insights

A Comprehensive Study
Many prophecies of Scripture are, in some way, connected to dates and specific time periods. Prophecies concerning Israel, Judah,
and Ephraim are time sensitive. The times of Jacob’s Troubles, the Times of the Gentiles, and other related issues need close
examination.

In Regards To Timing
Prophecy is interesting and vitally important in our end time history. We need to understand, our focus should be to know where we are
in time, and what the timeline sequence is for the promised events in the years directly ahead of us.
God has developed and implemented some basic methods of time measurement and control that keep His overall plan precisely on
track. We will become familiar with these time management tools.
Individual end time events will be clearly identified and their proper place in the flow of prophecy will be established. An important and
interesting benefit of this study is that we will begin to see more clearly how God thinks, plans, and executes His plans.
What will be developed is a detailed outline of Biblical end-time events that will be quite accurate and specific. This study will also
contain information which will support certain related matters, though not discussed or only briefly visited in scriptures, are nevertheless
directly connected to the primary issues.
In other words, God gives us enough information to come to certain strong and logical conclusions. With this foundation, we can
develop those parts which are not so clearly brought forth.
God does not intend for the Old and New Testament prophetic Scriptures to be covered in a dark veil. On the other hand, no matter
how clear and exact these prophecies are made, very few will believe.
For those men and women who strive to understand, believe, and obey, there is a great benefit. They will be able to live and plan the
future with calm assurance, knowing their exact standing and relationship to it.

Prophetic Time Periods and Dates
Perhaps one of the great struggles for God’s Church for the past 50 or so years, has been this matter concerning when will the end
time prophecies begin fulfillment and at what point will Jesus Christ return. Many say we cannot know, we will have to wait and see how
things develop and be prepared; beyond this, it is as God wills. Others reason that living a Christian life day by day, is the more
important and necessary requirement. The timing details of prophecy are not understandable, or of necessity. God will work through
the church leadership.
Matt. 24:36 and Mark 13:32 are the scriptures most often used to support the idea that it is not possible to know for any certainty the
prophetic time periods and dates climaxing with the return of Jesus, the Messiah. In the timeline prophetic studies, the working premise
for everything put forth, is that it is necessary to be able to establish and attach time periods and dates to the prophecies given by
Jesus as found in the gospels, and detailed in the books of Revelation and Daniel, with support from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Zechariah and the other prophetic books, also including the writings of the apostles.
Matt. 28:18 – “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This statement Jesus
makes is after His resurrection. He did all as required perfectly. Jesus boldly and without any qualifications, pronounces that he now
has all authority in heaven and on earth. Only God the Father is supreme to Christ. Additional verses that tie in are John 3:35-36 and
Heb. 2:8-10.
Jesus, God’s anointed one, came in the flesh so that man could have an opportunity for salvation. This matter of what Jesus did as a
man stands separate from everything else. It is an individual matter that stands on the fact that He flawlessly performed everything
given to Him by God. Christ could have sinned, He could have slipped, but He determined to succeed for our sakes. By the strength of
God’s Spirit, along with His own strength of character rooted in love for God and His righteous law, Christ is now qualified king and high
priest for all mankind for all time.
I believe it is fair to say, that Jesus knows exactly the prophetic time periods and dates leading to His second coming. Beyond this, He
intends for His church to know what He knows, that is, all pertinent information and details. In this way, the church will be able to
prepare herself for the historic events and responsibilities in the years directly ahead of her leading to His return.
It is imperative that Christians not only be informed, but they must believe. Complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ, is the only ticket
available for this journey.

Specific Purpose
These writings are intended for people who are seeking knowledge and understanding to help them firmly establish the Truth
concerning God, Christ, the Holy Scriptures, and their overall plan for mankind. The focus of this material is end-time prophecy and
Christian maturity and responsibility,
An important consideration is to reach those who have a Church of God history. Certain mutual references, historical comments,
common beliefs and experiences will make this information easier to appreciate.
By no means are these things only for this group. These study papers are also intended for anyone searching to better and more
correctly understand the Bible and its relevance for our time and world. It is for those people who earnestly desire to understand God’s
master plan for mankind and their personal destiny.
As much as possible, these writings stand separate from any human church organization or man’s opinion. On the other hand, this was
written by a man who has done his best to base every reference and explanation upon Scripture. Except for Christ, no one individual
has a perfect or complete understanding of the Word. All things have not been given to men at this time, but still much has been given.
These writings and presentations are extensive and much of this information will be new. New, in the sense, that the explanation and
development of scriptures goes beyond the traditional thinking most have been exposed to. However, everything the reader will
consider has a Biblical foundation. The reader will have to decide for himself or herself what place and meaning these things may have
in their lives.

