By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #44 ~
Many significant and history-defining events will be occurring in the years leading up to the coming of Christ, and we have already talked about some of them – birth pains, the decline of the United States, the coming of the Antichrist, increasing lawlessness, etc. But it’s also important to understand God’s plans for the Jews, for His working with them coincides with His working with the Christians. Seeing what’s happening with the Jews is to alert you and give you confidence that Christ is coming back soon to rapture the church. Let me go over what is now, and what will be, taking place with regard to the Jews:
The Jews have been miraculously gathering back to their land for the past 130 years, from about 25,000 in the 1880’s to over 6.5 million at the present, proving that we are now living in the end times of this church age (Ezekiel 37:21-23). During much of this period, Arabs and Muslims have been persecuting the Jews. But it’s also true that most every nation in the world is opposed to them, seen in the United Nations’ anti-Semitic activities, and their voting record, which consistently denounces and diminishes the rights and freedoms of the Jews. And it’s only going to get much worse. Zechariah 12:1-3
The time will soon come when the Jews will be desperate for peace, leading them to sign a deal with the devil, that is, with the future Antichrist. This treaty, predicted over 2500 years ago, will be confirmed at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Even now the United States and other world powers are actively pursuing this peace treaty. That the Jews will once again have a temple in Jerusalem is also a key component of God’s end-time plans for the Jews. A likely scenario is that the building of this temple will be part of this Israeli peace package. Revelation 11:1-2
But during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week global problems will be greatly increasing, at the same time this coming Antichrist is growing in influence, making alliances, and becoming more recognized around the world. At the midpoint of this 70th week, this Antichrist, this devilish beast of a man, will suddenly break his treaty with the Jews. “The man of lawlessness is revealed… who opposes and exalts himself above every so called god… so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). To discerning Jews and Christians, it will be obvious that the person desolating the temple is the Antichrist, and that he is not a man of peace but a man of war, for right away he will begin aggressively persecuting them. Matthew 24:9, 21
Matthew 24:15-25 instructs the Jews living in Israel that they are to run for their lives. And Revelation 12:13-17 tells us that many of these Jews miraculously escape and are protected during the last 3½ years of this 70th week. This frustrated and angry Antichrist then “went off to make war with the rest of her children (Christians), who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” In addition to the escape of these Jews, there are another 144,000 who are sealed and physically kept safe. At that time or shortly thereafter, these 144,000 Jews are spiritually saved, becoming holy worshipers and faithful followers of Jesus (Revelation 14:1-5). During this same time, God raises up two Jewish witnesses, believed to be Moses and Elijah, and for 3½ years they are performing amazing miracles and proclaiming the truth about Jesus.
Sometime during this last 3½ years of Daniel’s 70th week this great persecution is cut short; and then Christ comes in the clouds for the Christians, glorifying them, and taking them home to heaven. God’s wrath is then righteously poured out on the earth, and a large number of rebellious and unrepentant Jews will be killed, two-thirds of their entire population, as Zechariah 13:8-9 seems to say. But this Jewish remnant that had escaped the Antichrist will continue to be protected up until the end of this 70th week. Then the two witnesses will be killed by this Antichrist, then raised from the dead and taken to heaven. It’s at this time that this chosen remnant of Jews will be redeemed by the Lord – “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). These newly saved Jewish believers will then remain with Christ, reigning with Him during the millennial kingdom. Revelation 11
These are God’s end-time plans for the Jews – gathered back to their land – persecution – peace treaty – temple built – revealing of the Antichrist – great persecution – great escape and protection – sealing 144,000 Jews – two Jewish witnesses – the coming of Christ – the salvation of a remnant of Jews – and they will be carried out. “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure… I have planned it, surely I will do it.’” Isaiah 46:9-11
The Jewish events listed above are divine sign posts for Christians living in the end times, giving us clear evidence and confidence that God is completing His final plans for this present age, and that Christ is returning soon to rapture the church. As we see these events unfold in the years ahead, might we be encouraged to keep loving our Lord and living for Him, and to keep persevering to the end of this age.
P.S. I’ve just published an article that contains a long list of very encouraging Bible verses: Encouraging Verses that Express the Love, Grace and Peace of God.