Hi Michael and all the Doves....

I carefully read your reply about Bruce Warner's view of the shortened Tribulation, which is the Time of Jacob's Trouble....Jeremiah 30:7.  Everything was "clicking" in the appropriate areas of my brain in understanding your view of what scripture says.  BUT, I came to where you said, "Since the time after the Rapture is the time of Jacob's trouble, if any goyim are saved, they must become Jews".  I had to re-read that one a few times to see if that is actually what you said.

There is nowhere in the bible where it says that during this last 3 1/2 years, 42 months, or 1260 days that people must revert to the Old Testament Jewish law.  Yes, they must have faith in Jesus Christ and keep the commandments of God.  We are now living in the age of Grace....Ephesians 2:8.  However, after the rapture of the "bride", those who remain on earth during those years must live by! a gospel of faith plus works again.  The Book of James is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad".  So, this is during the time of Jacob's Trouble.  This time is not to convert Christians to Judaism, nor is it possible to become a "Jew" if you were not born one (Tribe of Judah).  Read James 2:18.  Also read I John 2:4, 3:22, 3:24, and 5:2....this is during those 3 1/2 years.  This is what is meant by "rightly dividing the word of truth" in II Tim. 2:15, which some newer bible versions have removed.

The gentiles (goyim) are the "branches" grafted into the "tree", whose Root is Jesus Christ.  We do not become the tree...we are just grafted in.  Rev. 12:17 and 14:12 define the people who are persecuted during this time.  When God talks about the "seed of Abraham"(Rom.4:16 and Rom.9:8) He is not talking about the Jews....He is talking about Jesus Christ.  All who are "in Jesus Christ" are the seed (no! t seeds) of Abraham.  Those people in the Tribulation, including the Jews, must convert to belief in Jesus Christ for salvation.  The Jews did not accept Jesus Christ when He came the first time....but they will when He returns.

If I am incorrect in this, I apologize.  I didn't intend to post anything today, but I couldn't let this pass...

YsiC,

Arlene