We Are Marching to Zion

Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry

by: Darrell G. Young

March 31, 2020

Zion is a famous Biblical name. It is often referred to in the Bible as the “mountain of God.”
It is also a word that is historically synonymous with the ancient “city of David” and Jerusalem! 

   In the Bible, Zion and the mountain of God are associated with the Temple Mount, where God’s presence dwelt with his people, Israel.
  
  Today, the world views Zion and the concept of Biblical Zionism in contempt. The United Nations, in compliance with pressure from world powers even equated Zionism with racism; in an effort to erase Israel’s connection to Mount Zion!

   But, God has not forgotten Israel or Zion!

Psalms 102:13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy on ZION, for the “time to favor her”, yes the “SET TIME” is come!

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Zechariah 1:16-17 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.
17. Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 2:10-12 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
11. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
12. And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

Zechariah 8:2-3 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury.
3. Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.

Micah 4:1-2 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
2. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 3:16-17 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

The "Time to Favor Zion" is nigh at hand! The "Favoring of Zion" is the return of Jesus to Zion's Hill!

Yes, We are marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion! We're marching upwards to Zion, the beautiful city of God! Yes, the Time is Set!

Psalms 102:13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy on ZION, for the “time to favor her”, yes the “SET TIME” is come!

Does China have a Role in End Times Bible Prophecy?

Many students of Bible prophecy consider Revelation 16:12–16 to possibly refer to China in the end times. The current world wide pandemic, since it has manifest itself out of China, adds to this serious question.

Recent years have seen a dramatic rise in China’s power and influence, all around the world. The development of China’s enormous military strength; their intimidation of Hong Kong freedom seekers, Tibet, Taiwan, and other regions; their pursuit of global economic dominance; aggressive rhetoric on the world stage; and, of course, their severe persecution of Chinese Christians, all this has been characteristic of modern Communist China. It is not hard to imagine that the “kings from the East” who one day march into Israel will include China, or even be led by China.

Following World War II, the United States was a chief architect of the post WWII international order and became its uncontested leader. Preparing to rebuild the international economic system while World War II was still raging, 730 delegates from all 44 Allied nations gathered at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States, for the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference, also known as the Bretton Woods Conference.

The delegates deliberated during 1–22 July 1944, and signed the Bretton Woods agreement on its final day. Setting up a system of rules, institutions, and procedures to regulate the international monetary system, these accords established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), which today is part of the World Bank Group.

The United States, which controlled two thirds of the world's gold, insisted that the Bretton Woods system rest on both gold and the US dollar.

After the end of World War II, the US held $26 billion in gold reserves, of an estimated total of $40 billion (approx 65%).

On 15 August 1971, the United States unilaterally terminated convertibility of the US dollar to gold, effectively bringing the Bretton Woods system to an end and rendering the dollar, a fiat currency.

The long Cold War and America’s debacles in Korea and Viet Nam, magnified by the War on Terror; or more accurately, the Terrorist War on America and Israel; have taken a toll on the American capacity to lead the world.

China, with its breathtaking economic growth and vast increases in military spending, has been on the ascent for decades, but long remained focused on domestic stability and the security of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Communist Politburo clambered to center stage after 2008, when the global financial crisis appeared to signal a weakening of American primacy.

Revelation 16:12-14  And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

This passage predicts a massive, climactic conflict known as the Battle of Armageddon. It occurs at the end of the tribulation, after the sixth bowl judgment. At that time, the Euphrates River will be dried up, allowing the “kings from the East” to invade the Near East and march toward Israel. It is the “kings from the East” identification that many associate with China.

Revelation 9:14-16  Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

China has a lot of money and they make everything, so they have accumulated a power over us that we never should have been allowed them in the first place. By 2030, the Chinese aim to have a military “second to none,” to become the global center for technology innovation, and to serve as the economic anchor of a truly global trade and infrastructure regime, an economic bloc that would be unprecedented in human history.

The Chinese Communists have co-opted Western politicians and media and thoroughly corrupted many American economic manufacturers in ways that continue to benefit Chinese Communist strategic interests. Those same bought-and-paid for US politicians (and other US entities also purchased by the Chinese, such as Hollywood studios, corporate media shares, and Academia interests) have literally sold the American worker and American hegemony down the river!

Further geopolitical evidence of China’s emergence as a “King of the East” is their leadership in the Far Eastern counterpart to the US/Europe alliance NATO, known as the Shanghai Cooperation Council. China is the engine that runs this trade, military, and political organization.

   China formed this league with Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, in 1996 and in 2001, added Russia and India to its membership. The overall goal of this Far East Union, is to override the American dollar as the unit for world exchange, and bring about the decline of the current world order that was established after WWII; and emerge as the leaders in a New World Order; or at least a footing that enables the “Kings of the East” to become an equal partner to the West!

Note: China owns 20% of the debt of the United States.

When the end-times’ forces from China maneuvers eastward, perhaps simultaneously as do the armies of Magog’s Coalition and confront the Antichrist, the seventh and final bowl judgment will be poured out. The Lord Jesus will return, the most violent earthquake ever will shake the world, and the forces of the Antichrist and the armies of the East will be destroyed (Revelation 16:17–20; 19:11–21).

There is an OT prophecy, which had ancient setting, but also speaks of the End Times when the Lord exacts vengeance on the nations of the world who mobilize their armies across the Euphrates to attack Israel.

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord God of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Revelation 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

So, yes “China and other nations of the East” will play a definite role in the end time events of Bible Prophecy, particularly during the Great Tribulation; as they and the Northern Magog Alliance with Iran moves into the Middle East “time-bomb” to counter the Antichrist; who will by that time have been exalted (likely by the West) to absolute World power!

The Sign of Pestilence in the Last Days

The Sign of Pestilence in The Last Days
Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry
by: Darrell G. Young

Many people today are rightfully concerned about the current "COVID19" health crisis now unfolding around the world. In some circles, people are curiously asking if this crisis has anything to do with signals pertaining to the "Signs of the Times."

The word "pestilence" and the word "plague" appear to be interchangeable words throughout the Bible, whether it is in contextual usage in either the OT Hebrew or NT Greek. The word "pestilence" appears 47 times in the OT. It is an English translation of the Hebrew word "deber" which simply refers to a plague of some kind! The word "pestilences" only appears twice in the NT, as shown here in Jesus Olivet Discourse; pertaining to one of the Signs of the times.

Matthew 24:7-8  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  8. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

When evaluating the two Olivet Discourse references about "pestilences" in the Last Days, we have to review the Greek original of this word. There we find that the English translators could not discern a perfect word in Greek to convey what Jesus was referring to exactly. They settled on the word "hupoleimma," which corresponds to our English words "calamity and or plague."

So, in essence, to precisely determine the relevance of "Pestilences in the Last Days," and what they might portend as a Sign, we have to analyze the Biblical documentation of Plagues, specifically in the New Testament.

There are only 12 references to plague in the OT, and they are almost exclusively related to plagues God sent upon Egypt, Edom and Babylon. In the NT, the word "plague" is used only twice outside the book of Revelation. In Mark 3:10 and Luke 7:21, the word plague is used to describe thes Jesus "healing of infirmities" of people. In these two instances, an infirmity is understood to be a sickness or disease!

However, the word "plagues" is used 12 times in the Book of The Revelation! Here the Greek word is "pleegai" and refers to "severe bodily wounds and great intense Calamity." The plagues mentioned in Revelation are referenced and described in Chapters 9:20, 11:6, 15:1,5,8, 16:9, 18:4,8, and 21:9,18.

In these verses, all set to occur during the "Great Tribulation" era; there will be Plagues sent forth upon the Earth in a sequential fashion, (for the hope of repentance) carried out by the Angels with the Seven Last Plagues, including turning water into blood, scorching heat, body boils, swarms of locusts, stings, sores, tongue diseases, and darkness. Again, all of these plagues are events that culminate in the post Rapture world.

The picture of the post Rapture world is a very Calamitous scenario! It will see Pestilence, Plagues, chaos, and the most violent wars this world has ever seen, including the unleashing of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons!

Revelation 6:8  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

War is the most wasting calamity known to man, and draws scarcity and famine after it; not allowing men the proper sustenance, and forcing them to eat that which is unwholesome, often drawing the pestilences of disease upon mankind thereafter. 

While the current worldwide pandemic is certainly disconcerting, it may or may not be related by Bible Prophecy as a clear sign of the Lords Second Coming. More importantly, there are hundreds of other Signs that are already pointing to the imminent return of Jesus to this world. Foremost among those Signs, are the return of the Remnant of Jews to Israel; the burdensome political and religious dynamics of Jerusalem, and geo-political presence of all the "world stage players" of the Last Days!

The most serious concern today, as we continue to monitor the pandemic crisis, is how it might be manipulated by Last Days power brokers to manufacture a Global economic crisis in order to amalgamate the nations of our present World Order into a governing system conducive to the rise of a New World Order under the auspices of Ten Kings; who in turn shall move to Exalt the Antichrist!

In that event; Look up, your redemption draweth nigh!

Darrell G. Young
March 18, 2020

What Exactly is The Blessed Hope

Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry

Parksville Knob Baptist Church

Published by Darrell G Young · 3 mins · 

What exactly is the Blessed Hope?

The word blessed can mean “happy” or “beneficial”; our hope is “blessed” in that Jesus’ return will be an amazing, joyful experience for the believer in Christ.

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

This passage unmistakably identifies the “blessed hope” as the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior. The word hope does not communicate uncertainty, as in “I hope that something might occur”; rather, it is the glad assurance that something will take place.

The “blessed hope,” then, is the joyful assurance that God will extend His benefits to us and that Jesus Christ will return. We are waiting for this event now. Jesus said He would return (John 14:3), the angels said He would return (Acts 1:11), and the epistles say He will return. Jesus could come back at any time for His church, This event is called the rapture.

Should this blessed hope of Christ’s any-time return have an effect on the believer in Jesus Christ? John wrote, “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as [Jesus] is pure” (1 John 3:3). The believer anticipating Christ’s blessed return will seek to live, in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, a life of purity.

Jesus’ imminent return should motivate the believer to live godly in an ungodly world. The word looking in Titus 2:13 is the key for that to happen. To be “looking” means that we live each day in continual anticipation and expectancy, with the conviction that Jesus could come at any time.The blessed hope brings us joy and cheers us through the trials of this world; but especially so as we see the "Day of the Lord" approaching!

The idea of the commencement of "Day of the Lord" which time wise is synonymous with the onset of the "Great Tribulation" can cause fear and anxiety for many people. The idea of the "Blessed Hope" and its relationship to the Rapture are intended to encourage every Christian in the Last Days!

2 Peter 3:10-12 But the "day of the Lord" will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The word "Hasting" in verse 12 of II Peter chapter 3 comes from the Greek word "Speudonatas," which infers that Last Days Christians who are alive at the time of the climax of the signs of the times, should take courage at those things coming to pass in the world; since in essence, it literally highlights the nearness of our Lord's Coming, and our Gathering unto him, Forever!