Message 2 - By Leroy
Surface
The
Time of Trouble
Introduction
By JDG
This message was
preached by Brother Leroy Surface at the “Tabernacle in the Woods” church, July
30, 2006. This was during the last Israeli-Lebanese war, and has been edited for
printing. It is offered as a scriptural answer to those who may be confused by
the trouble they see developing in the world today; especially in the middle
east and Israel. Whether any agree with this message or not, it is given with
the hope that many in the church, as well as those who are yet of the world,
will be awakened to the knowledge that we are living in the last generation
before the return of Jesus to rule and reign on this earth; and, that we
are living in the very last days of the last generation. Jesus is coming very,
very soon. Are you ready for that
day. JDG
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The
Time of Trouble
“…and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to
that same time…”
Daniel 12:1
I want to speak
to you today about the second coming of Jesus. I will give you only that which
I understand from the scriptural record; i.e., the events and circumstances
that will be taking place upon this planet at the time Jesus returns to earth.
If you see the prophecies of the last day in the scriptures, and you also see
what is taking place in the world today, you must know that the return of Jesus
is at hand. The prophetic scriptures were written in a time period from about
three thousand years ago to about nineteen hundred years ago. Holy men of God
like Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and the apostle John wrote the things they saw
and heard as the Holy Ghost moved upon them. They all describe the same events,
even naming the very nations that would be in conflict with Israel in this
generation. They tell us what the nature of that final conflict will be, and
what its cause will be. When we see the things they wrote coming to pass in our
lifetime; when they are in fact the major news stories of this present day, we
must surely know that the Bible is the word of God. It is not the imaginations
of man; it is not a fictional report by man; but rather, as the scriptures say,
“Holy men of God wrote as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost.” We no
longer have to look to the future to see the things they wrote about. They are
happening all around us in these days in which we live. There are, however,
many things that are commonly taught in the popular “eschatology (theology
of the last days)” that will never take place. Much of what is commonly
taught today is a fictional product
of the imaginations of man which has been developed over the last one hundred and fifty years; as
the errors are added to by each succeeding generation of prophecy teachers.
Millions of people have been stirred by the “Left Behind” series of
books and movies; but sadly, millions are being deceived by the gross error of
that series. The idea that there will be a “second chance” for those who
miss the “rapture” is a horrible and dangerous error. There in not a
single verse in the entire Bible that teaches such a thing. In fact, the
illustrations Jesus gives of His coming in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth
chapters of Matthew all give one message, summed up in these words; “be
ye also ready, for the Son of man cometh in an hour ye think not.” There
are several categories of people in these illustrations; from those who, as in
the days of Noah, did not know the Lord and did not believe; to those who were
called to be the faithful ministers of God, but began to “eat and drink with
the drunken.” He tells of those who, like the “foolish virgins,”
would sleep and slumber without sufficient oil for their lamps. He also tells
of a servant who buried that which his Lord had given him “in a
napkin,” and spent his life upon himself with no increase for the Masters
kingdom. He spoke of those that would sleep and fail to “watch” in the
night hours. In every case the “Lord” came “in an hour they thought
not,” even though they were instructed to “be ready.” If you’re
not ready today, please “get ready;” but the admonition is to “be ready” because you don’t know
the day or the hour that Jesus will come. If you are one who is not ready, He
will come in an hour that you “think not.” Jesus did not give a single
illustration where anyone received a “second chance.” There was not a
single unbeliever, back slidden preacher, or foolish virgin that received a
second chance to get ready after the Lord came. In every case that Jesus
illustrated, those who were not ready were “taken away” as by a flood,
or “broken up” as a thief would break up a house, or “cut asunder”
and “cast into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of
teeth.” Finally He says, they will be “cast into everlasting punishment
from the presence of God.” In other places Jesus says, those who are not
ready at His coming will be “cast into a furnace of fire.” Jesus never
says anything that even hints of a “second chance.” The “second
chance” theology has already damned millions of souls, and will damn
millions more, because they mistakenly
believe they can be saved after Jesus returns. This ought to be a very
sobering thought to all who see these last day events unfold right before our
eyes. And because we know that the
scriptures say these things, we also know that they are going to climax with
the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. God’s message to all, is “be ye ready.” There is nothing in this life that is worthy of your delaying
your total surrender to Jesus Christ. Absolutely nothing!
You don’t have to
be a “theologian” to understand the things of God. God has always taken
the “foolish things” of this world to confound the wise, and the “weak
things” to confound the mighty, and the “things that are not” to
bring to “nought” the things that
are. The prophet Elisha was just a plowboy, plowing the fields with a yoke of
oxen. Samuel and Jeremiah were only children when God chose them as prophets.
