Bible Study Encouragement

We Are Standing on the…….

Threshold

                                                                                       By Pastor F. M. Riley

                                                                                       March 1, 2020

     “After this [Church Age] I looked, and, behold, a DOOR was opened in heaven:

and the voice which I heard at the first [Greek Text, Rev. 1:10-11] was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which said, COME UP HITHER, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter,” Revelation 4:1.

INTRODUCTION

     In my last study entitled, “How it Will be…”, as I was bringing the study to a close, I emphasized “What We Know.” That is, what the true believer, who is seriously studying the inspired prophecies of God’s Word, and obediently “watching” for the Lord’s coming, KNOWS, or should KNOW, about the timing of the Lord’s coming, and thereby the timing of the resurrection and rapture. In this study I want to expound on this subject again, and expand on it. May our gracious Lord God help and guide me as I write, and may this study bless and encourage every true believer.

THE TITLE OF THIS STUDY

      Without apology to any reader, I truly believe God’s people [true believers] are “STANDING ON THE THRESHOLD” of the door in Heaven, which John saw “open” to him, Rev. 4:1. When that door, in a FLASH OF LIGHT, and with the sound of a Trumpet, is opened by our beloved Lord and Savior, we believers, just like John did, will go through that open door into the presence of God Himself sitting on His throne in glory, Rev. 4:1-3. My belief of this truth IS NOT based on my human “feelings,”

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but rather on Scriptural truths which the Lord God has graciously revealed to me, while I have been studying the inspired prophecies of His Word, and obediently “watching” for His coming. It is these truths which I now want to share with our readers…….

     THE WARNING GIVEN

     Those readers who have studied the inspired account of the flood which came upon the earth in “the days of Noah,” and who believe what they were reading, KNOW how very wicked mankind on the earth had become preceding the flood, Gen. 6:5; 6:10-12.

     Now look at the wickedness, depravity, sin, evil, violence, and killing, which is all around us in the world today, and remember that the Lord Jesus Himself said, “And as was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of man,” Luke 17:26. Then the Lord followed that statement by adding, “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

     But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all,” Luke 17:28-29.

     So we living today can simply observe the immoral conduct of the masses of mankind living on the earth today, and KNOW what mankind on the earth was like in the days preceding the flood. The Lord God was rightfully incensed and angry over the pre-flood world’s departure from honoring Him, and from truth and righteousness. So much so, that He determined to destroy all mankind from off the face of the earth with a massive flood, with the exception of Noah and his family, who were still worshipping, loving, and serving the Lord, Genesis 6:5-8. Noah had found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.

     In carefully studying God’s Word, we KNOW that God never brings judgment upon men or nations without first graciously warning them, thereby giving them an opportunity to repent, and thereby escape the judgment that He has determined.

     So, preceding the judgment of the flood, the Lord God gave to Noah, and thereby

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to all of mankind on the earth at that time, , a 120 year warning that the flood was coming; a flood which would destroy all of the pre-flood civilization, and every wicked unbeliever. This is what God told Noah, Genesis 6:13.

     Noah, being a man of God, then spent the next 120 years preaching that warning from God to the people living on the earth prior to the flood, and also, as instructed by God, building an ark for the preservation of himself and his family, Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5. The pre-flood people refused to listen to and believe, the warning Noah was preaching. They refused to repent and seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, when the flood came, following the 120 year warning, every one of them were destroyed in the flood.   Out of the thousands (or millions) who lived on the earth preceding the flood, only “eight souls,” Noah and his family, “were saved” as the Ark of safety lifted them above the waters of destruction, 1 Peter 3:20.

     The Lord Jesus Himself clearly stated, that in the end-time, just prior to His coming, world conditions would be just like they were in “the days of Noah,” and also in “the days of Lot,” Luke 17:26-29. The truth of the Lord’s statement is glaringly evident today. Wickedness, sin, violenjce, and evil, abound in the world today, And oh yes, our merciful God has given those of us living today a 120 year warning of judgment to come, just like He gave pre-flood mankind. Read carefully what follows.

THE BEGINNING OF THE REGATHERING

     In 1897 Theodor Herzl called for the Jewish people, scattered all over the earth since 70 A.D., to come to a meeting he was convening in Basle Switzerland. His meeting was called “The First Jewish Congress,” and it was convened for the specific purpose of finding a national homeland for the “wandering Jewish people.” The prophecies of God’s Word make it very clear that in the end-time, the Lord God would regather the Jewish people, and restore to them a nation for their own people. These Bible prophecies are what moved Theodor Herzl to convene that First Jewish Congress. Theodor Herzl, and many others, were anxious for it to happen.

