Levitt Ministries, July 2000

July 2000 Volume 22, Number 7 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.” – Romans 10:1 This is part three of Dr. McCall's study of Armageddon. I NSIDE I TEMS Sharp-eyed readers will notice that we accidentally published part four last month. Sorry for the slip-up. ■ Cover Article..........................p. 1 We’ll try to be more careful. ■ Hebrew Lesson.......................p. 2 ZOLA LEVITT ■ Why Progressive Dispensationalism? p. 3 ■ Zola’s Bulletin Board................p. 4 ■ Armageddon (the beautiful A Note from Zola....................p. 5 Land) and will ■ Letters to Zola.............p. 6,7,8,9,10 (PART 3) replenish his war chest by raiding THE MANY THEATERS OF THE WAR (CONT.) Egypt, Libya and stop to sacrifice and grain offering; By Thomas S. McCall, Th.D. Ethiopia (Daniel and on the wing of abominations 11:43). Three will come one who makes desolate, In the previous articles, we have con- areas that will escape the antichrist’s even until a complete destruction, sidered the meaning of the term wrath at this point are Edom, Moab one that is decreed, is poured out on Armageddon, why and Ammon, which con- the one who makes desolate. Satan and the anti- stitute the present nation christ perpetrate of the Kingdom of Jordan. We are not told the content of this this horrendous It is not explained why covenant, but it is probably through final war, and the this area is left alone, but this agreement that the territorial fact that it involves it may well be because integrity of Israel is guaranteed and not only the Valley these people are not re- the Temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem. of Megiddo, but volting against the world Relations between the two parties at least five other dictator at that time. rapidly deteriorate, however, and locations, or the- Before we move on to the after 32 years the antichrist commits aters, around the other battle zones of the damnable act of what both Middle East. The Armageddon, we need to Daniel and Jesus call the “abomina- first two theaters consider further how the tion of desolation:” are Syria and whole land of Israel is sub- Egypt. The kings of jugated under the heel of these two countries revolt against the the antichrist and, as the steam of universal power of the antichrist. Armageddon heats up, Israel becomes Abomination Daniel 11 does not state precisely the focal point of the satanic fury of where the armies of Syria and Egypt the ultimate war. of Desolation first clash with the army of the antichrist, but it is clear that the army of SUBJUGATION OF ISRAEL (CONT.) the antichrist prevails against them, Going back to the beginning of the Matthew 24:15-16 and “will enter countries, overflow Tribulation, we see that the anti- 15 Therefore when you see the them, and pass through” (Daniel christ entered into an agreement ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION 11:40b). with Israel: which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy In the process of this conflict with Daniel 9:27 place (let the reader understand),16 Syria and Egypt (and perhaps other 27 And he will make a firm covenant then let those who are in Judea flee unnamed countries), the antichrist with the many for one week, but in to the mountains; will dominate the country of Israel the middle of the week he will put a CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 July 2000 P.O. Box 12268 • Dallas, TX 75225-0268 • (214) 696-8844 • www.levitt.com 1 COVER ARTICLE CONTINUED Paul describes this same event in do flee from the wrath of the Serpent satanic persecution. It is not clear further detail: (Satan, represented by the antichrist) where in the wilderness the woman, as described in Revelation: representing Israel, flees. However, 2 Thessalonians 2:3b-4 many scholars, including Walvoord ...The man of lawlessness is revealed, Revelation 12:14 and Zuck, suggest that the location the son of destruction, who opposes 14 And the two wings of the great is none other than the ancient hid- and exalts himself above every so- eagle were given to the woman, in den city of Petra: called god or object of worship, so order that she might fly into the that he takes his seat in the temple of This hiding place was not clearly wilderness to her place, where she God, displaying himself as being God.1 identified. Some suggest that it might was nourished for a time and times be Petra, fortress capital of the Naba- and half a time, from the presence of This damnable act by the “man of teans in Edom, south of the Dead Sea. the serpent.1 lawlessness” in the holy sanctuary of This city has a narrow access which the Temple in Jerusalem is a critical could easily be blocked but which opens F moment in prophecy. This is proba- up into a large canyon capable of car- bly the one act the antichrist does ing for many thousands of people.1 that causes the Jewish people to make a wholesale defection from him. Those of you who have taken the They may have gone along with him Grand Tour with Zola that goes into as a wonder worker of peace and the Kingdom of Jordan and down to prosperity at the beginning, some Petra know what a remarkable place even thinking he was the Messiah. it is. One can well imagine that it However, when he claims to be god, could serve as a haven for the Jewish this is more than the Jews can stand, people fleeing from the wrath of the and they revolt against him almost antichrist. When we get to one of the to a man. If you are interested in latter stages of Armageddon in Edom learning more about the Abomination in a later article, we will see why many of Desolation, you might want to Biblical scholars believe that Petra O read the book Zola and I wrote on might well be the place of refuge. the subject, Satan in the Sanctuary. In our next article, we will endeavor Jesus warns the Jews, especially the to identify the place in the wilderness 1 believing Jews, to flee from Jerusalem 1.Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible to which Israel flees to escape the Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: into the wilderness. Many Israelites Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985. EBREW ESSON H L Hebraic Insight Shavuot, or Pentecost, is one of the three solemn festivals of the LORD, which concludes the period of seven weeks of counting days beginning with Passover. Jewish tradition maintains that the Torah was given to the children of Israel on this date and asks Jews to recommit their lives to the covenant of Moses. The counting, however, should begin from First Fruits (see Lev. 23:15), but that festival representing the Resurrection was evidently eliminat- Please Tear Off and Send Entire Page ed in the first century. This explains why the Jewish and Christian obser- vances fall on different days. For credit card orders or donations, you may call 1-800-WONDERS (966-3377). 2 EDITORIAL Many of you have asked why the seminaries have undertaken to teach a mistaken doctrine. Zola In My Father’s answers those queries below. House Most people plan more carefully Why Progressive for a two-week vacation than for the seven years we will spend as guests in our Messiah’s Father’s Dispensationalism? house. What will we do during the time we spend among the by Zola Levitt “many mansions,” and how do we prepare for it? Please order this study booklet from page 11. 1. It broadens the doctrine of a given seminary so that more students will enroll. Since a majority of American students come out of churches which virtually never mention Israel or The Spirit of prophecy, the students will ultimately feel more comfortable Pentecost with teaching that promotes the same errors. Once the seminaries get hooked on broadened doctrine as a key to increased An insightful look at Peter’s enrollment, the doctrine will continue to take in more and more stunning sermon based on erroneous positions until the seminary is almost worthless as a Scripture from the Psalms and Bible-teaching institution. the Book of Joel. The last of the fulfilled prophetic feasts and 2. It avoids the complexities of End Times prophecies and the inception of the worldwide spares its adherents from taking a position such as on the Church. The “birthday of the Rapture or the obvious prominence of Israel in the world today. Church” explained as it happened on that dramatic day when the 3. It avoids the inconvenience of having to love the Jews, Holy Spirit came. Available on regard them as the Chosen People, or care about their home- page 11 as a study booklet and land, Israel. audiocassette. 4. It provides for a corps of “young Turks,” bright professors with a thirst for saying new and radical philosophies about Scripture. Their students, like the Greeks whom Paul confronted Flag of Israel in Athens, hunger to “hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21; 2 Tim. 4:3-5). Proclaim your love for the Holy Land! These beautiful flags measure 3' x 5' and proudly boast two blue stripes and the 5. It’s the sort of doctrine that can be excused as being merely Star of David. a new offshoot of an old and trusted Scriptural idea. But Please order from page 11.

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