Jewish Heritage Revival

One Heritage United by Messiah

When???

Prior to proceeding with this article, I would like to emphatically state that this is NOT an article of prophecy, predicting when our Messiah will return, but an article of preparation.  

We will look back at some of the past predictions as to when our Messiah would return. We will also explore some possibilities as to when He will return.  The underlying focus of this article is to emphasize that His return is both close and can happen at any moment.

There are several theories as to when a "rapture"  (removing of believers) and / or return will occur. 

Please note that the origins of the "rapture" theory are in question.  Even though there is debate as to when it first surfaced.  Here is a brief and recent history of supporters:

• 15 year old Scottish-Irish girl by the name of Margaret MacDonald had a vision around 1830 that was later published in 1861  
• John Nelson Darby popularized the "secret rapture" during the 19th century
• William Eugene Blackstone wrote "Jesus is Coming" in 1908 where the word rapture was first used
• Popularized by Hal Lindsey's book "The Late Great Planet Earth" in the 1970s
• Further popularized by Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" series of books and movies

The first believers of our Messiah as accounted in the Book of Acts didn't talk about a removal of believers, but focused on our Messiah's return.  Through the centuries, the waters have been made cloudy by many.  When we look at the various theories of the "rapture", it in essence implies that our Messiah is actually returning twice.  Nowhere in scripture does it state that our Messiah will return twice.  Some have called this the "yoyo" theory.  

For a rather complete list of failed predictions relating to the return of our Messiah, you may click on the following link.  There are a total of 61 documented incorrect predictions as to the return of our Messiah from this date, looking back.  The table also includes three future predictions whereby the time has not yet come.

Here are a few of the more memorable predictions that failed to be fulfilled by our Messiah.  

Be careful as to not be deceived.

We ultimately won't know which "theory" is true until it actually happens.  The intent of this article is not to determine which theory is true, but to offer a warning, to be prepared, because our Messiah warns us:

"But of that day and hour knows no man, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only."  Matthew 24:36

There have been many predictions made by many men, as to when our Messiah will return.  Looking at all of  the predictions up to this date, they have ALL been incorrect, further emphasizing our Messiah's statement that no man knows when He will return.  

That doesn't mean that our Messiah has left us without signs of the events to come.  To the contrary, there are signs already in place which indicate His return can happen at any moment, however, regardless of what theory you believe, there are still events yet to occur.  One such sign that has occurred is the fig tree, otherwise known as the regathered Israel, which became a nation again in 1948:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  So likewise, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Surely I say unto you; this generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."  Matthew 24:32 - 35

You can also look at Israel as the valley of dry bones described by Ezekiel 37:1 - 14 

The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.  Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”   Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!   Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.  I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”’” So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.  Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.  Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.  Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.  I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’”

In both prophecies, we have witnessed their fulfillment in the nation of Israel being regathered. 

There have been many prophecies (predictions) as to our Messiah's return that precede 1948.  They were all in error because the one primary piece was not yet in place - a regathered nation of Israel.   Even after 1948, the regathered nation of Israel wasn't complete.  The city of Jerusalem was a divided city.  It wasn't  until 1967, after the Yom Kippur war when the regathered nation of Israel regained complete control of the holy city of Jerusalem. 

As we stand today, we have seen both prophecies of the valley of dry bones becoming alive again and the fig tree bring forth its leaves and come into its fullness and bear fruit in terms of Israel becoming a complete nation again.  With the fullness of Israel in place, what's next? 

What is The Importance of Israel?

Israel, a nation created by God through one man - Abraham, whose covenant is eternal.  Even though the nation has fallen away, blinded by God to the truth of Messiah, has not been forgotten and will be of primary focus regarding the return of our Messiah.

First, what many in the church believe as Israel being replaced by the church is simply false:

"I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying,  “LORD, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?  But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”  Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.  But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.  Romans 11:1 - 6

The blindness placed upon the nation by God is mentioned in Romans 11:

"What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  Just as it is written: “ God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see  And ears that they should not hear,  To this very day.”  And David says: “ Let their table become a snare and a trap,   A stumbling block and a recompense to them.   Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,  And bow down their back always.” Romans 11:7- 10 

is there for a reason and is temporary:

"I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!  Romans 11:11 - 12 

"For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."  Romans 11:25

They are a people that when our Messiah does return, all Israel shall be saved.  

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:  “ The Deliverer will come out of Zion,  And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:26 - 27

Let us look further into the parable of the fig tree, whereby our Messiah states  "this generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled."  Just how long is a generation that our Messiah is talking about?  

How do we define a generation?

Let us look at two scenarios found in God's Word that could relate to the time frame of a generation:

1.  40 years - it took 40 years for the generation that came out of Egypt to be replaced by the generation that would enter into the promised land.  It took 40 years to replace an old generation with a new generation.

"Therefore upon the Lord was incensed and He swore, None of the men from twenty years up who came out of Egypt shall see the land that I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for they did not remain loyal to Me - none except for Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son on Nun, for they remained loyal to the Lord.  The Lord was incensed at Israel, and for forty years He made them wander in the wilderness, until the whole generation that had provoked the Lord's displeasure was gone."  Numbers 32:10 - 13

"For the Israelites had traveled in the wilderness forty years, until the entire nation- the men of military age who had left Egypt - had perished; because they had not obeyed the Lord, and the Lord had sworn never to let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to assign to us, a land flowing with milk and honey."  Joshua 5:6

2. 70 to 80 years - Psalm 90 "A Prayer of Moses" states that a lifetime is between 70 and 80 years.  "The span of our life is seventy years, or, given strength, eighty years."  Psalm 90:10

Now that we have identified two possible scenarios of generation length, what will this generation see after the nation of Israel has been regathered into its fullness?  Specifically all things stated in Matthew 24:4 - 28 that precede Our Messiah telling of the parable of the fig tree:

"And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceives you.  For many shall come in my name saying that I am Messiah; and shall deceive many.  And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars:  see that you are not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earth quakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.  But he that endures until the end, the same shall be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come."  Matthew 24:4 - 14

Where Are We At?

There have been many wars and rumors of war.  There have been famines, pestilences and earth quakes in various places.  Could it be that we are going through the beginning of sorrows?  There is currently a great deal of hatred in the world for believers in Messiah (Christians).  Are we to the point where it is all nations?  We could be getting close.

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.  Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Messiah, or there, believe them not.  For there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore if they shall say to you, Behold, he is in the desert, do not go:  Behold, he is in the secret chambers, do not believe.  For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together."  Matthew 24:21 - 28

Beware of the false messiahs and false prophets that our Messiah warns about in verse 24.  Here is a sample of some of the more recent claimants:

Regardless of the time, what should we be doing to make ourselves aware of where we are in this future account given by our Messiah?

KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON ISRAEL 

• Watch for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.  As our Messiah states:

"When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel, the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoso reads, let him understand)  Then let them which are in Judea flee into the mountains:  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house.  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his cloths.  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that nurse in those days.  But pray that your flight is not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day."  Matthew 24:15 - 20

When the Temple is completed, the "abomination of desolation" otherwise known as the anti-christ will be able to fulfill this prophecy spoken of by Daniel and referenced by our Messiah.   Therefore, keep your eye focused on Jerusalem and the construction of the third temple.

• Watch for nations coming against Israel, as mentioned in Ezekiel 38, specifically Magog (Russia) her allies -  Persia, Ethiopia and Libya.  (Ethiopia and Libya are not the African nations that we know of today, but refer to the nations surrounding Persia, today known as Iran)

"Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.  I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you  Ezekiel 38:1 - 7

Could this be the predicted third world war...Russia, Iran and other Arab nations come against Israel, bring America and other western nations into the conflict, defending Israel?   For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: Matthew 24:7 

What Do We Do Until Then?

Until then, our Messiah warns us directly and through parables to be prepared:

"Watch therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord does come.  But know this, that if the householder of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore you also be ready:  for in such an hour as you think not the Son the man comes."  Matthew 24:42 - 44

"Then shall the kingdom of God be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.   And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:  but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy; the bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:  and the door was shut.  Afterward, came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Surely I say unto you, I don't know you.  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes."  Matthew 25:1 - 13

Our Messiah clearly states that no one knows the day or hour in which He will return, except the Father.  As believers, we are to press on in this walk of faith that we have both chosen and been chosen for.  Are you doing what He has called you to do?

Is your lamp stand full?  

Are you ready for when the Bridegroom comes?

Once the door closes, anyone on the outside will be left on the outside.

Do Not be deceived!!!

We will be exploring the history, prophecy and significance to believers regarding the fall Feasts given to Israel by God in our next group of articles.

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