2017 PROPHECY - IITB 08.10

 

Chapter 8. 10

2017 Prophecy

Signs – The Date of Christ’s Return - Jubilee Year

Invasion of Israel; becomes a No Man’s land

Rapture of the Church – The Tribulations

The Millennium Reign of Jesus Christ

 

 

First Word

     I watch a lot of Christian Television and heard Pastor John Hagee and Jack Van Impe sharing about a 900 year old prophecy which smacks of the beginning of the Tribulation Period.  God does not pick a man to be a Watchman on the Wall, to shout out what he sees because he is perfect, He picks him because he has made himself available. [1]  

     We are to be on the lookout, keeping a watchful eye knowing that the knock on the door is approaching and are admonished to fill our lamps with oil that will last throughout the whole night.[2]

 

The Watchman

     Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel, a top German Talmudic scholar living in the 12th century was thought of as “The Light of Israel”.  Even Bishops came to him for advice; it was said that he was tireless in his efforts to discover the great truths of the Bible through the Kabbalah, Astrological Observations and “Gematria”; studying the hidden numbers in words, their meanings and the accounts of its philosophers; in short he was also a Mystic.

     He was spoken of as a model of abstinence and selflessness and was awaiting with a burning desire for the coming of the Messiah.  He authored a number of books including two well-known books The Divine Majesty and The Book of the Pious (Saints).

     He wrote down a Ten Jubilee Prophecy and told his followers that it was NOT to be opened until after his death, which occurred in the year 1217.   300 years after his death the first of his prediction came true with pinpoint accuracy and 450 more years later the second came true.  Now another 150 years, the third prophecy is seemingly just around the corner.

 

Prophecy

     God Himself placed the FUNCTION of Prophet at the top of the NT Church callings.[3]  The gifts and calling of God are IRREVOCABLE.[4]  It’s in the Book even if your Church says that the gifts and calling have ceased.[5]

     The function of Prophet was given for the “PERFECTING” of the Believer[6] and the building up of the Church.[7]  Since we still need to build up the Church and we will not be perfected until the return of Christ;[8] till then, we most certainly need the function of a Prophet.

     Daniel was told to SHUT UP & SEAL his prophesy until the time of the end;[9] could that be now?

     The Unsealing of Bible Prophecy will be a period of people searching and gaining much knowledge.[10]  Today the internet is doing that for us and Knowledge has exploded.  Look at how far man’s knowledge has come in just 100 years; the capacity of a computer housed in a 10 story building in 1975 is now available in your personal smart phone clipped to your belt.

 

Side Bar

     I had trouble finding the original source proving that this prophecy even exist.  Although others have also written on this article, there seems to have been only one original source which was published in the Israel Today Magazine on March of 2008 on page 18.

     The article was written by Ludwig Schneider, a German-language scholar who had discovered an amazing prophecy dating back to 1217 by a scholarly and highly respected Rabbi by the name of Rabbi Judah Ben Samuel.

     Schneider translated from German into English “highlights” of the prophecy from one of the few surviving hand written copies concerning the nation of Israel and the messianic era.  To say it another way; this prophecy is outside of the Bible Scriptures and it is only “highlights” of the prophecy and we have only ONE WITNESS and the Bible requires TWO.[11]  So going into this study, we walk with caution.

 

Jubilee Year

     Jubilee; We can’t talk about this Prophecy until we understand what a Jubilee year is.

     Hard Times: in order to pay off a debt or just survive, someone would offer up his land or make himself or his family as a slave until the year of the Jubilee.

     The Jubilee Year is the year at the end of seven cycles of Sabbatical years, and according to scripture it deals largely with the ownership and management of the Land in Israel; it would return to its original Tribe owner; this was a set time and did not change.

     There is debate that the process of slaves being liberated would begin during the last 7th year of the 49th year just before the 50th Jubilee year. (I mention only because it is so contested.)  Property, and property rights, slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven, and the mercies of God would be particularly manifest. You would neither reap nor sow in the Jubilee year, but just live off what is produced voluntarily by the land, so it was also a Year of rest for the land.

     Year of Rest: This was a year of celebration and rest from work for the nation of Israel.  (We have that now every year in America … Except we call it WELFARE.) 

