IN THE LAST TRUMP

        I am full aware that there will be a great deal of criticism on the part of some because of this presentation of the end-time. I am very thankful that almost all criticism received so far has been very constructive, and was given in the Spirit of Christ. The fact that almost all the brethren who have examined the matter thus far have accepted it generally, is very encouraging to the author. I pray that as we continue the gracious Master will give us wisdom and open minds for the examination of this last chapter.

        I would like to call attention first to those passages which describe the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:12-22; and Mark 11:1-26). To turn and read these scriptures will aid very greatly in understanding the comments to follow concerning them. As Jesus entered the city he received great praise from the common people, especially the children; but the religious leaders, who represented the people, were very jealous of Jesus and sought to kill Him. This was not the first time they had sought to kill Him, for they were always of this nature; however, they were never able to harm Him until the appointed time. When the appointed time came, we can see how these religious leaders represented the people by the way the people followed them in the crucifixion of Christ. The actions of the Pharisees and sadducees represented the actions of the people as a whole, and God knew that the people would ultimately follow their self-righteous lords. Though many individuals followed Jesus, and at times it appeared that "this generation" would follow Him, yet the nation in the end followed the Pharisees and Sadducees. Therefore, each time we read of the Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Christ, we can look upon it as a national rejection.
        After Jesus had finished His business in Jerusalem the first day, He retired to Bethany for the night. The next morning as He was leading His disciples back into Jerusalem, He saw a fig tree filled with leaves. Jesus approached the tree, but when He found no figs He placed a curse upon it. The disciples observed all this, but were not particularly impressed at the time. The following morning, after having reclined again outside the city, they passed by the same tree, and when the disciples observed that the tree had already withered, they inquired of Jesus concerning what it meant. The answer Jesus gave was a lesson on faith that they might be fruit bearers. Now, what did all this signify to the disciples as well as to us? I am in full agreement with many others who believe that this is not only a lesson to the disciples and to us on having faith in God, but that it speaks of the lack of faith on the part of Israel as a nation, which was personified in the religious leaders. A very similar lesson is given in Luke 13:6-9.
        There is sufficient evidence to show that the fig tree represents Israel. When Christ came to the earth the first time, Israel was like a fig tree with a great many leaves, but there was no fruit nationally. The leaves represented their profession; they had a "zeal for God" (Rom. 10:1-3), but there was no fruit because their zeal was not according to knowledge. Their leaves were like the fig-leaf aprons of Adam and Eve, which spoke of their self-righteousness. They went about to establish their own righteousness and did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. Their great many leaves, which spoke of their zeal for God, looked good to the distant observer, but God, who knows the hearts of men, knew that the righteousness which is of faith was not fruitful there. The curse Christ placed upon the fig tree represented His rejection of Israel. The withering of the tree, in the final analysis, represented their being dispersed into all nations.
        But, of course, we know that Israel has not been rejected eternally, for, God will, contrary to the natural thinking of men, perform a miracle and bring Israel back into her own land; indeed, God has done this very thing before our eyes. This brings us to the consideration of some other passages. Turn to Matt. 24:32-33; Mark 13:28-29; and Luke 21:29-31. From the passage in Matthew we read, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."
        What does Jesus mean by the tender branches of the fig tree beginning to put forth leaves? It appears most reasonable to say that such represents Israel's becoming once more what she was at the time Jesus cursed the fig tree. It speaks of Israel being regathered into her own land and beginning her self-righteous worship there. Still there is no fruit on the tree; only the putting forth of leaves. It certainly appears that Israel is in the budding stage at the present time, which means that the "putting forth of leaves" is in the immediate future.