THE 120 YEAR WARNING

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Three years later, the 120 year warning was given to mankind living on the earth in

these present “end-times,” just as the warning was given in “the days of Noah” preceding the flood. Once again, this warning was given to all of mankind living on the earth, in view of fulfilling the prophecies about the regathering of the Lord’s covenanted Jewish people, and establishing the Kingdom of the Lord on the earth. The year this 120 year warning was given was 1900. That was the first year of the new century, and the year the count began of the next 120 years. Remember that when the warning was given in “the days of Noah,” following the end of those years, a terrible JUDGMENT came upon mankind. Today as I write, the terrible Tribulation period is staring humanity in the face. Significantly, this second 120 year warning ended with the conclusion of 2019. So what is facing unbelieving, Christ rejecting humanity today, other than terrible JUDGMENT? Hello!

     Now we have entered into the year, 2020, and neither JUDGMENT nor the Lord has come YET! So already the “scoffers” have begun to raise their voices, exactly as predicted in God’s prophetic Word, 2 Peter 3:3-7. Peter was inspired of God to say that these “scoffers” are “willingly ignorant.” In other words, they deliberately ignore the evidence of a world wide flood having occurred in “the days of Noah.”

     I make no claim to knowing everything the “scoffers” are “willingly ignorant” of, but for the purposes of this Bible study, I do KNOW that they are ignorant of the significance of this present year. What do I mean? Let’s just look and see…..

THE PROPHETIC SIGNIFICANCE OF 2020 & 5708

     Twenty (20) is the number in the Bible which signifies “Redemption.” As one studies God’s Word, they will find this number repeatedly connected with the doctrine of “redemption” over and over again in the inspired Word. Well guess what?

THE CENTURY OF REDEMPTION

     This is the year, 2020. Every place a doctrinal truth is set forth in God’s Word, it will always be repeated elsewhere in God’s Word. Without fail! This tells us that the truth being set forth is established by God, and it will most certainly be fulfilled, or

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come to pass. “20” is the Bible number signifying “redemption,” and it is repeated TWICE in this century and year number. Therefore, this is the century in which total “redemption” of mankind, and of the earth, from all sin, wickedness, and evil will begin! As of this century, 6,000 years of human history will be completed. This truth is typified by the six days of the creation week in Genesis 1. At some point in this century, both God and man will REST! Glory to God!

THE YEAR OF REDEMPTION

     Now add the year number to the century number, and the result is the number for double redemption; 2020. This indicates that total “redemption” for mankind, and for the entire earth, will BEGIN during this present year of 2020. Oh, praise the Lord! Let every true believer give the Lord praise and honor and glory!

     When we who are true believers trusted and received Christ as our Savior and Lord, we were redeemed from our sins right then and there, and received eternal life, John 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:24. However, our “redemption” is not yet complete, for God’s Word clearly promises us who are repentant believers, that we will receive a new body, like the glorious body of our Lord and Savior, 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, 15:52-53, Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-2.

     We will receive our new “glorified” body when the Lord Jesus comes for us, passing through the heaven above the earth, as a FLASH OF LIGHT in an instant of time, Matthew 24:27-28; Luke 17:34-37; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4::13-18. Then, and only then, will our “redemption” be completed. And, our “redemption” will occur during this present year of 2020; the year signifying “double redemption.” Glory to God!

     Then on the Jewish calendar this is the year 5780. Each new year begins on the current calendar used by the Jewish people on the first day of the month of Tishri. This is the seventh (7^th) month on the Jewish calendar. “7” is the number in the Bible signifying “completion.” The Jewish people refer to this day as “Rosh HaShanah.” It is the day on which the Jewish people blow trumpets throughout the day. Because of the blowing of trumpets on Rosh HaShanah, there are both Jews and Gentiles who insist that the Lord MUST come on Rosh HaShanah; that He cannot come at any other

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time. Hogwash! The theory just isn’t so!

     The Book of Numbers, chapter 10, states quite clearly that the trumpets were to be blown on every Jewish Holy Day throughout the year, Numbers 10:10. The coming of the Lord Jesus is indeed to be accompanied by the sounding of a trumpet, 1 Thessalonians 4:16. But since the trumpets were to be sounded on every Holy Day the Jews observed throughout the year, the Lord can come on, or in connection with, whatever Holy Day He chooses. Some of God’s people need to stop being so dogmatic on the theories they have chosen to believe, and “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” 1 Thess. 5:21, and “…let God be true, but every man a liar, Romans 3:4. The Lord’s coming IS NOT based on what any reader chooses to believe, or even on what I choose to believe. Rather, the Lord’s coming is based on what His Word actually and literally says and teaches. So the Lord will come at whatever time He chooses to come! Plain enough?

SPIRITUAL INSIGHT

     However, the Lord has graciously revealed to His people, who will seriously study the great prophecies of His Word, THE YEAR of His coming. Refuse to get serious about studying the inspired prophecies of God’s Word, and the reader will remain in ignorance! I’m not trying to offend any reader, but only stating a simple truth. The command given to God’s people to STUDY the Word, set forth in 2 Timothy 2:15, is still in the Bible, in case some readers haven’t noticed. So now, what Jewish year is indicated for the Lord’s coming?   Let’s look at this present Jewish year of 5780.

     5 + 7 + 8 + 0 adds up to “20,” the Bible number signifying “redemption.” Hello!

Along with 2020, this makes THREE 20,s connected with the year date of the Lord’s coming. “3” is the number in the Bible signifying “resurrection; rapture.” Do our readers suppose the Lord is trying to tell His people something about the “timing” of His return for them? Is this a possibility? Think about it!

     Then spiritually, 5780 on the Jewish calendar, is in absolute agreement with 2020 on our Gentile calendar. Is this just “coincidence,” or is the Lord practicing what He preaches? The inspired Word clearly states, “…..in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established,” 2 Corinthians 13:1. Glory to God!

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    Dear readers, “20” is the Bible number signifying “redemption,” and this year is 2020, while at the same time 5780 (20) is the Jewish year. Thjs is the year the resurrection and rapture of all true believers will occur, as our precious Lord Jesus comes to take His believing people HOME TO GLORY, whether some readers choose to believe it or not. Neither your belief, nor mine, will change God’s Word one iota, Psalm 119:89.

THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THIS CENTURY AND YEAR

     There is a dark side to this present century and year. Look at the year number again. Now take the whole number for the century, and the whole number for the year of the century, and add them together. 20 + 20 = 40. Dear readers, “40” is the number in the Bible which signifies, “trial; testing; to be tried or tested.” What this indicates is that this present year is also the year when the “great tribulation” will begin on those unbelievers LEFT BEHIND on the earth when the rapture occurs, Matthew 24:21-22. The seven year Tribulation that will come upon them, beginning this year, will be so terrible that God’s Word explicitly states, “…..therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left,” Isaiah 24:5-6.

     Also, this year of 2020, adding up to 40, clearly indicates that this is the year the terrible seven year Tribulation will begin. But even this truth is not the full significance of this present year number. Let’s multiply the century number by the year number, 20 x 20 = 400. This is the number in the Bible which signifies, “affliction; warfare; to inflict judgment.” That is what the Tribulation is all about. The Tribulation period is judgment upon unbelieving, Christ rejecting, mankind LEFT BEHIND on the earth when the rapture occurs, just like the flood was a judgment upon the wicked in “the days of Noah.” Are our readers receiving these warnings into their mind and heart?

     The Lord Himself said that the Tribulation would be so terrible that “no flesh” would survive, “except those days should be shortened,” Matthew 24:22. The prophet Jeremiah was inspired of God to write, “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day, from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the

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ground,” Jeremiah 25:33.

       Folks, the population of the earth today is swiftly approaching eight billion people. Now how many people does the inspired Word say will be left? Read Isaiah 24:6.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THIS CENTURY AND YEAR

     But there is GOOD NEWS for both true believers, and for those unbelievers who are still lost in their sin and unbelief.

     The GOOD NEWS for true believers is that our Lord is SOON coming for us this Spring. Read the Scriptures in the Song of Solomon 2:8-13, and see for yourself if they don’t clearly state that there will be a “rising” [resurrection] and a “coming away” [rapture] in the Spring of the year. What year? In view of what has been presented in this study, in this present year of 2020.   And as I write the beginning of the Spring season is just 19 days away

     Now some readers insist that the Lord will come on a Jewish Holy Day, because all of the great works of God in the entire Bible were performed on the Holy Days of Israel. Okay! That is fine with me! So what Jewish Holy Day this Spring?

     How about Passover? The Holy Day of Passover occurs in the first month of the year on the calendar God gave to Israel to observe in Exodus 12. The first month of the year was called Abib up until the time of the Babylonian captivity. Since that time it is generally referred to as Nisan.

     In Exodus 12 God told Israel to observe the Passover on the 14^th day of Abib. This “date” is repeated in Leviticus 23. Therefore, it is a “fixed” date, indicating it’s importance as a Holy Day. How important?

     The 14^th day of Abib was the day God commanded the Israelites in Egypt to sacrifice a lamb “”in the evening,” and partake of that lamb, Exodus 12:3-6. Then during that same night the Lord “passed over” the land of Egypt, just as promised in Exodus 12:23. The Lord’s “passing over” in the heaven above the earth had two important effects. It set the Jews FREE of their bondage, and it also brought judgment and death upon the Egyptians.

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     Have our readers ever noticed that there are only two place in the entire Bible, where we see the Lord passing through the sky or heaven above the earth? The first of those places is when the Passover was first set in place in Exodus 12. The other is when the Lord comes “in the air” at the time of the resurrection and rapture, 1 Thess. 4:17. Again, is this just “coincidence,” or is the Lord graciously revealing a great truth about the “timing” of His coming for His people?

     Now let’s return to the account of Israel’s deliverance from bondage in the land of Egypt. Israel as a nation and people left Egypt on the morning of the 15^th of Abib [the first day of Unleavened Bread, Lev. 23: 6], traveling day and night for three days and nights. They entered into and crossed the Red Sea during the night of the 17^th of Abib. They came up out of the sea just as the 17^th of Abib was ending, and the 18^th of Abib was beginning. Why have I emphasized this now ancient event?

     Because it exactly typifies the death, burial, and resurrection of our beloved Lord and Savior. The Lord Jesus was and is, the “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29. Christ Jesus was crucified on Passover, Abib 14. His body was in the grave three days and three nights, then He arose just as the third day, Abib 17, was ending and the Jewish sabbath day, Abib 18 was beginning. He had gained the Victory for every soul of man who will believe. Glory to God!

     The inspired Word explicitly states, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,” Romans 6:5.

     Now all of these events occurred on or in connection with the observance of the Festival of Passover on Abib 14. Be careful to notice that Christ was resurrected three days after His crucifixion on Abib 17.

     This present year of 2020, the Jewish Passover falls on our Gentile calendar on the 8th day of April, this Spring. Yes, it is highly possible that the resurrection and rapture of God’s people will take place this present year on Passover, or perhaps three days later on April 11^th.

     There is no question that the “Church Age” [dispensation of grace] will end when the rapture occurs, and the Tribulation JUDGEMENTS will begin. Significantly, “11,”

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as in the 11th of April, is the number in the Bible signifying “judgment.” More “coincidence?”

     IF the Lord comes to resurrect and rapture His New Covenant Church and believing people to glory THIS SPRING, on or near Passover, it will set every true believer FREE from the wickedness and bondage of this present evil world, just like the ancient Israelites were FREED in the land of Egypt. But it will also bring judgment and death upon the wicked LEFT BEHIND on the earth, just like it did upon the ancient Egyptians. Again, I ask our readers if this type and anti-type is just “coincidence,” or is the Lord graciously revealing a great truth to His people?

     My personal belief is that true believers are “STANDING AT THE THRESHOLD,” just waiting for the Lord to open the door at the time of the rapture, Revelation 4:1-2.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Glory to God!

FOR LOST UNBELIEVERS

     Yes! There is “good news” even for those unbelievers who may have occasion to read this study. Your GOOD NEWS is that that rapture hasn’t taken place yet, and you still have an opportunity to call upon and receive the Lord Jesus as your own personal Savior, BEFORE the rapture does occur.   My question to any unbeliever reading this study, is, WILL YOU seek and call upon the Lord for salvation while you still have time to do so? Romans 10:8-13 is still in the Bible. So is John 3:3-7, 3:16-18, 3:36, 5:24, 14:6, Acts 16:30-31, and Ephesians 2:8-10. Read these Scriptures, and ask God to give you the grace and faith to believe them, then act upon them RIGHT NOW in simple, humble, prayer to God, before it is too late for you to escape the terrible tribulation judgments which are coming, Luke 21:36.

     And oh yes, there will be thousands who turn to and call upon the Lord, during the first half of the Tribulation, AFTER the rapture has occurred, and the Lord will graciously save them, Rev. 7:13-14, But being saved AFTER the rapture, during the Tribulation, WILL NOT deliver them out of the Tribulation, and they will probably be killed by the anti-christ and his wicked followers. Martyred for Christ!

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     Dear readers, you now have the WARNING message the Lord laid on my heart to write.. May our gracious Lord bless this message to the heart of every reader. I would like to meet YOU in the air when the rapture occurs. Take heed!

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     My personal contact information:

POSTAL…….Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 Co. Rd. 8120, Rolla, MO 65401

EMAIL………francismriley34@gmail.com

PHONE…….573-202-6493

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