JEWS INFORMATION DESK

JEWISH INFORMATION AND HISTORY

    Noah begat Shem; and Shem begat Arphaxad; and Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber; and Eber begat Peleg; and Peleg begat Reu; and Reu begat Serug; and Serug begat Nahor; and Nahor begat Terah; and Terah begat Abram; and Abram begat Ishmael by the bondwoman, called Hagar. Abram's name was changed by God to Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac by his wife, Sarah, the freewoman.

    Deut 7:6-8-FOR THOU ART AN HOLY PEOPLE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD: THE LORD THY GOD HATH CHOSEN THEE TO BE A SPECIAL PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. THE LORD DID NOT SET HIS LOVE UPON YOU, NOR CHOOSE YOU, BECAUSE YE WERE MORE IN NUMBER THAN ANY PEOPLE; FOR YE WERE THE FEWEST OF ALL PEOPLE: BUT BECAUSE THE LORD LOVED YOU, AND BECAUSE HE WOULD KEEP THE OATH WHICH HE HAD SWORN UNTO YOUR FATHERS, HATH THE LORD BROUGHT YOU OUT WITH A MIGHTY HAND, AND REDEEMED YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDMEN, FROM THE HAND OF PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT.

    From the lineage of Noah and Shem, came Abram. From Abram (Abraham) came Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born of the bond woman, and Isaac was born of the free woman. These two half brothers were at odds with each other. It was originally expected that Ishmael would be Abram's heir; however, GOD SAID...IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED-Gen 21:12. Many of the Arabs today are descendants of Ishmael. They believe the land of Israel should belong to them as they are the offspring of the firstborn of Abram. But God said the heir would be the offspring of Isaac. Thus, there is what appears to be an unsolvable problem in the Middle East. This same feud between Ishmael and Isaac goes on today. This forms the basis for much of the Bible prophecy that is yet to happen. God's covenant is with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and their seed.
   Sodom and Gomorrah, in which ten just men could not be found, was destroyed-ref Gen 18:32; 19:22-25.
   Abraham begat Isaac. Isaac begat Jacob, whose name was changed by God to Israel-ref Gen 35:10. From Jacob came twelve sons, which would become the twelve tribes of Israel-ref Gen 35:22-26. Israel went to Egypt.

    The unsolvable problem: this is what exists in the Middle East since Israel's rebirth. You may wonder what is meant by this statement. It is referring to the intense hatred of the Arabs toward the Jews. The Arabs claim the land that Israel now occupies is theirs. They believe that God promised it to them through Abraham. The Jews also claim this land. They believe that God promised them the land they now have, plus more, through Abraham. As long as the Jews control this land, there will be wars and unrest until one side is destroyed. Let us look at God's Word to see how this unsolvable problem came about.
   AND TERAH TOOK ABRAM HIS SON, AND LOT THE SON OF HARAN HIS SON'S SON, AND SARAI HIS DAUGHTER IN LAW, HIS SON ABRAM'S WIFE; AND THEY WENT FORTH WITH THEM FROM UR OF THE CHALDEES, TO GO INTO THE LAND OF CANAAN; AND THEY CAME UNTO HARAN, AND DWELT THERE. AND THE DAYS OF TERAH WERE TWO HUNDRED AND FIVE YEARS: AND TERAH DIED IN HARAN-Gen 11:31,32.
   NOW THE LORD HAD SAID UNTO ABRAM, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER'S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHOW THEE: AND I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION, AND I WILL BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THY NAME GREAT; AND THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING: AND I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE, AND CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE: AND IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED-Gen 12:1-3. AND ABRAM PASSED THROUGH THE LAND...AND THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ABRAM, AND SAID, UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND-Gen 12:6,7. NOW SARAI ABRAM'S WIFE BARE HIM NO CHILDREN: AND SHE HAD AN HANDMAID, AN EGYPTIAN, WHOSE NAME WAS HAGAR. AND SARAI SAID UNTO ABRAM, BEHOLD NOW, THE LORD HATH RESTRAINED ME FROM BEARING: I PRAY THEE, GO IN UNTO MY MAID; IT MAY BE THAT I MAY OBTAIN CHILDREN BY HER-Gen 16:1,2. AND HE WENT IN UNTO HAGAR, AND SHE CONCEIVED: AND WHEN SHE SAW THAT SHE HAD CONCEIVED, HER MISTRESS (Sarai) WAS DESPISED IN HER (Hagar’s) EYES-Gen 16:4. But from that day, there was friction between the handmaid, Hagar, and Sarai, Abram's wife. AND SARAI SAID UNTO ABRAM, MY WRONG BE UPON THEE: I HAVE GIVEN MY MAID INTO THY BOSOM; AND WHEN SHE SAW THAT SHE HAD CONCEIVED, I WAS DESPISED IN HER EYES-Gen 16:5. THEN SARAI MISTREATED HAGAR-Gen 16:6 NIV. AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SAID UNTO HER (Hagar), I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED EXCEEDINGLY...THOU ART WITH CHILD, AND SHALT BEAR A SON, AND SHALT CALL HIS NAME ISHMAEL...AND HE WILL BE A WILD MAN-Gen 16:10-12. HE WILL BE A WILD DONKEY OF A MAN; HIS HAND WILL BE AGAINST EVERYONE AND EVERYONE’S HAND AGAINST HIM, AND HE WILL LIVE IN HOSTILITY TOWARD ALL HIS BROTHERS-Gen 16:12 NIV.
   AND HAGAR BARE ABRAM A SON: AND ABRAM CALLED HIS SON'S NAME, WHICH HAGAR BARE, ISHMAEL. AND ABRAM WAS FOURSCORE AND SIX YEARS OLD (86 years old), WHEN HAGAR BARE ISHMAEL TO ABRAM-Gen 16:15,16. Ishmael became the father of many of the Arabs. Because Ishmael was the firstborn of Abram, the Arabs claim that the land promised to Abraham (the land of Israel) belongs to them. Nothing can change this.
   AND WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY YEARS OLD AND NINE (99), THE LORD APPEARED TO ABRAM, AND SAID UNTO HIM, I AM THE ALMIGHTY GOD; WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE THOU PERFECT-Gen 17:1. NEITHER SHALL THY NAME ANY MORE BE CALLED ABRAM, BUT THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM; FOR A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE THEE-Gen 17:5. AS FOR SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE. AND I WILL BLESS HER, AND GIVE THEE A SON ALSO OF HER...AND SHE SHALL BE A MOTHER OF NATIONS; KINGS OF PEOPLE SHALL BE OF HER. THEN ABRAHAM FELL UPON HIS FACE, AND LAUGHED, AND SAID IN HIS HEART, SHALL A CHILD BE BORN UNTO HIM THAT IS AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD? AND SHALL SARAH, THAT IS NINETY YEARS OLD, BEAR? AND GOD SAID, SARAH THY WIFE SHALL BEAR THEE A SON INDEED; AND THOU SHALT CALL HIS NAME ISAAC: AND I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM. AND AS FOR ISHMAEL, I HAVE HEARD THEE: BEHOLD, I HAVE BLESSED HIM, AND WILL MAKE HIM FRUITFUL, AND WILL MULTIPLY HIM EXCEEDINGLY; TWELVE PRINCES SHALL HE BEGAT, AND I WILL MAKE HIM A GREAT NATION. BUT MY COVENANT WILL I ESTABLISH WITH ISAAC-Gen 17:15-17,19-21.
   FOR SARAH CONCEIVED, AND BARE ABRAHAM A SON IN HIS OLD AGE...AND ABRAHAM CALLED THE NAME OF HIS SON THAT WAS BORN UNTO HIM, WHOM SARAH BARE TO HIM, ISAAC. AND SARAH SAW THE SON OF HAGAR THE EGYPTIAN, WHICH SHE HAD BORN UNTO ABRAHAM, MOCKING. WHEREFORE SHE (Sarah) SAID UNTO ABRAHAM, CAST OUT THIS BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: FOR THE SON OF THIS BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH MY SON, EVEN WITH ISAAC-Gen 21:2,3,9,10. AND GOD SAID UNTO ABRAHAM...HEARKEN UNTO HER VOICE (Sarah's); FOR IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED-Gen 21:12. ABRAHAM...SENT HER (Hagar) OFF WITH THE BOY-Gen 21:14 NIV. Abraham gave her some food and water. Thus, an unsolvable problem came into being. The Arabs claim, because Ishmael was the firstborn of Abram, the Promised Land is theirs. The Jews believe that the Promised Land is theirs, as God's covenant was not with Ishmael but with Isaac.
   NOW WE, BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE (but the Arabs believe they are the children of the promise). BUT AS THEN HE THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE FLESH PERSECUTED HIM THAT WAS BORN AFTER THE SPIRIT, EVEN SO IT IS NOW. NEVERTHELESS WHAT SAITH THE SCRIPTURE? CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON: FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREEWOMAN-Gal 4:28-30. Ishmael, born of the bondwoman, represents the Law. Isaac, born of the freewoman, represents grace. Law persecutes grace.
   Note: Hagar, the bondwoman, bore a son by Abram named, Ishmael, who was expected to be the heir.
   Hagar despised Sarai.
   Sarai mistreated Hagar.
   Sarah bore a son named Isaac, who became Abraham’s heir.
   Ishmael mocked.
   Sarah wanted Hagar and Ishmael cast out.
   Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away at God’s direction.
   Hagar received only food and water.
   The stage was set nearly 4000 years ago by God. A war that will destroy one-fourth of the world's population is about to take place. This war is outlined in Ezekiel 38 and other parts of the Bible. Russia, along with other allies, including some of the Arab nations, will soon invade Israel. The stage for what will happen soon was set long ago with Ishmael and Isaac. The descendants of Abram and Ishmael (which include some of the Arabs) and the descendants of Abraham and Isaac (the Jews) will soon clash one last time. Bad feelings have always existed between the two, for nearly 4000 years. It may be said that this is the longest running feud in the history of the world. It appears that this seemingly everlasting struggle between the seed of Ishmael and the seed of Isaac cannot cease, until one or the other is destroyed. No amount of diplomacy can change the conflict that God has set up. This coming war will take place during the Tribulation.

5-ABRAM TOLD TO WALK THROUGH THE PROMISED LAND

    NOW THE LORD HAD SAID UNTO ABRAM, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER'S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHOW THEE-Gen 12:1. Note the sacrifices God expected Abram to make.
   l. Get thee out of thy country.
   2. Get out from thy kindred.
   3. Get out from thy father's house.
   He had to go by faith because he did not know where he was going, but only that he was going to a land, which the Lord had promised to show him. SO ABRAM DEPARTED, AS THE LORD HAD SPOKEN UNTO HIM-Gen 12:4. Abraham obeyed. Here is another example of faith; as it is written, BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO GO OUT INTO A PLACE WHICH HE SHOULD AFTER RECEIVE FOR AN INHERITANCE, OBEYED; AND HE WENT OUT, NOT KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT-Heb 11:8. Part of the land that Abram was to walk through would later become the land of Israel. The entire land in which he walked, extending to the Euphrates River, will become Israel’s during the Millennium.
   After Lot had separated from Abram, God said to Abram, LIFT UP NOW THINE EYES, AND LOOK FROM THE PLACE WHERE THOU ART NORTHWARD, AND SOUTHWARD, AND EASTWARD, AND WESTWARD: FOR ALL THE LAND WHICH THOU SEEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED FOR EVER-Gen 13:14,15.
   ARISE, WALK THROUGH THE LAND IN THE LENGTH OF IT AND IN THE BREADTH OF IT-Gen 13:17.

