Last Days Call

Alexander the Great Siege on Tyre: The Fallen City of Trade

2010-04-30T00:43:00.000-07:00

And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.
-Ezekiel 26:12

During the reign of Solomon, king of Israel, he found a friend in the land of Phoenicia. He was Hiram the king of the port city of Tyre, who became his supporter in building the first Hebrew Temple. Centuries later, however, that old ties that bind Israel and Tyre slowly started to wane. Tyre in many circumstances raised against Israel, thus, the Lord remember its wickedness and promised to destroy the kingdom (Ezekiel 26:2).

The prophetic revelation against Tyre was recorded by the prophet Ezekiel, during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon (Ezekiel chapter 26). The prophecy seems to be narrated as one event only but was actually divided and fulfilled into two separate era.

Make a Spoil of Thy Riches and Prey of Thy Merchandise

The port city of Tyre in ancient times was known as the leading trading center of Phoenicia because of its abounding natural resources and economic strategic location. Cedars from Lebanon and Tyre were highly valued. King Solomon in his glory made a covenant to the king of Tyre in order to have these timbers to be used for building the Hebrew Temple (1 Kings 9:11). Tyre also gained fame from its purple dye, glassware, jewelry, wine and perfume. However, all these glory that they enjoyed was finally ended when Nebuchadnezzar II (Ezekiel 26:7) siege the city in 573 B.C.

Break Down Thy Walls and Pleasant Houses

The Babylonian Empire during 6th century, became the world greatest power that rise in the known world. They have conquered much of Tyre’s neighboring nations and also made a campaign against the city. However, Tyrians did not made it easy for the Babylonian to take away their city. They have succeeded to repulse the invading army from several major assaults. The siege took about 13 years before the whole city was captured by the Babylonian forces and finally destroyed it. Seeing that the city cannot anymore hold the overwhelming power of the enemies, some people of Tyre escaped to the nearby island city to take refuge.

Laid Thy Stones, Timbers and Dust in the Midst of the Water

For more than 200 years later, in 332 B.C., the prophetic fall of Tyre was finally fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered it in his 7 month-siege against the city. This time, however, Tyre was now moved out from its city port in the mainland to the nearby island (modern day Sur, Lebanon) where the remnants of the people took refuge after Nebuchadnezzar II ravaged the city. The people learned their lessons from the previous siege, knowing that they were greatly exposed to enemy invasions in the mainland shores. Thus, they used the water that surrounded the whole city as their natural barrier and their fortified defense against marauders and invaders.

Alexander the Great, who was known for his excellent military strategies took up the challenge of invading the impregnable defense of Tyre. Since the water barrier slows down his infantry troops from conquering the island city, he ordered to use the remains of the former city of Tyre that was destroyed by the Babylonians centuries ago. They took the stones and lumber and threw them away to the seas. Furthermore, they also covered it with soil and made a bridge out of it that connected the mainland to the offshore island. Thus, the siege became easier for the more superior Greek soldiers in destroying the city. Killing a quarter of its inhabitants due to their stubborn resistance.

Prophetic Status: Fulfilled

The Fig Tree Prophecy

2010-02-14T03:26:00.000-08:00

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
-Matthew 24:32

The Olivet discourse was known to be one of the most well-known eschatological writings in the Bible. Its simple and direct prophetic revelation make it popular not only to students of eschatology but also to those people who are not knowledgeable on symbolism of prophecies. Aside from this, these prophecies was revealed by Jesus Christ himself as the signs of his second coming.

During his conversation with four of his disciples, he revealed to them the destruction of the Jewish Temple, the rise of false Christ and prophets, upcoming wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes and persecutions. He also warned them of the inevitable event that will happen to Jerusalem in the latter days. When all the nations of the world shall gather themselves around the city and set up the abomination of desolation. All these and more, he explained to them and gave a sign as the basis of his coming in a parable commonly called as the “parable of the fig tree.”

Fig Tree

Throughout the pages of the Bible the fig tree is known to be prophetic symbol of the nation of Israel. After the destruction of the Jewish Temple (70 A.D.) by the Roman military tribune Titus, most of the Jews were dispersed throughout the land of the Roman empire. Later, in 7th century the rise of Islam in the east captured the holy city of Jerusalem and almost all the Jews and Christians were forced to embraced the new religion for their security.

