Oh, Ancient Israel
Yes, there once was a mighty nation -- in fact, a theocracy,
That is, God himself, ruled it directly, wisely and lovingly.
But that theocracy ended when the leaders of Israel said,
“We have no king but Caesar,” and God thereby was no more their head.
You see, God’s promises to Israel were always conditional,
And finally, due to their constant rebellion, probational.
But foolishly, apostasy in Israel once again prevailed,
And to the point where Jesus Christ was placed on a cross and nailed.
Some Christians point to this old nation in defence of Church and State,
But it was a theocracy, (and its rebellion sealed its fate).
Thus, God no longer rules directly, like He did that old nation,
No, such rule clearly ended around the close of its probation.
Almost from the beginning, this nation demanded its own way,
Saying, “We want a king to govern us,” much to the Lord's dismay.
Instead of the solid “Rock” -- Jesus -- they wanted a man of clay,
Which was reluctantly granted, knowing that a high price they’d pay.
However, despite their earthly kings, God continued as their head,
Up until that day when they effectively chose Caesar instead.
And then Stephen’s stoning finally sealed ancient Israel’s sad fate;
AD 34 (to be precise) was that particular date.
Oh, ancient Israel, what a tragic mistake you foolishly made,
And ever since that time your people such a heavy price have paid.
Now God’s chosen people no more, because of your apostasy,
That finally brought an end to your privileged theocracy.
And therefore, the Christian Church has now taken ancient Israel’s place,
Though even in the Christian church -- apostasy too -- we can trace.
It seems that we humans seldom learn, and the past thereby repeat,
And hence why we’re told that the antichrist within the Church we’ll meet.
Yes, isn’t that like the devil to be working from within,
For he knows that that’s the best way of ensuring that wrong gets in.
Yes, he uses some within the church, because they’re less suspected
Of introducing the error that he doesn’t want detected.
Therefore, there’s a need for Christians to examine what they are told,
Just in case it may be contrary to what Christians should uphold.
For so often it has been leaders who have led the flock astray,
Which is why Scripture says to check out what leaders do and say.
We have been warned that false prophets and messiahs will lead astray;
And such ones even the apostles experienced in their day.
Therefore, let's watch that crafty devil who works miracles and signs
Around those ones that he’s using to gain control of hearts and minds.
By Lance Landall
(refer to diagram below - you may have to wait for it to appear)
See comments underneath the poem ‘Christ’s Coming Kingdom’.
Israel’s Probationary Period
NOTE: In Bible prophecy a day stands for a year (Ezek 4:6; Num 14:34).
Further amplification can be found under the poem "Those Beasts".
"Seventy
weeks [490 years] are decreed [allotted] for your people [the Jewish
nation] and your holy city: to finish the transgression [stop
rebelling], to put an end to sin [Christ that is, via His death], and
to atone for iniquity [Christ that is], to bring in everlasting
righteousness [Christ that is], to seal both vision and prophet, and to
anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand: from the time that the word went out [the decree] to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the time of an anointed prince [the baptism of Christ], there shall be seven weeks [49 years]; and for sixty-two weeks
[434 years] it shall be built again with streets and moat, but in a
troubled time. After the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut
off [Jesus Christ would die on the cross] and shall have nothing, and
the troops [Roman soldiers] of the prince [Titus] who is to come shall
destroy the city and the sanctuary [this occurred in AD 70]. Its end
shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war.
Desolation’s are decreed. He shall make a strong covenant [extra
opportunity] with many for one week [7 years], and for half of the week
[3 and a half years – the middle of the 7 years] he [Christ the
Messiah] shall make sacrifice and offering cease; and in their place
shall be an abomination that desolates [Rome], until the decreed end is
poured out upon the desolator” (Dan 9:24-27).
Christ is the central figure in all this. He was baptized and anointed in AD 27.
So all we have to do then, is to take the following decree dates, and then find out which decree best fits in with the time span and Christ’s anointing date.
“…there shall be seven weeks [49 years]; and for sixty-two weeks [434 years]…” (Dan 9:25) — 49 + 434 = 483 years. 483 years takes us from 457 BC to AD 27.
1) The decree of Cyrus the Great. This decree is dated 537 B.C.
537 BC – 483 = 54 BC.
Christ was not yet born, therefore this decree is not the right decree.
2) The decree of Darius I Hystaspes. This decree is dated 519 B.C.
519 BC – 483 = 36 BC.
Likewise, Christ was not yet born, therefore this decree is also not the right decree.
3) The decree of Artaxerxes I Longimanus. This decree is dated 457 BC.
457 BC – 483 = AD 27.
In AD 27, John the Baptist baptized Jesus (Matt 3:13-17), therefore this is the correct decree, and starting point.
