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<description><![CDATA[The information below was originally sourced at: https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read The myth that Darby originated the Pre-tribulation rapture has been refuted over and over and over. In […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/darby/">Darby</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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The information below was originally sourced at:
https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read
The myth that Darby originated the Pre-tribulation rapture has been refuted over and over and over. In addition, there are some that claim that John Darby was a heretic who got his views of the rapture from a girl named Margaret MacDonald and the Jesuits. 
Below you will find the facts which refute all of these errors.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version">Left Behind or Led Astray–Exposed (Long Version)</a></h1>
by <a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/messages/teacher/thomas-ice">Thomas Ice</a> & <a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/messages/teacher/paul-wilkinson">Paul Wilkinson</a>
Duration:2 hrs 50 mins 27 secs
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">“Left Behind or Led Astray?” – Exposed</h3>
A new DVD documentary has just been released by Good Fight Ministries entitled, “Left Behind or Led Astray? Examining the Origins of the Secret Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” Good Fight Ministries is run by post-tribulationist Joe Schimmel, the senior pastor at Blessed Hope Chapel in Simi Valley, California. Schimmel’s documentary is endorsed by evangelist Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, star of the original “Left Behind” movies. The following write-up appears on the back cover: “Take a fascinating journey with us as we examine the shocking origins of the secret, pre-tribulation rapture doctrine…. Featuring expert commentary from David M. Bennett, Dr. Mark Patterson, Jacob Prasch, Joel Richardson, and Dave MacPherson.”
The truth of the matter is that the 4½ hour film seriously distorts the historical evidence and is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths, and lies. 
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">1.    CLAIM – No Verse to Support a Pre-Trib Rapture</h4>
Chapter 1 of the DVD begins with Joe Schimmel’s claim that there is not a single verse of Scripture to prove what he calls the “escapist theory” of the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church, that is, the belief that all true believers will be raptured from the earth before the seven-year Tribulation period begins. Schimmel further contends that “millions of Christians are under the illusion that we are going to escape that time,” and that his documentary uncovers “the elusive origins of the pre-trib Rapture theory”. Schimmel sets out to substantiate his initial claim by quoting, out of context, leading pre-tribulationist scholars and authors, including Dr Tim LaHaye, Dr Thomas Ice, and the late Dr John Walvoord of Dallas Theological Seminary, all of whom have made statements which appear to back up the claim that there is not a single verse which definitively proves that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
The doctrine of the Trinity, so fundamental to biblical Christianity, cannot be proved by quoting a single verse of Scripture! Joe Schimmel is making a non-argument. We are not Jehovah’s Witnesses hanging our theology on proof-texts, but Evangelical Christians seeking to show ourselves approved by studying the whole counsel of God, from Genesis to Revelation. As we do so, we discover that many of the precious truths of the Christian faith, including the doctrine of the Trinity and the Rapture of the Church, are progressively revealed.
Having set his stall out in this way, Schimmel then introduces an interview which he conducted in the UK with Colin Le Noury, General Director of Prophetic Witness Movement International (PWMI), the world’s oldest pre-trib organisation. The clip from the interview shows Schimmel putting to Colin statements from the above-mentioned pre-trib scholars. After Colin is heard concurring with these statements, nothing more of the interview is shown. Although Schimmel, in his subsequent narration, mentions that Colin went on to state that other verses needed to be brought together to prove the pre-trib position, the viewer is not shown the rest of the interview, including the context in which he expressed his initial agreement. Viewers are thus left with the misleading impression that both he and PWMI as a movement do not believe that there is a single verse to support the pre-trib Rapture position.
It is important to note that Colin Le Noury was the only pre-trib leader interviewed by Joe Schimmel on the DVD. When the official trailer was released in October 2014, no one was more shocked and dismayed than Colin himself. When he initially agreed to be interviewed by Schimmel, he was not informed as to the purpose; he was left with the clear impression that Schimmel was coming over to the UK to do some research and was interested in learning about the history of PWMI. Having watched the trailer, Colin endeavoured, over a period of several days, to contact Joe Schimmel and his team to insist that, under no circumstances was any part of his interview to be used in this production. The following is just one of the emails which Colin sent to Joe Schimmel’s church, dated 13 November 2014, which is included here with Colin’s permission:
—– Original Message —–
From: colinlenoury To: <a href="mailto:steve@blessedhopechapel.org">steve@blessedhopechapel.org</a> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2014 10:37 PM Subject: Left Behind DVD
Hi Steve 
Greetings – not sure if we have met or if you were in the team that visited PWMI headquarters in UK. 
I have now seen the trailer of the above film which includes a clip of an interview I did with Joe Schimmel. The clip is edited in such a way as to distort what I said. This is dishonouring and deceitful. 
I have sent two former emails without reply and have endeavoured to phone the church only to get a recorded answer.
I would be grateful if you would inform Joe Schimmel that I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ANY OF THE FOOTAGE TO BE USED IN ANY OF YOUR PRODUCTIONS and I would very much appreciate his assurance that all references to myself be removed from the film before the official release.
I look forward to a response on this.
Sincerely in Christ,
Colin Le Noury
Despite eventually receiving an email response from one of Schimmel’s team, and despite restating his position, Colin never received the assurance he demanded; he was clearly misled and set up. 
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">2.    CLAIM – Pre-Trib Pastors are Failing their Flock</h4>
Joe Schimmel states at the beginning of the DVD that believers should not divide over the issue of the Rapture because there are “good brothers” who hold to a pre-trib position. However, he then spends the next 4hrs charting what he calls “the scandalous history” of the pre-trib Rapture “theory,” accusing and maligning those who hold to the belief in the Lord’s any-moment return, including Dr Thomas Ice, Executive Director of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Dallas, who he twice denigrates as “Tim LaHaye’s bulldog”.
While I was giving a brief rebuttal of “Left Behind or Led Astray?” during the August 2015 Berean Call conference in Bend, Oregon, post-tribulationist author Joel Richardson, one of the ‘expert’ contributors to the DVD, made the following astonishing statement in a comment he posted on the conference livestream page:
“The film is in no way an attack on pre-tribbers. It is a careful exploration of the origins of the pre-trib rapture doctrine.”
The basic premise of the entire documentary is that the origins of the pre-trib Rapture “theory,” as it is referred to throughout, are not biblical, but “demonic” and “occultic,” and that pre-tribulationism has “a sordid history.” Joel Richardson brings the following indictment against pastors who are preparing the Church to meet the Lord Jesus Christ:
“If you are a pastor who’s not preparing your people to face potentially the Antichrist and the Great Tribulation in this hour… personally I think you’re failing in your role as a shepherd and a pastor.”
As clearly stated in the official trailer, the DVD claims that all such pastors, and by extension all Christian ministries that are heralding the Lord’s any-moment return, are leading millions of believers into apostasy:
“What if millions who have been led astray by the pre-trib teaching become part of the great falling away that Jesus warned would take place at that time?… Brace yourself to see how the Church is being set up [by pre-tribulationists] for a mass deception of cosmic proportions.”
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Such sensational claims and wild accusations reveal the true nature of this DVD, and are not worthy of comment. 
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">3.    CLAIM – Darby ‘Stole’ from Margaret MacDonald</h4>
The documentary devotes considerable attention to John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), the principal founder of the Plymouth Brethren movement, who undoubtedly played a crucial role in restoring and popularising the doctrine of the pre-tribulational Rapture of the Church. The DVD claims that Darby opportunistically stole the notion of a ‘secret’ catching away of the Church, and immediately developed the doctrine of the pre-trib Rapture, after listening to a fifteen-year old Scottish girl named Margaret MacDonald, who gave an alleged prophetic utterance in 1830. According to Schimmel, MacDonald “engaged in occult activity”.
This accusation, or myth, has been propagated for decades by men such as the late Walter Martin, founder of the Christian Research Institute (CRI) in the United States and original host of the ‘Bible Answer Man’ radio broadcast before Hank Hanegraaff succeeded him, and by Dave MacPherson, author of The Incredible Cover-up, The Rapture Plot, The Late Great Pre-Trib Rapture, The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin, and The Great Rapture Hoax. MacPherson features prominently on the DVD as one of Schimmel’s experts, and repeats the accusation that Darby ‘stole’ from MacDonald. However, another of Schimmel’s experts who addresses this issue on the DVD is author David Bennett, who (correctly) asserts that Darby “didn’t accept… didn’t like… wasn’t enthusiastic about” the so-called prophetic utterances of MacDonald, and yet Schimmel continually makes the connection between Darby and this girl throughout the film.
The DVD re-enacts the time when John Nelson Darby and his Plymouth Brethren colleague, Benjamin Wills Newton (1807-1899), allegedly visited Margaret MacDonald and heard her utterance in person. Darby and Newton are depicted on screen standing in a small log cabin watching and listening to MacDonald while she rocks back and forth in her chair, giving her alleged utterance. Schimmel claims that Darby spent several days listening to MacDonald prophesying about a secret coming of Jesus Christ. Schimmel admits that these utterances were denounced by Darby and Newton as being demonic in origin, and yet still entertains the claim, vehemently made by MacPherson, that MacDonald’s utterances were a primary source of Darby’s Rapture doctrine.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
In 2006, I completed my doctorate at Manchester University. My thesis, entitled John Nelson Darby and the Origins of Christian Zionism, was published in 2007 by Paternoster Press under the title For Zion’s Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby. It was republished in 2013 by The Berean Call entitled, Understanding Christian Zionism: Israel’s Place in the Purposes of God. My research makes it abundantly clear that Benjamin Wills Newton did not visit Scotland with Darby in 1830, as Schimmel claims! This fact alone seriously undermines the credibility of Schimmel’s research.
In 1830, Newton commissioned Darby, on behalf of the newly-formed Brethren movement, to travel to Scotland to investigate claims that the Holy Spirit was being ‘poured out’ in Scotland, and that people were prophesying, being healed, and speaking in tongues. According to Margaret Oliphant, whom Dave MacPherson cites in the DVD against Darby, “Almost every notable Christian man of the time took the matter into devout and anxious consideration”.<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn1">[1]</a> In other words, it was to be fully expected that men like J.N. Darby would visit Scotland to investigate these claims, which he did, attending several meetings and hearing some of the utterances which were given. However, there is no evidence that Darby ever heard the utterance of Margaret MacDonald which is so foundational to the DVD; he certainly did not have a private audience with her, as depicted in the film. What we do know is this: based on what he heard and witnessed first-hand, Darby concluded that the utterances were not to be attributed to the Holy Spirit. As Benjamin Newton himself recalled,
“Darby had been most cautious, not giving us an opinion. But what decided him when on the spot was that when those who were inspired were expounding prophetic Scriptures, such as those in Isaiah, respecting Israel [and] Jerusalem they explained them as being prophetic of Christian Churches of this dispensation.– That determined me too.”
Darby further informed Newton in his report “…that there wasn’t a meeting or an interview in which the spirits did not dwell on the notion that the Israelitish blessings are all ours now.” As Newton recalled, “That decided me at once, Darby too.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn2">[2]</a> Francis William Newman, brother of the future Cardinal John Henry Newman, initially believed that the alleged utterances were of God, but his opinion changed after Darby sent him
“…a full account of what he heard with his own ears; which was to the effect – that none of the sounds, vowels or consonants, were foreign;- that the strange words were moulded after the Latin grammar… so as to denote poverty of invention rather than spiritual agency;- and that there was no interpretation. The last point decided me, that any belief which I had in it must be for the present unpractical.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn3">[3]</a>
In his essay, The Irrationalism of Infidelity (1853), Darby included a full account of his visit to Scotland, which completely exonerates him from any charge that he opportunistically formulated his doctrine of the pretribulation Rapture based on the utterance of Margaret MacDonald. In his account, written in the third person and using one of his nicknames, “the Irish clergyman,” Darby writes:
“Two brothers (respectable shipbuilders at Port Glasgow, of the name M’D-), and their sister, were the chief persons who spoke, with a Gaelic maid-servant, in the tongues, and a Mrs. J-, in English. J. M’D- spoke, on the occasion alluded to, for about a quarter of an hour, with great energy and fluency, in a semi-latin sounding speech – then sung a hymn in the same. Having finished, he knelt down and prayed there might be an interpretation…. His sister got up at the opposite side of the room, and professed to give the interpretation; but it was a string of texts on overcoming, and no hymn, and one, if not more, of the texts was quoted wrongly…. The sense he [Darby] had of the want of the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church made him willing to hear and see. Yet he went rather as deputed for others [Newton wasn’t there!] than for himself. The excitement was great, so that, though not particularly an excitable person, he felt its effects very strongly. It did not certainly approve itself to his judgment; other things contributed to form it. It was too much of a scene. Previous to the time of exercising the gifts, they read, sung psalms, and prayed, under certain persons’ presidence…. This being finished, the ‘Irish Clergyman’ was going away, when another said to him, ‘Don’t go: the best part is probably to come yet.’ So he stayed, and heard what has just been related. He was courteously admitted, as one not believing, who came to see what was the real truth of the case. The parties are mostly dead, or dispersed, and many freed from the delusion, and the thing itself public; so that he does not feel he is guilty of any indiscretion in giving a correct account of what passed. It may be added, without of course saying anything that could point out the persons, that female vanity, and very distinct worldliness, did not confirm, to his mind, the thought that it could be the Spirit’s power.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn4">[4]</a>
Leading nineteenth-century Brethren scholar William Kelly asked, “…can any fair mind in God’s presence, if he knew no other facts, conceive a greater improbability than J.N.D. adopting the utterance of what he believed a demon as a truth of God?”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn5">[5]</a>
It should be noted that in Chapter 9 of the DVD, Joe Schimmel admits that pre-trib leaders since the days of John Nelson Darby have distanced themselves from Margaret MacDonald’s utterance by “claiming… that her secret rapture is not clearly pre-trib”. Schimmel admits that this “is true”. However, he continues to make the claim that “whatever she [Margaret MacDonald] meant with regard to her secret coming, it is undeniable that those who were influenced by her and [Edward] Irving became early catalysts for pre-trib”. Schimmel fails to appreciate the importance of his own admissions. Despite insisting that Darby must have been influenced by MacDonald, Schimmel contradicts himself by making the following statement at the beginning of Chapter 10:
“How many people Margaret MacDonald actually influenced with the idea of a pre-trib Rapture, besides her own husband Robert Norton… and perhaps Edward Irving and some of the Irvingites, is still unclear….”
Joe Schimmel makes much of Darby biographer Max Weremchuk, a disillusioned and somewhat jaundiced ex-member of the Exclusive Brethren, yet a man whom Schimmel hails as “an unbiased Brethren historian”. Schimmel quotes the following statement by Weremchuk:
“I would not be surprised if Darby at some time thought of a partial rapture – as appears in [the utterance of] Margaret MacDonald.”
This is mere conjecture, and not objective research.
Let us consider Margaret MacDonald’s actual utterance, that lies at the heart of this DVD and the accusations made throughout. Her own personal account is quoted in Robert Norton’s Memoirs of James & George MacDonald of Port-Glasgow (1840), and warrants closer scrutiny. From a careful reading of MacDonald’s account, we may categorically conclude that her utterance bears no resemblance whatsoever to a pre-trib Rapture. On the contrary, we may reasonably conclude that this fifteen-year-old girl was, in fact, advocating a post-tribulation Rapture, the Tribulation being “the fiery trial which is to try us” and which will be “for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus”. She also described this period as being “from Antichrist,” when Satan “will try to shake in every thing we have believed,” when “the awful sight of a false Christ [will] be seen on this earth,” and when “nothing but the living Christ in us can detect this awful attempt of the enemy to deceive” (italics mine). MacDonald included herself among the faithful who would be tried after the Antichrist has been revealed and during the Tribulation period. This is completely inconsistent with Darby’s teaching, and with pre-tribulationism in general.
Here are the relevant extracts from MacDonald’s utterance – let the reader make up his/her own mind:
“I repeated the words, Now there is distress of nations, with perplexity, the seas and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear – now look out for the sign of the Son of man. Here I was made to stop and cry out, O it is not known what the sign of the Son of man is; the people of God think they are waiting, but they know not what it is. I felt this needed to be revealed, and that there was great darkness and error about it; but suddenly what it was burst upon me with a glorious light. I saw it was just the Lord himself descending from Heaven with a shout, just the glorified man, even Jesus; but that all must, as Stephen was, be filled with the Holy Ghost, that they might look up, and see the brightness of the Father’s glory…. Only those who have the light of God within them will see the sign of his appearance…. ‘Tis Christ in us that will lift us up – he is the light – ‘tis only those that are alive in him that will be caught up to meet him in the air. I saw that we must be in the Spirit, that we might see spiritual things…. But I saw that the glory of the ministration of the Spirit had not been known. I repeated frequently, but the spiritual temple must and shall be reared, and the fullness of Christ be poured into his body, and then shall we be caught up to meet him. Oh none will be counted worthy of this calling but his body, which is the church, and which must be a candlestick all of gold. I often said, Oh the glorious inbreaking of God which is now about to burst on this earth; Oh the glorious temple which is now about to be reared, the bride adorned for her husband; and Oh what a holy, holy bride she must be, to be prepared for such a glorious bridegroom….
I saw the people of God in an awfully dangerous situation, surrounded by nets and entanglements, about to be tried, and many about to be deceived and fall. Now will THE WICKED be revealed, with all power and signs and lying wonders, so that if it were possible the very elect will be deceived.– This is the fiery trial which is to try us.– It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus; but Oh it will be a fiery trial. Every soul will be shaken to the very centre. The enemy will try to shake in every thing we have believed…. I frequently said that night, and often since, now shall the awful sight of a false Christ be seen on this earth, and nothing but the living Christ in us can detect this awful attempt of the enemy to deceive – for it is with all deceivableness of unrighteousness he will work – he will have a counterpart for every part of God’s truth, and an imitation for every work of the Spirit. The Spirit must and will be poured out on the church, that she may be purified and filled with God – and just in proportion as the Spirit of God works, so will he – when our Lord anoints men with power, so will he. This is particularly the nature of the trial, through which those are to pass who will be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man…. The trial of the Church is from Antichrist…. I frequently said, Oh be filled with the Spirit – have the light of God in you, that you may detect satan – be full of eyes within – be clay in the hands of the potter – submit to be filled, filled with God…. This will fit us to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb…. I saw that night, and often since, that there will be an outpouring of the Spirit on the body, such as has not been, a baptism of fire, that all the dross may be put away. Oh there must and will be such an indwelling of the living God as has not been – the servants of God sealed in their foreheads – great conformity to Jesus – his holy holy image seen in his people…. This is what we are at present made to pray much for, that speedily we may all be made ready to meet our Lord in the air – and it will be. Jesus wants his bride. His desire is toward us. He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Amen and Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn6">[6]</a>
Even Joe Schimmel admits that “our personal position at Good Fight Ministries is that Margaret MacDonald’s end-time Rapture vision is convoluted, and we can’t say for sure that Margaret MacDonald had a partial pre-trib Rapture in mind. What we can say with absoluteness, is that Margaret MacDonald did introduce what she claimed to be a new revelation about the Rapture”. Schimmel adds that “many others have also pointed out that Margaret MacDonald’s vision is a bit convoluted and can be interpreted in different ways,” and yet asserts that Margaret MacDonald and her husband, Robert Norton, later claimed that “this was the first time that pre-tribulationism was taught publicly” – and this is what Schimmel is wanting viewers to believe.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">4.    CLAIM – Edward Irving Influenced John Nelson Darby</h4>
Joe Schimmel claims that J.N. Darby was directly influenced by the man he believes (but no pre-trib historian or author believes!) was the real founder of the pre-trib Rapture doctrine, namely the controversial, charismatic, de-frocked Scottish Presbyterian minister Edward Irving (1792-1834). Dave MacPherson claims on the DVD that Irving’s followers, known as Irvingites, “were prone to dabble a little bit with the occult”. In Chapter 7, Schimmel states that Darby was not only an advocate of Irving’s teaching, but was also “waiting in the wings as an opportunist to see if the new theory will catch on beyond the Irvingites and the Plymouth Brethren.” Schimmel claims that “the evidence is quite clear that Darby and his followers were late-comers to pre-tribulationism and that Darby was quite familiar with pre-trib teaching among the Irvingites before he accepted and then proliferated the doctrine…. It is to ignore the clear facts of history to pretend that Edward Irving and the Irvingites in no way influenced Darby’s prophetic views.”
Contrary to Joe Schimmel’s claim, the evidence is not clear; in fact, it is non-existent!
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Mark Patterson categorically states on the DVD that Darby learned the pre-trib Rapture from Irving, because Darby and the Plymouth Brethren were familiar with Irving’s writings. Patterson’s case is flimsy to say the least. However, in the same section, he even admits that “it [the Rapture] was swirling about the air at that time”.
With conferences being convened in the UK and Ireland (Albury Park Conference, Powerscourt Conference, The Society for the Investigation of Prophecy, etc.) and all manner of books and articles being published on prophetic themes, especially in relation to the Second Coming, an entire generation of Evangelicals at that time was exercised by Bible prophecy and the study of the end-times (‘eschatology’). Patterson admits that Darby “reminisces many years later that he first thought of the Rapture around 1827” – long before MacDonald’s utterances and before Edward Irving achieved notoriety – and yet insists that “there’s not a single piece of evidence that that’s the case”. This is a telling statement; Patterson is counselling viewers of the DVD not to believe Darby’s own testimony, and therefore to question his Christian integrity!
It should be noted that millions of believers who have believed in, and continue to believe in, the doctrine of the Lord’s any-moment return as the blessed hope of the Church, have never heard of Margaret MacDonald, Edward Irving, or even John Nelson Darby, and yet claim, as Darby himself did, to have arrived at their understanding of the Rapture based on the study of God’s Word.  
This is what I wrote in Chapter 6 of Understanding Christian Zionism, which collapses Schimmel’s entire thesis and the connection he makes between Darby and Irving:
“…Darby believed that ‘the positive work of the enemy’ was ‘most manifest’ in Irving’s church. In 1844, he recalled how, ‘at least fourteen years ago’, he had disputed with Irving on the matter of spiritual gifts, and later recollected being drawn into conflict with him ‘some four-and-thirty years ago’, because of his ‘meddling metaphysically with the Lord’s Person’. Darby described Irving’s doctrine of the Incarnation as ‘plainly wicked and evil, and contrary to God’s word and Spirit’. He claimed that the Irvingite gifts had been ‘founded on this doctrine’, and lamented ‘all poor Irving’s heresies and wanderings’. Darby also described elements of Irving’s Preliminary Discourse [to Manuel Lacunza’s work – see below] as ‘evidence, and accumulated evidence, of great carelessness’, and drew attention to passages ‘highly injurious to the work and honour of Christ, and in it, the just, holy, and influencing comfort of believing saints’. He also criticised Irving’s sermons on Daniel’s vision of the four beasts, and his interpretation of Isaiah, which he believed demonstrated ‘the extreme neglect of Scripture and even prophecy itself, the hurried pursuit of an object in the mind’. These are hardly the comments one would expect from a man allegedly impressed by, and indebted to, Edward Irving…. According to William Kelly, ‘no one was farther from lending an ear to the impious and profane voices of the quasi-inspired Irvingites than Mr. T. [Tweedy], unless indeed it were J.N.D. [Darby] himself who had closely investigated their pretensions and judged their peculiar heterodoxy on Christ’s humanity as anti-christian and blasphemous.’ Kelly also noted how the Brethren had admired Irving as a preacher, but that ‘no serious brother in fellowship’ regarded the utterances in his church ‘with less than horror, as emanating not from human excitement merely but from a demon accredited with the power of the Holy Spirit.’”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn7">[7]</a>
Both Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch hail Samuel P. Tregelles as the most eminent and educated member of the Brethren who did not believe in a pre-tribulational Rapture. They cite a statement Tregelles made in his book, The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming (1864), which connects the origin of a secret rapture to an utterance given in Edward Irving’s church in 1832, even though Schimmel then corrects Tregelles by suggesting that the teaching of the pre-trib Rapture originated earlier! What is not mentioned on the DVD, however, is that Tregelles was the cousin of Benjamin Wills Newton, the man at the centre of the heresy controversy within the Brethren movement. As I wrote in Chapter 6 of Understanding Christian Zionism, Tregelles was accused by fellow Brethren leader William Kelly of conducting a vendetta against Darby. In addition, a number of academics, most of whom were/are not sympathetic to a pre-trib position, have dismissed Tregelles as “a prejudiced witness” on the basis of the support he gave to Newton:
“Flegg and Weber are among those who have expressed dissatisfaction with Tregelles and the ‘hardly convincing’ claims of [Dave] MacPherson, concluding that ‘their arguments do not stand up to serious criticism’. Sandeen accuses those who have cited Tregelles against Darby of bringing ‘a groundless and pernicious charge’, while MacPherson’s book has been dismissed as an ‘anti pre-Trib vendetta’ that is ‘patently ridiculous’ and full of ‘tiresome polemics’. Benware and Nebeker assert that ‘no clear evidence exists that Darby got his views from Margaret MacDonald or Edward Irving,’ and that any suggestion of a ‘directly derivative link’ between Darby and Irving is ‘unduly reductionist’. Brethren scholar F.F. Bruce also distanced Darby from Irving and MacDonald, and acknowledged that the doctrine of the pretribulation Rapture was ‘in the air in the 1820s and 1830s among eager students of unfulfilled prophecy’. As Weber concedes, those who have criticised Darby ‘may have to settle for Darby’s own explanation.’”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn8">[8]</a>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">5.    CLAIM – If the Rapture is Pre-Trib, then the Church Fathers would have taught it</h4>
Chapter 2 of the DVD is devoted to the teachings of the ‘Church Fathers’ – theologians, apologists and bishops within the Church who rose to prominence after the time of the Apostles, and who are venerated as saints by the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches. Joe Schimmel asserts that the ‘Church Fathers’ never taught a pre-tribulation Rapture. Despite admitting that the ‘Church Fathers’ are not authoritative, one of his experts, Joel Richardson, makes the following claim:
“If this [a pre-tribulational Rapture] is what was taught by the Apostles, we would see it in the writings of the early Church writers; it doesn’t exist.”
