The Mounting Controversy of Zion

There are three primary reasons why I consistently emphasize what Isaiah called “the controversy of Zion” (34:8 KJV) and oppose the idea that it is a peripheral and insignificant issue:

1. Jerusalem has been a point of intense contention and controversy throughout history

2. Jerusalem is a point of mounting contention and controversy in our generation

3. Jerusalem will be the greatest point of contention and controversy in the generation of the Lord’s return (Zech. 12:2-3, 9; 14:13; Mt. 24:15-31; 2 Thess. 2:1-10; etc)

Most Christians in the West are ignorant, apathetic, or indifferent towards the issue of Jerusalem because of rampant Biblical illiteracy, false teaching about Israel, and rabid cultural isolation. Without a global perspective infused with Biblical conviction they believe the world revolves around them and are oblivious to what’s happening on the other side of the globe.

The video above serves to burst our bubble of cultural isolationism and confirm what the Bible says about the “controversy of Zion” that is said to mount and culminate at the end of the age.

It was shot in Cairo and released Monday by Egypt’s Al-Nas TV. You’ll hear Muslim preacher Safwat Higazi telling thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters at a soccer stadium, “We can see how the dream of the Islamic caliphate is being realized, God willing, by Dr. Mohamed Mursi” (the movement’s presidential candidate), as Mursi and other Brotherhood officials nod in agreement.

“The capital of the caliphate – the capital of the United States of the Arabs – will be Jerusalem,” Higazi said, before leading the crowd in chants of “Millions of martyrs march toward Jerusalem.” Mursi responded, “Yes, Jerusalem is our goal. We shall pray in Jerusalem, or die as martyrs on its threshold.” 

If you write this off as fringe and irrelevant you’re no different than those who were indifferent towards the preaching of Hitler in the 1930′s. It is in our face. It’s clear. And it’s bold.

For more resources about these issues check out http://thecontroversyofzion.com as well as my book “The Controversy of Zion and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble”

Matthew 24:14 Part One // The Prophecy

[ read the introduction to the series here ]

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 ESV)

We begin with the assumption that Matthew 24:14 is prophetic. Jesus said that, “the Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed through the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” He did not say, “must be” or “should be.” He said, “will be.” This means that Matthew 24:14 is first and foremost a prophetic decree. The penetration of every people group with the Gospel is an ironclad promise from the lips of the Godman Himself. Jesus said it will happen, and “heaven and earth will pass away” before His words fail (Mt. 24:35).  Read more >>

The Most Important Verse in the Word of God for Our Generation // An Intro

Matthew 24-25 is Jesus’ famous sermon about His glorious second coming and the end of the age. Right in the middle of it we find what may be the most important prophetic statement in the entire Bible on a number of profound levels.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 ESV)

Within this monumentally important prophecy we identify a mandate, a message, and a motive, which–when rightly understood–force us to ask an ultimate question.

The answer to that question has the potential to dramatically alter the course of history and determine the eternal fate of innumerable multitudes from many nations, tribes, and tongues. This is why in his exceptional book The Gospel of the Kingdom, George Eldon Ladd called Matthew 24:14 “the most important single verse in the Word of God for God’s people today.” [1]

After wrestling through the implications of Jesus’ holy decree, I’m coming to agree with him.

In a series of subsequent articles I aim to explain why.

. . . to be continued

[1]  George Eldon Ladd, Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God (Eerdmans Publishing Co) Kindle Edition, 123.

The Future of Israel – Where is All This Heading?

With the UN Assembly in New York City this week and the vote for the Palestinian Statehood on Friday in view I gave this message to our community in Tauranga to give an introduction and overview of the situation by addressing 3 questions: (1) What’s Happening? (2) What’s Going to Happen? (3) How Should We Respond?

Download:          NOTES |     MP3

A New Project – Check it Out

With the release of “The Controversy of Zion and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble” and the mounting contention over the Land of Israel, the Jewish people, and the city of Jerusalem I’ve decided to begin blogging over at http://thecontroversyofzion.com with the hopes of stirring up discussion and awareness about the urgency of what is soon to unfold.

2011 is a significant year with respect to the Middle East. We stand at a critical juncture. Next week discussions about the future of the Palestinians, the city of Jerusalem, and the State of Israel will once again thrust “the controversy of Zion” (Is. 34:8; Zech. 12:3, 9) into the center stage of international politics. And whatever the immediate outcome is, we can be sure: turbulent days are ahead.

Thus it’s imperative that we have an educated understanding of what is taking place in the coming months and years. I aim to post 1-5 times daily with news reports from various sources as well as theological resources from myself and others.

A good way to track with us is to “Like” the Facebook Page where all the updates are posted. Bookmark the new blog and pass it on to your friends and family.

A Significant Update About a Significant Opportunity

As most of you know, my book “The Controversy of Zion and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble” was released this week. We’re so excited to see how the Lord is going to use it in the coming months and years.

As the English translation is trickling into different distribution streams in different nations over the next few weeks we’re now turning our attention to the task of translating the book into other languages and printing and distributing it in as many nations as possible.

In the last week or two the Lord has been opening up doors into a number of nations through some quality people who want to make it available to their mission field.

It appears that the first two translations will be a simple and a complex version that will be made available in mainland China. This is extremely significant.

There are a number of passages that indicate that when the conflict of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” begins with the invasion of Judea and the decimation of Jerusalem, the Asian Church will have a critical and decisive role to play both in the Land and in the nations.

Having been forged themselves in the fire of affliction and persecution, Asian believers will selflessly lay down their lives from Beijing to Jerusalem in a compassionate effort to minister to traumatized Jews in flight as the State is invaded and trodden down. They will give a bold, sacrificial, and unwavering witness to the Gospel among hostile nations that will be caught up in a demonic frenzy to wipe Abraham’s seed from the face of the earth. But this will require the Asian church to be prepared for what is to come.

Though most won’t be able to tell just by reading the book, this is one of the principal reasons I wrote it. The Asian church was constantly on my mind as we labored to get this project to print. So the fact that the first translation of the book will be for the Chinese church means a lot to me.

Both the translators and myself wish to give the book to China (and other nations in the future) free of charge. We aim to fund the printing and distribution through the sales of the book in the West and the generosity of mission-minded believers who have the resources and the desire to sow them. More on this in the future.

One of the best ways you can help us now is by getting the word out about the book in your circles. The more we sell the more we are able to give.

If you would like to help, post the link to the website and the video below on whatever social media you use. If you’re a pastor, would you consider playing the video to your congregation? If you have the means, buy a few copies of the book and give them to your friends and family.

As well, feel free to circulate this article in any way you see fit.

In the Beloved,

Dalton

The Ministry of Night and Day Intercession Before the Coming of the Lord

DOWNLOAD:

NOTES | MP3 (AVAILABLE SOON)

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The Ministry of Night and Day Intercession Before the Coming of the Lord

I.    HEARING ONE OF JESUS’ STRONGEST APPEALS IN SCRIPTURE

A.    In the Gospels and in the book of Revelation we find Jesus’ repetitious use of a particular phrase:

He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches… (Rev. 2:7; 11; 17; 29; 3:6; 13; 22)

B.    The central truths of the Gospel never change. But specific word of the Lord from generation to generation changes quite dramatically. We never graduate from the main and plain truths of the Gospel nor do we cease laboring to emphasize them as such. But it must be understood that there are transitional moments of history in which the Holy Spirit emphasizes unique and particular messages specific to that hour.

C.    For example, in Matthew 11:15 Jesus beckoned that generation to hear what the Spirit was emphasizing through Jesus and John the Baptist. Matthew chapter 11 addresses a generation that by and large failed to discern and heed that message. Read more >>

Earthquakes and the End of the Age – Why We’re at the Beginning of the Beginning

As everyone is well aware this year has seen quite a bit of seismic activity globally. Some people argue that it’s a sign of the times and that we’re approaching the close of this Age. They look to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:4-8 embracing the idea that the “birth pains” and the “beginning of sorrows” before the time of the “end of the Age and [Jesus'] return” (24:3) include “earthquakes in various places.” They anticipate a crescendo of sorts whereby devastating seismic activity will progressively increase in frequency and intensity. I am among them.

Others reject this “ridiculous apocalyptic thinking” saying that earthquakes have always been a consistent historical reality (a valid point). As a result they scoff at those who see these things as signs of Jesus’ soon return arguing that nowhere in the Bible are there prophecies of increasing seismic activity but only “earthquakes in various places;” as there have always been. They deny the crescendo effect. And they deny the legitimacy of the category of “signs of the times” (not valid points).

From a scientific standpoint, the recent earthquakes aren’t startling. The USGS says: “Although it may seem that we are having more earthquakes, earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained fairly constant throughout this century and, according to our records, have actually seemed to decrease in recent years.” [1] While this isn’t a unanimous sentiment, it surely does reflect the majority of the scientific community who openly mock the idea of the return of Jesus (let alone earthquakes as signs of the times).

From a misguided theological standpoint, earthquakes won’t be intensifying, nor are they a sign of the times. Gary DeMar writes: “Jesus simply says that “in various places there will be famines and earthquakes” (24:7). He says nothing about an increase in their number. Luke writes, “there will be great earthquakes” (Luke 21:11). Jesus was describing signs that led up to the destruction of the temple that would take place before that first-century generation passed away (Matt. 24:33-34). Like famines (Acts 11:28), “great earthquakes” are part of the biblical historical record.” [2] DeMar is a vigorous proponent of what is called Preterism; the idea that Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2, the book of Revelation, and all of the eschatological prophecies in the Bible refer not to the end of THE Age, but to the end the JEWISH Age in AD 70 when Rome sacked Jerusalem. For these poor souls the “end has already come.” Unfortunately this nonsensical position has gained considerable support in the last few decades as theological heavyweights such as R.C. Sproul, NT Wright, Sam Storms, and others (like emergent leaders Rob Bell and Brian MacLaren) have given well thought out and articulate outlines of what they believe to be an undeniable doctrinal reality.

In light of this contention that because earthquakes have always been constant they will not increase before the return of the Lord I wanted to make mention of a few Biblical realities that warrant our attention.

THE PROMINENCE OF EARTHQUAKES IN ESCHATOLOGICAL PROPHECY

While Jesus Read more >>

Surprising Data with Regards to the Increase of Earthquakes Over the Past 2,000 Years

Jesus said that the close of this present Age would come on the tail end of what He likened to birth pains. Contraction. Release. Contraction. Release. Until….the birth of a new Age. I personally believe our children will witness the transition from birth pains to hard labor. And that we’re at the beginning of the beginning of the final generation before the return of the Lord.

The frequency and intensity of earthquakes are part of those birth pains (see Matthew 24:4-31). And the data with regards to the increase of earthquakes is stunning.

Thanks to Joel Richardson for compiling the info below (from the National Geographical Data Center and United States Geological Survey) detailing the progressive increase of earthquakes over the last 2,000 years (crazy, I know).

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National Geophysical Data Center

1 AD to 1000: 15 earthquakes 7.0 or higher (NGDC)
(One every 66 years)

1000 to 1800: 114 7.0 or higher (NGDC)
(One every 7 years)

1800 to 1900: 115 7.0 or higher (NGDC)
(One every 10 months)

(1935 Richter Scale invented)

1900 to 1980: 774 7.0 or higher (NGDC)
(One every 37 days) Read more >>

Beware of Any Ministry Which Does Not Plainly Teach the Reality and Eternity of Hell

Words of wisdom from my man J. C. Ryle (10 May 1816 – 10 June 1900):

“If you would ever be a healthy and scriptural Christian, I entreat you to beware of any ministry which does not plainly teach the reality and eternity of hell. Such a ministry may be soothing and pleasant, but it is far more likely to lull you to sleep than to lead you to Christ or build you up in the faith. It is impossible to leave out any portion of God’s truth without spoiling the whole. That preaching is sadly defective which dwells exclusively on the mercies of God and the joys of heaven and never sets forth the terrors of the Lord and the miseries of hell. It may be popular, but it is not scriptural; it may amuse and gratify, but it will not save. Give me the preaching which keeps back nothing that God has revealed.”

(from, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots)