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The Menorah
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It is believed that the branches represent the seven days of the
week.
Could they also represent the Feast of Sukkot and the three times the
Messiah comes to the earth?
Who are the two witnesses and at what time do they come during the
tribulation?
The answer to this question is important, because it signifies the
beginning of the tribulation.
It has a direct impact upon prophecy
and your ability to prepare for this time, in accordance with Yahuahshua’s
word.
I hope to be able to demonstrate by use of the scriptures, that the
two witnesses will appear at the very start of the tribulation,
if not the first day, perhaps the first hour; and not at
the mid-point of the tribulation which is sometimes taught today as "End Times"
Christian doctrine. Because these two witnesses will denounce the
anti-Christ's plan and his "ministry" from the start, those
who are left after the first group of believers have been "caught
away" will know the tribulation has started when the anti-Christ
is revealed by the two witnesses. It is at this time, the Saints are
declared to be "enemies of the State" and are hunted down for
1260 days. Why for only 1260 days, which takes us to the mid point of
the tribulation? Because at that point those who remain are taken away
when all of the Saints are either resurrected or transformed (while they
yet stand on their feet) into their
glorified (eternal) bodies - in the twinkling of eye.
Here are two scriptural examples of the two different
"raptures" that take place: The first one shows us how Enoch
just "disappeared."
"And Enoch walked
with Yahuah and was not for Yahuah took him." (Gen:5:24).
In like manner, their is an end times group of believers that will just disappear, as promised by
our messiah:
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Rev 3:7
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Rev 3:8
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Rev 3:10 (KJV)
This open door IS an inter dimensional portal. It is NOT an open door
which is meant for evangelizing or witnessing as some have taught over
the years; because in the context of the paragraph, the open door is
related to to Yahuahshua's POWER to keep us from the hour of "testing" that is
coming upon the earth. It is a portal, the same one that King
David used to "slip away" [the Hebrew word Patar] at the exact
moment in time that King Saul embedded a spear in the wall where David
was standing. The "key of David" being referred to is the
ability to travel through the dimensions, just as Christ did while on
this earth. Reader, hear what the Spirit is saying!
The
second "taking away" is revealed to us in 2nd Kings, and
occurs at the mid-point of the tribulation. This is the reason why the
anti-Christ can make war against the saints for ONLY the first 1260 days. After
that, they are gone, taken away in a whirlwind, and out of the reach of
the Son of Perdition.
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
II Ki 2:11 (KJV)
At the same
when Satan is thrown down from heaven to the earth, to inhabit the body
of the Son of Perdition, the remainder of the Saints are taken away from
this earthly plane of existence.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,....
Rev 14:6 (KJV)
When has Yahuah EVER used an angel to preach the gospel? Is there any
other example in all the scriptures of an angel preaching the word of
Yahuah?
Not that I know of, so why does he do so here? Is it because their is no
righteous man (believer) left on the earth to do it?
This short study also touches on several other topics that require you
to have a
basic understanding of each one.
I have linked to these topics separately, so I don’t veer off the main
topic (The Two Witnesses).
These separate topics are the Feast of Sukkot,
which is the seven day feast first celebrated during the Exodus
(Leviticus 23:34). It is also referred to as The Festival of Booths (or
Tabernacles). The other topic is the correct dating of
the birth of Yohanon the Baptist and Yahuahshua the Mashiyach.
{You can stop here and read a brief description of these topics, or
continue on reading.}
All of this relates together on the end times- time table. Sukkot (Feast
of Tabernacles), the
birth dates, and the arrival and subsequent resurrection of the two witnesses. This
also has a direct bearing on the "taking away" of believers at
different intervals during the tribulation.
I will compare the seven year tribulation period with other
key events in the scriptures that draw a direct parallel, beginning with
the Feast of Sukkot, and the seven day journey of the Hebrews during the
Exodus.
The Feast of Sukkot is primarily a picture of the three times that Yahuahshua comes
to the earth. All three of which occur during the Festival. The first
time was at his birth. The second time will be in the middle of the
tribulation, to take away the elect that remains. The last time will be at the end of
the tribulation, when he prevents the destruction of the earth and
begins "the reign of Yhwh."