6-A NOTE OF INTEREST:
FAITH, OBEDIENCE, AND FAITHFULNESS;
   THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB

    KNOW YE THEREFORE THAT THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM-Gal 3:7. As children of faith in Jesus Christ, who are counted as children of Abraham, we have need to further understand the faith of Abraham.
   As we read, consider the words "faith, obedience, and faithfulness," and may we each examine our own faith, obedience, and faithfulness by God's Word.
   BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM (God): FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM-Heb 11:6.
   ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS-Ro 4:3. ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD-Gal 3:6. AND HE (Abram) BELIEVED IN THE LORD; AND HE COUNTED IT TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS-Gen 15:6.
   FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS-Ro 4:9.
   BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS CALLED TO GO OUT INTO A PLACE WHICH HE SHOULD AFTER RECEIVE FOR AN INHERITANCE, OBEYED; AND HE WENT OUT, NOT KNOWING WHITHER HE WENT.
   BY FAITH HE SOJOURNED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE, AS IN A STRANGE COUNTRY, DWELLING IN TABERNACLES WITH ISAAC AND JACOB, THE HEIRS WITH HIM OF THE SAME PROMISE-Heb 11:8,9.
   THROUGH FAITH ALSO SARAH HERSELF RECEIVED STRENGTH TO CONCEIVE SEED, AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD WHEN SHE WAS PAST AGE, BECAUSE SHE JUDGED HIM FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED-Heb 11:11.
   AND (Abraham) BEING NOT WEAK IN FAITH, HE CONSIDERED NOT HIS OWN BODY NOW DEAD, WHEN HE WAS ABOUT AN HUNDRED YEARS OLD, NEITHER YET THE DEADNESS OF SARAH'S WOMB: HE STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF; BUT WAS STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD; AND BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT, WHAT HE (God) HAD PROMISED, HE WAS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM. AND THEREFORE IT WAS IMPUTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS-Ro 4:19-22.
   THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE PROMISES, BUT HAVING SEEN THEM AFAR OFF, AND WERE PERSUADED OF THEM, AND EMBRACED THEM, AND CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. FOR THEY THAT SAY SUCH THINGS DECLARE PLAINLY THAT THEY SEEK A COUNTRY. AND TRULY, IF THEY HAD BEEN MINDFUL (or thinking) OF THAT COUNTRY FROM WHENCE THEY CAME OUT, THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE RETURNED. (In other words, don't look back.) BUT NOW THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, AN HEAVENLY: WHEREFORE GOD IS NOT ASHAMED TO BE CALLED THEIR GOD: FOR HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY-Heb 11:13-16.
   BY FAITH ABRAHAM, WHEN HE WAS TRIED, OFFERED UP ISAAC: AND HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE PROMISES OFFERED UP HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OF WHOM IT WAS SAID, THAT IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED-Heb 11:17,18.
   (By faith) Abraham accounted THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM (Isaac) UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD-ref Heb 11:19.
   BUT WILT THOU KNOW, O VAIN MAN, THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD? WAS NOT ABRAHAM OUR FATHER JUSTIFIED BY WORKS, WHEN HE HAD OFFERED ISAAC HIS SON UPON THE ALTAR? SEEST THOU HOW FAITH WROUGHT WITH HIS WORKS (or faith and his actions were working together-NIV), AND BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT? AND THE SCRIPTURE WAS FULFILLED WHICH SAITH, ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS IMPUTED UNTO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND HE WAS CALLED THE FRIEND OF GOD-Ja 2:20-23.
   (By faith) Abraham bought THE FIELD OF EPHRON...AND THE CAVE...AND…BURIED SARAH HIS WIFE IN THE CAVE OF…MACHPELAH-ref Gen 23.
   BY FAITH ISAAC BLESSED JACOB AND ESAU CONCERNING THINGS TO COME.
   BY FAITH JACOB, WHEN HE WAS A DYING, BLESSED BOTH THE SONS OF JOSEPH; AND WORSHIPED, LEANING UPON THE TOP OF HIS STAFF.
   BY FAITH JOSEPH, WHEN HE DIED, MADE MENTION OF THE DEPARTING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; AND GAVE COMMANDMENT CONCERNING HIS BONES-Heb 11:20-22. (OF WHOM [or of them] THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY:) THEY WANDERED IN DESERTS, AND IN MOUNTAINS, AND IN DENS AND CAVES OF THE EARTH. AND THESE ALL, HAVING OBTAINED A GOOD REPORT THROUGH FAITH, RECEIVED NOT THE PROMISE-Heb 11:38,39.
   We are to WALK IN THE STEPS OF THAT FAITH OF OUR FATHER ABRAHAM, WHICH HE HAD BEING YET UNCIRCUMCISED. FOR THE PROMISE, THAT HE SHOULD BE THE HEIR OF THE WORLD, WAS NOT TO ABRAHAM, OR TO HIS SEED, THROUGH THE LAW, BUT THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF FAITH-Ro 4:12,13.
   God told Abram, GET THEE OUT OF THY COUNTRY, AND FROM THY KINDRED, AND FROM THY FATHER'S HOUSE, UNTO A LAND THAT I WILL SHOW THEE-Gen 12:1. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
   AND THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ABRAM...THERE BUILDED HE AN ALTAR UNTO THE LORD-Gen 12:7. An example of faith.
   Abram REMOVED...UNTO A MOUNTAIN...HE BUILDED AN ALTAR-Gen 12:8. An example of faith.
   Abram returned TO BETHEL...HE…CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD-Gen 13:3,4. An example of faith.
   God told Abram, WALK THROUGH THE LAND-Gen 13:17. Abram obeyed. An example of faith.
   ABRAM REMOVED...AND DWELT IN THE PLAIN OF MAMRE…AND BUILT THERE AN ALTAR-Gen 13:18. An example of faith.
   Abram GAVE HIM TITHES OF ALL-Gen 14:20. An example of faith and obedience.
   God told Abram, THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM-Gen 17:5. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
   God told Abraham, EVERY MAN CHILD AMONG YOU SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED-Gen 17:10. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
   God told Abraham, SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE-Gen 17:15. Abraham obeyed. An example of faith.
   ABRAHAM...IN BEERSHEBA...CALLED THERE ON THE…LORD-Gen 21:33. An example of faith.
   God told Abraham, TAKE...ISAAC, WHOM THOU LOVEST, AND GET THEE INTO THE LAND OF MORIAH; AND OFFER HIM THERE FOR A BURNT OFFERING-Gen 22:2. Abraham obeyed. AND THEY CAME TO THE PLACE WHICH GOD HAD TOLD HIM OF; AND ABRAHAM BUILT AN ALTAR THERE, AND LAID THE WOOD IN ORDER, AND BOUND ISAAC HIS SON, AND LAID HIM ON THE ALTAR UPON THE WOOD. AND ABRAHAM STRETCHED FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOOK THE KNIFE TO SLAY HIS SON. AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CALLED UNTO HIM OUT OF HEAVEN, AND SAID, ABRAHAM, ABRAHAM: AND HE SAID, HERE AM I. AND HE SAID, LAY NOT THINE HAND UPON THE LAD, NEITHER DO THOU ANY THING UNTO HIM: FOR NOW I KNOW THAT THOU FEAREST GOD, SEEING THOU HAST NOT WITHHELD THY SON, THINE ONLY SON FROM ME-Gen 22:9-12. Abraham obeyed God. An example of faith.
   It is written, BECAUSE…ABRAHAM OBEYED MY VOICE-Gen 26:5.
   KNOW YE THEREFORE THAT THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. SO THEN THEY WHICH BE OF FAITH ARE BLESSED WITH FAITHFUL ABRAHAM-Gal 3:7,9.
   It is written, BECAUSE…ABRAHAM OBEYED MY VOICE-Gen 26:5.
   It is further written, THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH-Ro 16:26.
   And it is written, WE HAVE RECEIVED GRACE...FOR OBEDIENCE TO THE FAITH-Ro 1:5.
   THEREFORE IT IS OF FAITH, THAT IT MIGHT BE BY GRACE-Ro 4:16.
   Through faith, we are justified (salvation).
   Works were the evidence of Abraham’s faith.
   Do you truly believe all of God's Word (the Bible)? What is the evidence of your faith? Is it faithfulness and obedience?

7-GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED

    God’s covenant with Abraham and his seed is the basis for many of the events that are happening in this generation, including the coming Tribulation, the Millennium, and much more. We need to study and understand this covenant in order to help us understand Bible prophecy.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THEE AND THY SEED AFTER THEE IN THEIR GENERATIONS FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT-Gen 17:7. ISAAC...I WILL ESTABLISH MY COVENANT WITH HIM…AND WITH HIS SEED AFTER HIM-Gen 17:19. IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED-Gen 21:12.

• (God said to Isaac) I WILL PERFORM THE OATH WHICH I SWARE UNTO ABRAHAM THY FATHER-Gen 26:3.

• (To Jacob from Isaac) GOD ALMIGHTY...GIVE THEE THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM, TO THEE, AND TO THY SEED WITH THEE-Gen 28:3,4.

• (God said to Moses) I APPEARED UNTO ABRAHAM, UNTO ISAAC, AND UNTO JACOB...AND I HAVE…ESTABLISHED MY COVENANT WITH THEM...I HAVE REMEMBERED MY COVENANT-Ex 6:3-5.

• (God said to Abraham) I will BE A GOD UNTO THEE, AND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE-Gen 17:7. I WILL BE THEIR GOD-Gen 17:8.

• (God said to Abram) FEAR NOT, ABRAM: I AM THY SHIELD, AND THY EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD-Gen 15:1.

• (To Isaac) I WILL BE WITH THEE-Gen 26:3. I AM WITH THEE-Gen 26:24. (God said to Jacob) I AM WITH THEE-Gen 28:15.

• (God said to Jacob) I...WILL KEEP THEE IN ALL PLACES WHITHER THOU GOEST-Gen 28:15.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREAT NATION-Gen 12:2; ref Gen 18:18. (God said to Jacob) A NATION...SHALL BE OF THEE-Gen 35:11.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL BLESS THEE-Gen 12:2. IN BLESSING I WILL BLESS THEE-Gen 22:17. (God said to Isaac) I…WILL BLESS THEE-Gen 26:3. I...WILL BLESS THEE-Gen 26:24. (Isaac blessed Jacob) HE...BLESSED HIM-Gen 27:27. AND ISAAC...BLESSED HIM-Gen 28:1. GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE-Gen 28:3.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL…MAKE THY NAME GREAT-Gen 12:2.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL MAKE THEE EXCEEDING FRUITFUL-Gen 17:6. (Isaac blessed Jacob) GOD ALMIGHTY...MAKE THEE FRUITFUL-Gen 28:3. (God said to Jacob) BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY-Gen 35:11.

• (God said to Abraham) THOU SHALT BE A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS-Gen 17:4. THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM; FOR A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE THEE-Gen 17:5. I WILL MAKE NATIONS OF THEE-Gen 17:6. (God said to Jacob) A COMPANY OF NATIONS SHALL BE OF THEE-Gen 35:11.

• (God said to Abraham) KINGS SHALL COME OUT OF THEE-Gen 17:6. (God said to Jacob) KINGS SHALL COME OUT OF THY LOINS-Gen 35:11.

• (God said to Abraham) THOU SHALT BE A BLESSING-Gen 12:2.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE-Gen 12:3. (Isaac blesses Jacob) BLESSED BE HE THAT BLESSETH THEE-Gen 27:29.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL…CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE-Gen 12:3. (Isaac blesses Jacob) CURSED BE EVERY ONE THAT CURSETH THEE-Gen 27:29.

• (God said to Abraham) IN THEE SHALL ALL FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED-Gen 12:3. The Lord said…ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED IN HIM (Abraham)-Gen 18:18. IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED-Gen 22:18. (God said to Isaac) IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED-Gen 26:4. (God said to Jacob) IN THEE AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED-Gen 28:14.

• (God said to Abraham) THY SEED SHALL POSSESS THE GATE OF HIS ENEMIES-Gen 22:17.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL GIVE UNTO THEE, AND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE, THE LAND...ALL THE LAND OF CANAAN, FOR AN EVERLASTING POSSESSION-Gen 17:8. UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND-Gen 12:7. ALL THE LAND WHICH THOU SEEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED FOR EVER-Gen 13:15. UNTO THY SEED HAVE I GIVEN THIS LAND, FROM THE RIVER OF EGYPT UNTO THE GREAT RIVER, THE RIVER EUPHRATES-Gen 15:18. UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE THIS LAND-ref Gen 24:7. (God said to Isaac) UNTO THEE, AND UNTO THY SEED, I WILL GIVE ALL THESE COUNTRIES-Gen 26:3; ref Gen 26:4. (Isaac to Jacob) GOD ALMIGHTY...GIVE THEE...THAT THOU MAYEST INHERIT THE LAND...WHICH GOD GAVE UNTO ABRAHAM-Gen 28:3,4. (God said to Jacob) THE LAND WHEREON THOU LIEST, TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED-Gen 28:13. I...WILL BRING THEE AGAIN INTO THIS LAND-Gen 28:15. THE LAND WHICH I GAVE ABRAHAM AND ISAAC, TO THEE I WILL GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE WILL I GIVE THE LAND-Gen 35:12. (God said to Moses) I HAVE…ESTABLISHED MY COVENANT WITH THEM (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), TO GIVE THEM THE LAND OF CANAAN-Ex 6:4. THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, DEPART, AND GO UP HENCE, THOU AND THE PEOPLE...UNTO THE LAND WHICH I SWARE UNTO ABRAHAM, TO ISAAC, AND TO JACOB, SAYING, UNTO THY SEED WILL I GIVE IT-Ex 33:1.

• (God said to Jacob) THOU SHALT SPREAD ABROAD TO THE WEST, AND TO THE EAST, AND TO THE NORTH, AND TO THE SOUTH-Gen 28:14.

• (God said to Abraham) I WILL MAKE THY SEED AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH-Gen 13:16. TELL THE STARS, IF THOU BE ABLE TO NUMBER THEM...SO SHALL THY SEED BE-Gen 15:5. I WILL...MULTIPLY THY SEED EXCEEDINGLY-Gen 16:10. I WILL MULTIPLY THY SEED AS THE STARS OF THE HEAVEN, AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS UPON THE SEA SHORE-Gen 22:17. (God said to Isaac) I WILL MAKE THY SEED TO MULTIPLY AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN-Gen 26:4. I...WILL..MULTIPLY THY SEED-Gen 26:24. (Isaac said to Jacob) GOD ALMIGHTY...MULTIPLY THEE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE-Gen 28:3. (God said to Jacob) THY SEED SHALL BE AS THE DUST OF THE EARTH-Gen 28:14. (Jacob prayed to God) THOU SAIDST, I WILL...MAKE THY SEED AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, WHICH CANNOT BE NUMBERED FOR MULTITUDE-Gen 32:12.

• (God said to Abraham) SARAI THY WIFE, THOU SHALT NOT CALL HER NAME SARAI, BUT SARAH SHALL HER NAME BE. AND I WILL BLESS HER, AND GIVE THEE A SON ALSO OF HER: YEA, I WILL BLESS HER, AND SHE SHALL BE A MOTHER OF NATIONS; KINGS OF PEOPLE SHALL BE OF HER-Gen 17:15,16.

• (God said to Abraham) THIS IS MY COVENANT, WHICH YE SHALL KEEP, BETWEEN ME AND YOU AND THY SEED AFTER THEE; EVERY MAN CHILD AMONG YOU SHALL BE CIRCUMCISED-Gen 17:10.

• (Unto Rebekah) THEY (the family of Rebekah) BLESSED REBEKAH, AND SAID...BE THOU THE MOTHER OF THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS (billions)-Gen 24:60.

• (Unto Rebekah) (The family of Rebekah said), LET THY SEED POSSESS THE GATE OF THOSE WHICH HATE THEM-Gen 24:60.

• (Isaac blessed Jacob) LET PEOPLE SERVE THEE-Gen 27:29.

• (Isaac blessed Jacob) LET...NATIONS BOW DOWN TO THEE-Gen 27:29.

• (Isaac blessed Jacob) BE LORD OVER THY BRETHREN-Gen 27:29.

• (Isaac blessed Jacob) LET THY MOTHER'S SONS BOW DOWN TO THEE-Gen 27:29.

• (God said to Jacob) I WILL NOT LEAVE THEE UNTIL I HAVE DONE THAT WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN TO THEE OF-Gen 28:15.

• (Jacob prayed) AND THOU SAIDST, I WILL SURELY DO THEE GOOD-Gen 32:12.

• (General) BE YE MINDFUL (or remember) ALWAYS OF HIS COVENANT; THE WORD WHICH HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS; EVEN OF THE COVENANT WHICH HE MADE WITH ABRAHAM, AND OF HIS OATH UNTO ISAAC; AND HATH (also) CONFIRMED THE SAME TO JACOB FOR A LAW (or statute), AND TO ISRAEL FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT, SAYING, UNTO THEE WILL I GIVE THE LAND OF CANAAN, (as) THE LOT (or portion) OF YOUR INHERITANCE-1 Chr 16:15-18.

• (General) HE HATH REMEMBERED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER, THE WORD WHICH HE COMMANDED TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS. WHICH COVENANT HE MADE WITH ABRAHAM, AND HIS OATH UNTO ISAAC; AND CONFIRMED THE SAME UNTO JACOB FOR A LAW, AND TO ISRAEL FOR AN EVERLASTING COVENANT-Ps 105:8-10.

    The Scriptures tell us, AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT...EVEN THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28,30. Thus, we need to examine how it was in the days of Lot, as a further indication of how it will be in the day when Jesus is revealed, even the days we are now in.
   ABRAM WAS VERY RICH IN CATTLE, IN SILVER, AND IN GOLD-Gen 13:2. AND LOT ALSO, WHICH WENT WITH ABRAM, HAD FLOCKS, AND HERDS, AND TENTS. AND THE LAND WAS NOT ABLE TO BEAR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT DWELL TOGETHER: FOR THEIR SUBSTANCE WAS GREAT-Gen 13:5,6. AND THERE WAS A STRIFE BETWEEN THE HERDMEN OF ABRAM'S CATTLE AND THE HERDMEN OF LOT'S CATTLE-Gen 13:7. AND ABRAM SAID UNTO LOT, LET THERE BE NO STRIFE, I PRAY THEE, BETWEEN ME AND THEE...FOR WE BE BRETHREN. IS NOT THE WHOLE LAND BEFORE THEE? SEPARATE THYSELF, I PRAY THEE, FROM ME: IF THOU WILT TAKE THE LEFT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE RIGHT; OR IF THOU DEPART TO THE RIGHT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE LEFT. AND LOT LIFTED UP HIS EYES, AND BEHELD ALL THE PLAIN OF JORDAN, THAT IT WAS WELL WATERED EVERY WHERE, BEFORE THE LORD DESTROYED SODOM AND GOMORRAH, EVEN AS THE GARDEN OF THE LORD...THEN LOT CHOSE HIM ALL THE PLAIN OF JORDAN; AND LOT JOURNEYED EAST: AND THEY SEPARATED THEMSELVES THE ONE FROM THE OTHER-Gen 13:8-11. Lot chose what he believed was the best. This shows a worldly nature. He chose to go in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah, wicked cities, in order to obtain what he considered the best land. There is no mention that he sought the Lord in his decision. Declining from God is often a gradual process and leads into the world. Lot eventually ended up in Sodom.

