April 13, 2016

As William Shakespeare might say, “perhaps tis this that may be the crux of the matter”.

In the tenth chapter of the book of Daniel there is a very important event recorded. Leading up to that event the Scripture says that Daniel, now an eighty seven year old man, very high in the kingdom of Babylonia, and prophet par excellent to Jehovah God, never left His service to His heavenly King. He walked the walk and talked the talk that he knew Jehovah wanted of him, even when he had reached the very powerful place of ruling in Babylon. That is, Daniel was a Jew!

Taken captive at age 17 as a birthday present, he was now looking at his 87th birthday, and he wanted a present. He wanted Jehovah to free him and his people the Jews, from Babylonian captivity. He could read the promise given Jeremiah (chapter 29, verse 10) that the captivity was to be for 70 years. So, 87 – 17 = 70. “Let's go home”!! By the way, that is what we are all saying too, isn't it? “LET'S GO HOME”!!

His birthday came and went. Whoa....there was no release order. So, Daniel gathered some friends and they fasted and prayed. For days they continued to fast (they ate no pleasant bread), and pray. And their prayer was “why no release”? “Is Jeremiah's prophecy not true”? “Is Scripture not true”?

By faith, Daniel knew better. He and his group persisted for 21 long days and nights.

“And, in the four and twentieth day of the first month”, (that is Nisan 24, which this year is the third day of Passover). “I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain Man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Ophaz: 6. His body also was like the beryl, and His face as the appearance of lightning, and His eyes as lamps of fire, and His arms and His feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of His words like the voice of a multitude”. (A perfect description of Jesus Christ also given in the Revelation).

Daniel alone saw and heard this Man. And this is what happened to Daniel as a result.

Daniel fell to the ground, and there remained no strength in him at all, for his body was turned into corruption. This means he was dead and not only so, but corruptibly dead in his body. But he could still hear (hearing is the last sense to die at death). Then he slept the sleep of death with his face on the ground.

“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands”. (a picture of the resurrection of the body).

“And He said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto to thee am I now sent”.

I believe this to be an Old Testament picture of the rapture event. First the resurrection of the dead and now....”And when He had spoken this word unto me, I stood, trembling”.

HERE, THEN IS THE CRUX OF THE MATTER:

He informed Daniel that on his 87th birthday, God the Father sent the Son to free them. He had heard Daniel's prayers and saw his fasting. But, by the sovereign will of God, in order to show that the war in heaven is very real, and that the adversary is indeed, strong, He said:

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood Me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, of the the chief princes, came to help Me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia”.

(The Son was delayed as a teaching tool, by the will of God, so that we may understand the war in the spirit realm). Think about it, could anyone or anything delay the Son of God, who is God, Himself? Yes, but only if it is the will of God)!

“Then....He touched me, and He strengthened me, and said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea be strong”.

Then, Daniel was changed into full strength. This pictures the rapture of the living, I believe.

MY THESIS IS AS FOLLOWS:

The rapture will be April 21/22/23. There are two days on earth at all times and also 24 separate time zones. This makes dating the rapture event impossible, except for God alone.

I propose, as my thesis, that All Fools Day, April 1, 2016 began the count down to the rapture. I say this because it was on this day the fools of the world announced their intent to raise the arches of Bel or Baal in New York City, London, England, and 1,000 cities worldwide. I think this brought the return of Jesus Christ, the Son, just as the prophecy's end brought Him in the days of Daniel.  
   
I also propose to say that the rapture of the Philadelphian Church is of equal importance in the course of events, as was the release of the Israeli captives, and the prince of Persia archangel will fight just as hard once again to prevent the arrival of the Lord Jesus (with God's permission, once again, I am sure). And Michael, the archangel of God will intervene again in the battle.

So, twenty one days later will be April 21/22, the very first day of Passover at its latest count for year 5776 (2016). It will be the end of the battle and the end of Satan in heaven.

We need to fast and pray ourselves, just as did Daniel, until the rapture breaks through.

I can state this as a fact because that is my thesis.

Of course it may or may not be so. I certainly hope and pray that it is. Time is up.

Maranatha

Gerry Almond