Following the same line of argument, Jacob Prasch hails Irenaeus (c.130-202), Bishop of Lyons, as a “pivotal figure” due to the fact that he was a disciple of Polycarp, who in turn was a disciple of the Apostle John. Prasch hails Irenaeus as “probably the single most important of the Church Fathers in understanding what the Apostles taught and believed”.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Irenaeus declared in his most famous work, Against Heresies, that the Jews “are disinherited from the grace of God” – something the Apostles, including John, did not believe or teach!
The same ‘Church Fathers,’ quoted at length in the DVD to support post-tribulationism, adopted a predominantly allegorical, as opposed to literal, hermeneutic, or method of interpreting the Scriptures. Here is a sample of statements they made concerning the future of the Jewish nation:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“For the true spiritual Israel… are we who have been led to God through this crucified Christ…. Christ is the Israel and the Jacob, even so we… are the true Israelite race.” (Justin ‘Martyr’)</li>
<li>“…the Jews… had lost God’s favour… while the Christians had succeeded to their place”. (Cyprian)</li>
<li>“…it would be tedious to state at length how the figurative interpretation [of Israel’s promised restoration] is spiritually applicable to Christ and His church, and to the character and fruits thereof.” (Tertullian)</li>
<li>“…they [the Jews] will never be restored to their former condition”. (Origen)</li>
<li>“And therefore we ought to take this saying… ‘And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers’ [<a href="https://ref.ly/Ezek%2036.28;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ezekiel 36:28</a><a href="Ezek36.28"></a>] not literally, as if they referred to Israel after the flesh, but spiritually, as referring to the spiritual Israel.” (Augustine)</li>
<li>“The synagogue is worse than a brothel… it is the den of scoundrels… the temple of demons… the cavern of devils… a criminal assembly of Jews… a place of meeting for the assassins of Christ…. The Jews sacrifice their children to Satan…. Debauchery and drunkenness had brought them to the level of the lusty goat and the pig…. This is why I hate the Jews.” (Chrysostom)</li>
</ul>
Thus, using Joel Richardson’s argument, if Israel’s future restoration/salvation was believed and taught by the Apostles, which it was, then we should see it in the writings of the early ‘Church Fathers,’ which we don’t! 
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">6.    CLAIM – The Protestant Reformers were Post-Trib, so Pre-trib cannot be True</h4>
In Chapter 4, Joe Schimmel states that the Protestant Reformers were “a mixed bag in regard to biblical prophecy and had deviated somewhat from the teaching of the early Church fathers because of the influences of Augustine”. Despite such an admission, Schimmel still champions the Reformers as advocates of post-tribulationism, quoting Luther and Calvin to support his claim.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
The Reformers were largely Augustinian in their theology, and Augustine (354-430) is acknowledged by the Pope to be the most important theological ‘father’ of the Roman Catholic Church! The Reformers were often allegorical in their interpretation of the Bible; they were amillennial in their eschatology, not believing that the Lord Jesus would return to this earth and reign for a thousand years; they were proponents of Replacement Theology, in keeping with the teaching of the ‘Church Fathers,’ believing that the Church was the new, true, or spiritual Israel; and they were often anti-Semitic in their sermons and writings, notably Luther. We should add, in agreement with William Trotter, that “…a doctrine cannot be proved true by the number of its adherents, or by the length of time during which it has been generally received. Much less is a doctrine true because it is soothing to ourselves, or palatable to men in general. The one, only, infallible test of the truth of any doctrine is, What saith the word of God?”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn9">[9]</a>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">7.    CLAIM – The Pre-Trib Rapture is Rooted in the Teachings of the Jesuits</h4>
Joe Schimmel claims that Roman Catholic Jesuit priest and theologian, Francisco Ribera (1537-1591), developed a theology of the end-times strikingly similar to that of John Nelson Darby. Schimmel nevertheless concedes that Ribera was an amillennialist, and that “a direct line” cannot be drawn to the nineteenth century – quite a contradiction. Why, then, has Schimmel introduced the viewer to the Jesuits?
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal 1</h5>
As I wrote in Chapter 6 of Understanding Christian Zionism,
“…any claim that Protestant futurists in general, and Darby in particular, adopted and adapted Ribera’s futurism is absolutely groundless. Ribera’s amillennial and Augustinian theology of replacement, and the absence of a pretribulation Rapture position in his eschatology, completely separates him from Darby on a theological level. This, coupled with the ‘ample and varied arsenal of anti-Catholic polemic’ which Darby employed in his liberation of Irish peasants from the Church of Rome, is evidence enough to destroy the artificial link critics have forged between Darby and the Jesuits.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn10">[10]</a>
Undeterred, Schimmel devotes an entire chapter of his DVD to another Jesuit priest, Manuel Lacunza (1731-1801), this time drawing a direct line to the nineteenth century and to Edward Irving and John Nelson Darby, despite asserting that Lacunza’s eschatology “appears to have been influenced by… Francisco Ribera”. Schimmel seeks to discredit Lacunza from the outset owing to the fact that Lacunza wrote under the Jewish pseudonym, Rabbi Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra. Schimmel refers to “the deceptive pen name” and “bogus rabbinical title,” failing to acknowledge the fact that Lacunza was on the run in exile after being expelled from his native Chile by King Charles III of Spain, and that Lacunza’s opponents denounced him and his book (which, among other things, addressed the corruption within the Roman Catholic priesthood) before the Spanish Inquisition, his book being placed by Pope <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_XII">Leo XII</a> on his Index of Prohibited Books. The fact that Lacunza speaks throughout the book with great compassion about the Jewish people may also explain his choice of pseudonym. Schimmel states that “there’s no doubt that Irving was quite influenced by Lacunza,” even though one of his experts, Mark Patterson, who wrote his doctoral thesis on Irving, contradicts Schimmel by stating that Lacunza’s influence on Irving is “uncertain”.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal 2</h5>
There is much to commend Lacunza for in his book, The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty, which I have on my shelf, and it is surely no surprise at all that Bible prophecy scholars of that day were reading and discussing it. Joe Schimmel makes a quantum leap by asserting a Jesuit link to the doctrine of the pre-trib Rapture. As I wrote in Chapter 6 of Understanding Christian Zionism,
John Nelson Darby “…made no reference to Lacunza in his writings. Undeterred, Darby’s amillennial, postmillennial, and premillennial critics have sought to discredit him by tracing his eschatology back to this Jesuit priest. There are indeed similarities between them, particularly in relation to the restoration of Israel, the apostasy of the Church, the times of the Gentiles, and the physical return of the Lord Jesus to the earth, but we should not be surprised when Biblical scholars, from diverse ecclesiastical traditions, arrive at similar conclusions. Having said that, it is important to point out that there are significant disparities in the theology of Darby and Lacunza, not least Lacunza’s advocacy of Roman Catholic dogma, his belief in Antichrist as ‘a moral body, composed of innumerable individuals… all morally united and animated with one common spirit’, and his contention that Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians were written to correct their ‘error… of expecting every moment the coming of the Lord.’”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn11">[11]</a>
This last statement is key. Lacunza did not believe in an imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ to catch away the Church; John Nelson Darby did, and this belief was foundational to both his Christian walk and his private and public ministry, both here in the UK and in North America, which he toured seven times.
Schimmel goes on to address the Albury Park Conferences in Surrey, England (1826-1830), claiming that Edward Irving was dominant at Albury, and that because Irving was allegedly influenced by Lacunza, then it inevitably follows that Albury was the real birthplace of the doctrine of the pre-trib Rapture.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal 3</h5>
Not only is this faulty logic, but having established in the previous rebuttal that Lacunza did not believe in the Lord’s imminent return, we can see that Schimmel’s claim is simply false.
The Albury conferences were convened at a time when “the majority of what was called the Religious World disbelieved that the Jews were to be restored to their own land, and that the Lord Jesus Christ was to return and reign in person on this earth.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn12">[12]</a> Most of those who assembled at Albury Park in Surrey were respected Evangelical clergymen and theologians within the Church of England, who nobly helped to revive premillennial truth at the beginning of the nineteenth century by proclaiming the restoration of the Jews and the Second Coming of Jesus. They were historicist premillennialists, and not futurists – in other words, they were not pre-trib, at least not in the way Darby was then and pre-tribulationists are today.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">8.    CLAIM – Benjamin Newton’s Testimony against Darby is Key</h4>
Schimmel’s chief historical witness, in seeking to discredit the teaching and malign the Christian character of John Nelson Darby, is Darby’s former colleague and friend within the Brethren movement, Benjamin Wills Newton. It is interesting to note that Schimmel repeatedly informs viewers that Edward Irving, who he wants to claim as the real founder of pre-tribulationism, was charged with heresy by the Presbyterian Church for his teaching on the Incarnation, and yet he conveniently understates the fact that this was also the reason why Newton eventually withdrew from the Brethren assembly in Plymouth, having been charged by his fellow Brethren leaders with teaching heresy concerning the Lord’s humanity! Schimmel accuses Darby and his colleagues of embarking on a merciless witch-hunt against Newton by searching Newton’s writings “for the thinnest thread on which to hang him”.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
As I wrote in Chapter 3 of Understanding Christian Zionism, Darby did not embark on a witch-hunt against Newton:
“In an article written for the magazine Perilous Times (April 1917), Robert Cameron, one of the leading figures in the American Bible and prophecy conference movement who met Darby towards the end of his life, provides further insight into the mind of this ‘dictator’: ‘Over forty years ago, at my own table in New York City, Mr Darby called Mr Newton ‘dear brother Newton’. I expressed my deep surprise at the use of such an endearing term concerning the one who had been freely called ‘that dangerous man’, ‘the arch enemy’, ‘the fearful blasphemer’, and other equally harsh terms. At once Mr Darby replied: ‘Mr Newton is the most godly man I ever knew.’ I said, ‘Well, then, what was all this trouble and condemnation about, if Mr Newton is such a godly man?’ He answered promptly, ‘Oh, but Mr Newton had taught blasphemous doctrines about the person of our blessed Lord, and these had to be dealt with.’” Though ‘relentless’ in his pursuit of Newton’s error, Darby believed he had acted in the best interests not only of the Church, but of Newton himself.  After Newton had publicly acknowledged his error, Darby wrote: ‘If Mr.N. were restored, it would be the joy of my heart.’”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn13">[13]</a>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">9.    CLAIM – Darby Preached Another Gospel</h4>
As well as accusing Darby of date-setting the Rapture (without providing any evidence), and claiming that Darby grew disillusioned with the pre-trib Rapture at one point (again without any evidence), Joe Schimmel accuses Darby of “…introducing another Gospel and two ways of salvation, one for the Gentiles during this dispensation and a law-based Gospel and works salvation for the Jews in a future dispensation, namely the Tribulation.”
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
In Chapter 4 of my book, I quote the following statement made by Darby in a private letter:
“…if anyone doubts, after twenty years that I have been preaching, whether I teach the necessity of redemption through the blood [of Christ] for all and every redeemed soul, I could hardly expect to disabuse him by telling him the contrary twenty times over.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn14">[14]</a>
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">10. CLAIM – Darby was a Cult Leader</h4>
Jacob Prasch asserts on the DVD that “John Nelson Darby was an extremist, but more than that, he was a confused extremist,” and that his critics denounced him as “a despot, a cult leader… a dangerous despot… a crazy man who hurt people”. Jacob makes the same accusation himself against Darby on the official DVD trailer, portraying him as “a cult leader, a cult founder, a confused man.” Joe Schimmel claims that Darby was of a more disreputable character than Edward Irving and the Irvingites, a claim he makes after denouncing Irving and his followers as dabblers in the occult who were demonically driven.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Only those who have never read Darby’s collected writings, letters, biblical synopses, notes, jottings, and hymns, along with the testimonies of close friends and associates, could make such accusations. Although a number of Darby’s critics, mostly former Brethren colleagues of his, are quoted in the documentary, not a single mention is made of his numerous advocates. In Chapter 3 of Understanding Christian Zionism, I wrote the following:
“In 1867, John Jewell Penstone published a response to ‘the course of animosity against Mr. Darby’ which he felt was being ‘so unrelentingly pursued’ by some, and which had led ‘some otherwise excellent and honourable men into a path of misrepresentation which has been coolly persevered in even after such evidence as any candid enquirer would require at their hands had entirely broken down.’ In spite of all the accusations made against him, Darby holds a place of affection in the hearts of many. Darby has been described as ‘a great and good man, an uncompromising champion for Christ’s glory and God’s truth’, ‘one of the most remarkable servants of Christ that this country has produced’, ‘a great man and ever greater servant of God’ whose ‘greatness… gave prominence to his weaknesses’, ‘a really good man’ whose ‘largeness of heart… showed itself in many ways’, ‘a man of commanding intellect’ who was ‘tireless in his missionary zeal to teach the Bible’, ‘the Tertullian of these last days’, a man of ‘simple and unaffected piety; combined with the ripest scholarship and unequalled ability in expounding the Word of God’, ‘a man of one aim – the glory of God’ who was ‘always maintaining that close communion with the Lord that gave lustre to his testimony and fragrance to his life’, ‘a man of overwhelming devotion, whose charismatic personality galvanised disciples throughout his long life’, one who was ‘generous to the wasting of his substance, and possessed of more than martyr courage’, a man capable of ‘remarkable humility’ who demonstrated ‘an especial sympathy’ with children, a man used by God ‘to bring cosmos out of chaos for the church of God’, the founder of a movement which ‘attempted a more thoroughgoing revival of primitive Christianity than either the Puritan or Wesleyan movements’, and ‘a leader of matchless sagacity’ whose life resembled ‘a landscape with its towering rocks and solitudes; its verdant meads and meandering streams; its rushing torrents and calm lakes; each of which stand upon the canvas as the arresting feature of the picture.’”
Even Darby critic Max Weremchuk, who is quoted by Schimmel on the DVD, writes in an article that he remains impressed by Darby’s “devotion to Christ and his high level of personal holiness.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn15">[15]</a> The actor who plays Darby throughout the DVD portrays him as an enraged, feverish, tyrannical leader – a far cry from the man we meet in his own writings, and in the numerous testimonies of friends and acquaintances who esteemed him as a faithful servant of God.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">11. CLAIM – Darby Advocated a ‘Secret’ Rapture</h4>
Throughout the DVD, Joe Schimmel places great store on the alleged secrecy of the pre-tribulation Rapture, whereby the Church is said to be raptured without the world knowing. The word “secret” or “secrecy” is emphasized over and over again by Joe Schimmel, and overlaid with demonic and occultic overtones. Schimmel triumphantly claims to have a clinching piece of evidence from the pen of Darby himself, but in so doing completely misunderstands what Darby was writing on this subject in his article, ‘The Rapture of the Saints and the Character of the Jewish Remnant’.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Here is what Darby stated when he himself was confronted with the charge of endorsing a ‘secret’ rapture:
“A point connected with this [the Rapture and the Second Coming] has been insisted on by the adversaries of the truth, to which I advert here only to leave it aside, as not touching the main point, even if true, and used by them to obscure the great and vital truth of the rapture of the church – I mean the secrecy of the rapture. The two points on which it is important to have the clear testimony of Scripture are – first, that there will be a Jewish remnant at the end… secondly, the true character of the church of God…. The great object of the enemy in denying the rapture of the saints before the appearing of the Lord [i.e. a pre-tribulation Rapture]… is to deny and destroy the proper faith of the church of God, and to set the church itself aside…. They are deceived by the enemy, though far from intending to deceive with him.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn16">[16]</a>
As the preceding paragraph of Darby’s article makes clear, Darby was dealing with those “who deny the rapture of the saints before Christ’s appearing” i.e. with post-tribulationists. He was not claiming, as Schimmel triumphantly asserts, that “the great and vital truth of the rapture” was “the secrecy of the rapture,” but that it was the issue of the rapture’s “secrecy” which was being used against him by “the adversaries of the truth”. Thus Darby was stating that the secrecy issue was “not touching the main point,” which was simply “the great and vital truth of the rapture” and the distinction between an end-time Jewish remnant and the character and hope of the Church.
It should be added that all the accusations made concerning the “secrecy” of the Rapture are a smokescreen; this is a non-issue. In all the Rapture passages of the New Testament, there is no indication that the unbelieving world will witness an event which the Apostle Paul clearly states is confined to the Church, and which will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (<a href="https://ref.ly/1%20Cor%2015.52;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 Corinthians 15:52</a><a href="1Cor15.52"></a>). To assert, then, that the pre-trib Rapture will be “secret,” in this sense, is perfectly in keeping with Scripture.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">12. CLAIM – The Pre-Trib Rapture is Demonic and Occultic in Origin</h4>
Joe Schimmel makes the following claim:
“While much of Darby’s doctrine fell within the pale of orthodoxy, he espoused a socially cultic mentality that was similar to that of Charles Taze Russell, who founded the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Joseph Smith, the prophet of Mormonism in the same century.”
Not only does Joe Schimmel claim that demonic, lying spirits were at work among the Irvingites, who he credits with formulating the pre-trib Rapture, but he also sets a photograph of John Nelson Darby in between those of Charles Taze Russell and Joseph Smith to connect pre-tribulationism with The Watchtower Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses) and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons). Schimmel ultimately credits “the spirit of Antichrist” with the formulation of the pre-trib Rapture doctrine. In the concluding chapter he states that “the pre-trib Rapture was first taught in the nineteenth century in 1830, the same year that Joseph Smith founded Mormonism.”
Chapter 11 of the DVD is entitled “Pre-Trib, the Occult, and the 20th–21st Centuries,” in which Schimmel asserts that ideas similar to that of the pre-trib Rapture, with its “occultic origins,” were “promoted among the cults” during the late nineteenth century. He turns his attention at one point to The Berean Call ministry, founded by the late Dave Hunt, stating that “Dave Hunt has done a great job exposing cults and aberrations within the church through the years, [but] he missed the occult history of the secret Rapture that he himself vigorously promoted.” Schimmel continues:
“The parallels between the occult influences of the Irvingites in the early nineteenth century, and pre-trib in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and some of the occult influences on pre-trib leaders in the late nineteenth or early twentieth centuries, is chilling.”
<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Rebuttal</h5>
Such reckless statements are not worthy of comment. 
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Concluding Remarks</h4>
Joe Schimmel quotes from a letter Darby wrote in 1834 in which he speaks of the doctrine of the Lord’s return working “like leaven” through the churches. In so doing, he rips Darby’s statement completely out of context by claiming this as evidence of Darby’s malevolent intentions. In a letter which any believer would be blessed to receive, expressing as it does Darby’s love for the brother to whom he is writing, and for all his brethren in Plymouth, Darby addresses the need to “wholly depend upon God’s Spirit” and “lean upon the Lord, and look for grace,” and the need for the message of “the Lord’s coming” to spread like leaven, a statement he immediately qualifies by saying: “I do not mean leaven as ill” i.e. as something negative. To give the reader a sense of the kind of person Darby was, here is how the letter, which Schimmel uses against Darby, concludes:
“My kindest love to all my dear brethren and sisters… may the Lord keep and bless them abundantly…. The Lord bless you and keep you, dear brother, and make you to abound more and more in the only true riches. Your very affectionate brother in Him.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn17">[17]</a>
Darby’s life and ministry was characterised by a joyful expectation and personal longing to meet his Saviour. This longing had characterised the early Thessalonian believers, who had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (<a href="https://ref.ly/1%20Thess.%201.9-10;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 Thess. 1:9-10</a><a href="1Thess.1.9-10"></a>). In The Freshness of Faith, Darby offered the following insights into these verses:
“A most extraordinary thing to do! Waiting for God’s Son! that is, all our hopes are clean out of this world. Do not expect anything from earth, but look for something from heaven, and this God’s Son Himself, ‘even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come’…. Those who were looking for Christ were entirely delivered ‘from the wrath to come’…. At Christ’s first coming He had taken up the whole question of wrath…. All the question is totally and finally settled: sin is borne once, and He who bore it is raised from the dead…. This sets me in perfect freedom; and it does more, because it links me up with Christ in heaven. I know He is coming. Why? Because I know Him there. This divine Person before my soul – this Christ – the Man who, infinitely interested about my sins, died for me, He is waiting in heaven…. We are waiting, our bodies to be raised, when we are to see Him and be like Him…. We are really waiting for something: for what? For the Person who has so loved us…. Government under Christ is going to be set up. All things are to be put under His feet…. I shall be happy long before that…. We love His appearing, but we love Himself better. Therefore we wait for Him to take us to Himself…. I cannot be waiting for God’s Son from heaven if I am expecting wrath…. Suppose God said, ‘Tonight,’ etc., would you say, This is what I want? If not, there is something between your affections and Christ.”<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftn18">[18]</a>
Dr Paul Wilkinson Associate Minister Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church Stockport, U.K.
____________________________________
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Pastoral Endorsement</h4>
The above rebuttal is based solely on the DVD Left Behind or Led Astray? In August 2015, Paul gave a brief exposÅ½ of the DVD at The Berean Call Conference in Bend, Oregon, following which he has been the subject of a “roundtable discussion” between two of the major contributors to the documentary. I want to make it clear that we have no intention of being drawn into a debate on this subject. The Lord always vindicates His Word, and those who faithfully preach the truth have nothing to fear. I am grateful to those who have voiced their support for Paul publically, but I would urge readers to avoid the temptation of taking issue with those who are contending with him. My prayer is that the flock of God, His beautiful flock (cf. <a href="https://ref.ly/Jer%2013.20;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeremiah 13:20</a><a href="Jer13.20"></a>), will be protected from confusion, fear and doubt, and be at peace in the knowledge that the Lord has not destined us to endure any part of the Tribulation. We have a glorious future, and as one senior pastor shared with me recently, it is sad that these
“…bombastic words, rough actions and incessant attacks upon the body produce nothing good only grief. It is evil to suggest that waiting with expectancy for Jesus’ appearing is sourced in a demonic doctrine. It is evil (my opinion) to tell anyone that Jesus could not come back today. Is there any verse or chapter or doctrine in the scriptures that tell us to not be eagerly waiting? Not one.”
We are grateful for the support of our brothers and sisters in the wider Church, and for the encouragement of many godly ministers, including Jewish pastor, theologian, and author Dr David Hocking, founder of Hope for Today ministry based in California, who has sent us this encouraging endorsement:
“None of the attacks and accusations against Dr. Paul Wilkinson, and his classic documentation and support of John Nelson Darby, ever had anything to do with my support and belief in the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. I came to my conviction by studying God’s Word and especially the Greek manuscripts. I have believed, preached and taught the pre-tribulation rapture of the church long before my connection with the Pre-Trib Research Center in Dallas, Texas.
The supreme issue of all (in my opinion) is the ‘new song’ of <a href="https://ref.ly/Rev%205.9-10;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revelation 5:9-10</a><a href="Rev5.9-10"></a>. The usage of the second person plural pronoun (‘us’) forces any Bible scholar to support pre-tribulationalism (the Greek manuscript evidence reveals that out of the 24 manuscript readings available today, 23 read ‘us’ and the only manuscript reading otherwise is Codex Alexandrinus.)  In addition to the usage of ‘us’ in the phrase of verse 9 (‘redeemed us’), the reading of verse 10 is identical to <a href="https://ref.ly/Rev%201.6;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revelation 1:6</a><a href="Rev1.6"></a>.
The anger and hostility evidenced in the writings and messages of these men is not only revealing, but exposing them. The truth of <a href="https://ref.ly/1%20Thess%204.13-18;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Thessalonians 4:13-18</a><a href="1Thess4.13-18"></a>, along with <a href="https://ref.ly/1%20Thess%205.1-9;nkjv?t=biblia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">I Thessalonians 5:1-9</a><a href="1Thess5.1-9"></a> is overwhelming in its support of pre-tribulationalism. It is time to stop the bitterness and to learn the grace and love of our Lord in speaking of Biblical truth. Our viewpoints do NOT authenticate Biblical truth – It is the BIBLE, the whole BIBLE, and nothing but the BIBLE – it is God’s infallible and inspired word!”
