Category: Prophecy (Page 1 of 4)

Blog posts about prophecy.

The Eschatological Word of God Is the WORD OF GOD!!!

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #354 ~

Why should we want to know what God says about the last days, the end times, our future? Why study God’s eschatological, prophetic word? Because it’s the word of God – and it’s true, supreme, powerful, personal, and relevant! Today, I am looking at these and other truths about God’s word, and they give us good reasons, strong reasons to study eschatology and share it with others. “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable… I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.” Acts 20:20, 27

* God’s eschatological word is true, it’s not error, falsehoods, or half-truths. “Your law is truth” (Ps. 119:143). God’s prophetic word is true and fully trustworthy. There are many who doubt it, twist it, allegorize it, or lie about it, saying this portion of Scripture means something other than what it says, or that it has already occurred. But it must be taken in its normal, natural sense, at face value. In Matt. 24, a key prophetic passage, Jesus warns us about false teachers and prophets, those who are not telling the truth (Matt. 24:4, 11, 24). In another end-times’ passage, Paul firmly states, “Let no one in any way deceive you.” 2 Th. 2:3

* God’s eschatological word is altogether true. “The sum of Thy word is truth” (Ps 119:160). The overall meaning of God’s prophetic word is not contradictory, does not change, is consistent, remains the same, and is the truth. And similar to fitting together the pieces of a puzzle to give the whole picture, so too with prophecy. Verses about God’s eschatological word need to be looked at in conjunction with other verses. They should not be examined apart from other verses, in isolation, but must be connected to get the entire eschatological truth, which enables us to know God’s plans for His people. An example is Matt. 24, which can only be fully understood by also looking at passages like Dan. 9:27; Lk. 21; 2 Th. 2:1-8; Rev. 6, 12.

* God’s eschatological word is supreme. Like the rest of God’s word, it too is supreme, it too is inerrant, powerful, and necessary, for it tells you the truth about God and the end-times, and how to live for Him during what will be one of the most difficult times in the history of our world. “You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word” (Ps 138:2). That God’s prophetic word is supreme also means its authoritative, that it has authority, that God has the right and the power to bring it about. What God says He plans to do will happen, and no person or devil can thwart Him, can stop Him from carrying it 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.’” Is. 46:9-11, Ps. 33:9-12

* God’s eschatological word is powerful. “Is not My word like fire and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” (Jer. 23:29). Since God is powerful, His word is powerful, and thus He can do all that He says He will do, whether it’s in a person’s life, church, leader, country, or the world. In the future, when His prophetic word is being fulfilled, we will see an amazing and awesome display of His power. In Is. 55, a prophecy passage, God states, “So will be my word which goes forth from My mouth, it will not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire” (vs. 11).“The voice of the Lord is powerful.” Ps. 29:4

* God’s eschatological word is instructive. God gives many verses that explain how He wants us to live for Him in these last years leading up to the rapture of the church. We learn that we are to be evangelizing (Matt. 24:14), alert (Matt. 24:42), faithful (Matt. 24:45), discipling (Matt. 28:19-20), having faith (Lk. 18:8), holy (Rom. 13:11-14), standing firm (Eph. 6:13), serving (1 Th. 1:9), waiting for Jesus (1 Th. 1:10), sober (1 Th. 5:6), loving (1 Th. 5:6), having hope (1 Pet. 1:13), unafraid (Rev. 2:10), overcoming (Rev. 12:11), persevering (13:10), and wise (Rev. 13:18). Yes, these verses are always applicable in our lives, but especially so in the context of the end-times and Christ’s return to rapture the church.  

* God’s eschatological word is life-changing. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). All Scripture, including God’s eschatological word is life-changing, is transforming. Not learning the truth about the end-times and Christ’s coming will diminish your wisdom, holiness, hope, growth, and fruitfulness. It’s imperative to know what God tells you about the future so you can live in just the way that He wants. “… be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Rom. 12:1-2

* God’s eschatological word is sanctifying. A foundational chapter in the book of Revelation, that last great prophetic book, is Rev. 4. “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (vs. 8). Knowing that Jesus Christ, the Holy One, is coming soon, and that one of His primary purposes is to bring justice to this world should truly motivate you to be holy, pure, and obedient. “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 Jn. 3:3, Jn. 17:17, Rom. 13:11-14, 1 Pet. 1:13-16

* God’s eschatological word gives joy, peace, and hope. “Do not let your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may also be” (Jn. 14:1-3).“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose… to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Rom. 8:28-29). These eschatological passages are helpful now, but I believe even more so in the near future when times are extremely tough. Here are several more: Ps. 23:6; Rom. 8:18-25, 15:13; 1 Cor. 1:8-9; 1 Th. 4:13-18; Jude 24-25; Rev. 22:12

* God’s eschatological word is personal. “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall observe it to the end” (Ps. 119:33). God loves you more than you know and, as your Father, He wants to teach you, lead you, and comfort you. Through the Holy Spirit, you are to apply God’s word to your life. “He (Spirit)will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come” (Jn. 16:13). As we see the day of Christ drawing near, when it’s obvious that His coming is at hand, then you will be seeing or hearing of birth pains, false teachers, persecution, and martyrdom, and God’s truths, commands, and promises, including His prophetic word, will have special meaning to you. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says… To him who overcomes… I will give a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.” Rev. 2:7

* God’s eschatological word is sufficient. “Behold, I have told you everything in advance” (Mk. 13:23). God did not tell you everything He will do in the future, but everything He wants you to know – and therefore, you should want to know it. Without question, a good understanding of God’s eschatological truth gives you the wisdom you need so you can be His faithful servant in the final years leading up to Christ’s coming.“The unfolding of Your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130). God told you about the future in advance because He wants you to know His plans, not at the last minute, and not before it’s too late, but at this time, in the calm before the storm.

* God’s eschatological word is His will, what He purposed and planned to happen in the end-times, at Christ’s coming, and in the kingdom ages. Not all of God’s prophetic will is in His Word, but what is revealed in His Word is what God wants you to know and understand. Here are several verses that speak forth His will: Matt. 24:3-51; Mk. 13:3-23; Lk. 21:3-36; Rom. 8:18-25; 1 Cor. 15:20-28, 35-57; Phil. 2:9-11, 3:21; 1 Th. 4:13-5:10; 2 Th. 1:5-10, 2:1-12; 1 Pet. 1:13-16; Rev. 4-22. “He made know to us the mystery of His will according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth” (Eph. 1:9-11). “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:17

God’s eschatological word is a blessing. “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Rev. 1:1-3). These verses, in the introduction to the book of Revelation, should motivate you to study God’s prophetic word and apply it to your life. God wants to bless you, to do you good, to grant you favor, to give you grace, to encourage you, to make you spiritually happy. And one way this happens is by reading, learning, and heeding God’s prophetic word.“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who heeds the word of the prophecy of this book.” Rev. 22:7, Lk. 11:28

* God’s word, including His eschatological word, is relevant. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). God’s word is vital for your life, is what you need today and all the days leading up to when you go to be with Jesus. His word helps you spiritually, mentally, relationally, and emotionally. It gives meaning to what’s going on in your life, your family, the church, and in the world around you. Without it, there’s confusion, fears, worries, worldliness, and questions with no answers. Without it, you will fall into error, be affected by lies, and be led astray. More than that, when the times are really troubling, know that God’s word is the truth and a means to the power you need to live for Him. In the middle of Matt. 24, what I believe is the most important prophecy passage, Jesus states, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). God wants you to be convinced that His word, including His eschatological word, is relevant, is necessary, must be read, learned, and followed in these end-times, in the last years of this age.

* God’s eschatological word is eternal. “The word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:25).  Since God is eternal, since He has always existed, then His word is eternal, is everlasting, and His truth, His will, and His purpose endure, continue through all generations, through all the ages – and this includes the truths describing Christ’s coming, the day of the Lord, the Jewish people, and the kingdom ages. When we say eternal, it means God’s eternal work with regards to the eternally lost, those who spend eternity in hell, and to the eternally saved, those who receive eternal life, who at the end of this age will be fully saved, will receive immortal bodies and be eternally worshiping and serving God. And here we are, at the very end of this church age and, more than ever before, we should be looking forward to being with Jesus, our eternal Savior, Lord, and King, and learn all we can from God’s eternal word about the eternal future He has planned out for each one of us. “Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.” Ps. 145:2, Jude 24-25

God’s eschatological, prophetic word is essential for your growth, security, hope, fruitfulness, and for God’s glory in the end-times. Now that we are in the final years of this age, it’s all the more imperative that we study it and teach it to others. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:1-2). “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim. 4:7 

P.S. I couldn’t write this blog site if I didn’t believe it was founded, if it was based on the truth of God’s eschatological word. I am so thankful that we have God’s word, that in a sinfully crazy world, we know what is true and false, what is right and wrong. Here is an important example of God’s eschatological truth –“Over 100 New Testament Verses on Christ’s Second Coming.”

Why It’s Important to Preach on Prophecy

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #336 ~

We live in a world where true churches teach the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and rose again from the dead, and all who repent of their sins and believe that He died and rose again for them receive eternal life, are forgiven, are God’s children – and this is most important. But some of these churches don’t adequately and accurately teach about the end-times, Christ’s 2nd coming, and the kingdom ages. A pastor’s message is often lacking for it does not match the width and depth of God’s prophetic word, and therefore, is imbalanced, is not strong in hope. (2 Tim. 4:1-2). Not only that, errors are often taught or are allowed to be taught.