    We have already noted that the area about Sodom was prosperous even as the garden of the Lord. Did their prosperity keep them from doing wickedly? The answer is no. Their sin was very grievous. Lot was VEXED WITH THE FILTHY CONVERSATION OF THE WICKED-2 Pe 2:7. They were ungodly-ref 2 Pe 2:6. For Lot, THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN DWELLING AMONG THEM, IN SEEING AND HEARING, VEXED HIS RIGHTEOUS SOUL FROM DAY TO DAY WITH THEIR UNLAWFUL DEEDS-2 Pe 2:8. THEIR GRAPES ARE GRAPES OF GALL, THEIR CLUSTERS ARE BITTER-Deut 32:32. THEIR SIN...THEY HIDE IT NOT-Isa 3:9. SODOM AND GOMORRHA, AND THE CITIES ABOUT THEM IN LIKE MANNER, they gave THEMSELVES OVER TO FORNICATION, AND went AFTER STRANGE FLESH (sexual immorality and perversion)-ref Jude 7. THEY COMMIT ADULTERY, AND WALK IN LIES: THEY STRENGTHEN ALSO THE HANDS OF EVILDOERS, THAT NONE DOTH RETURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS-Jere 23:14. Thus, they worked to prevent people from repenting. They encouraged, strengthened, deceived, lied to, and assisted the evildoers, so that they would not turn from their wickedness. BEHOLD, THIS WAS THE INIQUITY OF THY SISTER SODOM, PRIDE (arrogant), FULLNESS OF BREAD, AND ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS (overfed and unconcerned)...NEITHER DID SHE STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF THE POOR AND NEEDY (did not help the poor and needy-NIV). AND THEY WERE HAUGHTY, AND COMMITTED ABOMINATION (detestable things) BEFORE ME-Ezek 16:49,50. Homosexuality was great in the city-ref Gen 19:4-11. In Sodom, there were not ten righteous men-ref Gen 18:32. Yet we read, IF THE MIGHTY WORKS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DONE IN THEE (in Capernaum), HAD BEEN DONE IN SODOM, IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED UNTIL THIS DAY-Mt 11:23.
   AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT; THEY DID EAT, THEY DRANK, THEY BOUGHT, THEY SOLD, THEY PLANTED, THEY BUILDED-Lk 17:28. They were going about business as usual and not suspecting that their day of judgment was at hand. These did not believe they would be destroyed, until the time it actually happened. It is much the same today. BUT THE SAME DAY THAT LOT WENT OUT OF SODOM IT RAINED FIRE AND BRIMSTONE FROM HEAVEN, AND DESTROYED THEM ALL. EVEN THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:29,30. For THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED-2 Pe 2:9.

    THE TWO ANGELS ARRIVED AT SODOM IN THE EVENING, AND LOT WAS SITTING IN THE GATEWAY OF THE CITY-Gen 19:1 NIV. This indicates that Lot was in a position of authority in the city. WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE GOT UP TO MEET THEM AND BOWED DOWN WITH HIS FACE TO THE GROUND-Gen 19:1 NIV. THEY TURNED IN UNTO HIM, AND ENTERED INTO HIS HOUSE-Gen 19:2. BUT...THE MEN OF THE CITY...COMPASSED THE HOUSE ROUND, BOTH OLD AND YOUNG...FROM EVERY QUARTER: AND THEY CALLED UNTO LOT, AND SAID UNTO HIM, WHERE ARE THE MEN WHICH CAME IN TO THEE THIS NIGHT? BRING THEM OUT UNTO US, THAT WE MAY KNOW THEM. AND LOT...SAID, I PRAY YOU, BRETHREN, DO NOT SO WICKEDLY...AND (they) CAME NEAR TO BREAK THE DOOR. BUT THE MEN (the two angels) PUT FORTH THEIR HAND, AND PULLED LOT INTO THE HOUSE TO THEM, AND SHUT TO THE DOOR. AND THEY SMOTE THE MEN THAT WERE AT THE DOOR WITH BLINDNESS-Gen 19:4-7,9,10.
   AND THE MEN SAID UNTO LOT, HAST THOU HERE ANY BESIDES? SON IN LAW, AND THY SONS, AND THY DAUGHTERS, AND WHATSOEVER THOU HAST IN THE CITY, BRING THEM OUT OF THIS PLACE: FOR WE WILL DESTROY THIS PLACE-Gen 19:12,13.
   SO LOT WENT OUT, AND SPOKE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW, WHO WERE PLEDGED TO MARRY HIS DAUGHTERS. HE SAID, "HURRY AND GET OUT OF THIS PLACE, BECAUSE THE LORD IS ABOUT TO DESTROY THE CITY!" BUT HIS SONS-IN-LAW THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING-Gen 19:14 NIV.
   Remember, it is written, AS...THE DAYS OF LOT...THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28,30. By God's mercy, the sons-in-law of Lot were being given a chance to escape the fiery judgment and annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrha. They were being given a chance to escape hell. Consider this great tragedy. For the pleasures of just one last day of doing their own will, they chose death and eternal damnation. Consider, for thousands of years already, they have been in hell—all in exchange for just one day of pleasure and choosing not to believe God's Word. We might consider that their decision to reject God's offer of mercy, in exchange for a few hours of doing their own will, seems beyond human understanding. To choose eternity in the lake of fire for a few hours of pleasure seems ludicrous, yet so many people today do exactly the same thing: they reject God's mercy. They refuse to repent of their sins and surrender themselves to the Lordship of Christ. They refuse God's love, so they can have a few more days, months, or years of selfishness—in exchange, they receive eternal damnation. Is this you?
   As it is written, LOT...SEEMED AS ONE THAT MOCKED UNTO HIS SONS IN LAW-Gen 19:14. HIS SONS-IN-LAW THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING-NIV. We might wonder if they thought he was joking, because he appears to have become a compromiser. He appears to have become carnal or lukewarm in his faith. He did not seem to be living separated from Sodom but was a part of the community. His backslidden lifestyle may have nullified his plea to his sons-in-law. The Christians of today are also lukewarm. The people of today also react as Lot’s sons-in-law. When someone talks about Jesus returning, people mock. As it is written, KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT THERE SHALL COME IN THE LAST DAYS SCOFFERS, WALKING AFTER THEIR OWN LUSTS, AND SAYING, WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?-2 Pe 3:3,4. Many people today mock and ridicule those who are trying to warn them that Jesus will return and that they ought to repent.

    AND WHEN THE MORNING AROSE, THEN THE ANGELS HASTENED LOT, SAYING, ARISE, TAKE THY WIFE, AND THY TWO DAUGHTERS, WHICH ARE HERE; LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY OF THE CITY. Note the words, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY OF THE CITY. The next verse continues, AND WHILE HE LINGERED. By lingering, it was evident that Lot was still struggling in his obedience to the Lord in this matter. Though the people of the city were wicked, yet something there seemed to hold an attraction for Lot. He was having some difficulty in leaving. Pulling away from sin, even from our sinful environment or surroundings, may be difficult sometimes. Sin has an alluring attraction for the flesh. Sin may offer pleasure but produces death. Christians are not to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness-ref Eph 5:11. Yet it can be difficult to cut those ties. People often refuse to obey God and leave their dead churches. They may not want to leave the blind leaders of the blind. They may refuse to obey God and continue to fellowship with those that hate God. They linger.
   AND WHILE HE LINGERED, THE MEN LAID HOLD UPON HIS HAND, AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS WIFE, AND UPON THE HAND OF HIS TWO DAUGHTERS; THE LORD BEING MERCIFUL UNTO HIM: AND THEY BROUGHT HIM FORTH, AND SET HIM WITHOUT THE CITY.
   One of the angels said unto Lot, ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE; LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE. Note, two direct commands are given: 1-ESCAPE; 2-LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE. We need to escape from the ways of the world. We need to be set free from the works of darkness. We need to overcome all things. Once we begin to follow Jesus, we should not look back but look forward to Jesus. We should not look back and desire our old sinful ways. Our past is to be put behind us, as we put off the old and put on the new. As it is written, NO MAN, HAVING PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Lk 9:62.
   The Lord continued, NEITHER STAY THOU IN ALL THE PLAIN; ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED. Again Lot hesitates in obeying the Lord. LOT SAID UNTO THEM, OH, NOT SO, MY LORD. Note that Lot is listening to another voice: a voice of compromise, a voice of fearfulness, a voice prompted by his emotions. Lot said, BEHOLD NOW, THY SERVANT HATH FOUND GRACE IN THY SIGHT, AND THOU HAST MAGNIFIED THY MERCY, WHICH THOU HAST SHEWED UNTO ME IN SAVING MY LIFE; AND I CANNOT ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST SOME EVIL TAKE ME, AND I DIE. Lot was fearful. He was not trusting in the Lord as he ought. He did not understand that what he feared might come upon him in the mountain, indeed, might come upon him in Zoar. Lot continued, BEHOLD NOW, THIS CITY IS NEAR TO FLEE UNTO, AND IT IS A LITTLE ONE: OH, LET ME ESCAPE THITHER, (IS IT NOT A LITTLE ONE?) AND MY SOUL SHALL LIVE.
   AND HE (the Lord) SAID UNTO HIM, SEE, I HAVE ACCEPTED THEE CONCERNING THIS THING ALSO, THAT I WILL NOT OVERTHROW THIS CITY, FOR THE WHICH THOU HAST SPOKEN-Gen 19:15-21.
   HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER. Note the words, I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER. Lot had to escape to safety before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain would take place. THEREFORE THE NAME OF THE CITY WAS CALLED ZOAR. Some may say this represents a type of Rapture wherein the saints have to be removed before the Tribulation can begin.
   THE SUN WAS RISEN UPON THE EARTH WHEN LOT ENTERED INTO ZOAR. THEN THE LORD RAINED UPON SODOM AND UPON GOMORRAH BRIMSTONE AND FIRE FROM THE LORD OUT OF HEAVEN; AND HE OVERTHREW THOSE CITIES, AND ALL THE PLAIN, AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITIES, AND THAT WHICH GREW UPON THE GROUND-Gen 19:22-25. We might consider, in Sodom, since the morning seems to have come and passed, the people were probably laughing and joking about the possibility that their city was going to be destroyed by the Lord. But then it happened, and their mocking undoubtedly turned into screams of terror and death.

    BUT HIS WIFE LOOKED BACK FROM BEHIND HIM, AND SHE BECAME A PILLAR OF SALT-Gen 19:26. She did not believe the words of the Lord. It cost her, her life. Many today will not believe God means what He says. It costs them their life.
   One might wonder, if Lot's arguing with the Lord about not going to the mountain but rather to Zoar and succeeding, could have caused his wife to think that she could disregard God’s warning by looking back and nothing would happen. Was her looking back simply to see what had happened? or was it a longing for the city she had left? Was it a desire to return to the old, rather than proceed on to the new, to which God in His mercy had called her? It appears her heart was still in Sodom. She had left behind her house, her friends, and the sons-in-law that were engaged to her two daughters. It is written, REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE-Lk 17:32. Once God has called a person out of the darkness into His marvelous light, he is not to look back.
   Remember how Lot was afraid at first to escape to the mountain, lest some evil would overtake him? It is written, AND LOT WENT UP OUT OF ZOAR, AND DWELT IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS WITH HIM; FOR HE FEARED TO DWELL IN ZOAR: AND HE DWELT IN A CAVE-Gen 19:30. How much better it is to obey God the first time and not argue with Him. We need to learn to be childlike, humble, and submissive before God's Word without arguing.
   Lot had gone toward Sodom with great riches. He came out hesitantly, having nearly nothing. He had become a compromiser. He came out with a carnal or lukewarm attitude. He had become fearful. He had lost nearly all worldly possessions, even his house. He lost his sons-in-law. He lost his friends. He lost his wife, and his daughters had become perverted. Lot went toward Sodom rich. He came out poor.
   Did Lot succeed in causing Sodom to repent? No. Did they cause him to become carnal? Did his wife and daughters turn from the ways of God? Yes. Were the sons-in-law, who were engaged to his daughters, men of faith? No.
   AND THE FIRSTBORN SAID UNTO THE YOUNGER, OUR FATHER IS OLD, AND THERE IS NOT A MAN IN THE EARTH TO COME IN UNTO US (that we may preserve seed of our father)...COME, LET US MAKE OUR FATHER DRINK WINE, AND WE WILL LIE WITH HIM...AND THE FIRSTBORN WENT IN, AND LAY WITH HER FATHER; AND HE PERCEIVED NOT...AND...ON THE MORROW...THE YOUNGER AROSE, AND LAY WITH HIM-Gen 19:31-35. Lot’s own daughters had become perverted with the standards of Sodom.

• Lot had great riches and chose to go in the direction of the wicked

• The area was well watered

• The area they lived in was desirable

• It was a good place to live

• Their sin was very grievous

• Their conversation was wicked

• They were ungodly

• They did unlawful or lawless deeds

• Their grapes were grapes of gall

• Their clusters were bitter

• They did not hide their sin

• They gave themselves over to fornication

• They went after strange flesh

• They committed adultery

• They walked in lies

• They strengthened the hands of the evildoers

• They worked to prevent people from repenting

• They had much pride

• They were arrogant

• They had much food and were overfed

• They had an abundance of idleness

• They did not help the poor and needy

• They were haughty

• They committed abominations or detestable things

• Homosexuality abounded in the city

• There were not ten righteous men in the city (very, very few were really following God)

• Yet if the mighty works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day

• Judgment and destruction was about to come upon them

• Yet they drank

• They bought

• They sold

• They planted

• They builded (going about business as usual)

• They did not believe judgment would really come upon them

• They mocked and ridiculed those who warned that God's judgment was coming

(also)

• Lot was vexed with their unlawful deeds, yet he chose to dwell there

• Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they refused to believe

• Lot lingered (hesitated to leave)

• Lot's family appears to have lingered

• Lot had become worldly or lukewarm

• God delivered His people before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed

• Lot argued with the Lord about where he should go

• Lot was fearful

• Lot's trust in the Lord to take care of him in the mountain was lacking

• Lot did not set as good an example as he could have for his family

• Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt

• Lot’s wife did not believe God’s Word

• Lot’s daughters had become perverted

• They were not seeking holiness

• They did not patiently trust and wait upon the Lord (ref Gen 19:30-38)

Today, it is much the same. Judgment is coming, but few understand.

14-ABRAHAM TO JACOB AND THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL

    Abraham begat Isaac by the freewoman, Sarah. Isaac begat Jacob. Jacob's name was changed by God to Israel. From Jacob's descendants came forth the twelve tribes of Israel.

