The Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah, is upon us again. It starts at sundown on September 25th. I spoke of this holiday in some detail last year (Rosh Hashanah 2021). As was stated in that post, this was originally instituted by God at the time of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and was called Feast of Trumpets (Lv 23:23-25). Trumpets were blown as a memorial and a plea for God to remember his covenant with His people. This was significant because the Day of Atonement was only a few days away. This is when the high priest would go into the Holy of Holies to atone for the sin of the Israelites. No individual has goodness on their own that can save them or be good enough for God to accept them. Their only hope was for God to remember His covenant with them where He had promised to love and protect them. It was important that God remembered that when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies to ask God to accept them.

We had also stated that this feast is prophetic and relates to the beginning of the Tribulation period (also called the time of Jacob’s trouble by several Old Testament prophets) after the rapture of the church, also known as the Receiving of the Bride. Why then? The church age is over and so it is time for God to work with his chosen people again. Where are they? Scattered over the entire world. That is why this time of earth’s history affects the entire earth. God had stated long ago that their disobedience would result in consequences and trials that force them to come back to him (Lv 26; Dt 28). Since they are now living in almost every country of the world, the whole earth is involved. Even further into the earth’s future, the Passover will reflect the memory of this regathering of the Jews and Israelites rather than their exodus from Egypt (Ek 37:21-23; Jr 23:3-8).

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God gave Israel a charge to be a Kingdom of Priests to the world (Ex 19:6). Just as the Levites were priests to Israel to help them worship God, Israel as a nation was to do the same for the entire world. Don’t you find that “Wow” worthy? Did they achieve that? No. Now, before we judge them too harshly, we, too, have been called to be ambassadors for Christ (2Co 5:20). Are we representing Christ appropriately to the world to draw others to Him?

Ever wonder why God placed Israel where he did? I think if we look at its geographical location, it will become clear. We are so used to air travel today that we don’t think about geographic issues with mountains, oceans, and rivers. After all, we just fly over them. But think back to this time in history. Foot traffic was the most common form of travel. The land of Israel was at the conjunction of three continents: Africa, Europe, and Asia. The largest trade routes went through this area. Let’s look at each of them.

The Kings Highway went from Egypt, traveled across the Sinai Peninsula, turned northward through the Transjordan staying to the east of the Sea of Galilee and led to Damascus and eventually to the Far East. This was also the road Moses referred to when he told the Kings of Edom and Moab he would stay on as he passed through their land (Nu 20:17; Dt 2:8). Since there were two and a half tribes of Israel on the east side of the Jordan River (Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh; Js 13:15-33), Israel had the opportunity to influence those who traveled this route.

On the west side of Israel was a route which went along the Mediterranean coast. It became known as the Via Maris, or Way of the Sea (Is 9:1). Other names given to this route was Derech HaYam, Coastal Road, and Way of the Philistines. It also originated in Egypt, went along the Mediterranean coast and then split at Megiddo where a minor branch continued along the coast northward into Asia Minor and the other major route turned east, traveled along the west coast of the Sea of Galilee, and then also continued into Damascus and then to the Far East.

The third major trade route was the Ridge Route. It was confined within Israel itself yet connected to the Via Maris in the North and not far from the King’s Highway in the South. This route followed the watershed ridge line of the Judaean and Samarian mountains. It went from Megiddo in the North to Beersheba in the South and traveled through Jerusalem. This is also called the Way of the Patriarchs since many feel Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob often used this route. It is also likely that this route is the route referred to in Judges 19. It is also known to be used during Roman times as well. Could it have been the route the Wise Men took to get to Jerusalem?

There were also other minor trade routes that intersected these major routes. As you can see, God provided the means for Israel to be a way of influence. God had them inherit a land which had influence already built in. All they had to do was obey (Dt 28:1-14). These Gentiles who would travel through Israel would observe all the ways God was blessing Israel: see no want, the land extremely fertile, all nations having great respect for Israel, and Israel as a nation sustaining many other peoples. They would then ask why, and the Israelites would then tell them about God and what God had done for them. Israel would be God’s calling card to the world.

Sadly, that did not happen. Yet, can we think too harshly about them when we have done the same? As Christians, we should be the most positive people in the world by having hope and being able to give that hope to others. Today, God does not promise us such prosperity as he promised Israel; yet He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hb 13:5). Could we really ask for more? What about you? Are you being a good and effective ambassador?

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Probably the best way to understand atonement is to separate it into its parts: at•one•ment. It is the making for ourselves to be at one with God. Although Leviticus seems complicated, this is its main thrust. Let’s see if we can break it down into understandable chunks. There are four main elements of atonement. Let’s look at each of them

Propitiation: This sounds like a complicated word, but it simply means, “the appeasement of God’s wrath.” Mankind cannot appear before God in his current condition and live. God told Moses, “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die” (Lv 16:2). He also told Moses, “No one may see me and live” (Ex 33:20). I know that sound kind of harsh, but God was really trying to protect them and keep them safe. Remember, God sets the standard, not ourselves.

This brings us to the function of the Mercy Seat, or Atonement Cover, which would appease this wrath of God because of the blood placed on the Mercy Seat. It allowed Aaron, the High Priest, to appear before God once a year. If you recall, the Ark of the Covenant was in a separate part of the Tabernacle by itself in a place called the Holy of Holies. This is where the Shekinah glory of God would meet with the High Priest once a year for national atonement. The Mercy Seat was set over the ark. It is really a symbol for Christ. Paul tells us Christ presented himself as a sacrifice of atonement (i.e., propitiation) (Ro 3:25), and John stated Christ is the atoning sacrifice (propitiation) for our sins (1Jn 2:2), and God sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice (propitiation) (1Jn 4:10).

Reconciliation: This is a word meaning the reestablishment of friendship between God and mankind. God stated that if the atonement before God and the Mercy Seat was made, “then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins” (Lv 16:30). This is a representation of what Christ’s death did for us. He reconciled us to God: “God reconciled us to Himself through Christ, does not count our sins against us, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2Co 5:18-19); “the death of Christ reconciles both Jews and Gentiles – there is no longer a barrier (balustrade) between the two” (Ep 2:16). Therefore, he has reconciled all of mankind to Himself.

Justification: This is a word that means, “Declared righteous by God.” We can never earn our right standing before God. As we have seen in a previous post, God’s standard is perfection—something we cannot attain ourselves. Because of Christ’s reconciliation, we are then justified, or declared righteous, by God. Because of the act of the high priest on the Day of Atonement, God said, “Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins” (Lv 16:30). The sacrifice made pointed to something much deeper: “God does not delight in sacrifice but in a broken and contrite heart” (Ps 51:16); “by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many” (Is 53:11); “the righteous will live by his faith” (Hk 2:4). What we could not do, God did for us. We only need to believe and put our faith in His actions. “We are justified by faith through Christ: since we have been justified (declared righteous) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 5:1).

Cleansing: This is a term meaning to be made acceptable and useful in service to God. Cleansing was an important part in Old Testament worship: various requirements for becoming clean were required (Lv 11-15), and even the elements of worship needed to be cleansed: “make atonement for the Most Holy Place, for the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the community” (Lv 16:33).

This requirement of cleansing is likely one of the main reasons for why sacrifices will be required during Christ’s Millennium Kingdom. Sinful man will live in the presence of a holy God. Again, elements for worship must be cleansed, especially the altar for sacrifice (Ek 43). Even today, even if we accept Christ through faith, we do not lose our sin nature. John tells us, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify (cleanse) us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1:9).

As you can see, although God sets a high standard, he knows our shortcomings and loves us enough to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Isn’t that like a Good Father. Are you expressing your thanks to Him?

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Did you ever feel that the world is obsessed with the obtainment of perfection? Yet, it only seems to yield feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and depression. That can’t be good. Some then conclude we should therefore just accept ourselves as we are—you get what you see. But that doesn’t sound right either. So, what’s the solution? Let’s look back at Leviticus and see what it can tell us.

Believe it or not, perfection is God’s standard. That’s what most of Leviticus is about. Why is that? First, let’s see what God required of Israel. One of the things we see is all the purification laws imposed upon them (hence why many feel it is such a boring book). Many believe this is just so the Israelites can live more disease-free lives. That is likely a part of it. After all, these verses are dealing with such things as clean and unclean food (Lv 11), purification after childbirth (Lv 12), skin disease regulations (Lv 13), skin disease cleansing (Lv 14), and bodily discharges (Lv 15). These are certainly not good for casual reading but are very important for practical daily living. Yet, it’s more than that. How Israel dealt with these daily issues set them apart from other nations and peoples and made them unique (Lv 20:26). It drew the attention of other people to them and made them ask questions. Then, God could be brought into the conversation. It was to become part of their witnessing tool to the rest of the world. After all, Israel was charged to be the priests to the world (Ex 19:6).

Perfection is the standard which God expects. Part of perfection is being unblemished and pure—one of the reasons for the sacrificial requirements of the animals having to be unblemished. This is also the reason for the charge to the priests to teach the people the difference between what is clean and what is unclean. It also helped to point out that this standard of perfection was a high goal—above one’s ability on their own to achieve. It would then raise the question, “How can I achieve this?” The answer came by realizing the ultimate purpose pointed to one to come who would be able to achieve this standard of perfection.

The same is true for us. We also can’t attain this level of perfection. We, like they, need to look toward the one who could, and did, achieve this perfection. God knew we couldn’t do it on our own, so he did it for us. Yet, we must accept what He did on our part. We must humble ourselves and admit we can’t do it ourselves and turn to what God did for us on our behalf, just as the Israelites had to do (2Ch 7:14). What about you? Are you willing?

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What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘Leviticus’? Did I hear you say, “boring?” Well, I must say, I have heard many people claim that when they decided to read their Bible all the way through, they began to falter once they reached Leviticus. Why is it such a dry book? Maybe it’s because we haven’t stopped long enough to really understand why what it’s there. For the next few posts, let’s discover some things about Leviticus and see if we can turn boring into exciting. Up for the challenge?

So, what does Leviticus mean anyway? It means the Book of the Levites. Did that clear things up? That raises the next question. Who were the Levites? Levi was one of the sons of Jacob. Remember, Jacob became Israel (Gn 32:27-28), had twelve sons, and they became the tribes of Israel. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (Ex 6:16); their descendants, in aggregate, were called ‘clans.’ The Levites were the caretakers of the tabernacle (and later, the temple). The Gershonites took care of all the coverings and curtains; the Kohathites took care of the articles of worship; and the Merarites took care of all the hardware (Nu 3). This was important because the Israelites were nomads for forty years, so the tabernacle had to be moved from place to place as the people moved. It had to be set up and taken down many, many times. It took manpower to do that, and needed order to accomplish it speedily and efficiently.

Then, from Kohath came Aaron and Moses. Aaron became Israel’s first high priest. He and his sons were the ones to offer sacrifices. Aaron had four sons. God killed two of them (Nadab an Abihu) because of their disobedience (Lv 10:1-2). The other two were Eleazar and Ithamar (Ex 6:23). Eleazar became high priest after Aaron’s death (Nu 20:26). The high priest was usually the first son of the previous high priest. Yet, by the time of the prophet Samuel, the high priest position had switched from being a descendant of Eleazar to a descendant of Ithamar. During the reign of King David, Abiathar (descendant of Ithamar) sided against David, but Zadok (descendant of Eleazar) sided with David. In the future, when Christ returns and sets up his earthly kingdom, the descendants of Zadok will once again be the priests to lead the world in worship and sacrifice (Ek 40:46).

I think we can sum up the main duty of the Levities as follows: “You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statues that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses” (Lv 10:10-11).

God had much to teach Israel and he had to retrain them in many things and though many processes and ways of worship. He needed someone to lead the people in worship, in better understanding of who God is, and to institute practices which pointed to God and not to false gods which they grew up being surrounded by in the Egyptian culture. God chose the Levites to be those to serve in that capacity.

Next time, we’ll see what some of those changes were and why. Have your practices changed since you became a Christian? I’m sure they didn’t all change suddenly, right? As you understood more, you changed more. The same was true here. Think back over all the changes God has made in you. What positive things came from that?

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

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

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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.

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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?

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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?

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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?

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Birth, Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension

Year of Prophecy: © 3760 BC (Genesis 3:15)

Year of Fulfillment:  3 BC (birth: Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7)

Time until fulfillment: 3757 years

There are many prophecies in the Bible regarding the birth of Christ, but Genesis 3:15 is the first. There are too many prophecies with correct fulfillment to be mere coincidence. A few are the following: a descendant of King David and of King Solomon (2Sa 7:12-17, 1Ch 28:4-5; Mt 1:1, 6-7), would be preceded by a forerunner (Is 40:3, Ml 3:1; Mk 1:2-4, Mt 3:1-3), born of a virgin (Is 7:13-14; Mt 1:18-25, Lk 1:26-35), the time of His coming given (Da 9:24-27; Mk 11:1-11, Lk 19:29-38), the place of birth given (Mi 5:2-3; Lk 2:1-7, Mt 2:1-6), and a celestial announcement of His birth (Nu 24:17; Mt 2:1-2). With the birth of Eve’s first son, Cain, there was hope that God’s promise was being fulfilled since his name probably meant ‘acquired.’ However, Cain turned out to be the first murderer! Satan had lost no time. He was at work in the life of Cain (Jn 8:44) and has worked throughout history to try and prevent Christ’s birth and the effectiveness of those serving Christ.

Christ’s death was also foretold. Christ was betrayed by a friend (Ps 41:9; Jn 13:21) for 30 pieces of sliver (Zc 11:12; Mt 26:15, Lk 22:5) which was used to buy a potter’s field (Zc 11:13; Mt 27:9-10), forsaken by friends (Zc 13:7; Mt 26:56), accused by false witnesses (Ps 35:11; Mt 26:60), silent to accusations (Is 53:7; Mt 27:14), spat upon, smitten and scourged (Is 50:6, 53:5; Mt 27:26, 30), was crucified with criminals (Is 53:12; Mt 27:35), was pierced (Zc 12:10; Jn 19:34) but no bones were broken (Nu 9:12, Ps 34:20; Jn 19:33-36), and was buried with the rich (Is 53:9; Mt 27:57, 60). In addition, Christ’s resurrection was foretold (Ps 16:10-11, 49:15; Mk 16:6) as well as His ascension (Ps 68:18, 110:1; Lk 24:51, Acts 1:9).

One event in and of itself may not be convincing, but the sheer number of the events which were prophesied and fulfilled become overwhelmingly persuasive. As we see above, it was almost 4000 years before Christ came after God stated He would come, but the timing of His coming was as God desired (Gal 4:4). During the interval between the prophecy and its fulfillment, God allowed so many prophecies to be stated. This should have been overwhelmingly convincing to everyone when Christ did arrive on the scene. However, doubt is a very effective tool used by Satan (Gen 3:1). We should not allow time to be a factor in our thinking of prophetic fulfillment because the concept of time is a human phenomenon and not God’s (2 Pet 3:8). Our source of belief should be on what God said and not the time it takes for its fulfillment.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Promise: © 1295 BC (Joshua 9:1-27)

Year of Promise Broken: © 1051 (2 Samuel 21:1)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 244 years

As previously noted, God made many prophecies through people He chose to speak for Him. These usually spoke proclaiming their words were directly from God. However, others spoke prophecies that they themselves spoke, although they were God inspired. In addition, God sometimes held people to the promises they made as well. An example of that is presented here.

When Joshua and the Israelite army started their conquests in Canaan, the people from the town of Gibeon decided to try trickery to save their lives. God had told the Israelites to drive out completely all those who lived in Canaan, over time, and not to make any covenants with them (Ex 23:31-33). However, having seen their neighbors being wiped out by Israel, the people of Gibeon, descendants of the Amorites (2Sa 21:2) of whose land was promised to Israel through Abraham (Gn 15:21) and who lived in a nearby section of Canaan, put on old clothes, packed moldy bread, and feigned they had traveled a long distance. They did this so they could make a peace treaty with Israel and would agree to be their servants if Israel agreed to spare their lives (Js 9:1-13). Joshua and the leaders, knowing God’s command to them about the inhabitants of Canaan (Js 9:7), did not trust them at first, but later believed them. Yet, they did not seek the Lord in regard to their decision (Js 9:14). Later, Joshua found out about the ruse, and made the Gibeonites slaves to Israel (Js 9:15-27).

However, during the time of Saul, the first king of Israel (1Sa 11:17-25), Saul tried to annihilate the Gibeonites (2Sa 21:2) and God showed his displeasure by sending a 3-year famine during the reign of King David (2Sa 21:1). The reason God did this is unknown but may be tied to the command God had given Israel, which stated the alien within their land should be treated as native-born (Lv 19:33-34). When David asked the Gibeonites what they wanted for retribution, they replied they wanted seven of Saul’s sons delivered to them for execution (2Sa 21:6). This was done and later, David gathered their remains as well as those of Saul and Jonathan, who had previously died in battle, and buried them in a family tomb within Saul’s family (2Sa 21:7-14), and God again blessed the land (2Sa 21:14).

You may find this a bizarre story. I will admit it is one of the more unusual stories in the Bible. Yet, it does show how seriously God takes his promises and the promises of those who he has placed in charge. Even after 200 years, God still held to what Joshua had promised the Gibeonites. Maybe Saul focused on the deception of the Gibeonites and felt he was being patriotic by taking them out. This is a caution to us to understand carefully the history of an event before we take action based upon our own beliefs without all the facts. God upheld Joshua’s original promise, and Saul should have also. I think we can see time is inconsequential to God. We cannot use it as an excuse.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 1745 BC (Genesis 49:5-7)

Year of Fulfillment: © 1295 BC (Joshua 19:1-9; 21:1-42)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 450 years

As we have noted, God made many prophecies through people He chose to speak for Him. These usually spoke as their words being directly from God. However, others spoke prophecies that they themselves spoke, although they were God inspired. One example of this was Jacob pronouncing that both Simeon and Levi would have no major inheritance.

When Jacob was on his deathbed, he gathered his sons around him and stated what would happen to them in coming years (Gn 49:1). For Simeon and Levi, he stated the following, “I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Israel” (Gn 49:7). The reason for this goes back to earlier days of Jacob’s life when he had left his father-in-law, Laban, to return to be near his father. He dwelt in Shechem in Canaan and bought a plot of ground there (Gn 33:18-19). Jacob’s daughter, Dinah (and the sister to Simeon and Levi), started interacting with the local women and became involved with the son of Hamor, the ruler of that area. Hamor’s son wanted to marry her but had already had intercourse with her prior to this request (Gn 34:2-4). Simeon and Levi were enraged at this but kept their anger to themselves—for a time. They told Hamor that in order for his son to marry Dinah, all the males of the city had to be circumcised. While the men were still very sore and unable to fight well, Simeon and Levi killed every male and brought their sister back to their home (Gn 34:13-31). Jacob was very displeased with his sons, and scolded them, but took no further action (Gn 34:30-31).

Hundreds of years passed after Jacob’s prediction. The Israelites were made slaves in Egypt for 430 years (Ex 12:40), they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Js 5:6), and they had several years of conquest before each tribe finally had their inheritance provided (Js 13-21). Who remembered what Jacob said by that time? Also, there was no specific attempt in Joshua 13-21 to limit these two inheritances. However, God did not forget. The tribe of Levi became the priests, and they had no specific parcel of land, but had certain cities throughout the land assigned to them (Js 21). Simeon was given an inheritance within the territory of Judah (Js 19:1-9). Therefore, Simeon had no clearly defined area, just a number of cities mentioned. Later, by the time the kingdom of Israel was divided into the Northern (Israel) and Southern (Judah) kingdoms (1Ki 12), Simeon is not mentioned. The Southern Kingdom was stated to be composed of Judah and Benjamin (1Ki 12:21). There is some evidence that some descendants of Simeon migrated east of the Jordan (1Ch 4:38-43) and may have been taken captive with the Northern Kingdom by Assyria.  However, for the most part, it seems that most of Simeon had been absorbed into Judah’s territory. God ensured that Jacob’s prediction came true. The process of time did not change the outcome. Although people forgot, God did not.

