RReevveellaattiioonn 2200::44--66 MMaarrkk 11::55 IIssaaiiaahh 2255::88--1100 DDaanniieell 1122::2211 22TThheessssaalloonniiaannss 22::11--1122 MMiiccaahh 55::22 CCoorriinntthhiiaannss 1155::2200--2266 AAccttss 2244::1144--1155 RReevveellaattiioonn 1111:: 1155 NNuummbbeerrss 2244::1144,, 1177--1199 IISSLLAAMM && LLuukkee1144::1144 TTiittuuss11::11 TTHHEE EENNDD TT IIMMEESS JJooeell 33::22--44 22TTiimmootthhyy22::1100 PPAARRTT IIII EEpphheessiiaannss 22::33 11 PPeetteerr 11::11 PPssaallmmss 77::1111 S T U D Y G U I D E EEzzeekkiieell 3388::11--99 RRoommaannss1111::77 CCoolloossssiiaannss11::1188 GGeenneessiiss3322::3300 With Author Joel Richardson EEzzrraa 11::22 NNuummbbeerrss 2244::1144,, 1177--1199 JJoohhnn 55::2288 by Darren Jones PPhhiilliippppiiaannss 33::2200--2211 TTiittuuss11 ::11 ZZeecchhaarriiaahh 1144::1144 HHaabbaakkkkuukk 33::33--77 MMiiccaahh 55::22 JJeerreemmiiaahh 5500::99 AAccttss 2244::1144--1155 MMaatttthheeww 2244::3300--3311 JJooeell 33::22--44 RRoommaannss 1111::77 JJoohhnn 33::3366 RReevveellaattiioonnss 2200::1122--1133 ZZeepphhaanniiaahh 22::1133 11 PPeetteerr 11::11 DDaanniieell 1122::22 EEzzrraa 11::22 NNuummbbeerrss 2244::1144,, 1177--1199 JJoohhnn 55::2288 CCoolloossssiiaannss11::1188 IIssaaiiaahh 2255::88--1100 GGeenneessiiss3322::3300 RReevveellaattiioonn 1111::1155 NNuummbbeerrss 2244::1144 1177- TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Session 1: The Scriptural Foundation for the Post-Tribulation Rapture ....................................................... 6 3 Resurrections.................................................................................................................................................................... 7 To Leave or Not to Leave ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Mystery & Trumpet ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 At That Time ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Definitives From Jesus .................................................................................................................................................... 11 The Day of His Redemption .......................................................................................................................................... 12 Occupy Till I Come ............................................................................................................................................................ 13 The Restrainer ................................................................................................................................................................... 14 The Picture .......................................................................................................................................................................... 15 Ancient Times ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 The Wrath ............................................................................................................................................................................ 17 The Church .......................................................................................................................................................................... 18 The Prayer ........................................................................................................................................................................... 19 The Day ................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 The Place .............................................................................................................................................................................. 21 Who’s Taken ....................................................................................................................................................................... 21 It’s all about the greek .................................................................................................................................................... 22 Session 2: The Islamic End Time Theory .................................................................................................................. 24 Return of Christ in the Old Testament ..................................................................................................................... 25 The Four Passages Used to Justify the Roman End time theory ................................................................... 29 2 | Pa ge Daniel 2: Nubuchandnezzar’s Statue ................................................................................................................... 29 Daniel 7: Daniel’s Vision of Four Beasts ............................................................................................................. 32 Daniel 9: The People of the Prince to Come ...................................................................................................... 33 Session 3: Gog & Magog / Ezekiel 38 & 39 ............................................................................................................... 37 Gog and Antichrist, different people, different armies? .................................................................................... 38 A look at a common supporting argument by as articulated by Arnold Fruchtenbaum ................ 38 The Antichrist’s Empire is Primarily a Ten Nation Group .......................................................................... 39 In Conclusion: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Session 4: Gog & Magog / Ezekiel 38 & 39 Continued ......................................................................................... 44 2nd Argument by Dr Fruchtenbaum ........................................................................................................................ 44 3rd Argument by Dr Fruchtenbaum ......................................................................................................................... 46 4th Argument by Dr Fruchtenbaum.......................................................................................................................... 47 5th Argument by Dr Fruchtenbaum.......................................................................................................................... 49 6th Argument by Dr Fruchtenbaum.......................................................................................................................... 50 Further Proofs That Gog and the Antichrist are the Same .............................................................................. 51 Reason #1 The Numerous Commonalities ....................................................................................................... 51 Reason #2 Contradicts External Evidence ....................................................................................................... 54 Reason #3 Christ is Present. This Passage Portrays the Parousia ........................................................ 54 Reason #4 It is the Day of the Lord ..................................................................................................................... 55 Reason #5 God Directly Declares that Gog is the Antichrist ..................................................................... 56 Session 5: Identifying the Beast Empire, Revelation 17...................................................................................... 57 st 1 Point ................................................................................................................................................................................. 57 Problem #1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 57 3 | Pa ge Problem #2 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58 Problem #3 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 58 Problem #4 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59 The Heads ............................................................................................................................................................................ 59 Problem #1 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59 The Ten Horns .................................................................................................................................................................... 62 Rosh Problem #1 - Reliance on the Septuagint ............................................................................................... 63 Rosh Problem #2 - Linguistic Liberties .............................................................................................................. 63 Rosh Problem #3 - Inconsistent Methodology ................................................................................................ 64 Rosh Problem #4 – Internal Inconsistencies .................................................................................................... 64 Rosh Problem #5 – Anamalous Passage ............................................................................................................. 64 Rosh Problem #6 – Newspaper Eschatology .................................................................................................... 65 Rosh : Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................... 65 Who is Gog? ......................................................................................................................................................................... 66 Clue #2.............................................................................................................................................................................. 66 Clue #3.............................................................................................................................................................................. 69 Gomer .................................................................................................................................................................................... 69 Beth Togormah .................................................................................................................................................................. 70 Persia ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 70 Cush ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 71 Put ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 71 The Coming Revived Islamic Empire ........................................................................................................................ 72 The Resistor Nations ....................................................................................................................................................... 73 4 | Pa ge INTRODUCTION I would like to give a big thank you to Joel Richardson for his dedication to and study of the scriptures in general and as they pertain to these last days. This study guide is based solely on the video seminar, Islam and the End times Part 2. I take no credit for any of the teachings contained in this guide; they are all in direct reference to Joel’s teachings, taken directly from the video seminars. Although this guide is taken directly from the video seminars it does not contain Joel’s every word. I did however want to include some of his thoughts to give meaning to the corresponding scriptures. In the course of preparing this guide I found that Joel tends to state and restate information in different ways. Because of this, some of the thoughts listed in this guide are not direct quotes from the seminars but my simplification of those thoughts. In order to preserve Joel’s teaching I tried to use his own words, just restated more simply. Because the sessions contained in this set are not all taught by Joel and use different translations of the Bible I chose to use one translation throughout this study guide, the New King James Version. In my own teaching I have found that it is readily accepted by those who use more modern translations and somewhat accepted by those who use only the Authorized King James Version. My hope is that the focus can be on the topic of the study and not the version of the Bible used. I also found it useful to see the texts used in the teachings, presented in a different translation for comparison. During the course of initially watching these sessions and creating this study guide, I found I had questions of my own. Most were on the context of the scripture and/or the original meaning in the Greek or Hebrew. Because my first devotion is to God’s Holy Word and His absolute truth, I would stop and dig into the scripture and the original texts in the Greek or Hebrew with their translations and word use, not just in the scripture in question but throughout the Bible. Because of this I can honestly say that I stand behind this teaching as truth. I pray that everyone that journeys down this road will be as diligent and not just listen to Joel but study for themselves. This isn’t about understanding the religion and events of the End Times; it is about knowing the One who has told us about the end from the beginning. I pray this brings each of you closer to Him. I would like to thank Joel once more to his obedience to the Lord in sharing this message with the world. I would also like to thank God, our Father, Keeper, Provider, Helper, Healer, and the Strong Tower that will shelter all of us who are sanctified in Christ and call on His name in times of trouble. I pray that we will use this information to awaken others within the church, to prepare soldiers of the cross. That we may stand boldly, glorifying the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, until the end. With Him by our side who should we fear? Darren W Jones 5 | Pa ge SESSION I THE SCRIPTURAL FOUNDATION FOR THE POST-TRIBULATION RAPTURE Principles for understanding scripture:   Scriptures have to be in harmony. Scripture interprets scripture. (The interpretation of a scripture does not interpret scripture) NOTE: All scripture used in this study guide is from the New King James Version. Revelation 20:4-6 I saw And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to his them. Then the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a is 5 is thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were 6 finished. This the first resurrection. Blessed and holy he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. If the first resurrection involved those who died as martyrs, including those who died during the tribulation then how can there be a resurrection prior to the tribulation? Is there more than one resurrection of the righteous? Luke 14:14 (singular) And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” John 6:39-40, 44, 54 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me 40 I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 6 | Pa ge Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3 RESURRECTIONS 1 Corinthians 15:20-26 and came came But now Christ is risen from the dead, has become the firstfruits [1] 21 of those who have fallen asleep . For since by man death, by Man also the 22 who are 23 resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But comes(not in the Greek) each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those Christ’s at His [2] 24 coming . Then the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the that 25 is Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He 26 has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy will be destroyed death. 1. Christ was the first to be resurrected (the first resurrection) 1 Corinthians 15:20 • Revelations 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us • Colossians 1:18 from our sins in His own blood, And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 2. The believers resurrected second, when He comes (second resurrection) 1 Corinthians 15:23 • Matthew 24:30-31 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds 31 of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end • 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 of heaven to the other. and For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who 16 are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice and of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds 18 to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 7 | Pa ge 3. The dead are resurrected last , 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes (not in the Greek) the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father Should read- Then the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father. The “end” meaning the rest or unbelievers. This understanding is based on the following scripture: • John 5:28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will • Acts 24:14-15 hear His voice But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and 15 the the the in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there • Daniel 12:2 will be a resurrection of dead, both of just and unjust. and And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, • Revelations 20:12-13 Some to everlasting life, Some to shame everlasting contempt. 12 the Book And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is of Life. And the dead were judged 13 according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8 | Pa ge TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE Acts 3:20-21 21 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. According to verse 21 Christ must remain in Heaven until the end (restoration of all things). So when He returns to gather His bride does He leave Heaven? 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 and For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are descend alive remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are 16 asleep. For the Lord Himself will from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an and 17 archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in 18 the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MYSTERY & TRUMPET 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all 52 be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet must 53 will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality. Compare to: Revelation 10:7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. Do these passages indicate that we will be here through the seven trumpets in Revelation? Notes ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9 | Pa ge AT THAT TIME Note: The video uses the NIV and it uses the term “At that time” in the place of “then” which is found in the NKJV used in this guide. The word “then” will be underlined in the following passages to emphasis his point. Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the 30 powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man 31 coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mark 13:24-27 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the 25 moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens 26 will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power 27 and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. Luke 21:25-28 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on 26 the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, 27 for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in 28 a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Who are the Elect? Romans 11:7 elect What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 2 Timothy 2:10 elect, Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Titus 1:1 elect Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 1 Peter 1:1 pilgrims eklektois, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the (the original Greek uses which mean elect) of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 10 | Pa ge