His mid point appearance during the Tribulation also marks the
beginning of the "Great and Dreadful Day of Yahuah," the day
of his wrath, as extensively prophesied by the Prophets of Old!
The "great and dreadful day of Yahuah" is an important factor
in the chronology of the Tribulation. Once the Son of Perdition has been
revealed for who he is, and the abomination that makes desolate is made
known, the long awaited great and dreadful day of Yahuah begins.
I ask you, are the Saints here on earth when the Day of Yahuah's wrath begins?
Does not the scriptures say;
Yahuah has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through
his Mashiyach Yahuahshua.." 1Thes 5:9
So then why should we expect to live through the last 3 1/2 years of the
Tribulation, while his wrath is being directed toward the sons of
disobedience? In fact, why should we expect to live through the
Tribulation at all, when Yahuahshua has ALREADY said, he will keep a
group of believers (The Church at Philadelphia) FROM the tribulation.
Believe what you want - those are not my words, but rather the words of
the everlasting Christ (Mashiyach) our Deliverer.
Suppose the Son of Perdition comes up from among what seems to be a
group of Believers, or maybe from within the organized Church hierarchy
(just as Thomas Manton proposed) which was covered in Part A? His
appearing at this time, as the man of peace, is different from
when his true nature is "revealed," as the Son of Perdition.
That revelation occurs at the mid point of the tribulation. If the
"elect" could be deceived by the Son of Perdition,
without the intervention
of Yahuah (who makes his identity known), than we should consider
that his presentation MUST be extraordinary even supernatural in nature.
And I don't mean this in just theatrical terms, though theatrics will be
a part of the equation. I also mean his "ministry," which
includes the
logic and rationale he will employ behind his alleged "work" and "service"
for the betterment of mankind. His message will have a supernatural
aspect that will lend credence to his claims, which are supported by
works and wonders.
Since it is
Yahuah's will to reveal the anti-Messiah (to the elect) by denouncing his work,
why send the two witnesses at the mid point of the
Tribulation, after the evil intentions of the anti-Messiah have been made
known to all of the people of the world? Why wouldn't Yahuah send them at the very beginning
of anti-Messiah's ministry when his intentions have not yet been
made publicly known? The two witnesses will decry the work of anti-Messiah
while he yet appears to be a friend to man, and a benevolent person. For
this reason the two witnesses are hated by those who live on the earth (whose names
have not been written in the book of life). They are the same ones who
accept the anti-Messiah as a deliverer during the first 3 1/2 year
time period, while the elect are being told of his hidden deception. For this
reason are the two witnesses sent, primarily to warn the
elect, and secondarily to call the wicked to repentance.
In Revelation Chapter 11, the two witnesses are given 1260 days to
prophesy on the earth, then;
"...when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Rev 11:7 (KJV)
Verses 13-14 go on to say:
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the
Ul of heaven.
The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly."
Rev 11:13-14 (KJV)
Take note of verse 14; "the second woe is past, and, behold, the
third woe cometh quickly." The Book of Revelation speaks of three
"woes" that befall the inhabitants of the earth. If I were to
apply contemporary Christian teaching to the timetable of the
Tribulation, which dictates that the two witnesses come at the mid-point
and are slain 1260 days later, then the murder of the two witnesses would occur at the end of the
tribulation. If that were so, why would there be yet another
"woe" to come, signifying that there is more time left to the
tribulation?
The next chapter (Rev 12) goes on to say:
"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to
Yahuah Ul and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by
Yahuah, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty
days."
Rev 12:1-6 (NKJ)
These verses speak of another 1260 days that occur, at the beginning of
the third woe, after the two witnesses are killed.
Revelation 12 continues with verse seven;
"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of
our Ul, and the power of His Messiah have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our
Ul day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."
Rev 12:7-12 (NKJ)
This event must occur at the mid point of the Tribulation, when the
anti-Messiah, who has presented himself to the world as the
"Messiah" (in place of Christ Yahuahshua) now becomes possessed by Satan himself (who has been
thrown down to the earth) to become the Son of Perdition. Just as in
like manner, Judas the first Son of Perdition was bodily possessed
by Satan in Luke 22:3:
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
(KJV)
I believe that Satan is cast out of heaven at this time, at the start of
the "Day of Yahuah's wrath," because the Saints have been
taken away to the heavenly realm, to be at Yahuah's side, and there is
no longer a place found in heaven for our adversary, the accuser of the brethren, because
the brethren have ascended to that place.
