Post by Michael James Stone on Aug 22, 2012 14:18:05 GMT -8
Seven Years To The Exact Day - The 70th Week of Daniel
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Ever since the Prophetic Movement of the 1870's, there have been those who love to set dates for the return of Jesus Christ to earth. Many twist, crunch and contrive their calculations from Holy Scripture to force such a date. Most of these date setters reject the clear scriptural teaching about the Rapture of the Church along with many other basic dispensational teachings clearly taught in the Bible.
Is there any way to know the exact date of Christ's return to Earth when He will institute the Kingdom of God?
There are two apparently conflicting answers: “No, there is not,” and “Yes, there is!”
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When Jesus spoke about the Last Days and His glorious coming to earth in Matthew 24:36, He made this very clear statement: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. This statement was given in response to the first of two questions His disciples asked Him (see v. 3), and the meaning is quite clear. No one but God the Father knows precisely the time of Christ’s return. There are countless other Bible verses regarding Believers’ watching and waiting for the promised return of Christ. One result of this uncertainty is that it causes the Believer to be in a state of readiness for their Savior's coming, as the exact time for it is unknown. In these present last days, however, we clearly see some of these predicted signs happening before our very eyes, indicating the Lord’s return is imminent (at hand). Here are just a few Bible verses that speak of this truth.
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12).
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3).
The Rapture will only take place for the True Church (i.e., all individuals that have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior). Many people call themselves "Christians" but reject the basic teachings of Christ and also the crucial message of personal salvation as taught in the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). Jesus will make this very sobering statement to those who profess to know Him but have in fact rejected the Very One they professed to have known.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).
When the Rapture of the Church takes place, the True Church will be removed from the earth to meet The Lord in the Air. This event will set the prophetic wheels in motion like never before. Soon after the Rapture there will be a very brief period of time. This time will be in preparation for the very event that has been sought after for millennia. God will again deal with His people Israel in a very personal and preparatory way. God wants us to be always laboring, learning, looking and preaching the Gospel message - until the Trumpet Blows!
Other passages describing the Rapture of the Church are found in John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.
Why Did God Choose Israel?
The Apostle Paul, a zealous Israelite, said this about his fellow countrymen, the nation of Israel: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen (Romans 9:4-5). Of all the nations in the world today, Israel is God's chosen nation. Through Abraham (see Genesis 12:1-3), Almighty God raised up a nation to be a light to all the nations of the world. Israel was to display the love and law of God, His redemptive plan for humanity and His future plan for all Nations. Israel as a nation failed to fulfill its assignment and, except for a remnant of believers, was a failure because of mass unbelief. The height of the rejection of God's love for the nation of Israel was the rejection of their King and Savior, Adonai Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (i.e The Lord Jesus Christ). Yeshua (i.e Jesus) made this heart-filled statement just before His rejection and Crucifixion:
Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord (Matthew 23:34-39).
When Israel rejected her Messiah (Jesus Christ, the King of Kings), the Kingdom of God was put on hold (see Romans Chapter 11). Almighty God then did something quite wonderful. A great Mystery (see Ephesians 5:32) from eternal ages past was about to unfold: the Creation of the Church (see Acts chapters 2 and 3). The Greek word for church means, "A called out assembly." This called out assembly was to be made up of whosoevers (See John 1:12; 3:16), i.e., Jews and Gentiles. They are a special people, God’s prized possession and precious property, a peculiar priesthood of all those who have believed in and received the Messiah of Israel.
"The Greek word for church means, "A called out assembly." This called out assembly was to be made up of whosoevers (i.e., Jews and Gentiles")"
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For 2000 years the True Church has borne witness to the saving grace of Almighty God by preaching the Gospel (good news) to the world. In this Age of Grace, God is accomplishing His good will and way by His special vehicle, the Church.
As the Church age comes to an end, Almighty God has not forgotten His covenants and oaths and His Promises to Israel (see Romans 9:4). Many so-called "Christian” groups have written off Israel and God's promises made to them. To do this is to go directly against the credibility and faithfulness of Almighty God and His Word. That is why True Christians want only the best for the nation of Israel and have done much to contribute to its welfare.
God has a great future and plan for the people of Israel. This Plan and Promise will be fulfilled in the Kingdom Age, which will commence upon Jesus Messiah’s return to earth. The Old Testament is chock-full of wonderful promises to the Nation Israel. The phrase "In That Day" refers to the time when God will prepare Israel for His coming to earth and His thousand-year reign, throughout which Israel will be a believing people and a true Light to all nations.
In the next blog we will look at God's future dealings with His nation Israel after the Rapture of the Church. We will also God's prophetic formula for the exact date of Jesus’ return to establish His Kingdom on earth. Stay tuned!
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
DJP I.F.