Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #12 - Part 88 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together in this series, 483 years had passed since King Cyrus had released the Israelites to rebuild Jerusalem and Solomon's temple.  After Jesus was anointed for ministry in 26 A.D. He reprimanded the religious leaders for making His Father's house a house of merchandise.  They wanted a sign from Him.

He told the religious leaders...destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.  The religious leaders countered...it has taken 46 years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?...John 2:19-20.  Why would they say the temple took 46 years to build - meaning the last 46 years - when history records how the temple took 7 years to rebuild - completed about 435 B.C.?

In order to correctly define the events of Daniel's 70th week the following historical documentation is pertinent.

Herod the Great, the Roman who ruled over Israel when Jesus was born, didn't like the rebuilt temple of long ago because Solomon's original dimensions were not followed - it was too small and not tall enough.  In order to ingratiate himself with the Jewish people, who despised him, in 20 B.C. Herod launched a grandiose reconstruction project to enlarge the temple and improve its appearance - eventually rebuilding the streets and the wall.  It is this remodeled temple the religious leaders are referring to when they mocked Jesus.

Herod died in 4 B.C. the year after Jesus was born without finishing his reconstruction project - the streets and the wall still needed reconstruction...Dan. 9:25.  As we continue our research we will find that the streets and the wall will be reconstructed during Daniel's 70th week - but I am ahead of myself.

Forty-six years after 20 B.C., the beginning of Herod's reconstruction project, brings us to 26 A.D. when Jesus was telling the religious leaders how His temple would be destroyed in three days.  They did not understand that He was referring to His own body as the temple of God whom they would destroy by crucifixion, and God would raise up three days later.

After Jesus Christ was rejected by Israel and crucified in 30 A.D., God in His infinite mercy allowed the Jewish people 40 more years to change their mind about Jesus as their Messiah, and repent, before retribution was exacted upon their nation.  Their temple rituals and animal sacrifices continued after Jesus Christ became the supreme sacrifice for their sins, just as they had for centuries - nothing changed in their hearts and minds.

God could not force these religious leaders to accept His Son as their Messiah - the final blood sacrifice for their sins - but He will mandate the cessation of the animal sacrifice which became a stench in His nostrils.  He will stop the animal sacrifice for sins in the 70th week of Daniel's vision.

Long ago in 1533 B.C., the Israelites were miraculously delivered out of the idolatrous nation of Egypt.  After experiencing many miraculous interventions by God, many still rebelled against Moses and God by returning to idol worship. For punishment they wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years, until the idolaters died, and the remaining people were humbled enough to surrender their allegiance to God alone.

Centuries later, after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, God allowed Israel 40 years to repent.  In this era, He was giving them ample opportunity to hear the witnessing of His apostles, who confirmed the gospel of salvation with signs and wonders, proving that Jesus Christ was their Messiah.  Why 40 years in both of these historical events?

The number 40 symbolizes a probationary period of testing during the Wilderness experience. Another probationary period of 40 years was provided for Israel after the death of Jesus - a final opportunity to seek salvation, separation, and consecration to Him through Jesus Christ before the Wrath of the Lamb descends upon Jerusalem during Daniel's 70th week edict - fulfilled in 70 A.D.

Part of Daniel 9:25 has been fulfilled...and thou shalt know and understand that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building  of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks.  The last portion of this prophecy will begin to be fulfilled during the 40 year probationary period of time...and then the time shall return and the street shall be built, and the wall, and the times shall be exhausted.

What does "time" shall return and "times" exhausted mean?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #11 - Part 87 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together we began to dissect the instructions that the angel Gabriel gave to Daniel in 9:25...thou shalt know and understand that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks.  I asked, "What actual dates comprise this period of time?"

The dates I use in my blog are obtained from "The Wonders of Bible Chronology" by Philip Mauro, published in 1922.  This reference book is a summarized version of "The Romance of Bible Chronology" by Dr. Martin Anstey of London, published in 1913. This is a two-volume extensive chronology based entirely upon statements from scripture alone.  Modern dates for Bible events are derived from many outside sources.

In blogs #9-10, we explained how Christ the Prince fulfilled the 62 weeks portion of Daniel 9:25. God's command for the building of Jerusalem to Christ the Prince was 459 B.C. to 26 A.D. (His anointing).  This time period would fulfill seven weeks and sixty-two weeks of the edict (judgment).

In 457 B.C., two years after Daniel received the vision, they were released from captivity...but in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God...Ezra 5:13.  In 456 B.C. the building of the second temple began in Jerusalem.

While still in captivity in Babylon, Daniel and his people experienced the demise of King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the Babylonian Empire, and the eventual rise of the renown Persian Empire with King Cyrus at the helm. The first year of King Cyrus' reign concluded the seventy years of captivity for the Jewish people.

King Cyrus providentially found and read a book of prophecies left behind by the prophet Isaiah.  In this book, he found one prophecy written 150 years before Solomon's temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar, taking the people of Israel captive to Babylon.  Isaiah revealed in his book how this prophecy was spoken to him in a secret vision.  What did the prophecy say?

My will is that Cyrus, whom I have appointed to be king over many and great nations, will send back My people to their own land and build My temple...Isaiah the Prophet.  King Cyrus was astounded by the divine directive in this ancient prophecy naming him, a pagan ruler, to release the Jewish captives to go home and rebuild their temple at Jerusalem.  Propelled by the accuracy of this ancient prophecy, he immediately began a plan of repatriation of the Jews to their homeland.

King Cyrus sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom to all of Asia --  Thus saith Cyrus the King:  Since God Almighty hath appointed me to be king of the habitable earth, I believe that He is that God which the nation of the Israelites worship; for indeed He foretold my name by the prophets, and I should build Him a house at Jerusalem, in the country of Judea.

During the first decree of Daniel's vision - seven weeks - Solomon's temple at Jerusalem was rebuilt...from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem...shall be seven weeks...Dan. 9:25.

Altogether, from the time of the command to rebuild Jerusalem, it took 70 years to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, including the 7 years to rebuild the temple - same amount of time they were held captive in Babylon. Because of their repentance, humbling themselves before God, God was merciful and restored their lost 70 years. 

The first decree of seven weeks was now fulfilled, restoring the seven-times blood sacrifice offered by the Priest in the Holy of Holies.  Seven weeks is a religious decree of specific significance to the Israelites regarding sin, resulting in immeasurable forgiveness. 

By 26 A.D. - the anointing of Christ the Prince - Jesus was baptized for ministry and 483 years had passed since King Cyrus's command to rebuild Jerusalem.  By 30 A.D., the death of Jesus Christ fulfilled the sixty-two week edict - resulting in immeasurable vengeance. Does God's immeasurable vengeance on Israel take place during the one week edict - 70th week of Daniel's vision?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #10- Part 86 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

In blog #9 of this series we began to dissect Daniel's vision of 70 x 7 weeks -- Seventy years have been determined upon thy people and upon your holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out the iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy...Dan. 9:24.  We found five objectives in this verse that only Jesus Christ can fulfill. We itemized those objectives, defining the first 3 in the last blog.

The fourth objective in this edict is to seal the vision and the prophet.  The word prophet means a God-inspired, or God-anointed human being. Besides Daniel, there were many other prophets who prophesied the birth, death, and resurrection of the Messiah.

The word seal in this reference means:  to make an end to.  But make an end to what?  The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ would fulfill all prophecies regarding His arrival to earth.  At His anointing (including His death), Jesus will seal - make an end to - the 62 week edict of Daniel's prophecy.  Jesus fulfilled - made an end to - all prophecies regarding His birth, death and resurrection.

The fifth objective to be fulfilled is to anoint the Most Holy.  The word anoint means:  to rub with oil. In the days of ancient Israel there was an anointing that came with the office of a king, priest, or prophet.  God would send His messenger who would pour oil on the head of the person He had called to a specific office.  The oil symbolized that the power and authority of God was upon this individuals life.  This act assured the person that God's anointing was upon him to fulfill his calling.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him...Acts 10:38.  At the public baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan, God sent the Holy Spirit - in the form of a dove - to rest upon Him, symbolizing that God's power and authority was upon Him to fulfill His calling...Matt: 16-17.

Before His death, while He ate in the home of a Pharisee, a sinner wept as she poured oil on Jesus, prompting Him to say to the Pharisee...you did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil...therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much...but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little...Luke 7:46-47.

Christ means:  Anointed One.  After God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost, Jesus became the Christ - the Anointed One.  This title explains how God was with Him to do good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.  Jesus Christ is the one who fulfilled the 5th objective in Dan. 9:24 - Anoint the Most Holy.

God not only sent His Son to the earth to save men from their sins, but to be a hand-on, in-the-flesh personal representative of God's immeasurable and unconditional love and mercy...I Tim. 3:16.  We know this to be true, because Jesus said...he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me...John 12:45.  This leaves us with the question, "Now that God has gone to such great lengths to prove to mankind of His existence, forgiveness, and mercy will we finally surrender our total allegiance to Him?

The next verse in Daniel's 70-week vision is Daniel 9:25 where the angel Gabriel tells Daniel...thou shalt know and understand that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks. 

Gabriel is explaining the span of "real time" that must take place before the fulfillment of the edicts measured by 7 weeks and 62 weeks will be accomplished.  These weeks do not measure a sequential period of time, but rather measure 70 ecclesiastical years (judgments) on the Jewish people for their faithlessness - immeasurable vengeance or immeasurable forgiveness - their choice. 

What actual dates comprise this period of time?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #9 - Part 85 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

 

In the previous 8 parts of this series we laid out the documented history of the modern end-time doctrine espoused by your denomination.  We have also given the historical meaning of the metaphor 70 x 7.  Now we are ready to dissect Daniel's vision of 70 x 7 weeks. I will quote from the Septuagint Bible - Greek translation of the Old Testament - the words that Gabriel spoke to Daniel.

 

Seventy years have been determined upon thy people and upon your holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out the iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy...Dan. 9:24.

 

Outlined in this first portion of the vision are five objectives that only Jesus Christ can fulfill.  What are the objectives?

 

1.    To seal up transgressions - sin to be ended

2.    Blot out iniquities - make atonement

3.    Bring in everlasting righteousness

4.    Seal the vision and the prophet

5.    Anoint the Most Holy

 

Remember, the 70 week ecclesiastical indictment (edict) upon Israel is divided into three measurements:  7 weeks, 62 weeks and 1 week.  The portion of the vision that we will begin to study at this time will be accomplished during the 62 weeks edict.

 

The first objective in this edict is for sin to be ended...and to seal up transgressions.  The word seal in the Hebrew language is hatam meaning:  make an end to.  Jesus Christ is the only one who can make an end to transgressions - sin to be ended.  To seal up transgressions means to make an end to the deadly consequences of the original sin of Adam and Eve - only the blood of Jesus Christ could accomplish this.

 

The transgression of Adam and Eve separated human beings from their loving Creator causing them to be dead in trespasses and sins. The wages of sin is death - someone had to pay for the sin of Adam and Eve.  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead...for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive...I Cor. 15:21-22.  But only an unblemished - sinless - sacrifice could be accepted by God to pay for the transgression of Adam and Eve.  The blood of Jesus Christ paid the ransom price of death - to redeem men from the consequences of sin.

 

The second objective in this edict blot out iniquities...make atonement for iniquities can only be accomplished by Jesus Christ  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God...Heb. 10:12.  The ritual of offering the blood of unblemished animals for centuries for the sins of mankind could only temporarily cover sins - only the unblemished sacrifice of Jesus Christ could blot out sins forever!

 

The third objective in this edict bring in everlasting righteousness can only be accomplished by Jesus Christ.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things shall be added to you...Matt. 6:33. The word kingdom in the original Greek language is basileia meaning:  royalty; foundation of power.  In this text Jesus is urging His listeners to hunger for and desire God alone - not the things of the world - because He is the only way to enter His royal foundation of power - Heaven.  Once we do that He will supply these things to meet the needs of our earthly life.

