JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Philippians 1:20) "I will in no way be ashamed."
I do a lot of reading and some stats that I have read report that over half of the worlds “Christians”
now live in the “third world” often in “anti-Christian environments”.
More Chinese take part in Sunday worship than the entirety of Western Europe.
Lebanon is 39 percent Christian; Sudan, 5 percent; Egypt, about 10 percent.
Many of these saints “worship Christ” at their own risk.
And as Facebook is a worldwide media outlet, there might even be some of those “risk taking persecuted” believers reading this blog today.
You may be one of them.
You may be the only Christian in your Iraqi university, or you might be an Arab woman who offers prayers in silence, or you might be a Messianic Jew who lives in Jerusalem;
Or perhaps you are an "Asian believer" that worships Christ in spite of the risk of being caught and stood before a firing squad unless you renounce Christ.
To you I encourage you, Jesus loves you more than we can ever imagine and I, and many more are praying for your safety and your deliverance.
Or, perhaps you are living in a society that promotes religious freedom but it’s a community of “spiritual oppression”.
Family members mock your beliefs.
University professors belittle your convictions.
Classmates snicker at your choices.
Colleagues pressure you to compromise your integrity.
Coworkers make it their mission to snag you in a weak moment.
If that’s where you find yourself today, I encourage you with this statement!
Stand up for Jesus!
Paul wrote these words from his prison cell: “I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21).
Hymnist George Duffield Jr. wrote these stirring lyrics,
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory, His armies shall He lead.
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.”
In our western society and humanistic culture that has adopted the right to interfere with our freedom of personal concervitave choices, it's time we as Christians truly stand up declaring our allegiance to Jesus Christ.
If every other “ethnic” group in our society can demand their right to freedom of choice and religion, and boldly proclaim their right to be heard and the right to publicly practice and endorse their own personal immoral life style choices, then so can we.
We just have to stop being the silent majority.
Today, stand up for Jesus!
Good Day!
More Chinese take part in Sunday worship than the entirety of Western Europe.
Lebanon is 39 percent Christian; Sudan, 5 percent; Egypt, about 10 percent.
Many of these saints “worship Christ” at their own risk.
And as Facebook is a worldwide media outlet, there might even be some of those “risk taking persecuted” believers reading this blog today.
You may be one of them.
You may be the only Christian in your Iraqi university, or you might be an Arab woman who offers prayers in silence, or you might be a Messianic Jew who lives in Jerusalem;
Or perhaps you are an "Asian believer" that worships Christ in spite of the risk of being caught and stood before a firing squad unless you renounce Christ.
To you I encourage you, Jesus loves you more than we can ever imagine and I, and many more are praying for your safety and your deliverance.
Or, perhaps you are living in a society that promotes religious freedom but it’s a community of “spiritual oppression”.
Family members mock your beliefs.
University professors belittle your convictions.
Classmates snicker at your choices.
Colleagues pressure you to compromise your integrity.
Coworkers make it their mission to snag you in a weak moment.
If that’s where you find yourself today, I encourage you with this statement!
Stand up for Jesus!
Paul wrote these words from his prison cell: “I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-21).
Hymnist George Duffield Jr. wrote these stirring lyrics,
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory, His armies shall He lead.
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.”
In our western society and humanistic culture that has adopted the right to interfere with our freedom of personal concervitave choices, it's time we as Christians truly stand up declaring our allegiance to Jesus Christ.
If every other “ethnic” group in our society can demand their right to freedom of choice and religion, and boldly proclaim their right to be heard and the right to publicly practice and endorse their own personal immoral life style choices, then so can we.
We just have to stop being the silent majority.
Today, stand up for Jesus!
Good Day!
Prophecy #7) Instant worldwide communications and God’s final witnesses
(Matthew 24:34). Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Could this be that generation?
Another end-time Bible prophecy that could not be fulfilled until this era of instant worldwide communications, concerns the "two end times witnesses" that will proclaim Gods judgment coming to the world during the last three and half years of the great tribulation.
In His major end-time prophecy of Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, Jesus gave an outline of disasters that would occur on the world scene with increasing frequency and magnitude—to the point where people would be shaken with fear (Luke 21:26).
Discerning an increase in the scale of these events and reacting to them requires “knowing about them”.
At the time Jesus spoke this prophecy it could take months or even years before people heard about various disasters that took place in the then known world and many they would never hear about at all, much less be able to put together the fact that catastrophes were on some kind of “global increase.”
