The Bible Teaching Ministry of David Hocking
“The Word of our God shall stand forever” Isaiah 40:8

Archive for October, 2007

IS ABBAS REALLY A MAN OF PEACE?

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

The Hebrew prophets continually warn the people of Israel about the deception of coming days in which they will hear of peace, but the prophets answered “there is no peace.” It is a false peace. The leaders of Israel will be seduced into thinking that peace with their hostile neighbors is possible. Ezekiel 13 and Psalm 83 in particular are severe warnings to the Nation of Israel. The following is an example of takes place continually. This article appeared in Israel National News on October 30, 2007.

FATAH-CONTROLLED TV PREACHES A MESSAGE CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL!

A new music video appearing regularly on Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority television over the past week promises the elimination of Israel and the restoration of the “Arab identity” of cities throughout the Jewish State. The propaganda clip stands in stark contrast to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’s recent declarations in support of reconciliation with Israel. issued ahead of the upcoming multi-national Middle East peace conference organized by the United States.

As explained by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook of Palestinian Media Watch, “While the Palestinian Authority announces in English its demand for a two-state solution, to its own people in Arabic it continues to define all of Israel as ‘Palestine,’ and to promise Israel’s destruction. A new video clip, broadcast numerous times daily since it first appeared on Fatah-controlled TV last week, passionately promises ‘Mother’ that every Israeli city will be ‘liberated’ because its ‘identity is Arab’ and ‘Palestinian.'”

“We will liberate the Land…” the PA singer chants, “[which] is Arab in history and identity. Palestine is Arab in history and identity.” The “Palestine” that is to be “liberated,” according to the song, includes cities such as Jerusalem, Acre, Haifa, Bethlehem, Jaffa, Be’er Sheva, Tiberias, Hevron and Ramle, as well as the Galilee. Most of those cities listed are located within pre-1967 Israel.

“This is significant not only because it was broadcast on Fatah TV,” note Marcus and Crook, “but because the constant repetition of this clip promising Israel’s destruction comes at the very time that the world is preparing for a peace conference.”

The PMW analysts termed the juxtaposition of English-language messages of peace and Arabic-language internal propaganda that is virulently anti-Israel “duplicity,” and said that Yasser Arafat, as chairman of the PA, was a “notorious” deceiver in this regard. “Israel paid dearly for its trust in Arafat’s English pronouncements,” according to Marcus and Crook, “with more than 1,000 killed and tens of thousands wounded in the Palestinian Authority-led terror war.

“Today’s leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was Arafat’s right hand man and partner during the first duplicity period. To Israel and the U.S. in English, he is talking peace. To his people in Arabic, through his TV and schoolbooks, he is promoting hatred and promising the destruction of Israel. Is Abbas following Arafat’s successful duplicity tactic? It is incumbent upon Israel and the world to verify this before going further,” conclude the PMW directors.

TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE, WE SAY – TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND DO NOT TRUST ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OF ISRAEL’S HOSTILE ENEMIES BENT ON HER DESTRUCTION!

SOME FACTS ABOUT HALLOWEEN

Saturday, October 27th, 2007

Each year Christians are faced with the social pressure of this event we call “Halloween.” Our children are exposed to it at school and through commercial advertising, displays, and items to be sold, and they find it hard to resist being a part of all the festivities. Many Christians find it harmless “fun” and see no reason to oppose it. Other churches and believers attempt to “compete” with it by having special “harvest festivals” (or similar such events) at the church facilities so that families can have an alternative for their children. For information’s sake, here are a few facts:

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle.

The festival observed at this time was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons–all part of the dark and dread.

Samhain became the Halloween we are familiar with when Christian missionaries attempted to change the religious practices of the Celtic people. In the early centuries of the first millennium A.D., before missionaries such as St. Patrick and St. Columcille converted them to Christianity, the Celts practiced an elaborate religion through their priestly caste, the Druids, who were priests, poets, scientists and scholars all at once. As religious leaders, ritual specialists, and bearers of learning, the Druids were not unlike the very missionaries and monks who were to Christianize their people and brand them evil devil worshippers.

