The Delivery

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.   Galatians 1:3-5  NKJV

I’m sure it’s become obvious by now that my thoughts for quite some time have been focused on Jesus’ use of the example of a woman giving birth to explain what the end of this age would look like.  Also, as you would expect, my contemplations of this have gone much deeper than just the obvious labor pains.  What prompted my train of thought this past week was this passage from Galatians where Paul uses the word “deliver” to reference the rapture of the Church.  As a result, the thought occurred to me that if this year proves to be the one which culminates in the birth, could there be any clue as to when the “delivery” would take place? 

Professing my ignorance about all things relating to childbirth, I then availed myself of “Google” to see exactly how long a typical pregnancy is.  The result I found was a length of 40 weeks, according to whatever authority Google chose to use.  Obviously, as we all know, that can vary according to different circumstances but I was rather surprised to find this number given, especially as most of you know by now how I feel about “coincidences”.  Imagine then what I thought when I considered this to be the year of “labor” and counted forty weeks from the beginning of the year only to find that the “due date” is right in the middle of the last feast of Israel, the Feast of Tabernacles.

“You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. “And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. “Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice. “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed."     Deuteronomy 16:13-16 NKJV

The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of the seven feasts appointed by the Lord for the nation of Israel. It occurs in the fall between the 15th and the 21st of the month of Tishri, which usually occurs in late September or early October. It is also known by other names as well, some of these being Sukkot, The Season of Our Joy, and possibly most important to our discussion, The Feast of Ingathering. It is the last of the three holidays in which all Jewish males were required to make the pilgrimage to the temple, yet as opposed to the others, the word joy (simchah) is used several times to describe it. I want to look at just a few reasons why this holiday is known as the “Season of Our Joy”, and consider the possibility it might prove to be a time we as believers need to “watch” with special anticipation.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"     John 4:35 NKJV

Known as the Feast of Ingathering, Tabernacles celebrates the last harvest in Israel for the year. Traditionally there are three harvests, these being the barley harvest, wheat harvest, and fruit harvest. In the fall, after these three were completed, you would celebrate the finish of your labors for the year. Obviously it was a time of celebration for your work was done, and you could look at the results sitting in your storehouse. Consider this, though; how often did Jesus use the illustration of planting and harvesting in His teaching while on this earth? Could the Feast of Ingathering give us a clue as to when Jesus might return for His Church?

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."    John 14:2-3 NKJV

Known traditionally as the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, this feast also serves as a reminder of the time the children of Israel dwelt in the wilderness in “temporary” dwellings before they were delivered to the Promised Land. During this feast Jews will construct “Sukkahs” or temporary shelters and will stay in them to remind them of what the children of Israel went through during their wilderness wanderings. As believers, we know that our time on this earth and in these bodies is but temporary as well. Not only do we have the promise from Jesus that He is building us a new and eternally permanent home, but will at the rapture present us with new and eternal bodies as well. Could this feast again be a foreshadowing of that coming time when our hope in Christ will be rewarded?

"Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand."     John 7:2 NKJV

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”   John 7:37, 38 NKJV

One of the more interesting traditions associated with this feast was the drawing of water from the pool of Siloam. Every day a priest would fill a golden vase with water, known as the living water, (mayim hayim) and take it to the temple where it would be poured out on a corner of the altar. In these verses from John we see that Jesus used this time of celebration to announce to the world that He was, in fact, offering mankind the water of eternal life. John also makes it clear that this occurred on the “last great day” of the feast.

 
This is a reference to the eighth day which is known as Shmini Atzeret. It is not part of the Feast of Tabernacles, but is celebrated the day after and it is then that the people would begin to pray for rain for the coming year. Water has always been at a premium in Israel, because without it the land would become desert. Yet Jesus took this day as an opportunity to announce that He had come to save the world. Is it no wonder this celebration is also referred to as the "Season of Our Joy"?

This year the eighth day begins on Saturday night, the tenth day of October, at sunset in Israel.  This last feast seems to be both an end, and a beginning. It is a celebration of harvest and the end of the year's work, and the beginning of a time of rest to enjoy the fruits of labor. Jesus came to earth to do the "work" it required for us to obtain eternal life. How appropriate would it be for us as believers to experience the rest we so anxiously look forward to at this time of the year?  I have no idea if that will prove to be the case or not.  There are, after all, two deliveries we are told of in the scriptures.  One is the delivery of Christ’s Church, the Body of Christ, into His presence by way of the rapture and the other is the delivery of the nation of Israel into the seventieth week of Daniel, otherwise known as the tribulation. 

