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Question # 111 Are the Jewish people that are in power today in Israel the of the same peoples that resided there in Jesus day? Are they of the same heritage or ancestry? Or are the Jews in power today actually from some other heritage? I would just like to know if the Jews in Israel are really of the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Answer………. Yes, the people that preside in Israel today are indeed of Jewish descent. God has supernaturally preserved a remnant seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob throughout the centuries and has overseen the restoration of their seed back into the Promised Land. The Jews however are still in a state of blindness or unbelief, and are incognizant of the providential movement of God working behind the scenes of world history to return his people unto the Lord. Ezekiel 37 conveys the phased process of that restoration. First, Israel will be rejoined returned to the land (Diaspora-up out of their graves) but without spirit, (bone-to-bone and skin covering) and then afterward he will breathe the breath of spiritual rebirth into them.

Question # 112 Isn't the illegal “occupation” of Palestinian land the prime motivating factor behind the Palestinian phenomenon of suicide bombers? Wouldn't the Palestinians be less motivated to act out their frustrations in acts of terrorism if Israel would simply get out of their land and quit occupying it?

Answer…….. The primary motivating factor behind the Palestinian suicide bombings is Hatred. The issue of “occupation” didn't drive the Muslim natives of Palestine to commit suicide bombings against Jordan, or the Ottomans, when those nations occupied the land. In fact the issue of occupation didn't materialize until Israel won the land from Jordan in the 1967 war. Israel pleaded with Jordan to stay out of that war, but Jordan anticipating an Arab victory decided to join in the harvesting of the spoils of war. Israel won these territories fair and square in a defensive war. In reality the so-called “occupied territory” is simply “disputed territory”. However the Oslo Process gave the world's legitimacy to the concept of Palestinian Statehood on the “disputed land.” (in compliance with UN Resolutions and the subsequent Jordanian transfer of rights to the Palestinians) History however is on Israel's side. Israel has a history of being the sovereign in the occupied land, and has ties to the land dating back over 3000 years. In fact Jerusalem has never been the capitol of any State other than Israel.

Hatred is the motivational force behind this conflict. It is a demonic hatred inflamed by Satan. Satan has always sought the extermination of the Jews, and is now seeking the annihilation of the Jewish State. At the base of the controversy over the Promised Land, and the so-called “occupation” is the issue of Israel's right-to-exist. Satan is manipulating the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict to obstruct God's plan for Israel, but in the end analysis, everything will work out just as God has indicated it would in his prophetic word. That is why we study Bible Prophecy

Question # 113 I love your web-site! There is so much to learn. But where would be a good place to start (for beginners), in wanting to know about how all this hatred between Israel and Palestine began.

Answer……….. The best place for any information regarding Israel or Bible Prophecy is of course the Bible. Genesis chapters 12-17 is the basis for the establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant and the historical dispute between Isaac and Ishmael, who would be the forefathers of the Semitic and Arab peoples of today. For further study, take a serious look into the book of Deuteronomy, especially chapters 1, 2, 11, and 28. ( Genesis 36, Numbers 24, Joshua 24) Continue your study in Ezekiel 35, Obadiah and Malachi.

Question # 114 Do you think that the sudden appearance of the West Nile virus, and the related deaths caused by it in America is part of Bible Prophecy?

Answer……… The West Nile Virus is an exotic type of encephalitis pestilence that usually was contained in Africa and Western Asia, and parts of the South American Amazon jungles. The virus oddly enough began to appear in the US in 1999. However, this particular epidemic will require more monitoring to see if it is prophetically significant. Jesus alluded to the increasing plague of pestilence's in the Last Days. (Matthew 24:6-8 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.) While we will have to wait to see how this virus runs its course, it is a certainty that these type of plagues are pointing to the “beginning of sorrows”.

Question # 115 Can there be anyone be saved after the Rapture of the Church?
This subject has caused me a lot of anxiety over the years because I am terribly concerned about lost loved ones in my own family, and I realize very well that the signs of Jesus return are increasing day by day. I have often been taught so many different things on this subject, and I would dearly love to know the truth.

Answer……… You will be glad to know that the answer to your question is a definite YES. The Holy Spirit will remain on the earth during the Great Tribulation era, and will still direct people to salvation in the Lord. However, because of the removal of the restraining function of the Holy Spirit, and the sustaining embodiment (church) of the restrainer, the evil conspiracy of the Antichrist will prevail over the entire world during that era of time. That means that anyone that rejects the mark, the number(666), or image of the Beast will find it extremely difficult to survive during that span of time. God's primary focus will be on Israel, and using the witnesses of Israel (two witnesses…Elijah and Moses or Enoch, plus the 144,000) to draw Israel to repentance. But as Revelation 20:4 indicates, many people will refuse the Beast's triad of Worship. (Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.) So, as you can clearly see, these dear Saints were on the earth after the Rapture and will be faced with a choice of accepting or rejecting the religious system of the Beast. Revelation 14:11-13 offers encouragement to all who reject the mark, number, and or image of the Antichrist. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth,” and in Revelation 15:2 the tribulation Saints are pictured as having obtained the victory over the Beast by accepting the seal of the Lord. (Grace) Revelation 13:15 depicts that the Antichrist will seek the execution of all who refuse his mark/number/image. (Many will reject it and seek the Lord) Yes, people will be saved after the Rapture! It won't be as easy as it presently is in our “Age of Grace” however. Unfortunately, for too many people it takes persecution to compel them to search for God, but in that terrible day many will look for him, and like always, God will provide! This is one reason that Bible Prophecy is so important.