 

The word righteousness in the original Greek language is dikaosunne meaning:  equity of character or action -- just, innocent, holy.  Repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior provides intimacy with God - and the character of Christ. Old things have passed away, all things have become new, because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ imparted to the repentant human being.  Because of His birth, death, and resurrection, Jesus Christ would bring in everlasting righteousness.

 

The fourth objective in this edict accomplished by Jesus Christ is to seal the vision and the prophet.  The word prophet means a God-inspired, or God-anointed human being. Besides Daniel, there were many other prophets who prophesied the birth, death, and resurrection of the Messiah.

 

The word seal in this sentence also means:  to make an end to. The question is "make an end to what?"  Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 

 

 





Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #8 - Part 84 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

This study on Daniel's 70 x 7 vision is intended to demystify the true meaning of the numbers. For decades Christians have heard only one interpretation of Daniel's vision, which is not supported by the historical evidence. So the historical evidence provided in this series should peak the interest of a true seeker, who wants to understand the message given to Daniel by the angel Gabriel, and how it was intended for the Jewish people - all 70 x 7 weeks fulfilled by 70 A.D.

When we were last together we began to research what Moses and Jesus had to say about 70 x 7, and how this relates to Daniel's 70 x 7 vision - Genesis chapter 4. Since we extensively outlined what Moses had to say, this week we will research how Jesus used the common metaphor 70 x 7, and how it relates to Daniel's vision.

In Series #5-6 we explained the meaning of Daniel's 70 x 7 vision in detail as an ecclesiastical indictment upon Israel - a judgment on sin. In our research into what Moses said about 70 x 7 we found that 70 x 7 implies immeasurable vengeance on sin.

Our second reference in the Bible that refers to 70 x 7 is from the lips of Jesus Christ, which will help us solve the mystery of this common ancient metaphor. In this reference we find a conversation between the Apostle Peter and Jesus, where they are discussing the matter of forgiveness. Peter wanted to know if he should forgive seven times if someone sins against him.  Jesus answered saying...I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven...Matt. 18:22.

As in our Genesis reference, we can see that seven times implies measured or limited forgiveness. But Jesus uses the metaphor 70 x 7 to define the forgiveness He personifies - immeasurable. This decree He will sign with His own blood. His blood covenant of immeasurable forgiveness, defined by His death and resurrection, would supersede God's covenant with Moses in the Old Testament. When Moses instituted the blood of animals to atone for the sins of mankind, forgiveness was measured. How do we know?

In those days, a sin offering was characterized by sprinkling the blood of an unblemished animal in front of the veil of the sanctuary, where the presence of God dwelled. This blood was offered for atonement for the sins of the people - sprinkled by the priest seven times. Seven times symbolized that measured forgiveness was received from the Lord. Animal blood temporarily covered the sins of mankind, yet leaving the sinner with the fear of death.

When the sinless Lamb of God died for the sins of mankind, He took away the fear of death when He shed His blood for the sins of mankind.  If a sinner repents of their sins and receives Jesus Christ as his Savior, he becomes a new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new. Jesus provided 70 x 7 forgiveness - immeasurable forgiveness forever.

Since numbers are used in Daniel's vision, there is a natural inclination to require a numerical calculation of years for the fulfillment of his vision. To do so would be incorrect. Both of the scripture references we have cited regarding 70 x 7 are metaphors relating to sin.  One reference describes God's immeasurable vengeance on sin, while the other reference describes God's immeasurable forgiveness for sin.

Daniel's 70 x 7 vision revealed that Israel would be given a determined period of time to surrender their allegiance to God.  We know by countless examples that Israel often strayed from God,  experiencing harsh judgment. The severe consequences drove them to repent which restored them to God's acceptance. But, within this specific decree, if they will not surrender their allegiance to God, the end of their nation would be the consequence of their faithlessness - idolatry.

Did you ever ask yourself, "When the metaphor 70 x 7 is used in Daniel's vision, why wouldn't it have the same meaning as when Moses and Jesus used the term?" Questions demand answers.

When the angel said to Daniel seventy times seven weeks have been determined upon the people, he is saying that 70 x 7 ecclesiastical weeks have been decreed upon sin - a religious judgment. Depending on the heart condition of the people - stiff-necked or remorseful - Israel will receive vengeance or forgiveness for their sins during this decree. This long period of time - over 500 years - will be Israel's final opportunity to surrender their allegiance to God alone, eventually through the Messiah, before their nation becomes a byword.

Until Messiah the prince, there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks...Dan. 9:25. What does this portion of Daniel's vision mean?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #7 - Part 83 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

So far in this series the angel Gabriel told Daniel that...seventy weeks have been determined upon thy people, and upon the holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy...Dan. 9:20-21 Septuagint.  The word determined means:  already fixed; settled.

We also have established that 70 weeks is described as 70 x 7 weeks. Seven weeks is an annual ecclesiastical celebration beginning with the Passover and ending with Pentecost on the 50th day. It lasts for 49 days - seven weeks - but referred to as one year - ecclesiastical year. In Aramaic this event is called a shaboa celebration. During this annual celebration the Jewish people remembered how God delivered them from Egypt, confessed their sins, and professed their belief in a coming Messiah - ending animal sacrifices for their sins. But the Messiah never arrived.

70 x 7 has an expanded meaning that we must research, if we are going to comprehend the profundity of Gabriel's message to Daniel.  In ancient times a common metaphor - 70 x 7 - implied immeasurable vengeance on sin - or - immeasurable forgiveness of sin.  Let's examine two references of this metaphor in the Bible. The first one from the Old Testament.

What did Moses have to say about 70 x 7?  Because vengeance has been exacted seven times on Cain's behalf, on Lamech's it shall be seventy times seven...Gen. 4: 24. We do know that anyone who killed Cain, a sevenfold vengeance would come upon that killer...Gen. 4:15. Sevenfold implies  measured vengeance. Even though he was of the lineage of Cain, why would Lamech declare a 70 x 7 vengeance upon himself?  

We do know that Lamech said...I have slain a man to my wounding, a young man to my hurt...Gen. 4:23.  The word young in Hebrew is yeled meaning:  born or begat. This implies that Lamech killed someone of the lineage of Cain - so would the curse of Cain come upon him?  What was the curse that came upon Cain?

