QUESTIONS?

DONATE

End Times Today With John Claeys is made possible by the generous donations of viewers just like you. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help us make more free grace content like, it would be very much appreciated. Every penny helps.

JOHN'S BOOK.

SHOW NOTES

Broadcast 11

Description: The Untouchables: The Powerful Prophets of Revelation 11

WAIT FOR INTRO, MUSIC, AND VOICEOVER

VOICEOVER: Welcome to End Times Today with Author, Speaker, and Bible teacher: John Claeys. This episode is entitled, Prophets of Power & Plagues: Part 2 

We’d like to remind you what’s available at End Times Today Dot Org. You can sign up for notifications concerning upcoming episodes, watch previous broadcasts, and even send in your own questions for John. 

In addition you can get a copy of John’s book Impending Apocalypse by going to End Times Today Dot Org. 

We’ll take a look at the prophets of power and plagues in just a moment, but first let’s see what’s happening in our the world right now. Here’s John Claeys

What in the World Is God Doing?

Viewer Screen: Russia Expands Presence in Eastern Syria, Iran Repositions Closer to Israel's Border - Ahmad Salloum (www.iranwire.com) 

A Syrian rebel leader, Khaled Al-Hammad, told IranWire that Russia has recently begun to intensify its presence in eastern Syria and recently seized an oil field in the area after expelling Syrian regime forces. 

Russia is taking measures to reduce Iran's influence in Syria, seeing Iran's presence as a hindrance to its own political plan for Syria.  Yet the Middle East Institute argues that Iran is repositioning its forces in Syria. Over the last few months, Iran has shifted its focus from eastern Syria to the southwest - an area of the country closest to Israel.

So, while Russia has been using Syria to create a foothold in the Middle East in order to grab more oil and natural gas, Iran has moved forces into Syria to grab a strategic military vantage to strike Israel. Neither Russia nor Iran are friendly toward Israel; and both nations seek world dominance, but in vastly different ways. Russia seeks world dominance through its presence in the Middle East by grabbing oil and gas. Iran seeks, as its first step toward global dominance, the destruction of Israel; and it is moving ever closer toward carrying out this first step.

Yet, in the end, the Bible shows us this will not occur. God will protect Israel and will even provide for ten leaders of other nations to confirm a 7-year treaty of “peace and security” with the Jewish nation. But for this to occur, I believe that Israel will need to launch an all-out attack against Iran with the hope that regime change in Iran will occur. When that regime change does occur—and it will!—Russia, which has put all of its hopes in the Middle East on its relationship with Syria and Iran, will have to exit the Middle East, as it has created enemies of the other ME nations by cozying up to Syria and Iran.

When these occur (Russia exit and Iranian regime change), the way will be open toward the 7-year treaty with Israel, a treaty that will kickoff the 7-year Tribulation period. 

Viewer Screen:  Iran Says Foreign Countries Refusing to Sign Agreements with It (Radio Farda)
 

Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh said Monday that foreign countries are now refusing to sign agreements with Iran in all areas due to U.S. sanctions and are even discontinuing existing contracts. 

U.S. sanctions on Iran has been severely squeezing its economy, creating even deeper opposition toward the government by the general population of Iran. I believe this is setting the stage for a possible coup of the government if and when Israel should strike Iran.

This is: “What in the World Is God Doing?”

FULL STOP. WAIT FOR MUSIC AND VOICEOVER

VOICEOVER: Thanks John! It’s amazing to see what’s going on in the world right now. Now, we’d like to connect that to what in the Bible God is saying to us, as we take a look THE prophets of power and plague part 2. Here’s John to explain.

What in the Bible Is God Saying?

Prophets of Power & Plagues: Part 2

Viewer Screen: “The prophets are the Bible’s most forceful revelation of God’s personality.”

 --- Philip Yancey, The Bible Jesus Read

Aside from the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the prophets are also the best human communicators of God’s supernatural power.

But, of all the great prophets who have roamed the earth and served as God’s agents of displaying His power, God is saving the best for last. At the very beginning of the Tribulation period, God will raise up two powerful and untouchable prophets, to effectively reach Israel with God’s word. God will validate that they are speaking for Him by granting them the ability to display incredible power and awesome plagues. 