David was about sixteen when God chose him to be king of Israel. Other prophets
were simple sheepherders when God chose them. God has always revealed Himself
to common, simple people. One day “Jesus rejoiced in spirit” and said,
“Father, I thank thee that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and the
prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” There was a day in my
life, many years ago, that I
read these words and lifted up my hands in joy saying, “Lord, I thank you that
I’m just a baby; not one of the ‘wise and prudent’ of this world, but
just a baby.” In Daniel 12:10, God
tells Daniel, through the angle Gabriel,
that “the wise shall understand;” but it’s not the “wise of this
world” that shall understand; it’s those who have been endowed with “wisdom
from heaven.” The same verse also
says, “…none of the wicked shall understand;” speaking of the things
which are taking place in this day in which we live. The twelfth chapter of Daniel is speaking specifically about the times
we are living in today. Some of the Bible scholars of old believed that the “time
of trouble,” revealed in the twelfth
chapter of Daniel, was fulfilled in the days of the Greek empire by the
wicked king, Antiochus Epiphanes; who defiled the temple in Jerusalem for a
period of approximately three and a half years. Even with the amazing
similarity between the prophecy and the times and deeds of Antiochus, this twelfth chapter cannot be speaking of
any time or event other than this present hour. Let’s begin reading at the first verse of the twelfth chapter of
Daniel.
Trouble,
Affliction, and Great Tribulation
“And at that
time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children
of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation even to that same time.” Let’s stop here for a moment and turn to Mark 13:19 where Jesus says, “…in
those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of
the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be (again).” This prophetic
statement by Jesus is in perfect harmony with that which the angel Gabriel told
Daniel in Daniel 12:1. They are both
speaking of the same event. Let’s go back to the words of Jesus, as recorded in
Matthew 24:21. “For then shall be
great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to
this time, no, nor ever shall be (again).”
These words of Jesus in Matthew are in perfect harmony with that
which Gabriel had said to Daniel some five or six hundred years previously. It
is obvious that the “time of trouble,” the “affliction,”
and the “great tribulation” spoken of by Gabriel, through
Daniel, and then by Jesus, are all one and the same event. Let this be settled
in our hearts and minds.
Back to Daniel 12:1, Gabriel says, “…there
shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation
even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered….”
Gabriel is telling Daniel about a “time of trouble” that could be
beginning right now.
This “time of
trouble” is focused on the little nation of Israel; but, it will become a “time
of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,” and it will all be
centered around that one little nation.
The little nation
of Israel will be the offence, and the starting point of a “time of trouble (“…upon the whole earth; Isaiah 28:22), such as never was
since there was a nation.” It will
begin with the little nation of Israel, and will quickly envelop “the whole
earth,” as “all the people (nations) of the earth gather against
it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).
I can also tell
you that during this “time of trouble” in Israel, our own nation,
America, will see the greatest time of trouble it has ever seen since it became
a nation. Gabriel also gave Israel, through Daniel, a wonderful promise,
saying, “at that time thy people shall be delivered.” I firmly believe
that this speaks of the salvation of the Jew. Listen to the words of the
prophet Zechariah as he speaks of this same time period.
Jerusalem,
a Burdensome Stone
Behold, I will make
Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall
be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will
I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves
with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered
together against it.
Zechariah 12:2-3
What a powerful
and amazing statement. Regardless of where you may stand politically, or of
what persuasion you may hold religiously, the “word of God” says that
God will make Jerusalem a “cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone”
for all people. God further says that “all that burden themselves with
it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered
together against it.” Regardless of who they may be, even if every
person on this planet gathers against Jerusalem, God has said, they would be “cut
in pieces.” We know that the little nation of Israel does not have that
kind of power, but God also says in Zechariah
12:9, “I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against
Jerusalem.” It is God that will
utterly destroy the enemies of Israel. It is also God who will bring the
nations against Israel. God says in Zechariah
14:2, “…I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the
city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of
the city shall go forth into captivity….”
During this “time of trouble” there will be three and one
half years of war in Israel against the Jew. During this time the city will be
taken; Jerusalem will fall to the adversary, and half the city will go into
captivity. In fact, Zechariah 13:8-9
says, “And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two
parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third (part) shall be left therein. And I will
bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is
refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I
will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my
God.” This is the deliverance of the nation of Israel; the
deliverance of the Jew. There will be a horrible slaughter in Israel. There
will be another “holocaust.” After two thirds of the people in all the
land have died in this horrible time of trouble, God says, “I will bring the
third part through the fire. I will refine them as silver is refined, and try
them as gold is tried, and they shall call on my name….” The Jews are going
to call upon God in the name of Him whom their fathers have pierced; even
Jesus.
