Has God rejected His own people? Romans 11:1-24.

We open our study of Romans 11 with the last three verses of Romans 10. Why?

Because chapter 11 is a continuation of thought, and, as you will see, opens with what seems like an important.

If we have some form of Christian world view, one that is aware of the angry tones which accompany the voices of those who say, God is done with Israel, and their fate is hell. Is this question that Paul asks, “did the people of Israel really understand,” a valid one? Paul tells us that they did understand, and he uses himself as an example, but, as he says in verse 21, “they were disobedient and rebellious.”

Romans 10:19-21 NLT  But I ask, did the people of Israel understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”  (20)  And later, Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”  (21)  But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long, I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

When we open chapter 11, we immediately we see Paul using another rhetorical question. Watch how he answers it analytically and insight-fully.

”I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel?
Of course not!
I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”
(Romans 11:1 NLT)

Far too many have tried to answer this question; however, they would tell you that God has rejected His own people. How and why would you do that, when the Holy Spirit has seen fit to put an answer there on the page for you to see. A man I sat under for a short time, would say things that conflicted with the Word of God. Called on his error by showing him the truth in the Word, he would respond with, “that's my opinion, and that is all that matters.”

So then, God has not rejected his people and the fact that Paul is speaking into our lives proves that point.

God didn't turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don't you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel.
(Romans 11:2 NIrV)

Look at what Leviticus says,

But for all that, when they are in the land of their haters, I will not let them go, or be turned away from them, or give them up completely; my agreement with them will not be broken, for I am the Lord their God. (Leviticus 26:44 BBE)

I believe that 1Kings 19, beginning with verse 10, is what Paul is referring to when he speaks of Elijah's complaint.

"Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18 NASB)

It is evident that Elijah felt very alone,

"Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE."
(Romans 11:3 NASB)

Paul pointed out in the ninth chapter of this letter to the church in Rome that only a remnant would survive; is God telling us, based upon the number that He gave to Elijah, that the remnant will equal 7000? I am not so sure, and here is why.

"It will come about in all the land," declares the LORD, "That two parts in it will be cut off and perish, but the third will be left in it. 

(Zechariah 13:8 NASB)

Even though Zechariah speaks of a third that does not perish, a significant number of passages speak of only a few surviving. As of October 2019, Israel claims a population of 9,108,500 inhabitants. If a third survived what is coming, we could potentially be looking at somewhere around 3 million people; a tenth would be 900,000. To only have 7000 walking into the millennial reign is a shockingly small number.

But what is the divine response to him? "I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL."
(Romans 11:4 NASB)

Don't we also sometimes feel alone, especially when we see the truth in God's Word, and it conflicts with what is being taught from the podium and then professed by the lost sheep that we sit by in our churches? I have experienced this feeling on multiple occasions. A pastor of mine was trying to explain the communion, and it’s origins, in his closing comments to a men’s retreat. He said, “Jesus did not want to die for you.” Now, I can give the man some grace and say that he misspoke, but the damage was done, and he made no attempts to correct his error. If you are one of those lost sheep, and cannot, or will not read for yourself, then this conversation is pointless to you. However, I have studied my bible and know what it says,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NASB)

The Apostle John tells us this about God and His attitude toward us.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NASB)

Does that sound like someone who did not want to die for you? No, I didn't think so.

Now watch as Paul, speaking to an audience in which the majority are Jewish Christ-followers, says, it is not so different today. Remember, context is everything and may exclude me from applying this next verse to the time frame in which we live.

“In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.”
(Romans 11:5 NASB)

Just as the story about Elijah lamented what appeared to be his solitary efforts to promote God, we too are not alone, and, though you may not see them, the others are out there. Many, not needing the spotlight, pray their tears out before God; they pray in this manner because they too feel alone.

The NLT translation does a better job of moving us through Romans 11:5, so let's look at that.

It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
(Romans 11:5 NLT)

Note the phrase undeserved kindness.

And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For, in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
(Romans 11:6 NLT)

“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works.” Who is the “they” in this sentence? The Jews, but as Paul already pointed out, anyone can jump on board.

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
(Romans 3:21-24 NLT)

• “God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law”
• “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.”
• “this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”
• “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
• “Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in his sight.”
• He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”

What is Israel seeking?

What then [shall we conclude]? Israel failed to obtain what it sought [God's favor by obedience to the Law]. Only the elect (those chosen few) obtained it, while the rest of them became callously indifferent (blinded, hardened, and made insensible to it).
(Romans 11:7 AMP )

So the question is, what is Israel seeking?

Some might say they are seeking a Messiah. Sadly, He came, and they would not recognize Him. Will they know Him when God's wrath is poured out on them once again?

Have a look at Eugene Peterson's translation.

Romans 11:7 MSG  And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn't succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result, received his stamp of legitimacy. The "self-interest Israel" became thick-skinned toward God.

Has Israel ever stopped trying to be right, pursuing her own self-interests?

If what Peterson sees is those who allow God to pursue His interests in them, do we see Israel as doing that? Apparently not.

2 Corinthians 3:15-16 NASB, But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

So Israel will have to turn to the Lord, and that day will come.

Romans 11:8 NET. as it is written,

"God gave them a spirit of stupor,

eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear,

to this very day."

Romans 11:9 NLT  Likewise, David said,

“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.

Romans 11:10 NLT 

Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”

Paul is quoting much of Romans 11:8-10 from Psalms 69, but he, like Jesus frequently did, is only taking a portion for Psalm 69 speaks of their homes being deserted. Now, this may be the destruction that is coming to Israel, but who would wish that on someone?

Psalms 69:22-25 NIrV  Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let my enemies get what's coming to them.  (23)  Let their eyes grow weak, so they can't see. Let their backs be bent forever.  (24)  Pour out your anger on them. Let them feel its burning heat.  (25)  May their homes be deserted. May no one live in their tents.

Romans 11:11 CEV 

Do I mean that the people of Israel fell, never to get up again?

Certainly not!

Their failure made it possible for the Gentiles to be saved, and this will make

the people of Israel jealous.

Pay attention to this next verse.

Romans 11:12 CEV  But if the rest of the world's people were helped so much by Israel's sin and loss, they will be helped even more by their full return.

Another translation.

Romans 11:12 Williams  But if their stumbling has resulted in the enrichment of the world and their overthrow becomes the enrichment of heathen peoples, how much richer the result will be when the full quota of Jews comes in!

Consider this idea of a full quota. Quota means a just part or share; or the share, part or proportion assigned.

So God already has a number in mind, knowing full well that, regardless of the open invitation, only so many will come.

Paul now speaks directly to those who were among the nations, but are now a part of the flock.

Romans 11:13 ERV  Now I am speaking to you people who are not Jews. I am an apostle to the non-Jewish people. So while I have that work, I will do the best I can.

Other terms for this people group are the nations and the Gentiles; it all works. The GW translation puts it this way.

(GW)  Now, I speak to you who are not Jewish. As long as I am an apostle sent to people who are not Jewish, I bring honor to my ministry.

Question: was Saul/Paul an apostle to the Gentiles from the very beginning? 

No.

What evidence do we have that Saul/Paul was initially an apostle to the Jews?

(Acts 9:22 BBE)  But Saul went on increasing in power, and the Jews in Damascus were not able to give answers to the arguments by which he made it clear that Jesus was the Christ.

Now some might try to argue that Paul was preaching to Greeks based on Acts 9:29, so let's look at that for a moment.

(Acts 9:29 NASB) And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.

Two things to note from Acts 9:29: In the NASB, the word Jews are italicized, meaning it is not found in the original text, it was added for continuity and understanding. Based on the context, I would agree that the term fits the conversation. The other thing to pay attention to is that many of the audience were deemed Hellenists. The word Hellenistic means a Jew by birth or religion who speaks Greek; it is used chiefly of foreign Jews and proselytes whether converted to Christianity. That term, Hellenist might seem odd in Jerusalem, but there was a change, and under Roman rule, Greek became the acceptable language. 

Could this term Hellenists just as easily apply to a Gentile who had converted to Judaism? 

Certainly, because the definition of a Hellenist also includes those who are Jews by conversion.

Almost as though the writers of the CEV translation had been there in Jerusalem, they state,

(Acts 9:28-29 CEV)  Saul moved about freely with the followers in Jerusalem and told everyone about the Lord.  (29)  He was always arguing with the Jews who spoke Greek, and so they tried to kill him.

In Acts 11, we see an interesting transition that eventually includes Paul.

(Acts 11:19-20 NASB) So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. (20) But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Pay attention to verse 19, as it says, that those scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen, preached the Word to no one except for Jews alone. This persecution can directly be tied back to Saul (soon to be called Paul.)

And now follow verse 20, where it states, “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.” Who or what gave them the freedom or thought to speak to the Gentiles about Jesus, the Jew that will return to rule the world, is not clear, however, I suspect the Holy Spirit's influence.

(Acts 11:22-26 NASB) The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. (23) Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; (24) for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. (25) And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; (26) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year, they met with the church and taught considerable numbers, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

At this point, there is no aversion on the part of Paul to speak to Gentile believers. The word church here is ekklēsia, and, in this instance, means an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting. (Thayer Definition)

The phrase, an assembly of Christians, has no stipulations on it, and may well have included Jewish and Gentile converts. If I am following this story, holding to a chronological timeline, I still find Paul headed to the Synagogue on the Sabbath.

(Acts 13:13-14 NASB) Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. (14) But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

(Acts 14:1 NASB) In Iconium, they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

When did his mission change based upon what we see in Acts?

Acts 13:46-49 NASB Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (47) "For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'" (48) When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.

So here in Acts 13:46-49, Paul says, because you (Jews) judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.

Was Peter prompted by the Holy Spirit to be an apostle to the Gentiles?

Yes.

Did Peter pursue his calling to the Gentiles? 

It would not appear so beyond the household of Cornelius.

So Paul made it his goal, “to make my fellow-countrymen jealous.”

(Romans 11:13-14 Williams)  Yes, I now am speaking to you who are a part of the heathen peoples. As I am an apostle to the heathen peoples, I am making the most of my ministry to them, to see  (14)  if I can make my fellow-countrymen jealous, and so save some of them.

What would possibly make them jealous? God is showing grace, mercy, and acceptance to the nations.

(Romans 11:15 Williams)  For if the rejection of them has resulted in the reconciling of the world, what will the result be of the final reception of them but life from the dead?

Since God has brought in the world under the same glorious terms He offered Israel, then life from the dead is also part of the deal.

(Romans 11:16 Williams)  If the first handful of dough is consecrated, so is the whole mass; if the tree's root is consecrated, so are the branches.

Then we are consecrated as well if we believe.

It is the rootstock that supports us.

(Romans 11:17-18 NASB) But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, (18) do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

Romans 11:19-24 NASB, Williams.

You will say then,

"Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."

Very well, but it was for lack of faith that they were broken off,
and it is through your faith that you now stand where you are. (Williams)
Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
Behold then the kindness and severity of God;
to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness,
if you continue in His kindness;
otherwise, you also will be cut off.
And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in,
for God is able to graft them in again. (NASB)
For if you were cut off from an olive wild by nature,
and contrary to nature were grafted on to a fine olive stock,
how much easier will it be for the natural branches to be grafted on to their own olive stock? (Williams)

Consider, if this is something that could happen, such as being cut off, why then would anyone be comfortable saying such lousy things about Israel as God has cast them aside, losing out on His mercy?

If anyone says to you.. Matthew 24:23-26 - Part 7

Matthew 24: 23-26 may be Jesus attempt at clarifying his opening statement to the disciples.

Matthew 24:4-5 KJV And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

            The idea of deception was not a new concept to them.

Jeremiah 14:14 NASB Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility and the deception of their own minds.

             Pay attention to what is being said here in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3 NASB "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

            This false prophet, demonstrating signs and wonders, to the casual observer would give the impression that the person has some intense relationship with God or an intensely powerful spirit. What was the test of a false prophet in the Old Testament, their word coming to pass? Does this test work with signs? That is not clear, but what they use it for is. In the passage above, the worker of signs then misleads, because they now have followers. I think the greater question might be, will you have time to stand around, as you wait to prove this guy. One other thing, that Jesus made it clear that people will be operating in powerful signs, indicates that it is not exclusive to the demonic; Joel chapter two, the one that Peter quoted an excerpt from, tells us about followers of God moving in power gifts.

Key words: “Let us go after other gods and let us serve them,” Israel had direct instructions against doing something like this, and from several sources.

Deuteronomy 28:14 NASB and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

 Jeremiah 25:6 NASB and do not go after other gods to serve them and to worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the work of your hands, and I will do you no harm.'

The subtle problem here is that the message is not always so direct, because an aspect of brainwashing is the gradual breakdown of moral rules and sensibilities. 

Mug shot of David Koresh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My mind keeps going back to the people who stand out most in my mind, David Koresh, and Jim Jones. David Koresh, the leader of the branch Davidians, was able to get married couples to give up their spouses to him so that he alone could father more sons of god. I can tell you that there would have been many red flags long before that happened, and he and I would have had a brief, but convincing talk, ending with my wife and I leaving.

            The consensus would be that the disciples should have memorized these things in the synagogue schools, but I have heard, repeatedly, that Jesus disciples had probably been kicked out, because they were not the cream of the crop. That does not prove anything, and that Jesus spoke to them in this way, something he would not have done if he had thought for a second that they are not going to understand this. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that they knew exactly what he was saying to them.

            If it is safe to assume they understood then where did the mind immediately go when he said this.

Mark 13:22 KJV For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

            Whom would they have perceived as the elect? You got it, the scribes, Pharisee, and priesthood of Israel. (The same guys that would soon put Jesus on the cross.) When we throw ourselves back into the context, then they perceived that who ever this character is, and whatever he represents, is going to be monumental in its deception.

            Sorry about the long introductions but it fits.

You should have your bible open by now so turn to Matthew 24: 23-26.

Matthew 24:23-26 CEV Someone may say, "Here is the Messiah!" or "There he is!" But don't believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will come and work great miracles and signs. They will even try to fool God's chosen ones. But I have warned you ahead of time. If you are told that the Messiah is out in the desert, don't go there! And if you are told that he is in some secret place, don't believe it!

            If we mentally place ourselves in this period to understand, we are 3-1/2 years into the middle of wrath being poured out upon the earth, and it just worsened with the advent of the false prophet.
The wrath of God, in actuality it is the wrath of the Lamb – Jesus Christ, primarily begins with the sixth chapter of Revelation.

Revelation 6:16-17 NASB and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

 Are there still believers on the earth during this time, you can count on it, as they have chosen to follow

Jesus the Messiah since the removal of the church from the earth, and not whatever this person is selling. True, they missed the rapture, but how glorious a hope they will have, and they will rule and reign with Christ over this earth.

Mark’s gospel gives us a parallel version with a slightly different spin.

Mark 13:21-22 GW "At that time don't believe anyone who tells you, 'Here is the Messiah!' or 'There he is!' False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will work miraculous signs and do wonderful things to deceive, if possible, those whom God has chosen.

Do an Internet search for people who called themselves Jesus. Conservatively, there have been over 50, and I mentioned two of them a few paragraphs ago. Still this should strike you odd because we do not have people running around, claiming to be God’s son, as this implies without thinking them insane.
If we stick with key words, such as Messiah then we are hit with a problem immediately when we look up the Greek word translated Messiah. It means anointed, and though we typically ascribe that designation to Jesus Christ, it is easy to see why for the word is khristos. That coincidence does not give Jesus exclusive rights to the word, just as many, during his days on earth, had his name, Yashua, transliterated Joshua.

“For false Christs and false prophets will arise” False Christs = pseudochristos. Seems like it should be self-explanatory, but why so many? Is there money involved; perhaps power? Consider that during this period an entity is hell-bent on killing off anything that resembles a follower of Christ, so what advantage would that be.

The Greek wording for false prophets is rather eye-opening pseudoprophētēs, and can have several possibilities - a spurious (counterfeit) prophet, that is, pretended foreteller or religious impostor:

The word translated “arise”, is the Greek word egeiro, and means to waken. Now this immediately grabs my attention and here is why. Four angels, apparently large and vicious in their capabilities, are to be released from the chains they have been bound with and kept in the Euphrates River.

Revelation 9:14-15 NASB one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind.

You might say these were awakened. However, we are talking about humans acting as false messiahs.
You are going to have to look at Islam, once again, to gain some clarity.

List of Mahdi claimants

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Muslim eschatology, the Mahdi is a Messianic figure who, it is believed, will appear on Earth before the Day of Judgment and, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny. People claiming to be the Mahdi have appeared across the Muslim world – in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East – and throughout history since the birth of Islam (610 CE).

A claimant Mahdi can wield great temporal, as well as spiritual, power: claimant Mahdis have founded states (e.g. the late 19th-century Mahdiyah in Sudan), as well as religions and sects (e.g. Bábism, or the Ahmadiyya movement). The continued relevance of the Mahdi doctrine in the Muslim world was most recently emphasised during the 1979 seizing of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by at least 200 militants led by Juhayman al-Otaibi, who had declared his brother-in-law, Muhammad bin abd Allah al-Qahtani, the Mahdi.

To make this short, I counted 26. I am sure it is longer as history is always given an appropriate spin convenient to the tellers’ point of view.

We have not eliminated people claiming to be Jesus, but neither have we excluded Islam from having many claiming to be “the Mahdi”. There would certainly be some advantages in terms of power, authoritative decisions, and money (although Islam will deny that.)

Matthew 24:24 NASB "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

 False though they may be, they will put on a good show. Many will bow their knee to Allah because of the signs. It would seem that they are focused heavily on deceiving the elect, the leadership of religious Israel. 

As a side note, I will show you a commentary by John MacArthur. I have gone through my phases with him, ranging from disgust to respect, and now, slowly finding it difficult to waste my time hunting for the good with him.

to deceive, if possible, even the elect. “This warning clearly implies that such deception is not possible” (Joh_10:4-5).

It seems that John MacArthur is choosing to ignore the emphatic tone, and concern in Jesus response. “"See to it that no one misleads you.”

There is a context. I know I keep saying that, but deliveries lacking a solid context have led the church into a lifelong state of confusion, and in some, depression. Most do not know if we are coming or going.

This time is not about the church. It is most definitely about Israel and the nations. The nations, a generalized statement, especially Muslim nations, are at odds with Israel. I do not think that America can be excluded from the nations at odds with Israel, especially when the Secretary of State, John Kerry, is actively telling Israel to stand down as they attempt to gain support in protecting themselves. That conveys nothing short of animosity toward Israel, in my thinking.

The theme in part seven is a serious concern about deception by people claiming to be Jesus. Again, the Muslim world will only be focused on one thing during the last 3 ½ years, and that will be the elimination of anyone that represents Christ, Jews, or challenges the will of Allah merely by not being a Muslim.
This is not a time for civilized people, for as ugly as this wanton slaughter sounds, we will also see deadly weather elements, stars falling from the sky, darkness across the land, rain being shut off, an earthquake that impacts the entire earth, and a mind bending level of violence. You can avoid this by turning to Jesus Christ and giving him your life. Sure, you can wait, if you think you have the backbone for it.

Related articles

• The Pharisees therefore said unto him; Who is your witness
• And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached. Matt 24, part 5
• The Abomination of Desolation. Matthew 24: 15-22. Part 6 of the series
• . . .And The Kingdom Comes
• Why the Jews did not see Jesus?
• Jesus Is in Every Book of the Bible!
• Living Our Loud For Christ

The abomination of desolation; it could be seen as an attempt to deny the reality of God's presence. Matthew 24:15

I assume many of you just stumbled upon this page and have not been following the series. With that in mind, I must recap. 

Matthew 24 is the preeminent source of prophecy for end time’s event in the Gospels. These words from Jesus' mouth are worthy of our attention.

Everything in scripture has a context, but some things can be used outside of the context and still carry a valid meaning for your personal issue. That is not the case with Matthew 24, for it is about a specific time, and it is almost upon us.

The question asked was from the lips of the disciples and was a question that had an intentional and direct Jewish mindset. They asked Jesus when the temple would be destroyed, what kind of signs they could expect to see indicating His return as the Messiah, and when this would happen. Did you catch that part about the Messiah? When you read John’s gospel, you get a sense that they did not understand that he was the Messiah, but really their question was not wrong, He would come back some day in that role, but not any time soon as far as they were concerned.

He knew when the temple would be destroyed. How vital that was to the real question I do not know, but he did not give them a specific timing on that. What he spoke about, at depth, were the signs preceding His return to earth. Scripture tells us that not even the Son knows the day or the hour, but Jesus told them, “it is given unto you to know.” If not even Jesus knew the precise timing, can we? No, but scriptural evidence, common sense, and attention to your surroundings should get any of us in the ballpark.

Matthew 13:11 KJV He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mark and Luke’s gospels recorded essentially the same thing.

Mark 4:11 KJV And he said unto them, Unto you, it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

If I take the time to look at a passage like 1 Corinthians 2: 9-12, then I open a rather distinct door to understanding God's ways and purposes.

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 KJV "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man, which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit, which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God."

Legalism will try to tell you that this applies only to the revealed word of God (the words written and collected in these books we call the bible), but how can that be since the context of the verse has everything to do with the Spirit (an intangible aspect of God). Notice how it tells us that the Spirit (we often presume of man) searches the deep things of God; that idea can work for man because the Spirit of God comes into man when he receives Christ, and even more specifically when the Holy Spirit comes into a person. There is a distinction between the two events, and I will show you.

Acts 8:14-17 CEV The apostles in Jerusalem heard that some people in Samaria had accepted God's message, and they sent Peter and John. When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit. Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to anyone in Samaria, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.

          

In this example, some in Samaria had accepted God’s message. Okay, that should imply that they received Christ and therefore received the Spirit of God too. Why then would Peter and John feel the need to go there and lay their hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit, because it is something over and above.

The word deep also implies the full extent, and that includes the timing (at least within the ballpark) of what is to come. If the meaning of Spirit, as used here, applies to the Holy Spirit, then it makes sense as an aspect of God and, like Jesus, God itself, which in turn would search out the deep things of God since it is God. However, what good does that do us unless that same Spirit is conveying that information back to us? Fortunately, this verse tells us that the Spirit (of God) that has searched out the depths of God has revealed them to us. Now that should be a source of excitement to you unless, of course, you take the legalist point of view and decide that the depths of God are nothing more than the words on the pages of the Bible, which most of the “religious” community do not read, and fewer understand. If you take the open-minded approach and not just read your Bibles, but make it a daily aspect as important as eating, where you dissect it, challenge it, absorb it, and find out what it is saying to you, then I say yes, the Holy Spirit will show “it” to you.

It is entirely up to you. You can listen to wisdom, the voice of the Holy Spirit, and pay attention to the signs going on around you, or you can be legalistic and argue against every point I make. The choice is yours. If I am right, then we need to be preaching a victorious message about our eternal hope in the arms of the Father. Explaining how we are free from the wrath that is coming upon the earth, instead of the gloom and despair we so readily preach, as we try to beat the fear of God into people, in trying to get them to repent of sins that God has already forgiven.

Do I know the exact time and date of when He will return in Glory as the reigning messiah? No, no man knows that, but with intelligence and clues, we can come close.

 That was a long introduction to the passages I wanted to cover. Open your Bible to Matthew 24, and let us pick up at verse 15.

Matthew 24:15 KJV When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)

           

Jesus refers to a prophecy by Daniel. I am going to dig this up for you, but you have to take off your legalistic hat. Keep in mind the context of what Jesus is talking about, an end time’s event. As followers of Christ, we will not experience this event.

The Life Application Study Bible gives us this:

What was "the sacrilegious object that causes desecration" mentioned by both Daniel and Jesus? Rather than one specific object, event, or person, it could be seen as any deliberate attempt to mock and deny the reality of God's presence. Daniel's prediction came true in 168 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes caused an altar to be erected on the altar of burnt-offering, on which was sacrificed a pig to Zeus on the sacred Temple altar (Dan_9:27; Dan_11:30-31). Jesus' words were remembered in A.D. 70 when Titus placed an idol on the site of the burned Temple after destroying Jerusalem. In the end times the Antichrist will set up an image of himself and order everyone to worship it (2Th_2:4; Rev_13:14-15). These are all abominations to God.

As you can see there are three events, two of which have happened, all of which will be deemed the abomination.

1. Antiochus Epiphanes desecrating the temple in 168 B.C.
2. The temple being destroyed in 70 A.D.
3. However, there is another desolation of the temple, and as of yet, there is no temple.

 Daniel 11:30-35 KJV For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore, he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate. And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people who do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

 Where else can we find this theme in scripture?

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NIrV Don't let anyone trick you in any way. That day will not come until people rise up against God. It will not come until the man of sin appears. He is a marked man. He is sentenced to be destroyed. He will oppose everything that is called God. He will oppose everything that is worshiped. He will give himself power over everything. He will set himself up in God's temple. He will announce that he himself is God.

What do we have around us, as we speak, that opposes everything that is called God? To answer the question you have to think with a “Christian” worldview. Although we call him God, and I think he is okay with that, his name is Jehovah, Yahweh, and Hebrew names I struggle to pronounce, and yet the one name God never introduced himself by was Allah (along with a few others.)

         

If the “he” of 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4 is a staunch follower of Islam, and a person that has a global authority, then he can decree that there is no god but Allah and demand that he alone must be worshiped. 

Now how would he enforce that? Only by an overwhelming and well armed force, much as we have witnessed in the Middle East, and northern African nations.

         

If we apply the knowledge and logic aspect, as I mentioned earlier, to what Islam believes, then this picture becomes clearer.

Most of what I am going to show you comes from Wikipedia. Pay attention (if you read it) to keywords that are common to our understanding of the gospels. I am giving you all this because this person is the false prophet that will set up the abomination in the new temple at 31/2 years into this time known as the Great Tribulation, time of wrath, and day of the Lord.

`Îsâ Ibn Maryam ( Arabic: عيسى, translit.: ʿĪsā ), known as Jesus in the New Testament, is considered to be a Messenger of Allah and al-Masih (the Messiah) in Islam who was sent to guide the Children of Israel (banī isrā'īl) with a new scripture, al-Injīl (the Gospel).  

The belief that Jesus is a prophet is required in Islam, as it is for all prophets named in the Qur’an. This is reflected in the fact that he is clearly a significant figure in the Qur’an (appearing in 93 ayat [or verses]), though Noah, Adam, and Moses appear with even greater frequency. It states that Jesus was born to Mary (Arabic: Maryam) as the result of virginal conception, a miraculous event that occurred by the decree of Allah.

To aid in his ministry to the Jewish people, Jesus was given the ability to perform miracles (such as healing the blind, bringing dead people back to life, etc.), all by the permission of Allah rather than of his own power.

According to the Qur’an, Jesus, although appearing to have been crucified, was not killed by crucifixion or by any other means; instead, "God raised him unto Himself".

Like all prophets in Islam, Jesus is considered a Muslim (i.e., one who submits to the will of Allah), as he preached that his followers should adopt the "straight path" as commanded by Allah.

Islam rejects the Trinitarian Christian view that Jesus was God incarnate or the Son of God, that he was ever crucified or resurrected, or that he ever atoned for the sins of mankind. The Qur’an says that Jesus himself never claimed any of these things, and it furthermore indicates that Jesus will deny having ever claimed divinity at the Last Judgment, and Allah will vindicate him.

The Qur’an emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human being who, like all other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread Allah’s message. Islamic texts forbid the association of partners with Allah, emphasizing a strict notion of monotheism (tawhīd). An alternative interpretation of this theology is held by Messianic Muslims.

Numerous titles are given to Jesus in the Qur’an and in Islamic literature, the most common being al-Masīḥ ("the Messiah"). Jesus is also, at times, called the "Seal of the Israelite Prophets" because, in general, Muslim belief, Jesus was the last prophet sent by Allah to guide the Children of Israel. Jesus is seen in Islam as a precursor to Muhammad and is believed by Muslims to have foretold the latter's coming.

Muslims believe that Jesus will return to earth near the Day of Judgment to restore justice and to defeat al-Masih ad-Dajjal ("the false messiah," also known as the Antichrist).

According to Islamic texts, Isa was divinely chosen to preach the message of monotheism and submission to the will of Allah to the Children of Israel (banī isrā'īl).

You need to keep it clear in your head that what I just gave you is what the Qur’an teaches, and Islam believes. It is only meant to show you that Islam is looking for similarly named personages to show up at corresponding times with what we see in scripture, and, if you allow yourself the freedom to see these characters fulfilling some of these roles, the scriptures about end times that eluded you will begin to make sense.

Revelation 13:11-17 KJB:PCE "And I beheld another beast [this is the man with so many titles: the lawless one, the son of perdition, the false prophet, and beast] coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that, as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." [Emphasis, mine]

Answer me this; what is the “Holy Place” that Matthew 24:15 refers to? This is the third temple that must be rebuilt. What is up there now, and who controls it? The second most holy site to Muslims is the Dome of the Rock, and they own the temple mount. If you understand their attitude and pay attention to events that happen in Jerusalem, then you know that they will not relinquish the temple mount under any normal circumstance. How will Israel be able to build a third temple on that mount? Short of God’s intervention, it is not happening, therefore something huge has to happen.

One of the methods of interpretation is to let scripture interpret scripture. Since we already have a huge head start, and that is the context of the question and the answer, then let us continue to pursue the passages that meant to define what will take place as a result of this abomination period.

Matthew 24:16-21 CEV If you are living in Judea at that time, run to the mountains. If you are on the roof of your house, don't go inside to get anything. If you are out in the field, don't go back for your coat. It will be a terrible time for women who are expecting babies or nursing young children. And pray that you won't have to escape in winter or on a Sabbath. This will be the worst time of suffering since the beginning of the world, and nothing this terrible will ever happen again.

 Jesus told his disciples, “If you are living in Judea at that time”, well of course none of them would be. The abomination committed by Antiochus Epiphanes had happened over 168 years earlier, and yet it was an event hugely significant because it mirrored something that was to come. What Jesus described was the Great Tribulation, an event exclusive to the last 3-1/2 years of this 7-year period.

One of the things that denotes this as the Great Tribulation is this: Matthew 24:22 KJV And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened.

Whoever this hellish tyrant is, he will try to have everyone who is not a follower of Allah killed. How can I be so bold to say that?

• Revelation 13:11-12 CEV (11) “I now saw another beast. This one came out of the ground. It had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. (12) It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast.”

• Now you must have an understanding of what the beast that sustained a fatal wound but was healed is. Started as the Rashidun Caliphate in 632 A.D., Islam continued overpowering and dominating the Middle East, Europe, and Northern African nations until the demise of the Ottoman Empire in 1922. The world thought Islam was dead at this point, but they were wrong. The Muslim Brotherhood quietly came back to life, starting in Egypt in 1928. Islam erupted on the scene with a full and relentless force with the Iranian revolution of 1979, where they overtook the American Embassy. Islam is your beast whose fatal wound has been healed.

• Revelation 13:15 BBE “And he had power to give breath to the image of the beast, so that words might come from the image of the beast, and that he might have all those who did not give worship to the image of the beast put to death.” Because the passage calls it he, we get confused. Revelation 13:11,12 speak of a beast, but there it is an ideology. Here, the “he” is the Antichrist character that we all seem to comprehend. Islam calls this guy the Mahdi, or the 12^th Imam. He, at least for 3-1/2 years, will come off as a statesman, but as you can see, he gives tremendous power to the second person, whom we call the false prophet.

• “He” has access to the altar within the newly built temple, but no one seems to be caring about that or paying attention. Doesn’t that strike anyone else as odd? Unless he is exactly as the Islamic prophecies describe him: A Jew, who happens to be a Muslim (does that even sound right?), of the lineage of Aaron and therefore entitled to be a priest (there’s a huge clue), someone who performs extraordinary signs – like calling fire down from the heavens.

• Under Islamic prophecy, he will be the enforcer of Sharia and will demand that all bow their knee to Allah. This may be what we are seeing in Revelation 13:15

A time of violence, so violent that God has to shorten the time or no one decent will survive. And while April of 2014 has proven to be deadly for thousands of Christians living in Syria, that region, and Northern African nations, it is only a drop in the bucket in comparison to what is coming.

Where is the hope in this? Oh, it is there, we may get into it in part seven, but for the believer that will not be here during this time of horror, our hope is in Christ returning to gather us home to himself, obviously right before the worst of the seven-year period breaks out.

You can have this solid hope in you as well by accepting Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and invite him into you heart.

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