Again we consider the words of the greatest of all prophets. He is the greatest of all prophets, of course, because He is God.
The words of Jesus Christ are reverberating today to all who are familiar with end-of-the-age signals. And one instruction the Lord Himself gave for this very generation, I’m convinced, is the most significant. It is the “heads-up” we’ve looked at continually for months and even years.
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)
Jesus had just stunned His disciples, telling them that the beautiful Temple they were looking at would be completely thrown down. The Lord then addressed the questions Peter, James, John, and Andrew had asked: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4).
We’ve gone over the Olivet Discourse many times, learning all of the things Jesus said would come to pass. He told of the horrors of the coming Tribulation, the arrival of Antichrist, and the plight of the Jewish people at the time of the Great Tribulation.
But let’s remember that Jesus wasn’t limited to only prophesying things that were scheduled for fulfillment. Concerning Jesus Christ, we are told: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
Every single prophecy in God’s Word, no matter the prophet through whom it is given, is a foretelling by the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Word! So whether we’re considering the prophecy given under Ezekiel’s watch, or those given under the Apostle Paul’s, or those presented by anyone else in Scripture, it is the same as the Lord Himself speaking.
When Jesus left us with the command to “look up and lift up your head” when “you see all these things begin to come to pass,” He was saying that we should pay close attention to every prophecy for the end of the age. He was directing believers to carefully observe all prophetic signals when we know these things are beginning to happen, because, at that time, He is on the very cusp of calling all of His children to Himself.
So we look now at the title of our commentary: “Foreshadowing Foretellings.”
Jesus said we will “see these things begin to come to pass” (Luke 21: 28). He didn’t say “if” we see them come to pass. He was telling obedient believers who “watch,” as given in Mark 13:37, that we will know He is drawing near when we see things prophesied for the end of the age “begin” to come to pass.
Observation of these signals involves “foreshadowing of foretellings” found throughout the Word of God. We’ve looked—in practically every blog, article, and book I’ve written—at how things are precisely setting the stage for fulfillment of prophecy.
We’ve looked at the events and issues of these times that foreshadow the formation of the New World Order; we’ve seen the forming Babylonian beast that both Daniel and John said casts a darkening cloud of coming horrors upon the geopolitical landscape at this late hour.
We’ve gone over Israel’s rebirth into modernity and the prophecies surrounding that miracle. We have examined the headlines involving Israel’s enemies to the north as foreshadowing the Gog-Magog attack Ezekiel foretold.
The man of sin’s platform of world power seems almost ready for Antichrist’s ascendance.
We recently looked at the world’s governmental and religious leaders now coming together at the traditional Mount Sinai (Sharm El Sheikh) in Egypt—to pay homage to the planet by bringing their unholy machinations to bear in their insane efforts to save Mother Earth. We thereby see the foreshadowing of the false worship system of Revelation chapter 17—the whore that rides the beast foretold by Daniel (chapter 7) and John (Revelation chapter 13).
Time and time again, we ‘ve gone over the cultural and societal wickedness that has saturated our nation and the world with Sodom and Gomorrah-like evil. These blasphemous, debased developments foreshadow Jesus’ prophetic words of Luke 17: 6–30.
A number of personalities arising in world leadership seem to foreshadow entities foretold to appear at the end of the age.
Vladimir Putin of Russia, for example, seems to have the characteristics of the one who will be the “Gog” Ezekiel described. And all circumstances surrounding what’s going on in the Middle East and with Mr. Putin add to the intrigues regarding the possible soon fulfillment of the Gog-Magog prophecy.
And now I find most interesting the 33-year-old Jewish rabbi who is praised and even worshipped in some Jewish Orthodox circles. Rav Shlomo Yehuda is believed to be a miracle-worker who can quote the Torah and other Jewish holy scrolls with instant and total recall. He has been filmed performing healing and other miracles, according to reports.
Whether or not he might turn out to be the False Prophet—the second beast of Revelation chapter 13—his appearance at this time certainly is a false Messiah-type foreshadowing. That is, it seems to foreshadow Jesus’ foretelling about deceivers who would come in His name as the time of His return nears.
Jesus told Israel that they would reject Him, but would accept as Messiah another who would come in His name.
When I began my novel a number of months ago—MESSIAH and the Prince That Shall Come, this candidate for that end-times partner of Antichrist wasn’t in view.
Jesus’ words about these things beginning to come to pass are now on a fast track. Let us follow his directive!
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:32–37)
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Terry,
Your writings are always a blessing and so encouraging. The relentless evil and the waiting for our Blessed Hope have been wearing me down these last few months, but articles like yours help to renew my strength.
God bless you.
Kim
Notice that Rav Shlomo doesn’t immediately reject the assertions of people who think he is the messiah? That’s a huge tip-off right there that he’s an antichrist, even if not necessarily “the antichrist” who will one day rule the world.
It is just the opposite of how John the Baptist handled the same situation:
John {1:20} And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. {1:21} And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. {1:22} Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to
them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? {1:23} He said, I [am] the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
In all three accounts of the Olivet Discourse, the next thing Jesus revealed after the impending destruction of the temple was to beware of false prophets. These have been with us for ever since he spoke of them and judging by how people react to the present ones, it’s pretty easy to see how that last and worst one will be welcomed with open arms.
Wouldn’t surprise me, either, if “organized religion” actually “organized” his reception committee.
Fortunately, we won’t be here to have to witness it.
Thank Jesus for that!
Terry, your articles are always intriguing and uplifting. I look forward to another after reading your lates. Today was a downer day for me. It was just doom feeling. Cloudy and cold. 1st snow with a 2″ covering. Not a fan at all. The state I live in went total control for dems in House and Senate; loving the women’s rights, lgbt, etc platforms. My dad died 2 weeks ago. 30 months of watching him deteriorate in a dementia care home. My mom is really becoming forgetful and scattered. Two days ago she didn’t even remember dad passed away. My brother isn’t a believer and when I try to share Jesus with him he yells at me. Another person close to me (who claims to be a believer) is in a relationship with a married person and I can’t intervene for fear of losing that relationship forever. My husband hasn’t praised the Lord at church for 14 years. This after I was revived to life from cardiac arrest, in coma, clinging to life. And the rest of the world deteriorates on a daily basis. I pray and pray. I give thanks and give praise.
I’m tired. I eagerly await the day believers go home. I’m scared for those who are not repenting and following Jesus. I will snap out of this gloom. I will keep looking up. Thanks for the space here to vent so I can now focus on God’s truths. I can know who are the people and things I’m grateful for. All blessings from God. Maranatha.
I can totally understand how you feel, Lisa. This has been a terrible year for me personally as well. My mother had a protracted and painful death earlier this year, in no way helped by an indifferent medical system and Medicare which decided to cut her off in her last days. My father and stepfather, long deceased, were miserable people who never treated her right and her life was tough, right to the end.
Here in “Indigo Blue” Connecticut, our so-called Democrat public servants got re-elected so each will get to continue another term of incompetence. That there wasn’t a “big red wave” despite everything coming apart at the seams nationwide just shows how “reprobate” people’s minds have become. It’s almost like they’re loaded up on drugs!
As for as my faith, well, I don’t push it on anyone, but if the opportunity arises, I take advantage of it. I let the person know what I believe, give them the evidence to support what I told them and then leave it at that. You can’t force someone to believe and you’ll just go crazy if you try. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve done my job, and my conscience is clear.
I, too, find that the batteries are running down as my 70th year approaches, but I’ll do my best to keep carrying on, very much of the mind that the days are numbered and soon all of us believers will hearing that upward call!
Hang in there, Lisa, because Jesus is coming REAL SOON, now!
God bless!
All of this is corruption. real Christians are being laughed at and
ridiculed. Christ has the last laugh and the wicked think they are
having their own way but God says he will have them in derision. The
wicked think they will never be caught. They even hide like Obama who
is not being pursued. He and others are having their third term with
President Bidin. Christ Jesus is alive and will reward those who
diligently seek Him and believe His Word.
Tommie Ray
Amen. Blessings
Thanks so much Terry, you have just answered many of the questions I have regarding this whole “generation” thing. Many believers, including writers of blogs, etc., are saying that the Olivet Discourse was given ONLY to the Jews of THAT time, and NOT applying to the end times. They are also saying that the Scripture that you quoted above, from Luke 21:28 is NOT for the end time church. It is all so confusing (probably what Satan wants anyway) when brethren batter the Word and try to ‘beat’ It to fit their narrative.
I think it was our late beloved brother in Christ, Ed Hindson, who said the whole, “seeking plain sense or else finding no sense” (I butchered that statement, so sorry). You get what I mean. There seems to be a whole lot of gymnastics going on in the end time church. The bible tells us that it is a good thing for brethren to dwell together in unity. I am praying that for our end time body of believers. The deception is certainly getting thick. Thanks again, Terry, for making SENSE! God bless and MARANANTHA!!!
BIBLE-Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth