Let's continue in Jeremiah:

Jer 33:15-18 In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness (i.e., Jesus Christ); He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth (Quite obviously this has not happened).. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely.

And this is the name by which she (i.e., Jerusalem) will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (When will this be? The same words are given in Jer 23:5-6 in the context of the condemnation of the shepherds with the time context in v20: In the latter days you will understand it perfectly). 17 For thus says the LORD: "David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; (Many of us have been told in the past that this means that a royal lineage in Britain is the fulfillment of this. But the following context is ignored): 18 nor shall the priests, the Levites, lack a man to offer burnt offerings before Me, to kindle grain offerings, and to sacrifice continually." (Where are the Levites serving with the Royal House? Has God changed His mind and is fulfilling only some of this prophecy? If so, please give us the explanation from Scripture, and not from legends. It is evident that the British-Israel identification cannot apply from this Scripture, nor do Isa 37:31,32 and Ezk 17:22-24 apply to the British Royal family, but quite obviously refer to the Messiah and the Remnant (see Rom 11:5,26; 9:27-29; Isa 1:9-16; 10:20-23; Jer 23:1-6).

There are no prophets of God today from my present observation and experience. I have met some (including an Elijah, and two witnesses), and read some, and heard of some who falsely claim to be prophets. In this message may I point out where presumptions lead to errors in Biblical exposition and consequently people believe absurdities. Why do so many dearly hold to self-deceptions?

Many churches, sects, cults, religious groups persist in unsound assumptions. Each group assumes that other groups are the deceivers and deceived. Prophecy tells us that deception would be the major threat to all believers - a point so often neglected in exposition. Matthew 24:4,5,24; Mark 13:5,22; Luke 21:8 are key warnings mentioned by all three of the Synoptic Gospels in the Olivet Prophecy (also see 2Tim 3:1,5,13; 2Pet 2:1-3). Assumptions will continue to deceive so that real trends are overlooked until it will be too late (Matt 25:1-13; Rev 3:16-19). Satan's record is that he wants people to be led into the wilderness of confusion. Those 'claiming' to be prophets are in abundance and it would appear that they, as one would expect, would also warn of false prophets (2Cor 11:13-15; 2Tim 3:13). May I also mention that many prophesy, but say they are not prophets, or stay silent on the matter of whether they are prophets or not.

The expositions that follow here will lay down fundamental principles from the Scriptures that are intended to guide those who love the word of God, are extremely careful with it, and will not speculate on the basis of assumed and biblically unproven 'knowledge'.

THE EFFECTS OF OUR CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT
We need to be well aware of our cultural environment. This includes a healthy awareness of: "What is my religion doing to me? What is affecting my beliefs? What leads me to the conclusions I believe? Why do I believe what I presently believe? Who taught me what I believe?" In my experience I clearly recall a church leader whose life pattern was riddled with prophecies that did not pan out. To suggest that he might have been a false prophet would be regarded as sacrilegious (Deut 18:20-22).

We live in an Age of Anxiety, with Angst as the Zeitgeist, i.e., we see the Spirit of Anxiety in this Age, which is characterized by fear, folly, cultural deceit, moral danger, anger, anguish, unrelenting political propaganda, racial and ethnic prejudices, distrust, alienation, and ever-increasing pornography. Statesmanship in geopolitics seems non-existent. The March of Folly is very evident in the politics expressed in dealing with the Middle East. Nobility in the public arena is sparse, and if there is expression of nobility it is quickly drowned by the cacophony and flood of beguiling propaganda and is euphemistically called Information, (Dan 12:4; Amos 8:12). Perhaps the word most descriptively befitting our age is 'confusion' (Isa 3:1-12; 32:5-7; Jer 23:1-2; Ezk 34:1-6; Ps 60:1-3).

Confusion breeds fear, alienation, separation, and disintegration (1Jn 4:18; Lk 21:9 [Amplified]). The god of this world is a god of folly, fear, and disinformation (Gen 3:1; Rev 12:9; 20:3; 1Jn 5:19; Jn 8:44). At this point, whether listening to the tape of this message or reading the text, you may be thinking, "Who are you to think you have Truth to tell about Biblical prophecy? How can I know that you are telling me the Truth?" My reply is: "Please stop and look at the Scriptures. Seriously consider what is said in the Book. Test what is said against other Scriptures. The Truth does not contradict Scripture (Jn 10:35b)." If a genuine prophet came along, how would you and I know that he was sent by God? The Truth of God is in the message. The message is measured against the Scriptures - which is not the Book of Mormon, nor the Koran, not the Catholic Catechism, nor non-Scriptural 'traditions' and other imaginations. And a true prophet's message does come to pass - exactly (Deut 18:20-22; Jer 28:9; and read all of Ezekiel 13).

What comfort can we obtain from understanding prophecies yet to unravel? The answers to these questions will become evident, but more needs to be said about some fundamentals. Then we shall carefully consider some prophecies that are unfolding, quite amazingly, before our eyes (e.g., Zech 12:2,3).

It is not my intention in this series to expound in any depth the prophetic Promises regarding the Kingdom of God, the Second Coming, and the Resurrection of the saints. My intention is to give essential principles then apply them to what is said in the Olivet Prophecy, Daniel 11, 12, Revelation 13 and 17, and associated prophetic sections of Scripture. We will look at what really can be understood, based on biblical principles, and recognize where we may have been presumptuous about prophecy.

THE LESSON OF HISTORY
History, especially Biblical history, should teach us that mankind does not learn from the lessons of history. Yet the lesson of history is that man does not learn the lessons of history. That means that religious people tend not to learn the lessons of the Bible (Deut 31:29; 32:29 [NKJ]; Ps 81:13; Lk 18:8). At the individual level we, who strive with all our might to live lives reflecting the godliness of Jesus Christ, have great difficulty in learning the lessons God wants us to learn. Why? Because the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit lusts against the flesh (Gal 5:17). Furthermore, like the apostle Paul, all who are Christian experience the constant battle in that 'what we hate we do' but fully recognize that 'the law is good' (Rom 7, esp. vv14-22; also 8:6-9; Jer 17:9; Rev 12:9). Nevertheless, in enduring, in forever overcoming, we too, like Paul, thank God that He delivers us to victory, in His mercy, from this awful struggle (Rom 7:24,25; 1Cor 15:57). God wants our hearts and minds to be transformed. Satan seeks to possess our hearts and minds to conform to the world. Ironically, all Christian groups seem to recognize this as being in Scripture, but seem to have, too often, the death wish of failure to apply the lessons since these lessons seem to apply to some other people or group (Isa 28:16-19).

PRECAUTIONS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Let's consider a few NT warnings. We are told, Take heed that no one deceives you (Matt 4:4; Mk 13:5; Lk 21:8) - all three Synoptic Gospels give this Olivet Prophecy warning from Jesus Christ!

Take heed that no one deceives you!

Let on one deceive you by any means!

But again, I repeat, each group believes it is others who are deceived about prophecy and religion in general. The Biblical record shows that those who tell the truth are generally disbelieved: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were disbelieved by their own. Do we believe all that these prophets believed? Jeremiah's secretary, Baruch, betrayed him. Ahithophel betrayed David. Judas betrayed Christ. Many ministers betrayed what the apostle Paul had taught them. People are more inclined to believe false prophets. Adam and Eve bowed to Satan. Ezekiel was disbelieved by the majority. The vast amount of falsehood in religious prophecy today has many believers. Why does each group believe it is others who are in error? The record of religious history is that people do not learn from this history.

Who can show us the Way? Where can people turn for help, guidance, wisdom, and the love of God? The simple answer is: Turn to God! Everybody seems to be saying that! But what does that mean? The apostle Paul in Romans 10:13 says: For "whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved!" (cited from Joel 2:32). Oh, how simplistic! May I here illustrate what is meant by turning to Scripture and to the God of Scripture. This principle also applies, without exception, to the understanding of prophecy.

Let us look at the context of Romans 10. What was Paul thinking when he quoted Joel 2:32?

Chapters 9-11 of Romans deals with who is called. And the problem of recognition of the Truth is beautifully put in:

Rom 10:1-3 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge (Zeal based on delusions - Who will admit to that? -- is readily recognized in others, but not in one's own religious package). 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Traditions, man-made rules, humanly devised directives for belief and behaviour are the stuff of religion based on "knowledge" from sources other than from the true God. Each person, each group wants to justify the self. But in our hearts, do we really want to live by every word of God? How well does each of us recognize that the carnal mind is enmity against the true God, and is not subject to what is indeed the Law of God (Rom 8:7). If the apostle Paul can say: "The Law is spiritual, but I am carnal!" what should each of us, professedly Christian, professedly called, chosen, and faithful, be able to say (Rom 7:14; Rev 17:14)? Do you compromise on Biblical principle when the group you belong to differs on the Biblical principle and you know they are wrong? Sometimes a church's policy contradicts the very word of God. What do you do (Isa 58:1)? Does one suppose that keeping the peace is more important than the courage to correct error (Prov 27:5; Matt 23; Rev 21:8)?

The context in the Epistle to the Church of God in Rome continues:

Rom 10:12-15a For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek (God has no racial preferences, but wants all to repent and believe), for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For 'whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved.' 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard (the Truth)? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

Joel 2:1,30-32 Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My Holy Mountain (i.e., the Church of the Living God and His Christ [Heb 12:22,23])! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand (cp. Rev 1:3). 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. 32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance (i.e., the true Body of Jesus Christ), as the LORD has said, among the Remnant whom the LORD calls (This and other Scriptures identify the Remnant as the Church (Isa 37:32; Zech 13:7-9; Rom 9:27-29; 11:5; Rev 12:17; 17:14). Each of us has the huge responsibility of establishing whether what we belong to is part of the Body of Christ (Rom 8:9,14-17; 1Jn 5:4,5).

MORE PRECAUTIONARY WARNINGS
In Revelation 22:18-19, the last warning of the NT, we read:

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book.

Notice the apostle Peter's warnings in his second epistle:

2Pet 1:16-21 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honour and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt 17:5; said during the transfiguration vision seen by Peter, James, and John). 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain (as in Moses' experience of the burning bush in Exodus 3). 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place (How great is that spiritual darkness [Ps 107:10-22]? A small light, burning from a small container of oil, does not give much light when one is surrounded by darkness (Matt 6:22,23; Jn 12:35,36; 1Jn 2:11). (This small light guides) until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises in your hearts (Jesus Christ in us by His Spirit. The title Lucifer had is given to the Son of God [Isa 14:12; Num 24:17; Rev 22:16); 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Peter's second epistle goes on to say in vv1-3:

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be (and are) false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them (a christ who is not the Son of God as Scripture defines is a false christ. Belief in a different christ will ultimately) bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the Way of Truth will be blasphemed.

3 By covetousness (Lust is the driving force of most human behaviour: 1Jn 2:15-17) they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

2Pet 3:1-4 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

IS PROPHECY SLOW?
Why does prophecy, sometimes, seem to be delayed?

2Pet 3:9,13 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

CONSIDERING REALITIES - The Olivet Prophecy as Guide
Just before going into some exposition of the Olivet Prophecy based on Luke 21 let us again be reminded:

2Cor 4:4 tells us that the 'god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.'

Notice Christ's exposition in the Gospel of John:

Jn 12:37-41 Although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the Arm of the LORD (i.e., Jesus Christ) been revealed?" 39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." 41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

THE OLIVET PROPHECY - an essential guide to other prophecies
This will be a brief overview. In the next sermon on prophecy I shall go into far more detail - making connections with numerous prophecies.

Luke 21:1ff Christ looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. (Matthew 24 is preceded by a different context: Christ's damnation of the religious system then; Mark 12 is similar). 2 He also saw a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had." (Christ is speaking of innocent faithfulness despite the fact that this lady was supporting a corrupt system. In finding the Truth she would alter her commitment). 5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 "These things which you see -- the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down." (The it was a physical temple of stones cut from the quarries. Now it is the living stones cut from the Rock [Isa 51:1].

7 So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?" 8 He replied: "Take heed that you are not deceived. For many will come in My Name, saying, 'I am' (i.e., the Messiah [but which messiah?]); 'The time has drawn near' (i.e., "It is the end time. Get ready for the Coming." But there are errors packaged with some truths). Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions (Gk akatastasias: commotions, insurrections, rebellions, revolutions, tumults, [i.e., very unsettled and confusing conditions defiant of authority], do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately."

There has to be a general breakdown of government and leadership all over the earth so that the anti-cultural background for the Beast and the False Prophet (and the ten kings who rule over the earth) is made ready (Rev 13; Isa 3; Rev 17).

10 Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes in various places, famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven (These signs are not to be confused with the signs at Christ's Coming (Lk 21:25-27). These would appear to be the signs, preceding the tribulation, and heralding the coming of the false prophet as Paul describes in 2Thessalonians 2:7-10). 12 But before all these things (i.e., immediately in front of, closer to the Second Coming so that the sequence of the cumulative effects sets the stage so that), they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.

This has not happened. And the conditions for such irrationality and hatred are still restrained (2Thess 2:6). Great power from God has to yet infuse those who love the true God (Acts 2:17-21).

You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name's sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony (Matt 24:9,14; Mk 13:9,10). 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist (Those who know the true God shall confound the mighty [1Cor 1:27-31; Dan 11:32,33; 12:3,10]). 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death (Matt 10:34-39). 17 You will be hated by all for My Name's sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. 20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.