Israel as the Prodigal Son

 Israel is often compared in the Bible to the unfaithful wife who cheats on her husband, in their case, God. However, another comparison can be made in the parable of the prodigal son (Luk 15:11-32). In the parable, a man had two sons. The younger son took his inherence, traveled to a faraway country, and wasted his money on wild living and prostitutes. The young man became destitute but eventually came to his senses. He returned to his father and repented of his sins. The father forgave him and welcomed him back into the fold with a celebration. However, the older son was not pleased and rebuked his father. The father simply reminded his older son that everything he had was his, but his younger brother was lost, and now he’s found.

The parable of the prodigal son is a narrative about forgiveness, repentance, and restoration. As with all parables, it can have more than one application. I believe the prodigal son can also represent Israel. Israel too wasted their inherence (their land and covenant relationship with God) by prostituting themselves with other gods and was forced to travel to faraway places (the diaspora and being scattered among the nations). This was prophesied about in Leviticus 26:14–46. For their disobedience, their enemies would occupy their land, the land would become desolate, and they would be scattered among the nations. Hosea 3:4 expounds on this period, saying, “Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!”

However, just as the prodigal son repented and was accepted back, I will make the case that so too will Israel repent and be welcomed back into the fold. Leviticus 26 ends by declaring God will not utterly reject Israel but will remember the covenant He had with their ancestors and be their God once again. A repeated pattern can be found in scripture. Time and time again, God calls on Israel to repent and promises that if they do, they will be forgiven:

Isaiah 44:22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Hos 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for your sins have brought you down.

Hos 14:2 Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.

Zec 1:3 Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.’

Other supporting scriptures: Jer 3:12-14, Jer 31:34, Eze 18:21-22, Isa 43:25, Joel 2:12-13

Moreover, it’s prophesied that not only can God forgive Israel, but that they will be forgiven and restored:

Hos 3:5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the LORD their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the LORD and of his goodness.

Isaiah 10:21 A remnant will return; yes, the remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. (Remember the remnant, it will become relevant soon)

Deu 30:1 “In the future, when you experience all these blessings and curses I have listed for you, and when you are living among the nations to which the LORD your God has exiled you, take to heart all these instructions.

Deu 30:2 If at that time you and your children return to the LORD your God, and if you obey with all your heart and all your soul all the commands I have given you today,

Deu 30:3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes. He will have mercy on you and gather you back from all the nations where he has scattered you.

Isa 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back.

Other supporting scriptures: Jer 3:22, Jer 50:4-5, Eze 11:17-20, Eze 36:24-28, Eze 16:60–62, Isa 11:11–12, Hos 6:1-3, Hos 14:4–7 

If there are any doubts about whether the above verses are to be interpreted as literal or figurative, Romans 11 should clear up any confusion: 

Rom 11:1- 4 Paul clearly states that God is not done with the nation of Israel, making a distinction between the Church and Israel.

Rom 11:5-10 God chose a remnant from Israel; the rest he hardened their hearts and blinded them for a time. Otherwise, Christianity would have remained an insular Jewish sect.

Rom 11:11 God brought salvation to the gentiles in part to provoke Israel to jealousy.

Rom 11:12-16 Israel will eventually accept God’s salvation, and their descendants will be holy.

Rom 11:17-22 Israel is the olive tree, and the gentiles are the branches. The gentiles were grated into the olive tree but did not replace it. The branches are not the root. For this reason, we shouldn’t become haughty because God can just as easily break us off.

Rom 11:23-24 God declares that if Israel turns from their unbelief, He has the power to graft them back into the tree.

Rom 11:25-36 Israel’s heart is hardened until the full number of Gentiles come to Christ. Ultimately, God, in his mercy, will take away their sins, and all Israel will be saved.

Is there more scriptural support that Israel will turn from their unbelief? Yes, and it happens during the Great Tribulation. Let’s examine the end-time sequence of events. Zechariah 14 is very prophetic. It says of those days that the nations of the world will fight against Jerusalem and it will be captured (Zec 14:1-2). Half the population is captured; the rest flee the city. Zechariah gets more into the details and says two-thirds will die, but one-third will be left. But this remnant will go through the fire (i.e., the Great Tribulation) and be refined. They will call on the Lord, and He will answer them. That’s when Jesus will intervene to fight against those nations attacking Israel (Zec 14:3). He will set his foot on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, but that may not be where He goes first.

This Jewish remnant will flee to Jordan, likely the rock city of Petra. How do we know this? Because of Micah 2:12:

I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.

The Hebrews knew it as Bozrah, which means "sheepfold" or "fortress," but most people today know it by its Greek name, Petra. There is another clue in Daniel that tells us this is the right location. Daniel 11:14 says there are three ancient nations that will escape the Antichrist’s grasp: Edom, Moab, and Ammon. Those ancient nations no longer exist, but the geographical locations they once occupied do. Those three nations encompass the territory of what is today modern-day Jordan, where Petra is located.

Why Petra? Well, aside from the fact that it appears to be supernaturally protected during this period, it’s the perfect hiding place. Petra is literally a rock city surrounded by mountains and cliffs. The primary entrance is a very narrow gorge only accessible by foot or horseback, making it easy to defend. Water is also not a problem because the city has hundreds of underground cisterns and aqueducts. This is the woman who flees to the wilderness (desert) for one thousand two hundred and sixty days or 3.5 years in Revelation 12:6. Jeremiah 49:13-14 suggests the Antichrist forces will prepare to invade Bozrah (Petra), likely near the end of the 3.5 years:

"For I have sworn by Myself,” says the Lord, “that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse. And all its cities shall be perpetual wastes. I have heard a message from the Lord, and an ambassador has been sent to the nations: 'Gather together, come against her, and rise up to battle!'"

This will be a Red Sea moment for the Jewish remnant. They will be surrounded by their enemies with nowhere to go. God will allow them to be put in a position where they have no other recourse but to turn back to Him and call upon His name. In fact, this appears to be a precondition for Jesus’ return:

Mat 23:39 “for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ”

Hos 5:15 I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

The “offense” mentioned by Hosea is outlined in the Book of Daniel:

Dan 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.

Daniel says the purpose of the Great Tribulation, among other things, is to “finish the transgression." This transgression is the corporate rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Once they acknowledge their offense and accept Jesus as the Messiah, their transgression will be finished, and that’s when Jesus will intervene and save them:

Zec 12:10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.

Rev 19:13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.

Rev 19:14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.

Why is Jesus’ robe dipped in blood? Because he had just destroyed the Antichrist forces at Bozrah. Isaiah expounds on this:

Isa 63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom, from the city of Bozrah, with his clothing stained red? Who is this in royal robes, marching in his great strength? “It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation! It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!”

Isa 63:2 Why are your clothes so red, as if you have been treading out grapes?

Isa 63:3 “I have been treading the winepress alone; no one was there to help me. In my anger I have trampled my enemies as if they were grapes. In my fury I have trampled my foes. Their blood has stained my clothes.

Isa 63:4 For the time has come for me to avenge my people, to ransom them from their oppressors.

The tribulation is, in part, about dealing with Satan, the anti-Christ, and judging a Christ-rejecting world. But the other part is God dealing with Israel. That’s why the Great Tribulation is called Jacob’s Trouble (Jer 30:7). It's not a coincidence that Revelation centers around Jerusalem. The Two Witnesses are from Jerusalem (Rev 11:8). The sealed 144,000 are all from the tribe of Israel (Rev 7:4-8). The Battle of Armageddon takes place in modern-day northern Israel. Why? Because God is taking care of some unfinished business. The only way to get around it is to allegorize scripture.

When did the fig tree wither?

 Matthew 21:19–21 NIV

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.

Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.

Mark 11:19–20 NIV

When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[a] went out of the city.

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Matthew 21:19–21indicates the fig tree Jesus cursed withered immediately. However, Mark 11:19–20 would suggest the fig tree withered some time later. So, which is it? It takes a careful reading of the sequence of events to resolve this apparent contradiction. We will start with Mark 11 as it is the more complete version. Note that Jesus and his apostles visit Jerusalem on three consecutive days:

Visit 1 (Mark 11:1–11)

Jesus and the disciples come to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, on the way to Jerusalem.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey.

In the evening, they return to Bethany for the night.

Visit 2 (Mark 11:12–19)

They leave Bethany in the morning.

They comes upon Fig tree and Jesus curses it.

They return to Jerusalem and Jesus cleanses temple.

In the evening, they leave the Jerusalem.

Visit 3 (Mark 11:20–33)

In the morning, they head back to Jerusalem and pass withered fig tree.

Peter remembers Jesus cursing the fig tree.

Jesus returns to temple in Jerusalem and is challenged the priests and elders.

Now, onto the Matthew account and you should spot the differences:

Visit 1 (Matt 21 1:1–17)

Jesus and the disciples come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, on the way to Jerusalem.

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey and clears the temple.

They leave Jerusalem and head to Bethany for the night.

Visit 2 (Mat 21:18–46)

The next morning, returning to Jerusalem, Jesus curses fig tree amazing the disciples amazed how quickly it withered.

Jesus returns to the temple in Jerusalem and is challenged by the priests and elders.

Notice that the Matthew account is missing some important details. It explicitly mentions two separate visits to Jerusalem but doesn't mention the third. Instead, it merges the events of the three visits over the two visits to Jerusalem that's mentioned. The Mark account, on the other hand, gives a more clear description of events. Jesus curses the fig tree on one day, and Peter (and the apostles) remark about it the next day.

As an aside, there are two Greek words used for "immediately" in Matthew 21:19 depending on which underlying text is used, mēketi and parachrēma. Parachrēma implies "immediately" or "at once" while mēketi means "no longer" or "not anymore." Given the proper context of Mark 11, it's likely the latter.

Did Matthew get it wrong? Dealing with Matthew 27:9–10

Matt 27:9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced,

Matt 27:10 “and gave them for the potter’s field, as the LORD directed me.”

Here, Matthew seems to mistakenly attribute the story of the purchase of the potters’ field to Jeremiah rather than Zechariah. How is it possible that Matthew made such a glaring mistake? In dealing with apparent contradictions, it's been my experience that there's always plauseable explanations to be found, even if it's impossible to know the definitive answer. So, let's examine Matthew 27:9–10.

Upon careful inspection, Matthew 27:9 quotes Zechariah 11:12-13:

Zec 11:12 Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.

Zec 11:3 And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter. (NKJV)

However, Matthew 27:10 alludes to Jeremiah 32:6-9:

Jer 32:6 And Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jer 32:7 ‘Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you, saying, “Buy my field which is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it.” ’

Jer 32:8 “Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin; for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours; buy it for yourself.’ Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.

Jer 32:9 “So I bought the field from Hanamel, the son of my uncle who was in Anathoth, and weighed out to him the money—seventeen shekels of silver.

Zechariah mentions thirty pieces of silver and a potter, but nothing about buying a field. Jeremiah, on the other hand, visits a potter's house (Jer 18), buys a potter's jar and smashes it in the Valley of Slaughter (Jer 19), and then buys a field from his cousin Hanamel for seventeen shekels of silver (Jer 32) (makes you wonder if Hanamel was a potter). Zechariah's prophecy and Jeremiah's actions both foreshadowed the death of Judas. So, Matthew 27:9–10 seems to be an amalgamation of Zechariah and Jeremiah. For reasons that are not clear, Matthew attributed it solely to Jeremiah, perhaps because Jeremiah preceded Zechariah.

On a side note, the Old Syric translation of Matthew 27:9 (circa 5th century) doesn't mention Jeremiah or Zechariah but simply says, "Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet, who said, And I took the thirty (pieces) of silver, the price of him who was precious, whom the sons of Isroel bargained for." Make of that what you will.

There is something called "citation formula" (sometimes quotation formula) or "ascription." It's basically a literary device where a writer may attribute a quote or idea to someone else. For example, in Stephen's speech in Acts 7, he appears to blend or summarize several Old Testament passages. In Acts 7:42–43, Stephen attributes a statement about Israel's idolatry to the book of Amos. However, the wording closely resembles a passage from the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:17). I believe this is what Matthew was doing. He was quoting Zacheriah, but doing it within the larger context of Jeremiah. The Apologetics Team website gives an excellent explanation. Excerpts: 

What then is the solution? It would appear that, while quoting primarily from Zechariah, Matthew was pointing the reader to a key passage (or theme) in Jeremiah as well, one that tied in with the point he wanted to make. Thus, to draw this to the reader’s attention, he made reference to Jeremiah, since the reference to Zechariah would be obvious...

It would seem then, in light of all the potential texts in Jeremiah, that Matthew was most likely pointing to Jeremiah 19:1–13, where the prophet is commanded by the Lord to “buy a clay jar from a potter” (yotser) and to take it, in the presence of the elders and the priests, “to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate,” proclaiming a word of solemn judgment on Jerusalem: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle” (19:1–3). Jeremiah was then to smash the potter’s jar and say: “This is what the Lord Almighty says: I will smash this nation and this city just as this potter’s jar is smashed and cannot be repaired” (Jer. 19:11). —Matthew 27:9–10 prophecy from Zechariah or Jeremiah?

