We have seen through several previous posts that, if from God, the time between a prophecy and its fulfillment is immaterial to knowing that the prophecy will eventually be fulfilled in its entirety. We should prepare ourselves for those prophecies which are still yet to come. More importantly, our preparation for these future events should encourage us to look inward and start conforming ourselves to Christ’s attitude and view. What is important to Christ should be important to us. Preparing ourselves and investing in the lives of others, both physically and spiritually, are two of the most important ways of how to redeem our time prior to Christ’s return.

I’ve summarized it in a poem:

If time was an element that we could reap or mine,

Then we would have no worries here and now.

However, time is elusive and holds no design,

And to it we must succumb, and we must bow.

Our view of time must change to free its chain.

God’s gift must be our view: the key receive

To open our mind to blessings that from Him rain.

The eyes of God is the reward if in Him we believe.

Now keen our senses for our Lord’s return

As we invest in others’ lives and help them see anew.

The time we have is on our side if we learn

That immortality through Christ is sure, so His will we do.

The world, and we, wait for the renewing—it is deemed;

And we shall obtain it, if here we achieve time redeemed.

RC Dockens

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

We have seen that God has revealed His truth in His Word: both in Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14) and through Scripture (2Tm 3:16). Our faith in what Christ has accomplished in our reconciliation to God is a volitional act on our part—the only part we play. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hb 11:1). Mankind accepts Christ’s act of redemption in this manner through the hearing of it (Ro 10:17): he has not observed the act, but trusts in it and the eternal hope it brings. Therefore, this is a volitional act by man himself. However, faith is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Ga 5:22-23) which the Holy Spirit matures into greater faith God can use in one’s life for even greater things and help one to stand firm (2Co 1:24). Therefore, the righteousness through faith that Paul describes in Romans 3:21-31 states what Christ did for us, but also infers what Christ will do for us in this present life and provides the secure hope of what He will do for us in the life to come. Righteousness is not just for now, but for all eternity.

In previous posts, I stated we need to understand God’s intent for time to know how to utilize (or redeem) our time effectively. We have seen how God has created time and has utilized it to bring about His will. He has used various prophecies to give us a glimpse of His intentions for the future and has allowed us to have a part in His plan if we accept it. As we have seen in other posts, acceptance is the first critical step. More is needed if we want to redeem the time we have (Ep 5:16). As we yield more of our life over to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we gradually become more and more conformed to the moral image of God and Christ (Cl 3:5-10), and we begin to develop a perspective of life, meaning, and attitude as that of Christ (1Co 2:16; Pp 2:5). Paul was an example of this fact. Paul was very secure in his faith (Ro 8:31-39), but this made him have even more zeal for those who had not yet gained this faith (Ro 10:1). His heart for others was expressed in almost every letter he penned. He invested in the lives of others, like Timothy (Ac 16:1-5; 1Tm 1:2), Titus (Tt 1:4), and Onesimus (Pm 10-11; Cl 4:9), and others.

We do have to be cautious. The enemy (Satan) wants to “devour” us (1Pt 5:8) by making us ineffective, whether through deception of the truth (2Jn 7-8) or causing us to lose sight of our true purpose here (3Jn 9-10). Also, as Christ has taught us to be in the world but not of the world (Jn 17:14-15), Satan also has followers who are in the church (congregation) but not of the Church (true body of believers), and we are cautioned to be on guard for such (2Pt 2:1-2; Ju 4) and to not conform to the world’s standards (Ro 12:1-2; Ja 1:27). We are to be holy (1Pt 1:15-16), i.e., unique, set apart.  Christ’s indwelling of us via the Holy Spirit (1Co 3:16) is our present assurance of future glorification (Cl 1:27), i.e., a state of eternal glory (2Tm 2:10; 1Pt 5:10). Therefore, our perseverance now will lead to much reward for all eternity (Cl 3:24; 2Tm 4:8; Ja 1:12; 1Pt 5:4; 2Jn 8).

Although God’s expectations of us is quite high, he does not expect us to meet those standards on our own. He has given us the tools we need for this life (His word and the Holy Spirit) and has provided the hope we need for the next.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

The purpose of the previous posts on the timing of prophetic fulfillment was to illustrate a number of prophecies in the Bible which have come true. Also, the examples were chosen to help emphasize the number of years between the initial prophecy and its fulfillment had little to do with the exactness of the fulfillment. In other words, just the indication that the prophecy was of, or from, God was enough to ensure the prophecy would indeed come true. Because the Bible has so many prophecies which have come true, their fulfillment is supportive to the assurance that the prophecies which have not yet come true will still be fulfilled. As stated, we cannot use the argument of time to suggest they will not be fulfilled since time seems to have had little impact on the prophecies that have so far come true. One reason of this could be that God operates on a timescale different from ours (2Pt 3:8-9) and the rationale for His timescale can probably not be determined (Is 55:9). It essentially boils down to faith. If you can trust God is the author of truth (Jn 14:6, 17) as well as His Word (Jn 17:17), then what has been stated and has not yet been fulfilled is just as valid and binding as that which has been stated and has been fulfilled.

How do we accept Truth? The simple, but important, answer to acceptance is faith. This is very different from a belief in something. Belief does not necessarily lead to truth. After all, many good people have done many bad things in their misguided belief of truth. People used to believe the earth was flat and the center of the universe or solar system, and those who believed otherwise were ‘heretics,’ worthy of punishment—even death. Although their belief was sincere, it did not change the fact that the earth is a sphere and not the center of the solar system, the galaxy, or the universe. Faith on the other hand is as old as time itself and has always led to truth. It was true before the Law was given to the Israelites through Moses: Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (i.e., a correct relationship to the will of God) (Gn 15:6). It was true for those under the Law: Habakkuk stated the just would live by faith (Hk 2:4). It is also true today: both Jew and Gentile are justified (i.e., declared—not made—righteous) by faith (Ro 3:27-31). It will also be true during the Tribulation (after the rapture, or the Receiving, and removal of the restraint of the Holy Spirit [2Th 2:7-8]) since many will have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rv 7:14) indicating their faith and acceptance in what the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ accomplished for them—reconciliation with God (Ro 3:21-26). It is a matter of choice that must be made in this life. There are no second chances once this life is over (Ec 11:3).

So, the time and decision is for now. Will you make it?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: 1332 BC (Leviticus 23, 25)

Year of Fulfillment: Still in the future

Time until fulfillment: >3354 years (not yet fulfilled)

As noted in previous posts, there were three feasts which occurred in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. They, too, had practical application to the nation of Israel when they were first instituted, but they also referred to future events that are also in our future today. These are discussed in this post.

Beginning of the Tribulation (the last 7-year period prior to Christ’s 2nd Coming)

The Remembrance of Israel as Foreshadowed by:

Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah (1st day of the seventh month: Lv 23:23-25)

The Feast of Trumpets is also known as the Feast of Remembrance or the Feast of Memorial and is known by modern Jews as the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). The Jewish New Year celebration probably reflects the Jewish civil calendar rather than the sacred one since the month in which the Passover occurs was originally instituted as the first month of the Jewish year (Ex 12:2). This feast occurs on the first day of the seventh month. The times of its celebration recorded in scripture are few (1Ki 8:1-66 and 2Ch 5:1-7:10; Er 3:1-5; Ne 8:1-9:38), but each event was a memorial to remember what God had done for them. Each of these occurrences had the following events in common: the people gathered and acted as a nation, they gathered in Jerusalem near the Temple, they renewed their covenant relationship with God, they began sacrifices, they celebrated the feasts, and God responded to the people on a national level. In each event, the nation of Israel was asking God to remember them and to restore His relationship with them, as Jeremiah pleaded to God for His remembrance of Israel and to “renew our days as of old” (La 5:21).

As mentioned in prior posts, the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) was the beginning of the Church Age at which time Israel as a nation was temporarily set aside until the required number of Gentiles are saved (Ro 11:25). At that point, the rapture (or The Receiving) occurs, and all Christians are removed from the Earth. God then “remembers” His covenant with Israel (Ro 11:26; Jr 31:33-34) and His main focus is back on Israel as a nation. There is probably an unspecified period of time between the rapture and this “remembrance” of Israel since the first is a focus on the Church and the latter is a focus on the nation of Israel. During this time, 144,000 Jewish people will be saved and act as evangelists to their fellow Jews and to the world at large (Rv 7:4-8, 14:1-5). Therefore, this feast is symbolic of the beginning of what is known as the Tribulation Period.

Christ’s 2nd Coming as Foreshadowed by:

Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur (10th day of the seventh month: Lv 23:26-32)

This feast was different from the others in that it was first for contrition and then celebration (Lv 23:32). This was the day the high priest made a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people (Lev 16). The atonement was a cleansing of both the items used in the ceremony (Holy of Holies, Tabernacle, and brazen altar) as well as individuals (priests, high priest, all the people) indicating atonement was not just a covering of sin, but a cleansing of sin as well.  Today, the focus is on the individual rather than a nation, and during the 10 days prior to the Day of Atonement (called the Ten Days of Penitence), one is strongly encouraged to repent: prayers are said, good deeds are done, and fasting is common.

These actions of the high priest in Leviticus pointed toward what Christ was to do for mankind. Atonement is a process instituted and initiated by God. Christ has redeemed us by addressing the price, penalty, and condemnation of sin which separates us from God (Jn 3:16-18). This action has to be done by a third party. Just as Boaz operated as a kinsman-redeemer to redeem Ruth (Ru 4), Christ operated as our redeemer to pay the debt owed to God to redeem us from sin (Cl 1:14). Christ became our propitiation (appeasement) by addressing the righteous wrath of God, for God is holy and expects us to be the same (Lev 11:44). Christ’s death on the cross satisfied God, appeased His wrath, and allowed us to become clean and useful to God (Ro 3:25, 1Jn 2:2, 4:10). Christ reconciled us by addressing our stand with God. Christ’s death on the cross restored the fellowship between us and God (2Co 5:18-19). The path to be reconciled is now open, yet we must accept it (Ro 6:23; Cl 1:20). Christ cleansed us by addressing the domination of sin. Christ’s death on the cross removed sin’s domination over the old nature (2Co 5:17) and as we confess the sin, God performs the cleansing from the sin (1Jn 1:9).

Since atonement also involves inanimate objects and allows them to be used in service to God, Christ will utilize this aspect of atonement for Israel at a future time and make the nation of Israel useful for God’s service. This will occur at the Second Coming of Christ at which time Christ will reconcile and restore the relationship between Himself and Israel (Zc 12:10 - 13:9).

Tribulation, Great Tribulation and Antichrist

These are not part of the feasts, but occur between the last two sections just mentioned. The chronological time between the “awakening of Israel” after the rapture and the resorted relationship of Israel back to God is the time of the Tribulation. It has its beginning sometime after the rapture when the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel (Dn 9:27). The Antichrist is the one whom Satan uses to set up a one-world government and attempts to destroy all those who oppose him (Dn 7:15-25). At the end of 3½ years, the Antichrist will revoke his covenant with Israel and desecrate the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem with his own image (Dn 9:27) and seek to destroy all of Israel (Jr 30:4-7; Rv 12). The last 3½ years will be a time of great trouble for Israel (Jr 30:5-7; Zp 1:14-18) with natural calamities never before experienced (Hg 2:6-9; Rv 8:6-13) and is therefore termed “Great Tribulation.” Those in Jerusalem will be pushed to the brink of annihilation (Zc 14:1-2). They have no place to turn but to call upon their Messiah who comes to fight for them (Zc 12:5, 14:3-5), and they recognize the true identity of their Messiah (Zc 12:10-14), the one pierced—Jesus Christ (Jn 19:37; Rv 1:7).

The Millennium Kingdom (1000-year reign of Christ on Earth) as Foreshadowed by:

Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot (15th to 21st day of the seventh month: Lv 23:33-43)

Although this feast had an agricultural connection (Dt 16:13-17), this did not seem to be its main emphasis, and it did not seem to really be about the 40-year wandering of Jews due to the emphasis on celebration (Lv 23:39-41; Dt 16:13-15), and the elements of the booths’ construction (Lv 23:40). Therefore, it was likely more about God’s provision for them rather than their lack during their time of wandering, and pointed to the time of future rest which they did not have in the wilderness.  Although entering the Promised Land served as a type of rest for Israel from their wanderings (Js 23:1), the book of Judges points out the temporary nature of this ‘rest’ (Jd 2:10-19). There was a more permanent rest to which this feast pointed (Hb 4:8-11). After Christ returns to earth and destroys Israel’s enemies at His second coming (Is 63:1-6; Zc 14:3, 12-14), removes the unrighteous (Mt 24:36-51), and sets up His earthly 1,000-year kingdom (Zc 8:3, 14:9; Rv 20:4), Israel will be the one favored of all people and will enjoy the rest they have not had all during the nation’s existence (Zc 8:4-22). This feast will also be celebrated during this time—not only for Israel but for everyone (Zc 14:16-21) since spiritual cleansing will be an emphasis to all those dwelling on the earth during this time (Zc 14:8, 16, 21).

The New Heavens and Earth as Foreshadowed by:

The Jubilee (Lv 25:1-55)

In the seventh month of every 49 years (seven Sabbaths of years, Lv 25:8), on the Day of Atonement, the 50th year was consecrated and liberty was proclaimed (Lv 25:10). All property was to be returned to its original owner, and all people were to return to their own clans (Lv 25:10). One was not to sow or harvest during this 50th year (Lv 25:11-12). Jubilee was to be used to determine the value of land and property that was sold. One was to ascertain when the next Jubilee was to occur and base the price on the number of years until the next Jubilee, because both land and property (including individuals who had sold themselves in order to live) would return to their owners or clans during the year of Jubilee (Lv 25:14-17).

Although this is not a formal feast as were the others, this does tie into the other feasts and to the regular Sabbath (Lv 23:3). Before explaining the feasts in Leviticus 23, God stated to not forget the pattern established back in the beginning (Gn 2:2; Lv 23:3). As the Sabbath of rest of creation pointed to the completion of creation (Gn 2:1), to the rest (or satisfaction) God had in His creation (Gn 2:2), and to the perfect state of God’s creation (Gn 1:31), so the Sabbath year of rest (Jubilee) points to the end of history when all will be returned to the perfect state God had in the beginning and we will be forever with the Lord (2Pt 3:13; Rv 21:4-7).

In Leviticus 25, the Jubilee required all land and people be returned to their original owners and clans (Lv 25:10). This Jubilee also points toward the new heavens and earth where the eternity of rest (Hb 4:9) is entered and the original, perfect state is again attained. The present earth cannot enter because of sin. Just as our spirits groan and wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies (Ro 8:23), so does all of creation (Ro 8:22) because of the sin imposed upon it by Adam (Ro 8:20). It, too, can be liberated from the bondage of decay to which it is now subjected (Ro 8:21). Knowing God is unique and devoid of sin (Lv 19:2), and demands even inanimate objects of worship to be cleansed from sin (Lv 16:16), the earth cannot enter into eternity in its present state. God will therefore cleanse the earth with fire so that His righteousness can dwell there (2Pt 3:10, 13).

What a rich heritage God gave to the Jews. One day, all of this can be your heritage as well. Everyone wants a bright and promising future. God is providing it, are you going to accept it?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: 51 AD (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Year of Fulfillment: Still in the future

Time until fulfillment: >1971 years (not yet fulfilled)

We have been talking about prophecies which have already been fulfilled. Yet, there are several important prophecies which have not yet been fulfilled. One of them is known as the Rapture. Let’s explore it here.

