01.13. Things to Come on God's Agenda
13. Things to Come I.The Importance of Prophecy A.Prophecy as witness to the source of revelation (only God knows the future).
1. He promises to “perform His word.” Jeremiah 1:12; Jeremiah 29:10; Ezekiel 12:25
2.God alone knows the future. 2 Samuel 7:19; Job 24:1; Job 31:4; Psalms 69:5; Psalms 139:2-4; Psalms 147:5; Isaiah 40:28; Isaiah 41:21-26; Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 44:7; Isaiah 45:21; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 2:10, Daniel 2:27; Matthew 6:8; Luke 7:39; Luke 12:6; Acts 15:28; Romans 11:33; Revelation 2:23 B.Prophecy statistics. [2]
1. Unique prophecies fulfilled: 695 (230 prior to Christ’s advent, 117 at first coming of Christ, 57 during church age, 291 after church age).
2. Prophecies of Christ’s second coming: 328 (129 in the OT, 199 in the NT).
3. Why would God give it if it were unimportant for us to understand?
4.The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Luke 10:22; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 10:43; 1 Corinthians 1:6; Hebrews 10:7; 1 Peter 1:11; Revelation 1:2; Revelation 19:10 II.The Interpretation of Prophecy
C. Early church practiced a literal interpretation of all scripture and understood a literal millennial kingdom yet future (e.g. Revelation 20:1-15).
D. School at Alexandria began allegorical interpretation.
1. Motivation: reconcile scripture with Greek philosophy, rationalism.
2. Applied to prophetic content too.
3.Philo, Origen, Augustine, Roman Catholicism 4.Reformers restored literal interpretation except for prophecy.
5. Allegorical interpretation practiced by most mainline denominations. Leads to Postmillennialism, Amillennialism.
E.Golden rule of interpretation
"When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise." D.L. Cooper, The Golden Rule of Interpretation III.The distinction between Israel and the Church.
F. Church a mystery not known in ages past. Ephesians 3:5, Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26
G. Spirit not yet given - the promise of the Father. John 7:38-39; John 14:16-18, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-14; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5
H.The formation of the Body of Christ. Something new. Ephesians 2:14-16; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 1:24 I.The indwelling of the Spirit. Colossians 1:27 J.Sealed with the Spirit. John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30
K. “Israel” always denotes the physical descendents of Jacob. Whether in NT or OT. Believers are the spiritual seed of Abraham, but never called Israel.
IV.Daniel 9:1-27 - The key to understanding prophecy. Daniel 9:24-27 L.“Weeks” is a term meaning “sevens.” Daniel 9:24 M.All 70 “sevens” apply to the Jewish people and Jerusalem. Daniel 9:24 N.69 weeks from decree to rebuild until presentation of King. Daniel 9:25; Luke 19:44 [3] O.The grammar clearly denotes a gap between the 69th and 70th seven. [4]
P. The “prince who is to come” is of Roman origin because Jerusalem was destroyed in 70A.D. by Rome. Daniel 9:26
Q.A covenant for one “seven” with “many” (Jews), but broken in mid-seven. Compare with time intervals given elsewhere. Daniel 7:25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:7; Daniel 12:11-12; James 5:17 (?); Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 13:5 V.Rapture of the Church - Whence the view?
R. The two comings of Christ (once as suffering servant and again as victorious king) are not clearly spelled out in the OT, but must be inferred from clear differences in emphasis concerning similar passages. This same logic applies to second coming passages in the NT which exhibit some striking differences:
1. Christ comes for His own (John 14:3; 1Th. 14:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1) vs. Christ comes with His own (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 1:14; Revelation 19:14).
2.He comes in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17) vs. He comes to the earth (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11) 3.Tribulation begins (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) vs. Millennial kingdom begins (Revelation 20:1-7)
4. Saved are delivered from the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10) vs. Unsaved experience the wrath of God (Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:19; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15)
5. Appears to His own (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) vs. Every eye shall see Him (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7)
6. No signs precede His coming for His own (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) vs. Signs precede His coming in judgment (Luke 21:11, Luke 21:15)
7. The world is deceived when the day of the Lord begins (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) vs. Satan is bound when the millennial kingdom begins (Revelation 20:1-2)
S. Promises have been made that the church will not undergo God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10). The tribulation judgements represent God’s wrath (Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:19; Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:15)
T. The identity of the Restrainer: His possible identification as Satan, an angel, or government does not seem adequate to the global task. Thus the view that He is non other than the Holy Spirit permanently indwelling the body of Christ. His removal as Restrainer would necessitate the physical removal of the body of Christ since he permanently indwells believers. [5]
U. Daniel’s 70 week prophecy--with a week yet remaining--is specifically focused on the Jews and Jerusalem.
1. An unprecedented time of trouble for the Jews (Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21)
2.The woman persecuted by the dragon during the Tribulation represents Israel (Revelation 12:1-5, Revelation 12:13-17; Genesis 37:9) 3.Specially preserved witnesses are Jewish (Revelation 7:1-17; Revelation 14:1-20) 4.Two specific witnesses are Jewish and minister in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-19) V.The Church and Israel appear to be separate programs of emphasis.