        Jesus follows the reference to the fig tree putting forth leaves, in all three gospels, by saying, "This generation shall not pass away, till all these things be fulfilled." Jesus could not have been referring to the generation in which He lived because it passed away long ago. It does not appear correct to say that the nation of Israel was the generation to which Jesus had reference, because the statement implies that the generation under consideration will pass away when the things relate to the Lord's coming are fulfilled. It appears most sensible to say that the generation Jesus had in mind was the one living at the time the fig tree began to put forth leaves. If this latter case is true, and it forcefully appears to be, then our generation must be the one of which Jesus spoke, for we have seen Israel return to her own land, be recognized as a nation by the world, and begin worshipping God with that zeal of God that is not according to knowledge. But there will be no fruit until Israel see the Lord coming in glory (Joel 2:30-32; Matt. 23:39; Luke 13:35; Rom. 11:15; Rev. 1:7; Zech. 12:10; Acts 2:20-21.
        In addition to the foregoing thoughts, I will again call attention to the fact that we are living at the very end of the sixth day (the sixth millennium), and the seventh day is the millennium of rest for the people of God (Heb. 4). The day of the Lord is certainly nigh at hand. We cannot say that there is exactly a certain number of years yet before the end of the sixth day. Nevertheless, we can be sure that we are in the very end. I firmly believe the present generation will experience all the things of which I have been speaking, and that God's people of today who are not called out of this life by a common death very soon, or, who are not privileged to die the martyr's death, will live to see "that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
        It has often been said that there is nothing else to be fulfilled before the Lord comes. Observe that such a statement implies that there were many prophecies which were necessary to be fulfilled before the Lord returned, but that they have now been fulfilled. This would mean that the earlier New Testament saints could not think of the Lord's coming as being imminent, or else it would play upon their ignorance of these certain prophecies which even they recorded with understanding. Either way one is caught in his own trap, and should confess that it is clear from Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; etc., that the Lord did not intend for the disciples to understand His return as being imminent. Jesus told His disciples of certain things that must come to pass, and then added the words, "but the end is not yet." Then Jesus told them of many other things that must come to pass, and then added further, "all these are the beginning of sorrows." Yes, there were many things to be fulfilled, and there are yet many things to be fulfilled. The man who believes that this fact gives him the opportunity to take a fill of the pleasures of sin shall suffer the consequences.

        What was it that caused Enoch to walk with God? He prophesied that the Lord would come with ten thousands of His saints (Jude 14-15), and evidently understood that such a coming was far away. What could it have been that caused him to walk with God for three hundred years? It was after Methuselah was born to Enoch that he walked with God for this long period. The name Methuselah meant, "at his death the sending forth of waters" (center reference). Why would Enoch give his son such a name as this? Evidently God revealed to him that when his son died, He would destroy the earth by water. Thus, Enoch was not looking for the Lord's Second Coming in his lifetime, yet he walked faithfully with God for three hundred years.
        Abraham knew he would die (Gen. 15:15), yet he also walked with God so faithfully that he was called the friend of God. The seed of Abraham saw the promises "afar off" (Heb. 11), yet joyfully stood the trials of life. Moses "had it made" down in Egypt yet he chose to suffer with God's people. What caused him to be so faithful? Daniel, one among the great, knew that he would die (Dan. 12:12); yet, how blessed that man was! I can hardly read some parts of his book without shedding tears because of God's great pleasure in him. How foolish to imply that God's servants will become unfaithful if they think their Master's return is a few days, weeks, or years away!
        Why is it so important to watch for the Lord? Because the deeds of each day are recorded, and the record will be played for All to see and hear when the Lord returns. Only a day filled with prayer, confession of sins, study of the Word, earnestly doing our part to carry the gospel to the nations, etc., will fill-up the meaning of the word "watch" as Jesus used it. These things alone will render us acceptable for the receiving of the promised inheritance (Heb. 1:14). Of course, we must remember that eternal salvation from hell is NOT an inheritance. Getting there "so as by fire" is not included in the inheritance. Let us watch and pray that we may prevail today, tomorrow, and when our blessed Master shines upon us in that most radiant glory of the Father.

        Getting back to the theme of this chapter, I would like to give an enumeration of some of the events that will take place before that day of blessedness for the saints (and judgment for all the nations) comes. These are not all the developments that will come to pass, but they are a few of the outstanding ones.
