In 1981 I was told that the Lord was Coming for His saints—that year. Behind that conclusion was a chain of supposedly clear and logical, Biblical reasoning. First, Jesus had said,
Now learn a lesson from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near;
Truly I say to you, this generation shall not pass away until all these things take place (Matthew 24:32,34).
Since the fig tree stands for Israel (or so we were told), and a generation lasts 40 years (witness the Israelites in the wilderness), we could deduce that the entire End Time spectacle would conclude 40 years after Israel became a nation (which occurred in 1948). And since the Lord was going to take his followers out before the last seven years, a time known as the Tribulation, 1981 was definitely the year.
Because of this and many other erroneous predictions, I came to view prophecy with extreme skepticism. At best it seemed unknowable. At worst, its interpretations appeared to be the domain of charlatans—grist suitable for grocery store tabloids. On balance it seemed best to avoid the subject altogether. Yet, nearly one-fourth of the Bible is devoted to prophecy. God even promises a blessing for reading the words of the Revelation. Moreover, we are told that "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness."
In disgust over the low state of prophetical teaching, I had thrown the baby out with the bath water. So, armed with no more than a vague belief that there had to be more to the subject, I began a two and a half year odyssey through the prophecies of the Scriptures. Commentaries were put away, and in their place, prayer and a belief that I John 2:27 was just as true as John 3:16.
And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (I John 2:27).
The goal was ambitious. If the Bible is a single, cohesive unit as I had been taught, then there had to be a way to make ALL of the prophetic Scriptures fit together—Old and New Testament alike. The objective was to discover a system whereby promises made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah were every bit as important as those made to the church.
Surprisingly, the greatest impediment to this task was what I had already learned. Good and godly men had passed on the beliefs which they had received from their predecessors. Considering the stature of these men, it never occurred to me to question their interpretations. What resulted was "the tail wagging the dog." Without realizing it, those inherited positions affected how I understood all prophecy. Though unintentional, my mind filtered every interpretation, making it confirm what I already believed.
No where was that attitude more evident than in the matter of the rapture. In my determination to justify my position I somehow saw merit in interpretations that had little or no merit at all. Before long, however, those cherished theories began to crumble. Reading the Scriptures, instead of what men said about them, convinced me there was nothing to do but start over—at the beginning. There were simply too many contradictions, too many unanswered questions with the system I had been taught.
As a starting place, the Old Testament doctrine of the Covenants began to emerge as a continuous thread weaving through the history of Israel. The breakthrough, however, came through study of one particular Covenant—the New Covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. With that as the key, the door to understanding End Time prophecy was suddenly thrown open. At last the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Hosea began to mesh with the writings of Paul and the Revelation of John. All the loose ends began to fall into place. For instance, there was no longer a need to dismiss or reinterpret the prophecies about the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In fact, the whole confusing relationship between Israel and the church suddenly became clear. What's more, the rapture finally began to make sense.
The first section of the book is devoted to building a foundation. You will see how prophecy is never disconnected from what God is doing through Israel. To those who have spent little time in the Old Testament, it may appear slow going at first. With the first coming of Messiah, however, prophesy (as well as this book) picks up speed.
The second section of the book sets the stage for the events of the last days. There you will be introduced to the main characters—the men and the nations who are the dominant figures during the last days of this age.
The final section is an in-depth look at what happens in heaven and on earth once the final 42 months begin. With the Book of the Revelation as an outline, you will see how Messiah becomes enthroned on earth. Then you will examine the Biblical description of life during the Millennial Kingdom, and finally the New Heaven and the New Earth.
Messiah criticized the religious leaders of His day for failing to recognize the signs of the times. Unfortunately, most of us have not recognized what the Scriptures are saying about our day either. The sure word of prophecy, however, states that believers will understand, and as a result, they will turn many to righteousness. I hope this book will be of some help as you seek to acquire the insight that God promised His people in the last days.
And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness (will shine) like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3).