the coming conflict - Bitly

1 downloads 717 Views 3MB Size Report
I was in mission and church work in Africa for many years. I saw angels and demons at work. .... the true Temple is not
THE COMING CONFLICT

By Roland Pletts Copyright Protected

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple.”​ ​Psalm 27:4.

This book can be ordered from ​www.lulu.com [email protected] 1

Copyright reserved

ISBN 9781291 857818

2

THE COMING CONFLICT Introduction​ : ​The Cleansing of the Temple Preface​ –​ ​A Tale of Two Temples - Page 7 Chapter 1​ - ​The Coming Conflict in Jerusalem - Page 12 Chapter 2 -​ The Abomination of Desolation - Page 26 Chapter 3​ - The Great Desolation - Page 42 Chapter 4​ - Abominations Through the Ages - Page 48 Chapter 5​ - A Future Abomination of Desolation - Page 70 Chapter 6 -​ The Last Three and a Half years. - Page 88 Charts - ​Page 102 - End Notes - Page 103

Other Books The Covenant of Glory​ – The Covenant the Lord established during his three and a half year ministry and to be confirmed at his return. The War for the World​ A review of history and present events as foretold in Revelation. When Messiah Comes​ – Understanding Messiah’s return. The Crown of Thorns​ – The last week of the earthly life of Jesus The Miracle of Israel​ 3

A study of the everlasting Covenant God made with Israel.

The Temple Mount Introduction - The Cleansing of the Temple I was in mission and church work in Africa for many years. I saw angels and demons at work. I saw people saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and demons coming out of people, and healings and even miracles. We were spiritually attacked and I knew others were as well. Some of my friends and congregation were killed for following Jesus. We prayed but the attacks continued. The adversary constantly brought disunity, condemnation and division to God’s people. Satan targets every true believer. Luke 22:31, John 15:18. Some of my “brothers” were in fact my opponents and instead of standing together God’s people were in disarray and consequently weakened. The enemy increasingly attacked our walk in the Spirit and the forces of darkness were often hard to handle in isolation. Through many hardships and close encounters with death the Lord in loving kindness walked us through these times. This made me realise how utterly lost we are without our loving Father and the help of caring, non-judgmental fellow believers. Over many years things 4

crept into church that have no place there. The Gospel I grew up with has been changed in its presentation, practice and major tenants. Undeniably much of the “church” is in apostasy. We are living at a time when the Lord’s people are under excessive attack and deception. The “accuser of the brethren” knows our weakness and will try to destroy our health, our reputation, our hope, our future. God is not like that. His glory is to forgive, purge, heal and give victory. If we seek God even when weak we will ultimately see his glory. Daniel 11:35, Rev.12:11. Many of us have been taught that when Jesus returns we will be caught away in rapture and everything will be just fine, but he is coming for a clean, consecrated and holy people and will purge his “Temple”. As seen in Revelation 2+3 many Churches are full of heresies, and compromise with sin and violate God’s Word and find all manner of reasons to justify doing so. The Gospel I knew 50 years ago has become for some a means for self grandeur and success; repentance is not taught, sin is not mentioned and there is no desire to take up the cross or count the cost. Satan has infiltrated churches and replaced the truth with lies. What did Paul mean when he said ​“the man of sin will sit in the ​Temple of God​”​? 2 Thes.2:4. Did he mean an ​earthly Temple or something far more radical and relevant to all who believe in Jesus​? ​Paul wrote, ​“Do you not know that you are the ​Temple of God and His Spirit dwells in you?...for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Cor.3:16,17. Paul wrote that the church is seated in heavenly places. Believers are the ​heavenly ​spiritual ​temple​. ​Eph.2:6,3:10​. There are two Greek words used for Temple, one is “​hieron​” which ​always means a brick and mortar building, the other is “​naos​” which is ​always used in a spiritual sense. Throughout his epistles Paul ​always used this word for the ​spiritual Temple of individual and corporate believers, the church. The Lord will purge and cleanse His Temple and fill it with glory. We need purging so that the gold and silver in our lives comes forth and we may be found Holy both in word and deed. 5

The prophet Malachi said - ​“The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple, even the Messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, Behold He is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears, for He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap.” Malachi 3:1. John the Baptist applied this to Jesus. Matt 3:10-12. ​There is a great conflict raging upon the world and the church. Paul was willing to “fill up the afflictions of Christ for the church.” Col.1:24,28. I believe in the “vicarious suffering” of the church. God allows persecuted churches to suffer so that others may be perfected. Many believers face persecution so that we may have time and incentive to prepare for the coming of the King. The church needs to awaken and prepare for the Lord to come, not in rapture but in great power and wrath to destroy the wicked and redeem a holy people. 1 John 3:1-3. This book considers controversial scriptures and crucial aspects about the end times in which we may now live. There are conflicting views about what they mean and what will happen but we all need to understand the manner in which Christ will return and the enormous consequences of current events. God has only one plan, one redeemed people, one Body and one faith. The ​remnant church and the ​remnant of Israel are on a course which will merge together to fulfil the “One New Man in Messiah”. ​Eph.2:15, Gal.6:14-17, Romans 11:25,26​. “​Even so Come Lord Jesus”.

6

The Wailing Wall Preface A TALE OF TWO TEMPLES And Two Cities What does “abomination of desolation” mean? An “​abomination​” is “a detestable thing” (Strong’s Greek Concordance, 8251) and “​desolation​” is to “stun, devastate, stupefy, appal, astonish” (Strong’s 8074). It means “​an appalling thing or act that causes devastating astonishment, horror and desolation​.​” It was an act of sacrilege to the Temple leaving it utterly desolate. Daniel 8:13. 11:31. 12:11, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, (Luke 21:20-24, 19:43,44) Another word used for “abomination” (Strong’s 8441) means ​any act of falsehood condemned by the Law. The prophet Malachi challenged people to repent from their “abominations” which were widespread practices such as adultery, lies, sorceries, thieving, wickedness, disobedience to parents, false worship of idols, disrespect of poor and of vulnerable people such as orphans and widows. He called people to bring pure sacrifices to the Lord and said the true Temple of God had to be purged.

7

Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and closes with an extraordinary prophecy; the “Messenger of the Covenant” (Jesus) will come suddenly to his Temple as a refiner’s fire and fuller’s soap. Malachi lived after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity at the time the Jewish people returned to their land. During that time Ezra recorded a great revival and spiritual restoration as people turned away from sinful practices and rededicated themselves to the Lord. The 70 years of captivity that had come upon the nation was directly caused by the ​abominations they had themselves committed, even to defiling of the Temple. Judgment therefore fell on them. Ezekiel 8:6-10-17 9:3-7. Malachi described a day “burning as an oven” when sin will be purged from the land; the “Day of the Lord.” Zechariah and Haggai were other prophets who foretold end times. Much later the Lord came and cleansed the temple, and drove out the money changers who defiled it by turning it into a market and den of robbers. He said “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” He quoted from Jeremiah the prophet who spoke about sinful ​abominations of adultery, theft, lying and idol worship. Jeremiah 7:8-11. Jesus called his Temple a ​House of Prayer and said ​“I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings”. Samuel said ​“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Sam 15:22,23. Jesus never conducted a single sacrifice; he was the supreme ​Sacrifice ​and his body the ​true Temple​. John 2:19,21. By his own sacrifice he abolished ​all other sacrifices and forever fulfilled the Temple rituals, but in doing so he was himself destroyed. This was the “horror” described by Abraham in Genesis 15:10-12 when God cut Covenant with him ​and a horror of great darkness fell. It saw a preview of what Jesus did when he was crucified; the Living Temple of God was disfigured and destroyed and became an utter desolation and horror. 8

Forty years after Jesus’ death the ​earthly Temple was destroyed and the people scattered. Jesus warned them of this coming destruction. Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14. He used the words of Daniel, found also in 1 Maccabees 1:54, which foretold the persecutions of the Hellenic king Antiochus IV Epiphanes who desecrated the temple in 168 BC. The full period of persecution lasted 2300 days, about 6 years 4 months from 171 BC to 164 BC when after a great conflict the temple was cleansed. Fighting continued after that for years. Jesus used Daniel’s words to foretell the destruction of the city and Temple by the Romans in AD 70. It was a time of great tribulation and over a million Jews perished. A hundred years after his death the final demise of Jerusalem took place in the Bar Kochbar revolt. Jews were expelled from the city and it was turned into a pagan Roman city. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus clearly foretold this event and it is recorded that when armies surrounded the city in AD 70 all those who remembered his words escaped to the hills. Luke 19:43,44, 21:20,24. Jesus, however, projected another time of tribulation just prior to his return and the apostle John foretold in Revelation a period of ​three and a half years in which there would be great conflict. Where did John get this period from? It comes from Daniel 7:25 and is repeated in Daniel 12:7 and also in Revelation chapters 11, 12, and 13. Many scriptures foretell Jews will return to the land and a conflict over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. Foreboding world events are now building up to this. The Temple Mount has become a focal point of great contention. The status of Jerusalem is therefore of great significance. Many people miss the prophetic meaning of restored Israel as the ​sign given to the whole world to understand the times of God’s prophetic purposes. Revelation 12:1, Matt.24:30. The sign is not astrological but the restoration of Israel. Some Christians are looking for a rebuilt Temple but do not realise it is already there. They are missing something fundamental because of their theological blind spot and the true fulfilment. No scripture says there will be a Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem and sacrifices started before the return of Jesus. In the New Testament there is not a single 9

verse that tells of animal sacrifices being reinstated, just the reverse, the true Temple is not a building but “​living believers​”, and sacrifices are the obedience believers give as “​living sacrifices​” to the Lord. The NT book of Hebrews makes it clear that the Temple is now totally obsolete. There is a more Biblical meaning to it. Those who know the scriptures will understand that the Old Testament is full of shadows, types, figures, examples, prophecies, promises and so on and the New Testament explains their spiritual reality. The New Testament and Jesus fulfil them all. It is also generally accepted that prophecies can have several stages in their fulfilment, climaxing in a final fulfilment. In the course of this study we will consider Old Testament shadows and predictions and then consider their reality and the spiritual fulfilment of these promises. There are actually two temples, an ​earthly brick and mortar one and a living ​spiritual one, and there are two cities called Jerusalem, one earthly and one ​heavenly​. They are entwined within the purposes of God; one is an earthly shadow and the other a spiritual reality. At the return of Jesus he will judge all nations for their abominations, and will destroy the wicked and gather his saints. Because of false teaching many believers cannot grasp the significance of present events because they have false expectations. Some are looking for a rebuilt Temple and others for a so-called rapture. Events we currently witness are the purging of the world and the sifting of the “church” which is already happening. All nations will be subject to judgment under God’s law. This includes Israel and all others; Jews, Muslims and all people need forgiveness through the grace that God offers in Jesus. The choice is the same for all “tribes of the earth”, either Grace or Judgment. Those who reject God’s Gift of Salvation face desolation; those who receive it receive consolation. Those who shelter under the blood of Jesus are saved but those who do not will be destroyed. Judgment will fall upon all people who reject Jesus. The Bible is full of scriptures that predict a ​remnant of Jewish people will return to their land. The rebirth of Israel is the great 10

“​sign​” Jesus spoke of and key to understanding the Divine plan for the world. What will happen in Israel? Will Israel continue as a political nation or will there be a profound change in its character? Will ​earthly Jerusalem be the “eternal capital of a Jewish nation and will it survive in its present state? There is an enormous battle raging in the invisible realms that surround this planet. When we watch TV news we see pawns moved around a chess board but not the powers that move them. There is a spiritual battle raging around us. Things that happen in Israel and the Middle East have profound repercussions. The Bible predicted that at the end there will be an “abomination of desolation” but it does not mean only an event in Jerusalem but also in the spiritual realms. When Jesus cleansed the earthly ​Temple he went beyond the visible for he threw out the demons that had taken up residence in it. At his death he went further and cleansed the ​spiritual ​Temple​. Hebrews 8:1-5, 9:8-12, 23-25. When tour groups are taken around the old city of Jerusalem and visit the “Holy sites” they may not actually understand the magnitude of what they see. They are unaware of the awful history of this city or its awesome future and the spiritual battle that is still raging around it. Every step they take is on ground saturated with blood and every square meter has been covered with countless heaps of bodies. All who believe in Jesus have a promise of end time victory in him. There is much talk about antichrist but do we look for him or Christ? Are we in fear of the mark of the beast or do we have the seal of God? Are we getting ready for the great “Appearing of Jesus” who will cleanse the Temple and judge the world? What is our expectation for the times in which we live? Are we expecting the coming King? It is my conviction that the end times, far from being all gloom and doom, will be the time of God’s greatest acts and power as he Confirms the Covenant with multitudes of people, both Jews and Gentiles. We must prepare ourselves for his return in great glory.

11

The Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock.

Chapter 1 - The Coming Conflict in Jerusalem and “Abomination of Desolation What is the “Abomination of Desolation” mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament and by Daniel in the Old Testament? (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 19:43, 21:20-24) Most Christians have no knowledge of the period between the Old and New Testaments and the great upheavals and persecutions of that time. The saying “Abomination of Desolation” is found in 1 Maccabees 1:54 and the events that are recorded in the books of the Maccabees were obviously considered by the author to have been predicted by the prophet Daniel. Daniel foretold the appearance of a “man of sin” in Daniel 8:11-13 and 11:31. He also foretold the coming of Messiah (Jesus) and all that he would do. ​Daniel 9:24-27​. There are set in contrast. Some 12

translations of these scriptures are ambiguous and have caused confusing interpretations but Daniel’s prophecy was actually very precise and was perfectly fulfilled by Jesus to the ​exact​ year. Jesus came at the ​exact time that Daniel foretold and ministered for exactly 3½ years, the ​first half of the “final week” foretold in Daniel 9. Jesus ​“cut the Covenant” at Passover and was crucified as the “Lamb of God” and took away the sins of the world. He died at the exact time when Passover lambs were slain and he perfectly fulfilled the Feast of Passover for he is our Passover. 1 Corinthians 5:7. After eating Passover, and supper ended, he took the bread and said ​“this is my body broken for you” and he took the cup and said ​“this is my blood that is shed for you.” He fulfilled the First Covenant and established the New Covenant. He had authority to do this because he was the one who made the original ​Covenant​. This is important to understand as we proceed in this study. He ​Confirmed the Covenant and the sacrifices, ordinances and rituals of the Temple were done away with. (See my book “Covenant of Glory.”) Few people know that there were ​two Passovers, the ​Lord’s Passover when Israel came out of Egypt (Exodus 12, Leviticus 2) and the Feast of Passover ​after Moses had reviewed it in Deuteronomy 16. After Moses had received the Commandments, Tabernacle ordinances and annual Feasts, the manner in which Passover was celebrated was changed. A careful reading of these scriptures will show that in the beginning the Passover Lamb was killed at the ​home in the evening of the 14​th but later it was killed in the day at the Temple and eaten the evening of the first Day of Unleavened Bread, the 15th. This was why worshippers went to Jerusalem at the time of Passover in order to keep it at the Temple as instructed by Moses. On the ​first evening of the 14​th Jesus kept the ​Lord’s Passover whereas most people kept Passover on the ​second evening on the 15​th as Moses had later instructed. Jesus did not keep the Jewish ​Feast of Passover but kept the ​Lord’s ​Passover​. He was the true Passover and fulfilled it completely. He and his disciples kept it in the manner of Egypt, wearing their sandals and belts. During supper Jesus 13

washed the feet of the disciples indicating they had not removed their sandals or had their feet washed as was the usual custom. Jesus also took off his outer garment indicating that he was fully dressed. Instead of staying the night inside the house under the protection of the blood he deliberately left and at midnight was in the Garden of Gethsemane in great agony as he, the Firstborn under sentence of death, conducted the greatest intercession the world has ever seen. The next day with the consent of the High Priest he was crucified and died at the time Passover lambs were killed. His sacrifice brought an end to all further sacrifices and later the earthly Temple was entirely destroyed as foretold in Daniel and explained in Hebrews 8:13 10:1-23. There is no further need of sacrifices as the Temple order was destroyed forever. When the disciples marvelled over the temple Jesus made it clear that it was to be totally destroyed and he never said it would be rebuilt. Stephen repeated this; that it would be destroyed and the customs of Moses changed, for which he was killed. Acts 6:10-14. Daniel indicated it would remain desolate till the very end. Not only that, but the temple rituals had themselves devolved into corruption. Jesus told the disciples that not one stone was to remain upon another. Matt.24:1,2. This was described in Daniel 9:27 which says plainly that the temple will remain desolate even till the very end consummation. In other words according to Daniel it will ​never be rebuilt. It is finished, or as Hebrews 8:8:13 says, forever ​obsolete​. Its destruction was fulfilled in AD 70. We will consider later what happened on the “Temple Mount”.

14

The first half of the 70​th week of Daniel 9 has already been fulfilled. The Bible does ​not project seven years into the future, both Jesus and John spoke only of ​3½ years still to come. Why is that? ​It is because the first half of the last week of seven years has already been fulfilled by the ministry of Jesus.​ Daniel 9:24-27. So where is the last half of the final week? Some people suggest it followed immediately after the crucifixion leading up to the stoning of Stephen. However, there is no mention of this in scripture. Some people claim it was fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD70. Although Daniel foretold this terrible event and the Lord clearly spoke of it as well it could not have been at that time. Why is that? John wrote the book of Revelation ​after the catastrophic events of the Roman destruction in 15

AD70 and he spoke of 3½ years at the “end times” prior to the return of Jesus. He did not say the Roman destruction was the fulfilment of either Daniel’s or Jesus’ words and therefore it is still to be fulfilled at the end of the age. Note he wrote of ​only 3½ years​ not seven. The Old Testament scriptures which tell about this period are in Daniel. He ​never referred to a future period of seven years but always defined it as ​three and a half years​. Daniel 7:25, 12:7. In Revelation this period is seen as a time, times and half a time, 1260 days, and 42 months. (Rev.11:2,3, 12:6,14, 13:5). They all end with the return of Jesus so they are all the same period. There is no mention of seven years anywhere in scripture except the 70​th week in Daniel 9:27 of which the first half was fulfilled by Jesus during his earthly ministry. John referred to ​only ​3½ ​years, never seven. Why did he talk so much about it? The first believers knew the first half was gone; they wanted to know where the last half was. ​There is no 7 year Tribulation​. There is a period of 3½ ​years during which there will be great trouble and certain things take place. Half the city of Jerusalem will fall to the “Gentiles” and be trampled underfoot for forty-two months. Zech.14:2. Simultaneously, there will be an amazing visitation of God. Two Prophets will be raised up to strengthen God’s people with great power. (Rev.11:1-) During the last half of the week ​Messiah will once again “confirm the covenant with many” in an amazing manner with the greatest “Acts of God” ever seen. Just as there was a period of three and half years to establish the Church so there will be three and half years to usher in the glory of the Kingdom. The last 3½ years is not so much antichrist’s power but God’s power when he will do outstanding miracles to ​confirm His Covenant​. It is the great “Ingathering of the Harvest” and ​Jesus will come “suddenly to his temple and fill His house with glory”. Hag 2:7,9, Malachi 3:1. THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS I believe this is a ​literal period of time. There is no justification to make it symbolical or figurative. It culminates with the return of the 16

Lord and the establishment of the Kingdom of God. It is clearly stipulated in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7 as three and a half years. If anyone is in doubt it is also seen in Revelation as 42 months or 1260 days. However, there is a discrepancy between the Old and New Testaments of ​30 days​ which we will consider later. What is going to happen? To understand the fulfilment of this period we need to consider the meaning of ​“Abomination of Desolation”​. Over a period of time this saying became established in the minds of Jewish people as a proverbial saying, a descriptive phrase for ​any event that brought awful horror but its origins are seen in Daniel and in prophetic events linked with the Temple of God. Daniel 8:11, 11:31, 9:27, 12:11. To put it into proper perspective and historical context we need to understand the ​three times it is mentioned in Daniel and the progressive nature of these three events. Each “abomination of desolation” has a different meaning for the age in which it happens. This is why each time the “abomination of desolation” is mentioned in the Gospels there is an editorial note; “​whosoever reads let him understand​”. It is vital to understand what God is doing in each generation. We need to watch national and world events and interpret their significance in the light of Bible prophecies. When certain events happen they are harbingers of things that will inevitably follow. Through history the Jews became so adept at this that a well known saying was “when you see the Jews leave a country you know it is finished.” Through history there have been numerous events that brought devastating consequences and some people were able to understand the “signs and seasons” and prepare for them. Times of great desolation occurred throughout history. For example the Crusades lasted about two hundred years in which religious fanatical warriors killed one another in the name of God. Before that there was the awful cruel persecution of millions of Christians under Roman Emperors who claimed they were “gods” and demanded worship. During the middle ages there was the diabolical destruction of millions of Christians by others who claimed they were the only 17

true Christians and demanded all obey their doctrines and dogmas. In the religious wars of Europe the toll was horrendous as Emperors fought Emperors. Under Russian Communism, a kind of political religion, dictators caused many millions to perish. In China under the Red Army millions more died. All this was the result of falsehood as emperors fought one another, dictators imposed harsh rule on their own people, and religions demanded total allegiance. An ​“Abomination of Desolation” is mentioned three times in the book of Daniel. Firstly​, in Daniel 8:11-14, 11:31, we are told of a “fierce king” who would “​take away​” the daily sacrifices and desecrate the temple by erecting an “abomination that will bring desolation”. It was fulfilled by a man called Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 171 to 165 BC. The Temple was ​not destroyed at that time but after a period of 2300 days it was ​cleansed​ and re-consecrated. (v14) Secondly​, in Daniel 9:26,27 we are told Messiah will cause the sacrifices to “​cease​”, that the Temple will be destroyed and ​“war continue...for the overspreading of abominations ​that cause desolation until the end is poured out.” There is ​no mention of the Temple ever being restored and the emphasis is on a complete destruction even to the very end. Please note this happens after Messiah was “cut off”. It is linked directly with what he accomplished by the supreme sacrifice of himself which brought a cessation of sacrifice and a ​Sabbath rest​, with no further need of the Temple. These two references to the Temple, its desecration and its destruction, are set in contrast to one another; the ​first was to do with a ungodly ruler, the ​second was to do with the Messiah. Antiochus defiled the Temple and ​took away ​the sacrifices, whereas ​Jesus was himself the true sacrifice and living temple and caused all sacrifices to ​cease​. Both were terrible events. This is important. Thirdly​, ​it is mentioned again in ​Daniel ​12:11 at the end of the ​1290 days. ​To which event is Daniel referring? He was ​not referring to 18

