Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church
The fifth of the Seven Feasts of Israel is the Feast of Trumpets (or, Rosh HaShanah to the modern Jew). "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD" (Leviticus 23:24-25). It was the fourth of the seven high days in Leviticus 23.
The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) is the beginning of the Jewish year because it is, by Jewish tradition, supposed to represent the birthday of the world. It is the seventh month, Tishri, of the Jewish year. In the Book of Genesis, the Hebrew words for "in the beginning" mean "on the first of Tishri", when changed around.
Rosh HaShanah means "head of the year" in Hebrew. Tishri is the beginning of the civil year-- for dating the beginning of a king's reign, while Nisan (Abib) is the first month of the religious calendar for Israel (in commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt). It was originally specified as a one day feast in Leviticus 23; however, it was changed by tradition to a two day observance because of the difficulty of determining a new moon. The first of a Jewish month was to be a new moon. An extra day was added by tradition to ensure that the correct day was observed.
Three trumpets (Hebrew, shofarim) are associated with the Seven Feasts of Israel. The first trumpet is blown at Pentecost (Shavuot). "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice" (Exodus 19:19). The last trumpet is blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah). "With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King" (Psalms 98:6). The great trump is blown on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem" (Isaiah 27:13).
The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church and the Resurrection are linked. Where you find one, you will find the other. "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" (1Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Why a Second "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 11:12)? Because God needs to remove the final portion of His Church with the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Tribulation Saints, before pouring out the Vial Judgments. The First "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 4:1) is a Pre-Tribulational event that removes the expectantly, waiting Church before the opening of the Tribulation Week by as much as 5 1/2 months, i.e. Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 1998. The Second "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 11:12) more precisely describes the conclusion of the Church-- including the Tribulation Saints-- with the Rapture and Resurrection of the Two Witnesses (probably Moses and Elijah). "And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth... And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them . And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our LORD was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a Great Voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them... And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:3,7-12,15).
The Last Trump and the 7th Trumpet Judgment are the same. "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" (1Corinthians 15:51-52). This trumpet blast takes place 8 days prior to the last day of the Tribulation Week. How so? Since: (1) the Last Trump is sounded on Rosh HaShanah on Tishri 1, (2) the Second Coming of Jesus Christ takes place on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is Tishri 10, and (3) the last day of the Tribulation Week is Tishri 9 -- because Jesus will return "immediately after the tribulation of those days [Tishri 10]" (Matthew 24:29), then the Last Trump must sound 8 days prior to the end of the Tribulation Week.
Although the concept of a Pre-Wrath Rapture (or, Second "Come Up Hither"), occurring only 9 nine days before the end of the Tribulation Week, may sound more dismal than a hope, you must remember that the LORD has exercised the greatest care and love to preserve His people from ever entering this Seventieth Week of Daniel. The First "Come Up Hither" Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church of Revelation 4:1 is proof that God has done all that can be done to keep His people from entering the Tribulation Week. The evidence of the LORD's love for His people can also be seen in the promises that He has provided to enable His people to escape the events of this apocalyptic week. What else can we make of the promises of God than that they are intended to aid us in our escape from this world? "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Peter 1:3-4).
The LORD remembered Noah, so why would a loving God forget any child who implicitly confides under the shadow of His wings? "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1). King David was not abashed about his desire to find a hiding place in his Rock. "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock" (Psalm 27:5). Isaiah, a prophet of royal blood (by rabbinic tradition), foretold of Jehovah's protection of His people at the time of the end when He would punish the inhabitants of the earth. "Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain" (Isaiah 26:20-21).
Even the first great king of a world empire, Nebuchadnezzar, before he was converted to Jehovah, said about the LORD's ability to deliver the people of God, "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (Daniel 3:29). The voice of the prophets pleaded for God's people to seek the LORD, who may hide us in the day of His anger. "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger" (Zephaniah 2:3).
Is it misdirected to obey the injunction of the LORD Jesus Christ to watch and pray always that we would escape ALL these things that shall come to pass? "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). We remember Elijah's rapture in the Old Testament, but remember that as early in human history as Enoch, our God has been showing us His willingness to translate His saints without dying-- if we would only believe. "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5). A First "Come Up Hither" Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church should not be thought ridiculous when we consider that our God is the One Who Knows How to Deliver the Godly. "The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (2Peter 2:9).
Should we think that an entirely sanctified walk is too much to ask of even us, who desire to keep from falling into sin-- especially doubting that He will deliver us from all the events of the Tribulation Week-- remember that our God is the One That is Able to Keep Us From Falling... away from Himself and His promises! "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). Another faithful friend is the promise that Jesus gave to John to give to the Philadelphians so that we could read it over their shoulders for our benefit as well. "Because thou hast kept The Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Revelation 3:10). Escaping the events of the Seventieth Week of Daniel is a certainty for those who look for Him to "appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28). The only way we will not escape is if we neglect Him, Who is Our Salvation. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so Great Salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him" (Hebrews 2:3).
The LORD Jesus fulfills the Feast of Trumpets by the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Jesus is the resurrection. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). He has promised the "resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:14). He also promises to deliver His people from the wrath to come, specifically the final Seven Vial Judgments of the Wrath of God. These vials will be poured out during the last 8 days of the Tribulation Week. "And to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1Thessalonians 1:10).
5- Feast of Trumpets :
Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church
he fifth of the Seven Feasts of Israel is the Feast
of Trumpets (or, Rosh HaShanah to the modern Jew). "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,
In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial
of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein:
but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD" (Leviticus 23:24-25). It was the fourth of the seven high days in
Leviticus 23.The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) is the beginning of the Jewish year because it is, by Jewish tradition, supposed to represent the birthday of the world. It is the seventh month, Tishri, of the Jewish year. In the Book of Genesis, the Hebrew words for "in the beginning" mean "on the first of Tishri", when changed around.
Rosh HaShanah means "head of the year" in Hebrew. Tishri is the beginning of the civil year-- for dating the beginning of a king's reign, while Nisan (Abib) is the first month of the religious calendar for Israel (in commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt). It was originally specified as a one day feast in Leviticus 23; however, it was changed by tradition to a two day observance because of the difficulty of determining a new moon. The first of a Jewish month was to be a new moon. An extra day was added by tradition to ensure that the correct day was observed.
Three trumpets (Hebrew, shofarim) are associated with the Seven Feasts of Israel. The first trumpet is blown at Pentecost (Shavuot). "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice" (Exodus 19:19). The last trumpet is blown at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah). "With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King" (Psalms 98:6). The great trump is blown on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem" (Isaiah 27:13).
The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church and the Resurrection are linked. Where you find one, you will find the other. "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" (1Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Why a Second "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 11:12)? Because God needs to remove the final portion of His Church with the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Tribulation Saints, before pouring out the Vial Judgments. The First "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 4:1) is a Pre-Tribulational event that removes the expectantly, waiting Church before the opening of the Tribulation Week by as much as 5 1/2 months, i.e. Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 1998. The Second "Come Up Hither" (Revelation 11:12) more precisely describes the conclusion of the Church-- including the Tribulation Saints-- with the Rapture and Resurrection of the Two Witnesses (probably Moses and Elijah). "And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth... And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them . And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our LORD was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a Great Voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to Heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them... And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our LORD, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:3,7-12,15).
The Last Trump and the 7th Trumpet Judgment are the same. "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" (1Corinthians 15:51-52). This trumpet blast takes place 8 days prior to the last day of the Tribulation Week. How so? Since: (1) the Last Trump is sounded on Rosh HaShanah on Tishri 1, (2) the Second Coming of Jesus Christ takes place on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), which is Tishri 10, and (3) the last day of the Tribulation Week is Tishri 9 -- because Jesus will return "immediately after the tribulation of those days [Tishri 10]" (Matthew 24:29), then the Last Trump must sound 8 days prior to the end of the Tribulation Week.
Although the concept of a Pre-Wrath Rapture (or, Second "Come Up Hither"), occurring only 9 nine days before the end of the Tribulation Week, may sound more dismal than a hope, you must remember that the LORD has exercised the greatest care and love to preserve His people from ever entering this Seventieth Week of Daniel. The First "Come Up Hither" Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church of Revelation 4:1 is proof that God has done all that can be done to keep His people from entering the Tribulation Week. The evidence of the LORD's love for His people can also be seen in the promises that He has provided to enable His people to escape the events of this apocalyptic week. What else can we make of the promises of God than that they are intended to aid us in our escape from this world? "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Peter 1:3-4).
The LORD remembered Noah, so why would a loving God forget any child who implicitly confides under the shadow of His wings? "And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1). King David was not abashed about his desire to find a hiding place in his Rock. "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock" (Psalm 27:5). Isaiah, a prophet of royal blood (by rabbinic tradition), foretold of Jehovah's protection of His people at the time of the end when He would punish the inhabitants of the earth. "Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain" (Isaiah 26:20-21).
Even the first great king of a world empire, Nebuchadnezzar, before he was converted to Jehovah, said about the LORD's ability to deliver the people of God, "Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (Daniel 3:29). The voice of the prophets pleaded for God's people to seek the LORD, who may hide us in the day of His anger. "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger" (Zephaniah 2:3).
Is it misdirected to obey the injunction of the LORD Jesus Christ to watch and pray always that we would escape ALL these things that shall come to pass? "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). We remember Elijah's rapture in the Old Testament, but remember that as early in human history as Enoch, our God has been showing us His willingness to translate His saints without dying-- if we would only believe. "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5). A First "Come Up Hither" Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church should not be thought ridiculous when we consider that our God is the One Who Knows How to Deliver the Godly. "The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (2Peter 2:9).
Should we think that an entirely sanctified walk is too much to ask of even us, who desire to keep from falling into sin-- especially doubting that He will deliver us from all the events of the Tribulation Week-- remember that our God is the One That is Able to Keep Us From Falling... away from Himself and His promises! "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). Another faithful friend is the promise that Jesus gave to John to give to the Philadelphians so that we could read it over their shoulders for our benefit as well. "Because thou hast kept The Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth" (Revelation 3:10). Escaping the events of the Seventieth Week of Daniel is a certainty for those who look for Him to "appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:28). The only way we will not escape is if we neglect Him, Who is Our Salvation. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so Great Salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the LORD, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him" (Hebrews 2:3).
The LORD Jesus fulfills the Feast of Trumpets by the Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Jesus is the resurrection. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). He has promised the "resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:14). He also promises to deliver His people from the wrath to come, specifically the final Seven Vial Judgments of the Wrath of God. These vials will be poured out during the last 8 days of the Tribulation Week. "And to wait for His Son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come" (1Thessalonians 1:10).
7- Feast of Tabernacles : Inauguration of the Millennial Reign of the LORD Jesus Christ on Earth
he Feast of Tabernacles is the seventh of the Seven
Feasts of Israel. This feast (also known as Sukkot to modern Jews) is observed
from Tishri
15 to 21, with the first of the Feast as
a high day. "Speak unto the children of
Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles
for seven days unto the LORD. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall
do no servile work therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto
the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer
an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do
no servile work therein" (Leviticus 23:34-36).The seventh and last of the high days of Leviticus 23 occurs on Tishri 22-- "on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:36). This is technically the day after the Feast of Tabernacles. It may be understood as the conclusion of Tabernacles; however, it can be thought of as a separate feast by itself. Judaism has developed this understanding into the observance of Shemini Atzeret (the eighth day of assembly). The final significance of this eighth day will not be known until the Millennium.
Tabernacles was intended to remind Israel of how the LORD brought them through their wilderness wanderings. "That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 23:43). These feast days were also a time of thanksgiving after the final ingathering. "And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field" (Exodus 23:16).
When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of the city of Jerusalem, he reinstituted the Feast of Tabernacles. The joy of the LORD is key to the celebration of this Feast. "Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). The joy of this feast teaches us what we may expect in the Millennium.
The spiritual significance of this building of tabernacles or booths (Hebrew, Sukkot), is that Jehovah God desires to dwell with man. Booths are for dwelling; however, the point is not so much that man dwells in booths, but that God dwells with man. "And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to Me in the priest's office. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God" (Exodus 29:44-46).
This concept of God dwelling with man is carried to a conclusion in the Book of Revelation. "And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Revelation 21:3). It may be difficult for us to conceive that God would desire to tabernacle with man. If the difficulty does not impress us, then we are not sufficiently impressed with the greatness of God or the baseness of man.
The Millennium will again see the implementation of the Feast of Tabernacles. "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain" (Zechariah 14:16-17). Sacrifice during the Millennium will no longer be in anticipation of the sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ, but in commemoration of His sacrifice.
Again, the LORD Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. When He returns as "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:16), His physical presence on "the throne of His father David" (Luke 1:32)-- during which we "shall reign with Him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6)-- will fulfill Zechariah 14:9: "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one."