Class Notes on the Events of the First Half of the Tribulation (Part Two)

Events occurring during the first half of the tribulation, but not tied to a seal or to a trumpet

The 144,000

Rev 7:1-4 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. NIV

• Who are these 144,000?
  • New Jewish believers, who have come to Christ since the rapture
  • They are spread out over the whole world (four corners)
  • They are sealed (probably for service, but possibly for protection as well)

• What is the purpose of these 144,000?
  • It is given in the very next of verses (after the mentioning of the 12 tribes)
  • Verse 9: "After this …"

Rev 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. NIV

• Implied cause and effect -- "after this"
• Who are the multitude?
  • These are Gentiles who have to come to Christ as a result of the ministry of the 144,000 and who have been martyred, some associated with the fifth seal
  • Actually, John gets the answer in the next verses
    • Rev 7:13-17 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?" // 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." // And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, // "they are before the throne of God // and serve him day and night in his temple; // and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. // 16 Never again will they hunger; // never again will they thirst. // The sun will not beat upon them, // nor any scorching heat. // 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; // he will lead them to springs of living water. // And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." NIV

The Two Witnesses

Rev 11:3-6 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. NIV

• How long is their ministry?
  • 3.5*360=1,260, 3 1/2 years (based on the use of 360 days to represent a prophetic year)

• Who are they?
  • Zech 4:11-14 Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" // 12 Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" // 13 He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" // "No, my lord," I said. // 14 So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." NIV
    • The two anointed ones
  • Elijah and either Moses or Enoch
    • This is the common answer. People say Elijah and Enoch because neither died, but neither did any of the raptured saints and there is no requirement to die. There is a general principle (Heb 9:27)
    • Others say Moses and Elijah because of the similarity of the ministries
    • No one knows for sure, nor do the scriptures say. Fruchtenbaum argues that John the Baptist was Elijah or would have been Elijah had the Jewish leaders accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Therefore there is still a forerunner for the second return of the Messiah, Elijah, (or my thoughts, someone again in the spirit of Elijah). Fruchtenbaum argues that the return of Elijah is separate from the two witnesses
  • Most likely answer: two Jewish prophets whom God will raise up during the tribulation

Ecclesiastical Babylon

Rev 17:1-6 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries." // 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 This title was written on her forehead: // MYSTERY // BABYLON THE GREAT // THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES // AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. // 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. // When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. NIV

• Most of the thoughts in this section are directly from The Footsteps of the Messiah, Fruchtenbaum, 2003
• There will be two political systems during the tribulation, one in the first half, the ten kings, and one in the second half, the Antichrist
• Likewise, there will be religious systems. Rev 17:1-6 describes the system during the first half of the tribulation
• John is shown the Great Prostitute. To prostitute something is to take that which has a proper use and turn it into a improper use. The Harlot represents religion, as if often the case when a women is used symbolically. Religion has a proper use and here it is used improperly. She causes the world to commit fornication, which is used of both physical fornication and spiritual fornication in the bible
• The women is sitting on animal with seven heads and ten horns. Here we see that the political system is allowing and gives the woman, religion, her authority to operate -- a church-state union
• This is the final form of the apostate religious system. It is a prostitute and it contrasts with the Church, the true bride of the Messiah
• From what is the woman drunk?
  • The blood of the saints (those who bore testimony to Jesus). This explains who martyrs the tribulation saints (5th seal). And is also why we place this event in the first half of the tribulation

APPLICATION: We are not going to be in the 144,000. It is unlikely that anyone of us is one of the two witnesses. But we do see the beginning of the apostate church forming around us. The apostate church departs from the fundamental issues of the faith and is rendered worthless as far as the salvation of anyone in those churches. What are the fundamental issues? They are found in God's word and not in human reason. If we are not in the word regularly, reading it and studying it, we are in danger of contributing to the development of the apostate church, which will lead many astray. What are you doing toward developing a strong biblical foundation in your life?

Class Notes on Isaiah 37:14-39:8

Isa 37:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. NIV

• Hezekiah was a great king and a godly man, although not perfect as we will see in the next section. And still, what is Hezekiah's first response to crisis?
  • To pray. To lay the issue before the Lord
  • He prayed before he planned -- we tend to plan first and then turn to prayer when the plans do not work

• APPLICATION: The spiritual giant and the brand new child of the faith, all should respond to crisis in the same way -- take it to the Lord
• In the meantime, Hezekiah sent messengers to Isaiah
  • Isa 37:5-7 When King Hezekiah's officials came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master, 'This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard — those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Listen! I am going to put a spirit in him so that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.'" NIV

Isa 37:36-38 Then the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning — there were all the dead bodies! 37 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. // 38 One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer cut him down with the sword, and they escaped to the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son succeeded him as king. NIV

• This is an incredible miracle. It also starts the downfall of the Assyrian empire
  • At the time, this was the greatest world power that had ever existed. No one had conquered more people or controlled more land. Their reign probably seemed as if it would never end. And yet, within 269 (885 BC - 616 BC) years, it was over. It only took one divine event. The funny thing is that Assyria controlled most of the civilized world except for a small piece of land around Jerusalem. They didn't recognize the hand of God in it. They didn't understand the times

• How is the US similar to Assyria?
  • The US as a nation has been incredible blessed by God. We have a foundation rooted in faith in God, despite what many have tried to argue to the converse. And yet, we have forgotten our heritage. And soon, we will be just like Assyria, a former world power
  • Additionally, Assyria believed it was responsible for its own fortunes. It did not acknowledge God's power or sovereignty

Isa 38:1-6 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." // 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. // 4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. NIV

• What is the timeframe of Hezekiah's sickness?
  • Since he served 29 years (2 Ki 18:2), Sennacherib's attack came at the 14th year (2 Ki 18:13), and he lived an extra 15 years (Isa 38:4), this came during or right after Sennacherib's siege. Constable places it immediately prior to the siege

• What is similar about this story as compared to the last?
  • A crisis
  • Humility (wept bitterly)
  • Prayed
  • Deliverance

• How would the story be different without the deliverance?
  • Not different. Hezekiah trusted in God. If God had not delivered him, it did not invalidate his faith or God's control
  • Example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Dan 3:18 But even if he does not [ed. note: save from the furnace], we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. NIV

• APPLICATION: Is our faith in God or in getting the answers to our prayer?

Isa 39:1-2 At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. 2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses — the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. NIV

• The event probably occurs in the 700 BC time frame. Assyria is not completed destroyed until 616 BC, 80 years into the future. Yet even at this point, God is raising up Babylon. Seemingly innocuous events are setting the world stage
• Why did Hezekiah show him his riches?
  • Babylon was also an irritant to Assyria, although they had been recently defeated
  • It is possible Hezekiah was cementing a relationship with an Assyrian enemy. In which case, he was falling back into the trap of trusting in other nations and not in God

• APPLICATION: God is in control of the world. "The nations are a drop in the bucket"

Isa 39:3-8 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, "What did those men say, and where did they come from?" // "From a distant land," Hezekiah replied. "They came to me from Babylon." // 4 The prophet asked, "What did they see in your palace?" // "They saw everything in my palace," Hezekiah said. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them." // 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon." // 8 "The word of the Lord you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime." NIV

• Does Hezekiah's actions cause Judah's judgment?
  • The scripture does not say, and it would be purely conjecture
  • For all we know, God is using the occasion to prophesize the rise of Babylon

• What do you think of Hezekiah's response?
  • It is very human. It was probably pride which led him to show off the riches. His reaction shows a lack of compassion, and a degree of selfishness
  • 2 Ki 18:5 paints Hezekiah as one of the greatest of all Israel's kings, and yet he was not perfect either

• What was it about Hezekiah's character that cause God to commend Hezekiah so highly despite his faults?
  • Hezekiah was easily broken (twice seen in Isaiah)
  • Hezekiah went to God first with his struggles and problems
  • Hezekiah was repentant in his attitude (wept bitterly)
  • What was king David commended for?
    • "A man after God's heart"

• APPLICATION:
  • It's not the things we do that measure our spirituality, it's our heart response to God
  • It's not what we know that measures our spirituality, it's who we know
  • How would you characterize your walk with God? Is it what you do (ministries, attendance, rules, etc) or is it who you know (a deep and emotional attachment to the savior)?

Class Notes on Isaiah 36:4-11

Previously, we see Judah looking every way but to God for help. Since Ahaz's reign ended in chapter 10, these must have been some early mis-steps by Hezekiah. But at some point, Hezekiah has a spiritual awakening, because he begins to stand boldly for God

1. In 14th year of Hezekiah, Sennacherib attacks Judah and forces cities and Jerusalem to pay tribute
2. Sometime later, Sennacherib returns and besieges Lachish, while Rabshakeh (the field commander) besieges Jerusalem
3. After R gives his message to Judah, Sennacherib heads to Libnah, where he hears of Ethiopia coming to attack (Egypt having been defeated earlier)
4. Mysteriously, Sennacherib's Army of 185,000 is destroyed
5. Sennacherib returns to Assyria, where he is slain by his two children

2 Kings 18:1-8 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. 4 He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.) // 5 Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. 8 From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory. NIV

• Observations:
  • He did what was right
  • He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake
    • Note how a good thing (bronze snake) can become an evil thing
    • There are a lot of good things in the church that can become evil things (eg. song about worship -- it's all about you Lord)
  • He trusted and held fast to God
  • He kept the commands (no one like him before or after)
  • He turned back the Philistines

• APPLICATION: Have I turned a good thing into an evil thing by worshipping the thing or activity instead of the person, God

Isa 36:4-11 The field commander said to them, "Tell Hezekiah, // "'This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours? 5 You say you have strategy and military strength — but you speak only empty words. On whom are you depending, that you rebel against me? 6 Look now, you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces a man's hand and wounds him if he leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him. 7 And if you say to me, "We are depending on the Lord our God" — isn't he the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, saying to Judah and Jerusalem, "You must worship before this altar"? // 8 "'Come now, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses — if you can put riders on them! 9 How then can you repulse one officer of the least of my master's officials, even though you are depending on Egypt for chariots and horsemen? 10 Furthermore, have I come to attack and destroy this land without the Lord? The Lord himself told me to march against this country and destroy it.'" // 11 Then Eliakim, Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don't speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall." NIV

• What are some of the field commander's misperceptions?
  • Israel was depending on Egypt. Actually, Hezekiah has stopped that approach and was now trusting God
  • Hezekiah had removed places of worship for God. Actually, Hezekiah had focused the people back on God and off of idols
  • Israel needed horses and chariots. Actually, it will turn out that Israel didn't need a single thing. God would do all their fighting for them
  • God had sent Assyria to destroy Judah. Actually, while God did send Assyria, it was not to destroy Judah, that assignment would go to Babylon

• APPLICATION: The field commander only looked at things from a surface point of view. God sees the heart. God does not have any misperceptions, nor is God fooled

Class Notes on Events of the First Half of the Tribulation (Part One)

Notes: Some events are chronological. Some events occur throughout the first half at the same time as sequential events. The first half contains seven seal judgments, wit the seventh seal containing seven trumpet judgments. The first half events are found in Revelation 6-9, and 17. ("The Footsteps of the Messiah," Fruchtenbaum, 2003)

First Seal: Rev 6:1-2 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest. NIV

Who is the rider?

• Antichrist. Crown is a stephanos crown, the crown of an overcomer or victor, and not the diadem crown, the crown the Messiah wears in chapter 19
• Revelation 13 describes the counterfeit trinity which is important to understand. Satan is the Father, the Antichrist is the son, and the false prophet is the Holy Spirit. The false prophet's role is to call men to worship the Antichrist

Who is the Antichrist?

• Fruchtenbaum argues that the Antichrist is not Jewish. No where does scripture indicate that the Jews will accept him as Messiah. They will enter into a covenant relationship with him, a peace treaty, but that is not the same thing
• There is a typology for the Antichrist. It is Antiochus Ephiphanes, a Greek, and also a Gentile
• Also, this is the time of the Gentiles, which does end until the rule of the Antichrist. Therefore the last world ruler during the time of the Gentiles is a Gentile
• Dan 9:26-27 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." NIV
  • The people of the ruler who destroy the city and the sanctuary (70AD) are Romans
  • Therefore, some believe the ruler will be a Roman. My problem is that the Romans were the last kingdom prophesied by Daniel and represent a type of Government which has continued until now, imperialism (although going through stages, 2 then 10, then 7, then 1). Therefore, the ruler could come from any Gentile government representing imperialism

• Some argument that the Antichrist will also mimic the supernatural origin of the Messiah based on Gen 3:15 prophesy of "your seed and her seed." Since the Messiah's humanity did not come from the father, but from the mother, it is her seed. "Your seed" does not convey the same idea (virgin birth of a woman), but it does suggest that the seed has to come from Satan himself, possibly resembling a "virgin birth"-like event. Some contend Gen 6:4 implies this possibility
  • Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity // between you and the woman, // and between your offspring and hers; // he will crush your head, // and you will strike his heel." NIV
  • Gen 6:4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days — and also afterward — when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. NIV

• Ultimately, the counterfeit son accepts the offer that the Jesus rejected, to rule all the kingdom of the world

Second Seal: Rev 6:3-4 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword. NIV

Prior to the start of the tribulation, what are the conditions of the world? Peace and safety

If you take peace from the world, what is left?

• War
• The first half of the tribulation begins fairly quickly with war

Third Seal: Rev 6:5-6 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" NIV

The war results in what happening next?

• There is a famine or a shortage of food stuffs
• There is no shortage of medicine (oil and wine used for medicine in NT times). Another thought is that there is no shortage of things to keep you happy, at least initially, since oil and wine are both associated with gladness in the scriptures

Fourth Seal: Rev 6:7-8 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. NIV

What is the result of the fourth seal? One-fourth of the world's population is destroyed

How are people killed?

1. Sword -- either directly or as a result of the war
2. Famine -- effect of the war and shortage of food caused by famine kills many
3. Pestilence -- disease will also break out, probably in war-torn areas as many basic services do not function after war
4. Wild animals -- animals do not typically attack man unless food is scarce

Fifth Seal: Rev 6:9-11 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed. NIV

These are tribulation saints who are killed during the tribulation. How do they come to the Lord? Possibly as a result of recognizing the rapture and the witness of the 144,000 Jewish Christians (explained in Revelation 7). Lastly, who is leading the persecution? In Revelation 17, we will see that Ecclesiastical Babylon persecutes the tribulation saints

Sixth Seal: Rev 6:12-17 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" NIV

What are the events of the sixth seal?

• A great earthquake
• A blackout (this is the second, the first occurring in the end times but prior to the tribulation)
• A meteor shower

What is the result of the sixth seal?

• Even unbelievers can no longer deny the fact that God is behind the events

Next week we will look at events that are ongoing in the first half of the tribulation

APPLICATION:

1. While the tribulation is aimed at the unbelieving world, it is important to look at the events and their implication toward believers. Obviously, God hates sin. The world does not realize, believe, or care what God thinks about sin. And yet, many Christians live their lives as if they had the same attitude
2. We need to share our faith now, because we don't know when the day will come, nor do we know when a person will die. We need to look for and pray for opportunities to share our testimony
3. We need to be very thankful for everything we have and enjoy. We should not fall in love or idolize things -- that is sin, but we must thank God every day for the blessings we experience. Who knows when that day will end?

Class Notes on Isa 30:8-11; 15-18

Isa 30:8-11 Go now, write it on a tablet for them, // inscribe it on a scroll, // that for the days to come // it may be an everlasting witness.

9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, // children unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction.

10 They say to the seers, // "See no more visions!" // and to the prophets, // "Give us no more visions of what is right! // Tell us pleasant things, // prophesy illusions.

11 Leave this way, // get off this path, // and stop confronting us // with the Holy One of Israel!" NIV

• How is Israel's response similar to people's response to God's instruction today?
  • We are rebellious and deceitful
  • We don't want to listen to God's word (prefer to go through the motions). These are signs of the apostate church
  • We want to be told "good" and "nice" things
  • We don't want to be confronted with truth

• Why?
  • Because we like our sin, and we don't want to change

Isa 30:15-18 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, // in quietness and trust is your strength, // but you would have none of it.

16 You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.' // Therefore you will flee! // You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.' // Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

17 A thousand will flee // at the threat of one; // at the threat of five // you will all flee away,

till you are left // like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, // like a banner on a hill."

18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; // he rises to show you compassion. // For the Lord is a God of justice. // Blessed are all who wait for him! NIV

• What does God call his rebellious people to do?
  • Repent
  • Rest in Him. Be quiet, don't try to fix things you can't. Trust God to work

• What is the response of the people and what does God do as a result?
  • The people want to flee on horses
  • So God gives them what they want

APPLICATION

• Finally, verse 18 makes it clear that God does not relish in punishment. God longs to be gracious to use
• He will rise up to show us compassion
• BUT, are we willing to wait on him?
• BUT, are we willing to repent of our obstinate attitude?
• BUT, are we willing to worship him, really, and not in pretense?