On another side note, The Greek Septuagint, the one New Testament authors often quote from, doesn't mention anything about a potter in Zechariah 11:13. It only says, "And the Lord said to me, Drop them into the furnace, and I will see if it is good , as I was proved for their sakes. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the furnace in the house of the Lord." So, while Matthew 27:9 does quote Zechariah, it's reasonable to conclude Matthew 27:10 is a reference to Jeremiah 32:6–9, as Zechariah's prophecy doesn't mention anything about purchasing a field.

The Pre-trib Rapture 101

 Where does the concept of the rapture come from?
The word “rapture” is not in the Bible but is based upon the catching away (harpazō) in 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazō) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” The Greek word “harpazō” is translated as “rapturo” in the Latin Bible. This is where we get the word “rapture” in English.

What is the pre-trib rapture and its origins?
The pre-trib rapture is the belief that in the latter days believers on earth will be taken up to heaven prior to the tribulation and God’s wrath is poured-out. It’s said the pre-trib rapture is new. However, in reality, all rapture doctrines are fairly modern. Elements of every rapture position can be found in early Christian writings, however, they didn’t have a codified rapture doctrine and eschatology wasn’t their primary focus. However, the concept of imminency, a crucial feature of pre-tribulationism, can be found in many apostolic writings including Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, The Didache, The Epistle of Barnabas, and The Shepherd of Hermas.

There is a simple reason for the “newness” of the rapture doctrines and it comes down to availability and literacy. Throughout much of Church history, people didn’t have access to bibles or the ability to read it themselves. There were periods where the common people weren’t allowed to read the bible or translate it into other languages. After the advent of the printing press in the 15th century, availability and illiteracy slowly began to change. Once people were able to read and study the bible for themselves is when the various rapture doctrines began to emerge.

Early elements of the pre-trib rapture can be found in the writings of Pseudo-Ephraim, written sometime between the 4th to 8th centuries. The modern pre-trib doctrine started to became fleshed out during the late 17th century by Morgan Edwards. Eighty-six years later John Darby coalesced his ideas about the pre-trib rapture from 1827 to 1828.

Contrary to popular belief, Darby did not get his ideas from a woman named Margaret MacDonald. MacDonald claimed to have had a vision of the end-times around 1830, three years after Darby codified his ideas about the rapture. MacDonald’s vision is more akin to a post-trib rapture rather than a pre-trib rapture. MacDonald said, “The trial of the Church is from Antichrist… This is the fiery trial which is to try us. - It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus." Darby was said to have regarded MacDonald’s vision as demonic and not of God. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_ ... sionary%29

Why is there a rapture?
It’s no coincidence that Jesus’ first recorded miracle was turning water into wine at a Jewish wedding. To understand the rapture you must first understand the Galilean wedding ceremony. Jesus and his disciples were Galileans. He spent the majority of his time around other Galileans and would have spoken to them according to the customs and culture of their day. Galileans had many of their own unique customs and traditions even among other Jews.

A Galilean wedding would begin with a written covenant for marriage. The groom would then offer a cup of wine to his betrothed. When the bride-to-be accepted the cup of wine it began a year-long process to prepare for the wedding. The groom would publicly declare: “You are now consecrated to me by the laws of Moses, and I will not drink of this cup again until I drink it anew with you in my father’s house.” This mirrors what Jesus told His disciples during the Last Supper (Luk 22:18). Jesus was making His own new-covenant of marriage with His bride, the Church.

The groom would not be reunited with his bride-to-be again until the day of the marriage ceremony. The bride-to-be would occupy until he returned by assembling a wedding dress and gathering various other items for the wedding. The groom would spend that time building a new room on to his father’s house and purchasing or crafting household items to go in it. In much the same way, Jesus told his disciples that His Father’s house has many rooms and he was going to prepare a place for them and that He would return for them (Jhn 14:2-3). Jesus also told them He was going to the Father in a little while and they won't see him anymore, but they would see him again (Jhn 16:16).

The exact day of the wedding was determined not by the groom, but by the groom’s father. Neither the bride, groom, nor anyone else knew the exact day until it actually happened. Likewise, Jesus told His followers that no one will know the day or the hour, not even the angels, but only His Father (Mat 24:36). Since the bride didn’t know when her groom would come for her, she had to be ready at all times.

