Are We In The Great Tribulation?

There have been some folks that are preaching that we are currently in the great tribulation. The question is are we? Join with me as we search out this answer. Where does the Great Tribulation begin in the book of Revelation? It begins in chapter 6 with the opening of the seals.

 Rev 6:1  And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures like a sound of thunder, saying, Come and see. 
Rev 6:2  And I saw. And behold a white horse! And he sitting on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer. 

Many would say there you see we are definitely in the tribulation because the white horse has to be on the loose because we have conquering going on in our world.

I guess they could say the same about Hitler's time or even about the first world war. Guess what? They did. Just because there is conquering going on in the world it does not constitute it as the time of the Great Tribulation. Can the terrible things that are happening today be compared to historical incidents in the past? Yes, and many are. We have witnessed comparably the same type of atrocities in past wars. Hitler slaughtered 6 million Jews. Have we witnessed the same type of atrocity today? No. What does scripture say about the Great Tribulation? Mat 24:21  for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. That is words from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God. From that, we can construe that we have not witnessed a worse time, but we have witnessed a time that is equal to or less than has occurred in the world today. Some teach about the trees being burnt up in chapter 8.

They teach that we have never seen the destruction of our forest like we do today. They use Revelation chapter 8 to support their theory about this being a sign we are in the Great Tribulation.      Rev 8:7  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mixed with blood, and they were cast on the earth. And the third part of trees was burned up, and all green grass was burned up. Some will say, See! A 1/3 of the trees were burned up. We can see that today! Let's take another look at that verse. A 1/3 part of the trees were burned up how? Hail and fire mixed with blood. Some will say that is a metaphor. Is it?

When talking about one of the 10 plagues, did God tell Moses I will send the worst hailstorm that Egypt has ever seen since its beginning? And was it? Yes. It was not a metaphor. When God speaks of a judgment and how it will occur, it occurs as He speaks. God does not speak in metaphors. Also, in verse 7 of chapter 8 there comes something after the trees burning up. A comma. It tells me there is more connected to this statement. What is the something? All the green grass will be burned up. You know I looked out at my lawn and I witnessed green grass in my front yard. So, we can witness that worse things are yet to occur and other things have not occurred. What does that tell us? We are not in the Great Tribulation. Of course, there are things that have to occur before the Great Tribulation.

First and foremost, the rapture. Some call this the Great Escape theory. I would agree with that statement. First, let's take a look at what the Son of God said about the Great escape theory. Luk 17:28  So also as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 

Luk 17:29  but the day Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from the heaven and destroyed them all.

Jesus spoke about days or examples of the time periods. Now, take notice that in regards to the Great Tribulation, Jesus stated that the tribulation would be unlike any other time that had ever been witnessed. However, He spoke about the day of the Great Escape that it would be just like the days of Lot before Lot escaped the city of Sodom they, ate, drank, bought, sold, farmed, built, life was normal as it could be. But, when Lot escaped from the city divine judgment fell upon the city.

What is the Great Tribulation? It is referred to in the Old Testament as the Lord's Day. Why is it the Lord's Day? Because it is the time period of the final divine judgment. Was this great escape foretold? Yes. Gen 18:17  And Jehovah said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing which I do, Gen 18:20  And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 

Gen 18:21  I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which has come to Me. And if not, I will know. Gen 18:23  And Abraham drew near and said, Will You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? God explained to Abraham that He was about to divinely judge Sodom and Gomorrah. What was Abraham's response? Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked? Abraham knew that Lot and his family was there. Abraham knew that Lot was righteous. Lot was a man who stood in right standing with the Lord. Even Sodom knew that Lot was righteous. Gen 19:1  And there came two angels to Sodom at evening. And Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Only a judge sat in the gate. He would hear grievances and complaints and make judgments over the cases. A judge was considered to be a righteous man. Though Sodom was sinful, Lot was righteous.

The nations around the world are full of sin, but they are also filled with the righteous. How are we deemed righteous? Through our faith in the finished works of the Lord Jesus. Jesus gave us another example of this Great Escape.

Luk 17:26  And as it was in the days of Noah, so it also shall be in the days of the Son of Man. 

Luk 17:27  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Again, we can draw from this the same conclusion as we did with Lot. Life was good, as far as everyone knew. But, when Noah escaped by entering the Ark, divine judgment came upon the whole world. We see that divine judgment is coming upon the world. Jesus gave us the signs of that judgment. We know by the signs that it is soon upon us. However, before the Great Day of the Lord can commence the Great Escape has to occur. Is there more evidence of this? Yes.

1Co 15:51  Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; 

1Co 15:52  in a moment, at the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.

Here we see Paul talking about a mystery, a secret. What do we know already about divine secrets? God doesn't want you surprised. Just like He spoke to Abraham and asked him should I hide what I am about to do from you? The answer was no. The Apostle Paul was given a secret, a mystery and he shared it to the church. He speaks of the incident and he also speaks of the timing. The first is the incident in the twinkling of an eye we (the righteous) shall be changed. Notice that in each of the instances of Noah and Lot they were both changed. Changed from the guilty to the innocent, from unrighteous to righteous . They escaped divine judgment, they were changed. Next Paul speaks about the timing. The trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.

The timing of this event will occur when the trumpet sounds. Israel sounded trumpets on what has been called by us as Israel's feast days. Of course, like most folks, I am sure when you hear feast days you think of great meals or feasts. Something like turkey and ham dinners for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Of course the word for feast was not properly translated by the King James translators. It is the same word translated as seasons in Genesis 1:14. It is the Hebrew word Moed which should be translated as appointed time or day. Also, these were not Israel's feast days as most believe. Leviticus 23:2 explains that this was the appointed days of God. So, God explains His appointed days to Moses and how Israel was to celebrate and keep these appointed dates. Some of these things were very curious, but Israel honored these days down to the very detail as God commanded them to do.

There were 7 appointed days. Passover, Unleavened bread, First fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles.These first four appointed days have been completed through the death burial and resurrection of Christ and the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These were all called Spring appointed dates. The last 3 are what we call the Fall appointed dates. The next to be fulfilled is the Trumpets appointed date. When the Apostle Paul talked about the mystery of the Great Escape he pinpointed the time period as being the appointed date of the Trumpets. Paul continues to speak about this mystery to the church at Thessalonica.

1Th 4:16  For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the

1Th 4:17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. 

Again we see the Great Escape prefaced with the timing of the trumpet day, the appointed day of Trumpets. We started this adventure talking about the Great Tribulation written about in Revelation. Another mystery that I will share with you is listed in the first four chapters of Revelation.

In the first four chapters you will notice that very great detail is given about the church. Here you will find that Jesus speaks to the churches and after chapter 4 verse 1 the church is not mentioned in the Earth again. Let us take a look at Revelation chapter 4 and see if we can figure out this great mystery and how it ties into the Apostle Paul's great mystery that he shares with the church.

 Rev 4:1  After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things. Notice that in Revelation as we have indicated in the Apostle Paul's writings that in every situation a trumpet sounds and then the catching up occurs afterwards? After John looks up he states something very significant in verse 2. Rev 4:2  And immediately I became in spirit. And behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat upon the throne. We see that John was immediately in front of the throne of God where? In Heaven. Immediately, or as Paul wrote at the twinkling of an eye! 

The question of Abraham brings forth a truth that all need to understand. Abraham asked," Will you destroy the righteous with the wicked?" God has explained His character to mankind. He states I am the same, I will never change. Friend, that is something you can always count on, God will not destroy the righteous with the wicked. God also has always warned the righteous of his appointed days.

 Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years. Remember, seasons should be translated as appointed days. Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to divide between the day and the night. And let them be for signs, and for His appointed days or divine appointments, and for days and years.
It is important for us to first know that God placed the sun, moon, stars, comets for more than just lights. They were placed for signs or for signals also. God has always used the lights in the heavens as a signal for His Appointed dates. 

We know there was a celestial event that took place during the birth of Christ. Wise men came to worship Christ because of His star. We know that comets have always been seen as Harbingers to Israel. We know that a solar eclipse meant bad news for the nations while a lunar eclipse has meant a bad time for Israel. God has always given signs and they would be signs on His feast days or appointed days.

The 4 blood moons that are currently happening are occurring on His appointed dates. Passover and Trumpets. The last of the 4 blood moons will occur on the appointed day of trumpets in 2015. Not only is this and important date for God's appointed date, but it is also know as the year of Jubilee. Will the last trump being sounded be the sign of the Great Escape? I don't know.

In Oklahoma, where I live, folks know during the springtime thunderstorms here have the ability to produce some of the biggest and most violent tornadoes. One thing we always tell one another, is you need to be weather aware. That means keep your ears and eyes tuned for changes in your environment. Folks Jesus said we wouldn't know the hour, but we would know the season. It is time to be Jesus aware. If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and personal Savior, it's not too late! Ask Him to forgive your sins and ask Him into your heart today. If you already know Jesus but you haven't been living the life testifying of your faith and think your walk could be better, ask Jesus to forgive you and start living a life worthy of Him. It is time for us to become Jesus aware. The Great Escape is soon to happen. There is only one that is righteous. That is through accepting Jesus as your Messiah (Anointed King), believing that He is the Son of the Living God. Live in His presence and follow His direction. Jesus stated that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He stated that there is no other way to the Father except through Him. Well, that simplifies everything. There is no other way. He stated that His sheep know His voice. Why do we need to know His voice? Because with a blast of the trumpet and His shout will call us home. Look up! Jesus is coming soon!

Passover Is Over. Now What?

Like most folks we have watched the 3rd Blood moon come and go. Some interesting facts? It occurred on the 4th month on the 4th day and was the 4th shortest lunar eclipse in 4,000 years lasting only 4 minutes and 44 seconds.

It is also interesting to note that on the 4th day of creation that God created the sun, moon and stars. I know like most people, you are probably saying there is no way that this is coincidence. And you would be correct. Not only, did God create the sun, moon and stars on the 4th day, but did so for a reason. He explains the reason to us in the 1st chapter of Genesis the 14th verse by stating that the purpose was more than just giving light, but also would be a way for God to signal mankind about important events. Specifically, His appointed dates. In verse 14 the Hebrew word moed was translated as seasons. In Leviticus 23 verse 2, the same word (Moed) was translated as feast. Both are bad translations. The word (Moed) should have been translated as appointed dates. We have called these holy dates, Israels feast days. First, God never called them Israels days, but refers to them as His days. These days are His appointed dates that He has set in time from the beginning of creation. God explains to us in verse 14 of Genesis that He will use the sun, moon and stars as a way to signal us and make us aware to these holy days. Could this latest Passover blood moon be one of those signals? I believe so. When you look at the Hebrew name of God it is spelled with 4 letters. The 4th letter of God's name means door. Isn't it interesting that this Passover Blood moon has occurred on a day that has in it a reference to the door? And, how that the blood of the sacrifice would have to be placed on the door in order for the angel of death to Passover?

Isn't it interesting that Messiah Jesus declared, "I am the door"? Is there about to be another door open for mankind? I believe so. To uncover the mystery of this door we have to look at other days that were given to man. The first, was the Sabbath day. God said that man would work for 6 days but on the 7th day (Sabbath day) man would rest. Did you know that there is a Sabbath year? God wanted man to work the land for 6 years, but on the 7th year take it off and let the land rest. Wow! Sounds incredible doesn't it? What if during the upcoming elections one of the Presidential candidates said if you vote for me everyone will work for 6 years, but take the 7th year off and the government would pick up the tab on the 7th year? Would you vote for the candidate? Most folks would say, you bet! Unfortunately, more folks have more ability to believe in the government to care for them than for God's ability to do so. That was the reason for Israel being led into Babylonian captivity.

They refused to believe in the ability of God to care for them on the Sabbath year. This Sabbath year had a name. It was known as the Shemitah year. The Shemitah year was intended to be a year of blessing for Israel. If it was honored then in that year of the Shemitah, all of your debts would be wiped clean. You would have a restart, so to speak. However, it would be a curse if not honored. All of your profits would be erased and you would start over. Imagine everything you gained would be lost. However, if you honored God and the Shemitah year all of your losses would be wiped clean and your profits remain. This would happen every 7 years. Then on the 7th Shemitah year a super Shemitah would occur.

It was called the year of Jubilee! In that year, 49th year, not only would all of your debts be wiped clean, but also it would be a year of restoration. If your land was sold because of debt, it would be returned to your family in the 49th year. So, what was lost would now be restored. Isn't that exciting? It was such a great year that Israel would sound the silver trumpets just for the year of Jubilee. The silver trumpets were only used on special occasions. Jubilee was one of those special occasions. The other was called the feast of trumpets, One of God's holy appointed days. We find the silver trumpets also being used in Revelation in the 7 judgments of the tribulation period. Are we being sent a signal from God? I believe we are. I believe it started in 1994. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is known as the King planet or the planet of the god's. We know that the God head is a trinity. God, Son and the Holy Spirit. In 1994, Jupiter was struck by comet Shoemaker-Levy.

Shoemaker-Levy consisted of 21 fragments of which all 21 fragments impacted Jupiter. It is interesting that scientist all confirm that Jupiter is a buffer planet. It takes more impacts of asteroids and comets, so the Earth can live with less. A kind of merciful planet. Another interesting fact is that Jupiter is the 5th planet from the Sun. The number 5 stands for mercy. This King planet or God planet would have another number assigned to it, the number 3. 3 for trinity. The 21 fragments also struck Jupiter on a Shemitah year. 21 divided by 3 equals 7, the number of a Shemitah year. 3 Shemitah years. In 2001, 7 years after the 21 asteroids struck the King planet, another Shemitah year occurred.

In that year, we experienced 9/11, the bombing of the world trade center and a curse on the American economy. Despite what anyone may say the U.S. is a Christian nation based on Christian values and the laws of God. As such, some fail to recognize that we are not an independent tree but have been grafted into the fig tree Israel. As God's Holy days applied to them so they apply to us. For, these are not Israel's days but God's days. In 2008, another Shemitah year arrived, and we experienced another economic failure.

All of the previous profits were wiped clean in September of 2008 marked by the largest loss on Wall Street with the Dow closing down -777 points. The curse of the Shemitah. 2015 is another Shemitah year.

The 3rd and final. What is so interesting is that this is not just a regular Shemitah year but a Jubilee Shemitah. The sounding of the silver trumpets. Also, we have the blood moon occurring on the festival of the trumpets. Is there more? Why of course. Revelation talks of 21 judgments to come on the Earth. These 3 sets of judgments come in 7. The first 7 judgments to come as breaking of the 7 seal judgments. Then 7 silver trumpets and finally 7 bowls of wrath. Are the 21 judgments and 21 years somehow related? Could be. The final blood moon is to arrive in September after the arrival of the Jubilee Shemitah. Though other nations were not affected before the Messiah could those who believe be affected now? Could the restoration of what was lost be coming upon us? We will see. The question that I have for you is will the Jubilee Shemitah be a curse for you or a blessing? There is only one way to know for certain. Accept Jesus as your Messiah today! It is not too late. You could be receiving what your ancestors lost instead of receiving a curse. Adam lost what Jesus has redeemed. You can live in the land of plenty, the Kingdom of God. Repent and come back to the Kingdom. 

Today's worries and Tomorrow's Concern

Many people today have worries about what is going on in the world. From pollution to terrorism, the range of problems and agendas affect the aspect of each and every life of individuals on the Earth. Though people may be separated by race, sex, and beliefs we are all united with the simple fact that we live in this Earth. I have always believed that if we discard the reasons we are separated and find the one strand that connects us we could overcome all situations that divide us. However, due to the blindness of most  individuals we unfortunately will continue to live in a divisive world and continue to wonder what is going to occur that will affect our lives and further the divide between mankind.The good news that I wish to share with you is that God intended for mankind to live a greater life. This world was created for man to colonize it and have dominion over it for the sake of the Kingdom. When one reads the bible starting in Genesis we discover that it outlines a divine plan.

That plan is about a King, a Kingdom and a royal family. Before the fall of mankind Adam and Eve lived in that Kingdom. After the fall everything that could divide man was made known and we have lived in a divisive existence since. We are constantly striving to get to a state of happiness or more importantly completeness in our lives. We begin with a boyfriend or girlfriend. If only I can experience love I know I will be happy. That is what we tell ourselves. Some go through a wide variety of potential mates and some go through very few. Whatever the amount we all fool ourselves when we think that satisfaction will be found in a man or a woman. I remember when I was a teenager my dad would tell me not to focus on anything but my career. Find love later get settled and stable first. I used to think that my dad was so stupid. It wasn't until I was older and dealing with teenagers of my own did I began to see the wisdom of my father's advice. I shared it with my sons and daughters and saw that same look that I used to give my dad. That look that said your so stupid. Oh well I guess we all have to learn. Usually, and this is unfortunate, we listen to someone else's mom or dad before we listen to our own. So, mom's and dad's out there, I hope this advice helps your children. The greatest scientific discoveries happened by a single individual who observed something in nature and realized that if this affects nature then it is possible that it affects mankind as well.

Sir Issac Newton discovered the law of gravity by observing its affect on nature. The law of lift was discovered through watching the birds and how they were able to fly through the Earth. There are environmental laws that affect nature as well as every living being on this Earth. We know that if you take a plant out of its environment that it ceases to produce and eventually dies. Likewise, when you remove fish from its environment it will stop producing and being fruitful and will die. Do you realize that after God created Adam that He placed Adam in his environment before woman was made for him. The first and obvious revelation we discover is that your environment is far more important than the person that you think you must have in order to be fruitful and successful. In fact, if you are not in your environment you will die including your success and fruitfulness. For example, you can take a spawning trout out of the water. The eggs are there. All the items needed for fruitfulness and success are there but if the trout is not placed back into the stream (its environment) it will die. Eden was described as God's garden. Adam was placed in God's garden to dress/work it and keep/secure it. Another revelation for us to consider is that Adam didn't plant the garden. No, God did.

