The Blood Moon Tetrad

Transcription

1 The Blood Moon Tetrad What is it? Does it mean anything??? PART 3 of 6 The Blood Moon Tetrads in History

2 How rare? 8 times in 21 centuries, a tetrad has or will occur on Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles C.E. (Common Era, or A.D.) Focus lately is on the history of the last three tetrads and how they relate to Israel but what about the first four tetrads?

3 Understand and remember... God s plan and His Word, and most especially prophecy, are considered JERUSALEM CENTRIC That is, it all revolves around the people and city of God. We can make all sorts of speculations about prophecy, but unless we understand this, it will be meaningless.

4 The Roman Emperor at this time, Marcus Aurelius, was one of the worst emperors for persecution of the Jews. Under his reign, Jews and Christians were martyred in the arenas around the empire. Famine, plague and persecution occurred during and after these eclipses. The Tiber River which flows through the city of Rome flooded in the Spring of 162 AD, killing most animals in Rome and destroying much of the city. A severe famine resulted. In 165 AD a plague broke out which was responsible for killing 1/3 of the Roman Empire.

5 Islam is on the rise. Jerusalem was under control of the Islamic Caliphate. From there were Islamic tribal wars in Palestine. Although considered to be within the Jewish Golden Age ( AD) because they were pretty much allowed to exist freely and practice their religion, God s city of Jerusalem was a mess due to Islamic in-fighting. From Charlemagne waged war against Islam, was appointed Emperor of Rome in 800, and re-established some order and peace in Jerusalem.

6 Infighting and wars continued in the so-called Holy Roman Empire. Islam is still on the rise, still attacking cities and attempting to expand their empire. Both of these forces continued persecution of God s people. Some believe this blood moon tetrad was a warning to Rome, which was sacked by the Muslims in 846. Both of these groups, the Roman Catholic Church and the Muslims, have continued to persecute Israel since their appearances in history. It continues today.

7 Christian martyrdom is common in this era, especially in places that are under Muslim control (e.g., Spain, etc.). In 860 what were thought to be early Russians invaded Constantinople (Istanbul) but were repelled. 861 began a period of extreme violence and unrest among the rising Islamic caliphates. This is also early in the period known as the Viking Age, another group of people seeking dominance in the world (including the Middle East), known for their violence. All of these people persecuted Jews and Christians.

8 Interesting note... In some cases, the years of the blood moon tetrads may prove challenging to find specific events tied to these tetrads. Recorded history during these times is scant and incomplete. In every case, however, there is rampant persecution of the Jews and Christians (in some areas), the rise of Islamic power and kingdoms, and the brutalities of the Roman Catholic Church. These tetrads are deliberately spaced, even if they do not immediately seem to point to any major historical events. There is a dramatic and intentional pattern to the number of years between each event.

9 For the next 3 tetrads however, the timing is glaringly obvious always brings a certain event to mind, but we don t always fully understand what really happened...

10 In 1492 Columbus sailed for the new world, financed by Queen Isabella of Spain. The same year, following the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, both the Jews and the Muslims were expelled forcefully from Spain. Few know that Columbus carried many fleeing Jews. In 1493 he returned for his second voyage. A temporary homeland for God s people began.

11 The 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas essentially split the world in half, with eastern lands going to Portugal, and the western lands to Spain. All of the new world (except Brazil) went to Spain. With this tetrad, God marked the calendar and pointed toward the coming nation of the United States, which would soon become a haven for Jews. They did not have their own homeland yet, but God raised up another place of safety for them. In so doing He also raised up a fierce defender of the new nation of Israel...at least up until now. This nation is currently on a very dangerous path away from Israel s support.

12 The Abrahamic Covenant is still in effect. It is unconditional, and eternal... I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you. Genesis 12:3

13 Emerging patterns... Throughout history, we see some interesting patterns emerge. The historical events show first difficult times for Israel and God s people and also for God s city Jerusalem. These difficult times are usually then followed by some sort of deliverance, judgment on the enemies of God, or a good time, for God s people. This becomes even more evident in the next tetrads...

14 On May 14 th, Israel proclaimed itself an independent nation. Less than 24 hours later, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq invaded the country. Israel's War of Independence began. This war lasted 15 months and took over 6,000 Israeli lives. Israel was attacked on all sides and fronts, and logically should have lost this war quickly. But she didn t.

15 By the grace and will of God, Israel emerged the victor, but lost portions of the land to Arab control. Armistice agreements left the Coastal Plain, Galilee and the Negev as part of the newly re-established Israel. Judea and Samaria (West Bank) came under Jordanian rule, the Gaza Strip under Egypt s administration and the city of Jerusalem was divided. Jordan controlled the eastern part (including the Old City), and Israel controlled the western sector. The first permanent government of Israel took office on January 25, 1949.

16 Israel began building her nation and her people, back in their homeland and a sovereign nation again, for the first time in over 2500 years. On May 11, 1949 Israel took its seat as the 59 th member of the United Nations. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. (Ezekiel 36:24)

17 The rebirth of the nation of Israel is perhaps the biggest and brightest sign of God s faithfulness and His eternal plan for Israel, and the entire world. This prophetic marker reminds us that God does what He says He will do. But wait... There s more!

18 Since becoming a nation again in 1948, Israel was under constant attack and attempts by Arab neighbors to destroy her. It was no secret that the Muslim mandate was, and is, to destroy Israel completely and wipe her off the map to push her into the sea. Tension and confrontation led to a fullfledged attempt to destroy Israel by Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Iraq (supported by almost every other Arab nation) in June 1967.

19 However, Israel developed one the best intelligence agencies in the world, and had advance information of the coming attack. Israel ordered a pre-emptive strike, almost completely wiping out Egypt s air force. The entire war lasted only 6 days, which is why it is also called the Six Day War. Once again, by all human odds, Israel should have been destroyed. The world fails to understand that God is sovereign in the affairs of men.

20 Miraculously, not only did Israel win the war, but she also won critical portions of land, including all of Jerusalem, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank and the Golan Heights. The Arabs were enraged by Israel s victory, and today this is referred to as The Setback.