        (1). The Roman empire will be reestablished. Probably, it will not bear the same name, yet the nations around the Mediterranean Sea and those of Europe will be united into one powerful empire. It is also probable that this empire will not include all the nations of the old Roman empire at the beginning, although it will, of course, eventually envelope the entire earth. This empire is being formed at the very present time. One needs only to keep his eyes upon the newspapers, and his ears open to the newscasts, in order to see, or hear, one plea after another being made for a united Europe. The Pope of Rome is very urgently pressing for this unity. Daniel chapters 2, 7, and 9 very clearly teach that such will happen.
        (2). Palestine will be given back to the Jews. The Arabs possess half of Jerusalem at the present. We do not, at the present, know how such things will come about, yet it appears quite evident that the Jews will possess all of Palestine at the time that the covenant for one week is made, which, if true, means that we will, in the near future, see the Arabs put out of Palestine. This may be done before the Antichrist begins coming into power; however, it may be that he will bring about the expulsion of the Arabs, thus greatly winning the confidence of the Jews.
        (3). The Jewish temple will be rebuilt. This temple must be rebuilt before the Antichrist makes the covenant with the Jews, for it is quite evident that as soon as the covenant is made, the Jews will either begin, or will have already begun, their worship in the temple, which the Antichrist will stop in the midst of the week (Matt. 24:15; II Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-3). As soon as the Jews are given full possession of their land they will tear down the Arabian temple, which I understand is standing on the site where the Jewish temple did, and will again, stand.
        (4). Israel will begin their temple worship. As I have just mentioned, the Antichrist will stop the worship in the temple in the midst of the week, which demands that the Jews will be worshipping according to the Old Testament order prior to the midst of the week. How long the temple will have been rebuilt before the covenant is made, does not appear to be clearly ascertainable, yet as soon as it is rebuilt the Jews will no doubt begin their worship there.
        (5). A covenant will be made between the Jews and the Antichrist. What the content of this covenant will be is not mentioned in the scriptures to my knowledge. Without a doubt it will be to the advantage of the Jews, at least to the leading element with whom it is made, or else they would not agree to it. If the covenant Antiochus Epiphanes made with certain Jews may possibly typify the one the Antichrist will make with the Jews, then it will be a covenant with unprincipled renegade Jews. At the time Antiochus took the throne the true high priest was in Syria, and had been seeking aid from the brother of Antiochus who held the throne just prior to this time. This true high priest, Onias III, was seeking a solution for the confusion existing in Jerusalem. An evil-hearted Jew by the name of Jason, the brother of Onias, found this a good occasion to get himself appointed high priest, and to put Onias III out by going to Antiochus and making certain slanderous and also flattering propositions with Antiochus (see former chapter). The agreement was made and the good high priest put out. Though this was certainly an ill-wrought matter, yet God did not count the sanctuary as being cast down (Dan. 8) until the offerings of the temple were stopped later when Antiochus caused the Abominable sow to be offered on the Jewish altar along with the other defilements. I am not setting this up as a pattern, but mention it for the consideration of the reader.
      (6). There may possibly be a war between a southern kingdom (Dan. 11:40) and the re-established Roman empire before the middle of the week. I suggest this possibility on the grounds that Antiochus was a type of the Antichrist, and that the language of Dan. 11:21-45, though speaking of Antiochus especially in the first verses, very definately speaks of the Antichrist in some parts and probably speaks of him generally all the way through. I readily acknowledge that though Antiochus was a type of the Antichrist, yet it is not necessary for all the things that point to Antiochus in Daniel's prophecies to speak of the Antichrist also. Therefore this serves merely as a suggestion. This may appear to be a far-fetched possibility at the present, yet the future many times opens up things which appeared to be quite unreasonable beforehand.
        (7). The covenant will be broken. I say the covenant will be broken on the assumption that it will not be made with renegade Jews. if the covenant should be made with such evil minded Jews as I have just mentioned, then of course there would not be a breaking of the covenant, even as there was not a breaking of the covenant when Antiochus cast down the sanctuary. Yet, if the covenant is made with the proper persons then there will be the breaking of the covenant at the time the Antichrist is released by the Holy Spirit in the midst of the week.
        (8). The Jewish worship will be stopped. The Scriptures say that the Law (given through Moses) acted as a school master to bring the Jews to Christ. The Antichrist hates anything that points to Christ, therefore at the first good opportunity he shall seek to completely abolish any ordinance of that nature. Dan. 7:25 says that he will seek to change times and seasons, which probably means that he will even seek to change the laws of nature which he also hates because they are ordinances of God. (See the discussion on the trumpets).
        (9). The abomination of desolation will be placed in the Jewish temple. As soon as the Holy Spirit removes His restraint upon the Antichrist, the Antichrist will endeavor to destroy everything that renders or commands any obedience to Christ. He will begin by commanding all worship to the true God to be stopped, and, as Antiochus, will show his great hatred toward the ordinances of God by causing an abomination to stand in the holy place of the Jewish temple, which renders the worship of the temple desolate. An abomination is a thing that is hateful and shamefully vile. Desolate means empty, void, laid waste, etc. The abomination of desolation caused by the Antichrist will be one of two things, or maybe both. (1). It may be the image of the first Beast which the second Beast will have made of him (Rev. 13) that he stands in the holy place. (2). It may be the that the Antichrist himself will be a Gentile (this may be doubtful), which, if true, means that when he stands in the temple of God (II Thess. 2:4) claiming that he is God, it will certainly be an abomination that makes desolate, for no Gentiles permitted to enter the innermost parts of the temple.
        (10). The Jews will flee into the mountains. Matt. 24:15-20 and Rev. 12:14-17 both speak of how Israel shall flee into the wilderness from the presence of the Antichrist (and Satan) at the time the Antichrist defiles the temple. The period of Israel's hiding in the wilderness will be the exact duration of the reign of the Antichrist (Rev. 12:6, 14; 13:5; Dan. 7:25).
        (11). The man of sin will be revealed. This revelation is made when the Antichrist stands himself in the temple of God claiming that he is God. This is, of course, the same time as just mentioned above.
        (12). The two witnesses shall begin their testimony. The two witnesses will begin their testimony at the same time that the Antichrist begins his forty-two month's reign. You will observe that the two witnesses begin their testimony and witness for 1260 days (3 1/2 years; 42 months; time, times and a dividing of time). This argues against the two witnesses being the churches, Israel, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, etc., because Israel shall be in the wilderness, and the others have been witnessing all down through the ages. The two witnesses are no doubt men.
        (13). Great miracles shall be performed by the Antichrist. In chapter VIII of this work I have shown that the Antichrist will be permitted to perform great miracles and exercise very great powers (II Thess. 2:9-10; Rev. 13:1-18; etc).
        (14). There will be a very great slaughter of saints and Jews. When the Antichrist comes into power in the midst of the week he will begin to kill every Jew and every saint he possibly can (Dan. 7:22, 25; Rev. 6:9-11; 13:7; etc.).
        (15). There will be a great battle. This was covered in the discussion of the sixth trumpet and also in the comments on Dan. 11:40. This war will take place a few months or a year before the end of the reign of the Antichrist. The kingdom of the Antichrist will be centered around Europe and will envelop only that general area until this great battle at which time he brings the whole world under his dominion.
        (16). The two witnesses shall be killed, come alive after three and one half days, and ascend into heaven. This shall come to pass very shortly before the end of the reign of the Antichrist, at which time the Lord will come in glory. That day will not catch those who are wise and who belong to the day as a thief (I Thess. 5), though they will not be able to discern the exact day and hour.
        Even as Paul said that day would not overtake those who belong to the day as a thief, Jesus also said that some of the days would be chopped off. After Jesus had mentioned a number of things that would happen immediately before the resurrection and rapture, He said, "And when these things begin to come to pass, the look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:25-28).
        May the blessings of the Lord rest upon all who desire to understand these things that must shortly come to pass. May each of us diligently search the Word for truly it has not all been uncovered yet. There is much to learn. The Holy Spirit is ready to illumine the mind of the earnest searcher.
        "These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them BELIEVED..." (Acts 17:11-12).