First published ca. 2005
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By PAUL CONANT
Many wonder about the emergence of the modern state of Israel. What is the divine purpose? Is this reconstituted Jewish state a sign of the end times? How should Christians deal with this situation?
The believer is admonished by scripture to beware false prophets, perhaps appearing as born again 'angels of light,' teaching demonic theories intended to hinder the work of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ [2 Cor 11.13]. Peter also warns that unspiritual people can falsely interpret the word of God. [2 Pet 1.20] Therefore, it is important that the believer, with the aid of the Spirit, examine the basis for various apocalyptic theories and timetables that are popular these days, rightly and diligently dividing scripture [2Tim 2.15]
An appendix (scroll down) contains interpretations of scriptures that contain the word 'Zion.'
Because many of those who adhere to such theories are known as Christian Zionists, it seems appropriate to examine the concept of Zionism from the point of view of gospel-centered, born-again Christianity, in accord with Christian precepts that anything can be tested against the Bible.
As Paul wrote: 'All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so
that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.' [2
Tim 3.16,17]. However, when the flesh interprets scripture, the result
is dead wrong, as we know from Satan's temptation of Jesus. Peter, in
his struggle against false prophets, said that 'no prophecy of scripture
is a matter of personal opinion,' not being an act of human will but
rather of the Holy Spirit motivating the speaker [2 Pet 1.20,21].
EARLY IDEAS OF 'ZION'
The first biblical mention of 'Zion' is Deut. 4.48 and is another name
for Mount Hermon in Lebanon. This 'Zion' derives from 'Sirion,' a name
given to the mountain by the Sidonians. This Zion is referred to again
in Psalm 133.3 when the poet compares brotherly love to 'the dew of
Hermon coming down on the mountains of Zion.'
'Zion' is next cited in 2Sam 5.7, where it is reported that 'David took
the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).' This was a
fortified enclave held by the Jebusites on a site later known as
Jerusalem. David built his palaces in this fort and laid the groundwork
for the first temple, which was built by his son Solomon, on a nearby
hill. The term 'Zion' then came to refer to the entire palace and temple
compound. It was often used specifically for the temple or the temple
and its hill. Scholars think 'zion' was originally a word for 'hill.'
'Zion' was often extended in the Bible to mean the entire city of
Jerusalem, where
the general populace lived adjacent to the palace-temple compound. In
fact, sometimes the Old Testament Bible extends the definition of 'Zion'
to include the people of Israel or a remnant of that people.
THE CONCEPT OF TIME
Some Bible commentators seem to unconsciously believe that, when it
comes to time, God is not as subtle as he is in other matters. They
would have the anticipated fulfillments of prophecies fit nicely onto a
'railroad timetable.'
However, this illusion is refuted directly and indirectly by scripture.
Josh 10.13, describing the halting of the sun and moon, may be read
literally or figuratively. The author may have meant that the victory
was so astonishing that it was tantamount to the sun and moon standing
still (and this may have been a jibe against a monarch whose authority
supposedly included the sun and the moon).
Or, he may have been
recounting that the sun, along with a pale daylight moon, stood still
during the battle. If literally interpreted, then we see that God may
extend a day's duration at will. If figuratively interpreted, then the
author says that God is so powerful he could, if he wished, make the sun
stand still, meaning in God's hands time is truly flexible, a point
made by the prophet Daniel, who lauded God as one who 'changes times and
the seasons' [Dan 2.21].
God's control of time is demonstrated in Is 38.8, when God told Hezekiah
that the sun's shadow would go back ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz,
which is what then happened. God showed that he erased a period of
history that led up to the point in time of Hezekiah's death. He gave
Hezekiah a new lease on life by bypassing a sin-laden time in this man's
life.
The disciples found that their concepts of space gave way to the power
of God when they were with Jesus in a boat in the middle of the Sea of
Gallilee and suddenly found themselves at the shore. The time it takes
to cross that space was voided. So, we can accept that God can and does
compress time. Likewise, he can expand it, as we know from Hezekiah's
experience.
Of a prophecy given to Habbakkuk, God said, 'For the vision is yet for
the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and will not fail. Though
it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not
delay'[Hab 2.3]. Note that the appointed time may seem, to human
observers, to be close at hand or even overdue. So we can see that if
the prophecy isn't fulfilled at an expected time, then it must be
fulfilled in an unexpected way.
This point is driven home by the chronologically inconsistent narratives
found in Genesis and elsewhere.
For example, ages of Abraham and his family at key points don't jibe --
if we use modern western definitions. The number for age represented a
benchmark, such as '40' representing the period of mature manhood,
rather than a specific year.
But even if we 'solve' this difficulty, others remain: for example, when
were the people of earth who married into the family of Adam and Eve
born?
What happened to the giants (the nephilim or 'fallen') when the flood
hit? These demon-people appear again after the flood. Could it be that
time is not really representable as a real number line?
Should we accept that perhaps the Bible contains serious errors (we
certainly know that different versions contain minor errors that Bible
scholars are continually attempting to correct), or might we conclude
that there is simply much that we don't fully understand?
So then, if the Bible itself demonstrates the impossibility of drawing
up a superficially logically consistent timeline of events of old, what
makes us think we can use biblical references to map a 'logically
consistent' history of the future?
Often in scripture, a time is said to arrive when the measure of
something (such as sin or wrath) is full. The Greeks had two words for
time: 'kronos' and 'kairos.' Kronos is the time of clocks and
astronomical cycles. Kairos implies the propitous time. It is more
spiritual in nature. A kairos time may be thought of as a balloon that
fills up, perhaps quickly, perhaps slowly, with a gas until the point of
bursting. That is when the consummation of the kairos time has arrived.
We might consider the second coming as a the consummation of a kairos
time.
Even atheists who seek the truth in modern physics have found that time
is supple and relative, and not at all like the typical person's view of
it. At extremely short intervals, time can be said not to exist. On
larger scales, as Einstein proved, time is relative to the observer.
Here's an idea of what that means: If you left earth on a starship
traveling near the speed of light and traveled deep into space and then
back, you would find that your twin brother was substantially older than
you upon your return. In fact, you could conceivably return to an earth
where centuries had elapsed, though for you only months had elapsed.
When Martha was grieving for Lazarus, dead for four days, she told Jesus
she believed Jesus could get any favor from God. Jesus then told her
that her brother would rise again. 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the Last Day,' she answered. 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live
even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never
perish. Do you believe this?'
You see, Martha had the traditional Jewish understanding of the Old
Testament prophecies, but she was hoping Jesus would find a way to
revive her brother anyway! Her faith was honored when Jesus said, in
effect: Don't stand on tradition! Just BELIEVE! This is GOD talking!
[John 11.22-26]
The great and awesome day of the Lord had arrived for Lazarus and was witnessed by Martha.
It wasn't the sidereal day that counted, but rather belief when the word
came. The awesome day of the Lord is on a spiritual (which does not
mean 'unreal') plane: 'SEE IT NOW! ETERNAL LIFE!'
In general, we may say that the launch of Jesus' salvation mission was indeed the dawn of the great day.
The malleability of time and the physical world is indicated in the
variant accounts of the resurrection.
Some skeptics see these seemingly irreconcilable versions as proof of
biblical error. And, it is conceivable that God permits minor structural
or form errors on the basis that it's the spirit that counts, just as
when one hears a spirit-filled person give the word, even though he
makes some grammatical or even factual slips. The slips are not
important; it's the spirit, the word, that counts.
Even so, there is a serious school of thought among physicists known as
the 'many worlds theory' -- reflecting Jesus' word, 'In my father's
house are many mansions [possibilities]' [Jn 14.2] -- in which alternate
realities can coexist. In some related areas of scientific conjecture,
such alternate realities are thought to interact strongly rather than
weakly.
Mathematicians are accustomed to dealing with 'projection,' in which a
more complex form is projected as a set of simpler forms. For example,
if you shine a flashlight above a globe, you will see an elliptical or
circular shadow below.
Suppose we think of a unified event occurring in a purely spiritual
dimension, such as heaven or hell, as being projected into the earthly
dimension where man lives. It is quite reasonable to suppose that its
projections, or reflections, will be fragmentary, meaning that, from a
human perspective, the one 'higher dimension' event is seen in various
ways at different times and places on the earthly plane.
You needn't believe that this idea is correct to see the point that the
commonplace idea of linear time may not suffice for prophecy.
Earthbound people can be misled by a spirit of deception that puts
falsehoods into the mouths of wicked prophets [1 Kings 22.22] and thus
blinded by a 'strong delusion' [2 Thes 2.11]. While it is true that the
born-again believer is fit to understand scripture, as illuminated by
God's Spirit, it is still possible for the believer to be influenced by
the delusive nature of this world.
DEAD LITERALISM
As Christians, we are strongly advised to study scripture [2 Tim 2.15].
We cannot however understand what we read without the help of the Holy
Spirit. Though scripture is written in Hebrew and Greek, its origin is
divine, and divine language is beyond human ken [Rom 8.26]. Scripture
means what God says it means.
Who has plumbed the mind of God? Who has exhausted the deep well of the wisdom of God? [Rom 11.33,34]
God's thoughts are far above our thoughts [Is 55.9]. We must beware
assuming that we can know the full meaning of a scriptural passage or
group of scriptural passages.
Dead literalism is effectively refuted by Jesus in a number of places,
such as when he healed on the sabbath day and when he upbraided the
scribes and pharisees for focusing on technicalities rather than on the
point of God's teachings: love of God and one another.
Jesus, obeying the Spirit, told his hearers that a scripture from Isaiah
that he had just read had been 'fulfilled in your hearing.' [Luke 4.21]
Jesus halted his reading at 'to proclaim the favorable year of the
Lord,' leaving unread the other part of the couplet 'and the day of
vengeance of our God.' [Is 61.1-2]
Does this mean the unquoted prophecy is untrue? No, but we can assume
that the fulfillment of the entire passage from Isaiah does not
necessarily follow a simple human schedule.
After the long-lost Book of the Law was recovered, it was read to the
people and interpreted for them by the Levite priests [Neh 8.7].
Language and custom had evolved, so that strict literalism would have
left the hearers perplexed. The Bible here shows that, without inspired
interpretation, we have the dead letter of the law.
The word of God is 'alive and active and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both
joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the
heart,' says the writer of Hebrews [Heb 4.12], after quoting several Old
Testament passages.
So if a man is to understand the word, he cannot rely on human wisdom [1
Cor 1-9]. Just as the spirit within a man knows his thoughts, the
Spirit of God knows God's thoughts [1 Cor 2.11]. In fact, the Spirit
reveals scriptural meaning to believers 'for the Spirit searches all
things, even the depths of God.' [1 Cor 2.10]
Or, as Paul wrote elsewhere, the new arrangement for Christians is 'not
of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit
gives life.' [2 Cor 3.6]. So the assertion that 'the Bible is literally
true' should perhaps be changed to read that 'the Bible contains no
error.' Since God 'makes all things work together for the good' for his
chosen [Rom 8.28], he is able to make human missteps into truth. We know
this from Caiaphas, who, as high priest, spoke a truth, though he had
no idea of the divine profoundness of his words [Jn 18.14].
An example of literalness is the Mosaic command for Jews to put symbols
of God's word on their foreheads and hands [Deut 6.8]. Some Jews to this
day observe this custom. But, isn't it plain that the real point of
this thought is that the Jews were to think about God's word and
practice it? Why would God want people to honor this custom but not
honor God's will in the more important area of behaving on the square
with one's neighbors?
People who want to be excessively literal may not be aware that Jewish
and Christian editors have over the centuries sifted ancient writings in
efforts to obtain God's word at its purest. The fact that the Bible is
such an authoritative source of truth and wisdom shows that many of
these editors were, like Paul who rightly divided the word of truth [2
Tim 2.15], divinely inspired.
Many modern Bible texts identify words attributed to Jesus with red type
or quotation marks. However, the Greek texts have no such graphical
devices.
This means that there are some passages sometimes attributed directly to
Jesus that might actually be divinely inspired editorial comments.
Also, there are variant literal versions of some of the words attributed
to Jesus, though they are close in substance. With the aid of the
Spirit, it is possible for the contemporary mind to understand the
meaning of these words.
And the sayings of Jesus clearly were compiled early on and later woven
into the synoptic gospel accounts. Does this make the gospel accounts
wrong? Only if one insists on literally precise chronological
narratives. Otherwise, they are rather like the modern newspaper report
that lays out the relevant details in a way that 'tells a story.'
If a newspaper reporter extracts a couple of relevant sentences from
some document and includes a one-sentence paraphrase in his story, he
could not fairly be accused of improperly quoting the document. We
should give Bible writers the same leeway. To wit, Paul, whose eyesight
was poor and who probably relied on memory, in several places conflates
scriptural passages in order to make a point. For example, Rom 9.33
apparently splices Is 28.16 and Is 8.14. This splice is easily defended
as summarizing later prophetic fulfillments. So Paul is not in error,
but we would be foolish to be excessively literal: there is no single
such passage in the Septuagint (the Greek-language Bible in use at the
time).
In Rom 11.26, Paul quotes scripture thus: 'The deliverer will come from
Zion, he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is my covenant with
them, when I take away their sins.'
The quotation is more a paraphrase than an exact quote. In fact, some
might argue that the paraphrase misquotes Is 59.20,21 to give it a
meaning it does not have. However, the import of the paraphrase is
justified elsewhere, such as Psalm 14.7 and Psalm 15.
I sympathize with the apostle. I had in my mind that Jesus had, in
assuring believers of his steadfastness, asked rhetorically whether a
mother could forsake her child. It turns out that the relevant verse is
Is 49.14, where I hear the voice of the Messiah.
Consider Mt. 21.5, which tells of Jesus' triumphal donkey ride into
Jerusalem. Two old testament scriptures, Is 62.11 and Zech 9.9, are
spliced together here, illustrating that different prophetic utterances
can be fulfilled in one action.
Or consider John 12.15 which quotes Zech 9.9 but omits 'shout, O
daughter of Jerusalem.' Yet, the omission is inconsequential. The
meaning of Zech 9.9 is faithfully preserved. Writers of the period did
not follow rules of quotation used today. So we cannot easily ascribe
error here.
When we are told that 'the scripture cannot be broken' [Jn 10.35], the
Old Testament was meant (specifically, Ps 82.6). So then, what do we
make of Jude's citation from the Book of Enoch, which is regarded by
Jewish and Christian scholars as largely a group of entertaining tall
tales that on the whole lack divine inspiration?
Accepting that the Book of Jude is scripture, then is the scripture broken if Jude cites a non-scriptural source? [Jude 1.9]
Firstly, Jude was using an example from a book familiar to his
contemporaries in order to make the moral point: If even Michael, in his
dispute with Satan over Moses' body, wouldn't revile the devil himself,
who are we to revile anyone at all? Now, regardless of the scriptural
accuracy of this story, the moral point is substantiated by the words of
Jesus, who occasionally alluded to the Book of Enoch.
And, we cannot rule out the possibility that the Book of Enoch contains
fragments of real scripture and that Jude cites such a fragment.
New Testament writers cite numerous passages from the Old Testament in
order to make their case about Jesus. However, if one were to apply the
railroad timetable technique to the Old Testament writings, one would
doubtless be able to argue that the writers were taking scripture out of
context in order to justify their pet theories. But, the reality is the
reverse: the Spirit illuminated the authors' minds as to how the
written word was being fulfilled in their day. But the human wisdom --
railroad timetable analysis -- was to be scorned. As Paul said to the
Corinthians, he decided to put Jesus first and then see what the Spirit
revealed.
He always respected scripture, but insisted that the Spirit
should lead in its interpretation.
So it is that sometimes a person apprehends a spiritual reality to such
an extent that, for him, prophecy is being fulfilled. One wakes up to a
truth, which was there all along, previously unnoticed. It's like
suddenly seeing the solution to a math problem. The solution always
existed, independently of the observer, but now that solution has become
a potent part of the observer's reality.
Paul, when caught up to the third heaven, could not tell whether he was
in the body or out of the body [2 Cor 12.2-4]. That is, the spirit world
was so intense that the material world faded out, a non-issue. In
paradise, Paul heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted
to speak. That is, the language of heaven far exceeds the capacity of
the earthly vessels. So we should be careful about trying to interpret
spirit reality according to earthly standards.
Now Paul's experience here is echoed elsewhere in scripture: Sky
(heaven) and earth had passed away! The sky was torn asunder and rolled
up like a scroll! The stars fell from their places and sun and moon
became nothing in comparison with God's glory [Is 34.4]! He was in
paradise and his world was gone in the blink of an eye! Yet, we can
expect that such scriptures will be fulfilled again in other ways.
Consider the believer content in Christ and filled with the Spirit not
even noticing supposed bodily hardships. Sky and earth have begun to
pass away, as with Stephen during his martyrdom. Or think of Jesus in
the desert being comforted by angels following his victory over Satan.
That desert was no desert! It was gushing with refreshing streams and
blooming with beautiful flowers!
So we can see that fulfillment of scripture is not naively chronological
but comes in surprising ways. Often a prophecy had already been in part
fulfilled in the shadowy pre-gospel sense but awaited complete
fulfillment in Jesus. Also, even when a prophecy is being fulfilled at
the dawn of the Christian era, that does not mean there isn't more to
come. For example, take Acts 2.17,18 when the spirit-filled Peter quotes
Joel's prophecy that in the last days God will pour out his spirit on
all flesh (1).
And indeed, since that time that prophecy has been fulfilled by God
granting his Spirit to people of every race and background. And its
fulfillment is not yet complete.
As Paul said, human wisdom is insufficient for understanding God. So we
can appreciate that when God speaks to man through prophetic scripture,
he is infusing man's tribal viewpoint and his local legends with the
Spirit in order to lift the hearer into an expanded consciousness. He is
using man's language and man's way of thinking to reflect God's
thoughts.
Because of this, the word of God may seem to some to be ambiguous or
inconsistent. Also, linear history seems to matter to modern humans far
more than it does to God, who is focused on spiritual growth.
Our ability, even with the Spirit, to comprehend prophecy 'through a
glass darkly' [1 Cor 13.12] (as a dim reflection) has a counterpart in
modern astronomy. Before powerful telescopes made most of the physical
cosmos observable, one could only make educated guesses as to most of
what was out there, even though scientists had Einstein's highly
accurate general theory of relativity as their 'bible.'
Though the theory's general predictions are repeatedly verified as
astronomy progresses, no one in the early years of the 20th century
anticipated the fantastic view of the cosmos that eventually unfolded.
Previously, scientists had the physical truth, and yet they still
perceived the cosmos 'through a glass darkly' before having their
consciousness expanded to a much bigger reality (and this reality is
nothing in comparison to what God has in store).
The Book of Revelation can be thought of as the Big Picture of spiritual
reality. It gives a panoramic sweep that includes events of the past
and of the future. We can think of it as a completed picture of a jigsaw
puzzle. But, try as we might, our human mental strength does not
suffice to perfectly match puzzle pieces found elsewhere in scripture
and in contemporary events to that Big Picture.
However, that does not mean we should ignore various 'end times' events
unfolding about us. We should indeed use these events to toughen up in
our Christian walk. Why are we being so worldly? Can't we see the Bible
is right?
THE TRUE ZION
The issue of Judaism's primacy was addressed by Jesus and the apostles
with such sayings as 'Salvation comes through the Jews' [Jn 4.22] 'to
the Jew first, and then to the Gentile' [Rom 2.9,10], 'the first shall
be last and the last shall be first' [Mt 20.16].
The Samaritan woman was puzzled by religious differences. 'Our fathers
worshiped in this mountain,' she said, 'and your people say that in
Jerusalem [on Mount Zion] is the place where men ought to worship.'
Jesus replied, 'Woman, believe me, an hour is coming when neither in
this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship
what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the
Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will
worship the Father in spirit and in truth.' [John 4.20-23].
In other words, God was creating a new world, or covenant, where the
heart of the believer was the issue, as opposed to a particular
geographic location.
In that same chapter, Jesus -- who was breaking the Middle Eastern taboo
of conversing with a woman without her male folk present -- tells her
that he would be happy to fill her up with 'living water' from a spring
that won't run dry. 'Living water' (what in English is called 'running
water') is a poetic description of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was bringing
salvation to a hapless, roughly handled Palestinian woman.
The Lord was not terribly interested in geography or property rights
[Luke 12.14]. His aim was and is to confer the gift of salvation and
eternal life. Recall his assertions that 'the kingdom of heaven is within you' [Luke 17.21] and 'my kingdom is not of this world' [Jn 18.36].
The writer of Hebrews says that Jewish religious customs are a 'copy and
a shadow of heavenly things.' [Heb 8.5]. Likewise, Paul wrote that the
Jewish law, including the ten commandments, was intended to school the
Jews as to the meaning of right and wrong so that they would become
aware of how much they needed the unmerited favor of salvation [Gal
3.24].
A new order replaces the old order, as Heb. 8.8-13 says, quoting prophecy [Jer 31.31]:
'"Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a new
covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah; not like
the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them
by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not
continue in my covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord. For
this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after
those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I
will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God. And they shall
be my people..." When he said, "a new covenant," he has made the first
obsolete.
But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to
disappear.'
And when does the new covenant appear? It is made evident at the Feast
of Pentecost, when, as Peter said, quoting from Zechariah, Jerusalem
became 'the city of truth.' That passage [Zech 8.2-17] also says that
the Lord is 'exceedingly jealous for Zion.' The covenant dawned at
Pentecost and is still in process of fulfillment.
Or, as Heb 12.22-24 points out, the terrifying experience of Mount Sinai
is no more, but rather, 'you have come to Mount Zion and the City of
the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the
general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in
heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the
righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant...'
Plainly, Zion here is a spiritual place, the realm of salvation. The
old world of the old covenant will be shaken and only what is
unshakable will remain, but 'we receive a kingdom which cannot be
shaken' [Heb 12.27,28].
Paul says that eventually 'all Israel will be saved; just as it is
written, "The deliverer will come from Zion, he will remove ungodliness
from Jacob." "This is my covenant with them, when I take away their
sins" [Rom 11.26,27]. Paul adds, 'From the standpoint of the gospel,
they [the Jews] are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of
God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts
and calling of God are irrevocable' [Rom 11.28,29].
He is explaining that the Jews have been partially hardened in order to
permit the 'fulness of the Gentiles to be gathered into the body of
Christ' (indicating that many who perished without seeing Jesus must
still arise to meet him as their Savior).
A recurrent theme of Paul is the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
In God's eyes, there is no distinction. 'For by one Spirit we were all
baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks [Gentiles], whether
slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one spirit.' [1 Cor
12.13].
So then the new Zion is filled with the new Israel, the redeemed Jews
and Gentiles. Under the new covenant, 'the virgin daughter of Zion' [2
Kings 19.21] has become the bride of Christ [2 Cor 11.2, Rev 21.9,24].
'For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant, and out of Mount Zion,
survivors' [2 Kings 19.31]. This prophecy was fulfilled by the fact that
the Jewish identity survived Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem,
but that prophecy is fulfilled in an expanded sense by the fact that
born-gain Jewish Christians, the ultimate survivors, fanned out from
Jerusalem.
A MAJOR SIGN
Though interpretation of end-times prophecies requires a special gift,
there is one prophecy that stands out as a beacon in our time. Luke
21.24 quotes Jesus thus: 'and they will fall by the edge of the sword,
and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled
underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are
fulfilled.'
After the Romans led the Jews away captive, Jerusalem remained under Gentile domination for nearly 2,000 years.
Upon Israel's founding in 1948, Jerusalem became the Jewish state's
capital, though this status has long been a diplomatic sore point. After
a fight, Jordan occupied east Jerusalem, but then lost that sector
during the 1967 war.
So then, it is fair to say that the times of the Gentiles are about
over. However, we might also note that Arabs predominate in East
Jerusalem, possibly indicating that the Gentile era is not quite over.
Certainly, the Israeli government cannot end the Gentile era by trying
to complete this prophecy.
For one thing, the Gentile era is the period when the message of
salvation is going out to the Gentiles. Once the full complement of
Gentiles destined for salvation has been reached, then the Gentile era
ends, according to Paul, writing in Romans 11.11-32 -- in particular Rom
11.25. Once this occurs, Paul says, Jews who had been unable to receive
the gospel will be saved.
Of course, that implies that a powerful evangelical campaign must come
in Israel, accompanied by great pressure to thwart the gospel.
Further light on the Gentile era is shed in the Book of Revelation (Rev
11.2) where John is told not to measure the outer court of the temple,
which is given over to the Gentiles, who will tread Jerusalem underfoot
for 42 months (three-and-a-half years).
Two witnesses will prophecy for 1,260 days (three-and-half years),
clothed in sackcloth. They have tremendous power, and can kill with the
fire of their mouths. (Rev 11.3-6)
In Rev 12.14, we are told that the woman flies from the serpent's
presence to the wilderness to be nourished for three-and-a-half times.
This echoes Daniel 12.7, where it is prophesied that wonders would cease
-- the world would end -- after three-and-a-half times. A general
resurrection occurs after the holy ones are overcome, a theme found in
Rev 11 and in Jesus' end-times discourse.
In scripture, a 'time' can be taken to be a solar year. And it is
interesting that the Roman-Jewish war lasted about three-and-a-half
years, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem.
However, if we keep in mind the Greek idea of kairos, we might think of
'a time' as meaning a period in which certain trends accumulate until
reaching the critical point, which ends that period. So then, we might
interpret the three-and-a-half years of Revelation as three-and-a-half
kairos times, meaning that the era of the Gentiles ends amidst some
other era -- perhaps the age of grace, which must still be extended to
the Jews.
Here we have another argument against eschatological timetables, since
kairos eras can overlap. On the other hand, it should be acknowledged
that some accept that Jeremiah's prophecy -- that Jerusalem would be
resettled by the Jews after 70 years of desolations by Gentiles -- was
fulfilled after about 70 solar years (Jer 25.11,12, Jer 29.10). However,
Daniel, in Babylon, seems to have been perplexed that the 70 years was
up and the prophecy in need of fulfillment, if solar years were meant.
The angel Gabriel responded by giving Daniel a vision of the Messianic
era to come, and explained that this era would begin after '70 weeks.'
Interpreting
a week as seven years, the kronos time of 490 years seems to accord
with the Jewish resettlement of Jerusalem in 538 BCE and the ascension
of Jesus around 34 CE (about 496 years), though the Messiah was also
supposed to be cut off after 62 weeks -- in kronos time, 434 years,
which does not jibe.]
Realizing that the Spirit can cause believers to see a scripture or set
of scriptures as being fulfilled in many ways, we offer this scenario as
a possibility:
In Rev 11.2, the Gentiles are in the outer court of the temple. That is,
these are the Gentiles being brought to salvation; meanwhile, the
Gentiles are walking all over the holy city. Now, the 'holy city' may
signify the kingdom of God -- which they, like the prostitutes, are
storming into -- and-or it may signify earthly Jerusalem, which seems
likely, since Jesus in Luke 21.24 certainly was talking about earthly
Jerusalem. So then, we would assert that once earthly Jerusalem came
under Jewish rule, the times of the Gentiles begin drawing to a close.
Now which times are meant? One time evidently is the era for the gospel
to the Gentiles; another time apparently is the era of Gentile rule over
earthly affairs.
Now the two witnesses of Rev 11 may mean the Jewish Christian and the
Gentile Christian components of the body of Christ. True Christians have
tremendous power, as the gospel accounts and the Acts of the Apostles,
show. But they are at their best when they are humble, eschewing earthly
wealth. They are 'in sackcloth' during the age of witness, but
eventually they will wear divine apparel. However, I am aware that such
an interpretation might constitute a partial fulfillment of prophecy,
with a complete fulfillment to come.
We are now in a position to suspect that the three-and-a-half times of
Daniel may correspond with the three-and-a-half years of Rev 11.
Similarly, we can interpret the woman of Rev 12 as the church -- the
body of born-again believers -- who, harshly persecuted in Judea,
escaped to the 'wilderness' of Gentile lands, where she has been
nourished for three-and-a-half times.
However, I am uncertain as to what three eras are meant, though I would guess that the 'half-era' refers to the age of grace.
At various points, the Bible says that the coming of the last days is
accompanied by birth pangs. Severe stress presages the birth of a new
world era.
I suggest that the closing days of the age of the Gentiles mean great
suffering on the part of the Gentiles. The plague of AIDS appears poised
to sharply reduce the earth's population, possibly by 2028 (2). Poor
nations are ill equipped to combat this disease, which has already
devastated sub-Saharan Africa -- leaving 11 million AIDS orphans -- and
which is on the verge of bringing about a similar catastophe across
Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia. In addition, the rapid increase in
global warming is likely to have numerous calamitous effects, including
triggering devastating malarial and ebola epidemics.
We also cannot rule out the possibility that weapons of mass destruction
may yet be unleashed on a genocidal scale. But, even if such arms are
contained, pandemics and related famines are likely to promote civil
disorder and war. The developed nations can no more escape the judgment
than the Titanic could escape sinking. The great distress will cross
borders, despite all efforts, and then spiral out of control in the
supposedly safe areas.
We cannot say that the state of Israel will be unaffected. However, a
remnant of Jews will remain, perhaps still in control of Jerusalem. Yet,
the scepter of world rule will not be passed to earthly Israel. If so,
why would the Bible repeatedly point to a Messianic era as the
culmination of Jewish aspirations? My guess is that, while the distress
of nations is under way, Israel will undergo a harsh internal fight as
Christian Jews begin to make headway.
At some point, the Christian Jews will be eradicated. BUT, we cannot assume that this will occur at any particular time.
The scenario I have outlined is plausible, but I do not claim that I am correct in every jot and tittle.
A NOTE ON THE ABRAHAMIC BLESSING
An important topic of end-times discussions is the blessing given to Abraham, which was routed through the Jews.
'And I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you:
and in you shall all the families of the earth be blessed' [Gen 12.3].
Abraham's real descendents are those who heed God, not merely people
with certain DNA characteristics who have been circumsized [Jn 8.39].
Obviously, the blessing points to Jesus, who blesses all the nations of
the earth. Those who bless Abraham will be blessed and those who curse
him will be cursed. This certainly applies to Abraham's spiritual
progeny, the born-again Christian.
But supposing that God's pledge also applies to Abraham's descendents in
the flesh, a question must be posed: does the pledge apply to the state
of Israel, the Israeli government, Jewish residents of Israel, or Jews
in general, wherever they live? I raise that question because some seem
to equate any criticism of Israeli government policies as tantamount to
invoking a curse against onself. I don't wish to attempt to neutralize
the potency of that scripture, but I am concerned that some are
deploying it for propaganda purposes.
THOUGHTS ON 'ELOHIM'
A verse in the Song of Moses, Deut. 32:8, reads:
'When the Most High apportioned the nations,
when he divided humankind,
he fixed the boundaries of the peoples
according to the number of the sons of God.'
The phrase 'sons of God' was rendered 'sons of Israel' in the
traditional Jewish Bible, but a fragment from the Dead Sea scrolls
attests to the former.
Who were these sons of God? Were they related to the sons of God who
intermarried with earth women and spawned demonic offspring? What is known is that various non-canonical writings, along with some
clues in the Bible, indicate that these were the 70 (probably a symbolic
number) angels who led the nations surrounding ancient Israel. The
highest of these divine beings, who came to be known as Elohim and also
YHWH (roughly: 'Yahweh'), chose the nation of Israel for himself.
Scholars have found that, though 'Elohim' is used in the singular in the
Hebrew scripture that we have now, the word itself is a plural form of
'El,' which was the name of the Canaanite's chief god. So 'Elohim'
simply means 'the gods.'
But the Hebrews were forbidden to worship any God but Elohim -- which
evolved into a a generic name for God -- who eventually revealed his
special name to them as YHWH, just as he has revealed to Christians his
special name of his son Jesus. Elohim brooked no competition from his
'sons.'
So it is apparent that the Hebrews knew of the Canaanite pantheon --
which is similar to other pantheons, in which one god is chief of the
others.
However, as Hebrew religion and language evolved, we find that the
Canaanite 'sons of El' -- which is equivalent to 'the gods' -- becomes
'sons of Elohim,' which is later rendered as 'angels,' which are
directly created divine beings (note that this makes Jesus a hybrid of
son of man -- because born of a woman -- and angel, or son of God,
because directly created, which is also what born-again believers are).
Angels could have god-like power but were not to be worshiped. The
theological issue bothered the Pharisees, who took 'son of God' to mean a
god who must not be worshiped.
Elsewhere we learn that Michael is Israel's special protecting angel
(whose name means 'Who is like God?'). So then he is, possibly,
identified as a projection (message) of Elohim. In addition, we learn in
Daniel and Revelation (and in extra-biblical texts) that Michael is
waging war with the devil and his angels. In particular, we find that
the prince of Persia is a demonic angel. So we can guess that the angels
that lead the nations are demonic, or at any rate inferior, angels,
perhaps those who intermarried with earth girls.
We might think of the pantheon of the gods as a muddled (reprobate)
intuition of a situation in which the human soul is a projection of a
particular angel. So all those who are a projection of a particular
angel are in the 'nation' ruled by this angel. But Jesus taught that
those who are not ruled by the Father must be ruled by Satan, implying
that the unregenerate are either reflections of fallen angels, or, are
tares that have been planted by an enemy.
Be this as it may, clearly some will suspect that the Jewish religion is
simply a variant of the older Canaanite religion with which it clearly
has similarities. Scholars would add that as Jewish theology evolved, it
took on some of the imagery and concepts of Zoroastrianism, a Persian
religion of great antiquity. (A number of Zoroastrian concepts make sense in terms of Judaeo-Christian traditions. Take, for example, 'the Lie,' which can be thought of as a place where many are headed. It is also the pull to proceed into such a place. The Lie is the door opening to one of the 'many mansions' in God's universe, as well as the pull toward that door. The Lie is the pull toward Death, death itself being a lie.)
So my thinking is that God was using the imagery with which the Hebrew
tribesmen were familiar in order to gradually unveil the higher things
of God. Recall Paul on Mars Hill, when he preached to the Athenians on
the 'unknown God.' The monument to which he referred was put there in
the event that the polite and cosmopolitan Athenians had neglected to
honor some visitor's god. Yet Paul used the concept of 'unknown God' as a
jumping off point to preach the good news that the way to know God was
via Jesus Christ. Similarly, we can see that God could have used old
stories, imbuing them with his spirit, in order to reveal some of the
depth and magnitude of the true God.
Think of the transfiguration:
Jesus had previously quoted a scripture that said 'you are gods' (or
possibly 'you are as gods') and had held that if God IS the God of
Abraham and Isaac, then God is the God of the living.
On the mountain, his disciples saw him with Moses and Elijah, all
blazing with unearthly light, and then, after closing their eyes in
fear, saw only Jesus.
That is, these divine beings were united by a single Spirit.
As Paul says, born-again believers are heirs with Jesus of the kingdom
[Eph 3.6], sons of God that is. In fact, they are as gods, indeed they
are gods. Nevertheless, they, who are junior partners of Christ, are
certainly not to be worshiped.
The promise to the believer is that, as he becomes more Christ-like, he
will become one with God -- though he actually is already one with God,
just as Jesus is one with the Father.
In any event, we can see that the Hebrew word 'Elohim,' though it
stemmed from a pagan theory, fits well with God's revelation to the
Jews, who he did indeed choose as his special people, though their heory
of God is past its prime.
APPENDIX: 'Zion' prophecies interpreted
Following are my interpretations of a number of scriptures concerning Zion:
Ps 9.11
'Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.'
Under the old covenant, the invisible God dwelt in the ark of the
covenant. Within that ark were the stone tablets on which God had
personally inscribed the 10 commandments. The two stones can be viewed
as a token of God's covenant with the children of Israel. But also we
see that the Lord himself was the true covenant -- the word and the
guarantor of that word.
Under the new covenant, the invisible God -- the Spirit of God -- dwells
in the mind of the believer, making the believer's body, 'the temple of
the Holy Spirit' [1 Cor 6.19]. So then, would God go back to the old
covenant in order to take up residence in another stone temple?
Ps. 14.7
'O that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion, when the Lord
restores his captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.'
Jesus rose to heaven out of Jerusalem, where he could then send the
Spirit to the Jews -- and Gentiles -- who were to be set free. 'Whom the
son sets free is free in deed'[John 8.36].
Ps. 65.1
'silence before you and praise in Zion'
Or, 'be still and know I AM' [Ps 46.10]. This intimacy with God requires
the presence of Jesus in the believer, who then can enjoy God.
Ps. 69.35,36
'For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, that they may
dwell there and possess it. The descendants of his servants will inherit
it, and those who love his name will dwell in it.'
Zion and the cities of Judah are reserved for the descendants of his
servants and those who love God's name. A true descendant of God's
servant is also God's servant. Otherwise the devil is his father [Jn
8.44].
So is earthly Jerusalem filled with such people?
The 'cities of Judah' needn't refer to old Middle Eastern towns; instead
what is indicated is a land where the redeemed, who love the name
Jesus, can enjoy life.
Ps. 78.67,68,70
'He also rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of
Ephraim, but chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved.'...
'He also chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds.'
Though this refers to the preservation of David's tribe, Judah, after
the destruction of the other 11 tribes, these words are fulfilled by
Jesus, the good shepherd descendant of David, who established spiritual
Zion by his conquest of evil at the cross.
Ps. 84.5,7
'How blessed is the man whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the
highways (to Zion)... every one of them appears before God in Zion.'
Those who love God are approaching Zion.
Ps. 87.2
'The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the
other dwelling places of Jacob.'
English-language translations of the Bible customarily italicize words
not found in the Hebrew or Greek scriptures but that seemed necessary.
In this case, if we omit 'other,' we can interpret this passage to say
that 'Jacob' refers to the unregenerate Jew. He cannot enter Zion until
he has been transformed, by the renewing of his mind [Rom 12.2] into
'Israel.' The name 'Israel' means 'wrestler with god' and the name
'Jacob' means 'he who grabs by the heel' or more generally 'trickster.'
Recall the encounter between Jesus and Nathanael, who knew salvation was
to proceed from Jerusalem. Nathanael's question 'Can any good thing
come out of Nazareth?' was followed by Jesus' retort: 'Look, a real
Israeli, in whom there is no guile.' Or, that is: 'Look, a real
contender with God, in whom there is no Jacob.'
Ps. 87.6
'The Lord will count when he registers the peoples, "This one was born there [in Zion]."
As Jesus said, the birth that counts is the spiritual birth. Those
written in the Lamb's Book of Life [Rev 20.12] have been born of the
Spirit, not of flesh and blood [Jn 3.5,6]. So there is no use having
been born in Jerusalem if one hasn't been born again, saved by the
intervention of Jesus Christ.
Ps. 97.7
'Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols ... Zion heard this and was glad.'
The real Zionists are glad when God shames the money-worshipers and their type.
Ps. 99.2
'The Lord is great in Zion'
Or, Zion is a place where the Lord's glory shines brightly. And isn't
that in the hearts of those who worship God 'in spirit and in truth'?
Ps. 102.21
'that men may tell the name of the Lord in Zion'
Utterance of that name -- as represented in scripture by the Hebrew
letters YHWH -- came to be forbidden to Jews of old and such utterance
is still considered impious for Jewish residents of modern Jerusalem,
assuming anyone could be sure of the pronunciation.
The name of the Lord, under the old covenant, is not, under the new
covenant, fully revealed since the name of 'Jesus' suffices as the name
of the Lord.
It has become possible to tell the name of the Lord openly, even if with difficulty.
'Jesus' or 'Yah shua' means 'Yaweh saves.' Knowing this name suffices
just as seeing Jesus sufficed for seeing the Father [Jn 14.8].
Ps 110.1,2
'The LORD says to my Lord: sit at my right hand until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet. The LORD will stretch forth your
strong scepter from Zion...'
Jesus cites this passage [Mt 22.44] to show that David calls his son,
the messiah, his lord. So then we can be sure that Jesus is one with
YHWH (the name of God using only consonants, as translated from Hebrew)
whose great power over heaven and earth extends from the kingdom of God,
which is Zion.
The fourth verse of this psalm says that God has determined that this
savior is 'a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek,' a
passage that Heb. 7.21 says refers to Jesus, the consummate priest.
Ps. 129.5
'May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward.'
Those who love their sin more than the light remain under judgment and
are continually injured by their own wilfulness [Jn 3.18], since they
reap what they sow [Gal 6.7].
A specific instance of this scripture being fulfilled occurred when an
armed troop came to arrest Jesus. Jesus asked whom they sought. When
told, he replied, 'I am he.' On hearing 'I am,' which is a name for God,
the men stumbled backward in confusion and were then only able to
proceed with God's permission [Jn 18.4-6].
Ps 135.21
'Blessed be the LORD from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem.'
The writer was likely thinking of the Temple in Jerusalem. Yet, when
Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn apart,
indicating the departure of God's Spirit from the veiled ark of the
covenant. Where does the Lord dwell today? Within those who put their
trust in Jesus.
Is 1.27
'Zion will be redeemed with justice and her repentant ones with righteousness.'
Justice was served by the sacrifice of Jesus, the son of God, whose
crucifixion paid in full the price of all sin.
Those who humbly turn to
him will be made right with God.
Is 8.18
'Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and
wonders from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.'
Heb 2.13 takes this passage to refer to Jesus.
Is 24.23
'The LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem.'
We know that Mount Zion is a spiritual place and the Book of Revelation tells us to expect a new, heavenly Jerusalem [Rev 3.12].
Is 28.16,18
'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly
cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it
will not be disturbed [moved].'
'Your pact with Sheol will not stand.'
Paul in Rom 9.33 and Peter in 1 Pet 2.6 say Is 28.16 refers to Jesus.
Now the old, earthly Zion was overthrown by the Romans in 70 A.D. So the
new Zion is the kingdom of God that Jesus is yet bringing forth.
Jesus will cancel the sin-sick soul's contract with death.
Is 29.8
'It will be as when a hungry man dreams--and behold, he is eating; but
when he awakens, his hunger is not satisfied, or when a thirsty man
dreams--and behold, he is drinking, but when he awakens, behold, he is
faint and his thirst is not quenched. Thus the multitude of all the
nations will be who wage war against Mount Zion.'
Anybody who fights God is deluded. Any 'victory' over the LORD is hollow.
Though this passage specifically refers to Gentiles, certainly it also holds for Jews.
A nearby passage [Is 29.10] says that God 'has poured over you a spirit
of deep sleep [or 'strong delusion']' blinding the prophets and the
seers. Paul [Rom 11.8] says this scripture applies to the bulk of the
Jews, who 'were hardened.'
That is, those who resist God, and his works, are turned away from his
kingdom by a strong delusion, reminiscent of the angels guarding the
gates of Eden.
Is 30.19-21
'O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He
will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears
it, he will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of
privation and water of oppression, your Teacher will no longer hide
himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher.
Your ears will hear a
word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the
right or the left.'
God will comfort his people. Yet, who can see God? Yet his people will
see the Teacher, who will guide their minds. Those who walk with Jesus
recognize the Teacher's voice [Jn 10.27], which can only be heard via
the Holy Spirit. He is the road and he makes sure that every follower
will learn more and more about God.
Is 31.4,9
Like a lion with its prey unworried by the shepherds, so will 'the LORD
of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and on its hill.'
'whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.'
Have you ever noticed that on occasion titanic contests occur with
little recognition of what is going on -- hardly anyone is paying
attention?
Jesus was sent by the Father to wage spiritual warfare against the devil
and his hordes. A scene in that struggle occurred when he picked up a
whip and drove the businessmen from the Temple.
Certainly Jesus could not be deterred from achieving his victory over hell.
That victory was exemplified when, during the feast of Pentecost,
tongues of fire descended upon the apostles in Jerusalem to launch the
true church.
Is 33.5
'He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.'
Not much of that in wordly Jerusalem. However, Jesus embodies the phrase 'justice and righteousness.'
Is 33.20
'Look upon Zion... Your eyes shall see Jerusalem ... a tent which will
not be folded; its stakes will never be pulled up. No oarboat or warship
will pass on its great streams.'
What great streams? These must be streams flowing in the heavenly Jerusalem of Rev 3.12, where commerce and war are no more.
Is 35.5,6,10
'Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf will
be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of
the mute will shout for joy.'
'And the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads.'
When John the Baptist queried Jesus as to whether he was the Messiah,
Jesus replied: 'Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the
blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf
hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the good news preached to
them.'
All of Isaiah 35 foretells, in rhapsodic imagery, Zion's wonderful
future. From Jesus' response, we can see that he was a sign of the true
Zion. And a person who has truly received Jesus as Lord has entered that
Zion, the land of eternal bliss, and, despite hardships, will shout for
joy at the wonder of this event.
Is 37.32
'For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion, survivors.'
Those who have been born by the Spirit.
Is 40.9
'Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news ... say to the cities of Judah "Here is your God."'
Jesus was lifted up on Mount Calvary with the inscription: 'King of the Jews.'
Is 49.14
'But Zion said, the LORD has forsaken me...'
Jesus cried out on the cross: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' [Mk 15.34]
Is 51.3
'Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion...and her wilderness he will make like Eden.'
How sweet it is to follow Jesus.
Is 51.11
'So the ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion.'
How wonderful to have your sins paid for by Jesus.
Is 52.3
Zion 'will be redeemed without money.'
Those destined for eternal life have had their sin paid for by the blood of Jesus.
Is 52.7
'How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces
salvation, and says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"'
Jesus announced the good news of salvation, and so do his followers.
Is 52.8
'For they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.'
Witnesses saw the works of Jesus, including his ascension into heaven.
However, many of those suffering spiritual blindness were unable to see
that Zion was being restored. Isaiah begins his description of the
suffering servant with 'who has believed our report?' [Is 53.1]
Is 61.2,3
'...to comfort all who mourn, to grant all those who mourn in Zion...'
Jesus tells us to fear not, to be cheerful, because he has overcome the world [Jn 16.33].
Jesus told his hearers that Is 61.1,2 had been fulfilled in their hearing.
Is 62.1,2
'For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake, I
will not rest' until the 'nations [Gentiles] will see your
righteousness...and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of
the LORD will designate.'
The name of Jesus is lifted up among the Gentiles.
Is 66.8
'Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at
once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons.'
The new Zion was brought forth by the sacrifice of Jesus and began in
power on the day of the feast of Pentecost, when immediately thousands
turned to Jesus for salvation [Acts 2.41].
Jer 3.14
'...return O faithless sons...and I will take you one from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.'
Many are called, but few are chosen for Christ's kingdom.
Joel 2.32
'And it will come about that whoever calls upon the name of the LORD
will be delivered; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be
those who escape.'
Paul in Rom 10.13 applies this scripture to anyone who calls on Jesus,
who will then escape hellfire. Joel 2.28 -- 'I will pour out my spirit
on all mankind' -- is cited by Peter during the Pentecost speech.
Had Jesus' warning been remembered [Lk 21.20], those in Jerusalem during
the Roman-Jewish war would have known it was time to flee when they saw
the Temple profaned by Jewish rebels.
In the case of the prophecies of Joel and of Jesus, we can see that they
may be specifically fulfilled and yet we cannot rule out their being
fulfilled again. However, Paul is less interested in 'future history'
than in getting people to see the main point: the salvation provided by
Jesus more than fulfills scripture.
Obadiah 17
'...on Mount Zion will be those who escape...'
Those who escape the wrath to come [Mt 3.7] are those who put their trust in Jesus.
Mic 4.2
'Many nations will come and say, Come let us go up to the mountain of
the LORD and to the house of the
God of Jacob, that he may teach us
about his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For from Zion will go
forth the law, even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.'
Some may read this passage literally, but I see it as fulfilled by
non-Jews who are able to get into the kingdom of God through the mercy
of Jesus, who is the word of the LORD personified and who is the
fulfillment of the law of the LORD. As Jesus taught at age 12, the House
of God is the work of the Lord [Lk 2.49] and for humanity the greatest
work is salvation.
Zeph 3.12-15
'But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will
take refuge in the name of the LORD.
The remnant of Israel will do no
wrong and tell no lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their
mouths; for they will feed and lie down with no one to make them
tremble.
'Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel!...The
LORD has taken away his judgments against you, he has cleared away your
enemies.'
Jesus told us to learn of him, who is humble and lowly [Mt 11.29]. Those
who trust in Jesus, who paid for all crimes against God, no longer need
fear anything at all, and as they are perfected, they become less and
less prone to wrongdoing. And God does not look upon sin because the
believer has been pardoned by Jesus. So those put right with God through
Jesus have every reason to shout for joy.
Zec 9.9
'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion...Behold your king is coming to
you; he is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a
donkey...'
Fulfilled by Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted as the son of David -- the Messiah.
Zec 9.10
'I will cut off the [war] chariot from Ephraim and the [war] horse from
Jerusalem; and the war bow will be cut off. And he will speak peace to
the nations; and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the
River to the ends of the earth.'
Jesus, who has been granted all power in heaven and earth, gives his
followers the 'peace of God, that passes understanding'[Phlp 4.7]. Once
his kingdom has spread everywhere, warfare will cease.
(1) Colin J. Humphreys, a Cambridge scientist and Bible investigator, has analyzed Peter's interpretation of the prophecy of Joel as related to historical events that can be corroborated. His keen mind is revealed in his book
The Mystery of the Last Supper: Reconstructing the Final Days of Jesus (Cambridge University Press, 2011). He is also the author of
The Miracles of Exodus: a Scientist Reveals the Extraordinary Natural Causes Underlying the Biblical Miracles (Harper Collins, 2003).
His web site:
http://www.csap.cam.ac.uk/network/colin-humphreys/
(2)
When that was written, such a global catastrophe seemed plausible. However, education and distribution of anti-AIDS medicines seems to have blunted the threat, though we cannot be sure it won't return.
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Sept. 2013. This article has had minor editing on several occasions between 2005 and Sept. 2013.