When the time finally came the father would wake up his son In the middle of the night and tell him to go get his bride, like a thief in the night. To always be prepared the bride would sleep in her wedding garments and have her lamp filled with oil. The shofar would be blown to wake the bride and guests. Only those who were prepared would be invited to the wedding. At long last, the bride and groom would become reunited.

The bride would be lifted up and carried away on a litter, known to the Galileans as “flying the bride to the father’s house”. The bride, groom, and guests would enter the father’s house to feast and celebrate for seven straight days. Likewise, there will be a marriage supper of the Lamb for Jesus and His Bride, the Church (Rev 19:9). Those who were not invited to the wedding were shut-out and barred from entering. In conclusion, the rapture follows the pattern of the Galilean wedding ceremony. Therefore, we are raptured because the Church is the bride of Christ and He is taking us to be with Him.

There is a secondary function of the rapture and it’s based upon 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”. God never judges the wicked along with the righteous, otherwise, it wouldn’t be just. Therefore, He has to first separate the righteous from the wicked. There are several instances in the bible where this can be demonstrated:

*The Israelites living in Goshen were separated from the rest of Egypt during the ten plagues (Exd 18, 19).
*Lot and his family were removed from Sodom prior to God’s judgment, and God would have spared Sodom if just ten righteous were found in the city (Gen 18).
*Noah and his family were spared God’s judgment when He destroyed the whole world by water (Gen 6).

During the marriage supper of the Lamb there is tribulation on earth. It should be noted that there is a distinction between tribulation that comes from the world and tribulation that comes from God. God will pour out His wrath and judgment on a Christ-rejecting world in order to transition to His millennial kingdom. It’s a process that serves to further sift the wheat from the chaff as God separates those who are for Him and those who are against Him.

There’s much debate exactly when God’s wrath is poured out if that wrath is from God, Satan, or mankind. However, God can use anyone as a form of His judgment. We’ve seen this when God used the Assyrians as judgment against Israel, and the Babylonians as judgment against Judah. They were later in turn judged for their own wickedness. The destruction of Israel and Judah could be classified as man’s wrath but it was still God who was doing the judging.

Likewise, God can use demonic principalities to accomplish His will. In Revelation 9:1-12 a star is “given” a key to the bottomless pit to release locusts (demonic entities) to torment the wicked for five months. It’s not clear who this star is, however only Jesus holds the keys to the gates of hell (Rev 1:8). Therefore, it’s God who is using these demonic entities as a form of judgment against mankind. This too can be classified as Satan’s wrath, but ultimately it’s God that’s doing it.

When is the rapture?
The exact timing of the rapture is hidden from us and known only by the Father. However, we can determine which events it must precede. In 2Th 2:1-12 Paul specifically says the son of perdition (anti-Christ) cannot be revealed until the Restrainer is removed. The spirit of the anti-Christ has been at work for thousands of years, but the Restrainer is preventing it from culminating in the appearance of The anti-Christ.

There are several views on who or what the Restrainer is, but the two most likely candidates are the Church and the Holy Spirit. Rather the Restrainer is the Church or the Holy Spirit it implies that believers must be removed (raptured) before the appearance of the anti-Christ. If the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit, then Holy Spirit resides in us and God would not remove the Holy Spirit without taking us too.

The anti-Christ is revealed after the first seal is opened (Rev 6:1-2). Some have confused the rider on the white horse as Jesus the Messiah. However, the rider is a false messiah, also known as the anti-Christ. The anti-Christ will come as a man of peace but in reality is a man of war. To further confirm this, there are clear parallels between the Olivet discourse and the seals being opened. The first seal can be paralleled with Jesus saying, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4,5)”. See here for a complete comparison viewtopic.php?f=13&t=66579&p=561831&hilit=Olivet+discourse#p561831

Therefore, it can be concluded that that pre-trib rapture must occur before the first seal is opened in Revelation 6:2. The pre-trib rapture will likely occur in Rev 4:1 when a voice is heard saying “Come up here…” There may or may not be an interim period between the rapture and the revealing of the anti-Christ. The appearance of the anti-Christ will begin a period characterized as tribulation for 3-1/2 years followed by the Great Tribulation or Jacob’s Trouble for another 3-1/2 years in which the anti-Christ will reign. After this period God will establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth for one thousand years. After the Millennial Kingdom, there will be a new heaven and a new earth that will be free from the taint of sin and corruption. Contrary to popular belief the world will never end but it will be drastically changed for the better.

Why Trump WILL win

I am writing this on November 23rd 2020 to make a bold statement, and that is Donald J. Trump WILL win this election. Impossible you say? Oh, I'm aware of how it "looks" in this moment, and I also know the odds are stacked against him. But there is a trump card in the mix that will change the game, and that trump card is God. So here are my reasons why God will intervene and turn this election around in Trump's favor.

1. The prophetic world has said that he would get two terms, and God is not going to let His prophets be put to shame. I already know some have said "But the prophets were wrong, Trump didn't win in a landslide." But before you stone the prophets, consider this. I believe Trump did win in a landslide, but the enemy is trying to steal it. Moreover, this election is still not over. The states have yet to certify the election, and there are lawsuits in motion.

2. The prophetic world has said that Trump is God's pick. Aside from what the prophets have said the Bible says you will know them by their fruits. In the past four years Trump has upheld the sanctity of life, made Israel's enemies to be at peace with them, moved the US embassy to Jerusalem, and upheld religious freedoms, among other accomplishments. This is how you know Trump is God's pick, because he's on God's side. That makes Trump God's anointed. Anointed simply means "chosen one". Psalm 105:15 said "Touch not my anointed." Not even David would kill God's anointed, Saul, when he had the chance. When they try to steal an election and cast aside God's anointed, they are not fighting against Trump, they are fighting God Himself and He will NOT let that challenge go unanswered.

3. Trump has been a blessing to Israel by brokering peace with her enemies. God told Abraham that He would make him into a great nation and bless those that bless him, and curse those who curse him (Gen 12:3). That includes his descendants after him. As proof, Balaam was unable to curse the Israelites. God has not forgotten what Trump has done for Israel. He will bless him and the enemy cannot curse what the Lord has blessed.

4. God is using Trump to set the stage for Roe vs Wade to be overturned. As proof God has paved the way for a pro-life woman, Amy Coney Barrett, to sit on the Supreme Court. If Biden were to become president he would pack the Supreme Court and make Trump's last three picks irrelevant. God is not going to allow His plans to be thwarted by fraud and deception.

5. God's hand has been upon Trump through the Russian collusion hoax to the election interference and impeachment fiasco. He has not preserved Trump these last four years only to be cast aside and put to shame now. Isaiah 54:17 says no weapon formed against you shall prosper. No weapon the enemy has used against Trump has worked and neither will this.

6. God is using Trump in a mighty way because He has big plans not only for America, but for the entire world. The enemy knows this, which is why they have been fighting so hard. This election is the key to it all. He is not going to allow the enemy to derail His plans because that would mean the enemy's will is greater than God's will, and that's just not possible.

7. If Biden is elected it would open the floodgates to an anti-Christ agenda that would hasten the events of Revelation and deprive God of His harvest of souls. God will not be denied His harvest, and He will act.

8. The prayers of millions of saints in the United States and around the world are currently bombarding heaven over this election. God has heard these prayers and He's not going to allowed our words to return to us void. Know that He is working rather we see it or not.

9. God likes to work in impossible situations because that's when He gets the glory. Recall that when the Israelites were fleeing Egypt during the exodus they were trapped with the Red Sea to their right and the enemy to their left. They were stuck in a seemingly impossibly situation. When it seemed like all hope was lost God intervened and not only saved His people, but destroyed their enemy in the process. This is our Red Sea moment. Remember also Gideon. God winnowed Gideon's army down from 32,000 to just 300 men to take on the Midianites whose numbers were so great they were described as sand on the seashore. God likes it when the odds are against us.

Trust God that things are playing out the way they are for a greater good. Consider this, if Trump had won in a landslide on November 3rd we never would have known how bad the corrupt has gotten and in four years America would still be on the brink of destruction. Could it be that God has set a trap for the enemy and is leading them to a place to receive a fatal blow from which they will not be able to recover from? I believe this election will serve that purpose. It has put the corruption under a microscope and the exposure is going to shake the world. Hold on, because it's not over. Just remember, God is never late but He's usually last moment. Our job in the interim is to stand steadfast and intercede for the proper outcome of this election. Fight on!

5/1/2024 Update: It's been nearly four years since I've written this post. Was I wrong? Well, yes and no. I continue to stand by everything I wrote, and I still believe everything is still in play. What I was wrong about was the timing. Many of us believed it would happen then, but, as it turns out, the path to the finish line isn't always a straight line. In retrospect, I believe it was necessary for Trump to step away at the time because certain things still had to play out. But here we are in another election year, and Trump is once again at the forefront. I don't believe this will be a repeat of 2020. There are attempts to keep Trump out, but I still believe he is going to return. This, too, may not be a straight path. I don't pretend to know how it's all going to play out. But once he does get back, we are going to see things we've never seen before. It's going to get bumpy between now and then, so hold on!

Creeping Paganism

Marriage is a holy covenant, designed by God, between a man and a women. The primary purpose of marriage is for the conception and rearing of children. People who marry may choose to not have children, but it still does not negate the purpose of marriage. Anything outside of God's design for marriage and sexuality is a perversion since it perverts God's design.

Christian's views in regards to sexuality are concurrent with natural law. It can be objectivity stated that a man's body is sexually designed for a female's body, and the primary purpose of sex is procreation. We were created in the image of God and given the gift to create other's in His image. This is God's design.


Today, however, marriage has become redefined and watered down to include same sex marriage. The ease and acceptance of divorce along with the decline of Judaeo-Christian ethics and acceptance of pagan philosophies and practices have helped to pave the way. It is what I like to call creeping paganism and has become all pervasive in our world today. The consequences of gay marriage and the replacing of Judaeo-Christian ethics with pagan vices will not immediately be felt or known. But I can offer a few predictions:

1. Marriage will continue to be redefined until it no longer has any real meaning or value.
2. It will open the door to more sexual perversions, including but not limited to pederasty and pedophilia (ancient Greece\Rome is a good example of this).
3. People of faith who believe in traditional marriage and values will be marginalized and discriminated against. If left unchecked discrimination will lead to persecution.
4. LGBT issues will be taught to children without the consent of parents.
5. All moral boundaries will be erased
6. Paganism will be the dominate belief system
7. Societal breakdown
8. Moral objectivism replaced with moral realtivism

To a degree many of these things are already happening, but it will get much worse. This creeping paganism has crept into our churches, entertainment, politics, schools, and culture at large. To often people have been intimated, shamed, and guilted into capitulation. And too often people have let it happen, bent the knee, and submitted, especially Christians. We have allowed our beliefs to be compromised and to accept pagan practices, but the choice to surrender is ours.

The Roman legions used to carry around what was called a Standard. It was a flag, banner, or pennant that was attached to a pole. The Standard was a rallying point and a symbol of pride. So important was the Standard that great efforts went in protecting it and recover it if it was captured, battles were even fought over them. Christians have their own standard, it's called the Bible. It is far more important and the truths it contains should also be protected and fought for. We shouldn't compromise or surrender when it comes to our convictions, no matter the cost. Don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, and never back down.

A response to Joyce Meyer on tattoos

In 2018 Joyce Meyer came out in support of Christians getting tattoos. You can read her statement and watch the video here. This is my response and my opinions in general on tattoos. I err on the side of Christians not getting tattoos. I believe that it's one thing for a Christian to get a tattoo before they were saved, they didn't know any better, but it's quite another for a Christian to get them after being saved.

To preface, I have nothing against Joyce Meyer. I have listened to her myself before, I just believe she is in error on this particular point. That doesn’t mean she is in error on all points or any less a Christian. She’s human and fallible just like the rest of us. No one is going to be right one-hundred percent of the time about everything. As Paul said, “we see through a glass darkly”, but I digress.

Joyce equates the Christian taboo against tattoos to legalism. Legalism being a strict literal adherence to the Mosiac laws. I personally don’t see it that way. However, while Christians have never adhered to the Laws of Mosses, they were useful for teaching right and wrong. More to the point, what was morally wrong in the Old Testament, is still morally wrong in the New Testament. And I’m specifically referring to the moral laws, which are still relevant today, and not to the civil and ceremonial laws which were specific to the Israelites under the Old Covenant.

So what does the Bible really have to say about tattoos? Admittedly not a lot, although I think some things can be inferred. Let us look at the scriptures that are given in favor or against tattoos and what they really mean.

Leviticus 19:28 ‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

Those who are for tattoos will say the prohibition against tattoos was specifically in regards to worshiping the dead. However, it is presumed here that the tattooing is in connection with the preceding clause. The argument I have against this is if the Israelites believed that the prohibition against tattooing was only in regards for the dead, then why wasn’t it a common practice among them? On the contrary, they would have seen them as a disfigurement upon God’s handiwork.

