by Charles Wheeling

AsI attempt to decode end of time prophecy, I do not believe that I am necessarily correct or that my views and my views alone guarantee anyone Salvation, including myself. My sincere wish is to stir the thinking of others, prayerfully without bringing too many pots to boil.

So here goes . . .

In Genesis 3:15, the Lord promised Adam and Eve a Saviour, unto Salvation. Though the promise was made to them, Adam and Eve did not live long enough to receive the fulfillment of that promise.  If your understanding in Scripture is, that Adam and Eve are dead and not yet in Heaven, as some might believe, then even until this day, the promise made in person to them, has never been fulfilled.

In Genesis 6:8, 9, “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord . . . Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”  In Hebrews 11:7, “Noah . . . prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” Just how “saved” were Noah and his house?  Noah, his wife, his sons and their wives are all dead and gone. Continuing in the same verse 7, “Noah . . . became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”  The Scripture says Noah was an “heir.” He was to inherit something but Noah is dead and gone and I cannot but conclude that Noah has yet to receive his inheritance.

God moved Abraham, and moved Abraham, and moved Abraham.  God promised Abraham, and promised Abraham, and promised Abraham.  But Abraham is dead and gone.  Did Abraham ever receive “all the north, south, east and west lands he was promised?”  In his lifetime did he produce offspring, “more numerous than the stars in the heavens?”  There is no room for debate here, not if Scripture is to be received in plain English:

“These all died . . . not having received THE PROMISES.“ Hebrews 11:13.  And again,

“These all, having received a good report through faith, received not THE PROMISE.” vs. 39.

The same promises, with non-fulfillment, were given to Isaac and Jacob and, and, and . . .

God interrupted Moses’retirement, telling him that “he was elected by Heaven to lead the posterity of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from Egyptian bondage to the PromiseLand.”  But Moses never got there! Neither did all those folk leaving Egypt, believing that promise.  If I reason correctly in Scripture, the OT exodus was not The Exodus!

And what glorious promises the Baptist preached!  But John never lived to see The Day he promised!  John is dead and gone.

Then there were Jesus’ promises — do you recall any of them?

“I will come again, and receive you (then living Disciples) unto myself.”

“A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye (then living             Disciples) shall see me.”

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you (then living Disciples) the kingdom.”

You must agree, those men to whom Jesus promised “a little while,” are dead and gone for 2,000 years!

As for those “then living Disciples,”

“He (Jesus) sent them to preach the kingdom (of God is at hand).”

And of course, Paul’s promise, “We which are alive and remain shall be caught up . . . .”

But those Apostles and those to whom they preached are all dead and gone — 2,000 years gone!

Have you caught the drift yet? Not a single grand promise from Heaven, save the coming of “the Son of Promise has been met — NOT YET!

These unmet promises just keep coming.  The last living of the Twelve, John, exiled on Patmos, with a command from Heaven, assured us, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy . . . for the time is at hand.”

And again,”BEHOLD, I come quickly.”

And again,”SURELY I come quickly.”

Doubtless, there are those who will judge these comments irreverent and likely judge my conclusions incorrect.  But my thoughts and comments are not intended to be irreverent, far from it.

If you have followed my comments without too much discomfort, then you will grasp the larger context of Scripture and conclude with me these observations are sound:

“Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our    admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” I Corinthians 10:11.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning that we     through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4.

Hopefully you have concluded that I have not “wrested the Scriptures.”   If so, then you will conclude with me that the “Garden promise” is still A Promise; that the flood was not The Deluge; that the “sufferings” of Job were not Job’s Sufferings; that the wanderings of Abraham still produce Wanderers; that the plagues upon Egypt and Pharaoh were not The Plagues; that the OT exodus was not The Exodus; that “the promise land” was not The Promised Land; that Joshua was not JOSHUA; that Passover in Egypt was not yet PASSOVER; that Pentecost was not yet The Promised Baptism of Fire and the multiplied promises of the coming kingdom are still-to-come Promises!

A God of love will not leave any generation without hope. We should see more clearly that God’s promises are PROMISE PROPHECIES!

If you agree and if you see, then you will understand that “Jezebel” was not JEZEBEL and “the tower of Babel” was not The Tower of Babel . . .

Charles Wheeling is author of this faith statement.  Others may freely copy or quote this statement, but in its entirety please. Questions or comments may be directed to: Charles Wheeling, P.O. Box 352, Jemison, AL  35085, USA;

PH (205) 646-2941 or e-mail: seminars@inbookseast.org.

“I do not believe today everything I believed yesterday; I wonder will I believe tomorrow everything I believe today?”     -Matthew Arnold

A person is not “evil” or “of the devil” simply because his religious view (opinion) differs from your opinion or mine.  “But he believes a false doctrine!” Gimme a break; give yourself a break; give us all a break!

If I can de-personalize these semi-objective comments, I wish to do so.  Dealing with minds isn’t easy.  After many years of meeting and dealing with hundreds and thousands of minds, I have concluded that the problem with minds is “mind sets.”  Perhaps so many human beings are “hardheaded” and “set in the mind” because they are “blind in the mind.”  As Jesus expressed it:  ”They have eyes but don’t see and ears but they don’t hear.”

