Apocalypse Now!!!

The World is Escalating to Apocalyptic Times

The Book of Revelation is the present textbook for understanding our future. The stage is set for Revelation chapter four to open. The throne of God in Heaven is circled over by a rainbow that declares mercy is still the Father’s heart. There will be seen four cherubim preparing to defend God’s holiness in this “out of control” world. The Seven Spirits are actually the Holy Spirit acting in the seven expressions of His omnipresent powers. Twenty-four elders complete the scene as the opening of eternal redemption and perfect judgment begins.

God’s phenomenal Book of Revelation was written precisely for our generation. When you understand that the total universe must be purified and set free from over six thousand years of pollution and every expression of sin must be adjudicated and eliminated, the task is breathtaking. The process is universal. Every angel in Heaven will be involved. All of Heaven and its holy persons, all of the earth and its occupants, and all of Satan’s masquerading spirits and lies will meet in prophetic order. Nothing, and no one, in God’s great universe will be excused. This is the fateful hour to settle the score of what happened in Heaven and in the Garden of Eden.

All the indescribable signs and wonders that began in 1948, when Israel was born a new nation, have only escalated for sixty plus years. In this period of one generation, every Biblical sign of the End Times has become visible. It is not possible to look at the Holy Bible and its picture of the total scene and not know that God’s Word is perfect. If the signs of the times mean anything, the final hour of Gentile history is closing. At the exact same time, as we watch the Gentile world withering, we watch Israel blooming. Israel still has a lot to suffer, but the evidence of faith is budding.

Israel’s fateful hour, called “Jacob’s trouble,” will conclude two thousand years of sorrows. The prophets of both testaments speak of the future moment when His chosen people will come to faith in Jesus Christ. Zachariah stated by the Spirit, “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree” (Zechariah 3:9b-10). The Apostle Paul wrote, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26-27).

The chosen people of Israel have long been considered a kind of time clock of prophecy. Watching this nation setting on military alert and actually speaking of the War of Gog and Magog as eminent cannot be explained except by the Bible. Ezekiel wrote the script for this war twenty-five centuries ago. It was positioned right before the great Millennial Temple and the return of the Messiah. The Bible is thrilling to search when one sees the nation of Jesus Christ’s very family pictured in future propriety and greatness. Their most glorious kingdom is on the horizon. But, we are beginning to see that Israel is only a small part of the picture and all that it represents.

The entire world is suddenly becoming just as prophetic as Israel. No longer do we talk about the One World Order; we watch it developing. There is not one problem our world is facing that is a single nation’s problem. North Korea has the world wondering, “What is next” with this rogue government? The Bear of China is quickly becoming a monetary giant. The slow demise of America is troubling to every nation, large or small. Russia is quickly revealing new fangs of military recovery.

Earthquakes have been a “weather barometer” throughout human history. Nothing strikes fear in mankind more than when the ground begins to shake and divide. The Bible makes this phenomenon a centerpiece of prophetic events. Jesus emphasized this as one of the key End Time signs. “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from Heaven” (Luke 21:11).

While we must allow for new technology in determining the frequency of earthquakes, it is clear that they have escalated beyond measure. The world is averaging approximately forty earthquakes over 2.5 magnitude and many smaller ones every day. The words “divers places” should be noted. Checking the reports, it is clear that earthquakes are no longer occurring just at known fault lines, but worldwide in “divers places.” The national news media seems reluctant to even speak of these kinds of developments, lest they make the Bible prophecies of even greater interest.

Let’s take one twenty-four hour period and document the earthquakes that occurred. Over the twenty-four hour period of January 23, 2011, there were forty-one (41) earthquakes that registered over 2.5 magnitude; eighteen (18) registered more than 3.5; eleven (11) registered over 4.5; and eight (8) registered over 5.0. Here are the parts of the earth where earthquakes occurred in that one day: Alaska, Puerto Rico, the South Sandwich Islands, Japan, California, the Virgin Islands, Figi, Dominican Republic, Chili, Idaho, Mexico, Indonesia, Arizona, and Nevada. The earth is trembling, spurring, and shaking like a troubled universe.