Only with the proliferation of newspapers and other forms of mass communications has this become remotely possible.
Yet the level of awareness and consequent fear in many that Christ speaks of implies an even “greater availability of information”—possible only since the development of rapid electronic communications.
In any case, only with the technological advances of the last few years has it become possible for the events in Revelation 11 to occur—for people around the world to see the fate of God’s final two witnesses.
These two witnesses, reminiscent of other biblical prophets like Elijah and Elisha, will carry God’s final warning to the world in the last 3 ½ years leading up to Christ’s return when He steps off of the clouds of Glory and places his feet on the Mount of Olives.
Do not confuse this event with the former “meeting in the air” when the saints of all time “The Church” His Bride are caught away 7 years prior.
“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days . . .” (Revelations 11:3)
“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them; and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city where also our Lord was crucified.
Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 11:7-10).
Note that people “the world over” or (all around the world) will be able to see their dead bodies during the 3 1/2 days that they lie on display in Jerusalem.
This was not possible before satellite television, portable communications devices and the Internet.
Again, only in “the last few years” since the development of the internet and the World Wide Web”, has it become possible for this prophecy to be fulfilled.
It still lies in the future, of course but only now, in this day and age is it clearly possible for this to take place.
I have shared with you over the last few days some “prophetical events” that were prophesied concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ.
These were given to the disciples and the followers of Jesus, just prior to His death on the cross.
Three of these prophecies have been fulfilled, such as the newly established nation of Israel in 1948 and the returning of scattered Jews to their homeland.
The ability for worldwide destruction thru Nuclear War.
The alignment and foundation of a worldwide government ruled by one individual.
Jesus said this generation shall not pass away before they see these things fulfilled or take place.
Folks we are on the very edge of witnessing the fulfillment of the rest of these prophecies.
Jesus said that we should be watchful and ready for such an hour as you know not the Son of Man Cometh.
More to come on this subject tomorrow!
Good Day!
Prophecy #6. “The gospel will be preached in all the world!”
(Matthew 24:34) “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until
all these things take place.”
Could our generation be that generation?
In His major end-time prophecy of Matthew 24 Jesus answers the question posed by the disciples “When will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).
After listing a number of signs of the nearness of His coming, He reveals that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
The gospel is the good news of the coming Kingdom of God.
This message could not be preached around the world without the Bible and freedom of religion.
Both came gradually with the ascendancy of the “English-speaking” peoples from the 16th century until the present day.
However, it was only with the “technological advances” of television, radio and other means of “mass communication” since World War II, has it has become possible to reach hundreds of millions of people around the globe with the message of the Bible.
The gospel of the Kingdom of God will continue to be preached to all nations as long as there is the freedom to continue to print magazines, books, and articles in both paper and electronic and digital media formats.
However even with these tools, during the last 50 years it has still not been possible to reach all countries.
That is because former communist nations did not allow “freedom of religion.”
China, with one quarter of the world’s people, still does not and many Islamic nations have banned “other religions” in their countries.
Many are the reports that come to us daily from the Orient and Islamic nations of persecuted Christians who are shot and killed publically for professing Christ as Savior and Lord.
There are other nations as well also trying to suppress the publication and presentation of biblical truth and even the Bible itself.
But the internet “the World Wide Web” is changing everything.
On 6 August 1991, “the World Wide Web went live to the world.
There was no fanfare in the global press, no television announcements.
In fact, most people around the world didn’t even know what the internet was.
Even if they did, the revolution the internet ushered in was but a twinkle in the eyes of Tim Berners-Lee’s the developer of the “World Wide Web” or “the internet”.
Instead, the launch was marked by way of a short post from Berners-Lee on the “alt.hypertext newsgroup”, (which is archived to this day on Google Groups).
The first images were uploaded in 1992, with Berners-Lee choosing a picture of a French rock group called Les Horribles Cernettes.
In 1993, it was announced by “CERN”, (The name CERN is an acronym for the “French Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire).
“CERN” is a provisional organization founded in 1952 with the mandate of establishing a world-class fundamental physics research organization in Europe.
It was announced in 1993 that the “World Wide Web” was free for everyone to use and develop, with no fees payable – a key factor in the transformational impact it would soon have on the world.
While a number of browser applications were developed during the first two years of the Web, it was the “Mosaic web browser” which arguably had the most impact.
It was launched in 1993 and by the end of that year was available for Unix, the Commodore Amiga, Windows and Mac OS.
It was the first browser to be freely available and accessible to the public.
It inspired the birth of the first “commercial browser”, “Netscape Navigator”, and then went on to
form the basis of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
The growth of easy-to-use Web browsers coincided with the growth of
“commercial ISP” (internet service providers”) for business with companies like Compuserve bringing increasing numbers of people from outside the scientific community on to the world wide web and that was the start of the internet that is used today.
What was initially a network of static HTML documents, has become a constantly changing and evolving “information organism”, powered by a wide range of technologies.
Free web based systems and software that are a supporting tool for “decision making” processes.
The software can be helpful in your daily work from simple to complex decision making problems.
These systems make it possible to “live stream” media and presentations.
Plugins like “Flash” have expanded our expectations of what the Web can offer, while HTML itself
The growth of easy-to-use Web browsers coincided with the growth of
“commercial ISP” (internet service providers”) for business with companies like Compuserve bringing increasing numbers of people from outside the scientific community on to the world wide web and that was the start of the internet that is used today.
What was initially a network of static HTML documents, has become a constantly changing and evolving “information organism”, powered by a wide range of technologies.
Free web based systems and software that are a supporting tool for “decision making” processes.
The software can be helpful in your daily work from simple to complex decision making problems.
These systems make it possible to “live stream” media and presentations.
Plugins like “Flash” have expanded our expectations of what the Web can offer, while HTML itself
has evolved to the point where its latest version can handle video of every category.
The internet has become a part of our everyday lives – something we access at home, on the move,
The internet has become a part of our everyday lives – something we access at home, on the move,
on our phones and on TV.
It’s changed the way we communicate and has been a key factor in transforming the “global economy and societies” around the world.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee has earned his accolades and knighthood a thousand times over, and the decision of CERN to make the Web completely open has been perhaps its greatest gift to the world.
The point to this little history lesson about the Internet and the World Wide Web is this,
At this point, it is almost impossible for the governments of our world to control.
The gospel message of the coming Kingdom of God is still going out to the world and it is going out digitally at lightning speed.
It will only be completed or finished when God has decided that His work is complete and the time is right for the Son to fetch His bride and begin the Marriage Supper of The Lamb.
And believe me, with the advances in technology that the World Wide Web is making in societies around the world today, it won't be very much longer.
One used to think how could the world be governed or ruled by one man or group?
(Revelation 1:7) says “the whole world see Him (at the same time) when He returns and puts His feet on the Mount of Olives in Israel at the same time
The Internet, The World Wide Web makes that possible!
Given another 20 years (if God does not intervene), where will it stop and what will it be capable of?
This is yet another fulfillment of prophecy that could not be fulfilled until recent times.
Tomorrow prophecy #7
Good day!
It’s changed the way we communicate and has been a key factor in transforming the “global economy and societies” around the world.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee has earned his accolades and knighthood a thousand times over, and the decision of CERN to make the Web completely open has been perhaps its greatest gift to the world.
The point to this little history lesson about the Internet and the World Wide Web is this,
At this point, it is almost impossible for the governments of our world to control.
The gospel message of the coming Kingdom of God is still going out to the world and it is going out digitally at lightning speed.
It will only be completed or finished when God has decided that His work is complete and the time is right for the Son to fetch His bride and begin the Marriage Supper of The Lamb.
And believe me, with the advances in technology that the World Wide Web is making in societies around the world today, it won't be very much longer.
One used to think how could the world be governed or ruled by one man or group?
(Revelation 1:7) says “the whole world see Him (at the same time) when He returns and puts His feet on the Mount of Olives in Israel at the same time
The Internet, The World Wide Web makes that possible!
Given another 20 years (if God does not intervene), where will it stop and what will it be capable of?
This is yet another fulfillment of prophecy that could not be fulfilled until recent times.
Tomorrow prophecy #7
Good day!
Jesus Is Coming Prophecy #5
(Matthew 24:34) “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
Could our generation be that generation?
As I have said earlier the key to understanding the return of Jesus Christ is to watch Israel!
Israel” was the new name God gave the biblical patriarch Jacob in Genesis 32.
The 12 tribes of Israel were descended from his 12 sons.
These tribes later formed a “united kingdom”.
It’s been almost 3,000 years since the kingdom of Israel was split in two.
