THE RAPTURE
Which are:
Hast seen:
Rev 2-3
Rev 1
Gospel of John John’s Epistles
When shall these things
be? (one stone not left
standing upon another)
Which are yet to come:
Rev 4-22
The Revelation
What shall be the sign of
the end of the world?
What shall be the
sign of Thy coming
Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 17 / 21 – Olivet Discourse
CHURCH IN HEAVEN WITH CHRIST JESUS
144,000 SEALED
2ND COMING OF CHRIST
CHURCH RAPTURED
Sheep / Goat Judgment
Judgment of the Nations
2 WITNESSES
BEGINNING OF SORROWS
TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE
GREAT TRIBULATION
ABOMINATION THAT
CAUSES DESOLATION
MARTYRS
MAN OF SIN COMES TO POWER
WAR - GOG/MAGOG INVASION
FAMINE
DEATH
CATASTROPHIC
CHANGES IN THE
EARTH AND SKY
Day 7 – (Sabbath)
3.5 years, 42 months, 1260 days
Acts 17:11
THE WRATH OF GOD
1 Thes 5:21
MILLENIUM (1,000 YEARS)
ARMAGEDDON
3.5 years, 42 months, 1260 days
REBELLION AGAINST MAN OF SIN
REBELS UNITE AGAINST GOD
200,000,000 MAN ARMY GATHERS
2000 A.D.
MARTYRS FROM THE
TRIBULATION PERIOD
CHURCH AGE
Israel Cast Off - Dispersed
‘But not abandoned forever’
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ISRAEL A NATION AGAIN May 14, 1948
JERUSALEM RETAKEN Jun 7, 1967
Day 6
MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
Virgin Bride without spot or wrinkle
FULLNESS OF THE
GENTILES IS COME IN
B.C.
A.D.
NDER LAW
REFORMATION 1517 AD
1ST HOLOCAUST 1937 AD >
TEMPLE DESTROYED 70 AD
JERUSALEM DESTROYED 130 AD
ASCENSION
Day 5
1000 A.D.
y4
PENTECOST
CROSS
RESURRECTION
JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST - REWARDS
Jesus rules on David’s Throne
MAN OF SIN (ANTI-CHRIST)
& FALSE PROPHET CAST
INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE
SATAN
LOOSED FO
A SHORT TI
1
Quantum Physics
“I think it is safe to say that no one
understands quantum mechanics…
In fact, it is often stated of all the theories
proposed in this century, the silliest is
quantum theory.
Some say that the only thing that quantum
theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is
unquestionably correct.”
Richard Feynman
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1st Coming
1st Coming
• Death
1st and 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ
• Burial
• Resurrection
Each is an extended period of time
including multiple events:
• Ascension
Church Age
2nd Coming
2nd Coming
1,007+ years
• Rapture – Coming for His Church
• Tribulation – Seals / Trumpets / Vials
• 2nd Coming to Earth - Judgment
• Millennium - Kingdom
Acts 17:11
Anti-Christ Revealed
Gog / Magog Invasion
Covenant Enforced
Time of Jacob’s Trouble
Great Tribulation
Wrath of God
Armageddon
Sheep / Goat Judgment
• Eternity - New Heaven / New Earth
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Beginning of Sorrows
Marriage Supper
of the Lamb
Pentecost – Church established
Judgment Seat of
Christ
30+ years
• Birth
Jesus Rules w/ Rod of Iron
Rebellion
Great White Throne Judgment
1 Thes 5:21
3
LET’S GET TOGETHER SOMETIME …
The next major event in God's plan for his creation, His plan for
man, is the removal of the church
Rom 11:25 – for the the fullness of the gentiles to be come in
Preparation for God’s final appeal to repentance,
• followed by his judgment of the earth and
• His wrath upon those who, in spite of his love, still reject him.
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LET’S GET TOGETHER SOMETIME … SOON !!
There are no more requirements; There are no more prophesies that
need to be fulfilled before Jesus returns for us and we meet him in
the air to be with him forever – an event commonly called the
Rapture
But…There are many more prophesies, events and signs that must
be fulfilled before Jesus returns to the earth - bringing us with Him to claim it and establish His Kingdom on the earth.
There are many scriptural statements and promises of God
concerning his loved ones and how they relate to his wrath.
All indicate the church will not be called upon to endure the
judgments and conditions on the earth as God pours out his
wrath.
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GOD’s
WORD
• Pronouncements
• Prophecy
• Patterns
• Parable
• Positions of its people
Taken seriously – literally – they all harmonize to perfectly proclaim the pretribulation removal of the church from the earth and the end of the thing we
call the ‘church age’ – the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’.
The arguments against the pre-tribulation rapture of the church, a 7 year
period of judgment and trials on earth, Christ's return with the church to
‘rescue’ a faithful remnant (primarily Israel) in fulfillment of God’s promises
and a real literal 1,000 millenium stretch Biblical interpretation to it
breaking limits.
Those opposed to a pre-tribulation rapture must expend a great deal of
effort and focus on explaining away what scripture clearly says.
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COMING ATRACTIONS…
With the Church removed, Israel will again be used by God as His
‘standard’ bearers on the earth.
• First He will re-gather and re-form them as a national people in the
land He promised to them - something we are already seeing in our day.
• Then, with the church gone, He will purge and try them until they
recognize their sin and the error they made in rejecting Jesus their
Messiah.
They will be tested and tried and purged until only those who believe
remain.
• As all the nations of the earth move against them, the Lord will
return,defeating those who have gathered against Him and His people
and then will establish His kingdom.
All just as Scripture - all of it - frequently has prophesied and promised.
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Are there any more prophecies to be fulfilled
before Jesus can rapture the church?
No, there never were. Jesus taught that He could come at any moment:
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh” (Mt 24:44);
"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning ... like unto men
that wait for their lord..." (Lk 12:35,36).
So did Paul:
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour..." (Phil 3:20);
"...ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait
for his Son from heaven..." (1 The: 1:9,10);
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ..." (Ti 2:13);
"...unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time..." (Heb
9:28).
If believers were to look for, wait for, and expect Christ at any moment, there
could never have been anything else that had to be fulfilled before the Rapture.
The prophetic signs are all pointing toward the 2nd Coming – and they are very
much it evidence today. If so, it means that the Rapture of the Church – which
occurs prior to the Second coming of Christ - must be very close.
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The Promise: John 14
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive
you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.
Isa 26:19-21 …Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they
arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs,
and the earth shall cast out the dead. [20] Come, my people, enter thou into
thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little
moment, until the indignation be overpast. [21] For, behold, the LORD
cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:
the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
1 Thes. 4:1-5:28 …[9] For God hath not
1. Come
appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
2. Enter your chambers
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, …
3. Hide a short while / Shut the doors
4. Until the indignation is past
5. Watch, God is coming to punish the inhabitants of earth for their iniquity
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The Process
1Th 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which
sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and]
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
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:
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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
• The Lord himself shall descend from heaven I will come again
• with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, Come my people
and with the trump of God:
• the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Thy dead men shall live
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
to receive you to myself
• so shall we ever be with the Lord.
That where I am ye may be also
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Until the indignation is past
God has not appointed us to wrath
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1 Thes 4:16-18
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:
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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.
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1 Thessalonians 4:17 Interlinear
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1 Thes 4:17 (Latin Vulgate)
deinde nos qui vivimus qui
relinquimur simul rapiemur
cum illis in nubibus obviam
Domino in aera et sic semper
cum Domino erimus
Rapiemur is the proper tense of rapio:
Our English words “rapt” and “rapture” come
from the Past Participle of rapio.
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Harpazo to Rapturo to Rapture
1 Thess 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. KJV
Strong’s NT:726 harpazo (harpad'-zo); from a derivative of
NT:138; to sieze (in various
applications): KJV-catch (away,
up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
The root word from which the
phrase Harpageesometha derives
LATIN VULGATE 1 Thess 4:17 deinde nos qui
vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in
nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum
Domino erimus
English root for Rapture
Caught up is the definition of the Greek root word: Harpazo
When the NT was translated from Greek to Latin the root word used for Harpazo
was the Latin root Rapiemur.
It’s root is the basis for the English word Rapture with which we are familiar
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Harpazo
G726 Part of Speech: verb
1) to seize, carry off by force
2) to seize on, claim for one’s
self eagerly
3) to snatch out or away
18 KJV Occurrences:
caught, 5
Act_8:39, 2Co_12:2, 2Co_12:4, 1Th_4:17, Rev_12:5
force, 3
Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
take, 3
Mat_11:12, Joh_6:15, Act_23:10
away, 2
Mat_13:19, Act_8:39
catcheth, 2 Mat_13:19, Joh_10:12
pluck, 2
Joh_10:28-29 (2)
pulling, 1
Jud_1:23
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Rapture and Second Coming = Very Different Events!
There are distinct differences in God's Word between the description of the Rapture and that of the
Second Coming of Christ. Here are just some of the obvious differences:
t h e R a p t u r e ...
-Seen Only by Believers ... 1 Co 15:52
-It's a Mystery - revealed by Paul in the New
Testament ... 1Co 15:51-53
-In a Twinkling of an Eye ... 1 Co 15:51-53
-We are Going "UP" - Meeting Jesus in the Air
... 1 Thes 4:15-18
-A Thief in the Night.... 1Thes 5:2
-Christ Comes for His Own ... 1 Thes 4:13-18
-Believers taken to Father's House ... John 14:3
-No reference to Satan ...
-Earth not judged ...
t h e S e c o n d C o m i n g ...
-Every Eye Will See Him ... Rev 1:7 19:11-16
and Matt 24:30
-Not a Mystery - Foretold in Old Testament ...
Dan 12:1-3 and Zech. 12:10; 14:4
-He will be Coming "DOWN" to the Mount of
Olives ... Zech 14
-He Comes With His Own ... Rev 19:14 *
-Satan bound ... Rev 20:1-3
-Earth judged ... Rev 20:4-5
In a post-trib rapture scenerio, we would rise in the air meet the Lord, then turn, do a 180, back down to
earth ... Zech. 14:4 tells us His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. If He is already headed our way ...
why would we need to be caught up to meet Him? Are we Going Up or Coming Down?
At the Second Coming, He is not coming alone.
Rather those who had been raptured earlier are coming back WITH HIM!
Revelation 19:14 speaking of the Second Coming reads; "And the armies which were in heaven
followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
In Jude 1:14 ... Enoch also, prophesied about this saying; "...Behold, the Lord cometh with ten
thousands of his saints." Interesting that Enoch was also Raptured! (Genesis 5:24)
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1 Thes 4:11-18 Rapture or Second Coming
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to
work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may
walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack
of nothing.
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no
hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we
say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep. 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: 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.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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1 Thes 5:1-11 Rapture or Second Coming
15:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not
escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children
of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night. 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.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our
Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do.
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Jesus’ Confidential Briefing
• 4 disciples ask Jesus about his return
Peter – James – John – Andrew
• His private answer is in 3 Gospels
Matthew 24-25 Mark 13
Luke 21
He points them to Daniel 9 as the key
to Endtime Prophecy
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The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of
Olives, the disciples came unto him
privately, saying,
•Tell us, when shall these things be?
and
•what shall be the sign of thy coming,
•and of the end of the world?
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The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:4-8
[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no
man deceive you.
[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and
shall deceive many.
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye
be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the
end is not yet.
[7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places.
[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.
These signs of the times we are seeing around us today.
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The Confidential Briefing
When ye therefore shall see
the Abomination of Desolation,
spoken of by Daniel the prophet,
stand in the holy place,
(whoso readeth, let him understand:)...
See Daniel 10-12
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the
mountains: …
Matthew 24:15-16
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The Flight from Judea
Matthew 24:17-20
[17] Let him which is on the housetop not come
down to take any thing out of his house:
[18] Neither let him which is in the field return
back to take his clothes.
[19] And woe unto them that are with child, and
to them that give suck in those days!
[20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the
winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Jewish focus – Gentiles are typically unconcerned with the Sabbath
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To prevail or not to prevail….
Dan 7:21-22 I beheld, and the same horn made war
with the saints, and prevailed against them; [22] Until
the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to
the saints of the most High; and the time came that
the saints possessed the kingdom.
Rev. 13:7 And it was given unto him to
make war with the saints, and to overcome
them: and power was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee,
That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it.
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???
24
Matt 11:11; Luke 7:28
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them
that are born of women there hath not risen a
greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he
that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are
born of women there is not a greater prophet than
John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom
of God is greater than he.
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Matt 11:13; Luke 16:16
Matthew 11:13
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until
John.
Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets were until John: since
that time the kingdom of God is preached, and
every man presseth into it.
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Everyone in ‘The’ Church is a Saint; is Elect !
But…
Not everyone who is Elect; a Saint; is in The Church !!!
Not all “Saints” are alike
The ELECT !!!
• Old Testament Saints
• The Church
• Tribulation Saints
• Millennial Saints
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Old Testament Patterns
• Enoch and the Flood of Noah
Gen 5:24
• Lot leaving Sodom
Gen 19:15-25
• Isaac’s absence after his offering
Gen 22:19-24:62
• Ruth during the Threshing Floor scene
Ruth 3:7-9
• Daniel’s absence from the Fiery Furnace
Dan 3
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7 “Raptures” – Catching away
• Enoch
Gen 5:24; Heb 11:5
• Elijah
2 Kings 2:1, 11
• Jesus
Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9-11;
Rev 12:5
• Philip
Acts 8:39
• Paul
2 Cor 12:2-4
• Body of Christ
(The Church)
1 Thes 4:17
• John
Rev 4:1
G305 Verb : anabaino ascend
a) to go up
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b) to rise, mount, be borne up, spring up
29
Enoch walked with God
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we
have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God:
and he was not; for God took him.
Jewish tradition:
Enoch born on:
Hag Shavout
Enoch translated (raptured) Hag Shavout
Church born ??
Hag Shavout
Hag Shavout = Feast of Weeks, Harvest, Pentecost…
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3 Groups Faced the Flood of Noah
1. Those that perished in the Flood
“The unbelieving world”; drowned by God’s wrath
2. Those preserved through the Flood
“The believing remnant”; sealed in the Ark went
through the flood
3. Those removed prior to the Flood
“The Raptured; Enoch
…but Enoch is only one body
…so is the Church
…the Body of Christ
A 4th group – those who died before the flood – did not face the flood
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Lot must leave Sodom or judgment cannot fall
Gen 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise,
take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the
iniquity of the city. 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. 17 And it came to
pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not
behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be
consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy
servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast
shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil
take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh,
let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto
him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this
city, for the which thou hast spoken.
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.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the
LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD
out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the
inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
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Isaac: Sacrifice (The Akedah) to the meeting his bride
Genesis 22-24
Who do the characters represent ?
• Abraham’s willing sacrifice of his son - Symbolic of God’s Sacrifice of his son Jesus
• On the Mountains of Moriah: just outside of what would be Jerusalem: Golgotha ??
Gen 22:1-3 [1] And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt
Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. [2] And
he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee
into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the
mountains which I will tell thee of.
[3] And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took
two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the
burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
• Took 3 days to get to Moriah – Isaac was already dead in Abraham’s mind and heart
Gen 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place
afar off.
• Servants waited at the foot of the mountain for their return
Gen 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass;
and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you,
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Isaac: Sacrifice (The Akedah) to the meeting his bride
Genesis 22-24
Who do the characters represent ?
• Abraham and Isaac go up the mountain together – in agreement
Gen 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon
Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went
both of them together.
Isaac was not a child - may have been 30-32 years old at the time…
• Abraham came down alone ???? Where is Isaac ???
Gen 22:19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and
went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
• An Amazing ‘pun’:
Gen 22:7-8 [7] And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My
father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the
wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
[8] And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt
offering: so they went both of them together.
• Abraham knew he was acting out a prophetic event.
Gen 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is
said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
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Isaac: Sacrifice (The Akedah) to the meeting his bride
Genesis 22-24
Who do the characters represent ?
Isaac next appears in scripture when he goes out to meet and gather in his bride
to his fathers house
Genesis 24:1-67
• Notice here the eldest servant of Abraham’s household >> The Holy Spirit ???
…Jn 16:13: Will not testify of Himself.
Gen 15:2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless,
and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Ruled over all that Abraham had; He is unnamed here
The task to go and call and return with a bride for his son.
Eleazar / Eliezar: Help of my God >> Comforter
• Isaac meets his bride at a place called Lahai-roi: “Who liverth and seeeth me”
Gen 24:62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south
country. [63] And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his
eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. [64] And Rebekah lifted up her eyes,
and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. [65] For she had said unto the servant,
What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my
master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. [66] And the servant told Isaac all
things that he had done. [67] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took
Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his
mother's death.
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Ruth at the Threshing Floor: Ruth 3
The entire book of Ruth while true historically is symbolic and instructive:
•
•
•
•
•
Naomi: Israel
Ruth: gentile
Boaz: kinsman redeemer > The Lord
Nearer kinsman: the Law
Threshing Floor = Tribulation
Rev 3:10; Jer 51:33
Where is Ruth during the Threshing floor scene ? - At the feet of Boaz !
Ruth 3:13 Lie down until morning
Isa 26:20
Rev. 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.
Jeremiah 51:33
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; The
daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little
while, and the time of her harvest shall come.
Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy
doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the
indignation be overpast.
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Daniel 3:1-30
• Babylon and its king who demanded worship – forming a new ‘religion’
was in control of Israel and the then known world.
• He commanded that all ‘worship’ an idol – an image of himself that he
had erected under penalty of death for refusing.
• The faithful of Israel (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego ) refused to
acknowledge this false god and were persecuted by him because of it.
• Remaining faithful – even to death – the Lord Himself rescued them
out of the firey trial.
All of this we know and is fact….but,
Where was Daniel during the firey trial of the faithful Hebrew
children?
Certainly he did not bow to the idol and worship the image !
He must have not been in Babylon at the time – he must
have been off somewhere else – out of the false god king’s
reach and influence at the time….
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Old Testament Allusions
Isa 26:19-21 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead
body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy
dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
[20] Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy
doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment,
until the indignation be overpast. [21] For, behold, the Lord
cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for
their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no
more cover her slain.
Zeph. 2:3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which
have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness:
it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.
Ps 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his
pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he
shall set me up upon a rock.
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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.
Accounted worthy:
Ye must be “Born Again” - made one in the Body / Bride of
Christ: the Church before the church age ends
Escape all these things:
If not the Tribulation and God’s wrath poured out on the earth,
then what is it Jesus is warning us to be worthy to escape?
And, if we escape all these things where will we be?
Standing before Jesus: The Son of man; redeemed and in him.
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ
• 1,845 references in the Old Testament
– 17 Old Testament books give prominence to the event
• 318 references in the New Testament
– 216 chapters
– 23 New Testament books give prominence to the event
For every prophecy of Christ’s 1st Coming
there are 8 related to His 2nd Coming!
The Second coming of Christ is a series of events
beginning with the Rapture of the Church and
ending with Jesus reign during the Millenium.
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Eschatology: Last Things
7 year tribulation 1,000 year rule
Endtime events
Amillennial
Post-Millennial
Preterism
Reconstructionism
Post-Tribulational
Allegorical
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Mid-Tribulational
Hermeneutics
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Pre-millennial
Pre-Tribulational
Literal
41
Pre-trib. Pre-millenial view held by 1st and 2nd century
Apostles and church leaders.
It was the reason Paul wrote 2 Thess.
Someone had apparently forged a letter under his name telling
the Thessalonians that the rapture had already occurred and that
the persecution they were beginning to suffer was the beginning
of sorrows - the Tribulation period that Paul had taught them
about during his first and only visit of three weeks.
2 Thes 2
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither
by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the
day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall
not come, except ….
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Pre-millenialism ----- Amillenialism
Man has dreamed (and tried to achieve) a “utopia” and failed.
Only Jesus, on David’s throne, will establish this perfect kingdom.
The spin on this subject divides eschatological views into its two
basic divisions:
Premillennialism: (literal view: Really, it will happen)
Amillennialsim: (allegorical view: Not really, just symbolically)
Millennium: from Latin, mille (1000) and annum (year).
Also, CHILIASM, from the Greek, which is the way the early
church spoke of it. Christ will visibly and physically return to the
earth, reign over the nations of the earth and Israel will enjoy the
blessings promised through the prophets for 1,000 literal years.
There is more prophecy in the Scripture concerning the
Millennium than of any other period.
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• It is Essential: (The fulfillment of specific promises to Israel and Christ).
• Promised to David (2 Sam 7:12-17; 23:5) under oath (Ps 89:34-37).
• Predicted in the Psalms and the Prophets (Ps 2; 45; 110; Isa 2:1-5; 4:1-6; 11:1-9; 12:1-6;
30:18-26; 35:1-10; 60, 61:3-62; 66; Jer 23:3-8; 32:37-44; Ezek 40-48; Dan 2:44-45; 7:13-14;
12:2-3; Mic 4:1-8; Zech 12:10-14:21).
• Promised to Mary (Lk 1:32; Mic 5:2; Isa 9:6, 7; Dan 2:44)
• Reaffirmed to apostles (Lk 22:29-30).
• Lord’s Prayer: “Thy Kingdom come”; “For thine is the kingdom (Mt 6:10, 13; Acts 1:6; Ps 45,
46, 47, 48).
• Rule (Ps 2; 110) with a “Rod of Iron” (Rev 12:5; 19:15).
• Every knee must bow (Phil 2:6-11). If not then, When ??
• Preview of this in Matt 17.
• Melchizedek = type of Christ’s rule — King and Priest (Zech 6:13).
• Millennial Temple (Isa 3:17, 22; Ezek 43:7; 44:2; 46:1-3).
• Located in Zion (Isa 2:2-4; Jer 23:3-6).
• David? (Ezek 37:24, 25; 34:23, 24; Jer 30:9; Hos 3:5).
• Walk of Prince? Ezek 46:4-12.
The
Literal
Millennium
Launching Pad
The entire creation will be changed:
• Physical changes (Zech 4:9,10; Isa 35:1-10);
• Curse lifted (Isa 11:6-9);
• Creation redeemed (Gen 3 => Rom 8:20-22);
• Earth full of knowledge of the Lord (Isa 11:9; Hab 2:14).
Yet, it is not eternity:
• There will be Death, sin (Isa 65:20);
• Each to have land (Micah 4:15);
• Fruitful (Amos 9:13).
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The Pre-Millennial View
This view takes the “1000-year reign” literally, as the fulfillment of the
numerous promises, in both the Old and New Testaments.
Gabriel committed the rule of the Throne of David to Mary at the
Annunciation
Luke 1:32-33 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of
the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne
of his father David: [33] And he shall reign over the house of
Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
The prophetic destiny of Israel is also the issue.
The Bible indicates that the entire world is going to go to war over
this issue
(Zech 12; Ps 2; et al.).
It has begun.
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Read your newspapers.
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Aw’ Right, Who started it ?!?
Pre-Tribulation Eschatology: It’s Not a new idea !
• The perception of the “gap” of Dan 9:26 appears in the Epistle of
Barnabas (100 AD) and other early writings.
• Justin Martyr (100-165 AD): Dialogue with Trypho
• Irenaeus (~120-203 AD): Against Heresies
• Hippolytus (died ~236 AD): a disciple of Irenaeus; Ante Nicene
Fathers, Vol . p.182.);
• The issue of Imminence is the subject of 80 anti-Nicene
references dating around 325 AD
• Ephraem of Nisibis the Syrian (306-373 AD)
“For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the
tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the
confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins.”
On the Last Times, the Antichrist,
and the End of the World
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Pre-Tribulation Eschatology
Peter Jurieu, The Approaching Deliverance of the Church, 1687
Philip Doddridge's Commentary on the New Testament, 1738
Dr. John Gill, Commentary on the New Testament, 1748
James Macknight, Commentary on the Apostolical Epistles, 1763
Thomas Scott, Commentary on the Holy Bible, 1792
Pre-Trib Popularization
Dan 12:4 But thou, O
Daniel, shut up the words, • Emanuael Lacunza (Ben Ezra), 1812
and seal the book, even to
• Edward Irving, 1816
the time of the end: many
shall run to and fro, and
• John N. Darby, 1820
knowledge shall be
• Margaret McDonald, 1830
increased.
They did for “Eschatology” what Martin Luther and
other Reformation leaders did for “Salvation by faith”.
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Who’s Who and Where Are They?
To find a Pre-Triber’ near you…
• J. Dwight Pentecost,
• John F. Walvoord,
• Charles C. Ryrie,
• Hal Lindsey,
• Feinberg,
• Fruchtenbaum,
• Charles Dyer,
• Grant Jeffrey,
• Chuck Smith,
• Tim Lahaye,
• et al
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Let’s put it out of its misery
The Post Millennial View
It teaches that Jesus will return only after the Church has worked
to bring about the Righteousness the Kingdom of God demands.
They believe the millennium may or may not be 1,000 years long.
Christ rules in and through the hearts of the believers but it is the
church who will evangelize the world into the Kingdom.
It was popular a century ago when optimism assumed that the
world was getting better and better. A proponent is rarely
encountered today. The realities of the 20th/21st century have
rendered this view obsolete.
Jesus own teaching (Matt 13) and His letters to the church
(Rev 2-3) paint a completely opposite view…
Only a few sincerely still hold this view but then … there are still
thousands of sincere members of the Flat Earth Society !!
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Where’d that come from ???
The History of Amillennialism
• Origen (185-232 AD): Allegorization of Scripture
– Attempt to make Gospel / Scritpures paletable to secular rulers and
government – to ease persecutions
• Augustine (354-386 AD) : Amillennialism
• Roman Catholic Eschatology
• Luther: Reformation failed to address…
– To busy with the realization and rediscovered doctrine of Salvation
by Faith – the Grace of God. Did not challenge many of the other
‘traditional’, formal church doctrines
– Most Protestant Denominations are Amillennial and PostTribulational in their eschatological views
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3rd and 4th Century Church onward
Allegorical methods, adopted by 3rd century theologian Origen, led to
Augustine developing the “amillennial view”
— that Jesus was to rule “spiritually” rather than literally.
This view ultimately became the dominant view of the Roman Catholic
Church.
It is a foundational basis for anti-semitism (Jer 31:35-37) and in large part led
to the attrocities committed in God’s name during the Crusades
Jeremiah 31:35-37 Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light
by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by
night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of
hosts is his name: [36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith
the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation
before me for ever. [37] Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be
measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will
also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the
Lord.
This view is becoming widespread again.
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3rd and 4th Century Church onward
On the ‘conversion’ of Constantine, the Edict of Toleration made
Christian Church legal throughout the Roman Empire.
Constantine’s successors later made it the official state religion.
The “premillennial” view — that the Lord Jesus Christ was going to
return to rid the world of its evil and its evil leadership — became
unpopular with the current world leadrs!
