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ISRAEL
DURING THE TRIBULATION
When the oppression on Israel begins, those Jews who hold to the orthodoxy
of the Mosaic law and the Messianic promise, will have nothing to do with
the false Messiah worship the beast establishes. A large body of these
faithful Jews will then flee Judea to hide in the wilderness mountains
of Edom, Moab and Ammon. Here, as God's chosen people they will be protected
during this time of oppression.
Revelation 12.6
And the woman fled into the wilderness
where she had a place prepared by God
so that she might be nourished for 1260 days.
ORIENTATION TO THE "WOMAN" OF REVELATION 12
Revelation 12 backs up in the chronological progression of the book and
picks up from the "mid-point" of the week with the events that
will occur as a result of the war in heaven which kicks Satan down to the
earth. John's vision is the "present" from his perspective but
the subject of the vision is the persecution from Satan during the 2nd
half of the week - or more specifically, during the great tribulation.
In order to understand who the participants are in this vision, a little
history lesson is needed. The history lesson is included within the vision
and sets the stage for understanding exactly what is going on and who is
involved as the events unfold.
In verse one we are introduced to the "woman" who is clearly
identified as Israel through the symbolism of the "sun, moon and 12
stars" which is taken from Genesis 37:9-10; and through the fact that
this woman "gave birth to a male child, who is to rule all the nations
with a rod of iron."
Since it is without question that Jesus Christ as the only one who will
"rule all the nations with a rod of iron," . . .
Psalm 2:9
Thou shalt shepherd them with a rod of iron,
Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.
Revelation 2:27
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON,
AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES,
as I also have received {authority} from My Father;
Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth comes a sharp sword,
so that with it He may smite the nations;
and He will rule them with a rod of iron;
and He treads the wine press
of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
. . .we have further "proof positive" that the woman in view
at this chapter must indeed be Israel.
Once this identification of "The Son" is made, it is then obvious
that the woman is ISRAEL (not Mary); and the child going up to the throne
of God is the ascension and session of Jesus to the right hand of the throne
of God. Furthermore, we are able to identify the "historical"
events symbolized in verses 1-5 as taking place prior to the ascension
of Jesus and see in those verses the general attack on Israel throughout
her history. Then it is quite simple to understand that it is Israel who
will come under the great attack from Satan when he is kicked down to the
earth.
Thus, when that event takes place and the great persecution begins upon
the "devout" ones of Israel, she will be encouraged and guided
into the wilderness where she will be protected by God until the Day of
the LORD arrival of Jesus interrupts the the beast's aggression.
WARNING TO FLEE
Jesus, in His prophetic discourse on Olivet, actually gave warning to these
Jews of Judea as well as anyone else who might be in the area that they
should flee when they see the "the abomination standing in the holy
place."
Matthew 24:16-21,
"then let THOSE who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him
who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his
house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak.
But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those
days! But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath;
for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since
the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall."
It is imperative to recognize that this is a general warning addressed
to "those who are in Judea" and has direct application to the
Jews of the land. But of course, any Gentiles and any of the Elect who
are in the area should also take warning and get out. But my point is that
we must be careful to make a distinction between the general population
in Judea and the Elect of
Matthew 24:22,24
Revelation 12:14-16,
"And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman,
(Israel) in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place,
where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the
presence of the serpent. And the serpent poured water like a river out
of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away
with the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its
mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth."
It is also imperative to keep distinct the woman, who flees Judea, and
the group of believers (the elect) identified as those "who keep the
commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus." Revelation
12:17
However, there will be a major campaign to try to get the elect as well
as these Jews to embrace the beast as the promised messiah. Matthew 24.23-26
Then if anyone says to you, "Behold, here is the Christ, or there,"
don't believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will
show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead. if possible, even the elect.
Behold, I have told you in advance. Therefore, if they say to you, "Behold,
He is in the wilderness," don't go, or "Behold, He is in the
inner rooms," don't believe it.
