Luke 15 Prodigal Rapture
Let’s start off by taking a look at Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11
13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
More on this as we go, but it provides a good backdrop for the parable:
Luke 15
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
There are so many redemption stories in the Bible, and stories where the lesser will become the greater. The Prodigal story is a summation of all these stories…
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
This earth is a distant country from the true country of Heaven. Heaven is where true wealth is and this earth is where the “wild living” takes place.
14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
This earth is in a severe Spiritual Famine and those that are truly “Heavenly Citizens” are starving. Just as the Prodigal at some point we have “sold out” and become a citizen of this earthly country. Pigs are describing the true “citizens” of this earth (not politically correct I’m sure, but then again, following Jesus’ example I don’t think this is God’s aim). Citizens of heaven are still to “feed” them and since these citizens are foreigners to this earth (see Hebrews 11), they really get no favor deriving from this earth (what we do receive is from God, but not so much that we are “satisfied” with this earth)
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
Even the lowly Heavenly citizens (angels?) have great positions and are fulfilled in Heaven. So much so, that the “Prodigal” who held a son position with God, thought it better to go back and take a hired hand position.
18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
The son knows what needs to be done to go back to his Father – total death to himself and his former ways and wishes. Like a rebellious teenager who once thought he knew more than “Dad”. Now where entitlement or pride once dwelled, humility resides. More on this in the epilogue…
Do you feel heaven is your home? Are you like Abraham and Sarah, not knowing where you are going, but willing to risk all for a place you’ve never seen? If so, tune in and let’s look for any hints Jesus may be giving us…
Now the son is ready to go home…
20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[b]'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
I didn’t want to interrupt verses 20 – 24 which are so amazing!!! Let’s take a look now:
20: The Father runs to the son and is filled with compassion! If you are a parent you surely know this feeling. If you have ever been separated from your child(ren) then you know that your love for them surpasses all wrongdoing and when they come with a repentant heart, all is made well instantly and with much joy. What good parent wouldn’t run to their son or daughter? How much more our Heavenly Father?
21: The son truly has a repentant heart filled with humility. What the Father hoped would happen that sad day when the son walked out, has finally come to fruition. How hard is it for a parent to truly let go, not knowing all that will happen to their beloved child? As parents, don’t you want to keep them from any trouble? You seek to fill them with your wisdom, hoping they will learn from that. But true love let’s go in freedom. Even so, when the lesson is learned and the child comes back it is truly, truly JOY!!!
22: Notice this verse says “Quick” and if I am looking for Rapture clues this has caught my attention. If you have read some of my other writings you know that I feel 22 (and 11) is a two edged number. One of Redemption/Rapture and also judgment. Also, in this verse you see that Royalty is restored here. To save you some research remember Revelation ends in chapter 22 for our ultimate redemption
23: Not condemnation, but rather celebration and a feast.
24: 24, the number for heavenly government. Notice we go from the numbers 22 to 24, and somehow as I read things, 22 will eventually lead to 24. A flight takes you from where you are now to where you want to go. We want to go to 24, heavenly government but we are here now. I refer to 22 as our Rapture flight ticket number. I want 24, but 22 will get me there. A two-edged number Rapture & judgment on the current world. This event will happen simultaneously.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
Epilogue
Wow, lot’s here. What general things can we draw from this parable? Our Father is loving and let us go in freedom, knowing we’d find an end to our own ways and come back to him. He greatly rejoices when we come back, and gives us our former position and throws a feast.
Let’s take a closer look…
many of the Rapture models are “mixed in” with Jesus models. Why? He is our ultimate model. But not this one. Jesus was perfect and the Prodigal certainly was not, and this Parable was told by Jesus himself. Who is the Prodigal? Who is the other brother? – Big, big questions.
I can’t know those answers for sure. But allow me some conjecture:
Prodigal: This person was once a son of God, has fallen into rebellion, becomes completely broken, forms humility and repentance, takes this back to the father and receives complete redemption. I know who this person is! – It’s me! Maybe you too, only you and God can know. How can I know? Well, I remember it quite vividly. I was born in innocence as a child and my parents raised me knowing God, and after about age 14 I really thought I was smarter and started into all kinds of rebellion. Later at age 30 I was struck down and God began to “reform” me. Broken clay, making me into a useful vessel. Here I am at 37 still being refined and learning.
Were we once in heaven and now find ourselves on earth to be refined to once again go back to be redeemed to our former positions? Or did God make man as his children to replace former fallen angels? Or something else entirely? I don’t know, but I love dreaming of whatever God’s great plan is.
Hebrews 2:10-12 (New International Version)
10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[a]Psalm 82:6 (New International Version)
6 "I said, 'You are "gods";
you are all sons of the Most High.'John 10:34 (New International Version)
34Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'[a]?
Who is the “other brother”?
The one who was there with God the whole time, but bitter that his brother is not only restored, but that a celebration is being thrown upon his return. I speculate that it is angels and/or the Church. Many of the last shall be first and the first last.
Come let us reason together
What makes sense? God gave us our minds, lives, testimony, etc. to reason. So, let’s reason this out a bit. When we start with God, his word and looking at things from his perspective it really helps.
I believe that when God created the first angels, being the very definition of love, he knew that some would choose against him. This of course did happen with Satan and some followed him into rebellion. We do know then that Adam and Eve were placed in the garden and Satan deceived them into doing the very same thing that he did.
To solve this problem and still be love God had to have these basic things happen:
1. Freedom in love
2. Fall: Pride, rebellion which leads to ultimate evil
3. Letting the fallen come to an end
4. Redemption plan
5. Those who are fallen had to choose of their own free will this Redemption plan
6. At this point we can fulfill the law because of who we are, not what we do. It is a function of what we do because of who we are.
We needed to learn this simple lesson (quite contrary to popular concept):
“There is freedom in submission!” (not rebellion)
Let’s put ourselves in God’s shoes. If you were to create and desire love, you could surround yourselves with perfect beings who would never fall. But if it was inevitable (and I think God knew it was) that some would fall and the question would be put into play, then it would make the most sense that those who were closest to you would be redeemed and have their “pride & rebellion” issues solved. Further, if they were restored by your mercy and redemption plan and you yourself, by love walked their shoes and died for their sins – it would be ultimate love. Surely by those, after the fall, who chose this redemption plan would reciprocate the love desired by the Father and also would be his most loyal servants.
Remember, God does not need your great qualities or what you can do for him. Look at the stories of Joseph, Daniel, Eliakim and so many others. What is the common thread? They are Administrators and second in command. God does not need another creator. He needs someone who loves him and is completely devoted to him in every way. This is why he requires faith. He needs vessels – not talent or the various gifts this world and pride have to offer.
Praise God for his redemption plan for the ages!!!
The Cry of the Prodigal:
There truly is Freedom through submission! (not rebellion)
Blessings,
Tony
For more stories like this go to: www.tony4yhwh.com
P.S. – I hope never to offend with any speculation. Please know, God will be correcting lot’s of my Theology when I get there. I am anxious for that correction! Whatever his plan is – I want it…