2. INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Moslems Are Tearing Up the Temple Mount! . . . . . 3
The Moslems control the Temple Mount — the site of two an-
cient Jewish temples. However, the Moslems deny that a Jewish P. O. Box 7000
temple ever stood there. As this cover story and photos will show, Oklahoma City, OK 73153
the Moslems are trying to destroy ancient Temple artifacts, while Dr. J. R. Church, Editor
claiming to be working on a new electrical system for the Al Aksa Gary Stearman, Associate Editor
Volume 27 • Number 10 • October 2007
Mosque. The Israeli government chooses to ignore the destruction
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important prophecies in the Bible. This was the vision that John http://www.prophecyinthenews.com
expanded upon in the Apocalypse. Daniel saw them in the order
of a lion, bear, leopard and dreadful beast. But John saw them
Page 3 . . .
in reverse order. The fourth beast will attempt to circumvent the
messianic kingdom, and John emphasizes that part of the pro-
phetic picture as he describes a world government headed up by
the Antichrist. You will want to study this chapter with the Bible Moslems Are Tearing Up the Temple Mount!
in one hand, and this article in the other.
By Gary Stearman
“The Days of Noah!” Are They Here? . . . . . . 8
Ancient Jewish writings tell a bizarre story of fallen angels
teaching men how to make metal instruments of war, and women
how to mix herbs and aloes! More important in this generation,
Page 6 . . .
however, are technology breakthroughs that are sophisticated
enough to be from non-human sources. Are we repeating the
Four Beasts From the Sea
days of Noah? By J. R. Church
Justin Martyr on the Subject of Prophecy . . . 13
In A.D. 135, Justin Martyr, the father of Gentile Christian lit-
erature, was living in Corinth. One day, he met an immigrant from
Page 8 . . .
Israel, who had come to Greece to escape the war. The Bar Kochbah
revolt against the Romans was in its third year. The man’s name
“The Days of Noah!” Are They Here?
was Trypho. He struck up a conversation with Justin, who later By Gary Stearman
penned it from memory. The dialogue gives us a keen insight into
his view of prophecy.
Nuclear Weapons Destroyed in Syria . . . . . . 16 Page 13 . . .
Justin Martyr on the Subject of Prophecy
Why did Israel send war planes into Northern Syria? Early
on, speculation was that Israel was testing Syria’s stock of Rus-
sian-made Panther missiles, to see whether Israel could jam their
guidance system. But, days later came the news that Israel was
By J. R. Church
even more concerned over their old enemy. Syria had acquired
an unknown quantity of nuclear bombs from Iran — possibly
imported from China or North Korea! Israel had no choice but to
take out those weapons of mass destruction. By the way, Israel
Page 16 . . .
was successful in neutralizing the Russian missiles. That was Nuclear Weapons Destroyed in Syria
good news for the U. S. military, just in case we have to attack By Gary Stearman
Iran one of these days.
Bob’s Corner . . . . . . 17
Bob reviews two new books and a DVD this month. He was
especially excited about Don Piper’s books 90 Minutes in Heaven Page 17 . . .
and Heaven Is Real. Don Piper was killed in a head-on collision
with a truck. For 90 minutes, he lay dead in his car — a tarp having Bob’s Corner
been drawn over his mangled body. But during those 90 minutes, Reviews by Bob Ulrich
Don Piper went to heaven, and came back to tell about it!
2 Prophecy in the News
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Ancient Temple Artifacts Destroyed:
Moslems Are Tearing
Up the Temple Mount!
By Gary Stearman
The chief of all God’s habitations is
the Temple Mount, the biblical Zion. For
decades, the Arab Trust has commanded
the totality of this high
ground. For centuries be-
fore that, they maintained
the Mosque of Omar at
the very location known to
have once been the site of
the Second Temple.
Now, seeking to make
their possession perma-
nent, they have begun to refute the his-
tory of Zion, saying that there never was
a Jewish Temple there. They have become
so brazen as to plow up and destroy the
remaining traces of both Temples.
On September 2, 2007, Aaron Klein
reported for WorldNetDaily: “Islamic au-
thorities using heavy machinery to dig on
the Temple Mount – Judaism’s holiest site
– have been caught red-handed destroying
Temple-era antiquities and what’s believed
to be a section of an outer wall of the Second These photos show Moslem construction on the Temple Mount, with no regard
Jewish Temple. for ancient Jewish Temple artifacts. This is upsetting to many religious Jews.
“WND today obtained a photograph of
a massive trench the Waqf, the Muslim
custodians of the Temple Mount, have
been blasting around the periphery of the
holy site purportedly to replace 40-year-old
electrical cables for mosques on the Mount.
The Waqf has steadfastly denied they found
or destroyed any Jewish antiquities during
their dig.”
Many photos showed what witnesses
claimed were shattered artifacts from the
ancient era of the Temple. Apparently, in
an effort to placate Arab authorities, Is- like Second Temple antiquity and could
raeli leaders ranging from Prime Minister very well be part of a Second Temple
Olmert’s office, all the way down to the courtyard wall.”
Antiquities Authority refuse to stop the Klein’s report grimly documents Israel’s
massive digging. Backhoes and bulldozers apparent complicity in the travesty:
are daily doing irreparable damage. The “But Israel is blocking leading archae-
debris has been identified by Eilat Mazar, ologists from surveying massive damage
one of Israel’s ranking Temple Mount ar- Islamic authorities are accused of causing
chaeologists. She said, “It certainly looks to what may be the outer wall of the Second
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Jewish Temple.
“Last month, the Waqf, the Muslim cus-
todians of the Temple Mount, were given
permission by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Sky Angel Is Developing IPTV
Olmert to use bulldozers and other heavy
equipment to dig a large trench they say is Internet TV is
necessary to replace electrical cables. The
dig is being protected by the Israeli police on its way!
and is supposed to be supervised by the Is-
raeli government’s Antiquities Authority.” The set-top box (above) will soon be available for
Dr. Mazar and other archaeologists went
to the Mount to stage a protest, but Israeli dramatic improvements to Sky Angel subscribers!
police prevented them from getting to the
site of the digging, where a buried wall has Dominion Video Satellite, Inc. is planning dramatic
been unearthed. Some believe it may mark improvements to the way it delivers “Sky Angel” Christian
the outer boundary of the women’s court. and family-friendly programming to its nationwide subscriber
Nevertheless, she and others made public base. CEO Rob Johnson says, “We will be transitioning Sky
statements. She said, “It’s crucial this wall is Angel to a broadband Internet protocol, commonly known
inspected. The Temple Mount ground level as IPTV, with programming still delivered to the TV. The
is only slightly above the original Temple technology is already in use widely in both Europe and
Mount platform, meaning anything found Asia and experiencing growing popularity in the U. S. Our
is likely from the Temple, itself. current subscribers will simply need to use an IPTV set-top
“The Israeli government is actively box (shown above) that will allow them to connect their
blocking us from inspecting the site and television to high-speed Internet. Overall service will be more
what may be a monumental find and is economical than our current satellite system and will provide
doing nothing while the Waqf destroys Sky Angel viewers more options.” IPTV enables programs
artifacts at Judaism’s holiest site.” to be viewed on conventional TVs, personal computers and
The official Arab position is unyielding. handheld instruments.
