Revealing Eschatology.

In Revelation chapter 18, the mysterious beast kingdom seen there called "Babylon" where "no man might buy or sell, except he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name, which is man's number 666 is noted by us as being the United States. We the "People"-letters-6, of the "United"-letters-6, "States"-letters-6. This is the mark, the name and the number of the beast. The word "mark" given here, is to mean a brand, stamp or sign of some kind, " where no man could buy or sell, lest he receive the mark---." This mark or stamp in order to buy or sell in this kingdom is what is called U.S. currency, and it is "man's number, mark and name of the beast. Made up from the people of the United States government. The stamp of approval in order to buy or sell, which has the name of the beast on all its currency. Thus refusing to take the "mark of the beast", one could neither buy nor sell.

It has been noted that once the 10th horn or king was crowned, the dragon would come forth using the beast of the sea and the beast of the earth, the false prophet (apostasized church) to fulfill the prophecy. And it is seen that this 10th horn to be crowned since Israel became a nation in 1948 was Bill Clinton, inaugurated in January of 1993. History goes on to tell us that two days after Clinton's inauguration, he issued executive orders overturning restrictions on abortion. Lifted the ban on fetal tissue used in medical research. Ordered a review on RU-486, a French made abortion pill. Ended a ban on abortions in U.S. military hospitals. Ended a ban barring homosexuals from enlisting or being discharged if found to be gay.

Shortly after that time on Sept. 13,1993, the "land for peace covenant, called the Oslo Accord", concerning the prophecy of Israel, was signed by the PLO and Israel in Washington. Two of the three kings who would be subdued presided. President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Yitzhak Rabin, the signer to that covenant. Shortly thereafter, on July 25,1994, King Hussein of Jordan, Yitzhak Rabin of Israel and President Clinton of the U.S. signed on the White House lawn, a declaration that ended an official state of war between Israel and Jordan. On Oct. 26,1994, the formal peace treaty with Jordan was signed on the Israeli-Jordanian border near Aqaba and Eilat. It is at this time we see that three kings have been "subdued" into this "land for peace covenant called the Oslo Accord," since the "crowning of the 10th horn." Shortly thereafter, all three were present when "phase two" of the Oslo Accord was signed in Washington on Sept. 28, 1995.

"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; and they worshiped the beast saying, "Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue (until) forty two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle (his dwelling place), and them that dwell in heaven." And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, (that is) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear." ( Rev. 13-4-9).

So we have seen here that since Israel's birth in 1948, the Lord prophesied that from that time the prophecy's fulfillment of the coming beast seen in Rev. 13-1 where the beast would have seven heads and "ten crowned horns" would then have come forth; and he would subdue three kings. And in that fulfillment it would bring about the breaking of the Lord's Holy Word. The breaking of the Lord's Land Covenant promise given the Jews nearly 3500 years ago. But as he swore to himself; "Heaven and earth would disappear before his Holy Word given to Israel and his saints be broken by any power that exists."

Rev. 20-7 tells us that after the thousand years, "Satan will be loosed out of his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth-Gog and Magog- to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore." This loosing out of the Abyss and their numbers are seen in the sounding of the 5th and 6th trumpets. Under the control of God, the pit of the Abyss was opened in the 5th trumpet in order for this particular group to be released to fulfill God's prophetic word. This group released at the 5th trumpet's sounding were released to infest the body of Christ to cause the "falling away."Whereas in the 6th trumpet, the rest that were allowed to be released were to "deceive and gather the nations in the four corners of the earth, and these nations are called "Gog and Magog." These groups were released several years "prior" to the expiration of the 2000 years, where then Satan would be released to give all authority to the beast of the sea to fulfill the prophecy. If I may use the term "to set up the abomination that causes desolation" that would fulfill the prophecy. And the leaders of these hordes are seen in what comes out of their mouth. "Out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet." They are spoken of as "singular individuals, "that is the beast and false prophet, but they are not, they are many, as is seen in the following verse. "For they are the spirits of devils (many demons), working miracles, (which) go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." (Rev. 16-13-14).

Rev. 9-13-21. The 6th angel sounds his trumpet and then was told to "Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men." Verses 16 through 19 tells us their number, their description and their power and authority given them. We see they are different from the first group released in Rev. 9-1-11, and they also have more power. These were given power to "slay the third part of men," (verses 18-19) "By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth---." The first group had power in their tails like scorpions to sting and torment, but not kill, and only for five months. In the 6th trumpet, the second group released also had tails to inflict injury. "For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails; for their tails (were) like unto serpents,---." So we see both groups having tails like serpents to inflict injury, and WHO is the serpent? Rev. 12-9 tells us, "And the great dragon was cast out, "that old serpent," called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." This is what was released in the 6th trumpet to slay a third part of men with fire, smoke and brimstone that comes from their mouth and tails. The lies that Satan and his followers spew out from within and without the church of Christ. Causing War, evil, misery and death. Not only literal but spiritual as well. The demons released in the 5th trumpet cause spiritual death,. Whereas the demons released in the 6th trumpet cause war and literal death in the world. Verses 20 and 21 tell us that the rest of the men which were not killed in this way did not repent of their works of their hands, and of the devils they were worshiping, and their idolatry of worshiping gold, silver, brass, stone and wood, that cannot see, hear nor walk; Neither did they repent of their murders, sorceries, fornication and thefts." The meaning here is they were totally consumed in these things and materialism, and became damned by these acts.

Going to the 6th trumpet, we see there that this countless number were released at the Euphrates river, and at a very specific time in order to kill the third part of men. That phase of the prophecy would occur at the time of the "falling away" that was prophesied to come. Where then, this countless number of demons would be released to bring in that phase spoken of in the 6th trumpet. That which would then cause war then in turn concern Israel. God's covenant land promise given the remnant of Israel of becoming a nation again in the land of their forefathers; and God's saints throughout the world.

"And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." This vial is similar and refers us to the 6th trumpet, where is seen that 200 million demon spirits were released at the river Euphrates to slay the third part of men. This 6th vial fulfills that which "began" when the 6th trumpet was sounded. We see when the 6th angel poured out his vial upon the Euphrates, "that the water thereof "was dried up." For the waters "had been dried up" since the 6th trumpet's sounding, so that "the way of the kings from the east might be prepared," to fulfill the prophecy. Who and what they are and what their objective is, is given us in verse 14, the following verse. "They are the spirits of devils (released in the 6th trumpet) working miracles which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." And the leaders of this great horde are seen in verse 13; "Unclean spirits coming out of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet."

This going forth to gather the kings of the earth, began when the 6th trumpet was sounded. It began with the Persian Gulf War. This war encompassed all of the Euphrates River, beginning from Turkey down to the Persian Gulf, from one end of the Euphrates to the other. Turkey allowed the allied airbases there, from which they would go out on their bombing missions. The part of the Euphrates said as being "dried up" was the Euphrates Valley that the ground troops used to cross. Though very muddy in some areas, they were still able to cross on foot. Using the Euphrates Valley in this way was the very means that ended the war. The Iraqi troops became trapped at the Euphrates River because they had no way to cross to escape. All avenues of escape had been destroyed by allied bombings, thus they surrendered. "That the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." It is seen in our history, that the Persian Gulf War became the very reason to find a solution to bring peace throughout the Middle East. This began to fulfill the pouring out of the 6th vial; to make way for the Arab nations and the kings of the east. That which would concern the Palestinians, Israel, the saints and the world. And this "6th vial", the gathering of the kings is at its height due to the events occurring in the Middle East in these recent years. This is what John saw in Rev. 16-13-14. And we see during this time that the demon spirits are gathering the kings and their armies together, John hears the voice of Christ saying; "Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame."

There is "No Millennium," as many teach and make others believe. Chapter 19 of Revelation shows us that all the promises and judgments are fulfilled with the coming of Christ to bring in a new order. A new heaven and a new earth, at a day and hour known only to the Lord. Like some of the other chapters given in Revelation, chapter 20 was put there to give us other details and events not given as yet in those chapters. That being how Satan came to be "inprisoned" so that God's will could be fulfilled on earth, being the church age of grace brought in through his Son Jesus Christ. And it is there at the Cross that "one of the 7 heads of the beast received a sword wound to the head." That "head" that received that sword wound was Satan (Gen. 3-15). After the fulfillment of Rev. 20-4-6 has been completed, Satan must be set loose again for a short season, to fulfill God's word seen in the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation.

Just as we have seen chapters 6-11 given in a general chronological order then taken back in chapters 12-14 to before chapter 6, to show us how Satan, his followers, the beast and false prophet came to be, so it is here in chapter 20. John was shown and brought to the point of the Lord's coming in chapter 19, where Christ is about to hand over all to the Father; now John is to be given further revelation concerning these things. What is important to understand here is Rev. 9-1, there John said he saw "a star FALLEN (had already fallen to the earth when John saw it) to the earth, and there was given to him (the fallen star angel) the key of the pit of the Abyss." Where then Satan and his demons "were to be loosed for a little season," at different times. And we see this "loosing from the Abyss" occurred with the sounding of the 5th trumpet. Now in chapter 20, the Lord gives John further revelation of how all this Revelation he received would come about, by bringing John back to its early beginnings then to a further revelation, chapters 21-22.

Rev. 20-1-7."And I saw an angel descending out of heaven, having the key of the Abyss, and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,---." Here we see he is "bound", not "locked up", as with a key. No he was "bound" with "a great chain" that was in the angel's hand. And it is said he was bound this way for "a thousand years." A "chain" is used to "restrict, restrain and control" an animal or individual. So it is here with Satan, he is limited in his activities by God, he is "restrained and under God's control for "a thousand years" (2000 years). This is where Satan received his sword-wound to the head (Gen. 3-15). His healing is seen in Rev. 13-3, where it became healed through the beast, that Satan gives all his authority to, as well as his throne. His "seat" or throne that he gave to the beast of the sea resided in the beast of the earth, called the false prophet, the apostasized body of Christ existing within the beast of the sea (see 2 Thess. 2-4). The beast of the sea "carries her", and she is a part of the beast of the sea. (see Rev. 17-3,7).

Satan was bound in this way for a thousand years to fulfill God's plan of bringing in the church age that Christ came to establish and die for. While Satan is "bound" in this way for a thousand years; Rev. 20-4, "And I saw thrones and they sat upon them; and those that were beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God." This here refers us to Luke 22-30 and Matt. 19-28 where we read; "And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory (in heaven), ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The thrones and those who sat upon them are the apostles and others seen here that died in the Lord. This is part of the first group resurrected while Satan is restricted and bound for a thousand years. The next group resurrected is given in the following words of Rev. 20-4. "And whosoever did not worship the beast nor YET his image (at this resurrection the beast "was not as yet"), and did not receive the mark on their foreheads and on their hands, BOTH (both groups resurrected seen here) lived again and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Verse 5 explains this reign with Christ for a thousand years while Satan is "bound up." But we see that "the rest of the dead (or group to be resurrected) lived not again (were not raised) UNTIL (this first) the thousand years be finished." And it is said that "this is the first resurrection." So we see that what consists of this "1st resurrection" is the first group of whom some would sit on thrones to judge, but all would reign with Christ for THAT thousand years. Where then after that time, the 2nd group, "the rest of the dead," would be resurrected. As the verse reads, "until the thousand years should be finished." And this is called "the first resurrection." The last part of verse 6 tells us what their station would be; "They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall (also) reign with him a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who hath part in the (this) first resurrection; over these the second death hath not power---."

So we see here that there are two resurrections, or groups resurrected in what is called "the first resurrection." More importantly we see here that they are spaced "a thousand years apart from each other." We see the 1st group in this "1st resurrection" where some were given thrones and authority reigned with Christ a thousand years. Where the rest of the dead were not resurrected until that thousand years had ended. When that time "had ended," they were resurrected to be priests of God and Christ. And they also would reign with Christ for a thousand years. The first group were given a reign with Christ for a thousand years. So also would the 2nd group be given a thousand years to reign with Christ in heaven. And this is called "the first resurrection." Though in fact there are two groups resurrected, nonetheless, it is called "the first resurrection, with a total reign in heaven of not a thousand years, but of a reign of two thousand years, and this is called "the thousand years." THE first resurrection, THE thousand years.

It is after that time we read, "And when THE thousand (the last thousand) years are completed, Satan shall be LOOSED out of his prison---." Here John and we are brought back to that time when he would be loosed and how he would be loosed. John was given that revelation in Rev. 9-1-12, where we see that this occurred in the sounding of the 5th trumpet. "And the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star from heaven fallen to the earth; and there was given to him the key of the pit of the Abyss." The key that the angel held in his hand seen in Rev. 20-1-3 when he had bound Satan up for that duration of time. And here he is to allow Satan authority by giving him the key (authority)to unlock the Abyss. From chapter 9 on, we are told in this book why he would be given this authority for a short season, which we know to be the fulfillment of God's will, in order to bring in the coming of his Son Christ, and to destroy all evil, dominion and authority.

Scripturally speaking, the "key" represents "authority", the "chain" represents "restriction in movement." Like when an animal is chained, the shorter the chain the more restricted he is, the longer the chain the less restricted he is. But still restricted and contained from having his full will and freedom. And the passage tells us that the angel held "a great chain" in his hand. Indicating that though Satan was restricted he still held much power and movement at his command. The meaning of this "binding" is given us in the passage, it is so he could not "deceive the nations" in order to "gather them together" as is seen in Rev. 16-12-14,16 and 20-8. The "seal" represents God's authority and guarantee that Satan could not fulfill this prophecy until that time had come to pass.

But before he could be loosed "out of the Abyss" in order to give all authority to the beast of the sea after the 10th horn (president) would be crowned in order to deceive the nations; the "falling away prophesied would need to occur first" (2 Thess. 2-3-4). And this is what is being represented to us seen in Rev. 9-1-12, called "the first woe." It is here several years prior to Satan's actual loosing after the 2000 years expire in order to give the beast all authority to "deceive the nations"; is this bottomless pit opened to release these "locusts" that caused the "falling away. We read there that to "him was given the key, "authority" to open the pit to release the locusts (Rev. 9-1-2), and they were given power (v.3). Not to kill but to "torment for five months" (v.5). Verses 6-10 give us their description and type of power they were given. These "locusts" released by Satan represent his instruments false prophets, that he would use in the body of Christ to cause the "falling away." Where those seen that are not protected "by the seal of God" (v.4) would be attacked for 5 months. And verse 11 tells us who the king over these locusts that he sent out is, the "angel of the pit" called the "Destroyer." We see in Rev. 9-2-3 he is still "contained" at this time, for when he opened the pit "locusts" were released out of the pit and not Satan, the angel or destroyer, their king. His release would come "after" the 10th horn (President) had been crowned several years later. A time after the 5 months seen in Rev. 9-5,10 and 11-3, the 1260 days would expire. Making this general time from 1989 to Sept.-Oct. 13, of 1993. The time noted as being the end of 1988 where all the major principles involved in the prophecy had been brought in. In order to bring about the next phase beginning in 1989, for Israel the "land for peace talks."

The opening of the bottomless pit causing the "falling away" in the body of Christ, and those without the seal of God to be tormented for 5 months (Rev. 9-5,10). Where after that time it is seen that the "1st woe" is past, with two woes more to come. Where we see that when the second woe begins it does not conclude until after the testimony of the witnesses end. And their testimony is said to be for 1260 days, the time given the Gentiles to thread underfoot the holy city for 42 months. So we see these times as being for nearly four years when adding them together back to back. But we see the "woes" do not come "immediately" after each other, there is a "time lapse" between them. So we cannot count the times of the 5 months and 1260 days in that manner. But they are completed in the time given being from the beginning of 1989 to Sept.-Oct. of 1993. We see this "time lapse between the woes by the wording given us in Rev. 9-12 and 11-14. "One woe is past; behold, there come* (future tense) two woes more hereafter."(9-12). "The second woes is past; behold, the third woe cometh* (future tense) quickly" (11-14).

Rev. 20-7-9 give a short history of the events that we have seen in the prior chapters, then brings us forward again beginning in Rev. 20-10 to 22. "And when the thousand years (the final 1000 yrs.) are completed, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the battle (Rev. 16-16;19-19-21); the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Here "Gog and Magog" represent the nations as a whole. Ezekiel chapters 38-39 records the war and cause that would "begin "and continue this gathering of nations called "Gog and Magog" here from the four corners of the earth; for the battle of "the great day of God Almighty." The final outcome of the battle occurs in Rev. 19-19-21. Those released at the sounding of the 6th trumpet "at the river Euphrates" was the judgment that began the prophecy that would continue to its fulfillment. And they went up upon the breadth of the earth and encompassed the camp (tabernacle) of the saints, and the beloved city; and there came down fire (judgments from God) out of heaven, and devoured them."

"And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet, and they shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." This verse is important to note here in that scripture makes clear that the Devil's destruction comes after all dominion, sin and death are conquered. And here we see that fulfillment, for Satan has now been cast into the lake of fire along with the beast and false prophet. And scripture is clear that this then brings in the eternal state, and not a 1000 year earthly reign with Christ living with and ruling "sinful flesh." 1 Cor. 15-24-26, "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; When he shall have put down all rule all authority and power. For he must REIGN, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy (that) shall be destroyed is death (the Devil)."

We see that the destruction of the beast, false prophet and Satan bring upon the great judgment. The Great White Throne, and not a millennium. 1 Cor. chap. 15 tells us otherwise. No, no millennium, it's over, it's done, and it is the time of judgment. Rev. 20-11, "And I saw a great White Throne, and him that sat thereon, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and no place was found for them." This is perhaps the time of 2 Peter 3-10-12, for it is "the Day of the Lord."

Those who teach that following the tribulation Christ will return to this sin-cursed world among sinful man to set up an earthly throne and reign for a thousand years, is a teaching and system of their own making in how they interpret scripture. As we have seen, the scriptures show us very clearly that all of God's timetable concerning the rapture of the believers is at the time of the end, which is after the tribulation and fulfillment of prophecy.

When the New Testament age has finished its course, the end will come. God does not have another age in view, like the 1000 year reign-age that many teach. God states in 1 Peter 4-7, "But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." We read in 1 Cor. 10-11, "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." We see "ends" is plural to indicate that this is the last age for everything. It is the last age for national Israel, for the New Testament church, for the nations, for wickedness, and for bringing the gospel. This is made clear in John 5-28-29, "Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in which ALL that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

When Christ is ready to come and end this present world's existence, it will be at a time when the world is going about its business, God tells us this in Luke 17-26-30. "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

God tells us in 2 Tim. 3-1-5, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affections, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away."

Many people have the idea that this world can go on and on. And many believers have been led to believe that this world is presently in the church age, and after that God has planned for a future golden age, the millennium age being taught and believed; which then will be followed by the end of the world. This is what many teach and believe, but when we carefully read the Bible we find many clear statements that we are in the final age of this world's existence. This final age began with Pentecost 2000 years ago and will end with the return of Christ, which brings about the end of the world/age. We read in Acts 2-17, "And it shall come to pass in "the last days," saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." God is saying that the last days have come (Pentecost) and during these last days it is God's will to evangelize the world . Why would he call this age of evangelizing the "last days?" To make clear to us that there is not another "age" to follow as far as this present world is concerned. This is seen in Matt. 24-14 where we read; "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and "then shall the end come." Here the Lord is saying when the age of preaching the gospel is finished, then the end will come. What then follows is a new heaven and a new earth.

We see this in 2 Peter 3-13, "--nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." The word "Armageddon" given us by the translators is not the word John used, and the word we should follow. The word John wrote and gave us is "Harmagedon," and is important to follow in order to get the proper meaning of the word of why he would write it that way. First, "Har" means "mount"and "magedon" or "megido" is to mean "place of crowds." This is the proper translation of the Hebrew word "Harmagedon" that John wrote. And it is clear he had a good reason for doing so, for it was a prophecy to come, where the word meaning would be important to the revealing of the prophecy's meaning. So we can see the word John gave us to follow as meaning a "mount" or "mountain" of a "place of crowds." And not "city of megiddo" that once existed on the Plain of Esdraelon. There is a huge difference in meaning here as can be seen. So in following "the Lord's word" the word means "a mount or mountain which consists of a place of crowds."

Because of this translation given us by translators, many have come to believe its meaning. That the area John mentions is where the armies of the kings gather for this great battle against God. On the Plain of Esdraelon or Plain of Jezreel where millions upon millions of troops will converge there for this great battle. But they have a problem when they take this in that literal sense. That being there is no way these armies and their weapons of war could accommodate those many millions of troops in such a small and contained area. When these facts are brought up to them, they theorize other ways and means of how it may or could be done. Rather than looking to Revelation and John's reason of why he used that Hebrew word and its spelling the way he did. Then when followed properly they would see what he mentions is not the literal location nor place of the Plain of Esdraelon, but another place. Yes another place that would meet the meaning and place he was conveying in that word he gave us.

Reading Rev. 16-14 closely, "---and they (the demons) go out to the kings of the whole world, to "gather them" for the battle on the great day of God Almighty." We see these demons that come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet go out and "gather the kings" of the whole world "for the battle" on the day of the Lord. And John tells us in verse 16 "where" they gathered them ; to Harmagedon, "the mount or mountain of the place of crowds." There is no mention here of "armies" that would be gathered, just the kings are to be gathered to this mountain place of crowds; though these kings have armies at their disposal. Just the kings are mentioned here by John.

This time of the prophecy is seen in Rev. 20-7-9, "When the thousand years are over Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth (called) Gog and Magog--" We see here that Gog and Magog comes from the four corners of the earth. This expression means all those of the earth that are against the Lord and his people. And it is "to gather them for battle." ---and they surrounded the camp (dwelling place) of God's people. The city he loves (figure of speech--the heavenly Jerusalem where saints reside and are heirs to). But fire (God's prophetic judgments) came down from heaven and devoured them."

The meaning of the two words "Gog" and "Magog" are given us in Ezek. 38-2 and 39-1. There they speak of Gog as being the chief prince, or leader of the land of Magog. Rev. 20-7-9 speaks of Gog and Magog as being the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, and they will be deceived by Satan. So here Magog is seen as the nations of the world and Gog is seen as the "chief prince" of these nations of the world. He is also seen as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Many agree that these areas mentioned are a part of what once was Russia before her fall beginning in 1989. So here now, this chief prince called Gog is ruler, not only over Russia, the last superpower on earth to fall, but now is chief prince or ruler over all of Magog which is all the nations of the world called Gog and Magog in Rev. 20-7-9.

This chief prince called Gog of the land of Magog (the earth of nations) is the leader who would be in office at the time of the prophecy's fulfillment.Gog "of the land", Gog who is of the land of Magog (earth); Gog who resides in, is the United States of America. And at the time of the prophecy's fulfillment, George Bush Sr. was President. The prophecy seen in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39, in part was the Persian Gulf War. Gog was then the chief prince (leader) of Meshech and Tubal and the many nations with him. During the Persian Gulf War the Allied nations, including Russia were led by the United States. And even before the start of the war, the aim of the U.S. was to be that after the war's end, they would find a way to bring "peace" to the Middle East. After the war this is what they immediately began to do. "They went out to the kings (leaders) of the whole world, to gather them for the battle for that great day of God Almighty." Satan and his demons decieve the nations using the beast and false prophet in a campaign (battle) against God and his saints, concerning Israel, by gathering the kings (leaders) of the world to break God's covenant land promise he gave to the remnant of Israel, of returning to their land and becoming a nation again "always."

