THE CASE FOR A BIBLICAL “PROPHETIC” GENERATION BEING 100 YEARS

 

Keep in mind that a Jubilee Year comes every 50 years. Therefore two Jubilees equal 100 years. Few people live to be 100 years old. Very few people within a group of people born within a 10 year span would surpass the 100 year two Jubilee cycle.

 

Before the flood:

 "And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” Gen 6.3

 

After the flood:

Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Ps 90.10 - The average of 120 and 80 = 100

Genesis 15:12-16

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. and he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. and thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

 

The Israelites came out of Egypt during the time of the fourth generation.

 

Genesis 5:32

And Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

Genesis 7:6-7

Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.

 

Noah had his sons when he was 500 years old. It took 100 years to build the ark. When Noah’s son’s entered the ark they were 100 years old--they came out of the ark and birthed a new generation. Noah was six hundred years old and his three sons were one hundred years old. Noah’s son’s started the next generation at the age of 100.

 

Genesis 17:1, 17, 21

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

 

21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”

 

God is starting a new generation with Isaac when Abraham was 100 years old, welcome to the new generation.

 

Matthew 24:32-34 - The Parable of the Fig Tree

“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. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

 

As I watch and pray I look at events in 50 year Jubilee’s with two Jubilee’s, or 100 years, as a “prophetic” generation. An example of this would be that the Balfour Declaration of 1917 established Israel as a future homeland for the Jews. Fifty years later in 1967 the 6 day war took place in the newly established homeland of the Jews. Fifty more years brings us to 2017 which would be another Jubilee period of 50 years and the 100^th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. Very few people born between 1917 and 1927 are still alive. The majority of that generation has died.

 

That brings us to the intriguing thought that Israel became a nation in 1948. Could this be the generation in which all things will take place?

THE GOG-MAGOG WAR

 EZEKIEL 37 -39 IN CONTEXT TO REVELATION 20.7-10 AND 21:1-11

Most, if not all Bible prophecy teachers see the Gog-Magog war as a pre-millennial event. A close reading of the scriptures, allowing the Bible to interpret itself, sheds new light on this event.

Revelation 20:7-9…And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Obviously after reading these verses it is clear that the Gog-Magog war is after the thousand year millennium. Once I saw that, I began to pray and ask the Lord for further understanding and confirmation on this. I desire to allow the Bible to interpret itself…it is clear what this says but many teachers refuse to acknowledge this.

This is often a pattern. If the verses don’t fit we just ignore it and find verses that fit into what we want to believe. If we really believe the Bible is the word of God it should all fit. Sometimes we don’t understand or know how to answer so we make up something. Isn’t better to wait on God and allow the word to interpret itself?

The only other reference to Gog-Magog war is in Ezekiel 37 through 39. The answer must be in there somewhere I thought, so I read it over and over and continued to wait on the Lord for many moons. During this time I continued to study other issues and increase in understanding. My goal was to understand the Book of Revelation.

In order to understand the Bible in a deeper way we must allow it to interpret itself and we must understand that both the Old and New Testament carry the same weight. It is important to understand the Torah—the first five books of Moses—in order to understand the difficult passages.

God’s Law is eternal and everlasting. Yeshua never broke the written law. He was constantly under pressure by the leadership of His day on questions of the Torah. Yeshua always had correct interpretation. He always quoted the word and allowed it to interpret itself. He confounded the leaders and gave true interpretation of the Torah. Torah is key—God always has and always will obey His own laws.

One quick example: He gave a life for a life…His life for ours (Deut 19.21). The law cost Him his own life!

Getting back on our subject, one area I studied was the shedding of blood. This study spoke of the atoning power of blood, blood libel, and how blood defiles the earth. Ref: The Shedding of Innocent Blood handout. This study would later give me some clues to this war. At first I just read Ezekiel 38 and 39 for clues. Then I read the last paragraph of Ezekiel 37:

Ezekiel 37:20-28…And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:

And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

God is talking about the children of Israel living peacefully in the land as one people—no longer divided. He is setting His sanctuary in the midst of them forever. This sounded like the MK (Millennial Kingdom) to me.

Going back and reading the rest of Ezekiel 37 began to put it all into perspective. Ezekiel 37.1-14 speaks about the dry bones coming together. In Jewish teaching these verses are symbolic of the restoration of the Jewish people. When the Shabbat falls during the week of Passover the Jews read these verses (Ezekiel 36.37-37.14) envisioning them as a second liberating Passover experience (From Jewish Study Bible—JSB).

I’ve always looked at these dry bones as a metaphor of the Holocaust. The word for a burnt offering in Hebrew is “holocaust”. During World War II the Jews were offered up to Satan as a burnt offering! These bones come together and God breaths on them and they become alive.

I always picture in my mind the photos of piles of bones found in the concentration camps. It looked like the end of the Jews. They were now displaced persons with nowhere to go. But, alas, the land of Israel was there due to the Zionist movement. There was a place to go—and go they did by the millions. This part of the prophecy has been accomplished in our time.

Ezekiel 37.15-28 describes the vision of the two sticks coming together. This represents the Jews (Judah) and the ten lost tribes (Joes, Gentiles) coming together. Ref: Lost Tribes of Israel teaching. This is also taking place in our day. This is the reason so many Gentiles are being drawn to understand the Hebrew roots and meanings of the scriptures. God is regathering the lost tribes which were scattered among the Gentiles. They lost their identities but are now rediscovering who they really are.

All of these things must come into total fulfillment before we can enter into the MK. Ezekiel 37.24-28 seem to be describing the MK. It is a time of peace and the presence of God. This is not what we see now.

As I went from Ezekiel 37 into 38 I saw God’s word to Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38.1-7). Now verse eight in Ezekiel 38 jumped out at me: After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

The phrase, in the latter years jumped off the page. I realized that every other prophecy about the end of the age says, “In the latter days!” This is the only place where it says, “in the latter years!” To be absolutely sure I looked up “latter years” in my Strong’s Hebrew/Greek Concordance. Sure enough, this was the only reference to “latter years.” All other prophetic references to the end of the age say either, “latter days” or “in that day.” My Jewish study Bible uses the term, “in the distant future” here. This is definitely speaking of a different time—a far distant time.

Then look at Ezekiel 38.11: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of un-walled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates….

This verse describes a future land of Israel without walls and people dwelling in safety! This is not the reality in Israel today. I’ve been to Israel and seen the walls that were constructed to keep suicide bombers out. There is constant fear in Israel of war breaking out at any time. Armed Soldiers patrol the streets and guard the Holy Places day and night.

I have a Jewish Study Bible (JSB) that is published by the Jewish Publication Society. I thought I should look at their commentary and see if anything interesting was there. I found some really interesting things:

It says that these verses express an apocalyptic scenario of God’s victory over the nations that threaten Israel. Notice in Revelation 20.9 that Gog-Magog surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city. God burns them up (the nations with God-Magog) devouring them. The devil that deceived the nations is then cast into the Lake of Fire and tormented forever.

It seems the wicked are burned up like stubble and devoured and the devils are tormented forever! Ref: Resurrection, heaven, and hell handout.

Getting back to the Jewish Study Bible: Gomer, Magog, Meshech, and Tubal were sons of Japheth (Gen 10.2), who is associated with Europe and Asia beyond the Middle East. This combination of nations symbolizes evil.

It then says that these scriptures (Ezekiel 38.18-39.16) are read during the intermediate days of Sukkot (Tabernacles) and the relevant day’s passage from Numbers 29.

The passage in Numbers 29 describes the sacrifices of 70 bulls for the nations which take place during Sukkot. In addition the Jews see Exodus 33.12--34.26, the restoration of the tablets of commandments after the golden calf incident, relating to this same passage about Ezekiel’s restoration.

This is a lot of information to process, but confirmed God’s point about understanding the Torah and whole Old Testament.

Revelation 20 shows Gog-Magog attacking after the MK. Prior to this many things have been restored. The sticks have come together, the believers in Yeshua reign, rule, and teach in the MK, the land is at peace, but the nations are still going to rebel after the MK. There will not be total restoration until after Gog-Magog is devoured and Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire!

The Feast of Sukkot symbolizes the thousand year reign of Yeshua. It is a thousand year Shabbat. At the end of Sukkot, on the eighth day, that day is called the “Last Great Day.” Eight signifies the Bride and Groom spending an extra intimate day together. It also signifies “a new beginning” as it is the first day of the new week. This symbolizes the new heavens, earth, and Jerusalem. It begins the eighth (1000 year) day after the 1000 year MK.

I was seeing how all this connects—and fits in prophetically. But I’d never see it if I wasn’t into Hebrew roots! I’d miss it because the only thing I’d be reading is the New Testament. Which, by the way, is commentary on the Old!

These verses in Ezekiel 38.8-13 are describing the Millennial Kingdom (MK). Revelation 20.7-9 specifically say, “After the thousand years”. Even the Jewish people are seeing some of these things in a shadowy way---but we can see it clearly because Yeshua clears up all the doubts and questions. The New Testament and Book of Revelation are only understood fully by understanding Hebrew roots and the new birth (and the insights) believing in Yeshua brings.

Moving forward to Ezekiel 39 it became clearer. The Lord says he is going to burn them up and all the heathen will know He is God (Ezekiel 39.5-7). Ezekiel 39.11-16 speaks of cleansing the land from the blood that has been shed during this great battle. The earth must be cleansed from blood. The blood must be covered with earth and the land cleansed. Why?

I believe the answer is in Revelation 21.1-10. The present earth must be cleansed from blood so that the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem can be established. This would fulfill the Torah command to cleanse the land from blood. The Torah is always fulfilled—the law must be kept.

The seven years of fire burning from the destruction of the weapons was also interesting when I looked at the JSB. Here is what they say:

“The victory fires that burn for seven years represent the vast amount of weaponry that could not defeat Israel. It also recalls the sabbatical seven year agricultural and economic cycle. The burial of Gog marks the final stage of the cleansing of the land prior to its restoration.

“The valley of Travelers (or Multitude of Gog) is a word play on (Heb;”gei’hamon gog”) which means “the valley of Hinnom” (the area of “gehenna” or the dump where the garbage was thrown) known for idolatry, the burning of children, and dead bodies. Ref: Resurrection, heaven, hell handout.

The seven months of burial purify the land so that God’s glory or presence may appear.”

This is all described in Revelation 20 through 22…yes, it is a lot of information—a lot to process. Back in 2010 the Lord told me I needed to understand His calendar. That has been a quest of mine since then. I’m beginning to understand why.

The Jewish people read the entire Torah through each year. Along with that they also read the haftarah and other O.T. passages along with those. The cycle is completed each year and started again on the 8^th day of Sukkot—a new beginning!

When reading the JSB commentary it shadows what we are taught in Revelation about what happens after the MK. The advent of the new heavens, earth, and Jerusalem will complete the restoration of all things beginning on “The Last Great Day” of the Feast of Sukkot. Ref: Isaiah 65.17-25

The seven months of burial prepare the earth for God’s presence to appear. Ref: Revelation 21.3…God’s tabernacle is with men…and Revelation 21.22-27…the city has no need for the sun…for the glory of God did lighten it.

It is truly amazing how this all fits together in God’s word, if we allow the Bible to interpret itself, and by studying the Jewish scripture readings based on their calendar cycle.

Once the new heaven, earth, and Jerusalem are established the Universe will hear the gospel message. Jerusalem will be the capital of the Universe and the Word of GOD—the Torah and gospel of Yeshua will be heard throughout the entire Universe! Wow! Ref: Isaiah 2.3 and Micah 4.2.

I began to consider that the final war of this current age is Armageddon as described in Revelation 16 and 19. Prior to this time there will be other wars. Some scriptures to consider are: Isaiah 17, where Damascus is destroyed, the Psalm 83 war, where a confederation of Arab states comes against Israel, and Jeremiah 50 and 51 where Babylon is destroyed (an Arab coalition or Mystery Babylon?). These are future wars that are yet to occur. They will set up Armageddon.

Another interesting fact in Revelation 16.12 is that the Euphrates dries up in “preparation for the kings of the east.” The Gog-Magog coalition comes from the north (Ezek 38.6; 39.2) and Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya (Ezek 38.5) which are south west, and east of Israel.

The Gog-Magog war is a much later event as described in Revelation 20.7-9. It prepares the way for the new heavens, earth, and Jersusalem.

This ends the first week of mankind’s existence (7000 years) and is the beginning of the second week—the eighth day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING AND INTREPRETING BIBLE PROPHECIES

 

The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12.9

It is very difficult for God’s people to be unified in our day and age. One of the reasons for this is that many of God’s people are deceived. Until we begin to let the Bible interpret itself God’s people will continue to be deceived. We cannot have unity until we recognize the truth. We must learn to let the Bible interpret itself. We need to study in a “lawyerly” manner and make sure we understand what the word is saying based on a preponderance of evidence. Until then there will be man who are deceived and a few who understand the truth.

 

 

1. GOD CONTROLS THE FUTURE

Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like me,

declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 46.9-10

 

God is in control and only He truly knows the future. He is working out His plans on the earth. God reveals His future plans to us through the prophetic books of the Bible. The Bible is the only accurate source of the future to come. One third of the Bible is prophecy. It is a sure word…2 Peter 1.19-21

 

2. THE TRUE CHURCH IS FOUNDED ON PROPHECY

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1.20-21

 

God’s Bible prophecy is taught by His servants. We should not read our own personal interpretation into Bible prophecies. We are to search the scriptures in order to understand our foundation…Ephesians 2.20

 

3. PROPHECY WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR DAY

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Daniel 12.8-9

 

Many professing Christians believe the Old Testament prophecies are irrelevant today. God tells us that our foundation is built on the prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Daniel did not understand what was given him but he wrote it down because God wanted a future generation to understand it. We are living in the time of the end.

 

4. PROPHCY IS DUAL

“Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they were, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come. Isaiah 41.22

 

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving Spirit. Howbeit the spiritual is not first, but the natural; and afterward, that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15.45-47

 

The theme of duality runs throughout the Bible. There is an earthly Jerusalem and a new Jerusalem (Heb 12.22/Rev 21.2). There is an Old Covenant and a New Covenant. Understand that duality is the key to understanding prophecy and the Bible comes alive.