 
Either way, the important question for all of us is are we members of the body of Christ or not?  Have you made the choice to accept the gift of salvation made possible by the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ?  If not, if you are reading this you still have time to do so before the harvest of believers occurs. Becoming a believer is simply accomplished by asking Christ to come into your life and help you live life as He directs.  If you want to do that today, just pray a prayer like this to Him;

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins.  I want to turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen." 

If you have done this today, or have done it in the past, you have God’s promise that you will be spared from the judgment He has promised is going to occur to those who choose not to believe, and you can join me and all the others in God's family who are praying for the coming of our Lord and Savior to “deliver” us to our "permanent" home.

Keep watching.

The Dog Days of Summer

"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors.          Mark 13:28-29 NKJV

I first wrote this column several years ago but it seems that almost every year I repost it because it simply seems to be so very applicable to the times and seasons we find ourselves in.  The world in general and believers in particular, all seem to believe the world is at a tipping point in its history and we are simply waiting for the match to light the fires of conflict.  We talked last week about the coming month of July, and the possibility that something major will occur in the Middle East.  Combine that with Jesus choosing to reference the season of summer in this passage about signs and one can’t help but wonder if it is coincidence or not.

I find it surprising when so many ask me why I choose to study and teach on prophecy when there are so many portions of scripture like this one from Mark that make it clear what Jesus expects from us. I try to explain to those who question that this is not merely a suggestion from God, but a command repeated over and over again. As such, I try to get the point across that if God commands us to watch, it is because He intends to show us signs that we will recognize as harbingers of the end of this age. One of the points I have often contemplated concerning this passage is if it is possible God is giving us a clue as to when the rapture might occur, as well as many of the other coming signs, when He chooses to use the season of summer in this passage.

As I considered that, I also was reminded of something I realized back in the day when I was a history major in college. Do you know the vast majority of conflicts and wars this world has seen have started during the summer months? What is my point? I just wonder if the conflict that God reveals in His Word concerning the future of Israel and the world, taken along with His command to watch with a reference to the season of summer, should be a major clue to those of us who choose to obey His command to watch?  Could it be that Jesus is suggesting to us through this passage in Mark that we should be especially watchful during the summer?

The term “dog days of summer” is probably familiar to most, yet many are probably not aware of what it means or of its origin. Actually, the answer to that question is hazy and debatable, while some believe it may date back as far as the Roman Empire. As to what it might mean, let me make a suggestion based solely on my own observations and experiences. One, like most people I have a dog. I also live in a part of the country which experiences summers which tend to occasionally receive triple digit heat late in the season. I have had occasion to notice dogs get a little testy during these days of excessive heat, exhibiting a marked lack of patience and a tendency to growl and lash out when disturbed. A funny thing though, I have also noticed here and there that people tend to do the same thing as well.

As I have watched and waited for the return of our Lord I have noticed that we as believers are not immune to the same feelings of impatience and irritability that are a common occurrence in this life. A large part of my watching revolves around research which necessitates visiting a large number of websites and reading commentaries, blogs, and letters by other believers who have answered the call to watch. In the past few years as seasons, watch days, prospective rapture dates, etc. come and go I would have to say it appears that the collective mood of the body displays an increasingly impatient, sometimes argumentative and discouraged appearance.  Of course, let's also not forget what we have been experiencing in just the past few months.

Now the upside to this is that it is obviously a sign that the body is anxiously awaiting the rapture and the longer we wait the greater the relief when it occurs, but we also need to guard our hearts from allowing the disappointment that we are still here from manifesting itself in actions which hurt our witness to others, as well as dividing the body according to positions we might hold because of our individual opinions on doctrinal issues. I think this is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote the following verse.

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,      Romans 15:5 NKJV

In this letter to the church at Rome, Paul gives instructions concerning how believers should relate to one another in chapters fourteen and fifteen. I think it's very instructive that when talking about this subject, of all the attributes Paul could choose to describe our Father he chooses “patience and comfort” to show us exactly what we need to imitate in order to achieve harmony with each other. Especially helpful to me is the definition of “like-minded” that we find mentioned here. It is the Greek word phroneō, which basically means that although we might have an opinion, it is more important to strive for harmony rather than arguing to the point of causing division.

