1

FILE:GOD47A19Notes 47-A-GAC-11-24-19

We are taking a few minutes at the beginning of our lesson and talk about current events that relate to prophecy and the last days.

I would like to review some Times and Seasons with you including the timeliness of some events that have been and are occurring.

Slide-2

Slide-3

Christ’s Prophecies Christ gave us many prophecies. He gave some that involved the knowing of Times and Seasons. I want to mention three:

• The Beginning of Sorrows • The Parable of the Fig Tree • The Trodding down of Jerusalem by the Gentiles

Slide-4 The Beginning of Sorrows

Jesus said: (Mat 24:6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (Mat 24:7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Mat 24:8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The beginning of sorrows was in 1914. This date is established by the following:

(Lev 26:27) And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; (Lev 26:28) Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

This is the promise of Seven Times of Chastisement if the children of Israel refused to obey their covenant with God.

2

Seven Times is 7 x 360 = 2520 years

Judah’s captivity began in 606 BC in Babylon. Jeremiah 25:11. 606 BC + 2520 years = 1914 AD, The Beginning of Sorrows

Jesus was born as their King and died as their King so we must take out 34 years from their chastisement, effectively adding 34 years to 1914 thus giving 1948 AD as the fulfillment of their chastisement.

Israel became a nation again in 1948 AD.

Slide-5 The Parable of the Fig Tree

One of the great prophecies of our Lord is the Parable of the Fig Tree. It figures Israel as God’s Time Clock.

(Mat 24:32) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, (1948) ye know that summer (Harvest Time)is nigh (near, at hand): (Mat 24:33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, (nigh) even at the doors. (Mat 24:34) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Two Considerations: What is a generation? What does “fulfill” mean?

Slide-6 What is a Generation?

What is a Generation? 40 years, 70 years? Generation, G1074, genea, ghen-eh-ah' From (a presumed derivative of) G1085; a generation; by implication an age (the period or the persons): - age, generation, nation, time.

Is it from generation to generation? 40 years? Num_14:18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

Is it a lifespan? 70 years? Or, is it 80 years? (Psa 90:10) The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

We are now in the 71st year since Israel became a nation.

Slide-7 What does “fulfill” mean?

The Fig Tree: Fulfilled, G1096, ginomai, ghin'-om-ahee – Commence

Fulfilled, G1096, ginomai, ghin'-om-ahee A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen” -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.): -

3

Vs. The Times of the Gentiles: Fulfilled, G4137, plēroō, play-ro'-o - Completed

Fulfilled, G4137, plēroō, play-ro'-o From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: -

Slide-8 Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the

Gentiles be fulfilled. Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed in 70AD by the Romans under Titus.

(Luk 21:20) And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (Luk 21:21) Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. (Luk 21:22) For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. (Luk 21:23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

The Jews were slaughtered and driven into their Diaspora throughout the world.

(Luk 21:24) And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Fulfilled, G4137, plēroō, play-ro'-o – Completed -1967 From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: -

Slide-9 Actions of the Trump Administration

Declared Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel In 2017, on the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 war, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Moved Embassy to Jerusalem ln 2018, on the 70th Anniversary of birth of the Nation of Israel, the US formally opened an embassy in the city.

Accepted Annexation of the Golan Heights by Israel And in March 25, 2019 Trump recognized Israel's 1981 annexation of the Golan Heights through a presidential proclamation in a boost for Netanyahu that prompted a sharp response from Syria, which once held the strategic plateau.

The latest, declared Settlements as Legal on November 18, 2019

4

Slide-10

Trump Confirms Jewish Settlement in Judea and Samaria ‘Legal’, Israeli Patriots Laud Announcement Made on November 18, 2019

Slide-11 Israel Is Deeply Grateful

Israel is deeply grateful to President Trump, Secretary Pompeo and the entire US administration for their steadfast position supporting truth and justice, and calls upon all responsible countries who hope to advance peace to adopt a similar position," the Israeli leader concluded.

Netanyahu welcomed Pompeo's words, stating, "Today, the United States adopted an important policy that rights a historical wrong when the Trump administration clearly rejected the false claim that Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria are inherently illegal under international law."

"This policy reflects an historical truth -- that the Jewish people are not foreign colonialists in Judea and Samaria," he continued.

"In fact, we are called Jews because we are the people of Judea."

Slide-12 “Many Shall Come In My Name”

Many shall come in my name. (Mat 24:3) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Mat 24:4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Mat 24:5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

5

Slide-13 Trump declares himself to be ‘the chosen one’

After promoting claim that Israelis ‘love him like he is the second coming of God,’ US president defends China trade war by describing himself as the messiah.

