The day is near studyweekend

We can look back on an interesting study weekend.

On Saturday Brother Rudolf Rijkeboer in the first study wondered if it was really so that we could be facing the end times. He brought some hypothetical posings and compared the different theorem. He also questioned how we could know if the return of Christ was in front of us and how the beginning of or Jesus getting at the door would not have to mean the end is here.

““And you shall begin to hear of fightings and reports of fightings. See that you are not troubled, for these have to take place, but the end is not yet. “For nation shall rise against nation, and reign against reign. And there shall be scarcities of food, and deadly diseases, and earthquakes in places. “And all these are the beginning of birth pains. ” (Matthew 24:6-8 The Scriptures 1998+)
““And learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that the summer is near. “So you also, when you see all these, know that He is near, at the doors. ” (Matthew 24:32-33 The Scriptures 1998+)

Mount of Olives Jerusalem“See, a day shall come for יהוה, and your spoil shall be divided in your midst. And I shall gather all the gentiles to battle against Yerushalayim1. And the city shall be taken, the houses plundered, and the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into exile, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Footnote: 1Joel 3:2, Zeph. 3:8, Rev. 16:14. And יהוה shall go forth, and He shall fight against those gentiles, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives, which faces Yerushalayimon the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, a very great valley, and half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. ” (Zechariah 14:1-4 The Scriptures 1998+)

Today we can see that Israel is getting more and more isolated. More people are showing their resistance against Jerusalem and are acting against Israelites.

In the third study of the Saturday brother Rudolf placed all the fights of Israel in the picture. On Sunday, in Belgium we went on looking at Antiochius IV Epiphanes, how he considered the Jews a strange element in his Empire. On Sunday Steve Robinson and Marcus Ampe talked about those days of Epiphanes and the dates given by Daniel.

We saw that also in his and other times the matter of ‘end-times’ was more than ones on the tongue of people. Also when people got to see certain happenings or signs, they wondered: “how long will these wonders last?” In Daniels time a man swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times and a half, and that it will be when the the power of the holy people is no longer being shattered that all these things will end. and several could hear this, but couldn’t understand what it meant. Also Daniel wondered what it meant and asked God, what the outcome of all this would be ?

But at that time these words were to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end. And even at the time of the send Messiah that prophet, being called the son of god, did not know when the end times would be coming. Though Jesus also warned people to be prepared and to be always ready, because as it was declared to Daniel, many will purify, cleanse and refine themselves; but the wicked will keep on acting wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand. But those with discernment will understand. from the time the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days from Daniels time we were told that something serious was going to happen. How blessed will be anyone who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But you, go your way until the end comes. Then you will rest and rise for your reward, at the end of days.

When Daniel was in his late 80’s or over 90 he understood that Jeremiah’s 70 years had come to an end. The time for the return of the Jews had come and he pleaded with Jehovah God to forgive Israel for their sins and to look with favour on the sanctuary now desolate. God’s response was to tell Daniel of the seventy sevens the 490 years when atonement for transgression will be made by the Messiah. The sin offering will end and righteousness will come to pass. Daniel was being shown that Messiah (The Christ or Anointed One) would take away iniquity. Daniel became filled with visions and time periods of the latter days but is told “As for you Daniel go your way till the end. You will rest and then at the end of the days will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (Daniel 12:13)

Hand-Writing-upon-the-Wall-Gillray
The hand-writing upon the wall / Js. Gillray invt. & ft. Napoleon, Josephine, French soldiers and women seated at feast with dishes "Bank of England," "St. James," "Tower of London," and "Roast Beef of old England." Napoleon looks in horror at hand of Jehovah pointing to words in sky: "Mene mene, tekel upharsin." - James Gillray (1757–1815)
“Now at that time Miḵa’ĕl shall stand up, the great head who is standing over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of distress, such as never was since there was a nation, until that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book, and many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth wake up, some to everlasting life, and some to reproaches, everlasting abhorrence. “And those who have insight shall shine like the brightness of the expanse, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. “But you, Dani’ĕl, hide the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall diligently search and knowledge shall increase.”  Then I, Dani’ĕl, looked and saw two others standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank. And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the end of these wonders?” And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, and he held up his right hand and his left hand to the heavens, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it would be for a time, times, and half a time. And when they have ended scattering the power of the set-apart people, then all these shall be completed. And I heard, but I did not understand, so I said, “My master, what is the latter end of these matters?” And he said, “Go, Dani’ĕll, for the words are hidden and sealed till the time of the end.  “Many shall be cleansed and made white, and refined. But the wrong shall do wrong – and none of the wrong shall understand, but those who have insight shall understand. “And from the time that which is continual is taken away, and the abomination that lays waste is set up, is one thousand two hundred and ninety days. “Blessed is he who is waiting earnestly, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. “But you, go your way till the end. And rest, and arise to your lot at the end of the days.”
(Daniel 12:1-13 The Scriptures 1998+)

Jesus who knew his Father is greater than him, was content by not knowing the day the end would come. “But concerning that day and the hour no one knows, not even the messengers of the heavens, but My Father only. {Footnote:Mk. 13:32}. ” (Matthew 24:36 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Master is coming. “And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. “Because of this, be ready too, for the Son of Ad?am is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. ” (Matthew 24:42-44 The Scriptures 1998+)

Mark Hale looked at the many years that passed, at the days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah and the descendants of Abraham, Mesopotamia and Egypt and how we saw in history the political story nicely fitting in Gods Plan. While brother Mark Hale asked us if we should be full of fright or be comforted, brother Rijkeboer showed us how we could learn from the past.

Mark Hale in the 4th study showed us what we have to do and how we could look at the signs we should see in this world. But also how we do have to be aware how history has proven that everything has to go according the Plan of God and people should be careful not to work against this Plan, delaying in such instance the return of Christ.

We should learn from what is written in the Scriptures and what has happened in the history of times.

“For whatever was written before was written for our instruction,1 that through endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have the expectation. Footnote: 11 Cor. 10:11, 2 Tim. 3:16-17. ” (Romans 15:4 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Take heed not to refuse the One speaking. For if those did not escape who refused the warning on earth, much less we who turn away from Him from heaven, ”
(Hebrews 12:25 The Scriptures 1998+)
““So you also, when you see these matters take place, know that the reign of Elohim is near. ” (Luke 21:31 The Scriptures 1998+)
“So when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Master, would You at this time restore the reign to Yisra’ĕl?”1 Footnote: 1Lk. 1:33. And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ” (Acts 1:6-7 The Scriptures 1998+)

““Now I say to you, before it takes place, that when it does take place, you shall believe that I am.” (John 13:19 The Scriptures 1998+)
““Peace I leave with you – My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. “You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you did love Me, you would have rejoiced that I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it takes place, that when it does take place, you shall believe. “I shall no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming,1 and he possesses none at all in Me, Footnote: 1See Lk. 4:6. but, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, and that as the Father commanded Me, so I am doing. Rise up, let us go from here. ” (John 14:27-31 The Scriptures 1998+)

When we do all the signs around us we can clearly notice we are really coming to the predicted time of the return of Christ. But having to face the change in times, with people acting as it was prophesied we should understand that during the last days, scoffers will come, following their own desires and asking, “where is this promised ‘coming’ of his? for our fathers have died, and everything goes on just as it has since the beginning of creation.” We do know people will laugh with us and lots of them would not believe us. Others also do everything to bring us in discredit.
Everyday we should have the Word of God accompanying us and bringing us assurance. We may not overlook the fact that it was by God’s word that long ago there were heavens, and there was land which arose out of water and existed between the waters, and that by means of these things the world of that time was flooded with water and destroyed. It is by that same Word that the present heavens and earth, having been preserved, are being kept for fire until the day of judgement, when ungodly people will be destroyed. Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord Elohim the One who has everything in His hands, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day {Psalms 90:4}. For us it may seem to be a very long time, sometimes even too long.  But we may be happy that  Jehovah is not slow in keeping His promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, He is patient with us; for it is not His purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins.

“knowing this first: that mockers shall come in the last days with mocking, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all continues as from the beginning of creation.” For they choose to have this hidden from them: that the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by the Word of Elohim,1Footnote: 1Heb. 11:3. through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. And the present heavens and the earth are treasured up by the same Word, being kept for fire, to a day of judgment and destruction of wicked men. But, beloved ones, let not this one matter be hidden from you: that with יהוה one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. יהוה is not slow in regard to the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.1 Footnote: 11 Tim. 2:4. “(2 Peter 3:3-9 The Scriptures 1998+)

“And when these matters begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”  (Luke 21:28 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And I heard a loud voice from the heaven saying, “See, the Booth of Elohim is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and Elohim Himself shall be with them and be their Elohim. ” (Revelation 21:3 The Scriptures 1998+)

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Dutch readers please do find about the study weekend the articles in Dutch:

De Dag is nabij #1 Voortdurende moeilijkheden

De Dag is nabij #2 Bruikbare informatie

De Dag is nabij #3 Niet laten verrassen

De Dag is nabij #4 Begrijpen

De Dag is nabij #5 Terugkijken naar verleden

De Dag is nabij #6 Uitzien

De Dag is nabij #7 Thema van de dag

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