Antiochus which was ​2300 days. A popular teaching is that antichrist will make a seven year peace treaty with Israel and a Temple will be built with renewed ​sacrifices and then half way through he will stop the sacrifices. ​We will consider this teaching later but I and many others believe it to be erroneous. It is ​Messiah alone who ​“​confirms the Covenant​” ​not the antichrist. It is the ​Covenant of God that is the contextual meaning in Daniel 9 and to correctly understand the meaning of chapters 9 and 12 one has to focus on Messiah ​not antichrist. It does ​not mean a Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem with sacrifices and this is ​not supported by any definitive scriptures or taught by major Reformed Theologians. The Lord made the Covenant through his own blood, cancelled forever all sacrifices, and made the Temple obsolete. Sacrifices will ​not be reinstated. Hebrews 9:7-22, 10:9,10. The closing verses of Daniel 12 do ​not refer to antichrist. It is incongruous that Daniel’s great discourse should end with antichrist. It ends with ​Christ and the blessing he brings through his suffering. We will consider more about this later. If we follow Daniel’s three prophecies concerning the “abomination of desolation” they are in stages. Antiochus ​desecrated the temple but it was later ​restored​. Jesus, the living Temple, was killed and the earthly temple was ​destroyed and replaced with a ​spiritual temple. During the last 3½ years a conflict will occur around the “Temple Mount” where the Temple once stood and where the false temple already stands​. This conflict will purge the land and people. The Lord will allow his “holy people” to be cleansed and refined. Only then will he take action, Daniel 7:21-27 and 12:7. It is not a brick and mortar temple that will be cleansed but the people! They will be cleansed and atonement made for both land and people, the wicked will be destroyed, and the elect will be gathered. ​Deut 32:43. As I will explain, the fulfilment for this is already set up and in plain sight for all to see if they but look. The stage is set and we are waiting for the last act when the curtain will be pulled back to reveal the final actors as they step on the world stage. This is why we need to understand the staggering significance of what is happening in the 19

Middle East and the increase of animosity and hatred leading to conflict over the land and especially Jerusalem, as well as the increase of worldwide violence, war and international crisis. Please follow the reasoning through this book and it will become clearer. DESOLATION OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT There were several men through history that desecrated the temple. Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon did so in 586 BC. Others were Alexander the Great, Antiochus IV, and Herod the Great. In 63 BC Pompey and his legions stormed the temple and captured it. All resistance ceased and he and his staff entered the Holy of Holies. Titus also did so in AD 70. Legend says that Titus slashed the veil of the Holy of Holies to enter it and to set up the Roman standards in it. There are ​three scriptural events that are said to be linked to the “Abomination of Desolation”. The ​first was by ​Antiochus IV Epiphanes in about 168 BC. The ​second was in AD 70 after the crucifixion of Jesus by the ​Romans​. The ​third is considered to be in the future. However, to fully grasp the significance of any future prophecy we need to understand the history of the “Temple Mount”. We also need to understand what the true Temple is and what it stands for since the ​earthly​ Temple was destroyed. We need to consider the ​destruction of Solomon’s Temple by Nebuchadnezzar in 586BC, then the ​rebuilding of the Temple under three Persian kings. Then we will consider the events that took place at the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, from 171 – 165BC, when the temple was defiled and later cleansed, then its final ​destruction by the Romans in AD 70 followed by a further rebellion under Simon Bar Kochba in AD 134. Further events through history made the Temple Mount into an Islamic shrine and there were subsequent battles over it by the Crusaders. The blood of literally hundreds of thousands if not millions of people has been shed on and around the Temple Mount and Jerusalem. Not only have there been untold animal sacrifices conducted there but terrible deeds of human cruelty 20

and slaughter have taken place there. In all the world it must be the one place that has had more blood shed on it than any other! What is the meaning and fulfilment of this in the end times? THE TEMPLE MOUNT Jerusalem is believed to have been inhabited since the 2​nd millennium BC! The Canaanites established a settlement there called Jebus. The Temple Mount is the most important religious site in the City of Jerusalem. It has been used as a religious site for thousands of years and at least four religions have used it in their worship; Judaism, Roman paganism, Christianity and Islam. Judaism considers the Temple Mount as the place where the “Divine Presence” came to dwell. Isaiah 8:18, 1 Kings 8:10-13, 2 Chronicles 6:41. It is therefore central and of supreme importance to Jews. It is called in Hebrew “Har haBayith”. Jewish tradition believes that the Temple was built on the mount where Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice. I personally believe that Jesus died on Golgotha overlooking the Temple from the summit of Mount Moriah which was the ​exact spot where Abraham took Isaac. An alternative Christian site for the crucifixion is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre but I personally doubt that to be authentic. I believe that what is called Gordon’s Calvary near the Garden Tomb just north of the Old City is the authentic place both scripturally and topographically. This was the original summit of Mount Moriah and at the time of the Maccabees it was dug away in order to strengthen the northern walls of the city’s defences and the rock face we see today was formed in which the shape of a skull can still be clearly seen. The summit is now a cemetery. To this day the “Wailing Wall” is considered by Jews to be the place where the “Presence of God” still remains. In Jewish tradition it was from here that the world expanded into its present form and where God took the dust to create man. In Islam the Temple Mount is called the “Noble Sanctuary”. It is considered the third holiest shrine after Mecca and Medina but Jerusalem is not even mentioned once in the Koran. It is interesting that modern day Jerusalem is divided into different sections and the “Holy Sites” controlled by different authorities. The 21

Jews have the Wailing Wall, the historical churches (Catholics, Orthodox and Coptic) have the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of England has the Garden Tomb and the Muslims control the Temple Mount! On it is the Dome of the Rock which has an inscription over its entrance, “God has no Son”. The high knoll of Golgotha is undeveloped but also has an Islamic inscription written on it. I believe this “pinnacle” is significant. It was here on the highest point that Jesus was lifted up for all people throughout the city to see, at the “extremity or wing” of the Temple and visible for miles around. KING DAVID PURCHASED THE TEMPLE SITE The ancient King of Israel, David, purchased the site, but he was not the first to show interest in the “Temple Mount” - it was God who chose it when he called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham took his son to a ​special spot on Mt. Moriah where he built an altar and would have sacrificed his son had God not stopped him and provided the true sacrifice, a ram caught by the horns in a bush, representing His own Son Jesus. Genesis 22:14. The Old Testament tells us Abraham’s son Isaac was miraculously born by a promise of God. Both Jews and Christians believe Abraham took Isaac but Muslims claim that it was Ishmael, Abraham’s older son. However, the offering by Abraham of ​Isaac was a preview of the offering God gave of His own son Jesus. This is why the New Testament plainly says that Jesus was born by the Holy Spirit of a virgin as God’s Son. From a very early age Jesus declared that God was his Father. The emphasis throughout the Old Testament is on sacrificial atonement through the blood of a lamb which was a fore shadow of the supreme sacrifice of Jesus who God himself provided. The Bible calls the Temple Mount “​The-LORD Will-Provide​” (YHWA Yireh). Genesis 22:14. If it was Ishmael why is atonement not taught in Islam which denies Jesus is the Son of God? 22

When King David sinned by numbering Israel an angel went through the land and purged it resulting in the death of seventy thousand but when the angel stretched out his hand over Jerusalem to destroy it David saw the angel standing above the threshing floor of Ornan and cried out, confessed his sin and prayed for the Lord to spare the people. The Lord stopped the plague and instructed David to build an altar on the threshing floor, so David purchased it and built an altar to the LORD. The threshing floor was on Mt. Moriah. 2 Samuel 24:15-25, 1 Chronicles 21:15-30. David bought it for its ​full price in order to build a Temple on it for the Lord God of the Bible, and later Solomon built the Temple on this spot. It is said that the Dome of the Rock now stands where the Temple stood but archaeology indicates it actually stands on the “court of the Gentiles”. King David became the first owner after Ornan but the history of Jerusalem goes back even further, to Melchizedek, the “King of Salem”, King of Peace and Righteousness who was the forerunner of Jesus the Son of God. Genesis 14:18, Hebrews 7:1-10. THE DESTRUCTION OF SOLOMON’S TEMPLE The temple King Solomon built became the centre of worship for the Jewish nation and a special place in which people prayed; a “House of Prayer”. Isaiah 56:7, Isaiah 66:20, 2 Chronicles 2:1-, 7:11-16. It was King Solomon who built the Temple on this spot. He consecrated it to the Lord with vast amounts of sacrifices; 22 thousand bulls, 120 thousand sheep. This was a great amount of sacrifices in order to consecrate it. 1 Kings 8:63. What started out as a system of sacrifices in a tent became excessive and, instead of the sacrifices teaching people to live in a righteous way which is what they were intended to do, there was no real obedience or change of heart and people eventually turned from the Lord and committed great sins. This is the pattern though history. Nations practice sin and 23

inherit the consequences until the abominations become so great desolation is inevitable. There came a time in Israel when ​all their sacrifices became unacceptable to God and He found no pleasure in them. Malachi 1:6-14. Micah 6:7. God allowed them to go into captivity in Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captured Jerusalem in 596 BC and led away many thousands as slaves. He also raided the temple and took away its priceless vessels of gold. Ten years later in 586 BC he returned and this time he completely destroyed the Temple, sacked the town and left it in ruins, and killed many Jews. This happened on the 9​th​ of Av known today as Tishah B’Av. It was this event that Ezekiel, while he was in captivity in Babylon, warned the people about. The Lord took him to Jerusalem in a vision and showed him the abominations that the people, including the priests, committed in the land and even in the Temple. Ezekiel 8:6-17. The Lord saw all the abominations they did in secret and even in their imaginations. Ezekiel 5:9,11, 6:8-14, 7:20-22, 11:18-21, 22:1-11. These scriptures are very revealing. God is able to look into every heart and every hidden thought and action. This is very sobering especially in the light of the life and ministry of Jesus who evidently was able to look beyond the outward appearance deep into the hearts and motives of everyone he met. He could read their thoughts and see their hearts. He knows every thing about every person. He said that if anyone lusts in their hearts they commit adultery. If anyone hates another it is the same as murder. What is even more ​sobering is that each believer is considered to be the Temple of God for he does not dwell in buildings but in people who have received His Spirit. He dwells in a ​spiritual Temple. ​Believers are the ​Temple of God​.1 Cor. 3:16,17, 6:16. Jeremiah warned his generation that their sins would result in the destruction of their city and Temple, and their scattering into captivity. He also foretold the eventual restoration of a ​remnant back to the land. Jer.25:11, 26:18, 24:8-10, 25:9-11. All this happened because they forsook the ​Covenant​. Jer.22:9. The desolation of 24

Jerusalem lasted for 70 years during their captivity in Babylon. Jer. 29:10, 2 Chronicles 36:20-23. After this they would return to the land. By reading Jeremiah Daniel understood this and prayed for the restoration of the city and Temple. Daniel 9:1-27. He especially confessed the sins of his people in turning from God and breaking his precepts and commandments, and he prayed that God who keeps Covenant​, would turn his anger away from them. His whole prayer is focused on ​God’s ​Covenant​. This is the CONTEXT of Daniel 9 and this truth must be maintained if we are to understand its meaning. The angel came in answer to Daniel’s prayer and to tell him that ​God’s Covenan​t will be confirmed (gabar- to prevail, be valiant, strengthen). It is ​not​ about a so-called treaty with antichrist. DANIEL 9:24 – 27 There are different translations of this portion of scripture some of which are just not accurate. Translators have put in their own words to support their doctrines. Also be careful of some foot notes, they are not inspired! I have found the Authorised KJ, American KJ and the Peshitta Aramaic text helpful. Best of all is to read it straight from the Hebrew which excludes all words ​not found in the original. We will consider Daniel 9 in more detail further on. (See Page 103) In answer to Daniel prayers the angel Gabriel showed him that from a decree issued by three Persian kings (Ezra 6:14 in 457 BC) to the coming of Messiah and the confirmation of that Covenant it would be 70 years x 7, in other words a total period of 490 years. This period was divided into three parts; the first was 7 x 7 = 49 years, the second was 62 x 7 = 434 years, the third was 1 x 7 years which was broken in the middle with a gap during which the Gospel went into the world. The 49 years came first, followed by 434 years making 483 years. The first period was a “time of trouble” in which the Temple and city restoration was completed. At this time there was a great revival under Ezra and other prophets. Not all the people returned with Ezra but representatives of all 12 tribes did, enough to establish a Jewish nation. The rest remained in Diaspora. The prophet 25

Ezra recorded the consecration of this new Temple when the High Priest Zerubabbel sacrificed 100 bullocks, 200 rams, 400 lambs and 12 goats to signify the 12 tribes of Israel. It was to descendants of these people that Jesus came and declared the Kingdom of God. Between the Old and New Testaments there was a time of great upheaval. Alexander the Great conquered many nations and spread Hellenic culture and religion and Israel and the Jews were sorely persecuted.

A model of the Temple CHAPTER 2 – THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

26

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES AND THE HELLENIC PERSECUTION Dan. 8: 9-26, 11:1-4 After Alexander the Great died, his kingdom was divided between four generals. The date for the final demise of the kingdom of Alexander is usually recognised as 301 BC which is when it was divided between the four "winds of heaven". Dan.8:8. Daniel wrote in detail about two of them. The northern area which is now Syria with parts of Iraq, Iran and Turkey, was controlled by the ​Seleucid dynasty which began in about 312 BC. The southern area, Egypt and SW Arabia, was controlled by the ​Ptolemy dynasty​. Daniel 11:5-9 – depicts these two main divisions of Alexander’s kingdom; the “​King of the North​” under the Seleucid Royal Dynasty and the “​King of the South​” under the Ptolemy Royal Dynasty. Historically Israel was always caught between the northern kingdom of Assyria and the southern kingdom of Egypt. Prolonged conflict took place between these two dynasties which was foretold in 11:9-20. These verses describe events leading to the Wars of the Maccabees. ​Dan 11:21 - ​Out of the northern kingdom came a vile man in 175 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His name means “Illustrious deity” and he exalted himself claiming to be the personification of the Greek god Zeus. He attacked Israel and killed 80,000 Jews. There are different views concerning the exact details. He invaded Egypt twice and possibly three times. Dan 11:25-28​ - His first campaign against Egypt. Dan 11:28​ - His heart was set against the Holy covenant. Dan 11:29, 30​ - The Romans turned him back. Daniel 11:31-35 ​– He ​issued decrees which prohibited Jewish religious customs. He issued coins to Zeus and claimed himself to be “god manifest”. A brief summary of his activities. 27

Persecution intensified in 171 BC when Antiochus enlisted the aid of apostate Jews and for the next 6½ years (171-164 BC) he forced the Jews to Hellenize. He was instrumental in the death of the high priest Onias III who was killed by Hellenistic Jews. (11:22). Onias was the last high priest in the Godly line of Zadok and represented the “​prince of the Covenant​”. (2 Maccabees 4:33-36). A Gymnasium and sports stadium was built in Jerusalem and many Jews ceased circumcision and had the evidence removed. The “​Holy Covenant​” was repudiated by many who forsook the laws of God.(11:28). 1 Macc.1: 10-28, 2 Macc.4:13-15, 5:15-21. He violated the temple after his first invasion of Egypt in 169 BC. At that time the city of Jerusalem became known as Antioch-Jerusalem. 168-165 BC. Antiochus had two apostate agents in Jerusalem. The one was a general called Appollonios - an elderly Athenian who polluted the temple and dedicated it to Zeus. 2 Macc. 5:24-26, 2 Macc.6:1,2 (see Rev.9:11 for Apollyon, the destroying angel). The other was the false High Priest he appointed. Antiochus entered the Holy of Holies and robbed the temple of its gold and silver vessels. He stole the veil and presented it to the temple of Zeus in Olympia. This is described in 1 Maccabees 1:54 – “On the 15th ​ day of the month of Kislev the “abomination of desolation” was set up on the altar. Pagan altars were built throughout the towns of Judea; incense was offered at the doors of the houses and in the streets. All scrolls of the law which were found were torn up and burnt. Anyone discovered in possession of a Book of the Covenant or conforming to the law was put to death by the king’s sentence. On the 25th ​ day of the month they offered sacrifice on the pagan altar which was on top of the altar of the Lord. In accordance with the royal decree they put to death women who had had their children circumcised. Their babies, their families and those who had circumcised them they hanged by the neck.” It is generally accepted that from ​11:36​ onwards is still future. 28

NOTE THE CHARACTER OF THIS MAN - Daniel 11:21-35 Antiochus came in with intrigue and deceived many. His heart was moved against the Holy Covenant and he came with great rage to destroy the Holy people. He desecrated the Temple and caused great abominations, stopped the sacrifices and brought desolation. Those who were corrupt followed him but those who “knew their God” were faithful and stood against him and eventually prevailed and the temple was cleansed and re-consecrated. Antiochus fulfilled all this. Few Christians understand this period but they are recorded in the Books of Maccabees as well as by the Jewish historian Josephus and some Bible commentaries give good accounts of them. They are far more significant to Jewish believers than Christians therefore we miss their importance for understanding end time prophecies. Antiochus desecrated the temple, forbade sacrifice and erected an image which looked like himself of Zeus (Jupiter). In fact he claimed to be divine. Alexander the Great was the first Greek leader to claim divinity and Hellenic rulers after him also claimed it. At the age of 33 Alexander had conquered vast areas of the world and was considered a god. He spread the Hellenic culture of Greek gods and the concept of ​deifying man, from which the New Age teaching of humanism originates. Satan tempted Jesus to follow the same route, even though he was in reality God the Son. Satan took Jesus up to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and offered them to him if he would worship him. Jesus refused and chose the humble way of love and sacrifice rather than to enforce people to worship him. Satan took him to the Temple pinnacle and tempted him to do a miracle. He refused. At the age of 33 Alexander died, one of the greatest conquerors of all time. At 33 Jesus died for the entire world and all people throughout all ages and rose again and is exalted on the highest throne, that of the entire universe. The Romans followed the way of Alexander and many Roman Emperors demanded worship. Some people may not realise how prevalent this kind of worship still is today. It may not be called 29

worship but it is idol worship. Today there are many idols; pop idols, Hollywood idols, political idols, national idols, religious idols, sport idols and many more. In the last century Japan considered their emperor to be divine. Some nations have taken it to depths of human depravity and bondage. Any thing or person that demands our obedience and allegiance, and captures our minds to the detriment of all else, is an idol. Our own ego can become our worst idol. The cult of “​humanism​” originated from Hellenic roots and did much to exalt a self centred attitude in mankind. The promotion of men to become gods is now a “New Age” concept that paves the way for the “man of sin”. Romans 1:18-25, ​2 Thes.2:9-12​. It was Antiochus who did much to promote this blasphemy. He considered himself to be god who all others must obey. He sacrificed a pig on the altar and forced Jews to eat swine which was an abominable thing to do. Loyal Jews resisted and a massacre followed. 1 Macc.1:37-40 2:7-11, 3:45. This was in about 168 BC. The Maccabee family of Mattathias and his five sons led a Jewsish rebellion and after 3 years dispelled the Greeks and cleansed the Temple on the exact day it was desecrated, the 15th of Kislev at the end of December. This was foretold by Daniel centuries before it happened. Daniel 8:13,14. In this scripture we are told that although the daily sacrifices would be “​taken away​” and the temple defiled, it would be cleansed after 2300 days. So the temple was not destroyed by Antiochus, only defiled. This was called the “Abomination of Desolation.” The words, ​“daily sacrifices ​taken away​” are significant and have bad connotations of pride, haughtiness, rebellion (​Strong’s 7311 – ​ruwm​) and convey the ​forcible removal of sacrifices which is what Antiochus did. This persecution was foretold in Daniel 8 and designated as 2300 days – about six and a half years for the full period. Alternatively, counting it as “mornings and evenings” it was 1150 days. This works out to 3 years and 2 months for the period of intense persecution. According to Josephus the time of persecution lasted 3½ years: (Wars of the Jews 5:9:4). The Jews never forgot this horrendous time 30

of suffering and still remember it every year at the “Feast of Dedication” or “Feast of Lights” also called Hanukkah. If they had never fought so bravely there would never have been a Saviour and it was at the Feast of Hanukkah that Jesus revealed himself as the true Messiah, in contrast to the satanic counterfeit and deceit of Antiochus. John 10:22. Many years after Antiochus there came a time when Israel fell under the control of the expanding Roman Empire, the next great kingdom that followed the Hellenic period. It was during this period that the Bible was translated into Greek. Rome absorbed the Greek culture and its gods and Hellenic values grew among the Jews. In about 19 BC Herod the Great, a man greatly influenced by Greek culture, architecture and concepts, extended the Temple Mount’s plateau by enclosing it with four massive retaining walls and levelling a large area. He began a huge project of rebuilding the existing Temple. In addition to restoring the actual Temple Herod also built courtyards, porticoes, entrance gates and arches, cisterns, and what was called the Antonia Fortress on the northern side. This restoration went on for 46 years, until the time Jesus started his ministry. At the end of 3 ½ years Jesus cleansed the temple in its 50​th year from the start of its restoration. This was the Jubilee when Jesus came to set the captives free and pay the debt of sin. He was the true temple who they destroyed but he was raised in 3 days. ​John 2:19-21​. Later the ​earthly temple was also destroyed being obsolete. The “Wailing Wall” still exists and is greatly revered despite the words Jesus pronounced upon it. Matt.24:2. It is a reminder of judgment on an order that has passed away. Nevertheless, it is a testimony representing the promise of Jewish national restoration. IT WAS JESUS WHO FULFILLED DANIEL 9:24 Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Galilee under Roman control. He remained unknown until the day he revealed himself and John the Baptist declared “Prepare the way of the Lord” and pointed people to Messiah Yeshua who came at the ​exact time foretold by Daniel; ​in AD27 ​after 69 weeks or 483 years​. His ministry lasted 31

exactly three and a half years and he fulfilled the ​first half of the 70​th week and in the ​exact middle of it was “cut off”, crucified as Daniel foretold. It is significant that Jesus ministered for 3½ years, something many Bible readers do not stop and ponder.(See my books The Covenant of Glory, When Messiah Comes, Crown of Thorns.) It was the crucifixion of Jesus that brought the greatest “desolation” of all. During the final week of his life Jesus came to the earthly temple in its 50​th anniversary. He cleansed it and took up residence within it where he taught and healed. In the ​exact middle of that last week he established the ​New Covenant and died the following day which was the day of ​Passover​. On that day he fulfilled numerous prophetic scriptures concerning his death. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53. The OT prophets foresaw his death in precise detail. Jesus began his ministry at the time of the ​Feast of Atonement and ended it at ​Passover​, 3½ years later. He fulfilled the promise given by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. Dan.9:24-27. The words used by the angel “he will bring an end to sacrifices” or as the KJB says “​He will cause the sacrifices and oblation to ​cease​” are significant. This word means ​“​to observe the Sabbath​” and carries the meaning of ​rest, cessation and fulfillment​. (​Strong’s 7673 – ​shabath​). Antiochus never did that, or anyone else other than the Lord Jesus. It is impossible for the antichrist to bring Sabbath rest. Jesus ​alone put an end to ​all​ sacrifice and brought in the “​Sabbath rest of God​”. He started his ministry at ​Atonement​. This is seen in the way he presented himself for Baptism which symbolizes washing conducted especially for Priests. John the Baptist declared him to be the “​Lamb of God​” who ​carries away the sins of the world. As people came to John and confessed their sins they were baptized in the river Jordan. They went into the water dirty and came out clean. They symbolically dumped their sins in the water. Jesus came to the river as pure as a lamb without blemish, went into the water and came out carrying the sins of the world. At the moment of his baptism ​all the sins of the world were put on him and as the “scapegoat” he was 32

