Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

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July 2011 Issue

Messianic Signs Part 5
Jul 1st, 2011
Art Sadlier
Uncategorized

2,500 – 4,000 years ago the Word of God tells us of events which will happen in relation to Israel just before Messiah comes to them. These events we call Messianic signs.

In previous articles we have looked at 16 messianic signs which have been fulfilled in these last days.

We have proposed that fulfilled prophecy proves the Bible is the Word of God and proves that God knows the end from the beginning. The scripture clearly makes this claim.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

“I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass,” (Isaiah 48:3).

“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them,” (Isaiah 42:9).

Jesus made the very same claims for the Word of God, “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled,” (Matthew 5:18).

My friend you are forced, by the Bible to either accept it as the Word of God, or to reject it as a compilation of lies. In the amazing fulfilled prophecies of the scriptures, we have proof beyond any shadow of a doubt that God exists and that the Bible is God’s word.

God does not ask anyone to believe His Word without first authenticating it. Christianity is not mysticism or superstition.

My friend if I can prove to you that the Bible is God’s Word, that God exists, that God is the sovereign Lord of the universe who knows the end from the beginning. Will you respond to the claims of God on your life? -- Christian do you recognize the claims of God on your life? -- Unsaved person do you understand the claim of God on your life?

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die,” (Ezekiel 18:4).

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm.....” (Jeremiah 27:5).

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27).

Sign # 17 The Restoration of Temple Worship

There are numerous prophecies which tell us during the tribulation period a third Temple will be rebuilt and stand in Jerusalem.

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months,” (Revelation 11:1-2). This is the Temple that will be in Jerusalem during the tribulation period. It will be consecrated and in service by at least the mid-tribulation point.

Paul also describes the situation where the Antichrist desecrates that same Temple at the mid-tribulation period. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God,” (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

Antichrist will usurp the Temple and set himself up as God to be worshipped instead of God.

In Daniel 9:27 we see this same event forecast, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Here we have the timing clearly established. Antichrist signs a covenant or peace treaty which begins the seven year tribulation period. At the midpoint he breaks the covenant and introduces himself as the god of this world who is to be worshipped instead of the God of heaven.

Today preparations for the third temple are in place. This indicates that the rapture is near at hand.

*  The vessels have been made, at least 85 different vessels.

*  The harps for the temple orchestra are being made in Israel. This is the first time in 2,000 years that harps have been made in Israel.

*  Hundred of priests have been trained, all descendants of Levi.

*  The priestly garments have been made, and the crown for the high priest has also been made. The high priests robe has been fashioned to exact biblical specifications. It is woven in blue with 72 golden bells with intricately designed pomegranates between each bell.

*  The menorah or the golden candlestick has been made. It is 6 ½ feet high cast with 92 lbs. of pure gold at a cost of $400,000.

*  The Sanhedrin has been chosen after 1,600 years and they meet weekly in Jerusalem.

*  The drawings for the temple have been done and the blueprints are now being completed. The order has been given to raise the funds needed. The sections are to be assembled in pieces and put in storage, just as David did.

*  A flock of sheep has reportedly been purchased for the temple sacrifices.

*  The red heifer is involved in an important purification ceremony. The ashes of the red heifer must be mixed with water to cleanse the temple and the temple instruments. Until now there could be no temple service because they have had no red heifer. Today in northern Israel they are raising a herd of red heifers.

Another key ingredient is the oil of anointing. It is made of five ingredients one of which is calamus derived from the calamus tree. The only grove of calamus trees, which was at Engedi, was burned down by the Romans in 70 AD. For 2,000 years there have been no calamus trees. Consequently there could be no anointing oil. The anointing oil was necessary to anoint the temple, the high priest and the king. However in 1995 an ancient copper scroll was found which led to the finding  of a flask of oil. A group of Chinese scientists who specialize in chemical compounds analyzed it and confirmed that it was over 2,000 years old and of the same composition as the formula for the anointing oil.

Daniel 9:24, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”

In Daniel 9:24 we have a list of 6 things God will accomplish in His dealings with Israel before the 70 weeks are finished. Notice the final purpose of God concerning Israel is to “anoint the most Holy.”

Who is the most Holy? That is an easy question to answer; Jesus is the “most Holy.” Jesus is the Messiah and Messiah means “anointed one of God.”

The last thing God will accomplish concerning Israel before the seventy weeks are finished is to have Israel anoint Christ as the king of Israel, and to have him sit upon the throne of David. Israel must accept Him and anoint Him. Until recently, Israel had no anointing oil, Messiah could not be anointed. Now all is in readiness for Messiah to come. The only thing hindering His return to Israel is the unbelieving Jewish heart. The hearts of Israeli’s must be brought to the place of recognition of their Messiah.

We read about that soon coming day in Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”

Incredibly the Jews now have the “Holy anointing oil” to purify the third temple and resume the worship and to anoint the Messiah as King of Kings.

All is in readiness for Antichrist to come and open the way for Israel to build the third temple. We read about that in John 5:43, “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

Israel rejected Christ at His first coming; someday perhaps soon they will receive Antichrist as their Messiah. Then the Temple will be rebuilt.

Do you see how close we are to the sound of the trumpet? Matthew 24:33 says, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.”

I suspect that from May 14, 1948 until the present hour Jesus has been standing at the door of heaven waiting for the Father to say, “My beloved Son it is time to bring home our beloved children.”

May I ask you what are you living for? Are you living for the vain empty things of this world? Are you living for this world or the world to come?