Mysterious deaths of animals have often occurred around the world, but I cannot find a report of a worldwide series of events on every continent in the proportions that we have seen in the last few weeks. These events seem to be spreading like wildfire around the world. It appears to have started in Beebe, Arkansas, where it was reported that four thousand (4,000) red-winged blackbirds fell from the sky. Seeing pictures of them scattered in mass up and down the highways looks apocalyptic regardless of one’s Biblical opinion. There were also reports from Rockwell, Texas; Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana; numerous other states; and in different countries of the world. Quickly, the death of massive numbers (even tons) of fish surfaced. The Chesapeake Bay area reported two million dead spot croakers had washed ashore. Then there was the announcement of hundreds of tons of sardines, catfish, and other species of fish in New Zealand and Brazil.

Within a few days there was the news of 8,000 doves falling dead from the skies of Italy; crows in Sweden; water birds in Houston and Minnesota; and flocks of birds near Nashville, Tennessee. If that isn’t enough, forty to forty-five thousand velvet crabs were found dead on the beaches of Kent, England, and many penguins were reported dead in New Zealand. Just days ago, it was 10,000 cows and buffaloes in Vietnam. A few days earlier, it was 200 cows in one pasture in Arkansas. The reports of similar events continue to come in from all over the globe. The Bible clearly promises this kind of strange death to the population of fowls and fish. Zephaniah wrote as he spoke the words of God, “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the Heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD” (Zephaniah 1:3). Hosea promised, “Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of Heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away” (Hosea 4:3).

Add to this the strange events touching the Heavenly bodies and affecting the atmosphere of our world. Here is a report from Project World Awareness that makes us think of the Bible warning of Luke 21:11b “and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from Heaven.”

“The angry sun – For months mounting fear has driven researchers to wring their hands over the approaching solar storms. Some have predicted devastating solar tsunamis that could wipe away our advanced technology, others voiced dire warnings that violent explosions on the surface of the sun could reach out to Earth, breach our magnetic field, and expose billions to high intensity X-rays and other deadly forms of cancer-causing radiation. Now evidence has surfaced that something potentially more dangerous is happening deep within the hidden core of our life-giving star: never-before-seen particles—or some mysterious force—is being shot out from the sun and it’s hitting Earth.” (www.projectworldawareness.com)

A publication from Natural News speaks of the possibility of poisonous gases in our third Heaven above. “The really concerning part about all this is the sudden realization that if these poisoning clouds of Hydrogen Cyanide could reach into our lower atmosphere, they could also theoretically reach ground level. That’s where humans live, of course, and if such a poisonous cloud reached down into a major city such as New York, it would cause the mass instantaneous death of potentially millions of people. Nobody is prepared to survive a sudden cloud of Hydrogen Cyanide — not even the preppers. I own stored food and some emergency gear, but even I probably wouldn’t survive a sudden Hydrogen Cyanide gas attack from outer space. Notably, Hydrogen Cyanide has been used as both a rodent killer and as a chemical precursor in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.” (www.naturalnews.com)

There is enough scientific talk about what is happening in our atmosphere or the third Heavens to fulfill the words of Christ, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:26).

I have not even mentioned the news of a developing One World Order with a universal mark to control all commerce. What is darker than a One World Economy in a One World Religion? It is quickly becoming completely unacceptable to be exclusive in your religious views. To say that Christ alone is the Savior of the world is narrow-minded and considered hate language. Two things are going to be the watch word of the religious One World System. The first is that there are many religions and many ways to Heaven and only mentally deficient people believe otherwise. Second, is a gender free concept of mankind. Same-sex marriage must be considered equal with heterosexual marriage. Any concept of adultery or fornication is considered nothing but restriction of past religious bondage. The Passport Department of our U. S. Government has just changed the wording on the question of your sex status. It is no longer husband or wife, but parent one and parent two.

The fulfillment of the Book of Revelation, and the great day of reconciling this world back to God is at hand. The fact that our world is forsaking all truth and righteousness is additional proof of how close that grand hour is upon us. Every saint needs a backbone set in the Holy Scripture. It does not matter how big the name or how great the reputation. If a person forsakes the Word of God, they are in trouble. Our duty is to live in the Scripture. If you are not full of the Holy Spirit, you need to find an altar and pray until the witness of God floods your heart. Only the Word and the Spirit can keep your soul in this Antichrist world. Be a prayer warrior and walk in truth.

Joseph Chambers

One Taken, One Left...By Roger Pritchett

One Taken, One Left

By Roger Pritchett

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This is not a message to tickle the ear or to lull you to sleep. This message contains powerful passages from God’s Holy Word the Bible. This writing shows many scriptures of Jesus very words that he spoke emphasized in red. I don’t think it could be any plainer or emphasized with more importance what Jesus is telling us. Are these words spoken by Jesus himself telling us that as many who make the rapture there will be as many who miss the rapture?

Luke 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luke 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Matthew 24:40 Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:

Matthew 24:41 two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The words of Christ below is saying that few be that find it. Why does God’s creation of men and women choose the large gate and broad way with much company? When we live out of flesh unconfined, and uncontrolled with the multitude to do evil we are vacant of the Spirit of God. Are the words of Jesus saying that many would go astray by not taking the narrow way leading to the strait gate? The word few is the key word here.

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Are there going to be those that will miss the rapture that are deceived by thinking they are saved, but have no relationship with Christ? I heard a wonderful message some time back in a Southern Baptist Church using a bad relationship example with a spouse. He said what kind of relationship would there be with a spouse if they only saw each other and talked briefly for an hour or so on Sunday? What if they only saw each other a couple times a year or less? What if they did as they please all week and just stopped by for a quick visit once a week or once in a while? What if they done things over and over to hurt the other and sometimes took great joy in inflicting this pain. Would an unapologetic half hearted sorry be enough to sustain this relationship? Would the apology be accepted if they knew the cycle of betrayal would begin hours later? Will pride stand in the way in the hearts of man to admit there is perpetual sin in their life and only Jesus can take it away? What about those that think works will get them into heaven? Are there going to be those that will miss the rapture that are deceived by thinking they can do works for Christ to make up for their un repented sins and completely nonexistent relationship with Christ?

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Beware of and do not attend churches that have false worship, false Christians, and false teachings of God. Beware that there are many who profess to know God and this includes pastors. Many have an outward ministry and externally receive the gospel and profess Jesus. Many are lost and have no desire to deny sin and have no love for a holiness of LIFE. Many profess in words and works that they know the Lord, but they deny the power of the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and reside in their souls. They are born again by words only and not by the power of the Spirit of God. There is no true repentance and desire to hate sin. They hold on to the things of the world that has become idols in their LIFE and are separated from God. The very words that Christ spoke from the Bible in red below are telling us to be on the lookout for false prophets.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Beware of professing believers and preachers that are hanging onto the world with one hand and are holding onto God with the other hand. Beware of churches that have emotional gatherings that have a form of Godliness, but deny the power of a genuine move of the Holy Spirit. Churches and ministers that are accepting of sin and strive to look like the world to attract the masses are false before almighty God. The parable of the tares among the wheat talks about good seed growing along bad seed. Christ talked about this and said to not root up the tares because it will root up the wheat also. The very words that Christ spoke from the Bible in red below tells us to wait till harvest and then the tares will be destroyed by fire and the wheat would be gathered.

Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

Matthew 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

Matthew 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Matthew 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Scripture warns of false prophets only out for self and material gain. What have we seen over the past decades? These are men with corrupt minds with corrupt principles that corrupt the word of God. These false prophets deny the truth and do not have the Spirit of God. These are false teachers that serve themselves with worldly profit and gain. They teach that all prosperity is consistent with religion and that anything less is inconsistent with religion. They teach that an increase of property is of course true religion.

1Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The word of God also warns against outright lies and heresies that false prophets would teach. Theses false prophets will attract the masses and with great deceptions will lead many to destruction in the fires of hell.

2Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2Peter 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

When sin is not being preached about and warnings to the saints a lukewarm church will be the result. They have a form of Godliness, but deny the power of the Holy Spirit. The words of Christ’s say that in the last days that many would be lukewarm and would be rejected by God. They are rich and in need of nothing. Scripture could not be any plainer with Christ’s very words telling us that he will reject these that have grown lukewarm.

Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

When we stand before God on that final judgment day there will be no divisions of people. There will not be sections with religious denominations, people groups, and any other divisions of people. If you were deceived by wrong teachings there will be no excuses of what you were taught by preachers and teachers or denominational teachings or what you thought the Bible said. Read the Bible yourself and know what it says.

1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1John 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The false church and false Christian have turned away from the truth of God’s word and sound teaching. They will see the error of their way after the Rapture in the seven year tribulation, but it will be too late. If they survive long enough they will be forced to worship the antichrist and take his mark or face death by beheading. The only hope they will have during the tribulation is to truly accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and never take the mark of the antichrist even if it means death.

Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Repent and ask forgiveness of your sins, have faith in Christ and him alone, serve God with all your heart and soul, live the most righteous and holy LIFE you can before God, and worship God in Spirit and truth before it is too late.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

You can escape the coming judgments of God before it is too late. You can have eternal LIFE with Jesus Christ. Don’t be left behind after the Rapture in a world vacant of Christians that have the Holy Spirit of the living God in their hearts, minds, and souls. Make no mistake in knowing that it is the restraining power of the Holy Spirit of God that keeps evil from completely reining over the entire world now. After the rapture God’s hand of judgment will begin on a world that has rejected him. The tribulation will be hell on earth following the Rapture, but the tribulation is only a warm up before the real fires of hell awaiting those that Christ does not know on judgment day. Have eternal LIFE and repent of all sin you have committed and ask Jesus to forgive you of all your sins and be saved. The blood of Christ will remove all sin from your heart and soul and eternal LIFE in Jesus is yours. Have faith and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and not on the things of this world, government, and man. Make sure your name is in the book of Life by having the blood of Christ covering your sins.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Super Signs of The End Times Part Four

It All Began With Abraham (Israel: The Super Sign of the End-Times, Part 4)

By Todd Baker

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The regathering and restoration of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland of Israel is one of the most prominent and recurring prophecies in Holy Scripture. As previously mentioned in past articles in this series, the Bible mentions two periods in which the Jewish people would be scattered from the land of Israel due to their disobedience to God. The first dispersion initially began with the Northern Kingdom of Israel being taken into exile and captivity by the Assyrian invaders around 721 B.C. and was completed when the Southern Kingdom was conquered and deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. The Jews from the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom were allowed to return to the land seventy years under the joint and capable leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. The Jews remained in the land for over four hundred years under Gentile supervision and control. The second dispersion of the Jews from the land, that was predicted by Jesus thirty years before it happened, occurred by the Romans in 70 A.D.

It is important to determine and distinguish which of the two dispersions is meant when looking at the prophecies that deal with the scattering and regathering of the Jewish people because the prophecies about the second dispersion and regathering are frequently made as an antecedent and conspicuous sign indicating the soon return of the Messiah to save the Jewish people (e.g., Deuteronomy. 30:1-3; Isaiah 11, 49, 51, 59-66; Jeremiah 3, 16, 23, 30-33, Ezekiel 11, 20, 34, 36-39; Hosea 2, 6, 11, 14, Joel 3; Amos 9; Obadiah 1 and so forth). Whenever these restoration/regathering prophecies to the land are found in Scripture they are prefaced or include the word “again” to thus denote a second time and must refer to the regathering after the second dispersion from Israel in A.D. 70. With both dispersions, the Jewish people never forgot their God-given homeland of Israel or its capital Jerusalem. The Psalms and the Prophets are filled with the Jewish longing and ardent desire to return to the land and worship the Lord in Jerusalem by those Jews who were scattered and removed from the land God gave to them forever (Genesis 17:7-8). This longing of several millennia is what the Jewish people simply call Zionism. Zionism has its roots squarely in the Jewish Bible and has been the unifying force for uniting Jews together as a people and a nation to return to the land of Israel and permanently remain there never to be removed or dispersed again. Zionism derives from the word Zion—another name for Jerusalem and by extension the land of Israel that has Biblical, national, religious political, and Messianic overtones and implications. Wendell Stearns in his excellent Biblical survey of Zionism provides a good comprehensive overview on the central place Zionism holds in the life of the Jewish people when he writes:

Zionism, formerly a desire realized in a movement first to establish, now to support the State of Israel, is a national, religious, and spiritual concept that goes back for millennia. It is debated as a concrete, geo-political concept and was struggled over, up to and since the physical restoration of the State. It has become the unifying concept of world Jewry, as much in the woes as in the wonders of Israel’s regained nationhood…For many, Zionism has become so completely identified as a national and political movement that secular Zionists resent the claims Judaism and Christianity have made upon it…Nevertheless to identify Zion and Zionism only as a recent phenomenon or to reckon it solely as a Jewish expression of mankind’s aspiration for ethnic and governmental sovereignty is a mistake. We err if we overlook the historical and spiritual foundations and core that make it such a pivotal force in today’s world” (Biblical Zionism, pp. xi-xii).