Paul’s doctoral research resulted in a 200,000 word thesis on John Nelson Darby and the Origins of Christian Zionism, which his supervisor, a world authority on Second Temple Judaism, told me was an outstanding, state-of-the-art piece of work. One of Paul’s PhD examiners, although not a proponent of pre-millennial pre-tribulationalism, stated that Paul had produced “a fine work of historical and theological reflection.” I share these things not to boast, nor to justify or defend our position, but to show that those who are bent on robbing the saints of their pre-tribulational hope are doing so by vilifying Darby, and disregarding the clear historical evidence which proves them wrong. Those so inclined need to take account of the fact that Paul’s doctoral research won a coveted university award for exceptional scholarship, and that his work has attracted the support of leading Bible prophecy teachers and Christian film makers. In the light of the present hostile climate, I think we need to be reminded of what some of these highly-respected men have said about Understanding Christian Zionism (see below).
Andrew D. Robinson Senior Pastor Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church 68 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire (U.K.), SK7 4AF Tel. (+01144) 0161-456-8393 Email: <a href="mailto:hazelgroveministries@virginmedia.com">hazelgroveministries@virginmedia.com</a> Registered Charity No. 1051785
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Book Endorsements</h4>
“Dr Paul Wilkinson has done a thorough and masterful job of mining the depths of Darby’s extensive theology. [He] clearly demonstrates… that there is no historical basis to link Darby’s development of the pre-Trib Rapture with spurious influences like the Scottish lassie, Margaret MacDonald, or Edward Irving and the Irvingites. Instead, he demonstrates that the best explanations of the historical evidence is that Darby was an extremely capable and well-trained student of Scripture, and derived the doctrine of the Rapture from his personal study of the Bible.” ~Dr Thomas Ice, Executive Director, Pre-Trib Research Center, Dallas, Texas
“Wilkinson’s impeccable documentation and reasoning from Scripture thoroughly refute the myth that Darby got his doctrine of the Pre-tribulation Rapture from a Scottish girl and two Jesuit priests. Primary historical sources cited herein clearly demonstrate the contrary truth. I highly recommend this excellent treatment of a controversial subject that has confused many.” ~Dave Hunt, Founder of The Berean Call, Bend, Oregon
“Due to the personal attacks on John Nelson Darby, many believers are confused on whether they should support Israel…. This work by Dr. Wilkinson is a work greatly needed to clarify these issues for many believers and it should be read by all to understand Darby, Zionism, and Israel.” ~Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Director of Ariel Ministries, San Antonio, Texas
“Few dedicated Christian scholars with an evangelistic ministry have been attacked more unfairly than John Nelson Darby, who did more to promote the doctrine of the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church than any other person. Darby did not invent it, of course, for it is both Biblical and ancient, but he popularised it during the nineteenth century. This well researched and readable book carefully sets the record straight and makes a valuable contribution to prophetic studies. ~Dr Tim LaHaye, Chairman of the Pre-Trib Research Center, Dallas, Texas
“In the final analysis, Dr. Wilkinson has restored Darby’s reputation as having been a pious visionary used by God at a crucial time in history to formulate for His Church a comprehensive and coherent theological system that provided the Biblical foundation for Christian Zionism. For any student of ecclesiastical and political history, as well as systematic and historical theology, this book is essential reading.” ~Dr Randall Price, Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
“With so much confusion and misinformation today concerning dispensationalism, Christian Zionism, and the role of J.N. Darby, Wilkinson’s work is a breath of theological and historical fresh air. I am deeply grateful for his fine scholarship and the balanced way in which he makes his case. This work should quickly become a standard on Christian Zionism and Darby’s influence on this important movement.” ~Dr. Mark Hitchcock, Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church, Edmond, Oklahoma
“This groundbreaking book debunks decades of misrepresentation and scholarship, exploding the myth that Darby stole the doctrine of the pre-tribulation Rapture from his contemporaries. By revealing the man and his message, Paul Wilkinson vindicates Darby and spotlights the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ as the centerpiece of his theology.” Cover of the book, Understanding Christian Zionism
______________________________________________
UK Orders
Copies of the book are available either in paperback (£10 incl. p&p) or audiobook format (CD box set – £10, MP3 disc – £5; incl. p&p) from: Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church, 68 London Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 4AF Tel. 0161-456-8393.  Email: <a href="mailto:hazelgroveministries@virginmedia.com">hazelgroveministries@virginmedia.com</a>
Overseas Orders
Copies are also available from: 
The Berean Call, PO Box 7019, Bend, OR 97708 (USA) Tel. 541-382-6210; Toll-free: 800-937-6638  <a href="http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-pb">http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-pb</a> <a href="http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-zionism-1">http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-zionism-1</a> <a href="http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-zionism">http://thebereancall.com/products/understanding-christian-zionism</a>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Endnotes:</h4>
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref1">[1]</a> Margaret Oliphant, The Life of Edward Irving, Vol. II (London: Hurst and Blackett, 1862), p.134.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref2">[2]</a> Alfred C. Fry, The Fry Manuscript (Manchester: Christian Brethren Archive, John Rylands University Library), pp.236-237, 208.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref3">[3]</a> Francis William Newman, Phases of Faith (London: Trübner & Co., 1881), p.119.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref4">[4]</a> J.N. Darby, ‘The Irrationalism of Infidelity,’ in The Collected Writings of J.N. Darby, ed. by William Kelly (Kingston-on-Thames: Stow Hill Bible & Tract Depot, n.d.), 6:284-285.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref5">[5]</a> William Kelly, The Rapture of the Saints: Who Suggested it, or rather on what Scripture? (London: T. Weston, 1903), p.12.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref6">[6]</a> Quoted in Dave MacPherson, The Incredible Cover-Up: Exposing the Origins of Rapture Theories (Medford, OR: Omega Publications, 2001), pp.151-154. MacPherson combines MacDonald’s account in Norton’s Memoirs (1840; pp.171-176) and The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets (1861; pp.15-18). The portions in italics are from the latter.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref7">[7]</a> Paul Richard Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism: Israel’s Place in the Purposes of God, ed. by Andrew D. Robinson (Bend, OR: The Berean Call, 2013), pp.176-177.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref8">[8]</a> Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism, p.181.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref9">[9]</a> William Trotter, Plain Papers on Prophetic and Other Subjects, Revised edn (London: G. Morrish, n.d.), p.195.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref10">[10]</a> Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism, p.172.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref11">[11]</a> Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism, pp.171-172.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref12">[12]</a> Henry Drummond, Narrative of the Circumstances which led to the setting up of the Church of Christ at Albury (1834), p.7.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref13">[13]</a> Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism, pp.76-77.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref14">[14]</a> Darby, ‘Answer to “A Second Letter to the Brethren”,’ in The Collected Writings, 8:369.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref15">[15]</a> Wilkinson, Understanding Christian Zionism, pp.78-79.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref16">[16]</a> J.N. Darby, ‘The Rapture of the Saints and the Character of the Jewish Remnant,’ in The Collected Writings, 11:120-122.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref17">[17]</a> J.N. Darby, ‘Letter (Dublin, 1834),’ in Letters of J.N.D. (Kingston-on-Thames: Stow Hill Bible & Tract Depot, n.d.), 1:24-26.
<a href="https://www.pre-trib.org/dr-robert-thomas/message/left-behind-or-led-astray-exposed-long-version/read#_ftnref18">[18]</a> J.N. Darby, ‘The Freshness of Faith,’ in The Collected Writings, 21:359-363.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Pre-Trib Research Center
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/darby/">Darby</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>Rev310</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/rev310/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Prophecy Watchers]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 00:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=719075</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Mondo’s full message on Revelation 3:10 which is one of the most powerful verses demonstrating a pre-tribulation rapture.
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/rev310/">Rev310</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
]]></description>
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Mondo’s full message on Revelation 3:10 which is one of the most powerful verses demonstrating a pre-tribulation rapture.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe title="Our Rapture Promise From Jesus | Revelation 3:10 | Mondo Gonzales" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8VnqqZfa9Q?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/rev310/">Rev310</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<item>
<title>Red-Heifer</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/red-heifer-2/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:20:54 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=697347</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Is the Red Heifer Ceremony Imminent? By Mondo Gonzales We are living in exciting times when considering the quick movement that has been happening […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/red-heifer-2/">Red-Heifer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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Is the Red Heifer Ceremony Imminent?
By Mondo Gonzales
 We are living in exciting times when considering the quick movement that has been happening over the last 25 years in the Third Temple movement. I have written much about this in my book, The Red Heifer Ritual: The Last Piece of the Third Temple Puzzle. 
You can get this book and a bonus DVD presentation <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/product/buy-1-get-1-free-red-heifer-ritual-package-by-mondo-gonzales-shipping-included-usa-only/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a> for $25.00 (includes shipping). You can also see all the chapter headings and the detailed information I cover in this book at that link.
The increased interest in the upcoming red heifer ceremony is good in that it is drawing more people into understanding that we are living at the end of the age. The negative part of this is that various misinformation seems to be ubiquitous on the internet. There also is carelessness or even intentional misleading by so-called journalists when covering the red heifer news. One of these was back in March 2024 when CBS news correspondent Chris Livesay went to Israel to report on the red heifers who now are in Shiloh. He interviewed Yitzhak Momo (a rabbi affiliated with the Temple Institute) who owns a piece of property on the Mount of Olives where the ceremony most likely will take place. In the interview, he intimated that Yitzhak and other red heifer proponents were the reason for the October 7 Hamas attack. It seemed quite obvious in the video accompanying his article that he was providing incendiary material with a Palestinian bias.
 Further, in the video he made the statement that the Jews had built an altar which was just about ready to be used by the Jews in a red heifer slaughter. They showed the following image at the 2 minute 6 second mark in the video. You can see it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI7H6J3ZzEo">HERE</a>.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR.png"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="521" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-1024x521.png" alt="" class="wp-image-697349" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-1024x521.png 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-300x153.png 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-768x390.png 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-1536x781.png 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-2048x1041.png 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-200x102.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FAKE-ALTAR-500x254.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
There are at least three things wrong with this report. First, this altar is in the West Bank and is not on the Mount of Olives which is the required ceremony according to the rabbinic tradition of the Mishnah. Secondly, the ceremony does not involve an altar. An altar in the Third Temple system only exists on the Temple Mount. The red heifer is not sacrificed as those only happen on the Temple Mount. It is killed and then burnt in whole on a pyre with other elements as described in Numbers 19. Third, this altar has been torn down and is no longer used for rehearsals. Yet the CBS report intentionally makes it look like this altar is currently being built for the very purpose of the red heifer ceremony. This was a deliberate lie and disinformation seemingly meant to enflame the situation with the Arab population and to foment increased hostility against the Jewish people.
The red heifers were brought into the news again recently with some over exaggerated fanfare by some. This involved a rehearsal ceremony with a picture of a cow by a rabbi and priest with a few others. The following picture was tweeted by Yinon Magal on August 6, 2024. Yinon is a journalist and former politician in the Israeli Knesset. He wrote in his Hebrew tweet, “Towards Tisha B’Av: Temple worshipers are now practicing the mitzvah of a red cow in front of the Temple Mount, which will enable the return of purity and the observance of all the temple mitzvahs.” There was nothing wrong with his report and he included the following picture.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="698" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-1024x698.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-697350" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-300x205.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-768x524.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-200x136.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE-500x341.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRACTICE.jpg 1480w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
There are several things to note in this picture. I find it humorous that the red heifer paper cutout in the background is not even fully red! Secondly, we can observe that the rabbi on the left is the research director at the Temple Institute organization. His name is Rabbi Azaria Ariel and is the son of the founder of the institute. Third, this practice rehearsal is taking place in the old city not far from the western wall and the Temple Mount. You can clearly see the Mount of Olives in the background and the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. So, this practice ceremony is clearly not happening on the required location of the Mount of Olives.
I do not put any fault of insincerity in those involved in this rehearsal. They are simply practicing with what looks like a young priest. However, many people ran to social media and began to say that this was part of a new red heifer ceremony taking place right now in Israel! This is a complete lie and pure exaggeration. Nothing of the sort is true. We need to always make sure and do the research to vet the information before passing it along as much of what is being presented right now is complete error.
 At the same time, we realize that even though there has been a delay in performing the ceremony on the Mount of Olives, those involved in the process are not sitting around doing nothing. They are practicing and keeping the ceremony very much in their current thinking. The various groups of rabbis are working out all the details and trying to gain as much consensus as possible between the various religious orthodox groups.
Now that Trump has been elected, the “buzz” in Israel among the rabbis is an increase in excitement and anticipation that Trump will be more friendly to Israel. This has already come to pass in that Trump has allowed weapons which Israel purchased to finally be delivered. Even though they were purchased legally by Israel, Biden put a hold on the delivery of these weapons.
One rabbi in Israel says quite clearly that Trump will be the one who brings about the building of the third Temple. You can read it <a href="https://israel365news.com/397766/midrash-hints-that-trump-will-return-glory-to-western-world-by-building-third-temple/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.
The rabbi said, ““Trump’s election is a necessary element of the geula (redemption) and a sign that the moshiach (messiah) is imminent,” Rabbi Berger said. “That is why Donald Trump in Gematria (Hebrew numerology) equals 424, which is the same as Moshiach ben David (Messiah from the house of David),” Rabbi Berger pointed out. “This certainly does not mean he will be the Messiah, but it indicates that he will play a role in preparing the way for the arrival of the Messiah. He clearly has this inclination.”
This connection was so evident in Trump’s connection with Jerusalem that in 2018, the Sanhedrin minted a coin with the profile of Trump superimposed on the image of Persian King Cyrus, who facilitated the building of the Second Temple in Jerusalem that ended the Babylonian Exile in 538 BCE. Cyrus was not Jewish and either is Trump.”
All of this buzz and hype is leading many rabbis in Israel to believe that others will recognize that the era of the Messiah’s arrival has come and with Trump’s assumed protection, they will be able to perform the ceremony of the Red Heifer as soon as possible.
One last item to note is that there was an interview in December 2024 with Byron Stinson. You can find it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmImSV5YGxk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.
Byron made mention that 2 of the cows have been officially disqualified leaving only three left who still maintain some level of preliminary qualification. The two female cows which have been disqualified are being artificially inseminated in order to continue the Israeli breeding program for red heifers in case these 3 from Texas eventually become diqualified.
The rabbis are quick to say that the cows cannot be fully qualified until the moment before the ceremony takes place. Until then, it is only preliminary as they will need to do a fresh evaluation right before the ceremony takes place. We are living in exciting times as there hasn’t been even a preliminarily qualified red heifer in 1900 years! 
Jesus is coming soon and He will fix the world and all its mess and the world will be filled with the glory of the Lord. God’s presence will not be in the shadows any longer and the whole world will give Him the rightful glory He deserves.

The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/red-heifer-2/">Red-Heifer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>Apostasy</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/apostasy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Oct 2024 05:12:43 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=669832</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Is the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to a spiritual rebellion of the Church? Is it a rebellion of the Jewish people? Or is […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/apostasy/">Apostasy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
]]></description>
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Is the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to a spiritual rebellion of the Church? Is it a rebellion of the Jewish people? Or is it in reference to the physical departure of the rapture? Check out the video and article below to further investigate this important topic.
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<a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2025-ISRAEL-APOSTASY.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLIDES FOR THE PRESENTATION- CLICK HERE</a>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">2 Thessalonians 2:3: Apostasy of the Church or of the Jews?</h2>
This topic has been on my mind for quite some time. There are various ramifications that come from getting this section of Scripture accurately interpreted. It contributes to our understanding of the timing of the rapture, the nature and start of the Day of the Lord (DOTL), the arrival of the antichrist, the coming apostasy, and navigating the waters of potential pre-tribulational church persecution. In addition, there are some technical details in the Greek that contribute to where someone lands when understanding the transition between the church age and the start of the tribulation. Before jumping into 2 Thessalonians 2, it would be good to review the context and history of Paul’s interactions with the church at Thessalonica in order to have confidence in the interpretation of this section.
After Paul was beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, he departed and came to the city of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-12). He preached for only 3 sabbaths. So, this could be as little as 15 days or as much as 27 days of teaching the Thessalonians about the gospel which included prophecies related to Jesus’s second coming. The important element here is to recognize that after Paul founded the church, he was not there very long. Even in the short time Paul was sharing the fundamentals of the gospel, he believed teaching eschatology was so vital that he taught them many complex details of the nature of the antichrist and the future tribulation period (2 Thess 2:5). This should speak volumes to those pastors that do not feel eschatology is important enough to teach new believers.
Understanding the frame of mind of the Thessalonian believers is important. The founding of the church was surrounded by controversy and resistance from the beginning. Paul, having just been physically assaulted and imprisoned in Philippi, came to the synagogue at Thessalonica preaching about Jesus. Many of the Thessalonians who came to believe did it under the threat of persecution themselves, which they eventually suffered. We know this is true because not long after Paul left Thessalonica, he wrote his first epistle to them. Paul writes, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6). We learn also that Paul was concerned about their new faith and sent Timothy back to check on them. Paul reminded them to stay true in the midst of trouble. He instructs, “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know” (1 Thess 3:3-4; see also 2:14; 3:7).
When we come to his second epistle, we learn that their afflictions and persecutions were still happening. Paul says, “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring” (2 Thess 1:4). It is fair to say that two of the biggest themes in these two epistles are understanding the prophetic end times and also how to persevere in suffering/affliction. This leads us to understanding specifically the background of 2 Thessalonians 2.
It would be helpful to outline the section that interests us for the purpose of this article (2:1-12). Before we do that, it is wise to remember that Paul addressed the theological truth that the church will not be subject to the eschatological wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10; 5:9). The wrath in context is clearly a reference to the “day of the Lord” (from now on I am going use DOTL as an abbreviation) which is also known as the 7-year tribulation (1 Thess 5:2-9). This is one of the many reasons that we believe in a pre-tribulational rapture. Paul teaches believers to, “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10).
After encouraging the Thessalonians that they did not need any more instruction about the times and seasons, he again comforts them (5:1, 11). He tells them that the unbelieving world which is saying “peace and safety” will not escape judgment. He specifically says that this judgment will come upon them (the wicked) which denotes that it will not come upon the church.
Since we are children of the light, we will always be ready for His return. It is with this encouragement that we know, in addition to being delivered from the wrath to come (1:10), we are saved from the future 7-year tribulation DOTL as Paul writes, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:8-9). It is no surprise then to acknowledge that Paul wrote about the details of the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which is clearly before discussing the DOTL in chapter 5.
Think back to when you were a new believer. You were learning about the many doctrines of the Bible. Now, add on some persecution and affliction because of your new faith. It is a lot to take in. This was the situation with the Thessalonians. In addition, Paul had been teaching them about the rescue of the rapture prior to the DOTL, the arrival of the antichrist and his coming to the temple in Jerusalem, the increased worldwide trouble and affliction. Things were getting even more intense for them, and this led to much confusion. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul clarifies some issues concerning the rapture. They thought their loved ones who were believers and died would miss out on the rapture. They were grieved over this. Instead, Paul taught them that those that died would not miss out on the rapture at all, but in fact be raised from the dead first.
This same type of confusion was happening again. Paul got news that they were confused about some of the details concerning the rapture and the start of the DOTL. Since the persecution was continuing, they began to hear rumors from an unknown source that the DOTL had started and that they were in it. Naturally, this would have confused the Thessalonians since Paul taught them that they would be raptured prior to the start of the DOTL. Paul chose to write them another letter of encouragement (2 Thessalonians) to remind them of details that he had already taught them (2 Thessalonians 2:5).
The summary of the section could be like this. In 2:1-3 the main point is that Paul seeks to correct the confusion about the end of the age scenario. In verse 1, he brings up the rapture (“our gathering together to Him”) letting them know that he understands why it was possible for them to be confused. He also asks them not to be shaken or alarmed that the day of the Lord was already present (2:2). In verse 3, he reminds them not to be deceived and that the DOTL cannot be present because the apostasy and the revelation of the antichrist had not occurred. In verse 4, he discussed the very act of the antichrist declaring himself to be god in the temple itself. He then reminds them in verse 5 that he had already explained these things to them. Verses 6-8 discuss the work of the restrainer and how the antichrist will be revealed. Verses 9-12 discuss the supernatural arrival and work of the antichrist and the deception that will ensue because people reject the gospel and the truth.
Now that we have covered the background and introduction, it will be helpful to zoom in on some specifics in 2:1-3. If we do not see the flow of these verses, we will be confused as we discuss the details of verse 3 concerning the meaning of the apostasy. Let’s do this one verse at a time with some commentary.
2 Thessalonians 2:1
“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers…”
Just prior to this Paul had been speaking in general terms about the revealing of Jesus and the day of His coming (1:7, 10). It is in 2:1 that he transitions to specifics about the relationship between the rapture and the day of the Lord’s arrival. As we see in 2:5, all these things in verses 1-4 had already been taught by Paul previously. This was either in written form (the epistle of 1 Thessalonians) or in person or both. It is crystal clear in 2:1 that Paul brings up the topic of the rapture. This intimate language of “being gathered together to Him” is reminiscent of John 14:1-3 (“receive you to myself”) as well as “and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess 4:17). Both of these passages are a clear reference to the rapture concept. The final thing to note that comes from this verse is that Paul is going to ask something of the Thessalonian believers which connects with the rapture.
2 Thessalonians 2:2
“…not to be easily shaken from your composure or frightened neither by any kind of spirit nor message nor letter allegedly from us, <a>to the effect that the day of the Lord is already present</a>.”
The first phrase is what Paul begins to ask in the previous verse. He is asking the Thessalonians not to be shaken or frightened to the effect that the day of the Lord (DOTL) was already present. Why would they think the DOTL was already present? There are two things which could have contributed to this error. The first is that a rumor had come to Thessalonica that the DOTL was already present. Paul was not sure whether this rumor began through someone claiming a spiritual revelation or whether it was an oral message or through a written letter allegedly sent by Paul. The second thing which could have contributed to their being misled and becoming frightened was that they were still experiencing affliction. These two items caused the Thessalonians to become worried, frightened, and alarmed. Paul writes to them and asks them not to lose their composure nor to think that the DOTL was already present. They were “scared out of their mind” that they were inside the day of the Lord and he wanted to encourage them that this was not the case. In fact, they should know better based on his previous teachings (cf. 2:5).
Before moving on from verse 2, there is an extremely important phrase that must be addressed, and it has to do with the last words of the verse. The ESV and NASB says, “to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.” A more literal translation which is found in most exegetical commentaries says, “to the effect that the day of the Lord is already present.” The NET version reads, “not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.”
The Greek word here for already “present” is enesteken. If we compare this with other Pauline writings it becomes crystal clear that the best translation for this Greek word would be the English word “present” (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 3:22; 7:26; Gal 1:4; Heb 9:9). Paul writes, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers…” (Rom. 8:38). Also, “whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future– all are yours” (1 Cor 3:22). Paul later writes, “I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is” (1 Cor 7:26). For completeness, let me quote the last two instances. Galatians 1:4, “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” Finally in Hebrews 9:9, the writer says, “(which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper…”
Robert Thomas, in his article, “The Rapture and the Biblical Teaching of Imminence” which is in the book, Evidence for the Rapture (editor Dr. John Hart), discusses the importance of this word in interpreting 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. He writes, “The issue involved in his [Paul’s] correction of the false information to which the readers [Thessalonians] had been exposed is not the future coming of the day of the Lord; it is rather the current non-presence of that day at the time he writes and they read his words. If that day were not present, then they could not be in that day. For example, suppose I say, ‘In the northern states, the fall season will not come unless the weather gets colder first and the tree leaves change their colors.’ This sentence might imply that the weather gets colder and the tree leaves change their colors before the fall season comes. But this is not true. These changes do not occur before the fall but are part of the fall season. But if I say, ‘The fall season is not present (is not here) unless the weather gets colder first and the tree leaves change their colors,’ this implies something different. The cooler weather happens first, and then the colors of the leaves change. These two factors take place within the fall season and indicate its arrival. They do not occur before the fall season arrives” (emphases mine).
To summarize this important phrase, we are going to be discussing the apostasy (rebellion) coming first and the man of lawlessness being revealed (2:3). What this means is that the apostasy which arrives first and the man of sin being revealed happens within the 7-year tribulation period (DOTL) and does not precede or come before it as many people think. Robert Thomas gives more grammatical evidence and parallels (John 7:51; Mark 3:27) in his article as to why these two items are considered to be within the tribulation period and not outside of it in any way.
Let me belabor this point a little further. Some people interpret that the apostasy and man of sin must come before the arrival of the DOTL. This is unfortunate because the word “before” or “precede” does not appear anywhere in these verses. This erroneous interpretation leads some people to embrace a pre-wrath rapture view. For them, the rapture cannot happen until the apostasy and man of sin are revealed before the arrival of the DOTL. They have made a serious mistake. Paul never says that these two events happen before the arrival of the DOTL. He says that they are the first events which kick off the DOTL.
In closing this section, it might be helpful to say that this translation of “already present” is not so unconventional. FF Bruce, Robert Thomas, Charles Wanamaker, Ernest Best, among others, recognize that this is the best translation. The NET translation, from the scholars at Dallas Theological Seminary have something very close in words, but the exact same meaning.