Origen developed and taught a symbolic figurative interpretation and
application of scripture
– He focused on the passages of scripture that were socially
unacceptable and politically incorrect to the world leadership
including most of the prophesies relating to the ‘end times’ and
the return of Jesus Christ.
The Church as it developed, Rome eventually fell and the chruch
assumed both political and religious control.
It maintained, held to and propagated these heresies.
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3rd and 4th Century Church onward
Many previously pagan practices had now become part of Christian
tradition and was accepted church practice and doctrine under the now
politically correct and powerful ‘Christian’ religious leadership.
These teachings were given new titles and names but remained
pagan practices that the church now accepted as ‘christian’.
‘Toleration’ and assimilation (of pagans and pagan customs
became the watchword).
The Reformation, while dealing with many doctrines in its “back to the
Bible” emphasis, failed to re-examine the eschatology of the Medieval
church.
As a result of this neglect, amillennialism became the ‘eschatological’
view and doctrine assumed by most mainline Protestant
denominations.
Literal interpretation, however, was favored by Irenaeus, Sir Isaac
Newton, et al.
Throughout the centuries, a minority of scholars have held to a literal
approach to the Scriptures.
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The Amillennial View
Amillennialism is usually accompanied by a post-tribulational view.
But, Amillennialism makes God guilty of not keeping His
unconditional covenants to the physical descendants of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: The Jews.
• Promise of the Land (Gen 12:7; 13:15-16; 17:7-8).
• Promise of the land, a kingdom, and a greater Son of David
(Messiah) as King (Ps 89:27-37).
• Promise of restoration to the land of Israel from worldwide
dispersion and the establishment of Messiah’s kingdom
(Jer 31:37; Ezek 36,37 38, 39, etc.).
• Promises that a remnant of the Israelites will be saved
(Rom 11:25-29; Zech 13:8,9; Isa 10:20-22).
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The Second Coming
Post Trib Rapture
Are we coming or going ???
PostTrib
Rapture
69
?
2nd
Coming
70th Week
Covenant Enforced
(Interval)
Abomination
of Desolation
Millennium
The Great Tribulation
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Alternative “Tribulation” Views
Pre-
Mid-
PreWrath
?
?
69
Post-
??
?
2nd
Coming
70th Week
Covenant Enforced
(Interval)
Abomination
of Desolation
Millennium
The Great Tribulation
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Who’s Who and Where Are They?
Post-tribulationists:
Robert Gundry, George Ladd, Walter Martin, Pat Robertson,
Jim McKeever.
Mid-tribulationists:
Norman B. Harrison, J. Sidlow Baxter, et al.
Pre-tribulation:
J. Dwight Pentecost, John F. Walvoord, Charles C. Ryrie,
Popularized by Hal Lindsey, et al. (Also, Feinberg,
Fruchtenbaum, Charles Dyer, Grant Jeffrey, Chuck Smith, Tim
Lahaye, et al.)
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Confusion: Israel and the Church
• Distinctions
– Different Origins, Missions, Destinies
• “Replacement” views deny Israel its place in
God’s program
– Makes God a Liar
– Laid the basis for Christian Anti-Semitism
• The “70 Weeks” deal specifically with Israel
• Paul’s dichotomy: Jews + Gentiles = Church
• Distinctives reappear after Revelation 4…
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ITS NOW OR NEVER !!!
Serious:
Take scripture in the literal sense when no other
sense is needed to make sense
Futurist:
Bible Prophecy is given and validated to declare
God’s plan and end purposes
Dispensational:
God is able to and does deal with different groups
uniquely as He chooses throughout history
Pre-Tribulational: Jesus will return for and collect the Church to
Himself prior to the revealing of Anti-Christ and the
beginning of Daniel’s 70th seven – the tribulation
period
Pre-millenial:
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The Tribulation will occur and be brought to a close
by Jesus Christ’s Second Coming to earth in glory
to establish His kingdom on the earth for 1,000
years after which God’s final judgement takes place
and a new heaven and new earth are brought
about.
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The Battle of
Armageddon
The Magog
Invasion
RAPTURE
69
weeks
?
?
The Rebuilt
Temple
?
2nd
Coming
70th Week
Covenant Enforced
(Interval)
Abomination
of Desolation
Millennium
The Great Tribulation
Church Age
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IMMINENCE
?? What’s the hold up ? … ??
im·mi·nent adj. About to occur; impending. -im“mi·nent·ly adv. --im“mi·nent·ness n.
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The Doctrine of Imminence
Imminent: About to occur;
Impending; Next expectation
• Not to be confused with: “immanent”, that God is not
only transcendent, or far above us, but that He is always
with us and active on our behalf.
Existing or remaining within; inherent.
Restricted entirely to the mind; subjective
• Nor should it be confused with “eminent”, which is a title
of honor reserved for those of outstanding distinction.
Towering or standing out above others; prominent.
Of high rank, station, or quality; noteworthy.
Outstanding, as in character or performance; distinguished
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Imminence: The Early Church’s Teaching Related to Jesus
Impending Return - Possible at any moment
Imminence is spoken of as ‘doctrine’ and belief in 80 anti-Nicene references
Other early writers referencing and stating a pre-Mil, pre-Trib view include:
• Irenaeus, Against Heresies;
• Hippolytus, a disciple of Irenaeus (2nd Century), Ante Nicene Fathers, Vol . p.182.);
• Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho.
• Peter Jurieu, 1687, Approaching Deliverance of the Church,
• Philip Doddgridge’s Commentary on the New Testament, 1738;
• Dr. John Gill’s Commentary on the New Testament, 1 Thes 4:15-17, 1748;
• James Macknight’s Commentary on the Apostolical Epistles, 1763;
• Thomas Scott’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, 1792.
Obviously, the early Church fathers believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ.
This means that as far as they were concerned no other known event needed to occur
before the Lord’s return for the Church.
Going through or even seeing the beginning of the “Tribulation” or the “Man of Sin
coming to power” would signal a sure sign starting a count down to Jesus return and
would remove the validity of any belief in the imminency of Christ’s return
The pre-trib rapture is the only logical alternative.
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Doctrine of Imminence
• Believers are taught to expect the Savior from
heaven at any moment.
Phil 3:20; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:28;
1 Thes 1:10; 4:18; 5:6; Rev 22:20
• Expresses hope and a warm spirit of
expectancy
1 Thes 1:10
• Should result in a victorious and purified life.
1 John 3:2-3
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Doctrine of Imminence
• Paul seemed to include himself among those who
looked for Christ’s return at any moment.
1 Thes 4:15, 17; 2 Thes 2:1
• Timothy was admonished to “keep this commandment
without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord
Jesus Christ.”
1 Tim 6:14
• Jewish converts were reminded that “yet a little while
and He that shall come will come and will not tarry.”
Heb 10:37
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Imminence:
Clement of Rome writing about 95 AD
“Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will
be accomplished, as the Scriptures bear
witness, saying, ‘Speedily will He come, and
will not tarry’; and ‘ the Lord shall suddenly
come to His temple, even the Holy One, for
whom ye look.’”
These statements were contained in his first
epistle to the Corinthians, and again affirmed in his
second epistle to the same people.
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Imminence:
The Didache about 100 AD
“Watch for your life’s sake. Let not your lamps be
quenched, nor your loins unloosed, but be ye ready,
for ye know not the hour in which our Lord cometh.”
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Imminence: The Shepherd of Hermas
about 100-120 AD
In reference to the Great Tribulation:
“If ye then prepare yourselves, and repent with
all your heart, and turn to the Lord, it will be
possible for you to escape, if your heart be pure
and sinless, and ye spend the rest of your lives
serving the Lord blamelessly.”
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Imminence: Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage
about 220 to 250 AD
Expressed the imminency of Christ’s return when
he said:
“Let us ever in anxiety and cautiousness be waiting
the Second Coming of the Lord, for as those things
which follow which are yet promised; the Lord
Himself giving assurance and saying, ‘When you
see all these things come to pass, know that the
Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.’”
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Imminence requires a Pre-Trib Rapture
Passages of similar nature are easily found in the writings of others of this
period.
While not all the early Church fathers were consistent or agreed in their
views (not much has changed today), it is obvious that many, many of
them looked upon the return of Jesus as imminent, thus expressing the
definite conclusion that the Church would not go through the tribulation.
To state that the pre-trib rapture doctrine originated about 1830 or
thereabouts because it was not discussed in early church writings is
ridiculous.
It simply ignores the history documentation we have which support the
simple clear statements of Scripture concerning the return of Christ for
His bride.
• His taking her to be with Him,
• Celebrating the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and
• Then returning with His hosts to claim for His own and to judge an
unbelieving (and by then a) world that is fully without excuse…
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Extremes
Rapture-itis:
Paralysis by Rapture
Rapture-mania:
Going out on a Date
Date Setters and Re-setters
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Symptoms of Rapture-itis
1] Heavenly Bail-bondsman … John 16:33
Because the Church Will NOT go through the “Great Tribulation”,
Don’t think we will escape persecution and the tribulations
That most of the body of Christ experienced
Across most of the world for most of the past 2,000 years !!!
John 7:7; John 15:18; 1 John 3:13
2] Wait for it …
The expectation of some in the 1st century that Jesus coming was
imminent was so strong that they had stopped working and had to
be exhorted :
• To return to their jobs
2 Thes 3:10-12
• And to have patience
James 5:8
We were told to “Occupy til I come” Luke 19:13
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Rapturemainia: Going out on a date
• Joachim of Flores, 1260
• William Miller 1843
Then 22 Oct 1844
• Militz of Kromeriz, 1365
• C.T. Russell, 1874
• Joseph Mede, 1660
• E.C. Whisenant’s
“88 reasons for 1988”
• John Napier, 1688
• Pierre Jurieu of France, 1689
• William Whitson, 1715
Then 1734
Then 1866
• Harold Camping, Sept 1994
• More then we can count, 2000
• Still more to come….
• J.A. Bergen, 1836
• Joseph Worlf, 1847
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Matt 24:36; Mark 13:32; Matt 24:42, 44
Matt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no
man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth
no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven,
neither the Son, but the Father.
Matt 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what
hour your Lord doth come.
Matt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such
an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
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Matt 25:13; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:40; Acts 1:7
Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the
hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mark 13:33-37 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know
not when the time is. [34] For the Son of man is as a man
taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to
his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the
porter to watch. [35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when
the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at
the cockcrowing, or in the morning: [36] Lest coming suddenly
he find you sleeping. [37] And what I say unto you I say unto
all, Watch.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man
cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the
times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
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John 14:1-3
1 Cor 15:1-53
1 Thes 4:13-18
Rom 8:19
1 Cor 1:7-8
1 Cor 16:22
Phil 3:20-21
Col 3:4
1 Thes 1:10
1 Thes 2:19
1 Thes 5:9
1 Thes 5:23
2 Thes 2:1, (3)
1 Tim 6:14
2 Tim 4:1
Titus 2:13
Heb 9:28
James 5:7-9
1 Peter 1:7, 13
1 John 2:28-3:2
Jude 21
Rev 2:25
Rev 3:10
Acts 17:11
Daniel 2:44-45
Daniel 7:9-14
Daniel 12:1-3
Zech 14:1-15
Matt 13:41
Matt 24:15-31
Matt 26:64
Mark 13:14-27
Mark 14:62
Luke 21:25-28
Acts 1:9-11
Acts 3:19-21
1 Thes 3:13
2 Thes 1:6-10
2 Thes 2:8
2 Peter 3:1-14
Jude 14-15
Rev 1:7
Rev 19:11-20
Rev 22:7, 12, 20
1 Thes 5:21
Jesus comes to claim His
creation and establish His
throne on the earth
“The” Second Coming
Jesus comes to gather and
meet his Church n the air
The “Rapture”
The Second Coming: a sequence of events
76
Two Events
Rapture
2nd Coming
Translation of believers
Translated saints go to heaven
Earth not judged
Imminent, any moment, signless
Not in the Old Testament
Believers only included
Before the day of wrath
No reference to Satan
Jesus comes for His own
He comes in the air
He claims His Bride
Only His own see Him
Great Tribulation begins
Church believers only
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No translation involved
Translated saints return to earth
Earth judged
Follows definite predicted signs
Predicted in Old Testament
Affects all men on the earth
Concludes the day of wrath
Satan bound
Jesus comes with His own
He comes to the earth
He comes with His Bride
Every eye shall see Him
Millennium begins
OT Saved raised later?
1 Thes 5:21
77
When then?
Timing of the Rapture…
Greek, harpazo, Latin, rapturo.
• 70th Week is defined by the enforcement of a covenant with the Coming World
Leader (Dan 9:27).
The perception of the “gap” of Dan 9:26 appears in the Epistle of Barnabas,
A.D. 100 and other early writings.
One of many examples of a ‘gap’ imbedded in scripture.
It’s like looking across mountain peaks and being unaware of the valley
in between until you actually get there.
• The Leader cannot “enforce the covenant” until after he appears in power.
• He cannot appear until after the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit as He indwells the
Church) is removed (2 Thess 2:7-9).
There must be some interval — from a day to possibly several decades —
between his initial appearance and ascending to the power implied in his
“enforcing the covenant.”
There is some basis (Mt 24:32-34) that the entire series of events—from
the rapture to the close of the 70th Week—occurs within one generation:
less than 40 years.
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1 and 2 Thessalonians
During his first visit to Thessalonica, which lasted 3 weeks, Paul taught the new
converts and new church extensively about the Rapture and 2nd Coming of Jesus
He confirmed his teaching with his first letter to the Thessalonian church..
After he left someone forged his name on another false letter and sent it to
Thessalonica and it caused great concern in Thessalonica.
They began to experience persecution at the hands of the Jews to the extent some
were killed or had died. They thought they had missed Christ’s return for them [the
rapture] and had entered the period of time known as the tribulation.
Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to calm the new church. Paul in his second letter makes it
clear that specific things would happen in a specific order.
E.g. There would be an general apostasy or falling away of the faithful.
This had not happened to the Thessaloicians.
The one who restrains would be taken away.
This is the Holy Spirit as He worked in and thru the church in society.
Then the man of sin; the one commonly called Anti-Christ; would then be
revealed and rise in power
The Thessalonicans had been told to look for the Rapture, not the Tribulation, then with
the beginning persecution and the forged letter they began to be shaken.
Paul says do good, maintain hope and faith and comfort each other.
We look for Christ returning for us - not tribulation.
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Rapture precedes the Tribulation?
• The beginning of the 70th Week is defined by
covenant enforced by the Coming World Leader
Daniel 9:27
• “Great Tribulation” = last 1/2 of 70th Week
Matt 24:15, 21
• The Leader cannot be revealed until after the
Rapture
2 Thess 2:6-9
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2 Thes 2:1-17
2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon
shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter
as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come,
• except there come a falling away first, and
• that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,
or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of
God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these
things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his
time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:
• only he who now letteth will let,
• until he be taken out of the way.
• 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed,
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2 Thes 2:1-17
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, 9 whom the Lord shall consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all
power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of
the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he
called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have
been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath
loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through
grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and
work.
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The Order of Events
For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first
v.3
He who now [restraineth] will [restrain], until He be taken out of the way v.7
And then shall that Wicked One be revealed
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83
2 Thes 2:7
only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way
The Hinderer of Lawlessness
1. It is something already known (2 Thes. 2:6).
2. It now hinders lawlessness (2 Thes. 2:6-7).
3. It is strong enough to prevent the revelation of the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:6-8).
4. It will hinder lawlessness until it is removed from the earth (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
5. It is called "he" (2 Thes. 2:7).
6. It will be removed from the earth before the second coming (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
7. It will not be here when Christ comes to destroy Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
Who are the Hinderers of lawlessness? One of Three Things:
1. Governments (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13)
2. The Holy Spirit (John 16:7-15)
3. The church (Matthew 5:13; 1 Cor. 2:15-16; Ephes. 6:12-18; 2 Cor. 10:4-7)
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Who’s holding things back?
Who is it that Jesus said restrains ?
The Holy Spirit through his ‘empowering’ the born again
believers whom He indwells today - the Church
(Mat 16:19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in
heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven.
(Mat 18:18) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on
earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Could He have said it any more clearly ?
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2 Thes. 2:7
only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way
Will governments be taken out of the world?
No,
Antichrist reigns over many kingdoms (Daniel 7:24; Daniel 11:40-45),
Other ‘kings’ reign over the rest of the earth all during the time the hinderer
of lawlessness is removed (Rev. 11:15; Rev. 16:13-16).
Will it be the direct presence of the Holy Spirit?
No
He will be here all through the tribulation and forever (John 14:16; Acts
2:16-21; Rev. 12:17 with Rev. 19:10; Zech. 12:10-13:1).
Multitudes will be saved by the Holy Spirit during the tribulation, as now
(Acts 2:16-21; Acts 12:5,17; Acts 15:2-4; Acts 20:4-6).
So it must be the church.
The church will be raptured before Antichrist comes and this is the only one of
the hinderers of lawlessness that will be removed from the earth (1 Thes 4:16).
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2 Thes. 2:7
only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way
The "He" of 2 Thessalonians 2:7
Some believe that the church could not be referred to as ‘he’,
because it is the bride of Christ.
However, the church is called a man (Ephes. 2:15; Ephes. 4:13) and
the body of Christ (2 Cor. 12:12-13,27; Ephes. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18,24).
The church, the body of Christ, is often referred to by a masculine
pronoun as well as being called the ‘bride of Christ’.
The church is the only one of the three hinderers of lawlessness that will
be taken out of the world.
2 Thes. 2:7 must refer to the church being taken out of the world ...
And then
shall that wicked be revealed who will be destroyed seven years
later by Christ at His second coming (2 Thes. 2:7-8).
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2 Thes. 2:7
only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way
Rapture Before Antichrist
• The church will continue to hinder lawlessness until the rapture.
• And then the Antichrist will be revealed.
Conclusive proof that the rapture takes place before Daniel's 70th
week and the tribulation of Rev. 6:1-19:21.
According to Daniel 9:27, Antichrist will be here for 7 years, for he makes
a 7-year covenant with Israel.
If he is here for 7 years, which will be the last 7 years of this age, and
If he who hinders lawlessness refers to the church and is taken out of
the way before he comes,
Then the rapture will take place before the last 7 years of this age
and before the Antichrist comes at the beginning of those 7
years.
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He won’t leave without us
but He will send us on ahead
Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.
G1459
egkataleipo
Thayer Definition:
1) abandon, desert
1a) leave in straits, leave helpless
1b) totally abandoned, utterly forsaken
2) to leave behind among, to leave surviving
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
2 Cor 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him
Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
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COMFORT ONE ANOTHER - NOT APPOINTED TO WRATH
1 THES 4:13-18
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you
by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the
coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with
these words. (KJV)
1 Thes. 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Church is to comfort one another with these words.
There is not much comfort in facing the tribulation period and the
oppression it brings.
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NOT APPOINTED TO WRATH
Rev. 6:16
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from
the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
WE WHO ARE IN CHRIST ARE NOT THE OBJECT OF GOD’S WRATH
The Church is forgiven and a ‘new creation’ – Nor because of any merit in those
who make up the Church but because of Jesus Christ work on our behalf and it is
because of His merit alone that …
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
1 THES 5:9-11 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by
our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we
should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and
edify one another, even as also ye do.
ROM 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV)
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Not of this world – Not Earth dwellers
The church is not of this world, not part of the world order, not brought to
condemnation or condemning judgment
JOHN 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it
hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but
because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you. (KJV)
JOHN 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them,
because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (KJV)
JOHN 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come
into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)
ROM 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV)
Believers (new creatures) are not dwellers on the earth but are strangers
and pilgrims on the earth
HEB 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced
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To be with Christ
ROM 8:21-23
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know
that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit,
the redemption of our body. (KJV)
1 JOHN 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for
we shall see him as he is.
COL 3:4
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him
in glory.
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ESCAPE THE THINGS TO COME
Luke 21:34-36 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed
down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day
come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those
who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray
always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things
that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." NKJV
How will those ‘counted worthy’ escape the things that will come to pass?
The rapture occuring before the things take place
In a War, Ambassadors are called home after the declaration of war has
been delivered but before the battles begin
2 Cor 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled
to God.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
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RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF
JOHN 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
G3438 mone; from G3306; an abiding, an abode:
- abode (1), dwelling places (1).
Note: The church is taken by Jesus to be with him in his place (heaven)
Not Jesus coming to the church to be with them in their location (earth)
• He goes to prepare our place
• He comes back again to receive us to Himself
• So that where He is and has come from we can go to be with Him in the place
He has prepared for us
The Rapture - the church meeting and going to be with Jesus - must precede the
second coming of Christ to the earth to establish his kingdom on earth.
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WHAT DO I NEED A PREPARED CHAMBER FOR ???
TO DWELL IN DURING THE INDIGNATION – GOD’S WRATH
Isa 26:20-27:1
20 Come, my people,
• enter your chambers,
• And shut your doors behind you;
• Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
• Until the indignation is past.
21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place
• To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;
The earth will also disclose her blood,
And will no more cover her slain. NKJV
Hide in your rooms where it is safe until God’s indignation - His wrath poured out
on the earth (where they are not) is past.
H2315
cheder (293c); from H2314; a chamber, room:
- bedroom (3), bedroom *(5), chamber (1), chambers (4), inner chamber
(1), inner room (5), innermost (1), innermost parts (3), inside *(1), room
(5), rooms (4), south (1).
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UNTIL...BE COME IN
Luke 19:41-44
41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If you
had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have
been hidden from your eyes. 43
"For the days will come upon you when your
enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every
side, 44 and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not
leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your
visitation."
Rom 11:25-29
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery -- so that you will not
be wise in your own estimation -- that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until
the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is
written, 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As
concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they
are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance.
The hardening of Israel pronounced by Jesus in Luke happened partly because they did not
recognize Him as Messiah as Daniel predicted in Dan 9:24-27.
Cf: Matt 23:39 Zech 12:10 2 Co 3:14-18
Hos 5:15
• “Fullness of the Gentiles” - A specific, preplanned number out of the nations??
• “Be come in” - Come in from where, to where??
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COME UP HITHER
REV 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter.
NOTE: After Rev 4:1, the church is not mentioned or seen on the earth again
until Jesus second coming to earth with power and glory.
• Either this was just a commandment to John, and nothing more
• Or it was a commandment to John, symbolic (real in the vision) of the church as
a whole initiating the Rapture, the calling home of the church to join Jesus.
The phrase “come up hither” is used once more in Revelation.
It is the command to the two witnesses who are to be killed in Jerusalem.
At the command 'come up hither' the resurrected witnesses are taken up to
Heaven alive, 'in a cloud'.
REV 11:3-12 .…11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God
entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them
which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from Heaven saying unto
them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their
enemies beheld them. (KJV)
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WITH A SHOUT… 1 THES 4:16-18
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: 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. 8 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Scripture indicates that when the Lord returns ‘for His own’ it will be with a shout.
Each time the phrase ‘Come up hither’ is used, it is directed to specific
individuals.
• Jesus, at the raising of Lazurus, called him out by name.
• The 2 Witnesses of Rev 11
Speculation: The shout at the Rapture will likely be each member of the Church
hearing the call personally and individually….
“Tom, Come up hither…”
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YOU’RE OTTA’ THIS WORLD …
The church is not of this world, not part of the world order, not brought to condemnation or
condemning judgment
JOHN 15:18-19
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of
the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
JOHN 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (KJV)
JOHN 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death unto life. (KJV)
1 THES 5:9-11
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even
as also ye do. (KJV)
ROM 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved
from wrath through him. (KJV)
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VISITOR PARKING ONLY ….
Believers (new creatures) are not dwellers on the earth but are strangers and pilgrims on
the earth
HEB 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen
them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (KJV)
Church at the Rapture is to be with Christ
ROM 8:21-23
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan
within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(KJV)
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THERE IS A CHANGE ON THE WAY ….
1 JOHN 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see
him as he is. (KJV)
COL 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
him in glory. (KJV)
PHIL 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his
glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things
unto himself. (KJV)
1 PETER 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by
Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered* a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,
settle you. (KJV)
* Check the rest of the passage – the suffering Peter refers to is the suffering of life on
earth until Jesus comes – this is not a reference to the ‘Tribulation Period’
JOHN 17:21-22
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even
as we are one: (KJV)
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1 Cor 15 The Resurrection Chapter
THE GOSPEL
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which
also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless
ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that
• Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
• [4] And that he was buried, and
• that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
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1 Cor 15 The Resurrection Chapter
THE WITNESSES
[5] And that he was seen of Cephas,
then of the twelve:
[6] After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once;
of whom the greater part remain unto this present,
but some are fallen asleep.
[7] After that, he was seen of James;
then of all the apostles.
[8] And last of all he was seen of me also, …
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THE PLAN
1 Cor 15 The Resurrection Chapter
[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20]
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that
slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of
the dead.
[22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[23] But every man in his own order:
• Christ the firstfruits;
• afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. [My note: The Rapture]
• [24] Then cometh the end, [My note: The Wrath, the Revelation and Reclaiming]
when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;
when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
• [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [Millenium]
• [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. [cf: Rev 20:14]
[27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put
under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
[28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in
all. [cf: Rev 21-22]
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The Purpose
Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit
the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption.
1 Co 15:50
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1 Co 15:51-53
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed,
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.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal [must] put on immortality.
* The digital limit: 10-43 seconds
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1 Corinthians 15:54-55
So when
• this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
• 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.
O death, where [is] thy sting?
O grave, where [is] thy victory?
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New ‘Bods’ for Old…
Dimensionality
Eph 3:18
Breadth…length…depth…height (???)
1 John 3:2
Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall
appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
oiketerion
2 Cor 5:1-2
For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle
were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon
with our house which is from heaven:
Only here and in Jude 6
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G3613 oiketerion
1) a dwelling place, habitation
1a) of the body as a dwelling
place for the spirit
1 Thes 5:21
109
Jude 6
And the angels which kept not their first estate,
but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in
everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment of the great day.
Jude 1:6
Oiketerion
dwelling
G746
Arkhay
Thayer Definition:
5) the first place, principality, rule, magistracy
5a) of angels and demons
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2 Cor 5:1-3
1 For we know that if our earthly house of
[this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a
building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to
be clothed upon with our house which is from
heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be
found naked.
G1902 ependuomai
(compound of epi, en, duo)
Thayer Definition: to put on over as one piece of clothing
over another already being worn
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1 Cor 15 The Resurrection Chapter
THE MYSTERY REVEALED
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery;
[a secret hidden in the past]
• We shall not all sleep, [some of us will be alive]
• but we shall all be changed, [whether alive or ‘dead’, we will be changed]
[52] In a moment, [not an extended period of time; weeks, months, 7 years+]
in the twinkling of an eye, [not a blink of the eye –
a twinkling; faster than we can measure (10-42 seconds ??)
the time for light to hit the pupil and travel to the cornea]
trump: [the last trump we will hear when it happens]
at the last
• for the trumpet shall sound,
• and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
• and we shall be changed ….