    We might ask, "How did Israel get his name?"
   It is written, AND HE (Jacob) ROSE UP THAT NIGHT, AND TOOK HIS TWO WIVES, AND HIS TWO WOMENSERVANTS, AND HIS ELEVEN SONS, AND PASSED OVER THE FORD JABBOK. AND HE TOOK THEM, AND SENT THEM OVER THE BROOK, AND SENT OVER THAT HE HAD. AND JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE; AND THERE WRESTLED A MAN WITH HIM UNTIL THE BREAKING OF THE DAY. AND WHEN HE SAW THAT HE PREVAILED NOT AGAINST HIM, HE TOUCHED THE HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH; AND THE HOLLOW OF JACOB'S THIGH WAS OUT OF JOINT, AS HE WRESTLED WITH HIM. AND HE SAID, LET ME GO, FOR THE DAY BREAKETH. AND HE SAID, I WILL NOT LET THEE GO, EXCEPT THOU BLESS ME.
   AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, WHAT IS THY NAME? AND HE SAID, JACOB. Jacob confessed his name, which means "supplanter" or "deceiver." We may say, he admitted he was a sinner. After Jacob confessed his name, then the man said...THY NAME SHALL BE CALLED NO MORE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL: FOR AS A PRINCE HAST THOU POWER WITH GOD AND WITH MEN, AND HAST PREVAILED. Jacob’s name was changed from "deceiver" to "Israel," which means, "God rules; or strives with God; or a prince of God; or overcomes and prevails; or God’s fighter."
   AND JACOB ASKED HIM, AND SAID, TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, THY NAME. AND HE SAID, WHEREFORE IS IT THAT THOU DOST ASK AFTER MY NAME? AND HE BLESSED HIM THERE.
   AND JACOB CALLED THE NAME OF THE PLACE PENIEL: FOR I HAVE SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE, AND MY LIFE IS PRESERVED. AND AS HE PASSED OVER PENUEL THE SUN ROSE UPON HIM, AND HE HALTED UPON HIS THIGH. THEREFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL EAT NOT OF THE SINEW WHICH SHRANK, WHICH IS UPON THE HOLLOW OF THE THIGH, UNTIL THIS DAY: BECAUSE HE TOUCHED THE HOLLOW OF JACOB'S THIGH IN THE SINEW THAT SHRANK-Gen 32:22-32.
   AND GOD APPEARED UNTO JACOB AGAIN, WHEN HE CAME OUT OF PADAN-ARAM, AND BLESSED HIM. AND GOD SAID UNTO HIM, THY NAME IS JACOB: THY NAME SHALL NOT BE CALLED ANY MORE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL SHALL BE THY NAME: AND HE CALLED HIS NAME ISRAEL. AND GOD SAID UNTO HIM, I AM GOD ALMIGHTY: BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY; A NATION AND A COMPANY OF NATIONS SHALL BE OF THEE, AND KINGS SHALL COME OUT OF THY LOINS; AND THE LAND WHICH I GAVE ABRAHAM AND ISAAC, TO THEE I WILL GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED AFTER THEE WILL I GIVE THE LAND-Gen 35:9-12.

    While in Egypt, Moses was born-ref Acts 7:20. The Lord worked great miracles by the hand of Moses against Egypt-ref Ex 3:14,17,20. Moses led the Jews out of the land of Egypt. The children of Israel had been in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years-ref Ex 12:40,41. And Israel rebelled against God, and brought up an evil report regarding the promised land. Thus, Israel wandered in the wilderness forty years, and God was grieved with that generation-ref Heb 3:8-10. All the Jews from the age of twenty and upward died in the wilderness, except two-ref Num chapters 13 and 14.
   The seven feasts of Leviticus were initiated-ref Lev chapter 23. The tabernacle, the ark, mercy seat, cherubims, table, candlestick, seven lamps, veil, door, altar, horns, court, gate and lamp to burn were all initiated-ref Ex chapters 25, 26, 27.
   Israel was tempted in the wilderness. Finally, Joshua was given a charge. Moses did see the promised land, but was not permitted to pass over the Jordan River-ref Deut 34:1-4. Moses died, but his life force never abated-ref Deut 31:14; 34:5-8. The children of Israel followed Joshua, and entered the promised land-ref Deut 34:9; Jos 3:15-17; yet, they still would not obey God. They wanted a king-ref 1 Sam 8:5-8. Saul became the first king, and David followed-ref 2 Sam 7:12-17. Afterward, came Solomon. Israel later split into Israel and Judah-ref 2 Chr 10:11,15,19.
   Finally, Israel was conquered because of sinning against the Lord. They would not follow the Lord-ref 2 Ki 17:11,13,14; 18:11,12. Eventually, Judah was also conquered-ref Jere 19:15; Dan 1:1-3; 2 Chr 36:7; Jere 52:28; 2 Ki 24:11,14,15.
   Then Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and Daniel told him the dream and the interpretation. That dream included the kingdoms that would follow his, as well as prophecies which included events that are yet to happen-ref Dan 2:1-45.
   During the days of Daniel, other prophecies also came forth directly relating to the times in which we are now living-ref many chapters in Daniel. Among the most significant was Daniel 9:21-27, which are the "seventy weeks of Daniel."

17-MOSES LEADING THE JEWS OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT

    Israel had gone to Egypt and dwelt there for 430 years. During four hundred of those years, they were treated in an evil way. NOW THE SOJOURNING OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHO DWELT IN EGYPT, WAS FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS. AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THE END OF THE FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS, EVEN THE SELFSAME DAY IT CAME TO PASS, THAT ALL THE HOSTS OF THE LORD WENT OUT FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT-Ex 12:40,41.
   And Moses, HE BROUGHT THEM OUT, AFTER THAT HE HAD SHEWED WONDERS AND SIGNS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND IN THE RED SEA, AND IN THE WILDERNESS FORTY YEARS-Acts 7:36.

18-JOSHUA GIVEN A CHARGE; MOSES TALKS TO THE PEOPLE

    The Lord said, CHARGE JOSHUA, AND ENCOURAGE HIM, AND STRENGTHEN HIM: FOR HE SHALL GO OVER BEFORE THIS PEOPLE, AND HE SHALL CAUSE THEM TO INHERIT THE LAND WHICH THOU SHALT SEE-Deut 3:28. AND HE GAVE JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN A CHARGE, AND SAID, BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE: FOR THOU SHALT BRING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL INTO THE LAND WHICH I SWARE UNTO THEM: AND I WILL BE WITH THEE-Deut 31:23.
   Moses told the people, THE LORD THY GOD, HE WILL GO OVER BEFORE THEE, AND HE WILL DESTROY THESE NATIONS FROM BEFORE THEE, AND THOU SHALT POSSESS THEM: AND JOSHUA, HE SHALL GO OVER BEFORE THEE, AS THE LORD HATH SAID-Deut 31:3.

    During the Tribulation, two prophets (or witnesses) of God come forth. Some consider Moses could be one of those two. Therefore, information on his seeing the Promised Land and his death could have a direct bearing on Bible prophecy.
   AND MOSES WENT UP FROM THE PLAINS OF MOAB UNTO THE MOUNTAIN OF NEBO, TO THE TOP OF PISGAH…AND THE LORD SHOWED HIM ALL THE LAND OF GILEAD, UNTO DAN, AND ALL NAPHTALI, AND THE LAND OF EPHRAIM, AND MANASSEH, AND ALL THE LAND OF JUDAH, UNTO THE UTMOST SEA, AND THE SOUTH, AND THE PLAIN OF THE VALLEY OF JERICHO, THE CITY OF PALM TREES, UNTO ZOAR. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, THIS IS THE LAND WHICH I SWARE UNTO ABRAHAM, UNTO ISAAC, AND UNTO JACOB, SAYING, I WILL GIVE IT UNTO THY SEED: I HAVE CAUSED THEE TO SEE IT WITH THINE EYES, BUT THOU SHALT NOT GO OVER-Deut 34:1-4. Certainly, Moses wished to go to the Promised Land. Perhaps his desire will be fulfilled during the Tribulation as one of the two witnesses of God.

    AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, BEHOLD, THY DAYS APPROACH THAT THOU MUST DIE-Deut 31:14. SO MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD DIED THERE IN THE LAND OF MOAB, ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE LORD. AND HE (the Lord) BURIED HIM IN A VALLEY IN THE LAND OF MOAB, OVER AGAINST BETH-PEOR: BUT NO MAN KNOWETH OF HIS SEPULCHER UNTO THIS DAY (where his grave is). AND MOSES WAS AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED: HIS EYE WAS NOT DIM, NOR HIS NATURAL FORCE ABATED.
   AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WEPT FOR MOSES IN THE PLAINS OF MOAB THIRTY DAYS: SO THE DAYS OF WEEPING AND MOURNING FOR MOSES WERE ENDED-Deut 34:5-8.

21-CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HEARKENED UNTO JOSHUA: THEY ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND

    Entering into the Promised Land and some of the events that happened have a direct bearing on Bible prophecy. Included are the principal ones you may need to help you have a fuller understanding of the days in which we live and what is yet to come.
   AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN WAS FULL OF THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM; FOR MOSES HAD LAID HIS HANDS UPON HIM: AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HEARKENED UNTO HIM, AND DID AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES-Deut 34:9.
   The Lord spake to Joshua, and said, MOSES MY SERVANT IS DEAD; NOW THEREFORE ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN, THOU, AND ALL THIS PEOPLE, UNTO THE LAND WHICH I DO GIVE TO THEM, EVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL-Jos 1:2.
   And it came to pass, AS THEY THAT BARE THE ARK WERE COME UNTO JORDAN, AND THE FEET OF THE PRIESTS THAT BARE THE ARK WERE DIPPED IN THE BRIM OF THE WATER (the water’s edge)...THAT THE WATERS WHICH CAME DOWN FROM ABOVE STOOD AND ROSE UP...AND WERE CUT OFF: AND THE PEOPLE PASSED OVER RIGHT AGAINST JERICHO. ALL THE ISRAELITES PASSED OVER ON DRY GROUND-Jos 3:15-17. The children of Israel had now entered the Promised Land.

    The establishment of a king in Israel and the throne has a direct bearing on Bible prophecy. The throne of David was to be established for ever; upon the throne of David, Jesus will reign during the Millennium. In addition, David himself will reign during the Millennium as the king of Israel; Jesus will reign as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 
   The elders of Israel said unto Samuel, MAKE US A KING TO JUDGE US LIKE ALL THE NATIONS. BUT THE THING DISPLEASED SAMUEL...AND SAMUEL PRAYED UNTO THE LORD. AND THE LORD SAID UNTO SAMUEL, HEARKEN UNTO THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IN ALL THAT THEY SAY UNTO THEE: FOR THEY HAVE NOT REJECTED THEE, BUT THEY HAVE REJECTED ME, THAT I SHOULD NOT REIGN OVER THEM. ACCORDING TO ALL THE WORKS WHICH THEY HAVE DONE SINCE THE DAY THAT I BROUGHT THEM UP OUT OF EGYPT EVEN UNTO THIS DAY, WHEREWITH THEY HAVE FORSAKEN ME, AND SERVED OTHER GODS, SO DO THEY ALSO UNTO THEE-1 Sam 8:5-8.

    Saul became the first king of Israel. But he would not obey the commandments of the Lord. So Samuel said to Saul, THY KINGDOM SHALL NOT CONTINUE: THE LORD HATH SOUGHT HIM A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART...BECAUSE THOU HAST NOT KEPT THAT WHICH THE LORD COMMANDED THEE-1 Sam 13:14. The reign of Saul began approximately l065 B.C.
   David became the second king of Israel. Bath-sheba his wife bear a son, whose name was Solomon. And the Lord spoke to David by Nathan the prophet, saying, I WILL SET UP THY SEED AFTER THEE...AND I WILL ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM. AND THINE HOUSE AND THY KINGDOM SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EVER BEFORE THEE: THY THRONE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EVER-2 Sam 7:12,16.
   Again we read, THE THRONE OF DAVID SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE LORD FOR EVER-1 Ki 2:45. From the reign of David and thereafter, the throne was often referred to as the throne of David.
   When Jesus returns, He shall reign and rule on the throne of David. It is written, THOU SHALT...BRING FORTH A SON, AND SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS...AND THE LORD GOD SHALL GIVE UNTO HIM THE THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID-Lk 1:31,32. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, UPON THE THRONE OF DAVID, AND UPON HIS KINGDOM, TO ORDER IT, AND TO ESTABLISH IT WITH JUDGMENT AND WITH JUSTICE FROM HENCEFORTH EVEN FOR EVER-Isa 9:7.
   During the Millennium, David will be the king of Israel. As it is written, BUT THEY SHALL SERVE THE LORD THEIR GOD, AND DAVID THEIR KING, WHOM I WILL RAISE UP UNTO THEM-Jere 30:9.
   Solomon became the third king of Israel. He was the son of David. Because of his disobedience to the Lord, Israel would become a divided kingdom. As Solomon grew older, he LOVED MANY STRANGE WOMEN-1 Ki 11:1. AND HE HAD SEVEN HUNDRED WIVES, PRINCESSES, AND THREE HUNDRED CONCUBINES: AND HIS WIVES TURNED AWAY HIS HEART. FOR IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN SOLOMON WAS OLD, THAT HIS WIVES TURNED AWAY HIS HEART AFTER OTHER GODS…AND SOLOMON DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD…AND THE LORD WAS ANGRY WITH SOLOMON…WHEREFORE THE LORD SAID UNTO SOLOMON...I WILL SURELY REND THE KINGDOM FROM THEE-1 Ki 11:3,4,6,9,11.
   And Solomon built a temple in Jerusalem-ref 1 Chr 6:10. This is also important in Bible prophecy, as this temple, which is also called the tabernacle of David, will be raised up by the Lord. It is written, IN THAT DAY WILL I (the Lord) RAISE UP THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID THAT IS FALLEN, AND CLOSE UP THE BREACHES THEREOF; AND I WILL RAISE UP HIS RUINS, AND I WILL BUILD IT AS IN THE DAYS OF OLD-Amos 9:11.
   Rehoboam was the fourth king. Solomon died, AND REHOBOAM HIS SON REIGNED IN HIS STEAD-1 Ki 11:43.

    From about 945 B.C. (SOME SAY ABOUT 931), Israel was a divided nation. It consisted of the northern kingdom called Israel and the southern kingdom called Judah. This continued until they were conquered.
   The southern kingdom was called Judah. It consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
   The northern kingdom was called Israel. It had ten tribes: Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, Issachar, Naphtali, Manasseh, Zebulun, Asher, and Dan.
   Because Solomon had done evil in the sight of the Lord, the kingdom was split after Solomon died.
   AND REHOBOAM WENT TO SHECHEM: FOR TO SHECHEM WERE ALL ISRAEL COME TO MAKE HIM KING. SO JEROBOAM AND ALL ISRAEL CAME AND SPAKE TO REHOBOAM, SAYING, THY FATHER (Solomon) MADE OUR YOKE GRIEVOUS: NOW THEREFORE EASE THOU SOMEWHAT THE GRIEVOUS SERVITUDE OF THY FATHER, AND HIS HEAVY YOKE THAT HE PUT UPON US, AND WE WILL SERVE THEE-2 Chr 10:1,3,4. So on the third day, Rehoboam, the king, answered them roughly, and said, MY FATHER MADE YOUR YOKE HEAVY, BUT I WILL ADD THERETO: MY FATHER CHASTISED YOU WITH WHIPS, BUT I WILL CHASTISE YOU WITH SCORPIONS-2 Chr 10:14.
   AND ISRAEL REBELLED AGAINST THE HOUSE OF DAVID UNTO THIS DAY. FOR THE CAUSE WAS OF GOD-2 Chr 10:19,15. This came to pass approximately 945 B.C., yet it was prophesied that the day would come when they would be one nation again.
   It is written, I WILL MAKE THEM ONE NATION IN THE LAND...AND THEY SHALL BE NO MORE TWO NATIONS-Ezek 37:22. It seemed impossible that the two would one day be reunited. Since Israel’s rebirth in 1948, they are indeed one nation just as the Bible had said. This prophecy is accurate. This has an additional fulfillment during the Millennium.

    SO IT WAS, THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD SINNED AGAINST THE LORD THEIR GOD...FOR THEY SERVED IDOLS...YET THE LORD TESTIFIED AGAINST ISRAEL...BY...THE PROPHETS...SAYING, TURN YE...NOTWITHSTANDING THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, BUT HARDENED THEIR NECKS-2 Ki 17:7,12-14.
   AND THE KING OF ASSYRIA DID CARRY AWAY ISRAEL INTO ASSYRIA-2 Ki 18:11. This came to pass approximately 721 B.C.
   God had warned Israel, MY GOD WILL CAST THEM AWAY, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HEARKEN UNTO HIM: AND THEY SHALL BE WANDERERS AMONG THE NATIONS-Hos 9:17.

    Jeremiah warned the people of Judah. He said, THEY HAVE BURNED INCENSE UNTO ALL THE HOST OF HEAVEN, AND HAVE POURED OUT DRINK OFFERINGS UNTO OTHER GODS-Jere 19:13. He further said, THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS...BEHOLD, I WILL BRING UPON THIS CITY AND UPON ALL HER TOWNS ALL THE EVIL THAT I HAVE PRONOUNCED AGAINST IT, BECAUSE THEY HAVE HARDENED THEIR NECKS, THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HEAR MY WORDS-Jere 19:15. Several different times, from 605 B.C. to 588 or 586 B.C., people were carried away into captivity. Some scholars believe the number of times was three, while others may say four or five. Regarding the Jews being carried away, various figures are given: an unknown number in Dan 1:2,3;  3,023 in Jere 52:28; 10,000 in 2 Ki 24:14; 832 in Jere 52:29; and an unknown number in 2 Ki 25:11.

   Number one. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came UNTO JERUSALEM, AND BESIEGED IT-Dan 1:1. AND THE LORD GAVE JEHOIAKIM KING OF JUDAH INTO HIS HAND, WITH PART OF THE VESSELS OF THE HOUSE OF GOD…AND THE KING SPAKE UNTO...THE MASTER OF HIS EUNUCHS, THAT HE SHOULD BRING CERTAIN OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND OF THE KING’S SEED, AND OF THE PRINCES-Dan 1:2,3; ref 2 Ki 24:1. This took place approximately 605 B.C.

   Another carrying away happened approximately 598 or 597 B.C.

   The destruction of Jerusalem occurred about 589 to 586 B.C. AND THE CITY WAS BESIEGED…AND ON THE NINTH DAY OF THE FOURTH MONTH THE FAMINE PREVAILED IN THE CITY, AND THERE WAS NO BREAD FOR THE PEOPLE-2 Ki 25:2,3.
   AND THEY BURNT THE HOUSE OF GOD, AND BRAKE DOWN THE WALL OF JERUSALEM, AND BURNT ALL THE PALACES THEREOF WITH FIRE, AND DESTROYED ALL THE GOODLY VESSELS THEREOF-2 Chr 36:19.
   All these have a direct bearing on Bible prophecy, for it was prophesied that one day Israel would be reborn. Without their destruction, there could be no rebirth.

27-IT WAS PROPHESIED THAT ONE DAY ISRAEL WOULD BE REBORN: PROPHECIES FULFILLED

    Israel had now been destroyed. But it was prophesied that after a long time in a period called "the latter years," Israel would once again be a nation. It is written, AFTER MANY DAYS (a long time)...IN THE LATTER YEARS THOU SHALT COME INTO THE LAND (Israel) THAT IS…BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF THE NATIONS-Ezek 38:8. SHALL...A NATION (Israel) BE BORN AT ONCE?-Isa 66:8. SHALL I BRING TO THE BIRTH (Israel), AND NOT CAUSE TO BRING FORTH?-Isa 66:9.
   Two of these prophecies were written many years before Judah was destroyed. Israel was reborn as a nation on May 14, 1948.

28-NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM: PROPHECIES THROUGH DAN 2:40 FULFILLED

    The dream of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, has a direct bearing on latter day Bible prophecy; therefore, this subject needs to be covered. Some have estimated the date of this event as 604 B.C.
   Daniel was carried into Babylon during the first carrying away. And it came to pass, IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR, NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS, WHEREWITH HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND HIS SLEEP BREAK FROM HIM. THEN THE KING COMMANDED TO CALL THE MAGICIANS, AND THE ASTROLOGERS, AND THE SORCERERS, AND THE CHALDEANS, FOR TO SHOW THE KING HIS DREAMS. SO THEY CAME AND STOOD BEFORE THE KING. AND THE KING SAID UNTO THEM, I HAVE DREAMED A DREAM, AND MY SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED TO KNOW THE DREAM-Dan 2:1-3.
   THEN SPAKE THE CHALDEANS TO THE KING IN SYRIACK, O KING, LIVE FOR EVER: TELL THY SERVANTS THE DREAM, AND WE WILL SHOW THE INTERPRETATION. THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID TO THE CHALDEANS, THE THING IS GONE FROM ME: IF YE WILL NOT MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME THE DREAM, WITH THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF, YE SHALL BE CUT IN PIECES, AND YOUR HOUSES SHALL BE MADE A DUNGHILL. BUT IF YE SHOW THE DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF, YE SHALL RECEIVE OF ME GIFTS AND REWARDS AND GREAT HONOR: THEREFORE SHOW ME THE DREAM, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF. THEY ANSWERED AGAIN AND SAID, LET THE KING TELL HIS SERVANTS THE DREAM, AND WE WILL SHOW THE INTERPRETATION OF IT. THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID, I KNOW OF CERTAINTY THAT YE WOULD GAIN THE TIME, BECAUSE YE SEE THE THING IS GONE FROM ME. BUT IF YE WILL NOT MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME THE DREAM, THERE IS BUT ONE DECREE FOR YOU: FOR YE HAVE PREPARED LYING AND CORRUPT WORDS TO SPEAK BEFORE ME, TILL THE TIME BE CHANGED: THEREFORE TELL ME THE DREAM, AND I SHALL KNOW THAT YE CAN SHOW ME THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF-Dan 2:4-9.
   THE CHALDEANS ANSWERED BEFORE THE KING, AND SAID, THERE IS NOT A MAN UPON THE EARTH THAT CAN SHOW THE KING’S MATTER: THEREFORE THERE IS NO KING, LORD, NOR RULER, THAT ASKED SUCH THINGS AT ANY MAGICIAN, OR ASTROLOGER, OR CHALDEAN. AND IT IS A RARE THING THAT THE KING REQUIRETH, AND THERE IS NONE OTHER THAT CAN SHOW IT BEFORE THE KING, EXCEPT THE GODS, WHOSE DWELLING IS NOT WITH FLESH. FOR THIS CAUSE THE KING WAS ANGRY AND VERY FURIOUS, AND COMMANDED TO DESTROY ALL THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON. AND THE DECREE WENT FORTH THAT THE WISE MEN SHOULD BE SLAIN; AND THEY SOUGHT DANIEL AND HIS FELLOWS TO BE SLAIN. THEN DANIEL ANSWERED WITH COUNSEL AND WISDOM TO ARIOCH THE CAPTAIN OF THE KING’S GUARD, WHICH WAS GONE FORTH TO SLAY THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON-Dan 2:10-14.
   HE ANSWERED AND SAID TO ARIOCH THE KING’S CAPTAIN, WHY IS THE DECREE SO HASTY FROM THE KING? THEN ARIOCH MADE THE THING KNOWN TO DANIEL. THEN DANIEL WENT IN, AND DESIRED OF THE KING THAT HE WOULD GIVE HIM TIME, AND THAT HE WOULD SHOW THE KING THE INTERPRETATION. THEN DANIEL WENT TO HIS HOUSE, AND MADE THE THING KNOWN TO HANANIAH, MISHAEL, AND AZARIAH, HIS COMPANIONS: THAT THEY WOULD DESIRE MERCIES OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN CONCERNING THIS SECRET; THAT DANIEL AND HIS FELLOWS SHOULD NOT PERISH WITH THE REST OF THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON. THEN WAS THE SECRET REVEALED UNTO DANIEL IN A NIGHT VISION. THEN DANIEL BLESSED THE GOD OF HEAVEN-Dan 2:15-19.
   DANIEL ANSWERED AND SAID, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER: FOR WISDOM AND MIGHT ARE HIS: AND HE CHANGETH THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: HE REMOVETH KINGS, AND SETTETH UP KINGS: HE GIVETH WISDOM UNTO THE WISE, AND KNOWLEDGE TO THEM THAT KNOW UNDERSTANDING-Dan 2:20,21.
   HE REVEALETH THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS: HE KNOWETH WHAT IS IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE LIGHT DWELLETH WITH HIM. I THANK THEE, AND PRAISE THEE, O THOU GOD OF MY FATHERS, WHO HAST GIVEN ME WISDOM AND MIGHT, AND HAST MADE KNOWN UNTO ME NOW WHAT WE DESIRED OF THEE: FOR THOU HAST NOW MADE KNOWN UNTO US THE KING'S MATTER. THEREFORE DANIEL WENT IN UNTO ARIOCH, WHOM THE KING HAD ORDAINED TO DESTROY THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON: HE WENT AND SAID THUS UNTO HIM; DESTROY NOT THE WISE MEN OF BABYLON: BRING ME IN BEFORE THE KING, AND I WILL SHOW UNTO THE KING THE INTERPRETATION. THEN ARIOCH BROUGHT IN DANIEL BEFORE THE KING IN HASTE, AND SAID THUS UNTO HIM, I HAVE FOUND A MAN OF THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH, THAT WILL MAKE KNOWN UNTO THE KING THE INTERPRETATION. THE KING ANSWERED AND SAID TO DANIEL, WHOSE NAME WAS BELTESHAZZAR, ART THOU ABLE TO MAKE KNOWN UNTO ME THE DREAM WHICH I HAVE SEEN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF? DANIEL ANSWERED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE KING, AND SAID, THE SECRET WHICH THE KING HATH DEMANDED CANNOT THE WISE MEN, THE ASTROLOGERS, THE MAGICIANS, THE SOOTHSAYERS, SHOW UNTO THE KING; BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN THAT REVEALETH SECRETS, AND MAKETH KNOWN TO THE KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR WHAT SHALL BE IN THE LATTER DAYS. THY DREAM, AND THE VISIONS OF THY HEAD UPON THY BED, ARE THESE; AS FOR THEE, O KING, THY THOUGHTS CAME INTO THY MIND UPON THY BED, WHAT SHOULD COME TO PASS HEREAFTER: AND HE THAT REVEALETH SECRETS MAKETH KNOWN TO THEE WHAT SHALL COME TO PASS. BUT AS FOR ME, THIS SECRET IS NOT REVEALED TO ME FOR ANY WISDOM THAT I HAVE MORE THAN ANY LIVING, BUT FOR THEIR SAKES THAT SHALL MAKE KNOWN THE INTERPRETATION TO THE KING, AND THAT THOU MIGHTEST KNOW THE THOUGHTS OF THY HEART-Dan 2:22-30.
   THOU, O KING, SAWEST, AND BEHOLD A GREAT IMAGE. THIS GREAT IMAGE, WHOSE BRIGHTNESS WAS EXCELLENT, STOOD BEFORE THEE; AND THE FORM THEREOF WAS TERRIBLE. THIS IMAGE'S HEAD WAS OF FINE GOLD, HIS BREAST AND HIS ARMS OF SILVER, HIS BELLY AND HIS THIGHS OF BRASS. HIS LEGS OF IRON, HIS FEET PART OF IRON AND PART OF CLAY. THOU SAWEST TILL THAT A STONE WAS CUT OUT WITHOUT HANDS, WHICH SMOTE THE IMAGE UPON HIS FEET THAT WERE OF IRON AND CLAY, AND BRAKE THEM TO PIECES. THEN WAS THE IRON, THE CLAY, THE BRASS, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD, BROKEN TO PIECES TOGETHER, AND BECAME LIKE THE CHAFF OF THE SUMMER THRESHINGFLOORS; AND THE WIND CARRIED THEM AWAY, THAT NO PLACE WAS FOUND FOR THEM: AND THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH. THIS IS THE DREAM; AND WE WILL TELL THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF BEFORE THE KING. THOU, O KING, ART A KING OF KINGS: FOR THE GOD OF HEAVEN HATH GIVEN THEE A KINGDOM, POWER, AND STRENGTH, AND GLORY. AND WHERESOEVER THE CHILDREN OF MEN DWELL, THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD AND THE FOWLS OF THE HEAVEN HATH HE GIVEN INTO THINE HAND, AND HATH MADE THEE RULER OVER THEM ALL-Dan 2:31-38.

    1. THOU ART THIS HEAD OF GOLD. The Assyrians had taken the northern ten tribes of Israel captive earlier, but the first full conquest of all of Israel was approximately 597 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquered Jerusalem and took its last king captive. Daniel told him, "THOU ART THIS HEAD OF GOLD" (+/- 604 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar - Babylon).

    2. AND AFTER THEE SHALL ARISE ANOTHER KINGDOM INFERIOR TO THEE (his breast and his arms of silver). This was the dual empire of the Medes and the Persians - the two arms (+/- 536 B.C.). The Medes conquered Babylon, approximately 539 B.C. The combined Medo-Persian Empire controlled Jerusalem until defeated by Alexander the Great of Greece (ref Dan 2:39).

    3. AND ANOTHER THIRD KINGDOM OF BRASS, WHICH SHALL BEAR RULE OVER ALL THE EARTH (his belly and his thighs of brass). This was the Greek Empire (+/- 334 B.C). The Greeks, under Alexander the Great, conquered the Medo-Persian Empire in app. 334 B.C., putting Jerusalem and all of Israel under the Greek Empire. After the death of Alexander the Great, in app. 323 B.C., the Greek Empire was divided four ways, and Jerusalem came under the authority of the Ptolemy dynasties of Egypt. This continued until app. 198 B.C., when the Seleucid (Syrian and Greek) authority took control, culminating in the desecration of the rebuilt Hebrew temple by Antiochus Epiphanes and the Maccabean revolt. The belly and thighs of brass of the "Gentile empire" image was thus fulfilled: the total Greek rule under Alexander the Great, identified as the "belly of brass," and the Egyptian and Seleucid divisions (which both ruled Jerusalem) identified similarly as the "thighs of brass" (ref Dan 2:39).

    4a. AND THE FOURTH KINGDOM SHALL BE STRONG AS IRON: FORASMUCH AS IRON BREAKETH IN PIECES AND SUBDUETH ALL THINGS: AND AS IRON THAT BREAKETH ALL THESE, SHALL IT BREAK IN PIECES AND BRUISE. (His legs of iron - the Roman Empire - app. 200 B.C. and later.)
   The Roman Empire began expanding, in app. 264 B.C.; defeated the Greeks, in app. 146 B.C.; and became a world empire with the conquest of Egypt, in app. 30 B.C. (ref Dan 2:40).
   4b. About 300 A.D., the Roman Empire (the two legs of iron) became divided into the Western and Eastern Roman Empire. The Roman Empire lasted until its defeat by the Visigoths, in app. 410 A.D., and the overthrow of its last emperor, in app. 476 A.D. Rome, whose dominion lasted for seven centuries, constituted the longest and strongest portion of the empire image, "the legs of iron."
   4c. AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST THE FEET AND TOES, PART OF POTTERS' CLAY, AND PART OF IRON, THE KINGDOM SHALL BE DIVIDED; BUT THERE SHALL BE IN IT OF THE STRENGTH OF THE IRON, FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THE IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY. AND AS THE TOES OF THE FEET WERE PART OF IRON, AND PART OF CLAY, SO THE KINGDOM SHALL BE PARTLY STRONG, AND PARTLY BROKEN. AND WHEREAS THOU SAWEST IRON MIXED WITH MIRY CLAY, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED OF MEN: BUT THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER, EVEN AS IRON IS NOT MIXED WITH CLAY-Dan 2:41-43.
   We note that this last empire (the EEC) from the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream appears to be in place. The ten toes (the nations, divisions, or kings) seem to be in place, although which ten shall have power, during the Tribulation, is not yet clear. The only thing needed is for the Antichrist to come forth and begin to take complete control. The prophecy shows his kingdom shall be divided; it shall be partly strong and partly broken.
   We also see the words, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED OF MEN. Note in Rev 16:13,14-AND I SAW THREE UNCLEAN SPIRITS LIKE FROGS COME OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE DRAGON (Satan), AND OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE BEAST (the Antichrist), AND OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE FALSE PROPHET. FOR THEY ARE THE SPIRITS OF DEVILS, WORKING MIRACLES.
   Verse 43 ends with, BUT THEY SHALL NOT CLEAVE ONE TO ANOTHER, EVEN AS IRON IS NOT MIXED WITH CLAY. (The people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay-NIV.)

    AND IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED: AND THE KINGDOM SHALL NOT BE LEFT TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES AND CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, AND IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER. The kingdom that Jesus Christ will set up shall stand forever. FORASMUCH AS THOU SAWEST THAT THE STONE WAS CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS-Dan 2:44,45. BUT HE (Antichrist) SHALL BE BROKEN WITHOUT HAND (yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power-NIV)-Dan 8:25. AND THAT IT BREAK IN PIECES THE IRON, THE BRASS, THE CLAY, THE SILVER, AND THE GOLD; AND THE STONE THAT SMOTE THE IMAGE BECAME A GREAT MOUNTAIN, AND FILLED THE WHOLE EARTH. The stone is Jesus, Who will rule the whole earth. THE GREAT GOD HATH MADE KNOWN TO THE KING WHAT SHALL COME TO PASS HEREAFTER: AND THE DREAM IS CERTAIN, AND THE INTERPRETATION THEREOF SURE. THE KING ANSWERED UNTO DANIEL, AND SAID, OF A TRUTH IT IS, THAT YOUR GOD IS A GOD OF GODS, AND A LORD OF KINGS, AND A REVEALER OF SECRETS, SEEING THOU COULDEST REVEAL THIS SECRET-Dan 2:45,35,45,47.

30-SCRIPTURES OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL
(Commentary)

    The importance of the prophecies of the seventy weeks of Daniel cannot be overemphasized. They lay out much of the history of Israel, extending from the time of Daniel to the coming of Jesus. These prophecies also cover the following: the death of Jesus, the destruction of Jerusalem afterward, some information on the Antichrist, the beginning of the Tribulation, the Tribulation itself, the sacrifices and oblations, the return of Jesus, the end of the Antichrist, and much more. It has been estimated by some that Daniel received these prophecies approximately 539 B.C.

    WHILES I (Daniel) WAS SPEAKING IN PRAYER, EVEN THE MAN GABRIEL, WHOM I HAD SEEN IN THE VISION AT THE BEGINNING, BEING CAUSED TO FLY SWIFTLY, TOUCHED ME ABOUT THE TIME OF THE EVENING OBLATION. AND HE INFORMED ME, AND TALKED WITH ME, AND SAID, O DANIEL, I AM NOW COME FORTH TO GIVE THEE SKILL AND UNDERSTANDING. AT THE BEGINNING OF THY SUPPLICATIONS THE COMMANDMENT CAME FORTH, AND I AM COME TO SHOW THEE; FOR THOU ART GREATLY BELOVED: THEREFORE UNDERSTAND THE MATTER, AND CONSIDER THE VISION-Dan 9:21-23.
   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.
   KNOW THEREFORE AND UNDERSTAND, THAT FROM THE GOING FORTH OF THE COMMANDMENT TO RESTORE AND TO BUILD JERUSALEM UNTO THE MESSIAH THE PRINCE SHALL BE SEVEN WEEKS, AND THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS: THE STREET SHALL BE BUILT AGAIN, AND THE WALL, EVEN IN TROUBLOUS TIMES.
   AND AFTER THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS SHALL MESSIAH BE CUT OFF, BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF: AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY: AND THE END THEREOF SHALL BE WITH A FLOOD, AND UNTO THE END OF THE WAR DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED.
   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-Dan 9:24-27.

32-AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE PROPHECIES OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL:
PROPHECIES OF THE FIRST SIXTY-NINE WEEKS FULFILLED

    SEVENTY WEEKS (70 weeks of years=490 years) (each day for a year-ref Num 14:34) ARE DETERMINED UPON THY PEOPLE (Israel) AND UPON THY HOLY CITY (Jerusalem). Note the beginning words of the following three phrases: "to finish" and "to make." These refer to the first coming of Jesus: "TO FINISH" THE TRANSGRESSION (to finish disobedience), AND "TO MAKE" AN END OF SINS (or put an end to sin), AND "TO MAKE" RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY (or to atone for wickedness). (Jesus reconciled us to God. Jesus was our reconciliation for sin to God the Father through the atonement of His blood shed on the cross.)
   Jesus was cut off from the land of the living but rose from the dead and now sits on the right hand of God the Father.
   Note the beginning words of the next three phrases: "to bring in," "to seal up," and "to anoint." These refer to the second coming of Jesus: AND "TO BRING IN" EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS (to bring in Jesus Christ, the Messiah), AND "TO SEAL UP" THE VISION AND PROPHECY, AND "TO ANOINT" THE MOST HOLY (to anoint Jesus Christ)-Dan 9:24. Jesus will return to the earth. It is written, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS… SHALL APPEAR THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN…AND THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY-Mt 24:29,30.
   KNOW THEREFORE AND UNDERSTAND (a command to know and understand), THAT FROM THE GOING FORTH OF THE COMMANDMENT (or the issuing of the decree-NIV), the next part tells us which commandment, TO RESTORE AND TO BUILD JERUSALEM (ref Neh chapter 2) UNTO THE MESSIAH THE PRINCE (or until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes-NIV) (which is Jesus) SHALL BE SEVEN WEEKS (or seven ‘sevens’) (49 years), AND THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS (or sixty-two ‘sevens’) (or 62 x 7 years, or 434 years): THE STREET SHALL BE BUILT AGAIN, AND THE WALL (ref Neh 2:17,18; 6:15-19), EVEN IN TROUBLOUS TIMES (or in times of trouble)-Dan 9:25. This gives a total of 483 years, leaving one week (or one period of 7 years) left.
   AND AFTER THREESCORE AND TWO WEEKS (or sixty-two ‘sevens’) (434 years) (note the 434 years, plus the 49 years, equals a total of 483 years), SHALL MESSIAH (Jesus Christ) BE CUT OFF (or killed) (cut off from the land of the living-ref Isa 53:8) (Jesus Christ was crucified), BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF. (He did not die for Himself. He died for those who should believe on Him as their Lord and Savior.) We note that it said AFTER 434 years this would happen. The verse continues, AND THE PEOPLE (which was the Roman Empire) OF THE PRINCE (or ruler) THAT SHALL COME (the prince that shall come, the Antichrist), the verse continues, SHALL DESTROY THE CITY (Jerusalem) AND THE SANCTUARY (the temple); AND THE END THEREOF SHALL BE WITH (or like) A FLOOD, AND UNTO THE END OF THE WAR DESOLATIONS ARE DETERMINED (war will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed-NIV)-Dan 9:25,26.
   Jesus also prophesied about the temple's destruction, in Mt 24:2-AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS (the temple)? VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN.
   The commandment went forth to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, just as predicted. The city, street, and wall were rebuilt in troublous times. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, did come. He was crucified, cut off out of the land of the living, but rose from the dead. Within a generation, the temple was destroyed and the city. All happened exactly as prophesied. 
   As the summer of 68 A.D. came (dates are as best as can be determined), Jerusalem was near defeat. Vespasian was made emperor in 69 A.D. He allowed his son, Titus, to make the final attack, which came in 70 A.D. The temple (often referred to as Herod's temple) was destroyed. Not one stone was left upon another, as Jesus had said. By the year 73 A.D., all traces of a self-ruling Jewish nation had completely disappeared.
   Sixty-nine of the seventy weeks (or 483 years) have been fulfilled. One week (or 7 years) remains, which is the Tribulation.
   There is a gap (or time lapse) between the events of verse 26 and the events of verse 27. The seventieth week is yet to come. It is the period called the Tribulation.

    AND HE (the Antichrist, which shall come from the people that destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, in approximately 70 A.D.—the Roman Empire), the verse continues, SHALL CONFIRM THE COVENANT (or treaty, agreement, or peace accord) WITH MANY (Israel and others) FOR ONE WEEK (or one ‘seven,’ or for seven years). (Note the confirming or signing of this covenant is the beginning of what is called the Tribulation.) The verse continues, AND IN THE MIDST OF THE WEEK (or middle of the ‘seven’) (three and one-half years from the end of the Tribulation), (note, this is showing that there are two parts to the Tribulation, separated by this event), HE (the Antichrist) SHALL CAUSE THE SACRIFICE AND THE OBLATION TO CEASE (or will put an end to sacrifice and offering-NIV). This shows that the sacrifice and oblation will restart in Jerusalem during the first part of the Tribulation, but shall be stopped by the Antichrist during the midst of the Tribulation. By this and other Scriptures, we note that a temple will have to be rebuilt in Jerusalem for the sacrifice and oblation during the first part of the Tribulation. The Scripture continues, AND FOR THE OVERSPREADING OF ABOMINATIONS HE (the Antichrist) SHALL MAKE IT (the temple) DESOLATE (or one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple-NIV). The temple will be overspread with abominations by the Antichrist, and as a result, the Antichrist shall make the temple desolate (or cause desolation).
   What are the abominations? The Antichrist will sit in the temple—SITTETH IN THE TEMPLE OF GOD, SHEWING HIMSELF THAT HE IS GOD-2 Thes 2:4. We also might consider the following, THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST-Rev 13:14; the ONE WHO CAUSES DESOLATION (the Antichrist) WILL PLACE ABOMINATIONS ON A WING OF THE TEMPLE-NIV.
   The verse continues, EVEN UNTIL THE CONSUMMATION (or until the Antichrist is consumed), AND THAT DETERMINED SHALL BE POURED UPON THE DESOLATE (or until the end that is decreed is poured out on him-NIV, the Antichrist)-Dan 9:27. The temple that was made desolate is included in "that determined." The end or last things that are determined against the Antichrist shall come to pass or be poured out upon him.
   What is the end that shall be poured upon the Antichrist? The Antichrist (also called the beast) was taken and cast alive into the lake of fire-ref Rev 19:20.
   The Tribulation period is generally understood to be 7 years or 2520 days long. This is divided into two parts; each part is normally understood to be 42 months or 1260 days.

34-PROPHECIES OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS OF DANIEL
(This prophecy concerns this amount of time)

• Seventy weeks or 490 years are determined

• Upon thy people, Israel

• And upon thy holy city (Jerusalem)

    Note the words: "to finish" and "to make" in the following three phrases, which are referring to Jesus' first coming and what was accomplished at the cross.

• "To finish" the transgression (or finish disobedience)

• "To make" an end of sins (or put an end to sin)

• "To make" reconciliation for iniquity (or atone for wickedness)

    Note the words: "to bring in," "to seal up," and "to anoint," in the next three phrases, referring to Jesus' return or second coming.

• "To bring" in everlasting righteousness (the Messiah)

• "To seal up" the vision and prophecy
     

• "To anoint" the Most Holy (Jesus, King of kings)

    Note, a command is given to know and understand.

    Note, a commandment or decree went forth.

• To restore Jerusalem

• To rebuild Jerusalem

• The street shall be built again

• The wall shall be built again

• There shall be troublous times

• Unto Messiah the Prince (Jesus)

• Messiah shall be cut off (or die)

• Not for Himself
  Also see previous heading, "Prophecies are regarding what purpose?" (first coming).

• People shall come

• The people shall destroy Jerusalem

• The sanctuary or temple shall be destroyed

• It will be like a flood

• There will be a war

• Desolations are decreed to the end of the war
  There is a gap (or time lapse) between verse 26 and 27.

