--Jerusalem Post ■ Prophecies: RUSSIA and allies will go to WAR and will invade ISRAEL
THE TIME DRAWS NEAR ... The BIBLE warns Iran (Persia), with Russia ('Magog'), and a coalition of allies (including Turkey and Sudan) will attack and will invade Israel. This coming Russia-Iran-Turkey war against Israel will trigger an IRREVERSIBLE series of events which will lead to the coming "Apocalypse" and the final Battle of Armageddon. GOD takes two whole chapters to prepare the world for this coming war. In Ezekiel 38-39 the Bible warns this coming war between Iran (Persia) and Israel will take place sometime after Israel has been re-gathered into Her land as a nation (which was fulfilled on May 14, 1948) ... this prophetic war has never yet taken place ... the only time in history Persia (Iran) has ever gone to war against Israel was to help Israel throw off the yoke of the Byzantine Empire around 614 AD. The Bible warns the US will NOTdefend Israel. According to the Bible, Israel must stand alone ... with God. For when this coming war does finally start, the United States (for reasons yet unknown) will be unable or unwilling to help Israel defend herself. Although the Bible warns the invading armies will be ultimately destroyed by God, it will be a devastating war for both Israel and the whole world. Bible scholars are divided as to whether this coming war is part of the prophetic battle of Armageddon or will just precede the battle of Armageddon in order to prepare the path for the coming Antichrist (a coming 'world leader' who will enforce a 'peace plan' upon Israel). All people of the world should be sitting on the edge of their seats with white knuckles watching this terrible prophecy slowly start to unfold ... while those who call themselves Christians (followers ... both Jew and Gentile ... of Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah) are told to "examine" themselves in the Word and in faith to insure they are not just 'almost' Christians (Matthew 7:21-23) who are "lukewarm" in their faith in Jesus (Yeshua) and God's Word (Revelation 3:14-16) ... for Jesus (Yeshua) the Messiah warns all to, "Watch, therefore, and pray always (not just sometimes), that you will be counted worthy (through His worthiness) to escape all these things (the terrible events of the coming 'Apocalypse') that will come to pass" ... (Luke 21:36) ... for the Bible promises believing Christians (faithful and sincere believers in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) who are alive at that time and have endured in their faith in God's Word are not "appointed" to this coming time of "God's wrath" that will be "poured out" upon the whole world ... (1 Thessalonians 1:10 ... 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11) Prophecies: The coming RAPTURE The coming APOCALYPSE and ARMAGEDDON
Will Go To War ... and Will Invade Israel
A Prophetic War of the Ages
Ezekiel 38 - 39
GOD warns Iran (Persia), with Russia (Magog), and a coalition of allies (including Turkey, Libya, Sudan) will go to war and will invade Israel. In Ezekiel 38-39 the Bible warns this coming war between Iran (Persia) and Israel will take place sometime after Israel has been re-gathered into Her land as a nation (which was fulfilled on May 14, 1948) ... this prophetic war has never yet taken place ... the only time in history Persia (Iran) has ever gone to war against Israel was to help Israel throw off the yoke of the Byzantine Empire around 614 AD.
THIS WAR will be unlike any other war in history ... this war will unleash a series of IRREVERSIBLEevents which will change the world forever. God has set aside two whole chapters in the Bible to warn Mankind of this coming war ...
THE BIBLE warns the US will NOT defend Israel. According to the Bible, Israel must stand alone ...with God. For when this coming war does finally start, the United States will be unwilling (or unable) to help Israel defend herself. Even though the Bible warns the invading armies will be ultimately destroyed by God, it will be adevastating war for both Israel and the whole world. Bible scholars are divided as to whether this coming war is part of the prophetic battle of Armageddon or will just precede Armageddon in order to prepare a path for the Antichrist (a coming World Leader who will enforce a Peace Plan ("covenant") upon Israel) which will trigger the final prophetic 7-Year period of time whichGod has set aside for Israel and the World which is sometimes called the "Apocalypse" ...
ALL MANKIND should be sitting on the edge of their seats with white knuckles watching this terrible prophecy slowly start to unfold ... while those who call themselves Christians (followers ... both Jew and Gentile ... of Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah) are told to "examine" themselves in the Word and in their faith to insure they are not just 'almost' Christians (Matthew 7:21-23) who are "lukewarm" in their faith in Jesus (Yeshua) and God's Word (Revelation 3:14-16) ... for Jesus warns all to, "Watch, therefore, and pray always (not just sometimes), that you will be counted worthy (through His worthiness) to escape all these things (the terrible events of the coming 'Apocalypse') that will come to pass" ... (Luke 21:36) ... for the Bible promises believingChristians (faithful and sincere believers in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew) who are alive at that time and have endured in their faith in God's Word are not "appointed" to this coming time of "God's wrath" that will be "poured out" upon the "whole world"... (1 Thessalonians 1:10 ... 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
"Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
‘Son of man, set your face against Gog (a powerful leader),
of the land of Magog (translated 'Scythia' in Greek ... the area of modern day RUSSIA),
the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, (Meshech and Tubal are in and around TURKEY)
and prophesy against him, and say,
Thus says the Lord GOD:
‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog (a powerful human or dark-angelic leader behind Russia),
the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. (Turkey)
I will turn you around,
put hooks into your jaws (Israel's new gas fields, a mutual defense treaty, or UN effort?)
and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed,
a great company with bucklers and shields,
all of them handling swords (weapons). (The Russian army will march again)
Persia (IRAN), (Iran is listed first, meaning it will be the 'lead' ally)
Ethiopia (Sudan ..."Cush"), and Libya (northern Africa) are with them,
all of them with shield and helmet.
Gomer and all its troops; (Germany-France, eastern Europe, or "Galatia"- Turkey)
the house of Togarmah (Armenia) from the far north and all its troops -
many people are with you. (NATO member Turkey will join this coalition)
Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you;
and be a guard for them. (Russia will act as a "guard" ... and supplier of weapons)
After many days you will be visited. (Meaning, this would happen far from Ezekiel's time)
In the LATTER YEARS you (Russia-Iran-Turkey)
will come into the land of those brought back from the sword (Israel!)
and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate (this war will take place after Israel became a nation in 1948)
they (the children of Israel) were brought OUTof the nations,
and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm,
covering the land (of Israel) like a cloud,
you and all your troops and many peoples with you."
(Ezekiel 38:1-10)
The Bible warns Russia will also act as a GUARD (including weapons) for Iran and their allies ...
"Prepare yourself (Russia - "Magog")
and be ready,
you (Russia)
and all your companies (allies) that are gathered about you;
and be a GUARD for them." ("Them" is Iran,Turkey, and the other allies listed)
(Ezekiel 38:7)
A "guard" protects, defends, blocks threats of "international sanctions"... and provides weapons, technology, intelligence, command, and control ... and often stays quietly hidden in the shadows until the time is right.
Ezekiel 38:11-17 . . .
Thus says the Lord GOD:
“On that Day it shall come to pass
that thoughts will arise in your mind,
and you will make an evil plan:
You (the one who leads Russia) will say,
‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; (the cities in Israel are no longer 'walled')
I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely,
all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’
to take plunder and to take booty, (Greed, envy, and arrogance will fuel this invasion)
to stretch out your hand against the waste places
that are again inhabited, (look at Israel today)
and against a people gathered from the nations, (this will take place after 1948!)
who have acquired livestock and goods,
who dwell in the midst of the land.
Sheba (Saudi Arabia), Dedan (Kuwait), (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will not join this invasion)
the merchants of Tarshish (may be England),
and all their young lions (may be former colonies like Canada, Australia, and the US)
will say to you,
‘Have you come to take plunder? (Greed, envy, and arrogance will fuel this invasion ...)
Have you gathered your army to take booty,
to carry away silver and gold,
to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”’
"Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog,
Thus says the Lord God:
On that Day when My people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it?
You will come from your place
OUT OF THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE NORTH,
(Russia now claims the Arctic and North Pole astheirs ... and is deploying forces to defend it)
you and many peoples with you,
all of them riding on horses,
a great host, a mighty army.
You will come up against My people Israel, (not a good idea)
like a cloud covering the Land.
In the latter days (Far in the future from Ezekiel's time ..."the last days"... which we are in now)
I will bring you against My Land, (God says Israel is His Land ... He gave it to Israel)
that the nations may know Me,
when through you, O Gog,
I vindicate My Holiness before their eyes."
(For God will destroy this invading army ...)Thus says the Lord GOD:
“Are you (Gog) he of whom I have spoken informer days (Prophecy fulfilled!)
by My servants the prophets of Israel,
who prophesied for years in those days
that I (God) would bring you against them?"
(Ezekiel 38:11-17)
Ezekiel 38:18-23 . . .
“And it will come to pass at the same time,
when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD,
“that MY fury will show in My face.
For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken:
‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,
so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field,
all creeping things that creep on the earth,
and all men who are on the face of the Earth shall shake at My presence.
The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall,
and every wall shall fall to the ground.’
I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD.
“Every man’s sword will be against his brother. (These armies will turn against themselves)
And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed;
I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him,
flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. (These armies will be destroyed by God!)
Thus I (God) will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself,
and I will be known in the eyes of many nations.
Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”’
(Ezekiel 38:18-23)
We are not exactly sure when this attack/invasion will take place ... but, from current news headlines, it looks as though it is now getting very close. As noted above, if you study your history books you will find the only time in history Iran (Persia) has invaded Israel was in 614 AD, and this invasion was to help Israel break the yoke of the Byzantine Empire. The current threats of war Iran is making against Israel represent the first time in history the world has seen the imminent fulfillment of this prophecy. Add the fact Russia is fully backing Iran, and Turkey is quickly turning against Israel, and all of these nations either are, or soon will be, armed with nuclear weapons, you will find the world maysoon be facing this terrible prophetic war . . .
The invading armies will be utterly destroyed . . . by GOD!!!
In Ezekiel 39 the Bible goes on to warn the invading armies will be utterly destroyed ... by GOD! Also in Ezekiel 39 there are hints this coming war may go nuclear because Israel will wait months to enter the battlefield after the battle, they will "set apart men regularly employed" (professionals) to bury the dead, and later if a bone is spotted it is to be "marked" for the professionals to bury (exactly the same procedures that are now found in our military nuclear/biological/chemical "battlefield cleanup" manuals today) ... the aftermath of this invasion will be very, very gruesome.
Some scholars feel it must be part of, or the beginning of "The Battle of Armageddon" (because of some of the terminology used), and others believe it must happen sometime beforeArmageddon and will set the stage for the coming "Antichrist" (who will rise over 10 nations which were part of the Roman Empire) to fill the world power vacuum that will be left after this coming war ...
The United States will be "neutralized" sometime before this attack and will be unwilling or unable to help defend Israel, for the Bible warns Israel must stand alone ... with God!
More importantly, many good Bible prophecy scholars believe the strange prophetic event called "The Rapture" must take place sometimebefore God intervenes in this coming battle ...
Please do not ignore these Bible prophecies . . .
Many people will simply yawn and ignore these Bible prophecies and the headlines we are now seeing.
Yet, God does NOT fulfill His prophecies or prophetic warnings in secret, but so all the world can see. For many years now a number of Bible prophecy teachers and scholars have been warning the one piece of the puzzle missing was for Turkey (a NATO ally-nation) to turn toward Russia and Iran and against Israel (as this prophecy predicts, and we are now seeing.)
The world has waited over 2,500 years to see the headlines we are now seeing ...
This prophetic war between Iran and Israel hasnever yet taken place ... and it is very much a part of the coming "Apocalypse" and Armageddon scenario. God has been warning and preparingthis generation for this coming war for well over 10 years ... and the headlines concerning this coming war can now be found almost daily all around the world.
God is trying to get our attention and to draw those who are His back to Him before it is too late. With open arms and with tears of joy God promises to welcome and to shelter and comfortALL who will come to Him before these events take place (or before their earthly bodies die) ... yet, the Bible warns God will not mourn, nor have mercy, on those who reject and ignore and mockHis Word and His warnings.
A Prophetic War of the Ages
At The Mouth of Two Witnesses
"In the Mouths of 2 or 3 Witnesses Shall a Thing Be Established"
(2 Corinthians. 13:1)
"At the Mouth of 2 Witnesses or 3 Witnesses
Shall He That Is Worthy of Death Be Put To Death"
(Deuteronomy 17:6)
The books of Ezekiel and the book of EnochBOTH warn of a prophetic Russia-Iran war against Israel which will trigger anIRREVERSIBLE series of events which will lead to the Battle of Armageddon (and the end of this Age.)
Note: The book of Enoch is an ancient book (Enoch was Noah's great-grandfather), and portions of at least 10 copies of the book were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. Although the book of Enoch is relatively unknown because it is in disfavor with many churches today for its detailed description of angelic interactions with mankind, many of the early church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Tatian, Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, Methodius of Philippi, and Ambrose of Milan also accepted the book of Enoch as Scriptural writing. The ancient Ethiopian Church and the Coptic Church in Egypt have always accepted it as Biblical canon. Another prophecy from Enoch is found quoted directly in the book of Jude in the New Testament (Jude 1:14-15).
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Book of Ezekiel
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Book of Enoch
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Ezekiel: Persia and Magog Invasion of Israel
Ezekiel - The Book of Ezekiel 38
“The Word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog (Russia - Scythia), the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 3 and say, Thus says the LordGod: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal (Turkey).4 And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords.
5 Persia (Iran-Parthia), Cush (Sudan), and Put (Libya) are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer (around Germany) and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah (Armenia) from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
7 “Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you (Russia-Magog), and be a guard for them (Iran-Persia and allies).
8 After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them. 9 You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.
15 You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north (Russia is now claiming the Arctic and North Pole as their territory), you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land.
In the latter days I will bring you against My Land, that the nations may know Me, when through you, O Gog, I will vindicate My holiness before their eyes. I (God) will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord God.
Every man's sword will be against his brother (God will turn this invading army against themselves).
22 With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.
23 So I will show My greatness and My holiness and make Myself known in the eyes of many nations.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
| Enoch: Parthia and Medes Invasion of Israel
Enoch - Book of Parables (2nd Parable)
“And in those days, the Angels will gather together, and will throw themselves towards the east, upon the Parthians (an ancient empire which included Iran-Persia which was founded by a Russian-Scythian) and Medes.
They will stir up the kings so that a disturbing spirit will come upon them, and they will drive them from their thrones; and they will come out like lions from their lairs, and like hungry wolves in the middle of their flocks.
56.6 And they will go up and trample on the Land of My Chosen Ones (Israel), and the land of My chosen ones will become before them a tramping-ground and a beaten track.
56.7 But the City of My Righteous Ones (Jerusalem) will be a hindrance to their horses, and they will stir up slaughter amongst themselves (God will turn this invading army against themselves), and their own right hand will be strong against them.
And a man will not admit to knowing his neighbor, or his brother, nor a son his father, or his mother, until, through their death, there are corpses enough; and their punishment - it will not be in vain. And in those days Sheol (Hell) will open its mouth and they will sink into it and their destruction; Sheol will swallow up the sinners in front of the faces of the Chosen."
57.1 And it came to pass, AFTER this that I sawanother host of chariots with men riding on them, and they came upon the wind from the east and from the west, to the south. (The prophecies of Armageddon in Revelation alsodescribe a global East-West-South gathering of the world's armies in Israel which many Bible scholars believe will take place sometime afterthe Iran-Russia invasion of Israel, which this passage may help confirm).
57.2 And the sound of the noise of their chariots was heard. And when this occurred the Holy Ones observed it from Heaven and the Pillars of the Earth were shaken from their foundations.
And the sound was heard from the ends of the Earth to the ends of Heaven throughout one day.
And all will fall down and worship the Lord of Spirits
And this is the end of the second parable."
Note: This parable takes us to the END (of this Age.)
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The Identity of "Magog - Scythia" . . .
Note: “One of the earliest references to Magog was by Hesiod, "the father of Greek didactic poetry," who identified Magog with the Scythians and southern Russia in the 7th century B.C."
Note: “Strabo (xi, 515) says the first Parthian (Arsaces) was a SCYTHIAN” (www.parthia.com)
From the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus Flavius . . .
A major source on ancient Jewish-Roman history is Josephus Flavius, a Jewish-Roman historian who wrote of the Roman wars and witnessed the Roman siege on Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Josephus identified Magog in his ancient writings as he wrote ... "Magog founded the Magogians, thus named after him, but who were by the Greekscalled 'Scythians.'" (Josephus, Antiquities, 1.123)
From the Wikipedia Encyclopedia - Scythia(Magog in Hebrew) comprised an area in Eurasia inhabited in ancient times by Iranian nomadic peoples, speaking Iranian languages and known as the Scythians or Scyths. The location and extent of Scythia varied over time, from the Altay Mountains region where Mongolia, China, Russia, and Kazakhstan come together, across southern Ukraine to the lower Danube river area, Bulgaria and Georgia. The Chinese knew the Saka (Asian Scythians) as Sai. The Scythians first appear in Assyrian annals as Ishkuzai, reported as pouring in from the north some time around 700 BC and settling in Ascania and modern Azerbaijan as far as to the southeast of Lake Urmia. Archaeological remains of the Scythians include elaborate tombs containing gold, silk, horses and human sacrifices. Mummification techniques and permafrost have aided in the relative preservation of some remains.
From 'Encyclopedia.com - Scythia (Magog in Hebrew), ancient region of Eurasia, extending from the Danube river on the west to the borders of China on the east. The Scythians flourished from the 8th to the 4th cent. BC They spoke an Indo-Iranian language but had no system of writing. They were nomadic conquerors and skilled horsemen. They seem to be related to the Saka, another nomadic tribe that roamed the steppes of central Asia at about the same time. The so-called Royal Scyths established a kingdom in the E Crimea before the 9th cent. BC They seem to have maintained themselves as a ruling class while others (probably native inhabitants) worked the grain fields. The Scythians are traditionally associated with the area between the Danube and the Don, but modern excavations in the Altai Mts., particularly at the site of Pazyryk, suggest that their origins were in Western Siberia (Russia) before they moved east into Southern Russia in the early 1st millennium BC. Scythian power was maintained in the 8th cent. BC in obscure warfare with the Cimmerians. In South Russia they were displaced (2nd or 1st century BC) by the related Sarmatians.
From Chuck Missler's 'Koinonia House' Research and Article - Magog-Scythia . . .
(http://www.khouse.org/articles/2002/427/)
We know the descendants of Magog by their Greek designation as the Scythians (depicted in their legends as descending from Scythes , the youngest of the three sons of Heracles, from sleeping with a half viper and half woman). The name Scythian designates a number of nomadic tribes from the Russian steppes, one group of which invaded the Near East in the 8th and 7th centuries B.C. After being repulsed from Media, many of the later Scyths settled in the fertile area of the Ukraine north of the Black Sea. Other related tribes occupied the area to the east of the Caspian Sea.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus (5th century B.C) describes them living in Scythia (i.e., the territory north of the Black Sea). He describes Scythia as a square, 20 days journey (360 miles) on a side. It encompassed the lower reaches of the Dniester, Bug, Dnieper, and Don Rivers where they flow into the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
The Scythian language belonged to the Iranian family of the Indo-European languages. The Ossetian dialect of central Caucasus appears to be a survivor. The original area in which Iranian was spoken extended from the mid-Volga and the Don regions to the northern Urals and beyond. From here, Iranian-speaking tribes colonizedMedia, Parthia, Persia, Central Asia, and as far as the Chinese border.
In the 7th century B.C. the Scythians swept across the area, displacing the Cimmerians from the steppes of the Ukraine east of Dnieper River, who fled from them across the Caucasus. It is provocative that even the name "Caucasus" appears to have been derived from Gog-hasan, or "Gog's Fort."
Have a hard time believing in God?
God says all the Bible prophecies we are now seeing being fulfilled are given both as a final warning sign to the world and as verifiable evidence and proof that He IS God ... and the Bible is His Word..
"For I AM God,
and there is NO OTHER.
I am GOD,
I am GOD,
and there is NONE like Me,
Declaring the End from the Beginning,
and from ancient times
things that are not yet done . . ."
(Isaiah 46:9-10)
Declaring the End from the Beginning,
and from ancient times
things that are not yet done . . ."
(Isaiah 46:9-10)
"Surely, the Lord God does nothing
unless He reveals His secret
to His servants the Prophets ..."
(Amos 3:7)
■ The "Rapture"
The Bible warns of a coming day when all who are found waiting in faith for Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach in Hebrew), will be removed from the Earth "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" . . .
What is this strange, bizarre, mysterious, Bible prophecy all about?
The Scriptures warn us Jesus-Yeshua, the promised Messiah, will return . . . twice:
First, "as a thief in the night" . . . for those who waited in faith
Second, "every eye shall see" . . . withthose who waited in faith
It might help to understand why God feels it will be important to remove this remnant (or 'body') of believers from the Earth in such a decisive and startling way. We find the Rapture is somewhat analogous to a loving Bridegroom yanking His young wife ('betrothed') off the railroad tracks just as the train goes thundering by. Prophet after prophet in the Bible warns us of a very specific period of time referred to by manynames, including the "The Day of the Lord's Wrath," "The Time of Israel's (Jacob's) Trouble," "the Great Tribulation," and the "Apocalypse" (which actually refers to the 'Revelation'), when God is going to "pour out" His wrath on a "morally corrupt" and "violent" generation who has turned its back against Him and His Word in arrogance and unbelief. We are also told all those who sincerely believe in Jesus-Yeshua, the promised Messiah, and humbly wait for Him in faith, are not "appointed" to this coming 'Apocalypse' which will one day engulf the whole world . . .
"And to wait for His Son from Heaven,
whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus (Yeshua),
who delivers us FROM the wrath to come."
(1 Thessalonians 1:10)
"For God did NOT appoint us (believing Christians) to wrath,
but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah),
who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with Him (in Heaven).
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another,
just as you also are doing."
(1 Thessalonians 5:9-11)
The actual word "rapture" is not found in most Bibles. The original Greek word "harpazo"which was translated "caught up" in many English translations could have been, or should have been translated, "to seize, to pluck away, or to take by force." The original Greek word "harpazo" was later translated in the Latin as "raeptius" or in some cases "rapturo". So, the term "rapture" comes from the Latin translation. There are two precedents in the Bible ... Enoch (the 7th from Adam in the book of Genesis) and the prophet Elijah were both taken ('raptured') before they died . . .
The "Rapture of the Church" is controversial. So, before we get started, please remember one important thing. Whether you believe the body of believers will be "snatched away" before the great and awesome Day of the Lord, or in the middle of it, or at the end of it, or if you just don’t know, doesn’t really matter. The only thing that matters is that you don’t get left behind. The door will be shut. This prophecy, or any prophecy, should not be a point of contention between believing Christians. However, it is an interesting prophecy. The belief expressed here is that the Lord will remove all those who sincerely believe in and trust in His Messiah (Jesus-Yeshua) from the Earth before the coming Apocalypse. Many of us also feel the generation which is alive today is the generation of the Rapture, and a worldwide body of faithful believers will be removed suddenly before the person or the identity of the coming Antichrist (a 'counterfeit' messiah) will be, or even can be, revealed. And since many feel this man (the coming Antichrist) is probably alive today, it is worth the time to look at some of the verses found in the Bible which directly, or indirectly refer to this strange, forceful, prophetic event which we simply call 'the Rapture' . . .
"Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
"For in the time of trouble ('Jacob's Trouble' ... the coming Apocalypse)
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
in the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me;
he shall set me high upon a rock."
(Psalm 27:5)
"Come, my people, enter your chambers,
and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
until the indignation (the great Tribulation) is past.
For behold, the LORD comes out of His place
to punish the inhabitants of the Earth for their iniquity (the coming Apocalypse);
the Earth will also disclose her blood,
and will no more cover her slain."
(Isaiah 26:20 - 21)
"Seek the LORD, all you meek of the Earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
in the day of the LORD'S anger."
(Zephaniah 2:3)
"Because you have kept My command to persevere,
I also will keep you from the hour of trial
which shall come upon the whole world,
to test those who dwell on the Earth."
"Behold, I come quickly!"
(Revelation 3:10-11)
"But of that day and hour no one knows,
no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."
(Matthew 24:36)
"Then two men will be in the field:
one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill:
one will be taken and the other left."
"Watch therefore, for you do not know
what hour your Lord is coming."
(Matthew 24:40-42)
"Therefore you also be ready,
for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
(Luke 12:40)
"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren,
you have no need that I should write to you.
For you yourselves know perfectly
that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night."
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-2)
Who will get "Raptured" and who will be left behind?
To simplify things, let’s divide all of the people in the world into four groups:
1. Those who sincerely believe and trust in Jesus-Yeshua, the promised Messiah - All those (both Jew and Gentile) who sincerely believe Jesus willingly and lovingly died on the Cross for all of our sins, and was buried, and then rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15). All those who have accepted Him as their Lord and 'Savior' (who saves us from our sins and from Hell) and now wait in faith.
2. Those who call themselves 'Christians,' but don’t really believe these things and have no real faith in Jesus, God, or the Bible. Those who have never willingly opened the door of their heart to invite Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, into their lives and accept Him as their Lord.
3. "The world." Those who do not believe, and who ridicule, scoff at, or despise those who do. Those who deny Jesus as Lord and willfully reject His loving offer of forgiveness ... and life in Heaven.
4. Israel. Those children of Israel who have not yet accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as their promised Messiah have a clear prophetic destiny. Watch Israel. Israel is God’s timepiece in Bible prophecy and all the prophecies of the coming 'Apocalypse' revolve around the tiny nation of Israel ... the onlynation God calls His own.
It appears that only those believers in Group 1 will be "Raptured," and thus safely removed and hidden before the coming Apocalypse. Many churches, pulpits, synagogues, and pews will still be filled. Many people will be left behind. The Bible warns of a coming world leader who will be revealed sometime soonafter the Rapture. This coming world leader has been given many names and titles in the Bible, both in the Old and the New Testaments ... one of his 'titles' is the 'Antichrist.' There are some who feel this coming world leader may even powerfully convince those who are left on Earth after the Rapture that this missing segment of global population was kidnapped or removed by a much different kind of alien "force."
When will the Rapture take place?
We do not know, and we are told that no man will ever know the day or the hour. However, there doesn’t appear to be anything left in prophecy that needs to be fulfilled before the Rapture can take place, so, it could easily happen any day . . .
"But of that day and hour NO ONE knows,
not even the angels of Heaven,
but My Father only.
(Matthew 24:36)
"WATCH therefore,
for you know neither the day nor the hour
in which the Son of Man is coming."
(Matthew 25:13)
The Lord says it could happen at any moment, "in the twinkling of an eye." He says it will happen at a time when the world will least expect it. We are told we should always be prepared by simply believing in Him and waiting for Him in faith. We are also taught we should help prepare others . . .
"Knowing this first:
that scoffers will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts,
and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?
For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue on
as they were from the beginning of creation.’"
(2 Peter 3:3-4)
Yet, God graciously answers those whosincerely ask, "Where IS the promise of His coming?" or, "It’s been 2000 years, why hasn’t He returned yet?"
"The Lord is not slack concerning His Promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering (patient) toward us, (Mankind ... both Jew and Gentile)
not willing that any should perish (in Hell)
but that all should come to repentance."
(2 Peter 3:9)
God is patient. We are told He has waited this long because He loves us and wants us to "repent," which simply means to turn away from sinful activities and turn back to Him and His ways, which are good. He is filled with patience, forgiveness, and mercy. He will protect and shelter all who will draw close to Him before the coming time of trouble. He warns us through prophecy so we will realize how perilously close we are to the end. He wants us to realize how far from Him and from His protection we have wandered, and to run back to Him as we sense the danger we are in.
Also remember, the Bible teaches us that to God "A thousand years is as one day"... (Psalm 90:4 ... 2 Peter 3:8). So, we are just entering into the "third day" since Messiah was sent forth to save sinners ... and God has patiently waited for the good news ("gospel") of His Son's victory over "sin" and "death" to be slowly carried into every nation around the world. And once Mankind has heard ... Mankind (whom He created) will be held responsible for either "embracing" or "rejecting" God's loving Gift of Grace, Forgiveness, and Eternal Life in Heaven through His Son.
After the Rapture . . . the door will then close.
A Warning: The Parable of the Ten Virgins . . .
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins,
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Those who were foolish took their lamps,
and took no oil with them,
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight a cry was heard,
‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’
But the wise answered, saying,
‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you;
but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came,
and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding;
and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virgins came also saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say to you, I do not know you.’
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour
in which the Son of man is coming."
(Matt 25:1-13)
Note: Throughout the Bible, certain symbols are used consistently as "idioms" or "types."
As both a parable and a prophecy, consider the following . . .
- The bridegroom in this parable/prophecy represents Jesus (Yeshua), the Messiah
- The 10 virgins represent those who call themselves Christians (believers in the Messiah)
- The oil represents the Holy Spirit. God promises the Holy Spirit to all who sincerely believe
What does "Born again" mean?
Nicodemus, a powerful Jewish religious leader (who we find later did believe and accept Jesus (Yeshua) as the promised Messiah) came secretly to speak with Jesus (Yeshua) one night . . .
"Jesus answered and said to him,
‘Most assuredly, I say to you,
UNLESS one is born again,
he CANNOT see the Kingdom of God.’
Nicodemus said to Him,
‘How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’
Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you,
UNLESS one is born of water AND the Spirit,
he CANNOT enter the Kingdom of God (Heaven).
That which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’"
(John 3:3-6)
We had no choice concerning our first birth ("of the flesh"), but to be born again of the Spirit and into the Kingdom of Heaven requires a conscious choice and decision on our part. The Bible says if we believe, sincerely and in faith, that Jesus ("the Son of God") lovingly and willingly shed His blood and died on the Cross for us (as God's "sacrificial Lamb" which takes away all our sins "once and for all"), was buried, then rose again the third day (through the awesome power of God), and sincerely (and lovingly) accept Him as our Lord, invite Him into our lives, and turn back to God (and turn awayfrom our sinful ways), then we are "born again" (and are called "a new creation"). This time, we are born of the Spirit and are told we will be "indwelt" by the Holy Spirit (which we can't see but the evidence is reflected in how our lives begin to change). This is God’s Word and His Promise. Then, even while facing the difficult tests and trials we will find in our earthly lives, we can rest knowing our eternal destiny is assured ... and since we now have the hope and promise of eternal life through our "second birth" (in Heaven) we no longer have to fear the "second death" (in Hell).
~ Bible Prophecy
~ Bible Prophecy
