Tim McHyde

Author and Bible teacher

“Pray that your flight not be…on the Sabbath day”?

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A reader of my book asked me this very good question that many Christians wonder about when reading Matthew’s version of the Olivet Discourse:

IF the Sabbath is no long in effect (Acts 15) how do we file away this:
Matthew 24:20 – But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day:

Is this a Hint for Christians To Keep Sabbath?

Some Christians find Jesus’ mention of the Sabbath in this passage disturbing. It almost seems to be advising us to be careful to avoid trampling the Sabbath.  For Christians, the Sabbath is a command they associate with the lost legalistic Pharisees of Jesus’ day and the non-believing Orthodox Jews today. Therefore the statement is problematic for them.

On the other hand, Sabbath-keeping Christians often cite this verse as proof of their position that God expects all believers to rest on Sabbath today. “Why would Jesus tell us to pray to not have to leave on the Sabbath unless it was still a day of rest for all believers?” they ask.

Well, that’s an excellent question. They probably are not going to like hearing what the most likely answer is. Yet most Christians will be glad to see how this verse’s plain meaning is in harmony with the rest of the Bible. The exercise will illustrate how many of these verses are best resolved through attention to grammatical, historical and whole Bible context.

Here’s the problem with the common interpretation of this verse. Under the Old Covenant Torah, there was no prohibition against fleeing or even fighting for your life on Sabbath. The only requirement given in the Torah after Israel had entered the land was to rest from your occupational work. (When they were still in tents wandering for 40 years, they had the additional requirement of not even leaving their place; probably only to not be tempted to gather manna – Ex 16:29. See Dt 23:12-13). Therefore, the mention of the Sabbath day causing hardship has nothing to do with believers keeping Sabbath or Sabbath forbidding travel.

A More Probable and Congruent Meaning

To understand the statement, we have to understand what it meant to Jesus’ audience who he spoke it to. In Jesus’ day, their culture was to keep Sabbath. They did this not because it was required by the Old Covenant. They had broken that already. Plus, when it was in effect, prophets continually warned Israel and Judah to stop trampling on it. Yet, those prophets and their warnings ceased with the exile of Israel and Judah (similar to how the shekinah glory left the temple then in Ezekiel 10:18). Instead, they were keeping it as part of their cultural tradition and religion of Judaism that developed out of the Babylon exile. You are probably familiar with some of the many things Orthodox Judaism prohibits on Sabbath, such as ripping toilet paper, carrying money, or turning on a light switch.

They had such embellishments back in Jesus’ day, too, which in several Gospel incidents Jesus is seen in conflict with them on. Examples include the washing of hands, healing or gleaning of grain in fields left for the poor on Sabbath.

They even had a “Sabbath’s day journey” limit on travel (referenced in Acts 1:12 as a distance measurement). Therefore, when Jesus mentioned avoiding Sabbath in the context of the prescribed speedy flight, Jesus’ audience knew immediately what he was talking about. Travel on Sabbath was already problematic back then with the cultural restrictions.

Today in the land of Israel, buses don’t run on Sabbath due to these same traditions. Mostly only Arab-run taxis are available. Therefore, it’s just plain harder to travel in Israel from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset today just as it was back in Jesus’ day. At least in the religious area of Jerusalem, or Judea this was true when I visited. Interestingly, this is the specific area Jesus said we would be gathered to and needing to flee from in the end times (Lk 21:21).

Notice the context as well. Sabbath day is mentioned along with winter and pregnant and nursing women. What do they all have in common? Winter means cold and potentially bad weather that requires more clothing and preparation. It makes travel harder. Being pregnant or having small children means you must go slower or carry a child and stop to nurse him. This obviously makes emergency last minute travel much harder and slower. All these things, like the Sabbath day, present obstacles to fast, unencumbered  travel on short notice as will be required. This was the whole point of the context of the Abomination of Desolation warnings. If someone does not listen to the warning ahead of time about what it coming and instead waits until he sees the event happen before his eyes (“I’ll believe it when I see  it”), then he will need to move so fast that he cannot even stop for supplies (Mt 24:15-20). If time is of the essence, then Sabbath day travel friction is a concern.

Other reputable commentaries agree this is likely the meaning:

What Christian Commentaries Say

New American Commentary on Matthew:

This reference to the Sabbath is found only in Matthew’s account. It would be natural for Matthew to include it for his more Jewish audience, but he does not thereby imply, as is often alleged, that he envisions Christians still keeping the Jewish laws. G. N. Stanton (“ ‘Pray That Your Flight May Not Be in Winter or on a Sabbath’ [Matthew 24.20],” JSNT 37 [1989]: 17–30) surveys the various options for interpreting this verse and concludes that the best approach understands that fleeing on the Sabbath would have antagonized the Jews further and increased persecution of believers.

MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Matthew:

Although Palestinian winters are mild compared to those in many parts of the world, even slightly inclement weather could be a hindrance when the Antichrist begins his final aggression against God’s people. Therefore Jesus said, Pray that your fight may not be in the winter.

Those seeking to escape should also pray that they will not have to flee on the Sabbath, when legalistic Jews who are not fleeing might try to stone or otherwise impede those whom they believe to be profaning the Sabbath—just as their forefathers had sought to stone Jesus for breaking their Sabbath traditions.

Jesus’ point was that no possession would be worth the risk of retrieving and no hindrance could be considered small. Because of the imminent unmatched terror, single-minded, undeterred flight will be the only order of the day.

Abomination Happens on A Sabbath in the Winter

What Jesus is implying by his suggestion to pray about the timing of your flight is that those who make the mistake of waiting until the last minute will literally see the Abomination happen on a Sabbath day in the Winter.

That may sound like an outrageous leap, but we can already confirm the Winter season for the abomination using Daniel. Daniel tells us that the Abomination of Desolation happens 1290 days from the end of the Tribulation. We know the rapture happens on the Feast of Trumpets right after the Tribulation (Mt 24:39-31). The Feast of Trumpets is on Tishrei 1, or first day of the 7th month. If you go back 1290 days or 43 months from that you end up in the 12th month of Adar. That’s the Winter!

Was Jesus also telling us ahead of time that the Abomination of Desolation would happen on a future Sabbath day? I think so.

Those who pray and have the faith to flee before they see the Abomination will probably flee before Winter gets bad. They can pick a time that is not on a Sabbath day as well and have an easier time. But to do this will take faith since it means leaving when everything seems fine to the eye.

Conclusion

Whenever we read a cryptic passage like this, we have to resist the temptation to jump to the conclusion that fits in with our doctrinal view. We have to put our bias aside and put on our detective’s hat. The Bible requires clear thinking and careful research. If we start with what the passage would have meant to the person saying it and also to his audience, we have a much better chance of arriving at the correct answer.

Note: If you think that by writing this article it means I do not keep Sabbath or am against keeping Sabbath, then that conclusion would be just as shaky as the one this article argued against. =) This article is not making a statement for or against keeping Sabbath. The point is only to correct a common case of taking a verses out of its context, masking its true intended meaning.

For the record, according to Isaiah 58 the Sabbath is a delight and blessing to keep whether it is required or not. Committing to resting one day a week recharges your batteries, relieves stress, gives space to reflect on the important things in life, and reconnect with your family. Those who can use more blessings from God in their life might optionally try resting on Sabbath. =)

The First Shall Be Last, the Last Shall Be First?

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A reader asked what Jesus meant when he said “The first shall be last and the last shall be first”. It is a good question because this proverb is used several times by Jesus in the Gospels.  To properly understand his teaching, several such core concepts must be mastered, one at a time.

This proverb expresses a recurring theme in Jesus’ teaching of the counter-intuitive reversal of fortune that the Kingdom of God will deliver when it comes. There are three groups outlined by Jesus where this is demonstrated:

  1. Many Gentiles will achieve entrance in the Kingdom while large numbers of the chosen people of Israel do not enter. (Lk 13:28-30; Mt 20:1-16);
  2. Among Israel, the outcasts (tax collectors, sinners, and unlearned) would appear ahead of the religious (Pharisees, scribes, lawyers, priests, rich). (Mk 10:23-31; Mt 19:23-30; Luke 6:20; Luke 14:11)
  3. Those who suffer now will have comfort in the Kingdom but those who are rich and comfortable in this world will appear behind those who suffer now. (Lk 16:19-31)

The parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man” (Lk 16:19-31) expresses this last point grandly, although most completely misread the parable as a complete and accurate depiction of life after death (which it is not; come on, burning in hell and wanting water for your tongue?). Most Christians completely miss that Jesus was drawing upon common Egyptian and Jewish concepts on the afterlife in order to make an important point on the Kingdom. He was not teaching us that we burn in hell when we die. All other teachings in the Bible on the afterlife contradict that conclusion.

The point he was making is again the reversal of fortunes and how what we should seek now is counter-intuitive or not what we naturally seek. This reversal does not even depend on righteousness vs. wickedness. Lazarus is not said to be a righteous man nor is the rich man called a sinner. Instead, one had suffering and the other comfort, respectively. After they both die, their situation is reversed in the next life. Lazarus is seen reclining with Abraham in the kingdom and the rich man is seen suffering outside in the common humanistic vision of a hell (not in a theologically correct unconscious separation from God – Ecc 9:5) .

Jesus is warning us through this parable and his saying “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first” that it does not matter who we are. No special favor is afforded by birth. We must seek the right things in this world, things that are counter-intuitive, so that in the next life, which is forever, we will benefit. These “riches in heaven” are won by seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness in this world (Mt 8:28). And many groups who you would think today have a corner on these riches, in reality will be nowhere to be seen in the Kingdom of God.

2010 Biblical Holy Day Calendar

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Nehemia Gordon has posted a tentative 2010 Biblical calendar (I’ve linked my own version because his calendar’s format in Google calendar is not concise). The final version will be available in early 2010 once the barley search observations are in (March 16-17, 2010).

For years, Nehemia Gordon has been the source for serious Bible adherents who want to know when the Feasts of YHWH from Leviticus 23 fall each year. Nehemia organizes new moon and aviv barley observations from Jerusalem where he lives to accomplish this. In doing so, he can provide an accurate alternative to the standard inaccurate Rabbinic calendar invented and used by Judaism. Those who follow the Bible directly know that the calendar of Judaism departs from Scripture in many ways.

He must update the calendar each year and also each month because, unlike the invented calendar, this calendar is based on observation of the agriculture and new (crescent) moons. To find out more on this important subject to understanding Bible prophecy and all the Bible properly, check out more Biblical calendar articles.

Can We Take “The LORD’s Name In Vain” Today?

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My posts always bring interesting and unexpected responses from readers even when I think they are not controversial. The previous one on the 2012 movie was no different. Here’s the very first reply I received from a reader:

I just received your article about 2012.  I hope you are not recommending the movie.  I read the reviews and that was enough for me.

The Lord’s name is used in vain, 20 times. I cannot imagine that He would want me to go, pay money, and then sit and listen to this.

I don’t mean to sound harsh, I am just soooooooo sick of Christians spending (wasting) their time on such as this.

I too would love to see a good end time movie, but unfortunately the enemy uses them to dull our senses and jade us.

I think this reader is overlooking the ability of movies like this to do the opposite of jading us against end times concerns. Doomsday movies get people contemplating the end of the world, end time prophecy and eventually the Bible. Ironically, even Christians need whatever help they can get to motivate them to finally read the entire Bible (as the statistic that only 5% have done so confirms). In the new My Testimony chapter of my book‘s 7th edition, I recount how the movie The Omen lead a good Catholic boy like me to open the Bible for the first time at age nine. Any movie that can motivate people to open up their Bibles is not a waste of time, in my book.

“2012 Uses The LORD’s Name In Vain 20 Times”?

But in this article I want to focus on just one argument the reader makes against the 2012 movie; the claim that the movie breaks the Third Commandment twenty times. It is an interesting story as to why I disagree with that complaint.

I have recounted many times how gaining a major new Bible insight will often cause a domino effect with other understandings you have. This stands to reason because none of us understand the Bible 100% correctly, including myself. We either completely forget or ignore verses that would contradict what we believe or we misunderstand the verses we are aware of.

A great example of this is what happens when you learn about the sacred name. As I covered in my article on sacred names, I found out years ago that God’s name is not LORD or God but a specific four letter name that occurs 6,828 times in the Old Testament. This understanding then lead to a quick and easy proof for discerning (Christian) false prophets.

The Christian understanding of everyday breaking of the Third Commandment also topples once you understand the truth about God’s name. A reader of my sacred name article yesterday asked a question that hints at it:

Do you think this (using any name that we choose) has any thing to do with the 3rd commandment re: taking the name in vain?

may YAHUWAH have mercy on us all, stephanie

Her question refers to the fact that we do not know God’s name for sure so we must all decide what reasonable facsimile we think is closest from our own diligent research. The answer to the question is absolutely not. And as a result, I will show that God’s name is taken zero times in 2012.

What Exactly is “Taking the LORD’s Name in Vain”?

Exodus 20:7 — You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

People today have the idea that saying phrases such as “Jesus Christ!” or “God d*** it!” or other cursing involving Jesus or God in some way is what this commandment is talking about. It is not. To find the correct understanding on the Third Commandment, you must understand it in the context of the Torah given to Ancient Israel which the Ten Commandments are part of.

As my previous article on sacred names explains, Israel was taught God’s actual four letter name, YHWH pronounced something like “Yehovah” (Jehovah is the old English spelling of this when the J was pronounced like Y). They used God’s name for praising (Ps 100:4), blessing (Num 6:23) and even in greeting (Ruth 2:4). The Third Commandment only refers to this word, Yehovah. It does not refer to Yehovah’s titles like “Lord” or “God” or his son’s name (which by the way is not “Jesus Christ” as is used in 2012, anyway. See how the Messiah’s original Hebrew name became mangled as “Jesus”).

We can be sure this is what the Third Commandment is about because Israel was actually commanded to make oaths using God’s name Yehovah exclusively (Dt 6:13).

Dt 6:13 (HCSB) — Fear Yahweh your God, worship Him, and take ⌊your⌋ oaths in His name [Yahweh is a common scholarly best guess of how to pronounce YHWH].

If they did not fulfill their oaths or vows, it was considered swearing falsely and profaning God’s name (Lev 19:12). Once you understand that you can then can see the true meaning of the Third Commandment. For example, here’s what just two commentaries have to say about it:

third commandment. As the second commandment concerned the issue of exercising power over God, the third turns its attention to exercising God’s power over others. This commandment does not refer to blasphemy or foul language. Rather it is intended to prevent the exploitation of the name of Yahweh for magical purposes or hexing. It also continues the concerns of the second commandment in that someone’s name was believed to be intimately connected to that person’s being and essence. The giving of one’s name was an act of favor, trust and, in human terms, vulnerability. Israel was not to attempt to use Yahweh’s name in magical ways to manipulate him. The commandment was also intended to insure that the use of Yahweh’s name in oaths, vows and treaties was taken seriously. — The IVP Bible Background Commentary on Ex 20:7

Taking the Lord’s name in vain (see note on Deut. 5:11) refers primarily to someone taking a deceptive oath in God’s name or invoking God’s name to sanction an act in which the person is being dishonest (Lev. 19:12). It also bans using God’s name in magic, or irreverently, or disrespectfully (Lev. 24:10-16). The Lord revealed his name to Moses (Ex. 3:14-15), and he has continued to identify himself in connection with his acts on Israel’s behalf (see 6:2, 6-8). Yahweh is warning Israel against using his name as if it were disconnected from his person, presence, and power. — ESV Study Bible on Ex 20:7

Conclusion – Today Nobody Can Really Do It

As the Third Commandment was uniquely given to Ancient Israel in the context of other commands on using God’s name, we must realize that it does not directly apply to us today. Today we are scattered believers mostly outside the land of Israel where the Torah applied. We are a different audience in a different situation and it is improper to take all these commands meant for someone else in a different jurisdiction from the distant past and apply them to ourselves.

(Of course, this reasoning does not apply to all Ten Commandments. Most of them are not unique to Israel as they were given earlier to all men.  They are merely repeated in the Torah. For example, whether the Torah applies to us or not, none of us should murder because that moral standard was given in the beginning to Adam. None of us need God to tell us not to steal, commit adultery or bear false witness because other people, society and government will quickly object to that behavior as immoral or unethical.)

There is another major problem with enforcing the Third Commandment today. As my article on the sacred name covered, today there is no prophet like Moses teaching and using God’s name. As a result, nobody knows what God’s name is for sure, or at least how to pronounce it exactly so you can use it. Further, Jesus never reiterated the Third Commandment in his teachings nor left believers any other injunction to use God’s name. (Some would even say he told us not to swear at all citing Matthew 5:34. However, the Hebrew Matthew may preserve a more original reading of Jesus’ words that does not contradict the Torah on this point. For details see Nehemia Gordon’s The Hebrew Yeshua vs. the Greek Jesus.)

Once you realize this, it changes your whole perspective on people saying “Jesus Christ” or other similar curses. That is not God’s name, let alone the Messiah’s. If you do not know what God’s name is for sure, and you are not even told to use it, then it is impossible to use it improperly or otherwise. It would be like someone accusing you of running a red light in Israel when you do not even drive nor live in Israel (which may seem like a contrived example, but perfectly describes myself. I have not owned a car for many years and instead use my bike daily in Costa Rica to get around).

Therefore, it no longer offends me to hear people swear with the words “God”, “Jesus Christ”, or “LORD” anymore than other swearing does. I realize now that these people are not breaking the Third Commandment in my presence and I am not complicit to some sin if I do not rebuke them or do not boycott a movie with such language. I still of course do not endorse the use of any profanities (and must always exercise self-control myself when angry in this regard).

I look forward to the day when the Messiah returns and we are all taught to both use and properly swear by (meaning take oaths and vows) God’s exact, actual, glorious, set apart name.

2012 Movie & Bible Prophecy: “Striking” Similarities Article

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I went out to see the 2012 movie last week and was so impressed (as a prophecy fan) that I had to write about it. I’ve crafted a new article on website to highlight some similarities between what the movie shows and Bible prophecy. Of course, the 2012 date is complete fiction but this does not stop the movie from having some real value to truth seekers. Check out the new article here on The 2012 Movie and Bible prophecy.

Post any feedback or comments below.

Mandatory H1N1 Vaccine Rumors Dispelled

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A reader asked:

I have heard about a mandatory H1N1 vaccine that the US is going to force us to take the vaccine or go to a concentration camp. Have you heard about this? It is supposedly going to start as soon as October 15, 2009. If you have heard anything or have any advise I would greatly appreciate your response.

There are always rumors like this about draconian laws coming or concentration camps for resistors. I’ve heard and watched these fables come and go for years.

You know what I’ve found? They never come to pass.

Why Unsubstantiated Rumors Should Be Ignored

I can think of three reasons why:

  1. Most often they were just unfounded or false rumors. There is a good reason mainstream news sites do not carry such stories. They cannot be verified. This of itself does not make them false, but most unverifiable stories do turn out this way.
  2. Perhaps a few rumors are based on actual plans of the enemy which failed as most plans men make up do.
  3. Finally some may have been real plans and had a real chance but they contradicted God’s master plan. Of course, God is sovereign and his plans never fail.

Discernment 101

In hindsight, most of the above may seem like common sense, even academic. But common sense is not always very common.

I confess it took me a few years to experience this pattern before I recognized it myself. We all have to learn most of our discernment the hard way, by experience. We must fall for a few con-men, erroneous ideas, false prophets, and false prophecies before we start to see that generally if it sounds too good to be true (or too bad to be true) it usually is. Or if too few people are saying something, it generally is false. (With the Bible this turns out to be the opposite:  most of what is popularly taught from the Bible is in error, due to how the Bible was written)

The next time you hear an extreme rumor like this, I hope you treat it as it deserves. As an unsubstantiated rumor.

New Bible Prophecy Glossary / Newsletter

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My last newsletter was four months ago (May 5th, 2009). As a result many of you have been asking “where are all the newsletters?” Of course, I planned to do newsletters regularly, but as they say, life got in the way. (I explain below for those interested.)

Bible Prophecy Glossary

However, the main reason for this newsletter is to announce I have completed a Bible Prophecy Glossary. I got the idea to write this after having the realization that, as good as my book is, it represents only one approach to mastering the subject of Bible prophecy. Having more than one way to learn a topic can only increase understanding. Given how hard Bible prophecy is, it definitely merits cross-training.

Of course, just like my book Know the Future, this glossary is different compared to others you might encounter. The difference is that it bases its definitions on the two key breakthroughs I have identified for understanding Bible prophecy accurately: 1) literal interpretation 2) incorporation of the prophetic Feasts of the LORD and other parts of the OT.

Check it out here: http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/bible-prophecy-glossary.htm

(I encourage your feedback on how to improve or add to this first stab. Thank you.)

October Speaking Engagement in Jacksonville, FL for Feast of Tabernacles

For those in the Florida area I have been invited to teach for a week in Jacksonville. I’ll be in the area from October 1st through October 15th. We’ll be camping out with the folks and discussing the Bible everyday. The focus will be on what Bible prophecy says is coming and also much detail on what God wants us to do in the meantime to prepare ourselves and in general draw closer to him just because. If you want a sneak peak on what my next book will cover by all means try to come.

You can see details on the event and learn what the “Feast of Tabernacles” is at this blog post: http://timmchyde.com/tabernacles-sukkot-jacksonville-florida/
http://timmchyde.com/feast-of-tabernacles-sukkot/

Three Ways To Stay Up to Date: My Blog TimMcHyde.com, Facebook and Twitter

Speaking of the blog, I’ve begun to update my blog for non-article-worthy posts and news items. This is the address http://timmchyde.com/. You’ll find some posts on Obama as the Antichrist there lately.

Likewise, I plan to use my Facebook account to keep people abreast of developments. You can add me as a Facebook friend by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/addfriend.php?id=512870162

Ditto for Twitter. You can see the postings for that here: http://twitter.com/TimMcHyde

Moving (& in the Bible), The Prophecy Conference, Summer Break

Here’s an update on why so long since my last newsletter.

The Bible records how God trained many of the saints heroes through hardships. They were put in dungeons for years, banished to be strangers in foreign lands and even experienced extended desert or wilderness sojourns. For many reasons I feel like Costa Rica is my own version of a wilderness experience. Since I was a boy I desired to understand the Bible, especially prophecy. After moving to Costa Rica ten years ago, that dream began to become a reality. We have been able to learn things of God we never could have in our busy, scripted lives in the USA. Those of you who have read my book know how thrilling these things are.

But the similarities to Biblical wilderness experiences for us do not end there. My landlord announced earlier in the year that he wanted to return to live in his own house before our lease was up (which made it optional for us to comply with). Here in Costa Rica it takes the hand of God to find a comfortable house to U.S. standards, so we were not thrilled with his request. Nevertheless, we wanted to try to help him out believing that if God would bless it we would be willing to do the work. Thankfully, God seemed pleased with our self-sacrifice and hospitality as we did find a good home, for $200 less rent. It was tough as all moves are, but we are now in our new house—our tenth dwelling in ten years of living in Costa Rica or an average of one move per year.

If that seems like a lot, think about this: Numbers 33 records all the stops of Israel during her Sinai wilderness wanderings. If you count them there are exactly 42 (foreshadowing of the 42 months of the Great Tribulation?), or one per year. And that’s what I mean about our wilderness experience in Costa Rica. We never intended to move every year (who would?). Yet, one thing is certain: you do learn more when you change your surroundings frequently. When we prayed to God for understanding years ago, we kind of asked for these experiences. This according to the Bible is how God goes about training his servants who ask for wisdom or a closer walk with him.

After the move I continued to prepare for my first prophecy keynote at the www.TheProphecyConference.com which took place at the end of June in St Louis. How did it go? I’m happy with it considering it was my first big presentation and I could not prepare fully due to the move. More than that, I realized as soon as I starting talking with people and listening to the first speakers that what I had prepared was going to be too technical. I have been spoiled by the more studious left-brained types who read my book and stick around on my private forums to ask questions and discuss prophecy. A live talk to a mixed conference audience like this is much different. So I made a rookie mistake that I won’t make again.

When I move into more speaking engagements and video I will have to keep that lesson in mind. For example, http://www.GodsLearningChannel.com is interested in having me on but I don’t plan to pursue it until I am more practiced with live mixed audiences.

My Next Book – Next Year?

We enjoyed talking to all of God’s servants at the conference in St Louis (and look forward to more of that in Jacksonville, in a more intimate setting). More importantly, those interactions impressed something upon me. I realized how much people are like sheep without a shepherd these days. They don’t have time to study the Bible and research the Internet for hours each week like I have been able. They need guidance on practical matters like how to prepare for the end times and live in the present times until the end times begin. What are the principles of wisdom for our times that please God? And how to we deal with family and friends who do not like it when we start making changes to serve God better (which often means serving those around us less than they are accustomed to)?

Because my wife is very good at counseling people on such questions in their own life, I’m excited to announce that I’ve decided recently to make her a co-author on this forthcoming book. Because of this I have high hopes that this book will be as good or even better than the first one that you all love. I still plan to make it freely available on my site (by living off the sales of my first book). In this way I expect the book to reach many people and fill a great void in showing God’s servants how to understand the key principles of living from the Bible. The goal is to help them live according to what the Bible says directly, with no middleman or religious traditions in the way. Lofty goals I know, but not a far cry from what we have been already learning and living ourselves the last ten years…especially with God’s help.

Tim Teaching in Jacksonville, FL Oct 5th-12th (Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot)

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I am excited to announce that I will be teaching again in the States (I still live in Costa Rica). An elder who has brought several other teachers in to the Jacksonville area saw my first speaking engagement listed at www.TheProphecyConference.com and decided to invite me up for their annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration (see their site www.thevineone.org).

Speaking of St Louis, I had a great time at that conference. The highlight for me was not my talk, but meeting and listening to the other attendees. Those conversations lead to a few new insights as always, which I will be sharing in FL. My presentation was not a highlight because I wished I had more time to cover my book than just the alloted 90 minutes. I ended up cramming too much into it (rookie mistake). Now in Jacksonville I will get my wish to do it over and this time with more time (Sukkot lasts eight days from Oct 5th to Oct 12th and I’m the only brought-in teacher planned).

Thrilling, Practical & Life-Changing Information

Why should you consider coming to this event? Because it has the potential to be change your life. Unlike the merely intellectually stimulating or entertaining talks given at church or even similar conferences, my focus is on practical insights and true wisdom. I will help you master the Bible so you can follow it directly (not men or religion) and help you improve your daily walk with God.

The result for you if you apply this wisdom are direct blessings from God. I say this from personal experience. This wisdom enabled me to find peace, happiness, joy and even retirement from my Bible software programming career at the early age of 40. My goal is to help attendees to have Biblical prosperity in all aspects of their life as well, just as the Bible heroes did.

Of course, at this event you’ll also learn what Bible prophecy (Revelation, Daniel, the Olivet Discourse, etc.) says is coming like few do. God promised this would be possible in the End times (Dan 12:9-10). This information is also very practical because it will give you strong discernment against all the deceptions being spread so readily today.

I can promise all of this because I will be teaching from my first book Know the Future which readers over the past five years have described as eye-opening and life-changing. Not only that, but I also will be digging into my notes from my forthcoming second book on what church should have taught us but didn’t, to be released in 2010. Just like my first book, I am writing the kind of book I wish was available to me when I was a new believer searching for solid answers nobody seemed to have.

Tentative Outline Of Teaching

To get all this done, I am planning to teach for six days of approximately 1 hour teachings, not including Q&A and open discussion after each hour of teaching. As well, my wife Katrina will be there and handling some topics, at least in the Q&A. She has a gift for encouragement with the everyday issues we all face and has used it to help many people over the years going through marriage or personal struggles. As a result she has rare wisdom for helping people get unstuck in their walk with God and their walk with themselves. With her there you are all in for a treat.

Here is the outline of days with topics (unlike the Ten Commandments, this is not written in stone):

  1. Planet X in Bible Prophecy: The Key Breakthrough — Video on Wormwood (The biggest prophecy you never heard) – Prophetic Feasts / Literal Interpretation – 6th seal – 4th Trumpet – 360 day year/30 day month return
  2. The Revelation Roadmap: The Complete Timeline of Bible prophecy (Elijah, Middle East War, Wormwood, etc.) Timing: 6000 Years of Men’s Governments Possibilities: 70th Week in Prophecy – Sabbath Year Cycles – Only 13 Years Left?
  3. Mystery of Disunity: Why so many churches and such division? Who are the 144,000 and the Woman Elijah’s Coming
  4. — 6. “What do we do in the meantime?” (The Catrina Story): The Bible Heroes – Why can’t you be like them? Parable of the Sower (Mt 13) and how it applies today. The Laodicean Church Attributes (Rev 3:14-21): Breaking it down Priorities – Making TIME for God – Are We “Seeking First the Kingdom”? (Mt 6:33) / Jesus and the Rich Ruler and the lesson of sacrifice – Riches in Heaven vs. America Dream Habits of Hundredfolders What to expect when you make changes – Dealing with friends/family reaction to your changes

For more details on how to sign up and what the accommodations will be, visit www.thevineone.org.

Not Sure what the Feast of Tabernacles is about? Read my post on understanding what the Feast of Tabernacles is about and why people celebrate.

We hope to see you there!

What is the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot?

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Some of you may be unfamiliar with Tabernacles or Booths (Hebrew: Sukkot). And if you have heard of it you may have the conception that it is a Jewish Holiday, as in only for the Jews. Therefore the first place to look in the Bible to find out about Tabernacles is Zechariah 14 where it dispels this notion and tells us about our future keeping it:

Zechariah 14:16-19 — 16 Then all the survivors from the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to celebrate the Festival of Booths. 17 Should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, rain will not fall on them. 18 And if the people of Egypt will not go up and enter, then rain will not fall on them; this will be the plague the Lord inflicts on the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Booths.

This passage above answers the common question on who the people in the Millennium that the saints rule are? We are told plainly that there will be those who survive Wormwood, the Great Tribulation, the mark of the beast and God’s wrath living in the Millennium. To be sure, it will be a fraction of the multiple billions today. We’re also told something else shocking: They will be keeping the festival of Sukkot under God’s government, the kingdom of God. This news is shocking to most Christians because they have been taught that the Torah is a curse or burdensome and “done away forever.” On the contrary, this Torah festival is coming back and is so important to God that he will enforce its observance. Why?

The purpose for this feast is the same purpose Hebrews describes for the sacrifices and by extension all the rituals of the Torah: to give us forgetful humans reminders of all aspects of God’s plan for us, including sin (Heb 10:1-4). Since we are not in the Millennium and able to keep the Feast properly in Jerusalem, we are therefore not required to do so just yet.

Did you know that Tabernacles itself as Ancient Israel kept it for centuries is a prophecy of the Millennium? (See my book for more on that). The feasting, joy and peace we are meant to experience during Sukkot pictures the 1000 year peaceful, prosperous and joyous reign of Christ and the saints. This at last will be the idea of utopia made reality.

Are We The “Last Generation”?

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A member on my private forum asked this Question:

Hey Tim I got one more question. We are 100% sure we are in the last generation right? If this is true then do you have any idea how long a generation actually is? It seems like no one has a clear cut answer. Ive heard 40, 50, 70, but no one really knows.

Answer: Actually there is no “last generation” described in Scripture. That concept came from a popular misapplication of the Parable of the Fig Tree (Mt 24:32-35).  This view posits that the thing to watch is the fig tree (Israel) putting forth leaves (take Jerusalem) and that “this generation shall not pass until all is fulfilled” refers to the people alive when the fig tree does this still being alive when Jesus returns.

If this were true, then again we’d have a calculation for the absolute single time of Jesus’ return far in advance which contradicts what he expressly said about the impossibility of no man knowing the time (“day or hour”) of his return (Mt 24:36). This is the reason all such calculations have failed throughout history: Jesus said they never will work since even he the Son of God (and the entire Word of God) does not know. The Bible is just a subset of the Word of God and so we can never use it to figure out Jesus’ return (further in advance than 1290 days from the Abomination of Desolation probably).

In truth, the Parable of the Fig Tree does not refer to Israel at all. It tells us to watch for “all these things” that the Olivet Discourse listed as the precursors to his return. Just as seeing leaves on any tree (not just a fig tree—Lk 21:29) tells you summer is nigh, so do all these events happening tell you Jesus’ return is near.

Read Mt 24 to see what all those things listed are. Ironically, none of them match Jerusalem getting return to Israel and instead one of them is Jerusalem taken from Israel by the Antichrist (Lk 21:20)!

Now that you know it won’t help you figure out the Second Coming’s timing, do you still want to know the length of a biblical generation? It’s established at 40 years from more than one precedent (Heb 3:9-10; Ps 95:10). Sign up for my free newsletter for a series on the Seven Prophecy Pitfalls that discusses this in more detail.