God told Cain...now thou art cursed from the earth, which has opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand...when thou tillest the earth, then it shall not continue to give its strength to thee...thou shalt be groaning and trembling on the earth...Gen. 4:11-12. 

Cursed means:  execrate - loathe; detest. Cain would become a vagabond - a fugitive - sent far from the family he knew, finally settling in the land of Nod, between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, and the land would no longer produce for him. What is the worst part of the curse? 

The only place I could find an accurate answer for this question was in the Septuagint. After God outlined His vengeance upon Cain, he lamented...my crime is too great for me to be forgiven...if thou castest me out this day from the face of the earth, and I shall be hidden from thy presence, and I shall be groaning and trembling upon the earth, then it will be that anyone that finds me shall slay me...Gen. 4:13-14.

God did not deny that Cain's crime was too great to be forgiven, but He would not allow anyone to relieve his suffering by killing him. God told Cain...Not so, anyone that slays Cain shall suffer seven-fold vengeance...Gen. 4:15.  So God set a mark upon Cain so that no one would dare to kill him, because they would clearly understand if they did so, the curse of Cain would come upon them.

Flavius Josephus the historian said about Lamech, "Because he was skillful in matters of divine revelation, he knew he was to be punished for Cain's murder of his brother, which he made known to his wives." Lamech knew that Cain believed he could not be forgiven and a seven-fold - seven times - vengeance was his punishment. So why would Lamech pronounce a 70 x 7 vengeance upon himself?

The answer to this question is not clear. What we do know is that 70 x 7 implies immeasurable vengeance on sin. Since Lamech had full knowledge of the consequences of his sin in advance of his crime, whereas Cain did not, his crime was not only unforgivable, but would receive immeasurable vengeance - 70 x 7. Lamech would be hidden from God forever is the implication.

Animal blood sacrifices for the sins of mankind had not been instituted as yet, and the ten commandments had not been given by God.  Lamech had foreknowledge that his crime of murder would not be forgiven - thus God's vengeance would be immeasurable. As our research unveils these nuggets of revelation, Daniel's vision of 70 x 7 weeks will take on a clearer understanding.

What revelation did Jesus offer to His apostles regarding 70 x 7, and how does it relate to Daniel's vision?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #6 - Part 82 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together in this series, we found out the meaning of weeks in Daniel's vision of seventy weeks - 70 x 7 weeks.  The Jewish people annually celebrated the redemptive blood that saved them from the plague of death during their days in Egypt - the Passover Celebration. They confessed their sins and asked God for forgiveness during this celebration, while looking forward to a coming Messiah who would end animal sacrifices, by shedding His own blood to once and for all atone for the sins of mankind.

But the Messiah never arrived. As the centuries passed, the celebration of the Feasts of Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Tabernacles eventually became merely perfunctory observances - an outward religious appearance, yet hearts were unchanged, because they continued to break God's commandments. Many people no longer believed a Messiah would ever come.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, He precisely summed up the condition of the hearts of the religious leaders, when He said...woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites...for you are like white-washed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness...even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness...Matt. 23:27-28.

Jesus was confronting the religious leaders who led the celebration of the many feast throughout the year, beginning with the shaboa - the ecclesiastical year of seven weeks.  Jesus knew there was no faith in the hearts of these religious leaders, so how could their lawlessness lead the people to believe in the promises of God?

Because the Jewish people no longer believed the prophets who had faithfully prophesied the coming of the Messiah, their unbelief - hardened hearts toward God - became an indictment against them. What is an indictment? It is an accusation - charge of a crime.  Jesus accused the religious leaders of Israel of appearing righteous on the outside, but full of hypocrisy and lawlessness in their hearts.

If the religious leaders did speak of a coming Messiah, it was in the context that He would set up an earthly kingdom in Israel and overthrow the power of Rome. The people did like the idea of a physical Messiah that would set up a physical kingdom on earth and destroy their enemy - but this was not the truth.

Daniel was shown in his vision that seventy ecclesiastical years - 70 x 7 - were determined upon Israel. History has already documented that it took 527 years to fulfill this judgment - indictment - on their sin of doubt and unbelief, culminating with the war of 70 A.D. for rejecting their Messiah.  So we can clearly see that calendar years are not intended in the interpretation of the seventy weeks - 70 x 7 - vision.

The time frame for prophecy in the Bible is often measured symbolically by:  time, times, half-times, weeks, seasons, seed time or harvest. Each symbolizes a measurement of a cycle, a pronouncement, a judgment, or a decree with varied increments of calendar time.

Daniel's vision of seventy weeks - 70 x 7 - is divided into three measurements:  7 weeks, 62 weeks, 1 week. Each of these set of weeks is a religious judgment against Israel for their faithlessness. Now we can see that seventy shaboa - seventy ecclesiastical years - have been pronounced upon Israel because they celebrated the feasts without faith in their hearts - without faith we cannot please God. Unbelief is equal to idolatry. 70 x 7 is a religious indictment on sin, resulting in vengeance or forgiveness.

Seventy times seven - 70 x 7 - was a common metaphorical phrase used in conversation by ancient biblical societies, including the times of the apostles.  70 x 7 implies God's immeasurable vengeance on sin, or His immeasurable forgiveness of sin. Since this metaphor was commonly used and understood in ancient times, we find two references in the Bible.  The Apostle Paul said...by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established...II Cor. 13:1.

Can Moses and Jesus unravel the mystery of the 70 x 7?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #5 - Part 81 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together we read Daniel's prayer for God to turn away His fury from the city of Jerusalem, and let His face...shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate...Dan. 9:18.  God sent the angel Gabriel to answer Daniel's prayer. Their conversation will be quoted from the Septuagint Bible because of its accuracy. This is the Greek translation of the Old Testament published in Alexandria, Egypt 285-247 B.C.

Two years before Daniel and his people were released from 70 years of captivity, he was in prayer, repenting to God, when he says...while I was yet speaking, and praying, and confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel, and bringing my pitiful case before the Lord my God concerning the holy  mountain; yea, while I was yet speaking in prayer, behold the man Gabriel, whom I had seen at the beginning, came flying, and he touched me about the hour of the evening sacrifice...Dan. 9:20-21.

