> > This is the year of the coming of our Lord to resurrect and rapture His people to glory. It is also the year that the terrible Tribulation period, "the day of the vengeance of our God," will begin on the earth.I am so glad to hear from you. Thanks for posting.I agree with a Pentecost 2017 Rapture, but I think that will be Mid-Trib. The archangel Michael comes Mid-Trib.Rev 12:6-10 says, “And the woman (i.e., Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place (i.e., Petra) prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days (i.e., during the Great Tribulation). 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now (arti, just now, this day) is come salvation (soteria, rescue, deliverance, salvation, i.e., the Mid-Trib Rapture), and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”Agape,Marilyn Ageeprophecycorner.theforeverfamily.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------F.M. Riley (15 Jan 2017)
"2017"
Attached is my latest Bible study. I hope it will be enlightening and a blessingto you. See you SOON in glory. God bless you. In the love of Christ Jesus,Bro. Riley
Welcome
to The End of the old Era of Human History, and The Beginning of an entirely new Era in.......
2017
By Pastor F. M. Riley
January 8, 2017
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me.......
To preach the acceptable YEAR of the Lord," Luke 4:16-21.
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me .......
To proclaim the acceptable YEAR of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn," Isaiah 61:1-2.
Introduction
We are now eight days into the new year of 2017. Glory to God! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Why? Because this is the year that all true believers have been waiting for throughout this present dispensation, even if some believers living today are not aware of it. This is the year of the coming of our Lord to resurrect and rapture His people to glory. It is also the year that the terrible Tribulation period, "the day of the vengeance of our God," will begin on the earth.
This study is being written to present to true believers certain facts about this year of 2017, which some may or may not be aware of, and to warn unbelieving lost people of what they will have to face before this year is concluded. So let's get the study underway.......
2017
The Numerical Significance.......
The numbers for this year are highly significant in view of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
First, this year on our Gentile Julian calendar, like all the previous years, is composed of four digits or numerals. But the four numbers making up this year of 2017 are especially significant. Why? Let's examine each of these numbers and see why.......
Two is the Bible number signifying "seperation; division; to part or divide; to call out or seperate." Every reader knows that this number will be the first number in every year throughout this century, and for the next thousand years. So the number only becomes Biblically significant when it is connected with the other three digits clearly identifying the year as 2017.
Zero is a neutral number signifying "a neutral point from which to start, having no numerical significance itself, but becoming significant only when added to or used with other numbers."
Now we have these first two numbers to deal with, so let's add the 0 behind number 2, which will give us the number 20.
Twenty is the Bible number signifying "redemption; to redeem; to buy back; to purchase again." When this number is connected with the last two digits, it indicates the year, 2017. This will then tell us that some people or peoples are going to be redeemed during this present year of 2017.
Now what people or peoples could this be talking about, as being redeemed or bought back during this present year of 2017?
Well, what people mentioned in God's Word is it who have been lost, cut off, or seperated from the Lord for now 1,984 years? 2017 - 33 = 1984. If you guessed Israel, you guessed right! Since the very day Israel rejected and crucified their Messiah and Savior, they have been broken off as the people of God, Colossians 2:14; Romans 11:16-17. The Lord's church and New Covenant believers, by grace, were "grafted in" as the Lord's people during this present dispensation, Romans 11:11-25.
However, we need to remember that the Lord God made "an everlasting covenant" with Abraham and his seed, Genesis 15:18-21; 17:7-8. This is why the Apostle Paul, by Divine Inspiration, in Romans 11:1-2, could say, ".....Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew......." Israel was temporarily set aside as God's special people [Hosea 1:8-10] that God's grace might be poured out upon the Gentiles [Romans 11:11], but just as the Scripture says, Israel is to be "grafted in" again, and this year of 2017 is the year! Thank God for His mercy upon us who are believing Gentiles, and upon His covenanted people of Israel.
But now let's proceed in our examination of the numbers which identify this year as 2017.......
One is the Bible number signifying "unity; to unite; to join together; to be in unity; to be united together."
Now whom is it that is filled with longing, as they wait to be united with the Lord?
Isn't it obvious that the Lord's New Covenant Church and people have been waiting and longing throughout this dispensation for the Lord Jesus to return and take them to Himself and to glory? The return of Christ at the appointed time for the resurrection and rapture has been "the blessed hope" of all true New Covenant believers for centuries, Titus 2:11-15. And now that time has come! It is here! In this year of 2017 we who are true New Covenant believers are going "home," 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Praise the Lord! Glory to God! Hallelujah!
And whom is it that needs to be re-united to the Lord as His covenanted people on the earth?
Again, it is glaringly obvious to the serious Bible student, that the nation of Israel and the Jewish people need to return to the Lord God whom they rejected and crucified some 2,000 years ago. They need His redeeming blood upon them, and they need His grace to turn them back to a right relationship with the God of Israel. Read again Romans 11:11-12, and our readers might also notice Zechariah 13:1. The entire world will be a better place for all of mankind when Israel is restored to their right relationship with God. And 2017 is the year this is going to happen! Oh glory to God! Praise the Lord! Thank you Lord Jesus for your infinite mercies upon your people. Hallelujah!
But now let's examine this final number which completes and identifies this present year as 2017......
Seven is the Bible number which sigifies "to fulfill; to fill up; to finish; to perfect; to complete; fulfillment or completion."
The inspired Word of God is literally filled with examples of this truth, so there is no question about the meaning of this number in the Bible. So what is it that is to be fulfilled, finished, and completed in this present year of 2017? I'm so glad you asked!
First, the sojourn on this earth of all true New Covenant believers will be completed as we are "caught up" to meet our Savior and Lord "in the air" this very year, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:49-52. We believers do not belong to this present world. We have been "bought with a price," 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:22-23. That price is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, shed for us on Calvary's old rugged cross, 1 Corinthians 1:18. We who are true believers belong to Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord, and we are going "home" to be with Him.
How important is this event? The inspired Apostle says that it is the one event that the entire creation has been waiting for. Read it for yourself in Romans 8:16-23. Notice especially what is stated in 8:23.
Dear readers, if you have received Christ as your own personal Savior, then your soul is saved for time and eternity. Your soul is your inner man; the essence of YOU. If truly saved, you never again have to be concerned about whether you will go to Heaven. You will! Every true believer will! And this is guaranteed by the precious blood of Christ who paid the redemption price at Calvary for every true believer.
However, we are not yet the complete person the Lord wants each of us to be. Remember that man, who was made in the likeness of God [Genesis 1:26], is a triune being; body, soul, and spirit. We believers still live in a body of flesh with a "sin nature" that causes us all kinds of problems. Such is not what Christ wants for us. Now carefully notice in this passage in Romans 8:16-23, that when the resurrection and rapture occurs, our bodies will be redeemed [8:23], and "fashioned like unto His glorious body," Philippians 3:21. Then and only then will we believers be complete! And dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is to be accomplished during this present year of 2017. Oh, glory to God!
When the resurrection and rapture occurs, we believers will see the Lord Jesus, each of us for ourselves, and as we see Him, we will be made like Him, Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3. As we look upon His countenance [face], the glory of God which radiates from His face and body, shall be impressed upon us [1 Corinthians 15:49], our face and body bearing witness to this truth. Our face and our new body will literally shine or glow with the light of the Lord God. And it is going to happen during this year of 2017. Hallelujah! Glory to God! Praise the Lord!
No! I am not finished examining the numbers in this year.
Now let's put these last two numbers we have looked at, 1 and 7, together to identify this year as 2017.
Seventeen is the Bible number signifying "Victory; to be or become victorious." Does the Bible itself ever speak of a "victory" for the Lord's true believing people? It sure does!
Go again to 1 Corinthians 15:51-58. Three times in these Scriptures dealing with the resurrection and rapture of God's people, the word "Victory" is used. By the way, "3" is the Bible number signifying "resurrection and/or rapture." Just coincidence? Not hardly! Folks, we New Covenant believers have been running a race through this present evil world, and the finish line is in sight. This year we are going to cross the finish line and achieve total "victory." Our beloved "Coach," the Lord Jesus Christ, is going to see that we do! Glory to God!
One other thing about these last two numbers in this present year.....the two numbers, 1 and 7, add up to 8.
Eight is the Bible number signifying "a new beginning; a new birth; a new start; a new life; a change." Most certainly, when the resurrection and rapture occurs, every true believer will begin a whole new life.
I want to call our reader's attention to the fact that these numbers being pointed out "fit" only this present year of 2017. They will not work with any previous year, or any year yet to come. This past year of 2016 completed the Dispensation of Grace, and right now we believers are in a very brief interval between the end of the church age and the beginning of the Tribulation period. Compare Revelation 3:22 and 4:1.
The year following this year, 2018, will be the first full year of the Tribulation period. Only the numbers in this present year work out perfectly, pointing out that this present year, 2017, is the year of spiritual change for us who are true believers. Are you ready for our "change" to take place? Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40.
Yet once again let's add up all the numbers in this present year, 2 + 0+1+ 7 = 10.
Ten is the Bible number signifying "Law," as opposed to "grace." And guess what? When the Lord God turns back to Israel, or rather turns Israel back to Himself, this year, then He will begin dealing with Israel again, according to "the Law" that God gave to them at Mt. Sinai. The Lord God made an "everlasting covenant" with Israel and the Jewish people when He gave them the Law. Read it for yourself in Exodus 19:5-6 and 31:16-17.
It is worthy of note that Psalm 119, correlating with 2019, is the reinstitution of The Law for the nation and people of Israel. It is likely that it will be 2019 when the Tribulation Temple has been rebuilt and is dedicated and the Law is reinstituted for and upon Israel and the Jewish people. Glory to God! Hallelujah!
Now having examined every number identifying this present year as 2017, let's take a look at where we are at in world history.......
The Outline of Human History.......
Folks, as long as mankind upon the earth remains in a spiritually fallen condition, in sin and rebellion against our Creator, there can be no rest for God nor man. But this year, 2017, we are entering the 7th day in God's great week of years. See Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8.
Therefore we can expect great and sudden changes to begin occurring among the nations and peoples on the earth, and we can expect these events to begin immediately, perhaps even today.
The Present World Crisis.......
Now here are three items which many readers may not even be aware of.
[1] First, the usurper President of this country is doing all he can to provoke an attack on this country from Russia, and he wants it to happen before January 20th, the "date" when Trump is scheduled to replace Obama in the Presidential office. Just a brief glance at American history, will reveal that no President has ever stepped down or been replaced when a state of war existed. Obama appears to think that if he can instigate a war with Russia [or perhaps some other nation], he can stay in office for yet another term. This is the way some of these politicians tend to "think."
However, what if Putin and the Russian government decide just to eliminate the opposition rather than going to war? Impossible! you say? Folks, Russia has a massive nuclear arsenal, and the ICBM's to deliver the bombs. Their "Military Intelligence" is quite well acquainted with this entire nation of America, and know exactly where each of their nuclear bombs should fall to cause the most destruction and death, and render America incapable of any retaliation. The bombs in Russia's missile silos are already aimed at every major city or military base in America. >From the time someone in Russia "pushes the button" it will take only 15 minutes for Russia's nuclear bombs to come over the top of the earth [the Artic] and begin exploding all over America. Have our readers read Psalm 9:17 lately? Hello!
[2] On January 15, 2017, 70 nations in the world have scheduled a meeting in Paris, France to vote on a resolution forcing the nation of Israel to part their land, giving the entire western bank to the Palestinians. Do our readers really believe the Lord God of Heaven will be pleased with His Land being divided and a portion of it being given to the enemies of His own covenanted people? If so, perhaps you need to read Joel 3:2 again. I emphasize that this meeting is being called by 70 nations. Neither Israel nor the Palestinians were invited to be a part of the meeting.
Regardless, I personally agree with the phrase some Christian ministries have coined, "Wherever I stand, I stand with Israel." Praise the Lord! If the reader believes in the power of prayer, pray for Israel.
[3] This creates a problem for all true believers. The New World Order one-world government is in the planning stage of being set up right now. There is no place in the New World Order for God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, or for Jews or Bible believing Christians. Every true Christian believer then standing with Israel and the Jewish people will become "an enemy of the state; " the New World Order. The plans of the New World Order crowd are to arrest Jews and the Christians who stand with them, and imprison them in the FEMA camps built all over this country. Of course those arrested will ultimately be executed unless they agree to recant their faith in Christ, and their love for Israel and the Jewish people. Are you ready to face this? It is dead ahead!
[4] The American and world economic systems are in real trouble, teetering on the very edge of collapse. What would it now take to bring about total collapse of the American and world economies, and bring upon humanity an economic depression that would make the Great Depression of the the 1930's look like a Sunday school picnic?
My readers may not know the answer to this question, but I think I do! When all true New Covenant believers are suddenly snatched out of "this present evil world" [Galatians 1:4] by the pre-tribulation resurrection and rapture, economic chaos will be the result. Folks, whether wicked unbelievers like to admit it or not, it is true Christian believers today who faithfully obey the laws, pay their taxes, pay their bills, support law and order, work hard, and uphold the present economy of the nations. When we are suddenly removed from this world, then whom is the world economic system going to depend on for stability? Hello!
What's Next?
From the study of Bible Prophecy, we know what is yet to occur as mankind on the earth enters into this 7th millennium. Again, I point out some Biblical truths that will SOON be coming to pass.......
[1] The sudden, visible, bodily, "appearing" of Christ Jesus, in the heavens above the earth, to resurrect and rapture, and rescue His New Covenant Church and believers out of impending, imminent, danger before the terrible seven year Tribulation period begins on the earth, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Lord Jesus is not coming back to the surface of the earth at this time, but rather, we believers shall be "caught up.....to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Glory! Praise the Lord!
Did our readers, as I suggested, notice the brief interval between the end of the church age in Revelation 3:22, and the beginning of the Tribulation period in Revelation 6:1? It is during this interval [that we are living in right now] that John saw the door open in Heaven and heard the voice of the Lord telling him to "Come up hither," Revelation 4:1? Are you ready, really ready, for the Lord to come? Do you have the sweet assurance that He is coming for you? Luke 21:36; Acts 16:30-31.
[2] The terrible seven year Tribulation period, which immediately follows the resurrection and rapture of all true New Covenant believers.
This period will be the most terrible time of distress and trouble on the earth ever experienced by mankind. The Lord Jesus Himself said so,
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened," Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20.
I could write much more about what will happen on the earth during this terrible time of tribulation that is staring humanity in the face right now, but I could never improve on the inspired description given in Revelation, chapters 6 - 19. If any reader has never bothered to read and study the Book of Revelation, do it now! Today! Tomorrow may be too late!
[3] The Lord Jesus Christ will bodily and visibly return just before the end of the Tribulation to save mankind on the earth from totally destroying themselves, Revelation 19:11-21. This time He will literally come back to the earth, Zechariah 14:4. Christ Jesus will totally destroy all of the incorrigble wicked from off the face of the earth, thereby purging His Kingdom of all sin, wickedness, unrighteousness, and injustice, in order to literally establish God's Kingdom of righteousness and peace upon the earth, Matthew 6:10; Revelation 20:1-6.
We New Covenant believers who will have been raptured to glory seven years previously will accompany the Lord in His bodily return, Revelation 19:14. We will be coming back with Him as an army of occupation, and as His divinely prepared new government over the whole of mankind upon the earth. As the Lord destroys the wicked from off the earth, we New Covenant believers will take up the positions assigned us to rule and "reign with Christ," 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:10; 20:6. Since we New Covenant believers will have "glorified" bodies like the glorious body of Christ, Philippians 3:20-21, surviving mankind left on the earth will at last have rulers over the nations who are more than just "greedy politicians;" for we will be rulers who cannot be corrupted. This will guarantee that the whole earth will become the Lord's promised "kingdom of righeousness and peace." I urge every reader to study Psalm 145. Glory to God! Hallelujah!
ConclusionDear brothers and sisters in Christ, I praise God that I have been led of the Lord as to how to get back on the Internet, in order to expedite getting this study out to God's people and to lost seeking souls. Please feel free to make copies of this study, or to share it with your own email mailing list. I pray that the Lord God will give this study a wide circulation. The Lord knows that I have an intense love for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and a real burden to see the lost come to a saving knowledge of our Lord while there is still time for them to do so before the rapture occurs. My prayer is that the Lord God will see that this study gets out and into the hands of His people, and every person who is truly seeking the Lord Jesus for the salvation of their soul.
Please hold me up in prayer before God's throne of mercy and grace. May our gracious God bless every reader.