The "Feast of Trumpets," which is also known as "Rosh HaShanah," has a unique marker or link to The Bride of Christ and is a picture of the “catching away” (Rapture) of kallat Mashiach (the Bride of Christ)...consider the following:
The Feast has 12 names, themes, or idioms that collectively identify this Feast as the time of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. The information gathered here has been compiled by Hebrew scholars, Messianic Jews, and Christian scholars that study Hebrew culture. traditions, and customs. This post is an abridged coverage of the Feast. Each of the below topical headings contain infinitely more detail. I have endeavored to cover the important points. These include:
1. Teshuvah (repentance)
2. Rosh HaShanah (Head of the Year, Birthday of the World)
3. Yom Teruah (the Day of the Awakening Blast - Feast of Trumpets)
4. Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment)
5. HaMelech (the Coronation of the Messiah)
6. Yom HaZikkaron (the Day of Remembrance or memorial)
7. The time of Jacob's trouble (the birthpangs of the Messiah)
8. The opening of the gates
9. Kiddushin/Nesu'in (the wedding ceremony)
10. The resurrection of the dead (Rapture/Natzal)
11. The last trump (shofar)
12. Yom Hakesch (the hidden day)
Teshuvah is a special season, which in Hebrew means "to return or repent", and it begins on the first day of the month of Elul and continues for 40 days, ending with Yom Kippur. Thirty days into Teshuvah, on Tishrei 1, comes Rosh HaShanah. This begins a final ten-day period beginning on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. These are known as the High Holy Days and as the Awesome Days. The sabbath that falls within this ten-day period is called Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. Five days after Yom Kippur is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Teshuvah begins on Elul 1 (our month of August/September), and concludes on Tishrei 10, Yom Kippur. Each morning during the 30 days of the month of Elul, the trumpet or ram's horn is blown to warn the people to repent and return to God.
Teshuvah (repentance) speaks to all people. Those who believe in the Messiah are called to examine their lives and see where they have departed from God. It is a call to examine the Scriptures and the evidence that the Messiah was who He said He was.
God has always had a heart to warn people before He proclaims judgment. He does not want anyone to receive the wrath of His judgment -(Ezekiel 18:21-23; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 3:1-7; 2nd Peter 3:9). I have noted several times in previous posts that the theme of "Deliverance" precedes "Judgment" nearly 200 times in the Bible.
The whole month of Elul is a 30-day process of preparation through personal examination and repentance for the coming High Holy Days. The shofar is blown after each morning service. Psalm 27, which begins with "The Lord is my light and my salvation," is also recited at the end of the morning and evening liturgy. The message from Elul 1 to Rosh HaShanah is clear: Repent before Rosh HaShanah. Don't wait until after Rosh HaShanah, or you will find yourself in the Days of Awe.
There are many idioms or phrases that help us identify the days in the season of Teshuvah (repentance). Just as unfamiliar foreigners might be confused when they hear Americans call Thanksgiving Day "Turkey Day" or "Pilgrims' Day", non-Jewish believers in Christ Jesus can be confused by the different terms for the major Feasts of the Lord.
Rosh HaShanah marks the Jewish New Year and is a part of the season of repentance. Rosh means "chief or head" and "shanah" means "year". Rosh HaShanah is the head of the year on the Hebrew civil calendar, and is also known as the birthday of the world since the world was created on this day.
Jewish tradition believes that Adam was created on this day. How did they decide that this was the day of the year the world was created? Because the first words of the book of Genesis, "In the beginning", when changed around, reads, "Aleph b'Tishrei, or "on the first day of Tishrei". Therefore, Rosh HaShanah is known as the birthday of the world, for tradition tells us that the world was created then.
Note: There are four new years in the Jewish calendar. Nisan 1 is the New Year's Day of kings (the date for determining how many years a king has ruled) and for months (Nisan is the first month). Elul 1 is the new year for the tithing of animals. Shevat 15 is the new year for the trees, and Tishrei 1 is the new year of years. It also marks the anniversary of the creation of the world.
Rosh HaShanah is observed for two days. It comes on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (usually in September/October), which is the first month of the Biblical civil calendar. The month of Tishrei is the seventh month in the Biblical religious calendar. This may seem strange that Rosh HaShanah, the New Year, is on the first and second day of Tishrei, the seventh month on the Biblical religious calendar. The reason that Rosh HaShanah, is the seventh month in the Biblical religious calendar is that God made the month of Nisan the first month of the year in remembrance of Israel's divine liberation from Egypt -(Exodus 12:2; 13:4). However, according to tradition, the world was created on Tishrei 1, or more exactly, Adam and Eve were created on the first day of Tishrei and it is from Tishrei that the annual cycle began. Hence, Rosh HaShanah is celebrated at this time.
Unlike other festivals that are celebrated in the Diaspora (the dispersion, referring to Jew who live outside the Holy Land of Israel). Rosh HaShanah is celebrated for two days because of uncertainty about observing the festivals on the correct calendar day. Rosh HaShanah is the only holiday celebrated for two days in Israel. As with all other festivals, the uncertainty was involved in a calendar that depended on when the new moon was determined, designing the beginning of each month by the rabbinical court in Jerusalem in ancient times. The problem of Rosh HaShanah is heightened by the fact that it falls on Rosh Chodesh, the new moon itself. Therefore, even in Jerusalem, it would have been difficult to let everyone know in time that the New Year had begun. To solve this problem, a two-day Rosh HaShanah was practiced even in Israel. Creating a two-day Rosh HaShanah was also intended to strengthen observance of each day; in the rabbinic view, and the two days are regarded as a one-long-day.
In Psalm 98:6 it is written, "With trumpets and sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the Lord". The blessing we receive from God when we understand the meaning of Rosh HaShanah and the blowing of the trumpet (shofar) is found in Psalm 89:15, as it is written, "How blessed are the people who know the joyful..."
Rosh HaShanah is referred to in the Torah as Yom Teruah, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar (or the Day of the Awakening Blast). On Yom Teruah, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, it is imperative for every person to hear the shofar. The mitvah (or Biblical commandment found in John 14:15 is to hear the shofar being blown, not actually blow it yourself, hence the blessing, "to hear the sound of the shofar."
Teruah means "an awakening blast". A theme associated with Rosh HaShanah is the theme "to awake". Teruah is also translated as "shout". The book of Isaiah, chapter 12, puts the shouting in the context of the thousand-year reign of Messiah. The Messianic era and shout is mentioned in Isaiah 42:11; 44:23; Jeremiah 31:7; and Zephaniah 3:14. The first coming of Jesus Christ is associated with a shout in Zechariah 9:9. The ultimate shout is the Rapture in First Thessalonians 4:16-17.
Whether it is by the blast of a shofar or by the force of a supernatural shout, God's goal is to awaken us! For this reason it is written, "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ's will shine on you." -(Ephesians 5:14). The book of Ephesians has many references to Rosh HaShanah and the High Holy Days. For example, in Ephesians 4:30, being sealed unto the day of redemption refers to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. God gave this festival to teach us that we will be judged on Rosh HaShanah and will be sealed unto the closing of the gates on Yom Kippur.
Isaiah 26:19 speaks of the resurrection. The word "awake" is associated with the resurrection, as it is written, "Your dead will live; their corpse will rise. You will lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, for your dew is as the dew of the dawn, and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits" -(Isaiah 26:19).
The theme of awakening from sleep is used throughout the Bible. It is found in John 11:11; Romans 13:11; Daniel 12:1-2; and Psalm 78:65. In Isaiah 51:9 it is written, "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord, awake as in the days of old, the generations of long age..." The arm of the Lord is used as a term for the Messiah in Isaiah 53:1. The word "arm" is the Hebrew word "zeroah". During the Passover, a shankbone, known as the "zeroah", is put on the plate. So "awake" is a term or idiom for Rosh HaShanah. In Isaiah 51:9 quoted earlier, the awakening is associated with the coming of the Messiah.
The "shofar" is the physical instrument that God instructed us to hear ("shema") the sound of the shofar teaching us to awake from spiritual slumber -(1 Corinthians 14:46). In the days of old, the shofar was used on very solemn occasions. We first find the shofar mentioned in connection with the revelation on Mount Sinai when the voice of the shofar was exceedingly strong and all the people who were there in the camp trembled -(Exodus19:16). Thus, the shofar we hear on Rosh HaShanah ought to also serve as a battle cry to wage war against our inner enemy - our evil inclinations and passions as well as the devil, Ha Satan, himself. The shofar was also sounded on the Jubilee Year, heralding the freedom from slavery as recorded in Leviticus 25:9-10. Spiritually this refers to freedom from the slavery of sin, the desires of this world, and serving the devil -(Romans 6:12-13; James 4:4).
Another reason for sounding the shofar is that Rosh HaShanah is the celebration of the birth of creation and when God began to rule over the world on this day. When a king begins to reign, he is heralded with trumpets. That is why Psalm 47 precedes the blowing of the shofar; it is a call to nations: " ... Sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth..." -(Psalm 47:6-7). It also precedes because of the reference to the shofar in the previous verse Psalm 47:5, as it is written, "God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet".
In Jewish tradition, many reasons have been offered for the sounding of the shofar: The ram's horn is identified with the ram that became the substitute sacrifice for Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai was accompanied by the sounding of the shofar in Exodus 19:19. The proclamation of the Jubilee was heralded by the blast of the shofar in Leviticus 25:9-11; and the commencement of the Messianic age is to be announced by the sound of the great shofar noted in Isaiah 27:13. The book 'Gates of Repentance' cites Maimonide's call to awaken from spiritual slumber.
When the rabbis saw the phrase "Awake, O Israel", they would immediately identify those verses with something concerning Rosh HaShanah. The blowing of the shofar took place at the Temple on Rosh HaShanah, which is confirmed by Nehemiah 8:1-3.
The shofar was also blown at the Temple to begin the Sabbath each week. There are two types of trumpets used in the Bible:
1. The silver trumpet
2. The shofar, or ram's horn
On the Sabbath, there was within the Temple a sign on the wall that said, "To the house of the blowing of the trumpet." Each Sabbath, two men with silver trumpets and a man with a shofar made three trumpet blasts twice during the day. On Rosh HaShanah, it is different. The shofar is the primary trumpet. On Rosh HaShanah, a shofar delivers the first blast, a silver trumpet, the second, and then a shofar, the third blast. The silver trumpets and the gathering at the Temple are specified in the book of Numbers, chapter 10.
According to Leviticus 23:24 and Numbers 29:1, Rosh HaShanah is the day of the blowing of the trumpets. According to the Mishna, the trumpet used for this purpose is the ram's horn, not trumpets made of metal as recorded in Numbers 10.
The shofar or ram's horn, has always held a prominent role in the history of God's people in the Bible:
1. The Torah was given to Israel with the sound of the shofar in Exodus 19:19.
2. Israel conquered in the battle of Jericho with the blast of the shofar in Joshua 6:20.
3. Israel will be advised of the advent of the Messiah with the sound of the shofar in Zechariah 9:14,16.
4. The shofar will be blown at the time of the ingathering of the exiles of Israel to their place in Isaiah 27:13.
5. The shofar was blown to signal the assembly of the Israelites during war in Judges 3:27; 2nd Samuel 20:1.
6. The watchman who stood upon Jerusalem's walls blew the shofar in Ezekiel 33:3-6.
7. The shofar was blown at the start of the Jubilee year in Leviticus 25:9.
8. The shofar is a reminder that God is sovereign in Psalm 47:5.
9. The ram's horn, the shofar, is a reminder of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and God's provision of a ram as a substitute in Genesis 22:13.
10.The shofar was blown to announce the beginning of festivals in Numbers 10:10.
11.The blowing of the shofar is a signal for the call to repentance in Isaiah 58:1.
12.The blowing of the shofar ushers in the day of the Lord in Joel 2:1.
13.The blowing of the shofar is sounded at the Rapture of the believers and the resurrection of the dead in 1st Thessalonians 4:16.
14.John was taken up to Heaven in the book of Revelation by the sound of the shofar in Revelation 4:1.
15.Seven shofarim are sounded when God judges the earth during the Tribulation in Revelation 8-9.
16.The shofar was used for the coronation of kings - 1st Kings 1:34,39.
17.The shofar was blown to celebrate the new moon on Rosh HaShanah in Psalm 81:1-3.
Another name for Rosh HaShanah is Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment. It was on this day,God would sit in court and all men would pass before Him to be judged. Three great books will be opened as each man is weighed in the balance and placed into one of three categories according to rabbinical sources. It has been taught that the school of Shammai says that there will be three classes on the final Day of Judgment, one of the wholly righteous, one of the wholly wicked, and one of the intermediates. The wholly righteous are at once inscribed and sealed for life in the world to come. The wholly wicked are at once inscribed and sealed for perdition.
The righteous are separated and will be with God. This is known to Bible believers as the Rapture, which in Hebrew, is the "Natazal". The wicked will face the wrath of God during the Tribulation period, known in Hebrew as the "Chevlai shel Mashiach", and will never repent. The average person has until Yom Kippur till his fate is sealed forever. In other words, the average person will have until the end of the seven-year Tribulation to repent and turn to God. The average person on Rosh HaShanah is judged by God and is neither written in the book of life or the book of the wicked. His fate is yet to be decided. The average person and the wicked have to go through the "Awesome Days", the Tribulation, until they reachYom Kippur (the end of the Tribulation when their fate is sealed forever). Once you are written in the book of the wicked, you can never get out of it - (Revelation 17:8). These are people who never, ever, will accept the Messiah Christ Jesus.
There are 12 months to the year and there are 12 tribes in Israel. Every month of the Jewish year has its representative tribe. The month of Tishrei is the month of the tribe of Dan. This is of symbolic significance, for when Dan was born to Bilhah, Rachel's maid, Rachel said, "God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice..." -(Genesis 30:6). Dan and din (as in Yom HaDin, Day of Judgment) are both derived from the same root word, symbolizing that Tishrei is the time of Divine Judgment and Forgiveness. Similarly, every month of the Jewish calendar has its own sign of the Zodiac (in Hebrew "Mazal"). The sign of the Zodiac for Tishrei is the "Scales" of justice. This is symbolic of Judgment.
Just a brief note here on the Zodiac. It was the original Gospel in the Stars, however, it was later perverted to the Satanic practice of Astrology. This has been documented heavily and a subject of another time.
The recognition of God as King is vividly pictured in the Jewish view of Adam's under-standing of his Divine Creator being King over all the Universe. It was late on the sixth day since God began the Creation of the world, when Adam opened his eyes and saw the beautiful world around him, and he knew at once that God created the world, and him too. Adam's first words were:
"The Lord is King forever and ever!" and the echo of his voice rang throughout the world.
"Now the whole world will know that I am King," God said and He was very pleased. This is
the first Rosh HaShanah! The first New Year. It was the birthday of Man, and the Coronation
Day of the King of Kings!" - (Ancient Hebrew sage comment)
A theme and term associated with Rosh HaShanah in Hebrew is HaMelech (the King). It was mentioned earlier in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 and is known as the last trump, which the Apostle Paul mentioned in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17. At this time, the believers in the Messiah who are righteous according to Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment) will escape the Tribulation (Chevlai sle Mashiach) on earth and will be taken to Heaven in the Rapture ("Natzal") along with the righteous who had died before this time. What happens to the believers in the Messiah when they are taken to Heaven at this time? One of the events that will take place is the Coronation of the Messiah as King, which will happen in Heaven -(Revelation 5). Christ Jesus who had come to Earth during His first coming to play the role of the suffering Messiah (the Lamb of God)(Messiah ben Joseph), will be crowned as King over all the Earth in preparation for His coming back to Earth to reign as King Messiah (the Lion of Judah)(Messiah ben David) during the Messianic age, the Millennium as stated in Revelation 19:16; 20:4. Daniel 7:9-14 saw this and John the Apostle saw this same thing in the book of Revelation.
The Enthronement Ceremony of a King is part of the Rosh HaShanah motif. There are four parts to the enthronement of a Jewish king.
1. The giving of the decree. Associated with this is a declaration. This can be seen in Psalm 2:6-7, as it is written, "You have I set my king upon My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree..." Next, a rod/scepter is given, which is an emblem of a king. Scriptures that refer to the scepter include Genesis 49:17; Numbers 24:17; Esther 4:11; 5:2; 8:4; Psalm 45:6; and Hebrews 1:8. Scriptures that refer to a rod are found in Psalms 2:9; Isaiah 11:1,4; and Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:16. The scepter is an emblem of a king or royal office and a rod refers to the king ruling and reigning righteously in all manner -(Isaiah 11:1,4-5). Christ Jesus is the King Messiah -(Isaiah 11:1,4-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zechariah 9:9; Luke 1:32-33; John 1:47-49).
2. The ceremony of the taking of the throne. This is found in Revelation 5. The king sits on the throne and is anointed as king. The word "Christ" in English comes from the Greek word "Christos" and in Hebrew it is Mashiach", meaning "the anointed one". Jesus came as a prophet during His first coming -(Deuteronomy 18:15), was resurrected as the priest -(John 20:9,17), and is coming back again as King. Kings in Israel were anointed -(2nd Samuel 5:3-4; 1st Kings 1:39-40, 45-46; 2nd Kings 9:1-6).
3. The acclamation. During the acclamation, all the people shout, "Long live the king!" - (1st Kings 1:28-3:10). Next, all the people clap -(Psalm 47:1-2; Psalm 47 is a coronation Psalm). Psalm 47:5 is the shout and trumpet of Rosh HaShanah. Verse 6 is the shouting and praising of the king. Verse 8 is the ceremony of the throne. In verse 9, the believers in the Messiah Christ Jesus are all gathered in His presence.
4. Each of the subjects coming to visit the king after he has taken the throne. In this, they will acknowledge their allegiance to Him and receive their commissioning from Him as to what their job will be in the kingdom -(Isaiah 66:22-23; Zechariah 14:16-17; Matthew 2:2).
Rosh HaShanah is also known as Yom HaZikkaron, the Day of Remembrance. Leviticus 23:24 calls the day "a memorial". Remembrance is a major theme in the Bible. We can see by examining the following Scriptures that God remembers us and we are to remember God in all of our ways.
There are two elements of remembrance:
.1 God remembers us - (Genesis 8:1; 9:1,4-16; 19:29;30:22; Exodus 2:24-25; 3:1; 6:2,5; 32:1-3,7,11,13-14; Leviticus 26:14,31-33,38-45; Numbers 10:1-2,9; Psalm 105:7-8,42-43;112:6). In fact, God has a book of remembrance -(Exodus 32:32-33; Malachi 3:16-18; Revelation 3:5; 20:11-15; 21:1,27).
2. We must remember God - (Exodus 13:3; 20:28; Deuteronomy 7:17-19; 8:18; 16:3; Numbers 15:37-41).
Since the court was seated and the books were opened, it is understood to be Rosh HaShanah. The books are the book of the righteous, the book of the wicked, and the book of remembrance. The third book that will be opened is the book of remembrance (zikkaron). This is why the common greeting during Rosh HaShanah is, "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life".
The Spiritual application is significant. In Romans 14:10 it is written, "But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God". In 2nd Corinthians 5:10 it is written, "Fore we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." This is also discussed in 1st Corinthians 3:9-15. The words of the believers in Messiah will be judged by God, but not their salvation. This is a judgment of the believers in Jesus only. All people in this judgment are the believers in Jesus only. All people in this judgment will be saved. This is not the judgment of your salvation, but a judgment of your rewards based upon your works. On this day, God will open the Book of Life and hold a trial. This is known as the Bema judgment.
The English phrase, "birthpangs of the Messiah, or the Hebrew "Chevlai she Mashiach", is a major theme of the Bible. It is commonly known as the seven-year Tribulation period. In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ described the signs of the end. "And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age ["Olam Haeh"]?" In Matthew 24:3, Jesus said that these days are the beginnings of sorrows. - (Matthew 24:8). The Greek word translated as sorrows here is "odin". This word means "birthpangs". The birthpangs of the Messiah are also spoken of in Jeremiah 30:4-7. They are also mentioned in 1st Thessalonians 5:1-3, and again in Revelation 12:1-2.
The Scriptures reveal two interchangeable synonyms:
1. The birthpangs = the time of Jacob's trouble.
2. The time of Jacob's trouble = the "Seven"-year Tribulation.
This period of time will be Israel's most trying time ever. This period of time is known as the Tribulation. Jacob is Israel. There shall be great tribulation in Israel such as never was since there was a nation. -(Daniel 12:1). It will also be a time when God will ultimately judge sin and all the nations of the Earth. Through it, the nation of Israel will be physically saved from total destruction by God, and will, as a nation, accept Christ Jesus as the Messiah - "...But he will be saved out of it" -(Jeremiah 30:7. In Hosea 5:15 it is written, "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction [the Chevali shel Mashiach] they will seek Me early."
Israel will face genuine crisis during the time of Jacob's trouble. The prophet Zechariah prophesied that two out of every three inhabitants of Israel will perish during this time, with a remnant of only one-third of the population being saved -(Zechariah 13:8-9). In Isaiah 13:6-8, it tells just how bad it will become.
Isaiah 13:10 corresponds to Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; and Revelation 6:12. Other passages that speak of the birthpangs include Genesis 3:16; 35:16-20; 38:27-28; Isaiah 26:16-21; 54:1; 66:7-9; Jeremiah 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; Micah 4:9-10; and John 16:21-22.
There are several stages to Israel's birthing the Messiah.
1. Isaiah 66:7 is a birth before travail. "Before she [Israel] travailed [received the Messiah], she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a male child" -(Isaiah 66:7). Isaiah 66:7 is a birth "before" travail. This happened during the first coming of Christ Jesus, the Messiah. The birthpangs that Israel experienced during Jesus Christ's first coming came after Jesus Christ's death with the destruction of the Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people out of Israel by the Romans in 70 AD, scattered throughout the world.
2. Isaiah 66:8 is a birth after travail. Isaiah 66:8 says, "...as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." This will happen before Christ Jesus returns to earth to set foot on the Mount of Olive -(Zechariah 14:4), as Israel experiences the hardest time she has ever experienced since she was a nation -(Daniel 12:1), in the period of time known as the birthpangs of the Messiah, or theTribulation. The Tribulation and the birthpangs of the Messiah are one and the same thing. What we are seeing in these days is the woman [Israel] becoming larger and larger,coming closer and closer in the time when she is about to give birth.
The Gate of Heaven are opened on Rosh HaShanah so the righteous nation may enter -(Isaiah 26:2; Psalm 118:19-20. Because of the gates of Heaven are understood to be open on Rosh HaShanah, this is further evidence that the Rapture ("Natzal") of the believers in the Messiah Christ Jesus, will take place on Rosh HaShanah.
The Wedding of the Messiah, has been covered in the series of posts on "The Theme of The Bride" and so there is no need to duplicate them here. To fully grasp the big picture, I recommend that everyone watch the "Feasts of the Lord" DVD set by Mark Biltz. The Seven Feasts of Leviticus 23 provides the Christian believer a level of confidence in the Bible that traditional Christian churches fail to offer the student of the Bible.
One of the reasons for blowing the shofar is to proclaim the resurrection of the dead. In addition, the thirteenth principle of the Jewish faith is belief in the resurrection of the dead. The resurrection of the dead will take place on Rosh HaShanah. In 1st Corinthians 15:52, the Apostle Paul tells us that the resurrection of the dead will be at "the last trump." Earlier in 1st Corinthians 15:14, he wrote that without the Messiah rising from the dead, our faith is in vain.
We cannot go to the book of Revelation and say that the voice of the seventh angel -(Revelation 11:15) is the last trump. In the first century AD, the last trump (shofar) meant a specific day in the year. In Judaism, there are three trumpets that have a name. There are the first trump, the last trump, and the great trump. Each one of these trumpets indicates a specific day in the Jewish year. The first is blown on the Feast of Pentecost -(Exodus 19:19). It may surprise you, but Jews celebrated Pentecost 1,500 years before Christians did. It proclaimed that God hath betrothed Himself to Israel. The last trump is synonymous with Rosh HaShanah, according to several Jewish authors. The Great trump is blown on Yom Kippur, which will herald the return of the Messiah Christ Jesus back to Earth -(Matthew 24:31).
The first and last trump relate to the two horns of the ram, which according to Jewish tradition, was caught in the thicket on Mount Moriah when Abraham was ready to slay Isaac and offer him up as a burnt offering. This ram became the substitute for us and provided life for the Jews through His death.
In Pirket Avot (the sayings of the fathers), Rabbi Eliezer tells that the left horn (first trump) was blown on Mount Sinai, and its right horn (the last trump) will be blown to heard the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 18:3 and 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 speak of the resurrection of the dead. 1st Thessalonians 5 continues the day of the Lord and the birthpangs of the Messiah. The festivals will, beyond a shadow of doubt, tell you that the resurrection of the dead precedes the time of Jacob's trouble (also known as the Tribulation). 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 says that the dead in Messiah Christ Jesus will rise first, and that the catching away of the believers will immediately follow.
The Hebrew equivalent of the Rapture is the word "Natzal". Isaiah 26:2-3, 19:11-20 and 57:1-2 all speak clearly of the resurrection of the dead, the taking of believers, and the hiding of the believers from the indignation or Tribulation. Daniel 12:1-2 also speaks of the resurrection of the dead, the Tribulation, and the salvation of Israel through the Tribulation. Zephaniah 1:14-18 and 2:2-3 tells about the terrible times during the day of the Lord, the birthpangs of the Messiah, and issues a decree to repent and turn to God before that day to be hid from that time.
Psalm 27:5 says the righteous will be hid in the time of trouble. This Psalm is read every day during the 40-day period of Teshuvah. 2nd Thessalonians 2:1 says, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together with Him." The phrase, "gathering together" comes from the Greek word "episunagoge", which means "an assembly." In Numbers 10:2-3, the trumpet is blown to assemble the people. The blowing of the trumpet and the assembling of the people also appear together in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1st Corinthians 15:51-53. To clarify a point here, many Jews during Jesus Christ time did not believe in a resurrection. That belief began somewhere around the time of the Babylonian captivity. Prior to the deportation to Babylon, virtually all of Judaism believed in life after physical death. Throughout the Diaspora, over the past nineteen hundred years, any belief in life after death has declined, with the exception of certain Jewish groups.
Our last point about Yom HaKeseh, or the "Hidden Day", is found in Psalms 27:5, where it is written, "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock."
This is yet another name for Rosh HaShanah - Yom HaKeseh, "The Day of the HIding" or "The Hidden Day." The term "keseh" or "keceh" is derived from the Hebrew root "kacah", which means to "conceal or hide". Every day during the month of Elul,a trumpet is blown to warn the people to turn back to God, except for the thirtieth day of Elul, the day preceding Rosh HaShanah. On that day the trumpet is not blown, and is therefore silent. This is because much about Rosh HaShanah is indicated in Scripture: "Sound the shofar on the New Moon, in concealment of the day of our festival" -(Psalm 81:3). Satan, the accuser, is not to be given any notice about the arrival of Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment.
Rosh HaShanah is called Yom HaKeseh, or the Day of the Hiding , because it was hidden from Satan and to confuse him. -(1st Corinthians 14:33). Because it is the Day for Judgment, it is symbolically hidden from Satan. Satan did not know and understand the plan of the cross [tree], -(1st Corinthians 2:7-8). This was hidden from him as well. Believers never said when the day of Rosh HaShanah was; they simply said, "Of that day and hour no one knows, only the Father."
One of the reasons most often given, to disclaim that the resurrection of the dead and the catching away of the believers is on Rosh HaShanah is the statement given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:36, as it is written, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Because Rosh HaShanah was understood to be the hidden day, this statement by Jesus Christ is actually an idiom for Rosh HaShanah. Thus, it should be given as proof that He was speaking of Rosh HaShanah because Rosh HaShanah is the only day in the whole year that was referred to as the hidden day or the day that no man knew.
As I wind up this study of the Hebrew "The Theme of The Bride" and "The Feast Day of Rosh HaShanah" we need to remember that it takes place on the "New Moon". Colossians 2:16-17 says that the new moon will teach about the Messiah. The Jewish Biblical month is based upon a lunar cycle. The moon can barely be seen as the cycle begins. But then the moon turns toward the Sun and begins to reflect the light of the Sun. The Sun in the sky is a picture of Jesus according to Malachi 4:2, and the moon is a picture of the believers in the Messiah Christ Jesus. The Sun has its own light, but the moon's light is a reflection of the Sun. When we first become believers in Christ Jesus, we can hardly be seen spiritually and we know very little about God. But then our lives begin to revolve around the Messiah as the moon revolves around the Earth. As we begin to turn more and more toward the center of creation, we begin to reflect that light of Jesus Christ more and more, just as the moon reflects the light from the center of the solar system.
This year Rosh HaShanah will be take place on September 25/26th, 2014.
As my series of posts reveal on "The Theme of The Bride" and "Rosh HaShanah", it shows that, it is totally consistent with the belief in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, before the beginning of the "Seven" year Tribulation, of Daniel's 70th Week. Of over 850+ verses of Scripture devoted to this theme, not even one verse supports or suggests that the view of any of the other views held by other positions on the timing of the Rapture. This is totally Biblical, and does not twist the text or the meaning in any way. Bet your life that the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is going to take place on the Biblical Feast Day of Rosh HaShanah.
God Bless,
See http://watchmansview.com/Blood_Moon_Tetrad.html and http://www.wnd.com/2014/09/will-tribulation-begin-a-year-from-now/print/.
It may come as a surprise to some, but the Rapture is not the triggering event for the start of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27 triggers the 7-year tribulation period) thus, there has to be some amount of time (a Gap period) between the Rapture of the Church and the Tribulation period beginning. I have been conducting an extensive study on this lately and have presented some observations below. Hopefully this will being some clarity to an otherwise cloudy and (for the most part) unaddressed topic.
As always…all of this is not meant to try and set an absolute date for the Rapture, but stir everyone into contemplating how close the time may be to our redemption, and agree or disagree, it points to some very interesting information that may be worth further study and prayerful consideration. Note: Yes its long, but its worth the read! Additionally, this should be read in conjunction with our recent post of Rosh HaShanah and its Link to The Bride of Christ
(http://watchmansview.com/Commentary_-_Rosh_HaShanah_and_its_Link_to_The_Bride_of_Christ.html)
Let me begin by stating I absolutely hold to a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial dispensational system of theology and I believe these thoughts do not conflict in any way with that theology, nor is it in conflict with any scripture (that I am aware of), nor is it extra-Biblical teaching. As always, be a good Berean and search the scriptures for yourselves to see whether these things are so...filter this information through the lens of the divinely inspired Word of God, which is the final authority, as is the sovereignty of the One who spoke the Word, and the absolute perfection of the Word spoken - it needs nothing added to it or taken from it.
Ok, that said and understood, I have always had a difficult time in my finite mind trying to fit all the coming end-time events into the traditional parallel or concurrent timeframes of a pre-trib Rapture, and the 7-year Marriage of the Bride of Christ (Church) to the Lamb (Christ); 7-years of Tribulation on earth, multiple prophetic wars (which have been addressed on this website) which are pre or post rapture and pre-or during the tribulation, etc. Everything just does not fit a parallel or concurrent timeline very well, and accordingly to what many old school prophetic pastors have preach (which is they are both concurrent 7-year periods). I believe many things just have been glossed over and not well thought through and addressed to make sense. Recently, through further study, I believe I have a framework that makes better sense, and I believe is still completely supported by scripture and I have provided references to the exegesis of scripture by others (although I continue to study and search and review and pray for further understanding so as not to mislead others).
The following will look at a potential one to three-year Gap between the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation period…my “Timeline Fix.”
[The source below, as edited, is reprinted thoughts by Pastor Kelly Sensenig of Berean Bible Church http://www.bereaninternetministry.org]
There is a prophetic gap we must talk about that exists between the Rapture and the Tribulation Period. We must remember that there will be an unknown duration or gap of time between the Rapture and the official beginning of the Tribulation Period. The Rapture will precede the Tribulation Period (Rev. 3:10) but it does not begin the Tribulation Period. The signing of the seven-year covenant with Israel begins the Tribulation Period (Dan. 9:27). We don't know how long this time frame is between the Rapture and beginning of the Tribulation Period. Is it days, months, or years? Probably the latter since it will take time for various events to unfold within the world. We know there will be a duration of time that exists between the Rapture and Tribulation Period. During this gap of time some specific events will occur that will set the stage for the Tribulation Period to begin. Because these events are post-Rapture they do not harm the doctrine of imminency in relationship to the Rapture (Phil. 3:20; 1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:12).
1. The seven year covenant of the Antichrist.
This particular event is also pre-tribulational but not a pre-Rapture event. It has to be. The Antichrist will naturally mandate this covenant before the Tribulation, while at the same time this covenant will be the event that triggers the beginning of Daniel’s final week of seven years. Again, the Bible says the Antichrist will “confirm” or make a firm covenant (Dan. 9:27) with “many” - many nations. This will be a covenant that is forced upon the Jews and other surrounding nations which contains strong guarantees. It will probably guarantee the Jews peace in the Middle East, protection, and public freedom to reinstate their ancient Jewish worship without Arab conflict.
The signing of this covenant with Israel is an important time marker. It takes place during the interim gap of time and actually marks the beginning of the Tribulation Period. It is the key event that starts the Tribulation Period for the Bible tells us that the covenant will be made for “one week” (Dan. 9:27) which Daniel confirms is a week consisting of seven years. This time reference corresponds to the Tribulation Period (Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:6). In some way all the events that transpire in the prophetic gap of time between the Rapture and Tribulation Period will lead to the signing of this covenant with the Jewish nation. This will then be the time marker that officially begins the seven year Tribulation Period.
There are several other prophetic events, which could conceivably take place after the Rapture (post-Rapture) but before the commencement of the Tribulation Period (pre-Tribulational). However, one cannot dogmatically assert that they will occur during the gap of time.
2. The apostasy of the professing church.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ (Lord) is at hand (is present on earth or has come). Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the Tribulation Period) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
One event that must take place is the formation of the apostate church. Immediately after the Rapture, the true Church will be gone and only an apostate church will remain on earth. This apostate church will rally together creating an ecumenical end-time harlot system that is against God (Rev. 17:1-5). In essence, Paul says that the Church saints could not be living in that period of time, known as the Day of the Lord (Tribulation Period), until “a falling away” or more specifically “the departure” of apostasy occurs. This is a specific apostasy awaiting fulfillment after the Rapture following the exodus of God’s people back to their homeland in Heaven. It’s possible that the apostasy will occur after the event called the Rapture but before the Tribulation Period begins. Nevertheless, it’s equally true and probable that Paul is specifically looking at the Tribulation Period as the time when the apostasy will be realized, as many people come to faith in Christ (Rev. 7:9-14) and are persecute by the harlot church (Rev 17:6). As soon as the true Church is raptured the only thing that will be left is the organized apostate church of leavened Christendom (Matt. 13:33 – “till the whole was leavened”).
3. The appearance of the Antichrist.
Paul suggests that the Antichrist must also be clearly revealed and identified, as such, for an individual to be living during the Tribulation Period (Day of the Lord). Of course, it’s possible that the revelation of the Antichrist will occur during this interim, or prophetic gap of time between the Rapture and Tribulation Period, when Paul says “and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thess. 2:3). The Antichrist’s revelation will occur after the Rapture or our “gathering together unto Him” (2 Thess. 2:1). Paul is careful to make this important time distinction. First the Rapture will occur (2 Thess. 2:1) and then the man of sin will be revealed (2 Thess. 2:3). There is no Scripture that suggests the identity of the Antichrist will be known prior to the Rapture. Instead, the revelation of Antichrist, following the Rapture, will set the stage for the Tribulation Period to begin (Dan. 9:27).
It’s possible to conclude that the revelation of the Antichrist will occur before the Tribulation Period begins (2 Thess. 2:3), during the time when Europe and the Middle East are divided into ten kingdoms (Dan. 7:24). Of course, we do know that those who come to faith during the Tribulation Period will be able to determine who the Antichrist is by the numerical value of his name (Rev. 13:18). The fact is this; the Antichrist may emerge as the “little horn” (Dan. 7:8) and quickly rise to power during this interim time period, so he can enforce a covenant with the Jewish nation for seven years (Dan. 9:27). He will need to be revealed and have political clout during this interim time before confirming the seven-year covenant with the Jewish people, which marks the actual start of the Tribulation Period.
It’s true that the Antichrist’s rise to power can take place during the interim period of time, as he gains political clout in the world, but his actual revelation and the reunification of the Old Roman Empire will likely occur during the Tribulation Period, just as it gets underway, following the signing of the covenant (Dan. 9:27), in fulfillment of Bible prophecies that relate specifically to the Tribulation Period (Dan. 2, 7; 2 Thess. 2:3).
4. The departure of the Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:7
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (holds back or restrains) will let, until he be taken out of the way.”
This verse teaches that when the true Church is raptured the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence in the world, through the residency of the Church, will be removed from planet earth. When the Church is removed the Holy Spirit will no longer have a restraining effect upon evil and sin through the presence of God’s people. This means sin and deception will run rampant and be similar to the days before the Flood.
Genesis 6:5 says:
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Please understand that the Holy Spirit’s presence will not be removed from the world but His restraining of evil and wickedness will be “taken out of the way” (2 Thess. 2:7). The removal of the restrainer (the Holy Spirit) will obviously occur during this prophetic gap of time that is post-Rapture and pre-tribulational. Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence must be taken out of the world before a person could be living in that period of time known as the Day of the Lord.
Paul is saying that the Church could not be living in the Day of the Lord since the Restrainer has not yet been taken out of the way. Paul is teaching that the Holy Spirit’s restraining ministry will cease in the world to signal that the Day of the Lord is about to commence upon planet earth. The Holy Spirit is the Restrainer in this world. It is through God’s people, the New Testament Church, that the Holy Spirit restrains sin in some measure. However, when the true Church is raptured the restraining ministry of the Spirit will no longer be felt in this world, as it once was during this present period of time in which we live. The Holy Spirit will remain on earth but His restraining effect upon sin will no longer be operating in the world during the Day of the Lord.
The conclusion is simple. The Church could not possibly have entered the time period known as the Day of the Lord (Tribulation Period) since the events mentioned above, which were prophesied to transpire, specifically during the Day of the Lord, had not yet occurred. Since none of the events, which are mentioned above have actually occurred, the Church could not possibly be living in the Day of the Lord. Of course, the absence of the Holy Spirit and the other events mentioned (the apostasy and revelation of Antichrist) could take place in the interim period of time or the prophetic gap of time that exists between the Rapture and Tribulation Period and carry over into the seven years. Nevertheless, it’s equally true and more likely that these specific events (the apostasy, restraining of the Holy Spirit, and revelation of Antichrist) are said to occur and be experienced specifically during the Tribulation Period (2 Thess. 2:3), when the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, as it relates to the end times will once again be in play.
5. The resurgence of the Roman Empire under ten kings.
This event may also be pre-tribulational but not a pre-Rapture event. The Bible teaches that ten kings will eventually merge together in an attempt to bring together and reorganize the old Roman Empire (Daniel 2:41-44; 7:7, 24). Daniel 7:24 speaks of ten kings “that shall arise” which indicates an attempt to reunite and bring back to life the old Roman Empire. These ten kings will want to keep their individual policies and have their own personal authority. However, the Antichrist who arises on the scene will see to it that they yield their authority and military might to him. We see the groundwork of this formation taking place today in the consolidation of the European nations. Of course, it’s also possible and even more likely that these events will quickly transpire at the commencement, or beginning of the Tribulation Period, which will set the stage for the seven years to be fulfilled.
6. The reunification of the Roman Empire under the Antichrist.
This event may also be pre-tribulational but not a pre-Rapture event. After the Rapture and before the Tribulation Period begins the Antichrist may unite the old Roman Empire (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24). He arises “after them” (the ten kings) according to Daniel 7:24 in order to become the sole leader of the ten kingdom and kings. The Antichrist will not be content to be just another rival. He will want to control the other kings and their countries. These rulers will possess an alliance together but lack one thing – a Caesar to rule over them. Not until a Caesar rules over these countries can the Roman Empire be officially reunited together in strength and military power as it was in its original form.
Eventually these ten kings will come under the Antichrist’s power for the duration of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 17:12 – “one hour”). These are kings and kingdoms that were once part of the original Roman Empire when it was at its zenith. These ten nations and kings will give their allegiance to the Antichrist for the seven-year Tribulation Period resulting in the reunification of the Roman Empire under one reigning Caesar – the Antichrist. Bringing together the Revived Roman Empire puts the pieces of Bible prophecy together for the Tribulation Period to begin. It could be that the reunification of this empire will give the Antichrist all of the political clout and sufficient power he needs to force Israel and other nations into a treaty (Dan. 9:27). At one point, the Antichrist will take control of this new world empire and this will give him the ability to make a covenant with “many” nations (Dan. 9:27) in order to solve the Middle East crisis.
Once again, it’s also possible that the Antichrist rises to the position of power over these kings (rulers or other European and Middle East countries) at the offset of the Tribulation Period, which will be a time period when world events are transpiring at a rapid pace. This reunification of the Roman Empire will then set the stage for the next event to occur.
7. The invasion of Israel by a northern army.
The Bible predicts that Russian and Islamic allies will invade Israel in the future (Ezekiel 38-39). When “Gog shall come against the land of Israel” (vs. 18) God will destroy them in the mountains of Israel (vv. 19-23). When God verses Gog – God wins! This invasion may also take place during a unique time period that can be explained as post-Rapture (after the Rapture has occurred) but pre-tribulational (before the Tribulation Period begins). Russia with her Islamic allies will invade the land of Israel and be destroyed by God in the mountainous terrain surrounding Israel.
This event could also be a pre-tribulational invasion but not a pre-Rapture invasion. This means that it definitely won’t occur before the Rapture and destroy the truth of imminence but may occur prior to the actual beginning of the Tribulation Period. However, it’s also equally possible, and perhaps more probable, that this event will also occur at the very beginning of the Tribulation Period and become another marker that the end time events have begun.
The key to understanding when this invasion occurs is a seven-year time reference regarding the clean-up and fuel generated from their destruction (Ezek. 39:9). Both prophecies that mention the seven-year time frame of the Tribulation Period are linked to Israel’s final salvation and restoration (Dan. 9:24-27; Ezek. 39:7, 22). This tells us that both of these time references are speaking of the Tribulation Period and the kingdom glory that follows. It would appear that Israel will bury the dead for seven months (Ezek. 39:12) and then use the weaponry as fuel fire throughout the seven-year Tribulation Period (Ezek. 39:9). As Jews flee to the mountains (likely Petra) for refuge (Matt. 24:16), during the second half of the Tribulation Period, this fuel fire will be helpful to them as they seek to maintain life.
One could conceivably place this event after the Rapture (post-Rapture) but before the actual beginning of the Tribulation Period (pre-tribulational) and have no problem with either the seven months or seven years that are connected with the prophecy. The invasion from the North and the seven-month burial connected with the dead can be fulfilled in an interim period of time before the Tribulation Period begins, and once it begins, the seven year prophecy concerning the burning of weaponry will come to pass. Seven years is a clear prophetic sign marker that is no doubt pointing to the seven-year Tribulation Period. The Antichrist could possibly use the timing of this destruction of Israel’s enemies as a catalyst or way to assure Israel peace and give him the final political clout he needs to make the seven-year covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27), which is the time marker that begins the Tribulation Period.
The signing of the covenant with the Jews and nations (Dan. 9:27), along with the destruction of the armies in northern Israel (Ezek. 38:19-23-39:1-6), sets the stage for seal one (peace and safety) to begin at the offset of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 6:1-2; 1 Thess. 5:3). The rider on the white horse (Antichrist) gallops on to the world scene promising peace and no more threats of war in the Middle East. An invasion and destruction of Islamic soldiers at the beginning of the Tribulation Period also provides the backdrop for the rise of a one world church without the threat of radical Islam (Rev. 17:1-5), the reconstruction of the Tribulation temple (Rev. 11:1-2), and the quick formation and consolidation of the ten-nation confederacy under the Antichrist (Dan. 2:42-44; 7:24; Rev. 17:12), which eventually paves the way for the world dictatorship and worship of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:3-18), since the threat of Islamic invaders are out of the picture.
8. The period of peace and false security.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord (Tribulation Period) so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
When the Antichrist takes over the ten kings and becomes a dominant power in the Middle East, at one point following the Rapture, there will be a period of peace and false security.
Hampton Keathley states:
“Because of fear of a nuclear holocaust, population explosion, environmental destruction, etc., the world will be crying for “peace and safety.” This man will come on the scene with great persuasive power, personality magnetism, craft and oratorical skill, and he will persuade the West (Europe and probably the Americas) that he has the answer for peace. (The Americas are likely to be included because they are a part of the harlot system which he controls.) He will gain his ascendancy to power as a peacemaker (Dan. 8:25; 1 Thess. 5:3; Rev. 6:2; Dan. 9:27).”
Perhaps the Antichrist will claim that he was the power and brains behind the Russian/Islamic defeat in the mountains of Israel (Ezek. 38-39) and as a result the other seven kings will give their allegiance to him (Rev. 17:12). He will boast about peace in the Middle East and promise to protect Israel from military invasion of her enemies by forcing a seven-year peace treaty and protection policy for Israel in the Middle East that “many” countries must adhere to (Dan. 9:27).
The world will seem like it’s entering a time of peace and utopia. People will think that the dawning of the “Age of Aquarius” has finally arrived. But the false peace and security, which may occur during the interim period of time (between the Rapture and Tribulation Period), will be short lived. The world’s sense of security will be shattered by the commencement of the seven-year Tribulation Period. When the people of the world will be talking about peace and safety (“when they shall say, Peace and safety”), the destruction of the Tribulation Period will suddenly hit with a devastating force and vengeance upon all earth dwellers (“then sudden destruction cometh upon them”). The world will be thrust into a time of terrible judgment described as birth pangs (Matt. 24:8, 21) and “try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10).
Once again, this event may also occur at the offset of the Tribulation Period. At the very beginning of this period of time the world will be lulled into thinking that peace in the Middle East has finally arrived and now the world can function together peaceably. With the militant Arab nations out of the way and a person in charge of the peace process in the Middle East, the world may think it has finally entered the Age of Aquarius.
9. The rebuilding of the tribulation temple.
The signing of this Jewish covenant will evidently result in the reinstatement of Jewish worship since during the middle of the Tribulation Period Daniel teaches that the Antichrist will break his covenant with Daniel’s people (Dan. 9:27). This means that a Tribulation temple (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:3-4) will be rebuilt, and it may actually be constructed before the beginning of the Tribulation Period, so it is ready to go when the covenant is made with the Jewish nation. The Biblical data is not sufficient to dogmatically state that the rebuilding of the temple will take place during the interim period of time between the Rapture and beginning of the Tribulation, during this prophetic gap of time. All that we know is that the temple will be functioning by the middle of the Tribulation Period (Rev. 11:1-2) and that it will be overtaken by the Antichrist during the middle of the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 25:15).
If Israel begins to engage in temple worship when the covenant is signed (Dan. 9:27), this would indicate a rebuilding of the temple prior to this covenant agreement. If temple worship is going to be up and running at the offset of the Tribulation Period and last for three-and-one-half years, there would need to be a prior erection of this building structure. This building of the temple can occur during the interim period of time that follows the Rapture and precedes the commencement of the Tribulation Period. The Jews will quickly erect their temple structure under the protection of the new Middle East hero and return to their ancient Jewish worship. The signing of the covenant will then ensure their freedom of worship for three-and-one-half years (Dan. 9:27). Preparations for the temple are already being made today and the stage is being set for the Tribulation temple to be erected under the authority of the end-time Antichrist.
Once again, it’s equally true that the temple could be rebuilt during the first three and one half years of the Tribulation Period. The Jews could begin sacrificing without having the temple fully completed, but then quickly finish the temple, which will be used for the duration of the first three and one half years of the Tribulation Period. This too, is a probable scenario.
Some Conclusions on the Fulfillment of Bible Prophecy
The stage will likely be set for end-time prophecy to be fulfilled during an interim period of time, which will occur between the Rapture and official start of the Tribulation Period. During this gap, which is an undetermined period of time, all the preparations and planning will be made and all the props will be put in place for prophetic events to be fulfilled during the Tribulation Period. For instance, the European nations will come together and have their talks; the Antichrist will be a player in the world ready to seize the opportunity to bring the ten kings and their countries together and establish a binding covenant with Israel and many other nations in order to make peace in the Middle East (Dan. 9:27). With these events beginning to take shape in the world, the Islamic nations and Russia to the north will be getting very uneasy and filled with anger, since Europe and the Middle East is siding with Israel.
It’s apparent that the gap of time that occurs between the Rapture and the official beginning of the Tribulation Period, with the signing of the covenant in the Middle East (Dan. 9:27), will set things up for the seven-year Tribulation Period to begin. However, it seems better to view the actual fulfillment of prophetic events, such as the reunification of the Old Roman Empire (“the ten horns out of the kingdom” – Roman Empire - Dan. 7:24), along with the rise and revelation of the Antichrist, the new world Caesar (“the prince that shall come” - Dan. 9:26), and the Islamic invasion of Israel, to occur very early during the seven-year period of Daniel’s 70th week, since this is when the Bible actually predicts these events will unfold in the world.
We live in a time period that can be viewed as a “prophetic skip” or a “great parenthesis,” as Harry Ironside said, which is comparable to an interlude, when prophecies are put on hold and not being fulfilled, as they relate to Israel and the end times of the Tribulation Period. This period of prophetic interruption falls between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel (Dan. 9:24-27). The only prophecy being directly and literally fulfilled today is the prophecy of the “last days” (2 Tim. 3:1) as it relates to the spiritual decline during the Church Age. The fulfillment of all other prophecy will be suspended during this gap of time and will not begin to be fulfilled until the Rapture and the Tribulation Period begins.
The prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation definitely envision the seven-year Tribulation Period (Daniel’s “one week” of seven years – Dan. 9:27). This specific period of seven-year Tribulation is seen in such phrases as “latter years” and “latter days” (Ezek. 38:8, 16), which are the same expressions used in the Old Testament in reference to Israel’s final time of distress, in connection with the Tribulation Period and her final restoration to the Millennial Kingdom (Isa. 2:2; Jer. 23:20; 30:24; Hosea 3:5; Micah 4:1).
Other phrases such as “the end of the age” (Matt. 24:3, 14) and “the tribulation of those days” (Matt. 24:29) mark a specific period of time that could be termed as end times, as well as the specific “times and seasons” (1 Thess. 5:1) related to the “day of the Lord” (1 Thess. 5:2), all point to the seven-year Tribulation Period. Since these terms relate specifically and only to the Tribulation Period, one should not dogmatically assert that the events, such as the reunification of the Roman Empire (Dan. 2, 7), Gog’s northern invasion (Ezek. 38-39), and the rebuilding of the temple (Rev. 11:1-2) will take place in the gap of time that exists between the Rapture (post-Rapture) and beginning of the Tribulation Period (pre-Trbulational). In fact, although the Antichrist will likely rise to power in the interim time period, he will not be actually revealed as the “man of sin” (2 Thess. 2:3) and identified as such (2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 13:18) until the specific seven years unfold, which is the time when knowledge of end time events, in relationship to their prophetic fulfillment, will be specifically known.
Daniel 12:4
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
Paul’s teaching about the events associated with the Day of the Lord (2 Thess. 2:3) was given to remind the saints that they could not be living during the period of time known as the Day of the Lord, since it’s during this exact time, when the apostasy will be witnessed, the restraining presence of the Holy Spirit will no longer be felt, and when the Antichrist will be revealed (“then shall that Wicked [one] be revealed”).
After the Islamic threat is out of the way (Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, 39, et. al.) and the Middle East crises is seemingly fixed, a time of world peace and celebration will occur throughout the earth (1 Thess. 5:1-3), as a result of the rider on the white horse galloping on to the world scene and promoting peace (Rev. 6:1-2). The rebuilding of the Jewish temple will also begin to take place (Rev. 11:1-2) and things will look like they are improving in the world. However, without warning and with a sudden vengeance, God begins to unfold the judgments of the Tribulation Period, beginning with the seal judgments. Everyone will know that all is not well and that the “wrath of the Lamb” is being experienced throughout planet earth (Rev. 6:16-17).
In summary, the seven years gets under way with the ratification of the covenant (Dan. 9:27), the reunification of the Roman Empire (Rev. 17:12, 17), and the last of the Islamic caliphate has been destroyed by the God of Israel (Ezekiel 38-39). These events will seemingly transpire together at the commencement of the Tribulation Period. They will be world-changing events that officially mark the beginning time period of the seven years (“one week” – Dan. 9:27) that will be systematically fulfilled, as outlined in the Book of Revelation with the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, which are catastrophic judgments that will be poured out upon mankind.
Paul concludes that it’s during this time (the Tribulation Period) when the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence is removed, the harlot church begins to bloom, and the hideous man of sin is revealed (2 Thess. 2:3). In addition, those living during this specific time period, who are studying Bible prophecy, will know that the personal Antichrist has been revealed (Dan. 12:4; Rev. 13:18), the Spirit’s restraining presence to suppress evil in the world has been lost (2 Thess. 2:7), and that a harlot, apostate church (2 Thess. 2:3; Rev. 17:1-5) has risen to replace the true Church, which has been raptured into Heaven (John 14:1-3).
Now, the question is “how long is the Gap? In straightforward terms, the Bible does not specifically say, however, consider the following as possibilities.
Three Year Gap - Ten Years Total Period
I am not emphatic on a 3-year Gap (10-year period), and granted, the 10-year proofs below may be a little weak, but they do make some sense if in fact a 3-year post-Rapture pre-Trib period is accurate. Otherwise, some period DOES exist and it is likely years verses months. God is a God of order and significance in His numbers throughout the Bible, and I will present some thoughts on a 2-year Gap (9-year total) and 1-year Gap (8-year total) periods …7-yrs is a non-starter!
Ten is one of the perfect numbers, and signifies the perfection of Divine order. Ten generations of man lived on the earth before the flood waters came and swept away all those who were disobedient (not hard to see a fit here!) …http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/10.html
Source for the (edited) information presented below:
Smyrna and the Length of the Global Testing
Three Year Gap - Ten Years Total Period
Smyrna was one of seven churches Jesus addressed in the Book of Revelation. Smyrna means myrrh or bitterness. When crushed, myrrh produces a sweet fragrance. It was used in the holy ointment (Exod. 30:23), perfumes (Esther 2:12; Psalm 45:8; Song 4:6; 5:5, 13) and in embalming (John 19:39). Of the seven churches that Jesus addressed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Smyrna received the shortest letter from the Lord – only four verses (Rev. 2:8-11). They were the suffering church of the first century – and perhaps may characterize the persecuted church throughout the Church Age. Jesus foretold that these believers would experience tribulation and poverty (v. 9). Some would be thrown into prison, tested, and have tribulation ten days – ultimately to be martyred (v. 10).
Many commentators believe the ten days may refer to ten years. These include: William MacDonald, Geneva Bible Notes, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, British Family Bible, Halls, Thomas Scott, and others. This is based on the fact that in Scripture a day often represents one year. Adam Clarke writes: “As the days in this book are what is commonly called prophetic days, each answering to a year, the ten years of tribulation may denote ten years of persecution; and this was precisely the duration of the persecution under Diocletian, during which all the Asiatic Churches were grievously afflicted.”
Might Smyrna also provide a foreshadow of the final period of testing? We know from Daniel 9:24-27 that there is a final seven year period during which the Lord will deal particularly with the Nation of Israel. This period is called “the time of Jacob's trouble” (Jer. 30:7).
However, the Tribulation period is also called “the time of the Gentiles” (Ezek. 30:3) when God “will punish the world for its evil” (Is. 13:11). Most interestingly, Jesus refers to this period as “the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Rev. 3:10). Just as Smyrna was “tested” for ten days, might the world be tested for ten years?
The Numbers Seven and Ten
The number seven is the most repeated and significant number in the Bible. Starting with the Creation week in Genesis, and found throughout the Bible culminating in the final Book (Revelation), seven represents completion, perfection, fullness.
The second most significant number in the Bible is ten. Examples include the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20), the ten plagues (Exodus 7-11), and the final ten kings (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 13:1; 17:12). Here are some other examples:
“Because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice” (Numbers 14:22).
“Then it came about, after about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died” (1 Samuel 25:38).
“These ten times you have reproached me; You are not ashamed that you have wronged me” (Job 19:3).
“So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us” (Nehemiah 4:12).
“Please test your servants for ten days” (Daniel 1:12-15).
More examples include: Ten generations from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5); Laban changing Jacob’s wages and testing him ten times (Genesis 31:7); a ten year famine and testing period for Naomi (Ruth 1:4-6); the disciples were commanded to wait ten days in Jerusalem until they were empowered by the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1 & 2). See also: 1 Samuel 1:8; 1 Samuel 25:5.
From these examples we see the number ten can signify law, judgment, completeness, testing. How appropriate then if this age concluded with a ten-year period of worldwide testing and judgment in parallel with a seven year testing of Israel.
Concerning this possible ten-year period, it is also interesting to note that the Feast of Trumpets begins on the 1st day of the 7th month, and is followed by the Day of Atonement concluding on the 10th day of the 7th month. This period of time is known as the “Ten Days of Awe” or “Ten days of repentance”. Because the first four feasts coincided with Christ’s First Coming, many believe that the Fall feasts will coincide with key Second Coming events. The Feast of Trumpets is a time of remembrance, repentance, re-awakening, and revival and therefore may coincide with the beginning of this final period. The Day of Atonement is a time of affliction, brokenness, and cleansing. If this prophetic model is correct, then the Feast of Trumpets may coincide with the commencement of the re-awakening/testing and then Tribulation; then ten days later (ten years?) the Great Tribulation ends when Christ returns at the evening of the Day of Atonement.
In summary, as Smyrna suffered tribulation for ten days (ten years), the world may suffer tribulation for ten years. After an approximately three year period, God will focus primarily on Israel, and test them in parallel for the final seven years of this age. Therefore a total of ten years between the beginning of “the hour of trial” and the Second Coming is possible and seems to agree with the Bible’s last day’s prophetic picture. The Rapture will likely precede this global testing period.
Below is a very brief look at the potential significance of nine (9) and eight (8) in relation to number of total years post-rapture which would correspond to a two (2) and one (1) year Gap verses 3-year as summarized above.
Two Year Gap - Nine Years Total Period
The number 9 symbolizes divine completeness or conveys the meaning of finality. Christ died at the 9th hour of the day, or 3 p.m., to make the way of salvation open to everyone.
Nine is the number of finality of judgment - for judgment is committed unto Jesus as "the Son of man" (John 5:27; Acts 17:31). It marks the completeness, the end and issue of all things as to man - the judgment of man and all his works.
It is a factor of 666, which is 9 times 74.
The Judgments of God in Haggai 1:11 are enumerated in nine particulars.
The signification of the number nine is judgment, especially divine judgment, and the conclusion of the whole matter so far as man is concerned. But nine is the square of three, and three is the number of Divine perfection, as well as the number peculiar to the Holy Spirit. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that this number denotes finality in divine things.
One Year Gap - Eight Years Total Period
Eight is 7 plus 1. Hence it is the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order.
Christ rose from the dead on "the first day of the week," that was of necessity the eighth day. And it is remarkable that the Bible contains the record of Eight individual Resurrections.
The Feast of Tabernacles lasted eight days, with a special reference to the Incarnation (John 1:14).
The transfiguration also took place on the eighth day (inclusive reckoning) after the first announcement of Christ's "sufferings," and it was the showing forth of the "glory" which should follow at His coming again.
Eight is the dominical number, for everywhere it has to do with the LORD. It is the number of His name, IHSOUS, Jesus:
I =10
H =8
S =200
O =70
U =400
S =200
888
Regardless of a 1,2 or 3 year Gap, a certain gap will exist and is likely occupied with the post-rapture and pre-trib prophetic events as described above by Pastor Kelly Sensenig.
Sources: More on the study of numbers in scriptures: http://philologos.org/__eb-nis/default.htm and http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/introduction.html
METONIC CYCLES AND THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL
http://endtimepilgrim.org/metonic.htm
It has been calculated that the Tribulation period must be a total of 86 moon cycles, not 87, but 86. 86 MOONS MATCH UP PERFECTLY THE TIMESPAN BETWEEN THE NEXT TWO FEASTS OF ISRAEL THAT ARE DUE FOR FULFILMENT. FROM TISHREI 1, (THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS), IN CERTAIN YEARS AND TERMINATING ON TISHREI 10, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT, DAY OF RECKONING, DAY OF JUDGEMENT SEVEN YEARS LATER THE TIME ELAPSED IS EXACTLY 2550 DAYS. THIS IS THE EXACT NUMBER OF DAYS, (1260 + 1290 DAYS), WHICH ENCOMPASSES THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL. There are a number of 7-year periods going forward that this holds true: 7-year periods beginning in 2014, 2017 and 2019. All other 7-year periods with 86 moons fall outside the prophetic timeline of possibility, indicated by the 1948 birth of Israel and the Matthew 24:32-34 parable of the fig tree, and +80 years for reason of strength in Psalm 90:10. Since 86 moons is referring to the tribulation period, a 2014 start date would leave no room for any necessary Gap period - the only other periods that fit are a Tribulation start year of 2017 and 2019. Rosh Hashanah 2017 seems the best fit due to its alignment with the Revelation 12 sign, and it also corresponds to the Christ Angle of the Great Pyramid (http://watchfortheday.org/signsoftheend/giza2024.html) – this would then indicate the beginning point of the Tribulation.
IF the Tribulation were to begin on Rosh Hashanah 2017, and IF a 10-year span is God’s plan (with the Rapture 3 years prior to the Tribulation), the Rapture could take place on Rosh Hashanah 2014! IF the Gap is 2-years (and all other factors the same) the Rapture could take place on Rosh Hashanah 2015, and IF 1-year on Rosh Hashanah 2016. If the 2019 Tribulation start date is used (last possible period as per above without crossing the Parable of the fig tree timeline), then all potential Rapture dates are moved back each by 2-years. Note: My personal opinion is that the 2017 Tribulation is the best fit.
Note: The Revelation 12 sign (see
http://nebula.wsimg.com/a1979ac638198b905a63be6ae8033588?AccessKeyId=D40106E1331C24ABD7C3&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 (and linked charts http://nebula.wsimg.com/6052c994bfe4a307c8d6b6e96a546bb6?AccessKeyId=D40106E1331C24ABD7C3&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 and http://nebula.wsimg.com/c3ec732a8a82ac5ddeedc33aeae26567?AccessKeyId=D40106E1331C24ABD7C3&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 and http://nebula.wsimg.com/a354ddb31e8c35e447b97db8160613fb?AccessKeyId=D40106E1331C24ABD7C3&disposition=0&alloworigin=1) occurring September 23, 2017…if this was (as it “seems” to indicate) the mid-point of the Tribulation, then the tribulation would have had to begin in March of 2014 (it did not), therefore, I believe this sign is not the midpoint but may potentially be a marker for the beginning of the Tribulation Period where Satan is now actively influencing the daily activities and power of the Antichrist (he enters the Antichrist at the 3.5-year point when he raises him back to life from the mortal wound).
PostScript Thoughts
With the Rapture occurring (rightly so in Biblically supported order) prior to the start of the Tribulation, the period of time of the Saints in Heaven HAS to be longer than seven years - now not sure why I thought it was 7-years, as scripture does not really say it is ONLY seven years. The events for the Believing Church (Bride of Christ) after we have been Raptured are threefold: 1) a judgment of our works by God, the BEMA seat of Christ, to determine degrees of reward; 2) the Marriage of the Bride of Christ to the Lamb (Christ), celebrating the spiritual marriage of the Church (Christ's Bride) to her Savior (note: a marriage in scripture is seen to last one week [Genesis 29:27-28]...A prophetic week is seven years, therefore the marriage ceremony will cover a period of seven years, likely the last 7-years with the first one, two or three the Bema Seat Judgment of the Saints; and 3) the Church's preparation to follow the King of Kings into the Battle of Armageddon at the conclusion of the Tribulation.
This does not all need to be fit into a parallel or concurrent 7-year period, and as the proofs above indicate, it could be up to a total of ten-years (some prophecy scholars like Bill Salus believe it could be 11.5-years), It is a certain amount of time which could be one, two, or three years for the BEMA Seat examination and rewards; a seven-year period for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, et al.; and a certain (relatively short) amount of time for Christ to prepare the Church to follow Him in the Final Battle of Armageddon.
During this same period of time (for arguments sake let's say 10-years, although could certainly be shorter), on Earth, the LAST seven of a potential 10-year period would be the Tribulation - the initial three years (just after the Rapture of the Church and prior to Daniel 9:27 which starts the 7-year Tribulation period), a number of things could be occurring prior to the seal, trumpets and bowl judgments (as addressed above): the building of the Third Temple, collapse of governments and economies, the wars of Jeremiah 49, Isaiah 17 & 19, Psalm 83, Zechariah 12 (not necessarily in that order) and culminating with Ezekiel 38 & 39 likely (in my opinion) just prior to Daniel 9:27 and Revelation 13 (this accommodates a 7-year period for burning the implements of War in Ezekiel 39:9). Whether or not the Jeremiah 49, Isaiah 17 & 19, Psalm 83, Zechariah 12 wars occur prior or soon after the Rapture of the Church (within the Gap period - maybe some in both periods), it could provide a reasonable period of time for Israel to have a real period of peace and safety, taking down of their walls, etc. prior to the Russian lead Confederation of Islamic Nations coming to war with Israel (Ezekiel 38 & 39) – as it states Israel is living at this time in peace and safety without wall or gates.
Personally, I believe the massive land reclamation of Israel by the hand of the IDF in the wars of Jeremiah 49, Isaiah 17 & 19, Psalm 83, Zechariah 12 (see map: http://watchmansview.com/New_Israel_Borders.html) and the God of Israel (by His hand) utterly destroying the armies of Gog & Magog, is the impetus for the Antichrist to want to "confirm" an earlier peace agreement with Israel and the greater Arab Nations, to keep Israel from continuing its destruction of its enemy neighbors, and further expansion of its then greatly increase borders. The Peace Agreement may be more for the protection of surrounding countries than for the protection of Israel!
The take away on all of this - we are in a zero to 3-year window for our Harpazo – my opinion, its very likely zero to one! ... THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!
Additional “Gap” thoughts from others:
Al Gist ~ http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2010/12/preparation-times.html#
Bill Salus ~ http://www.prophecydepotministries.net/2012/why-the-world-wont-end-until-at-least-2024/
Nathan Jones ~ http://lamblion.com/files/publications/blog/blog_Jones-Interview-The-Rapture-Gap.pdf
Rosh HaShanah 2014 begins this week the evening of Wednesday, September 24th and ends in the evening of Friday, September 26th. The re-post below from “Pastor Bob,” a frequent contributor on one of the end-time websites I periodically review (and I feel Bob is always spot-on), posted the information below this past July...I feel, given the prophetic lateness-of-the-hour, as evidenced by virtually everything that is going on in our world as of late (lining up for the fulfillment of a significant number of Bible prophecies), that the readers of this website need to consider Pastor Bob’s message re-posted below. Additionally, as supportive signs and message to this, one should again review all of the postings on our Blood Moons page http://watchmansview.com/Blood_Moon_Tetrad.html (especially the end notes) as well as a very recent article by Pastor Mark Biltz here: http://www.wnd.com/2014/09/will-tribulation-begin-a-year-from-now/print/. All of this is not meant to try and set an absolute date for the Rapture, but stir everyone into contemplating how close the time may be to our redemption, and agree or disagree, it points to some very interesting information that may be worth further study and prayerful consideration. Note: Yes its long, but its worth the read!
911 Anne Graham Lotz: Pray Today for Jerusalem
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.” Psalm 122:6
NOTE: This prayer may be prayed in one hour, or it may be prayed section by section over a longer period of time. Although it is patterned after Daniel 9, it is my personal prayer. It comes from deep within my heart, because I believe the rapture of the church may be imminent. When that moment comes, and every born again believer is caught up to be with Jesus, along with the Holy Spirit who indwells them and presently restrains evil, Israel will be more alone in the family of nations than she ever has been since her rebirth in 1948. And I wonder…is it at that moment that God will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication? Is it at that moment that they will look on the One they have pierced, and recognize Him as their Messiah?[1] I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I am utterly convinced it’s time to pray for Jerusalem.
Our Father in Heaven. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are the Eternal I AM. The One who is age to age the same. There is no shadow of turning with You. You are fully present in every generation—past, present, and future. You are the All-Mighty. Your power has not been deleted or depleted over the millennia of human history. We know that You so loved the world that You gave us Heaven’s treasure when You sent Your only Son to die, so that anyone and everyone who places their faith in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Yet we also know that Your great heart of love still longs to pour out Your blessing on the City and the people that You have uniquely chosen as Your own. Jerusalem. The House of Israel. The Jews.
In this present worldwide climate of unbridled evil, we are desperate! Nations are unraveling. Wars are raging. There are rumors of more wars breaking out. Kingdom is rising against kingdom. Our spirits feel the turmoil and agitation that surely is a reflection of the warfare being waged in the invisible realms. We need You! For everything! But our hearts are now burdened for the Epicenter of the world. For Jerusalem and all that she represents at this critical, strategic last hour.
So we humbly turn to You now. For one hour we turn away from our responsibilities and routines, our busyness and our business, our own problems and pressures. We turn away from focusing on our own nation and the needs of the church. We turn away from any self-reliance or self-interests, and we look to You. We run to You. We join together with one heart and one voice to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You alone are the One who makes us to dwell in safety. You alone are the One who makes us secure. You alone are God. And You alone are our God. We turn to You, deeply aware we do not deserve in ourselves to address You, yet boldly confident of access into Your most holy presence through the blood of Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And so…
We pray with confidence, because You are the God of Creation, Lord of the Universe. Elohim. The Strong One. You alone are The LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You.[2] We sing Your praises, for You are highly exalted. No one is higher than You. You are our strength and our song. Again and again, You have been the salvation of Your people: from bondage in Egypt, from Pharoh’s pursuing army, from Midianites and Amorites and Edomites and Moabites and Canaanites and Perizzites and Philistines; from captivity in Babylon, from the four corners of the earth, from the Nazi death camps, and now from Hamas and Hezbollah and ISIS and the Taliban and Al Queda and the Muslim Brotherhood and Boko Haram, You alone are able to shatter Israel’s enemies.
Your right hand, O Lord, is majestic in power. And in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up again You; You send forth Your burning anger, and it consumes them as chaff.
Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? In Your lovingkindness You have led the people whom You have redeemed; in Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.
You will reign forever and ever. We long for the day when our faith becomes sight and the whole world is filled with the glory of who You are. Our highest joy will be to see You face to face; to gather around Your throne with multitudes from every tribe, language, people, and nation that you have purchased with the blood of Your own Son, and worship You.[3]
I pray with confidence because _________________
We pray with compulsion for the peace of Jerusalem, and for the whole House of Israel. Your people and the city that bear Your name are surrounded by a vast multitude of hostile, evil men seeking to kill and destroy. Men who behead those who refuse to embrace their evil dogma, who bury alive those who refuse to submit to their will, who crucify those who are identified with Your Son. Your people are under the incessant barrage of enemy missiles and mortars that are destroying farms and families, communities and children. While one ceasefire after another promises peace, peace there is no peace. Are You not the God who rules over all the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You.
We are compelled to pray for Your people because they are facing their enemies without the strength, wisdom, peace, comfort, security and hope that You reserve for those who are indwelt by Your Spirit through faith in Your Son, Jesus. They have no deep, blessed assurance that their sins are forgiven, that eternal life is theirs, and that a heavenly Home is waiting to welcome them.
We are compelled to pray because…
You have promised that You will give Your people a new heart and put a new spirit within them; that You will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
You have promised that in the very last days, You will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.
You have promised that You will open the eyes of the spiritually blind, and they would look on You, the One they have pierced.
You have promised that all of Israel, tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, will mourn for their sin of rebellion and rejection of their Messiah.
You have promised that on that day of national mourning and repentance, all of Israel will be saved. That the deliverer will come from Zion; that You will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
You have promised that You will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and You will cleanse them.
You have promised that they will be Your people, and You will be their God.
You have promised that You will make an everlasting covenant of peace with them.
You have promised that one day, and we believe soon, You will set aside 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel who have been redeemed and on whose foreheads You write Your name, to be proclaimers of the Gospel to the whole world.
O Abba Father! We do not ask for what we want or what we hope. We are asking You to do what You have said! You are a great covenant-keeping God. You do not mock Your children. You keep Your word. We are therefore compelled at this moment when faced with problems that have no human solution to pray and hold You to Your promises.[4]
I pray with compulsion because of our problems and Your promises_____________
We pray with a contrite spirit. We are ashamed and embarrassed to lift up our faces to You, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.[5] So now, our God, what shall we say?
We have sinned and done wrong.
We have been wicked and have rebelled.
We have turned away from Your commands and Your Word.[6]
We have not listened to Your servants the prophets…like Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah…who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers, and to all Your people.
We have not obeyed or kept the laws You have given us.
We have rationalized and explained away the evidence of Your greatness that we see in Creation around us.
We have suppressed the truth that we were created by You and for You, and have exchanged it for the lie that we are masters of our own fate.
We do not glorify You as God, nor give thanks to You, but live our lives as though we have no accountability to You.[7]
We have looked to our own strength for salvation and have forgotten Your mighty acts of deliverance in the past. As though the God of Abraham, Moses, David, and Elijah no longer exists. Or if You do, You no longer involve Yourself in the affairs of Your people.
We confess that our faith in You and Your strength is weak, as though what we face today is beyond Your ability to overcome. Or beneath Your interest to intervene.
We confess to pride and arrogance that have determined we must face our enemies in our own strength. That this present darkness will pass without Your intervention.
We confess to religious intolerance that condemns those who are not like us.
We confess to religious indifference that gives lip service to You, but lacks sincere faith so that our lives are lived and our decisions are made as practical atheists—as though You do not exist.
You are merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against You. But this day we are covered with shame.
With a humble, contrite spirit, I confess_____________
We pray with clarity. We ask, great Creator God, that You give sight to those born spiritually blind. Open the eyes of Your people to see You for who You truly are. Don’t let their sight be dimmed or distorted by centuries of religiosity and rejection of the Truth. Open their eyes to Jesus as their Messiah. Then show up in great power, giving Your people supernatural strength to withhold vengeance, to execute justice, to remember mercy, to walk humbly as they acknowledge that victory will be won not by their might nor by their own power, but by Your Spirit.[8] Yet we do ask You for victory over the enemy…
We pray for the enemies who are coming against Jerusalem to be convicted of their sin, for them to repent and turn from it and ask You for forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. But if they do not, we ask that this day, You defeat and destroy them.
We ask that You strip Jerusalem’s enemies of peace and cooperation among themselves, so that they are divided and turn on each other.
We ask that their evil plans would be exposed or fall back on their own heads.
We ask that the face of every man, woman or child that they have slaughtered, beheaded, buried, or crucified be indelibly imprinted on their mind’s eye, filling them with turmoil and robbing them of clear thinking.[9]
We ask that for every man, woman or child who is martyred for their faith in You, ten others would rise up to take their place, so that the persecution would fan revival fires throughout the Muslim world. Please, dear Jesus, keep showing up in dreams and visions and in any form You choose in order to change hearts and minds, melting generations of prejudice and hatred with Your love and peace.
We ask that the fear of the One, True, Living God would fall on Israel’s neighbors…and on Israel.[10]
We ask that the ancient prince of the Persian kingdom and every other demonic force coming against Your City be bound and rendered powerless in the face of the hosts of Heaven.[11]
We ask that the Iron Dome would be 100% effective, and that You would continue to anoint Israel’s engineers and physicists with ability to design systems that would provide a protective shield for The Beautiful Land.
We ask for supernatural wisdom for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Cabinet, his counselors, and all government officials, so that they make decisions in line with Your perfect will. Draw the Prime Minister into Your Word; and when he opens and reads it, speak to him through it.
We ask that You turn the heart of The Honorable Nir Barkat, Jerusalem’s mayor, toward You; that he would acknowledge his need of You and issue a city-wide call to prayer.
We ask that You comfort the mothers, fathers, and children living in the farming communities near the Gaza border. Give them an overwhelming sense of Your presence and love for each of them. As they turn to You, give them peace…and a good night’s sleep.
We ask that You woo Your people to Yourself. Draw them to put their trust in You, so that You are their refuge and their fortress. Save them. Cover them. Be with them in trouble. Command Your angels to guard them and keep them in all their ways.[12]
You are a great prayer-hearing, prayer-answering, covenant-keeping, miracle-working God. Hear our prayer! Listen to Your children as we pray for the peace of the city on which You have placed Your name. Rise up, great Lion of Judah, and defend Your people. Deliver Jerusalem from her enemies so that all the nations of the earth may know that You alone are God. Answer us! For the glory of Your great name!
I ask specifically for____________
We will pray until our prayers are confirmed, because we believe in You. We believe that Jerusalem’s God is God. We believe You are as strong today on her behalf as You were in the beginning, and always have been, and always will be. We believe that since the first day we set our minds to gain understanding and to humble ourselves before our God, our words have been heard.[13] We believe that we have asked according to Your will, in the name of Your dear Son, and for His glory alone. Therefore we expect to receive answers.[14]
Now we await Your confirmation. We have prayed for the peace of Jerusalem. We don’t know what else to do. But our eyes are fixed expectantly on You.[15]
For the Glory of Yeshua
AMEN
The End-Time Laodicean Church and The False Gospel
“These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” Revelation 3: 14-17
A video of the wife of popular television pastor and best-selling author, Joel Osteen (Pastor of the Laodicean Lakewood Church in Houston, TX), has been making its way through social media. To give Victoria Osteen a huge benefit of the doubt would mean she either misspoke or we’re lacking some sort of context showing her point to be the opposite of what she said. At face value, her words are absolutely heretical and directly contrary to the words of Jesus Christ and the New Testament.
Here is a transcript of what she said:
“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God—I mean, that’s one way to look at it—we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy. That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy. So, I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?”
No. Not Amen. Not at all! This is heresy.
Mrs. Osteen’s words may sound wonderful to a culture raised in the belief that life is all about self, but they are directly opposed to the Bible. Before looking at some specific passages, let’s see if there are some hints of truth in what she said, after all, effective lies often have some degree of truth.
Does God want us to be happy? In a sense He does, but that happiness will often look very different than what Mrs. Osteen and her husband have taught for years. Life is not about having Your Best Life Now (the title of one of Joel Osteen’s books) since our best life will be when we are with the Lord in glory. True happiness is found when we serve the Lord wholeheartedly, which is essentially the opposite of living for ourselves. Mrs. Osteen wants you to Love Your Life (her book title), but God wants us to love Him.
Does God take pleasure when we’re happy? I guess it depends on what you mean by happy. If you mean the fleeting emotion we often experience only to be unhappy hours later, then I would disagree. If you mean that we are filled with joy because out of a grateful heart we are obediently doing what God has created us to do, then I would agree that God would take pleasure in that, but I don’t think I would go as far as saying that is what gives Him the greatest joy.
Am I against happiness? No. Am I saying we can’t have fun as Christians. Absolutely not! Am I saying we should despise our lives? No, I’m not. I am saying that we need to stop focusing so much attention on ourselves.
Love Self or Deny Self?
Mrs. Osteen’s words fly in the face of one of the major components of living a godly life. Let’s start with what the Son of God said.
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:23–25)
Jesus Christ said that true followers need to deny self. He taught that the greatest commandment was to love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and that the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). This doesn’t mean that we need to learn to love ourselves first (as is often taught today), but that we already do love ourselves and we need to take that focus off of ourselves and put it on God and others. Victoria Osteen encouraged her listeners to live for self. These two ideas cannot be more diametrically opposed.
Jesus lived a selfless life and set the example for us to follow. He willingly went to the Cross to die an unimaginably torturous death so that we could be saved from our sins—not so we could go around chasing after all the things we think will make us happy. Does the New Testament have anything else to say about this subject? Yes, far too much for one blog post. Let’s look at a couple of examples.
In Colossians 3:17, the Apostle Paul wrote, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” What motive should we have for the things we do? Did Paul say to do it for yourself? Certainly not! He said to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” He said something similar in 1 Corinthians 10:31. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
But what would Paul know about happiness? After all, this was the guy who was scourged five times, beaten with rods three times, stoned, shipwrecked three times, in prison multiple times, and constantly under the threat of people who wanted to kill him (2 Corinthians 11:23–27). Yes, and he was one of the most faithful Christians who has ever lived. He understood that Jesus didn’t die on the Cross and rise from the dead so that we can live for self. He did it to save us from sin and to enable us to live for God.
Perhaps Mrs. Osteen should read the book of Job. This godly man lost every earthly possession and his entire family except his wife. He lost his health, and yet he trusted God. He was called blameless, upright, and righteous (Job 1:8; Ezekiel 14:14). Job was not happy during his trials, but he was extremely faithful.
Maybe Victoria Osteen should read Hebrews 11. This chapter is often called the Faith Hall of Fame because it highlights many of the Old Testament heroes who exhibited tremendous faith in God. But if you read this chapter, please read it all the way through, because then you’ll find out about some unnamed people with great faith. Here is what the writer of Hebrews had to say about them.
Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:35b—38)
Christian, these are your role models! These are the people we should seek to imitate. They were willing to give up everything for the sake of following Christ. To live for self means that we are putting our own desires above what God has told us to do. It is arrogant and prideful, and it is the exact opposite of what the Bible instructs. We are to be humble, deny self, and live for God’s glory.
Conclusion
If you call yourself a Christian, please do not be deceived by the “gospel” of self that is so prevalent in our culture. If you seek true and lasting happiness, it will only be found when you are serving your Creator. It will never be found serving yourself. Mrs. Osteen’s words remind me of what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. AND FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY!” 2 Timothy 3:1–5
Osteen’s $10.5 Million Home
Alabama Megachurch Builds $26 Million Entertainment Center with Bowling Alley, Night Club
A megachurch in Alabama recently held an open house to celebrate the opening of its $26 million dollar, six-dome entertainment center, which some are stating is far from biblical Christianity and the example of the early Church...the facility features—among other amenities—a 12-lane bowling alley, a basketball court, a fitness center, a banquet hall and cafe, a teen dance club, and an adult alcohol and smoke-free night club...“Bricks, bodies and bucks seem to be the measure most churches use of their success,” Whitney explained. “In the Scriptures, I don’t find that at all. … Contrast that with the first Church, who owned no building and often met in the catacombs. … Jesus died without any trappings of glory, power or wealth at all, and most of his followers died in a similar manner, but they were the ones who turned the world upside down.”...http://christiannews.net/2014/08/27/alabama-megachurch-builds-26-million-entertainment-center-with-bowling-alley-night-club/
IS THE PSALM 83 CONFEDERACY (ISLAMIC CALIPHATE) SURROUNDING ISRAEL?
Jordan to NATO: ISIS terrorists have infiltrated our borders
Saudi Arabian media reported on Sunday that Jordan had handed secret intelligence over to the NATO with details about infiltrations of ISIS fighters into Jordanian territory through its borders with Syria and Iraq. The British ambassador to Jordan, Peter Millett, said the U.K. and NATO were prepared to assist Jordan in dealing with the dangers posed by ISIS...http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=19793
...See Ezekiel 35:1-15 - Judgement on Mount Seir (Jordan)
Sisi (Egypt) Blames Israeli Lack of 'Peace' For Islamic State
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi blamed Israel for fueling terrorism in the Middle East by not making peace with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Wednesday, in light of the tensions between the West and the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS). The lack of a "peace process" in Israel contributes to a "fertile environment for the growth and spread of extremism, violence and terrorism," claimed Sisi...Sisi has been critical towards Israel, despite serving as mediator between the Jewish state and the terrorist organization Hamas in negotiations that led to a ceasefire deal last Tuesday. It is worth noting that during elections in May, he said he would be open to amending the peace treaty with Israel...http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/184720#.VAdm89zmQ9U
...See Isaiah 19 - Proclamation against Egypt...if Sisi does change the current peace agreement with Israel, it could certainly lead to, and be the cause of God’s judgement and fulfillment of Isaiah 19.
IS THE PSALM 83 CONFEDERACY (ISLAMIC CALIPHATE) SURROUNDING ISRAEL?
Pro-Islamic State Gathering Takes Place At Temple Mount In Jerusalem, Israel
A reporter on the ground told the Times that the Islamic State is “now knocking on Jordan’s door” and “has marked ‘Palestine’ (Israel) as the next target on its list.”...Thousands of Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS) supporters rallied at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, local Israeli media reported on Wednesday...Thousands of pro-IS supporters were at the rally, which was organized by the Tahrir party, an organization that aims to unify Muslim countries to create one massive Islamic state governed by sharia law...http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/israeli-tv-films-thousands-islamic-state-supporters-rallying-jerusalem-s-temple-mount
Israel 'preparing for war' against Hezbollah
The Israeli army is currently preparing for the possibility of the eruption of “a very violent war” with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon...Hezbollah has an estimated 100,000 rockets, some are long-range missiles located in Beirut, which are capable of carrying large warheads of up to one ton - these latter rockets are equipped with precision guidance systems, covering all of Israel...there are also concerns that Hezbollah has been digging tunnels under the Israeli border...http://www.worldbulletin.net/world/143847/israel-preparing-for-war-against-hezbollah
The Middle East's Next Ticking Time Bomb: Lebanon
Something is brewing in Lebanon, and it doesn't look good...it was reported that the Russian ambassador to Lebanon confirmed that the two nations are in the process of negotiating potential military cooperation...Saudi Arabia announced a $3 billion aid package for the Lebanese military at the end of 2013...The US has reversed its trend of declining military aid to the country with recent emergency shipments of equipment and weapons...It's widely known that Iran has been supplying Hezbollah...Given that clashes in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere have been sparked and inflamed by well-armed internal actors — much like advancing ISIS forces in Iraq exploited and relied on disgruntled Sunnis — the Lebanese government may just be another faction arming up in anticipation of impending chaos...and all of these arms could very well be turned on Israel! ...https://news.vice.com/article/the-middle-easts-next-ticking-time-bomb-lebanon
Jerusalem Dateline: Expanding the ISIS Threat (VIDEO)
The ISIS army is making its way closer to Israel than ever before. As the northern border is on high alert with fighting in Syria spilling over into Israel, the terror group has aimed its sights on expanding their own power beyond Syria and Iraq...In the United States, many are criticizing US President Barack Obama for his foreign policy fiasco’s that they say shape many of the crisis’s around the world...Chris Mitchell from CBN News takes you inside this story and more in the video below.
VATICAN CITY – Retired Israeli President Shimon Peres has proposed a new global peace initiative to Pope Francis: A "United Nations of Religions," given that most wars today have religious, not nationalistic, undercurrents. The Vatican said Peres pitched the initiative during a 45-minute audience Thursday in the Apostolic Palace. The two men last met when Francis invited the then-Israeli president and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to pray for peace together in the Vatican gardens on June 8. A few weeks later, war broke out in the Gaza Strip.
Peres told the Catholic publication Famiglia Cristiana that the U.N. is ill-suited to handle today's conflicts and that a "'U.N. of Religions' is the best way to fight terrorists who kill in the name of God."
Francis promised the Vatican's attention to the proposal...http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/09/04/israel-shimon-peres-proposes-new-peace-initiative-un-religions-to-pope-at/
“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those[e] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”
Revelation 13:11-15 ...Were just about there!!
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28
Israel's Shimon Peres proposes new peace initiative "UN of Religions" to pope at Vatican visit
‘I Stand by My Point:’ Joel Osteen’s Wife Unrepentant over Remarks of Worshiping God ‘for Self
Victoria Osteen, wife of megachurch speaker and author Joel Osteen, is standing by her controversial remarks that called upon congregants at (the Laodicean) Lakewood Church to “do good for your own self” because obedience, the church and worship are not for God as much as for self-happiness...“She honestly believes that God exists to make us happy rather than holy,” Steve Camp, pastor of The Cross Church in Palm City, Florida and singer/songwriter, lamented. “She honestly believes that worship is about our fulfillment rather than His glory.”...“Victoria’s view of our God simply reflective of her own worldview of what Christianity should be about—becoming a better you, prospering yourself and being happy if you are truly following Jesus,” he explained. “But our happiness has little or nothing to do with the Christian life.”...“True worship is not just what happens on Sunday,” he said. “True worship is seven days a week, 24 hours a day—that we live on the altar before God in presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. And that is what is pleasing to Him.”...http://christiannews.net/2014/09/06/i-stand-by-my-point-joel-osteens-wife-unrepentant-over-remarks-of-worshiping-god-for-self/...AMEN!
IS THE PSALM 83 CONFEDERACY (ISLAMIC CALIPHATE) SURROUNDING ISRAEL?
THE NEXT WAR
See our friend Sean Osborne’s excellent Eschatology Today Report here: http://eschatologytoday.blogspot.com/2014/09/global-sitrep-d7-14-next-war.html
IS THE PSALM 83 CONFEDERACY (ISLAMIC CALIPHATE) SURROUNDING ISRAEL?
Allen West Describes Explosive Scenario Showing How ISIS Could Invade Israel
Consider this scenario for the Jewish State of Israel: Hamas renews its assault against Israel from the south after rearming and restocking its rocket and missile arsenal. Hezbollah decides the time is right to begin an assault from the north with more rockets and missiles. A situation arises where Israel finds its stockpile of Iron Dome weapons is running low and cannot cover a two -ront aerial assault — some of the rockets and missiles find landfall. From Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra has decided to swear allegiance to ISIS and begins a ground assault against Israel from Syria. And in Jordan, where ISIS has been successful, they set their sights on crossing the Jordan River into Judea-Samaria and begin attacking Israeli communities — aided by the Palestinian group Fatah. Riots and unrest begins in East Jerusalem and a general state of emergency is instituted. Sophisticated surface-to-air missiles begin showing up in the region from Libya supplied by Ansar al-Sharia. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is shut down.
I’ve been describing situations that lead up to this type of scenario here at LibertyNews.com for the past year. Specifically, that Obama’s CIA and State Department have been toppling dictators that we paid off to leave Israel alone, and replacing them with worse people who facilitate an environment where ISIS can boil and share the idea that Israel should be destroyed. But seeing a specific and logical scenario laid out like this brings it into a whole new kind of light. And it isn’t pretty...http://www.libertynews.com/2014/09/breaking-allen-west-describes-explosive-scenario-showing-how-isis-could-invade-israel-plus-isis-holds-rally-at-jerusalems-temple-mount/#
Israel tells US it will act if IS reaches Jordan
The report did not specify what actions Israel might take if Islamic State started impacting upon Jordan, but Israel is wary of its eastern neighbor being challenged by the brutal terror group, and would seek to guard against further inroads that would directly threaten Israel...According to unnamed sources within Shin Bet, up to 10 Israeli-Arabs have joined the Islamic State and the rebel group’s flag has been sighted in various places throughout the Jewish state...http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-reportedly-tells-us-it-will-act-if-is-reaches-jordan/#ixzz3D90H2seM
Experts Say Jordan in Danger - and Israel's Next in Line
Countries in the Middle East are currently in states of internal and external war, pressing the State of Israel to prepare for waves of immigrants from Arab countries to Israeli territory, which may endanger her existence...The worst case scenario being the movement of ISIS into Jordan, and subsequently creating a pure "Islamic State" within the country...The Jordan of 2014 presents a new ethnic mosaic, and the national dynamic has completely changed. It should be remembered that some of the refugees are intruders from extremist groups, such as ISIS...ISIS could take over large parts of the country thereby joining Jordan to their Sunni caliphate, and create a real danger to Israel...http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/185083#.VBZS7dzv89V
Hezbollah could advance into Israel in next war, official warns
Military source says terror group could seize parts of Galilee, including Israeli towns...Should there be a flare-up on the northern front, the Israeli public must be prepared for an extended campaign, “If Gaza took 50 days, it’s possible the war will last four months”...“It’s important to convey the message to the world: Since Hezbollah is located within a civilian population, in villages, there will be immense damage to Lebanon...The report said Hezbollah has an estimated 100,000 rockets — 10 times as many as were in the Hamas arsenal — and that its 5,000 long-range missiles, located in Beirut and other areas deep inside Lebanon, are capable of carrying large warheads (of up to 1 ton and more), with precision guidance systems, covering all of Israel. Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense system would not be able to cope with that kind of challenge, and thus the IDF would have to “maneuver fast” and act forcefully to prevail decisively in the conflict...http://www.timesofisrael.com/hezbollah-could-advance-into-israel-in-next-war-official-warns/
ISIS eyeing up Egypt as its next target, experts say
After the lightning advance of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants this summer, Egyptian experts say that the extremist group - which aims to redraw the map of the Middle East - may have its eyes on Egypt. “There is definitely a threat from ISIS to Egypt,”...One alleged ISIS militant took to social media to warn Egypt that it should be expecting a “surprise” soon...“ISIS and Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis are linked on an ideological level even though the group is not believed to be officially linked to ISIS insurgents,” “Their exchange is another sign that shows a clear threat to Egypt from ISIS”...http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/analysis/2014/09/13/ISIS-eyeing-up-Egypt-as-its-next-target-experts-say.html
ISIS Planting Sleeper Cells Along Syria-Israel Border
New information about ISIS activity concerning Israel was revealed on Sunday. According to a report in the Times of Israel, the terror group has been secretly operating sleeper cells in southern Syria in close proximity to the border with Israel. Approximately 6,000 ISIS rebel fighters have made their way southward toward Jordan and Israel...Two villages in which ISIS recruiters are especially active is Hayt and Sahem Al-Jawlan, located near the Syrian-Jordanian border. “They were sent by the Islamic State to control the largest portion of land possible”...”ISIS has been secretly working to established ‘sleeper cells in the south, which are hidden,’ to be used when the moment is deemed right to attack Israel.”
...From these six recent articles we can clearly see the formation of the Psalm 83 War and ISIS activity on four different fronts surrounding Israel. The present threat to Israel continues to escalate into a situation where Israel will likely be attacked from multiple sides - YES THE PSALM 83 CONFEDERACY (ISIS) IS SURROUNDING ISRAEL. The IDF will act decisively and with the full force of its military power to defend its borders, the results will be as prophesied in Psalms 83, Jeremiah 49, Isaiah 17 & 19, Ezekiel 35, Zephaniah 2:4-15, Zechariah 12:1-9 and Israel will expand her borders to closely align with the Abrahamic Covenant borders God promised Israel - See New Israel Borders...After a period of time, living in peace and security, it then likely becomes the impetus for Ezekiel 38 & 39...We are at the door-step of the fulfillment of these very significant prophetic events! - Prophecy being fulfilled in real time before our eyes!!
A Watchman’s View From The Wall
"And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" Mark 13:37
~ A Watchman ~