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I.       The God of Israel

A) In understanding the current Middle East crisis, it is important to understand that the Palestinians will never be satisfied with the creation of a Palestinian state in the nation of Israel. Their real goal is the total destruction of Israel. The Bible teaches us that God made an everlasting covenant with Israel through Abraham and that covenant extends through all time to Israel’s descendants. Genesis 17:7 states, “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and your descendants after you.” In Psalms 105:8-12 David writes, “He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as an allotment of your inheritance,” When they were few in number, Indeed very few, and strangers in it.” Canaan is the land which became Israel.

B)  God’s covenant to Israel involved not only the promise of a coming Messiah, but it involved being given the land of Israel. “And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; “for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” Genesis 13:14-15 Genesis 15:18 states, “To you descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.”  Genesis 17:7-8 states , “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession: and I will be their God.” KJV Here it is clear that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews who are the descendants of Abraham. As such, when we read that modern Europe is threatening Israel with sanctions unless they give back the land to the Palestinians. We see that this Revived Roman Empire and the coming world government actually are opposing the direct will of God.

II.       The History of the Conflict of the Land of Israel

A) Although, God gave the land of Israel to Abraham and his descendants there arises complications in Abraham’s family line. Abraham had several sons such as Ishmael who was born to Sarah’s Egyptian maid, Hagar. Then Abraham had Isaac through his wife Sarah; and he had six other sons through Keturah, whom he married after Sarah died. Although God directly promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have an heir. They did not believe God and took matters into their own hands. Genesis 15:3-5 states, “Then Abraham said, “Look, you have given me no offspring: indeed one born in my house is my heir!” And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir. ” Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them..” And he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”Here we see that God directly promises Abraham an heir from his own body.

B) However, because he and his wife Sarah were getting old and because Sarah had borne Abraham no children. Abraham and Sarah attempted to fulfill the promise of God through their own human manipulation. Sarah convinced Abraham to have sexual relations with her Egyptian maidservant Hagar. Abraham got Hagar pregnant and she conceived a boy named Ishmael. However, Sarah hated Hagar after this happened and this caused Hagar to flee with Ishamel into the wilderness. However, God had compassion on Hagar and He sent an Angel to meet her by a spring of water in the wilderness. The Angel told her to return to Sarah and to submit herself to her. Then the Angel of the Lord gave Hagar a promise that God would multiply her descendants exceedingly and that they would be counted as a great multitude. Then the Angel said to Hagar:

 “Behold you are with child, and you shall bear a son.You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren”  Genesis 16:11-16

C) Here we see some interesting things about Ishmael and his modern day descendants the Palestinians, Muslims and Arabs. Genesis 16 states that “he shall be a wild man and his hand shall be against every man.” There is a militancy and aggression in the genetic descendants of Ishmael which we see today as they oppose Israel. However, even though Sarah and Abraham concocted a human plan to fulfill God’s promise. God was still faithful to Abraham. In Genesis 17:15-21 states, “Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations, kings of peoples shall be from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!” Then God said: “No Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.” And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But, My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you this set time next year.”

D) The Bible is clear that God promised to bless the descendants of Ishmael. But, the direct heirs of Abraham are to the descendants of Isaac. These are the Jews to whom the land of Israel has been promised.  Isaac was miraculously born to Abraham and Sarah and it is through Isaac that the promises of the land and the coming Messiah would be fulfilled. The Scripture makes it very clear that it is not the descendants of Ishmael who are to be heirs to the land, but to the descendants of Isaac. The modern Arabs claim to be the direct descendants of Ishmael lay claim to the promises that were given to Isaac. In fact, the Muslims completely twist the scripture and claim that it was Ishmael who was the son of the promise and not Isaac. The source of the current Middle East conflict is Islam’s claim that the land belongs to them because the promise of the land was made to Ishmael and not Isaac.

