Category Archives: Using the Bible

Keys to Prophecy: God Works in History, Part I of III

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There is a master plan.

One place that gives a summary in terms of objectives, is in Acts 17. How He acts is summed up in a single verse. Paul speaks of God making mankind and says,

“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;”
Acts 17:26 KJV

Paul spoke to the philosophers in Athens and outlined God’s grrand plan for mananging this present world.

Among other things it says that there appointed times for men. Times for them to flourish, times for them to perhaps fail and waste away, or times perhaps for renewal. Time for Babylon to rise, and a time for her to fall. A time for the Medes and the Persians to rise, and a time for them to fall. A time for Greece to rise, and a time for Rome to rise. Or the United States of America, or Britain, or France or Russia, or whoever. Then Paul says something else: God appointed the bounds of their habitations. In other words, he says God determines where nations will live, and their boundaries!

These are very long range plans.

In the long ago, in the nineteenth century BC, God spoke to Abraham about a nation with whom He was not well pleased: the Canaanites. God had brought Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees to the land of Palestine. God said,

… “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it.”
Gen 15:7 WEB

So God is going to give the land of Palestine to Abraham, that is to his descendants, his “seed.” In the passage which follows Abraham enters into a covenant with God involving these promises. God assures Abraham that he will inherit these land after his descendants spend 400 year in another land as slaves. There are special reasons why it is to be 400 years. For one that 400 years is so that Abraham’s descendants will have time to grow into a nation themselves. There is something else, though. It is not yet time for Abraham’s descendants to take over this land, but,

“In the fourth generation they will come here again, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.”
Gen 15:16 WEB

So we can see: God is very patient, and will put up with much bad conduct, at times even for centuries, but there is limit to what God will endure. When a peoples sins are “full,” sometimes he will do away with a people, and give that land to others. And God foresees, and prepares a people to replace the Amorites.

“He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;”
Dan 2:21 WEB

What then is the purpose of these plans?

“that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
Acts 17:27 WEB

KJV is the King James Version of 1611

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: There is more than one Jerusalem

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David did say,

“For David said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people; and he dwells in Jerusalem forever:”
1Chron 23:25 WEB

“Forever,” David says. That is in line with the prophecy in 2Samuel 7 about that special son of David who would build the temple of the Lord. Solomon does tell us by inspiration that he was the fulfillment of this prophecy.

“Yahweh has established his word that he spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. ”
1Kgs 8:20 WEB

That indeed seems to fit 2Samuel 7, and there it is that it says,

“Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before you: your throne shall be established forever.”
2Sam 7:16 WEB

That would fit 1Chron 23:25 reviewed above. Still there are problems.

For Solomon’s throne only lasted until 586 BC.

For another 50 years few Jews lived in Jerusalem. Further, starting in the second century AD Jews were banned from living in Jerusalem for many centuries. None of which sounds like “forever”, and I am sure it caused many to wonder if these prophecies were false.

Nonetheless, are other factors at work here?

For starters, Heb 1:5 says that 2Samuel 7 refers to Jesus the Christ. That would have Solomon as a “type”/symbolic of Jesus. Of that fulfillment Isaiah seems to speak of a Mount Zion and Jerusalem beyond the moon and sun passing away!

“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem …”
Isa 24:23 WEB

Present Jerusalem, pictured above with the Mohammedan “Dome of the Rock” sitting where Solomon’s Temple used to sit, is symbolic of the New Jerusalem in the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Additionally Isaiah writes of a time of no more mourning or crying in Jerusalem. For instance,

“For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; you shall weep no more; he will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry; when he shall hear, he will answer you.”
Isa 30:19 WEB

Further, Isaiah clearly speaks in more than one passage of this earth, and this universe being completely destroyed. For instance in Isaiah 13, and Isaiah 34. Isaiah writes well before the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. So what are the missing parts of the puzzle.

For Isaiah writes of a new
heavens and earth.

“17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.”
Isa 65:17-18 WEB

And that is the context in the New Testament. When God makes everything new (Rev 21:5), He make a new Jerusalem.

“I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.”
Rev 21:2 WEB

Some of those Old Testament passages are about the “new,” heavenly, Jerusalem. And that one, of that kingdom, indeed will be forever!

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: There is more than one Mount Zion

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Both Mount Zion and Jerusalem are symbolic
of heavenly entities.

Also both the earthly Zion is spoken of in Scripture, and also the heavenly Zion. For instance you can see this in Psalm 11. In Psalm 11 David is being told that he had better run for his life, because the wicked are getting ready to shoot him in the dark, Psa 11:1-2. David then asks very mournfully, if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do, Psa 11:3? Indeed, David has already said that Yahweh lives on Mount Zion.

“Sing praises to Yahweh, who dwells in Zion,
And declare among the people what he has done.”
Psa 9:11 WEB

But there is more to the story.

Despite this, David by inspiration also says in Psa 11:4, “Yahweh is in his holy temple.” There is more to point out even here. In English, and in many languages, there is a word for a temple, and word for a palace, and these are different concepts. In Hebrew however the word hekal does double duty as the word for both a king’s palace and a religious temple. In this sense then, the temple of God is really God’s palace to the Hebrew mind. The other term used in Hebrew is to call it “the house of God,” which is the ordinary term for in Hebrew for a “house,” byet, which even further enforces the idea that God lives there, and David did say Yahweh lives/dwells in Zion, Psa 9:11 above.

Solomon of course denies the literalness of God
living on earthly Mount Zion,

“But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”
1Kgs 8:27 WEB

But David says more that once more.

“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth. ”
Psa 50:2 WEB

Or again, and of course Jerusalem is Jeru-salem, David speaks of the original tent of meeting.

“His tent is also in Salem;
His dwelling place in Zion.”
Psa 76:2 WEB

And God’s rule goes forth out of Zion (a double meaning do you think?)

“Yahweh will send forth the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of your enemies.”
Psa 11:2 WEB

Or another time, but perhaps more mysteriously

“Yahweh is great in Zion.
He is high above all the peoples.”
Psa 99:2 WEB

All the same, David gives details in Psalm 11.

Yes, Yahweh is in His holy temple, Psa 11:4a, and then he tells us,

“Yahweh is on his throne in heaven,” Psa 11:4b

The palace of God, the real palace, is in heaven.

God’s rule is not threatened by the rule or
opposition of someone on earth.

The old earthly temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem is only symbolic (a type) of the heavenly temple on the heavenly Mount Zion (the fulfillment).

“5 Yahweh examines the righteous,
But the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. Psa. 11:6 On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; Fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. ”
Psa 11:5-6 WEB

Earthly Zion is only symbolic, a type, of the true palace of God and His throne.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom will come!

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Even now the kingdom exists and Jesus has ALL authority, Mtt 28:18. Even now He rules over all of the kings of the earth, Rev 1:5, and if they do not serve His purposes, He may shatter them, Psa 2:9; or He may destroy in their way, Psa 2:12.

Just the same, there are future aspects to the
kingdom which are yet unseen.

Mankind has yet to see the kingdom in its fulness. So near the end of his life, Paul says,

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
2Tim 4:18 WEB

There is a future sense to this kingdom which is yet unseen, and Paul expects to be there. These things are to happen when Jesus comes again.

“20 and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before, 21 whom heaven must receive UNTIL the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.”
Acts 3:20-21 WEB

So there are times of restoration which are yet to come. It is also called “times of refreshing.

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,”
Acts 3:19 WEB

When does this restoration, this renewal happen. At the Second Coming of Christ, as seen above in Acts 3:21.

Then this present universe will pass away.

“… ”the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
2Pe 3:10 WEB

Then a new universe will come, a new universe where sin and death and entropy (things run down!) are no longer operating principles. So Peter notes,

This universe will pass away, and a new universe not subject to death and decay will be created.

“But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which dwells righteousness.”
2Pe 3:13 WEB

So also it says in Revelation that the apostle John says,

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.”
Rev 21:1 WEB

“He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.””
Rev 21:5 WEB

It is called “heaven,” or a new heavens and a new earth. It is called the heavenly kingdom. It will be an everlasting rule.

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end …”
Isa 9:7 WEB

At that time, Jesus will say to
one Christian,

““‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’”
Lk 19:17 WEB

And to another, “‘And you are to be over five cities.’” Lk 19:15. There will be cities there. This will be a real place. These things have not happened yet, but they will.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom is Growing Even Now

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The kingdom has been established, that is not a this-earth kingdom, Jn 18:36, and as discussed in the previous post.

Jesus has all the attributes of a king.

He has sat down on His Father’s throne in heaven.

