Jesus Wants Us to Understand Prophecy
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:15
Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be fulfilled, just as He proclaimed to His servants the prophets." Rev. 10:7
And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Gen 18:17
The king said to Daniel, "Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery." Dan. 2:47
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 1 Chron 12:32
Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. Esther 1:13
Prophecy is so important in the days in which we live in. Jesus was very careful in His Olivet discourse that we be now not decieved. He opened it by upon the disciples lack of understanding of the prophetic timeline explaining that the temple which was meant to be a blessing would be torn down in judgment upon the people of Israel. This stirred up their curiosity of prophecy as they asked Him when and what will be the signs of the end of the world. They asked Him privately possibly understanding that He would not give these answers in front of unbelievers, or to further incriminate their Master in front of the Pharisees. Here is Jesus' opening statement: Take heed that no man deceive you. Matt 24:4.
Jesus says that false Christs, false prophets, great signs and wonders would deceive the elect if it were possible. In the context the Jews who are supposed to be experts at recognizing signs would be in danger likely while hiding in the rock of Petra during the Great Tribulation, to be tempted by these powers to leave this area, where there will be some miraculous protection and provision, just as in the days of Moses for the Jewish people who fled based upon their knowledge of scripture. The sign that they recognized which caused them to flee, is the Anti-Christ desecrating the temple from the holy place, which would begin the latter half of the 7 year tribulation. Previously, the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11, likely protected the temple site, and carried out judgment on all who wished to harm it, including politicians, these are killed by the Anti-Christ after a successful ministry, and raptured in real time in front of the entire world.
Certain language is used in this passage by our Lord that would describe more than 7 years, including the time leading up the Great Tribulation referencing a falling away(2 Thess. 2:3), perilous times(2 Tim. 3:1), and the time when they shall not endure sound doctrine but will be turned unto fables(2 Tim. 4:3,4)
A list of things that would deceive the masses and even the believer while Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse:
1. False Christs/world leaders making claims that a savior would make. v.5
2. Fear of wars and rumours of wars. v.6
3. Fear of famines, pestilences( e.g. COVID), earthquakes. v.7
4. Spirit of lawlessness, and coldness, as in the days of Noah(v.37). Increase in murder and reversal of the very first governmental mandate given to the governing leaders not populace, to carry out capitol punishment on murderers. v.12
5. Great signs and wonders
6. Failure to recognize the significance or meaning of the fig tree, which is national Israel. v.32-33
7. Date setting, and its discouraging unbiblical results. v.36
8. Prosperity. v.38
9. Not watching for His coming. v.42
10. Not preparing for His coming. 25:1
11. Failed Christian stewardship. 25:14
12. Unholy alliances with political/geopolitical groups that show cruelty to: Jews, Christians, and the helpless(e.g. the unborn) of this world. 25:31-46
Why would Jesus give such clarity on future events? Obviously it is very important. If you knew something was going to happen to someone you love wouldn't you warn them? Why is it so commonly held among preterists and the like that talking or preaching about prophecy is fear mongering? It is not just failure on the believers part to adopt such a belief but according to Jesus it will yield us over to a troubled spirit, also coming under Satan's power we will lead others to complete eternal destruction. The teachings of the Bible are materializing right before our eyes.
At any moment the Bridegroom, which is Jesus Christ, will come and the door will be shut to the Great Tribulation(Matt. 25:10). When you get raptured, and prayerfully you do, Jesus will not check for your vaccination status. He will not check your bank account or the quality of your furniture. He will check the status of the greatest gift you ever received and will ever receive, the gospel of Jesus Christ. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.1 John 5:4. Our faith is born upon the gospel, and the stewardship of your faith will be reckoned with. after a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoneth with them Matt. 25:19. This is for those who believe and practice by faith a great release from so many worldly pressures. You do not need the worlds approval of anything you do, but Christs. Your works will follow you into heaven, which are a result of the new creation when a soul is born again.
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. ”Rev. 14:13
Take a look at the man who was only given one talent. What controlled him? What spirit did he possess? and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth. Matt 25:25. The Old Testament calls those undestanding the Biblical timeline servants, the New Testament calls them friends. By the blood of Jesus Christ we have gained access to into heavenly places, thereby a higher status into God's future plans. We do not preach prophetic texts and contextualize them to bring fear, but courage and faith. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. I Thess. 4:18. However there is great reason to fear for those who have not been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.
The men of Issachar had understanding of the times. Big deal right? So what...they must have been really bored. NO! As David was making his rounds in Israel in hiding there was great confusion. What were the people to do? Should they support David who had been anointed by God and His prophet, but was chased by King Saul like a dog? Or should they turn their back on him or turn him over to King Saul? The men of Issachar stand out head and shoulders above the rest not because they were able to muster more troops than any other tribe, but because they were able to see through all the smoke and turmoil that God had sent them their promised king who had been prophesied of old. and all their brethren were at their commandment. I Chron. 12:22. They were not given to fear, but were able to give counsel in a military capacity based on their understanding. Their is a great divide right now on knowledge and understanding. When we see pestilences in our days we are supposed to understand them as the day approaching of the coming of our King and His reign upon the earth. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10:25
The Great Tribulation is worst time that humanity will ever face in its history. God will draw out the evil for all men and women to see, even in the events leading to the Great Tribulation. Until that moment of the rapture occurs we have peace because Jesus has overcome the world, the Holy Spirit is the hinderer of Satan's power until He is taken out of the way, and the Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. We Christians are not of this world, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19, but we are the Bride of Jesus Christ. Our privilege's as a people is better than that of the Jew ever had or will ever have in spite of the great promised blessing given to the Jew. Our citizenship is not of this world, and we await the trumpet call of the rapture. If we follow Christ's teaching which is the greatest text in all the Bible on prophecy we will not be deceived, troubled, discouraged, or controlled by fear.
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