E) Later on in Scripture we read that Isaac had two son, Esau and Jacob. In complete contradiction to the customs of the time, God chose Jacob, the younger son to be heir to His promises. In fact, before these two twins were born Esau and Jacob, God supernaturally revealed to their mother Rebecca, the future destiny of her two sons. Genesis 25:23 reads, “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” This prophecy was not concerning Esau and Jacob in their lifetime Esau did not serve Jacob in his lifetime. However, this prophecy became true regarding the nations that came from them. Today the Arabs come from both Ishmael and Esau because the descendants of Esau intermarried with the descendants of Ishmael (Genesis 28:9)

F) While the descendants of Ishmael and Esau intermarried and spread throughout the Middle East. The Jews remained and were isolated in Egypt for 400 years. When they entered the Promised Land it was clear that they were a single ethnic group. They were the direct descendants of Abraham through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. God eventually changed Jacob’s name to Israel. God promised to Isaac, “Unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries..” Genesis 26:3 KJV To Isaac’s grandson Jacob or Israel God said, “the land wheron thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.” Genesis 28:13 KJV

G) It is clear according to Scripture that the land of Israel outlined in Genesis 15:18-21 was given to the descendants of Abraham or the Jews and not to the Arabs or Palestinians who are the descendants of Ishmael and Esau. Islam challenges this claim by the Jews to be heirs to this land. 203 times in 201 verses Jahweh is called “the God of Israel” and He is never called “the God of Ishmael.” Yet, Islam and the Arabs continue to make the false claim that it was Ishmael and not Isaac who was heir to the promise of the land. However, that claim is not found in scripture. This false claim by Islam and the Arab world to the nation of Israel is at the root of the modern Middle Eastern conflict.

III.      Predictions of the Ancient Hebrew Prophets

 A) The Hebrew prophet Zechariah predicted over 2,500 years ago that Israel would be invaded by all the nations of the earth.

 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all the nations of the earth are gathered against it.”   Zechariah 12:2-3

B)  There are a number of Bible scholars and theologians who believe that we are now living in the time period when that invasion will occur. They believe that the catalyst for this invasion could be Israel’s refusal to set up a Palestinian State within Israel. These Bible teachers predict that the alliance of the United States, United Nations, European Union, and Russia in what is referred to as the Quartet will represent “all the nations of the earth” mentioned in Zechariahs prophecy. They are convinced that this proposed “Roadmap to Peace” or similar peace agreement is setting the stage for the fulfillment Zechariah’s ancient prophecy.  Zechariah talked about a time when “all the nations of the earth” will unite and attempt to invade Israel. After this invasion, Zechariah’s prophecy described a supernatural judgment that will come on all the nations who participate in this invasion. These nations are destroyed through a series of cataclysmic events such as earthquakes, giant hailstones, and tornadoes. If the Quartet invades Israel to send in “peacekeeping forces,” these Bible scholars believe that this would be a direct fulfillment of Zechariahs prophecy.

IV.       A Hatred That Started With Ishmael

A)  Not only do the prophesies in the Bible make predictions regarding the future of Israel and the Middle East, the Bible also give us an accurate historical record of the past and the origins of the conflict. According to the Old Testament records, the Palestinian hatred of Israel is based on a deep religiously inspired passion that goes back over 4,000 years to Ishmael. The root of this ancient conflict over land starts with Ishmael.

“He shall be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.”    Genesis 16:12.

B)  Some Biblical experts believe that this is a prophetic statement. Ishmael and his descendants will be contentious and involve themselves in continuous wars and conflicts, especially against Israel throughout the centuries.