• He (the Antichrist) shall be from the people that destroyed Jerusalem and the temple

• The Antichrist shall confirm a covenant or treaty (this event begins the Tribulation)

• This shall be with Israel and others (many)

• It shall be for one week (or 7 years)

• In the midst of the week (this shows that the seven years are divided into two parts)

• The Antichrist shall cause the sacrifice to cease

• The Antichrist shall cause the oblation to cease

• Therefore, a temple is to be built prior to the midst of the seven years

• There shall be an overspreading of abominations

• This shall occur in the temple

• By this, the Antichrist shall make it desolate

• The Antichrist shall be consumed

• The things determined shall be poured upon the desolate (the Antichrist)

    Israel was expecting the Messiah-ref Lk 2:25,36,38. Then Jesus was born of a virgin-ref Lk 1:26,27,35; 2:4-7. The birth, life, crucifixion, and rising from the dead of Jesus, fulfilled hundreds of Scriptures. The Scriptures give us approximately 172 reasons that Jesus came the first time. Jesus grew-ref Lk 2:40. His ministry began when He was about the age of thirty-ref Lk 3:21-23. He fasted forty days-ref Lk 4:1,2. The devil tempted Him-ref Lk 4:3-13. There were many witnesses and proofs that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. Jesus had said many times, I AM. Many Scriptures covered the ministry of Jesus which were fulfilled. Jesus healed many-ref Lk 4:31,32,40. He cast out devils. THE MULTITUDES MARVELED-Mt 9:33; Lk 4:41. Jesus raised the dead-ref Lk 7:11,12,14-16.
   Jesus preached on multitudes of subjects. Some included, repentance-ref Mt 4:17; denying oneself-ref Lk 9:23; fearing God-ref Lk 12:4,5; covetousness-ref Lk 12:15,22,23,30-34; your lights burning, waiting for the Lord's return, watching, and doing-ref Lk 12:35-37,43. Jesus mentioned water baptism-ref Mk 16:16, and He taught that MANY...WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE-Lk 13:23,24.
   Then Jesus entered Jerusalem-ref Mk 11:7,11. He was betrayed by Judas, one of His apostles-ref Lk 22:47,48. He was led away captive-ref Jn 18:12,13. Jesus was tried, and declared guilty of blasphemy by the high priest-ref Mk 14:61-64.
   As it is written, FOR OF A TRUTH AGAINST THY HOLY CHILD JESUS, WHOM THOU HAST ANOINTED, BOTH HEROD, AND PONTIUS PILATE, WITH THE GENTILES, AND THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, WERE GATHERED TOGETHER-Acts 4:27. AND...THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE RULERS AND THE PEOPLE...CRIED...CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM-Lk 23:13,21. THEN...THE PEOPLE…SAID, HIS BLOOD BE ON US, AND ON OUR CHILDREN-Mt 27:25. AND PILATE GAVE SENTENCE THAT IT SHOULD BE AS THEY REQUIRED-Lk 23:24. And HE HAD JESUS FLOGGED, AND HANDED HIM OVER TO BE CRUCIFIED-Mk 15:15 NIV. AND THEY CRUCIFIED HIM-Mt 27:35.
   The blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb, had to be shed. MANY WHO WERE APPALLED (or astonied) AT HIM - HIS APPEARANCE WAS SO DISFIGURED BEYOND THAT OF ANY MAN AND HIS FORM MARRED BEYOND HUMAN LIKENESS-Isa 52:14 NIV.
   Even while He was on the cross, He was tempted in many ways-ref Mt 27:39-44; Lk 23:36,37. AND WHEN JESUS HAD CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, HE SAID, FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT: AND HAVING SAID THUS, HE GAVE UP THE GHOST-Lk 23:46.
   Jesus was buried. NOW IN THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS CRUCIFIED THERE WAS A GARDEN; AND IN THE GARDEN A NEW SEPULCHRE, WHEREIN WAS NEVER MAN YET LAID. THERE LAID THEY JESUS-Jn 19:41,42.
   The tomb Jesus was laid in was secured, so no one could steal His body away. PILATE SAID...(Take a guard): GO YOUR WAY, MAKE IT AS SURE (or secure) AS YE CAN. SO THEY WENT, AND MADE THE SEPULCHRE SURE (or secure), SEALING THE STONE, AND SETTING A WATCH (or posting the guard)-ref Mt 27:62-66.
   Yet despite the precautions, Jesus rose from the dead-ref Mt 28:2-7; as was also prophesied-ref Acts 13:34,35; Ps 16:10. Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many-ref 1 Cor 15:6; Mk 16:15-18. Also HE (Jesus) SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE AFTER HIS PASSION (or suffering) BY MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS, BEING SEEN OF THEM FORTY DAYS-Acts 1:3.
   Jesus gave commissions and instructions after His resurrection. Then Jesus ascended up to heaven. AND HE (Jesus) LED THEM OUT AS FAR AS TO BETHANY, AND HE LIFTED UP HIS HANDS, AND BLESSED THEM-Lk 24:50. AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THESE THINGS, WHILE THEY BEHELD, HE WAS TAKEN UP; AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT-Acts 1:9. Nevertheless, He is going to return. As it is written, THIS SAME JESUS, WHICH IS TAKEN UP FROM YOU INTO HEAVEN, SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER AS YE HAVE SEEN HIM GO INTO HEAVEN-Acts 1:11.
   Jesus is now in heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father-ref 1 Pe 3:22; Mk 16:19; Heb 10:12. He MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR the saints-Ro 8:34; ref Heb 7:25. The Bible gives us many names for Jesus in the Revelation.
   Then Judas, the apostle that betrayed Jesus, was replaced by Matthias as the twelfth apostle-ref Acts 1:21,22,24-26.
   Within a generation of the crucifixion of Jesus, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed-ref Lk 21:20-24; Dan 9:26; Mt 23:34-38. Through out the Old Testament and New Testament, the second coming of Jesus was prophesied. The various things Jesus went through had very significant meanings. The resurrection of Jesus was proven in many ways.

44-JESUS PROPHESIED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND DESOLATION:
PROPHECY FULFILLED

    During the ministry of Jesus, He prophesied there was a time coming when the temple would be destroyed and desolation would occur.
   Jesus said, BEHOLD, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLATE-Mt 23:38.
   JESUS SAID…SEE YE NOT ALL THESE THINGS? Jesus was referring to the buildings of the temple. VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE SHALL NOT BE LEFT HERE ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN-Mt 24:2; ref Mk 13:2; Lk 21:6.
   AND WHEN YE SHALL SEE JERUSALEM COMPASSED WITH ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT THE DESOLATION THEREOF IS NIGH. 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. FOR THESE BE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED. 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. AND THEY SHALL FALL BY THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, AND SHALL BE LED AWAY CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS-Lk 21:20-24.
   Note, some relate Lk 21:20-24 with some similar verses found in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, which is the Tribulation period. They consider that these verses in Luke are also during the Tribulation period. It is agreed that much of Luke 21 is the Tribulation, yet these particular verses are an answer to the disciples’ question regarding the buildings of the temple being thrown down. As it is written, THE DISCIPLES CAME...SAYING...TELL US, WHEN SHALL THESE THINGS BE?-Mt 24:3. As you may note later in this book, Israel is not to be scattered to all nations during the Tribulation. Israel was scattered to all nations upon the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, approximately 70 A.D. Jerusalem is no longer a walled city to be surrounded and compassed with armies. Today, air power could simply destroy the city.
   DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM, WEEP NOT FOR ME, BUT WEEP FOR YOURSELVES, AND FOR YOUR CHILDREN. FOR, BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, IN THE WHICH THEY SHALL SAY, BLESSED ARE THE BARREN, AND THE WOMBS THAT NEVER BEAR, AND THE PAPS WHICH NEVER GAVE SUCK. FOR IF THEY DO THESE THINGS IN A GREEN TREE, WHAT SHALL BE DONE IN THE DRY?-Lk 23:28,29,31.

45-DANIEL PROPHESIED THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM AND THE TEMPLE:
PROPHECY FULFILLED

    AND THE PEOPLE (of the Roman Empire) OF THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME (of the Antichrist that shall come in the latter days) SHALL DESTROY THE CITY (Jerusalem) AND THE SANCTUARY-Dan 9:26. THE END WILL COME LIKE A FLOOD: WAR WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END, AND DESOLATIONS HAVE BEEN DECREED-Dan 9:26 NIV.

    It is written, 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 ZACHARIAH 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!-Mt 23:34-37.
   Pilate had considered letting Jesus go, but the people said, HIS BLOOD BE UPON US, AND ON OUR CHILDREN-Mt 27:25; and also Jesus said…BECAUSE THOU KNEWEST NOT THE TIME OF THY VISITATION-Lk 19:43,44. These are some of the reasons that the temple and Jerusalem were destroyed.

    Jesus had told the people, as when an unclean spirit goes out and returns with seven other spirits more wicked than he was, AND THEY ENTER IN AND DWELL THERE: AND THE LAST STATE OF THAT MAN IS WORSE THAN THE FIRST. EVEN SO SHALL IT BE ALSO UNTO THIS WICKED GENERATION-Mt 12:45.
   VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL COME UPON THIS GENERATION-Mt 23:36.
   The exact year Jesus was crucified is unknown. It is generally acknowledged that it took place between 30 and 33 A.D. Within a generation (40 years), Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed.

    Within a generation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the temple and city of Jerusalem were destroyed exactly as prophesied.
   As the summer of 68 A.D. came, Jerusalem was surrounded by Roman legions and was near defeat. Vespasian was made emperor in approximately 69 A.D. He allowed his son, Titus, to make the final attack, which came in 70 A.D. The temple (often referred to as Herod’s temple) was destroyed. Not one stone was left upon another as Jesus had said. By the year 73 A.D., all traces of a self-ruling Jewish nation had completely disappeared. They fell by the sword and were led away captive. Over a period of time, they had gone into all nations. All of Daniel 9:26 and the prophecies Jesus gave had been fulfilled: Jerusalem had been compassed with armies, the people had fallen by the sword, the destruction of Jerusalem and the sanctuary had taken place, and the people had been led away captive.
   How is it that prophecy after prophecy has been fulfilled, as God’s Word said, yet there are many that still do not believe the Bible?

    The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple had come about just as was prophesied. The Scriptures foretold that the Jews would be scattered among all nations and would dwell without a king. Yet, God’s Word also reveals that Israel would be "reborn" into a nation one day in the future. This seemed impossible. Once a nation is destroyed, and the people scattered, they generally lose their identity and are forgotten. Yet the Scriptures showed this would not happen to the Jews.
   In the Revelation, John also told about seven churches. Some consider that these seven churches represent seven church ages or time periods. Then there is silence concerning the churches and a horrible period follows. This horrible period is called the Tribulation; it is outlined in Daniel as being seven years long.

    It was prophesied that Israel would be destroyed. It was.
   It was prophesied that Israel would be scattered among the islands of the sea, even among the heathen. It happened.
   It was prophesied that Israel would be sifted or dispersed among all nations. It came to pass.
   It was prophesied that Israel would abide many days without a king. This prophecy came to pass.
   It was prophesied that Israel would abide many days without a sacrifice. It happened.
   It was prophesied that Israel would serve other gods. It came to pass.

51-PROPHECIES CONCERNING ISRAEL FROM 70 A.D. TO 1948

    1. Israel to be destroyed. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, BEHOLD, THE EYES OF THE LORD GOD ARE UPON THE SINFUL KINGDOM (Israel), AND I WILL DESTROY IT FROM OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH-Amos 9:8. THE END IS COME UPON MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL-Amos 8:2.
   The prophecy of Israel being a sinful kingdom came to pass. The destruction of the nation of Israel happened, in 70 A.D., as prophesied.

   2. Israel to be scattered among all people: even to the islands of the sea and among the heathen. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, AND THE LORD SHALL SCATTER THEE AMONG ALL PEOPLE, FROM THE ONE END OF THE EARTH EVEN UNTO THE OTHER-Deut 28:64. It is further written, THE REMNANT OF HIS PEOPLE...FROM (many places are mentioned) AND FROM THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA-Isa 11:11. AND I WILL SCATTER THEE AMONG THE HEATHEN, AND DISPERSE THEE IN THE COUNTRIES-Ezek 22:15. AND THE LORD SHALL SCATTER YOU AMONG ALL NATIONS-Deut 4:27.
   The fulfillment of this prophecy began about 70 A.D. With the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the people of Israel began to be scattered among the heathen all over the world and even to other continents.

    3. Israel to be sifted (or shaken) among all nations. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, FOR, LO, I WILL COMMAND, AND I WILL SIFT (or shake) THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AMONG ALL NATIONS-Amos 9:9. The Lord said, I WILL SHAKE THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL...AS GRAIN IS SHAKEN IN A SIEVE-NIV.
   For over 1900 years, Israel has been shaken or sifted as grain among the nations. This prophecy is fulfilled.

    4. Israel shall be few in number among the Gentiles. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, YE SHALL BE LEFT FEW IN NUMBER AMONG THE HEATHEN, WHITHER THE LORD SHALL LEAD YOU-Deut 4:27.
   This prophecy is fulfilled.

    5. Israel shall abide many days without a king. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL ABIDE MANY DAYS (or a long time) WITHOUT A KING, AND WITHOUT A PRINCE-Hos 3:4.
   The last king that Israel had was over 2500 years ago. Both parts of this prophecy have been fulfilled. It has been a very long time (many days), and they have had no king.

    6. Israel shall abide many days without a sacrifice. Prophecy fulfilled.

It is written, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL ABIDE MANY DAYS (a long time) WITHOUT A...SACRIFICE-Hos 3:4.
   The children of Israel have gone without a sacrifice since approximately 70 A.D. This prophecy is fulfilled.

    7. Israel will serve other gods. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, AND THERE THOU SHALT SERVE (or worship) OTHER GODS, WHICH NEITHER THOU NOR THY (or your) FATHERS HAVE KNOWN, EVEN (gods of) WOOD AND STONE-Deut 28:64.
   Since the children of Israel have been scattered all over the world, they have served other gods in the various countries. This prophecy is fulfilled. Some believe this verse had an earlier fulfillment.

    8. No person would understand the latter day prophecies of Daniel, because it was a sealed book until the time of the end. Prophecy fulfilled.
   It is written, BUT THOU, O DANIEL, SHUT (or close) UP THE WORDS, AND SEAL THE (words of the) BOOK (or scroll), EVEN TO THE TIME OF THE END: AND I HEARD, BUT I UNDERSTOOD NOT: THEN SAID I, O MY LORD, WHAT SHALL BE THE END (or outcome) OF THESE THINGS? AND HE SAID, GO THY WAY, DANIEL: FOR THE WORDS ARE CLOSED UP AND SEALED TILL THE TIME OF THE END-Dan 12:4,8,9.
   From the time that Daniel wrote the many latter day prophecies until approximately the early part of the twentieth century, the latter day prophecies of Daniel have remained "closed up and sealed." Now, however, the wise (God’s children) can understand them. This prophecy is sure.

    Lk 19:12,13-HE SAID THEREFORE, A CERTAIN NOBLEMAN WENT INTO A FAR COUNTRY TO RECEIVE FOR HIMSELF A KINGDOM, AND TO RETURN.
   AND HE CALLED HIS TEN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED THEM TEN POUNDS, AND SAID UNTO THEM, OCCUPY TILL I COME.
   Mt 25:14,15-FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AS A MAN TRAVELLING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS.
   AND UNTO ONE HE GAVE FIVE TALENTS, TO ANOTHER TWO, AND TO ANOTHER ONE; TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY; AND STRAIGHTWAY TOOK HIS JOURNEY.

53-THE BIBLE (BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT) HAVE TO BE THE WORD OF GOD

    The period called the latter day, or latter days, or latter years, or latter time, or the latter times, began with the rebirth of Israel. These terms cover the span from Israel’s rebirth through the Millennium.
   There are vast amounts of prophecies in the Bible concerning this time. We are presently in the period covering from the rebirth of Israel to the Rapture. The many fulfilled prophecies certify that the Rapture is close at hand, which is followed by the revealing of the Antichrist and the Tribulation. It may also be said, the fulfilled prophecies certify the Tribulation is close at hand, which is preceded by the Rapture.
   But even more than this, the many fulfilled prophecies also prove conclusively and certify beyond any doubt that the Bible is true and can only be God’s Word.
   It has been said, the chance that anyone could make eleven perfect predictions 1900 years into the future was only one chance in 8 x 10 to the 63rd power, or 80 with 63 zeros after it. If such a set of predictions existed, it would unquestionably have to be the Word of God. The Bible does this and much more.
   Statistics: proof the Bible is true. The Bible contains 66 books, originally written in three languages, over a period of approximately 1800 years, by approximately 39 men—yet they harmonize perfectly. We are told that it is the Word of God approximately 2500 times.
   It is estimated that there are 10,385 prophecies in the Bible and every single one, up to this time, has come true just as written—without one single exception. Thousands of prophecies have already been fulfilled perfectly. Many people have spent thousands of hours trying to disprove the Bible. There is not one single prophecy, fact, or verse in the Bible that has ever been found and proven to be wrong, up to this time, even by the most skeptical people. The Bible is God’s Word. It is written, THE FOOL HATH SAID IN HIS HEART, THERE IS NO GOD-Ps 14:1. Jesus made this comment, O FOOLS, AND SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN-Lk 24:25. 