In the latter part of the nineteenth century Zionism enjoyed a strong reemergence and took on a more secular and geo-political outlook for the return of the Jewish people back to the land of Israel with the chief pioneer of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl. Yet despite the lack of biblical of emphasis that is at the core of modern secular Zionism, God moved on Herzl to become one of the major influences to see the Jewish people return to the land. In several articles to come in this series, we will examine and explore how Zionism was the impetus God used for the rebirth of the nation of Israel in 1948 and was thus the greatest single fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the last two thousand years since the time of Christ. Zionism no doubt enjoyed a popular resurgence in the latter half of the nineteenth century due directly to the increasing hatred and hostility explicitly shown toward the Jews throughout Europe. That hatred and hostility has always been an inherent part of European culture dating back to the days of the Roman Empire. The greatest concentration of anti-Semitic hostilities against the Chosen People was in Eastern Europe and Russia. In fact, hatred for the Jews was so bad in Russia that the Czar in 1903 commissioned his secret police to forge a document entitled, The Protocols of the (Learned) Elders of Zion.

This forgery allegedly was supposed to be the blueprint and planned conspiracy for Jewish world domination drawn up by a group of influential Jews as codified in the twenty-four protocols. The Czar was to use this fabrication to justify a bloody pogrom carried out throughout Russia and the Ukraine from 1903 to 1906.

Such a tidal wave of anti-Semitism that had and would engulf Europe in the 19^th and the 20^th centuries created a strong and unquenchable desire among many European Jews to return to their ancient homeland of Israel. This prompted an early leader and pioneer of Zionism, Russian Doctor, Leon Pinsker, to write a seminal work of Modern-day Zionism entitled Auto-Emancipation in 1882. In it, Pinsker basically proposed that the only solution to protect the Jewish people from ongoing anti-Semitism was for them to have a national homeland of their own. Initially, he thought this Jewish State could be established anywhere in the world, but eventually came to the firm conviction that such a homeland could only be planted where ancient Israel had originally been located.

A decade after this, Zionism’s political ideas and concepts for a Jewish homeland was formally defined by its leading proponent, Theodor Herzl, in his foundational work, The Jewish State. This book formed the constitutional basis for the First Zionist Congress convened on August 27, 1897, at Basle Switzerland; 204 delegates from 17 countries attended the Congress. Herzl worked tirelessly to gain support and backing for a Jewish State constantly traveling throughout Europe meeting with the monarchs, statesmen, and politicians to obtain legal acceptance for a Jewish homeland. At the Fifth Zionist Congress held in August 1903 (Herzl’s last before his death in 1904), Herzl tentatively accepted the British proposal to establish a Jewish State in the country of Uganda located in East Africa. After much debate and deliberation among the delegates of the Fifth Congress, the Uganda proposal was rejected. The delegates came to the firm and uncompromising conclusion that a Jewish State could only be established in the land of their ancestors—the land of Israel. This unshakable resolve would only grow, intensify, and be carried to eventual fruition some forty-five years later with the birth of the modern nation of Israel.

Theodor Herzl’s vision was really the greater vision of God to restore His people, Israel, to the land He gave to Abraham, their founding father, and his Jewish descendants after him for an eternal possession in fulfillment of those End-time prophecies that the Jews would be regathered back to Israel as a sign and pre-condition for the return of the Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth. Satan knows of these prophecies and, within a generation of these pioneers of Zionism, was allowed by the providence of God to try to subvert and prevent the Jewish people from returning to their ancient God-given homeland. But the die had already been cast. In the modern day movement of Zionism, God was beginning to focus His attention again on the “everlasting nation” so that many of the promises of their latter day restoration to the land in preparation for the Messiah’s return would be realized as supernaturally foretold in the Word of God. The prophecy of Isaiah 41:8-10 stands fulfilled in this distinct regard: “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest regions, and said to you: ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’”

Re-Posted: Written By: Todd Baker

Super Signs of The End Times Part Three

It All Began With Abraham (Israel: The Super Sign of the End-Times, Part 3)

By Todd Baker

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The scattering of the Jewish people from the land of Israel throughout the nations of the world was a result of their disobedience to God’s law and their rejection of the Messiah. The first dispersion as mentioned in a prior article was the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity (721 and 586 B.C., respectively). The reason for this as unanimously witnessed by both the pre-exilic and exilic prophets was Israel’s gross idolatry and apostasy from the Lord (Jeremiah 7, 9; Isaiah 1-6; Ezekiel 8-11, et al.). The second dispersion occurred for Israel rejection and mistreatment of the Messiah who came to redeem them and offer the Messianic kingdom (Luke 19:41-44). But in the beginning of their national history God foretold all these things would happen as a warning to the nation through Moses right before the people of Israel were to enter the Promised Land. In Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28-32 Israel’s covenantal obligations as the Chosen Nation of God are spelled out by the Lord. The blessings that would accrue to their obedience are given and conversely the curses that would fall on them if they chose to walk contrary to the Lord and not obey him were clearly spelled out to the nation. A cursory reading of these pivotal chapters at once reveals a precise and accurate prophetic portrait of the history of the Jewish people that has been fulfilled to the letter for the last 3,500 years! “I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you” (Leviticus 26:33-39; Deuteronomy 28:64-67). This scattering of Israel to all the Gentile nations of the world would serve as a sign for all to see God’s reproach and displeasure for their disobedience to Him. “And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever” (Deut. 28:46).

Lest the reader think this too harsh the Kiddush (the standard daily prayer book used by religious Jews in synagogues all over the world) offers the following penitential prayer: “Cause us to return with perfect repentance to Thy presence. Pardon and forgive all our iniquities. Blot out and remove our transgressions and sins from Thy sight. Nullify the evil of the sentence decreed against us.” Now in our day with the recent partial restoration and regathering of the Jewish people back to Israel God is in the process of answering this very prayer. Throughout the long Diaspora God promised that He would preserve the Jewish people as a distinct people among the Gentile nations so that by and large they would not be assimilated or be expunged by them. “For I am with you says the Lord, to save you. Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, and will not let you go altogether unpunished. Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries” (Jeremiah 30:11; Ezekiel 6:8). The Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Romans all invaded Israel and conquered the Jews and subsequently led them captive away from the land to be scattered throughout the nations. After the dispersion of 70 A.D. the Jewish people were to live without a homeland for almost 2,000 years. All throughout that time they only survived in small numbers in isolated scattered communities. Their numbers greatly dwindled when they were hunted down and killed by the scores during the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Russian Pogroms, and the greatest of all numbers killed in the horrific Holocaust. This is precisely why most Jewish people do not accept Jesus as the Messiah because those very people who claimed to follow Him instigated and carried out these violent campaigns and atrocities against the Chosen People. Sadly the tragic prophecy of Jesus in John 16:2 has been fulfilled in one way through the form of ‘Christian’ anti-Semitism when He foretold to His Jewish disciples: “The time is coming that whoever kills you will think he offers God’s service.” The enemies of the Jews slanderously did so in the name of Jesus Christ—a sin the Christian Church has all been too guilty of throughout the centuries. On this point Messianic Jewish author Barry Rubin explains what the Gentile name “Jesus Christ” means to the average Jew. “To a Jewish person, Christ conducted the Crusades, invoked the Inquisition, and prompted persecution of Jews over the last twenty centuries. To a Jewish person, Christ is the first part of the term used by those who accuse Jews of deicide: “Christ-killers” (“You Bring the Bagels, I’ll Bring the Gospel,” p. 94). This brings us to our next point that we will take up in the next issue: Universal Anti-Semitism as one of the signs of the End-Times and for the return of Jesus the Messiah.

Thus far, we have looked at prophecies dealing with Israel's history up to the nation's worldwide dispersion in unbelief. The whole history of the Jewish people was foretold beforehand to them through Moses, the prophets, and the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth. While in that dispersed state, the Jewish people would be without land, kingly ruler, free from the idolatry of the past, and wandering from place to place throughout the nations of the world. This last condition aforementioned was popularized in Europe by the pejorative term "the wandering Jew" in the thirteenth century. The ugly and brutal fact of Anti-Semitism is a darker side of Jewish history, and along with the doctrine of hell is one of the most somber and grave subjects of Bible prophecy. Nevertheless, the God of Israel did indeed predict from the outset of their national history that the Jewish people would be hated, harmed, and persecuted by the Gentile nations of the world during the long period of the Diaspora. Deuteronomy 28:15-68 outlines this terrible time. A simple comparison between this passage of Scripture and the history of the Jewish people for the last two thousand years will unquestionably verify these prophecies have been fulfilled as exactly foretold and that the Bible is indeed inspired by the Omniscient God who foretells history before it comes to pass. What we have described and predicted in the above passage in Deuteronomy and other related passages found throughout Scripture is the prediction of the rise of anti-Semitism. The term anti-Semitism was coined by Wilhelm Marr in 1878 who himself was a virulent anti-Semite. Anti-Semitism simply defined is the racial and religious hatred of the Jewish people. The ugly phenomenon of Anti-Semitism began the moment God chose Abraham to father a new people through which the redeemer of the world would come and was the response of Satan himself to destroy the means by which in the "seed of the woman" he would meet his final end and defeat (Genesis 3:15).