Sign # 18  Jerusalem a Cup of Trembling

Zechariah 12:2-3, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”

Today that prophecy has been fulfilled, though it still awaits a more complete fulfillment. Today the world is at its wit’s end trying to resolve the Mid-east crisis. 200 million Arabs with armies that outnumber Israel 5 to 1 are afraid to go to war with little Israel. Despite their bold talk the Israeli’s cause them to tremble.

The Arabs have hundreds of billions in oil money to buy all the weapons they need. They use proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah and they use suicide bombers and they send their children to throw stones at the Israeli army. Israel’s enemies tremble before her.

We have a description of Israel’s defeat of her enemies in her modern day wars. Zechariah 12:6, “In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.”

Israel, “Like a fire among the wood,” has trounced her Arab enemies in three modern day wars.

Europe has tried to intimidate Israel with no effect. Today Israeli leaders dare not travel to Britain for fear of arrest. Russia has plotted and schemed with the Arabs to destroy Israel. A succession of US presidents has not been able to solve the Mid-east crisis. The world is fearful that a billion Muslims will start a war that will engulf the entire world.

Zechariah said that Israel would be a cup of trembling to the nations. That prophecy has been fulfilled 2,600 years later. Do you see how God has chosen to prove Himself to men?

Sign # 19  Edom Seeks to Take Israel's Land

Ezekiel 36 speaks about Israel’s return to the land in the last days. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau. When Moses came out of Egypt on the way to the Promised Land, he asked the Edomites if they could pass through their land. Edom not only refused but came out to war against Israel.

When the Babylonians sacked and burned Jerusalem the Edomites helped them. When the Israeli’s were carried captive to Babylon the Edomites attacked the remnant left behind. When the Romans subdued Israel they appointed Herod, an Edomite king, over Israel.

There has been a perpetual antagonism by Esau (Edom) against Israel.

The Word of God tells us that in the last days, as the Lord begins the process to restore Israel, the Edomites will attempt to take away Israel’s land. It will be Esau’s final assault on God’s people.

According to a study done by Jimmy DeYoung, the Palestinians are the descendants of the Edomites. Ezekiel 36:5 describes this last day attempt by the Palestinians (Edom) to take away Israel’s land. “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea, which have appointed my land into their possession with the joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey.”

Notice the anger of the Lord against Edom, “Surely in the fire of my jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against all Idumea....” Why is the Lord so angry with Edom? The answer is given, “Which have appointed my land into their possession.” That is exactly what the Palestinians are doing today. This is dealing with our own day, this situation has never occurred before in history.

The Palestinians are boldly saying, “The land of Palestine is ours, Israel has no place in Palestine.” They say, “The temple is ours Israel has no right to it.”

The great issue in the world today is who will possess the land of Palestine? The whole world has declared that the land of Palestine must be divided. The Palestinians are saying they will never rest until Israel has been removed from the land.

The Word of God described this exact scenario 2,600 years ago. God knows the end from the beginning.

Sign #  20  Jewsih Unbelief

Along the main highways in the US there are signs that tell motorists what motels and restaurants and gas stations are at the next exit. Sometimes there are 2, 3 or 4 signs in case the first sign is missed. What if there were 20 signs or more informing motorists that at the next exit there is a MacDonald’s restaurant. No one would fail to understand that there is a MacDonald’s restaurant at the next exit.

We have you 20 signs proving that Messiah’s coming is near at hand. (There are actually many more). Wouldn’t you expect that every Jew in the land of Israel would be alert and joyfully looking for Messiah to appear at any moment? Such is not the case.

1 Corinthians 1:22, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.” God has given Israel signs, signs of the coming of Messiah. Why do they not recognize these signs? The answer is found in Acts 28:27-28, “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”

In Acts 15:14-16 Peter told of the prophecies of the temporary setting aside of Israel because of unbelief. “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” That blindness has happened just as God said it would.

Paul gives the same message as Peter in Romans 11:25, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”

Paul says in verse 26 that someday that blindness of unbelief will be lifted. “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

Notice what will happen to terminate the blindness, “Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Understand, not the “times of the gentiles” but the, “fullness of the gentiles.” When the church is complete, the rapture will occur.

After the rapture the tribulation period will begin. God will return to working with Israel to bring an end to unbelief and to remove the blindness.

The final great chastening of Israel takes place in the last half of the tribulation period. Matthew 24:21, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Notice what happens to Israel at the close of the tribulation period. Zechariah 12:9, “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.” God rescues Israel from her enemies. Verse 10 we read, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” This time of trouble will bring Israel to the end of her own resources, “....they shall look upon me whom they have pierced...” The blindness shall be lifted and their eyes shall be opened to their saviour.

Verse 11, “In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem...” Israel will be smitten with grief over the sudden realization that they have been rejecting their savour. In verse 12-14 we see Israel’s repentance in that hour, “And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.” This will be an individual salvation experience. Jewish unbelief will come to an end.

Jewish unbelief was prophesied 2,800 years ago in Isaiah 6:9-10, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” For over 2,000 years that prophecy has been fulfilled, and it is still being fulfilled today.

That is why, even though Israel has the Messianic signs they are still blind to them. Isaiah 6:11-12, “Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.” “How long?” The answer is found in verse 12, that has all happened and now in Israel’s re-gathering God is preparing to remove Israel’s blindness and unbelief.

Why do men reject God and His Word? Men can study these prophecies and see the proof for themselves. The problem is in the heart and not in the head.

We see that in Psalm 53:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” In the heart, not in the head! “Corrupt are they,” sin is the problem. John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Men turn away from the truth and from the gospel because they have sinful hearts.

The option is repentance. 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” My friend the hour is late on God’s time clock for this age. If you are not saved, come to Christ now.