    Consider, could you write eleven straight predictions that would take place 2000 years in the future, the year 4000 A.D.? Include the rebirth of a specific nation and exactly how it would be reborn. Include specific nations that would exist and certain nations that would be allied together. Include what the people would be like in the year 4000. Include what the church would be like in those days. Include the names of actual cities that would exist and name certain crops and fruit trees that would exist. Do eleven straight prophecies, and be exactly correct on every single one. The Bible not only does this eleven times, but hundreds of times with absolute, perfect accuracy. It would appear, even the most skeptical person would have to agree that, if this is so, there is, indeed, a God and the Bible has to be the Word of God. This, however, does not save a person. A person needs to repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their only hope of being saved. This is done by faith.

    The following prophecies show that the Rapture is very close and conclusively prove that the Bible has to be the Word of God.

    The Bible shows there are two different methods whereby we will know we are in the time of the end. One is by Israel’s rebirth. The other is by a precise line of events that would all come together at one time, following the rebirth of Israel. When this last piece of the puzzle fits into place—it is done. The time is here.

55-PROPHECIES CONCERNING ISRAEL JUST PRIOR TO ISRAEL’S REBIRTH

    1. The mountains of Israel were a (continual) waste (or desolate). Prophecy fulfilled-1948 and before.
   It is written, THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL, WHICH HAVE BEEN ALWAYS (a continual) WASTE (or desolate)-Ezek 38:8.
   Prior to Israel’s rebirth, the mountains of Israel were a barren waste and desolate. This happened exactly as predicted.

    2. Israel, prior to its rebirth, would have desolate (or waste) places (or ruins). Prophecy fulfilled-1948 and before.
   It is written, THE DESOLATE PLACES (or ruins)-Ezek 38:12.
   Prior to Israel’s rebirth, much of the land of Israel was unsettled or was a waste. The land had not been taken care of. This came to pass exactly as it was predicted.

    3. The Lord needed to bring the people of Israel to the moment of birth. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 and before.
   It is written, SHALL I BRING TO THE (moment of) BIRTH, AND NOT CAUSE TO BRING FORTH (or give delivery)? SAITH THE LORD-Isa 66:9.
   The horror of the Holocaust, in which approximately six million Jews perished, showed the need for the Jews to have their own homeland. As a result of many events that happened to the Jews, they were finally brought to the moment of Israel’s rebirth as a nation. This happened just as predicted.

    4. Once Zion was in labor (or was suffering from birth pangs) her children or people were brought forth. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 and before.
   It is written, FOR AS SOON AS ZION TRAVAILED (or in labor), SHE (also) BROUGHT FORTH (or gives birth to) HER CHILDREN (or sons)-Isa 66:8. Zion is often pictured as the people of Jerusalem, a community. Here, she may be pictured as a mother having birth pangs, bringing forth her children. Indeed, she was in labor, and her children were brought forth to Israel. This has been fulfilled as predicted. It may also have a second meaning pertaining to the Millennium.

    In many of the prophecies that follow, the term "in this last generation" may be used. This term is denoting from the rebirth of Israel in 1948, to the time that the Rapture of the church comes to pass.
   The destruction of Israel and Judah was foretold by God, and it came to pass. For example, the Lord had warned Israel, MY GOD WILL CAST THEM AWAY, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HEARKEN UNTO HIM: AND THEY SHALL BE WANDERERS AMONG THE NATIONS-Hos 9:17. Indeed, this has been fulfilled as well as many other such verses. The prophecies that Jesus gave before He died concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, all came to pass after His death exactly as He said. But God’s Word foretold that Israel would once again in the future become a nation.

    5. Israel must be reborn as a nation. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948.
   It is written, WHO HATH HEARD SUCH A THING? WHO HATH SEEN SUCH THINGS? SHALL THE EARTH (or land) BE MADE TO BRING FORTH (or can a country be born-NIV)?...OR SHALL A NATION BE BORN (or brought forth)?-Isa 66:8. THE TIME THAT SHE WHICH TRAVAILETH HATH BROUGHT FORTH-Mic 5:3.
   Israel was destroyed approximately 721 B.C. Judah was destroyed approximately 135 years later. For the last 2500 years, approximately fourteen different peoples have possessed the land of Israel. Nevertheless, the Bible shows that the day would come when Israel would be reborn into a nation. It happened as predicted on May 14, 1948.
   Israel greatly travailed in pain after Jesus was born, as many of her children were slaughtered.
   Israel greatly travailed in pain to be reborn into a nation, as approximately six million Jews perished. But, afterward, came forth the rebirth of Israel.
   Israel will also greatly travail in pain during the Tribulation, as two-thirds of Israel will be cut off and die. One-third will survive. And then will come forth the glorious Israel as the Messiah shall return—Israel will become the blessed nation. As it is written, THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE-Heb 10:17.

    6. Israel shall be brought forth in one day. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948.
   It is written, TO BRING FORTH (or born) IN ONE DAY?-Isa 66:8.
   On Nov. 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the U.N. approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. On the morning of May 14, 1948 (the last day of the British mandate), a meeting of the People’s Council took place in Israel to decide on the name of the state and to finalize the declaration. At exactly 4 pm, the proclamation ceremony began at the Tel Aviv museum. The 979 Hebrew words of the Scroll of Independence were read. All stood and the scroll was adopted. The notorious White Paper, issued by the British in 1930 restricting Jewish immigration, was declared null and void. Members of the People’s Council signed the proclamation. David Ben-Gurion rapped his gavel, declaring, "The State of Israel is established. This meeting is ended." Israel was brought forth as a nation in one day. It happened exactly as predicted. At midnight, the British soldiers and high commissioner would leave. President Truman was swift in announcing U.S. recognition of Israel. The following morning, on May 15, Israel was under armed attack by the Egyptians, Syrians, Lebanese, Jordanians, and Iraqis.

    7. Israel to be reborn at once. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, l948.
   It is written, A NATION (Israel) BE BORN (or brought forth) AT ONCE (or in a moment)?-Isa 66:8.
   Israel was born in a moment, at once. It happened as predicted.

    8. Israel would be brought forth (or reborn) "out of the nations." Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948.
   It is written, BUT IT (or they—Israel, or its people) IS BROUGHT FORTH OUT OF THE NATIONS-Ezek 38:8.
   On Nov. 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the "United Nations" approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. This prophecy was perfectly fulfilled. Consider, for centuries, the land of Israel had been occupied by many nations. Israel was "brought forth out of the nations"—the children of Israel from many nations had returned (as a nation) to their ancient homeland.

    9. Israel would become a nation again after many days. It would happen a long time in the future after the prophecy was made. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948.
   It is written, AFTER MANY DAYS...IN THE LATTER YEARS...ISRAEL-Ezek 38:8.
   It is estimated that this prophecy was made around 580 B.C. Approximately 2500 years passed. In 1948, this prophecy was fulfilled.

    10. Israel and Judah shall be one nation. Prophecy fulfilled-1948.
   It is written, AND I WILL MAKE THEM ONE NATION IN THE LAND...AND THEY SHALL BE NO MORE TWO NATIONS, NEITHER SHALL THEY BE DIVIDED INTO TWO KINGDOMS ANY MORE AT ALL-Ezek 37:22.
   From about 931 B.C., Israel was a divided nation. It consisted of the northern kingdom called Israel and the southern kingdom called Judah. This continued until they were conquered. It seemed impossible that the two would one day be reunited. Since Israel’s rebirth in 1948, they are indeed one nation just as the Bible had said. This prophecy is accurate.
   This has an additional fulfillment during the Millennium.

    11. Once Israel and Judah were reborn, they would have one ruler over them. Prophecy fulfilled-1948.
   It is written, AND ONE KING SHALL BE KING TO THEM ALL: AND THEY SHALL BE NO MORE TWO NATIONS-Ezek 37:22.
   Since Israel’s rebirth (Israel and Judah as a united nation), they have had only one ruler over them at a time, not two. Prophecy is fulfilled; however, it has a second fulfillment during the Millennium.

    12. The Jewish people will return to Israel. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, I WILL BRING THY SEED (or children)...FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH-Isa 43:5,6. I WILL TAKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL...AND BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND-Ezek 37:21.
   Even before Israel’s rebirth, the Jewish people have been returning to their land. This prophecy should continue into the Tribulation period, with the final gathering after Armageddon. This prophecy is perfect.

    13. The Jewish people will be gathered from many nations. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, AND (whose people) IS GATHERED OUT OF MANY PEOPLE (or from many nations)-Ezek 38:8. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GATHERED OUT OF (or from) THE NATIONS-Ezek 38:12.
   In this last generation, many of the Jews have come to Israel from nations all over the world. This prophecy has been fulfilled.

    14. The Jewish people will be gathered back to Israel from nations on every side: the east, the west, the north, and the south. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, FEAR NOT (do not be afraid): FOR I AM WITH THEE: I WILL BRING THY SEED (or children) FROM THE EAST, AND GATHER THEE FROM THE WEST; I WILL SAY TO THE NORTH, GIVE (them) UP; AND TO THE SOUTH, KEEP (them) NOT BACK: BRING MY SONS FROM FAR, AND MY DAUGHTERS FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH…BRING FORTH THE BLIND PEOPLE THAT HAVE EYES, AND THE DEAF THAT HAVE EARS-Isa 43:5,6,8. BEHOLD, I WILL TAKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN (nations), WHITHER THEY BE GONE, AND WILL GATHER THEM ON (or from) EVERY SIDE, AND BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND-Ezek 37:21.
   In this last generation, the Jews have returned to Israel from nations in every direction around them. This prophecy is fulfilled.

    15. The desolate or waste places in Israel would become inhabited with people. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, THE DESOLATE (or waste) PLACES (or ruins) THAT ARE NOW INHABITED-Ezek 38:12.
   Many places in the land of Israel that were wastelands or desolate are now in this last generation inhabited with people just as predicted. This prophecy has been fulfilled.

    16. After Israel is brought forth, God will not shut her womb. The Jews shall multiply. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, SHALL I CAUSE TO BRING FORTH (or bring to delivery), AND SHUT (or close up) THE WOMB? SAITH THY GOD-Isa 66:9.
   In this last generation, many Jews continue to migrate to Israel from all over the world. Also the Jewish population continues to multiply by natural means. This prophecy has been fulfilled.
   Some believe this prophecy may refer to spiritual Israel during the Tribulation or Millennium.

    17. The people will dwell in the midst (or center) of the land or of the world. Prophecy fulfilled-1948.
   It is written, THE PEOPLE...THAT DWELL IN THE MIDST (or center) OF THE LAND (or of the world)-Ezek 38:12.
   The land of Israel is biblically considered as the center of the world. This prophecy is fulfilled.

    18. They (Jacob) shall be rooted in Israel. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to current.
   It is written, HE SHALL CAUSE THEM THAT COME OF JACOB TO TAKE ROOT (in…days to come Jacob will take root-NIV)-Isa 27:6.
   This passage has a dual fulfillment. Israel was reborn as a nation. Jacob (or the people of Israel) have taken root in the Promised Land. This prophecy is fulfilled.
   However, this verse will be fulfilled during the millennial period as well.

    19. The tribes of the children of Israel would still exist in the latter days. Prophecy fulfilled-1948 to the current time.
   It is written, AND I HEARD THE NUMBER OF THEM WHICH WERE SEALED: AND THERE WERE SEALED AN HUNDRED AND FORTY AND FOUR THOUSAND OF ALL THE TRIBES OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL-Rev 7:4. The Scriptures also name each of the twelve tribes-ref Rev 7:5-8.
   In this last generation, many Jews know the tribe from which they are descended. Regardless if they know, God knows. This prophecy is true.
   The sealing of the 144,000 takes place during the Tribulation.

59-ISRAEL WOULD BE HATED:
  THESE COUNTRIES WOULD NOT BE ON GOOD TERMS WITH ISRAEL

    95. The nation of Israel would be hated. Prophecy fulfilled-beginning from thousands of years ago and continuing to this current time.
   It is written, Ezek 38:2,5,6,16-THE LAND OF MAGOG…PERSIA, ETHIOPIA, AND LIBYA WITH THEM…GOMER, AND ALL HIS BANDS; THE HOUSE OF TOGARMAH OF THE NORTH QUARTERS, AND ALL HIS BANDS: AND MANY PEOPLE WITH THEE…THOU SHALT COME UP AGAINST MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL…IT SHALL BE IN THE LATTER DAYS.
   Zech 12:3-AND IN THAT DAY WILL I MAKE JERUSALEM A BURDENSOME STONE FOR ALL PEOPLE.
   Note that many shall come against Israel. In this last generation, Israel, as a nation and a people, greatly desires lasting peace, but it will not happen until Jesus returns. As God’s chosen people, there is a demonically inspired hatred toward them. The Jew that follows Jesus is even more hated.
   Many nations of the world have no diplomatic relations with Israel at all. There are certain countries that will not even allow you to enter, if you have an Israeli stamp on your passport. Many nations want to drive Israel into the sea. This prophecy is exact.

    81. When Israel is brought forth as a nation, God will be with them. Prophecy fulfilled-l948 to the current time.
   It is written, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; IN THAT DAY WHEN MY PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DWELLETH SAFELY-Ezek 38:14.
   In this last generation, since being reborn into a nation, Israel has been attacked again and again. In 1948, Israel was a new nation with a small population. The combined forces of Egypt, Trans-Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia attacked Israel, yet Israel prevailed. In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel won a lightning victory over the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Israel captured over one billion dollars of Russian-Arab arms. They also captured most of the Sinai Peninsula, the Jordan sector of Jerusalem, and all of the West Bank region, including the Golan Heights. Again, in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War (on the Jewish Day of Atonement), Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. Israel defeated them both despite assistance from six other Arab League nations. Israel is being protected by the hand of God. As the Scripture says, IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?-Ro 8:31. This prophecy is perfect.

    What lies ahead for Israel? Expect more Middle East problems. More people will be killed.
   The Rapture of the church lies ahead in the not too distant future.
   Then a person the Bible calls the Beast (or Antichrist) will come forth. He will confirm a covenant with Israel and others, which begins a time called the Tribulation. Israel will be attacked by Russia and other nations as outlined in Ezekiel 38 and 39. They will suffer greatly. However, God will come to their defense. Five-sixths (5/6ths) of the invading forces will be destroyed by God. One-fourth of the world’s population dies. Daniel outlines the Tribulation period as 7 years long (however the Lord has cut it short in some way). During this time both Israel and the world will suffer greatly. It comes to a climax at what is called the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah, returns in glory and great power. However, most people on the earth are killed. The earth is greatly changed. Jesus Christ will reign and rule as the King of kings in Jerusalem. There will be a thousand years of peace. For more details, click here for BEGINNING TO THE END.