Expectations of the Antichrist - Session 3 - Chuck Missler

Name: Expectations of the Antichrist - Session 3 - Chuck Missler
Uploaded: 2020-07-16T00:00:15.000Z
Duration: 1 h 38 min 19 s

Understanding the Everlasting Hatred

Introduction and Prayer

The session begins with a prayer, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine guidance for understanding biblical teachings.

The speaker expresses excitement about transitioning to a new topic that may differ from previous discussions.

Exploring the Concept of Olam Iba

The speaker introduces the concept of "olam iba," or everlasting hatred, suggesting it is poorly understood among Bible students.

This theme is linked to significant biblical history and current events, indicating its relevance in contemporary discussions.

The judgment against this protagonist appears more frequently in Old Testament texts than any other foreign nation, highlighting its significance.

Genesis 25: The Birth of Two Nations

Reference is made to Genesis 25, where Isaac's wife Rebecca conceives twins, symbolizing two nations within her womb. This sets the stage for exploring their historical rivalry.

Esau is described as red and hairy at birth; his name connects linguistically to Edom, which becomes significant later in biblical narratives.

Character Analysis: Esau and Jacob

Esau is characterized as a skilled hunter while Jacob is depicted as more domestic; their contrasting natures foreshadow future conflicts between their descendants.

Linguistic connections are drawn between Esau's name and terms related to Edom, reinforcing his identity as an adversary to Israel throughout history.

Themes of Deceit and Favoritism

Jacob's name suggests deceitful traits (e.g., heel-catcher), raising questions about moral character in biblical narratives; Paul references this dynamic in Romans 9 regarding God's election.

A pivotal moment occurs when Esau sells his birthright for food, illustrating themes of impulsiveness versus long-term value—a critical lesson within the narrative context.

Understanding the Birthright and Its Significance

The Concept of Birthright

Jacob's act of giving Esau bread and lentils highlights Esau's disdain for his birthright, which is described as profoundly significant to God. This moment is referred to as a potential "unpardonable sin," leading to lasting enmity.

Unique Covenant in Scripture

The covenant discussed is unique not only to the individuals involved but also unprecedented on Earth, emphasizing its exclusivity to humanity. Key contrasts are drawn between figures like Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau.

Incarnation as Evidence of Uniqueness

The incarnation of the Creator as a member of the human race serves as a compelling argument for the uniqueness of life on Earth, challenging scientific conjectures about extraterrestrial life.

Challenges in Astrobiology

Astrobiology faces a fundamental issue: it lacks evidence for life beyond Earth. Despite ongoing searches, there remains no empirical data supporting claims of extraterrestrial existence.

Biblical Theme of Election

The theme of bypassing the firstborn recurs throughout biblical narratives (e.g., Seth over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael). This reflects God's sovereign choice in election despite established rules.

Esau's Actions and Their Implications

Esau's Marital Choices

Esau intentionally offended his parents by marrying a woman from Ishmael’s lineage, indicating a deliberate separation from Abraham’s descendants.

Distinction Among Descendants

The descendants of Esau are distinct from those under Abraham through Isaac and Jacob. Mislabeling these groups can lead to misunderstandings about their genealogical significance.

Geographical Context: Edom

Historical Background

Edom derives its name from Esau ("the Red") and was historically occupied by his descendants. It played a significant role during Israel's wanderings under Moses when they were denied passage through Edom.

Tensions Between Israel and Edom

Tensions escalated when Edom refused Israel passage during their journey to Canaan. This refusal led Israel to detour rather than engage in conflict due to divine instruction.

The Destruction of Jerusalem: A Pivotal Moment

Babylonian Conquest

In 586 BC, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem under divine judgment. Visualizing this event reveals not just destruction but also betrayal from neighboring groups who encouraged violence against their kin.

Psalm 137 Contextualization

Understanding Psalm 137 requires knowledge of the events surrounding Jerusalem’s destruction; it reflects deep-seated animosity towards Israel during this tumultuous period.

Understanding the Historical Context of Edom and Its Significance

The Psalmist's Reference to Edom

The Psalmist invokes a plea against Edom, reflecting on their actions during Jerusalem's destruction: "Raise it. Raise it even to the foundation thereof." This highlights the animosity felt during Babylonian captivity.

Misinterpretations from Biblical Maps

Many readers rely on simplistic maps in Bibles that misrepresent historical geography, particularly regarding Edom's location relative to Jerusalem and other regions. This can lead to misunderstandings about historical events.

Migration and Territorial Changes

The Nabotans' westward movement forced Edomites to migrate southwest of the Dead Sea, altering their territorial claims and associations with neighboring groups like Moab and Ammon.

Economic Shifts During Captivity

As Babylonians captured Jerusalem, they vacated lands that were then occupied by Nabotans, who prospered at the expense of Jewish captives. This economic shift is crucial for understanding regional dynamics during this period.

Historical Control of Idumea

After regaining control post-Maccabean revolt around 164 BC, Jews found themselves ruling over a population largely composed of Idumeans (Edomites), who had been forcibly converted to Judaism under pressure from Jewish leaders.

Roman Perceptions of Idumeans

Julius Caesar appointed Antipater as procurator over Judea, mistakenly viewing him as a Jew due to his Idumean heritage; this reflects broader Roman misconceptions about ethnic identities in Judea.

Herodian Rule and Its Implications

The Herods, including Herod the Great, were not ethnically Jewish but rather Idumean; their rule exemplifies ongoing tensions between different cultural identities within Israel leading up to Jesus' time. Their actions contributed significantly to historical conflicts in the region.

Civil Turmoil Leading Up to 70 AD

By 70 AD, civil strife among Zealots, Idumeans, and Orthodox Jews marked a chaotic period in Judea’s history; these internal divisions foreshadowed significant challenges for Jewish society amidst external pressures from Rome.

Historical Context of Jewish-Roman Relations

The Slaughter and Enslavement of Jews

Approximately 20,000 Idioman infantry killed many Orthodox Jews during conflicts, with some fighting alongside them against the Romans. This led to significant confusion and loss of life.

Many Jews were either killed, sold into slavery, or among the 40,000 set free by Caesar after these events.

Emperor Hadrian's Actions Against Jews

Emperor Hadrian aimed to eliminate any Jewish presence in Jerusalem to maintain control over the land, resulting in a tragic loss of around half a million lives during this period.

He proposed severe restrictions on Jewish traditions such as circumcision and Sabbath observance, enforcing penalties including death for violations.

Renaming of the Land

The Romans had two naming options for the land: Idiomea (hated by Jews) or Philistia. They chose Philistia, which translates to Palestine in Latin.

The renaming reflected Roman insensitivity; they viewed Philistines as Israel's most significant enemy rather than Idiomans.

Historical Implications and Biblical References

The assimilation of Idiomans into modern Palestinians raises questions about historical identity. Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 25-32 highlight nations judged by the Messiah that include Edom and Philistia.

Notably, all seven nations mentioned are identified as Muslim today. Edom is particularly emphasized in biblical texts regarding judgment.

Symbolism of the Eagle

The eagle symbolizes Israel's enemies throughout history; it has been associated with various powers like Rome and Nazi Germany.

Historical figures such as Herod and Titus Vespasian also used the eagle symbolically against Israel.

The Concept of Edomites in Modern Context

Metaphorical Use Among Rabbis

Rabbis refer to globalists seeking a one-world government as "Edomites," using it metaphorically rather than strictly genealogically.

Amsel Moses Bower's Legacy

Amsel Moses Bower opened a coin shop in Frankfurt with a Roman eagle logo known as the Red Shield Firm. His son Meyer Amsshel Bower later expanded this business significantly.

This structured summary captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

The Origins of the Rothschild Name and Banking Empire

The Significance of the Red Shield

Meyer Amschel Bower adopted the name "Rothschild," derived from "Rochield," meaning "Red Shield" in German, symbolizing his family's heritage linked to revolutionary-minded Jews in Eastern Europe.

Establishment of the House of Rothschild

The House of Rothschild was established as Meyer learned that lending to governments was more profitable than to individuals, leading to larger loans secured by national taxes.

Expansion Through Family Network

Meyer had five sons—Amshell, Solomon, Nathan, Carl, and Yakov—whom he trained in money creation techniques and sent to major European cities to establish branch offices for their banking business.

Key Financial Philosophy

Nathan Rothschild famously stated: “Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws,” highlighting the power dynamics between finance and governance.

Understanding Revelation's Seven Churches

The Selection of Churches in Revelation

The seven letters addressed in Revelation raise questions about their selection; many are lesser-known churches while prominent ones like Jerusalem or Antioch are absent.

Levels of Understanding the Letters

There are at least four levels of understanding these letters: local context (historical relevance), admonitory (applicable lessons for all churches), personal (individual reflection), and prophetic (spiritual history over 2,000 years).

Structure and Themes within Each Letter

Each letter contains seven elements: church name relevant to its message, a unique title for Jesus tailored to each letter’s theme, commendations for good deeds (except two), concerns about shortcomings, exhortations for improvement, promises for overcomers, and a closing phrase urging attentive listening.

Distinct Outcomes Among Churches

Notably, two churches—Sardis and Laodicea—receive no commendation from Jesus. In contrast, Smyrna is encouraged during tough times while Philadelphia receives high praise.

Understanding the Promises to the Overcomer

The Structure of the Letters

The closing phrase in the first three letters contains a promise to the overcomer, which is presented as a postscript, an unusual placement.

The speaker emphasizes that nothing in scripture is accidental; every detail serves a divine purpose, leading to significant insights about the letters.

The seven churches are categorized into two groups: three and four. Each letter reflects different historical phases of the church's development.

Historical Context of Each Church

Ephesus represents the apostolic church, while Smyrna symbolizes the persecuted church. This highlights how persecution evolves into spiritual compromise.

Sardis signifies the Reformation period but is criticized for being spiritually dead despite its name. Philadelphia represents a missionary-focused church.

Laodicea depicts an apostate church where Jesus stands outside, emphasizing spiritual disconnection.

Promises and Their Implications

The first three letters have promises postscripted, whereas in the last four, these promises are integrated within their main body.

Notably, only the last four letters reference Christ's second coming explicitly; this distinction raises questions about their significance.

Tribulation and Its Consequences

Thotyra warns of great tribulation if they do not amend their ways; conversely, Philadelphia receives assurance of protection from it.

Insights on Smyrna and Philadelphia

Both Smyrna and Philadelphia receive commendations without criticism. They share unique insights regarding blasphemy against those claiming Jewish identity but are not genuine believers.

The Synagogue of Satan: A Deeper Look

Blasphemy and Identity Confusion

In Revelation 2:9, Jesus acknowledges Smyrna’s struggles yet reassures them of their true richness despite external poverty.

He mentions "the synagogue of Satan," indicating false claims to Jewish identity by some individuals or groups.

Historical Contextualization

This term appears again in Revelation 3:9 concerning Philadelphia. It suggests ongoing issues with authenticity among self-proclaimed Jews during that era.

Replacement Theology Concerns

The speaker critiques replacement theology—an idea suggesting that Christians have replaced Israel—which he argues undermines God's promises made to Israel throughout scripture.

Conclusion on Interpretative Challenges

There is an emphasis on understanding diverse theological perspectives within Christianity while maintaining unity in fellowship despite differences.

Understanding the Kingdom and Jesus' Preferences

The Significance of "Thy Kingdom Come"

The phrase "Thy kingdom come" in the Lord's Prayer is often misunderstood, with many unaware of its deeper implications. This highlights a need for further study on what this prayer truly signifies.

Exploring Jesus' Character

There is a strong belief that understanding Jesus Christ requires examining his preferences and characteristics, similar to how one would learn about a new boss in an organization.

Emphasizing that Jesus is not merely a concept or tradition; he is alive and eager to engage with humanity. His current position is at his father's throne, awaiting the right moment to return.

Insights from Revelation Letters

In the letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia, Jesus expresses particular disdain for those who claim to be Jews but are not, indicating a significant aspect of his teachings.

Acknowledging Jesus' Jewish identity is crucial for understanding biblical prophecies and practices during the millennium, such as temple worship being restricted to Shabbat and new moons rather than Sundays.

Broader Implications of Globalism

The discussion raises questions about how contemporary issues like globalism may relate metaphorically to biblical teachings, suggesting an assignment for further exploration.

Closing Reflections

A prayer concludes the session, expressing gratitude for divine guidance in understanding complex themes such as false claims of Jewish identity.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of growing in grace and knowledge about Jesus as an ambassador for his teachings in today's world.