The Demise of Damascus

The demise of Damascus is prophesied in Isaiah 17:1 "The burden against Damascus. 'Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.'" (KJV)

This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled (as of the date and time), and it makes one wonder how the Lord will bring about the destruction of Damascus. 

Damascus, the center of terrorist activity in the region; the nation that has provided terrorist organizations protection, financing and weapons. The blast of a nuclear weapon would destroy Damascus, the capital of Syria, and make it a "ruinous heap" as the prophecy has foretold.

The question I would then ask is this: Would the use of a nuclear weapon, and the destruction of Damascus, bring about a quick response from Arab countries and Russia, resulting in the war of Gog and Magog? This is also part of biblical prophecy and can be found in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Although the attacking forces will come against Israel from all sides, God intervenes and brings about the end of the war supernaturally. This attack will devastate the military forces of Israel's enemies.

Once this happens, the surrounding Arab countries will have no defense against Israel's military might, which could usher in the Tribulation through brokering a 7-year peace treaty. Yes, this could be the incident that finally brings some peace to the region. Could this be what prophecy states as a time of "peace and safety" for Israel? Will this allow Israel to finally feel it can rest and not have to be on constant guard against the enemies that surrounded her in the past?

One thing is certain. Syria would need to commit a crime against Israel that is far worse than the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 in order for Israel to even consider the nuclear option. The attack form Syria on Israel would have to be so heinous (biological weapons?) that she would feel that her future existence was in jeopardy, and therefore would feel compelled to choose the nuclear option. Israel will not go down without a full-on fight to the death. 

Whether or not this biblical prophecy is fulfilled during the church age (before the Rapture), I still eagerly await the Lord's return for His bride... us. What a glorious day that will be. Praise God, who was, and is, and is to come!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

Fascinating Information About Preparations For The Third Temple

I just read the book, "The New Temple and the Second Coming" by Grant R Jeffrey. There were a few intesing bits of information that I found fascenating. Some of you who have kept up with recent events surrounding the plans for the Third Temple will undoubtedly find this information redundant, but I know that there are some readers who will find this article informative. Most of what I will write below will be quoted from the book.

The Discovery of the Oil of Anointing

An archaeological team discovered a clay vessel that contained oil that had solidified to the consistancy of molasses. When the oil was analized, it was shown to be composed of five ingredients, exactly as God commanded Moses (Exodus 30:23-26, 30-31). Intensive testing by the Dept. of Hebrew Univ. established that the oil inside the clay vessel was the ancient oil of anointing. It was given to two chief rabbis of Israel for safe keeping.

One of the five ingredients in this oil is the rare persimmon or balsam (afarsimon) oil. There were only two groves in the whole Middle East where the precious balsom trees grew. When it became apparent that the Romans were going to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, priests burned the two groves to keep them out of the hands of the Romans. With their destruction, it became impossible to reconstitute the ancient oil of anointing. Without the oil of anointing, it would seem to be impossible to anoint the sacred objects and the priests. However, the discovery of this ancient sample of the oil of anointing makes it possible to anoint the Temple, the sacred vessels and the priests.

Special Blue Dye
The Bible records that many of the special garments, including the avnet-belt of the high priest, must be dyed with a special blue dye known as tchelet. This dye was produced from a rare mollusk found only in the Mediterranean Sea, a marine creature long thought to be extinct. However, in the late 1990's, Israeli divers discovered the mollusk, the hillazon snail, in the Red Sea. A thick liquid is extracted from a gland in the mollusk to produce the rich blue dye. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has created a supply of the blue dye, which will be used to create the garments required in Temple worship... and used to produce the tsitsit fringes worn by observant Jewish males in the temple. The unspun wool for the priestly robes is dipped in this liquid, turning the wool a bright green. When the new green wool is exposed to the light, it takes on a rich blue color. Once it dries, the wool is spun into a blue thread.

Ashes of the Red Heifer

The Third Temple cannot be built and used for worship until the appropriate area on the Temple Mount is ritually purified using waters of purification from the ashes of an unblemished red heifer. The ashes from the burned sacrifice will be mixed with water, scarlet thread, cedar, and hyssop, producing the waters of purification. Then the priest will sprinkle the water on the stones of the Temple Mount, the priests and the Temple vessels according to the Bible's commands as recorded in Num. 19.

A pure red heifer is very rare... Jewish authorities are raising a number of red heifers in Israel so they will have a qualified candidate when they receive a divine sign that the time has come to rebuild the Temple.

But do we need a red heifer? Could ashes from the last red heifer be found just as the oil of anointing was found?

During the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, priests took the ashes from the Temple in a vessel called the Kalal, a container made with clay and dung from a previous red heifer. The Essene priests buried the container holding the ashes near Qumran, along with a great number of the sacred objects (including the oil of anointing, which has already been discovered). The chief rabbis believe the recovery of the ashes of the red heifer... is key to rebuilding the Temple.

HEADLINE UPDATE 09/05/2018: Temple Institute Announces Birth Of Red Heifer

We are witnesses to the fulfilling of numerous prophecies as we live and breathe in this era of biblical history. We are filled with hope as we anticipate the return of our Messiah. We are encouraged by the progress of the Temple Institute and other organizations in retrieving Temple artifacts and discovering clues to the exact location of the First and Second Temples.

I pray for the peace of Israel and the return of Yeshua HaMashiach!

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The 144,000 Messianic Jews And God's Seal

144,000 Messianic Jews receive the seal of God on their forehead after the Rapture. Does scripture mention God placing a mark on anyone else? Is this story an allegory, as some suggest? Is the mark visible? Let's refresh our mind with the portions of scripture we will be reviewing.

The sealing of the 144,000

"And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 

6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 

7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 

8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand." (Rev. 7:1-8 KJV)

Here is another portion of scripture that mentions the 144,000:

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (Rev. 14:1-5 KJV)

The answer to the question of whether God has placed a mark on anyone previous to this specific event can be found in scripture. The earliest recorded "mark" was given to Cain. We can read about that in Genesis chapter 4:

“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him." (Gen. 4:8-15 KJV)

Obviously this was a physical mark that was visible in the physical world. It had to be visible to others in order to protect Cain’s life.

Is there anywhere else in the bible that mentions a mark given to man by God? Yes, actually, there is. It's in reference to the sealing of the faithful as recorded in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel, we read of a similar case where, before the City of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, angels went throughout the city searching for, and sealing, the faithful in order to protect them from God's judgment.

“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. 3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. 7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. 8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, Ah Lord God! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?  9 Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The Lord hath forsaken the earth, and the Lord seeth not. 10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. 11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.” (Ezekiel 9:1-11 KJV)

This portion of scripture seems to describe a “spiritual” mark that was placed on the foreheads of those who were obedient to God; a mark that could be seen only by those in the spiritual realm; a mark that excluded those who received it from suffering God's judgment upon Israel.

Here we have two examples of marks being placed on individuals. One is a visible mark (Genesis 4) and the other is not (Ezekiel 9). 

So what differentiates the two types of marks? I believe it has to do with who was expected to see this mark.

• The mark that Cain received was to hold significance in the physical world.  It was a warning sign visible to other human beings; a warning sign to those who would seek to injure or kill Cain. 
• The mark received by the individuals mentioned in Ezekiel 9 was not meant to be seen by mortals, but was a mark placed on the forehead of the obedient to be seen by the angels who would keep them from harm.

We see through scripture that God has indeed placed marks upon the foreheads of people, marks that are both visible and invisible.

Allegory?

These incidences seem to be real and not allegorical, so what would make some believe that the mention of the 144,000 Messianic Jews and the marks they receive is nothing more than an allegory concerning the church? Let me share a quote concerning the study of scripture:

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” (Hal Lindsey)

I have to ask myself, “Do Rev. 7:1-8 and Rev. 14:1-5 make sense when taken literally?” I believe they do. So why is there a need to put any other kind of interpretation on this portion of scripture? What is the point of making it allegorical other than to try to use it to prop up a false interpretation of this portion of scripture?

