Jerusalem’s Destruction via Rome (70 A.D.) à ONWARD
For good reason, the spiritual and physical status of Jerusalem did not amount to the glories foretold by Zechariah in the 1st Restoration Generation or 2nd Restoration Generation. Speaking of the 2nd Restoration Generation, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was in fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7-9 & 14:1-2. If a full and complete fulfillment of divine foretelling took place, what should have happened next is very plainly stated by Zechariah (Zech. 14:3-21), Daniel (Dan. 9:26-27), & Jesus (Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, & Luke 21:25-28) – and, had all this been fulfilled then Ezekiel 38-39 would have been performed as well! All prophecies in harmony, the series of prophetic events goes in this order: the last & final desolation of Jerusalem, the 2nd Coming of Christ (which rescues Jerusalem from her repeated cycles of unceasing destruction), and the glorification of Jerusalem in a divine majesty that is nothing short of the Millennial Reign.
My reader, this final and most glorious status of the Jews in Jerusalem is the regathering and restoration foretold by Zechariah (Zechariah 1:17, 2:1-13, 8:4-5, & 12:6) and other prophets (Isaiah 33:20, 44:26, Jer. 30:18-19, 24, 27, 38-40, 33:10-13, Ezek. 36:10-11, Micah 7:11), and at the 3rd Restoration Generation of the Jews all will be accomplished! The last and final Restoration Generation will not result in another failed attempt because of the sin of the people, like that which befell the 1st & 2nd Restoration Generations according to Zechariah 13:7-9 & 14:1-2! In part, we know this to be the case because the prophet Daniel spoke of the cessation of Jewish suffering & Jerusalem’s continued desolations, clearly identifying the end thereof to be the 70th Week of Daniel 9:26-27. However, Zechariah’s prophecies that described the status of the Jews and Jerusalem just prior to the 2nd Coming of Christ have effectively been incorporated into the prophetic vision of the future (Zechariah 13:7-9 & 14:1-2). Indeed, as of 70 A.D. the Jews were displaced and Jerusalem was effectively destroyed, and as of 70 years ago Israel was reborn while as of 51 years ago Jerusalem was recaptured by the Jews… nevertheless, all of Zechariah’s prophecies still stand. The regathering and restoration that is in progress now, as of 2018, isn’t the regathering and restoration that God will accomplish in the 3rd Restoration Generation of the Jews. Rather, God will purify this generation until He finds the elect.
The originally intended objectives declared in Ezekiel 38-39 & 40-48 were very specific (all of which should have coincided with the full performance of Zechariah 1:17, 2:1-13, 8:4-5, & 12:6 | Isaiah 33:20, 44:26, Jer. 30:18-19, 24, 27, 38-40, 33:10-13, Ezek. 36:10-11, Micah 7:11). However, upon the breaching of Ezekiel 38-39 & 40-48 resulting from the fall of the 1st Restoration Generation, the recasted fulfillment is very broad (as is often the case with breached, recalibrated, & recasted prophecies!). In other words, the identity of Gog & Magog has become one and the same as that of the Beast – an exceedingly broad and mysteriously complex entity that culminates in the End of the World! Sound strange, my reader? A thorough study of the Doctrine of the Beast, addressed at length in Revelation 17, will prove the truth of the following statements regarding Gog:
The fact that Ezekiel 38 foretells a coalition of nations led by Gog for the invasion of Israel is indisputable; this marks the beginning of the conflict. The fact that the LORD will ultimately defeat Gog is also indisputable; this marks the end of the conflict. However, the times and sequences of greater or lesser progress on either side in between these points, the beginning and the end, is a subject of controversy among the would-be-interpreters. This controversy is understandable seeing that men assay to interpret the highest tier of prophecy without first learning the ancient intentions of the selfsame prophecies and the progressive altercations that befell the record of divine foretelling over time.
The situation post 70 A.D. was no different, my reader, as has been discussed at length heretofore in this Commentary. The Book of Revelation foretells the existence of a 3rd Restoration Generation of the Jews for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39 & Ezekiel 40-48! In summation, as we have observed, to understand Ezekiel 38-39 one must be able to distinguish between the 1st Restoration Generation & the 2nd Restoration Generation of the Jews and how they both relate to Ezekiel 38-39, and thereby one is enabled to foresee the ultimate and gloriously complex fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39 in the 3rd Restoration Generation of the Jews. Remember, we haven’t yet incorporated the entirety of Biblical Prophecy to understand the diverse and or progressive fulfillments of a breached and recasted prophecy like Ezekiel 38-39.
