The Timing of Christ's Coming - Part One: Introduction

Mark 13v32

28¶“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.

29“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that itfn is near—at the doors!

32¶“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Introduction

It's been debated, argued about and there have been crazy predictions, infamously the book by Edgar Whisenant "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988" was one such prediction. Of course 1988 came and went and no one was raptured.

Unfortunately, most of the theories, predictions and eschatogical positions (eschatology is the study of last things) are not supported by scripture. Some have elements that are but crucially the timeline and chronology of the particular position does not. 

So what does the Bible actually say and does prophecy actually provide a clear timeline and chronology for the different events associated with the period known as Daniel's 70th week. 

Has the Lord purposely kept us in the dark and made the last days prophecies so complicated and mysterious that there is no hope of navigating our way through the events. 

Can we know the season even though the exact day and hour is hidden?

We will examine the eschatogical scriptures and Bible prophecy and discover that we are provided with a clear, unambiguous timeline mapped out by specific "signposted events". 

God Reveals His Secret

As we examine scripture, we see that God does not leave us in the dark. He will reveal secrets and mysteries to His people especially through prophets. 

Amos 3v7

7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Now that is some statement. Even though He could, God has chosen to do nothing, without first revealing and disclosing "His secret" to the prophets. 

The Hebrew word translated "secret" here, conveys the sense of a company of people being consulted or holding a session with a company of people who are deliberating. Some translations have it as plan or secret plan. 

I think that's wonderful God involves His prophets revealing His counsel and plans. 

Remember Jesus told His disciples "to you is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God" Mark 4v11

What an amazing privilege is ours. Jesus also said in John 15v15

15“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you".

You see the Lord is not in the business of hiding His plans from us. 

In relation to His return, He has provided many signposts and reference points, so that we are not left in the dark, not knowing or unaware of what is happening all around us. 

Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5v4&5 wrote

4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Isn't that something! The Creator of all things, the One who is all powerful and all knowing, has chosen to reveal His plans and counsel to us, His people and this is especially true in relation to the most significant events that will take place at the end of human history and just prior to the millennial reign of Christ on earth. 

Daniel's 70th Week

I want to look at one of the most important passages outside of the Olivet Discource and Revelation which deals with the last 7 years. 

Jesus specifically referenced Daniel's prophecy in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and Mark 13, so to say it is an important reference point is an understatement. 

Matthew 24v15

15¶When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,(whoso readeth, let him understand:)

There is a key sign called the Abomination of Desolation which Daniel spoke about in the 70th week prophecy. 

We find it in Daniel 9v24-27.

In v24 the Archangel Gabriel reveals to Daniel that 70 weeks are determined for your people. Who were Daniel's people - the Jews. 

In this passage a week = 7 years. 

Therefore 70 weeks equates to a 490 year period. (70x7)

The first part of the prophecy covers 69 weeks or 483 years and there are specific signposts and reference points within this period of time. 

We read that from the time the command to rebuild Jerusalem  is issued until Messiah the Prince is a period of 69 weeks. 

What command is this referring too and who gave it? 

The decree or command to rebuild Jerusalem - which had been left in ruins as a result of the attack by the Babylonians in 583BC and subsequent exile of the Jews to Babylon - was given by the Persian King Artaxerxes on 5th March 444BC to Nehemiah. Read Nehemiah 2v1-8.

There are biblical scholars who have worked out that the period from the command in 444BC to the truimphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem (Luke 19v35-40) was exactly 483 years. What accuracy but then we serve a God who knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end and who exists outside of time. 

In v26 of Daniel 9 we are provided again with key signposts or events within the prophecy. 

■ Messiah is cut off but not for Himself

This speaks of the crucifixion of Jesus. He didn't die for Himself but He died for fallen humanity in order to redeem and reconcile us unto God and to restore the fellowship with Him that had been lost as a result of Eden

■ The people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the sanctuary and the city 

This refers to the Roman siege of Jerusalem under General Titus in AD70. The Romans destroyed much of the city including the second temple that had been built by Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and Joshua the High Priest and that had been expanded under Herod the Great (this was the temple at the time of Jesus' earthly ministry and the early church). 

Jesus had predicted and warned the inhabitants of Jerusalem of it's destruction in Luke 19v41-44 and 21v6. 

The very things that Jesus said would happen did including the Romans building a wall or trench around the city Luke 19v43 to cut off food supplies and starve the inhabitants. Jesus also said that the the destruction of the temple would be so violent that not one stone would be left on top of another. Now I had the privilege of being in Israel in 2010 and visiting the Western wall which is said to be the only part of the temple that survived. If it is and the Temple Mount is the site of Solomon's temple and the Second Temple, then Jesus' prediction that "there shall not be one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down" did not come to pass. Either that and as some argue, the site that the Jews revere and at which they worship, is actually the Roman fortress called Antonia, which housed the Roman garrison in Jerusalem. If you are interested, the book "Temple" by Bob Cornuke provides a fascinating insight from scripture and archaeology into the possibility that the Temple was actually in the City of David (Zion), below the Fort Antonia. Wouldn't it be ironic if the Temple has been incorrectly identified as located where the Roman fort stood and they are worshipping at a pagan site, a location which will most likely be the site of the rebuilt temple, which the Antichrist will make his own and at which he will demand worship, during the Great Tribulation period. 

The phrase the people of the prince which is to come, is thought, by many, to be referring to the Antichrist and because the people were the Romans, they argue, that the Antichrist will come from a revived Roman Empire, specifically the European Union. I don't want to get into this in this message but I've no doubt, that not only the European Union but also Britain and America, have and will play a leading role in establishing the Novos Ordo Seclorum (New World Order) and Beast system over which the Antichrist will reign. 

The key verse which relates to what we are examining in this introductory message is found in Daniel 9v27.

27Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;

But in the middle of the week

He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,

Even until the consummation, which is determined,

Is poured out on the desolate.”

This is the event that Jesus refers to in Matthew 24 called the Abomination of Desolation. Jesus refers to Daniel 9v27 and says let the reader understand. 

It's so important that Jesus emphasises the need for those who read it to grasp it's meaning and comprehend and understand it's significance. 

The "he" is the prince who is to come which many believe is the Antichrist. 

He confirms a covenant with many for 1 week or 7 years. Scholars believe this will be a peace treaty with Israel, however it is with many and not all. 

This is where we get the 70th week prophecy or the final 7 years before Christ takes back the earth from Satan (the god of this world) and man and physically reigns for 1000 years from Jerusalem.

In the middle of the week or the 7 year period i.e. at the 3.5 year point he stops the sacrifices and offerings in the temple and desecrates it through the abomination of desolation. 

Many interpret this as indicating that there will be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (the Temple Institute have all the priests clothing, the instruments and furniture ready as well as the red heifer) that will be desecrated by the Antichrist, just as it was by the pagan Seleucid ruler, Antiochus IV Ephiphanes, who erected an altar of Zeus and offered pigs (an abomination to Jews) in 167BC.

Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2v4 that the man of sin, the son of perdition will sit in the temple of God, saying and claiming to be God and he will demand worship. This is the ultimate desecration and it is this event which signifies the start of the period called the Great Tribulation. 

Jesus gives us a clear and unambiguous signpost or reference point. At the 3.5 year point the Antichrist will be revealed through the Abomination of Desolation and the countdown to the final 3.5 years of human history - which will include the Day of the Lord and the unleashing of God's wrath - will have begun.

Please note this is an introduction as it necessary to provide an overview of Daniel's 70 week prophecy and lay the foundation on which we will examine the key signposts and events that scripture provides, in this most relevant and important of all subjects in these days, the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1v9-11

9¶Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,

11who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Revelation 1v7

7¶Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.