Of course we can learn from other minds, but life-experience should teach us to “filter” what we receive from “other minds.”  I am suspicious of “mind set” comments.  You and I recognize “mind set” comments because they do not come our way as questions of wonderment or inquiry.  Instead they arrive as opinions stated as absolute fact! While there is nothing wrong with someone holding and expressing personal opinions, opinions become problematic when the person offering them does not recognize them as “his or her opinion” and adamantly insists that his opinion or view or interpretation is absolute truth.

Nowhere do “mind set” issues become so pernicious and hurtful as when they are attached to religion.  “Religious” Jews killed Jesus!  “Religious” Christians and Pagans have tortured and murdered their countless millions.  Today, “Religious” Muslims are murdering “infidels” and one another, around the planet!  And of course anyone condemning them or striking back at them “is of Satan,” for they are “doing God’s work!”  Gimme a break!

For too many years, religious zealots have played these “mind set” games — I’ve played a few as well — It’s time for a break. It is profoundly troubling to watch and listen as relatively intelligent human beings state unequivocally, “they possess the truth — end of the matter.”

When I am presenting a Prophecy Seminar, what can I offer but my opinion?  But the oft retort comes:  “Not so Charles Wheeling, you can offer the Bible!”  Yes, but what I offer is my opinion of what the Bible says! There is nothing wrong with my opinion unless I forget, or others forget, that it is “my opinion.”

Hopefully someone out there is getting my drift.  This is not to be understood as an appeal for “ecumenism,” but scores of divided and divisive Christian denominations exist today, because too many people haven’t caught the drift!  I have concluded that Christ-like unity and peaceable tolerance of others holding different views can never come through an Organization. Why? Because Organizations are inherently self-seeking and propagate “mind set-ness.”  The genuine peace of Christ is the result of a deeply personal, SPIRITual experience. I’m sure you understand but too many “religious” people do not.

There are “mind sets” everywhere.  Every day millions of Christians assert and insist “their doctrine (teaching / opinion / interpretation) is absolutely true and they can prove it in the Bible.”  It matters not to them that a thousand, thousand other of God’s children read the same verses of Scripture but draw a very different conclusion (opinion). There are studied, reasonable psychological reasons for this “me-centered” behavior, but I am not so much interested in the psychology of hardheadedness as I am concerned about the spirituality of this behavior. I believe such behavior is “spirit-led,” but not the Spirit of Christ!

Gimme a break! People are not saved because they believe “true doctrine” or lost because they have been taught and accepted as truth, something you or I believe to be “false doctrine.”  It took super-Pharisee Paul too long to discover the great spiritual gulf between “the letter of the Law and the spirit of the Law” — One is death while the other is life.  Possessing “true doctrine” does not equate with salvation. Belonging to the “Right Church” does not guarantee salvation.  This was precisely the “mind set” of “Church Members” in Jesus’ day!

“Our father Abraham.”  “We be Abraham’s seed.”  “And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust him out. . .”

Jesus “blew the minds” of His Jewish disciples by opposing such “mind set-ness.”

“Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: andwe forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not.“  And again Jesus admonished:  “Other sheep have I which are not of this fold.”

How many of these “Jesus” examples do we need to give us all a break!?

“And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the (Samaritan dog; unclean Gentile) woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou?  Or, Why talkest thou with her?”

My opinion or version of Scripture may or may not be correct.  Well then one might ask, how can a person ever “be sure of anything?”  How is a person ever to know the truth?  This is my opinion; for what it’s worth, here it is…

Start with genuine HUMILITY.  Decide right away that you are correct only 99% of the time and give the rest of us “30% of the timers” a break! Choose an ULTIMATE STANDARD. Whether I have chosen correctly or not, I have chosen the PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN BIBLE as my ultimate standard. I do not accept the Koran, Church Tradition or any other prophet, ancient or modern, true or false, AS EQUAL IN AUTHORITY! And please, my decision to accept the Protestant Christian Bible as my Ultimate Authority, IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS USING THE KING JAMES BIBLE ONLY!  I accept any “Authorized Version” translated from original texts, excluding Apocryphal writings.

When I am sharing my opinion of MY ULTIMATE STANDARD and you disagree, demanding that I accept YOUR DIFFERENT ULTIMATE STANDARD, perhaps we need to discuss the merits of our chosen “Ultimate Standards” first.  Then, if after open, reasonably humble discussion we are not agreed on the same ULTIMATE STANDARD, we should agree to disagree and go our separate ways.  Prayerfully, I won’t “think evil of you.”

Offer your opinion in PLAIN ENGLSH. Or Spanish or German or French or whatever, but read and present the words of your Ultimate Standard as they read. FIRST AND FOREMOST, READ THE SCRIPTURES AT FACE VALUE. Please don’t insult the intelligence of others, for example, by quoting Daniel the prophet, who in turn is quoting the Angel Gabriel:

“He (Gabriel) said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the  end shall be the vision.” Daniel 8:17.

How is it then, in light of such plain language, that I am constantly upbraided by “mind sets” insisting that I am “privately interpreting Scripture,” when I urge others to apply Daniel’s “end of time” visions to the “time of the end?”  “Charles Wheeling, you know full well (for all informed persons know full well) that the Ram being warred upon by the He-goat was fulfilled in the time of Alexander the Great, c. 330 B.C.”  (See Daniel’s vision and Gabriel’s interpretation; Daniel 8:1-7; 17).

