Even if you’re a long time Christ follower who has attended a church for many decades and you never miss a Sunday service the pastor, or pastors have never preached on Romans 9, 10, and 11 . Or even preached much, if at all on Bible prophecy, even though one-third of the Holy Bible is prophecy.
It’s kind of important to be fluent in the whole Word of God. It isn’t a restaurant menu. It’s not to be read and studied according to a 20th, 21st century mindset and worldview. That is where modern philosophies, psychology and all the babel of the past 100-plus years infect and clog the conduit for the Holy Spirit to work within. It isn’t pick some passages, or a verse[s] you like and you’re done.
Not in this time. Not in these times. Not in such a time as this.
Read on… [and make time daily to not just read God’s Word — pray it, eat it, drink it, saturate yourself in it, meditate; think deeply upon what is read daily, nightly. Like eating a meal. Only this meal is eternal and much more important than what’s for dinner tonight].
Ken Pullen, Sunday, February 16th, 2025
Israel In The Tribulation, Part 2
February 13, 2025
By Bill Perkins
Reprinted from Compass International — A Non-Profit Ministry
In Part 1 we covered Israel entering into the Tribulation with a 7-year Peace Treaty (Dan. 9:24) backed by 10 nations from the former Roman Empire (10 toes of Dan. 2).
The world will be having a very, very tough time post-Rapture. People will be dying by the tens of millions per month from the New World Leader’s world war (Rev. 6:2).
Apparently the deaths will also come from drugs/va((ines) (Rev. 6:3-5) and all of this will result in horrible, worldwide starvation (Rev. 6:8).
The world’s food distribution will be in shambles and inflation will be so bad it will take an entire day’s wage just to buy food for the day (Rev. 6:6), leaving nothing for housing, fuel, etc.
But Israel’s Not Suffering
The world will be quite envious of Israel. She will have water, food and energy, all produced from inside her own borders.
At some point Israel discovers Solomon’s massive treasures— roughly $150 trillion in gold and silver(1). The world will be stunned at the trove of riches.
Their land has also been filled with silver and gold and there is no end to their treasures; Their land has also been filled with horses and there is no end to their chariots. Is. 2:7
The contrast of “everything is wonderful in Israel” to the plight of other nations in deep despair will be awkwardly obvious. Israel will be living well while the world’s falling apart, with half the world’s population dying in the first 3 1/2 years:
Rev. 6:8—1/4 of the earth’s population dies
Rev. 9:18—Another 1/3 of the earth’s remaining population dies
Due to the 10-nation peace treaty and the massive gold and silver from Solomon’s treasures, Israel will be like a safe island in the midst of a storm.
But their hearts will be far from God.
Their land has also been filled with idols; They worship the work of their hands, that which their fingers have made. Is. 2:7-8
The Bible says they feel secure trusting their peace treaty and new wealth. The Bible describes it this way:
in the latter years … the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. Ezek. 38:8
those who are at rest, that live securely, Ezek. 38:11b
Russia won’t be able to stand seeing tiny little Israel doing so well and God easily entices her to lead a massive multi-nation invasion of Israel (Ezek. 38:4) to capture the gold and silver treasures and the food surpluses (Ezek. 38:12).
I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Ezek. 38:4
With God’s divine intervention that includes a gigantic worldwide earthquake (Ezek 38:18-22), the massive invasion will fail and Israel will repel the invaders with a shocking victory.
Of course this means Israel becomes even more of a burdensome stone to the world. And, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the world will know that it is the Lord who is protecting Israel.
I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD. Ezek. 38:23
Mid-Tribulation
But the good times in Israel come to a screeching halt. Midway through the Tribulation the New World Leader breaks the peace treaty, surrounds Jerusalem, and attempts to kill all of the Jews.
The Jews were clearly warned this would happen and were even given a sign to know when to drop everything and run for the hills.
Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. Matt. 24:15-18
It’s a massacre beyond description. Two-thirds of the Jews in Jerusalem are murdered by the Antichrist’s army in one day. That’s roughly 6 million Jews dying in 24 hours.
The one-third (2 million Jews) that heeded the scriptural warnings will escape the hand of the Antichrist by immediately dropping everything and running for their lives.
The 144,000
It’s important to back up here and explain that at the beginning of the Tribulation Jesus comes to the earth, stands on Mount Zion—technically His Second Coming—and has His angels mark 144,000 Jewish men with His and His Father’s name.
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb [Jesus] was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. Rev. 14:1
That sorta makes you stand out in a crowd. It’s also interesting to note that Satan puts the Mark of the Beast on people’s forehead.
The Biblical description of these 144K also puts to rest the ridiculous argument that America contains the 10 lost tribes. They were never lost from God’s perspective.
…saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: Rev. 7:3-4
In the next verse, the Bible lists all 12 Jewish tribes, and says 12,000 from each tribe were sealed who make up the 144,000 (Rev. 7:5-8).
The purpose of these 144K Jews being marked will be to protect them from harm.
They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Rev. 9:4
Although scripture doesn’t actually say it, the purpose of God choosing the 144K will be to teach the Jews, at least those who will listen, that Jesus is the Messiah. And, sadly, explain that 2000 years ago the Jews murdered Him on the cross at Calvary.
As we’ve said many times in the past, the only thing that really matters in this life is who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. So these 144K will share with their brethren how to be eternally saved via Jesus their Messiah.
Having personally met Jesus on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and seen the scars in His hands, feet and side, these 144K will be quite motivated to share what they’ve learned. Therefore many Bible scholars refer to this group as “Jewish evangelists.”
And since they’ll be using both the OLD and the NEW Testaments, they’ll undoubtedly teach about the Abomination of Desolation passages in Dan. 11 and Matt. 24.
They will teach that two-thirds of the Jews will be murdered in one day. And that day will begin when they see/hear the Abomination of Desolation standing in the Jewish Temple and halting the sacrifices.
in the middle of the week [the middle of the Tribulation] he [the Antichrist] will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; Dan 9:27b
This also proves the Temple will be rebuilt and animal blood sacrifices will have resumed on the Temple Mount.
When the Abomination of Desolation takes place, when they see the Antichrist stand in the Holy Temple claiming to be God, this group of 144K chosen Jews will lead the hurried exodus from the Antichrist to the mountains in Edom in the area of Bozrah (Petra).
We know it’s Bozrah from this verse…
Who is this who comes from Edom, with garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, Is. 63:1a
The fleeing Jews, led by the 144K, eventually make their way to the Bozrah area of Edom where Petra is located. It’s been unoccupied and desolate for some 1800 years.
About a century or two before Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Nabateans built Petra, a major city, whose unique claim to fame was they carved their houses, businesses and even graves into the numerous soft sandstone walls.
Then one day these Nabateans simply disappeared. People only speculate what happened to them. Nobody knows for sure. But they left all the caves and holes they had dug over the years that are still there today.
Apparently God prepared this amazing place for his beloved Jews to live after fleeing the death clutches of the Antichrist.
Having been stripped of all their worldly possessions, the Jews will arrive with only their clothes on their back. In the dirt-floor houses and empty tombs, the 144K will continue to teach and exhort the Jews for three and a half years.
As many Christians know, sometimes God has to take everything away to get people’s attention. In this case, the Jews will be able to learn the deep truths of God with no worldly distractions.
Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty. The proud look of man will be abased and the loftiness of man will be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Is. 2:10-11
For three and a half years the 144K will teach their Jewish brethren about the grace of God and how the New Testament ties to the Old. It’s likely God will miraculously supply food and water.
Their new faith will be put to the test when they hear the Antichrist is gathering the armies of the world in the Valley of Armageddon/Megiddo…with the intention of
finishing the job of killing the Jews.
And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Rev. 16:16
Imagine the Jews in Petra hearing the Antichrist’s army marching toward them. And when the hostile troops get close they can even see the dust rising from the armies from their mountaintop lookout over eastern Israel.
And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Rev. 19:19
The Jews will know full well the Antichrist’s army is coming to wipe them out. The Antichrist will have convinced the world the Jews are the problem and they need to finish the job.
It’s at that time the Jews cry out to their newly discovered Messiah to come save them. And He does.
This One who is majestic in His apparel, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Is. 63:1
Their prayers are answered as Jesus comes from heaven riding on a white horse.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. Rev. 19:11-14
Imagine those marching in the Antichrist’s army, looking up and seeing Jesus and His army coming in the sky (I would wet my pants!). Most of them would immediately know they were in deep doo-doo. They won’t even have a chance to give up, or run. Much less change their underwear.
From His mouth comes a sharp sword, Rev. 19:15
In short order Jesus annihilates the Antichrist’s army. Just like Jesus had the power to speak the earth and heavens into existence, this time He speaks the Antichrist’s army out of existence. And the birds have a tasty meal.
And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. Rev. 19:21
Following the Antichrist’s army’s defeat, the Beast/NWL/Antichrist—and his sidekick False Prophet—are seized and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet …these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. Rev. 19:20
Satan also gets his due…
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Rev. 20:1-2
He is not yet thrown into the Lake of Fire as the Lord will use him one more time for one last filtering of sinful people at the end of the 1000 years of Jesus’ reign.
When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. Rev. 20:8
A thousand years is a long time …long enough some people will forget, even with Jesus reigning as King of the Earth!
And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. Rev. 20:7-9
This seems to be God allowing Satan one last rebellion to draw out those who are not fully sold-out to Jesus before the New Heaven and Earth are made.
Satan will not be a part of the New Heaven and Earth so this time he’s thrown into eternal flames.
And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Rev. 20:10
This confirms that hell is torment forever. This is consistent with what the guy said in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.’ Luke 16:23-25
That poor guy is still in agony hoping for a single drop of water to touch his tongue.
Believers are spared from this because God loved the world and used the Jews to provide a way for humans to escape via Jesus’ shed blood. Thankfully we get in on the Jews’ coattails. Never forget that!
All Jews are sinners, just as all Gentiles are sinners. But all humans are in the same boat— born destined to hell and saved only through trusting the sacrificial blood of Jesus to pay for their sins.
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