The
“House of David”
And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit
of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have
pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and
shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Zechariah 12:10
The “House of
David” is the church of Jesus Christ. This is confirmed in Acts, chapter fifteen. There was a
council meeting in Jerusalem concerning whether a Gentile could be saved
without first being circumcised and keeping the Law of Moses. First, Peter gave
testimony of his experience with the house of Cornelius; how God saved them and
approved them by filling them with the Holy Ghost. After Peter, Paul and
Barnabas also testified of the great miracles and wonders which God had wrought
among the Gentiles through them. Finally, James, the head of the church at
Jerusalem, proceeded to give his understanding of what God was doing among the
Gentiles. He said, “Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the
first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to
this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will
return, and will build again the tabernacle
of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up: that the residue (the remainder) of men might seek
after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the
Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the
beginning of the world” (Acts
15;13-18). James recognized that God was gathering a people out of
the Gentiles (the nations) for His name’s sake. The Gentiles, believing on
Jesus Christ, were being grafted into the good olive tree, which is “The
Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).
James further recognized this “gathering of the Gentiles” as the
fulfillment of a prophecy from Amos 9:11
which says, “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches
thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of
old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that
doeth this.” In this prophecy, James saw that the “Church of
Jesus Christ” is (spiritually speaking) the restoration of the “House of
David.”
It is during the
heat of this battle; when the nations are gathered together against Jerusalem
that God promises to “…pour upon the
house of David and upon the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications….” This
promise is to every person on this earth who is truly born again of God. If you
are a child of God who is fully surrendered to Jesus Christ, God will pour the
spirit of grace and supplications upon you; but not, if you are
indifferent…not, if you are a skeptic…not, if you are a scoffer…and not, if you
are pursuing life as usual in this hour. On the other hand, if you are one who
is watching, waiting, and longing for Jesus to return; if you are one who has
totally surrendered your heart, life, body, and soul, to Jesus Christ, God has
said, “I will pour upon the house of
David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications.” Today, the Jew is still unbelieving.
Today, the Jew is still lost; but in spite of all this, we must realize that
the Jew is still our brother. Even in their unbelief, there is a love bond
between the child of God and the Jew.
The Jews
persecuted the apostle Paul continually. In I Thessalonians 2:14-16, Paul tells us the “wrath” of God is
upon the Jew. Paul was probably speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem that
Jesus had foretold; which at that time, was yet to come. However, in Romans 9:2-4, Paul says, “I have
great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that (I) myself were accursed from Christ for
my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites….” The
love of God that bound Paul to the Jew was such that He thought himself willing
to be “cursed from Christ” if it would bring the Jew to Christ. He could
not, but he would be willing to give his own soul to win their soul. Certainly
there could be no greater love than this. As Israel’s tribulation increases,
the bond that ties the church to Israel will also increase. There will be
fasting and prayers offered up continually as God pours upon the church the
Spirit of grace and supplications.
The
“Consummation”
(also
translated “Consumption” in the KJV)
In order to make this topic as understandable as
possible, I have made these word comparisons.
(In Isaiah 10:22 the Hebrew word, Strong’s
#3631 is translated “consumption.”)
(In Isaiah 10:23 the Hebrew word, Strong’s
#3617 is also translated “consumption.”)
(In Isaiah 28:22 the Hebrew word, Strong’s
#3617 is again translated “consumption.”)
(In Daniel 9:27 the Hebrew word, Strong’s #3617
is translated “consummation.”)
Before going
further, I would like to point out that many prophesies have more than one
fulfillment. The “time of trouble such as
never was” is the final
fulfillment of the judgment of destruction against the Jew because of their
rejection of Jesus (their promised Messiah). The prophets Daniel and Isaiah
both speak of this event, Isaiah being the first. By the Spirit, he speaks of a
“consumption (a full and complete destruction)” from which only a “remnant”
of Israel will return (Isaiah 10:22-23).
Here are the words of Isaiah: “For though
thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return
(This is speaking [first] of the
carrying away into Babylon): the consumption
decreed shall overflow with righteousness”
(In the book of Romans Paul speaks
in defense of God’s judgment against Israel as being righteous [i.e., just].).
For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a
consumption, even determined, in the
midst of all the land.” The second
great destruction of Jerusalem and the Jew would be by the Romans in 70 A.D., after which, the Jews would be
horribly persecuted and scattered for more than nineteen hundred years.