I think this helps us to see that we can rely upon what God promises or what is recorded in his Word. We may think time has a way of diluting or dissolving things, but we would be wrong.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 1462 BC (Leviticus 23)

Year of Fulfillment:  32 AD (Matthew 21:1-11; 27:32 - 28:15; Mark 11:1-11; 15:21 - 16:14; Luke 19:28-44; 23:26 - 24:12; John 12:12-19; 19:16 - 20:18; Acts 2)

Time until fulfillment: ~ 1494 years

The prophecy through the feast of Israel is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the tenth of the ten examples.

God has a way of interweaving multiple aspects and meanings into events so that they are meaningful for the present, for the past, and for the future. This is especially true for the feasts that He provided to the nation of Israel in Leviticus. They were practically meaningful to the Israelites since God tied many of them to the different harvests times, but also made them memorials to commemorate His appointment with them so they could look back on the events and their original occurrence to see how He had guided and protected them and to give a visual to what He would be doing in their future. Their significance cannot be understated, because they were to be held in perpetuity (Ex 12:14, 17, 24; Lev 23:14, 21, 41). We will briefly look at four of them here since in our “present”, their “future fulfillment” has already occurred.

Feast of Passover (Pesach; 14th day of the first month: Lev 23:5)

Passover is probably the most known feast and the one which most people identify with those being Jewish. It commemorates the exodus of the children of Israel, under the leadership of Moses, from Egyptian slavery (Ex 12). The preparation for the feast began on the 10th day of the first month (Ex 12:3), called Preparation Day, when a lamb was chosen for Passover. The animals were to be examined to be sure they were without defect (Ex 12:5). This Preparation Day has demarcated other significant events in Jewish history. It was the day Joshua led the children of Israel across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Js 4:19), and the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey (Zc 9:9; Mt 21:1-17; Mk 11:1-11; Lk 19:28-48; Jn 12:12-17). Since Jesus ate with Lazarus six days before Passover (Jn 12:1), being the ninth day of the First Month, this indicates His entry into Jerusalem was on the tenth day of the First Month.

Passover itself was held on the 14th day of the First Month (Ex 12:6, Lv 23:5). Since the day began at sundown (Gn 1:5), the lamb was slaughtered just before sundown (Ex 12:6; i.e., on the 13th day) and roasted over a fire. Therefore, the Passover meal was observed at the start of Passover (i.e., that night, the beginning of Passover). On that first Passover, the people took the lamb’s blood and marked it on the sides and top of the doorframe (Ex 12:7), which, if these marks were connected, would form a cross. The people then ate the meat of the lamb roasted in the fire, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread (Ex 12:8). Each subsequent Passover was observed as a memorial of this ‘passing over’; blood was sprinkled only on this first Passover (Dt 16:1, 3). The Passover sacrifice could only be done in the place God would choose as a dwelling for His Name (Dt 16:5). Jerusalem was the place God chose for His dwelling (2Ch 3:1, 1Ki 8:29), and the place where Christ was later crucified (Mt 27:22-56; Mk 15:12-41; Lk 23:13-49; Jn 19:1-37).

Therefore, Preparation Day marks judgment and Passover marks deliverance. During the exodus, the lamb was secured so that its blood would deliver the Israelites from the judgment of death (Ex 12:12-13). When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they consecrated themselves to the Lord (Js 3:5) and stones were erected to signify God’s fulfilled promise of their deliverance (Js 4:19-24). When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt, he spoke of judgment as well (Jn 12:30-32) which was a fulfillment of the judgment of which the prophet Isaiah had spoken (Is 6:10, 53:1; Jn 12:38-40) due to their spiritual blindness. Jesus was then crucified on Passover about the same time as when the lamb was slain for Passover (Jn 19:31). Therefore, just as the lamb from the original Passover saved the Israelites from physical death, Jesus, the Lamb of God, saves us from spiritual death (1Co 5:17).

These events are not mere coincidence and are mentioned in the Bible for their significance. The original Passover then pointed to the purpose of Jesus Christ’s first coming. The prophet Daniel even pinpointed the time in history when Christ would be presented to Israel (Dn 9:25-26). The time from the decree of Artaxerxes given to Nehemiah (Ne 1-2) to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls and defenses until Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt was 483 years, as stated by Daniel. Therefore, the end of the 483 years or “until Messiah the Prince” (Dn 9:25) was in 33 A.D. Both Daniel (Dn 9:25) and Zechariah (Zc 9:9) refer to Christ as a Prince or King. Therefore, Christ was presenting himself to Israel as their King as prophesied; however, the Jewish leaders rejected him (Lk 19:47, Jn 12:37). Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize him or his significance to them and for the judgment that would befall them (Lk 19:41-44). If the Jewish leaders were such scholars of the Scriptures as they claimed (Jn 9:34), they should have known to have looked for him on that very day since Daniel had prophesied, and recorded, it so many years prior. God had given them many years to understand the prophecy. Besides, they knew of the Magi and their seeking of the Messiah’s birth (Mt 2:3-6). All they had to do was put two and two together; but alas, history records their rejection through spiritual blindness (Is 6:10, Jn 12:37-40) instead.

Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matzah; 15th - 21st day of the first month: Lv 23:6-8)

This feast followed immediately after Passover with the first and last days of the feast being Sabbaths (or days set aside from normal activities). During the Exodus, unleavened bread (bread without yeast) was eaten because they left Egypt in haste and did not have time to make bread with yeast (Ex 12:34). Leaven (or yeast) symbolizes sin and how its effects readily permeate one’s life (1Co 5:7-8; Ga 5:9). Three commandments were given with this feast: i) to sanctify (or dedicate to the Lord) their firstborn (Ex 13:2), ii) remember the Exodus by eating unleavened bread (Ex 13:6), and iii) to observe the feast when they entered the Promised Land (Ex 13:5, Js 5:11). These commandments symbolized God’s deliverance (God protected their firstborn while those of the Egyptians died), their separation from the moral pollution of Egypt and their separation unto God (Js 5:9), and their recognition of God keeping His promise to Abraham (Gn 13:15). They were to also teach their children of this significance (Ex 13:8) to remind them of the historical appointment the nation had with God on that day as well as the lesson of separation and holiness.

This feast speaks of sanctification, a separation from something/someone and a separation unto something/someone else. The first Sabbath of the feast commemorated the day the Israelites left Egypt (Ex 13:3) and crossed the Red Sea - separating themselves from Egypt. The completion of this feast, the second Sabbath, was not held until they entered Canaan, the Promised Land (Ex 13:5; Js 5:10-11). The five days in between these two Sabbath days then represented the period of time the children of Israel were in the wilderness. Therefore, the first Sabbath was the Israelites separation of Egypt and unto the Lord, after which they grew in their relationship to God during their travels to the Promised Land. The final Sabbath of the feast represented the finality of their Egyptian separation (Js 5:9).

Since Christ’s death occurred just before the beginning of Passover (Mk 15:42-43; Lk 23:54; Jn 19:42), Jesus’ sinless (unleavened) body was in the tomb during the beginning of the feast of unleavened bread. Therefore, this symbolizes his death and the accomplished positional sanctification in those who believe in Him (1Co 6:11; 2Th 2:13; 1Pt 1:2; Hb 13:12). Just as the Jews (slaves) were separated from the Egyptians (masters), the apostle Paul states that through the shed blood of Christ’s death for our sin, we are now separated from our former masters, Sin and Satan (Ro 6:1-7:6). Therefore, the first part has already been accomplished through Christ’s death. However, the prophetic nature of the remainder of this feast is now and future. Those who are believers have the capacity to be conformed to the image of Christ (1Co 2:16; Pp 1:6), and are therefore undergoing progressive sanctification. Final sanctification (or glorification) will occur in the future when Christ makes us like Him (1Th 3:13; 1Jn 3:2).

Feast of First Fruits (Bikkurim; 16th day of the first month: Lv 23:9-14)

The first occurrence of this feast was not until the Israelites entered Canaan (Lv 23:10; Js 5:11-12). As was noted above, the Israelites entered the Promised Land on the 10th day of the First Month. This was the beginning of the harvest season—first barley and then wheat. This six-month period enabled the Israelites to eat off the land during their conquest of the land (Js 5:12).  This demonstrates the appropriateness of God’s timing. After crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites recommitted themselves to God by reinstating the rite of circumcision (Js 5:2) which God has provided as a symbol of His covenant with Abraham (Gn 17:9-14). The Israelites then observed the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits (Js 5:10-12). It is noted that they did eat roasted ‘old corn’ (i.e., corn they did not personally gather) on the day after Passover (Js 5:11). They did not eat of the new grain until the wave offering of the new grain was made and presented to the Lord (Lv 23:14). Although this feast occurred at the time of the first harvest, the feast of First Fruits memorialized the event of entering the Promised Land; it did not function as an agricultural or fertility feast as some of the surrounding nations perhaps practiced, and was later expanded to thank God for his provision and acknowledge His supremacy over all.

The apostle Paul interprets the significance of this feast by declaring that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the first fruit of our resurrection to come (1Co 15:20). Therefore, just as Christ was crucified just before Passover and his body was in the tomb on the first day of Unleavened Bread, His resurrection occurred on the day of First Fruits. The idea of “first fruit” is giving the best of something with it being a representative of what is to come. Physically, this represented the coming crops. Spiritually, Christ’s resurrection symbolized the first fruits of resurrection with a whole harvest of resurrected believers to someday follow (1Th 4:13-17).

Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost (Shavuot; 5th day of the third month: Lv 23:15-22)

Pentecost was held 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits (Lv 23:16). During the Exodus, this timeframe put them at the foot of Mt. Sinai (Ex 19:1-2). Although not celebrated until they reached the Promised Land, it is likely that the time of this feast marked the ratification of the Mosaic Covenant by the Israelites.  Once the Israelites entered Canaan, this feast marked the beginning of the wheat harvest, 50 days after the barley harvest. A first-fruit of the wheat harvest was also to be offered to the Lord (Lv 23:16-18). There is a major difference between the two offerings of these two harvests. When presenting the first-fruit of the barley harvest, one unleavened loaf was presented (Ex 12:15; Lv 23:10-11). This offering had to be unleavened because the Feast of First Fruit was held during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lv 23:4-14). However, during the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), two leavened loaves were offered (Lv 23:17). Also, during both harvests, grain was left at the edges of the fields for the poor and for non-Jews (Lv 23:22). This is further demonstrated when Ruth, a Moabitess (a Gentile), was allowed to glean during the barley and wheat harvests from the field of Boaz (a Jew) without reprimand (Ru 1:22, 2:21-23).

Luke refers to the prophetic significance of this feast when he stated in Acts 2:1, “and when the day of Pentecost was fully come,” indicating that a future fulfillment of the feast was about to occur. What occurred at this time was the giving of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2). This was a paradigm shift of how God related to man. After Acts 2, with the nation of Israel temporarily set aside (Ro 11:25), along with the Temple, God began to work with individuals rather than with a nation with each person’s body becoming the Temple for the Holy Spirit (1Co 3:16). Therefore, since the giving of the Law and the establishment of the nation of Israel as the medium through whom God would reveal Himself to man occurred at, or near, the first Pentecost, and was also a significant paradigm shift in God’s relation to man, it would seem logical that this second paradigm shift would also have occurred at Pentecost.

Therefore, the two loaves made of finely ground wheat flour and leaven (yeast) were doubly symbolic of both Jews and Gentiles together to which Jesus alluded to in his teaching the disciples that he had food to which they know not of (Jn 4:32) with his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in Sychar (Jn 4), which began with the giving of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2), which God taught to Peter in a vision (Ac 10:15) right before the first Gentile received the Holy Spirit (Ac 10:24-48), and by which God made Paul, a Jew, an apostle to Gentiles (Ac 9:15). This is also to what Paul spoke when he stated that the partition (the Balustrade: the partition in the Temple beyond which a Gentile could no longer go) had been removed by Christ and His death for mankind’s sin (Ep 2:12-16). The apostles also recognized this as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Ac 15:15-18; Am 9:11-2; Ob 17, 19-21).

As we have seen, these four feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost) had national, practical, memorial, and prophetic significance. They are grouped in the first three months of the Jewish calendar and for the most part have been fulfilled in our current past. The next feasts did not occur until the seventh month with the next three also occurring in close proximity to each other. These three are still in our present future.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 500 BC (Ezekiel 26)

Year of Fulfillment: 356 BC

Time until fulfillment: ~144 years

The prophecy against Tyre is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the ninth of ten.

When Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land, not all the Canaanites were destroyed (Jd 1:27-36), and although the city of Tyre was part of Asher’s inheritance (Js 19:24-31), it remained a fortified city (Js 19:29). By the time of King David, there was peace between Tyre and Israel (1Ki 5:1), and the king of Tyre helped Solomon build the Temple in Jerusalem by supplying materials and workers (1Ki 5:2-12). This peace ended during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel. Ahab married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal king of Sidon (and Tyre), who brought the worship of Baal to Israel (1Ki 16:31) which included the sacrifice of living children.  Later, the Phoenicians started to sell Jewish captives as slaves to the Greeks to which the prophet Joel prophesied against (Jl 3:4-6).

