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TIMES - PROPHETIC – ESCHATOLOGY
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AUTHOR'S
VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE
DAY
OF THE LORD SCRIPTURE
QUESTIONS
TO BE ANSWERED BY THOSE WHO HOLD THE NO RAPTURE POSITION
Question:
Revelation 19:11-21 doesn't mention a resurrection in the
description of the Lord's return, 2nd Coming.
Question:
The Known Day and the Unknown Day. The day and hour no one
knows, (sudden and surprising) The day of the Second
coming, a fixed and finite number of months and days.
Revelation 12:6 says the Jews will have to wait 1,260 days for
the Lord to return. The 1,260 days begins when the Antichrist
stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God (Matt.
24:15-21, 2 Thess. 2:4) This event will take place at the
mid-point of the seven year Tribulation (Dan 9:27).
Question:
What do you do with these verses:
1 Thess 1:10, Jesus, who
rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
1 Thess 5:08-09:
For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus.
Romans 5:9 9: Much more then, being
now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
him.
Question:
What do you do with this verse: Kept from the hour of testing
(Rev. 3:10)
Question:
First Thessalonians 4:13-17 How do you read this scripture? Does
this passage not say the righteous are taken and the wicked are
left behind. This is consistent with the typology of Noah and
Lot: Destruction is the consequence of being left out of the
rescue of the righteous. God closed the door and no one could
enter. Destruction and judgment could not proceed until the
righteous were gathered.
Question:
What do you with the typology of the Jewish Wedding? The bride,
the bride price, preparing a place, the unannounced return for
the bride, the bride making herself ready, the 7 day seclusion in
the place of intimacy (Huppah). After 7 days the bride and
bridegroom are revealed together. These inferences are not made
by people who are unfamiliar with Jewish tradition. This
scripture speaks of that time of Isaiah 26:20-21 "Come my
people, enter our chambers and shut the door behind you, hide
yourself as it were, for a little moment until the indignation is
past. For behold the Lord comes out of His place to punish the
inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." While the
wrath of God is poured out on the earth, the bride of Christ will
be hidden away with her Bridegroom.
Saved
From the Wrath to Come
The Blessed 'Appearing" of the
Lord Jesus Christ
See:
Zephaniah 2:1-3 1 "Gather
yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation that hath no
shame; 2 before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as
the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you,
before the day of Jehovah's anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye
Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances;
seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in
the day of Jehovah's anger.
1
Thess 1:10, Jesus, who rescues us
from the wrath that is coming.
1
Thess 5:08-09: For God did not
appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord
Jesus.
Romans 5:9 9:
Much more then, being now
justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
The
appearing of the Lord, Delivered from the wrath to come:
How
shall we regard the end times message? Are we in the prophetic
end of the age? We find numerous variations of the end times
message. Some hold to a doctrine that believing Christians will
endure the time of testing and trial that come upon the whole
earth along with others. Believers will see the reign of
antichrist and the great tribulation.
Those who take the
manifested Sons, Kingdom now position, believe that the
Glorious church will overcome. Through their revelation and
witness the Kingdom of God will be manifest upon the earth. This
will be enabled by the full potentiality of God's gifting through
apostolic and prophetic leaders, who will cause the nations to
see the light and be persuaded. All political and spiritual
resistance to the Gospel shall be overturned. Others declare that
the church as the Body of Christ will not go through this time
of trial and horrific judgment that falls upon the
unbelieving masses who chose not to heed the message of the
Gospel.
The Bible holds the answer. But those who study the
Bible come up with other conclusions. Naturally disagreement
becomes heated, even hostile.
Paul's
apostolic letters address the end time, again and again. The
question that first arises is, "Is he talking about the
second coming (the second advent) or is he talking about
something else.
Paul's message is not the same emphasis
as the original disciples in Jerusalem. Paul was instructed by
direct revelation by the risen Jesus. Paul's revelation
encapsulates the church age. The church age is an independent
time and entity from the dispensation of the Kingdom and the
messianic age understood by Peter and the other original
apostles.
The
church age is this parenthetical dispensation alluded to in Jesus
declaration of his ministry and mission, when he quoted Isaiah
61, in Luke 4. "- - Luke 4:18 -
Luke 4:19 18) ;The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the
blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19) to proclaim the year of
the Lord's favor.- - -'; We note that he did not
complete the prophetic message of Isaiah 61, " - - and the
day of vengeance of JVH. This omitted portion describes the day
of the Lord, or the Day of Vengeance. This is the same period of
Judgment referred to time and again in the prophetic books. The
church age is the age of the Gospel of Grace. The door is open to
whoever will come into Kingdom and partake of God's favor.
But
even as it was in the day of Noah and the Day of Lot, that period
of preaching, sorting, warning and preparation came to an end.
