Lo! I tell you a mystery.  1 Corinthians 15:51

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  2 Thessalonians 2:7

The Bible is not the mystery.  It is the solution to the mystery.  This series of lessons will help you easily see the ‘big picture’ of salvation history, including where we have been, when we are, where we are going, and precisely when we will be there.

When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery. Ephesians 3:4

Here are a few very basic rules that must first be understood before diving into biblical prophecy.  They hold true for just about any prophetic passages. 

Session 1 - Time

A Day: “Day” has four basic meanings for us prophecy buffs.

1.  Ezekiel 1:1

2.  Ezekiel 4:4-6

3.  Psalms 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8

4.  Isaiah 2:12 (and many more places)

Bible days always begin at sundown and end at sundown.  This is a difficult concept to get used to since our days always start in the middle of the night (midnight).

Here’s a Bible brain buster: 
            Where was the sun when Mary Magdalene went to the empty tomb?     

A Year:  We account for a year in an identical manner as people did in the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day.  But our way of counting years is slightly different than those in Old Testament times. 

   Old Testament writers counted years on the basis of the appearance of the moon.  A year based on the moon is called a ____________ year and consists of ________ days.

   New Testament writers, for the sake of prophecy, counted years based on the sun.  A year based on the sun is called a ___________ year and consists of __________ days.

   Since our calendar is based on solar years, we must convert lunar years to solar. 

                                    A lunar year is 360 days.

                                    A lunar year is 0.9857 solar years.

                                    A solar year is 365.24 days, more or less.

Seven is a prominent number in Scripture and very important for prophecy and humanity.  The seventh of something indicates the completion of that something.  The seventh of something is also the last of something.  Here are probably the most important sevens for our study.

Genesis 2:2

Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Leviticus 23:3, Hebrews 4:4

Leviticus 13:1,2-5; Leviticus 23:24-44

John 4:52; Jude 14,15

Revelation 11:15

 

Session 2 – The place

Absolutely everything in Bible prophecy revolves around one place: Ezekiel 5:5

This place is a “cup of reeling”: Zechariah 12:2

This place is designated to be the capital of the nations: Isaiah 2:2-4

The very heart of this place is another place: Ezekiel 5:11

And within that, yet another:  Ezekiel 41:4

This is a representation of the Tabernacle (tent) that led the Israelites through the Wilderness for forty years, a cloud by day, a light by night, until finally reaching what was to become Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, where Gideon threshed grain (Judges 6).

Notice that this was a moveable structure carried by priests when traveling and set up when not.  The people of Israel in their tribes encamped around the Tabernacle.

When Israel was established as a nation under David, he made plans for a permanent structure.  His son, Solomon, actually built the structure known as The Temple.  The Temple conformed to the structure of the tabernacles, but was much larger.  Solomon ruled and built in the 10^th century B.C.

Herod the Great began to rebuild the temple in 20 B.C.  Herod’s Temple was the one we read about in the New Testament.  It was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans.

Here is the structure within the Tabernacle and Temple known as “The Holy Place” and “The Holy of Holies” or “Most Holy Place.” 

 

 

Here is the Ark of the Covenant that was with its Mercy Seat – located inside the Holy of Holies with its two covering angels.  This box contained the rod of Aaron, the Ten Commandments, and a sample of the Manna from the Wilderness.

 

The Ark was only accessible to the High Priest once a year – on the Day of Atonement.

There were to be no “graven images” of Yahweh; the empty space between the angels on the Ark was thought to have been the seat of the Almighty, therefore it’s known as the “mercy seat.”

Although the Temple is gone, as are the accoutrements, the Temple Mount over the Holy of Holies remains vacant except for a small structure, the Shrine of the Tablets.  The Wailing Wall is the only wall remaining from the earlier temple structure.  The golden Dome of the Rock, a Muslim mosque, is now the primary structure on the Temple Mount, and a great focal point of attention for Jews, Christians and people interested in prophecy.

Many interpret “The Abomination of Desolation” (Matthew 24:15) to be the Dome of the Rock.  As we will see, several prophetic time lines point to the year it was built.

Important places for prophecy emanate outward from the Holy of Holies; the temple is next in importance, then Jerusalem, then Judea, then all of Israel, then the nations surrounding Israel, then the world.

“LAND”:  This word is very important to understand. 

Ezekiel 7:22.  Also, thou son of man, thus saith Yahweh Elohim unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.

In many places, the word “land” is translated “earth.”  We understand the “earth” to be the whole world.  This is very misleading in passages like

Revelation 8:7.  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth (tēs gēs) …

Revelation 16:2.  the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth (tēn gēn).

“Earth” was only meant to mean “ground” or “land,” not the whole world.  There is another world that’s translated “world” or “earth,” but gē only means land.  The full extent of Israel from the viewpoint of prophecy is not just the littler strip of land we call Israel – but all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates Rivers, including parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Iraq.

 

Session 3 – Time Seven

The entire foundation for Bible prophecy is found in the number 7.  In six days the world was created; days are considered to be eras or ages.  The Bible is a book of Salvation History.  We don’t know anything about what came before the creation.

We understand that salvation history consists in seven thousand years: seven days of a thousand years each.

Also, Revelation tells us that the last thousand years (the seventh) of Salvation History is the age in which Jesus rules as over the whole earth as Yahweh Sabaoth:

Zechariah 14:9.  And Yahweh shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and his name one. 

Revelation 20: 4.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them … and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 11:15.  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our L-rd, and of his Messiah; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The seven day, seven thousand year length of Salvation History is summed up by the prophet Barnabas, whose Epistle is included in the earliest New Testaments, but was excluded later.  Barnabas’ illustrates how the very first followers of Jesus (i.e. Messianic Jews and Israelites) understood eschatological time.

          Note: the technical term for what we are studying is eschatology.  This word is from the Greek word eschaton (escaton), which means “last” as in last things or last days or last-times.  Pronounce eschatology.  Now try eschatological.  Wheww!

 

Barnabas 15:1 And, moreover, concerning the sabbath it is written in the ten commandments, in which he spake on Mount Sinai unto Moses face to face: Sanctify ye the sabbath of Yahweh with pure hands and a pure heart.

     Where do we find the Ten Commandments? 

 

 ________________ & _______________

 

     Which of the ten is the Sabbath commandment?     _______________

 

Barnabas 15:2  And in another place he saith, If my sons shall keep my sabbath, then will I place my mercy upon  them.

 

For how many years is the seventh-day Sabbath to be observed?  See  Exodus 31:16,17

 

Barnabas 15:3  He speaketh, too, of the sabbath in the beginning of the creation: And Elohim made in six days the works of his hands, and finished them on the seventh day, and rested in it and sanctified it. 4 Consider, my children, what signify the words, He finished them in six days.

 Barnabas 15:4b They mean this: that in six thousand years Yahweh will make an end of all things, for a day is with him as a thousand years.

 

     Please copy Barnabas 15:4b here:

 

 

Barnabas 15:4c And he himself beareth witness unto me, saying: Behold this day a day shall be as a thousand years.  Who does Barnabas quote? ______________________

 

Barnabas 15:4d Therefore, my children, in six days, that is in six thousand years, shall all things be brought to an end.

     What things do you suppose are all things?  What does the

 

Bible say elsewhere that will be made an end of after six thousand years?  Check Revelation 20:1-3.

 

     And what else will happen?  Check Revelation 20:4

 

 

Barnabas 15:5  And the words, He rested on the seventh day, signify this: After that his Son hath come, and hath caused to cease the time of the wicked one, and hath judged the unElohimly, and changed the sun and the moon and the stars, then shall he rest well on the seventh day.

 

     Were you correct?

 

6  And further he saith, Thou shalt sanctify it with pure hands and a pure heart. Who, therefore, can sanctify the day which Yahweh hath sanctified, unless he be pure of heart? in all things have we been deceived.

        In a big nutshell, what is Barnabas saying?

 

 

   How does what he says relate to the concept of a prophetic day?

 

 

Though Barnabas is no longer in the canon of Scripture (though it probably should be), we see that Barnabas’ words parallel Revelation and other passages.

Look at Acts 4:36 regarding Barnabas:

Joseph, a Levite, a native of Cyprus, was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means, son of encouragement).

Who am I to disagree with St. Luke?  Nevertheless, bar Nabi does not mean “son of encouragement,” but “son of a nabi”; that is, “a prophet,” meaning that Barnabas himself was a prophet.  His Epistle is a prophetic treasure trove.

Consider the following table:

Adam	Abraham	Moses	David	Jesus		Millennium
			BC	AD	1000	2000
Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
A Day is as a Thousand Years and a Thousand Years is as a Day

According to this matrix, where are we in Salvation History?

 

What are the implications of this discovery?

 

This is the very foundation of Bible Prophecy – and an example of how simple it can be if some of the confusing teachings are cleared out of the way.  Remember, the Bible wasn’t meant to be a mystery, but the solution to a mystery – and the mystery is history.  We’ll look at this matrix again in the next lesson.

 

Session 4 – The Calendar

Here’s a screenshot of today’s paper, Feast of Trumpets, 2005:

Notice the date in Jerusalem (where the cursor is located).  Write it here: _________________________ .

Tishrei is the seventh Hebrew (Scriptural) month.  The headline is from the first day of the seventh month.  The Bible speaks of this day in Leviticus 23:23-25.  It’s known to Christians as the Feast of _____________ .

The Tribe of Judah has been keeping close track of years since the creation on account of the Feasts described in Leviticus 23.  The seven day week was set forth by Yahweh in Paradise.  Though many cultures have tried to change it, we still have a seven-day week.

There has only been one time in Salvation History that the Tribe of Judah (i.e. Jews) modified the Hebrew (Scriptural) calendar.  Knowing about this time of calendar change will open up some wonderful insight into our time.

Simon bar Kokhba (also known as bar Kosiba, ‘son of a star’):

   Simon bar Kokhba led a revolt in Israel against the emperor Hadrian and the Roman Legions in 132 AD.  The Romans put the rebellion down in 3½ years.  But the leading rabbi at the time, R. Akiba, presented bar Kokhba to the Jews as their Messiah, and the status quo accepted this claim. 

   Previously, Daniel’s prophesied very specifically when Messiah would come (Daniel 9:24-26).   This prophecy did not point to 132 AD.  But since R. Akiba was certain of bar Kokhba’s messiahship, he changed the calendar to reflect correspondence with Daniel’s prophecy.  R. Akiba removed 240 years. One day the Hebrew year was 4131.  The next day it was year 3891.  This 240 year deficit has never been corrected.  (as per Seder haDoroth)

The year on the Jerusalem Post represents the number of years since Adam.  That year is ________ .   If we add back the _________ “lost years,” the actual years from Adam is ________ .

Use the timeline again to locate your date in history and make a mark there. 

Also make a mark close to the year you were born.

                                                                              Your marks should be around here:

Adam created	Abraham born	Moses born	David born	Jesus born		We are living
			BC	AD	< 1000 AD	< 2000 AD
< 1000 years	< year 1000	< year 2000	< year 3000	< year 4000	< year 5000	< 6000
A Day is as a Thousand Years and a Thousand Years is as a Day

 

Our year 2000 AD is 6000 years from Adam and creation. 

If Scripture and Salvation History consists in seven thousand years,

And our Messiah was born on the beginning of the fifth Scriptural day of a thousand years,

And the counting of the Jews is correct,

Then we are living upon the very event horizon of the thousand year reign of Messiah.

Revelation 20:4. 4.  Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom judgment was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of Elohim, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life, and reigned with Messiah a thousand years. 

Is this not a profound discovery?  Can we prove it is correct?  Yes we can and next time we shall!

 

Session 5 – The Sign

Review – We are about to put the capstone onto the foundational Bible prophecy of all prophecies – upon which any other Bible prophecy (and fulfillment) is built.  The foundation of prophetic scripture consists in these characteristics:

1) A day is as a thousand years;

2) The creation was finished in six days, the seventh day was a Sabbath.

3) Salvation history (i.e., the history found in the Bible) consists in seven prophetic days, or 7,000 years.

4) The Bible says nothing about what happened before, and very little about what happens after.

5) Except that the 7^th thousand year day is the Millennium of Yahweh’s rule on the earth.

6) The Hebrew & Roman calendars point out that 2000 AD or thereabouts completed 6000 years from Adam.

7)  If this is so, then we are moving into the last thousand years of Salvation History, the Millennium rule.

Jesus gave us a couple simple ways for the wise to prove that his rule was approaching.

Luke 21:29-31. Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf … when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of Elohim is near. 

 

The Prophet Hosea (9:10) interprets the meaning of the fig tree – the fig is always Israel. 

 

In Jesus’ time, Israel was ruled by the Roman Empire.  After Rome, the Arabians, then the Crusaders, then the Turks, then Great Britain.  In 1874, the world began speaking of a Jewish State.  In 1914, a Jewish State was mandated.  In 1948, after the loss of millions of Jews in Europe, the Jewish State was re-created and named ISRAEL.  This is the first and only time since Jesus spoke that the Fig Tree came out in leaf. 

