Appendix R
Expository Sermons on Daniel, by Ray C. Stedman
From the Ray Stedman Library
View at:
http://www.raystedman.org/old-testament/daniel/

Appendix S Ancient Prophecies and Ancient Prayers for the End of the Age By Lambert Dolphin

 This is a shortened version of this study. View the full article at
http://www.ldolphin.org/kingdom/append.html

Chuck Missler has often noted that the world is now entering into a climactic time about which the Bible has more to say than any other period of history, including the time of the first Advent of Jesus.
The Old Testament speaks with clarity and new relevance of the end time events again and again. As we approach the time of the end we can expect the Spirit of God to illuminate many previously obscure passages in the Old Testament. We can also expect to see new light on passages we previously understood only in part.
For example, the deliverance of the godly remnant by Jesus, “the angel of the presence” from Petra at the close of The Tribulation Period is alluded to by Moses in his last words to his people before he died. All we need do is to change the past tense verbs to future in our English translations of the Hebrew text (Deuteronomy 33:1-5).
Earlier we saw that the imagery of the remnant being taken to Petra “on eagles’ wings” was reminiscent of God’s deliverance of his people under Moses. God will supernaturally protect his remnant in the wilderness of Petra and supernaturally rescue them from the pursuit of the devil’s forces (Revelation 12:15, 16). Jesus will then lead the remnant to Jerusalem where he will make his public appearance, his epiphaneia. Earth’s rightful ruler will be publicly unveiled in Jerusalem. Jesus foretold of this event (Luke 21:22-28).
Moses at his death gave prophetic blessings upon the tribes of Israel, one by one. The final fulfillment of these promises will take place after Messiah returns to Jerusalem by way of Seir and Bozrah (Deuteronomy 33).
An enigmatic prophecy about Enoch (who was translated into heaven prior to the flood of Noah) is recorded in the book of Jude has a double-fulfillment: First, at the time of the Flood of Noah to judge the antediluvian world, destroying probably many billions of earth’s inhabitants and delivering eight persons in the Ark. Then, at the end of the age in which we live Jesus will again appear “with his ten thousands of holy ones” (Jude 14-15).
Mystery-filled prophecies in Ezekiel and Isaiah clearly relate in part to the end time and God’s judgment of his people Israel (Ezekiel 20:33-44; Isaiah 11).
Ezekiel says the following about God’s mercy, grace and compassion coming on the nation of Israel at the close of the age we live in:
For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. – Ezekiel 36:25-27
This is an announcement, similar to Jeremiah 30, of God’s intention to bring the people of Israel into the New Covenant, which Jesus put into effect with his 11 disciples at the Last Supper.
Ezekiel then describes Messiah’s reign over all the nations, from Jerusalem, and the millennial prosperity he will bring to all mankind, through Israel (Ezekiel 36:21-38).
The believing remnant is gathered under the care of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep at Bozrah,
“I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.
13 One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.” – Micah 2:12-13
The Lord’s return (at the parousia) to care for his remnant at Petra and his leading them safely back to Jerusalem by way of Bozrah is then compared by Isaiah with God’s care for the Jews through the wilderness in the Days of Moses. Then follows a prayer of the remnant for deliverance (Isaiah 63).