LUKE 23

The multitude took Jesus to Pilate, accusing Him of "perverting the nation" and discouraging the people from paying taxes to Caesar, which were absolute lies. They also said that Jesus claimed to be Christ, "A" King, as opposed to THE King. Thence, Pilate asked Jesus if He was King of the Jews, and Jesus said: "It is as you say."

Pilate was not threatened by Jesus and found no fault in Him, but the religious rulers were relentless. When Pilate learned that Jesus was a Galilean, he sent Jesus to Herod, hoping to relinquish himself of such judgment. Herod was glad to meet Jesus because he had heard much about Him, hoping Jesus would perform a miracle, but Jesus would not answer any of Herod's questions. Instead, Herod mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate decked in a "gorgeous robe." From then on, Herod and Pilate were good buddies. 

Back in Pilate's hands, he explained to the religious rulers that he found no fault in Jesus concerning the issues they had accused Him of, and neither did Herod. He was not deserving of the death penalty. Pilate said the most he would do was chastise Jesus and let Him go. But the rulers threw a tantrum and asked for Barabbas, a murderer and a man who actually incited upheavals and rebellions. But I digress.

Again Pilate tried, but the people shouted: "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate asked, "Why? What evil has He done?" Again they insisted, and Pilate did not want a riot on his hands. Therefore, he sentenced Jesus to death, as they had demanded, and released the real rebel. 

Leading Jesus away, they had Simon bear Jesus' cross. A multitude of women followed and cried out to Him, but Jesus told them, "Daughters of Jerusalem (as a message directly to Jerusalem), do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren...!' Then they will begin to say to the mountain, 'Fall on us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' "

Then they crucified Jesus. The soldiers divided His garments, cast lots, and mocked Him, while people stood looking on. Even the rulers mocked Him: "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." They also added an inscription over Him, in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS, kind of mocking the Jewish nation, as well. 

Two criminals were nailed to crosses, one on either side of Jesus. One of the criminals blasphemed Jesus and told Him to save Himself and them. But the other criminal rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? We are indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. Therefore, Jesus assured him that "...today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

Then there was darkness over the earth and the veil of the temple was torn in two. Jesus cried out, "Father, into You hands I commit My spirit," and breathed His last breath. 

Joseph, a council member of the Sanhedrin, asked Pilate for the body of Christ, took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a new tomb in the rock. The women had watched and observed where He was laid, returned to prepare spices for His body for the next day, but first they rested on the Sabbath.

COMMENTARY

The religious rulers knew they could not convince the Roman governor Pilate to punish Jesus with death for breaking Mosaic Law; therefore, they accused Him of treason against Rome. But even Pilate did not buy it. 

Regarding the women whom Jesus called "Daughters of Jerusalem": Jesus did not want their (or our) sympathy; He wanted their (and our) faith. Instead, He warned of the coming Tribulation when it will be better for one to not have children, particularly for Jerusalem. 

The sign above Jesus on the cross is actually accurate because the Hebrew represented religion, the Greek represented knowledge, and the Latin represented the law. When Jesus returns to set up His kingdom, He will truly be our political ruler, educational ruler, and spiritual ruler of the world. Forever. 

About the thieves on the cross: both were arrested, tried, and punished for theft. There was no difference. Both were not fit to live, according to Roman law. But one thief had faith to believe that the Lord Jesus would set up a kingdom, after His death. Whether he understood that before the cross or figured it out while hanging there for a few hours...the point is, that day, he believed and the other did not. And he was saved and changed immediately.

Notice that Jesus GAVE UP His life (His spirit). He did not struggle to death; He yielded His spirit to God. 

The Crucifixion - Fra Angelico, 1423 

 

LUKE 21

 Jesus was in the temple when he observed the rich and a poor woman giving to the treasury. The rich gave out of their abundance and the poor woman gave out of her poverty all the livelihood that she had. 

His disciples remarked about the beautifully adorned temple, and Jesus replied that one day "these things which you see --- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." His disciples asked when will this happen?

Jesus warned them not to be deceived, "For many will come in My name saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them. But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately." 

Nation will rise against nation...there will be great earthquakes...and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you...wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents...and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls. 

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near...For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled...And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

 Then Jesus talked about His Second Coming: There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and in the sea and of the nations on earth, there will be great distress. Men's hearts will fail from fear and expectation of those things, "for the powers of heaven will be shaken."

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and life your heads, because your redemption draws near. 

 Next, Jesus used the parable of the fig tree: when they are budding, you know that summer is near. So when you see the things He just described happening, the kingdom of God is near. 

Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will by no means pass away.

He warned again not to be distracted with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this world because that Day will come unexpectedly. 

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

COMMENTARY

Regarding the rich giving to the treasury out of their abundance and the poor woman giving all of her livelihood, God looks at the sacrifice and how much we keep back for ourselves. 

Then the disciples wanted to direct His attention to the wealth and value of the temple. But Jesus wanted them to know that it would all be gone. So they asked when.

This section of Luke corresponds with the Olivet Discourse in Matthew and Mark. In Matthew's and Mark's gospels, the question posed was "What is the sign of Your coming?" and "the end of the age?" In Luke's gospel, he emphasizes that "there shall not be left one stone upon another," which is the destruction of Jerusalem. The question: when shall these things be (no stone left upon another), is no longer prophecy but history. This occurred in A. D. 70.

Some of the disciples present to hear the answer to the question would have likely still be alive these 40 years later to see the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus and would remember Jesus' words. (Of course, this similar destruction will occur in the Great Tribulation period, too, after the temple is rebuilt.)

Jesus described the characteristics of the times, and even now: there will be false Christs, wars, famines, illnesses, earthquakes, and fearful sights from heaven, which will probably intensify as we get closer to Jesus' coming. 

Then Jesus said, regarding the nation Israel and persecutions, "...they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prison..." which did happen to the disciples. 

And the betrayal by parents and family and friends...hated by all men for my name's sake, McGee said this verse refers to the 144,000 Jews who will be indestructible during the time of the Great Tribulation Period. I did not confirm. 

From the time of the first destruction of the temple (and likely before) we have been living in the times of the Gentiles. When those times are fulfilled, Jesus will return. But just before then, there will be great signs in the sky and great distress on earth. Again, this will be during the Great Tribulation.

The Destruction of the Temple - Colman, 1835

 

Mark 13

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had pronounced judgment on the temple; that is why in Mark 13, one of the disciples asked Jesus to look at the temple and its buildings...like, how could this ever go away? But Jesus replied, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

Later, at the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus when these things will happen, and what signs will there be?

THE TRIBULATION 

First Jesus told them to beware of those who want to deceive them by claiming to be Him. Also, they will hear about wars and rumors of wars; nation will rise against nation; there will be natural disasters and famines and troubles. 

He told them to be watchful because they will be brought before councils, religious rulers, and kings for Jesus' sake, and they will be beaten. "But the gospel must first be preached to all the nations." He said not to worry what to say because the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak in that moment. And family members will betray one another and may even cause the other to be put to death. Believers will be hated because of Him, but those who persevere to the end shall be saved. 

THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation, and "when you see it standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then...flee..."

For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 

And furthermore, 

...the sun will be darkened...the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.  

Those who see the beginnings of these signs, that generation will not pass away before all of these things have occured. It will be a short time. And no one knows the hour it will happened -- only the Father in heaven. So watch and pray!

COMMENTARY

These are eschatological events regarding the Great Tribulation period and the second coming of Christ. The disciples could not understand how Jesus could proclaim an end to the temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus told them that these buildings would pass away. As Paul explained in 2 Cor. 4:18, "...the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."        

Mark was not present when Jesus told the four disciples these eschatological prophecies therefore, they told the others, including Mark, who recorded it here for us. In Matthew's gospel, he recorded the three questions asked: When will these things happen; what is the sign of His coming; and what is the sign of the end of the world?

