The Genesis Apocalypse of Abraham
The lives of Abraham and Isaac reveal Jesus, and our journey of salvation.
They also reveal God’s plan for the end of the age.
Abraham and Isaac lived out prophecy in their own lives, and their story places a lot of emphasis on the birth.
The pattern of birth pains pictured below reveals the difficult circumstances of the birth of the Messiah, and the struggle of the spiritual new birth. But we could also consider the birth of the final generation.
The pattern is called a ‘Chiasm’. Observe the way things mirror:
Jesus fulfils the whole prophecy. The birth (in colour), life in the land, and the sacrifice — death and resurrection. We are still waiting for the wedding when he returns, and we (His people) are the bride of Christ.
Jesus fulfilled prophecy perfectly, but prophecy still continues today. By fulfilling prophecy Jesus did not abolish the law or the prophets but confirmed them as true, (Mat 5v17). Therefore as we follow Jesus we fulfil prophecy ourselves - on a spiritual level.
Today we know the spiritual journey, the spiritual new-birth, the spiritual life, and spiritual cross bearing as we put to death the sinful nature so that we may live new lives in Christ.
But at certain times the journey can be apocalyptic.
End Times Journey
Prophecy Begins at Birth — with a miraculous escape from calamity.
The apocalyptic birth reveals the escape symbolically using real pandemic and war.
Our true enemy is sin which leads to death. The true escape comes by spiritual birth through faith in Jesus, and it requires repentance, which is the true struggle as we escape the power of sin and death.
Ismael and Isaac represent the flesh / spirit struggle that we experience during the struggle of repentance, (Galatians 4 & 5).
God sometimes uses real world events to reveal spiritual truth symbolically. This is called “apocalypse,” which is always an unveiling of Jesus in one from or another if interpreted correctly.
The births of Ishmael and Isaac come at the focus and the end of a chiasm of real world events that point firstly to Jesus, but now it is believed that we may be about to experience another apocalyptic birth.
This is for testing:
As Isaac’s birth came near Abraham, Sarah and Lot escaped a whole series of calamities as war and destruction came like birth pains. Isaac’s eventual birth brought great joy and blessing.
Jesus escaped the slaughter of the infants, and out of Egypt God called his Son.
In Revelation 12 the birth is presented as a cosmic drama in which the woman of God was giving birth in front of the dragon who wanted to devour the child the moment he was born. They escaped a great war of falling stars.
To understand the birth of the end times generation we need to study the birth at all levels:
The typological birth (Isaac and Ishmael)
There are many more typological examples in Scripture
The birth of Jesus
The birth of the Church (Pentecost)
Spiritual new-birth happens today
The apocalyptic birth lies ahead.
As we study the chiasm of birth pains leading up to the birth of Isaac we can consider what it reveals for the birth of the end times generation, and especially an escape from calamity.
The chiasm shows that Abram and Sarai escaped pandemics, war and destruction, and entered into covenant with God in the lead up to the birth of Isaac.
We can see these things beginning to take place today.
When the end times moment of birth arrives, we can expect an escape from an apocalyptic conflict. I contend that world war three will be that conflict at the birth of the final generation.
Birth is not the end. It begins a journey. Abraham and his family lived as strangers and aliens, but were greatly blessed by God as they lived in the land of Canaan. That journey will be for us in the days of the final generation.
Imagine the awakening, a special time of repentance, and a great revival to come when this apocalyptic birth takes place. It will be a great escape for God’s people:
Isaac’s birth was a miracle. The name means, “He laughs.”
Typological examples: Noah escaped the flood, Jospeh escaped the famine, Immanuel means, “God with us”, etc. Baby Moses escaped the slaughter of the infants.
Jesus escaped King Herod and came up out of Egypt
At Pentecost there was “blood, fire and billows of smoke…” God’s Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, and all who called on the name of the Lord were saved (Acts 2).
When we are born again, we escape the power of sin and death. We are saved.
The apocalyptic birth will involve a miraculous escape from world war three.
The spiritual birth is always the true birth, at all times, to those who repent and put their faith in God for eternal life to come.