Question # 116 (Sept. 6, 2002) What do you make out of the angel depicted in Revelation 10 that stands with one foot on earth and one foot on the sea? Is that sea the Mediterranean Sea, with the land that he has one foot upon being the land of Israel?

Answer………The Angel of Revelation 10 depicted standing with his right foot upon the sea, and with his left foot upon the earth is not necessarily meant to be associated with any particular geographical locations. Although the entire apocalyptic scenario centers mainly about the nation of Israel, it must be remembered that the whole world belongs to God, and that through the nation of Israel, he will eventually bless the whole world by sending his Son to reign as King of Kings. This Angelic/sea/earth prophetic vision is meant to convey an ultimate prophetic reality, namely that the Lord will conquer all the powers of this present world. Whereas the angel that is portrayed here standing with one foot on land, and one foot on the sea, is in fact the seventh angel of the angels that sound the trumpet judgments. He, being the seventh, makes the tremendous announcement that God is about to wrest control of this planet forever from the powers of darkness. The portrayal of his feet upon the sea and the earth merely symbolizes that the angelic world has previously been engaged in the great supernatural conflict over this world, and that the angel of the Lord has now prevailed on the land and the sea, and the powers that “arise” out of them. The earth and the sea are symbols of the Antichrist and his religious partner. (The Bible often depicts the powers of this world as Satanic contrived entities that have “lifted up their heads,”-opposite of spiritual humility; to contend for Christ's rightful place) If you take a close look at Revelation 10 where this symbolism is used of the seventh angel, you will take note especially the proclamation of verses 6 and 7. (Revelation 10:6-7 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.)

So, the conclusion of this symbolism is that God has decreed that there will be no further delay in the execution of his judgment upon the earth! He further states that the Mystery of God shall at long last be completed at with this proclamation. Finally the pleading prayers of the Saints in Revelation 6:10 will then be answered.

When we consider the fact that the last world empire will be headed up by the beast from the sea, and the beast from the earth (Antichrist and False Prophet), we should readily associate the Seventh Angel with their supernatural defeat. The Bible is resplendent the prophetic analogy that Christ will crush the heads of the serpent under his feet. (Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53:10, Jeremiah 30:12, Nahum 3:19, and Romans 16:20)

(Revelation 13:1And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.)

(Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.)

The Seventh Angel is often assumed to be Christ himself. Actually it is the “Angel of the Lord”, pantomiming to John the Revelator the fact that Jesus Christ shall overcome the sea and earth beasts and literally perform the heavenly drama that is portrayed for us later in Revelation 19. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Question # 117 Do you think that we are headed for war with Iraq? What do you think will be the outcome and the consequences of such a war? Do you think that America should actually conduct war on Iraq, and what might the prophetic implications be of that war?

Answer……. Yes, I certainly do think that America is headed into a conflict with Iraq. However, I think the Bush Administration is correctly more preoccupied primarily with the removal of Saddam Hussein and destroying Hussein's arsenal of weapons of mass destruction than in waging war on the nation of Iraq. I expect the US to seek to attempt to overthrow Saddam through covert operations, and thereby possibly refrain from an actual military assault on Iraq. The big unknown factor is what Saddam Hussein will do when America finally goes after him. If Saddam launches attacks on Israel, then the regional-scenario will become much more explosive. On a broader front, Saddam may seek to coordinate an offensive upon Israel in conjunction with the many terrorist operatives (PLO-Fatah, Hezbullah, Hamas, PFLP, Islamic Jihad, etc.) located in and around Israel. (Damascus) The West Bank, Gaza, and the Israeli northern border with Lebanon could become areas of concern. I would advise people to watch for terrorist incitement along these lines as America confronts Saddam.

America, and really the whole world must do something about Hussein, and all those like him. The potential for weapons of mass destruction being used by madmen must be eliminated. America and Israel, in particular; cannot sit idly by and wait while Hussein, Arafat, Quadaffi, Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbullah, Islamic Jihad, and many other fanatical terrorist organizations and the State sponsors of terror, (Iran, Syria) such as Iraq prepare to destroy America, and of course Israel! (America and Israel are the primary targets of terror—“death to America, and death to Israel”)

Whereas the post World War II world witnessed the geo-political strategy of “mutually assured destruction” being employed by the worlds two superpowers, (US and Soviet Union) and evolve into dual national srategems of “containment and deterrence”, the post September 11th world finds us on the threshold of a New World Order. America is quickly fashioning its freedom-loving brand of pre-emptive military activity against international terrorism. The rest of the world (Russia, EU, China, UN, Arab world), disdains America's status as the lone superpower, and will probably appease the enemies of America. Iraq is a prime example!

