“ON EAGLES’ WINGS MINISTRIES”
“When Shall These Things?" Matthew 24: Part
9…September 2008
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Rev.11: 15. This verse is quoted from the KJV of our bible.
As far as “time prophecies” go, it is evident that God always offers us certain guidelines, or indications to bring us into focus of what the true message really is. For instance, Daniel tells us: “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah, etc.” Dan.9:25. It becomes much easier to calculate the years allotted for specific events in God’s dealings with Israel and with creation at large. Why? Because we are given a starting point! Jesus, on the other hand came by and said to all who would listen and believe: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.” Matt. 24: 15. Once again we are given “tell-tale-signs” designed to alert the watchful child of God of impending and unfolding events.
As we said before, each of six trumpets are sounded and certain events begin and end as it were, in clear view. However, the seventh trumpet is treated quite differently as if it hardly belongs to the same series as the other six trumpets. There is a clarifying note uttered as we get ready to observe the seventh trumpet. “But (this word implies an amplification of thoughts for the reader to consider, because it is different from the others) in the days (days in this case bespeaks of an undetermined period of time) of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Rev.10: 7. So then, the seventh angel will not begin to sound under any circumstance until the mystery of God be finished. What is the next order of business as we get ready to view the seventh trumpet? We must determine what “mystery of God” the prophecy is speaking about! The word mystery is used in twelve or more different New Testament scriptures, so let us see which usage will be befitting of the theme of this prophecy.
As a secular adage goes, “Let us get all our ducks in a row.” Let us put line upon line, matching truth with truth in order to unwrap valuable gems from God’s word. As we view the “mystery of God” each of us can determine which one in your opinion applies more vividly to what the message of Rev. 10:7 is conveying. Jesus said to his disciples in Matt.13:11; “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” This obviously has no connection to Rev.10:7. Paul wrote in Rom.11:25; “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” This is much closer to Rev.10:7 as we shall see later. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.” Mystery, here, has to do with God’s hidden wisdom, and it is not related to Rev.10:7. “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, etc. etc.” 1 Cor.13:2. “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto man, but unto God, for in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.” 1 Cor. 14:2.”Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep.” 1 Cor.15: 51. The word “mystery or mysteries” in these verses have to do with the gifts of the spirit, speaking in tongues and being changed at the last trump.
We have to move forward to see where the word mystery relates exactly to the account in Rev.10:7. Col.1:27 speaks of “the mystery,” which is Christ in you the hope of glory: hardly relating to Rev.10:7. 2 Thess.2:7 speaks of “The mystery of iniquity doth already work.” This refers to the “man of sin” and not to Rev.10:7. Paul said in Eph.1:9 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” This speaks of God gathering all things into one in Christ, which are in heaven and are on earth. And to the average believer who constantly equates between good and evil, and is anxiously waiting for the lake of fire as recompense to all sinners: this certainly has to be a great mystery! Thus, we are getting closer to Rev.10:7, but we are not there yet! Using the word “mystery” again, Paul referred to it in Eph.5:32. “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Here again, we are not pointed to Rev. 10:7, but rather to the lesson of husbands and wives depicting the love between Christ and the church. When we separate the usage of certain words used in scripture, yet keep them in their proper context, we see God’s eternal pattern unfolding before our very eyes, mostly in segments or small parcels of truth, that in the end, paints a vivid picture of God’s ultimate intentions coming to fruition with great exuberance in the midst of a groaning creation that is still on tiptoe—waiting for the last trump to sound—and for freedom.
Let us remind ourselves of this unwavering fact: The seventh angel will not begin to sound his trumpet until after the mystery of God is completed or “finished.” Let us read the verse again for clarity and prominence! “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall “begin to sound”, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Rev.10:7. There is no need for speculations and wonderings in this case. The word makes it quite clear and we are given a decisive clue as to the exact unfolding of events so we should not be caught off-guard.
So far we have examined the usage of the word “mystery” in various forms and from various verses of scripture. The remaining question is this: “Is there any other account of the word mystery that can bring us much closer and with striking resemblance to what Rev.10:7 expounds?” I think there is! Let us look at the very words and phrases Paul used in his outline of what we must deem to be the same object in this lesson. Listen to his words! “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. (What is this mystery of Christ?) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Let us now revert to something Jesus said in one of his most concise prophecies regarding Jerusalem and the Jews. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captives into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24. I am fully convinced that Paul in his letter that we just quoted from is referring to the same event—that is, the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled! But here is a thought-provoking question: “Is Jerusalem still being trodden down of the Gentiles?” Of course not! And we will get back to this a little later on!
