There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:

1. The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
   1. 3 ½ years of a false peace.
   1. 3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles    
2. The time between the end of the 7-years, 3 1/5 of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
3. The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
4. Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
5. Eternity: one of two places. Both are permanent destinations, but neither is a grave.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

Verse 1: But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. To know, ginōskō, means “to know absolutely” [ginōskō; G1097, Strong’s]. Have NO doubt or question of its actuality. It will be evident to all. None can or will then deny it. Some, if not many, will think it circumstances as supported in verse 2. Mankind will try to ignore or refute anything when s/he does not know or understand, or it is self-serving to deny the truth. Check out verses 2 – 5.

This is the last half of the 7-year tribulation. This phase of “that day” explains what is going on in the world and specifically Israel. Times of difficulty is not singular. It is a continuum of difficult days. It is no joking matter but could be like one saying…” If it wasn’t for one’s bad luck, s/he wouldn’t have any luck at all”. This is not, however, an issue of luck, good or bad. It is inescapable. A fierce, perilous time [Strong’s G5467] like never before and never will be again. Matthew 24:21.

Verse 2: ^“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…” Look around society today. Is there evidence of this today? Is it getting worse? This time period today is the hem of the garment of what is yet to come. People will be totally sold out to being:

1. Lovers of self
2. Lovers of money
3. Proud
4. Arrogant
5. Abusive
6. Disobedient to parents (authorities)
7. Ungrateful
8. Unholy (wicked by choice; denying God even exists)

Verse 3: …”unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despising of good…”

Consider today’s society. Do we see today as in verse three that people willingly call good evil and evil good? Even more concerning is, there will be people who know better but willingly accept these deceptions of truth; probably his or her attempt to be politically correct. Some will try hard to eliminate any history s/he feels is contrary to their personal or group agendas (kingdom against kingdom – Lord’s Prayer). This includes personal or group agendas against some other or other’s agendas. We do not need scripture to point this out. Just look at and follow the secular news. Smash & grab, BLM trumpeting points, KKK, district attorney’s refusing to call crime for what it is, cop killers, destruction of properties just to destroy, gender cancellation, the fight over a baby’s right to birth, political greed, etc. This splitting of sides is exactly what Matthew 24:7 means when it says, “Kingdom against kingdom.” Agendas today are colliding in open warfare.

Verse 4: …”treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…,” and the list continues. Does one see even one of these items listed as not currently true in society? To say “yes” would in and of itself be slanderous, arrogant, a despiser of truth. Although these societal and cultural differences have existed for thousands of years, they are accelerating; no longer subtle issues within a divided global society.

 JIV NOTE: We often hear the passage found in 11 Thessalonians to let no man deceive us. Less often do we hear the passage in 1 Corinthians that says, “Let no man deceive himself.”

Verse 5: …” having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” Keeping this discussion simple, if there is one God, (capital “G”) why are there so many denominations, religions, multiple definitions of right and wrong, pew dwellers, people making a laughing joke out of Christianity? Answer: Mankind’s free will to make God what HE wants it or him to be.

Is it church-goers that best define worship or is it the dedicated believer? Can one worship with unbelievers, those who attend church more out of habit than true worship? Sadly, there is even a division between doing church-like things instead of true worship and recognition of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Is it an appearance of godliness but no recognition or experience of the power of God? God’s power is being denied beyond salvation in some of the most conservative churches and denominations. Might it be that worshipers only find time for the symbolism of the workings of the Holy Spirit if it is a line-item in the church bulletin? Perhaps some prefer the Holy Spirit to not even be in attendance in the weekly worship service. The real question is “what do people (Christians and pew dwellers) define as worship?” Can true worship be so if unequally yoked with unbelievers IN CHURCH?

We find all of this as a lead up to the actuality of end time. These are the warning signs of which true believers must be aware and take notice. Without this knowledge one will not even see it coming; even when it has begun. We already know that Christ will return in a cloud like a thief in the night [1 Thessalonians 5:2] , at the twinkling of an eye. There is no room or time left, when this happens, to find the time to reference the Bible truths to see if something is Bible-based, or an aberration. Blink once and one will understand the time it will take for this to be fulfilled.

Have you ever wondered during the past few months if the seven-year tribulation has already begun? I know that it hasn’t yet started because Scripture says that we will be with the Lord before the antichrist establishes a covenant with Israel that starts the clock ticking for this time of God’s wrath (Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). [Jonathan Brentner]

*Here is the real question for personal preparedness and study leading up to not only knowledge but understanding. Do the events discussed up to this point come during or prior to the beginning of End Time Tribulation? Go back to verse 3:1…

What we see in this world today is a prelude, the seed soon to blossom. This is the setting of the stage for the beginning of the Tribulation in that day.  We call it End Time. Just as these seeds are taking root, as found in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, these casualties on earth will grow in intensity.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

At the twinkling of an eye between understanding and choice leaves NO TIME for a choice. It will then be too late. Many are not even actively seeking knowledge [I Corinthians 15:52] but only desire religious activities.

*Action

Choice

Understanding

Knowledge

Awareness

There are five On That Day sequential events to keep this study of End Time distinct:

1. The appointed 7-year time of tribulation for Israel i.e., Jerusalem.
   1. 3 ½ years of a false peace.
   1. 3 ½ years of trials for Israel sometimes identified as Jacob’s Troubles    
2. The time between the end of the 7-years of Jacob’s Trouble and Jesus setting up his Millennial Kingdom. He judges the nations between the end of the Tribulation and his Millennial Reign.
3. The 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom
4. Satan is released, his final run at overthrowing Jesus on earth begins for a short time.
5. Eternity: one of two places. Both destinations are permanent but neither is a grave.

If what God created was good, according to Genesis 1:4, 1:10, 12, 18, and 25, how did it go bad? (cf. Genesis 1:31). Not only was it good, but some translations say it was VERY GOOD. Let’s not ignore the Serpent in the room. SATAN. Sin did not begin with man. It began with Satan. End Time has as much to do with the history of Satan and his fallen minion angels. Why? This battle between evil and good began with Satan while he still resided in heaven. As true of humans, one of the greatest challenges is wanting something so bad, one is willing to destroy it to keep it out of their hands. This is Satan at work on earth!!!

Satan wanted to be the ruler of Heaven. Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Satan’s initial ambition was to rule the heavens. He had to settle, albeit temporarily, for another of God’s creations, the world itself. Bottom line is this battle is between two powers…God and Satan. Here is a try battle of the only super-natural superpowers: God and Satan. We are living in the time of this battle of good and evil. Yet, the evil one or son of perdition has not yet been revealed. This guy is not Satan. We already know about him. This is the Antichrist who is yet to be revealed.

Lucifer was a creation of God. He is “One of these angelic-like creatures—which is actually called a “cherub” (Ezekiel 28:14,16)—was named ‘Lucifer’ (Isaiah 14:12), and Lucifer wanted to [be glorified] glorify himself instead of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lucifer wanted to be ‘like the most High’ (Isaiah 14:14): he wanted to be “possessor of heaven and earth’”.  He desired the praise that the Lord, the Creator, alone deserved. This creature fell into sin, and was re-named “Satan” (Hebrew for “adversary”): Satan became God’s chief enemy (*Ezekiel 28:11-19)…” (by Shawn Brasseaux; emphasis)

NOTE: Satan is also identified in scripture as the *King of Tyrus in Ezekiel 28:12-17. Keep this in mind as we study End Time. Satan wanted to be LIKE the most High. There is but one God. Satan did not create God; God created him. Satan knows this but his pride drives him to be desired and worshiped by others. After all, Lucifer means the morning bright light.

Here is an issue seldom found in commentaries and not likely to be heard from many if any pulpit. Do oneself a true discipleship practice. Examine in several bible translations of the words found in Ezekiel 28:16…”the merchandise of thy (Satan’s) trading.” This should prick the curiosity of Bible students of what was or may have been going on prior to the creation of earth? Merchandise? Trading? A strong curiosity with all the universes, planets, suns, stars, other galaxies we know of that exist light-years apart. What was Lucifer in charge of while in heaven as a cherub? Consider the impossible. How many years back in eternity did Satan begin existing as a created being? Is the scientific phrase “light-years” a distance also created back in Genesis 1?

 JIV: Other galaxies are not our concern in this commentary, but this end of earth certainly is. Satan was a cherub angel. To find a description of a cherub, go to Ezekiel 10:14. A huge curiosity. Later in ahabiblemoments.com we will have a short commentary series on angels, their roles, their existence, there very being and responsibilities in heaven and on earth.

Continuing in this vein of aha or thought, cntrl/click on Ezekiel 28:19. This means there will be no “forever on earth” for Satan. This is God’s judgement yet to come following the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. Sounds a bit like the ending of End Time. Satan is more than an enemy to be defeated according to Ezekiel 28:19b. Satan will be and is fighting for his very existence. He knows it because God told him it would be his destiny.

JIV NOTE: God created *all things to be glorified by his creation (Revelation 4:11). Since we are created in the image of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we tend to desire being recognized by others for the things we accomplish in life. But… what may be these “things” in life to be credited to us as individuals? (2 Corinthians 5:10).

All things mean just that…all things: man, beast, nature, galaxies, universes.

Satan has a primary responsibility for the end time tribulation because of his challenge to God’s commands to worship God alone. He wants to be an equal to God as is Jesus. Perhaps in a very real way, he wanted to be in the shoes of Jesus. Not as a sacrifice for the sins of the human race, but as an object to be praised, worshiped, and ordained of God and perhaps a god in his own rights.

The one who withholds Satan is removed [2 Thessalonians 2:6–7]. Satan desires nothing less than to destroy God’s chosen people of Israel. Such is the rationale for the multiple invasions and multiple attempts to destroy Jerusalem over history. The tribulation is about the end of earth AND Jacob’s Trouble during this 7-years of history; one that is yet to be written. We find this in Jeremiah 30:7. But In That Day, Satan too will have an ending. A final destiny that puts him out of commission.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022

Closing thought: 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,”

Where and how to begin this narrative commentary series has been a struggle. It seems like one GOOD starting point is, the refilling of the Promised lands of Israel with Israelis. This comes from Ezekiel 37:1-14. Here is this passage from the NKJV: The dried bones of old and *all of Israel recreated…(NKJV). Then work backwards to scripture passages that describe end time events and how it will influence mankind and cultures.

*Some respected theologians suggest this is the second chance of all mankind. Hebrews 9:27 is used to reject such a thought. BUT…read this verse. It is appointed unto man once to die, then judgment. Is this a second eternal death or life with God. This concept blended with the renewed dry bones of Ezekiel 37 suggests “a second chance.” One MUST also consider (Jeremiah 30:4-10). Do not ignore that the passage in Ezekiel 37 states *all of Israel recreated…(NKJV).

37 The hand of the Lord came upon me [Ezekiel] and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. ² Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed, they were very dry. ³ And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

The Valley of dry bones are the bones of God’s elect, past, present, and future of the chosen of Abraham through Jacob. Why this is the elect from Jacob, not his father Isaac and grandfather Abraham? Abraham and Isaac had sons that did not constitute the make-up of the elect i.e., Israelis. They were/are Esau and Ishmael. All Israelis are Hebrew but not all Hebrew are Israeli. The valley is given no name. This means it is analogous to a generic place but certainly within Israel and from the four corners of the earth.

The dry bones are the descendants of Jacob; the 12 Tribes through his 12 sons. Jacob was renamed Israel by God himself. This makes him stand out from his father Isaac. Isaac was not renamed. Jacob and Abraham were renamed. Abram to Abraham and Jacob to Israel. Abraham means “a father of many nations”. Ishmael (Abraham’s son) and Esau (Isaac’s son) had a multitude of nations come from them. They, however, were not the anointed. Jacob (Israel) was the anointed of God to be the father of the Israelite nation.

So, I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

Ezekiel is stating the obvious. In man’s eye, to put life back into the DRY BONES of the ancients is inconceivable. Only God possesses the gift (spirit) of life. He is pointing out that life itself originates from God. God alone breathes life into any and all creation. We seldom hear that the life within all nature comes from God. This passage emphasizes “dry” bones of humans. This means and includes the bones of the ancients of Israel, and perhaps, the obvious; mankind will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement.

⁴ Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. ⁶ I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

Hear the word of the Lord? [shâma‛] is the Hebrew for the word “hear” in this verse. It means to “hear intelligently as in obedience.” No longer will it be a mystery to anyone. One must be cautioned…this does not mean absolute obedience by all will follow. It remains to be seen of this revelation and resurrection of “all Israel”. 

Zechariah 12:10 states…“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication…” This is the oft discussed second chance of all Israel past and present. The Spirit of grace and supplication still requires a response by those identified in this passage. The only thing promised by God is the opportunity of a second chance. This is not an automatic reprieve but an opportunity. (cf. Romans 11:27)

In a very real sense, this is God’s calling of Israelis from the four corners of the earth. It includes the Old Testament Israeli graves, the historically massacred, those who died prior to and during phase [1] of our chart posted in the introductory blog of this series.

The word “prophecy” in Hebrew is “naw-baw”. It means to “sing or speak by inspiration of a future event” (Strong’s #5012).

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

Genesis 2:7 says God breathed life into his creation. The rattling of the bones coming together did NOT happen at that time but were envisioned. Ezekiel was seeing a future re-creation of all who existed and were born into one of the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Go back to Ezekiel 37:6…: “…and now you will KNOW that I am the Lord”.

⁹ Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly *great army.

Why Ezekiel describes this renewal of life to all who are of the DNA (like it or not) of Jacob/Israel, is not clear as to his use of the term army. He could have said the nation of, the people of, those who descended from Jacob, but he calls them a army.

“…from the four winds…” Where have we read this before? This is the calling together of all Israelites. One might identify this as a total family reunion to which all Israelis will be in attendance. We see similar verbiage in Revelation 7:1-4. Examine these four verses in Revelation while keeping in mind this commandment to Ezekiel.

In the New Testament, the word for “spirit” becomes the Greek word pneuma, with the same meaning as its Hebrew counterpart. In John 20:22, when the risen Jesus appears to his disciples, John records a remarkable event: “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’’” This is a reminder to us of who first breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life. [David Demick on December 1, 2004]

NOTE: These bones resurrected become, as we read in verse 10, an “exceedingly great army”. The sheer size or population of Israelis then present on earth will be so great, it adds reasoning to why the great size of the New Jerusalem…’1,200 furlongs by 1,200 furlongs as stated in Revelations 21:16. This distance is about the same as Michigan to central Florida; New York to Omaha, Nebraska…1,500 miles. Not convinced? Cut-and-past or click on:

https://www.metric-conversions.org/length/furlongs-to-miles.htm

¹¹ Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. ¹⁴ I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

“The whole of Israel.” Can this be clearer? It is the entirety of any who are from the twelve Tribes of Israel.

“…and bring you into the land of Israel!”

This passage, verse 11 – 14 (above), is nothing short of actuality yet to happen. It does not mention the members of the Christian church. They have been raptured according to 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The difference between the rapture and the 2^nd advent of Christ is first, the uniting of believers with Christ in the clouds; the latter is Christ’s return to earth for his millennial rule over earth. In between these events we have the Tribulation…”Jacob’s troubles” (Jeremiah 30:4-10)

Eternity: one of two places. Both destinations are permanent, but neither is a grave.

Rev. Dr. Jstark
2022