As we continue in our overview of prophecy the next event following the rapture of the Church will be -
The Judgement Seat of Christ
Ro. 14:10- “We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ” KJV
“We shall all stand before the Judgement Seat of God” NASB
Jn. 20:28- “My Lord and my God” ;
Titus 2:13- “Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
Note: Jesus is God.
It is Jesus who will be sitting in judgement of all people,
the saved and the lost.
The “Judgement seat of Christ” is for the saved.
Jn. 5:22- “The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgement to the Son”
Ps. 50:5-6- “Gather My godly ones to Me,--- for God Himself is Judge.”
Definition:
The “judgement seat” in the Greek is the “Bema”.
The word means “a raised platform from which judgement is pronounced.”
It was used in law courts in Greece and was used by Roman magistrates and rulers.
A third use was that of a judging stand at sporting events, such as the famous Isthmus games and the ancient Olympics.
It is from this third use of the term that we gain some insight into how it is used in our text, Ro. 14:10.
The idea is that of a reviewing stand at the end of a race to distribute rewards to the appropriate participants.
There is no looming consequence of punishment for poor or inferior performance, only lack of reward.
There is however a definite sense of seriousness and need for ones best effort in anticipation of standing before the awesome and almighty Judge.
This will not be a time for lame and worthless excuses in an attempt to justify a halfhearted effort.
Especially when it was the Judge Himself that provided everything needed for each one to do well. (1Cor. 3:15)
2Cor. 5:10- “We must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body” according to what he has done, whether good or bad (worthless, the opposite of good, i.e. not good).”
2Cor. 5:11- “Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord we persuade men”
1Cor. 3:8- “each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
1Cor. 3:10-15- Let each man be careful how he builds on the foundation.
Paul said he laid a foundation. What is the foundation of Paul’s teaching?
What is the foundation of all the Apostles and the Prophets (Eph. 2:20)?
Verse 11 says, “no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Note: Jesus Christ is the final word from God to men (Heb. 1:2).
He is the only foundation upon which any man may build.
“On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."
Lk. 6:46-48- Jesus said, “Everyone who hears My words and acts upon them, he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon a rock.”
1Cor. 3:14- “If any man’s work remains, he will receive a reward.”
Lk. 14:14- “you will be paid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (the Rapture)
Rev. 22:12- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Rewards:
Mt. 5:12- enduring persecution; 10:41-42- Prophets reward, righteous man’s reward, reward for kindness to children; Rev. 11:17-18- rewards for all His servants, small and great.
Crowns: Victors - 1 Cor.9:25-27; Life - Rev.2:10; Glory. 1 Pet.5:2-4;
Righteousness - 2 Tim.4:8; Rejoicing - 1 Thes.2:19-20
Authority: Mt. 19:28-30- Apostles to sit on thrones, follower’s to receive a hundredfold houses, land and family.
1Cor. 6:2-3- Saints to judge the world and angels.
2Tim. 2:12- We shall reign with Him.
Rev. 5:9-10- A kingdom of priests who will reign with him on earth. Rev.20:6-Reign for a thousand years.
Rev.22:5- We shall reign forever and ever.
Parables of reward:
Mt. 25:14-30- The parable of the talents. Verses 21 + 23 – “Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter in to the joy of your Master.”
Lk. 19:11-27- The parable of the minas. Verse 17 - “Well done , good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, Be in authority over ten cities.”
Verse 19 – “And He said to him also, And you are to be over Five cities.”
Commentary:
The Judgement seat of Christ is exclusively for Christians. It will be specifically to determine rewards for service and faithfulness. It should be a time of great rejoicing for all Christians, but it will also be a time of recognition of lost, wasted and missed opportunities, when much will be burned up as wood hay and stubble. Only the precious will remain, that which is pleasing to the Lord.
The knowledge that we will all give an account one day to the Lord of heaven and earth, should motivate us to do our very best while we still have a chance to do so here on earth.
When we leave this world our work to be judged will be done. This is what we will bring to the Judgement Seat of Christ for His review.
“We must all work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no man can work” Jesus Christ Jn.9:4
Monday, September 1, 2014
The Imminency of the Lord's return.
The doctrine of imminency is well established in Scripture. We get much of our information concerning this aspect of prophetic truth through the direct teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For those who may not be familiar with the term; it refers to the fact that Christ's return in the clouds for His Church at the Rapture can happen at any moment, there are no prophecies that need to be fulfilled beforehand.
This is in contrast to His glorious appearing; which is when when He comes to the earth as the conquering King of Kings, which occurs at the end of the Tribulation period (as portrayed in Rev.19:11-16, and many other passages in both the Old and New Testaments). This 2nd aspect of His return will be preceded by many clear, and yet to be fulfilled prophecies, that have definite calculable time qualities connected to them (Mt.24:15 etc.).
Therefore;
WATCH !
Rev. 3:1-3 – He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this:
‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2. ‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.
3. ‘So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.
Lk.12:35-40 – “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36. “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
37. “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
38. “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
29. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
Ro.13:11-14 – It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
12. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Eph.5:13-17 – But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
15. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16. making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Lk.21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Mk.13:32-37 – “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
34. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
37. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
For those who may not be familiar with the term; it refers to the fact that Christ's return in the clouds for His Church at the Rapture can happen at any moment, there are no prophecies that need to be fulfilled beforehand.
This is in contrast to His glorious appearing; which is when when He comes to the earth as the conquering King of Kings, which occurs at the end of the Tribulation period (as portrayed in Rev.19:11-16, and many other passages in both the Old and New Testaments). This 2nd aspect of His return will be preceded by many clear, and yet to be fulfilled prophecies, that have definite calculable time qualities connected to them (Mt.24:15 etc.).
Therefore;
WATCH !
Rev. 3:1-3 – He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this:
‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
2. ‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.
3. ‘So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.
Lk.12:35-40 – “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. 36. “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
37. “Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
38. “Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
29. “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
40. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
Ro.13:11-14 – It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
12. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Eph.5:13-17 – But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
15. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16. making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Lk.21:28 – And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Mk.13:32-37 – “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
34. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
37. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord is not slow.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Prov.13:12
The human heart is a wonder of creation; it is capable of the highest aspirations of imagination, hope and love, and at the same time it is an endless source of anxiety, contradiction and confusion; it is at one and the same time the wellspring of inspiration to pursue great and productive achievements as well as a fount of tremendous restlessness, despair and destruction.
It is no wonder that our world is filled with the glories of human accomplishment on the one hand and the far reaching consequences of human folly and depravity on the other.
The old proverb gives us a very helpful insight as to how these things can be true.
Frustration is a universal human trait and it has been from the beginning. The hope of promise and the anticipation of resolution can only postpone the disquieted anxious heart for so long and then alternative solutions are sought.
I believe that this is the reason that men like Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, John Chrysostom and Augustine invented and embraced such an erroneous and harmful doctrines as Amillennialism and Supersessionism (better known as Replacement Theology).
They simply had no patience or inclination to wait for God to fulfill His prophetic promises, so they looked to their human imaginations to supply a ready substitute to satisfy their lack of faith and lack of patience.
In order to accomplish their objective, they had to devise a system to define away the clear teaching and literal intent of plain language; hence the “Allegorical School” of interpretation was born, nurtured and propagated.
The deepest roots of this erroneous and destructive doctrine reach to the pit of hell and originated in the demented mind of Satan, the enemy of God and the avowed enemy of God’s chosen people, Israel.
Anti-Semitism is the invention of the devil, and it is one of his most diabolical tools.
Shame on any so called Christian who embraces it!
What a contradiction! What confusion!
The de-emphasis on the study of Biblical prophecy in our day is a direct result of the long lasting influence of these aforementioned, misdirected and deceived so called “Church Fathers”.
How easily the human heart is manipulated by the father of lies!
How readily does the heart of man abandon hopeful waiting and seek to dig dry cisterns rather than to wait for the outpouring of God’s rain in its due season.
And so, it is required of God’s stewards that they be found faithful to His word and to His promises; to wait patiently yet expectantly for the fulfillment of every detail of every word of Holy Scripture, literally, to those to whom the promises were made.
This has been my approach to Bible teaching for over thirty years; this has been our approach to Bible interpretation here at Friends and Family Forum for the past decade; this has been the method of prophetic interpretation and teaching at Bible Baptist Church for over forty years here in the Plymouth area, and this will remain the focus of our eschatology as long as the Lord provides breath; or until the Lord returns literally to rule and reign in His glorious Millennial Kingdom on earth for a thousand years and then forever into eternity future in the new heavens and on the new earth!
Maranatha!