When we find ourselves changing the meaning of God’s word or making things allegorical so that it fits in with our own personal doctrine, we’re doing a disservice to the word of God. We have to be open to having long held beliefs challenged. Unless we’re willing to do that, we can never fully understand those things that the Holy Spirit would like to reveal to us.

If the marks placed on Cain’s forehead and placed on the forehead those who were obedient to God (Ezekiel 9) were real, is it really that far-fetched to believe that the marking of 144,000 Messianic Jews could be real as well? Certainly not! 

Is this seal of God limited to just these 144,000?

ALL born again believers are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit once they are born again:

"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2 Cor. 1:21-22 KJV)

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph. 1:13 KJV)

We also know that in heaven we display a seal on our forehead that will contain God's name:

"And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads." (Rev. 22:1-4)

As born again believers, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Do we need a seal on our forehead when the light of the Holy Spirit Himself emanates from within us, to be seen by all in the spiritual realm? The Holy Spirit Himself is our seal. We are also told in the preceding portion of scripture that we will receive a seal on our forehead when we are in heaven. That causes me to believe that during this church age, we have no need for a seal on our forehead and that we will receive our seal after we are raptured and in God's presence in heaven.

After the Rapture, Jesus is going to raise up a new group of Messianic Jews who will possess the seal of God when they accept Jesus as their Messiah. They won't be just any ordinary believers. As the scripture states, "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (Rev. 14:4-5 KJV)

Why will these 144,000 receive a seal on their forehead during the Tribulation? I believe that not only is it a special seal offered only to those who will have the honor of being known as the firstfruits and who will have the honor of being in the constant presence of Jesus throughout eternity, but it is also a sign to the spiritual forces operating on earth (both good and evil) that these men have been set aside by God and are under His protection. We can see an example of this in Rev. 9:1-12 concerning the creatures from the bottomless pit. During the Tribulation, they are released into the world by an angel that comes from heaven with a key to unlock the abyss. The creatures that rise out of this abyss are forbidden to attack those with the mark of God on their forehead. This may or may not reference every born again believer, but that's a discussion for another article. It definitely references the 144,000 because we are told they will have a seal on their forehead. 

• God has shown us through His word that He has set a seal upon people in the past. This is nothing new for Him. It's happened before and it will happen again after the Rapture.
• The 144,000 Messianic Jews will be sealed by God. I believe it will be a seal seen only by spiritual forces, since they are the only ones referenced in regard to this seal.
• From a biblical perspective, this is not allegory. They do not represent the present day church. They represent a group of men chosen by God to spread the salvation message to the ends of the earth unhindered by the demonic forces that want so desperately to stop them.

Side note: Satan rebelled against God, demanding to be equal to God, to be seen as a god. It's interesting to see how he has created his own false trinity (Satan, Antichrist, False Prophet) and is already planning on using his own "seal" (known as the Mark of the Beast) to mark those who will follow him (to be placed on the right hand or forehead). In a way, Satan is acknowledging God's perfection by mimicking those things God has already accomplished. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and contemplate what was shared. Please leave your comments below.

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Why I Believe President Obama Is NOT The Antichrist

There are Christians who are absolutely convinced that President Obama is the Antichrist.  I am not one of them.  Although I have never given this theory any serious consideration, I have decided to take another look at this issue.  I will try to approach the subject with an open mind and see whether my personal feelings on the issue were blinding me to the truth, or whether I was correct in my convictions.  I'm going to delve into this and learn along with you.  Here we go.

Where did Barack Obama come from?