To summarize, Paul is saying that the Thessalonians should not be worried about the rumor that the DOTL was present. The day of the Lord could not be present because the first events of the DOTL had not happened yet which he will then explain in the following verse.
2 Thessalonians 2:2-3
“…not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already present. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day is not present, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.”
One comment should be noted right up front which will help blunt the assertion that 2:1-3 is evidence of a pre-wrath rapture. Some people recognize that the rapture is being discussed in verse 1 and since verse 2-3 say that “that day cannot come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of sin revealed,” they think this proves a mid-tribulation or pre-wrath position. But “that day” does not refer to the day of the rapture of verse 1, but instead very specifically to the “day of the Lord” as found in verse 2. Paul introduces the topic of the rapture as noting the topic of end time events in verse 1, but then in verse 2 he specifically transitions to the topic of the 7-year tribulation and the DOTL. This makes great sense that he would introduce the topic of the rapture prior to discussing the DOTL and its beginning because the rapture precedes the start of the DOTL.
In verse 3, Paul is saying that the first events which start the DOTL are the apostasy and the man of sin being revealed. I always like to take complex Greek sentences and put them in the same order, but in English. For example, the Thessalonians were worried that they were already inside the DOTL. Paul said that this was not true because they have not seen the rebellion happening nor the man of sin being revealed. The two specific events which are first inside the DOTL.
In a modern sense, let’s say that someone was at a football party and they were distracted by various things and then started to freak out thinking they were missing out on the football game. I would say to them, “Do not be freaking out thinking that the game has already started, for the game cannot be here (present) unless the referee blows the whistle first and the kickoff happens.” No one is going to say that the whistle occurs BEFORE the game begins or that the kickoff PRECEDES the football game. These two events are exactly the very FIRST events inside the game. They are part of the game, not something that happens before the game. In the same way, the apostasy and man of sin being revealed do not happen before the DOTL starts, they are the first events which kick off the DOTL.
So, what is the apostasy mentioned in 2:3 which is said to be the first event of the day of the Lord? There are basically three options for what the Greek word apostasia might refer.
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Spiritual apostasy/falling away/rebellion of the Church.</li>
<li>Spiritual apostasy/falling away/rebellion of the Jewish people (national Israel).</li>
<li>Physical departure of the church at the rapture.</li>
</ol>
Let’s begin with #3 which has been most prominently promoted by Dr. Andy Woods. He wrote a book back in 2018 entitled, “The Falling Away: Spiritual Departure or Physical Rapture? A second Look at Thessalonians 2:3.” In it he gave 10 reasons for why he believes the first thing to happen is the physical departure of the church (the rapture) at the start of the DOTL. Dr. Woods also wrote an article in 2017 for the Prophecy Watcher magazine on this subject. One of the points he made in the article was addressing the probability of the Greek word apostasia as referring to a Church apostasy. When I first read his comments criticizing the view of it referring to a church apostasy I found it quite compelling and still do.
He wrote, “Spiritual departures are not abnormal. In fact, spiritual departures regularly transpire in Scripture going all the way back to the Fall of man as recorded in Genesis 3. The Apostle Paul in his day even predicted a spiritual departure after he left (Acts 20:28-31).” He then went on to provide many passages of Scripture showing various types of church apostasy at different times as listed in the New Testament.
Later in the article he discusses why he believes apostasia refers to a physical departure of the church (rapture). He commented, “There is a definite article in front of the noun “apostasy.” Second Thessalonians 2:3 says, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (NKJV). Notice the definite article translated “the” in front of both “falling away” and “man of sin.” By providing these two definite articles, essentially Paul is indicating that the apostasy will be something that has specific, time-bound qualities just like the man of sin’s coming has such qualities. In other words, just like the advent of the man of sin will be a specific and instantaneous event in future history, the coming apostasia, or departure, will similarly be specific and time bound.”
His argument here is that the definite articles are making a specific point about the apostasia being something definite and not a nebulous church apostasy which would be hard to prove even happened as it would not be a singular time bound event. If this was the case, how would we even know it happened. There is not one single person who speaks for the entire worldwide church. Maybe if we were Catholics and the Pope gave an announcement that the Catholic church was embracing Islam or something that heretical, but we don’t follow the authority of the Pope anyway.
Dr. Woods continues, “The advent of the coming lawless one or Antichrist will take place at a specified point in time and instantaneously, with the opening of the first seal judgment (Rev. 6:1-2). The definite article, also before the apostasia, indicates that in the same way the apostasia will also take place instantaneously. Such an instantaneous manifestation does not fit well with the notion of a spiritual departure, which typically transpires gradually over an elongated process. Spiritual departures are not instantaneous events. After all, it took the church at Ephesus three decades to spiritually depart from Christ by leaving its first love (Rev. 2:4-5). However, unlike gradual, spiritual departures, the rapture of the church will be an instantaneous event that will take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:51). Thus, the use of the two definite articles indicates that the apostasia will take place just as instantly as the coming forth of the lawless one. This understanding better harmonizes with interpreting “the apostasia” as the instantaneous removal of the church through the rapture rather than a gradual doctrinal erosion.”
I think Dr. Woods makes a compelling argument against the idea that the apostasia of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can refer to a church apostasy. Not long after reading his comments, I came across a book by Lee Brainard in which he did the most extensive linguistic study and full refutation of the various arguments put forward by Dr. Woods. Lee Brainard’s book is called Apostasia in 2 Thess. 2:3: Rapture or Apostasy? After reading Lee’s book, I found it quite persuasive in showing why the word apostasia does not mean physical departure (rapture).
Here I was in a conundrum. Dr. Woods proved that apostasia could not refer to a church apostasy/rebellion and Lee Brainard proved that apostasia could not refer to the rapture. This only left one main alternative which was seeing that the apostasy (spiritual rebellion) in this passage referred to a spiritual rebellion involving the Jewish people.
The title of this article and the question before us remains: Is this the spiritual apostasy of the church or of the Jews/Israel? The context from verse 2 and into verse 3 immediately preceding the apostasy is about the Day of the Lord’s arrival (also known as the 7-year tribulation period).
Here are some questions to ponder as we dive a little deeper about the DOTL.
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>What is the focus of the Day of the Lord (Jer 30:7; Dan 9:24, 27; Hosea 5:15)?</li>
<li>What is the tell-tale sign that the 7-year tribulation has begun and is present (Daniel 9:27)?</li>
<li>Who is Jesus is talking about in John 5:43? What does it mean for the Jews to receive this other person?  (As Messiah or Christ?)</li>
<li>When will the Jews receive this other person as Christ?</li>
<li>In 2 Thess 2:3 it says THE apostasy. If this is the apostasy of the church, how will we know exactly when it happens?</li>
<li>If 2 Thess 2:3 is in reference to THE apostasy of the Jews, how will we know exactly when it happens?</li>
</ol>
I think it would be helpful to interact with the above questions one by one.
1) What is the focus of the Day of the Lord? All dispensational prophecy teachers believe that the primary focus of the DOTL is Israel. It is known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer 30:7). Indeed, the whole earth is involved and being judged (Rev 3:10; Isaiah 24:21), but we also know that the tribulation is the 70th week of Daniel which is labeled specifically to apply to the Jewish people and the holy city of Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24-27). It is important to note that the day of the Lord includes the 7-year tribulation period also known as the 70th week of Daniel.
What is the purpose of the 7-year tribulation for Israel? There are two main purposes. The first purpose involves the truths found in Daniel 9:24-27.
<ol style="list-style-type:upper-alpha" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Finish the transgression (rebellion)- Daniel 9:24</li>
<li>Ending of sin as a dominating influence (still sin in 1000 yrs)</li>
<li>Atone/cleanse iniquity in Israel/Jerusalem</li>
<li>Bring in everlasting righteousness  (Dan 2:44; Isaiah 9:6-7)</li>
<li>To seal (authenticate) vision and prophecy</li>
<li>Anoint the most holy place  (Ezekiel 45:3)</li>
</ol>
The second purpose of the 7-year tribulation for Israel is that God is going to use this time in order to bring them to salvation by the end of the period in order to fulfill His promises. The list below describes some of the ways how God will accomplish this.
<ol style="list-style-type:upper-alpha" class="wp-block-list">
<li>You will receive one who comes in his own name-John 5:43 (the antichrist)</li>
<li>God is going to shatter the power of the people- Dan 12:7</li>
<li>Time of Jacob’s trouble, but he will be saved out of it- Jer 30:7</li>
<li>2/3 cut off; 1/3 refined. God answers their call-Zech 13:8-9</li>
<li>Jesus said they will not see Him again until they call Him blessed. Matt 23:37-39</li>
<li>“I will return again to place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.” Hosea 5:15</li>
</ol>
As we meditate on Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 and specifically the context of the DOTL, it brings up some potential objections. Some people might object and say that Paul is giving information about the apostasy of the future end time church to the Thessalonian church. This is possible, but it interrupts the flow from what he started in verse 2, the DOTL. The church is not in the DOTL so why would the apostasy be about the church? In fact, after introducing the two items which are the beginning stages of the DOTL, he proceeds to describe the future activities of the antichrist as polluting the temple of God which we know is in Jerusalem (2:4). This is clearly a Jewish context and not a church context.
Others might object to a Jewish apostasy because they define apostasy in a very narrow sense in English. The Heritage English dictionary gives three basic definitions. The first definition is: an abandonment of one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause. The second definition is: an abandonment of what one has voluntarily professed; The third is: a total desertion of departure from one’s faith, principles, or party; esp., the renunciation of a religious faith. All of these in English have a similar flavor. When someone commits apostasy, they are departing from what they at one time professed. So, some will object and say, “How could the Jews commit apostasy when they have never embraced Jesus?” I would agree with this statement, but that is not the essence of what is written in Greek.
Notice the statement by NT scholar Gordon Fee in his commentary. He writes, “Furthermore, the several occurrences of the cognate verb usually refer to a “turning away” that amounts to “apostasy,” a deliberate and antagonistic rejection of Christ. Therefore, this noun, which was rendered “falling away” in the KJV, in more recent English translations has been correctly rendered “rebellion.” In secular Greek, in fact, the word was used to refer to a political or military revolt, not in the sense of “falling away” from a position once held, but of a rebellion against a power or deity to whom one was not committed” (NICNT).
This is the proper nuance as found in Greek. Another way to express the sense of committing apostasy is making a statement of defiance against something or against someone to whom one was not committed. In this case, the Jews would be making a defiant statement against Jesus and the gospel. I will explain more of this later, but let me give another example. Today, most Muslims will call Christians apostates. Yet we are not those who once held on to Islam and then “fell away” but instead we defiantly reject the truth claims of Islam and it is accurate to call us apostates in this sense.
              If we understand apostasy as Gordon Fee describes from the Greek language, then it becomes quite clear the Jewish nation could be who commits apostasy which is the first event of the DOTL (2 Thess 2:3). This brings up another interesting connection question #2 which we will now turn.
2) What is the tell-tale sign that the 7-year tribulation has begun and is present? According to 2 Thessalonians 2:3, it is THE apostasy. However, it we answer this question based on Daniel 9:27, we know that the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel (DOTL) is the making or establishing of a covenant. We do not have all the details of this covenant, but it says, “he will confirm a covenant with (the) many for one week.” The underlined phrase appears only twice in Daniel (9:27; 11:33) and is the same in Hebrew and the Greek Septuagint. The 11:33 passage refers to the people of Israel historically. So, the tell-tale sign is an agreement or covenant that is confirmed by the antichrist with the Jewish people. There were some people on the internet in the last few years saying that Daniel 9:27 was speaking in reference to the United Nations making agreements with the “many” nations of the world involving the Agenda 2030 goals. This clearly cannot be the case. The Hebrew is specific that it will be the antichrist making a covenant with the many which is a reference to Israel (Dan 11:33).
The question that arises based on Daniel 9:27 is, “what is the content and makeup of this covenant made with the antichrist?” Is it a peace covenant? Does the antichrist provide military protection for Israel? What kind of covenant is this? If we read the rest of the verse in context, some descriptive markers immediately jump out for us. For example, the very next phrase after the word “covenant” involves a time marker (“in the middle of the week”) and then immediately discusses the ceasing of sacrifices and offerings. The context of this verse involves sacrifices and offerings and a covenant.
The Hebrew for covenant in 9:27 is the word b’riyt. It occurs 5 other times in the book of Daniel. The first is in the beginning part of this chapter when Daniel prays, “I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Dan 9:4). This language of Daniel comes directly from Deuteronomy 5:10 and 7:9 which is the recounting of the Mosaic Covenant. The other references are all in chapter 11 (vv. 22, 28, 30, 32) and also all are in reference to the Mosaic Covenant. This is important to keep in mind as we seek to understand the covenant of Daniel 9:27. I find it unlikely that right in the middle of this chapter, Daniel would introduce a covenant that is completely foreign to the context and the rest of the book. To try and force modern “peace agreement” language for covenant on Daniel 9:27 is problematic. I am not the only one to pick up on this inconsistency.
Paul Tanner comments on Daniel 9:27 in his Evangelical Exegetical Commentary on Daniel. He writes, “The problem with this view is that there is nothing in the context to support the idea that a peace treaty or covenant of protection is in view, nor is this thesis taught elsewhere in Scripture. Yet the context of Dan 9:27 does support an alternative view. The fact that he eventually “puts an end to sacrifice and offering” suggests that this covenant has something to do with the ancient Mosaic law. If the antichrist’s purpose is to masquerade and deceive the Jewish people into thinking he is the real Messiah, then it makes sense that this covenant in Dan 9:27 is related to the Mosaic law.”
In connection with the Hebrew verb of Daniel 9:27, “He will make a covenant” Tanner highlights some helpful background. Tanner says, “The Hipʿil of gāḇar in Dan 9:27, then, might mean something like “he will cause a covenant to be strong or great for the many.” This does not seem to lend support to the idea that the covenant itself is “strong,” much less that he “confirms” the covenant. Rather, the idea seems to be that he strongly establishes a covenant with the many, or perhaps that he enforces a covenant (he causes it to prevail or be binding).
He continues, “In light of the contextual clue about “sacrifice and offering,” the words “make a covenant” are best understood to mean that the antichrist will pose as a false messiah who dupes Israel (at least initially) and causes the Mosaic covenant to prevail in the land (i.e., he enforces it). Actually, the expectation in orthodox Jewish eschatology is that Messiah will uphold the Mosaic law and usher in an age of righteousness.”
These comments are quite helpful in that the provide great understanding for the nature and substance of the covenant made between the antichrist and Israel. The rabbinic Jews are very desperate to enforce the Mosaic covenant on all the various sectors of modern Israeli society. In fact, there has been much push back by the secular demographic in Israel against the Mosaic Covenant elements such as Sabbath restrictions for businesses and public transportation. The rabbis are not happy that the full Mosaic system is not in place in all of Israeli society. Therefore, if the time came for a strong leader t arise and make good on enforcing the Mosaic covenant across the entire land of Israel, the religious Jews would be very open to this person. Jesus reveals that in the future the Jewish leadership will receive a person just like this. See next section.
3) Who is Jesus is talking about in John 5:43? “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him” (John 5:43). If we follow the flow of the narrative in the gospel of John, we see that John writes that Jesus admits that He is the Messiah to the woman at the well (John 4:25-26). This admission was quite rare in His public ministry and sets the stage for John’s writing in the following chapter (ch. 5).
Jesus says another will come in his own name and they will receive that person. What does it mean for the Jews to receive this other person? It shouldn’t be that difficult because the fact that they didn’t receive Jesus as Messiah is obvious. So, the Jewish people, who in the first century rejected Jesus as Messiah will receive another who comes in his own name as Messiah or Christ… AKA… the antichrist.
              The question before us in understanding John 5:43 is when does this receiving event happen? I imagine most prophecy teachers would agree that the reception of this antichrist most likely happens at the time when the covenant is arranged between the Jewish people and the antichrist (cf. Daniel 9:27).
It is my contention that this event of the Jews confirming a covenant with the antichrist is the Apostasy as spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 which we have seen already as the first event of the 7-year DOTL. The timing, context, and the parties involved all match up perfectly.
Most prophecy teachers associate the first seal of Revelation 6:2 as a reference to the antichrist. A large consensus also sees the start of the tribulation period (DOTL) as beginning in Revelation 6:2 also. The 7-year tribulation DOTL begins with the advent of the antichrist and we also know that he is involved in the confirming of the covenant. This fits perfectly with what I see Paul saying in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The DOTL cannot be present unless the apostasy comes first (the Jews agreeing to the covenant) and the man of sin be revealed as the one who strengthens the covenant. These two items happen simultaneously as we match up Daniel 9:27; John 5:43; Rev 6:1-2; and 2 Thess 2:3.
4) When will the Jews receive this other person as Christ? We have already answered this in that they receive the one coming in his own name (John 5:43) when they receive his authority and establishment of the Mosaic covenant throughout the land of Israel (Dan 9:27) at the beginning of the 70th week (7-year tribulation). The reestablishment of the Mosaic covenant in the land of Israel also must include the reinstatement of sacrifices and offerings which require a Temple to be built in order to fulfill the commandments of the Law of Moses concerning the Temple rituals. All this would presuppose that the red heifer ritual has already been accomplished so that the ashes could be mixed with water and purify the Temple Mount and the people.
5) In 2 Thess 2:3 it says THE apostasy. If this is the apostasy of the church, how will we know exactly when it happens? As mentioned above, the definite article causes much confusion when trying to connect this to the church, but poses no problem when connecting it with a Jewish apostasy. Robert Thomas does not address the nature of the apostasy specifically in his article. This makes sense since his article was focused on the teaching of imminency. In his Thessalonians commentary in the Expositors Bible Commentary, he does not get specific about what the apostasy involves. He suggests it could be a rebellion by those who professed Christianity but were left behind in the rapture. Based on his clear understanding of the text, he says that whatever the apostasy involves, it happens within the DOTL. Therefore, Thomas knows that this cannot be an apostasy of the church. The church is removed in the rapture prior to the DOTL. This apostasy happens within the DOTL and must be some other group which he surmises might be professing Christians who were left behind. This is plausible but doesn’t fit the context of the DOTL specifically when we see it bleed over into verse 4 discussing the temple which is very Jewish in context as all would agree.
6) If 2 Thess 2:3 is in reference to THE apostasy of the Jews, how will we know exactly when it happens? It will be easy for the post rapture people to recognize this singular act of apostasy by the Jewish leadership as they make a covenant with the antichrist. Charles Wanamaker, in The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, sees the apostasy as a Jewish rebellion. He writes, “In the apocalyptic context of 2 Thessalonians 2, the rebellion referred to is a religious one directed against God. In all probability we may identify those whose rebellion is mentioned in v. 3 with those who are to be deceived in vv. 10–12. While Paul may have thought of certain Christians being involved (elsewhere he questioned the bona fides of some who purported to be Christians: cf. Gal. 2:4; 2 Cor. 11:12–15; Phil. 1:15–18), the reference to the temple in v. 4 suggests that he is working with a traditional apocalyptic understanding in which it was maintained that many of the people of God, that is the Jews, would rebel against God and the Law at the time of the end (cf. Jub. 23:14–23; 2 Esdr. 5:1–13; 1 Enoch 91:3–10; 93:8–10; 1QpHab 2:1ff and Mk. 13:5f.)” (p. 243-245).
What is the Message or Talking Points of the Antichrist?
This is an interesting question and is amazing in that we do not have to guess about some of the things that the antichrist will say and do. We know that he will speak blasphemous tirades against God (Daniel 11:36; 7:25; Rev 13:6). Additionally, and more specifically, John tells us exactly what one of his lies will be. “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour… Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ [Messiah]? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:18, 22). This is an amazing passage in that it reveals that one of the main selling points of the coming antichrist is specifically to deny that Jesus is the Messiah! Instead, he take the title of Messiah on himself and deceive the Jews into believing he is the Messiah.
              John also makes note that the antichrist once against has specific blasphemies to speak against Jesus. He writes, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Messiah in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 Jn. 1:7).
              We also know that when he comes he will speak flattery (Dan 11:21, 32, 34) and also demonstrate his false authority by producing miraculous signs and wonders which will help accomplish his deception (Rev 13:13; 2 Thess 2:9).
When the antichrist comes on the scene, he will have the authority and position to offer to the Jewish people a certain level of security and the ability to enforce the Mosaic covenant on the entire land of Israel. The rabbinic Jews will embrace this wholeheartedly. In fact, their views on eschatology believe that when the Messiah comes, he will uphold the Mosaic Law in the land of Israel and will be involved in rebuilding the Third Temple. They will believe him to be their Messiah. He will require them to repudiate Jesus as Messiah which they will be glad to do. This fresh act of rebellion against Jesus and embracing this false Messiah will be a blatant act of apostasy and will kick off the 70th week of Daniel (the day of the Lord).
Let’s compare all the elements that we have examined so far and put them together on the left side of this chart and then see what is being spoken of in Daniel 9:27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Notice that the events and characteristics which start the tribulation period line up quite nicely in both texts.
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Let me add one more piece of information as we wrap up this article. Today in Israel the demographics are quite astounding. It is estimated that 80 percent of the population are secular or atheists while the other 20 percent are religious. Most of the secular people today do not care about religion, the rebuilding of the temple or the Mosaic Law. In fact, there is much tension in Israeli society between the religious and the secular. When it comes time for the antichrist to arrive on the scene and offer to the Jewish people the ability to reinstate the Mosaic Law and rebuild the temple why will the 80% secular even care? This is something I have pondered. We know that some event must take place which causes a change in the 80% secular people. This event has to be monumental to get them to become theists and turn towards God.
I believe there is one future event that could possibly be the catalyst for this to happen. The Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39. During this war, Israel is completely alone with no one (including the USA) to help her. She is up against the wall of a very large contingent of super powerful armies (Russian, Iran, Turkey, etc.). Israel is about ready to lose this war and be annihilated, but God does something earth shattering from heaven.
Ezekiel writes, “But on that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord GOD, my wrath will be roused in my anger. For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath I declare, On that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep on the ground, and all the people who are on the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord GOD. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD” (Ezek. 38:1-23).
God supernaturally intervenes in this war in a way that is undeniable by the world and Israel. All of Israel’s enemies will be supernaturally destroyed in a short time. We do not know the exact timing of this event. Imagine this scenario that the rapture has just taken place and immediately after this, God leads his hordes in an attack on Israel. God saves Israel in a dramatic way. Notice also what God says in the following chapter.
Ezekiel writes, “And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. The house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God, from that day forward” (Ezek 39:21-22). Some people assume that because Israel comes to know that the LORD is their God that this equals salvation. It doesn’t have to be the case. What it could do is turn the 80% secular people into theists and they will then turn to the rabbis for spiritual guidance. The rabbis will embrace this newfound attention and will seek to guide them into following Moses which is all they know.
Imagine also at this exact time, the antichrist (false Messiah) shows up on the scene and performs miracles and begins to speak for God while promising the Jews the freedom to reinstitute the Mosaic Law throughout the land of Israel and rebuild their temple. All they have to do is repudiate Jesus as Messiah and put their trust in him. APOSTASY occurs and this begins the day of the Lord and 70th week of Daniel. No one knows exactly how this will play out, but this conjectural narrative is quite plausible.
In Conclusion
It is important to say that there is no doubt that we are currently living in the age of the Laodicean church (Rev 3:14-22) which has become apostate. We also know that 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” This is undeniable, but we do know that it did not happen in a singular specified event as 2 Thessalonians 2:3 requires. It began in the mid-1800s when the seminaries and Christian universities began to embrace theologically liberal doctrines. We have watched as it has become more pervasive over the last century and now all the mainline denominations have become almost totally corrupt.
 If we take this understanding of the apostasy into consideration, we will not be looking for some specific singular instantaneous apostasy of the church, but rather recognizing that the apostasy refers to the Jewish reception of the antichrist and their entering into a covenant with him.
Christians in England, Canada and America are entering into a time of increased hostility, censorship, harassment, ostracization, arrest and potential physical persecution. Just like with the Thessalonians, none of this should convince us that we are in the tribulation period (day of the Lord). We know that the day of the Lord cannot be present because the Jewish Apostasy and the revealing of the antichrist have not occurred. Praise the Lord that we have the promises of being rescued prior to the arrival of the day of the Lord (Luke 17:22-37; Luke 21:34-36; Rev 3:10). In the meantime, we are to remain watching (Mark 13:37) and to be busy about the kingdom (Luke 19:13) appreciating that God is allowing more time for people to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Amen and Amen!
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/apostasy/">Apostasy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>Third Temple</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/third-temple/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:19:17 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=667710</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Is it Crazy to Believe a Third Temple Will be Built?               I had the opportunity recently to engage with a wonderful pastor who is […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/third-temple/">Third Temple</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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Is it Crazy to Believe a Third Temple Will be Built?
I had the opportunity recently to engage with a wonderful pastor who is out each week sharing the gospel. He loves God, loves the Word, but is convinced that most of the prophecies of the New Testament concerning the 2nd coming of Jesus were fulfilled in AD 70. This view is known as partial preterism and has been refuted quite often through the years. Nevertheless, because of the internet, it is growing in popularity again. Jesus told us in Mark 13:37 to “Watch!” and unfortunately many of His followers today believe there isn’t much to watch for. Yet we know there are many things to watch for and one of them is quite evident and easy to evaluate.
