Today, many students of Bible prophecy see the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland as one of the “super” signs, that our generation is living in the season of Yeshua’s return. There are some Christians today though, who believe that YHWH’s promises to the Jewish people were superseded by the Church and that the nation of Israel today is nothing more than a historical coincidence helped along by overzealous believers who take Bible prophecy too literally.
This past month I’ve had the privilege of reading two excellent books which address this subject. The first was written by Samuel Whitefield entitled – One King: A Jesus-Centered Answer to the Question of Zion and the People of God, the second was by Thomas Ice entitled – The Case for Zionism: Why Christians Should Support Israel. Both books were well written but from slightly different perspectives.
Mr. Whitefield’s book looked at the subject from a more theological and Biblically based perspective while Mr. Ice’s looked at the subject from a Biblical and a historically legal sense. Although, the authors come at the subject from slightly different theological perspectives, their books complement each other and together make a compelling case for the nation of Israel as a fulfilment of Bible prophecy.
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Today, I want to look at the subject of Zion and restoration of Israel in terms of the Bible’s chronology and the Jubilee cycles. As you will see, Israel’s restoration to the Promised Land as an independent nation was not coincidence, Continue reading →
To say my book Daniel’s 70 Weeks: The Keystone of Bible Prophecy challenges conventional thinking is probably an understatement. For those of you who have read the book, you know I challenge both Historicists and Futurists to take another look at this vital Bible prophecy in light of its 2nd temple Biblical context and a Biblical reckoning of time.
Recently, Douglas Woodward, the popular Christian speaker and author, jumped into this discussion with both feet. If you have watched or read Mr. Woodward’s work, you know his unique style is sure to liven any discussion. In the case of Daniel’s 70 Weeks: The Keystone of Bible Prophecy, Mr. Woodward brought a decent amount of both praise and criticism. Mr. Woodward’s review of my book can be found at his blog here: Douglas Woodward I’d encourage you to read the article. It raises a lot of good questions and really challenges you to think about the subject. Few of today’s Christian prophecy teachers have been willing to talk about the issues raised in my book and it was a real privilege to get Mr. Woodward’s thoughts and criticisms.
As I said Mr. Woodward’s review had a decent amount of praise and criticism. In today’s blog post I would like to look at some of Mr. Woodward’s criticisms and do my best to provide a reasonable Biblical rebuttal. Mr. Woodward’s main disagreements focus on the final 7 shabuwa (weeks) of the 70 Weeks prophecy. More specifically he disagrees with my understanding of Daniel 9:27 and the identity of the “he” mentioned in this verse as well as the type of Biblical time used to calculate this final shabuwa. This timing discussion also spilled into a discussion of whether a “prophetic year” of 360 days is the intended timing mechanism to synchronize the various prophecies of Revelation and Daniel. Continue reading →
My previous articles onThe Messiah Factors made the case that the list of names in Matthew 1 was a purposeful arrangement of Yeshua’s lineage in order to show that He was indeed the Messiah promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. Not only did Matthew 1 provided us with the Messiah Factors of 13 & 14 but he also gave us a list of 41 names. These names, starting with Abraham and ending with Yeshua, represented 41 generations. My present article will explore the possibility that these 41 names are also the key to an even more far reaching prophetic picture. A panoramic view if you will, of YHWH’s redemptive plan for all mankind beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation.
Years ago, in early 2000, I became interested in long term economic cycles. I researched Kondratiev cycles, Elliott Waves, Armstrong Pi cycles, and Gann’s famous cycle work. The men for whom these cycle studies were named believed that human socio/economic behavior had some level of underlying order. Being one who actually believes the Bible to be an accurate representation of past history I wondered if I could find evidence of socio/economic cycles in the Bible. After all the Bible is full of historical records which describe bountiful harvests and great famines, great wars, and mass migrations.
According to the Biblical record, about 3500 years ago YHWH instituted three definable socio/economic cycles which governed the lives of the Hebrew people. These cycles were the daily Sabbath cycle of 6 days labor and 1 day rest; a similar yearly Sabbath cycle which concerned the use of land and Hebrew servitude; and a 50 year Jubilee cycle which governed the use of debt, slavery, and service. To make a long story short I wondered if these cycles had possibly left an echo which could still be measured in our present era. What I found changed my macro view of the Bible and set my course on path to the discovery of what I call the Jubilee Code.
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After the Exodus, one of the commandments YHWH gave Moses was a set of instructions which called for the canceling of all debts and release of all slaves in the year following 7 completed (yearly) Sabbath cycle (7×7 = 49+1). This 50th year, a “year of release” was celebrated on the Day of Atonement and became known as the Yowbel or Jubilee. (For more information on the Jubilee see my article The First Jubilee.)I found that these Jubilee cycles marked important events in the chronology of the Old Testament especially as it related to YHWH’s redemptive plan for mankindthrough Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. My articles on theMessiah Factorsshowed that Matthew 1 was the key which unlocked the prophecy of Daniel 9. A prophecy which bridged the five centuries between the Old & New Testaments. The first verse of the New Testament reads: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham”. This verse establishes Yeshua’s connection to both Abraham and king David. As given the list shows 41 generations between Abraham and Yeshua. What is most exciting from a chronological perspective is that the Old Testament also describes 41 Jubilee cycles between Abraham and Yeshua. Yes, you heard that right! The list of Matthew was arranged to show Yeshua’s lineage as a series of Jubilee cycles. Further adding to the importance of this discovery is that there are also 41 Jubilee cycles between Adam and Abraham. The chart to the right gives a panoramic view of 41 Jubilee cycles and its relationship to the chronology of the Bible.
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The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians, described the adoption of the Gentiles into the family of God through Yeshua. Paul states that YHWH, “when the fullness of time was come” sent his Son (Yeshua) to redeem mankind.
Galatians 3:29 – 4:5 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
If there was one theme I tried to show in my articles on theMessiah Factors it was that Daniel 9 was a prophecy of the coming Messiah as part of YHWH’s redemptive plan for all mankind. If we take a look at this theme in light of the Jubilee Code we see that indeed Yeshua came in the “fullness of time“.
When YHWH caused Judah to be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 604 BC, this event began the period of 70 years captivity as prophesied by Jeremiah. (Jer. 25:11-12) What makes these 70 years stand out is that they began in the 70th Jubilee cycle from Adam.Shortly after the 1st captivity of Judah began, Ezekiel (Eze. 8-10) records the departure of the Shekinah from the Temple and Jerusalem. 70 years later YHWH announces that His Divine anger had ended and He had returned to Jerusalem “with mercies“.
Zechariah 1:12-16 Then the angel of YHWH answered and said, O YHWH of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? And YHWH answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. o the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith YHWH of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. Therefore thus saith YHWH ; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith YHWH of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
This period of Divine anger also began in the 70th Jubilee cycle. If you read my articleThe Fifth Command you recognize Zechariah 1:16 above as the Divine command “to restore and build Jerusalem“. The very command which started the Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9 and began the countdown to the Messiah. Take a look again at the chart above. Not only did the 70 years of Divine anger begin in the 70th Jubilee cycle but it ended exactly on the 71st Jubilee celebration. Further, since the first and last year of the Jubilee cycle overlap this year also marked the start of the 72nd Jubilee cycle. This year (520 BC) marked the half way point to the 144th Jubilee and the start of the 8th millennium. In other words, the Divine command which began the Countdown to the Messiah was given at the mid-point in a 7000 year plan of YHWH.
The third set of 70 years began in the 70th Jubilee with the destruction of Solomon’s temple. This 70 years period ended with the completion of the 2nd temple and its dedication in 516/515 BC during the reign of Darius “the Great” Artaxerxes.
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The Jubilee Code also provides a unique perspective on YHWH’s desire to dwell with mankind. After the exodus of Israel from Egypt, the Tabernacle was completed in the wildness under the instructions of Moses as given by YHWH. A short time later YHWH’s “glory” entered the Tabernacle. It was from this “glory” that YHWH spoke to Moses:
Exodus 40:34 – Leviticus 1:1 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of YHWH filled the tabernacle. …. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: … For the cloud of YHWH was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. And YHWH called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation…
After Solomon’s Temple was completed the “glory” or Shekinah presence of YHWH entered the Temple for a period of time. As we learned above the Shekinah left Solomon’s temple before its destruction and then just 70 years later YHWH had “returned to Jerusalem with mercies.” At some point YHWH’s “mercies” again left Jerusalem and His dwelling with mankind took the form of His Son Yeshua. Each one of these events began in a specific Jubilee cycle as you can see in the chart below.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt(tabernacled) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore YHWH himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:22-23 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
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In Part III of the Messiah Factors I looked at YHWH’s redemptive plan for mankind in terms of the promised “seed”. This promise took on new meaning when YHWH made His covenant with Abraham. The background to this covenant is a wonderful story of faith, doubt, and promise. As the Bible records, Abram and Sarai were not able to conceive children, yet YHWH had promised Abram to make of him a great nation. Finally after much heart ache and missteps (by Abram and Sarai) YHWH appeared to Abram in the 99th year of his life (Abram’s 2nd Jubilee) and told him that he and Sarai would conceive a child at “set time” (mow’ed) the following year. To make his point YHWH changed Abram’s name to Abraham. The name Abram had meant “exalted father” but YHWH wanted to made sure Abram understood his true purpose so He changed it to Abraham which meant “father of a multitude“. It is important to note here that both Abram and Sarah were past the years of producing children but by faith they believed the promise of YHWH.
Hebrews 11:8-13 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;….Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. ….These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Genesis 17:17-19 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Because of Sarah’s and Abraham’s faith YHWH did make of Isaac a great nation. The Jubilee Code again offers a wonderful perspective on these events.
YHWH’s covenant with Abraham and Sarah was fulfilled just as He had promised. Isaac was born the following year at the “set time” or mow’ed. This year did indeed mark a very special time because Isaac’s birth fell right on the 43rd Jubilee.Later to test Abraham’s faith, YHWH asked him to sacrifice Isaac, his son. Abraham’s faith in YHWH’s promise, as expressed to his “young men” and his son, was a wonderful testimony to his belief. Read the passage below and see if you don’t agree.
Genesis 22:2-8 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning,…Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,…. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:….
YHWH’s sacrificial provision in place of Isaac was a picture of the future Messiah who would someday pay the price for mankind’s sins. 39 Jubilee cycles later that picture was fulfilled in Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah. The next Jubilee cycle, exactly 40 Jubilee cycles from Isaac’s birth the sacrificial system was brought to a close with the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (69-70 AD). Those events marked the beginning of what Yeshua described as the Times of the Gentiles in Luke 21:
Luke 21:24-25 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Romans 2:9-11Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 11:1-27 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. ……… (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. …….I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. ….. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
The times of the Gentiles is only temporary. According to both Yeshua and the apostle Paul, at the end of this period of time Yeshua will return and “all” Israel shall be saved. From the point when the covenant was first confirmed with Abraham at the birth of his son Isaac, YHWH kept His covenant with the “seed” of Abraham for a period of 40 Jubilees. Today we are living in the 40th Jubilee cycle of the Times of the Gentiles. If YHWH intended for The Times of the Gentiles to be equal to the 40 Jubilees which proceeded it then we are truly living in the “last days” before the return of Yeshua.
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Final Thoughts
Towards the end of the next decade several Biblical cycles converge. My articleAfter Two Days showed that the apostle Peter, when comforting his Jewish brethren concerning the coming of Yeshua told them that “one day with God {YHWH} is as a thousand years“. I showed that this phrase was a reference to the prophecy in Hosea 6. About the same time as the “two days” of Peter ends the 123 Jubilee cycle from Adam completes. The 40th Jubilee of the Times of the Gentiles described above also coincides with the end of the 123rd Jubilee cycle from Adam. It’s worth considering here the words of Yeshua in Mark 13 and Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5. Both describe the events leading up to the 2nd coming (during the Times of the Gentiles) in terms of birth pangs. A woman’s pregnancy is normally 40 weeks.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Authors Note:The information developed in this article is based upon over twenty years of research. The chronology involved took two years to complete in charted form. For those who would like to see the Biblical basis for the Jubilee Code you will find a PDF chart of chronology here:Chronology of the Old Testament. Please note this chronology is based upon the MT text of the Scriptures. Though the chart itself is solely my own effort I often turned to some of the great chronologists of the past and present to try and work out the chronology of the Kings of Israel and Judah. I’ve appreciatively walked in the footsteps of the following giants of Biblical chronology: Ussher, Rawlinson, Newton, Rutherford, Davidson, and Jones.Please do your own due diligence as a Berean. Please note that the dates in this article should be understood within the context of the Jubilee & Sabbath cycles given. The dates are not a prediction of the Rapture or the 2nd coming of Yeshua.
Book 1
Book I - Description
The 13th Enumeration
"A book that will change how you look at the Bible's Messianic Symbolism."
The Jubilee Code -
"A book that will show you real Biblical evidence for Yahweh's guiding in hand history bringing about His redemptive plan for mankind."
Today, many students of Bible prophecy see the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland as one of the “super” signs, that our generation is living in the season of Yeshua’s return. There are some Christians today though, who believe that YHWH’s promises to the Jewish people were superseded by the Church and that the nation of Israel today is nothing more than a historical coincidence helped along by overzealous believers who take Bible prophecy too literally.
while Mr. Ice’s looked at the subject from a Biblical and a historically legal sense. Although, the authors come at the subject from slightly different theological perspectives, their books complement each other and together make a compelling case for the nation of Israel as a fulfilment of Bible prophecy.
To say my book Daniel’s 70 Weeks: The Keystone of Bible Prophecy challenges conventional thinking is probably an understatement. For those of you who have read the book, you know I challenge both Historicists and Futurists to take another look at this vital Bible prophecy in light of its 2nd temple Biblical context and a Biblical reckoning of time.