In Daniel 9:27, (the angel) Gabriel tells Daniel about a third and “final destruction,” which, at this writing, is yet to
come. He (Gabriel) tells Daniel, “…for
the overspreading of abominations He (God) shall make it (Judea and Jerusalem; Zechariah 12:2-3) desolate,
even until the consummation, and
that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” Daniel uses the same
Hebrew word as Isaiah used in Isaiah
10:23, but the King James translators chose to use different English words.
In Isaiah, the translators chose the word
“consumption,” while in Daniel,
they chose the word “consummation.” Nevertheless, both Isaiah
and Daniel are speaking of the same event; Isaiah calling it “the consumption decreed,” and Daniel, “the consummation, and that determined.” Both prophets were foretelling the
same, last day “time of trouble,” or “tribulation,” and both say that God has already “decreed,” or “determined” that
it will come. Both speak of the last war against Israel which may have already
begun, even as we speak today (that was in 2006 and evidently was not the
beginning of the last war, which I believe, according to the scriptures in Daniel, chapter 12, will last 3½
years). However, as this last war proceeds (whenever it may begin), in the
depths of their despair, Israel will at last call upon Jesus and they will be
“desolate no more.”
Isaiah also spoke
of another “consumption” (another judgment; Isaiah
28:22) that would come upon the
entire earth: “Now therefore be ye
not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD
of hosts a consumption, even
determined upon the whole earth.”
Surely this must be the “wrath of the Lamb” that the ungodly will receive at
the return of Jesus, our Lord.
This “time of
trouble such as never was” is the final judgment and destruction against
the Jew because they rejected Jesus; their Messiah. Both prophets, Isaiah and
Daniel, speak of it. Isaiah was the first to see this final judgment. By the
Spirit, He speaks of it in Isaiah
10:22-23. There he speaks of a “consumption (a final destruction)”
from which only a “remnant” of Israel would return. These are the words
of Isaiah: “For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a
remnant of them shall return: the consumption
decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption,
even determined, in the midst of all the land.” Daniel was also told of
this “final destruction” in Israel, by the angel Gabriel, which was, and, as of May 7, 2011, is yet to come. Again, in Daniel 9:27, it is translated “consummation,” but it is
the same Hebrew word that was translated “consumption” in Isaiah
10:23 and 28:22. In Daniel 9:27,
it is recorded that, “…for
the overspreading of abominations he (God)
shall make it (Judea [Israel] and Jerusalem; Zechariah 12:2-3) desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be
poured upon the desolate.” Again, Isaiah
and Daniel are both speaking of the same event; Isaiah calling it “The consumption
decreed,” and Daniel, “The consummation, and that
determined.” They both use the same Hebrew word, but the translators
gave us different English words. Nevertheless, both prophets were foretelling
the same, last day “time of trouble,” or “tribulation,” and both
say that God has already “decreed,” or “determined” that it will
come. Both are speaking of that last war against Israel, which may already have
started with this present upheaval (Again, this was in 2006.); but
regardless of when it starts, in the last Israeli war before Jesus returns, in
the depths of their despair, they will at last turn to Jesus and be “desolate
no more.”
Isaiah also spoke
of another “consumption,” another
final judgment that would come on the entire
earth. “Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong:
for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption,
even determined upon the whole earth”
Isaiah 28:22. Surely this
will be the “wrath of the Lamb” which the ungodly will receive at the coming of our Lord.
The
Salvation of the Jew
The Jew is our
brother. We worship the same God even though they have rejected the fact that
Jesus is the Son of God. The Jew is our brother because we were grafted into
their “olive tree” (Romans 11:24).
They were cut off because of unbelief, but when they turn to Jesus they will
be grafted back into that same olive tree. We will both (Jew and Gentile) come
together as the church of Jesus Christ. God will give us the spirit of grace
and supplication to pray for our brothers in Israel. We will pray in
intercession for the nation of Israel, for Jerusalem, and for the Jew. Please
hear me! God will “pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication….” Notice what happens next! “…and they shall look upon me whom they
have pierced….” Hallelujah! For a full generation, the Jew has
prayed continuously at the “wailing wall” for their Messiah to come to them. At
the latter end of this “time of trouble such as never was;” after two
thirds of them have perished and after the city has fallen, they will be
separated from the “wailing wall.” When it seems there is absolutely no
hope that Messiah will come to deliver them, and it appears the enemy will be
successful in utterly destroying them from the face of the earth; then they
will begin to consider that perhaps Messiah did come; that Jesus was their
Messiah; and that they did crucify Him. The prophecy, “…they shall look upon (unto; Strong’s #413) me whom they have
pierced…” was written hundreds of years before Calvary. “They
shall look upon (unto) me whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 45:22-25)”
is speaking of “Christ crucified.” Hear what is said! “They shall
look upon (unto) me whom they
have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son,
and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his
firstborn.” What repenting there will be in that nation, throughout
the land, as they realize that Jesus their Messiah did come and they demanded
that He be crucified. It was the Spirit of Christ that spoke these words
through Zechariah; “…they shall look upon (unto; Strong’s #413) me whom they pierced…” (Zechariah 12:10; Isaiah 45:22-25).
Some common
eschatology teaches that it is when Jesus returns the second time that they
will look unto Him and believe and be saved. Absolutely not! Listen to the
words of Jesus in Matthew 23:37-39, after
the triumphal entry, and about two days before He went to the cross: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that
killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often
would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say,
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” This must take place “before”
the return of Jesus, for He told them, “you will not see me henceforth until
you shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Hallelujah!
In that day, having come through the fire, they will call upon Jesus. And God
has promised, “I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall
say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah
13:9). They will look on Him whom they pierced; they will mourn for
Him as one mourneth for their firstborn; and there will be repentance in every
household throughout the land of Israel as God “saves” them. A “fountain
for sin and uncleanness” will be opened for the inhabitants of Jerusalem (Zechariah 13:1). It is as the song
writer has said, “There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel’s
veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilt and
stains.” This will happen in Israel before the return of Jesus.
And at that time thy
people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some
to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Daniel 12:1-2
Gabriel tells
Daniel about the resurrection of the dead, immediately after the Jew turns to Jesus and is saved, “some to everlasting
life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” This, of course, speaks
of the “first resurrection” which is at the coming of Jesus. In the first two verses of Daniel twelve, the
angel Gabriel lays out, in just a few words, the entire end time scenario that
you need to keep your eyes on right now. Forget about the European Common
Market! Forget about communist China raising up an army of two hundred million;
it’s not coming from there. Forget about whether a “third temple” will be
built in Jerusalem. If it is built
at all, it will not be the “Temple of God.” Forget about all
those things of the popular eschatology that the god of this world has used to “blind
the minds” of the people. Just as Paul said in II Corinthians 4:4, “The god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of
Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” The “god of
this world, Satan,” has used the popular end time eschatology to
blind the minds of multitudes in the church, to the hour, the time, the
generation, and the events that are taking place. The popular eschatology is
that the church is going to be taken out before the words of Daniel, Jesus, and
His apostles come to pass; but the word of God does not teach that. Let’s see
what the word of God does teach. The angel Gabriel laid it out to Daniel in
this order. First, a time of
trouble; Second, the Jew turning to
Jesus Christ and being delivered; Third,
the resurrection of the dead. That is the order of events as given by Gabriel.
Now let’s read a little further in Daniel.
How
Long is this “Time of Trouble?”
And they that be wise
shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the
words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and
fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there
stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other
on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in
linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the
end of these wonders?
Daniel 12:3-6
Pay close
attention to the question that is asked in verse
six. “How long shall it be to the
end of these wonders?” We are about to hear from the angel of God as he
tells us the duration of the “time of trouble such as never was.” Remember, this “time of trouble”
in Daniel is the same as the “affliction” in Mark 13:19, and the “tribulation” in Matthew 24:21. We will continue with the seventh verse: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was
upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand
unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half….” We
need to understand that in prophetic time, this is three and a half years. “Time, times, and an half” doesn’t
make much sense in modern English, but it is well understood in the light of
other prophecies to be three and a half years. “How long shall it be to the
end of these wonders?” The angel tells us the duration of the “time of
trouble;” from the beginning of it
unto the resurrection of the dead is three and a half years. We continue in
the seventh verse: “…and when he
shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these
things shall be finished.”
And I heard, but I
understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till
the time of the end.
Daniel 12:8-9
Not understanding
about the three and a half years and the “scattering” of the power of
the holy people, Daniel cries out, “O my Lord, what shall be the end of
these things?” Daniel was never to know the “end of these
things,” because the words were “closed up and sealed till the time of the
end.” The “book” was sealed until the time of the end. It was the
same book the “Lamb” opened for the apostle John to see “The
Revelation” of the last days. It was the same book; “sealed” to
Daniel, and “opened” to John.
The
Time of His Coming
We have discussed
the “time of trouble,” and the “deliverance,” or “salvation”
of the Jews: now I want to talk about the “resurrection” that comes at
the “end” of the time of trouble. Let’s go back to Mark 13:19 where we read these words: “For in those days shall
be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God
created unto this time, neither shall be (again).” Let’s skip to the words of Jesus in the twenty fourth verse: “But in those
days, after that tribulation….” When
is this time of tribulation or affliction which Jesus is speaking about
going to take place? It is “after” the time of trouble such as never
was… ; “after” the affliction such as never was… ;“after” that
tribulation such as never was (Matthew
24:21). “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun
shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of
heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then
shall they see the Son of man coming
in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his
angels, and shall gather together
his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the
uttermost part of heaven” (Mark
13:24-27).
Jesus speaks of
our “gathering together” unto Him, “after” the tribulation of
those days. This is the same “gathering together” spoken of by Paul in II Thessalonians 2:1; “Now we
beseech you, brethren, by the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering
together unto him….” Paul uses the same words that Jesus used; “coming”
and “gathering together.” These are the events that Jesus said would
take place “after the tribulation
of those days;” “after” the affliction… ; “after”
the “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation,”
Daniel 12:1. It is after the “time of trouble” that Jesus said He would send His angels to “gather together his elect from the four
winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.” This
is what Paul relates to when he says, “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering
together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,
neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of
Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition” (II
Thessalonians 2:1-3). Jesus’ “coming” and “our gathering
together unto him”
are both “after” the “time of trouble, such as never was….”
And then shall he send his angels, and shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the
earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Now learn a parable of the fig tree;
When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see
these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I
say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be
done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But
of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in
heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye
know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey,
who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his
work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not
when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock
crowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what
I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Mark 13:27-37
Jesus is speaking
to this generation. He is speaking to us that live right now. He is speaking by
His Spirit to all those who hear my voice in this auditorium, and to all those
that will hear through DVDs, CDs, tapes, or those who read our publications. He
said, “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Jesus is coming again very soon. It is “this
generation” that sees these things taking place; so we may know that
“this generation shall not pass until all things be fulfilled.” In Matthew 24:21-22 Jesus says, “For
then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the
world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (again). And except those days should be shortened, there should no
flesh be saved:” (How horrible that war is going to be. The
scripture tells us in Revelation, chapter nine, that one third of all mankind
will be slain in that war; yet Jesus says, if those days were not
shortened, no flesh would be saved. Nevertheless, He did not leave us
hopeless.) “but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”
Immediately after the tribulation
of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be
shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then
shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man
coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send
his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather
together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So
likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at
the doors.
Matthew 24:29-33
His coming is
even at the door. It is to us that Jesus speaks; to this generation. It is
“now” that you see the nations gathering against Israel, and against Jerusalem.
It is “now” that He is speaking of, It is “now” that it is “…even at the
door.” Jesus continues in verse
thirty four; “Verily I say unto you, This generation… (The generation He is speaking of is
the generation we are living in; which began in June of 1967. “This generation” is thirty-nine years
of age today, and Jesus says, it “…shall not pass, till all these things be
fulfilled. Verse thirty five,
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Jesus
assures us of the absolute nature of His words; that they are more certain than
heaven and earth. Heaven and earth will pass away before one of His words will
fail. Verse thirty six, “But of
that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only.”
Resurrection
and Rapture
In I Thessalonians, chapter four, I want to read something to you about the “manner”
of the coming of Jesus. The word clearly establishes that His coming is “after”
the tribulation of those days. Looking again to the words of Jesus, Mark, chapter thirteen, Jesus says, “But
in those days after the tribulation… then shall they see the son of man
coming… then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from
the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of
heaven.” This language describes what has long been taught as the “rapture
of the church.” The only problem with the eschatology of the rapture
is not “what,” but “when.” The word “rapture,” though not found in the
Bible, was derived from the description Paul gives of the second coming. He
said we would be “caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” It doesn’t
bother me that the word “rapture” is not found in the Bible, because it simply
expresses “caught up.” However,
it’s not a matter of “what,” but “when” we are “caught up.” There
is a problem with the popular eschatology
of the rapture, however, which teaches we will be “raptured”
seven years “before” the second coming of Jesus. They teach of one, who
they call “THE Antichrist,” making a seven year treaty with the Jews, bringing
in peace and safety, rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, restoring animal
sacrifices, breaking the treaty after three and a half years, then stopping the
sacrifices. Then, “THE Antichrist” enters the temple to declare that he is God;
and forces all the people of the world to worship him as God. You probably know
the scenario better than I do. It is the “eschatology” of what is called, “THE
Great Tribulation.” Do you know that the words, “THE Great Tribulation,” are
nowhere to be found in the King James Version of the Bible? Nowhere! And I will
tell you something else, the words “THE Antichrist” are not found in the Bible.
Not one single time are either of these words found in the King James Version
of the Bible. It does, however, speak about the “spirit of antichrist,” and
about “many antichrists,” but never about “THE Antichrist.” The
word “antichrist” is used only
five times in the Bible, and only by
the apostle John; and only in I John
and II John. The term “antichrist” is always used in reference to false
teachers and false prophets; and always in the church, to deceive the people.
Never is antichrist spoken of as a “political figure” or a “world leader.”
Never! Not one time is the word “antichrist” used in any such
connection. The word “antichrist” always speaks of those who seek to
deceive the people of God; and always in the realm of the church. I tell
you people are trusting in “fiction;” in religious “fairy tales.” Why? Because
they have given their ears to fables, instead of the Word of God. In II Timothy 4:3-4, Paul tells
Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables.” This is the warning of the apostle Paul, that these
things would come. Many “fables” concerning the last day have come to blind
God’s people to the time we are living in right now. We do not see a single
indication of the “European Common Market” rising to world power; just as so
many other things in the popular eschatology that will never come to pass. They
tell us these things are “all in the future;” all to come “after the rapture.” But Jesus said the “gathering together” is “AFTER the
tribulation of those days.”
So then, the “rapture” is “after”
the tribulation of those days. Now, to Paul’s message to the Thessalonians
concerning the “resurrection;” which the angel Gabriel, and Daniel, and
Jesus all said is “after” the
time of trouble and tribulation.
But I would not have
you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep (have already died), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no
hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
sleep (die) in Jesus will God bring with him.
I Thessalonians 4:13-14
Paul tells us
that those who “sleep in Jesus (the dead in Christ)” God will
bring with Him. Jude quotes the prophet Enoch in Jude 1:14-15 saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands
of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are
ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly
committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken
against him.” When Jesus returns, He brings all those believers who have
died in the faith, with Him.
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.
I Thessalonians 4:15
Some would say
this is the “second coming” and not the rapture. If that were the case,
Paul expected to miss the rapture, because he said, “We which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord.” A simple study of all the scriptures
concerning the rapture and the second coming prove they are all the same event.
I fully believe that Paul expected to live to see that day, but it was not for
his generation. We are the generation of the coming of Jesus. There are many
things that no one could possibly understand until this last generation. There
were those things that John had to “seal up” until this generation; such
as the “seven thunders” that uttered their voices (Revelation 10:3-4). They were “sealed,” and John could not
write them, but the understanding would come in this generation as we see the
unfolding of all these things. Now, back to our text. Paul said, “We which
are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep.” The Greek word, here translated “prevent” means
“precede.” We will not “precede” those that are asleep in
Christ. “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….” This is where the word “rapture” came from; “caught
up;” we shall be “caught up!” This is speaking of the time of
the resurrection. The resurrection of the dead will take place, “before” we are caught up, but it
will be “after” the “time
of trouble such as never was.” Gabriel told Daniel, the resurrection would
be after the time of trouble. Jesus told us that His “coming,”
the “resurrection,” and our “gathering together” unto Him will be
“after the tribulation of those days.” Let’s read it again. “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” (I Thessalonians 4:16-18).
The
“Nature” of Jesus’ Coming
Now we will turn
to some scriptures that tell us something about the “nature” of the
second coming of Jesus. Zechariah 14:3-4,
“Then shall the LORD go forth….” This is after Jerusalem is taken by the
enemy and after two thirds of the inhabitants of the land are dead. It is after
the Jew has called upon the name of Jesus and the “fountain for sin” has
been opened for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. “Then shall the LORD go forth,
and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And
his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives….” He will
utterly destroy all those nations that fight against Jerusalem. In Zechariah 14:12, God describes the “plague”
He will smite the enemies of Jerusalem with. “And this shall be the plague
wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against
Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and
their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume
away in their mouth” (Zechariah
14:12). When Jesus comes, He will “fight against those nations (that
come against Jerusalem [the Jews]), as when He fought in the day of battle.”
In the first chapter of II Thessalonians Paul
is encouraging the church at Thessalonica in a time they are suffering much
persecution and tribulation. God has never said that His people would not suffer
tribulation. In fact, both Paul and Barnabas exhorted the churches that they
must, “through much tribulation, enter into the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22). Now, let’s hear
the words of Paul’s encouragement to this persecuted church in II Thessalonians 1:4-10. For “…we
ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in
all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest
token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with
God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you….” Paul is speaking
about the coming of Jesus. He tells these people that, when God comes (when
Jesus returns), God will “recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.”
