Doves,

 

If..... you are one who believes in a pre-trib rapture then obviously it could happen at an second or at any "twinkling of an eye". It could happen this fall on any of the dates that so many Doves are focused on.

 

If.....you are one (as I ) who subscribes to a pre-wrath rapture at the opening of the sixth seal then it is my belief that the next thing to happen on the biblical end times calendar is the arrival of God's two witnesses. I believe due to my study of the many (end time) time intervals (1260 days, 1290 days, 1335 days, 42 months, etc) given to us by God that the arrival of these two witnesses is what kicks off the nearly (God cuts it short) 7 year end time period.

 

These witnesses are the two end time evangelists who will preach the gospel to our planet for 42 months or 1260 days. There will be no excuse to be "left behind" when they finish their ministry.

 

It's my belief that the rapture will not happen during this high watch period this fall but that the two witnesses may / will arrive during the Hanukkah season when Comet Ison and two other comets will be active in the sky.

 

It's my understanding that there are two or three of God's comets showing up this fall during the same time frame as Hanukkah.

 

 I remember a post recently on Doves that showed what the morning sky looked like over Israel this Hanukkah season with a menorah super imposed in the sky using one of the computer sky programs. The sun will seemingly light the center candle of the menorah and Comet Ison will seemingly light one of the menorah's end candles.

 

Wouldn't it be magnificent if one of the other comets showed up (displaced on the other side of the sun) seemingly lighting the end candle on the opposite end of the menorah...................and the two witnesses showed up at the same time. What a WOW / God moment that would be.

 

Another Dove Bruce Baber posted an excellent analysis of the correlation between the 9 candle menorah used during Hanukkah and the normal 7 candle menorah. The extra two candles of the 9 candle Hanukkah menorah...... represent God's two witnesses.

 

Here are excerpts from Bruce's post........

Bruce Baber (21 Sep 2013)
"THE PUZZLE OF THE MENORAH"

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“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning." Exodus 27

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Matthew 25

While the ten virgins might not have been carrying menorahs in the Matthew 25 parable, the similarity to the passage in Exodus is still striking.

For several years I have been puzzled by the menorah. We see it pictured in both Zechariah and Revelations. In the study below I show how the 2 witnesses are also pictured with it in the prophecies. I posted most of this study originally back in 2012, but have added some new thoughts at the bottom.

The seven branched menorah is replaced with a nine branched menorah for Hanukkah. Scripture (Old and New Testament) shows a seven branched lampstand change into a nine branched lampstand. The two witnesses make it so!

In Zechariah and in Revelations two visions are given showing how the seven branches become nine by the addition of the two witnesses who stand on either side of the traditional 7 branched menorah. In fact the two witness are described as lampstands in Revelations.

Zechariah 4:

¹¹ Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?”

¹² Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”

¹³ He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I said.

¹⁴ So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to^[b] serve the Lord of all the earth.”

Revelation 11

³ And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

⁴ They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”

Notice that the two witnesses are called LAMPSTANDS. Zechariah says they stand on either side of the 7 branched menorah. The addition of the 2 witnesses (lampstands) makes a 9 branched menorah! The 9 branched menorah is ONLY used during Hanukkah!

IF we go up at Hanukkah, then that must be when the 2 witnesses come down because they are presently standing before the Lord. Immediately after they come down, they will have 1,260 days to complete their mission.

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With all of this in mind this could very well be quite the exciting Hanukkah season......we'll soon know.

Also as per my timing study the first beast, the antichrist will arrive at nearly the same time as the two witnesses only this will be the first 42 month period of his ministry where he is Mr. Nice Guy who "smoozes" and plays nice with the world for 42 months. Then, at the 42 month mark, he declares himself to be the one true God and kills (with God's permission) God's two witnesses (that no one could harm) to prove to the world that he is indeed God.

To reiterate one more time.....I believe that it is the arrival of God's two witnesses that signals the start of the end times period.

Will it happen this Hanukkah season?

Blessings.......John B

PS.....Here is Bruce's post in it's entirety

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2013/bruceb921.htm