The name “Rapture” comes from the Greek word harpadzo (found in 1Th 4:17) which means “to seize or carry off.” Paul is referring to the translation of the church from earth to heaven. I prefer to call this “The Receiving” because it is tied to the traditional view of a Jewish wedding. The details have already been provided in previous post. Yet, it shows the bridegroom comes to receive his bride unexpectedly; yet she is expected to be found ready. She then goes back with her husband to his father’s house where he has prepared a place for them to live. Doesn’t that sound very similar to these verses in 1 Thessalonians? It is also similar to what Christ told his disciples before he was taken and crucified (Jn 14:1-3). To me, the phrase “The Receiving” sounds more personal and intimate.

From the time of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was given to each individual believer in Christ until the present day, the Church Age has existed. The initial Christians were Jewish, and it was not until the Jerusalem church started undergoing persecution (Ac 8:1-3) that the Jewish Christians (true Jews or Jewish proselytes) were scattered throughout the known world and continued to talk to others about Christ (Ac 8:4), which eventually led to Gentiles becoming Christians (Ac 10:23-48). God using Paul to become an Apostle to the Gentiles (Ac 9:15). As the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) represented, the Church (i.e., the believers in Christ) is composed of all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile (Ro 1:16). As a whole, more Gentiles became Christians than did Jews; however, Paul taught that this was by God’s design. This would be true until the “full number of the Gentiles has come in” (Ro 11:25). However, God has not turned His back on the Jews (Ro 11:26). The Rapture, or The Receiving, is the event which will end the Church Age. It occurs somewhat before the Tribulation Period (this is the start of the future prophecy of the Feasts of Israel ). At the time of God’s choosing, those Christians who are dead will rise in an incorruptible body, and those alive will be changed instantaneously into an incorruptible body (1Co 15:51) and will meet Christ in the air to be with Him forever (1Th 4:13-18).

As we have seen earlier, almost all of the prophecies that deal with Israel as a nation have had a timetable given to them, if people were diligent enough to understand them. However, although the rapture is prophesied (1Co 15:51-53; 1Th 4:13-18), its timing is unknown and there is no scripture that gives a timetable for it. Some believe there is reference to this event in Old Testament scripture in poetic terms (SS 2:8-14); however, Paul called the rapture a “mystery” (1Co 15:51). Therefore, it was not a recognized Old Testament teaching. The apostles and the early Church taught the imminency of Christ’s return (e.g. Pp 3:20, 4:5; 1Th 1:10; Tt 2:13; Ja 5:7-9; 1 Jn 2:28; Rv 22:20), implying things may occur before the imminent event, but there is nothing that must occur before it happens.

As stated above, the bride was expected to be ready at all times. Are you ready for your bridegroom? What if he came today? Would you be smiling and ready to receive him or miss him because you weren’t looking for him?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Before we talk and contract Jews and Gentiles in the future, we need to understand some of the differences in futuristic views held by many. The next era following our present time on this earth has been termed the Tribulation Period. There are four main world views of apocalyptic literature, like the book of Revelation, and then there are three main theological views of the future concerning the Millennium (or the earthly reign of Christ), although there are minor variations of these as well.

There are some who view the content of Revelation strictly from a historical perspective: all, or most, of the prophecies in the book have been completely fulfilled in the past. Proponents of this tenant believe all the descriptions in Revelation are referring to the downfall of the Roman Empire during and after the time of the apostle John, the book’s author.

Others are known as preterists and also believe that all, or most, of the prophecies in Revelation have occurred in the past but that they were prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem. Therefore, all the prophecies had to be fulfilled by the end of 70 AD.

Then, there are others who believe the majority of the prophecies within the book of Revelation should be interpreted more from an allegorical perspective. The prophecies and visions which John wrote about were not literal but communicate a moral or theological lesson about God and how he works in the lives of Christians and non-Christians in all phases of earth’s history. This is what makes the book relevant for each and every person no matter in which period of earth’s history they live.