Slide-14

“The Chosen One” – “The King of Israel” – “The Second Coming of God.” US President Donald Trump proclaimed himself “the Chosen One” Wednesday as he defended his trade war against China, indicating that it was his destiny to take on Beijing.

Trump — who had earlier approvingly retweeted a description of himself as the King of Israel — said his predecessors had allowed the United States to be taken advantage of on trade and intellectual property and it had befallen him to undo the damage.

The comments came shortly after he promoted a claim that he has achieved godlike status in Israel and that the Jewish population of the country adore him as their “king.”

Trump tweeted the remarks by radio host and conspiracy theorist Wayne Allyn Root, which were broadcast Tuesday on his show.

“President Trump is the greatest President for Jews and for Israel in the history of the world, not just America, he is the best President for Israel in the history of the world…and the Jewish people in Israel love him like he’s the King of Israel,”

Trump quoted Root as saying. “They love him like he is the second coming of God.”

6

Slide-15

All these actions by the United States is in preparation of Peace negotiations after the Israeli elections. I am sure Jared Kushner is the orchestrator of these events.

Slide-16 Plenty of Reasons

There are plenty of reasons not to be surprised by the Trump administration’s determination that Israeli settlements in the West Bank do not violate international law. The decision, announced on Monday by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is yet another unilateral act welcomed by a right-wing Israeli government, which has already seen President Trump confer recognition of Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. It fits into a pattern of policies pursued by David Friedman, Trump’s ambassador in Israel and a staunch supporter of settlements in the West Bank, that further erodes the already remote prospect of an independent Palestinian state. It plays to Trump’s domestic evangelical support — right-wing U.S. Christian voters who see divine providence in Israel’s supremacy over the Holy Land. It serves as yet one more repudiation of former president Barack Obama, who in his last month in office chose to abstain from, rather than veto, a resolution at the U.N. Security Council that called the settlements “a flagrant violation under international law.” Slide-17

The World Against Israel: 154 Nations Reject Israel's Connection To Temple Mount

7

The United Nations gave preliminary approval for a resolution that calls the Temple Mount by its Muslim name exclusively: Haram al-Sharif reports JPost. The resolution passed at the UN's Fourth Committee in New York City in an overwhelming turn-out of 154-8. The vote featured 14 abstentions as well as 17 absences.

Slide-18

The Temple Coin Trump is likened to King Cyrus, who, some 2500 years ago conquered the Babylonian Empire and allowed a group of Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.

Slide-19

Other Anti-Israel Resolutions Calling the Temple Mount by its Muslim name exclusively was one of eight Anti-Israel resolutions approved last week. An expected 15 more anti-Israel resolutions are anticipating approval as well. The UN General Assembly will commence its final vote on the resolution next month. Ironically, the resolution reaffirmed "the special significance of the holy sites and the importance of the City of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions."

8

Although only Israel and the United States were the only ones to vote against all eight resolutions, Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Nauru joined them in voting against the Jerusalem texts.

All of the twenty-eight EU member states backed the resolution Some of the resolutions related to both past and future Israeli ambitions to annex territory in Judea and Samaria reading: "The occupation of a territory is to be a temporary, de facto situation, whereby the occupying power can neither claim possession nor exert its sovereignty over the territory it occupies," a resolution stated.

That same resolution recalled "the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of land by force and therefore the illegality of the annexation of any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

It also stated "grave concern at recent statements calling for the annexation by Israel of areas in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."

Acting US Deputy Representative to the United Nations Cherith Norman Chalet responded to the resolution saying: "We are disappointed that despite support for reform, member states continue to disproportionately single out Israel through these types of resolutions".

She added that "it is deplorable that the United Nations - an institution founded upon the idea that all nations should be treated equally - should be so often used by member states to treat one state in particular, Israel, unequally."

Slide-20

The New US Embassy in Jerusalem Jerry and Jeanne

9

We are studying Rev. 1-5.

Our discussion the last few of weeks have centered on Rev. chapter One. Today we want to move on to verse 12 where John views a Theophany of the Son of Man standing in the midst of seven golden candlesticks.

First we will review a few slides to establish where we are in the chronology of events.

Slide-1 The Five Vision Viewpoints

For the Bible Student that is sincerely interested in understanding the Book of Revelation, it is important to consider each vision viewpoint for they give chronological milestones in the process and activities during the Lord’s return. John was in spirit at each Vision Viewpoint.

1. The First Vision Viewpoint (Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

2. The Second Vision Viewpoint (Rev 4:2) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

3. The Third Vision Viewpoint (Rev 13:1) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

4. The Fourth Vision Viewpoint (Rev 17:3) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

5. The Fifth Vision Viewpoint (Rev 21:10) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Slide-2

The First Vision Viewpoint (Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Caught Up to the Day of the Lord

10

Slide-3

“I Was in The Spirit” (Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of

a trumpet, This is the First Vision Viewpoint and is by far the most important one. It determines “when” the Lord begins His return to earth and the events to follow.

At this Viewpoint, John first sees the Lord descending from the 3rd heaven as He begins the process of His Coming, His Erchomai. He then realizes that He is in the spirit realm.

He says, “I was in the Spirit(KJV).” Or, as Bro. Copley says, translating from the original Greek, “I became (or came to be) in spirit.”

This does not mean John was in the Holy Spirit, for John was continuously in the Holy Spirit.

John was in his spirit (little “s”) in the first of many visions in the “spirit realm” and was transported up to the Day of the Lord. “the” and a capital “S” are determined by the translators. There is no “the” in the Greek. There should be no capital “S” because “spirit” in this context is not the Holy Spirit, it is John’s spirit. Slide-4

“On the Lord's Day” (Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of

a trumpet, “The Lord’s Day” is not Sunday as many scholars declare. John was “in spirit” on the Day of the Lord, which includes the millennial reign. These are two grammatical ways of saying the same thing.

11

There is no place in Scripture where the phrase “the Lord’s Day” is used.

Slide-5 “(I) heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet”

(Rev 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

After seeing the Lord coming, he “heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.” This is the first of several trumpet sounds. He sees a Theophany of the Lord as Judge of the Church.

Slide-6 The Trumpet Shall Sound

1Co_14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

(1Th 4:16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1Th 4:17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1Th 4:18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Mat_24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

1Co_15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Heb_12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Rev_1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Rev_4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Rev_8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe,

12

woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Rev_9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

Slide-7

(Rev 1:11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and

unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea

What Thou Seest, Write in a Book and Send It This is the Viewpoint when John gets his instructions from the Lord to write a book, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Slide-8

Send It unto The Seven Churches (Rev 1:11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Slide-9

The Seven Churches (Rev 1:11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea

13

The Seven Churches are literal existing Churches in 96 AD located in Asia in Western Turkey. There were more Churches in existence. The letters are representative of the Church in 96 AD and the Mystical Church on the Day of the Lord but in the seventh stage of apostasy. The order of the Churches in Rev. 2 and 3 is as a circuit riding judge visiting the communities beginning with Ephesus then Smyrna, Pergamum, Tyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea.

Slide-10 And I Turned to See

(Rev 1:12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Rev 1:13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Slide-11

A Different View of the Candlesticks

14

Slide-12

The Candlesticks in the Tabernacle

(Exo 25:31) And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Candlestick, H4501, menôrâh menôrâh, men-o-raw', men-o-raw' Feminine of H4500 (in the original sense of H5216); a chandelier: - candlestick.

H5216, nı̂yr nir nêyr nêr nêrâh, neer, neer, nare, nare, nay-raw' From a primitive root (see H5214 and H5135) properly meaning to glisten; a lamp (that is, the burner) or light (literally or figuratively): - candle, lamp, light.

(Exo 25:32) And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: (Exo 25:33) Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. (Exo 25:34) And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. (Exo 25:35) And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. (Exo 25:36) Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. (Exo 25:37) And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. (Exo 25:38) And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.

Slide-13 The Candlestick in John’s Vision

Rev 1:12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Candlesticks, G3087, luchnia, lookh-nee'-ah From G3088; a lamp stand (literally or figuratively): - candlestick.

G3088, luchnos,lookh'-nos From the base of G3022; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively): - candle, light

(Rev 1:13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Slide-14 The Krima (Judgment) of the Church

(Rev 1:13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

15

(1Pe 4:17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Pe 4:18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Time, G2540, kairos, kahee-ros' Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, that is, set or proper time: - X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while. Compare G5550.

The very first event on the Day of the Lord will be the Judgment (Krima) of the Church. It will occur at a “set time, a proper time.”

The judgment will be a “decision, for or against” the believer. Judgment, G291, krima, kree'-mah From G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.

(Jas 5:7) Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. (Jas 5:8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (Jas 5:9) Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.