8-31-2011 Vol. 5 Part 6 Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus (Matthew 24:29-32)

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Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus

8-31-2011 Vol. 5 Part 6

Psalms 41:1-6 NLT For the choir director: A psalm of David. Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The LORD rescues them when they are in trouble. The LORD protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The LORD nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. "O LORD," I prayed, "have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against You." But my enemies say nothing but evil about me. "How soon will he die and be forgotten?" they ask. They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. Father we praise your name, we give you all the glory. Father we pray for those last week that have suffered hardship with the earthquake and Hurricane Irene. We also ask that you be with those that have lost loved ones due to the hurricane. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!

Matthew 24:29 – 32

Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Verse 29: Right after the tribulation there will be signs that can’t be mistaken or explained in any other way, except that they are signs from God Almighty. People won’t have a chance to explain what is happening by using science. World leaders and scientist won’t have a chance to conjure up reasons on what is happening, because it is going to happen immediately at the end of the Tribulation. Did you know some say that when the Rapture happens, it will be explained away that aliens visited our planet and carried off millions of people. That won’t happen with this event, because Jesus is coming immediately after the Tribulation.

Don’t get this event mixed up with the Rapture which takes place at the beginning of the Tribulation where the dead Born Again believers bodies are raised from the grave and the living Born Again believers are raise, and all meet Jesus in the air. They will be removed from the earth to spare them the sorrows of the Tribulation.

The next part of verse 29 states “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” Some people think this is to be taken symbolically to represent the overtaking of world leaders, some believe the radiance of Jesus is so great that the sun and moon will appear darkened. I take this literally that the sun will be darkened which will result in the moon not shining, because we all know the sun is necessary for the moon to shine. We all know that God can make it so dark we can’t see our hand in front of our face. The first time God made it dark during the day was in Egypt when Moses was dealing with Pharaoh. Exodus 10:21 NKJV Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." Another time darkness fell on the earth was when Jesus died. Luke 23:44-45 NKJV Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. So I think it will get dark, which in turn will strike fear in the hearts of mankind. It will be a fear so great it will cause hearts to stop. Can you relate to this? This summer we have had some bad thunderstorms during the day that really made it dark. In fact so dark outside lighting came on. How did that affect you? It really made you to take notice of what was going on outside, didn’t it? If someone took a picture of the expression on your face at that time, it would show fear. Scripture doesn’t say anything about a storm causing the day time to go dark, so what would your thoughts be if in the middle of the day, the sun quit shining?

The stars will fall from Heaven has been interpreted to mean numerous things like; angels taking their place alongside of Jesus at the second coming; fallen churches and false doctrine; the darkness so dark it will appear the stars have fallen; with no sun they will not shine just like the moon; and a display like fireworks to usher in Jesus. In contemplating this verse and the next verse, I feel the stars represent God’s angels and they have come to assist in the binding of Satan and his band of followers. This train of thought ties directly in with the last part of the verse stating, “and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” This is talking about Satan being bound for a thousand years. Revelation 20:1-2 NKJV Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.  2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

To view the art work, click on the title above and go to Google Documents. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click this link, www.revelationillustrated.com to visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

Verse 30: This is describing when Jesus appears. When Jesus appears in the clouds, then and only then will people believe there is a God and Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus will part those clouds with such brilliance that there won’t be any question as to who it is. Remember it will be dark due to the sun being darkened. At that time people will mourn that they forsaken the Lord. People will be hiding in the mountains and wanting the mountains to cave in on them in hopes of hiding and not having to face Jesus. All of the Jewish Tribes will then realize who Jesus was that they rejected, pierced, and killed.  The nations of the earth will mourn because unbelievers will suddenly realize they have chosen the wrong side. They will finally realize the life of sin they are living is wrong and it has condemned them. Everything they have scoffed about in the Bible will be happening, and it will be too late for them.

Jesus will come with great power and glory. He will ride forth out of Heaven on a white horse with his army that will also be on white horses to destroy the antichrist and all evil. Revelation 19:11-16 NKJV 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.  13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

To view the art work, click on the title above and go to Google Documents.

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.

Click this link, www.revelationillustrated.com to visit her “Revelation Illustrated” site.