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Prov.13:12
The human heart is a wonder of creation; it is capable of the highest aspirations of imagination, hope and love, and at the same time it is an endless source of anxiety, contradiction and confusion; it is at one and the same time the wellspring of inspiration to pursue great and productive achievements as well as a fount of tremendous restlessness, despair and destruction.
It is no wonder that our world is filled with the glories of human accomplishment on the one hand and the far reaching consequences of human folly and depravity on the other.
The old proverb gives us a very helpful insight as to how these things can be true.
Frustration is a universal human trait and it has been from the beginning. The hope of promise and the anticipation of resolution can only postpone the disquieted anxious heart for so long and then alternative solutions are sought.
I believe that this is the reason that men like Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, John Chrysostom and Augustine invented and embraced such an erroneous and harmful doctrines as Amillennialism and Supersessionism (better known as Replacement Theology).
They simply had no patience or inclination to wait for God to fulfill His prophetic promises, so they looked to their human imaginations to supply a ready substitute to satisfy their lack of faith and lack of patience.
In order to accomplish their objective, they had to devise a system to define away the clear teaching and literal intent of plain language; hence the “Allegorical School” of interpretation was born, nurtured and propagated.
The deepest roots of this erroneous and destructive doctrine reach to the pit of hell and originated in the demented mind of Satan, the enemy of God and the avowed enemy of God’s chosen people, Israel.
Anti-Semitism is the invention of the devil, and it is one of his most diabolical tools.
Shame on any so called Christian who embraces it!
What a contradiction! What confusion!
The de-emphasis on the study of Biblical prophecy in our day is a direct result of the long lasting influence of these aforementioned, misdirected and deceived so called “Church Fathers”.
How easily the human heart is manipulated by the father of lies!
How readily does the heart of man abandon hopeful waiting and seek to dig dry cisterns rather than to wait for the outpouring of God’s rain in its due season.
And so, it is required of God’s stewards that they be found faithful to His word and to His promises; to wait patiently yet expectantly for the fulfillment of every detail of every word of Holy Scripture, literally, to those to whom the promises were made.
This has been my approach to Bible teaching for over thirty years; this has been our approach to Bible interpretation here at Friends and Family Forum for the past decade; this has been the method of prophetic interpretation and teaching at Bible Baptist Church for over forty years here in the Plymouth area, and this will remain the focus of our eschatology as long as the Lord provides breath; or until the Lord returns literally to rule and reign in His glorious Millennial Kingdom on earth for a thousand years and then forever into eternity future in the new heavens and on the new earth!
Maranatha!
Don't settle for second best.
Biblical prophecy is a lot like aging, the closer one gets to the end the more intense the signs get that a big change is coming; that things are not going to continue, indeed cannot continue as they have been forever indefinitely.
There are all kinds of ways that people deal with the ageing process and it's interesting, even amusing to see how different folks handle it, or don't handle it well at all.
We all know about the midlife crisis syndrome and the attempts to regain ones lost youth through buying stuff, like a new car or new cloths; or by getting "work" done on the hair, or face or body; maybe changing partners or whatever.
It all boils down to an attempt to deny the inevitable.
It's really nothing more than whistling past the graveyard.
Funny and sad at the same time.
As I said, prophecy is a lot like aging; the human heart and mind tend to respond to the unfolding signs of end time events in the same way that they do to the signs of aging; mainly denial and incredulity.
But, just like mortality and death are facts of life; no amount of whistling, diversion or denial can change the inevitable future concerning the doom of the current world system.
It is coming to an end; and by the way, that's a good thing.
All the signs are in place; the convergence of events in our day is a one time, like never before perfect storm; foreordained and foretold by God as part of the process of bringing in a new and better world.
This is the topic of our current Bible study; it's a topic that I have been following for three and a half decades and I never cease to be amazed at the lack of interest in, or concern for, the signs of the times in our day that are unfolding before our very eyes.
II Pet.3:3-4 – Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4. And saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
So many in the Church are concerned with prosperity, with health and wealth; with feel good worldly music and worldly messages about reaching their best potential for success in this world; promises of attaining ultimate happiness here and now.
These are all false promises and they are a distraction from reality.
This world is not the best that there is; it is only a step on the way.
The best is yet to come, for those who will seek it and who are willing to wait for it.
Yes this world can be beautiful and God has created it for our enjoyment and for our wellbeing and we should be thankful for that; but this is not all that He has promised; not by a long shot!
We look forward to a new heavens and a new earth in which there is no more sin, suffering and death; a world that is spoken of in
II Pet.3:13 - "wherein righteousness dwells."
Don't settle for second best.
Trust Christ for salvation and believe His word for the promised coming of a better world.
He has conquered sin and death and soon He will put away it's consequences forever.
Maranatha!
There are all kinds of ways that people deal with the ageing process and it's interesting, even amusing to see how different folks handle it, or don't handle it well at all.
We all know about the midlife crisis syndrome and the attempts to regain ones lost youth through buying stuff, like a new car or new cloths; or by getting "work" done on the hair, or face or body; maybe changing partners or whatever.
It all boils down to an attempt to deny the inevitable.
It's really nothing more than whistling past the graveyard.
Funny and sad at the same time.
As I said, prophecy is a lot like aging; the human heart and mind tend to respond to the unfolding signs of end time events in the same way that they do to the signs of aging; mainly denial and incredulity.
But, just like mortality and death are facts of life; no amount of whistling, diversion or denial can change the inevitable future concerning the doom of the current world system.
It is coming to an end; and by the way, that's a good thing.
All the signs are in place; the convergence of events in our day is a one time, like never before perfect storm; foreordained and foretold by God as part of the process of bringing in a new and better world.
This is the topic of our current Bible study; it's a topic that I have been following for three and a half decades and I never cease to be amazed at the lack of interest in, or concern for, the signs of the times in our day that are unfolding before our very eyes.
II Pet.3:3-4 – Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
4. And saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
So many in the Church are concerned with prosperity, with health and wealth; with feel good worldly music and worldly messages about reaching their best potential for success in this world; promises of attaining ultimate happiness here and now.
These are all false promises and they are a distraction from reality.
This world is not the best that there is; it is only a step on the way.
The best is yet to come, for those who will seek it and who are willing to wait for it.
Yes this world can be beautiful and God has created it for our enjoyment and for our wellbeing and we should be thankful for that; but this is not all that He has promised; not by a long shot!
We look forward to a new heavens and a new earth in which there is no more sin, suffering and death; a world that is spoken of in
II Pet.3:13 - "wherein righteousness dwells."
Don't settle for second best.
Trust Christ for salvation and believe His word for the promised coming of a better world.
He has conquered sin and death and soon He will put away it's consequences forever.
Maranatha!
Friday, May 16, 2014
Jesus and Apocalyptic Expectations
Jesus and Apocalyptic Expectations
It is a widely held opinion among so called modern scholars
that Jesus and His 1st century followers were just one among many
Jewish apocalyptic cults or sects that have come and gone over the centuries;
consider the Essenes, “the sons of light” for example.
And so students in institutions of higher education are regularly
exposed to pontifical drivel such as the following.
“There is nothing special or unique about the bible; yes,
yes, isn't it amusing and quaint; just move along now, there is nothing to see
here.”
This is the smug attitude of the eschato-phobic skeptics (eschato-phobic is my word meaning; holding to an unsubstantiated, unwarranted and biased
rejection of Biblical prophecy concerning the end times).
As we know; the thing that separates Biblical prophecy from
all non canonical so called prophecy is accuracy.
The Bible has proven to be 100% accurate concerning all that
was predicted to take place so far and so we have confidence that what remains
will come to pass literally as well.
Not so with the others; such as the Essenes for example.
However, the blind guides in the ivory towers are not the
only unbelievers concerning a literal understanding and acceptance of Biblical
eschatology; the nominal Christian church is loaded with them; consider the
dominance of the Amillennial position held by so many of the main line
denominations.
This brief outline will deal with the topic of the “Signs of
the Times” as predicted in scripture for the days leading up to the “End of the
Age” and the “Second Coming of Christ.” It is intended to be an overview and to
help eliminate confusion.
II Pet.3:3-10 – Know this first of all, that in the
last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their
own lusts,
4. And saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever
since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning
of creation.” (Aforementioned skeptics and non-literalists)
5. For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice
that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the
earth was formed out of water and by water,
6. through which the world at that time was destroyed,
being flooded with water.
7. But by His
word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day
of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8. But do not let this
one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like
a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.
9. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count
slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all
to come to repentance.
10. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (Sounds pretty Apocalyptic to me!)
10. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (Sounds pretty Apocalyptic to me!)