When the prophecy was to be fulfilled, Israel would be back in her land again. The U.N. partition plan of 1947 is the original area of land given Israel, though she occupies much more now. But the original area of land given her in 1947 sees her western border by the Mediterranean Sea to begin at her northern end to be the border of Acre, not to many miles from Haifa, or Mt. Carmel and the Plain of Jezreel. Her southern border would be Eilat. In between Beersheba and Eilat is the Negev desert. From the days of the judges of Israel, Beersheba was the southern boundary or limit of the Promised Land, and this was always recognized. Now the length in miles from Mt. Carmel to the southern border of Beersheba would be about 180 miles. From this northern and southern border, is what she occupies today, besides her occupied territories. This area can be seen in Rev. 14-20, "They were trampled in the winepress outside the city,---for a distance of about 180 miles."

This is the same distance of land that Israel occupies today, and the reason for God's wrath, the day of God Almighty. As was noted "Harmagedon" is to mean the "mount or mountain of the place of crowds," where they gather these kings of the world. So where is this place? Since we now know that the Plain of Jezreel in Israel cannot be the gathering place for the reasons given, and given that the beast is the U.S., the chief prince of the land of Magog and the nations of the world. We look there, to this mountain to find this place called the "mount and place of crowds." Where the gathering of these kings is being fulfilled very quickly now.

The Mount and place of crowds we seek is found in our U.S. history. Washington, D.C.; Capital of the U.S. A ten mile square diamond at the Potomac River. Chosen by George Washington in 1790 on land ceded from Virginia and Maryland. The White House stands at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, about a mile and a half northwest of the Capital building. The Capital (building) rises from a hill once known as "Jenkin's Hill," but now more familiarly called "The Hill "(mount, the place of crowds). This is where the east-west and north-south axis of Washington cross-at the heart of the nation standing as a symbol of freedom and democracy." We see this Capital building or area is called the "Hill" or mount and is a place of crowds. And history shows shows us that they gather kings from the whole world to meet here and discuss various and vital world issues.

Now the final phases of this prophecy have recently come to pass, because of the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. The gathering of the kings continue to fight worldwide terrorism, while many of the Lord's saints are caught in the middle and "surrounded (Rev. 20-7-9)". The U.S. is again going out to the kings of the world to gather a coalition to stop this terrorism, wherever it may be found. As in the Persian Gulf War, the locations and areas seen in the prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 38-39 remain the same, and the nations of peoples mentioned there. That being the East, the Middle East, parts of Africa, Somolia and etc. And of course the Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanon, Syria, Iran , Iraq, and other areas where terrorism is at its height. The signs are there for all to see that the final phases of the fulfillment of the Lord's prophecy is quickly coming to its fulfillment.

This gathering place called Harmagedon could properly be called the "mountain city, the place of crowds" where these kings of the world would gather. This mountain city is also called in Rev. 16-19 and 17-5 the Harlot, the Great ( mountain city) Babylon, the mystery name given her there. Whereas in Rev. 13-18 she is called a beast who has "man's number" and that number is 666. In this mountain city also lies the United Nations Headquarters in New York, right across the street from the very place where the Twin Towers fell, a sign of God's wrath of her coming fall, the Harlot, Babylon the Great. In that very place where the United Nations sits, the world nations that gather and meet. This is the mountain city that is called in Hebrew Harmagedon where they would gather the kings together for that great day of God Almighty.

How the births of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ relate to the "1000 years."

The Historical and Biblical Evidence.

We know that Herod the Great was king in Judea when Jesus was born (Matt. 2-1). Josephus the Jewish historian writes that there was an eclipse of the moon shortly before the death of Herod. This could refer to any of three eclipses that occurred in 5 and 4 B.C. But since Josephus records that this eclipse occurred shortly before his death, the most likely is the eclipse that occurred on March 12 of 4 B.C. Furthermore Josephus states that Herod died just before Passover. At that time Passover occurred on the evening of April 11 in 4 B.C. So from this evidence it must be concluded that Herod died in the early part of April before the Passover of that year.

Before that time, Herod had held council with wise men from the east who had come to worship God's Messiah Jesus Christ. On the pretense that Herod also wanted to worship Jesus, he asked the wise men to report back to him as to where he could be found. But after a time when they did not report back to him, he became furious and ordered his soldiers to kill all children in Bethlehem two years and under (Matt. 2-16). Scripture reveals the order given was "in accordance with the time he had learned from the magi." Herod was a madman who wanted to keep his throne, so this needs to be taken into account. Its difficult to believe that Herod would go "strictly" by the time given him by the magi which he alone had learned from them as the scripture declares. In all probability he would have allowed ample time to make sure that the Messiah child Jesus would be killed. Remembering that Herod was furious that the magi had betrayed him by not reporting back to him. He would have felt and thought the same way concerning "the time" that the magi had given him of those events that had transpired.

This evidence indicates that Jesus was born sometime in 6 or 5 B.C. when going by the order to kill the children two years and under. But given that Herod was a madman and betrayed by the magi, the evidence that shall be presented leans more to the year 5 B.C. as being the time of Jesus' birth. This is indicated in Matt. 2-8 where Herod tells the magi: "Go and search diligently for the young child*;---." And Matt. 2-11 tells us, "And when they were come into the house (not the stable) they saw the young child*---and fell down and worshiped him---." We see in these verses that Jesus is said as being "a young child" and not an infant as when the shepherds saw him. So we see that Herod going by the time the magi gave him "realized" he was then "a young child" as it states in Matt. 2-8. Where shortly after the magi found the "young child" and worshiped him (Matt. 2-11).

As to "the time of year" of Jesus' birth, Luke 2-1-40 indicates that it was not in the cold and winter months as tradition holds to today. At the time that Mary was about to give birth to Jesus, Caesar Augustus (verses 1-2) "decreed that all should be taxed (registered). And this registering was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria." In those days traveling was extremely difficult in the winter months. Which indicates that this decree was instituted prior to the winter months so that the people could travel and be able to register in their own city (v.3). It was at that time that Mary gave birth to Jesus and the angels appeared to the shepherds in the field (Luke 2-8-21). The weather in the winter months would not permit shepherds to field their flocks, they would be sheltered for the winter as Jewish history reveals. So taking all this historical-biblical evidence into account thus far, it points to the time of Jesus' birth as being the spring to fall of 5 B.C.

The New Testament tells us much concerning Jesus' ministry in public. John the Baptist crossed the careers of several historical figures (Luke 3-1). The most important was Tiberius Caesar. Luke tells us there that he had been in office four years when John began his ministry. Josephus records that Tiberius became Emperor at the death of Augustus in 14 A.D. Therefore his 15th year would have been 28 or 29 A.D. depending on whether he used an accession or a non-accession scheme in dating which was common for that time. John and Jesus began their ministry about the same time. From the evidence gathered we know that Jesus had a ministry of three and a half years. When he began his ministry Luke 3-23 says that "Jesus was about 30 years of age." Here a problem emerges for Josephus' date for Tiberius' reign being 28-29 A.D. It would require us to place the death of Jesus in 32-33 A.D. which would move his birth date from 5 to 2 B.C. which by the bibical evidence given us is to late. For that time would be "after Herod's death." So it would have to have come at an earlier time. Luke confirms this for us in Luke 3-1 where he tells us that Tiberius Caesar had been in office four years when John the Baptist's ministry began.

We know from evidence that Tiberius ruled with Augustus Caesar for about three years before Augustus died. This means he would have begun his official duties in about 11 A.D. which agrees with Luke's statement that he had been in office for four years. Therefore the 15th year of his rulership would have come in 26 A.D., the beginning of John and Jesus' ministry. This date also agrees with Luke 3-23 when he began his ministry "Jesus was about 30 years of age." If indeed Jesus was born in the year of 5 B.C. and his ministry began as indicated here, the fall of 26 A.D.; he would at that time have been "about 30 years of age," which confirms Luke's statement. Adding this time of 5 B.C. to the fall of 26 A.D., they equal to 30 years.

The evidence tells us that Jesus began his ministry before the first of the 4 Passovers given us in scripture, making the length of his ministry three and a half years. Making the beginning of his ministry sometime in the fall of 26 A.D. and concluding in the spring Passover season of 30 A.D. The Jewish calendar shows that the Passover came on the evening of April 7th, A.D. 30. That would put the beginning of the Passover on Thursday evening, though tradition teaches that Jesus was crucified on Friday. Jewish time was reckoned from "evening to evening", and Jesus was crucified and died several hours before Passover began. Thus in Jewish time, Jesus was crucified, died and was buried late afternoon "Wednesday," several hours prior to the beginning of the Passover, the "new day," being Thursday evening, April 7, A.D. 30.

Now continuing with historical-biblical evidence rather than tradition, we see the scriptures confirm this date as well, that being Jesus' resurrection seen in John 20-1. "Early in the first day of the week (Sunday)---." Here John shows us that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy given in John 2-19, and confirms the evidence that the Jewish calendar shows that the Passover of April 7, A.D. 30 occurred beginning on Thursday evening and not on Friday evening as tradition holds to. In Luke 2-41-42, he states that during the Passover time when Jesus was at the temple he was "12 years old." The Jewish Passover then was on April 29 of A.D. 9. Note that Luke does not state here that Jesus was "about" 12 years old, as he stated in Luke 3-23 of Jesus being "about" 30 years of age. Rather here he is implicite that he "was" 12 years old. So this passage in Luke 2-41-42 confirms the actual age of Jesus, and the age of Jesus when he began his ministry in the fall of A.D. 26.

Now given that it was the spring Passover where Jesus is 12 years old, in going back we can possibly come to a closer time of his birth. This can be done by going back to the spring Passover time of 5 B.C. In counting from the Passover time of 5 B.C. to the Passover time of April 29, 9 A.D., we see it equals to "13 full years" and not 12 years. Therefore, Jesus could not have been born in the spring time of 5 B.C. He would have had to be born later in the year. And this is where Luke 3-23 helps us in finding that time of year of his birth. For it is there that Luke states that then Jesus "was about 30 years of age." Indicating that Jesus' 30th birthday was "very close" when he began his ministry in the fall of that year. So here we have further evidence that Jesus' birth occurred sometime in the fall, Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C. when using the Jewish calendar.

The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles ( Succot) occurs in the fall, Sept.-Oct. of the Jewish calendar. John 1-14 gives us an indication that Jesus' birth did occur during that time. "And the word was made flesh (lit., became flesh), and dwelt* among us,---." Here the Greek word "dwelt" that John used is "skenoo" which means to "tent" or "tabernacle" as God did in the tabernacle of old. Though this by itself is not evidence, but given with all the other evidence presented, this passage helps verify that evidence that he came and "dwelt" among us in Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C. Sometime during the Feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or the Feast of Tabernacles. Also Luke 2-7 records that at the time of Jesus' birth "there was no room in the inn," indicating feast gathering times.

So in bringing this all forward from the fall of 5 B.C. to the fall of 1 B.C., equals to 4 years. And from the fall of 1 B.C. to the following fall, it would be the fall of 1 A.D., for there is no "0B.C."

1. The birth of Jesus Christ-the fall, Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C. Most probably during the Feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or the Feast of Tabernacles.

2. The death of Herod-early April of 4 B.C. Shortly before Passover on April 11 of 4 B.C.

3. During Passover time on April 29, 9 A.D., Jesus as recorded in Luke 2-41-42 was 12 years old.

4. The beginning of Jesus' ministry when he was about 30 years of age in the fall, Sept.-Oct. of 26 A.D.

5. Jesus crucified, died and was buried Wednesday afternoon several hours before the time of Passover. The Passover began that evening, beginning the new day, Thursday of April 7, A.D. 30.

6. The time of Pentecost occurred on May 27, A.D. 30. The giving of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church age.

7. Rosh Hashanah occurred on Sept. 17 of A.D. 30. Yom Kippur on Sept. 26 A.D. 30. The Feast of Tabernacles on Oct. 1 A.D. 30.

The evidence given meets all the historical-biblical evidence except one that becomes a problem on finding "beyond a doubt" the timing of Christ's birth and here needs to be discussed. It is the scripture of Luke 2-1-2 that poses a problem in finding the time of Christ's birth. Luke 2-1-2 records the time of Jesus' birth. We read, "In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place was Cyrenius was governor of Syria." The problem arises from Archaeological evidence found concerning this governor Cyrenius. Several hundred years ago, evidence was found that this governor of Syria who administered the taxing seen in Luke 2-1-3 ruled in that position from 7 to 4 B.C. which agrees with the scriptural evidence given. But according to some information given us in certain books today, it is said there has been recent archaeological evidence stating that Cyrenius was twice governor of Syria. But his first period of rule is given as beginning "from 4 B.C. to 1 B.C." and not 7 to 4 B.C. But if this "evidence" be true, it would mean that Christ's birth came "after the death of Herod," and the evidence of scripture reveals otherwise. Therefore, the word of God or this "new evidence" must be rejected as being false. The answer is obvious that this "new evidence" being proclaimed by certain authorities and authors are to be rejected as being incorrect in their findings. It is totally contrary to all the historical-biblical facts presented. Therefore in keeping with the timing of Christ's birth with the evidence found that Cyrenius was first governor in 7 to 4 B.C., which agrees with God's word, is the evidence we present and follow.

Some have given another solution to this problem. That is the word "first" (Greek, prote-proto). This word "first" (prote) can also be used to mean "before." For example in John 15-18 we read, "---keep in mind that it hated me first* (before, prote-proto)." Taken in this way Luke 2-2 would then read, "This was the census that took place before* (prote) Cyrenius was governor of Syria." In any case there are several views given on the timing of Christ's birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. But here we have presented for the sake of space only the view that holds the strongest evidence found to date. That being most probably Christ was born sometime in the fall of Sept.-Oct. of the Jewish Feast times in 5 B.C.

Now can we find through the prophetic events of the birth of John the Baptist, Jesus Christ's birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection the prophetic time of chapter 20 called "the 1000 year reign"? Where when that time would expire, the releasing of Satan would occur to deceive the nations to fulfill the prophecies of the end time? We have written on Revelation chapter 20, "the 1000 years" in depth on our website (www.twospiritshendora.com) seen on "page 16" and under "articles." It was also posted and discussed on Planetpreterist.com titled, "An Apologetic on Dispensationalism," posted on Nov. 16,06 for those who may wish further information on these topics. (The timing of Satan's release is given on page 9, 13 and 16 of our website). But here to save space, in short, "the 1000 years" called the "1st resurrection" actually consists of not only two seperate groups being resurrected, but the resurrections are spaced 1000 years apart from one another. Therefore the total reign in heaven is not 1000 years, but a reign of 2000 years (Rev. 20-4-6). And this is called "the 1st resurrection" and "THE 1000 years." And it is after that time expires we read, "And when the* thousand years (the last 1000 years) are completed, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison (loosed from his "restriction")" (v.17). And then "shall go out to decieve the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle;---." (Rev. 20-8; the events are seen in Rev. 16-12-14,16).

So these passages tell us that after the 2000 year reign in heaven comes to completion, Satan is to be released on earth in order to "deceive the nations" to fulfill the remaining end time prophecies seen in Daniel, Ezekiel (chap. 38-39 "Gog and Magog" and on through chap. 48), Revelation and other scriptures relating to the prophecy. So the question arises, "when" did this 2000 year reign end to bring forth the release of Satan to fulfill prophecy, to bring in the coming of Christ our Lord and the eternal state? We know through scripture the heavenly kingdom always existed, and before the New Covenant only Old Covenant saints could enter. Therefore "when" did God bind Satan in order that his salvation plan for mankind, the church age, be fulfilled? This is of the upmost importance to know, for it relates to the expiration time of these 2000 years where Satan would then be released to deceive the nations worldwide fulfilling the prophecy.

Numerous scriptures in the New Testament indicate that this 2000 year reign began, prophetically speaking, before the birth of Christ. That being the time that we read in Rev. 20-1-3. "---having the key* of the bottomless pit and a great chain* in his hand. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal* upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more,---and after that (time) he must be loosed a little season (a little while)." It must be understood here that this passage is not to be taken "literally" concerning his "binding," but is figurative and symbolic in meaning. For obviously he, then and now, is still allowed to "roam about" to tempt and deceive. The classic example of this is seen in the temptation of Jesus Christ at the very beginning of Christ's ministry. The meaning of the passage is that he was "limited in the use of his power." Scripturally the "key" represents and means "authority," the "chain" means "restriction of movement." For example, when an animal is chained, the shorter the chain the more he becomes restricted, the longer the chain, the less restricted he becomes. But nonetheless, he still becomes restricted and contained from having his full freedom. And the passage tells us that the angel held "a great chain" in his hand. Indicating that though Satan was restricted, he still held much power and movement at his command. The meaning of this "binding" is given us in the passage, it is so he could not "deceive the nations" in order to "gather them together" as seen in Rev. 16-12-14,16 and 20-8. The "seal" represents God's authority and guarantee that Satan could not fulfill this prophecy until that time had come to pass.

We read of this binding of Satan in the parables of Jesus (Matt. 12-29; Luke 11-21-23). We know the Old Testament saints were reigning on thrones in the heavenly kingdom when looking to Matt. 17-1-8; Mark 9-2-8 where it records "the transfiguration of Jesus" speaking with Moses and Elijah. And in Luke 10-18 Jesus said "he saw Satan fall from heaven" (past tense). In John 18-36 Jesus states, "My kingdom is not of this world--. (v.37) "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born and for this cause (reason) came I into the world." For this reason was Jesus born, to bring salvation to mankind. 1 John 3-8 states, "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested (sent in flesh), that he might destroy the works of the devil." We read in 1 John 4-14, "And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son (to be) Savior of the world." Luke 2-11 states, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2-31-32, "---which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." These are just some of other scriptures that could be given that indicates the time of Satan's "binding" that would begin the time of the 2000 year heavenly reign and the salvation of mankind, that being the church age.

Now correcting first our calendar time to the birth of Christ. The fall, Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C. would become Jan. 1 A.D. 1 as being "the year of our Lord." So from Jan. 1 A.D. 1 (Sept.-Oct. 5 B.C.) to Sept.-Oct. of 1995 A.D. equals to 2000 years. Whereas the calendar we follow to this day would show it to be Sept.-Oct. of 2000 A.D. So in following Christ's birth date, we see the 2000 years actually expiring in Sept.-Oct. of 1995 where Satan would be released to deceive the nations and fulfill prophecy. Now if one were to look at our writings (on website), they would read that Satan would be released to deceive the nations in Sept.-Oct. of 1993. The time that Satan gave his throne and authority to the beast of the sea and the earth. But all authority would be given to the beast of the sea, the political beast, in order to deceive the nations called "Gog and Magog, that are in the four corners of the earth."

So here we have a two year difference as to when the 2000 years is said to be ended when following the time "from the birth of Christ." But if we take into account the prophetic events necessary that are "part" of the prophetic fulfillment of the 2000 year reign and binding of Satan to fulfill God's salvation plan; then we would need to first go back to the time of the birth of John the Baptist. For he was prophesied to be the "forerunner" to "make straight the path (coming) of the Lord" (Mark 1-1-3; Luke 1-17; John 1-15). And it is there in those texts concerning the birth of John and Jesus would we find the time that agrees to the time stated as being Sept.-Oct. of 1993.

Luke chapter 1 records the events concerning John the Baptist's birth. There the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah a priest, while he was servicing in the temple of God, and was told that "in time" his wife would bear him a son, and he was to be called John. Where then we read in Luke 1 23-24, that after "the days of his ministration were finished, he departed to his own house." And "after those days" (a short time after his return), his wife Elizabeth conceived, "and hid herself for five months." Luke 1-26-27 then tells us that "in the sixth month" of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel appeared to Mary who was "betrothed" to Joseph at that time. Gabriel tells Mary that she "shall conceive" in time Jesus, the Son of God by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1-35).

In verse 36 Gabriel tells her that Elizabeth, Mary's relative has also conceived a son and that "this is the sixth month with her." This tells us that when Gabriel appeared to Mary, Elizabeth was "beginning" her 6th month of conception. It is at this time (v.39) that Mary "went out with haste" to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Then in verse 45, "Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit" proclaims that there "shall be" a fulfillment of the things which were told to Mary from the Lord. Indicating that at that time Mary "was yet" to conceive. Then Luke 1-56 tells us that "Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house." With no indication given here that she had conceived as yet. We also know that at that time Mary was "betrothed" to Joseph (Luke 1-27).

So here we have Mary betrothed to Joseph when she visited Elizabeth who was in the beginning of her "6th month." Therefore this would mean that John was conceived 5 months prior to this time, and Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Matt. 1-18 tells us, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise (as follows); When as his mother Mary was espoused (betrothed) to Joseph, before they came together (consummated the marriage), she was found with child of the Holy Spirit." Here we see Mary was betrothed to Joseph, though they were not actually married. Among the Jewish custom, marriage vows were said at the "betrothal." The custom required an interval of "one year" of betrothal before the bride could actually take residence in her husband's house and consummate their union. It is during this interval that Mary was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.

Now following the evidence of Jesus' birth as being correct, being Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C., and Mary being "with child" when Joseph married her "after" the betrothal time of one year; it seems reasonable to suggest that Mary was about 3 months along when Joseph married her. Therefore, if this be correct, then the year betrothal time ended in March-April of 5 B.C. and Mary was about 3 months along when the marriage took place. Therefore the "betrothal time" would have "begun" sometime in March-April of 6 B.C. when Gabriel appeared to Mary and Elizabeth was "in the beginning of her 6th month" as the texts reveal. This then tells us that 5 months prior was the time that Zechariah and Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist. Now 5 months prior to March-April of 6 B.C. brings us to Sept.-Oct. of 7 B.C. in following the Jewish calendar as to the time that John was conceived. So at this time to gain a clearer perspective of these events and dates, we give them here below.

1. Zechariah's revelation in the temple and the concieving time of John the Baptist "in those days." Aug.-Sept. of 7 B.C.

2. Elizabeth conceives John the Baptist. Sept.-Oct. of 7 B.C. This time being the beginning of God's salvation plan for mankind, Satan's "binding" and the beginning of the 2000 year heavenly reign.

3. Elizabeth's hiding for 5 months. Sept.-Oct. of 7 B.C. to Feb.-March of 6 B.C.

4. Mary visits Elizabeth in the beginning of her 6th month, and in the beginning "betrothal time" of Mary and Joseph. March-April of 6 B.C.

5. The betrothal time ends and Joseph marries Mary. At that time Mary about 3 months along. March-April of 5 B.C.

6. The birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah and Savior of the world. Sept.-Oct. of 5 B.C.

7. The death of Herod, early April of 4 B.C., shortly before Passover on April 11 of 4 B.C.

8. Jesus at the temple at Passover time when he was 12 years old. April 29, A.D. 9, time of Passover.

9. Beginning of Jesus' ministry when he was about 30 years of age. Sept.-Oct. of A.D. 26.

10. Jesus crucified, died and buried Wednesday afternoon shortly before Passover beginning Thursday evening on April 7, A.D. 30.

11. Pentecost; the giving of the Holy Spirit beginning the church age. May 27, A.D. 30.

12. The beginning and end of God's salvation plan to bring in the final times prophesied in scripture. This time relates to the 2000 year heavenly reign, and the binding and loosing of Satan "for a little while" (Rev. 20-3). From Sept.-Oct. of 7 B.C. to Sept.-Oct. of 1993 A.D.

At that time it would bring in the final times prophesied in scripture to their fulfillment. Then, at a day and hour known only to the Lord, His glorious coming, the cleansing and restitution of all things in order to bring in the eternal state; the new heaven and the new earth.

Here we have presented and brought forth all the historical-biblical evidence which can be seen, meets with what we have recorded concerning the prophetic texts seen throughout scripture and presented here.

Ezekiel's Vision of the Temple.

There are several important issues that need to be discussed and understood before going to Ezekiel chapters 40-48. First, many agree that this was a future fulfillment given to Ezekiel at that time nearly 600 years before Christ. And many believe that this temple building would literally be fulfilled. But for those who believe this comes problems. The major problem being the "sacrificial system" given in Ezekiel that comes with the building of this temple. Since they believe that a temple building is to be literally built, they also take and see the sacrificial system described in Ezekiel literal as well. Thus they face a major problem in their conclusions, for much of the New Testament makes very clear that Christ forever fulfilled the need of "ritual blood sacrifices" at the Cross. So by not accepting this, their conclusions become totally literal. That if a literal temple is to be rebuilt, then a literal sacrificial system will also be brought in with the temple's rebuilding. They cannot accept a literal fulfillment of a rebuilt temple building, and then spiritualize the sacrificial system seen and described in Ezekiel.

They fail to realize and understand that this prophecy was given to Ezekiel in Old Testament times 600 years before Christ would fulfill the end of the sacrificial system seen in Ezekiel. The New Covenant given us through Christ, where now the sacrificial system of "blood" for "sin offerings" have changed. The difference being we no longer have to give "blood sacrifices of animals" for our sins and transgressions when approaching God. We approach God through Christ, our mediator and High Priest. And we no longer have to go to a particular temple building in Jerusalem to offer animal sacrifices to God. Christ by his blood abolished "blood sacrifices" for "sin atonement," but "sin atonement" was not abolished only "changed" through Christ when approaching God.

Looking to these sacrifices seen in Ezekiel, we can see they were to have a different meaning than the ritual blood sacrifices seen in the Old Covenant. Ezek. 43-17 states that the alter of burnt offering in this temple will have steps facing east. Under the Mosiac Law this alter would have been illegal, because its stipulations "prohibited" both going "up by steps to my alter" (Exo. 20-26) and an "eastern pointing." This is why the alters in previous temples were constructed with a ramp for priestly ascent and with a north and south direction. So here in Ezek. 43-17 it reveals how vastly different this "sacrificial system" deviates from the Old Covenant.

Another issue that needs to be discussed and understood is what is given us in Rev. 11-1,3-4, that which would relate to the temple building seen in Ezekiel, and those who would be the ministers of the temple and the Lord. The temple seen in Ezekiel was to be built during the prophecy's fulfillment concerning the end times. And at that time those who would be called to minister to the Lord would reside in the temple building prophesied to be built; then called to fulfill the prophecies of the Lord seen in Rev. 11-1-14. These being the two witnesses who would reside in the temple seen in Ezekiel. The word used in Ezekiel for this temple building some 40 times is the Hebrew word "bayith" which means "house." And several times in Ezekiel it is called a "temple" and 6 times the word "sanctuary", Hebrew "qodesh" to mean a sacred place or thing. As in a sanctuary or saint. But the majority of times it is called "a house," for that is what it is, a house or home that people reside in. And that being where the two witnesses would reside when called to minister for the Lord.

Rev. 11-1,4, "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple (naos) of God and the alter (the golden alter-not the brazen alter in the outer court), and count the worshipers there." (but exclude the outer court). V.4, "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." (The ministers of the Lord). The prophecies seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 were prophecies to be fulfilled not in the "millennium age" as many believe, but in the end time prophecies of Revelation. Where the temple building would be built and the ones who would dwell in it would be called to service for the Lord. They are called in Revelation "two witnesses."

When Hebrews 8-13 speaks of a new covenant that made the first covenant old and ready to vanish, we must remember the "subject" of this letter was the "old priesthood and blood sacrificial system" which was about to change for two reasons. First, the temple and that present sacrificial system was about to be destroyed, Second, Christ had become a different manifestation of the sacrifice and high priesthood. But under no circumstances did Paul or the apostles suppose that "the Old Covenant Laws in its entirety" was about to vanish, or become abolished. The writer of Hebrews referred "only to the old system of sacrifices and priesthood were about to vanish," and "not the spiritual principles" of the Old Covenant Law that God ordained for all and forever. The idea that the holy days are foreshadows of Christ are true. But those that believe they were "all" fulfilled in Christ at the Cross "is a false assumption. Paul says they are shadows of things "to come," concerning Paul's statement in Col. 2-17, of the holy days, new moons and Sabbaths; as is seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. If the holy days had "totally" been fulfilled in Christ, they could not be shadows of "things to come," when Paul made that statement 30 years after Christ's death. The holy days are foreshadows of God's salvation plan for mankind. Their real significance comes to light in the New Covenant seen in the birth and crucifixion of Christ. The holy days fulfilled by Christ are seen in the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavout (Pentecost) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Luke 24-44 refers to these things fulfilled in Christ's first coming.

The "daily" (Hebrew "hatamid") services were like a mini-day of atonement, because repeatedly when a person was defiled, he would remain "unclean until the evening" (Exo. 27-20-21;30-7-8; Lev. 24-3). Uncleanness was atoned for at evening. Also Judicial judgments were brought in and completed at evening (Joshua 7-6;8-29;10-26; Judges 20-26,28,etc.), the evening sacrifice was more prominent than the morning sacrifice. The "daily" (hatamid) seen in Daniel chapter 8 is a unique high priestly function. That part of the daily (hatamid) unique to the high priest and occurring "within the sanctuary itself," and was always reckoned from evening to morning (Lev. 24-2-4; Exo. 30-7-8). Thus the use of Daniel's wording of "evening-morning" seen in Dan. 8-14. Also to be noted here, the burnt sacrifices always occurred in "the outer court."

Concerning chapter 8 of Daniel, the question now is why "ereb-boqer" (Heb. "evening-morning") used rather than "yamin" which means "days"? Some have argued that "ereb-boqer" is a reference limited to the daily sacrifices. But the daily "burnt sacrifices" were only reckoned "morning to evening" and not "evening to morning," the wording given here in Daniel. Others have suggested that it simply refers to day units like the days of Genesis in chapters 1-2, given there as evening and morning. But "yom" and "yamin" (day) are also used in Genesis 1-2 to stress the evening and morning to be a calendar day unit; a 24 hour calendar day. Here in Daniel chapter 8 "ereb-boqer" (evening-morning) is used rather than "yamin" (day) because it is not to be seen as a "calendar day."

The time unit wording used by Daniel are not to be seen as ordinary calendar days, but rather are to be seen as ritual "hatamid" calendar days. That which involves what is asked in Dan. 8-13; "Until when the vision, the daily (hatamid), the desolating transgression, to give both sanctuary and host to be trampled"? Evening-morning (ereb-boqer) is used because it is the answer in reference to the removal of the daily (hatamid) and the process of the trampling of the sanctuary and host. The answer given in Dan. 8-14 is "Until (the evening-morning-ereb-boqer) two thousand and three hundred then shall the sanctuary be made right" (vindicated). There are several reasons to indicate that evening-morning (ereb-boqer) refers to the daily (hatamid) service of ritual calendar days rather than simply calendar days seen here in Dan. 8-13-14,26.

So here we can see through scripture that the question and answer given us in Dan. 8-13-14 refers to the daily (hatamid) cycles of the evening-morning rituals of the Old Testament sacrifices which bring in vindication, cleanliness and judgments to make right all things that offend. Except for the burnt offerings and rituals done in the "outer court" (which the Lord rejects, see Rev. 11-1-4), all the ritual sacrifices prominent and commanded by the Lord were done "in the sanctuary", the inner court, the holy place, and from "evening to morning." But on the Day of Atonement, which was once a year, the sacrifices on this day were unique to the High Priest, who alone was to enter the Holy of Holies to minister to the Lord, clothed in simple linen clothes.

The use of the word "chattaq" (decreed) in Dan. 9-24-27 is unique in all of scripture. It literally means "to cut", and has a metaphorical meaning of "decree" or "determine", to "divide" or "allot". The question is what meaning of "chattaq" is meant here in the context of Daniel? The answer is seen in what we read; Seventy weeks are decreed (shattaq--cut or cut up) to finish transgression, end sins, atone for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, to end vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy (qodes qadasim--Holy of holies-most holy place). This word "chattaq" used by Daniel was to indicate to us why he "separated" the 70 sevens in the way he did. To indicate they would not be "continuous" in counting these 70 sevens. They would be "cut up" or "divided" in their time of fulfillment. Indicating to us here a "time gap" which many reject. The 7 sevens would come at a particular time in history, the 62 sevens would not follow (immediately in counting), but would come at a particular time in history, as would be the same in the final "seven" given us in Daniel. The final seven would come, like the others at a particular time in history "decreed or determined by the Lord."

The word "sanctuary" in Dan. 8-11 is "miqdash," and is not the same as "qodesh" in verse 14. "Miqdash" in scripture at times can refer to Satan's dedicated place. This can be seen in 2 Thess. chap. 2 where he would sit and exalt himself in the sanctuary (naos) of God, and not in the "heiron" which means a temple building and its overall precincts of an actual literal temple building of God. The word "sanctuary" in Dan. 8-14 is "qodesh" and is not the same. Miqdash means "any dedicated place", see 2 Chron. 36-17. Also Ezekiel 28-18 refers to Satan's sanctuary as "miqdash". Where in contrast "qodesh" exclusively refers to the Lord's true sanctuary. In verse 13 we see these actions (the transgression) are to be taken against the Lord's true sanctuary and host, for the word "qodesh" is here used, rather than "miqdash" as was used in verse 11. Which then would become Satan's dedicated place, and not the Lord's true sanctuary. It would be seen as being defiled, therefore rejected by the Lord.

Going to Rev. 11-1-2 we read, "---rise and measure the temple (naos) of God, and the alter, and those who worship therein." The meaning of the "naos" here is the holy place or sanctuary, and not its outer courts. This is seen in verse two, "But the court that is without (the temple sanctuary precincts) cast without (it is rejected and cast aside), and measure it not; because it is given up to the Gentiles; and the holy city shall they thread underfoot forty and two months." So we see what is to be measured here is the naos (temple sanctuary), the alter and the worshippers therein, that which is within the sanctuary precincts itself. Therefore we see this "alter" to be measured "cannot" be the "brazen alter" that lay in the outer court of the temple sanctuary, where the burnt sacrifices were held. But rather it speaks of the "golden alter of incense" that lay within the holy place of the sanctuary that is to be measured. We see in verse 2 the outer court of the sanctuary being distinquished from the sanctuary of God. The sanctuary precincts measured are excepted by God, but the court outside the perimeter of the sanctuary is "rejected" and given over to the Gentiles. We see in rejecting the outer court where the brazen alter lay, the Lord indicates he also is rejecting the blood and burnt sacrifices that were done on the brazen alter of the outer court. Rightly so, because here we see that the New Covenant had been brought in through Christ abolishing Old Covenant ritual blood and burnt animal sacrifices. Jesus became our High Priest. "--who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice (blood sacrifices) first for his own sins, and then for the people's; for this he did once, when he offered up himself" (Heb. 7-27). "A minister (Jesus High Priest) of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8-2). "In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away" (become obsolete; Heb. 8-13).

This measuring of the sanctuary, alter and worshipers seen in Rev. 11-1-2, is what is spoken of in Ezek. 42-20. "He measured it by the four sides; it had a wall round about, five hundred cubits long, and five hundred broad, to make a "separation" between the sanctuary (holy area) and the profane (defiled) place." The outer court not measured in Rev. 11-1-2. The context of Ezekiel chapters 40-48 give us the complete details of what Rev. 11-1-2 speak of. There in Ezekiel we see the measuring of the sanctuary, the alter, the ministering of the offerings under the New Covenant, the worship and service of the prince, the land portions, etc.

In Ezek. 43-20, we see the priests are to take the "blood of the bullock and young goat", representing Christ's blood atonement, and put it on the four horns that projects upward from the alter. Also on the four corners of the ledge, to mean its base or bottom. And upon its border to mean its outer rim that is round about it. To mean all around and all its four outward corners that make up the alter. The measurements of the alter are given in Ezek. 43-13-17. There in verse 16 is given the size of the alter in cubits. The alter itself is said to be a square, 12 by 12 cubits. A cubit is generally believed to be 18 to 21 inches long, for simplicity we will follow the cubit to be 18 inches. So this 12 by 12 cubit square would equal to an 18 foot square. In verse 17 its ledge, base or bottom of the alter is also a square but larger; it is 14 by 14 cubits. So this would equal to a square of 21 feet. Its border or outer rim is said to be a half cubit, being 9 inches, making the total outer square of the alter approximately 22 feet. Its bottom or base it sits on is said to extend even further by a cubit. This makes the alter overall at least 23 and a half feet in its size. Now allowing that a cubit can be 21 inches long, the overall size of the alter can be seen as being 25-26 feet square in size. "And his stairs shall look (face) toward the east" (Ezek. 43-17).

This "atonement" seen in Ezekiel that is to be made for the house of Israel, under the New Covenant this house of Israel represents "all Israel", Israel and the grafted in, the body of Christ, the Lord's sanctuary where he dwells. And this "sanctuary" called the house of Israel in Ezekiel is seen in Dan. 8-13-14. And there it is asked, how long for the sanctuary to be made right? "Unto two thousand and three hundred evening-morning; then shall the sanctuary be made right" (vindicated). From here we go to Ezekiel chapters 40-46, for they relate to Daniel's prophetic time given in 8-13-14. The "daily" (hatamid) spoken of in Dan. 8-11-14,26;11-31; and 12-11-12. The "daily times" and observances that relate to the sanctuary in order to make it right. In Ezekiel these times and observances are to be done by the "prince," to prepare these offerings for the people, himself and the sanctuary. Scripture makes clear that we are all part of the same body of the Lord, with many parts. Where each part has a certain and special function to carry out and perform. So that the whole of the body can perform and function correctly, as scripture declares.

Going to Ezek. 44-1-3, we read that the gate of the outside perimeters of the sanctuary that faces east was shut. That is the outside perimeters of this sanctuary's total measurements given in Ezekiel. And it was not to be opened, and no man was to enter by it, because the Lord had entered by it; therefore it would remain shut. This shows us why the gate or entrance to the sanctuary that faces east was shut. It was shut from the outer court that held the brazen alter of burnt sacrifices, for they were rejected. And no man or priest could enter by it" to offer burnt and blood sacrifices." For the Lord Christ had entered by it by the giving of his body and blood on the Cross for the atonement of all mankind (Heb. 10-4-6,9). Thus it would remain shut, to mean that the Old Testament sacrifices have been abolished forever through Christ. So at this time here in Ezek. 44-3, we see it is only for the "prince" to sit and eat bread before the Lord. Scripture tells us that the "bread" represents God's word, and digesting it brings nourishment and life. This representation of eating and digesting can be seen in Rev. 10-9-11, the digesting "of the book, the Lord's word, the Lord's bread." And here in Ezekiel we see only the "prince" is allowed to sit and eat bread before the Lord in the Lord's sanctuary.

As noted the offerings seen here in Ezekiel, in order to bring back the sanctuary of the Lord to its proper state spoken of in Dan. 8-14,26, represent men. The bullocks, the rams, the Lambs, the goats represent men to be offered up to the Lord at the prophecy's fulfillment. This is seen in Ezek. 34-17-31 as we read; "And you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. (Is it not enough that) you have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must thread (trample) down with your feet the residue (remainder) of your pastures? And to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must fowl the residue with your feet? And my flock, they eat that which ye have troddened with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fowled with your feet. Therefore, thus saith the Lord God unto them; Behold, I will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. I will save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle." "Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God (am) with them, and they, the house of Israel (are) my people, saith the Lord God. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture (his field-the earth) are men, (and) I am your God, saith the Lord God" (Ezek. 34-30-31).

Beginning in Ezek. 44-1-3 we are told of the station or office to be given the prince by the Lord. But first, "the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east was shut." And no man could enter by it, because the Lord had entered by it, and it would remain shut except for the priests who represent the seed of Zadok and the prince. (V.3), "It (is) for the prince (and priests-Ezek. 44-15-16); the prince, he shall sit in it (in the sanctuary) to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by the way of the porch (entrance) of (that) gate, and shall go out by the way of the same." The eating of the bread here represents the Lord and the knowledge of his word that the prince would need to digest in order to minister for the Lord.

Continuing in Ezek. 45-21-25 we read; "In the first (month), in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the passover, a feast of seven days;----. And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock (for) a sin offering." We read in Ezek. 45-25, "In the seventh (month), in the fifteenth day of the month; shall he (the prince) do the like (the same) in the feast of the seven days, according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meal offering, and according to the oil." These are the ordinances and preparation offerings to be done in these feast days seen here in Ezek. 45-22-25 when the prophecy would be fulfilled. There are no other "feasts" mentioned except for new moons and Sabbaths that these offerings are to be prepared by the prince to make atonement for the house of Israel (Ezek. 45-15-17).

This now brings us to Ezek. 46-1, "Thus saith the Lord God; the gate (entrance) of the inner court (of the sanctuary) that looketh (faces) toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath (the 7th day) it shall be "opened," and in the day of the new moon it shall be "opened." So we see the gate of the inner court of the sanctuary would remain "shut" six working days, but on the following Sabbaths and new moons, it would be "opened." As we read in Ezek. 45-17, "It shall be the prince's part (service)" to prepare "burnt offerings (not Old Testament ritual burnt offerings), and meal offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the Sabbaths, in all the solemnities (commanded here in Ezekiel by the Lord) of the house of Israel,---to make reconciliation (atonement) for the house of Israel."

This sanctuary and their ordinances given here in Ezekiel is the sanctuary spoken of in Dan. 8-13-14,26, and that which concerns the 2300 evening-morning time given there. Where at the prophecy's fulfillment these preparations were to be done by the minister of the Lord called in Ezekiel the "prince." To be done on the Sabbaths, new moons, and the 2 feasts mentioned in Ezekiel when the gate of the inner court would be opened. Only then, for at all other times "the gate is to remain shut," where no "entrance" can be made. Now since we have here an end time prophecy and the New Covenant has been brought in through Christ, we are considered "the house of Israel",and are the Israel of God. And we no longer need to present to God blood sacrifices and burnt offerings, for through Christ he forever abolished those particular sacrifices as our High Priest and the giving of himself at the Cross.

So it is seen in these texts that these sacrifices and offerings can only be done on these occasions when the gate of the sanctuary is opened, otherwise it is to remain shut. And no offerings can be given during the times that the gate is shut. These judgment times are seen in Rev. 15-8, "And the temple was filled with smoke (judgment) from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple (the heavenly temple), till the seven plagues (the 7 vials) of the seven angels were fulfilled." During the time of these judgments seen in Revelation, offerings can only be made by what we read in Ezekiel. This is seen in Ezek. 46-13-15, when the gate of the sanctuary is "open," for in the evening it would be shut, as we read in verse 15. "Thou shalt daily prepare a burnt offering unto the Lord a lamb of the first year without blemish; thou shalt prepare it every morning. Thus shall they prepare the lamb and the meal offering, and the oil, every morning for a continual burnt offering." Just as we read in the Old Testament observances, that which also concerns the lampstand and the alter of fire, these offerings seen here in Ezekiel are to represent the same thing. In order that the fire or "light" of the alter and lampstand would continue throughout the evening (darkness) and morning, so as to never go out. In order that there would always be light and offerings, the Lamb representing Christ, given in the sanctuary of the Lord.

This is the sanctuary spoken of in Dan. 8-13-14,26 where it asks how long? "Unto two thousand and three hundred evening-morning; then shall the sanctuary be made right" (Dan. 8-14). The words "evening-morning" given us is in the singular form, as is also seen in Dan. 8-26, "---the evening and the morning." Though they are 2300 evening-mornings they are given in a singular form. That is evening to morning, evening to morning--. This is to indicate to us that the time given of the evening-mornings are not to be seen nor counted in the normal "continuous" manner, as has been noted in these pages. It is given that the evening-mornings is to "total" to 2300 in a ritual calendar time of counting, where then the sanctuary is to be made right, and not until.

In scripture, darkness represents evil forces and God's judgments. Light represents God, Christ, truth and vindication, and here in Daniel and Ezekiel is what these times represent. The time given of evening-morning is to mean an evening to morning "cycle period," and not a 24 hour "cycle day period." The time given would total to 1150 evening "cycle periods," to 1150 morning "cycle periods." The morning cycle periods would represent when the offerings could be given when the gate of the sanctuary would be "open." The evening time cycle would be to "prepare" the offerings that could be given to the Lord in the morning cycle when the gate of the sanctuary would be open. In the times stipulated by the Lord, in the Sabbaths, new moons and feasts is when the gates of the sanctuary would be opened. Therefore, these evening-morning cycle periods would take "many days" to their fulfillment.

So the 2300 evening-morning would equal to 1150 evening time cycles and 1150 morning time cycles, and these "set time cycles" would equal to 2300, but would come to "many days." We can see this if we strictly follow God's ordinances given us here in Ezekiel. These ordinances being the feast of Passover given as being "the fourteenth day of the first month," and the fifteenth day of the seventh month." (Ezek. 45-21-25). And the Sabbaths and new moons ordinances (Ezek. 45-17). So in following these ritual evening-morning cycle times we see they come to "many days." For we like the Jews observe 52 Sabbaths a year, and there are 12 new moons in a year. Concerning the feasts ordinances of the Lord, the Lord mentions only two, the Passover and the feast of Tabernacles, when following the time given in Ezekiel as Jewish feast times. That being the first and seventh month of the Jewish ritual year. These then would total to 66 evening-mornings ritual calendar days per year. Multiplying this amount to 17 years, we come to 1122 evening-mornings. A remainder of 28 to bring it to the 1150 evening-mornings prophesied. This remainder amounts to nearly another half year. Where it can now be seen that this prophecy would take a general time of seventeen and a half years to be fulfilled.For the "sanctuary to be made right" (vindicated, not the completion of the prophecy). And not seven literal years as many believe because of how they translate Daniel 9-27. Daniel wrote the final "seven" to be "until" that which is determined by the Lord, and that time being "until the consummation---." In closing this is to indicate what the angel told Daniel in chapter 8, "it shall be for many days."

The Lord's Appointed Holy Days.

The prophetic principles of types and shadows of things to come are demonstrated in the seven great feasts of Israel. These annual events reveal special insights of things to come, and hindsight of things that have past. The Lord himself established seven occasions of worship to guide Israel through the centuries until Jesus comes at the end of the age. Christians assume these feasts are exclusively Jewish occasions. But the Bible makes clear these days belong to the Lord. These feasts of the Lord are established for divine purposes. Each of the feasts established for God's divine purposes points to and describes what lies ahead for Israel and the rest of the world.

The seven feasts of the Lord then are his "appointed times," during which he will meet with men for holy purposes. When completed, the seven holidays will bring this age to an end and usher in the eternal age to follow. These holy days would concern the prophecy of the end time events given us in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. Where there is seen that there are to be certain feast holy days to be instituted and followed. Jesus opposed much of Judaism because it represented a departure from the way God originally revealed it to the Jews, but Jesus did not oppose the holy days nor the dates on which they were kept. He attended the feasts, as did his disciples (Matt. 26-17-20; John 7-8,14,37).

Col. 2-14-17 is a text often referred by many to mean that Christ nailed the law to the cross, thus, God's holy days are done away with. The holy days were not nailed to the cross by the death of Christ, or else Paul writing to the Colossians 30 years after the crucifixion would not have said, "they are shadows of things to come."* Col. 2-14-17 does not say the holy days were nailed to the cross. This text says, by Christ's death the "penalty" we deserve for breaking God's commandments "was nailed to the cross." The idea that the "entire" Jewish system was a shadow of things to come is not substantiated by scripture. Hebrews 9-10 clearly states, "which laws" were "temporary." There is no text in the Bible apart from Hebrews 9-10 which specifically states what was abolished, and there it is seen to be he "sacrificial system." It was meat and drink sacrifices and offerings, diverse washings, and regulations for the body which were abolished. Since the Levitical priesthood was to be "changed" (Heb. 7-12), there was no longer the necessity for the many requirements which were associated with it. The Levitical priesthood now has Jesus Christ as its High Priest. The apostle Paul said that the New Testament ministers (the saints) are the ministers of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 6-4). And did Christ and his New Testament ministers keep God's holy days? Yes!

Paul told the Corinthians to keep the feasts (1 Cor. 5-8). What is clear from the New Testament is that the laws and commandments of God, as well as the Sabbath and the holy days continued to be observed by the New Testament church. It was the "sacrificial law" with its various sacrifices that was abolished. This was the "added law"' which was to be temporary in nature. It was given and done to point the way to Christ. The added law spoken of in Gal. 3-19 was the "sacrificial law" which began in the second year after Israel left Egypt. It was the sacrificial law "only" that was done away with. Nowhere in the entire Bible is there to be found a statement which says God's Sabbath and Holy Days are done away with.

A look at the Old Testament tells us without doubt, that the holy days are to be observed "forever." That is until the coming of Christ. This can be seen in Zech. 14-16-19 and Ezek. 45-17, just to name a few. The observance during the time period seen in those texts demonstrate that they have not been abolished. For they are prophetic in context and relate to the end times, where the New Covenant has been brought in through Christ. What was abolished and seen in various chapters of Ezekiel 40-48 is the "sacrificial system" presented there. Thus they are to be seen and taken as being symbolic and spiritual in nature. With the New Covenant it no longer is to be followed and applied "literally" for Christians today, but the feasts and holy days given there still apply. "And it shall be the prince's part (to give) burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the Sabbaths, in all solemnities (appointed times) of the house of Israel;---to make atonement for the house of Israel" (Ezek. 45-17; see Dan. 8-14, atonement of the sanctuary).

By the 4th century the Roman church had changed the church's fundamental teaching of "keeping the law" to a religion whose message avoided anything to do with the term "law". By this time Christian writers had begun to teach that the law had been fulfilled by the coming of Christ. By misusing the word "fulfilled" they defined this to mean "it was abolished" or canceled; which was exactly "opposite" the teaching of Christ (Matt. 5-18-19). Paul in Gal. 6-2, like Jesus, understood the phrase "fulfill the law" to mean one should fulfill the law through love and doing for others (Gal. 6-2; Romans 13-10). When Hebrews 8-13 speaks of a new covenant that made the first covenant old and ready to vanish, we must remember the "subject" of this letter was the "old priesthood and sacrificial system" which was about to change for two reasons. First, because the temple and this present sacrificial system was about to be destroyed, and second, because Christ had become a different manifestation of the sacrifice and high priesthood. But under no circumstances did Paul or any Jewish writer suppose that God's unchanging nature, "the old covenant laws in its entirety" was about to vanish or become abolished. The writer of Hebrews referred only to the old system of sacrifices and priesthood was about to vanish, and not the "spiritual principles of the Old Covenant Law" that God ordained for all and forever.

The idea that the holy days are foreshadows of Christ, and "all fulfilled in Christ" is a false notion. Paul said they are shadows of things "to come," in Col. 2-17 when speaking of the holy days, new moons and Sabbaths. If the holy days had been totally fulfilled in Christ, they could not be shadows "of things to come." They would have all been fulfilled when Christ was crucified 30 years before Paul made his statement in the book of Collossians. If the holy days were fulfilled in Christ, why did the New Testament church continue to observe them many years after Christ's death? The holy days are foreshadows of the plan of God's salvation for mankind, and they are seen in Ezekiel 40-48 that speaks of the end time events of God's plan for those times.

Their real significance comes to light in the New Covenant seen in the birth and crucifixion of Christ. 1.Passover speaks of redemption. Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb who would be sacrificed for us. 2. Unleavened Bread speaks of sanctification. Christ's body would not decay in the grave. 3. Firstfruits speaks of resurrection. Jesus Christ would rise triumphantly from the grave on the third day. 4. Shavuot/Weeks speaks of origination. Jesus Christ would send the Holy Spirit to bring in the church age. 5. Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement speaks of Jesus Christ being our High Priest who makes atonement on our behalf. The significance of these feast holy days were fulfilled in the life of Christ, with the exception of the Feast of Tabernacles. There are two feast holy days mentioned in Ezekiel 40-48, the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles, the others are not mentioned, for they were fulfilled in Christ. The Passover is mentioned because it is yet to be totally fulfilled in Christ at his second coming, as is with the Feast of Tabernacles. As seen in Ezekiel these were yet to be fulfilled in those end time events seen in those chapters.

The Division of the Land.

There is much to be seen in Ezekiel chapters 40-48 besides the measuring of the house called the temple or sanctuary in Ezekiel. Therefore the remaining chapter/verses will have to be given here in a short form. Concerning the sacrifices or offerings seen in these chapters, as noted they are literal in a sense as well as spiritual. But the literal acts are different and are to have a different meaning to their application, because of the New Covenant brought in through Christ. Those who would minister in this house for the Lord and for the people are seen in a covenant relationship with God that requires obedience and ceremonial purity on their part.

In chapter 43-1-12, we see the glory of the Lord coming from the east to sanctify the house with his presence, but with a wrath. For it was in accordance with the vision that Ezekiel saw when the Lord came to destroy the city, and like the vision he saw by the river Chebar. This is in reference to the tribulation seen in Revelation, and in reference to Rev. 11-1-3. Going to Ezek. 44-1-4, it speaks of a prince, and this prince is allowed to sit in this sanctuary gate that faces east, and to break and eat bread with the Lord. He is to offer the offerings for the people as an atonement for their sins. Scripturally a prince is a ruler and head over people. And the prince is also the man or lord of the house and owner over these possessions.

Going to Ezek. 45-1-8, these verses speak of a portion or district of land to be saved or given over for the Lord. This district of land does not sit in the land of Israel, but sits in the district where the sanctuary or temple building sits. In the part and area of the "grafted in" house of Israel. The inheritance that is given to the "tribes of Israel", the physical seed, are seen in Ezek. 47-13 to 48-35 in its fulfillment times of the prophecy. Why this portion of land set aside for the Lord is also seen in Ezekiel chapter 48. It looks forward to that fulfillment time. This is seen in Ezek. 45-8, "In the land shall be his possession in Israel," the special portion "set aside" for the Lord, which the prince is allowed to possess for the Lord. "---and the rest of the land (excluding this portion) shall they give to the house of Israel according to their tribes."* Whenever God speaks in scripture concerning his people, Israel and their land, their inheritance, it is always given as being "the land or tribes of Israel." So we see that the land that is to be divided and given to the tribes of Israel seen in these chapters, "do not include" this special portion seen in these chapter verses. Though we see it being said it sits in the midst of the tribal portions, it is a figure of speech that is being used, for it has been set aside for the Lord's use.

The unconditional inheritance promises the Lord gave to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David concerning their restoration to their land as a nation in the end times is seen beginning in Ezek. 47-13. "Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby you shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel;---."

Here we need to note that Ezekiel never once refers directly to Jerusalem in any way after Jerusalem's fall seen in Ezek. 33-21, except in 36-38 where it is referred to as an illustration. As far as God was concerned its restoration as a "holy city" was not to be desired or considered. What was to be restored was the "people and the land." Jerusalem was not a vital part of the future restoration. The earthly Jerusalem in Israel was not important in the final purposes of God. For we see here in Ezekiel it is seen as just "the city," (40-1), "Jerusalem" remains unmentioned by name. And the temple is not seen as cited in "Jerusalem's city." Here it is simply a place called "the city," whose future name, once it is redeemed and purified is "Yahwah is there" (48-35). And this city and temple is established on a mysterious and anonymous mountain. And it is stressed that this temple is "outside" the environs of the city of Jerusalem (45-1-6). He makes clear that this temple is not located "in the city" and does not want us to tie it with the city of Jerusalem and its localities "in Israel." He wants the concentration to be on the temple in the land of the mountain which Ezekiel was brought to. "On a very high mountain" (see Isa. 2-2; Micah 4-1), the "mountain of the Lord's house."

In Ezek. 45-1-4, the whole of this area including the sanctuary in its midst, is specifically stated to be "outside" the city (v.6). Therefore it cannot be fitted directly with a temple built "in the city of Jerusalem". Also, the city itself here is not a part of the sanctuary nor part of the "holy portion," rather the city "abuts" or is outside of the holy portion (45-6). It is seen that the portion set aside for the Lord shall be for the prince, from west to east according to the tribal portions given in those directions (45-7-8;48-20-22). Thus this whole portion that is said to lie between the tribal division of the land of Judah and Benjamin is to be "set apart or set aside for the Lord's purposes." Thus the special portion set aside for the Lord are not to be in the environs of the city of Jerusalem, nor its localities in the land area portions given the 12 tribes of Israel in Palestine from west to east.

This special portion that is seen as being between Judah and Benjamin is seen as being the area of the original allotment given these two tribes, where there sat the city of Jerusalem and the temple. It is this portion that the Lord has replaced from north to south and west to east. The portion that runs north to south is said to be 25000 cubits, which equals to about 7 miles in rounding it off. Its length from west to east, from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea equals to 26 miles in rounding it off. And this is the portion, at its fulfillment that was to be set apart for the Lord's purposes in the end time. It is to "make reconciliation for the whole house of Israel (Jew and Gentile) to be administered by the prince (Ezek. 45-17).

The restoration land boundary promises are seen in Ezek. 47-13-23 of what they would receive in those end times. But first we need to give a short geography of the land called Canaan and later called Palestine. In northern Palestine lies the Lebanon and Mt. Hermon mountain ranges, and these ranges flank the valley. The western range begins on the south of the Litany. Scripture mentions the "Hethlon road" as lying along the northern coast of Palestine. From what we know, it is to mean a mountain pass at the northern border of Palestine connecting the Mediterranean coast with the plain of Hamath. So it is probable this speaks of Lebanon's western mountain range that begins "south" of the Litany, and runs up to the anti-Lebanon range then down to Mt. Hermon. This main chain of the anti-Lebanon range begins in the plateau of Bashan, known today as being the Golan Heights. Parallel to Caesarea Philippi south of it, and runs north to Mt. Hermon, and then northeast in a straight line until it drops down into the great plain of Emesa, what scripture calls "the entrance of Hamath."

The anti-Lebanon range is once distinctly mentioned in scripture, where it is described as "Lebanon toward the sunrising." This scripture speaks of the Mt. Hermon range on the east toward the sunrising by Mt. Hermon, northward unto the entrance of Hamath (Joshua 13-5). This speaks of the northeast part of the anti- Lebanon range beginning at the southern foot of Mt. Hermon. This area is mentioned in Numbers 13-21 with the sending out of the spies, where "Rehob" is mentioned as the northern border. It is not far from Tell-el-Kady and Banias, which is today's modern Baniyas. The "Hazer-enan" mentioned as one of the markers of the northern boundary that has been identified as being Baniyas that lies by Mt. Hermon. Berothath is another place mentioned in northern Palestine, a place that lies between Hamath and Damascus. Sibraim is also mentioned and said to be a northern boundary marker on the border of Hauran. A rocky region south of Damascus which lies east of the Jordan, which the Golan Heights is a part of.

Today Mutulla is Israel's most northern border town settlement. From this northern border point lies the Hula Valley or Lake which runs south about 15 miles and are the streams that make up the Jordan River. From this northern point the streams that make up the Jordan runs south to the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee. The Golan Heights that run alongside this area is about 12 miles wide. The Sea of Galilee is about 6 miles wide and 15 miles long from north to south. The Jordan meanders southward from the Sea of Galilee through the valley into the northern end of the Dead Sea. There the waters become trapped because at the south of the Dead Sea the ground rises. The Dead Sea is about 50 miles long and about 11 miles wide, but across the Lisan Peninsula it narrows to 2 miles or less.