driven into the wilderness for forty days where he should have perished. The ministry of John the Baptist was like a trumpet calling the nation to repentance and by doing so fulfilled the ​Feast of Trumpets just before Atonement. For the 3½ years Jesus’ words and action sifted the nation. Matt.3:12. With miracles and healings he confirmed the Covenant for he is the Covenant​. ​Isa.42:6, 49:8​. This is all linked to ​Atonement and instead of dying in the desert Jesus came back ​anointed with the Spirit and did great miracles, healed the sick, cast out demons and raised the dead. Wherever he went he was confronted by enemies and opposed by evil spirits. Contrary to the general idea that it was all a time of wonderful blessing it actually was a time of great conflict. Within the spirit realms great battles raged. Many times Jesus was confronted by demons. Satan opposed his every move arousing animosity and hatred wherever he went; many people directly opposed him. On several occasions his life was in jeopardy; at Nazareth, on the Lake of Galilee, among the religious leaders. He ended his ministry 3½ years later when he died at the ​exact moment of the Passover sacrifice. From 9am to 3pm, as people brought their Passover lambs to the Temple to be killed, Jesus the Passover Lamb hung on the cross. At the Passover supper he initiated the New Covenant and the following day he caused it to prevail. ​He is the Covenant Maker​. Jer.31:31-34, Heb.8:6-13​. It is also of significance that sometime at the start of Jesus’ ministry a terrible “abomination” took place of which the full details are not disclosed. However, it is mentioned in the gospel of Luke that Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor caused a great violation and rebellion. He mixed the ​blood of Jewish worshippers with their own sacrifices​. Luke 13:1. It seems he actually killed a large number of worshippers as they sacrificed! The Romans were at times as harsh as Antiochus had been. Why should this have been recorded? Such a deed must surely be in the league of great “abominations” and certainly captured the minds of all Jewish people. This evidently happened near the ​start of Jesus’ ministry and was a very significant 33

event. Pilate also brought to Jerusalem and into the Temple precincts the Roman shields and standards that were considered abominations to the Jews. Not only that, but Herod also set over the Temple gate a huge golden eagle! Herod had spent many years building the Temple but was a cruel, ungodly puppet king who produced a line of despots who opposed the Lord. The Temple itself had become so corrupt that Jesus forcefully cleansed it by driving out the offenders. Mal.3:1, Matt.21:12. He also challenged those who presided over the Temple. The start of the 3½ year ministry of Jesus was marked by a great “horror” and ended in “​desolation​”. JESUS WAS MADE UTTERLY ​DESOLATE Daniel foretold an “abomination of desolation”. See page 7 for what this statement means. Jesus is the true ​Temple of God​. Matt.12:6, John 2:19. This fact is not generally thought about but is clearly stated. As a child he had come to the ​earthly Temple with authority. Luke 2:46. What was done to him was utter ​desolation​. Isaiah used this ​exact word (8074) to describe the sight of Jesus. ​Isaiah 52:14​. The ​Amplified Bible says he was an “​object of horror​”. Abraham saw the “full ​horror of darkness” when God “cut” the ​Covenant with him and passed between the cut pieces. It depicted the crucifixion of Jesus. Genesis 15:10-12. Crucifixion is utter desolation​. He was, flayed, pierced, tortured and disfigured. To have seen him crucified was a sight of utter horror. No crucifix, painting or film comes close to portraying it. He took our sins and was lifted up on a stake like the serpent in the wilderness. He took the ​curse of sin upon himself. Galatians 3:13, Deut 21:22,23. The sacrifice of Jesus is complete and final. All further sacrifices are unnecessary. Hebrews 9:24-28, 10:9-14. It is difficult to fully comprehend the awful horror of the death of Jesus. He was the ​Holy Temple of God but was treated with utter contempt. All our sins were put on Jesus. He was nailed to a cross and set up high on the pinnacle of Mt Moriah on the “​wings of the Temple​” where all in the city could see him, an appalling sight which caused ​utter ​astonishment and horror​. He was the ​Temple​, the “​Most Holy,​” ​utterly desecrated and 34

rejected in a most awful manner​. Acts 2:27, 3:14, Mk.1:24, Lk.4:34, 1John 2:19-21. At the start of his 3½ year ministry he was baptized by John the Baptist who publicly declared him to be the “Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” From that moment Jesus became the scapegoat and carried the sins of the world for the next 3½ years to the cross. He fully identified with our sins and became the ​living substitute for every sinner, yet as the Lamb of God he lived a perfect life of holiness as a ​living sacrifice​. In Daniel 12:11 we are told “the daily sacrifice is ​taken away​” and these words are something to ponder. They come from the Hebrew word ​“sur” (Strong’s 5493) and mean to ​turn aside or turn off, remove, take away. Strangely enough it is also a name for one of the Temple gates, Sur. What significance does this have? It was the Lord Jesus, the Gate of the Temple and Door for the sheepfold who at his baptism ​took the sins of the world. (John 10:1-9) He ​turned ​aside, took up our sins and ​carried them to the altar. From the start of his ministry the Temple sacrifices were made redundant for he “turned them off”. He removed the need for them for he was both Sacrifice and ​Temple​. Perhaps we don’t fully appreciate this. He died at the exact moment of the Temple Sacrifice and at that exact moment as his Spirit left his body the veil in the Temple was torn in two. He is the ​MOST HOLY who filled the Temple. The “​MOST HOLY​” is not a place but the ​person who made that place Holy​. Dan. 9:24. The Most Holy person to ever live was crucified​! That deed was an utter abomination. In the final days of his earthly life Jesus cleansed the ​earthly temple and at his death he opened the ​heavenly temple for every believer to enter. Malachi 3:1-3, Hebrews 8:1, 9:11. He took upon himself all the sins of mankind and was crucified and discarded as rubbish. It was the ​greatest horror ​ever, the ​greatest ​injustice of all. The Son of God, the ​MOST HOLY true TEMPLE​, was destroyed in a horrific 35

manner. He was scourged in the fortress near the earthly Temple and killed at its extremity or wing; ​“on the wing of the temple an abomination (detestable thing) will bring desolation (astonishment)” From the moment that he was killed the ​earthly Temple was doomed and replaced by a ​spiritual Temple. His ministry initiated the great commission to take the Gospel to all nations. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and withstood the opposition of kings, emperors, gladiators and lions. During the first 3½ years Jesus established the New Covenant and started a new ​living Temple, the church. Matt.16:18​. ​He fulfilled the first half of the week. Daniel defined both ​halves of the week. As in many prophecies there are often several hidden fulfillments and I believe there is a double fulfillment in ​Daniel 12 which refers to both the first and second half of the 70​th week. Daniel gave insights into both periods. Daniel 12 is to do with Michael which is a Jewish synonym for Messiah, the “Great Prince of Israel” who will stand up and do certain things. Verses 1-7 apply to the ​last half of the week; ​verses 8-13 apply to the ​first half during which Jesus ministered, died and rose again; both periods last 3½ years with a gap between the two. Jesus has fulfilled the first half but the last is still future. Let me explain further. With a careful reading of Daniel 12 it becomes evident that it is dealing with the entire week of 7 years but in ​two periods of 3½ years. ​Verses 1-7 describe the conclusion of the entire age for it speaks of the resurrection and judgment. Daniel heard two “angels” talking and one asked the ​“man clothed in linen above the waters, How long will it be to the fulfillment of these wonders?” This is similar to 8:13,14 but that reply was 2300 days and to do with Antiochus whereas this reply was “a time, times and a half” which is the time of Daniel 7:25 and is the period of the ​very end​. It must therefore be the ​last 3½ years​ and the ​last​ half of the 70​th​ week. However, a careful reading of ​Verses 8-13 evidently describes the first half of the week for after Daniel had heard all this he did not fully understand it and asked his own question of the man clothed in 36

linen, ​“My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” The reply is a ​personal word to Daniel; “Go ​your way Daniel till the end; for ​you shall rest and will arise to ​your inheritance at the end of the days”. This is a message to Daniel; he would live his life and die but rise again in the resurrection. When did the resurrection of OT saints occur? What is generally missed is that at the end of Jesus’ ministry there was a resurrection of OT saints. Matthew 27:51-53. Although these verses are usually glossed over they clearly state that ​many “came out of the graves.” This is exactly what Daniel was told; “​many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake….” When did this happen? The ​Old Testament saints arose with Jesus. This may be a problem for some people’s theology but when Jesus arose ​many others did too. The word means ​abundance, plenteous, very great​. According to Paul there is an order in the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:23, ​“Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at his coming.” Note the “​First Fruits​” are plural. Many theologians believe the resurrection is in stages. Daniel was included in the “First Fruits” for it was said to him, ​“​You will rest and arise to your inheritance at the ​end of the days​.” Which days? The only days mentioned are told to us right there - ​1290 days​. I can hardly see Daniel being left behind for he was a man greatly beloved. Daniel 12 contains a hidden message for all who read it correctly. For Gentile believers the clues may be totally missed for they mean nothing but to Jewish believers it is filled with great significance and as I will show it just happens that the ministry of Jesus lasted exactly ​1290 days​. Is this mere coincidence or is Daniel saying something of great importance? The “​First Fruits​” happened at the ​end of the 3½ years ministry of Jesus when he arose with a ​multitude of OT saints. They had been resting in ​death awaiting the “Coming One” who would raise them. The resurrection does not happen all at the same time but in stages; Christ the First Fruits and those with him, followed by those that are Christ’s when he comes, and then the final general resurrection. The resurrection of Daniel must have happened when Jesus descended into the abode of the dead and after three days ascended leading the 37

OT saints with him in triumphant procession. Eph.4:8. What then do the words in Dan. 12:11 mean? ​“​From the time that the sacrifices shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.​” They are not referring to Antiochus because his days were 2300 whereas these are clearly ​1290​. Is it possible that the most profound book of the entire OT should end with the antichrist? The words “​taken away​” (“sur” 5493 are surprising similar to the words of John the Baptist when he said “Behold the Lamb of God who “​taketh away​” the sin of the world.” John 1:29. They both mean to remove, turn off. The words “​set up” comprise the name of Nathan the prophet – “gift” and used in many ways but a priority meaning is “gift or given” (Strong’s 5414). I am not rewriting the Bible when I suggest that this verse can be written “​From the time the sacrifices are turned off, and the abomination that causes utter astonishment given, there shall be 1290 days​.​” Something happened in the spirit realm the day Jesus was baptized; God publicly acknowledged him as his Beloved Son. Many theologians believe Jesus was baptized on the ​Day of Atonement because of the OT types he fulfilled. From that day to the day he was crucified Jesus took the curse of the world and as ​“scapegoat” became the sin bearer. This is clearly portrayed in the way he was immediately driven into the wilderness and tempted for 40 days. This is ​exactly what happened to the ​“scapegoat”​. It was on the ​Day of Atonement that the High Priest took two rams and laying his hands upon the head of the one confessed on it all the sins of the nation. Then it was driven into the wilderness to perish. This is what happened to Jesus. Multitudes of sinners came to John the Baptist in preparation for the ​Day of Atonement and after confessing their sins were plunged beneath the waters of Jordan. They dumped their sins in the water and came out clean. Symbolically they went in dirty and 38

came out pure. Jesus came to the same waters and John baptized him. He went in clean and came out ​carrying those sins. From then on he suffered the most dreadful temptations and should have died but he survived and came back in the power of the Spirit. For the next 3½ years he was the sin bearer and again and again was attacked by Satan who tried to kill him. The ministry of Jesus was ​exactly 3½ years, ​1290 days from the start to when he was slaughtered on the cross. Lifted up like a serpent in the wilderness he was disfigured as an abomination by the sins of all mankind. His death brought utter astonishment and horror to all who witnessed it, but he was God’s “Gift” ​given to us, “the Lamb of God who ​took awa​y the sin of the world.” Lk.23:48,49. (Some teachers claim that Jesus did not minister for 3½ years. ​Please see end notes. Daniel 12 foretold a period of ​1290 days followed by a horrific event that would bring desolation yet blessing at the end of it. Daniel was not referring to Antiochus who polluted the ​earthly temple but to Jesus the ​spiritual Temple. Antiochus took away sacrifice by ​force​, Jesus took away ​sacrifice through ​love and caused it to ​cease forever​. Antiochus was a counterfeit god; Jesus is the true Son of God. To Gentile believers with only Greek based theology ​1290 days may have no immediate meaning but to Jewish people with Hebrew knowledge it would have great significance. They would know that every seven years there were two 3½ year cycles between the major Hebrew Feasts of ​Passover and ​Atonement​. The Hebrew Feasts are arranged in two groups, ​Spring and ​Autumn​, in such a way that every 3½ years they start and end on alternative Feasts. The Jewish year usually consisted of 12 lunar months of 29 or 30 days. This means that 3½ years is ​1260 days. However, because of the difference between the ​lunar months and the earth’s ​solar orbit around the sun, every three years or so an extra month was added. We still do something similar when every leap year we add a day. Because of the difference between our ​solar calendar and the Hebrew lunar calendar they had to add a whole month. Therefore the statement that it was ​1290 days is quite acceptable; it was still 3½ 39

solar years. Jesus revealed himself at the time of the ​Feast of Atonement​, if not on the day perhaps during the ten days of repentance between ​Trumpets and ​Atonement​. These were called the ​Days of Awe in which people repented in preparation for Atonement​, hence large numbers came to John the Baptist. John’s ministry was like a ​Trumpet fulfilling the ​Day of Trumpets and calling the nation to repent. Counting from there ​1290 days in a Jewish calendar comes to the ​Day of ​Passover​. In this way ​Jesus fulfilled the first half of the 70​th week of Daniel​. All aspects of Daniel 9 were fulfilled including the anointing of the “Holy Place/Most Holy One”(NIVmg). In the OT Priests and certain items within the Tabernacle were anointed with a special oil of holiness. Ex.30:23-33. Jesus was anointed by God at his Baptism. “Messiah” means “Anointed” and it was only Jesus as High Priest who had the authority to enter the Most Holy Place and sanctify it with his blood. Heb.3:1-4, 9:11-26. He is the “​Anointed Holy One”​. Daniel was given understanding of many things including the coming of Messiah and the first 3½ years and his own resurrection at the end of it. During this period many would be purified and made white but the wicked would continue to be wicked. This is ​exactly what Jesus did for 3½ years. John the Baptist’s said of him, ​“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and gather the wheat into the barns and burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” The ministry of Jesus sifted the entire nation. Daniel 12:10. The amazing thing is that the first half of the ministry of Jesus lasted 1290 days and ended at ​Passover​. You can verify this if you wish by counting the days on four consecutive Hebrew calendars. Another ​45 days brought them to ​1335​. “Blessed is he who ​waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty five days.” This came to a significant event - the day of the ​Covenant at Sinai ​on the 1​st of the month of Sivan, ​ROSH CODESH SIVAN​, followed ​immediately by Shavuot​. This feast was considered one with ​Wave Offering with 49 days between its start and finish. However, ​Shavuot was 40

calculated in different ways. The Sadducees calculated it ​after the weekly Sabbath during the seven days of ​Unleavened Bread​. If it was done this way then its date was not constant but varied so in order to fix it the Pharisees calculated it ​from the ​first ​Day of Unleavened Bread and linked it with the ​day God spoke to Moses at Mt. Sinai on ​ROSH CODESH SIVAN​. (Ex 19:1-) ​Unleavened Bread was ​always on the eve of 15​th ​Nisan and 45 days ​always worked out to the First of Sivan, one and a half months later. This was the day Israel prepared to receive ​God’s Covenant and it was standardized to ​45 days ​from Unleavened Bread. According to the Rabbis, after a period of waiting and preparation, God came down in great power at Mount Sinai five days later on the 6​th day of Sivan, the traditional day that ​Shavuot was kept. The Feast was therefore kept 50 days ​after Unleavened Bread. However, every Jew knew the significance of the ​45 days to ​God’s Covenant at Sinai​. The ​1290 days, plus ​45 days, brought the full period of ​1335 days to the ​day God revealed Himself to Israel. Jesus fulfilled the ​Wave Offering when he arose on the first day after the weekly Sabbath, the ​exact day and time the Barley sheaves were offered in the Temple to God. Lev.23:1-16. Jesus was the ​First Fruits of the early harvest when he arose ​with a multitude of OT saints. Jesus also fulfilled ​Shavuot ​by sending the Holy Spirit and sealing the New Covenant. The disciples had to ​wait for the Holy Spirit which filled the living Temple. ​Just as God made a ​Covenant at Sinai ​Jesus made a ​Covenant with the church. ​Shavuot commemorates the ​First Covenant God made with great power and shaking at Sinai, and the ​New Covenant ​Jesus made when the Spirit came down in great power and shaking. In the closing lines of Daniel 12 there is a promise of blessing to those who ​wait and come to the 1335​th day, the very eve of ​God’s Covenant​. This was why Jesus told the disciples to ​wait until the Holy Spirit came. Acts 1:4. That day was ​Shavuot when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit to His ​spiritual Temple and consecrated it, each member purged with tongues of fire and tongues of praise. 41

In the light of this may I strongly suggest that Daniel ​12:8-13 must surely refer to the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. Having studied this for nearly 50 years there is not a single realistic alterative that I know of. Because people don’t understand the wider meaning of “abomination of desolation” they apply it only to an end time antichrist and miss its impact. Would it not be incongruous for Daniel to have given such detail about antichrist and not Christ? I believe Daniel was revealing details about how Christ perfectly fulfilled the ​first half of the week. There only remains the ​second half which is a ​mirror image of the first. Far from being a time of antichrist’s power it will be a time when God will once again work in great power and miracles as he did during the first half. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem the people cried out “Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” A little later Jesus said that they would not see him again until they cried out the same words. He foretold Jerusalem would be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles ended. Only then will he return. There is a gap between the first visitation of Jesus and his second. ​The gap is ​after he was “cut off” in the middle of the two halves of the week​. During this period the Gospel has gone into all nations. The ​last half of the week will start where Jesus left off, at Passover​, and continue to the ​Feast of Atonement when he will reveal himself as High Priest to all who believe in Him. Heb.9:24-28. Passover portrays salvation to ​individuals and ​family​, ​Atonement portrays cleansing to the ​nation and ​corporate body of believers. Jesus fulfilled ​Passover in the ​first half and will complete national Atonement in the ​last half. Daniel foretold both halves and both end in resurrection, the first half when Jesus arose with OT saints arose, and the last half when he returns. In Matthew 24:21 Jesus quoted directly from Daniel 12:1 so we know the exact place he was teaching from. He said ​“​those days will be shortened for the sake of the elect”. Matthew 24:22. Which days did he refer to? The only “days” mentioned in Daniel 12 are ​1290​. Those days will be shortened but he did not say by how much. If we 42

turn to Revelation we find the end time will be ​1260 days so we know they are shortened by ​30 days​. Rev.11:3, 12:6. ​1260 ​days is the exact time in a ​lunar calendar from ​Passover ​to ​Sukkot, the time of great joy and ingathering of the harvest at Christ’s return. ​Notice that the OT speaks of a period of 1290 days whereas the NT speaks of 1260 days. ​This is very significant because Daniel ​foretold the closing periods of both the OT and NT and they are ​both to do with ​Messiah​. Together they form the final week. If we add ​1290 and ​1260 we get ​2550 days, ​the ​exact length of seven ​years in a ​solar calendar. This is the ​seventieth week foretold by Daniel divided in two; the 3½ years of Jesus’ ministry was a preview ​of the Gospel age, and the ​final 3½ years will be a preview of the Resurrection age. This will start at ​Passover and end at ​Sukkot ​during which time God will do great things. We will look at this later. CHAPTER 3 - THE GREAT DESOLATION IN AD 70 – JERUSALEM DESTROYED BY THE ROMANS Daniel wrote that the ​people of the coming Prince would destroy the city and temple. Dan.9:26. Who were they? They are often considered to be the Romans but have we missed something? Who actually caused Jerusalem’s destruction? The Romans were God’s agents but the people were the cause by their rebellion against God. As we have seen, it was the rejection of Jesus by his own people that led directly to their desolation. Not only did they crucify Jesus, they then rebelled against the Romans and even while besieged by them fought one another! Daniel foretold the “coming Prince” was “Prince Messiah”​. There are not two princes in this scripture, there is only one; the ​Prince who is coming is Prince Messiah, they are one and the same, and ​his people are the Jews​. Dan.9:25,26. Some translations make it appear there are two princes by giving one a capital ​P and the other a small ​p but this is ​not in the original, they are the same person. The whole of Daniel 9 is about the coming Prince and his rejection; same Hebrew word same person. It was ​his people who by their rebellion brought destruction on city and temple. Let me explain further. The people who rejected the ​living Temple were left desolate at the destruction of the ​earthly temple. They 43

caused the destruction of the ​earthly temple by first destroying the living​ Temple. The living temple was Jesus. John 2:19-21, Matt.12:6. Jesus said “when you see “Jerusalem surrounded by armies and the abomination stand where it should not”. Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:21, 19:41, 23:28. When the phrase “abomination of desolation” is mentioned in the Gospels it is accompanied by an editorial note, “let the reader understand.” So too we need to understand what is meant. Many Bible commentaries agree that ​Jesus referred to the Roman destruction in the near future. Eusebius wrote that at the time of the Roman attack in AD 70 believers remembered the warning of Jesus and fled from Judea. They ​saw Jerusalem surrounded and understood it was the “abomination of desolation”. Some Bible exponents see these events as the fulfillment of the prophecy but will there be another at the end? At the death of Jesus the earthly temple was doomed. Daniel foretold that Messiah would be ​“cut off on the wing of abominations​” for “the overspreading of desolation” which would follow. What does this mean? Jesus was lifted up on Golgotha the highest peak of Mt Moriah near the northern perimeter of the Temple where everyone in the entire city could see him. His crucifixion was the catalyst for the destruction of the Temple in AD70 when Roman soldiers lifted their eagle ensigns at the very gates of the Temple and sacrificed to them before destroying it. The Jewish revolt started in AD 66 in Caesarea where Greek residents attacked Jews over their religious practices and many Jews were killed. In Jerusalem Eleazar, leader of the Zealots, then provoked war by seizing control of the Temple and stopping the daily offerings for the ​Roman Emperor​. The cessation of offerings was the formal sign that the Jews were in rebellion. The Zealots then split into three factions under Eleazar, Simon and John and they fought one another. Flavius Vespasian arrived in the land in spring of AD 67 but when he returned to Rome Titus his son took over the campaign. The conflict lasted from Spring AD 67 to Autumn AD 70 about three and a half years. The Romans trapped Jewish pilgrims who had entered the city to celebrate Passover. A man called Jesus, son of Ananias, who had walked the streets of 44

Jerusalem for over seven years crying “Woe to thee, Jerusalem” was killed by a Roman catapult. The actual siege lasted about six or seven months before the city fell and the temple destroyed on ​9th of Ab​, the very anniversary of the destruction of the first temple! Titus entered the Holy of Holies and the Romans raised their eagle insignia within the temple courts and sacrificed a sheep, an ox and a pig to Jupiter. Many thousands died of famine and at one time 4000 bodies were thrown daily over the city walls. The Kidron and Hinnom Valleys were filled with corpses. The entire landscape was devoid of trees which were cut down for firewood required for the war and crucifixions. At one time over 500 a day were carried out. The Romans entered the Temple, erected their insignia, sacrificed in it and then burnt it down. They looted large amounts of gold and other treasure. When Titus entered the Holy of Holies it was empty for it never had the Ark of God in it; Jesus was the ​true Ark​. The Romans took the temple furniture including the golden table and seven-branched menorah and carried them to Rome and placed them in pagan temples. The extreme heat of the burning caused the gold in the temple to melt and flow between the cracks of the great stones and the Romans smashed down the remaining walls to retrieve it. The Jewish historian Josephus wrote; ​“that which I have to recount is an act unparalleled in the history of either the Greeks or the Barbarians and as horrible to relate as it is incredible to hear. For my part I would gladly have omitted this tragedy, lest I should be suspected of monstrous fabrication. But there were many witnesses of it among my contemporaries; and beside I should do poor service to my country if I suppress the agonies she went through.” He went on to describe the depravity of cannibalism even of mothers killing and eating their own babies. All this was foretold by none other than Moses. ​Deut 28:49-68​. Josephus gave a detailed account of the destruction of the Temple. He tells how many thousands of Jews were killed. At least 6000 45

people including many women and children were killed within the Temple cloisters where they had fled for safety. He described the final days in apocalyptic terms. The entire city was filled with frightful clamor as hundreds of thousands were put to death. Their screams of fear and utter despair were amplified by the roar of huge flames, billowing smoke and the cries of maddened soldiers and vanquished people. The Romans showed no mercy. They killed and disemboweled people in order to retrieve gold and silver that some had swallowed. It is hard to imagine the scene. The entire Temple Mount was covered in blood and broken dismembered limbs and charred bodies. It became a putrid rotten stench of dead humanity. In order to carry out their work of extermination the legionaries had to clamber over heaps of dead people. Men and women, old and young, insurgents and priests, those who fought and those who entreated for mercy, were hewn down in indiscriminate carnage. The Temple Mount was completely leveled except for a few prominent walls left by the Romans as a testimony of their destruction. The Western Wall, now called the Wailing Wall, was spared at that time. No man or beast survived and those subsequently found roaming the district were taken away as slaves. Josephus wrote that over a million Jews were killed and a hundred thousand taken as slaves many to be killed by gladiators. A small number of Jews held out at the fortress of Masada but the Roman General Silva besieged Masada and it fell in the spring of AD 73. The entire rebellion was over, brutally subdued by the Romans. At about this time the temple of Jupiter was restored in Rome and an annual tax was imposed on every Jew including those of the Diaspora. During the time the Temple had existed the Jews contributed an annual fee to Rome and this new tax replaced it. The Western Wall is the only relic left standing of that time. Jewish tradition claims that the Shekinah Glory remained on the Mount of Olives for several years after the Temple was destroyed! They believe the Shekinah glory still remains at the Western Wall and to this day Jewish believers gather there to pray. 46

​SECOND JEWISH REVOLT - AD 132 – 135 After Jerusalem’s destruction the Romans declared it a Roman city dedicated to Jupiter. In about AD 115 the Emperor Trajan promised the Jews a chance to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. There was a brief uprising of Jews in AD 115-117 but the Romans crushed it. When Hadrian came to power he went back on the promise of Trajan 15 years earlier. In AD 130 he visited the land and ordered that Jerusalem should be restored as a Roman town, “Aelia Capitolina”, with a temple and altar to Jupiter whose high priest Hadrian considered himself to be! He also forbade circumcision, the keeping of the Sabbath, the use of the Jewish calendar whereby they calculated their feast days and he prohibited the study of the Torah and Hebrew scriptures. The Bible scrolls were burnt on the Temple Mount. This was a repeat of what Antiochus had done. Hadrian started to build the temple to Jupiter in AD 131. He first ploughed up the Temple Mount to level it and prepare it for building. He installed two giant statues or ​images​; one of himself in front of the temple and one of Jupiter inside it. It was also normal practice for Romans to sacrifice pigs before their Hellenic deities. These three practices more than any other, the raising of images, sacrifice of pigs and the prohibition of circumcision constituted to non-Hellenized Jews the ​“abomination of desolation” ​and they rebelled again in AD 132. SIMON BAR KOCHBA​ -​ "Son of the Star" One hundred years from the time of Jesus a third revolt was led by Simon Bar Kochba. In the autumn of AD 132 he captured Jerusalem and raised an altar on the Temple Mount. He reinstated sacrifices and attempted to restore the temple façade. He was considered to be the true Messiah and hundreds of thousands followed him. Some consider this to be the fulfillment of John 5:43. A conflict lasting about three and a half years, from summer of 132 to spring of 136 47

took place in which huge armies from Rome, larger than Titus’s force, fought against the Jews and killed hundreds of thousands of them. Eventually Julius Serverus drove Simon out and defeated him in the summer of AD 135. The foundation of the new Roman city, Aelia Capitolina, was laid on ​9th of Ab and Jews were forbidden to enter Jerusalem on pain of death. Judea was renamed Syria Palaestina. Hadrian erased the name of Judea from maps and texts and replaced it with “Syria Palestine” after the ancient enemies of Israel the Philistines. All Jews were expelled except on the day of Tishah B’Av. Hadrian then completed a shrine to the Roman god Jupiter on the Temple Mount in about AD 135/6. This Roman temple of Jupiter (Zeus) stood on the site of the Temple, a fulfillment of what Antiochus had attempted to do nearly three hundred years before. To the Jews it was an event of extreme calamity and profanity. Roman Emperors took the status of deity and demanded worship from all their subjects. They adopted this from Hellenic culture; it was the Greeks who first claimed to be gods. In fact some Bible students believe it was to these events and practice that the apostle Paul alluded when he wrote 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4 – “the ​man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the ​temple of God​, showing himself that he is God.” When Paul wrote this the Temple was still standing in Jerusalem and it appears that Paul had already gone into some detail to tell believers what would take place but was reluctant to put anything in writing so as not to jeopardize the safety of Christians. (2 Thess. 2:5) Paul saw the Babylonian/Greek/Roman deity culture as a prelude to the elevation of an “exalted leader” who would eventually fulfill this prophecy in the end time apostasy. He used OT figures of Satan’s rebellion to describe the actions of this usurper. Isa.14:13, Ezk.28:2,14. That the early believers understood the ​earthly Temple was to be destroyed is seen from the words of Jesus himself. Paul and 48

Peter and all the apostles taught that the ​earthly Temple had been replaced by a ​“​spiritual” temple ​of living believers. The term “​Temple of God​” is constantly used by Paul to mean the ​church​. He is warning Christians about the end time apostasy in the ​church​. He says nothing about a rebuilt temple; that is a leap of assumption people make from false expectations. The apostle John likewise used the exact same terminology as Paul. Rev.11:1. Note this Temple is not in Jerusalem but in ​heaven​. ​Rev.11:19​. The words of Daniel, Jesus, Stephen, Paul and many others have been fulfilled. Seventy years after Jesus was crucified the Temple was destroyed. The ​earthly Temple was replaced by a ​living Temple and where it once stood became a shrine for false worship of antichrist religion. As we will see this went on for many generations, both physically on the Temple Mount and also spiritually ​within the church which was defiled again and again by false prophets and antichrists. Matthew 24:11,12, 1John 2:18, 2John 7. The words of Paul have been fulfilled even to this time with the falsehood of apostasy in the church and the shrines of an antichrist religion on the Temple Mount. Dan. 11:45. There is no need for another Temple.

CHAPTER 4 – ABOMINATIONS THROUGH THE AGES A prolonged time of great suffering now started for Christians. The Romans had a whole array of Babylonian pagan gods and also practiced Emperor Worship which was enforced upon everyone. The “seal” of the Emperor was called the “charagma” or “mark” and anyone who refused to respect it or worship it could be punished by death. True Christians refused to worship either the seal or the Emperor and consequently many were killed. This mark of Satan has existed all through history in various forms and will culminate at the end. It is not a computer chip but is false worship. See my book, The Covenant of Glory. The ​Roman Empire brought extreme persecution on early Christians. Almost every Emperor conducted violent campaigns against them. 49

Both the apostles Peter and Paul were killed in Rome. Emperor Nero was excessively brutal. He crucified believers, killed them in the arena and burnt thousands of them (AD54-68). Domitian (AD96) conducted a harsh campaign against Christians in Rome and Italy. Trajan (AD98-117) killed many leaders. Hadrian (AD117-138) allowed persecutions. Pius (AD138-161) killed many leaders including Polycarp. Aurelius (AD161-180) conducted a barbarous persecution and thousands were beheaded or thrown to wild animals, including Justin Martyr. Under Severus (AD193-211) many martyrs were beheaded, crucified and burned. Maximinus (AD235-236) killed many leaders. Decius (AD249-251) carried out a violent extermination of Christians throughout the Empire. Valerian (AD253-260) was more severe than Decius and brought utter destruction on the church. Diocletian (AD284-305) conducted the most brutal of all persecutions throughout the whole Empire. He put Christians to death in the cruellest manner possible. It was a systematic attempt to abolish Christianity. Millions of Christians were killed. Almost all the early Church Fathers” were martyred. Despite this Christianity was not extinguished but a new persecution started under the State Church when “Christianity” became the official new religion, the ​“Harlot Mother of Abominations”​. It was in the 4​th century that Emperor Constantine made “Christianity” the state religion and persecution eased. Unfortunately from then on the official church took on more and more of the values and character of the Roman Empire. Theology was formulated that prohibited freedom of worship outside of State Churches. Once again severe persecution of believers began and continued through the centuries. This time it was the “church” itself that committed acts of violence. “Heretics” were cruelly hunted and killed. Much of what is called “Church history” is the story of the crimes of State instituted churches that oppressed true non-conforming believers. Charlemagne officially established the ​Holy Roman Empire in AD800 and was crowned ​Emperor by the ​Pope​. Church leaders now claimed more and more ​divine authority. Unfortunately they were not holy and many were totally godless individuals known for their cruelty, apostasy, violence, immorality and abusive ways. In the ​Western 50

Empire the Catholic Church grew strong and in the ​Eastern Empire the Byzantium Church grew strong. These State Churches became entrenched with worldly power and excessively wealthy. Their leaders were clothed in purple and gold and lived at times in debauchery and extreme immorality, harlotry, sodomy and child abuse. Amongst them were true believers but they were controlled by an ungodly system and the spirit of antichrist. Constantinople, named after Emperor Constantine, was now called the “​Second Rome​”. Eventually in ​AD1453 the Eastern Empire had become so corrupt and weak that it fell to Islamic armies. Many Christians fled to Eastern Europe and Moscow now became known as the ​“​Third Rome​”. The power of the State Churches, Catholics, Orthodox, Coptic and others, became entrenched in all these countries and the “​Holy Roman Empire​” became ​spiritual Babylon, the ​“​Mother of Abominations​”​. The Caesars were now called Emperors, Kaisers and Tsars and the Roman Eagle ruled again. Throughout the centuries millions of Christians and Jews were killed by this so called “church.” The ​Inquisition was responsible for the death of many. In thirty years over a million Protestants were killed. It lasted centuries and was one of the most horrendous things in history, all in the name of Christ. It was impossible for many people to work or make a living, to have a home or to survive. Whole towns were exterminated. It completely stamped out the Reformation in Southern Europe. At times the Protestant Churches were as bad and intolerant of others and severely persecuted Catholics and even burnt “heretics” at the stake. In the time of Queen Elizabeth 1​st in the 16​th century any Catholic celebrating mass in England could be killed. Not only did “Christians” kill “Christians” but they also killed Jews who were persecuted unrelentingly. Over the centuries the Pope promoted Crusades and pogroms, expelled them from countries and forced them to convert to its form of Christianity. Poisonous theology was spewed out from which made Jews scapegoats for every hateful cause. It was this that prepared the way for the Holocaust. The Reformed Church is as responsible for this as much 51

as the historical Church. In 1523 Martin Luther wrote; “What shall we Christians do with this damned rejected race of Jews? First, their synagogues should be set on fire. Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed. Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer books and Talmuds. Fourthly, their Rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more. Fifthly, passport and travelling privileges should be absolutely forbidden to the Jews. Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury (charging interest). Seventhly, let the young and strong Jews and Jewesses be given the flail, the ax, the hoe, the spade, the distaff and spindle and let them earn their bread by the sweat of their noses. We ought to drive the rascally lazy bones out of their system. Therefore away with them.” ​The Reformed Churches with their “Replacement Theology” prepared the way for the Holocaust. When Hitler came to power he called his regime the ​Third Reich and did just what Luther said. Nazis saw themselves as the Third Revival of the ​Germanic Empire which in reality was the continuation of the ​Roman Empire​. Not only were Jews persecuted under the Nazis but at different times they were severely persecuted in other nations including Russia, France and Britain. No wonder they want nothing to do with Christians. The “church” as a whole has never apologised for its part in this or repented for the outrage against Jews and fellow believers. “Christians” contributed to this great cruelty and to some measure we all need to repent. This is what the apostle Paul alluded to in his teaching in 2 Thessalonians 2. He foretold a time of great apostasy would come and a man of sin called the son of perdition will sit in the ​Temple of God claiming to be God. This is a reference to anti-Semitism in the church on a massive scale. Through history there have been many times when ungodly men took control of the church and claiming to be God’s representative usurped God’s place of worship, lured people away from pure devotion and led the “church” into great acts of abomination. The spirit of antichrist has been in the church for a long time! 52

In Revelation 17:7 we are told about ​“Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and ​Abominations of the Earth” and of the Beast that carries her. Notice that the Beast is not the Harlot but carries her. False religion in various forms has always ridden on the back of State power, they go hand in hand. Through history there has been a “marriage” between State and Church. At times secular and religious leaders vied for power and sought to manipulate and control each other. This ​Beast of Revelation has “seven heads” which are seven “mountains” on which this woman sits. (Rev. 17:9) Rome was known as the “city of seven hills”. However, in the prophetic language of Daniel and John the terms “heads” and “mountains” represent kings or historical kingdoms and their meaning is explained in Rev. 17:10. ​Five of them had already fallen in the days of John (​past tense​), the ​sixth existed in his time (​present tense​), and the seventh was still to come (​future tense​). Together they represent the Beast ​“that was, and is, and is to come​”​. Rev. 17:8. It is fairly easy to see that the kingdom in power in the days of John was the ​Roman Empire and the ​city that ruled over the earth’s kings and nations was Rome ​not Jerusalem. Rev. 17:18. Rome had a vast dominion that stretched from East to West and many kingdoms under its administration were subject to its religious and spiritual control . The five previous “heads” are considered to be Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and the Greeks; the five notable kingdoms of Biblical antiquity. Some consider them to be Babylon, Medes, Persians, Greeks, Hellenic and Rome as the sixth. The seventh Kingdom that was still to come after Rome was the ​Holy Roman Empire in its various forms including both Eastern and Western European represented by the two legs in Daniel’s image. The course of world history is depicted by the great “image” of Dan. 2. The Roman Empire profoundly affected the whole world with its culture, values and laws. Even today many European nations still practice what is called Roman Law which forms the basis of legal actions and laws of society. However we now have come to a place where it is legal to break God’s Laws. In fact in some places it is illegal to keep God’s laws because Parliaments pass legislation contrary to the laws 53

of God! Much of our present worldly values are derived from Babylonian origins which have been strengthened through history by pagan nations; it is ​all tainted by Babylonian spiritual and secular values and its trade and commerce all come from Babylonian roots. The entire “image” of Daniel 2, from the head to the toes, is Babylonian and represents nations that reject God. Dan.7:25. Our understanding of Biblical prophecy must be considered in the greater context of the prophetic predictions of ​Daniel who was a man of amazing insights and foretold the course of history and the rise and decline of all the great Gentile nations of antiquity; Babylon, Medes and Persians, the Greek empires, Romans and the subsequent Holy Roman Empire in its various forms. He also foretold the rise of the “Son of Perdition” or “little Horn” who opposes God, attacks and overcomes the “Holy People”, ​divides the land​, changes laws and times, and blasphemes God. This is “antichrist.” When we consider Old Testament scriptures such as Ezekiel 38 and 39 we must place them within the context of Daniel and also take note of the explanations given by the apostles Paul and John in the New Testament who drew largely from Daniel. Anyone who has studied the Bible will know that the Old Testament is a historical record of events and people and gives types and shadows, whereas the New Testament explains the meaning and fulfilment of the Old Testament. Both the ​Roman Empire and ​Holy Roman Empire fiercely persecuted both Jews and believers. The ​seventh head of the ​Beast came ​after the Roman Empire and is called the ​Holy Roman Empire with the Nazi regime as its culmination; the regime that persecuted the Jews the most. Under the Nazis the Roman Eagles flew again. The Nazis revived the Roman Eagles, the Roman Salute and the worship of Fuhrer as Emperor. Many German people were as much victims of Hitler as others. Hitler’s Europe was the final stage of the seventh head of the ​Beast of Revelation​, 12:3-13:1, which swept a third of the Jews to death. Six million Jewish people were destroyed as well as millions of others. (Rev.12:4) ​The rebirth of Israel came 54

out of that horror. Here is something that is often overlooked; the Beast was given a fatal wound but then healed. This was not an individual person who was wounded but the entire head that was wounded and healed and then became the ​eighth head. (​Rev. 13:3,12​) Has this been fulfilled? Keep within the context and consider what happened to the seventh head. During ​WW11 ​Europe under the Nazi was completely devastated. Its cities lay in ruins, its people demoralised, millions dead and the economy ruined. Never has there been a war as terrible as ​WW11​; more than 50 million perished and it ended under the shadow of an atomic cloud. The Holocaust was an “abomination of desolation” beyond imagination and brought utter ruin more than any other in Jewish history. The old Holy Roman Empire including Russia lay mortally wounded. East and West Europe was given a fatal wound and divided right down the middle by the “iron curtain”. People said it would never rise from the ashes. Yet within a few decades it recovered. The healing of Europe and its subsequent European Union is considered the great ​“miracle” of the 20​th Century. Actually ​WW11 was a continuation of ​WW1 and out of them came the demise of the Ottoman Empire and the ​true miracle of ​Israel restored. In his prophetic discourse the Lord Jesus alluded to this terrible “abomination of desolation” and the rebirth of Israel at this time. ​Matt.24:8,9​. We are told that a final ​eighth head will arise ​after the seventh. (Rev. 17:11). It belongs to the seven previous and has the same anti-Semitic spirit and will persecute God’s people just as the previous heads did. It will arise out of the old ​Roman Empire as the final “head”. Its “little horn” is the ​false prophet and forms a satanic trinity; the Dragon, the Beast and the Goat. (​Rev. 19:20​) The ​Dragon is ​Satan​, the ​Beast represents the ​Global World System​, and the Goat represents anti-Semitic ​false religion​. The Goat of Rev.13:11 is a replica of the terrible antichrist Antiochus Epiphanes who attacked the Jews as the prophetic forerunner of the end time antichrist. (Dan. 8:9) He comes from the old Hellenic ​Seleucid Empire in the Euphrates area which is now Syria, Iraq, Turkey and parts of Iran. (Rev.16:12,13) (See my book “War for the World.) 55

THE HOLY ROMAN BYZANTINE EMPIRE When Emperor Constantine became a Christian there was a massive change in the Empire because Christians were no longer persecuted. However, the purity of Christian life and faith was institutionalized in a formal church structure and hierarchy. Constantine’s mother, Helena, travelled to the “Holy Land” and searched for “Holy” sites and during the Byzantine period many Churches and basilicas were built at historical sites. Amongst them was a new Byzantine shrine built on the Temple Mount. She also ordered that the “Temple of Venus” which had been built west of the Temple Mount be torn down so as to build the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and it is thought that at that time the temple of Jupiter was also removed and replaced with the “Church of Holy Wisdom.” Archaeological evidence shows that an elaborate Byzantine church stood on the Temple Mount during the period which eventually fell into decay. Some years later the Emperor Julian (AD 361) visited Jerusalem and granted the Jews permission to build a temple. Work started but in AD 363 an earthquake interrupted it and totally stopped it but there are records of Jews offering sacrifices on the temple foundation stones after its destruction and right on into the Byzantine period. YET ANOTHER JEWISH REVOLT In AD 610 the Sassanid Persian Empire won control of Jerusalem from the Byzantium Empire. The Jews in Palestine had joined them in an insurrection against the Byzantines and the Persians permitted them to set up a vassal state called the “Sassanid Jewish Commonwealth” which lasted about five years. Jewish Rabbis reinstated animal sacrifices and started to reconstruct a temple. This seems to be a recurring aspiration for some Jews. However, nothing came of these attempts. The Persians gave the Christian population in the land full control and they promptly tore down the partially built temple and turned it into a garbage dump. God will not allow a Jewish temple and sacrifices, a system forever obsolete. However, as 56

we will see, another kind of “false temple” was to be built which still stands! The Byzantine Empire later won back Jerusalem but within a short time the Muslims conquered Syria and Jerusalem. THE RISE OF ISLAM The rise of Islam brought the greatest devastating attack on Christianity ever conducted. Jerusalem was captured by Caliph Omar in about AD 637. Having taken the “Cradle of Christianity”, Islamic armies marched on Constantinople and besieged it for 8 years but were turned back. Meanwhile Caliph Omar built a shrine over the rock on the Temple Mount believed to have been the place where the “Holy of Holies” stood. This was the first “Dome of the Rock”. The original building was wooden and constructed on top of a beautiful Byzantine mosaic floor. In AD 688 an octagonal domed building was started on the site and in AD 715 the Mosque of alAqsa was constructed and called the “furthest Mosque of Jerusalem”. These Islamic shrines have therefore stood on the Temple Mount for about 1400 years, the longest continuously standing religious shrines to do so. The history of Islam is almost one continual violent religious conquest and it rapidly expanded right across the Middle East even to Tours where the famous battle tof Tours took place in AD 732. Islamic armies also crossed the Straights of Gibraltar and took southern Spain. Islam controlled Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, and many other Christian communities and Jerusalem was held by Muslims from the Arabic conquest until the Crusades. A remnant of Jews still lived there with a synagogue somewhere on the Temple Mount but it was destroyed by the Crusaders when they captured the site and massacred both Jews and Muslims in 1099. THE CRUSADES There were seven Crusades starting in ​1095 and ending in ​1291​. Hostilities lasted for about 200 years and many hundreds of thousands were killed. These were all ​Holy Roman Empire​ armies. 57

The First Crusade ​started in AD ​1095 when Pope Urban I promised remission of sins to all who joined it. Two hundred thousand marched in 1096 and captured Jerusalem in 1099. For three days thousands of Jews and Muslims were massacred. Ten thousand Muslims who had sought refuge in the alAqsa mosque were killed. Jews met a similar fate in their synagogue which was burnt to the ground with them in it. An eyewitness, Raymond of Aquiles, described the horror: ​“Piles of heads and hands and feet were to be seen in the temple and Porch of Solomon. Men rode in blood up to their knees and bridle reins. Indeed it was a just and splendid judgment of God that this place should be filled with blood of unbelievers since it had suffered so long from their blasphemies.” All this was done while the clergy sang hymns, gave thanks and chanted. The rotting bodies were not removed for six months. This was the desolation caused by the Crusade. The Second Crusade​ lasted from ​1147​ to ​1149​. Only a part of the original force reached Jerusalem in 1148. They attacked Damascus but failed to conquer it and the Crusade came to an end. The Third Crusade started in ​1183​. Saladin united Arabs and Muslims into one kingdom under the banner of Jihad and attacked Jerusalem. The Christians became more militant and a leader of the Order of the Temple, St Bernard of Clairraux, said – ​“To kill a pagan for Christ is the way to Glory”​. These knight-priests took vows of chastity and waged war on Muslims. In ​1187 Saladin attacked Jerusalem for seven days and took the city. Not a single Christian was killed. He gave them opportunity to ransom their lives and those who had no money he simply let go. He was moved to tears at their plight and sent them away with gifts. He allowed Syrian and Armenian Christians to stay in the city. He did not violate a single Christian holy site and no attempt was made to force them to convert to Islam. 58