A Jubilee is a period of 50 years and pretty well “MARKS TIME” within Bible scripture.[12]

 

Israel

     In the Olivet Discourse Israel is referred to in scripture as figs or a fig tree.[13]   In 1948 Israel (The fig Tree) became a Nation.  The Book says when the “FIG TREE” branches become tender and puts out its leaves (becomes mature) you can know that Jesus Christ is near[14] and one full GENERATION will not pass away until He returns.[15]

 

     A Generation is counted by most to be 50 years not counting those under 20 as the Bible did.  This year 2015, subtract 1948 would equal 67 years, so with me being in my 70’s, I might just be a part of witnessing Christ’s return.  SELAH

 

 

THREE PROPHECIES - RABBI JUDAH BEN SAMUEL

 

Prophecy 1 – Eighth Jubilee Year

     Israel will be invaded by the Ottoman Empire (The Turks) and conquer Jerusalem and rule the Holy City for Eight Jubilee years.  This happened in 1517, 300 years after Judah Ben Samuel’s death

     Turks Rule: Eight Jubilees of Fifty years is Four Hundred Years.  British General Edmund Allenby conquered Jerusalem; believe it or not on Hanukkah, in 1917, Eight Jubilee Years later; FOUR HUNDRED YEARS to the day without firing a shot and occupied it till 1967.

Prophecy 1 came true. (700 years after Judah Ben Samuel’s death)

 

Prophecy 2 – Ninth Jubilee Year

     Israel will become a No-Man’s Land for One Jubilee or Fifty Years after the Ottomans were driven out.  The British defeated the Ottomans (The Turks) in 1917.  The League of Nations conferred a mandate for the Holy Land and Jerusalem to the British.  Thus from 1917 under international law, Jerusalem became a No-Man’s Land.

     Because of British Mandate Rule, from 1917 to 1967, The Holy Land literally belonged to No Nation, the Jewish people were allowed to live in Israel, but they had no rights.  They were told what they could and could not do.

     This ended with the Six Day War when Israel defeated five nations in six days and captured Jerusalem from Jordan and the city returned to the Jewish People. (50 years to the day had passed)

Prophecy 2 came true. (This happened 750 years after Judah Ben Samuel’s death)

 

Prophecy 3 – Tenth Jubilee Year

     Within the next Jubilee Year Jerusalem will have been returned to the Jewish People (that happened in 1948) and the Messianic end times will begin; 1967 plus 50 years is the year 2017.

     I don’t believe that the prophet is giving a date for the return of Christ, but is sounding the alarm as a Watchman, that we are probably the generation that will not pass away before Christ returns. We are urged to be diligent to know the Word of God to check out everything that we hear, see or read; including this commentary.

     My BS, my Belief System is that God has already said that NO MAN knows when this time will be, but has given us SIGNS to let us know that He is near.[16]  I believe Christ will come back for His Church with “the Rapture” before the Tribulations begins.

The Seven Year Tribulation Period (The 70th week of Daniel) would start in the year 2017.

     Note:  This would be a Terrible Jubilee if we were all in the throes of the Tribulations unless we are talking about us sharing in the Rapture of the Saints or sharing in the reign of Jesus Christ in the Millennium. Update: It is now the year 2020 and we have the worldwide Coronavirus epidemic; could we be in the middle of the Tribulation period?  Ponder that.

 

Signs

     We are told to watch the SIGNS, not the CALENDAR.

     Concurrent signs of the Messianic end times:

1)      The preaching of the Gospel in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations: [17]

2)     Many turning away from the Faith because of false prophets or teachings[18].

3)     Great Tribulations more intense and extensive such as the world has ever seen since the beginning of time; Increased Frequency of: GREAT Earthquakes, Wars, Terrorism, Famines and Pestilence, ALL occurring around the same time.[19]

4)     As a sign, at some point Jerusalem will be completely surrounded by the enemy.[20]

5)     The Anti-Christ will set up an image of himself in the Holy of Holies 3 ½ years into the tribulations; this is known as the Abomination of Desolation. [21]   This is the first time we know who the Anti-Christ is, although many will already suspect because of scripture.

     Countdown: The Abomination of Desolation starts the clock of 3 ½ years or 1290 days until the end of the tribulations and the return of the Messiah. [22] I did not say this; God did !

 

Messianic End Times

     We have always known that NO ONE knows when Christ’s second coming will be.[23]  We do know that things will be going along just like normal and then Christ’s return will come as a total surprise.  We have always had wars, famine and earthquakes, but when we start to have more of them and closer together,[24] we are at the beginnings of the Second Advent of Christ.

     The beginning of the end is when the Anti-Christ is released on a white horse to deceive and to conquer.[25]  He is the first of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.  There will be an GREAT APOSTASY; a great falling away from God that occurs during the tribulation period between Part 1, the Rapture and Part 2 the second coming of Christ.  (Many students of the Word do not embrace the Rapture theory, so if we leave the rapture out, the great falling away still occurs, I believe it has already started)

     In my BS, I believe the reason for this GREAT APOSTASY is that the Church with all the Saints and the Holy Spirit have ALL gone from the earth and now there is NO RESTRAINING FORCE of GOOD remaining!  SELAH ponder that.