When it did an elect few were rescued from the judgment
which befell those who would not heed the message. A day came
that the door was shut on Noah's vessel the ark. A day came when
the angels carried Lot and his family bodily out of Sodom to a
place of refuge. The double minded wife of Lot, was reluctant to
give up something in that lifestyle and hesitated to look back.
She did not make it to sanctuary. "Remember Lot's wife,"
Jesus said.
There
are several features of the end of the Church age and the time of
trouble that was to befall the unbelieving Jews. Daniel (Chapter
9) addresses the 70 weeks that were ordained by God to complete
the Kingdom age that is allotted to Israel and usher in the
Messiah and the millennial reign of Christ on earth. There is a
70th week, (7 days equaling 7 years) that is yet to happen. This
dispensation must eventually be realized. In order for this
fulfillment the church age must abruptly end and the 70th week
commence. This will not be a gradual transition but a sudden and
decisive moment in God's time table. It will be as decisive as
God's closing the door to the ark.
The
above attributes of The Church Age of Grace versus the 70th week
can only lend to one interpretation as unpopular as it is with
some: The rapture of the believers.
The
Rapture is prefigured throughout the Bible.
As
noted above the story of Noah and Lot prefigure the rapture. But
Jesus gives us another whole model exemplified in the parable of
the Bride and the Bridegroom. The teaching of Jesus is re-pleat
with phrases taken from the Jewish wedding ceremony. The very
language of the "Last Supper" is also a picture, not
only of the passover Seder updated to reveal Jesus not only as
Savior and Messiah but it portrays the wedding betrothal with
perfect typology. Elsewhere a picture of the Bride and Bridegroom
is also illustrated when Abraham sends his servant to seek a
bride for his son Isaac.
I
offer the following teaching from Mary Parnell who has done a
good job in researching aspects of this story and "typology."
Terms:
B'rit = covenant (sealed in blood)
B'rit Hadashah
= New Covenant
Tanakh = Old Testament
B'rit
kidushin = betrothal period (think of Mary &
Joseph)
Chadar (Kadar) = chamber"
Da'at
= I do
Ketubah = contract"
Mohar =
bride price
Ka'lal = bride
Type: = to present
beforehand as a type-to prefigure"
a person or event or
institution in the OT that relates
to a corresponding person
or event or institution in the NT.
Genesis
24 contains many types and shadows of Messiah as the
bridegroom of the church.
But we must also study the Jewish
wedding for the full picture.
Ephes.
5.25 Paul first explains this relationship.
Rom
7.4: - -"We are married to Christ"
Matt.22.2-5:
Jesus speaks of the wedding feast by parable
The
Typology of Abraham, Isaac, and Rebecca The Father (typified by
Abraham) selects a bride for his beloved son.
John
6. 43-44
John 15.16 - -"You did not choose me . .
. - -"
Abraham
sends a trusted servant (Eliezer) to find the bride.
Eliezer
is a type of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at work
wooing and drawing the bride to the bridegroom. He is the one who
nudges our hearts as he did with Rebekah. Becoming a believer
depends on our being wooed. We are pursued by the lord for quite
awhile before we begin to acknowledge his presence.
He makes
all the arrangements. The Bride may have no idea what the groom
looks like" all she knows is that she will spend her whole
life with him if she says - - "yes" to this marriage. (
1 Peter 1.8) This is the case with the bride of Messiah. We have
not seen Yeshua, but God's servant the Holy Spirit has revealed
him to us.
Genesis
24. In this chapter will be found many types and shadows
of Messiah as the bridegroom of the Church. But we must also
study the Jewish wedding for a full picture.
1.
What standout scriptures are found in Genesis 24?
2.
What types are readily apparent to you? Notice all of the
actions of Rebekah and see if you can
see Rebekah as a type
of the church?
3. What do you see in verse 8? What does
Rebekah's willingness have to do with the church. See
the
servant as a type of the Holy Spirit.
4. Notice the meeting
of the bride and the bridegroom. It happens with a supernatural
sign and
force because the Holy Spirit draws. John 3.8.
According to Rabbinical tradition, Rebekah is so
overwhelmed
when she sees Isaac, that she falls from her camel.
5.
1 John 4.19 We love the bridegroom because He first loved us and
chose us.
6. If Eliezer is a type of the Holy Spirit: What
begins to flow from him immediately? Compare to 1
Cor. 12.The
gifts of the Spirit are a powerful accompaniment to our
relationship with our
heavenly bridegroom.
7. What happens
when Rebekah does not resist the power of Eliezer's prayer?
New
covenant: John 15.16
8. What types may be seen in verses 35
and 36?
9 Verse 41 God will not be satisfied or cleared of
his oath until a bride is prepared for the
bridegroom. (See
Matt.25). See John 3.29" John 3.35" Matt. 9.15, Mk.
2-18-20" Lk. 5. 34-35.
Rev. 22.2-9" 1 Peter 1.18"
Matt.24.43-44"
The
Arrangements: Jewish Wedding Elements
The
Mohar: The price paid for the bride" money was paid to
the father as well as to the bride.
Sometimes it was paid in
service as in Jacob and Rachel. The price was usually something
of great value: lands, livestock, silver or gold. The Bride was
allowed to keep her monies to go into business or to keep.
Prov.31 shows a woman who was
industrious in business as well as at home. The price was paid
to show how the bridegroom loved and valued the bride Be'ulah:
means - -"owned one." The Mohar raised the standard: A
woman had value She was to be acquired in the presence of
witnesses. If he wished to separate, even during the betrothal
period, a divorce was required.
The
Bride of Messiah has also been purchased:
A
very high Mohar was paid for us" the blood of Yeshua
himself. The bridegroom wrestled with that price in the Garden
of Gethesemane - -"Father do you know what they are asking
for her" (Jamie Lash). 1 Cor. 7.23
Phil.2.5 Lk 22.19-20 (Jesus mentions the Bride Price) 1
Peter 1.18 Hebrews 12.2 Jesus paid the price for: The joy
that was set before him. The joy of seeing each one of us
redeemed.
Ka'lal: On the cross he said, - -"it
is finished." Or Ka'lal" the same root as for -
-"bride."
The
Betrothal Ceremony
The
B'rit Kidushin: The Betrothal is for 12 months during
this time the bride is set apart for sanctification and
beautification. This engagement covenant is binding and they are
considered legally married except for the union. At The
Betrothal ceremony a Ketubah was presented to the father.
The
Ketubah: Ketubah comes from - -"kadosh" meaning holy.
The B'rit Kidushin is holy. This contract is altogether in favor
of the bride. The bridegroom promises to work for, honor,
support and maintain his bride in truth, provide food, clothing,
necessities and to live with her after the ceremony. The bride
is promised that she will be cared for in every way. All of her
needs will be fulfilled by the bridegroom. This contract is read
and signed before 2 witnesses if the Bride agrees.
The
Holy Scriptures are Our Wedding Document.
Matt.
6.28" Phil 4.19 Look at any scripture and know that
the scripture is the holy covenant and inalienable right of the
believer. - -"God is not a man that He should lie." He
will never break the covenant. This Ketubah was read publicly.
Today, the reading of our Ketubah takes place during Christian
services.
The
ketubah elevated the woman to a new status in society. Our
Ketubah gives us rights and privileges that are found in no
other religion or philosophy. Why would we reject our heavenly
Ketubah, our holy scriptures, the Bible?
Hebrews
8.6 our B'rit Hadashah contains even better promises!
This marriage contract was first promised to the House of Israel
then to who-so-ever will (Jer.31.31-34).
- -"The time is coming," declares the Lord when I will
cut a New Covenant (B'rit) with the house of Israel and the
house of Judah. . . ."
The
Da'at: Is the consent literally means - "I do"
Gen. 24-57-58.
The prospective
girl had something to say. She had to consent, Da'at. Judaism
says that marriage can only take place by mutual consent. In an
age where child marriage was common the sages ordained : - -"it
is forbidden for a man to betroth his minor daughter until she
attains her majority and says, - -"I love this
man."
Spiritual betrothal to Yeshua Ha Meshiac is the
same: God never forces us to say - -"I do." to his
son. He created us with free will. We must respond or say - -"I
do" (Romans 10.9-10) in the
presence of 2 witnesses!
You
may say the following and thereby give your consent or da'at:
I
do believe that God raised Yeshua, Jesus from the dead.
I do
repent of all my sin and desire to turn from it.
I do give
you my heart, my love, and my whole life.
I do trust you
with my future.
And, like a bride, I do desire intimacy with
you.
I do believe that Yeshua's death atoned for my sin.
I
do receive his forgiveness and gift of eternal life.
I do
receive your love and my salvation today. (Jamie Lash)
The
1st cup of the Covenant
Baruch
ata adonai eloheinu melech ha olam borey pre hagafen.
(Blessed
are you O LORD, King of the Universe who creates the fruit of
the vine.)
The
blessing of the cup of wine is an important element of the
ancient and modern Jewish wedding. The Bride and groom share the
cup, symbolizing the shared life that would be theirs. A second
cup of wine will be shared many months later. This is the cup of
joy! According to Mayim Hayim, this cup is lifted UP in the
right hand (signifying power) and parallels the forthcoming
lifting up of Jesus on the cross.
Luke
22.30 - -"Likewise He also took the cup after supper
saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed
for you." Yeshua and His disciples were celebrating the
anniversary of God's wedding to Israel (the Exodus). He is
telling them that the New Marriage Covenant (the one promised in
Jeremiah 31) would be sealed in his
blood. Yeshua and His disciples drank from a common cup in an
upper room in Jerusalem. They became one as they drank wine
together.
When
we partake of that cup at the Lord's Seder (communion) we
remember our Heavenly Bridegroom, the mohar paid for us,
and our covenental relationship with Yeshua. Just as two cups of
wine were used as part of the ancient Jewish wedding, the second
at the actual homemaking of the bride, Messiah's bride will one
day drink a cup with Yeshua in person at the second part of our
marriage ceremony. Matt 26.29
Until
that day we have the communion cup to remind of our covenant
with our Heavenly Bridegroom. We are to remember his love more
than wine. Song 1.4 We need to
drink often of the cup and remember our engagement to the king
of Kings.
The
Gifts: begin to flow even before the da'at and the
betrothal. Gen. 24.53 We have
already studied the gifts of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the
great gift that Jesus gave to us during our betrothal period as
we wait for his return (2 Peter 3.3).
James 1.16" Cor. 12, Romans 12.
The
Chadar: The departure of the groom: After the Betrothal
Ceremony, the groom left to prepare the Chadar (chamber).The
bridegroom in ancient Israel left his beloved to go to his
father's house to prepare a Chadar.
(A bridal house) He
would be gone up to 12 months (John
14.2-3) with the promise to return. Yeshua the heavenly
bridegroom, left his bride to prepare a wedding chamber for her
and he promises to return. His promise is still good and his
return is near (Acts. 1.8-11).
1.
Israel returned as a nation in 1948.
2. Hebrew was
resurrected as a language.
3. Jerusalem has become a stone
of stumbling,
4. Many nations are arranging themselves
against Israel, including the United States,
5.
Anti-Semitism is on the rise.
6. The destruction of Israel
is promised by Islamic militants,
7. There are wars and
rumors of wars. These and many other signs explained in Matt.
23 and Lk. 21 say, - -"Behold the Bridegroom
cometh."
The
Consecrated Bride:
The first act of the bride was a
Mikvah: Hebrew for baptism (more precisely, immersion).
This is her time of beautification. For 12 months she takes
beauty treatments.
While waiting for the bridegroom to
return, she finds in him perfect contentment.
She fills her
heart with songs. They think constantly of one another. Our
heavenly bridegroom
is filled with intercession on our
behalf. Isaiah 61.10, Esther 2.12
shows the preparation of the Bride.
Esther (Hadassah) in
Hebrew means hidden. She was hidden until the King held out his
golden scepter to her.
The
Hebrew bride (Ka'lah in Hebrew) was set apart,
consecrated, separated from her bridegroom while he was away
preparing her wedding chamber.
Song of
Songs 4.12 Kallah literally means secluded or enclosed
one.
The bride belonged to her beloved, the one who had
purchased her. She was to have eyes for none other she had doves
eyes: Song of songs 1.15. Doves
have no peripheral vision so they symbolize faithfulness,
singleness of vision, gentleness and loving commitment (Jamie
Lash).
Paul says that we are hidden with God in Christ (Col
3.3). Hidden in the clift in the rock: Song
of Songs 2.14.
The
Bridegrooms return: The 2nd Cup
The sound of the
Shofar!
A bride in ancient Israel had no idea what day or
hour her bridegroom would return to take her to the wedding
chamber. The bridegroom would come - -"like thief in the
night." Only the groom's father knew. In the fullness of
time, when the bridal chamber was complete" with no man
knowing the day or the hour, the heavenly bridegroom will
return. In reference to Yeshua's return: Mark
13.32.
The event was usually late at night. The shofar
would break the silence of night. There would be shouts in the
night and a torch procession. Song of
songs 2.10 - -"Arise my love, my fair one and come
away."
Matt 25. This parable simply means to be ready"
Be thinking of Him always, the Bridegroom! When the shofar
sounds, she must be willing to run to him. Her lamp must be lit!
The
Aperion:
The Bride prepared to enter a bridal litter or
aperion.
Song of Songs 3.9-10
The Bride is CARRIED in the aperion accompanied by musicians,
singers, family and friends and attendants carrying torches. The
voice of the bride and the bridegroom are heard in the
streets.
Jer 33.11.
II Thes.
4.16-17
Matt 24.27
The
Huppah
Jamie Lash writes: - -"The second half of
the ceremony is called the - -"home-taking"
the
Bride and bridegroom will meet at the Huppah, a special room
built in the bridegrooms' Father's house.. The Bridegroom
arrives before the bride. It is mentioned in verses Psalm
19.5 and Joel 2.15.
They will be alone for 7 days. The
best man waits outside of the Huppah to see if the marriage is
consummated. (John 3.29).
This 7
day period is also called the - -"week of the bride."
The Huppah was gradually replaced by a bridal canopy
supported by 4 poles.
Both the bride and bridegroom are
carried in the Huppah.
Blessings are pronounced to the bride
and groom.
The
Second Cup:
After the emergence from the Huppah (The
Second cup is drunk) The marriage is complete! And sealed
forever.
The Spiritual parallel of the huppah is the rapture.
Following the Huppah is the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and life
everlasting in the chadar prepared by God.
The Huppah:
The original meaning of the huppah was - -"room" or -
-"covering."
The spiritual parallel to the huppah
for the bride of Christ begins as we are (raptured)lifted up off
the earth to be taken to our heavenly wedding chamber where we
will spend ‘"one week' (seven years), with our
Bridegroom/King. While the Bride of Christ is in the Bridal
Chamber with Yeshua (Jesus). At this time the rest of the world
will be in a time of great tribulation.
Isaiah
26:20-21 tells us of this time: "Come my people,
enter our chambers and shut the door behind you, hide yourself
as it were, for a little moment until the indignation is past.
For behold the Lord comes out of His place to punish the
inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." While the
wrath of God is poured out on the earth, the bride of Christ
will be hidden away with her Bridegroom.
The
Final Step:
" The Second cup is drunk followed by
the marriage supper. Following the seven days in the huppah or
bridal chamber, the bride and bridegroom joined their guests for
a joyous marriage feast. Playing of music and dancing was a
regular part of the celebration.
Revelation
19:6-9: "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a
great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of
mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God
Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him
glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has
made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in
fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the
righteous acts of the saints.' Then he said to me, Write:
‘"Blessed are those who are called to the Marriage
Supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me 'These are the true
sayings of God.'"
Just
like the ancient Jewish wedding, there will be shouts of joy and
dancing. The time of the second cup will be a time of great joy.
Our intimacy with our heavenly bridegroom is complete and
eternal. The Bride will dance for joy with her Bridegroom/King,
Yeshua. (Jesus) We will rule and reign with Him for 1,000 years
during the millennium! For those of us who look forward to the
marriage supper of the Lamb, we must go out to the highways and
byways and extend an invitation to others to come.
Revelation
2:17: "And the spirit and the bride say Come! And
let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts, Come"
and whoever desires, let him take the water of life
freely."
Revelation 22:20:
"'Surely I am coming quickly.' Even so, Come Lord Jesus,
Come!"
From
Marvin R. Wilson: ;In modern Hebrew, nissu'in is one of
the several words translated ;marriage.'; Nissu'in and the
related form nasu, ;married,'; derive from the verb ;nasa, ;to
lift up';, ;to bear,.'; ;to carry.'; Nissu'in suggests
exactly the opposite of putting someone down. Indeed, marriage
is graphically portrayed as lifting the other up. This concept
is beautifully dramatized at traditional Jewish Weddings. After
the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom are lifted up on
chairs by their guests to the accompaniment of exuberant singing
and dancing. Furthermore,'nissu'in recalls a period
in Jewish history when the people of a town would carry (nasa)
the bride on a carriage from the home of her parents to her new
home with her groom'; (Our Father Abraham. Erdmans: 1989,
p. 213).
Other cited references are to Jamie and Neil Lash's
televised series on "The Jewish Wedding:"
Jewish
Jewels. 2000.
Summary:
Studies of Pre Tribulation Catching Away of the Church
THE
BLESSED HOPE
Particulars
of the catching away of the saints and judgment of the
unbelievers
The
rapture as described in the Bible is a supernatural
event initiated by the vocal command of God that transfigures all
who are in Christ. This first causes the instantaneous
resurrection and transformation of believers who were dead. At
the first resurrection, lifeless bodies are transfigured into an
incorruptible - immortal form that become their spiritual bodies.
(But more accurately stated, a perfected being capable of
functioning in several dimensions including physical and
spiritual as Christ himself exhibited for forty days after his
resurrection. Then, just after the dead are raised, living
Christian believers who are "In
Christ" shall be
transformed into a similar immortal form and taken up clouds to
meet with the Lord in the air, and thereafter to remain in his
presence.
1Thessalonians
4: 16 For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the
Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
The
Rapture when it occurs, will end the dispensation of the church
age, the dispensation of grace. With the conclusion of the
parenthetical church age, the Jewish dispensation will resume.
This period initiates the final 7 year era. This seven year
period consists of two parts: The introduction of the Man of Sin,
the anti Christ and conclude with God's Judgment upon the anti
Christ and the unrighteous. This period concludes with what is
called variously, 'The Day of the Lord;' 'The day of Jacob's
trouble; 'The day of Judgment;' or 'The Day of Wrath.' (God's
Judgment against the world of rebellion and sin.)
These 7
years shall be filled with momentous events, wars, pestilences,
mass destruction and famines. Harsh judgments will befall the
entire planet. The period following, the last world ruler
will have been introduced to the world, the false messiah. This
is he of whom Jesus said, "- - you do not receive me, but
another will come in his own name and him you will receive."
This miracle man will be received as the authentic messenger of
God, showing miraculous signs. He will be that peace giver sought
by all nations.
Now
as I write this (within the present church age) good and evil
co-exist. We are free to choose to be a believer in the Messiah
and Savior or not; We we are free to choose any God and any
religion that suits our fancy. We can choose to live a sensuous,
self-serving life; to be a profligate or a sinner, or not. This
present dispensation is called prophetically in Isaiah 61, the
'Day of the Lord's Favor.' It is also known as the
church age. An dispensational
epoch of Grace.
The vengeance of God for an unknown time, remains postponed, The
dispensation of 'Grace' (Read Isaiah 61:1; which Jesus quotes in
Luke 4:18) Yet, the ungodly can not escape divine judgment. Each
will answer to God's justice as they pass from this life.
How
In the Olivet discourse (in Matt. 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13) Jesus
refers to this end-time prophetic period - - a time of judgment.
This
time is compared to the judgment upon LOT
AND SODOM and
- - THE
TIME OF NOAH -
- THIS
IS A SPECIFIC TYPOLOGY FOR God'S JUDGMENT WHICH IS TO REVISIT THE
EARTH IN THE END OF THE AGE. IT IS COMING UPON A WORLD THAT HAS
OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED AND TURNED AGAINST God!
Genesis
7:16 "And they that went in, went in male and female of all
flesh, as God had commanded him: and
the LORD shut him in."
AS
IN THE TIME OF LOT AND SODOM
& GOMORRAH AS TYPOLOGY OF JUDGMENT! Genesis 19:13
"For
we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen
great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to
destroy it." Genesis
19:14 "And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons in law,
which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this
place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one
that mocked unto his sons in law." (Many are so deceived in
this present time) Genesis 19:16 "And while he lingered, the
men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and
upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto
him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city."
Genesis 19:22 "Haste
thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come
thither. Therefore the
name of the city was called Zoar."
Notice
in the above text: The angels are the agents of deliverance. It
is they who physically removed the righteous family out of Sodom.
God could not proceed with
the destruction until the family of Lot were taken to sanctuary.
THE
ATTACHMENT TO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD: SAVING
ONE'S OWN LIFE
Eligibility: the place of
sanctuary subject to the spiritual status (affections of the
heart) of individual believers
Genesis
19:26 "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she
became a pillar of salt."
The
nature of cares, lusts, attachments are shown by Jesus who
reminds us again of the results of not letting go of this present
life:
WILL
THE RAPTURE BE BEFORE, DURING or AFTER THE TRIBULATION PERIOD?
Luke
17:27 "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they
were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the
ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all."
(Obviously those in the ark were not
destroyed.)
Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of
Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."
Luke 17:28 "Likewise also as it
was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought,
they sold, they planted, they builded;" Luke
17:29 "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained
fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all."
Luke 17:30 "Even thus shall it be
in the day when the Son of man is revealed." (The
Lot and Noah accounts deal with judgments and destruction against
those on earth who reject the Lord's Messiah)
THE
ABOVE VERSES FROM GENESIS (THAT JESUS' REFERS TO IN HIS OLIVET
DISCOURSE, IN Mark 13, Luke 21 AND Matthew 24) CLEARLY DESCRIBE A
PLACE OF SANCTUARY FOR THE PEOPLE OF God WHILE THE JUDGMENT WHICH
IS TO BE VISITED UPON THE EARTH. These
same scriptures also describe how life had a sense
of normality and routine until the momentary separation of the
righteous remnant spared from the wrath. Those remaining are
described as those who are caught in a snare from which there is
not escape.
Luke
17:31 "In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and
his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away:
and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back."
Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife."
Luke 17:33 "Whosoever
shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall
lose his life shall preserve it."
The
preceding and following passages describe how people who are
apparently in close fellowship (i.e. church members of professing
believers) may experience different judgments. See Matt 25.
Luke
17:34 "I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in
one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left."
Luke 17:35 "Two women shall be
grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
Luke 17:37 "And they
answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,
Where ever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered
together."
WHERE
WILL THE BELIEVER BE TAKEN? Out of this world to Join the Lord in
the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
The
following prophetic scripture is directed again to the Jews in
the culminating months of the tribulation. It outlines events
that precede the second coming of the Lord when those in
Jerusalem seem to face total annihilation.
Luke
21:20 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with
armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." The
near fulfillment of prophecy came in 70 AD and but there will be
a future fulfillment during the final conflict of Armageddon
Israel is THE target.
Luke
21:21 "Then let them which are in Judea flee to the
mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out;
and let not them that are in the countries enter there into."
Luke 21:22 "For these be
the days of vengeance, (Day of the Lord Prophecies throughout OT)
that all things which are written may be fulfilled."
The Second Coming will be
visibly witnessed by all as an awesome natural phenomena: This
same Jesus who you saw leave will in like manner return and set
his feet upon Mount Olivet. Luke
21:27 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory."
THE
WARNINGS AND THE ADMONITIONS
Luke
21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your
hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares
of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
(Watching and expecting is rewarded.)
Luke
21:35 "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell
on the face of the whole earth."
Luke 21:36 "Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand
before the Son of man."
THE
COMING OF THE LORD AS A THIEF (See references to Bridegroom and
bride language) IS A SECRET AND SURPRISE RETURN
1
Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"
1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we
which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever
be with the Lord."
1
Thessalonians 4:18 "Wherefore comfort one another with these
words."
1
Thessalonians 5:1 "But of the times and the seasons,
brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you."
1 Thessalonians 5:2 "For
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a
thief in the night."
1
Thessalonians 5:3 "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."
1 Thessalonians 5:4 "But
ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake
you as a thief."
1
Thessalonians 5:5 "Ye are all the children of light, and the
children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."
EXHORTATIONS
1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Therefore
let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
1 Thessalonians 5:7 "For they
that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night."
1
Thessalonians 5:8 "But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet,
the hope of salvation."
1
Thessalonians 5:9 "For God hath not appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,"
1 Thessalonians 5:10 "Who
died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him."
1
Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together,
and edify one another, even as also ye do."
A
MIRACULOUS RE-CREATION: AT THE TRUMPET OF God
1
Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption
inherit in corruption" What
form then shall we be after this transformation? Physical, No.
But in a specifically glorified body of the same sort that Jesus
has. This form is said to be immortal and of the same mulch
dimensional aspects as Christ Jesus.
1
Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,"
1 Corinthians 15:52 "In
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed."
1 Corinthians 15:53 "For
this corruptible must put on in corruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality."
1
Corinthians 15:54 "So when this corruptible shall have put
on in corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death
is swallowed up in victory."
1 Corinthians 15:55 "O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
WHO
WILL OUR HEARTS CHOOSE? WHERE IS OUR TREASURE?
Matthew
8:12 "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into
outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 13:30 "Let both grow
together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say
to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them
in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."
- - -
Matthew 13:40 "As
therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall
it be in the end of this world."
Matthew
24:42 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord
doth come. Watch and Pray lest you enter into temptation"
Matthew 24:43 "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."
Matthew 24:44 "Therefore
be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh."
Matthew
24:48 "But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart,
My lord delayeth his coming;"
Matthew 24:49 "And shall
begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the
drunken;"
Matthew
24:50 "The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he
looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,"
THE
TYPOLOGY OF THE BRIDE GROOM AND THE BRIDE
John
14:2-3 "- - -I go to prepare a place for you, that where I
am you may be also, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am you
may be also.
THE
BRIDE AWAITS THE BRIDEGROOMS UNEXPECTED RETURN:
Matthew
25:1 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the
bridegroom."
Matthew
25:2 "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish."
Matthew 25:3 "They that
were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:"
Matthew 25:5 "While the
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."
Matthew 25:6 "And at
midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go
ye out to meet him."
Matthew 25:10 "And while
they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready
went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."
(The door of the ark closed by
God)
Matthew
25:11 "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord,
Lord, open to us."
Matthew
25:12 "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I
know you not."
Who
will fellowship with the Lord? Who will seek to know Him?
Matthew 25:13 "Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of man cometh."
Matthew 25:32 "And
before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the
goats:"
Matthew
25:34 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand,
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world:"
MATT
25:32 -- ARGUMENTS TO SUPPORT PRE TRIBULATION RAPTURE
For
my own edification and peace founded upon hope, I find these 3
scriptural principles as the most relevant to discerning false
doctrine.
1. Old testament typology of Noah's Ark of
safety and the references to Sodom and Gomorrah (Jesus Gospel
teaching - Olivet discourse.)
2.
Jesus teaching parable of the
tares:
Matt 13:27 Sir, didst not thou
sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He
said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto
him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said,
Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat
with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the
time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together
first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn.
Matt 13:36 " --saying,
Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He
answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the
Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the
children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the
wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest
is the end of the world (age) ; and the reapers are the angels.
40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so
shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send
forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all
things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast
them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing
of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear
- "
3. The apostle Paul
in his first letter to Thessalonica: Clearly identifies the
mystery of the transformation of the dead and living believers
who are be resurrected or transformed (the righteous dead are
resurrected, the righteous living are translated and caught up)
to be caught up (harpazo=snatched
away forcefully) (raptare-
Latin Vulgate) to meet Christ in
the air.
4. The apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy:
Chapter 3: 1This know also, that
in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be
lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady,
highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having
a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses,
and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with
divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood
Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds,
reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no
further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as
theirs also was. 10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner
of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at
Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them
all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live Godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast
learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast
learned them;
From
the above, you may clearly see that those who teach Restoration -
- Kingdom-now theology
completely ignores these guiding principles of scripture and
become part of a group who over estimate the role of believers in
the body of Christ in completely destroying the works of the
enemy in this world and bringing in the wealth government and
reign of righteousness upon the earth.
Hal
Lindsey an eminent Bible teacher, has focused most of his
ministry on end-time prophecy and is a proponent of the immanent
rapture of the church. He points out in recent teachings that the
above passage is a second sorting which occurs as the remaining
population upon the earth is separated into believers and
unbelievers. The first sorting is the rapture itself when a
distinction is made between those whose lamps are burning (Holy
Spirit faith and zeal) and those without oil. In the great
tribulation which follows many come to Christ and many are
martyred for his namesake. The remaining are the enemies of God
and have become followers of the false messiah, Anti-Christ, or
gospel unbelievers.
Chuck
Missler has
an internet link describing matters of eschatology and the second
coming of Messiah for and with his church. I believe that his
doctrine is solid and fully details scriptural positions.
(Koinonia House Online: )
http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/444/
MORE
ON THE TRIBULATION AND THE REVEALING OF THE ANTI CHRIST
2
Thessalonians 1:5 "Which is a manifest token of the
righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:"
2
Thessalonians 1:6 "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God
to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;"
2 Thessalonians 1:7 "And
to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,"
2 Thessalonians 1:8 "In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:"
2 Thessalonians 2:1 "Now
we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him,"
THERE
IS A SPIRITUAL FORCE PRESENT ON EARTH WHICH PREVENTS ANTI CHRIST
FROM ASCENDING TO POWER: THE POWER WHICH WITHHOLDS MUST BE
REMOVED.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 "Let
no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
except there come a falling away (POSSIBLE INTERPRETATION
CATCHING AWAY) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of
perdition;"
2
Thessalonians 2:6 "And now ye know what with holds that he
might be revealed in his time."
2 Thessalonians 2:7 "For
the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now
letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."
THE
PERIOD OF GRACE IS A CERTAIN PERIOD (DISPENSATION) JESUS
ANNOUNCED THIS AS 'THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR --ACCEPTABLE YEAR
OF THE LORD' (Isa 61:2) The remaining
portion of Isaiah's prophecy was omitted by Jesus In Luke 4:18-19
as this was not the his mission in his initial incarnation. God
is not the author of confusion: God is a God of order . The age
of Grace (which we can also call the church age) has a finite and
fixed time period. It begins with Jesus declaring, "Father
forgive them they know not what they do." The Gospel of the
Kingdom can be correctly understood two have two aspects: The
ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom of God will commence when the
Jews receive the very Messiah who they had rejected in his first
coming. Jesus will indeed be the King of the Jews who sits upon
the throne of David and rules the earth in righteousness where
sin and the curse no longer infest. In the present church age,
the Kingdom is not as yet fully manifested but awaited. We pray
for THE KINGDOM to be realized in every declaration of the Lord's
prayer. The church age saints have received the good news that we
may be grafted into the righteous root and stock of Israel and
can themselves be regarded as true children of God. The Good
News invites that free gift that
allows ones total fallen nature to be renewed. Consequently, we
are not judged for our sins if we accept the price the Lamb paid.
This
acceptable year of the Lord is followed by the day of Judgment
and wrath in the next line of the Isaiah prophecy. Jesus did not
read that portion when he announced the mission of grace. It
remained a time to come -- a
separate dispensation.
THE
BOOK OF THE REVELATION WARNS THE "CHURCHES" in chapter
2, THEN TAKES THE BELIEVERS OUT
Revelation
2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and
will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."
Revelation
3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
Revelation 3:10 "Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon
the earth."
A
commonly taught view by those who teach the pre tribulation
rapture of the church is that a heavenly door is opened at the
beginning of Revelation, Chapter 4. The
remaining scriptures view the events from a heavenly not an
earthly viewpoint. Revelation 4:1
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in
heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a
trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will
show thee things which must be hereafter."
Mysteries,
index
E
Book 1:
The
Gospel Without
Religion
E Book 2:
A
Disciples Handbook
E Book 3:
Mysteries
in the Bible Index
to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles
Index
to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles
Resources:
Understanding Home Fellowships
Frank Viola Interviews a typical church-goer
(Discussion
of Open Church)
Frank
Viola
"Who's
Your Covering"
"Rethinking the
Wineskin"
Sid
Roth
Guest, George Barna
"Moving beyond the established church"
Barna's
Book: "Revolution"
Interview 2/20/2006 http://www.sidroth.org
Sid
Roth Guest:
Tim and Katie Mather
Subject: Open Church
http://www.sidroth.org/radio.htm
Guest:
Jim Rutz
Author of Book: "Megashift, "
"Experiencing the fullness of God
outside of Institutional Religion"
Subject: Open Church
http://www.sidroth.org/radio.htm
Index
to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles
|
