Part Fiction with a story about Vladimir a man who lives in the latter times.
This book deals primarily with the last days in which we live before the great tribulation. We have mixed in some personal interest by relating the experiences of a fictional character named Vladimir, who lived in those times. In an unexpected day of peace and safety, the Northerner descends upon Israel. The fire on the isles is part of that day when Vladimir hides himself as it were for a little moment until the indignation is overpassed.
The next great event for the world is the wine cup of fury that springs like a snare and reaps devastation to the far ends of the earth. This is the fifth day of the eight days of the Lord. It is also imminent, as the catching away (rapture). The catching away might precede, be at nearly the same time, or follow this day of vengeance against Israel's enemies. If the fifth day of the Lord comes first, there is no clue as to how long it would be before the "rapture."
Eight days of God are distinguished in the Old and New Testaments, each in their historic and prophetic contexts. The definite article is found in the Hebrew and Greek attached to the day when it refers the Armageddon. The presence or absence of the definite articles cannot be observed in most translations. But the translations are not a primary source. This study is unique in that it deals with the primary source of meaning. Another example of using the primary source to get the meaning is in II Thes.2:6,7 where neuter and masculine words are seen to agree with the gender of the pronouns. The result places the catching away some years before the tribulation, allowing time for the building of the temple, the maturing of the world bank and other precursors to the beast's nefarious reign.
The fifth day of the Lord is involved with Gog's descent on Israel. The circumstance concomitant to this campaign and the events that follow rule out any possibility that it could occur during the great tribulation. For one thing, it occurs in a time of rest and safety for Israel.
This study shows that there is no such thing as a one-and-only day of the Lord. There are eight seperate days of the Lord which are:
First day of Jehovah: The destruction of Samaria by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.
Second day of Jehovah: The destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians 586 B.C.
Third day of Jehovah: against Egypt about 567 B.C.
Fourth day of Jehovah: Edom destroyed about 175 A.D.
Fifth day of Jehovah: the day of vengeance on Gog, and including the fire on the Isles, in the latter days.
Sixth day of Jehovah: final destruction of Babylon during the Tribulation.
Seventh day of Jehovah: and of God: Armageddon
Eighth day of Jehovah: judgement of the nations at the beginning of the millennial age.
About the Author
Richard C. Averitt, a Greek Major in college, has an MA in Biblical Literature, with additional hours including Hebrew. Lifetime student of the Greek and Hebrew Bible, Pastor and college teacher, he is blessed with three wonderful children. A flautist and erstwhile member of the Piano Technicians Guild, he currently lives in Minnesota.
Excerpts from the book:
As Vladimir worked on his project, his mind continued to wander backward. What did he want before the martin house? Oh yes, it was that smart car model that came out that year. Thinking back to his childhood, he had wanted skates, before that a tricycle. His life then was viewed in full perspective, of dreams and fulfillment. When his patio was completed, how satisfying would it be? What would be next? A few items appeared on tomorrow�s stage, but they were dimmer than the ones before. The sparkle was going away. "Well," he thought, "we�ll live today, and tomorrow shall be as today."
A. "The Earth Shall Reel"
Isa.24:20; 25:4,5
Vladimir need not have mixed that last batch of concrete for his stones. He was not going to finish his patio on that day. The evening news was vague on the progress of the troops advancing toward Israel. Their position was surmised to be quite close a couple of days ago and they could be already engaged in fighting, but the media was silent.
Suddenly, the siren interrupted. He stuck his shovel in the soft concrete. It couldn�t be, but it was. Vladimir�s local civil defense leaders had succeeded in getting a very few citizens to know the signal for "disaster imminent." He had given some thought about what to do and now remembered
reading of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those in the blast area had died instantly, and those at some distance, but directly exposed, were soon dead. But those not reached by the direct blast of terrible heat, and who were by or under considerable substance, and lay motionless for a time had survived.
Vladimir dropped everything and quickly, fumblingly, with a terrible sense of panic, closed every window shade, drapery, and curtain in the house, snatched a quantity of food from the cupboard shelves, and made a dash down the stairs. In the basement he drew a supply of water from a faucet, took a battery radio from his work bench, and proceeded to secure a place of protection in the basement�s darkest corner. Actually, though it seemed an eternity, it was only a matter of minutes before he was covered up and settled into a kind of hibernation. Then for one moment it seemed that all the artillery of a hundred angry gods was directed at him. Then it subsided. He hardly dared to breathe. The throbbing of his heart subsided, and his body slowly began to relax as he realized that he was still alive. It had come and it was done (Ez.39:8). He was still here. It was as if he had toiled for days without rest, as if he had spent the strength of every muscle. The sounds of speeding cars, the screaming voices all faded as in his stupor he slept.
About him a thousand fools had sped through the streets. Escape was the only thing in their minds. They raced to the countryside, hoping to elude the target areas, but science had advanced too far. The piercing finger of the laser, the brute power of the harnessed elements; these weapons in the hands of brilliant Machiavellians had created hell on earth. They stared at one another with flames dancing from their eyes. Flesh slipped from their limbs, their tongues consumed away in their mouth (Zech.14:12).
Vladimir had been half expecting a battle far away in Palestine, but nothing like this. He slowly moved his toes and felt his fingers. Beyond that he did not stir. That was enough to satisfy him that he was alive and all there -- at least to this point. A night must have passed. Silence prevailed. He remained half-conscious for some time. As in some sort of dream, a terrible nightmare, he envisioned the stampede around him. As animals following the blind over the cliff. The blaring horns, the sirens, the interspersed call of some crowd psychologist pretending to have composure, it all seemed so utterly futile. How many would survive? How many would return?
* * *
Vladimir was born in Russia. Strange events had occurred to direct his life. He thought of changing his name, to relay suspicion in his new home, but he had met so many "foreigners" with unusual names, that he decided to go on as Vladimir in the American melting pot. He lived alone for reasons of self-protection, as we now explain.
His father had moved the family from Russia to Michigan. As a youth Vladimir grew up speaking English flawlessly. He spent the summers with his uncle on a farm. In time his dad felt loyalty to his homeland, and they moved back to Russia before World War II started. After World War II, Russia had an extensive spy system during the so-called cold war. Vladimir was a good prospect for this service to his country. He had the language, and years of experience with the American culture. He knew that the White Sox played in Comiskey Park in Chicago, and the Red Sox played in Fenway Park in Boston. During his spy mission to the United States his interest in Israel prevailed. He kept up with the news concerning Israel.
A. "Jerusalem, A Cup of Trembling"
Zech.12:2
"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about . . . a burdensome stone for all people" (Zech.12:2,3). According to the prophecies, Israel shall be restored to her land. This promise of Jehovah appears over and over in the prophetic books, and it is taught in the New Testament. It was the never dying hope of this persecuted race.
1. Israel Shall Be in Their Land
"Then will I remember my covenant with Abraham . . . and I will remember the land" (Lev.26:42). "And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isa.62:7). "I will open your graves, . . . and bring you into the land of Israel" (Ez.37:12). "And Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem" (Zech.12:6).
Order by e-mail at: [email protected].
Topical Bible
Scriptural Music
Singular Meaning Lexicon