Gabriel said to Daniel...at the beginning of thy supplication the word came forth, and I am come to tell thee; for thou art a man much beloved:  therefore consider the matter, understand the vision...Dan. 9:23.  Daniel's vision covers over 500 years reaching fulfillment in 70 A.D. which historians have fully documented.  Because Daniel 9:24-27 is gradually fulfilled over so many centuries we will study the details in increments - one portion at a time - beginning with Daniel 9:24.

Gabriel told Daniel...seventy weeks have been determined upon thy people, and upon the holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out the iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy...Dan. 9:24. Some translations say seventy times seven weeks - 70 x 7 - but the meaning is the same.

The word determined in the original Hebrew language is hatak meaning:  to decree, to cut off.  A decree is a judgment.  In the modern English dictionary the word determined means:  already fixed; settled.  So we can see that seventy weeks is a judgment upon Daniel's people, and upon the holy city of Jerusalem, with a set period of time to end sin. This period of judgment has been fixed by God. At the end of the time they will be "cut off."

Right from the beginning of the vision we can clearly see that the whole 70 weeks are determined upon the people of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem.  The judgment in the vision was meant for no others.  Scripture must be kept in context - including prophecy - to understand its meaning.

In scripture, the number seven is symbolic of completeness and perfection. It is a mysterious sacred measurement used generously by God throughout the Bible.  Since seven is a symbolic number, what does weeks symbolize in the 70 x 7 weeks vision?  We must study the celebration of the Jewish feasts to understand the meaning.

The Aramaic word shaboa defines the division of an ecclesiastical year. A shaboa celebration lasts seven weeks or 49 days. Ecclesiastical pertains to a religious celebration of God's direction. Since seven weeks describes one religious year, Daniel's vision of 70 x 7 weeks could be more clearly defined as 70 x a shaboa - one ecclesiastical year.  Seventy ecclesiastical years are determined upon Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem.

The ecclesiastical year of 49 days - seven weeks - begins with the Passover in the month of Nisan (Jewish calendar), includes the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and ends the ecclesiastical year with the Feast of Pentecost.  At the end of the shaboa celebration - seven weeks - it was time to celebrate the Day of Firstfruits (Pentecost) which was at the completion of the wheat harvest.  This feast was celebrated on the 50th day - lasting one day.

This annual ecclesiastical celebration of seven weeks remembered the redemptive blood (Passover) that saved the Israelites from the plague of death during their days in Egypt.  During this celebration the people confessed their sins and professed their belief in a coming Messiah who would end the animal blood sacrifices, by providing His own blood sacrifice once and for all - but He never arrived!

Did the people quit believing, when centuries passed, and the Messiah never arrived?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #4 - Part 80 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together in this series, Daniel was in captivity in Babylon.  Because of his youth Daniel was not aware that the Prophet Jeremiah had sent a letter to Israel's religious leaders who were also held in captivity. What did the letter say?

 

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed...for they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord...for thus says the Lord:  after seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place...Jer. 29:8-10.  Why was it urgent that Jeremiah's letter reach the captives in Babylon?

 

It was God who compelled Jeremiah to write this letter to warn the captives that they have been infiltrated by false prophets, who have promised them a speedy escape from their captivity.  They assured the captives they would return to Israel within two years...Jer. 28:1-17. 

 

In this letter, God warned the religious leaders not to listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.  Apparently these prophets successfully convinced the people that God had given them dreams of direction, so they can be trusted. But these dreams were not from God, warns Jeremiah.

 

The prophets in captivity assured the people that God has shown them in dreams that they will only have to endure captivity for two years.  Jeremiah said in his letter that God did not send those prophets, He did not give them the dreams they claim He gave to them, because their time in captivity in Babylon will be 70 years - not 2 years.  Sadly, every generation has its false prophets who are revered and lauded up to and including the twenty-first century. 

 

Jesus warned us about false prophets, but they always sound so knowledgeable and make their listeners confident that they have figured out God and His prophecy of scripture, even though the Prophet Peter warned us that...no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Pet. 1:20-21.  Nonetheless, we seem mesmerized by dreams and visions of men who say that God gave them, even if the content contradicts, or twists scripture.  We are so easily deceived.

 

As the 70 years of punishment were drawing to a close, Daniel found and read Jeremiah's letter revealing...after seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  Daniel finally understood why his people were in captivity, yet they had not repented of their disobedience.  So he began to weep before the Lord and confess the sins of his people, saying,

 

Yes, all Israel has transgressed your Law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you...and He has confirmed His words, which He spoke against us and against our judges who judged us, by bringing upon us a great disaster; for under the whole heaven such has never been done as what has been done to Jerusalem...as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us; yet we have not made our prayers before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth...Dan. 9:11-13.

 

As Daniel matured in his knowledge of the prophets and the law, he realized that Israel had become slaves to a pagan nation because they had ignored God's commandment to observe the Sabbath Rest for the land for seventy years - so God took their land from them for 70 years...Lev 25:1-55. Daniel began to intercede for the future of his people, saying,

 

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain:  because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us...now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face too shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake...O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name:  for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies...O lord, hear; O Lord forgive; O Lord hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God:  for thy city and thy people are called by thy name...Dan. 9:16-19.

 

Then the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel.  What did he say? Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

 

 



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #3 - Part 79 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

During the first 1800 years of church history there was no scholar that believed Daniel's 70-week vision was not completely fulfilled with the war of 70 A.D.  But something drastically changed in the 20th century when false teaching was embraced as "new" truth regarding end-time matters. The first two blogs of this series I briefly referenced the origin of the "new" truth.

The foundation for the modern viewpoint on eschatology is based on one idea - the 70th week of Daniel's vision has not been fulfilled as yet.  If this foundation is proven false, everything they have built on this false foundation crumbles to the ground.  While Daniel's 70-week vision prophesies several events that found fulfillment over several centuries, the 70th week was completely fulfilled by the war of 70 A.D.  We will look into what historians wrote about this event.

Who is Daniel the Prophet?  Daniel was born into a Judean family of nobility during the reign of King Josiah in 542 B.C.  When he was a youth the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and took many captives to his kingdom in Babylon 526 B.C. 

