6-30-22 Judgment and the Number 19

Judgment and the Number 19 – Randy Nettles - https://www.rev310.net/post/judgment-and-the-number-19 In 2020 the book “Lawless: End-Times War Against the Spirit of Antichrist” was released. Terry James was the general editor and wrote the introduction and conclusion. Fifteen authors took part in the production of this book for the times and I was fortunate enough to write a chapter (chapter 7) in it. My chapter is called Covid 19 - The Invisible Enemy. Although this book is a couple of years old, it is still as relevant today as it was back then, maybe even more so. I have included some of the material from the book into this article. The number 19 is the sum of 10 and 9. The number 10 is one of the perfect numbers of God and signifies the perfection of divine order (3, 7, and 12) are the other perfect numbers. I have written many articles pertaining to these numbers and they can be found on the Rapture Ready website. The number 9 represents finality or judgment, especially in regards to Israel. The fast of mourning, known as Tisha B’Av occurs on the 9th day of the 5th month of Av on the Jewish calendar. On this day, Israel has witnessed eight of the greatest disasters in its history; including the destruction of Solomon’s temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the destruction of the second temple by the Romans in AD 70. See The Dog Days of Summer :: By Randy Nettles - Rapture Readyfor more information. It’s interesting to note that according to 2 Kings 25:8 and Jeremiah 52:12, King Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple in the 19th year of his reign. After the breakup of the united kingdom of Israel (12 tribes) due to the apostasy of King Solomon and his son, Rehoboam, the northern nation of Israel (10 tribes) was formed. Their first king was formerly a servant of Solomon and his name was Jeroboam. He set the example for the following 19 evil kings to follow, as he made two molten golden calves for the 10 tribes to worship. He set one up in Bethel and the other one in Dan, so the people wouldn’t travel to Jerusalem and worship at the temple. Hoshea the son of Elah reigned in Samaria over Israel 9 years. He was the last king of Israel, “and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the kings of Israel before him” (2 Kings 17:2). So Israel had 19 extremely evil kings and 1 “not as evil” king. Assyria invaded Israel 3 times; 743 BC, 732 BC, and from 725 to 722 BC, when the 10 tribes of Israel were defeated and led into captivity. The southern kingdom of Judah was invaded by the Babylonians 3 times. The first time was in 605 BC (2 Kings 24:1-2). At this time, Judah’s sovereignty effectively ended and they became a vassal territory of Babylon. The Jews called this period the Servitude of the Nation. The third and final invasion was in 588 BC (2 Kings 25:1-21) and lasted until 586 BC, when Jerusalem and the Temple were burned to the ground and the Jews were carried away into captivity. The 3rd invasion is called the Desolations of Jerusalem. From the servitude of the Nation to the Desolations of Jerusalem was 19 years. God’s judgment for Judah lasted for 19 years before Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed as His prophets had foretold. The kingdom of Judah existed for 344 years as a kingdom and had 19 kings that were of the lineage of David and Solomon. Some of them were good, some were mediocre, and some were bad. Judah also had 1 queen, Athaliah, who was an evil woman. The only woman that was probably more wicked than her was Jezebel, her mother (and wife of the evil king of Israel, Ahab). THE MODERN NATION OF ISRAEL The number one sign that we are living in the end times is the establishment of the modern nation of Israel back into the fold of nations/kingdoms of the world which occurred on May 14, 1948. This was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah: “Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children” (Isaiah 66:8). During the war that followed Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948, Jordan attacked Israel from the east and captured the Old City and Temple precincts. It wasn’t until the 6 Day War (June 5 to June 11) in 1967 that Israel captured the Golan Height, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and the West Bank that includes East Jerusalem. After 19 years (1948 – 1967) of being a divided city, Jerusalem was once again a united city under the governorship of Israel. These 19 years for Israel and Jerusalem are in stark contrast to the 19 years of judgment that God levied against Judah from 605 to 586 BC. The return of the land of Judah and Jerusalem were prophesied by Jeremiah when he relayed God’s word to the people, “For behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah, says the Lord. And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it“ (Jeremiah 30:3). From Babylon’s first invasion against Judah in 605 BC to Israel’s re-birth as a modern nation in AD 1948 was 2552 years. From Jerusalem’s destruction (first one) by the Babylonians in 586 BC to Jerusalem becoming a united city under the control of Israel in AD 1967 was 2552 years. Six years after the Six Day War, on October 6, 1973, an Arab coalition led by Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), October 6, 1973, which had occurred simultaneously with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in that year. Israel was initially caught off guard and the Arab coalition had the upper hand until Israel was giving military aid (weapons) by the United States which turned the war around. Fighting continued for 19 days until October 25, 1973 when a cease fire was agreed upon by all parties. Israel had gained quite a bit of territory at the end of the 19 day war. JUDGMENT AND THE NUMBER 19 IN THE BIBLE Many books of the Bible talk about judgment and divine judgment from God. Interestingly, in numerous instances, chapter 19 of these books is the one that deals with this prevalent subject of the Bible. Here are some examples: Genesis 19 – Divine judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah Exodus 19 – The Lord coming down Mount Sinai in power, not in judgment but in power as the righteous judge; perhaps as a typology of the 2nd Coming. Leviticus 19:15-16 – Judging your neighbor righteously Deuteronomy 19 – Requirement of at least two witnesses when making a judgment of accusation against someone. 1 Kings 19:23 – Jezebel passing judgment against Elijah 2 Chronicles 19:4-10 – Jehoshaphat appointing judges Job 19:22 – Judgment against Job by his ‘friends’ Proverbs 19:28-29 – Judgment against false witnesses Isaiah 19:16-23 – Judgment against Egypt Jeremiah 19 – God’s judgment against Israel Ezekiel 19 – Judgment against Judah Matthew 19 – Jesus’ judgment against the rich man, and the disciples judgment of the 12 tribes Luke 19:11-24 – Parable of the king’s judgment of the ten servants John 19 – Judgment against Jesus by Pilate and the chief priests of the Jews resulting in his death Revelation 19 – Second Coming of Jesus with divine judgment and punishment COVID 19 AND JUDGMENT Covid-19 is so named because it originated in the last months of 2019. However, it didn’t really have much of an impact until March of 2020. I believe Covid-19, specifically, is a warning to the world regarding immediate judgment…not the judgment of the Tribulation, but of the Rapture. Yes, the Rapture is a time of divine judgment upon mankind. On this unforgettable day, God judges all people on the basis of their belief, or lack of, in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The believers will be rewarded by being raptured into the sky and then transported into the third heaven by the Lord Himself. The Rapture will be the greatest “freak-out” experience of all time, surpassing even the tower of Babel craziness. Unbelievers left behind after the Rapture will be judged and punished for their lack of faith and “idol-worshiping” ways. They will have to remain on the less populated earth and endure the consequences of the Rapture. It will be a time of intense confusion and chaos. Great changes will take place in the areas of government, religion, and the economy, paving the way for one world government, one world religion, one world currency, and eventually, the rise of the Antichrist and his False Prophet. Those still remaining at this time will have to endure the horrors of the seven-year Tribulation, or die trying. I believe we are now living in the end times where the spirit of anti-Christ is in full force and men/women are responding to its siren call. “ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1: 28-32). What used to be kept hidden (in the closet) or kept “under the radar” is now openly paraded in the public eye. Do you remember when the candidate Joe Biden, at the end of the Democratic presidential debate (on July 31, 2019) told the viewers to “go to Joe 30330” to support him ('Go to Joe 30330': Biden tells confused debate viewers to visit phone number - YouTube). At the time, I wondered why he chose this particular number, so I wrote an article about it and called it “The 30330 Man” (https://www.raptureread.com/2020/07025/the-30330-man-by-randy-nettles/ . In the following year of 2020 it became rather obvious why he chose it, or rather why ‘it’ chose him. When you divide the number 2020 by 666 (the number of the beast - Revelation 13:18) you get the number 3.033033033033… I deliberately chose to use 13 digits for this infinite number because it just seemed appropriate somehow. I believe 30330 is the number (code) for the spirit of the anti-Christ whereas 666 is the actual number of the anti-Christ’s name (gematria). Sure enough, the spirit of anti-Christ was alive and well in the year 2020, with Covid-19 rampaging, lockdowns, mask mandates, government over-reach and tyranny, riots, violence, and death. 2021 was even worse with local, state, and federal governments grabbing as much ‘emergency’ powers as they possibly could. This resulted in less freedom and more tracing or spying on citizens, a demand for wokeness and teaching of critical race theory, more government spending and indebtedness, unemployment, restrictions on churches, inflation rises, supply chain shortages, soaring gasoline and utility prices, violence, sexual deviancy, mental illness, apostasy, and a bevy of other spirit of anti-Christ results. I don’t expect 2022 to be any better or get back to ‘normal.’ I believe a high level of the spirit of anti-Christ could last for up to seven years (starting with 2019) and then there will be seven years of the anti-Christ. This could be similar to the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in the land of Egypt, during Joseph’s time there when he explained Pharaoh’s dream to him. “Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following for it will be very severe” (Genesis 41:29-31). The seven years (or so) of ‘plenty’ is a relative term as it will be in regards to the “calling of the Holy Spirit” in spite of the evil work of Satan and his principalities & powers (both demonic and human). Both good and evil forces will be contending for the souls of mankind like never before. After the Rapture (and especially during the Tribulation) when the Holy Spirit is restrained from holding back evil as He has done in past times, there will be a great spiritual famine in the land. However, God/Holy Spirit (and His two witnesses and 144,000 Jewish evangelists) will still be involved and there will be a great multitude of Tribulation believers that will “see the light” of Jesus Christ. END TIME NUMBERS Jesus had this to say to his disciples before he was crucified: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:32-34). Moses had this to say about man’s lifespan: “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away”(Psalm 90:10). When you put these scriptures together, many scholars see the possibility that the generation that was born after Israel became a nation again in 1948 would not die (possibly 70 to 80 years old) until they saw all the signs mentioned in Matthew 24. Many Bible scholars believe Jesus was born in 5 BC around the Feast of Trumpets or Tabernacles. John the Baptist was born about 6 months earlier in the spring of 6 BC. From Jesus’ birth in 5 BC to his death in AD 33 is 37 years (actually 36.5 years). From Jesus’ death in AD 33 to the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the 2nd Temple in AD 70 is 37 years (actually 36.4 years). So, from Jesus’ birth to the fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the 2nd Temple in AD 70 was approximately 74 years. From Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 to the present year of 2022 is 74 years. Incidentally (or coincidentally), 74 X 9 = 666. Also, AD 2019 (the year of covid/judgment) + 3 (number for divine perfection) = AD 2022. AD 2019 + 7 (number for spiritual perfection) = AD 2026. AD 2019 + 10 (number for ordinal perfection) = AD 2029 (possibly 2030 – depending on start/finish months). Makes you wonder what is going to happen this year, doesn’t it? Of all the end time numbers, I believe AD 2033 is the most significant, as there will have been 2000 years (or 2 days for the Lord) since Jesus was last seen on the earth before His ascension into heaven. 2000 years is as two days for the Lord. Peter said, “But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2Peter 3:8). The Old Testament prophet, Hosea, had this to say on the subject (in my opinion), “After two days He will revive us; in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:2-3). Of course, the two days (for the Lord) would equal 2000 years for mankind. From AD 33 to AD 2033 is 2000 years. Jesus’ kingdom on Earth (Millennial Kingdom) will last for one day (for the Lord) or 1000 years. The major rainfalls in Israel occur in the spring and fall seasons. The latter rain occurs in the spring and represents Jesus’ 1st Advent where He fulfilled the first four Feasts of the Lord (Pentecost comes in late spring/early summer). The former rain occurs in the fall season. Jesus will fulfill the last 3 of the 7 Feasts of the Lord (that occur in the fall season) when He returns to the earth during His 2nd Advent. Israel’s patriarch, Abraham (representing Israel), entered the land of Canaan when he was 75 years old. From Israel’s rebirth in 1948 to 2023 is 75 years. When you add the “perfect numbers” (biblically) of 3, 7, and 10 to AD 2023, it looks like this: AD 2023 +3 = AD 2026; AD 2023 + 7 = AD 2030; AD 2023 + 10 = AD 2033. You can draw your own conclusion (if any) from these numbers. Personally, I believe they are significant regarding the end times. It was only 8 years ago in 2014 when Russia invaded and subsequently annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. The military operation started on Feb. 20, 2014 and ended on March 26, 2014. On April 28th of the same year, U.S. President Barack Obama protested mildly and issued economic sanctions against Russia, targeting companies and individuals close to Vladimir Putin. Also in Feb. of 2014, the West African Ebola virus epidemic began. Does that mean Ebola is going to make a comeback in 2022 and beyond? AD 2014 was a significant year in world events. Ironically (or not) it is 19 years from AD 2033. 100 years from 2014 (and 119 years from 2033) World War I started on June 28, 1914 when Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was shot to death by a Bosnian Serbian man. The war lasted for 4 years from 1914 to 1918. Many scholars believe World War I was the beginning of the “birth pains” for the end of the age found in Matthew 24:7: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8). The Spanish Flu was a deadly pandemic (pestilence) that started in 1918 during the war. By 1919, it had killed 50 million people throughout the world. There were also bad famines and earthquakes during the early 20thcentury. The Soviet Union had a major famine in 1921-1922 where massive crop failures occurred due to drought conditions. Vladimir Lenin largely ignored this famine and 9 million people died. Northwest China had a major famine in 1927 which was triggered by drought and harsh taxes. 3-6 million people died. Ukraine (of the Soviet Union), under the reign of Joseph Stalin, had a major famine in 1932-1934 where 7-8 million people died. Stalin seized grain crops and used them for exports because he needed hard currency. He refused to send Ukraine food aid during this time. There were also major and deadly earthquakes during the early 20th century. China had a 8.6 earthquake on Dec. 16, 1920 which killed 100,000 people. Japan had a 8.3 earthquake in 1923 which killed 100,000 people. Japan had another major earthquake (8.9 on the Richter scale) 10 years later on March 2, 1933 which killed 2990 people. The end time signs we are to look for according to Matthew 24 are all around us in our current year of 2022. War, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes are becoming more prevalent as time goes on. These are all the beginning of sorrows leading up to the last 7 years of human history, known as the Tribulation or Daniel’s seventy weeks (the 70th and final number 7). There is however one other sign that will occur before the Tribulation begins. It is called the Rapture of the Church. If you are one of the unfortunate unbelievers that are left behind after the Rapture, you had better come to the conclusion that this was a sign from God and He (whose name is Jesus) is coming again to the earth in great power and glory and judgment. Choose Him now, for no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Amen, even so, come Lord Jesus! Randy Nettles nettlesr@suddenlink.net