Rapture in Reality
This message might be harder to understand or accept if the person reading it has aleady been indoctrinated into the belief that anyone who claims to be a Christian is going to leave the earth before the bad stuff begins, i.e. the Great Tribulation. So I ask you to be objective and open to see what I am trying to share. There are several connections in scritpure that give us clues to identify and prepare for the events that come at the end of this age and the coming of the Kingdom of God. I will try to define just what, when and where this phenomenom, falsely taught as "the rapture" will take place. There are many key words and phrases that we will need to check out. A few are the terms mystery, elect, overcomers, Manchild, manifestation, Feast of Trumpets, and Feast of Tabernacles.
There will be an event or manifestation that takes place at the Last Trumpet which we need to acknowledge as a pivotal event in the destiny of the earth and all of human kind. It will take place at the end of the current age and the beginning of the New Age or Millenium/ Kingdom. Don't get this confused with the counterfeit "new age" that the god of this world is trying to bring about through ecumenicalism and other "isms' that will be a snare to many who are unaware of his schemes. There is normally a counterfeit satan puts in play to thwart the true works of God.
Only a few faithful believers will attain to this level of Spiritual stature. There are several names that relate to this remnant. They are called the elect, overcomers, Manifest Sons of God, Manchild, perhaps even Saints. We need to study how to get to this state of supernatural existance that will usher in the Kingdom Age when all things are made ready for the coming King and His loyal subjects. Another message that I have written explains more about the time called the Birthpangs. The Great Tribulation will be a time of great anguish or travail upon the earth as written in Romans 8:12-30.
First Cor.15 gives us clues to this Last Trumpet mystery. This is what many believers call the rapture. Beginning in verse 51 we read...Behold, I tell you a mystery:we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed - 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality...54 Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory". This must be recognized as confirmation to passages where it is written about the redemption of our bodies (also called the adoption) and salvation to the uttermost. Those who endure to the end shall be saved in a much greater salvation than just receiving the foundations of our faith. All believers are admonished to grow up into the stature of the measure of Christ Jesus/ Yahshua.
This passage we just read shows us a separation of these two states of spiritual existence namely incorruptible and immortal. "Corruptible shall put on incorruptible", then the mortal puts on immortality. In otherwords, the life of the flesh will become transformed into what is a Holy and a superanatural existence. The significant difference separating these two levels of spiritual bodies is symbolized in Adam’s experience. He was abiding in YHWH’s (glorified/incorruptible) covering yet was not allowed to eat of the Tree of Life which is a higher level; immortality or resurrection). If Adam had been obedient he could have eaten of the Tree of Life representing eternal life/resurrection. Instead, he “fell” from his glorified state and was found uncovered (naked) losing his stature as a Son and was evicted from the Third Heaven. Death was the consequence of his rebellion. This is what all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God really means. Most don't discern that there are two different attainments that are being shown here and in other related scriptures so there is much confusion as to what many of them mean.
It appears that we are probably working our way back to the beginning; to man's original spiritual existence of communion with YHWH in the Paradise of God. Each sign post along the way, reading the scripture backwards to Genesis, potentially leads us back to the Garden of Eden, through the events that we read and relate to. Look at the mention of the Song of Moses and the plagues of Egypt seen in the book of Revelation. There are many types and shadows that are recreated and repeated as prophetic events as still being in the future, even though we have seen them played out for centuries. Seasons and cycles continue to appear as we are nearing the end of this age. We can see the significance growing daily and discern their connection symbolically as we are led and taught by the Spirit.
It's important to admit that many things that we think we have knowledge of, need to be re-evaluated. Mostly because we are not doing the works of Christ nor have we become true disciples or "disciplined ones". Many are following the world and mammon rather than following the Lamb where ever he goes. A question that we should be asking is, what will it mean to bring the restoration of all things into the earth? Another one to ponder would be, what is to be our part in bringing about this impossible task? I will add this important statement that puts it all into perspective as far as our response and responsibility is concerned. I fully believe that we are not waiting for the Lord to come back as much as he is waiting for us to complete what we have been created to do and to become. This scripture should be played out in the minds and hearts of every person who is watching for what they call the rapture. When he appears we shall be like him for we shall see him like he [really] is. And all who have this hope/confidence in Christ keep themselves pure as Christ is pure; 1 John 3:2c-3.