For many the disappointment of still being here can lead to discouragement which is an open door to the feelings we have talked about, yet we do have a reason to be encouraged about the situation we find ourselves in. In this passage from his letter to the Corinthian church Paul gives us some instructions we can use to combat the “dog days” we seem to be experiencing.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.                           2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV

Paul says we need not be discouraged because every day we are being “renewed” whether or not we realize it. The word for renewed means we are given new strength and the best way I can see to receive that is to keep looking ahead towards what we know is the promise of things to come. We are also told we are being prepared by enduring what is described as a “light affliction”. Now I'm sure many of us might not see it that way but notice also that Paul tells us that the affliction is for a “moment” and is not going to last forever. The end will eventually come and when it does, we will finally see that the eternal was worth what we endured while here. The best way I know to avoid discouragement is to focus on the finish, and not the race, or we will stumble and lose heart.

As believers we are not immune to the emotions living in this world can produce, especially when someone turns up the heat. The events we have all experienced and witnessed in the past few months are extremely discouraging and disheartening.  Yet these are the tools Satan uses to cause us to stumble, and by focusing on the promises from God which we have concerning what lies ahead we can overcome the emotions that come when we feel the heat.  By doing this, we can be prepared for what lies ahead, which I believe will be a sharp increase in the signs we are told to watch for as the time for our deliverance from this world draws nearer.

Keep watching.

What's Next?

“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’”   Isaiah 46:10  NKJV

“What’s next?”  You would be amazed how often I hear that question concerning the state of the world right now, and to be completely truthful, I really don’t know.  On the other hand, I have a good friend who knows exactly what lies ahead and He has shared that with me as well as with anyone else who chooses to study His Word.  I’m talking of course, about our Father in heaven, who not only knows what is about to happen, but has promised us that He will in fact make sure it comes to pass exactly as He has foretold.  So although I might not know exactly what is next, I do know what God says is going to happen and I can watch for those events to occur.

Today we find ourselves just about ten days or so from the beginning of July, a month which I am thinking might well usher in some of the most obvious signs of just where we are on God’s prophetic calendar.  There are several reasons I think this but the most obvious one surrounds the intent by Israel to begin to implement portions of the peace plan drafted by President Trump by annexing land in the West Bank, a move which is producing condemnation from not only Israel’s neighbors, but much of the world as well.  As I read some of the comments from these countries, and especially from Israel’s enemies, I couldn’t help but recall a term I learned back in college which just might reveal a clue as to what could be next; “casus belli”.

casus  belli: an event or action that justifies or allegedly justifies a war or conflict

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casus%20belli

The fact that the nation of Israel is surrounded by enemies who desire nothing more than to see their destruction is certainly not news to anyone even slightly informed about the world we live in today.  This situation, obviously, then begs the question; “what are they waiting for”?  It can be fairly said that Israel has made the attempt to live in peace with its enemies since the birth of the nation in 1948, fighting wars only to defend itself rather than being the aggressor.  Yet, since God in His foreknowledge has told us that there are wars yet to be fought, it is logical to wonder what exactly is going to occur that provokes Israel’s enemies to attack once again.

This of course, brings us to the decision by Israel’s government to initiate the process of annexation beginning in a couple of weeks. One has to wonder if this is going to be the casus belli for Israel’s enemies to attempt another offensive and fulfill that which God has already foretold.  As I have stated before, the event revealed in Isaiah 17, the destruction of Damascus, is what many scholars believe is next on the prophetic calendar for the nation of Israel.  Now while some might argue that the nation of Syria has too many problems of its own to attempt to respond to Israel’s actions, I would say we need to consider another term from history which would seem, in light of recent events, to be extremely relevant, and that is “proxy war”.

proxy war: A war instigated by a major power which does not itself become involved.

https://www.lexico.com/definition/proxy_war

The relationship between Iran and Syria is complicated, but the one thing that remains clear is that Iran has invested a lot of money, materiel, and personnel to develop and upgrade Syria’s military capabilities. Much of Syria’s missile technology and armament has been provided by Iran, and at present it is reported as fact by many intelligence sources that members of the Iranian Republican Guard are in Syria helping develop and train Syrian troops. Iran has spent much of its time in the past few years attempting to establish bases of operation within the borders of Syria, while Israel has made a habit of blowing them up. Most of all, Iran has so far committed itself to support the president of Syria, Bashar Assad, in power. So the question must be asked, just what does Iran want from Syria in exchange for all of this help?