Viewer Screen: The Prophets of Rev 11: 1,260 Days to Israel

Last time, we did a quick overview of the ministry of these two amazing prophets. We learned that they will effectively reach Israel during their 3½ years of ministry to the Jewish nation. 

We gain some insight into their power—and their character—in Rev 11:4–6: 

Viewer Screen: “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.”

These verses portray these two prophets as faithful instruments of God. As lampstands, they will shine with the glory of God. As olive trees, they provide the oil needed to perpetually light the lamps, which means they continually shine the light of God’s word to God’s chosen ones. 

The illustrations of Rev 11:4 originate in Zech 4, demonstrating that the ministry of these two prophets was predicted to Israel long ago. This reminds us that God is in control of the future, including every detail of the future 7-year tribulation period. 

While v 4 of Rev 11 provided us with an important revelation of the character of God’s future prophets, v 5 discloses critical information regarding their persecution and their power. This is what is revealed: 

Viewer Screen: The Untouchables: “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies” (Rev 11:5).

These prophets of God will have enemies, which fits the pattern regarding past prophets of God. In fact, as Jesus Himself brought out, there is a long history of persecution against God’s emissaries to the world. 

We also learn from v 5 that their enemies will try to harm these men of God. Again, this is no different than the way the world treated past prophets and even the Lord Jesus Christ whom the world put to death on a cross.

But v 5 also displays the power of these prophets. God will grant them such power and authority that their enemies will not be able to harm them—at least not during their entire 3½-year ministry. Not only will their enemies not be able to touch them, God will grant these prophets such power that everyone who seeks to harm them will be killed. 

V 6 elaborates on their God-given power by comparing them to Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest and most prominent Old Testament prophets in this way: 

Viewer Screen: “These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” (Rev 11:6).

Just as with Moses and Elijah, the kind of power we see displayed in v 6 isthe power of God’s judgment. In the ministries of both Moses and Elijah, fire devoured their enemies. When 250 men rebelled against Moses, God brought fire down upon them to destroy them all (Num 16:35). And when Ahaziah, the king of Israel, sent a captain and fifty men after Elijah to take him captive, God once again used fire in judgment (2 Kings 1:10). 

While the fire which devoured the enemies of Moses and Elijah came directly from God, the fire that will destroy the enemies of the prophets of Rev 11 will proceed directly from the mouths of the prophets, demonstrating that the power of the prophets of Rev 11 will be greater than the power God granted to Moses and Elijah. 

Viewer Screen: “These have power . . . and they have power . . .” (Rev 11:6).

As powerful as was the impact of Moses and Elijah upon God’s chosen people, the impact and ministry of the two latter-day prophets of Rev 11 will be even greater! In v 6, the word “power” is used twice to introduce God’s judgment through the prophets to two different groups of people. 

Viewer Screen: “These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; . . .” (Rev 11:6).

The identity of the first people group is revealed through their“power to shut heaven” so that it doesn’t rain for 3½ years. This is a reference to Elijah’s OT ministry to Israel. Thus, the identity of the first group to whom God’s judgment will be introduced is the Jews. 

Viewer Screen: “. . . ; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” (Rev 11:6).

We can discern the identity of the second people group by understanding that the phrases “power to turn waters to blood” and “to strike the earth with plagues” serve as reminders of God’s powerful judgments through Moses upon Egypt. Egypt, as the most powerful nation upon the earth in Moses’ day, is representative of the Gentile nations. 

Thus, the ministry of these prophets includes the power of God’s judgments upon both Jews and Gentiles. But their prophetic ministry will not simply consist of judgment; it will also result in a very fruitful response from Israel and the nations. 

In out next broadcast of End Times Today, we will view specific illustrations of the incredible power of these two prophets of God, as we view “Prophets of Power: Raining Down Plagues.” We will also witness the power, love, and grace of God as He uses these two vessels to, first, reach Israel with the gospel of Christ, and, then, the world. So, join us next time on End Times Today as we get a front-row seat at “Prophets of Power: Raining Down Plagues.”

FULL STOP. WAIT FOR MUSIC AND VOICEOVER

VOICEOVER: Thank you John for helping understand these incredible characters of Bible Prophecy. Before we go let’s take a look at some questions from viewers just like you.

Questions / Answers

VOICEOVER: our question comes from Alysse in South Africa

Q: In episode 6 you brought up that the 6th infinitive "to anoint the Most Holy" refers to the temple in Jerusalem. "Anoint" will refer to the temple that will be built for Christ's 1000-year rule upon the earth. I know that there will be a temple in the Millennial Kingdom, but it struck me today how strange that seems. From what I understand in the Old Testament the temple was built for God to dwell with His people and gave Israel a way to atone for their sins. We know that Christ's one sacrifice made atonement for the sins of the whole world, and the curtain in the temple was torn in two! Hebrews 9 & 10 speak of how much greater Christ is than the Old Covenant of continual sacrifices. In my mind, the temple is obsolete, we don't need it anymore! Christ fulfilled the law. In Revelation 21:22 it says that there will be no temple on the new earth. So why would God have the temple in the Millennial Kingdom and what will its purpose be --- Alysse, South Africa?

A: Alysse, you would be absolutely correct there will be no temple on the New Earth, and there would be no temple in the MK IF there were no unbelievers in the MK. However, take note of Rev 20:7-9:

Viewer Screen: “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from 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 to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city [Jerusalem]. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them” (Rev 20:7).

In the context of these verses, after Jesus rules on the earth for a thousand years (the MK), Satan gathers a global rebellion which will surround Jerusalem as an attempt to overthrow the rule of Jesus, but God puts down that rebellion by destroying all of the rebels. These rebels clearly come from the earth, and are living on the earth while Jesus rules. Undoubtedly, they are unbelievers who were dwelling within the MK.

For more evidence there will be unbelievers in the MK,  

Viewer Screen: [Show A New World Coming]

see my book, A New World Coming. While we don’t have time now to go into this fascinating topic now, I will say God will allow children and all those who have died prior to the age of accountability to enter into the kingdom, to grow up in the kingdom, to marry, to have children; and their children will grow up, marry, have children, etc. 

The appearance of the temple in the MK indicates the Lord will reinstitute the Mosaic Law for the Millennial Kingdom (the thousand-year rule of Jesus on the earth). (By the way, see chapter 11 of my book, A New World Coming, for my presentation of the Law of Moses being reinstituted in the MK.) Since the temple is integrally linked to the Law, the existence of the temple in the kingdom demonstrates that the law will be fully functioning in the future kingdom. 

Viewer Screen: The MK Temple: Ezekiel chapters 40-46

A clearer presentation of the temple in the kingdom appears in Ezekiel, chapters 40-46, which portray the structure of the temple, its priesthood, its ritual, and its ministry. The Lord will dwell in this temple in Israel forever, and it will be the home of His eternal throne.

In the temple will also be faithful priests who will offer sacrifices in the temple, teach Israel, and judge Israel. 

Ezekiel chapters 44-46 show that the same regulations observed under the Mosaic law will also be observed in the coming MK. Thus, the preponderance of evidence clearly demonstrates that the law will be reestablished in the future, earthly reign of Christ. This evidence stems from a variety of sources, such as the teaching of Jesus, the association of the law with the Messiah ruling in the future, the description of the millennial temple in various OT passages, the prophetic prediction of the priesthood ministering in the millennial temple, OT sacrifices presented in the context of the coming kingdom, and the description of the same holy days in the future kingdom that existed under the law of Moses.

To illustrate the Law of Moses in the MK, we will look at a few verses in Mt 5. There, Jesus discloses how His kingdom administration will work during the MK. He reveals that the Law of Moses will govern the world and how the Law will be carried out. 

To the Jewish multitude that had gathered to hear Him at that time, Jesus declared:

Viewer Screen: “ ‘Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill’ ” (Mt 5:17).

In Jewish circles:

Viewer Screen: “The Law and the Prophets” = the OT; the Law = the books of Moses

Upon assuring His Jewish audience that He was there to fulfill, not destroy, the Law, Jesus issued this critically important revelation: 

Viewer Screen: “ ‘For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled’ ” (Mt 5:18). 