[changed]
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord. [Our glorious hope – the Lord coming for us … ]
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1 Thes 4:14-18
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord,
• that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall
not prevent them which are asleep.
• [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:
• [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.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Note: We meet the Lord in the air – He does not set foot on earth and meet us there
WE NEED TO BE LOOKING UP – NOT LOOKING OUT….
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Job 19:25-27
For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that]
he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:
And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy
this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes
shall behold, and not another; [though] my
reins be consumed within me.
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Our Blessed Hope: Titus 2:13
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all
authority. Let no man despise thee.
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The Blessed Hope
"The Blessed Hope" is about the "Rapture“ – our future
gathering together to be with Jesus.
The word Rapture is from the Latin Word "Rapio or
Rapturo" which means “a snatching away”; to be
caught up and carried away quickly"
Scripture clearly states that we who are in Christ – the
church –
will be "caught up" (Greek, harpazo)
(Latin, rapturo) into the air.
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“Look Up” NOT “Look Out”
Better yet – “Don’t be here…”
REDEMPTION
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power
and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh ….
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the
kingdom of God is nigh at hand. …. [not here – but close at hand; nigh; near]
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. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
whole earth. [it will come as a surprise; without warning]
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. [worthy to escape these things ?? – tribulation and wrath; they must still be future]
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Who ya’ looking for?
It is not possible to find any Bible passages that indicate that we need to watch for the revealing
of Anti-christ or the tribulation as the next Biblically prophetic, historic event.
Should they be next and not the rapture, we would not only know the time of the Lord’s return quick, soon or not - but we’d have 7 years to prepare for it and could mark our calendars to
remind us of the day.
=======================================
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only"
(Matthew 24:36).
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and
went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They
that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at
midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Mat
25:1-6)
"Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a
man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every
man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when
the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the
morning: Lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all,
Watch" (Mark 13:33-37).
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Watch for…not Watch out: Who ya’ looking for?
"Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober"
(1 Th 5:6).
"So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1:7).
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:20).
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand" (Phil
4:5).
"And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1 Th 1:10).
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the
appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Tim 6:14).
"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that
look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation"
(Heb 9:28).
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:21).
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Who ya’ looking for?
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the
husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until
he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the
coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be
condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door" (James 5:7-9).
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace
that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:13).
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1
Peter 4:7).
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Rev
3:11).
"Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this
book" (Rev 22:7).
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord
Jesus" (Rev 22:20).
"Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25).
[Signs of the Times – Times of the Signs]
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As the days of Noah …
Mat 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of
man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and
drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the
ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also
the coming of the Son of man be.
Luke 21:34-35 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. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all
them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
With all the injunctions to Watch…Take heed…etc. and given all the signs
of His 2nd Coming to earth,
How can it come as a snare?
How can we be unaware?
It is the ‘earth dwellers’ – those who have believed a lie – those who remain
after the faithful are raptured that need to ‘focus’, watch, heed the signs and
be aware so as not to be snared…
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Days of Noah
Days of Noah - Genesis 6
Wickedness great in the earth
A large number of unholy marriages
Many men of renown
World unaware of approaching
disaster
All the earth corrupt
Noah and family enter ark to escape
Noah returns to earth after the flood
Coming of Christ
2 Tim 3:13
Matt 24:38
Isa 2:11
Luk 21:35
Evil men and seducers wax worse and worse
Marrying and giving in marriage
The exaltation of man
As a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on
the face of the whole earth
Surfeiting, drunkenness
Saints caught up to heaven to escape the time of
trouble
Saints return with Christ after the time if trouble
Luk 21:34
1 Thes 4:17
Dan 12!
Matt 24:31
Dan 2:30-45
Genesis 6:1-8
Jude 1:6-8
2 Peter 2:4-9
Genesis 19:12-22
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As the days of Noah …
Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
How was it in Noah’s day ??
Gen 6:1-6 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were
born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them
wives of all which they chose. 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he
also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those
days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they
bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Gen 6:8-9 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah
was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
H1755
dor or
dor (189c);
period, generation, dwelling: - age-old (1), all generations (20), another (1), dwelling
(1), every generation (1), forever (1), generation (53), generations (52), kind (4), many
generations (3), nor (1), time (2).
How is it in the days of the final world empire? Following after the Fourth Kingdom – The
Roman Empire - A Fifth ‘revived’ Roman Empire is established
Dan 2:41-43 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the
kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest
the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the
kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry
clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave
one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
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Signs of the Time
Time of the Signs
The Lord expects you to know what
“TIME” it is….
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The “70 Weeks” of Daniel
The Scope
The 69 Weeks
(The Interval)
The 70th Week
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9:24
9:25
9:26
9:27
125
The Triumphal Entry
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O daughter of Jerusalem:
behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he
is just, and having salvation; lowly, and
riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the
foal of an ass.
Zech. 9:9
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The Triumphal Entry
Luke 19:38
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace
in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Quoting Psalm 118:26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of
the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord…
Mat 23:37-39 … and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till
ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of
David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of
supplications: and they shall look upon me
whom they have pierced, and they shall
mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only
[son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as
one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.
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Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part
through the fire, and will refine them
as silver is refined, and will try them
as gold is tried: they shall call on my
name, and I will hear them: I will say, It
[is] my people: and they shall say, The
LORD [is] my God.
1 Thes 5:21
127
The Triumphal Entry
Luke 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from
among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke
thy disciples.
Why?
What for?
It fulfilled known Prophesy
concerning Messiah and they
wouldn’t accept it…they knew
it and refused Him !!!
Luke 19:40 And He answered and said unto them,
I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the
stones would immediately cry out.
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Chronology of Jesus Ministry
• Christ’s ministry began in the fall of 28 AD
– Tiberius appointed: 14 AD
• Augustus died August 19, 14 AD
– (Within the) 15th year of Tiberius
Luke 3:1
• Thus His 4th Passover: April 6, 32 AD
– The Crucifixion
– Sir Robert Anderson’s dating
– Other chronologies assume a Friday crucifixion
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Luke 19:41,42
And when he was come near, he beheld the city,
and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least
in this thy day,
the things which belong unto thy peace! but now
they are hid from thine eyes.
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness
in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be
come in.
Rom 11:25
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Simeon and Anna knew the day !!
Luke 2:25-38
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same
man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon
him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and
when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For
mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all
people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother,
Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul
also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser:
she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the
temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that
instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.
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Luke 19:41,42
And when he was come near, he beheld the city,
and wept over it,
Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least
in this thy day,
the things which belong unto thy peace! but now
they are hid from thine eyes.
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest
ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is
happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:25
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The (7+62) 69 Weeks
7
x7
49
+ 62 =
+ x7 =
+ 434 =
Commandment to
restore Jerusalem
69
+ 1
x7
+ x7
483 + 7
x 360
173,880
= 70
= x7
= 490
The Messiah
the King
LXX
300 Years
Decree of
Artaxerxes
Longimanus
Mar 14, 445 BC
445 BC - 32 AD:
173,740
March 14 - April 6:
24
Leap Years:
116
April 6, 32 AD
?? What ??
?? Happened ??
173,880
The Triumphal Entry
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The Interval
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah
be cut off, but not for himself: [interval] and the people
of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city to
[130 AD] and the sanctuary [70 AD]; and the end thereof
shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war
[which war ? Rev 12:7 / Rev 19:11 ->] desolations are
determined.
Daniel 9:26
Verse 25
Verse 26
Verse 27
(Interval)
70th Week
69 Weeks
7
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62 weeks
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Luke 19:43-44
For the days shall come upon thee, that
thine enemies shall cast a trench about
thee, and compass thee round, and keep
thee in on every side, And shall lay thee
even with the ground, and thy children
within thee; and they shall not leave in thee
one stone upon another...
[WHY ??]
...because thou knewest not the time
of thy visitation.
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The 70th Week
And he (“the prince that shall come”) shall enforce
the covenant with [the] many for one week:
[7+62+1=70th Week]
and in the midst of the week [3 ½ years, 42 months, 1,260
days] he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation
to cease, and for the overspreading of
abominations he shall make it desolate,
[Abomination that causes desolation Dan 11:31,12:11; Matt 24:15;
Mark 13:14; Rev 13:5]
even until the consummation, and that determined
shall be poured upon the desolate.
Daniel 9:27
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The 70th Week (Seven)
Judgment Seat of Christ / Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Rewards / Crowns
Covenant
Enforced
Restrainer Removed
Apostasy
Man of Sin Revealed
32 70
AD AD
Second Coming
(Interval)
The Church
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70th Seven
The
Rapture
69
Sevens
Abomination
of Desolation
Beginning of Sorrows
The Great Tribulation
Millenium
3 1/2 years
42 months
1260 days
Acts 17:11
1 Thes 5:21
3 1/2 years
42 months
1260 days
137
The Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:21-22
For then shall be great tribulation, such
as was not since the beginning of the world to
this time, no, nor ever shall be.
[22] And except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved:
but for the elect's sake those days shall be
shortened.
Starting point defined by Jesus in Matt 24:15
Referencing Daniel 12:1
Great Tribulation: Matt 24:21; Rev 2:22; Rev 7:14;
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The Time of Jacob’s Trouble - Dan 12:1
Daniel 12:1
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the
great prince which standeth for the children of
thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble,
such as never was since there was a nation even
to that same time: and at that time thy people
shall be delivered, every one that shall be found
written in the book
Lamb’s Book of Life: Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5;
Rev 13:8; Rev 17:8; Rev 20:12, 15; Rev
21:27; Rev 22:19;
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The Time of Jacob’s Trouble – Jer 30:7
Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like
it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he
shall be saved out of it.
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History, the Tragedy and the Triumph
[37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the
prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto
thee, how often would I have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, << The Purpose
and ye would not!
<< The Tragedy
[38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
[39] For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me
henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord. << The Triumph
Matthew 23:37-39
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Hosea 5:15
I will go and return to my place,
till they acknowledge their offence,
and seek my face:
in their affliction
they will seek me early.
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Israel: God’s Timepiece
Interval ends / Clock starts for Israel’s 70th 7 when the ‘covenant
with death’ is established – AntiChrist enforces the covenant
breaking it at the midpoint of the 7 year term or agreement…
Israel does not gain Divine pre-eminence until the Church Age is
ended and the ‘fullness of the gentiles has come in”…
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"Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and
so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25)
Time of the Signs
Weapons Proliferation:
Follow the growing availability of weapons of mass destruction, from backpack nuclear
bombs, to biological and chemical weapons now available to any nation in the world. For
The first time in history the visions and judgments described in The Revelation are
understandable and possible for man on the earth.
The Rebuilding of Babylon:
The literal destruction of Babylon as a major world center is described in Isa 13-14, Jer
50-51 and Rev 17-18 has not happened yet (at least not as detailed in these passages).
It is interesting that Saddam Hussein had begun to rebuild Babylon and had actually
hosted state dinners in the restored “Nebuchadnezzar’s Great Hall”
The Struggle for Jerusalem:
The Middle East "Piece” Process – partitioning of the land and city threatens to disrupt
global security. Joel 3:1-8
The Preparations to Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem:
Three times in the New Testament (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation
11:1,2) there are allusions to the presence of the Temple at the Second Coming.
The very presence of Israel in the Land, the regaining of Biblical Jerusalem (the Old
City), and now the preparations – all in readiness today - to rebuild, are all clear, specific
indications that the final climax is on the horizon.
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"Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more,
as ye see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:24-25).
Time of the Signs
The Magog Invasion:
Described in Ezekiel 38-39, once thought to be a growing capitalist ally, Russia is
returning to its Soviet roots. With a renovated nuclear force, a renewed sense of
nationalism, and fresh alliances with other communist and looking to Isalmic regimes for
internal peace, Russian is once again at the forefront of international politics.
The Rise of Islam:
From forced conversions, to persecution of Christians and support of international
terrorism, the Muslim faith is becoming an increasingly volatile catalyst in today's
international scene.
The Decline of the U.S.:
The failure of our public schools, a decimated military, and intelligence community,
corrupt Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, and an ever-increasing involvement
in and deferment to the United Nations globalist agenda do not bode well for America.
The Rise of the Far East:
Once content with isolationism, China is now asserting itself as a global, fully-communist
nuclear superpower. With its eye on reclaiming Taiwan, and strategic alliances with
Russia and North Korea, China can no longer be ignored.
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Time of the Signs
The Rise of a European Superstate:
Once dismissed as conspiracy nonsense, a one-world government is not so far-fetched
with the establishment of the EU. Is this the revived Roman Empire? Is a common
European currency and government significant in "End-Times" prophecy? Daniel 2
and 7 describe the final reemergence of the fourth world empire during the end times.
Global Pestilence:
Drug-resistant strains of diseases once thought to be eradicated, such as Tuberculosis
and Legionnaires Disease are threatening our modern society. AIDS is no longer our
worst problem. Are these outbreaks possibly precursors to the plague Judgments of
Revelation?
Global Government:
Once veiled in secrecy, the movement toward a unified, socialist government dissolving
national boundaries has hit the mainstream. Even American political leaders are
embracing this movement. Are we playing a deadly game, setting the stage for the
Coming World Leader of the Tribulation?
Global Religion:
Traditional Christianity is the last stumbling block in the path of global tyranny. See how
the new "Tolerance" is helping to erode our personal freedoms, and setting the stage
for further persecution of God's Faithful.
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“70th Week” Signs: Israel now regathered as a Nation
On May 14, 1948, Israel was re-established exactly as the Bible predicted.
On June 6, 1967, Israel regained control of Biblical Jerusalem, the “Old City.”
Jerusalem:
Zech 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the
people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and
against Jerusalem. 3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome
stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces,
though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
… “a cup of trembling” and a “burdensome stone” to all nations of the world ???
• a city with no harbor, no rivers, no natural resources
• significant to a few Jews,
• of historical interest to Christians, and
• only significant to Islam because it is significant to the Jews
(Jerusalem is not even mentioned in the Koran – the Islamic events supposedly occurring there
can not be agreed upon by the Muslims nor can they be verified as history by other means)
Yet Zechariah, and other passages, predicts that the entire world will go to war over
this irrelevant little religious location!
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CONTROL OF JERUSALEM
Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon
thy holy city,
1. to finish the transgression, and
2. to make an end of sins, and
3. to make reconciliation for iniquity, and
4. to bring in everlasting righteousness, and
5. to seal up the vision and prophecy, and
6. to anoint the most Holy.
June 1967, Israel as a nation took political control of Jerusalem …
No matter how you spin it,
the tasks are not done,
but only 69 weeks (sevens)
have past !
There is still one to go…
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CONTROL OF JERUSALEM
MATT 24:32-35
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and
putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near,
even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things
be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
The ‘times of the gentiles’ is over when God has purged Israel; her 70th
seven and the related tasks are completed and Jesus has returned to take
control and reign from Jerusalem – sitting on His throne.
Israel’s 70th seven begins with the signing of a 7 year ‘Covenant’ enforced by
Anti-Christ
Before this happens, the church age is over. The church is gone from the
earth. Israel has again become God’s primary agent on the earth - not
the church.
The ‘fulness of the gentiles’ is come in at the Rapture of the Church
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‘Control of Jerusalem
Jesus said Jerusalem will be trodden down by the nations (subject to gentile
rule - rule of other nations) until the time of the nations is brought to an end.
LUKE 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led
away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the
Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (KJV)
Again, Until – but here it is the “Times of the Gentiles” - the time / era of Gentile
supremacy is ended in God’s plan.
At that time, Israel again assumes supremacy in God’s plan – Daniel’s 70th
seven ends. Christ returns and re-establishes His millenial Kingdom with
Jerusalem as His capital
In May 1948, after nearly 2,000 of dispersion (diaspora), Israel became an
independent nation regathered in its homeland. The regathering continues
today.
In June 1967, Israel as a nation took political control of Jerusalem.
The nations, however, maintain possession of (still tread on) a large portion
of both it and Israel yet today. They are still fighting about how to divide it.
(Joel 3:2)
How silly – It’s God’s – not theirs…
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James speech to the Jerusalem Council re: Gentiles in Acts 15
Acts 15:13-18
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren,
hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a
people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is
fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon
whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. KJV
AFTER WHAT ???
Quoting from Amos
WHAT RESIDUE ????
9:11-12
11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the
breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of
old:
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are
called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. KJV
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Israel in History
The Times of the Gentiles
Luke 22:24
Fullness of
the Gentiles
Rapture
of the
Church
Ascension
Second Coming
Of Jesus Christ
19 Centuries
Jer 25:11
Occupation
Greece
Rome > > >
Dan 9 – 1st 69 7’s
Scattered
Church Age
-
Jacob’s Trouble
Peace
Revived Rome
Peace
Restored
Hidden in the Old Testament
14 May 1948
AD
Romans 11:25
Anti-Christ Revealed
586 BC
Persia
539 BC
536 BC
Babylon
Oppression
70 AD
Restoration
63 BC
Exile
332 BC
Judah
Millennium
Times of the
Gentiles Ended
Dan 2:34-35, 44-45
Dan 9 – 70th 7
Daniel 2:31-45; 7:1-28; 8:1-27
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“70th Week” Signs: Temple Preparations Have Begun
This is explicitly predicted three times in the New Testament. (Mt 24:15; 2 Thess
2:4; Rev 11:1,2.)
A “HOLY PLACE” and an “ALTAR” is a prerequisite for the desecration
described by Daniel and Jesus as the “Abomination of Desolation.”
After nearly 2,000 years a Temple is now being prepared to be built in Jerusalem
• All the clothes and utensils of worship and sacrifice for the rebuilt Temple
exist today.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has gathered, collected and or remade these items and is guarding them for the soon coming day when
they will be needed in service in a rebuilt Temple
• Some even believe they already have the Mosaic “Ark of the Covenant” in
their possession.
• Several times since Y2000, attempts to lay a corner stone for a ‘new
Temple’ have been made.
The only ‘delay’ is politics and finalizing the exact spot of the Holy of Holies
– no orthodox Jew wants to risk walking on that spot…
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“70th Week” Signs: Babylon and Europe
Babylon Being Rebuilt:
Isaiah 13 & 14, Jeremiah 50 & 51, and Revelation 17 & 18 all
describe the destruction of the city of Babylon as a climactic event
at the end of the “70th Week.”
Although Babylon was conquered by the Persians, it was never
destroyed in the manner that the Bible has detailed.
Saddam Hussein spent over 20 years and over $900 million
rebuilding the city of Babylon on its traditional site.
European Superstate Emerging:
The confederation of almost 30 European countries (not just the 12
EC nations) is setting the stage for the very scenarios predicted in
Daniel 2 and 7.
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“70th Week” Signs: Russia and Islam
Russian and the Islamic Invasion Imminent:
Russia (“Magog” of Ezekiel 38 & 39) and the Moslem republics of
Iran and those of Central Asia (which this passage has detailed)
now appear to be setting the stage for the very events that Ezekiel
so clearly described.
The apparent use of nuclear weapons in Ezekiel 39 is also
descriptive of current technology.
This battle of “Gog and Magog” could happen at any time, and
would thus set up the need for the famous “peace treaty” of the
Biblical scenario.
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Can’t pinpoint the Time but we can know the Times…
When Israel regains preeminence as God’s agents on the earth, the church’s presence
is redundant.
The things that Jesus had revealed will be fulfilled - finished before the generation that
sees them begin and happen passes away.
The time of the gentiles will have been finished.
The abomination caused by Anti-Christ will have occurred.
Jesus comes again to reclaim the earth and restore Israel
Israel again becomes God’s primary agent on the earth - not the church.
MATT 24:32-35
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the
doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (KJV)
At the root of all this fig tree business is:
How long does the generation Jesus referred to actually last?
When does it begin?
And just what exactly do they see before they themselves pass into history?
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Timing of the Rapture ???
1. The beginning of the ‘70th Seven (Week) of Daniel’ is defined by the enforcement
of a covenant by the Coming World Leader on Israel (Dan 9:27).
2. The Leader cannot “enforce the covenant” until after he appears in power.
3. He cannot even appear until after the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit as He indwells
the Church) is removed (2 Thess 2:7-9).
Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV
Matt 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven KJV
There must be some interval—a day, or possibly several decades—
between his initial appearance and ascending to the power implied in his
ability to “enforcing the covenant.”
4. Therefore, the rapture of the Church precedes (by an indeterminate amount) the
entire 70th Week, not just the Great Tribulation.
There is some basis (Mt 24:32-34) that the entire series of events—from the rapture
to the close of the 70th Week—occur within one generation: less than 40 years.
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So What’s the Fig Tree Represent ?
The generation that sees the signs spoken of in Matthew 24 (the fig tree –
Judah - being tender and putting forth leaves, the Abomination that causes
Desolation, etc), will not pass away until all the signs and events are
fulfilled, i.e. the prophesy begins to come about and proves to be true; all
events required for God’s plan are established.
Several places in scripture “a fig tree” is used as representative of Judah.
Israel is often represented as “a vine”.
Often they are mentioned together to represent the entire Hebrew people.
More importantly God refers to them as His vine and His fig tree…
Eg: Joel 1:7 “My vine”; “my fig tree” = God’s own
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The generation that sees these things
MATT 24:32-35
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth
forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the
doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be
fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (KJV)
Israel as the Fig Tree?
The popular presumption is that the "fig tree" is a reference to Israel (Judah and Israel
untied).
A view popularized by Hal Lindsey's book, The Late Great Planet Earth,1 and Ed
Weisenant's 88 Reasons that Jesus would return in 1988. The idea was that since
Israel was restored to statehood on May 14, 1948, and that a generation can be
defended as 40 years, that 1988 was the year to watch.
Jerusalem as the Fig Tree?
Since 1988 has come and gone, some have suggested that the vine was the symbol for
Israel, and that the fig tree refers to the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, some suggest that
June 6, 1967, is the key year when, as a result of the Six Day War, the Old City of
Jerusalem returned to Israeli control. This would make the year 2007 a year to watch.
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Link to Luke and ‘all the trees’
The starting point for "this generation" is a key part of the puzzle.
And, just which event(s) are the starting gun in that generations race to the end ?
The presumption that the idiom of the "fig tree" uniquely refers to either Israel or
Jerusalem is a bit difficult to nail down.
The parallel account in Luke includes, "...and all the trees," which would seem to dismiss
any specific metaphorical significance to the fig tree itself.
Luk 21:29-33 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is
now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know
ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation
shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my
words shall not pass away.
Attempts to identify a ‘specification’ of the fig tree as a clear metaphor is difficult when
trying to use it to pin down a specific time or event in this case.
(For an amusing use of allusions to the fig tree and others, see Abimelech's speech in
Judges 9:6-15. )
Many say the ‘Fig Tree’ idiom is too broadly used in Scripture to definitively refer
to either Israel or Jerusalem.
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When does the generation start ?
• Those born in 1948 and later (May 5th, Israel became a nation again after nearly
2,500 years of dispersion and nonexistence), are the first generation to possibly
see all the signs Jesus spoke of beginning to take place, verifying the accuracy
and the fulfillment of the his signs and prophecies.
• But, the phrasing could also refer to the generation that sees the Abomination
that causes Desolation as the generation that will not pass away until all these
things come to pass. Something that occurs after the Rapture of the Church.
If Jesus is referring to the generation that sees the ‘abomination that causes
desolation’ then the 1948 date is not so important in this context.
The 1948 date is still absolutely critical in the 430 year judgment timing 70 years of which were carried out in Babylon. See Ezekiel’s 430
years prophesy. Ezek 4:1-12
MATT 24:32-35
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth
leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the
doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (KJV)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
TIMES UP !!!
The period of time that represents a ‘generation’ is not defined
anywhere.
We can only speculate – something that can be dangerous in trying to
pinpoint God’s plan and timing…..
• A generation could represent a ‘lifespan’
• Or, the length of time from one generation until the next is born
• Or the length of an average generation based on Biblical
genealogies
• Or, ???
The length of the specific generations changed over time and a specific
generation could be much longer or much shorter than past or even
average past generations.
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How long is a generation ??
Several places in scripture seem to indicate differing lengths of time as being accepted
as a generation depending on who or what was being discussed.
None is clearer than Matthew 1:17 for determining the average length of a generation.
MATT 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen
generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen
generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen
generations. (KJV)
Tracking Jesus genealogy back through scripture, the indicated 42 (14 + 14 + 14)
generations from Jesus to Abraham, using the indicated births, deaths and ages of
each generation, Archbishop Usher placed Abraham's birth at 1996 B.C.
If Matthew 1:17 is taken to mean Jesus birth in about 04 B.C., these 42
generations represent a period of 1992 years or 47.43 (1992 / 42) years per
average generation.
If Matthew 1:17 is taken to mean Jesus death in about 30 B.C., these 42
generations represent a period of 2022 years or 48.11 (2022 / 42) years per
average generation.
Of course all this is based on non-specific evidence using an 'average generation'.
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Matthew 24.34 – Another possiblity
"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things
be fulfilled" (Matthew 24:34).
Carefully compared this with Matthew 12:43 45.
Matthew 12:43-45
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry
places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into
my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it
empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell
there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it
be also unto this wicked generation.
Not only would not the Jewish nation ("generation") pass away, but it
would not cease as a "wicked generation."
But when Matthew 24 has been completely fulfilled then that "wicked
generation" shall "pass away," and be followed by a new Nation: see
Psalm 22:30, 31; 10:2-18; Deuteronomy 32:5, 20.
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Generation References
Psalm 22:30-31 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. [31] They
shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
Psalm 10:1-18
Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? [2] The wicked in his
pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. [3] For the
wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. [4] The
wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. [5]
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he
puffeth at them. [6] He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. [7]
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. [8] He sitteth
in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are
privily set against the poor. [9] He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the
poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. [10] He croucheth, and humbleth
himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. [11] He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he
hideth his face; he will never see it. [12] Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.
[13] Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. [14]
Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor
committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. [15] Break thou the arm of the
wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none. [16] The Lord is King for ever and
ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. [17] Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble:
thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: [18] To judge the fatherless and the
oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.
Deut. 32:5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse
and crooked generation.
Deut. 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a
very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
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Don’t watch the clock, Watch the driveway
Company is coming but you’re not sure when.
You don’t watch the clock. You watch the driveway.
When the car turns into the drive you know that they are ‘even at the door’
Jesus said no one would know the day or hour but He said that when these signs were
seen, we would know he was 'at the door'.
He did tell us to watch so as NOT to be taken by surprise.
Any ‘generational calculation’ is only a clue – a clue we don’t need. It is a clue to the
end of all these things. It is the signs that signal the Time and Seasons are upon us
and that Jesus Second Coming in Power and Glory is ‘at the door’.
The point is, the time and season is upon us – we are beginning to see the signs.
The generation that has begun to see these things is alive today.
Therefore, Jesus return IS very near, even at the door.
The Church should be looking to 'meet Him in the air'.
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The arrival of ‘the’ generation ??
The real issue here is the verse immediately following Mat 24:35
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man,
no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
The Parable of the Fig Tree seems to indicate that the generation which sees the
beginning of these things will see them all before it runs its normal course.
The triggering event may well be the ‘Harpazo’, which the only prophetic event
that is distinctively both unannounced before it occurs and is imminent.
Since there is at least a 7-year period immediately preceding Christ’s 2nd Coming,
There could be as much as 7 years less than a generation’s worth of years
between the ‘Harpazo’ and the beginning of the seven-year period for the Man of
Sin to appear, rise to power, and position himself to enforce the covenant that
Isaiah calls the "Covenant with Hell."
These intervening years could also include the rebuilding of the Temple, the
rebuilding of Babylon, and other anticipated positioning for the final climax.
Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready:
for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
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This Generation Shall Not Pass...
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my
Father only. -Matthew 24:36
The Harpazo, or "rapture" of the church appears to be the trigger to the
entire scenario. This would also be consistent with apparent "Jewishness"
of the entire Olivet Discourse and of Rev 6-18.
The removal – the Rapture - of the church is the event which removes
the present blindness of Israel:
This blindness was declared when they failed to recognize Christ's
presentation of Himself as Messiah the King at His "triumphal
entry". Luke 19:37-44. Note verse 42
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest
ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is
happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:25
The Rapture being the trigger event is the only event that occurs
‘instantaneously’, is a totally unwarned event and is clearly an unmistakable sign
to all the ‘trees’ in addition to God’s own ‘fig tree’.
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Signs: So What ?!?
How does your interpretation affect YOUR life?
Does it do anything for you?
If your view has no effect on your life, then you might reconsider what
you really believe...
God did not include a single character, space or number in
the Bible that is not important and that has no meaning.
1. If your eschatological view doesn’t cause you to live and move
closer to Him,
2. If you can ignore prophesy – can take it or leave it, or
3. If it causes you to look for anything other than His return at any
moment,
You’ve somehow missed the truth that
He set so simply and clearly in his Word to you.
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The Seven Dispensations
Innocence
Conscience
Human
Gov’t
Fullness of the Gentiles
Promise
Law
Church
6,000 Years?
Tribulation
Times of the Gentiles
Kingdom
1,000 Years
The Nation Israel
The Diaspora
Genesis
Rest of OT
NT
400 yrs
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THOUSAND YEARS AS A DAY
2 PET 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (KJV)
Psa 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday
when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
Adam has been dated to have lived 4,000 b.c. using Ussher's chronology.
At that point God began dealing with man according to man's reckoning of
time.
Every 1,000 years (as close as we can date it), God’s dealing with
man changed – Called a DISPENSATION of God
6,000 years have past.
Given the pattern of God’s creation acts, the seventh day - the day of rest may well be the Millienium
If so, we are living at the very dawning of the 7th day.
Check the signs, Check the times – We don’t know the day or hour but
we can see the that we are living in the ‘times of the signs”…
Jesus return will be very, very soon.
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THOUSAND YEARS AS A DAY
God created six days and rested the seventh.
He directed that man should 'work' for six days and set aside the seventh as a 'holy
convocation', a day of rest.
This has meaning for the traditional work week, could it also apply to history?
From Adam to Christ was 4000 years and
From Christ to the present another 2000 years,
That is six, one thousand year 'days'.
Could the Millennial period of 1000 years, which is yet to come, be the seventh 1000 year 'day'
of rest?
EXO 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in
them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and
hallowed it. (KJV)
EXO 31:17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the
LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
(KJV)
EXO 34:21 Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing
time and in harvest thou shalt rest. (KJV)
LEV 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an
holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your
dwellings. (KJV)
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The Seven Dispensations
Innocence
Conscience
Human
Gov’t
Fullness of the Gentiles
Promise
Law
Church
6,000 Years?
Tribulation
Times of the Gentiles
Kingdom
1,000 Years
The Nation Israel
The Diaspora
Genesis
Rest of OT
NT
400 yrs
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THOUSAND YEARS AS A DAY
HOSEA 6:1-2
1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will
heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up,
and we shall live in his sight. (KJV)
Israel has been smitten (been dispersed - out of business) for nearly 2,000
years (2 days).
[9 Av 70 AD – Temple destroyed to today using 360 day biblical year accounting = ????]
Could the third day be referring to the Millennial period?
Or does this refer to Jesus being raised on the third day?
Or both?
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THOUSAND YEARS AS A DAY
GEN 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (KJV)
Adam lived 930 years but died the 'day' he ate of the forbidden fruit.
Was is his physical or spiritual death being predicted in Gen 2:17?
Or might it be both; giving it a dual meaning?
Adam and Eve were removed from the Garden and lived long afterward. Eve
bore all Adam's children after they were cast out of the garden. Many events,
covering many years occurred according to Genesis in Adam's life.
Of course there are different deaths that could have occured
Adam's PHYSICAL death.
Adam’s SPIRITUAL death meaning Adam's separation from God which did
occur on the very day he disobeyed God – the day he ate, he died.
GEN 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty
years: and he died. (KJV)
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2 Deaths
Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with
you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried
about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked
up by the roots;
“Twice dead ? ...the second death”:
Physical Death (1st): Separation of the the soul and spirit from the body
Spiritual Death (2nd): Separation of the soul and spirit from God.
Born twice - Die once
Born physically and spiritually (born again) and you only face physical death
Born once - Die Twice
Born physically but not ‘born again’ spiritually and you face both physical and spiritual death
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2 Resurrections
Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and
they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
1st Resurrection - those in Christ --- reward --- precedes the Millennial reign
1 Thes. 4:16-18 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: [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. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Rev. 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw
the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had
not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in
their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived
not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he
that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests
of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
2nd Resurrection - the unbelieving dead --- judgment --- follows the Millennial reign
Rev. 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and
great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book
of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their
works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead
which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell
were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in
the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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2 Resurrections
These are not temporary resurrections of specific
individuals who ultimately died again
(e.g. Lazarus, the widow of Nain's son, Dorcas, etc.).
These are the two eternal resurrections, occurring at
different times and are related to two different eternal
classes of men.
All those choosing
to not take part in the 1st resurrection
will take part in the 2nd resurrection.
“It is appointed unto man once to die and afterward the
judgment.“ Heb 9:27
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The
st
1
Resurrection
THE 1ST RESURRECTION: to new life, peace and reward.
3 Phases:
A) It began with the resurrection of Jesus, "taking captivity captive".
[Eph 4:8] Those old testament believers held in “Abraham's
bosom" or "paradise" who were recovered by Jesus at his
resurrection.
B)
It continues through the church age; "to be absent from the body
is to be present with the Lord". [2 Co 5:6-8]
The bodily resurrection of the dead in Christ takes place at the
Rapture of the church marking the beginning of the
tribulation.
C) it closes with the resurrection of the martyred believers who are
killed during the tribulation period at the close of the tribulation
period [Rev. 20:4-6] .
LUKE 14:13-14 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the
blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou
shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (KJV)
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3 JUDGMENTS: Judgment Seat of Christ
The Judgment Seat of Christ:
1 Cor 3:13-15
Rewards:
Crowns given
When:
Shortly after the rapture
Basis:
Works done for the Lord Jesus during life on earth
Crowns
1)
Incorruptible crown - the victor's crown
1 Cor 9:25
2)
Crown of rejoicing - the soul winner's crown
3)
Crown of righteousness
4)
Crown of glory - the crown for service
5)
Crown of life - the martyr's crown
1 Thes 2:19-20
2 Tim 4:8
1 Peter 5:2-4
Rev 2:10
Based on our own works no one is justified…but our works are the basis for
certain rewards for Christians.
1 COR 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall
receive a reward. (KJV)
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3 JUDGMENTS: Sheep and Goats
The judgment of the (living) nations – Sheep and Goat judgment
Reward: Entrance into the millennial age
When:
After Jesus 2nd coming to earth at the beginning of the millennium
Basis:
Treatment of God's people during the tribulation
Mat 25:31-46 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit
upon the throne of his glory: 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: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his
right hand, but the goats on the left.
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: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was
thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick,
and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying,
Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee
a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and
came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick,
and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee
an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then
shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye
did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
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The Great White Throne Judgment
Reward: None – Sentencing to their eternal destiny of the unbelieving
dead and living
When:
At the end of the millennium – following the final rebellion
Basis:
Is your name written in the lamb's book of life ??
Rev. 20:11-15
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the
earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12]
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were
opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;
and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were
judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell were cast
into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not
found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
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The Bride of Christ
• The New Testament often portrays the
church as the “Bride of Christ”
Eph 5:22-23; Rom 7:4;
2 Co 11:2; James 4:4
- Paul quotes Gen 2:24 as the union at the
‘parousia’ of the Bridegroom
Eph 5:31
• The church is expressly exempted from
Gods’ wrath
1 Thes 5:9; Rev 3:10
Cf: Isa 26:20-21
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Three Women: A wife, A bride and a harlot
Wife of YHWH
(Israel)
Woman of Rev 12
Virgin Bride
(Church)
Bride of Christ
New Jerusalem
Rev 21/22
Harlot
(Religion) Mystery Babylon of
Rev 17
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THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (KJV)
This verse indicates the marriage supper of the lamb occurs before Jesus second
coming to the earth. Rev 19:11
It is difficult to have a marriage supper without the bridegroom and bride both
being present.
Since the marriage supper begins
• after the marriage is consummated
• after the bride has moved into the house prepared for her by the groom
• and since the supper feast is 7 days or one week long (Dan 9’s 70th 7)
• and is held in the home prepared by the groom for his bride,
THEN: the marriage supper of the lamb must occur early in Daniel's 70th
week (the seven year tribulation period on earth) and the church must be
Raptured at the beginning of the week.
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INTRODUCING THE BRIDE AND GROOM
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of
the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (KJV)
Jesus is ‘the lamb’ as noted in many references and is therefore the bridegroom
Rev 5-7; Rev 12-15; Rev 17; Rev 19; Rev 21-22
The church, the redeemed are identified as the bride
ROM 7:4
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by
the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who
is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (KJV)
2 COR 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have
espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin
to Christ. (KJV)
EPH 5:22-23 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the
head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (KJV)
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The Jewish Wedding Tradition
• The Ketubah, Betrothal
- Payment of the purchase price
- Set apart (sanctified); dedicated, committed to a specific purpose
Isa 61:10; Judges 14:10-11; Jer 2:32; Isa 49:18; Ps 45:6-15
• Bridegroom departs to Father’s House
- Prepares room(s) for Bride
- Bride prepares for his imminent return
• Surprise return of Bridegroom to collect Bride – gathers
her to himself
Jer 7:34; 16:9; 25:10; Ps 45:8-15; Matt 25:1-13
- Huppah, Wedding
• Seven day marriage supper
Judges 14:12; Matt 9:15; 22:11-14; John 2:1
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THE BETROTHAL: The Ketubah
Jewish custom separated a marriage into three separate phases before that
marriage is considered completed:
Betrothal - the marriage covenant is established binding the man and woman
together as husband and wife.
During this period they live separately, each in their own homes (or parents
homes).
This time period was long compared to the other times involved lasting
up to a year or more.
MAL 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness
between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt
treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. (KJV)
MATT 1:18-19 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his
mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just
man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her
away privily. (KJV)
During this time they both prepared themselves for the other and their new life
together
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THE WEDDING: The Huppah
The bride is collected by the bridegroom and escorted to the house he has been
preparing for them during the betrothal period.
This 'collection' of the bride by the bridegroom:
• Usually occurred at night when
• The groom would go to where the bride was living
• He would stand outside her dwelling place
• He would 'call' to her, summon her to come out to him and join him in
their new home.
• He would then escort her in a wedding procession back to their new
home (or to the new quarters in his fathers house)
• There they celebrated with a great marriage supper with the invited
guests and concluded the marriage
From then on they were together as man and wife.
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THE WEDDING: The Wedding Feast / the Marriage Supper
MATT 22:2-13 The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for
his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they
would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are
ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his
farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them
spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth
his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not
worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they
found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a
wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a
wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him
hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth. (KJV)
Note: The guest who tried to attend wore his own garment - not the wedding clothes (which
were prepared and provided by the host of the feast. He was tossed out.
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THE WEDDING: The Wedding Feast / the Marriage Supper
The Church as the ‘virgin bride’ is prepared and made spotless by Jesus Christ who
is preparing His church as a virgin bride.
We cannot come in our old garments but rather need to put off the old man and put
on Christ
[Eph 4:22; Col 3:8-9] Put off
[Rom 13:12; 1 Co 15:53-54; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24; Eph 6:11; Col 3:10-14]
Put on
2 COR 5:1-4
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we
have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.
2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house
which is from Heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we
would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of
life. (KJV)
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WHO IS IN THE WHITE ROBES
The church, the redeemed in Heaven are always pictured in white robes without spot or
blemish.
The church is ‘changed’ – transformed - at the Rapture
• It receives its White raiment; It becomes like Him for it sees Hm as He is…
The church is coming with Christ at His second coming to the earth.
• It is not meeting him there.
• It is coming already clothed in fine white linen; clean
Rev 19:11-16
11 And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him
was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he
had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed
with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And
the armies which were in Heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine
linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it
he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he
treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD
OF LORDS. (KJV)
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WHO IS IN THE WHITE ROBES
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before
my Father, and before his angels. (KJV)
Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the
seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had
on their heads crowns of gold. (KJV)
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said
unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants
also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Who besides Jesus in promise and phrophetic scripture get golden crowns
- the faithful, redeemed
5 Crowns mentioned as reward for various acts / forms of faithfulness
CROWNS: Rewards to Be Given at the Judgement Seat of Christ 1 Cor 3:13-15
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
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Incorruptible crown - the victor's crown
Crown of rejoicing - the soul winner's crown
Crown of righteousness
Crown of glory - the crown for service
Crown of life - the martyr's crown
Acts 17:11
1 Thes 5:21
1 Cor 9:25
1 Thes 2:19-20
2 Tim 4:8
1 Peter 5:2-4
Rev 2:10
193
THE WEDDING: The Wedding Feast: Invitations Please
As the church is often called the “virgin bride of Christ”,
Israel is often referred to as the unfaithful (divorced) wife of Jehovah God.
She will one day be restored to God but at a different time and under different
circumstances.
She will be purged and ‘made clean’ by going through ‘the fire’ of the the time
of Jacob’s trouble and the Great Tribulation
MATT 25:1-8
1 Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were
wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took
no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight
there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said
unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Oil is often used to represent the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Like Israel, there are those within the church who are good moral people but
who are not born again new creations in Christ Jesus who have the Holy Spirit
abiding in and with them.
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THE WEDDING: The Wedding Feast / the Marriage Supper
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (KJV)
The last step was the marriage supper or feast.
All the invited guests would gather in the couples new home (or groom's father's
house) and await the grooms announcement that the marriage was
consummated.
A feast or party lasting 7 days (one week - Daniel's 70th ??) would begin at that time.
Church in heaven with the bridegroom
Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the
marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of
God. (KJV)
Israel on the earth being purged and cleansed through the Tribulation.
“Buying” – paying the price to obtain the “oil”
Zech. 13:8-9
And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts
therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. [9] And I will bring the
third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as
gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people:
and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
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THE WEDDING: The Wedding Feast / the Marriage Supper
Jesus and the church established a 'marriage bond' between them.
During the betrothal stage Jesus is in his fathers house preparing many mansions
for his bride who waits for his coming to get them on the earth.
Jesus comes to collect his bride and take them back to his fathers house at the
Rapture.
Once in their new home, they are adorned for the marriage celebration.
Without spot or blemish – the corruptible has put on incorruption
1 Cor 15; Eph 5:27; 2 Pe 3:14;
Judgment seat rewards follow for faithfulness and obedience in life
They are eternally and inseparably united together - their relationship is thus
consummated.
The marriage is announced and the marriage supper of the lamb in his fathers
house begins.
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THE WEDDING: The Reception
The marriage and feast were held in the fathers house.
JOHN 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
MATT 22:1-4
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage
for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:
and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden,
Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready: come unto the marriage. (KJV)
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THE WEDDING: A Good Time Was Had By All
It was a joyous time
Note: Jesus said it was not possible to mix the joy of a wedding with the
mourning of a funeral.
MATT 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when
the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (KJV)
MARK 2:19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber
fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom
with them, they cannot fast. (KJV)
LUKE 5:34 And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the
bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? (KJV)
The second coming is not a joyous time but a time of judgment and death on
the earth.
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Don’t attend the wrong feast
Jesus actual return to earth at the second coming is not a joyous time but a
time of judgment and death on the earth.
Don’t confuse ‘the supper of the great God’ with the ‘marriage supper of the
Lamb’. The ‘supper of the great God is a feast but is feeding on carcasses.
Rev 19:17-18 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a
loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of Heaven, Come and
gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may
eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men,
and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men,
both free and bond, both small and great.
Rev 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon
the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were
filled with their flesh.
Be ready for the Bridegroom:
The Rapture – Jesus coming for His bride - is unannounced and a surprise –
We know He’s coming but we don’t know just when
Jesus Second Coming to Earth is NOT a surprise – there are at least 7 years
of signs and warnings to prepare
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The Marriage Fulfilled
• Covenant Established
1 Co 11:25
• Purchase Price
1 Co 6:19-20
• Bride set apart
Eph 5:25-27; 1 Co 1:2; 6:11;
Heb 10:10; 13:12
• Reminded of the Covenant
1 Co 11:25-26
• Bridegroom left for the Father’s House….
• Escort to accompany upon His return to gather His
Bride
1 Thes 4:16-17
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The Revelation Architecture
Lampstands
• Identified as collectively being the Church
Rev 1:20
- On the earth in Chapters 1-3 = Letters to the Church
• In heaven when John arrives
Rev 4-5
The Letters
Rev 2-3
After This
Rev 4:1
24 Elders
• Identified as the Redeemed
Rev 5:9-10
• Worship before the Lamb receives the Scroll
- Tribulation begins as the Scroll is being unsealed
70th Seven of Daniel is detailed
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Who are the Lamps?
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the
kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of
God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:12-13 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw
seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like
unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps
with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven
golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven
candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (KJV)
CANDLESTICK Strong's # 3087 luchnia (lookh-nee'-ah); from 3088; a lamp-stand
(literally or figuratively):
KJV-- candlestick. (DIC)
LAMP
Strong's # 2985
lampas (lam-pas'); from 2989; a "lamp" or flambeau:
KJV-- lamp, light, torch. (DIC)
Mat 5:14-15 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house.
Luk 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under
a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
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Who are the Lamps?
The church at Ephesus is warned of becoming ‘dark’ as Jesus warned of in Luke.
Rev 2:1
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things
saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (KJV)
Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent,
and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (KJV)
The two witnesses of Rev 11 are also represented by candlesticks.
Rev 11:3-5 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall
prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in
sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks
standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them,
fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if
any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (KJV)
God’s (witnesses / representatives / ambassadors) light to the world are regularly
represented symbolically by lamps or candlesticks.
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Where are the Lamps?
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the
kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of
God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 1:12-13 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw
seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto
the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a
golden girdle.
The candlesticks (lamp stands) symbolizing the Spirit of God burning through the church –
God’s light to the world; His witnesses on the earth (Rev 1:12, 20) are seen by John on the
earth on Patmos (Rev 1:9-10).
After Rev 4:1, where do we find the seven Spirit fueled candlesticks ???
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and
there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of
God.
After Rev 4:1, the church is not referenced or mentioned on the earth – literally nor
symbolically until Jesus Second coming in Rev 19.
The ‘torch’ has apparently passed to the two witnesses which had previously stood before
the Throne of God. God’s light to the world are now these two together with the 144,000
sealed of Israel; God’s sealed witnesses on the earth after Rev 4:1
So, where is the church ? – before the throne of God. It is no longer ‘a light to the world’.
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Seven Spirits of God?
Rev 1:12-13 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden
candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with
a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden
candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which
thou sawest are the seven churches. (KJV)
Rev 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which
is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven
Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art
dead.
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven
lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the
elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
the spirit of wisdom
and understanding,
the spirit of counsel
and might,
the spirit of knowledge
and of the fear of the LORD;
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Where are the Lamps?
Compare the OT visions of God’s throne to the view John describes in Rev 4 and 5.
Isa 6.1-4
1 Kings 22:19
Daniel 7:9-10
Ezek 10
Ezek 1
What’s missing from the Old that John sees in the New Testament vision ?
The Lampstands / Candlesticks before the throne of God and the 24 elders.
Why??
They represent the church which is not revealed
and is fact hidden in the Old Testament.
Eph 1:3-12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the
good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom
and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times
he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on
earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That
we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
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Can you hear me now ???
In the letters to the churches in Revelations chapters 2 and 3, Jesus repeatedly says,
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;"
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To
him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the
paradise of God.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He
that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To
him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white
stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that
receiveth it.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
In chapter 13:9, the statement has changed to:
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Why the change?
The church is not on the earth and thus no longer in view at that point in time.
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JESUS LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES
In the Revelation of Jesus Christ in Chapters 2/3, Jesus dictates 7 Letters that
were to be sent to the Churches in Asia (Western Turkey).
All 7 of the letters close with:
Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29 and Rev 3:6, 13, 22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;"
In the 1st three , there is a P.S. - a promise or statement concerning the group or
‘remnant’ in the church that Jesus calls “the overcomers”.
In the last 4 letters, Jesus statement to “the overcomers” appears within the body
of the letter before the common closing statement.
In all the letters except the letters to Smyrna #2 – be faithful unto death - and
Laodecia #7 – I stand at the door - Jesus tells “the overcomers” to “Hold Fast” –
“I am coming / will come / come quickly”
Tyatira is warned: “I will cast … them … into great tribulation, except they
repent of their deeds
Philadelphia is promised: “I will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which
shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.“
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JESUS LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES
The promise to the overcomer after the letter to the church ends - its time closes
Several letters all make some specific reference to the Rapture, Great Tribulation
or Jesus Coming to them.
Ephesus
Repent or I will come quickly and remove your lampstand
Smyrna
Hold fast until death
Pergamum
Repent or I will come quickly to make war with the Apostates
The promise to the overcomer is within the body of the letter to the church before
the letter ends - its time closes.
Thyatira
Hold fast till I come; Keep My deeds until the End and I will
place no additional burden on you (referring back to the great
tribulation that those who do not repent will experience)
Sardis
Repent and watch or I will come you as a thief in the night
and you won’t know (recognize) the hour
Philadelphia Behold I come quickly…Hold fast…Because you remain
steadfast you will be kept from the hour of testing which is to
come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the
earth.
Laodecia
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Repent - I stand at the door and knock
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Warning: Repent or go Through
REV 2:22-24 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with
her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. …. and I will give unto
every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in
Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths
of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye
have already hold fast till I come.
This letter is being addressed to the faithful still in the church at Thyatira - not to
Jezebel.
Jezebel and her followers are 'they' not 'you' - they are not really the church in
Jesus’ view. She had already received her warning.
The faithful will not be punished or endure the tribulation of the heritics and
unbelieving.
The Warning to the ‘overcomer’ in Thyatira is to Repent
or you will go through the ‘great tribulation’ with Jezebel.
The Implication is if that if you do overcome, Repent and Hold Fast,
you won’t join Jezebel in ‘great tribulation’
Given this: What is God’s intention for His faithful ‘overcomers’ so far as
‘great tribulation’ is concerned ???
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From – not In or Through
Rev 3:10-11 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. KJV
Temptation = trial G3986
the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy. An enticement to sin,
temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances.
Adversity, affliction, trouble: serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness
From: Gk: ek – “ek tes horas” = from the hour of temptation (trial)
In: Gk: es – “es tes horas” = in the hour of temptation (trail)
If Jesus were to somehow protect us and keep us in the hour of trial or
through the hour of trial, he would have said so.
What he told John to write to the churches was
that he would keep the overcomers, the faithful,
from the hour of temptation.
You can be certain John wrote the message he received from the Lord to
deliver to his church word for word as it was given.
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AFTER THIS
Meta-Tauta
AfterG3326
thisG5023
G5023 tauta
G3326 meta
~
Thayer Definition:
Thayer Definition:
1) these
1) with, after, behind
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AFTER THIS
REV 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 shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Used to signify the ending of one event or era and the beginning of another
event or era, it could signify
the ending of the church age (the fullness of the Gentiles) and
the beginning of the tribulation or Daniel's 70th seven,
the Rapture being the event that marks the time of the change.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is
happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
until = end of one era / beginning of something else ????
• Israel no longer blind after the until event - Daniel’s 70th week
begins ????
• fulness of the Gentiles = a specific number ????
• be come in = be come in from where to where ????
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AFTER THIS
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of
this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that
blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the
Gentiles be come in.
until = end of one era / beginning of something else ????
• Israel no longer blind after the until event - Daniel’s 70th
week begins ????
• fulness of the Gentiles = a specific number ????
• be come in = be come in from where to where ????
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Romans 11
9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a
stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened,
that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather
through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to
jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the
diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? …
15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the
receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye
should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel,
until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved:
as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away
ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take
away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching
the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling
of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed
God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these
also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
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Meta-Tauta: Time passes / Scene Changes
Joh 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren,
and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
Joh 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Joh 19:38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly
for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and
Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
Rev 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 shew thee things which must be
hereafter.
Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the
earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth,
nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of
all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having
great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
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Who are the 24 Elders?
Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats
I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on
their heads crowns of gold. KJV
Rev 5:8-10
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders
fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials
full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to
open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by
thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the
earth. KJV
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12 Thrones
24 Thrones
Kings and Priests
Matt 19:28
Luke 22:30
Rev 4:10
Rev 5:8
Rev 5:14
Rev 7:11
Rev 11:16
Rev 19:4
Rev 20:4
1 Peter 2:9
Only Jesus, Melchizedek, the Church
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Who are the 24 Elders?
Matthew 19:28
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the
regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Luke 22:30
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
Who is Jesus talking to / talking about?
Who will judge Israel?
Who will judge the earth?
Rev. 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth
for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev. 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before
the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou
wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that
ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Rev. 5:14
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him
that liveth for ever and ever.
Rev. 7:11
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and
fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Rev. 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and
worshipped God,
Rev. 19:4
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the
throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
Rev. 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the
souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not
worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their
hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. CF: Rev 19:14
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Also see:
JOHN WALVOORD’S BOOK:
“THE RAPTURE QUESTION”
FOR AT LEAST 50 PRE-TRIB REASONS
4/13/2015
Acts 17:11
1 Thes 5:21
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