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THE COMING KINGSyllabus: Summer 2019
June 2 ………………………………………………….... FULFILLED PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS
June 9 ………………………………………………………THE MESSIAH EXPECTED BY THE JEWS
June 16 ……………………………………………………………… THE ANTICHRIST IN PROPHECY
June 23 ……………………………………………..… THE ANTICHRIST THE CHURCH EXPECTS
June 30 …………………………………………………. IS THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY?
July 7 …………………………………………………………………... BEWARE THE FALSE TRINITY
July 14 …………………………………………………………….……………. THE ISLAMIC MESSIAH
July 21 ………………………….…………. THE RAPTURE AND SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
July 28 …………………………………………………………………………. DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND
JoLynn Gower 493-6151
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FULFILLED PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUSThe Old Testament contains numerous prophecies written over 2,500 years ago. Every one of these prophecies was fulfilled in the life of Jesus of Nazareth approximately 2,000 years ago. Even more prophecies concerning the Second Coming of the messiah remained unfulfilled. While we can’t hope to look at them all in one class period, we can look at some of the more important ones. This may help us tune our minds to recognize prophecies as we are reading through Old Testament scripture.
1. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Read Micah 5:2 and record the prophecy
here: __________________________________________________________________
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New Testament Fulfillment: “Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.” Matthew 2:1
2. The Messiah will be a descendant of Judah. Read Genesis 49:10 and record the Prophecy here: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
Read Luke 3:23-38 and Matthew 1:1-17, and confirm that Jesus is a descendant of Judah.
3. The Messiah will be a descendant of David. Read Psalm 132:11, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 33:15 and record the prophecies here: _______________________________
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Now, read Luke 1:32-33 and confirm that Jesus was of the lineage of David.
5. The Messiah will be born of a virgin. This is one of the most important prophecies in all of scripture. Read Isaiah 7:14 and record the prophecy here: __________________
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Confirm that Jesus was born of a virgin by reading Matthew 1:18-21.
Later in this study, we will look at why this was of utmost importance for our redemption!
6. Children will be killed in effort to kill the Messiah.
Read Jeremiah 31:15 and record the prophecy here: ____________________________
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Confirm the prophecy by reading Matthew 2:16-17/.
7. The Messiah will be taken to Egypt. Read Hosea 11:1 and record the prophecy here:
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Confirm the prophecy by reading Matthew 2:14-15.
8. The Messiah will be the Son of God. Read Psalm 2:7-8 for the prophecy: _________
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Read Matthew 3:17 to confirm the prophecy.
9. The Messiah will be heralded by the messenger of the Lord. Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and record the prophecy here: _________________________________________________
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Verify the fulfillment by reading Matthew 3:1-3.
10. The Messiah will be anointed by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:2 __________________
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Read Matthew 3:16-17 for the fulfillment.
11. The Messiah will bring light to Galilee. Read Isaiah 9:1-2: _____________________
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Read Matthew 4:12-16 for the fulfillment.
12. The Messiah will preach good news to the poor, comfort the broken hearted, and announce the year of the Lord’s favor. Read the prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-2: _________
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Read Luke 4:16-21 for the partial fulfillment.
13. The Messiah will be hated without cause. Psalm 35:19 _______________________
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Read the fulfillment in John 15:23-25.
14. The Messiah will make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and the mute speak. Isaiah 35:5-6 ______________________________________________________
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Read the fulfillment in Matthew 11:2-6.
15. The Messiah will enter Jerusalem riding a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 _______________
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Matthew 21:1-4 and 6-11 record the fulfillment.
16. The Messiah will arrive in Jerusalem at a specified time. Read Daniel 9:25 for the prophecy: ______________________________________________________________
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Galatians 4:4 refers to the prophecy. In Daniel 9 you can read much more about the 490 years covered by Daniel’s prophecy: 483 fulfilled, 7 left.
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17. The Messiah will enter the Temple with authority. Malachi 3:1__________________
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Matthew 21:12-13 records the fulfillment.
18. The Messiah will be rejected. Read the prophecy in Isaiah 53:3 ________________
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John 19:14-15 records the fulfillment.
19. The Messiah will be silent in front of his accusers. Isaiah 53:7 ________________
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Matthew 26:62-63 records the fulfillment.
20. The Messiah will be rejected by the Jews. Psalm 118:22 _____________________
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1 Peter 2:7 records the fulfillment.
21. The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend. Psalm 41:9 _______________________
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John 13:18-19 is the fulfillment passage.
22. The Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Zechariah 11:12 ____________
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Matthew 26:14-15 has the fulfillment.
23. The 30 pieces of silver will be thrown in the potter’s field. Zechariah 11:13 _______
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Matthew 27:3-8 contains the fulfillment passage.
24. The Messiah will be accused by false witnesses. Psalm 35:11 __________________
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Find the fulfillment in Mark 14:56. 5
25. The Messiah will be beaten, mocked, and spit upon. Isaiah 50:6 _______________
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Matthew 26:67 contains the fulfillment.
26. The Messiah will be beaten, bloodied, and disfigured. Isaiah 52:13-14 __________
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John 19:1-3 records the fulfillment.
27. The Messiah will be mocked and told to save himself. Psalm 22:7-8 _____________
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Matthew 27:41-44 records the sad fulfillment.
28. The Messiah’s enemies will pierce his hands and feet. Psalm 22:16 _____________
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John 19:17-18 has the fulfillment passage.
29. The Messiah will be given vinegar and gall to drink. Psalm 69:21 _______________
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Read Mark 15:23 for this event.
30. The Messiah’s enemies will divide his clothes among themselves and cast dice for his garments. Psalm 22: 17-18 ________________________________________________
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John 19:23-24 records this action
31. The Messiah’s bones will not be broken. Psalm 34:19-20 _____________________
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John 19:31-33 records that Jesus’ bones were not broken.
32. The Messiah’s life will be poured out like water. Psalm 22:14 __________________
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John 19:34 records the piercing of Jesus and blood and water flowing.
33. The Messiah will be struck down, and his disciples will be scattered. Zechariah 13:7
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Matthew 26:31, 56 record the scattering.
34. The Messiah will be buried in a rich man’s grave. Isaiah 53:9 __________________
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Matthew 27:59-60 records the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea
35. The Messiah will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing. Daniel 9:26
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Acts 2:22-24 and Historical Fulfillment: Titus and the Roman legions destroyed the city and the Temple in A.D. 70.
36. The Messiah will be raised from the dead (resurrected). Psalm 16:10 ___________
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Matthew 28:5-7 records events.
37. The Messiah will bear the sins of many and intercede for sinners. Isaiah 53:4-12
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Romans 3:23-26 summarizes the fulfillment.
38. The Messiah will ascend to heaven. Psalm 68:18 ___________________________
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Fulfilled in Luke 24:51.
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39. The Messiah will be served by future generations. Psalm 22:30 ________________
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New Testament Fulfillment: Every generation since the crucifixion of Christ has heard of his righteous acts and everything he has done. Today, consciously or unconsciously, the name of Jesus graces the lips of everyone on the face of the earth.
If each of these prophecies is given a 50/50 probability of occurring in the life of one individual, the odds of fulfilling all 39 prophecies above would be:
1 in 549,755,813,900And these are only 39 of the many prophecies. Statistically, it is impossible for one person to fulfill all of these prophecies. But Jesus did!
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WHO THE JEWS EXPECTEDWhen I ask Jewish friends why they won’t believe Jesus is the Messiah, they answer, if he didn’t bring in the Messianic Kingdom, unite all Jews, bring them from dispersion, create world peace, rebuild the temple, and do all the other things prophesied of the Messianic age, than he can't be the Messiah."
The number of Old Testament passages regarded by Jews in pre-Christian times as prophesying Messiah is much larger than that of the special predictions to which Christians have commonly appealed. The rabbis generally believed there were more than 456, of which 75 are from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Writings.
The Old Testament word Messiah comes to us from the Hebrew word mashiach, which means “anointed one.” The same word in Greek is Christos, which is translated in the New Testament as Christ.
Priests, prophets, and kings were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices. The Messiah is anointed “above his fellows.”
Read Psalm 45:7 _________________________________________________________
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The Messiah was believed to be above his fellows by the rabbis because he embraces in himself all the three offices.
The promise God made to Satan contains in it the foundation of all the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah and the great work he was to accomplish on earth. The prophecies became more definite and fuller as time passed and more of God’s mystery was revealed. Read Genesis 3:15 and record what you learn: ______________________________________________________________
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Generally the Christian take on the way the Jews perceived the messianic hope falls into one of two categories:
The 1st century Jew HAD NO expectation of a Messiah-figure; or
The 1st century Jewish expectation was of a purely natural, human-only, regular political leader.
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However, after reading what many rabbis had to say, we realize that there were several additional takes as well. Some considered the Messiah to be a purely natural political leader (but more powerful than the Romans), some considered the Messiah to be super-natural/super-angelic, some considered him to be an end-of-the age universal King. Some, however, did not expect one at all. No one seems to have expected a Messiah who was God.Limitations of materials
One of the reasons that we always want to have a good Bible translation is that we want our copy of the scriptures to be as close to the original, inspired autographs as possible. In reading some of the versions available in Jesus’ time, we begin to understand how understandings could occur. Consider, for example, the translation called the Septuagint, or LXX. It is a translation from Hebrew to Greek of the Old Testament. In reality, it is more of a paraphrase.
Isaiah 9:6 (in the Hebrew direct translation): For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The LXX version: (280-200 BC) For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger/Angel of the Great Council.
The Targum version: (Hebrew to Aramaic) Isaiah 9:5-6: "The Prophet announced to the house of David that: 'A boy has been born unto us, a son has been given unto us, who has taken the Torah upon himself to guard it; and his name has been called by the One who gives wonderful counsel, the Mighty God, He who lives forever; 'Messiah', in whose day peace shall abound for us."
Two questions can be asked of the Jews: What Messiah did they expect?
What should the Old Testament revelation have led them to expect?
While Jewish expectation had been deepening and in some respects becoming more definite and true during the centuries preceding the Christian era, so that at the time of our Lord’s appearing it seemed to await its immediate fulfillment, yet the Jewish people were not prepared to recognize Jesus as the Christ. The reason is found in the rabbinical and popularly received ideas of the Messiah. The fatal mistake of the Jews was not in rejecting the Scriptures but in giving to them a narrow and unspiritual interpretation. Read what Jesus said in John 5:39-40: ________________________________________
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Their interpretation was not entirely false. It included doctrines as the premundane existence of the Messiah; his elevation above Moses, and even above the angels; his representative character; his cruel sufferings and derision; his violent death for
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his people; his work on behalf of the living and of the dead; his redemption and restoration of Israel; the opposition of the Gentiles, their partial judgment and conversion; the prevalence of his law; the universal blessings of the latter days; and his kingdom.
But this same interpretation left out certain elements of greatest and governing importance. The doctrines of original sin, and of the sinfulness of man’s whole nature, were greatly reduced from their Scripture meaning and were practically omitted from the prevalent Jewish teaching. Consequently the concept of a Messiah, who died to save the world from sin, was lacking. In keeping with this, the priestly office of the Messiah was also ignored, as was the prophetic office of the Messiah.
The prevailing ideas were those of king and deliverance. And these were chiefly of national significance. The restoration of national glory was the great hope of Israel. All else was subordinate to that.
Modern Jews consistently deny that Jesus is/was the Christ, and although during many centuries the Jews almost universally continued to look for their national deliverer (and their hope was again and again stimulated and disappointed by the appearance of more than twenty false Messiahs), marked changes have taken place within recent years in Jewish opinions and belief upon this subject.
(1) The relatively small and diminishing class known as Orthodox Jews adheres to the ancient expectation.
(2) The Reform Jews, embracing many of the most learned and influential, have laid this expectation aside. With this class the whole conception of the Messiah has become dim and confusing. Questioned is whether the Messiah refers to a person or a time; also as to whether or not the person or time has arrived.
(3) The main body of modern Jews still looks forward to the ingathering of the Jews and their restoration to national glory in the land of their forefathers, and along with this they expect an era of universal peace and harmony among men.
(4) But still there is great diversity of opinion as to the method and means by which these results are to be accomplished. The Messiah may mean a particular person born of the Jewish race, or the term may stand for a conjunction of events brought about by the Jewish people.
A prominent idea in present Jewish thought in the denial of Jesus as the Messiah is:
1. That the Old Testament prophecies predict the full and blessed results of the messianic reign as coming at once with the advent of the Messiah, and such results have not come
2. They can find no prediction of a second advent. (second coming)
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THE ANTICHRIST IN PROPHECYIn Greek, the word “antichrist” is translating the word “antichristos” which means against, opposite, or instead of Christ. It is important to realize that there have always been those people who oppose or stand against God or Christ. However, when we speak of “the antichrist” we are talking about a specific person, demonically empowered, who appears at the end of the age who tries to place himself “instead of” Christ. He will be a part of Satan’s false trinity, which we will examine later in this class.
Today, we are going to look at prophecies concerning this final, demonically empowered, antichrist. He is alternately called the “little horn,” “false christ,” “man of lawlessness,” and “beast from the sea.” We will see that the demonic force that empowers him “was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction.” Get ready to dig in. These are important prophecies.
Begin your reading for today in the book of Daniel 7:1-25, specifically noting what the antichrist, “little horn,” intends to change: ____________________________________
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Now answer the following questions:
1. What kingdom did the ten horns come from? _______________________________
2. How many of these ten were uprooted by the “little horn?” ____________________
3. With whom was the “little horn” waging war with in verse 21? __________________
4. How long are things given into his hands? _________________________________
Continue your reading in Daniel 8:23-25 ______________________________________
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Do a word study on “intrigue” in verse 23 and record what you learn here: __________
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Note who he opposes in verses 24 and 25 _____________________________________
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How is he destroyed? _____________________________________________________
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Continue your reading in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-10 ____________________________
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Where is the antichrist in these verses: _______________________________________
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Cross reference to Matthew 24: 15 and Mark 13:14 _____________________________
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Continue reading in Daniel 11: 31-39. Describe his characteristics here: ____________
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What does the antichrist abolish? ___________________________________________
Cross reference to Daniel 9:24-27 ___________________________________________
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THE ANTICHRIST THE CHURCH EXPECTSClearly, Christians are expecting an antichrist who will fulfill prophecy. But, sometimes Christians are expecting the antichrist to have characteristics that the Bible doesn’t clearly state. Today, we will consider the antichrist and look at some of the correct perceptions as well as some questionable ones.
1. Christians believe the antichrist is a person and not a system. Although he will head up a world system of government, he is not perceived as being a system rather than a person.
Reread 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 and record what you learn: _____________________
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2. Some Christians say that the antichrist will be born in Rome. Reread Daniel 7:8. Does this verse say that the antichrist comes out of a revived Roman Empire?
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3. Some Christians believe that the antichrist will be regarded by the Jews as the Messiah that they have been expecting. Reread the prophecies and record whether scripture says this: ____________________________________________________
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4. Christians expect the antichrist to end up in the lake of fire. Read Revelation 19:20 and record what you learn: _____________________________________________
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5. Christians expect that the antichrist will be deceptive. Read Matthew 24:15-28 and record what you learn: _________________________________________________
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6. Christians are expecting the antichrist to make a seven year treaty with Israel. Read Daniel 9:25-27 and record what you learn: _________________________________
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7. Christians are expecting the antichrist to be a part of an end-time trinity that Satan sets up. Read Revelation 13:1-12 ________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________We will be looking at this in much more detail later in this class.
8. Christians are expecting the anti-christ to be empowered by something out of the abyss. Do some research and determine what sorts of beings are in the abyss now and corroborate your perspective by reading the following verses:
Jude 1:6 ____________________________________________________________
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2 Peter 2:4 __________________________________________________________
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Luke 8:26-31 _________________________________________________________
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Revelation 11:7 _______________________________________________________
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Revelation 19:20 ______________________________________________________
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9. Christians expect that the antichrist will be subdued by Jesus at His second coming:Revelation 19:19-20 ____________________________________________________
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10.Christians expect that the antichrist come into power at a time of unusual weather,
earthquakes, and wars. Read Matthew 24:29-31 ____________________________
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Now that you have reread all of these references, use the following space to describe who you now understand the antichrist to be: _________________________________
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IS THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY?
We are watching, in our generation, a rewriting of American history. This leads us to question whether this nation was ever a nation based on Christian principles. And to ask whether any of our founding fathers were really Christians after all.
Today, we will be considering the founding of our nation and its Christian roots. We begin with some interesting quotations:
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, 1491
In all these islands there is no difference of physiognomy, of manners, or of language, but they all clearly understand each other, a circumstance very propitious for the realization of what I conceive to be the principal wish of our most serene King, namely, the conversion of these people to the holy faith of Christ, to which indeed, as far as I can judge, they are very favorable and well-disposed.
MAYFLOWER COMPACT (IN PART) 1620
In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these present, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and furtherance of the ends aforesaid;
REGULATIONS FOR COLONISTS IN NEW AMSTERDAM 1627
The colonists shall practice no other form of divine worship within their territory than that of the Reformed religion as presently practiced here in this country, and in so doing, by their Christian life and conduct, lead the Indians and other blind people to the knowledge of God and of His Word, without, however, persecuting anyone because of his faith, but leaving to everyone the freedom of his conscience. But, if anyone among them or within their jurisdiction should wantonly revile or blaspheme the name of
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God or of our Savior Jesus Christ, he shall be punished by the commander and his council according to the circumstances.
MARYLAND TOLERATION ACT ca 1640
…whatsoever person or persons within this province and the islands thereunto belonging shall henceforth blaspheme God, that is curse Him, or deny our savior Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, or shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead or any of the said three Persons of the Trinity or the unity of the Godhead or shall use or utter any reproachful speeches, words, or language concerning the said Holy Trinity, or any of the said three Persons thereof, shall be punished with death and confiscation or forfeiture of all his or her lands and goods to the Lord Proprietary and his heirs.
MAINE TOWNSHIP ORDER ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ca 1641
It is ordered by this Court and power thereof: that all good people within the jurisdiction of this province who are out of a church way and orthodox in judgment and not scandalous in life shall have full liberty to gather themselves into a church estate, provided they do it in a Christian way, with the due observation of the rules of Christ revealed in His Word.
FIRST CHARTER OF MASSACHUSETTS 1631
…for the directing, ruling, and disposing of all other matters and things whereby our said people, inhabitants there, may be so religiously, peaceably, and civilly governed, as their good life and orderly conversation may win and incite the natives of country to the knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Savior of mankind, and the Christian faith, which in our royal intention and the adventurers’ free profession, is the principal end of this plantation….
We know that 28 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had seminary or Bible college degrees. They were religious people. But is the United States mentioned in prophecy?One of the most popular passages where people claim to have found the U.S. is in Ezekiel 38 where the prophet describes an invasion of Israel that will be launched in the end times by a nation “from the remote parts of the north.” The descriptive verses about the northern power make it clear that this nation is Russia. What is not so clear is where the U.S. fits into this invasion.Those who find us in the passage point to Ezekiel 38:13 which says that “the merchants of Tarshish and all its villages” (or “young lions” depending on translation) will speak out against the invasion. The argument is that Tarshish is Britain and the “villages” or “young lions” are the English
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speaking nations like the U.S. and Australia that were founded by British immigrants.I find this to be a rather imaginative interpretation. Its validity is questioned by the fact that no one knows for certain the true identity of “Tarshis, but archaeological explorations indicate that Tarshish was more likely Spain instead of Britain.Revelation 12:13-17 states that in the middle of the Tribulation God will provide a means of escape for the Jewish remnant in Israel. They will be carried into the wilderness to a hiding place on the “wings of a great eagle.”Some people have seized on this imagery to teach that the U.S., whose national symbol is the eagle, will supply the end time air lift that will save the Jewish remnant. But the Bible is its own best interpreter. And when you look up the phrase, “wings of an eagle,” you will find that it is the same one that God used in Exodus 19:4 to describe how He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. God is the eagle, not the United States.Read Deuteronomy 32:11 for more information: __________________________
_________________________________________________________________Isaiah 18 speaks of a people “tall and smooth” who are “feared far and wide.” The passage further states that this is a “powerful nation whose land the rivers divide.” The chapter ends by stating that the people of this nation will bring “a gift of homage” to the Lord when He returns to reign from Mt. Zion.Because these verses speak of a powerful nation whose land is divided by a great river, some have jumped to the conclusion that the nation is the United States since it is divided by the Mississippi River. But the opening verses of this chapter indicate it is speaking of “Cush,” the ancient name of Ethiopia. At the time Isaiah wrote this passage, Ethiopia was a part of the Egyptian empire and the river referred to is undoubtedly the Nile.The most widely used passage for identifying the United States in Bible prophecy is Revelation 18 where the destruction of “Babylon the great” is described.There is no doubt that the United States shares many similarities with the corrupt commercial empire described in this chapter. But Revelation 18 is describing the last Gentile world empire that will dominate the earth at the time of the Lord’s Second Coming. I believe this to be the empire of the Antichrist. Is that the United States? I hope not.So, where is the United States in Bible prophecy? The answer is that we are not mentioned directly and specifically. We are covered by general
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prophecies that relate to all nations, but beyond that, our end time destiny is a matter of speculation.
BEWARE THE FALSE TRINITY
The Bible clearly records that Satan has always wanted to usurp the place of God. Read the following verses and record what you learn. Isaiah 14:13, 14 ____________
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Continue your reading in Ezekiel 28. Note the sort of being that the leader of Tyre is in verses 1-10. Is he a man, an angel, or God? __________________________________
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Reading through Ezekiel 28: 11-19. What sort of being is this king of Tyre, who is mentioned? Is he a man, an angel, or God? __________________________________
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List everything you learn about the king of Tyre here: ___________________________
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As we begin to think about the aspirations that Satan has always had, it becomes even more apparent that Satan counterfeits the things of God. When we realize Satan’s goals, we understand more about the way he works.
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Read the following verses and record what you learn about Satan’s character:
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ____________________________________________________
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Continue your reading by looking at a description of Satan in Ephesians 2:1-3. By what name is Satan called, and what does that mean? _______________________________
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Now, we will continue with a look at those in Satan’s end-time false trinity, who are being demonically empowered. First, we will consider the anti-christ, the false christ.Sometimes we think of anti-christ as being someone or something claiming to be Christ. But this word can also mean standing in opposition to Christ. Satan’s anti-christ definitely stands in opposition. Read Revelation 11:7 and note where the anti-christ, also called the beast, is coming from: ________________________________________
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Now, we will go back to the verses we briefly considered earlier in this class. Begin by reading Revelation 13:1-4. First, we need to identify the dragon. Read Revelation 12:9. Who is he? _______________________________________________________
Now, we will consider who the dragon is empowering in Revelation 13:1. Where does Satan’s beast come from? What does this tell you about his physical being? ________
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But remember, he was empowered out of the abyss. What does this tell you about his spiritual being? __________________________________________________________
Why do you think that the beast has a supposed fatal wound that is healed? _________
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What are the ten horns and seven heads? ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________You will need to read farther to find the explanation!
Note particularly that the dragon GAVE his authority to the beast. Authority always is given by someone to someone else. Authority also always has a domain of operation. What is the dragon’s domain of operation at this time? __________________________
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Read on in Revelation 13:5-10. How long does the beast have authority to act? ______
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Now, notice who does not worship the beast: _________________________________
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We have now looked at the first two parts of the false trinity. Satan, the dragon, as the false father. The beast, a man, but demonically empowered, as the antichrist. Now, we will look at the false prophet whose work and ministry parallels the Holy Spirit.
Read Revelation 13:11-18. Notice where the second beast, also called the false prophets has his origin: ___________________________________________________
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What is the role of the second beast? ________________________________________
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Contrast this to the role of the Holy Spirit _____________________________________
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Note particularly the miracles performed by this beast ___________________________
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Also, notice what precludes people from buying and selling _______________________
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It is apparent that by the time these events transpire, some sort of world economy must be in place that has the technological capability to be controlled from a central location. As we close for today, reflect on what world events might be leading to this:
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THE ISLAMIC MESSIAH
Of all of the heresies alive and well today on earth, one which should give us great pause is the false islamic messiah, known as the Mahdi, or the 12th Imam. He is revered by a sect of Shi’ite Islam known as the 12ers. One of the staunchest adherents is Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the former president of Iran.
This sect believes that the 12th Imam was born in 868 AD in Samarra, Iraq but when he was six years old, he went into “occultation.” His occultation supposedly occurred in Samarra, Iraq, where a mosque is now built to commemorate the event. 12ers believe that the mahdi appeared at Jamkaran, Iran at a well there and many gather there on a pilgrimage and drop notes to the imam down the well.
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Of course, we know that all of this is false. But, it has troubling overtones for Christians. First, we should know that Muslims believe in Jesus—but only that he was a prophet. They believe nothing about His atoning death and resurrection. However, they do believe that he will appear, as a prophet only, along with the Mahdi, on the temple mount. Jesus, whom then know as Esa or Isa, will then, they claim, stand behind the Mahdi and proclaim to Christians that they have misunderstood and should immediately begin worshipping the Mahdi.
Read Matthew 24:15 and record what you learn: _______________________________
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1 Thessalonians 2:3,4 _____________________________________________________
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Mark 13:18-23 ___________________________________________________________
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About twelve years ago, I began a study that compared the biblical antichrist and the 12th imam. The next page lists the startling comparisons.
Of particular concern to believers should be the item where the false holy spirit of Satan’s trinity aligns with the 12er belief that Isa (Jesus) will stand on the Temple Mount with the mahdi.
Sunni Muslims are expecting 3 main individuals to appear in the End Times: (1) One caliph (ruler) whose is referred to as Mahdi (good man), (2) Dajjal (evil man), and (3) Jesus Christ (good man, prophet, not God; never died; never rose)
ANTI-CHRIST IN THE BIBLE 12TH IMAM (MAHDI) IN ISLAM
Comes in times of chaos Comes in times of chaos (it can be hastened by men)Appointed by Satan Appointed by AllahRules for 7 years Rules for 7 years
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Empowered by “beast” from the abyss Arises from abyss(occultation) to help Makes 7 year treaty with Israel et al Makes 7 year treaty with IsraelBreaks treaty in middle of 7 years Breaks treaty in middle of 7 yearsStands on temple mount claiming to be god Stands on Temple Mount claiming to be godGives people “mark of the beast” (bad thing) Gives “mark of the beast” (good thing)Jesus appears and defeats him Jesus appears and joins himAssisted by “false prophet” (false H. Spirit) Assisted by “prophet” JesusJesus tells people to stand against him Jesus claims to be his servant proclaiming Christians to have been wrongKills people who don’t believe him Kills infidels who don’t believe (beheads)Great earthquake precedes Great earthquake precedesChrist sets up peaceful kingdom Mahdi sets up peaceful kingdomChrist makes earth new Mahdi makes earth new Antichrist rides a white horse Mahdi rides a white horseWants to make changes in law Coming can be hastened; wants to introduce Sharia law to entire world Wants to make changes in times Denies various things in historical times including the holocaust
Scripture tells us that God is aware of the things that are happening. He raises up two witnesses to preach against the apostasy. There are differences of opinion about who the two witnesses might be. One is almost certainly Elijah. Read Malachi 4:5 and write your thoughts: ______________________________________________________________________________
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Conjecture continues about the identity of the other witness. He certainly performs deeds in keeping with the ministry of Moses. But others think him to be Enoch because Enoch and Elijah didn’t die and it is appointed to man to die once. We must, however, consider the miraculous intervention of God in the cases of those raised from the dead, in which case they died must have died again. (Lazarus, for example) Since there isn’t a 2000 year old man named Lazarus on earth right now, we must assume that he died twice.
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Read Revelation 11:1-18 and write your thoughts about the events here: _________________
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THE RAPTURE AND SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
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Believers are frequently confused by the talk of “rapture.” Rapture isn’t a word that appears in our Bible, so it is no wonder that people are confused! The word rapture comes to us from the Latin word “raptios” sometimes rendered “rapturo” which is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word “harpazo” which appears in the manuscript of the New Testament.
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 _____________________________________________________
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Now we need to do some word studies. First, do a study on “caught up.” Record what you learn here: ____________________________________________________________________
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Now do a word study on “shout.” What do you learn: __________________________________
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Now, consider the order or the resurrection and rank them in order:
Those believers who have already died ______
Those believers who are still alive __________
Where does this event occur? _____________________________________________________
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Continue your reading in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 -_____________________________________
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This completes our redemption. At the rapture, we are spiritually redeemed. At death, the body and the soul/spirit are separated. The body goes to the grave awaiting the rapture. Read the following verses and record what you learn here:
Romans 8:18-25 ________________________________________________________________
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Philippians 3:20 ________________________________________________________________
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However, at the rapture of the church, Christ does not return to the earth, but appears in the clouds. At the second coming, he is again walking on earth. Read the following verses and record what you learn here:
Zechariah 14:1-4_______________________________________________________________
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Now read Acts 1:9-12. Where did this event occur? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Given what was said, where do you expect Jesus to return? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now read Revelation 19:11-17 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Note the color of Jesus’ horse _____________________________________________________Satan loves to duplicate!
Revelation 19:19 tells us that nations are gathered to fight against Israel and Jesus. Clearly, they are not expecting what is coming and get way more than they bargained for! What is the name of the place where this takes place? ___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________Revelation gives very few details of this war. Clearly, it doesn’t take Jesus long to dispatch all of the amassed nations.
Read Revelation 19:20 and record what you learn about the fate of the beast and the false prophet: _______________________________________________________________________
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Compare with 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Note what some consider to be a discrepancy in scripture:
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Resolve this problem by doing a word study on “slay” in the Thessalonians verse: ___________
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DON’T BE LEFT BEHINDYears ago, we used to sing a chorus that went something like this, “there’s no time to change your mind; the Son has come and you’ve been left behind.” Certainly we are all familiar with the “Left Behind” book series. But have you ever really thought about what it will mean to be left behind? Here is the best advice I can ever give anyone:
Make sure that this doesn’t happen to you!
We usually begin with the “Romans Road” also known as the “Four Spiritual Laws.”
Read the following verses, noting the doctrine being stated in each one:
Romans 3:23 ____________________________________________________________
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Romans 6:23 ____________________________________________________________
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Romans 5:8 _____________________________________________________________
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Romans 10:9 ____________________________________________________________
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These verses give us the basics of salvation, but they don’t tell us why the vicarious death of Jesus worked!
Today, we will consider the Kinsman Redeemer model that clearly tells us how and why the death of Jesus was satisfactory for our salvation.
Work through the following page which details the scriptures that record the Kinsman Redeemer model. Be sure to research each point carefully. As you are working, ask yourself the following questions:
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1. Has this already happened?2. When will it or did it happen?3. What does that mean for me?
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