I Tim.4:1 – The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith
and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (Cults and schisms
allegedly begun by angelic visitation or through revelation by spirits; Islam,
Mormonism, New Age, etc.).
Apocalyptic Expectations page 2
II Tim.3:1-5 – But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will
come.
2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money,
boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3. unloving,
irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of
good, 4. treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure
rather than lovers of God, 5. holding to a form of godliness,
although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (Ya think?)
II Tim4:1- 4 – I solemnly charge you in the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom (yet future):
2. Preach the word; be ready in season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort,
with great patience and instruction (Lord give us strength!).
3. For the time will
come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will
accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4. and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. (Evolution,
Amillennialism, etc.)
Mt.16:1-3 – The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and
testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
2. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It
will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
3. “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm
today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the
appearance of the sky, but cannot discern (recognize)
The Signs of the Times?
Is.11:10-12 – Then in that day the nations will
resort to the root of Jesse (Jesus),
Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.
Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious.
11. Then it will happen on that day
that the Lord Will again recover the
second time with His hand (there will be no third or fourth time; this is
it.) The remnant of His people, who will remain, From Assyria, Egypt, Pathros,
Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, And from the islands of the sea.
112. And He will lift
up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel , and will gather the dispersed of Judah
from the four corners of the earth.
Ezek.36:24-25 – “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring
you into your own land. 25. “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your
filthiness and from all your idols.
Ezek.37:1-14 – The rebirth of the end times nation of
Israel
is a process; it began as a small rattling of dead bones, as it were, vss. 1-7;
and then the nation will be “fleshed out” and be ready to be brought to life
spiritually, vs. 8 (this is the current state of Israel);
vs.11 identifies the vision as being about “the whole house
of Israel ”,
in other words, the nation as a whole.
Ø Notice the sequence again laid out for us in
vss.12-14; first the gathering
together of dead Israel out of the grave; followed
by the peoples recognition of the fact that it was God who brought them
back into their land; and finally
God will breath His Spirit into them bringing new life to the nation, Spiritual
life when they recognize their Savior!
Apocalyptic Expectations page 3
Amos 9:13-15 – “Behold, days
are coming,” declares the LORD, “When the
plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows seed;
When the mountains will drip sweet wine and all the hills will be dissolved.
14. “Also I will restore the captivity of
My people Israel ,
and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also
plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their
fruit. (Israel today is the
leading exporter of produce in the Middle East ).
15. “I will also plant
them on their land, and they will not
again be rooted out from their land which I have given them,” Says the LORD your God. (Once they are back, they are back
to stay.)
Zech.12:2-3 – “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples
around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem ,
it will also be against Judah .
3.
“It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples;
all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will
be gathered against it. (This is the exact situation that the world is facing
today; surely this is the Lord’s doing!)
Mt.24:5-8 – The Birth Pangs; 1.False Christs, 2. Wars, 3. Rumors of wars, 4. Nation against nation
(ethnic conflicts), 5.
Kingdom against kingdom (political wars), 6. Famines, 7. And Earthquakes. [It is the increase in the
frequency and in the intensity of these conditions (as with actual birth pains)
along with their convergence with all of the previous signs mentioned that indicate,
without a doubt, that we are living near the end of the last days.]
Mt.24:32-34 – “Now learn the
parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts
forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
33. So, you too,
when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the
door. 34. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take
place.
The generation that witnesses these end time signs will be
the terminal generation.
Just as Israel
will not be returned to the land over and over or many times; the message is
clear these signs that produce these conditions will only converge like this
once.
Lk.21:29-36 – Then He told them a parable: “Behold
the fig tree and all the trees;
30. As soon as they put
forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now
near.
31. “So you also, when you see these things happening,
recognize that the kingdom
of God
32. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.
33. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not
pass away.
34. “Be on guard,
so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness
and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a
trap;
35. For it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth (this is a technical,
theological term for unbelievers; see Rev. 3;10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8).
36. “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you
may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and
to stand before the Son of Man.”
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The Rapture and The Tribulation Period
Here is the next section of our prophecy outline.
Why the Tribulation and Why the Rapture?
I. What is the purpose of the Tribulation Period and who is it for?
To purify Israel and to call them to God; to punish and eliminate sinners.
Dan9:24 – Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people (Jews) and your holy city.