Ten of the 12 tribes of Israel rebelled against King Rehoboam, the son of King Solomon and grandson of King David.
The Bible continued to refer to these 10 tribes as Israel, while the other two tribes (Judah and Benjamin) that remained loyal to David’s descendants were known as “the Kingdom of Judah” or simply “Judah.”
Sometimes Israel is referred to as the “Northern Kingdom” and Judah as the “Southern Kingdom.”
Dominant among the northern tribes were the descendants of Jacob’s son Joseph through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh—prophesied by Jacob to be the chief nations of the world in the last days (Genesis 49:1-26)
About 200 years after the kingdom split, the northern tribes of Israel fell to Assyria and were deported by the Assyrians to the northern parts of their empire.
Often referred to now as the lost tribes, they later migrated northwest across Europe, eventually settling in new homelands far from the Middle East.
The kingdom of Judah fell to Babylon more than a century after Israel’s deportation, but its people were not lost to history.
We know them today as the Jews.
The name “Ephraim” is sometimes used representatively in scripture for the entire “Northern Kingdom”, though it can also refer to the descendants of Joseph’s son of that name—prophesied to become a “multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19).
Now what most people don’t understand or realize is that remarkably, this promise to Ephraim was fulfilled within the formation of the British Empire and Commonwealth.
Ephraim’s older brother Manasseh was also prophesied to become a great nation (same verse), separating himself from the multitude of nations.
This prophecy would be fulfilled in the formation, growth and dominance of the United States of America.
In a revealing prophecy regarding the United States and Britain, Jacob (Israel) said, “Let my name be named upon them” (Genesis 48:16).
References to ” Israel”, in end-time prophecy, often refer to the United States or the English-speaking countries of the British Empire or both.
Sometimes ” Israel” can mean all 12 tribes, but we have to look at specific verses in their context to see which is meant.
“Judah,” however, always refers to the Jews, the descendants of the house or Kingdom of Judah.
We must also understand that the modern nation called Israel is really Judah, made up of Jews.
(For much more detail, on this subject there is very good book called “The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy.”
Understanding this critical part of biblical history will help us more fully comprehend a passage of Scripture in the book of Hosea, which is a prophecy about Ephraim “the multitude of nations”, of which Great Britain and some of those nations came out of her).
It warns of destruction to follow the "end-time ascendancy" of the Israelite nations.
In Hosea 5 we read a prophecy that mentions Israel, Ephraim and Judah: “The pride of Israel testifies to his face; therefore Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; Judah also stumbles with them” (Hosea 5:5)
The prophecy continues: “With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.
They have dealt treacherously with the Lord, for they have begotten pagan children.
Now a new moon shall devour them and their heritage” (Hosea 5:6-7).
New moons occur a month apart.
A new moon “devouring” them would seem to mean that Israel, Ephraim and Judah will all fall within one month.
Now It’s important to note that this prophecy was not fulfilled in ancient times.
As already mentioned, ancient Judah fell to Babylon more than a century after Israel fell to Assyria.
Yet in the end it appears they will fall together within one month of each other.
This prophecy remains to be fulfilled.
Remember that Israel gave his name to Ephraim and Manasseh, the ancestors of the “British and American peoples.”
As Ephraim is mentioned separately in this prophecy, the reference to “Israel” must apply to the United States, which is now the more dominant of the two nations.
For two centuries prior to World War II, the roles were reversed with the multitude of nations, “The British Empire”, which was a greater power than the single nation, the United States.
But today America is the greater.
“Judah” refers to the Jewish people, particularly those who now constitute the modern nation in the Middle East that calls itself Israel.
Here then is a prophecy regarding all three nations—the United States, Britain and Israel (Judah).
According to this prophecy, it appears that all three will fall within the span of a month.
(Hosea 5:6) shows these nations turning back to God, but finding it’s too late.
Because of their sins, He will let them suffer defeat and collapse.
This prophecy could not have been fulfilled until after the rise of Britain and the United States as world powers in the 19th century and the formation of the Jewish state of Israel in the 20th.
Lest the idea seem outlandish, consider that Israel and the United States are perhaps the most maligned and criticized nations on earth.
Consider as well that during end times as outlined in scripture, neither Britain or the Unites States are mentioned anywhere.
Among Muslim hard-liners, America is commonly called “the great Satan” and Israel and Britain “the little Satans.”