The Antichrist will supposedly come from a country that was part of the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. Gabriel states that following the death of Alexander, the empire will be divided into four parts. From one of those four parts, the Antichrist will arise:

“And the shaggy goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.  ²²And as for that being broken, and four stood up in its place; four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in its power.  ²³And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king, fierce of face, and skilled at intrigues, shall stand up. ²⁴And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power. And he shall destroy marvelously, and shall prosper and work, and destroy the mighty and the holy people.”  (Dan 8:21-24  MKJV)

“And they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with it?”  (Rev 13:4 MKJV) 

Most say that Obama was born in Hawaii, but some remain steadfast claiming that he was born in Kenya.  We know that Hawaii wasn’t part of the Greek Empire, but was Kenya?  No, it wasn’t.  Neither was it a part of the Roman Empire.

Antichrist’s birthplace: X

Is Obama a peaceful conqueror?

The Antichrist will show up on the scene as a peacemaker.  The first seal shows him appearing on the scene riding a white horse and with a bow in his hand.  He comes to conquer the world by peaceful means, hence no arrows.

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures like a sound of thunder, saying, Come and see. ²And I saw. And behold a white horse! And he sitting on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he went forth conquering and to conquer.”  (Rev. 6:1-2 MKJV)

Although Obama campaigned on a platform of hope and change and even though he received the Nobel Peace Prize, he hasn't made it a priority to conquer through peaceful measures.  He’s done exactly the opposite.  We are involved militarily in more countries than ever before and the use of armed drones has multiplied under Obama’s watch.  This is a man with a quiver filled with arrows who conquered through military might and not through peaceful actions.

Obama the peacemaker:  X

The Mahdi has arrived… or is that the Messiah?

The Antichrist would have to deceive many into believing that he is a representation of all religions.  He would have to deceive many into believing that all the religions of the world were just a part of a larger fabric of who God is.  He would need to be charismatic and energetic, handsome and trustworthy, humble yet strong in character.  He must be someone who both Jewish and Muslim alike will accept as the fulfillment of their faith’s prophecies.

The Jewish nation is looking for a man sent by God to be king of Israel, ushering in peace forever.  The Muslim nations are looking for their Mahdi who will come and rule the world through Islam.  This charismatic man will not only deceive those who believe in the Messiah and the Mahdi, but he will also deceive those of other religions as well into believing that he is the manifestation of their god’s promise of peace on earth.

I have a theory.  If the Antichrist is going to lead both the Jewish and Muslim crowd, he would need to come from both cultures.  I believe that the Antichrist will be both Jewish and Muslim (Jewish from his mother’s side, which by tradition would make him a Jew; Muslim from his father’s side, which by tradition would make him a Muslim). 

And where would Christianity fit into all of this?  If the bride of Christ has been raptured by this point, many of those remaining “christians” would be deceived into believing that this was the return of Jesus (especially if the pope was the false prophet).  With everything Christians and Muslims know about Obama, do we honestly believe that the majority of the world would consider him the incarnation of the Messiah/Mahdi?  Not likely.

He’ll be seen as the Messiah/Mahdi:  X

Antichrist revealed!
That’s kind of a misleading headline.  Actually, we can’t be certain of who the Antichrist is until the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and her enemies.  Only then can we be positive.

Example:  Many Christians believed that one of two individuals would be elected as pope because they had the name “Peter” in their name (Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson).  This is in regard to the Malachy prophecy about the 112th pope who would be known as  Petrus Romanus.  I even saw a YouTube video where an individual said he had a dream and that he was led by God to believe that  Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson would become the new pope.  He was so convinced of this that he made a video and put it out on YouTube.  Needless to say, he was utterly confused when the election didn't pan out the way he thought it would.  

So, what happened?  A cardinal that came out of nowhere (as far as the rest of the world was concerned) was elected to the position.  Although he came in second to Pope Benedict in the last conclave, there was no expectation that he would be considered this time around because of his age.  Here, Christians were looking for a clear indication that Petrus Romanus had been elected.  Clearly, they didn’t get what they had expected.

Looking at that example, the same can probably be said about the Antichrist.  We can point our fingers at individuals who exhibit anti-Christ like behavior, but until the peace treaty is signed, we can’t be sure WHO the Antichrist is.  After all, the Antichrist won’t arrive on the scene in such a way that people will call him “Antichrist.”  No.  He will arrive on the scene in such a way that people will call him their “savior.”  Whatever happens, I don’t believe that the Antichrist will be identified until he comes from behind the scenes of peace negotiations and is found to have brokered a peace between Israel and her enemies.

Answer this next question truthfully.  Is it possible that Obama is NOT the Antichrist and that his anti-Christ like behavior is being used by the enemy to divert our attention away from someone else rising to power in some European nation?  Here’s another question.  Do you honestly think that the Antichrist would appear in such a way that it would be easy to identify him?

Antichrist revealed:  X

The Bottom Line
We can play with his name (Baraq “o” bama = Lightning from high places), we can talk about attributes he has (attributes that will only be exhibited by the Antichrist during the “Great Tribulation” period and not at this point in history), we can talk about his false Christianity and his Muslim background, but we’re just being lead around by the nose when we focus on those things.  Those are the shiny baubles being presented by the enemy that are meant to divert our attention.  The truth lies much deeper.

We need to stop trying to fit Obama into biblical prophecy concerning the Antichrist and allow prophecy to point us in the right direction.  Prophecy is our compass and it points to the one who will deceive the nations. 

There are some Christians who believe that they have an “in” with God and they are among the few who know who the Antichrist really is.  To those who think that way, I must humbly rebuke you.  You are allowing yourselves to be deceived by the enemy and you are deceiving others with your videos and blogs.  I ask you to repent!  

Take the time to think things through instead of trying to find a way to pin biblical prophecy on to anything that remotely looks appealing.  I've seen biblical prophecy twisted to the point where it's being used to validate an idea that has nothing to do with the scripture being used.  Stop it!

I hope that this article has been a blessing to someone out there.  Please consider watching the video below.  God bless!

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And They Have Divided Up MY Land

I've been thinking more about the situation with Israel concerning the circumstances that could lead to the building of the third Temple in Jerusalem. 

We know that the Temple will be rebuilt in the end times:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2 Thess. 2:3-4)

Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. ²Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. (Rev. 11:1-2)

We also know that Jerusalem will be divided:

For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, ²I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat.  Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land. (Joel 3:1-2)

So here is my question: 

With the leadership of the soon-to-be-revealed Antichrist, will Israel and the Arab nations come to an agreement that the Palestinians will be given possession of East Jerusalem in exchange for unrestricted access to half of the Temple Mount where the Jews will build the Third Temple?

Artwork:  Temple - http://www.forest-of-lebanon.com/2012/02/temples-in-jerusalem/

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Slavery and Christianity

The claim is often made that the Bible approves of slavery, implicating God as its supporter, since rules governing slavery can be found in the both the Old and New Testament. Since virtually everyone agrees that forced, involuntary servitude is morally wrong, how can Christians justify the Bible's apparent support of slavery?

First, we must recognize that the Bible does not say God supports slavery. In fact, the slavery described in the Old Testament was quite different from the kind of slavery we think of today - in which people are captured and sold as slaves.

According to Old Testament law, anyone caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed:

"He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death."  Exodus 21:16

What the Old Testament Says About Slavery

So, obviously, slavery during Old Testament times was not what we commonly recognize as slavery, such as that practiced in the 17th century Americas, when Africans were captured and forcibly brought to work on plantations. Unlike our modern government welfare programs, there was no safety-net for ancient Middle Easterners who could not provide a living for themselves. In ancient Israel, people who could not provide for themselves or their families sold them into slavery so they would not die of starvation or exposure. In this way, a person would receive food and housing in exchange for labor.

So, although there are rules about slavery in the Bible, those rules exist to protect the slave. Injuring or killing slaves was punishable - up to death of the offending party.

“If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished."  Exodus 21:20

"If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth." Exodus 21:26-27

Hebrews were commanded…

Not to make their slave work on the Sabbath

"Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.”  Exodus 23:12

Not to slander a slave

“Do not slander a slave to his master, Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.”  Proverbs 30:10

Not to have sex with another man's slave

“Now if a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave acquired for another man, but who has in no way been redeemed nor given her freedom, there shall be punishment; they shall not, however, be put to death, because she was not free.” Leviticus 19:20

Not to return an escaped slave

"You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you."  Deuteronomy 23:15

Not to enslave his fellow countryman, even if he owed him money, but was to have him work as a hired worker, and he was to be released in 7 years or in the year of jubilee (which occurred every 50 years), whichever came first.

"If a countryman of yours becomes so poor with regard to you that he sells himself to you, you shall not subject him to a slave's service. 'He shall be with you as a hired man, as if he were a sojourner; he shall serve with you until the year of jubilee. 'He shall then go out from you, he and his sons with him, and shall go back to his family, that he may return to the property of his forefathers. 'For they are My servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt; they are not to be sold in a slave sale. 'You shall not rule over him with severity, but are to revere your God."  Leviticus 25:39-43

"If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment."  Exodus 21:2

In fact, the slave owner was encouraged to "pamper his slave"

"He who pampers his slave from childhood will in the end find him to be a son."  Proverbs 29:21

What The New Testament Says About Slavery

Since many of the early Christians were slaves to Romans, they were encouraged to become free if possible, but not worry about it if not possible.

“Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.”  1 Corinthians 7:21-23

The Roman empire practiced involuntary slavery, so rules were established for Christians who were subject to this slavery or held slaves prior to becoming Christians. The rules established for slaves were similar to those established for other Christians with regard to being subject to governing authorities.

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”  Romans 13:1-8

Slaves were told to be obedient to their master and serve them sincerely, as if serving the Lord Himself.

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.”  Ephesians 6:5-8

“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”  Colossians 3:22-25

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”  1 Peter 2:18-21

Paul instructed slaves to serve with honor, so that Christianity would not be looked down upon.

“All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.”  1 Timothy 6:1-2

As with slaves, instructions were given to their masters as to how they were to treat their slaves. For example, they were:

Not to be threatened

“And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 6:9

Treated with justice and fairness

“Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”  Colossians 4:1

There is an interesting letter in the New Testament that gives some insight into the problems encountered in the early Christian church regarding the issue of slavery.  Paul, the author of the letter, is writing from a Roman prison awaiting trial. 

“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,”   Philemon 1:1

He is writing to Philemon, who runs a local Christian church out of his house (since Christianity was highly persecuted at this point in time).

“and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:”  Philemon 1:2

Philemon, we find out, is the master of the slave Onesimus, who has escaped but has been converted to Christianity by Paul.

“I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”   Philemon 1:10-11

In the letter, Paul indicates that he is sending Onesimus back to Philemon 

“I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;”  Philemon 1:12-13

However, Paul says that he has confidence that Philemon will "do what is proper"… 

“Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus…”  Philemon 1:8-9

…although Paul wants him to do it by his "own free will"

“but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self as well). Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.  Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say.”  Philemon 1:14-21

Even so, Paul indicates that Onesimus would be a great aid in helping him spread the gospel. 

“I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel;”  Philemon 1:12-13

Paul ends the letter by saying that he has "confidence in your obedience" and indicates that he knows Philemon "will do even more than what I say." 

“Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”  Philemon 1:21-22

Although Paul did not directly order Philemon to release Onesimus from slavery, it would have been difficult to come away with any other conclusion from his letter.

Contrary to the claims of many skeptics, the New Testament proclaims that all people are equal in the eyes of God - even slaves:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:28

“knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.  And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 6:8-9

“a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  Colossians 3:11

Conclusion

The idea that God or Christianity encourages or approves of slavery is shown to be false. In fact, anybody who was caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed. However, since voluntary slavery was widely practiced during biblical times, the Bible proscribes laws to protect the lives and health of slaves. Paul, the author of many of the New Testament writings, virtually ordered the Christian Philemon to release his Christian slave from his service to "do what is proper.”  In addition, numerous verses from the New Testament show that God values slaves as much as any free person and is not partial to anyone's standing before other people.

Source:  godandscience.org/

Artwork:  Artist Unknown 

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