For almost two thousand years, the Jews were deprived to live on their promised land but not until the dawn of the 20th century. In 1917, during the World War I, the British government reestablished the nation of the Jews in Palestine as expressed in the Balfour Declaration. Jews all over the world rejoiced from this new development and most of them once again returned to Israel. Two decades later, in 1948, Israel finally became an independent state. Furthermore, the nation reclaimed the holy city of Jerusalem in 1967. Thus, the ancient prophecy of gathering of the nation of Israel from all the corners of the world was fulfilled. Since then, most of the Bible scholars and students of eschatology are paying more attention on the new development of the prophecy concerning Israel and its major role in the second coming of the Lord.

The Tender Branch

The branch which is yet tender refers to the early years after the Jews were gathered again in the nation promised by God to the seeds of Jacob. During the earlier years of the century, most of the prophecies included in the Olivet Discourse were fulfilled. Although some of them already happened in the past, yet only during these latter years the prophecies were not only experienced in one nation or two but worldwide. Some of these notable events were the two World Wars, the rise of pandemic diseases like the Spanish flu, Aids, SARS, AH1N1, and development of various cancers, major earthquakes, tsunamis, famine and beginning of global warming. On the other hand, many political leaders established confederacy of nations like League of Nations, NATO, United Nations, USSR, Asean Summit and European Union which could be the precursors of the gathering of nations against Israel.

The Fig Tree

Puteth Forth Leaves

When the prophecy of Israel (fig tree) are unfolding one after another then it is already stretching forth its leaves. For all must come to pass as signs and wonders of his coming, in accordance to the prophecy written in the Word of God.

One of the most notable prophecy is written in the book of Zechariah, which foretells the day that the Jews shall defend their land mightily that even the feeble one shall be as mighty as David (Zechariah 12:8). This prophecy was once came to pass when the small nation of Israel, successfully defended the nation against the conspiracy of their neighboring countries during the Six-Day War. The war which seems impossible to won became the crowning glory of the people of Israel against their oppressors.

Egypt, Syria and Jordan lost almost all of their air forces and much of their weaponry during the war. A stunning defeat that paralyzed most of their ground forces against the great advantage of the Israeli troops in the air. There were about 300 Israeli died in Egypt and Gaza alone, but it’s just a very small number of as compared to the casualties of the Egyptians which lost 10,000 men. The aftermath of the war claimed about 11,000 Egyptians, 6,000 Jordanians and 1,000 Syrians while Israel only have 700 casualties. An obvious supremacy of Israeli forces who became mighty men like David during those days. Therefore, the event sheds light to the shadow that thousands of years ago was foretold in the Bible. Just as how a shepherd boy killed a giant who mocked the Israelites, so it was also in the Six Days War.

Prophetic Status: Partially fulfilled and almost complete.

Daniel 8:8 Prophecy

2009-12-11T03:03:00.000-08:00

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
-Daniel 8:8

The vision of Daniel concerning the ram and the goat was an event that came to pass almost three centuries later, when the son of Philip II of Macedonia came to power. Alexander the Great was one of the world's famous figure who was known for his conquest throughout the regions of Asia which later became a vast empire of the Greeks. He was numbered as one of history's greatest military genius for his conquest against the almost invulnerable Medo-Persian Empire. Nevertheless, Alexander's rapid rise to power was suddenly quenched by his untimely death.

The Ram and the Goat

The prophetic mystery of the ram and the goat was revealed to Daniel by the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:16-17). The ram symbolizes the king of the Medo-Persian Empire (Daniel 8:20) whose power stretched from Indus River to the east and Nile River to the south. While the goat symbolizes Alexander the Great who became the king of the fastest rising power of that time, the Greek Empire (Daniel 8:21).

The Goat Waxed Very Great

After the assassination of his father, Philip II, Alexander succeeded him as the king of Macedonia and by execution, he began to disposed all the conspirators who surrounded him. He then settled internal dissensions and was successful in reestablishing his power when he was elected again by the congress in Corinth.

In 335 B.C. , Alexander began the campaign originally planned by his father against the Persians. With an army of only 35,000 men, he crossed the Hellespont (modern day Dardanelles) and started his war against Darius III, king of Persia. According to ancient tradition, Darius has a large army assembled that numbered about 500,000 men. Indeed, a war waged with a very little chance of winning for the Greeks. Nevertheless, Alexander's sophisticated military genius whom he probably learned from his mentor, the Greek philosopher Aristotle, made him a formidable foe to deal with in the battlefield. Despite the discrepancy of number to win the war, Alexander was able to defeat the Persian army in the Battle of Gaugamela. Later, Darius who tried to flee to Issus was killed by his own satraps.

After he captured Persipolis, the Persian capital, Alexander began to start another conquest. This time, however, he planned to conquer the western part of India, which was once included in the Medo-Persian Empire. He crossed the Indus River in 326 B.C. and invaded some parts of the region. However, the Macedonians rebelled and refused to go any further. Later, shortages of food and water became the cause of great losses among his troops, that eventually forced him to abort his conquest and returned to Babylon.

Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat.

When He was Strong the Great Horn was Broken

Aside from being identified as the goat in the vision of Daniel, Alexander the Great was also the great horn who became the first king of Greece (Daniel 8:21). As shown in the vision, the horn waxed great but suddenly broken. This illustrates the rapid rise of power that was abruptly broken by his sudden death in Babylon at the tender age of 33. His death was caused by a fever he probably got from his earlier expedition in India.

The Four Notable Ones Towards the Four Winds

Failed to recognize an immediate successor to his throne, Alexander's death left an unsettled issue that caused a great division among his people. Out of his vast army, came four great generals who divided his empire into four. They were called as the Diadochi, which literally means as "successors". These four generals were the four notable ones who replaced the great horn. The four winds, on the other hand, symbolizes the whole Greek Empire that was divided into four smaller kingdoms.

One of the Diadochi was Antipater I, who was left sole charge of Macedonia when Alexander started his conquest against the Persians. In the south, Ptolemy I started the long line of Ptolemaic dynasty who ruled Egypt. To prevent internal contentions among his people over religious and political struggles, he made himself the patron of the cult of Serapis which was revered by both Greeks and Egyptians as the god of healing and fertility. Another general was Antigonus I, who secured the larger part of the empire which stretched forth from Greece, Syria and Persia. He died, however, by trying to unite all the parts of the empire by making himself as the sole successor of the Hellenistic world. Lastly, Seleucus I, he became the ruler of Babylon and established the Seleucid dynasty. Together with Lysimachus, he defeated Antigonus I and extended his realm to Syria. He was known to have built numerous cities including Antioch and several cities named after him (Seleucia).

Prophecy Status: Fulfilled

Matthew 24:14 Prophecy

2009-12-11T02:02:00.000-08:00

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
-Matthew 24:14

Throughout the course of the centuries the gospel of the kingdom was preached all over the world. From the rise of the missionary works that flourished in Jerusalem that was started by the Apostles themselves, until the modern day civilization, the preaching of the gospel still lives on. This time, however, the gospel was widely preached and delivered faster than it was before. A wondrous sign that Jesus himself once revealed to his disciples as one of the anticipated event of his coming.

The Gospel shall be Preached Worldwide

It was in the 1st century A.D. when the Apostles started their missionary works to preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven to all Jewish communities outside Palestine. Although, much of the known world was controlled by the Roman empire during those years, but they only traveled the areas where their Jewish brothers were dispersed. However, an unlikely event happened when Peter was commanded by God to preach the gospel to the household of the Roman centurion named Cornelius. He and the rest of his family was eventually baptized by the Holy Spirit and water. Since then, more missionaries started their ministry and preached the gospel not only to the Jewish communities but also to the Gentiles. Wherein the Apostle Paul was greatly known as one of the most accomplished missionary in the early days of Christianity.

After the days of the Apostles, the early churches designated elders or bishops whom they given the leadership on church administrations. The gospel during these days had already reached and widely circulated as far as Europe to the north and Ethiopia to the south. Due to the time constraints of traveling from one nation to another and the vastness of the land that covered the whole Christian communities, communication among churches became a major obstacle in spreading the gospel. That is why a great dissensions arose over some doctrinal matters among them. Thus, bishops of the churches often met to discuss and resolve their disagreements in several councils they invoked.

In the twilight of the middle ages, a great schism broke out in Europe, which was once controlled by the Holy Roman Empire. Prior to this event, the pope was revered to be infallible over doctrinal matters and by theocracy ruled much of Christendom. Later, many Christians came out of Catholicism. They were those who were discontented against the church's corruption and those who were disgusted of the Inquisition that claimed countless lives (John 16:2; Revelation 18:3-5). Majority of the victims were Christians, who were martyred and branded as heretics, both nobles and laity who opposed the papacy (Matthew 24:9). This event was then known as the Age of Reformation. Some of the Protestant movement moved to the New World to seek religious freedom, wherein the most notable of all was the Mayflower, that landed in Plymouth, Virginia. These settlers later became the founding fathers of Christianity in the west.

Preach the Gospel to the world.

In the days of modern civilization, Christianity was the most widely distributed religion of the world, for the legacy of the early Christian missionaries is still very alive today. Now that the unchartered regions of the world were finally explored, there is a need for more missionaries than ever before. Nevertheless, this problem was somehow resolved with the advancement of technology in which the message of the gospel can easily reached many people. The use of social media such as newspapers, radios, televisions and the internet made these things possible, reaching even the utmost part of the world.

A Witness to All Nations

The purpose of spreading the gospel is to bring everyone to the love of the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ. The same "good news" that was published to the whole world shall be the living witness in the judgment day, both for believers and unbelievers. Therefore, those men who rejected the gospel have no reason at all to complain in the great and terrible day of God's wrath.

The End Shall Come

The rise of technology and other means communication became the fulfillment of unveiling the mystery of this prophecy. It is not surprising at all to see such rapid advancement are unfolding before our own eyes, since all these things must come to pass. Thus, it fulfilled what is written in the Scriptures, that in the last days many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase (Daniel 12:24; 2 Timothy 3:1, 7) and then the end shall come.

Prophecy Status: Partially fulfilled and almost complete.

Hebrews 12:16 Prophecy

2009-12-09T05:16:00.000-08:00

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
-Hebrews 12:16

When Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a morsel of meat (Genesis 25:29-15), he ignorantly threw away the blessing that should be given to him accordingly as the firstborn son. A tragic event that led his descendants to be denied to the inheritance that God had previously promised to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. Therefore, the once treasured birthright that he upheld was given to his twin brother Jacob (Genesis 25:33).

Fornicator

Fornication is one of the condemned sin in the law of Moses. It means having a sexual relationship before marriage, which God considered as an abominable thing to do. People who commits fornication are those who want to gratify their sexual urges for a considerable short period of time. The Bible, however, considered marriage as the most honorable thing and a bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Thus, God hates any sexual relationship before or outside of marriage.

Spiritual fornication, on the other hand, is not anywhere far from what a literal fornication means. For it is also associated with forsaking the commandments and will of God by following their own ungodly lust. This illustration indeed is very true in the case of Esau, who unwittingly forsook a very important blessing that was exclusively intended for him. Although, he somehow gained something from it, yet the gratification he got only last for a very short time. An indulgence that he bargained in expense of his birthright. That is why Esau, in his folly, was branded as a fornicator.

Esau and Jacob

The story of Esau and Jacob was an Old Testament account that foreshadows a prophecy that was fulfilled in the days of the Messiah (Anointed One). Esau symbolizes the Jews, especially those who are members of the Sanhedrin who forsook their birthright as the firstborn and as the chosen people of God. For during the time when they have forsaken Jesus as their Messiah, became the day when the Father has disowned them as his own. Jacob, on the other hand, symbolizes the Jews and Gentiles who believed and accepted the Son of God as their Lord and Savior.

Isaac give his blessing to Jacob.

Birthright

In the old days, the birthright was usually given to the firstborn of the family. He was blessed to be the inheritor of much inheritance than his siblings. That is why Isaac, being aware of this truth wanted to make sure that Esau would received the right to be the successor of God's promises (Genesis 27:18-24). The birthright in the mystery of this prophecy symbolizes Jesus Christ. The fact that most of the Jews neglected to accept him became the cause of losing their right as the firstborn of the Father. Therefore, the Father also rejected them by giving to others their promised inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.

The birthright of Esau that was later given to Jacob was the shadow of transferring the first covenant made by God to Israelites to the second covenant which is given to the children of promise (Hebrews 10:8-10) through the Son of God. The children of the second covenant were not necessarily mean the Jews only but also the Gentiles. For the two separate group of people became as one blood through Christ (Acts 17:26) and both became partakers of the promise (Galatians 3:29). This promise nullified the Jewish Temple sacrifices as followed according to the law of Moses. For from the very beginning it failed to fulfill the will of God, that is to make the world free from sin. Nonetheless, Jesus fulfilled perfectly this covenant through his death in the cross and his resurrection from the dead.

Prophecy Status: Fulfilled

John 4:23 Prophecy

2009-12-09T03:25:00.000-08:00

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
-John 4:23

It was a custom of the Jews to separate themselves from the nations around them as commanded in the law of Moses. This commandment encourages them to stay away from assimilating the practices and traditions of the the heathens (Jeremiah 10:2). Their neighboring nations worship various strange gods accompanied with idolatry, whoredom and even human sacrifices. Typically, Jews rarely engaged in conversations with hem and that also includes the Samaritans. Jesus, however, once had a conversation with a Samaritan woman and she was amazed with his words. On this occasion, Jesus told the woman that they are worshiping on high places which is prohibited according to the law of Moses. Furthermore, he also confessed to her that the true way of worship should be done through the spirit and truth, which will about to change the old practices of Jewish Temple worship.

The Hour Cometh and Now Is

Jesus revelation to the Samaritan woman signifies that the time has come when worshiping the Father may not necessarily be done in the Jewish Temple. For the first covenant that God made with the children of Israel was already replaced (Hebrews 7:18-19, 22) by the new covenant (Hebrews 10:9) he made to the children of promise. This time, however, not only the Jews has the right to be called as the children of God but also the Gentiles, who believed and accepted the Son of God as their Lord and Savior.

The True Worshipers

The true worshipers of God are those people who were not given to idolatry (Deuteronomy 5:7-9), to spiritual whoredom (Hosea 4:12), worship of angels (Colossians 2:18; Revelation 22:8-9), worship of men (Acts 10:25-26), neither through men's crafts and graven images ( Acts 17:24-25, 29) nor on temple sacrifices (Hebrews 10:4-6). The true worshipers as emphasized by Jesus, are those who worship the Father in the spirit and in truth.

Worship in the Spirit and in Truth

Worshiping in the spirit means to glorify God through faith, for he is a spirit (John 5:24), thus, he is invisible in our naked eyes (1 Timothy 1:17). They who pray, give praise and glorify God not by means of idolatry nor intercessions of the dead, are true worshipers indeed. For there is only one mediator between men and God (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:24) and there's only one in whose name whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10-12), that is through Jesus Christ alone.

The conversation with the Samaritan
woman in the well.

Worshiping in truth means following the words of God and not the commandments of men nor their traditional way of worship (Mark 7:6-9, 13). When Jesus was praying to the Father, he confessed, "sanctify them through your truth, your word is truth (John 17:17)." Even the Psalmist proclaimed that the truth is the law (Psalms 119: 142), commandments (Psalms 119: 151) and the Word of God (Psalms 119:160). Therefore, true worshipers are known for their hunger and deep love to the Word of God (Bible), keeping their faith firmly rooted to its words.

The Father Seeks True Worshipers

The Father in the beginning, already seek after those people who will worship him in spirit and in truth. As it was ordained in the days of the prophets that he will no longer requires the sacrifice of the lambs, goats and calves (Psalms 40:6; Hebrews 10:5-6). For he desire mercy and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).

Temple sacrifices may cleanse the sins of the people but there is a need of continuous offering to be done. Since it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away the sins permanently, thus, there is a need of doing it all over again (Hebrews 10:4-6). That is why God ordained in old time, that a sacrifice is necessary to be made once and for all (Hebrews 10:89-10, 14). A prophecy fully realized in the days of the Messiah as the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ became the turning point of establishing the new covenant (Hebrews 12:24). Therefore, the Father was not anymore worship in the Jewish Temple by burnt sacrifices. Instead, he was now worshiped all over the world in spirit and in truth by Christians through his Son who became the sacrificial Lamb of God (Revelation 5:12).

Prophecy Status: Fulfilled.

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2009-12-03T03:44:00.000-08:00

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Psalms 22:16 Prophecy

2009-12-03T02:52:00.000-08:00

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
-Psalms 22:16

This is one of the psalmist David cry to the Lord during the days when he was surrounded by his oppressors. Although, this is a psalm of supplication unto the Lord yet it is also a shadow of things to come (Hebrews 10:1). A prophetic revelation that was fulfilled two thousand years later, when Jesus Christ was condemned to die by crucifixion.

Dogs

The dogs mentioned were the rulers, priests and scribes of the Sanhedrin who have been plotting against Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus, in one occasion warned the multitude that gathered around him against the hypocrites and false prophets whom he called the wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). These dogs were also mentioned in the book of Revelation as one of those people whose deeds the Lord hates, thus, they were denied to enter in the city of God (Revelation 22:14-15).

The Sanhedrin take counsel against Jesus.

Assembly of the Wicked

The assembly of the wicked refers not only to the Sanhedrin but also to the people who strove to push his crucifixion. This includes the tetrarch Herod and his men who brought Jesus to his jurisdiction (Luke 23:11), those who mockingly arrayed him with gorgeous garments and put a crown of thorns on his head. Aside from these, were the Roman soldiers, who parted his clothes and cast lots (Luke 23:36) and those who insulted him upon the cross (Mark 15:28-31).

Pierced Hands and Feet

This proved that Jesus Christ did not only suffered scourges on his body but was also pierced by nails when he was crucified. An infallible account that was narrated in the gospel of John. After his resurrection, Jesus suddenly appeared to his disciples just when Thomas doubted that he was risen up from the dead, as reported to him earlier by the other disciples (John 20:25). Thomas, on his disbelief was not only able to touch the pierced holes of his master's hands and feet but also the wound on his side (John 20:27) that the centurion pierced with his spear (John 19:34). To his surprise, he cried out in the Spirit saying, "my Lord and my God (John 20:28)."

Prophecy Status: Fulfilled