Richard the “Lion Heart”, Phillip II of France ​and Frederick I the Holy Roman Emperor of Barbarossa then ​invaded in order to win back Jerusalem. Richard fought Saladin for 16 months but retreated in ​1192​. At times Saladin had been merciful to Richard allowing him to escape when he was facing certain defeat. The Fourth Crusade – M ​ ore armies ​sent by Pope Innocent III came to the “Holy Land” but were roundly defeated. Instead of attacking Jerusalem the Knights of the 4​th Crusade attacked and sacked Constantinople in ​1204​. The Fifth Crusade – ​The “Bloodless Crusade” in ​1215 - 1228 caused a massive reaction on both sides of the conflict and did much to establish permanent animosity and mistrust. The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II had many magnificent titles including “Prince of Princes, “Wonder of the World” and “King of Jerusalem”. When he arrived in Palestine instead of spilling blood as in previous crusades he started negotiations and came to a peaceful settlement but there was outrage on both sides against the leaders who had made peace. By this time Jerusalem had become a symbol of Islamic rule but “Christians” also claimed it. For many Muslims it was blasphemous to make a treaty with unbelievers and for the Knights Templar it was also unforgivable for Frederick to submit to Islam. To allow Muslims to retain control of Jerusalem was unacceptable and the Knights sought to assassinate Frederick who fled for his life. The result of this Crusade was to finally polarize the opposing factions. Neither Islam nor the West was willing to accommodate each other and both were prepared to sacrifice martyrs for their cause. In ​1239 the Muslims recaptured Jerusalem. The Crusade of 1249​ left Jerusalem still in Islamic hands. The final conflict was in 1​291. ​The Christian stronghold of Acre was eliminated and Christian power in Palestine ended. The war of several centuries was over but a great rift had opened that could never be spanned. Christians at that time taught that Islam was the 59

fulfilment of the ​“Abomination of Desolation” in which the Beast who would sit on his throne on the Temple Mount and rule the world. Some fanatical Christians deliberately antagonised Muslims so as to clash with them and thus become martyrs. It had been an age of many abominations. THE RISE OF THE OTTOMAN AND RUSSIAN EMPIRES In ​1453 Constantinople finally fell to Islamic Turks. It had been so weakened by the attacks of Crusaders and Genghis Khan that it was never able to recover and the ​Ottoman Empire rebuilt it as a Muslim city. They converted the beautiful Church of Sophia, ​one of the finest buildings of worship in the entire world, into a mosque. For Christians it was once again the ​“abomination standing in the Holy Place” and many Christians fled to Russia where they strengthened the Eastern Orthodox and Russian Orthodox Churches. Moscow became the “​Third Rome​.” In ​1516 the Turks captured Jerusalem and from then allowed only Muslims onto the Temple Mount. THE RISE OF RUSSIA, AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA Russia now began to grow in power. The Eastern Church had long before sent missionaries and evangelists to the Russian peoples and had established churches and won converts. After the fall of Constantinople many people fled to Europe and Russia. They brought with them their faith and Russia and Eastern Europe became grounded in Orthodox Christianity and beautiful churches were built. Russia became known as the ​third ​Rome and took over the role of the Eastern Holy Roman Empire and grew strong but both eastern and western Europe had become a mixture of many people, the mixing of iron and clay in the legs of Daniel’s image. Dan.2:31-45. In 1683 the Ottoman Turks were defeated at Vienna by a coalition of armies from the Holy Roman Empire but in 1711 Peter the Great of Russia was defeated by the Ottomans in his quest to win back Constantinople. Also, in 1711 Charles VI, Archduke of Austria, became the Holy Roman Emperor and the most powerful man in 60

Europe. Vast lands were added to his domain. At his death in 1740 war broke out and Frederick the Great became King of Prussia from 1740 – 1786. By the end of his reign he had doubled the size of his lands. By 1815 the German Confederation of 38 states including Austria and Prussia had formed; the rise of the ​Germanic head in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1829 Russia seized territory from the Ottoman Empire and expanded its power over 12 million Orthodox Christians. So both Russia and ​Prussia​, the east and the west, had grown strong. In 1866 Prussia’s chief minister Otto von Bismark became Chancellor and strengthened the “German Confederation”. The ​Second German Reich​ was born as a continuation of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1821 Greece demanded freedom from the Ottomans and in 1833 became independent. Bulgaria followed in 1877. Later in the same century the Holy Roman Empire of Austria-Hungary began to unravel and the Jewish people living amongst them were in jeopardy and faced an uncertain future. Theodore Hertzl, a non religious Jew but an astute journalist, realised their danger and began to work towards the creation of a Jewish homeland back in the land of their historical origins. THE FIRST WORLD WAR - 1914 This war was a conflict within the ​Holy Roman Empire and was fought mostly between European nations. It started when Archduke Ferdinand the heir of the Holy Roman Empire of Austria-Hungary was assassinated. War broke out with Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy and the Ottoman Empire against Russia, France and Britain. It saw horrendous casualties of many millions. In 1917, after a difficult campaign, the British army under General Allenby captured Jerusalem from the Turks without firing a single shot. This was a significant event in the modern day history of the city which had for many centuries remained a quiet backwater in the desolate Land of 61

Promise. At the end of WW1 the British were given a Mandate over the territory and Jewish people began to return. THE RISE OF COMMUNIST RUSSIA At the end of WW1 Russia experienced an internal revolution that led to the fall of the old regime controlled by the Tsars and the rise of the Communist Party. The Communist ideology was that man did not need God or religion and was master of his own fate. They did not believe in God and certainly not the God of the Bible. The result was a time of great suffering and many people were persecuted, Christians amongst them. Russia also had a population of many million Jews and they increasingly came under persecution as well. In the wake of WWI came the “Great Depression” when banks and currencies collapsed in 1929 causing civil upheaval, unemployment and starvation. In the midst of conflict and collapse Communism filled the vacuum in Russia. Stalin’s regime was responsible for horrendous abominations many millions perishing. THE NAZI REGIME AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR – - REVELATION 13 The “Great Depression” of the 1930s saw another significant event; the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany which led to the Second World War which started in September 1939. The Nazi regime had come to power in the hardship, turmoil and disorder of the financial collapse. It was an alliance of Germany, Italy and Japan against Britain, Russia and USA which joined in 1941. World War II was the clash that led to the fatal wounding of the “​seventh head​” of the Beast of Daniel 7 and ​Revelation 13​. In Daniel we are told about a beast with seven heads. As we have seen the heads were symbolic of different empires through history. In Revelation John used the symbols of Daniel to explain end time events. In chapter 17 he described the vision of the beast with seven heads, and said ​five ​were already ​past​. These included all the major 62

past empires. Then he explained that one was ​present at that time. That one was the ​sixth head and was the ​Roman Empire​. Then he said one was still ​to come and would continue. That would be the seventh head that followed after the Romans. This was the ​Holy Roman Empire in its various forms which lasted 1000 years. (See my book, “​The War of the World​” for an explanation of the prophecies of Daniel and their fulfilment through the ages.) The Nazis called their regime the “​Third Reich​” because they believed they were reviving the past glory of the Holy Roman Empire. The ​First Reich was that which came with ​Charlemaine and was called the Holy Roman Empire or the ​German Reich ​and included Germany, Austria, the Czech lands, Northern Italy and other territories. (AD 962-1806) The ​Second Reich was that of Prussia and Bismark (AD 1871-1918) and the ​Third was Hitler’s Reich. The Nazis actually called Germany “The Reich” or “Empire” and its official name from 1919 to 1933 was “Deutsches Reich.” Hitler simply revived the old Roman Eagle standards, the Roman salute, “Heil Hitler”, and the status of Emperor as seen in the Fuhrer. Their emblem was the “Broken Cross” called the Swastika. The Nazi were a repeat of Antiochus and like him caused massive abominations especially over an intense period of about 6 ½ years, 2300 days of intense trouble. The old Roman Legion standards bore an eagle and had remarkable similarities to the emblem of the ancient Egyptian sun god. The Romans had many gods amongst which was Jupiter (Zeus) to which they sacrificed before their standards. Anyone who has looked at photos of the Nazi parades and Nuremburg Rallies cannot fail to see the identical Roman Eagle standards carried by Nazi soldiers. The old Roman Empire was divided into the East under Constantinople and the West under Rome and the Holy Roman Empire continued to use the eagle emblem which is still seen as a two headed eagle on many European flags and national emblems. The eagle is the emblem used by European Nations including Germany and Russia.

63

The Nazi regime brought a time of “great tribulation” for the world was plunged into war. The Jews were hunted, placed in ghettoes and the Nazis began a systematic annihilation of them, as well as all others they did not consider of value such as Gypsies, Christians including Jehovah Witnesses, and others such as deformed, mentally ill, homosexuals and all who opposed them. The Romans had burnt down the temple in AD 70; the Nazis of the “​Third Reich​” burnt down the synagogues. Antiochus had burnt the Torah scrolls; the Nazis burnt Jewish books and Torah scrolls. Antiochus had sacrificed a pig on the altar; the Nazis sacrificed living people; Jews. They forced Jews to wear a yellow star, the “Star of David” and tattooed their arms and sometimes their foreheads with a number, made them into slaves, worked them to death and killed millions in the gas chambers and then burnt their corpses to ashes in the incinerators. They were “antichrists”. The Holocaust (meaning “burnt offering”) resulted in the death of more than 6 million Jews, a third of the entire Jewish world population, the largest ever mass murder in the history of the world. It is now known that they killed many more Jews than previously thought. They also murdered millions of other people in their camps. The most intense persecution was from 1939 to May 1945, about six and a half years, similar to the time of persecution by Antiochus. The persecution of Jews started back in the 1930s in the Ghettoes but the “Wannsee Conference” of Jan 20 1942 was the official Nazi approval of their “Final Solution” plan to destroy all Jews in a network of extermination camps. From about January 1942 to May 1945 was about three and a half years and millions died. Hitler became Chancellor in 1933 and Jews were already singled out for persecution even at that time. He made no pretence of his hatred of them and people who saw the Roman Eagle ensigns of the Nazi army and the fanatical salutes and hero worship of Hitler would have understand that another ​“abomination of desolation” was to take place. Those who read the signs correctly made every effort to get 64

out of Germany before it was too late. Unfortunately most of them, many millions, were trapped and just as in Jerusalem of old unable to escape. It was the greatest persecution ever witnessed in history. Hitler was a modern Antiochus and the Nazi regime was riddled with occultism and demonic power. Many Germans were themselves brutally treated and killed and as the Nazi regime refused to surrender but pursued a fanatical policy of self destruction millions of German people suffered and died. Sadly, some German Christians were so indoctrinated by the Reformed Church teaching of “Replacement Theology” that they supported or ignored Hitler’s cruel genocide of Jews. This was the labour pains to birth new Israel. THE GREAT SIGN - The Woman clothed with sun, moon, stars. I believe the holocaust was foretold in Revelation chapter 12 where John described a great dragon that stood against the nation of Israel depicted as a woman clothed with the sun, moon and twelve stars. The twelve stars in Rev.12 are ​not angels but represent the twelve tribes of ​Israel as seen in the dream of Joseph in Genesis 37:9. Israel has always been linked with sun, moon and stars and is often described as a woman in labour. ​Jer.4:31, 31:35,37. Micah 4:9, 5:3. Isa.66:7-19. The dragon swept a third of her “stars” to destruction. This is the ​great sign foretold by Jesus; Matt.24:8,29,30, Lk.21:25,26. All through history Satan, the great dragon, has relentlessly pursued the Jewish people with pogrom after pogrom, chasing them out of nations in which they had sought refuge and killing millions of them. This destruction reached apocalyptic proportions during ​WW11​. The holocaust was the greatest “abomination of desolation” ever to take place and it was not in Jerusalem or the “Holy Land” but in Europe. The dragon devoured a third of the Jews, but it was the birth pains of Israel. Survivors fled back to the place from where they originally came from where they will be divinely preserved during the last 3½ years. Rev.12:6,14. After ​WWII surviving Jews fled in great numbers to the ancient land of Israel. Just like the scapegoat they fled into the wilderness of a barren wilderness that had been desolate for 2000 years. Instead of 65

dying they lived. Revelation 12 says the dragon will be cast onto the earth and then rise in the form of two beasts, one with seven heads and ten horns out of the sea, and the other out of the earth like a goat. The first beast comes from Daniel 7:7. This beast from the sea looks like a leopard, a bear and a lion with seven heads and ten horns, a combination of ​all the nations of Biblical history which represent the end time global nations. The second is a goat that speaks like a dragon and comes from Daniel 8:9-14. It represented Antiochus who was a pre-figure of the final end time false prophet who opposes the Lord. The “sea” is a Biblical term for nations around the Mediterranean and the “earth” is symbolic of Middle Eastern lands, the nations that exist to the north, south and east of Israel. As we have seen, six of its heads are past and the ​seventh head was given a fatal wound through a sword of war. The greatest war ever fought was ​WW1 and ​WW11​, actually ​one war with an interval between. It brought death and suffering and the greatest tribulation ever seen Matt.24:8,9. Europe and Germany in particular, lay “fatally” wounded divided right down the middle. It was said that it could never recover yet the amazing thing is that it came back to life and the old Holy Roman Empire is now a powerful coalition of European States, the “beast” revived. This is why it is called the “beast that ​was and ​is not and ​is​.” ​Rev.17:8-11​. It is the final ​eighth head of world power. It will have ten horns which give their power and authority to the “beast” and out of them the goat will arise with power to deceive many people to follow a false god. Eventually, these same horns will destroy “​Babylon the Harlot​”. “Post Christian Europe” has become largely apostate and anti-Christian as people reject the Gospel. Even though there are over a billion Catholics world wide not all of them are committed believers. Europe once stood against Communist atheism but has now accepted the same philosophy without any resistance and become atheist socialists, having forsaken Biblical values and embraced the teaching of Godless evolution which has pushed God out of our schools, universities and society. “Babylon” represents 66

false Christianity and its ultimate fate is sobering, the “Beast” will destroy it. THE EUROPEAN UNION The European Common Market was formed at the ​Treaty of Rome in January 1957 and came into existence in 1958. It is significant that it was called the Treaty of Rome, a revival of Rome. There were six nations, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium, pretty much the old Western Holy Roman Empire. Other nations saw benefits of trade and financial gain and joined and it grew beyond its original trade agreement to a political and one currency union. It is now called the European Union and has its own Parliament and legislation that overrules individual national Parliaments. It is the largest trade and economic block of nations in the world. If it falls under the wrong kind of control it could have frightening consequences. I believe this is the fulfilment of scripture. Brexit and the immigration crisis has brought disunity in EU. It is verging on financial crash with millions out of work, the cost of living spiralling, wages diminishing and social upheaval. There is resistance from the mass of people to the austerity cuts imposed by central banks, and governments continue to borrow enormous amounts of money and get more into debt. The appropriation in Cyprus of funds from private accounts could be the sort of thing that will happen on a great scale in the future. We are on the brink of collapse and the imposition of a new financial order that will enslave people. In today’s international economic world order it is virtually impossible to escape the strangle hold of financial bondage. For years nations and individuals have lived off the principle of borrow now, pay later and we are now reaching pay back time. Anti-Semitism is on the increase everywhere. As things become more volatile the Jewish State will become more isolated and vilified. Before ​WW11 social conditions deteriorated in Germany and Jews were seen as scapegoats, so too with the present worldwide financial crash and upheavals in the Middle East, Israel will be 67

blamed. But the full horror is still to come. After the Romans destroyed Jerusalem Jews scattered into many nations and were in danger of extermination. Their religion held them together and established their identity. When Hitler conquered the nations where they lived he hunted them down and killed them. Today, the survivors are living in a narrow strip of land in Israel and are more vulnerable than ever. They could be annihilated by weapons of mass extermination or simply overrun by large armies. The Jews outside of Israel are mostly in USA. Smaller communities are scattered through the world. Recently one of the most ancient relic populations of Jewish believers from India returned to Israel but Jews everywhere now face a great risk of attack. THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL – 1948 One of the most significant consequences of ​WW1 was the capture of Jerusalem and restoration of Israel as a Jewish homeland after nearly 2000 years. Their scattering was in fact their survival for they could not be eliminated in every country. However, now they are even more vulnerable. History is often repeated and nations fall into the same old pitfalls. Sin and pride have not changed through the ages. Every nation has fallen from within before it ever fell to outside enemies. First, morals collapse, then the economy and then there is no ability or unity to withstand outside attacks. It’s the story of history. That any people could have survived over 2000 years as wanderers without a home, persecuted from nation to nation, and then return and form a nation is what Israel has done and is a unique event. This is depicted by the Woman of Revelation 12. The horrors of ​WW11 brought rebirth to Israel as a sovereign nation. There are many Bible verses that predict the return of a ​remnant of Jews to the land and their restoration as a nation, and anyone who reads the Bible cannot fail to notice them. They are found in Amos, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Malachi, Ezra, Haggai and Romans. Get a concordance and look up ​remnant​. There are Christians who discount these scriptures by saying they were fulfilled hundreds of 68

years before Jesus at the first return from Babylon. However, the OT prophets foretold a far greater fulfilment than has ever happened before. They tell of people who were scattered to the “four winds” of the earth, north, south, east and west, speaking many languages of many nations who, after great tribulation, will return and be planted in their land and ​never be pulled up again. This is why Israel is so important to understand the times in which we live and the divine plan for this planet. Israel was restored in 1948 and since then there has been increasing conflict. The last century saw significant things happen. Events in earthly Israel impact spiritual Israel and vice versa. When Israel was restored as a nation in 1948 the great healing campaigns in the church started. In 1967 Jerusalem was united and the “charismatic renewal of the Holy Spirit” came into many churches. In the 1970s Israel survived the Yom Kippur War, meaning Atonement, and since then Jews began to come to Jesus. The Berlin Wall came down and the Soviet Union collapsed allowing many Jews from Soviet States to return to Israel. Revivals broke out in Asia, Africa and other places worldwide. Israel is the key to the world’s future. ​There will be a conflict over it that will bring purging, reconciliation and ​life out of death. (See my book “​Miracle of Israel​”.) DIVSION OF LAND + CONTENTION OVER JERUSALEM In 1967 Israel was threatened with annihilation by Islamic nations but succeeded in repelling those forces and took control of Jerusalem and for the first time in many centuries Jews had access to the Western Wall. Since then there has been more conflict with more Jewish settlements established. The land had been held by the Ottoman Empire but Palestinians want to establish their own State on this land now called the West Bank. In 1947 the UN offered the Arabs a State of their own but this was refused and they have never accepted Jews have a right to even exist. Supported by Islamic states they want Eastern Jerusalem, including the Old City and Temple Mount, as their State capital. What is called “The Fence or Wall” 69

now stretches many hundreds of kilometres from the north of Israel to the south. In the vicinity of Jerusalem a high concrete wall divides the Eastern Palestinian area from the Western Jewish area and keeps out suicide bombers. Instead of the Berlin Wall dividing East and West we now have the Jerusalem Wall dividing not only that city but the nations of the world. Israel is divided in other ways. There is a large secular segment which is not interested in religion; a Zionist nationalism which claims the land is theirs; and a growing number of orthodox Jews who do not even recognize the current nation but live there anyway! Jerusalem is divided between Jews and Muslims. Theses two groups are also divided; Jews politically and spiritually, and Muslims into Shiite and Sunni. Israel wants Jerusalem as its capital and scriptures say a ​remnant of Jews will return to the land and never again be dispersed. The land will blossom and one day Jerusalem will become the “Throne of the Lord” and the Lord will dwell there and His Presence will cover it with a cloud of Glory. Isa.4:5,6, 66:10, Zech.14:16-21. But ​first the Jewish people must receive the Messiah, King Yeshua. Jesus said that Jerusalem is the “city of the Great King”. Matt.5:35. The apostle John wrote that at the end of 1000 years “New Jerusalem” will come down as a Bride. John said its gates will always be open and nations that are saved will enter into it, and the saints of ​every nation will live there including. The Lord himself will dwell in it. Let me reiterate that I don’t believe there is any place on earth that is more “holy” than any other; not the Temple Mount, the empty tomb, a cathedral, synagogue or mosque. It is a ​Person that makes a place Holy, the ​Lord God and His Presence​. When Moses met the Lord at the burning bush it was just a piece of desert but the ​Presence of the Almighty made it Holy ground. What made the Temple a “Holy Place” was the Presence of the Lord. Note that Daniel 9:27 talks of the ​MOST HOLY​ not a place but a person; Jesus the true ​Temple. Places can, I believe, hold a residual power that impacts people in different ways depending upon their perceptions, beliefs, values, 70

culture and experience. A “place” can be special to us or foreboding to us. People who visit Auschwitz say that it has an overbearing sense of sorrow and horror. Why is that? It is because of what we know happened there. The Temple Mount holds different emotions for different people. It seems its power is so strong that some are willing to go to war over it and Jerusalem will become a burden to the entire world. Zechariah 12:3, 14:1-4, Joel 3:1,2, 12-17. Yet it is meant to be the ​City of Peace​. Peace can only be achieved through forgiveness and reconciliation, when people get tired of killing each other. What can ever bring such a mind change? The coming events in Israel and at Jerusalem will be the means for this to happen. Jerusalem is the “​Threshing Floor​” of the Lord where God will sift the hearts of the entire world. There will be multitudes in the “Valley of Decision,” the Valley of Jehoshaphat that is just outside the city walls. Joel 3:12-14. The events that we currently witness will culminate in great judgment and purging, bringing renewal and life to all who repent and judgment and destruction to all who appose truth and righteousness. Jesus will come in power and great glory.

71

Ruins of the temple destroyed by the Romans

CHAPER 5 – A ​FUTURE​ ABOMINATION AND THE LAST 3½ YEARS What happens in Israel affects the spiritual realms of the whole world including the church. As Israel becomes more isolated and besieged more people will turn to the Lord. Everything is building towards a great spiritual renewal in Israel. At the Yom Kippur War (the War of Atonement) a spiritual break through took place and Jewish people began to come to faith in Yeshua Messiah. There are now thousands of Messianic believers, more than at any time since the first century. The Bible says that two prophets will stand up in Jerusalem and begin a powerful ministry for three and a half years. The result of this will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the promised “Latter rain” of Joel 2 which will bring purification and purging to the 72

spiritual ​Temple of God​. This is a prelude to the return of Jesus; Jewish believers will be purged in preparation for his return and will cry out ​“Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord”​. Will there be another Temple and sacrifices? There is a small group of Jews, supported by some Christians, who believe ere will be, however, most Jews discount another temple and those who do look for it believe it will happen only ​after Messiah has come not before. There is a teaching that the antichrist will make a treaty with the Jews to rebuild a Temple but all sacrifices are unacceptable to God and must not be aided or supported by Christians. Jesus foretold both the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans and also an end time “abomination of desolation” but nowhere did he say that a Temple will be built. Quite the contrary, he said ​He was the ​Temple​. He is building a ​spiritual heavenly Temple comprised of Jew and Gentile believers. ​It is very clear in Hebrews that this Temple already exists.​ Heb.8:2, 9;8,11,12,24. Jesus foretold that Jerusalem would be “surrounded by ​armies.” Matt.24:15, Mk.13:14, Luke 19:43, 21:20-24. Bible commentaries generally accept that he referred to the Roman destruction in AD 70. Jesus drew attention to an ​“abomination of desolation standing in the holy place where it should not.” ​As we have seen the false shrines are already there standing on the Holy Mount and tensions are building towards a great conflict over the “Temple Mount”. The key event is the surrounding of Jerusalem by armies. There are some who teach that a Temple will be built under the antichrist. Rev.11:1 However, how can antichrist build ​God’s temple? It is called the Temple of God and those who worship in it must be ​true believers​. All references in Revelation to a Temple (altar and throne) refer to a spiritual ​heavenly ​Temple. None of the descriptions make sense if applied to an ​earthly building. John wrote Revelation ​after the destruction of the ​earthly Temple (​hieron​) and never said it would be rebuilt. Throughout Revelation he refers to a ​spiritual building (​naos​), the ​Temple in ​heaven​, which will be opened and the ark of 73

the covenant seen. Rev.11:19. The ark is a symbol of Jesus and the Temple represents the true church. It is Jesus who will appear to believers in His ​spiritual Temple, the ​Temple of God​; comprised of Jew and Gentile believers throughout the world. ​Eph.1:3, 2:6,3​. This is the Temple which is “​measured​” and all true worshippers counted and cleansed. The “outer court” ​outside the Temple represents the control of Jerusalem by the “false prophet” who divides and tramples it under foot. Rev.11:2. The ​earthly city of Jerusalem will suffer a great earthquake and a third of it destroyed with thousands of casualties. This division of the city is prophesied in Zechariah 14:1-9. In fact it is written in Daniel 12:7 that only ​after the “power of the holy people” is shattered will the end come and the intervention of the Lord. Israel claims Jerusalem to be its undivided and permanent capital, Islam claims it as the capital of a new Palestinian State. Neither will compromise and events are simply delaying the inevitable; “when they say peace, peace sudden destruction shall come upon them.” Jesus foretold 3½ years in which ​earthly Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot. ​Luke 21:24​. WHAT IS THIS “ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION” Again and again the Temple Mount has been fought over. It is a place of blood letting. In the final days of this present age there will be another great desolation. What could it be? Any form of sacrifice on the Temple Mount would be an abomination. At Passover 2013 two Jewish men intended to sacrifice a lamb on the Temple Mount but were arrested. The Muslims also have a sacrificial ritual called the “Festival of Sacrifice” A camel, goat or sheep is slaughtered. It has nothing to do with sin or atonement but symbolises dedication, submission and willingness to follow Islam. However, the abomination Jesus mentioned is already standing there. Daniel 11:45. The “Temple” of the fierce king. We have considered several past abominations that were desolations. The first was when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Solomon’s Temple. 74

After 70 years it was rebuilt and Antiochus caused its ​desecration​. Later the because of their rebellion the Jews brought the entire destruction of the Temple. The next is to do with the present shrine that currently stands on the Temple Mount and called by the Crusaders the “abomination of desolation.” The rise of Islam in the 7​th century had apocalyptic results for Christians in many lands, and churches were desecrated and large Christian communities eliminated. In AD 638 the Dome of the Rock was erected on the Temple site. In due course it and other shrines were rebuilt as permanent buildings using materials from previous shrines including the Shrine of Jupiter. When the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem the Dome was converted into a church but when Muslims won it back it was reinstated and stands there to this day.​ ​(Matt.24:15.) It is plainly visible for all to see. Few Bible scholars understand Daniel 11:36-45 because very few take time to understand this portion of Daniel. It is one of the most important prophecies about “end times”. He predicted the rise of a ‘fierce king’ who is depicted in Daniel 8 as a ​goat with two horns and in Revelation is called the “​false prophet​”. 13:11, 16:13, 19:20. Daniel 11 describes the “goat” and how a “fierce king” will eventually ​“plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain”​. This goat is the little horn called in Revelation the “false prophet” who will establish his “tents” on the Holy Mountain. “Tent” is the same word as “tabernacle” used throughout scripture for a temple or place of worship. It is also called a palace or as another translation says, a “royal pavilion”. This word pavilion means “​a highly conspicuous domed building visible from a distance​”. It is planted on the Holy Mountain between the two seas. This is none other than the ​Temple Mount at Jerusalem between the Mediterranean and Dead Seas. Daniel foretold the end time shrines. Daniel 11:36-45 has never been fulfilled historically and describes the character and activities of the end time “false prophet”. It tells of 75

the planting of his tabernacles and the final years of their existence. As we have seen, these buildings were established many centuries ago but in the end time the “false prophet” of Revelation takes control of them for 3½ years, leading to conflict between Israel and the Islamic nations and their supporters. Israel was always caught between the “super powers,” Assyria in the north and Egypt in the south and at times Israel looked to one or the other for help. It is still caught between the great world powers but in the end will be cornered with no where to go and no one to help, except God. It will be a devastating war that will plunge Israel to the brink. Daniel 12 will come to pass and will be a supernatural intervention of God. The Bible says that Jerusalem will be divided before it is finally sanctified and gives a detailed description in Zechariah of a conflict in the vicinity of Jerusalem in which half the city will fall and its inhabitants will be ravished. Many nations will be involved including Judah (the Jews) and the Lord Himself will come. Zech.14:3-5. He will stand on the Mount of Olives and a great earthquake will occur. John also described a great earthquake in Jerusalem in which thousands of residents will be killed but the rest will turn to God. Rev.11:13. Two thirds in the land will perish. Both Zechariah and John also mention Megiddo. Zech.12:11, Rev.16:16. Zechariah described in vivid terms the purging and conversion of a ​remnant of people as they behold the Lord and realise that he was pierced in “the house of his friends.” Zech. 12:10-14, 13:1-9. Most Bible commentaries see these events as prior to the return of Jesus but there is a difference of views and some see its fulfilment was in AD70 when the Romans killed over a million people and this may be as it is mentioned in the immediate context of the death of Jesus (13:7). Others view it as still future. However, Zechariah 14 is certainly about the end times and a frightening description of another great “desolation” ​in and around Jerusalem. When tour groups visit Jerusalem few have any concept about the rivers of blood that have been shed and still may be shed at this place. It is probably the one spot on earth where more blood has been spilt than any other. The awful toll of life here is truly awful, including the blood of God’s 76

own Son just outside the city walls on the “wings of the temple”. This is the reality of the city of Jerusalem. PAUL’S TEACHING – 2 Thessalonians 1:3-2:12 The disciples knew they would die ​before Jesus returned. None of them expected a speedy return of Jesus but a prolonged conflict that would last a long time. The apostle Paul wrote that the “man of lawlessness”, the “son of perdition” will be revealed ​before Christ returns and consumes him. He foretold that the “​Temple of God” would be inhabited by one who epitomizes Satan. At last Satan will have a face! In Paul’s theology the Temple does ​not mean a building but is the spiritual ​body of Christ​. This then is a very serious prediction of Paul concerning the “falling away” or “apostasy” ​in the church when people will be so misled they will “believe a lie”. Jesus also said that the love of many will wax cold ​before he returns. Throughout history the spirit of antichrist has been within the “church” causing deception, hatred and great cruelty especially to true believers and to Jews! Paul’s earnest warning in 2 Thessalonians is to do with apostasy ​in the church. The ​“thrones of antichrist” are not just standing in Jerusalem but ​in the “church”. Can you not see them; the false doctrines, pagan gods and customs, and worldly values in the guise of so called liberation? Do we turn a blind eye to them, even admire their beauty and embrace them as part of our progressive enlightenment into liberty? There is an immense battle raging within the invisible dimension of the “church” which is being measured, purged and divided. It faces challenges over many issues such as, the authority of scripture, compromise with immorality, and its stance towards Israel. False believers are being separated from true. Jesus warned about tares sown by the enemy which look like the real thing and are not easily told apart. Do you not remember he said they will grow together until harvest when the tares will be destroyed and the wheat gathered? Matt.13:25. Paul warned of a godless spirit that will infiltrate the church and bring sudden destruction. He said the revealing of Jesus and the destruction of this evil will happen on the same Day! 77

THE “GREAT MOTHER OF ABOMINATIONS” – Rev 17+18 In Revelation John does ​not write about an “abomination of desolation” but he did write about ​“Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations.” Read the description of this woman in contrast with the beautiful woman of chapter 12. She is dressed in scarlet and purple, has golden vessels and cups, is adorned with precious stones and pearls, lives in luxury and debauchery, commits sexual fornication and is full of ​abominations​. She rules over kings and has great wealth through trade with the merchants of the world. She also trades in the “souls of men.” What does this symbolism conjure up in your mind? We are told that she is a city that dwells on seven hills and rides on the ​seven heads of the Beast, the great nations of the world. In fact the angel is very precise in identifying her for he tells John that this great city is none other than the city that actually ruled over the earth ​at the time of John. (Rev. 17:18) It was not New York, London, Moscow or any other city but the city of Rome​. It certainly was ​not Jerusalem for that city was already destroyed by the Romans at that time. Through the last two thousand years Jerusalem has ​not ruled over anything but has been plundered and left destitute, a conquered vassal city to different warring armies. In contrast the ​“Holy Roman Empire” under Rome and the ​State Church has during the last two thousand years through religion and economy influenced all the world. Not only did it construct glorious “Shrines” it also established world wide trade in wealthy colonies and were fixated on luxury, mammon and wealth. The Holy Roman Empire was not “Holy” but committed abominations in the name of God and commerce. It birthed the powerful “Beast” system. The Harlot rides on the “beast” and is empowered by it. The Vatican has been the centre of Christendom for 2000 years and to this day claims to be the “Mother church”. At times it caused religious conflicts in which millions perished and it has been lavish in wealth and power over many nations. Sadly it is not just Rome but much of “Christendom” that was ungodly and apostate. Although at times contributing good it has also been responsible for some of the most 78

heinous crimes in history. It was these very nations which hounded and persecuted many Jewish people! For them it was like Babylon all over again. Can apostate churches escape judgment? Revelation describes the final 3½ years of the 70​th week. Rev.12,13,14, Dan.7:20-25, 9:27, 12:7. Daniel foretold the “Beast” who speaks great blasphemies and subdues kings, divides the Holy Land, degrades women having no desire for them, and persecutes the saints. He will change “​times and laws​” or as the Good News Bible says “​he will speak against the Supreme God and oppress God’s people. He will try to change religious laws and festivals.” ​Dan.7:25 GNB. Both apostate Christendom and Islam have done this. The present age is filled with abominations. It is quite possible now to break God’s moral laws but not break the laws of men, and vice versa to keep the laws of men yet be immoral, untruthful and dishonest. Which are most important? In some nations people are actually killed for being good. Many people have cast off all restraint. They consider themselves enlightened and claim to know what is right and wrong yet abominable things are committed throughout the world. Every foul deed is justified one way or another by people of ungodly principles. This is what Daniel foretold in 7:25 and 12:10. The world is filled with violence, murder, immorality, child molestation, degrading of women, slavery, greed, pride, blasphemy, idol worship, covetousness, disrespect, depravity and hundreds of other abominations. Every day we witness “abominations of desolation”. Let us have a brief look at what the Bible says are abominations; adultery and every kind of sexual fornication, murder, covetousness, idolatry, lying, lust, stealing and other sins we may not think important are abominations. When these things become so rife that they dominate society then society will implode into anarchy. Babylon is described in Revelation 17 and 18 as a “great city” that defies morals, lives in disproportional luxury, commits the most heinous sins, trades in great wealth of gold and silver and parades in 79

the most outlandish garments of purple and gold. It also trades in the souls of men. What imagery! What can it describe? It is apostate society together with the entire world system of corrupt morals. ROME – “THE ETERNAL CITY” During the last two thousand years the “Holy City” in Rome, also known as the “Eternal City”, took on the spiritual role of the Roman Empire and in a very real way the power of that Empire. Rome’s spiritual influence impacted all the nations of the old Empire. The spiritual centre for Christianity moved from Jerusalem to Rome. Augustine promoted this notion in his teaching about “The City of God” in which he claimed that the “church” replaced Israel and would eventually rule over the whole world. ​Babylon became a synonym for ​Rome and other worldly cities such as Constantinople. If Babylon represents apostate Christianity married to the world secular power then the future is truly frightening. John described Babylon’s destruction in similar terms as to what happened when Pompeii was destroyed at the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 something that John and the whole world of that day witnessed with great shock. Rome actually sits on a massive ancient volcano. It has been considered to be dormant but scientists have registered a great deal of tremor activity. Like Pompeii it could suddenly erupt and the entire region will be devastated. Wealthy but corrupt nations sit on an earthquake that is just as explosive; the collapse of spiritual values of society and the monetary systems of the world. “​Babylon the Great Harlot and Mother of Abominations​” represents apostate Christendom worldwide in all its divided factions. She gave birth to numerous children. Regrettably the Roman, Orthodox, Reformed and most other churches have a sordid history despite the many wonderful devout people among them. All sin is under judgment. God will save individuals but judge institutions. Rev.17:1-2. We are called to repent and to ​“Come out of her my people lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues.” Rev.18:4. Why is she called a Harlot? It is because she 80

broke her marriage vows to the Lord. She was betrothed to Christ but forsook her first love and gave herself to worldly customs of carnality and spiritual falsehood. (2 Cor.11:2-4). When the Lord sent his messages to the seven churches of Revelation he called ​five of them to repent or face judgment! Note in particular some of the prevailing sins in these churches; sexual immorality, worship of idols, the sect of the Nicolaitans known for their autocratic control over God’s flock, and the power of Jezebel an Old Testament figure of abomination. She was a prophetess of Baal and figure of the fertility mother goddess Asherah who caused God’s people to commit sexual sin and worship idols. She had four hundred and fifty false prophets who followed her and corrupted Israel. It was these prophets that the true prophet, Elijah, slew. Asherah was one of the ancient goddesses of Babylonian origin that have through the ages been called different names; Isis, Ishtar, Venus, Diana, and others. These Babylon icons were embraced in new forms and their veneration practiced within the walls of cathedrals and society. If the seven churches represent the churches of today then many need to repent. 2Cor.11:2, Eph.5:24,32, Col.1:18, Rev.2 + 3, 19:7-9. The true church is devoted to Jesus as a bride. Romans 7:4. In marriage there is room for only two. Anyone who comes between bride and bridegroom is a Harlot. The mother of Jesus was the most blessed of all women but to claim that she is sinless, or ascended to heaven or is a mediator between us and Jesus and that one can pray to her, is harlotry and idolatry. There is nothing wrong with Mary but there is in venerating her this way. There is not a single scripture that endorses any of it. The “church” has embraced pagan concepts promoted in Easter, Christmas and other practices and developed them into huge commercial festivities. The nations of “Christendom” have in the name of freedom and liberty forsaken the truth. To suggest the need for discipline in how we conduct ourselves is considered archaic. No wonder that some Jews do not see much worth in our religion. No wonder that some Muslims call the West the “great Satan” when they see the extravagant immorality and conduct of our Western society with pornography openly displayed, 81

arrogance, disrespect, crimes of child molesting, murders etc. Have our actions contributed to their animosity? Have we opened the slues gates of judgment because we have “lost our flavour?” Luke 14:34. “Babylon the Great Harlot”, the apostate church, is divided and under judgment. Those caught in her deceptions will suffer. Now is the time to get our houses in order. The Lord wants to call us back to himself and purge us. He is forgiving, merciful and gracious to all who call upon Him. Joel 2:32. THE FINAL DAYS IN JERUSALEM Let me reiterate something I have already said. The OT is the historical foundation upon which the ​spiritual reality of the NT is built. The NT fulfils of OT symbols, types and figures. The purging of the ​earthly temple by Jesus portrayed the purging and cleansing of the ​spiritual​ temple, the ​Temple of God​. To recap: there is a 3½ year period foretold by Daniel and John and other prophets that will result in a conflict around Jerusalem. Daniel foretold the Temple would be desecrated and after a conflict be re-consecrated. This happened under Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 168 – 165 BC. Daniel foretold another conflict in which the Temple would be utterly destroyed. Dan 9:24-27. Jesus warned the people of his day that there would be an “abomination of desolation”. Luke 19:43,44, 21:20-24, Matt.24:21,22. This happened in AD 70. However, in Matthew 24:15 Jesus referred to the ​exact scripture of Daniel 12:1 and extended the prophecy to the end of the age and a time of trouble. As I have already stated Jesus spoke of the destruction of the Temple and of the abomination “standing where it should not” and “Jerusalem surrounded by armies”. This happened in AD70, will it happen again? Notice that when the “abomination of desolation” is mentioned there is an editorial note, “let the reader understand”. It is therefore necessary for us to discern the season in which we live and take cognisance of the events that are taking place 82

in our times. The first two prophecies of Daniel concerning the “abomination of desolation” have already been fulfilled; the desecration of the temple in the days of Antiochus and the total destruction of the temple in the days of the ​Romans​. So we await only the end time conflict as armies gather around Jerusalem. The Temple has remained destroyed and there is no scripture that says it will be rebuilt. The “tents” or shrines of Daniel 11:45 are there already and the nations are gathering against Israel. The “Arab Spring” was a prelude to the end and has resulted in severe persecution of Christians in the most ancient churches. Two things are of significance; Babylonian values of secular humanism are worldwide and the “tents of the false prophet” are in Jerusalem. The true ​spiritual temple will be measured, ​cleansed and filled with the Spirit and the apostate temple will be ​destroyed​. The cup of sin is full, the vials of wrath are about to be poured out on ungodly nations. THE INVASION OF ISRAEL Let us consider the prophecies of Ezekiel. Ezekiel foretold the ​return and ​spiritual restoration and ​resurrection of the Jewish people (chapters 36 + 37), and a terrible war in the land of Israel (chapters 38 + 39). He mentions the nations that will be involved but although they all seek control of the land they are not all united for three of them will fall before the “beast”. Zech.14:13, Dan.7:8,24. The following nations are named in Ezekiel; Meshech and Tubal; Persia (Iran); Ethiopia; Libya; Togarmah. Meshech, Tubal and Togarmah were all north of Israel. Today they are ​Turkey, Syria, Iraq ​and Iran​. Magog and Gomer, together with Meshech, Tubal and Togarmah are considered to be Indo-European people who came from Japheth. Gomer refers to ethnic Germanic people. Historical sources link Magog and Gomer with the ancient Scythian and Cimmerian people who came from the Caucasian Black Sea area now called ​Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belorussia​, ​Ukraine and ​Russia​. What few commentaries fail to mention is that since the days of Ezekiel people gradually moved West and eventually settling in 83

Europe as far as the Rhine Valley and further, where they absorbed other European people and formed the different nations of ​Europe​. They, as well as Slavs, Huns, Vandals, Goths and others, presently comprise ​Eastern and Western Europe and Russia​; the ​“Holy Roman Empire”​, ten ethnic groups like ten toes. They are represented in the image of Daniel chapter 2 as the ​miry ​clay that mixed with the ​iron of Rome and never formed a strong unity hence the history of conflict in Europe’s divided nations. Many of these people are now in the ​European Union, Turkey and Russia​. Then there is Persia, Ethiopia and Libya all well known today. Ethiopia and Cush were terms for the African people, children of Ham. Libya (Put) and Persia represent Middle Eastern people among which are Semitic people but now also mixed. These nations represent the nations that oppose Israel. Notice that there are other nations that are not necessarily in agreement with them: Sheba and Dedan represent Arabia, and the merchants of Tarshish are Western nations. Who is “​Gog​, ​Prince of Rosh​”? Ezekiel 38 +39. Except for Revelation, Ezekiel is the only place we read about ​Gog​. However, he was well known to ​all the prophets as the oppressor of God’s people ​throughout history. ​Ezk.38:17​. Gog’s name is derived from Og​, king of the Rephaim, a race of giants in the region of Bashan in Assyria, north of Israel. Isaiah called him the ​Assyrian​. Evidently “​Gog​” is the great “oppressor of God’s people”, the anti-Semitic deceiver who leads the nations against Israel to try and annihilate God’s people. He is the anti-Semitic prince of Rosh who comes from the far north. According to Revelation ​Gog is first seen ​before the 1000 years. The same sequence is found in Ezekiel; first the return and spiritual restoration of Israel, then the resurrection, then an attack by ​Gog​. Satan gathers the kings of the earth against the Lord at his return. ​He is seen again ​after the 1000 years when Satan is released. Revelation 19:11-20:10.

