Israel Update – A Prophecy of the End

Israel Update – A Prophecy of the End

                                                “At that time Michael shall stand up, the great

                                                 prince who stands watch over the sons of your

                                                 people; and there shall be a time of trouble,

                                                 such as never was since there was a nation,

                                                 even to that time. And at that time your

                                                 people shall be delivered, every one who is

                                                 found written in the book. And many of those

                                                 who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

                                                 some to everlasting life, some to shame and

                                                 everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall

                                                 shine like the brightness of the firmament, and

                                                 those who turn many to righteousness like the

                                                 stars forever and ever.”

                                                                                Daniel 12:1-3

 

Daniel eleven and twelve are the foundation upon which Jesus built His Olivet Discourse. This is not surprising as it was part of the embodiment of scripture that Jesus knew and hence He quoted from it.  Like Ezekiel’s prophetic vision concerning Gog of Magog and his evil allies, Daniel also envisions in these final two chapters of his oracle a major clash between competing nations with Israel caught in the middle of it. Therefore, the “Abomination of Desolation” is mentioned in chapter eleven of Daniel’s oracle (11:31) and in the context of a coming king from the east who will collide with the king of the South and of the North. In Daniel’s time this was a Seleucid being the name of a dynasty that sprung up from one of Alexander’s Generals after his death. This Seleucid, by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes, placed a statue of Zeus in Temple of Jerusalem as a symbol that Greece’s pagan gods were superior to the God of the Jews. (Note Zechariah 9:13) In fact Zeus, called Jupiter, by the Romans, was the god worshipped by the pagans of Pergamos (part of modern day Turkey), mentioned in the second chapter of John’s Revelation (Revelation 2:13).  The citizens of Pergamos built a huge altar/throne to Zeus, which today can be seen in Berlin, but Jesus refers to it as the, “Throne of Satan.” Zeus or Jupiter embodies everything that is set against the God of the Bible and he is in fact the Devil himself and for centuries he has sought to usurp the God of Israel by enthroning himself on His holy altar site in Jerusalem; the Temple mount! Thus, up until today Zeus has gained a foothold on the Temple Mount four times; in 168 BC, in 70 AD, in 135 AD and in the 10th century AD. In terms of the year 135 AD the Romans completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem, renamed it Aelia Capitalonia and built a shrine to Jupiter on the holy Temple Mount. According to Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, Jupiter will once more seek to get a foothold on the Temple Mount and again commit the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15). Paul also made mention of this (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

 

In essence this is an attempt to bring in a global religion by which the world can be unified in obedience to a new world political order. The world will be brought under satanic rule for a short period and this does not bode well for Jews and Christians everywhere (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). John’s Revelation warns of this at great length (Revelation 13).  We must wake up as the signs of this approaching day are everywhere. In fact this new satanic reality is just about to overtake us as global events in this regard are surging ahead at a pace that very few have the insight to cope with and understand. No wonder the Bible warns that deception will be greatest threat to God’s people at this time. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10) Huge economic, political and cultural upheavals are just around the corner, meaning that all the things we thought were stable and normal to us will be shaken and removed. This too the Bible warns about in Hebrews 12:26-29:

                “but now He has promised saying, yet once more I shake not

                                 only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, yet once more,

                                 indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as

                                 of things that are made, that the things which cannot be

                                 shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom

                                which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve

                                 God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

 

At the center of this coming storm is, and will be, the tiny nation of Israel. A small people with a very big God will once again be challenged by Zeus and his dark hordes. It is here that Daniel, in his twelfth chapter, tells us that something unique and unprecedented in history will take place. We should note the following:

  1. The God of Israel will set the pace and times of history and not Zeus. (Daniel 12:1a)

That is, at the time of huge global change, plunging the nations toward satanic rule, Michael the great Archangel will stand up. Michael is the Archangel of War and his chief role before the God of the Bible is to defend Israel. When nation after nation has declared its opposition to Israel Michael will “take his stand”; an action by which God is saying, “Enough is enough!” This day is fast approaching

 

  1. The God of Israel will bring nations to a time of trouble never known or seen before. (Daniel 12:1b)

Jesus Himself warned of this coming day (Matthew 24:21) and I believe this day is rushing toward us; especially because, according to Jesus, the restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem after two thousand years of dispersion, is a sign of the approaching end (Luke 21:24).

 

  1. The God of Israel will deliver His people. (Daniel 12:1c)

Israel will be snatched out of this time of great international distress and she will be delivered. This is not simply national/political deliverance but spiritual deliverance. She will recognize her Messiah, mourn for Him as one mourns over the death of a first-born and she will embrace Him.  (Zechariah 12:10) All those entered into God’s great book of life will be saved! Great trial and adversity will drive Israel to the King of Kings even though on her holy mount in Jerusalem Zeus will proclaim himself once more to be god! Elijah’s contest with the Baal priests is looming again. Only this time it will be even more dramatic. Jesus told us that Elijah is coming again and, as in days of old, will restore all things. (Mark 9:12-13)

 

  1. The God of Israel will resurrect His family and damn His enemies. (Daniel 12:2)

The salvation and deliverance of Israel will trigger the resurrection of the dead; meaning that in the end, some will be resurrected to life everlasting and others will be resurrected to everlasting damnation. Jesus Himself spoke of this coming day as recorded in John’s Gospel (John 5:25-30). The difference between eternal life and eternal death is what we do with Jesus. We should mark this well.

 

  1. The God of Israel designates the wise. (Daniel 12:3)

The “wise” are those who live to show others the way to life, by their walking and talking. There is nothing more important and more urgent in life. Jesus said that He was, “The way, the truth and the life” and that “no one could come to the Father but by Him.” (John 14:6) We have a little time and we must now be about our father’s business. Those who embark on this holy calling will, “Shine like the brightness of the firmament.”

My friends this is Daniel’s picture of the times now just ahead of us. You must prepare more than ever for them but most of all you must keep your eyes on Jesus, “The author and finisher of our faith.”

 

Malcolm Hedding

 

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