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Who are the main players in the end time events? John Ankerberg Show Published on Sep 17, 2018 – From the series “Revelation: The Last Words of Jesus” featuring very special guests Dr. Ron Rhodes, Dr. Ed Hindson, and, Dr. Mark Hitchcock. To obtain this entire series, please visit
https://www.jashow.org/resources/the-…”
From the series, “Revelation: The Last Words of Jesus” featuring very special guests Dr. Ron Rhodes, Dr. Ed Hindson, and Dr. Mark Hitchcock. To obtain this entire series, please visit https://www.jashow.org/resources/the-…
I. Opening video details.
In the previous article, we discussed the subject of, “A Shout From Heaven,” which was accompanied by the video, “Who is the child mentioned in Revelation 12??” John Ankerberg Show – Published on Sep 10, 2018. The video that accompanies this article is titled, “Who are the main players in the end time events?
The credentials of each of the video speakers can be found by clicking onto the following link. https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/sources-of-information/
II. Sources Of Information.
The comments in this article come from the writings of Drs. Charles Ryrie, John Walvoord, David Jeremiah, and John MacArthur, and will be preceded only by their capitalized last names. The credentials of these men, as well as other credible sources, can also be found in the above link.
III. Preface To Article
As was stated in the previous article, the church will not be present on earth during the time of these events that we are studying, which will take place during the tribulation. Let’s consider a few of the reasons for such an exclusion: (1) John 3:3 says, “you must be born again,” with the result of the Presence of the Spirit of “Father/Son/Holy Spirit” dwelling within the spirit of each person whom has been born again (John 14:16,17,20), which is an eternal and securing presence (John 10:27-31). The new birth is also mentioned in the Old Testament (Ezek 36:24-29), where the subject is addressed to the “whole house of Israel,” (587 B.C.). (2) The words of Christ in John 3:3, “you must be born again,” were spoken to Jews, and had a promise that the new birth would be accomplished by the Holy Spirit (John 3:8), with the conditions that Christ spoke in John 3:16, 18 (If you believe, you have been born again. if you have been born again, you believe.). To not believe in Christ/to not be born again, has the promise of Judgment (Rom 8:1), which comes from Christ, whom will not condemn those whom have been born again (Rom 8:34). (3) The Apostle Paul spoke of the new birth to the church at Corinth (2 Cor 5:17, 56 A.D.), whether they were Jews or Gentiles, whether they were born again, or not. (4) Each person whose spirit has been born again, has a new Holy spirit dwelling within them, with the old corrupt spirit no longer present in the life of the believer (2 Cor 5:17), and with the new, born again spirit, being as righteous as the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21). (5) At the time of the rapture of the church, the following types of people will not be taken to heaven by Christ: (a) those whom have not been born again; (b) those not having the eternal Presence of the Spirit of “Father/Son/Holy Spirit” within their spirits; (c) those not having spirits as righteous as the righteousness of God. (6) Only the “dead in Christ” (1 Thes 4:16), and those alive in Christ (1 Thes 4:17), will be taken by Christ to Heaven (John 14:2,3,6). (7) Only those whom are raptured will be given immortal, perfect, resurrection bodies and souls (to join their born again spirits) at the time that they are caught up by Christ (1 Cor 15:51-53). (8) Only those whom have not been born again, and are known as “earth dwellers,” will remain on earth at the time of the rapture, to be subject to the judgments of God, and the oppression of the anti-christ (Rev 3:10, 6:10, 8:13, 11:10, 13:8, 13:14, 17:8). (9) Many earth dwellers will continue to defy God throughout the tribulation. However, some of those whom have been left behind from the rapture, will come to saving faith in Christ during the tribulation. (10) Anyone denying Christ will have no place in Heaven,” Luke 12:9, John 14:1-3, but will suffer from the wrath to come, 1 Thes 1:9-10, with the wrath occurring during the tribulation, Rev 6:16 (RYRIE). (11) Unbelievers, known as “the dead,” as opposed to “the dead in Christ,” have “The Great White Throne Judgment” awaiting them (Rev 20:10-15).
IV. Article Details
The Persecution of Israel in the Great Tribulation (12:13-16)
The Persecution of the Godly Remnant of Israel (12:17)
Revelation 12:13-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
War On Earth – The Woman Persecuted
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
WALVOORD. 12:13. Satan immediately turns his anger toward Israel.This apparently is the beginning of the great tribulation of which Christ Warned Israel in Matt 24:15:22, which at the time of this writing is yet future. The Walvoord commentary links this time of tribulation with Christ’s judgment of the sheep and goats in Matt 25, which relates to the Gentiles’ treatment of Israel as the nation (Israel) undergoes this persecution (Matt 25:31-40). These gentiles are those that missed the rapture, but came to saving faith in Christ during the tribulation, and gave support to Jews during the tribulation.
JEREMIAH. 12:13. Satan’s assault is anti-Semitic — he persecutes “the woman,” a symbol of Israel. Satan has persecuted Israel as God’s chosen people throughout their entire existence (Zechariah 3:1).
14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
THE DETAILS OF REV 12:14 ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND. It is important, also, to understand that not all theologians have the same understanding of this scripture. However, the scholars that I have chosen as references for my study of the end times, are in great agreement with the critical areas of scriptural interpretation.
RYRIE. 12:14. Persecuted Israel will flee quickly as if on wings of an unspecified place in the wilderness where she will have protection and care.
WALVOORD. 12:14. There is some supernatural care of Israel during this period. Whether natural or supernatural means are used, it is clear that God does preserve a godly remnant, though according to Zech 13:8, 2/3 of Israel in the land will perish. The time element of Israel’s suffering is described as “a time, and times, and half a time.” This again seems to be a reference to the three and one-half years, the mention of time being one unit, the second reference to times, being two units, which the addition of one-half a time would make three and one-half units. A parallel reference is found in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7 referring to the same period of great tribulation. Though Rev 12:6,14 referred to the refuge as a desert, and the Synoptic passages referred to the mountains, this is no contradiction as both desert and mountains are in the same area. The flight of Israel to a place of safety was also indicated in Matt 24:16, Mark 13:14, and Luke 21.21.
MAC ARTHUR. 12:14. wings of a great eagle. Not actual birds’ wings, but a graphic depiction of God’s providential protection of Israel (cf. Ex. 19:4). Wings often speak of protection (cf. Deut. 32:9–12; Ps. 91:4; Is. 40:31). Eagles—probably vulture-like griffins—were the largest birds known in Palestine. a time and times and half a time. Three and one-half years; the second half of the Tribulation (cf. v. 6; 11:2, 3; 13:5).
My Note. The duration: Time, 1 year. Times, 2 years. Half a time, six month, which equal 3 1/2 years. The persecution condition. Matthew 24:14: “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.” The conditions of Matt 24:14 have not happened in past history, and are not occurring at present time; they will only occur during the future time of the great tribulation.
15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
JEREMIAH 12:15. Some interpret the “water” literally, suggesting there will be a massive flood in Israel during the Tribulation. However, it is more likely that the water symbolizes an aggressive assault by Satan to destroy the Jewish people through their enemies (Isa 59:19).
16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
WALVOORD. 12:16. The flood is the total effort of Satan to exterminate Israel, and the resistance of earth is the natural difficulty in executing such a massive program. Satan strives with all of his power to persecute and exterminate the people of Israel. By divine intervention, both natural and supernatural means are used to thwart the enemy’s program and carry a remnant of Israel safely through their time of great tribulation.
RYRIE. 12:15-16. In an attempt to dislodge the Jews, Satan will bring a flood. God will then cause the earth to open and swallow the water.
MAC ARTHUR. 12:16 earth opened its mouth. A great army will come against Israel like a flood (v. 15; cf. Jer. 46:8; 47:2), only to be swallowed up, perhaps in conjunction with one of the numerous earthquakes that occur during that period (6:12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:18; Matt. 24:7).
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
WALVOORD. 12:17. The godly remnant of Israel is identified by their faith in Christ (“have the testimony of Jesus Christ”).
RYRIE. 12:17. Satan will then attack those who did not flee to the place of assylum.
MAC ARTHUR. 12:17 rest of her offspring. Satan will turn his frustrated rage against every follower of the Lamb he can find—Jew or Gentile. commandments of God…testimony of Jesus. The revealed truth from God and Christ contained in Scripture. Obedience to God’s Word always marks a genuine believer. Cf. John 8:32.
JEREMIAH 12:16-17. Satan’s rage during the Tribulation is toward Israel (the woman) as the people of God and toward the remnant of Israel (the rest of her offspring) – the 144,000 who refuse to take the mark of the beast. Along with an earlier verse (12:14), these verses detail how God will safeguard His own from Satan’s attacks: by protecting them during the later part of the Tribulation (the final three and a half years; for a time and times and half a time.). This is much like the way He protected Israel from the Egyptians at the time of the Exodus.
My note. Look around the world today, and you will find it easy to identify many people, and groups of people, that are waiting to join in the persecution of Israel. Consider BDS: Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions.
https://www.wrmea.org/2019-march-april/ten-us-churches-now-sanction-israel-to-some-degree-and-with-caveats.html
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/article/what-you-need-know-about-bds-movement
The Role of Antisemitism in the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Decision to Support Divestment
https://bdsmovement.net/tags/religion
https://www.adl.org/what-we-do/israel/anti-israel-activity-bds
https://forward.com/fast-forward/428179/congress-bds-aoc-tlaib-omar/
Consider the warning that is given to those “whom would not” bless Israel…Genesis 12:1-3
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen+12%3A1-3&version=NASB
V. Closing Video. The Day Of The Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NASB). For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
WALVOORD. The day of the Lord will stretch all the way from the rapture to the end of the millennium.
Dr. Renald Showers (Deceased) What does “the day of the Lord” mean?
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