It’s not good, it’s not right for Christians to inadequately know or be mistaken about the incredible future God has in store for them. So why is there a lack of solid teaching on this essential subject? Why are believers uninformed? Why is there naivety, confusion, and a lack of interest? It’s the devil, the flesh, pride, unbelief, worldliness, and laziness, not diligently studying these significant portions of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17, 4:1-2). Christians, especially the pastors, ought to be excited and hungry to know the truth about Christ’s return to rapture the church, judge the sinners, and reign over this world.

Today I want to share some specific reasons why it’s necessary to teach these prophetic truths.
* Christ taught extensively on prophecy, and if He taught it, then we must teach what He taught, just what He taught, and what He commands us to teach. “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name… you will be hearing of wars… just as the light comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:4-27, 28:19-20

* Prophecy consists of major doctrines and these must be taught. Being with Jesus Christ and being glorified are major doctrines. The millennial kingdom, reigning with Christ, and the future of the Jews are major doctrines. Eternal life, having a personal relationship with Christ for an infinite number of years, is also a major doctrine. “… we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:17b, Heb. 12:22-24

* Thousands of prophecy verses in God’s word demand that it be taught. The sheer volume of unfulfilled prophecy found in Genesis, the law of Moses, the Psalms, the major and minor Prophets, the four gospels, Romans, 1-2 Thessalonians, 1-2 Peter, Revelation, and other books, makes it crystal clear that it’s a major, major subject in God’s word, and must be taught, is waiting to be taught, and needs to be understood and believed by the church. Luke 24:44

* Only by understanding prophecy can you see the big picture, can you have an eternal perspective, can you know the beginning from the end, can you see that the past and the present is leading to a God-glorious future. “I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end form 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.’” Isaiah 46:9b-10

* Prophecy needs to be taught because we live in the end-times. More than ever before, now is the time to teach on prophecy. God wants us to be knowledgeable, grown-up Christians at this time in history and have a clear understanding about what will be taking place in these last years leading up to Christ’s coming and the kingdom ages to follow. “These words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (Dan. 12:9), and now in these end-times they are unsealed. “Take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.” Mark 13:23; Eph. 1:20-21, 2:7

* Prophecy must be taught because the Old Testament talks extensively and primarily about the Jewish people and God’s eternal plans for them. And His purposes and promises for the Jews, His chosen people, have not and, I repeat, have not been changed or canceled. In these end-times and in the coming ages, God will surely carry out His plans for them with regards to their land, their King, and their salvation (Ezek. 37:21-23). “The Lord will be the King over all the earth.” Zech. 14:9

* Knowing prophetic truth about the Jews is necessary to knowing prophetic truth about the church. We now know that many Old Testament prophecies about the Jews include God’s plans for Christians, specifically those referring to the kingdom ages. Ps. 37:11, speaking of Jews, says, “the humble will inherit the earth”, and Matt. 5:5, speaking of Christians, states, “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.” These verses about Jews and Christians are related, and they refer to the earth during the millennial kingdom, a time when believers will “reign upon the earth.” Rev. 5:10

* Prophecy warns you about the calamitous last years of this church age, about lawlessness, birth pains, the Antichrist, great persecution, the most difficult time on earth for Christians – and God wants you to hear and heed His warnings so that you are not surprised or confused when there’s danger and great tribulation. You must be awake and alert, and understand what God wants you to know and do. “Let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” 1 Thess. 5:6

* Prophecy makes it clear that the Christian life is not boring, directionless, or meaningless. Prophecy helps you see where you are and where you are going in these end-times, and that you are always moving ahead and going in the path God planned for you. Knowing that your life is being directed by God and is making progress is invigorating and motivating for it helps you see that you are an integral part of His divine purpose on earth. Every day is a new day, an exciting day, one day closer to completing God’s plans, one day closer to home. “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus… I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Prophecy needs to be understood so you can teach, warn, and encourage others, whether that’s your wife, children, grand-children, friends, those in the church, or those out in the street. “He… appointed a law in Israel which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children.” Ps. 78:5

* Prophecy must be taught because it tells you about the completion of your salvation. The gospel speaks of Christ’s death and resurrection which is the basis, the foundation of your salvation. And salvation is explained in 3 parts: justification (past – freed from the penalty of sin), sanctification (present – being freed from the power of sin), and glorification (future – freed from the presence of sin). A Christian’s salvation is continuing in the present and will be completed in the future, not at his death, but at Christ’s coming. Matt. 24:27, 31; 1 John 3:2-3

You can’t separate what God did in the past from what He will do in the future. God began His work in you and will finish His work in you. “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). God justified you and will glorify you. “These whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:30). God spiritually united you with Christ and will physically unite you with Christ. The gospel is foundational to the completion of your salvation, to being physically resurrected, to receiving a new body, one that is powerful, immortal, spiritual, and glorious. 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 1 Thess. 4:15-17

* The book of Revelation, 22 chapters long, the last book in God’s word, focuses on prophecy, and must be understood. It’s not optional. You don’t skip the last chapter when you read a book, so why would you skip the final book in the Bible? Revelation is a needed book, one that ties everything together, that bridges the end of this church age to the coming kingdom age – and it must be clearly and rightly taught in conjunction with all of prophecy. It communicates God’s plans for believers, unbelievers, and the whole world, and you need to know it, believe it, and teach it. And by God’s illuminating Spirit, you can know what it says – it makes sense, it’s not too hard to understand. “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place… Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it for the time is near.” Rev. 1:1, 3, John 14:26

It’s sad that many Christians know little about God’s plans for their future and therefore, aren’t looking forward to being with Jesus. In these end-times, let’s pray that God gives more and more Christians the desire to study this critically important subject. Let’s ask God to revolutionize the thinking and understanding of churches with regards to their hope, Christ’s coming, and the glorious years we will have with Him in heaven and on earth. “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:9-10

P.S. I am encouraging all Christians, especially the leaders, to be teaching on prophecy. Now is the time to move full speed ahead in telling the church about the glorious future God has for us, most importantly being with Jesus our Lord. Here are two good posts that relate to this: “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times”, and “For Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers.”

Prophecy Tells Us God’s Plans for the Future

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #334 ~

Most believers don’t know, understand, or are in error with regards to prophecy, and that’s sad. The flesh is lazy and worldly, and the devil lies and deceives, wanting people to think prophecy isn’t true or important. But we must believe and be excited about prophetic truth, and it’s for our good and God’s glory. (I am talking about prophecy as it relates to what God says in His word about the future of this world and His people.) So let’s talk about the importance of prophecy.

* Prophecy is God’s word, not man’s, and every word of God is wholly and eternally true. God gave His word to His people, and we are to know and teach it, and that means every word, verse, subject, and passage, including prophecy. 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 2:19-21
* The sum of God’s word is truth. If we leave out part of God’s word, like prophecy, then we miss out on what God wants us to know. If we don’t believe and teach all His word, we won’t learn all His truth and will succumb to false teaching. Knowing God’s word is the key to discerning His will and living in the way He planned for us. Ps. 119:160, Mk. 13:23, 2 Tim. 4:1-2

* Prophecy gives light. “We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place…” (2 Pet. 1:19). We live in a dark, devilish, evil world, and prophecy gives us light, helping us to see and love God, helping us to know where we are at and where we are going, helping us to be a good witness, and to persevere.
* Prophecy gives hope. Having hope means we believe and are looking forward to a great, God-given future. We must have hope to live in a sin-prone body in a sinful world – we must believe that we will be with Jesus, be in heaven, be with believers, be perfect, receive an inheritance, have a glorious body, a wonderful purpose, and be loved by God like never before.

* Prophecy takes away fear. Seeing sin and evil, and hearing about earthquakes, wars, and famines could be unsettling and fear producing. But knowing that God is our loving, powerful, wise, and sovereign Father, and knowing His general plan for these end-times and the coming age should calm our souls and give us peace and confidence. Is. 46:9-10, Jer. 29:11-12
* Prophecy warns us about the future. Dangerous and difficult times are coming upon this world. God’s prophetic word tells us these things, and that it’s part of His overall plans for the end-times. When there’s birth pains, lawlessness, great persecution, and Antichrist is ruling, don’t be surprised or fearful. God is in complete control, and these things must happen before God brings about the return of His Son. Matt. 24:3-31, Mark 13:5-23, 2 Thess. 2:1-4

* Prophecy is no small subject in the end-times. In these end times, prophecy is becoming an increasingly, important subject, and God wants us to understand it and teach it. A church’s work must be framed by prophecy, and be done in light of Christ’s return and the coming kingdom. “By His appearing and kingdom, preach the word.” 2 Tim. 4:1-2, Matt. 24:10
* Many Christians are ignorant, naïve, or in error about prophecy. The work of the church, the pastors, and the parents is to passionately, completely, and clearly teach prophetic truth. Just think – your Savior, Lord, Lover, and King will soon come back to earth, and it could be in your lifetime. 2 Thess. 2:1-3, Heb. 10:37