***** Besides bringng understanding to the links that run through the Old and New Testaments there are foundations of our faith that have been excluded. We need to learn about what the Feasts of the Lord meant figuratively as well as literally. The reason is that they show us times and seasons that will fully come. There are many levels of symbolic in celebrating Yahweh proclaimed in the Old Testament that these would be knpt forever even through the Kingdom age. We need to see that we can find truth in many of the traditions of the past with out becoming what is called "legalistic"
The Seven Trumpets of the Book of revelation can be explained in referrence to the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. Many Christians are reconnecting with their Jewish/Hebrew roots in the past few years. There are may different factions of the so called Jewish faith that just like many denominations of Christianity include traditions of men and pagan practices that have gotten mixed in. Please don't be offended but teachable here. I'll jump in a bit further and say here that one main reason that so many people have gotten away from attending church and have rejected most religious practices is they want something that works and is real. That's a whole other message so will just focus upon the doctrines that we need to rediscover as meaningful for instruion to prepare us for a greater and more intimate relationship with Christ and each other.
I want to emphasize that this restoration is a spiritual attainment and that we are to work towards a much greater goal than has ever been taught or understood for two thousand years. This narrow way is available to all who would come to the Lord but if you do not know the destiny how can you walk the pathway that leads to eternal life? An exchange was made when we received our salvation and continues to grow in magnitude and debth until we are transformed. This is the salvation of our soul that causes us to replace fleshly thoughts, feelings, goals, and attitudes with Holiness and the fruit of the Spirit. We are to become as Christ in the earth and when we finish the mission, Messiah will appear; be made manifest in us and in the world. Isaiah 60:1-2 shares: Arise, Shine for thy light as come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee. For darkenss has cobvered the earth and gross darkness the people. But the Lord shall arise upon thee And His glory shall be seen upon thee.
Those who overcome (obtain the glorified state) are granted to eat of the Tree of Life in the Paradise of God. The demonstration of this next level is confirmed in many passages; after becoming glorified/incorruptable we gain the resurrection i.e.redemption of the body. The promise of eternal life is what we are trusting to receive from the Father. It abides in us when we receive our salvation but must be appropriated through yielding to the Spirit of God within us. Another way to describe it is sanctification or to be made Holy through the salvation of our soul. It seems to be ignored or taken for granted because believers think they have already “arrived” when they haven’t even begun. Each spiritual level must be contended for. Jesus taught us that eternal life is to know the Father not knowing about Him through scriptures or doctrines.
Enoch had the testimony that we need to follow even though he was living way before the law or the recorded or written word; he walked with God in close fellowship/communion and was translated into His presence. He did not see/experience death. Even though he is mentioned briefly in Genesis most people don't know about his testimony or why it is important. It is regretable that so few have read the Book of Enoch for I believe that it was well known and accepted as part ofm God's Word in Jesus' time. This to me is a precurser to the experience of being caught up into God's presence as seen in Rev 12 concerning the Manchld. Enoch was totally commited to abide in/with and please YHWH. If this could happen thousands of years ago why hasn't this experience been repeated in His people through the ages or today? The Essenes who lived in the wilderness near the Dead Sea did so to seperate themselves from the corruption of the world.
As we read 2 Corinthians 5 we are given a clue that has been lost partly because of the word tent in some translations which should be tabernacle. It speaks of groaning or travailling so that we may become clothed with our heavenly dwelling and not found naked. This is the manifested glory of the Lord which comes upon us from the inside out as we die to our fleshly nature as well as pursuits. Through doing this earnest spiritual exercise the Bible says that death will become swallowed up by life. The testimony of Christ, the Messiah is that the word of YHWH became flesh and tabernacled among us. Those who believe on the Son of God have the power to become Sons, themselves; John1:12. Realize that the power is already there in the inner man but must be accomplished through diligence and self-sacrifice; the breaking down and "crucifying" of the outer or flesh. It is not automatic or we would be in the Kingdom now.
Another example of transformation linked with manifested glory in the Bible is the two prophets Elijah and Elisha. I feel that their lives parallel that of Christ and his Body in a couple of ways. The first man Elijah had a tremendous anointing shown in many works including raising people from the dead and challenging the prophets of Baal and Jezebel their queen. He reached resurrection status being taken up into heaven in chariots of fire. Elisha received a double portion of His mantel (anointing and office) because he followed him closely. Yahshua promised that his true followers will do greater works. This is representative of Christ’s disciples who are obedient to become like him. Those who walk in the fullness of the Spirit putting on His completed mantel (measure of the stature of Christ), will overcome death. The grave cannot hold them because they are permeated with resurrection power, (1 Cor.15:52-58). They will walk into the Kingdom with out seeing/tasting death.
When we research the passages of scripture that are used to confirm the belief in the "rapture" some have a word in common. It is the Greek word harpadzo which shows forcefully breaking through the flesh to obtain the completed spiritual state. This is the word that is used to describe the translation of Philip in the book of Acts as he was sharing the message of Messiah with the eunuch as they were travelling. All of a sudden he was taken in the spirit to another location. He was in the body yet able to travel in the spiritual realm, too. Much diligence and even violence of spirit is needed to endure to the end and to complete our sanctification or purification process and enter the Kingdom alive. Those who die and then are raised up will not receive the rewards of those who obtain the promise while still in the flesh.