But at certain special times, at God’s appointed times the birth is revealed apocalyptically.
The birth comes with signs.
Be Alert
We see signs of birth
Recently the Revelation 12 sign of 2017 appeared in our skies. It is an apparent 7 year warning pointing to 2023 or 2024. The moment of birth is near. The world has already started falling into conflict.
We will need to take special action to care for each other. Consider an escape, with great blessings to come as we begin a post-apocalyptic journey.
Abram was born in 1948 AM and began his journey 75 years later, in 2023 AM. This is another urgent sign to us. Biblical Chronology aligns with modern history!
Modern Israel was re-born in 1948 AD, and now 2023 looks set to bring war.
These signs are fascinating. They demand attention. The prophets and their children were signs and symbols in Israel, (Isaiah 8v18). Isaiah’s son Immanuel was born as a sign that they would escape the destruction of war. Abraham and Isaac’s story reveals much.
As the father of the nation of Israel, Abraham’s story is rich in details that reveal how the end times journey will begin. The birth is difficult but successful. There is war and destruction along the way, but the birth brings great joy and laughter.
In Matthew 24 Jesus described wars and rumours of war not as the end, but as “the beginning of birth pains.” (v8). He went on to say, “I tell you the truth, this generation shall certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” — Mat 24v34.
We can see war coming now, but we are told not to fear, and not to expect the end right away, (Mat 24v6, Luke 21v9). It’s a birth! There is a miraculous escape promised for many as we are born or awakened to the apocalyptic journey that is about to begin.
A Chiasm of Birth Pains
Pandemic, War, Covenant
Abraham’s son, Isaac was born after a ‘chiasm’ of birth pains which reveals how the journey of the last days will begin.
The pattern of birth pains leading up to the birth of Isaac warns that pandemic is followed by war and destruction. (COVID-19 —>> WW3).
A chiasm is a literary device in which things mirror;
A – B – C – B’ – A’
Many chiasmus are found in Scripture. An example is Matthew 6v24:
A - No one can serve two masters.
B - Either you will hate the one
C - and love the other,
C’ - or you will be devoted to the one
B’ - and despise the other.
A’ - You cannot serve both God and money.
Abraham’s Chiasm
A large chiasm spans ten chapters of Genesis: ch’s 12-21. It is a pattern of mirroring birth pains.
The call of Abram (Gen 12) mirrors the birth of Isaac (Gen 21). At the centre of the chiasm Ishmael is born (Gen 16).
A — Abram's Call
B – C – D –
E — Ishmael born
D’ – C’ – B’ –
A’ — Isaac born.
The call of Abraham began his journey as he was ‘born’ into the land of Canaan.
The whole chiasm is very much about birth, but at the focus the birth of Ishmael is most unexpected. We were expecting Isaac, not Ishmael! But the reason for this surprise will be explained in due course.
As we consider the birth of the final generation the circumstances of this birth are very interesting:
Intervening events B, C and D move through pandemic, war and destruction, to covenant (Genesis 12-21):
A — Abram's Call, 12
B – Pandemic in Egypt, 12
C – War, Lot rescued, 13-14
D – Covenant of Parts, 15
E — Ishmael born, 16
D’ – Covenant of Circumcision, 17
C’ – Destruction, Lot escaped, 18-19
B’ – Pandemic in Gerar, 20
A’ — Isaac born, 21.
Calamities strike like birth pains through which Abram and Sarai pass unharmed. Then Isaac’s eventual birth brings great joy and laughter.
What will the apocalyptic birth of the end times look like?
To state simply what is on my heart: pandemic (B) will be followed by world war three (C), but God’s people will be blessed to escape the destruction. It will be a Pentecost moment of birth with an apocalyptic covenant (D), and a renewed outpouring of God’s Spirit in the last days.
The birth is followed by the journey of life, and then the end comes:
Abraham was still living in Canaan when God tested him (Gen 22). Isaac was offered as a sacrifice, but Jesus was revealed as the ram caught in the thickets. Sarah died and Isaac married Rebecca.
We live in God’s blessing while we are sojourners in this world. We also share in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and will Cross2Victory. Ultimately we look forward to the wedding supper of the lamb.
The Chiasm in More Detail
A – Abram’s Call (Gen 12)
The LORD called Abram and blessed him greatly and told him to go to the land He would show. At the age of 75 Abram left Haran for Canaan, but then due to famine he went down to Egypt.
B – Pandemic (Gen 12)
In Egypt, Abram was afraid, so he called his wife, Sarai his sister. Pharaoh took Sarai to be his wife, but the LORD struck them with serious diseases. Pharaoh returned Sarai to Abram, and they returned via the Negev, to Canaan, with great possessions.
C – War, Lot rescued (Gen 13-14)
Due to their great possessions quarrelling broke out, so Lot left and went to live in Sodom. Then came war with 4 kings against 5. Lot was captured and carried off to Dan, but Abram rescued Lot. Then they ate and drank with Melchizedek, and were given a powerful blessing.
D – Covenant of parts (Gen 15)
Abram was childless, but the LORD promised Abram as many offspring as there are stars in the sky. Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Abram was also homeless, living as an alien and a stranger in the land, but so that he could know that the land would be theirs the LORD made a covenant. It would be a long journey, but in the fourth generation they would receive the promised land.
The Covenant was made in an apocalyptic setting, in a thick and dreadful darkness after the sun had set. In a deep sleep Abram saw the wrath of God pass between the pieces of the sacrifice.
E – Ishmael was born (Gen 16).
This is unexpected. We were waiting for Isaac, not Ishmael. A struggle took place between Sarai and Hagar, and Sarai was given the power to send Hagar away. Hagar saw God and was allowed to return but must submit to Sarai.
(Symbolically, the flesh - spirit struggle of repentance, Gal 4&5)
D’ – Covenant of circumcision (Gen 17).
The LORD changed Abram’s name to Abraham saying, walk before me and be blameless, or perfect. He promised the land as an eternal possession and as a sign of the covenant he gave circumcision to eight day old baby boys.
God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, blessed her and promised her a son. At their old age it was hard to believe. Abraham loved Ishmael, but the covenant would be established with Isaac. God promised that Isaac would be born within a year.
C’ – Destruction, Lot escaped (Gen 18-19)
The LORD again promised them a child in their old age, and Sarah laughed. The Lord also revealed that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed. Abraham pleaded for Sodom but only Lot and his daughters escaped (Gen 18-19).
“Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah — from the LORD out of the heavens.” — Gen 19v24
B’ – Pandemic in Gerar (Gen 20)
Abraham moved to the Negev desert again. In Gerar, Abraham was afraid, and again he said Sarah was his sister. Abimelech took Sarah, so God struck them with disease. Sarah’s return came with blessings and vindication for Abraham.
A’ – Isaac Born (Gen 21)
Isaac was born at the very time God had promised. Abraham circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old. This brought laughter to Sarah, and when Isaac was weened Abraham held a great feast.
Ishmael began mocking. He was coming of age as a potential rival to Isaac. It was very difficult for Abraham, but Hagar and Ishmael had to go. They survived the move and lived in the desert, for Ishmael would become a great nation too.
Apocalyptic Significance
Consider a journey for the end times generation.
Abraham’s wife Sarai, and Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth were both childless, barren, and advanced in years when angels announced a special child would be born (Gen 15v4 & Luke 1v7-17).
It was hard to believe, but it was true!
Today the world is ageing. Many Christians study the time of the end knowing that the hour is late. Rarely is the birth considered, but actually prophecy begins at birth!
It happened 4000 years ago, it happened 2000 years ago, and it will happen again!
Birth: A mirrors A’
After being ‘born’ into the land of Canaan, despite facing great danger Abraham and Sarah were given blessing after blessing during a series of apocalyptic events until the promised child was born.
Isaac means “laughter”. What joy and relief!
Isaac represents Jesus, born amidst calamity but fulfilling God's promises, and revealing God’s plan of salvation.
The spiritual birth is most important. We must be ‘born again’. In this sense birth pains relate to repentance.
But the final generation will be born apocalyptically, at a time of great calamity while God's family are blessed and protected.
Pandemic and Repentance: B mirrors B’
The two pandemics of Abraham’s time in Egypt (Gen 12) and Gerar (Gen 20) formed bookends in a series of major birth pains. Abram and his whole family escaped unharmed.
Today Covid-19 is sweeping the world. Have we become like Abram when he said Sarai was only his sister? Do we deny our marriage relationship with God so that we can do better in the Egypt of this world as we work hard to acquire more possessions?
During the pandemic Abram and Sarai were sent out of Egypt, and I believe we have an exodus coming too.
“Out of Egypt I called my son.” — Mat 2v15b
Egypt’s nick name is “Rahab,” the dragon, the sea monster, or leviathan. (Isaiah 30v7, 51v9-11, Job 26v12-13, Psalm 89v9-10, etc.) So when Jesus escaped King Herod and returned to Israel from Egypt he really was escaping the dragon, or Satan as described in Revelation 12.
For Jesus this was an apocalyptic act of repentance. It was purely symbolic because he had no sin from which to repent.
We escape the dragon by coming to Jesus in repentance. There is no other way to be saved. But sometimes, at God’s appointed time or “Moedim”, he calls us to demonstrate salvation symbolically. This brings apocalypse.
Repentance continues in apocalyptic form as we progress towards the centre of the Chiasm.
After Pandemic Comes War: C mirrors C’
As we follow the chiasm from the outer edges towards the center we see that pandemic (B) is followed by war and destruction (C). But Lot escaped both times!
If you are familiar with the prophetic message of the Cross2Victory website, you will understand that the war at the birth of the final generation is described in Daniel 11v36-44.
The end times war of Daniel 11 is presented with a prophecy for the Greek period following Alexander the Great. The story of Abraham and Isaac mirrors the Greek period in the Chiasm of World History.
In Genesis 14 when Lot was caught up in a war with 4 kings against 5, and he was carried off to Dan as a prisoner, and Dan means ‘judgement’. But Abram took his 318 trained men, born in his household, and rescued Lot.
Then they ate and drank with Melchizedek, enjoying great blessing. There is no famine for God’s people who are prepared for this war!
In fact the escape could be like attending the ultimate boot training camp. While God’s people are huddled together in the ark we will study the Scriptures and understand prophecy, training and equipping each other for the ministry to come in the post apocalyptic world.
In Genesis 18-19, on the other side of the chiasm, God promised Abraham that he would have a son, and then He revealed that Gomorrah were about to be destroyed. Lot was again in trouble again, but being forewarned he escaped and lived in a cave.
In Revelation 12, when the dragon went after God’s family they escaped, but the stars fell and there was war in heaven. The woman flew to take shelter in the wilderness in a place prepared for her by God.
If you see this conflict coming please do whatever you can to warn people, to help people prepare, and to get everyone to safety. This is not the end, just birth pains, so we need to be ready for action. Please take good care of God’s family.
God promises to give us a good escape, but don’t be like Lot and his family. They left it late, his wife didn’t make it, and what a mess! Abraham’s example is much better, especially by the way he rescued Lot in Chapter 14.
War Brings Covenant: D mirrors D’
To understand how the covenant may relate to the final generation imagine the world in the immediate aftermath of world war three.
In Genesis 15 the covenant was made in a thick and dreadful darkness (v12). It would resemble a nuclear winter. Elsewhere we read that the stars will fall, the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood during this pentecost moment of birth.
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” — Gen 15v1
Abram was worried about his lack of offspring. Due to the radiation many people will wonder if anyone will ever be able to have children again after ww3. This was the concern of Lot’s daughters while they were bunkered down in the cave (Gen 19v30-35). It was also Abimelech’s worry in Genesis 20, but for their healing (v17).
God took Abram outside and said, “count the stars — if indeed you can count them” (v5). What an irony! Can anyone count stars in a nuclear winter? This puts a different perspective on the challenge, but perhaps two thirds of them will still be visible. (Rev 12v4).
The covenant was first made after Noah’s flood, and again on Mount Sinai. These were both examples of birth, and are called baptisms. The effects of radiation pollution were written into God’s ancient law so that we may know what to eat to live healthy lives in the post apocalyptic world.
Nuclear radiation settles on the ground and pigs eat in the mud, so avoid pork, it will be unclean in the post apocalyptic world. But other animals that eat grass without disturbing the dust will be clean. Obeying this wisdom will be a blessing. In fact it will be a matter of life and death.
God’s word contains all the wisdom we need to live healthy lives in the post apocalyptic world. We will be called blessed, and all the great blessings given to Abraham will be ours in the post apocalyptic world, even as they already are ours today, through faith in Christ Jesus.
“In the fourth generation your descendants will come back” to take possession of the promised land (Gen 15v16). In Abram's time that was more than 400 years later. In Moses’ time, from the exodus and the wrath of Mount Sinai there were 40 years of wondering in the wilderness until they reached the promised land. For Jesus it was 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism.
After a nuclear world war it could be a 40 year story for the final generation until we reach the promised land, or it could be 50 years until the jubilee, or 70 years of exile in world government while Babylon rules, until we are sent home.
No one can know how long the journey will be for the final generation, but Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this generation shall certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” — Mat 24v34.
God made his covenant for 400 years (Gen 15v13). This seems a terribly long time, but not really, given how long they lived in those days. At the time Shem was 475 years old, and he lived to be 600. So the 400 year covenant of parts was still well within the lifespan of a living generation.
The shortening of the human lifespan after Noah’s flood will be very much the pattern again for the final generation when the world is polluted as it will be after war. God’s people will definitely need to avoid the deceptive temptations of unnatural life extension technologies that will become available later.
In Genesis 17, on the other side of the chiasm, the covenant of circumcision reflects the eternal aspect of God’s covenant, being called an everlasting covenant three times. Circumcision is absolutely essential to being included in God’s people as it looks forward to the new creation.
In the new creation we will be truely perfect having had the sinful nature permanently removed in a perfect and eternally effective circumcision of the heart.
Like Abraham and Sarah, we will also have new names in the new creation (Rev 2v17, 22v4). The curse of God’s covenant law will also be removed. There will be no more curse (Rev 22v3).
The Ishmael Surprise: E
The birth of Ishmael from Hagar in Genesis 16 is quite unexpected, especially given that God was promising a child through Sarai. It results in a struggle between Hagar and Sarah on two occasions, at the focus and at the end of the chiasm (Gen 16v4-6 and 21v9-14).
Hagar and Ishmael represent the flesh and bondage to covenant law, while Sarah and Isaac represent the freedom and joy of the Spirit (Gal 4, Rom 8). The Isaac Ishmael struggle represents an intensified struggle between flesh and spirit, especially relevant to the post-apocalyptic generation.
It will be a surprise to many when world war three doesn’t bring the end of the world. Instead it will result in a new kind of slavery. However Ishmael is still a much loved child and similar blessings are given to him as are promised to Isaac.
This struggle between flesh and spirit continues to echo on through Genesis as Esau and Jacob display many similarities, so the struggle is repeated in their lives.
Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, and so the nation of Israel continued to present the apocalyptic journey of the last days symbolically.
The nation of Israel could perhaps present an enormous chiasm of birth pains spanning most of Old Testament history. God did say, “Israel is my first born son”. Ex 4v22. They have 12 rulers just like Ishmael, Gen 17v20.
The Kingdom of Israel was like Abram’s much loved first child, born to our heavenly father by his slave woman at the centre of the chiasm of Old Testament history, but it is not to be. They were sent away, into the wilderness as were Hagar and Ishmael.
The church like Isaac, is the true child of the promise, born later. Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
To continue this line of thought, we do see Ishmael showing up once more — at the end when the time came to bury their father, Abraham (Gen 25v9). The return of the modern state of Israel at this late hour would be that sign of the end.
The very nature of signs is that they come before the reality arrives, so having now had 70 or nearly 75 years of Modern Israel we can expect the birth of the real end times journey in which we will fulfil all prophecy in the apocalyptic sense once and for all.
Signs in the Biblical chronology for 1948 and 2023
Prophetic signs are found in the story of Abraham when the AM years of Biblical chronology are placed in parallel with the equivalent AD years.
AM is Anno Mundi - “Year of the world”. (Year 1 AM = creation date).
AD is Anno Domini - “Year of the Lord”. (Year 1 AD = when Jesus lived).
Abraham was born in 1948 AM
In 2023 AM aged 75 the prophetic journey began
The modern parallel is to watch out for:Modern Israel was born in 1948 AD as a sign
In about 2023 AD the prophetic journey of the final generation is expected to begin
The Biblical chronology up to Abraham's birth is recorded in Genesis 5, 7 and 11. There are 20 generations from Adam to Abram and its easy to check these facts.
This chronology is laid out on the web page called, 6000 Years.
The Abraham 1948 / 2023 sign is also discussed here: Abram born 1948, Called 2023
Another astonishing sign in Biblical chronology connects the Revelation 12 sign with the time of creation or perhaps the fall of Adam and Eve is explained on pages:
Two Perfect Rev 12 Signs
6000 Years
Jesus
The calamity at the birth and baptism of Jesus was not the end but the beginning of his life and ministry. The cross comes later, at the end of the journey as the greatest battle, where the greatest victory is won.
The testimony of Jesus unlocks prophecy.
“The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19v10b).
God promised to reveal the future to his people. Therefore we may be prepared to take good care of each other when the birth pains come. We will look after each other with blessings that overflow to many peoples.
We will take God’s word of truth to all the world in the last days, and complete the great commission before Jesus returns. The time will also come to share in his sacrificial suffering, and then we will also share in his glory.
A more thorough theological study on prophecy is here:
Please watch for the fulfilment of Daniel 11v36-44:
Here is a firm prediction... To understand how it is attained please see God's Plan.
Prediction: The US will engage in war in the Middle East according to the prophecy of the king of the North in Daniel 11v36-44. After invading the countries listed in v40-43 China and Russia will become involved, (v44). World war three is expected in about 2024 AD. Stars will fall and the sun will be darkened, but this will not be the end. War will mark the beginning of the journey for the final generation as detailed in the Apocalypse of Abraham.
If this interpretation proves true you will know it comes by God's Spirit. If it is false you will know it was only of my own imagination. However I don't doubt the truth of this message. I fully believe it will prove true, and the signs are pointing to sometime around 2023 or 2024.
At certain times, at God’s appointed times prophecy is fulfilled in highly visible ways, apocalyptically. That time is now believed to be near as signs strongly suggest. But Jesus’ attitude was, “Don’t be alarmed, the end is yet to come.” — Mat 24v6.
The end times journey will involve outwardly visible earth shaking events that will reveal Jesus to the world, and salvation to God’s people.
As believers we always seek to reveal Jesus as we follow Him. If we are familiar with the spiritual journey of faith the apocalyptic journey should come naturally to us.
We don’t need to fear the apocalyptic. Stay watchful and be prayerful. Be ready to act to care for our loved ones. The world will suffer calamity, but God’s family will experience a new birth, and great blessing.
When Abram began his journey God promised:
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” — Genesis 12v2-3
We will be a blessing as we continue in the ministry of Christ Jesus, preaching the gospel in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come, Mat 24v14.
So please, study the signs and test the prophecy. Pray about it. Talk about it, especially with those who know the Scriptures and are able to understand and act appropriately.
If we seek God’s will and are prepared to act in faith He will help us to care for each other so that we may escape the hour of trial that is coming on the world to test all those who live on earth.
God promises to give His people success.
A more thorough theological explanation is here:
6000 Years
To consider the parallel between the AM and AD years in story of Abraham have a look at Bible Chronology. The years 1948 and 2023 appear as signs.
See how the Revelation 12 sign points to the birth of the first and last generation of the world.
Consider how 6000 years of Biblical history is pointing to the birth of the final generation.
Bible chronology presented in detail:
