“We have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, NASB).

Prophetic teachings are important when they tell us the right things to do, which we might otherwise not know, or in some cases even think we should do quite the opposite.  Here we consider some prophetic teachings that were not required for the faithful church in all ages but nevertheless help us to do what is right.  Four prophetic insights are selected here: Antichrist, Christ’s return, the Last Day, and Israel’s return.
 

The Antichrist

Catholic and Protestant theologians have different views on the prophesied Antichrist (not infrequently identifying it with the other).  During the Reformation Protestants of every faction agreed that the Antichrist was Rome, especially Papal Rome [Historical view].  Jesuit priests later came up with two counter arguments: that the Antichrist was Pagan Rome and therefore in the past [Preterist view], or that a Jewish Antichrist would someday literally rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem and therefore it must be future [Futurist view]. Both views avoided identifying the Antichrist with Papal Rome.  Since the nineteenth century most of liberal Protestantism has adopted the Preterist view, while most of evangelical Protestantism has adopted the Futurist view.

More important is what the scriptures say.  A better translation than the KJVof some of Paul’s words on the Antichrist is, “And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.  For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he cometh to be out of its midst.  And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the [1] breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the appearing of his presence;  even he, whose presence is according to a working of Satan with all power and signs and wonders of a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-9).  And Papacy came out of the midst of Rome.

To grasp the meaning of these prophecies was not imperative to the saints for a standing in Christ. But it was very helpful in their practical life. Thus the words of Revelation 13:18 (RV): “Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding [in spiritual things], let him count the number of the beast [Papacy, Papal Rome as a civil ruling power]; ... six hundred and sixty and six.” In other words, recognize in this system the mark of sin, apostasy, infidelity, corruption – denoted by the triple six. [2]

Notice also the words of our Lord in Matthew 24:15 about recognizing this desolating system – “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet ... whoso readeth, let him understand.”

Note a related warning of Proverbs 5:1-5, “My son, attend unto my wisdom ... That thou mayest regard discretion ... For the lips of a strange woman [the harlot of Revelation 17, the ecclesiastical system] drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death: her steps take hold on hell [sheol].”  The sins of the Dark Ages were so bad that many nations have proclaimed separation of Church and State in modern times.

The lesson for us is that not everything that professes to be Christian is really Christian.  Even when professedly-Christian groups differ from the Bible, we should obey the Bible.  After all, the Bible is the word of God, not merely the word of man.

Christ’s Return and the Gospel Age Harvest

Our Lord’s words concerning the wheat and the tares were, “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather up first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matthew 13:30 RV).  While he does not say the bundles of tares are to be burned before the wheat are gathered, he does say, Let the wheat and tares grow together until the harvest of the Gospel Age.

However, at Christ’s return a new command is given: “I saw another angel coming down out of heaven, having great authority; and the earth was lightened with his glory.  And he cried with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become a habitation of demons, and a hold of every unclean spirit, and a hold of every unclean and hateful bird…  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues:  for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities (Revelation 18:1-5 ASV.”

In practical terms, the faithful are not commanded to come out of sectarianism before Christ’s return, but during his second presence they are.  Some Christians were given no choice about separation: Arius was banished, and then on his recall from banishment he was poisoned to death. Martin Luther was excommunicated. They had little choice but either to deny their faith or to work outside the establishments.  As recently as the nineteenth century, the Second Advent movement leaders encouraged their followers to remain within their sects.

If we believe Christ’s return is yet future, we should be working for interdenominational cooperation; if we believe Christ has returned – that we are in the harvest of the Gospel Age – then we should voluntarily withdraw from sectarianism.  If we find that we can successfully strive for interdenominational cooperation without compromising our beliefs and conscience, that could logically be taken as a sign that Christ has not yet returned.  If we find that interdenominational cooperation is not possible without real Christian compromise, that could logically be taken as a sign that Christ has returned already and that we are now being called to come out of sectarianism.

Many have observed in Catholicism and Evangelicalism that theology trumps Christian conduct.  Nor is this limited to large denominations, but dogmatism and pontification has become the norm in many smaller groups.  Thus, it is important to determine if Christ has returned invisibly, to know whether we should – or should not – depart from sectarianism, even though we should not decline fellowship with some who conclude differently.
 

The Last Day

There are several scriptures concerning the last days and the last day (the expressions are not interchangeable).  Their foundation is seen in the last days of Jericho, where Joshua and the Israelites with the seven priests and their trumpets circle around Jericho for seven days, once each on the first six days, and seven times on the last day.  The seven last days of Jericho typify the “seven days” of the Gospel Age. They help us to understand that the seven angels/messengers with the seven trumpets in Revelation are a prophecy spanning the Gospel Age, and the seven messengers’ letters are to the seven periods of the church.  Similarly, the seven times around Jericho on the last day show us that the “last day” of the Gospel Age is divided up into the seven last plagues.

The “last days” refer to some or all of the seven periods into which the Gospel Age is divided (James 5:3, 2 Peter 3:3), as when 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (RV) says, “in the last days grievous times shall come…”  The “last days” can also extend into the Millennial Age, as Acts 2:18 spans the Gospel Age but 2:17 is in the Millennial Age – the thousand-year kingdom of Christ.

The “last day” is associated with the resurrection of the faithful church, “I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:39-40, 44, 54).  This “last day” may also extend into the kingdom of Christ, as shown by “he [Lazarus] shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day,” and “the word that I have spoken… shall judge him in the last day” (John 11:24, 12:48).  Thus, “the last day” encompasses the last day – or last episode – of the Gospel Age.

Of interest to us is that the last day is divided into seven major world events (some lasting longer than others).  Here we would suggest for natural Israel: (1) the Zionist movement, (2) World War I and the Balfour declaration, (3) the Depression and Nazi oppression, (4) World War II and exodus from Central Europe, (5) the Soviet rise and fall, and with it the exodus from Eastern Europe.  There is concern that (6) may be Depression, with a forced Jewish exodus from the West.  That would leave only Ezekiel 38-39 (Armageddon) to come before Christ’s Kingdom.  Each major world event in this “last day” has brought about another step towards the prophesied restoration of Israel to their land – in preparation for the resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, Daniel and the other ancient worthies, and then the resurrection of Israel and the rest of the world.

At the same time, these world events have each been destructive to the forces of sectarianism.  Fewer denominations today still say, “You must join us to be saved.”  That is a good change, in that Jesus Christ sacrificed himself “once for all” (Hebrews 7:27 RV).

If we can see how God is using the modern chaos to systematically accomplish His purposes, our faith is strengthened, and we can better see how to do the Lord’s will.  It is easier to follow the Lord when we know where He is going.
 

The Return of Israel

It is claimed that the only prophecies more numerous than those of Messiah (Christ) are those of the return of Israel to the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Moses said to Israel that for disobedience, “ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest in to possess it.  And Jehovah will scatter thee among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth...  And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, and there shall be no rest for the sole of thy foot”.  But Moses further promised, “then Jehovah thy God will [3] turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples, whither Jehovah thy God hath scattered thee …  and Jehovah thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good” (Deuteronomy 28:63-65, 30:3-5 ASV).

The Lord further assures, “In that day… I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.  And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be plucked up out of their land which I have given them, saith Jehovah thy God.” (Amos 9:11-15 ASV).  From the founding of the city of Petach Tiqvah (Door of Hope) in 1878, we are assured that the Israelis are back in their land, and no one will be able to drive them out again.

Therefore, as we see world opinion turning against the Jews and against Israel, we should have no part in that.  We should instead encourage our Jewish friends to learn Hebrew, and encourage their youth to emigrate to Israel while the times are still favorable to do so.  It will be safer in Israel than it will be in the nations that hate Israel.  Moreover, return to the promised land is the Lord’s expressed will for them.

One should not suppose that a person who does not recognize prophecies of the restoration of Israel is necessarily anti-Israel or anti-Jewish.  But understanding the prophecies makes it much easier to know and to do what is right in the face of growing world animosity.

Not Imperative Teachings – But Evidently Helpful

“If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).

Prophecies of Antichrist should teach us that there may be a difference between professing Christ and practicing Christian faith.  Christ’s return is the signal to come out of sectarianism instead of forever trying to reform it.  “Last day” prophecies show us where the Lord is going and help us to follow Him.  The prophesied restoration of Israel helps us avoid anti-Jewish sentiments and encourage our Jewish friends to “make aliyah” to Israel.

It is wise to attend to these various words of warning – as so many elect have done for centuries.

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1. Or,  spirit   or,  wind

2. An annotated edition of Rotherham, Emphasized Bible notes that the Greek alphabetic numerics for 666 is χξς, which is composed of the Greek symbol of the serpent, ξ, inserted into χς, the abbreviation for χριστος, Christ.  This form is shown in the oldest known manuscript of Revelation 13:18, P⁴⁶ of the early 3^rd century.  It would imply Satan’s entry into the Christian church.