NOAHIDE BEHEADINGS: REALLY?

The First International Congress of Noahides will be held in Jerusalem from November 2–6, 2026, bringing together delegates from six continents to formally establish the World Noahide Movement. conference is organized by the Brit Olam Noahide World Center and marks a historic gathering of Noahides—non-Jews who observe the Seven Laws of Noah. The event aims to found the World Noahide Movement, complete with a founding charter, a rabbinic court (Beit Din), regional councils, and a global infrastructure to sustain the movement.1 It is a highly organized assembly designed to build a worldwide Noahide judicial and political structure. The Congress is reported to include delegates from 20 countries across six continents including Japan, India, Colombia, Nigeria, Philippines, France and the United States. Not surprisingly, this trajectory has prompted extensive speculation that a one‑world religious structure is beginning to take shape. When paired with renewed calls for the reconstruction of a third Jewish temple, the concern intensifies.

The Noahide Laws (Sheva Mitzvot B’nei Noach) are described in Jewish tradition as the minimal moral obligations binding on all people. The Talmud presents the Noahide laws as originating in commands first given to Adam and later reiterated to Noah. It frames the obligations as Adamic in origin, subsequently restated for Noah’s generation.2 The Tanakh depicts God speaking to Noah directly and offers no textual basis for the claim that these laws were previously given to Adam. 

The Noahide laws are seven foundational categories that expand into dozens of specific commandments. Different rabbinic authorities count anywhere from 30+ obligations to more than 50, depending on how the sub‑laws are classified.

Rabbinic tradition treats these laws as universal obligations, applying to all humanity rather than being limited to Israel. 

They claim to form a basic ethical framework emphasizing respect for God, human life, family, property, and justice. 

A non-Jew who follows the Noahide Laws is traditionally called a "Righteous Gentile" and is said to merit a place in the “World to Come”.

Do not worship idols.
Do not blaspheme or curse God.
Do not murder.
Do not commit adultery or sexual immorality (including incest and other forbidden relations).
Do not steal.
Do not eat flesh torn from a living animal.
Establish courts of justice to uphold law and ensure societal order.

God’s covenant with Noah contains only a small set of basic commands.  

1. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
2. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
3. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man.

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered. Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. And for your lifeblood I will require a reckoning: from every beast I will require it and from man. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. (Genesis 9:1-7).

The Talmudic Noahide code introduces additional requirements beyond the divine mandate. In this respect, the rabbinic expansion constitutes an unauthorized addition to God’s word. You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6).

The Talmud is the foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism, a comprehensive collection of Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, and commentary on the Torah. It consists of the Mishnah (a compilation of oral laws) and the Gemara (commentaries and discussions on the Mishnah) and preserves centuries of rabbinic teachings, debates, and interpretations on subjects ranging from legal practice and ethical reasoning to custom, history, and folklore. Within Judaism the Talmud  is regarded as second in authority only to the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). It is important to note that the Talmud is not divine revelation but a human record of rabbinic thought. In this respect the Talmud stands in direct contrast to Christian orthodoxy, which maintains that scripture alone is the exclusive source of truth and authority.

In Matthew 23, Jesus delivered sustained criticism against the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their conduct and teaching. These groups developed in the second century BC, after the destruction of the First Temple. The Pharisees upheld the oral tradition, while the Sadducees—largely a priestly class—rejected the oral law and denied the resurrection. The Sanhedrin drew members from these factions. According to New Testament accounts, leaders from both groups strenuously opposed Jesus and were involved in the actions that led to his death. 

Talmudic Judaism is incompatible with Christianity. Jewish rabbis have historically opposed the Christian claim to revealed truth and continue to advance teachings that exclude Jesus Christ, grounding their authority instead in their own inherited traditions. The New Testament issues repeated condemnations and warnings concerning Pharisaic tradition.

Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. (Titus 1:13-14).

They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders.. (Matthew 23:4).

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. (Matthew 23:13).

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men. (Mark 7:8).

..thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:13).

Because the Noahide laws are rooted in Talmudic tradition, they conflict directly with Christian doctrine and operate as a structural counter‑statement to the gospel. The Sanhedrin’s original denial of Jesus’ messianic identity is maintained as its continuing theological position. The New Testament specifically warns that whoever denies the Son does not have the Father. (John 3:36; Matthew 10:33; John 5:23; 1 John 2:23,4:15 etc.) Rabbi Tovia Singer describes Noahide identity as a de facto conversion to Judaism, which by definition excludes Christian faith. Singer instructs Noahides to reject Jesus Christ and states that they are not permitted to enter a Christian church.4 He also instructs Noahides to put themselves under the direct authority of the rabbis.5  

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12).

The contemporary Sanhedrin anticipates a future “Messiah” who will inaugurate a Golden Age, a period of Jewish supremacy where non Jews are subordinated to Jewish rule under Noahide laws. The Noahide Golden Age is treated as a future reality expressed through modern institutional behavior. The United States has formally recognized the Seven Noahide Laws as ethical norms deemed essential for maintaining societal stability. According to Israel National News: "Donald Trump has been the greatest supporter of Noahide law in US history."6 

The concern is straightforward: Christians should avoid submitting to any system that contradicts the gospel. Even so, I reject interpretations portraying the Noahide laws as a future program of beheading Christians. Currently, they lack institutional form, political viability, and theological grounding for any global enforcement. It is not implausible that the Noahide Laws will grow in influence, but in my view they will not become a universal religious system endowed with the extensive powers asserted by some.  

The overlooked weakness in these arguments is that the Jews will not worship the Antichrist. The beheadings referenced in Revelation are portrayed as executions carried out under the Antichrist’s regime, specifically targeting those who refuse his authority and remain faithful to Christ. (Revelation 20:4). At the midpoint of the seventieth week—the abomination of desolation—the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, and his forces will surround Jerusalem, initiating “the time of Jacob’s trouble”. (Jeremiah 30:7 cf. Matthew 24:21). The prophets are consistent: Ezekiel 20:34–38 depicts Israel brought under divine discipline before restoration; Zechariah 13:8–9 foresees two‑thirds cut off while a remnant is refined; Daniel 9:24 assigns seventy weeks for Israel to complete its transgression. This future distress aligns with Revelation 6–18, where Israel undergoes unprecedented tribulation. Its purpose is corrective rather than annihilative—discipline that turns the nation back to her Messiah. (Zechariah 12:10; Hosea 5:15). 

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 cf. Matthew 24:15). But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (Luke 21:20). 

Premillennial interpreters understand the Roman encirclement of Jerusalem in 70 AD as a typological precursor to the eschatological offensive attributed to the Antichrist and his forces. The historical siege operates as the “near fulfillment",  establishing the antecedent that is then projected forward into a final crisis. In this framework, the 70 AD destruction serves as the prototype for a later, intensified assault during the great tribulation. 

When the Antichrist is revealed at the mid point of the 70th week, the Noahide Laws are unlikely to remain operative. The Antichrist is portrayed as a figure who functions as a law unto himself, rejecting established authority. He is explicitly designated “the man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9. This pattern aligns with the biblical use of “a law unto themselves” in Romans 2:14 to describe those who do not adhere to an external standard. He is further portrayed as exalting himself above God’s law and asserting his own definitions of right and wrong, in direct opposition to divine authority. 

He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all. And in their place, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a price. (Daniel 11:37-39).

Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain. (Revelation 13:7-8).

And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13:16-17).

We should be concerned about the Noahide Laws, and believers in Jesus Christ should not commit to them. It is anticipated that Satan will tolerate the Noahide Laws and the temple sacrifices only while it suits his purposes. After three and a half years he will break his covenant with Israel and this will initiate the time of Jacob's trouble. (Jeremiah 30:7; Romans 11:26).

And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman (Israel) who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. (Revelation 12:13-17).

Are the Jews still "God's chosen people"? Incredibly yes. The concept of the remnant of Israel signifies that while many may reject God, a faithful remnant will ultimately be saved, fulfilling God's covenant promises.

..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. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:25-32 cf. Isaiah 10:22-23, 27:9, 59:20-21).

While the Noahide Laws do not present an immediate threat, they represent a developing eschatological scenario that warrants careful, ongoing observation.

1. First International Congress of Noahides Set for Jerusalem This November - Israel365 News
2. Seven Laws for a Beautiful Planet - The Noahide Tradition - Chabad.org
3. Chabad.org
4. MAY A NOAHIDE ENTER A CHURCH?
5. Rabbi Tovia Singer shares everything you need to know about Noachide and it will excite you!

6. Donald J. Trump: Champion of Noahide Law | Israel National News 

Chapter 1: Noahide Laws: Are Christians Focusing on the Wrong Issue? - UK Apologetics Library

ADAM FANNIN: PASTORS AGAINST NOAHIDE CONGRESS

Pastors Against Noahide Congress

I agree with Adam Fannin that the Noahide Laws are Talmudic rather than biblical. Rabbi Tovia Singer describes Noahide identity as a de facto conversion to Judaism, which by definition excludes Christian faith. By his account Noahides reject Jesus Christ and are not permitted to enter a Christian church.1  

The Noahide Laws are spreading as a voluntary religious‑ethical movement, not as binding global legislation. Modern Noahidism is expanding—there are organized communities across multiple continents, from the US and UK to Latin America, Africa, and Asia. These groups adopt the Seven Laws voluntarily as a moral‑religious identity. Fannin and similar commentators claim that the Noahide Laws will gain global traction, forming a one‑world religious system with enforced compliance, ultimately empowered under the Antichrist to execute dissenters.

Fannin’s antisemitic bias is evident in this video, but his conclusions regarding the Noahide Laws are weak and lack support from biblical texts.

Fannin asserts that the Antichrist must be Jewish, but this rests on assumption rather than textual evidence. Scripture does not assign the Antichrist any ethnicity. The Bible provides multiple non‑Jewish “types” of the Antichrist—Roman, Greek‑Seleucid, Egyptian, Philistine, Phoenician, Babylonian. None of these establish the ethnicity of the final figure.

The common inference is that the Antichrist will arise from a revived Roman empire, since the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD was carried out by Roman forces. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. (Daniel 9:26).

Fannin: "You have to worship the Antichrist to take his mark. And if you don't, the world court, the Noahide world court will possibly take off your head as we just read in Revelation chapter 20".

The overlooked weakness in these arguments is that the Jews will not worship the Antichrist. Fannin's persistent claim that scripture offers no future for Israel is unsupported. At the midpoint of the seventieth week—the abomination of desolation—the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, and his forces will surround Jerusalem, initiating “the time of Jacob’s trouble”. (Jeremiah 30:7 cf. Matthew 24:21). The prophets are consistent: Ezekiel 20:34–38 depicts Israel brought under divine discipline before restoration; Zechariah 13:8–9 foresees two‑thirds cut off while a remnant is refined; Daniel 9:24 assigns seventy weeks for Israel to complete its transgression. This future distress aligns with Revelation 6–18, where Israel undergoes unprecedented tribulation. Its purpose is corrective rather than annihilative—discipline that turns the nation back to her Messiah. (Zechariah 12:10; Hosea 5:15). 

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 cf. Matthew 24:15). But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (Luke 21:20). 

Premillennial interpreters understand the Roman encirclement of Jerusalem in 70 AD as a typological precursor to the eschatological offensive attributed to the Antichrist and his forces. The historical siege operates as the “near fulfillment",  establishing the antecedent that is then projected forward into a final crisis. In this framework, the 70 AD destruction serves as the prototype for a later, intensified assault during the great tribulation. 

