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Question # 181….….(07-25-03) What is your interpretation regarding the 144,000 virgins in Revelation 14? Does this scripture mean that they are Jewish men that never married? What is their function and purpose? Revelation 14:1-5 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Answer…….The mission of the original 12 disciples to Israel remains unfinished. Jesus originally sent his 12 to minister to the Jews, but after his crucifixion that mission was transposed to the Gentiles. In the day soon to come when the Lord returns his face unto Israel, he will seal the 144,000 to complete his mission to Israel, and the entire world.
The sealed of 144,000 Jews from the tribes of Israel will take up the cause of world evangelism during the tribulation period, as described in Revelation 7:1-8. They are very successful in their efforts as a great multitude of their converts (tribulation saints) are mentioned for us in Revelation 7:9-17. The 144,000 are young spiritually described as virgin Jews who will come to know their Messiah, (Jesus Christ) and become equipped by him to accomplish their vigorous and perilous world wide evangelism program for 1260 days. These 144,000 will clearly be Jews, for the passage goes on to list the twelve tribes of Israel and to declare that 12,000 are chosen from each of the tribes. Jesus may in fact appear with the 144,000 on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem to aid and direct them in the mission. This appearance of Christ to the 144,000 is the beginning of the fulfillment of God's renewed activity with the Jews, long predicted by the Old Testament prophets.
A great multitude of Gentiles will more than likely be converted at this late hour of history, by believing the gospel preached by the 144,000 (2 witnesses) of Israel sent by the Son of God. Probably the greater part of this multitude will be martyred for their faith. While many scholars believe that the virginal aspect of this prophecy for the 144,000 means that they will be unmarried, I think that the chastity analogy utilized here may be more suited to be a parallel to the fact that all saints must appear as undefiled by the whorish religions of this world to be presented as a chaste virgin to the Bridegroom!
II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Question # 182…..(07-29-03) Why can't the Palestinians simply go ahead and declare Statehood? Why is the Quartet roadmap to Statehood necessary? Is Israel preventing the Palestinians from achieving Statehood for themselves? Does the conflict simply come down to being about where to draw a border between Israel and a State of Palestine?
Answer…….The 1934 International Convention on the Rights and Duties of States does not require that any other State or international body diplomatically recognize the emergence of a new State. Statehood is independent of recognition of other states. Therefore Israel couldn't stop it. Also the PA already has an observatory membership in the United Nations, and from a political standpoint the PA also enjoys world-wide support for a self-Statehood proclamation. Israel is not obstructing the Palestinian goal of attaining a political State. On the contrary, Israel has gone to great lengths, at its own peril to assist the PA in achieving Statehood. Israel is basically interested in guaranteeing itself a “strategic depth” for its own self defense and security. Israel although it should object to another terror State on its border, doesn't even object to the prospect of a 2nd Palestinian State in the West Bank. (there are also 1.5 million Arab/Palestinians living inside of Israel) Yasser Arafat has often in the past announced that Statehood would be declared on certain dates in the past, but he has always postponed those declarations. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak (Camp David 2000) even attempted to give him a State, (with 90-97% of West Bank) but Arafat refused to even consider it. He didn't even bother to make a counter proposal. He simply returned to terrorism! Arafat and the PLO do not really want a political settlement with Israel, and therefore the issue of Statehood is irrelevant for them. They want to continue to receive massive amounts of foreign aid and world sympathy and lie in wait to prepare for the day when they can use the 5th column of Palestinian terrorists inside of Israel to destroy the State of Israel. If Yasser Arafat truly wanted a State for the Palestinians, he would shy away from terrorism and announce Statehood. He has the world's support for doing so. But Arafat wants to continue to exploit the world's perceived image of Israel being an overbearing military power that is acting harshly against a poor defenseless tribe of people. The moment Arafat declares Statehood, he would lose the image of being a David against Goliath.
Question # 183….Why do the world's diplomats constantly refer to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict as a cycle of violence? It sounds to me like they mean to infer that blame for the violence is shared by both sides, and that the two sides simply can't find a way to get out of the repetitive nature of the controversy because both sides believe in an eye-for-an-eye mentality.