Therefore, to rightly interpret the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38:8-23, one must fully understand the events being foretold in Revelation 16:17-21 otherwise known as the 7th Vial. Why? This is when God defends Jerusalem by the SHAKING. Also, to rightly interpret the fulfillment of Ezekiel 39:17-21, one must fully understand the events being foretold in Revelation 19:17-21 – an event known as The Great Supper of Human Flesh. Lastly, to rightly interpret Ezekiel 38-39 in the final avenue of its prophetic significance, one must fully understand the events being foretold in Revelation 20:1-10 – the only place in the Book of Revelation where “Gog and Magog” (Rev. 20:8) are explicitly mentioned by name, quoting from Ezekiel 38-39. All things considered, the Last Days scenario comes into being in the following sequence of events as of 70 A.D. & ONWARD:
70 A.D. à the scattering of the Jews, the overthrow of the Jewish State of Israel, and the destruction of the City of Jerusalem and the Temple.
A Progressive Regathering & Restoration Leading to Conflict: This, in one sense, is a chosen generation of the Jews. They, however, will not choose the LORD until they’re punished by Babylon / the Beast. If one considers what has transpired since 1948 to be the foretold regathering and restoration in progress, one must remember how the 1st Restoration Generation fell short of glory because of sin. Woefully, the Jews of this initial regathering aren’t even saved! Nor will they be saved until God punishes Babylon / the Beast / Gog & Magog in the foretold manner described in Ezekiel 38:8-23 (Rev. 16:17-21; the 7th Vial / the SHAKING) & Ezekiel 39:4, 17-21 (Rev. 19:17-21; The Great Supper of Human Flesh). Indeed, according to Biblical Prophecy there must be a Regathering of the Jews, the Rebirth of the Jewish State of Israel with Jerusalem as its Capital City and therein a rebuilt and functioning Jewish Temple, but the progress hereto will only lead to conflict and suffering as was foretold in Zechariah 13:7-9, 14:1-2, & Daniel 9:26-27 and confirmed by Christ in Matthew 23:37-38, Luke 19:43-44, Matthew 24:15-31, Mark 13:14-31, & Luke 21:20-38!
Therefore, after this initial regathering there must be yet another scattering. However, when this takes place in respect to all the events of the prophetic timeline must be carefully discerned. As of 70 years ago (1948) the Jewish State of Israel was reborn, as of 51 years ago (1967) the Israelites recaptured and took control of the City of Jerusalem, as of 201 days ago (December 6th, 2017) Jerusalem was officially recognized as Israel’s Capital by the most powerful nation in the World, the USA. One might think that only one thing remains to be accomplished: namely, the building of the Jewish Temple. Not so! It is true that this needs to be accomplished prior to the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation, but that’s not the next event on the prophetic timeline as of 2018. The rise of Babylon by war and conquest for the making of a One World Government is what’s next!
The Outbreak of War Leading to the Rise of Babylon & the Final Components of Prophecy Being Fulfilled: Babylon, the Beast, rises by war & conquest: the Day of the LORD through Babylon! As of 2018, this war will be known as World War III. The war will likely be an overflow of the conflict between Jews and Muslims with the Temple Mount as the focal point of controversy, or something related (see the 6th Trumpet & the 6th Vial), and thus at the conclusion of the war – the nativity of the Beast in a One World Government – the political powers of the world will be situated to immediately or eventually fulfill the foretold scenario in which the Antichrist will at once appear. From a political perspective, this means that all the nations of the earth will eventually be represented under the rulership of 10 Kings (Rev. 17:12-18), and these 10 will give immediately or eventually give their power unto the Antichrist. Mark it, my reader, World War III will so radically shift the politics of the World Stage from the present estate of things, around 200 national governments, that only 10 Kings or close to it will rule the entire world.
The Rise of the Antichrist & the Beginning of a Peace Covenant (the Beginning of Daniel’s 70th Week): Immediately at the cessation of World War III, and, at the birth of the Beast in a One World Government (terrestrially speaking), the political powers of the earth may or may not fit the foretold scenario of Revelation 17:12-18. This ordering of political powers on the World Stage will eventually come to pass, but it is not certain when or how. For example, Babylon could take worldwide dominion while within the Empire there are a few more than 10 Kings and, consequentially, the Antichrist is not yet revealed. However, I repeat, things will eventually shift into Revelation 17:12-18. The Antichrist, being one of the political powers, or arising from another venue, will eventually forge a Peace Treaty / Covenant with Israel and her adversaries (Dan. 9:27) marking the beginning of the 70th Week of Daniel. Effectively, this is the beginning of the reign of the Antichrist at the helm of Babylon (Rev. 17:17). The construction of the Jewish Temple will likely begin at the start of the 7-year Covenant of Peace, contracted by the Antichrist, and it will be completed and fully functional before the passing of 3 ½ years.