“And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad (Ishmael) and because of thy bondwoman ( Hagar ); in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also for the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.” Genesis 27:12-13

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes he shall beget, and I will make him a great nation.” Genesis 7:20

C)  Abraham’s wife, Sarah, convinced Abraham to have sexual relations with her handmaid Hagar. Sarah was impatient and wanted her husband to have sex with Hagar in order to have a baby. When Hagar finally became pregnant, Sarah was jealous and hated her. Hagar fled into the wilderness where the angel of the Lord said,

“I will multiply your seed exceedingly, You are with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call him Ishmael; because the Lord has heard your affliction.” Genesis 16:10-11

D) Although the God of the Old Testament promises Ishmael that he will multiply his seed, there is no specific mention that the land of Israel is to be given to Ishmael or his descendants. In the Biblical narrative, God had enormous compassion and love for Ishmael and promised that his descendants would become a great nation. Ishmael had twelve sons who became twelve princes and settled in the Arabian Peninsula. Many Bible scholars are convinced that the Egyptians, Midianites, Edomites, and Assyrians came from Ishmael. The Palestinians are the descendants of the Edomites and Iranians. The surrounding Arab nations are the descendants of the Assyrians. Islamic belief also teaches that Ishmael was the father of the desert peoples of the Middle East.

E)  Today’s Muslims claim Ishmael as their spiritual ancestor. According to the Bible, the hatred that many Muslims have towards the Jews first started with Ishmael. One of the primary reasons for this hatred and jealousy is that Muslims believe that the Jews rewrote the Bible to make the that Jews heirs to the Abrahamic covenant. Jewish tradition teaches that the Old Testament states that the Abrahamic covenant gave the land of Israel to the Jews. Islam teaches that the Abrahamic covenant, along with the promise of Israel, was given to the Arabs and Muslims through Ishmael.

V.       Historical Background An Ancient Real Estate Contract

A) Since Arabs and Muslims are convinced that God has given the land of Israel to the Muslims by God through the Abrahamic covenant, this would explain why they militantly believe that the Jews have illegally possessed the land. In attempting to broker any peace settlement, it is crucial to completely understand the historical background of the conflict. Clearly, if the Arabs believe that they have been given the entire land of Israel by God, then they will never be satisfied with simply a Palestinian state and portions of the land. If they believe it is their divine right to possess all of Israel, which they do, then obviously giving them a Palestinian State will never completely satisfy them. More terrorism and war is inevitable.

 B) U.S. State Department and the United Nations do not fully understand the historical background of the conflict. They fail to grasp the reality that lasting peace is impossible by simply creating a Palestinian state. Why would the Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims ever settle for a portion of the land of Israel when they believe that God gave them the entire land? This is no small matter. This belief in the Arab’s divine right to the land of Israel is something that is taught over and over again in the Palestinian schools and Islamic centers.

C)  When President George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, and Condolezza Rice meet to discuss the “Roadmap to Peace” with other world leaders, it is vital that they understand the basic conflict in the Middle East.

D)  The key to understanding this basic conflict is to fully understand the historical roots of the Middle East.  The majority of historians would agree that the primary historical document would be the Old Testament. The Old Testament was written thousands of years before the Koran. The Koran was orally recounted by Mohammed about 600 years after Christ. The Old Testament significantly predates the Koran.  The Book of Genesis was written by Moses in approximately 1440 B.C. God clearly gives the land of Israel to the Jews who are the descendants of Isaac. 

Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I will bless him, and make him exceedingly fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this same time next year.”   Genesis 17:19:21

 E) The covenant that God was talking about was the Abrahamic covenant where God promises the land to Israel. The divine title deed to the land belongs to the Jews. 

 “Now the Lord said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.”   Genesis 12:1-3

F) In understanding the current conflict in the Middle East, it is important to understand the various national and ethnic perceptions about who actually owns the land according to the oldest recorded accounts in the Bible and the Koran. According the Biblical account, God gave Israel the land to possess forever.

“Then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land which I gave to your forefathers forever and ever.” Jeremiah 7:7

 “On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants, I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates.’”   Genesis 15:18

This promise of the land given to Israel by God is repeated throughout the Old Testament in numerous passages. The international community is pressuring Israel to give up this land for peace. It is important to understand that the land that they are requiring Israel to give up is the exact same land that the God in the Old Testament specifically gave them to inherit forever.