Why did God allow Jerusalem to be invaded by a pagan king?  The religious leaders of Israel had led the people to disobey God's law of the Sabbath Rest. This first invasion was a warning to them to repent and surrender their allegiance only to Him and His perfect law - do not follow the persuasion of corrupt leaders. God is patient and enduring with sinful men, but sends his prophets to warn of His judgment if they don't return their allegiance to Him. 

God sent Jeremiah with a very clear warning...Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands, and I will not harm you...yet you have not listened to Me, says the Lord, that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt...therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, because you have not heard My words...behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, says the Lord, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will bring them against this land, against it inhabitants and against these nations all around, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, a hissing, and perpetual desolations...Jer. 25:6-9.

Note how God calls the pagan King Nebuchadnezzar "My servant" whom He will use to punish His disobedient kids.  When God's kids revert to paganism and immorality, they get the rulers they deserve, nonetheless, God still provides - through judgment and punishment - a way back to Him because His love for mankind is so profound, finite human beings cannot understand it.

Because Israel didn't listen to the warning of Jeremiah, by 509 B.C. King Nebuchadnezzar returned to Israel to finish the job he started when he took Daniel captive.  This time he destroyed the revered temple of Solomon.  Thousands were taken captive and forcefully removed to Babylon.  By this time Daniel had served in the kings' palace many years and had learned the language of the Chaldeans.
He had been made a eunuch, as were all male slaves in the king's palace. 

During his years in the court of several successive pagan kings, Daniel would have the opportunity to demonstrate the power of his God to them.  One night King Nebuchadnezzar experienced a disturbing dream that left him distressed, but could not remember its content, yet his magicians and sorcerers were unable to reveal his dream.  Just as the king was about to kill them, it was revealed to him that his Hebrew captive Daniel could interpret dreams.

Daniel made it clear that he cannot interpret dreams, but the God he serves is able to reveal both the dream and its content...Dan. 2:19.  When the dream and its interpretation were revealed to the king, he rejoiced and elevated Daniel to chief of all wise men.  God always has a plan for His true-hearts even in the midst of judgment and punishment of a nation.

In the beginning of Israel's captivity in Babylon, Jeremiah wrote an urgent letter to the elders, the priests, and the prophets...Jer. 29:1-32.  Since Daniel was so young when he was taken captive, and immediately became a servant in the kings' court, he was not made privy to this letter until he was old. But obviously it was God's appointed time.  What was in the letter?

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:  do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed...for they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord...for thus says the Lord:  after seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place...Jer. 29:8-10.

Why was it urgent that Jeremiah's letter reach the captives in Babylon? Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #2 - Part 78 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

If historians prove that the 70th week of Daniel's vision has already been fulfilled, the modern viewpoint on eschatology crumbles like a house of cards. Last blog we began to reveal the historical documentation that proves the origin of this viewpoint.  If we don't read history we could easily be mislead by every wind of doctrine.

When we were last together we found out that a Spanish priest named Francisco de Ribera in the 1500's had fabricated a commentary regarding the end times, intended to disprove Martin Luther's proclamation that the leader of the Holy Roman Empire was the 7th head of the beast in Revelation, and the "man of sin" described by the Apostle Paul...II Thes. 2:3.

Francisco emphasized that the "man of sin" wouldn't appear until the end of the world, when Jesus Christ returns.  He believed he had written a convincing story that would definitely convince the populous that Martin Luther lied about the Empire, hoping he could woo back the millions that had formed Protestant churches by now. Did the public ever read his end-time commentary?

Francisco de Ribera died in 1591, one year after his commentary was completed.  His commentary did not dissuade the massive Protestant revolt as intended, but rather was inadvertently inserted in a Vulgate Bible, lost to the archives of time in the Church of England.

In 1826 a librarian of the Church of England, found and published Francisco's fabricated end-times commentary written in 1590.  It is from this publication that John Darby formulated his unscriptural modern-viewpoint regarding end time events.

Voila - the modern end-time doctrine was born! The fraudster, Cyrus Scofield, knew a good thing when he read it, so conferred with two controversial scholars in London, who financially helped him publish his reference Bible, at the prestigious Oxford University Press in London in 1909.  Because the 'church at large' was corrupt and in decline, his false commentary became wildly popular almost instantly - selling millions of copies in the 20th century.  Prideful men love to be the first to proclaim the latest and greatest - even if they ignore the facts produced by credible historians.

Soon the false end-time doctrine published in the Scofield Reference Bible was adopted into the curriculum of every seminary and Bible school across America.  Have you found a denomination today that doesn't teach that most of Daniel has not been fulfilled?  With the exception of a few verses regarding the Ancient of Days, most of Daniel has been fulfilled, proven by credible historians - including all 70 weeks of his vision. 

Scripture does warn us through the Apostle Peter when he says...our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, written to you...as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of Scriptures...II Peter 3:15-16.

The Rockefeller Foundation invested millions of dollars into a progressive church in New York in 1920, where modern intellectual viewpoints could be embraced - no more talk about sin, Hell, or that bloody cross, while questioning the deity of Christ.  Social justice would become the focus of the modern church - lobbying governments for grants to help the poor, while winking at immorality, and erase church traditions - little by little.  Mr. Scofield found this fertile soil in which to plant his false end-time doctrine.

A contemporary of Cyrus Scofield at first glance embraced this modern viewpoint on eschatology.  In 1903 Philip Mauro, an international patent attorney, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 45. He became an avid researcher of the Bible and church history, and read modern books on the subject of the end times, including the Scofield Reference Bible, eventually writing several books of his own.

After decades of research, historians had proven to Mr. Mauro that the 70th week of Daniel had been fulfilled, so he publicly renounced Scofield's end-time theology as false. But Scofield's doctrine had become so entrenched in the churches by the late l930's, that Mr. Mauro found himself in the middle of a battle with those whom he had once experienced close fellowship - enduring personal insults and public attacks from Mr. Scofield's supporters.  Due to his patience and integrity, this humble man never retaliated. Those who want truth, will find it and embrace it, without attacking others.

Who was Daniel the Prophet?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



Daniel's 70-Week Vision Series #1 - Part 77 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

As we embark on this new series to research Daniel's 70-Week Vision, we will find that historians have a lot to say on the subject - much of it you have never heard. Why haven't you heard? You haven't heard because the historical documentation doesn't fit into the modern viewpoint on eschatology.  If historians prove that the 70th week of Daniel's vision has already been fulfilled, the modern viewpoint crumbles like a house of cards.

What is the origin of the the modern viewpoint on end-time matters?  About a hundred years ago the American church began a rapid and radical transformation of their understanding of Revelation, Daniel's 70-week vision, and the Olivet Discourse regarding end-time events. This transformation from the historical viewpoint that was embraced by the church for centuries, to the modern viewpoint, pretty much discarded sound doctrine.  How did this happen?

Cyrus Scofield published a reference Bible in 1909 with extensive commentary that carefully outlined a new and innovative viewpoint of end-time events, literally invalidating the historical viewpoint embraced by Christians for centuries. He sold millions of copies, still popular today. Who is Cyrus Scofield?

Cyrus Scofield was a lawyer of Jewish descent, who claimed to be a Christian, but certainly lacked the fruits of a follower of Christ. After he was appointed U.S. District Attorney of the state of Kansas, he later had to resign under a cloud of scandal. - suspected of taking bribes. After his resignation he was later jailed on forgery charges. In the late 1800's, on the pretense of investment, he took $1,300 (a million in today's dollars) from his wife's mother - her life savings - and never returned it.

In 1883 his first wife divorced him for abandoning her and their two children, whom he refused to financially support - admitting he drank too much alcohol. During the divorce process, he was ordained as a Congregational minister - later becoming a Southern Presbyterian. He bestowed upon himself the title C.I. Scofield, D.D., although no record has ever been found to prove he had attained this degree.

How did Cyrus Scofield obtain information he inserted into his Bible as a new end-time doctrine?  Most of his research was from the writings of an itinerant preacher from Great Britain, John Darby, who founded "The Brethren" denomination. Mr. Darby was also a lawyer, who visited the United States several times sharing his modern viewpoint on eschatology. After reading Mr. Darby's writings, Mr. Scofield was convinced that the 70th week of Daniel had not been fulfilled - even though historians had proven otherwise.

From whom did John Darby glean his new end-time doctrine?  After millions of people bolted from the Holy Roman Empire, because of the new revelations of truth presented to them by Martin Luther, the Empire had to offer a counter doctrine. Luther had proven the Empire was the 7th head of the beast in Revelation - man of sin.  What did the Empire do?

A Spanish priest named Francisco de Ribera, a member of the Society of Jesus, decided he would write a scholarly commentary of the book of Revelation that could definitely cast doubt on Luther's proclamation.  In his commentary, a fabrication of his imagination, he said that at the end of time a political antichrist - man of sin - will arise when the "church" falls away.  This antichrist figure will pretend to be God, appearing prior to a seven-year tribulation, where he will persecute the saints and abolish the Christian religion. He will rebuild the temple at Jerusalem for the third time, after making a covenant with the Jews for three and a half years.

This priest made sure he emphasized that all these things will take place far into the future - at the end of the world - then Jesus will return.  Francisco believed that his grandiose end-time fabrication would definitely convince the populous that Martin Luther lied when he called their religious leader of the 1500's - the man of sin described by the Apostle Paul...II Thes. 2:3.

Did the public ever read Francisco's fictional end-time commentary?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse #8 - Part 76 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

As we continue our study of Revelation chapter 6, we find Jesus revealing to John what would soon come upon Israel for rejecting Him as their Messiah. Under the 6th seal He showed what would happen to the people once they were barricaded behind the wall of Jerusalem when the wrath of the Lamb was executed. People from all over the territory who had come to the celebration, as well as for commercial endeavors, were confined by the Roman army - 6,000 strong - the abomination of desolation. 

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains...and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb...for the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?...Rev. 6:15-17.

Did Jesus prophesy this moment when He walked the streets of Jerusalem?  Jesus was beaten and bloody, bearing His cross in the streets of Jerusalem - the Via Dolorosa.  Many sorrowful weeping women walked beside Jesus to whom He prophesied...

Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children...for indeed the days are coming in which they will say, "Blessed are the barren wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!"...then they will begin to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" And to the hills, "Cover us!"...for if they do these things in the green wood what will be done in the dry?...Luke 23:28-31.

What did Jesus mean when He said to the weeping women...weep for yourselves and for the children?  Many of these women would be alive to experience the war of retribution in 70 A.D. The people of Israel will be held captive behind the walls of Jerusalem for three and a half years, eventually impoverished, bereft of food and water. So Jesus knew that the severe famine would cause the ugliness and degradation of cannibalism - they will eat their own children. We will go more into detail about this devastation in our next series - Daniel's 70-week vision.

What Jesus showed to John is a confirmation of His own prophecy. When the prophecy says the people cry out for the rocks to fall on them to hide them from His wrath, it is metaphorical language describing the shame and humiliation of a proud and stiff-necked people when they endure the wrath - vengeance - of the One they rejected.

The very last sentence of Jesus' prophecy...for if they do these things in the greenwood, what will be done in the dry...is definitely a riddle. But my blog is all about defining riddles, enigmas, metaphors and the esoteric imagery of Revelation. Historians refer to this statement as a proverb.

By His enigmatic statement, which people of His day would have understood, He was conveying to the women, if His sufferings are so great at the hands of the Jews, the sufferings of the Jews will be more intense, when His wrath comes upon them in the coming war.  Jesus was letting these women know His vengeance for rejecting Him as the Messiah will come - Israel will not go unpunished.

John was shown that the prophecy of Jesus would come to pass very soon, so that John could sound the alarm to the disciples of Christ, giving them time to flee from the city before the abomination of desolation appears in Jerusalem - Roman armies.

John has witnessed under the first six seals the war, famine, death and destruction of Israel - judgment for rejecting Jesus Christ as their Messiah. When He opens the seventh seal, there was silence in Heaven for about half an hour...Rev. 8:1.  What does this mean?  The number 7 means complete - perfection. Vengeance upon Israel is complete - they are no longer a nation. God is not rejoicing over this - there is deep sorrowful contemplation - expressed by silence in Heaven. 

Then John saw seven angels with seven trumpets. They are announcing the judgment that is coming upon the whole world throughout the Christian era.

Can the 4 Horsemen ride again?  Historically, the symbolism of the horses - war, bloodshed, famine, death - represented judgment upon Israel two different times in their history.  With the end of times upon this generation, as the signs of the times reveal, could this same judgment come upon the blood-bought church of Jesus Christ?  Yes - for their sins of immorality and paganism.

What historical documentation proves that the 70th week of Daniel's vision was fulfilled in 70 A.D., which Jesus referred to as the great tribulation?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~



4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse #7 - Part 75 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we were last together in our study of the symbolism of Revelation chapter 6, blog #6 began to explain the symbolism under the 6th seal...

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold. there was a great earthquake, and the sun became as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood...and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind...then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place...Rev. 6:12-14.

We have already defined the symbolism for stars and earthquake as a warning to Israel of what would come to pass in their very near future - war of 70 A.D.  What is the symbolism for sackcloth of hair?

Sackcloth of Hair symbolism describes an eclipse of the sun...sun becomes as sackcloth of hair.  In the coming war against Israel for rejecting Jesus Christ as their Savior, the leadership - symbolized by the sun - will experience mourning and death for this egregious act. When the ancient prophets grieved over the sins of this nation, they sat with sackcloth over their heads a sign of their grief which warned of judgment to come if they did not repent.  Darkness is in the hearts of the Sanhedrin and their light will be extinguished - eclipse of the sun.

Moon became as Blood symbolizes how war and bloodshed will be experienced by all the proud and disobedient leaders, fomented by the idolatries of the unrepentant and defiant rejecters of the Messiah.

Sky Receded symbolizes God's judgment of Israel since the words are written on a scroll and sealed by God.  When the scroll is rolled up we understand that what is written on it is complete and irreversible.

Mountain/Island moved out of its place symbolizes that no portion of Israel will be left untouched by this devastating judgment.  Mountain symbolizes a proud people.  Island moved out of its place symbolizes a complete sweeping away of the old religious system. This symbolism describes the devastating results of the Wrath of the Lamb upon Israel for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah and His new religious system...Rev. 6:16. 

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains...and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb...for the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?"...Rev. 6:15-17.

Who rejected Jesus Christ and His new religious system?  The religious leadership - Sanhedrin - rejected Him and influenced the Roman leadership to kill Him.  So upon whom would the wrath of the Lamb be executed?  Only Israel qualified to receive the wrath of the Lamb. But first He gave them 40 years to repent before they would face His wrath. The number 40 in the Bible symbolizes a probationary period of time.

This verse is the only place in the Bible with the term:  wrath of the Lamb.  Once the wrath of the Lamb was exercised in the war of 70 A.D., this prophecy was fulfilled. This is the reason it is not seen again - no other fulfillment is required.  The reason John sees His wrath under the 6th seal is because the number 6 defines the sum total of human achievement. Without God, men's achievements fail.

During the war described under the 6th seal, we see prophesied that the three million people - kings, commanders rich & poor - barricaded behind the wall in Jerusalem will cry out to the mountains and rocks...fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb...for the great day of His wrath has come and who is able to stand?  What does this mean?

Did Jesus prophesy that during the coming war Israel would cry to the mountains, "Fall on us!"   Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question ~~~~



4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse #6 - Part 74 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Revelation chapters 5 & 6 reveal Jesus Christ, after He returned to Heaven, removing the seals on a scroll handed to Him by His Father, which will reveal the fate of Israel for rejecting Him as their Messiah. The scroll had writing...inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals...Rev. 5:1.  This symbolizes that nothing can be added to the prophecy - it will come to pass as written.

In the first 5 blogs of this series we studied the symbolism of the message represented by the four horses, confirmed by the four horses seen by the Prophet Zechariah - the message to Israel was the same - even though the prophecies were nearly 500 years apart.

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse were seen under the first four seals, revealing what would soon come upon Israel.  Zechariah saw 4 horses, the last of which was the dapple horse which prophesied Israel's future - long after they were released from their Babylonian captivity. The dapple horse symbolized famine, just like the pale horse of Revelation.  What is the prophecy under the 5th seal?

Seal 5 - When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar, the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held...and they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"...then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed...Rev. 6:-9-11.

After viewing the destruction of Jerusalem behind the previous seals, John must have felt there was no future for his people.  Under this seal he sees his kinsmen savagely murdered because of their steadfast allegiance to Jesus Christ.  He knows they are already in Heaven, but their pleas to have their deaths avenged must have tugged at his heart.  Could he have remembered what God said to Cain after he murdered his brother Abel...the voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground...Gen. 4:10?

The religious leaders - Pharisees and Sadducees - who plotted the death of Jesus, saw to it that His followers were also murdered during the bloody reign of terror by the Roman Emperor Nero. It is this specific time that was shown to John, so that the followers of Jesus Christ would be prepared for this unexpected vicious onslaught of injustice.  They can hold steady victoriously if they understand that God has allowed it in order to fulfill His plans and purposes. 

The martyred saints were giving white robes when they arrived in Heaven. White symbolizes purity, holiness and victory.  God gave Israel 40 years - a probationary period of time - to repent for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah - after that the judgment would fall upon them. Their blood was avenged in the war of 70 A.D.

Seal 6 - I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood...and the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind...then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place...Rev. 6:12-14.

There is a lot of symbolism under this seal.  John sees...the stars of heaven fell to the earth.  Stars symbolize prominent people - leaders in Jerusalem - religious leaders who deserted God for the praise of men. During the coming judgment, these false religious leaders will be toppled like...a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by the wind.

Earthquake symbolizes intense social upheaval - unrest.  There will be much chaos in Israel, as the old religious system clashes with the new one ushered into existence by Jesus Christ.  Every prideful religious leader will be blaming the other for the calamity that will befall Jerusalem, because they listened to the false prophets.

What does sackcloth of hair, bloody moon, and sky receded symbolize?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...