Jim's Eschatological Info

Revelation records “Christmas” as follows: “Now a great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of 12 stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven; behold, a great fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.” (Revelation 12:1-5)

This passage is an obvious reference to Jesus’s birth, Satan’s attempt to kill the newborn Messiah through Herod, His coming reign in His Kingdom, and His ascension to the right hand of His Father.

Interestingly, the constellation Virgo (woman) is “clothed with the sun” thru ought the month of September. (It would be visible in the sky but for the sun during the day). The constellation Coma Berenices (10-14 stars) is then located near her head. Accordingly, the moon is positioned just below her feet at that time. The serpent (dragon), Hydra, runs parallel just below Virgo. According to modern computer astronomy programs, in the centuries around Jesus’s birth the sun was mid body (womb area) in Virgo between September 10th and September 20th. At this time of the year, the moon is directly below her feet during a new moon. A new moon during this time of year is the start of the Jewish month Tishri – the start of a new year – Rosh Hashana. This means Jesus was likely born on the first day of the Jewish new year. More specifically, there is evidence to support a precise date. On September 12, 3 BC, Venus rose up brightly in the middle of Virgo’s head. Jesus referred to Himself as “the bright and morning star” the “offspring of David”.

I’m of the opinion, based on the above, that this date-September 12, 3BC -is likely the actual date of the first Christmas. This date also fits very well with the many other reasons why a December 25th date is unlikely. (Which I won’t go into here).

Maranatha and Merry Christmas, Jim

The Identity of Mystery Babylon referred to by the apostle John in Revelation chapters 17 & 18 continues to be a controversial topic in Christian prophecy circles. Identifying this woman-city is important to us Christians living in the end times; especially as the day of Jesus’s second coming draws near. (For more on the timing of Jesus’s return scroll back to the five previous posts “Discerning the Time” last February and March.). Of course, I have my own opinion of just who MB is. You can access the full article by clicking on the permanent link below entitled “Mystery Babylon”.

While restudying these chapters, I came to a realization about part of verse 23 of chapter 18. “….for your merchants were the great men of the earth….” “Merchants” here means wholesale tradesmen, or businessmen. “Great men” means exceedingly prominent and influential. These are the world’s most prominent and influential businessmen. And,they facilitate her (MB) world trade and economic dominance, obtaining their enormous wealth through her. (Rev. 18:15)

When considering the above and assuming we are in the latter days, a simple observation can be made. Merely go on the internet and print out a list of the 50 most prominent, influential, and wealthy men in the world, and presto, you have a list of who MB controls. Combined with the world’s political leaders in bed with these businessmen (Rev.18:9) and you have the complete scope of her realm. We simply need to identify the drummer(s) they keep time with.

Hopefully, her identity will become obvious, and we’ll be completely free from her when she is destroyed and replaced by the antichrist and his minions. Keep these things in mind as we follow Jesus’s command to watch.

Maranatha, Jim

At this time of the year, we celebrate God’s Son coming to earth in the incarnation. Why did He come? The gospels offer multiple reasons. Listed below are the reasons put forth by the gospel writers. You might be surprised at some of them.

Matthew 5:17 To fulfill the law

Matthew 10:34 To send a sword on the earth

Matthew 10:35-36 To set a man against his father, daughter against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother -in-law

Matthew 18:11 To save that which was lost

Mark 1:38 To preach

Mark 2:17 To call sinners to repentance (also Mt. 9:13 and Luke 5:32)

Mark 10:45 To minister and give His life a ransom for many

Luke 9:56 To save men’s lives

Luke 12:49 To send fire on the earth

Luke 12:51 To bring division

John 1:17 To bring truth and grace

John 3:16 So that none should perish, but have everlasting life

John 6:38 To do the Father’s will

John 6:51,58 To provide living bread to believers

John 9:39 For judgment; that they that see will not see and they which see be made blind

John 10:10 That we might have life and life more abundantly

John 12:46 As a light into the world

John 12:47 To save the world (not to judge)

John 18:37 To bear witness to the truth

Amen. Have a blessed 1st advent celebration. Maranatha- Jim

You may be wondering why so much evil and wickedness seems to be gaining momentum in this world’s systems and our societies. And this at the expense of Christian values we love so dearly. It often appears that wickedness is being rewarded while Godliness is frowned upon and castigated. However, considering the time in which we live, just prior to the emergence of the antichrist, this is to be expected. But, take heart Christian, all this evil is short lived, and will come to a fiery end. The apostle Paul says this in Hebrews 10:30-31, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord….It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. Consider the following scriptures;

“But the heavens and the earth are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2Peter 3:7)

“The Son of man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt.13:41-42)

“His winnowing fan is in His hand and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matt. 3:12)

“So, the Light of Israel will be for a fire, and His Holy One for a flame; it will burn and devour His thorns and briers in one day” (Isaiah 10:17)

“For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots like a whirlwind to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord will be many.” (Isaiah 66:15-16)

“Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; the Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath and the fire shall devour them.” (Psalm 21:8-9)

“For the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts and leave them neither root or branch. But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 4:1-3)

In the early days of Jesus’ kingdom, we’ll literally be walking on the wicked. It’ll take a while for their ashes to disappear. Make no mistake, no matter what it may seem like at present, our Lord will dispense with evil in short order at His coming. Just make sure you’re among those who “fear His name”.

Maranatha, Jim

In a previous post, I recommended another blog that I was certain would give you valuable instruction concerning biblical eschatology and other significant topics. Tim’s latest series of blogs are in the category of “Apostolic Eschatology”, a series of 8 posts beginning with one entitled “Apostolic Eschatology – Chiliasm”, back on November 5th. If you are so interested, these posts may clear up questions you may have about when the physical return of Christ will occur. They are in depth and a valuable resource. I’ll place a link to his blog here and put a permanent link in the list below.

TIMOTHEOS’ BLOG – Attending to reading, exhortation, & doctrine (1 Tim. 4:13) (4windsfellowships.net)

Revelation chapter 13 calls him the 2nd “beast”. The 1st beast (earlier in the chapter) is the antichrist. While the 1st beast comes from the “sea” (most likely gentile nations), this 2nd one comes from the “land” (usually, the nation of Israel). See more on the antichrist’s origin in the previous post. This indicates that the false prophet just may be a Jew. Verse 11 says that he has two horns like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon. The actual word for lamb here is “lambkin”, or a soft cuddly innocent young sheep. This is pure deception, of course, as the words he speaks are those of the dragon, the devil himself. He is the epitome of deception that Jesus warned us about. (Matthew 24:4,24). He is the chief sidekick of the antichrist; “he exercises all the authority of the 1st beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the 1st beast” (Rev.13:12). He is also a consummate magician; “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast….” (Rev.13:13-14) This sign of fire from heaven is reminiscent of the prophet Elijah (1Kings: 18:20-40). As the Jews are looking for the appearance of Elijah just before messiah’s coming, this particular deception may have lots of legs inside the orthodox Jewish community.

As one reads the rest of Revelation 13, it becomes obvious that the primary objective of the false prophet is to exalt the stature of his boss, the antichrist. He becomes the beast’s great facilitator, by overseeing the erection of an image of the beast in the temple area. This is, no doubt, the “abomination of desolation” referred to in Daniel 12:11 and Matthew 24:15. This image will have the technology to act and speak on behalf of the antichrist. The false prophet commands mankind to worship this image (hence the beast and Satan) or be killed. The false prophet is also the driving force behind mandating a mark on the right hand or forehead of everyone so they can participate in the economic system of the beast. As we all know this mark is associated with the name of the antichrist or the number of his name – 666.

Though the world will be deceived by this man, Christians who have a basic understanding of future prophecy will not be. His arrival on the scene will be shortly after the two witnesses complete their ministry. (Scroll back to read the series of posts on the two witnesses; they also can call down fire from heaven on their enemies). When he sets up the AOD, this is the unmistakable sign that Jesus said to watch for that will commence the final 3 1/2 years of great tribulation before His 2nd coming.

Stay Alert. Keep Studying.

Maranatha, Jim

Where is the antichrist going to come from? We need to determine this from the bible so that we can watch for his appearance and avoid his prophesied deceptions. We won’t have any doubts as to his identity once he sets himself up as supreme authority in God’s temple in Jerusalem. (2 Thess. 2:3-4). This will happen half way into Daniel’s 70th week or 3 1/2 years before Jesus’ second coming. However, we should have a good idea of who he is prior to this time due to his activities and character description (which I won’t detail in this post), and also his country of origin. The geographical area he arises from is clearly described in at least three scripture references.

First, Daniel chapter 8 details his vision of a ram and a goat. In verse 8, the goat is split into 4 entities which out of one comes the “little horn”, the antichrist. (Verses 9-12 and 23-25). This goat is identified in verse 21 as Greece (Hebrew-Yavan). Yavan is historically the eastern Ionian coastlands and western Asia minor (currently part of Turkey).

Second, in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, the antichrist is called “Gog” the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. That these chapters describe God’s final wrath being poured out at Armageddon is clear from many verses, not the least of which is: “I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid upon them. So, the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward.” (Ezekiel 39:21-22). This describes Jesus setting up His earthly kingdom after this final battle in Israel between Jesus and the nations assembled there led by the antichrist (Gog). Meshech and Tubal are ancient kingdoms that are encompassed today by modern Turkey. A common mistake is often made concerning verse 15 in chapter 8. “Then you will come from your place in the far north….”. Many interpret “far north” to be as far as Moscow in Russia, but the Hebrew simply means “north quarter”. When looking at a map of the middle east, draw an X through Jerusalem and follow the top “V” to see the area described. Note that it encompasses Syria and Turkey.

Third, the minor prophet Micah writes in the context of Messiah’s coming, that Israel will be delivered from the hand of the “Assyrian”, undoubtably, the antichrist. (Micah 5:5-6). The ancient Assyrian empire consisted primarily of modern- day Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and much of Turkey.

Taken together these scriptures describe a broad area north of Israel as the birthplace of the antichrist. Again, note that these areas are all Islamist. And the preeminent country is Turkey. That’s why I always encourage you to keep an eye on Turkey. The coming of the “lawless one” is just around the corner.

Maranatha, Jim

If you’re a Christian, you can look forward to the resurrection of your body. If you’re alive when Jesus returns, you’ll be changed and renewed in an instant, or, if you’ve passed, resurrected to life from the grave. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Our bodies will be redeemed. (Romans 8:23). But, just what will this new body be like ? The key verses in the bible concerning this are; “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness“ (Psalm 17:15). “….we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2). “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Our resurrection bodies will be similar to Jesus body after His resurrection. They will be truly amazing ! To comprehend what they will be like, we need to look at the accounts of our resurrected Lord. Two disciples (not of the twelve) on the road to Emmaus conversed and dined with Him, not knowing who He was. “He took bread, blessed it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24: 30-31). He simply disappeared ! Twice He appeared to the apostles as they met behind locked doors. (John 20:19 & 20:26). Solid walls were no obstruction to His body ! Yet, His body was physical and could be touched, as the apostles handled His scars from the crucifixion. (John 20:27). He drank and ate solid food with His disciples. (Luke 24:41-43) He said “Behold My hands and feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (Luke 23:39), Note that He mentioned flesh and bone, but not blood. Hebrews states that Jesus entered the heavenly holy of holies carrying His own blood obtaining eternal redemption for all. (Hebrews 9:11-12). Interesting, to say the least. Jesus also appeared at several geographic locations from Jerusalem to Galilee without journeying afoot, but instantly. At His ascension, He physically rose up into a cloud out of the apostles sight, defying gravity. (Acts 1:9)

Jesus had a body that could travel anywhere instantly. Solid objects were not a barrier. He could move in and out of the spirit realm at will. Physical laws such as gravity did not apply to Him. Yet, He could be touched and held onto and enjoy a meal as we currently do. On top of all that, His resurrected body is immortal! In this body He is currently sitting at the Father’s right hand on His Father’s throne. That’s the kind of body we’re getting. That should get you excited. What a future we have !

You might be wondering what you will look like in your resurrection body. In His post-resurrection appearances, Jesus seemed somewhat different, but recognizable. We will probably have a similar experience. Our loved ones will know us. If we are quite old or decrepit or physically deformed in this life, we will probably be restored to a healthy vital age such as early thirties. After all, if we are to be like Jesus, He was in His early thirties when He was crucified. This is, of course just my opinion, as there is no supporting scripture.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the freedom my new body will give me after Jesus comes and resurrects this ole flesh.

Maranatha, Jim

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, I’m sure you’re aware of the world going to ‘hell in a handbasket’. The political, social, and moral decay is accelerating in our day. Evil is getting more openly evil and prospering to the dismay of real Christians who are seeing more persecution and isolation than ever before. What’s a Christian to do ? We seem to spend a lot of time grousing about this with our friends who are like-minded with us. But this is non-productive as far as combatting the evil trends expanding all around us. We’re simply preaching to the choir. While this may portend eschatological fulfillment leading to the antichrist, we do not have to sit idly by. In fact, we do not have to merely defend our stance as Christians, but have a whole arsenal of offensive weapons at our disposal. It’s time we use them !

First, we must recognize our enemy; “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Second, we must dress appropriately. “….let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans:13:12), “….the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left” (2 Cor.6:7), “….having girded your waist with truth….the breastplate of righteousness….shod you feet with the gospel of peace…. and the shield of faith….and take the helmet of salvation.” (Ephesians 6:14-16) Properly clothed, we can then take up “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) This “Word of God” is the most powerful thing in the universe; and we have it at our disposal ! The apostle Paul adds this about our warfare “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God….” (2Cor. 10:3-5) Yes, our weapons are mighty (all powerful) in busting up the strongholds the world has erected against us. Mighty in God ! We Christians hold all the cards. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the World ! (1John 4:4) We need not be intimidated by what the world is doing. While things may seem impossible to combat at times, think of David and his battle with Goliath. No problem. Just an uncircumcised Philistine. He simply rested in the fact that the “battle is the Lords”. Much of our warfare is to be fought on our knees. James, our Lords brother, said this; “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)

Saints, we need to draw our swords and mount a united offensive against the strongholds of this world. Remember, “.…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him…” (Romans 8:37)

Maranatha, Jim