Oxford Bible Church - Living in the Last Days

The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Luke 21) is Jesus' great Prophecy of the end-times, answering 3 Questions (v3): (1) What is the Sign of the Temple's destruction (Luke 21:7, 20-24)?, (2) what are the Signs of His 2nd Coming? (Matthew 24:4-31), and (3) the Signs of the End of the Age or Tribulation (v32-44).

The 490 years form a Great Jubilee Cycle, but when Israel failed to enter into the fulfilment of her Jubilee, God gave her a second chance by cancelling the last 7 years (the 70th Week) to run them again after the Church Age as the Tribulation, by the end of which Israel will receive Christ and His Kingdom.

Jesus fulfilled Daniel's 70 Weeks right on time with His Atoning Death and Resurrection, providing amazing proof that He is the Messiah. We also show how He perfectly fulfilled Joel's Prophecy, including its 2 Signs in the Heavens (the Dark Sun & Blood Moon) at His Death at Passover AD 33.

The Tribulation is the Day of the Lord, a time of Divine Wrath, which begins with the Rapture of the Church and the revelation of antichrist, and continues until the 2nd Coming. It is a time of intensifying birth pains. We see how the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 24, Luke 21) and of Paul in Thessalonians agree.

After reviewing the Keys to understanding Prophecy, we study Paul's Revelation of the Mystery hidden in God but now revealed, which centres on the nature and function of the Church during this Age. The Mystery explains why prophecies suddenly jump over the Church Age (from the 1st to the 2nd Coming)

When Israel 's rejection of Messiah was becoming clear by their response to His Messianic Miracles (Matthew 12), Jesus started revealing the result of this rejection through Parables (Matthew 13) = the Mystery. The Messianic Kingdom would be postponed until the Mystery Kingdom (Church Age) ran its course.

The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13) reveals Israel was cut off 6 months after the Cross (Acts 7), for her rejection of Messiah, resulting in her dispersion. But God has promised to restore Israel to her Land and then to her Lord in the end-times (the Fig Tree bearing leaves and then fruit in Matthew 24).

In the ministries of John and Jesus the prophesied Kingdom of God was OFFERED to Israel, but she REJECTED her appointed King and His Messianic Kingdom, so it was POSTPONED until Israel is ready to receive Jesus as her Messiah-King. Meanwhile God revealed the Mystery of the Church Age.

The 2 Streams of Messianic Prophecy (the Sufferings and the Glory) correspond to the 2 Comings of Christ, based on the 2 Programmes of God (Salvation & Kingdom). First Jesus had to come as the Suffering Saviour before He can return as the Conquering King. First the Suffering, then the Glory.

For correct Bible interpretation it is essential to maintain the distinction between Israel and the Church. Derek establishes this point from the New Testament, and refutes Replacement Theology. Then he shows from Romans 9-11 that God has not finished with Israel, but that all Israel will be saved.

God ordained the Ages to be patterned on Creation Week, so that: 'One Day with the Lord = 1000 years' (Ps 90:4, 2Pet 3:8), with the Millennium as the Sabbath (Rev 20). This is illustrated by the Passover Lamb, Hosea 6, & Good Samaritan. Finally: the key distinction between Israel & the Church.

There are 3 prophetic camps depending on one's view of the Millennium (Pre-, A-, or Post-Millennial). Literal Interpretation requires Premillennialism, for both the Old and New Testaments teach a future Messianic Age, when Christ will reign on earth for 1000 years, after a time of Tribulation (Birthpains).

The next key to Bible Prophecy (based on Literal Interpretation) is understanding the Dispensations - the times (kairos) and seasons (chronos) ordained by God, including the Church Age, Tribulation and Millennium. Israel and the Church must be kept distinct. Misuses of dispensationalism are discussed.

The first and most important KEY to interpret prophecy is to take it LITERALLY: if the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense. This is the only way to be consistent in Bible interpretation and be submitted to God's Word and uphold His integrity. To illustrate this Key, Pastor Derek applies it to a number of prophecies.

This is the Introduction to a 30 part Series which systematically unfolds Bible Prophecy. Part 1 gives reasons why understanding Prophecy is important and beneficial, and explains the first and most important Key to interpret it correctly: Take it literally. The associated book is: A Panorama of Prophecy

The Lord is our home, where our heart should abide. He is the fulfillment of the deepest longings of our heart. You have a special place in God’s heart that no one else can take. The time we spend with the Lord in worship changes us and shapes who we become. Our worship brings great delight to the Lord.

Psalm 95 describes how we enter the Secret Place (Holy of Holies) through Praise, Thanksgiving and Worship, and then how to abide there. We must press through barriers (in our flesh) that try to keep us from getting too close to God (e.g. fear of losing control) like the woman in Mark 5 & paralytic in Luke 5

Ezekiel 38 describes a coalition of nations invading the Mountains of Israel (the West Bank), opposed by TARSHISH and all her young lions. Derek shows why TARSHISH is the UK and her cubs are the USA and the Commonwealth, and reveals what role these nations are called to fulfill in the last days.

God judges all nations which try to divide the Land of Israel (Zech 12:3, Joel 3:2). This will be clearly demonstrated when Ezekiel 38-39 is fulfilled. The context in Ezek 34-37 is Israel's Regathering by God in the last days and Settlement on the Mountains of Israel (West Bank) - but opposed by the nations.

The End-Times started in 1914 with World War 1 (Matt 24:7), leading to WW2 and Israel's Rebirth. The next major event is the Invasion of the Mountains of Israel (Judea-Samaria, also called the 'West Bank' or 'Occupied Territories') as described in Ezekiel 38, in the name of enforcing the 2 State Solution.

Richard Kent interviews Derek Walker on the Gog-Magog Invasion of Ezekiel 38. This invasion led by Russia, assisted by Iran, Turkey and other Islamic nations is imminent and will be met with a dramatic Divine Intervention, where the God of Israel shows Himself strong, leading to a world-wide revival.

Derek Walker studies the history of the Temple to determine its true location according to the Bible. Should the Temple Mount belong to the Jews? Will they rebuild their Temple and where? Was the Temple on the 'Temple Mount' or below in the City of David as Ernest Martin & Robert Cornuke claim?

Jesus rose on 'the 3rd day' and 'after 3 days & 3 nights' - a prophetic paradox. Derek gives proofs for the Crucifixion on Passover, Friday April 1st AD 33 (our calendar), and the Resurrection at Firstfruits, Sunday Dawn. But how can this be 3 days & 3 nights (Matt 12:40)? See how God solved the paradox!

God knows us perfectly, and He loves us, cares for us and is so interested in us (Psalm 139). He has abundant thoughts and feelings for us. What He thinks of us is what matters above all. We should value what God says about us much more than what people think. He says we are precious to Him.

God's Plan of Salvation begins with Passover (Messiah's death for our sin), and is consummated with Tabernacles (God's Presence and Glory restored to man). We see how the Feast was celebrated and how Jesus fulfilled it in His Birth, Baptism & Ministry (John 7), and how He will fulfil it at His Return.