84

The Roman Empire split into East and West; the two legs of the image of Dan 2. In the West the ​“​Holy Roman Empire​” developed in Rome and in the East the ​Byzantine Roman Empire developed in Constantinople which was later linked with the ​Russian Empire​. There were three cities called Rome: The first was the original Rome​, the second was Constantinople called the ​“​second Rome​” and when it fell to the Turks its influence moved north to Moscow which became known as the ​“​third Rome​”​. Tsar means Caesar and to this day the two headed Eagle is the Coat of Arms of Russia and other Holy Roman nations. They are all part of the “Beast Empire”. The “Beast and the false prophet” both come from this Empire. I think Gog is the first “Beast” and the Goat or “false prophet” is the second. They work together. After the Second World War Russia controlled much of Eastern Europe and the nations of the old Byzantine Empire such as Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania and others in the Eastern block of Europe. Many of these have now joined EU and NATO. This could never have been foreseen. These people are the same people Ezekiel described who migrated from the east and populated East and West Europe. This is why the unification of Germany was very significant. It was the catalyst that brought a divided Europe into unity and contributed 85

to the fall of the Soviet Union. Forty years ago before it happened I taught about German reunification as well as the collapse of the Soviet Union. We now have former Soviet States in conflict with Russia which is comprised of people traditionally part of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Empire. As shown in the image of Daniel the feet of iron and clay never bonded and European history is one of conflict between East and West. Russia is currently trying to strengthen its power and must maintain its access through the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Europe needs Russian and Middle East oil and they all are jostling to control trade with Islamic nations that have energy resources. Back in the 1970s the predominantly Middle East OPEC Nations blackmailed Europe with oil prices. Europe soon stepped in line. The crisis has not gone away. Europe still needs gas and oil. Vast new reservoirs are now opening off shore of Israel. Even a casual knowledge of history reveals the strong link between the Western and Middle East nations. Ever since oil was discovered it was Western expertise and money that developed the oil wells and oil cartels that manipulated them. Europe is still dependent upon oil and is the largest Economic Block of nations in the world but currently faces an uncertain future. Because of financial crisis there is high unemployment and massive unmanageable debts which are causing havoc in European society with declining living standards. These conditions create social upheaval and discontent similar to conditions that prevailed prior to the WWII; the depression of the 1930s plunged society into crisis. Anti-Semitism is greater now than ever before. Islamic pressure is isolating Israel more and more. The prophecies tell of two “beasts”; one from the “sea” of nations stemming from the old ​Holy Roman Empire and the other from the “earth”, the ​Middle East nations, all of which were once part of the Roman Empire. The first “beast” is opposed to Biblical Christianity and the second “beast” is opposed to Israel. Rev.13:1-11. Nations with religious fanaticism and historic animosity are raging towards conflict on a scale we have not imagined possible. Radical groups have access to diabolical weapons and some nations are working towards developing more nuclear weapons. Conflict can break out in Asia between nations with nuclear weapons and tension mounts in 86

the Middle East. Joel predicted that in the end times there will be “pillars of smoke” upon the earth. Joel 2:30,31. The word “pillar” describes a Palm tree, perhaps like a nuclear cloud. There are large arsenals of weapons in the hands of radical groups. There are huge amounts of missiles, scuds, and conventional weapons. We are on the brink of world conflict. For the best part of four decades I have taught on prophecy and have drawn attention to Syria being the catalyst for end time events. Recently the Secretary General of the UN described Syria as the greatest threat to world peace. More and more nations are dragged in as “brother fights brother”. Zechariah 14:13. Eventually, a consortium of “United Nations” will endorse a plan to support an Islamic take over of half of Jerusalem. ​Israel will lose half of Jerusalem​. Daniel linked the end time scenario to what he called the ​“king of the north”​. This king came from nations ​north and east of Israel, the old Seleucid Empire which was under ​Hellenic power but came under ​Roman control, then Ottoman and is now subject to an Islamic struggle that has dragged in ​world powers​. Zechariah foretold that all nations will gather at Jerusalem. What will come of Syria? There are scriptures in Isaiah (17:1) that talk of the demise of Damascus as a city of consequence. These predictions were fulfilled in the days of the Old Testament but is there a final fulfilment of them? Watch events in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and other nations. I am convinced that Daniel is the ​key to understand end times and gives the clearest outline of future events. In chapter 11 end time events are foretold with the invasion of Israel by the ​“​King of the North​”​. Chapter 12 follows immediately with the last 3½ years. I believe Daniel 7:24,25, 11:36 and Ezekiel 38:17 all foretell the final times. We have already seen how Antiochus was an abomination and fulfilled the first part of Daniel 11 but many commentaries consider verses 35 onwards to be in the future. Israel has always been squeezed between the ​“​King of the North​” (Assyria) and the ​King of the South (Egypt and Allies) the two superpowers of history. Israel is still squeezed between them and the superpowers of today, Russia and USA, are still behind them. Who is the ​“​King of the 87

North​.” Let’s consider his character. Daniel 11:36-45. He is a religious leader who exalts and magnifies himself ​above all gods and speaks great blasphemies against the true Supreme God. He regards no god but his own, nor does he desire or respect women. He exalts himself above everything and honours the god of war and has great wealth and luxury, gold and silver with precious stones. He will come violently against the strongest ​fortress with the help of a foreign god who he honours and causes to rule over many. (Rev.13:12-) He will ​divide the land for gain and win allegiance of many through deception, guile and lies. He is called the “​false prophet​” and will deceive and prosper until destroyed. Rev.16:13. Long ago Islam planted its “tabernacles” on the ​Holy Mount between the two seas. This has already been fulfilled and the evidence is staring us in the face. They are the shrines of what the Bible calls the false prophet​. Rev.16:13,19:20. Daniel 11:45 indicates these shrines will still stand on the Temple Mount in the end times. The ​“World Beast Order​” will support and give power to the ​“false prophet” who will claim half of Jerusalem and control much of the Middle East to the detriment of Israel which, after a period of conflict, will face imminent destruction. The “​false prophet” will work with the world ​“beast” which supports the invasion of Israel. They work together under Satan. Their end is certain; the “false prophet” will die on the Temple Mount and ​Gog and the armies of the Beast will perish on the hills of Israel. Dan.11:45, Ezk.39:11. Their destruction will be awesome and leave no doubt as to God’s intervention. What we see today perfectly fits the scriptures. If ever the spirit of antichrist is seated in the church it is now. We have a world church which is largely apostate without spiritual life, filled with heresies and the traditions of men and the values of Babylon. The greatest of these is the New Age lie of “humanism” which simply put is the rejection of God and the elevation of man to divinity. It is opposed or indifferent to Israel having fostered “Replacement Theology” and teaches that God has totally rejected the Jews. Much of the “church” today is sympathetic to Islam and even shares their goals, willing to 88

join a One World Religion that will eventually submit to Islam. We need to “watch and pray”. As we do, things will become clearer. It is significant that the apostle John places ​Gog ​after the resurrection. Revelation 20:7,8. This is the same sequence in Ezekiel who foretold the gathering of Jews back to the land (Ezk.36) ​then the resurrection (37) and only after that the attack of ​Gog​. Notice the description in Ezekiel 37 is ​emphatic that the people come out of their ​graves​. For some reason many interpret this to be only a spiritual restoration whereas it is a literal resurrection. Why should this be figurative when the main theme of the Bible is resurrection? Jesus foretold that ​all in the graves will come forth, some to life and some to abhorrence. Dan.12:2, John 5:28,29. I believe what Ezekiel saw included the Jewish holocaust of ​WWII. He saw a valley filled with the bodies of millions of Jewish people who were killed simply for being Jews, hated by the world and by Satan. This was the greatest slaughter of Israel ever. It is clearly depicted in Rev.12:4. They will rise just as everyone will rise. Notice that only ​after God raises them will they come to fully understand who He is. Ezk.37:11-14. This may not agree with our theology but God does it for the glory of His Name not for us. We must not forget the power and sovereignty of God. Jews are not saved because they are Jewish but because God promises a resurrection of ​all including them. When the nations see millions of innocent men, women and children slaughtered by the Nazi and others come forth, an exceeding great army, then exceeding great fear will fall upon the entire world. It is a picture of the coming glory of the millennial age. The complete fulfilment of ​Gog is the ​final rebellion against God at the ​end of the millennial kingdom and prior to the coming of New Jerusalem. Rev.20:21. It is different to the events that describe the attack against ​Israel and the Lord at the start of the 1000 years when the “beast and the false prophet” are thrown into the “Lake of Fire” and the Dragon is bound. At the end of the 1000 years Satan is released for a short time and gathers together the entire ungodly opposition to God and surrounds the “camp of the saints and the 89

beloved city.” Fire consumes them. This is ​after the 1000 years. So evidently there is still much that will happen on this planet before the Eternal Kingdom is finally established and the dissolution of the present heavens and earth makes way for the New Heavens and Earth and New Jerusalem of which present Jerusalem is but a poor reflection. So the second coming of Christ and “his abiding with us” (the “​parousia​”) is different from the coming of New Jerusalem. What will happen during the 1000 years millennial age? There are many scriptures that say the whole world will be filled with the “glory of the Lord as the waters cover the earth”. They tell of Jerusalem being sanctified and eventually becoming the “Throne of the Lord” and sanctuary of God. Ezekiel 37 Jer.3:17. How will this happen? We are not sure but I believe that through Jesus and the resurrection there will be a portal open between Jerusalem above and Jerusalem below. John 1:51. Then the majesty and power of the new Kingdom will increase throughout the next age until the Glory of the Lord fills the whole earth.

90

The dividing wall already exists in eastern Jerusalem. CHAPTER 6 – THE LAST 3½ YEARS In the final part of the 70th ​ ​ week the Lord will continue the work he began during the first half – He will “​confirm the​ ​Covenant​.” There was 3½ years to usher in the Gospel age and there will be 3½ years to usher in the Kingdom age.​ It will be a miraculous time. It will be a time of trouble and miraculous deliverance followed by resurrection. Dan.12:1-3. During this last half of Daniel’s week the Lord will do mighty miracles worldwide. It will be a repeat of the first half but in a far greater manner. In the first half he travelled through Israel from north to south, east to west establishing his Covenant and doing great miracles but in the final half he will not walk the rough roads on foot but in his resurrection he will release 91

his power and ​Presence into every nation on earth. Daniel 12:10 says many will be purged and made clean. The living ​Temple of God, both Jews and Gentiles, will be purged and joined as one New Man, the “Israel of God”. Gal.6:16. Zechariah, Ezekiel, Revelation and other prophets foretell there will be a battle in the land of Israel and around Jerusalem. Are you looking for antichrist to make ​a peace treaty​ or are you looking for the Lord to ​“​Confirm his Covenant​?” The 70​th week has two halves with a ​gap between them​. In his ministry Jesus fulfilled the first half, starting at ​Atonement and concluding on ​Passover​. He established the New Covenant and was then cut off. After he arose he commissioned the disciples and sent them out to all nations but his work was not finished and he said he will return in the same way he left. The last half will start around Passover through to ​Atonement ​and Sukkot​. The Lord fulfilled the first 3½ years when he ​took away sacrifices and caused them to cease in a Sabbath. The Hebrew ​“taken away” in Dan.12;11 is “​sur”​. It has many translations some being, ​“to take away, put away, depart, remove, abolish”. This is exactly what Jesus did; he ​removed the daily sacrifice as explained earlier and then destroyed the whole Temple and replaced it with the Spirit filled Temple. He promised to conclude what he started. This last ​3½ years will include the ministry of two powerful Prophets who will preach to the entire world from Jerusalem. They are Moses and Elijah, not reincarnated but returned in the flesh. Both these men had unique departures from earth, Moses having been claimed back from death (Jude 9) and Elijah without ever dying (2 Kings 2). They are also mentioned in Malachi 4:4-6. Their witness lasts ​1260 days (42 lunar months, 3½ years) and then they will be killed and lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3½ days, a day for each year of ministry. ​Rev.10:7, 11:3,15,15​. They will then come alive and enter the “Cloud” of God. This miracle will be witnessed by the entire world and great fear will fall on people everywhere as the 7​th trumpet sounds at the conclusion of their ministry. This is the resurrection trumpet, also called the “last trumpet” and there is no further trumpet in the Bible after this. Rev.11:14,15. It will fulfill the ​Day of Trumpets​. The ​Day of 92

Atonement ​follows Trumpets and as ​Passover represents individual salvation so ​Atonement represents national redemption. The Bible foretells a ​remnant of Jews will believe on Messiah and be birthed into the Kingdom of God. Preparation for this great deliverance has already begun for since the Yom Kippur War (which started on the Day of Atonement in 1973) many thousands of Jews have received Yeshua as Messiah. Daniel foretold the ​final 3½ years and Jesus referred to it in ​Matthew 24:21 when he quoted the ​exact words of ​Daniel 12:1​. He used Daniel 12 to teach about end time events culminating in his return. John wrote Revelation ​after AD70 and also described the ​final 3½ years so he too placed the ​final 3½ years at the very end of this age. It time is still future and it is not 7 years but only 3½ years. When Jesus quoted from Daniel 12 he immediately made a statement to say “​those days​” will be shortened! Matt.24:22. There is only one reference in that chapter to days, ​1290​. There are no other days to confuse us. However, Jesus did not say by how much they would be shortened. When we turn to Revelation we discover they are ​1260 days. There is a discrepancy of ​30 days between the Old and the New Testaments​. In the OT they are ​1290 and in the NT they are ​1260​. John understood the shortening of the days to ​1260 days which he records in Revelation. Why did the Lord shorten them? He told us; they are shortened for the sake of his ​elect​. Matt 24:22. What will happen in the next ​30​ days? The last trumpet sounds at the end of ​1260 days and certain things then take place: the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of Christ, his servants, prophets and saints are ​rewarded, the ​mystery of God is finished (1 Cor. 15:51, 52, 1 Thes.4:16), the dead are judged, and the wicked are destroyed​. This is the ​wrath of God. ​Rev.10:7 11:11-19​, Rev.16:1. The ​wrath comes ​after the ​1260 days and the 7​th trumpet. (Rev.11:17-18) The ​1260 days ​of the two prophets end at ​Sukkot, which celebrates 93

the joy of the Bridegroom’s marriage and the latter day harvest. Only after that is God’s ​wrath poured out. The world will never endure 7 years of ​wrath​. In fact, at the time of Noah God destroyed the entire world in 40 days! The ten days leading up to the Day of Atonement are the last opportunity given for people to repent. After that God’s wrath falls on those who have ​not repented and whose names are ​not written in the book of life. It is a time of desolation on the rebellious and consolation for the faithful, a purging of the entire world over ​30 days, the time the days were shortened for the “sake of the elect”. God’s ​wrath​ is poured out over 30 days, not​ ​7 years or even 3½. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 1260 DAYS The period of ​1260 days may mean nothing to Gentiles but to Jewish believers it was significant. The 70​th week is divided into two periods of 3½ years but their length in days is different. In the first 3½ years it is ​exactly ​1290 days from ​Atonement to ​Passover. So too the period from ​Passover to ​Sukkot is ​exactly ​1260 days calculated on a lunar calendar of 30 days in a month. Add the two halves together and it is a perfect solar year of ​2250 days. ​This is of enormous significance. Passover is in Spring at the start of the Religious year and is family centred and initiates salvation. Atonement is in Autumn at the beginning of the Civil year and is the national Feast that brings deliverance for the whole nation. Jesus fulfilled both but only the Spring Feasts have been fulfilled on the ​very day of their celebration; Passover when Jesus died, ​Wave Offerin​g when he arose and Pentecos​t when the Holy Spirit came. The Autumn Feasts yet await their fullness in the last half of the week. The ​Day of Trumpets is the 7​th trumpet, the ​Day of ​Atonement ​when Jesus reveals himself to those who trust him as High Priest having made Atonement through his blood (Hebrews 9:28, Rev.11:19, 15:5,8),and ​Sukkot is the great harvest, a time of great joy especially on the eighth day called Simchat Torah which celebrates the arrival of the Bridegroom. All these feasts are at the start of the New Civil Year. 94

Even though the Jewish people still celebrate these feasts they do not realise that Messiah has already fulfilled them. For those who have entered the New Covenant all the Biblical Feasts point to Jesus. Passover is an ​unfinished meal. Jesus left one cup on the table, the cup of ​consummation​. One day he will return to drink it and the Jews who seek him will see him face to face. At ​Atonement the “Ark” in the synagogue is opened and the Torah scroll, which usually remains covered and is a symbol of Jesus the Word of God, is taken out for all to see and handle. One day Jesus will step through the veil and will be seen by those who seek for him. The ​Feast of Sukkot anticipates the time when God’s people will be wedded to him and he will “dwell” with them. On the last day of ​Sukkot the Torah is brought out of the synagogues and publicly carried through the streets as the people rejoice. The person who starts the new readings of the Torah is called the “​Bridegroom of the Torah​” and is symbolic of ​Messiah​, the risen Word of God. The Jews who have been blinded will have their eyes opened on the Feasts Days when Messiah is revealed to them. Zech.12:10. They will see him and rejoice.

THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE Another significant Feast which follows these feasts is ​Hanukkah​, the ​Feast of the Temple Dedication​. It celebrates the great victory over Antiochus the forerunner of the antichrist when the Temple was cleansed and the Lord miraculously sustained the Temple oil lamps for eight days. Because of this it is also called the ​Feast of Lights​. Since the restoration of modern Israel this feast is especially celebrated to recall the miracle of the new State of Israel. It was the Feast when Jesus revealed himself in the ​Temple as Messiah​. John 10:32-39. He came to the Temple and cleansed it but was rejected. He will come again to the ​Temple of believers and this time he will be welcomed. Matt.25:1-13. In the opening chapters of Revelation the Lord sent very sobering messages containing strong warnings to the churches. Many churches 95

today have the same sins; sexual immorality, submission to controlling leaders, compromise with idols and more. The apostle Paul said that believers are the ​Temple of God and are set apart for him. 2 Cor.6:15-18, 1 Cor.3:16,17,10:14-21, Rev.2:14,20, 9:20. Yet the church has compromised Biblical standards, not upheld clear Biblical injunctions and condoned false morals. There has been a reversal of Biblical morality and people now say its laws are old fashioned, archaic and outdated and we don’t need them and know better. Yet God has not rewritten the Bible, his precepts are eternal and form the foundations of society but the antichrist spirit of lawlessness has changed them and the ungodly society we live in is a result of apostasy. In the last century there was a spiritual renewal called the “Holiness Movement” which emphasised sanctification, consecration and separation from the world. It was discounted by many Christians but maybe we should have paid greater heed to it for there has been a great falling away and apostasy.

Malachi 3:1 – 4:6 In Malachi we are told that the ​“Messenger of the Covenant” will come suddenly to his ​Temple and cleanse it. The 3½ year ministry of Jesus did just that and exposed ungodliness especially the falsehood of prevailing religious practices. John the Baptist proclaimed Christ’s coming was as a “refiner’s fire” and an axe to the root of sin. The words of Jesus sifted people’s hearts and in the final days of his earthly life he cleansed the earthly Temple, threw out defilers and purged it. This will happen again but not in an earthly Temple but in the spiritual Temple. There is a massive war raging in the spirit realms and this is a period of testing and consecration, of restoration through repentance, cleansing and renewal. This was the message Peter preached at Pentecost and is still relevant now. Acts 3:19. The heart of the message given to Daniel is the cleansing of God’s people; ​“Many will be purged and made white.” Dan.12:10. Some may even fall as Peter did and the Lord may allow this, not to destroy us but to bring us to repentance and victory in areas in which we 96

need sanctification. Luke 22:31. The ​Temple of God is in need of cleansing. This is a requirement of the Lord. In the earthly Tabernacle it was necessary that every single utensil and item in it had to be sprinkled with blood to sanctify each one. Nothing was exempt. On the last night of his earthly life Jesus lovingly washed the feet of each disciple. The church worldwide is in need of renewal and whole congregations need cleansing. Some churches are full of abominations and there may be idols in our own lives, altars to false gods and un-confessed sins. The Lord is coming for a Holy people, saved by Grace but living consecrated lives. It is time for, sanctification and rededication. How can the Lord come to a church and a people who are not consecrated to Him? Will we rejoice or will we weep? Rom.14:12, Psalm 32:1, Pr.10:12, Rev. 16:15. The “MARK” and “IMAGE” of the BEAST​. This book is not intended to deal in depth with this and I point readers to my books “​Covenant of Glory​” and “​The War for the World​” for a consideration of them. Suffice to say that the “mark of the beast” and his “image” have always existed from the days of John. Anything that takes us away from God whether it is an image, a thing, or even a person is an abomination. Anything that intrudes between God and his true church, whether it is a false doctrine, an icon, or a tradition, is a harlot. The true church is likened to a chaste bride and the false church is called “Babylon the great Mother of Harlots”. We are told to come out of her. When Moses came down from meeting God he found the people had made a calf and were worshipping it. They called it God but it was an idol. The “church” is full of “golden calves”. It is a very serious thing. Ex.33. The “mark on the forehead and hand” are to do with false worship. They have existed right through the last two thousand years and in the final years will take a deceptive and hideous form. Nations will fall under the deceptive power of mammon, false religion and apostasy. An idol does not have to be inanimate and the greatest idols have always been people, many of whom have taken on the nature 97

and image of the “evil one” to do his work. Many modern “idols” live lives that are anything but holy! Hitler was a man possessed and driven by Satan. He had an evil, deceptive spiritual power that entranced people and held them captive to his every word. He was literally worshipped by millions of people. What gave him this aura of power? It was Satan, coming alive in him and using him like a puppet to speak and do his will. He was literally a living, walking, talking image of Satan. His word was law and no one could speak against him. He was an antichrist. This is what scripture means when it says the “image will come alive”. But there is another form of false image that technology has put it into the hands of almost everyone on the planet. It is already here yet few see it because they are looking in the wrong place. It speaks and comes alive and promotes all manner of lies and falsehood and people worship it day and night. In his earthly life Jesus was the express image of God the Father. The “evil one” is the exact opposite, the image of Satan. Satan will be personified in a man and have a face. He will also have a purpose; to control and sit on the “sides of the north”, the ​earthly Temple Mount and the ​spiritual Temple, the church. He wants to destroy God’s people both Jews and Gentiles. The “New World Order” wants to control the church and true Christianity, and the “false prophet” wants to destroy Israel. The Lord will destroy both in flaming fire. Few people understand the extent of world purging that will take place. All ungodliness will be removed. Angels will go through the length and breadth of the world and ​remove the wicked from off the planet. When Jesus comes do you want to go or remain? This is one of the most important questions you can ask. THE TALE OF TWO CITIES – Zechariah 14 The Bible describes ​two cities with the same name; ​earthly Jerusalem from below, and ​Heavenly​ Jerusalem from above. Gal.4:21-5:25. Earthly Jerusalem represents bondage and is portrayed by Abraham’s union with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. It is interesting that Mt Sinai is portrayed in Arabia. It is also significant that Arabia is the 98

birth place of Islam and earthly Jerusalem has for long been under its control! Today it is a city held in the bondage of three religions with their laws and rituals. It is evident that Paul considered ​earthly Jerusalem as synonymous with religious bondage. However, “Jerusalem from above is free and the mother of us all”. This is why the most crucial thing for Jewish people as well as all others is to come to faith in Messiah. All the OT symbolism, rituals, figures, and sacrifices are shadows of true reality. We need to come to the light of Jesus, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” Moses gave the law but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17. Zechariah gives a detailed description of what will take place at Jerusalem. It will be plundered and ravaged. It is a sobering account. In Revelation John called earthly Jerusalem “Sodom and Egypt”, an awful title! Rev.11:9. This is a sad description but it will be sanctified by the LORD. Zech.14:20,21. Does it also portray the condition of much of the church? It reveals how urgent it is for people to prepare for the return of Jesus. New Jerusalem will not be a Jewish State, a Christian nation or an Islamic Caliph but a redeemed people of the LORD. John tells of a day when “New Jerusalem” will be a truly pure and “Holy” city, and its gates will remain open to allow ​all​ nations that are saved to enter. WILL THERE BE A TEMPLE BEFORE MESSIAH COMES? Will there be a temple and sacrifices ​before the return of Jesus? Few Jewish people believe this or even want it. Those who do believe in a future temple see it in the ​Messianic era and ​not before his return. There is a minority who hold to a view of Daniel 9:27 which I and others believe is a misinterpretation. I do not believe there will be a seven year “peace treaty” made by “antichrist” during which he will allow the Jews to build a temple and reinstate sacrifices and then stop half way through. I have already commented on this and no Christian should support it in any way. It would be supporting a system God ended at the death of Jesus. 99

Jesus fulfilled the First Covenant and established the New. The basis of all blood sacrifice is substitution. Not once do we see Jesus making sacrifices in the temple. ​He is the sacrifice offered once and never to be repeated. After he died the veil in the ​earthly temple was ripped from top to bottom indicating the way into the Holy Presence of God is now open forever through Jesus. The NT scriptures declare the Temple has waxed old and its law is over. Hebrews 8:13. We are told not to go backwards but to press on into the Kingdom of the Lord. Heb.6:1-6. We are now under the “Royal Law” from which all others derive. James 2:8, Matt.22:37-40, ​Mark12:33​. The New Testament explains Old Testament laws. The old is fulfilled by the new. An example is the Sabbath. In the Old Testament it was kept on the seventh day. In the New it is as a life of obedience to Jesus; ​“So there is a full and complete ​Sabbath-rest reserved for the true people of God”. Amplified Bible, Hebrews 3:1 – 4:11. This is what Jesus did when he caused sacrifices to ​cease​. Dan.9:27. He brought a ​Sabbath-end to all sacrifices. Jesus came to fulfil the OT laws and has written a greater law in our hearts; lust is adultery, hatred is murder, to covet is idol worship. The Kingdom of God is under God’s Royal Law. Js.2:8, 1 Pet.2:9. We hear quite a lot from some people about the possibility of yet another temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem before Jesus comes. In the Bible there are only two temples; a physical ​earthly Temple and a spiritual ​heavenly Temple, not a building but the Temple of individual and corporate believers, the “body of Christ”. As we have seen in this study the earthly Temple were destroyed with the strongest indication that it will never be rebuilt in this present age, indeed to do so would be sacrilegious. The true Temple is the church and each true believer is a ​living Temple forming a spiritual building in which we offer “spiritual sacrifices” and in which God dwells. 1 Peter 2:5, 2 Cor.6:16, Heb.12:22-29. In the Old Testament blood sacrifices were regular and numerous. In the New Testament these are ​done away with by the supreme sacrifice of Jesus. In the New Testament “living sacrifices” are to give God our whole bodies in 100

obedience and faith. Romans 12:1. Sacrifices were meant to bring people individually and collectively to faith but the people sinned more and more until Jesus came and fulfilled the true sacrifice. Do we really believe the Lord is going to back track on everything he accomplished and go back to sacrifices? Have we not yet understood the meaning of the OT shadows, ordinances, types and figures and how they are all fulfilled by Jesus? Is there a single scripture in the NT that says God will reinstate sacrifices? Scripture prohibits all further sacrifices. God no longer wants sacrifices but obedience and mercy. Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8, Isaiah 1:10-15, ​Hebrews 10:1-39​. To rebuild the old system of Temple sacrifices would be against everything Jesus has done and would go back on all he accomplished. In Hebrews the concept of animal sacrifices is entirely rejected. ​Sacrifices are only a shadow, repentance is what God desires​. WHAT ABOUT EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE? 40 – 48 There are difficulties in understanding Ezekiel’s Temple and there are conflicting views as its meaning but one thing we know is it is not ​before Jesus comes. Some say these sacrifices are only “commemorative”. However, if we maintain the ​principles of NT it will help us. The NT explains the OT in the light of the New Covenant. In Revelation John drew extensively from Ezekiel but said nothing of an ​earthly Temple or sacrifices. Surely John would have known. He purposefully did not tell us about sacrifices because there are none. The OT gives the foundations upon which we build and in the book of Hebrews a full explanation of the OT sacrificial system is explained. When Jesus died he cancelled the shadows and established eternal realities. By his own death he ended ​all sacrifices. As we have seen they ​ceased as in an eternal ​“​Sabbath rest​”​. The Temple Law with its priests and ordinances is gone and the Royal Law now prevails with a Royal Priesthood to preside over it. James 2:8, 1 Pet.2:9. It is a ​Sabbath​ of rest and peace. 101

So why did Ezekiel write of a Temple? The sequence Ezekiel gave in his vision is important. In the closing chapters of his book ​after judgment on the nations ​after re-gathering of Israel (36), ​after spiritual renewal and resurrection of Israel (37), and ​after ​Gog’s attack with the combined forces of evil he described a ​Temple​, (38,39). The apostle John followed in Revelation the same order as Ezekiel yet did ​not describe a Temple either before or after the coming of Messiah. Instead he described the coming of the New Heavens and Earth in which there was ​no Temple. He evidently knew something Ezekiel did not disclose. Some theologians see Ezekiel’s Temple as a gigantic parable written in ways that his contemporaries could understand. He used terms and figures, symbols and examples with which they were familiar. It was a magnificent visual parable of glory and he was instructed to relay it to the people for one purpose, so that they could consider it and repent. This was why it contained such vivid meticulous imagery; for a Jew of that time it held great significance. In fact the ​original earthly tabernacle with all its furniture was filled with imagery as a visual way to convey spiritual truth and bring people to faith not just ritual. The purpose of the vision was to bring repentance. In Ezekiel’s day the Temple was the central issue of the time. The people had defiled it and this vision was a sermon to give them a glimpse of glory and cause them to repent. It would be impossible in present circumstances to construct a building of the proportions that Ezekiel envisioned. There would have to be topographic changes to accommodate it, not possible ​before​ the coming of Messiah. Ezekiel draws our attention to a number of things. ​Firstly​, the purpose for which it was given; it was a vision to convict Israel of God’s awesome holiness and implore them to change. Secondly​, the New Testament says the Temple order is obsolete, the Priesthood is changed and Jesus is now the High Priest. The OT 102

sacrifices were temporary and intended to create faith in the ​future sacrifice of God’s Son. They came ​before the cross not after. The Levite priesthood is now ​replaced with that of Jesus the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek. ​Hebrews 7:11-13. Melchizedek never sacrificed but gave ​bread and ​wine​, the eternal symbols of the New Covenant. (Gen. 14:18) Ps.23, Lk.22:29-30, Matt.8:11, 1 Cor.10:21 11:23-29. Those who have been faithful to Jesus will be “priests and kings” and reign in the Presence of the “Lamb of God” who bears the wounds of his supreme sacrifice. Revelation Rev.1:6, 5:10, 20:6. The nations will see the Glory of the Lord and His people are themselves the offering to Him, redeemed and cleansed forever. Isaiah 66:1-24. Whatever convictions you have it is clear that Ezekiel’s temple is not before​ the return of Messiah. THE PROMISE OF A FUTURE JERUSALEM – Isaiah 62 Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122:6 The whole of creation will be renewed in preparation for the eternal creation. Nature will be restored and deserts blossom in fruitful pasture. The earth is presently groaning in the birth pains of a new creation. Romans 8:19-23. Some scientists say that the earth is already experiencing a significant “shift” in its magnetic fields. Full healing will come when the ​remnant of Jewish people, together with Gentile believers, turn to the Lord. Romans 11:12-15. The fullness of the Heavenly Kingdom will be manifested on earth and the Lord will overcome all things even death and submit all things to the Father. Rev.14:4,5, 20:4,5. This is foretold in 1 Corinthians 15:24-27 and is why Israel is so important in God’s plans. Our future hope is in the return of the Messiah, Jesus. There will be a New Earth and God’s Kingdom will come to earth. In the millennium all nations will worship in Jerusalem. Zech. 14:16. Jerusalem will be filled with God’s glory. During this period there will be a “ladder” or ​portal between heaven and earth allowing interaction such as we have not seen before. Gen. 28:12, John 1:51, Matt.22:30. In this time those who are raised with Christ will reign with him. This does not cancel the reality of heaven for earth is dependent upon it and upheld by​ ​it. 103

After a transitional period John described a monumental event; the present heavens and earth will dissolve and the New Heavens and Earth will appear. Revelation 20:11, 2 Peter 3:7,13, Isaiah 65:17-19, 66:22-. The present creation is finite and cannot last forever. It is decaying and the whole of creation groans because of its bondage and eagerly awaits deliverance into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. Romans 8:18-23. We are ​not looking for a Jewish State or an earthly Temple but we are looking for a new order in which the Lord himself reigns in Glory. Followers of Jesus are not looking for an ​earthly city but a “city with foundations built by God”, ​“Heavenly Jerusalem, City of God, where there are multitudes of angels and the Church of the First Born enrolled in Heaven.” ​We have a “heavenly country and city.” Heb.11:10,15-16, 12:22, 13:14. ​“Here we do not have an enduring city but we look for the city to come.” It is not an ​earthly city but heavenly​. Our future is not an ​earthly​ State but a ​Heavenly​ State. New Jerusalem will be the Throne of the Lord and all nations will gather to the Lord. Jeremiah 3:17. Melchizedek represents Jesus who is both High Priest and King of Jerusalem, the city of peace and righteousness. New Jerusalem is like a bride, eternal, unchanging without corruption, death or decay. Of its increase there will be no end. The words of Rev.21:3 will come to pass: ​God will tabernacle with men, God with us, “Immanuel”. The whole earth will be full of the Glory of the Lord which will extend to the whole universe. “Heaven is My throne and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? Isa.66:1. “My servant the BRANCH…He shall build the Temple of the Lord.” Zech.2:12,13, 3:8,9, Matt.16:18. Believers are the ​Temple of the Living God and are called to be consecrated in holiness and love. Beloved get ready, his Glory is 104

coming to the Temple. Hag. 2:6-9, 1 Cor.3:16,17, Rom.12:1.

CONCLUSION We are living near the end of the age. The Lord will intervene in the world in great power for 3½ years. There is not 7 years still left in prophecy only 3½ years. The wrath of God does not last 7 years, only a few days. There will be no Temple rebuilt before Christ returns. Two prophets will arise and Israel and Jerusalem will be besieged. After a great conflict King Jesus will appear. He will judge the nations, destroy the wicked and establish his Kingdom. Those who trust in him will be redeemed and live with him forever. Even so come Lord Jesus. _______________________________________________________

The Ministry of Jesus (first 3½ years of 1290 days plus 45 days to 105

Pentecost)

The future 3½ years (1260 days period to Sukkot followed by Hanukkah)

This is a mirror reflection of the first half of the week. 1260​ days to Sukkot, 30 days of harvest and 45 days purging to Hanukkah The complete 70​th​ Week of 7 solar years: 1290 + 1260 = 2550 days

​1290​ days (plus 45) 1335​ days to Pentecost

-

​1260​ days to Sukkot 106

END NOTES Daniel 9:24-27 is about Jesus​. There is some ambiguity in translations of this passage but it should not be difficult if we maintain rules of Biblical exegesis and the simplicity of the original language without adding extra words to the meaning. 9:24 – ... anoint the ​Most Holy​. The message is about the ​coming Prince Jesus “​Messiah​” the Anointed Holy One and what he will do when he comes; anyone else who may be mentioned is incidental. The entire period of 70 weeks (70x7) is 490 ​solar years and starts with a certain command. Daniel was praying about ​God’s Covenant and the reason why the Jews were in captivity was because they had broken it. Dan.9:4,12, Lev.26, 2Chr.36:21. The result was 70 years of captivity, a solar year for each Sabbath year not kept. Gabriel came in answer to Daniel’s prayer and announced that ​Prince Messiah would ​Confirm the Covenant and cause it to prevail. The ​Most Holy is a person, the Messiah who is anointed. The CONTEXT is about Christ and GOD’s COVENANT ​not antichrist. 9:25 – (69 weeks) unto the ​Messiah​ the ​Prince​. It was not to his death but to his Anointing. It was ​exactly 69 weeks (483 years) from the last decree of three kings to the day that Jesus was ​anointed by the Holy Spirit at the ​start of his 3½ year ministry during which he declared the ​Covenant of God and caused it to prevail. 9:26 – “after the 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” Sometime ​after the 62 +7 weeks (483 years) Messiah was “cut off”. At the Passover supper he made the Covenant and at his crucifixion he confirmed it and cased it to prevail. The ​Most Holy died and at 107

that ​exact moment the veil in the temple was torn. The ​“​people of the Prince that shall come will destroy the city and the sanctuary”. There is some debate as to who is the “Prince that shall come” but we are already told in verse 25 who the “coming Prince” is; it is Messiah​. There is only ​one ​Prince in the prophecy, ​Prince Messiah who is to come​. The ​prince in verse 26 should have a capital P. The people of the Prince, the Jewish leaders ​together with the Roman authorities, were responsible for the destruction of the temple. After they killed the ​Most Holy (kodesh kodesh – Strong’s 6944) they also brought about the destruction of the Temple (kodesh 6944) by their own rebellion and faction fighting. The Romans were only the agents of destruction. 9:27 -“And ​he​ shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week ​he​ shall cause the sacrifices and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations ​he shall make desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” To “​Confirm the Covenant​”; c​onfirm means to strengthen and Covenant is the Biblical word used throughout Daniel and the Bible to mean ​God’s Covenant​. The word ​covenant is used hundreds of times in scripture for ​God’s Covenant​. Daniel used it this way. Dan. 9:4,27, 11:22, 28,30,32. Why would he angel change it to mean a “peace treaty”? For 3½ years Jesus established the Covenant and then in the ​middle of the 70​th week he confirmed it by causing all sacrifices to ​cease​, meaning a ​Sabbath cessation​. Antichrist cannot do that only Jesus. Hebrews 4:9, 10:11-14. At the crucifixion Jesus was lifted up “on the wings of abomination” and hung at the “wings of the temple” at its extremity for all to see. This brought desolation on the city and nation for which Jesus wept. In the first half of the 70​th week, Jesus ​Confirmed the Covenant​, ​took away ​sacrifices and after his resurrection poured out his Holy Spirit on his new ​living Temple. Jesus fulfilled the first half of the week. This is the original view of Daniel 9:24-27 held long before any ideas about antichrist came along and hijacked the real meaning. Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Haley’s Bible Handbook, Jameson, Faucet and Brown, 108

Mathew Henry and many other reputable scholars believed this. It is easy to be misled by new teachings that appear logical to our particular theological mindset but not based on true context. Scriptures that apparently mean one thing actually mean the exact opposite once we consider them with the correct focus. The view that Daniel 9:27 is about antichrist making a “peace treaty” with Israel which he then breaks does not make sense. The coming of Gabriel is in direct response to Daniel’s prayer to God who keeps his covenant with those who keep his commands. Daniel’s whole prayer was about ​Covenant​. Daniel had read and understood Jeremiah who foretold God’s Covenant​. Dan.9:2-4, Jer.25:11,12, 29:10, 31:31-38, 32:36-40, 33:20-25. ​Hebrews 8:6-13 is a direct quote from Jer.31:31-34 and Jesus made this Covenant; he is both the Covenant and the Covenant maker. He sat down at Passover and established the New Covenant​. The next day as God’s valiant warrior he made it prevail. He fulfilled the ​Old and in answer to Jer.31:31 confirmed the New​. Daniel stands between the Old Testament (Covenant) and the New Testament (Covenant) and foretold how Jesus would establish and confirm it. To degrade this to mean “antichrist will make a treaty” is the most heinous and appalling misinterpretation imaginable and robs us of the most powerful prophecy in the Bible. Another word for “​covenant​” is to “​cut off​” ​by cutting flesh. It is used in Daniel 9:26 of Messiah who “​cut​” the Covenant but not for Himself. Jesus took our sins and was “cut off”. Once again it was Jesus who made the Covenant. The word “​confirm​” means “to ​be strong, strengthen, cause to prevail, confirm.” (Strong’s ​gabar 1396). It is the root for the name Gabriel​; ​geber - 1397 ​“a valiant man, warrior” and ​el ​- 410, “strength, especially of the Almighty.” The over whelming meaning of the word to confirm is to “​strengthen in a valiant manner as a warrior of God​.” It is what Jesus did. For 3½ years he ​declared the Covenant with signs and miracles. Then exactly in the ​middle of the 70​th week and in the middle of his final week of earthly life he 109

confirmed it. He ministered for exactly 3½ years, from his baptism to his death. That was the ​first half of the 70​th week. It was 69 weeks to his baptism in Jordan as Messiah when he was ​anointed by the Holy Spirit and declared to be the Son of God and Lamb of God. This was his public disclosure as Messiah. For 3½ years he then established the Covenant and was “cut off” on the cross. The idea that the antichrist will make a “peace treaty” with Israel and then break it is totally out of context with the meaning of the entire chapter. It is not the antichrist that makes a treaty but the Messiah who confirms ​God’s Covenant and brings a cessation and ​Sabbath rest ​to all sacrifices. It is not antichrist who will break the Covenant but Messiah was “cut off” because our sins break God’s Covenant. There is no mention of a rebuilt Temple. The temple was destroyed with no further need of it. Most Rabbis who look for a rebuilt Temple believe it will happen ​after Messiah and not before. Daniel made it clear that the Temple will remain desolate right to the consummation; an utter and complete destruction to the very end. Some teach that a seven year “peace treaty” will be made by a confederation of nations (Psalm 83) but then broken in the middle. There are two problems with this. First of all there is not 7 years left in Biblical prophecy, only 3½. Nowhere does Daniel or John talk about 7 years. Secondly, the nations of Psalm 83 do not make a covenant ​with Israel but publicly vow to destroy Israel; they hate Israel and their intention is to destroy Israel. Some people may ask, “What then of Robert Anderson who calculated the 69 weeks to end at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem?” Most people have no understanding of it and certainly cannot replicate it. However, there are two problems with it. It ​starts at the wrong command and ​ends on the wrong day. Anderson starts his calculations from Nehemiah in ​445BC and using a complex process of juggling between ​lunar years and ​solar years he works it out to the day Jesus entered Jerusalem. In this way on his own admission he succeeds in reducing 483 years to 476 years, getting rid of at least seven years in order to coordinate it with AD32 the year he claimed 110

Jesus died. However, Daniel clearly stated that there would be 69 weeks (483 years) from the ​command to restore Jerusalem ​until Messiah, not to his death. Messiah means ​anointed one​; it is therefore to his ​anointing​. He was anointed and revealed as Messiah at his baptism. Also, the years of captivity were 70 ​solar years not socalled ​lunar years. Anderson has no justification to change the years from 483 years to 476 years no matter what method he uses. The prophecy is to do with ​solar years and annual seasons based on Leviticus 25:8 and 26:1-43, and although the Jewish calendar has lunar ​months its years are constantly reconciled in order to keep it in step with solar ​years​. Anderson bases his assumption of “lunar years” largely on Revelation which states that 42 months are 1260 days. However, as I have already shown the 7 years is actually 1290 + 1260 = 2550 days, which is a ​solar​ year. The years never change. Nehemiah ​never had a ​command but only a ​letter which ratified the previous C​ommand given in ​457BC and under which the rebuilding of the city had already begun. In fact it started under Cyrus. The correct decree is found in ​Ezra 6:14​. It is ​God’s decree issued through three kings beginning with Cyrus, then Darius and finally Artaxerxes. ​Isa.44:28,45:1,13​. A simple calculation without any manipulations from 457BC works out ​exactly to Jesus baptism at the start of his 3½ ministry ​not his entry into Jerusalem. There is another problem with Anderson’s calculations and that is AD32 is not the year accepted by most historians as the year Jesus died. The entire approach of Anderson is dubious and yet people put their faith in it without ever checking it or fully understanding it! DANIEL chapter 12​ ​is also about ​MESSIAH Daniel chapter 12 is about ​Prince Messiah and what he will do in the end times. As Gentiles we miss crucial truths that Jews would not miss. In Gentile tradition Michael is an archangel but in Jewish tradition “Michael” is a synonym for ​Messiah the Prince of Israel, highest in rank of all angels. His name “Michael” means “Who is like God” and in a mysterious manner Michael represented Jesus, 111

just as Melchizedek also represented him. Heb.7:1-15. They were pre-incarnate manifestations of Jesus who in the OT was called the “Angel of the Lord and Lord of Hosts”​. ​He is the ​“great Prince” of Israel​. (Dan.12:1, 10:13,21). This does not necessarily mean Michael is an angel but that he is the “chief of angels”, the Captain of the Armies of God. We see this in Rev.12 where Michael and his angels fought against the devil and his angels. There are two armies one is Satan’s and one is God’s. The army of Satan is led by Satan, the army of God is led by Michael. Yet we know that Jesus is the Captain of the army of God. Joshua 5:13-15. The Apostle Paul links the resurrection with the “voice of the archangel” who in Biblical context is the “Angel of the Lord” – Jesus Himself. No angel can raise the dead, only Jesus who said the dead would come forth at the sound of his voice. John 5:25-28. According to Jesus the voice of the “archangel” and his voice are one and the same. Jude linked “Michael” with the raising of Moses when he contended for his body. “Michael the archangel” used the ​exact words of the Lord himself. Jude 9 and Zechariah 3:2. Finally may I draw your attention to the man Daniel sees in ​12:6​. He stands elevated far above the river and lifts his hands to heaven with the oath of the one who “lives forever”. Who is he? He has great authority to speak for in Deuteronomy 32:39,40 it is God who lifts his hand to heaven and lives forever. Oaths were sworn with one hand raised but this person lifted both, an indication of the double assurance of his words. He was clothed in linen (v6) and also described in ​10:5,6. Linen is distinctive of the robe worn by the High Priest. He is a majestic figure reminiscent of the description of Jesus in Revelation 1:13-15. They are evidently one and the same. It was this person who told Daniel about the last 3½ years. Would Jesus end his discourse telling Daniel about antichrist? PAUL’S TEACHING in 2 Thessalonians 2 There seems to be some unwarranted confusion about what Paul 112

meant when he commented on the “man of sin” sitting in the ​Temple of God and also the meaning of “restrainer”. (2:6,7). Different translations can be ambiguous but not if we keep focused and refrain from adding words to the original text which many translations do and which can manipulate the meaning Paul intended. Who is the restrainer? There are several hypothetical suggestions, from the Roman Emperor to the Holy Spirit. However, if we keep the main context it is simple. The main subject is the ​Lord and the Day of his revealing​. (​1:7, 2:1,8​). This revealing is his “parousia” (2:1) which is the word used for the coming of Jesus ​with all his saints​. (Jude 14, James 5:7,8, 2Pet.1:16, 3:4,12, ​1 Thes.2:19​,​4:15​). Everything Paul wrote was to explain that event. He said that Day will not come unless the “falling away comes ​first and the man of sin is revealed.” (2:3). Paul gave the order. Two persons will be revealed, Jesus, and the “man of sin”. Jesus will ​not be revealed until ​after the man of sin is revealed. ​First the apostasy will happen. This is a reference to the church turning from truth and the “son of perdition” being revealed in it. Paul is not talking about a rebuilt Jewish temple but about the Church, the spiritual ​Temple of God​. Paul ​always used this term for the spiritual temple of believers. The “falling away” is in context to apostasy in the church. Only ​after the antichrist is revealed will Jesus be revealed in power and glory to destroy him. There is no hint of rapture here, in fact the exact opposite, Paul warns believers ​not to be deceived either by spirit or letter that the Day of the Lord has already happened in some secret or hidden way. (2:2). Who is the one restraining that Paul mentions and what is he restraining? There is no justification to introduce an unknown into the narrative. Paul refers to only two subjects, one is Jesus and the other is the satanic “antichrist” opposing God and the church, and Paul described how it is he who deceives the church. (1:9-12). 2:6 - Paul said they already knew who was restraining. It is Satan who opposes God and his church. The early Christians faced severe persecution and Paul gave many examples one being 1 Thes.2:17,18. 113

2:7 – Paul wrote, “​the mystery of lawlessness is already working; only he who now restrains will do so until he be taken out of the way”​. Some Bibles have a capital H for he as if it applies to the Lord. This is ​not in the original text. It is not the Lord or the church that is taken out of the way. In the context of the entire chapter it is Satan opposing God and his followers who will be taken away. 2:8 – when the “lawless one” is revealed the Lord will destroy him at his (parousia). Jesus destroys the power of Satan by taking him out of he way, binding him, and destroying the wicked. (1:7-10). Like other false interpretations the truth has been replaced with the exact opposite. It is not the Holy Spirit or church restraining the antichrist but it is Satan and the antichrist hindering, oppressing and restraining Christians. Satan is the accuser of the brethren who opposes the Lord and the church. It may seem a little ambiguous but not if one keeps focused on the main subjects and theme. JESUS MINISTERED FOR EXACTLY 3½ YEARS It is generally considered that Jesus ministered for 3½ years. This is seen in all four Gospels in which certain feasts are recorded indicating it was at least three years in duration. A small clique of believers have changed the time to accommodate their false interpretation of Daniel’s 70 weeks which they claim was ​day weeks and not ​year weeks. They consequently claim it was only a year and a bit. To do this they deliberately remove John 6:4 from the Bible. This is dangerous activity. When a sect wants to give false teaching they change the Bible. There is no justification for this and the verse is fully accepted by all editions of the Nestle-Aland’s critical text and reputable scholars. Jesus also mentioned 3½ years in direct context to his own ministry and compared it to Elijah’s. Luke 4:24-27. THE HOLOCAUST Jesus referred to the Holocaust as Israel’s great rebirth pains of 114

sorrow. ​Matthew 24:8,29,30​. (See also Rev.12:2, Rom.8:22, Isa.66:7, Micah 4:10, 5:3. He said immediately after that tribulation the great Sign of Israel will appear for all to see. The Holocaust was the greatest suffering ever endured by the Jews, a third was killed, and WWII was the ​greatest tribulation ever. Surely this was foretold in the Bible. The Holocaust ended in 1945 and Israel was reborn immediately afterwards in 1948. Crucial prophecies are missed by believing in a non existent 7 years!

115