This description of Jesus is just about the same as the one at the beginning of Revelation. Revelation 1:12-16 NKJV 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13  and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Verse 31: He will send His angels with a great sound of the trumpet to gather his elect. When Jesus walked the earth a loud blast of the trumpet meant that something important was about to take place and people were to gather and pay attention. His angels were sent out to assemble the Saints from all corners of the earth. His Saints being the 144,000 Jewish witnesses and the people they witnessed to that became believers. They will be joined by the Old Testament saints and believers throughout Christendom, and they will all be ushered into God’s eternal kingdom.

Some people don’t like to study the end time events, but I think all should study them so they will know what will happen. There will be such bad times that just studying and understanding what will transpire should put the fear of God in them, that they will want to repent and ask Jesus into their life.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth,

Unless you are Born Again, you cannot enter into Heaven, the Kingdom of God."

http://jesus-christ-spiritual-food.blogspot.com/

Bill

Last Week’s Trivia: Why do people have a hard time understanding the Bible?

Answer: Is in 2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NLT 14 But the people's minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.  15 Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.  16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.

This week’s Trivia: What actually did Jesus hold against the Nicolaitans? Revelation 2:6 NLT But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.

8-24-2011 Vol. 5 Part 5 Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus (Matthew 24:22 – 28)

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Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus

8-24-2011 Vol. 5 Part 5

Psalms 40:12-17 NKJV For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me. Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me! Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil. Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, "Aha, aha!" Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, "The LORD be magnified!" But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God. Father we praise your name, we give you all the glory. Father our world is in a state of confusion. Hear our prayers for political, religious, business, and education leaders. All leader, even if they only lead one person. We ask that you touch the hearts of these leaders so they will hear your voice and lead according to your guidelines, the Ten Commandments.  In Jesus name we pray! Amen!

Before I get started with verses 22-28 I want to mention 2 verses from last week that I failed to mention. Those 2 verses are: Matthew 24:19-20 NKJV But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. In verse nineteen the woe doesn’t mean that God is saying it is bad to be pregnant, but the escape to a place of refuge will be very burdensome being pregnant. The same goes for those mothers that have nursing babies. It will be much more difficult for them, compare to those in the field or on a roof top that can drop what they are doing and go. The same goes for verse twenty, seeking refuge in the winter time will be more difficult than other seasons of the year due to the cold weather of winter that will have to be dealt with.

Matthew 24:22 – 28

Matthew 24:22-28 NKJV And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.  23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.  24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  25 See, I have told you beforehand.  26 "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.  27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

Verse 22: Is referring to the Tribulation and the length of it. It is a prescribe length of time set by God, being seven years, with the worse times and events taking place the last 3 ½ years (Great Tribulation). Remember mid way through the Tribulation the anti-christ rises, sits on the throne, and claims to be god, referred to as the “Abomination of Desolation”. This is when God is going to really pour out his wrath. If the tribulation went on for a longer time, all of mankind would be erased from the face of the earth. God is keeping the time shortened for the sake of the elect. The elect, meaning those that came to Christ during the Tribulation. Do you remember where these will come from, since all of God’s Saints will be rapture off of the earth at the beginning of the Tribulation? They will be Born Again Saints that the 144,000 Jews preached the Gospel to, and they accepted Jesus as their Saviour.

Verse 23: Jesus is telling us not to believe when someone says there is Christ. This is why we have to have knowledge of what is written in the Bible so we will be able to discern false prophets, teachings, and religions. If we don’t know what the end time events will be, we will be led astray. The upcoming verses tell us when Jesus will return and how. There will be no mistaking it is Jesus, but in the mean time many will try to deceive us through the works of Satan. Moses even told the Israelites that God would raise up a Prophet from among them, which he did, but they did not recognize their Saviour because they had a preconceived idea of who he would be and what he would do. (Deuteronomy 18:15 NKJV  "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,) When Jesus comes a second time there will be no mistaking Him.

Verse 24: False christs and prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive. When I read the word “deceive” one thing comes to mind and that is Satan. He is a great deceiver and a master of it. Satan can whisper to us it is ok to do something that we know is sin, but we still do it. Genesis 3:4-5 NKJV  Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.  5  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Satan can posses someone and lead them away from Jesus making them think they are good, but really are bad. Acts 19:15 NKJV  And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" Satan can also make statues talk to deceive people. Revelation 13:15 NKJV  He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Over the years we have all heard of spiritual sightings and statues crying. Since I have picked up the Bible, read and studied it, and come to realize what Satan is capable of and what his motives are, I question these sightings and who was behind the scenes. I put my complete faith in Jesus Christ for Salvation and in no religion.

The end of verse 24 states, “if possible, even the elect” the elect is referring to Spiritually Born Christians. At times Christians will be led astray about some doctrine or by someone, but if they are truly saved they will return to the Truth because they know the truth. God puts a hedge around his people and no one can snatch them from his hands. John 10:28-29 NKJV And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.

Verse 25: I have already mentioned that if we don’t know what the events will be coming in the future, then how will we be able to know the truth.

Verse 26: Jesus is telling us that if someone tells us that the Messiah has come and he is performing miracles someplace in the world, don’t be deceived and waste our time going there. In Jesus time false prophets would take people out into the desert or they would proclaim he is in someone’s house. I think we can all relate to this verse, just think back to May when there was a proclamation that Jesus was coming May 21^st, and what about David Koresh in 1993 in Waco, Texas? If people have the knowledge of what scripture says, red flags go up, and you will be able to know the truth. If all the people in Koresh’s compound would have had a knowledge of what the Bible says, do you think they would have been deceived by him?

Verse 27: There will be no doubt as to when Jesus comes, because scripture tells us this. Mark 13:26 NKJV Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Matthew 24:27 NKJV For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. This doesn’t mean Jesus will be coming from the east. It signifies that He will come when least expected, you know not the day or the hour. He will come like lightning, no one can predict where the next bolt of lightning will strike. Matthew 24:30-31 NKJV  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Verse 28:  The NLT states the verse this way; Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. The NKJV states it this way; For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. This verse has a couple meanings. First of all, it is still talking about the signs of Jesus return. Go back and read the previous verses starting with Matthew 24:1-28 and then read verse 29. This verse is a metaphor indicating as the time draws nearer to the return of Jesus, end time events will come in rapid succession and with greater intensity. Just like a vulture can detect an animal near death. First you have one vulture circling, then two, then three, and pretty soon you have a couple dozen vultures circling and waiting for the death of the animal. Once the animal dies, they descend in a fury and feast on the prey. If you have watched Animal Planet, I’m sure you have witnessed this. Some Bibles say eagles some say vultures. If you have ever been to Starved Rock in the winter time when the river is froze over, you will see a gathering of eagle to prey on the fish in the open waters. It starts with one eagle showing up and before long you have a multitude of them. So whichever bird of prey you want to use as a metaphor, I feel you can, because I can relate to both.

The word carcass signifies death and anyone living in sin is dead to Jesus. This is what Jesus will be coming on a cloud to take care of, the destruction of any that are not Born Again. He is going to wipe evil off the face of this earth and then set up his Kingdom Come on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The Rapture will happen so quickly that if you do not have a Spiritual Birth right now, you will not have a chance to accept Jesus as your Saviour. I encourage you to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour today.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth,

Unless you are Born Again, you cannot enter into Heaven, the Kingdom of God."

http://jesus-christ-spiritual-food.blogspot.com/

Bill

Last Week’s Trivia: God helps those who help themselves. What is you thought about that statement?

Answer: “God helps those who help themselves.” Meaning we have to put forth an effort and God will bless us as a result. When I was first Saved I made this statement to a fellow brother and he commented, “We can’t do anything, God does it all”. I have pondered his statement now for over three years, and I think, or I hope he realizes what he said is wrong in a sense.

First, if we don’t do something to seek the Truth/Jesus then we have no chance to be Saved. I’m not talking about doing good works or deeds to get to Heaven, because we all know the only way to Heaven is through Jesus by being Spiritually Born. I’m talking about picking up the Bible and reading and studying it to learn the truth. Matthew 6:33 NKJV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Second, if we need a job to support ourselves and don’t put forth an honest effort to find a job, how much help do you think Jesus will give us. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 NKJV For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

Third, if we don’t tithe to the church we go to, then how do we expect God to bless our finances. Malachi 3:8-10 NLT "Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated Me! "But you ask, 'What do You mean? When did we ever cheat You?' "You have cheated Me of the tithes and offerings due to Me.  9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating Me.  10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!

In other words we have to put forth an effort and obey God if we expect our prayers to be answered according to His will not ours.

This week’s Trivia: Why do people have a hard time understanding the Bible.

8-17-2011 Vol. 5 Part 4 Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus (Matthew 24:15 – 21)

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Signs Of The Second Coming Of Jesus

8-17-2011 Vol. 5 Part 4

Psalm 40:9-11 NKJV I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly. Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. Father we praise your name, we give you all the glory. Thank you for the glorious weather we had today. We pray that you be with and bless all that read this message. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!

Matthew 24:15 – 21

Matthew 24:15-21 NKJV "Therefore when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.  18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.  21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The "abomination that causes desolation" is a time when the world will be forced to worship the anti-christ. Daniel prophesied about that day coming in the future, Daniel 9:27, 11:31, and 12:11. The word “abomination” is a Greek word which means "disgust" or "repulsion." In Scripture, it is primarily used to describe things associated with idolatry or gross ungodliness. The Hebrew equivalent was often used to refer to pagan rites and ceremonies. In the book of Revelation, the word is used to represent immoralities and spiritual uncleanness of false religion.

There have been many times of trouble in past history, but there is coming a time in the future that Jesus tells us that we don’t want to be around. In fact He warns that the time will be so bad to go hide in the mountains and don’t even go into your home to take provisions.

The whole 7 year period of the Tribulation is bad, the first 3 ½ years will appear that peace has come to the Middle East around Israel, but the last 3 ½ years is really dreadful. What kicks this off is when the anti-christ takes his place on the throne and requires all in the world to worship him. Revelation 13:8 NKJV All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

When you read and think about the following, and then read what Jesus says about how bad things will be during the Great Tribulation (The last 3 ½ years.), I don’t think we can even come close to wrapping our minds around the events that will take place. The following events that have been recorded in history are terrible, but there is a holocaust coming of a greater magnitude. Luke 21:22 NKJV For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

“Six million Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's evil regime, and the holocaust still haunts us. Elie Wiesel, the Nobel Prize-winning author who has devoted his life to making sure no one forgets what happened to his people, said that his first night in a concentration camp cost him his faith. As he stood and watched his mother and little sister burn in the ovens, his dreams, his faith, and even his desire to live also went up in smoke. Recalling that night, he wrote, "Never shall I forget those moments which murdered God and my soul ... the child that I was had been consumed in flames. There remained only a shape that looked like me."

Antiochus Epiphanes

Nearly every Bible scholar identifies that prophecy as a sacrilege committed by a man named Antiochus IV, or Antiochus Epiphanes. He was a Syrian king who ruled over Palestine from 175 to 165 B.C. as a surrogate of the Greek empire. His name means "Antioch the Great," but he began referring to himself as Theos Epiphanes, which means "The Manifest God." He apparently believed himself to be God, though the people referred to him with the play on words "Antiochus Epimanes" which means "Antioch the Mad." Indeed, he was crazy. He died in 163 B.C. totally out of his mind, outraged to the point of madness due to the defeats he experienced at the hands of Jewish rebels. Daniel 11:31 foretold a time when a king would pollute the sanctuary, take way the daily sacrifice, and perform an act of total repulsion inside the temple.

History records that Antiochus, unsatisfied with his pillage and slaughter in Jerusalem after a difficult siege, forced the Jews to dissolve their laws. He kept them from circumcising their children, making it a capital crime. Mothers caught with a circumcised child were thrown over the city wall to their deaths. Antiochus stopped the daily sacrifices, and then he himself sacrificed a pig on the altar of God. He slaughtered both male and female Jews, looted

the temple of anything of value, and ordered the compulsory Hellenization of Israel. Eventually he had the temple rededicated as a shrine to Zeus and replaced the usual sacrifices with the sacrifice of swine, forcing the Jews to eat the meat sacrificed to a pagan god. Any Jew who refused to eat pork or who was found possessing the Book of the Law was to be jailed or killed; and the book itself was to be burned. All synagogues and Jewish schools were closed. Those who refused to work on the Sabbath were arrested. Antiochus attempted to put an end to all visible expressions of the Jewish faith.

All it did, however, was give the Jews a cause. The Greeks were shocked to find a group willing to hold so strongly to their faith. Many Jews fled into the mountains or lived in caves. Many were martyred for their faith. This all served to create a stronger Jewish state with a more intense devotion to the Law. Antiochus Epiphanes wanted to destroy the Jews, but he ended up doing exactly the opposite. The fact is, if he had left them alone, they probably would have been assimilated into Greek culture automatically. The people had lost their sense of identity and religious roots, but when they were oppressed, they rediscovered their Jewish ethnicity. It was the salvation of the nation. Still, it was a terrible time of suffering and pain.

Antiochus would go into a synagogue and jamming pieces of pork down the throats of the Jewish rabbis, choking them to death. Yet in spite of this dreadful persecution, the people began to see themselves as a nation again.

Judas Maccabeus

One of the most amazing pieces of Jewish history happened as a result of Antiochus Epiphanes' oppression. A Jewish zealot by the name of Judas Maccabees was not about to sit down and let this madman destroy his country. He put together a little army that lived like beasts in the field, feeding on whatever they could find to eat.

They would hide in the hills, and every once in a while descend upon a town, pull down the pagan altars, circumcise the children, and kill any Jews who were going along with the Syrian king. When word got back to Antiochus Epiphanes, he sent a well-equipped army of mercenaries to destroy the Jewish force. Judas Maccabeus' guerrillas met them at the pass of Emmaus and, though poorly equipped and trained, routed the professional soldiers. The next time, Antiochus sent a larger army with orders to capture the guerrillas and sell them as slaves. But Judas Maccabeus again defeated the larger army, this time capturing the city of Jerusalem in the process. He removed all the pagan altars, cleansed and rededicated the temple, and restored orthodoxy to the Jewish faith. That event is why Jews today celebrate “Hanukkah” the reinstatement of their religion under Judas Maccabeus.

That's the story of the abomination of desolation. It was a time when all the Jewish sacrifices were stopped, a pagan image took God's place in the temple, and everything sacred to the Jews was desecrated. If you tried to think of a way to offend Israel, you probably could think of nothing worse than sacrificing a pig on the altar of God. That was the day the sacrifices ceased, and that was the very day Daniel had prophesied hundreds of years earlier.”

Ref.: Signs of the Second Coming, Study Guide, Dr. David Jeremiah. 2011

Just as Antiochus Epiphanes created an abomination of desolation, so will the anti-christ create one in the Tribulation. The prophet Daniel tells us that in; Daniel 9:27 NKJV Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."

Daniel’s week is translated as seven years. In the middle of the week/seven years is when the anti-christ will bring an end to Jewish sacrifices and offerings, and require people to worship/idolize him. The Antichrist will place himself in the temple and demand to be worshiped as God, unlike Antiochus, who put a statue of himself in the temple. This will stir the minds of many and will cause a great time of trouble and turmoil when anti-christ exalts himself as god 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

You ask, “Where is this temple that these offerings and sacrifices are to be made in?” I’m glad you asked that question, because I have an answer for you. It just so happens there is an Islamic Mosque right on the spot where Herod’s temple was, and that, according to Scripture, is where the abomination of desolation is to take place. Is this the temple? Absolutely not, so how can it take place if there is no temple there?

According to, “U.S. News & World Report (December 11, 1994) carried a feature article on the subject of the rebuilding of the temple, and it said as follows:

The rebuilding of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem's old city has been so important to Jews that they have prayed for it for centuries, and they end each wedding with the breaking of a glass to remind participants of the temple's destruction, first by the Babylonians over 2,500 years ago, and then again 656 years later by Rome after it was rebuilt. Its reconstruction is unthinkable because it stands on the same location as the Dome of the Rock Mosque, the site believed by Muslims to be where Mohammed ascended to heaven in the early Seventh Century. While stressing that they have no plans to displace the mosque, a small group of these zealot Jews believes that if proper preparations are made, a miracle will occur enabling the temple to be rebuilt.”

With the turmoil that is going on in the Middle East, that mosque could be destroyed and a temple erected. If the mosque was destroyed at the beginning of the Tribulation, I believe a chain of events would occur resulting in a temple being built in 3 ½ years.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth,

Unless you are Born Again, you cannot enter into Heaven, the Kingdom of God."

http://jesus-christ-spiritual-food.blogspot.com/

Bill

Last Week’s Trivia: What did God use a rotten loin cloth for?

Answer: It was for Jeremiah to take to the Israelites and use as an example to demonstrate what God thought of when they followed their own desires and pray/worship any person, place, or thing other than God. Jeremiah 13:8-10 NLT Then I received this message from the LORD:  9  "This is what the LORD says: This shows how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem.  10  These wicked people refuse to listen to Me. They stubbornly follow their own desires and worship other gods. Therefore, they will become like this loincloth—good for nothing! Do you follow the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s customs when it comes to prayer and worship?

This week’s Trivia: God helps those who help themselves. What is you thought about that statement?