I am referring to the prophetic marker of the current preparations to build the third temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. Is this just fanciful make believe or is there a solid reason we should be anticipating the building of a third temple? This might not be new to many of you, but I want to give the rationale for why we anticipate the future temple to be constructed and also answer some objections from those who reject this idea.
The Bible does not always give us the absolute complete picture or details of how prophecy is to be fulfilled. For example, consider the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2). All it reveals is the location of where the Messiah would come from. It does not reveal the how or the when. As we come to the gospels, we learn how God moved a pagan Roman emperor (Proverbs 21:1) to issue a census to get Joseph and Mary to travel to their ancestral home from Nazareth (80 miles away) in order to be registered. It was at this time that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as we learn in Matthew 2. Thus, Micah 5:2 was fulfilled in a literal, but unexpected way.
Prophecy is most often a “snapshot” of the circumstances in a particular time and place. The prophet is given a word or a dream or a vision of this time period. When it comes to understanding why prophecy watchers expect a third Temple, we see a snapshot into the future by several different prophets. Each one of them gives us an insight concerning the final “day of the Lord” which includes what is called the “tribulation period” or the “70th week of Daniel.”
The Biblical Evidence
Let’s begin in the Old Testament with the prophet Daniel. We do not have space to cover the entire 70 weeks of Daniel, but what concerns us is the last verse of chapter 9, which describes the events of the last week that are yet to be fulfilled. Daniel writes, “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator” (Daniel 9:27).
From this passage, we learn that at the “half” point of the week (the 3.5-year mark out of the 7 years), the antichrist will put an end to sacrifices and offerings. Which sacrifices? Which offerings? The Temple was destroyed in AD 70, and there have not been sacrifices in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount for over 1900 years. Let’s go back to the concept that Daniel is getting a snapshot of a future time period. What he sees in this future end-time scenario are sacrifices and offerings taking place. This can seem very confusing because there is no temple today for those sacrifices and offerings to take place. So, what should we conclude? We could say that Daniel was possibly speaking figuratively or symbolically (some people take this position). It does not make much sense, because as soon as you begin to spiritualize interpretations, there is no solid or consistent conclusion. It is almost completely subjective to the reader. Secondly, we could say that it was already fulfilled as other Bible teachers claim. This does not make much sense either because the purposes of the 70-week prophecy as found in Daniel 9:24-27 are clearly not completely fulfilled. The third alternative is that even though we do not see a temple today, in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, a temple must be built sometime in the future. The third temple will at least be built and in operation for sacrifices by the midpoint of the tribulation period. It could be finished one day before the midpoint, or years prior, but we know that at the specific midpoint, the sacrifices and offerings which were happening are stopped.
The interpretation that a temple will be rebuilt in the future is based on a logical deduction from the text itself and is grounded on the conviction that when God gives a prophecy, it absolutely must come to pass – or else God is a liar. Even though we might not understand the how nor think it is possible, God cannot fail. Notice what God says about prophecy in Isaiah 46:9-11, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.” God will bring His words to pass regardless of whether we can perceive how He will see it done.
We must always take Scripture in a straightforward way when we interpret it. It is especially true when it comes to prophetic passages. Many Bible teachers in the past doubted that Israel would ever become a nation again. Instead of reading prophecy in a straightforward way, they chose to spiritualize, symbolize, or outright ignore the prophetic passages. However, those that did take it in a literal way, ended up becoming vindicated. I gave a presentation and wrote an article on this methodology that helps defend why we should approach prophecy in a literal/normal way. Since it was true of the prophecies concerning the first coming of Jesus, why not His second coming? You can find this article and presentation here: https://prophecywatchers.com/watching-israel. Or you can simply go to our Prophecy Watchers website and look under the “Articles” tab.
Before continuing the topic of the coming third temple, let me give you one more example of using logical deductions in order to understand end time prophecy. For the last 50 years, prophecy teachers have made the claim that they believed a cashless society would be coming in the end times. Why would they make such a claim? The Bible never explicitly says a cashless society is coming. Yet we have these two well-known verses, “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name” (Revelation 13:16-17). Bible teachers deduce that in order for this to be implemented, most likely it would require a cashless or digital type currency in order to track or prevent people from buying or selling.
When this was first discussed back in the 70s, computer technology was in its infancy. Most people did not own a personal computer. Today, they are ubiquitous around the world. We call them smartphones. They are minicomputers far more advanced and sophisticated than the government computers of the 70s and 80s. Most Americans might not realize this, but there are already dozens of cashless communities in China. These are 100% cashless and digital communities. If you do not have the proper app, you cannot buy or sell in these cities. You can read more about how extensive and advanced the Chinese government is in these areas in two excellent books. One book, written in 2018 by Kai Fu Lee, is called, Ai Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order. The other, published in October 2022 by Martin Chorzempa, is entitled, The Cashless Revolution. Most of what is coming as cashless will come through business endeavors and not necessarily government legislation. Some Starbucks and other stores have gone completely cashless across many of their stores. This change is just the beginning for those living in America and the rest of the Western world. All this digital technology will help make Revelation 13:16-17 come true. Bible teachers understood this over 50 years ago because they made a logical deduction from the straightforward reading of the text of Revelation. This is also true for the third temple and the red heifer.
We already saw that Daniel 9:27 gives us proof that a third temple will be in existence in the time of the end. A second passage is given by Jesus, Himself, in the Olivet Discourse. In two places, He says something similar. Here is the Matthew version, “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)” (Matthew 24:15; also Mark 13:14). The underlined phrase has two similar occurrences in the Greek New Testament (Acts 6:13; 21:28). Both of these references in the book of Acts refer to the physical temple on the Temple Mount platform expanded by Herod the Great. Therefore, Jesus, as a prophet, is giving us a snapshot of a future time period when an abomination will occur in the temple. Even though there is no temple today, we know that one will be built in a future time in which the abomination of desolation will occur. The “abomination of desolation” phraseology appears in Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 and in the apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees 1:41-59. The Daniel 11:31 and Maccabees passages refer to an event that can only be interpreted as a real physical event that happened in the 2nd century BC. The Seleucid king Antiochus IV entered the sanctuary in 167 B.C. and desecrated it by putting an idol on the altar mixed with pig’s blood (Josephus, Antiquities 12:253; 1 Maccabees 1). Both Daniel 9:27 and 12:11 are prophecies which will be fulfilled at the end of the age. Jesus intimates that what happened during the Maccabean period was a prototype of what will happen again at the end of age during the 7-year tribulation period. In order for the words of Jesus to be fulfilled, a third temple must be rebuilt. This is a logical deduction from the text of Scripture.
The third passage which gives solid reasoning for the future building of a third temple is found in 2 Thessalonians 2. Paul taught the Thessalonians extensively about the coming 7-year period (“day of the Lord”) and the events leading up to its arrival. They were confused and most likely had read a false letter, allegedly from Paul, trying to convince them that the day of the Lord had arrived. Paul writes to them his 2nd letter in order to remind them of the order of events that he previously had taught them while he was with them, “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not be present, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you, I told you these things?” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5). He reminds them that the day of the Lord (the 7-year tribulation period) will start with the rebellion (apostasy) and the man of lawlessness (antichrist) being revealed. What is evident from the text is that Paul is teaching is that the apostasy and the revealing of the man of lawlessness is what actually starts the day of the Lord (cf. John 5:43; Isaiah 28:15). For the Thessalonians, neither of those events had happened, so they could not be inside the day of the Lord.
              Paul continues to give descriptions of what the antichrist will do once the day of the Lord starts. He will take his seat in the temple of God proclaiming himself to be God. This desecration by the antichrist is often considered to be synonymous with the abomination of desolation.
This prophetic snapshot was given to Paul at a time when the temple was still standing. Yet it was destroyed in AD 70. Many people probably wondered what to make of Paul’s prophecy since it was not fulfilled in the 1st century and becoming unable to be fulfilled without a temple standing. We have been waiting 1900 years, but again, we must let the text mean what it says in a normal, straightforward, literal way. Now, at the end of the age we are watching the situation in Israel change right in front of our eyes. Jerusalem is now under the sovereign control of Israel. The embassy of the United States was moved to Jerusalem on May 14, 2018. The religious and political attitudes have changed dramatically in the last 15 years. We are seeing a convergence of various factors applicable to the building of the Third Temple which were not present even 20 years ago.
The final passage giving reason to believe that a physical third temple will be rebuilt in the last days is found in Revelation 11:1-2, “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” John is catapulted in the Spirit (Revelation 1:10; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10) to see the future. He was given several visions of the day of the Lord (7-year tribulation) which the Lord Jesus instructed him to write down and send to the seven churches of Asia minor (Revelation 1:11).
The snapshot that John saw in this section was of a physically rebuilt temple. The angel also is a witness that there is a temple, altar, and outer court in the city of Jerusalem which is existing during the future day of the Lord. John was told to measure the temple of God and altar. This same Greek word (for measuring) is used in other portions of the book of Revelation to measure something real and physical (Revelation 21:15, 16, 17). Since the temple of God exists in the future day of the Lord, we deduce that it must be built prior to that time. It is quite reasonable to expect to see preparations to rebuild the coming temple as we see the end of the age approaching quickly.
We have the privilege of seeing it come to fruition and to strengthen our faith. But as Jesus said, “Blessed are those who do not see and believe” (John 20:29). I think of William Blackstone who, in 1878, wrote his book, Jesus is Coming. You can find it free online. He had tremendous faith and believed that the prophecies concerning the return of the Jews to the land and the rebuilding of the third temple should be taken in a normal and literal way.
<a>Blackstone wrote concerning the antichrist, “He will be received, even by the Jews, who, having returned to their own land and rebuilt their temple, will make a treaty with him, called by the prophet ‘a covenant with death and an agreement with hell.’ And antichrist will exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (the rebuilt temple at Jerusalem) and sheweth himself that he is God” (Pp. 108-109). What amazing faith that this was written in 1878, long before the Jewish people were making any wholesale attempts at immigrating back to the land of Israel. He was confident that the third temple would be rebuilt because He believed the Scripture was literally true. And so should we.</a>
Addressing Objections to a Physical Third Temple
              The prophetic teaching that a third temple will be rebuilt is rejected far more than you might think. The typical objection is based on a narrow selection of New Testament verses which use “temple” verbiage in a metaphorical way. Let’s examine our options and allow the context and common sense to influence what the proper interpretation should be for each of these alleged interpretations.
The first thing we should do is simply examine the data. There are two main Greek words used for “temple” in the New Testament. The first is the Greek word hieron and the second is naos. The Greek word hieron is a general word for the physical temple building and refers to the entire complex including the outer courts. However, the Greek word naos is specific and refers to the temple building itself which contains the holy place and the holy of holies.
              The texts that were covered above (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1-2) both use the Greek naos. The Daniel 9:27 passage is an inference to a temple being in existence due to the mention of sacrifices and offerings. The use by Jesus in which He speaks concerning the abominatio of desolation, “standing in the holy place” refers to the Greek naos (temple).
              The Greek word naos is used around 40 times total in the New Testament. There are only few places in the New Testament where the Greek word naos is used in a metaphorical way. Let’s address those.
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>John writes, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:19-21). It is crystal clear here that Jesus uses the term in a metaphorical way as John clarifies for us in verse 21.</li>
<li>Paul writes, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The Greek word for “you” here is plural and is referring to the entire church at Corinth. In this case the local church functions as a temple of God in which the Holy Spirit dwells in a special way.</li>
<li>Once again, Paul writes, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?”  (1 Corinthians 6:19). This use by Paul is consistent with the use by Jesus. In a metaphorical way, the Greek word naos can be used to refer to the human body. This is rare as it only occurs twice in all of the New Testament.</li>
<li>We read, “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16). This is another instance where the word is used to refer to the church of God.</li>
<li>The last use is by Paul, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:19-21).</li>
</ol>
If we summarize all the various nuances of the 40 times it appears, we see that the Greek word naos is used 3 ways in the New Testament. The first (#1) is a literal/normal use and is referring to the physical temple building. The second (#2) is metaphorical and refers three times to the church as the people of God and the figurative temple of God. The third (#3) is also metaphorical and refers twice to the human physical body. These are all of our options.
When it comes to the four passages referring to a future third temple as spoken of by Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John, we need to ask the question of how is the Greek word naos used in these contexts? Actually, we only have two. Daniel is in the Old Testament and does not use the word. Jesus speaks about the abomination of desolation “standing in the holy place” which is clearly a reference to the physical temple. That should be enough to settle the issue, but for the sake of being thorough let’s address the final two uses by Paul and John.
Paul says that during the day of the Lord the man of lawlessness will “take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). We have three options based on the Greek word naos. This could be read straightforward and literal in reference to a newly rebuilt physical third temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem in the future (use #1). This makes great sense based on the context and most common use of the word. But, let’s plug in the metaphorical use #2 here in which it means the church. I am not sure exactly how the antichrist figure will take his seat “in the church.” Which seat? Which church? How will he declare himself to be god in the church? This use is very convoluted and you have to be quite creative to find a way to make this fit. When we compare the sitting of the antichrist in a physical third temple with what Jesus said as an abomination in the holy place, these two line up quite nicely. The abomination of desolation that Jesus refers to could very well be the arrival of the antichrist sitting in the holy place of a newly rebuilt third temple declaring himself to be god. If we try and plug in use #3 which is referring to the human physical body, this gets even more ludicrous. How could the antichrist figure sit in the “temple of the human body” and declare himself to be god? This would require some very fanciful speculation and interpretation. It seems quite obvious that the use #1 is the most straightforward. The antichrist will sit in the physical rebuilt temple of God in Jerusalem and commit an abomination by declaring himself to be god.
What about the use in Revelation 11 by John? He writes, “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months” (Revelation 11:1-2). Use #1 of a physical temple makes perfect sense here. Especially, since we are given other physical elements like the physical altar, and the physical court outside the physical temple. He also brings up another physical description that this newly rebuilt temple is in the holy city which we know is Jerusalem (see Daniel 9:24-27). Was John asked to measure the local church (use #2) or the human body (use #3)? Clearly, these metaphorical uses are quite foolish.
In conclusion, the Bible teaches that truth should be established by two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 10:28). God has given us four separate prophets (Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John) to teach us that a future physical temple will be in existence at the time of the day of the Lord. But it will not be built in one day. We should not be surprised that it will be a process that involves many layers, people, money, steps, etc. to see it all accomplished. The era of the Lord’s return has arrived. Each area of prophecy is converging as we watch. I expand more on this in my book, The Red Heifer Ritual- the Last Piece of the Third Temple Puzzle.
You can find that here.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-the-prophecy-watchers wp-block-embed-the-prophecy-watchers"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="IAn6INel5u"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/product/pre-sale-coming-in-september-the-red-heifer-ritual-the-october-examination-deadline-approaches-by-mondo-gonzales/">The Red Heifer Ritual by Mondo Gonzales – BONUS DVD on the Temple Mount by Randall Price – (shipping included in USA only)</a></blockquote><iframe loading="lazy" class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“The Red Heifer Ritual by Mondo Gonzales – BONUS DVD on the Temple Mount by Randall Price – (shipping included in USA only)” — The Prophecy Watchers" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/product/pre-sale-coming-in-september-the-red-heifer-ritual-the-october-examination-deadline-approaches-by-mondo-gonzales/embed/#?secret=959BeWgdkw#?secret=IAn6INel5u" data-secret="IAn6INel5u" width="500" height="282" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
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The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/third-temple/">Third Temple</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>Flat Earth</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2024 02:16:09 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=653657</guid>
<description><![CDATA[PODCAST– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVjFcTf5rQ The podcast link above from the Bennis the Menace podcast explores the Psalm 19 Project, which uses telescopes to capture images of the […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/">Flat Earth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
PODCAST– <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVjFcTf5rQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zVjFcTf5rQ</a> The podcast link above from the Bennis the Menace podcast explores the Psalm 19 Project, which uses telescopes to capture images of the universe and showcase God’s creation. The guest, Mondo Gonzales, shares stunning pictures of heavenly objects highlighting the beauty and complexity of the universe. The discussion also touches on the flat earth theory and the importance of interpreting the Bible accurately. The conversation emphasizes that the exploration of God’s creation through telescopes can deepen our understanding of His glory and creativity. The conversation explores the topic of the flat earth theory and its relation to biblical interpretation. Mondo Gonzales, shares his passion for astrophotography and presents evidence of the round earth through his own telescope observations. The hosts discuss the rise of the flat earth theory and its divisive nature within the church. They also address the idea that the theory may be a tool of division and deception. The conversation highlights the importance of observing the natural world and appreciating the glory of God’s creation. In this part of the conversation, the speakers discuss the belief that the earth is flat and covered by a solid dome. They explore the biblical references to the firmament and the idea of the earth being set on pillars. They also examine the concept of genre in interpreting the Bible, highlighting that many of the verses used to support a flat earth are from poetic and figurative passages. The speakers emphasize the importance of context and caution against hyper-literalizing these verses. They also address the limitations of the flat earth model and the need to consider scientific evidence. In this final part of the conversation, the hosts discuss various passages from the Bible that are often used to support the idea of a flat earth and a solid firmament. They analyze the language and context of these passages and argue that they should be understood figuratively rather than literally. They also address the concept of the ice wall at antarctica and the idea that the earth is turned or changed like clay. The hosts emphasize the importance of considering genre, context, and linguistic tools when interpreting biblical texts.
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/">Flat Earth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<item>
<title>The Psalm 19 Project</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/the-psalm-19-project/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=487310</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Check out our Psalm 19 Project calendar for 2025 HERE Many of you have asked for metal prints of our heavenly images. They can be […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/the-psalm-19-project/">The Psalm 19 Project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="460" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-1024x460.png" alt="" class="wp-image-645004" style="width:597px;height:auto" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-1024x460.png 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-300x135.png 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-768x345.png 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-200x90.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie-500x225.png 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/newbie.png 1324w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure></div>
Check out our Psalm 19 Project calendar for 2025 <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/?s=calendar&post_type=product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>
Many of you have asked for metal prints of our heavenly images. They can be found <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/?s=metal&post_type=product" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>
(ALL DIGITAL PICTURES ON THIS PAGE HAVE NO COPYRIGHT, PLEASE DOWNLOAD AND SHARE TO THE GLORY OF GOD)
We have three articles so far in the Psalm 19 Project series and a full length podcast interview. The first article is down below and gives the background for this project.
For the other articles in this series see these links.
<a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/flatearth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Main Flat Earth Page</a>
Part 2- Addressing Flat Earth Claims <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-addressing-flat-earth-claims/">https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-addressing-flat-earth-claims/</a>
Part 3- What is the Expanse/Firmament (Raqia)? <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-what-is-the-expanse-firmament-raqia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-what-is-the-expanse-firmament-raqia/</a>
PODCAST– For a full length discussion on the various facets of the flat earth theory, please check out the following link (<a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/</a>) where I discuss the reality of the expansive heavens and an examination of the flat earth model compared with our Psalm 19 Project observations. I also addresses what the Bible does and doesn’t say about the shape of the earth. <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prophecywatchers.com/flat-earth/</a>
Part 1- What is the Psalm 19 Project?
As we continue to make known the excellent teachings of many Bible prophecy experts for the sake of reaching people with the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, God is creating other opportunities to promote and defend the gospel. As many of you know and have seen, we are continuing to use archaeology to share the amazing truths of how archaeology demonstrates the reliability of the Bible. Like fulfilled prophecy, God has used archaeology to equip His people to reach many with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. What many might not know is that in the last year God has been opening doors not only to discuss archaeology, but also to do archaeology. Our archaeological “arm” of Prophecy Watchers involves several behind the scenes projects which require much care and caution. We are in the process of receiving funds in order to purchase a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system which will be used in our efforts. We are almost there and look forward to seeing how God uses this advanced technology to strengthen our ministry goals. Maybe we call this the Job 12:8 Project.  <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.1.0/72x72/1f60a.png" alt="😊" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />
This brings us to another project God has been stirring in our hearts since 2021. Gary and I have many common interests and one of the first ones that we enjoyed discussing and dreaming about was astronomy. Gary is a pilot and used to write the technical manuals for Cessna aircraft. His brain is wired as a scientist and so he has long been drawn to study the scientific nature of the Bible. I took astronomy in college and have owned several small to medium sized telescopes through the years. On a side note, I will combine this with my archaeology background and we will do further work in what is called Archaeoastronomy. This is a field which examines the ways in which archaeological monuments and structures are aligned with the stars, sun, and moon (think Stonehenge at the winter/summer solstices or spring/fall equinoxes). This is consistent with our desire to research and evaluate “fringe” topics that often are not addressed by many pastors or scholars. Even though the Bible doesn’t give us all the answers we would like in assessing these other subjects, we do believe that the Bible is the supreme authority and gives us sufficient knowledge to make preliminary evaluations.
As Gary, myself, and Bob have been discussing, we know that the opportunity is there to be on the cutting edge of watching prophetic events unfold. This certainly includes astronomical events. With our love for the gospel and astronomy, God has been guiding us to pursue advanced methods of research and teaching as we watch prophesied events begin to unfold. This is a multi-pronged endeavor which we are calling the Psalm 19 Project.
This project will have several layers to it, but the primary goal is to fulfill the admonition that Peter gives us, “…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet. 3:15). We want everyone to see all of God’s creation be seen for what it does… it gives and proclaims His glory (Psalm 19:1).
The first facet will be to simply share the majesty and glory of all of God’s creation through astrophotography and biblical teaching. God is the creator and Paul teaches us that, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20). This is a sobering passage of Scripture. It tells us that God’s wrath against sin is real and those that are not yet believers are under God’s wrath and need the gospel (John 3:36). Additionally, Paul explains that the creation itself reveals His invisible attributes, namely, God’s power and nature. How powerful is God? What does the creation inform us about God’s nature and qualities? Further, Paul says that mankind is without excuse because God has plainly revealed to all of mankind that He exists. We simply want to remind all of humanity of what God has already shown them, He exists and is amazing in His attributes! God is worthy of our worship and His love for us has been clearly demonstrated through His Son Jesus Christ and His creation (Romans 5:8; John 14:9; Psalm 103:11).
God’s creation is extensively majestic. The Bible is not an astronomy textbook, but God Himself makes reference to certain constellations that have a long history. One of them mentioned, the Pleiades (an asterism known colloquially as the Seven Sisters) appears in Job 9:9; 38:31; and Amos 5:8. God sought to humble Job and asked Him, “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion?” These cluster of stars are scientifically proven to be currently gravitationally bound together. How did the writer of the book of Job know this thousands of years before it could be scientifically proven? We know the answer. The Scripture is true and God provides these little nuggets of information to show that the Bible is inspired and trustworthy. This is a picture of the Pleiades star cluster that a friend of mine took recently with his telescope from his backyard in western Idaho (countryastronomer.com). Isn’t it beautiful?
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="684" height="1024" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-684x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-487313" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-684x1024.jpg 684w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-200x300.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades-500x749.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pleiades.jpg 1323w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(The Pleiades cluster taken by Micah Nowack- www.countryastronomer.com)</figcaption></figure>
Below is a picture that we took with our new 7″ refractor telescope over a period of 11 hours. Because we spent more time on the object, we were able to see even more detail and the reddish color come through which is from Hydrogen gas which often glows red. The colors look like paint brush strokes. (Click for larger image)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="617631" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-617631" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/M45-final-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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We are going to be spending more time on this topic and also showing the wonders of God’s majestic universe. Why did He make it so big? How large is it? How many stars are there? And how many galaxies? Astronomers still have no idea how extensive God’s universe is. Just when humanity thinks we have answer, we realize that our technology isn’t grand enough to keep up. Back in 1995 Hubble spent 10 days taking a time exposed photo of a dark spot about 1/10 the size of the full moon in the Ursa Major constellation (“Hubble Deep Field”). They figured that since this was one of the darkest places in the heavens, they would simply confirm there was nothing there. They could not have been more wrong! In this extremely small section, they found over 3,000 galaxies. They decided to take another similar sized image again in 2003-4 in the constellation Fornax calling it the “Hubble Ultra Deep Field.” In this so called “dark spot” they found over 10,000 galaxies!
They have continued to use updated information and exposure times to gain more accurate renditions. The “Hubble eXtreme Deep Field” was put together in 2012 which was even smaller, at 80% the size of the Ultra Deep Field (1/32 millionth part of the sky). In the following image they estimate 5500+ galaxies are in view. And even this is limited by the size of Hubble and its exposure time! There are even more recent updates which we will share in upcoming articles. Additionally, the James Webb Telescope is now in orbit and conveys to us that these are exciting times to see the grandeur of God’s creative handiwork.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="631" height="551" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-487314" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field.jpg 631w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field-300x262.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field-200x175.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Extreme-deep-field-500x437.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">5500+ galaxies (Hubble eXtreme Deep Field)</figcaption></figure>
The second facet recognizes Jesus’ prophetic words that as we get closer to the end of the age, astronomical and cosmic signs will increase in frequency and intensity. Jesus says, “there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26). The book of Revelation is replete with evidences that during the tribulation period the very nature of the heavens will be used by God to unequivocally reveal that the judgments occurring in the heavens and on earth are of His orchestration. God is judging rebellious mankind and giving them one final opportunity to repent and trust Jesus. As the wrath of God begins when Jesus opens the first seal of Revelation 6:1, the events unfold and the people of the earth clearly recognize that they are in the wrath of God (Rev 6:12-17). The Bible is full of examples of astronomical events happening during the 7-year tribulation period (Isaiah 13:9-13; 24:17-23; Matt 24:29; Rev 8:12; Joel 2:10-11).
At the same time, we also know that there are some Bible teachers that believe there will be cosmic signs in the heavens before the tribulation begins. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes, “The first of these five blackouts is clearly prophesied to occur before the Tribulation in Joel 2:31. ‘The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes.’ Again, the term the Day of the LORD is used, which is always a name for the Tribulation. The first blackout is to take place beforehand. So, at some point before the Tribulation, one of these worldwide blackouts will occur” (Footsteps of the Messiah, 130). Not everyone agrees with his perspective, but if he is correct, we need to be ready to document and explain these cosmic signs as the final warning of the impending arrival of the Day of the LORD.
This second facet also involves the recent information being presented by Tom Horn concerning the orbit of the asteroid Apophis which NASA has confirmed will come near earth on April 13, 2029 (as well as 2036 and 2068). Tom Horn is convinced that NASA is not being honest about how close Apophis will come to the earth in 2029. He believes that Apophis will actually make impact with the earth and possibly be the fulfillment of the Wormwood prophecy as found in Revelation 8:11. His documentary, Ragnarök, explains his reasons for believing that Apophis will strike the earth. Amateur astrophotographers are already photographing Apophis. As the asteroid gets even closer, we will be able to photograph it with our Psalm 19 Project equipment and bring some verification to its orbit. We are not in the habit of making predictions, but we are commanded by Jesus to keep watching and to always be ready (Mark 13:37). This we will continue to do by the Lord’s grace.
The Third facet to our new project will also be evangelistic in nature. With access to the internet, the theory that the earth is flat is becoming increasingly pervasive in our culture. You might be asking, “Really? People actually believe the earth is flat?” It is very true as we have people consistently writing in or posting on our social media outlets that we are not “enlightened” since we affirm the earth is a globe. For the most part, these people mean well. Many of them believe the earth is flat based on their interpretation of the Bible. Often, these are people who love Jesus, are saved, but who have become convinced through well produced videos on the internet. One of their assertions is that most pictures you see of the universe, planets, Hubble pics, etc. are fabrications and lies put out by NASA and other global conspirators.
Obviously, we cannot verify 100% every last picture that NASA (or Hubble) publishes, but we can do our own astrophotography to confirm whether those images are true. And this is exactly what we plan on doing. Our new telescope is a state of the art 6” refractor sitting on a superb tracking mount and housed in a permanent observatory. In addition, we are working towards a variety of astrophotography cameras and other imaging scopes. Some of the beautiful pictures you see accompanying this article from my friend Micah in Idaho were taken with a 5” refractor and ours should provide even greater resolution. Since those images were taken, our Psalm 19 Project partner, Micah, has upgraded to a 6″ Stellarvue refractor. He has very dark skies and we are excited to share some of his photos (see below).
In addition, we have another Psalm 19 Project partner, Brad, who lives in Virginia. He is currently building an enlarged dome with a 6″ Stellarvue refractor, a 60mm Lunt Solar scope, and a 10″ Meade SCT. He will be giving us even more opportunities to collect amazing pictures of God’s creation which we look forward to sharing with all of you. Now, getting back to some cool stuff about our own Solar System…
Did you know that the planet Jupiter rotates in just under 10 hours? This means that with our own Psalm 19 Project equipment, we will be able to photograph the Great Red Spot of Jupiter rotating through one evening session? If Jupiter is spherical, then why not Earth? We will have the opportunity to avoid the accusations that NASA’s images are fake by producing our own. Our hope is to help as many people as possible move beyond the misinformation and reconnect with the scientific truths that bring glory to God in His creation. We have already seen fruit from people who after seeing our images and examining the evidence are now rejecting the well-intentioned but erroneous flat earth theories.
The Fourth facet to our project will be to continue to research and examine the idea of a “Gospel in the Stars” concept. Ever since Frances Rolleston’s book, Mazzaroth, was published in 1862, there has been an increasing focus on understanding the 12 Zodiac signs. These are not meant to give credence to astrology which claims that the stars have direct influence in the lives of humans or are used to make predictions of the future. We reject that as being unbiblical and specifically forbidden and associated with the occult (Isaiah 47:13-15; Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 27; 4:7; 5:11; Deuteronomy 18:9-14; 4:19; 2 Kings 23:5).
On the other hand, we recognize that for thousands of years there has been a consistency of names, stories and images which are associated with the 12 signs of the Zodiac (Hebrew word is Mazzaroth). Notice what God asks Job, “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?  32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, or can you guide the Bear with its children?  33 Do you know the fixed laws of the heavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth?” (Job 38:31-33).
God is reminding Job that He is the all-knowing and all-powerful Creator and has demonstrated these in His creation work. Job’s previous challenges and accusations against God (7:17-21; 9:21-24; 10:1-7; 13:15-25; 19:23-27; 24:9-12; 27:1-4; 28:12-23; 29:1-6; 32:1; 33:8-12; 35:1-3, 14; 36:15-23) are arrogant and will be answered by God Himself. God is the one who has brought out the Mazzaroth in its seasons, not Job. This reveals to us that God has set up these constellation sign posts and no one else (Genesis 1:14-16). Does this mean that everything today written about the gospel story in the stars is true and accurate? Definitely not, but as we continue to share this information, there is a source history and consistency that reveals God’s intentionality. It is similar to what we see in the flood stories found throughout the whole world. Did you know that there are over 200 flood stories from the various cultures around the world? They certainly have variations, but there are also some major commonalities among them all. This is similar to the 12 Mazzaroth signs. There is amazing consistency and when we compare these with the biblical narrative, we see a story that shines through about God’s redemptive plan written by God Himself in the stars of the heavens.
We are excited where God is taking us with our new Psalm 19 Project. We appreciate your prayers!
Lots of pictures below!
Psalm 19:1 “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-487316" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-300x225.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-768x576.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-200x150.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152-500x375.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-152.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our new 6″ refractor arrived and was part of our initial setup. It is now in Virginia and is going to be setup in the eastern Psalm 19 Project observatory.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-493257" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-225x300.jpg 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-200x267.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5-500x667.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mondo-12.5.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our CDK12.5″ telescope arrived and was a part of our initial setup. We sold this and upgraded to a 7″ refractor and C11 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope- see below.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-scaled.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-528359" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-200x267.jpeg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-500x667.jpeg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Observatory-Pic-scaled.jpeg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Setting things up in the new observatory. CDK12.5 black scope on top and 6″ white Stellarvue refractor below. Initial Setup.</figcaption></figure>
After spending some time with equipment, we realized that these two scopes were not the most efficient way to get the images we were seeking to acquire. God blessed us with several people who believe strongly in the mission of the Psalm 19 Project, so we sold these two scopes and replaced them with a 7″ Stellarvue refractor and Celestron C11 SCT. Our new setup is below:
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-641484" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-225x300.jpg 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-200x267.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-500x667.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Mondowith180mm-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a></figure>
Our main central observatory is not in the darkest of skies and so we spent some time creating a portable setup which can be taken to real dark skies. Yet we also use it to capture very wide field photography that the bigger scopes are not capable of obtaining. Here is our portable wide field setup. This is a Takahashi FSQ-85mm on a ZWO Harmonic drive mount with an ASI2400MC one shot color camera. The top telescope is a William optics 61mm Guidestar guide scope with it’s own ASI174MM camera for star guiding. It’s all operated through an ASI AIR PLUS mini computer connected to a tablet through WIFI. The technology available to the lay person today is astounding.
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="644459" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-644459" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-225x300.jpg 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-200x267.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-500x667.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605_185151-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
Below is a behind the scenes video of how we take and produce these amazing images.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Behind the Scenes at The Psalm 19 Observatory" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZ0ORGYUEbs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>
Below is a video of drone footage of our Roll Off Roof observatory which included our initial setup.
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Mondo Observatory" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eWONExXBdps?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Roll off roof</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-id="641487" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-641487" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-225x300.jpg 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-200x267.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-500x667.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Full-Observatory-View-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></a></figure>
</figure>


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="498" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-1024x498.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-642741" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-1024x498.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-300x146.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-768x373.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-1536x747.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-2048x996.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-200x97.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Nowack-Idaho-Dome-500x243.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Micah’s dome in dark sky Idaho with the Psalm 19 Project 6″ Stellarvue refractor</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-653615" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-300x225.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-768x576.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-200x150.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome-500x375.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Virginia-Dome.jpg 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This is our Eastern Psalm 19 Project Dome in Virginia. It is almost complete! It will house another 6″ Stellarvue refractor, a 10″ Meade SCT and a dedicated Lunt 60mm solar scope.</figcaption></figure>
The following are a sampling of the images we have been collecting with our equipment. There are literally millions upon millions of different targets and we are out collecting photons every clear night!
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-521179" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-768x511.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers-500x333.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/orionmondo-webvers.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Above is the Orion Nebula (24 five minute exposures- 2 hours total on our 6″ Stellarvue Refractor) Click to enlarge</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-696791" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-768x511.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M33-Triangulum-12.5-hours-152mm-500x333.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Above is a 12.5 hours of exposure time on our 6″ refractor if the Triangulum Galaxy. This galaxy is the farthest thing someone can see with their naked eye in a dark site. Over 2.7 million light years away. It is about half the size of our own Milky Way galaxy.
Click on image to enlarge. This was one of our earlier pictures and so we are getting more used to the equipment and taking better pictures now. 
We just took another picture of the Triangulum with our 180mm (7″) refractor below.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="827" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-1024x827.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-697907" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-1024x827.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-300x242.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-768x620.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-1536x1240.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-2048x1653.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-200x161.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MONDO-FINAL-M33-updated-2-500x404.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
This is our new picture of the mighty Triangulum Galaxy with 33 hours of exposure time with our 7″ refractor. You can see the better quality between the two identical targets by simply adding extra time. (Click to enlarge and see the detail)
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="682" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-1024x682.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-521181" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-768x511.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/M81-M82-DRAFT-FINAL-RC-StarShrink-copy-500x333.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Above is a 14 hours of exposure time (6″ refractor) Bodes Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy near the Big Dipper. Click to enlarge</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-1024x681.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-521182" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-768x511.jpeg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-1536x1022.jpeg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-200x133.jpeg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah-500x333.jpeg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pacmando-Micah.jpeg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Above is the “Pac-Man” Nebula. 14.5 hours on our 6″ Refractor. Near the North Star. Click to enlarge</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="681" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-1024x681.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-521188" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-768x511.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide-500x333.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mondowizwide.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Above is the Wizard Nebula (3 hours and 50 minutes) near Cassiopeia with our 6″ refractor. Click to enlarge</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="690" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-1024x690.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-562986" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-1024x690.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-300x202.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-768x518.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-2048x1381.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-200x135.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M13-MONDO-final-JPEG-500x337.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Above is Messier 13- The Hercules Cluster. 6 hours of exposure with our CDK12.5″ The Hercules has 300,000 stars in its 145 light year diameter at a distance of 22,000 light years away. (click for higher resolution)
Below is another globular cluster in the constellation Hercules. This one is known as M92 and is 6 hours of exposure with our CDK 12.5″. There are over 330,000 stars in this cluster at 26,000 light years away and a 109 light year diameter. (click to enlarge)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="752" data-id="606113" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-1024x752.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-606113" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-1024x752.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-300x220.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-768x564.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-1536x1128.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-200x147.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg-500x367.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/M92-Mondo-jpg.jpg 1941w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
Below is a third globular cluster called the Rose Cluster (Messier 5). These are unique objects which are located above and below the plane of our Milky Way Galaxy. This one has over 500,000 stars and is 22,500 light years away. The diameter of this cluster is around 165 light years! This image below was taken with our 7″ refractor for only a 3.6 hours exposure. (Click to enlarge and zoom in!)
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="636" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-1024x636.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-704845" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-1024x636.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-300x186.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-768x477.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-1536x954.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-2048x1272.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-200x124.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/M5-ROSE-CLUSTER-FINAL-500x310.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="627" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-1024x627.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-562989" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-1024x627.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-300x184.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-768x470.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-1536x940.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-2048x1254.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-200x122.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pinwheell-MONDO-jpg-500x306.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Above is the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) taken over 19 hours withour CDK12.5″ (click for larger image)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="775" data-id="598434" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-1024x775.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-598434" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-1024x775.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-300x227.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-768x581.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-1536x1163.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-200x151.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell-500x379.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MONDO-dumbbell-LARGE-dumbell.jpg 1762w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
Above is the Dumbbell Nebula in the constellation Vulpecula and is made up of 18 hours worth of exposure time. (Click to enlarge)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="697" data-id="570435" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-1024x697.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-570435" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-300x204.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-768x523.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-1536x1046.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-2048x1394.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-200x136.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Elephant-Trunk-Nebula-500x340.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Above is the Elephant’s Trunk nebula in the constellation Cepheus. It is made up of 31 hours of exposure time. (Click to enlarge)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" data-id="659399" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-659399" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-300x169.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-768x432.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-720x405.jpg 720w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-200x112.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M51-Whirpool-Galaxy-Mondo-JPG-500x281.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Above is the Whirlpool Galaxy in the constellation Canes Venatici made up of 13 hours of time exposure. (click to enlarge)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="691" data-id="570438" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-1024x691.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-570438" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-300x202.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-768x518.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-2048x1381.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-200x135.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SUN-IMAGE-500x337.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Above is an up close image of our sun with a Hydrogen Alpha eyepiece filter. Notice the prominences on the left launching up off the surface tens of thousands of miles.
The following image below was a pleasant surprise. I set out to image a target known as Stephan’s Quintet. A beautiful grouping of galaxies which look like they are getting ready to collide. Our astrophotography camera is a gigantic 62 megapixel. Plus the sensor is huge producing a 9500×6400 pixel frame. What this means is that it can image a large portion of the sky. Many of the targets we go after are quite small and dim which is why we try to get 15 or 20 hours of exposure time.
Well, after spending 17 hours targeting Stephan’s Quintet I noticed that there were all these little “smudges” in the full picture. (See below). But after zooming in, I realized that these were all galaxies! I counted over 50 of them in this single image. Can you find them all? (click on the image to open high resolution quality and then you can zoom in and count the galaxies)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="598440" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-598440" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintet-PS-Jpeg-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
The image below is a zoom in on Stephan’s Quintet. A beautiful collection of almost colliding galaxies. So incredible! 16 hours of exposure time. (Click on image for higher resolution)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" data-id="598441" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-598441" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-300x169.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-768x432.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-720x405.jpg 720w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-200x112.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI-500x281.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Stephans-Quintets-FIVE-hIgher-DPI.jpg 1366w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
After looking at the larger field of view image as seen above, I noticed the absolutely stunning galaxy on the right side of the image. What is amazing is that when we image we record the celestial coordinates. I can tell the computer to plate solve the coordinates and then annotate the image. It then identifies all the galaxies found in the image as compared to modern star catalogs. This image is called the Deer Lick galaxy group. 
Remember that God simply created all these on a Wednesday (Genesis 1:14). Our God is truly beyond all powerful comprehension.
Deer Lick galaxy group below. (click image for higher resolution)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-scaled.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="599" data-id="598443" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-1024x599.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-598443" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-1024x599.jpeg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-300x175.jpeg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-768x449.jpeg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-1536x898.jpeg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-2048x1198.jpeg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-200x117.jpeg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Duck-Lick-Group-big-500x292.jpeg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<figcaption class="blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption">Deer Lick Galaxy Group above</figcaption></figure>
Below is a picture from the newly installed Stellarvue 6″ refractor in Idaho from our Psalm19 Project partner, Micah (countryastronomer.com for more of his pictures). This is nicknamed the Tadpole nebula (officially IC 410). You can click on this for a high resolution. Isn’t God an amazing Creator. His creativity is unlimited and there are billions of these objects. Truly His glory is on display for us to see. We just have to go out and take a picture of them! Wow!
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-rotated.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="676" data-id="641497" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-1024x676.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-641497" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-1024x676.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-300x198.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-768x507.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-1536x1014.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-2048x1352.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-200x132.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Micah-Tadpoles-23.6-hours-500x330.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tadpole Nebula (23.5 hours of exposure)</figcaption></figure>
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<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-13 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="814" data-id="644488" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-1024x814.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-644488" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-1024x814.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-300x238.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-768x610.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-1536x1220.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-200x159.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web-500x397.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LionsHeadNeb-web.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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Above is the Lion’s Head Nebula (also known as Sh2-132) by Micah Nowack over 21 hours of exposure.
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-15 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="644" data-id="618865" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-1024x644.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-618865" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-1024x644.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-300x189.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-768x483.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-1536x965.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-2048x1287.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-200x126.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FINAL-500x314.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<figcaption class="blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption">Embryo Nebula (25 hours of exposure time)</figcaption></figure>
This image above is the reflection Embryo Nebula (NGC 1333) in the constellation Perseus. This was taken with our 7″ refractor highlighting rich cloud fields of gas and also beautiful colors. What I find interesting and beautiful in its own way is the dark nebula which blocks out any star light from coming through. (click on image for higher resolution)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="702" data-id="602422" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-1024x702.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-602422" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-1024x702.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-300x206.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-768x526.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-1536x1053.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-2048x1403.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-200x137.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mondo-Crab-Crop-JPEG-500x343.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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The Crab Nebula above is in the constellation Taurus. This is from a star exploding and going supernova. It is believed that the Chinese astronomers noted in their records that a star exploded which expanded outward producing this gaseous cloud. Taken with our 7″ refractor of 25 hours of exposure time. (click on image for higher resolution)
The winter in Oklahoma is cold, but we now have the observatory set up to be run remotely. This means that I can sit inside where it is warm and instruct the computer and telescope where to point and it will do as I command. We are living in amazing times with the technology that we have available to us.
The following images were taken in the late fall and with the long nights we have obtained one of our best images yet (in my opinion).
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="605900" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-605900" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Andromeda-MN-13hours-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Andromeda Galaxy</figcaption></figure>
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The image above is the Andromeda Galaxy and took us 13 hours of exposure for this image. It is the closest galaxy to our own Milky Way galaxy and approximately 2.5 million light years away. It is around 150,000 light years wide and estimates are that it contains 1 trillion stars. The Milky is around 90,000 light years wide and contains approximately 100-400 billion stars. (Click on the image to enlarge)
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="605901" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-605901" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Doubleclusterhump-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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The image above is known as the Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus. Have you wondered, “how many stars are there really in the sky?” In a dark site, you can see between 3-5,000 stars, but if you take a telescope and focus on one spot for 2 hours like we did in this image, you can see that every part of the sky is simply filled with stars. It is practically unlimited. (click on the image to enlarge)
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-19 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="607287" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-607287" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mondo-PS-JPG-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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The above image might look familiar. It also is the Orion Nebula, but a wider field of view than the picture shared above. The original picture was taken with our 6″ refractor at 2 hours. This image here is from our 7″ refractor and was 3.75 hours. The extra size of the scope and time revealed even more fine structure and colors! Make sure to click on the image to see the details. Our cameras provide extremely high levels of resolution (64 megapixels) and this was an even larger field of view showing us even more beautiful structure.
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" data-id="610949" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-610949" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-200x300.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-768x1151.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-500x750.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WitchHead-MG-FINAL-scaled.jpg 1708w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></a></figure>
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The above reflection nebula is officially known as IC 2118 and is located just to the west of the massive star Rigel which is in the Orion constellation. It took us 20 hours to get all the pretty colors and its nickname is the Witch Head nebula… can you see why?
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-613704" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/M45-Pleiades-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
The image above is of the Pleiades star cluster, also known as the Seven Sisters in the constellation Taurus. This picture took 11 hours and is a unique rendition because the increased exposure time brought out the reddish gas on the left versus the typical blue only around the main stars in other pictures. We took this with our 7″ refractor. (Click for a larger image)
Spring is considered galaxy season where much of the larger and colorful nebulae are behind the sun, but galaxies abound in the night sky. It’s fun to wait for a dark, moonless long night and point the telescope at a relatively dark spot in the Virgo constellation. Depending on how big the telescope is and how long you take pictures of the same spot will determine how many galaxies show up in your picture. This area of sky below contains the Virgo cluster of galaxies which numbers around 1500. In this picture below, taken with our 7″ refractor, I counted over 70 and the few prominent galaxies here form part of what is called Markarian’s chain. Simply beautiful. Make sure and zoom in on the high resolution picture.
<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-21 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="643074" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-643074" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mondo-FINAL-JPG-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">M86 and M84 with many other galaxies (23 hours of exposure time)</figcaption></figure>
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(Click on image to enlarge)
Below is another wide field of view picture that we took with our 7″ refractor. There are over 40 galaxies in this image. We are blown away that every one of these galaxies has hundreds of billions of its own stars (suns) like our own. Is it possible that God created life on any of these star systems? It is possible, but the Bible does not speak anything specific, but it is fun to wonder. This wide field image contains the Sombrero galaxy.
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-scaled.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-638431" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-200x133.jpeg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sombrero-wide-500x334.jpeg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">(Click on image for high resolution)</figcaption></figure></div>
Below is a close up of the stunning Sombrero Galaxy (also know as M104- Messier 104). It was discovered in 1781 and is over 30 million light years away toward the Virgo constellation. This is 23 hours worth of exposure time and the picture rotated.
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="717" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-1024x717.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-638432" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-1024x717.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-300x210.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-768x538.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-1536x1076.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-200x140.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1-500x350.jpg 500w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sombrero-CropPS-1.jpg 1795w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sombrero Galaxy (click for higher resolution)</figcaption></figure></div>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" data-id="689889" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-689889" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rosette-Mondo-JPG-FINAL-MORE-STARS-1-500x334.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
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The Rosette Nebula above was an excellent December long night project. This is 59 hours with our 180mm refractor. We usually aim for 25-30 hours, but since we did 59 this one has excellent, rich colors. (Click for high resolution image.)
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="814" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-1024x814.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-696794" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-1024x814.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-300x238.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-768x610.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-1536x1221.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-2048x1628.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-200x159.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MondoHelix-FINAL-500x397.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
This picture above is the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), sometimes called the “eye of God” in the constellation Aquarius. It is a planetary nebula which means a giant star “exploded” its outer shell and the gases become ionized into the various colors. Quite beautiful! This is a 28 hour exposure. (click to see full resolution and zoom in!)
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="712" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-1024x712.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-700140" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-300x209.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-768x534.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-2048x1423.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-200x139.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Horsehead-Nebula-FINAL-500x348.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
This picture above is an 18.6 hour image which has several objects. You can see the dark nebula called the Horsehead nebula. Down to the left is the Flame nebula. All of these are in the constellation Orion. (Click the picture for full resolution)
The image below is incredible! It is called the Bubble Nebula and was captured by our Psalm 19 Project partner out in Idaho. He has a 6″ refractor and this was 43 hours of exposure time. Make sure and zoom in to see the bubble!
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-scaled.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="664" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-1024x664.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-709316" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-300x195.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-768x498.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-1536x996.jpg 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-2048x1329.jpg 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-200x130.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bubble-Nebula-500x324.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
Articles in the Psalm 19 Project series:
Part 1- What is the Psalm 19 Project <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/the-psalm-19-project/">https://prophecywatchers.com/the-psalm-19-project/</a>
Part 2- Addressing Flat Earth Claims <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-addressing-flat-earth-claims/">https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-addressing-flat-earth-claims/</a>
Part 3- What is the Expanse/Firmament (Raqia)? <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-what-is-the-expanse-firmament-raqia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm-19-project-what-is-the-expanse-firmament-raqia/</a>
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/the-psalm-19-project/">The Psalm 19 Project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<item>
<title>Psalm83</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm83/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Prophecy Watchers]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 May 2024 16:22:22 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=642488</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Is a Psalm 83 Being Fulfilled? Is Psalm 83 a Prophecy? By Mondo Gonzales The date of October 7, 2023, will certainly be a day […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm83/">Psalm83</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
Is a Psalm 83 Being Fulfilled? Is Psalm 83 a Prophecy?
By Mondo Gonzales
The date of October 7, 2023, will certainly be a day to remember for those that are prophecy watchers. It was the day that the terrorists of Hamas (among other international collaborators) coordinated a planned attack which breached the Gaza/Israel border fence. They used rockets, paragliders, bombs, motorcycles, tractors, etc. to launch their aggression against mostly Israeli civilians. It was pure evil as they murdered, raped, beheaded and burned men, women, and babies. Over 1,400 people were dead with over 200 taken as hostages back into the tunnels of the Gaza strip.
As we woke up on that Saturday morning, we were at our Norman, Oklahoma prophecy conference with 1100 other people. The news quickly spread about the terrorist incursion into the various cities and villages of Israel adjacent to the Gaza strip. Israel proper has 9.7 million people with Jews making up 7.1 million (around 73%). To murder 1,400 people for the population of Israel is the equivalent of slaughtering over 65,000 Americans by proportion. Can you even imagine such a scenario inside the USA? In the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, there were just under 3,000 people killed. This is one of the reasons why Israel is describing this as their September 11, but obviously it is even worse.
Immediately after this initial event, there were rockets, threats, or attempted incursions from the Lebanese in the north and Syria in the Northeast Golan Heights area. This prompted us to invite Bill Salus and Bill Koenig to have an impromptu “questions and answers” session on Israel with myself as the moderator that morning at the conference. Much was discussed and especially the potential prophetic connections to a Psalm 83 or Ezekiel 38/39 war. Not only were these passages addressed, but also whether this would contribute to a Jeremiah 49 (Elam) or Isaiah 17 (Damascus destruction) fulfillment.
At the same time, it is realized by those in the prophecy world that there are various viewpoints even among the 24 speakers we had in Norman. Not everyone agrees on every fine point of eschatology. Thankfully, all the teachers remain friendly and cordial in their disagreements which is a testimony to their love for Jesus and being His disciples (John 13:35). There is room for disagreement among these finer points and I hope this continues. Just because someone believes and teaches a mid-trib, pre-wrath, post-trib, Psalm 83 prophecy or No Psalm 83 prophecy does not make any of them a “false teacher.” I think this phrase gets thrown around too casually and in 2 Peter and Jude, these are people who KNOWINGLY teach error. None of us have perfect theology and so if someone knowingly teaches error, then they certainly could be designated a false teacher. Yet we should remember that we are all in 100% agreement that Jesus died for our sins and that salvation can only be found in Him.
I say this all as an introduction, because the recent events have brought a renewed interest and focus upon the concept that Psalm 83 is prophetic about an upcoming Arab led war against the nation of Israel. Not everyone agrees that Psalm 83 is a prophecy about a war that would most likely precede the Ezekiel 38/39 Russia-led war. With the increased hostilities and outright war that is happening right now, I would like to address briefly whether Psalm 83 could be a prophecy of an upcoming war. Bill Salus has written much on this for about 15 years and has been interviewed by countless people on this topic. I have had many conversations with him on this topic and so I will try to represent everyone fairly.
One of the biggest criticisms of Bill Salus’s book on Psalm 83 has come from Dr. Tommy Ice of the pre-trib.org center. He has written a few articles on that website which represent some of the major objections he sees for Psalm 83 being a prophecy. If he is correct in his criticisms, then clearly Psalm 83 is not a prophecy, but simply a psalm of lament written by Asaph around 950 B.C.
It is worth mentioning that I agree with Dr. Ice on 99% of theology and his website pre-trib.org is a site that I support, recommend, and endorse more than any other website supporting the pre-tribulation position. I respect him highly and so any difference of opinions I might have with him are written with warmth and love between brothers. He has shown himself to be quite gracious to others who differ with him as he has invited many of these brothers to come speak at the annual pre-trib.org conference, me included. I spoke on the concept of a rescue in the Olivet Discourse in December, 2022. A belief that he does not hold. It is great when brothers can agree to disagree on these non-essential points in a peaceful way. Let us now turn and address a few of his criticisms of a Psalm 83 prophecy.
Dr. Ice wrote a series of articles on Bible prophecy containing within it a four-part section dealing with Psalm 83. The title of the series is “Consistent Biblical Futurism” (Parts 10, 11, 12, 13 deal with Psalm 83). In part 10, he writes, “Further evidence of a futurist retreat toward historicism within some otherwise futurist circles, can be seen by those who insist that Psalm 83 is a war that will take place before the rapture, during the current church age and not in association with the tribulation. Historicists believe that Old Testament prophetic passages can be fulfilled during the current church age. <a>Consistent futurists believe that future Old Testament prophecy will start to be fulfilled after the rapture of the Church, except the prophecy of the rapture itself</a>” (emphasis mine).
What Dr. Ice says here is very true in a general sense, but we need to be careful not to make nuances for those times when there are exceptions to the general truths. The first correction is that Bill Salus makes no direct connections that Psalm 83 must happen before the rapture. Therefore, Bill and those that believe Psalm 83 is a prophecy are not historicists.
So, let’s remove that criticism from the table. Bill and others would all agree that the rapture is an imminent event and there is nothing that must precede or is even prophetically written to precede the rapture. If Psalm 83 is a prophecy, it has no direct connection to the timing of the rapture.
Dr. Ice continues, “Consistent futurists believe that future Old Testament prophecy will start to be fulfilled after the rapture of the Church, except the prophecy of the rapture itself” (emphasis mine). I am a little surprised he would write this and it is possible I am misunderstanding exactly what he is saying. We understand from many passages that the restoration of Israel would happen at some point after their expulsion in AD 70 – 135 (Ezekiel 37:21; 11:17; 34:13; 28:25; 36:24; Jeremiah 23:3) and possibly before the rapture. This is OT prophecy and did occur during the church age in 1948 before the rapture.
In addition, we have the prophecy of Gog/Magog war to happen in the latter years (Ezekiel 38:8, 16) and many consistent futurist prophecy teachers believe this could happen before the rapture in the church age. In this case, I would object to saying that to be a consistent futurist is to believe that future OT prophecy must be fulfilled after the rapture. Most of the OT prophecies certainly will be fulfilled after the church age, but as I mentioned above, Israel for sure and possibly the Gog/Magog war could happen prior to the rapture. In this case, one could still be a consistent futurist and believe that a Psalm 83 war could happen prior to the rapture.
In the same article (#10), he asks, “A question I have is would God reveal a major prophecy event, like Salus says the so-called Psalm 83 war would be, first in the Psalms and no where else clearly? If we move from the clear passages that we know concerning future prophetic events, is there another example of an entire prophetic event being revealed in a Psalm without being revealed in the Prophets? If the Lord revealed a prophecy first in the Psalms, then like Psalm 2, which has statements in it that likely refers to tribulation events, it would have been clarified through a clearer and systematic statement of that event in the Prophets.”
This line of thinking commits the fallacy of the single cause. Dr. Ice asks, “would God reveal a major prophecy event….?” and then moves on to assume that God always reveals prophecy in the same way. There is no doubt that God reveals His truths in consistent ways, but to say that something is not true because it doesn’t follow a certain pattern is erroneous thinking. God certainly can reveal His truth in various methods as we see in Hebrews 1:1-2. If a prophecy is found in the psalms, it does not absolutely need to be found in the prophetic literature to be deemed as accurate.
Others have objected to Psalm 83 being a prophecy by demanding that for it to be prophetic, it must say contain complete details of a beginning and ending. For many, it also must mention the “latter days” or have thorough results of a war. These are all assumptions and many passages have full accounts, but this is not a requirement for prophetic material and the lack of these items does not negate prophetic material outright.
Dr. Ice continues in his article to list the various accepted categories of psalms, “1) the lament or petition psalms, either individual (Ps. 3) or communal (Ps. 44); (2) thanksgiving or praise psalms, either individual (Ps. 30) or communal (Ps. 65); (3) psalms of trust in God (Ps. 4); (4) hymns that include psalms on the enthronement of Yahweh (see Gen. 2:4, note; Ps. 47, note), psalms concerning Jerusalem (Ps. 48), and royal psalms (some of which are messianic; Pss. 2, 110); and (5) didactic and wisdom psalms (Pss. 1, 37, 119).”
It seems the intention of including this list is to minimize the probability of Psalm 83 being a psalm of prophecy as it would not fall into any of these categories. Dr. Ice is quite clear that he sees this psalm as a lament psalm and no doubt this psalm is a lament, but is it only a lament or could it possibly include something more? In part 13, he makes the comment, “There is absolutely no doubt that Psalm 83 is 100% inspired by God, just like all the rest of Scripture. However, there is no prophecy in this Psalm, simply a petition to God by Asaph to judge those enemies that are against Israel. I challenge anyone to show me a prophetic portion or statement in Psalm 83!” (emphasis mine).
It seems that Dr. Ice is stating that the only standard for a psalm to include genuine prophecy is for it to contain a specific prophetic label or statement. This is clearly not the standard when it comes to Messianic prophecy or other fulfillments found in later writers.
In preparing this article, I thought it would be interesting to interact with various psalms as quoted by the New Testament apostles. It is impossible to be exhaustive, but let us examine several examples. The first is poignant because Peter specifically uses the word “fulfilled” (Greek pleroo) which is used consistently in the NT to be in reference to fulfilled prophecy from the OT. Notice how Peter discusses the replacing of Judas, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ (Acts 1:16-20).
Peter quotes two places in the Psalms (69:25 and 109:8). Both of these psalms are also lament psalms written by David. Yet nowhere in these lament psalms will you find any prophetic portions or statements that Dr. Ice requires for Psalm 83. We know through Peter that the Holy Spirit certainly intended these two passages by David to be prophetic without any direct prophetic indicators.
Another interesting one is found a few verses earlier in the Davidic lament psalm. David writes, “They put bitter poison into my food, and to quench my thirst they give me vinegar to drink” (Psalm 69:21). Later in the gospel of John, he writes, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:28-30). Again, we have the use of the word “fulfilled” which is in reference to prophetic material in the OT. Just like verse 25 from Acts 1, Psalm 69:21 contains no prophetic portion or statement showing it to be prophetic, but it clearly is.
One final example will be quite telling. We know that Asaph who wrote Psalm 83 was a seer (Hebrew chozeh) as is mentioned twice (2 Chronicles 29:30; 35:15). A seer was someone who was most often equated with a prophet and spoke authoritatively and frequently in prophetic utterances or through a vision. We learn this about a seer, “Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today’s “prophet” was formerly called a seer” (1 Sam. 9:9). This does not mean that everything that a seer said was a predictive prophecy, but it certainly opens up their words to having a prophetic element.
Let’s circle back to Asaph the seer. In the later ministry of Jesus, He began to speak to the crowds in parables. The disciples questioned Him as to why He would do this. Matthew reveals that He spoke in riddles to hide the truth from those whose heart was hardened, but it would be revealed to His disciples (Matthew 13:10-17). Matthew summarizes this section by writing, “Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds; He did not speak to them without a parable. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will announce what has been hidden from the foundation of the world’” (Matt. 13:34-35). This is a direct quote from Psalm 78:2 which was written by Asaph also. It is classified as a wisdom psalm, but it also contains no prophetic portion or statement showing that it was to be later understood as a prophecy by Matthew.
Notice clearly that Matthew calls Asaph a prophet, so there can be no misunderstanding about God using Asaph’s words in a prophetic way when applicable. Dr. Ice wrote in his article, “I challenge anyone to show me a prophetic portion or statement in Psalm 83!” I have just demonstrated a small sample of where prophecy has occurred in various psalms where no prophetic portion or statement was overtly included. Even more, there are prophetic elements in the psalm of the prophet Asaph which was confirmed in the New Testament.
Those that would use this line of reasoning to dispute a possible prophetic element as found in the Asaph Psalm (83) must concede that their reasoning is tenuous at best. Does this prove that Psalm 83 is a prophecy? No, it does not, but it certainly removes a major stumbling block for those that make a strong assertion against the idea.
There is only enough space to address one other criticism by Dr. Ice against the idea that Psalm 83 could be a prophecy which would find possible fulfillment in the church age.
He writes also in part 10, “Since Asaph wrote the Psalm around 950 B.C. the only Assyria that existed at that time was the one north of Babylon. This appears to be a problem for Salas’ contention that it refers to the modern state of Syria with Damascus as its capitol.[8] Modern Syria cannot be ancient Assyria. It is true that modern Syria developed out of ancient Assyria, but they are not the same. In Psalm 83, the text says “Assyria,” not Syria. Yet, Assyria has been gone from history since Nineveh, its capital was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612 B.C. Nor was Syria in existence when Asaph wrote Psalm 83.
The same would go for Philistia, which Salus takes as one of the strands that make up the modern Palestinians. The first problem with this view is that “Early Palestine was dominated by white Caucasians from the eastern Mediterranean area.” By the time of the intertestamental period, the Philistines disappear from history. Why is this important? This is important since it is legitimate to trace a modern people group from their ancient ancestors mentioned in the Bible if that people group remains the same over the years. The fact that the Philistines have totally vanished from history, while the Palestinians, who take the name from the ancient Philistines are ethnically unrelated to them. Since there is no ethnic relationship, this disqualifies one from identifying them as the same people group today. Modern Palestinians are generally made up of Arabs from all of the surrounding counties that have immigrated to Israel over the years. Salus argues that modern Palestinians descend from the Edomites, which may be the case, but what modern people group are represented by the Philistines?”
His main criticism here is how he feels Bill Salus handles the players that are listed in Psalm 83:6-7. Let me list them out which is helpful to see and also my comments:
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Tents of Edom             (people group) – most likely southern trans-Jordanian Arabs          </li>
<li>Ishmaelites                  (people group) – most likely trans-Jordanian Arabs</li>
<li>Moab                           (geographic area) – southern Jordan SE of Dead Sea</li>
<li>Hagrites                      (people group) – trans-Jordanian tribes or “Egypt per Bill Salus”</li>
<li>Gebal                           (geographic area) – most likely near Petra</li>
<li>Ammon                       (geographic area) – modern Amman Jordan</li>
<li>Amalek                        (geographic area) – Sinai area up towards southern Jordan</li>
<li>Philistia                       (geographic area) – modern day Gaza strip  </li>
<li>Inhabitants of Tyre      (people group) – includes people of Lebanon (Hezbollah?)</li>
<li>Asshur has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. (geographic area)</li>
</ol>
Now, let me say up front that Bill Salus and I would probably approach answering Dr. Ice’s criticisms differently in this case. You can read Bill’s book on Psalm 83 to get his perspective, but I think the main criticisms against Bill’s understanding of Psalm 83 can be blunted if we simply see that there is a distinction being made between the peoples and the geographical areas. This is common in the Old Testament when discussing nations or peoples.
There are helpful grammatical indicators in Hebrew when discussing a people group and a geographical area. For example, sometimes you see Ammonites (people) versus simply Ammon (location). Other times you see Amalek versus Amalekites. This also comes into play with Edom and Edomites. The Anchor Bible Dictionary article on Asshur (Assyria) says, “In the Bible the references to Asshur are always to the land, people, and king of Assyria as well as to their patronymic Asshur” (Page 500). Therefore, Dr. Ice’s criticism of Bill including Asshur (Assyria) can be unfounded if we understand Psalm 83 to be speaking of the geographic location instead of the Assyrian people groups. If you look today at the geographic location of Asshur (Assyria) it is based dead center in the area of Iraq where the terrorist group Isis has been operating. If Psalm 83 is a prophecy, could it be referring to whatever people group is based in the ancient geographical location of Assyria (modern Iraq)? It could include territory that certainly is westward towards modern Syria.
Also, this response could be the same for Dr. Ice’s criticism of seeing the Philistines involved in a Psalm 83 war. He asks, “but what modern people group are represented by the Philistines?” I think he misses the point because the text does not say Philistine, but instead Philistia which is a geographic location. This clearly refers to the Gaza strip area which is currently populated by Hamas terrorists and its subjects. Before 2005, there were Jews living there also, but that is no longer the case. In fact, since 2005, the potential prophecy of Philistia in Psalm 83 has become even more accurate.
After reading Dr. Ice’s criticisms of the concept of Psalm 83 being a prophecy of a coming Arab led war, I find his criticisms unpersuasive. Where does this leave us?
My goal in this article was not to prove that Psalm 83 was 100% a future prophecy. My goal was to show that those that say it is 100% not a prophecy are in error. The New Testament writings are 100% inspired and so if they interpret by the guiding of the Holy Spirit that certain psalms are indeed prophecies, they have the freedom to make these determinations with authority. We do not have the luxury to say that Psalm 83 is 100% a prophecy, but what we do know is that there is precedent for seeing a lament Psalm written by Asaph the prophet as a prophecy.
There are certainly other considerations written by Bill Salus and others that give even more credence to understanding Psalm 83 as a genuine prophecy that will be fulfilled in the future. Do I think they could ever be 100% confident? I do not, but I do think based on those other considerations that they could have a high degree of probability in saying that Psalm 83 is prophetic. This is far greater than the critics maintain when they say that seeing Psalm 83 as a prophecy is pure speculation. I disagree with that assessment.
I consulted over 50 commentaries on Psalm 83 and the overwhelming consensus was that there is nothing in history that fulfills all the elements as found in the psalm. Does this prove that it is a future prophecy? No, it does not, but what it does show is that it is left open ended as never before having any historical correlation. That gives me pause to consider the psalm ever more diligently.
My approach is that I am going to watch the geopolitical developments carefully and have a wait and see attitude at whether the events line up with the outline as found in Psalm 83. This requires a humble and cautious approach, but the more and more that events transpire, it is looking more certain than ever that Psalm 83 contains within it a future prophecy.
Amazingly, as we observe current events in Israel, the future of this Psalm’s potential fulfillment is looking to be sooner rather than later.
Maranatha!
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/psalm83/">Psalm83</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>Eclipse</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/eclipse/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Mondo Gonzales]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 17:12:28 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=639949</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ever since August 2017, when I had the chance to view a partial eclipse from my location in the Pacific Northwest, I was super excited […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/eclipse/">Eclipse</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="912" height="268" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-639950" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header.jpg 912w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header-300x88.jpg 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header-768x226.jpg 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header-200x59.jpg 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eclipse-header-500x147.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px" /></a></figure>
Ever since August 2017, when I had the chance to view a partial eclipse from my location in the Pacific Northwest, I was super excited to see the one coming in 2024. The last full one I remember learning about was February 1979. I was just under 5 years old, but I became fascinated by the whole phenomenon. For the April 2024 eclipse, 3 others and I were making big plans. We wanted to document as much as possible for the Psalm 19 Project. We had intended to make our base camp in central Texas with a backup plan to go to northern Arkansas. The eclipse was on a Monday afternoon, so we would look at the weather forecast Sunday morning and then make a decision. At the last minute, we realized that the weather forecast for Texas was inferior to the Arkansas location. So, off we went to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. Our Psalm 19 Project eastern US observatory team member, Brad Brady brought his solar telescope with high tech Hydrogen alpha filters. We also were able to bring another 85mm refractor telescope with a standard solar filter sitting atop a tracking mount. The weather ended up being perfect as the eclipse began around noon. Slowly, we tracked and imaged the moon taking incremental bites out of the sun’s disk. We even had the opportunity to do a live Facebook post of our adventure prior to totality.
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="577" height="770" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-639951" style="width:324px;height:auto" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image.png 577w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-225x300.png 225w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-200x267.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-500x667.png 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px" /></a></figure></div>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="461" height="1024" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1-461x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-639952" style="width:302px;height:auto" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1-461x1024.png 461w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1-135x300.png 135w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1-200x444.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-1.png 490w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Picture of Sun we took with our 60mm refractor with a Hydrogen Alpha filter</figcaption></figure></div>
It was predicted that totality would last a very generous 4 minutes and 8 seconds. Just for comparison, the August 2017 totality was 2.5 minutes. When totality arrived, all of us were in awe of the majesty of God’s handiwork in creating the circumstances which allow a solar eclipse to happen. The angular size of the sun and moon in the sky as we observe them are virtually identical. This is because the sun is 400x wider than the moon, but is also 400x further away from us than the moon. The moon is around 240,000 miles from us and the sun is 96 million miles away. I find it interesting to hear astronomers talk about the inconceivable odds of these circumstances, but still maintain that it must be coincidence. Sadly, they fulfill the Scripture which says, “professing themselves to be wise, they have become fools” (Romans 1:22).
When the last bright rays of the sun disappeared behind the moon, it became obvious that something changed. From the beginning of the moon starting to slowly cover the sun to the full totality takes about 70 minutes. Even though it was getting dimmer as the moon began its interruption of the sun’s light to our eyes, it still was relatively bright out. The special nature of a full solar eclipse is that even if you get 99% you cannot look at the sun without special glasses. That last 1% of light creeping around the side of the moon is enough to spoil a total eclipse experience. You either have 100% totality or nothing at all in a relative sense. However, once 100% totality begins, your special glasses can come off. In fact, you can even look at the sun through binoculars or telescopes unaided by any filter at all. And what a sight it is! We were able to see the corona in stunning glory. The corona is the outermost layer of the sun’s atmosphere which is extremely hot. The sun’s surface is around 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, but the corona can reach upwards of 2 million degrees. Astronomers still have no idea why there is such a temperature difference. Even though the corona is so hot, it is also dim in comparison to the normal sun disk. Therefore, the only way to see it naturally (without special equipment) is during a solar eclipse, which we did.
During this particular total eclipse, there was another special event occurring. The planets were all lined up on the ecliptic (the imaginary line of the sun’s normal path of travel). We were able to see Venus and Jupiter during the eclipse. Saturn was also able to be seen, but it was hidden behind trees from our vantage point further down towards the horizon. After we enjoyed the 4+ minutes of totality, our group sat down to share our thoughts. We all agreed that it was truly a spiritual experience to observe the beauty and artistic genius of God that He created especially for humanity. Nowhere else in the solar system does this occur. God created solar and lunar eclipses for our enjoyment and for us to be awed by His power. During totality, it gets much darker. Almost as much as dusk. Plus, it becomes so obvious that totality has occurred as the temperature drops upwards of 15 degrees from normal. The other interesting phenomena which others have noted is that it becomes super quiet. Birds, squirrels, etc. stop and ponder as their normal instinctual habits have become unnaturally interrupted. Even though we had over 4 minutes, we all agreed it was not long enough. The longest solar eclipses can last over 7 minutes. What a treat that would be! The next eclipse to grace the contiguous United States is not until August 2044 where it will only be visible in Montana and North Dakota. However, another one which crosses the US will occur the following August 2045. It will pass through 15 states and continue southeast into the Caribbean.
Eclipse Hysteria?
Not only did the April 2024 eclipse provide opportunities for seeing God’s majesty, interestingly it provided occasion for those who watch prophecy to seek meaning in what it might portend. For many, the meaning of a normal and periodic eclipse was not a big deal, but because it occurred seven years after another eclipse in August 2017 some believed God was sending a message of warning to the people of the United States. There was not much attention given to the 2017 eclipse which crossed the entire US territory. Yet as attention was turned to the arrival of the 2024 eclipse, people began to focus on what this might possibly foretell for the future of America. One of the main reasons this even came to be of interest is that if one examined the two paths of the shadows of the total solar eclipses, it created a proverbial X over the US centered in the southern area of Illinois. Was this an X which marked the spot of something good or did it mark something ominous or foreboding that God was speaking to America?
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<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="710" height="399" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2.png" alt="" class="wp-image-639953" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2.png 710w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2-300x169.png 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2-200x112.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2-500x281.png 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /></a></figure></div>
As 2023 progressed, some people began to analyze the cities which experienced the path of totality from 2017 and then also looked for those which would be a part of the path of totality in 2024. The most thorough book which examined all of these was investigated by AC Katz. I was able to do an interview with her and see an advanced copy of her manuscript as she was finalizing the book. One of the benefits of her data and analysis was that she was simply presenting the information and not making any predictions. During January through April 8 of this year, the eclipse hysteria began. Not everyone, but the internet and YouTube provided opportunities for people to make videos and outlandish claims which included predictions of the rapture and other judgments of God. It was quite challenging to find videos which had accurate information. I kept pointing people back to AC Katz’s book because she did the homework and approached it carefully and cautiously.
The other common occurrence which continuously bubbled to the surface was the common refrain, “This can’t be a coincidence. God doesn’t believe in coincidences.” This is a good opportunity to discuss what the Bible says about “coincidences” and how the theology of the Scripture should guide our thoughts and expectations as we “see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). If we do not truly understand what the Bible says about coincidences, then the church is going to suffer even more misguided but well-intentioned confusion.
I have no interest in discussing the full sovereignty of God in this article. That would be impossible. Especially when it’s extremely complex and the inclusion of the free choices of humans can lead down many rabbit holes. However, Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father” (Matt 10:29). Some versions add the word “will” as to say “apart from your Father’s will” but that word is not in Greek and even if it is, it doesn’t change the meaning of what Jesus is proclaiming. I find it amazing the depth to which Jesus brings in to focus the sovereignty of the Father in something as seemingly insignificant as the death of a sparrow. He is not saying that the Father causes the death of the sparrow, but that the death of the sparrow is not outside of the scope of God’s sovereignty. That brings me great comfort when I see or experience adversity in the world.
Jesus continues His admonition that we are not to fear anything in this life by saying, “But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt 10:30-31). The point Jesus is making is that even the number of our hairs, which seems extremely insignificant on a daily basis, is under the sovereignty of the Father’s hands. This leads to the conclusion that in the mind of Jesus, there is nothing coincidental in God’s universe.
We have something similar from Isaiah concerning the sovereignty of God’s plans. He writes, “I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do” (Isaiah 46:9-11). Another helpful verse is Proverbs 16:33 which reads, “The dice (or casting of lots) are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD” (Prov. 16:33 NET).
