A couple of years ago I wrote an article to Doves about what I
considered the importance of the word "sprigs" that God
chose to use in Isaiah 18 which is a rapture passage chapter. I believe His
use of this specific word with it's multiple meanings will prove
to be extremely important during the "rapture selection process"
.........which has a strong likelihood of happening this year (this
spring).
I know that the convergence of world events, happenings in the heaven-lies
and the almost daily fulfillment of end times bible prophecy..........
has many, if not all Doves at ridged focused attention
anticipating the rapture.
And I am sure that many Doves are extremely concerned with the
salvation of their loved ones as we enter into this window of removal and wrath.
That is why I decided to re-post the article I wrote on "sprigs" in hopes that
it might bring some comfort to those who fear for their loved ones
salvation.
As you will see if you read my post the premise of who gets
saved due to the definitions of the word "sprigs" may be
controversial for many. Am I asking for you to believe my discernment on this?
No, but I think that this passage of scripture and the meaning of the words may
speak for themselves. If this is the case then my discernment and this passage
of scripture may give great comfort now to those who are
fearing the worst about the salvation of their loved ones.
Here below is my post from two years ago............
Marilyn and Doves,
Thanks for your kind words and feedback concerning my post about Isaiah 18
and its connection to the rapture and rapture timing.
And thanks for focusing on the word "sprigs" in your reply. It made me take
a much harder look at the meanings of this word that God used in verse 5 and you
may be pleasantly surprised with what I believe I've found or you may think I am
toying with falsehoods.
I said in my post that Isaiah 18 had double and now maybe triple meanings
for a lot of the words used in this passage of scripture.
With that in mind lets look at verse 5 and the word "sprigs" God
used.......
5 For before the harvest when the bud is perfect and
the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with
pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches.
Obviously God is giving us a parable of sorts here as He often does. He
explains "kingdom" facts using everyday terminology.
In this verse I believe Jesus is saying this.....
before the main part of the end time harvest of humanity........
before the nearly seven year tribulation.........
when the preconceived number of His followers is complete........
before His chosen people of Jacob / Israel have awoken to who He
is......
He will take away or remove His faithful followers and their
families from harms way.......
He will remove young people from around the planet under the age of
accountability........
and He will remove His security from mankind that are left behind in this
world..........
Now I am sure alarm bells went off to some of you bible scholars when I
inserted the phrase "and their families" into the above explanation because many
or most people believe that everyone has to stand alone in God's kingdom and no
one gets a free ride to heaven on someone else's ticket. If you're the son or
daughter of a righteous heaven bound couple but a heavy sinner you can't "tag
along" on your families righteousness.......or can you?
Enter that word "sprigs" which I believe is the component
or the faction of the population that Jesus saves in the rapture.
All of a sudden the choice and definition of this word God used
becomes paramount and of extreme importance so lets
look into this word.
We all know that the common definition for a sprig is a dry twig or spray
which fits nicely into God's orchard parable above. But does it have other
"human" meanings that would fit into the "kingdom" side of the same parable?
Yes
As per Webster's dictionary a sprig can also be.......
1) a young fellow
2) a person as the offspring of a family,
institution, class, etc.
Lets look at definition 1.....a young fellow
A fellow is a person in the same associated condition like
"fellow workers".
So a young fellow would be a.......young person with the same associated
condition......like all young people below the age
of accountability.
Lets look at definition 2.....a person as the offspring of a family,
institution, class, etc.
This definition is pretty straight forward in my mind.
Are we as followers of Jesus.... 'people as the offspring of an
institution'..... i.e. His Christian Church? Yes
Are our children and grandchildren persons as the offspring of a family?
Yes
If they are offspring of a righteous family (couple) but are 'off the road'
sinners, are they still "sprigs"? As per definition 2 ....I believe so
God used the word "sprigs" and the definitions are what they are....... so
one could conclude that if we are righteous in God's eyes that our children are
protected under our righteousness and will accompany us in the rapture even if
they have fallen off the righteous path.
This would be a huge burden off most of us who have been praying for our
wayward children for years terrified that they will be left behind due to their
inattention to God and His Word.
Before you stone me for what I just proposed which goes against the grain
of most Christian teachings let me remind you of Noah, Lot, the jailer where
Paul and Silas were held in prison and Joseph and the saving of his whole
family.
Did not God save all of Noah's family from the flood? Were they all as
righteous as Noah or did they fall under his righteousness as ...a
family
Did not God save or try to save all of Lot's family? Were they all as
righteous as Lot or did they fall under his righteousness as.....a
family
And when Paul's jailer accepted the Lord in jail Paul assured him that his
whole household (family) would also be saved. Acts 16:31
The story of Joseph sold into slavery then becoming Pharaohs right hand man
and then saving all his extended family and their flocks when the seven years of
trouble came. It parallels the rapture story and all of his family was
saved which were many.
I am very excited as to what I have discovered about this part of scripture
and the multiple / applicable definitions of the word "sprigs". I pray that I am
correct and that God honors all of the definitions of this word as described. If
so by the grace of God we will all be together as a family when the trumpet
blows.
This scenario makes more sense to me because if our loved
family members were left behind how could we ever enjoy heaven knowing
that they were going through the great tribulation back on earth.
I pray that this is the way it will happen.
Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy
to escape all these things that will come to pass, and stand before the Son of
Man"
Blessings.......John B