What To Look For In 2012 & Beyond Series

The Final Countdown Has Began Series

What To Look For in 2012 and Beyond 4 of 4

(Inspired by Jonathan Cahn’s book “The Harbinger”)

March 4, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

A God sees Jerusalem, The Temple Mount in particular, as the “navel” of the earth according to the ancient Jewish writings found in The Book of Jubilee.

1 Israel/Jerusalem is the location of the final countdown clock (God’s timepiece) for end time events. (Our eyes should be focused there in the coming year)

a Israel is spiritually surrounded by Biblical prophecy (Armageddon, Mt. Olives, Temple Mount, etc.) in the last days & physically surrounded by advisories who seek to destroy her.

aa Iranian President: “Attack Israel this Year”

bb Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: “Iran’s Shahab 3 ballistic missiles could easily kill Israel’s population . . .Genocide is a moral obligation.”

cc Syria’s President Assad has threatened to start a regional war if the UN tells him to step down (Like they did former Egyptian president Mubark)

dd Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood “We will not recognize Israel under any circumstance . . . this is not an option . . .Muslim Brotherhood is taking legal procedures towards canceling the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel that was signed in 1979. (Show Video of Pale Horse; Rev. 6.8)

b God established Jerusalem as His dwelling place on earth.

aa “I [God] have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be there . . . For now I have chosen and sanctified this house [the temple], that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually . . . In this house and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen . . . I will put My name forever.” 2 Chron. 6.6; 7.16; 33.7

bb 1 Kings 11.36; Ps. 87.2, 132.13

cc Neh. 2.20 (Nehemiah told surrounding nations who wanted a piece of a restored Jerusalem that . . . Jerusalem is not up for grabs, negotiations . . . it belongs to God!

c The Middle East is always ready to erupt but at this juncture there are perfect conditions for it to explode.

2 The question of war breaking out in the Middle East is not a question of “if” but of “when.”

a When it does, I believe we’ll see the coming of a 7 year tribulation.

aa Some believe the church will be caught up/raptured before/mid/after the tribulation.

bb I’m of the mind that the rapture will happen before the tribulation . . . however, we may be around to see the last of the birth pains before the tribulation really begins.

b Jesus described the end of the age/coming of Messiah as a labor/delivery room (Matt. 24.8) and there are two facts about a woman who goes into labor.

aa First, once the birth pains stop they don’t stop until the child is born.

bb Secondly, the pains become more severe, rapid as birth approaches (one right after another.)

c We (Israel, America, Nations) are seeing the birth pains right now (War, famine, drought, natural disasters, terrorism, destruction of family, perversions, etc.)

aa Since May 1948, the contractions have increased and now we are seeing them gain in frequency/intensity every night in 1080i HD, or live-streaming on the Internet.

cc We are racing toward the end of the age; Jesus is coming sooner than you may think.

3 There is a special blessing for Christians who watch what God is doing on the prophetic landscape (2 Tim. 4.8).

a Not everybody is studying prophecy, zealously anticipating His appearing.

b Those who do are watching Israel and will be blessed.

B As we watch Israel, you need to know a little about Islamic eschatology, 12th Imam/Mahdi, who according to the Muslims will be the ultimate savior of mankind.

1 They believe he was born around 869 and God has hidden him ever since, waiting until the right time.

a Islamic Eschatology has the 12th Imam/Al-mahdi & Isa (Jesus) marching into Jerusalem, bringing peace & justice to the world (Islamic/Shia peace & justice).

b I believe they will potentially be the Antichrist & the false prophet of Revelation.

2 These two people will emerge at the beginning of a coming 7 year tribulation, but prior to this the world will see the arrival of Ezekiel’s war (ch. 38-39.) http://lastday.info/map.html (Map of Ezekiel 38/39)

a The King of the N, orth and her allies will soon attack Israel at God’s appointed time.

aa The king of the North is identified in Ezekiel 38.1-2, 6, 15,16; 39.2 ASV

bb Gog=leader; Magog=Chief/head, Hebrew is Rosh; Russia according to Jewish scholars.

cc Meshech & Tubal are Moscow & Tiblisi/Tobolsk

dd Russia will attack Israel for her access to the Mediterranean, natural resources, treasure. (As it attacks it will claim her treasures & promise to give the Temple Mount to her Arab Allies)