Bible Study

The "day of the Lord" (Isaiah 13:6-9) refers to the time in the future, at the end of the age, at the beginning of which God's wrath and destruction will be dispensed upon an unrepentant world. The immediate precursor to this will be a short period of what I refer to as "cosmic disturbances" when the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened. Jesus spoke of these signs (Matthew 24:29), as did John when describing the opening of the Sixth Seal of the heavenly scroll (Revelation 6:12,13).

In my time line of the final seven years (or the 70th Week), I believe that the Sixth Seal most likely will be opened after six years have transpired. Then the cosmic disturbances will take place, the Rapture will occur (removing believers to protect them from the subsequent wrath of God), and then the wrath of God will be poured out upon those who are left, during a period of time known as the "day of vengeance" (Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4), which I believe will transpire for one year--the final year of the seven years (see The Seventh Year).

In Isaiah 13:9-20 is a description of someone who usually is assumed to be the Antichrist. It may have a double meaning of the demonic being, Satan, who presumably will possess the Antichrist.

I thought it peculiar that the prophecy mentioned specifically the gold of Ophir (13:12), and so I googled it and found this pretty interesting page: Ophir - http://www.keyway.ca/htm2004/20040315.htm

I have decided to read every word of the Bible over the course of 2008.

I am lucky enough to have a good friend, Ted Montgomery, who is very well-versed in Bible study. Not only is he well-versed, but he's very articulate, intelligent, and dedicated. Also he has a phenomenal memory and can usually point out multiple passages that are relevant to any discussion.

We are going to read daily and have a discussion where he answers any questions I might have. Hopefully they will be common questions that are relevant to other readers out there. Any days that don't have a post are days I didn't have a question--which sometimes happens several days in a row.

This is such a valuable situation, I thought it would be very worthwhile to make a record of it and make that record available to anyone else who might need it.

We are using Ted's Chronological List of Bible Passages to read -- he believes it makes the story more coherent. We read one listed section per day.

Anytime you see "Branch" (capitalized) in the Bible, it is a reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus, who is a descendant of Jesse (father of King David). Many of the prophecies refer to Jesus' first coming (which already has occurred), and many refer to His second coming (which is yet to come). Sometimes the prophesying of both occur in the same passage.

For instance, Isaiah 11:1-3a refers to Jesus' first coming, while 3b-5 refers to His second coming. During the Millennium (1,000-year reign of Christ on earth), "The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious" (Isaiah 11:6-10).

Isaiah 12 also is a prophecy of the Millennium. Pretty much any passage that refers to "in that day" (11:10,11, 12:1,4) is such.

Messianic prophecy: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6,7). Here is a prophecy about the coming of Jesus, the names applied to Him, and the fact that He will reign forever.

Here is one of the most famous Messianic passages in the Bible: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). It predicts that the virgin (Mary) would give birth to a son (Jesus) and that He would be called "Immanuel" or "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

The Old Testament contains writings by both major and minor prophets, and Isaiah is the most major of the majors. In several places he predicted the devastation and destruction of Israel and Judah. Some of these prophecies pertain to things that already have happened (from our historical viewpoint), some talk specifically about future events (at the end of the age), and many have dual fulfillment, both in the past and in the future.

"In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.' The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore" (Isaiah 2:2-4).

On the day Jesus returns, He will stand on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4), and it will rise up to be a very high mountain (Ezekiel 40:2). On top of that mountain, Jesus' Millennial temple will stand (see millennial Temple and Holy Mountain). People from all over the world will come to him to seek advice and justice from Jesus, the world's King.

What does the plumb line mean?

Ted: God's "plumb," or the standard by which people are measured and tested, is righteousness (Isaiah 28:17). God had been merciful to Israel, over and over again, forgiving their pride, shame, and disobedience. Amos had influenced God to withhold a couple of plagues from Israel (Amos 7:1-6), but after that God would tolerate no more. It was sort of like He was "drawing a line in the sand." After that, Israel's serving other gods (which would be demonstrating a lack of righteousness) would result in the high places and sanctuaries of those other gods being destroyed and ruined; furthermore, many would die by the sword (7:9).

"Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence" (Hosea 3:1,2). Many, including myself, consider this to be a prophecy of the two thousand years since Jesus was around.

"Day" = thousand years (2 Peter 3:8). Thus, for two "days" (thousand years), Israel has been in turmoil and upheaval, being punished by God for being unfaithful. (Basically, the book of Hosea depicts Israel's "adultery" with other gods and its unfaithfulness to the real God.) Then, Jesus will return, and the third "day" will be the glorious Millennium, during which Jesus will rule and reign over the earth with righteousness and fairness. At that time, we will "live in his presence" (Hosea 3:2).

When Jesus was twelve years old (Luke 2:42), He began His earthly ministry. Adding 2,000 years (two "days") to that brings us to 2012. If my hypothesis about the European Neighbourhood Policy is correct, Jesus will appear in the clouds at the Rapture event, soon after opening of the Sixth Seal, in the fall of 2012. Interestingly, the ancient Mayan calendar also is purported to end in the fall of 2012.

Elisha had a great gift of prophecy, as well as a great gift of performing miracles. This was demonstrated in 2 Kings 3-9, although I'm sure these were not a complete list of all the things he did.

Many people have a hard time accepting Elisha's miracles as just that: miraculous. They try to "spin" them into being natural occurrences that ignorant people of that time simply misconstrued as being miraculous. Personally, I have no problem at all accepting Elisha's (and Elijah's) miracles as acts of God, using these two men as "tools" to perform the supernatural.

Before Elijah had been taken up into heaven, Elisha had asked to inherit a double-portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). It appears that this request was granted to him by God.

The greatest of all prophets, Elijah, was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind while he was still alive (2 Kings 2:11). God stated the following, which was written by the prophet Malachi: "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes" (Malachi 4:5). This is a prophecy that Elijah would return again, in the future, just prior to the period known as the "Day of the Lord"--the final portion of the final seven years of the age (the 70th Week).

Elijah, along with Moses, was seen by Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-4). John the Baptist was a "type" of Elijah, because he proclaimed the coming of Jesus (17:10-13). Elijah and John the Baptist even dressed the same way (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). However, neither of these were the prophesied coming of Elijah prior to the Day of the Lord.

Most (including myself) believe that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12). I suspect that Moses will be the other witness, although some believe that it will be Enoch who, like Elijah, was taken away alive (Genesis 5:24). The two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days--the final 3˝ years of the 70th Week. During that time (at the opening of the Seventh Seal), the great and dreadful Day of the Lord will begin.

Notice that one of the things the two witnesses will do is to destroy their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5). Similarly, Elijah was able to bring fire down from heaven and destroy 2 captains and 100 men (2 Kings 1:10,12). At the end of that 3˝-year period (which also will be at the end of the final 7 years), at the blowing the Seventh Trumpet, Jesus will return to earth to rule and reign (Revelation 11:15-17).

One of Israel's king's greatest errors was when stupid King Ahab let King Ben-Hadad live. Ahab even made a treaty with Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 20:32). This displeased God immensely (20:42). The future negative ramifications for Israel, due to this foolish decision, would be devastating.

1 Kings 19 also demonstrates the amazing care and miraculous abilities of God. He had sent His prophet Elijah on an important mission, and Elijah had performed his tasks obediently. Then Elijah's life was threatened by the queen of wickedness, Jezebel. Seemingly, there was no possible way for him to get out of that jam.

However, God does not abandon those who are faithful to carry out the duties He has assigned to them. God sent an angel to feed Elijah twice. That in itself is miraculous. But what I find even more stupendous is the fact that, after eating and drinking what the angel had brought him, Elijah was able to travel forty days and nights until he reaches his destination (1 Kings 19:5-8). It was much like how God provided, supernaturally, for Elijah, the widow, and her son in 17:17-24.

It makes me think of the last days of darkness and tribulation, which I believe are on the immediate horizon. When hope and expectation are dashed to the ground, God still will find a way to provide for those who believe in Him, are faithful to Him, and will pray for His supernatural intervention.

1 Kings 18:16-46 is one of my most favorite stories in the Bible. Basically, the false god Baal, along with 450 of his prophets, were pitted against the one true God, with one prophet: Elijah. Elijah gave them every possible chance to "prove" that Baal was stronger than God. When Baal did not respond, Elijah mocked him before all of his prophets, saying, "Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened" (18:27). But Baal was silent.

However, when it became God's turn, He performed one of the most amazing miracles in the Bible. Everybody there was a witness to it (1 Kings 18:38). There was no doubt in anybody's mind who was the true God that day (11:39).

Jeroboam's son became ill (1 Kings 14:1). The reason was because Jeroboam had made idols out of metal to other gods (1:9). These are God's main "pet peeves": seeing His people having other gods before Him, and seeing them worshiping idols (Exodus 20:3,4). The penalty of this would be that Jeroboam's son would die (1 Kings 14:12).

Interestingly, speaking of the son who would die, God said, "He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the LORD, the God of Israel, has found anything good" (1 Kings 14:13). This probably was a foreshadowing of the Son of God, Jesus, who would die because He was "good" and would be found worthy to die for the sins of the people. So when good people die, even though we don't feel they are deserving of death, sometimes we simply don't understand what is going on inside the mind of God (Isaiah 55:8,9).

15-53 has a dual fulfillment. First of all, Solomon was the literal son of David. As prophesied (1 Chronicles 17:11-14), he built the first temple of God. But this temple was a foreshadowing of the ultimate Temple of the future.

Jesus, the Messiah, also is considered to be the son of David (Matthew 1:1, 9:27, 12:23, 15:21,22, 20:29-31, 21:9, 22:41,42). When He returns, He will build the Millennial Temple, from which He will rule and reign for 1,000 years.

When they talk about wisdom, are they talking specifically about coming to know God?

Ted: Yes, exactly, but more specifically, Jesus. Basically, anywhere that you see "wisdom" you could substitute the word "Jesus" (that is, the pre-incarnate manifestation of God). In the sense that wisdom sometimes is referred to as "she," it can be considered the Word of God, which also is what Jesus was/is. He also "was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began" (Proverbs 8:23), "was there when he [God the Father] set the heavens in place" (8:27), and "was the craftsman at his side" (8:30), meaning that Jesus was the co-Architect and Maker, along with the Father, of the universe and everything in it. Compare this with John 1:1-3: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

Of course, even more than King Solomon, Jesus actually was/is the wisest "man" to ever live, because of course He is God. Naturally, every word He ever spoke (such as during His ministry on earth), and ever will speak (when He rules and reigns forever), was and is pure wisdom. Notice that "whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:36). The people, today, who seem to epitomize this the most are Muslims, who adamantly refute the idea that Jesus is the Son of God, and they hate and detest anybody who does. They also are the first to admit that they love death, since they feel compelled to die in the name and for the sake of Allah, the false God of folly (the opposite of wisdom).

They often say "to live in the land" or be torn from it--what does that mean, really?

Ted: God had guaranteed the promised land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (that is, to the Israelites, who were the descendants of all three). Therefore, one of the worst things that could happen to an Israelite would be to be cut off or torn from the land. It would be equivalent to being cursed by God.

We will read how, in the future (of Solomon's time), the Israelites worshipped other gods, thus committing spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness to the one true God. As such, the Israelites were taken into captivity by Syria, and Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon. Therefore, they were punished for not being upright and blameless by being cut off and torn from the land.

When Adonijah asks for Abishag, why is that an offense?

Ted: Abishag had been chosen to be King David's companion, in his old age, to attend to all of his immediate needs, including keeping him warm at night. (His wife Bathsheba no longer did this, evidently because she was about as old as David was and probably required her own personal attendants to help her get by.) Abishag would have been able to tend quickly to minor emergencies that David might have had in the middle of the night, probably give him baths, feed him, and other things. For all intents and purposes, she was his concubine, but without the sex.

Now, remember that another son of David, Absalom (older half-brother of Adonijah), had lain with his father's concubines. This was an insolent sign of his domination of his father and was done as a demonstration and assertion that he was the new king (2 Samuel 16:20-22).

Likewise, Adonijah also had wanted to be king. He even was acting as king (1 Kings 1:9-11). However, due to intervention by Nathan and Bathsheba (1:11-27), King David named Solomon as king (1:32-35). Thus, after David died, Adonijah made one "last-ditch" effort to usurp Solomon's throne (besides majorly dishonoring his dead tather) by trying to take David's concubine, Abishag, to be his wife. Instead, Adonijah was struck down and died (1:25).

This would seem to be a good example of the importance of honoring one's parents, to which seems to be attached the provision of long life in the land (Exodus 20:12). On the contrary, Adonijah DIShonored his father, and soon thereafter he died.

Bathsheba came to King David, told him that Adonijah had proclaimed himself king, and pointed out to David that he had promised her that Solomon would succeed him as king. Then David told her that, indeed, Solomon would be king. Bowing and kneeling before the king, Bathsheba said, "May my lord King David live forever!"

I believe that, in fact, King David will live forever, once he is resurrected at the end of the age. I also believe that he will be the king of Israel again, with Jesus reigning as King of the World. All of this is explained here:

http://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/C_13b.html#David_the_king

Why do you think this psalm is composed so strangely?
Ted: I'm not sure. It is not clear at all who wrote it--probably not David. Anyway, any evaluation that I would have of it would be worthless. Probably the great Bible commentator C. H. Spurgeon's description of it would be worth reading, if you are interested:

http://www.biblebb.com/files/SPURGEON/TOD/chstp136.htm

Messianic Prophecy: "The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: 'One of your own descendants I will place on your throne—if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever'" (Psalm 132:11,12).

(Future) Fulfillment: "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" Jesus, the Lamb, was the descendant of David who will be placed on the throne of Israel, forever and ever.

Messianic Prophecy: "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" (Psalm 118:22).

Fulfillment: "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-13).


Messianic Prophecy: "O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you" (Psalm 118:25,26).

Fulfillment: "The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!'" (John 12:12,13).

Messianic Prophecy: "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'" (Psalm 110:1). That is, God the Father says to our Lord, Jesus (the Messiah), that He will sit at His right hand until all of His enemies have been conquered.

Fulfillment: "Jesus asked them, 'What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?' 'The son of David,' they replied. He said to them, 'How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him "Lord"? For he says, "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet'"'" (Matthew 22:41-44).

Prophecy about Judas: "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" (Psalm 109:8).

Fulfillment: "(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 'For,' said Peter, 'it is written in the book of Psalms, "May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it," and, "May another take his place of leadership." Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us....'" (Acts 1:18-21).

"Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob lived as an alien in the land of Ham. The LORD made his people very fruitful; he made them too numerous for their foes, whose hearts he turned to hate his people, to conspire against his servants" (Psalm 105:23-25).

This shows that it was predestined, by God, for His chosen people, Israel, to be mistreated and abused by the Egyptians. This was so that He could deliver them (using Moses and Aaron) out of bondage and (eventually) into the promised land (105:42-44).

Likewise, I believe that all bad things that happen to us (the ones elected by God to be saved) are foreordained by God so that He can deliver us from hardships and suffering. And, like the ancient Israelites, we ultimately will be taken into our "promised land" when Jesus returns.

"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded" (Psalm 102:25,26).

This indicates that God created the heavens and the earth (that is, the universe). It also indicates that the heavens and the earth will perish. Like an old piece of clothing that wears out, this present creation will wear out and be discarded; that is, it will be destroyed by fire and will pass away at the time when all the unsaved are judged (2 Peter 3:7,10,12; Revelation 20:11). At that time, a new heavens and earth will be created, brand new (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1,5).

Messianic Prophecy: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone" (Psalm 91:11,12).

Fulfillment: "Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone"'" (Matthew 3:5,6).

Messianic Prophecy: "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, 'I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.' ... He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, the Rock my Savior.' I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail" (Psalm 89:3,4,26-28).

Fulfillment: Jesus is in David's lineage or line of descendants (Matthew 1:1,6,16). After He returns back to earth, He will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15,17). Jesus was the only begotten Son of God the Father (John 3:16).

Messianic Prophecy: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old" (Psalm 78:2).

Fulfillment: "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world"" (Matthew 13:34,35).

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