The fourth category is known as the futurist view. People with this view believe that all the events from chapter four onward are in the future, describe events that will occur after the Rapture of the Church and during the Tribulation and Great Tribulation Periods, and beyond. The prophecies and visions the apostle John saw and spoke about are to be taken literally as much as possible, except where it is evident that the apostle is speaking metaphorically. For example, when John states that Satan was bound in the Abyss for one-thousand years with chains so he could not escape, the futurists’ view is that the removal of Satan from the earth for one-thousand years would be literal but the chain would be metaphorical in that God will prevent Satan from being released. He is chained in the sense he cannot escape but not in the sense that God was using a physical chain that would restrain him for this prescribed period of earth’s history. Or, at least, this is not literal in our view of a chain as we know that could not hold a spiritual being; yet, God was using something which John interpreted as a chain or the concept of such.

There are three major views of the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth in the future, known as the Millennium: Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism. The reason for the Millennium determines one’s main view of its importance and if it will be literal and actually occur. I believe the Premillennial viewpoint is the more accurate one for the following three reasons:

1. The Premillennial view allows the Bible to be broken into dispensations or periods of time where God deals with mankind for a specific purpose. Most of these dispensations have been about Israel as prophesied by the Feasts of Israel; yet, only four of these feasts have been fulfilled (Pesach or Passover – death of Christ; Matzah or Feast of Unleavened Bread – Christ’s sinless death and burial; Feast of Bikkurim or First Fruits – Christ’s resurrection; Shavuot or Pentacost – Holy Spirit uniting all believers, both Jew and Gentile, into his fold).  Since the current age is about God bringing Gentiles into his fold, there must be a time when He works with Israel as a nation again to fulfill the remaining feasts (Rosh Hashanah or Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement, and Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles).  The Tribulation is a time when He can begin doing that once all current Christians have been taken out of the picture. God can then remember his covenant, which is the theme of the original Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets): to ask God to remember His covenant with Israel. These points would speak against the view of Amillennialism which does not even believe in the existence of a Millennium or in a special period of time that is any different from the current time in which one lives.

2. The Rapture is an event that allows all current Christians to be removed from the earth to allow God to focus on Israel, as well as the remaining Gentiles on earth. This event also fits well into an analogy of a Jewish bridegroom coming for his bride: she did not know when he was coming so she had to be prepared at all times; he went to where she was and brought her back to his home. A shout or call (e.g. by shofar) would be made to alert the bride and her attendants (SS 3:11). Christ’s church has been equated to, or alluded to, the bride of Christ who has been set apart for Him (2Co 11:2, Ep 5:22-23; Hb 10:10; Ja 4:4; Rv 19:14). These points would speak against both Amillennialism and Postmillennialism as both do not believe in a Rapture or not one that occurs before the Tribulation starts. If the Tribulation is about God remembering His covenant with Israel, then the Rapture could not occur after the Tribulation begins.

3. Because Satan took the world from mankind and is currently the ruler of it (Mt 4:8-9), Christ must take the current world back, re-establish his theocratic kingdom and reverse the curse that resulted from Adam’s rebellion so Christ can show He alone is sovereign. Therefore, the Millennium is a key period of future history that must occur. This point would also speak against Amillennialism since a literal Millennium would be necessary to prove Christ’s sovereignty over Satan. It also speaks against Postmillennialism as it would be necessary for Christ to reign on the earth with its curse removed to prove His sovereignty.

The time in which everyone currently lives will continue until the full number of Gentiles have accepted Christ as their Savior (Ro 11:25). That time will end at what is known as the Rapture or being “caught up” where believers receive a glorified body (Jn 14:1-3; 1Co 15:51-53; Pp 3:20-21; 1Th 4:17; 1Jn 3:1-2). This will occur before the Antichrist appears and the Tribulation Period begins (2Th 2:2-3). It appears the time shortly before the Antichrist comes on the scene will be marked by teachers teaching false doctrine that will lead many astray (2Pt 2:1-3); however, it seems that the beginning of false teachings will occur even prior to the Rapture – even in the present day (Ju 1:4). These “teachers” will have no scruples (Ju 1:8), and their ungodly acts will only escalate after the Rapture and prior to Christ’s second coming (Ju 1:15). Any of these peddlers of false information could be labeled “antichrist” (1Jn 2:22; 2Jn 1:7) because their teachings are against Christ. However, scriptures indicate that there will be one individual who will culminate the spirit of deceit and lead the world in rebellion against God (2Th 2:9-10; 1Jn 2:18). Once the Rapture occurs, there will no longer be any Christians on the earth for a time. Even the restraint of the Holy Spirit will be removed (2Th 2:7).

These events sets Israel up for God to work with them as a nation again and for every nation to be evangelized and make a final decision of their relationship with Christ. You don’t have to wait to do that. You can do that now. Have you? Do you want to? Just talk to him. He’s waiting – always waiting – just for you.

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

While an individual’s response to God is primary, God also has plans for nations. God can bless a nation for its obedience, destroy that nation for disobedience, and can even use that nation for His own purposes whether that nation is obedient to His commands or not.

The nations mentioned in the Bible are mainly around the Middle East because that is where most of the “action” in the Bible is occurring since the main focus is on the nation of Israel, their response to God, and how these other nations respond to both Israel and to God’s plan.

Through Noah, God stated, “Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be to his brothers. He also said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant. May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant” (Gn 9:25-27). In a previous post, we stated that the descendants of Ham settled in the Middle East, south into Africa, and then to other parts of the world. The descendants of Shem also settled in the Middle East and further east. The descendants of Japheth settled mostly in Europe. We also saw that many of the Canaanites did become servants of Shem (i.e., the Israelites), and their land will one day be given back to the Israelites (Ek 48). This prophecy through Noah is completed when this occurs and when, in the future, the Israelites are brought back from the four corners of the earth (Is 11:12) back to their homeland (i.e., back from the land of Japheth to dwell back in the home of Shem).

Most of the prophetic books in the Old Testament contain words of destruction for these nations because of their treatment of Israel and for their rejection of God. Yet, many of these countries will have a future and be supportive of both the Messiah and of Israel (Is 49:22-23; 62:12). Here are the countries and what we know them as today.

Amos (Am 2:7-8; 4:1; 6:8), Isaiah (Is 1:3-4), and Micah (Mi 1:6-7) prophesied Assyria would take Israel of their land because of continual disobedience. Zephaniah (Zp 1:4-12; 3:2-4), Joel (Jl 2:1-11), Habakkuk (Hk 1:5-6; 2:2-10), and Jeremiah (Jr 32:1-5) prophesied the same fate awaited Judah if they did not repent.

Although God used the animosity of these nations to carry out his plan, they were still held accountable for their treatment of Israel. Such cases included Edom (Ek 25:12; Am 1:9; Ob 1:4), Moab (Ek 25:6-7; Jr 48:29; Am 2:1; Is 16:6-7), Ammon (Jr 49:2, Ek 25:6-7; Am 1:13), Elam (Ek 25:3; Jr 49:35-37), Assyria (Na 2:1, 6), Damascus (Is 17:1-14; Jr 49:23-27), Philistia (Ek 25:15), Phoenicia (Ek 26:2; Is 23:13-15), Babylon (Is 13:3, 14:11, 15-19; 17; Jr 50:31-32; 51:9-11, 28), Egypt (Ek 32:28; J 46:11-12, 25-26), Ethiopia (Is 18:1-7), and Arabia (Is 21:13-17; Jr 49:20-32-33).

Yet, despite the prophecy of doom, God almost always provided a word of mercy and hope. Despite one’s nationality or the original curse that had been placed upon a person’s descendants, God still provided hope for individuals regardless of ancestry. We’ll explore this prophecy of hope next time.

