1. Last week I submitted a post presenting that there will be seven years (and a half year) followed by another seven years (and a half year) for the upcoming judgment years.
I believe that there will a rapture event soon for us as New Creations in Christ Jesus. At the end of the next seven years Jesus will bring in the fullness of the Gentiles by performing another rapture event. Seven years after that Jesus will rescue the remnant within Israel/Judah.
In other words, there are three groups in God's plan with each having a prophetic ending brought about by Jesus. Failure to make a distinction between the three groups sets me up for confusion in terms of how I am to understand seemingly different prophetic sections of the scriptures.
I find a clue about the two different rapture events relating to the Body of Christ and the nations in what Paul describes in II Corinthians 12:2-4:
I know a man in Christ , who fourteen years ago —whether in the body I do not know , or out of the body I do not know , God knows —such a man was caught up to the third heaven . 3And I know how such a man —whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know , God knows — 4was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words , which a man is not permitted to speak.
Notice the two different places Paul was taken to. One was the third heaven. The other was Paradise. I believe this points to the two different places; the body of Christ will be taken to (the third heaven) verses the place that those of the nations, who accept Jesus, are taken to (Paradise).
2. Per my recent posts I presented that the 9/10 of Av bumps right up to Noah's 11th day of his 11th month when he released the raven and the dove. Observe that the raven did not return but the dove did, having found no resting place. Seven days later the dove was released and brought back to Noah an olive leaf. Seven days later the dove was released and did not return.
I believe the above points to two sets of seven years after we are all home by the 9/10 of Av. I believe Noah and the ark are a type/shadow of the Father and Jesus in heavenly places. For the Holy Spirit (the dove) to be released from heaven, the Holy Spirit will have already been in heavenly places in us as the body of Christ. After our rapture the Father and the Son will send the Holy Spirit back to the earth as the same time the First Seal entity also comes to the earth (on the day after the 9/10 of Av). The Holy Spirit will not find faith on the earth at that time (no resting place) and return to heavenly places. After seven years the Holy Spirit will be sent again (in union with Jesus) and bring back to heavenly places a portion of all the nations that have accepted Jesus (the olive leaf). After seven more years the Holy Spirit will be sent to the earth again (in union with Jesus) and remain on the earth during the 1000 year, earth-based Kingdom of Jesus.
As an aside, the type/shadows are not comprehensively precise (just like Jesus can be understood in terms of Samson) and so I am not suggesting that the Holy Spirit is localized in space and time. It points to the Holy Spirits activity, which is the way we can know the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught Nicodemus in John 3:8.
3. As I mentioned in my recent, prior posts, the prophets would often see the future in terms of nested patterns. I believe the same holds true for the events of the first seven years as compared to what takes place during the second set of seven years. For example, both will have an antichrist figure who rises to power.
With respect to the first set of seven years, I believe the antichrist entity will be a Mahdi figure of Islam. The second set of seven years will be a Satan indwelt human who will have appeared to be risen from the dead. In trying the understand the antichrist, you will come across teachings pointing to him being of one or the other. I have come to see that both understandings are valid.I believe the rise of Islam is laid out in Daniel 8. Modern interpretations of this chapter will be inaccurate if such does not take into account the context. Verses 17, 19 and 26 clearly express that the vision is pointing to events "at the time of the end", "the final period of indignation" and "many days in the future." Yes, one can see that Alexander the Great is a type/shadow of the Goat, he is not the true fulfillment of the vision.
I have gleaned these insights from Daniel Revisited by Mark Davidson. In a nutshell, the Persian ram with the two long horns, yet one is longer than the other and came up last, points to modern day Iran. The first horn points to the power of the ayatollahs. The second horn points to the rise in power subsequently of the Republican Guard. In the near future [perhaps after the "Great Satan" (modern day Babylon) is destroyed in one day], Iran will break out westward, northward and southward (decimating Saudi Arabia and the tiny Gulf nations, Iraq, Syria, and others). With modern day Babylon destroyed, Israel will not stand a chance against their missle onslaught.
Daniel 8 points to a counter attack by Greece, but Greece is an incomplete translation. It is actually the sons of Javan in the Hebrew. This people group did occupy the Greece area of today yet they also extended up into what is now western Turkey. I believe the leader of Turkey today, represented as the long horn of the goat, will counter attach Iran and succeed in decimating their armies as Daniel 8 indicates.
In other words, there will be a civil war in Islam between Shia Islam and Sunni Islam. From this chaos a Mahdi will rise to bring unity to Islam. Afterward, the united Islam will turn on what remains of Israel. How might he do this?
Recently I came across a person who I think might be the Mahdi figure that will be revealed during the next seven years. He and his followers have a Youtube site found at The Mahdi has appeared. From what i have gleaned in watching videos and video clips, I am thinking this is the dude, though I could be wrong.
I have been impressed with his message as he calls to account modern day Islam, the lies of the "non-working religious scholars, and the lie that the mosque on the temple mount has significance to Islam. At this season he is greatly opposed by Islamic leaders but his message is spreading.
However, I was a bit blown away as I watched his video found here: The Mahdi presents The Ultimate Solution to the Israel-Palestine Conflict
You have to scan through the beginning part but in the second half he presents that a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is basically to do what Elijah did when he challenged the false religion on Mt. Carmel. This Mahdi figure presents that he will have Allah bring fire down from heaven to demonstrate to the people whose religion is valid. See Revelation 13:13. I believe the Evil One will get to do what Elijah did. When the Mahdi is validated by this false miracle, Islam will unite behind him.
4. I believe there is much confusion about Ezekiel 38 and 39 and also how Psalm 83 fits in.
Understand the great battle of God against Gog and Magog actualy takes place in Revelation 20:7-10 after the 1000 year reign of Jesus. I believe Ezekiel 38 specifically points to this battle. I believe Ezekiel 39 will be accomplished by Jesus when He comes to earth to set up His Kingdom at the end of the judgment years. Psalm 83 will be prayed by Israel at the beginning of the first set of seven years yet because the land must get its 7 years of rest, Jesus will answer their Psalm 83 prayer but at the end of the first set of 7 judgment years. Keep in mind that though the first set of seven years is for Leah, the nations, that Israel is a nation before God. There will be a portion of Israel/Judah taken in the second rapture, the rapture of those going to Paradise (just like there is a portion of Israel/Judah who are part of the Body of Christ today). These folks will be part of the Holy Spirit's "olive leaf".
5. I understand that the story of the Gentile, Ruth, marrying her kinsman redeemer, Boaz, is a type/shadow for us today. However, instead of seeing this as being a high watch clue for now in terms of a first fruits offering of the "planted in the winter" wheat, the scriptures express that Ruth gleaned in the fields until the wheat harvest was completed. When did this happen? As the first fruits of the vine were ripe enough to offer 50 days later on Pentecost. It makes sense that their wedding would take place and be celebrated when wine was available, after hot summer months.
6. As New Creations in Christ Jesus, and that Ephesians 1:3 points to us occupying the celestial places kingdom of Jesus, that the constellation calendar has great significance for us. I believe the year starts at the Spring Equinox. That make June 20/21st, when the sun is at the top of Gideon's (Orion's) torch, the beginning of the 4th month. What happened in the scriptures on the beginning of the 4th month? It was when God told the children of Israel to check out the Promised land, starting a 40 day window of time that would end at the 9/10 of Av. Also, it was the timing of when Noah (his 10th month) finally saw the tops of the mountains. It was the timing of when Noah knew his whole ordeal was almost over. Might both aspects of the 1st day of the 4th/10th month serve as a type/shadow for us?
In pointing to our being given ruling authority in the celestial places kingdom of Jesus, see what Revelation 12:7 and 8 say and note the phrase "there was no longer a place found for them in heaven". I believe after us spending 7 years with Jesus, we will then begin to assume our places in the celestial kingdom. That is why there was no longer any place for the evil one and his minions. We are replacing them. That is not to say that we will not also have the option to be involved in Jesus' earth based kingdom during the 1000 years.
Take the above for what it is worth.
Jesus is worthy of our continual watching.
God bless you.