So, what can we learn from these handful of verses? I truly believe there are no coincidences in God’s universe. He is in charge and all things that happen are for a reason which He alone has determined. However, and this is the most important element in all of this discussion…. God alone knows what He means or intends through these events.
The problem in our Christian culture today is that we have the right theology in recognizing that nothing is coincidental, but we often lack the humility or wisdom to avoid assigning meaning to these events. I don’t speak this from a pedestal of being judgmental. I have made this mistake many times in my own Christian walk with the Lord over 30 years. I have seen God’s hand move in amazing ways and then I have erroneously injected into these events my interpretations of the events. In hindsight, I realize that 99.9% of the time, I was wrong in my assumptions. I am constantly reminded of another passage from Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
There certainly are times in Scripture where God reveals His intentions through circumstances or events. He will bring about a certain happening and then reveal what He meant through it (e.g. Ex 29:46; Jer 16:21; Ezek 39:6, 28). These are written in Scripture and so we can know 100% what God meant by these because He reveals it to us. This is safe and we can take these certain interpretations to the bank so to speak. This is similar to interpreting dreams. All of us have dreams every week and some of them are quite interesting. We have people sending us their dreams on a regular basis asking for our interpretation. My response is always the same… “I am not Daniel or Joseph.”  <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.1.0/72x72/1f60a.png" alt="😊" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Any interpretation I might offer is pure speculation and can have no weight of authority which is what people are looking for. The key here in all of these endeavors is looking for an authoritative answer to what a dream or other event might mean.
Throughout the years, I have come across people who have spent hundreds of hours bringing various data points together and have concluded who the antichrist is or the date of the rapture. How did they come to this conclusion? “All these different connection points certainly cannot be a coincidence!” How wrong they were in making assumptions at what the meaning of those connecting points meant. Now that I have been at Prophecy Watchers for 3 years, I receive at least 1-2 new letters or emails per month wanting to show me their calculations about the date of the return of Jesus and every time they write, “God is not a God of coincidences.” However, this is not an argument that we can just pull out anytime we want to try and make our preconceived ideas fit a narrative.
What about a solar or lunar eclipse? Can we be certain or even give a good guess as to what God means from one of these astronomical events? Many people recently are saying Yes to this question. They were claiming that the X of the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses over America is a warning and even some were saying it was pointing to the rapture. Others were looking at the names of the cities which the shadow of the path of totality crossed. Sadly, many Christian leaders created online videos in which they were very loose with the actual data. Some were claiming that there were 7 cities named Nineveh in the path of totality and to quote one person, “of course 7 means completion, so this is no coincidence.” Yet this clearly was not the case if one was to consult AC Katz’s book. When these erroneous facts were pointed out, many just dismissed these and moved on to the other “amazing” claims. Or they said, “Well, it’s close, how many Ninevehs do we need?” The point is that there were statements of fact being made and when shown otherwise, they were dismissed.
These other “amazing” claims involved a series of other “coincidences” that they asserted were clear evidence that God was speaking a warning through these 2 eclipses. One very influential pastor posted a video which received almost 4 million views. I want to examine exactly what the Bible does and doesn’t say about the meaning of eclipses, but first we need to briefly remember how people making predictions or alluding to predictions cause harm to the church and the evangelizing of the lost.
Now, let me say upfront, that I make no judgment concerning the motives or intentions of these people. I don’t read hearts. All I can say is that based on the very careful language used by many of these people, they are intentional not to predict or prophesy something directly. Yet they will often do everything they can to lead you down a path to believing what they are saying, but always allowing themselves a path of deniability when what they say does not come to pass.
Do you remember the book, “88 Reasons Jesus will come Back in 1988” or “1994” by Harold Camping? Or Harold’s prediction of the rapture on May 21, 2011 and then switching it to October 21, 2011? These are obvious rapture prediction failures. The current crop of prognosticators is far wiser and so they will make sure to have some levels of vagueness to what they are claiming. I find it fascinating also that many of those that comment on these videos are quite defensive of the claims being made by the teacher. Even when the speaker ends up being incorrect, they will come to the defense saying there was nothing specifically being predicted.
Again, I would agree that often nothing specific was being predicted, but you can see for yourself the way in which the April 8 eclipse was being presented. Here is the verbatim description of the video (capital letters are their emphasis, not mine):
“This solar eclipse could be THE SOLAR ECLIPSE that unleashes one of the seals of Revelation. I wasn’t a believer at first, but after hundreds of hours of research, I am literally in awe of all the “coincidences.” DO NOT miss this, whatever you do! Along with dozens of INCREDIBLE CONNECTIONS and patterns, I will also be revealing a MAJOR PROPHETIC CONNECTION of how the eclipses of 2017 and 2024 tell us EXACTLY where the Gog/Magog war will start and WHEN the temple sacrifices will begin.
When this happens, it will start the time clock for the revealing of the Antichrist! I have truly been in shock as to the mathematical impossibility of all the events that I will be showing you, all happening at the same time! I will be detailing the prophetic implications of how the last 4 sets of blood-red tetrads that land on biblical holidays coincide with world-changing events and how they have set the stage for this monumental “X-marks-the-spot” moment on April 8, 2024.”
As you can see from the description, there certainly is a lot of hype and sensationalism going on. The major claim is that all these isolated connections and patterns certainly could not be a coincidence. So, here again, we have arrived back at the idea that all these cannot be coincidence and the speaker has come to their own conclusion about what all these events could mean or probably mean. They are making broad assumptions about what God might mean, but ultimately their assumptions are based on a host of errors and this sets a bad tone for other Christians who end up getting caught up in this type of poor thinking.
Ultimately, I have a heart for the people in the church and it is frustrating to see them get hoodwinked into bad theology, bible interpretation, and then disappointment when what was suggested to come to pass does not. I have seen too many become burned out by all the prophecy hype. Biblical prophecy is exciting enough that we do not need to sensationalize or misrepresent the facts in order to promote erroneous or ideas filled with assumption.
If we look at recent history, this isn’t the first time people have sought to use astronomical events to indicate that something major was intended by God. Do you remember the blood moons hysteria of 2014-2015? This also was claimed to mean something ominous or monumental, but in fact all of the historical events connected with the blood moons were a desperate reach to try and show some level of connection. If you examine the data you will notice that the blood moons happened after dates on the Jewish calendar and two of them (1493-1494 and 2014-2015) had no discernible or reasonable connections to the Jewish people at all. Some try to make a connection to the Jewish expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, but the persecution of Jews in Spain started a full century earlier. If you pick a date any time in the last 2000 years, it is relatively easy to find something evil that happened in the world (or to the Jews living somewhere worldwide) and seek to connect it to that date. This is cherry picking information to make it fit a pre-conceived belief.
Let me take a break for a moment to share why I am writing this article. I love prophecy. I love the rapture. I am eagerly waiting for the Lord’s return. Jesus told us to “Watch!” in Mark 13:37 and this is exactly what we should be doing!
At the same time, I want to encourage us to watch for the signs Jesus specifically told us to watch for and not to run the risk of sensationalizing signs that He did not tell us to watch for. As we continue to get closer to the Lord’s return, there is going to be the temptation to speak publicly and assign meaning to events that possibly don’t have any biblical authority to mean something. That is what has happened with the eclipse. Some people have gone public and now that the eclipse has come and gone and the rapture or some other judgment didn’t happen, this has provided opportunity for people to mock the Bible and Christians who claim to be prophecy watchers.
I have no desire to win the approval of the world. That is not the goal. The world will always hate us as it also hated Jesus first (John 15:18-19). However, when we make claims or allusions that all these events are not coincidences and then we end up making public proclamations, the church loses some level of credibility in its evangelism.
Here is an example. I have a close relative who is not a believer, but is a very strong mocker. When the Harold Camping prediction came and went, he mocked me and became even more unwilling to hear the gospel even though I never embraced those predictions. The same thing happened with the blood moons hysteria. Every time something like this happens, it pushes him away from hearing the genuine message of Bible Prophecy.
But didn’t Jesus say, “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Lk. 21:25-27)?
Yes, He did! We must read this in context and recognize that what Jesus was describing are those absolutely unnatural cosmic events which happen inside the 7-year tribulation period. Nowhere are we told to look for these prior to the tribulation period. I will address this further below.
But didn’t God say, “And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night (#1). And let them be for signs (#2) and for seasons (#3), and for days (#4) and years (#5)” (Gen. 1:14)?
Yes, He did! I have seen this verse quoted the most in all the various videos as proof that the April 8 solar eclipse can be used as a warning mechanism from God. However, this is clearly out of context. There are five purposes for the lights in the heavens that God wanted to make (noted above). We know from the summary of verse 16 that these lights were the sun, the moon, and the stars. We must remember that the 5 purposes were all given in the context before evil was in the world. He created all of these and called them good (1:18). What this means is that the primary meaning of the 5 purposes must be able to be understood in the original context of something good and not as a warning of judgment. Let’s quickly examine each purpose, but I will do them out of order so I can discuss #2 in more detail last.
Clearly, the sun’s great light is used to separate the day from night (#1). We also know that our orbit around the sun produces a yearly/annual calendar (years, #5). The moon has a 29.5 day lunar cycle and was later adopted by the Hebrews as a monthly lunar calendar which allowed them to keep track of Sabbaths and Feasts (#4). We also know that the starry constellations reveal the various seasons of the 365-day solar year. The orientation of the asterism of the Big Dipper can be used to tell you the arrival of the equinoxes and solstices (i.e. seasons, #3). So far, all of these purposes have a good purpose and none of them are meant to be understood in a context of warning or judgment.
What about #2 (signs)? How were the luminaries created by God in the original creation used as good signs?
What I have been hearing for the last 6 months before the eclipse is focus on Genesis 1:14 in which God created the Sun, moon, and stars for signs (the Hebrew word is ōt)? People then have run with this and claim that a solar eclipse is a sign of judgment or often used as a warning for nations. They have made this claim without a single verse to back this up. Let me speak clearly. There is not a single time in the entire Bible in which God said that a normal and periodic solar or lunar eclipse was to be interpreted as an omen or sign of judgment or warning. Not once.
The best lexicon used by OT scholars is The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (HALOT) and it lists 9 different nuances of the Hebrew word for sign (ōt). It isn’t relevant to list all nine, but I will reference two of the nuances because they apply to our text in Genesis 1:14. In the context of that which is good and not evil, one of the main nuances for the word “sign” in Hebrew is that it is used to refer to an object lesson as a remembrance or memorial for God’s goodness and kindness. This Hebrew word is used in the book of Joshua as they just crossed over the Jordan river as the conquest of the promised land begins.
It reads, “And Joshua said to them, ‘Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever’” (Jos. 4:5-7; see also Exodus 13:9 where sign and memorial are used together again).
When God says that the starry skies would be used for a sign/memorial, it makes great sense that from the beginning of the creation the constellations or what God calls the mazzaroth (zodiac) would be seen as a memorial of His creative power (Job 38:32). We know that God makes reference to the various constellations as a memorial to His creative genius (Job 9:9; 38:31; Amos 5:8). Some people go as far as to describe the mazzaroth as a gospel in the stars idea which has some interesting possibilities based on Romans 10:17-18. No matter a person’s opinion on that topic, we see that the constellations were created specifically to reveal the glory of God and are a memorial/sign to the creation (Gen 1:14). There is nothing inherent in the word “sign” in Genesis 1:14 that even hints at the idea that God intended the heavenly hosts to be seen or used to point to a warning or judgment.
The other nuance of the Hebrew word ōt that applies to our discussion according to this lexicon can be “omen or foretelling the future.” Is it true that Genesis 1:14 “sign” can be an omen? They list 11 passages in which this word can mean “omen or foretelling the future.” Three of the 11 passages are in reference to heavenly bodies and should be examined for our purposes (Genesis 1:14; 2 Kings 20:8-11 and the parallel passage of Isaiah 38:6-8). They listed Genesis 1:14 as a possible “omen” interpretation, but as noted above , it is clear from that context in the original creation week where everything was good that the sun, moon, and stars were not given at that time as an omen or even foretelling of the future.
What about the other two passages? This is one of the most amazing stories in the entire Bible as it relates to a supernatural event involving the Sun. Most of us probably remember the long day of Joshua in which God delayed the setting of the Sun to give Joshua more time to conquer God’s enemies (Joshua 10). Yet there is another similar type of story involving the good king Hezekiah. He became very sick and yet God promised to heal him. This story appears in two parallel passages and used the Hebrew word ōt (sign) as a foretelling of the future while involving a heavenly body (the sun).
“And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps? “And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps. “And Isaiah the prophet called to the LORD, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz” (2 Kings 20:8-11). “I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city. “This shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined” (Isaiah 38:6-8).
What can we learn about how the Bible uses the word “sign” from these passages? No doubt something amazing happened in which God provided a supernatural miracle to reaffirm the prophecy that God would heal Hezekiah. This was not a natural event. It was not a normal periodic eclipse, but instead something outside of the natural order that God instituted in His universe in Genesis 1:14-16.
This is very important to remember as we seek to understand the future 7-year tribulation period and the abundance of supernatural astronomical (cosmic) events during that time frame. A solar eclipse happens on average every 18 months somewhere on earth. This means that they are rare, but not super rare. Many solar eclipse aficionados travel constantly to the various eclipses around the world to enjoy them. As mentioned earlier, God created our solar system perfectly to allow these beautiful and majestic events to happen at a normal predictable rate. Not a single time does God ever say that a solar or lunar eclipse is to be interpreted as an omen or sign of judgment or warning.
In fact, we know from the Ancient Near Eastern archaeological literature that the Babylonians and Assyrians worshiped the host of heaven. Not only did they worship the heavenly bodies, but they lived in fear of them. One of the ancient tablets was called Enuma Anu Enlil and contains dozens of tablets with 1000s of omens related to the sun, moon, eclipses and other stars. What God intended for good, Satan has corrupted by using it for fear and trepidation. This is why God continually commanded Israel not to be like the nations around them in worshiping or fearing the host of heaven (Deut 4:19; 17:3). Later, in the time of Jeremiah, God once again reminds the Jewish people that they were not to fear the heavens. “Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them” (Jeremiah 10:2).
If we take these truths from Scripture and apply them to the current eclipse hysteria of 2024, we can see how anyone promoting the idea of a normal and periodic eclipse being interpreted as a sign of judgment or even a warning is actually committing the same sin as the heathen nations. They are promoting the false idea that the natural phenomenon of an eclipse should be used as an ominous sign to bring dismay to people. Let me reiterate that not a single time in Scripture does God ever promote the idea that the natural comic order of events which includes a solar or lunar eclipse is portending judgment or warning.
I have heard numerous people say that the sign of Jonah was a solar eclipse that happened in Nineveh in 763 BC which was followed by the proclamation of Jonah that in 40 days judgment would arrive. This is another example of how people are making assumptions in order to tie together their preconceptions. There is absolutely no way to prove that Jonah preached at a specific time in history and after a solar eclipse. This is pure speculation based on a desired outcome and making note of the city of Jonah, Texas being in the path of totality before the other two cities of Nineveh. This is sloppy and sensationalistic and contradicts the clear words of Jesus that the sign of Jonah to the Ninevites was being in the belly of the great fish for 3 days and 3 nights and most likely being resurrected like Jesus was (Matthew 12:40).
What then should we say about the words of Jesus saying there will be signs in sun and moon and stars? We know that these will occur inside the 7-year tribulation, but they are definitely not natural or periodic in the normal sense. What happens during the tribulation is quite unprecedented. Jesus said it will be a time period that has never existed prior in the entire history of the creation (Mark 13:19). Remember,  not a single time ever in the Bible does God point His people to looking at the normal course of heavenly host as being indicators of warnings, judgments, or omens. We saw that this is what Satan encouraged the pagan nations to do. God forbid this type of fear mongering when observing the normal course of cosmic events such as eclipses.
Another consistent application of this same principle is in connection with the ministry of Jesus. We know that God sent the star of Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus. If you analyze the details of the movement of the star, it becomes quite obvious that this was not a natural event nor was it a conjunction of planets. The way that the Bible describes the star, it is impossible that this was a normal or natural phenomenon. The star first appeared and the Magi headed west to Jerusalem. Sometime after they departed the star disappeared and when the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, they went to Herod and the scribes to get more information about the prophesied birth of the Messiah. They were told He was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and then left Jerusalem and headed south. At this time, the star once again reappeared and led specifically to the place where Jesus was abiding. Matthew writes, “After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was” (Matt 2:9). I am out almost every clear night observing the heavens and taking photographs. It is absolutely impossible for a star up in the sky to be used to point to a single house or location. Anyone who constantly observes the heavens knows this. This star was not a natural phenomenon and God brought the shining “star” low enough to rest above the exact house where Jesus was.
Additionally, when Jesus was crucified, we are told that there was darkness over the land for 3 hours (Matt 27:45). This was also not a natural event. As we mentioned earlier, solar eclipses only last maximum 7.5 minutes and when there is a new moon. Jesus was killed on Passover which always entails a full moon. So, we have two facts showing us that the darkness was a supernatural event in which God showed His power. The Jewish or Roman astronomers of that day could not dismiss the darkness as a normal or natural event. God made it undeniable. We are told that in addition to the 3 hours of darkness there was an earthquake and this created such a stir that the centurion responded. “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt 27:54).
The fact that these events were supernatural are exactly the point of the words of Jesus when it comes to the time of the tribulation period. Throughout the 7-year period preceding the return of Jesus in great glory with the angels, there will many astronomical and cosmic events which are not natural. They will be 100% supernatural and will not be able to be dismissed by NASA or any other astronomers living at that time. Joel made reference to some of these events when he wrote, “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes” (Joel 2:30-31). This cannot refer to the normal lunar eclipse (blood moon) because the moon turns copper red because of sunlight bent around edges of the earth producing the color. If God turns the sun to darkness, there would be no light to bend around the earth to turn the moon blood red. Once again, this is not a natural occurrence. It is 100% supernatural and will happen during the tribulation period.
When we examine the astronomical judgments as mentioned in the book of Revelation, it becomes obvious quickly that these are not natural/normal events. Jesus gave a preliminary understanding of the ways in which God’s judgment during the 7-year tribulation will affect the entire universe. We saw in Luke 21:25-27 above the powers of the heavens will be shaken and people will faith with fear because of this. One of the last events of the tribulation period happens just before Jesus returns. Matthew writes, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matt. 24:29). Isaiah also prophesies about this time, “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light” (Isaiah 13:10).
Think about this. The entire universe will go dark! None of this is normal, it is 100% supernatural in its fulfillment. When we see the sun turning dark and the moon to blood and the stars falling from the heavens, we recognize that we have no way to comprehend these events as they are completely unprecedented (Rev 6:12; 8:8, 10, 12; 16:8-9). What does it mean that “something like a mountain burning with fire fell into the sea” (Rev 8:8)? Is this an asteroid? A comet? We cannot be sure about the exact mechanisms of these judgments. Either way, we recognize that all these events in the heavenly bodies inside the 7-year tribulation are unprecedented and outside of the normal course of astronomical understanding that we can observe at the present time.
In summary, my overarching goal in writing this article is to encourage others (including myself) who are super excited about the return of Jesus to avoid the temptation of making interpretative leaps of conclusions in regard to the natural phenomena that we are privileged to see (solar and lunar eclipses, comets, etc.). These are natural normal events which God never describes as warnings or judgments. As we do this, we will avoid inviting mockers to scoff at Bible prophecy which we know is worthy of being heeded on its own.
In closing, our Psalm 19 Project continues to photograph God’s heavens. Included here is a 13-hour exposure of the great Andromeda Galaxy taken this past winter. This galaxy is 2.2 million light years away and is the farthest thing away from earth than can be seen with the naked eye. God’s handiwork is amazing. Over 1 trillion stars in this one giant galaxy and He calls them all by name (Psalm 147:4).
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-639954" srcset="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-1024x683.png 1024w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-300x200.png 300w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-768x512.png 768w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-1536x1025.png 1536w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-2048x1366.png 2048w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-200x133.png 200w, https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-3-500x334.png 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure></div>The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/eclipse/">Eclipse</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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<title>TenKings</title>
<link>https://prophecywatchers.com/tenkings/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Prophecy Watchers]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 03 Mar 2024 20:57:30 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://prophecywatchers.com/?p=622709</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Here is the PDF for the 10 Kings presentation that Mondo gave at the Orlando 2024 Prophecy Summit. 10 KINGS PPT ORLANDO 2024 Below is […]
The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/tenkings/">TenKings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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Here is the PDF for the 10 Kings presentation that Mondo gave at the Orlando 2024 Prophecy Summit.
<a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/10-KINGS-PPT-ORLANDO-2024.pdf">10 KINGS PPT ORLANDO 2024</a>
Below is an article that was 100% created from ChatGPT4. I gave it this query:
“Create an article on How Technocratic Oligarchs Are Gaining Wealth, Influence and Control.”
The following is what it spit out. Pretty amazing that the A.I. also added a section I didn’t ask for on the risks and implications of the technocratic oligarchs.
<h3> How Technocratic Oligarchs Are Gaining Wealth, Influence and Control</h3>
<h3>A Critical Analysis of the Rise of the New Elite</h3>
<h4>Introduction</h4>
The 21st century has witnessed the emergence of a new class of powerful actors in the global arena: the technocratic oligarchs. These are the billionaires who have built and dominated digital platforms, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other cutting-edge sectors, and who have amassed enormous fortunes as a result. They are not only the richest people in the world, but also the most influential, as they shape the policies, norms, and values of the societies they operate in. They are often portrayed as visionary innovators, philanthropists, and benefactors of humanity, but they also pose serious challenges to democracy, equality, and human rights. This document analyzes how technocratic oligarchs are gaining wealth, influence and control, and what are the implications and risks of their rise for the future of humanity.
<h4>How Technocratic Oligarchs Are Gaining Wealth</h4>
The technocratic oligarchs are the main beneficiaries of the digital revolution, which has created unprecedented opportunities for wealth creation and accumulation. They have leveraged their expertise, networks, and resources to create and control the platforms and services that are essential for the functioning of the modern economy and society. These platforms and services include social media, e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, search engines, streaming, gaming, and more. They have also invested heavily in emerging and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, robotics, and space exploration, which have the potential to transform various industries and sectors. By doing so, they have established monopolies or oligopolies in their respective domains, and have captured a large share of the value and profits generated by these technologies. They have also exploited the loopholes and gaps in the regulation and taxation of the digital economy, and have avoided or minimized their social and environmental responsibilities. As a result, they have accumulated enormous wealth, which far exceeds that of the traditional elites, such as industrialists, bankers, and politicians.
<h4>How Technocratic Oligarchs Are Gaining Influence and Control</h4>
The technocratic oligarchs are not only wealthy, but also influential and powerful. They have used their wealth to shape public opinion, the political agenda, and the policy outcomes in their favor. They have done so by funding and supporting various media outlets, think tanks, research institutions, advocacy groups, and political candidates and parties, which promote their interests and values. They have also leveraged their platforms and services to influence the behavior, preferences, and beliefs of billions of users, who depend on them for information, communication, entertainment, and education. They have used their data and algorithms to manipulate, persuade, and nudge the users, and to create echo chambers, filter bubbles, and polarized communities. They have also deployed their technologies to monitor, track, and surveil the users, and to collect and analyze their personal and behavioral data, which they use for commercial and political purposes. They have also exerted their influence and control over the innovation and regulation of the technologies they develop and deploy, and have resisted or undermined the attempts to limit or challenge their power and accountability. They have also expanded their influence and control beyond their national borders, and have become global actors, who shape international relations, the global governance, and the global development.
<h4>Implications and Risks of the Rise of the Technocratic Oligarchs</h4>
The rise of the technocratic oligarchs has profound implications and risks for the future of humanity. On the one hand, they have contributed to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation, and have created new opportunities and benefits for many people and sectors. They have also supported and funded various social and environmental causes, such as education, health, poverty, climate change, and human rights. They have also advocated for the values of openness, diversity, and inclusion, and have challenged the status quo and the established authorities. On the other hand, they have also created and exacerbated various social and environmental problems, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation, surveillance, exploitation, and manipulation. They have also threatened and undermined the values and principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and have challenged the sovereignty and legitimacy of the states and the international organizations. They have also posed existential and ethical risks to humanity, as they develop and deploy technologies that could alter the nature and destiny of the human species, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and geoengineering. They have also created a new form of techno-authoritarianism, which could lead to the concentration and centralization of power and wealth in the hands of a few, and the marginalization and exclusion of the many.
<h4>Conclusion</h4>
The technocratic oligarchs are the new elite of the 21st century, who have gained wealth, influence and control through the development and domination of digital and emerging technologies. They have become the key actors and shapers of the global economy, society, and politics, and have created both opportunities and challenges for humanity. They have also raised fundamental questions and dilemmas about the role and responsibility of technology and the technologists in the world, and the need and possibility of the regulation and governance of the technology and the technologists. The future of humanity depends on how we address these questions and dilemmas, and how we balance the benefits and risks of technology and the technocracy.
 The post <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com/tenkings/">TenKings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://prophecywatchers.com">The Prophecy Watchers</a>.
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