What was the garden? Simply put, the garden was his presence. The perfect example of this is the tree of knowledge of good and evil. How do you eat the fruit of good and evil? No, it was not a piece of fruit. Rather it was a choice. We tell our children that you don't want to do this because it is not good for you. What happens? They choose the very thing that we tell them is not good for them. Is it a piece of fruit? Of course not. However, it produces fruit that later on we wish we had listened to the good advice. Why do we do that? Two reasons. One a lack of knowledge and two a lack of observation. It wasn't until Newton observed the gravitational effect on nature that he was able to develop knowledge. Our success is found when we return to the living environment that we were created and designed for. Then when problems arise in our lives, we will find we are grounded in our environment and can ride the waves of adversity and not be torn from the comfort of success. We have witnessed many signs and prophecies that have been listed in the bible come to light in our generation. There are many that find the truths of these prophecies that are coming to light disheartening and find themselves fearful about today and worried for tomorrow.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus stated that there would be wars and rumors of wars, the rise of the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes in various places, famines and pestilence. We have seen birds fall from the sky, millions of fish wash up on our shores, our wildlife falling over dead for no apparent reason.  We have watched the rise of terrorism and countless deaths of innocent men women and children. The guilt that most of these victims bare is the simple fact that they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. People executed for their beliefs and for not believing as another commanded them to believe. In one instance an eight year old boy was commanded by a Muslim terrorist to renounce Jesus and say that Allah was god and that Mohammad was his prophet. The boy refused and stated he never renounce Jesus. The boy was killed by the terrorist. Why did this happen? Because these terrorists believe they are serving god. Jesus prophesied that a time was coming when men would kill believers believing they are serving god.These things are all signs. Signs of what? Signs that we are entering the time period known as the End of Days. Would there be a sign that the End is here? As a matter of fact, YES! Now, before I lose all of you naysayers who are quoting scripture in their head no one will know the time, I want you to take a deep breath. Slow down, relax. That scripture you are rehearsing in your mind distinctly refers to the second coming of Jesus. What I am talking about right now is how to identify the End of Days. Actually, I am not talking, rather I am quoting the words of Jesus.

He stated that we would know. He also gave us the thing that would identify this time. Mat 24:14  "This Good News about the kingdom will be spread throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come." More and more revelation knowledge about the Kingdom of God is being learned and preached daily. More people are hearing of this teaching that has been hidden right in front of them taught by Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. There are two obvious reasons for this. First, the nations of this world are being bombarded by a the religion of Islam. Islam desires world conquest and has the nations behind it currently trying to succeed in its mission. Convert or be killed. Normally, by beheading. The Kingdom of God will be preached as a witness against Islam and the nations seeking a one world government through this religion, just like Jesus stated 2,000 years ago. Finally, this message is the message that identifies the End of the Age. Why? Because, the Kingdom of God is the only one world government and this challenge will finally come to its final confrontation. To understand this battle between the two kingdoms you must first understand the Kingdom of God. Israel was taught and instructed the ways of the kingdom and yet walked away from it. It has been her pride that has kept her away from that successful life. Of course, before we all jump on the band wagon to point out the faults of Israel, let us return to the fact that we are all just as guilty if not more. The U.S. was founded on Christian pursuit of the Kingdom and just like Israel walked away in her pride. The fact that the Gospel of the Kingdom is being preached to the world as a witness against the nations also carries with it a terrible fact. All have turned from the Kingdom of our God. Now, as I was saying before, Israel was instructed in all the ways of living within the Kingdom of God. However, like the weird little kid in school that gets picked on for doing things in such odd fashions, Israel decided it wanted to fit in. In 1 Samuel chapter 8 we can read this story.

The leaders came to Samuel and told the Prophet that he was getting old and his kids weren't like him. So, the logical solution is to find and appoint us a king. The final part of their statement is what really explains their motivation for their desire of a king. So, that we will be like the other nations. Samuel was very upset. He went to God in prayer and God explained to Samuel to do as the people have requested. God further explained to Samuel that Israel hadn't rejected Samuel, but had rejected God from ruling over them. What is the Good News? To find that we will only have to look at a prophecy that God spoke through the Prophet Ezekiel. Eze 20:33  As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you: 34  and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; 35  and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. 36  Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, saith the Lord Jehovah. God informs Israel that He will once again become King over Israel. He describes bringing them back from the countries that they were scattered. We witnessed this event occur in 1948.

This miraculous event occurred and most have ignorantly assigned this to the confederate of nations that accomplished this feat. However, since Israel became a nation this same confederacy of nations has been trying to change this amazing act. God stated that this event was just as great of an event as when He brought them out of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea. The fact that the nations are perplexed as to the how this occurred and their feeble attempt to correct what most see as a mistake testifies to the greatness of this miraculous event. What is puzzling to me is that even after reading the scriptures of prophesied events that men do not recognize the greatest truths. First, that Israel is one of the most important things listed in the bible. First, God will bring all nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2) that have divided the land of Israel and judge them. In fact, God takes this so personally that He calls it His land. Of course, God created it, hence, His land. The most important thing we overlook is that God is bringing His throne down to Earth and setting it where? Jerusalem. I think we better get a check up from the neck up. If we fail to recognize these facts and thumb our noses up at these facts, then we are no different than the Atheist that refuse to believe that there is a God. Israel is the most important real estate on the entire planet. In fact, Jesus was asked what would be the sign of the end of the age. How did He reply? He stated to learn the parable of the fig tree. When you study out the lesson of the fig tree in the scriptures you will learn that Israel is the fig tree. Jesus said to watch Israel. He could have illustrated in any other country, but He chose Israel. Jesus stated to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. If you haven't figured out the importance of the nation of Israel through God's eyes and words then you are blind and deaf and ignorant. 

When our President tells the Prime Minister of Israel that he is not going to veto the U.N.'s recommendation to dividing the land of Israel and supports a Palestinian state then our knees should begin to weaken and knock like  Belshazzar the king of Babylon when he arrogantly thumbed his nose at God. Dan 5:6  Then the king's countenance was changed in him, and his thoughts troubled him; and the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. When you piss your pants and your knees start knocking, brother you know you have seen the end of your life. The fact that a nation is in such dishonor over a nation that is so honored by God should give us all cause to pause. God honors a nation so much that He intends to put His throne there and we refuse to acknowledge this? Our we so prideful and dense that we would allow our leaders to put us in such a precarious place? Remember, God is going to judge the nation, not just the leader. I believe we need to repent as a nation and intercede for our prideful and pompous leaders. I am not just speaking of the President, but for all who support these actions. Remember, it was Bush in 2005 that negotiated with Israel and prompted the surrender of the Gaza strip. On the final day of the forced evacuations of Jews from the Gaza strip a hurricane formed in the gulf of mexico. Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. and the damage of that storm is still being payed for today. It disrupted 25% of our crude oil production, it destroyed the largest port in this nation and the fifth largest in the world. a judgment on our entire nation for our mistreatment of Israel. Higher fuel prices, higher prices for all goods, disruption of the flow of goods, an increase in the national debt, and ultimately an increase in taxes shamed us before the whole world and deeply scarred the Bush Administration. Again, as I have illustrated before, the leader and the nation was judged and the nation. Standing in the judgement of God is not a place you want to stand.

Just ask old king Belshazzar or President Bush. Now, President Obama is intending to put us in the same precarious situation that his predecessor accomplished, all because of failure to acknowledge the most precious real estate in the Earth. I have heard some that foolishly have taught that a new covenant meant the replacement of the chosen people. We did not replace Israel, but were grafted in. Rom 11:18  So don't brag about being better than the other branches. If you brag, remember that you don't support the root, the root supports you.19  "Well," you say, "Branches were cut off so that I could be grafted onto the tree." 20  That's right! They were broken off because they didn't believe, but you remain on the tree because you do believe. Don't feel arrogant, but be afraid. 21  If God didn't spare the natural branches, he won't spare you. Unfortunately, It appears the writing is on the wall for our nation, unless we repent.

The Temple Rebuild

Through research Author Robert Cornuke has provided the most convincing information regarding the location of the temple mount.

Many today are finding cause to pause because of the information and evidence that he has uncovered. Many through the years have accepted that the current location of the temple mount to be located under the Golden Mosque in Jerusalem. Since the return of the Jews to their homeland Israel, many religiously go to the Western Wailing Wall. Though the wall is not worshipped it is still held in high regard due to the belief that this wall was once built by King Herod.

Jews from all forms of life and belief come to the wall folding papers containing prayers and are slid into the cracks of the walls. Their prayers are for the rebuilding of their temple and peace finally come to Jerusalem. The Mosque was placed on the temple mount by marauding muslims that explained that the prophet mohammed was taken into the heavens by a horse there and now today is considered the 3^rd most holiest muslim site. Of course, those that know the manipulation of stories by muslims understand that this story was just a fabrication in an attempt to keep the Jews from rebuilding their Temple. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was originally built in 705 CE. It has been rebuilt numerous times and has been destroyed by earthquakes twice the last time was in 1033CE.

In 1099 CE during the first crusade Jerusalem was taken and the Mosque was not taken down. Instead the Crusaders called the Mosque Solomon’s Temple removed the crescent moon from the top of the dome and placed a Cross. This sealed the identity of the temple mount and has been seen as such by Jews, Christians and Muslims. Jews have used this site to discount the prophecies of Jesus. Saying that if Jesus was the Son of God then why is the Wall still standing? Why is the foundation of the mount still here? Muslims say the site is Holy to them because of ties to the prophet. And, Christians are basically ignorant. Oops did I say that out loud? One thing that I admire about true crusaders today like Robert Cornuke is his unmovable faith in the words of Jesus. If Jesus said it then that settles it. If facts don’t support what Jesus said then Bob Cornuke believes he has misunderstood the facts or he is simply wrong. However, he holds to the understanding that the words of Jesus could never be wrong. With that stubbornness of faith it has led him to discover some of the greatest facts in this century. Facts that have put the religious world and not to mention Israel, on their ear. Bob Cornuke was led to research the writings of Flavius Josephus and also the writings of the Pilgrim of Bordeaux written in 333 CE. The writings of Flavius Josephus in 70 CE record the destruction of the Temple. Josephus writes that if one had never seen the temple then you would not know where the temple rested for nothing but dirt and grass remain. The only thing that gives witness that there was a temple is the Roman Fort Antonio that once looked over the temple.

The Roman Fort Antonio was erected to look over the Temple mount and house the 10^th Roman Legion. This fort housed 10,000 people. 6,000 soldiers and 4,000 people to care for the soldiers. It basically was a town to itself. Inside the gates of the Praetorium were not just barracks for the soldiers but food stores and other stores for shopping. The stables for all the horses and blacksmithing, everything needed to sustain the 10^th legion. Rome went to great lengths to care for its military and no expense was spared in the ornateness in the construction of the fort. Many forts like fort Antonio have been discovered in the past and the construction was normally a 36 acre walled construction, like the one in Jerusalem.

The Pilgrim of Bordeaux writes that in 333 CE that Fort Antonio was still visible while standing at the church of the Holy Sepulcher looking east. He stated that the walls of the old Roman Praetorium were still standing. That would be the Wailing Wall if we were looking at it today. These were two eyewitnesses that recorded that what we know as the traditional temple mount is actually an old Roman Fort Antonio. Is there more? Why of course. Bob found that Archeologist Eli Shukron who is the Director of Excavations of the City of David, was digging under the Wailing Wall known as the walls that King Herod built.

Under the foundation of the wailing wall Eli Shukron found two coins dating back to 20 CE. The coin was an ancient bronze of Valerius Gratus, Prefect under Tiberius who reigned from 15-26 CE. The minting date as well as its earliest distribution date was 20 CE. This coin that was found underneath the huge foundation stone had fallen from the pocket of someone as they were placing these huge foundation stones. What is the problem with this? King Herod died in 4 BC. 24 years before this coin was minted. If Herod built the Wailing Wall then explain how this coin ended up underneath the foundation stone of the Wailing Wall. It could only mean that Herod did not build the Wailing Wall and that whoever built this wall did so in 20 AD, 24 years after Herod’s death. Do we know who was building a wall at that time? Yes we do. Rome was building the Roman Fort for the 10^th legion, Fort Antonio. A 36 acre fort.

The interesting fact is this, what we know about Roman pride. Anything you can build the Romans could build it bigger. The Temple was huge as a 12 acre site. The Roman Fort would be 3 times the size of the temple area.

Is there any more physical evidence to prove that the site we commonly refer to as the temple site is an old roman fort? Yes the temple was said to be situated over the Gihon Springs. Why? Because of all of the animal sacrifices, water would be essential to wash away all of the blood. Without water the temple would soon become a toxic site. There is no water on the old roman fort site. The closest water is the Gihon Spring south of the current temple mount area. The location that the temple was said to be directly placed over. How could this be? How could we make such a huge mistake about the location of the temple mount? Because, there was not one stone left standing on one another just like Jesus prophesied. The temple had been completely destroyed. There was nothing left of it. Thousands of years go by and then it was a guessing game. The biggest piece of evidence is the location of the Gihon Springs.

The only thing left that would resemble evidence of the temple was Fort Antonio. Eli Shukron began excavating where the temple should have been. Remember, the ancient temple had been torn down and rebuilt over time and again over the same site. Built over ancient temples from the original Solomon’s Temple built on the threshing floor bought by his father King David. The threshing floor once owned by a Jebusite named Ornan. The Jebusite Kingdom would be taken by King David and known as the city of David. The temple would be placed on the threshing floor in the city of David next to water, the Gihon Spring. Eli began excavating in this location. Just 30 feet from the Gihon Spring he found an old temple site.

The walls of the ancient temple were still there and in the floor a hole was carved out where olives were ground to make the anointing oil. The priest would be anointed with oil and would not be allowed to leave the sanctuary. Eli had found a very holy place.

The next thing he found was a channel chiseled out of the stone. The channel was created for carrying all of the blood.

In the corner of the stone wall he found a hole chiseled through the stone where the sheep would be tied to before the sacrifice. There were bones, animal bones, found all over the place. Eli had found the ancient temple site! In this site he also located a stele.

The only one of its kind in Jerusalem. Eli built a steel box around it and padlocked it to protect it.

This was surely a Holy place. Now, some thoughts of my own. First, why would Jesus tell the disciples that the glamorous Temple that King Herod built known as one of the 8 wonders of the world at that time, would be destroyed with not one stone left upon another? Why would this Holy place be so completely destroyed? Surely, God would want His house protected? To answer this question we have to go back to the time of the first temple. King David was attested to by God to be a man after God’s own heart. Yet, God would not let this man whom he favored build his temple. Why? Because, David had shed so much blood and was known as a man of war. It would be Solomon, whose name meant peace that would be allowed to build this Holy structure. We read through the biblical text that men like Solomon, men of peace, were chosen to rebuild the structure. As time goes by, we have this violent warring King, King Herod, who would slaughter thousands of children in an attempt to destroy the prophesied Messiah. He was known as the rabbi killer with 4400 rabbis murdered at his command. Working with the Romans he perverted the nation of Israel and the religion of Israel as well. How can we imagine that God would use this profane murderer to build His house and corrupt His laws? Unfortunately, by the time Jesus began preaching the Good News that the Kingdom of God had come, the belief had become so twisted and corrupted, rather than praise God for His mercy, most clung to the corrupted religion that Herod had installed. Pieces of the truth had been intermingled with corrupt religious teaching that had nothing to do with the heart of God, just like this magnificent temple that Herod had constructed. What else could God do, but completely destroy what had become a symbol of pagan theology. Just like Israel of old, Herod had combined the image of God with the pagan gods infiltrating Jerusalem. The people were more enthralled by the images and sites, the magnificent buildings and structures than the relationship found through the Kingdom brought to all by the Messiah. Israel couldn’t understand it then and still misunderstand it today. We only have to look back to King David to unveil truths that have been hidden for thousands of years directly related to misunderstanding.

In 1^st Chronicles chapter 17 we read about King David declaring to the Prophet Nathan that he was going to build God’s temple. Nathan told David to do everything that is in his heart to do, for God was with him. Nathan believed if anyone should build God a temple it would certainly be the King who was chosen by God when David was just a lowly shepherd boy. It was evident that God favored David. When Nathan got home that night God corrected Nathan’s thoughts. He explained to Nathan to tell the king the following;   and it will be, when your days have ended so that you must go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your seed after you, who shall be from your sons. And I will make his kingdom sure. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. And I will not take My mercy away from him as I took it from him who was before you. And I will settle him in My house, and in My kingdom forever. And his throne shall be established forever.

Men will hear what they hear. David would later tell Solomon what he believed he heard from Nathan which was; And He(God) said to me, Solomon your son shall build My house and My courts, for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish his kingdom forever if he will always do My commandments and My judgments, as at this day. I want to join with me as we decipher what God actually said that King David failed to understand. God explains to David that He would raise up a son from David’s lineage after his death. And from that lineage He would establish that Kingdom forever. Question 1; Did Solomon’s kingdom last forever? Of course not. Was David dead when Solomon was made king? No. Did God ever call Solomon His son? No. In fact, we know that the only one ever called Son by God was the Messiah Jesus. Mar 9:7 A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

We know that the message of the Kingdom was preached to those in Israel and soon around the world. We know that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached until the end of the age. Then at that conclusion the Kingdom of God will descend from the heavens and be placed in the City of David. The throne of our Lord will be established forever. Why has the temple mount been hidden for so long? Maybe, to keep another Herod from profaning the temple mount. The real question we should be asking is; Why is this mystery being revealed today? I hope this blog has caused you to think about the future and also reflect on the past. Muslims thinking they were blocking Israel's access to their God by building a supposed holy site on the temple mount is probably nothing more than a roman stable. Let's keep looking up, Jesus is coming soon! 

Today is the day that the Lord has made. A day specifically for you. The success of this day will be determined by your actions. Start this day with the knowledge that wherever you may be you are right where God needs you. You are where God desires you to be. You might be praying, Father take me out of this situation. Understand, success is not determined by what you feel, but by His will. You have prayed I want to do your will Father. Give yourself to accomplishing that task. Fulfill the will of the Father. That is your daily bread. Your nourishment is fulfilling the will of the Father. While you accomplish the will of the Father you will see the advancement of His Kingdom in the Earth as it is in Heaven. When the three Hebrew men were given the choice to turn or burn they chose to advance the will of the one and only true God. They chose to advance the Kingdom. They sought the Kingdom first and His righteousness. Even when the fiery furnace killed those who were to throw them into the furnace they willingly walked inside. No one threw them in, they walked inside. It was the will of the Father. No one else can survive what you have been called to accomplish! When you are walking according to the will of the Father and the advancement of the Kingdom you walk in a fire quenching power! You have a day of victory prepared for you today. Fulfill the will of God and watch the Kingdom of God advance in your life. The same Spirit that dwelt in Jesus now dwells in you. It is a fire quenching, devil beating, grave robbing power of God. Not by your might, but by His Spirit! Rejoice for the day that the Lord has made for you today!