Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Divine protection for regenerate Israel in the first half of the tribulation.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Verse 14 - the positive side, the deliverance of born again regenerate believers or true Israel in the first half of the Tribulation.
We have the tendency to think that once we get into unstable times, such as historical disaster, that somehow the opportunity is gone for the believer, when actually the opportunity and spiritual impact is even greater.
We do not need historical prosperity for Christian blessing.
Things are becoming very unstable, and some things have been brought to light to demonstrate the fact that we are not only in a very unusual time economically, but socially.
Turn to ISA 33:5-6
No matter how great the disaster, whether it comes from war, famine, disease, economic depression, social degeneration, it does not change God’s plan for your life.
Turn to REV 12:14
This is all speculation, but possibilities have been suggested such as the fact that this means escape by airplane.
ISA 40:31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up {with} wings like eagles,
Another interpretation = the eagle, which is symbolic of the USA which has protected Israel in the past.
They will remember that long after they have forgotten something important in eschatology, like the Rapture precedes the Tribulation which means many Americans will have already been Raptured.
The third possibility - this is angelic protection in time of fleeing.
Escape by airplane is ruled out on the basis of the fact that the rugged mountain terrain where the Jews are escaping to, in the first half of the Tribulation, makes such landings impossible.
2CO 2:17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God,
The second possibility - many so-called end times prophecy teachers have really made a mint writing books on -
the eagle is symbolic of the USA, which has protected Israel in the past.
The third possibility is certainly compatible with angelic protection of true Israel and it is in doctrine - this is angelic protection in time of fleeing.
The Jews were not picked up on eagles’ wings and carried to the Lord, they did not die, they did not ride eagles; it just simply is used here for the Lord’s logistical grace protection of the Jews in their Exodus wanderings.
Eagles’ wings, EXO 19:4, are simply used for systems of divine protection.
The Bible dictates the fourth possibility - divine protection for true or regenerate Israel in the first half of the Tribulation through the training of God.
PSA 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, {And} my fingers for battle;
PRO 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
LUK 6:40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
2TI 2:15 Study to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
2TI 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
EPH 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
The two wings of the great eagle given to the woman has to do with the spiritual training of the believers at that time by being obedient to certain commands from God.
REV 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
This divine protection may be administered through angels, but actually the divine protection, the eagle, is administered through the content of the Scriptures, MAT 24:15ff.
The king of the north, which today would be comparable to the Russians who are basically still Communists and filled with deceit, and are interested in Israel, to take it over.
The kings of the east, comparable today to the Chinese, or the Asiatic Communist block.
The historical antagonism of the Arab, called the king of the south.
Israel looks toward western Europe, the revived Roman Empire of the Tribulation, and there is a deal between them, the king of the west, or the revived Roman Empire and Israel.
DAN 9:27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations {will come} one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.
DAN 11:31 And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.
DAN 12:11 And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, {there will be} 1,290 days.
The high desert country in REV 12:6 is called Edom, Moab and Ammon, in DAN 11:41.
LUK 14:18 “I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.”
LUK 14:19 “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.”
LUK 14:20 “I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.”