Expert: Messianic Rabbi Yochanan Levine - 9/21/2008

Question
My question is about the end times prophecy. There is this 70 year old former high tech inventor named Herbert R. Stollorz. Three years ago he wrote a book called "Apocalypse Prophesised 2008-2015".  He claims that on December 21, 2008 will be the start of the Great Tribulation. The way he discovered those dates is by taking a close look at the bible, also using scientific method and analogy. I know in Matthews 24 says "no one knows the day or the hour, but my father only". Is it possible that this man can actually figure out those dates of the end? I am terrified since his prediction is only two months away. Please help me by answering this. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Michael,

Matthew 24 and other verses give us solid information about the coming of the Messiah and the end of the age. Jesus is asked in the beginning of the chapter when "these things" will happen and gives a lot of detailed information that identifies our generation. To understand this information one needs to study Prophet Daniel, Paul in his Thessalonian letter, John in the Book of Revelations and so on.

Jesus tells us:

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Jesus clearly stated, as you say, that no one can know the day or the hour however we can and should discern the "watch." For this reason among others I do not accept Herbert R. Stollorz's prophecy HOWEVER his timing could prove to be true or close simply because we are almost there. IF the EU and China call in their US debts our economy will tank and the EU could theoretically "repossess" the US. According to the prophets, the Antichrist will come from the EU (the ten toes from Daniel's prophecy (Dan 2:31-45 and chapter 7).

What we can say however, in my opinion with certainty, is that EITHER the generation of 1948 or 1967 will "not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Either when Israel was formally established as a nation (in 1948) or when Jerusalem was liberated by the Jews (in 1967) this prophecy began the final generation of this age. Which of these dates is correct is debatable. That one of them is is certain in my opinion. The "Tribulation" is the final seven years of the age. The final three and a half years of the Tribulation is the "Great Tribulation." The Tribulation has yet to begin.

Jesus said:
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Many of us are fully expecting the Seven Years to begin very soon. The now beginning financial collapse of the US could easily be the key that will bring the Antichrist to power, but no one can say, at this point, exactly when he will rise or when the Seven Years will begin.

The Seven Years of Tribulation will begin when the coming world ruler (the Antichrist/Dijal/Rex Mundi) signs a peace treaty with Israel.

I Thess 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

No one knows "the day or the hour," however I am personally convinced that we are in the later period of the Watch. I would not personally be at all surprised if the Antichrist appears within the year but it may be a bit longer.

Fear does no good. As Jesus said:

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Our Redemption is at hand!

The end of these things is completely positive and glorious even though the short term is hard to contemplate.

Keep your eyes on Jesus.

I John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Maranatha,
~ John of AllFaith