The fact that the Isaiah 17 prophecy tells us that the city of Damascus is destroyed, rather than Tehran, obviously supports the conclusion that Israel is attacked from Syria.  While that is the case, one has to wonder, considering the situation there, who is really behind the attack on Israel?  Most at this point in time would agree that Iran is the country behind all that is going on in that region, and their hatred for Israel is well known.  I believe, and many agree, that at this point in time Iran is simply waiting for a justifiable excuse to attack Israel and attempt to make good on the myriad of threats it has made in the past.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'The fast of the fourth [month], The fast of the fifth, The fast of the seventh, And the fast of the tenth, Shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts For the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.' Zecharaiah 8:19 NKJV

Many are familiar with the seven feast days appointed by God for the children of Israel to observe, but not all are aware that He also created four days of fasting to commemorate tragedies that occurred during Israel’s' history. Zechariah goes on to say that when the Messiah comes, these fast days will become days of celebration and feasting, but for now they are still days of mourning. In three weeks, July 9 will be the seventeenth of Tammuz, which is the first fast day, or the fast of the fourth month referred to by Zechariah in the passage above. This day begins a period of three weeks of national mourning in Israel that lead up to Tisha B' Av, or the ninth of Av which is the fast of the fifth month.

When discussing this first fast day in his book “Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny”, the late Grant Jeffrey says that the events which have occurred on the seventeenth of Tammuz serve to show the nation of Israel that God's favor had been withdrawn from them because of their sin as a nation. It also served as a sign that God's judgment was soon to follow, which throughout history has certainly occurred on the ninth of Av. Called Tisha b' Av, this day of mourning and fasting reminds Israel of the day that the temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Jews taken back to Babylon in captivity. This day has become, however, one of the most significant days in Israel's history due to the astonishing "coincidence" of numerous national disasters occurring on this exact day since it's inception. These are:

...1312 BC... Spies return from 40 days in Israel with evil reports of the Land of
Israel. Jewish people cry in despair, give up hope of entering the Land of
Israel.

...587 BC... Destruction of First Temple by the Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezar. About
100000 Jews killed during invasion. Exile of remaining tribes in southern
kingdom to Babylon and Persia.

...70AD... Destruction of Second Temple by Romans, under Titus. Over 2,500,000 Jews die as a
result of war, famine and disease. Over 1,000,000 Jews exiled to all parts
of the Roman Empire. Over 100,000 Jews sold as slaves by Romans.
Jews killed and tortured in gladiatorial "games" and pagan celebrations.

...71AD... Turnus Rufus plows site of Temple. Romans build pagan city of Aelia Capitolina
on site of Jerusalem.

...135AD... Bar Kochba revolt crushed. Betar destroyed - over 100,00 killed.
...1095AD... First Crusade declared by Pope Urban II. 10,000 Jews killed in first month of
Crusade. Crusades bring death and destruction to thousands of Jews, totally
obliterate many communities in Rhineland and France.
...1290AD... Expulsion of Jews from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books
and property.
...1492AD... Inquisition in Spain and Portugal culminates in the expulsion of the Jews from
the Iberian Peninsula. King Ferdinand of Spain issued the expulsion decree,
setting Tisha B'Av as the final date by which not a single Jew would be allowed
to walk on Spanish soil. Families separated, many die by drowning, massive loss
of property. With funds provided by Ferdinand, Christopher Columbus, a Messianic
Jew, sets sail to locate the land which will become a Jewish refuge.
...1914AD... Britain and Russia declare war on Germany. First World War begins. First World
War issues unresolved, ultimately causing Second World War and Holocaust. 75% of
all Jews in war zones. Jews in armies of all sides - 120,000 Jewish casualties
in armies. Over 400 pogroms immediately following war in Hungary, Ukraine,
Poland and Russia.
...1942AD... Deportations from Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka concentration camp begin.
...1989AD... Iraq walks out of talks with Kuwait.

...1990AD... The First Gulf War begins in and as a result Saddam Hussein launches missiles
into Israel
...1994AD... The deadly bombing the building of the AMIA (the Jewish community center in
Buenos Aires, Argentina) which killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others.

The question on my mind is simply one of timing.  Is it just a coincidence that beginning in July Israel may choose to begin annexing land and infuriating its enemies, while also in July occurs the worst day in Israel’s history that relates to national tragedies?  To be sure, I am not predicting anything, but I can’t help but wonder with the way 2020 has gone so far if we might be set to witness even more of God’s signs that we are rapidly approaching the end.

If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do it right now. All you need to do is pray a simple prayer like this;

Jesus I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live for you from now on. In Jesus' name, Amen.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

John 1:12 NKJV

If you have prayed that prayer, or one just like it, you can rejoice that you will spend eternity with God.

Keep watching.