If we want to know where we stand on God’s prophetic clock, we must always look to the nation of Israel, for Daniel’s 70th week – the seven year tribulation – is all about the country of Israel.
The book of Matthew was written between 50-55 A.D. and Jesus warned at the beginning of chapter 24 that their temple would be destroyed.
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Mat. 24:1-2.
The book of Hebrews, written to the Jewish people, was written around 65-67 A.D., so the Jewish people were well aware of Matthew’s prophecy for the destruction of their temple by the time Hebrews was available. Hebrews 10:25 talks about an approaching day and later in verse 37 speaks of the soon coming of Christ.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb. 10:25
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Heb. 10:37
For the Jewish people of that day, they saw the day approaching as the destruction of their temple and was fulfilled in 70 A.D. by the Roman Empire. For today’s Christians, what would that day approaching be? It would be the 70th year anniversary of the establishment of modern day Israel and the soon return of our Lord to follow. Israel will be 70 on May 14th, 2018.
Some interesting facts on Netanyahu, current Prime Minister of Israel.
- The only PM born in Israel since the nations beginning in 1948.
- Netanyahu has been elected Prime Minister of Israel four times and the only PM to be elected three times in a row. The biblical number 3 refers to Divine control, election, sovereignty, volition, ordering, or perfection.
- His first term was from 1996-1999 and the youngest ever PM elected. Since his last election in 2009, he has been in office for the last 9 years and is the 9th of 12 total PM’s of Israel.
- He was born October 21, 1949, one day after Methuselah died according to Jewish tradition. Methuselah whose name means “his death shall bring” was the longest living man in history at 969 years and upon his death, Noah’s flood came. This year Netanyahu will turn 69 years old.
- The biblical number 9 refers to finality, termination or fulfillment…arriving at the end. The biblical number 12 represents Headship, rule.
Do all of those 9’s mean anything? Maybe, maybe not. Though one can’t help but wonder…
So what are we to make of Israel turning 70? At the very least, it is with almost certainty, that God’s prophetic clock will start once more as much needs to be done before the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week and will take perhaps a year or longer to have all in place. For 7 is the number of God’s program on behalf of man; when God is doing something for man, as in the 7000 year plan for mankind or the 490 weeks for Israel or the 7 years Nebuchadnezzar lived as a wild beast in the wilderness. You get the picture. If we are not taken out of here soon, we will see major prophecy begin to be fulfilled, and there are many waiting in the wings.
When do we leave? Well before Daniel’s 70th week as Jesus told us in Matthew 24.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Mat. 24:36-42
As you can see, it will be an ordinary day just like today when our Lord returns. We cannot confuse this passage with Jesus physical return at the end of the 7 year Tribulation because at that time, most of the world and 2/3rds of the population will be destroyed and no one will be getting married, given in marriage, or be eating and drinking in a celebratory way.
It will happen as Paul says “in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump“, 1Co 15:52. Just like when we see a bolt of lighting. “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” Mat 24:27. “And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south” Zec 9:14.
I have a ticket out of here on flight #777 with Blessed Hope Airlines on a Titus 2:13 jumbo jet given to me by the Captain Himself. He even promises a free set of incorruptible luggage at the end of the flight and the most wonderful supper I have ever had!
What? Don’t have your ticket yet? Don’t miss the boarding call!! You can ask the Captain for one; His name is Jesus and it is absolutely free. No works needed or waiting in line. Just free for the asking!
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. Jhn 3:16
Looking for that Blessed Hope! 