(17) Future Revival in Jerusalem - Part 2 by Keith Malcomson - YouTube
Keith Malcomson (Limerick City Church) is a passionate speaker and he often talks about an end-time revival. In the above video, Malcomson teaches that a future revival in Jerusalem will take place prior to the 70th week of Daniel, and he connects Zechariah 12 and Ezekiel 38 and 39. I believe that Malcomson is badly mistaken and that this view is not only incorrect but that it is extremely dangerous. According to their Statement of Faith, Limerick City Church appear to believe in a post-tribulation rapture. {1}
Ezekiel 38 and 39
Many teachers have speculated and tried to shoehorn the GogMagog attack to occur either before or during the 70th week of Daniel. However, there are considerable difficulties with every one of these speculations. The insurmountable problem concerning the theory that the Gog/Magog attack will occur at some time in the foreseeable future, prior to the 70th week, is the repeated emphasis that Israel will be "dwelling securely". (Ezekiel 38:10,14). Considering the precarious situation of Israel since its inception in 1948, the prospect of authentic "peace and safety" is not a realistic expectation until the Lord returns.
Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’ (Ezekiel 38:8,10-11,14).
No revival is mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Ezekiel 39:25-29 is a summary of the entire six night visions contained within the book of Ezekiel i.e. these final verses of Ezekiel 39 should not be taken as part of the chronology of this chapter. The logical inference of Ezekiel 38 and 39 is that Israel will have returned to their true Messiah Jesus Christ, and they will be dwelling under His protection in complete peace and safety. (Zechariah 14:11). I can find no satisfactory explanation that adequately demonstrates that the Gog/Magog attack will occur before, during, or at the end of the 70th week (Armageddon). I therefore consider the only reasonable view to take is that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will occur at the end of the millennium just as the scriptures indicate in Revelation 20:9.
And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. (Revelation 20:9).
There are a number of unhelpful speculations concerning various alleged wars that will supposedly precede the 70th week of Daniel. The alleged Gog/Magog attack seems to be the most prominent of these foolish speculations. Bill Salus and others make a great deal of money merchandising hype on this subject. Salus speculates that certain Old Testament passages, specifically: Gog/Magog (Ezekiel 38 and 39); Elam (Jeremiah 49:34-39; Ezekiel 32:24-25); Damascus (Isaiah 17:1-2; Jeremiah 49:23-27) and Psalm 83 are "Now Prophecies". {2} Christians are instructed to "keep watch" for the Lord's return; we are not instructed to speculate about specific wars leading up to it. (Matthew 24:42-43). *Daniel 11:36-45 does appear to describe the activities of the Antichrist "at the time of the end". (Daniel 11:40). Matthew 24 gives details about world conditions prior to the Lord's return during the first half of the 70th week, including unspecified "wars and rumours of wars". (Matthew 24:6). The remit given to the Church is to maintain the Christian witness and to remain faithful; it is not to become distracted by pointless speculations or to engage in newspaper eisegesis. Do not go beyond what is written. (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Zechariah 12-14
The consensus amongst bible scholars is that Zechariah 12-14 is one complete narrative depicting different views or snapshots of the same eschatological event
not in chronological order. These chapters concern apocalyptic events associated with Jerusalem and Judah culminating at Armageddon. (Zechariah 12:2). Disturbingly, Malcomson teaches that the attack described in Zechariah 12 is a completely separate event that occurs prior to the attack in Zechariah 14, and that Zechariah 12 is likely to occur in the near future. This view adds to the prevailing eschatological confusion and is extremely problematic.
Zechariah 12 predicts the deliverance of Jerusalem when all the nations of the earth gather against her. (Zechariah 12:3; Luke 21:20). If the alleged destruction of all the nations that come against Israel is limited to Zechariah 12, a later attack is precluded at Megiddo, at least for a significant period of time. (Zechariah 12:9).
The national repentance described in Zechariah 10-14 indicates that the entire nation of Israel will repent (all Israel will be saved Romans 11:26). Zechariah 12:11-14 describes an event far more extensive than a localized revival in Jerusalem. These verses describe all-inclusive universal mourning.
On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves. (Zechariah 12:11-14).
The unmistakable application of the above verses is that they describe the second coming of Jesus Christ rather than a localized revival. Problematically, if there is a localized revival in Jerusalem prior to the 70th week and the armies of the nations are significantly depleted or destroyed, then Malcomson's claim of a revival "shortly before the return of Jesus" is implausible. The armies of the Antichrist have to be in existence in order to fulfill Revelation 16:14.
Pulpit Commentary:
"Verse 11. - As if the above comparisons were not strong enough, the prophet presents a new one, referring to an historical event, which occasioned a universal mourning in Jerusalem. As the mourning of (at) Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (cf. 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:20-25)." {3}
Keil & Delitzsh:
"This section forms the first half of the second prophecy of Zechariah concerning the future of Israel and of the nations of the world, viz., the prophecy contained in ch. 12-14, which, as a side-piece to ch. 9-11, treats of the judgment by which Israel, the nation of God, will be refined, sifted, and led on to perfection through conflict with the nations of the world. This first section announces how the conflict against Jerusalem and Judah will issue in destruction to the nations of the world (Zechariah 12:1-4). Jehovah will endow the princes of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem with marvellous strength to overcome all their foes (Zechariah 12:5-9), and will pour out His Spirit of grace upon them, so that they will bitterly repent the death of the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10-14), and purify themselves from all ungodliness (Zechariah 13:1-6)." {4}
Constable's Expository Notes on Zechariah 12:10:
"The Jews will do this either just before the Messiah returns to the earth or when He returns to the earth (cf. Isaiah 27:9; Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Amos 9:11-15; Romans 11:25-27; Revelation 1:7). The spirit in view will be a result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit who conveys grace (compassion; cf. Hebrews 10:29) and calls forth supplication (prayer; cf. Isaiah 32:15; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:31; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Ezekiel 39:29; Joel 2:28-29). The coming of the messianic kingdom is contingent on Israel’s repentance, God’s sovereign control, and the Spirit’s enabling grace. [Note: See Stanley D. Toussaint and Jay A. Quine, "No, Not Yet: The Contingency of God’s Promised Kingdom," Bibliotheca Sacra 164:654 (April-June 2007):131-47.]" {5}
The Day of the Lord
The prevailing consensus is that the repeated phrase "On that day" in Zechariah 12-14 refers to the day of the Lord.
Smith's Bible Commentary: "Over and over in these last three chapters you are going to be reading the phrase, "In that day," and that is the preface to the declaration of many of the fascinating aspects of the Kingdom Age, and that great judgment that will immediately precede the Kingdom Age." {6}
The Fulness of the Gentiles
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25).
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 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. (Luke 21:20-25).
Luke 21:24 indicates that Jerusalem will be trampled (suppressed/dominated) until the end of the 70th week when the fullness of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This picture of suppression reiterates the fact that the inhabitants of Jerusalem are not living in security prior to the return of Jesus Christ. These verses provide further evidence that the alleged Gog/Magog attack is precluded prior to the end of the 70th week. The eschatological significance of this prophecy is confirmed in verses 25-27 i.e. the occurrence of cosmic disturbances and the coming of the Son of Man in a cloud. (Matthew 24:15-25; Mark 13:14-23). These events signify the imminence of the rapture following the breaking of the sixth seal from the prewrath perspective. (Revelation 6:12-17).
It is not disputed that some of the Jewish people will be saved during the times of the Gentiles (obviously a number of Jews were saved at Pentecost and beyond). Nevertheless, all the evidence strongly suggests that their united repentance will occur at the end of the 70th week. According to Israel Today, the number of adult Jewish Yeshua-Believers in the state of Israel is 8,125. {7} However, it is difficult to estimate the precise number of authentic converts, since unfortunately, false gospels abound in the state of Israel as they do everywhere else. (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Meyer: "We must observe the correlation of ἀπὸ μέρους … πλήρωμα … πᾶς: a part of Israel is hardened, until the Gentiles collectively shall have come in, and, when that shall have taken place, then all Israel will be saved. The conversion of the Gentiles ensues by successive stages; but when their totality shall be converted, then the conversion of the Jews in their totality will also ensue; so that Paul sees the latter—which up to that epoch certainly also advances gradually in individual cases—ensuing, after the full conversion of the Gentiles, as the event completing the assemblage of the church and accomplishing itself." {8}
Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem..
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Luke 13:37-39).
Pulpit Commentary:
"'Their senses are still blinded. The veil of the Talmud that hangs over their eyes is twice as heavy as the veil of Moses.'The promise which concludes this saying of the Master can only refer to the far future, to the day of the penitence of Israel. It harmonizes with the voice of the older prophets, and tells us that the day will surely come when the people shall look on him whom they pierced, and shall mourn. But that mourning will be turned speedily into joy." {9}
Malcomson indicates that if we do not agree with him about worldwide revival beginning at Jerusalem prior to the 70th week of Daniel, then our view of the scriptures is deficient. It is a common tactic of many teachers with questionable ideas to characterize those who do not agree with them as "deficient in understanding". Malcomson presents his own preferred isolated interpretation of Zechariah 12-14, but he fails to demonstrate from the scriptures that this is the case. (Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1). The obvious danger of Malcomson's view is that Christians will fail to recognize prophetic events in their true context. This is particularly troubling in light of the fact that false peace will likely occur when the Antichrist arrives on the scene and makes or confirms a strong covenant with many. (Daniel 9:27). No doubt we all desire to see genuine revival in our time, but it is presumptuous to insist that this will be the case when so many scriptures contradict that view. (Matthew 24:10; Luke 13:23-24; 2 Peter 3:3; 2 Timothy 3:1, 4:3; Jude 1:18). Many false teachers in the charismatic camp continually insist that we are on the cusp of something dramatic, and "imminent revival" often plays a major part in their alleged prophesies. I have observed a number of false revivals, but I have yet to witness significant genuine revival in our time.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
I recommend David Pawson's YouTube videos on Zechariah 12-14:
1. What We Believe - Limerick City Church
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: BILL SALUS: GOG MAGOG DANGEROUS SPECULATIONS (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. Zechariah 12 Pulpit Commentary (biblehub.com)
4. Zechariah 12 - Keil & Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
5. Zechariah 12:10 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org
6. Zechariah 12 - Smith's Bible Commentary - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
7. How Many Messianic Jews Actually Live in Israel? - Israel Today
8. Romans 11 Meyer's NT Commentary (biblehub.com)
9. Luke 13:35 Commentaries: "Behold, your house is left to you desolate; and I say to you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!'" (biblehub.com)
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