The End Times Empire. Rome, Or Islam, Or …? Part 2 Conclusion~~A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Grace Thru Faith

Periodically over the past six years I’ve written about the similarities between Islamic prophecies of an end times leader they call al Mahdi and Biblical prophecies about the one we call the anti-Christ. In their respective prophecies they’re both said to come on the scene during a time of great turmoil on Earth, both will claim a desire to restore peace, both have a seven year reign, both head a one world religion and one world government, both claim supernatural origins, and both reigns end in a battle between good and evil that brings Earth’s final judgment.

It’s estimated that today about 40% of all Muslims believe al Mahdi will appear during their lifetime, and a large number of Christians believe the anti-Christ is already alive and well on Planet Earth, to be revealed at the proper time. These similarities are remarkable and defy coincidence. It’s as if the Islamic and Biblical prophecies are describing the same person, and frankly, I think they probably are.

But when it comes to the make up of the End Times Empire there are good arguments for both the Roman view and the Islamic view. In part one we saw the similarities and the differences between the two and determined that neither view is conclusive. Our challenge now is to see if these differences can be reconciled because there can only be one end times Empire.

We’ve seen that the prophecies of Daniel 2 and Daniel 7 identify only four world governments from Daniel’s day to the Second Coming, and Babylon was obviously the first. Daniel 8 names the second and third Kingdoms as Medo-Persia and then Greece. Rev. 17:9-10 appears to make Rome, the ruling kingdom of John’s day, the fourth and final one, so it will have to re-emerge in some form in the last days.

In the past I’ve reconciled a revived Roman Empire with an end times Islamic Caliphate by showing that the eastern leg of the Roman Empire covered an area that’s largely Islamic today, and its capitol was Constantinople, now called Istanbul, which like Rome is a city on seven hills.

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

The End Times Empire. Rome, Or Islam, Or …? Part 1~~A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

Grace Thru Faith

In the updated commentary on Rev. 17-18 I recently posted, I briefly summarized two major opinions concerning the end times world government. The view that it will be a revival of the Biblical Roman Empire has been universally accepted among believers for generations, but recent world events have caused some to propose an alternative in the form of an Islamic Empire.

The purpose of this study is to is to look at these alternatives in greater detail than I was able to do in the Rev. 17-18 commentary and see if we can come to a conclusion about which is more likely, because as I think you’ll see they both have some pretty compelling support.

The Roman View

The Roman view comes primarily from studies of Daniel 2 and its companion Daniel 7. Daniel 2 contains a description of an enormous poly-metallic statue. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon saw it in a dream shortly after he had consolidated his rule over the known world with the defeat of both Assyria and Egypt in the Battle of Carchemish in 606 BC.

Remembering stories his grandfather had told him about the riches of Israel (Isaiah 39:1-2) Nebuchadnezzar had laid siege to Jerusalem before returning to Babylon. Since they were outnumbered by the superior Babylonian forces, King Jehoiakim pledged Judah’s loyalty to Babylon and agreed to pay an annual tribute to avoid being conquered. As was customary in those days, Nebuchadnezzar took hostages from the royal family to insure Judah’s faithfulness to the agreement and headed back to Babylon.

Among the hostages were Daniel and his three friends, known by their Babylonian names as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were all probably in their late teens at the time and Nebuchadnezzar was likely only a few years older. He had the four Jewish boys enrolled in a training program to help them learn the ways of Babylon and was amazed when they quickly excelled in every area of their training.

The meaning of the dream continued to evade him and when none of the wise men he had inherited from his late father could interpret it he became angry and threatened to have them all executed. But the Lord gave Daniel its meaning and he agreed to interpret it for the young king, earning him and his friends positions of great influence among the king’s advisors.

You can read Daniel’s interpretation of the dream in Daniel 2:31-45. For our purposes here it’s enough to say that the statue represented four kingdoms who would control the world during a period of time known as Gentile Dominion. This period would last from Nebuchadnezzar’s time to the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom.

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

Could This Be the Year?~~by Grant Phillips

Note from Jan: Darkness is growing everywhere. That is why Grant Phillips' article is so timely and right-on. America has a "dark night rising" every day and my friend Joel Rosenberg's analysis of the ledge America is on will be helpful to you. You can also listen to a testimony of a Christian pastor who experienced the Colorado disaster first hand here.
Olive Tree Ministries carries Joel's new book, "Implosion: Can America Recover From its Economic and Spiritual Challenges in Time?" Find it here. Joel was my radio guest last weekend. You can listen here or here.

Rosenberg is calling for prayer and fasting for America on Wednesday of this week. America doesn't have a gun problem--we have a sin problem. And a "dump God out of American life" mode now for a half-century.
As the article below relates, everyone can tell something is out of sync. I can't say if the animals in my house get it, but every person I talk to gets it. We are in very unusual times.

I have shortened the Phillips' article. You can find it in its entirety here.

Could This Be the Year?

by Grant Phillips of Rapture Ready

July 24, 2012

www.olivetreeviews.org

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It has been said that animals have a sixth sense we humans do not possess. Have you ever watched them just prior to a storm?  Watch the birds, for example. They act differently, don't they?  

Our neighbor across the street has a fairly large dog that stays outside. They, too, can easily tell if a storm is coming because the dog will whine at the door until they let him in the house.  

A storm, of sorts, appears to be on the horizon for this earth. Something is about to happen. Many go about their merry way as if nothing is going to happen or things are going to get better but for those of us who live in the real world, there is an uneasiness that can't be explained.  

The Middle East is a powder keg waiting to go off at any time. The Muslim Brotherhood continues to envelop its veil of darkness over falling regimes, replacing dictators with something even worse. Iran is straining at the leash to "wipe Israel off the map." Israel stands guard, hoping they don't wait too long to deter Iran's immediate desire. Like a wolf after its prey, Russia inches ever closer to Israel's backyard, longing for their newly discovered black gold. China longingly looks in the same direction sniffing the wind.  

The world-wide economy is like a balloon about to burst. Economists are scratching their heads wondering why the United States has not already imploded, and certain that it is only a matter of time until it does. Even though Obama says "the private sector is doing fine," the common man knows better.   

Depravity is so widespread it makes one dizzy to behold the effect it is having upon the populace. Homosexuality is having an unbelievable success rate of acceptance, even by church groups. Half the population is living together in sin without the benefit of marriage. Violent, sadistic murders are increasing at an alarming speed. Lying and theft are commonplace.  

From Europe, to England, to the United States, where some of the most loyal of God's followers preached and wrote in years gone by, God has been cleaned and sanitized from the public mind. He has been booted out of the schools, the public forum, and even the military. The name of Jesus, the Son of God, has been mocked, vilified, cursed and spat upon, and now His followers, in a once-Christian country, are starting to feel the heat.  

In this country, there are no longer any statesmen. We only have politicians -- men and women who couldn't tell the truth if their lives depended upon it. Sadly, there remain far too many who will believe a lie, and so we continue to die as a country. The United States of America, the greatest country this earth has ever beheld, is dying, primarily because of greed.  

England once reigned upon the earth in such a way that the sun never set upon her empire, but no more. We now follow her lead.

Capitalizing upon people's plight, wolves have taken over the pulpits of many churches, preaching a get-rich-quick scheme called the prosperity gospel, falsely using the Holy Word of God to fleece the poor and feed their rich appetites. Their putrid faces are often seen on the television and heard on the radio. They post their poison on the Internet and draw in unsuspecting dupes, while the book stores sell their books, making them even richer.  

Few seem to have a conscience anymore, and those who do are worried at what they are seeing, worried for the future of their children and grandchildren, because they can see no future worth living.  

Could this be the year of our Lord's return? I'm speaking as a Christian, not as a Tribulation saint. Therefore, I am referring to the removal of the Church via an event known as the Rapture.  

Before I frighten off those who think I may be getting dangerously close to setting a date for the Rapture by insinuating that it may be this year, take a deep breath and calm down. No one is privy to that information but God. However, God has provided signs for us to read, signs for the Tribulation that follows the Rapture of the Church.  

Just as Jesus expected Israel to read the signs of His first coming, He expects us to read the signs of His return. There are two events that must take place before He returns, the Rapture and the Tribulation, in that order. All signs point to the Tribulation. The greatest sign that the Tribulation has begun will be the Rapture. There are no signs for the Rapture. It will happen without warning, in the blink of an eye. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that needs to be done to trigger the Rapture, except one thing -- God the Father will give the nod to the Son to go for His Bride. Could this be the year?  

Whether humans do or do not have a sixth sense as do animals, something is clearly working on the psyche of many of us. It is being felt by too many people to be ignored. Something major is about to happen. Even though the majority may not realize it or care, thousands can sense an impending doom, a storm on the horizon.  

It's easy to tell when a bad storm is on the way. The temperature changes. A slight breeze starts to rustle among the leaves of the trees. The clouds begin to darken as they roll toward us overhead. In the distance, a sound of thunder, then lightning is seen far off. A drizzle turns into a downpour. The storm is here. The thunder is deafening. The lightning is dangerous. Hopefully, we have already taken shelter.

While dark clouds of judgment begin to form over the earth, the storm is taking shape. The sound of thunder is faintly heard in the distance and gets louder as it draws closer and closer. All the signs of an approaching storm are here. Have you taken shelter?

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  Awaiting His return,
Jan Markell

Olive Tree Ministries, Inc.
Box 1452
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**I want to thank Jan Markell for her permission to post the Understanding the Times Newsletter here.

Blessings,

The Magog Persia Alliance~~by Jack Kelley

Grace Thru Faith

“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him and say; ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.  Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.’ (Ezekiel 38:3-6)

From time to time Scripture gives us brief glimpses of the supernatural powers behind Earthly thrones. Isaiah 14:3, Ezekiel 28:12, Daniel 10:13, 20 and Daniel 12:1 are examples of this. When these supernatural powers are referred to as the king of a particular country, as is the case in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 it tells us God has Satan in view. When the power behind the throne is called a prince, it’s one of Satan’s underlings.

Some years ago, I came to the conclusion that Gog is one of these supernatural powers, perhaps Satan’s counterpart to the Archangel Michael, who is also called a chief prince (Daniel 10:13) and who is responsible for the defense of Israel (Daniel 12:1).  A review of Genesis 10 shows that Gog’s name does not appear in the human genealogies there, nor can he be found among their descendants by any other means, but he appears to be well known to God.

On the other hand, Magog does appear in Genesis 10 as the 2nd son of Japeth and brother of Meshech and Tubal. Most scholars believe Magog represents modern day Russia, while Meshech and Tubal likely settled nearby in eastern Turkey, and there’s universal agreement that Persia is now known as Iran.

In the past we’ve pinned down the modern equivalents of the other nations involved in the Ezekiel 38 scenario, so for the purpose of this article I want to focus on the growing relationship between two of the key national participants, Magog (Russia) and Persia (Iran).

Some scholars observe that when the Lord lists groups of nations, He often does so in priority order, with the most important ones first. If so, then placing Persia first in the order of nations that will be joining Magog and his brothers in the coming attack against Israel is a sign of Persia’s importance to the group’s objectives.

 

The Sleeping Bear Has Awakened

As Russia has moved to re-assert itself as a player on the world stage, one of the first steps has involved the Middle East.

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

Is Rome Reviving? by Hal Lindsey

I have been watching for a very important Biblical phenomenon to take place in Europe for over fifty years. It is a key piece of a prophetic scenario that must take place shortly before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In chapters 2 and 7 of his book, the prophet Daniel predicted the successive rise of four Gentile world empires. God through Daniel said that these would be the only world empires that would rise before the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom over the earth. These kingdoms were Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece and Rome. However, the fourth Kingdom would not be conquered but fade from power until it is miraculously revived again and rule for a little over seven years. Daniel predicts that Rome revive again through the power of a Satan-possessed man that will unite the ten-nations out of the ruins of the old Roman culture and people. His Biblical name is the "Antichrist." Daniel interpreted the prophetic symbols concerning this prophecy: "Thus he said: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth (Rome), which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. As for the ten horns, OUT OF this kingdom (latterday Rome) ten kings will arise, and another (the Antichrist) will arise after them, he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings ..." (Daniel 7:23-24 NASB)

 

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

The Last Eight Days, Part 2~~by Jack Kelley

Grace Thru Faith

A Prophecy Lesson. Tuesday 12 Nisan

Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matt. 24:1-2)

How this must have astonished the disciples. Over 500 years earlier the prophet Daniel had revealed that beginning with a decree authorizing the reconstruction of Jerusalem, Israel would be given 490 years during which all necessary preparations for the Messianic Kingdom would be made . They would finish transgression, put an end to sin, atone for wickedness, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy (place). The most holy place refers to the Temple. Accomplishing this would require the Messiah to come and die for the sins of the people (Daniel 9:24-26).

The disciples knew the 483 year mark had been reached a few days earlier and that the Messiah was among them. He had explained to them that when they got to Jerusalem He would be executed but would come back from the grave three days later (Matt. 16:21, Luke 18:31-33). So there were only seven years left of the 490 years. The Temple had been undergoing a major reconstruction that so far had required 46 years (John 2:20) and wasn’t complete yet. But now Jesus was saying everything would be torn down. Not one stone would be left standing on another. How could that be?

As they began their trek up the Mt. of Olives on their way back to Bethany, four of the disciples (Peter, James, John and Andrew) approached Jesus to ask Him about these things. They had 3 questions for Him. First they wanted to know when this would happen. They also wanted to know what would be the sign of His coming, and what would be the sign of the end of the age (Matt. 24:3).

By their questions we can tell they’d been discussing this among themselves. Wanting to know when the Temple would be destroyed was an obvious reaction to his earlier statement, but the Lord’s 2nd Coming was still a new idea to them. And if the Temple was going to be torn down how would they know when the end of the age would come? They certainly could no longer count on it it happening in 7 years.

Matthew’s account of the Lord’s response does not contain an answer to their first question. But Luke’s does, so let’s go there first.

Jesus told them, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies you will know its desolation is near. There will be great distress in the land (Israel) and wrath against this people (the Jews). They will fall by the sword and be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20, 23,24).

The disciples were to understand that when they saw the Roman Armies surrounding Jerusalem it would mean Temple was about to be destroyed. The Jews mounted an unsuccessful revolt against Rome in 66 AD and by 70AD Jerusalem and the Temple lay in ruins.

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

Peace And Safety~~by Jack Kelley

 Grace Thru Faith

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. (1 Thes. 5:1-3)

The one time when people are sure to be talking about peace and safety is just after they’ve experienced the horrible effects of war. For example, I remember as a kid seeing movies of people dancing in the streets of New York when they learned that World War 2 had finally ended. Soon the military was all but dismantled and people everywhere expressed a joyous expectation of peace.

Of course this turned out to be only an illusion. A scant five years after the end of WW2 the US was at war again in Korea. But people have an amazing sense of optimism, even if it’s only based on illusion, something I think we’re about to have confirmed again in 2012. I think circumstances are ripe for a brief but intense war in the Middle East.

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

A Critique Of The Harbinger~~by Jack Kelley

Grace Thru Faith

“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones; the sycamores are cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.” (Isaiah 9:10 NKJV)

It’s fair to say I was a skeptic when I picked up a copy of The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn. I decided to read the book only because I had received several questions about it. But I soon discovered that the author makes a stunning case for a connection between the judgment of the northern Kingdom by the Assyrians in 722 BC and the judgment of America, underway since 9-11.

The way leaders of both countries responded to a limited judgment with defiance and resolve but no repentance was way beyond coincidence. And by responding with the very same words that Isaiah attributed to Israel (Isaiah 9:10), America’s leaders left no doubt in my mind that the judgments we’ve suffered are warnings from God and they didn’t grasp the meaning of Isaiah’s words even though they repeated them over and over again.

I was tracking beautifully with the author’s interpretation of our recent history and literally couldn’t put the book down as long as he was comparing Israel’s history with ours.

 

Then What Happened?

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).

Read the Article Here

Blessings,

Jude, Gateway To Revelation … Part 1 By Jack Kelley

The Book of Acts is sometimes called the Acts of the Apostles because it’s a record of their experiences in building the early Church. That being the case, the Book of Jude could be called Acts of the Apostates because it’s devoted to warning the Church of the false teachers who were coming. This being the time of the Great Apostasy (2 Thes. 2:3) we should review Jude’s 1 chapter letter the the Church and see what it says to us today.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude:1-2)

The author identified himself as a servant of Jesus and a brother of James, who was head of the Church in Jerusalem in the years between Pentecost and his death just prior to Jerusalem’s destruction. Since James was a half brother of Jesus, Jude would also have been the Lord’s half brother. Neither James nor Jude were believers until after the resurrection. (John 7:5)

Read the Article Here