Hamas was somehow able to bypass Israel security at the border wall.  This bypassing security, which allowed for the destruction of part of the border fence, had not yet been exercised.

2.   Also, from the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, is from the land of Magog (Ezek. 38:2) which corresponds to the region of northeast Turkey. 

Here are a couple of thoughts of things to consider. 

1.   The attack by Hamas may be a precursor to the attack from the North.

2.   Israel will need to continue her retaliation against Hamas and, as of today, October 14, 2023, against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.  At the same, attacks against the Aleppo and Damascus airports will need to continue.  These are necessary exercises for Israel to reestablish her sense of security or safety.  According to Ezekiel 38:14, Gog will know that Israel is dwelling securely, or safely, before he leads his horde army down from the north.

3.   If the Ezekiel 38 attack introduces the antichrist, then according to Revelation 13:5, he will continue for 42 months.  The time of his reign will conclude when he is destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Jesus – 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

All this brings us to the one thing we simply cannot determine – time.  When will this happen?  I have no idea, but, like you, by faith I know Jesus is coming and I pray His return is soon. 

So, until He arrives, we must be watching and praying – Luke 21:36.  Perhaps the more imminent we believe His arrival, the more diligently we will be in preparing to meet Him. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:15 (KJV)

On this first day past Memorial Day 2023, let us continue to express and exhibit our thankfulness for the sacrifices of ‘saints’ and ‘patriots’ who have delivered to us our heritage of ‘truth’ and ‘freedom’.  Let us pray for those who continue to maintain our freedom as we anticipate the arrival of our Savior and King, Jesus Christ.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)

The context of this church letter reminds and assures us there is more to come and that the gift of salvation and the expression of obedience through the water of baptism is not the conclusion of faith and faithfulness but only the beginning.  

With respect to the “very great and precious promises” (4) which God  has, both, authored and offered, there is at least one that should consume our attention.  The anticipated fulfillment of this same promise should also cause us to invest, both, our attention and energy in preparation for the time of its arrival.  When Jesus told the first church to “watch” (Matthew 24:42; 25:13), both times the focus was upon the time of His return:  “… since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming” (24:42, HCSB); “… because you don’t know either they day of the hour.” (Matt. 25:13, HCSB).  Both times the word “watch” is a command and, as such, obedience to the command is expected and should not be considered optional.  Since Jesus commanded the first church to “watch” or be watching, and, since, the command applies to the Lord’s churches today as He has not yet returned, then, we should be watching for the day of His appearing. 

There are a plethora of events, affecting the Lord’s churches and the nation of Israel, taking place at an ever increasing frequency.  There are signs which Jesus said would identify “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8, HCSB).  At the same time, Jesus taught these signs would not be evidence of the arrival of the end:  “but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6, HCSB).  Although there is no way to know, with absolute certainty, if “the beginning of birth pains (sorrows)” has begun, and, if it has already begun how long, for what length of time, its events have been occurring.  Ultimately, the signs that clearly identify “the beginning of birth pains” will last right up until delivery – delivery of the great time of trouble known as the tribulation. 

This quickly approaching time of trouble is the fulfillment of the word of God through the prophet Daniel and is identified as Daniel’s 70th Week:

Daniel 9:24-27 (HCSB)

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city – to bring the rebellion to an end, to put a stop to sin, to wipe away iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. ²⁵ Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. ²⁶ After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come with a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations are decreed. ²⁷He will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering. And the abomination of desolation will be on a wing of the temple until the decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

Although there are numerous interpretations of this passage, the reality is that “seven weeks and 62 weeks”, or 69 weeks of 7 years each, have been fulfilled.  Regardless of your preferred interpretation concerning the remaining 1 week of 7 years, the point is that we need to be watching and preparing for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Matthew 24:42-44 (HCSB)

Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³  But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Back to the “very great and precious promises” to which Peter referred, here is what is at stake if we fail to watch and prepare:

2 Peter 1:10-11 (HCSB)

Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. ¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.

Although not a competition, some are going to be correct while others will be wrong.  Another, less popular, consideration is that everyone will be wrong.  So, what is the context for the conclusions?  Biblical prophecy – specifically the second coming of Jesus.  There is no doubt He is coming again!  Perhaps the most pressing question concerning His coming is, “When, exactly, will He return?”  Like you, I will quickly refer to the teaching of Jesus recorded in Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (KJV).  At the same time, the entire context surrounding Jesus’ statement addresses looking, or watching, to see signs and events that will clearly identify specific times, i.e. “… the beginning of birth pains” (24:8, HCSB), also, “… great tribulation, the kind that hasn’t taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again!” (24:21, HCSB).  Hopefully, we all agree that watching and continuing to study the Scriptures is of great, eternal, importance.

One of the coming events we are told about in the Scriptures, as was originally written “to the seven churches which are in Asia” (Rev. 1:4, KJV) is the arrival of “a beast rising out of the sea” (Rev. 13:1, ESV).  One of the details of this “beast” is that it has “seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns” (13:1, KJV).  John writes (13:3) that “One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal would was healed, …” (ESV).  This “mortal wound” which A.T. Robertson defines as “The stroke of death” (Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament) is also applied to “the beast” in 13:12.  There are numerous details to be learned in, and by, the unveiling of the events shown and shared with John.  Since the “mortal wound” is applied to both “one” of the seven heads of the beast (13:3) and, also, to “the beast” itself (13:12), should we, or could we, conclude there may be a dual application to both a man – as an identifiable personality – and a kingdom?  Also, will “the stroke of death” (Robertson) be physical, or, perhaps, political?

No doubt you are familiar with the basic circumstances that have engulfed the country of Syria since 2011 with what is essentially a civil war.  The point of the following article by the Associated Press is not to suggest that Bashar al-Assad may be the Anti-Christ, but to chronicle the deliberate actions that will re-admit him and the country of Syria into the fold of the Arab League:

https://apnews.com/article/syria-arab-league-cairo-saudi-arabia-qatar-7de1b30587560531dad1df4eb29f4ef3

The following article in the Jerusalem Post addresses an additional invitation to Assad to attend a regional climate conference.  Please read past the speculation that climate change may be, in part, responsible for the civil war in Syria.  After reading the article several times you will probably conclude that world politics are as fickle as politics right here at home:

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-743228

There was an election in Turkey this past Sunday, May 14 and the current President, Tayyip Erdogan, was not immediately re-elected.  There will be a runoff election later this month.  This brings about the questions, “What if Erdogan is not re-elected?” and,  “What if Erdogan loses but somehow returns to power?

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-votes-pivotal-elections-that-could-end-erdogans-20-year-rule-2023-05-13/

Whoever the Anti Christ may be and whatever his kingdom may look like, the Scriptures teach us he/it will be empowered by Satan – “the dragon” (Rev. 13:2, 4) and the world will adore him (Rev. 13:4). 

Let us be vigilant to watch to see, with the understanding of/by/from the Scriptures, the events that are prophesied to occur.  Let us be diligent to prepare for their arrival by studying and learning the Scriptures.