Isaiah 44:5 (AMPC) One will say, I am the Lord's; and another one will write [even brand or tattoo] upon his hand, I am the Lords...?

This is one of the verses used to support tattoos, but if it supports tattoos then wouldn’t it also support branding? I notice that Joyce uses the AMPC version here which infers a brand or tattoo. However, most other Bible versions I’ve seen simply say “subscribe” or “write”. The Hebrew word used here is “kathab”. Looking at its use in the Old Testament it is defined as:

I. to write, record, enrol

        A. (Qal)

            I. to write, inscribe, engrave, write in, write on

            II. to write down, describe in writing

            III. to register, enrol, record

            IV. to decree

        B. (Niphal)

            i. to be written

            ii. to be written down, be recorded, be enrolled

        (Piel) to continue writing

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?page=3&strongs=H3789&t=KJV#lexResults

The usage then would suggest literal writing as opposed to actual tattooing or branding. Barnes' Notes on the Bible supports this view:

…The mark, or writing, was not on the hand, but with it - literally, 'and this shall write his hand to Yahweh; 'and the figure is evidently taken from the mode of making a contract or bargain, where the name is subscribed to the instrument. It was a solemn compact or covenant, by which they enrolled themselves among the worshippers of God, and pledged themselves to his service. The manner of a contract among the Hebrews is described in Jeremiah 32:10, Jeremiah 32:12, Jeremiah 32:44. A public, solemn, and recorded covenant, to which the names of princes, Levites, and priests, were subscribed, and which was sealed, by which they bound themselves to the service of God, is mentioned in Nehemiah 9:38. Here it denotes the solemn manner in which they would profess to be worshippers of the true God; and it is expressive of the true nature of a profession of religion. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/isaiah/44-5.htm

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

This is another verse that is in use of supporting tattoos, however just because the word “inscribed” is used does not make it an endorsement of tattoos. The assumption here is that “inscribed”, or in some versions “engraving”, in this verse is equivalent to marking the skin with ink. If we look at the Hebrew word used here, “chaqaq”, compared with the Hebrew word "qa`aqa`" in Leviticus 19:28, they are two separate words and don't mean the same thing.

There’s another assumption here that the verse is literal, and not employing the use of poetic language to make a point. The point here is that the pagan's would get tattoos as a sign of devotion to their gods. This would be God's way of saying then that He was devoted to Israel, even if they had turned away from Him. Thus employing the use of poetic language.

Revelation 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

 Joyce Meyer did not use this verse, but I have seen it used before in defense of tattoos. Here again an assumption is made that it is a tattoo marked directly on Jesus’ bare thigh. Commentaries, however, say this was not likely on his skin as a tattoo, but written upon his garment:

"Inscriptions on the outer garments were sometimes used by distinguished personages. -Ellicot's commentary for English readers

“And on his garment and (i.e., even) upon his thigh”; on that part of the robe covering his thigh, he has a title of honour written." -Expositor's Greek Testament

"on his vesture and on his thigh] i.e, probably, beginning on the lower part of the cloak, and continued where the thigh projected from it as He rode—whether this continuation was on the bare flesh, or (as seems likelier) on the skirt of the tunic." -Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/19-16.htm

Conclusion:

As mentioned previously, the Bible doesn’t have much to say about tattoos. None of the scriptures above give an endorsement of tattoos, nor do they explicitly condemn them either (depending how one interprets Leviticus 19:28). I would, however, offer two primary reasons against tattoos:

The first is that tattoos come out of the pagan world. Pagans are notorious for disfiguring their bodies through tattoos, cutting, branding, piercing, etc. Marking the skin was not a common practice among the Israelites or Christians. Oh I’m sure you could find examples of some who did it, just as you can find examples of apostate Jews and Christians who practiced a deviation of their faith, but it wasn’t a common cultural practice.

The second is that it disfigures the body, which was made in the image of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" If the body is a temple, then tattoos would be like putting graffiti on the side of a church or synagogue.

Tattoos are symbols of the world and carnality. If we accept tattoos when what will we accept next? Will body modifications and brandings also be acceptable because they are not expressly condemned in the Bible? Something is wrong when Christians start acting and looking just like the world. An inward conversion should be expressed by an outward change in our appearance and actions.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.”