(69 weeks are completed and one week remains to be fulfilled to accomplish the following),
1. to finish the transgression, 2. to make an end of sin, 3. to make atonement for iniquity,
4. to bring in everlasting righteousness, 5. to seal up vision and prophecy and 6. to anoint the most holy.
Jer.30:7 – Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jacob is Israel, not the Church).
Is.13:9 – Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it.
Dan.12:27 – I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.
(The purpose of the Tribulation Period in addition to that which is listed in Dan.9 and the punishment and elimination of sinners; is to eliminate the spirit of self- reliance from the Jews and to cause them to turn to God for deliverance. See Zech.12:7-14).
II. Is there a difference between general tribulation and the Tribulation period? Most definitely.
Mt.24:21-22 – For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn't taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! (Dan.12:1; Joel 2:2)
Jn.16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (II Tim.3:12; I Cor.10:13; Jas.1:2)
III. Does the Bride of Christ require chastening or further purification; is the Church destined to suffer the wrath of God or the wrath of the Lamb (Christ)? No, the Church is made righteous through the finished work of Christ on her behalf.
Jn.3:36 – "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (The wrath of God is released upon the entire world from the very beginning of the Tribulation Period, not just the 2nd half – Rev.6:16)
I Thes.1:9-10 – you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10. And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
I Thes.5:9 – For God has not destined us to receive wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,
I Jn.5:4-5 – For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Rev. 3:10 – Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from (Gk. ek – out of; not dia – through) the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (A technical phrase used throughout Rev. for unbelievers – 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:2, 8).
Lk.21:34-36 – But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
35. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth (unbelievers).
36. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength (Mt.26:41; Jn.17:24)
to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jn.14:1-3 – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (Where believers will stand before the Son of Man; in heaven).
4. “And you know the way where I am going” (Jn.7:33).
IV. What are the birth pangs all about and who or what is about to be born? (The restoration of the Kingdom of Israel).
Jer.30:4-11 – Now these are the words which the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: (the Jewish people).
5. “For thus says the LORD, ‘I have heard a sound of terror, of dread, and there is no peace.
6. ‘Ask now, and see if a male can give birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?
7. ‘Alas! For that day is great, there is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s distress,
But he will be saved from it.
8. ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves. 9. ‘But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 10. ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar and your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid.
11. ‘For I am with you,’ declares the LORD, ‘to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly and will by no means leave you unpunished.’
Rev.12:1-2, 5-6, 13-14, 17 – A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; (Israel).
2. And she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
5. And she gave birth to a son, a male child (Christ), who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne (The ascension).
6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days (Last ½ of the Tribulation).
13. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
14. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
17. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children (Jews), who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Why the Tribulation and Why the Rapture?
I. What is the purpose of the Tribulation Period and who is it for?
To purify Israel and to call them to God; to punish and eliminate sinners.
Dan9:24 – Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people (Jews) and your holy city.
(69 weeks are completed and one week remains to be fulfilled to accomplish the following),
1. to finish the transgression, 2. to make an end of sin, 3. to make atonement for iniquity,
4. to bring in everlasting righteousness, 5. to seal up vision and prophecy and 6. to anoint the most holy.
Jer.30:7 – Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jacob is Israel, not the Church).
Is.13:9 – Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it.
Dan.12:27 – I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.
(The purpose of the Tribulation Period in addition to that which is listed in Dan.9 and the punishment and elimination of sinners; is to eliminate the spirit of self- reliance from the Jews and to cause them to turn to God for deliverance. See Zech.12:7-14).
II. Is there a difference between general tribulation and the Tribulation period? Most definitely.
Mt.24:21-22 – For at that time there will be great tribulation, the kind that hasn't taken place from the beginning of the world until now and never will again! (Dan.12:1; Joel 2:2)
Jn.16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (II Tim.3:12; I Cor.10:13; Jas.1:2)
III. Does the Bride of Christ require chastening or further purification; is the Church destined to suffer the wrath of God or the wrath of the Lamb (Christ)? No, the Church is made righteous through the finished work of Christ on her behalf.
Jn.3:36 – "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (The wrath of God is released upon the entire world from the very beginning of the Tribulation Period, not just the 2nd half – Rev.6:16)
I Thes.1:9-10 – you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
10. And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
I Thes.5:9 – For God has not destined us to receive wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,
I Jn.5:4-5 – For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Rev. 3:10 – Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from (Gk. ek – out of; not dia – through) the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (A technical phrase used throughout Rev. for unbelievers – 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:2, 8).