Read the Seventh chapter of Revelation, verses 9-17:
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to Yahuah our Ul which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped
Yahuah,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto
Yahuah our Ul for ever and ever. Amen.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore are they before the throne of Yahuah, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and
Yahuah shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev 7:9-17 (KJV)
Just as the seventh day of Creation was the culmination of the Creation
week, the seventh chapter of Revelation records the completion of
redemption, and of Yahuah's work.
A great multitude of the redeemed is before the thrown, along with ALL
(not part) of the angels, and his elders the counselors, crying out with a loud
voice. Notice the angel tells John that " these are they which came
out (past progressive) of the great tribulation. Why use the (Greek)
past progressive tense? Because it means:
"these are they which came out, came out, and came out
(progressively) over a period of time, during the tribulation. For this
reason I believe that some will taken before the tribulation (Mat 24)
others at the start of (and during) the tribulation, with the remainder
of the Saints taken at the middle of the tribulation.
Why does the angel ask John, "what are these arrayed in white robes
(holding palm branches)?
This is something else that is significant, and comes from the
observance of the Festival of Booths.
[v34] "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to
Yahuah your Ul........v40 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees,
branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before
Yahuah your Ul for seven days.
This requirement which is to be specifically observed beginning on the
first day of Sukkot, and then for the entire feast, points to the Saints
gathered around the throne in the Book of Revelation who are also
holding palm branches. In like manner, so does John's gospel
Chapter 12 verses 12-13, when several days before the celebration of
Passover, Yahuahshua entered Jerusalem greeted by a crowd with palm
branches and saying,
"Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in
the name of Yahuah."
This triumphant entrance was a likeness of the one that will come at the
end of the tribulation.
So what does all of this mean? I look for the witnesses to begin their
ministry on the very first day of the tribulation, the same day that the
Son of Perdition begins his! This will be one of the main signals that
the tribulation has begun; rather than the traditional viewpoint, that
the rebuilding of Solomon's temple, is the beginning of the tribulation.
Compare the similarities between the Feast of Sukkot; the real life Exodus
journey of the Hebrews from Egypt to the promised land, and the
seven year tribulation which culminates with the Saints entering into the
promised land (the New Jerusalem). Each one of these three events
parallel each other.
When the Hebrews were lead out of Egypt by Moses, at the end of their
first day of travel, they camped that night at Sukkot. The evening of the second day in Etham, and
the evening of the third day at Pi Hahiroth. During the evening of the
third day the Red Sea was parted and the Hebrews crossed on the dry land
that night. Forget about the Hollywood movies you might have seen that
depict a daytime crossing, the people crossed at night, between the 3rd
and 4rth day (sound familiar?).
"And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and Yahuah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind
all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left."
Exod 14 (KJV)
This would be the evening between the third and fourth day of their
journey, or at the mid pint of their sojourn.
On the morning of the fourth day, the Egyptians were drowned. In like
manner, during the tribulation, the wicked and unbelievers will be
drowned by the judgment of Yahuah, in the day of his wrath.
"Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that
Yahuah looked down upon the army of the Egyptians....Then Yahuah said to
Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may
come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their
horsemen." Exod 14 (NKJ)
After the Egyptians were drowned, Moses and the children sang "the
song of Moses," to celebrate their freedom from slavery and
their "crossing over" to the other side and out of
danger.
Thus Yahuah saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
And Israel saw that great work which Yahuah did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared
Yahuah, and believed Yahuah, and his servant Moses. Exod 14:30-31
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Yahuah, and spake, saying, I will sing unto
Yahuah, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Exod 15:1
The "song of Moses" is also sung in the Book of Revelation,
and relates the "crossing over" of the "end times"
Saints, back to the crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews. The
"Song of Moses" is sung at both happenings, telling the story
of a group of believers who have gotten the victory over their adversary:
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of
Yahuah. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of Yahuah, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works,
Yahuah Ul; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Rev 15:2-3 (KJV)
The last 3 days of their journey is also symbolic of the seven year
tribulation:
So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three
(3)
days in the wilderness, and found no water.
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried unto Yahuah; and Yahuah shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Yahuah thy Ul, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am
Yahuah Ul that healeth thee.
And they came to Ulim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
Exod 15:22-27 (KJV)
The Hebrews seven day Exodus ends at the peaceful and pleasant
encampment at "Ulim." In like manner, the seven year tribulation ends in the "encampment"
(rest) of Yahuah's people in the New Jerusalem.
There were 12 wells and seventy palm trees at their encampment: In the
New Jerusalem there are 12 foundations covered with precious gems, and
inside flows a pure river of the water of life. Just as the bitter
waters of Marah were made sweet when Moses cast in Yahuah's tree, so
will the tree of life in the New Jerusalem turn the bitter waters in our
bodies into sweet waters like a fountain that springs up to eternal
life.
The diseases put upon
Egypt are not there because the leaves of the tree of life are for the
healing of the nations.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of
Yahuah and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of Yahuah and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Rev 22:1-3 (KJV)
The seventy palm trees are a likeness of the seventy elders that
received the Ruach ha Kodesh in Numbers 11:24 and prophesied, which lead
to Moses praying this prayer::
"...that all Yahuah's people were prophets, and that
Yahuah would put his spirit upon them!" Num 11:29 (KJV)
This prayer is answered in the New Jerusalem, when everyone there will
have the Spirit of Yahuah!
I ask you the reader this question, regarding the Exodus from
Egypt and the upcoming Exodus from the tribulation; when were the Hebrews set free from their slavery,
when they crossed the Red Sea and their enemy was destroyed, or was it when they
first believed Yahuah for a
miracle - the day they left Egypt?
Let us believe Yahuah for a miracle, and leave this place before the
tribulation begins.
Then He (Yahuahshua)
spoke to them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
"When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of
Yahuah is near.
"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
"For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 21:29-36 (NKJ)
Here are some others things to consider in the scriptures regarding the time table of revelation:
Isaiah 61, verses 1,2 and 3; are actually a likeness of the (3) three times
Yahuahshua comes to the earth.
The first time was at his birth, which was the appointed time of
Yahuah's grace toward man, as revealed by Yahuahshua himself, in his
reading of Isaiah 61, when he personally announced to the congregation
at Capernaum, this prophesy is now fulfilled.
[Luke 4:18] The Ruach of Yahuah Ul is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to
preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the
blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To proclaim the
acceptable year of Yahuah.....(he
stopped reading here)
The first part of the sentence reveals Mashiyach's purpose at his first coming,
"...to proclaim the acceptable year of
Yahuah."
The next part of that same sentence reads:
"...and the day of vengeance of Yahuah;......"
Isa 61:2 (KJV)
This refers to His secret appearing (as a thief in the middle of the
night) during the middle of
the tribulation which begins the "great and dreadful day of Yahuah,"
the day of his vengeance.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of
Yahuah 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.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For Yahuah hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by
Yahuahshau our Mashiyach, 1Thes 5:2-9 (KJV)
Then finally, at his second coming, at the end of the tribulation, he
fulfills the last part of verse two and all of verse three.
"....to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of
Yahuah, that he might be glorified. Isa 61:3
(KJV)
And Yahuah shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:4 (KJV)
Returning to the original premise that the two witnesses arrive at the beginning of the
Tribulation, look at some other scriptural examples.
John Chapter 7 contains a hidden clue, detailing the secret arrival of
Yahuahshua at the mid point of the Feast of Tabernacles, and by analogy
his secret appearance at the mid point of the Tribulation.
After these things Yahuahshua walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.
Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.
"For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world."
For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Yahuahshua said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
"You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come."
When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were
in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Now about the midst (or middle)
of the feast Yahuahshua went up into the temple, and taught. John 7:1-14
(KJV)
This story is an analogy between a real life event, and the upcoming
"taking away" of the Saints which occurs secretly in the
middle of the tribulation.
This scripture verse has an interesting connotation because this is the
first scriptural testimony of a bodily resurrection, besides the one
given us of Yahuahshua.
And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from
Yahuah entered into them (the two
witnesses), and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Rev 11:11 (KJV)
The resurrection of the two witnesses (who were slain in Jerusalem)
seems to occur simultaneously with the resurrection of all believers.. The
scriptures teach that the redemption of the body takes place at one
specified time. And that those who have gone before us,
will not be perfected (given a glorified body) apart from us. This
example is given to us in Hebrew 11, which recounts many of the deeds of the
faithful, who still wait for the promise of their inheritance, a
glorified eternal body.
And all these (the
faithful), having obtained a good testimony through faith, did
not receive the promise,
Yahuah having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Heb 11:39-40 (NKJ)
The resurrection event, in which each believer is given an eternal body,
occurs simultaneously among all of the believers:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.1 Cor 15:51-53
(KJV)
Many who practice Judaism today, believe that Elijah the Prophet will
come before the Messiah does. It is even a custom for them to place a
glass of wine at the table for Elijah, during the Passover (or Seder)
meal. This belief is based on Malachi's prophecy:
Behold, I will send you Elijah (Uliyahu) the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Yahuah: Mal 4:5
(KJV)
Now, Yahuahshua Ha Mashiyach did say that John the Baptist came in the
spirit of Elijah (UliYahu) to "restore all things" (Matthew
17) by baptizing men unto repentance, just as the real life Elijah
destroyed the altars of Idolatry and called the nation of Israel to
repentance. But the Elijah spoken of in Malachi's prophecy, is the one
sent Before (that is 3 1/2 years before ) the great and dreadful day of
Yahuah, which begins at the mid point of the tribulation.
If Elijah is one of the two witnesses sent by Yahuah to prophesy at the
start of the tribulation, and if the start of the Tribulation should
begin during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (or Passover), then, projecting 3
1/2 years forward from this point you would arrive exactly at the Feast of
Tabernacles (Sukkot). Also at the precise point in time that the
anti-Christ makes himself known to be the Son of Perdition. This
is when everyone will see that he is "the abomination that makes
desolate" the image of the eternal Creator.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Matt 24:15-17
"Let him which is on the housetop..." may sound like a curious
phrase to some, but in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles
(Booths), there were so many guests in town for the feast that
homeowners would set up their "booths" on the housetop (or
roof). This verse alludes to the timing of the "abomination"
as being during the Festival of Booths (Sukkot).
The verses shown below also make a connection between the appearance, in
a glorified body, of Moses and Elijah, along side of Yahuahshua.
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah:
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto
Yahuahshua, Adoni, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elijah: not knowing what he said. Luke 9:28-33 (KJV)
In the first place. just the mention of
building "three tabernacles" tells us that this occurrence takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths or Sukkot) just as
the mid-tribulation rapture of the Saints will also takes place at this
time.
This event should also be viewed as a foreshadowing of
the resurrection because the three appear in a "glorified
state" which is symbolic of how each believer will appear, when
given their "eternal (and glorified) body." These two, I
believe, represent the resurrection of all the believers.
To summarize I will say, there is much evidence in the scriptures that some of the believers will be taken away at the
start of the tribulation, while others will die during the 3 1/2 year
period of the tribulation. with the remainder of all believers taken
away from this earth at the mid-point of the tribulation, once Satan is
thrown down from heaven. Once he inhabits this earthly plane, he then possesses
the body of the Son of Perdition, and kills the two witnesses. Three and
one half days later, the two witnesses, along with all believers still
alive on this earth, will be taken away in the twinkling of an eye, to
meet every Saint of Yahuah and believer in Yahuahshua HaMashiyach
(gathered from the four corners of the HEAVENS).
The shofar will sound the two musical notes never before heard since
creation, whose vibrations (Rosh in Hebrew) will go forth to reassemble
and reconstruct the DNA of every body into an eternally living being.
Then we who are alive and remain
(survive) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
Yahuahshua in the air. And thus we shall always be with Yahuahshua.1Thes 4:17
(NKJ)
Part 3
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