From this we see how God has a plan for everyone and every nation. We can be a part of his plan and blessing or be a part of his plan and cursing. A nation has a choice. An individual has a choice. God always puts the individual’s response above that of a nation. Isn’t our God wonderful?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

God has a plan for both individuals as well as nations. However, the two are not always tied together. In scripture we can see how individuals can get trapped on both sides of how a nation responds to God. Many times, individuals’ obedience to God will lead to the prosperity of the nation (Pr 11:10). We also see that many times the righteous may undergo consequences of a nation’s judgment (Ec 8:14). Yet God promises to look out for righteous individuals (Ps 1:6, 11:7; Pr 12:7; Is 3:10; Mt 13:43). God always seems to put the actions of individuals above the actions of nations. Let’s examine a few examples.

When Joshua first led the Israelites across the Jordan River into their Promised Land of Canaan, the city of Jericho was the first city they attacked. God stated the city was slated for total annihilation: no individual, livestock, or plunder was to be taken – all was to be dedicated to God (Js 6:18-21). Yet, Rahab and her family were saved because of her actions and belief (Js 6:23, 25). She knew God was above all other gods and would make Israel prosper no matter what (Js 2:10-11). Because of her response to Him, God rewarded her faith (Js 6:25). She became the great, great grandmother of King David (Mt 1:5-6).

Another example was Ruth. Moab was a country between Edom and the tribe of Reuben on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The people of Moab were descendants of Lot, a nephew of Abraham (Gn 19:30-38). When the Israelites were heading to Canaan, the king of Moab refused to let them pass through their land (Jd 11:17). Later, another king of Moab made Israel subject to him, but Israel later made Moab subject to them through the leadership of the judge Ehud (Jd 3:12-30). Moabites and Israelites became enemies (Jd 3:28). Yet, because of Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, her mother-in-law, and her devotion to God (Ru 1:16-17), she, too, was saved and blessed by God (Ru 4:13-22): she became the grandmother to King David (Mt 1:5-6).

A third example was Asenath. She was the daughter of an Egyptian priest of On (also known as Heliopolis). She was given to Joseph as a wife by Pharaoh himself (Gn 41:45). While scripture is silent as to her conversion, it is likely she did because as the book of Exodus opens, Joseph’s descendant are already incorporated into the lives of the other children of Israel. Although Ephraim and Manasseh were half Egyptian, their descendants were considered Israeli by the rest of the Israelites as well as by future Pharaohs. Both Ephraim and Manasseh became two of the larger tribes within the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

A fourth example were the Gibeonites. These were Amorite descendants (Hivites) who God had told Joshua to have annihilated (Js 3:10) as the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land of Canaan (Js 9:24). The Gibeonites pretended to be from a far country, wanted to worship the God of Israel, and asked Joshua to make a covenant with them (Js 9:6-15). While the Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelite leaders into making a covenant with them, Joshua still honored the covenant and made them servants to the Levites (Js 9:23). They and their descendants hewed wood and drew water for service of the tabernacle, and later for the temple (Js 9:27). In order to perform duties of worship, they would have had to become proselytes and their males circumcised (Gn 17:11-14; Ex 12:48-49). God also honored this covenant and King David later had to repay retribution for the Gibeonites who King Saul had put to death (2Sa 21:1). The Gibeonites later became the temple servants (1Ch 9:2) and some even returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel (Er 2:43) and Ezra (Er 8:20) to continue in this service. They also helped Nehemiah repair the city’s wall (Ne 3:26) and they were incorporated into Jewish society (Ne 11:3). Although those in the beginning may not have been devoted proselytes, God honored future generations that became devoted to Him.

From these examples, we see that while God has plans for nations, an individual’s response to God is primary. This may be a different view than you’ve had of God before, but doesn’t it show how loving God really is to us? Aren’t you glad you serve a God like that?

____________

Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens