'the time of the end' (Daniel 11v40) All dates below are as accurate as possible. Where a span of years is given it is because various events within that time-period were instrumental in fulfilling the par- ticular prophecy. Although "the time of the end" may have begun in AD1897, we have included several import- ant events prior to that year. This is because they directly influenced events which were to follow. For more details on these things, link to 'departure'- pages 1 and 2. significant dates NOTE 1- In prophetic terms,1 day represents 1 year,cp Numbers 14v33,34; Ezekiel 4v4-6. A Jewish "time"(year) contains 360 days, and thus represents 360 years. NOTE 2- We now appear to be in the count-down period of 10 years prior to Armageddon...this period may stretch from AD2017 to AD2027. It may be the fulfilment of 10 'day-years'- i.e. the 10 day-years of the "birth pangs" of Israel.This results in the nation's rebirth "in one day"- see further below, i.e. the day-year AD2027. It is however ne- cessary that Jesus Christ must return before that time, in order that the responsible should be judged. After this event, His co-inheritors of the earth are immortalized. Therefore, the times are urgent, and we should now "redeem the time, because the days are evil"- Ephes.5v16. AD 1789-1795-the French Revolution, which began to dis- member, as prophesied, the temporal (political) power of the apostate "church". This ended the 1st period of 1260 years of Daniel and Revelation which began in AD529-535. AD1819-1825- the beginning of the dissolution of the old Turkish Empire, which is shown as being "dried up" to make way for the return of Israel & the Kingdom of God. This fulfilled the 1st period of 1290 years of Daniel..see more on Turkey below. AD 1864-1870- the dissolution of the temporal (political) power of the apostate Roman "church" by the tak- ing away of her 3 states by the new Italian kingdom. This ended the 2nd period of 1260 years of Revela- tion and Daniel beginning AD604-610. It also ended the 1st period of 1335 years of Daniel,"blessed" be- ing those surviving the Romish terror. Having now lost his power to persecute, the Roman bishop pro- claims his own infallibility. The "man of sin" is now termed "the false prophet"- i.e. one who can only falsely claim to be a teacher, but who has no power to enforce the acceptance of his dogmas on others. AD1894-1900-the issuing of 'The Jewish State' by Theodor Hertzl, and the first Zionist Congress*, which led ultimately to the establishment of Israel in AD1948- (*the "fishers"of Jeremiah to lead back to the land). This fulfilled the 2nd period of 1290 years of Daniel. AD1917-the freeing of Jerusalem from the Turkish yoke at the time of World War 1 as foretold- Daniel 11v40a. Daniel 11v40b will be fulfilled when Russia and her allies overrun Turkey en route to "Armageddon". The 'Balfour Declaration'# favors Jewish return. The fulfilment of the "seven times" of Daniel. Link to 'Bible'-page 2. The Russian revolution, and the rise of Communism.Although the latter has since been reversed, these events have laid the foundation for the rise of the Russian dictator - foretold by Eze- kiel. This will result in a Russian/Catholic/European confederacy destined to attack Israel. # below is the wording of this document, which was contained in a letter addressed to Lord Rothschild, a leader of the British Jewish community, to be passed on to the Zionist Federation of Gt Britain & Ireland. It was sent by the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Arthur Balfour, and dated 2nd Nov. 1917. His Majesty's government view with favour the es- tablishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of exist- ing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country. AD 1937-the Peel Commission (the dividing of the holy land as foretold by Joel)& the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis* AD1939-1945- World War 2, which fulfilled the "hunters" of Jeremiah, "blessed" being those who survived at the end of the 2nd period of 1335 years of Daniel. AD1967-the restoration of all Jerusalem to Israel, foretold by Daniel, after 2300 years of Gentile domination - link to 'Bible'-page 2. Leviticus 26v27-45; Deuteronomy 28v15-68; Isaiah 18v1-3; Jeremiah 16v16;Daniel 4v9-37;7v7-26;8v1-27 (cp Luke 21v24); 12v1-13;Joel 3v1,2;2nd Thessalonians 2v3,4; Revelation 11v2;13v1-18;16v12-14. * note that although persecution had gradually increased since AD1933, as one writer puts it - "in the year preceding Kristallnacht" (i.e."Night of Broken Glass"Nov1938)"the Nazis had entered a new radical phase in anti-Semitic activity". A Jewish leader testified in Feb 1938 "that there is an intention to carry out a genuine and dramatic pogrom in Germany on a large scale in the near future" - extract from 'Herschel Grynszpan' (Wikipedia). "there is evidence of this planning dating to 1937" - - extract from 'Kristallnacht' (Wikipedia). It is evident that AD1937 saw the final commitment to a Jewish pogrom in Nazi Germany-see time-periods below. This led to the infamous & barbaric 'Final Solution' (well-known to most people today as 'the Holocaust'). The period from AD1937 to AD1947 (the UN vote for the State of Israel) saw 10 day-years of "birth-pangs" - to be repeated in the near future - cp Micah 4v6-13 & below. Anti-Semitism is once again rearing its ugly head - as the nations of Europe prepare to assume their designated places in the Russian-Catholic-European alliance - which will come to its doom on the mountains of Israel. THE LORD HAS SPECIFIED THAT "THIS GENERA- TION" WHICH WITNESSES THE RETURN OF ISRAEL SHALL BE WITNESS TO HIS RETURN-Matthew 24v29-34. A primary application at the time of Israel's dispersion by the hands of the Romans is not relevant to these studies but we are happy to provide details to any seeking information. It is likely that three "generations" are specified- (a) 40 yrs. (b)70 yrs. (c)120 yrs. Cp (a) Hebrews 3v7-4v11 (b) Psalm 90v 10 cp v1mg, 12-17 (c) Genesis 6v3 cp v9, Matthew 24v37-39. Taking the beginning proper of "the time of the end" fore- told by Daniel as the holding of the first Zionist Congress AD1897, we are able to make the following suggestions.. In setting these down, we wish it to be quite clear that we do not dogmatically predict the date of the battle of "Arma- geddon". They are simply presented in order to stimulate the minds of our viewers to study the Word of God more zeal- ously, and to prepare for the great Day soon to dawn. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" - Amos 3v7. "The wise shall understand" - Daniel 12v10. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ..to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass"- Revelation 1v1. We are to be as "watchmen upon (the) walls (of) Jerusalem", contantly praying to God for the blessed time when "Jeru- salem (shall be) a praise in the earth" - Isaiah 62v6,7. "Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come" - Psalm 102v13. Daniel was commended for his efforts to understand the prophetical "seventy years" to Jerusalem's restoration- ch.9. And although the Lord stated in Acts 1v7- "It is not for you to know the times and the seasons" in response to an enquiry re the promised restoration of Israel, this answer was only of a temporary nature, for later, the Revelation, i.e. the Apocalypse, was given to John. This marvellous book gives many of the requested details! - link to 'the Lord's day'. However, concerning the return of Christ we read: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man" and "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" - Matthew 24v36,42. This information is withheld; we must always be ready. Nevertheless, in the spirit of Daniel (see above), it may well be possible to ascertain the date of the battle of "Armagedd- on". To think on these things and our relation thereto, is stimulating to our faith. And we must always remember that the judgment must precede that event. In addition, our death would end all our opportunities. And so let us urgently "redeem the time, because the days are evil" - Eph. 5v16. The "generation" of 40 years First event - AD1897– first Zionist Congress, Switzerland. Last event - AD1937– the dividing of the land of promise - the persecution of the Jews by the Nazi "hunters". The "generation" of 70 years First event - AD1897– first Zionist Congress, Switzerland. Last event - AD1967– restoration of all Jerusalem to Israel. The "generation" of 120 years First event - AD1897– first Zionist Congress, Switzerland. Last event - AD2017– beginning of the birth-pangs of Israel. However the most important thing for us to know is that the return of Christ is imminent. And that our opportunities will end with our death. We originally thought that AD2017 could well be the year of "Armageddon". However the passage of time has shown that this year can only be the beginning of the "birth-pangs" of Israel. These must last for 10 day-years. If this is indeed the case, the date for "Armageddon" will be AD2027. It is very significant that AD2027 may well be a Jewish Jubilee year according to calculations which appear elsewhere - link to 'Will "Armageddon" take place in a Jewish Jubilee Year?' - also see below for further illustration & comments. Other periods also come to mind which are significant. There was a very significant 40 year "generation" period from AD1882 to AD1922. In the first year, Britain occu- pied Egypt as prophesied, & in AD1922 Britain withdrew, which partly fulfilled the prophecy of Egyptian independ- ence. In AD1922 Britain was granted the mandate over Palestine by the League of Nations. This led later to the return of Israel, as prophesied - link to 'the Lord's day'. Another was AD1917 to AD1957-the freeing of Jerusalem from the Turkish yoke/the Communist revolution AD1917; British departure from and Egyptian sovereignty over the Suez Canal/the signing of the Treaty of Rome (which has now become the European Community) AD1957. Another was AD1947 to AD1987-UN voted for Jewish State AD1947;Gorbechev's 1987 reforms led to the Soviet collapse. It is anticipated that Gorbachev's reforms in AD1987 and the resurgence of Russia will lead to "Armageddon" in AD2027. Some more significant 70 year "generation" periods ran from AD1847 to AD1917 - the re-discovery of the Truth AD1847 by J. Thomas to the freeing of Jerusalem & Communism… AD1882 to AD1952 - the British occupation of Egypt to the Egyptian revolution which led to total sovereignty in AD1957. AD1917 to AD1987-the freeing of Jerusalem from the Turks/ the Communist revolution to the Soviet reforms and collapse. AD1947 to AD2017- vote for Jewish State to "birth-pangs". AD1957 to AD2027 - British departure from Egypt/Egyptian control over Suez Canal/Treaty of Rome to "Armageddon". Another significant 120 year "generation" period ran from AD1847 to AD1967 - the re-discovery of the Truth by John Thomas until the restoration of all Jerusalem to Israel. And another from AD1867 to AD1987..from the last military victory of the Roman apostacy to Soviet reforms & collapse. And another runs from AD1957 to AD2077…from the British departure from Egypt & Egyptian control over the Suez Canal/ Treaty of Rome until the Kingdom of God. We do not claim to have exhausted all possible applications! THERE ARE ALSO INDICATIONS BY THE BIBLICAL 'JUBILEE PERIODS' of 50 years..cp Leviticus 25v9- ushered in by the 'shophar' (trumpet) on the Day of Atonement, point- ing in part to the conversion & restoration of Israel- Isa.18v 3; 27v13;Matthew 24v31..cp 'THE THREE STAGES..' below BEGINNING AND ENDING DATES: AD1817 - the first Greek revolt against Turkish rule. AD1867 - the last military victory of the Roman apostacy. AD1847 - the re-discovery of the Truth by John Thomas. AD1897 - the first Zionist Congress*-"fishers" of Israel. AD1867 - the last military victory of the Roman apostacy. AD1917 - the freeing of Jerusalem/Communist revolution. AD1897 - the first Zionist Congress*-"fishers" of Israel. AD1947 - the United Nations vote for a Jewish State. AD1917 - the freeing of Jerusalem/Communist revolution. AD1967 - the restoration of all Jerusalem to Israel. AD1937 - the dividing of the land-the Nazi persecution. AD1987 - Gorbachev's reforms led to Soviet collapse. AD1939 - outbreak of World War 2-"hunters" of Israel. AD1989 - the end of Communist bloc in Eastern Europe. AD1967 - the restoration of all Jerusalem to Israel. AD2017 - the beginning of the 10 day-year "birth pangs". AD2027 - the battle of "Armageddon". AD2077 - the establishment of the Kingdom of God. *Theodor Hertzl wrote and published 'Der Judenstaat'- 'The Jewish State' in 1896. In 1897, after the first Zion- ist Congress in Basle, Switzerland, he wrote in his diary: "At Basle, I founded the Jewish State.. If not in 5 years, certainly in 50, everyone will know it". In AD1947, 50 years later, the UN voted to establish the State of Israel, and in May 1948 this was proclaimed. Note Ezekiel 37v7- "a noise" from Hebrew 'qol' ('kol') = 'a proclamation'. Jewish radio was called 'Kol Yisrael'. This proclamation was paralleled by the political resurr- ection of the"very dry..bones(of)the whole house of Israel" - Ezekiel 37v1,2,11,12;38v8 after "two (millennial) days" - Hosea 6v1,2 - 2nd Peter 3v8 - link to 'grace' - p.2 item 9. עוד לא אבדה תקוותינו התקווה בת שנות אלפיים להיות עם חופשי בארצנו ארץ ציון וירושלים Our hope will not be lost, The hope of two thousand years, To be a free people in our own land, The land of Zion and Jerusalem. (a verse from 'Hatikvah' = "the hope" The Jewish National Anthem) In the OT the Hebrew 'tikvah' appears in various passages including Jeremiah 31v17, Ezekiel 37v11 & Hosea 2v15 - &also Joshua 2v18,21(tr."line"i.e. of the"scarlet thread", which shows the connection with Israel's hope that we must have to gain salvation). Note that Paul proclaimed "the hope and resurrection of the dead", "the hope of the promise" & "the hope of Israel"* - Acts 23v6;26v6;28v20. * link to 'Bible' - p. 2 a reference from 'Elpis Israel' to the prophecies concerning the return of Israel to their land. & link to 'promises' - p.3 re the promise of the Kingdom. See Romans 11v15 - "For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead?" It is also the epoch when individual judgment will take place - link to 'judge' for more details Cp Romans 11v26 - "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the deliverer, and shall turn ungodliness away from Jacob". See further below. THE THREE STAGES OF JEWISH RESTORATION these are all marked by a "Jubilee" (50 year) period The prophet Ezekiel gives us much valuable information concerning "the time of the end". He records that there are three stages through which the return of Israel will be accomplished. Stage 1 is completed..stage 2 is being ful- filled..the 3rd and final stage is after the return of Christ. STAGE 1: AD1917-1967. Persecution and Restoration. "I will take the children of Israel from among the heath- en, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land" - Ezek.37v21. "..these bones are the whole house of Israel..the bones came together, bone to his bone" - Ezek.37v11,7. "whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet"- Ezek.33v4. "Then shalt..the trumpet of the jubile...sound throughout all your land..the fiftieth year..a jubile" - Lev.25v9,10. THE TRUMPET– THE 'SHOPHAR'- 3 distinctive notes. "A voice of noise from the city" - Isa.66v6-the 1st jubilee. The 'Balfour Declaration' favors Jewish return, AD1917. The Jewish return to part of Jerusalem and the land. Nazi persecution results in 6 million Jewish dead. The UN votes to establish the State of Israel, AD1947. The State of Israel proclaimed 14 May, AD1948. Surrounding Arab nations attack but are defeated. "Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?" Isa.66v8 - 1st trimester/1st stage of labour. STAGE 2: AD1967-2017. National Tribulation in the Land. "And I will make them one nation* in the land upon the mountains of Israel"-Ezek.37v22.."the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them" - Ezek.37v8. *only complete after re-gaining all Jerusalem in AD1967 THE TRUMPET– THE 'SHOPHAR'- 3 distinctive notes. "a voice from the temple" - Isa.66v6-the 2nd jubilee. Jewish return to western wall, Solomon's temple AD1967. "shall a nation be born at once?" - Isaiah 66v8-2nd trimester/2nd stage of labour. The nation now established with all Jerusalem as capital. Jerusalem no longer "trodden down of the Gentiles"- Luke 21v24 cp Daniel 8v13,14*..Israel continues its national de- fence. Peace endeavours with several nations have some success - & there is some peace with moderate Palestinians - but nothing can stop the march to "Armageddon"... Ezekiel 38 and 39; Daniel 11v40 to 12v4; Joel 2 & 3; 1st Thessalonians 5v1-11; Revelation 16v12-21. * link to 'Bible' - page 2 10 day-years - AD2017 to AD2027 - "birth-pangs"of Israel. Micah 4v6-13. All of ch.4 prophesies of "the last days" - v1. Note - there has already been a period of "birth-pangs" as set out above, from the beginning of the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis to the UN vote for the State of Israel. This period was from AD1937 to AD1947. Exactly 70 years later, anti-semitism has re-ignited once again. STAGE 3: AD 2027-2077. "Armageddon" to the Kingdom. "and one king shall be king to them all" - Ezek.37v22. "the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army" - Ezek.37v10. The Russian/Catholic/European confederacy attacks Israel- there is an effort to defend her by Commonwealth/Maritime powers - Ezek.38v13; Dan.11v40-45; Zech.13v8,9;14v1,2. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety;then sudden des- truction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" - 1st Thess.5v3-see below.. THE TRUMPET– THE 'SHOPHAR'- 3 distinctive notes. "a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies"- Isa.66v6-the 3rd jubilee. The battle of "Armageddon"-defeat of Russian/Catholic/ European confederacy-Revelation 16v16; Isaiah 66v10-16; Ezekiel 38v1-39v22; Dan. 11v40-45; Zech. 12v1-9; 14v3-15. Maritime nations forced to submit; help to bring Jews back to Zion– Psalm 48v4-7; 72v8-11; Isaiah 18v1-3,7; 66v19,20. "as a woman in travail..it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it"-Jeremiah 30v6,7. "Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD..for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children" - Isa.66v9,8-3rd trimester/3rd stage of labour. End of 10 day-years* of "birth pangs" leading to birth - "in one day"-Isaiah 66v8 i.e. the day-year*AD2027.This rebirth of the nation is the culmination of 10 troubled years. *see Numbers 14v33,34;Ezekiel 4v4-6. "And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border" - Jeremiah 31v15-17. Israel enquire who has saved them/the answer- Psa.24v7-10. "she brought forth...she was delivered of a man child" - Isaiah 66v7. Israel accept Jesus Christ as Messiah - Zech.12v10-14;13v6. "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trum- pet, and they shall gather together his elect from..one end of heaven to the other"=the gathering of Israel from Gen- tile lands-Matthew 24v31; Isaiah 45v4;Deuteronomy 30v1-5. "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king.. (they) shall..return, and seek the LORD their God, and David (sig. 'beloved' i.e. Jesus Christ, cp Matt. 3v17) their king..in the latter days". Hosea 3v4,5. FOR MORE CONCERNING THIS TIME-PERIOD link to 'feasts' & 'the Lord's day' And as noted in earlier comments, this last 50 year period, stretching from AD2027 to AD2077, may well coincide with a Jewish jubilee period - link here for more details. THE TWO GREAT SIGNS OF PROVERBS 27v18 as expounded by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24v29 to 25v46 These signs deal with the political and ecclesial events that are to occur during "the time of the end". Ecclesial events are found in 'proverbs' and 'messages' - page 3 For now, note that "the fig tree" directs us to the political sign of Israel's return to the land - and "he that waiteth on his master" deals with the ecclesial sign. The Lord has issued this warning in Revelation 16v15 - "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth,and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame". Note v16, we are very close to "Armageddon". Before that event, Jesus Christ will return to judge His ser- vants, & our time of opportunity will be over - Rev.22v7-12. KEEP WATCHING Biblical prophecy being fulfilled which will report on important political events FOLLOW THESE LINKS FOR MORE DETAILS return to studies return to home page-index go to apocalypse go to departure go to foundation go to committees we welcome correspondence - our address is webmaster@pioneerchristadelphians.org |