The devil's simple strategy was thus: "Destroy the Jewish people and there will be no Savior to defeat me." After the first advent, his strategy is still in place as he has sought throughout the centuries following Christ to do the same so that this same Messiah will not come back to a restored Israel and fulfill those promises made to Israel that still await fulfillment at the Second Advent. Furthermore, God made a promise and oath in Jeremiah 31:35-37 that the Jewish people would continue as a nation in perpetuity - that is, forever. Satan's strategy for creating the inimical reality of anti-Semitism is nothing less than the complete annihilation and obliteration of the Jewish people so that this divine eternal promise of their permanent existence as the distinct chosen nation are nullified and God's integrity and Word are proven unreliable, false, and wrong. Indeed, when Yahweh chose Israel as the human channel for the Savior to come into the world and redeem humanity from sin and death, Satan targeted and chose them also for destruction knowing that they would be God's instrumental means by which he was to suffer ultimate defeat.

Revelation 12 uses symbolic images of a woman clothed with the son (Israel) and the fiery red dragon (Satan) to prophetically narrate the conflict between Satan has with Israel and how it will come to a head in the future seven-year tribulation period. Scripture explains that the ultimate cause and origin for anti-Semitism is supernatural and found in the perfidious design and person of Satan. Men like Haman, Hitler, and Pharaoh are human pawns to carry out "the final solution" against the Jewish people. But in the end, all people who attempt to harm and destroy the Chosen People, God will curse and overthrow with damnation in the end according to the solemn and eternal oath He swore to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, in Genesis 12:3; "I will curse those who curse you."

In spite of all the terrible atrocities the Jewish people have suffered for the last 2,000 years, the God of Israel has kept them distinct and preserved as a separate people (for a chronological listing of Anti-Semitism attitudes and practices from 70 A.D. to 1970, see the book The Causes and Effects of Anti-Semitism by Paul E. Grosser and Edwin G. Halperin). One with a discerning mind can even see the subtle side of anti-Semitism by the condescending and accusatory manner in which Modern Israel is constantly spoken of by the news media (which in itself is a considerable subject to document and rightly comment upon; but presently, our study will stay within the perimeters of the Scripture and those Bible prophecies dealing with the Jewish people).

God foretold that during the long period of dispersion, the Jewish people would have no rest from the Gentile nations. They would be maligned, persecuted, and killed in large numbers wherever they sojourned due to the pervasive and perennial presence of anti-Semitism (see the prophecy of Leviticus 26:36-39). But in spite of this, the Lord has triumphantly preserved them and brought them back to their ancient homeland against all adverse odds. History has indisputably confirmed the aforementioned prophecy given some 3,400 years ago true and fulfilled in the history of the Jewish people, so much so that the summative observation from Paul Grosser and Edwin Halperin definitely applies here and underscores what God foretold would be their condition in the Diaspora:

"No people in history has been hated, maligned and persecuted so continuously and systematically as the Jews. In light of the history of anti-Semitism, the continued survival of the Jews and Judaism is a major historical triumph.... The continuity and persistence of anti-Semitism over the past nineteen centuries indicated that it is an integral part of Western culture. It has existed in slave, feudal, capitalist and socialist economic systems. It has existed in monarchies, aristocracies, theocracies, democracies, dictatorships, police states, and authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. It has existed in religious, secular, and atheistic societies. It has existed in rural and urban populations, in small towns and suburbs. It has existed even in places where there were no Jews. No matter what the Jews did, there has been no sure escape (The Causes and Effects of Anti-Semitism, pp. 339, 353)."

The Lord Jesus predicted that one of the signs indicating the end of this inter-advent age (i.e., the present time between the first and Second Advent of Jesus Christ) would be the universal hatred of the Jewish people by the Gentile nations on account of Him. "You shall be hated of all nations for My name's sake" (Matthew 24:9). World-wide anti-Semitism is thus a sign for Israel and the world that we are living near the period of the Messiah's return as foretold by Jesus almost 2,000 years ago in Matthew 24.

Re-Posted: Written By: Todd Baker