NEW TEACHING: What Are The Book Ends Of The Church Age?

NEW TEACHING: What Are The Book Ends Of The Church Age?

by | May 28, 2020 | Blog, Church, Tim's Articles

What Are the ‘Bookends’ of
The Church Age?

Tim Buck

Special Teaching

(10 Minutes)

(This would make a good first chapter of a book)

Overlapping of Israel and the Church

Did you know the church has a beginning and an end? Can you guess what they are?

As the title suggests, I want to discuss the start and the end of the church-age. That may not seem like a ‘hot-button’ topic but in the discussion of the end times today there’s confusion about this which prevents people from fully understanding God’s purposes in the last days.

The idea of the Old Testament and Israel overlapping with the New Testament and the church runs throughout the book of Acts. In Acts we see God moving Israel off the stage and bringing the church into play.

Now today, we see this happening in reverse, as the church age winds down, and we find ourselves living in the shadow of the Tribulation with God, once again, working with the nation of Israel.

Imagine this Image

Picture you are standing in ocean water up to your knees, as the strong wave coming in is washing over you. At the same time you feel the outgoing force of a previous wave pulling your feet out. The waves overlap each other as one comes in and the other goes out. So it is with the overlapping stories of Israel and the church.

Transition… From Old to New

The argument could be made that the church-age began while overlapping the Old Testament, Mosaic dispensation and will end overlapping it again into the 7-year Tribulation.

By overlapping I mean God was working simultaneously on His distinct plans for Israel and His distinct plans for the church.

Keep Israel and the Church Separate

One of the common mistakes with interpreting prophecy is to mix up God’s plans for Israel and the church. These two institutions are distinct and remain separate throughout the bible.

We see this even in the New Jerusalem where, after the end of all things, Israel’s 12 tribes are written on the twelve gates (Rev. 21:12-13) and the 12 church Apostles names are written on the 12 foundations (Rev. 21:14). God’s memory and plans for both Israel and the church continue throughout eternity.

So these two institutions overlapped during the birth of the church in the first century and are starting to overlap once again, now, at the end of the church-age.

Throughout the church-age, Israel lives under God’s judicial blindness (Rom. 11:25) as punishment for rejecting their Messiah. Their veil of blindness will not be lifted until after the rapture when God once again turns His attention back to His chosen people.

First Mention of the Church

The first mention of the church is in Math. 16:18 where Jesus declares He is both its architect and builder. But when he mentions this to the disciples, there’s good reason to believe they had little idea of what the church was about or what it would become.

That is because God did not reveal the doctrine of the church until much later when He chose to reveal it to the Apostle Paul, not the 12 apostles. It was Paul who would become the “Apostle to the Gentiles.”

Until Paul’s teaching in the church epistles, the concept of the church remained unknown and described as a “mystery kept hidden from ages past” (Eph. 3:1-7; Col.1:25-27).

The First Bookend (Pentecost)

The official birth of the church took place on the day of Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit, by whom the Lord began baptizing believers into His body… the church (1 Cor. 12:13). Today, at the moment of salvation, all believers are spiritually baptized into Christ’s body forming His church.

Paul’s teaching about this and his doctrine on the church was given to him directly by Jesus (Gal. 1:12-17; 1 Thess. 4:15) and Paul began to explain and write about church doctrine beginning with his letter to the Galatians some 20 years after Pentecost.

During those early years of the church-age is when we see the transition period from the old covenant to the new covenant taking place.

In contrast, it seems we are now living in the transition period at the end of the church-age with God turning His focus back to Israel and preparing the church to move off the stage to usher in the Tribulation (Mt. 24:21).

In scripture, this period is also referred to as “Daniels 70th week” (Dan. 9:27) and ”the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) because the 7-year period belongs to the Old Testament dispensation about Israel (Dan. 9:24).

This is one good reason why our focus should be on Israel today, NOT AMERICA! As we transition through the end of the church-age, Israel is back in play and becoming the center of God’s end-time plans.

The Last Bookend (Rapture)

The official end of the church age is the rapture and resurrection of the church (1Thess. 4:13-18). This glorious day is for all Jews and Gentiles who have become believers since Pentecost.

At the LAST TRUMP (1 Cor. 15:51-52), saints who have died since Pentecost will return to earth with Jesus and be resurrected into their glorified bodies like His glorious body (1 Jn. 3:2).

After which, all living saints will be ‘caught up’ (raptured) together to meet the Lord in the air! For the first time, the church will be complete and be in the ‘Father’s house,’ all at the same time… with Jesus. Paul makes it clear we will recognize each other when we gather in the clouds with our fellow saints (1 Thess. 2:18-20).

Once in heaven, it’s time to celebrate as the church-bride is married to Christ and our eternal relationship is sealed in our heavenly wedding. During our 7-year stay in heaven, the church will be married to Christ at the marriage of the lamb (Rev. 19:17-19) just prior to returning to earth with Him at His Second Coming.

Transition… From the New, partially back to Old

While the church is rejoicing in heaven, back on earth, God’s plans for Israel pick up through a short transition period allowing for the rise of Antichrist and the confirming of his peace treaty with Israel which marks the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation.

At the start of the Tribulation, God does something only He can do by sending His two powerful witnesses, Elijah and Moses, (Mal. 4:4-6) back to Israel.

At that moment, since the rapture removed all believers to heaven, these two men are the only witnesses on earth. In the power of the Holy Spirit, these two servants oversee the building of Israel’s temple (Rev. 11) and spark the greatest spiritual revival in Israel’s history.

Interestingly, there is serious pressure inside Israel today to build the temple. Israel’s most powerful religious body, the Sanhedrin, is calling for the construction of the Temple and Orthodox Jews, seated as part of Israel’s Knesset, are repeatedly calling for the building of the temple on the temple mount.

The temple furniture, priesthood and details of Israel’s sacrificial system are being prepared today by the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.

Living in the Shadow of the Tribulation

The big picture to keep in mind here is that all these end time activities related to Israel are happening now under the watchful eye of the church indicating we are living in the shadow of the Tribulation. Hallelujah! “Look up; Lift up your heads, your redemption is coming closer” (Lk. 21:28).

Most importantly, in fulfillment of His promises, God will begin lifting the veil from Israel’s eyes (Rom. 11:25). And what does He use to reach Israel? The teaching tool God uses to illustrate Jesus is messiah will be the animal sacrifices being offered on the new brazen altar on the Temple Mount (Dan. 9:27).

Why is this so effective? Because Israel understands the sacrificial system and the gospel of Christ’s death on the cross is clearly portrayed by the slaughtered lamb and because ‘there’s power in the blood!’

Moses and Elijah will begin connecting the dots for the Jewish people by preaching Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29). Like Peter’s preaching at the temple on the day of Pentecost where thousands were saved (Acts 2:41), the preaching of the two witnesses at the temple spark a mighty, end-time, spiritual awakening in Israel.

With the church removed, the Jewish people finally begin recognizing Jesus is the one “whom they pierced” (Zech. 12:10). God, in His own perfect time and by His own power, will sovereignly act to save Israel fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 59:20-21) which is then quoted by Paul (Rom. 11:25-27):

25 For… you should not be ignorant of this mystery… that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.

In wrapping up Paul’s teaching on Israel and the Church in Romans 11, Paul concludes by saying,

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33).

21 To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:21)

Don’t Fear Bill Gates! You Can’t Have the Mark of the Beast Without the Beast!

Don’t Fear Bill Gates! You Can’t Have the Mark of the Beast Without the Beast!

by | May 19, 2020 | Beast, Covid-19, Mark of the Beast, News, Tim's Articles

Where’s the Beast?

I’ve often said that practical obedience to Christ today is more important than speculation about the mark of the beast tomorrow.

I’ve also suggested that COVID-19 may be a forerunner sign of the Tribulation Judgments, but I do not believe that COVID-19 is one of the plagues from the Book of Revelation.

I also don’t believe that a potential COVID-19 vaccine, replete with microchip is the mark of the beast.

Yet the events surrounding the coronavirus have demonstrated how quickly the status quo can be overturned and how dramatically the fortunes of nations can shift.

And what if COVID-19 is followed by a worldwide economic collapse, accompanied by plague and famine?

To say it again, I do not believe we are at that point. But I do believe that, in front of our eyes, we’re seeing how quickly the table can be set.

Despite the lofty aspirations of Bill Gates, believers today have nothing to fear about his vaccination plans being connected to the mark of the beast.

For starters, in Revelation, the “mark of the beast” has nothing to do with a medical procedure.

And contrary to some of the theories being batted around today, the “mark” is not at all something that could be accidentally taken.

Why? Because the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-18) is a mark that is closely tied to worshipping of the beast (Revelation13:12, 15; 19:20; 20:4).

Thus, the mark of the beast is taken as a symbol of rejecting Jesus Christ for devotion to the beast empire in the Tribulation.

Most importantly, the beast is not here yet!

No beast… no mark!

The beast in Revelation is Satan’s final empire that seeks to bring the world under its control and the beast marking system doesn’t begin until the middle of the Tribulation!

That’s a good way off from 2020.

Since the rapture occurs before the Tribulation, church-age believers will never see the mark of the beast because we will not be here! Hallelujah!

In this recent video, I discuss the two competing marking systems in the book of Revelation and answer two questions, “What really happens when you take the mark of the beast and what does it mean for Christians living in the last days.”

Watch Tim's Latest Video
Emmanuel Macron Leads Coronavirus Global Response Summit in Europe as They Raise $8 Billion in One Day Under Watchful Eye of United Nations

Emmanuel Macron Leads Coronavirus Global Response Summit in Europe as They Raise $8 Billion in One Day Under Watchful Eye of United Nations

by | May 19, 2020 | Covid-19, News, Tim's Articles

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that “a race against time is underway,” as he gathered the western world and donated 500 million euros on behalf of France.

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said that beating the virus “will take more than making a vaccine available to the very highest bidder. It is going to take more than delivering it only to people in wealthy nations. The pandemic won’t end until people everywhere in the world can be immunized against it.”

French President Emmanuel Macron led the EU Coronavirus Global Response Monday with world leaders, organizations, banks, the United Nations and Melinda Gates by his side. I bet you feel safer already, don’t you?

The global forces are on a roll right now, raising $8 billion dollars in about 2 hours, at the Coronavirus Global Response Summit held in Europe via video chat. As predicted, French president Emmanuel Macron was front and center of the action, moving the assembled nations along down the list of United Nations talking points.

Speaking of gathering the nations, let’s check in with Zephaniah to see what’s coming up in the near future:

Therefore wait for Me, says the Lord, Until the day I rise up for plunder; My determination is to gather the nations that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour on them My indignation, even all My fierce anger; for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of My jealousy. (Zephaniah 3:8-9)

FROM THE TIMES OF ISRAEL: World leaders, organizations, and banks on Monday pledged 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) for research to find a vaccine against the new coronavirus, but warned that it is just the start of an effort that must be sustained over time to beat the disease.

Notably absent from the event were the United States, where more than 67,000 people have died, Russia, and most Muslim nations.

Talking Points included:

WE ARE FACING A GLOBAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THIS IS A MOMENT THAT DEMANDS COORDINATED, DECISIVE & INNOVATIVE ACTION.

THIS IS, ABOVE ALL, A HUMAN CRISIS THAT CALLS FOR SOLIDARITY.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the money raised is to help find a vaccine, new treatments and better tests for the disease but would only ever amount to a “down payment” on the tools that will be needed to fight the virus.

“IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD, NONE OF US IS SAFE UNTIL ALL OF US ARE SAFE”, THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL INSISTED. “THESE NEW TOOLS CAN HELP US TO FULLY CONTROL THE PANDEMIC, AND MUST BE TREATED AS GLOBAL PUBLIC GOODS AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR ALL.

THIS IS THE ONLY PATH TO A WORLD FREE OF COVID-19. WE HAVE A COMMON VISION”, SAID THE UN CHIEF. “LET US NOW PUT PEOPLE FIRST EVERYWHERE.”

“In the space of just a few hours, we have collectively pledged $8 Billion for vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, wrapping up the event after three hours. “All this money will help kick-start unprecedented global cooperation.”

President Emmanuel Macron warned that “a race against time is underway.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “the race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries, but the most urgent shared endeavor of our lifetimes.”

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said that beating the virus “will take more than making a vaccine available to the very highest bidder. It is going to take more than delivering it only to people in wealthy nations. The pandemic won’t end until people everywhere can be immunized against it.”

About 100 research groups are pursuing vaccines, with nearly a dozen in early stages of human trials or poised to start. But, so far, there is no way to predict which — if any — vaccine will work safely, or even to name a front-runner.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top expert, has cautioned that even if everything goes perfectly, developing a vaccine in 12 to 18 months would set a record for speed.

Tim’s Response

Concerning Globalism and a One-World Government in the End Times

Be careful what you read these days, globalist and conspiracy theories abound by false teachers and run rampant across social media.

Despite that so much of what’s happening now seems like the perfect storm for a one-world government take-over, that’s not how the Bible explains the end times and the coming empire of Antichrist.

Far from it.

I know it looks promising right now, due to globalists rising to take advantage of the COVID pandemic, but it will never come to fruition. There are plenty of “Western One-World Dreamers” who would like to control the political and financial markets of the world for their own nefarious purposes, but God reveals a different rule will erupt in the last days and Satan’s chosen path won’t be world-wide.

Instead, Satan has chosen a demonic religious leader who rules over Satan’s specially designed religious system that surrounds Israel to get the job done.

While there are roughly 200 nations in the world, Antichrist’s final empire of an Islamic Caliphate will be limited to just 10 nations. Some 25 times we are told Antichrist rules over 10 nations. The prophet Daniel describes the 10 nations still standing until crushed by Jesus at the Second Coming (Daniel 2:42-44).

Did you know the geographic size and location of Antichrist’s empire is described in prophecy? Revelation 13 tells us the empire will be a composite of 3 ancient empires described in Daniel chapter seven (Babylonian, Persian and Grecian Empires). That means Antichrist’s empire won’t expand outside of the Middle East. And Daniel 11:41 shows that Antichrist won’t even control all the nations in the Middle East.

Lastly, Jesus declared there would be wars and rumors of wars during the 7-year Tribulation period (Mt. 24:6). How is that possible with a one-world government? Who would they fight if they control everyone? God repeatably tells us that once the wars begin in the Tribulation, they never end until the Battle of Armageddon (Daniel 9:26; Mt. 24:6; Rev. 6:4; 9:13-21).

This is a major obstacle to the one-world government theory. How can there be wars for 7 years if Antichrist is the leader of the whole world? Who is he fighting?

If Antichrist becomes the one-world leader and rules a one-world government of all people, economies and military’s of the world there would be no government, other than his…. And no one to war against!

A more accurate perspective of the Tribulation period is to view it as not one man ruling the world, but rather, one religion (Islam) trying to take over the world!