Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 82 Gary continues his overview of biblical eschatology by refuting current speculation about the “prophecy of Elam.” The “four corners of the earth” or “land” in Isaiah 11 presents no difficulty since the Israelites that were taken into captivity were often sold to other neighboring nations (Ezek. 27:13; Joel 3:7; Amos 1:6, 9). The use of “fo [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 81 You’ve probably heard it said that the Gospel going out into all the world is a sign that Jesus’ second coming is near. Many who read Matthew 24:14 conclude that there is no way the gospel could have been preached in the whole world before the destruction of the temple in AD 70. Our first commitment is to what the Bible says by letting its [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 80 Gary responds to a Facebook video by an individual claiming that the rapture and the end times are very “soon” to begin. In terms of audience relevance related to a study of the Olivet Discourse, students of Scripture need to begin with Matthew 21:1 where we read that Jesus and some of His disciples had come “to the Mount of Olives.” By th [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 79 Gary responds to recent comments by individuals who claim that our modern days are fulfilling Daniel 9. It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention. The “gap” that has been placed between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel’s prophecy was created because it was needed to make the dispensational hermeneutical model work. Nothing [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 78 Gary disputes the claim of preterists being “scoffers” by using the Bible to interpret itself and also by recognizing the Bible’s own timing of when the last days take place. What does the Bible say, not just about the “last time,” but about the “last days”? In 1 Peter 4:7, we read: “The end of all things is at hand.” Whatever “all t [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 77 Gary analyzes a clip from a teacher on Facebook claiming that Gog and Magog from Ezekiel 38-39 will soon be upon us. A more recent interpretation holds that Ezekiel’s Gog and Magog battle is fulfilled in the details of Revelation 20:7–10 when Rome and its international armies attacked Israel and destroyed the temple in A.D. 70. This approach is diffic [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 76 Gary discusses Jesus’ statement in Matthew 23:35 about Zechariah, son of Berechiah. There is no record of the prophet Zechariah (Zech. 1:1) being murdered. Berechiah, like Zechariah, is a common name in the Bible (1 Chron. 3:20; 6:39; 9:16; 15:17; 15:23; 2 Chron. 28:12; Neh. 3:4, 30). Jesus says that it was this Zechariah who was murdered by som [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 75 Gary interviews Ed Stevens about the 1993 Covenant Eschatology Symposium that was held in Florida. Debates continue over which biblical passages refer to the AD 70 judgment coming of Jesus and those that refer to what is commonly called the yet Second Coming of Jesus. As I have repeatedly pointed out, there is no unanimous agreement among scholars on [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 74 Gary discusses recent claims about current events being some of the “signs” from the book of Revelation. In terms of what the Bible teaches, the future of Israel is wrapped up in the future of the nations that has nothing to do with the physical land of Israel. We see this truth emphasized at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry: Thus, it is [...]

Gary kicks off 2026 with a reminder that last days craziness and doomsday predictions of the end have been going on for a very long time. In our day, prophetic speculators are misleading millions of people with their supposed certainties about the next series of events they believe are signs that Jesus is about to return to “rapture” His church. For example, in 1988 John F. Walvoord wrote that “in [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 72 Gary responds to a dispensationalist pastor who takes issue with something said by John Rich on a recent podcast with Tucker Carlson. Dispensationalists will point to Jeremiah 31:35-37 as prime evidence that there is a holdout for the future fulfillment of a national establishment of Israel. “Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day And [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 71 Like many in Israel at the time of Jesus’ birth, Christians today are looking for a political savior to rescue them and break the chains of tyranny. It is important to recognize that the Gospels tell of many people looking for the Messiah. How did they have precise timing for when to look? Based on the 490 years of Daniel 9 coming to an end they knew [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 70 Gary responds to a clip from a prophecy pundit on Facebook claiming that the Statue of Liberty is found in the book of Revelation. Aren’t we seeing prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes? This protest is offered when people are hit with an interpretation that does not fit their long-held doctrinal views. They shift from the clear teaching of S [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 69 Gary discusses another “key” prophetic sign that many say is happening in our present day. There is not a single verse in the New Testament that supports the claim that there is prophetic significance in Israel’s restoration as a nation. Beyond A.D. 70, Israel as a nation plays no prophetic role. The New Testament only addresses Israel’s n [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 68 Reading the Bible is more than just understanding the words on the page. The first place to start in learning how to interpret prophecy is to learn how to interpret the Bible, because the Bible is the best interpreter of itself. This statement seems so obvious, and yet many people fail to follow it. When the subject of prophecy comes up, some eager pr [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 67 Gary picks up where he left off last week, discussing modern prophetic speculation about current events, which, in reality, is nothing new. Many reasons could be put forth to explain why our Christian counterparts of long ago were wrong about what they believed to be prophetic certainties. The signs seemed to fit the times. How can we avoid their mist [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 66 Gary discusses how “end-times” prophecy is overflowing on social media lately and how many are claiming that we are in the last days. In each new prophecy book that hits the bookstores we are told that Bible prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. The authors point to various signs that they say are compelling evidence that Jesus’ ret [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 65 Gary shares his takeaways and summary of the recent discussion/debate he had with Douglas Wilson in Moscow, Idaho. What verse goes with the Nicene Creed’s “He shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead”? Where in the NT does it say Jesus will “come again”? Of course, based on Matthew 16:27, Jesus [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 64 Gary gives his “state of the union” of current teachings about Bible prophecy coming from non-Dispensational critics. Debates continue over which biblical passages refer to the AD 70 judgment coming of Jesus and those that refer to what is commonly called the yet Second Coming of Jesus. As I have repeatedly pointed out, there is no unanimo [...]

Bible Prophecy Under the Microscope-Episode 63 Gary continues his discussion of Matthew 23-25 with Darren Doane. Matthew 24:33 tells us what audience Jesus had in view: “so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” It’s obvious, and without any need for debate, that the first “you” refers to those who asked the questions that led to Jesus’ extended rem [...]