 

We need to be students of history. Understanding Biblical history unlocks the purposes of God for humanity…1 Corinthians 10.11

 

5. THE BIBLE INTERPRETS ITSELF

The mystery of the seven stars which thou saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands which thou saw are the seven congregations Rev 1.20

 

As we can see above, the Bible interprets it’s own symbols. God uses symbols, analogies, metaphors, and allegories to describe future events. We need to understand what is literal and what is symbolic. God interprets the symbols to us if we take the time to do word study and interpret scripture in the proper context.

6. UNDERSTAND BIBLE SYMBOLS

And there appeared another sign in the heaven; and, behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads…And the great dragon was cast out, the serpent of old, who is called Devil and the Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev 12:3, 9

 

A serpent or dragon = Satan. Gen 3.1; Rev 12.3; 9

Beasts = symbols of Gentile nations. Daniel 7.3-5, 17; Rev 13.1-11

Mountains = symbols of large nations or governments. Isaiah 2.2; Jeremiah 51.24-25; Dan 2.35

Floods = symbols of armies. Jeremiah 46.8; 47.2; Dan 11.22; Rev 12.15-16

 

7. PROPHETIC TIME INTERVALS

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s  favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to order in Zion those that mourn, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61.1-3

 

Understanding time intervals is very important to understand Isaiah, Daniel, and Revelation. When Jesus read the scripture quoted above he stopped just before “vengeance of our God” because that part did not apply to His first coming which He was fulfilling at that time. The rest of that scripture will be fulfilled at His second coming. This is a time interval of more than 2,000 years! Many prophecies have time intervals--we need to understand this.

 

8. THE RIGHTEOUS UNDERSTAND PROPHECY

Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10

 

If you want God to reveal His truth to you it is important to be living a righteous lifestyle (see post: The Un-noticed Wages of Sin). God reveals things to those who willing obey His commands. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111.10). If you are diligent in seeking God’s path for your life you will be able to understand the Word of God. He will begin to teach you how to let the Bible, His WORD, interpret itself.

LET THE BIBLE INTERPRET ITSELF

 

In our quest for God’s truth we often find many disagreements among believers. It is a sad fact that we often disagree on so many biblical issues. The first rule to find God’s truth is to allow the Bible to interpret itself. We need to look at the verses in the context of the immediate issue they are addressing. Next we need to look for scriptures that witness to what is being said. Thirdly, we need to look at the Bible as one complete book--not just as Old Testament and New Testament--it is one complete book that reveals the mind of God and His plan for creation.

 

Many Christians discount the Old Testament and just focus on the New Testament. This is cutting out more than half of God’s word. I like to look at the Old Testament as revealing the ways of God and the New Testament as revealing the acts of God through Yeshua:

 

The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.…Psalm 103.6-8

 

These verses in Psalm 103 express it clearly. Moses sought God’s presence and had a deep personal relationship with God. The Israelites did not want to get that close to God:

 

All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die." Exodus 20.18-19

 

In other words, rather than seeking the Lord themselves, and reading the word, people have a tendency to go to the pastor or priest and ask them what they should do. We let someone else do our thinking for us. The Israelites had a chance to get to know God’s ways and they blew it. “You go talk to God, Moses, we’ll do what you tell us. We don’t have time to get to know God that closely.” They knew God’s acts, but they didn’t know His ways.

 

Most times these are the same people who will argue scripture with you but have no clue as to what the scriptures really say--they are just parroting what they’ve heard from someone else. If you want to know the Almighty you must search the scriptures yourself and wait in His presence for understanding.

 

God will lead you into truth if you will allow Him to. Answers will not always come right away. We need to search the scriptures for understanding of what God is trying to say. A great method for this is to do word studies. For instance, look up all the references to the word death. What does the Bible say about death? Then look up the word sleep and see how the two words can be used in the same context. All you need is a good Bible Concordance and you can find all the scriptures with the specific word you are studying.

 

As you pray and meditate on the verses that contain these words you will begin to hear God’s voice and interpretation. This can take days, weeks, or even months. What is the hurry? You want truth--you sometimes have to wait for it (Isaiah 40.31). I have waited more then a year on the Lord for a complete answer on many of my questions.

 

The answer should witness to your spirit and you should be able to find confirmation from other people and sources on the question at hand. Even then, you will find others who disagree. If you are diligently trying to allow the word to interpret itself you should be receiving the Lord’s truth on the issue. Some will just refuse to hear and will cling to their preconceived beliefs that are unsubstantiated in the word.

 

I can handle people disagreeing--but they need to show clear biblical references that support their positions. So many just talk, twist the written word, and refuse to allow the Bible to interpret itself. Show me your stuff or I will just shake the dust off my feet and move on!