As a result of their efforts to wipe out “pagan” holidays, such as Samhain, the Christians succeeded in effecting major transformations in it. In 601 A.D. Pope Gregory the First issued a now famous edict to his missionaries concerning the native beliefs and customs of the peoples he hoped to convert. Rather than try to obliterate native peoples’ customs and beliefs, the pope instructed his missionaries to use them: if a group of people worshipped a tree, rather than cut it down, he advised them to consecrate it to Christ and allow its continued worship.

In terms of spreading Christianity, this was a brilliant concept and it became a basic approach used in Catholic missionary work. Church holy days were purposely set to coincide with native holy days. Christmas, for instance, was assigned the arbitrary date of December 25th because it corresponded with the mid-winter celebration of many peoples. Likewise, St. John’s Day was set on the summer solstice.

Samhain, with its emphasis on the supernatural, was decidedly pagan. While missionaries identified their holy days with those observed by the Celts, they branded the earlier religion’s supernatural deities as evil, and associated them with the devil. As representatives of the rival religion, Druids were considered evil worshippers of devilish or demonic gods and spirits. The Celtic underworld inevitably became identified with the Christian Hell.

The effects of this policy were to diminish but not totally eradicate the beliefs in the traditional gods. Celtic belief in supernatural creatures persisted, while the church made deliberate attempts to define them as being not merely dangerous, but malicious. Followers of the old religion went into hiding and were branded as witches.

The Christian feast of All Saints was assigned to November 1st. The day honored every Christian saint, especially those that did not otherwise have a special day devoted to them. This feast day was meant to substitute for Samhain, to draw the devotion of the Celtic peoples, and, finally, to replace it forever. That did not happen, but the traditional Celtic deities diminished in status, becoming fairies or leprechauns of more recent traditions.

The old beliefs associated with Samhain never died out entirely. The powerful symbolism of the traveling dead was too strong, and perhaps too basic to the human psyche, to be satisfied with the new, more abstract Catholic feast honoring saints. Recognizing that something that would subsume the original energy of Samhain was necessary, the church tried again to supplant it with a Christian feast day in the 9th century. This time it established November 2nd as All Souls Day–a day when the living prayed for the souls of all the dead. But, once again, the practice of retaining traditional customs while attempting to redefine them had a sustaining effect: the traditional beliefs and customs lived on, in new guises.

All Saints Day, otherwise known as All Hallows (hallowed means sanctified or holy), continued the ancient Celtic traditions. The evening prior to the day was the time of the most intense activity, both human and supernatural. People continued to celebrate All Hallows Eve as a time of the wandering dead, but the supernatural beings were now thought to be evil. The folk continued to propitiate those spirits (and their masked impersonators) by setting out gifts of food and drink. Subsequently, All Hallows Eve became Hallow Evening, which became Hallowe’en–an ancient Celtic, pre-Christian New Year’s Day in contemporary dress.

Virtually all present Halloween traditions can be traced to the ancient Celtic day of the dead. Halloween is a holiday of many mysterious customs, but each one has a history, or at least a story behind it. The wearing of costumes, for instance, and roaming from door to door demanding treats can be traced to the Celtic period and the first few centuries of the Christian era, when it was thought that the souls of the dead were out and around, along with fairies, witches, and demons. Offerings of food and drink were left out to placate them. As the centuries wore on, people began dressing like these dreadful creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. This practice is called mumming, from which the practice of trick-or-treating evolved. To this day, witches, ghosts, and skeleton figures of the dead are among the favorite disguises. Halloween also retains some features that harken back to the original harvest holiday of Samhain, such as the customs of bobbing for apples and carving vegetables, as well as the fruits, nuts, and spices cider associated with the day.

Today Halloween is becoming once again an adult holiday or masquerade, like Mardi Gras. Men and women in every disguise imaginable are taking to the streets of big American cities and parading past grinningly carved, candlelit jack o’lanterns, re- enacting customs with a lengthy pedigree. Their masked antics challenge, mock, tease, and appease the dread forces of the night, of the soul, and of the otherworld that becomes our world on this night of reversible possibilities, inverted roles, and transcendency. In so doing, they are reaffirming death and its place as a part of life in an exhilarating celebration of a holy and magic evening.
(The above article was written by Jack Santino and comes from the Library of Congress.)

OUR CONCLUSION: Believers ought not to have anything to do with the celebration of Halloween – it is pagan and its emphasis and glorification of Satan, demons, and death, is a far cry from what true believers should celebrate!

WHY ISRAEL?

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

This article appears on Israel National News – the web site of Arutz Sheva – and is worth reading! It was written by Dan Boyd.

WHY ISRAEL?

In Israel we find the greatest example of God’s unmerited favor ever revealed. God wants to be known, and through His dealings with Israel he has made Himself known to the nations!

After living in the Holy Land for nearly eight years, I was recently asked by a dear Christian brother, “Why Israel?”

What this particular friend had in mind was a question many Christians worldwide are exploring these days with greater determination:

“What importance, if any, does the modern State of Israel hold in relation to the the Church and life as a Christian?”

Has God given up on Israel? Has He ceased to identify himself as the God of Israel today?

I’ve come to believe that despite the many disapointments one might encounter as we observe events in the Middle East, the Eternal One will show Himself true to His word and act in agreement with what He has promised. In this way, we can be certain of who He really is!

It was David Pawson, a well known Bible teacher, who recently commented, “There is only a supernatural explanation for the survival of the Jewish people!”

Considering the persecution faced by the Jewish people in every generation, and still only comprising about 0.1% of the world’s population, their story of survival is a miracle and truly one of a kind!

Ever wonder why the eyes of the world are on Israel?

Pawson further remarks, “The existence of the Jewish people is a proof also of the existence of their God, both in their survival and in their suffering.”

Romans 9 supports this conviction by establishing God’s desire to reveal Himself through both His judgments and His mercy. Today, God continues to love the Jewish nation because he’s a gracious, covenant-keeping God.

Yet, what discourages many Christians is the question of Israel’s apparent separation from God despite being supposedly God’s chosen people. Even concerning the modern day return to the land, religious Jews and Christians alike are asking, “How could a holy God be behind the revived State of Israel in its present moral and spiritual condition?”

Many can testify to the dangers of allowing disappointments to shape the way we see God and interpret His word. We need only consider that you and I alike were in sin when God first drew near to us. It was not because of our righteousness, but because of His great love for us.

Israel, like you and I, is a work in progress.

A New Testament motto which merits our consideration affirms, “Though we might be faithless, He will remain faithful, because God cannot disown Himself!”

In even bolder terms, the LORD himself once proclaimed concerning the New Covenant, “Only if the universe can be measured, and the depths of the earth searched out, will I reject the descendants of Israel for all they have done”.

God loves the Jewish people. Some have observed, if He no longer did, what’s to say He wouldn’t stop loving us too? Yet, because God’s commitment to Israel is eternal, as is His grace, and because God has said, “I do not change”, we can rest secure in His promises.

You may have heard it said, “We were not chosen because we’re special; we’re special because we were chosen.” So, to the Christian I write: God loves the Jewish people because He is loving, not because they are deemed more lovable.

In this way we can see that His choosing of the Jewish people is totally consistent with His character. We call it grace. Simply put, it is the goodness of God.

Even in the Old Testament writings, ‘grace’ itself is one of the most common words used in connection with God’s character.

Thus, in Israel we find the greatest example of God’s unmerited favor ever revealed. God wants to be known, and through His dealings with Israel he has made Himself known to the nations!

Still, as Christians, we look for more than a physical return of the Jewish people to the land. We believe also for a spiritual return to the LORD and the true face of His salvation.

Travelling through Europe last summer, I was surprised to discover how enthusiastic German believers were to pray for the revived State of Israel! One such prayer inscribed in a Sunday liturgy book at a Lutheran church read in English as follows:

“We Pray for Israel, the people of your special [covenant] love. Forgive us our wrongs against them, both past and present. Help us to make a stand against every form of anti-Semitism. May your people look to you alone for peace and refuge. Stand by them in their current trials and guide them through the dark valley of suffering to their glorious destiny as your chosen people!”