* Prophecy is to wake us up, to excite us about Christ’s coming, and alert us to the dangers we will be facing. Many Christians are sleeping, fleshly, and worldly, and must awake from their slumber, and must “behave properly,” “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” and “put on the breastplate of faith and love.” Rom. 13:11-14, 1 Thess. 5:4-11
* Prophecy helps you understand God’s plans for the Jews. The Old Testament describes God’s work with the Jews, and the New Testament focuses on His work with the church and His renewed work with the Jews. Many passages about God’s future for the Jews sit next to passages about His future for the church. Knowing these side-by-side passages helps you see how God works with both Jews and Christians in these last days. Matt. 24:9-14 – 24:15-26; Luke 21:12-19 – 20-24; 2 Thess. 2:1-2 – 2:3-9; Rev. 7:4-9 – 7:9-15; Rev. 12:1-16 – 12:17, 13:1-18

* Prophecy helps you learn God’s character, that He is holy in His ways, sovereign in His work, wise in His dealings, just in His actions, powerful in His deeds, faithful to His word, merciful to His people, compassionate to His children. Is. 6:3, Is. 46:9-11, Jer. 9:23-24, Rom. 8:28, Rev. 15:3
* Prophecy helps you know God’s purposes. God is actively carrying out His purposes. Reading His prophetic word enables you to see the big picture, His plans from beginning to end, His purposes for all the people on this planet. There are many prophecies about Christ’s 1st coming and 2nd coming, and about His plans for the Jews and the church. Isaiah 60, John 14:1-3, Rev. 7

* Prophecy tells us that this evil age is coming to an end, followed by a righteous age that lasts for 1000 years. It’s imperative that you understand God’s overall plans about the past, present, and future. Not long from now, Christ will return to rapture the church, judge the world, save a remnant of Jews, and begin His reign on earth. Matt. 28:19-20, Gal. 1:4, Eph. 1:21, Rev. 21:1-7
* Prophecy helps you be ready for the future. God’s prophetic word has much to say about what you are to do in the end-times, that you are to use your gifts, work for God, witness to the lost, and disciple the saved. And in the context of prophecy, much is said about the character God wants you to have, that you are to have faith (Lk. 18:8), be sober (1 Th. 5:8), be loving (1 Pet. 4:8), be holy (2 Pet. 3:11), be fearless (Rev. 2:10), and be persevering (Rev. 13:10).

* Prophecy motivates you to serve the Lord. God has special work for you, a part for you to play in the end-times. What a privilege it is to live for Him at this time in history. “It is like a man away (Christ) on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves (believers) in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper (the watchman) to stay on the alert” (Mk. 13:34). “He (Christ) called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten talents and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’” Lk. 19:13, 1 Th. 1:9-10
* Prophecy speaks about the hope of Christ’s return, and this is to help you grow in holiness. “Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… be holy…” (1 Pet. 1:13-15). “When He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

* Prophecy is a present and relevant truth, and should change and charge your life. “Do this, knowing the time… salvation is nearer to us than we first believed” (Rom. 13:11).It won’t be long before Christ returns to rapture the church and set up His kingdom on earth. Now is the time to be spiritually awake and alert; now is the time to use your money, time, and talents to do God’s work; now is the time to preach the gospel and make disciples; now is the time, like never before in history, to be looking for Christ, to be expecting His return. Heb. 10:37

* Prophecy gives us a timeline of the future. At the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, a 7-year period described in Dan. 9:27, there’s an agreement between the Antichrist and the Jews. At this week’s midpoint the Antichrist is revealed; at its end a remnant of Jews are saved; and sometime during the last 3½ years of this week Christians are raptured, are suddenly taken to join all believers from all time and meet Jesus Christ in the air. 1 Thess. 4:16-17
* Prophecy gives much information about the millennial kingdom. You need to study prophecy for it tells you about your future and that of all believers. Some key books describing this glorious, soon-coming, 1000-year age are Psalms, Isaiah, Daniel, Matt., 1 Thess., 2 Thess., and Revelation. “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before the nations” (Is. 61:11). “The Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth… Sing praises to our King.” Ps. 47:2, 6

* Prophecy truly understood corrects errors with regards to the end times and Christ’s return. This is the truth: Christ is coming again; His coming is not imminent; tribulation is not wrath; Christians are on earth during the Antichrist’s rule; Christians go through great tribulation but not God’s wrath; Christ’s coming is pre-millennial; Christ is not coming at the start of Daniel’s 70th week but sometime during its 2nd half; the rapture occurs at the beginning of Christ’s coming; we will know the general time of the rapture but not the specific time (Matt. 24:32-36); Iran (Persia), though recently defeated, will again be strong and attack Israel (Ez. 38); God’s promises for the Jews have not been reneged or canceled but will be fulfilled in the future. Ps. 105:8-11

* Prophecy tells us the need for watchmen, people who see God’s prophetic word being fulfilled in the world and then alert others. Christians are to be like the sons of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what they should do. 1 Chr. 12:32, Ez. 3:1-11, Mark 13:33-35
* Prophecy is forward looking. God wants you to thank Him for the past but not focus on it. Prophecy helps you to look ahead to the future, to press ahead, to be excited about your God-given future, and do the work He wants you to do. God’s work is to result in fruitful labor, and the fruit He gives you will be an eternal blessing to Him, others, and yourself. “I press on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:12-14

* Prophecy describes your brand new body. It says that your new body will be like Jesus Christ’s (1 Jn. 3:2) and the angels (Luke 20:36). It will be perfect, powerful, glorious, immortal, and spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44). “We eagerly wait the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory by the exertion of His power.” Phil. 3:21
* Prophecy focuses on Jesus Christ, that He will visibly, lovingly, and powerfully be your Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and King, that you will be with Him forever, and experience eternal life like never before. Eternal life is an eternal, everlasting relationship with Christ. (Jn. 17:3). “To live is Christ and to die is gain”(Ph. 1:21). When you die or when Christ returns, your relationship with Him will take on a new dimension, a glorious, wonderful, unbelievable change from what it is now. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” Job 19:25-27

Isn’t it encouraging to know that God tells us the future. Here are two other posts that will help you understand prophecy: “Prophecy Is Predicting the Future” and “What You Need to Know About Prophecy.”

Kingdom Prophecies from the Psalms

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #311 ~

The purpose of this post is to get you thinking about the future that God has in store for you, and to give you hope. In the past few weeks, we’ve focused on the book of Psalms, especially as it describes your relationship with God. There’s no question that having a close walk with God is what’s most important in life. That means in your day to day life, and in these end-times when we “feel” the birth pains, and when we are going through great tribulation. Matt. 24:4-9

What many Christians don’t realize is the enormous amount of truth in the Psalms about the hope God has given them. I’m convinced you will find it to be an invaluable source of information about your future. In this post, I am sharing five critical points about prophecy in the Psalms, and then summarizing some key prophetic passages. 

1. The primary themes in the Psalms are: a) God – His being, character, and purpose; b) the history of the Jewish people; c) the Lord, Savior, and Judge; d) God’s past, present, and future relationship with His people; e) the end-times; f) the coming King; g) the kingdom age; h) persecution, suffering, and deliverance; i) the judgment of the wicked; j) worshiping the Lord God Almighty.

2. The primary prophecy themes in the Psalms are: a) the coming King; b) the judgment of the wicked; c) the kingdom age. You will see these themes repeated many times, which means that we need to know them, and be encouraged by them. For example, Psalm 2 covers all three of these subjects.

3. Jesus wants you to know the prophecies in these Psalms: “All things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Lk. 24:44). Jesus was stressing the importance of the Psalms as they relate to the future. Prophecies in the Psalms about Jesus’ 1st coming have already been fulfilled, but prophecies about His 2nd coming and the kingdom age will be fulfilled in the future.

4. The Psalms are for Jews, and also for Christians, for we share in their blessings. Truths about Christ the King, the millennial kingdom, and the land of Israel are a very important part of the future we have as Christians. Along with believing Jews, you will worship the King (Ps. 47:6 – Rom. 15:10-11), reign with the King (Ps. 47:8 – Rev. 5:10), and inherit the land. Ps. 37:22 – Matt. 5:5

5. To understand the prophecy portions of Psalms, you must know three key covenants God made to the Jewish people: the Abrahamic Covenant – the promise of land (Gen. 13:14-17 – Ps. 37:29); the Davidic Covenant – the promise of the King (2 Sam.7:12-16 – Ps. 89:28-29); and the New Covenant – the promise of salvation. Jer. 31:31-34 – Ps. 111:9

6. The fact that we live in the end-times means that many 2nd coming prophecies in the Psalms will soon be fulfilled. These prophetic portions in the Psalms are critically important for Christians living at this time in history – more than ever before, you need to read and understand them. God knows that you must be instructed, encouraged, hopeful, and ready to meet your Lord and King.

Here is a list of some important 2nd coming prophecy passages from the Psalms:
* Psalm 2 – This is about the enemy’s global opposition to God, His judgment of these evildoers, and Christ’s reign as King over the world. 
* Psalm 22:22-31 – This speaks of believing Israelites glorifying the King, the nations of the world worshiping Him, and believers being satisfied by Him.
* Psalm 37 – This encouraging Psalm keeps repeating the truth that the wicked will soon be taken away and judged, but the righteous will remain and inherit the land of Israel and the entire world.

* Psalm 46 – Earthquakes and wars will soon devastate the earth but you are not to be afraid, for God will make them cease, at which time He will be exalted in the earth and among the nations.
* Psalm 47 – The main point of this Psalm is that Christ the King will rule over the world and be worshiped by all those who live on this earth.
* Psalm 48 – We learn about Christ the King being praised, and about the “city of our God… Mount Zion… the city of the great King”, names for His earthly dwelling place, for the city of Jerusalem.

* Psalm 72 – This prophetic Psalm gives us details about the millennial kingdom. The kings are bringing tribute to Christ the King, the needy are blessed by Christ, the land is producing an abundance of grain, and the whole earth is filled with God’s glory.
* Psalm 96 – Christ is reigning, He is physically blessing the earth, the gospel is being proclaimed all over the world, and God is being glorified.
* Psalm 98 – During the kingdom age, the world will understand the gospel with the result that people will be worshiping the Lord, and nature will be “singing” to Him.
* Psalm 102:12-28 – We read of a future generation living during the kingdom age. Christ will appear in His glory; nations will fear the Lord; men will praise the Lord, and tell of the name of the Lord; and the earth will be physically restored.  

These verses as well as many others in the Psalms give us a great deal of information about our glorious future. It’s no small subject which means it’s a critical book in our study of prophecy. And it’s especially relevant in these end-times for we are now witnessing all this moral evil and social upheaval in this country and all over the world. But be assured that God is reigning, and that all His purposes and promises will be fulfilled.

It won’t be long before we see “the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:9-12). Hallelujah!!!

“All the nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” Psalm 72:17-19

P.S. Again, I must say that you need hope. And to have hope, you must know God’s prophetic word. Don’t be like many Christians who are ignorant of the glorious future that God has in store for us. I encourage you to read the article, “You Have to Have Hope”, and the post, “In a Wicked World, You Have to Have Hope.”

“The Land”, from the River to the Sea, is for Israel!

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #295 ~

There has never been anyone like the Jewish people! Beginning with God’s unbreakable promise to Abraham around 2,000 BC (Gen. 12:1-3) and her supernatural birth as a nation in Egypt, she has miraculously survived through all the years, and she is still going today. The Israelites have had all these ups and downs, victories and defeats and, twice now, God drove them from her land and then brought them back. Despite all her sin and rebellion against God, we continue to see His unbelievable patience, awesome power, and incredible grace for them. Psalms 78, 105, 106

Why is this? Because Israel is God’s country. He chose her out of all the other nations in the world to be His people (Deut. 7:7-9). God has great and glorious plans for Israel, ones He has been fulfilling these past 4,000+ years, ones carefully recorded in His word, and ones impacting them and the entire world. And because God’s plans for Israel are eternal in nature, then He will bless her forever. Gen. 13:14-16

In recent posts, we’ve looked at Israel’s history as it relates to the land she first entered about 3,400 years ago. God’s relationship and work with the Israelites relates directly to her land. If you talk about the people of Israel, then you need to also talk about the land of Israel. “The Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants, I have given this land.’” Gen. 15:18

Last time we learned that Joshua led the Jewish people into their land around 1400 BC. “Joshua took the whole land… and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel.” (Josh. 11:23). Her east-west boundaries were from the river to the sea, “from the Jordan even to the Great Sea” (Josh. 23:4). This land was for Israel and not for anyone else. Ps. 105:8-11

Hundreds of years later, in 722 BC, 606 BC, and 586 BC, God exiled the Israelites out of the land He had given them. Why was God punishing His own people and forcing them out of their land? Because of sin, disobedience, and idolatry. Deut. 28:47-63“Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart … The Lord will bring a nation against you… You will be torn from the land where you are entering to possess it.” Jer. 25:8-11“Because you have not obeyed My words… This whole land will be a desolation and a horror, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” Ezek. 5:12 – “One third of you will die of plague or be consumed by famine… one third will fall by the sword around you, and one third I will scatter to every wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them.” Ezek. 7:23The land is full of bloody crimes and the city is full of violence.” Jer. 12:7-11, 16:18; Ezek. 4:13, 9:9, 11:23; Dan. 9:7-14

What about this Jewish remnant that was taken away from the land of Israel? God had plans for His people in the land where they were exiled, and He was present with them during their entire 70-year stay. Jer. 29:5-7“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons… Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.” Ezek. 6:8 – “I will leave a remnant, for you will have those who escaped the sword… when you are scattered among the countries.” Ezek. 11:16“Thus says the Lord God, ‘Though I had removed them far away among the nations… yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.’”

What did God’s prophets say about the Messiah, the Israelites, and their land during their exile? They had a great deal to say, especially about the far distant future, about the end-times and the coming kingdom age. These prophecies make it very clear that God is committed to the Jewish people and committed to communicating His plans to them and to Christians too. The advantage we have at this time in history is that we can look back and better understand God’s plans for the Israelites, and how it now relates to us. Ezek. 36:6“Prophesy concerning the land of Israel…” Ezek. 36:24-28“I will… gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land… I will give you a clean heart and put a new spirit in you. You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers, so you will be My people and I will be your God.” Ezek. 37:21-28 – “I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land… They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob my servant in which your fathers lived… I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them.”

Ezekiel 38:7 “In the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations… it shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.” Ezek. 39:25-28 – “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name… They will know that I am the Lord their God because I made them go into exile among the nations and gathered them again to their own land.” Dan. 9:25-26 – “You are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince there will be 7 weeks and 62 weeks… After the 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.”

God promised the Jewish people that He would bring them back to their land. He told His people that they would be exiled out of their land (Jer. 25:8-11) and then return 70 years later (Jer. 29:11-13) – and this took place just as God promised. Deut. 30:1-5“When all of these things have come upon you… and you return to the Lord your God and obey Him… then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity… the Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed…” Jer. 16:14-15“I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.” Jer. 29:10-11 “When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Ezek. 11:17“I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’’

Why do I spend so much time on Israel and her land? Because there’s so much written in God’s word about Israel and her land, which means she is extremely important to God. And because you need to know God’s plans for Israel if you’re to truly understand His plans for the church. Yes, there are people who question Israel’s purpose and place in the world, but what did God tell us in His word? You need to carefully study what God says about Israel in the Old and New Testaments, and then you will know the real truth and relevance of God’s plans for her and for you. Matt. 24:9-31, Rom. 15:8-13, Rev. 21:10-14

I am amazed and in awe when I see God’s works and ways through the years, whether it relates to me, the church, Israel, or the world. Be thankful that you can be part of God’s plans and can serve Him in the last years of this church age. Might you say, “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders, and blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen” (Ps. 72:18-19). And be looking forward to when you can say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

P.S. I am writing all these posts about Israel and her land because she is the most important country in the world, and because its relevant to our world today and in the future. I encourage you to read my previous posts on this subject: “God Promised ‘the Land’ to Israel”, “‘The Land’: God’s Promise and Plans, and Israel’s Possession”, “Israel’s Long Stay in ‘the Land’ and God’s Glory.”

“The Land”: God’s Promises and Plans, and Israel’s Possession

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #291 ~

About 4,000 years ago, God promised to Abram and his descendants a very special piece of land. And through all the years God has been keeping His promise to His people. As Christians, it’s imperative that we understand this incredible journey of the Jewish people, and how it relates to us. Today, from Genesis to Joshua, we will learn about God’s promises about the land to God’s plans for the land to Israel’s possession of the land.

1) God’s promises of land for Abraham and his descendants: Genesis 13:14-15- “The Lord said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, ‘Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and your descendants forever.’” Gen. 12:1-3, 15:6-7, 15:18, 17:6-8, 26:3-5, 35:10-12, 50:24; Ex. 32:13; Lev. 26:42; Num. 34:2-12; Deut. 9:4-6; Josh. 1:1-6. God repeated His promise of land because He wanted everyone to be convinced of its truth and its eternal and utmost importance.

2) God’s plans for the Jewish people instructed them how to live in their land: God created the Israeli nation, raised her up, cared for her, provided for her, protected her, led her – and He had His plans for them written down so they would know how they were to live in their land. God dearly loved the Jewish people, for they were special to Him, a treasured possession. He wanted to greatly bless them and their land and, through them, the entire world. Most of all, God wanted them to worship and serve Him forever. Psalm 67:7

In Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, God’s plans for the Jewish people are precisely written out. Here are some of them: Deut. 4:1 – “Listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” Deut. 4:37-38 – “Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance.”

Deut. 8:7 – “The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of milk and honey… when you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.” Deut. 11:12 – “… a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.” Deut. 11:16-17 – “Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. Or the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and… you will perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.”

Here are several more verses from Deuteronomy about the plans God wanted His people to follow while they were living in their land: Deut. 4:5, 4:13-14, 4:25-31, 4:35-40, 5:31-33, 6:1, 6:10-15, 6:22-25, 7:1-6, 7:12-15, 8:1, 8:6-10, 9:1-6, 10:11, 11:8-12, 11:16-25, 11:31-32, 12:1-4, 12:29-30, 15:4-5, 15:11, 16:20, 17:14-15, 18:9-14, 19:8-10, 21:22-23, 23:19-20, 24:14-15, 25:13-16, 26:1-3, 26:8-11, 26:15-19, 27:1-3, 29:25-29, 31:3-8, 32:45-49.

These verses tell us about the sacrifices the Israelites were to perform, many of which picture the coming Messiah who would atone for their sins, who would save those who believed in Him. They describe their celebrations and feasts, ones which would give them opportunities to worship Him. We learn about God’s plans regarding kings, war, sin, justice, tithes, marriage, divorce, food, aliens, being exiled from their land, etc. God was clearly instructing His people how they were to live for Him, be blessed by Him, and glorify Him in their land.  

Now think about this: is there any other country in the world that God chose and loved, and then wrote out specific plans instructing them how they were to live in their land? Did God give any other nation laws that they were to obey so as to be blessed, and so God would be glorifed. No! Never! It’s critically important that you understland God’s amazing and awesome work with the Jewish people.

3) Finally, the land becomes Israel’s possession. It was over 600 years after God promised the land to Abram that He directed his descendants to go in to possess their land. These verses from Joshua and Judges tell us a little bit of what happened.
* Joshua 1:4 – “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.” God reminded Joshua of His promise to the Jewish people about their land and its boundaries.
* Joshua 1:11 – “… you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” The land the Israelites were receiving from God, the land they were to possess and occupy, was a most wonderful gift – and they did not earn it or deserve it.
* Joshua 2:24 – “All the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” The people living in this land were afraid of Israel, and were quickly and easily driven out by her armies.

* Joshua 10:42 – “Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” That God Himself fought for Israel is, in itself, compelling evidence that He wanted Israel to possess and keep the land.
* Joshua 11:23 – “Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their division by their tribes.” God divided up the land, and Joshua allotted to each of the twelve tribes their portion.

* Joshua 21:43 – “The Lord gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed the land and lived in it.” Over 600 years after God initially made His promise to Abram, the Israelites took possession of their land and began to live in it. That God kept His promise about the land clearly shows the fulfillment of His purpose and plans for His people. Isaiah 46:9-10
* Judges 2:1 – “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to our fathers… I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you.’” God’s promise of land for Israel is an eternal covenant and will never be broken. Israel will live in her land forever and ever.

When we look in God’s word and at world history, we can’t help but see God’s faithful working with the Jewish people. They first entered their land around 1400 BC, and lived there for about 800 years, until 606 BC. Then they were exiled out of their land, but 70 years later, in 536 BC, reentered their land. They were in their land for over 600 years, but in 70 AD, were again removed from their land. Then in the late 1800s, Jewish people started returning to their land, and in 1948 they miraculously became a nation. And here we are, 75 years later, and there are a great multitude of Israelis living on their land, 7.2 million strong. Not surprisingly, Israel is now in the middle of another punishing conflict, the Hamas / Palestine – Israeli war.

What is going to happen? We know that God is not finished with Israel – He has much more in store for them. The Bible tells us that the years leading up to Christ’s return and the rapture of the church will be difficult and painful for both Christians and Jews (Matt. 24:8-31). But shortly after the rapture, a large remnant of Jewish people will be spiritually saved. And in the coming kingdom age, Jewish believers, along with Christians, will inherit the land, that is, the entire earth. Together with Jesus Christ, they will reign over this rennovated world for 1,000 glorious, Christ-exalting years. “They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.” Rev. 20:6; Psalms 47, 67, 96; Heb. 11:39-40

P.S. I cannot stress enough the importance of understanding God’s promise of land for the Jewish people, and there possession of it. I would encourage you to read this history article of the Jewish people – “A Summary of the Work of God from the time of Abraham to Christ’s Millennial Kingdom.” And here’s a good article on this Thanksgiving Day – “Being Thankful – the Character of a Christian.”

Subject Index for this Prophecy Blogsite

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #266 ~

This elongated post is different than all the others for it’s a site directory, an alphabetized list of 25 subjects, followed by the titles of most of the posts I’ve written on each one. There are three reasons for this post:
1. If you are new to this blog site, you may be somewhat overwhelmed by all the different blog posts. Looking at the different subjects should make it easier to decide where you want to start reading.
2. This post is designed to help those interested in studying out one particular prophecy subject, whether that it’s in the present or the future.
3. To help you grow in your personal life as a Christian. Under “Living for God in the End-Times” you will find a number of posts specifically written to help you be living a godly life in these final years leading up to Christ’s Coming.

Under the “Archives” tab, you will find another subject index, and this too will be helpful in your study of end-times’ prophecy. May the Lord continue to teach you truths from His word on this most important subject. Then you will be a better watchmen, and more equipped to pass these timely truths on to others. “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.” Matthew 24:45-46

Antichrist: (42) “The Antichrist is Coming Soon, and It’s Before the Coming of Christ”, (45) “From Many Religions to the Antichrist and One-World Religion”, (78) “That Evil Antichrist and His Short Rule on Earth” , (79) “Reasons for the Rise and Rule of the Antichrist” , (80) “The Mark of the Beast” , (121) “Antichrist Revealed and Then the Rapture” , (122) “The Antichrist Tries to Take Christ’s Place” , (123) “Presidents, Prime Ministers… Antichrist and Jesus Christ”, (193) “Questions and Answers About the Antichrist”

Bible Prophecy Passages: (175) “Psalm 2”, (179) “Psalm 11”, (134) “Psalm 47”, (148) “Micah”, (10) “Matthew 24”, (62) “Matthew 24”, (144) “Luke 21”, (197) “Romans 8:17-39”, (181) “Romans 11”, (235) “Ephesians 1”, (237) “Philippians”, (104) “Colossians 3:3-4”, (188) “1 Thess.”, (118) “1 Thess. 4:13-18”, (119) “1 Thess. 5:1-11“, (120) “2 Thess. 1”, (121) “2 Thess. 2:1-4”, (122) “2 Thess. 2:3-7“, (152) “Hebrews 11”, (147) “1 Peter 1:3-13”, (145) “Revelation 2-3”, (11) “Revelation 6”, (84) “Revelation 12”

Big Picture: (23) “The Divine Time-Table – Daniel’s 70 Weeks”, (38) “World History and International Studies”, (49) “First Coming to Church Age to Second Coming”, (66) “The Big Picture – The Present Age and the Age to Come”, (140) “From Earth to Heaven and Back Again”, (232) “Four Ages and Four Earths”, (235) “Ephesians 1 – A Big Picture Prophecy Passage”

Christmas and Prophecy: (49) “First Coming to Second Coming to Church Age”, (99) “The Christmas Story and Christ’s Second Coming”, (149) “Christmas Is More than Baby Jesus”, (201) “The True Meaning of Christmas”, (233) “It’s Not Just About Baby Jesus”, (264) “When I Think of Christmas…”

Church: (25) “Why the Jews Are Important for You and the Church”, (41) “The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the Nations – Then Christ Will Return”, (107) “Christ and the Church in the End-Times”, (128) “The World, the Church, and the King”, (143) “Why Don’t Churches Teach on Prophecy?”, (145) “End-Times’ Instructions for the Church”

Coming of Christ: (1) “Christ is Coming Again and He’s Coming Soon”, (46) “The Coming of Christ and the Triumph of the Church”, (69) “When is Christ Coming Back?”, (75) “What Will Happen When Christ Comes Back?”, (77) “Why Is Jesus Christ Coming Back?”, (85) “Christ is Coming for Both the Christians and the Jews”, (89) “Christ the King is Coming”, (174) “Christ is Coming Again, and Soon”, (192) “Questions and Answers About Christ’s Second Coming”, (200) “Is Jesus Christ Coming Again?”, (212) “Christ is Coming Back to Earth, and Soon”, (251) “Christ’s Coming – What You Need to Know”

Day of the Lord: (15) “The Day of the Lord and the Wrath of God on Earth”, (120) “Relief or Retribution – 2 Thess. 1”, (216) “Eating, Drinking, Being Merry – And Suddenly, Shockingly…”, (214) “Rescued from the Punishing Day of the Lord”, (215) “They Are Scared to Death”, (217) “The Fierce and Deadly Day of the Lord”, (254) “The Day of the Lord – God’s Righteous Wrath”, (255) “The Day of the Lord – the Destructive, Deadly Wrath of God”

End-Times: (12) “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”, (27) “How Do We Know We Live in the End-Times?”, (73)“Truths You Need to Know About the End-Times”, (125) “The Order of End-Time Events”, (126) “Earthquakes and the End-Times”, (145) “Revelation 2-3: End-Time Instructions for the Church”, (206) “Sinners and Saints in the End-Times”, (242) “The World Is Having Birth Pains”, (256) “Holy, Wholly Living in the End-Times”, (263) “Filling in the End-Times” Outline”

Glory of God: (29) “The Glory of God – The Most Important Thing of All”, (30) “More on the Glory of God, the Most Important Thing of All”, (134) “Worshiping the KING – The Greatest Celebration Ever”, (184) “Jews and Gentiles Unitedly Glorifying God”

Gospel of Jesus Christ: (28) “The Most Important Thing for You”, (41) “The Gospel Will Be Preached to All the Nations – Then Christ Will Return”, (94) “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God”, (114) “How to Defeat Death and Live Forever”, (241) “Death and Life in the End-Times”, (244) “The Answer to Death is Christ’s Resurrection”

Hope: (87) “In a Wicked World You Need Hope”, (112) “You Need Hope to Get Through Life”, (113) “Your Great Hope and Most Glorious Future”, (115) “Hope: The Who, What, When, How, and Why”, (116) “The Best Is Yet to Come”, (117) “Converging Hopes for Jewish and Gentile Believers”, (176) “When Life Is Hard, You Need Hope”, (177) “Important Lessons on the Hope God Has for You!”, (178) “Your Hope, Your Future, Your Reward”, (207) “The Believer’s Brand-New Body – Amen!”, (238) “Hope – Embedded in God’s Word, and in Your Heart”, (253) “Being in Heaven with Jesus and All the Believers”

Jewish People: (17) “The Suspension of God’s Plans for the Jews”, (19) “A Short Summary of God’s Work With the Jews”, (21) “Unfinished Business”, (22) “A Jewish Reading Lesson”, (25) “Why the Jews Are Important For You and the Church”, (37) “The Most Important Country in the World and It’s Not the United States”, (40) “The Persecution of the Jews from Pharaoh to the Antichrist”, (44) “God’s Plans for the Jews from Now to the Coming of Christ”, (83) “The Jews – Their Past, Present, and Glorious Future”, (85) “Christ is Coming for Both the Church and the Jews”, (183) “The New Testament  Tells Us God’s Plans for the Jews”, (260) “God’s Plans for the Jewish People Have NOT Been Cancelled”, (261)“God Keeps His Plans for the Jewish People”

Kingdom of God: (91) “The Kingdom of God”, (92) “The King in Your Heart and His Kingdom on Earth”, (93) “Kingdom Instructions for the Church”, (94) “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God”, (95) “God’s Kingdom Work”, (96) “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, (132) “Christ’s Kingdom is Coming”, (185) “The Coming Kingdom Age, 1000 Years of Glory”, (186) “Clear and Compelling Evidence for the Coming Kingdom”, (191) “A New Earth for the Coming Kingdom”, (195) “Questions and Answers About the Coming Kingdom”, (257) “What We Need In This World Is the King”

Living for God in the End-Times: (47) “God Will Keep You Strong to the End”, (54) Your Journey to the End – A Straight Road to Glory”, (67) “An Overview of Your Christian Life”, (71) “Journeying to the End to Be With Jesus”, (81) “Promises From a Loving Father to His Children”, (100) “Loving the Lord and Longing to See Him”, (104) “Your Entire Christian Life”, (108) “Christ-like Character God Wants You to Have”, (129) “The Right Way to Think About Your Life”, (142) “God Is in Charge of Your Life”, (150) “Loving God Today, Tomorrow, and Forever”, (169) “Being Spiritually and Emotionally Strong”, (187) “What Keeps Me Going to the End?”, (203) “Keys to Living for the Lord”, (210) “When Christ Comes, Will He Find Faith on the Earth?”, (228) “How To Keep Going for God?”, (250) “Singing – A Key to Sound Christian Living”, (256) “Holy, Wholly Living in the End-Times”

Millennial Kingdom: (96) “The Present Church Age and the Future Kingdom Age”, (130) “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done”, (135) “A People-Blessing, God-Glorifying Kingdom”, (185) “The Coming Kingdom Age, 1000 Years of Glory”, (191) “A New Earth for the Kingdom Age”, (195) “Questions and Answers About the Coming Kingdom Age”

Persecution and Tribulation: (48) “The Persecution of the Church Before the Coming of Christ”, (57) “Christians Go Through Tribulation”, (58) “Christians Will Go Through Great Tribulation”, (120) “Relief or Retribution”, (138) “The Glory of Suffering for Jesus”, (139) “Suffering for Jesus in the End-Times”

Rapture: (5) “The Rapture of the Church at the Second Coming of Christ”, (6) “The Rapture, A Love Story”, (55) “The Timing of the Rapture”, (56) “The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ”, (64) “The Immediate and Incredible Results of the Rapture”, (76) “When Does the Rapture Take Place?”, (103) “The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church”, (154) “What Happens When Christians are Raptured?”, (155) “Why the Rapture Is Not Imminent”, (156) “The Rapture Won’t Happen Until…”

Resurrection: (13) “The Resurrection and the Rapture of the Believers”, (61) “Christ’s Resurrection Means the Best is Yet to Come”, (118) “The Resurrection and the Rapture – 1 Thess. 4:13-18”, (211) “The Resurrection: Death to Life in Spirit – and Body”, (244) “The Answer to Death is Christ’s Resurrection”

Revelation: (11) “The Seals of Revelation 6 – The Storm Before the Son”, (80) “The Mark of the Beast”, (84) “Revelation 12 – The Jews, the Devil, and Our Victorious God”, (97) “Revelation, the Bridge from This Age to the Next Age”

Rewards: (219) “God Really Wants to Reward You”, (220) “Earthly Work that Results in Heavenly Rewards”, (221) “Your Reward is the Lord”, (222) “The Truth About Rewards, the Heavenly Prize”, (223) “Winning the Gold for the Glory of God”

Sin Is the Problem: (111) “A Sin-Wrecked World and the Coming of Christ”, (173) “Murder, Looting, and Anarchy – It’s Sin”, (206) “Sinners and Saints in the End-Times”, (209) “The Worst Lies and the Most Important Truth”, (229) “What’s Wrong with the United States?” (230) “What’s Wrong with This World?”, (249) “How Can We Live in This Sinful World?”

Special End-Time Subjects: (9) “Deception or Discernment”, (24) “Daniel’s 70th Week”, (74) “Immigration: As It Is, They Desire a Better Country”, (109) “For Pastors and Preachers in the End-Times”, (126) “Earthquakes and the End-Times”, (136) “JC Ryle’s Prophetic Creed”, (157) “The Coronavirus, Plagues, and the End-Times”, (160) “The Coronavirus – Fear and Panic, or Faith and Peace”, (209) “The Worst Lies and the Most Important Truth”, (213) “Holy Communion – From Christ’s Cross to Christ’s Crown”, (215) “They Are Scared to Death”, (236) “Marv Rosenthal – A Servant of God”, (239) “Russia at War Against Ukraine”, (247) “Baby Formula Shortage, Food Scarcity, Famine, and Thanksgiving”, (252) “My Top Thirty Charts Help You See the Future”, (259) “For Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers”

United States: (37) “The Most Important Country in the World and It’s Not the United States”, (39) “The Downfall of the United States Before the Return of Christ”, (72) “The United States, North Korea, and Peace on Earth”, (170) “The Pandemic, the U.S. Decline, and the End-Times”, (171) “Don’t Get Mad at the Government – Trust God”, (205) “A Troubled Country”, (229) “What’s Wrong With the United States?”

When Is Christ Coming Back?: (16) “Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?”, (27) “How Do We Know We Live in the End-Times?”, (36) “The World Is Now in Labor – This Means Christ Is Coming Soon”, (55) “The Timing of the Rapture”, (56) “The Rapture Occurs at the Coming of Christ”, (68) “Reflections on the Timing of Christ’s Return”, (69) “When Is Christ Coming Back?”, (70) “What Needs to Happen Before Christ’s Return?”, (76) “When Does the Rapture Take Place?”, (125) “The Order of End-Time Events”, (151) “Forecasting the Future of the World”, (153) “When Is Christ Returning to Rapture the Church?”, (155) “Why the Rapture Is Not Imminent”, (156) “The Rapture Won’t Happen Until…”, (159) “Step By Step Till We See Jesus”, (198) “The Reason We Know Christ Is Coming Soon”, (212) “Christ Is Coming Back to Earth, and Soon”

Working for God in the End-Times: (12) “How Then Should We Live in the End-Times?”, (18) “Do Business Until I Come”, (98) “Make Ready the Way of the Lord”, (158) “Being a Watchman for the Church in the End-Times”, (227) “Working for God While Waiting for Christ”

P.S. I am very, very thankful that God told us ahead of time all that He wants to know about the end-times, the return of Christ, and the ages to come. Be a good student and learn all that God wants you to know – and then you will be more excited about the future God has for you, and more excited about telling others.

Filling in the End-Times’ Outline

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #263 ~

I’m so glad to be alive at this time in history, in these end-times, for we know that Jesus Christ is coming soon! Some say His coming is imminent, that He can return at any moment, but that’s not true, for God has told us many things that must occur before the end of this age and before the return of His Son (Mark 13:23). I’ve told you these things in the past, but I will share them again, for God’s plans for the future need to be firmly planted in your mind and heart.

Here is God’s end-times’ outline, what needs to happen before Christ comes back:
* There will be more false Christs, false teachers, and false prophets. Matt. 24:5, 11, 24
* Birth pains (earthquakes, famines, plagues, and wars) will be occurring. Matt. 24:4-8
* There will be a great apostasy resulting in believers being betrayed. Matt. 24:10, 2 Thess. 2:3
* Lawlessness will be increasing all over the world. Matt. 24:12, 2 Thess. 2:11-12
* A Jewish temple will be built in Jerusalem. Matt. 24:15, 2 Thess. 2:4, Rev. 11:1-2
* This temple will be desecrated – there will be “the abomination of desolation.” Matt. 24:15
* The Antichrist (beast) will be revealed, worshiped, and begin ruling the world. Rev. 13:3-8
* The Antichrist will cause people to worship his image and take his mark. Rev. 13:11-17
* The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached to all the nations. Matt. 24:14, 28:19-20
* Both Jews and Christians will be greatly persecuted. Matt. 24:9, 16-22; Rev. 12:14-17
* Millions will be dying because of “birth pains” and “great tribulation”. Matt. 24:28, Rev. 6:1-9
* The end of this age will be marked by a massive earthquake, and by great signs in the heavens which will result in the world going dark. Matt. 24:3, 29; Rev. 6:12-14
* The coming of Christ and the rapture of the church will happen immediately after the end of the age. Matthew 24:29-31, 1 Thess. 4:15-17

God wants you to know these prophecies that must occur before Christ’s coming. As I’ve been watching the world around us, some of these things have already been happening. And I’ve been seeing other things that relate to, connect, or must precede the above signs, events, and conditions, things that are filling in this end-time’s outline. And I’m saying, “Wow!!!” More than ever before, God’s prophetic word is being fulfilled, giving us confidence that it won’t be long before Christ appears. (Heb. 10:25, 37). Here are some things I’ve been seeing and hearing:

* “Nation will rise against nation… There will be great earthquakes and in various places plagues and famines” (Luke 21:10-11). Fuel, fertilizer, and labor shortages, along with supply chain issues are leading to food shortages and famines in various parts of the world. Wars will continue to exist and there will be more earthquakes and plagues, just like God said in His word. Matt. 24:25

* “Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). Our country has become terribly and increasingly sinful and lawless in the past 20 years. Vicious assaults occur in broad daylight. Blatant smash and grab robberies are happening. The unborn are still being killed. There are more murders. There’s a tremendous lack of respect for people. Human trafficking is increasing. Massive government corruption is occurring. Women are becoming men and men are becoming women??!! There’s hate and greed. Truth is lacking, and there are all kinds of lies. Most people don’t love God, but instead love themselves, money, food, sports, pleasure, and all kinds of idols. And it will only get worse. Is. 59:14-15, Amos 6:4-7, 1 Cor. 10:7, 2 Tim. 3:1-4

* “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power…’” (Job 1:6-12, 1 John 5:19). Seeing the escalating evil makes me think that God has given Satan more freedom to promote sin and carry out wickedness. And it’s God’s judgment upon our country, and part of His end-times’ strategy. The other day I read a flyer promoting an elementary school club in Chesapeake, Virginia. It said, “Hey kids, let’s have fun at (an) after school Satan club.” But remember, God is sovereignly and purposefully allowing Satan to do what He wants him to do. Romans 9:17

* “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity… to degrading passions… to a depraved mind” (Rom. 1:24, 26, 28). Sexual perversion of the worst sort is occurring in our country, the sodomization of our society, and our children too. This gross and grave sexual sin is accepted and applauded by many, promoted by a few, and legalized by our lawmakers. It’s clear evidence of the depravity in our country, and that we will soon be removed from our position as the world’s #1 superpower. As most of you know, the moral decline and downfall of the United States must take place before the Antichrist can come to power and begin ruling the world. 

* “He causes all… to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark” (Rev. 13:16-17). Nations are becoming more authoritative and totalitarian. And their plan is to use recent technological advances to control people, advances that have to do with artificial intelligence, smart phones, digital ID’s, vaccine passports, surveillance systems, chip implants, social credit scores, and digital currencies. (The United States recently began working on an experimental currency, the Central Bank Digital Currency). Don’t you think this technology will sooner or later lead to the development and implementation of the mark of the beast, the means by which the Antichrist will control people? Isn’t it also true that people will get use to these advances in technology, for they will seem like they are necessary, and are making life easier? As one person recently said, “The time will come when we can’t live without the mark of the beast.”

* “They will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matt. 24:9). In the past few years, we’ve been witnessing the arrests and jailing of political enemies, of “domestic terrorists”. It won’t be long before Christians, labeled as “Christian nationalists” or “Christian terrorists”, will be looked upon as one of the main reasons for our country’s problems. It’s obvious that the stage is being set for an open war on Christianity, for the predicted and unjust persecution of Christians. Matt. 24:9, Rev. 6:9-11

* “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another (the Antichrist) will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones” (Dan. 7:24, Rev. 13:1). In the end, there will be a kingdom of ten nations controlled by the Antichrist, the power base by which he will rule the world during Daniel’s 70th week. Bill Wilson, Koenig International Senior News Analyst, said this about our present global situation – “The G20 is a group of 19 nations plus the European Union committed to coordinating global economic, health, and travel policy… Among the G20 initiatives is the World Health Organization which at the last G20 meeting gained approval of its global authority to act as a ‘health’ control mechanism for international travel, pandemic management, food growth and distribution, and climate control. The G20 nations appear to have empowered themselves to build the vehicle that can be driven by an oligarchy of unelected leaders or a single leader to control the world and enslave its inhabitants.”

Then you read about the United Nations, the Global Reset, the World Economic Forum, and that political, financial, and tech leaders have this goal of globalization, of a one world order. I believe this kind of international coordination and control will eventually lead to the coming of the Antichrist and his dictatorial rule of the earth. No one knows exactly how and when this comes about but it will, and sometime after the United States has been dethroned from her position of power. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast (the Antichrist) for one hour.” Revelation 17:12

Never forget that God “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11) with “a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ” (Eph. 1:10). God is directing the affairs and activities of the world, He is causing signs and events to happen, and He’s moving the pieces, the nations, rulers, and people into place. Be awake and alert. Be working and waiting. Be like the “men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (1 Chron. 12:32). And soon enough, we “will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27

In a recent Zion’s Fire article, David Rosenthal said it this way, “The Author of the Universe has already written the last chapter. The epic conclusion will take place at His appointed time, and in harmony with His Sovereign purposes. When everything is aligned in accordance with His will, He will initiate the events of the Last Days and bring all things to a just and righteous consummation. I believe we are seeing the shadows of the coming alignment taking shape in the world today. Our responsibility as followers of Christ is to remain faithful, keep watching, be discerning, and be prepared.” Amen!

P.S. I get excited knowing what needs to happen before Christ returns, but saddened knowing that many don’t have a clue as to what will be taking place. That’s why I write this blog post, to help you understand God’s plan for the future. I strongly encourage you to read “Matthew 24 – the Most Important Prophecy Chapter in the Bible.” One more thing – as you know, we live in a world of sadness, sorrow, and depression. Here is last Sunday’s message, and it’s all about rejoicing in the Lord, and receiving His heart-lifting joy.

God Keeps His Promises to the Jewish People

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #261 ~

Some people think God’s plans for Israel were invalidated by their crucifixion of Christ, but that’s just not true! God’s plans are still valid, and one of the primary reasons we know this is because He has already carried out His promise to bring back the Jewish people to their land, and this sets the stage for the fulfillment of the rest of His promises to them. And what happens to the Jews relates directly to what happens to the church. Matt. 24:4-22, Luke 21:10-28, 2 Thess. 2:1-19, Rev. 7:1-14, Rev. 12:13-17 all show God’s side-by-side plans with the Jews and the Christians in the end-times. 

Another reason we know God has not given up on His plans for the Jewish people is that there are at least 20 New Testament passages that talk about their future. And these passages are in the New Testament because they’re part of God’s church age / kingdom age plans. Last week we looked at 10 of them and today we will look at 10 more. These verses, in addition to a large number of other Old Testament prophecies, prove that God will fulfill His promises to the Jews. Let’s go over them:

* Luke 21:20-24“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near… these are days of vengeance… they will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Jesus predicted the future of the Jewish people, that Jerusalem would be destroyed, which happened in 70 AD, and that the Jews would be scattered all over the world. But in the last 140+ years, a great multitude of Jews have miraculously come back to their land. That means the times of the Gentiles will soon be fulfilled, and that a large remnant of Jews will soon be saved. Ezek. 36-37, Rom. 11:25-27

* Matthew 19:27-28“Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Jesus tells the apostles their reward for being His followers, that they will rule with Him, specifically that they will be judging the 12 tribes of Israel. This occurs during the millennial kingdom, “in the regeneration” (physical new birth – Rom. 8:20-21). This is more evidence that God has a future for Israel and the Jewish people, as was promised in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms and Prophets. Psalm 37:9, 22, 29; Psalm 105:6-11; Ezekiel 37:21-28

* Romans 11:25-27“A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved, just as it is written ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” During this church age, the Jewish people are experiencing a partial hardening of heart and, therefore, are not as receptive to the gospel as the Gentiles. At the end of this age, “the fulness of the Gentiles” will have come in, Christ will return, the church will be raptured, the world will be judged, and a large number of Jewish people will be saved. Psalm 130:7-8, Isaiah 45:17

* Romans 15:7-13“Christ has become a servant to the circumcision (the Jews) on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers (Abraham, etc.), and for the Gentiles to glorify God… ‘Therefore, I will give praise to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing to Your name… Rejoice O Gentiles, with His people… Let all the people’s praise Him… He (Jesus) who arises to rule over the Gentiles…’” The Jewish people have a magnificent future, and that’s because God will carry out His incredible promises for them. Vss. 7-13 speak of a very important aspect of their hope, and Gentile Christians will share in that hope, which is that all believers, both Jew and Gentile, will unitedly be worshiping the Lord Jesus in the ages to come. Might God fill your heart with this hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Hebrews 8:8-12“‘Days are coming’, says the Lord, ‘when I will affect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah… I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be My people… for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.’” The book of Hebrews was written to Jews, many of whom were wondering about God’s plans for them. The New Covenant, the key part of these plans, first written down in Jer. 31:31-34, is quoted here in Heb. 8. It’s true that God made this covenant with Israel, with the Jews, but during this church age, its primary beneficiaries are the Gentiles. God wanted the Jewish people back then and throughout this age to know that He has not forgotten His promise to them. And at the end of Daniel’s 70th week, which isn’t long from now, all Israel, all Jews, will share in this “new covenant” promise, and be saved, be forgiven of all their sins. Daniel 9:24-27, Isaiah 45:17, Ezekiel 37:21-28

Hebrews 11:13, 39-40“He (Abraham) lived as an alien in the land of promise… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God… All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance… all these… did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.” God continues to assure the Jewish people that He has not cancelled His plans for them. Heb. 11 speaks of believers who were, and still are, expecting the fulfillment of these plans. And in this church age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are looking forward to that time when Christ comes back, when all believers will be “blessed by Him” and “will inherit the land” (Ps. 37:22, Matt. 5:5). Vss. 39-40 tell us an amazing truth, that promises to the Old Testament saints will be carried out in conjunction with His promises to the church. God wants you to know that His plans for all His people are converging, are coming together in the end-times. Matthew 24:15-31

* Revelation 7:1-8“I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: from the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed…” In the future, a large number of Jewish people, exactly 144,000, 12,000 from every tribe, will be sealed and set apart for Jesus Christ. This occurs during the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70th week, close to the time of the rapture. We know this because Rev. 7:9-14 goes on to talk about the rapture, how a great multitude of Christians will come out of great tribulation and then be in in heaven worshiping God and Christ. Then Rev. 14:1-5 tells us that these 144,000 Jews become devoted worshipers and servants of Christ – “The Lamb was standing on Mount Zion and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.”

* Revelation 11:1-15“Get up and measure the temple of God… they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days.” This is another informative passage about the future of the Jewish people in the end-times. Here are the main points:
– The events talked about in this passage take place in the holy city, the city of Jerusalem.
– The Jewish temple is to be measured, which means it will be rebuilt sometime in the future.
– Two godly, God-protected witnesses, probably Moses and Elijah, are performing miracles, and are prophesying, that is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
– The beast, the Antichrist, kills the witnesses, but after 3½ days, God raises them from the dead.
– The time frame for these events is forty-two months or twelve hundred and sixty days, which is referring to the second half of Daniel’s 70th week, the last 3½ years.
– Immediately after these events, the seventh trumpet is blown, and soon after that, Jesus Christ, from the city of Jerusalem, begins His 1000-year reign upon the earth.

* Revelation 20:2,3,4,5,6“… a thousand years… the thousand years… a thousand years… the thousand years… a thousand years… the thousand years.” Many Old Testament promises to the Jewish people speak about the Messiah, the Christ, reigning over His kingdom. (2 Sam. 7:16, Psalm 2). These verses in Rev. 20 repeatedly and clearly tell us that the first part of Christ’s coming reign will last exactly 1,000 years. Immediately after that, there’s the eternal kingdom, when Christ and His Father reign over the world forever and ever. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

* Revelation 21:10-14“… the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God… it had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.” This describes the holy and eternal city, the new Jerusalem. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the twelve gates, which means the Jewish people are eternally important, and that God’s promises to them will come to pass. All believers from all time will be living together in this holy city, and be eternally worshiping and serving God.  

At least 20 New Testament passages talk about the future God has for the Jewish people. You can’t ignore them, or say they’re not important, or that they’re not true for Jews. Go back over them and study them. Might you see their relevance to both Jews and Gentiles, to believers from Old Testament times and the church age. Since we live in the end-times, we know these glorious plans for God’s people will soon come to pass. And as a believer, you will see it all happen. “I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning… saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure’; calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11

P.S. I have many charts that really help you see the big picture for the Jewish people and God’s plans for them. Here are four I would encourage you to look at: “God’s Plan for the Jews”, “Promises for the Jewish Remnant”, “Micah and the Millennial Kingdom”, “The Regathering of Jews to Israel”.

God’s Plans for the Jewish People Have NOT Been Cancelled

By Steven J. Hogan

~ A Saturday Morning Post #260 ~

The Old Testament talks extensively about the Jewish people – and it’s both historical and prophetical. But some say His promises and plans for them are null and void, that God cancelled them, and that because of the Jew’s rejection of Christ, God rejected them. But that’s not true! Here are three reasons why God’s plans for the Jews are still valid. First, God keeps His promises, He doesn’t go back on His word. “Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it” (Is. 46:11). Second, the Jewish people have regathered to Israel just as God predicted, which means He still has plans for them. (Ezek. 36-37). Third, 20 different passages in the New Testament directly and indirectly refer to the Jews. The mere fact that there are all these passages in the New Testament about the Jews must mean something – and they need to be examined and understood. My purpose in this post and the next one is to look at all these verses.

* Matthew 5:17-19“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill… not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished…” The Law and the Prophets are primarily about Jesus and the Jewish people. Jesus wants us to know that all that is said about Himself will come true, and that He will accomplish all His promises to the Jews. And some of these have been fulfilled in the past and the rest will be fulfilled in the future.

* Luke 1:31-33“You shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High… He will reign over the house of Jacob forever and His kingdom will have no end.” The angel is referring to and reminding Mary of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-13, 16), and telling her that God’s Son will be her Son, One who will rule forever over the Jewish people, His chosen ones, and as we know now, over all believers in Christ. Psalm 89:1-4, 19-29, 34-37

* Luke 1:54-55“He (God) has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our Fathers, to Abraham and His descendants forever.” God tells Mary, and us too, that He will fulfill His promises to Abraham and to Israel, some of which have already come to pass, and others which will be carried out in the future, ones that will affect all His descendants, both Jewish people and Gentiles. And you see that these promises are eternal, that they will last forever, which means they cannot and will not be revoked. Gen. 12:1-3, Gen. 13:14-17, Gen. 15:4, and Gen. 17:1-8

* Acts 3:20-21“… that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” The prophets made many predictions about the Jewish people, which have been and will be coming true. One in particular is the “restoration of all things”, which will be an incredible blessing to both Jews and Gentiles who are living on this earth during the millennial kingdom. Psalm 98, Isaiah 65:17-23, Matthew 19:28, Romans 8:21

* Luke 24:25-27“O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken… Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44 “All things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Jesus used the Old Testament Scriptures to prove to His Jewish disciples that He was the Messiah, both Savior and King. But note that it says, “All things which are written about Me.” Christ wanted them to know that all the prophecies about Himself were valid, some of which they had already seen come true. The rest will be fulfilled in the future, many of which speak of Christ’s reign over the Jewish people, and over the entire world. Look at Psalms 22:27-31, 47, 48, 67, 72 and 102:18-28.

* 2 Thess. 2:3-4, 8-9“The man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God… that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.” This prophecy predicted that the Jewish people would be in Jerusalem, which has now come true, and that they need to build a temple, which will happen soon. Not long after the Jews begin to offer sacrifices, this man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, will desolate their temple. Then that most devilish man will meet his Maker and be thrown into the lake of fire. Rev. 19:20

* Acts 28:17, 20, 23, 30-31“Paul called together… the leading men of the Jews… for the sake of the hope of Israel… He was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets… he stayed two full years… preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was in Rome talking to the Jewish leaders about Jesus, the Kingdom of God, and the hope, the future of Israel. He explained that Jesus was Lord and Savior of all who believed in Him, both Jewish people and Gentiles, and that in the future, He would be King over the whole world. (Is. 2:1-4, 9:6-7; Ezek. 40-48; Zech. 14:9). Paul’s time in Rome occurred about 10 years after he had written his prophecy-laden letters to the Thessalonian church, where He spoke of the Antichrist, the desolation of the temple, Christ’s coming, the rapture and the day of the Lord. I’m sure he explained to them how this related to the salvation of a remnant of Jews, and Jesus Christ ruling from the city of Jerusalem and establishing His kingdom on this earth.

* Matthew 23:37-39“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets… Behold, your house is being left to you desolate. For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.’” Jesus tells the Jewish people the bad news, that their city is being destroyed and left desolate, which happened in 70 AD. Then He tells them the good news, that in the future they will recognize Him as their Lord and Savior, which occurs at Christ’s 2nd coming, at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Psalm 118:22-29, Daniel 9:24-27

* Matthew 24:15-26“When you see the abomination of desolation… standing in the holy place… then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains… pray that your flight will not be in the winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation… just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” This too tells us that the Antichrist will desolate the temple, the holy place. That most evil man will then go after the Jewish people and bring great tribulation but, mercifully for them, Christ will cut it short. Then everyone on earth will see Christ coming in the clouds, at which time He will rapture the Christians, and a short while later, redeem a remnant of Jews. Matt. 24:27, 30-31

* Revelation 12:5-6, 13-17“She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness …” Rev. 12:13-17“The dragon… persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (3½ years), away from the presence of the serpent… the dragon was enraged with the woman…”

The woman is referring to the Jewish people, who brought Jesus into the world (vs. 5). You realize that there’s close to a 2000-year gap between vs. 5 and vs. 6, and now we’re in the end-times, the last years of the church age. Not long from now, the Jews will be fleeing into the wilderness (vs. 6). As 2 Thess. 2 and Matt. 24 tell us, the Jews will be persecuted by the Antichrist. But she will miraculously escape, be physically saved by the power of God. Shortly after her escape, she will be spiritually saved by Christ and, in fulfillment of God’s promise to David, He will become their King and rule over them and all the nations. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Think about all these verses, all these prophecies and promises, and they all relate to the Jewish people. You can’t just skip over and ignore these verses, or take them allegorically – they are true, and are relevant to the present day, to the 21st century, and to both Jewish people and Christians. Next week, we’ll look at ten more passages. Surely, the Jews have not been forsaken and forgotten, for God has a future for them, a future that relates directly to His plans for the church. “None of them (Old Testament believers) had received what was promised. God had planned something better for us (Christians) so that only together with us (Christians) would they (Old Testament believers) be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39-40

P.S. There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the Jewish people and prophecy, and it’s vitally important for you, the Christian, to know what God has clearly told us in His Word. I strongly encourage you to read these previous posts about the Jewish people – “A Short Summary of God’s Working With the Jews”, “A Jewish Reading Lesson”, and “Clear New Testament Confirmation of God’s Plans for the Jews.”

« Older posts