“…the disciples came to Jesus saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Matthew 24:3-4) Jesus knew the anti-christ would deceive His people (The Jews) into believing that he (the anti-christ) is the Christ.
“Now learn this lesson from THE FIG TREE (Israel): As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out (Israel becomes a nation for the second time), you know that summer is near. Even so, when you SEE ALL THESE THINGS, you know that IT IS NEAR, RIGHT AT THE DOOR. Truly I tell you, THIS GENERATION (genea: the Jewish people) WILL CERTAINLY NOT PASS AWAY (parerchomai: perish) until ALL THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35)
Roosevelt became President for the 4th time, three months later, he died suddenly. Roosevelt WAS AGAINST Israel being recognized as a Nation, but God had other plans. Harry S. Truman, (was not really into politics, but was talked into becoming Roosevelt’s VP), LOVED ISRAEL and was all for them BEING RECOGNIZED AS A NATION. So, U.S. President Harry Truman was the first world leader to officially recognize Israel as a legitimate Jewish state on May 14, 1948, only ELEVEN MINUTES AFTER ITS CREATION. Due to the time, he spent in the Bible and Sunday School, Truman was able to recite several verses by heart even in his old age. He made no secret of his FAITH and of his belief of THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE. Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog came to the White House on May 10, 1949, to meet Truman and to express Israels gratitude for the President’s actions. He said to Truman, “God put you in your mother’s womb so that you could be the instrument to bring about THE REBIRTH OF ISRAEL after two thousand years.” Truman rose from his chair and, with great emotion, TEARS GLISTENING IN HIS EYES; he turned to the Chief Rabbi and asked him, was the hand of the Almighty involved in the matter? The Chief Rabbi stated that Truman was used by God and was a “wonderful, straightforward man who not only appreciates the Jewish vision of moral principles but knows the Bible as well and respects the Jewish written laws.”
We are now 75 YEARS LATER waiting on the promise of Jesus, that “this generation will not pass away until all is fulfilled.” Verse 15 in Matthew 24, speaks of the “abomination of desolation.” This event occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation period. At that time, the Antichrist will DEFILE THE TEMPLE and proclaim himself to be God. The people in verse 34, then, are LIVING THROUGH INTENSE PERSECUTION from the Antichrist, (Jesus rescues us from this persecution BEFORE the anti-christ is revealed “…He who now RESTRAINS (holds back the anti-christ) will do so until He (The Holy Spirit and the Church) is out of the way (caught up to meet the Lord in the air).” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-7) After he (the anti-christ) desecrates the Temple. Israel finally realizes they were deceived; they REPENT and God gives them a way of escape see Revelation 12:5-6.
What are we Christians supposed to do? We are, “…to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who RESCUES US (rhuomai: to draw to oneself) from THE COMING WRATH.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10) Jesus “draws us” (catches us away, raptures us), to Himself, AWAY FROM the “Wrath of the Lamb” “the Tribulation!!!” “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ WILL RISE FIRST. Then WE WHO ARE ALIVE, who are left, WILL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER with them in the clouds TO MEET THE LORD in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
-Bill Stockham