Class Notes on Isa 30:1-3

Isa 30:1-3 "Woe to the obstinate children," // declares the Lord, // "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, // forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;

2 who go down to Egypt // without consulting me; // who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, // to Egypt's shade for refuge. //

3 But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, // Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace. NIV

• First, how does God describe his people, and what does it mean?
  • Obstinate
    • Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French obstinat, Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare to be resolved, from ob- in the way + -stinare (akin to stare to stand)
    • 1 : perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion<obstinate resistance to change>2 : not easily subdued, remedied, or removed <obstinate fever> (Pasted from <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obstinate> )
    • Hebrew (Strongs OT:5637) S¹rar. The root means basically "to be stubborn." … It is a rebellious generation (Ps 78:8) or heifer (Hos 4:16) which walks in its own way (Isa 65:2). It has a stubborn shoulder (Neh 9:29), a deaf ear (Zech 7:11), and a stubborn and rebellious heart (Jer 5:23). (from Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Copyright © 1980 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.)

• How is the stubbornness described?
  • Carry out plans that are not mine
  • Act contrary to the Spirit
  • Heap sin on sin
  • Act without consulting

• How can we tell when we are being stubborn or just acting in prudence?
  • Do we pray for guidance?
  • Do we discuss with others, preferably more spiritually mature?
  • How do we respond to contrarian advice? Our attitude reflects our heart

• Historically, Shabako, a Nubian was pharaoh over Egypt. That fact alone tells a lot of Egypt's strength in that day, that a foreigner reigned. Egypt was in fact weak and did not respond when Assyria attacked. The verses which follow (6, 7) suggest a secret trip through the Negev to avoid Assyrian detection
• APPLICATION:
  • It is very hard to determine when you are stubborn. The emotion itself suggests that you will deny it. Most people find out that they are stubborn the hard way, through difficult circumstances that are ultimately the result of their stubbornness. That is a very sad way to learn
  • You can pray Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; // test me and know my anxious thoughts. // 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, // and lead me in the way everlasting. NIV

Class Notes on Isa 29:13-16

Review: In the first part of chapter 29, God describes a coming attack and encirclement of Israel that will end quickly with complete destruction of the attackers. This is most likely the attack of Sennacherib. But Israel will still not listen. Even if you argue that Israel's blindness (29:9,11-12) is the result of God's actions (29:10), the judgment of Isa 6:9-10 is the result of Israel's actions defined in Isaiah 1-5. Principle: While our tendency is to blame God for our struggles, ultimately they have their root in our behavior

Isa 29:13-16 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth // and honor me with their lips, // but their hearts are far from me. // Their worship of me // is made up only of rules taught by men.

14 Therefore once more I will astound these people // with wonder upon wonder; // the wisdom of the wise will perish, // the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

15 Woe to those who go to great depths // to hide their plans from the Lord, // who do their work in darkness and think, // "Who sees us? Who will know?"

16 You turn things upside down, // as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! // Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, // "He did not make me"? // Can the pot say of the potter, // "He knows nothing"? NIV

• How would you characterize God's first complaint against His people?
  • They were going through the motions (attendance (come near); lip service (honor with lips); no emotion (hearts far from me))
  • Their relationship with God and worship of God was not real
  • What are the characteristics of their worship?
    • Rules of men
    • Overly structured
• How do we break out of the cycle of going through the motions?
  • Salvation -- clearly an unsaved person cannot truly worship God
  • Repent -- open up our hearts to God
  • Sacrifice -- it should cost something to worship (does not affect our salvation, but identifies our commitment)
  • Application -- if we do not apply God's word to our life, then we are just going through the motions. A relationship with God should change who we are!
• How do you characterize God's second complaint?
  • They have a very small God (can hide their plans from Him) -- doubt omnipresence
  • They doubt his creation (and by implication, His power -- they doubt his omnipotence). And if he did not create me, he has no right over me
  • They doubt his knowledge -- his omniscience
• God calls it turning things upside down. Right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right

APPLICATION:

• How would God characterize my worship?
• How do we view God? When God is small, uninvolved, not caring about my details, and not knowing -- in our minds -- is our God not small. And then, is it really God we worship or some idol that we call God?

The Great Tribulation, Introduction

• Names for the Tribulation
  • Isa 28:21 The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim, // he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon — // to do his work, his strange work, // and perform his task, his alien task. NIV
  • Jer 30:7 How awful that day will be! // None will be like it. // It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, // but he will be saved out of it. NIV
  • Zeph 1:14-18 "The great day of the Lord is near — // near and coming quickly. // Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, // the shouting of the warrior there. // 15 That day will be a day of wrath, // a day of distress and anguish, // a day of trouble and ruin, // a day of darkness and gloom, // a day of clouds and blackness, // 16 a day of trumpet and battle cry // against the fortified cities // and against the corner towers. // 17 I will bring distress on the people // and they will walk like blind men, // because they have sinned against the Lord. // Their blood will be poured out like dust // and their entrails like filth. // 18 Neither their silver nor their gold // will be able to save them // on the day of the Lord's wrath. // In the fire of his jealousy // the whole world will be consumed, // for he will make a sudden end // of all who live in the earth." NIV
  • Joel 2:1-2 Blow the trumpet in Zion; // sound the alarm on my holy hill. // Let all who live in the land tremble, // for the day of the Lord is coming. // It is close at hand — // 2 a day of darkness and gloom, // a day of clouds and blackness. // Like dawn spreading across the mountains // a large and mighty army comes, // such as never was of old // nor ever will be in ages to come. NIV
  • Rev 6:16-17 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" NIV

• Purpose of the Tribulation
  • Judgment on sin and sinners (rebellion against God)
    • See previous verse, Zeph 1:17
    • Isa 13:9 See, the day of the Lord is coming // — a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger — // to make the land desolate // and destroy the sinners within it. NIV
    • Isa 24:19-20 The earth is broken up, // the earth is split asunder, // the earth is thoroughly shaken. // 20 The earth reels like a drunkard, // it sways like a hut in the wind; // so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion // that it falls — never to rise again. NIV
  • Final worldwide revival. The first half of the tribulation sees Jews of every tongue around the world coming to Christ and sharing the gospel with the rest of the world. The Jewish people finally fulfill the purpose for which God chose them
    • Rev 7:1-4, 9-10, 13-14 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. … 9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: // "Salvation belongs to our God, // who sits on the throne, // and to the Lamb." … 13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?" // 14 I answered, "Sir, you know." // And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. NIV
    • Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives, in conjunction with the above passage suggests that the preaching of the gospel to all the world is fulfilled during the tribulation, as opposed to preceding the tribulation. I hesitantly say this as all Christians should be actively living as a witness both in word (sharing the gospel) and deed (living differently than the world)
      • Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV
  • It is directed against Israel to break the power of the Holy People. This was discussed earlier in events that lead to the tribulation, the second event was a re-gathering of unbelief for the purpose of judgment.
    • Ezek 22:17-22 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace to melt it with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath upon you.'" NIV
    • Dan 12:5-7 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?" // 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed." NIV

• Purpose of the seventy sevens. Similar to the Great Tribulation, but slightly different because it includes the entire period of time and not the last seven
  • Key Passage: Dan 9:24-27 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. // 25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." NIV
  • Technically, it is directed toward Israel, "decreed for your people," although I think all nations share in the results
  • It is "to finish transgression." Could also mean to end the rebellion or to bring to completion. It does end Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah
  • It is "to put an end to sin." In the new covenant, the resurrected believer will not have a sin nature any longer, and so in that sense, sin will be ended. (Some commentators have a more specific view toward Israel)
  • It is "to atone for wickedness." Jesus' death pays the penalty completely for all sins. (Some commentators have a more specific view toward Israel)
  • It is " to bring in everlasting righteousness." The end of the seventy sevens brings in the millennial and the rule of the Messiah on David's throne in Jerusalem
  • It is "to seal up vision and prophecy." Most commentators view this as an end of both oral and written prophecies.
  • It is "to anoint the most holy." This is potentially the anointing of what would be the fourth temple, probably in the New Jerusalem during the Messianic age. Some believe that this is the temple which Ezekiel describes

• APPLICATION: How does one apply these truths?
  • We should have a seriousness about our witness, both verbally and in our lifestyle. We may not have the joy of seeing someone directly respond to the message, but we never know how people our evaluating our lives and our message, and the impact it might have in the future
    • Example: I once shared the gospel with a high school friend. I don't remember doing that, although he does. At the time, he did not respond, but years later, the accumulation of Christians in his life, struggles, and searching led him to the Lord. He credits me for being a part of the planting of the seed. But what if I had never said anything or didn't look any different in my words of lifestyle? We never know who is watching
  • We can be encourage because God has a plan which he is working out
  • We should realize how much God hates sin. The tribulation is where God pours out his wrath on the world. Once, He destroyed the world with water in a flood. The next time, he will destroy it in many different ways

Comments on the Coming Evangelical Collapse

This week Michael Spencer published an interesting article (subject title) in the Christian Science Monitor.  I thought I would add my two cents.

Spencer predicts that within two generations half of evangelical churches will be deserted.  The collapse heralds the arrival on an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian west, with a corresponding hostility toward evangelical Christianity.  Finally, “Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end.”  I don’t disagree with his conclusions, although I see some different reasons for the result.

In discussing the “why is this going to happen,” Spencer offers 7 reasons.

His first reason is that “Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism... We fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith.” I agree with Spencer.  The success of the Reagan years made us think that we could change society using laws, when laws only protect or inhibit, real change must occur in the heart.  Today, few believers share the testimony of change in their life and even fewer can articulate the gospel.

Secondly, Spencer states,

“We … have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith … Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community.” 

I agree again.  We spend far too much effort entertaining the young than challenging the young to a life of discipleship.  We teach the same lessons over and over again, and deep bible study is considered too boring.

Reason three is an observation rather than an argument (three types of evangelical churches).  Reason four, in my opinion, is the same argument as reason two, Christian education has failed.  Reasons five, six, and seven are by products of the first two reasons.

The missing reason is the biblical reason.  Christendom is becoming apostate.  The bible predicts apostasy before the end of times.  Paul wrote,

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs (falling away, KJV; apostasy, NASB & AMP) and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.” (2 Thess 2:1-3, NIV)

Apostasy is defined as a defection from truth.  At some point, the fundamental aspects of the faith will be denied by the majority of “churches.” 

Jesus made the same argument,

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:9-14, NIV)

This agrees with Spencer’s first point, believers will be hated by all nations, and many will turn away from the faith.  But the primary reason isn’t involvement in politics, it is a defection from the truth, the prophesied apostasy that comes before the end times.

If you are willing to accept that the churches in Revelation are 1) not only real churches at the time and 2) also represent church types, but additionally represent 3) dominant church types during specific periods of time in the church age, then the last church, representing the last church type dominant during the last days is instructive.  John writes,

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:14-18, NIV)

This “church” isn’t even Christian.  God is about to spit them out of his mouth.  He says nothing good about them, in contrast to the previous six churches.  They don’t think they need anything.  God says that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.  The need clothes (obviously a metaphor by the text, clothes here referring to a covering of righteousness), they need real riches (spiritual), and they need to see (the Holy Spirit).  This “church” is not Christian and it is the dominant church type prior to the end of times, the apostate church.

When a recent Barna poll suggests that one-third of Christians believe Jesus sinned, forty percent do not believe they have a responsibility to share their faith; twenty-five percent do not believe the bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches; and the majority believe that Christianity is just one of many faiths a person can choose, then I would say we are entering the apostate church, if not already there.

Yes, evangelism is collapsing.  God said it would collapse during the end days. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Tim 4:1, NIV)

Class Notes on Isa 7:1-17

Isaiah 7:1-2 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.

2 Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself witha Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind. NIV

a Or has set up camp in

• A lot of time has passed since Isaiah 6
• The power and glory of Judah is fading
  • Assyria is rising
• Tiglath-pileser III became king of Assyria in 745 BC
  • Rezin of Syria paid money to Assyria for a time
  • Rezin tried to form an alliance of small nations against Assyria
    • Ahaz refused
    • Rezin and Israel (Pekah), also Edom and Philistines, attacked and had some early success
• What do we know of Ahaz?
  • "He did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord"
  • He worshipped the Baals
  • He sacrificed his sons in the fire
  • He worship Aram's god

• What was Ahaz and the people's response to the news of the two kings?
  • Shaken, as in fear, or the stagger walk of a blind man
  • Hebrew could also mean wavering heart, ie., what do we do? Do we seek God or since there does not appear to be any answer, do we seek another solution? What do we do? Isaiah previous prophecy of God not listening (Isa 5) probably does not help (if they even remembered it)

• Why was Ahaz so afraid of King Rezin and Pekah?
  • He was previously defeated by Rezin at Elath (2 Kings 16)
  • Pekin, in one day, killed 120,000 soldiers of Judah (2 Chron 28)

2 Chron 28:17-19 The Edomites had again come and attacked Judah and carried away prisoners, 18 while the Philistines had raided towns in the foothills and in the Negev of Judah. They captured and occupied Beth Shemesh, Aijalon and Gederoth, as well as Soco, Timnah and Gimzo, with their surrounding villages. 19 The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel,b for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord. NIV

b That is, Judah, as frequently in 2 Chronicles

• What also was happening?
  • Edomites and Philistines were attacking
  • Judah was surrounded on all sides and losing battles right and left

• So Ahaz is surrounded. He is afraid or wavering. God does not seem to answer. What was Ahaz's response?
  • Let's first see what God says to him, and then view his reponse

Isaiah 7:3-9 Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub,b to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. 4 Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah. 5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah’s son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 “Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it.” 7 Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“‘It will not take place, // it will not happen, // 8 for the head of Aram is Damascus, // and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. // Within sixty-five years // Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. // 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, // and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah’s son. // If you do not stand firm in your faith, // you will not stand at all.’” NIV

b Shear-Jashub means a remnant will return.

• There are a couple things about what God tells Isaiah to do which seem curious, do you see them?
  1. He tells him to take his son, Shear-Jashub (who name means a remnant will return)
  2. He tells him to meet at a spot which will later be famous for Sennacherib's field commander hurling insults at Israel

• What is God's message to Ahaz?
  • These two are smoldering stubs of firewood, suggested of going out, and also smelling
  • Not to worry (be calm and not afraid)
  • In 65 years, Ephraim will be shattered

• When is Ephraim destroyed?
  • 722BC, only 12 years later
  • 65 years later, a final deportation and importation of foreigners will affectively destroy the country

• Before we get to Ahaz's response, we need to look at God's question to the king next

Isaiah 7:10-12 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”

12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” NIV

• God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refuses, why?
  • He does not want to put the Lord to the test. But the scripture says not to test the Lord in regards to complaining (Deut 6 16). In this case, God asks for a test
  • He does not want to believe in God. If he asks for a test and sees it fulfilled, he might have to change his life or lifestyle

• So, with his kingdom crumbling about him, what does he decide to do?
  • He sought outside help, he did it in his own strength
    • 2 Kings 16:7-8 Ahaz sent messengers to say to Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, “I am your servant and vassal. Come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram and of the king of Israel, who are attacking me.” 8 And Ahaz took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace and sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. NIV
  • He sought other spiritual solutions (Aram's god seem to work better than Judah's)
    • 2 Kings 16:10-12 Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus and sent to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar, with detailed plans for its construction. 11 So Uriah the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King Ahaz returned. 12 When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offeringsb on it. (b Or and went up) NIV

• APPLICATION: What is our response to struggles? To waver in our belief, to put all our strength into a solution, to find another religion, or to wait upon our God in faith

Isaiah 7:13-17 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give youc a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, andd will call him Immanuel.e 15 He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right. 16 But before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.” (c The Hebrew is plural. d Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and he or and they.  e Immanuel means God with us.) NIV

• There is a possibility we have a double meaning in this verse(typically not a good hermeneutical practice). The word virgin can mean both virgin or sexually pure before marriage. For the prophecy to relate to Isaiah's time, it might be understood as a recently married young woman
• Viewing from Ahaz's perspective, how long would it be before the two kings are laid waste?
  • Less than three years (nine months plus around two years)
  • Actually, Aram is killed two years later. Pekah is assassinated by Hoshea about the same time frame

• Obviously, Matthew interprets this verse with a double meaning
  • Matt 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." NIV

• APPLICATION:
  • Why does God allow trouble into our lives?
    • We are free to choose our own actions
    • It is a consequence of sin in the world
    • Because he wants us to draw near to him
  • But where do we turn to in times of trouble?

Class Notes on Isaiah 6:9-13

Isa 6:9-10 He said, “Go and tell this people: // “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; // be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ // 10 Make the heart of this people calloused; // make their ears dull // and close their eyes.a // Otherwise they might see with their eyes, // hear with their ears, // understand with their hearts, // and turn and be healed.” NIV

a 9,10 Hebrew; Septuagint `You will be ever hearing, but never understanding; | you will be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ | This people~s heart has become calloused; | they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes

• One person felt that God was telling Isaiah how the people would respond, rather than an actual message. I disagree because the verses starts out, "Go and tell this people …"
• Why does God not give the people a chance to respond?
  • First of all, the previous discussion concerning vines is best understood as referring to people groups and nations, Israel and Judah in this case
  • God has rejected his people as a nation, because they have not done what he wanted them to do, as a nation (be a light to the world around them). So God hardens the heart of the nation in response to their hard heart
  • Also, God does not stop individuals from responding to the message. As in Matt 11, where the leaders reject Jesus as the messiah, despite the fulfillment of the messianic miracles, God withdraws the offer of the kingdom to the nation Israel at that time. God does not prevent individual Jews from responding to the message. The entire early church was Jewish believers

• Mark 4:25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." NIV
• APPLICATION: There is a principle is this verse which relates to the prophecy. When God gives, he expects us to use what he has given or taught us. When we don't use it we lose it and more

Isa 6:11-13 Then I said, “For how long, O Lord?” // And he answered: // “Until the cities lie ruined // and without inhabitant, // until the houses are left deserted  // and the fields ruined and ravaged, // 12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away // and the land is utterly forsaken. // 13 And though a tenth remains in the land, // it will again be laid waste. // But as the terebinth and oak // leave stumps when they are cut down, // so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.” NIV

• How does Isaiah respond and why?
  • He wants to know how long, probably because he doesn't understand how God could blind his own people

• What is God's response?
  • The judgment will continue until the land is ruined, ravaged, and barren
  • After that, the blindness is lifted

• Another thought, is that only a tenth remain, possibly the group brought back by Ezra and Nehemiah. Antiochus IV of Syria will almost destroy this group during the 400 silent years. Ultimately, Jesus is the true holy seed that will arise out of this mess
• APPLICATION: Even in judgment, God offers hope. And there is always hope for the individual who will repent and turn to God

Class Notes on Isaiah 6:5-8

Isa 6:5

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” NIV

• What is Isaiah's response to standing in God's presence?
  • "woe" is me
  • Frightened, afraid of death -- because of his sinfulness
  • Repentance, admitting sin -- these are always a good way to start worship

• Interesting contrast of the preceding chapters to chapter six. What did Isaiah prophesy in chapter 5?
  • Six woes against Israel and Judah because of their sin
  • The six woes are very "obvious" sins. Most of us would see Isaiah, at least in contrast, as righteous. Yet how does Isaiah see himself? As sinful

• What was Isaiah's sin? Unclean lips
  • Unclean lips reveal unclean hearts (Matt 12:34)
  • Thoughts, words, and consequently actions

• APPLICATION:
  • I think a sign of spiritual maturity is a recognition of how deep our sin is
  • Worship should start with repentance. I think that is why some get concerned with a lack of quiet at the beginning of the worship time

Isa 6:6-8

6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” NIV

• Isaiah admits his son, and the immediate response is for a Seraph to get a coal from the altar and touch Isaiah's mouth. We know that some of this is symbolic, why?
  • Isaiah's mouth is not burned
  • And. why does the coal not burn Isaiah, yet the Seraph must use tongs to take hold

• It's not clear whether the altar is in heaven or is a picture of the altar on earth or actually is the altar on earth. Either way, the altar is where the sacrifice of sin is paid and a person's sin is atoned for (covered). In response to Isaiah's confession, his sin is atoned for (covered)
• The coal from the sacrifice does two things, what are they?
  • It takes away guilt
  • It atones for (covers) sin

• Guilt is one of those hidden things that sometimes we don't even recognize that we are struggling to overcome. You see it when you can't let go of something you did years ago. We need to grasp onto the truth, that when we accepted Christ and when we confess our sins, our past and present guilt is washed away
  • We choose to let guilt control us because we don't really believe what God has said
  • Heb 9:12-14 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! NIV
  • Heb 10:22-23 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. NIV

• So, we have seen three separate events (actions, …), 1) recognition of God's holiness, 2) repentance, followed by 3) atonement (forgiveness). What do we see next?
  • The call to ministry

• Why is the order important?
  • We can't serve God without a recognition of God's holiness and our own sin and helplessness
  • We can't worship God without cleansing

• Also, what didn't God do that we might have expected him to do at this point?
  • He didn't tell Isaiah his ministry
  • He called out, and Isaiah had to choose to respond

• Lastly, let's put this in context with the statement, "in the year King Uzziah died." Why is the mention of Uzziah potentially important in relationship to what is now happening to Isaiah?
  • Uzziah did not understand God's holiness
  • Uzziah did not appreciate his sinfulness
  • Uzziah could not continue to serve God

• APPLICATION:
  • We have free will, not only in salvation but also in service. We must hear and respond to God's calling. Before we can respond, we need to recognize God's holiness, our sin, and our need for forgiveness
  • Lastly, I disagree that this is Isaiah's salvation experience. It does not fit in the order of events, even if you don't see a chronological ordering. One could call it a "lordship" experiencing or even a "special" calling. The fact of the matter is that believers who are truly seeking God experience these "events" or special times with God throughout their spiritual life
  • Is there something I've done, that I have not let go of, because I have difficult believing that God could cleanse me from that sin? Let it go, he has promised, the guilt is taken away. The only one holding onto the guilt is our self

Class Notes on Isaiah 6:1-4

• What is the reasoning behind why some people change churches so frequently?
  • Positively: Doctrinal issues or different opportunities to serve
  • Negatively: what situation benefits them the most a gives messages they want to hear

Isa 6:1-4

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. NIV

• We need to start with a look at Uzziah. 2 Chron 26 is a history of Uzziah's reign
  • 16 years old at start; good king
  • Time of incredible prosperity
  • Became arrogant in his old age

2 Ch 26:16-21

16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosyc broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.

