Bible Prophecy 101 An Introductory Bible Information Seminar

Bible Prophecy 101 An Introductory Bible Information Seminar Week 5

Topic Outline • • Recap Week 4 Key Messages (Hope of Israel) Framework (Patterns) Old Testament Prophecy (Daniel, Zechariah, Malachi) • Linkage to Other Scripture • Application & Lessons for Us • Question / Answer Session

Recap Week 4 Isaiah 52 -53 is a messianic prophecy a) The subject is about a suffering servant of God. b) This prophecy is cited in many New Testament passages in reference to the arrest, trial, beatings, killing and burial of Jesus. Jeremiah 30 -31 discusses the destiny of the people of Judah. a) First there was going to be a terrible time of trouble (distress). b) However, afterwards, for those who survived and turned back to God, there would be restoration and a new covenant. Ezekiel was commissioned to speak to the exiles in Babylon. a) Ezekiel was a "man of sign", that is, he did and said unusual things so when asked to explain, he would give them God's message. b) Ezekiel initially was reluctant to prophesy on behalf of God, so God made Ezekiel unable to speak, unless it was a word of prophecy; this was both a proof to the people, and a lesson for Ezekiel.

Key Point Brought Forward The messages of the 'Major Prophets' align with and build on the earlier Bible prophecies and continue to use the nation of Israel and the Messiah as their focus.

Genesis 2000 AD Jesus Ourselves 0 1000 BC David Moses Abraham Adam Noah 2000 BC 4000 BC Prophetic Framework - Timeline Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Last week Exodus Leviticus Deuteron. -Judges Daniel Zechariah Samuel. Psalms This week -Malachi N T This week

Framework - Key Events / People Last Week Samuel to Malachi • Samuel the prophet anointed and mentored first two kings • David was a man after God’s own heart, and wrote prophetic psalms • David’s zeal and faithfulness brings Seed promise #3 • Elijah the prophet confronted king Ahab over worship of false gods • Micaiah the prophet predicted the certain death of Ahab in battle • Isaiah the prophet confronted king Ahaz, encouraged king Hezekiah • Isaiah foretold the Kingdom age and the suffering Messiah • Jeremiah the prophet confronted king Zedekiah and his false prophets • Jeremiah predicted doom/exile for Jerusalem/Judah, and a new covenant • Ezekiel the prophet (in exile) confronted his listeners, was a man of sign • Ezekiel confirmed Jeremiah’s message, and predicted restoration • Daniel the prophet confronted Babylonian kings and wrong decrees This Week • Daniel saw long term visions regarding the people of Israel • Amos the prophet predicted a time when the prophetic message dries up • Zechariah the prophet described the time of the end captivity of Jerusalem, quickly followed by its deliverance by the LORD • Malachi the prophet foretold a messenger who would prepare the hearts of the people for the day of Messiah's coming

Key Messages (Hope Of Israel) "For this reason therefore I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain" (Acts 28: 20) What did Paul mean by that phrase? Here's how he explained it: "When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in great numbers. And he expounded the matter to them from morning to evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the prophets" (Acts 28: 23) = Exposition from Scripture (Moses + prophets), with focus on two things: "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 28: 31) = this is the basic gospel message (cf. Acts 8: 12)

Key Messages (Hope Of Israel) Christian Hope …. . . …. Of ……. . . Israel Resurrection (John 5: 29) Eternal Life (Matt. 25: 46) Inherit Kingdom Natural (Matt. 25: 34) All who put their trust in God, by faith in Jesus Christ: (born) Gentiles Spiritual (reborn) come to share the faith of Abraham Natural (born)

Terminology & Definitions • Vision – a visual or graphical means used by God to help the prophet "see" and therefore better understand communicate the prophetic message; e. g. , Daniel has the vision of 4 beasts, and then writes down what he saw (Daniel 7); Peter sees the vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals, to teach him that it is acceptable to fellowship with Gentiles (Acts 10) – sometimes the prophet will be involved in the vision itself; e. g. , both Ezekiel (to see evil and the wrath of God in Jerusalem) and John (to see the temple throne and thousands of angels) get "caught away by the Spirit", and then write down what they experienced – Visions really happen; they are not imaginary (Matt 17: 1 -9)

Territories & Relationships • The Islamic World, with Israel at the center Israel is the crossroads (at the confluence) of 3 continents

Territories & Relationships The immediately surrounding nations (inner circle) e. g. , the 10 nations in Psalm 83 + identified elsewhere {Obadiah, Joel 3} The outer circle of nations, e. g. , those listed in Jeremiah 25 & Ezekiel 38 = in the "last days", there will be distinct battles with separate groups

Kingdom expands to fill the earth The core of the Kingdom is the promised land; then the surrounding nations are subdued and absorbed When the outer circle of nations are defeated, they are also folded in. Eventually, the peace & increase of God's Kingdom will fill the earth (Is 9: 7)

Prophetic Pattern Start at Jerusalem, expand to enemies, restoration & judgment (God's cup of wrath must be drunk by all the nations) Elam & Media 2 b Babylon 1 Jerusalem Judah's 70 years captivity in Babylon - 580 BC (Jeremiah 25: 1 -31) 3 Remnant Returns 2 a All surrounding countries + Arabia

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 " And Daniel went in and besought the king. . . Who interpreted it : Daniel, as inspired by God When: 604 B. C. , the 2 nd year of Nebuchadnezzar Audience: King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon Setting: Daniel had been send into exile to Babylon at an early age, where he quickly distinguished himself as a young man of faith as well as of "wisdom and understanding … 10 times better ' magicians" (Dan 1: 20). Nebuchadnezzar than any of the kings had a very disturbing recurring nightmare, and demanded that his "wise men" prove that their interpretation was correct by first telling him the dream content. Of course, no man could do this but Daniel's God could -- and intervened on Daniel's behalf.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {16} And Daniel went in and besought the king to appoint him a time, that he might show to the king the interpretation. {17} Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, {18} and told them to seek mercy of the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. {19} Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Points: v. 16 Daniel is so confident in God, that he makes the appointment v. 17 -18 But then he rightly goes and gets his comrades to join him in prayer that God will indeed intervene on their behalf v. 19 God does reveal the vision, and Daniel appropriately, thanks Him.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {20} Daniel said: "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. {21} He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; {22} he reveals deep and mysterious things. . . {23} To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and hast now made known to me what we asked of thee, for thou hast made known to us the king's matter. " Points: v. 20 -23 This whole section is Daniel's prayer of thanks to God; he invokes a blessing on God's own Name, which is known for having a purpose and the power to implement that purpose. This greatness is eventually recognized by Nebuchadnezzar and the Persian king Darius (4: 34 -35, 6: 25 -27), as His great Name is declared through the empire. It is very clear than Daniel understands that all credit for the revelation goes to God, and he will make this point to Nebuchadnezzar (v. 28, 30)

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {25} Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus to him: "I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who can make known to the king the interpretation. " {26} The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation? " {27} Daniel answered the king, "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked, {28} but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Points: v. 25 -26 Arioch, captain of the king's guard, seemed pleased to announce Daniel, but the king is understandably doubtful; he knew his demand for first correctly telling the dream content was impossible. v. 27 -28 Daniel agrees that it is humanly impossible, but not for God, Who is now about to provide Nebuchadnezzar with future information

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {31} You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {31} You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. {32} The head of this image was of fine gold… . . . its breast and arms of silver,

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {31} You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. {32} The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, {33} its legs of iron

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {31} You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. {32} The head of this image was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, {33} its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {34} As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it smote the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces {35} then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, . . . all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; … and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {35} But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth {36} This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {37} You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, {38} and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the sons of men, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air, making you rule over them all -you are the head of gold. {39} After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {40} And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these. {41} And as you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the miry clay

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {42} And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. {43} As you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) {44} And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand for ever; {45} just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold A great God has made known to the king what shall be hereafter. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) Recap {much interpreted, much not} • Gold head = Babylonian kingdom (given by God) • Silver breast & arms = ? ? = 2 nd kingdom (but inferior) • Bronze belly & thighs = ? ? = 3 rd empire (rule over all the earth) • Iron legs = ? ? = 4 th empire (noted for strength, crushing power) • Iron & clay feet {toes} = ? ? = kings that exist just prior to the kingdom of God being established (noted for being a mixed group) • stone = God's doing {cut from mountain by no human hand} + breaks the whole image in pieces "in the latter days" • mountain that fills the whole earth = God's kingdom (which shall never be destroyed)

OT Prophecy - Daniel 2 (cont’d) Application / Lesson • The text provides a general interpretation, but obviously there is more explanation to be determined; this can be done by comparing subsequent visions in Daniel, whose details line up exactly with the components of the image and stone • Coupled with the visions in chapters 7 -9, Daniel chapter 2 predicts three successive empires, two of them directly by name (Medo-Persia and Greece, in 8: 20 -21) and the other indirectly by elapsed time (Rome; see 9: 24 -27, 12: 11, Matthew 24: 15). The accuracy of this prophecy is absolutely amazing, and as Daniel stated, could only be predicted by God Himself. Since this part of the prophecy has proven itself true, then we can have total confidence that the remaining part will also take place.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 " In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel. . . Who wrote it : Daniel, as he recalled the vision When: Around 540 B. C, 1 st year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon. Audience: Daniel, for his own benefit and study; many others would study it later Setting: The Medo-Persian power was about to take over the empire of the Babylonians. Daniel was much older now, and as a wise, respected, top administrator in the regime, would be very aware of the political situation. However, it was what Scripture said and what God revealed that mattered. This was the first of four visions which God revealed directly to Daniel.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) {1} In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, and told the sum of the matter. Daniel said, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. {3} And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. {4} The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. . . {5} And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side; it had three ribs in its mouth. . . {6} After this I looked, and lo, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back; and the beast had four heads. . .

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) {7} After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrible and dreadful and exceedingly strong; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) {8} I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (Alignment with 2) Possible irony with king being given the behavior of a animal (Daniel 4)? "Raised on 1 side" + "3 ribs" = Medo. Persia setup & 3 satraps (Daniel 6)? Possible connection to the speed of growth of Greek empire ? Iron legs = iron teeth + breaks in pieces (10) toes = 10 horns + destruction by God for Kingdom to be set up High confidence for these alignments

OT Prophecy - Daniel 8 (More information) Told: ram's two-horns {"one was higher than the other"} "are the kings of Media and Persia" (Dan 8: 20) Told: he-goat {with a "conspicuous" horn} "is the king of Greece" (Dan 8: 21); when "broken", four "conspicuous horns" take its place, i. e. , four kingdoms arise (8: 22) = 4 generals of Alexander the Great (History) Told: one of the horns "grew exceedingly great", trampled down the sanctuary, and destroyed God's people; this occurs at the "appointed time of the end", and the horn is "broken by no human hand" (8: 9 -11, 22 -25)

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (Aligned with 2 & 8) = = Babylon (stated in 2: 38) = = = Medo-Persia {one side higher} + stated in 8: 20 = = = Greece {4 wings, 4 horns} + stated in 8: 21 = = Rome (deduce from time period in 9: 25 + Luke 2: 1 has a Caesar) = = = ? ? , but in latter days, it tramples God's people, then is destroyed by God

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) Linkages • Daniel's time period of "a time, times and half a time"* during which the little horn "makes war on the saints" and "speaks words against the Most High" are picked up in Revelation to describe the duration of "trampling over the holy city" by a beast who is "allowed to make war on the saints" and "utters blasphemies against God" (Revelation 11: 2 -3, 7 -8, 13: 6 -7). *The time period equivalency + location of Jerusalem is confirmed by Rev 12: 6, 14, Luke 21: 24 • Daniel's lion, bear, leopard, fierce beast and little horn become the composite 10 -headed, 10 -horned beast in Revelation (13: 14), which is ultimately destroyed by Christ (19: 20) = just what Daniel saw happen to the beast and little horn (7: 11, 26)

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) Application / Lesson • God evidently sees the nations of men as effectively being beasts or animals (see Ecclesiastes 3: 18 -20). Unless men see God in control and at work in this world, their end will be no different than the "beasts that perish" (Psalm 49: 12, 20). Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson when God reduced him to animal level, until he understood that "God rules the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom he will". (Daniel 4: 13 -37). The testimonial of this humbled king was written for our learning: "How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom… all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing; and He does according to His will…and none can stay His hand. . . " (Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel 4: 3, 35)

OT Prophecy - Daniel 7 (cont’d) Application / Lesson • By checking out cross references and putting the available evidence together, you can produce a reasonable alignment of the details concerning the image and beast details. Bible students who use this process get results that satisfy and yield a solid interpretation. • Daniel's "desolating sacrilege … standing in the holy place" is cited by Jesus as a key to understanding "the sign of [his] coming and of the close of the age" (Matthew 24: 15, 3). Therefore, it is important that we grasp the message of Daniel's prophecies, since it will help us comprehend Jesus' prophecy as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 "Behold, a day of the LORD is coming. . . Who revealed it: God, in vision form, to Zechariah the prophet When: 520 - 518 B. C. , the 2 nd & 4 th years in the reign of Darius I of Persia Audience: The Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon. Setting: God was calling the people to repent via the prophet Zechariah (1: 1 -6) who was given eight visions on how God had been and would be looking after the welfare of Israel (1: 7 -6: 15). Twice more he exhorts the Jews to believe that the LORD would fully restore Jerusalem and the worship of His Name (7: 1 -8: 23). But first, there was this prediction: "Lo, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling to all the peoples round about; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem" (12: 2)