Perhaps I have missed something here.  Do “set minds” truly believe and expect me, and others to believe, that 330 B.C. has something, actually anything at all, to do with “the time of the end?”

I can read plain English — what could be the problem here? Could the problem be the ULTIMATE STANDARD some have chosen?  Here are familiar refrains: “But MY CHURCH says,” or “most Christians believe,” or “Doctor D.D., Rabbi O.K., or Pope XYZ” says this — Perhaps WE ARE APPEALING TO DIFFERENT, ULTIMATE STANDARDS.

If there is “truth” to be discovered in God’s Word, and I believe there is, it should not be impossible to discover.  If truth in Scripture were impossible to discover, why did Jesus repeatedly urge his followers to “search the Scriptures?”  Why did He continually ask, “What saith the Scriptures?”  Why did he upbraid His listeners, saying, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.”

Why do human beings find it so difficult to change their opinions or admit failure?  Could it be a “mind set” problem?  Could it be a “pride” problem?  Could it be a “sin” problem?  Why is it so embarrassing to say simply, “I have changed my mind.  I have discovered something about God or God’s Word that I have never seen before.” Through the years I have changed my opinions and interpretations of Scripture more than a few times, and WOW, POW, am I ever after taken to task by those “who know the ‘true’ truth!”  Gimme a break!  Give us all a break!

Concerning the psychology of hardheaded / hardhearted-ness, I wonder:  Could it be that “life” as we experience it on this sinful planet is so uncertain and insecure that we spend our entire lives, physically, emotionally and spiritually “compensating?”  So desperately uncertain and fearful are we humans that we seek “insurance” for our physical lives and “assurance” for our spiritual lives?  Could it be that sinful, guilt-ridden human beings feel so insecure in this life that they must have soul certainty?  Is this why people are so gullible in religious matters, following the voices that promise the most security?  Is this why anyone or anything that shakes their “soul certainty” must be of the Devil?

Perhaps life here is so uncertain that fearful, insecure human beings everywhere on the planet invent “convenient, soul-secure doctrines” — doctrines they say are proven in Scripture or by other authorities they accept.  Doctrines such as: “I belong to the True Church or true Religion” or “I am predestined to be saved” or “I will be raptured before the Tribulation” or “I’m sure that the dead are not really dead; they cannot die, I know they are still alive!”

Is it possible that in spite of intolerance, ignorance, fearfulness, meanness, stubbornness, laziness, blindness and sinfulness, Jesus is going to save at least two people down here –YOU and me too, please?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Charles Wheeling is author of this faith statement.  Others may freely copy or quote this statement, but in its entirety, please. Questions or comments may be directed to: Charles Wheeling, P.O. Box 352, Jemison, AL  35085; PH (205) 646-2941 or e-mail: seminars||@||hiwaay.net.

According to the Prophet Daniel, angelic visitants from heaven appeared to him in vision, first to make known and then interpret the things being revealed to him.  Daniel provides the names of three angelic visitants — Palmoni, Gabriel and Michael, in this order.  The Angel Gabriel plays a pivotal role in Daniel’s visions of the end times.

“Waters” are also a central feature in Daniel’s visions. Whether seas, streams or rivers, “waters” appear as prophetic staging in Daniel’s four end-of-time visions.  Students of prophecy have long understood that waters represent “peoples, nations and tongues.”

“The waters that you saw…are peoples, races, nations and languages.”

Revelation 17:15 NCV
The waters I will focus upon presently are prominent Middle Eastern rivers named in Daniel’s visions.  They are the Euphrates, the Tigris, the Hiddekel and the Ulai. The Euphrates and Tigris rivers have retained their ancient names to this day.  In the book of Daniel, these two great rivers merge geographically in the southern region of Iraq and conjoined are assigned a common biblical name, the Hiddekel (Daniel 10:4). The Ulai River (Daniel 8:2, 16), has a modern name, the Karun River.  It originates in the southwestern geographical region of modern Iran.

The angel Gabriel, named in Daniel’s second vision (Daniel 8:16), appearsin connection with the river Ulai.   Gabriel also appears in Daniel’s fourth or last vision in connection with the “great river Hiddekel.” (Daniel 10: 4, 5).  In both instances these rivers are said by Gabriel to have meaning, application and fulfillment “at the time of the end” (Daniel 8:17), in “the latter days” (Daniel 10:14).

For decades I have consistently urged a straight-forward reading of these visions, maintaining that prophetically they do not belong to past history but rather to a predicted  Spirit and flesh struggle to take place immediately before Christ returns.  I continue to reject honest but misguided attempts to offer Alexander the Great, Antiochus Epiphanes or other historical figures and events as fulfillment of Daniel’s visions.

Historical figures or events may serve as types or shadows of things to come but they in no wise offer a fulfillment of Daniel’s “time of the end” visions. I stand in complete agreement with Jesus’ application of Daniel’s visions to “the time of the end.”

“Whoso readeth, let him understand!” (Mark 13:4, 5, 14; Matthew 24:3, 4, 15)
Modern Iraq boasts two capitol cities, Baghdad, centrally located in the country along the banks of the Tigris River. Basrah, or Basra, is located in southeastern Iraq.  Major cities are historically located beside rivers or seas and Basrah is no exception.  Basra lies beside “the great river Hiddekel,” some 40 miles south of the confluence of the two great ancient rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.  Approximately 20 miles farther south of Basra another confluence takes place — there the Ulai River (Karun) merges its waters with “the great river Hiddekel.“

(Webster’s: confluence: a. A flowing together of two or more streams.  b. The point of juncture of such streams).

A lesson in basic geology and hydrology will help just now.  When two waters merge, be they stream to stream, river to river or river to sea, the greater body of water causes the lesser body of water to form a silted delta — “a  widening.”   Obviously, the greater volume of the one prevents the lesser volume of the other from completely purging its burden of silt and alluvia.  Fascinating stuff, huh?

Yes, it is extremely fascinating if one carefully parses Daniel’s visions that focus prophetically upon the rivers Hiddekel and Ulai.  Fascinating stuff indeed, if one is aware of the events transpiring at this prophetic moment where all these waters symbolically and literally converge.

Daniel opens his second vision (Daniel 8:2) telling us, “I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.“  The difficulty here is that the river Ulai meanders more than 200 kilometers.  As Daniel seeks a better understanding of his vision (Daniel 8, verse 15), he sees Gabriel standing “between the banks of Ulai,” and there hears a heavenly voice commanding, “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision” (verse 16).

Note: in the KJV, the words “the banks of” are italicized indicating the translators have supplied them. Various Authorized translations of the book of Daniel 8, verse 16, offer this or a similar reading: “Across the bend of Ulai,” or “at the widening of Ulai!” One commentator offers this explanation for verse 16:

“The word Hiddekel in the Syriac (Aramaic) is applied to the EuphratesRiver; in the Vulgate (Latin), Greek, and Arabic, to the Tigris; therefore, some (scholars) conclude that the Prophet had this vision where these rivers unite, near the Persian Gulf.”   (The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith, pg. 226.)
Antennas up! Why two capitol cities in the one nation of Iraq?  Because Iraq’s population is comprised largely of two principal, warring Islamic sects — the Shia and the Sunni.  Sectarian strife is ever present in Iraq and will be, I predict, until the end of the world. Southern Iraq is composed largely of the Shia sect.  Actually, Shia Islam comprises 70% of modern Iraq’s total population.  Saddam Hussein was Sunni and exercised a murderous, iron-fisted subjugation of the Shia population, especially the Shia sympathetic to Iran dwelling in Basra and southern Iraq.

Now that Saddam is gone, the Shia majority have, by vote, taken control of Iraq, its land, its laws and its mineral wealth.  Hence the ongoing civil war and non-stop bloodletting taking place there today.  The Shia element in Iraq boasts in no uncertain terms that “their day in the sun has come” and they “intend to get even!”  A Shia majority controls the present government of Iraq and its current President is Shia…

Now for the rest of the story. For several years the Iranian Government and Iranian Military have been infiltrating armed Shia militia into southern Iraq — the region surrounding Basra to be exact-the very place Daniel saw Gabriel standing “at the widening of the Ulai!” There Daniel heard these words spoken in his vision:

“Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” Daniel 8: 17.
Intelligence estimates I have read suggest that the number of Iranian infiltrators is more than double the number of Western Coalition forces presently based in Iraq.

Since the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003, I have been closely following the person and activities of a radical Iraqi Shia cleric by the name of Muqtada al-Sadr. Several times I have offered commentary via our Prophecy E-News regarding this man al-Sadr, his hatred for America, his thirst for revenge and the demonic stare he shares with his late hero, the Ayatollah Khomeini.   Not only does his countenance betray the spirit ruling him, but his words and his actions portray the same dark spirit.

Al-Sadr’s army within Iraq, the Mahdi Militia (sometimes spelled Mehdi), are boldly threatening to seize control of the entire nation of Iraq. They are only waiting, they say, “until the American’s withdraw.”  Meanwhile, American and British forces are being threatened and loosing lives daily to powerful Iranian weapons supplied to al-Sadr’s Militia!  It takes little foresight to see where the rivers of prophecy and Daniel’s prophetic events will soon converge.  Gabriel addressed Daniel “at the widening of the Ulai.”  Keep your eyes and ears on Basra! Gabriel obeyed Heaven’s command and explained to Daniel the meaning of confluence and convergence –

“Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” Daniel 8:17.
Who reads the fast fulfilling signs of these times? I do!  I hope you are reading them, too!  The headlines here and abroad are warning, warning, warning that war is coming between the United States, Great Britain and Iran.  And because all Bible prophecy is about Jerusalem and that unique piece of real estate, add Israel to the mix.

It seems rather clear now; Iran is being pressured by the West, especially the United States, with economic sanctions, threatening her proto-nuclear facilities.  At this prophetic moment Iran is rallying her proxy armies. These include Muqtada al-Sadr’s Militia in Iraq,Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the West Bank and, of course, Iran’s ever loyal ally, Syria!

Uncontrollable hatred, pent up for millennia, is about to be released — the explosion is coming! The possibility of nuclear exchange exists!  An awful surprise awaits an unsuspecting world! I believe this confrontation will be the Trigger Event (“tipping point”)that opens the prophetic door to “the time of the end.”

“But ye brethren are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

1 Thessalonians 5:4
Prophecy watchers should anticipate a pre-emptive, multi-front attack likely orchestrated by Iran and Syria against Israel and Anglo-American Forces in Iraq.  I expect concurrent terrorist attacks within America and Great Britain.  Israel will likely be pummeled with hundreds, perhaps thousands of short range rockets launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon and by Hamas in the Palestinian territories.  The very real possibility exists that longer range missiles may be launched by Iran and Syria against Israel and Coalition forces in the Middle East.

At the same time, watch for a counter-surge launched by Al-Sadr’s Mahdi Militia against U.S. and British forces in Iraq!  I believe Bible prophecy foreshadows Basrah and its environs will soon become the focus of world attention, and Daniel 8:3-7 will meet its long awaited fulfillment!

Almost immediately thereafter, Daniel 8:8 will meet fulfillment — the United States will meet its economic Waterloo. The U.S. dollar, U.S. banks and U.S. stock and bond markets will totally collapse, dragging the World into a global depression!  The prophetic stage of the end times will then be perfectly set — the ‘Beast’ system is now in sight…

I am arranging certain historical and Scriptural facts in a way that seem reasonable to me.  I assume these facts to be true, and the interpretation I offer is my own:  “Every man assumes his assumptions are correct.”

Assumption Number 1
Sinners are still sinning.  People are still paining and dying.  I therefore conclude that God’s mission to rescue sinful, hurting mankind is flawed, failed or unfinished.  I choose to believe God’s Plan of Salvation is unfinished.

It seems obvious to me that something necessary must yet be accomplished before sinners are forever freeed.  What is yet to be accomplished in God’s Plan of Salvation?

Assumption Number 2
Whatever is yet to be accomplished is Scripturally connected with “the time of the end” and “the end of this present, evil world.”

Perhaps some vital message must be preached to “the whole world,” before the end can come.  If so, what is that message? Jesus, addressing “the time of the end” and “the last days upon earth” was emphatic:

“This gospel (good news) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  Matthew 24:14.
Many Christians believe that all the world must hear “the good news of Jesus Christ” and that God has promised supernatural Spirit power, “in the latter days,” (Joel 2: Acts 2) to accomplish this Work.  Sound familiar?  Have you ever wondered why God has not provided this Promised Supernatural Spirit Aid before this? Think of the millions, nay billions of souls, who have gone to Christ-less graves because God did not fulfill His Promise for them.  If the only way human beings can receive Salvation is to know of Jesus Christ and confess His Name, then billions are lost!

Assumption Number 3 should be obvious: The end, the Kingdom and King Jesus have not yet come because Jesus is not yet King and has not yet received His Kingdom — a million sermons to the contrary ….

Reasonably and prophetically, I believe Jesus will, in the future (near), receive His Crown and His Kingdom (1) in the Judgment Hall of Heaven, and (2) by a universal vote of earth’s citizens!  Almost immediately thereafter He will return to Earth as a Warrior King to claim, defend and deliver His chosen subjects.  Prophetically, this will be Zero Hour — The END of Rebellion and the BEGINNING of Eternal Peace!

This seems to me to be the heart of Assumption Number 4:
On a certain occasion atop the Mount of Olives, Jesus conversed privately with His Disciples.  Their vantage overlooked Jerusalem and the Jews’ CherishedTemple.  As His Disciples proudly called attention to the beauty and majesty of their CherishedTemple, Jesus startled them with these words:

“There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down.”

Matthew 24: 2.

With amazement His Disciples responded,

“Tell us, when shall these things be?  And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”   Verse 3.
The fact that several hundred of those very same Temple stones remain standing atop one another, gives evidence that Jesus’ prophecy is not yet fulfilled and “the end of the world” has not yet come!

“Tell us, when shall these things be,” was their question?  How did Jesus answer their question? With precursory signs! He described a series of events that would trouble nature, nations and people.  These troubles -- “famines, pestilences, earthquakes, wars, etc.,” Jesus said, “would not be confined to one locale — they would occur globally, “in divers(e) places.”   “All these signs,” Jesus said, “are the beginning of sorrows.”  Matthew 24: 4-8.

Assumption Number 5
In the context of “the time of the end,” Jesus specifically referred to “Daniel the Prophet,” quoted verbatim from Daniel’s book and admonished, “whoso readeth, let him understand.”!!

Therefore, I shamelessly seek for some understanding of “the end times” by immersing myself in the Book of Daniel with its New Testament counterpart, the Book of Revelation.  I am not alone in recognizing the apocalyptic intent and harmony that exists between these two writings.  Indeed, John in the Book of Revelation, refers to, repeats and enlarges upon Daniel’s visions!

Assumption Number 6
Having immersed myself in these two prophetic writings for more than 40 years, it is my conclusion and conviction that the Books of Daniel and Revelation are specifically addressed to “the last generation.” I conclude these visions describe and define the final act(s) in the great drama of Rebellion, Salvation and Restoration — “the time of the end,” and “the staging for the Great Judgment Day in Heaven and a final “King election” upon Earth!   Ultimately, these writings predict an end of Rebellion, Satan and Sinners at the close of a Millennial Sabbath.”

If my assumptions and interpretations are even remotely correct, these are the current and near-term events I see and anticipate:

Daniel’s first vision, Daniel chapter 7, is comprehensive, revealing the entire scope of “the time of the end,” — from the “ing” to the “ed!”

His first, comprehensive vision provides staging or precursory signs to alert “the wise,” (Daniel 11: 33; 12: 3; 12: 10) to “the time of the end,” — the same precursory signs of the end-times Jesus outlined: “global or universal unrest — ‘four winds blowing upon the great sea’ (earth’s masses) — troubles upon nature, nations and people.”

Here is my first visual:       Daniel’s comprehensive, first Vision, Chapter 7

“the time of the end”
D. 7: 1-6                                         D. 7: 26-28
“ing“          reaching  to the             “ed”
The remainder of  Daniel’s visions (chapters 8-12) with his historical narratives (chapters 1-6) enlarge “key events” and “the role of  key powers” on Earth and in Heaven at “the time of the end.”

My Interpretation
Daniel’s second vision, chapter 8, is an enlargement of his first vision, revealing a  Coming War with Iran, consequentially” stripping the Lion of his Eagle wings and Lion heart.”

· This War will mark a prophetic “tipping point,” a Zero hour for our Planet!  It will mark the beginning of the prophetic “time of the end!”

· This war will immediately collapse the U.S. dollar, U.S. financial markets and threaten the entire global economic order!

· This sudden, earth-shaking humiliation of the #1 King, The Super wealthy, Super powerful United States (Daniel 8: 8, 21), will set the prophetic stage for the rise and empowerment of “the Terrible Beast” (4th beast of Daniel chapter 7; 1st beast of Revelation chapter 13 – The New World Order!).

· Prophetically, Iran, the “second, higher horn” of the Ram, will, with her allies “push against The West,” likely attacking Israel, the U.S. and probably Great Britain in a third “Pearl Harbor — 9-11″ event! In such case there could be considerable loss of life on American soil, among American and British troops in Iran, and substantial casualties in Israel.

· The whole world might reasonably fear a “nuclear exchange” and many religionists could believe “prophetic Armageddon” has arrived.

· Such a surprise attack upon Israel and the West, in prophetic terms, might reasonably occur on a Jewish holy day such as Passover, etc. . .
Zero hour Part V will offer more visuals and more assumptions / interpretations.

Before Jesus Came

Distant worlds watch, wonder and wait.  First, “war in Heaven,” then, “betrayal and surrender in God’s Garden!”  It has turned ugly. What do all these things mean?  When will it finally end? The score thus far, Rebels 2–Heaven 0.

The One sitting on the throne of Heaven says, “He has a plan!” What is it? When is it? For 4,000 earth years Heaven’s promises keep multiplying, but the Serpent continues biting and boasting. The Arch-Rebel still holds territory; he is still multiplying captives and slaves.

Promises, promises, promises; “When will the Serpent’s head be bruised?” A Warrior King is promised, but when will He come?

“I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. . . my spirit made diligent search.  Will the Lord cast off forever? . . . doth his promise fail to generation and generation (margin, KJV)?”     Psalm 77:5-8.
Imagine if you will: “I signed on my son’s debt, promising to pay if he could not.  But I have not made a payment for 4,000 years!”  Ask any banker or creditor, “Promises are easy, show me the money.”

After 4,000 earth years, there was a stirring in Heaven.  Long distance phone lines busied; “Have you heard the news yet on planet K?  Heaven’s Promise is about to be “fleshed out!”  Another Adam (Hebrew: Man) is joining the battle.  Prayerfully the scoreboard will change.  Worlds hang breathless, watching, wondering, waiting — O Jesus, please don’t fail!

Until Heaven’s promises met reality, became real payment, mankind had no Saviour, only hope in a promise. Until the required redemptive price was paid in real blood, no sinner, not one, was “saving to be saved.”

Some believe, and I agree, if Christ had failed in His Mission, Enoch, Moses and Elijah — Heaven’s sinner refugees — would of necessity be refused the sanctuary and salvation of Heaven.  Lawfully, they would be forced to return to earth and surrender to “the devil disputer.”    Jude 9 – Oh Jesus, please don’t fail!

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me . . . Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God.”    Hebrew 10: 4-7.

“For without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Strong’s 859; deliverance, freedom, forgiveness, pardon)  (of sin).”      Hebrews 9: 22; Acts 2:38.
Since Jesus Came

In view of Christ’s victory on the Cross, some say, indeed many believe, I DO NOT, that Heaven’s plan to save mankind is completed; that Atonement is completed; that the sins of sinners are already blotted out; that “Forgiveness =s Salvation.”  BUT, THERE IS PLENTIFUL EVIDENCE AND ABUNDANT SCRIPTURE TO PROVE OTHERWISE!

So, “Is this the time the Kingdom will be restored?”  Acts 1:6.  Has the time for “the restitution of all things” arrived?  Acts 3: 21.

Who could ever deny that the Cross was Zero Hour for our planet?

Judging by the phone calls and e-mail responses, it appears that others are beginning to get the point!  Was the Cross a beginning or an end? Was it both? If it was a beginning, what began?   If it was an end, what ended?

How was the Cross interpreted by Jesus’ own followers?  How did the Apostles interpret and preach the Cross?  The Cross, they said, was “the end of an Old Covenant.” The Cross was, they said, “the beginning of a new arrangement / a new covenant / a new agreement, a better plan!”

Moreover, they said, “the end is here!” “The King and His Kingdom are on the way!” But another 2,000 years of “ings” have come and gone!

Can’t you see it? Those chosen men were not false prophets, but they could not distinguish between another “ing” event and the ultimate great “end” the heavens are awaiting!

From the Niagara viewpoint, the Cross was the “tipping point,” not “the final great Apocalyptic Armageddon, Day of the Lord!“

Thus it has been with a thousand generations and a thousand more.  Peter understood these things, saying;

“There shall come in the last days scoffers, saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue  (inging!)  as they were from the beginning . . .”        2 Peter 3: 3-5

“Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”        I Corinthians 10: 11.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them . . .”        Hebrew 11: 13.
The issue, I think, is clear for those who care to see.  The “coming war between the United States, with her British ally, against Iran and her allies” — will be a prophetic Zero Hour! Another prophetic “ing“?  If so, the “ing,” to what “end“?  Could the coming war between “the Ram and the He-Goat” be a “tipping point”?

In Part IV, I will offer my interpretation of current events, “ing“to “ed.”  Stay tuned . . .

In case you missed Parts I and II, they follow . . .

Near the entrance of our home hangs an inexpensive replica of a schoolhouse clock, replete with pendulum and chime.  This clock has enthralled each of our grand children when they come to visit PopPop and Nana’s home.  The steady swing of the pendulum, the wonderful tick-tock and chiming sounds offer special fascination to these little ones.  Especially when PopPop lifts them up to open the glass door, reach for the key and count the turns as PopPop winds, first the clock mechanism and then the chime.

This clock is mystifying — it has no zero hour! Unless of course, one can provide an acceptable definition of zero hour.  Most would assume that 12 o’clock on the face of the dial represents zero hour.  Just what does zero hour really mean?  How shall we define zero hour?

Does zero hour suggest a crisis hour, a climax, a fearful end?  Or does zero hour connote something positive rather than something negative?  Back to the clock.  Is 12 o’clock on the dial an end or a beginning?  Can we say 12 o’clock is negative or positive?  The obvious answer is zero hour can represent both, an end of something old and the beginning of something new.

When Jesus returns — Zero Hour, prophetically speaking — “the Great Day of the Lord,” will most assuredly be ZERO HOUR!  As Jesus described that hour, “It will be negative for the unsaved and positive for the redeemed.”  It will be the end of something old and the beginning of something new!

Magnifying zero hour in this context, we see that it is not “punctiliar,” that is to say, a momentary, instantaneous event; rather it represents a progressive series of events.  Here, zero hour may represent a protracted period of time.  For example, is zero hour negative for the unsaved the instant Jesus appears in the heavens, or was zero hour for the unsaved that moment Jesus ceased His Heavenly intercession, stepping out of the Sanctuary, thus forever shutting the door of mercy?  Or, is zero hour actually negative for the unsaved 1,000 years later when God’s wrath and fire fall upon the wicked?

Jesus likened “the end of time and His triumphant return to the Great Deluge of Noah’s day.”  Was zero hour in Noah’s day the moment when the first rain drop fell, or was it seven days before that first rain drop, when an unseen hand closed the door of the Ark?  Or did zero hour chime when leering, jeering crowds watched wild beasts from the forest march orderly into the Ark and individually chose to remain outside?  Or, was zero hour for the unsaved that singular moment when each gasped for his or her last breath, cried or cursed and drowned?  When did “the Flood” become positive rather than negative?  Or did it?

Hopefully, these thoughts will stir some pure minds.  Hopefully, some readers will grasp the simple observation that a moment in time may be stretched; that the exact instant when negative becomes positive can be blurred because time stretches and lingers.  Surely you have noticed that God’s pronouncement upon sin at the beginning of Scripture has required several thousand years of ticking and chiming before meeting fulfillment.  This stretching of time troubles every human being.   Lingering time on this dying planet seems at once negative and positive!
In Part II, I hope to prophetically “zero-in” on Zero Hour. Be patient . . .

Through the years I have been privileged to visit Niagara Falls on several occasions.   What superlatives could I choose to best describe this experience? Awesome!?  Incredible!?  Mind boggling!?

To appreciate the immensity and grandeur of Niagara, one should view the Falls from several vantage points.   At one view point I stood mere yards removed as millions of gallons, translated, tons of water, met a tipping point. “Tipping point?”  Zero Hour? As the swiftly flowing Niagara River reaches sudden nothingness, the tone of its voice changes.  The sweet sound of water over rock rises to a roar.  Though I am standing on a mountain of solid rock, my feet and my body become sensitized by vibrations produced by cascading water plunging hundreds of feet to rock and frothing water below.

Niagara Falls. As I stand beside this tipping point, am I actually viewing Niagara Falls?  When I take Niagara’s hidden walkway through solid rock and concrete to peer through the curtain of the plunging river, am I actually viewing Niagara Falls?  If I should board Maid of the Mist, don protective yellow gear and cruise as near as possible to the explosion at the base of  the Falls, am I actually viewing Niagara Falls?

I discovered yet another view point, on the Canadian side, where every majestic sensation can be seen, heard and felt — the tipping point; the river in free-fall, the roar where water crashes on rock and the little Maid of the Mist with its trembling cargo bobbles about.  Is this the place I can at last declare, “I have seen Niagara Falls!”?

Question?  Was zero hour at Niagara the moment the unsuspecting river tipped, the moment it enjoyed free-fall or that instant it exploded on rock and foaming water below?
Adam, Eve, Eden and Zero Hour

“The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:  for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17.
So when did Adam meet Zero Hour?  He most assuredly did not die the day he touched and ate of the forbidden tree. Neither did Eve; neither did the planet.  The
Genesis passage actually reads:

“In the day thou eatest thereof dying thou shalt die.”
Here we bring to memory the magical schoolhouse clock, ticking and chiming in PopPop and Nana’s home.  We are also reminded of Noah’s 120-year-long Zero Hour.  And what about Niagara Falls?

It’s discovery time.  Zero Hour for Adam, his wife, family and this planet was not and is not momentary but rather protracted and stretched. Zero Hour is not to be regarded as a single tick or chime of the clock but as a series of events and experiences that, taken together, complete God’s sentence against sin; “dying thou shalt die.”

At the personal level, my struggle through the years has been to understand and demonstrate the stretching of Zero Hour in Prophetic Scripture.  Many attending my Prophecy Seminars will recognize my oft repeated phrase, “we are ‘ing,’ on the way to ‘ed’ in the prophecies.”

In this regard, I have many critics: Charles Wheeling is always talking about Iran, Iran, the coming war with Iran!  What does this have to do with Jesus Christ?  Why doesn’t Charles Wheeling speak of Christ, and lead people to Christ?

I will allow Jesus to meet and answer the spirit of these objections:

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.“  Matthew 24: 32-34.
For years I have attempted to explain, “The coming war with Iran — the war between the United States, Great Britain and Iran will be a prophetic trigger — a tipping point — Zero Hour (minor) on the way to Zero Hour (major)!”

Jesus continues:

“For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. . . . all these are the beginnings of sorrows.”  Matthew 24: 6; 8.
Thankfully, many attending my Prophecy Seminars have seen this reasoning and come to understand that prophetic events of the end — all of them, are intended to lead us to Christ, who declares of Himself, “I am the beginning and the end.”

I read prophecy and closely follow world events.  You should read prophecy, and carefully consider world events because Jesus has commanded us to do so:

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worth to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Matthew 24:42, Luke 21: 36, Mark 13: 37.
I am guilty!  I am a Watcher!  I have no apologies to offer and I am not repentant!

In Zero hour! Part III, I intend to identify certain nations and specific events outlined in the prophecy.  It is possible earth’s affairs have already reached a tipping point . . .

After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet..

The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another.

Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.

The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft This took place on February 20, 1942 , and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.

year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor.

It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day.

The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son; he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.

The poem read: “The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still.

Our Ministry is independent, unaffiliated and non-denominational. In this order, we represent Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the freedom we enjoy in Christ to think, act and believe according to individual conscience.
Our Mission in Jesus’ own words is simple enough: “This gospel (good news) of the Kingdom (Christ’s glorious return and reign) shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.

We believe God has called us to His service. For more than 30 years He has enabled and preserved this humble Ministry! During these years we have studied economy—our offices, equipage and paychecks are modest by any reasonable standard—there is no extravagance here. These economies have made possible a work and global outreach few larger organizations can equal.
Our Christ-centered publications circle the globe! With the aid of Heaven, we have published and successfully distributed more than 40,000,000 (40 million) publications in dozens of languages to more than 167 countries! Our labors represent millions of books and Bibles proclaiming the good news of a soon returning King—“We call all men everywhere to be ready to meet Him in peace . . .”

Through these years our appeals for financial support have been few and measured. We do not incessantly badger or hound our friends for contributions. When we are in need, we are specific in our appeals. Neither do we abuse thousands of E-news friends with “pop-up” reminders to send gifts. To the contrary, we offer and ship countless gift publications, CDs, DVDs and more without so much as a, “Here’s your gift, send us one in return.”
If you are following the news, charitable organizations such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and a thousand more non-profits are seriously stressed as a result of the present and deepening economic crisis. The old adage, “charity begins at home” rings truer today.

Of course our Ministry is stressed! In more than 30 years we have not experienced such shortfall in contributions. Our immediate concern is the need to reprint our publications. We are literally “giving away free of charge” our last precious cases of titles that are suddenly in great demand. I can’t understand why this stirring, can you?
As I share these few lines, our Mission World staff and volunteers are distributing more that 70,000 publications (principally Spanish) across Los Angeles and Southern California.

WE ARE OUT OF BOOKS! We need to reprint 5 titles immediately. December and year’s end is your opportunity, no, our opportunity to pull together and “meet this challenge.” Jesus expressed it succinctly: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4

By the way, a fresh, inspiring and uplifting CD entitled, The Fear Factor, is now available. It’s yours free for the asking—e-mail your request with a personal mailing address to: webmaster[at]inbookseast.org.
Contributions, comments, prayer requests and words of encouragement should be directed to:

Mission World, PO BOX 352, Jemison, AL, 35085.

You may phone us at (205) 646-2941.

I pray God bless each of you. This is the time for boldness. The world needs to know, “This is the time, Jesus is coming soon!”