VI.     Understanding the Book of Revelation, Bible Prophecy & The Role Of Israel

Many people ignore the Book of Revelation because it appears to symbolic and because the book has been the subject of so much sensationalism, date setting and abuse. In the first chapter of the Book of Revelation, John writes, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 The Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible where a special blessing is given to those who read it and obey it. In addition, the Apostle John closes the Book of Revelation by writing these words, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19 The Book of Revelation is the only book in the Bible where special plagues are promised to anyone who changes or alters its message. Also, if someone changes or alters the words in the Book of Revelation, there name will be taken out of the Book of Life. Both the unique promise of blessings and curses regarding the Book of Revelation underscore the fact that it is the responsibility of every pastor, Bible teacher and Christian to study this book.

The tragedy is that this important book of the Bible is not being taught in many churches in America and around the world. In China, the government leaders believe that the Book of Revelation is such a threat that Christian churches are specifically forbidden to teach or quote from the book. Even in America, we may be fast approaching the day when the Book of Revelation will be made illegal and censored by the government. In Canada, certain passages of the Bible are already illegal to teach. In the current climate of Political Correctness, Diversity and Tolerance, the Book of Revelation describes in graphic detail both the fates of those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the eternal destiny of those who reject Jesus Christ. Detailed descriptions are given of both heaven and hell. The Book of Revelation is not a “seeker friendly” book, because it warns of eternal damnation to those who reject Christ and whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Revelation also contains graphic details of an apocalyptic judgment that awaits mankind that rejects Christ in favor of Antichrist. The Tribulation Period described in Revelation is more horrific than any modern horror movie and describes the wrath of God in judgment against a world that has deliberately rebelled from God. This clear Biblical message flies in the face of universalistic messages which falsely declare that there are many paths to God. Despite the fact, that the Book of Revelation depicts the outpouring of God’s wrath upon a world in rebellion from God. Throughout the Book of Revelation there is the clear message that the God of the Bible is a God of love who desperately seeks to rescue every man and woman from the wrath to come. In addition, the reality that God sent His Son into the world to save men and women from their sins is reiterated in the Book of Revelation. Throughout the Book of Revelation there is the clear message of a loving God attempting to save any man or women who will turn their hearts towards Him. In fact, the purpose of the Tribulation Period discussed in Revelation is not only judgment, but to give men and women one last opportunity to join Jesus Christ in heaven and live in Paradise forever. The reason the Book of Revelation is so often rejected is because it is a mature theme which demands a thorough examination of God’s love, holiness and judgment. It is the end of the Bible and it involves looking at the destruction of Planet Earth, God’s judgment upon a sinful human race, a new heaven and a new earth, Satan and his followers sentenced to the lake of fire, the Great White Throne of Judgment, the resurrection of the dead, heaven, and the restoration of Paradise.

Israel is God’s prophetic time clock. The Book of Revelation cannot be understood without understanding Israel’s role in the last days.

VII.     The Power of the Book of Revelation

One of the reasons that much of the contemporary Church rejects studying and teaching the Book of Revelation is that the Book of Revelation is confrontive. If much of the contemporary Church could be characterized by the Laodiciean Church where Jesus Christ said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth… As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”  Revelation 3:15,16&20 The Book of Revelation confronts “the spirit of this age” more than any other book in the Bible because it dislodges the humanistic world view which has taken root even in the consciousness of those who call themselves “born again’ Christians. The Book of Revelation brings into critical focus such things as the need to live for eternity, dying to self, moral absolutes, the question of heaven and hell, the reality of divine judgment for the unbeliever and divine accountability for the believer, the true nature of spiritual warfare, the role of Israel in the last days, the Second Coming of Christ and eternity.

The modern church, which is in many respects is the Laodiciean Church has accepted much of the humanistic world view of an unbelieving world. It is accommodating to sin and to false doctrine. A study of the Book of Revelation confronts our acceptance of sin and our toleration of false doctrine. If the reader of Revelation will come before the book in humbleness of heart and an openness to the Spirit of God. A serious study of the Book of Revelation will bring us closer into a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A study of the Book of Revelation will provide a forum with which we can renew our minds with God’s Word and allow the strongholds of a fallen culture to be purged from our soul. The result will be that we will be prepared to rule and reign with Christ. “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5-6 

VIII.    Understanding Revelation Four Different Approaches

As we stated earlier, one of the primary reason people and pastors stay away from teaching the Book of Revelation is because they are uncertain as to their theological position. It is still important to teach the Book of Revelation and to explain the four major different approaches to understanding Revelation. In fact, I believe we do people a great disservice by not explaining the four different approaches to the Book of Revelation. If a teacher does not have a clear position, than simply teach the Book of Revelation and explain the different approaches.

The four major different approaches to the Book of Revelation would be as follows:

A) The Historicist Approach: John Wycliffe, John Knox, William Tyndale, Martin Luther. John Calvin, Sir Isaac Newton, Jan Huss, Ulrich Zwingili, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, Charles Finney, C.H. Spurgeon and other Church leaders held to this position. In addition, the Modern Seventh-Day Adventists utilize a teaching approach that borrows from this position. Essentially, the Historicist Approach teaches that God revealed the church age through the various symbolic visions in the Book. For example, the papacy is seen as the “Antichrist” and the Arab hordes attacking the Roman Empire, followed by the Turks are represented as the horses with serpents for tails. Another characteristic of this interpretation is the “year for a day principle.” Thus, 1,200 days is viewed as 1,200 years. An interesting aspect of the historicist approach is that it views the fifth trumpet as the rise of Mohammedism. In light, of global terrorism and the rise of militant Islam this is an interesting approach.

B) The Preterist Approach: The Preterist Approach has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years with the writings of Gary DeMar and others. They believe that Book of Revelation was written in A.D. 95-96 and therefore all the prophecies have already been fulfilled in the past. Preterists believe that the prophesies in the Olivet Discourse and the Book of Revelation have already been fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.  Full preterists believe that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ has already happened. Preterists do not believe that the modern nation of Israel has a key role in last days events.

C) The Futurist Approach:  In this viewpoint everything after Chapter 3 in the Book of Revelation will happen in the future. The Futurist approach also encompasses what is called Dispensational Theology. Popular authors like Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey and others promote a Dispensational and Futurist interpretation to the Book of Revelation. In this belief, God has a special role for Israel in the last days and there is a future tribulation period and a future Antichrist. The Futurist approach understands the significance of the nation of Israel in understanding all prophetic events.

D) The Spiritual Approach: This viewpoint is often associated with theological liberalism. It sees Bible prophecy and the Book of Revelation as primarily symbolic and not literal. The passages in Revelation are symbolic and poetic. Their interpretation is non-literal and mystical. *The teacher of this class has a serious problem with this approach, because if this system of interpreting the Bible were applied to Genesis or the Gospels, we would not take Creation literally or a literal death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible becomes a meaningless jumble of mystical/poetic images.

IX.     The Seven Churches of the Apocalypse

A) The Seven Churches of the Apocalypse Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodecia. These churches were more than churches in Asia. They represent the spiritual condition of individual believers and churches today and they represent the basic stages of church history.

B) 1) Ephesus – the Apostolic church from Pentecost to A.D. 100, Smyrna – the Persecuted Church from A.D. 100 to 316, 3) Pergamos – the World Church A.D. 316 to 800, Thyatira- the Medieval Church A.D. 800 to 1517, 5) Sardis – the Rise of the state church A.D. 1517 to 1750, 6) Philadelphia – the Missionary Church A.D. 1750 to 1900, 7) Laoddecia – the Apostate Church AD 1900 to current.

