Wednesday, September 24, 2014

THE RAPTURE AND ROSH HASHANAH


In my study of prophecy, I have learned how the feasts of Israel actually represent the fulfillment of prophecy on God’s calendar.  My general understanding is as follows. 

Passover = Death of Jesus on the cross as our Passover lamb
Unleavened Bread = Sinless sacrifice of Jesus to destroy sin
First Fruits = Resurrection
Pentecost = Birth of church and possibly rapture
Rosh HaShana/Feast of Trumpets = Rapture and/or regathering of Israel
Day of Atonement = Second Coming of Jesus as King of kings
Feast of Tabernacles = The Millennial Kingdom

Every year around the time of Pentecost and Rosh Hashanah I get a little more excited about the possibility of the rapture of the body of Christ.  Both celebrate the harvest, and it makes sense to me that the rapture could be associated with either one.  I tend to lean towards Rosh Hashanah since it follows in sequence from Pentecost and allows for the months in between to represent the church age.  It is also interesting that it is associated with the blowing of trumpets.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Commentators note that on this day that the Jews celebrate as their new year with one hundred blasts on the trumpet.  The last blast is a much longer blast called the Tekiah Gedolah and could represent the reference to “the last trump” in the passage from Corinthians quoted above.

This feast is also associated with the thought of not knowing the day or the hour because it is based on the sighting of the new moon.  This year the Jews celebrate this feast over two days beginning the evening of September 24th-the evening of September 26th.  Jesus said that we would not know the day or the hour of His return.

Matthew 24:36–37 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

All this being said, I know that the rapture could occur at any time and will occur at a time when most “think not.”

Matthew 24:37–44 “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Following is an excerpt from my study of this section of Matthew.

I continue to struggle with this section.  Though the context throughout has been the return of Jesus as King and the tribulation period, I believe after reading through this again, that the plain meaning has to apply to the rapture.  Jesus is using an example of life going on as usual when He comes.  That just won’t be the case in the tribulation—especially as it gets closer to the end and people on earth are suffering the effects of the vial judgments.  Just as with the other prophets, this prophecy is not necessarily revealed in chronological format.

Again, the Lord is painting a word picture.  I think the main point of these verses is that life will be going on as normal, just as it did until the very day that Noah entered the ark.  Only then did the people recognize the truth of Noah’s preaching.  Only then did they realize the truth that they would die in the flood.

I think it is interesting to note that Noah knew all along that God was going to destroy “all flesh wherein is the breath of life” under heaven.

Genesis 6:13 & 17 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.  And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.”

Scripture also tells us that Noah was a preacher of righteousness.

2Peter 2:5 “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly….”

taken” = to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation)
“left” = to send forth, in various applications (as follow):—cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.

“know not what hour” – This emphasizes the need to be expectant daily.

I think the most natural reading of these verses fits the rapture.  It is describing when some will be “taken” (Greek: “received near” – to be with Jesus) and others left behind to go through the coming time of judgment.

The emphasis of these verses is on being prepared—watching.  The root word in Greek for watch is a reference to mental awareness.  Men and women of faith should be ever vigilant and expectant regarding the Lord’s return.  The Lord will continue to emphasize the importance of being prepared by presenting that truth in several different ways in the coming verses.

This tells me that Noah’s situation was much like that of Christians who share the truth of God’s coming today.  He knew the truth and was faithful to preach it, but the people ignored his message because they didn’t believe it.  We who have been redeemed by Jesus know the truth and are faithfully declaring it to those around us, but they choose to ignore it because they don’t believe it. 

Noah entering and sealed in the ark = Israel fleeing to and protected in the wilderness

I also don’t deny that there is a secondary truth in making a comparison between how things were in the days of Noah and how things will be in the tribulation that will coincide with God’s wrath and destruction of the heathen when He returns as King of Kings.

Genesis 6:5 & 12-13 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually….And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

Again, this is not the first time that Jesus had taught the disciples this truth.

Luke 17:26-30 “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

Jesus also included the example of Lot in His earlier teaching to emphasize His point.

I think the important truth to note is that God is going to deliver His own before exacting judgment on the wicked.

“and knew not until” – This indicates many will not recognize the truth until the time of judgment comes—at which point it is too late.  It would also tie in with the truth of 2Thessalonians.

2Thessalonians 2:10-12 “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Could this be the turning point regarding the people of Israel and their faith in the Messiah?  The teaching of the rapture is widely known today, and I think it will serve to cause many Jews to realize that Jesus was who He claimed to be and the teachings of the New Testament are to be taken as scripture.

Jesus now uses a different word picture.  He tells us that the master of the house would be able to protect his house from thieves if he knew when they were coming. 
In other words, the Son of man is going to come like a thief—without warning.

Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

These verses from Revelation tie directly to the truth the Lord is presenting here in Matthew.  He will come as a thief to those who are not watching.  The one who is truly watching will be prepared—will not be in a position of shame to meet the Savior.  This is a truth that has become much more important and real to me as I have grown older and more absorbed in His Word.  I am so much more aware of what I am doing each minute.  I so want the Spirit to be at home in my being.  This makes it much easier to make choices in entertainment and in how I prioritize my time.

Come Lord Jesus!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!


Today is my birthday; and as I was talking to the Lord this morning and thanking Him for my many blessings, I found myself singing an old song by the Gaithers.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family, the family of God.

I have no greater blessing than to be able to call God, Creator of heaven and earth, my Father!  Far beyond my comprehension, He loves me unconditionally and has clothed me in the righteousness of Jesus His Son.  I truly can hardly wait until its time for Him to come and take us home to spend eternity with Him (and I believe the signs of the times all around us shout that it will be soon).  I try to imagine what it will be like to be free from the sin nature and the temptations of the flesh.  I so look forward to finding out what it is like to experience worship that is forever free from distraction.  I want to know what it is like to serve Him without the hindrance of earthly demands and responsibilities.  I want to experience the total peace and assurance that I will never grieve Him again.  I am so looking forward to getting to know my whole spiritual family and joining with them in wonderful times of praise and worship that I am sure will far surpass any that we can experience in the here and now. 

Until that time, I am so thankful for the many blessings I enjoy in this life.  I have the most wonderful husband and amazing children on the planet.  They all love the Lord and are seeking to serve Him and live according to His will.  I have six beautiful grandchildren that are being brought up to love God and His word and use their talents to serve Him.  I have a mom that was committed to giving me a strong foundation in the church and is a wonderful encourager.  Every other blessing is just icing on the cake.

My heart truly resonates with the Apostle John—“1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”
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Monday, September 8, 2014

SUPERNATURAL ENEMIES


The headlines today are filled with the acts of evil men that seem to relish being in the spotlight for their actions.  Personally, I think these men have basically sold their souls to the devil as instruments of his forces of evil.  The prophet Paul boldly declared in his letter to the believers at Ephesus that our war is against the supernatural forces of evil.

Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Most of the world has rejected the authority of God and/or even the very existence of God, and do not recognize that our war against the supernatural is part of our reality.  Sadly, I don’t think this truth is even recognized by a great majority of the professing “church” today. 

What these evil men don’t realize as they follow the “god of this world…”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

…by perpetrating such atrocious acts against fellow human beings, they are actually serving a god who will delight when the one true God condemns them to the lake of fire for eternity.  Though Satan is ever at war against those who yield their lives to the one true God, he is just as much an enemy of those that align themselves with his forces of evil in rebellion against the one true God—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of my salvation by grace through faith in Jesus the Messiah, His Son.

Jesus very clearly declared the truth about Satan as He taught in the temple.

John 8:44–45 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

I think it is significant to note that Satan is identified as a murderer; he delights in the destruction of life—be it believer or nonbeliever.  It is also significant that he is identified as a liar who cannot abide the truth.  When I hear the reports of the horrendous deeds of those that follow the devil (though declaring to do so in the name of their “god”), I understand that they are acting in accordance with their father’s will. 

There will never be peace on earth as long as Satan is the recognized “god of this world.”  In fact, the only effective defense against his attack is the armor of God as detailed by Paul.

Ephesians 6:11–17 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil….Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God….”

This armor is only available to those who have chosen to yield to the one true God as Lord and Savior by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Jesus we can stand strong against the enemy and render ineffective every attack he makes against us. 

Ephesians 2:4–7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

My future is secure in Jesus—Is yours?

Monday, September 1, 2014

SPIRITUAL INSIGHT FROM STEPHEN LAWHEAD’S: THE DRAGON KING TRILOGY


I began reading this trilogy to determine whether or not I wanted to get it for my granddaughter.  It has proven to be an interesting read with many spiritual applications similar to those found in the stories of Narnia by C. S. Lewis.  I thought the following section particularly thought provoking. 
“Yes, perhaps we are mistaken. It is possible we have misread the signs. But whether you are the one or not does not matter very much.”
Quentin cocked his head sharply; he had not expected the hermit to say that. “No,” Durwin continued. “What does matter is whether you are willing to follow the Most High, even in your unbelief.”
“I— I do not know what you mean.”
“Certainly you do. All your life you have served the gods in one way or another. Of the old gods you soon learned only to demand those things which they were capable of providing— an insignificant sign or two, a small favor vaguely asked. Then you met Whist Orren, the Most High God, the One True God of All. You have served him faithfully these many years and have learned much about his ways. But now is the first time you have ever really had to trust in him, to place yourself totally in his will, and you are afraid.”
Quentin started to object, but Durwin held up his hands. “Yes, afraid. You must now put your faith to the test. And such a test! With lost mines and flaming swords and prophecies fulfilled.”
“Why should I fear that?”
“The reason is not so hard to guess. It is the same with every man. You fear testing your faith, because it means testing the Most High. Deep in your heart you fear he will fail. If he fails, you are utterly alone in this life and beyond; there is nothing you can believe in anymore.”
Quentin shook his head. “No, Durwin. That is not my fear.”
“Tell me, then.”
Quentin drew a deep breath, glanced at the hermit and then quickly away again. “I am afraid of being the priest king. I cannot say why, but the mere mention of swords and mines fills me with dread. Look at my arm! How can I wield the Shining One with an arm as dead as firewood?” “
It is the same thing in the end, is it not? You fear to accept something the Most High has chosen for you.”
“How is that the same thing?”
“Most assuredly it is. To accept the crown of priest king would mean placing your trust totally in the Most High. It means that you must trust him to know what is best for you, to know you better than you know yourself. It would mean trusting him beyond all trust, even when the way is unclear— especially when the way is unclear.
“When you trust like that, you necessarily test the god’s ability to keep you. You are— we all are— unwilling to make such demands of our gods. If we trust but little, we will be disappointed but little, eh?”
“If I do not believe, but follow anyway, does that not mock the Most High and defeat his will?”
“On the contrary, my friend. To follow without seeing the end— in unbelief, as you say— is really the highest form of trust.”
“It is but blind trust,” objected Quentin. The words of the hermit made sense to him, but he still felt as if he must fight acceptance.
“Not blind trust. Not at all. Those who trust the powerless gods of earth and sky— they trust blindly.
“Quentin, look at me,” the hermit commanded gently. “You cannot serve the Most High without trusting him totally, for there always comes a time when he will put you to the test. He will have all of you or nothing at all. There can be no middle ground. It is a demand that he makes of his followers.”
Lawhead, Stephen R. (2014-07-08). The Dragon King Collection: In the Hall of the Dragon King, The Warlords of Nin, and The Sword and the Flame (The Dragon King Trilogy) (Kindle Locations 10512-10530). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
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