Klein’s report includes a statement by an
official of the Waqf, chief Palestinian justice
Taysir Tamimi: “ ‘About these so-called two
Temples, they never existed, certainly not Prophecy in the News airs on Sky Angel
at the Haram Al-Sharif (Temple Mount),’ Monday 11:30 PM (ET) & Friday 10:00 AM (ET)
said Tamimi, who is considered the sec-
ond most important Palestinian cleric after
Muhammad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of the present moment in history. We have often referred to the prophetic
Jerusalem. The assault upon Israel proceeds at many statements found in Psalm 83, where we
“‘Israel started since 1967 making ar- levels, both internally and externally. A find the enemies of Israel plotting the total
cheological digs to show Jewish signs to steady stream of libelous threats is aimed annihilation of Israel. This psalm enables
prove the relationship between Judaism and their way from a dozen ill-tempered neigh- us to look directly into their hearts. There,
the city, and they found nothing. There is no bors who surround them. Inside Israel, to we see the pure, concentrated evil.
Jewish connection to Israel before the Jews add insult to injury, the Arab Waqf [Trust] In its words, we find a statement that is
invaded in the 1880s,’ said Tamimi.” currently controls Mount Zion with an almost documentary in nature. As we look
Here, in a staggering inversion, the Jews iron fist. back across the last fifteen years, one grim
are the invaders of Israel! Lately, this has included several heavy feature has dominated the landscape of the
As the digging continues along a 1,300- construction projects, systematically aimed Middle East. There has been a consistent
foot trench, the head of the Jerusalem at eradicating any trace of Israel’s histori- and growing unification of purpose among
Temple Institute, Rabbi Chaim Richman, cal claim to this, their holiest site. Zion is various Islamic terror groups.
requested that concerned Jews and Chris- mentioned one hundred and fifty-three In 1982, Yasser Arafat and the PLO were
tians from around the world petition the times in the Bible! forced to flee from Lebanon to take refuge
office of Ehud Olmert, asking that the Digging with heavy equipment, they are in Libya. At the time, there was the impres-
destruction be halted. destroying the most precious archaeological sion among world authorities that his defeat
site in the world. Before detailing current marked a major setback in terrorism and a
The Little Foxes developments in this ongoing abuse, let step forward for Israel.
The Bible occasionally mentions the us look back at the biblical view of this But in the following year, the bombing of
fox, that wily little sneak thief, using it as united effort, for it is steadily gaining, both the Marine Corps barracks in Beirut killed
a symbol for those who would use decep- in strength and bravado. For the past few 216 U.S. Marines. A lone terrorist had
tion to steal Israel’s covenant with God. decades, the Islamic effort has struggled driven a Mercedes truck loaded with two
Surprisingly, this furtive creature is often and failed. But a few years back, it acquired and a half tons of explosives into the face of
used in Scripture pertaining to the Temple momentum, which continues to build to the building, reducing it to a pile of rubble.
Mount. A bit later, we shall study his actions this day. It has found a formula for success Since there was no effective reprisal, this
more closely. Suffice it to say that this wily through terror. Its conspiratorial nature is event galvanized terrorists throughout the
canine lends a particular understanding to clearly seen in the Bible. Continued on Page 38
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The Apocalypse of Ahmadinejad
By Mark Hitchcock
He stands only five foot four and smiles incessantly. But behind that charismatic
persona beats the heart of a genocidal terrorist. In his provocative, well-researched
exposé of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock
unveils the insidious agenda behind this radical Shiite’s regime: Ahmadinejad plans to
hasten the return of the Islamic messiah by ushering in his vision of the apocalypse.
His ultimate goal is to bring the Mahdi, or Twelfth Imam, out of hiding. And he plans
to do so by arming his country with nuclear weapons, then exporting the Iranian
revolution to the world by destroying Israel and the United States.
But there’s a bizarre twist to Ahmadinejad’s nightmarish intentions: This ardent
zealot may well be part of God’s plan to set the stage for a scenario prophesied more
than 2,500 years ago.
Mark Hitchcock presents compelling evidence that Ahmadinejad’s actions, including
his alliances with Russia and many of Iran’s neighbors, have placed his nation — and
the world — on a collision course toward the war of Gog and Magog. (208 pages)
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90 Minutes in Heaven
By Don Piper with Cecil Murphey
On the way home from a conference, Don Piper’s car was crushed by a semi that
crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay
lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by
its beauty and music.
Ninety minutes after the wreck, while a minister prayed for him, Piper miraculously
returned to life on earth with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. His
faith in God was severely tested as he faced an uncertain and grueling recovery. Now
he shares his life-changing story with you.
90 Minutes in Heaven offers a glimpse into a very real dimension of God’s reality.
It encourages those recovering from serious injuries and those dealing with the loss
of a loved one. The experience dramatically changed Piper’s life, and it will change
yours too. Don Piper has been an ordained minister since 1985. He has appeared on
numerous television and radio programs, writes a weekly newspaper column, and
leads conferences and retreats in the United States and abroad. (205 pages)
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Heaven Is Real
By Don Piper and Cecil Murphey
Heaven is real ... so how should we spend our time on earth? After his miraculous
and transforming 90 minutes in heaven, Don Piper is bringing God’s healing message
to earth, sharing the spiritual lessons he’s learned to show all of us how to embrace
God’s grace in the here and now — as well as the hereafter.
“Heaven Is Real will encourage you to move beyond your past and discover what
God has next for you. You will be reminded that the very things you wished had never
happened in your life can actually become your greatest opportunities.” — Dr. Charles
Redmond, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Pasadena, Texas
“When I met Don Piper in person, and heard him recount his experience to our
congregation, I had no doubt this man had been to heaven. Indelible lessons were
learned throughout that experience, which has changed him forever. As you read
Heaven Is Real, you will discover that you don’t need to go to heaven to learn these
lessons, you simply need to listen to a man who has.” — Dr. Kevin M. Brennan, senior
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Deciphering Daniel (Chapter 7)
Four Beasts
From the Sea
By J. R. Church
The book of Daniel is divided into two
parts. In the first six chapters, Daniel
records the dreams and visions of others,
while reserving the second half of the book
for his own visions about
the end of days. The first
six chapters discuss the
kings that foreshadow
the Antichrist, while the
last six chapters reveal
his diabolical bloodline.
In this chapter, Daniel
describes the first of his
personal visionary dreams — although it
occurred before the events of chapter 5.
Chapter 7 dates to the first year of Belshaz-
zar (555 B.C.); chapter 8 in the third year of
Belshazzar (553 B.C.); chapter 9 in the first
year of Darius (538 B.C.); and chapters 10-
12 in the third year of Cyrus (534 B.C.).
As we shall see in Daniel 7, when
Belshazzar first ascended the Babylonian
throne, the prophet dreamed about four
beasts rising out of a stormy sea. He de-
scribed ten horns, a little horn, the Ancient
of Days, and the Son of man coming in the
clouds of heaven to establish the messianic
kingdom. Yet, he told no one — he kept the
details to himself. For several years prior
to the handwriting on the wall, Daniel was
aware that the Medes and Persians would
conquer Babylon, and that the Greeks
would conquer the Persians. Daniel knew
all of this before Belshazzar saw the hand-
writing on the wall. Now, let us review what
Daniel saw:
“In the first year of Belshazzar king of
Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions
of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the
dream, and told the sum of the matters.
“Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vi-
sion by night, and, behold, the four winds of plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, it between the teeth of it: and they said thus
the heaven strove upon the great sea. and made stand upon the feet as a man, and unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
“And four great beasts came up from the a man’s heart was given to it. “After this I beheld, and lo another, like
sea, diverse one from another. “And behold another beast, a second, a leopard, which had upon the back of it
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four
wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of heads; and dominion was given to it.
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“After this I saw in the night visions, and
Prophecy in the News
behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible,
and strong exceedingly; and it had great
iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces,
and stamped the residue with the feet of it:
and it was diverse from all the beasts that ... on LBN television network
were before it; and it had ten horns.
“I considered the horns, and, behold, there
came up among them another little horn, be-
fore whom there were three of the first horns
plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this Sky Angel Satellite
horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a Channel 9716
mouth speaking great things” (Dan. 7:1-8).
Daniel’s seventh chapter contains one of
Sunday Afternoons
the most famous prophecies in the Bible. 4:00 P.M. Eastern
Some 651 years later, the Apostle John 3:00 P.M. Central
alluded to this chapter in his vision of a 2:00 P.M. Mountain
beastly world government rising out of 1:00 P.M. Pacific
the sea (Rev. 13). However, though Daniel
described four beasts rising out the sea in
succession, John saw them as one compos-
ite creature. Daniel listed them as a lion,
bear and leopard, but John referred to them
in reverse order — a beast like a leopard,
with the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a
lion. In each case, the sea, out of which the
beasts emerged, is depicted as representing
humanity’s massive population.
Some have suggested that Daniel was
looking into the future, seeing four king-
doms that would span the “times of the
Gentiles” in chronological order; whereas,
John was looking back upon each historical
appearance, which accounted for his nam-
ing them in reverse order. On the other
hand, could John have been focusing only
upon Daniel’s fourth beast, describing it as
a composite of the other three? Watch Prophecy in the News anytime on
www.pitn.tv
Daniel does not assign an animal motif to
his fourth beast, thus leaving the possibility
that it could be a composite of the previous
lion, bear, and leopard. Daniel described it
as having “iron teeth” (Dan. 7:19), which
is indicative of Rome, thus corresponding to
the legs of iron in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. single beast, whose power will extend over a disciple of Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna;
He also described it as having “nails of all nations for three and a half years? who, in turn, was a disciple of the Apostle
brass” (Dan. 7:19), which is indicative of Most present-day theologians agree that John. In the introduction to the study of
Greece, also corresponding to the belly of Daniel’s vision of the lion, bear, leopard Hippolytus, we are told that the “spirit of
brass in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. We are and dreadful beast corresponds closely to his life’s work reflects that of [Irenaeus]
told that Daniel’s beast will “speak great Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, whose head was his master.” Therefore, his commentary on
words against the Most High” (Dan. 7:25). of gold, with arms of silver, a belly of brass, Daniel’s vision may be the product of his
In like manner, John’s beast is given the legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay. This predecessors. Note that John, author of the
“mouth of a lion” (Rev. 13:2) … “speaking view is consistent with an early third-century Apocalypse, taught Polycarp, who passed
great things and blasphemies” (Rev. 13:5) writing by Hippolytus, one of Christianity’s along his work to Irenaeus, who, in turn,
… that “he opened his mouth in blasphemy highly acclaimed theologians. taught Hippolytus. That does not mean that
against God, to blaspheme his name” (Rev. everything you read in the following com-
13:6). We should also note that Babylon Hippolytus on Daniel’s Vision mentary came from John. But it does mean
was represented by the head of the statue in Outside of John’s Apocalypse, one of that the same general study of eschatology
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream; and that the head the earliest extra-biblical views of Daniel’s was prominently held by these men.
is the location of the mouth. Therefore, it vision came from Hippolytus (A.D. 170- As we review the commentary by Hip-
seems that Daniel’s fourth beast is, indeed, 236), bishop of Rome. It is recorded that polytus, we will find ourselves agreeing with
a composite of the other three. Could this be he was of Greek descent, and a disciple of some points of interest and disagreeing with
the reason why John sees them as parts of a Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons; who, in turn, was Continued on Page 33
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The Advent of Alien Technology
“The Days of Noah!”
Are They Here?
By Gary Stearman
At the present time, a myth is being
actively promoted. In this modern age
of science and rational analysis, it seems
strange to speak of a myth. Nevertheless,
every society on the globe has now been
systematically exposed to it — the idea that
our planet is being visited by aliens from
outer space.
Since the midpoint of
the twentieth century, doz-
ens of motion pictures,
hundreds of books and
lately, a storm of videos
have molded the collec-
tive consciousness. Now,
though they may not admit
it, people believe that there must be life on
other planets, in other galaxies, and that it
has come here to visit us.
The worldwide belief in the evolutionary
hypothesis has fed this myth. If life evolved After 6,000 years of human history, has mankind reached our modern advanced
here, so the thinking goes, it must also have era of technology on his own, or has he had some help from an alien intelligence?
evolved on other worlds, where conditions There are still places in this world where the people live very primitive lifestyles.
permitted. It is said that this may have hap- oil and mineral wealth of our tiny planet. societies. To the Greeks they were the gods
pened on millions of other planets. Other But there is a problem with this myth. It from the realms of heaven. Their children
beings may even have encountered those is not supported by the Bible — not at all. were the Titans of old. We shall begin by
favorable conditions much earlier than we Nowhere in Scripture is there the slightest looking at one of these giants. The ancient
did and, therefore, their civilizations are far hint that the Lord created races on other myth presents him as the one who stole
older than ours. This being the case, some of planets, much less that they would ever from the gods to help men.
these hypothetical societies may have got- come to Earth. His story is considered fictional, but
ten a billion-year head start on humanity. However, there is a great deal of scrip- strangely, it presents a narrative that per-
The popular concept says that they have tural support for visitations of another kind. fectly coincides with biblical history. His
had much longer to perfect themselves. Fallen angels have come to Earth with evil life story demonstrates the fall, the motive
Therefore, their accumulated wisdom and motives. They have carved out kingdoms and the fate of the iniquitous “angels which
power would give them a godlike superior- for themselves and enslaved hapless human kept not their first estate” (Jude 6). His ac-
ity in our sight. beings. In the past, these superior beings tions tell a familiar story.
At present, there is the growing belief were called “gods.” Humans worshiped
that these advanced races have come here them, and received gifts in return. Fire From the Gods
to ease us through the present nuclear, pol- They are described as the fallen ones who This Titan was Prometheus, famous
lution and population crises, so that we can joined Satan’s rebellion. More than once, in the mythology of the ancient Greeks.
continue to evolve as they did. they have come as supposed benefactors. In The Titans were demigods, said to have
The myth subtly proposes that they may truth, they were — and are — liars. Their sprung from illicit unions between human
even bring us the gifts of advanced technol- deceptive messages sound good, but bring women and gods who descended from the
ogy, such as antigravity, superior materials death and destruction. heavens to set up their own kingdoms on
and high-tech inventions. They might even In the days before the flood of Noah, they planet Earth. One of them was named Pro-
teach us to live without plundering the coal, brought gifts to men, and set up magnificent metheus, from the Greek word, meaning
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“forethought.” His name reveals him as He writes, “Now this posterity of Seth mation as He deemed appropriate under the
one who developed a scheme that would continued to esteem God as the Lord of the circumstances.
ingratiate him to mortal men. Universe, and to have an entire regard to His words speak of Israel, during that
Taking a fennel stalk, he set it aflame virtue, for seven generations; but in process time, still future, when the events of the
in the heavenly domain, then brought it of time they were perverted, and forsook Tribulation will turn the Gentile world
to Earth, where he taught men to use it in the practices of their forefathers, and did upside down. Their system of world trade,
various ways. He stole something that was neither pay those honors to God which were and its diabolical monetary and social des-
supposed to be reserved for the gods, and appointed them, nor had they any concern to potism, will be brought to complete ruin.
gave it to men. With it, they could warm do justice towards men. But for what degree In preparation for the establishment of the
themselves, cook, have light at night and of zeal they had formerly shown for virtue, Kingdom, the world will experience an
burn sacrificial offerings, perhaps worship- they now showed by their actions a double unprecedented time of chaos and disrup-
ing Prometheus, himself. That might have degree of wickedness, whereby they made tion. In Jesus own words, “For then shall
been his original motive. But perhaps, as God to be their enemy; for many angels of be great tribulation, such as was not since
we shall see, there is something more to this God accompanied with women, and begat the beginning of the world to this time, no,
stolen fire than mere heat and light. The fire sons that proved unjust, and despisers of all nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21).
he stole was celestial in nature. that was good, on account of the confidence In view of the fact that the world has
According to the myth, things went badly they had in their own strength, for the tradi- seen incredible cataclysms in the past,
for Prometheus after his rebellious act. Zeus, tion is that these men did what resembled these words beggar the imagination. But
the king of all the gods, discovered his the acts of those whom the Grecians call then, so does the book of Revelation, which
treachery and ordered him chained to the top giants. But Noah was very uneasy at what chronicles this future time of trouble. The
of the Caucasus Mountains, the high border they did; and, being displeased at their only event we can compare it with is the
between Europe and Asia. His punishment conduct, persuaded them to change their Great Flood of Noah, which Jesus mentions
was gruesome, for each and every day, an dispositions and their acts for the better; in the same context:
eagle would fly down, tear him open and but, seeing that they did not yield to him, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall
feast upon his liver. But Prometheus was but were slaves to their wicked pleasures, also the coming of the Son of man be.
an immortal, so the liver grew back for the he was afraid they would kill him, together “For as in the days that were before the
next day’s attack. Thus, each day brought a with his wife and children, and those they flood they were eating and drinking, mar-
new bout of horrifying torture. had married; so he departed out of that land” rying and giving in marriage, until the day
Prometheus is portrayed as a thinker and (Antiquities of the Jews, I, iii, 1). that Noe entered into the ark,
planner, and sympathetic to humanity. He Those, whom the “Grecians call giants” “And knew not until the flood came, and
was what we could today call a “Type A” are none other than the infamous Titans! took them all away; so shall also the coming
personality, an entrepreneur who views They were the offspring of illicit affairs of the Son of man be” (Matt. 24:37-39).
humanity as an opportunity to harness slave between Greek gods and human women. When Jesus spoke these words, He could
labor to build his kingdom. Of course, he Josephus, and many other historians of the clearly remember every detail about what
wanted mankind to view him as a savior. ancient world regarded the era of the Titans happened to the world of Noah, for in His
As the story goes, Prometheus was the as real. It is historically and biblically accu- preincarnate life as the Lord (Jehovah),
son of the Greek god Iapetus. He was bold rate to say that superior but decadent beings He had both judged the sinful world, and
and proud enough to launch his plan, laugh- intruded upon the world of the mortals. observed its every detail. This being true,
ing at the power of Zeus. As one studies the They controlled the culture. Its riches, His words to the disciples constitute an
plots and counterplots of these wicked gods, its sexuality and its spiritual order fell astounding understatement.
questions arise. What was the supernatural under their despotic rule. Eventually, their His sparse description of the event leaves
fire that Prometheus brought to man? Was corruption produced a widespread decay out massive amounts of important detail.
it merely the common product of carbon- that almost destroyed humanity. Had it not First, those alive before the flood were
based combustion, or was it something been for Noah and his family, the promised invaded by fallen angels, the notorious
more powerful? Redeemer would not have had a human Nephilim – “the fallen ones.” They cor-
His mother Clymene was an Oceanid, race to redeem. rupted the human genome, leaving only
one of the daughters of the Titan named As students of Bible prophecy, we must Noah and his family untouched. He is
Oceanus, who had a brother, famed to this harmonize New Testament accounts of the called, “… a just man and perfect in his
day as Atlas, the god who bore the burden of antediluvian world with the clearly ex- generations,” who “… walked with God”
the physical world. These were the heroes pressed beliefs of the ancient histories. But (Gen. 6:9). And of the world’s population,
of the ancients, whose kingdoms are the before continuing with historical descrip- only he and his family were deemed pure
stuff of myth and legend. tions of the preflood world we shall look at enough to repopulate the world.
In his well-known history of the Jews, the New Testament view of this period. “Marrying and giving in marriage,” in-
Flavius Josephus mentions them quite deed! Scripture tells us that the antediluvian
plainly. Writing about the children of Seth, Marrying and Giving in Marriage world was wholly given over to monstrous
son of Adam, he speaks of their wholesale There is one biblical prophecy, delivered infusions of corruption from the fallen an-
descent into idolatry. It is significant that he by Jesus, Himself, that rises to the high- gels, who quickly came to dominate their
mentions them in conjunction with mythi- est possible level of impact. Because He human thralls. This was a world so decadent
cal beings we have just named, with one addressed the disciples on the Mount of that the Lord exterminated every land crea-
difference. He doesn’t believe that they are Olives, it is commonly called the Olivet ture that Noah didn’t take aboard the ark.
mythical in the contemporary sense that they Discourse. Like all believers, they wanted Historically, the waters of this flood
were tales concocted out of thin air in the to know about the end times, so He an- covered the entire Earth, wiping out its
imaginations of clever human storytellers. swered them plainly, giving as much infor- depraved population, except for Noah, his
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wife, his three sons and their wives. This Jude testifies that these words were writ- “That the sons of God saw the daughters
huge disaster is reduced to a simple refer- ten by Enoch, himself. They may be found of men that they were fair; and they took
ence to the removal of the entire population in the text of The Book of Enoch in chapter them wives of all which they chose.
of the world. one, verse nine. In the book of Hebrews, “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not
In the absence of other information, one this same Enoch is mentioned as a man always strive with man, for that he also is
might envision a pastoral, rustic popula- of exceptional spirituality. He lived in the flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and
tion of farmers and herders, living in an Old World, and was spared from its evils twenty years.
unblemished paradise. One might imagine by being taken directly to heaven without “ There were giants in the earth in those
that their daily activities were mundane experiencing death: days; and also after that, when the sons of
and uncomplicated. Many modern scholars “By faith Enoch was translated that he God came in unto the daughters of men,
characterize this period as pre-literate. They should not see death; and was not found, and they bare children to them, the same
say that reading and writing were unknown. because God had translated him: for before became mighty men which were of old, men
Mathematics were the simple moving of his translation he had this testimony, that of renown” (Gen. 6:1-4).
stones from one pile to another, as sheep or he pleased God” (Heb. 11:5). Though the biblical version leaves out
cattle filed past their owner. Geometry and The text of Enoch is a historical account names and places, it tells the entire story.
architecture were elementary, producing of the time period chiefly characterized Note that the Enoch record mentions the
only crude shelters, perhaps in conjunction by an assault from above, in which fallen “days of Jared.” Jared was sixth from Adam
with caves. angels invaded the domain of mortal human in the line of Seth. His birth came four hun-
In our era, the myth of the caveman has beings. His discourse tells of many strange dred and sixty years after Adam’s creation.
caught on to the extent that it has become events, most of which must be taken as This gives us some idea of the timing of the
part of our language and our thoughts. To confabulations of what must have began angelic invasion.
call one a “caveman” or a Neanderthal is as true historical accounts. It also mentions the place of their entry,
to suggest a smaller brain and a stooped But taken together, they present the Mount Hermon. This place has long been
posture. Such “knuckle-draggers” are com- general picture of an undeniable truth. The documented as the seat of Baal worship.
monly believed to be the originators of our quotes we shall take from The Book of The gigantic flooring stones that pave the
human family. Enoch were first translated by R. H. Charles Baalbek Acropolis are located nearby. It
In no way does this flight of fancy reflect in 1912 for Oxford University Press, and has often been said that today, there is no
the true image of the antediluvian world! then published in 1917 by S.P.C.K. Press known way that such huge stones could
Adam was created as a superior being, far of London. be carved, finished and moved with such
closer to perfection than today’s humanity. There are many passages in its text that precision that there is practically no space
His genome was flawless, as designed by are in remarkable agreement with the gen- between them. Heroic sculptures of the
the Lord. His offspring were also genetical- eral idea of a heavenly invasion, includ- gods are still there today.
ly superior to us. Their strength, longevity ing the motives found in the Promethean There is a great deal of ancient documen-
and intellect were superior. Their downfall myth. One, found early in the text, begins tation that points to Mount Hermon as the
came when – in their sinful state – they were as follows: dead center of ancient idolatry. For more
captivated by the allure of the “gods” who “VI. 1. And it came to pass when the information on this subject, see the January
came down and gave them “fire,” to use children of men had multiplied that in those 2007, edition of Prophecy in the News.
the Promethean term. In the modern sense, days were born unto them beautiful and After giving the nineteen names of the
they acquired technology. In the bargain, comely daughters. 2. And the angels, the ringleaders of the angelic rebellion, Enoch
they became increasingly corrupt. children of the heaven, saw and lusted after goes on to document the result of their
them, and said to one another: ‘Come let us rebellion:
The Evil Transaction choose us wives from among the children of “VII. 1. And all the others together with
This transaction is quite plainly docu- men and beget us children.’ 3. And Semjaza, them took unto themselves wives, and each
mented in The Book of Enoch. Like all who was their leader, said unto them; ‘I fear chose for himself one, and they began to go
apocalyptic literature, this book (sometimes ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, in unto them and to defile themselves with
called First Enoch to distinguish it from and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of them, and they taught them charms and
another work, The Book of the Secrets of a great sin.’ 4. And they all answered him enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and
Enoch) must be taken with caution. It of- and said: ‘Let us all swear an oath, and all made them acquainted with plants. 2. And
fers one of the few surviving histories of bind ourselves by mutual imprecation not they became pregnant, and they bare great
the preflood world. It was finally preserved to abandon this plan but to do this thing.’ giants …” (Enoch VII:1,2 p. 35).
as a manuscript, probably in the second 5. Then sware they all together and bound Wherever we read accounts of this an-
century B.C. It has the distinction of being themselves by mutual imprecations upon cient intrusion, we find that the fallen angels
quoted as New Testament Scripture in the it. 6. And they were in all two hundred; bring with them the forbidden knowledge
Book of Jude: who descended in the days of Jared on the that soon manifests itself as what we, today,
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it refer to as “the occult.” The herbs, roots,
prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and charms and enchantments mentioned above
cometh with ten thousands of his saints, bound themselves by mutual imprecations are the tools of the sorcerer. Among other
“To execute judgment upon all, and to upon it’ (Enoch VI:1-6, pp. 34, 35). things, they induce the trance state that en-
convince all that are ungodly among them The biblical text, of course, condenses ables the practitioner to mentally penetrate
of all their ungodly deeds which they have these words into four terse verses: the dimensional barriers of time-space.
ungodly committed, and of all their hard “And it came to pass, when men began Occult literature is freighted with tales
speeches which ungodly sinners have spo- to multiply on the face of the Earth, and of soul-travel, out-of-body experiences,
ken against him” (Jude 14, 15). daughters were born unto them, encounters with spirits, and so on. The first
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received as one of his domains the island of of mighty men, whose technology outstrips information, blurred and confused though
Atlantis and he established dwelling places even that of the twenty-first century. The it may be, to say with certainty that this
for the children he had fathered of a mortal mythical oreichalkos was said to produce world was invaded in the days of Noah, by
woman in a certain place on the island I a boundless supply of energy that powered extraterrestrials. But they didn’t come from
shall describe” (ibid., p. 1299). the ancient island complex. other planets. They came from the realms
Notice that Poseidon took a human woman Its glittering fire is reminiscent of that where their leader, Satan, rules.
to be his wife. This is exactly what we would which Prometheus stole from the gods and The invaders were not human, but they
expect, in view of the biblical account, and brought to Earth. Parts of the myth suggest were superior to man, possessed of excep-
Enoch’s history. Critias then relates the name that this mystery alloy was the source of end- tional technical knowledge. The remains
and history of Poseidon’s mortal mate, after less energy. It was not ordinary fire, at all! of their complex and gigantic structures
giving the names of her parents: Wherever one looks through the dim and (at least those that didn’t sink beneath the
“His name was Evenor and he dwelt dusty accounts of the ancient antediluvian sea) still dot the Earth’s landscape. Stone
there with his wife Leucippe. They had an world, similar stories emerge. They tell us plazas and walls, such as those at Baalbek
only child, a daughter by the name of Clito. of a horrific invasion of heavenly beings, and Machu Pichu may date from before the
When this girl grew to marriageable age, who usurped the province of the sons of Flood. The Great Pyramid certainly does.
both her mother and father died. It was then Adam. They created magnificent edifices Men eager to seek greater power built the
that Poseidon conceived a desire for her and and super-societies of wealth and power. post-flood Tower of Babel, to reach the
slept with her. To make the hill on which she But in the process, they brought genetic gods and re-establish the contact that was
lived a strong enclosure he broke it to form chaos, producing races of monsters, who broken at the cataclysmic drowning of their
a circle and he created alternating rings of had to be destroyed. The Critias is only a ancestors.
sea and land around it. Some he made wider partial manuscript. It abruptly ends as Zeus, The archaeological ruins that remain
and some he made more narrow. He made king of the gods, discovers the decadence of defy description. Even with today’s heavy
two rings of land and three of sea as round Atlantis, and resolves to rain down judgment machinery, they cannot be duplicated. The
as if he had laid them out with a compass upon it. Of the Atlanteans, Critias says that ancient historians simply believed that
and lathe” (ibid., p. 1299). they were beautiful, “Yet inwardly they were these magnificent edifices were built by the
After that, Poseidon used his godlike filled with an unjust lust for possessions Titans. Modern historians struggle with ex-
powers to form springs, fountains and gar- and power. But as Zeus, god of the gods, planations that fall short of believability.
dens, creating a sort of island paradise. He reigning as king according to law, could According to ancient narratives, like
and his mortal wife then raised children, clearly see this state of affairs, he observed those of Plato, these fallen ones brought
siring five pairs of twin sons. this noble race lying in this abject state and with them an advanced knowledge of natu-
“And he gave each of his sons names. To resolved to punish them and to make them ral science. Remember the words of Enoch,
the son who was oldest and king he gave more careful and harmonious as a result of as he described how they brought advanced
the name from which the entire island and their chastisement. To this end he called technical information to mortal man. That
its surrounding sea derive their names, all the gods to their most honored abode, gain, of course, came at a high price: ir-
because he was the first of the kings of which stands at the middle of the universe reversible and fatal corruption.
that time. His name was Atlas; the island and looked down upon all that has a share in In a sense, the fallen ones were techno-
is called Atlantis and the sea Atlantic after generation. And when he had gathered them crats who governed by the systematic dis-
him” (ibid., p. 1300). together, he said …” (ibid., p. 1306). pensing of advanced engineering. Human
Mining produced many building materi- Thus, even the pagan Greeks saw the beings, once in close relationship with the
als for the sons of Poseidon. “First, there antediluvian world as corrupted beyond Lord, their Creator, became vassals gov-
were the mines that produced both hard salvation. We can only imagine what judg- erned by their growing dependence upon
and fusible ore. And in many regions of ment Zeus might have been pronounced the knowledge of superior beings.
the island they exploited that metal which upon the assembled gods, had the Critias These were the days of Noah, propheti-
is now only a name to us, but which was manuscript completed its final paragraph. cally mentioned by our Lord in conjunction
then more than a name – orechalkos.” Apparently, he is about to judge them for with the events of the Tribulation. As we
(ibid., p. 1300). generating a world of chaos. approach that event, it would appear that
Atlantis was a place of legendary beauty. But it doesn’t really matter, since Zeus is His words are already in the initial stages
“Some of their buildings they constructed only a thin copy of the Lord God Almighty, of their fulfillment. Global society, duped
of stones of uniform color. But to delight whose words are carefully preserved: into the belief that a rising technology will
themselves they made of others a tapestry “And it repented the LORD that he had raise the level of culture, is actually sliding
of stones of different colors, variegating the made man on the earth, and it grieved him into a pit of death.
colors to bring out their natural charm. And at his heart. Those hideous days are being revisited.
they invested the entire circuit wall of the “And the LORD said, I will destroy man Evil powers from on high have invaded us
outermost land ring with bronze as if bronze whom I have created from the face of the again. Make no mistake; they are not here
revetment were a bright dye. The interior of earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping from other planetary systems; that is only
the land wall they invested with tin. And the thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth their cover story. Modern man has been
wall surrounding the acropolis itself they me that I have made them” (Gen. 6:6,7). conditioned to accept the hypothesis of
invested with oreichalkos, which glittered interplanetary travel. Fallen beings from the
like darting fire” (ibid., p. 1302). The Technocrats realms of Satan are posing as intergalactic
These brief quotations constitute only It seems that the Lord has seen fit to ambassadors.
a small portion of Plato’s description of mask all but the major events of this hor- The old myths have become the new.
Atlantis. It is the story of gods who married rific period. But the veil He has drawn over The technocrats have returned. The days
earthly women and produced a titanic race it is only a partial one. We have enough of Noah are here. ◆
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Early Views on Prophecy (Part 3)
Justin Martyr on the
Subject of Prophecy
By J. R. Church
Let’s go back to the second century for a
few moments and consider how Justin Mar-
tyr (A.D. 110-165), an early Gentile convert
and church theologian, viewed some of the
prophecies of the Old Testament. To set the
scene, the year is about A.D. 135, and the
Bar Kochbah revolt against the Roman oc-
cupation of Israel has been raging for about
three years. Many have fled the Holy Land
to escape the violence, and among them
is a man named Trypho, now residing in
Corinth, Greece. One day, Trypho, in the
company of a few friends, was walking
near the local gymnasium, and noticed a
“distinguished philosopher” coming toward
him — or, at least, he thought he was ob-
serving a Greek philosopher, because the
man was wearing the traditional “white
gown” — the attire of the philosopher.
Approaching the man in white, Trypho
turned and greeted him, desiring to initiate
a conversation about philosophy. It turned
out that the man in white was Justin, who
was also an immigrant from Israel, having
been raised in Flavia Neopolis (modern
Nablous), a city in Samaria (near Jacob’s
well in northern Israel).
At this point, Justin is engaged in an
Background: The ruins of ancient Corinth stand as a stark reminder that
extended dialogue with Trypho, as they sat
generations come and go. Inset: A painting of Justin Martyr shows him in the white
in a neatly-manicured garden area adjacent
robe of a Greek philosopher. As his testimony goes, he became disenchanted with
to the gymnasium. Trypho keeps kindly
the teachings of Socrates and Plato, but found peace through Jesus Christ.
probing the Christian theologian’s pursuit
of philosophy, and Justin keeps pointing was Isaiah’s “voice in the wilderness,” Jesus Christ might be regarded perhaps as
him to Israel’s messiah, Jesus Christ. Before that prepared the way of the Lord. Justin ambiguous. But, if John came first calling
his conversion to Christ, Justin had attained recorded this conversation, this allowing us on men to repent, and Christ, while [John]
the status of “philosopher” as a follower to read what transpired. Trypho complains still sat by the River Jordan, having come,
of Socrates and Plato. Being of a keen that Justin’s scriptural “proofs” are not put an end to his prophesying and baptizing,
mind, however, he could not be satisfied specific enough: and preached also Himself, saying that the
with Greek lore, but found the true mean- “Trypho said, ‘All the words of the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and that He
ing of life in the Gospel. He continued to prophecy you repeat, sir, are ambiguous, must suffer many things from the Scribes
wear his “philosopher’s gown” (i.e., robe), and have no force in proving what you and Pharisees, and be crucified, and on
which distinguished him in society as an wish to prove.’ the third day rise again, and would appear
intellectual. “Then I answered, ‘If the prophets had again in Jerusalem, and would again eat
As we observe their conversation, Justin not ceased, so that there were no more and drink with His disciples; and foretold
is asserting that John the Baptist fulfilled in your nation, Trypho, after this John, it that in the interval between His [first
the prophecies about Elijah’s return. John is evident that what I say in reference to and second] advent, then how can they be
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ambiguous, when you may be persuaded and observed the other legal ceremonies; are still hard-hearted. Nay, it was prophesied
by the facts? Moreover, He referred to the also [you had] prophets in succession until by Zechariah, one of the twelve [prophets],
fact that there would be no longer in your John, (even then, too, when your nation that such would take place, in the following
nation any prophet, and to the fact that men was carried captive to Babylon, when your words: ‘Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion;
recognized how that the New Testament, land was ravaged by war, and the sacred shout, and declare, daughter of Jerusalem;
which God formerly announced [His inten- vessels carried off); there never failed to behold, thy King shall come to thee, righ-
tion of] promulgating, was then present, i.e., be a prophet among you, who was Lord, teous, bringing salvation, meek, and lowly,
Christ Himself; and in the following terms: and leader, and ruler of your nation. For the riding on an ass, and the foal of an ass.’
‘The law and the prophets were until John Spirit, which was in the prophets, anointed Now, that the Spirit of prophecy, as well as
the Baptist; from that time the kingdom of your kings and established them. But after the patriarch Jacob, mentioned both an
heaven suffereth violence, and the violent the manifestation and death of our Jesus ass and its foal, which would be used by
take it by force. And if you can receive it, Christ in your nation, there was and is no- Him; and, further, that He, as I previously
he is Elijah, who was to come. He that hath where any prophet: nay, further, you ceased said, requested His disciples to bring both
ears to hear, let him hear.’” (Justin Martyr, to exist under your own king, your land was beasts; [this fact] was a prediction that you
“Dialogue With Trypho,” ch.51) laid waste, and forsaken like a lodge in a of the synagogue, along with the Gentiles,
In the paragraph above, Justin refers to vineyard; and the statement of Scripture, in would believe in Him. For as the unhar-
two advents for Christ, with an interval the mouth of Jacob, ‘And He shall be the nessed colt was a symbol of the Gentiles
between them, in which there would be no desire of nations,’ meant symbolically His even so the harnessed ass was a symbol
prophets among the Jews. He said that John two advents, and that the nations would of your nation. For you possess the Law
was the last prophet — until the interval, believe in Him; which facts you may now which was imposed by the prophets. More-
which we call the dispensation of Grace, at length discern. For those out of all the over, the prophet Zechariah foretold that
comes to a close and Elijah returns. nations who are pious and righteous through this same Christ would be smitten, and His
the faith of Christ, look for His future ap- disciples scattered: which also took place.
Two Advents of Christ pearance” (Justin, ch. 52). For after His crucifixion, the disciples that
Justin continues to enlarge upon the Justin quotes Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis accompanied Him were dispersed, until He
concept of two advents: 49:8-12, in which he said that Judah will rose from the dead, and persuaded them
“‘And it was prophesied by Jacob the produce the Messiah — the “lion” of the that so it had been prophesied concerning
patriarch that there would be two advents tribe of Judah. Him, that He would suffer; and being thus
of Christ, and that in the first He would persuaded, they went into all the world,
suffer, and that after He came, there would Jacob’s Prophecy Explained and taught these truths. Hence also, we are
be neither prophet nor king in your nation The parts about His “binding his foal to strong in His faith and doctrine, since we
(I proceeded), and that the nations who be- the vine” is a reference to His triumphal have [this our] persuasion both from the
lieved in the suffering Christ would look for entry; washing His “vesture in the blood of prophets, and from those who throughout
His future appearance. And for this reason the grape” is a reference to His crucifixion; the world are seen to be worshippers of God
the Holy Spirit had uttered these truths in and the part about His becoming the “desire in the name of that crucified One. The fol-
a parable, and obscurely: for,’ I added, ‘it of nations” refers to Gentile Christianity lowing is said, too, by Zechariah: ‘O sword,
is said, ‘Judah, thy brethren have praised during the interim between His two advents. rise up against My Shepherd, and against
thee: thy hands [shall be] on the neck of Justin explains: the man of My people, saith the Lord of
thine enemies; the sons of thy father shall “And that expression, ‘binding his foal to hosts. Smite the Shepherd, and His flock
worship thee. Judah is a lion’s whelp; the vine, and the ass’s foal to the vine ten- shall be scattered’” (Ibid., ch. 53).
from the germ, my son, thou art sprung up. dril,’ was a declaring beforehand both of the Justin saw two advents in the two animals
Reclining, he lay down like a lion, and like works wrought by Him at His First Advent, — the ass and its foal. That is an interesting
[a lion’s] whelp: who shall raise him up? and also of that belief in Him which the na- way of looking at Jacob’s prophecy.
A ruler shall not depart from Judah, or a tions would repose. For they were like an
leader from his thighs, until that which is unharnessed foal, which was not bearing a “The Blood of the Grape”
laid up in store for him shall come; and he yoke on its neck, until this Christ came, and Justin continues with the explanation
shall be the desire of nations, binding his sent His disciples to instruct them; and they about the “blood of the grape,” He said:
foal to the vine, and the foal of his ass to bore the yoke of His word, and yielded the “And that expression which was commit-
the tendril of the vine. He shall wash his neck to endure all [hardships], for the sake ted to writing by Moses, and prophesied by
garments in wine, and his vesture in the of the good things promised by Himself, the patriarch Jacob, namely, ‘He shall wash
blood of the grape. His eyes shall be bright and expected by them. And truly our Lord His garments with wine, and His vesture
with wine, and his teeth white like milk.’ Jesus Christ, when He intended to go into with the blood of the grape,’ signified that
Moreover, that in your nation there never Jerusalem, requested His disciples to bring He would wash those that believe in Him
failed either prophet or ruler, from the time Him a certain ass, along with its foal, which with His own blood. For the Holy Spirit
when they began until the time when this was bound in an entrance of a village called called those who receive remission of sins
Jesus Christ appeared and suffered, you Bethphage; and having seated Himself on it, through Him, His garments; amongst whom
will not venture shamelessly to assert, nor He entered into Jerusalem. And as this was He is always present in power, but will be
can you prove it. For though you affirm that done by Him in the manner in which it was manifestly present at His second coming.
Herod, after whose [reign] He suffered, was prophesied in precise terms that it would be That the Scripture mentions the ‘blood of
an Ashkelonite, nevertheless, you admit done by the Christ, and as the fulfillment the grape’ has been evidently designed,
that there was a high priest in your nation; was recognized, it became a clear proof because Christ derives blood not from the
so that you then had one who presented that He was the Christ. And though all this seed of man, but from the power of God.
offerings according to the law of Moses, happened and is proved from Scripture, you For as God, and not man, has produced the
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blood of the vine, so also [the Scripture]
has predicted that the blood of Christ would
be not of the seed of man, but of the power
of God. But this prophecy, sirs, which I
repeated, proves that Christ is not man of
men, begotten in the ordinary course of
humanity” (Ibid., ch. 54).
Here, Justin asserts that the “blood of
the grape” refers to Christ’s blood as be-
ing non-human. His Father was God, and,
therefore, His blood is alluded to by the
symbol of the “blood of the grape,” since
it is produced by the power of God. For this
reason, the “wine” used in the ordinance
of the Lord’s supper is comprised of grape
juice mixed with water.
The “Apology” by Justin
In a later writing, Justin expounds upon
Jacob’s prophecy with further explanations.
The following paragraph comes from his
At the time of Justin’s dialogue with
“Apology,” written some 20 years later.
Trypho, the Roman Army was engaged in
Notice how Justin explains that the “de-
a war with the forces of Bar Kochbah. The
sire of nations” bears the message of the
war started in A.D. 132 and continued
“expectation of nations” and implies that
for three years, ending with the death
Gentile Christianity will be looking for the
of Bar Kochbah and the destruction of
Savior’s Second Advent — His return to
Jerusalem. Hadrian renamed the city,
establish the Messianic kingdom:
Alia Capitolina, so that the name of
“Moses then, who was the first of the
Jerusalem would be lost to history. He
prophets, spoke in these very words: ‘The
erected a statue of Jupiter on the Temple
scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor
Mount, and plowed the city, sowing salt
a lawgiver from between his feet, until He
in its furrows. Then, he deported all Jews
come for whom it is reserved; and He shall
to the slave markets of the world.
be the desire of the nations, binding His foal
to the vine, washing His robe in the blood For the foal of an ass stood bound to a vine words, spoke thus: ‘A star shall rise out of
of the grape.’ It is yours to make accurate at the entrance of a village, and He ordered Jacob, and a flower shall spring from the
inquiry, and ascertain up to whose time the His acquaintances to bring it to Him then; root of Jesse; and His arm shall the nations
Jews had a lawgiver and king of their own. and when it was brought, He mounted and trust.’ And a star of light has arisen, and a
Up to the time of Jesus Christ, who taught us, sat upon it, and entered Jerusalem, where flower has sprung from the root of Jesse
and interpreted the prophecies which were was the vast temple of the Jews which was — this Christ. For by the power of God He
not yet understood, [they had a lawgiver] as afterwards destroyed by you. And after was conceived by a virgin of the seed of
was foretold by the holy and divine Spirit of this, He was crucified — that the rest of the Jacob, who was the father of Judah, who, as
prophecy through Moses, ‘that a ruler would prophecy might be fulfilled. For this ‘wash- we have shown, was the father of the Jews;
not fail the Jews until He should come for ing His robe in the blood of the grape’ was and Jesse was His forefather according to
whom the kingdom was reserved’ (for Judah predictive of the passion He was to endure, the oracle, and He was the son of Jacob and
was the forefather of the Jews, from whom cleansing by His blood those who believe Judah according to lineal descent” (Justin,
also they have their name of Jews); and af- on Him. For what is called by the Divine Apology, ch. 32).
ter He (i.e., Christ) appeared, you began to Spirit through the prophet ‘His robe,’ are
rule the Jews, and gained possession of all those men who believe in Him, in whom Conclusion
their territory. And the prophecy, ‘He shall abideth the seed of God, the Word. And In these writings, we learn that the early
be the expectation of the nations,’ signified what is spoken of as ‘the blood of the grape,’ church interpreted Jacob’s prophecy to
that there would be some of all nations who signifies that He who should appear would include Gentile Christianity — as seen in
should look for Him to come again. And this have blood, though not of the seed of man, the term “desire” or “expectation” of “na-
indeed you can see for yourselves, and be but of the power of God. And the first power tions.” Following the destruction of Jerusa-
convinced of by fact. For of all races of men after God the Father and Lord of all is the lem and its sacred Temple, Gentiles all over
there are some who look for Him who was Word, who is also the Son; and of Him we the world were converted to Christ. They
crucified in Judea, and after whose cruci- will, in what follows, relate how He took embraced the “blessed hope” and looked
fixion the land was straightway surrendered flesh and became man. For as man did not for Him to return to establish the messianic
to you as spoil of war. And the prophecy, make the blood of the vine, but God, so it kingdom. Today, we are still looking for
‘binding His foal to the vine, and washing was hereby intimated that the blood should His Second Advent. In fact, we feel that it
His robe in the blood of the grape,’ was a not be of human seed, but of divine power, is very near. Our prayer (with the Apostle
significant symbol of the things that were to as we have said above. And Isaiah, another John) is, “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus”
happen to Christ, and of what He was to do. prophet, foretelling the same things in other (Rev. 22:20). Keep looking up! ◆
Find us on the Internet - www.prophecyinthenews.com Prophecy in the News 15
16. Nuclear Weapons Destroyed in Syria
Find us on the Internet - www.prophecyinthenews.com
By Gary Stearman
It is well known that Syria is in league
with both Russia and Iran, the modern-day
Persia. Both of these countries, bound in a
mutual defense pact, surreptitiously sup-
ply Syria with highly trained military and
intelligence specialists, plus terrorists … the
infamous Hezbollah. And now, according
to the latest news releases, Syria has come
into possession of nuclear arms, which the
Israelis apparently destroyed in a recent
aerial attack!
On Wednesday, September 6th, Israeli
jets flew southward across Syria’s northern
border, where they executed still-secret
tactics that destroyed “nuclear materials” in
the region. YnetNews.com broke the story
on September 12th. Its headline read:
“Washington official says Israeli surveil-
lance shows possible Syrian nuclear instal-
lation stocked by North Korea, Israeli Arab
newspaper claims target of alleged raid last On Wednesday, September 6, 2007, Israeli warplanes flew into Syria and dropped
week was Syrian missile base financed by bombs in open country near the northern border with Turkey. This article reports
Iran” that Israel destroyed a stockpile of nuclear bombs!
Bible prophecy urges us to take a careful
look at this latest development in the latter- “The fortress also shall cease from that the base was completely destroyed.”
day country that it designates for doom, Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, The latter-day prophecies of Jeremiah 49
seemingly in the years leading up to the and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as tell us that in the build-up to the final battle,
Tribulation period. It is prophetically im- the glory of the children of Israel, saith the Syria will be the place to watch:
portant to remember that Syria was not even LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 17:1-3). “Concerning Damascus. Hamath is con-
an independent nation until the 1920s. As we have pointed out many times, this founded, and Arpad: for they have heard
In the decades since 1970, first under catastrophe will be virtually instantaneous, evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is
the leadership of Hafez and later, his son a feat that would have been militarily sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria has become a highly impossible, until the advent of modern “Damascus is waxed feeble, and turneth
militarized power under the control of the weaponry: herself to flee, and fear hath seized on her:
socialist Baath party. Since that time, it has “And behold at eveningtide trouble; and anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a
increasingly been a Russian client state, before the morning he is not. This is the woman in travail.
receiving the latest in armaments and train- portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of “How is the city of praise not left, the
ing, first from the Soviets and now, from them that rob us” (Isaiah 17:14). city of my joy!
Vladimir Putin’s Republic of Russia. In less than twenty-four hours, the city – “Therefore her young men shall fall in her
The Bible speaks of latter-day Syria sim- and doubtless, Syria itself – will collapse. streets, and all the men of war shall be cut
ply as “Damascus,” which, of course, is its This brings us back to the report and the off in that day, saith the LORD of hosts.
capital city. This ancient city is said to be “Washington official” quoted earlier: “The “And I will kindle a fire in the wall of
the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the official added that recent Israeli reconnais- Damascus, and it shall consume the palaces
world, which makes Isaiah’s famous “bur- sance flights over Syria revealed possible of Ben-hadad” (Jer. 49:23-27).
den of Damascus” statement all the more nuclear installations that Israeli officials The Lord calls Damascus, “the city of
important, since it calls for the complete estimate might have been supplied with my joy.” Once, in the days of Paul and
destruction of the place. material from North Korea. other early Christian evangelists, there were
“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Da- “Meanwhile on Wednesday (Sept. 12th) many Bible-believing communities there.
mascus is taken away from being a city, and the Nazareth-based Israeli Arab newspa- Today, Damascus is wholly given over to
it shall be a ruinous heap. per The Assenara cited anonymous Israeli radical Islam, with its dark threats against
“The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they sources as saying that Israeli jets ‘bombed Israel and its allies. The Bible shows that
shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, a Syrian-Iranian missile base in northern Damascus will pay a dear price for this
and none shall make them afraid. Syria that was financed by Iran … It appears ruthless stance. u
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