T.W. Tramm – (07/01/23)
IN one of the Bible’s most quoted end- mes prophecies, “summer” is a metaphor for the end of the age:
The following are ve summer signs and anniversaries that remind us Jesus is coming soon:
1. BETHLEHEM STAR ANNIVERSARY
July 1 marks eight years since the Jupiter–Venus conjunc on known as the “Bethlehem Star” reappeared in 2015. While Jupiter–Venus conjunc ons are not par cularly rare, the one in 2015 was unique for several reasons:
-
It occurred amid a slew of other heavenly signs, including solar eclipses, or darkened suns, on the rst days of Nisan and Tishrei, and lunar eclipses, or blood moons, on the spring and fall harvest fes vals (Luke 21:25; Joel 2:31).
-
Like the original Bethlehem Star in 2 BC, the repeat in 2015 was a rare triple conjunc on, with the climax occurring in June, in the Constella on Leo. Signi cantly, Leo is the constella on that completes the circle of the Zodiac, and pictures Jesus as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” roused to devour his prey (Rev. 5:5).
-
Like the original Bethlehem Star, the repeat in 2015 occurred in a Sabba cal year. Because both Bethlehem Stars, the original and the repeat, occurred in Sabba cal years, they are
separated by a span of exactly 288 sabba cal weeks. This is striking because . . .
-
288 is the to ent func on of 888, the numerical value of Jesus’ name.
-
288 is the number of days in an average pregnancy term, relevant to Jesus’ birth circa 2 BC.
-
Strong’s Greek Concordance #288 is the word ampelos, or “vine,” a symbol of Jesus, the “truevine” (John 15:1).
“Now learn this lesson from the g tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you
know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the
door” (Ma . 24:32, 33).
As I have noted in previous studies, I believe the Bethlehem Star and eclipses of 2015 were a seven-year warning, poin ng to the Sabba cal week beginning in 2023.
Seeing 2023 as a poten al start me for the Tribula on week, it is fascina ng to consider a second coincidence related to Strong’s numbers: The Sabba cal week beginning in 2023 is the 289th since the original Bethlehem Star. Strong’s #289 is the word ampelourgos, translated “vinedresser” in the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9). In this parable, the vinedresser, represen ng Jesus, is told by the landowner, represen ng God the Father, that it is me to cut down the fruitless g tree, a symbol of nonbelieving Israel.
2. FULL MOON
A few days a er the Bethlehem-Star anniversary, on July 3rd, the first full moon of summer rises. Besides being an extra-large “supermoon,” July’s full moon is significant because . . .
-
The full moon is when the “goodman” of the house, a picture of Jesus, is set to return (Prov. 7:19, 20; Matt. 20:8).
-
The full moon, white and radiant, symbolizes the Church–Bride prepared for the wedding.
• July’s full moon is traditionally called the Buck Moon, as the antlers of bucks, or stags, are in full- growth mode at this me. This is signi cant because in the rapture-allegory in Song of Songs, the shepherd–king (Jesus) is likened to a young stag: “Behold, he comes ... My beloved is like a young stag” (Song 2:8, 9). Additionally, July’s full moon is called the Salmon Moon, a term indicating that the fish have returned to the area and are ready to be harvested (Matt. 4:19; John 21).
3. WEDDING SIGN
Two weeks after summer’s first full moon, when the lunar disc has returned to its new, or dark, phase, a profound heavenly sign occurs.
The groundwork for the sign is laid several weeks earlier, on the first day of Summer, when the Sun enters the Constellation Gemini, the sign depicting the wedding-union between man and woman. The climax, however, the “Wedding Sign,” occurs when the Sun is joined by the New Moon, a symbol of the Church–Bride, on July 16–17. This annual meeting of the Sun and New Moon in Gemini, the sign depicting the wedding-union, paints a heavenly picture of the wedding of Messiah to the Church.
Immediately after the celestial ‘wedding,’ on July 18, the newlywed (New-Moon) Bride moves into the Constellation Cancer, or the “Sheepfold,” the Sign depicting the Church’s eternal resting place of many mansions (John 14:2, 3).
Scripture says the heavens “speak” to us, without u ering a sound (Ps. 19:1–4). The early-summer wedding of the Sun and Moon in Gemini is a silent declara on of the ul mate wedding, to be a ended by all who know the Bridegroom.
4. RUTH AND BOAZ’S WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Here is what we know about the timing of this important typological wedding: Boaz officially took Ruth to be his wife, via a public declaration of betrothal, on the day after their midnight meeting at the threshing floor (Ruth 3:8–13; 4:1–10). This was in late spring, around Pentecost, as barley was still being winnowed (Ruth 3:2). However, and this detail is crucial: Scripture says Ruth lived with her mother-in- law, continuing to glean in the fields, until the wheat harvest was complete (Ruth 2:23). This means Ruth did not move into Boaz’s home, or consummate the marriage, until the reaping was finished, which is generally early summer in Israel.
So, when is Ruth and Boaz’s wedding anniversary? No one knows exactly, but it is conceivable that the marriage was consummated in July, around the time of the Wedding Sign, when the reapers are finishing their work in the fields.
5. NEW WINE
According to the Temple Scroll discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Jews traditionally observed a“new wine” festival, during the grape harvest, 50 days after Pentecost. Counting 50 days from the date most calendars mark Pentecost this year, May 28, the New Wine Festival lands on July 17, the day of the above-mentioned Wedding Sign. Counting 50 days from Pentecost as observed on the Temple-Scroll calendar, Sivan 15, or June 4, the New Wine Festival lands on July 24, a week after the Wedding Sign.
It is befitting that the New Wine Festival coincides with the Wedding Sign as “new wine” is associated with the wedding of Messiah to the Church: At the Last Supper, Jesus proposed a marriage contract to the disciples, and sealed it with wine (Matt. 26:27–28). He then said He would not again drink from the fruit of the vine until the day He drinks it “new” with His Bride in the Kingdom (v. 29).
With July’s Wedding Sign in view, it is fascina ng to consider the ming of another prophe c wedding,
the marriage of the Gen le Ruth to the Jewish redeemer, Boaz.
While the New Wine Festival is not one of the Lord’s appointed times in Leviticus, it is a timely and meaningful reminder that new wine will be drunk with joy at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
SUMMARY AND FINAL THOUGHTS
Early summer is a time of prophetic signs and anniversaries, including . . .
• The Bethlehem Star Anniversary (July 1).
• The Full Buck Moon (July 3–4).
• The Wedding Sign (July 16–17).
• Ruth and Boaz’s wedding anniversary (July?).
• The New Wine Festival (July 17 or 24).
Could the Bridegroom appear on one of these dates? He could. However, it is important to keep in mind that biblical signs, like regular road signs, do not usually mark the des na on, but merely indicate that it is near. While there is an appointed day for the Rapture, only God knows what it is.
Despite not knowing the day, biblical types and pa erns do point to a season, or window of me. I believe the window of highest probability for the Rapture opens in late spring, when the “ rs ruits” of the wheat are o ered up at Pentecost, and closes around summer’s end, when the processed grain is gathered into barns (Deut. 16:13). This spring–summer window is indicated on God’s calendar by the fact that Pentecost, the harvest fes val associated with the Church Age, has no assigned date. By not a aching a date to the fes val that represents the current era, or dispensa on, the Lord seems to be conveying the simple and beau ful truth that it can end any day.
So be ready. Not only on signi cant dates, or when the stars are aligned, but every day. Jesus is coming soon!
|
... |
NOTES:
1.
2015 Bethlehem Star: h ps://www.elephantjournal.com/2015/06/star-of-bethlehem-visible-on-june-30th-for-the-
rst- me-in-2000- years/
h ps://www. meso srael.com/star-of-bethlehem-shines-again/
h ps://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2015/0627/Star-of-Bethlehem-Jupiter-and-Venus-converge-in-night-sky
2. Concerning Sabba cal years, it is important to note that there are two accepted chronologies, which di er by a single year. The rst chronology, associated with Benedict Zuckermann, has the most recent Sabba cal year ending in 2022. The second chronology, associated with Ben Zion Wacholder, has the most recent Sabba cal year ending in 2023. h ps://www.pickle-publishing.com/papers/sabba cal-years-table.htm
5. God is known to give a one-week warning before bringing major judgment:
-
Noah was told to board the Ark one week before the Flood began (Gen. 7:1–4).
-
The Israelites circled Jericho for one week, blas ng trumpets, before the city was judged (Josh. 6:1–5).
-
Pharaoh was warned in a dream that a famine would begin a er a week of years (Gen. 41).
6. A convergence of prophe c melines suggests 2023 could see the start of the Tribula on week: h ps://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user- 35306783/documents/c2110f6238be4320ab5b1beefae3e963/Why%202023%20Is%20the%20Highest%20Rapture %20Watch%20Ever.pdf
7. The Zodiac, or Mazzaroth (Hebrew), illustrates God’s plan of redemption for humanity. This heavenly mode of communication is alluded to in the Psalms: “The heavens declare the glory of God ... Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Ps. 19:1, 2).
3.
Strong’s #288 (vine): h ps://biblehub.com/greek/288.htm
4.
Strong’s
#289 (vinedresser):
https://biblehub.com/greek/289.htm
|
8. The Sun symbolizes Jesus as the Bridegroom (Ps. 84:11; 19:4, 5). The Moon, the Sun’s heavenly counterpart, represents the Church–Bride. |
|
9.
Gemini symbolizes the wedding union: http://www.bible-study-lessons.com/Gemini.html 11. Jewish weddings occur in stages. At the betrothal, the couple is considered legally married. However, the marriage is not consummated un l the bride moves into the home that the groom has prepared. 12. Ruth was betrothed to Boaz at the me of winnowing barley (Ruth 3:2). Barley is harvested in April–May. It is then ed in bundles and allowed to dry for several weeks before winnowing. Barley is thus winnowed in May–June, the me of Pentecost. 13. Seeing 2023 as a poten al year for the Church–Bride to enter her heavenly home, it is interes ng that Ruth 2:23 “2023” is the chapter and verse that tell us when Ruth moved into Boaz’s home (a er the wheat harvest). h ps://biblehub.com/ruth/2-23.htm |
14. It was a rare planetary procession in 2022 that brought the Wedding Sign to this writer’s a en on:https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user- 35306783/documents/63d710e3f83a40f69180e191c38735cf/June%20Planetary%20Parade%20- %20More%20Than%20an%20Astronomical%20Alignment.pdf
15. Pentecost, New Wine, and New Oil Festivals in the Temple Scroll:
Pentecost: “You shall count-seven complete Sabbaths from the day of your bringing the sheaf of [the wave- offering. You shall count until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath. You shall count [fifty] days. You shall bring a new grain-offering....it is the feast of Weeks and the feast of Firstfruits, an eternal memorial.”
New Wine: “.... [Then] you [shall count] seven seeks from the day when you bring the new grain-offering ... sevenfull Sabbaths [shall elapse un]til you have counted fifty days to the morrow of the seventh Sabbath. [You] shall [bring] new wine for a drink-offering...”
New Oil: “.... [Then] You sha]ll count from that day seven weeks, seven times (seven days), forty-nine days; there shall be seven full Sabbaths; until the morrow of the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days. You shall thenoffer new oil..."
(Temple Scroll - 11QT=11Q19, 20, 4Q365a – XVIII-XXI)
16. Pentecost is the harvest fes val with no assigned date in Scripture. It occurs, ambiguously, seven weeks a er an unspeci ed Sabbath following Passover (Lev. 23:15–17). The seven weeks separa ng the fes vals associated with Jesus’ resurrec on and the Church’s resurrec on–rapture (Unleavened Bread and Pentecost) signify a perfect period of me (7 x 7) and express the themes “redemp on” and “liberty,” in parallel to the seven weeks preceding the Jubilee.
|
17. Jesus warns even His closest followers that they do not know the day: “Keep watch, because you do not know |
|
on what day your Lord will come” (Ma . 24:42). Paul repeats the message in a letter to the expectant Church:“About mes and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief” (1 Thess. 5:1, 2). |