Israel Watch: Who is the Date
Setter? - Jim Fletcher - http://www.raptureready.com/rap15.html
One of the most controversial elements to modern Bible prophecy teaching is the tendency of some to "set dates." You know what that means: we are all so eager for the Lord's return that sometimes we speculate...too much.
Some do this from delusional minds, and we recognize the damage done by folks like Harold Camping. Some do it because of sheer anxiousness. It's easy sometimes to see geopolitical happenings and assume too much. In the last 15 years alone several high-profile teachers have either predicted the date of the Lord's return, or come awfully close. Usually, these predictions arrive almost as hedged bets, but we all understand pretty clearly that a date is being set.
And the world laughs when the dates come and go.
However, there are careful researchers who contribute, in my view, to the scholarship that should be of interest to all of us. When it relates directly to Israel, I like it all the better.
One of those researchers/writers is Michael Neutzling, author of a new book, "The Fig Tree Parable: Israel Wins...in 2018?" Neutzling states, citing Matthew 24:32-33:
"The reemergence of national Israel in 1948 is the fulfillment of this parable and 'the sign' that answers the above two questions. That means we are living in a unique time in history and we would do well to discover what Christ means when He said we should 'learn' this parable."
The two questions Neutzling refers to are:
*"What will be the sign of the end of the age?"
*"What will be the sign of your (second) coming?"
This passage is one of the most famous within the Bible prophecy community, and in "The Fig Tree Parable," Neutzling presents-in clear fashion-that national, reborn (geopolitically) Israel is the meaning behind this parable. I found the book to be fascinating and while sincere Christians can disagree over interpretations that have no bearing on salvation issues, I think what the author has done here is remarkable. He sheds light on the Fig Tree parable that I had not known before.
His analysis of the Old Testament roots of the parable are utterly fascinating, and I think all this serves as a wonderful counter-argument to the preterist/skeptic/Reformed crowd that sees the Fig Tree as having nothing to do with national Israel.
Let me give you a taste of the research Neutzling has done:
"Through two metaphors (the vine and the wayward woman), God has introduced us to His historical and ongoing indignation toward the fruitless and faithless nation of Israel. In chapter 17, through tree metaphors, He will introduce us to His final, end-times solution to Israel's covenant-breaking and the glories of His coming, Millennial Kingdom,
'that the kingdom might be in subjection, that it might continue forever.' (Ezekiel 17:14)
"Ezekiel 17 lays out the whole, remarkable scope of what Christ's fig tree parable represents. Again, to fully 'learn' this parable of Matthew 24 and Luke 21, one must follow its roots back to the book of Ezekiel."
Another interesting point of Neutzling's research is that he came from a Catholic background (he's now Protestant) and recognized early on that in reciting the Apostle's Creed, most people are fairly comfortable with most of it, but the doctrine of Christ's Return is considered too "edgy," even within evangelical circles. Here is where Neutzling contributes so much to the prophecy literature, because coming from his background, he knows the counter-arguments.
I also appreciate the fact that the author points to the Ultimate Author, on every page. In fact, to the charges that he is a date-setter, Neutzling says that only God knows the time of Christ's Return. As he writes, God is all about date-setting!
(I won't go into any detail about the date of 2018 that Neutzling analyzes; you'll have to get the book for yourself to see!)
The author deals with-in Chapter 5-the wicked, apostate church of the last days,that Christ predicted in Revelation. Hear his rebuke to those who tell us (hint, hint, Purpose-Driven) that prophecy study is a waste of time:
"Matthew 24:45-51 is a sobering, end-times shot across the bow for preachers who see prophetic study and teaching as an unnecessary distraction. These teachers are revealing something fundamental about themselves and their 'faith.' According to Christ, they are 'evil' phonies. They will not only avoid the study and preaching of the rapture and other end-times prophecy, they will mock those who do, saying, 'My Master is not coming for a long time.'"
I encourage you to check out this important book, and check out Neutzling's website: www.figtreepress.org
Kudos to Michael for a top-notch effort.
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