VI.Major Events Yet Future W.Rapture of the church. John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 X.Attack of God and Magog upon Israel. Ezekiel 38:1-23; Ezekiel 39:1-29 Y.Antichrist [6] sets up one world government. Revelation 6:2; Revelation 13:1-8
Z.Antichrist makes a seven-year covenant with Israel. Isaiah 28:15; Daniel 9:24-27. Covenant is eventually broken. Daniel 9:27 AA.A global apostate church is established. Revelation 17:1-15
BB. Two witnesses with supernatural powers like Moses and Elijah preach and prophesy in Jerusalem. Revelation 11:1-6 Eventually killed and resurrected. Revelation 11:7-13
CC. Seal, trumpet, judgments upon the earth. Revelation 6:1-17; Revelation 8:1-13; Revelation 9:1-21
DD. Antichrist desecrates the temple, requires worship upon penalty of death. Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:15
EE. False prophet aids Antichrist, mark of the beast instituted. Revelation 13:16-18; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4. Both a global religious and global economic system are now in place ¾ as was the case in Genesis 11:1-32¾both denoted as Babel [7]
FF. Image of Antichrist worshiped. Revelation 13:14-15; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4
GG. Antichrist receives worship. Daniel 11:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4
HH. Antichrist prevails over the saints. Daniel 7:21; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 8:24; Revelation 13:7. Jews persecuted. Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 13:8-9; Revelation 12:13-17
II. Seven bowl (vial) judgments produce a “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world.” Matthew 24:21, Revelation 16:1-21
JJ. Battle of Armageddon takes place. Joel 3:2; Joel 3:12; Joel 3:14; Zechariah 12:11; Revelation 16:16
KK. Babylon (political, commercial, religious) system destroyed. Isaiah 13:1-22; Isaiah 14:1-32; Jeremiah 51:1-64; Jeremiah 52:1-34; Revelation 17:1-18; Revelation 18:1-24
LL. Second Coming of Christ. Isaiah 63:1; Zechariah 14:2-5; Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:37; Jude 1:14; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:14
MM. Antichrist destroyed. Daniel 7:11; Daniel 7:26; Daniel 8:25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 17:11; Revelation 19:19-20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:15
NN. Satan bound, Millennial Kingdom on earth. Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:27; Micah 4:1-8; Luke 1:33; Matthew 25:31; Revelation 20:1-7
OO.Satan released, rebellion against Millennial rule judged, Great White Throne judgment. Revelation 20:11-15 PP.New heavens and earth, the eternal state. Revelation 21:1-27; Revelation 22:1-21
ENDNOTES
[1]Class notes are available from
[3] Begins Nisan 1 of Artaxerces’ 20th year (March 5, 444 BC, Nehemiah 2:5-9). Sixty-nine ’sevens’ = 173,880 (29 x 7 x 360) days ending on the Triumphal Entry on Nisan 10, AD 33 (March 30, AD 33, Luke 19:28-40). Messiah cut off after 69 weeks on Nisan 14 (April 3) AD 33. Calculation: 476 years x 365.24219879 days per solar year = 173,855 days. Days between March 5 and March 30 = 25. Total: 173,855 + 25 = 173,880 days. Ref-44, 115-140. "Several factors commend this decree as the one prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:25) for the commencement of the seventy weeks. First, there is a direct reference to the restoration of the city (Nehemiah 2:3,
[4] The following is Dr. Randall Price’s explanation and defense of a gap preceding the final week of Daniel’s famous prophecy ... "The sixty-ninth week has already been set off as a distinct unit comprised of the seven and sixty-two weeks. This would imply in itself that the events of the seventieth week are to be treated separately. Further, the events in verse 26-’the cutting off of Messiah,’ and of the ’people of the prince’--are stated to occur after the sixty-nine weeks. If this was intended to occur in the seventieth week, the text would have read here ’during’ or ’in the midst of’ (cf. Daniel’s use of hetzi, ’in the middle of,’ v. 27). This language implies that these events precede the seventieth week but do not immediately follow the sixty-ninth. Therefore, a temporal interval separates the two. It is also important to note that the opening word of verse 27 (higbbir, ’confirm’) is prefixed by the waw consecutive, a grammatical connective that indicates a close consequential relationship to a preceding verb. This use indicates that the events of verse 27 are subsequent to those of verse 26. Furthermore, the very language of these two verses, first speaking of ’the prince [nagid, ’leader’] who is to come’ (v. 26), and then of that prince that later comes (the ’he’ of v. 27), implies that a separation of time exists between these events." Ice, Thomas, and Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., The Great Tribulation: Past or Future? Two Evangelicals Debate the Question, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1999) 86.
[5] After the rapture, the Holy Spirit would minister on earth in the same way He did prior to His coming on the day of Pentecost.
[6] For our purposes here, we denote the varied titles of the Antichrist (e.g. “little horn,” “beast”) by the single term “Antichrist.”
[7] Or the derivative term, Babylon.