There are modern day witnesses to this experience; those who have been transported to other places while in fervent prayer or under the influence of a great anointing and mission/ministry of YHWH. The spirit realm is all around us. We know that Adam and Eve were in the Paradise of YHWH while living on the earth. This is why we can't expect to be zapped out of here to go be with Jesus. Hebrews 11 and 12 emphasize this part of the picture. The whole chapter expounds on the great men of faith who endured many trials and shared wonderful testimonies yet were not able to gain the fullness that YHWH had promised them. 11: 39 And all of these,though they won divine approval by means of their faith did not receive the fulfillment of what was promised,40 because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us,so that they[these heroes and heroines of faith]should not come into perfection apart from us[before we could join them]. 12:1 therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us strip ourselves and throw aside every weight and run with endurance the race set before us.
Paul shared that he had not yet beeen able to reach the resurrection but pressed on to obtain the prize. It looks like he had a manifestation of glorified life becasue when they tried to stone him, he was raised up. Peter must have shone with Divine light so that people were healed in his shadow. When a remnant reaches the first level of attainment they are able to continue putting on strength to gain the next one. We see that it is only those who are alive and remain who shall be caught up in the air/spirit to be with the Lord;1 Thess.4:15-17. It is likely that the multitude has the opportunity to come into each higher level only after the vanguard group has done the preparatory work to shine the light upon the pathway. The words of Revelation confirm that many will be slain, even martyred, for the testimony of Christ before the end (of the age) during the great Tribulation time. This is shown in the passages that speak of the multitudes that are seen before the throne of YHWH as the tribulation period ends.
We see them crying out under the altar to the Father saying, “how long O Lord, Holy and True until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ The great devastations upon the earth are also why the Lord causes the time to be shortened for the sake of the elect. This is also the reason that we will see the dead in Christ rise first. Scripture says many are now sleeping, waiting for the accomplishment of the promises. Those who go through death before entering the Kingdom will be given their lesser inheritance because they did not attain to the greater level in their lifetime. The Lord and all of heaven are waiting for us to accomplish this mission to bring restoration of all things.
In the book of Daniel we see another picture of the mature Sons. His experience parallels the events that we will find in the Great Tribulation. He refused to bow down to the “Antichrist type” who is represented by the King of Persia. The nature of the Man of Sin is shown in how he deceives many through peace. The three young men in the fiery furnace show us another promise of God’s people for protection during this time of fiery trials. The most encouraging is that those who are wise will turn many to righteousness showing this as a time of fruitfulness and harvest. These Teachers of Righteousness will shine as the firmament and bring many under the protection of the glory covering. I feel this is a type of City of Refuge or disciple ministry.
The example of Jesus walking through the midst of the angry crowd that tried to throw him off of the cliff demonstrated that he walked in God’s glory. We see his ability to be translated through and beyond harms way. The first century believers walked in an amount of glory and power that we must see restored and beyond. The glory of the latter house will be greater than the former for we are to do greater works. Steven as he was stoned showed us this Spiritual strength. People were healed in Peter’s shadow. We are exhorted to go onto perfection but many have resolved in their minds that this is not possible until we get to "heaven". We can and should walk in the Spirit,now. Perfection is necessary to bring us to the place where we are transformed through a life of holiness or we can’t see God or dwell in His presence; read Heb. 2:10-11 and 12:1-16.
Three disciples saw Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration as his body shone as transparent white light. He entered into the spirit realm to converse with Elijah and Moses. The observers said that it was as if they went into a mist (cloud). We are told there is a great cloud of witnesses that is overlooking the events of the earth. It is significant that the three who went with him asked if they should make a booth for them to meet in. This is a direct reference to the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, the third fall celebration. They related this event to the fulfillment of the feast and perhaps the two witnesses of Revelation but it was not yet the timing of the Father.
Another reference to these two states of being is seen at the garden tomb just after the crucifixion. Christ warned the women not to touch him because he had not yet ascended to the Father. There was still something that had to be done in the heavenly realm to finish the work. He needed to cleanse the heavenly articles of the Tabernacle according to Hebrews 9. Later, when he appeared to the disciples in the boat he asked, “does a spirit have flesh and bone?” I believe this shows us the difference between a glorified and a resurrected body. The immortal one has substance to it. In this state one can eat or drink because Jesus cooked them a meal on the shore. He referred to not drinking wine until the marriage supper of the Lamb.
To further explain some of these messages consider that many words we think we know the meaning of can be seen in a different light. For instance the words heaven and clouds can indicate the spirit realm. The root word for spirit is pneuma which denotes air can be interpreted as breath. We also have scriptures that talk of witnesses in the clouds being the Saints. God’s glory was a cloud that followed and covered the faithful ones as He led His people in the wilderness. Hebrews 12:1-2; Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us;and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking away unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,who for the sake of the joy set before endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of God. When we look up we see sky, air, clouds and the heavens. Each occupies part of one area of the earth’s atmosphere in different forms.
When Jesus ascended into the heavens he probably was seen as disappearing into a mist type form. His feet could have stayed on the ground or he could have gone upwards. He wasn’t subject to the laws of the natural plane because he had overcome the world. He walked in the Spirit before the crucifixion becuse the laws of nature were subject to His word. He walked on water and multiplied bread. These examples are given us to see that things in the earth are subject to us, too. Jesus spoke to the elements of nature and changed their operational abilities instantly. Healing circumvents natural laws we have broken and consequences of sin.
When the Bible suggests that a thing is higher it usually means on a higher plane or dimension. God’s ways are higher than ours for He is a Spirit and perfect in all things. Our problem is that we forget that the spiritual realm is actually all around us but not seen with our natural eyes. The vibration levels of light and matter can alter to allow us to see into the spiritual. Sometimes God will open our eyes and change our perception. This is more than visions or dreams but as John was lifted up into a different plane of existence he was also allowed to be brought into a future place and time. There is no time and space as we know it in the spirit realm.
In Revelation 11:15-19 the kingdoms of the world become submitted in entirety to God as well as His Christ (anointed). Then the wrath of God begins. He will now destroy the destroyers of the earth but can also include the bodies and minds of people. Much of man’s greed for wealth and earthly comforts caused the destruction of natural resources not to mention the slavery of the earth’s people for the sake of merchandising. We all have a part in the poisoning nature through our demand of the abundance of manufactured goods; temporal things that are wasteful. It’s too bad that there is a separation between the 11th and 12th chapters of Revelation because it continues with the Last Trumpet scenario.
I am giving my opinion as to the interpretation of some of these parts of the portent but I see it this way at this moment. First I see the woman as the “creation” as spoken of in Romans 8:18-23 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 for the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God 22 for we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birthpangs together until now. 23 And not only they, 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. What God created in His image is yearning to be birthed.
The woman brings to birth a mature corporate Son/Manchild who is caught up to the throne of God. This woman is seen as the universal church by some. I doubt it for that group really represents the apostate whore and her children. I believe that it is those who have the heavenly vision who are travailling that Christ be formed in the members of the Body to manifest the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ. Just as Galations tells of the bride of the flesh and the spirit we see this division here,too. Isaiah 60 states that the whole world will be filled with the glory of the Lord when His light arises in His people. She is clothed with the Sun., which is the glory of the Lord, and the moon is the reflection of that glory in the Church. The twelve stars symbolize the perfection of Divine government. The foundation and nature of Christ.
A possible connection is an astrological sign being seen in the appropriate part of the sky. It was reported to me that this actually has taken place. Satan has perverted the use of the stars but we cannot ignore their message used in confirming times and seasons. Authors who are respected as spiritually sound have written about the gospel as “recorded” in the 12 constellations making up the zodiac. Other planets and stars are referred to in scripture directly or indirectly. There are multiple types and levels of fulfillment. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens declare the glory of the Lord. The ancient peoples mixed their imperfect knowledge of the universe with their understanding of many significant prophesies. If the study and use of these things was totally taboo then the star that the wise men saw, confirming Christ’s birth, would have not been a valid sign.
We are living in a time of exploration and discovery that is proving these things to be true instead of just myths or imaginations. Some very unusual things in the sky, like second/blue moons in a month preceded the millennium. The amount of eclipses that have fallen on Holy days lately is remarkable. Not a coincidence...symbolisms of the sun, moon and stars as well as clouds and rain show us the sky in many different levels. The Lord uses heavenly bodies to relate His will in many ways. What He rejected was the use of these signs to control or predict apart from the wisdom of God. Witchcraft is subtle and deceptive leading many astray through the use of this knowledge. God rebuked a wicked and perverse generation that sought only after signs.
The dragon stood before her to devour the Child as soon as it was born. This child is caught up to the throne of God. The woman then flees into the wilderness to be protected for 1260 days that they should feed her there.. perhaps the Sons who are the saviors in Mount Zion who will protect many as “cities of refuge”. When the dragon couldn’t prevail against the woman he went to make war with the rest of her offspring who keep the testimony of Christ. The war breaks out in heaven and the Devil is cast out. Salvation is now come as the accuser of the brethren is cast down. Some people may question why the proclamation states that salvation is now come when they believe that they are already saved. This is the salvation of our souls bringing the redemption of our bodies, not just the regeneration (rebirth of our spirit)...unto total perfection.