God called Abraham; Gen. 12:1-3

God only calls three things the "apple of His eye:"

• His Holy Word; Prov. 7:1-5
• Israel; Deut. 32:10; Zech. 2:8
• David prayed that God would keep him as ‘the apple of God’s eye’

Ps. 17:8. ‘keep’ in Hebrew means ‘to guard, to watch over.'

“The pupil of the eye permits light to the brain, which then allows us to make the correct decisions in life." ~~ Cleveland Clinic

We all know that the world is in a crisis. No man seems to have the answer. How about giving God a chance? The Bible is 1/3 history (past); 1/3 doctrine (present); 1/3 prophecy (future).

“If you preach the Gospel in all aspects, with the exception of the issues, which deal specifically with the time in which you live, you are not preaching the Gospel at all.” ~~ Martin Luther

“Pastors who refuse to teach Bible prophecy are failing to teach 20 – 40% of the Bible." ~~ Jack Hibbs

“The Lord will not teach you anything new until you obey what you already know.” ~~ Stephen Olford

Barry Borthistle

A Spiritual Entrepreneur With a Biblical Worldview

https://www.solomonsporchteaching.com

bborthistle@shaw.ca

WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ISRAEL TO BE HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE?

“Speaking of the nation of Israel, Deut. 7:7-9 tells us, “the Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord our God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.

God chose the nation of Israel to be the people through whom Jesus Christ would be born – the Savior from sin and death (John 3:16. God first promised the Messiah after Adam and Eve’s fall into sin (Gen. 3). God later confirmed that the Messiah would come from the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 12:1-3). Jesus Christ is the ultimate reason why God chose Israel to be His special people. God did not need to have a chosen people, but He decided to do it that way. Jesus had to come from some nation of people and God chose Israel.

However, God’s reason for choosing the nation of Israel was not solely for the purpose of producing the Messiah. God’s desire for Israel was that they would go and teach others about Him. Israel was to be a nation of priests, prophets and missionaries to the world. God’s intent was for Israel to be a distinct people, a nation who pointed others towards God and His promised provision of a Redeemer, Messiah and Savior. For the most part, Israel failed in this task. However, God’s ultimate purpose for Israel, that of bringing the Messiah into the world – was fulfilled perfectly in the Person of Jesus Christ." ~~ GotQuestions.com

TEN AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ISRAEL

Keep in mind that Israel is only about the size of the state of New Jersey with a population of about 9 million people.

1. The Economist ranked Israel as the 4th most successful economy among developed countries in 2022. The IMF estimated Israel’s GDP at US$564

billion and its GDP per capita at US$58,270 in 2023 (13th highest in the world), a figure comparable to other highly developed countries.

2. The Economy of Israel is a highly developed free-market economy. It has the second largest number of startup companies in the world after the

United States.

3. Israel has the highest number of billionaires in the Middle East (Wikipedia).

4. Israel is one of the most resilient and technologically-advance market economies in the world. Its skilled workforce and concentration of venture

capital.

5. Recent discoveries of oil and natural gas have made Israel an exporter (International Trade Commission).

6. Israel’s Index of Economic Freedom score is higher than the world and regional averages. Israel’s economy is considered “mostly free’ according

to the 2024 index.

7. Science and technology in Israel is one of the country’s most developed sectors. “We are lucky to be sitting in one of the hottest innovation and

technology hubs in the world. With over 6,000 active startups” - Deloitte

Israel spent 4.3% of its gross domestic product on civil research and development in 2015, the highest ratio in the world. In 2019, Israel was

ranked the world’s fifth most innovative country by the Bloomberg Innovation index.

8. The answer is not complicated – water, electricity, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of movement.

9. Israel has developed an education system that has created a venture capital system, second only to Silicon Valley in the U.S. (with only 9 million

people!).

10. Israel is also an exporter of flowers, fruit and diamonds. - Wikipedia

Isaiah foretold the re-birth of Israel

Isaiah prophesied that Israel would become a nation again and that it would happen in one day! Isaiah 66:7,8 – written perhaps between 701-681 BC; fulfilled: 1948. Isaiah said the birth would take place before there would be labor pains. And that too is precisely what happened. A movement called Zionism began in the 1800s to encourage Jews worldwide to move to Israel, which at that time was called Palestine. Within hours of the declaration of independence in 1948, Israel was attacked by the surrounding countries of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

When reading Isaiah 66:7,8, keep in mind that Israel’s status as a sovereign nation was established and reaffirmed during the course of a single day and that it was born of a movement called Zionism and that its declaration of independence was not the result of a war but rather the cause of one.

Also note: as the Bible prophesied, the world is turning against the Jews and Israel with a vengeance:

• Isaiah 60:15 – “Whereas you have been [Is. 1:7-9; 6:11-13; Jer. 30:17] forsaken and [Is. 66:5] hated with no one passing through, I will make you

an everlasting [Is. 4:2; 65:18] pride, a joy from generation to generation."

• Ezekiel 36:8-10 – “But you, O mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home, I am

concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, and I will multiply the number of people upon you, even the whole

house of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt."

• Matthew 24:9 – “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you and you will be hated by all nations because of my name."

For centuries everybody has been fighting over this tiny country called Israel to claim it as “their” holy place. It seems that the whole world has always ‘had it in’ for Jews in one way or another and some (i.e. Hitler) have even tried to annihilate them completely. The bottom line is, this issue dates back to the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael, and will not be resolved until Yeshua returns.

- Refinersfire.org/Israel

BIBLICAL REASONS WHY WE SHOULD BLESS ISRAEL AND PRAY FOR JERUSALEM

Gen. 12:1-3; Psalm 122:6-9

Keep in mind that Israel is mentioned over 2500 times and Jerusalem over 800 times in the Word of God. The word ‘Jerusalem’ is not mentioned once in the Quran. God did all of the blessing prior to Abraham. From Adam and Eve until Abraham was about 1600 years.

1. God blessed all living creatures; Gen. 1:21,22

2. God blessed the 7th day; Gen. 2:2,3

3. God blessed male and female and told Adam and Eve to multiply and replenish the earth; Gen. 1:28

4. God blessed Noah after the flood with the same message that He gave to Adam and Eve; Gen. 9:1

God is a God of love and mercy and is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance; II Peter 3:9

“Whatever Happened to Repentance?” By David Wilkerson

Only 10% of pastors preach on repentance today according to Barna Research. Without repentance, there is no fellowship with the Lord; I John 1:5-10

Repentance can help God change His mind; Jonah 3:10

Repentance can cause God to heal (divine intervention) our land – II Chron. 7:12-15 and our bodies, physical and spiritual; Is. 53:4-6

Repentance can cause God to heal our bodies; Isaiah 53:4-6

Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord; Gen. 6:8. Because of Jesus Christ, we are given grace and we are given faith; Rom. 12:3

5. Israel is the first thing that God told His creation to bless; Gen. 12:1-3

God called Abraham at 75 years of age; Abraham is a boy’s name of Hebrew origin, meaning “high father”, “father of miracles” or “father of a nation”. Named after the founder of the Jewish people, Abraham will certainly be able to see the significance of his name in this faith.

‘Bless’ in Hebrew means “to praise – to salute – to endue with power for success, prosperity, longevity”. The average life expectancy in Israel is the 4th in the world out of 195 countries. Global Citizen

6. God then tells Abraham that those who bless Israel will be blessed; Gen. 12:1-3

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house unto a land that I will show thee.

And I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessed.

And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

The Middle East crisis would be over in one day if all nations would bless Israel.

7. What are the blessings of Abraham? First blessing is Jesus Christ because Jesus is the seed of Abraham; Gal. 3:15-18

The blessing of Abraham was a benefit to Abraham himself. In terms of the ancient world, he was a success; he was well-respected, he was healthy and he had many descendants. However, the blessing Abraham received from God went far beyond those immediate personal blessings. Through Abraham the whole world was blessed because Jesus is a descendant of Abraham. Because of Jesus any person, Jew or Gentile, can be forgiven and be in His kingdom. In Christ, we receive the spiritual blessing of justification, just as Abraham did. “If you belong to Christ, then are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew

nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are

Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise”. Gal. 3:26-29 Remember: now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does

not say, “And to seeds”, as of many, but as one, “And to your Seed”, who is Christ.

8. Did you know that God loves Israel so much that He calls Himself the husband of Israel (Isaiah 54:5,6). ‘Husband’ in Hebrew means ‘to marry’. The Church is the Bride of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:21-33. Husbands love your wives as Christ loves the Church; Eph. 5:25

9. Why we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem. God tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6-9.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For

the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity." Since Jerusalem is depicted as the center of Jewish life, it follows that those who pray for her peace and security will be granted peace themselves. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is most appropriate for a city whose name literally means “peaceful” and which is the residence of the God of peace. The phrase “peace be upon Israel” is found also at the end of Psalm 125:5. Indicating that it was a common farewell blessing. Further, Jerusalem will be the scene of Christ’s return (Acts 1:11; Zech. 14:4) and at that time he will establish permanent peace within its walls. All Christians should be eagerly awaiting His return and praying for the time when the Prince of Peace will reign in Jerusalem. Jesus also said that we should be peacemakers, which would include praying for peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9)." We are committed to do our best to live at peace with others.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” Romans 12:18. So God wants us to seek peace among all people and that would include praying for peace in Jerusalem, especially because of its special place in His heart.

Peace (shalom) meant prosperity – long life – wellness. Jesus Christ left us His peace. John 14:27

10. The Lord will look after Israel like “the apple of His eye” (Isaiah 51:2,3). Comforting words for Jerusalem: “Look unto Abraham your father, and Sarah

that bare you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him. For the Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste place and he will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. This is incredible good news for Israel. God told Israel that He would send farmers to help with the agriculture in time of need. It is happening today. Farmers are flocking to Israel to assist with the harvest. Why? Because most farmers in Israel are at war (Isaiah 61:5,6),

(CBN News).

NATIONS REAFFIRM URGENCY OF TWO-STATE SOLUTION FOR ISRAEL AND PALESTINE

Nations expressed support for a future independent Palestinian state at the United Nations in January 2024, days after Israel’s prime minister took a strong stance against the two-state solution. U.N. Secretary, General Antonia Guterres told the Security Council that any refusal to accept a two-state solution’ by any party must be firmly rejected’. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is seeking “only total victory” over Hamas, following their October 7 terror attack inside Israel that triggered the latest war. At a news conference in Tel Aviv, he pushed back on the idea of a

future Palestinian state. The Biblical boundaries given to Israel by God and not the U.N. or anyone else, extend today into modern day Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan: “From sea to sea” (Numbers 34).

“I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them.” Amos 9:15

The Bible refers to significant points that we can identify – the Sea of Kinnereth being the Sea of Galilee; the Salt Sea being the Dead Sea; and places such as Gaza and Sidon, where there is no doubt about the ancient location. Archaeology has given us proof.

What we can say is that the Promised Land stretches from the Red Sea around Eilat, as a southern boundary to the Mediterranean at the point south of Gaza and extending from there up the coastline at least as far north a Sidon in Lebanon to form the western boundary, then north to Euphrates River, to form the northern boundary and down the line of the Jordan River to form the eastern boundary.

Psalm 83 – Defend Israel O, God

11.  Psalm 83 “Defend Israel – O God”. V. 6-11 lists the ten nations that want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Why would the Arabs want to sign a peace treaty with a country and people that they want to wipe off the face of the earth? Since 1948, Israel has offered a peace treaty for a two state solution – 9 times and each time they have been rejected. Israel gave Gaza to the Arabs in an attempt for a two state solution and the result was October 7, 2023.

Israel’s disengagement from Gaza and North Samaria (2005).

Israel’s plan of unilateral disengagement form the Gaza Strip and North Samaria put forward by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was carried out on August 15, 2005. The purpose of the plan was to improve Israel’s security and international status in the absence of peace negotiations with the Palestinians. With the implementation of the plan, IDF installation and forces were removed and over 9000 Israeli citizens living in 25 settlements were evicted. By September 22, 2005, Israel’s withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip to the 1967 Green Line and the eviction of the four settlements in Samaria, was complete. In June 2007 Hamas took over the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority. Many thousands of rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip onto southern Israeli towns and villages, terrorizing and destabilizing the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens.

CHAOS AND HUMILIATON AS ISRAEL PULLS OUT OF LEBANON

Lebanese snipers exacted a final humiliation on Israel’s 22 year occupation of southern Lebanon, triggering a firefight above columns of refuges at the border and announcing the enemy’s arrival omits doorstep. Clashes raged while refuges cowered behind cars and paltry pieces of luggage,

encapsulating Israel’s worst nightmare. After decades and loss, more than 1000 men, Israel’s chaotic withdrawal from southern Lebanon left its northern flank dangerously exposed with Hezbollah guerrillas sitting directly on its border.

WHEN WILL ISRAEL SIGN A PEACE TREATY?

12 Could the next peace treaty that Israel signs be with the antichrist in the Tribulation? If so, the return of Jesus Christ could be closer than many of us think! Daniel 9:20-27

ISRAEL’S PEACE TREATY WITH THE ANTICHRIST

One of the end time prophecies described by the prophet Daniel is the unveiling of the deceptive peace treaty that the Antichrist will force Israel to sign. The treaty will promise calm, but after three and a half years, the Man of Lawlessness will use it as a pretext to invade Israel. Isaiah warns this accord will be grounded in a lie and will guarantee war because it is a covenant with death. The goal of the Antichrist armies will be to capture Jerusalem and establish an Antichrist presence in the restored Third Temple on the Temple Mount. The Lord Jesus Christ warned of this when He spoke of an “Abomination of Desolation”, Matt. 24:15, standing in the holy place at the Temple. Daniel explains that this

treaty lasts one week; in his symbolism, one day represents one year. Thus, the middle of the seven year Tribulation period, the Antichrist will capture the Third Temple and end sacrifices.

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Jesus refers to the Abomination of Desolation, (Matt. 24:15) spoken of by the Prophet Daniel in Daniel 9:27. The passage sets the pattern and provides details about what the abomination of desolation consists of. This abomination is to take place in the middle of a seven

year period. The passage says, ‘in the middle of the week he will put a top to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate.’ In other words, the future prince will do at that time exactly what Antiochus did in the second century BD. But Daniel goes on to say that the one who commits this act will be destroyed three and a half years later. Daniel 12:11 provides ‘the precise chronology”. The text says, ‘and from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up,

there will be 2,290 days.’

13 In addition to the three passages in Daniel, the two references by our Lord in Matthew and Luke, II Thess. 2:4 and Rev. 13:14-15 also have this event in view. Therefore, the abomination of desolation, which the reader is to understand, includes the following elements:

taken from Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14,15

1. It occurs in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem; Dan. 11:31; II Thess. 2:4.

2. It involves a person setting up a statue in place of the regular sacrifice in

the holy of holies; Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Rev. 13:14,15.

3. This results in the cessation of the regular sacrifice; Dan. 9:17; 12:11

4. There will be a time of about three and a half years between this event and

another event and the end of the time period.

5. It involves an individual setting up a statue of image of himself so that he

may be worshiped in place of God; Dan. 11:31; II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14,15.

6. The image is made to come to life.

7. A worship system of this false god is thus inaugurated.

8. At the end of this time period the individual who commits the act will be

himself be cut off.

~~ Thomas Ice

JESUS CHRIST WILL RULE

14 In Zechariah 14, verses 1 and 2 it states all nations will come against Israel but Israel will be defended by the Messiah. This is already occurring with 3 European nations withdrawing their ambassadors from Israel:

• Norway
• Ireland
• Spain

Keep in mind that in 1948, the sun never set on the British Empire and then the United Kingdom did not support Israel becoming a state in 1948. Today, the British Empire is no longer. Gen. 12:1-3. Verse 3, the Messiah intervenes for His people. I believe this is the Battle of Armageddon; Rev. 16:16-21

1. The largest earthquake the world has ever seen, which will destroy every

mountain and island.

2. Hailstones about 100 pounds each will be exceedingly great.

3. Cities of the nations will fall.

4. The Great Babylon, which is portrayed in Scripture as the world’s system,

like the Tower of Babel, will fall; Gen. 10:10; 11:9

According the futurist interpretation of Revelation, the Battle of Armageddon will be a real battle in the future, near the end of the tribulation. Demonic influences will cause the kings of the earth to gather their armies for an all-out assault on Jerusalem. The Antichrist will be leading the charge: Rev. 16:13-16. Jesus Christ will return to earth with the armies of heaven; Matt. 25:31; Rev. 19:14. His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives; Zech. 14:4 and will split in two when the feet of Jesus Christ touches it. He will defeat the forces of evil; Rev. 19:15,16. He will cast the Antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire.