I know this above dissertation seems outlandish for those of you whom do not follow scripture nor its teachings.
However watching world events as they are unfolding really gives new light on this thought process.
Tomorrow Prophecy #6.
Good Day!
Among Muslim hard-liners, America is commonly called “the great Satan” and Israel and Britain “the little Satans.”
I know this above dissertation seems outlandish for those of you whom do not follow scripture nor its teachings.
However watching world events as they are unfolding really gives new light on this thought process.
Tomorrow Prophecy #6.
Good Day!
Jesus Is Coming Prophecy #4
(Matthew 24:34). Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Could this be that generation?
With in the pages of the scriptures, Israel is a "major player" in the fulfillment of end times prophecy.
Want to know where we are on the time line of Jesus 2nd coming?
Watch Israel!
The fourth of seven “end times prophecies” that indicate the return of Christ after the formation of the state of Israel is;
#4) An end-time union of European nations.
In Daniel 2 and 7 we see prophecies about four great “gentile” empires that would arise in the period between the time of Daniel and the establishment of the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44).
Daniel was himself living in the first of these great empires (Daniel 7:4) as a Jewish exile in ancient Babylon.
Following the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C., Persia would become the greatest power, to be followed by Greece (Daniel 7:5-6).
After Greece came the Roman Empire, “dreadful and terrible, and exceedingly strong.”
This empire was to have “ten horns” and would continue in some form until the establishment of God’s Kingdom at Christ’s return (Daniel 7:7-9).
As pointed out in the previous “3rd prophecy”, horns represent leaders or governments.
Here these 10 horns symbolize 10 attempts to restore the Roman Empire to the power it had in ancient times.
Various attempts at a restoration have taken place since the fall of the Roman Empire in A.D. 476.
A final attempt will be made shortly before Christ’s return.
In Revelation 17 we read of a final attempt to revive the Roman Empire by “ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.
(Revelation 17:12-13) tells us these are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast”
They will also “make war with the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings” (Revelation 17:14).
To be clear, this prophecy is still to be fulfilled in the future.
Previous attempts to forge a united European empire, from Justinian in the sixth century, through Charlemagne, Napoleon, Mussolini and Hitler, all involved force.
The final resurrection of the Roman Empire will not be attempted in the same way.
Revelation 17 suggests this will be a “voluntary” union.
When these 10 leaders receive power, they will then give their authority to a single leader.
Scripture refers to both this individual and the new superpower he leads as “the beast”—acknowledging it as the continuation of the four gentile empires prophesied in Daniel, each one depicted as a beast or wild animal.
Only now in our time, is it possible for this “union” to be able to be fulfilled.
In 1957, the Treaty of Rome was signed by six European nations that formed the European Economic Community.
Today the EEC has grown into the European Union (EU) with 27 member nations.
Out of these will likely come the 10 nations or 10 leaders that form the final resurrection of the Roman Empire.
There is a very enlightening book on this subject called “The Coming European Superpower “
Some have speculated that the 10 kings referred to in this prophecy will be leaders of 10 regions of the EU that will redraw the boundaries of Europe, ending the present nation-states.
As far as I have been able to understand in my research and studies, the Bible is not clear on exactly which 10 regions or nations will configure the final revival of the militaristic Roman superpower—only that this new superpower will indeed emerge just before Christ’s return.
However, it wasn’t until the 10th nation, Greece, was admitted in 1981 that any conceivable fulfillment of this prophecy was even possible.
Prophecy #5 Tomorrow
Good Day!
(Matthew 24:34). Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Could this be that generation?
As I have been saying, the formation of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish peoples of this present
time in history was a major "prophecy that I believe started the countdown to the coming of Christ.
In the scriptures, Israel is a "major player" in the fulfillment of “end times” prophecy.
Want to know where we are on the time line of Jesus 2nd coming?
Watch Israel!
The third of "seven prophecies" concerning the end times and the "second coming of Jesus" taking place in our post modern age is found in the11th chapter of the book of Daniel and concerns the end-times “King of the North” and “King of the South.”
In Daniel 11 we find an amazing prophecy about two leaders, the kings of the north and south, the heads of regions that were geographically north and south of the Holy Land.
To understand this prophecy we have to go to the time of Alexander the Great, who lived near the
In the scriptures, Israel is a "major player" in the fulfillment of “end times” prophecy.
Want to know where we are on the time line of Jesus 2nd coming?
