The Ministry of Night and Day Intercession Before the Coming of the Lord

August 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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The Ministry of Night and Day Intercession Before the Coming of the Lord

I.    HEARING ONE OF JESUS’ STRONGEST APPEALS IN SCRIPTURE

A.    In the Gospels and in the book of Revelation we find Jesus’ repetitious use of a particular phrase:

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches… (Rev. 2:7; 11; 17; 29; 3:6; 13; 22)

B.    The central truths of the Gospel never change. But specific word of the Lord from generation to generation changes quite dramatically. We never graduate from the main and plain truths of the Gospel nor do we cease laboring to emphasize them as such. But it must be understood that there are transitional moments of history in which the Holy Spirit emphasizes unique and particular messages specific to that hour.

C.    For example, in Matthew 11:15 Jesus beckoned that generation to hear what the Spirit was emphasizing through Jesus and John the Baptist. Matthew chapter 11 addresses a generation that by and large failed to discern and heed that message. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Fasting, Intimacy, Ministry, Missions, Most Recent, Prayer, Preaching, Prophetic Ministry, Second Coming, Worship

Earthquakes and the End of the Age – Why We’re at the Beginning of the Beginning

August 25, 2011 By 2 Comments

As everyone is well aware this year has seen quite a bit of seismic activity globally. Some people argue that it’s a sign of the times and that we’re approaching the close of this Age. They look to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:4-8 embracing the idea that the “birth pains” and the “beginning of sorrows” before the time of the “end of the Age and [Jesus'] return” (24:3) include “earthquakes in various places.” They anticipate a crescendo of sorts whereby devastating seismic activity will progressively increase in frequency and intensity. I am among them.

Others reject this “ridiculous apocalyptic thinking” saying that earthquakes have always been a consistent historical reality (a valid point). As a result they scoff at those who see these things as signs of Jesus’ soon return arguing that nowhere in the Bible are there prophecies of increasing seismic activity but only “earthquakes in various places;” as there have always been. They deny the crescendo effect. And they deny the legitimacy of the category of “signs of the times” (not valid points).

From a scientific standpoint, the recent earthquakes aren’t startling. The USGS says: “Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant throughout this century and, according to our records, have actually seemed to decrease in recent years.” [1] While this isn’t a unanimous sentiment, it surely does reflect the majority of the scientific community who openly mock the idea of the return of Jesus (let alone earthquakes as signs of the times).

From a misguided theological standpoint, earthquakes won’t be intensifying, nor are they a sign of the times. Gary DeMar writes: “Jesus simply says that “in various places there will be famines and earthquakes” (24:7). He says nothing about an increase in their number. Luke writes, “there will be great earthquakes” (Luke 21:11). Jesus was describing signs that led up to the destruction of the temple that would take place before that first-century generation passed away (Matt. 24:33-34). Like famines (Acts 11:28), “great earthquakes” are part of the biblical historical record.” [2] DeMar is a vigorous proponent of what is called Preterism; the idea that Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2, the book of Revelation, and all of the eschatological prophecies in the Bible refer not to the end of THE Age, but to the end the JEWISH Age in AD 70 when Rome sacked Jerusalem. For these poor souls the “end has already come.” Unfortunately this nonsensical position has gained considerable support in the last few decades as theological heavyweights such as R.C. Sproul, NT Wright, Sam Storms, and others (like emergent leaders Rob Bell and Brian MacLaren) have given well thought out and articulate outlines of what they believe to be an undeniable doctrinal reality.

In light of this contention that because earthquakes have always been constant they will not increase before the return of the Lord I wanted to make mention of a few Biblical realities that warrant our attention.

THE PROMINENCE OF EARTHQUAKES IN ESCHATOLOGICAL PROPHECY

While Jesus [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Isaiah, Israel, Jerusalem, Judgment, Millennial Kingdom, Most Recent, Recommended, Second Coming, Zechariah

1 – Introduction to John the Baptist’s Ministry as a Forerunner

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

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I.    THE FORERUNNER MINISTRY

A.    Human history is a succession of transitional generations. Throughout the centuries–from the creation of the cosmos to the exile from the Garden, from the calling of Abraham to the exaltation of Joseph, from the flood to the Exodus, from the drought in the days of Elijah to the deportation of the days of Jeremiah, and from the days of Anna, Simeon, and John the Baptist to the days of Peter, Philip, and Paul–we see that transitional generations are like hinges upon which the door of redemption and judgment swings.

B.    And in every generation that witnesses such monumental transitions as those mentioned above we observe what we refer to as the forerunner ministry. The forerunner ministry is a prophetic and pastoral ministry that is intended by God to prepare people for the unique dynamics of the transition specific to a particular generation. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Forerunner Ministry, John the Baptist, Most Recent, Prayer, Preaching, Prophetic Ministry, Recommended, Second Coming, The Incandescent Man

Paul’s Teaching on the End-Times in 2 Thessalonians 2 – Ten Foundational Truths

August 15, 2011 By

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Filed Under: 2 Thessalonians, Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Forerunner Ministry, Judgment, Knowledge of God, Ministry, Most Recent, Prayer, Prophetic Ministry, Rapture, Recommended, Salvation, Second Coming, Spiritual Warfare

The Full Length Trailer for My Book

August 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’m stoked to announce the release of the Full Length Trailer for my book “The Controversy of Zion and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble: The Final Suffering and Salvation of the Jewish People.”

If you’d like to help stir up awareness about these critical issues and help us promote the book we’d be delighted if you’d repost it.

A big “Thank You” to the talented Nathan Buchanan for creating such a beautiful video.

* If you’re receiving this blog by email, click on the link to watch the video.

Filed Under: Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Islam, Israel, Jerusalem, Most Recent, Politics, Prayer, Preaching, Prophetic Ministry, Recommended, Second Coming, Video

Understanding Daniel 10-12: The Content and Scope of the Prophecy

March 26, 2011 By

Daniel chapters 10-12 detail the fifth and last of a series of visions given to Daniel (the others can be found in chapters 2, 7, 8 and 9). These three chapters must be read and understood together as one unified message. It is the most detailed vision of the five containing an unusual amount of  prophetic information. It’s one of the most important sections of Scripture in the Bible pertaining to the generation of the Lord’s return. It is the passage Jesus repeatedly quoted verbatim in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24-25 answering the disciples question about the “signs” of the “end of the age” and Jesus’ “return.” In fact, in Matthew 24:15 Jesus commands us to study this vision to “understand” its message saying: “let the reader understand.” We must read, and we must understand.

THE CONTENT OF THE PROPHECY

This final vision was given to Daniel in the third year of Persian King Cyrus. Daniel frames the 3 chapter revelatory experience in 10:1 saying:

“And the word was true, and it was about a great conflict. And [I] understood the word and had understanding of the vision.” [a phrase that Jesus was echoing in Matthew 24:15 when he commanded us to understand as well]

Daniel explains that “in those days” he was fasting for “three weeks” (10:2) when one “in the likeness of a man” (an angel, as in the past visions) comes to him. The angel explains to Daniel why he has come and the content of the message he was delivering:

“….[I] came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” (Daniel 10:14)

This phrase “the latter days” has provoked centuries of debate. There are two perspectives: those that believe “latter days” is a figure of speech that has its ultimate fulfillment in history past, and those that believe “latter days” is a straightforward expression referring to the end of this present age; the climactic hour in which the prophets called “the Day of the Lord.” There are those who see Daniel 10-12 as having been fulfilled in history and those who see Daniel 10-12 as having partial and limited fulfillment in history but a complete fulfillment at the end of the age in the generation of the return of the Lord. I embrace the latter. For a number of reasons.

But before we consider the scope of the prophecy, let us be clear about its content: it refers to a “great conflict.” Some translations render the word “war.” The focal point of the vision is crisis. In 12:1 the angel opts for another word, “trouble.” We’ll look at this in more detail later.

