PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME

Israel’s relationship to the Holy Land is a major focus of Biblical prophecy, both fulfilled and unfulfilled. God prophesied precisely when Israel would return to the Promised Land after her citizens went into exile in the first two captivities, the Egyptian and Babylonian. The Egyptian captivity was prophesied to last exactly 430 years and it is significant that it ended precisely to the last day when the 430 year captivity ended. “And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years; even the self-same day; it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.” (Ex 12:41).

The prophet Jeremiah predicted the exact duration of the captivity of the Jewish exiles in Babylon would last 70 years. “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (Jer 25:11). The Babylonian army conquered Israel in the spring of 606 B.C. Both secular history and the Bible reveal that, as predicted, the Babylonian Captivity ended exactly 70 years later in the spring of 536 B.C., in the Jewish month Nisan, when the Persian Cyrus freed the Jews to return to their land (Ezra 1:3).

The three major Jewish prophets, Daniel, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, were all alive at this time. Naturally, the prophet Ezekiel was aware of the prophet Jeremiah’s prophecy that the Jews could return from Babylon after 70 years in 536 B.C. However, God gave him a new revelation that looked much farther into the future revealing how long it would be until the Jewish people would finally re-establish their nation in the last days. The prediction began with God’s declaration that “this shall be a sign to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 4:3). The full prediction is found in Ezekiel 4: 3-6: “This will be a sign to the house of Israel. Lie also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it. According to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year” (Ezekiel 4:3-6).

In this passage the prophet Ezekiel clearly declares that this prophecy would be “a sign to the house of Israel” and that each day represents one Biblical year. The prediction revealed that Israel would be punished for a combined period of 430 years (390 years plus another 40 years). The beginning point for this worldwide captivity occurred in the spring of 536 B.C., at the end of the seventy years predicted captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11).

However, in the month Nisan, 536 B.C., only a small remnant of the Jews from the nation of Judah chose to leave their homes in Babylon and return to Jerusalem. The Jewish exiles who remembered their former homes in Israel were now over 70 years old. Their children who had been born in Babylon naturally had little connection or attachment to the former home of their parents. The vast majority were quite happy to remain in the pagan Persian Empire as colonists rather than immigrate six hundred miles to rebuild the devastated colony of Israel.

God decreed to Ezekiel a period of punishment of 430 years for Israel’s and Judah’s sin (390 years + 40 years). However, when we deduct the 70 years of punishment the Jews had endured during the 70 year Babylonian captivity, which ended in 536 B.C., there still remained a total of 360 years of further punishment beyond the year 536 B.C. When we examine the history of that period we note that the Jews did not return to establish an independent country at the end of either 360 or of 430 years of additional punishment. In light of the precision of Ezekiel’s prophecy, it was difficult to understand why nothing occurred at that time to fulfil the detailed prediction.

Both the Bible and history reveal that Israel did not repent of its sins at the end of the seventy-year captivity in Babylon. In fact, the Scriptures record in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah that the minority of fifty thousand who chose to return with Ezra to the Promised Land did so with little faith. The vast majority of the Jews remained in pagan Babylon. They failed to repent of their disobedience, which was the reason God sent them into captivity in the first place. This majority who refused to immigrate home to Israel, composing over 95 percent of the Jewish captives, simply settled down as colonists in what is now Iraq-Iran. Over the centuries that followed, travellers such as Benjamin of Tuldela reported that thousands of Jews still lived in several of the cities of present-day Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.

I discovered the solution to the mystery of the duration of Israel’s worldwide dispersion and return in a divine principle that God revealed to Moses in Leviticus 26. In this chapter the LORD established promises and punishments for Israel based on her obedience and her disobedience to His commands. God declared to Israel four times in this passage that if, after being punished for her sins, she still did not repent, the punishments previously specified would be multiplied by seven (the number of completion). “And after all this, if you do not obey Me, than I will punish you seven times more for your sins” (Leviticus 26:18; see also Leviticus 26:21, 23-24, 27-28).

In other words, if Israel failed to repent of her disobedience, the punishments already decreed by God would be multiplied or extended seven times. Since the majority of Israel refused to repent of her sin after the Babylonian Captivity ended, the period of 360 years of further punishment declared by Ezekiel 4:3-6 was multiplied by seven times. This meant that the Jews would remain without an independent nation for another 2520 biblical years from 536 B.C., the beginning point of the prediction (360 years x 7 = 2520 biblical years).

The period of punishment was to last 2520 biblical years rather than 2520 calendar years. The reason is that the Bible always used the ancient Jewish calendar composed of 360 days, making up a Biblical year, in both the historical and prophetic passages. The true length of the Jewish, Biblical prophetic year was only 360 days because it was a lunar-solar years composed of twelve months of 30 days each. The modern solar year of 365.25 days was unknown to the ancient nations in the Old Testament.

According to articles on Chronology in the Encyclopedia Britannica and Smith’s Bible Dictionary, Abraham used a 360 day year. The Genesis’ record of Noah’s flood confirms that the ancient year consisted of twelve months of thirty days each. Moses declared in Genesis that the period of 150 days when the flood waters were at their height lasted precisely five months from the seventeenth day of the second month to the seventeenth day of the seventh month, proving that each month consisted of thirty days. Sir Isaac Newton relates that all nations, before the just length of the solar year was known, reckoned months by the course of the moon, and years by the return winter and summer, spring and autumn; and in making calendars for their festivals, they reckoned thirty days to a lunar month, and twelve lunar months to a year, taking the nearest round numbers whence came the division of the ecliptic into 360 degrees.”

Therefore, if we wish to understand the precise times involved in the fulfilment of prophecy, we need to calculate using the same biblical lunar-solar year of 360 days which the prophets used. Both the prophet Daniel and John, in the Book of Revelation, clearly used a year of 360 days. The failure to understand the true length of the biblical year as 360 days has prevented some prophecy students from clearly understanding many prophecies which contain a precise time element. This 360 day prophetic year is also borne out of the Book of Revelation where John’s vision refers to the future Great Tribulation period. He describes the Great Tribulation of three and one-half years as lasting precisely 1260 days (Revelation 12:6), “a time, times and half a time” where a “time” in Hebrew stands for a year of 360 days (verse 14), and “forty-two months” of thirty days each (13:5). All of these biblical references confirm that the 360-day biblical year is the one we must use to correctly understand biblical prophecy and chronology.

Therefore, Ezekiel’s prophecy of the 430 years declared that the end of Israel’s punishment and her final restoration to the land would be accomplished in 2520 biblical years of 360 days each which totals precisely 907,200 days. To convert this period into our calendar year of 365.25 days we simply divide the period of 907,200 days by 365.23 days to reach a total of 2483.8 of our modern calendar years. Therefore, Ezekiel prophesied that the end of Israel’s worldwide captivity would occur precisely 2483.8 years after the end of the Babylonian Captivity which occurred in the spring of 536 B.C. In these calculations we must keep in mind that there was only one year between 1B.C. and A.D. 1. There was no year Zero As an illustration, there were only twelve months between the feast of Passover on the 14th of Nisan in the spring of 1 B.C. and the next annual Feast of Passover in the Spring of A.D. 1.

To calculate when Ezekiel prophesied the Jews would become a nation again:

536.4 B.C. Babylonian captivity ended in the spring:

MINUS

2,483.8 calendar years

1,947.4

1 Adjust one year for B.C. to A.D.

1,948.4

1948 - May 15 Prophecied rebirth of Israel.

On the afternoon of May 14, 1948, the Jews proclaimed the independence of the reborn state of Israel. As an old rabbi blew on the traditional shofar, a ram’s horn, the Jewish people celebrated the end of their tragic worldwide dispersion and captivity in precise fulfilment of the prophecy made thousands of years earlier by the prophet Ezekiel. At midnight, as May 15, 1948 began, the British Mandate officially ended and Israel became an independent nation. This great day marked the first time since the days of Solomon that a united Israel took its place as a sovereign, independent state among the nations of the world.

From “THE SIGNATURE OF GOD,” by Grant Jeffery, pages 165-170.

By David Tilton, January 27, 2009

Over the last six months I have been receiving several prophetic words and visions concerning world events. Many of them have already come to pass. I have been asked to consolidate them and put them in a single letter format for our ministry group.

First I would like to say that some of this will seem bleak; it is. However, the main instruction I have been getting from the Spirit is to maintain and strengthen our personal relationship with Him. Stop putting our faiths in men, ministries or churches and press into Him. Although times are going to get rough worldwide, our relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Ghost is the strength of our salvation. Watch doing works for works sake. Listen and move with the Lord. This is not like listening and moving with the church. Always remember, God leads and man manipulates. Also, as with the time of Jonah, prayer and repentance changes things. God is still God!

I believe these prophecies will be covering the next 3 ½ years. Also; prophecy needs to be seen in the correct light. For example, I saw a city burning. This could mean literally burning or it could mean the Spirit of God will be burning throughout the city in revival. Therefore, please read this with your spiritual eyes open and ears listening. Read it prayerfully. Remember, it is about relationship with Him. Ask Him right now for the wisdom to understand the things you are about to read. It is also important that you read it thru to the end. Thank you.

England will experience race riots from the Islamic community, major issues with that.

Small revival will spread out in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Lakeland Revival ministers will have a part in this revival. It will be short lived but it will spark a new relationship with many of the Lords people. The Lord says these will be His fires.

I saw a domed (non religious) monument in Madrid Spain on fire.

Germany – has the cure for cancer right now. It is a non evasive, non medication cure. The pharmaceutical companies are plotting against this cure. Active aggression is being scheduled. Greed is going to kill.

France will have a civil war. This is eminent and will be a sign from God. The Eiffel Tower will suffer damage.

Italy will have 2 volcanoes irrupting that the same time.

I saw warships in Mediterranean Sea shooting at Israel with rockets. This will be a bad time for Israel.

Egypt will have a governmental leadership change & a military change – all their good will given – wiped away. The seeds of radicalism will begin to flourish.

Desserts will grow in Africa. Climate changes will cause the deserts to swell. I also saw rain; Weeks of rain, constant.

Iran – will come up with new military weapons from someone else – Russia, China, North Korea – It will make them more mobile – ships, submarines, aircraft. This may be ties into the warships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Pakistan will become a terrorist state controlled by the Taliban. They have nukes this should and will be a world concern.

The US will get out of Afghanistan for all the wrong reasons – we will see our military pull out from around the world. We will not be a world power. Our economy will cause our military arm to weaken. Our military will be pulled back to US soil. Our boarders will become our greatest military concern.

China, Russia and North Korean will make an agreement together. They will dominate the oil in the Middle East. It will put Europe in terror. Europe’s recession will grow because of the strain on oil restrictions.

Russia will flood the world market with diamonds and diamond prices will plummet.

Communism will have resurgence in Asia.

Japan will isolate itself in various ways, mainly west of Japan.

South America – south Central America and Cuba will form a Communist alliance. It will become known as the Iron Triangle.

There will be a rise in piracy on the seas worldwide. The African coast will become noticeable first; then the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The USA will see piracy in their waters.

I saw a Big black ring over Mexico. A big ugly ring of black smoke all around the center part of Mexico. It is choking the central government. It is growing and is evil.

A lot of fires in Argentina and Peru. These fires are all over these countries.

North America, a volcano erupting. I see colder winters, terrible storms, lots of snow. I saw a failure from the natural gas and electricity utilities. Decisions will have to be made as to what cities and regions will have utilities restored. Months without power. Desperate people will migrate south because of these utility failures.

I saw New York on fire. I saw Los Angeles on fire. I saw substantial burning in Southern California.

Western outskirts of Seattle – something will happen. I heard “the pride of Seattle will fall.”

Major boarder issues in the US. We are being set up to lose parts of America. The Western seaboard is being taken over by China. There will be a dissection of the US – southeast coast, Midwest, plain states, politically banding together. Something is happening right now that will cause this in the future.

Stock market will not come back until 2012. There will be a resurgence in May, June or July – where are the safety net stocks. Companies that provide security and personal weapons will prosper for a while.

There will be lots of riots and demonstrations in America. These will not be race riots; it will be from the haves and the have nots. The poor will rise up against the rich. Home invasions will become commonplace. The media and government will not be honest with us; they are taking and spending but will not put it in reserves. Politicians will be in fear for their lives for what they have done. The media will not exploit what the government has done but the people will know about it and the Politicians will be in fear for their lives.

Nature – this part has started; there is blight on trees that will continue to spread. 1/3 of hard wood trees will be lost over a long period of time. We will see more pestilence and drought. Food stores will be very low. Weather will be horrible. Cold winters, tornados (some in winter), drought and major floods.

There will be inflation, very high unemployment and stagnation of the US and world economy. The notion of a one world currency will be reintroduced.

Natural disaster in Memphis, there is something wrong with the ground; I saw the west side of Memphis fall and slide into the river. The river flow will change. We will experience many earthquakes. (California, Midwest and the south.) Judgment will befall San Francisco.

Ministers; ask the Lord right now if you should get a collar. STOP, Listen…wait for the answer. If He said yes, you can get one on ebay for about $20. In large disaster sights FEMA requires ministers to wear a clergy collared shirt or you will not be given access.

American schools will cater to the Muslim religion. They will be given more rights than Christians.

The following is what I heard in January. Many have read it and felt it was too intense. But the message is not the situation and events. The message is to get into and stay into a relationship with God. Take responsibility now as a wise virgin and store up your oil for when the time comes.

I titled this “Wake-up”

The truth is in perception. The truth is clear. It does not need an interpreter or a seer. It is plain. The strength of the truth is in it’s servants. It is the servants that please your God. It is the humble that will inherit. You have been supporting leaders and buildings and ministries; but you have not been supporting My kingdom. You have been building, larger, better, prettier and stronger. But you have not been building My kingdom. It shall fall. Your buildings, your leaders and your ministries will fail.

You must build upon the truth -- not what some man calls the truth -- what my word says is truth. The watchmen are seeing. They fear to speak. They fear to be removed from their position. The vision is clear but it does not line up with their surroundings. They stand in the midst of corruption and they are afraid to speak. Man’s prophets fail my people because of the corruption. Man’s pastors and teachers fail my people because they live in the corruption. Man’s apostles fail my people because they breed the corruption. They refuse to see; they listen and misinterpret because of the corruption in their eyes.

Do not despair my people. Behold I have a little fire. There is a small light burning. There are pockets of flame in the cities. A single seer calling out, “Come, see the truth.” But they will not. They look to the corruption for their salvation; they are comfortable there.

In the seats of governments, in the pews, and in the warm place by their own fire they seek their own salvation. There they wait for their own destruction. There is where they will meet their end. They will look to doctors and lawyers for their salvation. They protest and dispute but they do not preach. Their gospel is the world and institutions.

But the people in relationship will take heed to the seer. They will come and perceive the truth. They will see the truth without stain or corruption. Do not wait. Do not delay… come. These are the signs to follow; France shall fall into civil war and the great tower shall bow. England will be in great turmoil from terror and pestilence. The Bearing Sea shall be poisoned and not yield her fruit. Then destruction will follow.

Isaiah saw the truth. He cried, he wept. The people did not heed the words of the seer. And Israel fell. Today, they too (the seers) see the truth. They cry for you and weep. Like Isaiah, I will remove you from the violence; to a safe place until the appointed time. Hear my words. See the truth. Listen for the seer. Look for the flame. Do not say it cannot be of God because it looks different. The change in you may be hard or humbling. But come to My call through My prophets; see the truth says the Lord. Salvation is within the truth. The glory is in the truth. The truth is in relationship with Me and not with a person or institution or government. A man will not lead you. My Spirit will guide you.

I have been revealing this truth over the past 20 years. You must perceive the truth with spiritual eyes and not your mind’s eye which is corrupt. The mind has been corrupted by man’s system. Hear and see says the Lord. In these days it is about relationship with Me. Relationship directly with Me. Your relationship with me is not based on your relationship with the body. Your relationship with my body is based on your relationship with me. The Spirit says “Come, commune with Me, be with Me, come.”

I have revelations and callings for you. I have a destiny for you to fulfil. I have a kingdom for you to bring down to earth. Come to me and release the Kingdom of Heaven. Come to me and fulfil your destiny. This is a call to warfare. Not for the body or church; But for you. I am calling you to come. And in the intimacy that will evolve from our relationship will come the warfare for the body, the unsaved and your families and friends. Come to Me my child, come.

Well the next question is this; why is all of this happening. Many of these things are judgments from the Lord. Here in America, because as a nation we have allowed the deaths of unborn babies; we failed to stand with Israel at critical times and denied them defensive military equipment; and we have chosen to allow unnatural unions in marriage. The Lord’s church preaches politically correct propaganda instead of the message of salvation.

This is not the beginning of tribulation as many may think. This is simply a wake-up call to the nation… the world. We are not indestructible.

How is your relationship with the Lord right now? Do you talk, have fellowship, or spend time with Him? Or are you too busy today. The Spirit says “come.” He is waiting for you. There are no barriers or blockades in the way. Take this minute right now and get some sugar from our Father. Enter in… He says “Come, I love you, come.”