“He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
Rev 3:21 WEB

The “sat down with my Father” is a Greek aorist-active-infinitive, and is correctly translated as “sat down,” a past event.

Besides having a throne over Israel, and indeed over the entire earth, Jesus has all of the authority He needs.

“… “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.””
Mtt 28:18 WEB

This power is verified in more than one place. The Father has given Jesus authority over ALL flesh, Jn 17:2. Further, “The Father loves the Son, and has given ALL things into his hand,” Jn 3:35 He can do anything He wants with anyone or anything.

He rules NOW until …

“24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”
1Cor 15:24-26

The phrase “must reign” is a Greek present-active-infinitive, indication actions going on continuously in the present, until all of His enemies have been put down.

And Jesus making men citizens of His
kingdom NOW.

We Gentiles were at one time alienated from this kingdom.

“that you WERE at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, …”
Eph 2:12

The word translated as “ commonwealth” in many translations, is the word politeia, which is talking about citizenship, being part of a certain political unit. We gentiles (the nations) are now a part of the political unit, this kingdom of which Christ is the King, this commwealth if you will.

“13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments …”
Eph 2:13-15 WEB

Jews and Gentiles in Christ are now citizens
of the same political unit.

“19 So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;”
Eph 2:19-20 WEB

Jesus is leading all of his sheep to be part of one flock, Jn 10:16.

You “are” “Fellow citizens” sum-polites a word that is a combination of sum with, and the word for citizen polites.

The kingdom is NOW!

Men are getting in on the ground floor of the only eternal kingdom. The kingdom which will rule over ALL of the New Heavens and New Earth, Isa 65:17, Rev 21:1-2, 2Pe 3:13.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom is NOT of this World

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Jesus avoided a kingdom in this world,
even at the “right” time!

Jesus was performing some very powerful actions in John chapter 6, and He fed a crowd of thousands with one little boy’s lunch. Then it says,

“When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.””
Jn 6:14 WEB

So people were believing in Him. However, was this to be about a kingdom in this world?

“Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”
Jn 6:15 WEB

Jesus did NOT want a kingdom in this world. He could have had it in the first century, during His first coming. But that was not the plan. And what was planned was accomplished!

He announced it was not a “this earth” kingdom.

Really, this is reflected in His parables about “the kingdom of heaven.” Some would say that is about the heaven ruling over this earth, but heaven, and God on His throne, has always ruled over this earth (cf. Dan 4:17, and many other passages).

Then Jesus got very specific when being questioned by Pilate during that farce of His trial. Pilate asked Him directly during His trial. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jn 18:33. Jesus then asked Pilate if he were asking this on his own or did someone else say that about Jesus. Pilate then responded, “I am not a Jew am I? … What have you done?” Jn 18:34.

Jesus then gave a succinct answer.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.”
Jn 18:36 WEB

Not of this earth, not a this creation, but part of a new glorious creation when God makes all things new, Rev 21:1.

Pilate realized Jesus was NOT a contender for
an earthly kingdom.

So then he said to the Jews and the mob, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jn 18:38 WEB

“I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jn 18:38 WEB

This world is in the process of passing away.

“… For the form of this world is passing away.”
1Cor 7:31 nf

Some want a worldly kingdom HERE, with their own
messiah ruling over all.

But that was NOT what was promised. Rather God said.

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Isa 65:17 WEB

That is to say, a new universe where righteousness dwells, and of which sin and decay and entropy have no part. Jesus will not come to rule at some special time on earth. Rather He rules heaven and earth NOW, and will continue until all of His enemies are put down, 1Cor 15:24-26!

The premillennialist are confusing prophecies of heaven with prophecies of this present world.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB.

Keys to Prophecy: The Kingdom HAS come!

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It was predicted to come at certain time.

In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, a series of empires are pictured as coming. This is only an overview of that prophecy. First was the then existing Babylonian Empire, followed by the soon to come Medo-Persian Empire, followed by the Greek Empire, and lastly by the Roman Empire. Then it says, “in the days of those kings,” that is to say in the days of the Roman Empire:

“In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Dan 2:44 WEB

So it is saying that the kingdom will come in time of that fourth kingdom of the Romans. Likewise, in Daniel chapter 9 it pictures the “sevens” of years that were to come. There is full discussion of this prophecy in Prophecy Principles, but it enough to say, it pictures the Anointed One coming and being “cut off.” Yes, killed, and a new covenant established, somewhere between the first century BC, and the first century AD, depending on when you picture the seventy sevens as beginning.

So in the first century AD, there was general
expectation of the kingdom coming.

Then in the early first century AD, John the Baptist came preaching,

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Mtt 3:2 WEB

Soon behind him, Jesus came saying the same thing, Mtt 4:17. Jesus then began declaring “the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven,” Mtt 13:11 WEB.

Then curious qualifications were announced.

“neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.””
Lk 17:21 WEB

Then comes the clincher from Jesus which many refuse to believe.

“He said to them, “Most assuredly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with POWER.””
Mk 9:1 WEB

So either Jesus was liar and false prophet, or one of His disciples is still alive here on earth (but that doesn’t seem fit what Jesus said), OR the kingdom did come in the first century. A spiritual kingdom, exactly as prophesied.

Then they were told to wait in Jerusalem until they
received POWER from on high, Lk 24:49.

The kingdom came with the preaching of the gospel,

Lastly, they were told, “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1.8 WEB. Then Holy Spirit did come on them in Acts 2, and Peter preached the first gospel sermon. Then the kingdom is pictured as being in existence. Not the fullness that it eventually will be, but still in existence.

Paul says we have transferred/translated (past tense) from the power of the darkness “into the Kingdom of the Son of his love.” Col 1:13 WEB. And Jesus says He has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, Mtt 28:18.

What more do you need?

However, many do not like these clear answers in Scripture.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: Prophecy is a Moral Issue

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It has never been anything else. It is about
believing God!

Eight of the ten spies sent into Canaan verified the productivity of Canaan in those days, but doubted God’s promise of victory.

Many fail in salvation because they do not believe prophecy! That includes 1.) the children of Israel who died in the wilderness during Moses’ time, because they did not believe the prophecies of their conquering the land of Canaan, and 2.) the Pharisees and Sadduccees of the first century AD, who did not believe the prophecies of Jesus the Christ, the one and only Son of God.

Prophecy has NEVER been idle information about
what might happen.

Unfortunately that is the way many view prophecy. That is to say, many have been persuaded to treat prophecy as inscrutable statements of what might happen, and which no one can ever figure out. These are false views of Scripture and of prophecy. Peter says,

“We have the more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts:”
2Pe 1:19 WEB

Someone is mixed up! Either Peter is, or we are. Perhaps we are the ones who are mixed up.

God has plans for history, and for both the
righteousness and the wicked.

We need to declare the whole counsel of God to men, just as Paul did.

“… for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”
Acts 20:27 WEB

That means among other things:

1. We should use ALL Scripture for doctrine/teaching

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine …”
2Tim 3:16 KJV

The word “doctrine” here in the KJV is a translation of the word didaskalia and it is the normal word for a teaching. This does NOT mean that we are under Moses Law, which would mean we are separated from Christ.

“you are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.”
Gal 5:4

Still, even Moses law is to be used for teaching/doctrine. There are many New Testament examples of this. For instance, in 1Corinthians chapter 9 Paul uses Deut 25:4, a regulation from the law of Moses about how to treat oxen, to prove that ministers of the gospel should be paid. We are not bound by the regulation as such, but that regulation teaches truths that are binding on us.

2. We should use prophecy as an integral part of teaching

A conservative estimate is that 30% of the Bible is prophecy. That is a great deal of “the whole counsel of God” to neglect. We are to “keep” the prophecies of Revelation, and there is a blessing for keeping these words.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.”
Rev 1:3 WEB

Or again,

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.”
Mk 16:16 WEB

This is a prophecy, a “will be,” future. If you believe this prophecy (and you should), then you will BE baptized, and the prophecy says you “will be saved.” Alas, many do not believe this prophecy.

KJV is the King James Version, 1611.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: Some Types/Symbols are NOT Announced.

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However, generally there are hints that a person, place, thing, or event is symbolic of something else

Generally speaking, it will say things which only fit
the ultimate fulfillment.

There is an in depth analysis of 2Sam 7:12-16 in Prophecy Principles,

An example of this is the prophecy of a son of David who will build a temple of the Lord, in 2Sam 7:12-16. Solomon is the immediate subject of this prophecy, and he did build a literal temple in Jerusalem in the 10th century BC. Still Solomon is symbolic of Jesus who is now building a spiritual temple for God. The tip off is the parts of this prophecy which really DO NOT FIT SOLOMON! Parts of this prophecy only fit Solomon, and parts only fit Jesus, and parts fit both, but in different ways. There is a complete discussion of this prophecy in Prophecy Principles, in the section called “Type and Anti-Type, Symbol and Fulfillment.

Another example is Antiochus IV and the mysterious
“abomination of desolation.”

Antiochus IV put a full statue of “Zeus” in the temple in Jerusalem. This is described in Daniel as an “abomination”

Many different kings are spoken of in the prophecies of Daniel. Some of them are very easy to identify, for instance Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in Dan 2:38, and Alexander the Great and the four Greek kings who succeeded Alexander in Dan 8:20-22. Others require more research. It seems that Antiochus IV Epiphanes (215-163 BC) is clearly described in more than one place in Daniel’s writing, including Dan 11:21, 27-35. Antiochus IV tried to force Greek paganism on the Jews, and spectacularly failed. He put an idol of “Zeus” in the temple in Jerusalem, and offered a pig as a sacrifice on the altar there. This is described in the these prophecies as “the abomination of desolation,” Dan 11:31, etc. Idols are commonly called an abomination to God in the Old Testament. These are well known events in ancient history.

Then come the “problems” with these prophecies.

For also clearly, not everything ascribed to “Antiochus IV” happened in ancient times, especially Dan 11:36-45. Nor does everything said about “the abomination of desolation” fit the events in those same days. These are signs of either 1.) a false prophecy, as many liberal argue, or 2.) Antiochus IV is symbolic of some other ruler who will come later, and parts of these descriptions fit Antiochus IV, and parts fit someone else in later times! When?

Then Jesus makes the mystery even deeper.

Details of these things are disccused in both Prophecy Principles and Revealing the Christian Age, from different points of view.

Jesus clearly speaks in Matthew 24 of both the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and the end of the world, and says,

““When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),”
Mtt 24:15 WEB

So Jesus does indicate the idol of “Zeus” was also symbolic … and part of what He says will happen, clearly DOES NOT fit 70 AD! Keep in mind that Matthew 24 talks about TWO subjects!

These issues are described in much more detail in both Prophecy Principles, and in Revealing the Christian Age.

God evidently WANTS US to HAVE TO think out these
things in order to understand them.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

Keys to Prophecy: Some Types/Symbols are Announced

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There are other terms for symbolism.

“who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.””
Heb 8:5 WEB

So when a person, place, thing, or event in history is symbolic of some future person, place, thing, or event, it might be called a “copy,” or a “shadow,” or a “pattern.” In this verse the word translated “pattern” is the the word tupos, which also sometimes translated as “type,” as for instance in Rom 5:14 in the New American Standard 95 ed., and the New King James Version. Other words are also used at times.

Moses is clearly a “type,” symbolic
of the Christ

As Moses said,

“Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from the midst of you, of your brothers, like me; to him you shall listen;”
Deut 18:15 WEB

Moses was clearly intended to be symbolic of the Christ.

That is an unequivocal statement of symbolism, and has been discussed in more detail in previous posts.

And Adam is announced as a type of the Christ. He is the head and the first of new race of men who will all be like Him.

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.”
Rom 5:14 WEB

“Foreshadowing” is here another translation of the Greek word tupos or “type.”

The fulfillment of a symbol/type is in Greek sometimes
called an antitype.

The Greek word is anittupos (anti-tupos), and in Greek the word or prefix anti has the idea of replacement. Thus an anti-type is the fulfillment/replacement for the symbol, the type. Antitupos is used in this sense in 1 Peter 3.

“19 … while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you …”
1Pe 3:19-20 WEB

So Peter says that the waters of Noah’s flood, while destroying the wicked, floated Noah and his family to safety, and that is a “symbol” (antitupos) of baptism. The New King James Version gives a very literal translation here: “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism …”

So here is another type which is announced in Scripture, the waters of the flood being symbolic of baptism.

Of course this is NOT saying we are saved
by any work of man.

Baptism is NOT a work of man! You do not DO baptism, rather you ARE baptized. Baptism is something you must SUBMIT to.

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
1Cor 12:13 KJV

The One who works in baptism is the Holy Spirit of God, changing your soul, and washing you in the blood of Jesus Christ. Otherwise, all you did was to have a bath.

KJV is the King James Version, 1611.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901