THE SCOPE OF THE PROPHECY

Chapter 10 contains no prophetic (‘predictive’) information (apart from a brief reference to Greece). It details Daniel’s encounter with the angel and  information pertaining to that hour of history: the recent fall of Babylon, the present rise of Persia and the future emergence of Greece. The prophetic information about the future begins in chapter 11 and continues until the end of chapter 12. The first thing the angel tells Daniel is in 11:2 saying:

“And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.” (Daniel 11:2)

So from the outset, with the mention of the Persian and Greek Empires we see that the prophecy is firmly established in ancient history (which to Daniel would still have been the future). But what’s astounding is that the prophecy concludes with (1) a time of unequaled trouble, (2) the long awaited deliverance of Daniel’s people, the Jews and (3) the resurrection of the righteous; all of which are to take place at “the time of the end” (a phrase found no less than 8 times in the vision; Daniel 11:36, 40, 46; 12:4, 7, 9, 11, 13). What begins with geopolitical events involving Persia and Greece in ancient history even before the first coming of Jesus climaxes with a cataclysmic “conflict” described as “the time of the end;” not of merely a dispensation or season of history, but of the end of the age which includes even the resurrection of the dead.

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end….” (Daniel 12:1-4)

These three events mentioned here constitute the foundational elements of Biblical eschatology: unequaled trouble, deliverance of the Jews and the resurrection of the righteous (the “many”). These prophetic realities emerge time and time again in the writing of the prophets and apostles – including Jesus’ teaching on “the end of the age” in Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13.

The prophecy of Daniel 10-12 takes us from Daniel’s own generation all the way to the resurrection of the dead in the generation of the return of the Lord. This is critically important to understand.

For those of us in the 21st century, it forces us to ask “Where is the break between antiquity and the future?” That is, what events in Daniel 10-12 belong to history and what events belong to eschatology? What should be studied and learned from, and what are we to anticipate and prepare for? After all, if this prophecy of Daniel 10-12 was intended to be the primary reference point (which I believe it is) for those discerning the “signs” of the “end of the age” (Matthew 24:3; 15), then it’s important we understand it. According to Jesus, our obedience to Him in the generation of His return is largely contingent upon it.

In the next installment we’ll turn out attention to “the time of the end” and seek to answer these questions.

Filed Under: Blog, Daniel, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Exegetical, Israel, Most Recent, Second Coming

Understanding the Future Age-Ending Time of Unequaled Tribulation and the Foolishness of Preterism

March 24, 2011 By

FOUR MONUMENTAL PROPHETIC EVENTS

In Matthew 24 Jesus explained “the signs” of both “the end of the age” and of His “return;” this came in response to His previous statement to the disciples that the Temple would be destroyed. To the Jew, the desolation of the Temple was synonymous with “the end of the age” and the coming of the Messiah (an hour of history referred to in the Hebrew Scripture as “the Day of the Lord”).

Jesus explained the precipitous trends and events that would signal the nearness of His return in 24:4-14. And then in 24:15-31 he describes a timeframe of horrendous upheaval that He called “a time of tribulation such has never been nor ever shall be.” He explained how this “time of tribulation” would commence (24:15-16) and how it would conclude (24:29-31). In this article I want to show how important the information contained in 24:29-31 is and why you should understand it – especially in light of the various perspectives on Biblical prophecy.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

Jesus describes four events that we need to understand:

  1. The tribulation of those days – v. 29a
  2. Cosmic disturbance – v. 29b
  3. Jesus comes on the clouds in power and great glory visible by all the earth – v. 30
  4. Angels gather the elect with a loud trumpet – v. 31

These four events bring this present age to a close. They unfold chronologically (which decisively destroys the theory of a pre-tribulational rapture). They are intended to be understood as literally as 24:15-28. And they occur “after the tribulation.” But not just any tribulation; the tribulation of “those days.” The phrase “those days” is critical. Jesus is connecting these great climactic events in 24:29-31 with the “time of great tribulation” explained in 25:15-28. These events explained in 24:15-31 are inextricably linked to one another in their appointed hour of fulfillment. They constitute “the end of the age.” They comprise what the prophets referred to as “the Day of the Lord” and what the apostles would call “the Day of God.” This is the very climax and consummation of history before the inauguration of the next age; the time of which Peter called “the restoration of all things” in Acts 3:21.

