Series Studies
The Rapture (introduction)
Some students of God’s word are inhibited from believing in the rapture because the term does not appear in scripture. However, while the term does not appear, one must be careful to use such a litmus test for excluding doctrines which are otherwise taught. Another term which does not appear in scripture is the term “Trinity.” And, like a theological understanding of the trinity, one must come to understand the rapture systematically, through a full study of scripture, rather than from any singular scriptural text. Continue reading
The Antichrist (his role)
Antichrist’s Role in Satan’s Counterfeit Program
Though it is too rarely focused on in eschatological study, there is a clear teaching in scripture of Satan’s counterfeiting work in his final program. Through the course of this study this counterfeiting will be identified on several levels. Continue reading
The Antichrist (his demonic nature)
Antichrist’s nature
Another key truth to grasp about Antichrist, in order to understand his role in the tribulation is to note that he is in some way satanic in nature. In the context of any serious study of eschatology from a pre-millennial perspective, one understands clearly that Antichrist is given a great amount of power. He will be a master deceiver, yet will have an impressive array of supernatural abilities which will give credibility to his claim to godhood. It is at this point that the biblical student must come to terms with his nature so as to determine exactly how he is empowered to do the things he will be able to do. He is either fully demonic, demon possessed, or in some other way receiving a great amount of dark spiritual power. The question is, “exactly how?” Being fully demonic is easily ruled out, because Antichrist is noted to be a man in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, being called “the man of lawlessness.” And, being only a man is also ruled out by a truth which will be observed later in this work, whereby Antichrist will be cast into the Abyss, a place where elsewhere in the entire Bible only demons are ever sentenced to. Continue reading
The Antichrist (about the Antichrist)
About The Antichrist
The “man of lawlessness” noted in 2 Thessalonians 2, above, bears the name “Antichrist” in First and Second John. Antichrist is one of the most key players on Earth during the Great Tribulation, playing an important role as an agent of Satan. And, although Antichrist is a being of satanic origins and purpose, he is also used of God to bring judgment to the Earth and to unfold God’s foretold plans among the nations. Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (the timing)
When will this happen?
The first observation as to when this attack will happen must be the conclusion that it has not already occurred in the past. For this battle to be prophetically accurate, several historical facts must come together perfectly, the first of which is the general description of the condition of Israel. The land is described in Ezekiel 38:8 as a “land that has recovered from war,” and “whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate.” There has been no historical period in Israel’s history which fits this description prior to 1948. While Israel has been recovered from war, and has been gathered from captivity, she has not been gathered from “many nations” nor has she been gathered after a period of time where her mountains had long been desolate. Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (the results)
What will happen as a result?
Essentially, the “what” is answered next.
Ezekiel 38:17-18 (NIV)17 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. 18 This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (the reasons for the attack)
Why will they attack?
Why these nations will attack Israel is answered in two parts by the text. The first answer is seen in verses 10-13:
Ezekiel 38:10-13 (NIV)10 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. 11 You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people–all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. 12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land.” 13 Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”‘ Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (who is attacked)
Who Is Attacked?
It’s clear that Israel is being attacked, but specifically, it should be noted that it is modern Israel which is being attacked, as opposed to the former Israel destroyed in the first century, as only modern Israel fits the description of the text. Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (the attackers)
Who are the attackers?
Ezekiel 38:1-6 (NIV)1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army–your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. 5 Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, 6 also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops–the many nations with you. Continue reading
Gog/Magog War (Introduction)
Gog-Magog War
Ezekiel prophesies an attack on Israel that must be understood to refer to modern Israel. The conditions of this attack are such that it cannot refer to a former time in history, as will be demonstrated in this section. This attack is another pre-tribulational event which has not yet happened as of the writing of this work. This prophecy is outlined in Ezekiel 38. Continue reading
