More about 2017, 17 and others

Last few posts, I wrote a lot about rapture, second coming and end times. Hope that would have given more clarity about end times with respect to old testament foreshadowing events.
I had been contacted by a brother from Sweden named Bo Stark and he gave few more points about 2017, number 17 and Hebrew year 5777. I would just like to post few of them here. You may read my previous article "Why 2017 could be the beginning of end times" to get a complete context.

1. 2017 marks 500 years from reformation since it was started in 1517.

2. The sign of sun clothed woman with moon under her feet and twelve crowns on her head appears in stars on 23-Sep-2017.

3. After Noah was born, he lived for 595 years and at Noah's 600th year was the great floods. So, Lamech died 5 years before the floods at the age of 777 (Gen 5:28-31) pointing a direct reference to hebrew year 5777.

4. Jesus left His parents in temple when He was 12 years of age Luke 2:42 and after that we don't have record for 17 years. But, around 30 years, Jesus Himself began to be about 30 years (not 30 years completed but during 30 years which make the difference as 17 and not 18) when he took baptism. Luke 3:23. Jesus rose from dead on the 17th day of the month. (Will do a separate chapter on this one).

5. Jacob lived his last 17 years in Egypt and died at the age of 147. Gen 47:28 Wondered why Jacob didn't reach the age nearer to Abraham who lived 175 and Isaac who lived for 180 years and now I believe just to leave the sign of final 17 years in Egypt his age was shrunk to 147 and he was a sign himself.

6. There were 17 judges in Israel's History from Othniel to Samuel.

7. People from 17 nations were present during Penticost. Acts 2:7-11

8. The ten commandments were given in 17 verses in 20th chapter of Exodus.

9. Psalms 83:6-11 mentions 17 enemies of Israel.

10. Beast specified in Daniel 7 and Rev 13 has 7 heads and 10 horns making a total of 17.

11. Romans 8:35 - 39 speaks about 17 different things that cannot separate us from the love of Christ.

12. UN Agenda 2030 has 17 sustainable development goals. (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld)

13. Pope appointed 17 cardinals in a recent ceremony on 20-Nov. (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38038501)

14. In a bizarre accident in China on 22-Nov, 56 vehicles crashed on to each other and 17 people were killed. I think 56 (7 x 8 - Completion x Salvation) marks completion of salvation and 17 could be 2017. (http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pile-up-on-chinese-motorway-kills-17-xinhua-1628565), Israel planning to buy 17 fighter jets from US. (https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201611281047906269-israel-17-f35/).

The number 17 pops out everywhere to me. I may sound silly but it looks like there are more and more concrete signs and evidences.

There are few more reasons to believe why we are near. There were two numbers of dates (1290 and 1335) given at Daniel chapter for the range of days during great tribulation period. The difference is 45. Psalms 45 is the messianic psalm which refers to bride, groom and bride maids pointing to anointing of Christ and the rapture event and Donald Trump has been selected as the 45th president of United States. His name is Trumps and may indicate feast of Trumpets (which is directly pointing to rapture). India has demonetized the higher value denomination notes of 500 and 1000 as of Nov 8, 2016 to fight the black money, money laundering and terrorism (The date is exactly as that of US election date). You may google and check wiki to know more details. But, the entire country is in difficulty where people are really finding it difficult to get their own cash. People are standing in long queues at tellers and banks to withdraw and exchange money respectively everyday. It would take another 50 days to get back to normalcy. As written in Luke 21:25, "Upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity", it looks more and more near. One more sign which I saw as start of new era was the death and funeral of Shimon Perez, former Israeli president just before the eve of 5777 year and leaders from 70 nations participated in the funeral service. I believe indeed the Hebrew year 5777 marks the start of beginning of end times.

With all the above points, one would strongly believe that rapture would occur in 2017. But, it could happen any time. One of the important verses with respect to rapture in Old testament is Hosea 6:2 where the prophet says "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." Jesus rose up on third day to fulfill this prophecy but it will be completely fulfilled when Jesus comes back and revive His church (dead and alive) after 2 days (2000 years). Jesus was dead, buried and rose up somewhere around 27 - 33 AD. So, I too believe the longest time frame would be 2033 but really won't think that long. My point is Jesus could come to rapture His church any time from now to next 15 - 20 years or I could be wrong and it could take another 30 - 40 years. All I am saying with all these things and specific signs happening throughout the world, it looks near. A truthful and sincere Christian would wait His lifetime for Jesus to come.

Many people through internet, forums and youtube just try predicting the rapture date and keeps failing over and over again. This is inappropriate and not correct. Because, setting a particular date or a small range say 3 days or a week makes Jesus a liar as He said "No one knows the day or the hour". What he exactly meant is the rapture date no one knows or cannot find based on past occurrences, old testament timelines or derived through some calculation or arbitration. Our Lord does everything in order but no human can find that as the word of God says "Who hath known the mind of the Lord?" Rom 11:34 and I Cor 2:16. Ecc 3:11 says "so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end." But these date setters help in fulfilling the word of God that whenever they fail, other people would mock and say "Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as  they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Pet 3:4. Let us wait and not astrayed by following date setters.

It is important to expect the rapture of the bride every day with eagerness from here on. But, we should have the patience and should hold on to our faith while watching and praying. More important is to bear spiritual fruits for glorification of the name of Lord Jesus. I am planning to close the end time events discussion with this post. At a later point of time, God willing I would write more about end time events with the perspective of Book of Revelation. Please pray for me that may God give more revelations concerning end times through His Holy Word. As I said bearing fruits through our day to day Christian life and being living witnesses for Jesus is more important and I hope to make subsequent articles in such areas. By living and abiding in Christ, we know we will not be ashamed during His coming. I John 2:28

Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 7:12

Rapture, a mystery too

In my last post, I explained how the church was a mystery in Old testament but there were just fore shadows. Actually, I wanted to write about rapture in the same article and gave title as "Church, a mystery and rapture too". But, as the content was large, I just kept it for Church alone. Let's see about rapture of the church (bride of Christ) in this article.

Recently, I have attended a Revelation exposition session organized by our church. The pastor who took it said there is no concept of rapture to the astonishment of many. The reason he quoted was if some of the members of church are removed, others would feel bad being left out as they have to go through the tribulation alone and Jesus would never do such thing. As I heard that, some church members asked then why Jesus said one person would be accepted and other would left behind. After hearing that question, the pastor explained something like post tribulation rapture. I have asked him back a question then why it is written that Jesus would come as a thief. For that he said, after tribulation, he will come like thief which doesn't make sense.

Now, if you could observe the above questions, one thing is clear. There is indeed a rapture event based on the Bible and it is going to be either pre tribulation or mid tribulation. I just wanted to explain that based on my understanding and some common sense. The rapture is a mystery because it will never catch the eye of a casual reader. This is purposefully hidden by God as how He kept the Church itself as a secret during old testament timeline. Let's look into the details. It would be good if you open Matthew 24 so that we can look through the different portions.

Jesus explained the end time events in Matthew 24 and if you observe there were two different types of events explained. There is a contradiction between two. First one, there will be overall tribulation first till verse 14, then from verse 15, He explained about the abomination of desolation (marks AntiChrist rule) and during that there will be great tribulation that is mentioned in verse 21 and final second coming of Jesus at verse 30 that marks it complete. This specific event is accurately marked by relative events in Daniel 12:11 that it will take 1290 (3.5 years + 30 days) days from setting up of abomination of desolation and it is not a mystery at all. Jesus still continued and quoted the Fig tree prophecy that marks the blossoming of state of Israel. But, there is a sudden change in verse 36, that says "the day and hour" no man knoweth. Hence, I believe verse 35 marks the completion of first set of events (Both general tribulation that we are going through now earthquakes, pestilences, famines, floods and wars + great tribulation which is yet to come during AntiChrist's duration) with the assertion that "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away".

Jesus continued further saying in verse 38, "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark". Now, a question to the astute reader is, is it possible to be not aware of events happening around during great tribulation? Can they lead a normal life of eat, drink and usual business during great tribulation? Definitely NO. So, this marks a different event. Then, if you go through further 40 and 41, the verses denote accepting one person and leaving behind another one. If Jesus comes out as visible to everyone as explained in verse 21, then why He has to accept someone and leave other one? He should call out everyone and assemble them for judgement instead. What are the benefits of getting accepted and what are the dangers of being left behind?

So, this event of coming of son of man as per "No man knowing the day or the hour" is something different and not a public event as mentioned in verse 21. Paul says in I Thess 5:2 that "the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" and Jesus Himself says that in Rev 16:15. So, this event is called rapture or His secret coming. As per Heb 9:28, He will just appear to all His holy saints and sincere truthful believers (True Church which is the bride of Christ) and transfigure them and took them out in air. Just before that all the dead in Christ will rise first. This is explained in two places, one in I Thess 4:17-21 and I Cor 15:51-53. Paul call this as a mystery as not many will know this. This event is supposed to happen in near future and this marks the end of troubles for the true believers and judgement times for others in the world.

Paul further calls this a blessed hope in Titus 2:13 and it doesn't make sense if it is a post tribulation rapture after all the worst troubles mankind could ever go through. As the public second coming of Jesus is scheduled after the great tribulation as per versus 29 and 30 of Matt 24, no need for a post tribulational rapture as well as no point in Jesus coming like thief post tribulation. It doesn't serve any purpose. So, to answer the pastor's reasoning, caught up away with Jesus in rapture is the best thing that could ever happen. It is the reward for being faithful and sincere, also for being watchful and praying and keeping oneself holy and pure virgin bride for the groom. God said in Malachi 3:17 and 18 that He will gather His people and then other will see the difference between His ones and others. What is the chaff to the wheat? Jeremiah 23:28. So, not all christians will be part of rapture, only those who reached measure of the stature of fullness of Christ Eph 4:11 and and those who were selected by Lord Himself would be part of the bride.

Let's see some of the old testament shadows,

1. Isaac met Rebekka in fields where Rebekka was coming from a long distance and Isaac just had to enter the fields. Same manner, Jesus would just appear back and all dead would raise first and others who were alive would be transfigured and join Him in clouds. (I Thess 4 and I Cor 15).

2. Ruth came a long way from Moab to marry Boaz and met him in fields. But, Boaz disagreed for immediate relationship and once everything is legally completed in Ruth 4, he has taken her as a wife. Just symbolize how Jesus would wait for everything to be completed before taking the bride.

3. Abigail come and meet David and became her wife along with other maids. Psalms 45 gives this picture of rapture from verses 9 to 15.

4. In Song of Songs, the shepherd lover call out the Shulamite bride "My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Song of Songs 2:10

5. Noah and his family households were sealed in ark before the great floods. The bride would be sealed by Holy Spirit and captured away by Jesus before the great tribulation.

6. Lot was driven out just before fire and brimstones were brought on Sodom and Gomorrah, again a picture that righteous would be saved.

Before a nation declares war against another nation it takes out its ambassador and its nationals from that nation. Same way, before God's judgement happens in earth, His ambassadors will evacuate. As a sincere follower, I am willing to get martyred for Jesus Christ but no point in suffering God's wrath that would be poured out on earth during seven vials of judgement.

Just would like to summarize with the following points why rapture before great tribulation is genuine.

1. Jesus said in Luke 21:36 to watch and pray that we may be accounted worthy to escape. So, indeed there is an escape route from great tribulation and that should be through rapture.

2. It was prophecied that the Lord's feet will be standing on Mount Olives in Zeccharia 14:4. This must refer to the public second coming and totally different from the Lord's appearing explained in I Thess 4:17-21 where all the saints dead will rise and the living believers will get transfigured and meet the Lord in air. No need to meet Him in air if He stands in Mount Olives.

3. In the public second coming, Jesus will come back with His holy saints and believers as foretold by Enoch in Jude verse 14. The prophecy of Zeccharia also confirms this as "and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee." Zeccharia 14:5. But, if you observe in the event explained in I Thess 4:17-21, it is so obvious that the Lord Himself will come down with the shout of arch angel and with the voice of God's trumphet. So, there are two different events. The second one is His secret coming where He will take both the dead and living in Christ first and then those who were taken up will come back with Him in His second coming. Makes clear sense.

4. No need for the Lord to come as a thief if it is post tribulational as already explained.

5. I believe the important chapter Revelation 12 gives a picture of rapture events though I am not very clear about man-child, the sun clothed woman, war in heaven and the devil falling to earth and once those events are completed in chapter 12, the visions start to unfold the kingdom of beast (antichrist) in Rev 13. So, the final government of the world will be established post rapture or just imminent of rapture.

6. The important explanation given by Paul in II Thess 2 explains when the anti christ will be revealed and there is a term called "falling away" must occur first. The original word for "falling away" in greek was apostasia which means departing from. Bible scholars and preachers say this indeed represents the rapture event and many ancient English Bible translations have the word "departure" instead of "falling away". (a quick observation - Word "Rapture" is scrambled inside word "Departure"). There is another good explanation which states the event that occur first should be quantified (measurable to say that it has happened) where as falling away is very general and happens all the times so that we can't exactly say it has happened so it has to be rapture. I too believe this to some extent though the Holy Spirit didn't convince my heart 100% yet on this point.

7. It is written that "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." in I Thess 5:9. So, even though we have to go through tribulations of this world up to the extent of being martyred for our faith in Jesus Christ, definitely God is truthful to care for His Children so that they will not undergo His wrath and judgement as another verse in II Pet 2:9 - "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:".

I could think further through the scriptures and keep writing on other points as well. But, this article was already big enough to convey the point that rapture is a mystery event that many still won't find it or accept it and no one could know the day or the hour.

All praise, honor and glory to God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Maranatha!!! Amen.