     Note:  There is an argument here that if all the attributes of the Holy Spirit are TOTALLY withdrawn, then no one could be saved during the tribulations, which scripture clearly states happens; many ARE saved; so it seems that the Holy Spirit’s restraining, restrictive, limiting force on EVIL is gone, but not the attracting, drawing, compelling, gravitational force of SALVATION.

 

Christ’s Return - 1st Part in the AIR; the Rapture

     The return of Christ is in two parts; “In the AIR” and 7 years later “On the EARTH”.  Jesus clearly states He is coming back for us[26] and will meet us in the air and we will receive a crown of glory.  Christians refer to this as the catching away or rapture of the Saints.  John states he was in the Spirit in Heaven[27] and sees Jesus Christ on the Throne.  Sounds like he was raptured to me. Just saying. John’s body was not yet glorified, so only his spirit was allowed before the throne.

     NOTE 1: The Believers will hear “a single sound”, described three different ways.  Only the believers hear this sound; [28] 1) A Shout, 2) the Voice of an Archangel and 3) a Trumpet.[29]  When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He called Lazarus’s name specifically so that all the dead would not “come forth”.[30]  Here He is specific again; and now ALL the dead in Christ will come forth.[31]

     NOTE 2: Those “who are asleep” or dead in Christ have a priority with the Lord in the First Resurrection, as they will go up first, then those that remain alive will join them.[32]  Only the BELIEVERS in Christ are involved here; the remaining un-believers and make-believers must wait for the Second Resurrection.

     TRANSLATED: When someone speaks to you in a different language, it needs to be translated into English in order for you to understand it.  When Jesus came to earth, His spiritual attributes were translated into physical attributes, which is what we see in Him as a physical mortal man.    Man was made with physical attributes like Christ and at the rapture when we are translated it will be with spiritual attributes and we will be like Him and we shall see him as He is.[33]

     The Greek understanding is we will be caught up, snatched out or taken away speedily, as fast as your eye can blink.  I would love to see this in slow motion as I go up, just saying.  This is when we will get a new immortal body; mine will be about 32 years old and I will speak Southern Hebrew

 

Christ’s Return – 2nd Part on the EARTH; the Wrath

     The final and great sign of the return of Christ is the an image of the Antichrist will be set up to be worship in the Holy of Holies[34] then 3 ½ years later suddenly there will be an AUDABLE trumpet blast[35] and Christ will VISIBLY appear in majestic “clouds[36] of glory, riding on a white horse. He is wearing many crowns and His white robe has been dipped in blood.  EVERYBODY WILL SEE THIS !

     He will be seen in a blazing fire everywhere all at once, as lightning is seen from the East to the West.[37] THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF

     He will be surrounded by; (A) innumerable angels.[38]  (B) His saints of old;[39] (C) those previously raptured;[40] (D) the resurrected righteous from the tribulation period;[41] (E) and the armies of heaven that follow Him. [42] WOW… WHAT AN ENTRANCE !

     An EARTHQUAKE takes place when Christ’s feet touches the Mount of Olives which splits in half and is displaced along with other mountains and hills.  As the mountain splits, it creates a valley for half of them to escape toward the Dead Sea.  While this frightening earthquake shakes the nation of Israel; God promises that His love for them will not be shaken, nor His covenant of Peace.

     At this sudden coming, Christ swings His sickle blade over the earth, and the earth is harvested and the unjust are thrown into the winepress of God’s wrath.[43]

 

The Date

     Some folks Belief System is that Jesus will return during “Sukkot”; The Feast of Tabernacles that occurs October 4th through October 11th of 2017.  However, God says No man knows when Christ will return; not even the angels, nor The Son, only God Knows.  But He did said we could read the signs and know that the time is near.

     Some writings indicate that Judah Ben Samuel had a visitation from the Prophet Elijah who revealed many things to him.  The Book refutes TRUE visitations from the dead and besides that, if the Son of God does not know the date of the second coming, then I feel pretty sure Elijah would not know either[44].  (It’s now 2020 with the coronavirus, could we be 3 ½ years into the GREAT tribulations?)

     God has revealed Himself; He has held out His hands,[45] the End of Time is just around the corner.  Decide NOW… Answer the call before the door is closed forever.  It’s in the Book



[1] Isaiah 21:6 - Let the watchman SHOUT out what he sees

[2] Matthew 25:3-4 – STUDY, prepare with the oil of the Scriptures

[3] 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 – God appointed the FUNCTION of Prophet

[4] Romans 11:29 - The GIFTS and calling of God IS IRREVOCABLE

[5] Matthew 10:19-20 – The Holy Spirit will speak prophetically through you

[6] Ephesians 4:12 – The Gifts are for the PERFECTING of the saints

[7] 1 Corinthians 14:3 – The Gifts are given for Edification, Exhortation and Comfort

[8] Matthew 24:36 – No man knows when Jesus Christ will return

[9] Daniel 12:4 – Shut up the words until the time of the end

[10] Daniel 12:4 –In the End times; many will rush here & there, knowledge will increase

[11] Deuteronomy 19:15 – A matter is established with TWO or THREE witnesses

[12] Leviticus 25:8-13 – Seven years of Seven; 49 Years, the FIFTIETH YEAR shall be a JUBILEE

[13] Hosea 9:10 – Israel is like figs on a fig tree -- Jeremiah 24:5 – Israel is the good figs

[14] Luke 21:29-33 – The Kingdom of God is near

[15] Matthew 24:32-34 - These things take place in one generation; the GENERATION that sees this

 

[16] Luke 21:29-33 – SIGN of the Fig Tree; The Kingdom of God is near

[17] Matthew 24:14 – Gospel will be preached to the whole world then the end will come

[18] Matthew 24:10-12 – People stop going to church and leave the Christian faith in the End Times

[19] Matthew 24:6-8 – The beginning birth pains of the Tribulations; wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes -- Matthew 24:21 – Unequaled distress unequaled from the beginning and never to be equaled again. -- Luke 21:9-11 – Signs in the heavens; Earthquakes, Famines, Pestilence, maybe the CORONOVIRUS

[20] Luke 21:20 – When Jerusalem is surrounded by the enemy desolation is nigh

[21] Matthew 24:15 – Anti-Christ sets up image of himself in the temple 3 ½ years into the tribulations

[22] Daniel 9:27 – PROPHESY; 3 ½ years into the tribulations the end will begin to be poured out

[23] Matthew 24:36-39 – NO ONE knows that day or hour when Christ will return; not even the angels nor the Son, only the Father

[24] Matthew 24:6-8 – Wars, famine, earthquakes are the beginning of birth pains

[25] Revelation 6:1-2 – The Anti-Christ is released first to deceive and conquer the nations

[26] John 14:2-3 – We will be where He is, in our Father's house where there are many rooms already prepared

[27] Revelation 4:2 – John raptured in spirit; Sees Jesus on the throne

John 14:2-3 – We will be where He is, in our Father's house where there are many rooms already prepared

[28] Matthew 24:37-41 – Things will be normal, then it will all happen at once around the world -- Acts 1:11 – Jesus will return the same way that He left -- 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – Jesus will deliver us from the wrath to come

[29] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – Christ will descend with a shout, the believing dead will rise first followed by the believing living

[30] John 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth

[31] 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – All the dead in Christ will come forth.

[32] 1 Corenthians 15:51-52 – Some Believers will not die, but will be changed in the twinkling of an eye,

[33] 1 John 3:2 – We shall be like Him and see Him as He is

[34] Matthew 24:15 – The Abomination of Desolation; the Image of the Anti-Christ standing in the Holy of Holies

[35] Matthew 24:30-31 – Jesus will return with a great trumpet blast - 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 – It will be SUDDENLY like an thief

[36] Hebrews 12:1 – Cloud of witnesses, the Redeemed, the Saints surround Jesus at his coming

[37] Matthew 24:27 – He will be Visible everywhere as the lightning

[38] 2 Thessalonians 1:7 – Jesus will be revealed in a blazing fire with his powerful angels

[39] Jude 14-15 – Jesus is accompanied by countless Saints to judge

[40] Matthew 24:29-30 – Christ Returns at the end of the Tribulation

[41] Revelation 20:4 –Tribulation saints are resurrected and reign with Him

[42] Revelation 19:11-15 – Heaven’s Armies will follow Him

[43] Revelation 14:19 - The great winepress of God’s wrath; the angel swung his sickle

[44] Matthew 24:36-39 – No one knows when Christ will return, not even Jesus

[45] Isaiah 65:1-12 - I called you, but you did not answer, I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, `Here am I, here am I.’  All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations-- a people who continually provoke me to my very face, who say, ‘Keep away; don't come near me, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter; for I called, but you did not answer, I spoke, but you did not listen. - You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.

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