In a very practical sense, it is prudent for us to assume that Rev.10:7 is indeed alluding to the closing of the Gentile Age before the seventh shall begin to sound. So is this still a future event, or is it an event that occurred in an almost covert way that the world at large has missed? What can we understand about the Gentile Age versus the time set aside for God’s dealings with the Jews? Let us remind ourselves that all of the original disciples were Jews and Jesus, in sending them forth said, “Go ye not in the way of the Gentiles.” He himself would go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Gentiles did not come into focus in any meaningful way until Saul was converted and sent to the Gentiles. Here is his account! “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Eph.3:8.
Look at this candid declaration! “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13: 46. Again we hear Paul asserting his ministry to the Gentiles: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Rom.11: 13. As God’s dealings with Israel woven within the context of Daniel’s 70 weeks came to a close, Peter went to a Gentile named Cornelius at which point, as he spoke, the Holy Ghost fell upon all gathered in the house. The “big boys” in Jerusalem could not entertain such news, so they drew Peter up before the “Board of Bishops” (such as it is in our day) so he could give an account of this unauthorized action on his part. Peter, haven’t you heard that salvation is of the Jews? Did not our Lord give us strict instruction for us not to go to the Gentiles? How can you account for this unseemly thing? Peter gave his account that while he was yet speaking the Holy Ghost fell upon them as on us at the beginning. So who was I to withstand God?
Here is the clincher! “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also (just like the Jews) to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Acts 11: 18. Peter’s conclusion in this matter was that if God gave these Gentiles the gift of the Holy Ghost as he did to us at Pentecost, this must surely be his signal to the rest of us that he has opened the door of salvation to all people. He reasoned that if that is the case, who is poor little Peter to stand in the way? In fact, the council of apostles in Jerusalem came to the same conclusion after hearing Peter’s defense and turned the affair into rejoicing for the Gentiles.
What is the greatest obstacle to have the Christian world accept the closing of the Gentile Age? First of all, they see it as a future event marked by the Rapture. Some even say that when the “Gentile Church” is raptured, God will then turn his dealings back to the Jews, who will have to accept him through the horrors of the Great Tribulation. (There is no such thing as a “Gentile Church.) At this point, as the claim goes, the Holy Ghost is taken from the earth and those Gentiles who now realize their folly can only be saved by coming through the great tribulation along with the Jews. Please tell me this! If the Holy Ghost is taken from the earth as the claim goes, how can any person be drawn to God? What other instrument has been provided and is being held in “storage” for such a time as many are teaching? Frankly, I cannot find any scripture to support all this nonsense of a doctrine that looks like a patchwork quilt. But for many as long as the rapture has not visited earth to whisk away God’s faithful few, the closing of the Gentile Age cannot be taken seriously. It is amazing how so many blind leaders of blind people have set up way marks and sign posts that will never come close to the reality founded in scripture.
Let us consider at this point what Jesus said! Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Paul called this event the “mystery of Christ: which, according to Rev.10:7 must be fulfilled before the seventh will begin to sound his trumpet. As we alluded to a while ago, Jerusalem is no longer being trodden down of the Gentiles. Jerusalem is now become a sore spot in peace negotiations with the Palestinians because the Jews now control all of Jerusalem and the Palestinians view it as their capital city also. But when did the Jews gain possession of all of Jerusalem? When was it taken out of the hands of the Gentiles, marking the end of what is commonly called “The times of the Gentiles”? This was done June 6, 1967 in what is called the six-day war. Suppose you were to date this letter June 6, 1967 in an abbreviated form, how would you write it? It would be 6/6/67. Correct? Look at those numbers again and you will see 666 the number of that man, followed by the number 7 which is God’s number of completion. It gives a clear message that God is acting forcefully in man’s activities and he is in full command. The days of the 3 sixes are over and number seven marks the path of our God.
There were times, speaking in general terms, when the financial situation in America would plummet, but Europe would be strong and would step in to help in lifting us out of the ditch. Amazingly these days, all markets around the world are nose diving at the same time. Large corporations and banks are failing and three hundred billion dollars, plus one hundred and fifty billion dollars are not working any magic on Wall Street. Financial experts are put on the spot and many are saying, “We have never seen anything like this in our lifetime.” Why are we here? Because the seventh angel has been sounding for a number of years now, since 1967 and the first thing that happens when he sounds is the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ. Remember that we were not given a set time-frame for the sounding of the seventh trumpet. “In the days—when he begins to sound!” That is an open ended situation for which none of us can affix any determined number of years.
It was in London in 1968 that I heard a Jewish preacher from San Diego inferred that June 6, 1967 marked the end of the Gentile Age. He said, “The next big event could be the rapture of the church!” I see the next big event as something else completely. Israel had to dispossess the land before they could possess it. God has to bring down kingdoms and dispossess them before his people can possess them. Bringing down any kingdom or any government begins by impeding their cash flow. Money to governments is like blood to the human body. It is a “life-flow.” Freeze the cash and everything withers after a while! When just about all world kingdoms fail in their cash flow at the same time, what situations can you envision in your mind’s eye?
Listen to this vivid account of scripture! “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Heb.12: 26-28.
Jesus has given to us one of the clearest and most profound signals in understanding the Times of the Gentiles. He made it quite clear that Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles until their time is fulfilled. With this in mind, all we have to do is ask ourselves if Jerusalem is still being trodden down of the Gentiles. If the answer is NO, we have to move on to the next obvious question, which is simply: When did Jerusalem cease to be trodden down of the Gentiles, because it stands to reason that if we can determine this last objective, we have found the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles.
At the close of the six-day war in 1967 newspapers all over the world made the story headline news along with pictures of Jews rushing to the wailing wall to kiss it, to weep and to pray. This was a momentous moment and the church world missed its chief message and significance because of their vain traditions, rooted in man’s ideologies that have nothing to do with biblical truths. Do you remember how Jesus said, This day will come as a thief in the night? Well, guess what? The closing of the times of the Gentiles came upon the world, especially the religious world as a thief in the night. In most cases a thief is only discovered at the dawn of day when the residents begin to notice that precious items are missing, and possibly a broken back window.
Many Christians along with their pastors and church mothers and altar workers are waiting for the biggest news ever to hit the headlines: “Millions are missing all over the world! Motor vehicles of all makes and sizes have crashed with no drivers at the wheel! Air planes and ocean going liners have been left to crash and be destroyed because pilots and captains along with thousands of passengers have disappeared as it were in thin air! Pandemonium has broken out in many cities and towns for the world is now realizing that God has actually taken his people up from the earth at midnight the previous night! In the light of such events one could easily conclude that it is all over for the Gentiles, and now the Jews must finally accept the man they formerly rejected. They are going to look upon him whom they pierced and cry out in repentance. But that is not how God is working out his pre-ordained plan for his creation.
Starting with the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, a number of other events are to be activated by the message of the seventh angel. While the four and twenty elders worshipped God, the nations become angry which triggered God’s wrath in the process, the dead are raised and judged, and rewards are given to the saints. The chapter ends with the ark of the testament being seen in the temple accompanied by lightnings, voices, thunderings, earthquake and great hail. Putting all these events together under one trumpet, it is easy to understand why there were no time limit set upon this angel. God has stepped on the scene and has begun to wave his mighty hand (thank you Jesus!) and there is no need to rush. Man had his time, no matter how he spent it, and now as if with a wave of a might hand, God has brushed man aside as if to bring the curtains down on man’s vain effort and violent intentions over the years.
It is time to bring all things into one in Christ Jesus, of things in heaven and things on the earth, a procedure that entails pain, grief, and great sorrows upon those who will not yield to the Higher Power of a God who cries “Enough!” A line in the song “Come walk about Zion” says: I can hear the Father saying, Let my universe come home.” Don’t you think that it is coming home time for us who have toiled for so long under such adverse sets of circumstances? We watch the rich get richer as they scoop up the life savings of millions who are left to stare at their empty bank accounts. We watch evil doers get a slap on the wrist in our courts and are sent back into the mainstream of American life to continue what they were always good at doing. We watch as our law makers squeeze the life blood out of certain citizens as they pass laws designed to endear their lifestyle. It is no wonder that the song writer asked: “O Jesus, how long, how long e’er we shout the glad song. Christ returneth, hallelujah, hallelujah, amen.” Another song writer looked around and conclude in a song: “Well it must be the breaking of the day.” While we ask in these lessons, “When shall these things be?” we want to make sure that we update ourselves in learning to focus our sight on what God is doing before our very eyes.” But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should over take you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light so let us not sleep as do others.” 1 Thess.5: 1-6. God bless you all richly!
Royce O. Kennedy