~~GotQuestions.com

The Holiday Inn sent engineers to survey the Mount of Olives for preparation of a hotel site and their conclusion was that it couldn’t be done as they found that there was a geological fault under the Mount that is causing it to split. Some 2500 years ago the Bible, as stated by the prophet Zechariah, said that this split (possibly cause by a great earthquake) will take place when Jesus Christ returns to earth to put down all evil and rule and reign forever, as the Bible says,

15 “Then the Lord will go out fully armed for war, to fight against those nations. That day his feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a very wide valley running from east to west, for half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south."

He will find Satan; and He will set up His kingdom for 1,000 years; Rev. 19:20

At Armageddon the Lord Jesus Christ ‘reads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty”; Rev. 16:19 and all things will be made right!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE THOUSAND YEAR REIGN OF CHRIST?

The millennium, also known as the millennial kingdom, is the 1000 year reign of Jesus after the Tribulation and before the Great White Throne Judgment of the wicked. During the millennium, Jesus will reign King over Israel and all the nations of the world (Isa, 2:4; 42:1). The world will live in peace (Isa. 11:6-9;32:18). Satan will be bound; Rev. 20:1-3 and at the beginning, everyone will worship God; Isa. 2:2,3. The purpose of the 1000 year reign is to fulfill various promises God made to the world some of these promises, called covenants, were given specifically to Israel. Others were given to Jesus. ~~ GotQuestions.com

THE MEANING OF THE MOUNT OF OLIVES TO JESUS IN THE BIBLE

16 The second most famous mountain in Jerusalem (Mount Zion being the first) is the Mount of Olives. Why is it so significant? God chose to reveal His redemptive plan and purpose through a small country on the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa. He chose a region known as the Middle East.

Israel is about the size of New Jersey. Its capital, Jerusalem, though often referred to as the city of peace, has had this name challenged over and over through the years. Many battles and unresolved conflicts have battered it for years. Mount of Olives and the Messiah – the first visit is recorded in Luke 19:28-39.

As Jesus moved towards the Temple Mount, crowds of Jewish people greeted Him with a proclamation: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38. These words were not random. It is the official messianic greeting based on the words of Psalm 118:26. Jesus fulfilled the words of the Prophet Zechariah, which said the Messiah would arrive on a humble donkey; Zech. 9:9.

During the second visit, Jesus answered His disciples’ questions about the end of days. It is one of the clearest passages of eschatology in the Gospels. Meaning, it gives a detailed picture of the tribulation and second coming of Jesus; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36. The Mount of Olives as first known as a place of prayer. King David ascended to the Mount of Olives, barefoot, in prayer, while attempting to escape the rage of his son Absalom. Those in his company also wept; I Sam. 15:30. We know from Acts 1:11,12 that Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:14 gives us the future hope and assurance that Jesus will one day return to the very same location.

This discourse simultaneously describes the immediate future, while also point to Jesus’ second coming. The dramatic events of that week culminate in the events of the Passion. In anticipation for His arrest and betrayal, Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives to pray one last time.

He returns to the place where King David fled from his son Absalom, where King Solomon worshipped idols, where the prophets Ezekiel and Zechariah prophesied… and where He himself prayed, taught and prophesied. He chose this hill for His final moments before being betrayed.

THE RE-CREATION OF HEBREW: A “DEAD LANGUAGE” LIVES AGAIN

The revival of Modem Hebrew – the language of the new state of Israel – has been a continuing source of amazement to linguists and laymen alike. How was the “dead” language of the Bible suited to all the needs of modem industrial and urban civilization? Ralph Weiman is preeminently qualified to report on this achievement: he was for four years chief of the language section of the United States War Department, which prepared foreign language guides for American soldiers.

In a sense the most amazing feat of Zionism has been the revival of Hebrew, even more remarkable, perhaps, than much more frequently cited achievement as the transformation of the sand dunes near Jaffa into that bustling modem city, Tel Aviv. It is a linguistic miracle. For apart from here, we have no example of a “dead” language which ceased to be spoken and was gain restored to life.

THE BUILDING OF THE THIRD TEMPLE

The Jerusalem Post and Dr. Jimmy DeYong state that everything is ready for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70A.D. as prophesied by Jesus in Mark 13.

1. All worship and offering utensils are in stock today

2. The group of 24 priests necessary to conduct worship are being trained

today

3. There has not been a pure bred red heifer in Jerusalem in over 2000 years. The red heifer is part of temple worship; Numbers chapter 19. There are

now 5 pure bred red heifers in Jerusalem today. ~~ C.B.N. News

Titus Destroys Jerusalem – A.D. 70. The Jewish Revolt began – and met its bitter end - at Masada, a hunk of rock overlooking the Dead Sea. The Romans had built a virtually impregnable fortress there. Yet the atrocities of Florus inspired some crazy Zealots to attack Masada. Amazingly, they won, slaughtering the Roman army there.

In Jerusalem, he temple captain signified solidarity with the result by stopping the daily sacrifices to Caesar. Soon all Jerusalem was in an uproar, expelling or killing the Roman troops. Then all Judea was in revolt; then Galilee. HUGE BIBLICAL FACT: believers now are the Temple of God with the power of the Holy Spirit, living within each believer; I Cor. 3:16, 17; 6:17-20

JEWISH WEDDING TRADITIONS AND RITUALS

This is one of the most amazing illustrations of the return of Jesus Christ. Each step of the Jewish wedding illustrates the coming of Christ because the Church is now the Bride of Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:21-23 Israel is the Bride of God; Isa. 54. There are about 24 passages in the New Testament that confirm this incredible story.

HOW DOES ALL THIS END? THE COMING INVASIONS OF ISRAEL

Jewish people have faced annihilation ever since Moses led them out of slavery in Egypt more than 3,400 years ago. Accounts of Jewish genocide are so plentiful, heinous, and gruesome they make you weep and wonder at the abject depravity of the human heart. Jewish people have suffered and their suffering continues. The cancer of anti-Semitism is eating away at the world, resulting in no country being despised more, without cause, than the infinitesimally small State of Israel. From Israel’s inception in 1948, nations have challenged its right to exist and have attempted to destroy the little pocket of Jewish people who live there.

Israel is barely a speck on the map of the world, but I’s a speck many are determined to eradicate. From a human perspective, the tiny nation’s chances of surviving are nonexistent.

Jerusalem’s Enemies to be destroyed:

“Behold I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round

about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against

Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for

all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though

all the people of the earth begather4ed together against it.” Zech. 12:2,3

~~ Benson Commentary

19 Zech. 12:3 – I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone – Jerusalem is here compared to a stone of great weight, which, being too heavy for those who attempted to lift it up or remove it, falls back upon them and crushes them to pieces. St. Jerome, in a note on the place, speaks of an exercise, which he says, was common in Palestine and throughout all Judea, in his day, in which the young men, who were ambitious to show their strength, used to lift up stones of enormous weight as high as they could, some of their knees, others to their naval, their shoulders and even their heads, and some placed them on top of their heads, with their hands erect and joined together. In his exercise, it is evident they must have been in great danger of the stone’ falling upon them and bruising them or even crushing them to pieces.

TWO JUDGMENTS COMING

1. The Bema judgment; bema – a divine tribunal in which all believers will stand; Rom. 14:10; II Cor. 5:9,10. In Rome, crowns were handed out at the

Bema seat. Crown is a token of honour; a symbol of triumph. There are five crowns mentioned in Scripture; those receiving the crowns will cast

them around the throne; Rev. 4:9-11.

• Imperishable crown – discipline in the believer’s walk; I Cor. 9:24-27
• Crown of rejoicing – looking for the return of Jesus Christ; I Thess. 2:17-19
• Crown of righteousness – reward for fighting the God work conflict by faith???? II Tim. 4:6-8
• Crown of glory – teachers of the Word who teach voluntarily, without being paid; I Peter 5:1-4
• Crown of life – those who have been persecuted for the cause of Christ; Rev. 2:8-11

Above all, remember that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had to bear a crown of thorns and was whipped, spit upon and crucified for us. The judgment that a person faces will be determined by the decision he or she makes while on earth. The right decisions to avoid the Great White Throne is to

accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. John 3:14-21.

2. Great White Throne judgment – Rev. 20:11-15. This is for unbelievers, which is eternal darnation (separation from God.)

WHAT ARE THE SEVEN TRUMPETS OF REVELATION?

After the Anti-Christ breaks the Peace Treaty with Israel, the seven angels will be given the seven trumpets. The seven trumpets described in Rev. 8:6-19 and 11:15-19. The seven trumpets are the “contents” of the seventh seal judgment, in that the seventh seal summons the angels who sound the trumpets (Rev. 8:1-5).

.

The judgments heralded by the seven trumpets will take place during the tribulation period in the end times.

THE FIRST TRUMPET - Rev. 8:6,7 – hail and fire mixed with blood will destroy 1/3 of the trees on earth and bury all green grass.

THE SECOND TRUMPET – v. 8,9 – one third of the sea will become blood and a third of sea life will be destroyed and a third of the ships will be destroyed.

THE THIRD TRUMPET – V. 10,11 – one third of all fresh water will become wormwood. Biblical scholars consider wormwood to represent bitterness in the

End times.

THE FOURTH TRUMPET – v. 12,13 – one third of the sun, moon and stars will be darkened.

THE FIFTH TRUMPET – the angel was given the key (spiritual authority) to The fifth trumpet (and the first woe) results in a terrifying plague of “demonic locusts” that attack and torture the unsaved for five months - Rev. 9:1-11. The plague begins with a “star” falling from Heaven. This star is most likely a fallen angel, as he is given “the key to the shaft of the Abyss” – vs. 1. He opens the Abyss, releasing a horde of “locusts” with “power like that of scorpions” – v. 3. The locusts do not touch the plant life of earth; rather, they head straight for “those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads” – v. 4. For five months, these locusts torment people, whose agony is so great that they will wish to die, “but death will

elude them” –p v. 6. The locusts are not allowed to kill anyone, only to torture them.

THE SIXTH TRUMPET – V. 13-21. These demonic “locusts” have a “king” who is the angel of the Abyss – Rev. 9:11. In Hebrew his name is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon, meaning ‘Destroyer’. The locusts themselves are described in unusual terms: they look like “horses prepared for battle – v. 7. They wear something like ‘crowns of gold’ and their faces are vaguely hum – v. 7. They have hair ‘like women’s hair’ and teeth ‘like lions’ teeth’ – v. 8. They have something like iron breastplates, and their wings sound like ‘the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle’ – v. 9. Like scorpions, they have stings in their tails – v. 10. This description has prompted many different interpretations; is this a vision of helicopters, of barbarian warriors, of a satanically empowered army or of actual creatures form the pit of hell. We won’t know for sure until it happens.

THE SEVENTH TRUMPET – Rev. 11:14-19 – God will rule forever! The seventh trumpet (and the third woe) sounds and immediately there are loud

voices in heaven saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.“ Rev. 11:15

The twenty-four elders say, “The time has come for…. Destroying those who destroy the earth” – v. 18. Obviously, God is about to wrap things up once and for all. At the sound of the seventh trumpet, the temple of God is opened in heaven and “within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm”. – v. 19

Thus end the seven trumpet judgments. All is set for the seven angels with the seven bowls of God’s wrath. These angels stand inside the now-open temple, ready to step forward and brig the final judgments on earth (Rev. 15). The decision to escape these horrible times is made before you die.

The answer; to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and commit your life to Him; John 3:15-21

Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready? I Cor. 15:51-58; I Thess. 4:13-18

HOW SHALL WE LIVE TODAY?

“Occupy until I come," said the Lord Jesus in Luke 19:13. ‘Occupy’ is an aorist imperative, meaning a command for doing something in the

future which is action. ‘Occupy’ in Greek means ‘to do business; to be occupied with…”

Paul is a great example. He wrote II Timothy 3 while in jail, with two themes:

• The last times; v. 1-4 gives 18 signs of the last days – all of them are in effect today globally.
• In the last days we have denied the power of the Holy Spirit; v. 5-9. Denying is a present infinitive meaning a continuous or repeated action.

‘denying’ in Greek means to contradict

• Tells us to ‘live a Godly life’ v. 10-17 through:

o Doctrine

o Purpose

o Faith

o Longsuffering

o Love

o Patience

• Understand that persecutions will come;
• Continue in the Holy Scriptures as they are the inspiration of God.

“If the Holy Spirit left the early Church, 95% of what was happening would stop. If the Holy Spirit left the Church today, 95% of what is happening would continue”. ~~ A.W. Tozer

God bless you.

Barry Borthistle

June 2024