Greg Wilson (20 February 2019)

Resurrection/Rapture Speculation

 

As many of you know, I believe that it is possible to estimate the season of the Resurrection/Rapture.  Such speculative action is considered a badge of shame by many in the Church.  They would label us "date setters".  There is nothing in the Scriptures which prohibits this activity.  In truth, it is encouraged. (1 Peter 1:11) Those who label others base it on their misunderstanding of Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13, all of which apply to the Second Advent and not the pre-tribulation resurrection rapture of Christ's own.   They are all too busy teaching out of their "copyrighted modern bibles".  Copyrighted bibles "protect the original literary works of man".  Man gets paid a financial royalty for masquerading as the oracle of God. (17 USC  101(a)(1)) They are ever learning never able to come to the true understanding of Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. 

 

So, if you want to get a sense for the season of the Resurrection/Rapture you must study Daniel 9, Zechariah 1 and the Fig Tree parables cited in the Gospel chapters.   You must study the restoration of Israel and its future date with the Jacob's Trouble.  If we can estimate the commencement date of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27), we may confidently infer the preceding "season of our departure".

 

Daniel's prophecy is a counting prophecy which begs the inquirer to study and count the years.  The First Advent was a known season.  The Second Advent will be a known season.   Can I tell you the day and hour of the Resurrection/Rapture.  The answer is a definitive "NO".   Can I estimate the season based on the searching and study of Scripture.  The answer is a definitive "YES".  Can I be wrong.  Absolutely.   It is an educated guess or hypothesis based on studying the Scriptures and considering the "whole counsel of God".

 

The Resurrection/Rapture will be a Pentecostal event.  When is Pentecost?  I am glad you asked.   There are anywhere from 2 to 4 dates based on a search of various sources.  There is no agreement.  When should Pentecost occur this year?  Since the Leviticus 23 festivals of the Lord were associated with planting and harvesting our count should begin in the Spring following the Spring Equinox.  That month, based on the Scriptures, should be Month 1.  The Babylonian name is Nisan.  Month 1 should begin following the Spring Equinox.  In 2019, the Jew has added a month, so what I would count a month 1 following March 20, 2019, the Equinox is counted as month 13 by the Jew.  Go figure.  That additional month is not authorized in Leviticus 23.  It would foul up the planting season.  I have B.S. in Horticulture.  I understand plants.   It would appear that the Torahcalendar.com has it figured correctly this 2019 dates.  Following the rules of Leviticus, the Torahcalendar sets Passover on March 21/22, the day after the Spring Equinox.  Saturday, March 22/23 is the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  Sunday, March 23/24 is the festival of First Fruits.  Jesus was resurrected on First Fruits being represented as the "wave sheaf offering" up to God.  He went up fashioned as the symbolic grain head offering.  He said He was the seed which had to die to produce much fruit.  Then following the 50-day countdown to Pentecost we arrive at Sunday, May 11, 2019.  Notice that Pentecost is also associated with a countdown just like Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy.   This begs the question, why is God have us count?  Counting gives us the season.

 

Study Zechariah 1:12-16.  I have done the work in the book titled, "The Day of Thy Visitation: The Time of Jacob's Trouble".  The analysis in in Chapter 2.   You can read about it on Amazon books at https://www.amazon.com/Day-Thy-Visitation-Jacobs-Trouble-ebook/dp/B07D1GCVDQ.   The book has about 1,500 scriptural citations.  Scripture should interpret Scripture.  You can decide for yourselves and come to your own reasoned conclusions.

 

There is a 70-year period which ends then a the Temple of God will be constructed.  Sounds like the season in Israel now.  I am of the opinion, and I believe Scripture confirms that this 70-year period likely ends in 2019.  I cannot tell you the season it ends, just that this year looks applicable.

 

Study the Fig Tree parables.  I have analyzed these parables in moderate detail in Chapter 4.  Jesus said "learn it".  That means we can learn it and come to a correct understanding.

 

If you want to know the season of the Resurrection/Rapture you must study 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4.  The season of the Resurrection/Rapture is Pentecost.  This is certain because we know God's festivals as set forth in Leviticus 23 are a shadow of his redemption plans.   I know everyone says that Pentecost was fulfilled at the first Pentecost in 30 AD, but that is not completely correct.  Nobody went up on Pentecost in 30AD.  Jesus went up at First Fruits.  Paul tells us we will go up.  The priestly "two loaf wave offering" typology was never fulfilled at the first Pentecost.  So, when we go up, the Resurrection of the dead in Christ will go up first (as a type of one loaf), then we who are alive will go up (as the type of second loaf).   Paul says our redemption has two steps, (1) the "deposit" or indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation, and (2) the redemption of our bodies at His appearing.  The second step, the Resurrection/Rapture will complete the Pentecostal typology.  God is a God of patterns.   He invites our reliance on His patterns.

 

I wrote this letter today because I want to call your attention to a possible coincidence, or divine appointment.  This year it appears that Pentecost occurs on Sunday, May 11, 2019.   THIS DATE IS EXACTLY 70 YEARS TO THE DAY SINCE ISRAEL WAS ADMITTED AS THE 59TH MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS.  The Fig Tree (Israel) joined the United Nations (all the trees) on May 11, 1949.  The world had recognized Israel as a sovereign nation after nearly 2,625 years.

 

I wonder if Zechariah 1:12's 70-year period will end on May 11, 2019.  I wonder if May 11, 2019 will be the end of the Church Age.

 

I wonder if my God of Wonders will appear this year on Pentecost, on a day and at an hour only known to HIM?

 

Could I be wrong.  Yes.   Am I changing my life because of this belief.  Not really, but I am working hard to live a life pleasing to Him, urgently concerned for my lost dear friends.  I often hear the words....Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord.   Be holy for I am Holy.  His soon appearance is my "purifying hope".  Is He yours?

 

I can only imagine......no.......It will be so wonderful that I know that I presently have no physical ability to fully comprehend how marvelous that day will be.

 

IMMENSE WELL BEING!   I felt it once for a fleeting moment in a dream years ago.  It was just incredible.  No words could describe it.   Let's hope.

 

Blessings in Christ.

 

Greg