Many of the Jews who are hiding in the mountains will be tricked and come
down only to be delivered up to the sword of the beast's army.
The major participant in this campaign to get Israel out of the mountains
will be the Arab people who reside in the land area of ancient Edom, Moab
and Ammon. These peoples as special allies of the beast will mount a specific
and intense oppression of the Jewish peoples who have fled into the wilderness
during the great tribulation. It is because of this attack by the Arab
peoples that these 3 areas will come under special judgment at the Day
of the LORD.
In Obadiah 9-14, we see the promised judgment on these people and a specific
warning to individuals NOT to be among the ones who participate in this
campaign of greed and deception.
"Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O
Teman, In order that
everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. Because
of violence to your brother Jacob, You will be covered {with} shame, And
you will be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, On the day
that strangers carried off his wealth, And foreigners entered his gate
And cast lots for Jerusalem - You too were as one of them. Do not gloat
over your brother's day, The day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice
over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast
In the day of distress. Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of
their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity in the day of
their disaster. And do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster.
And do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives; And
do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress."
In Zephaniah 2:8, we see that the reason for their participation in the
campaign is in order to possess their land when it is over.
"I have heard the taunting of Moab and the revilings of the sons
of Ammon with which they have taunted my people and become arrogant against
their territory."
And Ezekiel 35:1-9 gives us some very unique specifics:
Verse 5,
"Because you have delivered the sons of Israel to the power of
the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of the punishment
OF THE END. . ."
And for all the nations who have participated in oppressing Israel during
this time of distress there will be a recompense at the Day of the LORD.
Obadiah Verse 15,
"For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you
have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own
head."
ISRAEL'S APOSTASY
Now we must back up again. When orthodox Israel flees there will be left
in the land a vast majority of Jews who accept the beast as the promised
messiah and fall right in step with him. We saw this earlier at Daniel
11:34b,
"and many will join with them in hypocrisy."
Some believe that this "national apostasy"
of Israel is what Paul had in mind at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which says that
THE apostasy must occur before the Day of the LORD arrives.
It would be a specific historical event that would
mark the beginning of the week and portend the arrival of the Day of the
Lord at the proper time. Marv Rosenthal gives detailed support for this
view in The Prewrath Rapture of the Church, chapter 15. He summarizes it
on pages 206-207 as follows.
"The apostasy, then, to which Paul referred (2
Thessalonians 2:3-4), will involve Israel, not the church. It will commence
when many within the nation sign a covenant with the Antichrist (unknown
to them, a covenant with death) at the beginning of that seventieth week.
The apostasy will encompass a total abandonment of falling away from renewed
covenant relationship (the seventieth week) and from the God of their forefathers
and the promised Messiah. They will embrace a counterfeit religion (humanism)
and a counterfeit Messiah (the Antichrist) who offers a counterfeit peace
and solution to the Middle East dilemma."
However, there is another, more viable option for THE
apostasy and that is what Jesus described at Matthew 24:9-12. A specific
and historical "falling away" of Christians from the faith because
of a massive worldwide hatred and persecution launched against the church
in direct connection with the oppressive reign of the beast. As I have
already demonstrated, Matthew 24:9, "Then they will deliver up to
tribulation," refers to the very oppression initiated by the beast
at the midpoint of the 70th week, which is "great" in intensity
(Matthew 24:21) and directed against "the elect" (Matthew 24:22);
"the saints" (Revelation 13:7); the church (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7);
those "who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony
of Jesus" (Revelation 12:17).
To summarize:
The Apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is referring to
something that is specific rather than general (THE apostasy). It is certainly
something that the recipients of the letter knew about (verse 2:5) and would
be known by the church in general as well by understanding what had been
taught orally and in writing (verse 2:15).
The apostles teach of a general decline in moral and
spiritual standards that would occur in the latter days, but they are quick
to point out that it is already taking place at the time of writing. Furthermore,
The apostasy is not referring to a general "condition" of spiritual
apathy in the world, but a massive falling away from an established standard.
It speaks of Christians turning away from true Christianity.
Jesus taught that during a specific time of tribulation
(Matthew 24:9), there would be a great falling away from the truths of
Christianity because of an intensity of hatred and persecution unparalleled
in history. Matthew 24:9-12.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation,
and will kill you
and you will be hated by all the nations because of My name.
And then many will be caused to stumble (fall away)
and will deliver up one another and hate one another.
And many false prophets will arise and will deceive many.
And because the lawlessness (via the man of lawlessness) is increased,
the love of many will grow cold."
According to the words, "therefore" and "for
then" at verses 15 and 21 respectively, this will occur after the
abomination of desolation is set up in the Jewish Holy Place by the man
of lawlessness. This "beast" will mount a massive attack on Christians
as described at Revelation 12:17 and 13:7. Furthermore, based on Matthew
24:10, many Christians will reject their claim to Christianity and actually
betray others into the hands of the beast (Matthew 24:23-26).
The word for apostasy that Paul uses at 2 Thessalonians
2:3 is "apostasia," and means basically the act and/or the condition
of standing away from something; a departure from or rejection of something.
Paul even suggests for us what this apostasy is at verse 3 by exhorting
the believers to "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you
were taught, whether orally or by letter from us (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
The extent of this apostasy is such that Jesus suggests
there will be very little practice of true Christianity on the earth when
He comes back to take the elect to Himself. Luke 18:7-8
Here, He applies the promise of justice according to
divine wisdom and timing to His elect who are afflicted on the earth (2
Thessalonians 1:6).
The promise of justice will be kept when Jesus returns at the Day of the
Lord as is indicated at 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7.
"For after all, it is only just for God to repay
with affliction
those who afflict you, and to give relief to you (and to us as well)
at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His
power in flaming fire."
Thus, "those who endure (remain physically alive)
to the end will be delivered (Matthew 10:22 and 24:13).
But, recorded at Luke 18:8, Jesus observes by way of
a rhetorical question, "will He find THE faith on the earth?"
Faith refers to the function of faith in believers who are relaxed and
confident through trusting in the character and plan of God and adhering
to the standards of the faith. The issue is not the PRESENCE of believers
on the earth, but the presence of believers functioning "in fellowship"
with God ("abiding in Him," 1 John 2:28).
This apostasy is also what Paul had in mind at 1 Tim.
4:1, where he uses the verb form of "apostasy" to indicate a
departure from those spiritual standards which characterize true Christianity.
At 1 Thessalonians 2:3 we find apostasia, the noun,
which is used only one other time in the New Testament at Acts 21:21.
The verb, aphistämi translated as "fall away,"
means to take a stand away from something. It can refer to a physical departure
from a location or a person; or it can refer to an ideological departure
from political or religious viewpoint. In fact, the primary use of the
verb is to indicate a "physical" removal from something. It is
for this reason that sometimes the argument is made that "apostasy"
at 2 Thessalonians 2:3, means "departure" and has in view a physical
departure of the saints from the earth via the rapture. However, the meaning
and use of a verb is not always the determinative factor for establishing
the meaning of a noun that derives from it. Many times a noun develops
a specialized meaning based on usage. It seems that just such a case has
occurred concerning the noun, apostasia. Every time that it is used in
the LXX, it carries the meaning of ideological departure (Joshua 22:22;
2 Chronicles 29:19; 33:19; Ezra 4:19; Jeremiah 2:19). Its only other use
in the New Testament (Acts 21:21) indicates an ideological departure. It
is therefore, determined by this writer, that the contemporary use of the
noun in connection with an immediate context, that certainly recognizes
the dangers of "apostasy" for believers (verse 15), that the
word, apostasia, was used by Paul to speak of that specific "end times"
apostasy which will occur in connection with the revealing of the man of
lawlessness and the placement of his image (abomination of desolation)
in the Holy Place at the beginning of the tribulation just as Jesus taught
at Matthew 24:9-26.
