End-timeEventsJourneytotheEndoftheAgeby

CharlesCapps

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1There’saStormontheHorizon

2TheTriangleoftheEnd

3KeystoEnd-timeInsight

4ResurrectionInsight

5SecretsRevealedintheParables

6RedemptionoftheBody

7TheBlessedHope

8TheFaithandRaptureConnection

9TheParableoftheTenVirgins

10SequenceofEnd-timeEvents

11FittingPropheticScripturesinPlace

12InsightThroughSpecialEvents

13MosesandElijah:God’sCompositeoftheRapture

14TheHouseoftheLord—APropheticTimeLine

15Israel’sRelease:ACompositeofTheir70thJubilee

16Christ’sAscensionandHisReturn

Endnotes

Reader’sIndexofWordsandPhrases

PREFACE

ManydifferentviewshavebeentaughtthroughtheyearsonthesubjectofBibleprophecy.Someof themhavehadmanygoodpoints,whileothersdidnotseemtofitwiththeoverallpropheticrevelationfoundintheBible.

God revealedHis threadof truth concerning end-time events from thebeginning of Genesis to the Book of Revelation. The Old Testamentforeshadowed the actual events. The New Testament also reveals end-timeeventsthroughparables.

WeknowthatJesustaughtmostlyinparables.Aparableisaparallel,asimplestoryillustratingscripturaltruthandinsight.Parablesarelikewindowswhichallowyoutoseetruththathasbeenthereallthetimebutwassomehowhiddenoroutofsight.

This book will challenge you to take a fresh look at some of theseparablesandscripturalcompositesfoundinGod’sWord.IinviteyoutoallowtheHolySpirit togive illuminationasweinvestigate thepropheticWordofGod.

—CharlesCapps

INTRODUCTION

YouareabouttotakeascripturaljourneytotheendoftheageandlearnhowGodrevealsthesequenceandtimeframeofend-timeevents.IchallengeyoutoallowtheHolySpirit tobearwitnesswithyourspiritconcerningthisend-timerevelation.IbelieveyouwillbeenlightenedasGod’sWordcomesalivetoyouconcerningtheeventsthatwilltranspireinGod’stimingtofulfillHisWord.Mypurposeisnottosetspecificdates,butrathertobringtolightwhat God’sWord has already established concerning the timing of certainpropheticevents.

WewilldiscoverthatallScriptureistrulygivenbyinspirationofGod.(2Timothy3:16.)ThereisaspecialreasonforeveryScripturerecordedintheBible.ManyScriptureshaveadouble reference, revealingprophetic insightanddetailsinprogressiverevelations.

WewilltakeafreshlookintotheOldandNewTestamentScripturesinaway that will bring you new insight. They will be referred to at times asscripturalcomposites,fortheyarewordpicturesrevealingsomeeventswhichhavealreadybeenfulfilledandothersthatareabouttobefulfilled.

God’sWordtoDanielwas:“shutupthewords,andsealthebook,eventothetimeoftheend…”(Daniel12:4).

Wearethegenerationtowhichend-timerevelationhascome.

Since God reveals these revelations in numerical order, we will bedealingwithbiblicalnumerics.ThissimplymeansthatGodusesnumbersaswell as words to confirm revelation. Please don’t get this confused withnumerology,forthereisagreatdifference.

We will find that God has stretched numerical truths through theScriptures, fromGenesis toRevelation, inaconsistentpattern revealing thegeneraltimeframeofallendtimeevents.

It seems that God has now lifted the curtain on end-time revelation.Whatformergenerationssoughtdesperatelytoknow,Godisrevealingtothislastgeneration.

This book will take you through biblical prophecies and scriptural

compositesrevealingeventsyettocome.ItwillgiveyouaglimpseofGod’sinfiniteandunfailingloveanddeterminationtodeliverthosewhobelieveinHisSonandtrustHispropheticWord.ItwillrevealdetailsofGod’swayofescape for those who will dare to believe His Word and prepare for thetransitionthatwillendthisage.

InHisownwordsJesusrevealedthattherewasawayofescape:

“Watchyetherefore,andprayalways,thatyemaybeaccountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatshallcometopass,andtostandbeforetheSonofman”(Luke21:36).

Then in the parable of the nobleman (Luke 19:12-27) the message isclearthatwearetooccupytillHecomes.

This book is really a wake-up call for those who have not madepreparationstoDOSONOWandforthosewhohavedriftedawayfromGodtorepentandberestoredtofellowship.

TheadmonitiontotheChurchistwofold:

Proclaim,“TheKingiscoming!”

and

“OccupyuntilHecomes!”

CHAPTERONE

There’saStormontheHorizon

This generation is blessed beyond any that has lived on planet Earthsince the beginning of creation. We are living in a marvelous time ofpropheticfulfillment,whichisgoodnewsifyoubelieveintheblessedhope,thegloriousappearingofthegreatGodandourSavior,JesusChrist.

Yet,asonesurveysthepropheticScripturesandcalculatestheeffectoftheirfulfillmentonthemodernworld,theaccumulatedresultsarestaggering.We live in a time when weapons of mass destruction are within reach ofalmostanynationintheworld.

…We are being thrust—by time itself—into the time of propheticfulfillmentwhichwillendtheage.

WhatisyetevenhardertocomprehendisthemagnitudeofdestructionthatwillcomeuponthisplanetfromthegatheringmoraldecaythatissuretobringGod’swrathuponawickedworld. It is evident thatourgreat societyandourgovernment-sponsoredprogramsarehopelesslyoutofcontrol,aswearebeingthrust—bytimeitself—intothetimeofpropheticfulfillmentwhichwillendtheage.

There are times when I feel somewhat like a meteorologist issuing awarningofanapproachingstorm.Youcanimaginehowhefeelsashetracksakiller tornadoonDoppler radar as it approaches adenselypopulatedcity.Heknowshecannotstopthestormordivertitspath.Theonlyhopeofsavinglivesisbywarningthoseinitspathinthequickestwaypossiblesothattheymight escape before the storm strikes or make a desperate attempt towithstanditsdevastation.

Thisscenarioisaperfectparallelofthisgeneration,forsomanytodayareunawareoftheapproachingstorm.Somehaveheardthewarningbutareunpreparedandwithouthope,believingthereisnowayofescape.Tothem,theonlyrayofhopeseemstolieinadesperateattempttowithstandthestormofeventsthatwillusherinthesevenyearsoftribulationdestinedforplanetEarth.

There is a real storm brewing, as planet Earth spirals towards acataclysmic transition into the lastMillenniumbefore eternity.The signsofthe times are clear: Planet Earth is winding down, while fulfillment ofpropheticeventsisescalatingprofoundly.Oursocietyisnowracingdowntheinformation superhighway at breakneck speed without even asking thequestion,Whereareweheaded?

However,peoplefromeverynation,race,andcreedarenowbeginningtoaskquestions.Environmentalistsaresoundingalarmsabout theearthanditsatmosphere.Newdiseases,aswellasoldones,thatareresistanttomodernmedicineseemtoappearweekly.Economistsjugglemultitrillion-dollardebts,without any clear solutions to the problem.Major governments disarm andalmostimmediatelylosecontroloftheirnuclearwarheads.Warsandrumorsofwarsareheardaroundtheworldonadailybasis.

Yetforsome,thequalityoflifehasneverbeenbetter.Whileforothers,thecostoflivinghasincreasedtothepointthattheyareworkingaroundtheclocktojustbarelymeettheirbills.Manyarelivingonlybyincreasingcredit-carddebt.

TWOIMPORTANTQUESTIONS

It is obvious why economic collapse is one of the most frequentwarnings heard worldwide. The very complexity of these problems todaycause us all to consider twoquestions: Is there any hope for planetEarth?And,wherewillitallend?

Theanswer to the firstquestion is,yes, there ishope forplanetEarth.But this hope is not based on the ability of man to solve the complexproblemsfacing the inhabitantsof theearth in the twenty-firstcentury.ThishopeisinthePersonofJesusChrist—theSonofGod,theanointedMessiah—andHispromised appearance to catch away thosewhohaveplaced theirfaithinHimandinHisresurrectionpower.

This hope also includes Christ’s Second Advent, which will occurimmediately after theGreatTribulationhas ended, todestroy theAntichristandbegin1000yearsofpeaceandrighteousruleonEarth.Duringthattime,therighteouswillbetheheadsofHisgovernmentandwillruleandreignwithHim.TheearthwillbefreefromSatan’sinfluencefor1000years.ForSatanwill be bound and confined to the bottomless pit as Jesus Christ rules andreignsinHisKingdomhereonplanetEarth.

THEENDISINSIGHT

AswejourneythroughthepropheticpagesofGod’sHolyWord,wewillfind a clear answer to both of our important questions: Is there any hope?And,where andwhenwill it all end?We are allwell aware that timewilleventuallyanswerthesequestions,butbythenitwouldbetoolatetoescapethetribulationdestinedforthosewhoremainontheearth.

Some have sensed the coming events but have many unansweredquestions concerning the future. They are seeking for the answers in thewrong places. Millions seek answers from their horoscopes. Some call“psychic hot lines,” not realizing they are seeking answers from demonicsources. Some put their hope in religious traditions, which somuch of thetime fail togive the right answers to thesequestions.OthershavegivenupbecausetheybelieveGoddoesn’twantustoknow.

But the truth is,Godwantsus toknowwhat isabout tohappensowecan be prepared and escape the coming storm and stand before the Son ofMan.(Luke21:36.)

THELIGHTISNOWILLUMINATINGTHEDARKNESSI am sure you have at times walked into a room where the louvered

blindsweretiltedatacertainangle.Thesunwasshining,butuntilacertaintimeofday,thesundidn’tshineintotheroom.SoitisconcerningthetruthofmanypropheticScriptureswhichhavebeenhiddenfromusindayspast.

WearenowlivinginatimewhentheHolySpirit’silluminationonthepropheticScripturesisdispellingthedarkness

WearenowlivinginatimewhentheHolySpirit’silluminationonthepropheticScripturesisdispellingthedarkness.

Whataglorioustimetobealive!Thatis,ifyouarepreparedtoescapewhatliesaheadforthosewhoareleftonplanetEarthduringthesevenyearsoftribulationthatisdestinedforplanetEarth.

SIGNSOFTHETIMES

OneofthediscoursesgivenbyJesuspredictingend-timeeventswhichwillprofoundlyaffectlifeonplanetEarthisfoundinMatthew’sgospel:

Matthew24:3AndashesatuponthemountofOlives,thedisciplescameuntohimprivately,saying,Tellus,whenshallthesethingsbe?andwhatshallbethesignofthycoming,andoftheendoftheworld?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that nomandeceiveyou.

5 Formany shall come inmyname, saying, I amChrist; and shalldeceivemany.

6 Andyeshallhearofwarsandrumoursofwars:seethatyebenottroubled:forallthesethingsmustcometopass,buttheendisnotyet.

7Fornationshallriseagainstnation,andkingdomagainstkingdom:andthereshallbefamines,andpestilences,andearthquakes,indiversplaces.

Jesusmentionedfourthingsthatwouldoccurinonegenerationtosignalthat the end was drawing near: wars, famine, pestilence, and earthquakes.Thesesignsarebeing fulfilledalmostdaily,makingeveryoneconsiderhowclosewemustbetotheprophesiedend.

“EARTHQUAKESINDIVERSPLACES”

Jesusmadeitclearthattheoccurrenceofmanyearthquakesindifferentplaceswouldbeoneofthesignsoftheend-time.

Some may say, “We have always had earthquakes.” But earthquakeinformationobtained from theU.S.GeologicalSurveyNationalEarthquakeInformation Center in Denver, Colorado, shows an astounding increase inearthquakesoverthepasttwenty-sixyears.

ArecentU.S.G.S.reportshowstherewere4,139earthquakesin1970—and19,996 in1996.1This is anamazingdifference showingan increaseof15,857moreearthquakesthatoccurredin1996thanin1970.

These facts simply prove once again the accuracy of the Bible’spropheticrevelation.AsweheadtowardtheSeventh

Millennium,earthquakesaredefinitelyontheincrease.

Inthesummerof1995USATodayreportedthatYellowstoneNationalParkexperienced2,300miniearthquakesinafive-dayperiod.

“FAMINEANDPESTILENCE”

In the1960ssomemedicalschoolsdiscouragedstudents fromenteringthe field of infectious diseases because they believed that the advances invaccines and antibioticswould soonwipeout infectiousdiseases.However,thirtyyearsago,noonehadheardofAIDS,and theEbolavirushadn’t left

behindawakeofdeadanddying.

Themedical profession hadn’t realized that bacteria couldmutate andbecome resistant to antibiotics. The World Health Organization neverdreamedthatitwouldfearanotheroutbreakofyellowfeverortuberculosisinthe 1990s. But somehow, in spite of miraculous medical advances andworldwidesocialprograms,theproblemsofpestilenceandfaminecontinuetogrow,revealingthenearnessoftheendofthisage.

“NATIONWILLRISEAGAINSTNATION”

Somehavelabeledthetwentiethcenturyasthe“CenturyofWar.”Thiscentury has seenmorewars than any other time in the history ofmankind.Yes,therehavealwaysbeenwars,butthereareafewthingsthatdistinguishthetwentiethcenturyfromallothers.First,ithasthedistinctionofhostingtheonly“WorldWars”inhistory;andsecond,atnoothertimeinhistoryhasmanhadtheweaponscapableofdestroyingalllifeonplanetEarth—untilnow.

Mostnuclear,biological,andchemicalwarfarewasn’teventhoughtofatthe turn of the century. The potential for destruction by modern weaponspaints a vividmental picture, especiallywhen considering the prophecy ofJesus.

Matthew24:21NKJVForthentherewillbegreat tribulation,suchashasnotbeensincethebeginningoftheworlduntil thistime,no,norevershallbe.

22Andunlessthosedayswereshortened,nofleshwouldbesaved;butfortheelect’s2sakethosedayswillbeshortened.1,

ItisrumoredthattheUnitedStatesdevelopedaweaponsodeadlythatthey decided it was too terrible to use. It is called the neutron bomb. Theneutronbombemitsneutronsthatwillincineratefleshandalllifeinagivenarea.

GodhasaplantodeliverHispeoplefromthejudgmenttocome.

Yet, within a fewminutes the radiation is gone and nonliving things,suchastanksandartillery,areagainsafetouse.

It ispossible thatothernationshavetheneutronbombintheirdefensearsenals.Theeffectofthisweapon’sdestructioncorrespondswithZechariah’sprophecyinchapter14aboutawarstilltocomeinIsrael:

Zechariah14:12NKJV12And this shall be the plaguewithwhichtheLordwill strikeall thepeoplewho foughtagainstJerusalem:Theirfleshshalldissolvewhiletheystandontheirfeet,theireyesshalldissolveintheirsockets,andtheirtonguesshalldissolveintheirmouths.

Theseweaponsareterriblebeyondcomprehension.But,GodhasaplantodeliverHispeoplefromthejudgmenttocome.

Wars.Famine.Pestilence.Earthquakes.Thesearejustafewofthesignsthat show this age isdrawing toanend.ButGodhasalwayshadaplan todeliver His people from the destruction that is soon to come upon theinhabitantsofplanetEarth.Theplanwaswrittenbyfortydifferentauthorsondifferentcontinents,inthreedifferentlanguages,overaperiodof1500years.

ThewholeplanisrevealedinHisHolyWord,theBible.Ithaswithstoodthetestoftime.

Ithaswithstoodthetestofhistory.

Ithaswithstoodthetestofarcheology.

Ithaswithstoodthetestofpropheticfulfillment.

Not one prophecy recorded in the Bible has ever failed. Most werespokenhundredsofyearsbefore thebirthofChrist.HistoricalevidencehasproventhateveryprophecyregardingTyre,Nineveh,Gaza,andBabylonhascometopass.

Forhundredsofyears,Biblecritics thought theyhad finally found theone prophecy that was false. None of them believed that Israel could everbecomeanationagain.TheythoughtforsuretheBiblewaswrongconcerningIsrael.

But in 1948, in one divine act, God did what man had labeledimpossible:Hebegangathering the Jewishpeopleback to that tiny stripofrealestateintheMiddleEast,restoringtheirnation.Itwasfromthatmomentin 1948 that prophetic events began to accelerate towards completefulfillmentconcerningIsrael.

THETIMEISSHORT

People of all nations of the world are now searching for answersconcerningthefuture.Wearebeingthrustbytimeitselfintothetwenty-first

century,whichwillusherhumanityintothegreatestchangeinthehistoryofthisplanet.ManyhaveplacedtheirhopeintheUnitedNationsforpeaceonearth.But until Jesus theMessiah returns to rule the earth inHis righteouskingdom,therewillbenolastingpeaceforplanetEarth.

Everydetail ofGod’splan to rescuemankind fromcertaindestructionrestsonthepromisedreturnofChrist.GodhaswovenintothefabricofHisWordHismasterplantorescuetheChurchoftruebelieversfromHiswraththatwillbepouredouton thewickedduring theTribulationPeriod.Hehasalsogivenusscripturalprofileswhichreveal thesequenceandgeneral timeframeoftheRapture,theGreatTribulation,thelastMillennium,andeternitytofollow.Wewilllookatsomeoftheminthefollowingchapters.

CHAPTERTWO

TheTriangleoftheEnd

Severalyearsagowhileteachingaseriesofsatellitemeetings,thespiritofprophecycameuponme.Theprophecypertainedtothetriangleoftheend.IsawintheSpiritalargeacutetriangle,andthesewordscameforth:“Asyouapproachthetriangleoftheend,timeshallgrowfasterandcloser,fasterandcloser…untilthewickedshallbecutoff.”

Asthosewordscameforth,Isawinmyspirit,asitwere,alargeacutetriangle.Itwasstandingonend,lookingsomewhatlikeaninvertedpyramid,withalinedrawndownthecenterfromthewidetoptothenarrowpointatthebottom.Beingwideatthetopandverynarrowatthebottom,itresembledafunnel.Insidethistrianglewaslight,butoutsidewasdarkness.

LINEUPONLINE,PRECEPTUPONPRECEPT

Thepropheticwordcontinued:“Therewasatimewhenyoucouldbeofffromthecenterlineofthetriangleandstillbeinsidethetriangleoflight.Butasyouapproachtheendofthetriangle,youmustmovetothecenterline,forlinemustbeuponline,preceptuponprecept.”

Icouldseethatifyouwereofffromthecenterline,atthebottomendofthe triangleyouwouldbeoutsideof the triangleof light and indarkness. Iunderstoodthatwasthewaythewickedwouldbecutoff.EventhoughtheyweretoonesideofthecenterlineofGod’sWordatthetopofthetriangleoftime,theywerestillinthelight.Butatthenarrowend,whichrepresentedtheendof the age, everyonewhowasnot on the center fine (precept ofGod’sWord)attheendoftheagewouldbeindarkness.

As we approach the Seventh Millennium, time seems to haveaccelerated and prophetic events are being compressed together. We haveenteredthetriangleoftheend,inwhichboththetimeallottedandpropheticeventsarebeingcompressed tomaximumdensity to fulfillall thepropheticScripturesandendthisageinGod’sowntimeframe.

We are spiraling faster and faster through the narrow end of thetriangleoftime

Time is reacting much the same as liquid flowing through a funnel,being drawn into the narrow end and released into a container of largerdimensions. It seems that there is not enough time to go around, and timecontrolsus.Weall,inonewayoranother,sensethatwearebeingdrawnbythevortexcreatedbytimeitself.WearespiralingfasterandfasterthroughthenarrowendofthetriangleoftimeforthepurposeofbeingreleasedintoanewMillenniumthatwillforeverchangeplanetEarth.

Whatanexcitingtimeitistoseeprophecybeingfulfilledalmostdaily,rightbeforeourowneyes.Godhasallottedaspecifictimeforpropheticend-time events, and they must transpire in His timing to fulfill all propheticScripturesconcerningthematureandgloriousChurchreferredtobyPaulinEphesians 4:13 as a perfectmanministering in the fullness ofChrist! ThiswillbeashortworkofrighteousnessandwillculminatewiththeRaptureoftheChurch.

ThenthefulfillmentoftheSeventiethWeekofDanielwillbegin,whichis seven years of tribulation. This will transition planet Earth into its lastMillennium.ChristwillreturnfromHeavenwithHissaintsattheendofthatseven-yearperiod;andtherewillbe1000yearsofpeace.

Theendofthat1000yearsofpeacewillbringabouttheappointedendof the wicked and rebellious of all ages. They will receive their justrecompenseofreward,withSatanandallofhisemissariesbeingcastintothelakeoffire.

ThentherighteousofallageswillbeenvelopedintoeternitywithanewHeavenandanewearth,astheHolyCity,theNewJerusalem,descendsoutofHeavenfromGod.

WHATAGLORIOUSETERNITYWEFACE.

THELEASEISABOUTTOEXPIRE

Regardlessofwhoyouapproachonthestreetstoday,whethersinnerorsaint, they are consciousof the fact that time is about to runout for planetEarth. They know that some events of major proportion are about to takeplace.ButwithoutthelightofGod’sWord,theyreallydon’thaveaclueastowhattheyareorwhentheywilltakeplace.

Yet from the beginning,God has revealed the events of the end-time.Thishasbeendonetwoways:throughHispropheticWordandbypasteventsrecordedintheScripturesthatrevealthefutureinaveryuniqueway.

There is a sequence of events that must transpire in God’s timing tofulfill the propheticScriptures of all ages andusher in the seventh and lastMillenniumbeforeeternity.TheScripturestatesthatJesusopenedHismouthinparablesandspokethingsthathadbeen“keptsecretfromthefoundationoftheworld”(Matthew13:35).IbelievewearethelastgenerationandshouldnotbecaughtbysurpriseorbeconfusedastoGod’stimingconcerningtheseearth-shakingevents.Jesuswarnedusthatmen’sheartswouldfailthem“…forfear,andforlookingafterthosethingswhicharecomingontheearth…”(Luke21:26).

Therearechaotictimesaheadfortheinhabitantsofplanet

EarthwhorefusetoheedGod’spropheticwarningandcontinuetowalkintheirowndarkness,defyingGodWhocreatedthemandtakingthe“righttolife” from children yet unborn and putting that authority into the hands ofmortalswhoterminatethatlifeattheirownwill.

TheprophetMalachigivesusaglimpseoftheirjudgment:

Malachi4:1For,behold,thedaycometh,thatshallburnasanoven;andalltheproud,yea,andallthatdowickedly,shallbestubble:andthedaythatcomethshallburnthemup,saiththeLordofhosts,thatitshallleavethemneitherrootnorbranch.

The prophet Jeremiah in chapter 13 also sounds awarning for such awickedgeneration:

16GiveglorytotheLordyourGod,beforehecausedarkness,andbeforeyourfeetstumbleuponthedarkmountains,and,whileyelookforlight,heturnitintotheshadowofdeath,andmakeitgrossdarkness.

Yetthereisalsogoodnews,eveninthesametimeframe.

There is great darkness and deception ahead for those who findthemselvesoutsidethetriangle.

Solomon really puts it into biblical perspective with these words inProverbs,chapter4:

18Butthepathofthejustisastheshininglight,thatshinethmoreandmoreuntotheperfectday.

19 Thewayofthewickedisasdarkness:theyknownotatwhattheystumble.

It is evident from many prophetic Scriptures that greater darkness iscominguponthewickedwhodwellonplanetEarth.Theyhavebeencaughtinthevortexofthistriangleoftheendandareabouttobethrust intogrossdarkness,becausetheywillnothonortheirCreator,andrefusetofollowtheguidelinessetforthintheCreator’sHandbook,whichwecalltheBible.

There is great darkness and deception ahead for those who findthemselves outside the triangle. However, there will be brilliant light andrevelationforthosewhoarewillingtorepentandrespondtoGod’swarning.

TheprophetIsaiahgivesusaglimpseintothismatterwhenreferringtothetimeofIsrael’srestoration,atwhichtimetheirblindnessdepartsandtheyrecognizeJesusastheirMessiah.

Isaiah60:1Arise,shine;forthylightiscome,andthegloryoftheLordisrisenuponthee.

2For,behold,thedarknessshallcovertheearth,andgrossdarknessthepeople:but theLordshallariseupon thee,andhisgloryshallbeseenuponthee.

Itisevidentfromtheseversesthatduringthesametimeframeinwhichgross darkness covers thewicked of the earth, great lightwill comeby therevelation of the Holy Spirit to those who will follow God’s precepts andworshipHim.

Let’slookonceagainatSolomon’sstatementsfromProverbs4:Butthepathof the just isas the shining light, that shinethmoreandmoreunto theperfectday(v.18).Thewayof thewickedisasdarkness: theyknownotatwhattheystumble(v.19).

I believe that perfect day for the Church beginswhen the earth leaseexpires and God takes back control of the earth. The Scriptures seem toindicatethattherewillbeawindowoftimefortheend-timeharvestofsoulsinto His Kingdom. Then Christ will appear to catch away those who arelooking forHim.Hewill at that time resurrect the bodies of the righteousdeadofallagesandcatchthemuptoHeaven,alongwiththerighteouswhoarealiveatHisappearing.(1Thessalonians4:16-17;1Corinthians15:51-52.)

This event will leave the wicked of the earth groping in their owndarkness for the seven years of theTribulation,which immediately followsthis event that we call “the Rapture.” There will then be wars, pestilence,troubles, and chaotic conditions in a measure which man has never

experienced,evenfromthebeginningoftime.

ButGodhasprovidedbetterthingsforuswhoarethechildrenoflight,asstatedbytheapostlePaulin1Thessalonians,chapter5:

4Butye,brethren,arenotindarkness,thatthatdayshouldovertakeyouasathief.

5Yeareallthechildrenoflight,andthechildrenoftheday:wearenotofthenight,norofdarkness.

YetmanytodayareaskingthesamequestionasDanieldidwhenhesawandheardthepropheticvisioninhisday.

Daniel12:8AndIheard,butIunderstoodnot:thensaidI,OmyLord,whatshallbetheendofthesethings?

9 Andhesaid,Gothyway,Daniel:for thewordsareclosedupandsealedtillthetimeoftheend.

God’smessagetoDanielsetatimeforthesethingstoberevealed.ThatrevelationisbeingreleasedtotheBodyofChristinthisgenerationasneverbefore.

When God spoke through His prophets of old, His prophetic wordsestablishedtheseeventsandthesequenceinwhichtheywouldtranspire.Godcausedthosepropheticutterancestobefusedtogetherwithtimesothattheycouldnotbeseparatedfromthesegmentoftimetowhichtheywereassignedforcompletefulfillment.

Someoftheseeventscouldnotbetotallyunderstooduntilthegenerationhad arrivedon the scene towhich this assignmentwasmade.Time itself ispropheticandhasreleasedthatrevelationtothisgeneration.

GodhasestablishedHistimetableforpropheticevents.Yetithasbeenpartially veiled in a time capsule, so to speak, untilwe have arrived at thesegment of time allotted for their fulfillment. Then that revelationimmediatelyprecedestheactualeventitself.Thiscouldbedescribedastime-releasedrevelation.TimehasveiledtheWordforthesimplereasonthatmuchof thepropheticWord couldnot be completelyunderstooduntil knowledgeandtechnologyhadincreased.

KnowledgeofGod’sWordhas increasedwith technology to thepointthatinaninstantoftime,wehaveaccesstoeveryScriptureintheBible.This

hasmade it easy to compare the prophetic Scriptures throughout thewholeBible.Technologyisnowinplacethatwillallowallthenationsoftheworldto seeChrist asHedescends fromHeavenwith the saints on theMount ofOlivesattheendoftheTribulationPeriod.

Manyoftheanswerstoourquestionshavebeenpartiallyveiledsothatwecouldonlyseethemasthroughaglassdarkly.ButGodhasrevealedtheminHisownway.

It seems that God releases revelation to the generation which will bemostaffectedby theevents thatare to follow.Wedetect thisattitude in theprayer of Jesus inMatthew, chapter 6, as He taught His disciples to pray:“Give us this day our daily bread” (v. 11). To us today, this would mean,“Giveusinourday(inthisgeneration)therevelationneededforthetimeinwhichwelive.”

Some of themost profound revelation has been reserved for the end-time, forGoddoesnotwantus tobefrightenedorconfusedconcerning thesequenceandtimingoftheseend-timeevents.TorepeatthewordsofJesus:“Untoyou[thosewhohaveears tohear] it isgiventoknowthemysteryofthekingdomofGod…”(Mark4:11).Untothosewhodon’thaveearstohear,it is not given, for they have no desire to know the truth.But anyonewhotrulyseeksGodandwantstoknowthetruthwillfindit.

THELASTMILLENNIUM

TheearthanditsinhabitantsarecaughtinavortexoftimeandarebeinghurledtowardtheSeventhandlastMillennium.

There have only been five times in the history of the world that anygenerationhasfacedanewMillennium,muchlessthelastone.ThetransitionintothatMillenniumwillbringjoyandhappinesstothosewhoarepreparedfor theRapture.But thosewhoareunpreparedwillbehopelesslyconfused,fearful,andperplexedbythetraumaticchangesthatwilltakeplaceaftertheChurchistakenoutoftheearth.

Theearthand its inhabitantsarecaught inavortexof timeandarebeinghurledtowardtheSeventhandlastMillennium.

Jesus,whenreferringtothistime,said:“Men’sheartsfailingthemforfear,andforlookingafterthosethingswhicharecomingontheearth:forthepowersofheavenshallbeshaken”(Luke21:26).ButbecauseofGod’s

unfailing love,He hasmade amarvelousway of escape for thosewho aretrulybornagainandhaveapersonal relationshipwithourLordandSavior,JesusChrist.TherearesomewhostillscoffandblasphemetheWordofGod.They ridicule those who preach the Good News of the blessed hope. Butregardlessofwhatthecriticssay,thetrueChurch,whichPaulreferstoastheBodyofChrist,willsoondepart thisearthforaperiodofsevenyears tobetaughthowtoruleandreignwithHim.(John14:1-3.)

AsweapproachthelastMillennium,thewordsthatGodgaveDanielarebecomingmuchmoremeaningfulandclear.

Daniel12:4AmpButyou,ODaniel,shutupthewordsandsealtheBookuntilthetimeoftheend.

[Then]manyshallruntoandfroandsearchanxiously[throughtheBook], andknowledge [ofGod’spurposesas revealedbyHisprophets]shallbeincreasedandbecomegreat.

8AndIheard,butIdidnotunderstand.ThenIsaid,OmyLord,whatshallbetheissueandfinalendofthesethings?

9Andhe[theangel]said,Goyourway,Daniel,forthewordsareshutupandsealedtillthetimeoftheend.

10 …but thewicked shall dowickedly.Andnone of thewickedshall understand, but the teachers and those who are wise shallunderstand.

Theseversesareawitnessof theday inwhichwelive,partlybecauseknowledgehasincreasedthroughnewtechnology.Butmostlybecauseitisanappointedtime,andtheHolySpiritisbringingtolightthingsthathavebeenhidden in God’sWord for centuries. He is now revealing God’s prophetictimetableandthesequenceofend-timeeventsinamarvelousway.

Thisgeneration,aboveallothers,needstounderstandtheeventsthatareabouttotranspire.Weneedthisinformationsowecansoundthealarmtothemultitudeswhodon’thaveaclueastowhatisabouttotakeplacehereontheearth.

When the pieces of the prophetic puzzle are placed in the right timeslots,theyrevealavividcomposite(pictorial)drawingoftheend-time.Theseevents will happen in God’s timing and will bring about a completefulfillment of Bible prophecy. Their total fulfillment will usher in “new

heavensandanewearth,whereindwellethrighteousness”(2Peter3:13).But, first, allow me to lay a scriptural foundation that will help you

understandhowGodhaswoven threadsofparallel truth throughHisWord,even into everyday events,which gives us great revelation and insight intoGod’sgrandfinalethatwillendthisage.

CHAPTERTHREE

KeystoEnd-timeInsight

We have all heard people say, “I’ve been hearing for fifty years thatwe’relivinginthelastdays,sothatcouldn’tbetrue.”Thetruthisthatthelastdaysareatleast2000yearslong.IfweincludetheSeventhMillenniuminthelastdays,theyare3000yearslong.But,generallyspeaking,thelastdaysrefertotheChurchAge,which,accordingtowhatIseeinScripture,isaperiodof2000years.

Hebrews,chapterl,givesusavaluableclueconcerningthismatter.

1God,whoatsundrytimesandindiversmannersspakeintimepastuntothefathersbytheprophets,

2HathintheselastdaysspokenuntousbyhisSon.

WeknowthatGodhasalreadybeenspeakingtousthroughHisSonforalmost 2000 years. However, in Luke 13:31-32 it seems possible that, bydoublereference,Jesusalludedtothethirdday,whichcouldbepropheticofthemillennialreignofChristinwhichtheBodyofChrist(theChurch)wouldbeperfected.

GoddoesnotwantustobeconfusedabouttheseeventsthatwillendtheChurch Age. He has recorded certain events in Scripture that serve assignpoststokeepusontherightroadonourjourneytotheendofthisage.

Ifyoustartedatripofseveralhundredmilesandafterafewhourswereunsure ifyouwereon the right road,youwouldbeconcernedandpossiblyconfused.Assoonasyousawaroadsignrevealingthatyouwereontherightroad, you would immediately be relieved of all doubt and confusion.However, if the sign revealed that youwereon thewrong road, youwouldimmediatelybegin to search for amap to seewhereyouhadmissed it andhowtogetbacktotherightroad.

God in His infinite wisdom has placed signs in His Word along ourjourneytoeternity, to letusknowwhenweareontheright track.OnewayyoucantellwhetherornotyouareontherighttrackinthepropheticWordistofinditintheOldTestamenttypesandtobeabletofollowitintotheNew

Testament.Manyend-timeevents are foreshadowed in thebeginningof theOld Testament, and their confirmations are interwoven into the NewTestament,eventotheircompletefulfillmentintheBookofRevelation.

JOURNEYTOTHEENDOFTHEAGE

Wewillbeginourscripturaljourneyintoend-timeinsightintheBookofIsaiah,whereGod is speaking to Israel.He challenges their idols ofwood,gold,andsilver.

Isaiah41:21Produceyourcause,saiththeLord;bringforthyourstrongreasons,saiththeKingofJacob.

22Letthembringthemforth,andshewuswhatshallhappen:letthemshew the FORMER THINGS, WHAT THEY BE, THAT WE MAYCONSIDER THEM, AND KNOW THE LATTER END OF THEM; ORDECLAREUSTHINGSFORTOCOME.

AllowmetoparaphraseGod’schallengetotheidols:“Ifyouarereallygods, then take the things that are now, and through those things, show uswhattheendofthewholemattershallbe.Showusthefuturethroughpresentevents.”

God issued this challenge because that is the way He reveals manyfuture events. He foreshadows things that are to come by things that havealreadyhappened.Sometimesthisiscalledthelawofdoublereference,whichmeansthereweretobetwostagesoffulfillment.ThepropheticWord,orpastevent, had a literal fulfillment but by double reference pointed to a laterpropheticfulfillment.Therefore,thepresentnaturaleventwasonlyaseedofconfirmationofagreaterfulfillmenttocome.

Evidently, it is from this concept that someone coined the phrase“Historyhasawayofrepeatingitself.”Allowmetobringthatstatementintobiblicalperspective—GodhasamarvelouswayofcompletelyfulfillingeveryaspectofHispropheticWord.

THEFIRSTKEY

InIsaiah,chapter46,wefindourfirstkeytounlockingtherevelationofmanyend-timeevents:

GodhasamarvelouswayofcompletelyfulfillingeveryaspectofHispropheticWord.

9Remembertheformerthingsofold:forIamGod,andthereisnoneelse;IamGod,andthereisnonelikeme,

10DECLARINGTHEENDFROMTHEBEGINNING,andfromancient times the things thatarenotyetdone, saying,Mycounsel shallstand,andIwilldoallmypleasure.

Thisfar-reachingstatement inverse10givesusourfirstkey:Godhasdeclaredtheendfromthebeginning.

THEGENESISACCOUNT

More than twenty years ago, I had some insight into the fact that theGenesisaccountrevealedGod’swholeplanformankind.Butitreallydidn’tcome into focus until I made a commitment to study and teach end-timeevents.

AfterspendingsometimeinprayerandmeditatingontheseScriptures,it seems that God has given us a blueprint in the Genesis account whichextends fromthecreationofAdamto theendof theSeventhMillennium. Isee this as a prophetic profile of the 6000 years of God’s dealing withmankindpriortoatransitionintothelastMillenniumbeforeeternity.

I believe theGenesis account reveals a time inwhich the earth had aface-lift. Evidently, some catastrophic event took place which flooded anddestroyedlifeonearth.Thentherewasareplenishingoftheearth,whichwecallthebeginningofmankindasweknowhimonearthtoday.WeseestrongevidenceofthisinPsalm104:30-31:

30 Thousendestforththyspirit, theyarecreated:andthourenewestthefaceoftheearth.

31ThegloryoftheLordshallendureforever:theLordshallrejoiceinhisworks.

KEYNUMBERTWO

Wefindthesecondkeyin2Peter,chapter3:

1Thissecondepistle,beloved,Inowwriteuntoyou;inbothwhichIstirupyourpuremindsbywayofremembrance:

2Thatyemaybemindfulofthewordswhichwerespokenbeforebytheholyprophets,andofthecommandmentofustheapostlesoftheLordandSaviour:

3Knowingthisfirst,thatthereshallcomeinthelastdaysscoffers,walkingaftertheirownlusts,

4 Andsaying,Where is thepromiseofhiscoming?forsincethefathersfellasleep,allthingscontinueastheywerefromthebeginningofthecreation.

5Forthistheywillinglyareignorantof,thatbythewordofGodtheheavenswereofold,andtheearthstandingoutofthewaterandinthewater:

6Wherebytheworldthatthenwas,beingoverflowedwithwater,perished:

7Buttheheavensandtheearth,whicharenow,bythesamewordare kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment andperditionofungodlymen.

8 BUT, BELOVED, BE NOT IGNORANT OF THIS ONETHING, THAT ONE DAY ISWITH THE LORD AS A THOUSANDYEARS,ANDATHOUSANDYEARSASONEDAY.

Peter reveals the secondmajor key to understanding certain end-timeevents:OnedayiswiththeLordasathousandyears,andathousandyearsasaday.This simplymeans that in certain places in Scripture (at least bydouble reference), a day represents a 1000-year period.Yet, it can only beinterpretedthatwaywhenitisobviousthatitfitsprophetically.

For instance, in theScripturesyouwill find thephrase theDay of theLord. This at times refers to a 1000-year day, which begins when ChristcomestotheearthattheendoftheTribulationPeriodtosetupHiskingdom.

OnedayiswiththeLordasathousandyears,andathousandyearsasaday.

Peter implies that we could be ignorant about some things, but headmonishes us not to be ignorant about THIS ONE THING, for it is animportantkeytounderstandingend-timeevents.

Thesecondkeyconcerningend-timeevents:OnedayiswiththeLORDasathousandyears,andathousandyearsasoneday.

I encourage you to give special attention to the following ScripturesfromtheBookofGenesis,fortheyarefoundationalScripturesrevealinghowGod uses things that happen in one time period to reveal later propheticeventsintheirowntimeframe.

It seems that God has divided the time of man’s dominion on planetEarth into three segments of time. That time frame in general terms isconsidered to be 2000 years from the creation of Adam to Abraham. TwothousandyearsfromAbrahamtoChrist.Ifweusetheconceptof“Onedayiswith the lordasaTHOUSANDYEARS,ANDATHOUSANDYEARSASONEDAY,”wecouldsaythis:TherewereapproximatelytwodaysfromAdam toAbraham and two days fromAbraham toChrist,whichwould befourdays fromthecreationofman toChrist.Then theparableof theGoodSamaritanseems to reveal that fromChrist to theendof theChurchAge isalso two days, or 2000 years,making a total of 6000 years.Wewill covermoredetailsofthisparableinchapter5.

THEEARTHLEASE

TheGenesisaccountstatesthatGodlaboredsixdays,creatingtheearthand making man in His own image, then rested the seventh day. TheScripturesindicatethatGodgaveAdamaleaseonplanetEarthforaperiodof6000years.

Genesis 1:26AndGod said,Let usmakeman inour image, after ourlikeness: andLETTHEMHAVEDOMINIONover the fishof the sea, andoverthefowloftheair,andoverthecattle,andoverall theearth,andovereverycreepingthingthatcreepethupontheearth.

27SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodcreatedhehim;maleandfemalecreatedhethem.

28AndGodblessedthem,andGodsaiduntothem,

Befruitful,andmultiply,andreplenishtheearth,andsubdueit:andhavedominionoverthefishofthesea,andoverthefowloftheair,andovereverylivingthingthatmovethupontheearth.

Theearthlease,whichgavemandominiononearthforalimitedtimeissubtlyrevealedinthefirstchapterofGenesis.JustasIsaiahhadprophesied,God spoke the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:9-10.) The six days, bydoublereference,represent6000yearsofhumanhistory.Itiswithinthattime

frame thatmankindwill be allowed to exercise dominion on the earth, andthenGodwilltakebackcontrolofthisplanet.Psalm24:1says:“TheEarthistheLord’sandthefullnessthereoftheworldandtheythatdwelltherein.”Itisevident that each of the six twenty-four-hour days in the Genesis accountrepresents 1000 years ofGod’s dealingwithmankind under the earth leaseagreementbeforethedayofrest.

Paul,inHebrews4:3-5,states:

3 Forwewhichhavebelieveddoenterintorest,ashesaid,AsIhave sworn inmywrath, if they shall enter intomy rest: although theworkswerefinishedfromthefoundationoftheworld.

4Forhespakeinacertainplaceoftheseventhdayonthiswise,AndGoddidresttheseventhdayfromallhisworks.

5Andinthisplaceagain,Iftheyshallenterintomyrest.

It is clear that the seventh day in the Genesis account represents theSeventhMillennium,whichisadayofrestforGodandhispeople.(Hebrews4:1-11.)Duringthattime,SatanwillbeboundandconfinedtothebottomlesspitasChristandHissaintsruleinHiskingdomhereontheearth.(Revelation20.)

GOD’SCOVENANTWITHABRAHAM

In Abraham’s day, God made a blood covenant withAbraham, andthroughthatcovenantthepromisedchild,Isaac,wasborn.GodtoldAbrahamthatthroughhimallofthenationsoftheearthwouldbeblessedandthatgreatnations would come out of him because he obeyed God’s voice. (Genesis22:17-18.)ButwhenIsaacwasgrown,GodaskedAbrahamtoofferhissonasasacrificeonamountaininthelandofMoriah.

AndHe said toAbraham,“Takenow thy son, thine only son Isaac,whomthou lovest, andget thee into the landofMoriah; and offerhimthereforaburntofferingupononeofthemountainswhichIwilltelltheeof’(Genesis22:2).

This foreshadowed what God was going to do with His own Son toredeemmankind.Abrahamtookhissontothemountain,boundhimandlaidhimon the altar and raised the knife to kill him; but the angel of theLordstoppedhim.(w.9-12.)

ThecovenantGodmadewithAbrahamwouldstandforever.

GodprovedthatAbrahamwouldkeepthecovenantHehadmadewithhim.HeprovedAbraham’swillingnesstogivehisonlyson.GodcalledIsaacAbraham’s“onlyson”becausehewastheonlysonofpromise.

BecauseAbrahamkepthiscovenantbyobeyingGod’scommand,itwaslegal under the earth-lease agreement for God to send His Son to earth to

redeemfallenman.3

WhenAbrahamraisedtheknifetokillhisson,theSupremeCourtoftheuniverse,(HeavenlyFather,HisSon,andtheHolySpirit),ruledonthematter,declaring that covenant to be valid throughout eternity. The covenant GodmadewithAbrahamwouldstandforever.(Genesis15:18;17:1-7.)

Abrahamhadvalidated theBloodCovenant in an act of obediencebyofferinghis son, therebymaking it legal forGod to sendHisSon toplanetEarth to redeemmankind. It isevident thatAbrahamunderstood this, for inJohn8:56Jesus said,“Abrahamrejoiced to seemyday:andhe saw it, andwasglad.”ThereisnodoubtthatAbrahamreceivedarevelationthatdayofGodofferingHisSonasthesacrificialLambtoredeemfallenman.

DOUBLEREFERENCEOFTHESECONDDAY

TheseconddayintheGenesisaccountrevealedwhatwasdoneinthattwenty-four-hourperiodconcerningtheseparationofthewatersoftheearth.However,theseconddayalsohasapropheticfulfillmentbydoublereference,whichrevealedwhatwasgoing tohappenin thesecondthousandthyearonplanetEarth.

Genesis1:6AndGodsaid,Lettherebeafirmamentinthemidstofthewaters,andletitdividethewatersfromthewaters.

7 AndGodmade the firmament, anddivided thewaterswhichwere under the firmament from the waters which were above thefirmament:anditwasso.

8AndGodcalledthefirmamentheaven.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethesecondday.

God divided thewaters below from thewaters above. So, at least bydoublereference,wecouldconcludethatwaterssymbolizessalvationontwo

levels,ofwhich thenewbirth isonahigher level.4 (Isaiah12:3;John3:5;

15:3;Ephesians5:26.)

As we investigate the apostle Paul’s statement found in Galatians,chapter4,wewillgetabetterunderstandingofthismatter:

21Tellme, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear thelaw?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by abondmaid,theotherbyafreewoman.

23Buthewhowasofthebondwomanwasbornaftertheflesh;butheofthefreewomanwasbypromise.

24 Whichthingsareanallegory:FORTHESEARETHETWOCOVENANTS; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth tobondage,whichisAgar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth toJerusalemwhichnowis,andisinbondagewithherchildren.

26ButJerusalemwhichisaboveisfree,whichisthemotherofusall.

These Scriptures seem to confirm what we saw in the second-dayaccount.Godseparatedthewatersbelowfromthewatersabove,whichwasapreviewofthetwocovenants;forwaterisalsoatypeoftheWordthatbringssalvation.This foreshadowed peoplewhowere in bondage to sin andwereoperating in the flesh.God separated thatwhichwasbelow (fleshlynature)from thatwhichwasabove,being indicativeofdeliverance fromsinby thenew birth. This seems to fit as a parallel in the second day of theGenesisaccount,whichrevealsthebeginningstageofaNewCovenant.

WecouldsayitwastheembryostageoftheNewCovenant,whichwastocomethroughChrist.ForthepromisewasmadetoAbrahamandhisseed,and that Seed was Christ. (Galatians 3:16.) Abraham operated under thatCovenantuntiltheSeed(Christ)came,toWhomthepromisewasmade.

It was through that covenant, which God made with Abraham andconfirmedwithIsaac,thatJesusChristwasbornonearth2000yearslater.

Theprophetic implicationsbecomemuchstrongerasweview them inthelightofthestatementsmadebytheprophetJeremiah.

Jeremiah 51:15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath

establishedtheworldbyhiswisdom,andhathstretchedouttheheavenbyhisunderstanding.

16Whenheutterethhisvoice,thereisamultitudeofwatersintheheavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of theearth….

We know in a natural sense that water in lakes, streams, and oceansbecomespolluted;butthroughtheevaporationprocess,watervaporwillriseandformclouds,leavingallitspollutionbelow.

Using this analogy, we know that vapor is water in a pure formascendingabovetheearth.IsitpossiblethatthisisGod’smarvelouswayofillustratingboththerebirthofthehumanspiritandthecatchingawayoftheChurch toHeaven inanother form?Could itbe that thisalso represents theBodyofChrist,whowill comeback to the earthwithChrist and cause theearthtobeproductiveonceagain?

Thepropheticimplicationsareevengreaterwhenwestudythecontextof Jeremiah’s statement concerning God’s punishment of Babylon. EventhoughBabylonhasexperiencedapartialfulfillmentofJeremiah’sprophecy,the total fulfillment will come near the end of the Tribulation Period.(Revelation17:18.)

ThepropheciesofJeremiaharealsomagnifiedbyPsalm148:

1PraiseyetheLord.PraiseyetheLordfromtheheavens:praisehimintheheights.

2Praiseyehim,allhisangels:praiseyehim,allhishosts.

3Praiseyehim,sunandmoon:praisehim,allyestarsoflight.

4Praisehim,yeheavensofheavens,andYEWATERSTHATBEABOVETHEHEAVENS.

It is quite possible in verse 4 that these waters represent people whoascended toHeaven.Thiscorrespondsperfectlywith thewordsof JeremiahandtheimplicationsfoundindaytwooftheGenesisaccount.

Could it be that God has woven the revelation of the Rapture of theChurch into the second day of the Genesis account as well? The parallelseemstofit.

THEFOURTHDAY

AswetakeacloserlookatthefourthdayoftheGenesisaccount,keepinmind that therewere approximately 2000 years fromAdam toAbrahamandanother2000yearsfromAbrahamtothebirthofChrist,makingatotalof4000years.

Genesis1:14AndGodsaid,Lettherebelightsinthefirmamentoftheheaven todivide theday from thenight; and let thembe for signs,andforseasons,andfordays,andyears:

15 And let thembe for lights in the firmamentof theheaven togivelightupontheearth:anditwasso.

16 AndGodmade twogreat lights; thegreater light torule theday,andthelesserlighttorulethenight.

Notice it was on the fourth day thatGod allowed great light to shineupontheearthinaliteralsense.Thegreatlightwasobviouslythesun,foritrulestheday;themoon,whichwouldbethelesserlight,rulesthenight.

However,therearepropheticimplicationsalsointhefactthatthesunissymbolicofJesus’(theLightoftheworld)comingtoearthattheendofthefourthday,whichrevealsHisfirstcomingtobethefour thousandthyearofhumanhistory.

It is interesting thatMalachi4:2, in reference toa timeofperiodafterthe earth lease expires, states: “the Sun of righteousness shall arise withhealinginhiswings.”YouwillnoticethatinthisversethewordisspelledS-u-n. This serves as a clue thatGod allowed the natural fight of the sun toshine on the earth on the fourth day to foreshadow His supernatural SonbringinggreatLighttotheearthafter4000yearsofhumanhistory.

We find an interesting comparison in Psalm 19:1-5which alsowouldrelatetothefourthdayoftheGenesisaccount:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmamentshewethhishandiwork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shewethknowledge.

3Thereisnospeechnorlanguage,wheretheirvoiceisnotheard.

4Theirlineisgoneoutthroughalltheearth,andtheirwordstotheendoftheworld.InthemhathhesetaTABERNACLEforthesun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, andrejoicethasastrongmantorunarace.

These verses are classic examples of God’s subtle way of revealingfuture prophetic events through present and past events. Itwas the prophetIsaiahwhogaveus this understandingofGod’smethodof revealing futureevents.

Isaiah42:9Behold,theformerthingsarecometopass,andnewthingsdoIdeclare:beforetheyspringforthItellyouofthem.

KEYNUMBERTHREE

Solomongives us the thirdkey,which alsohas prophetic implicationsconcerningtheend-time.

Ecclesiastes1:9The thing thathathbeen, it is thatwhich shallbe;andthatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone:andthereisnonewthingunderthesun.

10Isthereanythingwhereofitmaybesaid,See,thisisnew?ithathbeenalreadyofoldtime,whichwasbeforeus.

Thesepropheticverses,togetherwiththeGenesisaccountofthefourthday,seemtorevealthatGodestablishedtheappointedtimeofJesus’birthinthe first chapter ofGenesis. Then the apostle Paul gives support to this bystating,“…when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth hisSon…“

(Galatians4:4).

Whatwould constitute the fullness of time? It had to fit the propheticpattern established in Genesis 1:14-18. Therefore, Jesus’ birth must fulfillGod’stimelyappointmentinthefourthousandthyear(fourthday)ofhumanhistory.

CHRISTIANSREFLECTCHRIST

ItisquiteevidentthatChrist,theSonofrighteousness,alsorulesthedayinwhichwe live by reflectingHisLight to theworld through theBody ofChrist.This seems tobe referred to inGenesis 1:16 as“the lesser light torulethenight.”ThemoonreflectsthesunasaChristianreflectsChrist,Whois“theSunofrighteousness”(Malachi4:2).ChristianshavebeenmadenewcreationsinChristtoruleandrestrainthedarknessonearthbyreflectingthe

lightofChristHimself.

ThisisoneofthemajorreasonstheAntichristcannotputhisambitionsintoeffectuntiltheChurchistakenoutoftheearth.TheBodyofChrist(theChurch) is restraining and will continue to restrain (hold back) theAntichrist’sspirituntiltheChurchiscaughtuptomeettheLordintheair.(1Thessalonians4:16-17.)

IntheparableofthefaithfulandunfaithfulservantsinLuke19:13,thewordsofJesusgiveusaclearmessage thatweARETOOCCUPYTILLHECOMES.

CHAPTERFOUR

ResurrectionInsight

In theHolyScriptures therearemany revelationswoven intoordinaryevents which have not been recognized in other generations. Theserevelationshavebeenplacedthereforthisgeneration.Buttimeitselfhashadmuchthesameeffectasalouveredblind.Therevelationcouldnotbeclearlyseenuntilwearrivedatthetimeappointedforthatrevelationtobereleased.

This generation has arrived at that point in God’s timing, and thesethingsarenowbeingunveiledasneverbefore.

TheprophetIsaiahandJesusbothseemtoconfirmthisfact:

Isaiah 42:9Behold, the former things are come to pass, and newthingsdoIdeclare:beforetheyspringforthItellyouofthem.

John16:12 Ihaveyetmany things to sayuntoyou,butye cannotbearthemnow.

13Howbeitwhenhe,theSpiritoftruth, iscome,hewillguideyouintoalltruth:forheshallnotspeakofhimself;butwhatsoeverheshallhear,thatshallhespeak:andhewillshewyouthingstocome.

These verses indicate that many things Jesus wanted to revealconcerningthepropheticScripturescouldnothavebeenclearlyunderstoodinthatday.Theimplicationswerethatthe

Holy Spirit would reveal them at a time in human history to thegenerationthatwouldbeabletounderstandthemclearly.

LAZARUS’DEATHANDRESURRECTION

GodusedordinaryeventsintheScripturestogiveusinsightintofutureeventsbeforetheyhappen.

WefindonesucheventrecordedinthegospelofJohn,whichgivesusanaccountofLazarus’deathandhisresurrection.

John11:3Thereforehissisterssentuntohim,saying,Lord,behold,

hewhomthoulovestissick.

4WhenJesusheard that,he said,This sickness isnotuntodeath,

butforthegloryofGod,thattheSonofGodmightbeglorifiedthereby.5

NoticeJesus’reactionwhenHeheardthenewsthatLazaruswassick.

God used ordinary events in the Scriptures to give us insight intofutureeventsbeforetheyhappen.

6Whenhehadheardthereforethathewassick,heabodetwodaysstillinthesameplacewherehewas.

The story of Lazarus was a type, or a parallel, of mankind who wasspirituallydeadwhenJesuscametoearth.WhentherunnerleftBethanywiththemessage,Lazaruswasonlysick;butbythetimehearrived,Lazaruswasdead,andJesusknewit.AfterJesusheardthatLazaruswassick,HestayedtwodaysstillinthesameplacewhereHewas,beforegoingtoraiseLazarusfromdeath.

God’sWord reveals in amarvelousway thepast, thepresent, and thefuture. This fits perfectly with the profile we found in Genesis 1:14-18,which,bydoublereference,revealedthatChrist’sfirstcomingtoearthwouldbeonthefourthday.

Follow this thought pattern very carefully, for this event seems toconfirm the prophetic revelation woven into the fourth day of the Genesisaccount. I believe the fourth day reveals what was to happen in the fourthousandthyearonearth.Greatlightwastocometotheearthintwoways:bythe sun on the fourth natural day, and by the birth of Jesus in the fourthousandthyearbypropheticreference.

We know Jesus was in Heaven at the time Abraham validated theCovenantby raising theknifeonhis son Isaac. Itwas thatCovenantwhichmadeitlegalforGodtosendHisSontotheearthtopaythepriceforman’ssinandredeemmankindfromspiritualdeath.ButHestayedtwodays(2000years) still in the sameplacewhereHewas. I believeHewaited those twodaystofulfillascripturalprofileintheGenesisaccountwhichrevealedHisfirstcomingtobeonthefourthday,representing4000years.

AsJesuswasonHiswaytoBethany,HemetMartha.

John11:21Then saidMarthauntoJesus,Lord, if thouhadstbeen

here,mybrotherhadnotdied.

22 ButIknow, thatevennow,whatsoever thouwiltaskofGod,Godwillgiveitthee.

23Jesussaithuntoher,Thybrothershallriseagain.

24Marthasaithuntohim,IknowthatheshallriseagainINTHERESURRECTIONATTHELASTDAY.

It ispossiblethat the“resurrectionat the lastday,” towhichMarthawas referring,would be the one at the beginning of themillennial reign ofChrist.Foratthatpointintime,therevelationconcerningtheRaptureoftheChurchhadnotbeenrevealed.

That revelation was given to us by Paul and Peter, who were bothapostlestotheGentiles.ItwasspokenofbyPaulin1Thessalonians4:16-17and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; and it is the resurrection connected with theRaptureoftheChurch.

It seemsMartha had no knowledge of the resurrection towhich Jesusreferred. Therefore, Jesus began to explain to her the resurrection of therighteous dead, which would take place at the time of the Rapture of therighteous who would be alive at His appearing. In response to Martha’sstatement,JesusbegantopreachtheResurrectionwhichwillaccompanytheRapture.

John11:25Jesussaiduntoher,Iamtheresurrection,andthelife:hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.Believestthouthis?

Notice the prophetic implications of His statement: “…I am theresurrection, and the life… “ Jesus seems to be saying: “He that hasbelievedinMe,thoughhehasalreadydied,whenIappear(fortheChurch)heshallberesurrectedandlive.AndwhoeverbelievesinMeandisaliveatMyappearingshallneverdie,but themortalbodywillbechangedandbecomeimmortal.” The resurrection of the righteous dead of 6000 years will takeplace when Jesus appears. This statement fits prophetically with what theapostlePaultaught.ComparethefollowingScripturewithwhatJesussaidtoMartha.

1Thessalonians4:16-17and1Corinthians15:51-52.

16FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught uptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord.

1Corinthians15:51Behold,Ishewyouamystery;

Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged.

52Inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.

TheseversesleavenodoubtthatthestatementsmadetoMarthaatleastbypropheticimplications,areinreferencetotherighteouswhowillbealiveatthetimeoftheRapture,revealingthattheywillneverdie.IbelieveJesuswasactuallypreachingtheRapturetoMartha,butshemissedtheintentofHismessage,asmanyBiblescholarshave today. Ichallengeyou tostudy theseversesindepth.Youwillfindthatall threepassagesdescribetheverysameevent:theresurrectionoftherighteousdeadandtheRaptureoftheChurch.

THESTONEANDTHELAW

When Jesus arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, His first order was toremovethestone:

John11:39Jesussaid,Takeyeawaythestone.Martha,thesisterofhimthatwasdead,saithuntohim,Lord,bythistimehestinketh:forhehathbeendeadfourdays.

AfterJesusheardthatLazarus(mankind)wassick,HestayedtwomoredaysinthesameplacewhereHewassoHewouldarriveonthescenetoraisehimupafterfourdays.

ThisprofilesthefactthatwhenJesusarrivedonplanetEarth,mankindhadbeenspirituallydeadfor4000years:

Jesus was beyond Jordan, where John had first baptized, when HereceivedthemessagethatLazaruswassick.Itwasapproximatelyseventeenmiles fromBethanywhereLazaruswas,and it took themessengeraday totravelthatdistance.AfterJesusheardLazaruswassick,Hestayedtwodays

stillin

thesameplacewhereHewas,makingatotalofthreedays.

ThenittookJesusanotherdaytogettoBethany,whichmadefourdaysinall.

Somemight suggest thatmankindwas not spiritually dead before theLawwasgiven,concludingthatmankindhadnotbeenspirituallydeadfora4000-yearperiod.

GodgavetheLawtoMosesapproximately2500yearsafterthecreationofAdam.ButmankindwasspirituallydeadfromthetimethatAdamsinned.This iswhatPaulwas referring to inRomans5:13:“Foruntil the law sinwasintheworld:butsinisnotimputedwhenthereisnolaw.”

Manhad actually been spiritually dead for 4000 years, but he did notrecognizethatfactuntiltheLawcame.

The very first thing Jesus did when He arrived on the scene was toremovethestonefromthetomb.ThestonerepresentedtheLaw,fortheLawhadkeptmankindentombedinspiritualdeath.

Let’s compare the following Scriptures in Galatians with Jesus’statementinMatthew5:17-18.

Galatians 3:22But the scripturehath concludedall under sin, thatthepromisebyfaithofJesusChristmightbegiventothemthatbelieve.

23 But before faith came,wewere kept under the law, shut upuntothefaithwhichshouldafterwardsberevealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us untoChrist,thatwemightbejustifiedbyfaith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under aschoolmaster.

Matthew5:17Thinknot that I amcome todestroy the law, or theprophets:Iamnotcometodestroy,buttofulfil.

18ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Tillheavenandearth

pass,onejotoronetittleshallinnowisepassfromthelaw,tillallbefulfilled.

Itwasthroughthelawofworksthatsinhadflourished.TheLawwastobringmantoChristbyrevealingthathecouldn’tberighteouswithinhimself,andtherewasnopowerintheLawthatwouldhelphimtokeepit.

THEMINISTRATIONOFDEATH

In2Corinthians,wefindscripturalprecedentthatthestonerepresentedtheLawinthisevent:

2Corinthians3:6Whoalsohathmadeusableministersof thenewtestament;notoftheletter,butofthespirit:fortheletterkilleth,butthespiritgivethlife.

7 BUTIFTHEMINISTRATIONOFDEATH,WRITTENANDENGRAVEN IN STONES, was glorious, so that the children of Israelcould not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of hiscountenance;whichglorywastobedoneaway:

8Howshallnottheministrationofthespiritberatherglorious?

IntheseversesPaulcalledtheLaw“theministrationofdeath,writtenandengraveninstones,”becauseGodhadwrittentheLawinstone.Todaywe keep the spirit of theLaw but not the letter of theLaw. (2Corinthians3:6.)Weknowthatspirituallydeadpeoplecan’tkeeptheLawandthosewhoarespirituallyalivedon’tneedtheLaw.WearenotunderthelawoftheOldCovenant but are under the law of theNewCovenant,which is the law offaith,andfaithworksbylove.(Galatians5:6,13.)

LAWFULFILLED

Jesus did what no man had been able to do: He lived and walkedperfectlyanduprightlyundertheOldCovenantforthirtyyears.Hefulfilleditto the letter, and it passed away, as stated by Paul in Romans 10:4:“ForChrististheendofthelawforrighteousnesstoeveryonethatbelieveth.”

Let’scomparethisversefromtheKingJamesVersionwiththatfoundinTheAmplifiedBible:

Romans 10:4AMPFor Christ is the end of the Law [the limit atwhichitceasestobe,fortheLawleadsuptoHimWhoisthefulfillmentofitstypes,andinHimthepurposewhichitwasdesignedtoaccomplishis fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as themeans of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who

trustsinandadherestoandreliesonHim.

InPaul’sday, the Jewswere still trying toobtain righteousnessby theLaw,asmanyaretoday,butChristmadeanendoftheLawforrighteousness.Inthisdispensationofgrace,thosewhobelieveJesusistheMessiah,theSonofGod,andconfessHimasLordoftheirliveshaveeternallife.Thateternallife is in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you are in Christ, you are a newcreatureandyouhaveeternallife.

…eternallifeisinthePersonofJesusChrist.

TheapostleJohnbringsthebiblicalperspectiveofeternallifeintosharpfocusinthefollowingverses.

1John5:11Andthisistherecord,thatGodhathgiventouseternallife,andthislifeisinhisSon.

12HethathaththeSonhath life;andhe thathathnot theSonofGodhathnotlife.

Yes,it’sthatsimple.That’swhyitiscalledthesimpleplanofsalvation.

RESURRECTION-LIFE-IMPARTED

When Jesus removed the stone from the tomb, there was a gloriousresurrection.

John11:43Andwhenhethushadspoken,hecriedwithaloudvoice,Lazarus,comeforth.

44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot withgraveclothes: and his facewas bound aboutwith a napkin. Jesus saithuntothem,Loosehim,andlethimgo.

This was the way people were embalmed in those days: by beingwrappedinstripsoflinensoakedinspices.

Thegraveclothes inwhichLazaruswaswrappedrepresentedreligiousbondage.Allkindsofman-maderulesandregulationshadbeenaddedtotheLaw.Forinstance,theycouldn’teatwithunwashedhands;theycouldn’tevenwalk through the fields and eat grains ofwheat on the Sabbath day. Thoseregulations turned out to be religious bondage for the people. JesuscommandedthemtolooseLazarus(mankind)andlethimgofromthatwhichhadhimbound.

Therearemanytodaywhoarestillboundinthatsamemanner;butJesuscamethattheymighthavelifeandhaveitmoreabundantly.(John10:10.)

CHAPTERINREVIEW

This synopsiswill serve to bring themajor points of this chapter intoclear focus concerning the prophetic implications of the biblical record ofLazarus’sickness,death,andresurrection.

When Lazarus fell sick, his two sisters, Mary and Martha, sent amessengertobeckonJesusforthepurposeofhealingtheirbrother.Jesuswasbeyond Jordan in the placewhere John first baptized. (John 10:40.) It wasapproximatelyseventeenmilestoBethany,whereLazaruslived.

When themessengerwas sent to Jesus, Lazaruswas only sick, but ittookhim a day to get themessage to Jesus.When Jesus heard ofLazarus’situation,He declared that the end result of thewholematterwould not bedeath,butthatitwouldbringglorytoGod.

AfterJesushadassessedthesituation,knowingthatLazaruswasdead,He stayed twodays still in the sameplace.Thismadea total of threedaysfromthetimethemessengerwassenttoHim.WeknowittookJesusadaytoget to Bethany, where Lazarus had been buried. So, from the time themessenger was sent until Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb, four days hadpassed.

We know this was a natural event that happened as it is recorded.However, it hasprophetic implicationsbecauseof the exactnessof the fourdaysittookforJesustoarriveonthescenetoraiseLazarusfromthedead.Itparallels thepropheticprofilewe saw in theGenesis accountof the seconddayandthefourthday.

The second day implies prophetic importance because in the secondthousandth year from Adam, Abraham validated the Covenant. He provedthathewouldkeeptheCovenant,makingitlegalforGodtosendHisSontoredeem mankind. However, God did not send His Son at that time. Jesusstayedtwodays,or2000moreyears, inHeavenbeforeHewasbornontheearth.

The fact that Jesus arrived on the scene and raised Lazarus from thedead on the fourth day is prophetic of 4000 years of human history. Jesus’first act when He arrived on the scene was to roll away the stone, whichpropheticallyrepresentedtheLaw.

The record of this event in the Scriptures leaves no doubt that it wasGod’s way of weaving into natural events the revelation of God’s plan toremove theOldCovenantand toestablish theNewCovenant,whichwouldimparteternallifetomankind.

This record of Lazarus’ sickness, death, burial, and resurrection is anexampleofthewayGod,throughHisinfinitewisdom,revealsthingstocomebyactualeventsthathappenedbeforethetimeoftheirpropheticfulfillment.

CHAPTERFIVE

SecretsRevealedintheParables

Informergenerations,muchof thepropheticWordconcerningtheendtime had been sealed or partially veiled because of the time in which thatgeneration lived. They simply could not grasp a clear understanding of themanyevents thatwereprophesied; theydidnotknowabout inventionssuchas television, computers, modern weapons of mass destruction, and fasttransportation. Therefore, they couldn’t identifywith certain prophecies forlackof thisknowledge.So theyweresortofseeing throughaglass,darkly.But today, knowledge has increased dramatically and prophetic revelationsarebeingunveiledbytimeitselftothisend-timegeneration.

Matthewreferstosuchrevelationbeinghiddeninparables:

Matthew 13:34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude inparables;andwithoutaparablespakehenotuntothem:

35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,saying,Iwillopenmymouthinparables;Iwillutterthingswhichhavebeenkeptsecretfromthefoundationoftheworld.

Thethingsthathavebeenkeptsecretfromthefoundationoftheworldwillnotbehiddenfromthisgeneration.WehavearrivedatthepointinGod’stimingwheretherearenolongeranyhindrancestoblocktherevelationandinsightconcerningend-timeevents.

Aswe have taken a closer look at the second and fourth days of theGenesis account,wehave found it just as Isaiahhad stated:God spoke theend from the beginning, revealing an overall view of His working withmankindtobesix1000-yeardays.

Scriptural implications indicate the Body of Christ (Church) will becaughtuptoHeaven,after6000yearsofhumanhistoryandbeforethesevenyearsoftribulationbeginonplanetEarth.Thisperiodisexactlysevenyearslong.ItseemstobeaparentheticalweekofyearswhichGodhassetasidetodeal with Israel and the wicked of the world in order to bring them to adecision,eitherfororagainstGod.

Thethingsthathavebeenkeptsecretfromthefoundationoftheworldwillnotbehiddenfromthisgeneration.

Whenthosesevenyearshavebeenfulfilled,Christwillcomebacktotheearthwiththesaintswhowereraptured,Satanwillbebound,andChristwillsetupHisearthlykingdomfor1000yearsofrighteousrule.Attheendofthat1000 years of peace, Satan will be loosed for a little season. Then allwickednesswillbetotallydestroyedfromtheearthinthelastbattlebetweentherighteousandthewickedoftheearth.(Revelation20:7-15.)

Thelasttwodaysofthesix-dayperiod(6000years)areverysignificant,forthisisthelengthoftheChurchAge.

THEGOODSAMARITANREVELATION

Luke 10:30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went downfromJerusalemtoJericho,andfellamongthieves,whichstrippedhimofhisraiment,andwoundedhim,anddeparted,leavinghimhalfdead.

In this parable, the man seems to represent Adam as well as all ofmankind;JerusalemisatypeofHeaven,foritisthecityoftheGreatKing;andJerichorepresentsthewayofthewickedworld.Jerusalemwashigherinelevation,andtheroaddowntoJerichowascalled“thebloodyway.”Itwasthe most dangerous road in Palestine because of robbers infesting thecountry.1Yet,Jerichowasacityofpriests,foritwasareligiouscity.

Theman in thisparable representedmankind,whowasstrippedofhisright standingwithGodbySatan through sin andwas left spiritually dead.ThisbasicallyrevealswhathappenedtoAdamandallofmankindthroughtheFall.

Luke 10:31And by chance there came down a certain priest thatway:andwhenhesawhim,hepassedbyontheotherside.

32AndlikewiseaLevite,whenhewasattheplace,cameandlookedonhim,andpassedbyontheotherside.

Thepriest,whowasanofficialoftheLaw,wasjustasspirituallydeadasthemanwas,sohecouldn’thelphim.TheLevites,whowereinchargeofthebloodsacrifices,couldn’thelphimeither,forthebloodofbullsandgoatscouldnottakeawaytheconsciousnessofsin.

Luke10:33Buta certainSamaritan,ashe journeyed, camewhere

hewas:andwhenhesawhim,hehadcompassiononhim.

TakenoteofthefactthattheGoodSamaritanwasonajourney;hehadamissiontoperform.ThereisnodoubtthattheGoodSamaritaninthisparablesymbolically represents Jesus. Verse 33 states, “…as he journeyed, [he]camewherehewas….“

Jesuswasbornhere;Hecametotheearthinanaturalbody,forHehadamissiontoperform.Hecametowheremanwas,topaythedebtofsinandtoresurrectmankindfromspiritualdeath.Hebecamesin forus thatwemightbemade alive spiritually and become the righteousness ofGod inHim. (2Corinthians5:21.)

Notice thisphrase inLuke10:33:“…andwhenhe sawhim,hehadcompassion on him.”We see this phrase many times in the ScripturesconcerningJesus’attitudetowardsufferinghumanity.(Matthew9:36;14:14;18:27;Mark1:41;6:34.)

Luke10:33…andwhenhesawhim,hehadcompassiononhim,

34Andwenttohim,andbounduphiswounds,pouringinoilandwine,andsethimonhisownbeast,andbroughthimtoaninn,andtookcareofhim.

InMatthew9:17, Jesus said that newwine is not put into old bottles.The bottleswere actuallywineskinsmade of leather andwould crackwithage.Inordertorenewthem,oilwouldberubbedintothem,enablingthemtoholdthenewwine,whichisatypeoftheHolySpirit.Theoilmentionedinthisparable is a typeof theworkof theHolySpirit in thehumanspirit, asPaulstatesinhislettertoTitus:

Titus 3:5Not byworks of righteousness whichwe have done, butaccordingtohismercyhesavedus,bythewashingofregeneration,andrenewingoftheHolyGhost.

WhenNicodemuscame to Jesusatnight,Heexplained tohim thathemustbebornagaintobeabletoseethekingdomofGod.(John3:1-7.)

In this parable, the oil and the wine symbolize the work of the HolySpiritthroughtheWord,tobringsalvationbythewashingandregenerationofthehumanspiritbytheHolySpirit.TheSamaritanpouredintheoilandthe

wineandset themanonhisownbeast,which representsHisproperty.TheScriptures reveal thatGodhas translatedusoutof thekingdomofdarknessinto the kingdom ofHis dear Son. (Colossians 1:13.) TheGood Samaritantook theman to an inn to be cared forwhile hewas gone. The inn in thisparableseemstorepresenttheChurch,whichwastocareforthosebornagainuntilJesusreturns.

Luke10:35Andonthemorrowwhenhedeparted,hetookouttwopence,andgavethemtothehost,6andsaiduntohim,Takecareofhim;andwhatsoeverthouspendestmore,whenIcomeagain,Iwillrepaythee.

Thereisgreatsignificanceintheamountofmoneythatwasgiventothehost in thisparable.Apence is thesameasapennyreferred to inMatthew20:2.Youwillnotice in thatpassage thatapennywas thewageforaday’swork.TheGreekwordtranslated“penny”inMatthew20:2isdenarion2Itisthesamewordwhichistranslated“pence”inLuke10:35.Therefore,apence,orapenny,inbiblicaltimeswasaday’swage.

TheGoodSamaritanpaidthehosttotakecareofthemanfortwodays,whichseemtorepresent2000years,thetimespanallottedtotheChurchAge.(SeeHosea6:1-2.)Historyrevealstherewere4000yearsfromthecreationofAdamtoChrist.Thatonlyleaves2000years(twodays)fortheChurchAge.This would be consistent with what is revealed in the Genesis accountconcerningGodhavingcompletedHisworkinsixdays.

The implicationof the fact that theGoodSamaritangave thehost twodays’wagestotakecareofhimseemstobeprophetic,revealinghisplantoreturn twodays later.Thiswouldcorrespondperfectlywith the1000-years-as-a-dayinterpretationoftheGenesisaccount.

Inthisparable,Jesusspokethingswhichhadbeenkeptsecretfromthefoundationoftheworld.Yet theparableitselfseemstohavebeenveiledbytimeuntil thearrivalofthegenerationwhichwouldbeaffectedthemostbythisrevelation.

Verse35leavesnodoubtthatChristintendsfortheBodyofChristtobefully equipped for the end-timeharvest at the endof theSixthMillennium.This is obvious from the words that Jesus used in this parable: “…andwhatsoeverthouspendestmore,when I comeagain, Iwill repay thee.”Whatanastoundingstatement,whichwillnodoubthaveafar-reachingeffectconcerningwhatever isneeded for theend-timeharvest tobecompletedon

time.

…thereisnolimittowhattheHolyGhostwilldotobringtheBodyofChristintocompletematurity…

Thisstatementgivesthedefiniteimpressionthatnothingwillbesparedthat is needed.Money will be no object; neither will the anointing that isrequiredfortheBodyofChristtocometofullmaturityandbevictoriousatthecloseoftheChurchAge.Thesewordsimply,“Sparenoexpense.Seetoitthattheygetwhateverisneeded,andputitontheMaster’scard,andHewilltakecareof itwhenHecomesagain.”Thisparable reveals that there isnolimittowhattheHolyGhostwilldotobringtheBodyofChristintocompletematurityinthattimeframe.(Ephesians4:11-13.)

This parable alsohas a prophetic implication that theGoodSamaritan(Jesus)expectedtoreturnaftertwodays.

ItseemsthatGoddroppedasubtleclueinGenesis,chapter1,whichinour day seems to confirm the timewhen theChurch (Body of Christ)willcometofullmaturity.

Genesis1:27SoGodcreatedmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodcreatedhehim;maleandfemalecreatedhethem.

31AndGodsaweverythingthathehadmade,and,behold,itwasverygood.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethesixthday.

ItwasattheendofthesixthdaythatGodsaweverythingHehadmade,anditwasverygood.Soyoucanrestassuredthatattheendofthesixthdayitwillbeverygoodfor theBodyofChrist (theChurch).Godsawit fromthebeginning,andIbelievewewillseeitpropheticallyfulfilledafter6000yearsofhumanhistory.

ItseemsevidentthatGodhasindeedspokentheendfromthebeginning.There are some who might accuse me of setting dates, but I am onlyreviewing what God has already revealed from the beginning. The BiblestatesthatnotevenJesusknewthedayandthehour.

Mark13:32Butofthatdayandthathourknowethnoman,no,nottheangelswhichareinheaven,neithertheSon,buttheFather.

GodistheMasterTimekeeperoftheuniverse,andHealoneknowsourexactdateinhumanhistory.Man’scalendarisprobablynotaccurate,soitis

notwisetotrytosetspecificdates.IfweknewthedayandthehourofHisappearing tocatchawaytheChurch,westillwouldn’tknowtheexact time,unlessweknewwhichtimezoneHewouldpickforthemomentofChrist’sappearing.

You can be sure that the Body of Christ will be taken out aftercompletingHisworkontheearththroughtheChurch.Butatthepresenttime,GodhasreservedtheexacttimingofthisgreateventtoHimselfalone.Thereare,however,Scriptures thatwouldseem to indicate thatHewill reveal theexactdaybeforetheRapturetakesplace.Iwillgivemoreinformationaboutthisinlaterchapters.

ConcerningtheSecondAdvent,althoughwedon’tknowthetimeofthiseventwhenJesuswillreturntoearthfromHeavenwiththesaints,weknowboththetimezoneandlocation.Zechariah14:1-5plainlystatesthatHewilldescend on theMount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem—the very placewhereHeascendedtoHeaven.IfweknewthetimeoftheSecondAdventwewouldknowtheexacttimeofthe

Rapture,foritwouldbeexactlysevenyearsbeforethatevent.

AsChristians,wearechildrenoflight,andyoucanrestassuredwewillnotbeleftinthedarkconcerningtheRapture.ThecriticsoftheRapturereferto it as “the great escape,” “Rapture theory,” or “the great snatch.” Butregardlessofwhat thecritics say,when the timecomes, theBodyofChristwillleaveplanetEarthforaperiodofsevenyears.ThenwewillreturnwithHim at the end of the Tribulation as prophesied in Zechariah 14:1-5 andRevelation19:11-21.

CHAPTERSIX

RedemptionoftheBody

God sentHis only Son to the earth to redeemmankind from spiritualdeath.Jesusredeemedusfromspiritualdeathandmadetheexperienceofthenew birth available to all mankind. The new birth comes about by thewashingofregenerationandrenewingoftheHolySpiritinthehumanspirit.(Titus3:5.)

ButthereisanotherredemptioncomingthatwillcompletetheworkthattheHolySpiritbeganinus—aredemptionsogloriousthatPaulcalledit“thatblessedhope.”

Titus 2:13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the gloriousappearanceofthegreatGodandourSaviourJesusChrist;

Colossians1:18.Andheistheheadofthebody,thechurch:whoisTHEBEGINNING,THEFIRSTBORNFROMTHEDEAD; that inallthingshemighthavethepreeminence.

PaulrevealsJesustobethehead,thebeginningoftheChurch,andthefirstborn fromthedead. InRevelation1:5,He iscalled thefirstbegottenofthedead.

RECONCILEDTOGOD

We have been reconciled and presented holy, blameless and abovereproachinHissight.

Colossians1:21Andyou,thatweresometimealienatedandenemiesinyourmindbywickedworks,yetnowhathhereconciled

22Inthebodyofhisfleshthroughdeath,topresentyouholyandunblameableandunreproveableinhissight:

23Ifyecontinueinthefaithgroundedandsettled,

AND BE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THEGOSPEL…

Jesus did reconcile us to God through His death to present us holy,blameless,andabovereproachinHissight.However,Paulrevealsinverse23thatthispromiseisconditional.

Paulstatesthatthemysterieshiddenforagesarenowbeingrevealed.

InTitus2:13,PaulreferredtothegloriousappearingofJesusChristasthatblessedhope. In fact,hespokeof it inonewayoranother inallofhisepistles to theChurch.Since faith is thesubstanceof thingshoped for, it isclearthatfaithhasaconnectionwiththatblessedhopeoftheRapture.

Yet, therearemany todaywhooncebelieved in thatblessedhopeandnowscoffat it.Theycall ita theoryor“escapementality.”Theyhavebeenmoved away from their faith and hope concerning this vital part of theGospel.

HIDDENMYSTERIESREVEALED

InColossians1,Paulstates that themysterieshiddenforagesarenowbeingrevealed.

Colossians 1:25 …I am made a minister, according to thedispensationofGodwhich is given tome foryou, to fulfil theword ofGod;

26 Even themysterywhich hath been hid from ages and fromgenerations,butnowismademanifesttohissaints:

27 TowhomGodwouldmake knownwhat is the riches of thegloryofthismysteryamongtheGentiles;whichisChristinyou,thehopeofglory.

In other words, Paul said: “Christ in you is your hope of beingglorified.”InRomans8:10-11Paulsaid:

10…ifChristbeinyou,thebodyisdeadbecauseofsin;buttheSpiritislifebecauseofrighteousness.

11ButiftheSpiritofhimthatraisedupJesusfromthedeaddwellin you, he that raisedupChrist from thedead shall alsoquicken yourmortalbodiesbyhisSpiritthatdwellethinyou.

IbelievethisScripturehasadoublereferencetotheHolySpiritmakingyourspirittotallyalivetoGodatHisappearing.

DEADANDBURIEDBUTRAISEDWITHCHRIST

WhenwewerebaptizedintoChrist,thatactportrayedourdeathtosin,ourburial,andourresurrection tonewlife.AsfarasGodisconcerned,wearealreadyrisenwithChrist.

Colossians3:2Setyouraffectiononthingsabove,noton thingsontheearth.

3Foryearedead,andyourlifeishidwithChristinGod.

4 WhenChrist, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye alsoappearwithhiminglory.

These verses give a perfect description of the dead in Christ and therighteouswhowillbealiveatthetimeoftheRaptureoftheChurchreferredtoin1Thessalonians4:17.

CROWNOFREJOICING

In1Thessalonians2Paulsays:

19 Forwhat is ourhope, or joy, or crownof rejoicing?ArenotevenyeinthepresenceofourLordJesusChristathiscoming?

20Foryeareourgloryandjoy.

Thenin1ThessaloniansPauladmonishesustosorrownotasthosewhohavenohope:

1 Thessalonians 4:13. But I would not have you to be ignorant,brethren,concerningthemwhichareasleep,thatyesorrownot,evenasotherswhichhavenohope.

The phrase no hope in this verse seems to refer to those who don’tbelieve in the resurrection that is connected with the Rapture, which Paulreferredtoasthatblessedhope.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hathappearedtoallmen,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness andworldly lusts,weshouldlivesoberly,righteously,andgodly,inthispresentworld;

13 Looking for thatblessedhope,and thegloriousappearingofthegreatGodandourSaviourJesusChrist.

WhenPaulusesthewordsgloriousappearing, there isnodoubtaboutwhich appearance Paul is referring to in this Scripture. The Rapture is theonlyappearancethatwouldfitthisdescription,fortheDayoftheLordwillbea day of darkness and gloom for the wicked, as described by the prophetZephaniah.

THEDAYOFTHELORDISNEAR

Let’s compare the prophecy of Zephaniah with Acts 2:20 and also 1Thessalonians5:2.

ZEPHANIAH

Zephaniah 1:14The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, andhasteth greatly, even the voice of theday of theLord: themightymanshallcrytherebitterly.

15Thatdayisadayofwrath,adayoftroubleanddistress,adayofwasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day ofcloudsandthickdarkness.

ACTS

Acts2:20Thesunshallbeturnedintodarkness,andthemoonintoblood,beforethatgreatandnotabledayoftheLordcome.

FIRSTTHESSALONIANS

1Thessalonians5:2ForyourselvesknowperfectlythatthedayoftheLordsocomethasathiefinthenight.

AlloftheseScripturesimplythatChrist’sSecondAdventwillbeadayofdarkness,whichcorrespondsperfectlywithMatthew24:29-30.

29Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysshallthesunbedarkened,andthemoonshallnotgiveher light,andthestarsshall fallfromheaven,andthepowersoftheheavensshallbeshaken:

30 And thenshallappear thesignof theSonofman inheaven:andthenshallallthetribesoftheearthmourn,andtheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.

TheseScripturesrefertoChrist’scomingphysicallytotheearthafterthetribulationtosetupHiskingdom.Thisisnotthe

RapturebutrathertheSecondAdvent.

WESHALLBELIKEHIM

Johngivesusauniqueglimpseattheeventwecalltheblessedhope.

1John3:2Beloved,nowarewethesonsofGod,anditdothnotyetappearwhatwe shall be: butwe know that, when he shall appear,weshallbelikehim;forweshallseehimasheis.

3Andeverymanthathaththishopeinhimpurifiethhimself,evenasheispure.

We are sons now, for Christ has redeemed us by His blood. He hasboughtusbackfromsin.InPaul’sday,itwaslegaltobuyslaves.Theywereboughtforacertainnumberofyears.

Jesus bought us back from the slavery of sin. He paid the price toredeemus!

Jesus bought us back from the slavery of sin. He paid the price toredeemus!Allthelegalmattershavebeensettled,andHehasalreadymadetheearnestpayment.TheHolySpiritiscalledtheearnestofourinheritance.(2Corinthians1:22,Ephesians1:14.)

Whenyoubuyapieceofproperty,youpayacertainamountofearnestmoney to hold the deal until the transaction is completed. It is a downpayment thatwill legally hold the property for you.When you do that, alllegalmattershavebeensetinordertoguaranteethatnooneelsecaninterferewith the purchase, until the time of the total redemption of the purchasedpossession.

This is why Ephesians 2:6 reveals that He has “…raised us uptogether,andmadeussittogetherinheavenlyplacesin

ChristJesus.”InthemindofGod,wearealreadyseated“inheavenlyplacesinChristJesus.”

InEphesiansPaulstatesthatGodhaspredestinedusuntoadoption:

Ephesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord JesusChrist,whohathblesseduswithallspiritualblessingsinheavenlyplacesinChrist:

4Accordingashehathchosenusinhimbeforethefoundationoftheworld,thatweshouldbeholyandwithoutblamebeforehiminlove:

5HavingpredestinatedusuntotheadoptionofchildrenbyJesusChristtohimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill.

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children.” That meansJesuspaid theprice,andeveryonewho receivesHimasSaviorandLord ispredestined to theadoptionprocess.All the legalworkhasbeensignedandsealed.HegavetheearnestofourinheritancewhenHesenttheHolySpiritontheDayofPentecost.HeplanstocompletethetransactionwhenHegathersallwhoare inChrist togetheruntoHimatHis appearingat the timeof theRapture.

Ephesians1:9Havingmadeknownuntous themysteryofhiswill,accordingtohisgoodpleasurewhichhehathpurposedinhimself

10That inthedispensationofthefulnessof timeshemightgathertogetherinoneallthingsinChrist,bothwhichareinheaven,andwhichareonearth;eveninhim.

I believe beyond a doubt these verses are in direct reference to theRaptureoftheChurch.HewillgatherustogetheruntoHimwhenthefullnessof that appointed time comes.Paul continues inverses11-14 revealing thatwewere sealedwith theHoly Spirit until the redemption of the purchasedpossession.

SEALEDWITHTHEHOLYSPIRIT

Ephesians1:11Inwhomalsowehaveobtainedaninheritance…13Inwhomyealsotrusted,afterthatyeheardthewordoftruth,

thegospelofyoursalvationinwhomalso,afterthatyebelieved,yeweresealedwiththatholySpiritofpromise,

14Whichistheearnestofourinheritanceuntiltheredemptionofthepurchasedpossession….

JESUSISTHEHEAD

PaulrevealsinEphesians1:21thatJesusisfarabovealldominionandpowerandistheHeadoftheChurch.

Ephesians1:21Faraboveallprincipality,andpower,andmight,and

dominion,andeverynamethatisnamed,notonlyinthisworld,butalsointhatwhichistocome:

22Andhathputallthingsunderhisfeet,andgavehimtobetheheadoverallthingstothechurch,

23Whichishisbody,thefulnessofhimthatfillethallinall.

GOD’SPLANFORFULLNESS

Jesus is theHead, and theChurch is theBody. It seems then that theBody joined together with the Head constitutes God’s plan of fullness. Inotherwords,God’splanforChrist’sBody(theChurch)istobeinHim,andHeinus,thatwemaybemadeperfectinone.(John17:20-24.)

The first stage of Jesus’ coming in His kingdomwill be to bring theBodytogetherwiththeHead.Jesus,beingtheHead,willgivedirectiontotheBody.ButtheBodyassonsofGod,willcarryoutHisplansonearthduringHis1000-yearreign.

Romans8:14Forasmanyasare ledbytheSpiritofGod,theyarethesonsofGod.

15Foryehavenotreceivedthespiritofbondageagaintofear;butyehavereceivedtheSpiritofadoption,wherebywecry,Abba,Father.

Johnsaid,“Beloved,nowarewethesonsofGod…”(1John3:2).ThedocumentshavealreadybeensignedwithChrist’sown

blood.So,asfarasGodisconcerned,intherealmofthespirit,itisalreadyaccomplished.Yet,weareawaitingtheredemptionofourbodies.Theyhavenotyetbeenredeemed,butweknowbeyondashadowofadoubtthatwearealready the legal sons of God. Paul gives us insight into this in Romans,chapter8:

Romans8:16TheSpirititselfbearethwitnesswithourspirit,thatwearethechildrenofGod:

17 Andifchildren,thenheirs;heirsofGod,andjoint-heirswithChrist; if so be thatwe sufferwith him, thatwemay be also glorifiedtogether.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are notworthytobecomparedwiththeglorywhichshallberevealedinus.

ThisgloryPaulreferredto,nodoubtalludestothecompletefulfillmentof theadoptionprocess,which is theredemptionof thebody,at the timeoftheRapture.

THEMANIFESTATIONOFSONS

Romans8:19FortheearnestexpectationofthecreaturewaitethforthemanifestationofthesonsofGod.

20Forthecreaturewasmadesubjecttovanity,notwillingly,butbyreasonofhimwhohathsubjectedthesameinhope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from thebondageofcorruptionintothegloriouslibertyofthechildrenofGod.

The “time of themanifestation of the sons ofGod” refers to the timewhentheliteraladoptioniscompletejustbeforewearetakentotheFather’shouse.

Wewill be completely liberated at that time from the elements of theflesh.ThisbodywhichnowholdsusinbondagetothelimitationsofthefleshwillbechangedandmadelikeHisgloriousbody.Paulalsorevealsthereasonforthechange:

This body which now holds us in bondage to the limitations of thefleshwillbechanged…

1Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and bloodcannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inheritincorruption.

51 Behold, I shewyouamystery;Weshallnotall sleep,butweshallallbechanged,

52Inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.

53Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruption,andthismortalmustputonimmortality.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth andtravailethinpaintogetheruntilnow.

23Andnotonlythey,butourselvesalso,whichhavethefirstfruitsofthe Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for theadoption,towit,theredemptionofourbody.

When you were born again, your body did not experience the samechangeasyourspiritdid.Younoticedthatthenextday,whenyourbodystillwantedtocontinuesomeofthesameoldhabits,youhadto“…mortifythedeedsofthebody…”(Romans8:13).

Atthetimeofthiswriting,wearestillwaitingforthecompletionoftheadoption process inwhich our bodieswill be changed andmade immortal.Theredemptionofthebody,insimpletermsmeansourphysicalbodieswillbeclothedwithimmortality.

Here is how the apostlePaul describes the final process of our bodilyredemtpion:

1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put onincorruption,andthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality,thenshallbebrought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up invictory.Whatavictorythatwillbe!

CHAPTERSEVEN

TheBlessedHope

PaulmakesaninterestingstatementinRomans8,which,atfirstglance,wouldseemtocontradicthisownwritinginEphesians.

Romans8:24.FORWEARESAVEDBYHOPE: but hope that isseenisnothope:forwhatamanseeth,whydothheyethopefor?

This statement has posed a question in the minds of many for years.WhydidPaulsay,“Wearesavedbyhope”?WeknowthatinEphesians2:8hesaid,“Forbygraceyearesavedthroughfaith….“

IbelievePaul’sstatement inRomans8:24wasreferring to theblessedhope,whichsavesusfromthewrathtocome.(See

1 Thessalonians 5:9.) Let’s look at it in the context in which it waswritten.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth andtravailethinpaintogetheruntilnow.

23Andnotonlythey,butourselvesalso,whichhavethefirstfruitsof the Spirit, evenwe ourselves groanwithin ourselves,waiting for theadoption,towit,THEREDEMPTIONOFOURBODY.

24FORWEARESAVEDBYHOPE:buthopethatisseenisnothope:forwhatamanseeth,whydothheyethopefor?

25 But ifwehope for thatweseenot, thendowewith patiencewaitforit.

Itseemsobviousthatthehopebeingreferredtohereistheredemptionof our physical bodies, whichwill happen at the time of the Rapture. TheScriptures plainly teach that the righteous will be saved from the wrath tocome—throughthatblessedhope.Ifwehopeforthatwhichwehavenotyetseen(Rapture),thenweshouldalsohavepatiencetowaitforit.

InJohn14,Jesusrevealsthathopewhichwillsaveusfromthewrathtocome.

2 InmyFather’shouse aremanymansions: if itwerenot so, Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou.

3AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagain,andreceiveyouuntomyselfthatwhereIam,thereyemaybealso.

This passage reveals that Jesus was going to the Father’s house toprepareaplaceforus.Italsoimpliesthatwhenourplaceisprepared,Hewill,attheappointedtime,comeandreceiveusuntoHimselfthatwemaybewithHimintheFather’shouse.

Hewill,attheappointedtime,comeandreceiveusuntoHimselfthatwemaybewithHiminHeaven.

JUDGINGTHEINTENT

WhenItaughtaSundayschoolclass,Ialwaystriedtomotivatepeopleto do their own thinking.One day Imade the statement, “There is not oneScriptureintheBiblethatsaysthatyouhaveamansioninHeaven,”andwealmosthadariotinthechurch.

Ididn’tsaytheydidn’thavemansionsinHeaven.I justsaidthat therewasn’t one place in the Scriptures which stated that they had mansions inHeaven.TheScripturetheythoughtmadethatstatementwasJohn14:2.

ItmaybeamansionthatHeispreparing,buttheScripturedoesn’tsaytheplacebeingpreparedisamansion.Nevertheless,wecanrestassuredthataplacewillbepreparedforusandthatHewillhonorHisWordbycomingtoreceiveusuntoHimselfsowewillbewithHiminHisFather’shouse.

TOTHEJEWFIRST,THENTOTHEGENTILES

ThereasonJesusdidn’tdomoredirectteachingconcerningthecatchingaway of the Church was that His ministry was primarily to the Jews. InRomans, the apostlePaul alsomentions the fact that theGospelwas to theJewsfirst.“For I am not ashamed of the gospel ofChrist: for it is thepowerofGoduntosalvation…totheJewfirst,andalsototheGreek”(Romans1:16).

Then,inMatthew10,weseeJesussendingoutthetwelvediscipleswithananointingtoheal thesick,cleansethelepers,raisethedead,andcastoutdevils.Healsoinstructedthemwheretogowiththismessage.

5ThesetwelveJesussentforth,andcommandedthem,saying,Go

notintothewayoftheGentiles,andintoanycityoftheSamaritansenteryenot:

6ButgorathertothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.

HisdisciplesweresenttothelostsheepofthehouseofIsraelandwereforbidden,atthattime,togototheGentiles.Thisrevealswhy,whileHewasonearth,JesusdidnotgivemoredirectreferencetotheRaptureoftheChurch—thereasonbeing thatHisministrywasprimarily to Israel,who,generallyspeaking,rejectedHim.

Therefore,mostofHisdiscourseinMatthew24wasinreferencetothetimeoftribulationandHisSecondAdvent,ratherthantheRapture.Heknewthe Jews were not going in the Rapture if they didn’t receive Him as theMessiah. Therefore, He only referred to the Rapture indirectly on a fewoccasions.(SeeJohn11:25;14:1-3;Luke21:36.)

PETERANDPAUL—APOSTLESTOTHEGENTILES

Peter and Paul were both apostles to the Gentiles. So it was throughthemthatGodrevealedamajorpartoftherevelationconcerningtheRapture.Even thoughPaulwrotemost of the epistles to theChurch,GodusedbothPeterandPaultogiveustherevelationofthecatchingawayoftheChurch.

TheGospeltheypreachedbroughtgreathopetotheBodyofChrist.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant,brethren,concerningthemwhichareasleep,thatyesorrownot,evenasotherswhichhavenohope.

Thehopehereferred tohere is theResurrection that takesplaceat thetimeoftheRapture.InTitus,chapter2,Paulreferstoitasthatblessedhope.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hathappearedtoallmen,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness andworldly lusts,weshouldlivesoberly,righteously,andgodly,inthispresentworld;

13 Looking for thatblessedhope,and thegloriousappearingofthegreatGodandourSaviourJesusChrist.

Thenin1Thessalonians,PaulbegantolayoutGod’splanfortheBodyofChristtoescapethesevenyearsoftribulationdestinedforplanetEarth:

1Thessalonians4:14ForifwebelievethatJesusdiedandroseagain,evensoTHEMALSOWHICHSLEEPINJESUSWILLGODBRINGWITHHIM.

Thisverseisinreferencetothespiritualbodiesofthosewhohavediedin Christ. He will bring them with Him to be united with their physicalbodies,whichwillberesurrectedfromthegraveattheshoutofMichaelthearchangelblendedwiththetrumpofGod.

