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Bible prophecy is perhaps the same as studying any other subject. For instance, how can you study English Metaphors, if you can't speak the Language. Whilst; we endeavour to explain how the various books of the bible relate to one another in harmony with regards to end time events, the main aim is for you to compare the scriptures with what has previously been fulfilled, to determine, what is yet to be fulfilled.
Below is a brief list of the most prophetic terms and background information. The origin of all these key terms are explained in detailed throughout the site.
Blessed is the one who reads and hears the Words of this prophecy, and the ones keeping the things written in it, for the time is near. [ Rev 1:3 NIV]
The Israelites [Jews] were a group of people that God chose to show himself through to all nations of the earth. God established a covenant with them; that if the obey his laws and perform no idol worshipping they will be a blessed nation.
The entire old testament depicts the relationship that Israel had with God.
As a result of Israel's rejection and sin, culminating in the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, this resulted in a temporary blindness between Israel and God.
However, God has still kept an eye over Israel and we are assured by the scriptures that His covenant with Israel cannot be set aside. (Hebrew 8:6-10 ; Romans 9:25-29 ; 11:1-2)
The prophecy of Jeremiah and Isaiah that Israel will be cast to many nations and in the days of the end will be gathered from all nations and return to there homeland , illustrates that God is still in control of Israel's destiny.
Israel returned to their homeland in 1948, after more than 1800 years of being dispersed amongst the nations of the earth. Already this alone, has fulfilled many prophetic passages.
This was a name given to all people who were of non-Jewish origins. God was made known to the Jews and according to many prophecies, the gentiles will be saved through the Jews.
At the death and resurrection of Jesus, salvation was offering to both Jews and Gentiles for those who believe.
The church age started in about 30 or 33ad after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven. It all started on the day of the Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus ascension.
The disciples wrote numerous letters to the churches counselling them and encouraging them to gather together to learn more about the trinity (God, the Father, Son and Holy spirit) and worshipping.
The original name for Pentecost came from the Greek word for " fiftieth". It is also used to describe a Jewish festival, called the feast of weeks; a period of celebration that occurred seven weeks after the offering of the First-fruits of the Jewish Harvest.
In the New testament, the Pentecost is illustrated as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples; thereby anointing them for preaching and providing them with special gifts. This is what started the Church Age.
This is a term given to a period of intense suffering, that the world has never seen before or will ever see again.
The Old testament prophets referred to this period with many names. The Jewish prophet, Jeremiah, referred to it as the "day of the Lord"; whilst other prophets have referred to it as the day of wrath.
The prophecies of Daniel tells us that this period is not a literal day but is of 7 years in length. Although, a lot of Christians believe that the last 3 1/2 years is the day of the Lord and not the entire 7 year period.
During this period many disasters fall upon the earth :
A ruler emerges on the world scene in the name of peace; establishes a treaty between the nation of Israel and many others; and 3 ½ years later he declares himself to be God, perhaps the Messiah. [ Thereby establishing himself as the antichrist ]
This period is followed by intense judgments that fall on the earth. This period of intense suffering concludes when Jesus Christ returns to earth to fight against the antichrist at the battle of Armageddon.
This 7 years comes about when sin is running a-mock and the love of God grows cold and will result in a number of believers who will be martyred.
Prophetically, the Jews will loose 2/3rds of there population; but the remainder of the world will loose hundreds of millions, due to the wars and pestilences that engulf the world through 21 judgments revealed by God in the book of Revelation.
The word rapture comes from a Greek word "Harpadzo" which means to be caught or snatched up. It refers to Jesus promise before he was crucified that He would return to the earth to gather all his believers and take them back to heaven. It is referred to in the scriptures on many occasions. All Christians believe that Jesus will come back, but this rapture refers to a secret return that Jesus makes to his believers. Now there are many viewpoints as to when the rapture will occur; but it has always been imminent.
In other words, Jesus can return to earth at any time and gather his believers and trying to place dates on this return, is ludicrous; and not scriptural. It is not to be confused with the 2nd coming where Jesus physically returns with the saints of heaven at a time of Armageddon followed with judgment.
This refers to the time when Jesus physically returns to earth and takes control over all the kingdoms. It is not just a period of bliss and romance; but initially Jesus returns to war against the evil forces of the earth and the antichrist at the battle of Armageddon.
It is a period of judgment, often referred to as the judgment of the nations.
Once the world is rid of this evil, Satan is bound for 1 000 years; and Jesus starts to reign over a kingdom that lasts forever.
At his 2nd coming, a remnant of Israel will be re-united with God.
The antichrist has many names in scripture.
"The son of perdition" is a name given to him by Daniel, the old testament prophet.
The only other person in the Bible to be given such a name was Judas Iscariot, the disciple that betrayed Jesus for 30 shekels of silver.
The name implies that this person is a lost soul who serves under the influence of Satan. Other names include "the man of sin", "the beast", "The arrogant king". He is the opposite of Christ, although he imitates Christ at first; thereby getting the name, the Antichrist.
His role has always been prophesied to occur in the last days before Jesus 2nd coming.
According to the scriptures, he will confirm a treaty with Israel and its neighbours and after half this period place himself in the temple of Israel and declare himself to be God. (Daniel 9:24-27) This will then set-off Gods' wrath on the face of the earth, the period known as the Great Tribulation, the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation.
Before we delve into the prophetic scriptures of the Christian bible, there are a number of concepts and terms used that are required to understand the events to unfold in the Latter years.
Although each one of these terms are elaborated on throughout these prophetic studies in great detail, it serves as a quick reference guide so we don't miss out on the big picture.
PROPHETIC BOOKS OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE | ||
The book of Daniel | The book of Revelation | Other books |
The book of Daniel was written between 605bc and 536bc. Daniel was of a Jewish Royal family and was taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar in 605bc and underwent a training period in the kings royal advisory court.
The kings court consisted of all wise men and the purpose was to advise the king on all matters pertaining to his rule. During this period, Daniel had received many visions, both relating to kingdoms that would rule the world; and to the prophecies of the last days of mans’ rule.
Daniel is regarded as a prophet by the Christians although the Jews see Daniel more as a historian or a legal writer.
Jesus referred to Daniel as a prophet when asked what would be the sign of His return and the end of the age.
Due to Daniels accuracy in prophecying events that were fulfilled, many sceptics argued that it could not have been written during the 6th century before Christ, but a much later date.
However, archaeological evidence shows that the majority of Daniel was written in Hebrew; whilst the other portions were written in Eastern Aramaic, a dialect of Aramaic only spoken in the 6th century. | This is the 66th and last book of the Bible and consists of a serious of visions which John, a disciple of Jesus, received while he was imprisoned for missionary works.
This book is apocalyptic in style and describes the events that will take place in the end times.
It was written between 95 ad 97ad. Due to the numerous visions that are interwoven with one another, it is a book that is impossible to understand on its own. Many of the visions are adapted or extended from old testament prophecies; in which the visions are explained, or a large part of the visions have been fulfilled.
Simply put, The old testament prophecies, especially the book of Daniel, provides the keys to the visions, that unlocks the book of Revelation. | Virtually all the other books of the bible have prophecies that relate to the end times.
Daniel and Revelation are key books; but this does not take away that the thread and plan of God extends through virtually all books of the old and new testament.
Now bear in mind that this was written by over 50 authors over a 2 000 year period and yet all the prophecies are required, in order to understand the events that are to occur in the latter years. |
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Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers,
Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, United States of America. all rights reserved. [8] Copyright © May 2003 [ T.E.S. Ministries ] All rights reserved.
Revised: September 29, 2006