Messianic Perspectives

Liz Ayielo: God is not going to allow evil to corrupt His creation forever. What is God's final solution to evil? We'll find out today right here on Messianic Perspectives.

Shalom and welcome to Messianic Perspectives, a daily program where we look into the scriptures from a distinct first-century Jewish point of view. I'm Liz Ayielo. Today, Pastor Al Rungie answers the question: what is God's final solution to evil, with a study from Daniel 9. I'll be back at the close of the program to tell you about our special offer. And now with today's installment, here is Al Rungie.

Al Rungie: Thank you for letting me come into your homes again and to share with you the message of Yeshua HaMashiach. That's the name for our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Messiah of Israel and the savior for all who will believe. You know, it's interesting that today, there's a lot of pessimism about the survival of the human race. Even by skeptics and atheists, they wonder, with all of our knowledge of technology and its destructive power, will we be able to survive?

Well, I have some very good news for you. God has a wonderful plan. God has a plan of bringing the transgression to an end and He has a plan of bringing in everlasting righteousness. So we want to look at our scripture again in Daniel 9:24-27. Let me read it to you: "Seventy weeks are determined for your people, Daniel, the Jews, and for your holy city, Jerusalem, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy."

And remember that we had studied how it began, that is, the prophetic clock when it began in verse 25. "Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks, that is seven weeks of years, and 62 weeks. The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times. And after the 62 weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, He'll be killed, but not for Himself, that's an important keyword: not for Himself."

And the people of the prince, Titus, who is to come, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with an invasion and until the end of the war, desolations are determined. Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week. But in the middle of the week, he shall bring an end to the sacrifices and offerings in the temple. And on the wing of abominations, that's what's hateful to God, shall be one who makes desolate. That's what the antichrist will do, even until the consummation when the Lord comes back.

The Living Bible captures the thought here in Daniel 9:26 and 27. This king will make a seven-year treaty with the people, but after half that time, he will break his pledge and stop the Jews from their sacrifices and their offerings. Then, as a climax to all his terrible deeds, the enemy shall utterly defile the sanctuary of God, but in God's time and plan, His judgment will be poured out upon the evil one.

In the last message, we talked about the rise of the antichrist and how we want to know this because we should be knowledgeable of God's prophecy. But now we want to look at his doom. This much we know in Revelation 13:8-9: "All who dwell on the earth will worship him whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Satan has long to be worshipped, that is why he lost his place in heaven. He even tried to tempt the Son of God to bow down and to worship him, but failed.

The antichrist, who is the seed of the serpent, will force satanic worship on the population of the entire world and those who refuse will be put to death. Now, there is good news. Listen to 2 Thessalonians 2:8: "And then the lawless one, who is the beast, who is the antichrist, will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming."

Here is what happens to antichrist and his false prophet. Revelation 19:20-21: "Then the beast was captured and with him the false prophet who worked miracle signs in his presence by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." But Satan doesn't escape either.

Now there is something I want you to notice. I used to think that while God was almighty, Satan was close. Not that he was almighty, but he had such incredible power. But look at Revelation 20:1-3: "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years and he cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal on him so that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished."

So here is just another angel that is able to overcome Satan. What a wonderful thing to know that Satan is not going to win in the end. Now, after the second coming of the resurrected and glorified savior Jesus, He will establish His kingdom on earth and fulfill the following prophecies of the Old Testament. In Zechariah 6:12-13, "Thus says the Lord of Hosts saying: 'Behold the man whose name is the branch. From His place He shall branch out, He shall build the temple of the Lord. Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord, He shall bear the glory and shall sit and rule on His throne, so He shall be a priest on His throne.'"

Isn't this a wonderful promise? Now, if we want to know the identity of the branch, we need to go to Jeremiah 23:5-6: "The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous branch. A king who will rule wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: 'The Lord our righteousness.'" Who is our righteousness? Well, the Lord Jesus is our righteousness. In Him, we find righteousness and not in ourselves.

Also Micah 4:3-4 tells us, "And He shall judge among many people and rebuke strong nations afar off and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken it."

Isn't it interesting though as we go on into the study of prophecy that after a thousand years of perfect government on the earth under the Messiah, Satan is released to tempt the nations and he's able to deceive them because they're unwilling to serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and they'll rebel against the Lord. Now, after that rebellion, the Word of God says the heavens and the earth shall pass away with great fire and noise. And after the great white throne judgment of all the dead that ever died, then God will create a new heaven and a new earth wherein shall dwell righteousness forever.

Here's what God promised in Daniel's prophecy. He promised to resolve the issue of evil. Listen to what He does: He will finish the transgression, He'll put an end to it. He will make an end to sins so that people will not sin anymore. They will be transformed into the very image of the Son of God, those who are the children of God. He will make reconciliation for iniquity. He will bring in everlasting righteousness. He will complete the vision and prophecy, that is, He'll accomplish it, and He will anoint the Most Holy.

Who is the Most Holy? Well, of course, the Holy One of Israel is none other than the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. And all this will be accomplished because of the atoning death of the Messiah. I wonder if you are a believer? I don't know who I'm talking to, of course. Perhaps you don't know me very well either. This may be the first time you tuned in, but I want to say this: wouldn't you like to have your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life? Wouldn't you like to dwell forever in the eternal kingdom of God?

Well, you have to decide. You see, God has already decided that He wants you into His family. That's why Jesus came. That's why He died for all your sins: past, present, and future. And God wants you to be a member of His family. He's already decided, and there is a call out that all men everywhere should repent. Well, which side are you on? It's your decision. God is not going to force you into His kingdom. He's going to plead with you, yes. He's going to present the message as you hear it today that there is a universal invitation for all to come and believe in Jesus because He died for all.

And you don't have to wait for the day when He will return. We don't know when He'll return. We're not given the time exactly. In fact, Jesus said, "In such a time as you think not, the Son of Man cometh" and He's coming soon. So why not make your peace with God now through Jesus? All you have to do is say, "Lord Jesus, I accept You into my life. I ask You to be my savior and my Lord" and you know, He will answer it. So I plead with you to do this in the name of the Lord Jesus who loves you. Amen.

Liz Ayielo: Thank you, Pastor Rungie. And thank you, listening friend, for tuning in today. It's always good to have you with us as we look into God's word together. We've been listening to Pastor Al Rungie teach on God's Final Solution to Evil. If you would like to have your own copy of this series, or perhaps you'd like to share it with a friend, you will be glad to know that it's available on two convenient compact discs. Just ask for ART-8, God's Final Solution to Evil. It's available for a contribution of just $12.

Visit our secure online store at messianicspecialties.com to place your order. If you would prefer to order by mail, just address your request to Messianic Perspectives, PO Box 345, San Antonio, Texas, 78292. To order by phone, use our toll-free order line. The number is 1-800-926-5397. Let me remind you that when you order the materials we offer here on the program, you're not only enabling us to remain here on your station, but you're also helping us take the good news of Yeshua HaMashiach to Jewish people and Gentiles all over the world.

Even if you're one of our regular listeners, you still may not know that we're much more than just a radio program. Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries, one of the largest missionary organizations in the world. We currently have missionary families serving the Lord all over the world, including the United States, Canada, South America, England, France, and of course, Israel. So when you write, consider helping us with a gift above the suggested amount. We'd be very grateful. And as always, when you're in touch with us, please mention the call letters of this station. If you're listening to our webcast or podcast, we need to know that too.

I'm Liz Ayielo. Join us next time, won't you, as Dr. Gary Hedrick begins his series on The Christian's Greatest Discovery right here on Messianic Perspectives. Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries of San Antonio, Texas, and is made possible on this station by the free-will contributions of our listeners in this area.