Answer……..There is no such thing as a “cycle of violence.” I can't say it any plainer than that. The world's diplomats and media centers continue to mislead the public by using a “parlance of deception.” It is an intentional mind-games image deception, or more precisely, a demonic-inspired deception! The international “geopolitical laws of perfidy” must be considered when discussing the so-called cycle of violence between the Israeli's and Palestinians, and indeed the broader war on terror. The universally recognized geo-political laws of perfidy are based upon a standard code of recognizing the rights of innocent non-combatants when participating in international warfare. The laws of Perfidy within the political science world established a level of human rationale for the purpose of avoiding “irrational” (emphasis on irrational--evil inspired by devil) international depraved actions by nations or organizations of such devious treachery that mankinds mere existence would be threatened. (perfidy means calculated treachery) Under the laws of perfidy, combatants refrain from using innocent non-combatants as human-shields, and do not indiscriminately or randomly target non-combatants in processing acts of war-type aggression. Human rationality, religion, law, and international accountability have usually been the stopping-line in detracting nations or persons from acts of irrational behavior in fighting wars. However, when it comes to Israel, the world seems to have a different set of guidelines. The phenomena of Middle Eastern terrorist organizations (PLO-Hamas-Hezbollah-Islamic Jihad, etc) simply do not respect the rules of perfidy, especially when it comes to Israel. They inflict treacherous irrational acts of terrorism upon the non-combatants of Israel and immediately run to take shelter amongst Palestinian non-combatants. Then when Israel takes a “retaliatory” action
against the perpetrators of the irrational act, the world cries foul against Israel, and refers to it as a “cycle of violence”. This parlance of deception either amounts to diplomatic appeasement to terrorism, or else it is blatant anti-Semitism.
Question # 184…..(07-30-03) Is it possible that a future Pope may be the antichrist? This has been taught for over a thousand years by Protestant Christians and began with the early reformers! In fact this belief that the antichrist will be a future Pope is even popular today! And I've even heard from other sources that the Pope will be the false prophet! Do you believe this could be true? God Bless!
Answer…….Yes, I think it certainly is possible that a future Pope could turn out to be the Antichrist, or the False prophet. I think that scenario is actually very plausible. I have always thought that the mere idea of a Pope reigning over the church was in fact an anti-Christian concept. I also believe that Revelation 17:6 fits the Papacy-Vatican like a glove.
(Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.)
We know from Revelation 13:2 that the Devil will give the Antichrist a “seat” from which to exercise his authority over the world. The word seat as used in reference to the Antichrist means thronos, or “stately seat”, or “seat of a potentate.” We also see the same word used in reference to the church at Pergamos, (Revelation 2:13) where during the 1st century, Satan had erected a “seat of authority” for his earthly headquarters. (a seat which coincidentally had been transposed from Babylon) That seat of authority was later transferred to Rome, the very city that John was informed would be the site where the great Whore (false church) would reign. (Revelation 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.) Of course there are many other circumstantial pieces of evidence to suggest the Papacy as a potential spot to watch for the emergence of the Antichrist. (aka; Ponitfex Maximus-666) But I would also suggest that we continue to watch the “global geo-political stage” for the Last Days prophetic signs relative to the ten kings, who will submit their power to the ultimate Antichrist. The Antichrist may in fact presently be outside the landscape of the Vatican.
Question # 185….(08-01-03) I noticed in an earlier question and answer (#182) section that you referred to the strategic depth of Israel. What is strategic depth and why is it so important?
Answer……The concept of strategic depth is of great concern to Israel because it is so small. Israel cannot afford to sit around and gauge the hate climate of her neighbors to guess when the next offensive assault on her will happen. Because of Israel's narrow mid-section, (9-10 miles wide) she simply doesn't have the geographical space to absorb
a military offensive, and regroup later to deflect the assault. In the modern military science of today's world, there is only one method of inhibiting a military offensive from being perpetrated against you, and that is through the theory of deterrence. A nation must be strong enough to discourage aggression against it. However, the theory of deterrence has suddenly become an obsolete theory with regard to the Middle East Conflict because of the new concept of irrationality. Terrorism and suicide bombings have in all practical effect rendered the tools of power and deterrence as insufficient in deflecting an irrational entity from perpetrating an aggressive action. The only recourse against irrational enemies is the newly employed doctrine of pre-emption. Israel is very concerned about the prospect of a new State of Palestine emerging on its border that will exercise a policy of “irrational behavior.” And too, when we are discussing the situation with Israel, we are basically talking about a nation that is fighting for its survival. Israel is a nation that has been singled out by many powers, including the Arab/Muslim/ world for genocide. There is the very real concern for all nations that a non-deterred irrational Palestinian State, or an irrational terrorist organization within it could ignite a world war.
Question # 186….(08-08-03) You say that Israel lost its Promised Land because of disobedience to God and yet you indicate that it will be returned to its land prior to repentance. How can this be? Why would God bring Israel back into the land before they repent, and where in the Bible does it say that God has turned away from them? And, aside from your usage of the valley of dry bones, where does it say that he will turn again unto them?
Answer…….In the Palestinic Covenant of Deuteronomy, God forewarned Israel about turning aside from his law and going after other gods. In Deuteronomy 31:16-18, God says that he will kindle his anger against them and hide his face from them so that they may be devoured, if they forsake him. Deuteronomy 32:20-21 shows that Israel provoked God to jealousy, and became subjected to great evil after he hid his face from them.
Isaiah 54 indicates that God's “moment of facelessness to Israel” is temporary. (Isaiah 54:5-8 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.)
Israel has dwelt in an obscured position to God ever since he turned away from them. Paul referred to this spiritual obscurity as blindness. In Romans 11:25, Paul indicated that blindness had overtaken Israel until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, and then God would once again show his face to Israel, and that they would repent upon recognizing their Messiah when he performed their miraculous deliverance from the Antichrist. But perhaps the best scripture references to your questions are the following quotes from Ezekiel.
(Ezekiel 39:22-29 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward. And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell they all by the sword.
According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God)
Question # 187….(08-11-03) I have heard a lot recently about Hezbollah. What is Hezbollah? Is it classified as a terrorist organization, and is it supported or sponsored by any of the Middle Eastern States?
Answer……..Hezbollah is a terrorist organization made up primarily of Lebanese-Syrian Shiite militants that evolved into a major force in Lebanon's society and politics in the early 80's. It is virulently anti-West, and especially anti-American and anti-Israel. The Hezbollah terrorist organization was once thought to simply be seeking to create a Muslim fundamentalist state in Lebanon modeled after Iran, but in reality it is primarily a perimeter based terrorist organization intent on the destruction of Israel. The group's name ironically means, “party of God,” as if God was in the terrorist business. Hezbollah and its affiliates are indeed terrorist organizations. They have planned or been involved in a lengthy series of terrorist attacks against America, Israel. These attacks include:
- a series of kidnappings of Westerners, including several Americans, in the 1980s;
- the suicide truck bombings that killed more than 200 U.S. Marines at their barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983;
- the 1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847, which featured the famous footage of the plane's pilot leaning out of the cockpit with a gun to his head;
- and two major 1990s attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina—the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy (killing 29) and the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center (killing 95).
Iran and Syria are the primary sponsors and supporters of Hezbollah. The group receives “substantial amounts of financing, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid from Iran and Syria,” so acknowledges even the US State Department. Hezbollah was founded as a revolutionary arm of Islamic fundamentalism by Iran in 1979. Since overthrowing the government of Lebanon in the 80's, Syria has assumed virtual control since 1990. Hezbollah operates in Lebanon, carrying out programmed attacks on Israel with Syrian and Iranian approval. Hezbollah maintains bases in Lebanon's Shiite-dominated areas, including parts of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Despite Israel's 2000 withdrawal from Lebanon, Hezbollah continues to shell Israeli forces at a disputed border area called the Shebaa Farms. In his September 20, 2001, speech to Congress, President Bush pledged that the U.S.led war on terror “will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.” President Bush identified Hezbollah as part of the Axis of Evil entities sponsored by Iran, Iraq and North Korea in his January 2002 State of the Union address.
Question # 188….(08-15-03) Hi Darrell, I have a question that has been on my
mind. Is the war of Gog and Magog and Armageddon the same war. (Personally, I
don't think so). Gog and Magog mention select nations that will attack Israel,
and Armageddon states that every nation is at the Valley of Meggido. If this
isn't the same war, when does the war of Gog and Magog take place? From my
individual study of the bible I think it is before the tribulation starts, but
not too long before, because it takes the Israelites 7 years to use the fuel
from the weapons of their enemies that God destroys. Please give me your insight
on this.
Answer………Please don’t feel like the lone ranger on this particular issue.
Most scholars of eschatology can’t quite seem to figure out the timing on the
Gog/Magog scenario either. And I’m not sure that I can clear up the matter about
it too much either. Some of the confusion stems from the fact that many prophecy
students are getting confused with the word “war” in discussing the
relationships of these prophecies. For instance, Armageddon isn’t a war unto
itself. Armageddon is a term that has come to symbolize the great final battle
of a world-broad war that will already be underway, and is simply a battle that
concludes an entire series of military campaigns that are underway during the
late Tribulation era. Two chapters, Ezekiel 38 and 39 stand in stark witness
that there will be a future invasion of Israel by Russia. And the word of the
Lord came unto me, saying, "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of
Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him"
(Ezekiel 38:1,2). One phrase of verse 2 can be (and some say, should be)
translated, "Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal." It
is a fact that the root word Rosh is the foundation for the modern
name, Russia. Furthermore, Magog, Meshech and Tubal are the territories that
would encompass Ukraine, the southern Volga region and Kazakhstan-Caspian Sea
region. Rosh would include the areas to the north, around Moscow. Given all the
information we find in just these two verses, there is no doubt that Russia is
the source of the invasion. Russia assembles a coalition of nations, compelled
by Persia to attack Israel. Their identities are as easy to confirm as Russia’s.
They are given in Ezekiel 38:5,6: "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of
them with shield and helmet: "Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah
of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee." Persia
is modern Iran. he post-Shah Iran has become increasingly anti-Israel. With
Russian help, they already are acquiring a nuclear capability. In some ways, the
Russian invasion seems anti-Arab, since Arab interests are highlighted in verse
13 of the invasion narrative: "Sheba, and Dedan,(Saudi Arabia) and the
merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee,
Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to
carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great
spoil?"
Without going into great detail, "Sheba and Dedan" are
representative of the Arab sheikhs who have aligned their geo-political fortunes
with their alliance withthe Western economic powers, here represented as "the
merchants of Tarshish." Ever since Britain and America made deals with them
to develop their oil resources, the Arabs have had a love-hate relationship with
their benefactors. They are deeply conflicted, with a profound and abiding
hatred for the Western economy that supports them. Wahibism (Al Qaeda) is
attempting to drive a wedge between America and the Saudi Royal family, and
divert the oil rich kingdom into an anti-West power bloc. Apparently, at the
time of the invasion, the Arabs will still be in league with the Western
merchants (US, others) who have curried favor with them since the 1930’s. Verse
9 of Ezekiel 38 indicates that Russia will utilize its vast MIG airforce to
assault Israel at a time when Israel is dwelling safely in the partitioned land.
This would mean that Russia will only come after the “confirmation of the
covenant” by the Antichrist, and after the great American super-power has been
displaced. This fact makes the Ezekiel scenario a post-rapture event. Ezekiel
39:17-29 describes the scene that John the Revelator prophesied in Revelation
14:15-20 and Revelation 19:17-21. This infers that the Russian invasion into the
Middle East will eventually involve China and the Kings of the East, against the
Western confederation under the Antichrist, because Daniel (Dan. 11:44) says
that after the Antichrist has plundered through Israel (Abomination of
desolation) and gone south against the King of the South, (Egypt) that his
attention will suddenly be drawn to the gathering coalition coming to the Middle
East from the North and the East.
Russia and China already have developed economic and defense
pacts to counter the uni-polar power that they see emerging in the West with the
US and the EU. I think the Russian invasion will come after the abomination of
desolation, and the entire pre-Armageddon scenario may last throughout the last
42 months of the Tribulation. The Armageddon event results in the whole world
recognizing that the great I AM is the God of Israel, and that he has returned
unto them.
Ezekiel 39:21-29 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the
heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid
upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from
that day and forward. And the heathen shall know that the house of Israel went
into captivity for their iniquity: because they trespassed against me, therefore
hid I my face from them, and gave them into the hand of their enemies: so fell
they all by the sword. According to their uncleanness and according to their
transgressions have I done unto them, and hid my face from them. Therefore thus
saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have
mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;
After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they
have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made
them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them
out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many
nations; Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to
be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own
land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any
more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith
the Lord God.
Question # 189….(8-26-03) Do you think that the European Union can
become a dominating world superpower (a.k.a) revived roman empire/United states
of Europe by the year 2005? If this date is too early, when is the earliest you
could see this happening? I’m having trouble seeing how an EU super
president/antichrist would be allowed so much control over the member states of
the EU! What would allow him so much power? The member states of the EU would
have to give they’re full commitment and authority to the EU super-president!
Could all this happen in so little time?
Answer……….The year 2005 is supposed to be a monumental year if the
world’s international diplomats should have their way. That is also the year
that a Palestinian State is supposed to be formed. The EU is already set to
adopt a universal Constitution. Italy and Germany have already agreed to seek a
quick adoption of the current European Constitution, with as few changes as
possible. An EU Intergovernmental Conference, (IGC) will begin in Rome on
October 4th of this year (2003) to fine-tune the draft EU Constitution. The
Draft Constitution, which was adopted by the European Convention in June, has no
explicit mention of Christianity, but the Pope is still lobbying for some
mention of the Church in its Constitution. The EU currently has a rotating
Presidency among the member states, and the geo-political push has already begun
for the selection of a single EU figurehead to represent the EU more adequately
in the international arena. Many European members are extremely jealous of the
present status that the American Presidency holds in international affairs,
(especially in the democratic western world) and would like to see the office of
EU super-president surpass the office of the US Presidency. The recent flap over
the UN’s-Iraq Security Council resolutions (pre Iraq invasion debate)
highlighted the divisions in Europe, particularly between France and Great
Britain that exist because of too much reliance on American leadership. The
controversy about the US leading the West has compelled the EU members to seek
to forge an EU Super-presidency that can lead NATO, and the new EU military, and
coerce the US into a submissive or an amalgamated role. In my opinion, because
the US can’t afford to retreat into an isolationist mode, and since the UN is
literally undermining the sovereignty of the US and its interests, I can foresee
the day (perhaps in a post-rapture event) when America might actually surrender
its sovereignty to the EU/UN, or the eventual governmental structure of the
Antichrist. All of this could happen relatively quickly especially if America
gets bogged down in the war-on-terror, and another earth-shattering event worse
that the Sept. 11th event occurs. Another major factor to consider is the
Rapture! I think that America would be hit hard by the Rapture event, and
cause world-wide ramifications that would compel the West to quickly galvanize
under the authority of a Super-Man. And lets remember one more thing from
prophecy: (Revelation 17:12-13 And the ten horns which thou sawest are
ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings
one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give
their power and strength unto the beast.)
Question # 190….(09-04-03) I have read many of your articles and
have become convinced that terrible things are about to happen. I have read
about things like this in the Bible, but long ago fell out of church, and don’t
know anything about Jesus or prophecy. I have never been able to understand much
about church, religion and such, but I do believe that something bad is going to
happen. I am wondering what in the world a person can do to miss all this war
and evil that’s coming. I believe in God and all, but as an individual, I am
wondering what a person can do to prepare for all this.
Answer………. The best thing any person can do is to realize their
need of a savior, and then choose to place their faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is
the only hope anyone has for salvation or to endure anything in this present
world. If one is a Christian he has no need to fear anything! Even death is
rendered as but a mere harmless doorway into the glory of Heaven for those who
have accepted the atoning work of the Lamb of God.
There are only two ways to miss the awful terrible time of trouble that is
coming upon the world. (Death or Rapture) The Blessed Hope of every Christian,
specifically those who are alive and remain on earth and begin to witness these
terrible days approaching is that Jesus will return to catch us away to be with
him before the Day of Wrath explodes. (Titus 2:13 Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Savior Jesus Christ;) (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say unto you
by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of
the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore
comfort one another with these words.)
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