Dear brother,
I am sorry I haven't sent these sooner, but have been
overwhelmed with work. Brother, I am attaching each of the studies I have
written setting forth 2008 as the time of the coming of the Lord. You do not
have to reprint them, because all of or most of them have already been posted on
Five Doves. They are for your reading only. The specific one that sets forth
the correct date for the birth of Abraham is the "Noah Days" study.
God
bless you dear brother. I'll meet you very soon in glory, and we can praise the
Lord together.
Bro. Riley
__
Thanks, Bro Riley!
John
A New Beginning
By Pastor F. M. Riley
“Hear
this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants
of the world:
both low and high, rich and
poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the
meditation of My heart shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open My dark [chidah…hidden] saying upon the harp.”
Psalm
49:1-4.
“Give ear, O My people, to My
law; incline your ears to the Words of
My mouth.
I will open My mouth in a parable: I will utter dark [chidah…hidden] sayings of old:”
Psalm
78:1-2
Introduction
The Word of the Lord
contains hidden truths that
are only revealed at the time the Lord wants them revealed. They are often hidden right in plain sight in
the Scriptures that men read every day.
Yet the hidden truth in those Scriptures is unseen by men until the
Lord’s appointed time for that particular truth to be revealed. The above two Scripture passages plainly point
out this truth. Another passage that verifies this truth is found in Daniel
12:4. I suggest that our readers
study each of these passages carefully.
Folks, it is God’s inspired Word that we
are dealing with. Today it is commonly
accepted that any man with reasonable intelligence can “read the Bible” and
understand it. Even though it is
“commonly accepted,” such an idea is just not so. Spiritual truth is
spiritually discerned, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. A person can read the Bible all their
life, but they will never understand the spiritual truths set forth in it until
they receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through “…repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” Acts 20:21.
In this study I am going to share
with God’s people [those truly saved]
one of those previously hidden truths
that the Lord in the Scripture texts above said He was going to reveal to His
people. My prayer is that this study
will bring encouragement and joy to God’s people today. Read on…..
Bible Numbers
God’s inspired Word is filled with various
numbers. The careful Bible student will
find that the numbers used in God’s Word are always associated with a
particular theme or doctrine. I began
studying Bible numbers when I first began preaching 53 years ago, and have never
stopped studying them. Therefore I am
well acquainted with the meanings of various numbers used in God’s Word. I know after all these years of personal
Bible study that the Lord still uses these same Bible numbers in dealing with
mankind. I could point out hundreds of
examples of this truth from daily life.
But in this study I want to emphasize only two
numbers which repeatedly occur in God’s Word to demonstrate that the Lord is
still using those same Bible numbers [and
others] as His great plan of the ages is being worked out among men. Let’s get started…..
Number Seven
Seven (7) is the Bible
number that is always associated with the doctrine of completeness or
fulfillment throughout the Scriptures.
It means, “to complete; bring to
an end; bring to closure; to close; to fill up; to fulfill; to bring to
fulfillment.”
Number Eight
Eight (8) is the Bible
number that follows seven and throughout the Bible it is associated with the
doctrine of new things. It means, “to begin anew; a new day; a new time; a new
birth; a new start; a new beginning.”
Now emphasizing these two
numbers, by the Grace of God I want to share with our readers a wonderful…..
Previously Hidden Truth
After some 1827 years of dispersion among
the Gentile nations of the earth, the Lord began to move on behalf of the Jewish
people in 1897. This was when Theodor Herzl convened the
1st Jewish Congress at Basel,
Switzerland. The purpose of that meeting was specifically
to launch an organized effort to find a national homeland for the long
dispersed Jewish people. Out of that
meeting came the Zionist Organization, which in 1898 assumed the leadership role in searching for a Jewish
homeland. A new beginning!
Ten years later in 1907 the Great White Fleet of the United
States of America sailed into the harbor at Tokyo, Japan
and forced the Japanese Emperor to open up his country to world commerce
and modernization. Up until that time Japan was a closed
country. The Japanese people were living
in the same primitive way they had lived for hundreds of years. The Japanese Emperor wanted to protect his
people from the outside world where the Industrial Revolution was taking place
and modern technology was advancing. But
the Lord knew that Japan
had a role to play in end-time events.
After the Great White Fleet of the U.S.
sailed to Japan
and literally threatened to open up Japanese markets by an invasion if
necessary, the Japanese Emperor opened up his country to world trade in 1908.
A new beginning!
By 1917
the 1st World War was winding down. On December 9, 1917 Jerusalem
was freed from Turkish control by the combined military forces of Great Britain and the United States under the command of
the English General, Lord Allenby. Read Psalm
17 and Isaiah 31:4-5. This
paved the way for the Jews to begin returning to the Holy
Land. In the next few
months all fighting ceased and an Armistice was signed on November 11,
1918 ushering in a new era [for
a short time] of world peace. A new beginning!
In 1927
Europe was already in the midst of a
collapsing economy and turmoil was everywhere. A group of disgruntled young
radicals in Germany
began seeking the cause of such economic chaos. They blamed all of Europe’s
woes on the Jews in Europe, and especially those Jews in Germany. In 1928
the Nazi Party was organized with the express aim of taking over the German
government and ridding Germany
of the Jews. One of the charter members
of the Nazi Party was…guess who? A new beginning!
In 1937 Adolph Hitler was busy expanding the borders of Germany through a show of military strength,
coercing, demanding, threatening, and oppressing neighboring countries in
Europe, and annexing parts or all of their territories to Germany. He was still blaming the Jews for all of Europe’s problems.
The military arm of his Nazi Party was bitterly persecuting Jews in Germany and the
annexed territories, while the rest of the world looked on silently. Jews were being falsely accused, imprisoned,
beaten, tortured, etc. and the so-called “world community” was doing
nothing. Finally, in 1938 war officially broke out in Europe and Hitler and his cronies put into effect their
“Final Solution” to the Jewish problem.
They began systematically exterminating the Jewish people in the gas
chambers and ovens of their concentration camps. A
new beginning!
In 1947,
two years after the end of the 2nd
World War, the United Nations approved a resolution dividing the land of
Palestine into two states; one for the Arabs and the other for the Jews. The U.N. believed this would solve the
conflict that had existed between Arabs and Jews since the implementation of
the British Mandate following the 1st World War. The Jews hastily set up a provisional
government, and when the British governor ended the British Mandate on May 14, 1948, David Ben Guiron, the Jewish
provisional Prime Minister, publicly announced that the state of Israel was now
an independent nation among the nations of the world. A
new beginning!
In 1957
the Suez Canal war, which had broken out
in 1956, came to an official end. As 1958 began a period of relative calm
settled over the Middle East even
though the Arab nations refused to sign a Peace Treaty and were still
“technically” at a state of war with Israel. A
new beginning!
In 1967
Egypt, Syria, and Jordan
had united in a military alliance and were preparing to “drive Israel into
the sea” [the exact words of Nassar of Egypt]. But Israel struck first in the now
famous Six Day War. In that war Israel regained the whole city of Jerusalem, the entire west bank, and the entire Sinai peninsula.
In the aftermath of the war the secular [non-religious] leaders of Israel
gave the Temple Mount
back to the Muslims and the Sinai back to Egypt. Because of their secular unbelief [Compare Numbers
14:26-35], in 1968 [Rosh HaShanah 1967 forward] Israel
began 40 more years of servitude to the Gentile nations of the earth. Another new
beginning!
In 1977,
four years after the Yom Kippur war of 1973, negotiations began between Israel and Egypt to end their “state of war”
and sign a permanent Peace Treaty. This
effort was encouraged and mediated by then U. S. President Jimmy Carter. A Peace Treaty was signed between the two
countries in 1978. A
new beginning!
In 1987
Mikhail Gorbachev of Russia
declared “perestroika” [openness] to
all the Communist countries in the Soviet Union, beginning the process which
ultimately led to the collapse of the whole USSR. At that time Ronald Reagan was President of
the United States, and in a
show of friendship invited Gorbachev to visit America. Gorbachev accepted the invitation, arriving
in the U.S.
on December 7, 1987 [Pearl Harbor Day]
for an official visit. The next day,
December 8, 1987, the Palestinian uprising began in Israel. Early in 1988
the Palestinian leaders called for the Muslim people to begin their first
“Intifada” in Israel. A
new beginning!
In 1997,
four years after the agreement signed in 1993, negotiations were again taking
place between Arafat of the Palestinians and Barak of Israel to find a
“permanent” solution to the problems between the two peoples. The negotiations were being mediated by then
U. S. President Bill Clinton. In 1998 an “Accord” was signed between the
two parties, supposedly marking a new era of “peace.” A
new beginning!
Now humanity has arrived
at 2007.
What now? What ending [fulfillment; completion] will the Lord
bring to pass this year that will result in a
new beginning in 2008?
Folks, we didn’t have to wait the whole
year to find out. When I posted this
study on Five Doves website on August, 25, 2007, I had no idea how quickly the
answer would come.
The End of the United
States of America
Just ten days later on September 4, 2007 the
“end” came. It was on that date that
President George W. Bush signed an agreement with the President of Mexico and
the Prime Minister of Canada, agreeing to end this nation as we have known it
in the past. On that date this nation
became a part of the new nation, “The Union of North America.”
Whether some of our readers want to hear it
or not, or believe it or not, the United States of America no longer exists. This country is now part and parcel of the
Union of North America, which consists of the U.S. Canada, and Mexico. These three countries have now been united
into one country.
That same night, September 4, 2007, CNN’s
“Lou Dobbs Reports” confirmed this truth over national television. Most Americans did not hear the announcement,
for they were too busy watching a “bawl” game, or a “slop” opera, or some other
favorite program on TV, or sending a text message, or listening to their IPOD,
or the Lord only knows what else. But
the announcement was made whether you heard it or not, and it can be confirmed
by anyone with a computer by going back into CNN’s archives for September
4, 2007 and listening to the announcement for yourself.
During this same time period word “leaked”
out that new currency is being printed at the U.S. Denver Mint for the new
Union of North America. This new
currency is called the “Amero.” As I
write I have email copies of actual photos of the new “Amero” coins on my desk
right in front of me. The coins are
stamped with the Mexican eagle on one side of the coin along with the “D” mint
mark, indicating that they were produced at the Denver Mint, and the words “Union of North America.” The other side of the coin is stamped
with “Lady Liberty” sitting down, and the date of 2007. This date clearly indicates that the coins
were intended to be put into use in 2007. These coins have been repeatedly shown and
talked about on the Hal Turner Show on television. Anyone who doubts my word can use their
computer to see the Hal Turner Show featuring these coins for themselves.
Also during this same time period the state
of North Carolina
in cooperation with the Home Security Department of the government has began
issuing a new Driver’s License which is plainly marked “North American Union”
on the face of the license. Check it out
for yourself.
All of this information has been confirmed
by World Net Daily. Check their website
and examine the evidence for yourself.
Then on November 26, 2007 another
end time “indicator” took place. That is
the date that an international meeting was convened at Annapolis, Maryland
under political pressure from President George Bush and Secretary of State
Condaleeza Rice. Representatives from
all the Muslim nations were present, as well as Prime Minister Olmert from Israel and
Abbas of the Palestinians. The stated
purpose of the meeting was an attempt to create a national homeland for the
Palestinians out of land belonging to Israel.
The real purpose, in the light of God’s
Word, was to bring about the total destruction of Israel as a nation. The Jewish
Rabbinate issued a public statement preceding this meeting, which stated, “If President Bush and Condaleeza Rice force
Israel into signing an agreement giving away Israel’s land, given to them by
Almighty God, it will bring about the destruction of the United States.” Are you listening? Folks, Genesis 12:3 is still in the Bible,
and it still works. In view of what has
continued to occur since this meeting, I am convinced that the epitaph God gave
to rebellious Israel long ago can now well be applied to America today, “O
America, prepare to meet thy God.” May
God have mercy on us all.
Conclusion
Folks, it is obvious that 2007 marks an end to life as we have
known it in the past. The greatest
change in the history of this country [and
of the world] is going to occur in 2008. This next year, the year ending in eight
[8], will mark a new beginning
for all of humanity. But for the wicked,
it won’t be good…..!
Folks, in writing this
study, I didn’t have to stretch, strain, or invent anything. Everything I have pointed out is documented
history. I ask you, the reader, did this
all happen just this way by coincidence?
Or was the unseen hand of God in it directing the affairs of men? In every year ending in seven during the past century a particular set of circumstances
came to an end [was fulfilled or
completed], and in every year ending in eight there was a new
beginning!
Now humanity has arrived
at 2008. What now?
What will result in a new
beginning in 2008?
Glory!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord! I THINK I
KNOW! Do you?
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
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NOTICE:
Permission is granted to any true
believer, or to any Bible believing Christian ministry, to forward this
study to others, or to reproduce it to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.
This ministry is supported solely by the
freewill offerings of those who feel led of the Lord to help us send forth God’s
wonderful Word.
All comments, questions, or correspondence
should be addressed to:
Last Call Gospel Ministry
Pastor F. M. Riley
3900 Clark Lane Lot 178
Columbia, MO 65202
Our email address is: fmrglbd5@yahoo.com or fmrglbd5@aol.com
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Another look at
Anna….
By Pastor F. M. Riley
The King James Version Bible
“And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had
lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore
and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks
likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption
in Jerusalem,”
Luke 2:36-38.
The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible by Hendrickson Publishers
“And was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she advanced in days many,
having lived years with a husband seven from the virginity of her,
And she was a widow years eighty four, who
not departed from the temple, with fastings and petitionings serving night and
day.
And she at that very hour coming on, she
gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke concerning Him to all those expecting
eagerly redemption in Jerusalem,”
Luke 2:36-38.
Introduction
We are explicitly told
in God’s Word to “Remember the former things of old: for I am God…..Declaring the end from
the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done…..,” Isaiah 46:9-10. I have found in studying the time
periods and prophecies set forth in God’s Word, that the ancient time periods recorded
in the Word are being repeated in the end of this age,
literally fulfilling the Lord’s declaration to His people in Isaiah
46:9-10. As God’s people study the Word today, they would be very wise
to “Remember
the former things of old…” and look for a similar fulfillment on a
grander scale in the events occurring in these “last days.”
One of the time periods set forth in God’s
Word that has intrigued me [and others]
has been the two time periods given in the account of Anna the prophetess in Luke
2:36-38. Since the Lord has repeatedly used the time periods connected
with events recorded in His Word to typify events that He would bring to pass
in “the
end,” then how do these two time periods in the account of Anna the
prophetess fit into this picture?
In this study, let’s just see if we can
find out…..
The Setting
The setting for the story
of Anna in Luke 2 is the Temple of the Jews
in the city of Jerusalem. Notice verses 22, 25, 27, 37, and 38. I ask that our readers keep this
setting in mind, for it is important in view of what I want to share about
Anna.
In Luke
2, following the circumcision of Jesus and the purification period of
Mary [Luke 2:21-22; Leviticus 12:1-8], Joseph and Mary brought the
little Lord Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to present Him
to the Lord, and offer for Him the sacrifice required
by the Law. As they came into the
Temple the Lord God sent two witnesses to testify of Him before all those present in
the Temple on
that occasion. One of the witnesses was
a man whose name was Simeon. The other
was a woman whose name was Anna. We will
refer to both Simeon and Anna in this study, but will emphasize Anna the
prophetess.
Simeon
As Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the Temple, Simeon was
already there. Simeon’s name means “hearing; hearkening.” The text tells us that Simeon was one of
those Jews who were “…waiting for the consolation of Israel,” 2:25. In other words, he was a man of faith
who had heard and believed God’s Word and was waiting for God to raise up Israel’s
Messiah and Savior to save the nation, and give to them a kingdom of peace and
righteousness. The text also tells us
that the Holy Spirit “was upon” Simeon. The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon “…that
he should not see death, before he seen the Lord’s Christ,” [anointed Messiah]. In order that this
revelation might be fulfilled, the Holy Spirit had led Simeon to come into the Temple at this exact
time. Marvel at the precision of our
God, and give Him glory. Praise the
Lord!
When Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the
Temple, the Scripture tells us that Simeon “…took…Him up in his arms, and blessed God,
and said, Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy
Word: For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,” 2:28-30. Since Simeon was holding the little
Lord Jesus in his arms and looking upon Him, this plainly teaches that the Lord Himself is
God’s salvation and the Messiah and Savior of Israel. Praise the Lord! Compare John 14:6.
Then Simeon made a wonderful statement. Simeon spoke to Mary as he said, “…Behold,
this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel: and for
a sign which shall be spoken against…,” 2:34.
We now know that this statement was a prophetic utterance. The “fall…of Israel”
encompassed the rejection of Christ by the religious leaders of Israel, their
persuading the people to crucify Him, and their lying to the people about the
Lord’s resurrection [the “sign” spoken
against], and the subsequent scattering of the whole nation among the
Gentile nations of the earth. Their fall
was accomplished just forty years after Christ ascended back to His Father in
Heaven. But it is not their “fall” that I am concerned with in
this study. That is now history.
What I want to emphasize in this study is
their “rising again.” Since
the “fall”
predicted by Simeon was fulfilled to the letter, we have good reason to
believe their “rising again” will also be fulfilled to the letter.
Anna’s Entrance
As
this scene was taking place, the text tells us that “…she coming in that instant
gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked
for redemption in Jerusalem,”
2:38. Did I mention the
precision of our God? Give Him glory!
We are told that Anna was “a
prophetess,” 2:36, and that she was “the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Asher.” The word “Anna” is a contraction of the word,
“Hannah.” This word means “gracious; she is gracious.” This tells
us something about Anna’s character.
Anna is stated to be the daughter of “Phanuel.” This word means “turning to God; the face of God.” This gives us insight into why she “departed
not from the Temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” Serving the Lord God of Heaven had become Anna’s
passion for living.
She was also of the tribe of Asher. The word “Asher” means “happy; happiness.”
Anna had found her happiness in
living for and serving the Lord. What a
woman Anna
was; a true role model for all
Godly women.
When we consider the meaning of each of
these names as listed above, the statement Anna made, and the setting involved,
I think it is safe to conclude that Anna is a type of Jerusalem and of
those Jews who will find grace and
happiness and “redemption in Jerusalem” as they turn to the Lord at the end of
this age
Now let’s see if we can verify this type as
we look a little closer at Anna…..
Anna’s Age
The first thing we are
told that relates to Anna’s age is that “she was of a great age, and had lived with
a husband seven years from her virginity,” 2:36. This does not tell us how old Anna
was. It only reveals that she was “of a
great age,” that she was a virgin when she married, and that
she had lived with her husband for seven years.
That is all the verse says.
In the next verse the Scripture tells us, “And
she was a widow years eighty four,” 2:37 [Greek text]. For many years I assumed that this means that Anna was 84 years old, based on
the English translation of Luke 2:37.
Shame on me! After all these years of intense Bible
study and preaching God’s Word, I know better than to assume anything where God’s Word is concerned. This Scripture does not say that Anna
was 84 years of age. The actual wording
of the Greek text and the Greek tense used literally means that she had been a
widow for 84 years following her 7 years of marriage. This entire text never
gives us the age of Anna. All it ever
says is that “she was of great age.”
Therefore we can conclude that Anna was much
older than the 84 years commonly attributed to her, the actual wording of
this passage in the Greek text being my authority for making this claim.
Check it out for Yourself
Some readers may not want to believe this,
and pass it off as simply “my interpretation.”
Suit yourself, but I would suggest that you compare the actual wording
in whatever Bible version you are using with a number of other translations
before you just dismiss what I am presenting. Prove this for yourself. Doesn’t 1 Thessalonians 5:21 tell us to “Prove
all things…,”?
Folks, I have over twenty “modern versions”
of the Bible in my library. I personally
use only the King James Version in my teaching and preaching, but I have a
collection of other versions on hand which I use for comparative purposes [and to expose their fallacies]. The Amplified Bible renders the verse
correctly, staying true to the actual wording of the Greek Text. So does the Moffat New Testament, 1935
edition. Today’s Bible Version also
points out that the 84 years given is not the age of Anna, but rather
translates it as the amount of time she was a widow. Most of the modern versions render the 84
years as the amount of time that Anna was a widow. Very few of them render it as her actual
age.
What the inspired Word does say about the
actual age of Anna is that “…she was of a great age…,” Luke 2:36. In other words, her actual age is not
given. What is given is the fact that
Anna had lived with a husband 7 years from her virginity, and then had been a
widow for 84 years. This makes a total
of 91 years [7 + 84 = 91], but even 91 years is not the age of Anna. I don’t know how old Anna was. This text
doesn’t tell us, and if the Lord had wanted us to know He would have clearly
stated her age in the text.
What Difference does it Make?
It makes a great deal of
difference if one is going to use the time periods stated in this
text as a type of a
similar time period fulfilled in the end of this age. So what is the period of time actually and
literally stated in this text about Anna?
It is a period of 91 years!
7 years Anna lived with her husband, plus 84 years Anna was a widow,
equals ninety one years total. 7 + 84 =
91 years. This is the period of time set
forth in this account of Anna. This is
the period of time we need to be looking at, rather than just 84 years.
Now how does this time period fulfill a
similar time period at the end of this age?
Let’s see if we can find out……
A Brief History of Jerusalem
How old is Jerusalem?
No one but the Lord really knows!
Just like Anna, Jerusalem
is “of
a great age.” Jerusalem was already in existence when
Abraham met Melchizedek in Genesis 14.
The city remained in the hands of
the inhabitants of the land
of Canaan, the enemies of
the Israelites, for several hundred years.
Significantly, this is typical of Jerusalem
during this present dispensation. In 70
A.D. Jerusalem passed into the hands of Israel’s
enemies. It was then occupied by the
enemies of the Israelites for hundreds of years right up until modern times.
Coincidence? I think not! Our God painted a spiritual picture in His
Word for His people living today to look at, and marvel at His greatness and majesty.
In ancient times when the children of
Israel finally came into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua,
Jerusalem was in the hands of the Jebusites, Joshua 15:8; 15:63; 18:16; 18:28. The children of Israel failed to drive them out, and Jerusalem remained in the
hands of the Jebusites for several hundred more years.
It wasn’t until the days of King David that
the Jebusites were defeated and driven from Jerusalem, and only then did the city pass
into the hands of the Israelites. King
David then made the city his capitol. See 2 Samuel 5:5-9.
I rehearsed this brief history to
impress upon our readers, that just like Anna, we do not know the
age of Jerusalem. Jerusalem,
like Anna, is “of a great age.”
The Modern History of Jerusalem
What we do know is that after
the destruction of Jerusalem
in 70 A.D., the city remained insignificant to everyone but Jews and Christians
for hundreds of years. Most of the rest
of the world paid little attention to Jerusalem. It was only the Jews and the Christians, who
believed the Bible, who held Jerusalem
in high esteem during all those centuries. Why should anyone else pay attention
to it? For hundreds of years it remained
a small insignificant city in the Middle East. But during the first World War that all
changed…..
On December 9, 1917 the Ottoman
Turkish army fled from the city of Jerusalem,
after having occupied that city for some 600 + years. Three days later on December 12, 1917 General Allenby rode a white horse into Jerusalem in triumph. Thus began the modern history of Jerusalem.
The Significance of these Things
Folks, I don’t know how to apply every
little detail in the account of Anna to the type of Jerusalem at the end of this age. Perhaps some reader can point out something
in this account about Anna that I am missing.
What I do know is that the inspired record
tells us that just after Simeon spoke about the “rising again of many in Israel,”
Anna came on the scene and spoke about the Lord “to all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.”
We are now at the end of the present
dispensation, and within days or weeks the rapture of God’s people is going to
occur and the Tribulation is going to begin on the earth. It is well known that,
just as it was in the days of Anna, there is a remnant of the Jewish people
today who are fervently looking for their Messiah to come at any time. Today Israel
and the Jewish people are right on the threshold of “rising again” as spoken
of by Simeon, and “redemption in Jerusalem,”
as spoken of by Anna the prophetess so many centuries ago. It is time to speak again, just as Anna did,
of the Lord Jesus Christ “to all them that look for redemption in Israel.”
How is the Lord going to bring this to pass? By raising up “two witnesses” again,
just like He raised up Simeon and Anna.
See Revelation 11:1-12. Glory!
Conclusion
I have taken another look at Anna in this
study because I have been pointing out for several months that 2008 is the year that the Lord
is coming to rapture His people to glory.
I truly believe that the Lord
directed my attention back to this account of Anna again. Why?
Because it doesn’t take a rocket scientist
to figure out that from the time Jerusalem
was freed from the Turks in 1917,
until the present time, 2008, is
exactly 91 years. 1917 + 91 = 2008. This is the exact same time period involved in the account of
Anna the prophetess. Coincidence? No! I
have to believe that it is the hand of God!
And it is another confirmation
that the Lord is coming to rapture His people [true believers] to glory this very year; 2008. Glory to
God! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
ARE YOU READY?
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“For God so loved the world, that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life,” John 3:16.
“He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him,” John 3:36.
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NOTICE: Permission is granted to any true believer or to any Bible
believing Christian ministry to reprint or reproduce copies of this study to
share with others, or to quote from it in
context as written.
This ministry is supported solely by the
freewill offerings of those who feel led of the Lord to help us send forth
God’s wonderful Word.
All comments, questions, or correspondence
should be addressed to:
Last Call Gospel Ministry
Pastor F. M. Riley
3900 Clark Lane Lot 178
Columbia, MO 65202
Our email address is: fmrglbd5@yahoo.com or fmrglbd5@aol.com
Why? Here’s Why…..
By Pastor F. M. Riley
“But sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
1 Peter 3:15
Introduction
Dear __________,
I want to thank you for writing. You asked me several questions about the
timing of the Lord’s coming to rapture His people to glory. If I understood your questions correctly,
what you really want to know is “why I
believe that the rapture will occur and the Tribulation will begin in 2008 [or before]?
Sister, your questions have given me both
incentive and opportunity to give you an answer that should be of benefit to
all of the Five Doves readers. My
earnest prayer is that my answers will be Scripturally enlightening and an encouragement,
not only to you, but to all of God’s people who read this study.
So let’s get started…..
In Just One Generation
I believe there is only one appropriate
place to begin this study, for everything that I will write about in this study
has occurred, or is occurring, in only one Biblically specified “generation.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
In Matthew 24:32-35 the Lord Jesus
Christ gave to His disciples what is commonly referred to as “The Parable of the Fig Tree.” See also Mark 13:28-31 and Luke
21:29-33. This parable was given right after the Lord
had concluded the prophecies set forth in the preceding 31 verses of the
chapter. In the verses which follow this
parable (24:36-51 – 25:1-46), the Lord simply expanded upon the prophecies
already set forth in the first 31 verses. This arrangement of the Lord’s discourse makes
it obvious that the Lord Himself placed great emphasis on “The Parable of the Fig Tree.” This parable is very important. Is
there a reason for this? Let’s see…..
To
be learned…..Notice that the Lord instructed His disciples to “learn”
the parable. Therefore, any one
claiming to be a “Christian” that refuses to study and “learn” the truth that is
taught in this parable, is willfully disobeying the Lord Himself. Read John 14:21-24. It is sad that many of God’s people [not all] read Matthew 24 and yet pay
little or no attention to this parable, and don’t really have a clue as to what
it means or why the Lord inserted it in His Olivet Discourse.
The Fig Tree…..When we obey the Lord and study this parable, what
we “learn”
is that the “fig tree” is symbolic of Israel. This is indisputable for anyone wanting to
deal honestly with God’s Word, for such is clearly taught and stated in Jeremiah
24:4-7 and Hosea 9:10, and is used in such a manner in many other
Scriptures.
The “Parable of the Fig Tree” then speaks prophetically of the
re-establishment and expansion of the nation of Israel. The nation of Israel became a reality in modern
times on May 14, 1948. The certainty of
this prophecy coming to pass was emphasized by the Lord when He followed the
parable by saying, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away,”
24:35.
That this parable prophetically
teaches the re-establishment of the nation of Israel was unwittingly [?] verified
when the newly established nation issued their first postage stamp. That first
stamp was imprinted with a picture of a
fig tree budding. Glory to God!
Coincidence…?? Or was it the hand
of God! You decide!
The
tender branch…..When the nation of Israel was re-established, it was only
a “tender
branch.” Many people in high
places, supposedly friends [?] of the Jewish people, had predicted that when
the Jews declared themselves an “independent” nation, the Arab nations would
wipe them out. But it didn’t
happen! Little David beat Goliath right into the dust! When the Jews declared their independence,
the whole Jewish population numbered only about 350,000. They went to war against the Arab nations
with a combined population of a hundred million people, and yet God gave
Israel
the victory! Glory! Praise the Lord! The “tender branch” had succeeded in
“sprouting” again. Read Job 14:7-9 and give praise to Israel’s God [and mine].
The newly formed nation of Israel remained
a “tender
branch” for the next 7 years.
But then in the 8th year the Lord began to “toughen them
up.” In 1956 the Jews had to fight the “Suez Canal
War.” Once again, the odds were
overwhelming, but again God gave them the victory. The “tender branch” had been buffeted in
the storm, and had survived and began to grow with new life. The population of Israel
began to increase as Jews in other countries began to realize that Israel was here
to stay, and they started coming “home.”
Read Jeremiah 24:6.
Putting
forth leaves…..Eleven more years passed during which the population of Israel steadily
increased. Then in 1967 Israel showed
the whole world just “how tough” the “tender branch” had become. That year Israel fought the “Six Day War.” In just six days God again gave Israel victory
over the combined forces of the Arab nations.
In that war Israel
regained control of their beloved city of Jerusalem,
the Sinai peninsula, and the west bank, known to the Jews as “Judea and Samaria.”
The “tender branch” in just six days had “put forth leaves.”
All
these things…..Now carefully notice the next statement made by our Lord, “So
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at
the doors.” Remember that the
Lord commanded His disciples to “learn” this parable. See what things? Know what is near? What doors?
I’m so glad you asked!
The word “all” in this verse is
translated from the Greek word, “pas.” This word literally means, “all at the same time.” See Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, page 493,
Strong’s No. 3956. In other words, the
Lord was telling the disciples that when “all these things” that He had
predicted in the preceding 31 verses were happening at the same time, then the disciples would “know”
that “the
kingdom of God is nigh at hand,” Mark
13:29-31. Read Mark’s account
for yourself. The Lord said in Mark’s
account that the “it” in Matthew’s account is “the kingdom of God.” Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
The Kingdom of God…..In other words, the Lord told the disciples
that when that time arrived in human history when Israel had become a nation
again, and there were false messiahs arising, wars, racial division, famines,
pestilences, earthquakes, people murdering Jews and Christians in the name of
God, hatred of the Jews, false prophets spewing out their poison, the abounding
of iniquity, and love waxing cold (apostasy), all at the same time, then God’s people should “know” that “it
[the kingdom of God] is near, even at the doors.” Hallelujah!
Folks, “the kingdom of God
is near.” The Lord said so! If
some reading this want to argue about it, don’t bother me with your silly
argument. Go argue with the Lord. Tell Him you don’t believe Him. Give Him all your silly reasons for putting
off the time of His coming. He said when
we “see
all these things” His Kingdom is “even at the doors.” The Lord said it, and as far as I am
concerned, that settles it!
I can see “all these things” going on
today right before my eyes, and if I can, then you can. If you can’t, then maybe you ought to take
off your blinders, get your head out of the TV, quite watching the “slop”
operas and the “bawl” games, and look around you to see what is going on in the
world today.
The
Doors…..Let’s not overlook the Lord’s statement about “the doors.” Most people pay little or no
attention to this expression. Yet it is
very important in understanding and “rightly dividing” the truths set
forth in this parable.
Notice that the word is “doors,” not “door.” It is plural
rather than singular. It is also plural
in the Greek text. Check it out for
yourself.
When the Lord used the plural form, “doors,”
in relation to “the kingdom of God”
being near, He was pointing out a truth to His disciples that is
commonly overlooked. The Lord pointed
out that there are two doors connected with the revelation of “the kingdom of God,” and therefore two
different times for the “doors” to open.
The first “door” is found in Revelation
3:8. In this verse the Lord told
His New Testament church, “…..behold, I have set before thee [in your future] an open door, and no man can shut it:…” The exact expression in the Greek
text is, “…..a door having been opened…..” This “open door” in the future
of the Lord’s church is the door in
heaven that New Testament believers will go through as they enter “the kingdom of God” at the time of the
rapture. Glory!
Proof of this statement is found in Revelation
4:1. In this verse the exact
same expression occurs, word for word, in the Greek text, that the Lord gave to
His church in Revelation 3:8. This
verse in the Greek text literally reads, “After these things I saw, and behold a
door having been opened in heaven: and the voice which I heard at the first
as of a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up hither, and I will show to
thee what things must take place after these things.” This verse, occurring at the end
of the prophecies about the church age, and at the beginning of the
prophecies about the Tribulation, quite obviously typifies the rapture of New
Testament believers into “the kingdom of God”
in Heaven. This is the first “door”
of the “doors” the Lord spoke about in connection with “the
kingdom of God” in Matthew 24:33, Mark 13:29, and Luke
21:31. Then what is the second “door”?
The second “door” is found in Revelation
19:11, where John wrote, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold
a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” This verse and the context, speaks of
the return of the Lord Jesus Christ back to this earth at the end of the
Tribulation to destroy His enemies and establish “the kingdom of God” upon
this earth. Though the word “door”
is not used in this verse, it is clearly implied. In the Greek text the word “opened”
in this verse is the exact same word used, and in the same
tense, as the word “opened” in Revelation 3:8 and 4:1.
Therefore 7 years after the first “door”
is opened ushering New Testament believers into “the kingdom
of God” in Heaven, the second “door”
will be opened allowing the Lord and all the glorified saints to return
to earth to establish “the kingdom of God”
upon earth. Read Matthew
6:9-10, and rejoice! Praise the
Lord!
Remember, the Lord said, “So
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even
at the doors.” Glory! Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord! Folks, the
rapture of God’s people is right at the “door.”
But to make sure that His people wouldn’t
overlook it, the Lord narrowed it down even more for us…..
This
generation…..The next thing the Lord said was, “Verily I say unto you, This
generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Right here the Lord predicted that
all of those things would occur in one specific generation, and are
going to be “fulfilled” before all of those living in that generation “pass
away” [die off]. Wow!
Glory to God!
What “generation”? Those teaching Preterist theology claim that the Lord was referring to the
generation living at the time He gave this prophecy, and that all of Matthew
24 has already been fulfilled (except
the Lord’s actual return). Is that
so? No it is not so! Such a false
interpretation is impossible, for “all these things” in the preceding
31 verses includes “the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great
glory,” [24:30]. The last time I
checked, the Lord hadn’t returned yet. Folks,“all these things” is an
on going process taking place during “this generation,” and they haven’t
“all” been concluded yet. Before “all these things” are finally
fulfilled, the Lord will have returned!
The Preterist claim is a
perversion of God’s Word and a false
claim. Let’s examine this
statement for ourselves and see the truth…..
In Matthew 24:34 the word “generation”
is translated from the Greek word, “genea.”
This word literally means, “1. a begetting, birth, nativity; 2. that
which has been begotten, men of the same stock; a family; the several ranks in
a natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy; a race of men; 3. the
whole multitude of men living at the same time: Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke
21:32. See Thayer’s Greek
Lexicon, page 112, Strong’s No. 1074.
This word is used numerous times in the
New Testament. A “generation” is a
specified length of time from the birth of a child until the birth of that
child’s children. In God’s Word a
“generation” involves a specified length of time and is associated with a
person or people or event that occurs within that particular time.
The
Lord didn’t leave us in the dark on this subject. The length of a “generation”
is clearly defined in God’s Word for those who are willing to “search
the Scriptures.” I have heard
many “guesses” and various claims as to how long a “generation” is in the Word
of God. Instead of guessing or
estimating or assuming, why
not just let God’s Word define it for us?
God’s Word is the final authority!
I have personally looked up and studied
every single place in the Bible where the word, “generation,” is used,
both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Hebrew and Greek words which are translated as
“generation” and “generations,” occur 172 times in the Old Testament, and 77 times
in the New Testament, and are translated from 3 different Hebrew words in the
Old Testament and 6 different Greek words in the New Testament.
In carefully studying every one of these
Scripture passages, I determined that God’s inspired Word defines the length of
a “generation” as being 33 years minimum
and 40 years maximum. If this doesn’t fit any reader’s theory on
the length of a Bible “generation,” then I would suggest carefully restudying your
theory. It is not God’s Word that is
wrong!
In making my “generation” study, I also
discovered that the Lord has repeatedly subjected Israel to 40 year periods of testing.
There are numerous examples of this truth in God’s Word. Our
readers can look them up and check them out for yourself.
In the Olivet Discourse the Lord was answering
questions asked by four Jews, Mark 13:3-4. They came to the Lord
asking Jewish questions about Jewish concerns.
The Lord answered them by speaking of things which would be of
particular concern to the Jews during this present dispensation, and on to the
end of the Tribulation. The entire
discourse was then given to the Jews, was for the Jews, and is primarily
concerned with the Jews. Since the discourse primarily concerns the
Jews, then I have to believe that the “generation” under consideration in Matthew
24:34 is a 40 year period
of testing for the Jews.
I think it is worthy of note that from the
time the Lord gave the Olivet Discourse to these four Jews, it was 40 years until their Temple was
destroyed. Now here at the end of this
present dispensation, there is another 40
year period of testing for the Jews.
“This generation” is then a period of 40 years.
And the Lord Himself said that…..
Pass
Away…..”This generation shall not
pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
This does not mean
that everything the Lord predicted in the first 31 verses of the chapter will
be fulfilled within the bounds of “this generation.” What it does mean is that all
of the “generation” of people living at the time that “the
tender branch” [Israel] “putteth forth leaves” [expanded their territory, regaining their
beloved Jerusalem] will not “die off” before “the kingdom of God”
is established upon this earth. Some
of them will still be alive when that glorious event occurs. Glory!
Folks, I was 14 years of age in 1948, the
year Israel
was re-established as a nation. I was 33
years old when the “Six Day War” was
fought, restoring to Israel her capitol city, the Temple Mount, the Sinai
peninsula, and the West Bank. So I was
alive when “this generation” began.
I have lived during the time of “this generation.” I am a part of “this generation.” I
count myself blessed of the Lord to be one of those living in “this
generation.” I have been able to
watch many of the great end-time prophecies of His Word being fulfilled before
my very eyes. I am now 73 years of age,
and if it is in accordance with the Lord’s plan for my life [His will be done, not mine], I fully
expect to be one of those of God’s people “…..which are alive and remain
unto the coming of the Lord…..,” which will be “…..caught up together with them
[the resurrected saints] to meet the Lord in the air:….,” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. Glory!
Hallelujah!
The
Time Element…..Since “this generation” is a period of 40 years, then when did it
begin? I’m glad you asked!
The Lord told us exactly when “this
generation” would begin when He said, “…..When his branch is yet
tender, and putteth forth leaves…..”
Folks, Israel
was re-established as a nation in 1948, but for 19 years there was no expansion
of Israel’s
territory. It was not until the 1967 Six Day War that Israel recovered their beloved capitol city of Jerusalem and other
areas, expanding their territory. 1967 was the year that the “…tender
branch…..putteth forth leaves…..” The 40
years of “this generation” then began in 1967. Now you know!
Since “this generation” is 40 years in length, and it began
in 1967, then when will it end? 1967 +
40 = 2007. Hello! Do I have your attention yet?
But there is more! For God’s Word reveals that “this
generation” is also…..
The Last Generation
Israel was
re-established as a nation in 1948. It
is then more than coincidence that Psalm 48, the Psalm that corresponds
with 1948, describes exactly what happened immediately following Israel’s
declaration of independence. See Psalm
48:4-7, and compare the statements made in these verses with the actual
history of what occurred in Israel
in the last half of May, 1948, and the summer of 1948. Is our God amazing? Then give Him glory! The Psalmist predicted these events some
3,000 years in advance of their fulfillment.
Glory to God! Praise the Lord!
Then in this same Psalm in verse 13,
the Psalmist was inspired of God to write, “Mark ye well her bulwarks [Zion…Jerusalem], consider her palaces; that ye may tell it
to the generation following.” Notice the words I have underlined
carefully, then take your Hebrew Lexicon or Concordance and look up the meaning
of those words. The word “following”
in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word, “acharon.” This Hebrew word
literally means, “hinder; last;
hindermost; latter; rereward; uttermost.”
See Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, page 33, Strong’s No. 314. In other words, the latter part of Psalm
48:13] in the Hebrew text literally reads, “…..that ye may tell it to
the last generation.”
Since this Psalm talks about the
re-establishment of the nation of Israel,
and the Lord was referring to the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in “The Parable of the Fig Tree,” then
isn’t it obvious that the Psalmist and the Lord were both speaking about the
same “generation? The Psalmist, writing by Divine Inspiration,
says that it is “the last generation.”
This truth is confirmed a second
time in Psalm 78. This Psalm
corresponds with 1978, the year that Israel
signed a “Peace Treaty” with Egypt. In verse 4 the exact same word is used
in the Hebrew text that is used in Psalm 48:13.
“…..showing to the generation to come [acharon] the praises of the
Lord…..” In the literal Hebrew, “…..showing
to the last generation…..” This
verse, which again deals with the re-established nation of Israel, again confirms that “this
generation” mentioned by the Lord in the Parable of the Fig Tree is “the last generation.” Glory to God! Hallelujah!
God’s people [true believers]
are soon going “home.”
I do not want any reader to misunderstand
the truths presented in these passages.
The reference to “the last generation” in both of
these passages does not mean that there will be no future generations of
people. Such an idea would be totally
contrary to God’s covenant with Noah in Genesis 9:8-12, and many other
passages in God’s Word. According to
God’s inspired Word, there will be future “generations” of people born right
on into and throughout eternity.
The “last generation” referred to in Psalm
48:13 and Psalm 78:4, and “this generation” in Matthew
24:34, then has to be understood in the light of God’s great “Plan of
the Ages.” In His great plan, the Lord
appointed six days [6,000 years…2
Peter 3:8] for mankind to prove
themselves capable of handling all the affairs of man upon the earth,
as they labor upon the earth. See Exodus
20:9-11, 23:12, 31:15, 34:21, 35:2, Leviticus 23:3, and Deuteronomy
5:13-14. In these 6,000 years
the only thing mankind has proven,
is that humanity is a total failure without the presence and leadership of
Almighty God.
Now we are living in “the last generation” of
the “Dispensation of Grace” [Ephesians 3:2], “the last generation” of “the
times of the Gentiles [Luke 21:24], and “the
last generation” in which man’s leadership shall prevail upon the
earth. All future “generations” shall be
under the direct leadership and administration of the Lord Himself. Praise God!
Glory to God! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,” 1 Corinthians 15:57. Hallelujah!
The Prophetic Significance
In the Book
of Deuteronomy and the Book of Joshua there is a parallel
to “this
generation” that I believe is prophetically significant. Let me briefly call it to the attention of
our readers.
I urge our readers to carefully study the
chronological record of events involving
Israel,
as recorded in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Moses led Israel out of Egypt 2,513 years after the
creation of Adam. Due to their unbelief
and rebellion, the Israelites spent 40
years wandering in the wilderness.
As the end of that forty years was approaching, Moses began delivering
his final messages to Israel
on the 1st day of Shevat, the 11th month on the Jewish calendar, Deuteronomy
1:3. The ministry of Moses was concluded and he died on the last day
of that same month; the Jewish month of Shevat, Deuteronomy
34:5-7. The children of Israel
mourned for Moses 30 days, the whole month of Adar on the Jewish
calendar, Deuteronomy 34:8.
Then on the 1st day of Abib [Nisan] on the Jewish calendar [a new year], the Lord commissioned
Joshua to take the children of Israel
across the Jordan
into the “Promised Land,” Joshua 1:1-9. Ten days later on the 10th
day of Abib, the children of Israel came up out of the Jordan river and entered
the “Promised Land,” Joshua 4:19.
Because many of God’s people don’t
seriously study Bible chronology, they don’t realize that almost immediately
after entering the “Promised Land,” the Israelites began fighting a war against
their enemies that lasted seven (7)
years.
Folks, it certainly appears to me that
there is a parallel between Israel’s
first 40 year “generation”
and this “last generation” that we are living in today.
Forty years ago [1967] Israel
regained control of the city of Jerusalem and the
Temple
mount. At that time they had an
opportunity to rebuild their Temple
and renew their covenant with their God. But because of the unbelief of
their leaders, those unbelieving leaders gave most of the territory they had
gained, including their beloved Temple
Mount, to their sworn
enemies. Over these past 40 years
Israel
has continued in “spiritual blindness,”
wandering in this world, always seeking “peace,” but finding none, and
being constantly hated and oppressed by their enemies. Now here at the end of “this
generation,” Israel
still faces the 7 years of
Tribulation. Is there not a parallel to
be seen here?
Conclusion
Folks, I make no claim to
knowing “that day and hour” when the Lord is coming. All I know is what
the Lord Himself said about the “Parable
of the Fig Tree.” I have done my
best to “faithfully” share His Word with our readers, Jeremiah
23:28.
Based on these statements of our Lord, I do
know that we are living in the last
two weeks of the last month
of the last year of “this
generation” on our Gentile calendar. There yet remains some three months of this
year on the Jewish calendar. That isn’t
long!
Folks, this next year [2008] life on earth is
going to change! The change will be
beyond what anyone has dreamed of or even imagined. The “signs” of such a change are all about
us, and can easily be seen by those who are seriously studying God’s Word and
watching world events.
Every area of life as we have known it in
the past is on the very verge of total collapse. There is no question in my mind that the
collapse will come in 2008,
and it will come with increasing speed. The economy will collapse, our
money will become worthless, more businesses and factories will close,
thousands of people will be without work, gas and food shortages will develop, utilities
[gas; water; electric] will fail, all
forms of communication will break down [even
your computer], crime will mushroom, law enforcement and governmental
authority will break down, and people will be left to their own resources to
provide for themselves and their families or starve and die. Martial law will very likely be
declared. Humanity is now facing a time
unlike anything they have ever seen before in human history. If any reader doesn’t believe this, it won’t
change the truth one bit. Just keep
breathing and you will see it for yourself.
But don’t despair! In this dark forecast there is a bright
side.
I am personally expecting the Lord to come
through Heaven’s “door” and rescue [rapture]
His people [true believers] in 2008. He may come just before “this
generation” ends, or just after, but He is coming, Luke
21:28.
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Again, in Revelation 3:10 the Lord
said to His church, “Because
thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the
hour of temptation [testing], which shall come upon all the world, to
try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Folks, I would emphasize to you again…..we
are living in the last two weeks
of the last month of the last year of “this
generation” on our Gentile calendar. It is time for God’s people to “look
up” and get serious about living for the Lord.
It is also time for every lost sinner [one who has never received Christ as their
own personal Savior] to get serious about seeking the Lord for the
salvation of your soul. Quit playing
games with God. Since the Lord uses the Jewish calendar in prophetic reckoning,
you may have three more months to “prepare to meet thy God,” and you may
not even have another day. God have
mercy!
If any reader needs spiritual help,
I would count it a blessing if you would call on me. I will do everything I know to do to help you
find Christ as your own personal Savior, or to help you find assurance of your
salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ is
coming very soon. Don’t put it
off. Get the eternal destiny of your
soul settled NOW.
May God grant every reader GRACE is my
prayer.
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NOTICE:
Permission is granted to any true
believer or Bible believing Christian ministry to reproduce copies of
this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.
All correspondence should be addressed
to: Last
Call Gospel Ministry, Pastor F. M. Riley, 3900 Clark Lane Lot 178,
Columbia, MO 65202. Email: fmrglbd5@yahoo.com
The Holy Days & The Church
By Pastor F. M. Riley
Dear __________,
I too agree that the Jewish Holy Days are
extremely important, for they foreshadow and outline prophetic events of great
importance to God’s people. However, I do
not agree with most prophecy teachers that Christ only fulfilled the Spring
holy days.
The truth is, the Scriptures themselves
plainly teach that Christ fulfilled every one of the Jewish Holy Days. It is believed by many of God’s people that
the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of Mary on Hanukkah, which
occurred on or near December 25th that year. Hanukkah is the Jewish “Feast of
Lights.” The Lord Jesus Christ is “the
true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” John
1:8. Christmas of course, is the
day the pagans observed as “the birth of the new Sun god,” which would bring
light into the world throughout the new year.
The parallel appears to be more than just coincidence.
Then Christ is believed by many to have
actually been born the following Rosh Ha-Shanah, the 1st day of the
year on the Jewish civil calendar [1st
day of the 7th month on the sacred calendar], and the
Jewish Holy Day on which there was to be “a memorial of blowing of trumpets,”
Leviticus 23:24. We know that
the day He was born the angels of God broke forth into singing [Luke
2:8-14], and the very heavens pronounced His birth by a “star
in the east,” Matthew 2:2. How
very fitting that His birth should then occur on Rosh Ha-Shanah.
I will not debate these dates with anyone,
for it is obvious that the Lord did not want His people to celebrate His birth,
but rather His death. It was His death
that was important. Getting all
emotional about “the babe in the manger” is an exercise in futility. We are not saved by the “babe in the
manger.” We are saved by the shed blood
of the crucified and risen Christ. This
is why the Lord gave to His people the Lord’s Supper; “For as often as ye eat this
bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come,” 1
Corinthians 11:26.
It is also obvious that He fulfilled the
Day of Atonement following Rosh Ha-Shanah, for it cannot be denied that He is
our High Priest who entered into “the holiest of all” and made
atonement for us with His own precious blood.
This is clearly stated in the Book of Hebrews.
The Lord also fulfilled the Feast of
Tabernacles, for the Scriptures are quite plain that He came down from Heaven
and “tabernacled” with men for 33 years, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt
among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of
the Father,) full of grace and truth,” John 1:14.
Now folks, there is all three (four including Hanukkah) of the Fall
holy days fulfilled by the Lord. It is
also quite clear in the Scriptures that the Lord has already fulfilled all of
the Spring holy days; Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost. There are no more Jewish Holy Days for the
Lord Himself to fulfill. He fulfilled
them all.
Does this leave some of you in a “hard”
place? Well let’s see if God’s Word can
help. What many of God’s people have
overlooked is that unbelieving Israel and the Jewish people
have to fulfill these Jewish Holy Days.
Who says so? God’s Word says
so! It is explicitly stated in Jeremiah
5:24, “Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that
giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: He reserveth unto us the appointed weeks
of the harvest.” Folks,
Christ has already fulfilled the Jewish Holy Days, but in order to turn the
heart of the Jewish people back to Him, He is going to make them fulfill these
holy days.
It is unbelieving Israel, dear people, who fulfilled Passover when
they crucified the Lamb of God on Calvary’s
old rugged cross. They fulfilled the
Feast of Unleavened Bread the week following the crucifixion of Christ, when
they continued to feed their “religious nature” on literal unleavened bread,
having rejected the true “bread of life” that “
came down from heaven,” John 6:32-35;48-51; 58.
They fulfilled the “firstfruits” offering when one of
their priests stood before a wide open
veil and waved the “omer” of barley before the Lord on “the
morrow after the sabbath” following the Passover on which Christ was
crucified.
And on the Feast of Pentecost as recorded
in Acts
2, they were given one last opportunity to nationally receive Christ as
their Messiah and Savior. But even
though 3,000 of them turned to the Lord on that Pentecost, the nation of Israel and the masses of Jewish people assembled
in Jerusalem
that day rejected the Lord. Therefore unbelieving
Israel
and the Jewish people still have to fulfill the Feast of Pentecost and the
three Fall holy days. Pentecost marked the
end of the barley harvest, and the beginning of the wheat
harvest. In Hosea 6:11 it is
explicitly stated, “Also, O Judah,
He hath set a harvest for thee,
when I returned the captivity of My people.”
Folks, Israel’s
“captivity” was returned in 1948 when they became a nation again. They are still facing the “harvest”
prophesied in Hosea 6:11, and it is coming very
soon. I am emphasizing this point,
because the fulfillment of this prophecy is going to resume on the Day of
Pentecost, whether some want to believe it or not. Proof of this statement is only 33 days
away.
Sister, I also do not believe that
the Lord’s church was “born” at Pentecost.
The Lord Himself set up the entire structural organization of His church
during the three years of His personal ministry. What some of God’s people miss is the “legal aspect” of what the Lord
was, and is, doing in the establishment of His church. God’s people need to remember that Almighty
God is first the God of “judgment and justice.” This is stated many times in the
Scriptures. He is the One who
established the laws by which the whole universe functions and is governed.
Old Testament [covenant] Israel as an organized entity operating under the Law had
totally failed to reveal the glory of God to the whole world as the Lord
commissioned them to do way back at the time of the exodus, Exodus
19:5-6; Deuteronomy 26:18-19. So
during the three years of the Lord’s personal ministry, He set up the
structural organization of a new entity, choosing those that He would have to
serve in His new organization [His church],
bringing them forth out of the old organization. Folks, we see such “legal” changes taking
place in the business world around us every day. Why then is it so hard to understand the
“legal” process of the Lord establishing His church?
At the end of the Lord’s personal ministry,
the entire structural organization of the Lord’s church was in place, including
the “board of directors” [the Apostles],
and the number of “share holders” [the
120] needed. The Lord’s church was
ready to take up the very same commission the Lord had given to Israel many
centuries previously. But even though,
the structural organization was there, they did not yet have “legal authority”
to take on the business of representing Almighty God on earth. Therefore the Lord told them, “And,
behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued
with power [dunamis…legal
power and authority] from on high,” Luke 24:49. But on the Day of Pentecost ten days after the
Lord has ascended back to the Father [the
CEO at Universal Headquarters] the “legal authority” came down from Heaven
for the Lord’s church to become the “legal” representative of Almighty God upon
the earth before all of mankind.
Previously that “legal” authority had been in custody of Israel. On the day of Pentecost it was transferred to
the Lord’s church, and the church began to exercise that authority that very
day.
Now whether some like to be reminded of it
or not, there was only a “remnant” of ancient Israel and the Jewish people who
truly sought to fulfill the commission given to them by the Lord. Israel, as an entity, because of
their unbelief, utterly failed to properly represent the Lord on earth, and
to fulfill their commission. But such is
also true of the churches and people today.
Today we see “Christianity” as an entity being swept by the wicked
spirit of unbelief. There is only a
“remnant” of the Lord’s churches and people today who are truly seeking to
fulfill the commission given to them by the Lord. The “church” is just as much a failure at
taking care “of the Lord’s business” among men, as was ancient [and modern] Israel. Folks, this is exactly why
the Lord referred to Himself as “the faithful and true witness” in
the letter He wrote to the apostate Laodicean church. The Laodicean church represents the very
“church period” we are living in today.
But
carefully notice on which Jewish Holy Day the Lord chose to transfer
“the Family business” [the business of the Godhead] from one
entity to another. This day is swiftly
approaching again, and whether some want to believe it or not, another transfer
is going to occur. I say again to you, the
proof of it is only 33 days away.
God bless you dear sister. I’ll see you soon in glory.
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Last Call Gospel Ministry
Pastor F. M. Riley
3900 Clark Lane Lot 178
Columbia, Missouri
65202
Email: fmrglbd5@yahoo.com
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The Days of Noah
By Pastor F. M. Riley
“But as the days of Noah were,
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Matthew 24:37
The Days of Noah
The inspired Word tells
us that Noah was born 1056 years after the creation of Adam. We find this by adding up the years from the
birth of a son until the birth of that son’s son, as recorded in Genesis
5:3-29. The Word also tells us that the flood came
upon the earth “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life….,” Genesis 7:11. This means that the flood occurred
1656 years after the creation of Adam; 1056 + 600 = 1656. The Scriptures also state, “And
Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years,” Genesis 9:28. This means that Noah lived a total of
950 years, just as stated in Genesis 9:29, dying 2006 years after the creation of
Adam.
The year of Noah’s birth 1056 The year of the flood 1656
Noah’s life 950 Noah lived after the flood 350
The year of Noah’s death 2006 The year of Noah’s death 2006
The Days of Noah are Past
December 31, 2006 marked
the end of 2006 years of this present “dispensation of grace,” Ephesians 3:2 [Gentile calendar]. If we superimpose “the
days of Noah” upon this present dispensation, we can then conclude that
December 31, 2006 also marked the end of “the days of Noah” [Gentile calendar]. For those of our readers
who don’t understand this statement, I will demonstrate it as follows…..
The creation The birth The flood
Noah’s
0
1056
1656
2006
------------The days of Noah-------------
The birth
___of_Christ_____________________________________________________________
0
1056 A.D. 1656 2006
------------The
days of Noah--------------
Superimposing the ancient “days
of Noah” on the days that bring this present dispensation to an end is
quite thought provoking. What I am
wondering is if there was a
notable event that corresponds to
the year 1056 in modern history? Was
some notable person born that year? Or
was there a war, a plague, a religious or political uprising, or some other
event that significantly altered the course of human history? Do any of our readers have knowledge of this
particular year?
Likewise for the year 1656. Was there any significant event that occurred
in 1656 that might have altered the course of human history? Can any of our readers fill in the blanks
here? If so, I would appreciate hearing
from you.
A New Beginning
A truth that is commonly
overlooked or ignored is the fact that the year following the death of Noah,
2,007 years after the creation of Adam, brought an end to that era, and the Lord made a “new beginning” in the human
race. Compare Psalm 90:4. It was during the year 2007 [from Adam’s creation] that
Terah placed the “seed” in his wife’s womb that resulted in the birth of Abraham
nine months later, Genesis 11:26-27. The day of the year that Noah actually died is
not revealed in the Scriptures, but in round figures there was only a one year
interval between the death of Noah and the birth of Abraham. We can conclude that only a very short time
intervened between the death of Noah and the conception of Abraham in the womb
of Terah’s wife. Abraham was born 2008 years after the creation of
Adam.
The Correct Year
At this point I can almost see some of
God’s people coming unglued. “Oh no!
Abraham was born 1948 years after the creation of Adam.” Oh!
Who said so? “Why, all the Bible dictionaries and commentaries say so.” Then they are all wrong!
Folks, I want to remind our readers that “All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God….,” 2 Timothy 3:16. Commentaries, Bible dictionaries,
Bible atlases, etc. are written by uninspired men. Men often make mistakes, sometimes even when
studying God’s Word. I urge our readers
to depend upon God’s inspired Word, rather than upon fallible men [including myself]. Even your “favorite” preacher or author is
subject to making mistakes. Don’t depend
upon men. Get serious about God’s Word
and study it for yourself. Emulate the
Bereans, Acts 17:10-11.
Now I want to demonstrate for our
readers…..
1.
That Abraham was not the firstborn son of Terah,
even though he is listed first in Genesis 11:26-27.
2.
That Abraham’s year of birth can easily be determined
by a careful study of God’s Word.
The Birth of Abraham
Folks, by continuing to add up the
years from the birth of a son until the birth of that son’s son as recorded in Genesis
11:10-26, it becomes obvious that Terah, the father of Abraham, was
born 1878 years after the
creation of Adam. Add the genealogical
records up for yourself. Then in Genesis
11:32 we are told that Terah was “two hundred and five years” of age
when he died, and that he “died in Haran.”
If we then add the 205 years of Terah’s life to the year of his
birth, Terah died 2083 years
after the creation of Adam. 1878 + 205 =
2083.
Remember that Terah “died in Haran.”
This is stated quite clearly in Genesis 11:32. In Genesis 12:4 it is
specifically stated that “…Abram was seventy and five years
old when he departed out of Haran.” Then in Acts 7:4 the inspired Scripture
says, “Then came he [Abraham] out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt
in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him
into this land, wherein ye now dwell.”
Now folks, just do the math. The inspired Word tells us that Terah was 205
years old when he died, and that he died in Haran.
It also tells us that Abraham was 75 years old when he departed out of Haran, and that he
departed out after Terah had died.
Simple arithmetic. 205 – 75 =
130. Terah was 130 years old when
Abraham was born. What can we
conclude from this?
We can conclude that Abraham was not
Terah’s firstborn child, for the Scripture emphatically states that Terah
became a father when he was 70 years old, Genesis 11:26. It is obvious that Haran [or Nahor] was the son of Terah that
was born 1948 years after the
creation of Adam. Haran, and possibly even Nahor, were born
before Abraham. The Scripture does not
specifically state who was the eldest son in Terah’s family, but it is clear
that it wasn’t Abraham.
We also know that Terah died 2083 years
after the creation of Adam. Abraham was
only 75 years old at that time.
Therefore Abraham was born 2008
years after the creation of Adam.
2083 – 75 = 2008. You can also reverse
the process. Terah was born 1878 years
after the creation of Adam. When he was
130 years of age he fathered Abraham.
1878 + 130 = 2008. Folks, Abraham
was born 2008 years after the
creation of Adam, according to God’s inspired Word, and that settles the
matter. Period! Those so-called “authorities,” [Bible dictionaries; Atlases;
Commentaries; etc.] are wrong. The
people that wrote or assembled them should have studied more and “opined” less.
The Application
Some readers may wonder why I have gone to
such lengths to prove this point.
Because the time of Abrahams conception
and his birth are vitally
important in view of God’s great
prophetic plan of the ages. Noah died in
the 2006th year
after the creation of Adam. When we
superimpose that period of time on this present “dispensation of grace,” the
year 2006 has just ended [Gentile
calendar]. The present “days
of Noah” ended at midnight on December 31, 2006. They are over! The old era will then cease in 2007 and the
Lord will make “a new beginning” in 2008. Glory!
What can we then expect to occur in 2007? Just as the “seed” that was planted in the
womb of Terah’s wife in the 2007th
year resulted in the birth of Abraham in
2008, so the glorious “seed” of the gospel of Christ [Matthew
13:3-9; 13:18-23] will be planted in the hearts of the descendants
of Abraham [the Jews] this year, resulting in the salvation and sealing of
144,000 of them in 2008. This year, 2007, completes the old era of time, the year following the
end of “the days of Noah,” and in
2008 the Lord is going to make “a new beginning” for all of His
people. Glory to God! Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord!
In the year 2008 true believers [Jew and Gentile] saved during this
present dispensation will be bodily removed from among humanity by the
resurrection and rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians
15:51-58. This is in fulfillment
of the type set forth when “the days of Noah” ended with Noah’s
death, bodily removing him from among mankind.
Immmediately following the resurrection and
rapture of all true believers in Christ, God’s “two witnesses” [Revelation
11:3-12] will appear in the streets of Jerusalem preaching the gospel
of the Lord Jesus Christ, sowing the “seed of the gospel” [Matthew 13:3-9;18-23] in
the hearts and minds of thousands of Jews.
This will result in 144,000 of them being “born again”[John
3:3;7] and “sealed”
[Revelation 7:1-8] by the Holy
Spirit in 2008, exactly
as typified by the birth of Abraham 4000
years ago.
Glory!
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Our Lord’s coming is at the door. Look up and be encouraged, my beloved
brethren. Our redemption draweth nigh, Luke
21:28.
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NOTICE:
Permission is granted to any true
believer or Bible believing ministry to forward this Bible study to others,
to reproduce copies of it to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.
This ministry is supported solely by
freewill offerings. All comments,
questions, or correspondence should be addressed to: Last
Call Gospel Ministry, Pastor F. M. Riley, 3900 Clark Lane Lot 178, Columbia, MO
65202. Our email address is: fmrglbd5@aol.com