21 King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate housed—leprous, and excluded from the temple of the Lord. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land. NIV

c The Hebrew word was used for various diseases affecting the skin—not necessarily leprosy; also in verses 20, 21 and 23.

d Or in a house where he was relieved of responsibilities

• What part of the temple did Uzziah enter?
  • Most holy place (showbread, altar of incense, and lampstand)
    • Priests and could enter on a regular basis
  • Not the Holy of Holies
    • Only the high priest could enter

• Some speculate that the phrase "the year King Uzziah died" was when he got leprosy. Essentially Jotham is in charge for (two to eight) years until he physically dies. It doesn't really change much in one's understanding of the events
• Uzziah was a great man who accomplished a lot but it only took one stupid act to mar his legacy
  • One of the reasons that Jesus told us to pray for protection from the evil one, and Paul included it in his prayer request (2 Thess 3) as well, is that we are all only one step away from ruining our witness
  • Two examples from this week:
    • I did something with a database that bordered on unethical and it upset a member of my study team greatly. I had to apologize to her and tell my boss as well
    • Contrast. I did a simple task for the support staff that I guess few senior people take the time to do and I got a very kind letter in return

• So, does Isa 6 occur first or after the events of Isa 1-5?
  • It is difficult to know for sure since Jewish thought is more eastern than western. It could be a thematic arrangement
  • But, since the rest of the book appears to be ordered chronologically according to the king at the time, it would seem that Isa 6 follows Isa 1-5

• What is Uzziah's overriding impression as he has this vision?
  • Holiness of God
  • Glory of God
  • Power of God (sound of the voices shook the threshold and doorposts)

• Where is Isaiah or where is his vision?
  • Temple (it is possible, but Hebrews says that the earthly temple is a shadow of the reality in heaven)
  • Heavenlies (most likely, since Isaiah does not appear to be a Levite or a Priest)

• APPLICATION:
  • Are we careful to avoid evil? How close are we to making that one bad choice that ruins our witness? We need to regularly pray for God's protection from the evil one and his schemes
  • How do we view worship? Do we focus on God or do we focus on our problems that God must solve? If we really believed that we were in God's presence (like Isaiah), we would start with a focus on God, his holiness, his glory, and his power.

Class Notes on Events Preceding the Tribulation (Yet to Occur)

• Fourth Event. Northern alliance invasion of Israel (see Ezek 38:1-23; Ezek 39:1-16)
  • Ezekiel chapter 38 details
  • Ezek 38:2 partial … Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal;
    • Historically, Russia, Iran, and Germany would fit the names
  • There is some disagreement as to whether this occurs before, during, or after the tribulation. Most conservative scholars place it prior to the tribulation
• Fifth Event. One world government
  • Dan 7:23-24 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. …" NIV
  • The Roman government never subdued the whole earth, so this has not been fulfilled yet. Also, we know that there are various stages, including the two split which precedes this stage
• Sixth Event. Split into ten kingdoms (Dan 7:24a)
  • Dan 7:24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. NIV
• Seventh Event. Rise of the Antichrist (Dan 7:24b; 2 Thess 2:1-3)
  • 2 Thess 2:1-3 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. NIV
  • Revelation of the man of lawlessness
• Eighth Event. Period of peace and false security (1 Thess 5:1-3)
  • 1 Thess 5:1-3 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. NIV

Class Notes on Events Preceding the Tribulation (That Have Already Occurred)

• Events leading to the tribulation: In Jesus' day the expression, "nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom," was a Jewish idiom of a world war preceding the coming of the Messiah. Jesus calls it a birth pang (Order of the events is taken from Fruchtenbaum, 2003)
  • First Event.  World War with increased famines and earthquakes
    • Matt 24:1-8 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. NIV
    • Jewish idiom: "nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom" refers to a world war preceding the coming of the Messiah
      • The Bereshith Rabbah: If you see kingdoms rising against each other in turn, then give heed and not the footsteps of the Messiah
      • The Zohar Chadash: At that time wars shall be stirred up in the world, Nation shall be against nation and city against city; much distressed shall be renewed against the enemies of Israel
    • The evidence clearly seems to indicate increasing famines and earthquakes over the last few centuries. Is that a data recording issue? We don't know, but even the last thirty years have seen an increase
  • Second Event. Reestablishment of Israel or a gathering of unbelief (also Ezek 20:33-38; Zeph 2:1-2)
    • Ezek 22:17-22 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 18 "Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are the copper, tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. 19 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace to melt it with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the Lord have poured out my wrath upon you.'" NIV
    • Ezek 36:22-24 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. 24 "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. NIV
    • Isa 11:11-12 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will raise a banner for the nations // and gather the exiles of Israel; // he will assemble the scattered people of Judah // from the four quarters of the earth. NIV
      • Another re-gathering
      • One of unbelief
  • Third Event.  Jerusalem under Jewish control (old city not originally, but after 6-day war came under Jewish control) -- required for the rebuilding of the temple (also 2 Thess 2:3-4; Rev 11:1-2)
    • Dan 9:27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. " NIV
    • Matt 24:15 "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand— NIV
    • These and other verses talk about a third temple which presupposes Jewish control of the temple compound and Old Jerusalem. This took place during the six day war. Obviously, there are still issues regarding the Dome of the rock, although there are some who believe it could be built in another location. There is a whole society devoted to gathering and recreating the utensils and instruments required for the new temple

Class Notes on The Age Preceding the Tribulation

Characteristic of the age--Apostasy of the church (also Rev 3:14-18)

• Rev 3:14-18 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. NIV
• Matt 24:9-14 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV
• 2 Thess 2:1-3 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs (falling away, KJV; apostasy, NASB & AMP) and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. NIV
  • Greek word for "a falling away" is apostasia, meaning a defection from truth
• 1 Tim 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. NIV
• Recent Barna poll, 2008
  • One-third of Christians believe Jesus sinned
  • 40 percent do not believe they have a responsibility to share their Christian faith
  • 25 percent do not believe the bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches
  • The importance of faith is growing, but half believe that Christianity is just one of many faiths a person can choose
• Being religious is not the same as being a Christian. When a denomination has rejected so much of the message as to be ineffective for salvation, it has defected from the faith. Key elements of our faith are: Jesus' death for our sin, the futility of works for salvation, the resurrection, the virgin birth, and Jesus sinless nature