From the southern point of the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley continues southward to the Gulf of Aqaba or Eilat on the Red Sea. With the Negev Desert lying to the west of the Jordan Valley. Like ancient Israel's southern boundary, it is also Israel's southern boundary today. Their southern boundary today is seen as being to the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat) on the Red Sea, then up to the Wadi or River of Egypt on the west to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

The land of Canaan (Palestine) promised and given to the ancient tribes of Israel in the time of Joshua are all but identical to the land Israel possesses today (see Joshua 11-16-17 and Numbers 34-1-15). "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance* unto Israel* according to their divisions by their tribes"* (Joshua 11-23). And this is the land boundary inheritance given and promised by the Lord that they would again recieve in the final time of restoration. Not the Covenant land promise made with Abraham where their kingdom would stretch and extend to the Euphrates River unto the River of Egypt. That land Covenant promise was fulfilled in the kingdom of David and Solomon. The boundaries of the Canaan ( Palestine) land promises given the 12 tribes by the Lord are given in the Old Testament. And it is "within" these boundaries of Palestine that the Lord promised to return them to in that end time restoration, where they would become a nation again. Here we look to the scriptures that give us the boundaries that were given them as an inheritance "in the land of Canaan (Palestine)" that they would for the most part recieve again seen in Ezek. 47-13-23.

We begin in Num. 13-2, "Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I gave unto the children of Israel (for their inheritance); of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them."

Num. 13-17, "And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, get you up this (way) southward, and go up into the mountain" (see Judges 1-9).

Num. 13-21, "So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob as men come to Hamath" (see Num. 34-8 and Joshua 13-5; from Baal-gad under Mt. Hermon unto the entering into Hamath). In the Old Testament, Canaan is the designation for all of Palestine west of the Jordan River from Mt. Hermon to Beer-sheba (Num. 34-1-15). This section fixes the boundaries concerning the inheritance of the 12 tribes of Israel. "From Dan to Beer-sheba," a common phrase used and seen in Judges 20-1 and 1 Sam. 3-20.

The borders of Canaan which the 12 tribes of Israel were to inherit are given in Num. 34-1-15. "This is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan---" (V.2). The southern border is given in verses 3-5, "unto the river (brook) of Egypt." The western border is given in verse 6, and is said to be the Great Sea, which is the Mediterranean Sea. Verses 7-9 give us the boundary concerning the northern border of Canaan. "From Mt. Hor ( Mt. Hermon) ye shall point out (the northern boundary) unto the entrance of Hamath (the northern Mt. Hermon range to the entrance of Hamath, being the plain of Emesa); and the goings forth of the border (from this northern point southward) shall be to Zedad; and the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it (the northern border's southeastern limit) shall be at Hazer-enan (modern Baniyas by the foot of Mt. Hermon); this shall be your north border."

So we can see this northern border range is limited to the territories that lies west of this Mt. Hermon range that lies on the east side. It can be seen here that the east to west boundary given is "contained" within this northern Mt. Hermon range area. The border is said to only extend "unto the entrance of Hamath" and no further. Thus making this border area their east-west boundary limits. Showing their east-west boundaries would be the anti-Lebanon mountain range only, and not the territories west of it. As noted in northern Canaan the Lebanon and Mt. Hermon ranges flank the valley. The Lebanon or western range begins on the south of the Litany in Lebanon. What scripture calls "the Hethlon road" that lies along this coast. A mountain pass or mountain range that connects the Mediterranean coast with the plain of Hamath. This western range runs northeast unto the entrance of Hamath. Where from there, it is seen to be ancient Israel's northern border limit. So this boundary indicates it would exclude the western area portions that lie from the entrance to Hamath down to Mt. Hermon. And possibly even down to the Lebanon range beginning south of the Litany in Lebanon.

This is exactly what we read in scripture concerning these northwestern areas that the tribes of Israel, for the most part, failed to completely occupy at that time because they didn't listen to the Lord's commands. And the areas seen that the original 12 tribes occupied at times on the "northwestern side of the Jordan" is exactly what Israel's borders are today. When looking to a map of Israel's borders today, it shows they occupy the Golan Heights, and until recently they occupied a large security zone in southern Lebanon (at the Litany); as it was with ancient Israel's northwestern borders. The rest of the boundaries given the 12 tribes that they inherited and occupied west of the Jordan are identical to what Israel holds today. The restoration Canaan land promise and borders given the 12 tribes of Israel are nearly identical to what was given ancient Israel and what Israel's borders are today.

The east border is seen in Num. 34-10-12; "And ye shall point out your east border from Hazer-enan (modern Baniyas by the foot of Mt. Hermon) to Shepham; and the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side (lit., shoulder) of the Sea of Chinnereth eastward; and the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the Salt Sea; this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about."

"And Moses commanded the children of Israel saying, "This (is) the land (the tribal boundaries of the land of Canaan) which ye shall inherit by lot, which the Lord commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe; for the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad, according to the house of their fathers, have received (their inheritance); and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance; the two tribes and a half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan (near) Jerico eastward, toward the sunrising" (verses 13-15). At the prophecy's fulfillment, the restoration inheritance of the 12 tribes would receive their inheritance west of the Jordan as seen in Ezek. 48-4 Manasseh; V.6, Reuben; V.27, Gad.

"So Joshua took all the land,---. From the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon under Mt. Hermon" (Joshua 11-16-17, the tribe's northern border). "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses (Num. 34-1-15); and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes" (Joshua 11-23). The inheritance given the tribes of Dan seen in Joshua 19-40-48 was given up by them. See Judges chapter 18 where the migration of the tribe is seen. "---therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Lesham, and took it,---and dwelt therein, and called Lesham, Dan after the name of Dan their father. This (is) the inheritance of the children of Dan according to their families,---" (Joshua 19-47-48). This inheritance and the city of Dan lies near the southern foot of Mt. Hermon, and seen as the northernmost limit of ancient Israel's northern border. This land is called in scripture as being "from Dan to Beer-sheba" (Judges 20-1; 1 Sam. 3-20).

The division of the land given beginning in Ezek. 47-13-23 is all but identical to the boundaries given the 12 tribes of ancient Israel concerning their inheritance seen in the Old Testament. And all but identical to the boundaries of the land of Canaan that Israel holds today. The promise given by the Lord of Israel's land inheritance and restoration as a nation again in the end times, has in our time been fulfilled by the Lord. The Lord's Inspired Word given us in Ezekiel confirms this if we believe the Bible is the Inspired Word of God. Now if we believe this to be so, then we must accept the fact that Ezekiel chapters 40 through 48 are in their fulfillment also, for these chapters make up "the prophecy," that prophecy which concerns the end time. "That prophecy" seen from chapter 40 to chapter 48. So what this prophecy tells us is that when the Lord would fulfill his promise to Israel, he would then begin to fulfill what we read in Ezekiel 40-48 of that which concerns the rest of the prophecy seen in those chapters. And if we believe God's Word, we know that God HAS fulfilled his unconditional promise to Israel beginning in 1948 when she became a nation. Where then the land inheritance promises given them were all but fulfilled in the Six Day War of 1967 where they regained Jerusalem and much territory that they hold more or less to this day.

It has been noted that the special district areas mentioned in Ezekiel were not to be in the land of Israel. The division of the land was to literally apply to the 12 tribes of Israel with the exception that the special district is to be "set aside". This district set aside for the Lord would not "literally lie" in the land of Israel between the borders of Judah and Benjamin, but elsewhere in a different land. As scripture declares, "the land the Lord would choose to be his people and representatives."

Beginning in Ezek. 48-1-7 we are given the portions of these 7 tribes allotted to them. Where then the special district portion dimensions are given as being between the borders of Judah and Benjamin. And this whole district portion is to be for the priests, the Levites and the prince (Ezek. 48-8-22). "And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer (set aside for the Lord ) of five and twenty thousand (cubits in) breadth, and (in) length as one* (but not a part) of the (other) parts, from the east side unto the west side (the distance of the tribal borders of Judah and Benjamin); and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it" (in the midst of this special portion; v.8). This special portion from east to west is said to be "set apart" or "set aside" for the Lord's use. And it is in distance to be "as one" of the other parts given the tribes that run from the east to the west side. Since it is to be set aside, it is to be seen "figuratively" as being between the borders of Judah and Benjamin. And we see that "Jerusalem" sat between the southern border of Benjamin and Judah's northern border in ancient times. And as this district area was special to the Lord when they were considered God's representatives, so this same district area would lie figuratively again between Judah and Benjamin. And this district area for the priests, Levites and the prince, God's representatives, would be set apart for the Lord's use.

This offering or district to be offered and set apart for the Lord is seen in Ezek. 48-9-22. A certain portion seen in verses 9-12 is to be given to the priests "which have kept my charge" (v.11). In verses 13-14 are to be given to the Levites, that lie by or against the border of the priests. Verses 15-20 is the portion that shall be for the city, for food and dwellings, and for suburbs. "All the oblation (this district offering shall be) five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand; ye shall offer (set aside) the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city."

"And the residue (the remainder shall be) for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against (abutting to) the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border and westward over against (abutting to) the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against (abutting to) the portions (the east and west portions) for the prince; and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house* (shall be) in the midst thereof. Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, in the midst (of that) which is the prince's (this whole area district and its dimensions from east to west are set apart as being), between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince" (Ezek. 48-21-22). Where then we read the portions given the rest of the tribes of Israel in Ezek. 48-23-29. "This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, ( excluding the sacred portion set aside for the Lord), "---and these are their portions saith the Lord God."

Then we read in Ezek. 48-30-35 the description of the oblation called "the city" set aside for the Lord for his use and purposes in those end times. "And these (are) the goings (exits) out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. And the gates (exits) of the city (shall be) after (they will represent) the names of the tribes of Israel; three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. And at the east side four thousand and five hundred, and three gates; and one gate of Joseph; one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures (cubits); and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. At the west side four thousand and five hundred, their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. It (was) round about eighteen thousand (cubits); and the name of the city from (that) day (shall be), the Lord (is) there" (Heb., yhwh Shammah, the God of the house of Israel). The 25,000 square cubit district equals to about a 7 mile square. The 18,000 diameter equals to about 6 miles in diameter, this "city" called "the Lord is there."

This is the message of the New Testament, for the major future theme is the eternal residence of God among his redeemed ones (Rev. 21-3). This is seen in the prophecies of the Old Testament where the promise appears. "I will set my tabernacle among you" and "will walk among you and be your God" (Lev. 26-11-12). Ezekiel in this same future context proclaims the promise of God that "I will set my sanctuary in their midst forever---" (Ezek. 37-26-28). Even the name of "Jerusalem" in that day will be "Yahweh is there" (Ezek. 48-35). In Zech. 2-12, it speaks that God will take as his allotment a " special portion "in the land allotted to the tribe of "Judah." As he proclaims, "The whole earth is mine," therefore his right to distribute it to his elect people for his purposes. In Zechariah it designates "Jerusalem" as "God's portion" that lies in the allotted land given the tribes of Judah, as is seen in Ezek. 48-7-8. Where we see this "special portion" that was to be set apart and offered to the Lord to fulfill his will and purposes.

Israel's Jerusalem today is no longer considered the Lord's holy city. This is seen in Heb. 13-14, "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come" (That city begins in Ezek. 48-35 to its fulfillment in Rev. 21-2, the New Jerusalem). The fulfillment of this promise began with Christ's Crucifixion, Resurrection, and the sending of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost beginning the church age, the age of Grace. "Ye (now) are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city (Ezek. 8-35 and Rev. 21-2) of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (in its fulfillment), and to an innumerable company of angels" (Heb. 12-22).

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God,---and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Rev. 3-12-13).

Revealing Eschatology.

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