Furthermore, 10 years later, Paul used the verb aphistemi
at 1 Timothy 4:1 to refer to the very same apostasy of the tribulation
that he referenced in 2 Thessalonians and that Jesus taught about at Matthew
24.
This is what Paul had in mind at 2Thessalonians 2:3,
when he writes that the Day of the LORD will not come until there first
comes "the" apostasy and the man of lawlessness is revealed.
When this man of lawlessness begins his oppressive reign and begins to
"woo" the Jews into his "fold," there will be the need
for a huge campaign to get the Jews of the land and of the world to re-embrace
the TRUE Messianic promise and the orthodoxy of their heritage before they
commit themselves to the religious system that the false prophet will institute
via the mark of the beast. For then it will be too late.
The functional believers of the church will have a specific evangelistic
impact to the Jews at this time, as related at Matthew 10:23,
"Now whenever they persecute in this city, flee
to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish with the cities
of Israel, until the Son of Man comes." (BFT)
For details on this passage: Matthew 10:1-23
In addition, at the time that the man of lawlessness begins his oppressive
reign, the 2 witnesses begin their 1260 day testimony in Jerusalem and
they will have a world-wide impact. Revelation 11:3-6,
"And I will grant {authority} to my two witnesses, and they will
prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sack cloth. These are the two olive
trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And
if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours
their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner
he must be killed. These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that
rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying and they have power
over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every
plague, as often as they desire."
This ministry of warning and pleading with the nation was prophesied by
Malachi as being fulfilled in the return of Elijah the prophet. And the
purpose is not so much to get them to believe in Jesus, but to embrace
the heritage of the past which was given to them by God when they were
delivered from Egypt, ie, the Messianic promise. Malachi 4:6.
"Restore the hearts of the fathers to the children
and the hearts of the children to the fathers - -."
The Jews as a whole still have a veil over their hearts
(2 Corinthians 3:15; John 8:43; 9:39-41) and will continue in their rejection
of Jesus as the Messiah (hardness of heart) "until the fullness of
the Gentiles comes in" at the Day of the Lord when Jesus will rapture
out the church (Romans 11:25).
Malachi 3:1-2
"Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the
way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple;
and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,
says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who
can stand when He appears?"
Malachi 4:5-6
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming
of the great and terrible day of the LORD.
And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to {their} children, and
the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the
land with a curse.
It is the ministry of these two witnesses to cultivate the Messianic heritage
of the Jews and prepare them to recognize Jesus when He arrives in the
clouds of the sky at the Day of the Lord. Thus, God will still have a body
of believers on the earth after the day of the LORD arrives and the church
is taken out. This body of believers will be from
the nation of Israel and will function as the evangelistic agent to the
whole world. Those who hold to the Messianic promise will recognize Jesus
as the Messiah when He arrives to pour out His wrath on the world. Then
they will embrace Him as savior and become representatives of truth for
the remainder of the 70th week.
These are the 144,000 of Revelation 7:1-8 and 14:1-5, who are probably
scattered throughout the world and will be protected from the judgments
of God while functioning as His faithful servants.
This plea and warning was given in prophetic format throughout the old
testament in a "Day of the LORD" context.
Joel 2:1,
"Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on my holy mountain!
Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is
coming; Surely it is near."
Zephaniah 1:7,
"Be silent before the Lord Yahweh! For the day of Yahweh is near;
for Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests."
Zephaniah 2:1-3,
"Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame,
Before the decree takes effect - The day passes like the chaff - Before
the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S
anger comes upon you. Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have
carried out His ordinances; (religious Israel) Seek righteousness, seek
humility. PERHAPS you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."
Amos 5:14-15,
"Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And
thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said! Hate
evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God
of hosts May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
These are pleas to return to orthodoxy as represented in the heritage of
the Jewish people via the Old Testament scriptures. For those who re-embrace
their heritage and resist the beast and his system of worship, there will
be deliverance from the judgments of God poured out on the world. But for
those who do not return to orthodoxy, when the Day comes, it will be for
them, a time of great darkness and judgment.
Amos 5:16-20,
"Therefore, thus says the LORD God of hosts, the Lord, There is
wailing in all the plazas, And in all the streets they say, Alas! Alas!
They also call the farmer to mourning And professional mourners to lamentation.
And in all the vineyards {there is} wailing, Because I shall pass through
the midst of you, says the LORD. Alas, you who are longing for the day
of the LORD, For what purpose {will} the day of the LORD {be} to you? It
{will be} darkness and not light; As when a man flees from a lion, And
a bear meets him, Or goes home, leans his hand against the wall, And a
snake bites him. {Will} not the day of the LORD {be} darkness instead of
light, Even gloom with no brightness in it?"
This plea is also made at Isaiah 2:1-22.
In v. 2-4, we see the promise of the Messiah's earthly kingdom and the
spiritual and material blessings that will take place. But before there
can be the kingdom there must be the judgment on the world at the Day of
the LORD's wrath.
v. 6-9 describes the condition of the nation in Isaiah's generation but
reflects the general attitude of the Israelites during the time of the
false covenant with the beast as well.
Verse 5, gives a plea to return to the heritage of the LORD.
"Come House of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD."
Verse 5, is a transition verse from the present crisis in Isaiah's
generation to the national crisis in the great tribulation under the oppressive
reign of the man of lawlessness.
This then, is a plea for recovery before the Day of the LORD comes. If
there is no recovery, then when that Day does arrives, their response will
be as at v. 10.
"Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD
and from the splendor of His majesty."
This is the same response recorded at Revelation 6:15-17 when the world
is confronted with the Day of the LORD return of Jesus.
Verse 11,
These will be the recipients of the Day of the LORD judgments.
"The proud look of man will be exposed,
And the loftiness of man will be neutralized,
And the LORD alone will be exalted IN THAT DAY."
Verse 12,
"For to the LORD of hosts, there is a day -
against everyone who is proud and lofty
and against everyone who is lifted up.
That he may be exposed and humiliated."
Verse 21,
". . . before the terror of the LORD
and the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises to make the earth tremble."
And the plea then, to those who have embraced the beast as the promised
Messiah (prior to actually taking the mark) is found at verse 22.
(my translation)
"Cease from THE man! (the definite article has significance here)
Whose breath is in his nostrils; (he is only a creature) For in what degree
and for what purpose should he be regarded as honorable?"
The ministry of the two witnesses will continue from the mid-point of the
week, beyond the arrival of the Day of the LORD to the end of the week,
1260 days later.
Then they will be killed by the beast at the end of that 1260 day period
and their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for the first
3 1/2 days of the final 30 day period of divine wrath that comes via the
bowls of Rev. 15 and 16. (Revelation 11:7-13; Daniel 12:11)
Daniel 12:11 teaches that the abominable effects of the
Beast's attack on the temple will not be ended until 30 days after the
end of the 70th week. Even though his "official reign" ends on
day 1260, his kingdom will not be completely destroyed until 30 days later
at the end of the Armageddon campaign.
After the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus, there will be
the initial conversion of the 144,000 Israelites, and probably a host of
other conversions from among the Gentiles and even other Jews as the days
of divine judgment are administered upon the earth. The result of this
will be that, as the armies of the world merge into Palestine and around
Jerusalem during the Armageddon campaign, there will be 4 major groups
of Jewish believers present on the earth.
1. Those outside of Palestine living throughout the world.
2. Those hiding in the mountains of Edom, for many of these will become
believers after the Day of the LORD arrival of Jesus.
3. The clans of Judah, fighting outside of Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:6-8
4. The inhabitants of Jerusalem. Zechariah 12:6-8
In addition, there will be a large number of Gentile converts so that after
Jesus defeats the armies of the world and Satan at Armageddon, He will
be able to establish his earthly kingdom with a large number of believers
from all the nations of the world.
Zechariah 14:16-21; Isaiah 11:10; 60:10-22; Matthew 25:31-46
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