TherearesomewhothinkthisverseisinreferencetoRevelation19:11-16andMatthew24:29-30,whicharepassagesdescribingtheSecondAdvent.Buttheydon’tfitinthecontext,forverses15-17clearlyestablishthefactthatverses13-17arealldirectreferencestotheRaptureoftheChurch.

1 Thessalonians 4:15For thiswe say unto you by theword of theLord, thatwewhicharealiveandremainunto thecomingof theLordshallnotprevent(precede)themwhichareasleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst.

When Paul says, “For this we say unto you by the word of theLord… “ he means it came by a personal revelation from Jesus ChristHimself.PaulreceivedmanyrevelationsdirectlyfromtheLordJesusChrist.(Galatians1:11-12.)

Many people are confused by verse 16. Take note of the fact that thetrumpofGodinverse16isnotthesameasthe“trumpetoftheseventhangel”mentioned inRevelation11:15, asmanyhave supposed. Ifyoubelieve thatthe“trumpofGod”andthe“trumpetoftheseventhangel”arethesame,youwillbehopelesslyconfused in trying tounderstandend-timeeventsand thesequence in which they occur. Neither should we confuse the last trump,mentioned in1Corinthians15:52,with the “trumpetof the seventh angel,”fortheyarenotthesame.

Let’scomparethesetwoversesin1Thessalonians4withtwoversesin1Corinthians15:

1Thessalonians4:16FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:

17Thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair:andsoshallweeverbewiththeLord.

1Corinthians15:51Behold,Ishewyouamystery;Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,

52Inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.

These verses from 1 Thessalonians 4 correspond perfectly with 1Corinthians 15:51-52. There is no doubt that these two Scriptures aredescribingtheverysameevent.TheBiblemustbeinterpretedwiththeBible,and it is apparent in both of these passages that Paul is referring to theRapture of the Church and not the Second Advent. It is possible that thetrump of God could sound at the time of the last trumpet of the Feast ofTrumpets.

THEDAYOFTHELORD

1Thessalonians5:1Butofthetimesandtheseasons,brethren,yehavenoneedthatIwriteuntoyou.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord socomethasathiefinthenight.

The day of the Lord here also refers to the Second Advent, not theRapture.Idon’tbelievetheRaptureiseverreferredtoinScriptureasthedayoftheLordorJesus’comingasathiefinthenight,asmanyhaveassumed.

Generallyspeaking,theDayoftheLordis1000yearslong.ItwillbeginwhenJesusdescendsfromHeavenwiththesaintstotheMountofOlivesanddestroys thearmiesof theAntichrist. (Revelation19:11-21,Zechariah14:1-5.)Hewill,atthattime,setupHiskingdom,andthesaintswillruleandreignwithHimfor1000years.ThatseemstobetheeventmostoftenreferredtoasthedayoftheLord.

AcarefulstudyofthescripturalcontextwheretheBiblereferstoJesus’coming “as a thief in the night”will always show the reference to beconcerning His Second Advent. A thief usually comes in the darkness ofnight.Concerning1Thessalonians5:1,Paulsaidhedidn’tneedtowritetothe

Church concerning the times or seasons, for they knew that theDayof theLord(SecondAdvent)wouldcomeasathiefinthenight—thereasonbeingthattheChurchwillhavealreadybeeninHeavenforsevenyearsatthetimeofHisSecondAdvent,andwewillbecomingbackwithChrist. (Zechariah14:1-5,Revelation19:11-20.)

Itisverypossiblethatthephrase“peaceandsafety”inthisScripturereferstothepeaceaccord….

PEACEANDSAFETY

1Thessalonians5:3Forwhentheyshallsay,Peaceandsafety;thensudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman withchild;andtheyshallnotescape.

It is very possible that the phrase “peace and safety” in this ScripturereferstothepeaceaccordwhichgovernmentleadersaresodesperatelytryingtoputtogetherbetweenIsraelandthePLOatthetimeofthiswriting.

However, that peace will be short-lived, and the prophesied suddendestructionthatPaulmentionsinverse3seemstobealreadyinthemaking.

Today,weareseeingpropheticfulfillmenttakingplacebeforeoureyesas never before. This peace agreement may, or may not be the one theAntichristwillconfirmforaseven-yearperiod,butitispossiblethatitwillatleastlaythefoundationforthatpeacecovenantmentionedinDaniel9:

27Andheshallconfirmthecovenantwithmanyforoneweek:andinthemidstof theweekheshallcause thesacrificeandtheoblationtocease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make itdesolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall bepoureduponthedesolate.

This Peace Accord could be the very thing that will cause Russia tobegin theprophesied invasionof Israel. It is evenpossible thatwewill seethisverypeaceagreementsignedbeforetheRapturetakesplace.

It is significant thatwhen addressing the brethrenof theChurch,Paulsays,“…Ye have no need that I write unto you” (I Thessalonians 5:1).However, in verse 3, he uses the word theywhich does not refer to theChurch,butrathertothepeopleonearthduringtheTribulationPeriod.

THEHOPEOFDELIVERANCE

WhentheBodyofChrististakenoutoftheearth,multitudeswillrealizethattheWordofGodistrueandthattheyhavemissedGod’swayofescapingallthethingscomingontheearthduringtheTribulation.

Luke 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that yemay beaccountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatshallcometopass,andtostandbeforetheSonofman.

TheScripturesrevealthattherewillbe144,000Jewishmenbornagainimmediately after the Rapture of the Church. God will seal them in theirforeheads (Revelation 7:4), and theywill have an assignment to evangelizethenationof Israel and theGentiles. (Isaiah49:6.)TheAntichristwon’tbeabletoharmtheminanyway.Theywillbedivinelyprotecteduntiltheyarecaught up toHeaven sometime afterMid-Tribulation. Theywill preach theeverlastingGospel, andmultitudesof JewsandGentilesalikewillbe savedthroughtheirministry.(Isaiah60:3.)

PaulalsorevealsanotherreasonthattheChurchhasnoneedofcertaininformationconcerningthetimesandseasons:

1Thessalonians5:4Butye,brethren,arenot indarkness, that thatdayshouldovertakeyouasathief.

5Yeareallthechildrenoflight,andthechildrenoftheday:wearenotofthenight,norofdarkness.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on thebreastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the HOPE OFSALVATION.

9ForGodhathnotappointedustowrath,buttoobtainsalvationbyourLordJesusChrist.

Verse8 in thispassage is in reference to thehopeofdeliverance fromthe wrath of God that will be poured out upon the wicked during theTribulation. This blessed hope which we call the Rapture will deliver theBody of Christ from the wrath of God which is destined to come on thewickedof the earth. (Revelation3:10.)Godhas reservedHiswrath forHisenemies—nottheChurch.

Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lordrevengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on hisadversaries,andhereservethwrathforhisenemies.

Revelation16:1AndIheardagreatvoiceoutofthetemplesayingtothe sevenangels,Goyourways, andpourout thevials of thewrathofGodupontheearth.

THESECONDADVENT

Nowlet’sexaminesomeScripturesconcerningtheSecondAdvent.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God torecompensetribulationtothemthattroubleyou;

7Andtoyouwhoaretroubledrestwithus,whentheLordJesusshallberevealedfromheavenwithhismightyangels,

8 In flaming fire takingvengeanceon themthatknownotGod,andthatobeynotthegospelofourLordJesusChrist:

9 Who shall be punishedwith everlasting destruction from thepresenceoftheLord,andfromthegloryofhispower.

It is evident from theseScriptures that Paul is referring to theSecondAdventdescribedinRevelation19:11-21(andZechariah14:1-5).Thisisthesameeventhehadreferredtoin

1Thessalonians5:2,whenhesaidtheLordshallcome“…asathiefinthenight.”HementionstheSecondAdventfirstbecauseafterhehadwrittenthefirstepistletotheThessalonians,itseemsfromthecontextthatsomeonehadwrittenaletter(possiblyforgingPaul’snametoit)sayingthattheDayofChrist (referring to theSecondAdvent)wasupon them.SoPaul dealtwiththisinchapter2.

TWOSEPARATEEVENTS

2Thessalonians2:1Nowwebeseechyou,brethren,bythecomingofourLordJesusChrist,andbyourgatheringtogetheruntohim.

At first glance, it would seem that“the coming of our Lord JesusChrist” and our “gathering together unto him” are the same event.However,afterstudyingthecontextclosely,Ibelievethephrase“thecomingofourLordJesusChrist”isreferringtotheSecondAdvent,whichisalsocalledthe“DayofChrist”inthenextverse.

1believePaulmentionedtheSecondAdventfirstbecausesomefalseteacherswere saying that theDay ofChristwas at hand.Hewas trying toassure themthat itwasnot true.Healsopointedout thedifferencebetweenthecomingoftheLordtotheearthatHisSecondAdventandourgatheringtogetheruntoHimatthetimeoftheRapture.Thisseemstobethereasonhementioned them both in the same verse. Yet, these are definitely separateevents.Theyaredifferentinpurposeandseparatedintimebyexactlysevenyears.

TWOMAJOREVENTSBEFORETHEDAYOFCHRIST

2Thessalonians2:1Nowwebeseechyou,brethren,bythecomingofourLordJesusChrist,andbyourgatheringtogetheruntohim,

2Thatyebenotsoonshakeninmind,orbetroubled,neitherbyspirit,norbyword,norbyletterasfromus,asthatthedayofChristisathand.

3 Letnomandeceive youbyanymeans: for thatday shall notcome, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin berevealed,thesonofperdition.

Paul assured them that he had not changed his doctrine. He said thatthereweretwothingswhichabsolutelyhadtocometopassbeforetheDayofChrist(SecondAdvent),whichreferstoChrist’scomingtotheearthtosetupHiskingdom.

First:Therewouldcomeafallingaway.

Second:TheManofSin(Antichrist)wouldberevealed.FALLINGAWAYORADEPARTURE?

Let’sinvestigatetheGreekwordapostasia,whichis translated“fallingaway.” It is only used in two places in the New Testament. Here, in 2Thessalonians 2:3, it is translated “falling away,” but in Acts 21:21 it istranslated“forsake.”

TheAmplifiedBiblefootnotes2Thessalonians2:3,stating,“ApossiblerenderingoftheGreekapostasiais‘departure[oftheChurch]’”1

The Amplified Bible footnotes 2 Thessalonians Z:3, stating, ‘A

possiblerenderingoftheGreekapostasiais‘departure[oftheChurch].’”

Whenyougive time and thought to theseverses, that seems tobe theonlypossiblemeaningitcouldhaveinthecontextinwhichitwaswritten.

Idon’tbelievetherewillbewholesalebackslidingintheChurchbeforethereturnofChrist.

There are somewho have departed from the faith; there have alwaysbeen backsliders. But Paul is not referring to a backsliding Church. In thecontext,IamconvincedheisreferringtothedepartureoftheBodyofChristfromtheearthbeforetheManofSin(Antichrist)isrevealed.

Aswe continue in this passage,we findmore support that the phrasefallingawaycouldbetranslated“departure.”

MANOFSINREVEALED

Let’sreadverses3through7togetherforcontinuityofthought:

2Thessalonians2:3Letnomandeceiveyoubyanymeans:forthatdayshallnotcome,excepttherecomeafallingawayfirst,andthatmanofsinberevealed,thesonofperdition;

4WhoopposethandexaltethhimselfaboveallthatiscalledGod,or that is worshipped; so that he asGod sitteth in the temple ofGod,shewinghimselfthatheisGod.

5Rememberyenot,that,whenIwasyetwithyou,Itoldyouthesethings?

6Andnowyeknowwhatwithholdeththathemightberevealedinhistime.

7Forthemysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork:onlyhewhonowlettethwilllet,UNTILHEBETAKENOUTOFTHEWAY.

TheScripturesrevealthatthereisanappointedtimefortheAntichristtoberevealed,andhewillnotberevealeduntil that time.Thetimeallottedtohim is an exact period of seven years. It begins immediately after thedepartureoftheBodyofChrist.

HistimeisreferredtoasDaniel’sSeventiethWeek(seeDaniel9:26-27),which is aweek of years. Therefore, it is a seven-year period of time—nomoreandnoless.

TheAntichristwillcometohisendthesamedaythatChristreturnstotheearthtosetupHisearthlykingdom.(Revelation19:1-20.)

Some of the following prophetic statements have been covered inprecedingchaptersalittledifferently,buttheybearrepeatinginthecontextof2Thessalonians2:6-11.

6Andnowyeknowwhatwithholdeththathemightberevealedinhistime.

Christians are to reflectChrist,Who is the light of theworld.We arecapableofreflectingHislighttoasin-darkenedworldwithsuchintensitythatit restrains the Antichrist spirit. The Body of Christ will hold back theAntichristuntilwearetakenoutoftheearth.

ItseemsthatGodturnedHistimeclockoffconcerning

Israelafterthesixty-nineweeksprophesiedinDaniel9:25-26.Daniel’sSeventiethWeek must begin after the Rapture. The true Church (Body ofChrist) is what withholds and restrains the Antichrist until his time periodarrives.

HEWHORESTRAINS

SecondThessalonians2:7states,“…onlyhewhonowlettethwilllet,untilhebetakenoutoftheway.”According toStrong’sConcordance thewordtranslatedasboth“letteth”and“let”inthisversemeansto“holddown.”Itisthesamewordtranslated“withholdeth”inverse6.Sowecouldsay,HewhowithholdswillholddowntheAntichristspirituntilhebetakenoutoftheway.2

ThetrueChurch…iswhatwithholdsandrestrainstheAntichristuntilhistimeperiodarrives.

TheInterlinearGreek-EnglishNewTestamentrendersthisverse:

7Forthemysteryalreadyisworkingoflawlessness:only(thereis)hewhorestrainsatpresent,untiloutof(the)midsthebe(gone),andthenwillberevealedthelawless(one);whomtheLordwillconsumewiththe

breathofHismouth.7

Now let’s investigate verse 7 a little closer. Notice the pronoun “he”:“Hewhoholdsdownwillholddownuntilhebe takenoutof theway.”

Thepronoun“he”whichisinreferencetotheonewho“restrainsorholdsdown”inverse7,isthesamereferredtoinverse3,whichwillfallawayordepart.

We certainly couldn’t apply the pronoun “he” to a falling away or abacksliding. However, the pronoun “he” can be applied to the Church. Ibelieve these Scriptures reveal that He who restrains, or withholds, theAntichrist frombeing revealed is the trueChurch, theBodyofChrist.GodhastheAntichristzippedupinashorttimeslot,andhecan’tberevealeduntilafterthedepartureoftheChurch.

Itisevidentthatwhat“withholds”inverse6isthesamethat“letteth,”or“restrains,”inverse7,untilhebetakenoutoftheway.AfterthedepartureoftheChurch,thenthewickedmanofsin(Antichrist)willberevealed.The“ManofSin”inverse3andthe“wicked”inverse8areoneandthesame—theAntichrist. There are somewho believe the pronoun “he” in verse 7 isreferring to theHolySpirit.But let’s do some scriptural thinking regardingthatmatter.

Weknow therewill bemultipliedmillions of people savedduring thesevenyearsoftribulation.(Revelation7:9-14.)OneofthegreatestrevivalstoeverhitplanetEarthwillcontinueintothattimeperiod.ButiftheHolyGhostweretobetakenoutoftheearth,thenwemustconcludethatnoonecouldbesavedduringthatseven-yearperiod.Noonecouldbebornagainontheearthwithout thework of theHoly Spirit. The rebirth comes by thewashing ofregeneration and renewing of the HolyGhost. (Titus 3:5.) TheHoly SpiritcametotheearthontheDayofPentecost,andHewillbehereforthegreatharvestofsoulsevenduringtheTribulation.TheHolySpiritwasherebeforeyoureceivedHim,andHewillbeherewhenyouleave,andHewillbringinagreatharvestofsoulsduringthatseven-yearperiod.

Then theonlyscripturalconclusionseems tobe that thepronoun“he”referstotheChurch.Thisconclusionwouldfitinthecontextoftheseversesand still be in agreement with the other prophetic Scriptures. When therestrainerisremoved,theAntichristwillbeginhismasterplantodeceiveallthatdwellontheearth.

In2Thessalonians,PauldescribestheAntichrist’scoming:

2Thessalonians2:9Evenhim,whosecomingisaftertheworkingofSatanwithallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders,

10 Andwith all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them thatperish;becausetheyreceivednottheloveofthetruth,thattheymightbesaved.

11 And for this causeGodshall send themstrongdelusion, thattheyshouldbelievealie:

12Thattheyallmightbedamnedwhobelievednotthetruth,buthadpleasureinunrighteousness.

PaulseemstobesayingthatduringtheTribulationeveryonewhodoesnothave the truthofGod’sHolyWordwillbedeceivedby theManofSinandhislyingwonders.

Butthereisgoodnews—GodhasprovidedbetterthingsfortheBodyofChristthroughtheblessedhope.GodhasmadeprovisionsfortheresurrectionoftherighteousdeadandfortheredemptionofthebodiesofallwhoarealiveinChristatthetimeofthatblessedeventwerefertoastheRapture.

CHAPTEREIGHT

TheFaithandRaptureConnection

SomeofthegreatfaithScriptureswhichhavegivenusmuchinsightintothe principles of faith are found in the tenth and eleventh chapters ofHebrews. It is these Scriptures and others which have given us greatrevelation concerning the law of faith and how to apply it in our everydaylives.

God’s revelations are always progressive, and we have arrived at asegment of time in which the Holy Spirit is revealing deeper insight fromthese same Scriptures concerning their connection to the Rapture of theChurch.ThefaithconnectionbeginsinthetenthchapterofHebrews.

34Foryehadcompassionofmeinmybonds,andtookjoyfullythespoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that YE HAVE INHEAVENABETTERANDANENDURINGSUBSTANCE.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath greatrecompenceofreward.

36Foryehaveneedofpatience,that,afteryehavedonethewillofGod,yemightreceivethepromise.

37 For yet a littlewhile, andHETHATSHALLCOMEWILL

COME,ANDWILLNOTTARRY.

Noticethecontextofthesestatements.“Yehaveinheavenabetterandanenduringsubstance”and“Hethatshallcomewillcome,andwillnottarry.”Ibelievetheseversescanonlybeinreferencetooneevent,andthatisthecomingofChristtocatchawaytheChurch.

TheseScripturesrevealthattheywerelookingforChristtocomefortheChurchevenintheirgeneration.ThisseemstoconfirmthefactthattherearenocertainsignsthatmustappearbeforetheRaptureoftheChurch.IbelieveonlytimeitselfestablishesthedateoftheRaptureoftheChurch.SinceGodhas spoken the end from the beginning, that event must fit the scripturalprofileofGod’stimetable.

DISCERNINGTHEINTENT

AllowmetoarrangeafewoftheScripturesinsequenceforthepurposeof revealingwhat I believe tobe the intent ofPaul’s statements inRomans8:24-25concerning“beingsavedbyhopethatisnotseen”—thehopethatwehavepatiencetowaitfor.

Hebrews10:34Foryehadcompassionofmeinmybonds,andtookjoyfullythespoilingofyourgoods,knowinginyourselvesthatyehaveinheavenabetterandanenduringSUBSTANCE.

35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath greatRECOMPENCEOFREWARD.

36Foryehaveneedofpatience,that,afteryehavedonethewillofGod,yeMIGHTRECEIVETHEPROMISE.

37 For yet a littlewhile, andHETHATSHALLCOMEWILLCOME,ANDWILLNOTTARRY.

Hebrews11:1Nowfaith is theSUBSTANCEOFTHINGSHOPEDFOR,theevidenceofthingsnotseen.

Romans8:24Forwearesavedbyhope:buthopethatisseenisnothope:forwhatamanseeth,whydothheyethopefor?

25Butifwehopeforthatweseenot,thendowewithpatiencewaitforit.

TheRapture,aswehavealreadyseen,isreferredtoastheblessedhope

inTitus2:13.ItisthroughfaithinthetimeelementofGod’stimetablethatwehavepatiencetowaitforthefulfillmentofthatblessedhope.ItissignificantthatHebrews10:34 states thatwehave inHeavenabetter andanenduringsubstance.Hebrews11:1 reveals that faith is the substance of thingshopedfor.Let’slookatitthisway:Iffaithisthesubstanceofwhatyouhopeforandyouhavenohope,thenthereisnothingforfaithtogivesubstanceto.

Let’saskourselvessomescripturalquestionsaboutthismatter.ArethereanypromisesofblessingintheNewCovenantwhichyoureceivejustbecausethey are in the Bible? Generally speaking, no. You must first hear thepromise.Then,youmustmakeadecisiontobelieveit.Andfinally,youmustact on it in faith to receive it. It is because of these facts that I pose thefollowingquestions.

WillGod’spromiseofawaytoescapethesevenyearsoftribulationbeany different? Will those who don’t believe in the catching away of theChurchbepartakersoftheRapture?

Idon’t intend to answer thosequestions,because I’mnot sure Iknowtheanswer.Iaskthemsimplytoprovokeyoutoscripturalthoughtconcerningthismatter.

I know there aremanywho say they have been born again and don’tbelieve in the Rapture. But to not believe in the Rapture is like saying, “Idon’t believe in yesterday; yesterday never happened.” But yesterday didhappen,and threeraptureshavealready takenplace.EnochandElijahwerecaught up alive toHeaven as natural people. (Genesis 5:24; 2Kings 2:11.)Jesuswasalsocaughtup,andthediscipleswatchedasacloudreceivedHimoutoftheirsight.(Acts1:9.)

Therearesomewhocall theRaptureanescapetheory.Butithasbeenproven inScripture tobeasupernaturalevent that transported livingpeoplefromtheearthtoHeaven.

The Scriptures reveal that even when there is tremendous poweravailable to do supernatural things, it is not alwaysapparent in the naturalrealm.

Hebrews 11:3Through faith we understand that the worlds wereframedbythewordofGod,sothatthingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear.

TheRapturehasalsobeen framedandwoven into the fabricofGod’sWord, yet it isn’t apparent to everyone. The Scriptures reveal that noteveryone will see Him when He appears for the Church. (Hebrews 9:28.)Some call the Rapture “The Pie in the Sky.” Others call it “The GreatSnatch.”Ithasevenbeenlabeled“TheGreatEscape”bysome.

Therearemanypeoplescoffingat theveryevent thatcouldsavethemfrom the wrath to come. This is not a time to scoff at or discredit God’spromiseddeliverance,forwecanalreadyseesignsofthecomingTribulationonthehorizon.

ENOCHRAPTURED

Bible history gives us positive proof of three separate supernaturaleventsinwhichlivingpeoplewerephysicallytakenfromtheearthtoHeaven.ThefirstsucheventisrecordedinGenesis5:24:“AndEnochwalkedwithGod:andhewasnot;forGodtookhim.”

TheBookofHebrewsalsogiveswitnessofEnoch’srapture:

Hebrews11:5ByfaithEnochwastranslatedthatheshouldnotseedeath; andwasnot found, becauseGodhad translatedhim: forbeforehistranslationhehadthistestimony,thathepleasedGod.

6Butwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim:forhethatcomethtoGodmust believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them thatdiligentlyseekhim.

WhatisourrewardfordiligentlyseekingHim?Ourreward isabetterandenduringsubstance inHeaven. (Hebrews10:34.) Ifwearenotgoing toHeaven,assometeach,thenwhatpossiblebenefitwouldwereceivefromthatbetterandenduringsubstancethatisinHeaven?

Petergivesusmorerevelationconcerningourinheritance:

1Peter1:3BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,which according to his abundantmercy hath begotten us again unto alivelyhopebytheresurrectionofJesusChristfromthedead,

4 ToanINHERITANCEINCORRUPTIBLE,andundefiled,andthatfadethnotaway,RESERVEDINHEAVENFORYOU,

5WhoarekeptbythepowerofGodthroughfaithuntosalvation

readytoberevealedinthelasttime.

9Receivingtheendofyourfaith,eventhesalvationofyoursouls.13Whereforegirduptheloinsofyourmind,besober,andhopeto

theendforthegracethatistobebroughtuntoyouattherevelationofJesusChrist.

AninheritancereservedinHeavenwouldn’tbeofanybenefittousifwewerenotgoingthere.Igrantyou,wewillonlybethereforaperiodofsevenyears.Butduringthattime,wewillreceivethatinheritanceandbetaughthowtoruleandreignwithChrist.ThenwewillcomebackwithHimtoend theTribulationontheearth.WewillthenruleandreignwithHiminHisearthlykingdom.(Revelation19:11-20;20:1-6.)

ENOCHRAPTUREDTHROUGHFAITH

ThecontextofHebrews10:34andmostofchapter11correspondswithor points toward the Rapture of the Church and the resurrection of therighteousdead.

Let’stakeacloserlookattheScriptureconcerningEnoch’srapture:

Hebrews11:5ByfaithEnochwastranslatedthatheshouldnotseedeath; andwasnot found, becauseGodhad translatedhim: forbeforehistranslationhehadthistestimony,thathepleasedGod.

6Butwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim:forhethatcomethtoGodmust believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them thatdiligentlyseekhim.

TheEnglishword“translated”comesfromtheGreekwordmetatithemi1

which has a very similarmeaning to theGreekwordapostasia2 used in 2Thessalonians2:3,whichistranslated,“fallingaway.”Asyoucomparethesetwo words, you can’t help but notice their similarity The Greek wordmetatithemi,which is interpreted in theKingJamesVersion as “translated,”meanstoremove,tochange,tocarryover,totranspose,totransfer,tosufferoneself,tobetransferred;i.e.,togoorpassover;tofallawayordesertfromonepersonorthingtoanother:

Instudyingthemeaningofthisword,youwillnoticethatitcorrespondsclosely in some ways with the word apostasia3, which the King James

Version has translated “a falling away” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. It is veryobviousthatthewords“translated”and“translation”inHebrews11:5-6meanthecatchingawayofEnochfromearth toHeaven.It isalsoclear that thesewordsarenotinanywayassociatedwithbackslidingorafallingawayfromGod.ThewordemphaticallyreferstoEnoch’sremovalordeparturefromtheearthtoHeaven.

Incomparison,herearesomeofthemeaningsofthewordapostasia:“toforsake,” “falling away,” “defection,” or “apostasy.” This gives us someinsightintowhyPaulusedthewordapostasiain2Thessalonians2:3.Someof the same expressions are used to define the word translate, such as “afallingaway”or“todesertfromonepersonorthingtoanother.”

Possibly the reason Paul used the word apostasia (which must beconsidered in thiscontext inorder toknowexactlywhat itmeans)was thatthecontext inwhich itwasused leavesnodoubtabout themeaning. In thefirst verse, Paul refers to “…our gathering together unto him,” whichclearlyestablishesthecontextasbeingtheRaptureoftheChurch.

Again,afootnoteinTheAmplifiedBibleconcerningthewordapostasiastates, “A possible rendering of the Greek apostasia is ‘departure’ (of theChurch).”

Soitisevidentthatitcouldbeinterpreted“departure”inreferencetotheChurch,especiallywithinthecontextthatPaulusedit.

ENOCH’SPROPHECY

TheBookofJudereveals thatEnochwastheonewhoprophesiedthatChristwouldcomewithtenthousandsofhissaints:

Jude1:14AndEnoch also, the seventh fromAdam, prophesied ofthese,saying,Behold,theLordcomethwithtenthousandsofhissaints,

Enoch’sprophecybringsustoaveryobviousconclusion—thesaintsmustfirstbe“caughtuptoHeaven…”

15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that areungodly among them of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodlycommitted, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners havespokenagainsthim.

Enoch’s prophecy brings us to a very obvious conclusion— the saints

mustfirstbe“caughtup toHeaven”before theycancomebackwithChristfromHeaven,asrevealedinRevelation19:11-20andZechariah14:1-5.

AlthoughtheRapturewasnotforEnoch’sdispensation,Godrevealeditto him. He was so completely captivated by it that through faith heexperiencedhisownprivaterapture.

Enochproved that faith gives substance to that blessedhope.He alsoprovedthatfaithisourevidenceoftheRapturethathasnotyetbeenseeninour day. It is significant that Hebrews 11:5-6 reveals that Enoch’s faithpleasedGodsomuchthatHetranslatedhim,andthenemphaticallystatesthatwithout faith it is impossible topleaseGod.Could thisbe implying thatwemusthavefaithintheblessedhopeoftheRaptureinordertoexperienceit?

NOAHPREPAREDANDESCAPED

Hebrews11:7ByfaithNoah,beingwarnedofGodofthingsnotseenasyet,movedwithfear,preparedanarktothesavingofhishouse;bythewhich he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousnesswhichisbyfaith.

The fact thatNoahobeyedGodbypreparing to escape andwas liftedabovetheFloodtosafetyatthetimewhenGod’sjudgmentcameonawickedworldseemstobeaperfectparalleloftheChurchthatmustbepreparedfortheRapturebeforethewrathofGodcomesupontheearth.JustasGodmadeawayofescapeforNoah,Hehasmadeawayforustoescapethatseven-yearperiodoftribulationwhichiscomingupontheearth.

ABRAHAMLOOKEDFORACITY

Hebrews11:8ByfaithAbraham,whenhewascalledtogooutintoaplacewhich he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and hewentout,notknowingwhitherhewent.

What inheritance was Abraham looking for? A better and enduringsubstance (inheritance) that is reserved in Heaven for both Old and NewTestamentsaints(Hebrews10:36;1Peter1:3-5.)Verse9continueswiththesamethought.

Hebrews11:9Byfaithhesojourned inthe landofpromise,as inastrangecountry,dwellingintabernacleswithIsaacandJacob,theheirswithhimofthesamepromise:

10 For he looked for A CITY which hath foundations, WHOSEBUILDERANDMAKERISGOD.

Abrahamwaslookingforadifferentcitythanthosefoundontheearth.JohngaveusaglimpseinRevelationofsuchacity,whoseBuilderandMakerisGod.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,comingdownfromGodoutofheaven,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and highmountain,andshewedmethatgreatcity,theholyJerusalem,descendingoutofheavenfromGod.

ItseemsthatnearlyeveryverseofHebrews11eitherparallelsinsomeway,orisindirectreferenceto,thecatchingawayoftherighteoustoobtaintheirinheritanceinacitynotmadewithhands.

SARAHJUDGEDGODFAITHFULTOHISPROMISE

Hebrews11:11ThroughfaithalsoSarahherselfreceivedstrengthtoconceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age,becauseshejudgedhimfaithfulwhohadpromised.

God was faithful in His promise concerning Abraham, that throughIsaac,HewouldsendHisSon todelivermankind.JesusChristwillalsobefaithfultoHispromiserecordedin

John14.

2 InmyFather’shouse aremanymansions: if itwerenot so, Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou.

3AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagain,andreceiveyouuntomyself;thatwhere

Iam,thereyemaybealso.

Whatagloriouspromisethisis,andyet,itissosimplethatevenachildcouldunderstandtheintentofthesestatements.

Jesusgaveusaverysimplesequence.First,HewillprepareaplaceforusintheFather’shouse.Second,HewillcometoreceivetheChurch(BodyofChrist)untoHimselfsotheChurchwillbewithHiminHeavenduringthe

timeoftribulationontheearth.

TheTribulationisreferredtobyPaulas the“timeof theAntichrist.”Ibelievethatseven-yearperiodbegins thedaytheChurchis takenoutof theearth.

All things concerning the Church will be brought to an appropriateconclusion; thenGodwill begin the final chapter of contendingwith fallenhumanity.

Romans9:28AmpFortheLordwillexecuteHissentenceupontheearth[HewillconcludeandcloseHisaccountwithmencompletelyandwithoutdelay],rigorouslycuttingitshortinHisjustice.

THEYWEREPERSUADED

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received thepromises, but having seen them afar off, andwere persuaded of them,andembracedthem,andconfessedthattheywerestrangersandpilgrimsontheearth.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hathpreparedforthemacity.

Revelation21:2reveals that thecity thatGodhasprepared is theNewJerusalem.

FAITHFORARESURRECTION

Abrahamprovedhehadfaithforabodilyresurrection:

Hebrews 11:17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered upIsaac:andhethathadreceivedthepromisesoffereduphisonlybegottenson,

18Ofwhomitwassaid,ThatinIsaacshallthyseedbecalled:

19 AccountingthatGodwasabletoraisehimup,evenfromthedead;fromwhencealsohereceivedhiminafigure.

ItisobviousthatAbrahambelievedthatGodwasabletoresurrectIsaacfromthedead,ifnecessary,tofulfillHispromise.

Revelation21:2revealsthatthecitythatGodhaspreparedistheNew

Jerusalem.

Soagain,asonefollowstheflowofthoughtintheeleventhchapterofHebrews,itseemstobeslantedtowardthedepartureoftherighteousfromtheearthandtheeternalblisstoberevealed.TheOldTestamentsaintssawitafaroff.ThroughfaiththeysawthepromisesoftheMessiah,buttheydidn’thavearevelationoftheNewCovenantofbetterpromises.

Thereweremanythingstheydidn’tunderstandaboutthefirstcomingoftheMessiah.Butnotice that the last sixversesofHebrews10,andamajorportionofchapter11,giveusaparallelpointingtowardtheResurrection,theRapture,recompenseofreward,andtheNewJerusalem.

JOSEPH’SBONES

Hebrews11:22ByfaithJoseph,whenhedied,madementionofthedepartingof thechildrenofIsrael;andgavecommandmentconcerninghisbones.

The fact that Joseph’s bones were brought out of Egypt seems to besymbolicofthedeadbodiesofboththeOldandNewTestamentsaintswhichwillnotbeleftbehindwhentheChurchdepartsthisearth.

“…ThedeadinChristshallrisefirst:Thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththem…” (1Thessalonians4:16-17).ThebodiesofthosewhohavediedbeinginChrist,willnotbeleftintheearth.

Christpaidthefullpriceandredeemedthewholeman—spirit,soul,andbody;andHewillnotloseanypartofthatwhichHehaspurchasedwithHisownblood.

RESPECTUNTOTHERECOMPENCEOFREWARD

Hebrews 11:23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid threemonthsofhisparents,becausetheysawhewasaproperchild;andtheywerenotafraidoftheking’scommandment.

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than thetreasuresinEgypt:forhehadrespectuntotheRECOMPENCEOFTHEREWARD.

Thisphrase“recompenceofreward”shouldbefamiliarbynow.It’seasy

toseewhyMoseshadrespectunto therecompenceandrewardofhis faith.Hewasbornwithadeathsentenceonhim.Herepresentedtherighteousdeadof all ageswhose bodieswill not be found (left) in the earth. This phrase,“recompenceofreward,”seemstorefertothetimewhen

Christwillcatchawaytherighteous,bothdeadandalive,toberewardedin Heaven at the judgment seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew16:27.)

Hebrews11:29ByfaiththeypassedthroughtheRedseaasbydryland:whichtheEgyptiansassayingtodoweredrowned.

30ByfaiththewallsofJerichofelldown,aftertheywerecompassedaboutsevendays.

ThecityofJerichoisatypeofthewickedworld.AfterJoshuacrossedover the Jordan, hemarched around the city once a day for six days withsevenpriestsoutfrontblowingseventrumpets.

IbelievethetrumpetsrepresentapropheticwarningGodhasissuedtothewickedworldforaperiodof6000years.Remember,“…onedayiswiththeLordasathousandyears,andathousandyearsasoneday”(2Peter3:8).

Just as Jericho was warned six days by seven priests sounding theirtrumpets,theearthhasalsobeenwarnedbyGod’spropheticwordfornearly6000yearsofHiscomingwrath.

JoshuamarchedaroundJerichoseven timeson theseventhday,whichrepresentsGod’snumberofcompletion.

Therewasagreatshoutattheendoftheseventhday,andthewallsofthewickedcamedown.Allof thepeople in Jerichoweredestroyed,exceptRahabandherfamily,whorepresentstheremnantofIsraelthatwillbesaved.

This seems tobeanother scripturalprofile revealing that at theendof7000yearsofhumanhistory,allwickednesswillbedestroyedfromtheearth.

GODPROVIDEDBETTERTHINGSFORUS

ItisevidentfromtheNewCovenantthatGodhasprovidedbetterthingsfortheChurchinthisage.

Hebrews11:39Andtheseall,havingobtainedagoodreportthroughfaith,receivednotthepromise:

40Godhavingprovidedsomebetterthingforus,thattheywithoutusshouldnotbemadeperfect.

Whydidn’ttheyreceivethethingspromised?Becausetheydidnotlivein the segment of time towhichGod had assigned the fulfillment of thesepromises. Yet, God has provided better things for us, that they without usshouldnotbemadeperfect.

ThedeadinChrist,whichwouldalsoincludetheOldTestamentsaintswho have gone on before us, will not be made perfect (glorified, madeimmortal)withoutus.ButatHisappearing(timeoftheRapture),thedeadinChristshallrisefirst.Thenwewhoarealiveshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,andwewillallbemadeperfectandglorifiedtogetherinthesameinstantoftime.

Weare fortunate to live ina timewhen theHolySpirit is illuminatingpropheticScripturesasneverbefore.Godhasnotonlytoldusdirectlywhatisabouttohappenattheendoftheage,butHehasclearlyrevealedinscripturalprofilestheeventsthatareabouttotranspire.

… we will all be made perfect and glorified together in the sameinstantoftime.

HeprophesieditinGenesis.HepreacheditthroughHisprophets.

HerevealedittoHisapostles.HepaintedusscripturalpictorialsthroughEnoch,Abraham,Noah,Moses,andJoshua.

ThroughouttheBible,wehaveseenthatGodwillwarntheresidentsofplanetEarthfor6000years.Thisseemstorepresentthetimespanoftheearthlease, inwhichmanhastheGod-givenright toexercisedominiononplanetEarth.Thatleaseseemstobedividedintothreesegmentsoftime.

•2000yearsfromAdamtoAbraham,

•2000yearsfromAbrahamtoChrist,

•2000yearsfromChristtotheendoftheChurchAge.

JustasthepriestsblewseventrumpetsatJericho,todaygodlymenandwomen are sounding a prophetic warning from pulpits, radio, television,cassette tapes, and theprintedpage.Thewarning is circling theglobe.The

2000-yearChurchage isdrawing toaclose.Theprophetic implicationsarenowquiteclear.

The6000-yearleaseonplanetEarthisabouttoexpire,andatthattimewickedmenwill lose their dominion.ThenGod theFather, theHolySpiritand Jesuswill take control of planetEarth.A flood of anointingwill comeover the Body of Christ such as has never been in 6000 years of humanhistory. I believe the anointingwill be turnedup sevenfold.Theworldwillexperience an awesome outpouring of theHoly Spiritwithmiracles, signs,andwonders through theBodyofChristbeforewerise tomeet theLord intheair.

CHAPTERNINE

TheParableoftheTenVirgins

As mentioned in the preface, many different views have been taughtthrough the years on the subject of prophecy. And this is especially trueconcerningtheparableofthetenvirgins.

So, again, I encourageyou to layasideyourpreconceived ideaswhilewetakeafreshlookatthisend-timeparableasweinvestigatethepropheticWordofGod.

Matthew25:1Thenshallthekingdomofheavenbelikeneduntotenvirgins,whichtooktheirlamps,andwentforthtomeetthebridegroom.

2Andfiveofthemwerewise,andfivewerefoolish.

3 They thatwere foolish took their lamps, and tooknooilwiththem:

4Butthewisetookoilintheirvesselswiththeirlamps.

5Whilethebridegroomtarried,theyallslumberedandslept.

6Andatmidnighttherewasacrymade,Behold,thebridegroomcometh;goyeouttomeethim.

7Thenallthosevirginsarose,andtrimmedtheirlamps.

There are three keys in these verses that are very beneficial tounderstandingthisparable.

First,noticethatalltenwerecalledvirgins.Second,theyallhadlampswhiletheywaitedforthebridegroom.Thirdly,noneofthetenvirginsinthisparable were brides. The reason for the marriage was that the bridegroomalreadyhadabride.

Many have assumed that the five wise virgins represent the Bride ofChrist, but they were friends of the bridegroom, or children of the bridechamber, asmentioned inMatthew 9:15. The fivewise virgins do seem torepresenttheBodyofChrist,whichtheapostlePaulidentifiedinScriptureasaperfectman,notabride.(Ephesians4:13.)

In Jewish weddings, the bridegroom usually arrived aroundmidnight.Someone accompanying the bridegroom would run ahead and cry out,“Behold, thebridegroomcometh!”Then theywouldarise, trim their lamps,goouttomeetHim,andaccompanyhimtothebride’splace.

In thisparable, theyallhad lamps.Evidently, theywereallburningatonetime,becausetheunwisevirginssaid,“Ourlampsaregoneout.”

THISPARABLEREVEALSANENDTIMEEVENT

The five foolish virgins had failed to prepare for the bridegroom’scoming.

Matthew25:8Andthefoolishsaiduntothewise,Giveusofyouroil;forourlampsaregoneout.

9Butthewiseanswered,saying,Notso;lesttherebenotenoughforusandyou:butgoyerathertothemthatsell,andbuyforyourselves.

10 Andwhile theywent tobuy, thebridegroomcame;and theythatwerereadywentinwithhimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut.

Theseverses leavenodoubt that this parable is revealing an end-timeevent, forwhich some have failed tomake preparations. This story clearlyparallels the catching away of the Church for the Marriage Supper of theLamb,whichwilltakeplaceinHeavenduringthetimeframeoftheGreat

Tribulationontheearth.TheChurch(BodyofChrist),beingcaughtuptoHeaven,willescapethewrathofGodthatwillbepouredoutontheearthduringthatseven-yearperiod.(Revelation4:1;5:9-11;1Thessalonians4:16-17.)

Itisevidentfromverse10thathalfofthosewaitingforthebridegroomwere not prepared at the time ofHis appearance. Therefore, theywere notrecognizedasguestsforthemarriage.

Matthew25:11Afterwardcamealsotheothervirgins,saying,Lord,Lord,opentous.

12 Butheansweredandsaid,VerilyIsayuntoyou,Iknowyounot.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hourwhereintheSonofmancometh.

Itissignificantthatthebridegroomsaid,“Iknowyounot,”ratherthan,“Ineverknewyou,”asisstatedonanotheroccasioninMatthew7:23.

TheChurch(BodyofChrist),beingcaughtuptoHeaven,willescapethewrathofgod…

Verse12seemstoimplythatHehadknownthematonetime.

However,Hedidnotrecognizethemasguestsforthemarriage,becausethey were unprepared— the problem being they had no oil, which in thisparable, represents the Source of their Light. This seems to be a minorproblemuntilwe do some scriptural investigation into thematter.Thenwefindittobeaproblemofmajorconsequence.

YOURLAMPMUSTBEBURNING

Thefollowingscripturalreferenceslayafoundationthatwillgiveyouabetterunderstandingofthisparable.

Proverbs20:27ThespiritofmanisthecandleoftheLord,searchingalltheinwardpartsofthebelly.

If you have a Bible with a center-column reference, it may have afootnote by the word “candle” which says lamp (of the Lord). Today, wewouldsayitthisway:ThespiritofmanisthelightbulbwhichGodusestoenlightenman and to bringhimout of spiritual darkness.This seems to beindicativeoftherebornhumanspirit.

Proverbs13:9The light of the righteous rejoiceth:but the lampofthewickedshallbeputout.

When the bridegroom came, the lamps of the five foolish virgins hadgoneout.

JESUSISTHELIGHT

The followingScripturesgiveusa strong indicationof the reason thattheirlampshadgoneout:

John1:3Allthingsweremadebyhim;andwithouthimwasnotanythingmadethatwasmade.

4Inhimwaslife;andthelifewasthelightofmen.

John12:35ThenJesussaiduntothem,Yetalittlewhileisthelightwithyou.Walkwhileyehavethelight,lestdarknesscomeuponyou:forhethatwalkethindarknessknowethnotwhitherhegoeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be thechildrenoflight.

Jesus Christ was “the true Light, which lighteth every man thatcomethintotheworld”(John1:9).TheseScriptureshelpusunderstandthisstatementinProverbs13:9:“…thelampofthewickedshallbeputout.”

ISRAEL—THEFALLENVIRGIN

TheBooksofAmosandJeremiahbothrefertoIsraelasavirgin.

Amos 5:1Hear ye this wordwhich I take up against you, even alamentation,OhouseofIsrael.

2THEVIRGINOFISRAELISFALLEN; she shallnomorerise:sheisforsakenuponherland;thereisnonetoraiseherup.

4ForthussaiththeLorduntothehouseofIsrael,Seekyeme,andyeshalllive.

ThentheprophecyofJeremiahstates:

Jeremiah 31:4Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, OVIRGINOFISRAEL:thoushaltagainbeadornedwiththytabrets,andshaltgoforthinthedancesofthemthatmakemerry.

21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine hearttoward the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, OVIRGINOFISRAEL,turnagaintothesethycities.

ThereisnodoubtthatthesepropheticScripturesarereferringtoIsraelasthevirgin,statingthatthevirginhasfallen.ThenfromtheseversesitseemsobviousthatthefivefoolishvirginscouldrepresenttheJewishpeople(Israel)aswell asGentileswho have not receivedChrist (theMessiah) as the trueLight.However,ingeneralterms,Matthew24:1-13seemstobeinonesenseaparableofcontrastbetween the Jewswhohavenot receivedChrist as theMessiah,andtheGentiles.

Proverbsgivesusanotherclueastowhytheirlampshadgoneout.

Proverbs6:23Forthecommandmentisalamp;andthelawislight;andreproofsofinstructionarethewayoflife.

Whata revealing statement“The commandment is a lamp; and thelawislight.”TotheJews,theLawwastheirlight.WhenJesusfulfilledtheLaw, it passed away and their light went out. Both David and John makesomerevealingstatementsconcerningthismatter.

Psalm18:28For thouwilt lightmy candle: theLordmyGodwillenlightenmydarkness.

John1:17ForthelawwasgivenbyMoses,butgraceandtruthcamebyJesusChrist.

The revelation of the New Covenant came by Jesus Christ. If thecommandment was their lamp, and they all had lamps, it is clear fromcombining information from several previous Scriptures that the lampsrepresent thehumanspirit,whichenlightensmen. It isGod’sSpiritbearingwitnesswithourspiritthatgivesusthelightofsalvation.(Romans8:16-17.)

JESUSCAMETOFULFILL

JesusHimselfsaidthatHedidn’tcometodestroytheLawbuttofulfillit.(Matthew5:17-18.)JesushadindeedfulfilledtheLawtotheletter,anditpassedaway,asPaulrevealsinRomanschapter10:

4ForChrististheendofthelawforrighteousnesstoeveryonethatbelieveth.

…themajorityofthenationofIsraelwillgothroughthesevenyearsoftribulation.

ButtheLawwasmorethanjusttheTenCommandments.Wedon’tkeeptheletteroftheLawtoday,butwekeepthespiritoftheLaw.Paulsaid,“Forall the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thyneighbouras thyself” (Galatians5:14). Ifwe loveourneighbor,wewon’tstealfromhim;andifwelovehim,wecertainlywon’tkillhim.So,righteouspeople don’t need the Law (except to show what sin is [Romans 3:20]);spirituallydeadpeoplecan’tkeeptheLaw.

Paulsaid,“Theletter[ofthelaw]killeth,butthespiritgivethlife”

(2Corinthians3:6).

THEIRLIGHTWENTOUT

WhenChristcame,Israel,generallyspeaking,closedtheireyestoHimandHisredemptivework.TheyrefusedtobelieveHewastheMessiah.SincetheLawwasthesourceoftheirlight,whenitpassedaway,theirlightwasputout.(Proverbs13:9.)

JesusstatedinJohn’sgospelthatHewas“thelightoftheworld”(John8:12).ItseemsclearfromtheScripturesthat theJewshadnolight,becausetheyrejectedtheMessiah,WhoistheSourceofallspirituallight.Thisisthecontrast typifiedby the five foolishvirginswhose lampshadgoneout.Thefive wise virgins represent those who recognized Christ as their Light andreceivedHimastheirSavior.Theoilrepresentseternalsalvation,whichisthesourceofspirituallightintherebornhumanspirit.

InJohn3:3,JesussaidtoNicodemus,“Exceptamanbebornagain,he cannot see the kingdomofGod.” In this parable, all the virginswerefriendsof thebridegroomandprobablyhadreceivedan invitation.But theydidn’t all qualify as guests for the marriage when the bridegroom came,revealingthatitwasbecausetheirrelationshipwithGodwasnotmaintainedthroughHisSon,Jesus,aftertheLawpassedaway.

PaulrevealsinGalatiansthatthosewhoaretryingtobejustifiedthroughtheLawarefallenfromgrace.

Galatians5:4Christ is becomeof no effect unto you,whosoever ofyouarejustifiedbythelaw;yearefallenfromgrace.

It is true that there aremany Jewish peoplewho have receivedChristandhavetheLightofLife.However,themajorityofthenationofIsraelwillgothroughthesevenyearsoftribulation.TheScripturestatesthataremnantshallbesaved.

Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though thenumberofthechildrenofIsraelbeasthesandofthesea,aremnantshallbesaved.

ISRAELIGNOREDGOD’SRIGHTEOUSNESS

Romans 10:1Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for

Israelis,thattheymightbesaved.

2 For Ibear themrecord that theyhavea zeal ofGod,butnotaccordingtoknowledge.

3FortheybeingignorantofGod’srighteousness,andgoingabouttoestablishtheirownrighteousness,havenotsubmittedthemselvesuntotherighteousnessofGod.

Tobringrighteousness into theearth,GodsentHisSonas theSeedofrighteousness.God’srighteousnesswasimpartedtousbecauseofourfaithinJesusChristandHissubstitutionarysacrifice—butIsraelwouldnotsubmittoGod’srighteousness,whichwaspersonifiedinChrist.

Romans10:4ForChrist is the end of the law for righteousness toeveryonethatbelieveth.

ThisstatementshouldbeproofenoughthatChristputanendtotheLawfor righteousness. In this dispensation, you must be born again to obtaineternalsalvation.

PUREOILFORLIGHT

The lamps of the five foolish virgins burned before the bridegroomcame,butwhenhearrived,theirlampshadgoneout.Inthefinalanalysis,thelamps represent the human spirit, for it is the lamp of the Lord. (Proverbs20:27.)OilisthesourceofthelightandrepresentstheworkoftheHolySpirittobringsalvationandlighttothehumanspiritbythenewbirth.GodgivesusscripturalinsightintothismatterintheBookofExodus:

Exodus27:20Andthoushalt command the childrenof Israel, thattheybring theepureoil olivebeaten for the light, to cause the lamp toburnalways.

Thiswasaperpetualflame,orlight,thatwastoburncontinuallyinthetabernacle.Itwastobefueledbyoilfrompureoliveswhichwerebeatenandcrushed—aperfectparalleloftheLordJesusChristbeingbeatenandbruisedforour sins tobringus salvation.This lampwas toburn continually in thetabernacle to represent eternal salvation, which came through the stripes,bruises,andbloodofJesusChrist.

The bridegroom in this parable seems to vividly foreshadow Jesus’comingfortheChurch.ThosewhorejectHisrighteousnesshavenolightof

salvation. Jesus, in His ownwords said: “Yemust be born again” (John3:7).There aremanyborn-again Jewishpeoplewhohave theLight ofLifeandare looking forChrist toappear for theChurch.ButgenerallyspeakingtheJewsrejectChristastheirMessiah.

KEEPYOURLAMPSBURNING

TheinstructionswhichJesusgaveinLuke12:35-46seemtobeforthosewhoarenotpreparedwhentheRapturetakesplace,butaresavedduringthelast three-and-a-halfyearsof theTribulation.Thosesaved in the first three-and-a-half years seem to be raptured sometime after Mid-Tribulation.(Revelation7:9-19.)

Luke12:35Letyourloinsbegirdedabout,andyourlights(lamps)burning;

36AndyeyourselveslikeuntomenthatwaitfortheirLord,WHENHEWILLRETURNFROMTHEWEDDING;thatwhenhecomethandknocketh,theymayopenuntohimimmediately.

They are to gird their loins (which signifies being ready to run or totravelquickly)andtohavetheirlamps(lights)burning.Theseversesseemtorefer to the Second Advent of Revelation 19:11-21, where the Lord isreturningfromtheMarriageSupperoftheLamb.Luke12:36revealsthattheydidnotgowiththeotherguestsbutwereleftbehind.

Ibelieve this is anadmonition to the remnantof Israel and toallwhosurvivetheTribulationtobebornagainandtokeeptheirlampsburning.Theburninglampswouldbethelightofsalvationintheborn-againhumanspirit.Theyaretobewatching,girdedwithtruthandreadytorun.ThisimpliesthattheymustfleeJerusalemimmediatelywhentheMountofOlivessplitsinhalf.(Zechariah14:1-5;Matthew24:29-31;Revelation19:11-21.)Theymustobeythe instructions of Jesus in Luke 17:31-33 to escape the armies of theAntichrist.TheymustwatchandbepreparedforChristwhenHereturnsfromtheWeddingoftheLamb.

Luke 12:37Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when hecometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall girdhimself, andmake them to sit down tomeat, andwill come forth andservethem.

38Andifheshallcomeinthesecondwatch,orcomeinthethird

watch,andfindthemso,blessedarethoseservants.

39 And thisknow, that if thegoodmanof thehousehadknownwhathour the thiefwouldcome,hewouldhavewatched,andnothavesufferedhishousetobebrokenthrough.

40 Beye thereforereadyalso: for theSonofmancomethatanhourwhenyethinknot.

TheseversesrefertotheSecondAdvent,foritistheonlyeventreferredtoin theScripturesbythephrasecomingASATHIEFINTHENIGHT.(1Thessalonians5:2;2Peter3:10;Revelation16:15.)

ISRAEL’SEYESARECLOSED

InMatthew13, Jesusgivesusmore insight intowhy Israel isblind tothetruththatsalvationisinthepersonofJesusChrist,theMessiah.

Matthew13:14AndinthemisfulfilledtheprophecyofEsaias,whichsaith,Byhearingyeshallhear,andshallnotunderstand;andseeingyeshallsee,andshallnotperceive:

15Forthispeople’sheartiswaxedgross,andtheirearsaredullofhearing,andTHEIREYESTHEYHAVECLOSED;lestatanytimetheyshould see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and shouldunderstandwiththeirheart,andshouldbeconverted,andIshouldhealthem.

Jesuswasreferringto theJewsclosingtheireyes to thefact thatJesuswas theMessiah.Becauseof theway theOldTestament iswritten, Isaiah’saccount makes it sound as if God had closed their eyes. But Jesus said,“Theireyestheyhaveclosed.”

Inthisparableofthetenvirgins,theburninglampsrepresentsalvation.When speaking to Nicodemus, Jesus referred to salvation as being “bornagain.”

The statement referring to the born-again spirit of man in Proverbs20:27,“The spirit of man is the candle (lamp) of the Lord,” becomesmuchclearerwhenviewedinthelightofthewordsofDavidinPsalm18:28,“For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten mydarkness.”Therebirthwilllightourcandle(lampofthehumanspirit)withthelightofsalvation.

CHILDRENOFTHEBRIDECHAMBER

To fully understand the parable of the ten virgins, we need to reviewsome informationconcerning the“childrenof thebridechamber”mentionedbyJesusinMatthew,chapter9.

15AndJesussaiduntothem,Canthechildrenofthebridechambermourn,aslongasthebridegroomiswiththem?butthedayswillcome,whenthebridegroomshallbetakenfromthem,andthenshalltheyfast.

Don’t be misled by the word children in this phrase.Children of thebridechamberreferstopeoplewhoarefriendsofthebridegroom.

TheGreekwordused in thisverse for children ishuios}Thisword isused in Scripture as “sons,” “son of David,” “his son,” “son ofman,” and“offspring,”suchas“sonsofAbraham”and“childrenofIsrael.”

Sotheywerenotlittlechildrenassomesuppose.Theyweretotakecareofwhateverwas needed for the bridechamber and to decorate the room inwhichmarriageceremoniesweretobeheld.

Thetenvirginswerefriendsofthebridegroom,aswellasthechildrenofthebridechamberreferredtoinMatthew9:15.

The bridegroom usually came about midnight. Someone in thebridegroom’s companywould cry, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” Thentheywouldgowithhimtothebride’splaceandwouldeventuallyescortherbacktohisplace.

IDENTITYOFTHEBRIDE

We have been taught for many years that the Church is the Bride ofChrist,butthereisnoscripturalevidencetoidentifytheChurchastheBrideofChrist.It’sallrighttousetheChurchasaparallelorillustrationofabride,forJesusiscomingfortheChurchasabridegroomwouldcomeforabride.But,forthesakeofidentitywemustletGod’sWordsettlethequestion.

I find no scriptural evidence that would identify the Church as theBride.

Nowdon’t turnmeoffor throwthisbookaway.IknowIamabout totouchasacredcow,sotospeak,buthearmeout.Youdon’thavetobelieveit.Butafterwedoascripturalinvestigation,theWordofGodmightchangeyourmind. For forty-five years I believed that the Churchwas the Bride, but a

thoroughstudyofGod’sWordconcerningthismatterchangedmymind.

WhenwestudytheScripturescarefully,theygiveusatruerevelationofthe identity of the bride. The parable of the ten virgins cannot be fullycomprehendeduntilweunderstandthescripturalidentityofboththeChurchandthebride.Let’s investigateafewscriptural factsconcerningthismatter.John makes mention of the Lamb’s wife in Revelation 19:7-8. Then inRevelation 21 John reveals the bride, the Lamb’s wife, to be the NewJerusalem.

Revelation19:7Letusbegladandrejoice,andgivehonourtohim:for themarriage of theLamb is come, and hiswife hathmade herselfready.

8Andtoherwasgrantedthatsheshouldbearrayedinfine linen,cleanandwhite:forthefinelinenistherighteousnessofsaints.

Notice that the “fine linen” inwhich the bridewas “arrayed”was therighteousness of the saints.Ask yourself this question: If you saw a bridalgownhanginginthecloset,wouldyoucallitthebride?Wouldyousaythatthebridewashanginginthecloset?Theanswerisobvious.Thebrideistheonewhowill be adornedwith the bridal gown, but the bridal gownwouldneverbeidentifiedasthebride.

In the samemanner, theChurch (Body ofChrist)will adorn that citywithwhiterobesofrighteousnessasChristandHisBody(Church)liveintheNewJerusalem.

Contrarytowhatmanybelieve,Ifindnoscripturalevidencethatwouldidentify the Church as the Bride. I know many of you reading this bookbelieve there are such Scriptures and you are going to stay up late tonighttryingtofindthem.Butfirstlet’sdosomemoreScriptureinvestigation.

THEQUESTIONOFGENDER

Thereisavastdifferencebetweenaparallelof theBodyofChristandthe true identity of the Church. For instance, the phrases children of thebridechamberandfivewisevirginsbothseemtorepresenttheBodyofChrist.Ineachcase,theyrepresentboththemaleandfemalegenders.WhenwefindthetrueidentityoftheChurch—ofwhichChrististheHead—thewordusedmustbethesamegenderastheHead(Christ),whichismale.

Thewordnumphe,2translated“bride,”isneverusedforbothmaleand

female.ItisonlyusedinScripturetodescribethefemalegender.

However, the word huios, which is translated “children” (of thebridechamber) inMatthew9:15, isusedforbothgenders.Examples includethe children of Israel (Revelation 2:14; 21:12) and the children of God.(Matthew5:9;Luke20:36;Galatians3:26.)

ThisGreekword translated “children” includesmale and female.Thisfitswith the intent of the parable of the tenvirgins, inwhich the fivewisevirginsrepresenttheBodyofChrist(theChurch).

WealsofindthattheGreekwordparthenos,3translated“virgin,”isusedforbothmaleandfemale.

Consequently, if theChurchwere identified as a bride, then theworditselfwouldseemtoexcludethemalegenderfromtheBody.AndweknowthatwouldbecontrarytotheScriptures,fortheChurchiscomposedofbothmaleandfemale.

JohnidentifiesthebrideintheBookofRevelationasthenewJerusalem.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,coming down from God out of heaven, prepared AS A BRIDEADORNEDFORHERHUSBAND.

9Andtherecameuntomeoneofthesevenangelswhichhadtheseven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying,Comehither,IWILLSHEWTHEETHEBRIDE,THELAMB’SWIFE.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and highmountain,andshewedmethatgreatcity,theholyJerusalem,descendingoutofheavenfromGod.

APERFECTMAN

InEphesians4:11-13welearnfromPaulthatChristhasgivenafivefoldministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers “For theperfectingofthesaints, fortheworkoftheministry, fortheedifyingofthebodyofChrist:Tillweallcomeintheunityofthefaith,andoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,untoaperfectMAN,untothemeasureofthestatureofthefulnessofChrist”(w.12-13).

HerePaulcallstheChurch,(whenmatured),aperfectman.TheGreek

word translated “man” in this verse isaner4which refers only to themalegender,whichfitsperfectlywithotherScriptures.

TheGreekwordbeingusedmostoftenintheScripturereferringeithertomankindor bothmale and female is thewordanthropos.5But thewordanerisonlyusedinreferencetothemalegender.

Then for the sake of scriptural identity of the Church, the word usedmust represent the Head (Christ). Therefore, the Body (Church) must ofnecessityalsobeidentifiedasthesamegenderasChrist.

As we have seen in Ephesians 4:13, Paul refers to the Church as aperfectman.YetweknowthatthoseinChristarebothmaleandfemale.Theidentity of theChurch as the corporateBody ofChrist seems to always bereferred to by the personal pronoun “He,” or “His body.” TheGreekwordaner would seem to clearly establish the identity of the body of Christ asbeingamatureman,ratherthanabride.

Nowletmereiteratethefact thatweseesomeparallelsofrelationshipbetweenChristcomingfortheChurchandabridegroomcomingforabride.Anditmakesawonderfulallegory,butforthesakeofscripturalidentity,wemustallowGod’sWordtobethefinalauthority.

THE“BODY”OFCHRIST

PaulrevealsinEphesians1:22-23thatJesusistheHeadandtheChurchisHisBody.TheHead can’t bemale and the body female, for the body isalways referred toas the samegenderas theHead.Thiswillbecomemuchclearer aswe look at Paul’s statement inGalatians 3:27:“For asmany ofyouashavebeenbaptizedintoChristhaveputonChrist.”

Inotherwords,youhave takenonHisgender identity.Paulput it thisway inGalatians3:28:“There isneitherJewnorGreek, there isneitherbond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one inChristJesus.”

EventhoughtherearebothgendersintheChurch,thereisneithermalenorfemale inChrist (nogender identitybutHis); forweareonewithHim.(John17:21-23.)

TheninEphesians5PaulmakesitveryclearthattheBodyofChristisof His body, His flesh, and His bones. If Jesus has a bride, then we (the

Church)alsohaveabride,forweareonewithHimnow.

Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; butnourishethandcherishethit,evenastheLordthechurch:

30Forwearemembersofhisbody,ofhisflesh,andofhisbones.

31 For this cause shall aman leave his father andmother, andshallbejoineduntohiswife,andtheytwoshallbeoneflesh.

32Thisisagreatmystery:butIspeakconcerningChristandthechurch.

IntheseversesPaulleavesnodoubtthatwetakeonChrist’sgenderforidentity’ssakeaswebecomeonewithHim,muchthesameasawomantakesthe name of her husbandwhen they become one inmarriage. The ultimateconfirmationofthisisfoundinRevelation3:

Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in thetemple ofmyGod, and he shall go nomore out: and IWILLWRITEUPONHIMTHENAMEOFMYGOD,andthenameofthecityofmyGod,which isNEWJERUSALEM,which cometh down out of heavenfrommyGod:andIwillwriteuponhimmynewname.

ThisverseseemstoconfirmthatChristandHisBody(theChurch)willbecomeonewiththeholycity,theNewJerusalem.

THENEWJERUSALEMIDENTIFIEDASTHEBRIDE

Inthefollowingverses,Johngivesusbiblicalinsightintotheidentityofthebride.

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,comingdownfromGodoutofheaven,preparedasaBRIDEadornedforherhusband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, thetabernacle ofGod is withmen, and he will dwell with them, and theyshallbehispeople,andGodhimselfshallbewiththem,andbetheirGod.

9Andtherecameuntomeoneofthesevenangels…andtalkedwithme, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the BRIDE, THE LAMB’SWIFE.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and highmountain, and shewed me THAT GREAT CITY, THE HOLYJERUSALEM,descendingoutofheavenfromGod.

We would have to have help to misunderstand these statements!However, for many years, we’ve had a lot of help, and it is called“indoctrination.”

InActschapter9,wefindapassageofScripturethatwilllendsupportto the fact that the Church is Christ’s Body and not the bride. Let’s say itanotherway—theChurchisconsideredtobeHimbecausethebodyandheadmakethewholeperfectman.

TheaccountofPaul’sexperienceontheroadtoDamascusverifiesthattheChurchisconsideredtobeHim(Christ)foridentity’ssake:

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: andsuddenlythereshinedroundabouthimalightfromheaven:

4Andhefelltotheearth,andheardavoicesayinguntohim,Saul,Saul,whypersecutestthouME?

Notice that Jesus didn’t questionwhySaulwas persecutingHis bride.Instead,Hisquestionwas,“…whypersecutest thouME?”TheChurch isHisBody;He considered it to beHim. In John chapter 3,wehave anotherScripturethatseemstolendsupporttothepositionthattheChurchshouldnotbeconsideredthebride.

John3:29Hethathaththebrideisthebridegroom:butthefriendofthe bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatlybecauseofthebridegroom’svoice:thismyjoythereforeisfulfilled.

TheChurchhadnotbeenofficiallyestablishedatthattime,butJohnwasaprophetandreferredtohimselfas“thefriendofthebridegroom.”

There is no indication here that he thought the disciples or thosewhofollowedChristwouldbetheBride.Hedescribeshimselfasbeinga“friendofthebridegroom.”

IftheChurch…wereidentifiedastheBride…wewouldnothavethelegalrightto…useHisnameuntilafterourmarriageactuallytookplace.

ThenRevelation22:17givesanother reference revealing that thebride

wasconsideredtobeseparatefromtheChurch.

Revelation22:17.AndtheSpiritandTHEBRIDESAY,COME.AndletHIMTHATHEARETHSAY,Come.Andlethimthatisathirstcome.

Andwhosoeverwill,lethimcomeandtakethewateroflifefreely.

TheBookofRevelationwaswrittentotheChurch.(Revelation22:16.)Sofromverse17wemustconcludethathethathearethistheChurchandisnotthesameasthebride.

ABRIDEHASNOAUTHORITYTOUSETHEGROOM’SNAME

One last point of major importance concerning the identity of theChurch(thisisthemainreasonIhavebelaboredthismatter):IftheChurch,theBodyofChrist,wereidentifiedastheBrideofChristinScripture,thenitseemsthatwewouldnothavethelegalrighttotakeonHisidentityanduseHisnameuntilafterthemarriageactuallytookplace.Soyoucanseethefar-reaching implication of a simple misunderstanding of the identity of theChurchofJesusChrist.TheScripturesplainlyrevealHehasalreadygivenusHisnametouse.(John16:23-26;Mark16:17-18.)

Irestmycaseconcerningthatmatter.Nowlet’sgetbacktotheparable.

THEUNPREPAREDSHUTOUT

It is evident from the parable of the ten virgins that the five foolishvirgins were not prepared when the bridegroom came and were notrecognizedasguestsforthemarriage.

Matthew25:8Andthefoolishsaiduntothewise,Giveusofyouroil;forourlampsaregoneout.

10Andwhiletheywenttobuy,thebridegroomcame;andtheythatwerereadywentinwithhimtothemarriage:andthedoorwasshut.

Whenthebridegroomarrived,thefivefoolishvirginsfoundthemselveswitha severeproblemataverycritical time,because theyhadn’tmade theproperpreparations.Theyneededoil,whichrepresentedthesourceoflight.

Somemightask,“Howcouldoilrepresentsalvationsinceweknowthatnoonecanbuysalvation?”However,thepropheticutterancefoundinIsaiah55andthestatementsofJesusinJohn6:56-58giveustheanswerandbringthewholematterintobiblicalperspective.AswecomparethefollowingverseinIsaiahtothestatementsofthefivewhowerewisevirgins,wewillbeable

toseetheintentofthosewords.

Isaiah55:1Ho,everyonethatthirsteth,comeyetothewaters,andhethathathnomoney;comeye,buy,andeat;yea,come,buywineandmilkwithoutmoneyandwithoutprice.

2Whereforedo ye spendmoney for thatwhich is not bread? andyour labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me,andeatyethatwhichisgood,andletyoursouldelightitselfinfatness.

John6:56Hethateatethmyflesh,anddrinkethmyblood,dwellethinme,andIinhim.

57AsthelivingFatherhathsentme,andIlivebytheFather:sohethateatethme,evenheshalllivebyme.

58Thisisthatbreadwhichcamedownfromheaven:notasyourfathersdid eatmanna, andaredead:he that eatethof thisbread shallliveforever.

Jesus is the Bread of Lifewhich came down from Heaven. God issaying,“ComeandbuyLivingBreadwithoutmoney.”

Thiswouldseemto reveal the intentof the reference inMatthew25:9whenthefivewisevirginssaidtothefivefoolish,“Gotothosethatsellandbuy.” In other words, go and obtain from the One Who is the Source ofsupply.

This isamajorpoint in thisparable, revealing that thosewhose lampswerenot burning couldnot borrowwhat they lacked fromothers, butwererequiredtoobtainfromtheOneWhoistheSourceofsupply.TheScripturesrevealthatSourcetobeJesusChrist,forHesaid,“IamtheBreadofLifeandtheLightofLife.”(John6:35;8:12.)Heis theonlySourceof truespirituallightandlife.

The following verses give us more insight into why the five foolishvirginswereshutoutfromthemarriageandwerenotrecognizedasguests.

1John5:11Andthisistherecord,thatGodhathgiventouseternallife,andthislifeisinhisSon.

12HethathaththeSonhath life;andhe thathathnot theSonofGodhathnotlife.

John8:12ThenspakeJesusagainuntothem,saying,Iamthe lightof theworld:he that followethmeshallnotwalk in

darkness,butshallhavethelightoflife.

The implications are that the foolish virgins did not accept the Son;therefore,theydidnothavethelightoflife.

SEVENDAYSREPRESENTSEVENYEARS

It is quite significant that the Jewish marriage feast lasted for sevendays,inviewofthefactthatDaniel’sSeventieth

Weekisaweekofyears,anexactperiodofsevenyears.Thatwillbetheexact time period the Church will be in Heaven for the Marriage SupperbeforecomingbackwithChristattheSecondAdvent.

Nodoubttheywillat thattimesay,“BlessedishethatcomethinthenameoftheLord”….

TheMarriageFeastwill takeplace inHeavenduring that sameseven-yearperiod,whichistheexacttimeallottedtotheManofSin(Antichrist)onearth. (2 Thessalonians 2:6; Daniel 9:20-27.) Before Jesus finished Hisministryhereontheearth,HemadethesestatementstotheJews:

Matthew23:38Behold,yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate.39For I sayuntoyou,Ye shallnot seemehenceforth, till ye shall

say,BlessedishethatcomethinthenameoftheLord.

Even though many of the Jews have rejected Jesus for nearly 2000years,attheendoftheTribulationtheywillseeHimdescendfromHeaventotheMountofOlives.Hewillbeaccompaniedby thesaintsandwilldeliverIsraelandsave themfrom totaldestruction.Nodoubt theywill at that timesay,“BlessedishethatcomethinthenameoftheLord,”as revealedbythescripturalcompositefoundinMatthew21:114.

Manyof theJewishpeoplewill receiveChristas theirMessiahduringtheTribulationandwillbecaughtuptoHeavenshortlyafterMid-TribulationintimefortheMarriageSupperoftheLamb.(Revelation7:14.)

THEYWILLSEETHEMESSIAHCOME

TheRabbis are still looking for theirMessiah to come—not knowing

that He has already come. However, He will come again, and those whosurvivetheTribulationwillrecognizeHim.Zechariah12revealssomedetailsof theSecondAdvent and states that theywill look uponHimWhom theyhavepierced.(Zechariah12:10.)

In the first three-and-one-half years of the Tribulation Period, the144,000JewishmenwhoaresealedintheirforeheadswillhavesupernaturalprotectionfromtheAntichrist,andtheywillpreachtheGospeltothenationof Israel and the Gentiles. It seems the 144,000 will be born againimmediately after the Rapture of the Church. When they realize that theMessiahhascomeandtakentheChurchtoHeaven,theywillbecomejealousaswellaszealousfortheLord.

GodspokethroughtheprophetMosesthatHewouldmovetheJewstojealousy by those who were not his people. He fulfilled this by makingsalvation available to theGentiles. I believe theywill bemovedevenmorewhentheydiscoverthatJesus,theMessiah,camefortheChurchandthattheywere left on earth to experience the fulfillment of the SeventiethWeek ofDaniel’sprophecy.

THECUREFORISRAEL’SBLINDNESS

We find in the ninth chapter of John another event which revealspropheticinsightconcerningIsrael.Itisanincidentinthelifeofamanwhowasblindfromhisbirth.

John 9:1And as Jesus passed by, he saw aman which was blindfromhisbirth.

2 Andhisdisciples askedhim, saying,Master,whodid sin, thisman,orhisparents,thathewasbornblind?

3Jesusanswered,Neitherhaththismansinned,norhisparents:butthattheworksofGodshouldbemademanifestinhim.

4Imustworktheworksofhimthatsentme….

Jesussaidthatneitheroftheirsuggestedanswerswascorrect.Hedidn’trevealtothemthecauseoftheblindness,butratherHetoldthemthatHewasgoingtoworktheworksofGodsothatGod’sworkwouldbemanifestintheblindman.

John9:6Whenhehadthusspoken,hespatontheground,andmade

clayofthespittle,andheanointedtheeyesoftheblindmanwiththeclay,

7Andsaiduntohim,Go,wash in thepoolofSiloam, (which isbyinterpretation,Sent.)Hewenthiswaytherefore,andwashed,andcameseeing.

Now, let’s allow the Scriptures to reveal the prophetic implicationsconcerning these verses by letting themgive the interpretation.The apostlePaul,whenreferringtotheChurch,said:

Ephesians5:25Husbands,loveyourwives,evenasChristalsolovedthechurch,andgavehimselfforit;

26ThathemightsanctifyandcleanseitWITHTHEWASHINGOFWATERBYTHEWORD.

Then in John 15:3, Jesus said to the disciples, “Now ye are cleanthroughthewordwhichIhavespokenuntoyou.”

These verses give an excellent illustration of God’s Word being acleansingagentmuchthesameaswater.TheblindmanseemstobeaparallelofthenationofIsrael.WhenJesuscame,theyclosedtheireyestotruthandbecame spiritually blind. They did not recognizeHim as theirMessiah. SoJesusmadeclay(thesamesubstanceGodhadusedinGenesistocreateman)andanointed theblindman’s eyes. In thenatural, thiswould seem tomakethingsworseandnecessitatehiswashing inwater.Thewater represents thewaterofGod’sWord,whichhastheabilitytocleanseandrestore.

HEALINGWATEROFTHEWORD

Jesus told theblindmantogoandwash in thepool,whichwascalledSent. The word “sent” here gives us a clue, for Psalm 107:20 states, “He[God] sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from theirdestructions.”

Thepoolnamed“sent” represented thewaterof theWord,whichGodsenttoopentheeyesofthosewhoareblindtothetruthoftheGospel.

WhenIsraelhearsGod’sWordwithout theveilon theirhearts, theireyeswillbeopened.

PaulrevealswhenthechildrenofIsraelturntotheLordtheveilwillbetakenaway.

2Corinthians3:14But theirmindswereblinded: foruntil thisdayremaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the oldtestament;whichvailisdoneawayinChrist.

15 But evenunto thisday,whenMoses is read, thevail isupontheirheart.

16 Neverthelesswhen it shall turn to theLord, thevail shallbetakenaway.

17NowtheLordisthatSpirit:andwheretheSpiritoftheLordis,thereisliberty.

18Butweall,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord.

WhenIsraelhearsGod’sWordwithouttheveilontheirhearts,theireyeswillbeopened,justastheblindmanthat“washedandcameseeing.”ItseemsthatJohn9:1-7fitsasaparalleloftheremnantofIsraelbeinghealedoftheirspiritualblindness.

EventhoughthemajorityoftheJewsclosedtheireyesandtheirheartstoChristnearly2000yearsago,whentheyturntheirheartstotheWord,theireyeswillbeholdwithgreatrevelationtheirMessiah.WhenChristappearsatHis Second Advent, they will recognize Him and accept Him as theirMessiah.(Zechariah12:9-10.)ManyinIsraelwillacceptHimduringthefirsthalfoftheTribulationPeriodbecauseoftheministryofthe144,000,whowillpoint them to Christ. I believe they will be preaching, from the OldTestament,JesusChristandHimcrucified.

RESTORATION

The prophet Isaiah gives us marvelous insight to the results of theministryofthe144,000.

Isaiah60:1Arise, shine; for thy light is come,and thegloryof theLordisrisenuponthee.

2For,behold,thedarknessshallcovertheearth,andgrossdarknessthepeople:buttheLordshallariseuponthee,andhisgloryshallbeseenuponthee.

In thisverse Isaiah is referring to thefuture IsraelaswellasZion, the

churchofthefirstborn—atatimewhentheirLighthastrulybeenincreased.ForGodwilllighttheircandlewithaneverlastingoilofsalvationthatwillbeaperpetuallightintoeternitytocome.

Isaiah60:3AndtheGentilesshallcometothylight,andkingstothebrightnessofthyrising.

This verse in one sense seems to be referring to the time of themillennialreignwhentheireyeswillbeopened.ThenationswillcometotheJewsforthelightandrevelationthattheywillhaveinthatday.

I believe these verses also reveal that there is coming a flood ofrevelationandgloryupontheChurchbeforethefinalharvest,justbeforetheRapture.

BURNINGLAMPREPRESENTSSALVATION

Finally, Hosea and Isaiah gave us two separate prophecies whichconfirmtheintentoftheparableofthetenvirgins.

Hosea6:1Come,andletusreturnuntotheLord:forhehathtorn,andhewillhealus;hehathsmitten,andhewillbindusup.

2Aftertwodayswillhereviveus:inthethirddayhewillraiseusup,andweshallliveinhissight.

Isaiah 62:1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and forJerusalem’ssakeIwillnotrest,untiltherighteousnessthereofgoforthasBRIGHTNESS, and the SALVATION thereof AS A LAMP THATBURNETH.

2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thyglory:andthoushaltbecalledbyanewname,which themouthof theLordshallname.

These prophecies should be proof enough that the parable of the tenvirginsisaparableofcontrastbetweentheJewsandtheGentiles.

ThefivefoolishvirginswhoselampshadgoneoutrepresenttheJews,aswellasothers,whorejectChrist.

CHAPTERTEN

SequenceofEnd-timeEvents

InMatthew,chapter23,JesusgavethePhariseesquiteatongue-lashingforbeinghypocritical.HeendedHisreprimandbysayingthattheirhousewasleftdesolateandthattheywouldnotseeHimagainuntilthetimewhentheywouldsay,“BlessedishethatcomethinthenameoftheLord!”ThissetsthestageforMatthew24:

1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and hisdisciplescametohimfortoshewhimthebuildingsofthetemple.

2 AndJesussaiduntothem,Seeyenotall thesethings?verilyIsayuntoyou,There shall notbe lefthere one stoneuponanother, thatshallnotbethrowndown.

3AndashesatuponthemountofOlives,thedisciplescameuntohimprivately,saying,Tellus,whenshallthesethingsbe?andwhatshallbethesignofthycoming,andoftheendoftheworld?

Thephraseendoftheworldreallymeanstheendoftheage,becausetheworldwillneverend.Theworldwillberenovatedwithfire,butitwillbehereforeverasthenewearth.(2Peter3:10;Revelation21:1.)

ThesewereJewishquestions,soJesusgavethemJewishanswers.It isinterestingtonotethatthediscoursebyJesusinMatthew24seemstoparalleltheopeningofthesixsealsofRevelation6.

It is important to review the events that immediately precede theopening of the six seals. First, in Revelation 4:1, John bothwitnessed andexperiencedaneventthatisaperfectparalleloftheRapture.Heheardavoiceas a trumpet say to him,“Come up hither,” and immediately he was inHeavenbeforeGod’sthrone.

Then in Revelation 5:9-10, the saints are singing a new song of theredeemed.Theyhave just beenmadekings andpriests.Theywill return toearthwithChristaftertheTribulationtosetupHiskingdom.

TheywillreturntoearthwithChristaftertheTribulationtosetupHis

kingdom.

Then, at thebeginningofRevelation6, theLambopens the first seal.YouwillnoticethatwhenJohnstartsrevealingtheopeningoftheseseals,hecarriesitthroughtotheend.Hewillfillinmanyofthedetailsinparentheticalchapterstofollow.

MATTHEW24ANDTHESIXSEALS

Compare the followingScriptures fromMatthew24withRevelation6concerningthesixseals.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHEFIRSTSEAL

Matthew24:4And Jesus answered and said unto them,Take heedthatnomandeceiveyou.

5Formanyshallcomeinmyname,saying,IamChrist;andshalldeceivemany.

ItisevidentthatoneofthosewhowillclaimtobetheChristwillbetheManofSin(theAntichrist).

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHEFIRSTSEAL

Revelation6:1And I sawwhen theLambopenedone of the seals,andIheard,asitwerethenoiseofthunder,oneofthefourbeastssaying,Comeandsee.

2AndIsaw,andbeholdawhitehorse:andhethatsatonhimhadabow; and a crownwas given unto him: and hewent forth conquering,andtoconquer.

When the first seal was opened, the Antichrist was revealed riding awhite horse.He had a bowbut no arrows, and someone had to give him acrown.Thesearesomeof thereasons thatwecanbesure that thisrefers totheAntichristandnotJesus,assomehavesupposed.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHESECONDSEAL

Matthew24:6Andye shallhearofwarsandrumoursofwars: seethatyebenot troubled: forall these thingsmust come topass,but theendisnotyet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against

kingdom.

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHESECONDSEAL

Revelation6:3Andwhenhehadopenedthesecondseal,Iheardthesecondbeastsay,Comeandsee.

4And therewent out anotherhorse thatwas red: andpowerwasgiventohimthatsatthereontotakepeacefromtheearth,andthattheyshouldkilloneanother:andtherewasgivenuntohimagreatsword.

Asthesecondsealisopened,theredhorserider,whichwilltakepeacefrom the earth, is revealed. It seems that war will break out almostimmediately after theChurch is raptured. Thiswillmost likely beRussia’smovetowardIsrael,asprophesiedinEzekiel38and39.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHETHIRDSEAL

Matthew 24:7…and there shall be famines, and pestilences, andearthquakes,indiversplaces.

8Allthesearethebeginningofsorrows.

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHETHIRDSEAL

Revelation6:5Andwhenhehadopenedthethirdseal,Iheardthethirdbeastsay,Comeandsee.AndIbeheld,andtoablackhorse;andhethatsatonhimhadapairofbalancesinhishand.

6AndIheardavoiceinthemidstofthefourbeastssay,Ameasureofwheatforapenny,andthreemeasuresofbarleyforapenny;andseethouhurtnottheoilandthewine.

Whenthe thirdseal isopened, theblackhorserider is revealed,whichrepresents famine, for famine always followswar.Theopeningof the thirdsealseemstooccuraboutMidTribulation.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHEFOURTHSEAL

TheopeningofthefourthsealseemstorevealthingsthathappenrightafterMid-Tribulation,andcorrespondswithMatthew24:9-13.

9Thenshalltheydeliveryouuptobeafflicted,andshallkillyou:andyeshallbehatedofallnationsformyname’ssake.

10Andthenshallmanybeoffended,andshallbetrayoneanother,andshallhateoneanother.

11Andmanyfalseprophetsshallrise,andshalldeceivemany.

12Andbecauseiniquityshallabound,theloveofmanyshallwaxcold.

13Buthethatshallendureuntotheend,thesameshallbesaved.

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHEFOURTHSEAL

Revelation6:7Andwhenhehadopenedthefourthseal,Iheardthevoiceofthefourthbeastsay,Comeandsee.

8AndIlooked,andbeholdapalehorse:andhisnamethatsatonhimwasDeath,andHell followedwithhim.Andpowerwasgivenuntothem over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and withhunger,andwithdeath,andwiththebeastsoftheearth.

When the fourth seal is opened, thepale horse rider (death) showsupandHellfollowshim,givingthoseonearthatasteofwhatHellislike.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHEFIFTHSEAL

Matthew24:14Andthisgospelofthekingdomshallbepreachedinalltheworldforawitnessuntoallnations;andthenshalltheendcome.

15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,spokenofbyDanieltheprophet,standintheholyplace,(whosoreadeth,lethimunderstand).

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHEFIFTHSEAL

Revelation6:9Andwhenhehadopenedthefifthseal,IsawunderthealtarthesoulsofthemthatwereslainforthewordofGod,andforthetestimonywhichtheyheld:

10Andtheycriedwithaloudvoice,saying,Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue,dostthounotjudgeandavengeourbloodonthemthatdwellontheearth?

The fifth seal reveals Christian martyrs who give their lives for atestimony.TheseareTribulationsaints,peoplewhowerebornagainaftertheRapture.ManywillbeslainfortheirprofessionoffaithinChristandrefusal

toworshiptheimageofthebeast.

ManywillbeslainfortheirprofessionoffaithinChristandrefusaltoworshiptheimageofthebeast.

Revelation6:11Andwhiterobesweregivenuntoeveryoneofthem;and itwas said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season,untiltheirfellowservantsalsoandtheirbrethren,thatshouldbekilledastheywere,shouldbefulfilled.

Not every person who is born again during the Tribulation will bemartyred,butmanywillgive their lives for their testimonyof JesusChrist.TheAntichristwillwageunmercifulwaragainstthosewhorefusetoworshiphimafterMid-Tribulation,whenhesetshimselfupinthetempleasgod.

JESUS’REFERENCETOTHESIXTHSEAL

Matthew24:29Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysshallthesunbedarkened,andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight,andthestarsshallfallfromheaven,andthepowersoftheheavensshallbeshaken:

30AndthenshallappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven:andthenshallallthetribesoftheearthmourn,andtheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.

31Andheshallsendhisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet,andtheyshallgathertogetherhiselectfromthefourwinds,fromoneendofheaventotheother.

JOHN’SREFERENCETOTHESIXTHSEAL

Withtheopeningofthissixthseal,werecognizetheeventsrevealingtheSecondAdvent.Matthew 24:29-30, Isaiah 34:18, Revelation 19:11-19, andZechariah14:1-14describethissameeventwithotherdetails.Itisreferredtoby Isaiah as “…the day of the Lord’s vengeance, and the year ofrecompencesforthecontroversyofZion”(Isaiah34:8).

Revelation 6:12And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal,and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black assackclothofhair,andthemoonbecameasblood;

13 Andthestarsofheavenfelluntotheearth,evenasafigtreecastethheruntimelyfigs,whensheisshakenofamightywind.

14Andtheheavendepartedasascrollwhenitisrolledtogether;andeverymountainandislandweremovedoutoftheirplaces.

15 And thekings of the earth, and the greatmen, and the richmen, and the chief captains, and themightymen, and everybondman,andevery freeman,hid themselves in thedensand in the rocksof themountains;

16 Andsaidtothemountainsandrocks,Fallonus,andhideusfromthefaceofhimthatsittethonthethrone,andfromthewrathoftheLamb:

17Forthegreatdayofhiswrathiscome;andwhoshallbeabletostand?

WhenHeaven is rolled back as a scroll (v. 14), it is possible that theHubbleTelescopewillbeused togive theworldadvancenoticeofChrist’sreturn to the earth to setupHiskingdom.Then,bywayof satellite, all theearth will be able to see Jesus as He descends from Heaven to the earthaccompanied by the saints. (Matthew 24:29-30; Revelation 19:11-20;Zechariah14:1-5.)Whata tremendousdayofvictory thatwillbeforChristandHis saints.But itwill be adayofdarkness for thewickedof the earthwhohavefollowedtheAntichristintohisverylastbattle.

InRevelation6, Johngivesus a synopsisof end-timeevents from theopening of the first seal, when the Antichrist is revealed, right up to theSecondAdvent.HestopsjustshortofChrist’sactualappearanceonearth.Hesimplygivesashortversionofthewholepicture.

Then, in chapter 7, John begins to fill in many of the details thatoccurredfromthetimethefirstsealwasopened.

144,000JEWISHBELIEVERSSEALEDBYGOD

Revelation 7:2And I saw another angel ascending from the east,having thesealof the livingGod:andhecriedwitha loudvoice to thefourangels,towhomitwasgiventohurttheearthandthesea,

3Saying,Hurtnottheearth,neitherthesea,northetrees,tillwehavesealedtheservantsofourGodintheirforeheads.

4AndIheardthenumberofthemwhichweresealed:andthereweresealedanhundredandfortyandfourthousandofallthetribesofthechildrenofIsrael.

BeforeGod allows the angels to release judgment upon the earth,Hewillseal144,000Jewishmen.BecauseoftheseJewishmen,therevivalthatstartedontheearthbeforetheRapturewillcontinuethroughtheTribulationPeriod.Therewillbeagreatmultitudesavedoutofallnations. (Revelation7:9-17.)

Twelve thousandmen from each of the twelve tribes of Israelwill besealedintheirforeheadssotheAntichristcan’tharmthem.TheywillpreachtheeverlastingGospeltoIsraelandtheGentiles.

Their spiritual eyes will have been opened to the fact that the trueMessiahcameandtheymissedHim.ThetruthofGod’sWordwillset themfree,and theywill realize that theAntichrist isan impostor.Thiswillmakethemboth jealousandzealous forChrist.Theywillcreateamajorproblemfor the Antichrist until they are caught up to Heaven. It seems they arerapturedpossiblyaboutfiveyearsintotheTribulationPeriod.

ENDURINGTHETRIBULATION

Matthew24:13Buthethatshallendureuntotheend,thesameshallbesaved.

14Andthisgospelofthekingdomshallbepreachedinalltheworldforawitnessuntoallnations;andthenshalltheendcome.

TheseversesarereferringtotheendoftheTribulation.Verses15-22arereferring to the time when the Antichrist breaks the peace covenant withIsrael.Hewillbreakthatagreement in themiddleof theTribulationPeriod.Hewillsethimselfupinthetempleasgod,andtherewillbeidolworshipinthetemple.TheAntichristwillcausethemtoworshiptheimageofthebeast.

Jesus calls this period the “Abomination of Desolation.” (Matthew24:15.)Inotherwords,itwillsetintomotionGod’spropheticWord,spokeninDaniel9:27, thatwillbringanend to theAntichristand toall thosewhofollowhim.

Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into themountains:

17 Let himwhich is on the housetop not come down to take anythingoutofhishouse:

18 Neither let himwhich is in the field return back to take his

clothes.

19Andwoeuntothemthatarewithchild,andtothemthatgivesuckinthosedays!

20Butprayyethatyourflightbenotinthewinter,neitheronthesabbathday:

21 For thenshallbegreat tribulation, suchaswasnot since thebeginningoftheworldtothistime,no,norevershallbe.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should nofleshbesaved:butfortheelect’ssakethosedaysshallbeshortened.

The first three-and-one-half years of the Tribulationwill be relativelymildcomparedtothelast three-and-one-halfyears.ItwillbeduringthelasthalfthattheAntichristwillsethimselfupasgod,forcingpeopletoworshiphim.Hewillthenwagewaragainstthosewhohavebeensavedandrefusetoworshiphim.Yet,hewillnotbeabletodestroytheJews,foraremnantwillbe hid away in the wilderness by thewings of a great eagle. (Revelation12:14.)ThiscouldpossiblyrefertoaU.S.airlift.

THEELECT

TherearethosewhobelieveMatthew24:22provesthattheChurchwillgo through theTribulation, because it states,“…for the elect’s sake thosedaysshallbeshortened.”ButtheelectwhichJesusreferstoaretheelectofIsrael,not theChurchasmanyhavesupposed. In fact, thereare fourcalled“elect” inScripture.Soonemustdeterminewhichelect isbeing referred tofromthecontext.ThereferencesareJesus,in1Peter2:6;thesaints,in1Peter1:2;angels,in1Timothy5:21;andIsrael,inIsaiah45:4and65:9,22.Sotheelect inMatthew24:22are IsraelisandotherTribulationsaintswhowillbesavedaftertheRapture.

Matthew 24:23Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here isChrist,orthere;believeitnot.

24Forthereshallarise falseChrists,and falseprophets,andshallshew great signs andwonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, theyshalldeceivetheveryelect.

This most likely refers to the last three-and-one-half years of theTribulationPeriod.TheelectofIsraelcannotbedeceivedatthattimebecause

the144,000JewishmenwillhavepreachedtheGospeltothemandtheireyeswillhavebeenopenedtothetruththatChrististhetrueMessiah.

Then,afterMid-Tribulation, theangelsbeginpreaching theeverlastingGospel. The elect of Israel will have recognized that the Antichrist is animpostor, and they will not be deceived by the false signs and wondersbroughtaboutthroughwitchcraft.

TRIBULATIONSAINTSRAPTURED

AsyoureadRevelationchapter7,youwillnoticeJohnstatesthat12,000menfromeachof the twelve tribesof Israelaresealed.Thenheskips fromthat revelation to the resultsof theirevangelisticefforts, revealing that theirharvestwillbeamultitudethatnomancannumber.

…after Mid-Tribulation, the angels begin preaching the everlastinggospel.

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a greatmultitude,which nomancould number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,stoodbeforethethrone,andbeforetheLamb,clothedwithwhiterobes,andpalmsintheirhands;

10Andcriedwithaloudvoice,saying,SalvationtoourGodwhichsittethuponthethrone,anduntotheLamb.

11 AndALLtheangelsstoodroundaboutthethrone,andabouttheeldersandthe fourbeasts,andfellbefore the throneontheir faces,andworshipedGod,

13Andoneoftheeldersanswered,sayinguntome,Whatarethesewhicharearrayedinwhiterobes?andwhencecamethey?

14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest.And he said tome,Thesearetheywhichcameoutofthegreattribulation,andhavewashedtheirrobes,andmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.

It is significant that in verse 11all of the angels are back inHeaven.Hebrews 1:14 reveals that the angels areministering spirits tominister forthosewhoareheirsofsalvation.WhyaretheyallinHeaven?Theyaretherebecause there has been another rapture and the angels have transported theTribulation saints to Heaven. This seems to take place sometime afterMidTribulation.Thesearepeoplewhowillhavebeenbornagainbecauseofthepreachingofthe144,000Jewishmen.

It seems theangelswillhavegoneback to earth after transporting theChurch to Heaven. I believe they will escort this great multitude ofTribulationsaintstoHeavenjustintimefortheMarriageSupperoftheLamb.We have evidence inLuke 16:22 of angels being in charge of carrying thespiritualbodyofthebeggarwhodiedtoAbraham’sbosomafterhedied.

THESEVENTHSEAL

Revelation8:1Andwhenhehadopenedtheseventhseal,therewassilenceinheavenaboutthespaceofhalfanhour.

Someonesaid,“ThethirtyminutesofsilenceinHeavenwillbesoalltheRevelationteacherscangettheirchartsstraightenedout.”Butreally,itisoneoftheunknownsoftheBookofRevelation.

When John startedwith the revelation, he carried it all theway to thetimewheretheTribulationsaintsshowupinHeaven.Hedidthisinthesealsofchapter6,andagaininchapter7.

Thethingsrelatedinchapter7seemtobeasynopsisofthethingsthatwillhappenthroughMid-Tribulation.Theninlaterchapters,Johnfillsinthedetails. But, as we have already seen, when chapter 7 closes, there areTribulationsaintsinHeaven.

However, it was not until chapter 14 that John saw the 144,000 inHeaven.So this isaseparate rapturequitesome timeafterMid-Tribulation.Whentheseventhsealisopenedinchapter8,allofHeavenstandsinaweforthirtyminutesofsilence.Theopeningoftheseventhsealrevealssevenangelswithseventrumpets,preparingthemselvestosound.

ThosesevenangelswithseventrumpetsfitperfectlywiththescripturalprofileofJoshuamarchingaroundthecityofJerichoforsixdayswithsevenpriestsblowingseventrumpets.

IbelieveitforeshadowedthesevenangelictrumpetsthatwillbringthejudgmentofGoduponthewickedworld.Asthefirstangelictrumpetsounds,it sets inmotion a seven-stage progression ofGod’swrath upon awicked,unbelievingworld.

THESECONDADVENT,ORTHERAPTURE?

Matthew24:26Whereforeiftheyshallsayuntoyou,Behold,heisinthedesert;gonot forth:behold,he is in thesecretchambers;believe it

not.

27 Foras the lightningcomethoutof theeast,andshinethevenuntothewest;soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe.

28Forwheresoeverthecarcaseis,therewilltheeaglesbegatheredtogether.

Verse28isthekeyversewhichrevealsthatthecontextofverses28-29areinreferencetotheSecondAdventratherthantheRapture.Verse28isaprefacetowhatJesusisabouttorevealinverses29-31.ThisplainlyrevealsittobethesameeventasdescribedinRevelation19:17-18,whentheangelwillcrywitha loudvoice forallof the fowlsof theearth tocomeand feastonkingsandgreatmenoftheearth.ThecarcasstowhichJesusgivesreference(v.28)isoftheAntichristaswellasthearmiesthatfollowhim.ThesewillallbeslainwhenChristcomesbackwithHissaintsattheendoftheTribulation.

When comparing Matthew 24:29-30 with Revelation 19:11-13 andIsaiah 13:9-11,13, you will recognize that all of these Scriptures aredescribing the Second Advent—when Christ returns to earth to set up Hiskingdom.

Matthew24:29Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysshallthesunbedarkened,andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight,andthestarsshallfallfromheaven,andthepowersoftheheavensshallbeshaken:

30AndthenshallappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven:andthenshallallthetribesoftheearthmourn,andtheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a whitehorse; and he that sat upon himwas called Faithful and True, and inrighteousnesshedothjudgeandmakewar.

12 Hiseyeswereasa flameof fire,andonhisheadweremanycrowns;andhehadanamewritten,thatnomanknew,buthehimself.

13 Andhewas clothedwith a vesture dipped in blood: andhisnameiscalledTheWordofGod.

Isaiah 13:9Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both withwrathandfierceanger,tolaythelanddesolate:andheshalldestroythesinnersthereofoutofit.

10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall notgive their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and themoonshallnotcauseherlighttoshine.

11AndIwillpunishtheworldfortheirevil,andthewickedfortheiriniquity;andIwillcausethearrogancyoftheproudtocease,andwilllaylowthehaughtinessoftheterrible.

13Therefore Iwill shake theheavens, and the earth shall removeoutofherplace,inthewrathoftheLordofhosts,andinthedayofhisfierceanger.

It is obvious that Isaiah is describing the very same event that JesusdescribedinMatthew24:29-30.Therearesomewhointerprettheseversestomean thatChrist is coming tocatchaway theChurch immediatelyafter theTribulation. But that is not the meaning portrayed in these verses. ManyScriptures confirm verses 29-30 to be the Second Advent rather than theRapture. (Isaiah 34:1-4; Ezekiel 39:1-7; Joel 2:1-3; Revelation 11:15-19;19:11-21.)

THESECONDADVENT:ALLONEARTHSHALLSEEHIM

Matthew24:30AndthenshallappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven:and thenshallall the tribesof theearthmourn,and theyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.

This verse cannot possibly refer to theRapture, forwhen theRapturetakes place, no onewill seeHim except thosewho are looking forHim toappear.“SoChristwasonceoffered tobear the sinsofmany;anduntothemthatlookforhimshallheappearthesecondtimewithoutsinuntosalvation”

(Hebrews9:28).

Matthew24:29-30 is avividdescriptionofChrist’sSecondAdvent. Itsignals the end of the Tribulation Period and the beginning of a 1000-yearreignofpeaceon theearth. (SeeZechariah14:1-13.)Thefirst timeallwhodwellontheearthwillseeHimwillbeatHisSecondAdventasHedescendsontheMountofOlives.

Notmany years ago, people were saying, “That couldn’t happen! It’simpossible for everyone to see Him!” But with satellite news coverage as

competitiveasitistoday,IbelieveCNNaswellasmanyotherTVnetworkswillbetheretobroadcastChrist’sSecondAdventliveviasatelliteanditwillbeseenaroundtheworld.

Allowme to givemy view of what will be happening at the time ofChrist’sreturntosetupHiskingdom.ThearmiesoftheAntichristwillhavejoined forces with a 200 million-man army from the Orient and will becomingdowntheValleyofMegiddoagainstIsrael.

I believe CNN as well as many other TV networks will be there tobroadcastChrist’sSecondAdvent…

TheirpurposewillbetototallyannihilateIsraelbeforeChristcomestoestablishHiskingdom.At the timeofChrist’s return,angelswillhavebeenflying above the earth, preaching the Gospel for more than three years.(Revelation14.)ItisalsopossiblethatastheangelsflythroughtheheavenstheywillbeproclaimingthatChristiscomingtosetupHiskingdom.Ifthathappens, there is no doubt that there will be TV cameras all over themountainsandvalleysaroundJerusalemtobroadcastChrist’sreturn.

WHENJESUSRETURNSTOEARTH

WhenChristdescendsonMountOlivet, themountainwillsplit inhalffromtheeasttothewest.Then,halfwillshiftnorthandtheotherhalfsouth,creatingavalleyallthewaytoJerusalem.ThepeopleinthecitywillfleetothevalleytoavoidtotaldestructionbytheAntichristandhisarmies.GodwillprotectIsraelfromcertaindestructionandgatherhertogetheragain.

ComparetheseaccountsinthefollowingScriptures:

Matthew24:31Andheshallsendhisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,fromoneendofheaventotheother.

Micah 4:6 In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her thathalteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I haveafflicted;

7AndIwillmakeherthathaltedaremnant,andherthatwascastfaroffastrongnation:andtheLordshallreignovertheminmountZionfromhenceforth,evenforever.

ComparetheaboveScriptureswithIsaiah11:11-12:

11Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thattheLordshallsethishandagainthesecondtimetorecovertheremnantofhispeople,whichshallbeleft,fromAssyria,andfromEgypt,andfromPathros,andfromCush,andfromElam,andfromShinar,andfromHamath,andfromtheislandsofthesea.

12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shallassemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed ofJudahfromthefourcornersoftheearth.

In Matthew 24:29-30 Jesus did a marvelous job of pointing us toRevelation 19:11-21 and Zechariah 14:1-4, which are other propheticutterances of the same event He described. These verses should leave nodoubtthat it is theDayof theLord.TheprophetZechariahgivesanoverallviewofthisevent.

Zechariah 14:1Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoilshallbedividedinthemidstofthee.

2ForIwillgatherallnationsagainstJerusalemtobattle;and thecityshallbetaken,andthehousesrifled,andthewomenravished;andhalfofthecityshallgoforthintocaptivity,andtheresidueofthepeopleshallnotbecutofffromthecity.

3ThenshalltheLordgoforth,andfightagainstthosenations,aswhenhefoughtinthedayofbattle.

4 Andhis feetshallstand inthatdayuponthemountofOlives,which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shallcleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, andthereshallbeaverygreatvalley;andhalfofthemountainshallremovetowardthenorth,andhalfofittowardthesouth.

GodwillmakeawayofescapeforthepeopleofIsraelastheAntichristandthearmieswithhimmovetowardJerusalemtoannihilatethem.Christ’scomingseemstobesplit-secondtimingtodelivertheJewswhoarestillinthecity.However,mostof the Israeliswill stillbehidaway inothernations inordertoescapethefuryoftheAntichrist.ThoseinJerusalemwillhavetobeready to flee to thevalleyquickly.This is thepurposeof Jesus’warning inMatthew24:16-18. If theyareon thehousetop, theyarenot togetanythingout of the house before they flee for their fives. This plainly puts it at theSecondAdventandtheBattleofArmageddon.

GATHERINGTOGETHERHISELECT

Many times in thepropheticScriptureswhen thephrase in that day isused,itisreferringtotheSecondAdvent.Itisthebeginningofthe1000-yearday, themillennial reignofChrist.Let’s compareMatthew’saccountof theeventwiththatofMark.

Matthew24:31Andheshallsendhisangelswithagreatsoundofatrumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,fromoneendofheaventotheother.

Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gathertogether his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of theearthtotheuttermostpartofheaven.

Mark’saccountstatesthatitisfromthe“uttermostpartoftheearthtotheuttermostpartofheaven.”Thishasbeen construedby some tomeantheRaptureoftheChurch.ButthatconceptdoesnotagreewiththepropheticWord.

ThepropheticScripturesplainlyrevealthistobetheSecondAdvent.Itis evident from Isaiah’s account thatGodwill gather the remnant of Israelwhohavesurvivedthesevenyearsoftribulationaswellasthoseborn-againJews who were caught up in the Rapture. He will gather those who arescatteredonearth,andHewillalsobringbackwithHimthosewhowerewithHiminHeaven.

Let’slookonceagainatIsaiah’sprophecyconcerningthisevent.

Isaiah11:11Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thattheLordshallsethishandagainthesecondtimetorecovertheremnantofhispeople,whichshallbeleft,fromAssyria,andfromEgypt,andfromPathros,andfrom Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and fromHamath, andfromtheislandsofthesea.

12Andheshallsetupanensignforthenations,andshallassembletheoutcasts of Israel, andgather together thedispersedof Judah fromthefourcornersoftheearth.

Notice,inverse12,thephrase“fourcornersoftheearth.”IntheotherScriptures fromMatthewandMark’s gospels, it uses thephrase fourwinds

(Matthew24:31,Mark13:27),whichmeans“fromtheearth.”ThesameverseinMatthewsays,“…fromoneendofheaven to theother.” I believe thereferencehereistotheJewishpeoplewhowerealreadybornagainatthetimeof theRapture.Theywill be inHeaven.He is going to gather themout ofHeavenandbringthembacktotheearthwithHim.Hewillbringbothgroupstogether here on earth. No doubt the angels will be involved in gatheringtogetherallof theJews thathavebeenhiddenaway inothernationsat thatsametime.

TheseversesarenotinreferencetotheRapture,becausetheChurchwillhavealreadybeeninHeavenforsevenyears.Atthetimeofthisevent,theywillbereturningwithChristwhenHedescendsontheMountofOlives.Johnconfirms that theChurch is inHeaven inRevelation5:9-10before the firstsealisopenedinRevelation6:1.

Now let’s compare Psalm 101:7-8 with 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Both ofthese are referring to the destruction of the wicked of the world and theAntichrist.

Psalm101:7Hethatworkethdeceitshallnotdwellwithinmyhouse:hethattellethliesshallnottarryinmysight.

8Iwillearlydestroyallthewickedoftheland;thatImaycutoffallwickeddoersfromthecityoftheLord.

2Thessalonians2:8Andthenshall thatWickedberevealed,whomtheLord shall consumewith the spirit of hismouth, and shall destroywiththebrightnessofhiscoming.

ThistakesplacewhenChristcomesbackwithallthearmiesofHeaven.As stated in Psalm 101:8, He will “early destroy all the wicked of theland.”A major part of wickedness in the earth will be destroyed at theSecondAdvent,butnotallwickednesswillberemoveduntil theendof the1000-yearreignofChristontheearth.(Revelation20.)

WHENWILLALLTHESETHINGSOCCUR?

Matthew24:36Butof thatdayandhourknowethnoman,no,nottheangelsofheaven,butmyFatheronly.

At the time of thiswriting, noman knows the day or the hour of the

RaptureortheSecondAdvent,forGodhasputthisinHisownpower.Ifweknew thedayandhourof theSecondAdvent,wecouldcountbackexactlysevenyearsandknowtheexactdateoftheRapture.Then,ontheotherhand,ifweknewthetimeof theRapture,wecouldaddsevenyearsandhavetheexact date of the SecondAdvent. The Rapture will take place seven yearsbeforeChrist’sreturntotheearthtosetupHisearthlykingdom.

JUDGMENTUPONTHEWICKED

Matthew24:37ButasthedaysofNoewere,soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe.

38Forasinthedaysthatwerebeforethefloodtheywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgiving inmarriage,until theday thatNoeenteredintotheark,

TheRapturewill takeplacesevenyearsbeforeChrist’s return to theearthtosetupHisearthlykingdom.

39Andknewnotuntilthefloodcame,andtookthemallaway;soshallalsothecomingoftheSonofmanbe.

40Thenshalltwobeinthefield;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.

41Twowomenshallbegrindingatthemill;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.

Pleasetakenoteoftheemphasisintheseverses,forhereinliesanotherkey.They“knewnotuntilthefloodcame,andtookthemallaway…”Themainemphasisofverses37-41seems tobe thefact that thewickeddidnotknowthetimeoftheir impendingdoomuntil judgmentcameandtheyweredestroyed.

Ithasbeentaughtforyearsthatverses40-41refertoonebeingrapturedandtheotherleft,butthatisnotthecaseatall.Acloserexaminationoftheseverses prove that Jesuswas referring toHis SecondAdvent as recorded inRevelation19:11-21andZechariah14:1-5.

It sounds somewhat like the Rapture, but remember the statement ofPsalm101:8,“Iwillearlydestroyallthewicked

oftheland.”EverypersonwhofollowstheAntichristandhisarmiesor

takesthemarkofthebeastwillbedestroyedatthattime.However,therewillalso be people among themwho have not rebelled against God. Theywillrefusetotakethemarkofthebeast.Therefore,theywillbesparedfromthejudgmentofGodatthatparticulartime.

THEANTICHRIST’SEXPLANATIONOFTHERAPTURE

Have you everwondered how theAntichrist is going to explainwhathappenedtoallthemissingpeople?

Hismessageisbeingpreachedevennow.Hismessageis,“ThereisnoRapture. God is not going to take the righteous, but the wicked from theearth.”

Therefore, the Antichrist’s explanation of millions of people missingwhentheRapturetakesplacewillprobablybe,“Godhastakenthewickedoutoftheearth;andIamtheonewhowillbringpeace.”TheScripturestatesthatbypeaceheshalldestroymany.(Daniel8:25.)

Butthetruthis,GodisgoingtotaketherighteousoutoftheearthsevenyearsbeforeHedestroysamajorpartofthewickedattheSecondAdvent.

NOAH’SDAYREVISITED

In Matthew 24, Jesus refers to “Noah’s day” because Noah and hisfamily represented all of the righteous on the earth at that time.Theyweretakenintothesafetyofthearkbefore the judgmentofGodwasreleasedontheearth.NoticethatHisemphasisisreallyonthefactthatthewickeddidn’tknowwhatwascominguntilafterNoahhadescapedtosafety.Thenthefloodcameandtookthewickedaway.

Luke,inhisaccount,givestheclearestunderstandingofthisdiscourse.Infact,IbelievethekeystounderstandingthisclearlyarefoundinLuke17.Wewillstudythemindetailinlaterchapters.

Let’slookagainat2Peter,chapter3,sothisinformationwillbefreshinour minds. In these verses, we find some key statements that will help usunderstandhowJesussubtlyrevealedtheRaptureandSecondAdventinLuke17.

2Peter3:3Knowingthisfirst,thatthereshallcomeinthelastdaysscoffers,walkingaftertheirownlusts,

4 Andsaying,Where is thepromiseofhiscoming?forsincethe

fathersfellasleep,allthingscontinueastheywerefromthebeginningofthecreation.

5Forthistheywillinglyareignorantof,thatbythewordofGodtheheavenswereofold,andtheearthstandingoutofthewaterandinthewater:

6Wherebytheworldthatthenwas,beingoverflowedwithwater,perished.

Itseemsthatverse5hasadoublereference.Inonesenseitreferstothefloodmentioned inGenesis 1:2.But it also refers towhatwe call “Noah’sflood,”whichdestroyedthewickedfromtheearthinhisday.

Then verse 7 gives us a valuable key to understanding five end-timeevents.

2 Peter 3:7But the heavens and the earth,which are now, by theSAMEWORD are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day ofjudgmentandperditionofungodlymen.

ThesameinstructionsGodgavetoNoahjustbeforethefloodwillgiveusgreat insight intothesequenceandtimingofthefireanddestructionthatwill one day destroy amajor part of thewicked of the earth. So let’s lookagainatGod’sinstructionstoNoah:

Genesis7:1And theLord said untoNoah,Come thou and all thyhouse into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in thisgeneration.

Noah’sfamily,whowereall therighteousinhisgeneration,portrayanexcellentparallelof theChurch (BodyofChrist)being the righteous in thisgeneration.

Genesis7:4Foryetsevendays,andIwillcauseittorainupontheearthfortydaysandfortynights;andeverylivingsubstancethatIhavemadewillIdestroyfromoffthefaceoftheearth.

10Anditcametopassaftersevendays,thatthewatersofthefloodwereupontheearth.

This sameword thatGodgaveNoah reveals five end-time events andtheirsequenceandtiming.Hereisaquicksynopsisofthatrevelation:

(1) The Rapture of the Church is revealed by the fact that Noah’sfamily (the righteous) were lifted up above the earth before the flooddestroyedalllife.

(2)TheTribulationPeriodanditslengthisrevealedbythefactthatthefloodbeganthedayNoahenteredintosafety,andittooksevendaysfortheflood tocover theearth (representing theAntichrist’s floodofdeceptionforsevenyears).

(3)TheSecondAdventisrevealedinthefactthatNoahcamebacktoearthaftertheflood.

(4)The1000-yearreignofChristisrevealedbythefactthatNoahandhisrighteousfamilyruledtheearthaftertheirreturn.

(5)Thepurgingfromtheearthofallwickednessattheendoftheseventhousandth year is revealed by the fact that after seven days (representing7000yearsofhumanhistory),thejudgmentofGoddestroyedallthewickedfromtheearth.

Genesis7:4containswhatIcalllayeredrevelation.

First,ithasanaturalmeaningconcerningeventsthatactuallyhappenedin Noah’s day. Secondly, it is a prophetic revelation of future events. GodgaveNoah seven natural days tomake preparation and get into the ark ofsafetybeforejudgmentcame.Inthisverse,weseeaparalleltruthinthefactthatmankind alsohas a total of sevendays (7000years) toget prepared toescapetheWhiteThroneJudgment.AllthewickedoftheearthwillfacethisjudgmentattheendoftheSeventhMillennium.(Revelation20.)

ItisalsoapropheticrevelationoftheRaptureoftherighteous(BodyofChrist)beforetheAntichristreleasesafloodofdeceptionupontheearth.

It reveals theTribulationPeriod to be seven years long as inDaniel’sSeventieth Week where a day represents a year by double reference. Thesabbath,orMillenniumofrest,willfollowtheTribulation.Destructionofallwickedness from planet Earth will occur at the end of seven days,representing7000yearsofhumanhistory.(Revelation20.)

These statementsmay seemvague at this point, but aswe look at therevelationGodgaveDaniel,theywillcomeintosharperfocus.

DANIEL’SDREAM

The ninth chapter ofDaniel recordsDaniel’s dream,which is anotherprophetic Scripture that gives us a key to understanding this revelation.Danielhadavision,oradream,andtheangelGabrielcametoexplainit tohim.

21 Yea,whiles Iwas speaking inprayer, even themanGabriel,whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to flyswiftly,touchedmeaboutthetimeoftheeveningoblation.

22Andheinformedme,andtalkedwithme,andsaid,ODaniel,Iamnowcomeforthtogivetheeskillandunderstanding.

24 Seventyweeksaredetermineduponthypeopleanduponthyholycity,tofinishthetransgression,andtomakeanendofsins,andtomake reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlastingrighteousness,andtosealupthevisionandprophecy,andtoanointthemostHoly.

25 Knowthereforeandunderstand,thatfromthegoingforthofthe commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto theMessiahthePrinceshallbesevenweeks,andthreescoreandtwoweeks:thestreetshallbebuiltagain,andthewall,evenintroubloustimes.

26 Andafter threescoreandtwoweeksshallMessiahbecutoff,but not for himself and the people of the prince that shall come shalldestroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall bewithaflood,anduntotheendofthewardesolationsaredetermined.

Thefirstprincereferredtoinverse25isChristtheMessiah.ThepeopleoftheprincereferstotheRomanswhodestroyedJerusaleminA.D.70.Thespirit of theAntichristwas alreadyoperating through them.That is evidentfromthephrasepeopleoftheprince—inotherwords,peoplewhowereundertheinfluenceoftheAntichrist’sspirit.RememberalsothatJesussaid,“Theprinceofthisworld[shall]becastout”(John12:31).

Daniel continues to give us revelation in verse 27 of a “Covenant ofPeace”whichtheAntichristwillconfirmwithmanyforsevenyears.Buthewillbreakthiscovenantafterthree-and-one-halfyears.

Daniel9:27Andhe shall confirm the covenantwithmany for oneweek:and in themidstof theweekhe shall cause the sacrificeand theoblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall

makeitdesolate,evenuntiltheconsummation,andthatdeterminedshallbepoureduponthedesolate.

Let’scompareTheAmplifiedBible:

Daniel9:27AMPAndheshallenterintoastrongandfirmcovenantwiththemanyforoneweek[sevenyears].Andinthemidstoftheweekheshallcausethesacrificeandofferingtocease[fortheremainingthreeand one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations[shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end ispouredoutonthedesolator.

ItisclearfromtherevelationtheangelbroughttoDanielthatGodhaddeterminedHewoulddealwithIsraelforatotalof490years.Thenattheendof that time period, sin would cease and He would bring everlastingrighteousnesstoJerusalem.

GODISTHETIMEKEEPER

WhenGodgivesHisWordonamatter,youcan rest assured that it isgoingtohappenexactlythatway.SinceGodHimselfistheTimekeeperofallprophetic events,He has the ability to stopHis time clock of dealingwithIsrael whenever He desires and shift His attention to another event for aperiod of time. Then after He has fulfilled other prophetic events, He canagainstartHistimeclockandpickupwhereHeleftofftocontinueonuntilcompletefulfillment.That isexactlywhathappenedconcerningtheSeventyWeeksofDaniel,whichareweeksofyears.

WhentheJewsclosedtheireyestoChristandcriedoutfortheRomanstocrucifyHim,GodturnedHistimeclockoffandturnedtotheGentilesfortwo days, or 2000 years, which are generally referred to as the last days.However,itseemsthatthelastdaysmightalsoincludethe1000-yearreignofChrist,foreternitywillbeginattheendofthatmillennialreign.

WearealsoawarethatDaniel’sSeventiethWeekisaweekofyears—anexactperiodofsevenyears.TheHebrewwordusedfor“week”comesfromthe word heptad1 which means seven years—just as the word “decade”meanstenyears.Oneweekofyears(sevenyears)remainsinwhichGodwilldealwithIsrael.Thatseven-yearperiod,whichisalsoreferredtoasJacob’sTrouble and the Tribulation, is on God’s time clock and seems to begintickingagainimmediatelyaftertheChurchisraptured.

WhengodgivesHisWordonamatter,youcanrestassuredthatitis

goingtohappenexactlythatway.

Thatperiodoftime,andespeciallythelastthree-and-one-halfyears,willbeverydevastating to Israel.However, all of Israelwho survive the seven-yearperiodwillbesavedalongwithmultitudesofGentiles.

Then, at theendof theTribulationPeriod (Daniel’sSeventiethWeek),ChristwillreturntotheearthwiththesaintsthatwererapturedandsetupHiskingdom of righteous rule in Jerusalem. This will usher in 1000 years ofpeace—thelastMillenniumbeforeeternity.InthenextchapterwewilllookathowDaniel’s weeks and Noah’s flood fit into Jesus’ end-time prophecy inLuke17.

CHAPTERELEVEN

FittingPropheticScripturesinPlace

In the previous chapter, we covered some important informationconcerningtheSeventiethWeekofDaniel.Theinformationwasnecessarytohelp understand the discourse given by Jesus in Luke 17.When it is fittedtogetherintoitsproperplaceinJesus’teaching,itcausesotherpiecesoftheprophetic puzzle to fall into place.The end result ismarvelous insight intocertainend-timeevents.

Luke17:20AndwhenhewasdemandedofthePharisees,whenthekingdomofGodshouldcome,heansweredthemandsaid,ThekingdomofGodcomethnotwithobservation:

21 Neither shall they say,Lohere! or, to there! for, behold, thekingdomofGodiswithinyou.

22 Andhe saidunto thedisciples,Thedayswill come,whenyeshalldesiretoseeoneofthedaysoftheSonofman,andyeshallnotseeit.

23Andtheyshallsaytoyou,Seehere;or,seethere:gonotafterthem,norfollowthem.

24Forasthelightning,thatlightenethoutoftheonepartunderheaven,shinethuntotheotherpartunderheaven;soshallalsotheSonofmanbeinhisday.

25 But firstmustHesuffermanythings,andberejectedof thisgeneration.

Thephrasehisday inverse24 refers to thedayofChrist’s coming toearth(theSecondAdvent)attheendoftheTribulation.Atthattime,HewilldestroythearmiesoftheAntichristandhisarmiesandbeginHis1000-yearday of righteous rule. TheLatinwordmillemeans “one thousand.”This iswhywerefertoitasthemillennialreignofChrist.

Thisphrase“Butfirstmusthesuffermanythings,andberejectedof

thisgeneration”(v.25)fitsinplaceattheendofthesixty-ninthweekoftheperiodcalledDaniel’sSeventyWeeks.It

wasat that time,whenChristwas rejectedbyHisgenerationandcrucified,thatGod turned to theGentiles.This leaves oneweek of the seventy-weekprophecyofDanielunfulfilled.(Daniel9:25-26.)

JesusChristwasthebeginningoftheChurchAge,andHewillendtheChurch Age and bring it to completion by catching away the Church (HisBody)justbeforetheAntichristisrevealedtotheworld.(Colossians1:12-19;2Thessalonians2:1-8;Revelation4:1;1:7-8.)

THEFLOODOFTHEANTICHRIST

JesusindicatedthatthesameprosperityandsociallifethatexistedinthedaysofNoahwillexistinthedaysofthecomingoftheSonofMan.

Luke17:26AndasitwasinthedaysofNoe,soshallitbealsointhedaysoftheSonofman.

27Theydideat,theydrank,theymarriedwives,theyweregiveninmarriage,untilthedaythatNoeenteredintotheark,andthefloodcame,anddestroyedthemall.

These verses have a double reference, or what we call “layeredrevelation.” In other words, there are many revelations in these and otherrelatedverses.Let’slookagainatkeyversesinGenesis7:

7AndNoahwentin,andhissons,andhiswife,andhissons’wiveswithhim,intotheark,becauseofthewatersoftheflood.

10Anditcametopassaftersevendays,thatthewatersofthefloodwereupontheearth.

13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, andJapheth, the sons ofNoah, andNoah’swife, and the threewives of hissonswiththem,intotheark.

God’swords toNoah had their present fulfillment inNoah’s day.Buttheywillalsohaveapropheticfulfillmentinthenearfuture.

When the Church is taken out of the way, there will be nothing torestraintheambitionoftheAntichrist.

The literal fulfillment came exactly sevendays afterNoah entered the

ark.SevendaysafterGodspokethosewordstoNoah,thefloodcoveredtheearth.Accordingtoverse7,Noahandhisfamilywentintothearkbecauseofthewatersoftheflood.Itisobviousthattherainstartedthedaytheyenteredthe ark of safety. I believe this subtly reveals that theAntichrist begins hisfloodofdeceptionupontheearthimmediatelyaftertherighteousareremovedfromtheearth.

When the Church is taken out of the way, there will be nothing torestraintheambitionoftheAntichrist.Itisverylikelyhewillmakehismoveas soon as the newspaper headlines and television newscasts reveal thatmillionsofpeoplehavesuddenlydisappearedfromtheearthwithoutatrace.His explanation will probably be, “God has removed the wicked from theearth,andIamthemanofpeace.Ihavecometobringpeacetotheearth.”

Justasliteralraincoveredtheearthinsevendays,sowilltheAntichrist(ManofSin) releasea floodofdeceptionandunrestrainedperversionuponthe earthduring the sevenyearsof tribulation.ThenChristwill returnwiththesaintsfromHeavenandforeverendtheAntichrist’sungodlyambitions.

ThisconceptcorrespondsperfectlywithIsaiah’sprophecy.

Isaiah59:18Accordingtotheirdeeds,accordinglyhewillrepay,furytohisadversaries,recompencetohisenemies;totheislandshewillrepayrecompence.

19SoshalltheyfearthenameoftheLordfromthewest,andhisgloryfromtherisingofthesun.WhentheenemyshallcomeinLIKEAFLOOD,theSpiritoftheLordshallliftupastandardagainsthim.

20AndtheRedeemershallcometoZion,anduntothemthatturnfromtransgressioninJacob,saiththeLord.

The Redeemer coming to Zion is none other than Christ coming toJerusalemattheendofthesevenyearsoftribulationtobeginHisearthlyruleandreignfor1000years.ForfurtherconfirmationseeIsaiah60.

TRANSITIONFROMRAPTURETOSECONDADVENT

Asweapplythekeyfoundin2Peter3:8,“…onedayiswiththeLordas a thousandyears, anda thousandyears as oneday,”we can see therevelationPeterrevealedsosubtlyin2Peter3:7.“Buttheheavensandtheearth,whicharenow,bythesameword(thatGodgaveNoah)arekeptin

store,reserveduntofireagainstthedayofjudgment….”Inotherwords,He gave Noah the same word with one exception, and that being that thejudgmentwillbebyfireinsteadofwater.

WhenweapplythiskeytothesamewordGodgaveNoah,itrevealsthatafter“sevendays,”representing7000years,God’sjudgmentonthewickedoftheearthwillbebyfire.Thisplacesthatjudgmentattheendofthemillennialreign, which corresponds perfectly with the prophetic Scriptures ofRevelation,chapter20.WehavealreadydiscoveredthatthissametimeframewassubtlyrevealedintheGenesisaccountbythesixdaysthatGodlaboredovercreationand restedon theseventhday,having finished (perfected)Hisworkforthatparticularsix-dayperiod.

Thepropheticseventhdaywillbethemillennialreign.Then,afterthat1000yearsofrest(peace),allwickednesswillbetotallydestroyedfromtheearth.

The prophetic implications of theRapture are also obvious in the factthatNoahandhisfamily(therighteous)wereinsafetywhenthefloodbegan.

But if you don’t catch the transitionmade inLuke 17:28-30 from thedaysofNoahtothedaysofLot,youwillmostlikelymisinterpretwhichend-timeeventJesusisreferringtoinverses28-37.

The first parallel given was of Noah being caught up away from thejudgment of God, which parallels the Rapture of the Church. Let’s take acloserlookatthetransitionverses.

Luke17:28LikewisealsoasitwasinthedaysofLot;theydideat,theydrank,theybought,theysold,theyplanted,theybuilded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom itRAINEDFIREANDBRIMSTONEFROMHEAVEN,ANDDESTROYEDTHEMALL.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man isrevealed.

In these verses Jesus refers to destruction which comes by fire andbrimstone. This places it prophetically in Revelation 14:10, 19:11-21, andPsalm11:6.Weknowthattherewasnofireorbrimstoneconnectedwiththedestruction in thedaysofNoah’s flood. It isevident that Jesuschanged thesubjectmatterandgavedetailsthathavebeenleftoutofpreviousverses.

Luke 17:28-30 clearly reveals that Jesus is referring to the SecondAdvent,inwhichHewilldescendwiththesaintsupontheMountofOlives.(Zechariah14:1-5.)

LOT,ATYPEOFTHEREMNANTOFISRAEL

Intheseverses,LotrepresentstheremnantofIsraelthatChristwillsavefromthearmiesoftheAntichristattheSecondAdvent.WhenHisfeettouchtheMount of Olives, there will be a great earthquake which will split themountain in half from east to west. Then one half will shift north and theother half will shift south. This will create a great valley all the way toJerusalem. (Zechariah 14:4.) At that time Christ’s coming will be in split-second timing.Thearmiesof theAntichrist andotherarmieswithhimwillhave come as a storm and as a flood upon the land in their last effort todestroyIsrael.

Thepeople in Jerusalemat that timewill be able to flee to the valleycreated by the earthquake—just in the nick of time to escape. Fire andbrimstone will rain fromHeaven on the Antichrist and the armies that arewith him, destroying them all. (Zechariah 14:1-5,12-13; Psalm 11:6; Luke17:30;Isaiah59:19-21.)

Theseversesmake itclear that Jesus isnot referring to theRapture inLuke17:28-30butrathertotheSecondAdvent.EverydetailfitsperfectlyinplacewiththepropheticScriptures.

Now, let’s compare Jesus’ statements in Luke 17:29-30 with Isaiah66:15-16andPsalm11:6.

Luke17:29ButthesamedaythatLotwentoutofSodomitrainedfireandbrimstonefromheaven,anddestroyedthemall.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the son of MAN ISREVEALED.

Isaiah66:15For,behold,theLordwillcomewithfire,andwithhischariots likeawhirlwind,torenderhisangerwithfury,andhisrebukewithflamesoffire.

16Forbyfireandbyhisswordwill theLordpleadwithall flesh:andtheslainoftheLordshallbemany.

Psalm11:6Uponthewickedheshallrainsnares,fireandbrimstone,

andanhorribletempest:thisshallbetheportionoftheircup.

InLuke17:30thephrase“…whentheSonofmanisrevealed”mustof necessity refer toHisSecondAdvent,whenHewill be seenby allwhodwellontheearth,asdescribedinMatthew24:30.

Several years ago, we could not have understood how that would bepossible.Butwith today’s inventions and high technology,we know that itcaneasilybedone.

Ibelieve thenetworkcrews fromCNN,ABC,NBC,andCBSwillbethere to cover Christ’s return to earth. I believe the angels will haveproclaimedthemessagethat“TheMessiahiscomingtosetupHiskingdominJerusalem!”I’msuremuchoftheworldwillscoffattheirpredictions,buttheworldwillbewatchingviasatelliteasthiseventtakesplacebeforetheireyes.

AFTERTHETRIBULATIONINTHOSEDAYS

ComparingMatthew 24:29-30with Zechariah 12:9-11 is confirmationthattheseScripturesaredescribingtheverysameevent,theSecondAdvent.

Matthew24:29Immediatelyafterthetribulationofthosedaysshallthesunbedarkened,andthemoonshallnotgiveherlight,andthestarsshallfallfromheaven,andthepowersoftheheavensshallbeshaken:

30AndthenshallappearthesignoftheSonofmaninheaven:andthenshallallthetribesoftheearthmourn,andtheyshallseetheSonofmancominginthecloudsofheavenwithpowerandgreatglory.

Zechariah12:9Anditshallcometopassinthatday,thatIwillseektodestroyallthenationsthatcomeagainstJerusalem.

10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon theinhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:andtheyshalllookuponmewhomtheyhavepierced,andtheyshallmournforhim,asonemournethforhisonlyson,andshallbeinbitternessforhim,asonethatisinbitternessforhisfirstborn.

11InthatdayshalltherebeagreatmourninginJerusalem,asthemourningofHadadrimmoninthevalleyofMegiddon.

TheprophetJoelalsoaddsdimensiontothisevent:

Joel3:12Lettheheathenbewakened,andcomeuptothevalleyofJehoshaphat:fortherewillIsittojudgealltheheathenroundabout.

13Putyeinthesickle,fortheharvestisripe:come,getyoudown;forthepressisfull,thevatsoverflow;fortheirwickednessisgreat.

14Multitudes,multitudesinthevalleyofdecision:forthedayoftheLordisnearinthevalleyofdecision.

15 Thesunand themoonshallbedarkened,and thestars shallwithdrawtheirshining.

16TheLordalsoshallroaroutofZion,andutterhisvoicefromJerusalem;andtheheavensandtheearthshallshake:buttheLordwillbethehopeofhispeople,andthestrengthofthechildrenofIsrael.

ItisevidentfromtheseScripturesthatallthesepropheciesarerevealingthe Second Advent, referred to as the Day of the Lord. Now we canunderstandwhyJesusgavethewarningfoundinLuke17:31-32.

JESUSSOUNDSWARNING

“Inthatday,hewhichshallbeuponthehousetop,andhisstuff inthehouse, lethimnotcomedownto take itaway:andhe that is in thefield,lethimlikewisenotreturnback.RememberLot’swife.”

LOT’SWIFE

ThestatementbyJesus“RememberLot’swife” isanotherdetail thatfitsperfectlyintothisend-timeevent.

Lot’s wife hesitated for an instant to look back. As a result of herdisobedience, she lost her life. (Genesis 19:26.) This warning should beheeded by those who will be in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s SecondAdvent.

Jesus is emphatic about this warning: “Don’t go into the house toretrieveanything.”Inotherwords,don’t take time toget foodorclothing,for theAntichrist’sarmieswillhavealready takenhalf thecityand the200million-manarmy from theOrientofRevelation9:16willbecomingdowntheValleyofMegiddowithweaponsofmassdestruction.ItseemsthiswillbeadesperateattempttototallydestroyIsrael.

Jesuswarns thosewhowill bepresent at the timeof this event not tolook back or to hesitate for any reason. Their lives will depend on theirobedienceinheedingHiswarnings.

Luke17:33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; andwhosoevershalllosehislifeshallpreserveit.

34Itellyou,inthatnightthereshallbetwomeninonebed;theoneshallbetaken,andtheothershallbeleft.

35Twowomenshallbegrindingtogether;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.

36 Twomenshallbeinthefield;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.

37 Andtheyansweredandsaiduntohim,Where,Lord?Andhesaid unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles begatheredtogether.

When viewed in the light of Revelation 19:17-20, this verse plainlyrevealstheeventsJesusdescribedtobetheSecondAdvent.AlthoughmanyhavesupposedthattheseversesdealtwiththeRapture,itdoesnotfitintotherighttimeslotinthepropheticScriptures.Thedescriptiongiveninverses34-36doessoundsomewhatsimilartotheRapture,untilwereadverse37.Thenit’sveryclear thatverses28-37areadescriptionof theevent referred to inRevelation19:11-21—whichistheSecondAdvent.

JUDGMENTCOMES

Thequestionisoftenasked,“Whywouldonebetaken(destroyed)andthe other be left?” The answer is that this describes an act of judgment. Itcouldevenbecalledasearchanddestroymission.Itisthedestructionofthewicked who have followed the Antichrist. This corresponds perfectly withRevelation19:17-18.

CRYOFTHEANGEL

Revelation 19:17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and hecriedwith a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in themidst ofheaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of thegreatGod;

18Thatyemayeatthefleshofkings,andthefleshofcaptains,and

thefleshofmightymen,andthefleshofhorses,andofthemthatsitonthem,andthefleshofallmen,bothfreeandbond,bothsmallandgreat.

ThenPsalm101:8givesanotherpropheticview:

8Iwillearlydestroyallthewickedoftheland;thatImaycutoffallwickeddoersfromthecityoftheLord.

It is evident from these Scriptures that the angels, as well as ChristHimself, will be involved in taking out the wicked that followed theAntichrist at the end of the Tribulation. This fits prophetically with thediscourseof Jesus inLuke17:29-37.Christ andHisangelswilldestroy theAntichrist and his followers, including all those who take the mark of thebeast.Asyoucansee,thepropheticScripturesrevealthatamajorpartofthewickedwillberemovedfromtheearth(destroyed)asChristreturnswiththesaintsasdescribedinRevelation19:11-21andJoel3:9-16.

These Scriptures should be enough evidence to conclude that Jesus’words in Luke 17:28-37 are in reference to the Second Advent, but let’scompare other Scriptures. The Amplified Bible states, “…Wherever thedead body is, there will the vultures (or eagles) be gathered together”

(Luke 17:37). “Wheresoever the8 body is, thither will the eagles begatheredtogether”(KJV).*

Christ and His angels will destroy the Antichrist and his followers,includingallthosewhotakethemarkofthebeast.

Job39:27Doththeeaglemountupatthycommand,andmakehernestonhigh?

28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of therock,andthestrongplace.

29Fromthencesheseekeththeprey,andhereyesbeholdafaroff.

30 Heryoungonesalso suckupblood:andwhere the slainare,thereisshe.

TWOHARVESTSFROMTHEEARTH

The Bible reveals that there are two harvests of the earth. First, theharvest of the good wheat (the righteous) in Matthew 13:30 and 1Thessalonians4:16-17.Second,theharvestofthetares(wicked)inMatthew

13:40-42andRevelation14:15-20.Theparableofthetares,givenbyJesusinMatthew13,isactuallyadoubleparable,muchthesameastheonegiveninJohn 10:1-10. In both of these instances, Jesus lays out the parable whichcontainsprogressiverevelation.Inbothinstances(Matthew13andJohn10),when asked to explain the parable, Jesus gives progressive revelation in adifferentformwhichcoverstwodifferenttimeperiods.

Hereisabottom-linesynopsis.Whenthetares,whichhadbeenplantedby an enemy, were discovered, the servant wanted to gather them upimmediately.

Matthew13:29Buthesaid,Nay;lestwhileyegatherupthetares,yerootupalsothewheatwiththem.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time ofharvest Iwill say to thereapers,Gatherye together first the tares,andbindtheminbundlestoburnthem….

Weknowfromthe information thatJesusreveals later inverse39 thatthereapersaretheangels.Theywereinstructedto“gathertogetherfirstthetares,andbindtheminbundlestoburnthem.”

I believe this plainly represents what we are seeing today. Thehomosexuals are coming out of the closet demanding special rights. Thewickedallovertheworldaregravitatingtowardeachother.Terroristgroupsarebeingformedallovertheworld.Noticeintheparable,thetareswerefirstrecognizedduringfruitingseason.However,theywerenotgatheredingroupsuntil harvest season. This reveals that we have entered into the time ofharvest.We are seeing a special bond between thewicked of theworld asnever before in any generation. I believe time and angelic influence arecausingthewickedtogravitateintobundlestobeboundsotheydon’tpolluteorhindertheharvest.

In theparableof the tares,Jesus reveals“…HethatsoweththegoodseedistheSonofman”(Matthew13:37).Jesuswas theOneWhoplantedthegoodwheat(righteousseed)intheearthexpectingabountifulharvest.

John12:24Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,Exceptacornofwheatfallinto thegroundanddie, itabidethalone:but if itdie, itbringeth forthmuchfruit.

Jesuswasthe(wheat)seedthatwillfullydiedtobeplantedintheearthtobringforthaharvestofgoodwheat.Thefact that thewickedarecomingtogetherrevealsthatwehaveenteredintotheharvestseason.TherevelationJesusgaveinverse30revealsageneraltimeframeforthefirstharvestoftheearth.

Thefirstsignofharvestisthewickedbeingbroughttogetherinbundlesorgroups.Theyarebeingbroughttogethertobeboundsotheycan’thinderorpollutetheharvest.TheverynexteventisthegatheringofthewheatintoHisbarn.ThisisapropheticrevelationofthefirstharvestoftheearthwhichIbelievetoincludeagreatin-gatheringofsoulsintothekingdomofGodjustbeforetheRaptureoftheChurch.Allowmetoreiteratethatatthetimeofthiswriting we are in the time of harvest and the season of His appearing.However,theharvestmayhavetakenplacebythetimesomeofyoureadthisbook.

Later thedisciplesaskedJesus todeclareunto them theparableof thetares. His explanation is similar in many ways, but it adds progressiverevelation of a second harvest of thewicked from the earth at a later date,which is not connectedwith gathering of the goodwheat intoHis barn. Inverse38,Herevealsthefieldtobetheworld.Thegoodseedarethechildrenofthekingdom,butthetaresarethechildrenofthewickedone.

Verses39and40revealtheenemythatsowedthemtobethedevil,andtheharvest tobe theendof theworld(age).Thereapersare theangels thatgatherthetares,but there isnomentionof thewheatbeinggathered.Why?Because the wheat harvest (Rapture) took place in a different time frame,sevenyearsbefore.

Verse30 reveals the timeofharvest inwhich twodistinct events tookplace. First, the tares were gathered in bundles to be burned but were notburnedatthattime.Ibelievethisindicatesthatwhentheearthleaseexpiresthewicked lose their authority to hinder or pollute the harvest.The secondeventwasthegatheringofwheatintoHisbarn,whichisindicativeofagreatin-gatheringofsoulsjustbeforetheRapture.

Paulgivesusmoreconclusiveevidence that Jesuswas theseedwhichwouldproducethisgoodharvest:

1Corinthians15:22ForasinAdamalldie,evensoinChristshallallbemadealive.

23Buteverymaninhisownorder:Christthefirstfruits;afterwardtheythatareChrist’sathiscoming.

Thisseemstoconfirmthatthewheatwhichwouldbegatheredintothebarnwouldbegatheredat the timeofChrist’scoming for theChurch.Paulcontinues:

1 Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall havedeliveredup thekingdom toGod, even theFather;whenhe shallhaveputdownallruleandallauthorityandpower.

25Forhemustreign,tillhehathputallenemiesunderhisfeet.

26Thelastenemythatshallbedestroyedisdeath.

Theseversescorrespondperfectlywiththetimeframeoftheendoftheworld(age)referredtoinMatthew13:39.

Jesuscontinueswithprogressiverevelation:

Matthew13:40Asthereforethetaresaregatheredandburnedinthefire;soshallitbeintheendofthisworld.

41TheSonofmanshallsendforthhisangels,andtheyshallgatheroutofhiskingdomallthingsthatoffend,andthemwhichdoiniquity;

42Andshallcastthemintoafurnaceoffire:thereshallbewailingandgnashingofteeth.

TheseversesrevealtheprophetictimeframeoftheseeventstobeafterthemillennialreignofChrist,atwhichtimethewickedwillbegatheredoutofHisearthlykingdom.

Matthew13:43ThenshalltherighteousshineforthasthesuninthekingdomoftheirFather….

TheprecedingversescorrespondperfectlywiththetimeframeofeventsrevealedbyPaulin1Corinthians15:

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up thekingdomtoGod,eventheFather;whenheshallhaveputdownallruleandallauthorityandpower.

25Forhemustreign,tillhehathputallenemiesunderhisfeet.

What’s the bottom line of thismatter?We are now in the season ofgreatharvest…

What’s the bottom line of thismatter?We are now in the season of agreatharvestwhichwillsoonbeconsummatedwiththeRapture.Thetaresaregathering together inoneunitedbundle (group)againstGod.Theverynexteventisthegatheringofthewheat.Jesuswasthekernelofwheatplanted,andtheBodyofChristwillbethewheatharvestthatisabouttobegatheredintothe Father’s house. John, when referring to Jesus in Matthew 3:12, alsoconfirms that Jesus will separate the chaff from the wheat and gather thewheat into His garner, then burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. ThesamesternwarningdeliveredtothePhariseesandSadduceeswouldseemtobeveryappropriateforthisgeneration.

Matthew3:7ButwhenhesawmanyofthePhariseesandSadduceescometohisbaptism,hesaiduntothem,Ogenerationofvipers,whohathwarnedyoutofleefromthewrathtocome?

8Bringforththereforefruitsmeetforrepentance:

9Andthinknottosaywithinyourselves,WehaveAbrahamtoourfather: for I say unto you, thatGod is able of these stones to raise upchildrenuntoAbraham.

10Andnowalsotheaxeislaiduntotherootofthetrees:thereforeevery treewhich bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and castintothefire.

11 I indeedbaptizeyouwithwateruntorepentance:buthethatcomethaftermeismightierthanI,whoseshoesIamnotworthytobear:heshallbaptizeyouwiththeHolyGhost,andwithfire:

12Whosefanisinhishand,andhewillthoroughlypurgehisfloor,andgatherhiswheatintothegarner;buthewillburnupthechaffwithunquenchablefire.

It is obvious that the separation of the chaff from the wheat (wicked

fromrighteous)hasalreadybegun.Thefan9beinginJesus’handrevealsthatHe is in complete control of the separating process. The propheticimplications are clear—while thewheat is up in the air, thewindsof timeitselfwillseparatethechafffromthewheat.Youcanrestassuredthatitwillbecompletedontimetogatherthewheat(righteous)intoHisgarner(Father’s

house).(Matthew13:30;John14:1-3.)t

CHAPTERTWELVE

InsightThroughSpecialEvents

WeallknowthatJesuswasapreacherandateacher.However,manyfailto recognizeHimasaprophet. In the last twoversesofMatthew16, Jesusprophesied of an eventwhich had a partial fulfillment six days later in theformofavision.But,asmanyotherpropheciesintheScripture,italsohasafuturepropheticfulfillmentofmajorimportance.

Matthew16:26Forwhatisamanprofited,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?orwhatshallamangiveinexchangeforhissoul?

27FortheSonofmanshallcomeinthegloryofhisFatherwithhisangels;andthenheshallrewardeverymanaccordingtohisworks.

28VerilyIsayuntoyou,Therebesomestandinghere,whichshallnottasteofdeath,tilltheyseetheSonofmancominginhiskingdom.

Theseversesareindirectreferencetoaliteraleventthattookplacesixdayslater.However,thepropheticimplicationsareprofound.

Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, andJohnhisbrother,andbringeththemupintoanhighmountainapart,

2Andwastransfiguredbeforethem:andhisfacedidshineasthesun,andhisraimentwaswhiteasthelight.

3And,behold,thereappeareduntothemMosesandEliastalkingwithhim.

It is significant that JesuswaitedexactlysixdaysafterHemade thesestatementsbeforetakingPeter,James,andJohnuptoahighmountainwhereHewastransfiguredbeforethem.

This isascripturalprofileof theRaptureof theChurch.WerecognizePeter, James, and John as those who were considered to be His closestassociates.ItisalsosignificantthattheyweretheveryoneswhoaccompaniedJesus on occasions when He raised the dead. This alone would give us a

strong clue that this event is a scriptural pictorial of an event inwhich therighteousdeadwillberesurrected.AnotherstrongfactoristhatMoses,whohadbeendeadover1500years,appearedinthatvisionandtalkedwithJesus.

TheChurchistheonlybodythatChristhasontheearthtoday.

Then ask yourself this question: “What would be considered the firststageoftheSonofMan’scominginHiskingdom?”JesusiscalledtheHeadoftheChurch,andwe,asbelievers,aretheBodyofChrist.PaulstatesinFirstCorinthians 12:27, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members inparticular.”

The Church is the only body that Christ has on the earth today. Hedwells inus in thePersonof theHolySpirit.TheBodyofChrist doesHisworkhereonearth.Yet,HeistheHeadoveralltheChurchandisinHeaven.

Ephesians1:22Andhathputallthingsunderhisfeet,andgavehimtobetheheadoverallthingstothechurch,

23Whichishisbody,thefulnessofhimthatfillethallinall.

Paul’sstatementsintheseversesindicatethatthefirstof

severalstagesofJesus’comingintoHiskingdomwillbetogatherHisBody (theChurch) togetheruntoHim.Thiswouldconstitute the fullnessofHim,partiallyfulfillingHispromisetotheChurch.(Ephesians1:10.)

The statement made by Jesus in Matthew 16:28 gives us a strongscriptural profile of the Rapture of the Church. This corresponds perfectlywithwhatJohnexperiencedinhisvisioninRevelation4:1-3,whichisalsoaparalleloftheRapture.

Revelation4:1AfterthisIlooked,and,behold,adoorwasopenedinheaven: and the first voicewhich I heardwas as it were of a trumpettalkingwithme;whichsaid,Comeuphither,andIwillshewtheethingswhichmustbehereafter.

Takenoteofthefactthatthevoiceofthetrumpetsaid,“Iwillshowyouwhatmustbehereafter.”Thisstatementrefers towhatmust takeplaceaftertheChurchAge,becauseitisobviousthatthesubjectmatterofthefirstthreechapterswasthechurches.

Revelation4:2And immediately Iwas in the spirit: and,behold, a

thronewassetinheaven,andonesatonthethrone.

3Andhethatsatwastolookuponlikeajasperandasardinestone:and therewas a rainbow roundabout the throne, in sight likeunto anemerald.

Johnsaid,“Iheardavoiceasitwereatrumpettalkingwithme.”

What did the trumpet say? “Come up hither.”And, immediately, hewasatthethroneofGod.John’sdescriptionofwhatheheardandexperiencedinthatvisionisaperfectparalleloftheRapture.ItrevealsthetimeframeofthisgloriouseventtobebeforethefirstsealisopenedinRevelationchapter6.

THETRANSFIGURATION

Sometimes when reading the Scriptures, chapter divisions break ourthoughtpattern.Solet’sreadthelastverseofMatthew16togetherwith thefirstfewversesofchapter17toretainthecontinuityofthoughtthatisbeingportrayed.

Matthew16:28VerilyIsayuntoyou,Therebesomestandinghere,whichshallnottasteofdeath,tilltheyseetheSonofmancominginhiskingdom.

Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, andJohnhisbrother,andbringeththemupintoanhighmountainapart,

2Andwastransfiguredbeforethem:andhisfacedidshineasthesun,andhisraimentwaswhiteasthelight.

3And,behold,thereappeareduntothemMosesandEliastalkingwithhim.

Idon’tbelieve itwasa coincidence that Jesuswaitedexactly sixdaysbefore taking Peter, James, and John (those closest to him) up to a highmountain?ThereisnodoubtinmymindthatGodinspiredthewritertocountthedaysthatpassedbeforeJesustookthemuptothatmountain.

This could have been God’s way of setting a sign along the road toeternity. The scriptural implications seem to reveal that the eventforeshadowedby theseverseswill takeplaceafter sixdays (6000years)ofhumanhistory.

Again,letmereiteratethatIamnotsettingdates,becausewearen’tsurewhere we are on the time calendar. Due to the lack of verified recordscovering almost 6000 years, there is some confusion over which or whosecalendarisright.Yet,weknowthatGodisnotconfusedaboutHistimingfortheseendtimeevents.HeistheMasterTimekeeper,andyoucanrestassuredthatHistimetableiscorrect.Eachpropheticeventwillbefulfilledontime.

SHADOWOFTHINGSTOCOME

ThepropheticeventsforeshadowedintheGenesisaccountfitperfectlyin the 1000-years-as-a day interpretation of the framework of God’sWordrevealingtheendoftheChurchAge.InsixdaysGodfinishedeverythingthatpertainedtotheearthandamatureman.ManwasintheimageandlikenessofGodattheendofthesixthday,andGodconsideredeverythingthatHehadmade,anditwasverygood.

Concerning the Transfiguration, I’m aware that Luke’s account statesthat it occurredafter“about eightdays.” (Luke 9:28.)However, thewordaboutrevealsthathewasn’tsureofthenumberofdays.

MatthewandMarkstateemphaticallythat thiseventoccurredsixdaysafter Jesus made the statement,“…There be some standing here, whichshall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in hiskingdom.”

When you take into consideration Peter’s statement that“one day iswiththeLordasathousandyears,andathousandyearsasoneday,”thisgives us insight intohowclearly this event foreshadows theRapture of theChurch.

Let’scomparetheinformationintheBookofRevelationwithMatthew17:1-2.

Revelation1:16Andhehadinhisrighthandsevenstars:andoutofhismouthwentasharptwoedgedsword:andhiscountenancewasasthesunshinethinhisstrength.Revelation21:10Andhecarriedmeawayinthespirit toagreatandhighmountain,andshewedme thatgreatcity,theholyJerusalem,descendingoutofheavenfromGod.

Eachpropheticeventwillbefulfilledontime.

23Andthecityhadnoneedofthesun,neitherofthemoon,toshineinit:forthegloryofGoddidlightenit,andtheLambisthelightthereof.

Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, andJohnhisbrother,andbringeththemupintoanhighmountainapart,

2Andwas transfiguredbefore them:andhis facedid shineas thesun,andhisraimentwaswhiteasthelight.

Revelation21:23alsomentionsJesus’faceshiningasthesun.Thisisastrong indication that theTransfigurationwas a vision that happened in theHolyMount,theHeavenlyNewJerusalem.

GODFORBADEMOSESTOENTERTHEPROMISEDLAND

SomeBiblescholarsbelieve themountain tobeMountTaborbetweenZebulunandIssachar.However,wehavethreemajorscripturalproblemswithMoses’ being on that mountain in that time frame. The first is found inDeuteronomy,chapter34.

4AndtheLordsaiduntohim,ThisisthelandwhichIswareuntoAbraham,untoIsaac,anduntoJacob,saying,Iwillgiveituntothyseed:I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shaltNOT GOOVERTHITHER.

IfMoseswasonthatliteralmountainandhadnotyetbeenresurrected,itwould seem to be a contradiction of this last statement in verse 4. ThisScripture supports the possibility that this vision reveals an event that willtakeplaceintheNewJerusalemaftertheRapture.

SPIRITUALVISION

It is clear that Peter, James, and John experienced a spiritual vision.Theynodoubtwentup toa literalmountain,but througha spiritualvision,theywere caught up into a “HolyMountain,”whichwould seem to be theNewJerusalem.

Let’scompareMatthew17:1withRevelation21:10and2Peter1:18.

Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, andJohnhisbrother,andbringeththemupintoanhighmountainapart.

Revelation21:10And he carriedme away in the spirit to agreat

andhighmountain,andspewedmethatgreatcity, theholyJerusalem,descendingoutofheavenfromGod.

2Peter1:18Andthisvoicewhichcamefromheavenweheard,whenwewerewithhimintheholymount.

Itwouldappearfromtheseversesthat,inthisvision,theywerecaughtup into theHolyMountain—theNewJerusalem.IfMoseshadbeenon thatmountain on the earth, he would have been in the Promised Land. I don’tbelieveMoseswasona literalmountain in thePromisedLand, aswe shalldiscoverlater.

MOSESWASDEADANDHELDCAPTIVE

ThesecondscripturalproblemwehaveisthefactthatMoseshadbeendead1500years.UndertheOldCovenant,whentherighteousdied,theywentdownintoParadise,whichatthattimewasintheheartoftheearth(Matthew12:40).

Paradisewas referred to by the Jews as “Abraham’s bosom” andwaslocated across agreat gulf fromHell. (Luke16:26.)Thewickeddeadwentinto Hell when they died and were tormented in flames. But it was notpossible for themtogetoutofeitherplace, for therewasagreatgulf fixedbetween them. (SeeLuke16:26.)Thewickeddeadwill not be brought outuntil the time of the Great White Throne Judgment. They will then beassignedtothelakeoffirepermanently.ThespiritualbodiesoftherighteousdeadseemtohavebeenconfinedintheircompartmentinParadiseuntilJesuspaid the price for their sin through His death.When Jesus arose from thedead, the righteousdeadwere liberated.Paulmakes reference to this in theBookofEphesians.

Ephesians4:8Whereforehesaith,Whenheascendeduponhigh,heledcaptivitycaptive,andgavegiftsuntomen.

9(Nowthatheascended,whatisitbutthathealsodescendedfirstintothelowerpartsoftheearth?

10Hethatdescendedisthesamealsothatascendedupfaraboveallheavens,thathemightfillallthings).

So during the time Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a highmountainapartandwastransfiguredbeforethem,Moses’spiritualbodywas

confinedtoParadiseintheheartoftheearth.ItseemsthattherighteouswereheldcaptiveuntilJesuspaidthesindebtforallmankindandledthemoutofcaptivity.

Thewicked deadwill not be brought out until the time of theGreatWhiteThroneJudgment.

Jesus suffered for our sins and paid the penaltywe should have paid.ThenHecrossedthatgreatgulf,liberatedthespiritualbodiesoftherighteousdead,andbroughtthemoutwithHim.HethenmovedParadisefromtheheartoftheearthtoHeaven.(2Corinthians5:8.)

VEILRENTANDTHEGRAVESWEREOPENED

The Scripture records in Matthew 27 some amazing events that tookplacewhenJesusdied.

51And,behold,theveilofthetemplewasrentintwainfromthetoptothebottom;andtheearthdidquake,andtherocksrent;

52 And the graveswere opened; andmany bodies of the saintswhichsleptarose,

53Andcameoutofthegravesafterhisresurrection,andwentintotheholycity,andappeareduntomany.

TheseScripturesseemtoconfirmthat itwasnotpossibleforMosestobe on that earthlymountain in the natural time frame in which Jesus tookPeter,James,andJohnuptothatmountain,unlessHehadbeenresurrected,forChristhadnotyetdiedandParadiseingeneralhadnotyetbeenliberated.

THIRDSCRIPTURALPROBLEMCONCERNINGMOSES

The third problem we have with Jesus’ having a conversation withMosesisthefactthatGod’sWordforbidsanyonefromtryingtocommunicatewiththedead.(Deuteronomy18:11-12)Godhadforbiddenit,becauseitwasaheathenpractice.ItwascalledanabominationtoGod.

We know thatMoses had been dead 1500 years. Therefore, we mustconcludethatJesusdidnotviolateGod’sWordbycarryingonaconversationwith a dead man. There are two possibilities: Either Moses had to beresurrected, or this vision represented a time frame after theRapture. Bothmaybetrue.

It seems that Jesus did take Peter, James, and John up to an earthly

mountainwithHim.However,theseScriptureshavestrongimplicationsthatthiseventwasaspiritualvisionwhichcaused themtobe transported in theSpirit into a future point in time which corresponds with the time of theRapture.ThetimeframeoftheeventsinthisvisionhadtobeafterJesuswasresurrectedfromthedead.

The prophetic implications reveal the time frame represented by theseeventsinthisvisiontobeafter6000yearsofhumanhistoryandatthetimeoftheRapture.Weknowatthattime,MoseswouldbeinHeaveninhisglorifiedbody and it would be perfectly scriptural for Jesus to talk with him. Thereason I have belabored this point is to make it clear that Jesus never didanythingagainsttheWordofHisFather.Hesaid,“IdoalwaysthosethingsthatpleaseHim”(John8:2-9).

CLOUDOVERSHADOWEDTHEM

Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloudovershadowedthem:andbeholdavoiceoutofthecloud,whichsaid,ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased;hearyehim.

9Andastheycamedownfromthemountain,Jesuschargedthem,saying,Tellthevisiontonoman,untiltheSonofmanberisenagainfromthedead.

JESUS’WARNING

This statement seems to validate what has already been stated. Jesussaid,“Tell thevisiontonoman,until theSonofmanberisenfromthedead.”Hegave them thiswarningbecause theycouldhavebeen stoned todeath for even trying to communicate with the dead. (Leviticus 20:27; 1Samuel28:9.)TheJewswouldnothaveunderstoodthatthishadhappenedina spiritual vision. They especially would not have understood that thediscipleswereprojectedbytheSpiritintoavisionwhichprofilestheRaptureoftheChurchnearly2000yearslater.

PETER’SACCOUNTOFTHEEVENT

Peterwroteaboutthisevent,givingmoredetailsofthevisionandofthevoicewhichtheyheard.

Peter1:16Forwehavenotfollowedcunninglydevisedfables,when

wemadeknownuntoyouthePOWERANDCOMINGOFOURLORDJESUSCHRIST,butwereeyewitnessesofhismajesty.

17ForhereceivedfromGodtheFatherhonourandglory,whenthere came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is mybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased.

18Andthisvoicewhichcamefromheavenweheard,WHENWEWEREWITHHIMINTHEHOLYMOUNT.

NoticePeterreferstothevisionasarevelationofthepowerandcomingofourLordJesusChrist.Allowme topointout twoverysignificantpointsabouthisstatement.First,hedescribestheplacewheretheywerewithHimasbeingintheholymount,ormountain.

One of the rules of Bible interpretation is that when the word“mountain” isusedand itsnameorgeographical location isnotgiven, it isreferringtoakingdom.ThisisthecaseinDaniel2:34-35,wherehespeaksofastonethatwascutoutwithouthands,whichrepresentedJesusChrist.

ThisStone smote thegreat imageupon its feet andbroke it to pieces,and that Stone became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. Thismountainisreferredtolaterinverse44asthekingdom.Fromthatpointon,Danielreferstoitasakingdom.

The Rapture is the very first of several events that will usher inChrist’skingdom…

I believe this would validate the use of this rule of interpretationconcerning the mountain in Matthew 17:1: “After six days Jesus takethPeter, James, andJohnhisbrother, andbringeth themup intoanhighmountain apart.” The word “apart” used here is from the Greek wordidios,1whichmeans“pertainingtoself,orone’sown,”whichinthecontextwould seem to mean his own. So there are strong implications that thisstatement refers toahighkingdom,ofHisown,or inotherwords, separatefromtheearth.NoticethosearealmosttheexactwordsofJesus’statementinverse28.

Matthew16:28VerilyIsayuntoyou,Therebesomestandinghere,whichshallnottasteofdeath,tilltheyseetheSonofmancominginhiskingdom.

This whole event seems to be a perfect profile of the first of severaleventswhichmusttakeplacetoconsummateChrist’skingdomonearth.TheRaptureis theveryfirstofseveraleventsthatwillusher inHiskingdomonearthduringthenextMillennium.Let’stakeacloserlookatPeter’saccountofwhathesawandheardinthatvision.

2Peter1:17ForhereceivedfromGodtheFatherhonourandglory,whentherecamesuchavoicetohimfromtheexcellentglory,ThisismybelovedSon,inwhomIamwellpleased.

18Andthisvoicewhichcamefromheavenweheard,whenwewerewithhimintheholymount.

PeterstatesthattheywerewithHim“intheholymount.”Thisseemstoimplythatitwasintheholykingdom,whichwouldbetheNewJerusalem.

Matthew’saccountof thisevent states,“…andbeholdavoiceoutofthe cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am wellpleased…”(Matthew17:5).Thisverserevealsthatthevoicecameoutofthecloudasthecloudovershadowedthem.

Whengivinghisowneyewitnessaccountofthisevent,Petersaid,“Thisvoicewhichcamefromheavenweheard”

(2Peter1:18).IfthevoicecamefromHeavenandthevoicealsocameout of the cloud, asMatthew states, this implies theywere also inHeavenwhenthecloudcoveredthem.

Itwould seem from these Scriptures that theywere transported in theSpiritintotheNewJerusalem,wheretheytalkedwithMosesandElijah.Wedon’tknowwhether theywere in thebodyoroutof thebody.But it seemsevidentthatPeterbelievedtheTransfigurationtookplaceinHeaven,becausehe referred to that event as “the power and coming of our Lord JesusChrist.”

SIGNONTHEROADTOETERNITY

IbelievetheTransfigurationeventwasGod’swayofsettingasignposton the road to eternity revealing that after six days (6000 years) of humanhistory,theBodyofChristwillbetakenupintoahighkingdomofHisown.ThepurposeoftheRaptureseemstobethreefold:

1. To fulfillHis (Christ’s)promisebykeeping theChurch (BodyofChrist)outofthesevenyearsoftribulationthatarecomingupontheearth.

2.Torewardtherighteousfortheirworks.

3.Andtopreparethesaints(Church)toruleandreignwithHiminHisearthly kingdom. (2Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9;Revelation 3:7-12.)

This corresponds perfectly with the 1000-years-as-a-day interpretationof theGenesisaccount.Manwas inGod’s imageand likenessat theendofthesixthday.(Genesis1:27.)Butsomeask,“HowwillweevercomeintotheimageandlikenessofGod?”PaulgivesustheanswerinFirstCorinthians:

1Corinthians15:51Behold,Ishewyouamystery;Weshallnotallsleep,butweshallallbechanged,

52Inamoment,inthetwinklingofaneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.

Whatis themeaningof thephrase last trump?ManyJewsbelieve thisrefers to the last trumpet blast of the Feast of Trumpets which seems tocorrespondwiththetrumpofGod,thetrumpetwhichwillsignaltherapture.

The“trumpofGod” inFirstThessalonians4:16andRevelation4:1 isnot thesameas theseventhangelic trumpetmentioned inRevelation11:15.The trumpet of the seventh angel signals a seriesof eventswhichwill takeplaceoverseveraldays.The trumpofGodsignalsaneventwhichwill takeplaceinthetwinklingofaneye.

AfterPeterexplainedwhathesawwithhisowneyesandwhatheheardwithhisownears,hegavethisaccount:

2Peter1:19Wehavealsoamoresurewordofprophecy;whereuntoyedowellthatyetakeheed,asuntoalightthatshinethinadarkplace,untilthedaydawn,andthedaystarariseinyourhearts:

20Knowingthisfirst,thatnoprophecyofthescriptureisofanyprivateinterpretation.

21Fortheprophecycamenotinoldtimebythewillofman:butholymenofGodspakeastheyweremovedbytheHolyGhost.

Even though he had this supernatural vision and experienced thisrevelation of Christ, he reminds us that we have a more sure word fromprophecies of the Scriptures.We have theWord of God given through theprophetsby the inspirationof theHolySpirit.Whataprivilegedpeoplewearetohaveacopyofthesepropheticutterances.

HOSEA’SPROPHECY

HoseaisoneoftheprophetstowhomPeterreferred,andhedoesgiveamoresurewordconcerningIsraelandend-timeevents.

Hosea6:1Come,andletusreturnuntotheLord:forhehathtorn,andhewillhealus;hehathsmitten,andhewillbindusup.

2Aftertwodayswillhereviveus:inthethirddayhewillraiseusup,andweshallliveinhissight.

Allowmetoreiterate:Thereweretwodays(2000years),fromAdamtoAbraham. Therewere twomore days (2000more years) fromAbraham toChrist.Thistotaloffourdaysrepresents4000yearsofhumanhistorybeforeJesus was born. Then Hosea states: After two days (making a total of sixdays),HewillreviveIsrael.Inthethirdday(thirdMillenniumfromChrist’sfirst coming)Hewill raise Israel up, and they shall live inHis sight. Hereagain,Godhasgivenusprophetic insight into the time spanof theChurchAge,which beganwhen Jesuswas born on earth. Sincewe have scripturalprecedent that two days represent 2000 years, it becomes clear that in thethirdday(MillennialReignofChrist)IsraelwillberaisedupandliveinHissight.

INCIDENTSUPPORTINGHOSEA’SPROPHECY

There is another interesting incident recorded in Luke 2:4146 that Ibelieve gives support toHosea’s prophecy concerning the two days.WhenJesus was twelve years old, He went with His parents to the Feast of thePassoverinJerusalem.WhenMaryandJosephleftJerusalem,theyassumedthatJesuswasintheircompany.Theyhadgoneaday’sjourneyoutofthecitywhen they discovered He was not with them. They returned to Jerusalem,which was obviously another day’s journey. Nowwe know that they wereJewish,sowecouldsaytheJewswerewithoutJesusfortwodays.Then,onthethirdday,theyfoundHiminthetemple.

AccordingtoZechariah,thatisexactlywhereJesuswillbefoundonthe

thirdday(duringtheMillennialReign),rulingfromthetemplewhichHewillbuild in Jerusalem. (Zechariah6:12-13.)There is aprophetic implication inthisincidentwhenviewedinthelightoftheseandotherprophecies.

Isitacoincidencethattheseeventsofthepastseemtosovividlyrevealfuture events? I hardly think so. Some of these scriptural pictorials are soexactthatitisobviousGodhasusedevents,evenfromthebeginning,togiveusinsightconcerning

theendoftheChurchAgeandHisMillennialkingdom.

Letmereiterate that Iamnotsettingdates. Iamonlypointingout thegeneraltimeframerevealedinGod’sWord.

Getanothercupofcoffee.

ThereismuchmoretocomeconcerningMosesandElijah.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

MosesandElijah:God’sCompositeoftheRapture

There has been a great deal of speculation over the years about whyMosesandElijahwerepresentat theTransfigurationofJesus.SomepeoplebelieveMosesandElijahweretherebecausetheywillbetheTwoWitnessesreferredtoinRevelation11:3.However,Idon’tbelievethattobethecase.

HerearesomeofthereasonswhyIdon’tbelieveMoseswillbeoneofthewitnessesdestinedtodieinJerusalemjustpriortoChrist’sSecondAdvent(Revelation11:7).First,Moseshadbeendeadfor1500yearsat the timeofthe Transfiguration. Moses has already died, and after his resurrection, hecannot die again. And there is evidence in a skip sequence in the originalHebrew indicating thatMoses has already been resurrected. I’ll give moredetailslaterinthischapter.

So it would seem that Moses could not possibly be one of the TwoWitnesseswhowillbekilled in thestreetsof Jerusalemnear theendof theTribulationPeriod.

Somehaveaskedthequestion,“ButifLazarusdiedafterhewasraisedfromdeath,whycouldn’tMosesalsodieagain?”ThereasonliesinthefactthatLazaruswasrestoredtomortallife.WeknowatthetimeoftheRapture,allwhoareresurrectedbecomeimmortal.

Now let’s considerElijah. It’s true thatElijahwouldqualify asoneoftheTwoWitnesses, and this seems tobeconfirmed inMalachi4:5-6.But Idon’t believe that is the reason Elijah appeared in the vision of theTransfiguration.Iwillexplainlater.Judgingfromscripturalaccounts,Enochseems to be the only prophet from that time period, other thanElijah,whowouldqualifytobeoneoftheTwoWitnesses.First,weknowthathedidn’tdiebutwascaughtupintoHeavenandisstilllivingtheretodayinanaturalbody.(Hebrews11:5-6.)

But the question still remains:Why wasMoses involved in the eventreferredtoastheTransfiguration?

Wewillgainsomeinsightintothismatterbycallingtoremembrancethe

fact that Moses was born with a death warrant on him. (Exodus 1:22.)Pharaoh had declared that everymale child born of theHebrewwomen inEgyptwere to be cast into the river. ButMoses’ parents hid him for threemonths.Thenhewasplacedintheriver,insideanarkofbulrushes,wherehewasdiscoveredbyPharaoh’sdaughter.

Moses’ life wasmiraculously spared formany prophetic reasons. ThemostobviousreasonwasthathewastoleadthechildrenofIsraeloutofthelandofEgypt.However,therewasamoresignificantreasonwhichconcernsprophetic events that would transpire over 6000 years of human history. Ibelieve Moses appeared at the Transfiguration because he represents therighteousdeadofthe6000yearperiodforeshadowedintheGenesisaccount.That6000-yearperiodrepresentsthetimespanoftheearthleasewhichGodgavetomankind.

MAN’SDAYSARELIMITED

WealsofindaconfirmationofthisinGenesis6:3:“AndtheLordsaid,Myspiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman,forthathealsoisflesh:yethisdaysshallbeanhundredandtwentyyears.”

The fact that the Lord said hisdays shall be 120 years reveals that a“day” in this verse represents a year. This gives us our first clue that thisstatementisconnectedtoanend-timeevent.

IntheninthchapterofthebookofDaniel,theseventyweeksare“weeksofyears.”Therefore,adayrepresentsayear,justasstatedalsoinGenesis6:3.Thisisasignificantclue,asweshallseeaswecontinue.

Dr.LesterSumrall,inhisbookentitledIPredict2000A.D.,States:

Earth’sgoldenJubileewilloccurafter six thousandyearsofhumanhistory.

“ManexperiencesthreemainlimitationswhilelivingonplanetEarth.

Heislimitedbytime.Itcutsmanshortofhisambitions.Secondly,manislimitedbyspace.Hecanonlybeinoneplaceatatime.Thethirdisenergy.Allenergyofmaniscalibratedandlimited.

Thefatefulyearof2000A.D.isapproaching.Leadershaveaforebodingthat important changes are about tohappen.TheKiplingLetter,written andmailedinthemid-eighties,alreadywarnedmantopreparefor2000A.D….”

“The year 2000A.D.will be the golden Jubilee of planet Earth….AJubileeisfiftyyears.InIsrael’shistory,theyearofJubileewascelebratedbyforgivingalldebtsandreleasingeveryslave.Earth’sgoldenJubileewilloccuraftersixthousandyearsofhumanhistory.”’

MAN’SDOMINIONISLIMITED

This seems to be the only reasonable conclusion concerning thestatementinGenesis6:3.Inotherwords,theScripturesindicatethatman,ormankind’sdaysofdominiononplanetEarth,willbe120Jubileeyears.It isquiteinterestingthatintheStrong’sConcordancethenumberassignedtotheHebrewword“man”is(0120).CouldithavebeentheinspirationofGodthatcausedthemtousethatnumberasaconcordantnumberforman?

WeknowthatNoahlived350yearsafterthefloodandthathistotallifewas950years.SoitisevidentthatGoddidn’testablishman’slifespantobe120years.Butifyouconsiderthe120yearsinGenesis6:3tobe120“Jubileeyears,”thiswouldseemtoestablishthetimespanoftheearthleaseinwhichmanhasdominionovertheearth.

WhenIsraelcameoutofEgyptianbondage,Godcommandedthemtoletthelandresteveryseventhyearfor“sevensabbathsofyears,”whichwouldbe forty-nine years. The fiftieth year they were to blow the trumpet andproclaimtheyearofjubilee.

Leviticus25:8Andthoushaltnumbersevensabbathsofyearsuntothee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths ofyearsshallbeuntotheefortyandnineyears.

9Thenshaltthoucausethetrumpetofthejubileetosoundonthetenthdayoftheseventhmonth,inthedayofatonementshallyemakethetrumpetsoundthroughoutallyourland.

EveryfiftiethyearwasdeclaredayearofJubilee—ayear inwhichalldebtswerecanceled.Everything theyhad lostorsoldwasrestored to them.This seems to be a scriptural pictorial of what God had planned to do formankindafter6000yearsofhumanhistory.ThiswouldcorrespondperfectlywithwhatwefoundintheGenesisaccountandotherpropheticScriptures.

REASONFORMOSES’PRESENCEREVEALED

IfMoses andElijahwere exact compositesof both the righteousdeadandlivingwhowillbecaughtuptoHeavenatthetimeoftheRapture,they

hadtobothbecaughtuptogether.ThisseemstobetherealreasonthatMoseswaspresentwith

ElijahattheTransfigurationevent.

WeknowMoseslivedexactly120years.ThisindicatesthatMoseswassymbolic of the righteous dead of all the 120 Jubilee years (6000 years)whosebodieswillnotbefoundintheearth.

Deuteronomy31:1AndMoseswentandspakethesewordsuntoallIsrael.

2Andhesaiduntothem,Iamanhundredandtwentyyearsoldthisday;Icannomoregooutandcomein:alsotheLordhathsaiduntome,ThoushaltnotgooverthisJordan.

ThereasonthatMosescouldnomoregooutorcomeinwasthat timehad run out for him.Hewas going to die the very day that hewrote theseverses.MoseswasallowedtoseethePromisedLand,buthewasn’tallowedtoenterit.

Deuteronomy34:5SoMosestheservantoftheLorddiedthereinthelandofMoab,accordingtothewordoftheLord.

6 And he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, overagainstBethpeor:butnomanknowethofhissepulchreuntothisday.

7AndMoseswasanhundredandtwentyyearsoldwhenhedied:hiseyewasnotdim,norhisnaturalforceabated.

Itisquiteevidentfromverse7thattimeranoutforMoses.Therewasnonaturalreasonforhimtodie;heseemedtobeingoodhealth.

Moses fulfilled the 120 natural years which seem to represent 120Jubilee years of man’s dominion on earth. God buried him in the land ofMoab,andnooneeverfoundhisbody.Itwasnecessarythatithappeninthatmanner and time frame for him to represent all the righteous dead of 120Jubileeyears.

REASONFORELIJAH’SPRESENCEREVEALED

In2Kings2,whenElijahwas about tobe caughtup toHeaven,GodsenthimfromGilgaltoBethel.WhentheyarrivedinBethel,thesonsoftheprophetssaidtoElisha,“…KnowestthouthattheLordwilltakeawaythy

masterfromthyheadtoday?Andhesaid,Yea,Iknowit;holdyeyourpeace”(v.3).

TheLordsentElijahtoJerichowherethesonsoftheprophetssaidthesamethingtoElisha.TheyalsoknewthatElijahwasgoingtobecaughtupthatveryday.ThentheLordsentElijahacrosstheJordanRiver—totheplacewhereMoseswasburied.

1finditverysignificantthatElijahwassenttotheplacewhereMoseswasburiedtobecaughtupintoHeaveninanangelicchariotoffire.

2Kings2:11Anditcametopass,astheystillwenton,andtalked,that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, andparted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind intoheaven.

The word translated “whirlwind” also means “storm cloud.” It seemsthatGodsentoneofHischariotstotakeElijahtoHeaven.Psalm68:17givesus insight concerning God’s chariots: “The chariots of God are twentythousand,eventhousandsofangels:theLordisamongthem,asinSinai,intheholyplace.”TheonlyvisibleappearanceofangelsonMt.Sinaiwasathickcloudoffireandsmoke.(Exodus19:16-18.)Itseemsfrom2Kings2:11that thechariotof fireandhorsesof firewereactuallyangelsmanifestasachariot—providingElijah’stransportationfromearthtoHeaven.

ThenJeremiahdescribeschariotsasawhirlwind.

Jeremiah4:13Behold,he shall comeupasclouds,andhis chariotsshallbeasawhirlwind:hishorsesareswifterthaneagles….

In lightofall theseScriptures, it is significant that2KingsalsostatesthatElijahwentupbyawhirlwindintoHeaven.Allthesedescriptionsseemtobecloudsofangels(chariotsofGod)thatareinchargeofcatchingawaytherighteousfromtheearthtoHeaven.InHabakkuk3:8,angelsseemtobereferred toaschariotsofsalvationordeliverance.ThenHebrews2:3states,“Howshallweescape,ifweneglectsogreatsalvation….“Anditisclearfromthecontextthatthereferenceistoangelicdeliverance.

SecondKings2:11givesavividdescriptionofhowElijahwasrapturedfrom earth to Heaven while he was alive.We know from 1 Thessalonians4:16-17thatElijahhadtobecaughtuptoHeavenwithoutdyingtorepresent

theChurch(BodyofChrist)beingcaughtupalive.

MICHAEL’SDISPUTEWITHTHEDEVIL

TheBookof Jude also gives a rare bit of informationwhich carries astrongpropheticimplicationconcerningthisevent.Foryearswe’vewonderedwhatitmeant,butnowthemeaningseemstobequiteobvious.

Jude9YetMichaelthearchangel,whencontendingwiththedevilhedisputedaboutthebodyofmoses,durstnotbringagainsthimarailingaccusation,butsaid,TheLordrebukethee.

When teaching concerning these end-time events, for several months,every time I referred toMosesandElijah, thisverse inJudecame tomind.Finally,IdidsomeinvestigationoftheScripturesandfoundthatMichaelthearchangel seems to be in charge of the Rapture of the Church. In IThessalonians4:16,Paulstates,“FortheLordhimselfshalldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst.”

Michael’sassignmentincludestheresurrectionoftherighteousdead,aswell as catching up the righteouswho are alive at the time of theRapture.ThisgivesinsightintowhybothMosesandElijahappearedinthevisionoftheTransfiguration.TheyareGod’scompositesforeshadowingtheRaptureoftheChurch.

When Moses died God buried him in the land of Moab. And that’swhereGod sentElijah to be caught up intoHeaven.Allowme to do somescripturalspeculationconcerningthismatter.

Ibelieve thatMosesandElijahwereGod’s exact scripturalpictorialcompositesoftheRapture.

MICHAELINCHARGEOFRAPTURE

I believe thatMichael the archangel,who is in charge of theRapture,wasalsoinchargeofthatspiritchariot(composedofangels)whichcametopickupElijah.ItwasatthattimethathecontendedwiththedevilaboutthebodyofMoses,justasJude9reveals.Itwouldseemthatthedisputewasoverthefactthatitwasnotyettimefortherighteousdeadtobetakenoutoftheearth.ButifMoseswasGod’scompositeoftherighteousdeadwhosebodiescannotbeleftintheearthatthetimeoftheRapture,thenMoses’bodyhadtobecaughtupinthesamechariotwithElijah.ThisseemstobethereasonGod

sentElijahacrosstheJordanRivertotheplacewhereMoseswasburied.

IbelieveMichaelwas thedriverof thatchariot.Afterhisdisputewiththedevil,hetookMosesupintothechariotbeforecatchingElijahupinthesamechariot.Thereisevidencethattheywerebothcaughtuptogetheratthesametime.

MosesandElijahwereGod’sscripturalpictorialsrevealingtheresultsoftheRapture.

Every detail fits prophetically. This would solve the mystery of whyMosesandElijahwerewithJesusattheTransfiguration.Allowmetogooverthedetailsoncemoreforclarity.

Mosesrepresentsalltherighteousdeadofthe120Jubileeyearswhosebodieswillnotbeleftinthegrave.The120Jubileeyearsarerepresentedbyhis life spanof exactly120years.Togiveanexact scripturalprofileof theRapture,Moseshadtorisefirst,andthenElijahhadtobetakenupalongwithMosesinthesametimeframe.

Sincewedon’thaveanexactstatementintheBibleconcerningMoses’beingcaughtupinthatchariot,Irealizethiswillbeconsideredspeculation.ButIhavefoundsomeconfirmationconcerningMichael’sdisputeaboutthebodyofMoseswhichIconsidertobeprofoundlyimportant.

CONFIRMATIONHIDDENFORTHISGENERATIONAllowme to digress a little to inject this informationwhichwill shed

lightonthismatter.

WhenthisbookfirstwenttoprintinJulyof1997,IwasconvincedthatMichael had taken the body of Moses in the chariot before he caught upElijah and they both went to Heaven together. It seemed to be the onlyexplanationofwhyElijahwassenttowhereMoseswasburiedtobecaughtuptoHeaven.

Whilethisbookwasatthepublisherforthefirstprinting,thebookTheBible Code by Michael Drosnin was released. It revealed informationconcerning a hidden code and ELS sequencing in the Hebrew text of theBible.

EliRipps, a Jewishmathematicianandscientist fromIsrael, andmanyothershadworkedforyearstryingtounlockthecodewhichtheybelievedtobeintheHebrewtext.SomeRabbiscenturiesagohadcountedthelettersby

handandfoundthattherewerehiddenmessagesintheHebrewtext.Thiswasdone by counting the exact distance between letters. They found that therewere certainmessageshidden in a skip sequence in theHebrew textwhichnamednames,dates,andevents.However,thiscodecouldnotbeconfirmeduntiltheageofthecomputer.

Einstein tried tobreak thecodeandcouldn’t.Manyothersworked foryearsonitbutwereunabletounlockthetimecodehiddenintheScripturesforthisgeneration.Daniel’sprophecygivesusaclueintothiswhenitsays,“…shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Daniel12:4).Proof that a codeexistedunder the surfaceof theScriptureswasnotpossibleuntilthecomputerage,whenknowledgehadincreased.

MichaelDrosninheardof“thecode”andwasveryskepticalandsetouttoprovethatitwasnottrue.However,inhisquesttodisprove“thecode”hebecameconvincedthat theBiblewas trulycodedwithmessagesunderneaththe surface of the Scriptures. They show up in a hidden code of skipsequences in the originalHebrew text. Themajor event that caused him tobelieveintheBiblecodewasthefactthattherewasintheScripturesahiddenmessagethatseemedtosaythatPrimeMinisterRabinwouldbeassassinatedbygunfireinTelAviv.Hesentawarningtohim,buthesaid,“Oh,ifitisintheBible,whocanchangeit?”andhewasassassinatedinTelAviv.Afterthemanwasarrested,DrosninsearchedagaintheHebrewtextandfound,inthesame areawhere he’d found “evil fire againstRabin,” the nameofRabin’sassassin.

Weknowevery nationhas codes theyuse to keep certain informationfrom thewrongpeople. It seems that this iswhatGodhasdoneconcerningcertain revelations and confirmations of His Holy Word. He has infusedrevelation that confirms thewrittenWord ina skip sequence in theoriginalHebrew for this generation which has not been released to any othergeneration.

IbelievethesemessageswhichhavebeenhiddenintheScripturesserveasprooftothis“end-timegeneration”thattheBibleistrulytheinspiredWordofGod.Itispossiblethatthisinformationisbeingrevealedtothisgenerationbecausewewillexperiencethetotalfulfillmentofallend-timeprophecy.Noothergenerationneededthisinformation,becausetheywouldnotlivetoseethetotalfulfillmentoftheseprophecies.

Therevelationofthiscodeandlettersequencinginourlifetimeseemsto

magnify God’s message to this generation. It is a message of profoundimportance revealing events of past history in great detail. It also seems toconfirminsomeinstancesfutureeventsprophesied inScriptureswhichwillsoontakeplaceonplanetEarth.Whenthisbookwenttoprintin1997IwasconvincedthatMoseswascaughtuptoHeavenwithElijah.Hehadtobe,ifinfactMatthew16andthefirstpartofchapter17wasanexactprofileoftheRaptureoftheChurch.Sinceverse9oftheBookofJudegivessupporttothatview.Iputitinthebook,knowingthatIwasonthinice,sotospeak,ifIdidnothavemoreconfirmationofMoses’resurrection.

CONFIRMATIONFOUND

AfewmonthsafterTheBibleCodewasreleasedafriendofminecalledandsaid,“IhaveamanstayingwithmeforafewdayswhohasworkedwiththeBibleCodecomputerprogramfornineyears.HewantedtoknowiftherewasanythingyouwouldlikeforhimtosearchoutintheHebrewtext.Iwasecstatic. I said, “Oh yes!” I asked him to search 2Kings chapter 2 for the“Judeconnection.”ItoldhimwhatIhadputinmybookconcerningMoses’bodybeingcaughtupwithElijahintoHeaven.Inveryshortorder,Ireceiveda fax stating, “I’ve found in a skip sequence in the text,HeadChiefAngelMichael—more information will be forthcoming.” The next fax I receivedstated: “Head Chief AngelMichael, he contended,Moses, he resurrected.”Thiswasallfoundfrom2Kings2:1-13.Notonlywasitfoundonce;itwasdoubledinthetext.

Hefoundin2Kings2theword“Moses”inthefirstverseoftheHebrewtext. It appears in the plain text without any skips within the phrase “intoHeaven.” Theword “Moses” appears again in the phrase “intoHeaven” inverse 11. The otherwordswere found in short skip sequences, the longestbeing every fourth letter,whichwould seem tobemore significant.This iscalledanELSsequence,whichstandsfor“EquidistanceLetterSequencing.”Althoughthismaynotbeconsidered tobeascientificcode, itdoesgiveuscredible evidence that Judeverse9 fits in2Kings2:1-13, and seems toberevealingthatMoseswasresurrectedandwenttoHeavenwithElijah,fortheybothappearedtogetherinthevisiononthemountandtalkedwithJesus.

AREVELATIONTOTHISGENERATION

It isobviousthatGodhashiddeninformationintheHebrewtexttoberevealedtothisgeneration.ThiswasalltheconfirmationthatIneededtobefullypersuadedthatMoseswasresurrected,andtakentoHeavenwithElijah.This would correspond perfectly with the apostle Paul’s writings in 1

Thessalonians4:16-17:“…thedeadinChrist(representedbyMoses)shallrise first: Then we which are alive and remain (represented by Elijah)shallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordinthe air…”This seems to be a prophetic revelation of the Rapture to thisgenerationthatwillexperiencethisgloriousevent.

Sometimelater,Ireceivedanotherfaxfromthemansearchingthetextof2Kings2statingthathehadfoundanunusualthinginverse13.HefoundthewordYeshua,theHebrewwordfor“Jesus,”butitwasnotdoubledinthetext;itwasonlythereonetime.Alltheothershadbeendoubledinthetext.HesaiditlooksasthoughJesusencodedthismessagein2Kings2andsignedhis name to it. Thatmay verywell bewhat happened.The nameMoses isfoundinthephrase“intoheaven.”InversesIandIIintheHebrewtext.

2 Kings2:1And it came topass,when theLordwould takeupElijahINTOHEAVENbyawhirlwind,thatElijahwentwithElishafromGilgal

3AndthesonsoftheprophetsthatwereatBethelcameforthtoElisha,andsaiduntohim,KnowestthouthattheLordwilltakeawaythymasterfromthyheadtoday?Andhesaid,Yea,Iknowit;holdyeyourpeace.

5AndthesonsoftheprophetsthatwereatJerichocametoElisha,andsaiduntohim,KnowestthouthattheLordwilltakeawaythymasterfrom thyhead today?And he answered,Yea. I know it; hold ye yourpeace.

TheveryfactthatElijah,Elisha,andthesonsoftheprophetsknewtheexactdayofElijah’srapturecouldindicate thatGodmayreveal the timeoftheRapturetotheChurchbeforeithappens.

9Anditcametopass,whentheyweregoneover,thatElijahsaiduntoElisha,Askwhat I shalldo for thee,before Ibe takenaway fromthee.AndElisha said, I pray thee, let adoubleportionof thy spirit beuponme.

10Andhesaid,Thouhasaskedahardthing:nevertheless,ifthouseemewhenIamtakenfromthee,itshallbesountothee;butifnot,itshallnotbeso.

11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that,

behold, there appeareda chariot of fire, andhorses of fire, andpartedthembothasunder;andElijahwentupbyawhirlwindINTOHEAVEN(Moses).

12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried,My father, my father, thechariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.Andhe sawhimnomore:andhetookholdofhisownclothes,andrentthemintwopieces.

13HetookupthemantleofElijahthatfellfromHim….

ThefollowingistheHebrewtextshowingtheELSskipsequence:

The fact that Elisha stayed on earth and received a double anointingwouldseemtoindicatethatElishaprofilesthe144,000ofRevelationchapter7.

This message would seem to confirm that on the Mount ofTransfigurationMosesrepresentedtherighteousdeadthatwillberesurrectedatthetimeoftheRaptureandElijahrepresentedtheChurchcaughtupalive.

IftherewasanydoubtwhetherornotthelasttwoversesofMatthew16and first few verses ofMatthew 17 were an exact scriptural profile of the

Rapture of theChurch after six days10 (6000years) of humanhistory, thisshouldbeproofenough.IbelievetheeventsrecordedinMatthew17:1-5and2 Kings 2:1-13 are profound revelations from God to this end-timegeneration.

MOSES’LIFE—ATALETHATWASTOLD

Whatmarvelous insightGodhas hidden inHisWord— insightwhichhasonlybeenrevealedtothislastgeneration,confirmingtheRaptureoftheChurch. The prophetic implications of the 120 Jubilee years are alsomagnifiedaswereadtheninetiethPsalm,whichisaprayerofMoses.Inthelightofwhatwehavejustlearned,hisprayerisveryrevealing.

Psalm90:9Forallourdaysarepassedawayinthywrath:wespendouryearsasatalethatistold.

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if byreason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labourandsorrow;foritissooncutoff,andweflyaway.

12 so teach us to number our days, thatwemayAPPLYOURHEARTSUNTOWISDOM.

13return,olord,howlong?andletitrepenttheeconcerningthyservants.

It seems that Moses realized the number of years of his life wouldactually be a tale that was told in human history. It seems that God usedscriptural pictorials and biblical numerics to reveal the length of the earthleasewhichGodgavemankind. Ifwenumber thedaysofMosesandapplyourheartsuntowisdom,itwouldseemtoanswerthequestionthatMosesasksinverse13,evenbeforeheasksit.“Return,OLord,howlong?”

GODUSEDSIMILITUDES

ItispossiblethatthenumberofyearsthatMoseslivedbeing120reveals

that therewill be a time spanof 120 Jubilee years before theLord returns.ThismaybeoneofthesimilitudesreferredtoinHosea12:10,whenGodsaid,“Ihavealsospokenbytheprophets,andIhavemultipliedvisions,andusedsimilitudes,bytheministryoftheprophets.”There isnodoubt thatthis Scripture was at least partially fulfilled in the vision of theTransfiguration.

Notice thewordsofMoses’prayer:“Makeus gladaccording to thedayswhereinthouhastafflictedus,andtheyearswhereinwehaveseenevil.” (Psalm 90:15.) Even this verse seems to have some propheticimplicationsconcerningIsrael’sseventyyearsofBabyloniancaptivity.

The seventy years of captivity in Babylon seem to represent seventyjubileeyearsinwhichIsraelwillbeunderGentilebondage.IfwecountfromthetimethatIsraelcameoutofEgyptuntiltheyearA.D.2001,itseemstobeseventy Jubilees. Is this a coincidence,or is itGod’swayof revealingend-timeinsightthroughbiblicalnumerics?

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

TheHouseoftheLord—APropheticTimeLine

Solomon asked for wisdom instead of riches, and God gave him hisrequestandmuchmore.HerevealedtohiminasubtlewayavaluablekeyinunderstandingGod’srevelationconcerningtheendoftheage.

1Kings3:12Behold,Ihavedoneaccordingtothywords:lo,Ihavegiventheeawiseandanunderstandingheart;sothattherewasnoneliketheebeforethee,neitheraftertheeshallanyariselikeuntothee.

THESOLOMONCONCEPT

PeoplecamefromallovertohearthewisdomofSolomon.EventhoughhehadallowedotherthingstodrawhimawayfromGodatthetimehewrotetheBookofEcclesiastes,SolomonrevealsaGod-givenconceptwhichIcallthe Solomon Concept. Actually it is God’s Concept that He revealed toSolomon.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and anothergenerationcometh:buttheearthabidethforever.

5Thesunalsoariseth,andthesungoethdown,andhastethtohisplacewherehearose.

6 Thewindgoeth toward thesouth,and turnethaboutunto thenorth; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth againaccordingtohiscircuits.

7Alltheriversrunintothesea;yettheseaisnotfull;untotheplacefromwhencetheriverscome,thithertheyreturnagain.

A careful study of these verses gives us a wealth of understanding.EverythingGodcreatedseemstorevolveincycles;eachevent thathappensrevealsanothereventtofollow.Theriversrunintothesea,formacloudandrain,returnonlytorunintotheseaagainandagaininadifferenttimeframe.Thethingsthathavebeenarethethingsthatshallberepeatedinanothertimeframe.

Verse9givesusamajorkeytounderstandinghoweventsprofileothereventstofollow.

Ecclesiastes1:9The thing thathathbeen, it is thatwhichshallbe;andthatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone:andthereisnonewthingunderthesun.

10Isthereanythingwhereofitmaybesaid,See,thisisnew?ithathbeenalreadyofoldtime,whichwasbeforeus.

SHADOWOFTHINGSTOCOME

This seems to be God’s way of revealing future events thousands ofyearsbeforetheirtimeofcompletefulfillment.Thisconceptismuchthesameas in Isaiah 46:10, which reveals that God declares the end from thebeginningandfromancienttimesthingsthatarenotyetdone.PaulstatesinColossians2:16-17thattheholyday,thenewmoon,andtheSabbathareonlyashadowofthingstocome.ManyotherScripturesconfirmthatGodhasputHis DNA, so to speak, in HisWord in a consistent pattern throughout theBible,revealingfutureeventsbyeventsthathavealreadyhappened.

So let’s apply this concept,“Thingswhichhavebeen, is thatwhichshallbe…thatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone,”andwatchtherevelationunfoldconcerningthehouseoftheLordwhichSolomonbuilt.

MEASURINGTHETIMELINE

2 Chronicles 3:1Then Solomon began to build the house of theLord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared untoDavidhis father, in theplace thatDavidhadprepared in the threshingfloorofOrnantheJebusite.

3NowthesearethethingswhereinSolomonwasinstructedforthebuildingofthehouseofGod.Thelengthbycubitsafterthefirstmeasurewasthreescorecubits,andthebreadthtwentycubits.

4Andtheporchthatwasinthefrontofthehouse,thelengthofitwasaccordingtothebreadthofthehouse,twentycubits,andtheheightwasanhundredandtwenty:andheoverlaiditwithinwithpuregold.

Itisinterestingthatthemainbuildingwas60cubitsby20cubits,which

whenaddedtogetherwouldbe8011cubits,and theporchwas20cubitsby

20cubits.Whenaddedtogetherallthesedimensionstotal120cubitswithoutthe measurements of the most holy place, which was inside the 120-cubitstructure.Theporchwasalso120cubitshigh.Now,rememberinGenesis6:3theLord said,“…My spirit shall not always strivewithman…yet hisdaysshallbeanhundredandtwentyyears.”

We have already discovered that the 120 years is in reference to 120Jubileeyears,whichseemstobethelengthoftheearthlease.Coulditbethatthe120cubitsbeingtheheightoftheporch,whichishowyouapproachtheLord’shouse,wouldalsobeacluesubtlyrevealingtheapproaching120th

Jubilee as the general time frame when the Father’s house will bepreparedandreadyforus?Itiscertainlyapossibility,andaswecontinuetheevidencebecomesmoreconvincing.Verse8revealsthatthemostholyplacewas20cubitsby20cubits,whichwhenaddedtogetheris40cubits.

Nowlet’sconsiderthefactthatthehouseitselfwas80cubitsbythefirstmeasure without the most holy place. It seems that the 80 cubits possiblyrepresent80Jubileeyears(4000years)ofhumanhistory,whichbringsustothebirthofChrist.The40cubits.ofthemostholyhousewhereGod’sWordwaskeptrevealstheChurchAgeasbeing40Jubilees,whichis2000years.Thiswould fitpropheticallywithallof theotherbiblicalnumericswehavefoundintheScripturespointingtothesametimeframe.

Hesaid it somanyways throughout theScriptures that it isobviousthatthesenumbersrevealaprophetictimeline.

It is also important tonotice thatGodkeeps things innumericalorderthroughouttheScriptures.Verse9statestheweightofthenailsforthehouseof theLordwas50 shekelsofgold (thenumberofyears thatmakeuponeJubilee).So themeasurementswere120 (thenumberof jubileeyearsgivenmaninGenesis6:3),andtheweightofnails thathelditall togetherwas50shekels(theequivalentofonejubilee).Isthatacoincidence?Notatall,butitisagoodexampleoftheSolomonConceptrevealingthingstocome.

FirstGodrevealeditinmeasurements;thenHerevealeditintheweightofgold.HesaiditsomanywaysthroughouttheScripturesthatitisobviousthatthesenumbersrevealaprophetictimeline.

The 120 cubits of Solomon’s building were held together with 50shekelsofgoldnails.A50thanniversaryisagoldenanniversary.AJubileeis50years,and50multipliedby120=6000.The120cubitsheightoftheporch

wasoverlaidwithgoldwhichcoveredtheapproachtothehouseoftheLord—whichwouldseemtoindicatethatafter120goldenJubilees,thehouseoftheLordwill be perfected.ButGod is not through yet. If youmultiply 60cubitsby20cubits,youget1200cubits.Thedimensionsof theMostHolyhousewere20x20=400;thenthedimensionsoftheporch20x20=400.Then add the total square cubits—1200 + 400 + 400 = 2000. Is it acoincidencethatthisnumberisthesameasthelengthoftheChurchAgeandcould be indicative of the year A.D. 2000? This consistent thread ofrevelationbegins inGenesisandweaves itsway through theScriptures intotheBookofRevelation.Thisseemstobeatimelineforend-timeevents.

THEHOUSEOFTHELORDFINISHED

2Chronicles5:1ThusalltheworkthatSolomonmadeforthehouseof the Lord was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things thatDavidhisfatherhaddedicated;andthesilver,andthegold,andall theinstruments,putheamongthetreasuresofthehouseofGod.

Inthischapter,wefindanotherscripturalpictorialinthecelebrationofthe house of the Lord being finished,which also has prophetic implicationconcerningthefulfillmentoftheprophecyofJesusinJohn14.Let’srefreshourmemory.

John14:1Letnotyourheartbetroubled:yebelieveinGod,believealsoinme.

2 InmyFather’shouse aremanymansions: if itwerenot so, Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou.

3AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagain,andreceiveyouuntomyself;thatwhereIam,thereyemaybealso.

ItisobviousfromtheseversesthattheLordisbringingpropheticinsightconcerningtheRaptureoftheChurch.JesusdeclaredthatHewasgoingawaytoprepareaplaceforusinHisFather’shousesothatwecouldbetherewithHim. It goes without saying, if we are to be there with Him, we must becaughtuptoHeavenwhereHeis.

Then in John, chapter 17, in his prayer to the Father, Jesus confirmsagainthatwearetobebroughttotheFather’shousetobewithHim.

John17:24Father,Iwillthattheyalso,whomthouhastgivenme,bewithmewhere I am; that theymay beholdmy glory,which thou hast

givenme:forthoulovedstmebeforethefoundationoftheworld.

Now, with these Scriptures fresh in mind, let’s take a look at God’smethod of revealing from ancient times things that were not yet done. Hegivesusascripturalprofileofaneventthatforeshadowsanotherfutureeventwhich will fulfill the prophecies of Jesus and also reveal the general timeframeforthatfulfillment.Remember,SolomonsaidinEcclesiastes1:9,“Thethingthathathbeen,it isthatwhichshallbe;andthatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone….“

MOSESBROUGHTLAWBUTJESUSBROUGHTTRUTHIn 2 Chronicles 5, the Scriptures reveal that when Solomon finished

buildingthehouseoftheLord,thepriestbroughtinthearkofthecovenantandplaceditinthemostholyplace.

10TherewasnothinginthearksavethetwotableswhichMosesputthereinatHoreb,when theLordmadea covenantwith the childrenofIsrael,whentheycameoutofEgypt.

It is important to remember the fact that when God gave the Law toMoses,acloudcoveredthemountainsixdaysbeforeGodgavehimthetablesof stonewhichwereput in theark. Ibelieve it is significant that thisversementions therewas nothing in the ark at that time except the two tables ofstonewhichMosesputinatHoreb.

120PRIESTSSOUNDTRUMPETS

In2Chronicles5,Godhaswoven into thecelebrationof thehouseofthe Lord being finished, a revelation which corresponds perfectly with thepropheticpromiseofJesustoreceiveusuntoHimself,afterourplaceintheFather’shouseisfinished.

11Anditcametopass,whenthepriestswerecomeoutoftheholyplace: (forall thepriests thatwerepresentweresanctified,anddidnotthenwaitbycourse:

12AlsotheLeviteswhichwerethesingers,allofthemofAsaph,of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, beingarrayedinwhitelinen,havingcymbalsandpsalteriesandharps,stoodattheeastendofthealtar,andwiththemanhundredand

TWENTYPRIESTSSOUNDINGWITHTRUMPETS.

In considering these verses, let me remind you that in 1 Chronicles,Asaph,Heman,andJeduthun,werechosenbecauseoftheirnames.Theyweretoprophesywithtrumpets.So, let’sanalyzeverses11and12inthelightofthisinformation.Firstofall,thenamesinverse12areveryrevealing.Asaphmeans“gatherer”1;Hemanmeans “faithful”2; Jeduthunmeans “praising.”3Here is what their names and their actions seem to reveal: the high priest(Jesus), the gatherer of the faithful, praising God with sons and brethren,arrayed in white linen, having cymbals, psalteries, and harps, as the 120priestsprophesiedwiththeirtrumpetsofearth’scoming120thJubilee.

ThisseemstobepropheticofJesus,ourHighPriest,Whoisthegathererof the faithful, praising God with His sons and brethren arrayed in whitelinen. This has profound prophetic implications ofwhatwill happen in theNew Jerusalem after the Church is raptured. This account has amazingsimilarities with Revelation 19:7-9 concerning the Marriage Supper of theLamb, inwhich theNewJerusalemwasseenbyJohnarrayed in fine linen,clean andwhite. Johnwas told that fine linenwas the righteousness of thesaints.

ThisMarriageSupperwilltakeplaceintheNewJerusalemduringthetimeframeofthesevenyearsoftribulationontheearth.

Verse9states,“Andhesaithuntome,Write,Blessedaretheywhichare called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb….” This MarriageSupperwill take place in theNew Jerusalem during the time frame of thesevenyearsoftribulationontheearth.ItisalsoveryinterestingthatSolomonheldasevendayfeastafterthehouseoftheLordwasfinished.(2Chronicles7:8.)

The very context of these verses and their similarities with thecelebrationofthehouseoftheLordbeingfinishedwouldindicatethatthisisatleastaparallelforeshadowingofthatblessedeventoftheMarriageSupperoftheLamb,afterourplaceintheFather’shousehasbeenfinished.

EARTH’SGOLDENJUBILEE

The ultimate confirmation of this matter would be the fact that therewere 120 priests who blew 120 trumpets. This certainly seems to be ascriptural profile of the earth’s 120th Jubilee. Remember that GodcommandedIsraeltoblowthetrumpetevery50thyearanddeclareayearof

Jubilee. (Leviticus 25:8-10.) So the 120 priests sounding 120 trumpets isindicativeof earth’s120th “TotalTime Jubilee.”Thiswould seem to signaltwo thingsofmajor importance—the6000-year earth leasehas expired andthetimetofavorthegloriousChurch—thatsettime—hascome,asrevealedinPsalm102:13:“Thoushalt arise, andhavemercyuponZion: for thetime to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.” Zion, at least by doublereference, is a type of theChurch.Verses 15 and 16 say,“So the heathenshall fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth Thy glory;WhentheLordshallbuildupZion,HeshallappearinHisglory.”

18Thisshallbewrittenforthegenerationtocome:andthepeoplewhichshallbecreatedshallpraisetheLord.

19Forhehathlookeddownfromtheheightofhissanctuary;fromheavendidtheLordbeholdtheearth;

20 Tohear the groaningof theprisoner; to loose those thatareappointedtodeath;

21 To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise inJerusalem;

22 Whenthepeoplearegatheredtogether,andthekingdoms,toservetheLord.

Ibelieve thephrase“thegeneration tocome” inverse18 refers to theend-timegeneration thatwill be alive at the time of theRapture.Verse 20speaksofloosing“thosewhoareappointedtodeath.”Couldthisbereferringtothelastrighteousgenerationofthesixthmilleniumwhowillnotdiebutbecaughtupalive?

TheapostlePaulsaid:“BeholdIshowyouamystery;weshallnotallsleep,butwe shall all be changed, in amoment, in the twinklingof aneye,atthelasttrump:forthetrumpetshallsound,andthedeadshallberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbechanged.”(1Corinthians15:51-52).

ThepropheticwordsofPsalm102wouldseemtorevealthatthereisatimecomingwhentheChurchwillbefavored,notonlybyGodbutalsobymany in theworld system.The indication in theScriptures seems to revealthat after the earth lease expires theremay be a short space of time of sixmonths to a little less than a year, for the end-time harvest just before the

Rapturetakesplace.

I realize thiswillbecalledspeculationbysome,but itall fitswith thepropheticimplicationsofthesixdaysofthe

GenesisaccountandtheprophetictimestatementinGenesis6:3.

ThefollowingversealsoseemstoindicatethegloryoftheLordcomingupontheChurchfortheend-timeharvest.

2Chronicles5:13Itcameeventopass,asthetrumpetersandsingerswereasone,tomakeonesoundtobeheardinpraisingandthankingtheLord;andwhentheylifteduptheirvoicewiththetrumpetsandcymbalsandinstrumentsofmusick,andpraisedtheLord,saying,Forheisgood;for hismercy endureth for ever: that then the housewas filledwith acloud,eventhehouseoftheLord.

Is it a coincidence that the statement ismade that “the trumpeters andsingerswereasone”?AndPaulsaidtheBodyofChristhasmanymembersbutoneBody.

ThefactthatthehouseoftheLordwasfilledwithacloudatthesoundof120trumpetsseemstobeindicativeofearth’s120thGoldenJubilee.ThistakesonastrongerpropheticimplicationwhencomparedtootherScriptureswhichrevealthatthegloryofGodaswellasangelsaresometimesmanifestas clouds. I believe there is a double reference here possibly revealing thatangels are going to play a greater part in revealing the glory ofGod that’scomingontheChurchjustbeforetheRapture.

THECHARIOTSOFGOD

Psalm 104:3-4 reveals that God “…maketh the clouds his chariot:whowalkethuponthewingsofthewind:whomakethhisangelsspirits…“IsitpossiblethatthecloudthatfilledthehouseoftheLordrepresentsnotonly the anointing of God but also a cloud of angels that will eventuallytransporttheBodyofChristtothehouseoftheLordwhenthegreatendtimeharvestisfinished?

Wehaveabiblicalprecedentofangelicactivitywhichtookthespiritualbody of the beggar to paradise. Luke 16:22“…the beggar died, andwascarriedbytheangelsintoAbraham’sbosom….“ItseemsthatMichaelthe

archangel is also in charge of theRapture of theChurch. (1 Thessalonians4:16) and Psalm 68:17 reveals that, “The chariots of God are twentythousand,eventhousandsofangels….“Italsostatesthat“…theLord isamongthem,asinSinai,intheholyplace.”

In studying this account, the only visible presence that could beattributedtoangelsatSinaiwasthecloudthatcoveredthemountainandthefire. Then, the very next verse in Psalm 68 seems to connect these angelicchariotsofGodwiththeascensionofChrist.

…Thereseemstobeapatternofincreasedangelicactivityatthedeathofsaintsandalsowhenpeopleareraptured.

18Thouhastascendedonhigh,thouhastledcaptivitycaptive:thouhastreceivedgiftsformen….

ThefactthatthechariotsofGodarethousandsofangelswouldindicatethat itwas the “chariot ofGod” that appeared as a chariot of fire and tookElijahfromtheearthtoHeaven.

We also knowwhen Jesus ascended toHeaven, a cloud receivedHimoutoftheirsight.Sothereseemstobeapatternofincreasedangelicactivityatthedeathofsaintsandalsowhenpeopleareraptured.

THEGLORYOFTHELORDFILLSTHEHOUSE

Weneedtotakenoteofthefactthatafterthe120trumpetssounded,“…thehousewasfilledwithacloud,eventhehouseoftheLord;Sothatthepriestscouldnotstandtoministerbyreasonofthecloud:forthegloryoftheLordhadfilledthehouseofGod”(2Chronicles5:13-14).

ThepropheticimplicationsoftheseversesarealsomagnifiedinthelightofColossians3:4:“WhenChrist,whoisourlife,shallappear,thenshallyealsoappearwithhiminglory.”

TheninRomans8:17-18,theapostlePaulstatesthatwearejoint-heirswith Christ and that if we suffer with him,“…wemay be also glorifiedtogether. .. the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to becompared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” In Colossians1:27Paulrevealsthat“Christinyou[is]thehopeofglory.”ThegloryofGod is coming on the Church (house of God) to make a quick work of

righteousnessontheearth.

TOTAL-TIMEJUBILEE

Itseemsin the lightofall theserelatedScriptures, that thisaccountofcelebrating the house of the Lord being finished is a profile of the earth’s120thTOTAL-TIMEJUBILEEinwhichGodwillpouroutHisgloryontheBodyofChristasneverbeforesowecanfinishtheworkofrighteousnessonearthjustbeforebeingcaughtuptomeetHimintheair.Ibelieveitispossiblethatwhentheearthleaseexpires,therighteousoftheearthwillhaverestoredto them the power that was lost in the fall of man for the purpose ofacceleratingtheend-timeharvest.

Thescripturalcaseisquitestrongthatthetotaltimeofman’sdominiononplanetEarthistobe6000years,or120Jubilees.

QUEENOFSHEBAREVEALSJACOB’STROUBLE

After thehouseof theLordwasfinished, theQueenofShebacametovisit Solomon. This may seem on the surface to have been a social visit;however,asweinvestigatethe

Scriptures, we continue to see end-time events revealed in numericalorder.

2Chronicles8:16Nowall theworkofSolomonwasprepareduntothe day of the foundation of the house of the Lord, and until it wasfinished.SothehouseoftheLordwasperfected.

Could it be that this last sentence of verse 8, is by double reference,revealingthetimeframewhentheChurch(houseof theLord)willcometofullmaturityasPaulsaidinEphesians4:12-13?

2Chronicles9:1AndwhenthequeenofShebaheardofthefameofSolomon,shecametoproveSolomon….

We have observed the Scriptures closely enough to know that almostimmediatelyaftertheChurchiscaughtuptobewiththeLordintheFather’shouse,thereiscomingasevenyearperiodoftribulationupontheearth.

SHEBAMEANSSEVEN

The queen of Sheba was the first to show up after the house wasfinished.Shebawas aBenjamite tribewhich is part ofEthiopia today. It is

listed in Ezekiel 38:5 as one of the countries that will come with RussiaagainstIsraelinabattlewhichseemstotakeplaceduringthefirstpartoftheTribulationPeriod.Thename“Sheba”means“seven.”IsitacoincidencethatthefirstpersontocomeonthesceneafterthehouseoftheLordwasperfectedhada titlewhichmeans“seven”?Idon’tbelieveso; thisseemstobeGod’sway of revealing the time frame of the seven years of tribulation, calledJacob’sTrouble.

Itwascustomaryinthosedayswhentheycametoaking,tobringhimgifts.OneofthegiftsthequeenofShebabroughtSolomonwas120talentsofgold.Theamountofgoldisinteresting,foritisapropheticnumber,thesameas the measurements of the house of the Lord. It is also the same as thenumberoftrumpets.Butitbecomesevenmoreintriguinginverse13,whichreveals in that sameyear,Solomon received666 talentsofgold.“Now theweight of gold that came to Solomon in one yearwas six hundred andthreescoreandsixtalentsofgold.”

Godhad already said it in severalways, and this seems to be anotherconfirmationthatwithinayearofthe120thjubileetheAntichristwillcomeonthesceneandthatseven-yearperiodoftribulationwillbegin.

ThesameyearthehouseoftheLordwasperfectedthequeenofShebabrought120 talentsofgold, and thenumber666 showsup in the scripture,profilingthetimeline.WerecognizethistobethenumbertheAntichristwillusewhenheisrevealed.(Revelation13:18.)ThisisthefirstofthreeplacesinScripturewheretheAntichrist’snumberappearsasaprofileofthetimeline.Acoincidence? Not at all. I believe this was God’s way of confirming Hisprophetic Word through measurements, times, numbers, and events whichhavehappenedinthepast.

Since thenumber666showedup thesameyear thehouseof theLordwasperfected,thisseemstoindicatethatwithinayearofthe120thjubileetheAntichrist will be revealed. My study of the Scriptures brings me to theconclusion that the seven years of tribulation cannot fit into the sixthmillenniumnortheseventhmillennium.ThisisevidentfromtheprofilethatweseeinMatthew17:1-3:

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John hisbrother,andbringeththemupintoanhighmountainapart,

2Andwastransfiguredbeforethem:andhisfacedidshineasthesun,andhisraimentwaswhiteasthelight.

3And,behold,thereappeareduntothemMosesandEliastalkingwithhim.

These passages indicate that the Rapture will take place after 6000years; therefore the seven years of tribulation cannot begin until sometimeafterthesixthmillennium.

PROFILEOFTHETIMELINE

LASTSABBATICALCYCLE

TheSeventiethWeekofDanielisasabbaticalcycle.Itisthelastseven-yearcycleofthe70weeksofDaniel’sprophecy.Thereforeitmuststartatthebeginningofaseven-yearsabbaticalcycle.Thenextseven-yearcyclewouldseemtobegininthefalloftheyear2000ortheearlypartof2001A.D.

We know from the Scriptures thatChristwill return to earth after thetribulationandestablishanearthlykingdomfor1000yearsofpeace.Sothesevenyearsof tribulationcan’t fit into thatmillennium,because itwillbeafull1000yearsofpeaceandrighteousruleandthatperiodcannotbeginuntiltheendofthesevenyearsoftribulation.(Revelationchapters1920;Matthew24:29-30)Thetimeperiodbetweenthesixthandseventhmillenniaseemstobeaparentheticalperiodoftimewhatdoesnotfitintoeitherthesixthortheseventhmillennium.Itappearsthattheseven-yearperiodisGod’stimebridgebetweenthesixthandseventhmillennia.

WehaveseenthatSolomonreceived666talentsofgoldthesameyearthehouseof theLordwasperfected.This indicates that there is a spaceof

timeoflessthanayearbetweenthetimethattheearthleaseexpiresandtheChurchisraptured.PaulrevealsthatthesevenyearsoftribulationbeginaftertheRapture.(2Thessalonians2:7-8)Thisgapoftimeshowsupalsoinotherpassages.Ifthisisasaccurateasitseemstobe,thisperiodoftimebetweenthe sixth and seventhmilleniawill be a time inwhich the gloriousChurchwillcomeintofullmaturityandreapanawesomeend-timeharvestofsouls.InRomans9:28Paulrevealsthat“He(God)willfinishthework,andcutitshortinrighteousness:becauseashortworkwilltheLordmakeupontheearth.”

THERIGHTEOUSSHALLBERECOMPENSEDINTHEEARTHMajorchangesarecomingtoplanetEarthbeforeweenter theSeventh

Millennium.

I believe the message God gave the prophet Isaiah applies to thisgeneration:

Isaiah3:10Sayyetotherighteous,thatitshallbewellwithhim:fortheyshalleatthefruitoftheirdoings.

11Woeuntothewicked! itshallbe illwithhim:fortherewardofhishandsshallbegivenhim.

Proverbs11:31 says it in adifferentway,but it confirms thewordsofIsaiah:

31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:muchmorethewickedandthesinner.

IbelieveallthiswillhappenbeforetheBodyofChrist(Church)leavesthisearth.

In2Chronicleswehaveanotherconfirmationofthesametimelineinadifferentway.

2Chronicles9:17Moreover thekingmadeagreat throneof ivory,andoverlaiditwithpuregold.

18Andthereweresixsteps to the throne,witha footstoolofgold,whichwerefastenedtothethrone….

GOLDENFOOTSTOOL

ThispassageisspeakingofSolomon’searthlythrone.However, italsoseemstobeaprofileoftheearthlythronefromwhichJesuswillruleduringtheMillennialReignofChrist.Takenoteofthefactthatthereweresixstepswhichledtothethronewithafootstoolofgoldfastenedtothethrone.Thesesixstepswouldseemtobeindicativeof6days(6000years)ofhumanhistorybefore Jesus puts His enemies underfoot and rules for 1000 years here onearth.

Matthew5:35revealsthattheearthisHisfootstool.

Psalm110:1-2states,“TheLordsaiduntomyLord,Sitthouatmyrighthand,untilImakethineenemiesthyfootstool.TheLordshallsendthe rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thineenemies.”

These verses reveal the prophetic importance of the golden footstoolattachedtothethrone.TheprophetIsaiahgivesanotherviewconnectedwithaquestionaboutthehouseoftheLordandHisplaceofrest.“ThussaiththeLord,theheavenismythrone,andtheearthismyfootstool:whereisthehousethatyebuilduntome?andwhereistheplaceofmyrest?” (Isaiah66:1).

AlloftheseScripturestogetherseemtoconfirmthatwithinayearofthe120th jubilee, a seven-yearperiodwill beginwhen theAntichrist showsupassociatedinsomewaywiththenumber666.Thesixstepsleadinguptothethroneseemtoconfirmthatsixdays(6000years)musttranspirebeforeJesuswillrulefromHisthroneinJerusalemwithHisfeetrestinguponthegoldenfootstool.PaulstatesthatHemustruleuntilHehasputallenemiesunderHisfeet. (1 Corinthians 15:2526.) This prophetic revelation stretches fromGenesistoRevelation,confirmingthesequenceandtimingoftheseendtimeevents in numerical order. It is done subtly through the Solomon Concept.(Thethingsthathavebeenarethethingsthatshallbe,andthethingsthataredonearethethingsthatshallbedone.)

ThissametimelineisfoundintheBookofIsaiah,confirmingagaininadifferentwaythesepropheticeventsconnectedwiththeendoftheage.

In the next chapter we will find that this insight begins with Israel’sreleasefromBabyloniancaptivity.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Israel’sRelease:ACompositeofTheir70thJubilee

The prophet Isaiah gave us another prophetic composite when heprophesiedthatIsraelwouldbereleasedfromBabyloniancaptivitybyamannamedCyrus.

InIsaiah44:28,GodsaidofCyrus,“…Heismyshepherd,andshallperformallmypleasure:evensayingtoJerusalem,Thoushaltbebuilt;andtothetemple,Thyfoundationshallbelaid.”Thisverseseemstohaveadouble referencerevealing thatChrist,God’sshepherd,willalsobuild themillennial temple afterHis return to earth after theTribulation Period.Theprophecycontinuesintochapter45.

1ThussaiththeLordtohisanointed,toCyrus,whoserighthandIhaveholden, to subduenationsbeforehim;andIwill loosethe loinsofkings,toOPENBEFOREHIMTHETWOLEVIEDGATES;andTHEGATESSHALLNOTBESHUT;

2Iwillgobeforethee,andmakethecrookedplacesstraight:Iwillbreakinpiecesthegatesofbrass,andcutinsunderthebarsofiron:

3AndIwillgivetheethetreasuresofdarkness,andhiddenrichesofsecretplaces,thatthoumayestknowthatI,theLord,whichcalltheebythyname,amtheGodofIsrael.

4ForJacobmyservant’ssake,andIsraelmineelect,Ihaveevencalled thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast notknownme.

ThisamazingprophecyconcerningCyruswasspoken150yearsbeforehewasborn.IntheseScripturesCyrusseemstobeatypeofJesusChrist.HeisevencalledGod’sshepherd.WhenCyrusoverthrewBabylontheyhadlefttheleviedgatesopenfromthecitytotheriver.Cyrusdivertedtheriverandcame through those two gates that had been left open, thereby fulfillingIsaiah’sprophecyexactly.

Verse 13 says,“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I willdirectallhisways:heshallbuildmycity,andheshallletgomycaptives,notforpricenorreward,saiththeLordofhosts.”

CyrusseemstobeatypeofChrist,Whosetthecaptivesfreewhenhearose from the dead. (Ephesians 4:8;Matthew27:50-53.)Hewill again setIsrael free when He returns at His Second Advent and will also build themillennial temple. (Zechariah 12:6.) Then Israel will be free from Gentilebondageforthefirsttimeinseveralthousandyears.

SABBATH:APERPETUALCOVENANT

We find in Exodus 31 that God had spoken to Israel concerning thesabbathIsraelwastoobserve.

15Sixdaysmayworkbedone;butintheseventhisthesabbathofrest,holytotheLord:whosoeverdoethanyworkinthesabbathday,heshallsurelybeputtodeath.

16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, toobserve the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetualcovenant.

17ItisasignbetweenmeandthechildrenofIsraelforever:forinsix days the Lordmade heaven and earth, and on the seventh day herested,andwasrefreshed.

Keeping thesabbathwas a perpetual covenant and a sign between thechildrenofIsraelandGodthroughoutallgenerations.Thiswasactuallytobea rehearsal of appointed times to be kept over thousands of years. Theprophetic reality of these events will be fulfilled after the Tribulation in aSeventhMillennium.ItwillbeatimeofpeaceandrestinwhichIsraelwillbesettotallyfreefromGentilebondage.

ItwillbeatimeofpeaceandrestinwhichIsraelwillbesettotallyfreefromgentilebondage.

InLeviticus25GodspoketoIsraelsaying:

2 …WhenyecomeintothelandwhichIgiveyou,thenshallthelandkeepasabbathuntotheLord.

3Sixyearsthoushaltsowthyfield,andsixyearsthoushaltprunethyvineyard,andgatherinthefruitthereof;

4Butintheseventhyearshallbeasabbathofrestuntotheland,asabbath for the Lord: thou shall neither sow thy field, nor prune thyvineyard.

Godnotonlycommandedthemtokeepthesabbath themselves,whichwas a rehearsal of events to transpire throughout their generations;He alsocommandedasabbathyearofrestfortheland.Inverses8through13,Godinstructedthemtonumberthe“sabbathsofyears”(seventimessevenyears),whichwouldbeaspaceofsevensabbaths,orforty-nineyears.

TheyweretocausethetrumpetofJubileetosoundatthebeginningof

the50th12year. Theywere to hallow the 50th year by proclaiming libertythroughoutalltheland.ItwastobeayearofJubileeinwhicheverymanwasreturnedhisownpossessions,andeverymanreturnedtohisfamily.

Concerning the sabbathyear, verse 21 states,“Then Iwill commandmyblessinguponyouinthesixthyear,anditshallbringforthfruitforthreeyears.”

Godpromisedtorewardthemabundantlyiftheyobeyed,butIsraeldidnotkeepthecovenant.Therefore,theywentintoBabyloniancaptivityfor70years,asprophesiedbytheprophetJeremiah.(Jeremiah25:11-12.)

THELANDENJOYEDHERSABBATHS

SecondChronicles36revealsthatJudahwascarriedawayintoBabylon,wheretheywereservantsuntilthereignoftheKingdomofPersia:“Tofulfillthe word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land hadenjoyedhersabbaths:foraslongasshelaydesolateshekeptsabbath,tofulfillthreescoreandtenyears”(2Chronicles36:21).

Again, this verse could fit prophetically withMoses’ prayer in Psalm90:10,wherehestated,“Thedaysofouryearsarethree-scoreyearsandten….”Thiswouldseemtobeapossibledoublereference,referringalsotothe70yearsinBabyloniancaptivitywhichwerefulfilledatthattime.

However,italsoseemstohaveapropheticimplicationofthe70Jubileesduringwhich timeIsraelwouldbe inGentilebondage.Theyear2001A.D.willbeearth’s120thjubileeandIsrael’s70thJubilee.

After threescore and ten years were fulfilled, the land had kept her

sabbaths. The 70 years Israel was in captivity is exactly the number of“sabbathsofyears”inthe490yearsknownastheSeventyWeeksofDaniel.(Daniel 9:24.) Is it a coincidence that all these numbers relate to propheticevents?Ihardlythinkso.IbelievetheyareclearlywhatMosesprophesiedinhisprayerwhenhesaid:

Psalm90:9Forallourdaysarepassedawayinthywrath:wespendouryearsasatalethatistold.Thedaysofouryearsarethreescoreyearsandten[70]….

It seemspossible that thesepropheticwordsofMoses also reveal thatIsraelwillsuffer70JubileesofGentilebondage.

ISRAELPUNISHEDSEVENTIMESMORE

Therealsoseemstobeacorrelationbetweenthe70yearsinBabyloniancaptivityandtheprophecyinLeviticus26:18,whereGodstates,“Andifyewill not yet for all this hearken untome, then Iwill punish you seventimesmoreforyoursins.”

Thisstatementismadethreetimesinthecontextofsevenverses.

The70years inBabylonian captivitywere Israel’spunishment fornotkeeping the perpetual covenant of sabbaths. If God punished them seventimesmore,thatwouldbe70x7,whichis490years.

ThisfitsperfectlywithDaniel’sprophecyinDaniel9commonlycalledtheSeventyWeeksofDaniel.Theangel revealed toDaniel thatGodwoulddealwithIsraelfor70weeksofyears(490).ThistimespanwasdeterminedbyGodtodealwithIsraelandmakeanendofsins,tomakereconciliationforiniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision andprophecy,andtoanointthemostholy(Daniel9:24).

Butafter69weeksofyears (483years)hadpassed, theycrucified theMessiah; then it seems thatGod turned offHis time clock, postponingHisfinalweekofdealingwith Israeluntil after theChurchAge.He turnedHisattention to the Gentiles for two days (2000 years). This left one week (7years),which iscommonly referred toas theSeventiethWeekofDaniel, inwhichGodwillfinishdealingwithIsrael.

TheSeventiethWeekisthatseven-yearperiodreferredtobymanyBiblescholarsastheTribulationPeriod.Itisanexactperiodof7yearsandbeginsimmediatelyaftertheChurchhasbeenraptured.(Revelation6:2.)

In those seven years, God will fulfill the propheticWord He gave toDaniel.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people anduponthyholycity,tofinishthetransgression,andtomakeanendofsins,and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlastingrighteousness,andtosealupthevisionandprophecy,andtoanointthemostHoly.

It is clear that by the end ofDaniel’s SeventiethWeekGodwill havefulfilledthisprophecycompletely.Therewillbenomoreiniquity,andtherewillbeeverlastingrighteousnessinJerusalem.

TOTAL-TIMEJUBILEE

Scripturalevidenceseemstorevealthatearth’s120thjubileeandIsrael’s

70thJubileewillbothbesomewherearoundtheyear2001.13Thepropheticimplicationsseemtorevealthatweexperiencetheearth’s120thjubileeaboutthetimeweenterthegreatend-timeharvest.AndthatwouldseemtobeafewmonthsbeforetheBodyofChristiscaughtupwiththeLordtotheFather’shouse.

I believe the Church will truly experience Total-Time jubilee, witheverything being restored that was lost in the fall of man. Then after theharvestiscompletedtherewillbeareunioninHeavenforsevenyearsbeforewecomebacktoruleandreignwithChrist.

However, for those left on the earth, their Jubilee celebration will bedelayedsevenmoreyearswhileGodfulfillsHispropheticWordconcerningIsraelandthewickedoftheearth.

SinceneitherIsraelnorthewickedoftheearthhavelivedoutthatsevenyears prophesied by Daniel, God has the prerogative to insert thisparentheticaltimeperiodofsevenyearsbackintohiscalenderofevents,foritmustbefulfilledbeforethenationofIsraelistotallyrestored.(Isaiah32:15-18.)

TheSeventiethWeekofDanielwillcompletetheprophesied490yearsof God’s dealings with Israel. During that time frame He will finishtransgressions to bring an end to sin, make reconciliation for iniquity, andusher in everlasting righteousness in Jerusalem. God’s thread of prophetictruthcontinuesinto2Chronicles36andtheBookofEzra,confirmingagain

the time frame inwhich theAntichrist and his number, 666, appear on thescene.

Earth’s120thJubileeandIsrael’s70thJubileewillbothbesomewherearoundtheyear2001.

CYRUSFULFILLSJEREMIAH’SPROPHECY

Intheclosingchapterof2Chronicles,ZedekiahreignedoverJerusalemdoingthatwhichwasevilinthesightoftheLord.TheLordinHismercysentmessengersmanytimesbecauseHehadcompassiononHispeople.Buttheymocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and misused HisprophetsuntilthewrathoftheLordaroseagainstthem.(2Chronicles36:16.)

ThenNebuchadnezzar’s armyburned thehouseof theLordandbrokedown thewalls of Jerusalem, and Israelwent intoBabylonian captivity forseventyyears:

2Chronicles36:21To fulfill thewordof theLordby themouthofJeremiah,untilthelandhadenjoyedhersabbaths:foraslongasshelaydesolateshekeptsabbath,tofulfillthreescoreandtenyears.

22NowinthefirstyearofCyruskingofPersia,that

theword of theLord spoken by themouth of Jeremiahmight beaccomplished,theLordstirredupthespiritofCyruskingofPersia,thathemadeaproclamation throughoutallhiskingdom,andput it also inwriting,saying,

23Thus saithCyruskingofPersia,All thekingdomsof the earthhaththeLordGodofheavengivenme;andhehathchargedmetobuildhimanhouseinJerusalem,whichisinJudah.Whoisthereamongyouofallhispeople?TheLordhisGodbewithhim,andlethimgoup.

CyrusseemstobeatypeofChrist,Whosetshispeoplefreeandbuildsthemillennial templewhenHesetsupHiskingdom. (Zechariah6:12.) It issignificant that Cyrus released Israel after 70 years of captivity,which hadbeenprophesiedby Jeremiah.Wehave seenpreviously that the70yearsofBabylonian captivity evidently represent 70 Jubilee years (3500 years) inwhich Israelwill be inGentilebondage after their exodus fromEgypt.ThetimeframeofthiseventcorrespondsperfectlywiththepropheticScriptures,for the earth’s 120th Jubilee will mark Israel’s 70th Jubilee from the firstPentecostofExodus19.

ADONIKAMBRINGSBACK666

Then,aswelookintotheBookofEzra,thenumber666showsupintheexact prophetic time frame that was revealed in 2 Chronicles, chapter 9.When Cyrus released the Jews from captivity, those who chose to leaveBabylontorebuildthehouseoftheLordinJerusalemwerelisted.Ezra2:13states, “The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and six.” Thisstatementisprophetic,notonlybecauseitcontainsthenumber666,butalsobecausethenameAdonikammeans“theLordhasrisen.”1Thishasprofoundprophetic implicationswhen considered in the time frameof their return toJerusalem. This is the second time that the number 666 shows up in theScripturesasatimelineprofile.Itisintheexactprophetictimeframeasthenumber666wefoundin2Chronicles9:13.This isrevealedin thefact thatwhenthehouseoftheLordwasfinished,thenumber120appearednumeroustimes. Itwas inmeasurements andalso in the amountofgold thequeenofShebabroughttoSolomon.Itwasalsorevealedintheheightoftheporchandthe120priestssoundingtrumpets.

Israel’s 70 years of Babylonian captivity would seem to represent 70Jubileeyears(3500years)beforeIsraelwillbetotallyfree.WhenAdonikamcamebacktoJerusalem,hisdescendantsnumbered666.Acoincidence?Notatall.ItisGod’spatternofprophetictruthwoventhroughtheScripturesfromGenesistoRevelation,revealingthesametimelineoftheseend-timeevents.

It seems that God has decided to give us this revelation in so manydifferent ways that it would be almost impossible not to recognize this asbeingscripturalpictorialsprofilingHistimelinetothisgeneration.

ADONIKAMPROFILESRAPTURE

The name “Adonikam” also magnifies the prophetic implicationsconcerning the time frame of the earth’s TOTALTIME Jubilee. His namemeansTheLordhasrisen,ortheLordarose.Thisisverysignificantinlightof the fact that Paul states that Jesus is theHead of theBody, theChurch.(Colossians 1:18.) The Church is now the Body of Christ, and rememberwhen the bright light blinded Paul on the road to Damascus, Jesus said,“Whypersecutestthoume?”(Acts9:4).PaulwaspersecutingtheChurch,but Jesus took it personally, because He considered the Church to be Him(HisBody).

So, it is clear that Jesusconsidered theChurch tobeHim.Forweare

membersofHisBody—Hisflesh,andHisbone.WearemanymembersbutoneBodyinChrist.(Romans12:5;1Corinthians10:17.)

1Corinthians12:12Forasthebodyisone,andhathmanymembers,andallthemembersofthatonebody,beingmany,areonebody:soalsoisChrist.

It ispossible that this is themessageGodhasplaced in thepatternofthiseventsothatthenameofAdonikamsubtlyrevealsthattheChurch,beingHis Body, will be caught up with Him just before the Antichrist, with thenumber666, comeson the sceneafter Israel’s70th jubilee. It is the secondconfirmationof threeScriptures inwhich thenumber666 is revealed in theexactprophetictimeframe.

So,itappearstobeasubtlerevelationofGod’stimeframeofend-timeevents. This revelation continues with Christ’s ascension, confirming thesametimelineforeventsthatwillendthisage.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Christ’sAscensionandHisReturn

John14:1Letnotyourheartbetroubled:yebelieveinGod,believealsoinme.

2 InmyFather’shousearemanymansions: if itwerenot so, Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igotoprepareaplaceforyou.

3AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagain,andreceiveyouuntomyself;thatwhereIam,THEREyemaybealso.

4AndwhitherIgoyeknow,andthewayyeknow.

These words of Jesus in verses 1-3 are prophetic. In this generation,those who are without the knowledge of God’s Word are truly troubledbecause of the chaotic condition of world affairs. Yet at the time of Hisbetrayal,JesusgaveapropheticmessageofcomfortbysayingHewasgoingtoprepareaplaceforusintheFather’shouse.ThenHewouldcomeagaintoreceiveustoHimselfsowecouldbewithHimintheFather’shouse.

NoticeJesus’statementinverse4:“…whitherIgoyeknow,andthewayyeknow”(TheyknewthatafterHisdeath.)Jesuswasseenofthemfortydays;thenHewasraptured(caughtuptotheFather’shouse)beforetheirveryowneyes.Thishasprophetic implications that theChurch (BodyofChrist)willdepart thesameway theysawJesusgoafter40Jubileesof theChurchAge.Howlongafter40Jubilees?Wedon’tknowexactly,buttheindicationisthatitwillbeashorttimeafterthat2000-yearperiod.

ThosewhobelieveGodshouldalsobelieve theseprophetic statementsandconsidertheirimplicationscarefully.

The stabilizing force for the righteous of the earth is God’s Wordwhichabidesinthem.

ThestabilizingforcefortherighteousoftheearthisGod’sWordwhichabidesinthem.ThestabilizingforcesoftheChurcharefoundinthepropheticScriptures. In John, chapter 17, just before Jesuswas betrayed,He prayed,

“Father,Iwillthattheyalso,whomthouhastgivenme,bewithmewhereI am; that they may behold my glory… “ (v. 24). This too is anotherconfirmation ofHis plan that the righteous shall bewithHimwhereHe isnow.

WhenJesushadfinishedHisworkontheearthandwasabouttodeparttobewithHisFather,HisdisciplesthoughtthatHewouldatthattimesetupHiskingdomontheearth.

THEIRQUESTION

Acts 1:6When they therefore were come together, they asked ofhim, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom toIsrael?

Jesushadgiven them inside informationwhich theydidn’t understandbecauseoftheirownpreconceivedideasaboutthetimeofHiskingdom.

HetoldthemHewasgoingtosuffer,die,andberaisedfromthedead.Butat the timeofHisapproachingdeath, theywerestillarguingaboutwhowouldsitonHis rightandonHis leftwhenHesetupHiskingdom. (Mark10:35-45.)

InActs,chapter1,afterHisresurrection,theywerestillquestioningHimconcerning things to come. He had appeared to them off and on for fortydays,and they thoughtsurelyHewouldat that timesetupHiskingdomontheearth.

HISANSWER

Acts1:7Andhesaiduntothem,Itisnotforyoutoknowthetimesortheseasons,whichtheFatherhathputinhisownpower.

Jesus made similar statements on several occasions. (Mark 13:32;Matthew24:36.)

TheScripturesrevealthatitwouldbefoolishforanyonetotrytosettheexactdateoftheRaptureatthistime.However,thefactthatElijahandJesusknewtheexactdaytheyweretoberapturedwouldseemtoindicatethatGodmayreveal that informationbefore theRapture takesplace.BothElijahandJesusareprofilesoftheChurch.

ButIwanttoreiteratethatitisnotmypurposetotrytosetanexactdatefortheRapture,butrathertopointyoutothepropheticrevelationwhichdoes

establishageneraltimeframeforallend-timeevents.Wearechildrenofthedayandshouldnotbeinthedarkconcerningtheeventsthatareabouttobefulfilledinthisgeneration.

Jesus continuedHis answer by shiftingHis emphasis to receiving theHolySpirit.

Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost iscomeuponyou:andyeshallbewitnessesuntomebothinJerusalem,andinallJudaea,andinSamaria,anduntotheuttermostpartoftheearth.

Jesus seemed to emphasize that there was something more importantthathadtotranspireonearthbeforeGod’sprophetictimetablewouldpermitHim to setupHiskingdomonearth.First, theHolySpirit (SpiritofTruth)mustcome,andHewould teachusandguideus intoall truthandshowus“thingstocome.”

(John16:13-15.)CouldthisbeacluethattheHolySpiritmayrevealthetimeoftheRapturetothosewhowillexperiencethatblessedevent?Wedon’tknowforsure.Wewillhavetowaitandsee.

Acts1:9Andwhenhehadspokenthesethings,whiletheybeheld,hewastakenup;andacloudreceivedhimoutoftheirsight.

10Andwhiletheylookedstedfastlytowardheavenashewentup,behold,twomenstoodbytheminwhiteapparel;

11Whichalsosaid,YemenofGalilee,whystandyegazingupintoheaven?thissameJesus,whichistakenupfromyouintoheaven,shallsocomeinlikemannerasyehaveseenhimgointoheaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount calledOlivet,whichisfromJerusalemasabbathday’sjourney.

RememberthewordsofJesusinJohn14:4,“Andwhither

I go ye know, and the way ye know” The disciples watched Jesusascend into the heavens as a cloud receivedHimout of their sight.This ishowtheyknewwhereHehadgoneandthewayHehadgone; it isobviousthatHewasrapturedwhiletheywatched.

Let’sconsidersomeinterestingobservations.WhenJesuswasborn,thephysicalbodyofChristcame toearth.ThatwasHispersonalbody.Then in

John12:24,Jesussaid,“…Exceptacornofwheatfallintothegroundanddie,itabidethalone:butifitdie,itbringethforthmuchfruit.”WhenHisphysicalbodydied,itwasplacedinatomb,andwhenHearosefromdeath,Hisphysicalbodyhadgonethroughatransformationandwasaspiritualbody

(see1Corinthians15:35-50).Then,afterhewasseenofthem40days14,Hewascaughtup intoHeavenand thebelievers (theChurch)became theonlybodyofChristonearth.AndPaulsaid,“NowyearethebodyofChrist,andmembersinparticular”(1

Corinthians12:27).

Acts 1:3 reveals that He showed Himself alive after His passion bymany infallible proofs, being seenof them40days, and speakingof thingspertainingtothekingdomofGod.Thenafter40days,He(thebodyofChrist)wasraptured.Thiswouldseemtohaveprofoundpropheticimplicationswhenwe consider that God told His people they would spend a year in thewilderness for each of the 40 days they searched the land in unbelief.(Numbers14:34.)

The implications are that the Church will depart the same way theoriginalbodyofChrist(Jesus)departedtheearth.

He fed them supernaturally with manna for 40 years. They werecommandedtogatherjustenoughmannaoneachofthefivedaysforoneday;butonthesixthday,whichseemstobearwitnessofthe6000thyearofhumanhistory,theygatheredtwiceasmuch.

Then,considerthescripturalprecedentinDaniel9:24whichrevealsanend-timeevent inwhichaday representsayear.Wehavealreadyseen thatthe120yearsspokenofinGenesis6:3seemtorepresentjubileeyears.

Since all of these are connected with end-time events, the propheticimplications seem to indicate that the 40 days inwhich Jesuswas seen onearthafterHearosewasascripturalpictorialrevealingthattheChurch(Bodyof Christ) will be on the earth for at least 40 Jubilees (2000 years) beforebeingcaughtuptoHeaven.TheimplicationsarethattheChurchwilldepartthesamewaytheoriginalbodyofChrist(Jesus)departedtheearthbybeingcaughtupafterthe40JubileesoftheChurchAge.

CHRIST’STEMPTATION—COMPOSITEOFTHECHURCH

Let’s consider another timeperiodof 40days,which could alsobeofpropheticimportance.

Luke 4:1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned fromJordan,andwasledbytheSpiritintothewilderness,

2Beingfortydaystemptedofthedevil.

HereagaintheScripturerevealsthatJesus,thephysicalbodyofChrist,wasinthewilderness40daysbeingtemptedofthedevil.ItseemsthatJesusHimselfwasatruelivingpictorialoftheChurch.Sincewehaveprecedentforadayinthewildernessrepresentingayear,thiswouldfitasaparallelofthethe Body of Christ (Church) being tempted on earth for 40 Jubilees (2000years)oftheChurchAgebeforebeingraptured.

Tosaytheleast,thepropheticimplicationsareastoundinglyaccurate.Inanyevent,weshallsoonknowthetruthofthismatter.

HISASCENT

Jesus ascended toHeaven from theMount ofOlives.Thiswill be theexactplacewhereHewillreturnwiththesaintsontheeveningofthelastdayoftheTribulationPeriod.(Zechariah14:1-5,Revelation11:3-20.)

It’s interesting that Acts 1:12 mentions that it is a “sabbath day’sjourney”fromtheMountofOlivesintoJerusalem,whichislessthanamile.TheScripturesrevealthatJesuswilldescendontheMountatthebeginningoftheSeventhMillennium.Thisseemstobewhat thesabbathdayrepresentedtoIsraelundertheOldCovenant—adayofpeaceandrest.

ThesixdaysGodlaboredplustheseventhdayofrestrepresentatimeperiod of 7000 years inwhichHewill dealwithmankind toweed out thewickedoftheearthandgathertherighteousintoaneternalstate.

GodhallowedtheseventhdayandtoldIsraeltohonorit.ItrepresentedthelastMillenniumbeforeeternity,inwhichIsraelwillberaisedupandliveinHissight.(Hosea6:2.)

PROFILEOFTHERAPTURE—THIRDDAY

We find in Exodus 19 an event which gives us marvelous insightconcerningboththeRaptureandChrist’sSecondAdvent.

Exodus19:10And theLord said untoMoses,Go unto the people,

andsanctifythemtodayandtomorrow,andletthemwashtheirclothes,

11Andbereadyagainst thethirdday: forthethirddaytheLordwillcomedowninthesightofallthepeopleuponmountSinai.

The Lord instructed Moses to sanctify the people two days. Theprophetic implicationof thisphraseseems toconfirmtheChurchAge tobetwo days, which would be two 1000-year days. The people were to besanctifiedandprepared for the thirdday, foron the thirdday theLordwascomingdownonthemountaininthesightofallofHispeople.

TheseversesgiveusbothaprofileoftheRaptureoftheChurchandalsoaparalleltotheSecondAdvent.ThesignificanceofthethirddayisthatwhenyoubegincountingfromthebirthofJesustomeasurethe2000yearsoftheChurchAge,thenthethirddaywouldindicateatleastthetimeframeofHisappearancetocatchawaytheChurch.

ThetwoparagraphsbelowarefromYacovRambsel’sBookHisNameIsJesus.

In Exodus 19:13, starting with the first letter of the sixteenth word,counting every thirdword, and reading only the first letter spells Jehovah

. InExodus19:15,startingwiththeseventhword,andreadingthefirstletterofeverythirdwordspellsJehovah .InExodus19:16,startingwiththe first letter and reading only the first letter spellsOshiah , whichmeans “He will save.” Note that in Exodus 19:23 when we combine insequence the second, third, and fourth words, it spells “Moses and Elijah”MosheEliyah .MosesandElijahwere togetheron theMountofTransfigurationwithJesusmanyyearslater.

In Exodus 19:13, starting with the ninth word and counting the firstletter of every sixteenth word from left to right spells [Jehovah] . InExodus19:15,startingwiththeseventhword, thefirst letterofeveryfourthword from left to right uncovers [Jehovah] In Exodus 19:11, startingwiththefirstletterofthefourthtolastword,countingeverythirdword,andreadingonlythefirstletterspells“thejubilee.” .

IfindthistobeaverysignificantrevelationinthefactthatthenamesofMoses and Elijah appear together in verse 23, which reveals that all thepeople couldnot comeup tomeetwithGod.Then thewords“the jubilee”appearinverse11.TheacceptableyearoftheLordwouldbeconsideredthe

finalJubileethatJesusreferredtoinLuke4:19.

It’s obvious that only those who are ready for the Rapture will seeJesuswhenHeappearstocatchawaytheChurch.

Hebrews9:28 states,“Christwas offered tobear the sins ofmany;anduntothemthatlookforhimshallheappearthesecondtimewithoutsinuntosalvation(deliverance).”It’sobviousthatonlythosewhoarereadyfor theRapturewill see JesuswhenHe appears to catch away theChurch.Exodus19:16-17seem toaccuratelyprofile theRapture.Any timeafter the2000 years (two days) of the Church Age would be considered the “thirdday,”andthatseemstoindicatethetimeframewhenJesuswillcomedowninthesightofallHispeopletoreceivethemuntoHimself.

When Jesus appears to catch away the Church, He does not comephysically to the earth. He appears about mountain-top high, and we arecaughtup tomeetHim in the air.This could also serve as aparallel to theSecondAdvent.Itwillstillbeconsideredthe“thirdmillennialday”aftertheTribulationwhenJesusdescendsontheMountofOlivestodestroythearmiesoftheAntichristandsetupHisrighteousrulefor1000years.

Keep inmind theSolomon concept“The thing that hath been, it isthatwhichshallbe;andthatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone”(Ecclesiastes 1:9). It is through this concept that Exodus 19:16 gives usunusual insightwhichseemstoconfirma timeframefor theRaptureof theChurchinamostinterestingway.

Exodus19:16AnditcametopassonthethirddayINthemorning,that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon themount,andthevoiceofthetrumpetexceedingloud;sothatallthepeoplethatwasinthecamptrembled.

This verse reveals that itwas themorning of the third daywhen theyheardthevoiceofatrumpetexceedinglyloud.It’sinterestingthatitsays“thevoiceofatrumpet”insteadof“thesoundofatrumpet.”Whythevoiceofatrumpet? The apostle Paul said, “The Lord himself shall descend fromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofthearchangel,andwiththetrumpofGod:andthedeadinChristshallrisefirst:Thenwewhicharealiveandremainshallbecaughtuptogetherwiththemintheclouds,tomeettheLordintheair…“(1Thessalonians4:16-17).NoticethatPaulmentions

thevoiceof thearchangel,whichwouldbeMichael. It ishisvoiceblendedwiththetrumpofGod.

MOSESBROUGHTTHEPEOPLETOMEETGOD

It’s obvious there was a voice blended with this trumpet and it wasexceedingly loud.Verse 17 reveals thatMoses“brought forth the peopleoutof thecamp tomeetwithGod.”This seems to be a scriptural profilerevealingtheRaptureoftheChurchtobeashort timeafterthetwodaysoftheChurchAgehave expired. It is said tobe the thirdday in themorning.This iswhere itbecomesvery interestingbecause theHebrewdaydoesnotbegininthemorning.Itbeginsintheeveningatsundown.Wepickuponthisin theGenesis accountwhere it describes the days as “the evening and themorning”. Itwas on the third day of creation thatGod’s creation producedfruitafterhiskind.IfitisthethirddayinthemorningwhentheRapturetakesplace,thenitwouldnotbeimmediatelyafterthesecondday.Therewouldbea timegapbetween theendof the seconddayand themorningof the thirddaywhentheLordcamedowninthesightofHispeople.

Thethirddayseemstobeanallinclusivetermwhichbeginsattheendof the twodaysof theChurchAgeand includes the transition into thenewmillennium. This transition period would include the end-time harvest, theraptureoftheChurch,thesevenyearsofTribulationaswellasthemillennialreignofChrist(SeeHosea6:2).

Let’s look again at some facts to refresh ourmemory. Jesuswas bornafter four days (4000 years) of human history; then adding the two days(1000-year days of the Church Age) makes the 6000 years. It seems thatbetween the sixth and the seventhmillennia there is a time gap of at leastseven years and possibly eight years. And that period of time is notconsidered the Seventh Millennium as far as God is concerned. The timeperiodoftheTribulationandthefewmonthsfortheend-timeharvestbetweenthesixthandtheseventhmillenniaisaparentheticalperiodoftime(inotherwords,itfitsinparenthesesbetweenthetwomillennia).Duringthatperiodoftime,adayrepresentsayear.

So if thisprofiles the timeframeof theRapturebeing the thirdday inthe morning, it is obvious that the two days of the Church Age will haveexpired. It also indicates there will be a time gap between the end of thesecond day and the morning of the third day of at least twelve hours andpossiblyasmanyastwenty-fourhours,whichwouldrepresentaperiodofat

leastsixmonthstoayear.*

TORAHREVEALSRAPTURE

Here iswhatYacovRambsel has found in the originalHebrewTorah.Startingwiththefourthletter inverse16,readingeveryotherHebrewletterfromlefttorightspellstheHebrewwordB’Shilhuv.2

TheHebrewphraseB’shilhuv means“Intherapture”

Exodus19:16

B’shilhuvisfound*backwardsusinganintervalof2.

*Hebrewdayisdividedinonlytwosegmentseveningandmorningsothemorning of the third day could be any time from12 hours to 24 hoursfromtheendofthesecondday.

*Hebrewisreadfromrighttoleft,sothefactthatthismessageisfoundreadingfromright toleftcouldbebecausethechurchismadeupofmostlyGentilesandthismessagewouldnotbebackwardstous.

Itisfoundembeddedinthephrase“anditcametopassonthemorningof the third day.”This gives us an obvious clue that this verse profiles theRapture of the Church, and it would seem to indicate a time frame ofsomewherebetweensixmonthsandayearaftertheearthleaseexpires.

Exodus19:20“AndtheLordcamedownuponmountSinai,onthetopofthemount:andtheLordcalledMosesuptothetopofthemount;and Moses went up.” Now remember Moses, who to us represents therighteousdeadof 120 Jubilees,was calledup to themountainofGod.Thefact thatMoseswascalledup to themountain themorningof the thirddayseemstoindicateatimeframeoftheresurrectionandtheRapture.

IhadaHebrewscholarcheckchapter19fortheword“Elijah”toseeifitwas embedded in the originalHebrew in anELS skip sequence. Elijah’sname is found six times in this chapter imbedded in the phrase “unto theLord.”IwouldsaythatissignificantrevelationbecauseofthefactthatMosesrepresents the righteous dead of 120 Jubilees, and Elijah represents theChurch thatwillbecaughtupalive.Theyarebothnamed in thischapter—Mosesbeingcalleduptothetopofthemountain,Elijah’snamebeingintheHebrew text.Thiswouldseem tobeanastounding revelation thathasbeenhiddenintheHebrewtexttoberevealedtothisgeneration.

God has kept these end-time events in perfect numerical orderthroughouttheScriptures

WhilesearchingthischapterformoreconfirmationoftheRaptureinanELS sequence, we found another significant message embedded in theHebrew: “Michael, he took,Church intoHeaven.”Could it be that throughtheSolomonconceptGodhasrevealedthefulfillmentofend-timeprophecyindetail?“The thing that hathbeen, it is thatwhich shall be; and thatwhichisdoneisthatwhichshallbedone”(Ecclesiastes1:9).Onethingissure—wewon’t have to wait long to know if these messages are accuraterevelationsoftheRapture.

CLOUDCOVEREDMOUNTAINSIXDAYS

There is another incident concerning Moses and this same mountainwhichalsoparallels theresurrectionof therighteousdeadat the timeof theRapture.ItisfoundinExodus24.

16AndthegloryoftheLordabodeuponmountSinai,andthecloudcovereditsixdays:andtheseventhdayhecalleduntoMosesoutofthemidstofthecloud.

18AndMoseswentintothemidstofthecloud….

The fact thatMoseswentup into thecloudafter sixdayscorrespondsperfectly with Matthew 17:1-3. When applying the 1000-years-as-a-dayconcept,thisagainconfirmsthetimeframeof theRapturetobeafter6000years.

Since Moses was God’s profile of the righteous dead of 120 Jubileeyears (6000 years), the details of this event certainly have propheticimplications. The 6 days of the Genesis account, representing 6000 years,

wouldcorrespondwith the6days inwhich thecloudcovered themountainbeforeMoseswas calledup into the cloud.So it is apparent that the6-dayemphasisinGenesiscontinuesthroughtheBibleintotheBookofRevelation,revealingaconsistenttimeframeofpropheticevents.AlloftheseScripturespointtothesametimeline—6days,or6000years,plusaboutayearfortheawesomeendtimeharvest.The7years of Jacob’sTroublemust be fulfilledbeforetheseventh1000-yeardayofpeace,atwhichtimeSatanwillbeboundinthebottomlesspit.

God has kept these end-time events in perfect numerical orderthroughout the Scriptures. Exodus 21 reveals that aHebrew servantwas toservesixyearsandbereleasedtheseventhyear.Thentherewerethesixdaysthat Joshua marched around Jericho with seven priests blowing seventrumpets.ThenthesixdaysthatJesuswaitedbeforetakingPeter,James,andJohnuptoahighmountainaparttobetransfiguredbeforethem.Theseareallconnectedbythesametimeline.

It also seems obvious that God chose Moses to represent all therighteousdeadofthe120Jubileeyears,whowillbecaughtupinthecloudstomeet theLord in theairaftersixdays.Those six days indicate the totaltime inwhichGodwilldealwithmankindunder theearth leaseofGenesis1:26-31. These events seem to be God’s way of revealing, through theSolomonConcept, what the twenty-first century holds for both the ChurchandplanetEarth.

EARTHLEASEPROFILE

InMark12Jesusgivesusaprofileoftheearthleaseinaparable.

1“AndHebegantospeakuntothembyparables.Acertainmanplantedavineyard,andsetanhedgeaboutit,anddiggedaplaceforthewinevat,andbuiltatower,andletitouttohusbandmen,andwentintoafarcountry.

2Andattheseasonhesenttothehusbandmenaservant,thathemightreceivefromthehusbandmenofthefruitofthevineyard.

3Andtheycaughthim,andbeathim,andsenthimawayempty.

4 Andagainhesentuntothemanotherservant;andathimtheycaststones,andwoundedhiminthehead,andsenthimawayshamefullyhandled.

5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and manyothers;beatingsome,andkillingsome.

6Havingyetthereforeoneson,hiswell-beloved,hesenthimalsolastuntothem,saying,Theywillreverencemyson.

7Butthosehusbandmensaidamongthemselves,Thisistheheir;comeletuskillhim,andtheinheritanceshallbeours.

8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of thevineyard.

9Whatshallthereforethelordofthevineyarddo?

He will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give thevineyarduntoothers.”

Notice Jesus asked the question; then He gave the answer, which Ibelieve tobeprophetic.He reveals that thevineyardwill begiven to thosewhoarewillingtodeliverthefruitofthevineyardtoitsrightfulowner.

POSSIBLESCENARIOOFFUTUREEVENTS

Let me give you a scenario of what I believe could possibly happenduringthatperiodoftimeaftertheearthleaseexpiresjustbeforetheRapture.Itseemsthattheauthorityoftheearthwillbedeliveredtotherighteouswhoarehereontheearthatthetimetheearthleaseexpires.

IseeindicationsthatGodwillrestoretotherighteoustheauthorityanddominionthatwaslostinthefallofmankindbypouringoutHisanointingontheBodyofChrist.Thisseemstobeawindowoftimeofpossiblysixmonthsto a year inwhichGod turns upHis power to expedite the great end-timeharvest.

Remember theAnanias andSapphira incident in the early days of theChurch?

…theBodyofChristwillreapanawesomeend-timeharvestofsoulsintothekingdomofgod.

TheanointingofGodwassostrongthatwhentheyliedtheydied.YoumayseeitagainwhenGodpoursoutHisanointingfortheend-timeharvest.TheprophetIsaiahspokeofatimeinthefuturewhen“moreoverthelightofthemoonshallbeasthelightofthesun,and…thelightofthesunshallbesevenfold,asthelightofsevendays,inthedaythattheLordbindeth

upthebreachofHispeople,andhealeththestrokeoftheirwound”

(Isaiah30:26).ThefourthdayoftheGenesisaccountprofilesChristiansas themoon, which reflects the fight of the sun of righteousness to a sin-darkenedworld.Whenthelightofthemoonbecomesasthelightofthesun,thepropheticimplicationsarethatwewillministerasChristministered.ThisseemstobewhatPaulreferredtointhefourthchapterofEphesians.

THEMATUREDCHURCH—APERFECTMAN

Ephesians4:7Butuntoeveryoneofus isgivengraceaccording tothemeasureofthegiftofChrist.

11 And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and someevangelists,andsomepastorsandteachers;

12Fortheperfectingofthesaints,fortheworkoftheministry,fortheedifyingofthebodyofChrist;

13Tillweallcomeintheunityofthefaith,andoftheknowledgeoftheSonofGod,untoaperfectman,untothemeasureofthestatureofthefulnessofChrist….”

Howwillallthiscomeabout?Itseemsthatwhenthewickedoftheearthlose theirauthority,demonsalso lose theirpoweroverhumanity forashorttimeinwhichtheBodyofChristwill reapanawesomeend-timeharvestofsoulsintothekingdomofGod.

SUPPOSEDEMONSWEREEVICTED

EventhoughGodgavemankindauthorityanddominionoverthisearthfor6000years,thedevilanddemonshavebeenabletoinfluencewickedmenandusetheirauthoritytokill,stealanddestroy.TheapostlePaulsaid“…thegodofthisworldhathblindedthemindsofthemwhichbelievenot,lestthe lightof thegloriousGospelofChrist…should shineunto them” (2Corinthians 4:4). But suppose demons were evicted from humanity for awindowof timefor theend-timeharvest. If thatwere thecaseyoucouldn’tbuildchurchesbigenoughnorfastenoughtoholdalltheconverts.IseesomeindicationintheScripturesthatthismayverywellhappen.WegetsomecluesfromthefifthchapterofMark.

2AndwhenHewascomeoutoftheship,immediatelytheremetHimoutofthetombsamanwithanuncleanspirit,

3Whohadhisdwellingamongthetombs;andnomancouldbindhim,nonotwithchains.

LEGION—APOSSIBLEPROFILEOF6000YEAROFLEASEWhenJesusaskedhimhisnamehesaid:“MynameisLegionforweare

many.”(ARomanlegioninJesus’daywasgenerallyconsidered tobe6000footsoldiers).

2000POSSIBLYPROFILESENDOFCHURCHAGE

Mark5:12AndallthedevilsbesoughtHimsaying,sendusintotheswinethatwemayenterthem.AndforthwithJesusgavethemleaveandtheunclean spiritswent out and entered into the swine; and theheardran violently down a steep place into the sea (they were about twothousand)andwerechokedinthesea.

Notice in theseverses that thenumber6000and thenumber2000areassociatedwithdemonsbeingevictedfromamanwhowasthenclothedandin his right mind. Could this be a profile of demons being evicted fromhumanityforashortperiodofthegloriousend-timeharvest?Thesenumberscorrespond perfectly with the time lines we have followed through theScriptures.

Demons and evil spirits have to usurp the authority ofmankind to doanythingon the earth.Weknow theyhaveperverted themindsofmenandkept themfrom theGospel.Could itbe thatwhen they loseaccess tomansauthority,theyalsolosetheirabilitytoconfusethemindsofmen?

ThiscouldbeoneofthereasonsthatJesussaidwewoulddothegreaterworks.(John14:12)Ibelievethereisatimecominginthisend-timeharvestwhenwickedmendarenotcomeagainsttheworkofGodlesttheirobituariesappearinthemorningpaperasaSovereignActofGod’sJudgment.Thereisno doubt that God is fed up with the wicked ruling the earth, and it’s notGod’sstylefortheChurchAgetoendindefeat.We’velookedattheChurchforyearswiththethought,WhenisthisGloriousChurchwhichPaulreferredto in Ephesians 4 going to show up? I think we’ve found the clue.WhenGod’scommitmenttotheearthleaseisfulfilledHecandoanythingHewellpleaseshereonearth.ItseemsHisfirstmovewillbe to turn thepowerandlightupfortheend-timeharvest.

ThestorycontinueswithMark5:15:“AndtheycometoJesus,andseehim thatwas possessedwith the devil, and had the legion, sitting, andclothed, and in his rightmind; and theywere afraid.”This could be aprofileofthefearwhichwillcomeuponthewickedwhentheyseetheBodyofChristministeringwiththatstrongeranointing.

NowasyoufollowJesusthenexteventofpropheticsignificanceseemstobethehealingofthewomanwhohadanissueofbloodtwelveyears.SheslippedupbehindHimand touchedHisclothes, and theanointing thatwasuponJesusbroughtherinstanthealing.

When satan came to earthhebrought sin, sickness anddisease.Whenthe earth lease expires I believe, as far as theBodyofChrist is concerned,sicknessanddiseasewillmeltlikeasnowballintheAugustsun.

ThenexteventwithpropheticimplicationswasthefactthatJesuswenttoJairus’houseandresurrectedhisdaughterwhohaddied.Isn’titinterestingthat his daughterwas born the same year thiswoman came downwith theissueofblood?Shehad thatdisease twelveyears, and Jairus’daughterwastwelveyearsold.

Letsreviewthesequenceofevents:Demonswereevictedfromamancalled Legion (6000). The demons entered into 2000 swine, and theywerechokedinthesea.Thesickwerehealedandthedeadwasraisedtolife.Isitpossible that theseeventsprofile theexpirationof theearth lease, revealingthatdemonswillbeevictedfromhumanityforashortperiodoftimeandthatthesickwillbehealed?Ifso,thentheraisingofJairus’daughterwouldseemtoprofile the resurrection thatwill accompany theRapture.You canbe thejudgeofthismatter;buttosaytheleast,itlooksverysuspicious.

The scriptures indicate that after thatwindowof time for the gloriousend-timeharvesttheChurchwillberaptured.Thenitseemsthatdemonswillcome back seven times worse during the seven years of tribulation (Luke11:24-26)because thatseven-yearperiodisadelayedSabbaticalcyclefromearth lease time which has never been fulfilled. Will this scenario reallyhappen? One thing is sure: We shall soon know if we are reading thescripturaltimelineandprofilesaccurately.

Whenyouconsider this scenario in the lightof thewordsofSolomonandIsaiahyourealizethepossibilitiesareveryreal,butonlytimeitselfwillfullyrevealthetruthofthismatter(Eccl.1:9-10).

Isaiah3:10Sayyetotherighteous,thatitshallbewellwithhim:fortheyshalleatthefruitoftheirdoings.

11Woeuntothewicked! itshallbe illwithhim:fortherewardofhishandsshallbegivenhim.

COMPASSEDABOUTWITHACLOUDOFWITNESSES

Itseemsatthispointinourscripturaljourneywecansurelysaythatwearecompassedaboutbyacloudofpropheticwitnessesconcerningtheseend-time events. Let’s do a quick review to bring these events into focus againbeforetheconclusionofthisbook.

REVIEWOFPROPHETICWITNESSES

WebeganourjourneyinGenesis,wherewefoundthat thesixdaysoftheGenesisaccountrepresent6000yearsofhumanhistorybeforetheSeventhMillenniumofrest,inwhichChristwillruletheearth.

ThenwefoundinGenesis6:3thatthe120Jubileeyearsareinreferenceto thesame6000years.Thisservesas thesecondwitnessof thesame timelinefoundinGenesis1.

Aswehave gone through theScriptures,wehave found thatGod fedIsrael for forty yearswithmanna in thewilderness. (Exodus 16.)And it isverylikelythatfortyyearsissymbolicoffortyJubileeyears(2000years)inwhichtheChurchisfedwithmanna(Bread)fromHeaven.(John6:3235.)

Theygatheredjustenoughmannaoneachofthefivedaysforoneday;butonthesixthday,whichseemstobesymbolicofthesixthousandthyearofhuman history, they gathered twice as much. This indicates that this lastgenerationwillreceivetwiceasmuchrevelationasanyothergeneration.

Wewerewitnesses of the fact that Joshua (whowas a type of Jesus)marchedaroundJerichoonceadayforsixdays.SevenpriestsblowingseventrumpetswitnesstothefactthatGodwouldwarnthewickedworldfor6000years;thenattheendoftheSeventhMillenniumHewouldmakeanendofallwickednessonplanetEarth.(Joshua6:3-4.)

We have found that the Hebrew servant served for six years and theseventhyearwastogofree,indicatingthatintheSeventhMillenniumIsraelwillbetotallyfreefromGentilebondage.(Exodus21:2.)

Moses was born with a death sentence hanging over him, but Godpreservedhis life, and theyearsofhis lifewere as a tale thatwas told.Helived120years, representing120 Jubilee yearswhichwould encompass alltherighteousdeadofthe6000yearsofhumanhistory.(Exodus1:22-2:10.)

WewitnessedthefactthatinMatthew16:28Jesussaidthereweresomestanding there that would not taste death until they saw the Son of Mancominginhiskingdom.

Then after six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John up to a highmountain andwas transfiguredbefore them, andHe talkedwithMoses andElijah. Moses was a profile of the righteous dead and Elijah the Body ofChrist(theChurch)beingcaughtupaliveaftersix1000-yeardays.

Wehavewitnessed thebiblical numerics in theBookof 2Chronicles,whichseemtoconfirmthatthehouseoftheLordwillbefinishedandreadyfortheBodyofChristatthetimeoftheearth’s120thJubilee.

Godgaveusasubtlewitnessbytheheightoftheporchbeing120cubitsandalsointhedimensionsofthehouseoftheLord.Wefoundthat50shekelsof gold nails held the 120-cubit dimensions of the house together—asignificant number indeed in view of the fact that today the 50th year isconsideredagoldenanniversaryandinBibledayswasaJubilee.

Thescripturalwitnesscontinuesin2Chronicles5,astheycelebratedthehouseoftheLordbeingfinished.Therewere120priestssoundingtrumpets,whichprofilesearth’s120thGoldenJubilee.ThenthehouseoftheLordwasfilledwithacloud,whichbydoublereferencecouldbesymbolicofthegloryofGodthatwillcomeontheChurchwhentheearthleaseexpires.

WehavewitnessedthefactthatafterthehouseoftheLordwasfinished,there was a seven day feast held by Solomon, which could be a subtleindicationoftheMarriageSupperoftheLamb.

SecondChronicles9 revealed that thequeenofShebawas the first tovisitSolomonafterthehouseoftheLordwasfinished.Shebameans“seven,”andthefactthatshebrought120talentsofgoldseemstoconfirmthetimetobe the120th Jubilee.The sameyear that thequeenofSheba (seven) came,Solomonreceived666 talentsofgold,which indicates the timeframewhentheAntichristwillberevealed.

ThesamechapterrevealsthatthereweresixstepstoSolomon’sthronewithagoldenfootstoolattachedto the throne.Thissametimelinebeganin

Genesiswiththesixdaysrepresenting6000years.Thesixstepsaresymbolicofthesamesixdaysofhumanhistory.ThegoldenfootstoolrepresentsChristhaving all enemies underHis feet during theMillennial Reign asHe rulesfromanearthlythroneinJerusalem.(Isaiah66:1-2;Jeremiah3:17.)

TheScriptures reveal that Israelwas inBabyloniancaptivity70years.Thisforeshadows70JubileeyearsinwhichIsraelwillnotbetotallyfreefromGentilebondage.Itwasattheendofthat70yearsofcaptivitythatAdonakimbrought666ofhisdescendantsbacktohelprebuildJerusalem.

Wealsofoundthat thenameAdonakimmeans“theLordhasrisen”or“theLordarose.”SincetheChurchistheBodyofChrist,whentheChurchistakenupitcanbesaidthattheLordhasrisenbecauseweareonewithHim.

Thecriticsmaycallallthiscoincidental.Somemodern-daytheologiansmaycallitspiritualizingtheBible,yettheBibleisindeedaspiritualbookandisspirituallydiscerned.InthisjourneythroughtheHolyScriptures,wecan’thelpbutwitnesstheincredibleaccuracyofthesetimelinesinrelationtothepropheticScriptures.

GodHimselfistheonlyOneWhocouldgivesuchrevelationandinsightthrougheventsthathappenedthousandsofyearsago.Thesepropheticthreadshavebeenwoveninto thefabricofGod’sWordfromGenesis toRevelationwithamazingconsistency.

ThentheyareallbroughtintopropheticfocusinRevelation,chapter13.Thecontextof thischapter reveals that thepeoplewhoare lefton theearthduringtheTribulationPeriodwillbefacedwithmanyterribledilemmas.

ROMANEMPIREREVIVED

Johnrevealsthatoneoftheheadsofthebeastwaswoundedtodeathandhisdeadlywoundwashealed.Alloftheworldwonderedafterthebeast.Weknow the devil does not have resurrection power. Some believe that theAntichristwill be assassinated and resurrected from the dead, but I believethisisinreferencetothefactthattheAntichristwillcomefromtheterritoryoftheoldRomanEmpire.Weknowthatempirediedbuthasbeenrevivedorresurrected under the name of the European Economic Community (EEC).Revelation 13 reveals that in the last forty-two months of the TribulationPeriodtheAntichristwillbeathisworst.

7Anditwasgivenuntohimtomakewarwiththesaints,andtoovercomethem:andpowerwasgivenhimoverallkindreds,andtongues,

andnations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whosenames are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from thefoundationoftheworld.

TheAntichristwillwagewar against the Tribulation saints.Here is anote of caution: Please don’t confuse these with the Church. These areTribulationsaintswhowillbebornagainaftertheRaptureoftheChurch.TheRapturetakesplaceinthetimeframeofRevelation4:1,beforetheAntichristisrevealed.

Revelation13:16Andhecausethall,bothsmallandgreat,richandpoor, free and bond, to receive amark in their right hand, or in theirforeheads:

17Andthatnomanmightbuyorsell,savehethathadthemark,orthenameofthebeast,orthenumberofhisname.

18 Here iswisdom.Let him that hath understanding count thenumberofthebeast:foritisthenumberofaman;andhisnumberisSixhundredthreescoreandsix(666).

SECULARHUMANISMWANTSTORULETHEWORLD

Jesus,WhoistheHeadoftheChurch,revealedtoJohninoneverseofScripture the same revelation that we have followed from Genesis toRevelation.ThisverseandrelatedScripturessubtlyreveal thesequenceandtimingofthreemajorend-timeevents.Johnsaid,“TheAntichrist’snumberisthenumberofaman.”Man’snumberissix.ManwascreatedintheimageofGod on the sixth day. The number 666 represents an unholy trinity of theAntichrist,theFalseProphetandthebeastsystempoweredbySatanhimself.It isman’s effort, inspired by Satan, to try to rule theworld by an unholytrinityofsecularhumanism.

Remember there were six steps to Solomon’s throne. The first sixRomannumeralsadduptoexactlythenumbertheAntichristwilluse—666.TheseventhRomannumeralistheletter“M,”whichinLatinismille,whichmeansonethousand.

SoyoucanseethattheprophetictimelinehasstretchedfromGenesistoRevelation and every time frame matches perfectly with the propheticScriptures.

WhatamarvelousrevelationJesusgaveJohninoneverseofScripture.Man’s days of dominion on planet Earth are numbered, and that numberseemstobesix1000-yeardays.ThefirstsixRomannumeralsrepresentsixdaysofhumanhistorythatwillbringusverynear to thatseven-yearperiodwhentheAntichristandhisnumber,666,willberevealedtotheworld.AftertheTribulationtherewillbe1000yearsofpeaceonearthwhichisreferredtobymostbiblescholarsastheMillennialReignofJesusChrist.Thegraphonthefollowingpageillustrateshowthesix1000-yeardaysrelatetotheRomannumerals.

WATCH&PRAY

It is clear from the parable in Luke chapter 21:29-36 that Jesus hasrevealedthatbywatchingthethingsthatwilltranspireonearthpeoplewouldbe able to discern the season of His appearing. In this chapter Jesus isgenerallyreferringtowhatwillhappenduringthetribulationperiod,afterthechurchhasbeenraptured.

Luke21:34“andtakeheedtoyourselflestatanytimeyourheartsbeoverchargedwithsurfeitinganddrunkennessandthecaresofthislifesothatdayshouldcomeuponyouunawares.v.35—Forasasnareshall itcomeuponallthemthatdwellonthefaceofthewholeearth”.

CHRIST’SASCENSIONANDHISRETURN

Itisevidentfromverse35thatHeisreferringtopeoplewhowillbeontheearthduringthetribulationperiod.Theninverse36Jesusrevealshowwecanescapeallof these things thatarecomingon theearthandstandbeforetheSonofMan.

V36“Watchye thereforeandprayalways thatyoumaybeaccountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatshallcometopassandstandbeforetheSonofMan”.InthisverseJesusalludestotheRapture,asthewaytoescapeallofthesethingsthatarecomingontheearthduringthetribulationperiod.

TheLordof theharvest isabout togather the firstharvest from theearth.

EventhoughthereisnoonescriptureintheBiblethatwouldgiveusadatefortheRaptureoftheChurch,Jesusindicatedinthischapterifwewouldwatchandpray therewouldbesignificant informationconcerning the timesandtheseasonsavailabletousbeforeHeappears.

I believe what the Apostle Paul taught in I Thessalonians 4 and IIThessalonians2ispartofwhatvitalinformationthatweneedtoday.

InIIThessalonians2:6Paulstates,“andnowyeknowwhatwithholdeththathemightberevealedinhis time”(Thephrase“his time”isreferringtothe time of the antichrist). v 7—“For the mystery of iniquity doth alreadywork,onlyhewhonowlettethwillletuntilhebetakenoutoftheway”.v8“and thenshall thewickedbe revealed,whomtheLordshallconsumewiththespiritofHismouthanddestroywiththebrightnessofHiscoming”.Theword“let”or“letteth”meansto“withholdorrestrain”.

Theseverses leavenodoubt thatPaul is referring to theChurchbeingtakenoutoftheearthbeforetheanti-christisrevealed.TheveryfactthatPaulstates “that he (antichrist) might be revealed in his time” let us know thatthereisadeterminedtimewhichtheanti-christwillberevealedonearth.

That time isanexactperiodofsevenyears,nomoreandno less. It iscalledthe70thweekofDaniel,itiscalledJacob’sTrouble,andalsoreferredastheTribulationPeriod.

The70thweekofDanielisasevenyearSabbaticalcycle.InfactitistheonlySabbaticalcycleof that seventySabbaticalcyclesmentioned inDanielchapter nine that has not been fulfilled and must be fulfilled before themillennialreignofChrist.Ibelievethismaybeoneofthereasonswhyweareinstructed by Jesus to watch. If there was no information to be gained bywatching,thentherewouldobviouslybenoreasontowatch.ThetribulationperiodistheonlySabbaticalcycleofthatseventyweeksofDanielthathavenotbeenfulfilled.

Therefore,tofulfillthatsevenyearJewishcyclethetribulationmustofanecessitybeginatthebeginningofaSabbaticalcycle.WhenGodbroughtthechildren of Israel out of Egypt, He told them to let the land lay out everyseventhyear.TheJewsweretoobservetheSabbathdayandletthelandlayout every seventh year. Since they did not let the land enjoy her Sabbaths,God sent them intoBabylonian captivity for seventy years so that the landwouldenjoyitsSabbath.

Those seventy years in Babylonian captivity represent seventy

SabbaticalcyclesofDanielchapternine,whichisdeterminedtime.

Daniel 9:24 “seventy weeks are determined upon thy people andupontheholycitytofinishthetransgression,tomakeanendofsins,tomakereconciliationforiniquity,tobringineverlastingrighteousness,tosealupthevisionandprophecyandtoanointthemostHoly”.

ThisdeterminedtimemustofnecessitybefulfilledbeforethemillennialreignofChrist.

Therearedifferentopinionsbutsomewhohaveresearched thismattersaythatthenextJewishSabbaticalcyclewillbegininthelatefalloftheyear2001. Could this be some of the information which Jesus said we shouldwatchforandprayabout?Tosaytheleast,thetimebetweennowandthenextSabbaticalcycle isa timeinwhichweshouldmaketimetowatchandprayduring this great end-time harvest. If the rapture does not occur before thenextSabbaticalcycle,thatwouldseemtoindicatethatwehaveatleastsevenmore years. One thing for sure, we are definitely in the season of Hisappearing and the words of Jesus recorded in Mark 13:37 are moremeaningfulthaneverbefore,“whatIsayuntoyouIsayuntoall,watch”.

ItseemsthatGodhastrulyspokentheendfromthebeginningbyusingeventsof thepast torevealwhat thefutureholdsforboth therighteousandthe wicked. Mankind will be without excuse if he is not prepared for theevents which will end this age and begin to usher in the last Millenniumbeforeeternity.TherearemultitudeswhoarenotpreparedforthechangethatiscomingtoplanetEarthinthetwenty-firstcentury.

“DETERMINEDTIME”

InthisbookwehavefollowedscripturalprofilesrevealingGod’stime-line.We have seen scripture after scripture confirming that time-line to beaccurate.However,Iwanttogiveawordofcaution.Sincewedon’tknowforsurewhetherourcalendarisanywherenearaccurate,weshouldneverplaceour faith inman’scalendarconcerningdates for theseend-timeevents.OurfaithshouldbefirmlyestablishedinthefactthatGodhasalwaysfulfilledHiseverypromisewithinHisowntimeframe.

ThescriptureinDaniel9:24revealedthatGodwoulddealwithIsraelinatimeframewhichwasreferredtoas“determinedtime”ofseventyweeksofyears (490 years). That time was determined by God Himself. A study ofDaniel9:2527revealsthataftersixty-nineofthoseweeksChristwascrucified

andthatseventiethweek(7yearperiod)ofdeterminedtimehasbeendelayeduntilafter2000yearsoftheChurchAge.Wemusttakeintoconsiderationthefact that from time to time God has delayed prophetic fulfillment of thescripturesatHiswill.TheninHisowntimingturnstheprophetictimeclockonagainforthetotalfulfillment.

Tounderstand“determinedtime”wehaveonlybuttoconsiderafootballgame. It is divided into four-fifteen minute quarters. The total determinedtimebeingonehour,buttherehasneverbeenafootballgameplayedinonehourofrealtime.Therearetime-outs,therearedelaysofthegameinwhichthetimeclockinstoppedforanindefiniteperiodoftime.Thenthetimeclockisturnedonagainandthedeterminedtimebeginstobecounted.

Wemustrealizethatitisatleastapossibilitythatourcalculationsofthecalendar of time does not exactly fit God’s “determined time”. Only timeitselfwillrevealthewholetruthconcerningthismatter.ButyetwemustnottakelightlythepropheticprofilesintheWordofGodwhichgiveusadefinitedeterminedtime-lineforGod’sdealingwithmankind.

InJobchapterfourteen,Jobwasspeakingprophetically.

Job 14:1“Man that is born of awoman is a few days and full oftrouble.Hecomethforthlikeaflower,andiscutdown,hefleethalsoasashadow,andcontinuethnot”

5“Seeing his days are determined, the number of hismonths arewiththee,thouhastappointedhisboundsthathecannotpass”.

Theseversesallude to the fact thatGodhasdeterminedman’sdaysofdominiononthisplanetandhecannotpassthoseboundsdeterminedbyGodHimself.

Have therebeenotherdelays in thatdetermined time thatwehavenotnoticedinwhichGoddidnotmeasurethetime?Wecannotbeabsolutelysureat this point but we do have precedent that He has delayed the propheticfulfillmentof

Daniels70thweekuntiltheendoftheChurchAge.

There are two questions that Job asked which seems to confirm thatmansdaysofdominionarelimited.

Job7:1“Istherenotanappointedtimetomanuponearth?Arenot

hisdaysalsolikethedaysofahireling”?

Ibelieveman’sappointedtimeofdominionupontheearthwasrevealedinGenesischapterone.WhenthesixdaysofcreationwerefinishedmanwasintheimageandthelikenessofGod.Thesixdaysofthecreationaccountbypropheticprofileisstrongevidencethatmans“determinedtimeofdominion”issixthousandyears.

Thereismuchconfusionaboutcalendars,for theyhavebeentamperedwithandchangedoverthecenturiesbutyoucanrestassuredthatGodisthemastertimekeeperandHeiskeeping“determinedtime”.HistoryrecordsthefactthatmanypeoplehavesetdatesfortheRapture.Therehasbeenonethingincommonwithdatesetters, theyhaveallbeen100%wrong.ThisiswhyIsound aword of caution about date setting. Therewere somewho had setdates and then committed suicide when it didn’t happen on that date. It isobviousthattheirfaithwasnotinthepromiseofGodbutinadatewhichmanhadsetwithfaultyinformation.Whenthedatehadcomeandgonetheirfaithvanishedwithitthereforetheyhadnohope.

The apostle Paul in I Thess. 4:13 admonished us saying: “that weshouldsorrownotasotherswhichhavenohope”.TheblessedhopeoftheRapture is based not on man made calendar dates, but rather on God’s“determined time”. The apostle Paul states in Ephesians 1:10 “that in thedispensationofthefullnessoftimesHemightgathertogetherinoneallthingsinChrist,bothwhichareinheaven,andwhichareontheearth;even inHim”. The key phrase here is “the dispensation of the fullness oftimes”.Inotherwords,whenGod’sdeterminedtimeisfulfilled.

Inverses11-14PaulrevealsthatweweresealedwiththeHolySpiritofPromise and states that it was the earnest of our inheritance until theredemption of the purchased possession. The redemption of the purchasedpossessionreferstotheredemptionofthebodyandPaulconnectsitwiththedispensationofthefullnessoftimes,whichnodoubt,referstothefullnessofGod’s“determinedtime”.

WARNINGFORALLMANKIND

Thesepropheticcompositesandprofilesshouldbeviewedasawarningfor all mankind: Get prepared for the third day, for it will bring the mosttraumaticchangeonEarthin6000yearsofhumanhistory.

There is no doubt about it—we are in the end-time harvest. It is theseasonofHisappearing.Thetaresarecomingtogetherinbundles.TheLord

of the harvest is about to gather the first harvest of the righteous from theearth.

THEKINGISCOMING—AREYOUPREPAREDTOMEETHIM?

MESSAGETOREADER—BEFORETHERAPTURE

Ifyouarereadingthisbookbefore theRaptureof theChurchandyouarenotpreparedtomeettheLordwhenHeappears,praythisprayer.Itmaysound too simple to you but that’s why it is called the simple plan ofsalvation.Doitnow.Don’tputitoffanylonger.

LordJesus,IbelieveYouaretheSonofGod.IbelieveYoudiedformysinsandYouwereraisedthethirddayformyjustification.Irepentofmysinsand receive Your forgiveness. I ask You to cleanse me from allunrighteousness. I confess that JesusChrist ismyLord and trueMessiah. IreceivemyforgivenessbyfaithontheauthorityofYourWord.NowIthankYou,

Father, that I amYour child and You aremy Father and Jesus is myLord.Mysinsaregone.ThankYou,HeavenlyFather;Iambornagain.IhavebecomeanewcreatureinChristJesus,andaccordingtoRomans10:9

10 and 1Thessalonians 5:9, I am now saved from thewrath to come,Amen.

IencourageyoutogetaBibleandbeginreadingtheBookofRomans.

MESSAGETOREADER—AFTERTHERAPTURE

Ifyouare reading thisbookafter theRaptureof theChurchhas takenplace,obviouslyyoumissedHisappearing.ButGod’sgracestillextends toyou at this point in time. But you must act quickly, because there aretraumatic changes takingplaceon earthwhichwillmake itmuchharder tomakeadecisioninthenearfuture.Praythisprayer:

Oh,GodinHeaven,IaskYouinthenameofYourSonJesus, tohavemercyonmenow.Irepentofmysins,andIresigneveryevilwork.Forgivemysinsandcleansemefromallunrighteousness.IbelievethatJesusChrististhetrueMessiahWhodiedformysinstoredeemme.Havemercyuponmenow and receive me into Your kingdom; give me divine direction andguidance of the Holy Spirit during these troublesome times. I confess thatJesusChristismyLordandMessiah.ThankYou,Lord,thatbecauseofYourdivinemercy and grace I amborn again; I amnow a child ofGod. I have

becomeanewcreatureinChrist,andIdependonYourwisdom,mercy,andgracetodivinelyguidemesothatImayleadotherstothesavingknowledgeoftheChrist,thetrueMessiah.

ThankYou,Father,forYourdivineforgiveness,whichmakesitpossibleformetobewithYouineternity.

Find a bible and read the book of Revelation. It will reveal what ishappeningonearthandwarnyouagainsttakingthemarkofthebeast.

ENDNOTES

CHAPTERFIVE

1DakesAnnotatedBibleNoteJ4thColumn,p.71intheN.T.2Strong,James.“GreekDictionaryoftheNewTestament,”Strong’s

Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Nashville: Abingdon, 1890), p. 22,#1220.

CHAPTERSEVEN

1TheAmplifiedBible,NewTestamentcopyright©1958,1987bytheLockmanFoundation,LaHabra,California,p.1403.

2Strong,James.“GreekDictionaryoftheNewTestament,”Strong’sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Nashville: Abingdon, 1890), p. 41,#2722.

CHAPTEREIGHT

1Strong,James.“GreekDictionaryoftheNewTestament,”Strong’sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Nashville: Abingdon, 1890), p. 47,#3346.

2TheAmplifiedBible,NewTestament,copyright©1958,1987bytheLockmanFoundation,LaHabra,California,p.1403.

3Strong,James.Op.Cit.,p.15,#646.CHAPTERNINE

1Strong,James.“GreekDictionaryoftheNewTestament,”Strong’sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Nashville: Abingdon, 1890, p. 73,#5207.

2Ibid.,p.50,#3565.

3Ibid.,p.55,#3933.4Ibid.,p.12,#435.5Ibid.,p.12,#444.CHAPTERTEN

1Brown,Francis,Driver,R.,Briggs,A.“TheNewBrown—Driver—Briggs—Gesenius Hebrew and English Lexicon,” (Massachusetts:HendricksonPublishers),p.988,#7620.

CHAPTERTWELVE

1Strong, James. “Greek Dictionary of the New Testament,” Strong’sExhaustive Concordance of the Bible, (Nashville: Abingdon, 1890), p. 37,#2398.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

1LesterSumrall,IPredict2000A.D.(SouthBend:LeSEAPublishingCo.,1987),p.69.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

1 Strong, James. “Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary of the OldTestament,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Nashville:Abingdon,1890,p.15,#623.

2Ibid.,p.33,#1968.3Ibid.,p.47,#3038.CHAPTERFIFTEEN

1 Strong, James. “Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary of the OldTestament,” Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Nashville:Abingdon,1890,p.8,#140.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

1Rambsel,YacovA.HisNameisJesus.Toronto:FrontierResearch,p.136.

2Ibid.

READER’SINDEXOFWORDSANDPHRASES

SinceIwillusemanyphrasesandwordsthatmaybeunfamiliartomanyofourreaders,Ifeltthatitwouldbegoodtoputanindexdictionaryofwordsthatcouldbereferredtofromtime-to-timetomakesurethattheyunderstandthewordsandphrasesandhowtheyareusedinthisbook.

“RAPTURE,”“BLESSEDHOPE,”and“CATCHINGAWAYOFTHECHURCH”areallusedinthisbookassynonymoustermstoRapture,whichis simply a catching away of theBody ofChrist from earth to heaven justbeforethesevenyearsoftribulationbegins.

The phrase “CHURCH” and “BODY OF CHRIST” are synonymousterms referring to those that are born again and have a current relationshipwiththeLordJesusChrist.

Thephrase“THELASTDAYS”generallyreferstothetwodayswhichrepresenttwothousandyearsoftheChurchAge.

The phrase “CHRIST’S FIRST COMING,” or, “FIRST ADVENT,”refers towhenChristwas born on earth. “SECONDADVENT” is a futurecomingofChristandreferstothesecondtimethatHecomestoearth,whichwill be at the end of the seven years of tribulation, to set up His earthlykingdomhereontheearth.

“COMINGOFTHELORD”—ThisphrasemostgenerallyreferstotheSecondAdvent.

The phrase “OURGATHERING TOGETHERUNTOHIM” refers totheRaptureoftheChurch.

“THEDAYOFCHRIST”referstoandisasynonymoustermwiththeDayof theLord,which is theSeventhMillennium thatbeginswhenChristreturns fromheaven to earthwith the saints to set upHiskingdomhereonearth.Itisatime-spanofonethousandyears.

Theword “MILLENNIUM” is used of that one thousand-year period,whichon someoccasionswill alsobe referred to as themillennial reignofChrist,orthelastMillennium.

“THE TRIBULATION PERIOD”—“DANIEL’S SEVENTIETHWEEK”—“TIME OF THE ANTICHRIST” —“TIME OF JACOB’STROUBLE”—areallsynonymoustermsandrefertooneevent,whichistheseven-yearperiodoftribulationthatbeginsimmediatelywhentheChurchisrapturedandcontinuesuntiltheChurchcomesbackwithChristfromheaventosetupHiskingdomonearth.

The phrase, “WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR—WHEN HE SHALLAPPEAR IN THE AIR—AND—AT HIS APPEARING” are all used inreferencetotheRapture,unlessotherwisespecifiedbyreferringtotheSecondAdventwhenHeappearstothewholeworld.

The phrase “LAW OF DOUBLE REFERENCE,” or “BY DOUBLEREFERENCE,”referstothefactthatmanypropheticScriptureshavealiteralfulfillmentthatmayhavetakenplacemanyyearsago,butalsoforeshadowafuturefulfillment.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

CharlesCappsisaretiredfarmer,landdeveloper,andordainedministerwhotravelsthroughouttheUnitedStatessharingthetruthofGod’sWord.Hehas taughtBibleseminarsfor twenty-fouryears,sharinghowChristianscanapplytheWordtothecircumstancesoflifeandlivevictoriously.

Inthemid-’90stheLordgaveCharlesanassignmenttoteachend-timeeventsandarevelationofthecomingoftheLord.Besidesauthoringseveralbooks,includingthebestsellingTheTongue,aCreativeForce,andthemini-bookGod’sCreativePower,whichhassold3millioncopies,CharlesCappsMinistrieshasanationaldailysyndicatedradiobroadcastcalled“ConceptsofFaith.”

Time Is Running Out! TheEarthLeaseIsAbouttoExpire!

Could this be the end of the world as we know it? In the midst ofcataclysmic natural disasters and great moral decay, God is unveiling newrevelation from the Scriptures to prepare this generation for the mosttraumaticchangeontheearthinsixthousandyears!

In this revealing and prophetic look atGod’sWord, bestselling authorCharles Capps opens the Scriptures surrounding the end of the age.PinpointingGod’splanfortheeventsthatwillendthisworldasweknowit,thisexcitingbookbringstolighttypesandscripturalcompositeswhichGodhashiddenintheBibleforthisgeneration!

Thiscarefulstudyofend-timeeventsoffersclearanswers toquestionssuchas:

&Whenwillthisageend?

&WhenwilltheAntichristberevealed?

&WillGodprotectHispeopleordeliverthemfromthesevenyearsoftribulation?

&WhatBiblekeysrevealtheendofthechurchage?

&WhatistheSolomonConceptandhowdoesitrevealfutureevents?

&Dobiblicalnumbersunveilend-timerevelation?

&Andmanyothers!Don’t be left in the dark concerning the twenty-first century and the

eventsthatwillcloseoutthisage,thrustingtheinhabitantsofplanetearthintothelastMillenniumbeforeeternity!

1UnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey,NationalEarthquake InformationCenter,P.O.Box25046,DFC,MS967,Denver,

CO,DataGlobalSearchStatistics,compiledFebruary19,1997.

2ThisreferstotheelectofIsrael.Lockyer,Herbety,Sr.IllustratedBibleDictionary.(Nashville:ThomasNelson,1986).

Thedaysofintensetribulationwillbecutshort,nottheseven-yearperiod.

3Foracompleteteachingonthissubject,seetheauthor’sbookAuthorityinThreeWorlds.

4OneoftherulesofBibleinterpretationisthatwhenitmentionswateranddoesnotnameaparticularriver,stream,or

ocean,itapplies,oratleasthasadoublereference,topeople.

5Itwasn’tthesicknessordeathofLazarusthatbroughtglorytoGod,butratherhisresurrection.

6ThehostinthisparablewouldseemtorepresenttheHolySpirit.

7TheWord.

8TheGreekwordsoma,translatedbody,isalsousedofagroupofpeople,largeorsmall.Verse37isinreferencetothe

bodyofthewicked(tares)thathavebeengatheredtogetheringroupsofbundlestobedestroyed.

9Winnowingshovel.

|Awoodenwinnowingforkorshovelwasusedtotossthegrainintotheair,allowingthewindtotakeawaythechaff.

10Thisphrase“aftersixdays”isnotmeanttoimplythattheRapturewillhappenexactlyattheendof6000years.Itisintendedtoconveythefactthatthiseventcannothappenbeforetheendofthe6000-yearearthlease.ThereareotherindicationsthattherewillbeashortperiodoftimeaftertheearthleaseexpiresinwhichthegloriousChurchwillreaptheend-timeharvestsbeforebeingcaughtuptoHeaven.(Seechapter16.)

11Numeralsinsteadofspelledoutnumberswillbeusedinthischaptertoshowtheirsignificanceincertainpropheticevents.

12Numeralsinsteadofspelled-outnumberswillbeusedinsomeplacesinthischaptertoshowtheirsignificanceincertainpropheticevents.

13ThisisnottobeconfusedwithIsrael’sfirstJubileeasanationafterbeingrestoredin1948.TheycelebratedthatJubileein1998.TheirnormalJubileewillbeinthefalloftheyear2000.

14Wewill again use numerals instead of spelled-out numbers in this chapter to show their significance in certainpropheticevents.