The Endtime Defense Of The Mystery Of Christ--Pt. 2 (MP3)

During my studies involving end-time events, I was confronted with an interesting fact. Some churches teach that Jesus was born around 1 AD (Note: there is no "0" AD) and was crucified in 33 AD. I held to this belief for years. Yet, I discovered that because of errors in our calendars, the evidence more accurately points to 3 B.C. as a date for Christ's birth, which places his crucifixion on or around 30 AD. Why is this important? Because in Christ's famous "Olivet Discourse" (Matthew chapter 24) he warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the horrible murder and scattering of the Jewish people--and His Second Coming. This was partially fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD--and suddenly Israel was a nation no more. Jesus also prophetically spoke of a future time that the "fig tree" (a prophetic symbol for the Nation of Israel) would spread its leaves once again--and "this generation" would not pass away "til all these things be fulfilled". Concerning Christ's meaning of "this generation" many argue that Jesus was only referring to the generation he was currently living in. Others claim that he was speaking of a future generation that witnessed the reappearance of the "fig tree" and the spreading of its branches--which represents a "completed" Israel. The Bible suggests that a "generation" is about 40 years. I found it interesting that the Roman empire fulfilled Christ's prophecy given in 30 AD, because Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed almost exactly 40 years later in 70 AD, fulfilling the "generation" time limitation that Jesus spoke about. However, the language Jesus used in the Olivet Discourse is his typical style where he taught in parables and mysteries that perplexed his audience. It's my firm belief that when Jesus used the term "this generation", it carried not only a fulfillment for 70 AD, but also a much later future fulfillment. It isn't one or the other--it's both!

In 1948 the nation of Israel was born and some Christians expected Jesus to return 40 years later in 1988. Israel had reappeared on the world stage for the first time after disappearing in 70 AD--an incredible Divine miracle. Yet, God may not consider Israel truly "reborn" until Jerusalem is secured, a city that is the center-piece of all Bible prophecy. From 1948 until 1967 Jerusalem remained under foriegn occupation. This means that 1948 may not be the year God respects. Everything changed following the "Six Day War" of 1967 when Jerusalem was recaptured by Israel. Do the math--what year falls 40 years after 1967? Do you see why some of us have a sense of urgency? The Jewish possession of Jerusalem is one of the strongest Biblical signs I see in the prophetic Scriptures. God repeatedly used a "40 year generation time schedule"--and Jesus re-enforced this view by linking His return with a generation time frame--the same one he used in 30 AD just before his crucifixion. Have you replaced Christ's redemption with one of the popular religious counterfeits? Time is about to run out--and we need to heed Saint Paul's warning to judge ourselves. The end of the "Church Age" is near.