Paul continues in the seventh verse:
“And to you who are troubled, rest with us….” Paul reassures these people
of rest from all their enemies when Jesus returns. The question is, “when will our Lord come with this rest
from their enemies?” Paul gives the answer as we continue reading. “…When
the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey (heed and/or believe) not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” Read this scripture
carefully; and understand what it is saying. The “coming” of Jesus to
give rest to His people, is the same “coming” as when He comes to
take vengeance on the ungodly. I have boldfaced the word “when”
in two places in this text. Notice the context of both usages of the word. First: Jesus will give us rest “when”
He comes with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey (heed
and/or believe) not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Second: “He will punish the ungodly
with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of His power.” When?
When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them
that believe, in that day. In short, He will give His people rest when He comes
to take vengeance on the ungodly. He will punish the ungodly when He comes to
be admired in His people. The rapture,
the resurrection, and the second coming of Jesus are all one and
the same event.
Power
of the Gospel to Save
Notice the phrase
that is in parenthesis in the tenth
verse: (“Because our testimony among you was believed.”) While
the ungodly and sinners are suffering the wrath of the Lamb; and while the enemies
of Israel are suffering the horrible plagues God has pronounced upon them; at
the same time, the “redeemed from the earth” will have rest. Jesus will
be glorified in them and admired in all that believe. Paul gives only one
reason for the wonderful estate of the child of God, in that day of God’s wrath
upon the ungodly; it is “Because
our testimony among you was believed.” Oh how powerful the gospel of
Jesus Christ is. The “gospel” is our testimony. Repentance, absolute
surrender to our Lord Jesus Christ, and believing the gospel (which is“…our testimony among you…”).
This is the way people are born of God; this is the way they are
prepared; this is the way they are “made ready” for the coming of Jesus.
Please hear this today! In the coming of Jesus, He promises rest to His people,
He will be glorified in His saints, and He will be admired in all them that
believe. In this same coming, He will come with His mighty angels to take
vengeance on all those who do not know Him and do not heed and believe His
gospel. The “blessed hope” of the (true)
“church” is the most dreaded day of all time to them that know not
God. Our, “blessed hope!,” is the
“day of sweet release!” The blessed hope of every child of God is going
to be the greatest “woe” of all the “woes” in the Bible. It is
the third and final “woe” spoken of in Revelation 8:13; and fulfilled in Revelation 11:15-18 at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Paul speakes of this “blessed hope” of the child of God, in I Corinthians 15:51-55: “Behold, I
shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For
this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?” This is the “blessed hope” of every child
of God. It is the coming of our Lord Jesus and the resurrection of the dead in
Christ. We who are alive when He comes shall be changed. This vile body will be
changed and fashioned like His glorious body (Philippians 3:21). Death will be swallowed up in victory. We will
rejoice against death, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory?” It is the “blessed day of sweet release” the old song writer
sang, and wrote about. What a wonderful event, for all who belong to Him.
The
Last “Woe”
John tells of the
same event for all that do not know Jesus, in Revelation 11: 14-15: “The second woe is past; and, behold, the
third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
This seventh trumpet is the return of Jesus Christ to earth. It is
the “last trump” spoken of by Paul in I Corinthians 15:52. It is also the third and great “woe” upon the
inhabitants of the earth. Jesus comes to rule over the nations with a rod of
iron. The prophet says, He will “dash them in pieces like a potters vessel”
(Proverbs 2:9). Revelation 11:18 tells us the response
of the nations at Jesus’ coming: “And the nations were angry….” It is no wonder He must rule them with a
rod of iron. It is the time of the “wrath of the Lamb.” Please notice
these words; “…and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they
should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward
unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name,
small and great; and shouldest destroy them which
destroy the earth.”
Please keep in
mind as you are reading this last paragraph, that this message was preached
(and written) in 2006. How much greater is the turmoil in the whole world
today, May, 2011; but especially in the middle east.
We look to the
middle east and see a “time of trouble” right now. Is this the beginning
of that “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation?” I
don’t know. There may be another cease-fire, and another United Nations peace
force. God has named the nations that will ultimately come against Jerusalem.
They are the “all nations,” nations spoken of in Zechariah 14:2, which could satisfy the words, “United Nations.” There could be
a “lull” for a few years before Israel must destroy Iran’s nuclear
capability; we do not know. This could also be the beginning of the last war
against Israel; the three and a half year war that will take place before the
coming of Jesus. Again, we do not know. What we do know is that we are told to
“watch… and pray.” It is recorded
in at least twenty places in the New Testament where Jesus, or His apostles,
exhort us to watch and pray; so watch for the signs of His coming. I have
laid out many of them in this message. Watch for them, and pray continually
that you may be accounted worthy to escape these things that are coming upon
the earth, and to stand before the son of man in that day.
Message
2 - By Leroy Surface - The Time of Trouble
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