X.      Revelation Chapter 4

A)  “After this I looked , and behold , a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” Revelation Chapter 4:1

B)  This is a key passage of scripture which people who believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture think refers to the rapture of the church. The various views on when the Rapture will take place are: Premillennial Pretribulaiton View, Premillennial Postribulation View, Premillennial Midtribulation View, Premillennial Pretribulational Partial Rapture View, Premilllennial Prewrath View, Evangelical Postmillennial View, St. Augustine’s Amillennial View.

C)  I Thessalonians 4:13-17 The term Rapture is not found in the Bible it is taken from the latin simul rapiemur cum illis. In Revelation 4:17 the words caught up come from the Greek word harpadzo which means “to seixe, to snatch away, to catch up, to take by force.”

D)  Great debate exists within the Church as to when the Church will be Raptured. The three primary positions are the Pretribulation Rapture which teaches that the Church will be Raptured immediately before the 7 year Tribulation Period and before the Antichrist is revealed. The Midtribulation period which teaches that the Church will be raptured in the Middle of the 7 year Tribulation Period before the Great Tribulation begins and the wrath of God is poured out. The final position is the Posttribulation viewpoint which teaches that God will supernaturally protect the Church during the Tribulation Period and the Rapture of the Church will occur at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Seventy Weeks of Daniel

Daniel Chapter 9 reveals God’s prophetic time clock regarding the Jewish nation. God’s prophetic time clock shows one last seven year period unfulfilled.

Old Testament Prophets & Israel

A)  Joel, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and other Old Testament prophets point to a regathering of the Jewish people in the land of Israel in the last days. Examining numerous scriptures which point to the Jews return to the land.

B)  The War of Gog and Magog / Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39

C)  The Future Rebuilt Temple in Israel.

XI.     Revelation Chapter 4-5 – Worship at the Center of the Universe

The importance of these passages are often overlooked. Here we see a glimpse of the Throne Room of Heaven. The created beings surround the throne room of God and worship Him. Worship is one of the most important Biblical truths in all of scripture and it is not often taught of fully understood by the Church. We were created to worship God. The judgments of God beginning with the seal judgments are released through worship. It is interesting to note that the great spiritual war which is what the Book of Revelation is all about is initiated by a rebellious spiritual being or fallen angel named Lucifer. Lucifer not only desires to be God, but he desperately wants to be worshipped as God. Prior to the fall of Lucifer, Lucifer was the angel that was God’s worship leader in the heavenly realm.  Human vocabulary is limited in describing the transcendent nature of worship. Essentially worship involves and earthly and supernatural communion to the Lord. In a real sense everything we do should be an act of worship to the Lord.

XII.     The Seal Judgments

The revealing of Antichrist and according to Pretribulationists this begins the 7 year Tribulation Period. There have been many historic periods of destruction. The destruction of Jerusalem where 1 million people dies, the Black Plague which killed 9 million, 20 million people who were killed in World War I, and World War II in which 6 million Jews and 4 million Christians were murdered. Not to mention the millions who were slaughtered under Stalin and Chairman Mao.  The Tribulation Period begins with the Antichrist signing a 7 year peace treaty with the nation of Israel. The Hebrew prophets mention the Tribulation Period 39 times and call it the time of Jacob’s trouble. The New Testament refers to the Tribulation as “the day of the Lord” ( I Thess. 5:2 )

The Tribulation Period is divided into two 1,260 periods or two 3 ½ year periods. The Antichrist signs a 7 year covenant with Israel. In the Middle of the Tribulation Period or after 1,260 days or 3 ½ years the Antichrist betrays Israel and brings the covenant. At this time he sets himself up in the rebuilt Temple and demands to be worshipped. 

The First Seal Cold War/ White Horse Antichrist / The Antichrist makes a seven year peace treaty with the nation of Israel.  The seven year Tribulation period begins. The Church is raptured and Israel remains on earth. Jack Hayford’s book E Quake – the church is rapture before the wrath of God is poured out..

The Second Seal open/Warfare/Red Horse

Third Seal / Famine Black Horse

Fifth Seal / Martyrdom / Slain Souls

Sixth Seal / Great Earthquake the outpouring of God’s wrath

The Seventh Seal / The Seven Trumpet Judgments

XIII.    The Seven Trumpet Judgments

Hail, fire and blood

Burning mountain

Sun smitten

Plague of Locusts

Plague of Horseman

Christ rules

XIV.    Seven Vials/ Bowl Judgments

Boils

Sea Into Blood

Rivers Into Blood

Great Heat

Darkness

Euphrates Dried Up

Hail

XV.    Key Figures in the Book of Revelation

The Two Witnesses

Some Bible scholars believe that the two witnesses are Elijah and Enoch. However, the majority of Bible scholars believe that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. In Revelation these two witnesses dress in sackcloth, prophesy and perform awesome miracles. The Antichrist will kill them and the whole world will rejoice and watch their bodies for 3 ½ days. Obviously, this implies global television coverage. Then God will supernaturally raise from the dead the two witnesses in front of the whole world and take them up to heaven.

The 144,000 Jewish Tribulation Evangelists

Somewhere between the opening of the 6th and 7th Seals God will select 12,000 Jews from each of the twelve tribes of Israel and seal their foreheads for the purpose of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Millions will come to Jesus Christ through their preaching during the Tribulation Period.

The Antichrist

The Bible speaks of a future world leader that will make a covenant with Israel in the last days. The term Antichrist is not found in the Book of Revelation. The title only occurs in 1 John 2:18-22;4:3 and 2 John 1:7. As a consequence Preterists and others use this to prove that there is no future Antichrist in Revelation. However, Revelation 12-13 speaks of a coming “beast” who is the Antichrist. The Antichrist is also called, “the man of sin” ( 2 Thess. 2:3), “the beast” (Rev. 13:1), “wicked one” ( 2 Thess. 2:8 ), “abomination” ( Matt. 24:15), “little horn” (Dan. 7:8 ), “prince that shall come” ( Dan. 9:26), etc. Antichrist sets up image to be worshipped in the rebuilt temple in Israel.

The Bible tells us that the Antichrist will rise to power in the last day (Dan. 8:19-23). The Antichrist will rule the entire world (Rev. 13:7) . ( One wonders how the European Union, the United Nations and a unified North and South America will fit into this scenario? Where is America in this prophecy? Is America part of the revived Roman Empire and the coming world government?). The Antichrist will make and break a peace treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:26-27). The Antichrist will claim to be God ( 2 Thess. 2:4)

The False Prophet

The entire world will worship the Antichrist under the direction of the False Prophet. Revelation 13 details who the False Prophet is. The False Prophet controls a coming one world religion, is energized by Satan, causes people to worship the Beast, performs powerful lying signs and wonders, deceives the whole world, empowers the image of the Beast, murders everyone who refuses to worship the Beast, controls the global economy and controls the mark of the Beast. The False Prophet will lead a coming world religion based on the belief that all religions take man to God as long as they are sincere. The False Prophet will lead a “seeker friendly” religion that is tolerant, recognizes diversity, teaches love and in some respect masquerades as Christian. We can see the beginnings of this coming world religion in the New Age Movement, other religions and the seeds of deception in Christian churches which de-emphasize that a man or woman can only be saved through faith in Christ, denying the reality of divine judgment and hell, and teaching people that you can come to God through other ways that the cross of Christ. Also, the false belief that Christians, the New Age and Muslims worship the same God is a heresy that will eventually pave the way for a coming world religion.

XVI.    Key Events In The Book of Revelation

The Destruction of Religious Babylon

In Revelation 17:1-6 it says, “And there came one of the seven angels which had seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden golden cup in her hand full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” Revelation 17:1-6

Here we see the Great Whore or Religious Babylon ruling the nations of the earth with a false world religion. One of the characteristics of this false religious system is that it will persecute and kill all true Christians. In China today, there is the state church which talks about Christ and the Bible, but is controlled by the state. All true Bible believing Christians are imprisoned or killed.

The Destruction of Political Babylon

Revelation 18:1-4 outlines the destruction of the political system of Babylon. It is possible that the United States defeating Saddam Hussein that political Babylon will e rebuilt in Iraq. Since Iraq is the geographic location of ancient Babylon ad the Bible talks about Babylon. It is possible that Babylon will be rebuilt. It is no hard to imagine that the United States along with Russia and the European Union nations rebuilding Iraq in much the same way Japan was rebuilt after World War II. If this is true Iraq or Babylon could be the commercial center of world commerce.

The Marriage Supper of Lamb

Revelation 19:7 describes the final and complete union of all true believers and Jesus Christ and the greatest cosmic celebration in the history of the universe.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

The Bible describes a literal Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ coming to rule and reign on Planet Earth from Jerusalem. ( Revelation 19:11-16 ) Preterists have tried to suggest that the Second Coming has already occurred. Preaching on the reality of the Second Coming is the solemn duty of every pastor and evangelist. The fact that Jesus Christ will literally return to this Earth is essential in understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Millennium

Jesus Christ returns to Planet Earth to rule and reign from Jerusalem in Israel. The nation of Israel is the focal point in the Tribulation Period.

Revelation 20 describes a literal 1,000 year reign on earth by Jesus Christ. The repeated use of the term “thousand years” indicates a literal thousand year period and not a symbolic one. During this time Christ will rule Planet Earth from Jerusalem with King David playing a significant role.

The Basic Millennial Views

Premillennialism – The early church was premillennial. Premillennialism believes in a literal 1,000 year earthly kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ on earth. In time, the Early Church departed from a premillennial belief.

 

Amillennialism – Clement of Alexandria ( 155-220 A.D. ) taught that all scripture must be allegorized. He arrived at this conclusion because he falsely believed that Greek philosophy was of divine origin. Origen of Alexandria ( 185-224 A.D. ) promoted this idea, as did Augustine of Hippo ( 354-430 A.D. ). These men believed that a 1,000 year literal Millennium was an allegory and taught that there would be no literal rule of Jesus Christ on earth. During the Reformation the Church returned in many respects to a literal interpretation of scripture. Except in the area of Bible prophecy, where they still took an allegorical approach. As such, there would be no literal Millennium and the promises of Israel were spiritualized and passed onto the Church. As such, there would be no literal regathering of the Jews in the land of Israel and no literal thousand year reign.

 

Postmillennialism – This idea was first supported by Daniel Whitby ( A. D. 1638-1726 ) who was a Unitarian. In this belief, the Church will gradually make the world get better and usher in the Kingdom of God on earth.

The Great White Throne of Judgment

Immediately after the Millennial Kingdom the Great White Throne of Judgment occurs. No true believer in Jesus Christ will be at the Great White Throne of Judgment because their sins have been forgiven by Jesus Christ. The Great White Throne of Judgment is for non-believers.

In Revelation 21:11-14 we read these words, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fired. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

The New Heaven, The New Earth and The New Jerusalem

Revelation 21 tells us that the Old Heaven and Old Earth are passed away and are replaced by a New Heaven and a New Earth. Then a New Jerusalem comes down from heaven . The size of the city, the New Jerusalem is around 1,500 miles long, wide and high. This city will house all the saints from all ages of history.

Jesus Christ Is Coming Quickly

Revelation 22 emphasizes the fact that Jesus Christ is coming quickly. “And, behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to every man according to his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12 The end of the Bible which is the last chapter in the Book of Revelation emphasizes the reality that Jesus Christ is literally returning soon. This truth must be embraced by all true Christians everywhere.