Jim's Eschatological Info

Jesus’s parable of the ten virgins gives us a mirror of what the church will look like just before His return. That is now, at the present time! I recently wrote an article detailing this parable. Following is a link to this article for your perusal. Let me know what you think. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QWFSnOLMCoJusK-4-Zsf6dkqjgFwnjJE8TjwYi3sZl0/edit?usp=sharing

Maranatha, Jim

Another term being bandied about in the news these days is “Christian Zionism”. We need to know what this is all about so that we can solidify our position based on the bible, not journalistic anti-Israel posturing. To simplify, Zion represents Jerusalem and a Zionist is one who recognizes the Israeli right to retain Jerusalem as their eternal capital. That, of course is biblical. Because I believe the bible that makes me a Zionist, and as I am a Christian, that makes me a “Christian Zionist”.

The publication Israel 365 News recently featured two articles that discuss this issue of Christian Zionism. Together, they do a good job of presenting why we should be aware and concerned. You can read them here: No, Tucker, Christian Zionism is NOT Christian heresy! – Israel365 News; Uncovering the Lies in Christian Discourse on Israel – Israel365 News

The wide-ranging criticism of Christian Zionism exemplifies the eschatological status of modern Israel. The prophet Zechariah says this about the last days we are living in: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal.” (1:14). “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples.” (12:2-3). The main-stream criticism of Christian Zionism is clear fulfillment of prophecy coming to pass increasingly as the time of our Lord’s return draws near.

Maranatha, Jim

After schooling His apostles about all the events surrounding His return to set up His kingdom, Jesus said in parabolic form “But know this; that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.“ (Luke 12:39). The idea here is that from what Jesus told them they were to get ready for His coming by determining what “watch” of the night (season) He was coming. Otherwise, their house would indeed be broken into by the “Thief”-not a good thing to happen. (For an analysis of Jesus coming as a Thief in the night see: A Thief in the Night – Jim’s Eschatological Info).

In the last four posts, I presented four scenarios where the bible predicts this season of Jesus’s return. While individually, they may seem somewhat circumstantial, taken together they present a strong case. God requires in judicial proceedings more than one witness: “by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15). Therefore, we should expect God to give us more than one way to calculate the general time of His arrival. And He has. The mathematical odds that four individual biblical scenarios would all arrive at the same general time frame are overwhelming.

I hope that reading this series of posts will make you aware of the apocalyptic time frame we are living in and will spur you on to more and deeper study of eschatological scripture as well as watching developing events in our world, particularly those concerning Israel. We need to be fully aware of what God is doing in our time. This is essential to fulfill Jesus’ command to “watch” (Mark 13:37). I’ve published a book to help you follow last days events. These four scenarios are presented in an epilogue at the end of the book. You can get a copy here: Last Days Events: Sequence and Synchrony: Weinert, J D: 9798858723684: Amazon.com: Books

Paul’s description of alert Christians is apt for us: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians: 4-6).

Maranatha, Jim

This will be the fourth consecutive post positing four scenarios that foretell the “season” of Jesus’s return. Taken together, they present a convincing chronological pattern for us to consider. This one concerns the Jubilee Calendar.