Iraq (and Syria) is conspicuously absent from the prophecy of Ezekiel and the detailed review of the great Russian invasion upon the mountains of Israel. Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 mention the long list of allies that will accompany Russia in that Tribulation era attack. Iran, on the other hand (Persia) is the driving force behind the eventual Russian invasion. That fact leads me to conclude that Iraq will be eliminated as an obstacle for the Antichrist before the Tribulation era. This scenario may be playing itself out right before our very eyes!

Question # 118 (10-4-02) Why is the city of Jerusalem some times called she?

Answer…… Until I received your question, I had never really given much thought as to why it might be that the city of Jerusalem is so often referred to in the feminine gender form. It is common for cities, ships, and nations to be referred to in the feminine sense. But perhaps one reason is related to the analogy depicted in Isaiah 62:5, where God foretells that he will delight in restoring Jerusalem. As a young man rejoices to marry a chaste virgin, so the Lord will one day again rejoice over Jerusalem, and she once again be like a virgin and will no more be termed forsaken and desolate.

But probably the most obvious reason is because of the analogy used in the Revelation. (Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.) Jerusalem, chosen by God as the city to bear his name is commonly called the “daughter of Zion”. Her spiritual beauty and excellence were unmatched as long as she remained faithful to her espoused bridegroom. (Psalms 9:14, Jeremiah 6:2, Zephaniah 3:14, Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 62:11, Lamentations 1:6)

The prophet Isaiah pictured Jerusalem as the virgin daughter and the nation of Israel as the mother/woman that is betrothed unto God. Isaiah 54:5-6 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.

The New Jerusalem, unlike the Old City of Jerusalem will one day complete the wedding analogy depicted by John in the Revelation.

Question # 119 (10-10-02) Do you think there could be a connection between the war on international terrorism and the current sniper shootings going on in the Maryland-Washington D.C. area?

Answer…… We will have to wait to see what the facts in these incidents reveal, but I am very much alarmed about the possibility that this type of activity might have a connection to international terror cells, if not in this incident, certainly in the future. Certainly the enemies of America have been threatening us with this type of evil, as spelled out in Bin Laden's first video release. (“no peace for America until there is peace in Palestine”) And one need only to look at what has been happening in Israel, and the threats aimed at America because of our support for Israel to realize that terrorists could strike in this country as well. I have reviewed many intelligence-security assessments about the terror threats to America, and they reveal that terrorists have trained extensively for covert terror operations within our society. The Bible warns us that in the last days, “perilous times shall come.” Perilous means “exposure to great harm through imminent threats.” II Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Question # 120 (10-10-02) Hello from Canada! I really like your prophecy web site. It is done with class. Do you think that we are heading into the seven year Tribulation period? If so how long or how far away do you think it is, one year, maybe two years?

Answer…… Thank you for your kind compliment. I appreciate that very much, and hurrah for Canada. As for the nearness of the time for the Tribulation, I honestly cannot give you a precise analysis regarding the specific date/time for its commencement. The tribulation and the appearing of the Antichrist cannot begin until God permits it to begin, nor can it begin before God withdraws the restrainer. (II Thessalonians 2:1-6) Everything that is prophesied in the Bible will occur within God's Divine providence. Nevertheless, I agree with you that we are very near in time proximity to that event. The prophesied signs relative to the Last Days, and the ominous events of the Tribulation are all around us. Some of those signs include:

Israel has been re-gathered for the 2nd time in history.
Jerusalem is a burdensome dilemma diplomatically and religiously.
The Promised Land is being partitioned by the nations of the world.
Perilous times loom on the horizon. ( terrorism-rumor of war )
Peace is elusive, and humanism prevails in crafting a false peace.
World Security is threatened and requires a World Power Apparatus.
Hatred for Israel is universal and extreme. (demonic)
Apostasy abounds in religion. (false Christianity)
Evil men are waxing worse and worse.
The Middle East is a boiling Cauldron, with all the right bit-players!

I feel very strongly that the current war-on-terrorism may indeed be the historic world impetus of events that will catapult us right up to the very onset of the Tribulation. The Lord has given us hundreds of other “signs of the times” to be able to discern the season of the Last Days. But, much like the weather, we can see the storm-clouds arise and disseminate, and then return again later. Today's events portend that the winds of the Tribulation are indeed near, but they could diffuse and then reappear on the horizon again for real a little bit later than we first imagined. (Matthew 16:2-3 When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?) But unlike trying to predict the sometimes fickle weather, we (Christians) have a “spiritual radar” that sensitizes us to the signs of the times, if we simply watch for the signs! And one thing is for certain, those signs are on the horizon, and I can tell you that a storm is gathering! When? Very soon!

I noticed that your question included the statement, “Do you think that “we” are heading into the seven year Tribulation period? If you mean by the word “we” as being Christians, then I must tell you that “we' will not go “into” the Tribulation period. I think your question was pointed to the nearness of the Tribulation, but I should leave no doubt about the Rapture event. However, Israel will have to endure that terrible time of trouble. God Bless Israel, and Canada too.

Q&A 121-130
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