tribulation

Blog for Podcast #128 (For those that call themselves “Christian” and find themselves here in the Tribulation)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

The Holy Spirit had impressed upon me to address this podcast to those that will find themselves still here in this temporal plain of existence after the soon to occur rapture and now profess to being called “Christian” as this time.

Jonah 1:1-3 NKJV – Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

This is what those that now profess to being a disciple of Jesus Christ do. Thus, they like Jonah have turned their backs upon Christ’s directive given to all that profess to being a child of God.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in my name, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Note: For those reading and not listening. Verse 19 actually ends with “in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.” See Philippians 1:19; Acts 2:38; 16:7 as to why I changed it the way I did.

They have turned their backs and run away from God. Trying their best not to do as God has instructed them.

Jonah 1:4-6 NKJV – But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.”

God is going to send a storm unto those that have fled from the Lord yet professed to being one with Him. It is called the Tribulation. When the storm occurs most that believe they are right with God, yet in reality they aren’t, will be asleep.

It will be someone that is starting to fear the events about them that will cause those that are asleep to awaken. They will insist that those left here and profess to being “Christian” to pray and fix what is wrong. Why? Because they are starting to realize that they could be wrong. That God could be real and they are looking to those that professed to being His followers will in some way fix the issue.

Jonah 1:7-10 NKJV – And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us. “So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you? “So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

There are those that deny God at this time. However, in the midst of the storm to be called the tribulation. They will come to those that had been asleep and found themselves left here. They will ask those that were left behind a piecing question.

“Why have you done this?”

But what do they mean by this question?

In the case of those that will find themselves still here. Unlike those the rapture takes. Like those that are dead but had truly lived a Christian life. As well as those that were prepared and living a Christian life at this time. They will be asking them why they didn’t follow the teachings within the Bible.

Those asking the questions will ask them. Why didn’t they downsize? Why didn’t they give most of their wealth to those in need and live off the least required to make it in this world? Why didn’t they preach the Word of God and spread the teachings of whom they professed to follow? Why didn’t they separate themselves from the world as we are commanded to do?

Then they may even ask the greatest question of all. How could you have abandoned He who created everything?

Jonah 1:11-13 NKJV – Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them.

What I am about to say will not fall into place with what transpires here in these verses of Jonah. But it will address the mentality of those in the first three and a half years of the tribulation. Many will still be going through confusion. Especially those that find themselves left behind. Some will ask humans how they should act or respond. However, that is not who they should be asking for help.

The more they themselves strive to accomplish any success in their withdrawal from the storm. They will find that they are fighting a losing battle. For the storm of the tribulation will grow ever deeper and stronger.

Jonah 1:14-16 NKJV – Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.

This is what is required for all those that awaken to the Truth. They are to turn to the Lord and first acknowledge that His is real and the Creator of all. Then they are to accept Him thought His Son Jesus Christ. Then do what is required.

Jonah 1:17 NKJV – Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

When this verse is taken in context with Daniel 9:27:

Daniel 9:27 NKJV – Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”

We can see that those that embrace the ways of the Lord must allow themselves to be swallowed by the fish. To suffer without protest what is to be endured for those three years. They must enter into the prayer that Jonah entered into.

Jonah 2:1-10 NKJV – Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD, my God. “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple. “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

“I will pay what I have vowed.”

What is vowed is that they accept what will be the depths of their despair. They will not act in violence but in love. Receiving the pain and suffering that they had brought upon themselves just like Jonah had done. For they had run from His love for their own wants and desires over what is required to be a disciple of Christ.

Luke 14:25-33 NKJV – Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

In chapter 3 of the book of Jonah he goes to the city of Nineveh and finally does as he is instructed. Then the city repents even down to the animals per the Scriptures. Chapter 4 shows Jonah’s reaction.

Jonah 4:1-3 NKJV – But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

So, Jonah’s excuse for running from his called tasked was because he knew that God would win. As the chapter continues God gives Jonah an object lesson and that is where it ends.

Therefore, Jonah decided for himself to override the rule of God. He sought after his own personal desires and wants over the will of God.

This is the mentality that is full within those that will find themselves still here after the first and smallest of the raptures occurs. They will be angry. Not out of rage, but out of fear. For at that moment they will realize that God will win. They will realize that why they turned their backs upon the Creator of the Universe. Why they are angry. Is because they chose to run from God.

Their anger will not be at God, but at themselves. Now they must embrace the prayer of Jonah to God.

“I cry out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I call to you from the depths of Hades, and LORD, you heard me! You threw me into the depths, and I sank down to the heart of darkness. The mighty darkness engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves of the masses. Then I said, ‘O LORD, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ “I sank beneath the waves of despair, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my eternal life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.”

Amen

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #28 (Olivet Discourse 4/6)

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SPECIAL NOTE: I miss counted the episodes it is not 5 it is 6 of them.. sorry for the confusion .

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960, and welcome to another podcast.

Today we will continue our look into the Olivet Discourse. Fair warning this particular broadcast will be a bit long due to all the information I am going to present.

Discussion

Signs of the Great Tribulation

As Jesus spoke to His apostles on the Mount of Olives. To answer the two questions, they had posed to Him. He began by describing the signs of the world and human behavior before the coming judgment. These signs were addressed in the previous parts of this series. Now Jesus tells His disciples of the tribulation itself.

Now it must be noted that he mentions the defilement of the holy area in a temple. At this present time there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The fact that there will be is another sign that the coming tribulation is near or in effect. It must also be noted who the audience of the discourse is. They are all Jewish. At this time there is no one that is truly “Christian” in existence at this time.

Matthew 24:15-25 – “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) 16 “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. 17 A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. 18 A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. 19 How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. 20 And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. 22 In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones. 23 “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. 25 See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.

When this third temple is defiled those within Israel are told to flee from there immediately not even bothering to gather anything. For that moment to hesitate will be enough to mean their death. He says that this time will be far more arduous than at any other time in recorded history, and the only thing that will save the human race itself will be that God puts an end to it.

Then he shows that the anti-christ, the false messiah well have powers and abilities, as well as his prophet that will cause even those true to God to have cause to wonder and ponder. However, they will see the truth and overcome, for they will know the teachings of the Bible or the Tanakh and know that these humans are liars and are of the devil. Now as noted before this is directed to the Jewish people. There is evidence that at this time there will be no “Christians” presents during this time.

It is also important to note that at this point this is all He says about the tribulation period. He instead goes right to the point of answering the question probed by the twelve. His return.

The Second coming of Christ

Matthew 24:26-31 – “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! 27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. 28 Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.

29 “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.

30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Now there are those that see the events in verse 31 as the Rapture. However, this is not the case.

Revelation 3:10-12 – “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.

It is this promise that shows that the rapture, or as I refer to it as the first rapture, and the events that occur at the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation are two separate events.

As we look at verse 31 from Matthew in the KJV:

“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

We see that the term chosen ones goes to elect

Elect – G1588 – eklektos – chosen out, elect, choice, select: of those chosen out by God for the rendering of special service to Him (of the Hebrew race, particular Hebrews, the Messiah, and the Christians)

In this case though since the Christians are removed before the Tribulation, and finally at the midpoint of the Tribulation as is promised in Revelation 3:10, and completed in Revelation chapter 7. This must mean the Hebrews or Jewish people.

So, this is the third Rapture and is of the Jewish people. The First Rapture takes place before the Tribulation begins and is as shown above for those Christians that have been loyal unto to God through His Son Jesus Christ. The Second Rapture occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation at which time the third temple is desecrated. It is here that those that are martyred in the name of Christ will be called up before the Throne of God. It is also at this time that 144,000 will receive the mark of God and will bear witness through the last half of the tribulation. Since it is clearly shown that the 144,000 are all Jewish adds more evidence that the third Rapture which happens as Christ returns is solely for the Jewish people. The chosen are the promised nation of God unto Abraham.

The Second coming will be an event that will be witnessed by the entire globe and will take at least a full day to accomplish as Christ appears at a fixed point in the sky above and the earth which rotates below Him and all will see that Christ is real and He has returned. None will be able to question this.

The parable

Now it is important that we understand the import of the parable. Jesus when He started His ministry to the Jewish people He would talk plainly and openly. However they rejected Him. His sole purpose was to be the true Messiah, the true King to Israel. Yet they turned their backs upon Him. When this rejection became all too clear to all involved Jesus stopped speaking plainly. Instead He started to speak in parables.

Now he is talking exclusively to his apostles, yet he gives them a parable. This is twofold. The main reason is due to the fact that even though they are His chosen twelve they too are blind to the full truth. The other is that when it is time that the gospels be written that this parable be included so that those with the eyes will see and the ears hear.

Matthew 24:32-33 – “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door.

When these signs that He has mentioned, especially those spoken by Him in verse 4 through 14 then we will know that the return of Jesus Christ to this planet is near.

The sign of Noah

Matthew 24:34-39 – I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. 36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

He makes it very clear that life will be going on as usual, just as it was before the flood which destroyed the civilization in which Noah lived in before the deluge. Christ has given us signs to look for and they are now being fulfilled worldwide. Time is running out and too many don’t know nor care, for all that is important to them is themselves. It must also be noted that Christ is also speaking in a more direct matter as to how the people of the time of Noah and how the people at Christ return will be acting. The people in Noah’s time lived in an extremely sinful and selfish manner. Caring only for their own pleasures and desires having forgotten about God and His wants for humanity.

You must be ready and alert

Matthew 24:40-51 – “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. 45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Now I wish to show you this from 1 Thessalonians then we will discuss these passages:

5:1-11 – Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Just so you understand once again. There were two questions asked by the apostles to Jesus. There are two answers given, but in a way that gives details that has left many confused and mislead. From verse 4 through 31 of Matthew 24, Jesus described the end of the known world at this time. Verses 32 through 51 describe His return.

Now note that in the first part there is mentioning of signs and wonders. The darkening of the sun no light from the moon. The stars hidden. Those of evil perform signs and wonders. These are all things that none can deny for all will see them. So how can the return of Christ be like a thief in the night? A surprise. It cannot.

So even though the return is spoken of by Christ. It actually occurs before the events he has just spoken of in the previous section. Yet there is mention of a type of rapture in the first part which people will say and question at this point. Yes that is true, but the wording is very clear here as was shown earlier.

There will be three raptures. The first is what is being referred to by Jesus at this time. The second will occurs at the midpoint of the Tribulation period when the third temple is desecrated by the anti-christ. The third will occur as described in verse 31 and will deal only with the Jewish people.

How else can Jesus come as a thief in the night?

It must be at a time when no one is looking or expecting him. It is as like the times before the great flood. People will be living their lives as if nothing has changed. Nothing has occurred to give them pause or wonder.

Jesus Himself promised that those that are alert will not partake of the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10), but those of the tribes of Israel that have not accepted Jesus as the Messiah will. Why? Because they denied Him when He walked amongst them nearly two thousand years ago. It is those of the tribes of Israel that are called the elect that He will gather them unto Him upon His return. For further confirmation of this, read the following:

Revelation 7:1-7 – Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” 4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah 12,000 from Reuben            12,000 from Gad 12,000 6 from Asher 12,000 from Naphtali 12,000 from Manasseh 12,000 7 from Simeon 12,000 from Levi 12,000 from Issachar 12,000 8 from Zebulun 12,000 from Joseph 12,000 from Benjamin 12,000

These are the select, the elect, and the chosen. All from the tribes of Israel. These are those that verse 31 is referring to and no others. For those that left when Christ returned as a thief in the night are already gone. So how can they leave a second time? Then this is prove there will be multiple raptures. One for those that stayed alert. One for those that were martyred during the first half of the Tribulation and the third will be as mentioned earlier.

This is referred to as the Partial Rapture Theory, which I happen to feel is actually true to the teachings of the Bible.

SPECIAL NOTE: There is a need to address those that form the second rapture. First, they are uncountable. (Revelation 7:9). Second, they are from the tribulation itself. (Revelation 7:14) The reason for this is the fault of those that are now here upon this earth as we near the soon return of Jesus Christ for the first rapture. It is the fault of those that removed God from the schools. It is the fault of those that call themselves “Christian” and make no effort to teach those they encounter of God and His Son and what Christ sacrificed for all of humanity. Many though will get their chance to redeem themselves for these errors when they find themselves left behind after the first rapture. That is why there are so many that finally awaken to the truth and turn to the Creator of all things. The Lord God Almighty. The only true down side will be the suffering they must endure in the first half of the tribulation.

In the next part of this series we will look into chapter 25 of Matthew.

God Bless

Why are people starting to now doubt the timing of the Rapture?

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Now I understand from why from the fringe and from those that do not fully follow the teaching of the Bible, but from those that profess to being “Christian” and to so-called knowing the Bible.
Well let’s look to the Bible and to the last book of the Bible: Revelation. In the third chapter and the tenth verse of this chapter this is stated by the glorified Jesus Christ:
“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.”
Another version of the Bible states it this way:
“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protest you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to the world.”
Now since I have witnessed this in person. There are those that call themselves “Christian” that in turn call the book of Revelation nothing more than a “fairy-tale” (Needless to say I never returned to that church). Unfortunately there are those that listened to this and belief it to be the truth. On this note all I can say is that if someone discounts one book of the Bible as “fake” or “fantasy” than they have no true belief in God as their Creator or that Jesus, who has been documented to have actually existed, was never real at all. Their own belief in the “fairy-tale” makes them out to be liars and have no concept of salvation or our Savior.
But on with the true topic of this article.
There are those that think the Rapture will not happen till either the middle of the Tribulation period, or till just before the bowl judgments or better yet till after the bowl judgments as Christ comes to stand upon the Mount of Olives breaking it in half.
Now there can be some argument due to the wording of the tenth verse of the third chapter of Revelation to in some way justify the middle of the Tribulation, but here is the thing. Even before the middle of the Tribulation is reached there will be judgments and disasters that transpire that cause the death of millions if not billions. This contradicts the above verse. So this leaves only possible answer to when the Rapture is to transpire and that is before the Tribulation begins. As it is commonly known as the per-tribulation rapture. Even looking at the other two options is voided by the evidence of this one so to even discuss them is a waste of time.
Now for clarification sake. Some will ask then: who are the 144000? This is a simple answer. These are the select from the twelve tribes of Israel. 1200 from each tribe.
There are two convent groups upon this planet at this time.
The Israelite and the Christians.
There will be those that argue this from other religions, but here is the difference. God in the Bible made a promise to Abraham and as a result we have the Jewish nation of Israel and the twelve tribes within it. Are some Israelite non-Caucasian? There is evidence in the Bible itself to support this.
Those that are Christian have been given a promise by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The Israelites are to be the bride to God. The Christians are to be the bride to Jesus.
Since the first bride rebelled and sinned (see Hosea). They must endure through the Tribulation.
This is not asked of the Christians since they are covered by the blood that Christ spilled upon the cross.
Here is the kicker though and why I feel the debate as to when the Rapture is, is now taking place.
I have come to a sad realization. Most that consider themselves to be “Christian” that go to church, and send their praises unto God. The majority that consider themselves to be saved and covered by the saving blood of Jesus Christ. In reality, are not. They are the lukewarm. Those that at one point did ask Christ into their heart, but due to bad teaching, misunderstanding and not reading the bible they have been led down the wrong road. The one that is a wide and easy path and not the narrow and difficult.
This is the reason that suddenly there is a debate as to when the Rapture will truly occur in relation to the Tribulation. Why? For millions that count themselves as saved will be shocked to see that they have been left behind and so will listen with baited breath to those that offer up false reasons that there will be “another” Rapture since they missed out on the first and what in reality will be the last, except for those that chose to correct their errors and decide to choose martyrdom over the mark of Satan. Their Rapture is promised at the midpoint of the Tribulation when the antichrist chooses to desecrate the newly reconstructed Jewish Temple within Jerusalem. At this same time the 144000 Jews will receive their own mark. A mark that will protect them from all that will follow in the next three and a half years. For they are to be witnesses to the horror that is to befall all the rest of humanity that will be upon the earth at that time till the triumphant return of the glorified Jesus Christ.

My first dream in a while.

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Now this is not to say that I have not remembered my dreams or that I haven’t been dreaming. This is my first Christ related dream that I have had in sometime.
I call myself in this blog “dreamwalker1960” for a reason. I am the fulfillment of Acts 2:17:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
I am an old man and I have dreamed dreams and now I have once again.
This time though was different than any of the dreams I have ever had.
This time I stood beside Jesus Christ and proclaimed to those that looked on that was I His follower. Loudly and proudly, but yet it was still different. Christ stood upon the earth once again. We were in a city, but the city was decimated. The street was covered in dirt and debris. Cars and buses were in ruin, in fact I stood atop a bus as I made my declaration to those gathered to listen before us.
Then there was a roaring sound and I turned and coming down the street was a huge torrent of water at least twenty feet high, made higher has it pushed it way through the broken buildings.
Christ turned to it and shout: “ENOUGH!” and the waters immediately turned back and left the city and then Jesus started walking down the street and with the movement of his hand caused several crushed cars to go flying across the ground and then into a huge whole that was once a part of the sewer system.
My dream ended there, but there was no question. This was the earth after the Tribulation.

The unexpected debate: Part 2

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Yesterday I pointed out the transition between the third chapter of Revelation and the fourth chapter. I also pointed out that after the third chapter the last book of the Bible the word “church” is not mentioned again until 22:16. This showed that the church is a non-entity within Revelation and the focus of the book is where it belongs. Not on humanity, but on Christ.
There are those that wish to state though that the true Rapture does not occur before the Tribulation begins, but during in two possible points and after. Well let’s go to the next way point that is the theoretical Rapture point. The mid-Tribulation Rapture.
Now in all honesty I do belief there is A Rapture here, but I do not see it as the Rapture the of the Church, because to me as was shown yesterday the church is not mentioned after Revelation chapter three. Now there are people that do appear before the throne of God and their number is uncountable. Before they are mentioned standing before God they are mentioned under the altar and are mentioned as “souls” so during the martyrdom period they are not resurrected till this time is complete. This is why I say there is A Rapture, but these are what is call the Tribulation Saints. Those that came to know God during this first part of the Tribulation and had to demonstrate their belief in Christ through works since they did not perform these actions before they truly knew that Christ was real.
What takes place between the end of chapter three and the ninth verse of chapter seven is a tale that needs to be seen. If not fully, at least enough to get a grasp of just how tragic this time will be. There are many opposing views as to the true order of events that transpire during the seven years of the tribulation period. The scroll with the seven seals is the main document that controls all that occurs during this seven year period.
In Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 five aspects of human interaction comes into the light. The first will be the rise of false prophets who will lead many into apostasy then the anti-Christ shall rise to power. Then there will be war followed by famine and plagues. During this time those that come to the truth of God and truly accept Jesus as their Savior will be persecuted and martyred.
The key point of change here is when the 144,000 are marked by God and taken to safety, this will occur when the anti-Christ breaks his treaty with Israel at the mid-point of the Tribulation period. The 144,000 all agree are Israelites for they are those chosen to fulfil God promise to Abraham. My personal view is that beyond the rapture of the tribulation saint, which occurs at the mid-point, that no others will accept Christ beyond this point. For not only are the 144,000 sealed here and taken into the God’s protection but this is also at which point the two witnesses are to appear and stand in judgement over all that remains upon the earth. Because for any judgement there must be two witnesses. Form all indication the time period that the 144,000 are protected and ministry of the two witnesses lasts is the same and both are the last three and a half years of the tribulation period. This is signaled when the anti-Christ takes over Jerusalem and the new temple, again at the mid-point of the tribulation.
Now many think that this is also the point of the Rapture of the church. Now as we are witnessing there is already persecution of the church but as of yet the rise of the anti-Christ has not occurred, but we are overwhelmed by false prophets. Now Christ does warn us that Christendom will face persecution, but it is not promised to all or most as would be required by those that stand for God in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation period. I just cannot see God placing that much upon those that have placed their faith and belief in Him through faith which is witnessed by their works. However, that is the standing point of those that state the Rapture is at the mid-point of the Tribulation.
Now that being said I do understand that many are facing some degree of persecution, throughout the world, and especially in the Middle East at this time. However, there needs to be a trigger that causes the persecution to escalate to such a degree that to cause global martyrdom and also this would require more works than faith by those that do profess to be Christian. Now if Jesus had made His presents more tangible then He has in the last two thousand years I do not see the requirement for more works to be needed. The only way to cause this type of requirement by true believers would be to have something grand trigger this factor beyond the rise of the anti-Christ. The only thing that fits this is a pre-Tribulation Rapture.

The unexpected debate: Part 1

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Last week it was impressed upon me to speak of the Rapture. Upon release of this article I encountered a debate I did not expect to encounter. The core of the debate? When is the Rapture per the Bible?
Is there a pre-tribulation Rapture, a mid-tribulation Rapture, a pre-wrath Rapture or a post-tribulation Rapture?
What is the saddest point about this rupture in understanding of the Bible is that people would actually wish to silence someone with a differing point of view about when this is to occur. That topic has already been addressed in a previous article. So there is no need to rehash that sad point once again. It is still something that should not transpire none the less.
Being able to understand when the Rapture is to befall is something that should not be questioned or even allowed to have doubt creep into, but by not knowing for sure when allows this to take place. What is the most important thing to note is that a no time within the book of Revelation is there any mention of what can be characterized as a Rapture. Does this mean there is not one? No. For within Revelation there are resurrections that do take place, but do they meet the criteria of a “Rapture?” Personally I do not see it.
The First three Chapters of the book of Revelation deal with John being visited about Patmos by the Glorified Jesus Christ. Here Christ instructs John to write the seven letter to the seven churches. At the beginning of chapter 4 of Revelation John is called up to heaven to witness the events that are to transpire before the beginning of the Tribulation.
Here is one element that needs to be looked at. John finishes the letters and then, being a Christian himself, or more accurately a Messianic Jew, finds himself in heaven after addressing the earthly church. This in itself could be seen as a reflection of the Rapture since it was not a true Rapture since John did not die at this time. He was merely taken into heaven to witness the events that are written within the last book of the Bible. I wish to quote from the book “Revelation” by John F. Walvoord, which is part of the John Walvoord Prophrcy Commentaries:
“The invitation to John to “come up here” is similar to that which the church anticipates at the rapture that many have connected the two expressions. It is clear from the context that this is not an explicit reference to the rapture of the church as John was not actually translated; in fact, he was still in his natural body on the island of Patmos. He was translated into scenes of heaven only temporarily. Though there is no authority for connecting the rapture with this expression, this sequence does seem to typify the order of events: that is, the church age first, then the rapture, then the church in heaven.
“Though the rapture is mentioned in letters to two of the churches (Revelation 2:25; 3:11), the rapture as a doctrine is not a part of the prophetic foreview of the book of Revelation. This is keeping with the fact that the book as a whole is not occupied primarily with God’s program for the church. Instead, the primary objective is to portray the events leading up to and climaxing in the second coming of Christ and the prophetic kingdom and the eternal state that ultimately will follow.”
The primary focus of the book of Revelation is the seconding coming of Christ. Placing the focus on Jesus and it should be. Any that place it more upon the church is not glorifying Jesus Christ and His Father are making it about themselves and so are being self-centered and self-serving not God serving. I will continue with the next paragraph form the already mentioned book:
“From a practical standpoint, however, the rapture may be viewed as having already occurred before the events of chapter 4 and following chapters of Revelation unfold. The word “church,” so prominent in chapters 2 and 3, does not occur again until 22:16, though the church is undoubtedly in view as the wife of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7. She is not a participant in the scenes of the tribulation that form the major content of Revelation.”
So when you take just the mere fact of the mention of the “church” does not occur in any form after the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation until 22:16 is significant.
How can something that is so important to the Glorified Christ that he spends time to have letters written unto them and then after that it becomes trivial? Because they are out of the picture, a non-factor. This points toward a pre-Tribulation rapture.

The Rapture

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There are still those that do not belief in this word. Many call themselves “Christian.” They belief in the Utopian theory that all humanity will finally suddenly see the light and turn to God as His Son descends from heaven to set foot upon the Mount of Olives.
Jesus setting foot upon the Mount of Olives comes at the end of the great Tribulation though. A time that will include the death of well over half the population of this planet in natural disasters and genocide committed mainly by those that willingly reject God.
There are warning signs given to all within the Bible. Wars and rumors of wars, a great falling away from the teachings of the Bible and the return to openly showing the world sin, due to the belief that humanity does not need its Creator. These things are now more evident than they have ever been before.
There is an ultimate sign that the Bible teaches all will be a sign that the great Tribulation is beginning. That sign is the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 – We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
John 14:1 – “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
1 Corinthians 15:50 – What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
Now in the early Church there is strong evidence that there is not just one Rapture, but multiple Raptures. This can be seen above. In 1 Thessalonians there is reference to “a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.” While in 1 Corinthians it states “when the last trumpet is blown.”
Is this the same event at the end of the Tribulation or is it the first and the last trumpet?
Here is a quotes from the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries. 1&2 Thessalonians:
“It is evident that Paul had taught them that there would be a number of resurrections in a chronological order as the Scriptures portray – not just one general resurrection as some believe today. The question I their minds was: In the order of the various resurrections, when would there deceased loved ones in Christ be raised? Apparently they thought they would be caught up to be with the Lord at any time and that the resurrection of the loved ones would be delayed. Possibly until after the great tribulation when Christ comes back to establish His kingdom. They wondered if those who died before the Lord’s coming would miss out on this great event. They wanted some instruction on this point, so Paul wrote to answer this nagging question.”
The response to this question is in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.”
I happen to agree with that there will be multiple resurrections. For when you read Revelation there is enough evidence to support not only multiple ones but they are given to separate groups as well. Those that sinned and denied God, or never knew of God being the last of these when they stand before the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ.
There is a major difference with the event of the first Rapture though. It is the calling card from Jesus to the world. It is stating and announcing a clear message. It has three major audible events. It is designed as a noticeable seal to all, so none can question that the event took place, yet many will anyway out of closeminded denial of what has just occurred.
It is made clear in the wording of 1 Thessalonians that those that died will be raised first and then in the blink of an eye those that have been faithful to God will be taken up. It will happen with three sounds coming from the sky and everywhere. The voice of Jesus Christ Himself accompanied by an angel and a trumpet. This is the first Rapture and the sign to the world that judgment has begun upon those that are left. Including those that thought they were right with God and are left behind.
Why they were left behind is made clear in the seventh letter to the churches in Revelation 3
“15 ‘I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 ‘Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 ‘Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.’”
They are left here because they are lukewarm. Saying on Sunday they are for God but living in and loving the world when they are not within the structure they call “church.” Speaking more about sports and the actions of people they see upon the television. Living in and driving their worldly rewards than preparing themselves for this event they just missed. The Rapture.

What will the Rapture cause to happen?

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To answer this question we must come to realize an important point. That being: that far fewer people will vanish from the earth then people think will disappear. Yet it will still be a noticeable event. It is the fact that it will not go un-noticed and those that were fully sure of themselves that they were going will cause two things to occur.
This first of this will be a falling away from the belief in God. For there will be many that thought themselves pure to find they were unclean and they will find that they prefer the live of a sinner over the life of a follower of God. Who in their mind abandoned them, not realizing that it is not God that abandoned them, but it was they that abandoned God.

In the same token there will be many that have the same realization that they were too were not as pure in their faith to God as they had thought. They will come to realize that certain man-made doctrines that had placed them on the wrong path were just that, man-made and need to be left where they started with humanity. They will then realize that you must take the entire Bible literally and you must read it and come to understand that all the books of the New Testament were written to a believing church body. They must then realize that it was not taking the Bible literally that got them to be left out of the Rapture.
Once then enlightenment takes place they will then go the next step which is to truly follow the teaching of the Bible. It is made clear that billions will do this and that it will most likely lead to a martyr’s death. They will know that they cannot take the mark or allow the chip to be implanted into their body. It will result in starvation, and they will be forced into a horrible time before they are removed from the earth.
Then as the last Christian is killed, the antichrist will show his true face. He will break his peace with Israel and the 144,000 will be spirited away to a safe haven. This will happen when the first three and half years of the Tribulation comes to an end. Then the two prophets shall appear who I still believe to be Enoch and Elijah. For to have them to be true witnesses. They must be able to attest for all of the actions of humanity and they must preach this unto those that do not wish to hear the word of God for the last half of the Tribulation. But all of that is another issue all together.
So the Rapture is the true awakening that will cause billions to come to God and He will receive them.

The duel edge sword.

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There are times we go through trials and tribulations. As I have said before some may be a pruning by God to allow you to become a better tool for His glory. There will be some trials that confound and confuse you because they come at you from a direction you did not expect. Usually in these instances, there is another party involved. Someone outside that you do not know how or why they crossed your path and sent you into a trail and tribulation. When there is others involved it is always a test upon both parties or all those involved.
In many cases, it will be something that is testing you to see if you grow in your faith, and let me say on a personal note, that all our faiths including mine own have room to grow.
Here is my point of this post. Even though we end up growing and become closer to God in this time of tribulation we may not be the may target. I could be the other person in the situation that is being tested. It may be the other person having their faith in God worked upon my Him.
Our responses and actions to this person might be something that God can use to make this other person realize they need to change and come closer to God. Or they may just need to go through this trial in their own way, but still your reaction is important.
An example:
The other day I was behind a person on the road that was driving erratically. I noticed that he was more interested in looking on the screen of his cellphone then upon the road. I come to this conclusion by the mere fact that he crossed the double yellow line and had to come to a near stop several time to make a simple corner. I have seen drunk drives drive better. So as I get to a stop light I start honking my horn.
He jumps out of his car comes running to my window and proceeds to curse and me.
My respond. “Yes I have a problem with you. You are texting. Read Titus 3:1”
This reference to the Bible made his eyes widen, step back and then turn and leave to his car, which he suddenly started running to as it rolled driverless toward the car in front of it.
Was I being given a trail? I would say yes, if you knew me before Christ you would understand.
Was he being tested? I would say definitely.

My post rapture dream

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It was about a year or so after I was born-again. It was another of what is called a vivid dream. I have many of them, most not able to be typed, but this one was.
I found myself inside of a store, but the racks and shelves were ransacked. I was in chains and in a line. In front of me and behind were others, they all wore a grey jumper. I looked down and found myself to be wearing the same.
Several half-naked people that were mostly tattooed and pierced were directing us. One stood upon the top of the shelves shout and laughing as he lashed out with a whip. As it snapped, I heard him say:
“Where is your God now? Why doesn’t He come and get you?” He said things like this repeatedly as he herded the line toward the back of the store. Soon after a twelve year old boy, tattooed as the others, came running down one of the hallways made by the shelves. He stopped, as he laughed and held up by the hair the head of a woman and all those that were herding those in chains roared with laughter.
Once we reached our goal, I saw a line of cots set against the back wall and we those chained together were placed into these cots. After a time one by one the cots to my left were emptied, then it was my time. They made me get up and walk through a door at the back of the store. All went black.
Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Special note: I had this dream in the late 1980s. At that time tattoos had not become as prevalent as they are today. In addition, I had never heard of any other type of piercing then the ear