After Nebuchadnezzar took Zedekiah, king of Judah, and Jerusalem, captive, Nebuchadnezzar also took Palestine, Syria and cities on the coast, including Tyre (after a 13-year siege in 573 BC), captive. The inhabitants fled to an island part of the city about one-half mile offshore. The channel between them and the shore was about 20 miles deep; the walls facing the shore were 150 feet high, and the walls on the other sides stood sheer against the sea; shore-based artillery were useless at such a range. The citizens of Tyre now considered their city impregnable. It stood until the time of Alexander the Great (356 - 323 BC). When Alexander defeated Sidon, Tyre sent him their good wishes and support. However, when Alexander asked to be allowed to sacrifice to the shrine of Heracles inside their city (a god whom Alexander claimed to be of descent), Tyre refused. Wishing to come to amicable terms, Alexander sent envoys to Tyre, but they were killed and thrown over the city walls into the sea. Becoming very angry, Alexander determined to build a causeway into the sea to be able to fight against the city. He used every stone and timber left of the original city and threw them into the sea to build this connection to the new city - 60 feet wide all the way to the island.  Although the citizens of Tyre tried to stop Alexander and his troops, Alexander was much too determined. When the causeway was within artillery range, Alexander used stone throwers and light catapults reinforcing them with archers and slingers for a saturation barrage. During the time it took to build the causeway, Alexander built a fleet from the conquered nations to attack Tyre as well. Alexander succeeded in taking the city after a seven-month siege in 332 BC.

Tyre never recovered to its former glory. Yet, it did manage to recover. Antigonius, a successor of Alexander the Great, later besieged the city. Also, during the Crusades, the Muslims further destroyed the inhabitants and the city. All that remains today is a local fishing village, named Sứr, where fishermen spread their nets to dry and to repair.

Every event which Ezekiel prophesied came true. In Ezekiel 26, God made the following proclamations concerning Tyre:

• Many nations would come against Tyre (Ek 26:3)

• The walls of Tyre would be broken down (Ek 26:4)

• Dust would be scraped from her, and she would be left like a bare rock (Ek 26:4)

• Tyre would be a place for the spreading of nets (Ek 26:5)

• Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would build a siege wall around Tyre (Ek 26:8)

• Nebuchadnezzar would plunder the city (Ek 26:9-12)

• The stones, timber and soil of Tyre would be cast into the sea (Ek 26:12)

• The city would never be rebuilt (Ek 26:14).

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the original city and Alexander used everything left to build the causeway across the channel to the island city. The city on the mainland was never rebuilt. Again, we can trust what God tells us.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 650 BC  (Nahum)

Year of Fulfillment: 612 BC 

Time until fulfillment: ~38 years

The prophecy against Nineveh is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the eighth of ten.

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. It had a very long history. It was originally built by Nimrod (Gen 10:8-12) around 6000 BC. It was a beautiful city of wide boulevards, large squares, parks and gardens. The city was 700 hectares large with 15 gates—each named after an Assyrian god. The walls were 12 km in circumference. Aqueducts and canals lead water from sources in the hills 50 km away. The surrounding area was an agrarian society which used intricate irrigation systems which fed the agriculture.  Most housing was of mud bricks with only one story and flat roofs. Most people of that time had modest housing, but palaces and temples could cover large areas inside the city. These would be quite ornate due to highly skilled craftsmen with expertise in sculpture.

The Assyrians were noted for their vast knowledge in warfare and organization. Their literature covered legal issues, medicine, and history. Large libraries were built. Because of the Assyrian obsession with war and invasion, knowledge in many areas increased due to assimilation of all these diverse people. In science and mathematics, they were the first to divide the circle into 360 degrees and the first to invent longitude and latitude in geographic navigation.  For their time, they had sophisticated medical sciences. They obtained all this at a great price. Their actions to other peoples were ruthless. The following has been noted: they flung away the bodies of soldiers like so much clay; they made pyramids of human heads; they burned cities; they filled populous lands with death and devastation; they reddened broad deserts with carnage of warriors; they scattered whole countries with the corpses of their defenders as with chaff; they impaled 'heaps of men' on stakes, and strewed the mountains and choked rivers with dead bones; they cut off the hands of kings and nailed them on the walls leaving their bodies to rot with bears and dogs on the entrance gates of cities; they employed nations of captives in making brick in fetters; they cut down warriors like weeds, or smote them like wild beasts in the forests, and covered pillars with the flayed skins of rival monarchs.

About 150 years prior to Nahum’s prophecy, the prophet Jonah had prophesied against the city as well, but both the people and their king repented (Jh 3:3-10). This time, the judgment was assured and final (Na 3:19). The fulfillment came in 612 BC when Nabopolassar, the king of Babylon, took his army, attacking from the south, and united with the Medes and Scythians, attacking from the north, to lay siege against Nineveh. The walls were too thick to penetrate, so the decision was made to starve them out. This took over 3 years and several massive attacks which were unsuccessful.  During this time, the Assyrians became so confident in the failure of their attackers that they began to hold parties becoming drunk in their revelry. An oracle had told the king he would be safe until the river became his enemy.  During the siege, the Tigris River became so swelled due to heavy rains that it caused one part of the wall to collapse. Seeing this as a sign of doom, the king of Nineveh took his household and possessions and committed mass suicide so as not to fall into the hands of the Babylonians. The people opened the gates of the city to Nabopolassar; however, no mercy was bestowed onto the city. It was completely destroyed. When Alexander the Great came through this area during his conquests, he could not even tell that a city had ever been there. All the greatness that Nineveh and the whole known world knew of Nineveh had all been forgotten. All of this had been prophesied by the prophet Nahum: an "overflowing flood" would "make an utter end of its place" (Na 1:8); Nineveh would be destroyed while her inhabitants were "drunken like drunkards" (Na 1:10); Nineveh would be unprotected because "fire shall devour the bars of your gates" (Na 3:13); Nineveh would never recover, for their "injury has no healing" (Na 3:19); the downfall of Nineveh would come with remarkable ease, like figs falling when the tree is shaken (Na 3:12).

Nineveh’s destruction was swift and complete (Na 2:6-11; Is 10:5-19). Nineveh and her people had once repented from their actions (Jh 3:6-9), but now are destroyed because of their pride (Is 5:12).  Nineveh was lost to history until 1845 AD. Great palaces and temples have been excavated and the evidence indicates that the destruction of the city was due not only to invasion but by flood and fire, just as was prophesied. This should serve as solemn council to all nations who hold that the greatness of their past ensures its continued future and greatness.

Again, we can trust in what God tells us. This should be both comforting as well as a warning. There are many things in scripture which are promised to us which we can claim. Yet, there is also coming destruction and judgment predicted. Are you ready for those as well? You can be. It’s just a simple conversation with the God of all promises.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: ©689 BC (Isaiah 45:1)

Year of Fulfillment: 539 BC (2 Chronicles 36:20-23; Daniel 5:30-31)

Time until fulfillment: ~150 years

The prophecy that Cyrus would defeat Babylon is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the seventh of ten.

Cyrus II (also known as Cyrus the Great) was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire that continued for two centuries until the time of Alexander the Great. He inherited the throne at his father’s death, Cambyses I, in 559 BC and soon managed to unify the Median and Persian kingdoms into a single nation. Then, in 539 BC, he went after the kingdom of Babylon. Over the previous 14 years, Babylon had not had strong leadership, for its king Nabonidus had not been in the city during this time and he had left his son, Belshazzar, in charge of affairs in Babylon (Dn 5). Nabonidus had also fallen into disfavor with the Babylonian priesthood. Cyrus attacked Opis on the Tigris River defeating the Babylonians and causing Nabonidus to flee and later return to Babylon.  This gave Cyrus control of Babylon’s vast canal system. According to Herodotus, Cyrus had the Euphrates River, upriver from Babylon, diverted enough to cause the water level flowing through Babylon to drop to the height of one’s thigh and enabled the Persian army to march through the riverbed into Babylon during the night and capture the city. Cyrus himself entered Babylon shortly thereafter and proclaimed himself “king of Babylon.”

The prophet Isaiah predicted this long before it ever occurred. Isaiah was a prophet during the reigns of the Judean kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Is 1:1). He began his ministry around 740 BC and may have lived into the first part of the reign of Manasseh.  Isaiah prophesied to both Israel and Judah. The main world influence during the time of Isaiah was the Assyrian Empire. The main subject of the first 12 chapters of the book of Isaiah is the prophecy of the demise of Israel by Assyria in three stages.  Although Isaiah warned, Israel did not heed. Then, starting in chapter 13, Isaiah turns to Judah and predicts the punishment of Judah for the same reasons God allowed the destruction of Israel by Assyria. The interesting thing about the prophecy against Judah is that Isaiah prophesied the overtaking of Judah by Babylon and the demise of Babylon long before Babylon was anything to write home about. It was another century before Babylon came onto the world scene as a nation with which to be reckoned. Not only did Isaiah predict the invasion of Judah by Babylon almost a century before it occurred, but he then predicted that Judah would return to their homeland and by whom it would occur. This definitely shows that God is in control of all situations. The prophet Jeremiah would later prophesy that Babylon would take Israel captive for 70 years under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar (Jr 25). However, Jeremiah was not very specific in what would happen to Israel at the end of this 70-year period. He states that Babylon will be punished and enslaved by other nations, but not specifically about Israel’s return. By Isaiah giving specific prophesy about Israel’s return and under whose reign it would happen, it gave the people hope and assured them that it would occur—especially to those who were keeping track of the years of captivity. This must have been very exciting to Daniel when he realized that he was living during the time of fulfillment of these prophesies by Jeremiah and Isaiah (Dn 9:1-2).

This should be exciting to us as well. Why? It means whatever God has recorded in His Scripture will come to pass and we can be sure of it. Do you know what promises you can claim? Maybe it’s time to read and find out.

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Year of Prophecy: 606 BC (Jeremiah 29:10)

Year of Fulfillment: 536 BC (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4)

Time until fulfillment: 70 years

The prophecy that Babylonian captivity would last 70 years is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the sixth of ten.

This prophecy of Jeremiah was actually made by him in 597 BC when he wrote a letter to the 10,000 captives that had been taken captive with Jehoiachin (2Ki 24:14) to tell them to plant gardens because they would be in Babylon a long time—70 years to be exact (Jr 29:10). However, 8 years earlier (605 BC), Nebuchadnezzar had fought with Necho, king of Egypt at the battle of Carchemish, and defeated him making Judah a Babylonian vassal state (2Ki 24:1) and took captives to Babylon (Dan 1:1-5). This was the beginning of captivity that Jeremiah used for his timetable. In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, Cyrus decreed that the Jews could return and build their temple in Jerusalem (2Ch 36:22-23; Er 1:1-4). This occurred in 537 BC. This difference in years from the battle of Carchemish to Cyrus’ decree is 68 years by simple subtraction. However, one must take into account the Jewish way of counting years. After leaving Egypt, Israel began having their year start in the spring (Ex 12:2; 13:3-4) but the practice of sabbatical years started in the fall (Lv 25:1-4) with the count starting from the Day of Atonement in the seventh month of the year (Lv 25:8-9). Most nations had their king’s years start in the spring and is how Jeremiah states that the battle of Carchemish occurred in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (Jr 46:2); however, Daniel states he was taken captive in the third year of Jehoiakim (Dn 1:1). Since both events occurred within the same year, this seems a discrepancy. Both would be correct if Jeremiah was counting the king’s year starting in the spring and Daniel from the Jewish perspective of the fall. It is highly likely that Daniel was counting the years according to the sabbatical year system since God had stated that Israel would be in Babylonian captivity a year for each sabbatical year not observed (2Ch 36:20). Therefore, the beginning of the year Daniel was taken captive would be in the fall of 606 BC. The Israelites settled back into Jerusalem after Cyrus’ decree in the seventh month (Er 3:1) and the official end seems to be the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles (Er 3:1-4). Since this feast is after the Day of Atonement, it would put them into the following year according to the sabbatical year counting system. Therefore, from the Israelite captivity by Nebuchadnezzar during the reign of Jehoiakim until the official consecration of being back into their homeland after Cyrus’ decree was indeed 70 years.

I think this helps us with two things. First, God is sure to keep his promises even when they seem impossible, or people forget about them. Second, “discrepancies” that are claimed to be in the Bible are actually not discrepancies at all when one understands all the details. We can rely upon God because he is indeed faithful (1Co 1:9).

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Year of Prophecy: © 701 BC (Isaiah 39)

Year of Fulfillment: 586 BC (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:15-19)

Time until fulfillment: ~115 years

The prophecy of the captivity of Judah by Babylon is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the fifth of ten.

As was noted in a previous post, even before this prophecy, Joel prophesied against Judah regarding the invasion by Assyria. Not long after the Assyrian conquest of Israel, the Assyrian general Sennacherib (the son of Sargon II) came to power in 705 BC and attempted the invasion of the Southern Kingdom of Judah in 701 BC (130 years after Joel’s warnings). King Hezekiah of Judah attempted to buy him off with approximately 11 tons of sliver and 1 ton of gold, even stripping off the gold from the doors of the temple to obtain it (2Ki 18:13-16). Instead, this just made the king of Assyria want more and within two years returned to Jerusalem knowing that Hezekiah was building an alliance with Egypt. The key to this Assyrian attempt being unsuccessful was Hezekiah turning the problem over to God. Hezekiah’s prayer for victory was so that “all the kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God” (2Ki 19:19). In response, God smote 185,000 of the Assyrian army causing Sennacherib and the remainder of his army to return to Nineveh (2Ki 19:35-37). In Sennacherib’s personal account, there is no mention of the capture of Jerusalem, just the ancillary conquests and tribute.  But, of course, no mention of the defeat. Therefore, by this act of Hezekiah, Judah and Jerusalem never succumbed to Assyria.

Not long thereafter, Hezekiah had a fatal illness (2Ki 20) and Hezekiah prayed that God would heal him. God sent word through the prophet Isaiah that Hezekiah’s request had been granted (Is 38:4-8). Then, Merodach-Baladan of Babylon sent an envoy to Hezekiah to wish him well after his recovery (2Ki 20:12). Hezekiah received them and showed them all he had. When Isaiah heard of this, he told Hezekiah that one day everything Hezekiah and his descendants had would be carried to Babylon (2Ki 20:16-18; Is 39).

The Chaldean (or Neo-Babylonian) empire grew in power and eventually overthrew the Assyrian empire in 612 BC as prophesied by the prophet Nahum. The main power came when Nabopolasser became king in 626 BC and brought Babylon to world renowned status regaining control over Mesopotamia. During this time of the conflict between Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, the kingdom of Judah became the pawn. Josiah tried to take the opportunity to gain back territory taken from Judah, but was defeated in a battle with Necho, king of Egypt (2Ki 23:29-30; 2Ch 35:20-26). King Necho deposed Josiah’s son Jehoahaz, caring him off to Egypt where he died, and made his brother Eliakim a puppet king, changing his name to Johoiakim (2Ki 23:31-35). Judah thus became a tribute state to Egypt. In 605 BC, Nabopolassar’s son, Nebuchadnezzar, defeated Egypt and completed the Chaldean dominance of the known world, and Judah then became a tribute state to Babylon (2Ki 24:1). However, when the Babylonians suffered a defeat in 601 BC, Jehoiakim defected his alliance back to Egypt. Jehoiachin became king of Judah after his father died and at the same time Nebuchadnezzar mounted an offensive against Jerusalem. Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. Nebuchadnezzar plundered the city and temple, took Jehoiachin captive, and made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king, changing his name to Zedekiah (2Ki 24:17). Nine years later, Zedekiah rebelled, and Nebuchadnezzar returned in 588 BC, besieged the city for 2 years, and caused its utter defeat in 586 BC, burning and plundering the city (2Ki 25).

During this time, God made several attempts through various prophets to get the people to repent and turn back to him and not suffer the fate of this judgment; however, they would not listen (2Ch 36:15-17). King Zedekiah treated many of these prophets harshly and accused them of treason (Jr 37:9-21) and not being patriotic (Jr 38:4-6). It is never a question of if God will fulfill his promise, but when.

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Year of Prophecy: © 765 BC ,  (Book of Amos)

Year of Fulfillment: ©722 BC  (2 Kings 17:3-6)

Time until fulfillment: ~43 years

The prophecy of the captivity of Israel by Assyria is an example of fulfilled Biblical Prophecy. To show how the amount of time passing between prophecy and fulfillment doesn’t matter, we will cover ten of such prophecies. This is the fourth of ten.

Although Amos was the first prophet to prophecy of the capture of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, he was not the last. The prophet Hosea picked up where Amos left off. Other prophets like Isaiah and Micah also prophesied against Israel. The fall of Israel to Assyria occurred during the lifetime of these later three prophets.

Also, approximately 70 years before Amos, the prophet Joel prophesied against the Southern Kingdom of Judah similarly and compared the Assyrians to locusts. Joel first reminded Judah of the invasion of locusts they had encountered and how it occurred in four phases with each more destructive than the previous (Jl 1:4). Joel then calls the people to repentance (1:13-20) where he is probably thinking back to Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 11 where Moses stated that this type of punishment would come because of sins of disobedience. Joel then informed Judah that an army was coming “such as never was of old nor ever will be” (2:2). Joel contrasted this army with the locusts that had devastated the land earlier. The locusts left nothing; neither would this army (2:3). The number of the army would be just as vast as the locusts; one would be able to hear them coming from a far distance (2:5). As they came, all obstacles would seem futile to them: they would appear to leap over mountains (2:5), scale walls, and enter houses without resistance (2:9). The invasion would be relentless; it would keep coming, not swerving from their course (2:7). As the locusts blotted out the sun by their numbers, so would this army (2:10). Joel then again asked Judah to repent (2:12-17) so that the Lord would have pity on them and reclaim His land (2:18). Then the Lord would make food plentiful (2:19), drive away enemies (2:20), send the needed rain showers (2:23), and they would have plenty (2:24). But first, they must repent. This description that Joel gave shows just how relentless and cruel the Assyrians could be to those deemed enemies.

From the time of Jonah’s ministry (785-772 BC) when the king of Nineveh repented (Jh 3:6-9) until approximately 40 years later, Israel received no confrontation with Assyria. However, in 745 BC, when Tiglath-pileser III came to the throne, all that changed. King Menahem of Israel was able to buy off Tiglath-pileser with 50 shekels of silver for each man: 60,000 men for a total of 37 tons of silver! (2Ki 15:19-20). Less than a decade later, Pekah, a later king of Israel, tried to force Ahaz, the king of Judah, into an alliance against Assyria (2Ki 16). Tiglath-pileser then took more of Israel’s cities and people captive and set Hoshea up as a puppet king over Israel (2Ki 15:29-30). Five years later, Shalmaneser V, the king of Assyria after Tiglath-pileser, besieged the capital city of Samaria because Hoshea had failed to pay the customary tribute to Assyria and had tried to gain the help of Egypt (2Ki 17:3-6). The siege lasted for 3 years (2Ki 17:5) during which time Shalmaneser V died and Sargon II completed the conquest in 722 BC. Sargon then intermixed the remaining people of Israel with the people of several conquered countries (2Ki 17:24) thereby destroying national resistance and the people’s national identity. This resulted in the people of Samaria losing their Jewish identity and forever being classified as Gentiles by the people of Judah (Ne 2:20, Jn 4).

Although the Kingdom of Israel had time to heed prophetic warning, they did not. They were considered troublemakers and asked to leave the country (Am 7:12-13). However, just because the people did not want to hear the message or the prophets were considered unpatriotic did not change the truth of the matter. It occurred as prophesied and probably occurred more harshly than anyone would have predicted. Scripture is clear in that Israel fell because “they had not obeyed the Lord their God, but had violated His covenant” (2Ki 18:12).

This fulfillment should be a sober reminder to us that we also need to heed what scripture tells us is part of our future. Our God has made a way of escape from impending apocalypse. The solution is simple, but requires a leap of faith. The Israelites here, did not do that. Don’t follow their example. Heed the words of the prophets and obey the Lord your God.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens