Time Will Tell / January 2000

So here we are. It is the winter of 1999-2000. It is Y2K “Ready or Not” time. It is the new millennium. It is a time of change and apprehension for many.

Lion and Lamb Ministries has tracked the Middle East Peace Accord from its 1993 beginnings. We believe that the peace agreement is the one spoken of by the prophets Daniel and Isaiah. We believe that anything happening in Israel today is prophetically significant, but a seven-year peace agreement is particularly noteworthy. The prophets tell us that a seven-year agreement will be the foundation and start of the Great Tribulation followed by the return of the Lord.

If the present Middle East Peace Accord is the prophesied seven-year agreement, then we should see the start of the Great Tribulation this winter. We should see the next three and one half years follow the prophetic scenario. Is this the correct agreement? Will the Great Tribulation begin this winter? Time will tell.

A salesman stopped in my office last week and noticed the office decor. He recognized that we were believers and took special note of the Tabernacle picture we have on the wall. He shared that he too was a believer and was looking forward to the Lord’s soon return. He shared his strong belief in the pretribulation rapture, the sudden and imminent return of the Lord. Time was short for a discussion so I asked him a quick question, “let’s say for the sake of discussion that the rapture does not come when you are expecting. Let’s say it comes later and you enter the Great Tribulation. What event are you expecting to happen that will clearly tell you that you are in the Great Tribulation?” He stumbled around with the question trying to set aside the pretrib rapture and then mumbled something about a one world government and the antichrist. I asked him further, “Where are you expecting the antichrist to come from and what will he do to convince you that the Great Tribulation has started?” He pondered further and finally said, “I don’t know.”

I was stunned a little by the fact that he could not list other events that must occur in the Great Tribulation. He could not offer such evidence as the altar in Jerusalem, the image being setup, the two witnesses, the sealing of the 144,000, or others. It was clear that while he made reference to a tribulation, he knew nothing of what the Scripture refers to as the Great Tribulation. The irony was clear. While most believers expect the second coming, they know none of the prophecies that must occur in the three and one half years prior to His coming. The reality is that the teaching of the pretribulation rapture has not increased the believer’s knowledge of end time prophecy; it has diminished the understanding and actually retarded the study of such things. The argument against understanding the Great Tribulation is simply, AI won’t be there. So, I don’t need to know any of that!”

Given that we may be on the brink of the Great Tribulation, I thought it might be appropriate for us to review the key events and players of what is prophesied to occur in the three and one half years known as the Great Tribulation. The Bible has dedicated a very significant portion of its content to explain these forthcoming events. The book of Revelation itself offers a special blessing upon the bondservants who read and heed the words describing the Great Tribulation. Therefore, let us be those who receive the blessing and understand the start, middle, and conclusion of the Great Tribulation.

I have provided a diagram for reference on pages 4 and 5 of this newsletter to illustrate the sequence of events and list the Scripture references.

THE 3 1/2 YEAR GREAT TRIBULATION

The period of time known as the Great Tribulation is the last three and one half years prior to the coming of the Lord on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. It is to be a very difficult time for the world as Satan will cause great harm and be on the earth through the auspices of the Antimessiah and the False Prophet. Some teachers (pretribbers) say the tribulation is seven-years long. They confuse the 70th week of Israel with “time of distress as the world has never seen.” But there is a correlation between the two time periods (7 and 3 1/2 years) that should be noted. The Great Tribulation begins in the midst of a seven-year agreement (the 70th week of Israel) when the agreement collapses and is annulled/cancelled. This is why we are watching the present Middle East Peace Accord, which is seven years in length and scheduled to be agreed on this February (winter time) 2000.
How the Great Tribulation
Begins

The Great Tribulation begins with an event referred to as the “Abomination of Desolation.” A great abomination against God will lead to great destruction of mankind (beyond anything that has ever happened). The abomination of desolation is a series of several events encased between the shutting down of the altar and the setting up of an image. These events must occur within the season of winter in Jerusalem. We can approximate the time of the abomination of desolation and say it is between 30 days and in a single season of winter (90 days). Daniel the prophet has given us some very specific dimensions associated with the start of the Great Tribulation. The specific event that begins the countdown of the tribulation is the shutting down or cessation of the daily sacrifice on the temple altar in Jerusalem. As I write this article, such an altar does not exist in Jerusalem. If we go through this winter and the altar is not built and shutdown, then the Great Tribulation will not start; the Middle East Peace Accord is not the prophesied seven-year agreement in question, and we must look to another time. However, even as I write without the evidence of the altar operating, serious negotiations are underway in the Middle East involving the final status of Jerusalem and its temple mount. Time will tell whether an altar is established.

How the Great Tribulation
Ends

Before we go further, let us also describe the events that end the Great Tribulation and understand the big picture. In the “days immediately after the tribulation,” the Lord comes back! Those days also include the Resurrection and the Rapture, Armageddon and the Day of the Lord, and our joining the Lord in Jerusalem. According to the Lord, the season of Summer must be present for some of those events (Matt 24:32). It would follow that if the Great Tribulation begins in the season of Winter, then three and one half years later must be the season of Summer. This also coincides with the Biblical feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles (Booths). Of particular note is the last Feast of Tabernacles. The prophet Zechariah says after all this time of destruction and judgment we will celebrate the feast of Tabernacles. Could this be the “blessed day” that Daniel looked forward to, 1335 days after the start of the abomination of desolation? I think so.

The Feast of Tabernacles comes on the 15th of Tishri according to the Hebrew calendar. This corresponds with our late September and October. We know that the “days immediately after the tribulation” are 45 in length. This is the difference between the 1290 days and 1335 days given by Daniel (Dan 12:11-12). Therefore, the days after the tribulation must be from 1 Elul through 15 Tishri on the Hebrew Calendar. Elul is the month of repentance leading up to the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Trumpets (1 Tishri) prophetically pictures the day of the resurrection and the Day of Atonement (10 Tishri) as the day of God’s great judgment B The Day of the Lord. With the Great Tribulation starting in the Winter and concluding in the Summer, the last three Biblical holidays play an important role in the understanding of the basic events of the second coming. The sequence of Elul and Tishri with Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles best describes the “days immediately after the tribulation.” We repent, we are resurrected and raptured, God’s wine press of His wrath is tread out, and we all return to Jerusalem to celebrate Tabernacles (the wedding of the Lamb), when God makes His Tabernacle with us.

The Antimessiah

Summarizing, the Great Tribulation begins with the abomination of desolation, lasts 1290 days (approximately 3 2 years), and concludes with the coming of the Lord in a 45 day period known as the “days immediately after the tribulation.” This time period serves as the encasement for the key players and judgments spoken of by the prophets. First, we have the antimessiah or antichrist. We are told much about him including a series of identifying clues. Of a very specific nature, we are told that he must come from the fourth great beast given in Daniel’s visions (the Roman Empire). He must be a prince and have participated in the confirmation process of the seven-year peace agreement. The prophecy goes on to say that he will be fatally wounded in the head prior to coming to power in the Great Tribulation. Somehow, he is healed by the efforts of the false prophet. The antimessiah must rise to power through the auspices of 10 rulers. In a one month dramatic rise to power, three of the rulers are “uprooted” followed by the other seven rulers giving their power to the antimessiah.

As described by the Yavoh article entitled “Union and Favor,” the present European Council of Ministers numbering 15 is soon to be 10 rulers. This is particularly noteworthy as each Minister has the power to rule for 6 months. If three are uprooted, the other seven would be able to give 42 months of power to rule to someone. According to the prophecy, the antimessiah is to receive the same 42 months to rule. The most likely candidate for the position of antimessiah is Prince Charles of Wales. By the way, his name also equals 666 using the Hebrew gematria in both English and Hebrew translated names. The Prince has also attempted to become king of Europe earlier in 1992 before the European Union and Council of Ministers was formed.

The False Prophet

Along with the antimessiah, the false prophet is to emerge and carry out certain tasks. Whereas the antimessiah rises to power politically, it is a given that the false prophet has religious authority over many peoples. He will have the authority and set up a statue on the temple mount, participate in its miracles, and compel others to worship the image. The most likely candidate for this position is the Pope. He will soon be in Jerusalem this winter. Miracles and statues are common events for Catholics.

Israel

The next player in the Great Tribulation is Israel, specifically, believing Israel. The Israeli believers will observe the events in Jerusalem (the Judean area) and flee to the valley of Azel on the day the image is set up. The valley of Azel is approximately 3 2 miles east of the temple mount in the mountains and wilderness of Judea. Because this ground is only accessible by foot, only those in the immediate Jerusalem area will get to it in time. They will be delivered by the Lord from a flood that will come after them and be nourished and cared for a period of 1260 days. This is the clue that tells us the minimum time of the abomination of desolation. It is 30 days in length. This is the difference of 1290 days (tribulation length) and 1260 days (believing Israel kept safe).

The Two Witnessess

Corresponding to believing Israel’s flight to the wilderness will be the two witnesses. The two witnesses, instead of fleeing, will stand on either side of the cold altar and prophesy and announce God’s judgments to the world. While many try to identify exactly who the two are, the prophecy spends its time explaining what they will do. They will prophesy from the temple mount and no one will be able to remove them from it, until their prophesying is complete (1260 days). Suddenly, they will be killed, allowed to lay dead visible to all, and raised 3 2 days later.

The 144,000

Scattered throughout the world will be another group of believing Sons of Israel; they are called the 144,000 sealed servants of God. The 144,000 are representatives of the twelve tribes (12,000 each) who are sealed at the beginning of the Great Tribulation, provide deliverance to the tribulation saints, and wait on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem for the Messiah’s triumphant return. They are sealed prior to the first trumpet judgment and the judgment upon the Household of God. The identity of the 144,000 is a mystery to many. First, they are the “Sons of Israel” from the various listed tribes. Today, modern Jews are composed of three tribes: Judah, Levi, and Benjamin. But where are the other tribes? History tells us that they were scattered in the nations and their rightful identity lost. However, the prophets have foretold how all Israel, even the lost tribes of Israel, would return with Judah in the last days and become “one in the hand of the Lord.” However you see these prophecies being fulfilled, the fact remains that the 144,000 are to play a very important role in the Great Tribulation.

The Tribulation Saints

Last, but not least, are the saints that will go through the tribulation. For you and I, this is our primary interest in knowing the events of the Great Tribulation. We know that just being a member of a church or professing a belief in the second coming does not mean we are of the tribulation saints described. The prophecy speaks of judgment coming first to the Household of God and a great apostasy and falling away from the faith. In fact, the organized religious system of churches today is labeled “Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.” The tribulation saints are to escape from Babylon before Babylon is judged. All of this is generally met with unbelief by churchmen. Few Christians believe that God will judge them at all, let alone judge them first in the Great Tribulation. Few Christians would include themselves in the great apostasy. Even fewer Christians believe that the church, the religious institution they are involved with, could be part of “Babylon, the Mother of Harlots” or one of her “harlot daughters.” The start of the Great Tribulation will be primarily marked with Christians who don’t believe that it is the time of the Great Tribulation. Once reality begins to sink in, many will depart the faith simply because their God would never make them go through the tribulation. Or, as others have defiantly said, “I won’t be in the tribulation!” Whatever the reason, the prophecy is very clear. The present day religious system of local churches and church leadership will fail miserably in the Great Tribulation and at the second coming. One of two things must emerge: either Christians will leave the organized church called Babylon and join with the 144,000 for deliverance as tribulation saints or they will fall away from fear and unbelief. The tribulation saints have one of three destinies: sword, captivity, or deliverance. Many will take up the destiny of the sword or captivity. Both the sword and captivity destinies end in martyrdom and death before the Great Tribulation has concluded. Only the tribulation saints that leave Babylon, escaping, surviving, and enduring to the end will look up to see the sign of the Son of Man coming. Only those tribulation saints that remember Moses and the story of the Exodus from Egypt will see the parallels and path to deliverance. Only those tribulation saints that have a testimony of Yeshua and keep His Commandments will make it to the end.

Having introduced the key players in this drama at the end of the ages, let us examine the sequence of starting events beginning with the altar in Jerusalem.

The Tribulation Sequence

The Abomination of Desolation
The agreement that permitted the altar to be setup and operated is cancelled. The altar service is forced to stop. Once the altar is stopped, the religious Jew participating in the service realizes that the altar is no longer valid; a new altar will have to be built. Many will come to fast and weep for the altar being shut down. From that group, two men will emerge as the two witnesses. The angel Gabriel is dispatched to put the seal on the foreheads of the 144,000. Very shortly thereafter, God judges the Household of God and in particular judges all those saints who spoke against the altar operation. Voices will ring out that the Great Tribulation has begun and the counting of the 1290 days and 1335 days are underway. The countdown to darkness will also begin with its 2300 evenings and mornings (1150 days). This will be met with disdain, ignorance, and mockery. The warning will go out for all saints to leave Babylon (the religious system of churches). Unbelief and falling from faith will be common place.

The Antimessiah Comes To Power
The False Prophet will appear in Jerusalem, perform miracles and cause the image of the beast to be erected on the temple mount. The image will speak and command everyone to revere the beast. The antimessiah will make bold proclamations and prepare to assume power. The antimessiah may be fatally wounded at or before this time. His return to life may or may not be believed, but sympathy toward him will be great. He will rise in the midst of ten rulers with seven giving him their power to rule, the antimessiah will come to power with a 42 month charter or mandate. The mark of the beast system will be implemented on a large scale and supported by the false prophet.

Israel Flees: Outpouring of Holy Spirit
As the image is erected by the false prophet, believing Israel in Judea will flee on foot to the valley of Azel. The winter rains in Jerusalem will cause a great flash flood to come after them which will be swallowed by the earth opening. We will see and hear of this great event. We will know there is a God in the midst of Israel. The two witnesses will begin to prophesy in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit will be poured out on all believers around the world.

We escape, survive and endure
The great exodus will begin with the 144,000 and tribulation saints leaving the cities to be delivered by God in the wilderness and countryside. The seal judgments will begin.

The first four seal judgments will come in in a clustered form. That is, they will occur rapidly and concurrently: the antichrist comes to power, war, the economy is destroyed, death to 1/4 of mankind. The first four trumpet judgments will come in similar fashion: 1/3 of the trees are burned up, 1/3 of the sea is destroyed by a volcanic mountain, 1/3 of the fresh water is destroyed by a glancing meteorite or asteroid, 1/3 of the light from the sun, moon, and stars is blocked. The first four plagues will follow in similar fashion: a grievous sore will appear where the mark of the beast system was inserted, the sea dies, fresh waters die, the sun begins to scorch mankind.

Many saints will try to defend themselves with arms and die. Some saints will allow themselves to be captured and be put to death. But other tribulation saints will heed the words of Revelation and position themselves under the leadership of the 144,000 and the Lord to safe areas of refuge. However, many saints in Israel will fulfill the 5th seal of martyrdom. They will told to be patient until all is completed.

The Darkness Comes
Three years will have transpired, specifically 1150 days since the shutting down of the altar. An asteroid will strike the earth with a deep impact scenario. The resulting explosion will send dirt and debris high into the earth’s atmosphere blocking out all sunlight. The abyss that is opened will also bring out demons as big as horses. It will be a time to be in the company of the 144,000. Only they can stop the demons that will methodically and deliberately attack and terrorize mankind. The darkness will last 5 months and take us to the completion of the 1290 days of tribulation.

The Days Immediately After
The two witnesses will complete their prophesying and be killed. The world will watch them lay dead for 3 2 days. However, the two witnesses will be raised before everyone. A great earthquake will cause 7,000 to die in Jerusalem.

We will soon notice the light appearing deep in space coming our way. The sign of the Son of Man will appear and we will watch as He dislodges other stars sending them fleeing from Him. The armies of the world will begin to gather at Armageddon. The seven thunders will sound and everyone will know it is the Lord coming back.

Trumpets and Atonement
The trumpet sounds; the resurrection and rapture occur. We will say that the Lord fulfilled the Feast of Trumpets by blowing the shofar and gathering His people. We are lifted up into the clouds and gather to watch the day of the Lord. No creature on the surface of the earth or in any hole of the earth survives. The entire structure of the earth is changed radically and violently by a great earthquake with mountains falling, valleys being raised, and 100 pound hailstones removing all the dirt and debris in the atmosphere. The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. Satan is bound and cast to the bottomless pit. God atones the earth.

Tabernacles
We come to rest in Jerusalem and prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles. The Lord touches down just as He left, on the Mount of Olives. He enters the city through the Golden Gate. The 144,000 welcome the Messiah. The Messiah makes tabernacle with us and the millennial kingdom on earth begins.

Conclusion

Sounds like a pretty fantastic story, doesn’t it? Will it happen just like this? I don’t know. But we do know one thing Time will tell.

YAVOH - He is Coming is a monthly newsletter published as an outreach ministry of Lion and Lamb Ministries.
The ministry is a non-profit organization with an end time prophetic message in a Messianic Jewish context.
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Editor - Monte Judah
Electronic Editor - Ephraim Judah

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