Author: jdwvaw2

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

Islam is experiencing unprecedented growth and influence worldwide. This is in spite of atrocities radical Muslims have committed and continue to commit in virtually every corner of the globe. Think 9/11 and October 7 as examples. Yet their influence and acceptance continues to grow due to the fact that liberal left- wing countries turn a blind eye to these atrocities in an effort toward appeasement of their growing Muslim population and their anti-Zionist stance. This article on France is, unfortunately, typical. France is dying. Emmanuel Macron is the one pulling the plug. – Israel365 News Other European countries such as the UK are in the same boat. In spite of the biblical mandate to avoid dividing the land of Israel, (Joel 3:2), 147 UN countries already recognize “Palestine” as an independent state, with the UK, France, Australia, and Canada about to do so this month. Imagine the encouragement this gives to Islamic terrorist organizations like Hamas.

I have posited in many posts, articles, and my book that the antichrist will originate from an Islamic entity to Israel’s north. Also, his ten-nation confederacy that will support him in his devious ways and ensure the downfall of Mystery Babylon are all Islamic and currently surround Israel. No question Islam is the quintessential antichrist religion.

It’s quickly becoming Islam vs the rest of the world. If you are not Islam or not willing to convert, you are either considered an infidel-not deserving of life-or a dhimmi, one who must swear loyalty to the Muslim state and pay a special tax called jizya. Islam gives no other choices. Therefore, war with Islam is inevitable. Consider this post from an FBI agent: Yossi BenYakar on X: “FBI agent, John Guandolo perfectly explained Islam in 3 minutes. Must listen. https://t.co/FgAvWREqNs” / X Also, this from an American Pastor: Wall Street Apes on X: “American Pastor has traveled all over the Europe and has a warning, “The enemy of the world is Islam, 1000%” “There are places in Texas, there are places in Dearborn, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota that are nearly fully Islamic. They are trying to institute all of their Sharia https://t.co/YkU9N150CR” / X Israel already knows and is experiencing this. Her current foes are all Islamic including Iran and her proxies Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, and other terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. While Israel appears to be winning these battles militarily, she seems to be losing the PR war as main-stream media world-wide covers her in negative terms while trumpeting positively the lies of terrorists like Hamas.

The world has a short time to wake up, recognize the threat Islam poses, and take appropriate action. However, in many areas it may already be too late. As Christians, we need to counter Islam with the Gospel wherever possible. We also must be aware of Islam’s likely role in prophecy and point it out to those who are willing to listen. We know how the Book ends.

Maranatha, Jim

I’m sure it’s not just me noticing the increasing contrast of good vs. evil, or to put it another way, light vs. darkness in this world. By “light” I mean biblical and spiritual revelation from our Creator that gives us a “lamp unto our feet” directing us how to walk in all that is Godly in an ungodly world. By “darkness”, I mean a complete lack of Holy Spirit direction leading to a life of doing what we please, which is really a life directed by the god of this world, Satan himself.

The Prophet Isaiah spoke of this coming darkness when prophesying about the coming Messiah: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Isaiah 9:2). Also: “For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:2). In this scripture, the darkness prophesied to cover the earth is, in Hebrew choseck, meaning among other descriptions, misery, destruction, ignorance, and wickedness. But when he says “deep darkness” the people, it’s a different Hebrew word that is similar, but emphasizes grossness or thickness. You may have heard the expression “it was so dark, you could have cut it with a knife”. This is the kind of darkness I see manifesting itself in today’s world. Very gross, deep, heavy. Something only the “Light of this World”-Jesus can penetrate.

The Prophets Joel and Amos speak of the “day of the Lord” as being especially dark. “For the day of the Lord is coming, a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Joel 2:1-2). “For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness and not light.” “Is not the day of the Lord darkness and not light?” (Amos 5:18,20).

When Jesus hung on the cross and evil celebrated triumphantly those three hours were characterized by darkness: “Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.” (Matthew 27:45). The Apostle John contrasted Jesus with the darkness of this world: “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:5). “And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:15). And there you have it-the reason for all this darkness. It provides cover for evil deeds. Jesus-the real Light exposes it all.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “The night is far spent; the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12). He then says this about us Christians; “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13). And: “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day (of the Lord) should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5 4).

Yes, darkness, an evil thick darkness, seems to be slowly enveloping the world much like it did during the days of Noah. It’s prophesied in your bible and will continue to get worse and worse right up to the Day of the Lord ending the great tribulation. As for us we must continue to walk in the light as He is in the light. As we walk more and more in the Spirit, our light will shine brighter and brighter pushing the darkness into oblivion, at least as far as we’re concerned. Let your light shine and you’ll dispel this present darkness.

Maranatha, Jim

If you are a user or subscriber of this blog site eschatontrails.com I want to thank you for connecting and reading information that I’m sure will be helpful to you in navigating our Lord’s plan to wrap up this age. I strive to only post news or scriptural analyses that are as timely and accurate as possible in following Jesus’s command to “watch”. Over the past several years I’ve posted over 300 times on topics relevant to current eschatology. Also, this web site has links to several articles I’ve written in the past on similar topics. I’ve also linked to a book detailing the eschatological chronology of Daniel’s 70th week or the soon coming tribulation. You can access it here: Last Days Events: Sequence and Synchrony: Weinert, J D: 9798858723684: Amazon.com: Books

If any of the above gives you concern or you would like to ask questions, feel free to email me at: jim.weinert@outlook.com I promise to read and respond to any private comment or question you may have regarding what I have published (or any scriptural topic that I have not addressed). Your views and concerns are important to me. I plan to keep on posting as these last days draw nearer and encourage you to include this blog as part of your preparation and watchfulness.

Maranatha, Jim

I’ve blogged before about the fact that Jesus emphasized preaching about His coming kingdom. Gospel of the Kingdom – Jim’s Eschatological Info. I also blogged about the phrase “The kingdom of God is within you”. The Kingdom of God is Within You? – Jim’s Eschatological Info. Some also quote another statement from Jesus interpreting it to mean that His kingdom is not on this earth: “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36). But His use of the word “world” is “kosmos” or the arrangement of the world’s systems. He clearly doesn’t mean that His kingdom won’t be on this planet but that it will not partake in the corrupt systems of the God of this world, Satan. This use of kosmos is demonstrated in 1 John 2:15. “Do not love the world (kosmos) or the things in the world (kosmos). If anyone loves the world (kosmos), the love of the Father is not in him.”

Jesus’s kingdom as clearly defined in both the old and new testaments will be here on this earth, in a refreshed and restored environment. (Acts 3:21). Jesus will be ruling and reigning from Jerusalem, the capital of the world in a kingdom truly from heaven. And we, His faithful followers, will be reigning with Him.

Are you ready for His soon coming earthly reign?

Maranatha, Jim

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). “Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53).

Let’s analyze these Pauline scriptures and, perhaps, speculate a little.

At Jesus’s parousia (glorious second coming) there will be two loud sounds heard by all worldwide: the shout of an archangel and the last trumpet sounded by God Himself. At this sound all who are dead and belong to Christ will be resurrected and stand on the earth. If we are still alive at this point we may be shocked to be standing next to some familiar faces who had died but now live. If that is not astounding enough, we will look up and see our Lord Himself descending on the clouds in the sky. It’s then we will be changed-instantly. We will put on immortality. We will be given a body like those who were just resurrected and similar to our Lords glorious body. With this new body we will now be prepared for the next astounding event. We will rise together along with those from the grave to meet our coming Savior in the air!

We will then be with the Lord forever. Where He is going we’re going. We know from other scriptures such as Zechariah 14:4 that His destination is the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where He will complete His destruction of the evil armies gathered there. We’re going there also. We are going to rule and reign with Him from the Capital of the world, Jerusalem.

These events will mark the culmination of this age and the tribulation while ushering in the 1000 year reign of Christ’s kingdom.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait! What a powerful and exciting time that will be! Are you prepared and ready?

Maranatha, Jim

The apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians about Jesus’s second coming added this: “For when they say, ‘peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

If you’ve been following Israel’s current wars, it’s becoming apparent that her conflicts with Iran and proxies Hisbollah, Hamas, the Houthies, and other local insurgents in Syria and Iraq are winding down. This will likely lead to a period of general peace, at least as it concerns Israel. Could this be the peace Paul was prophecying about? We certainly need to be alert to that possibility.

I believe we are in the time that Jesus called the “beginnings of birth pangs”. Here Paul talks about the onset of full labor pains which I presume to be the 70th week of Daniel, or the tribulation. If these ensuing months result in a time of relative peace for Israel through initiatives such as expanded Abraham Accords, it may be a sign that we are quickly approaching the time of Jacob’s trouble. I also believe this ‘sudden trouble’ is a result of Jesus opening the seven-sealed scroll and the release of the four horsemen of Revelation chapter 6.

Stay tuned-keep watching!

Maranatha, Jim

Jesus told His disciples: “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.” (Matthew 24:43). Jesus’s message to us in this example is clear and simple. The home owner needs to determine what watch of the night the thief was coming so he would be ready and prepared. So, accordingly, we need to determine the season of His coming so that we are ready, unlike the 5 foolish virgins described in the next chapter.

The second Scripture that indicates we are able to discover the season of Jesus’s return is from the Apostle Paul. “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. But you brethren are not in darkness, so that 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.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-5). These verses reinforce what Jesus said above.

The third reference I will provide is from Revelation. “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Revelation 3:3). Again what Jesus said was to recall His teachings and watch and you will know the hour of His coming.

These three Scripture references taken together give us clear message. As far as the world is concerned, Jesus’s coming will be as unexpected and shocking as a thief breaking into your home. But we, if we read, study the prophetic scriptures, and watch, can be ready and prepared by determining the season of His glorious second coming.

Maranatha, Jim