Shalom, and welcome to Veahavta Yisrael, a Hebrew phrase which means you shall love Israel. We hope you’ll stay with us for the next 30 minutes as our teacher, Dr. Baruch, shares his expository teaching from the Bible. Dr. Baruch is the senior lecturer at the Zera Avraham Institute based in Israel. Although all courses are taught in Hebrew at the Institute, Dr. Baruch is pleased to share this weekly address in English.

Speaker 1:

To find out more about our work in Israel, please visit us on the web at LoveIsrael.org. That’s one word. LoveIsrael.org.

Speaker 1:

Now, here’s Baruch with today’s lesson.

Dr. Baruch:

There is an important principle for success, and what is that? Preparation. If you want to be successful in the things of HaShem, that is the things of the God of Israel. If you want to be pleasing to our Messiah Yeshua, that is Jesus, we need to be prepared spiritually for what will take place in the future, especially those things that will happen in the Last Days. I believe that when we look at the prophets, we see that we are very close to those things that they promise would take place.

Dr. Baruch:

Take out your Bible and look with me to the Book of Mark and Chapter 13. The book of Mark and chapter 13. Now last week, we began a study that focused in this 13th chapter which is dedicated to the Last Days. And we see something. Messiah was speaking concerning His disciples, and He spoke about two things: what would take place and their lifetime, that is the destruction of the temple, and to confirm that what He said concerning the end times would be true in the same way that His words were fulfilled concerning the temple almost 2000 years ago. We can be assured that what He tells us today about the Last Days will equally be fulfilled. The words of Messiah are accurate.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, what we saw last week is that there was going to be some difficult times. Today in our study, we’re going to see that there’s even more difficulty ahead. Hardship, troubles, famines, pestilence, and the list goes on and on. But there’s one other thing that Messiah emphasizes to us, and what is that? Persecution.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, there has been from the time of Messiah persecution for followers, His followers in this world. But what we’re going to see and don’t miss this, before He returns to gather up His people, before that event takes place, there’s going to be an increasing amount of persecution in all places, not just in one location or two, but throughout the world. And what we need to understand is this: that we I need to be prepared for that.

Dr. Baruch:

I have a friend, and he was in the military in a very elite unit, a commando and many years after he retired, he told me of some of them training that they went through. And I would summarize or define that training with one word, and that would be torture. Now, what he was referring to me was what they would go through if, with the supposition if they were to be captured. Because they knew if they were captured, they would be tortured for information. He said that going through this, knowing what might be done, understanding what was taking place, he said that they could prepare with a greater likelihood of not divulging information, being faithful, enduring, persevering to the end.

Dr. Baruch:

And I think that’s wise wisdom for us, that we need to prepare for these difficult times. And that’s exactly what Messiah is teaching us in this passage. Look if you would Mark 13 and Verse Nine. Now, He repeats himself. In fact, several times in this chapter when speaking to disciples and that’s who he’s speaking to for the first part of this message. He says, “Look,” and that word has to do with perceiving something or understanding something, discerning something. And He says it in a very unique way in this verse, Verse Nine. He says, “You yourselves, look.” Now he’s speaking to His disciples. And it’s a way, it’s a grammatical way of emphasizing the necessity for us to perceive what He’s talking about. So he says, “You, yourselves look, for they will deliver you unto councils and meeting halls.” Now, I realize that how I translated that is probably somewhat different from your Bible, but we want to pay close attention to the literal words.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, the word that I translated councils is the word sanhedrin, but it’s in the plural. Why is that important? Well, if you look at what many people said concerning this passage of scripture and some of the most famous commentators, what they do is this. They say, “Sanhedrin, that’s related to the Jewish nation.” It was the government during the times of the temple, the second temple period. Likewise, they say synagogue, a Jewish place to worship. Therefore, many of them say in the last days, Israel is going to persecute believers. But let me say to you that that interpretation is 100% incorrect. Why? Well, it’s true.

Dr. Baruch:

The word sanhedrin relates to that government office that was on the temple mount next to the temple during the time of the second temple period. It was the government of Israel. But understand there was only one sanhedrin, not multiple.

Dr. Baruch:

And this word is in the plural. Why is that important? Well, it’s written in Greek. A Greek audience would not be looking at this. That is, when you go and speak to the masses, when they heard this, they would understand it simply meaning councils as far as a place of a government office. The word literally means… it’s two words, san hedrin. It is the word together or with and the word for a seat. So it’s a government seat. It’s where leaders come together to sit down and make decisions. So it’s simply talking about that we’re going to be delivered over to government authority.

Dr. Baruch:

Secondly, the word synagogue. Well, this is, as well, simply means today we read much into it, but it’s simply a word which means a gathering place, a local community center. And therefore, what we’re talking about here is this: that believers are going to be turned over to government leaders on a national scene and also locally.

Dr. Baruch:

And what’s going to happen? Well, look carefully at this first. It says that they will flog or beat you. And it secondly says, “And you are good to be brought before rulers and kings. You are going to be stood before them on account of me.” That is, on account of our faith in Messiah Yeshua and also for His sake. Why? He says, “For a witness to them.” Now, if you paid close attention to that word witness, it is the word marturion. Why is that important? It’s where we get the word martyr from. And as I said, there has been martyrs throughout all of believing history. But in the last days, it’s going to grow more intense. Many people are going to lose their life for believing in that gospel message. Now, why do I say gospel message? Well, read on to the next verse, Verse 10.

Dr. Baruch:

He says that we’re going to be a witness unto them. What are we going to be sharing? Look at Verse 10. And it says, “And to all the nations,” and it literally says, and we’ve talked about this last week to every ethnic group. Now that word is there to teach us that God is not a respecter of people. He wants all people… and this is going to be important before we wrap up today. It is important to see that God wants all people, all ethnicities, all races to come to faith in Him. And therefore, it is emphasized. He says, “For all, to all the nations, first, it is necessary.” Remember that word, day. It is an absolute necessity for the gospel to be proclaimed.

Dr. Baruch:

Verse 11, “And whenever they lead you and deliver you over,” what does it say, “Do not meditate beforehand.” Now, we’re talking about preparation, and we need to be prepared. We need to be praying to be faithful, to find the strength, the endurance, the perseverance, and the courage to remain faithful. We need to be prepared in knowing the word of God. We need to be preparing ourselves for the doing of good works, also an important witness.

Dr. Baruch:

But knowing the truth is important. But when it comes to witnessing at that moment, it says, “Do not write out your speech. Don’t memorize something.” Why? Well very carefully, He says, “Because it will not be you that is speaking.” But what is given to you, this you say it won’t be us, but rather it says in that verse, but rather it’s going to be the “Holy Spirit.” And the Holy Spirit is perfectly able to do two things.

Dr. Baruch:

First of all, to discern what words need to be shared in order to touch the greatest amount of people. Secondly, that Holy Spirit will anoint us in many different ways so that we will stand strong and steadfast in being a godly witness.

Dr. Baruch:

So I want you to see here over and over, there’s this emphasis about being a witness, about behaving in a particular manner that bears forth the truth of the gospel. Verse 12. Now, as I said, it’s going to be difficult times. You all read this before, Verse 12, “And brother will deliver brother unto death and father children, and children will take a stand against their parents to put them to death.” And what that talks about is this. There is going to be tremendous pressure put upon people to tell, to turn over who are the believers.

Dr. Baruch:

Secondly, we’re going to see in the last half of that verse, the children, in order to show loyalty to the government at this time, it’s going to be an empire, they are even going to put their parents to death. So we see the total breakdown of the family. What we see here is how far removed the world’s going to be, a world of darkness, how far it’ll be from the will of God. But understand this. In the midst of darkness, light that is truth shines and discerns the easiest.

Dr. Baruch:

Verse 13, He says, and the whole world that says, “And you shall be hated by all on account of My name.” Now we’re seeing more and more in society, it used to be no problem before some event to make a prayer, even to make a prayer in Messiah Jesus’s name. No problem. Today, that is extremely problematic in the United States and in other places. Even to have that faith is a death sentence. People talk about Israel, but if you are an Arab, and you are believer in Messiah, and you live in the Middle East, the safest place to live is in the nation of Israel.

Dr. Baruch:

You live around Israel. That is, in many other places, Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, many other places. You have that faith, and you will be put in prison. You will be forced to recant. You will be stoned to death if you do not. And what we’re seeing here is that same type of mentality, that hatred, and what does He say? Look again at Verse 13, “And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but he who perseveres,” and remember the truth. You’re not going to persevere. You won’t find the strength. You won’t be used in an effectual manner unless you are spiritually prepared. So He says here, end of that verse, He says, “But the one who perseveres until the end.” Now that word telos in Greek means in, but it can also mean goal. Those who persevere to the goal, that is, until the kingdom comes. It says, “This one will be saved.”

Dr. Baruch:

Now that verse, it is not talking about a works’ based salvation, but it’s simply tells us that perseverance is an integral part of those who have been saved. We’ve been saved to persevere. Those who have been saved are going to be faithful. Verse 14.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, up until this time, we began last week, and we see that it was the disciples who asked these questions. And when He begins to speak everything that we’ve said over the last week and a half, He’s addressed it to you, you, you meaning disciples. But in Verse 14, there’s an important change. Now, if you were to ask me what are two of the most important events in the Last Days? Now the scripture says, “No man knows the day or the hour.” But what we can know and what we need to know and what we need to know very well are the events. What’s going to happen. And what are the order of these events?

Dr. Baruch:

And two of the most important things to be looking for. First of all, we saw last week, there was an emphasis upon the temple, the temple, the temple, and we can be assured the word of God affirms this. There’s going to be a temple, once again, built in Jerusalem. Now, when we see the discussion of that, when we see the plans being put into action, that temple being built, and when sacrifices begin to be offered there, as Daniel says in Daniel Chapter 12, we can be assured of something. When those sacrifices begin, we have entered into Daniel’s 70th week, what He speaks of in Daniel Chapter Nine. And remember that, Daniel Chapter Nine.

Dr. Baruch:

Now the second event, which is of great significance, which happens at the midway point, so the sacrifices begin the seven years at the midway point, what do we have? Well, look with me to our next verse, Verse 14. It says here, “Whenever you shall see,” still speaking in the second person, “Whenever you should see the abomination of desolation.” Now, ask yourselves. If you were challenged to give a definition, to share in your own words what is the abomination of desolation, how would you answer that? You might know that it’s recorded in the Book of Daniel. You might know that it’s in Daniel Chapter Nine towards the end of that chapter, but what is the abomination of desolation? Messiah puts it here because it is a key event and understanding the order of events and how to respond, what’s going to take place so we have a proper perspective.

Dr. Baruch:

Well, a great place to have a great understanding of this term the abomination of desolation is in the book of Second Thessalonians and Chapter Two because there, Paul, he tells us exactly what it is. It is when the Antichrist enters into the Holy of Holies, so there has to be a temple rebuilt. He enters into the Holy of Holies, and he proclaims himself… Now this Antichrist is going to be the world leader. He is going to… and you can see this, for example, earlier on in the Book of Daniel, in Daniel Chapter Eight. He’s going to put, destroy, put an end to this beast that comes out of the East, this Antichrist, which is going to rise from the West, what is called in the book of Daniel, Greece, which could simply mean Europe. He’s going to arise from the West. He’s going to defeat this movement, this barbaric movement that is killing people and conquering lands. He’s going to put it down. And the whole world’s going to say, “Wow, this one’s great,” but be careful. He appears good as in white, but inside, he is from the pit of hell.

Dr. Baruch:

And the antichrist, he’s going to do many positive things, apparently positive for Israel. He’s going to be the one that secures as a world leader as this victor, he’s going to secure the right of Israel to rebuild the temple. Why? Because in the middle of that week, he’s going to go into the temple, read Second Thessalonians Chapter Two. He’s going to go into the temple. He’s going to proclaim himself to be God, and what’s going to happen? Well, look again at Verse 14. Messiah illustrates this by Verse 14. He says, “And whatever you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not.”

Dr. Baruch:

Now remember both in… go back to Verse Seven. It talks about wars, rumors of war. And he says, “Do not fear.” Why? Because these things have to be. And we talked about that word, day. Absolutely necessity. It says later on in this same passage of scripture, it says here in the negative which means this thing not be, but nevertheless, Antichrist does what he ought not.

Dr. Baruch:

So verse 14, “When you see the abomination of desolation” second person, “When you see the abomination of desolation standing in the place where it ought not,” it says, and here’s the change. Up until this verse, even the first part of this verse, we see you, you, you. Immediately thereafter, after the abomination of desolation, there’s a change grammatically from the second person to the third person. He says, “Then let the reader understand.” Reader of what? God’s word.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, there’s also going to be another interesting change in Verse 14. He writes here, “Then let those who are in Judea.” That is the Jewish people, the Israelites, or the Israelis up today. It says then, and here’s the change. From you, you, you, to those who in Judea, third person, “Let them,” and it’s a commandment, “Let them flee to the mountains.”

Dr. Baruch:

Now, why is that important? Well, it’s important because there’s a change. After the abomination of desolation, we see that the focus is upon Israel. Israel’s commanded to flee. And if we keep reading, we’ll see this in a moment. Why? Because there’s going to be great tribulation.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, what I want you to mark down is a very important verse. Remember where it says it’s necessary for these things to happen. Why? For God’s will to be fulfilled. It’s not that he likes these things, but the end result is what he’s going to like. He’s going to allow, bring these things about in order that a greater number of people come to faith, especially within the house of Israel. So what’s happening. And the scripture I want you to mark down is Jeremiah Chapter 30, Verse Seven because there it says that there shall be a time of trouble for Jacob. [foreign language 00:22:03] which means a time of trouble for Jacob, but from it or out of it, he will be saved.

Dr. Baruch:

So in this section that speaks about tribulation, remember what the scripture tells us in First Thessalonians Chapter Five in Verse Nine, “We have not been appointed for wrath, but to obtain salvation.” And in this period, after the abomination of desolation, how soon after? A day, a week, a month. We don’t know. But there’s going to be intense persecution against Israel. In fact, look at this verse once more, Verse 14. He says, “And whenever you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, let the reader know and let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Why? Verse 15, “And let those who are upon the rooftops don’t come down.”

Dr. Baruch:

Now, it doesn’t mean don’t come down at all. There’s an additional phrase. He says, “Don’t come down for the purpose of entering into your house to take something.” Likewise, he says, “And those,” Verse 16, “Those who are in the field do not let him turn back, turn around in order to take a garment.”

Dr. Baruch:

Now what’s all this about? One thing. The absolute necessity to flee, to flee to the mountains. Now, why is that? Well, in the Book of Revelation Chapter 12, it also speaks about Israel fleeing and what happens? It says, “And God will sustain His people in that place.” We don’t have to worry about the physical necessities. We just have to flee. If not, we’re going to be killed by the enemy. I’m talking about the house of Israel, not believers at this time.

Dr. Baruch:

Another important point, it says in Verse 17, “Woe to those who are with child or those who are nursing” it says in those days. Why? The time of tribulation for Israel. It says, “Pray that your flight might not be in the winter time.” Why? Cold weather, rainy season. So he’s telling us pray about this, meaning Israel, but there’s a message for us. All people need to pray in regard to the Last Days, Verse 19. For, in those days, there will be tribulation, tribulation that has never been before and will never be again.

Dr. Baruch:

Now, to understand a little bit more about that tribulation, I would call your attention to the Book of Daniel Chapter 12. And Daniel speaks again about this time of tribulation for Jacob. And he says, “It’s the worst time for Israel in all of human history.” Worse, and this is hard to say, worse even than the Shoah, the Holocaust. It’s going to be a horrible time, but remember the promise of Jeremiah Chapter 30 Verse Seven, “But out of it, Israel is going to be saved.”

Dr. Baruch:

Move on to Verse 20. He says, and here’s an element of God’s grace. He says here, “And unless the Lord,” and it uses the term for master, one who is in control, the sovereign says in verse 20, “And unless the Lord cuts short these days, no flesh would live but for the sake of”… and let’s pause for a moment. I want you to see something beginning in Verse 14, immediately after the abomination of desolation, there’s an emphasis away from believers, away from the church and to who? Israel. And many people want to make a big, big theological statement about the word that most Bibles translate, but for the sake of the elect.

Dr. Baruch:

You need to understand that that word elect simply means those who are chosen. And we have to understand the context. There’s a shift away from believers and to who? To Israel. And one of the ways that the Bible relates to Israel is the chosen people. God is allowing these things. God is at work in these things for one purpose. To bring Israel to salvation.

Dr. Baruch:

And that’s the context in Verse 20. He says here, “And unless the Lord had shortened these days, no flesh would be saved but for the sake of the,” what? Chosen ones, the elect, “Whom God has chosen.” It’s a reference to who? To Israel, that God has a purpose for shortening those days in order that the greatest number of those of the lineage of the sons of Jacob might come to faith. That’s God’s purpose.

Dr. Baruch:

Well, before we close, let me simply encourage you to reread these verses in light of what we discussed so that you might have a proper understanding of some of the events in the Last Days so that you and I can be found faithful and that we can share the truth with as many Jewish individuals so that they might, who have not come to faith, when they are going through the midst of these things might remember what is written, what they’ve heard from us, and respond promptly.

Speaker 1:

Well, we hope you will benefit from today’s message and share it with others. Please plan to join us each week at this time and on this channel for our broadcast of LoveIsrael.org.

Speaker 1:

Again, to find out more about us, please visit our website, LoveIsrael.org. There, you will find articles and numerous other lectures by Baruch. These teachings are in video form. You may download them or watch them in streaming video.

Speaker 1:

Until next week, may the Lord bless you in our Messiah Yeshua, that is Jesus, as you walk with Him. Shalom from Israel.