The Reign of the Antichrist (the First 3 ½ Years of Daniel’s 70th Week), the Formation of Gog’s Coalition, the Breaching of the Peace Covenant, the Igniting of the Great Tribulation, the Scattering of the Jews: The Antichrist, whose rule began at the beginning of the 70th Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:26-27) via 10 Kings within Babylon’s Empire committing their power unto him, will orchestrate a turn of events for the latter 3 ½ years of his short reign on the earth (“a thousand two hundred and threescore days” – Rev. 11:3, “a time, and times, and half a time” – Rev. 12:14, “forty and two months” – Rev. 13:5). The Antichrist will breach the Peace Treaty / Covenant (Dan. 9:27) igniting the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation (Revelation 11:3-14, 13:5-10), yes, but remember that the Jews have not yet been scattered from Israel & Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zechariah 13:7-9, 14:1-2, Daniel 9:26-27, Matthew 23:37-38, Luke 19:43-44, Matthew 24:15-31, Mark 13:14-31, & Luke 21:20-38. The Jews of Israel & Jerusalem will not willingly submit themselves to be killed and taken captive by the Antichrist, hence this will require armies.
My reader, this brings us to Gog’s Coalition. This is that decisive moment of futurity when Jerusalem’s romance with the Antichrist will be suddenly turned! She, who whorishly LOVED the Antichrist for the past 3 ½ years, will be HATED by her LOVER “until the Words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev. 17:17)! Fearfully, this turn of events marks the beginning of the “Great Tribulation” à a tribulation so great and unprecedented, it will be “such as was not since the beginning of the World to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:21-22)! Why? This is a never-before-seen Reign of Terror! …by a never-before-seen Ruler, the Man of Sin (2 Thess. 2:3)! …all for the committing of a never-before-seen Abomination of Desolation (Matt. 24:15)! My reader, this a person whose plans were foretold by the Words of God long ago! “Have ye never read…?” (Mark 2:25, Matt. 21:16).
“…until the Words of God shall be fulfilled.” – Rev. 17:17
The cunningly devised Peace Treaty (Dan. 9:26-27), a providence of the Antichrist, will officially enable the Jews to build a Temple… not knowing that this most celebrated Revolutionary of Peace is hereby plotting for war! Being perfectly contrary to Christ who came to save the Jews, the Antichrist will come to destroy the Jews! Unknowingly, the Jews will fortify his plans of destruction and desolation upon Jerusalem in the constructing and completing of a fully functional Temple of Salvation, so they call it! Fearfully, the Temple they think to build for God is reared for a Man, the Anti-god! The desire of their eyes (Ezek. 24:15-23) is the desire of his eyes! The Temple, the long-fought-for and most celebrated achievement of the Jews (granted at the clemency of the Antichrist), is the crowning achievement of a Man who thereby endeavors to exalt himself above all that is called God and, in turn, slaughter, scatter, and enslave the Jews! The Guarantor of the Temple who swore to an epoch of peace and prosperity for all, will guarantee the annihilation & enslavement of the Jews for the sake of all!
Suddenly, in accordance with what was foretold concerning the Little Horn (Daniel 7:8, 8:9), the Prince (Dan. 9:26-27), the Vile Person (Dan. 11:21), the King of Babylon (Isa. 13:3), and more, the Man of Sin will trespass the Temple (“standing where it ought not” – Mk. 13:14; 2 Thess. 2:3) “so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thess. 2:4)! Doing all that was foretold and more, the Man will accomplish “the transgression of desolation” (Dan. 8:13) for “the overspreading of abominations” (Dan. 9:27) to “pollute the Sanctuary” (Dan. 11:31). Yea, “arms shall stand on his part” (Dan. 11:31) for this cause – and hereby Jerusalem will be “compassed with armies” (Lk. 21:20) – because the thing is of God in accordance with the Words of God, the LORD saying, “I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle” (Zech. 14:2). Harmoniously, seeing that all the nations of the earth will be ruled by 10 Kings who will give their power unto the Beast for this ultimate turnaround purpose, the Spirit of Prophecy elaborated on the event through the apostle John, in the saying, “And the Ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, these shall HATE the Whore, and shall make her DESOLATE and NAKED, and shall EAT her flesh, and BURN her with FIRE” (Rev. 17:16). Why? “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their Kingdom unto the Beast, until the Words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev. 17:17). In other words, these 10 Kings (who committed their power to the Antichrist for the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel; Rev. 17:12-13), will collaborate in the gathering of the armies in Gog’s Coalition (Ezek. 38:1-7) for the taking of Jerusalem! I repeat, hereby Gog & Magog / the Beast will successfully invade & conquer Jerusalem in hatred for the Jews while the Antichrist presents himself as “god” in the Temple!
The Antichrist Assumes Sovereign Control of what Used to be the Jews (the Last 3 ½ Years of Daniel’s 70th Week): What once belonged to the Jews will directly belong to the Antichrist, namely the State of Israel, the City of Jerusalem, and the Jewish Temple for 3 ½ years. Like what happened in 70 A.D., it is to be expected that the Jews will put up a fight! Like when Jerusalem was under Rome and within the Roman Empire, the same can be expected of Jerusalem under and within the Babylonian Empire of the future. The formerly regathered Jews, who survived and perhaps thrived in the perils of World War III, will be invaded and defeated by the Antichrist’s Armies (God’s Coalition) according to the description given in Zechariah 14:1-2. The Jews of Jerusalem, the Great Whore, will be hated by her Peace Partner and Spiritual Lover, the Antichrist, but after the final 3 ½ years of the 70th Week of Daniel are completed… lo and behold, God will defend Jerusalem by the SHAKING according to Zechariah 14:3-21, Ezekiel 39:17-21, & Revelation 19:17-21 (The Great Supper of the Flesh of Men)!
Jesus Christ will Invade Israel (Heaven-to-Earth), Slaughter Babylon’s Armies & the Antichrist, Recapture Jerusalem, Regather the Jews, & Restore Israel & Jerusalem: My reader, THIS IS THE 3rd RESTORATION GENERATION of the JEWS. When the 3 ½ years are finished, shortly thereafter the 7th Trumpet will sound! This is an alarm of Heaven that announces the besiegement of Babylon’s World by Heaven’s Armies! However, with the sights and sounds of such things in plain sight: lo and behold, Babylon will neither surrender nor be divided! On the contrary, they will gather for war against the Lamb (The Gathering)! How? Fearfully, through “sorceries” (Rev. 18:23) the Antichrist & the False Prophet will deceive all the nations of the earth (Rev. 13:7-9, 11-17, 19:20) – not in the 3 ½ year reign of terror, merely, or in the slaughtering of Jews and Christians, merely, but foremost of all in the gathering of the Armies of “the Whole World” to defiantly wage war against Jesus & the Armies of Heaven that are arrayed above Jerusalem in Earth’s Sky (Rev. 16:12-16; Rev. 17:14, 19:19)! Upon gathering for the purpose of war, the 2nd Advent War will commence (the SHAKING! & The Great Supper of the Flesh of Men!)! Hereby, Babylon will fall (Rev. 14:8-12, 18:1-24) and, subsequently, a final and complete regathering & restoration of the Jews to Israel & Jerusalem will take place in the glory of the Millennial Reign of Christ! I repeat, this regathering is the 3rd Restoration Generation. Hereafter, the world of unconverted sinners will be at peace while the Devil is bound in the Bottomless Pit for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-8).
The Devil will be Unbound, and the Nations will be Deceived for Satan’s Final Attempt to Conquer Jerusalem and Overthrow the Kingdom of God that is setup in Jerusalem: This uprising of the nations of the earth, called Gog & Magog in Revelation 20:1-10 & Ezekiel 38-39, will be squelched by a post millennial reign Baptism of Fire from Heaven to consume them on the spot! This is proof that the 3rd Restoration Generation performed by God according to Zechariah (Zech. 14:3-21), Daniel (Dan. 9:26-27), & Jesus (Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, & Luke 21:25-28) cannot be thwarted or stopped! God will DEFEND Jerusalem! This is the Restoration Generation regathered and restored by God via the 2nd Coming of Christ in the aftermath of the 2nd Advent War, a time that is unlike all former restoration generations in that ALL THE JEWS will be saved to sin no more (Rom. 11:26, Isa. 59:20, Isa. 45:17, 25)! Therefore, I repeat, there’s no interrupting this glorious commencement of a restored Jewish People unto God who reigns in Jerusalem! Of course, this is where the foretold scenario of Gog’s Coalition will finally and ultimately take place and thereafter expire from prophetic existence (Ezek. 38-39, Rev. 20:1-10)! In perfect context with the original intent of Ezekiel’s prophecy (foretelling an adversarial resistance rising up against the ongoing purpose of God in the 1st Restoration Generation), only this time with the 3rd Restoration Generation …lo and behold, all is fulfilled! The adversary arises in an attempt to thwart the glorious progress of the Jews… but to no avail! …Come, Lord Jesus! Come!