Mark recorded Jesus' answer regarding false Christs. Not the AntiChrist, but antichrists who: DENY Christ's (1) virgin birth, (2) miracles, (3) shedding of blood for sins of the world, (4) bodily resurrection, (5) heavenly ascension, and (6) His second coming. Many antichrists exist today and more are coming.    

THE SECOND COMING

The second coming is introduced by the darkening of the sun and moon. Jesus will arrive in the clouds in glory. This is completely different than the rapture -- the immediate snatching away of the church. This is the end of the tribulation period, and all will see.

So watch and be ready...  

credit: A Little Perspective

 

Jeremiah 25

The LORD had been coming to Jeremiah for twenty-three years and giving him His word, which Jeremiah had been sharing with the people of Judah. However, they would not listen. Other prophets had also told the people to repent of their evil ways, stop worshipping other gods, and not to provoke the LORD to anger; but they would not listen. 

Because the people had ignored the prophets' warnings, the LORD said He will permit Nebuchadnezzar, God's servant, to take the people to Babylon. The LORD will remove their laughter, joy, marriage, burdens, and light. The people will live in captivity for seventy years.

When the seventy years are completed, then the LORD will punish the king of Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans, "according to the works of their own hands."

Then God proclaimed judgment upon all the nations all over the world, to drink the cup of God's fury. 

...all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. 

...for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth.

And there is more:

The LORD will roar from on high and utter His voice from His holy habitation.

Behold, disaster shall go forth from nation to nation...

And at that day the slain of the LORD shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered,m or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground. 

COMMENTARY

The prophecy in chapter 25 was actually given seventeen or eighteen years prior to chapter 24. The Book of Jeremiah is not necessarily in chronological order. 

The prophecy foretold how God would use Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument to judge the people and the land of Judah. God would remove all of their pleasure and joy, and for seventy years they will live in captivity, in Babylon. 

Why seventy years? Because the people had not kept the sabbatic year for 490 years. (The sabbatic year was to be observed every seventh year, in which the people were to let the land rest. But they certainly neglected this command.) Therefore, the people were removed from the land that it may rest and recover those sabbatic years. Once the land had rested, the prophecy was completed. 

But the LORD gave another prophecy that has yet to be completed. The LORD said that all the nations of the earth will drink the cup of His wrath. Because all of the nations and their kings and political "shepherds" are accountable to God, they will receive His judgments. This is obviously a future promise because it has not happened, yet, and it will take place in the Tribulation period.

from Bible Hub

 

Ezekiel 39

Continuing on, God told Ezekiel to prophesy against Gog, that He will lead him, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal from the far north against Israel. God will then disable the armies and they will fall to their deaths. Birds and beasts will devour them and fire will consume them. 

God will make His holy name known, and Israel will never be able to profane His name anymore.

After the defeat of the armies from the north, Israel will spend the next seven years using the weapons from the fallen armies for fire. They will plunder all those who plundered them. 

Also, the armies of Gog will be buried in Israel. And for seven months, the house of Israel will bury them until the land is cleansed of the bodies. 

After the bodies are gone, the Lord will set His glory among the nations and they shall see His judgments -- that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity and unfaithfulness to Him; therefore, God had turned His face from them and gave them over to their enemies.

Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the...house of Israel; I will be jealous for My holy name after they have borne their shame and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me...When I have gathered them out of their enemies' lands and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity..., but also brought them back to their land...And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel...

COMMENTARY

God is going to defeat the army that comes out of the north against Israel. McGee believes this is Russia, and other nations who join them, and God is going to deal with Russia for its past treatment of the Jews. 

ABOUT THE RAPTURE & TRIBULATION PERIOD

The battle of Ezekiel 39 will happen before the Tribulation period ends, before Jesus returns. Where will the church be? With Christ. Remember, the church is raptured (taken out of the world) just before the Tribulation period begins. 

McGee used a great example: When God was ready to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham asked if He would do so if 50 righteous people remained in the city. God said no. What about 40 - 30 - 20 - 10? No, no, no! There were not even 10 righteous people left in Sodom; therefore, God removed Lot and his family before he destroyed the city. God will not let the Tribulation come until He takes His church (his born-again believers) out of the world. Then the Tribulation period will begin.

THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD

You do not want to be around during this period because God will be judging unbelievers and the earth. And once the invader from the north is defeated, it provides an opportunity for the Antichrist to be the world ruler for the last half of the seven-year Tribulation. At the end of the seven years, Jesus Christ will come to earth to establish His kingdom. Then begins the Millennium Period.

Finally, when Israel recognizes God as Lord and Savior and righteousness prevails, then the nation (or any nation) can experience "the love, mercy, and goodness of God."

SOURCE

Ezekiel 38

This chapter is a little tricky, therefore, I am using several sources to figure it out. 

First, Ezekiel said that God told him to set his face against Gog, of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against them. 

Sources agree that Gog is another term for supreme leader or prince. And they agree that this time period is a future battle against Israel. Some believe it happens after the false peace which began the seven-year Tribulation period. McGee and MacArthur believes at the halfway mark, three and one half years in, Israel will be attacked. 

In Ezekiel 38, God told the prophet that a coalition of nations will rise against Israel, and He named Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya, along with a group from the far north. There will be a whole army. This "prince" sees Israel living safely in their land, a land that was once desolate but is now inhabited by God's people, and that they have acquired livestock and goods; this price or Antichrist will devise an evil plan to attack Israel and plunder their goods. In fact, God is going to have His hand in bringing this army specifically to and against Israel.

But God will cause such a great earthquake in that time that all creatures and man will shake at His presence. Mountains shall be thrown down and walls and steep places shall fall to the ground. Such fear will come upon the enemies of God that they will turn their swords on one another. God will bring judgment upon them through pestilence and bloodshed, hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (You may find more of this in Revelation, which describes the battle at the end of the Tribulation.)

Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. 

God will protect Israel from her enemies, and Israel will glorify God.

COMMENTARY

So now let us see what McGee says about chapter 38. This chapter is about the final enemy that will come against Israel in the last days. McGee said it is Russia.

McGee says Gog is a word for ruler. Magog means head, and in Hebrew, it is Rosh. McGee also sources two scholars who say the Hebrew word Rosh should be Russia. And he explains that Rosh as a proper name signified the inhabitants of Scythia, which is modern Russia. And Russia was first called Moscovy, derived from Meshech. And Meshech and Tubal sound like Moscow and Tobolsk, which are in Siberia. McGee called this the Linguistic Phenomenon. 

He also added that since Israel is the geographical center of the earth, as far as the bible is concerned, and if one went far north (from Israel), where God said Israel's enemy would come from, he would end up in Russia. 

And finally, because Ezekiel 38 described a nation which was against God, Russia has been a nation that has (through communism) declared that there is no God. Most nations have their own man made gods. Russian leaders at one time embraced the idea that no God existed. Well, that was in the 80s. Today, Putin has actually called Russia a Christian nation, in response to America's godlessness and moral bankruptcy. It could be a ploy, and we shall see what comes of Russia's declaration of religion or faith. 

When will the invasion happen? There are numerous interpretations of this. McGee and MacArthur agree it will be at the middle end of the Tribulation period. When the final Antichrist comes to power, he will do so using his platform of peace and safety. 

For the first half of the Tribulation, there is a false peace, but after three and one half years, Russia will come down from the north into Israel and this event will trigger the Great Tribulation by ending the false peace agreement between Israel and the Antichrist. War will break out, the Great Tribulation period (second half) will begin, and the whole earth will suffer a short while.

McGee said that God will give Russia and the other nations reasons to come, so that they will all be situated in Israel, thinking they are going to invade, but instead it is where they will be judged by the living God. Instead of using other nations to judge Israel, God will bring those nations to Israel to be judged themselves, and they will not return to their homes again. 

McGee then explained why he believes Russia will "invade" Israel, such as a need for access to the Mediterranean and for oil from the Middle East or even for mineral deposits from the Dead Sea. Whatever the reasons, chapter 38 said they wanted to plunder what Israel had.