The beheadings referenced in Revelation are portrayed as executions carried out under the Antichrist’s regime, specifically targeting those who refuse his authority and remain faithful to Christ. (Revelation 20:4). When the Antichrist is revealed at the mid point of the 70th week, the Noahide Laws are unlikely to remain operative. The Antichrist is portrayed as a figure who functions as a law unto himself, rejecting established authority. He is explicitly designated “the man of lawlessness” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9. This pattern aligns with the biblical use of “a law unto themselves” in Romans 2:14 to describe those who do not adhere to an external standard. He is further portrayed as exalting himself above God’s law and asserting his own definitions of right and wrong, in direct opposition to divine authority. 

He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all. And in their place, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a price. (Daniel 11:37-39).

Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain. (Revelation 13:7-8).

And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13:16-17).

We should be concerned about the Noahide Laws, and believers in Jesus Christ should not commit to them. In my view, Satan will tolerate the Noahide Laws and the temple sacrifices only while it suits his purposes. After three and a half years he will break his covenant with Israel and this will initiate the time of Jacob's trouble. (Jeremiah 30:7; Romans 11:26).

And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman (Israel) who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. (Revelation 12:13-17).

1. MAY A NOAHIDE ENTER A CHURCH?   

NELSON WALTERS' RECKLESS DISTORTION OF DANIEL 11

Is the US Navy About to Be Destroyed? What Prophecy Says,

Nelson Walters' "The US Navy is anchored around the Strait of Hormuz. Prophecy tells us that the Western navies and the USA Navy will be destroyed, but is this the time? ..Before they are destroyed, the US Navy does something that sets the prophetic clock in motion. It enrages the Antichrist so completely that he abandons his military campaign, storms into Jerusalem and sits in the temple declaring himself that he is God.. The US Navy does that? Where is that found? The answer is in Daniel 11:30. Western ships, navy forces, including the United States Navy, block the Antichrist and force him to back down, and that is the trigger for the abomination of desolation, and that is the trigger for the flight of Israel on Passover, and that is the trigger for the destruction of the US Navy."


At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate..(Daniel 11:29-31 cf. Isaiah 46:9-10))

And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.
At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. (Daniel 11:36-45).

The king of the North is traditionally understood to be the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The "South" refers to Egypt, ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty. The term "Kittim" historically refers to the people of Cyprus and, by extension, the western maritime powers. In the context of Daniel 11, it likely represents Roman forces. This phrase indicates a military intervention by a powerful naval force, which historically aligns with Roman intervention in the region. The "ships of Kittim" symbolise a formidable opposition that disrupts the plans of Antiochus IV. This intervention is a turning point, as it halts his campaign against Egypt.1 

Many interpreters argue that Daniel 11:36–45 shifts from describing Antiochus IV to focus on the Antichrist, claiming that the text introduces a new figure whose arrogance and blasphemy exceed those of all previous rulers. My hesitation is the closing statement, “he shall come to his end with none to help him”, which reads more like a historical reference to Antiochus’ death rather than an eschatological conclusion about the Antichrist. 

Walters connects Daniel 11 with Balaam’s fourth oracle in Numbers 24:15–19, and identifies Agag with Gog.* While Gog and Agag share thematic links as archetypal enemies, there is no reason to connect either passage with modern geopolitical events.

ASV: Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted. (Numbers 24:7)

Septuagint: There shall come a man out of his seed, and he shall rule over many nations; and the kingdom of Gog shall be exalted, and his kingdom shall be increased.

Walters refers to Gog as "the last great enemy of God's people, the final tyrant, the Antichrist himself". The bible never explicitly identifies Gog as the Antichrist. This is a much-debated subject; some interpreters equate the two figures, while others see them as distinct. In Ezekiel 39, Gog falls on the mountains of Israel and is devoured by birds of prey. However, Revelation 19:20 records that the Antichrist and the false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20). This settles the matter; the Gog of Ezekiel 38-39 is not the Antichrist as some allege.

You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. (Ezekiel 39:4).

I hold the minority view that the battle of Ezekiel 38 and 39 will take place at the end of the millennium, as outlined in Revelation 20, where Gog is specifically named. Similarities between Revelation 19 and 20 suggest the possibility of a typological prefiguration of the Gog-Magog War at Armageddon, which explains why some argue for the Armageddon-Gog view. Others argue that the Gog-Magog war will happen during the brief covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, which represents a deceptive false peace at the beginning of the 70th week. However, this view is difficult to sustain if we follow the pattern of Daniel 11:36 ff. The Antichrist is unassailable after the covenant with Israel is made; it is therefore doubtful that Israel will be attacked while under the Antichrist’s protection. (Daniel 9:27). Advocates of a pre‑seventieth‑week Gog war consistently overlook Ezekiel’s explicit description of Israel “dwelling securely… in unwalled villages, without walls, and having no bars or gates” (Ezekiel 38:11, 14). That condition bears no resemblance to the present geopolitical landscape, nor does it align with any other pre‑70th‑week Gog scenario. The text itself rules such speculation out.

Walters goes on to speculate about the "ships of Kittim" in Numbers 24:24. This verse does not specify when the aggressor is destroyed. It simply declares that the Western power, symbolised by the ships of Kittim, will ultimately fall under God’s judgment at the end of the age.

But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber; and he too shall come to utter destruction. (Numbers 24:24).