WHY IS MATTHEW 24:29-31 IMPORTANT?

Many believe that Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 24 was intended to describe the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD (they’re called “Preterists”). They say the “birth pains” of 24:4-14 (including the false prophets, earthquakes and global Gospel proclamation) and the “abomination of desolation” that ignites the “time of great tribulation” of 24:15-28 were fulfilled in the generation of the apostles. They argue that Jesus’ description of His triumphal coming on the clouds was merely metaphorical. To say it succinctly: These are metaphors for events fulfilled in the first century AD. [1]

For example, world renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright argues that:

“When Jewish writers spoke of the sun and moon being darkened; when they spoke of angels gathering people from the four winds of heaven; when, in particular, they spoke of a Son of Man who would come on the clouds of heaven – in each of these cases they were using language in this metaphorical way. It is flagrantly absurd to think that Jesus, in saying that sort of thing, envisaged himself of anyone else literally flying around in mid-air on an actual cloud” (Who Was Jesus? pg. 55).

“…the ‘coming of the son of man’ does not refer to the [second coming] in the modern scholarly, and popular, sense of a human figure travelling downwards towards the earth on actual clouds…The ‘coming of the son of man’ is thus good first-century metaphorical language….” (Jesus and the Victory of God; pg. 359-60).

Theologian Sam Storms writes:

“Although this entire present age intervening between the first and second comings of Christ is one of tribulation, trial and distress, the so-called Great Tribulation mentioned in [Matthew 24] v. 21 (and described in vv. 15-28; and perhaps also in vv. 29-31) has already come and gone. It is to be identified with the siege on Jerusalem during the years 66-70 a.d., which culminated in the destruction of the city and its Temple by the armies of Rome (the latter being the “abomination of desolation” referred to in v. 15). Thus “The Great Tribulation” of Mt. 24:21 (called “days of vengeance” in Lk. 21:22 and “days of affliction” in Mk. 13:19) is not a future event but an established fact of past history.” (from, Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse Part 1)

“This “coming” [described in Matthew 24:29-31] is not a visible, physical appearance by which Jesus returns to earth (although that will most assuredly occur at the end of history). Rather, they [Israel] will “see” him in the sense that they will “understand”, i.e., spiritually perceive that he is the vindicated and enthroned King.” (from, Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse Part 3)

J.S. Russell, in his monumental book “Parousia” from which this perspective spawned wrote:

“We are compelled, therefore, by all these considerations, and chiefly by regard for the authority of Him whose word cannot be broken, to conclude that the Parousia, or second coming of Christ, with its connected and concomitant events, did take place, according to the Saviour’s own prediction, at the period when Jerusalem was destroyed, and before the passing away of ‘that generation’” (The Parousia, [2nd. ed. 1887], 549).

Theologian Kenneth Gentry writes:

“This [passages in Matthew 24:29-31] actually refers to Jesus’ ascension [not his second advent]. In the destruction of the temple, the rejected Christ is vindicated as the ascended Lord and shown to possess great power and glory.”

Brian MacLaren states that:

“…[viewing Matthew 24 as a timeframe in the future is an] eschatology of abandonment….[that] has disastrous social consequences….on issues like…ecology, poverty, sexuality, etc.” (from, Preterist Planet interview)

The problems with this perspective abound. Let me point out two: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Daniel, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Exegetical, Matthew, Most Recent, Recommended, Second Coming

10 Stages of Trends and Events that Will Unfold in the Middle East in the Future

March 22, 2011 By

Over the past few months Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Bahrain have seen dramatic protests, riots, revolts and revolution. Now, as of this week, Yemen and Syria are being sucked into the vortex. Leaders of other nations like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon are pushing back against similar uprisings. Meanwhile, this past Tuesday, the Israel Navy seized a cargo vessel in the Mediterranean Sea that was carrying advanced weaponry from Syria bound for the Gaza Strip – 50 tons of it.