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) "Behold, a day of the LORD is coming. . . Context: Chapter 14 is part of an 'oracle' (a burden) that begins in chapter 12. The message predicts a terrible time for Israel: • war and battle that centers around Jerusalem, when "all the nations of the earth will come against it" (12: 1 -9) • a time of mourning as "for an only child" (12: 10 -14) • a time for being cleansed "from sin and uncleanness" (13: 1) • a time for eradicating false prophets (13: 2 -6) • a prediction of striking the shepherd so that the sheep scatter, and "two thirds shall be cut off and perish"; the remaining third are "put into the fire" by God for refinement and redemption (13: 7 -9) Thus the outcome is wonderful: "They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say 'the LORD is my God' " (13: 9) = back to the everlasting covenant!

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) {1} Behold, a day of the LORD is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. {2} For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. {3} Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle. Points: {Demonstrably, this is a "last days" scenario} Payback v. 1 God's just retribution v. 2 Jerusalem will fall again, undergoing plunder and rape and exile as in times past + as predicted by the prophets; however, half of the people get to stay (and they shall call upon the LORD and be saved - Joel 2: 32) v. 3 Alludes to the time when Joshua delivered his allies from the Amorite, and the LORD "fought for Israel" in extended daylight (Joshua 10: 12 -14)

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) {4} On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward. {5}. . . and you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD your God will come, and all the holy ones with him. Points: v. 4 "his feet" surely refer to Jesus, of whom it was assured by angels that he "will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" = a similar cloud of glory and the Mount of Olives location (Acts 1: 9 -12) v. 5 This change in topography is an irrefutable sign that the LORD has sent His Christ back with his "holy ones" (= angels, Matthew 24: 30 -31); the earthquake terror is comparable to that in Uzziah's time (Amos 1: 1)

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) {6} On that day there shall be neither cold nor frost. {7} And there shall be continuous day (it is known to the LORD), not day and not night, for at evening time there shall be light. {8} On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer as in winter. {9} And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one. Points: v. 6 -7 carries across the idea started in v. 3 from Joshua's battle when "the sun stood still. . . the moon stayed, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies" (Joshua 10: 13) = unique signs given for belief. v. 8 Indicates the Dead Sea will become 'alive' again = another object lesson provided by God to assure believers and convince the nations. v. 9 The LORD becomes king in the sense that Christ is sent as God's representative, and makes his Father's Name and glory fill the earth.

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) Linkage • Mentioning the earthquake in 14: 5 -6 ties to similar texts in Ezekiel 38: 19 -20 and Matthew 24: 7. In the linkage to Isaiah 9: 5 -6 where an earthquake is caused by a 'visitation of the LORD of hosts' to the earth, the text says "But the multitude of your foes shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the ruthless like passing chaff" = Daniel 2: 35! • "living waters" (v. 8) is an idea connected to Isaiah 8: 6 (God rebuking Israel for refusing to heed Him as the true resource) and to Ezekiel 47: 1 -12 (fresh water coming out of the temple, forming a river, and nourishing trees which bear fruit for eating and leaves for healing)

OT Prophecy - Zechariah 14 (cont’d) Application / Lesson • "living waters" (v. 8) is also connected with John 4: 14 & 7: 38, where Jesus declares himself to be 'living water' which leads to eternal life = this is the source of teaching and power and love and righteousness for all believers. • "And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one (v. 9) is a marvelous summary verse, incorporating many of the teachings in the prophecies covered so far. E. g. , God's glory to fill the earth (Isaiah 11: 9), the LORD's anointed to be king in Jerusalem (Psalm 2: 6 -7), and His Name being exalted to all nations (Daniel 4: 1 -3). The prophetic message is thus consistent throughout the Old Testament = expect this to carry over to the New Testament.

OT Prophecy - Malachi 4: 5 -6 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet. . . Who spoke it: God, to Malachi the prophet When: Around 430 BC, in the time of Nehemiah, the Jewish governor assigned by Artaxerxes, the king of Persia Audience: The returned remnant of Jews from Babylon Setting: Malachi was told to remind Israel that God had been good to them, but that priests and people alike had failed (1: 2). Now their punishment must come and God would get a response from the Gentiles. After Malachi's time of prophesying, "the sun went down on the prophets" for about 400 years (see Micah 3: 6) -- until the time of John the Baptist and Jesus (John 1: 19 -22)

OT Prophecy - Malachi 4: 5 -6 (cont’d) {5} "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. *There is also a "last days" refinement by fire (Zechariah 13: 9, Isaiah 1: 24 -31, 33: 14) {6} And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse". Compare 3: 1 -2 messenger who is "to prepare the way" for the "messenger of the covenant" = fulfilled in John Baptist preparing the people for Christ's coming (Luke 1: 17, 76, Matthew 3: 1 -12) "come to his temple" + "refiner's fire" = fulfilled by Jesus cleansing the temple* + his "hard sayings" (Matthew 21: 12, John 1: 15, 6: 60) Indicates there will be repentance among the Jews; for those who refuse to change their hearts, the predicted curse of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 will happen

OT Prophecy - Malachi 4: 5 -6 (cont’d) Linkage • Jesus himself states that John the Baptist is a fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy concerning Elijah-to-come (Matthew 17: 11 -13); but in that same passage, Jesus indicates that there is still a future fulfillment = a case of multiple fulfillment • Elijah is coupled with Moses in the transfiguration experienced by Jesus and three of his apostles (Matthew 17: 1 -9). The text says that this vision was about seeing "the Son of man coming in his kingdom" (Matthew 16: 28). In other words, Elijah not only played a role in assisting Jesus in his ministry, but he (or an Elijah-type like John the Baptist) will be involved in events around establishing the kingdom of God. This idea is confirmed in Revelation 11: 3 -6 where two witnesses (who do things like those done by Elijah & Moses) prophesy just prior to Christ's coming.

OT Prophecy - Malachi 4: 5 -6 (cont’d) Examination of Elijah-type details in Revelation 11: 1 -12 • for those who seek to harm the two witnesses, fire comes forth from their mouth and consumes their foes = what Elijah did by invoking the judgment of God on the men sent to get him (2 Kings 1: 10 -12) • they have power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying = what Elijah did by stating there would be "neither dew or rain these years, except by my word" (1 Kings 17: 1) • witnesses "stand before the Lord of the earth"; so did Elijah (1 Kings 17: 1); their prophesying was for "1260 days" = the same duration of 3. 5 years Elijah prayed "that it might not rain" (James 5: 17); they were "caught up to heaven in a cloud" = Elijah "went up in a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2: 11) Conclusion: there is reasonable evidence to link the activity of the "last days" Elijah with the work of the two witnesses

OT Prophecy - Malachi 4: 5 -6 (cont’d) Application / Lesson • Speculation #1 - In light of the foregoing analysis, we may soon see/hear of the work of a team (simply two people? ) in Israel whose declared aim is to convert (primarily) the Jews to believe that their only hope is in Jesus, the LORD's Messiah; that team will manifest the spirit and teaching of Elijah-Moses, proving they are indeed prophets of God by the use of divine power • Speculation #2 - To drive the message home, this team may pronounce a severe and lasting drought on the land as a sign of God's displeasure with the people's ungodliness, and as a call for their repentance. Expect showdowns like Elijah had with the Baal prophets and Moses with the Egyptian magicians. Certainty: in the end, God's prophets will be proven true, some Jews will believe in Christ, and the LORD will be vindicated

Key Point To Take-away The stage is being set for the third and final overthrow of Israel, when this happens, the Return of Christ is very near.

Review Daniel repeatedly said that only ____ could reveal the future. a) Daniel 2 is about Nebuchadnezzar's dream which had an image with a head of ____, arms and breast of _____, belly and thighs of ______, _____ of iron, and _____ of iron and clay. b) Using information from Daniel 7&8, we learn that after Babylon would come the empires of ____-_____ (bear/ram) and _____ (leopard/he-goat). c) The stone that became a mountain and filled the whole ______ is interpreted to be the ____ of God. Both Zechariah and Malachi prophesied to Jews who had returned from ______ in Babylon. a) Zechariah 14 is part of an oracle whose focus is on the city of _______. b) Exciting things happen: the Mt. of Olives is ____ in two, there shall be continuous _______, and the LORD becomes ____ over all the earth. c) Malachi 4 predicts the coming of _____ to turn the hearts of fathers and ______ to faith before "the great the terrible day of the LORD comes".

NT Prophecies to be discussed next week (you can read in advance) • Matthew 24 - Jesus' prophecy in answer to his disciples questions "what shall be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? " • 2 Peter 3 - Peter's prediction of false prophets in the last days, and what believers ought to do and "be in lives of holiness and godliness" • 2 Timothy 3 - Paul foretold "times of stress" and false teachers in the church in the last days, and how right use of Scripture is critical.

Question / Answer Session + To be continued. . .