In the video that you are linked to below, Mr. Gary Stearman and Mr. Bob Ulrich talk about the resurrection, the Rapture and the parable of the ten virgins.

This short ten minutes of video will answer more questions than hours of studies. I have been uplifted in my spirit from the explanation of the parable of the ten virgins and the evangelistic message for those who find themselves in the Tribulation.

Thank you Gary and Bob for your daily updates and for covering such important subjects.

Yesterday and today I had spent a lot of time thinking about the parable of the ten virgins and my thought was that in the resurrection of the dead in Christ will the dead be divided into wise and foolish dead in Christ. This did not seem logical to me at all, after seeing the video I can understand that the ten virgins applies to Israel and not the church.

I am sure this view will generate many questions and opinions.

Nando

Happy New Year for 2012 and may Jesus Christ come for His Bride in 2012 is my sincere wish.

May God Bless all you readers.

nando

Moses and Elijah appear in July, 2,011 and Antichrist signs 7 year covenant. Rapture before or after?

The following article was posted by Eliane B. in www.fivedoves.com, thank you for the articles.

They are excellent dissertations of the two witnesses that appear in Revelation chapter 11.

The role and who these two persons are as well as the timing of their ministry are vital theological data for the proper interpretation of the Apocalypse.

From the articles I can infer and state that the two witnesses Moses and Elijah will appear in planet earth to begin their testimony next month on July, 2011 on the first day of the Apocalypse.

The next important discussion is to determine the timing of the Rapture based on the appearance of the two witnesses.

Most pre-tribulation believers think that the Rapture must be gone by their appearing and I see this as a strong possibility of happening, but I think that there is a remote possibility that they are the ones who cry out the groom is coming that wakes up the ten sleeping virgins of Matthew 25.

The awakening of the whole world church has to occur from a supernatural phenomenom or caused by these two men of God appearing.  Many in the church are ignorant of the Bible and especially of the eschatology referring to the book of Revelation, but I am sure that all the news organizations of the world will be transmitting through TV, radio, the internet and word of mouth this supernatural event.

Simultaneously the Antichrist would have signed on this day the seven year covenant of Daniel.

Now that the church is awake it has to be taken out so that the Antichrist can be seen by all and proceed without interference from the church to control the whole world until the end of the seven years when he is thrown in the Lake of Fire.

I can see both possible things as having a valid interpretation.

Nando

http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/two-witnesses-first-or-second-half-of-tribulation

The Two Witnesses: First or Second Half of the Tribulation?

Dr. John Whitcomb

Some of the HTML versions of the articles have errors. If you have view problems try reading the PDF version.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version�.
Copyright � 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

THE TIME OF THEIR MINISTRY

Most dispensational commentators agree that the holy city, Jerusalem, will be “trodden down” by the Gentiles for 42 months during the last half of the 70th Week of Daniel (Rev. 11:2; cf. Luke 21:24)). This time period is identical to the 42 months of Rev. 13:5, which is the time God assigns to the Beast, the Antichrist, to blaspheme His name and to persecute His people.

This will be the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy in Dan. 7:21, that “the little horn” will make war against the saints and will prevail against them until “the Ancient of Days” finally comes. Daniel is also told that “the saints will be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (7:25), and that after these three-and-one-half years, “when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished” (12:7).

What, then, are the “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” during which “My two witnesses” will receive authority to “prophesy…clothed in sackcloth” (Rev. 11:3)? Time indicators, such as “1,260 days” are to be understood literally. John F. Walvoord explains: “Very prominent in the book of Revelation is the use of numbers, namely, 2, 3, 3 1/2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 24, 42, 144, 666, 1,000, 1,260, 1,600, 7,000, 12,000, 144,000, 100,000,000, 200,000,000 . . .The general rule should be followed to interpret numbers literally unless there is clear evidence to the contrary.”[1]

For several reasons, I suggest that this is the first half of the Seventieth Week. First, there seems to be an intentional distinction between the time of the Gentile occupation of theTemple’s outer court and the city, and the time of the two witnesses, by means of the different time-units used: 42 months for the Gentile domination and 1,260 days for the two witnesses. If the same time period is intended for both groups, why is not the 42-month time-block sufficient to cover both?

Second, and more important, in the very next verse (Rev. 11:4), the ministry of the two witnesses is compared to the ministry of the two olive trees of Zech. 4:3, namely, Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor of the Jewish remnant, who returned from Babylon to re-establish legitimate worship in Jerusalem (Zech. 3:1 and 4:6). These leaders did not have to wait for the Temple to be rebuilt to begin sacrificing on the altar which they erected on the ruins of Solomon’s Temple (cf. Ezra 3:2-3). By the same token, the two witnesses will not have to wait for the third temple to be built in order to begin
sacrificing on a divinely legitimate altar on the present ruins of the second temple. What they will need is supernatural protection to re-institute the sacrifices (cf. Dan.9:27) in the presence of enormous, even global, opposition (cf. Rev. 11:10).

The reason why this will happen during the first half of the seventieth week is that “in the middle of the week He [the Antichrist] shall bring an end to sacrifice [zevach = bloody sacrifices] and offering [minchah = non-bloody sacrifices]” (Dan. 9:27). As J. Dwight Pentecost explains, “This expression refers to the entire Levitical system, which suggests that Israel will have restored that system in the first half of the 70^th ‘seven.’”[2] Antichrist will replace the legitimate, God-honoring Jewish worship system, which only the two witnesses can inaugurate, with his own system, namely, the abomination of desolation (cf. Dan. 9:27b, 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 13:14-15). But the Antichrist cannot do this until the 1,260 days of ministry allotted by God to the two witnesses has been completed (cf. Rev. 11:7).

Third, the Lord Jesus issued this command to Jews of the tribulation period: “when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place . . . then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains . . . For then there will be great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:15-21). Here an obvious question arises: Would the two Jewish witnesses remain inJerusalem during the 42 months of Antichrist’s dominion if the Lord Jesus, their Messiah, told them to flee to the mountains?

Fourth, if the 1,260 days occur during the last half of the Week, then the entire world would be celebrating the death of the two witnesses for three-and-a-half days after the Battle of Armageddon and the destruction of the Antichrist! This is very difficult to imagine. As Gary G. Cohen explains, “at the end of the second three-and-a-half year period, the Beast followers are lamenting over Babylon and the vials, [are] gathered for the great battle at Armegeddon, and [are] finally slain by Christ, whose coming is surrounded with the powers of the heavens being shaken (Rev. 16-18; 19:11-21; Matt. 24:29-30). This picture does not harmonize well with the three-and-a-half days of rejoicing and gift-giving in which the earth-dwellers participate following the murder of the witnesses. This discordance between the end of the second three-and-a-half year period and the three-and-a-half days following the end of the three-and-a-half year ministry of the witnesses makes it most unlikely that the prophesying of God’��s two servants takes place during the latter half of the week.”[3]

Fifth, putting the two witnesses into the last half of the Week compromises the totality of Antichrist’��s dominion during that same period. How can he bring fire from heaven upon his enemies (through the False Prophet, Rev. 13:13) if the two witnesses are simultaneously bringing fire from heaven upon their enemies (Rev. 11:5)? We are clearly dealing with two different time periods: the first half of the Week with the overwhelming power of the two witnesses, and the last half of the Week with the overwhelming power of the Beast and the False Prophet. When the world asks the rhetorical question, “Who is able to make war with [the Beast]?” (Rev. 13:4), it seems obvious that no one can answer, “The two witnesses are able to make war with him,” for their 1,260 days of ministry will have ended, and they will be gone.

Sixth, our Lord stated that “Elijah is coming first and will restore all things (italics added)” (Matt. 17:11). Whoever “Elijah” turns out to be (see below, The Identity of the Two Witnesses), his spectacular success (under God) in bringing Israel back to her Messiah must be during the first half of the seventieth week, for Isaiah prophesied that Israel will have given birth “to her children” as soon as her time of tribulation begins (Isa. 66:8).

Furthermore, the basically regenerated nation, called “the woman” in Rev. 12, will flee into the wilderness and be nourished by God for 1,260 days (Rev. 12:6, 14; cf. Isaiah 26:20-21), namely, the last half of the week. “The dragon,” Satan, will then “make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (12:17), presumably the 144,000 witnesses from the 12 tribes ofIsraeland multitudes of their Gentile converts.

The crucial question, then, is this: by whose testimony is the nation ofIsraelbrought into the blessings of the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 (cf. Jer. 32:37-41; Ezek. 36:25-28)? And by whose witness are 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes led to the Lord, in order that, as our Savior promised, “this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world [during the last half of the Week] as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14)?

The prophet Malachi provides the answer: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before (italics added) the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD [i.e., the final 42 months of the 70^th week], and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:5-6). Our Lord, of course, was referring to this final statement of the Old Testament when He assured Peter, James and John that, “indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things” (Matt.17:11).

Some have mistakenly assumed thatIsraelas a nation cannot be converted until “they will look on Me whom they pierced” (Zech.12:10), namely, at Christ’s second coming in glory. But our Lord insisted: “Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed” (John20:29). These words were spoken to Thomas who refused to believe until he could “see in His hands the print of the nails” (vs. 25). Was Thomas converted when he did see the marks of his Lord’s crucifixion? No, for he, like the other ten apostles, was already a born-again believer (cf. John13:10-11). Likewise, Israel will be filled with contrition when they finally see the Savior whom they had crucified, and “will mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son,” with “all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves” (Zech. 12:14). Doubtless, this will also be the occasion when they will cry out, “Surely He has borne our griefs �yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted” (Isa. 53:4-5). Thus, there will be at least a 42-month gap betweenIsrael’s conversion and the overwhelming sight of their pierced Savior.

Immediately following the rapture of the church, there will be no believers left on this planet. Assuming that God never leaves Himself without a witness in the world, the two witnesses will suddenly appear in Jerusalemto begin their powerful work. In the words of Alva J. McClain, founder and president of Grace Theological Seminary, “The effect of their testimony is very impressive, appearing very early in the book of Revelation and probably accounting for the martyrs seen under the fifth seal (6:9). In chapter 7 the effect greatly expands, including 144,000 Israelites (vss.3-8), and also a great multitude, which no man can number, of all nations” (vss. 9-14).[4] His colleague and successor, Herman A. Hoyt, agreed that “The importance of their testimony cannot be overestimated (Rev. 11:4)�By their testimony, it is my opinion, they bring about the conversion of the 144,000 who will become the witnesses during the final half of the tribulation period.”[5] In addition to my personal mentors, Alva J. McClain and Herman A. Hoyt, several others have concluded that the two witnesses will proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom (i.e., the true Gospel of the saving work of Christ as a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom) during the first half of the 70^th week.[6]

An interesting parallel to the amazing effects of the preaching of the two witnesses may be found in the ministry of the Apostle Paul at the school of Tyrannus in Ephesus: “And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10).

THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES[7]

For 2,400 years Jews have anticipated the literal return of Elijah as the forerunner of Messiah. At the Passover meal (the Seder), “there is an extra place setting and a special cup on the Seder table designated just for Elijah�The meal is followed by a prayer, and a member of the family is then asked to go to the door, open it, and see if Elijah the prophet is coming.”[8]This expectation, of course, is based on the final words of the prophet Malachi at the very end of our Old Testament: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Mal. 4:5-6).

When Peter, James and John beheld Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, they were astounded. Could it really be true that Elijah would personally, physically, and visibly appear as the forerunner of Christ at the inauguration of His Kingdom? A week before they climbed this mountain, the Lord Jesus had told them: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28). So this was a foretaste, a powerful visual aid, of the manner in which the Son of Man would return to the earth: personally, physically and visibly, in glory (cf. Acts1:11).

But why did this foreview also include the visible presence of Elijah? Peter, James and John were very concerned about this. Coming down from the mountain, they asked the Lord: “‘��Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’�� And He answered and said, ‘��Indeed Elijah is coming first and will restore all things’��” (Matt. 17:10-11). Thus, the Lord Jesus was agreeing with the scribes that the prophecy of Malachi should be interpreted literally, just as the chief priests and scribes had interpreted Micah 5:2 literally when they were asked concerning the birthplace of the Messiah (Matt. 2:3-6).[9]

The Greatness of John the Baptist

Now this created a great dilemma for the disciples. If Elijah was to prepareIsraelfor the Kingdom (which they expected to happen at any moment), when and how would he appear, and how did John the Baptist, their former (and now dead) mentor (John1:35-40) fit into this scenario? Was not the Baptizer “the burning and shining lamp,” in whose “light” the disciples “were willing to rejoice” because “he has borne witness to the truth” (John 5:33-35)? Was he not “more than a prophet” (Matt. 11:9)? Was he not the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3 (“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘��Prepare the way of the LORD’��” cf. Matt. 3:3)? Was he not “My messenger” whom God would send “to prepare the way before Me” (Mal. 3:1; cf. Matt.11:10)? In fact the Lord Jesus asserted that “among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:11). Thus, in the mind of our Lord, John was personally and prophetically at least as great as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, — and even Elijah!

Israel‘��s Responsibility

It is perfectly clear, then, that it was not because of some lack of dedication or wisdom that John the Baptizer failed to bringIsraelto the place of spiritual readiness to acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Messiah. The national rejection of Jesus was entirely the fault of the people and their leaders! With respect to John, therefore, our Lord explained: “If you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah, who is to come” (Matt.11:14). Then, amazingly, He added: “‘��Elijah has come already, and they did not know him, but did to him whatever they wished’���Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist” (Matt.17:12-13).

Thus, John could have been Elijah if Israel had accepted his message. This is a theme that dominates the entire Bible -�� men are responsible moral agents before God, and can never reject this accountability by arguing that since God is the sovereign LORD of history they cannot make genuine choices (cf. Rom. 9:18-24). Judas Iscariot could have reasoned: “Since my betrayal of the Messiah has been predestined [e.g., Luke 22:22a -�� "truly, the Son of Man goes as it has been determined�"], I have been deprived of my freedom of choice, and am therefore innocent!” But our Lord, anticipating such depraved thinking, added: “but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22b; cf. Acts2:23 concerning the entire nation). Thus, Joseph could say to his murderous brothers: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to�save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).

There are at least three reasons for concluding that John was not Elijah. First, the angel Gabriel announced to Zacharias the priest concerning his son John: “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke1:17). Therefore, he was not literally Elijah. Second, our Lord stated, soon after the death of John, “Elijah is coming first and will restore all things” (Matt.17:11). Thus, the Lord Jesus interpreted Malachi’��s prophecy literally: “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet�” (Mal. 4:5). Third, the leaders ofIsrael confronted John with a direct question: “Are you Elijah?” His answer was unequivocal: “I am not” (John1:21).

However, in spite of the fact that John was not Elijah, his offer of the Kingdom to Israel was absolutely genuine: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). This identical appeal was made by our Lord, and by the Twelve and the Seventy. Therefore, no Jew could say, “We never heard a clear and genuine offer of the Kingdom!”

The Theological Antinomy

But here we must face a great theological antinomy, namely, an apparent contradiction of logic that mere human intelligence cannot resolve: first, the offer of the Kingdom was absolutely genuine. The contingency was this: the coming of the Kingdom was dependent upon the believing response of the nation of Israel. Without national repentance on the part of God’��s chosen people, there can be no Messianic kingdom on this earth (see Romans11:12, 15, 25-29, and many Old Testament prophecies). Also for individuals, whether Jew or Gentile, there can be no salvation without genuine faith in God and His Word. This is a fundamental reality in all human history under God.

Second, at the same time, God had planned from all eternity that the Kingdom offer would be rejected at Christ’��s first coming, and would be accepted at His second coming. [10] Yes, we always need to be reminded of Deut. 29:29, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever,” and Isaiah 55:8-9, “‘��For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’�� says the LORD. ‘��For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’��”

No Jew could escape the ultimate urgency of the Baptizer’��s message by reasoning: “John himself admits that he is not Elijah. Therefore, since the Kingdom cannot come until Elijah appears, we have no need to humble ourselves before this non-Elijah!” To excuse themselves, the Jewish leaders finally concluded that John had a demon! (cf. Matt. 11:18).

A similar urgent responsibility rests upon people today. No one, however exalted (in political, social, economic, educational, or scientific realms), may dismiss the urgency of the Gospel message because of the personality traits of the messenger. Like the Corinthians long ago, people in our day sometimes make a great issue of who won them to the Lord and/or baptized them. Paul’��s response to the Corinthians was pointed: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one” (1 Cor. 3:5; cf.1:12-17;3:21-23; 4:6).

John’��s appearance and life-style (like Elijah’��s -�� 2 Kings 1:8; cf. Zech. 13:4) were not impressive to sophisticated Jews: a garment of camel’��s hair and a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4). Who among the leaders would want to be identified with such a strange-looking character? But God intended for his appearance to be a rebuke to the luxurious materialism of the royal family and the Pharisees and the priests (Matt. 11:8). Many of the common people, however, did respond to his powerful preaching (Matt. 3:5-6;11:12;21:26).

Thus, to summarize the antinomy: God assures us, on the basis of His unchangeable foreknowledge, that Elijah -�� not John -�� will bring the nation to repentance. But human responsibility required that John’��s message be received with genuine repentance and faith, just as fervently as if Elijah himself had been God’��s messenger.

Has Elijah Been Glorified?

Elijah is coming back as a messenger toIsrael. But how can he come back to the earth in a physical, mortal body? Was he not last seen being swept “to heaven” by a whirlwind (2 Kings2:11)? This is a major reason why many evangelical theologians deny that Elijah can literally return to the earth and be killed (Rev. 11:7). If Elijah was glorified without dying, how can he return to the earth and die?

A very important factor in solving this problem may be found in our Lord’��s statement: “No one has ascended to heaven, but�the Son of Man” (John3:13). In the immediate context, our Lord was explaining to Nicodemus that He alone could testify concerning things in heaven, because He alone had been there. While this statement sheds significant light on our Lord’��s unique authority to speak of “heavenly things,” His statement also seems to exclude the possibility that anyone, including Enoch and Elijah, could ever have ascended to the third heaven.

Furthermore, the Lord Jesus was “the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep,” in the sense of receiving a glorified body; and no one else will receive such a body until “those who are Christ’��s” have that inconceivably marvelous experience “at His coming” (1 Cor.15:20-23). Technically, of course, it could be argued that our Lord was referring only to a resurrection from the dead, and that neither Enoch nor Elijah had died. But, in the light of the “first fruits” statement of 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23, it is very difficult to believe that two men could have been physically glorified before the Savior was glorified.

Renald E. Showers agrees that “Enoch and Elijah did not receive glorified bodies when God took them from the earth.” But he also finds strong evidence in Hebrews 11:5 that Enoch did not “see” (=experience; cf. Luke 2:26) death. The text states that the very purpose for God’��s taking Enoch was so that he should not experience death.[11] So we are left with the question of Enoch’��s condition after he was “taken up.” A similar question may be asked concerning Korah, Dathan and Abiram who “went down alive into the pit [Sheol]” (Num. 16:33). My understanding would be that they did die after disappearing from the sight of men.

After the glorification of Christ, the apostle Paul “was caught up to the third heaven�into Paradise” (2 Cor. 12:2, 4). But he was not glorified, for the experience was temporary, and he returned to the earth with a mortal body (complete with a sin nature) and finally died. The truly amazing statement, however, is that he didn’��t know whether his brief visit in heaven was “in the body or apart from the body” (12:2-3). Renald Showers sees 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, therefore, as indicating that Paul “believed in the possibility of a human being in a mortal body being caught up to and existing in God’��s heaven for some period of time.”[12]

This brings us again to the fascinating statement of Hebrews 11:5 -�� “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death.” The termination of his life on earth was totally different from that of any before him -�� he simply disappeared! Now it should be noted that two other God-honored men in the Old Testament shared the distinction of leaving this world with no one seeing them dying or dead -�� Moses (Deut. 32:48-52; 34:1-6) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11-14). The author of Hebrews stated: “�it is appointed for men to die once” (9:27). However, the “mystery” (divine truth once hidden but now revealed) of the rapture of the Body and Bride of Christ without dying (1 Cor. 15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:15-17) is the glorious exception to this “die-once” rule. But is it really legitimate to stretch this exception to include Enoch or Elijah? Old Testament saints were not members of the Body and Bride of Christ to whom this “blessed hope” was exclusively given (cf. Eph. 3:4-10). That Enoch entered the realm of the righteous dead[13] without dying seems to be the teaching of Hebrews 11:5. That he was physically glorified is highly unlikely.

Enoch did not “see death.” But the Scriptures do not say this of Elijah. In fact, there seems to be some support for the concept that Elijah finally did die after he was caught up by a whirlwind. Nearly 900 years after that event, three of our Lord’��s disciples saw Moses (who had died 1,400 years earlier) and Elijah together (Matt. 17:1-8). Since Moses could not have had a glorified body (cf. 1 Cor.15:20, 23), the implication is quite strong that Elijah did not either. Like Samuel 1,000 years earlier (1 Sam. 28:15), they were temporarily “brought up” from their place of rest in the “Paradise” of pre-resurrection-of-Christ history (cf. Luke 23:43 with 2 Cor. 12:2-4 and Eph. 4:8-10), which our Lord also described as “Abraham’��s bosom” (Luke 16:22), and which was located at that time in “the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40 cf. 1 Pet. 3:19).

Moses and Elijah appeared briefly to Peter, James and John, but had nothing to say to them. Instead, they were conversing with their Lord. As they “talked with Him” (Luke 9:30), they “spoke of His decease [Gk. exodus = a euphemism for His death] which He was about to accomplish atJerusalem” (Luke9:31). They were presumably concerned about the fact that not until their great King/Priest/Messiah shed His blood upon the Cross could they be fully redeemed. However, in the meantime, they had been redeemed, like Abraham (Gen. 15:6), as it were “on credit,” because the blood payment of the Lamb of God for pre-Calvary believers was already accomplished in the mind of God (cf. Rom. 3:25-26; Eph. 1:3-11). If Elijah was concerned about the “decease” which his Lord was soon to accomplish inJerusalem, the implication is that he (like Moses) had not yet been physically glorified. Thus, the fact that they appeared “in glory” on the mount was merely a temporary foretaste of their ultimate glorification at the time of Christ’��s Second Coming. A significant analogy to this experience may be seen in the face of Moses which glowed brightly after he communed with God onMount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35).

On the basis of these theological inferences, then, we understand that Elijah will be brought back from the dead (like Lazarus and several others) to mortal life, and to die again three-and-one-half years later (Rev. 11:3-13). In Bible times God raised some people from the dead after only a few hours, and Lazarus after four days (when it was evident to everyone that his body was decomposing [John11:39]). The main point at issue here, however, is that God is not limited by time or by the availability of any part of a person’��s physical body in order to perform the miracle of glorious resurrection, or even the miracle of resuscitation/restoration to mortal life.

We read in 1 Corinthians15:38that God gives “to each seed its own body,” and “that which you sow [in death and burial], you do not sow that body that shall be.” This is the basic reality of all resurrections. On the human level, we might describe it this way: God knows the unique “blueprint” or “DNAinformation code” of every human being, and is perfectly capable of giving a person a glorified body, and even another mortal body (complete with the original sin nature) after thousands of years.

Elijah and Moses

Yes, Elijah is coming back to this earth again, and he will not come alone as he did at the beginning of his first ministry. Rarely does God send a servant into a significant ministry without a coworker. Robert L. Thomas has observed: “The OT required two witnesses as competent legal testimony to secure a conviction (Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Num. 35:30; cf. Heb. 10:28). Jesus also made the number two a minimum to confirm a point of discipline (Matt. 18:16) or verify truth (John 8:17). Paul too alluded to the need of a plurality of witnesses to validate a judgment (2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19).”[14]

But who will be Elijah’��s companion witness? Many have suggested Enoch; but this great antediluvian saint and prophet would not be an appropriate fellow-witness with Elijah in a prophetic ministry directed exclusively to Israel. Far more appropriate for such a unique function would be Moses. For future apostate Israel, after the rapture of the Church, no man in her entire history would have greater respect and appreciation than Moses. In fact, Moses is named 80 times in the New Testament (compared to Abraham, 73 times, David 59 times and Elijah 29 times)! God raised up these men to confront Israel in times of deep apostasy. Moses was God’��s great deliverer and lawgiver for Israel, of whom He said: “There has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt�and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel” (Deut. 34:10-12). By the time our Lord appeared in Israel, the Jews actually thought that Moses had given them the bread in the wilderness (John6:32).

As for Elijah, surely one of the greatest of the prophets, God answered his humble prayer (cf. 1 Kings 18:36-37) by sending fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice on Mount Carmel and thus to defeat the 450 prophets of Baal; and finally to vindicate him by means of “a chariot of fire and horses of fire” to escort him out of Satan’��s world (2 Kings 2:11).[15] When he was almost overwhelmed by the spiritual darkness of Israel under the demonic Jezebel, Elijah identified himself with Moses by fleeing to “the cave” (Heb: ha-m ^e ‘�� ār�) where Moses 600 years earlier was hidden by God as His glory passed by (1 Kings 19:9; Exod. 33:21-23). So highly did the Jews of Jesus’�� day think of Elijah, that when they saw His miracles, some concluded that Elijah had returned (Matt. 16:14). Also when our Savior cried out from the cross, “Eli, Eli�,” they believed He was “calling for Elijah” to save Him! (Matt. 27:47-49; Mark 15:35-36).[16]

When the two witnesses appear in Jerusalemat the beginning of the Seventieth Week, “they immediately begin their prophetic ministry. Just prior to this (hours, days, weeks?) the rapture will have removed all believers from the earth. Therefore, there will be no one to train these two witnesses, and no time to train them. They must be men already possessing full knowledge of the Scriptures and well seasoned for such a demanding ministry. Moses was the lawgiver; Elijah was the law-enforcer. Both will be men of experience. They will be perfectly equipped for a ministry to Israelbefore a world-wide audience.”[17]

Neither Moses nor Elijah ever enteredJerusalem, though Moses might have seen it from a distance (Deut. 34:2), and Elijah wrote a letter of judgment to one of the worst kingsJerusalemever knew (2 Chron.21:12-15). And, as we have seen, both Moses and Elijah, emerging temporarily from “Paradise” to appear on the Mount of Transfiguration, were very concerned about something soon to happen inJerusalem. (cf. Luke 9:31)

The Lord Jesus said that “it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside ofJerusalem” (Luke13:33)! In the light of this statement, it is noteworthy that these two great Israelite prophets will not only enter Jerusalem, but will experience their second and final physical death in its streets at the hands of “the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” at the mid-point of the Seventieth Week (Rev. 11:7-10; cf. Dan.9:27).

One of the most convincing evidences that Elijah and Moses will be the two witnesses in Revelation 11 is the nature of the judgment-miracles these men will perform. “If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies�These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” (Rev. 11:5-6). The first two types of judgments listed were those which Elijah inflicted upon Israel (three-and-one-half years of drought -�� 1 Kings 17:1; cf. Luke 4:25; James 5:17; and fire from heaven upon two military detachments sent by King Ahaziah to capture Elijah -�� 2 Kings 1:10, 12); and the second two types of judgments (blood from water and a variety of plagues) were those which Moses inflicted upon Egypt (Ex. 7-12).

Why are Elijah and Moses not named as the two witnesses in Revelation 11? Perhaps the Old Testament and the Gospels are so clear on this point that the Holy Spirit deemed it unnecessary to identify them by name. Would not the final words God addressed to Israelin the Old Testament have been sufficient?[18] “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and judgments [cf. Matt. 24:20]. Behold, I will send you Elijah (italics added) the prophet�” (Mal. 4:4-5).[19]

Conclusion

The true Church is not destined to see the Antichrist or the two witnesses in Jerusalem. Our “blessed hope” is to see Christ our Bridegroom and our Head (Titus 2:13; 2 Cor. 11:2). Nevertheless, our covenant-keeping God also has a special appointment for His Chosen People Israel (Rom. 11:25-32); and that appointment includes national repentance through the prophetic ministry of Elijah (and Moses). Even before “the great and terrible day of the LORD” (the second half of the Seventieth Week) begins, Zionwill “give birth to her children” (Isa. 66:8), and through them (presumably disciples of the two witnesses), “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14). When contemplating the destiny of ethnic Israelin the light of the unconditional and thus unbreakable Abrahamic Covenant promises[20], we can only say with Paul, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33).[21]

[1] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation Of Jesus Christ (Chicago: Moody Press, 1966),
28; cf. p. 175; and Robert L. Thomas, Evangelical Hermenutics (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2002),
232-233.

[2] “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 1365.

[3] Gary G. Cohen, The Chronology of the Book of Revelation (TH.D. Diss., Grace Theological Seminary, May 1966), 251.

[4] Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom (Winona Lake: BMH Books, 1959), 458.

[5] Herman A. Hoyt, Studies in Revelation (Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1977), 74.

[6] James L. Boyer, “Notes on the Book of Revelation” (Syllabi, Christian Workman Schools of Theology), 22. See www.whitcombministries.org for more details; Gary G. Cohen, The Chronology of the Book of Revelation, (TH.D. Diss., Grace Theological Seminary, May 1966), 251-254 and Understanding Revelation (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1978), 46, 133-135; Tom Davis, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Schroon Lake, NY: Word of Life Bible Institute, 2005), 30; Theodore Epp, Practical Studies in Revelation (Back to the Bible, 1970), p. 144; Arno Froese, 119 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Prophecy (Columbia, SC: The Olive Press, 2003), 152-153; Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), 240, 250; Robert Gromacki, Revelation (Schaumburg, IL: Regular Baptist Press, 2000), 65-66; I.M. Haldeman, Synopsis of the Book of Revelation, 13 (a pamphlet series, n.d., listed in Walvoord, p. 178); Hippolytus, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers 5:248, col. B, nd fragment 39, 184 (documented by J.B. Smith, A Revelation of Jesus Christ, pp. 170-171); Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, Prophecy Watch (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Pub., 1998), 160, 164; Thomas Ice, “Why Futurism?” in Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, The End Times Controversy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2003), 414; Harry A. Ironside, Revelation (Loizeaux Bros., 1930), 191; Alan Johnson, “Revelation” in K.L. Barker and J. Kohlenburger III, eds. The NIV Bible Commentary (Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1994), 1178; Tim LaHaye, “Twelve Reasons Why This Could Be The Terminal Generation,” in When the Trumpet Sounds, eds. Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1995), 441; David Larsen, Jews, Gentiles and the Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 1995), 274, 293; David M. Levy, Revelation: Hearing the Last Word (Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel, 1995), chart following p. 287; Robert Lightner, Last Days Handbook (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Pub., 1997), 16; William R Newell, The Book of Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1935), 158-160; Charles C. Ryrie, Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996), 84; J.B. Smith, A Revelation of Jesus Christ (Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press, 1961), 170-171; Wilbur M. Smith, “Revelation” in Wycliffe Bible Commentary, edited by C. Pfeiffer and E. Harrison, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), 1510; Gerald Stanton, Kept From the Hour (Miami Springs, FL: Schoettle Pub. Co., 1992), 187-188; Lehman Strauss, The Book of Revelation (Loizeaux Bros., 1964), 218; H.L. Wilmington, The King Is Coming (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 1981), 166.

[7] John C. Whitcomb, Adapted from “Elijah is Coming” in Conservative Grace Brethren Publications (Warsaw, IN: Lakeland Conservative Grace Brethren Church, June, 1999), 24-34. Used by permission. Cf.Timothy Demy and John C. Whitcomb, “Witnesses, Two,” in Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, eds., The Popular Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy (Eugene,OR: Harvest House, 2004), 401-403.

[8] Scott Bruce, The Feasts of Israel (Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel, 1997), 44, 47, 54. cf. Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (New York: Longman, Green, and Co., 1896), Vol. I, pp. 142, 43; Vol. II, pp. 706-09.

[9] The ultimate tragedy, of course, was the refusal of the Jews to worship Jesus when they understood perfectly His claim to be God’��s Son and saw His undeniable Messianic sign-miracles (John 5:18-47). Many orthodox Jews today are still waiting for a personal Messiah; but they do not believe He will have a divine nature. Peter himself, while on the Mount, was confused as to the absolute uniqueness of the Lord Jesus in contrast to Elijah and Moses (Matt. 17:4), even though God the Father had illumined him on this matter a week earlier (Matt. 16:17; cf. 2 Pet. 1: 16-18)! God’��s explanation for human suppression of biblical Christology is that “no one can say, ‘��Jesus is Lord,’�� except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3). For a helpful study of the deity of Messiah, see Ron Rhodes, Christ Before the Manger: The Life and Times of the Preincarnate Christ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1992). Cf. John N. Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub.Co., 1988), 328, 336.

[10] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum has pointed out, in light of Mark 9:9-13, that “if Elijah had come before the first coming of Christ and restored all things, then the prophecies of the sufferings of the first coming would remain unfulfilled” (The Footsteps of the Messiah [Tustin, CA: Ariel Press, 1982], p. 90.)

[11] Personal correspondence,Nov. 4, 1998.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Our Lord described this place as “Abraham’��s bosom” (Lk.16:22), “Paradise” (Lk23:43) and a special realm within Sheol/Hades before His resurrection (Lk.16:23).

[14] Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1995), 87.

[15] “The mystery surrounding Moses’�� death (Jude 9) and the translation of Elijah offer some corroborations of these as the two witnesses” -�� Robert L. Thomas, op. cit., p. 88.

[16] See the high praise of Elijah, who will “restore the tribes of Jacob,” in Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 48:10. Cf. H. Bietenhard, “Elijah,” in Colin Brown, ed., Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1975) I, pp. 543-45.

[17] Personal communication from Scott M. Libby, Pastor of the Grace Brethren Church,Coventry,VT,September 20, 1998.

[18] It must be emphasized that the book of Revelation stands solidly upon the Old Testament, like the capstone of a pyramid upon all the levels of stone beneath it. “Of the 404 verses of the Apocalypse, there are 278 which contain references to the Jewish scriptures” (cited by Walvoord, op. cit., p. 31).

[19] Among those who identify one of the two witnesses as Elijah are: William Barclay, The Revelation of John, Vol 2, rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976): “much more likely the witnesses are Elijah and Moses,” 70; James L. Boyer, op. cit.: “one would be Elijah�the other would probably be Moses,” 21; M.R. DeHaan, Revelation (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1946): “Elijah and Moses,” 159; H.W. Frost, Matthew 24 and the Revelation (New York & Oxford, 1924): “Moses and Elijah,” 144. (cited by C. Keener, p. 290); Herman A. Hoyt, Studies in Revelation (Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books, 1977): “Without a doubt, one of these witnesses is Elijah�Moses may be the other,” 75; Robert Govett, The Apocalypse (London: C. J. Thynne, 1920): “Elijah and Enoch”, 225-250. Cited by Walvoord, op. cit., 179; Craig S. Keener, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000): “Hippolytus, Tertullian, and Jerome believed Enoch and Elijah remained alive and would return as witnesses�such a view is not impossible. See SIR 48:10; SIFRE DEUT 41:4:3; 342; 5:2; 4 Ezra 6:26,” 290-91; David Larsen, Jews, Gentiles and the Church (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 1995): “Probably Moses and Elijah,” 293; Hal Lindsey, New World Coming: “Elijah and Moses” 162-63 (cited by C. Keener, p. 290); John MacArthur, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999): “They may be Moses and Elijah,” 300; Alva J McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom (Winona Lake: BMH Books, 1959): “As to their identity, one is most certainly Elijah,” 457; Henry M. Morris, The Revelation Record (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1983): “it does seem quite probable that [Enoch and Elijah] will be Christ’��s two witnesses,” 194-95; Walter K. Price, The Coming Antichrist (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974): “Moses and Elijah,” 194; Walter Scott, Exposition of the Revelation of Jesus Christ (London: Pickering & Inglis Ltd., n.d.): “Probably Elijah and Moses,” 230; J.A. Seiss, The Apocalypse (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d.): “Elijah and Enoch” (a very detailed discussion), 244-54; J.B. Smith, A Revelation of Jesus Christ (Scottsdale, PA: Herald Press, 1961): “Moses and Elijah,” 169; The Targums (Aramaic Translation/Interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, cited by H. Dietenhard, op. cit., p. 544): God will “gather the diaspora through Elijah and Moses;” Merrill Tenney, Earth’��s Coming King: Revelation (Wheaton: Scripture Press, 1977): “Elijah and Moses,” 55; Robert Thomas, op. cit.: “the balance of the evidence is for an expectation of the actual return of [Moses and Elijah],” 89.

[20] For a masterful refutation of “replacement theology,” namely, that the Church has permanently replaced Israel, see Ronald E. Diprose, Israel and the Church: the Origin and Effects of Replacement Theology (Johnson City,TN:STL Distribution, 2004). 1.800.289.2772

[21] For more information on this subject, listen to Dr. Whitcomb’��s recording, “Background to ‘��The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11,’��” at www.sermonaudio.com/whitcomb.

Nando

This is a good article for the Rapture date based on the Jewish calendar starting today Nissan 1. His Rapture is based on the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25. The ten wise virgins go, the foolish ones stay to go through the Tribulation.

There is a very good link at the bottom of the article for a time-line web site.

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2011/ola55-1.htm

Ola Ilori (5 May 2011)
“THE COUNTDOWN TO THE RAPTURE BEGINS TODAY – THE 1ST OF NISAN!“

Hi Doves,

 

Today, the 5th of May 2011, is the correct Day on which the 1ST of Nisan falls!

 

I believe we are now just Days away from the Rapture, an event that will forever change the World as we know it!

 

There are a few things we need to be doing daily, in order to be ready for the rapture.

 

These are:

 

Acknowledge daily Jesus Christ as our Lord and our God.

 

Say the Lord’s Prayer every Day.

 

Read the Word every Day.

 

Refrain daily from doing evil to others because it’s a sin against God

 

Do good to others every day because it’s the righteousness of God.

Anyone who does these 5 things is holy, righteous and has the power of the Holy Ghost actively working in their lives.

They have a 100% garantee of being included in the Rapture.

I believe the rapture would have occured by 19:32 hrs at Sunset [Jerusalem Time] on the 20th of May 2011.

http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?msg=COUNTDOWN+TO+THE+RAPTURE&day=20&month=05&year=2011&hour=19&min=32&sec=00&p0=110

May the Lord find all of us, here on the 5 Doves, ready on the Day of Jesus Christ!

Ola.

The article by Ola listed below has a number of things included in there. The first thing that must be observed is that the dates for his current start of Nissan 1 of the Jewish New Year is one month of the calendar that we celebrated with this year. The reason is explained in other articles he has posted.

he covers the Apocalypse, the Rapture the two witnesses, the second coming and the Great Tribulation with specific dates.

I am not sure all of this will occur just as he stated but it is a good attempt to determine the dates that it will occur.

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2011/ola55-2.htm

Ola Ilori (5 May 2011)
“THE TIMELINE [2011 - 2018]“

Ola Ilori (26 Apr 2011)
“THE TIMELINE [2011 - 2018]“

---

Hi Doves,

I believe this is the correct Timeline that covers the next 7 Years.

1st Day of Jewish New Year: 5th May 2011 [1st of Nisan]

63rd Year of Israel’s Independence: 14th May 2011 [10th of Nisan]

Passover: 18th May 2011 [14th of Nisan]1st Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread : 19th of May 2011 [15th of Nisan]Day of First-fruits/Resurrection/Rapture: 20th of May 2011 [16th of Nisan]

On the 20th of May 2011, the two Witnesses, Moses and Elijah, begin their 1,260 Day Prophetic Ministry.[Rev.11:3]

On the 20th of May 2011, the Antichrist begins his charm offensive to head the New World Order by October 2014.

Also on the 20th of May 2011, Christians who were expecting to be raptured, but were left behind because they weren’t ready, spend the next 1,260 Days growing spiritually in Knowledge, wisdom, love and power.[Rev.12:6]

Day of Pentecost: 30th of August 2011 [29th of Tammuz] Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the saints on earth.

Day of Trumpets: 26th of October 2014 [1st of Tishri] The 42 Month reign of the Antichrist begins.

30th of October 2014 [5th of Tishri] The two Witnesses are killed in Jerusalem by the Antichrist. [Rev.11:7]

30th of October 2014, is also the Day true Christians begin to be killed for their faith in Christ. It will continue until the Lord Comes, 42 Months later, to save Israel from being completely destroyed by the Antichrist.[Dan.7:20-22.] [Zech.14:1-9]

 

On the 1st of November 2014 [7th of Tishri], 42 hours [3 and 1/2 Days] after being killed, the two Witnesses resurrected and ascend up into heaven.[Rev.11:11,12]

The Antichrist’s reign of 42 Months will end on 7th of April 2018 [21th of Adar] When the Lord comes, with His glorified saints to save Israel and establish His 1,000 Year reign of peace on earth.

1st Day of Jewish New Year: 17th April 2018 [1st of Nisan]

Passover: 30th of April 2018 [14th of Nisan]

1st Day of Unleavened Bread: 1st of May 2018 [15th of Nisan]

Day of First-fruits/Resurrection of tribulation saints: 2nd of May 2018 [16th of Nisan]

14th of May 2018 [28th of Nisan] Israel Celebrates Her 70th Year of Independence.

The Rapture is seen in two times and not one.

There is  scriptural basis for this interpretation, very good Marilyn and also Lora Shipley.

So in conclusion parts of the church is barley and parts are wheat.

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2011/marilyna428.htm

Marilyn Agee (28 Apr 2011)
“Bruce Warner: “MORE ABOUT THE  ‘WHEAT’”“

This article is a continuation of the same theme as the last one posted here.

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2011/marilyna425.htm

Marilyn Agee (25 Apr 2011)
“E. S. T. (23 Apr 2011) “CHRISTIANS: BARLEY OR WHEAT?“

This article is a direct contradiction to the articles by Lora Shipley of the Barley and the Wheat.

I have not read it all and due to the time it is I will post it and review it tomorrow if we are still here.

As I said , this morning I read the post below and I find it very good. Us believers have an opportunity to scrutinize the scriptures to find the true meaning of what was intended by Jesus.

Here we are presented with two types of believers, the Holy Spirit filled and the carnal. Can they represent the foolish and the wise virgins? There are complications involved with this interpretation, as it has been discussed before.

I always thought that because the church was created in Pentecost that it was logical that the church be Raptured in Pentecost. Again I must say that at the Resurrection all believers, carnal or not will be Resurrected and I think the Rapture will include all believers, not only the Spirit filled. From that point on a lot of people in the world will become believers and remember that during the apocalypse the Gospel will be preached to all the world and even angels (Rev 14: 6-7) will preach the eternal Gospel. The result of this preaching will be the conversion of millions who will believe and be saved.

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2011/est423.htm

E. S. T. (23 Apr 2011)
“CHRISTIANS: BARLEY OR WHEAT? AND THE CORRECT TIMING OF THE RAPTURE!“

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am writing out of concern for the fact that many have written in to
your web site forums claiming the followers of Christ are “barley” who
will be raptured on the “Feast” of First Fruits. I believe this information
is erroneous and I can not find Scripture to support such conclusions.
Rather, the Word of God clearly shows:

John the Baptist Prophesied the Rapture of Christ’s WHEAT:

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but One is coming after me
who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to loose his sandal. He
Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Spirit filled believers)
and fire (those under His judgment). His winnowing fan (sickle) is in
His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor (Pentecost) and gather
HIS WHEAT. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out.”
(Matthew 3:11-12)

Jesus Christ identified Himself as A GRAIN OF WHEAT:

“Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at
the Feast (Passover). Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida
of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip
came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. But
Jesus answered them, saying ‘The hour has come that the Son of Man
should be glorified. Most assuredly I say to you, unless a GRAIN OF
WHEAT falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But, if it
dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and
he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternity. If anyone serves
Me, let him follow Me; and where I AM, there My servant will be also.
If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”
(John 12:20-26)

Likewise, the Scriptures clearly speak of three feast days which are
HOLY CONVOCATIONS unto the Lord. These are The Passover, The
Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. (Lev. 23:2)

Each is clearly represented in the 7 fold menorah that stood outside
the HOLY TEMPLE. Three candles represent Passover, Unleavened
Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits; the middle candle represents
Pentecost; and the other three represent Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur,
and the Feast of Tabernacles.

These holy days are linked to three harvest cycles: barley in the
spring, wheat in the summer, and grapes plus the four corners of the
field in the fall.

BARLEY:

There is only ONE mention of barley in the NT and that is when Jesus
fed the multitude with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish. These 5 barley
loaves represent the five major covenants God made with man through
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. Barley clearly represented all
those under the law who died prior to Christ’s death on the Cross.
Jesus had to die to fulfill the Law. This is why He said, “It is
finished!” before He gave up the Spirit. Therefore, He fulfilled
Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits. Jesus was
the First Fruit of the Dead. (2 Corinthians 15:20)

WHEAT:

Wheat clearly represents Christians who are covered under the Blood of
Christ through His death on the Cross and who are sealed with the
Promise of the Holy Spirit. However, there are two kinds: soft wheat – those
living in obedience to the Holy Spirit; and hard wheat – those living in the flesh.

Born again, Spirit filled, Christians, both the Dead in Christ and those who are
Alive and Remain, make up the soft wheat who will meet the Lord in the clouds
before the Tribulation begins.

THESE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW BUT ARE UNDER THE SPIRIT.
“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men. Clearly
you are an epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink but by the
Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is,
of the heart.”  (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)

These Christians are not the “barley” that will be raptured on the Feast of First
Fruits as many contend on your forums. THESE ARE THE FIRST FRUITS OF
THE SPIRIT. As it clearly says in the Word: “Not only that, but we also who
have the First Fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,
eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)

The hard wheat, or hard hearted, carnal Christians will be left behind as they
must be crushed in a tribulum (Tribulation) to be rid of their hard outer shells
(the flesh) or endure until the end to be saved. (Galatians 5, Matthew 24:9, 13)

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon! Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked to sift you as
WHEAT. But, I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you
have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

WHEN WILL THE GRAVES BURST OPEN AND THE RAPTURE OF THE
CHURCH TAKE PLACE?

PENTECOST!! THE TIME OF THE SUMMER WHEAT HARVEST!

“And when THE DAY OF PENTECOST HAD FULLY COME they were ALL
WITH ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE.” (Acts 2:1)

This is when the Holy Spirit was given and when the FIRST FRUITS OF THE
SPIRIT (the restrainer) will be removed. The Bible gives no other day
for every Spirit filled, born again believer to be in one place, of one
accord, on the same day as the rest of the Body of Christ other than on
Pentecost. This was true at the start of the Church and the Church is
raptured to Heaven. We will be in the same place (Heaven), of one
accord or like-minded in our incorruptible and immortal bodies and in
the Spirit.. on Pentecost!

To solidify this point, let’s look at some other key details….

The middle candle on the menorah is symbolic of Pentecost. Have you
ever noticed that it stands higher than the other candles? Why?

CHRISTIANS ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! But sadly, this candle is
ABOUT TO GO OUT.

And of even greater importance… the names of this Holy Day give our
departure day away!

Feast of Weeks (Lev. 23:15-22, Numbers 28:26-31, Daniel)
THE “DAY” OF THE FIRST FRUITS (Numbers 28:26-31)
Festival of Harvest (Tenach)
Feast of Revelation (Pentateuch)
Feast of Elevation (Tenach)
THE “DAY” OF PENTECOST (Acts 2:1)
Shavuot (Torah)

The rapture of the Church on Pentecost is the fulfillment of the
prophetic Book of Ruth as the Gentile bride being rescued by her
Kinsmen Redeemer! (Book of Ruth)

Until the events of the graves bursting open and the rapture of the
living saints occur this HOLY CONVOCATION will not be fulfilled.

GRAPES AND THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE FIELD:

During the High Holy Days of the Fall, God’s GRAPES OF WRATH
(unbelievers) will be thrown into the winepress of His wrath at
Armageddon which will take place on Rosh Hashanah.

“Then another angel came out of the Temple which is in Heaven, he also
having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the alter, who
had power over fire. And he cried with a loud cry to him who had the
sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the
clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So
the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the
earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And
the winepress was trampled outside the city and blood came out of the
winepress, up to the horse’s bridles, for one thousand six hundred
furlongs.” (Rev 14:17-20)

Every knee will then bow when Jesus sets His feet on the Mount of
Olives on Yom Kippur. “Behold, He is coming with clouds and every eye
will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the
earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Rev. 1:7)

He will send His angels to gather every survivor from the four corners
of the earth at the FEAST OF TABERNACLES. This will be the final
harvest before the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. “And then He
will send His angels and gather together His elect from the four winds,
from the farthest past of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.”
(Mark 13:27) “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a
trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds,
from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31)

With these events completed the High Holy Days of RH, YK, and FOT will
all be fulfilled as well.

So, in summary…

“For as in Adam all die (spiritually), even so in Christ all shall be
made alive. But each ONE in his own order: CHRIST, The First Fruits,
and afterward (after the 7 year Tribulation) those who are Christ’s at
His (Second) Coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:23)

Did you catch that?

CHRIST (at Passover); THE FIRST FRUITS (at Pentecost); and THOSE WHO
ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING (at Feast of Tabernacles) just as He said,
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: The Feasts of the
Lord, which you shall proclaim to be HOLY CONVOCATIONS, these are MY
FEASTS!” (Leviticus 23:2)

I hope this clears up the confusion that’s out there and you will post
this message on your boards. Too many people are being needlessly led
astray and will be sorely disappointed come Easter morning. But, take
heart! OUR BLESSED HOPE IS COMING! Pentecost is right around the corner
and the Counting of the Omer is our 50 DAY COUNTDOWN. Get right with
God now! Wait, Watch, Witness, Warn, and pray to be accounted Worthy!

Godspeed,

E.S.T.

Elaine you have posted a very thought provoking article about the Rapture. Your reasoning is sound and scriptural. There may be more to the Rapture that what you covered as well as to the body of Christ, but your thoughts are wise.

This concept ties in with the parable of the ten virgins and as I stated before there are good arguments for the whole body of Christ to be taken and not part of the body of Christ.

Regardless of the ones taken at the Rapture those on planet earth that will be saved are billions that come from every tongue and nation of the world which means that not all the people will be deceived but only those that are foreknown to be deceived, those actively following Satan and his minions.

Thank you for the article.

A chart of world religions.

http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html

Nando

http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2011/elianeb422-1.htm

Eliane B (22 Apr 2011)
“Re: “ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, THERE WILL BE ‘NO GENTILE’ TRIBULATION SAINTS…”“

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In response to http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/apr2011/brucew421-1.htm (brother Bruce Warner’s post)

I’d like to comment on the statement that “according to Scripture, there will be ‘no gentile’ Tribulation Saints…”

Scriptures do say that those who perish (those who have rejected the Truth) will believe the lie. But we must take into consideration that for one to reject the Truth one must have previously heard the Truth (the Gospel).

In my understanding, the statement that ‘there will be no gentiles among the Tribulation Saints’ is based upon the fact that all gentiles after the Rapture are those who had rejected the Gospel, which we know doesn’t correspond to reality. So it’s important that exceptions are made.

I think that there are two groups of gentiles who don’t fall into the above category, even after the Rapture:

1. Gentiles who have never heard the gospel yet, or have not understood it properly. They can’t be judged for having rejected the Truth, because they lived in places or in cultures that didn’t allow them to hear the Gospel and understand its message. So these gentiles must be considered an exception and the group of Tribulation Saints will probably include gentiles that had never heard the Gospel at the time of the Rapture.

1. Gentiles who received the Truth and did believe (they are saved!!!), but were living in a state of continuous unrepentance, deliberate pleasure in sin at the time of the Rapture, and were not ‘considered worthy to escape the things that will come to pass’ as mentioned by Jesus Himself in Luke  21:36.

Technically, item # 1 is sufficient to refute the statement “according to Scripture, there will be ‘no gentile’ Tribulation Saints…”.

But let me take the opportunity and comment on item # 2.

I am not, by any means, defending any kind of “faith + works” salvation, which would be pure heresy, but the single idea that being worthy to be taken in the Rapture (Enoch did because he “walked with God”, so we’re talking about walk here) isn’t the same thing as being saved. If being raptured is the same thing as being saved, then were the billions of Christians who have already passed away not saved? (after all, they weren’t participants of the Rapture). Of course this idea is absurd. Salvation is not the same thing as the Rapture. One might be saved and not be raptured, one might be saved and be raptured. I believe that the Rapture is a deliverance for those saved ones who walk with God, who repent from their sins, who confess their sins, who try to be in Light and not to walk in deliberate and continuous sin. Why confuse these two concepts? Salvation is by faith only, the Rapture is a special deliverance from for those who are ready.

At the time of the Rapture, only those who are purified from their sin and walk with God will be raptured (not “saved”, as all true believers are already saved and will eventually go to Heaven). If we believe with all our heart that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came in flesh and that He rose from the dead, our faith is sufficient for our salvation. But among those who are saved and will go to Heaven, there are thousands and thousands of people who chose not to walk with God, who consciously commit sins that they know are sins, and don’t repent from them (but are believers!!!). After the day we become saved, we all commit sins once in a while (because we are still in this mortal body), but we must repent and walk in the Light with God again.  The Apostle John (1 John 1:5-9) explains it beautifully:

Walking in the Light (New International Version UK – from Bible Gateway)

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

So we must acknowledge our sins and confess them with humbleness and sincerity and walk in the light, leaving sin behind after having been purified by the perfect and wonderful blood of Jesus. This is a process we must do continually. Being purified isn’t our works either, but confessing, repenting and letting the blood of Christ clean us again.

In my opinion, the concept of ‘watching’ means nothing more than that. Watching isn’t being preoccupied with the possible dates that Jesus might rapture us (which I’m not criticizing at all! – as I myself like to watch the times and seasons and regularly read the posts at this forum), or trying not to be physically sleeping with fear of missing the rapture at the proper time, but above all, watching is taking care of our spiritual state, repenting from what isn’t right, being spiritually ready for the day of the Rapture, and confessing and turning away from deliberate sin. This should be the true watching! I pray we all do that!

As for those who say that Jesus wouldn’t rapture only a part of His  body and leave a finger or an arm on Earth, allow me to remind that the Body is already in different places at this time: Jesus (the Head) is in Heaven, a great part of His body is already in Heaven (those true believers who passed away and already went to be with Him) and we are here on Earth. It’s like all the Body is in Heaven but His feet are still here. The Body of Christ will be entirely united only after the last saved person is taken to Heaven after the Rapture (through death or through another Rapture just before the Wrath of God is poured on Earth – but it’s not my intention to discuss this second Rapture possibility in this text). So this idea of the leaving of a ‘finger’ here being strange isn’t a problem at all, as the Body of Christ is already in different places since the day Jesus ascended to Heaven and many believers remained on Earth and many believers hadn’t even been born yet.

Well, with that being said, I do think that there will be many gentiles as Tribulation Saints, even because the Word of God plainly says that they come from many nations. I agree that all who have rejected the Truth and are destined to perish (that chose not to believe) will be deceived after the Rapture. I just wanted to present two possible exceptions that in my opinion are defensible, as our Father is merciful and just and wonderful. Praise be to Him!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Blessings,

Eliane

(from Brazil)

There has been a lot of discussions on this blog and on fivedoves about the Rapture, the timing and the ones who will go.

There has also been theological studies and opinions given about the parable of the ten virgins and who are the wise and who are the foolish.

The article from Jack Kelly is the other side of the argument that the whole church will be Raptured. This position is also  held by the late J.R. Church and Mr. Gary Stearman of prophecy in the news and many other men and women of God.

I personally see a valid argument in both positions and have given the subject a lot of meditation. It is probable that the answer will be obvious when the Rapture occurs.

Tim La Haye made popular this concept with his Left Behind Series, although in the series the pilot and his daughter could have been non believers and the author left their beliefs blurry enough that they could have been non-believers.

One point that I think must be taken into account in the thinking is the part that precedes the Rapture which is that the dead in Christ will rise first.

Are the dead in Christ divided in two camps the foolish and the wise or the Barley and the Wheat and if they are are they raised at this time together?

I think it is not scriptural to divide the dead in Christ in these two groups and that all the dead in Christ will be raised prior to the Rapture of those alive at the time.

Nando

http://www.raptureready.com/featured/kelley/jack168.html

Left Behind For Bad Behavior?