Ellicott: "The western power that afflicts Asshur and Eber is the one God brings to its end."
Benson: "The Grecian and Roman empires — the scourge of Asshur and Eber — are the ones God causes to perish."
Gill: "The destroyer of Asshur and Eber “shall perish for ever,” ultimately by the hand of the Messiah.
Keil & Delitzsch: "The final overthrow of this western power is part of God’s end‑time judgment."2

Walters attempts, but fails to manufacture an additional prophecy from the Dead Sea Scrolls by appealing to Joel 2:20, claiming that the Scrolls refer to a king titled “the king of the grasshoppers”, whom he equates with Gog. This construction collapses immediately. Joel 2 contains no reference to any king, and no such title appears anywhere in the Dead Sea Scrolls. The “northerner” in Joel 2 describes a historical threat from an invading northern army—typically linked to Assyrian or Babylonian forces—and functions as a precursor to eschatological judgement, the Day of the Lord, following the tribulation. Walters’ proposed title has no textual foundation in either source and can be dismissed outright. Walters then links this invented "king of the grasshoppers" with Abaddon, the leader of the abyss forces in Revelation 9:11, associated with the fifth‑trumpet judgement, the first woe. The locust army of Revelation 9:7–10 represents a demonic host. Abaddon/Apollyon (destroyer) and Gog are never identified with one another in the biblical text; they are entirely separate figures with distinct roles, contexts, and literary functions.

DSS: But I will remove the northern army far away from you,
and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,
its front into the eastern sea,
and its back into the western sea;
and its stench will come up,
and its bad smell will rise.”
Surely he has done great things.3

ESV: I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things. (Joel 2:20).

There is little value in pursuing further critique of Walters’ reckless speculations. His proposed 2028 date for the abomination of desolation is simply another instance of baseless date‑setting and should be rejected outright. Daniel’s seventieth week requires two observable markers: a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist, and the reinstatement of Mosaic sacrifices. (Daniel 9:27). Neither of these conditions presently exists. Walters' handling of scripture is consistently unreliable, culminating in a fabricated claim about a fictional "king of the grasshoppers” in Joel 2:20 allegedly found in the Dead Sea Scrolls—no such reference exists. Eschatological events cannot be stitched together haphazardly or forced onto current geopolitical tensions, including the situation with the ships near the Strait of Hormuz. We should bear in mind that the ten-king confederacy must exist before the seventieth week of Daniel and the appearance of the Antichrist. (Daniel 7:24). Furthermore, the present conflict between Israel‑America and Iran does not involve the full coalition described in Ezekiel 38–39—notably Turkey, Ethiopia, and Libya are absent. Walters’ approach reflects a pattern of mishandling scripture and promoting spurious claims without any exegetical basis. He fits the profile of a false teacher who, according to Romans 16:17–18, should be marked and avoided.

*The reference to the king being “higher than Agag” symbolizes victory over adversaries, as Agag was a notable king of the Amalekites, representing a formidable enemy. This imagery conveys that Israel’s king and kingdom will be exalted above opposition, ensuring protection, honor, and success.
Agag is often associated with Gog in biblical texts. In the Book of Ezekiel, Gog is described as the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and in the Book of Esther, Haman, who was an enemy of the Jews, is referred to as an "Agagite," which connects him to the Amalekites, the descendants of Agag. Additionally, the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) equates the terms Agag and Gog, further linking them in biblical prophecy. Thus, Agag and Gog are indeed related in biblical contexts.

1. Daniel 11:30 Ships of Kittim will come against him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and rage against the holy covenant and do damage. So he will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.
2. Numbers 24:24 Commentaries: "But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim, And they shall afflict Asshur and will afflict Eber; So they also will come to destruction."
3. Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls - Joel 2

Further Links

Bible Prophecy Talk Podcast – Bible Prophecy News, Videos, and Podcasts from Chris White
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON: SIX REASONS THAT GOG IS THE ANTICHRIST DEBUNKED

PAUL WILKINSON: PRETRIB RAPTURE UNDER ATTACK

The Rapture Is Under Attack… Here’s Why | Dr. Paul Wilkinson

In the above video, Paul Wilkinson explains that the inspiration for his latest book emerged in 2022, after a young minister in an evangelical Gypsy church asked him to provide evidence that the church does not go through the tribulation.

Brandon Holthaus: "The rapture comes under a lot of attack, and in the last five years.. it has been just viciously attacked, unlike I have ever seen. I mean, to the point that they call it 'cultic', they call it 'hasty theology', 'this is John Darby making up stuff', even saying 'this is a Zionist movement'... Why do you think, in your opinion, the rapture is being attacked like this?" 

Paul Wilkinson: "I think because this is what the apostle called 'our blessed hope'. Titus 2:13. That is the hope of every true born-again, spirit sealed, believing Christian that makes up the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, that at any moment our Lord Jesus, our heavenly bridegroom is coming to catch us away and our salvation is going to be completed through the redemption of our bodies. And so it makes absolute sense that Satan, our adversary, the accuser of the brethren, who hates God, hates the Lord Jesus, that he would do everything in his power, his limited power, to rob the church of her blessed hope, to distract the church, to confuse the church, to get the church fighting against one another.

The “blessed hope” expresses the believer’s expectation of final redemption at Christ’s second coming. The “glorious appearing” is understood as a reference to the rapture. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). The two descriptions belong together, pointing to a single, simultaneous event that marks the Parousia. Unlike Wilkinson and other pretrib proponents who regard the Parousia as a two-stage event, prewrath proponents view the rapture and the resurrection as the initial event that will happen when Christ's Parousia begins. This can be demonstrated in various passages of scripture, e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18, 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:27–3.1  Titus 2 connects the expectation of Christ’s return with a call to godly living, as does Hebrews 10:24–25. Titus 2—and scripture as a whole—does not present Christ’s appearing (the rapture) as an imminent event. 

Wilkinson: "The Daniel 9 prophecy is the clearest statement as to why we will not pass through the tribulation, because you get the tribulation defined as a seven-year period, the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. And the angel Gabriel on behalf of Almighty God says, 'This period of 70 weeks or seventy sevens, including the final seven, the final seven years, is for your people, Daniel, and your holy city, which is Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem.' And then Gabriel makes it very clear what the purpose is to put an end to their sin and transgression. 

No interpreter with intellectual honesty can exegete Daniel 9 and extract a seven‑year tribulation from the text.  

Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation, until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him. (Daniel 9:24-27).

Seventy weeks represent 490 years (70 × 7). The sixty‑nine weeks conclude with the death of Jesus Christ — “the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing.” This leaves the final seven‑year period, the last “week". That week is marked by “a covenant with many", understood as an agreement between the Antichrist and Israel. Biblically, a covenant is a binding agreement or contract; it does not state or even imply the tribulation, and in fact suggests the opposite. Although the text does not specify the covenant’s content, only that it is “confirmed” or “made strong” for seven years, the one detail that can be inferred is that the Mosaic temple sacrifices and offerings are reinstated as part of it.

The midpoint of the seventieth week is the decisive turning point: the covenant is broken, sacrifice and offering are halted, and the abomination of desolation is set in place. Pretrib teachers such as Wilkinson have been repeatedly reminded that the period of the great tribulation is 3.5 years — “cut short” (Matthew 24:22). 

Wilkinson goes on to point out that theology was distorted by certain influential early church fathers and later reinforced during the Reformation. He observes that we have inherited a legacy of presuppositional theology and long‑standing distortions rooted in tradition rather than scripture. Consequently, Israel is dismissed, and the unbiblical claim that the church is the continued Israel has become the dominant position within many denominations. I agree that the Reformation ultimately distorted Christian soteriology and replaced the early church’s premillennial expectation with allegorised eschatological systems such as amillennialism and postmillennialism—positions that diverge sharply from the outlook of first‑century believers. 

While I share Wilkinson’s concerns about what I regard as "stunted theology" within certain Protestant denominations, I would point out that pretribulationalism is equally constrained by its own presuppositional framework—particularly the innovations introduced by John Nelson Darby, whose nineteenth‑century systematisation did much to entrench the pretrib rapture as a normative expectation. In practice, pretribulationalists have hindered sound premillennial eschatology by attaching it to a non‑biblical “left behind” narrative that many critical thinkers have dismissed and ridiculed as a theological train wreck. The early church consistently affirmed premillennialism but did not teach pretribulationism. Nevertheless, persuading committed pretribulationists of this distinction remains challenging, even in the face of compelling scriptural evidence. Prewrath teachers often struggle to have their material assessed fairly, because they are frequently viewed as adjacent to pretribulationism—a perceived synthesis of pre, mid, and posttrib positions—and are dismissed under the same assumptions.

The Imminency Problem

Wilkinson quotes John 14 in support of imminency. Imminency functions as the central pillar of the pretrib rapture framework, and its advocates tend to filter nearly every doctrine through that lens. Wilkinson describes the rapture as a “signless event"; in other words, no prophesied events must occur beforehand. According to Wilkinson, nothing needs to happen first; the rapture could take place at any moment: "The rapture could be right now, before we even finish this interview".

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. (John 14:1-4)).

Imminence is not actually stated in these verses; it has to be inferred. Additionally, the text itself does not teach a signless, any‑moment return.

Holthaus: "What does imminency do for the believer as far as sanctification is concerned?" Wilkinson's response was twofold. Firstly, he claims that imminency is an incentive to preach the gospel since "we may not get another chance". 

The mandate to preach the gospel is not grounded in any doctrine of imminency. Scripture presents the motivation differently: Christ desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Wilkinson has attempted to attach imminency to the Great Commission, but that connection is not supported by the biblical text. The genuine urgency arises from human mortality—each person has only the span of their own life in which to respond. 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20).

Wilkinson: "Number two, you are the bride. So watch how you live. Don't get yourself corrupted by the world. Don't be slumbering and sleeping, but be alert. Be vigilant. Gird up the loins of your mind because the bridegroom is coming."

The motivation to live a godly life is the desire of genuine spirit-filled believers to pursue a lifestyle that aligns with the teachings and character of God. It is a relational response to God’s love as defined in the gospel; it is not a reaction to an invented doctrine of imminency. Wilkinson alludes to 1 Timothy 4, which concludes with the command to "keep a close watch on how we live". This chapter is based on the danger of being corrupted by false teachers; it is not about imminency. 

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

Bible Hub: "Living a godly life refers to the pursuit of a lifestyle that aligns with the teachings and character of God as revealed in the Bible. It involves embodying virtues such as love, humility, integrity, and obedience to God's commandments. This pursuit is central to the Christian faith, as believers are called to reflect God's holiness and righteousness in their daily lives."2 

Wilkinson: "So to put the church absolutely right to put the church in the tribulation destroys imminency because the essence of imminency is you just don't know but it's at hand. It is at hand. It is so close. So I think you know with John chapter 14 when the Lord Jesus he doesn't teach the rapture but he introduces it. "  (21:00 mark)

The Greek verb ἐγγίζω (eggizō) means “to approach” or “to draw near.” It comes from the root ἐγγύς (engys) meaning “near.” According to Strong’s 1448, the verb consistently expresses proximity—coming close, being near, or approaching.3 It does not carry a technical sense of imminence, nor does it inherently communicate that an event could occur at any moment.

A responsible interpreter who prioritises accuracy over theological prejudice will not import the concept of imminence into a verb that does not contain it.

Furthermore, Luke 21:25–33 shows that specific, identifiable signs must occur before the event in question. 

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 eavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Luke 21:25-33).day

The day of Christ  v The day of the Lord     

Pretrib interpreters identify "the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16) as the pretrib rapture, while reserving "the day of the Lord" for Christ’s return with His saints, when divine wrath is poured out. Alan Kurschner notes, however, that although the KJV reads "the day of Christ" in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, the earliest and strongest manuscript evidence overwhelmingly supports the reading "the day of the Lord".4 

Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 present the rapture and the onset of God’s wrath as posttribulational events occurring on the same day, both introduced by cosmic disturbances. Revelation 6 further locates the beginning of "the day of the Lord" after the opening of the sixth seal, at the close of the tribulation. The text itself establishes this sequence:

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. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” (Revelation 6:12-17).  

Joel 2:31 supports the prewrath position by showing that the cosmic disturbances occur immediately before the day of the Lord. The sequence is explicit: the signs in the heavens precede the onset of God’s wrath.

The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:31 cf. Isaiah 13:6; Zephaniah 1:7,14).

The pre‑trib rapture view is emotionally appealing, but it does not align with the scriptural evidence. When someone persists in an interpretation that can be shown to be incorrect, the matter ceases to be merely academic; unless they reconsider, they will ultimately give account to the One whose word they are handling. (Romans 14:12). I recognise that the pre‑trib position is deeply ingrained for Paul Wilkinson and others, yet sincerely held beliefs must still be tested when they fail to match the testimony of scripture. For that reason, I appeal to Paul Wilkinson to re‑examine his position, turn from error, and rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

Wilkinson urges pre‑trib believers to "stay away" from those who disagree with him and accuses them of "mishandling God’s word". That is a serious allegation—one he should first apply to his own view, given the identifiable weaknesses within the pretribulational framework. Charges of mishandling scripture carry real weight, and in this instance, the caution of 1 John 4:1 is more fittingly directed back toward him.

1.The Second Coming (Parousia) Begins with the Rapture | Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner 

2. Topical Bible: Living a Godly Life
3. Strong's Greek: 1448. ἐγγίζω (eggizó) -- To draw near, to approach, to come near
4. Does the 'Day of Christ' and the 'Day of the Lord' Refer to the Same Event? | Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner

Further Links

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie)

Prewrath copy

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY

ISRAEL: ADAM FANNIN'S INSUPPORTABLE DENIAL OF MODERN ISRAEL

Zionism is the Synagogue of Satan

Adam Fannin's outspoken anti Zionist rhetoric is very dangerous and unscriptural.

Fannin: "The great falling away is happening right now".  In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul links the falling away (apostasia) to the appearance of the Antichrist at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel, when the great tribulation begins. During the great tribulation, it appears many who profess the name of Jesus Christ will apostasize completely. At that time, there will be unprecedented betrayal and global violence against true believers. It is undeniable that, for the most part, the churches are asleep and have been hijacked by false teachers. However, as bad as things are, this situation does not indicate that we are in the eschatological apostasy referred to by Jesus Christ and Paul. 

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion (apostasia) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3 cf. Matthew 24:9-14).

Simply defined, Zionism is a Jewish national movement that seeks the creation, support and continuation of a Jewish national state in the historic land of Israel.2  

Amongst those who support the modern state of Israel are hardcore pretribulational dispensationalists like Andy Woods, Tom Hughes, Olivier Melnick, Lee Brainard, Prophecy Watchers, etc. It seems that nothing will prevent these teachers from persisting in the pretrib rapture error, no matter how much evidence to the contrary is presented to them from the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). The latter half of Daniel's 70th week focuses heavily on Israel; however, there is clear evidence that the church will also face unprecedented persecution during this period. (Revelation 6:9; Daniel 7:21; Revelation 12:17, 13:7, 14:12; Matthew 24:9). Pretrib false teachers are setting up their followers for unprecedented disappointment and disaster due to the false hope that they will escape the persecution of the Antichrist. Thankfully, in recent years, a growing number of believers have rejected the lethal pretrib rapture teaching. My own research into some of their leaders' shady antics is very troubling. (Matthew 7:20).3 

Christians deconstruct dispensationalism for a range of reasons, most notably the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, repeated failures in date-setting or prophetic sensationalism, and the absence of historical precedent prior to the nineteenth century. Once a single foundational assumption is destabilised, many begin to question the entire theological system, with historic (or classic) premillennialism emerging as the most common alternative. Historic premillennialism is posttribulational and preserves belief in a future millennial reign of Christ while omitting the dispensational framework of distinct ages, a separate rapture event, and a strict Israel–Church divide. Alternatively, prewrath premillennialism affirms the 70th week of Daniel and more accurately reflects the teaching of the scriptures and the early church fathers. Prewrath locates the rapture of the church after the sixth seal of Revelation is broken. (Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:29-31). Prewrath is often presented as a corrective to dispensationalism’s timing of the rapture, but it preserves one of dispensationalism’s core structural assumptions: a functional distinction between Israel and the Church in God’s prophetic program. Fannin seems to have merged prewrath and historic premillennialism, but this is highly problematic in one key area; there is no evidence to support the belief that the church is the true Israel or that ethnic Israel has no unique role in future prophecy. 

Fannin: "Genesis 12 is not for the modern state of Israel, and Romans 11 is not for the modern state of Israel.. By the way, Romans 11 literally says Israel is not elect, and Israel has been cast away." Fannin explains that he is not a replacement theologian; rather, he maintains that the church existed before Israel, and he quotes Genesis 4:26b. 

Paul emphatically spurns the idea that God has rejected the Jewish people. He describes their present unbelief as an opportunity for the Gentiles to be grafted in. 

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2).

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! (Romans 11:11-12).

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. (Romans 11:17-18).

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. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
“and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” (Isaiah 27:9 and Isaiah 59:20-21).

As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

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.’” (Matthew 23:38-39). 

"This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:26 a messianic psalm that was traditionally sung during the Passover. It was also shouted by the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). The phrase signifies recognition of the Messiah and acceptance of His divine mission. It points to a future fulfilment when Jesus will be acknowledged as the Messiah by the Jewish people, often interpreted as a reference to His second coming."1 

God makes two distinct promises to Abram (Abraham). Genesis 12:1-3 applies to "all the families of the earth", whereas Genesis 13:14-15 is a specific promise regarding Abrahams physical offspring and the land. After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. Genesis 14:14,26:2-5). The possession of the land is promised עולם עד "for ever". The promise of God is unchangeable. While the blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28 are contingent upon the Israelites' behaviour, God's covenant with them is everlasting and stands firm. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. (Genesis 17:7,13,19,48:4). 

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 26:44-45).

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” (Exodus 32:13).

For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:31).

..then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:3-6).

He is the LORD our God;
His judgments carry throughout the earth.
He remembers His covenant forever,
the word He ordained for a thousand generations—
the covenant He made with Abraham,
and the oath He swore to Isaac.
He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
“I will give you the land of Canaan
as the portion of your inheritance.” (Psalm 105:7-11).

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10).

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”(Jeremiah 31:33-34).

I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. (Jeremiah 32:40).

Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.” (Jeremiah 33:25-26).

“For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant, yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account ofi the covenant with you. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord God.”Ezekiel 16:59-63).

The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn, each clan on its own: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the remaining clans and their wives. (Zechariah 12:1-14).

In the whole land, declares the Lord,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” (Zechariah 13:8-).

A Jewish remnant, literally one-third, is specifically identified in relation to the number of Jews who will survive and repent after being tested by fire. 

In conclusion, it is undeniable that God's covenant with Israel is unbroken and irrevocable. Those who deny this or say that it has already been fulfilled produce insupportable arguments and distort the scriptures.

Historically, Israel never possessed the entire land promised to Abraham and his descendants between the two rivers, i.e. the Nile (in Egypt) and the Euphrates (in Mesopotamia). (Genesis 15:18). The peak of Israel's territorial control was achieved under David and Solomon, specifically Canaan, not Egypt or Mesopotamia. The literal futuristic view is that Israel will possess the full territory promised in Genesis 15:18 in the future Messianic age. 

The estimated future possession of Israel is 932 miles (1500 km)

This is the approximate straight-line distance between the two rivers. The actual territory would be wider and irregular, covering parts of Modern-day Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.

   

1.Matthew 23:39 Study Bible: For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
2. Zionism | Definition, History, Movement, & Ideology | Britannica
3. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: LEE BRAINARD AND TOM HUGHES: PRETRIB DISHONESTY

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture (Full Movie) 

ADAM FANNIN (LAW OF LIBERTY): WHAT IS THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL?

Does the Bible say to Bless Israel?

In the above video, Adam Fannin (Law of Liberty Baptist Church) challenges believers regarding the modern-day state of Israel and the ethnic Jews. He has produced a number of videos on this subject recently, and in doing so, he is fueling supersessionism, also known as replacement theology i.e., the view that the Christian Church has superseded the Jewish people as God's covenanted people. 

Fannin voices some strong objections against Rabbinic (Talmudic) Judaism, the political agenda behind the formation of the modern state of Israel, the ethnicity of the Jewish people, the Israeli flag, and the Hebrew language. Fannin's claim that Yiddish rather than Hebrew is the spoken language of Israel is a gross exaggeration. Hebrew is the official language of Israel and is the language of Jewish liturgy. Modern Hebrew was revived in the late 19th century and is spoken by approximately eight million people, almost the entire population. Israel Inside Out: "Hebrew is used for official purposes, from government to education. It is even used in court sessions. Hebrew is required for Arabic schools in Israel until the third grade. Israeli students are required to pass the Hebrew exam to get enrolled."1 Yiddish is a Germanic language that emerged in the 10th century in Central Europe, where Jewish communities spoke a hybrid of Hebrew and German (Judeo-German). Yiddish literally means "Jewish" and is spoken mainly by Ashkenazi Haredim within Israel. Fannin's claim that Israeli Jews are "fake" is speculative. The name Ashkenaz appears in the table of nations in Genesis 10. The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. The sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. (Genesis 10:2-3 cf. 1 Chronicles 1:6). 

Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD and the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135AD), much of the Jewish population dispersed into various parts of Europe, where they established their own communities.

"Documents from medieval rabbinic authorities, such as Rabbi Gershom ben Judah (10th-11th century AD), demonstrate that Jewish communities in the Germanic lands took on the designation 'Ashkenaz' from the biblical name, reflecting their perceived ancestral and cultural roots."2

While it is indisputable that the modern state of Israel is the result of an international political "Zionist" agenda, that should not lead us to deny that God is not using this movement for His sovereign purposes. There are many instances where God used His enemies to bring about His ultimate purposes. Much of ethnic Israel has rejected the Messiah and is presently experiencing temporary spiritual hardening or blindness. (Romans 11:25-26). However, God has a remnant, according to His grace, who will be saved at the end of the age. (Romans 11:5).

More important than all the disputes about the ethnicity of the Jewish people and the modern state of Israel is the Bible! 

God made an unconditional "everlasting covenant" with Abraham and his physical descendants, which is not contingent upon their behaviour. The blessings and curses in Deuteronomy 28 are contingent upon their behaviour, but the covenant stands firm.  

And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. (Genesis 17:7). 

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 26:44-45).

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” (Exodus 32:13).

For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:31).

..then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. (Deuteronomy 30:3-6).

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”(Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Thus says the Lord: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.” (Jeremiah 33:25-26).

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10).

The key passage in the New Testament is Romans 11. Those who claim that Christians have superseded ethnic Israel are acting in direct disobedience to the instruction given by Paul not to be arrogant over the natural branches. 

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! (Romans 11:1).

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. (Romans 11:17-18).

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. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
“and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” (Isaiah 27:9 and Isaiah 59:20-21).

As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

Zechariah 12

The LORD will save the tents of Judah first, so that the glory of the house of David and of the people of Jerusalem may not be greater than that of Judah. On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
So on that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land will mourn, each clan on its own: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, and all the remaining clans and their wives. (Zechariah 12:1-14).

Jesus Himself said that the Jews would be in the land at His return. 

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.’” (Matthew 23:38-39)."This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:26 a messianic psalm that was traditionally sung during the Passover. It was also shouted by the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:9). The phrase signifies recognition of the Messiah and acceptance of His divine mission. It points to a future fulfillment when Jesus will be acknowledged as the Messiah by the Jewish people, often interpreted as a reference to His second coming."3

The proof text often cited by proponents of supercessionism is Galatians 3.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Know therefore that they which be of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9) Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16).

The famous "faith" passage in Hebrews 11 references the cloud of witnesses that surrounds us as Christians (Hebrews 12:1). And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Galatians 3:29 cf. Romans 9:7-8).  

There is no doubt that Christians are Abraham's spiritual offspring, BUT these verses do not negate the passages that speak about ethnic Israel's ultimate salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Fannin challenges the often-repeated exhortation that Christians must bless the nation of Israel. Fannin: "The bible says you have to bless Israel, or God won't bless you." 

The belief that Christians "must bless Israel" is taken from Genesis 12.

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3 cf. Genesis 27:29). Fannin, who is KJV only, points out that "thee" i.e. "you" is singular and refers to Abraham and is extended exclusively to the church. I believe that Fannin is grievously mistaken and that this is a very dangerous teaching. Those who promote supersessionism are standing against God's eschatological plan and His promises to the Jewish people. Fannin has not considered the sum of God's word on this subject and the overwhelming evidence that God will save a remnant of ethnic Israel. (Psalm 119:160).

It is not my proposal that Christians should support various enterprises undertaken by Rabbinic Judaism, such as the rebuilding of the third Jewish temple, acquiring the red heifers, etc. However, we need to be very careful about how we perceive ethnic Israel, the apple of God's eye! (Zechariah 2:8).

1. The Most Important Languages of Israel | Israel Inside Out
2. Who are the Ashkenazi Jews?
3. Matthew 23:39 Study Bible: For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

OLIVIER MELNICK AND TOM HUGHES' UNDERSTANDING OF MATTHEW 25

Olivier Melnick and Tom Hughes unpack the obscure prophecy of Zephaniah 2:4

In the above video Tom Hughes and Olivier Melnick discuss Zephaniah 2:4 as it relates to Gaza.

For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted. (Zephaniah 2:4 cf. Isaiah 11).

The connecting word "for" appears to refer to the exhortation to "seek the Lord" in Zephaniah 2:3 ..perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord. This prophecy is identified by many expositors as concerning the day of the Lord, i.e. God's eschatological wrath which will begin after the 3.5 year tribulation (cut short) and the rapture of the church. (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 6:12-17). I have discussed the timing of the rapture extensively in previous posts and I will not repeat the prewrath argument here. How far current events play into the eschatological picture is unclear. 

Below I will elucidate why Hughes' and Melnick's understanding of the sheep and goat judgment in Matthew 25 is unfeasible. 

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after Me.’
And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ (Matthew 25:31-46).

Melnick: "It splits into two halves; those who helped the Jews during the tribulation and those who did not. And those who did not go into the lake of fire and brimstone; and those who did enter into the millennial kingdom.. It's the group of people who get saved during the tribulation and they help the Jews out of the kindness of their heart because they know it's the right thing to do as believers, as Christians, as followers of the Messiah..  We apply it today to make a difference in Israel.."

Only the beast (the Antichrist) and the false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire before the millennium. (Revelation 19:20). Unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire at the end of the millennium. (Revelation 20:11-15).

Hughes' and Melnick's application of the sheep and goat judgement in Matthew 25 specifically to believers who help the Jewish people during the great tribulation is perplexing. Jeremiah 30:7 describes "Jacob's trouble" or "Jacob's distress" i.e. the persecution of the Jews by the Antichrist after he takes his seat in the Jerusalem temple. (2 Thessalonians 2:4). It seems highly unlikely that many Gentiles will be saved after the abomination of desolation event due to the extreme consequences of refusing the mark of the beast. i.e. no one can buy or sell etc. (Revelation 13:7-8). Extreme persecution will come upon both unsaved Jews and Gentile believers at this time. (Revelation 12:17,13:7). This scenario indicates that it will not be possible for Gentile believers to help Israel during the great tribulation. The scriptures indicate that the Jewish people will be isolated during the siege of Jerusalem and that God alone will defend them. (Zechariah 12:1-4). And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10 cf. Romans 11:26). These events follow Israel’s acceptance of the evil shepherd predicted in Zechariah 11:15-17.

And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:13-17).

In the Olivet discourse, Jesus addresses His followers, i.e. Christians; He warns specifically that worldwide persecution will overtake them.

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 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.

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:9-22; cf. Daniel 12:1).

When Jesus refers to "the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked and the prisoner", He refers to suffering believers, i.e. members of His body. (1 Corinthians 12:2; Romans 12:4-5; Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 1:18 etc.) When we serve one another we are actually serving Him. ..I was hungry etc. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. See also James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17.

Bengel's Gnomen: "Matthew 25:35. Ἐδώκατέ, κ.τ.λ., ye have given, etc.[1100]) Of all good and bad actions, those will be especially mentioned which have been performed to the saints, which presuppose faith and love towards Jesus Christ and His brethren, and involve confession of His name, which are most frequent, and remarkable, and conspicuous; and then, from the manifest glory of the Lord, the dignity of His brethren, and the character of good and evil actions towards them, will be manifest; cf. ch. Matthew 10:40-41."1 

Barnes: "I was an hungered - The union between Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all connections. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have knowledge, John 15:4-6; Ephesians 5:23-32; 1 Corinthians 6:15. This is a union - not physical, but moral; a union of feelings, interests, plans, destiny; or, in other words, he and his people have similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and inherit the same blessedness, John 14:19; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:21; Romans 8:17. Hence, he considers favors shown to his people as shown to himself, and will reward them accordingly, Matthew 10:40, Matthew 10:42. They show attachment to him, and love to his cause. By showing kindness to the poor, the needy, and the sick, they show that they possess his spirit, for he did it when on earth; they evince attachment to him, for he was poor and needy; and they show that they have the proper spirit to outfit them for heaven, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 3:17; James 2:1-5; Mark 9:41."2 

Typically pretrib teachers do not respond to exegetical problems associated with their view. However, it would be interesting to see a response from Hughes and Melnick on this occasion?

1. Matthew 25 Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament
2. Matthew 25 Barnes' Notes