In reading this, I too was inspired to pray for Israel with the understanding that Israel and those grafted in share a common destiny! Together we ought to anticipate God’s purposes concerning Israel and look forward to their fulfilment.

So, why Israel?

As many before have already professed:

Through Israel God tells us what He is like. In fact, through Israel God tells the whole world what He is like.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: It is indeed refreshing and inspiring to read this kind of article on the web site of Artuz Sheva (Israel National News). The truth it presents is outstanding, and may our hearts be encouraged in these difficult times.)

THE DAYS OF NOAH

Sunday, October 21st, 2007

Subject: “THE DAYS OF NOAH”
Scripture: Genesis 6:1-17; Matthew 24:36-44

Matthew 24:37 – “but as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be”

WHAT MAKES THE DAYS OF NOAH LIKE THE DAYS WHEN THE MESSIAH WILL RETURN?

1A. POPULATION EXPLOSION – Genesis 6:1 – “when men began to multiply on the face of the earth”

NOTE: Average age of those listed in the first genealogy of Genesis 5 is 857 years (if you exclude Enoch, the number is over 900 years!). It says of them “begat sons and daughters” – at least four children. The total amount of years from Adam to Noah and the flood is 1656 years. If you take the year they began to have children and give at least four children to every person, in 15 generations we have over one billion people on the planet!

2A. MORAL CORRUPTION – Genesis 6:5, 11a, 12 cf. Matthew 24:12 – “iniquity (lawlessness) will abound” – cf. II Timothy 3:1-5 – “perilous times”

3A. TERRIBLE VIOLENCE – Genesis 6:11b, 13 cf. II Timothy 3:3 – “fierce” (brutal)

4A. DEMONIC INFILTRATION – Genesis 6:2, 4 cf. I Timothy 4:1 – “seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” – cf. Jude 6-7 and Revelation 9:20-21

NOTE: The term “sons of God” is used for angels in Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7; Psalm 34:7; Daniel 3:24-25; but, in the NT it is used of believers – John 1:12; I John 3:10

5A. LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES – Genesis 6:3 cf. Matthew 24:42, 44; 25:13; I Peter 3:20; II Peter 3:8-9

6A. GLOBAL DISASTER – Genesis 6:13, 17 cf. II Peter 3:10-12

7A. PERSONAL SALVATION – Genesis 6:8-10 cf. I Peter 3:20; II Peter 2:9; 3:9
cf. Matthew 24:40-41

EDITOR’S NOTE: Many of you have expressed appreciation for the simply outlines that have appeared in the articles on our web site. We are happy to provide this service to you. In answer to the questions about usage – please feel free to use them in whatever way you desire – may God receive ALL the glory and praise! It is not necessary to give us credit for these articles. They are intended for your use and His glory!

TROUBLE FOR ISRAEL’S PM!

Sunday, October 21st, 2007

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel appears to be in serious trouble. Although it is common for investigations of the Prime Minister to take place and be encouraged by the opposition, these particular case appears to be headed for serious trouble for the Prime Minister. Here is what we know now:

PM OLMERT’S CRIMES WORSE THAN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
by Ezra HaLevi (Israel National News)

Investigative journalist Yoav Yitzchak reports that the ongoing investigation against Prime Minister Olmert in the Bank Leumi Affair is yielding damning evidence of crimes punishable by active jail time. The report contradicts recent assertions by PM Olmert’s associates that he is unlikely to be charged with crimes.

Yitzchak, Israel’s most prominent investigative journalist, says police investigators have unearthed evidence implicating Olmert not only in fraud, as was originally publicized, but also “fraud in aggravated circumstances,” which carries an additional two year jail sentence.

Yitzchak said that police sources had revealed to him that Olmert was questioned on additional charges of fraud and breach of trust.

If Olmert is convicted, Yitzchak says, he could serve from three to five years of active jail time for each of his crimes. Yitzchak quoted the sources as saying that police “without question” have enough evidence to indict Olmert on both charges.

But, the final decision is in the hands of Head of Police Investigations Yochanan Danino. It is known what position Danino will take despite the mounting evidence against Olmert. Yoav Yitzhak says that Danino has earned the title “the Weak Link” in the Israeli Police Investigation department.

According to allegations, then-Finance Minister Olmert intervened on behalf of two of his friends who were interested in buying controlling shares of Bank Leumi, which was undergoing privatization in 2005. The men involved, Frank Lowy and Daniel Abrams, eventually dropped out of the bidding and are not suspected of any wrongdoing.

WORSE THAN “CONFLICT OF INTEREST”
According to evidence unearthed by police and reported by journalist Yitzchak, Prime Minister Olmert was not just working to advance the interests of billionaire associate Frank Lowy in the Bank Leumi sale – but of his friend attorney Tami Ben-David, who represented Lowy.

Tami Ben-David is a personal friend of Ehud Olmert and his wife, Aliza. A central partner in the law firm where she works is Attorney Yosef Gross, Ehud Olmert’s father-in-law. The evidence against the Prime Minister points to an attempt on his part to arrange for Lowy to win the bid, which would in turn significantly benefit Tami Ben-David in legal fees and a percentage of the Leumi stocks. Olmert was serving as Finance Minister at the time of suspected crime.

Lowy himself testified that Olmert, Ben-David, and others in Israel were “using his good name to make themselves rich,” Yitzchak reported. Lowy was interviewed as a witness in the case in his home country of Australia by Israeli police. It was based on his testimony that the fraud aspect of the case was uncovered – as police presented him with documents seized from Ben-David’s office written in his name and ostensibly signed by him that he denied ever seeing, much less signing.

EDITOR”S NOTE: May the God of Israel reveal the truth behind these allegations, and put a stop to the Prime Minister’s efforts to give away the covenant land of Israel and divide Jerusalem!

BIBLE FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

We have many requests and questions about the use of alcoholic beverages, and have decided to put this article on our web site for your study and understanding. We have additional material in our book “PROVERBS FOR TODAY” and a serious chapter about drug and alcohol addiction in our book “MORAL CATASTROPHE.” May God help many to see the problems and to care about the solutions!

Proverbs 23:29-35

In the Old Testament, 12 different words in 251 places are used, not counting the usages of the word “drink.”
The New Testament uses three words:
(1) The Greek word “gleukous” in Acts 2:13 – “filled with new wine”
(2) The Greek word “lenos” translated “wine press” is used five times
(3) The word for “wine” – oinos – used 36 times

1A. Alcoholic beverages are DANGEROUS!
Proverbs 20:1; 23:33; Hosea 4:11; Habakkuk 2:15;
Luke 21:34; I Corinthians 6:10; Galatians 5:19-21

2A. Alcoholic beverages are DENIED to certain people!

1B. Priest – Leviticus 10:9

2B. Nazarites – Numbers 6:3

3B. Prophets – Isaiah 28:1, 7

4B. Kings and princes – Proverbs 31:4-5

5B. Elders/Bishops – I Timothy 3:2-3; Titus 1:7

6B. Deacons – I Timothy 3:8

7B. Causing a person to stumble – Romans 14:21

3A. Alcoholic beverages are DESIGNED to help people
forget their misery!
Proverbs 31:6-7

4A. Alcoholic beverages are DEVELOPED to a stage of
fermentation that is not recommended in the Bible!
Proverbs 23:29-31

1B. They are NOT the wine that reminds us of the
blessing of the Lord!
Psalm 104:14-15; Ecclesiastes 9:7-8

2B. They are NOT the wine created by Jesus at the
wedding in Cana of Galilee!
John 2:9-10

3B. They are NOT the wine that relieves stomach
problems!
I Timothy 5:23

4B. They are NOT the wine used in the worship of
the Lord!
Deuteronomy 14:23 (Hebrew word used is
referring to wine less than 40 days old)

5A. Alcoholic beverages are DESCRIBED as drinks
that cause emotional, physical, and spiritual
problems!
Proverbs 23:29; I Peter 4:1-5

A BASIC PRINCIPLE – I Thessalonians 5:22

A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART!

Thursday, October 11th, 2007

Acts 13:21-23 cf. I Samuel 13:14

The name “David” appears 1085 times in the Bible, of which 58 usages are in the NT – 86 times the Psalms refer to David. In Matthew 1, the Messiah is called the “Son of David” – a phrase that occurs 16 times. There are three sets of 14 generations in Matthew 1 – Jewish poetry pointing to the Messiah, the Son of David.

1A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SHEPHERD!
cf. Psalm 78:70-72 and Psalm 23

2A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SINGER!
II Samuel 1:17-27; 6:21-22; 23:1-2
cf. Psalm 108:1-6; 144:9-10; Eph. 5:18-19

3A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SOLDIER!
I Samuel 16:18; 17:31-51 cf. II Tim. 2:1-4
I Sam. 17:32 – “let no man’s heart fail”

4A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SINNER!
II Samuel 11:2-5, 26-27; 12:7-14; 24:10, 17
cf. Psalm 32:1-11 – “upright in heart”
Psalm 34:17-19 – “broken heart”
Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart”
Psalm 51:17 – “a broken and contrite heart”

5A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SAINT!
Psalm 101:2 – “walk with thee with a perfect heart”
Psalm 37:23-31 – v. 31: “the law of God is in his heart”
cf. I Kings 15:3-5; Psalm 119:11

6A. HE HAD THE HEART OF A SERVANT!
In reference to king David, the word “servant” is used
56 times – cf. II Samuel 7:20-29; Psalm 89:20-37

7A. HE HAD THE HEART OF THE SAVIOUR!
I Kings 3:3-10; 9:4-5; Psalm 16:8-11

ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK!

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Psalm 83:1-18

1A. THE CRY FOR GOD TO RESPOND
Psalm 83:1-2

1B. The ACTIONS of Israel’s enemies – v. 2a
“Thine enemies make a tumult”
NASB – “uproar” TANAKH – “rage”

2B. The ATTITUDES of Israel’s enemies toward
God – v. 2b – “they that hate Thee”

3B. The ARROGANCE of Israel’s enemies – v. 2c
“have lifted up the head”
NASB – “exalted themselves”
TANAKH – “assert themselves”

2A. THE COUNSEL OF ISRAEL’S ENEMIES
Psalm 83:3 – “crafty counsel”
NIV – “with cunning they conspire”
NASB – “shrewd plans”

3A. THE CUTTING OFF OF GOD’S PEOPLE
WHICH THEY ARE PLANNING
Psalm 83:4-5

1B. Their PURPOSE toward Israel is clear – v. 4
“cut them off” – NIV – “destroy them”
NASB – “wipe them out”

2B. Their PARTNERSHIP is based on hostility
to Israel – v. 5 – “consulted together”
NASB – “conspired” NIV – “plot”
TANAKH – “unanimous in their counsel”
“confederate” – NIV – “form an alliance” or
NASB – “make a covenant”

4A. THE CONFEDERACY OF THOSE OPPOSED
TO ISRAEL – Psalm 83:6-8

1B. It involves DWELLING PLACES of countries
that exist today that are hostile to Israel.
v. 6 – “Edom…Moab” – Jordan
v. 7 – “inhabitants of Tyre” – Syria & Lebanon
v. 8 – “Asshur” – Assyria – Iraq

2B. It involves DESCENDANTS that are known
for their hostility to Israel.
v. 6 – “the Ishmaelites” – Arabs
v. 7 – “the Philistines” – Palestinians

3B. It involves DESCRIPTIONS that speak of
modern relationships among those who are
hostile to Israel.
v. 8 – “Assur also is joined with them: they
have helped the children of Lot”
NIV – “lend strength”
(Iraq and Jordan)

5A. THE CALL FOR GOD TO DO WHAT HE HAS
DONE IN THE PAST – Psalm 83:9-12

1B. The RESULTS remind us of the need to cry
unto the Lord for deliverance – Judges 4:2-3,
14-15, 23-24

2B. The REACTION to God’s deliverance was to
praise the Lord – Judges 5:2-3

3B. The REMEMBRANCE of what God did was
not lasting – Judges 8:34

4B. The REASON for the avenging of God – v. 12
“Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in
possession” – NIV – “pasturelands” and
NASB – “pastures”

6A. THE CONSEQUENCES THAT GOD BRINGS
Psalm 83:13-17

1B. DISPERSION – v. 13 – “as the stubble”
NASB/NIV – “chaff”

2B. DISTRESS – v. 15 – “make them afraid”
v. 17 – “confounded and troubled for ever”
NIV – “ashamed and dismayed”
TANAKH – “frustrated and terrified”

3B. DISGRACE – v. 16 – “Fill their faces with
shame” – v. 17 – “let them be put to shame”
NASB – “humiliated” NIV – “disgrace”

4B. DESTRUCTION – v. 17 – “and perish”

7A. THE CONCERN WHICH TRANSCENDS THE
TRAGEDIES – Psalm 83:16b, 18

1B. That Israel’s enemies would REALIZE their
need of the Lord – v. 16B

2B. That the world would RECOGNIZE the
greatness and sovereignty of Israel’s God –
v. 18

SO, WHAT HAPPENED IN 70 AD? – PART II

Friday, October 5th, 2007

1A. The PREDICTION of Jesus was fulfilled – Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 21:20-24

1B. The buildings of the temple were thrown down – Matthew 24:1-2

2B. Jerusalem was “compassed with armies” – Luke 21:20

3B. Many residents of Judea fled – Luke 21:21

4B. Many were killed by the sword – 21:24a

5B. Many were taken captive by Rome – 21:24b

6B. Jerusalem was “trodden down” by Gentiles until “the times of the Gentiles” were fulfilled.

2A. The PROPHECIES of God about Israel were not cancelled nor fulfilled in the history of the Church!

1B. The prophecy of God’s everlasting and unconditional COVENANT to the children of
Israel was NOT cancelled – Genesis 12:1-3; 17:7-8; Psalm 89:30-37

God has NOT forsaken them – Isa. 41:8-9, 17; 43:5-7; 45:25; 49:13-16; 54:6-8; Jer. 31:35-37; Romans 11:1-2

2B. The prophecies of worldwide CALAMITIES did NOT occur in 70 AD – Matthew 24:4-28 (widespread deception, wars, plagues, famines, earthquakes, etc., and coming of Messiah, etc.)

3B. The prophecy of Israel’s COMING back to the land in the future did NOT happen – Isaiah 35:10; Jer. 30:3; 31:7-9; Ezekiel 36:24; Amos 9:13-15

4B. The prophecy of a global CATASTROPHE called “The Great Tribulation” did NOT occur.

5B. The prophecy of Israel’s CONVERSION at the end of the tribulation did NOT happen – Isaiah 44:21-23; 59:20-21; 62:11-12; Zechariah 12:10; 13:1; Romans 11:25-27

3A. The PROPHECY in the Book of Revelation was NOT fulfilled in 70 AD! The Preterists MUST argue for this book being written BEFORE the destruction of Jerusalem; However, history is clear that John was exiled to the island of Patmos during the reign of Domitian (81-96 AD) – long after the destruction of Jerusalem.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 70 AD? – PART I

Monday, October 1st, 2007

The word “preterist” is from a Latin word meaning “past.” Those who adhere to this viewpoint of Bible prophecy argue that the prophecies of the Olivet Discourse and the Book of Revelation were fulfilled in the events of the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple. Those who argue for this particular view of Bible prophecy include such teachers as R. C. Sproul, Kenneth Gentry, Gary DeMar, Gary North, and Greg Bahnsen. The late David Chilton also believed this view and is represented by his books on the subject.

Preterists believe that the Second Coming of Christ occurred in 70 AD in the sense of judgment, and that the result of this destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple is the replacement of the nation of Israel with the Church.

There are three primary proof texts which are used continually by those who believe this view of Bible prophecy:

PROOF TEXT #1
Matthew 10:23 – “But when they persecute you in
this city, flee ye into another; for verily I say unto
you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel,
till the Son of man be come.”

Consider the following facts about this verse:

(1) There is no evidence whatsoever that the disciples experienced this kind of persecution
before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

(2) The verses of the context are exactly parallel to those of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 17 & 21.

(3) There is no reference in this passage to the destruction of Jerusalem.

(4) The phrase “the Son of Man” is referring to the Second Coming and speaks of His humanity being seen – that did NOT happen at the destruction of Jerusalem.

John Calvin says that those who suggest that this verse was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem “is too far fetched.” Even Dr. R. C. Sproul who uses this verse to support his theories concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and who is the General Editor of the Geneva Bible says of this verse – “The coming is the Second Coming of Christ to judge the earth”

PROOF TEXT #2
Matthew 16:28 – “Verily I say unto you, There be
some standing here, which shall not taste of death,
till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”

(1) The connection with the Mount of Transfiguration is obvious – Matthew 17:1-2
(The conjunction “and” clearly establishes the connection between the two passages)

(2) The remark of Peter in II Peter 1:16-18 clearly points to the transfiguration and not the
destruction of Jerusalem.

(3) The “some” is referring to Peter, James, & John

PROOF TEXT #3
Matthew 24:34 – “Verily I say unto you, This
generation shall not pass, till all these things be
fulfilled.”

(1) The word “generation” from the Greek word genos is used 21 times; from the Greek word genea it is used another 42 times – a total of 63 times in the NT. The words “this generation” appear 16 of those times.

(2) Whatever the meaning of the word “generation” it is clear that they will exist until “all these things” are fulfilled. That cannot apply to the destruction of Jerusalem.

(3) It is quite possible that the word “generation” refers not to a period of time as some suggest that Hebrews 3:9-10 teaches (40 years) but rather to the nation of Israel. The words “this generation” are more consistent when it is understood to be Israel. It is a promise of the
survival of the nation of Israel during the tribulation. cf. Luke 11:50-51. Why would the
words “may be required of this generation” apply to first century Jews who were not responsible for the death of the prophets mentioned? It would make sense if it applies to the nation of Israel.

Also, we have the problem of Revelation 22:16 where it is translated “offspring” and refers to
our Lord as being the descendant of David.

PRETERIST VIEWS ABOUT PROPHECY

1. THE GREAT TRIBULATION – they believe that it took place in the days of the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem – to them, it is NOT a future event.

2. THE GREAT APOSTASY – they not only believe that it happened in the first century AD, but that we should expect the increasing Christianization of the world.

3. THE LAST DAYS – they believe that this term refers to the time between the birth of Jesus Christ and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

4. THE ANTICHRIST – they believe this refers to the widespread apostasy before the fall of Jerusalem. Some preterists believe that it could possibly refer to Nero.

5. THE MILLENNIUM – they believe that it is going on now with Christianity reigning as kings on earth – the period of time between our Lord’s first coming and His Second Coming.

6. THE NEW JERUSALEM – they believe that it refers to the Church, now and forever.

7. ARMAGEDDON – they believe it is simply a symbol of defeat and desolation and that there will never be a future, literal battle.

8. THE BEAST AND FALSE PROPHET – they believe that it refers to the Roman Emperor Nero as well as the Roman Empire; they believe the “false prophet” is the leadership of Israel.

9. THE GREAT HARLOT – they believe that it refers to Jerusalem.

10. ISRAEL – they believe that Israel was excommunicated and will never be God’s kingdom. They say that there is no future plan of God for the nation of Israel. In the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD they say that our Lord transferred all the promised blessings given to the nation of Israel to the Church – the new Israel! The believe that what has been happening in Israel today has nothing whatsoever to do with any Bible prophecies.


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