"I Have Made You A Watchman For House Of Israel [The Children Of God]"
PLEASE TEST MY BLOG ENTRIES WITH STUDY, RESEARCH, AND PRAYER AND JUDGE MY WORDS AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD, THE BIBLE, TO ENSURE THEY ARE IN AGREEMENT.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of
Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning
from me. Ezekiel 3:17 (ESV)
Watchmen in the 1600s. Universal History Archive/Getty
& Eddystone Lighthouse, 19th century. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print
Collector/Getty Images).
The purpose of the Eschaton Transition Blog is not to proselytize but to present what I believe is evidence supporting the truth of the Bible. My goal is to challenge thoughts and opinions about God, the Bible, prophecy (1. the foretelling or prediction of what is to come. 2. something that is declared by a prophet, especially a divinely inspired prediction, instruction, or exhortation, and eschatological predictions), and eschatology (1. a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind. 2. a belief concerning death, the end of the world, or the ultimate destiny of humankind, specifically any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming [of Christ Jesus], the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment).
Since I was 12 or 13 years old, I have been fascinated with prophecy and eschatology, specifically from the Judeo-Christian worldview. But over the last seven years, my interest in this field of study has become so great because I began noticing the fulfillment of biblical prophecies and the eschaton transition of biblical prophecies in popular media, science, and the world.
I decided to enroll in seminary school at the age of 55. I graduated in December 2022 with a Master of Arts in Apologetics and Cosmogony, specializing in “the foundations of scientific inquiry along with key theories, methods, and models in [physics], biology, and chemistry.” In other words, I am a theologian of science similar to my secular counterpart, a philosopher of science.
However, my curiosity in these subject matters has expanded over the years into researching more in-depth non-Christian, heterodox beliefs, and naturalist scientific hypotheses to better understand, respectively, faiths and theories outside of my belief system. I will write more about this in later blogs.
The focus of this and future blog entries will deal with a term I coined in 2022, eschaton transition – Prophetic biblical events that are manifesting but will not be fully realized until their appointed time – and will juxtapose biblical prophecy and eschatology with art history and contemporary art (i.e.., film and television), and hard science – “the term used to define natural and physical sciences that study the universe through theories, hypotheses, and experiments. The subjects that are included in this category are physics, math, chemistry, biology, anatomy, and astronomy, to name a few.”
In addition to new postings, I will include sections from my master's thesis, Eschaton Transition: The Multiverse and Non-Terrestrial Entities in Popular Media, Science, and Biblical Eschatological Prophecy (December 2022), and open today’s post with the Abstract and segments of Chapter 1: Introduction, Statement and Significance of the Problem, and Several Eschaton Transitions Occurring in the World: Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Russia.
Eschaton Transition: The Multiverse and Non-Terrestrial Entities in Popular Media, Science, and Biblical Eschatological Prophecy (Master's Thesis)
ABSTRACT
Over the last several decades, popular media and science have been more coextensive than at any other time in modern history. I posit they are being used to prepare and influence the body of Christ and humanity to fulfill biblical prophecy and eschatological events foretold in the Judeo-Christian Scripture. Though not new, the general public’s interest in the multiverse and spiritual entities has heightened in modernity partly due to its prominence in popular media’s science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, films, and television/internet streaming service series. Moreover, scientists at world-renowned particle physics laboratories are concurrently conducting experiments to discover the multiverse and portals (i.e., quantum mechanical black holes). I will argue that the Holy Spirit and “the [spirit of the] mystery of lawlessness is working in the world today,” as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8. Using popular media and science as passive harbingers to beacon the final signs of the beginning of birth pains that began on June 5, 70 CE, when Titus Vespasianus Augustus (ca. 39 CE— ca. 81 CE) destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem as prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24:1-2. Furthermore, I postulate that contemporary society is gradually being programmed and indoctrinated for the emergence and acceptance of the “son of perdition,” the Antichrist.
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
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The Prophet Daniel. Artist: Julius Schnorr von
Carolsfeld. Engraver: G. I, inscribed lower left. Source: Die Bibel in Bildern,
Plate 143. |
Statement and Significance of the Problem
THIS TREATISE examines biblical prophecy and eschatological events occurring in modernity by juxtaposing Scripture, popular media, and science. The study of prophecy, eschatology, and faith, and science is not uncommon. If you visit any Christian brick-and-mortar bookstore or most mainstream online bookstores or social media sites, there are a plethora of publications and articles on the topic of prophecy and eschatology dealing with politics, geopolitics, science, the occult, secret societies, and other heterodox religious and spiritual beliefs.
Whereas scholarly research on religion and popular culture, until recently, has become a burgeoning field of study in biblical studies, religious studies, and theology. “For the last half-century, a fascination with the paranormal has overtaken [not only the Western world but the globe]. Circulating through the internet and many mass-media venues, the renewed passion for preternatural tales have revitalized the Gothic genre, spurred countless searches for otherworldly beings, and set in motion many social and religious movements based upon claims of the marvelous. And now the groundswell has begun to attract the attention of scholars as well.”
I posit Eschaton Transition (prophetic biblical events that are manifesting but will not be fully realized until their appointed time): The Multiverse and Non-Terrestrial Entities in Popular Media, Science, and Biblical Eschatological Prophecy is unique in their focus when compared to related Christian theological literature on these subject matters.
It is important not to misinterpret this thesis as a conspiracy theory, such as moral panic or Satanic Panic 2.0. The zeitgeist of the 1980s Satanic Panic era was a modern-day witch hunt by some Christians focused against selected forms of secular entertainment and the arts they deemed blasphemous.
They were correct in some instances. Still, church leaders and Christians at that time failed to recognize that no matter how good their intentions were, they alienated many people who may have been willing to hear the Gospel and consider the Christian faith.
Moreover, there were five essential biblical factors why their efforts could not have widespread success. The first is found in 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (ESV), dealing with the god of this world:
“1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
The second is in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV), dealing with the Holy Spirit and the mystery of lawlessness:
“1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
The third reason is found in Revelation 20:1-3 (NKJV), which deals with Satan and the reign of Christ for a thousand years” on this Earth:
“1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 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 till the thousand years were finished. But after these things, he must be released for a little while.”
The fourth reason is what Jesus said about His kingdom in John 18:36 (NKJV):
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
The fifth reason is written in Revelation 21:1 -4 (NKJV) and deals with the New Earth and New Heaven:
“1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
It is crucial that Christians-in-general acknowledge that some of the problems and issues they focus their attention on had either been foretold in the Bible or are self-manufactured out of fear and/or lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of Scripture.
They believe they can intentionally influence or change prophetic events that God has ordained by using politics and government, changing policies and laws, ostracizing or vilifying people they deem as other, and in extreme cases, utilizing violence.
At this time in our world’s history, Christians must use their time earnestly to fulfill the Great Commission with “gentleness and respect” before the Antichrist is revealed; use the gifts of the Spirit (i.e., the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits ); and must remember, “God does not break His covenant (or prophecies), nor alter the word that has gone out of His lips, once He has sworn by His holiness.”
This means that no matter what humankind does in an attempt to delay, hasten, or modify what God has ordained, humanity will always fail.
Several Eschaton Transitions Occurring in the World: Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Russia
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Based on Dr. David Jeremiah's book The End Of The World:
How Jesus' Prophecies Shapes Our Priorities (October 4, 2022). The names and
places that Ezekiel describes are foreign to us today, but a closer look at
Scripture and history will help us translate these into modern terms.
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Since the rebirth of the nation Israel on May 14, 1948, as prophesied in Ezekiel 37, I posit that there has been an escalation in wars and conflicts that include strife between and within nations, political and religious groups, and racial and marginalized members of society than at any other time in human history as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:21 (NIV): “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”
Likewise, there has been a significant proliferation of people claiming to be the Christ (false Christs and prophets (false prophets) in and outside the church, and natural and manmade disasters throughout the world as prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-8.
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Furthermore, there are three regional locations, the Middle East, Southwest Asia, and Russia, for example, where eschatological events are inflating. To describe these phenomena, I have coined the term eschaton transition - Prophetic biblical events that are manifesting but will not be fully realized until their appointed time.
Three cases of eschaton transitions are occurring in the Middle East and Southwest Asia. In Jerusalem, Israel, the creation of “The Temple Institute, co-founded by Dr. Melissa Jane Kronfeld and Rabbi Yehuda Levi” in 1987 has drawn out the architectural plans to build the Third Temple.
Moreover, they have made “the priestly garments of the High Priest and ordinary priests, the altar, the holy Temple Menorah, and the ketoret incense offering” and have received red heifers from cattle ranchers from the State of Texas.
The Temple Institute writes about the relevance of the red heifers:
“In our own times, the commandment of the red heifer takes on more and more significance. For without it, the Divine service of the Holy Temple cannot be resumed. There is a spiritual renaissance today in Israel; after almost 2,000 years, Israel is clearly moving towards the time when the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah - the prophesied Third Temple - will be rebuilt.”
In Christian eschatology, the Third Temple is where the beast from the sea, the Antichrist, will commit what Jesus and Daniel prophesied to be the abomination of desolation. & The abomination of desolation is when the Antichrist enters the Third Temple and proclaims himself to be God, and the False Prophet decrees the Antichrist is to be worshipped by all of humanity as foretold by Apostle John in Revelation 13:5-8 (NKJV):
“5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 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.”
Another eschaton transition event in Israel is occurring at the Dead Sea. For thousands of years, the Dead Sea could not sustain life because of its high salinity. But in “2011, researchers discovered that life [now] exists at the bottom of the Dead Sea,” as prophesied in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 47.
The third eschaton transition is occurring in Southwest Asia at the Euphrates River. It is the longest river in the region, flows along the “three riparian countries, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey,” and is drying up. “The Euphrates provided the water that led to the first flowering of civilization in Sumer, dating from about the fourth-millennium B.C.E. The river valley formed the heartlands of the later empires of Babylonia and Assyria. For several centuries, the river formed the eastern limit of effective Egyptian and Roman control and western regions of the Persian Empire.”
The eschaton transition at the Euphrates River, I posit, setting aside natural or manmade causation but is a biblical prophetic event in preparation for the fulfillment of Revelation 16:12 (NKJV), “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.”
The next eschaton transition involves Russia and is expanding of geopolitical influence and military footprint in the Middle East and countries in Africa’s northern and central coast along the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
According to some biblical scholars, Russia believed to be Magog, is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39. Magog, ruled by “Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal,” and its allies, three of which are mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5 – “Persia (known today as Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya” - will one-day wage war against Israel during the end of days. This invasion is also foretold in Revelation 16:14c as the battle of that great day of God Almighty, better known as the Battle of Armageddon.
In antiquity, “the Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, lasted from approximately 559 B.C.E. to 331 B.C.E. At its height, it encompassed the areas of modern-day Iran, Egypt, Turkey, [Syria], and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
As of May 2022, the Russian military has “the 720th Logistics Support Point of the Russian Navy in Tartus, Syria, and the Khmeimim (or Hemeimeem) Air Base located near Latakia, Syria.” “The Hemeimeem air base in Syria serves as a logistical hub servicing flights to Libya, Central African Republic (CAR), and Sudan, where Russian non-government players are reportedly operating, [confirmed by] satellite images published on May 26, 2022, by U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) [that] appear to confirm reports that Russian MiG-29 jet fighters had flown to Libya.”
Since recognizing the eschaton transitional events above, along with many others, two of which are in popular media and science, I felt some urge to write about the instances in popular media and science.
Learning from the past, such as from the foibles of the Satanic Panic era, we must be aware of the mise en scène. The following chapters in this thesis are just a single key to assist you so that you are not destroyed for the lack of knowledge and that you are alert and of sober mind [because] your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Why should Christians, or for that matter, anyone inquisitive about the end of days prognostication, be interested if they are connected? How is popular media linked with science? Is there a relationship between popular media and science in the Bible? Isn’t the Bible and science incongruent with each other? And, finally, what insight and knowledge can a person gain in understanding what biblical prophets foretold thousands of years ago?
Here is the sinner’s prayer if you
are moved to give your life to Christ, and please send me an email if you would
like me to say a prayer for you –
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”
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Leni D. Anderson, MLIS, MA.AC, BA ArtH, AA
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