 

All the trees are the nations.  It was the United Nations, the rest of the trees, that mandated the Jewish State.  Since then, the world has split up into many, many small states and countries – especially in the former Roman Empire of Europe.

 

1948 is a sign to Watchmen.

In the same location, we see another incredible sign:

Luke 21:24 Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Luke 21:24 Jerusalem will be trampled down by the gentiles until their time is complete. (NJB)

 

Jerusalem was not won by Israel in the war against the Arabs in 1948.  It was part of the “West Bank” still in Jordanian (Gentile) hands.  In 1967, the entire Arab League attacked Israel on the Sabbath day of rest (seventh day).  During the next SIX DAYS, the fledgling nation Israel, with few troops and little in the way of armaments, defeated the combined Arab host in an Armageddon of battle.  This “Six Day War” resulted in Israel’s winning of all the territory on the Palestinian peninsula, including the entire city of Jerusalem.

 

This was the ONE AND ONLY TIME Jerusalem came out from under the feet of Gentiles – and remains the capital of Israel today.  This is a spectacular prophecy fulfilled in our lifetimes – 1967!

In the next passage, we see what this has to do with the seventh day of a thousand years, the Millennium, the reign of Messiah, and our place in it all, for we are personally addressed in this passage.

Luke 21:27.  And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. … 32.  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.  33.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 

 

The GENERATION which lives to see the sprouting of the fig tree and the liberation of Jerusalem would also live to see the second coming and live in the millennium.  That generation is our generation.

 

We need only consider of how much time a generation consists.  Generation is genea – the same word translated as “begat.”  It is a human generation. 

The Bible dictionary says a generation is 30 – 33 years.  If so, this takes us to the Hebraic year 6000 or the Roman year 2000.

 

However for prophetic understanding, a generation can be a couple things.

 

   40 years – which the “generation of Israel” sojourned in the desert, the number in which David (and the other good kings) ruled, or in which Jesus (in days) fasted in the desert.  This reckoning takes us to 2007 – seven years into the Millennium.

 

   70 Years – this is the lifespan of a man, the number of years of decreed captivity, the number of years from the birth of Jesus to the destruction of the Jewish Temple.  This reckoning takes us to 2037.

 

Finally, right after these surprising pronouncements to our generation, Jesus speaks directly to us in an imperative command: 

Luke 21:34-36  But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare;  for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth.  But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.

This ends the first five sessions of The Mystery is History: Our Time in Bible Prophecy.  Where we might go from here in our own study –

        1.  Where is Jesus now, and by what means will he come?  The biblical answer is not commonly known.

        2.  What will become of the people on earth when he comes?

        3.  What does the prophetic passages say will become of the earth?

        4.  How are those who know these things expected to live in these days?

 

A People Prepared: Making Ready for Messiah, Part 1

Jackson Snyder, May 24, 2005

Dedicated to Bailey Faith Turnbaugh, age 4, baptized today
Preached at AllPoints Community Church, Woodstock, GA May 29, 2004

What Everyone Should Know About the Roman and Hebrew Calendars

 

Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye, the Road for Yahweh! 

Prepare Ye, Prepare Ye, the Road for Yahweh!

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness! 

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness!

Prepare Ye the Road; Prepare Ye the Road for Yahweh.

Lectors’ Prayer 1:  Father, invest me with Your Power as I prepare to proclaim the marvel of Your Message.  I have prepared my reading and tried to assimilate the meaning of what I am about to say: help me, I ask you, to read not just with my lips but with my whole heart and soul.  Make me a hollow reed so that Your Voice will be heard by all who hear me.  Free me of excessive concern over my performance and the impression I create in this Sacred Action.  Turn all my apprehensions into an energy for proclaiming Your Word with power and authority.  May Your Spirit fill me as it fills the Holy Words that I am about to proclaim. Amen.

 Luke 1:8-17  Now while [Zechariah] was serving as priest before Yahweh when his division was on duty,  9.  according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of Yahweh and burn incense.  10.  And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.  11.  And there appeared to him an angel of Yahweh standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  12.  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.  13.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.  14.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 15. for he will be great before Yahweh, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb.  16.  And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Yahweh their Elohim,  17. and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for Yahweh a people prepared.” 

 

THE MESSIANIC PROXIMITY

Previously, The Signs Were Missing

   Christians of all ages since the first have understood their generation to be the last before the return of Yahweh to rule over a united earth.  Consider the words of St. John in his first letter:

1 John 2:18.  Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour.

   Even as a boy living in a time two millennia distant from this writing, I was indelibly impressed by the preacher who proclaimed the last hour.  Do you know, it’s been the last hour all this time, through the lives of countless generations?  However, in the past, the signs of the “last hour” were missing – especially those in the prophetic oracles of Yahshua.  My friends: those prophetic signs that were absent in past generations are clearly present in ours.  Inquiring minds are starting to realize the incredible possibility that Yahshua could really, really be “at the door” in our day.  Millions are terrorized by Left Behind fictions, but you and I are joyful and glad in these signs that so abound, for we know our redemption draweth nigh.

   Yes, in our day, in this hour, special biblical signs couldn’t be any more prominent.  And to see them clearly doesn’t require the Bible scholarship of a Jack VanImpe.  Consider just two of many convincing proofs.  Listen:

 

When Is the Millennium?

   (1) The Bible contains seven thousand years of salvation history.  We don’t know what happened before nor do we comprehend what’ll happen after.  This seven thousand year span is exemplified in the seven-day creation.  A day is as a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8).  We know that on the seventh day of creation, Elohim rested.  Likewise, on the seventh prophetic day, the last thousand-year span we call the Millennium, Yahshua will reign (Revelation 20:4) and all creation will rest from it’s groaning and be born anew.  ¿When are the Sovereign and his Millennium to arrive?   Let me tell you.


The Jews have always kept meticulous track of time.  If you check The Jerusalem Post, you’ll find the Jewish year to be 5764.  That means, 5 thousand 764 years from Adam.  In the Year of our Lord 135, the Jewish scribes, thinking the Messiah had come as a military leader (Simon bar Kokhba), set their calendar back 240 years to conform his advent with the messianic prophecies of Daniel (Seder haDorot).  The Jewish calendar was never corrected – it’s 240 years short.  When we add those years back to the date on today’s Jerusalem Post, we learn that we’re living in the 6004^th year since Adam.  We call this adding back of years “the Hebraic Calendar.”  In doing so we see that six prophetic days have passed, six days of a thousand years each, six thousand and four years.  That means we’re slightly into the seventh millennium; for those with ears to hear, we’re four years into THE Millennium, according to this reckoning.

   The Christian calendar also bears this out.  The year 2000 corresponds with the Hebraic year 6000.  Our Messiah first came as a babe at the beginning of the 5^th prophetic day – after 4000 Hebraic years had passed from Adam.  His return is to be at the beginning of the 7^th prophetic day – after 6000 Hebraic years.  So, Snyder, if we’re in 6004, where IS the Messiah right now?  I’m glad you’re sitting down.  Consider: he might have already returned. 

 

Like a Thief

   Before you put me out, let me remind you of our Savior’s words,

Matthew 24:42-44. Watch, for you do not know on what day your Sovereign is coming.  If the householder had known when in the night the thief was coming, he would have watched.  Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

There’s something secret about his return if he insists on using the metaphor, “like a thief in the night.”  Further, didn’t the “Risen Jesus” reiterate his warning of a covert return?

Revelation 16:15  I shall come like a thief. Blessed is anyone who has kept watch, and has clothes on, so that he does not go out naked and expose his shame (NJB).

   And didn’t Peter, Paul and John record the same metaphor – he’s coming as a thief in the night – sometime on the seventh prophetic day – the day of the seventh trumpet.  What does this mean?   It means that before the public appearance of the King of Kings, he’s already present to prepare the world for his reign.  Only a few will recognize his thief-like return because only a few will be watching.  (Acts 1:11: In like manner, just a few will perceive his return.)  It’s apparent that he’s preparing just a little flock to reign with him in his earthly Kingdom. 

Luke 12:32.  “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

   Maybe rather than ask, “¿If the time has come, Jack, where IS he?” we should ask, “Where are we?”  Are we awake?  Are we alive?  Have we kept our pants on so we won’t be ashamed at his appearance?  Or do we stand exposed on this, the seventh prophetic day of creation?  Heaven forbid.

 

1967 and Beyond

   (2)  The second sign I’ll share is from Yahshua’s prophetic word.  He’s speaking of Judea when he prophesies in

Luke 21:23.  “For great distress shall be upon the land (thV ghV) and wrath upon this people (law); 24.  they will fall by the sword and be led captive among all nations.”

Of course, this was old news even in Yahshua’s day.  And the people of Yahweh have been dispersed in every generation since.  However, he also predicts the end of this dispersion:

Luke 21:24b “Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are completed.”

   Yahshua says the times of the Gentiles will be complete when non-Israelites no longer control Jerusalem.  This gives us a firm date to go by.  Jerusalem has always been occupied by Gentiles.  Until the 1960s, no one thought Gentile occupation could ever end.  Even after Israel became a nation in 1948, Jerusalem was still split down the middle into Israel and Jordan.  But finally, on June 28^th, 1967 after the Six Day War, the entirety of Jerusalem was annexed by Israel on the seventh day.  This was the only time since before Yahshua that Israelis had control of Jerusalem, the very people to whom this Olivette prophecy was addressed.  (In 1980, the Israeli Parliament passed the Jerusalem Law, which made this city the capital city of Israel, which it remains today.)

   Yahshua goes on to say

Matthew 24:33b When you see all these things, you know that HE is near, at the very gates.  34.  Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.

The “he” in the passage is the coming Sovereign.  The generation is the seeing generation.  Hallelujah!  I’ve made it to the seeing generation no matter how many times the devil’s tried to kill me, and I praise Yahweh that you’re here too!  We’ve lived to see Yahshua’s final sign come to pass, the liberation of the Holy City, thus we trust he’s at the very gates. 

   Next, we need to know that A prophetic generation, or cycle, is 40 years – the time period that the children of Israel wondered in the desert.  The rule of David.  The wonderings of Yahshua.  If six thousand years of time has passed; if we’re living at the beginning of the seven millennium; if the time of the Gentiles was completed in 1967; if a biblical generation amounts to 40 years; if he comes as a thief when the world is sleeping; if we are the seeing generation; and if we aren’t asleep or adverse to this possibility – then Yahshua may be inside the gate right now.  One prophetic generation beyond 1967 culminates in 2007; and it seems like more than coincidence to me that the Hebraic year number 6000 and the Christian year number 2000 coincide, as do 6004 and 2004.  As Ronald Reagan said, “Everything happens for a purpose.”  You’re here for a purpose, my friend.  “Repent, and believe the Good News.”

 

The Signs Not Perplexing

   My friend, the signs of Yahshua’s return aren’t meant to be obscure or difficult to figure out, especially for the generation that dwells upon the event horizon – the very lip of eternity.  As Reagan also said, let’s not overlook the obvious, although there is vast prophetic confusion in our day.  Why would Yahshua tell us that he’s coming as a thief if he didn’t expect some few to catch him?  I’m watching closely; are you?

   Some contend, “the Bible says nobody may know dates or times.”  These folks have no idea of the context of this saying.  Messiah assured us that a righteous generation ought to be able to interpret the signs of the times.  ¿Are we not a royal priesthood, a holy nation?  I’ve just outlined to you the signs of the times – the calendar’s about times!   In the next installment of this series, I’ll share another irrefutable sign of Yahshua’s presence for your consideration.

   et our prophetic insight isn’t our main objective today, only the alarm bell that hopes to awakes us from slumber, and the slothful, pew-centered, program polluted religion observed by the spiritually dead.  Our primary mission is to prepare now for his visible appearance any day.  (For me, the rapture is a far too iffy foundation upon which to build my claim upon eternity.  If Yahweh was going to rapture believers out of tribulation, why isn’t the rapture happening now in places like Sudan and Algeria, where millions of innocent believers have been slaughtered in this seeing generation.)  As for me, I want to be ready to walk in Jerusalem just like John.  How about you?

 

THE SEVEN-FOLD MINISTRY OF PREPARATION, 1

 

   When the angel of Yahweh came to Zechariah in the Holy Place, he gave the priest good news about a most unusual son that was to come from his own loins; we know him as John the Baptist.  Yahshua made it clear that John was given to be the forerunner of the Messiah not only in days gone by but in the last days.  The angel gave Zechariah a sketch of John’s purpose – to prepare the way of Yahweh, appearing in the persona of Yahshua of Nazareth, Yahweh’s only begotten son.  John came and gave his life in preparing hearts for Yahshua’s advent – “Repent!” he cried.  “For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  Those who heeded this trumpet call were later entrusted with the sacred oracles of the end-time plan by the Sovereign Yahshua himself.

   In our time, we understand that the latter-day forerunner is to be a small John-the-Baptist movement – a little flock.  Indeed, Yahweh is preparing his little flock now in the same way that he once sent John to make his path straight.  If we look at the angel’s prophecy to Zechariah about John’s ministry, we see a supernatural diagram for preparing the way for the soon-coming King of Kings and his austere Rule.  We find in the angels’ prophecy that, just as there are seven millennia in salvation history, there are seven characteristics of a people prepared.

 

1) “He Will Be Great” – We Must Be a Great People 

   What makes a people great?  Many equate greatness with fame.  But the most foundational meaning of “great” is “big” in the sense of magnanimous or all-encompassing.  A people becomes great if it’s hopes, dreams and faith are big.  In his essay on successful human resources strategies, Dr. James W. Walker describes what greatness requires in the workplace.  He writes,

“Companies too often set their sights too low and end up with human resource strategies that are too functional, too operational, too narrow, and too generic.  At best, these strategies maintain parity.  They fail to make the compelling and convincing case necessary to energize their organizations to take bold actions and [make] changes to achieve a competitive advantage through people.”

   What Walker is saying is that “companies” should be less conservative and more willing to take risks.  Risk-taking excites employees and invites them to take “bold actions” on behalf of their common goal.  Friends, we desperately need some excitement!  We need to abandon the status quo and make a new case for Messiah.  We must NOW set our sites higher than the rest and focus on Yahshua first, then our collective vision.  I don’t know about you, but I’m desperate for something thrilling.  I’m so sick and tired of sitting around I could live forever.  Too many lives at stake – eternity at stake – the fate of the world at stake.

   Walker’s advice applies to us perfectly.  Being the seeing generation, we’re in the human resources business.  We may not be a great people in number or fame, but that doesn’t matter.  We can always be a great, magnanimous and wider-visioned people if we decide that’s what we want to be, because we already claim an apostolic faith and a powerful god, yes?  The sky’s not the limit.  ¿Shall we not be great in the eyes of Yahweh (John 1:15) and be called the children of the Most High?  Yes, if we want to, we are able!  Get excited then!  Focus in!  BE GREAT!

 

2) “He Shall Drink No Wine” – We Must Be a Serious (Sober) People

   To be great, we are to be consistent in our Messianic witness and dedicated entirely to our mission as preparedness workers.  In John’s day, “to drink no wine” was a technical expression indicating that John was dedicated to Yahweh from birth.  When he reached the age of bar mitzvah, he accepted a Nazarite vow.  You see, John was a Levite of the priestly class.  He was to inherit his father’s office in the Temple, if he would just take it, but he denied his just desert in favor of just the dessert.  He abdicated his glorious ecclesiastical office in favor of his true calling.  He avoided a career to take up a life-consuming mission.  He chose death rather than a parchment and a pension – all for the sake of preparing saints of all ages – saints like us – to look up and live.

   ¿What does this have to do with wine drinking?  With a sober determination, John passed up the convenient and profitable for a Kingdom he couldn’t even see – the Kingdom of Heaven.  He wasn’t disappointed. 

   The same Messiah who fulfilled him in his day is returning in ours.  Neither will we be disappointed.  You might recall Yahshua saying, “He who is least in the kingdom is greater than John” (Luke 7:28).  However, at the time this was said, there was only one other person in the Kingdom and that person was the Kingdom.  John’s second only to Yahshua because “many are called but” John made the sobering first choice.

   For us, sobriety means we seek Yahweh’s will for our mission and allow nothing, nothing, nothing to deter us.  Consider the terse statement of your Savior found in

Luke 14:26.  “If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.  27.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  28.  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 

Oooh!  This is a hard saying.  But what more can we add to the notion of sobriety to this?  Listen!  Six thousand years have passed.  Now serious choices must be made, and serious sacrifices are required.  Time’s up.

   And time’s up for my message.  We’ll conclude this morning’s word with the third of the seven characteristics of the forerunner, certainly the most powerful:

 

3) “He Will Be Filled With The Holy Spirit” – We’re to Be a Spirit-filled People

   These days, everyone who can sing, “This Is the Day” considers herself spirit-filled.  Entire churches and denominations call themselves spirit-filled while denying the very foundation of what that term entails.  Nowadays, “spirit-filled” has come to mean upbeat or exciting or enthusiastic or entertaining or guitar strumming.  But in truth, to be “spirit-filled” or “spirit-baptized” means to be personally endued from the Holy One above with a two-fold power – first, unto personal holiness – second, unto boldness to witness.  “I have baptized you with water,” cried John, “but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  And the Risen Yahshua reiterates the same message to his disciples at the time of his ascension:

Acts 1:4,5.  Yahshua charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 

   What does this mean?  Indeed, for the seeing generation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit has little to do with entertainment.  It has much more to do with accepting the call to your mission then tarrying in prayer, faith and expectation until the Spirit of Yahweh ignites your spirit ablaze through the Shekinah of his glory or the hands of the Apostle. 

   There’s also confusion as to the evidence of spirit-baptism.  We mustn’t overlook the obvious.  We may ask ourselves, “Have I remained in expectation until I’ve felt the power of Yahweh’s glory coursing through my body?”  “Am I being supernaturally motivated to model the fruits of the Spirit and seek His gifts?”  “Am I acquiring a mission and boldly going forth like never before?”  “Am I lifted up in the sight of Yahweh because I’ve first humbled myself before him?”  “When I am weak, is he made stronger through me?”  “Am I strengthening the brothers and sisters, or am I at the business of tearing them down?”  Most importantly, “Am I loving Yahweh will all my being?”  Now that’s the most important question of all.

   John the Baptist and the Bible clearly teach that this baptism is a second work of grace apart from justification, salvation or born-again experience.  It’s also called ‘the gift of the holy spirit’ because when you receive, you’ll know for certain – there’s a powerful assurance.  No more will you have doubts about your salvation because you’ll obtain and inner, undeniable proof that Yahshua is real and alive and “nigh unto you”; and that he’s called and empowered you to be his witness in your seeing generation.  Your devotion, actions and words are indicative of your interior condition.

   So the Baptism in the Holy Spirit isn’t some optional thrill or merely a useful accessory to being a believer.  If we are to be a people prepared and preparing, if we are to fulfill the heavenly calling, if we are to be awake with our clothes on, then we mustn’t let another powerless, tedious and tasteless month go by without seeking out this essential blessing.  There may not be many months remaining before his presence becomes a public spectacle.  Don’t be caught naked; be clothed in the Shekinah Glory at all times in the meantime.

   Finally, if you’ve already received this second blessing, there’s no better time than now, as we study to be a prepared people, a seeing generation, to examine yourself anew to determine how you’ve used your precious endowment.  As there are seven great days of creation, and as there are seven long millennia of salvation history, there are also seven levels through which we may progress to assure our receiving empowerment and becoming a seeing people, a people prepared.  We shall learn the other four along with an unquestionable sign at our next meeting.

 

RECEIVE OR RENEW THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT IN SEVEN STEPS

 

1.  Sincerely make confession of your commissions and omissions against the Father Yahweh and your generation.

2.  Renounce all evil, all unsavory attachments, all occult bondage, all habitual bad behavior and worldly folly. 

3.     Affirm your trust in Yahweh and his son to save you from the wrath to come.  Ask that you might be born again.

4.  Determine now to start leading a life that reflects Yahshua and keeps the commandments of Yahweh.

5.  Nurture a personal relationship with the Father and Son through prayer, devotion, charity and good deeds.

6.     Determine that without fail you’ll frequently assemble with likeminded believers and worthily partake in the sacrament.

7.  Remind the Father that you are a holy nation and ask Him to gloriously baptize you in the Holy Spirit. 

8.  Keep seeking; keep asking; keep living in total expectation of receiving your endowment at any time. 

 

A People Prepared: Making Ready for the Messiah, Part 2

Jackson Snyder, May 26, 2005

What Everyone Should Know About the Roman and Hebrew Calendars

Lectors’ Prayer 2:  Praise to you, Yahweh Elohim, king of the universe, and all glory to your name.  I praise you and thank you for calling me to proclaim your word to your beloved people.  Open the hearts of all who worship with us, so that they may hear your voice when I read.  Let nothing in my life or manner disturb your people or close their hearts to the action of your Spirit.  Cleanse my heart and mind, and open my lips so that I may proclaim your glory.  All praise to you, heavenly Father, through the Sovereign Yahshua in the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Luke 1:8-17  Now while [Zechariah] was serving as priest before Yahweh when his division was on duty,  9.  according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  10.  And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.  11.  And there appeared to him an angel of Yahweh standing on the right side of