A Personal Matter
God is orderly, predictable, and understandable in this matter of end-time prophecy and the connected sequence of events. He intends
that all those who are truly His (those He desires to claim as the Bride of Christ) to receive the full measure of knowledge and truth that
leads to understanding, trust and obedience.
Contrary to what some claim, understanding prophecy is vital and necessary. Some say, “The future will take care of itself. Who can
know for sure? For now and later there are more important Christian responsibilities and works to be done!” Both are correct, and each
has its place of importance. We need to understand and we need to be busy.
Godly righteousness does not come from men or their organizations; though church assembly is important. Righteousness comes to
those who have built an independent and direct relationship with God through Jesus Christ. These are men and women who believe the
words of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles.
The personal burden is to determine what is the truth, and not to be overly concerned about the man giving the information. He is in the
exact same state as you – an individual whose future is to be determined by his relationship with the Father and the Son.
This relationship must be built not only upon logical knowledge and understanding of the truth, but upon a heart to heart relationship
with God that will give one the ability to obey and submit to Him willingly.
Most of us have been exposed to large amounts of Biblical information and knowledge. We know much about God, His purposes, and
requirements. Each of us wants and needs God to help us to sort these matters out correctly. For many years most of us thought we
had it understood. Don’t mess up big time and God, through the various Church of God organizations and the leadership of men, will
take care of each of us, and see us through the hard times, to the return of Christ.
There has been some small measure of growth in God’s church, but many people still are not sure exactly where they stand with God.
Not making this absolutely clear in their teachings has long been one of the shortcomings of church leaders. To be fair, you cannot
teach what you do not know and understand.
Life in the Body of Christ has been difficult and confusing for many. Leadership has not always been easy to trust. Now comes along
another voice encouraging you to consider the possibilities of his words. Words that may hold new considerations for your future.

Christian Requirements
The general understanding and feeling among Church of God people is: “Yes, this is the end time, but no, it is not possible to put some
kind of understanding to the order or timing of future events that will find their completion in the return of Jesus Christ.” Or words to that
effect.
Among the believers, there are several prevailing ideas or opinions as to how one is to live life and how it will come about that one will
receive God’s protection from the tribulation that is soon to try all mankind.
The true church of God, of which Jesus Christ is the head under God, does not have its foundation or roots in any corporation, splinter
group, or small home group meeting. Some people mistakenly believe this, but in reality, it consists of men and women who have a
direct relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father, through the active engagement of God’s Holy Spirit.
They have true knowledge and understanding. They believe the words of Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles, and they obey. These
baptized members of God’s church are working and cooperating with Jesus, God, and each other in preparing themselves to be the
Bride of Christ.
Knowledge and understanding of prophecy is important for two reasons. One is that if we do not recognize the activities and events
taking place in our world now and in the coming months and years, the likelihood of our being deceived and duped runs very high.
Jesus said it is possible for even the very elect to be deceived. The second reason is that many people look to organizations for
leadership and guidance. The feeling among members and leadership is that God will in some way make His will known to them. Many
people in the smaller groups, and individuals, “hope” that they are on the right track and that God will watch over them.
The problem is that their trust and hope is in men. The Scriptures have already laid out what is required, how things will develop and
how deliverance will be obtained.
It all boils down to this one simple fact: We must each individually either give ourselves totally and completely to Jesus Christ as our
Savior and Deliverer, or we will give ourselves over to men and organizations, which, as well-meaning as they may appear to be, is not
a wise thing to do.
Each of us must understand, believe, and obey the Messiah above all, then the apostles and prophets, for they have been directly
commissioned by God.
The true Church of God, headed only by Jesus Christ, consists of those who have come to see clearly, without any doubt or
reservation, this fundamental but all encompassing truth.

God Is Dependable
Nothing God does is out of step, all His dealings with mankind are reasonable and have a logical pattern of progression. His plan and
how it is accomplished has continuity and uniformity. It is not a patch work program, allowed to fall into place by itself, or if it strays and
slips away, then God does damage control to bring it back on track.
It can clearly be understood that there are wide boundaries and great flexibility in order to make the playing field vast and inviting. “By
chance” is not how God thinks and plans. If this were the case, as many seem to believe, then God can not be trusted or depended
upon. It means He allows chance and circumstances to affect His plans and determine outcome. Some may reason, “The result was as
He intended.
The bottom line is this: God is absolutely in charge and in control of everything at all times, or he is not. The purpose for His plan is for
every single person who has been given the spirit of life, to be as a son to Him, even as Jesus, His begotten and firstborn. The
opportunity that is offered to each of us is not left to chance, regardless of the complete foolishness and rebellion He has allowed man
for a determined period of time.