This social convulsion in the Middle East is one of the most significant unfolding of events in recent history. I have no doubt that this season of unrest will significantly contribute to the dramatic changing of the sociopolitical landscape necessary to set the international stage for the age-ending “battle” for Jerusalem (Zech. 14:1-3; Joel 3:2-3; etc.) of which the prophets spoke, the apostles looked and our children will witness.

Below are 10 distinct stages of trends and events that will unfold in the Middle East in the future; all of which revolve around the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. Some are general trends and some are specific events. Some are taking place now and some will take place after the Lord returns.

Stage 1: The current political landscape of the Middle East will continue to deteriorate as violence escalates – especially as it pertains to Israel. The recent protests and revolts [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Daniel, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Isaiah, Israel, Joel, Judgment, Millennial Kingdom, Most Recent, Prophetic Ministry, Recommended, Second Coming, Zechariah

Seven Reasons Why We Should Read Matthew 24-25 as A Prophecy About the Future and Not a Description of the Past

March 14, 2011 By

[Download the article here in PDF format]

As one who teaches the subject of eschatology (‘the study of the end-times’) to young adults on a regular basis I treasure Matthew chapters 24-25. These two chapters contain Jesus’ personal teaching to twelve young people who were confused about the subject of “the end of the age” and His second coming. These chapters are one sermon aimed at answering this primary question: “Tell us, when will [the destruction of Jerusalem] be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

Unfortunately, it has become quite popular these days to read these chapters as history and not as prophecy. Many argue that the events described in them have already taken place. They believe that the Roman-led destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD was the fulfillment of these chapters and that Jesus was speaking metaphorically when referring to unprecedented global and cosmic disturbance. As a result they don’t foresee a future hour of tribulation erupting from the ancient city of Jerusalem. Nor do they anticipate the future fulfillment of most of the trends and events contained within the chapter. They affirm the reality of the return of Jesus but challenge the legitimacy of extracting Biblical teaching about it from these two chapters.

One of the most prominent and articulate advocates of this approach to Matthew 24-25 (and Biblical eschatology in general) is N.T. Wright. He says that the apocalyptic language used by Jesus was merely “an elaborate metaphor-system” (Jesus and the Victory of God; pg. 96) arguing that those who anticipate an end-time fulfillment of these chapters “seem clearly to be looking for a let-out, a way of focusing not on what the passage refers to [history] but on something else [the end of the age]” (Jesus and the Restoration of Israel; pg 265-266).

In reference to Jesus’ description of His return in 24:29-31 Wright says:

“When Jewish writers spoke of the sun and moon being darkened; when they spoke of angels gathering people from the four winds of heaven; when, in particular, they spoke of a Son of Man who would come on the clouds of heaven – in each of these cases they were using language in this metaphorical way. It is flagrantly absurd to think that Jesus, in saying that sort of thing, envisaged himself of anyone else literally flying around in mid-air on an actual cloud” (Who Was Jesus? pg. 55).

“…the ‘coming of the son of man’ does not refer to the [second coming] in the modern scholarly, and popular, sense of a human figure travelling downwards towards the earth on actual clouds…The ‘coming of the son of man’ is thus good first-century metaphorical language….” (Jesus and the Victory of God; pg. 359-60).

Wright’s statements well represent the growing sentiment of many Christians in the West; which is nothing short of the distortion of Biblical truth and an erroneous worldview with serious consequences.

Below are seven reasons why we should read and proclaim Matthew 24-25 as prophecy about the future and not as a historical description about the past. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, End-Times, Eschatology/End-Times, Matthew, Most Recent, Second Coming

How Are We Supposed to Discern the Signs of the Times When Jesus Said “No One Knows” the Day or Hour of His Return?

December 13, 2010 By

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Filed Under: Article/Essay, Eschatology/End-Times, Most Recent, Question & Answer, Second Coming, Topical, Writing
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