To take in the significant kingdom truth Jesus unveils by this proclamation, we need to break down this statement.Upon emphasizing the certainty of this prediction, Jesus reveals:

Viewer Screen: “ ‘. . . heaven and earth will pass away, . . .’ ”

Yes, heaven and earth will “pass away”—following the close of the thousand-year rule of Christ. Then God will destroy the present heavens and earth and create a new universe. This reference to the continuation of the Law until the creation of the New Universe, indicates Jesus is referring to the MK in His application of the Mosaic law. Thus, the Law of Moses will be the Law of the land during the MK rule of Christ.

In introducing His application of the Law in the kingdom, Jesus reveals:

Viewer Screen: “ ‘. . . one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled’ ” (Mt 5:17). 

In Hebrew, a jot represents the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet, while a tittle represents a part of a stroke of one of the letters. Thus, Jesus is promising here that no part of the Law will be eliminated by God until the world is destroyed. But that won’t occur till after the MK.

Verse 19 reveals that the MK is in view in this context: 

Viewer Screen: “ ‘Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments [of the Law], and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven [Millennial Kingdom]; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven [Millennial Kingdom]’ ” (Mt 5:19). 

Since believers in the kingdom will be unable to sin, Jesus is clearly referencing unbelievers when He describes people who break the law in the kingdom.

As a result of breaking the Law, unbelievers will be demoted (called “least in the kingdom”). On the other hand, as they observe the Law and endorse this obedience to others, they can be promoted (called “great in the kingdom”). 

Following the statements of verses 18 and 19 regarding Law and the kingdom, Jesus makes this dramatic disclosure:

Viewer Screen:  “ ‘For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven’ ” (Mt 5:20). 

Jesus’ purpose in making this statement is to alert His Jewish audience that they do not have the righteousness needed to enter the kingdom—no matter how good or religious they may think they are. After all, if the scribes and Pharisees—seemingly, the most religious people in Israel—did not have the righteousness it takes to enter the kingdom, how could anyone else? But that is the point; the righteousness needed to enter the kingdom is perfect righteousness which can only be received by believing in Jesus Christ for eternal life.

The importance of v 20 for this discussion is to show that Jesus is still focusing on the kingdom in this context. Thus, those addressed in verse 20 would not enter the kingdom unless they believed in Jesus Christ. In addition, the kingdom is mentioned 3x in the immediate context, providing further evidence of the focus on the MK. 

Verses 17-22 demonstrate that the OT Law is being featured, as Jesus mentions the Law twice and refers to the commandments of the Law. In addition, He names two of the Ten Commandments, which were the hub of the Mosaic Law. Based on this, it is an inescapable conclusion that the OT law will be observed in the MK.

But why? What purpose would the Law hold during the MK? It will fulfill the same purpose as the Law fulfilled in the OT. Paul elucidates that purpose in Gal 3:24:

Viewer Screen: “Therefore the Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal 3:24).

The Law points unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ. Every year, under the Law, sacrifices for sins must be done. Those annual sacrifices remind people under the Law they cannot fulfill the righteous standards of the Law. These annual sacrifices cannot remove their sins; instead, they point to the one perfect sacrifice which has been accomplished to provide for their sins—forever! This one perfect sacrifice, performed by Jesus, provides for the reception of eternal life, life with God forever, for anyone and everyone who simply believes Jesus for it.

As 1 Tim 1:9-10 reveals:

Viewer Screen: “knowing this: that the Law is not made for a righteous person, but for thelawless and insubordinate, for theungodly and for sinners, . . . ” (1Ti 1:9-10).

The Law is for sinners. The Lord will utilize it in the MK to lead unbelievers to believe in Jesus Christ for their righteousness. Thus, the temple in the MK will be used to point unbelievers to faith in Jesus, and it will be utilized to glorify God. 

FULL STOP. WAIT FOR OUTRO VOICEOVER. 

VOICEOVER: A big thanks to John, for the information in today’s fascinating episode. 

A COUPLE OF QUICK REMINDERS before we go. If you’d like to sign up for notifications, see recent episodes, or even ask John a question you can do that and more at ENDTIMESTODAY.ORG 

If You would like, you can get a copy of John’s book, Impending Apocalypse at Endtimestoday.org. Thanks for watching and we will see you next time on End Times Today, With John Claeys.