Jubilee Calendar

God’s proscribed timekeeping for the Jews includes the Jubilee Calendar, another internal biblical confirmation of a 6000- year period preceding the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. In Genesis 6:3 Moses records: “And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years’.” Bible expositors typically connect this verse with God limiting man’s lifespan, or the time span to the flood. Neither suffice, however, as man’s life expectancy never settled on 120 years, and God’s statement was given between Noah’s 500th and 600th year, short of 120 (Genesis 5:32, 7:6). What, then, was God stating? The word “man” in this verse is Adam in Hebrew which means “mankind”- all the human race in general. It is clear, then, that the period of time God is referring to is the span of time He continues to “strive” (contend) with mankind. He was striving with man in Noah’s day and continues to strive with man to the present. And He will continue to contend with mankind until His Son sets up His Kingdom. Therefore, the “120 years (man’s days)” must refer to something other than 120-24hr days or 120- 1000-year days discussed previously. These would be unsupportable extremes. Yet, the 120 years must cover the period from the fall to the kingdom. To understand what timing mechanism God may be referring to, we need to look at the standard for timekeeping given to Moses and the Israelites. In Leviticus 25 God commanded Israel to farm their land for 6 years, then rest on the seventh (sabbath year) and repeat this for seven cycles. After seven cycles (49 years) they were to celebrate an additional sabbath, a 50th year, or as He called it, a Jubilee year. This Jubilee year was the longest time cycle (50 years) commanded by God to be kept. Knowing that, let’s assume that back in Genesis, even though it was before His Levitical command, God was speaking of His future Jubilee cycle when He spoke of 120 years. If that was the case, 120 x 50 equals 6000 years! Fits perfectly! In fact, it fits so perfectly that use of this chronology results in: Noah’s death and Abraham’s birth in the 2000th year (40th jubilee year), the exodus on the 50th (a jubilee of jubilees), Cyrus’ decree to release the Jews from Babylon on the 70th jubilee (beginning of Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy), along with other “coincidences”.

This chronology predicts six millennia from Adam’s fall in the garden to Christ’s second coming-a perfect fit with the three other scenarios described in previous posts. Use of this calendar may just be the key that alerts us to the season of Jesus’s return. In my next post, I’ll look at the collective significance of these four scenarios and what it likely means for us.

Maranatha, Jim

The Jews experienced a second major exile from the promised land in 70 AD when Jerusalem including the temple was completely destroyed by the Romans. This destruction and desolation were prophesied by Jesus and resulted in the Jewish population being scattered among the gentile nations. The duration of this exile was enumerated in prophetic form in Leviticus chapter 26.

Time From the Second Exile

The prophet Daniel said two things must happen after the 69 weeks (when Messiah comes) but before the final or 70th week. (Daniel 9:26) The Messiah would be cut off (crucified) and Jerusalem would be destroyed and desolated. Hence the “gap” or desolation of Jerusalem between the 69th and 70th weeks. This gap, then, constitutes the second exile of the Jews from their homeland, the first being the Babylonian exile. The Babylonian exile was for 70 years while the land enjoyed her sabbaths (2 Chron. 36:21). Since the 70th week is yet future, the question is: how long is this current exile to last? If we can determine that, we can determine when the last seven years prior to the coming Kingdom of Christ will start. Leviticus 26 gives us a clue. God, through Moses prophesied the first exile judgment if they would not obey Him (Lev. 26:14-17). This resulted in the first exile of 70 years. He then says in the next verse “And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.” (Lev 26:18) This would mean 7 x 70 or 490 years. But God does not stop there. He adds a second “seven times more” in verse 21, a third in verse 24, and a fourth in verse 27. All this again so that the land could enjoy her sabbaths (verse 34). So, what does this add up to? 7 x 70 + 7 x 70 + 7 x 70 + 7 x 70 =1960 years total. The destruction and desolation of Jerusalem is well established to have occurred in 70 AD. Therefore adding 1960 to AD 70 comes to-you guessed it, 2030! However, note that under this calculation, the start of Jacob’s trouble (Daniel’s 70th week) begins in 2030. This would place the year of Jesus’ second coming in 2037. Of course, this assumes that the date for Jerusalem’s destruction of 70 AD is correct.

This scenario gives support to the previous two posts revealing a very similar “season” of Jesus’s return. My next post will give a fourth chronological clue confirming this timing.

Maranatha, Jim

Presented here is the second of four biblical constructs that predict a season when we can expect Jesus to return. All four are detailed in epilogue form in my book “Last Days Events-Sequence and Synchrony”. This one is found in the Old Testament Book of Hosea chapters 5 and 6.

Hosea Prophecy

This remarkable passage in Hosea is very concise and relevant. “For I (Jesus) will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to my place (ascension), till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek my face; in their affliction (tribulation) they will earnestly seek Me. Come and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up (resurrection), that we may live in His sight.” (Hosea 5:14 – 6:2)

Many bible commentators say that this refers to the Assyrian destruction of the northern kingdom (Israel) in Hosea’s day but notice that it concerns Judah as well. It clearly describes a time future to Hosea. In my analysis, God, through Hosea, is saying this: I’m going to destroy Israel and Judah (Judea and Jerusalem) and I am going away to my place. Total destruction came upon Jerusalem in 70 AD shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. He went back to His place (seated at the right hand of the Father). The Jews were carried off as slaves to the nations. There they still remain in significant numbers (the diaspora) till they acknowledge their offense and earnestly seek Him. Note that they will do this in their affliction (tribulation). God will revive them “after two days”. On the third day He will raise (resurrect) them to life in His sight (presence). This, of course, will happen on the day of the Lord, when He returns and resurrects all His saints. According to this text, note when it happens; After two days! Two days from His ascension. Two days here cannot mean 48 hours. We, again, must use the Lord’s reckoning of a day as a thousand years. The third day represents the seventh millennium, Christ’s kingdom on earth. The resurrection takes place on the last day of this age prior to the kingdom. So, it follows then, that 2000 years from the crucifixion is Jesus’ second coming. Again, with the assumption that the crucifixion took place in 30 AD 30 + 2000 = 2030. As I mentioned in the previous post, the seven-year tribulation may be an add-on.

Indeed, quite a detailed prophecy providing further confirmation of the general time period of Jesus’ second advent. This prophesied 2000- year period is most likely the “gap” between Daniel’s 69th and 70th week (Daniel 9:26). In the next post, we’ll look at another description of this gap which will help us discern the time of His coming.

Maranatha, Jim

An epilogue in my book “End Time Events-Sequence and Synchrony” details four separate constructs that taken together present a strong case for predicting the season of Jesus’s return. It’s essential that we determine the time of His coming as closely as possible so we are wisely prepared with our lamps lit and are not surprised as will be the rest of the world when He comes as a “thief in the night.” (Matthew 24:43, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, Revelation 3:3). Over the next several posts, I’ll reproduce these four prophetic scenarios. All these are in addition to the “signs” Jesus gave us to watch for. The first scenario is commonly referred to as the “millennial sabbath theory”.

The first eschatological framework concerning the timing of Jesus’ 2nd advent I’m going to briefly discuss is called the “Millennial Sabbath”. Simply stated it is the idea that the period from creation to the eternal state is a span of seven thousand years, with the last one thousand years constituting Christ’s Kingdom here on the earth. The most reliable Bible chronologists (IMO) agree, noting creation to Abraham as 2000 years, Abraham to Christ’s crucifixion as 2000 years, the crucifixion to Christ’s return another 2000 years, followed by a Kingdom reign of 1000 years, a seventh or sabbath millennium. This millennial sabbath is based on the statements in Psalms and Peter that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years. This is confirmed in Genesis where Adam was warned that he would die in the “day” he ate of the forbidden fruit. Obviously, he didn’t die in that 24 -hour day but returned to dust just prior to 1000 years of life. It’s also based on Paul’s writing in Hebrews chapter 4 about entering God’s rest which is compared to God’s seventh day of creation where He rested. Paul states that there remains a sabbatical (rest) for God’s people where they will cease from their works. This rest is equated to Christ’s coming Kingdom in 2 Thess. 1:5. Revelation states clearly that His Kingdom is for 1000 years. (Revelation 20:2,3,4,5,6). If the seventh “day” rest is 1000 years in length, it follows that the first six were also 1000 years in duration. Early church Fathers had a near consensus on this issue. Here’s a quote from Hippolytus:

“And six thousand years must needs be accomplished in order that the Sabbath may come, the rest, the holy day on which God rested from all His works. For the sabbath is the type and emblem of the future kingdom of the saints, when they shall reign with Christ, when He comes from heaven, as John says in his Apocalypse. ‘For a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.’ Since, then, in six days God made all things, it follows that six thousand years must be fulfilled.”

Based on the above, we can simply add 2000 years to the year of Jesus’ crucifixion to find the year of Jesus’ coming. It’s commonly believed that Jesus died between AD 27 and AD 33 with a probable date of AD 30. This would mean Jesus is returning in 2030. However, while the AD 30 date is reasonable, it is not certain, though it is likely plus or minus 3 years. There is also the caveat that Daniel’s 70th week might be an add-on, which would make it seven years later. Nonetheless, it should be sobering to note that 2030 is less than five years from this writing.

I’ll present the next three scenarios in subsequent posts. I think you’ll find these helpful in determining the season of our Lord’s return.

Maranatha, Jim

Almost everywhere in the news today, I’m reading about something called replacement theology. It’s the idea that Christians (the church) have replaced the Jews (Israel) on God’s timetable of events. Apparently, these “supersessionists” believe that since Israel was judged in AD 70, the church is now God’s sole focus. This has eschatological implications as well as this belief leads to a pre-trib rapture where the church will be taken to heaven while God again deals with Israel during a 7-year tribulation. In other words, God is currently only concerned with the church and will in finality deal with Israel during Daniel’s 70th week. This also leads to the conclusion that the modern state of Israel is not of God thereby fostering all sorts of antisemitism and Jew hatred.

If I may put it bluntly, this replacement theology is pure garbage and grossly unscriptural. A brief scripture analysis by Theologian Joel Richardson does a good job of debunking this eisegesis. Here is the link:

Debunking Replacement Theology’s Top Five Favorite Proof Texts

Unfortunately, many in media and in the church have bought into this fallacy. It’s sad when I see prominent Church leaders and media figures such as Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens promoting their form of antisemitism that at least partially stems from supersessionism. Please, read the linked article above, and don’t be swept up by this bunk. God’s covenants with Israel are irrevocable.

Maranatha, Jim

God Himself promised a piece of real estate to His chosen people. He gave this promise without condition to the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as their descendants. He confirmed this unconditional covenant with an oath 55 times in our bible. Its boundaries are declared to be “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.” (Genesis 15:18). And “And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea (Mediterranean), Philistia, and from the desert to the river (Euphrates).” This land inheritance is described in greater detail in the Book of Numbers 34:1-15. Under Kings David and Solomon Israel possessed most of this territory along with the east bank of the Jordan that is now a part of the modern nation of Jordan.

The Jews were dispossessed of this land in 605 BC (the 1st exile) due to the Babylonian invasion and also in 70 AD (the 2nd exile) by the Romans. Miraculously, nearly 2000 years later in 1948, Israel was again established as a sovereign nation, controlling a small strip of land in their old homeland which was immediately contested by the surrounding Arab countries. The subsequent war resulted in Israel gaining territory such as Galilee and coastal Mediterranean lands. During the six-day war of 1967 Israel gained more of the promised land by conquering the Sinai Peninsula, the old city of Jerusalem, the Golan heights, the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), as well as Gaza. This was the maximum size of lands controlled by modern day Israel. Then the downsizing (dividing) began.

In 1979 Israel ceded the Sinai back to Egypt in a peace agreement. In 2005, at the behest of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israel gave the Gaza Strip to the PLO in a failed attempt at regional peace. A current major effort by world leaders is underway demanding Israel give up their biblical homeland of Judea and Samaria along with the Eastern half of Jerusalem to Palestinian control. The whole world seems to be caught up in this drama over control of these tiny pieces of land. And rightly so, as it is of huge biblical significance!

Since it was God Himself Who promised this land to Israel in its entirety, those who are striving to further divide Israel are fighting against God-never a good idea! They think they are promoting peace but are instead inviting judgment from God. Joel’s prophecy about these days is quite succinct. “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.” (Joel 3:2). Notice God calls the promised land My land. God told the Israelites about the promised land “The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.” (Leviticus25:23). It’s His land where He has chosen to put His Name. It’s from there that the coming Kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ will rule the world. That’s why Satan wants to divide the land. And it seems he might be succeeding.

As I write this the UN general assembly just voted 157 to 36 in favor of creating and recognizing a Palestinian state consisting of Gaza, Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem. Included in voting for dividing Israel thusly were many western democracies such as England, France, Portugal, Spain, Canada, Norway, and Australia. What are they thinking?? Not only are they rewarding a terrorist entity (Hamas) that recently massacred, tortured, and imprisoned 1300 Israeli citizens but have taken a step towards creating an even larger terrorist state. Most importantly, they have slapped God across His face claiming to impose something better on the state of Israel than His covenantal relationship with His chosen people.

Saints, we’re living in the end times and can expect these sorts of things to happen with increasing frequency. Israel is going to find herself more and more alone and isolated as persecution against her very existence rises. She needs to realize that the God of the bible is her only reliable ally and with Him by her side His covenants will stand, and inheritance of the entire promised land will eventually become eternally hers. Yes, the promised land will ultimately be divided when our Lord returns, but it will be divided among the 12 tribes of Israel and the coming Prince. (See chapter 48 in Ezekiel).

Maranatha, Jim

As a blogger focusing on eschatology, I’m constantly aware of the wide variety of scripture interpretation and its application. This is also true in other areas of theology. This fact is contrary to the plea for unity echoed thru ought the New Testament. The apostle Paul clearly states: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus prayed this in the presence of His disciples: “I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe Me through their word; that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe You sent Me.“ (John 17:20-21).

So why aren’t we Christians completely unified in mind, faith, practice, and even scripture interpretation? There is only one answer-we are not listening to the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the guide and helper Jesus sent to us to keep us on a straight and narrow path. In John chapter 16 Jesus said the Holy Spirit would; “guide us into all truth, tell us of things to come, and take of Mine and declare it to you”. Jesus did not even let the apostles begin their ministry until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit Who came at Pentecost. It’s only by the Spirit that unity can come. The bible is His book. Every word is His from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. He wrote it to be interpreted in one way, not many ways. If we let Him completely guide our thoughts, His truths will become evident. These truths will be the same for every seminary student, pastor, evangelist, teacher, as well as you and me. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “I beseech you to be worthy of your calling…. endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Notice that it’s the “unity of the Spirit” or, in other words, the unity which the Spirit brings.

Paul castigated the church at Corinth for following men rather than Christ, causing divisions. “Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul’, or “I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephus,’ or ‘I am of Christ’. Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). Thats the equivalent of saying today “I follow Calvin,” or “I follow Luther,” or “I follow Wesley,” or “I follow the Pope,” etc. True, we shouldn’t reject God-given teachers, but we can’t rely on them solely for our doctrine. Our doctrine ultimately must come exclusively from the scriptures as illuminated by the Teacher freely given to us by God Himself, the Holy Spirit. The apostle John tells us we can avoid division and deception by the Holy Spirit (anointing) Who abides in you. “These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the Anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the Anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” (1 John 2:27).

Many times, Paul entreated us to “walk in the Spirit” as he did. And that he did from his conversion till his death in Rome, always being directed by the Spirit. He told the Romans: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14). This statement begs the question-if you’re not led of the Spirit are you truly a son of God? I think the answer is obvious.

The single most important task a Christian has is to learn to follow the Spirit’s direction. If all Christians were proficient in this, divisions within Christianity would not exist, and unity would be the norm. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I do recognize, however, that this will probably not soon be the case. Divisions among Christians will likely be with us right up to our Lord’s second coming. Nonetheless, till then, it behooves us to pursue unity in peace and love of our brethren to the best of our ability. Above and in all things, be led by the Spirit. In Him, there is no deception or division.

Maranatha, Jim