Watch Israel!
The third of "seven prophecies" concerning the end times and the "second coming of Jesus" taking place in our post modern age is found in the11th chapter of the book of Daniel and concerns the end-times “King of the North” and “King of the South.”
In Daniel 11 we find an amazing prophecy about two leaders, the kings of the north and south, the heads of regions that were geographically north and south of the Holy Land.
To understand this prophecy we have to go to the time of Alexander the Great, who lived near the
end of the fourth century 200 years after Daniel.
Alexander figures prominently throughout the book of Daniel, even though Daniel did not know his name and never knew him personally.
He couldn’t have, since he died almost two centuries before Alexander appeared on the world stage.
But God revealed to Daniel that after Babylon, Persia would arise as the greatest power of the region
Alexander figures prominently throughout the book of Daniel, even though Daniel did not know his name and never knew him personally.
He couldn’t have, since he died almost two centuries before Alexander appeared on the world stage.
But God revealed to Daniel that after Babylon, Persia would arise as the greatest power of the region
to be followed in turn by Greece.
Not surprisingly, the prophecies regarding the rise of Greece are centered on Alexander the Great, one of the greatest conquerors in history.
Daniel 8 gives a vivid account of the coming clash between Persia and Greece.
As you read it, remember that a horn symbolizes royal power and authority.
Persia had “two horns and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.”
This refers to the Medo-Persian Empire, the coming together of two nations or peoples.
As foretold here in (Daniel 8:3), the Persians rose to greatness after the Medes.
In (Daniel 8:5) we read of Persia’s later defeat by Alexander the Great: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes” (Daniel 8:5).
The “notable horn” or royal leader was Alexander the Great.
The prophecy about his army not even touching the ground is a reference to the incredible speed with which he conquered the then known world.
All this was achieved in a very short time.
Alexander died in 323 B.C. when he was only about 33 years old.
Even his sudden, unexpected death was prophesied: “The male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven” (Daniel 8:8).
Not surprisingly, the prophecies regarding the rise of Greece are centered on Alexander the Great, one of the greatest conquerors in history.
Daniel 8 gives a vivid account of the coming clash between Persia and Greece.
As you read it, remember that a horn symbolizes royal power and authority.
Persia had “two horns and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.”
This refers to the Medo-Persian Empire, the coming together of two nations or peoples.
As foretold here in (Daniel 8:3), the Persians rose to greatness after the Medes.
In (Daniel 8:5) we read of Persia’s later defeat by Alexander the Great: “And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes” (Daniel 8:5).
The “notable horn” or royal leader was Alexander the Great.
The prophecy about his army not even touching the ground is a reference to the incredible speed with which he conquered the then known world.
All this was achieved in a very short time.
Alexander died in 323 B.C. when he was only about 33 years old.
Even his sudden, unexpected death was prophesied: “The male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven” (Daniel 8:8).
When Alexander died, his empire was divided between four of his generals—the four “notable horns” mentioned in (Daniel 8:8).
Two of these established dynasties would have a profound effect on the Jewish people caught in the middle between them.
These two dynasties were the descendants of Seleucus, who ruled a vast empire from Antioch in Syria north of Jerusalem, and Ptolemy, who ruled Egypt from Alexandria.
Daniel 11 is a long and detailed prophecy about the dynastic conflicts between these two powers, their respective leaders being referred to as “the King of the North” and “the King of the South.”
Of great significance is that whenever they went to battle against each other, the Jews got trampled on.
This was to continue from the time of Alexander until the middle of the second century B.C., a period of almost two centuries; then suddenly the prophecy jumps down to the end times.
In (Daniel 11:40) we read: “At the time of the end, the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them and pass through.
The Coming Of Jesus Prophecy #3
He shall also enter “the Glorious Land” (the Holy Land), and many countries shall be overthrown” (Daniel 11:40-41).
While I don’t have space here to cover all the details, the latter part of Daniel’s prophecy of the
“North-South” conflict, describes a clash of civilizations between the leaders of a soon-coming European superpower—a revived Roman Empire and a leader who is the successor to the
“Ptolemaic” rule of Egypt which is now part of the Islamic world.
On our political horizon we can now see "geopolitical" conditions lining up for this inevitable clash coming soon with an "Islamic influence" and growth in our world.
Here is yet another prophesied circumstance for which the stage has now been set within our lifetime!
Jesus is coming again soon!
