God's plan for man is written in The Holy Bible, and this plan is drawing to its conclusion as proven by daily news reports.

Aeon: An aeon (eon) is a period of time. When the disciples ask Jesus what would be the signs of the end of the age (Matthew 24:4), they use the Greek word aion (pronounced: eye-OWN). This word is not well translated in the King James Version as "world." The Bible clearly states that the world is without end (Isaiah 45:17; Ephesians 3:21). The disciples refer to an age, the Age of Grace-- the age in which we now live. New Jerusalem (Heaven) is not somewhere in the sky (in space). Rather, it descends to and rests upon Earth (Revelation 21:2).

Aliyah: Aliyah,, a Hebrew word, describes people "rising up" to go or do something. In prophecy, Jews from around the world recently participated in an aliyah, beginning in 1948, by returning to Israel. This aliyah was an extremely important and necessary fulfillment of prophecy (of two examples, see: Ezekiel 34:11-16; and Ezekiel, chapters 36 and 37). End-time prophecy could not commence until the Jews regained Israel.

Angels: Angels (Hebrew: malak; Greek: angelos, aggelos) are God’s messengers, warriors, and praise leaders. Angels are sometimes called "stars" in prophetic passages. Enormous masses of white-robed angels seen from a distance may appear as the "clouds" into which Jesus ascended (Acts 1:9) or which will surround His return (Matthew 24:30 and 26:64; Mark 13:26 and 14:62; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; and Revelation 1:7). Fallen angels represent the third of angels in Heaven who, following the rebellious Satan, are cast to Earth with him (Revelation 12:9). On Earth, fallen angels may be called "demons." Fallen angels will be very active during the Tribulation (see Revelation, chapter 12, for example). God created Hell (Sheol) for Satan and his demonic followers, enlarging it for disobedient, sinful people (Matthew 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4; Isaiah 5:14).

Apocalypse: "Apocalypse" comes from the Greek Apokalupsis, and means "revelation" or "unveiling." The last book of The Bible is translated from the Greek and called "The Revelation" in the Protestant Bible, but is merely transliterated from the Greek and called "The Apocalypse" in the Catholic Bible. A popular use of this term (a use not found in The Bible) is "the four horsemen of the Apocalypse," which refers to the first four seal judgments, which are depicted as colored horses and their riders, in Revelation, chapter 6.

Blessed hope: This term is another name for Jesus’ second coming.

Blindness of Israel: The Bible teaches that the nation of Israel is spiritually blinded because she has refused to accept her Messiah. This blindness continues at the present time, but some day the veil will be lifted from Israel’s eyes. (See Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27; Romans 11:11-27; 2 Corinthians 3:14-15.) Characteristics of Israel’s blindness include:

• It is a mystery, which cannot be understood by man unless first revealed by God. The blindness is caused by Israel’s willful refusal to see the Light-- the Messiah.
• The blindness comes from a Greek word for "callus," indicating that Israel's repeated rejection of the Messiah has hardened her heart against Him, as chronic abuse of the skin creates a callus.
• The blindness is only partial, in that individual Jews may receive salvation, even though the nation as a whole is mostly blind.
• There is a future time when Israel’s blindness will be lifted.
• Israel’s blindness will not be lifted until "the fullness of the Gentiles" has come.

Bridegroom: Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom, who will marry His bride (saved persons who form His Church). Among other Scriptures, the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-10) are important teachings.

Bride of the Christ: All believers in Jesus as Savior-- all whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life-- will be presented to Jesus as a virginal bride, a bride free of wrinkle, spot, or blemish. A believer’s purity and right to be a bride of Jesus is possible only because of a precious price (Jesus' blood sacrifice as our Passover Lamb) paid on the cross at Golgotha.

Christophany: A Christophany is a physical appearance of Jesus to man before His birth or after His ascension to the Heavenly Father. Two examples include:

• Possibly the meeting of Abram (Abraham) with King/Priest Melchizedek in Salem (Genesis 14:18-20); and
• Appearance of the fourth Man in the fiery furnace with the Hebrew children (Daniel 3:24-25).

Day of the Christ: Some people may use this term for the Resurrection/Rapture-- the coming of Jesus in the clouds for His Church (His followers).

Day of the Lord: This term describes the period of time beginning immediately after the Rapture/Resurrection, and will continue until New Jerusalem (Heaven) descends to Earth for redeemed believers (overcomers, persons who overcome sin by God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice). This period covers the Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom (approximately 1,007 years).

Death, first: The first death is the natural death of the physical body, which will be experienced by both saved and unsaved persons.

Death, second: The second death is the spiritual death of the soul (eternal existence in Hell), which will be experienced only by unsaved persons. (Saved persons will enjoy eternal life in Heaven, and will be spared the second death.)

Diaspora: The Diaspora is the dispersion of Jews into all nations of the world, beginning with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and ending with the Jews being re-established in their Covenant homeland of Israel in 1948.

Double (parallel) prophecy: God frequently repeats events. A prophecy may be a double (parallel) prophecy-- a single prophecy statement prophesying events at two different times, e.g., an event before Christ, which has been fulfilled, and a similar event in the future, which has not yet been fulfilled. Read Ecclesiastes 1:9.

Dragon: In prophecy, "Dragon" is another name for or a symbol of Satan (Revelation 12:3-17; 13:4, 11; 16:13; and 20:2). Satan is also called the "Serpent" (Genesis, chapter 3; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation, 12:9, 14-15; 20:2).

Eschatology: Eschatology is the study of last things (end-time or end-of-the-age prophecies).

"Four horsemen of the Apocalypse:" "Apocalypse" is the name Catholics use to describe the book called "Revelation" by Protestants. The four horsemen describe the first four seal judgments because they are depicted as riders on colored horses, who ravage the world. These judgments (riders) are described in Revelation 6:2-8.

Fullness of Gentiles: This time will occur when God feels the required number of Gentiles have been saved (Romans 11:25); that is, when there will be a sufficient number of people for His name's sake (Acts 15:14). At that time, Jesus Christ can return for His Church-- His bride (persons whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life). This number is known only to God the Father, because only He knows when Jesus’ return will occur (Matthew 24:36). "Fullness" comes from the Greek pleroma (pronounced: PLAY-row-mah), which is a mathematical or accounting term (for example, the number of crewmen required for a ship before she sails).

Fullness of time: This time is when there is "consummation of God’s plan through the Messiah" (Ephesians 1:10), and usually is regarded as the time of the Millennial Kingdom followed by eternity in Heaven.

Gehenna: This name, used twelve times in the New Testament, translates "Valley of Hinnom." The Jews hated this place from the time King Ahaz sacrificed little children to the idol god Moloch (1 Kings 11:7). In Jesus’ time, it was a public waste dump, where smoldering fires, maggots, decaying food and animals, rotting debris, and foul odors were always present. Gehenna became a New Testament symbol for the Lake of Fire, or Hell.

Glorified body: When we die, our bodies decompose, but our spirit and soul go to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). When Jesus comes in the clouds to resurrect dead believers and rapture (snatch away) living believers (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), He will bind eternally souls and spirits with all persons. All resurrected and raptured bodies will, then, possess glorified bodies, similar to Jesus’ glorified body after His resurrection (Luke 24:36-51; 1 John 3:2). Jesus could be seen and recognized; He could talk, eat, and perform as a human; but He had supernatural qualities, e.g., being able to pass through walls and being capable of instantaneous travel. In our glorified bodies, we undoubtedly will know one another; we will have no disease, aging, death, or sorrow; and we will not have sexual relations, because there will be no need for us to reproduce.

God’s wife: God’s spiritual wife is Israel (Hosea 2:19-20; Isaiah 54:5; Ezekiel, chapter 16), just as the Church is Jesus’ bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32; and Revelation 19:7-20). Such terms define spiritual relationships (no sexual relationship is ever implied). God undoubtedly uses such terms because of His great belief in and love for earthly families. When Israel betrays God or the Church betrays Jesus, the people commit spiritual adultery. When a husband or wife commits adultery, he or she sins against God and his or her spouse and family. Marriage to a spouse and ultimate marriage to Jesus must be undertaken with the highest intention and impeccable faithfulness. (See Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 13:4; and many other Scriptures.)

Heavens: The Bible speaks of three heavens.

• The first heaven is the atmosphere that surrounds earth, the heaven in which we live and breathe.
• The second heaven is beyond the first, and consists of what we call "space"-- the Universe with its stars, planets, and other bodies.
• The third heaven is considered the place of God’s abode.

Horn: In prophecy, a horn represents a national power or empire. "Little horn" is used twice:

• First, it represents Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (Daniel, chapters 8 and 9), who was a Greek-Syrian ruler of present-day Israel. Antiochus is a type (forerunner) of the Antichrist.
• Second, it represents the Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-10), who will arise from the fourth beast (Rome)-- which is the revived Roman Empire (the European Union).

Jacob’s trouble: Jacob is another name for Israel (Genesis 32:28; Jeremiah 30:7; Romans 11:26). Jesus and God's prophets warn of a seven-year period in which there will be strife and suffering in the world like no other time in history. This period is the seventieth shabua ("week") recorded in Daniel, chapter 9. In Hebrew, a shabua is a collection of seven-- in this case, seven years-- just as our decade is a collection of ten years. (For your information, shavuot is the plural of shabua; one of the Mosiac feasts is called Shavuot-- the Festival of Weeks.) "Jacob’s trouble" comes from Jeremiah 30:7. See also Jeremiah, chapters 30 and 31; Ezekiel, chapters 38-39; and Matthew 24:21-22.

Judgments: In a future newsletter, I will present various judgments in greater detail. A brief summary of future judgments follows:

• Judgment of a believer’s sin: God’s law judges every believer’s sin, and, if unforgiven, requires a mandatory sentence-- death (Romans 6:23). Jesus’ death on the cross pays the price for our sins, and through His blood we may be redeemed. Through His death, we may be spared eternal death of the soul-- if we accept Him and confess and repent of our sins.
• Judgment of a believer’s walk: Each person walks daily in faith, and his or her paraklete (the Holy Spirit) walks alongside the person. The person's walk-- whether good or bad– is continuously judged (1 Corinthians 11:31-32). The person is chastened, when he or she missteps, in order that the walk may be closer to the one God desires and approves.
• The judgment of Israel: The nation of Israel is chosen by God for a special purpose. God’s blessing of Israel carries greater responsibility, though. Every time Israel rebels against God, she is severely punished by God. Israel’s judgment continues at the present and will continue until her people accept the Messiah, Jesus. Then, "all Zion (Israel) will be saved" (Zechariah 13:1-9; Romans 11: 25-27). The horrific Tribulation will be required to bring Israel to her knees to accept Messiah.
• The Bema judgment: Paul used this term in 2 Corinthians 5:10. The Greek word, translated "judgment seat," is transliterated bema (pronounced in English: BEE-mah; pronounced in the original Greek: BAY-mah). A bema was an official judge’s seat (at a race, for example) or a raised platform. Paul uses the bema to designate the place upon which Jesus will sit to judge each believer’s life's works. The Bema Judgment will occur after the Resurrection/Rapture. At this judgment, Jesus will review each believer’s life and accomplishments for the Kingdom. Rewards will be given for service to God, or will be taken away for lack of service to God. Note that only believers-- persons who will go to Heaven-- will be present at this judgment. Non-believers-- persons who will go to Hell-- will not be present at this judgment, but will be judged one-thousand years later at the Great White Throne Judgment, and their inevitable sentence is Hell. Paul describes the manner of the Bema Judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. Preparation for your Bema Judgment is probably the second most important thing to accomplish in life-- being second only to salvation. An eternity of rewards awaits the believer who works for God’s Kingdom. Another newsletter describes this judgment more fully.
• The judgment of the Gentile nations: Following the Tribulation, Jesus will judge the nations of the world. The judgment will be based on how these nations treated God’s people-- Jews and Gentiles-- during the Tribulation. This judgment is taught in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Nations (people) which acted kindly to God’s people (the sheep) will be permitted to enter the Millennial Kingdom. In this Kingdom, saints (resurrected/raptured believers) will rule over these people (Revelation 5:10). On the other hand, nations which acted cruelly to God’s people (the goats) will be cast into Hell.
• The Great White Throne Judgment of God: This terrible and awesome judgment will occur after the Millennium. After the final rebellion against God at the end of the Millennium, all unredeemed, unrepentant persons will be judged. There is only one verdict (guilty) and only one sentence (eternity in the torment of Hell). See Revelation 20:11-15. That "books are opened" implies there may be greater degrees of punishment meted out to people who lived more evil, sinful lives.
• The judgment of fallen angels: Satan and the angels (demons) who followed him will be judged at the time of the Great White Throne Judgment. They will be imprisoned forever in the Lake of Everlasting Fire (Hell). The Bible has more to say about this judgment, but I will omit it because we are not affected.

Little horn: See "horn," above.

New Heaven and Earth: After the Great White Throne Judgment, all sin will have been judged and punished and Satan will forever be consigned to Hell. Then, God will purify by fire the world and heavens to remove any remembrance of Satan’s power and man’s wickedness (2 Peter 3:10-11; Isaiah 65:17). Then, God will present to His people a new Heaven and Earth (Revelation 21:1-2, 10). Jesus also mentions that earth and heavens will pass away (Matthew 24:35).

This conversation between Jesus and His disciples on the Mount of Olives is a most important prophetic teaching, because Jesus told His followers what to expect as His time to return to Earth draws near. This discourse begins in Matthew, chapter 24; Mark, chapter 13; and Luke, chapter 21.

A "parenthesis" in prophecy is a gap, usually of an undefined number of years, inserted between the beginning and end of a prophecy. (Example: Daniel, in Daniel 9:20-27, records a most remarkable and accurate prophecy about seventy shavuot. A shabua is a period of seven Jewish years, and may be translated as "sevens." The King James Version translation as "weeks" seems misleading. Shavuot is the plural of shabua. The sixty-ninth shabua ("week") ends with the cutting off of the Anointed One (the Messiah, Jesus) which computes in time to what we now call Palm Sunday, the day Jesus rides into Jerusalem to accept His crucifixion. The seventieth shabua, or seven-year period, covers the seven-year Tribulation, and will occur in the future. The approximately two-thousand year gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth shavuot is a prophetic parenthesis, and corresponds to God’s dispensation of grace, or the Church Age. Interestingly, this parenthesis-- the dispensation of grace-- was apparently not revealed to Daniel.

Prophecy: Unless stated otherwise, prophecy used in these newsletters implies that it is a prophetic message from The Holy Bible and pertains to the "end of the age," also called "end time."

"Prophecy" versus "prophesy": Some people misuse these words. "Prophecy" is a noun; "prophesy" is a verb. A sentence using these words might read: "If a prophet is able to prophesy, he reveals a prophecy from God."

Prophet: A prophet is a man or woman inspired by God to speak His revelation to man about the future. God can communicate with a prophet directly (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8), through dreams (Numbers 12:6; Daniel 7:1), or through visions (Daniel 7:1; Hosea 12:10). A prophet must be judged as to whether his message speaks to God’s Law (Isaiah 8:20) and whether his prophecy comes to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22). Enoch was the first of God’s prophets (Jude 1:14). Jesus’ earthly mission was to fill three offices-- prophet, priest, and prince (Prince of Peace).

• In eternity, Jesus will no longer be a prophet. There is no prophecy in eternity. Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophecy.
• Jesus is now and will eternally be our High Priest.
• Jesus will not be a Prince in eternity, but will be elevated to become the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rapture theories: "Rapture" comes first from the Greek word harpazo, which was translated into the Latin rapere by Jerome, when he prepared the Latin Vulgate Bible. Rapere, then, was translated into the English "rapture." Harpazo/rapere/rapture means "to snatch away" or "to be caught up." One New Testament passage dealing with the Resurrection/Rapture is 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Jesus clearly states that only God the Father knows the day and hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). Jesus does command us, though, to be watchful for His return when certain signs appear (Matthew 24:32-35). Students of prophecy have developed several theories on when the Rapture will occur, based mostly on when it will occur with regard to the Tribulation. These theories include:

• Pre-Tribulation Rapture: This theory holds that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation commences. The Church (believers) will not experience any part of the seven-year period of wrath during the Tribulation, since believers will be with the Lord. With the Church removed, the Restrainer (that function of the Holy Spirit which restrains evil and sin) and all true Christians will be removed from Earth, leaving Jews and unredeemed persons to endure the Tribulation with the goal of causing them to come to God. The concept of "imminent return"-- the belief that Jesus will return without warning to call believers in Him home to the Heaven prepared for them-- is an important part of this theory. I believe in pre-Tribulation Rapture, and my newsletters are written with this belief firmly intact. If you believe another timing for the Rapture, I suggest you re-read the Bible until you get it right.
• Post-Tribulation Rapture: This theory holds that the Rapture will occur after the Tribulation. In other words, the Church remains on Earth during the entire seven-year Tribulation, and Christians will suffer the same wrath as non-Christians. Post-tribulation advocates do not believe in a Rapture, apart from Jesus’ Second Coming. That is, Jesus came first two-thousand years ago, and will return only once more (will not appear in the clouds). This theory denies the imminent return of Jesus. This view also does not clearly distinguish between the Church (Christians) and the nation of Israel (Jews).
• Mid-Tribulation Rapture: This theory holds that the Rapture will occur at the halfway point of the Tribulation, or three and one-half years into the Tribulation. This theory holds that God’s wrath will be delayed until the last half of the Tribulation, and Christians will be raptured just before the wrath begins. This theory denies the imminent return of Christ, since all believers could mark on a calendar when the three and one-half year period is completed and the day Jesus is expected.
• Partial Rapture: This theory holds that the Rapture of the Church will occur before the Tribulation, but only righteous, faithful, prepared Christians will be taken up to the Lord. Carnal believers, then, would be left on Earth to suffer through the Tribulation.
• Pre-wrath Rapture: This theory holds that the Church (Christians) is exempt from the wrath of God and limits the period of wrath to a very short time (one and one-half years, perhaps) near the very end of the Tribulation. This theory holds that the Rapture will take place approximately three-fourths of the way through the Tribulation.
• Preterism: This theory holds that the Rapture occurred and other end-time prophecies were fulfilled at or just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. In other words, the generation to whom Jesus spoke while He lived experienced His prophecies. There are full preterists, who believe all end-time prophecies have been fulfilled, and there are partial preterists, who believe some end-time prophecies have been fulfilled but others are yet to be fulfilled. I will not bother you further with this theory, which I consider nonsense.
• Amillenialism: This teaching holds that there is no Millennium (Thousand Year Reign of Christ). This false teaching denies Isaiah, chapter 11, and many other Scriptures. People who believe this teaching argue that The Bible is not to be taken literally, but should be regarded as an allegorical, symbolic, or figurative writing.
• No Rapture: As strange as it seems, there are some "Christians" who do not believe a Rapture will occur. These "Christians" are also likely to deny Jesus’ virgin birth, deity, capacity to serve as Savior, resurrection, and the like. These "Christians" are most likely to be very liberal theologians. The very fact that they exist is a fulfillment of end-time prophecy, that there will be apostasy (falling away from the faith) just before Jesus’ return.
• The correct view (in my opinion): The Bible most clearly and consistently supports the Pre-Tribulation Rapture/Resurrection viewpoint. Most conservative scholars, whom I respect, teach this theory.

"Revelation" versus "Revelations:" The last book of the Bible is properly called by its singular name, Revelation, not by a plural name, Revelations. The book is a one-time revelation to John, not a series of revelations.

Saint: In the Old Testament, a saint was considered a pious Israelite (Psalm 106:16; Daniel 8:13); in the New Testament, a saint was/is considered to be a believer who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his/her Savior (1 Titus 5:10; Philemon 1:5, 7; Philippians 4:21; Hebrews 6:10, 13:4; Jude 1:3, 14; and twelve verses in Revelation). The Roman Catholic Church canonizes certain illustrious dead Christians, calling them "Saints," but I am unaware of any Scriptural basis for this practice.

Seed of the woman: This term comes from Genesis 3:15, and refers to the progeny of Eve-- all mankind to some extent, but specifically to Jesus Christ. Jesus will be at war with the serpent, Satan (Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4; Revelation 12:1-5).

Seventy "weeks" of Daniel: In Daniel 9:20-27, Daniel records a prophecy about seventy "sevens" (poorly translated "weeks"), and how they would affect the Jews. "Week" or "seven" translates the Hebrew shabua. In this context, a shabua is a period of seven Biblical (Jewish) years. This prophecy is amazingly accurate-- even to predicting a single day in the life of Jesus which occurs several centuries into Daniel's future! I will write about this vision in greater detail in a future newsletter. Anyone who knows the details of this vision must surely agree that The Bible is both inspired by God and completely accurate. (FYI: Shavuot is the plural of shabua. The Jewish Feast of Pentecost, or Festival of Weeks, is called in Hebrew, Shavuot.)

Symbol: A symbol is a representation of a real person, place, or thing. An example is: The little horn arising from the goat with the broken horn (Greece after Alexander's death) represents Antiochus Epiphanes (Daniel 8:9). The language of prophecy uses many symbols, and interpretation of the meaning of the symbols is necessary to understand prophecy. The student of prophecy must use the Scriptures to interpret the symbols. Why does God use symbols, instead of plain speech? I believe it is because prophecies are intended for certain generations. People in the nineteenth century did not need to understand end-time prophecies, because their generation was not affected, but we need to know these prophecies in our generation, because we are affected. Thus, God may have used obscure language that would be revealed only at the appropriate time to the affected generation.

Times of the Gentiles: This time refers to the approximately 2,500 years in which God’s Holy City, Jerusalem, has been controlled by Gentiles. The times began in the sixth century BC, when Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Jewish nation, and will continue through the Battle of Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation (Luke 21:24). In 1967, Israel captured Jerusalem from Jordan and technically controls Jerusalem now, but there is great controversy over who should own Jerusalem-- the Jews or the Arab Muslims ("Palestinians"). Jerusalem is directly or indirectly at the center of all nations’ decisions, as prophesied in Zechariah 12:2-3.

Tribulation: The Tribulation is the seven-year period of time (Daniel’s seventieth shabua), which extends from the Resurrection/Rapture until the Second Coming of Christ. See "Jacob’s trouble," in which this period is described. The seven years are seven Biblical (Jewish) years, or 7 x 360 = 2,520 days.

Type: God frequently tells us of paired events or persons. The first event/person is a type of the second event/person yet to come in the future. (Two examples are:

• Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (ca 215 BC - 164 BC), who desecrated the Second Jewish Temple by placing in it an idol and sacrificing swine upon God’s altar, is a type of the yet-to-be-revealed Antichrist, who will during the Tribulation desecrate the Third Jewish Temple in Jerusalem by setting up a graven image of himself as god.
• The blood of a sacrificed lamb which saved the physical body of Israelites during Moses’ time is a type of the sacrificed Lamb (Jesus, our Passover Lamb) which saves the spiritual soul of all men and women in our time.

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