Lk.21:34-36 – But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
35. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth (unbelievers).
36. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength (Mt.26:41; Jn.17:24)
to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jn.14:1-3 – “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (Where believers will stand before the Son of Man; in heaven).
4. “And you know the way where I am going” (Jn.7:33).
IV. What are the birth pangs all about and who or what is about to be born? (The restoration of the Kingdom of Israel).
Jer.30:4-11 – Now these are the words which the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: (the Jewish people).
5. “For thus says the LORD, ‘I have heard a sound of terror, of dread, and there is no peace.
6. ‘Ask now, and see if a male can give birth. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?
7. ‘Alas! For that day is great, there is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s distress,
But he will be saved from it.
8. ‘It shall come about on that day,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves. 9. ‘But they shall serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 10. ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar and your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid.
11. ‘For I am with you,’ declares the LORD, ‘to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly and will by no means leave you unpunished.’
Rev.12:1-2, 5-6, 13-14, 17 – A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; (Israel).
2. And she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
5. And she gave birth to a son, a male child (Christ), who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne (The ascension).
6. Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days (Last ½ of the Tribulation).
13. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
14. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
17. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children (Jews), who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
The Church Age
The Church Age - The Dispensation of Grace
Prophecy part 3
Mt.16:16, 18 – “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Upon this Rock I will build my Church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Jesus Christ is the Rock and He alone is the only foundation upon which His Church is built. He and He alone has established and is building His Church.
He founded it upon Himself and it stands securely upon the surety of His immutability and His steadfast righteousness.
No other foundation will do; no other could suffice or endure.
He purchased it with His precious blood; He keeps it through His almighty power; and He is building it through His Spirit by His grace; according to His loving-kindness and His mercy.
There is a confusion that has persisted for a time among some Christians concerning the preposition
“of” , in Eph.2:20; there is no way to explain it or sort it out other than to get a little technical with the grammar; forgive me, but it is important.
The words “Apostles and Prophets” are the objects of the preposition “of”, and they are in the genitive case in the Greek; the genitive in the Greek is the same as the possessive in the English; so; “of” is to be correctly understood as, “belonging to”, as in “The word of God.”
The Apostles and Prophets are not the foundation; the foundation is Christ, the Cornerstone, and He is their foundation, just like He is yours and mine.
Ps.31:1-2 – In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue;
Be my Rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Ps.62:1-2 – For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
I Cor.3:11 – For no man can lay a Foundation other than the One which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Church age was not foreseen by the Old Testament Prophets; it was hidden from them
in the valley, as it were, between the mountain tops of the first and second coming of Christ.
As we have noted previously in our study; this is known as a Gap or more specifically a Parenthesis. A correct understanding of prophecy absolutely depends upon this principle.
Is.9:6 – “A Son will be given to us... (Gap) ...the government will rest upon His shoulders.”
Is.11:4 – “With righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth ... (Gap) ... He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and the breath of His lips will slay the wicked.”
Other names for this Dispensation of time known as the Church age are;
“The Day of Grace” – The specific period of time between Pentecost and the Rapture; when God offers salvation to all men by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ; through the agency of the Church by means of the Gospel and the ministry of reconciliation (II Cor.5:18-20; 15:3-4).
“The (Day) Year of our Lord’s Favor” – Is.61:2a – This is a beautiful foreshadow of the work of Jesus Christ and the gracious offer of salvation that He brought to mankind at His first coming. This is a fine example of veiled prophecy; the scriptures are filled with them.
Other prefigures and foreshadows of this “Day/ Year” (see Is.63:4; day + year are synonyms in this context)
The year of the Lord's favor can be seen in:
Lev.25:10-11, 13; Ezek.46:17 – The Jubilee, The Year of Liberty, The Release; the return of property and the releasing of slaves every 50 years; after 7 times seven Sabbaths.
Deut.15:1; 31:10 – The Remission – “The Shemitta”; the forgiveness of debts every 7 years.
Events During the Church Age
I. The judgment of sin of all believers; the payment of the sin debt for all of mankind.
Jn.5:24 – "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Col.2:13-15 – When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
I Tim.4:10 – For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Heb.2:9 – But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
II. The birth of the Church.
Acts 2:1-4 – When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Ro.8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (This is the definition of a Christian; this is how one becomes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ)
III. The cleansing of sin in the daily life of the believer.
I Jn.1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
IV. The Birth Pangs.
Mt.24:4-8 – And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
V. The Rapture of the Church; The Day of Christ.
I Cor. 1:8; II Cor.1:14; Php.1:6, 10; 2:16;
Jn.14:1-3; Lk.21:36; Ro.5:9; I Cor.1:7; 15:51-58; Gal.5:5; Eph.4:30; Php.3:14;
I Thes.1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; II Thes.2:1-3, 14; I Tim.6:14; II Tim.4:8; Titus 2:13; I Pet.1:7, 13.
Prophecy part 3
Mt.16:16, 18 – “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Upon this Rock I will build my Church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Jesus Christ is the Rock and He alone is the only foundation upon which His Church is built. He and He alone has established and is building His Church.
He founded it upon Himself and it stands securely upon the surety of His immutability and His steadfast righteousness.
No other foundation will do; no other could suffice or endure.
He purchased it with His precious blood; He keeps it through His almighty power; and He is building it through His Spirit by His grace; according to His loving-kindness and His mercy.
There is a confusion that has persisted for a time among some Christians concerning the preposition
“of” , in Eph.2:20; there is no way to explain it or sort it out other than to get a little technical with the grammar; forgive me, but it is important.
The words “Apostles and Prophets” are the objects of the preposition “of”, and they are in the genitive case in the Greek; the genitive in the Greek is the same as the possessive in the English; so; “of” is to be correctly understood as, “belonging to”, as in “The word of God.”
The Apostles and Prophets are not the foundation; the foundation is Christ, the Cornerstone, and He is their foundation, just like He is yours and mine.
Ps.31:1-2 – In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue;
Be my Rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Ps.62:1-2 – For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
I Cor.3:11 – For no man can lay a Foundation other than the One which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Church age was not foreseen by the Old Testament Prophets; it was hidden from them
in the valley, as it were, between the mountain tops of the first and second coming of Christ.
As we have noted previously in our study; this is known as a Gap or more specifically a Parenthesis. A correct understanding of prophecy absolutely depends upon this principle.
Is.9:6 – “A Son will be given to us... (Gap) ...the government will rest upon His shoulders.”
Is.11:4 – “With righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth ... (Gap) ... He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and the breath of His lips will slay the wicked.”
Other names for this Dispensation of time known as the Church age are;
“The Day of Grace” – The specific period of time between Pentecost and the Rapture; when God offers salvation to all men by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ; through the agency of the Church by means of the Gospel and the ministry of reconciliation (II Cor.5:18-20; 15:3-4).
“The (Day) Year of our Lord’s Favor” – Is.61:2a – This is a beautiful foreshadow of the work of Jesus Christ and the gracious offer of salvation that He brought to mankind at His first coming. This is a fine example of veiled prophecy; the scriptures are filled with them.
Other prefigures and foreshadows of this “Day/ Year” (see Is.63:4; day + year are synonyms in this context)
The year of the Lord's favor can be seen in:
Lev.25:10-11, 13; Ezek.46:17 – The Jubilee, The Year of Liberty, The Release; the return of property and the releasing of slaves every 50 years; after 7 times seven Sabbaths.
Deut.15:1; 31:10 – The Remission – “The Shemitta”; the forgiveness of debts every 7 years.
Events During the Church Age
I. The judgment of sin of all believers; the payment of the sin debt for all of mankind.
Jn.5:24 – "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
Col.2:13-15 – When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
I Tim.4:10 – For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
Heb.2:9 – But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
II. The birth of the Church.
Acts 2:1-4 – When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Ro.8:9 – But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. (This is the definition of a Christian; this is how one becomes a member of the Church of Jesus Christ)
III. The cleansing of sin in the daily life of the believer.
I Jn.1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
IV. The Birth Pangs.
Mt.24:4-8 – And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
“But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
V. The Rapture of the Church; The Day of Christ.
I Cor. 1:8; II Cor.1:14; Php.1:6, 10; 2:16;
Jn.14:1-3; Lk.21:36; Ro.5:9; I Cor.1:7; 15:51-58; Gal.5:5; Eph.4:30; Php.3:14;
I Thes.1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; II Thes.2:1-3, 14; I Tim.6:14; II Tim.4:8; Titus 2:13; I Pet.1:7, 13.
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