Tomorrow Prophecy #4
Good Day!
(Matthew 24:3). When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Jesus then responded with a description of conditions and events that would lead up to His second coming.
Moreover, He said that when these signs became evident, His return would occur within one generation (Matthew 24:34).
I wonder, could this be that generation?
Throughout the nearly 2,000 years since Christ gave His prophecy, many have thought that theirs was the time of His return—and turned out to be wrong, of course.
And I say of course because Jesus said as well “but of that hour no tongue can tell, only the Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 24:36)
But interestingly, there are a number of prophecies in the Bible that give us a clue as to “when He will return”, and understanding these prophecies will give us a clear time frame of when “that hour” might be imminent.
These are prophecies however, that could not be fulfilled until our modern era, the post–World War II period.
Here is the second of “7 Prophecies” that are contained within the scriptures re the “last days” and the return of Jesus Christ.
#2) The Bible teaches that a “Jewish homeland” had to be reestablished in the Middle East, before Jesus returns.
This “home land” would become the central focus of end-time events.
Luke 21 is a parallel chapter to Matthew 24.
Notice Luke’s account of Christ’s long prophecy that answered the disciples’ questions: “Teacher, . . . when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7).
In response, Jesus showed that Jerusalem would be the central focus of the political and military upheavals that would immediately precede His return: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near . . . For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” (Luke 21:20-22).
Anyone living a century ago would have found these words nearly impossible to comprehend.
Jerusalem in ancient times had been fought over countless times, but for four centuries starting in 1517 the city had been at peace within the boundaries of the “Ottoman Empire.”
Jews lived there as a minority under Turkish rule but this would change dramatically during the course of the 20th century.
It had to change, for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy to take place.
The Old Testament prophet Zechariah was used by God to reveal a great deal about end-time events and the second coming of the Messiah.
Zechariah lived and prophesied more than 500 years before Christ’s first coming, yet his prophetic book tells us a great deal about our world of today.
In (Zechariah 12:2-3) God says: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah [the Jews inhabiting the land of Israel] and Jerusalem.
And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
In (Zechariah 12:9) The prophet adds, “It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.”
Reading these verses, it is possible to think that they apply to ancient events, as Jerusalem has been fought over repeatedly down through the ages.
However, chapter 14 makes clear that this is talking about future, not past, events.
The time setting is immediately before Jesus Christ’s return.
“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming . . . For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity . . . Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.
“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:1-4).
Clearly the last few lines of this prophecy remain to be fulfilled.
Further in this same chapter we read of how those nations that come against Jerusalem will have to go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Jesus Christ (Zechariah 14:16).
These chapters of Zechariah are a prophecy about the events that precede and include the second coming of Jesus.
In this Zechariah prophecy, a “Jewish-controlled Jerusalem” is notice-ably the central focus.
Shortly before Zechariah, another Jewish prophet named Daniel lived during the time of the captivity of the Jews in Babylon.
His book speaks of the Jews’ daily sacrifices being “cut off in the end time” (Daniel 12:11; and Daniel 12:1-13)—an event that had a forerunner in the temple defilement under Syrian ruler Antiochus Epiphanes in the second century B.C.
However, Jesus Christ confirmed this as a future event to precede His return (compare Daniel 11:31; Matthew 24:15).
This means that these sacrifices must first be reinstituted in Jerusalem—requiring Jewish rule over the city.
One hundred years ago such developments were hard to imagine for the simple reason that no “independent” Jewish political entity existed in the Middle East.
After rebelling against the Romans in A.D. 66 and again in 132, Judea was crushed and most of the remaining Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.
No Jewish homeland existed again until 1948 when the modern nation of Israel was established.
An independent Jewish homeland was merely a dream for a small group of zealots a century ago.
It moved a step nearer during World War I, when forces of the British Commonwealth took control of Jerusalem from the Turks in December 1916.
A few months later, the British government pledged itself to the establishment of an independent Jewish homeland in the ancient lands the Jews had inhabited for centuries.
It was to be another 30 years before the dream was realized in 1948.
Yet since then, tiny Israel has had to fight wars for survival in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has suffered countless terrorist attacks and threats of annihilation from hostile neighbors determined to eliminate the Jewish state.
Once again, here is a prophecy that can only now be fulfilled in our time.
Jesus is coming again soon!
What else will it take to convince you of that reality?
Tomorrow prophecy #3.
Good Day!