Pre-Trib Rapture... A Golden Calf?

With all the talk of the "end times", I want to share some thoughts about a very contentious "theology" matter called the "pre-trib" rapture. As to the days so many call the "end days", only the good Lord knows all of HIS plan and its timing, yet people want to debate in favor of something not found in His word, the Scriptures.

So what is the debate...

Will there be a secret "pre-trib" rapture?

Proverbs tells us:

“The righteous shall never be removed: the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” Proverbs 10:30

To consider the plain and simple truth of this Proverb, let's look at a common thread throughout all of Scripture, it is the theme of resurrection and restoration on earth. Through all of the writings of the prophets God speaks of re-gathering His scattered people back unto Him in Jerusalem, His chosen city. I pray to be ready for that great journey. For more more on the great restoration declared by the prophets, you can read more at The Lost Sheep Scriptures.

Now as you might guess, I want share a view directly from my Scripture studies on the so-called pre-trib "rapture" debate. That means no views or opinions, unless established by words from Scripture. I am NOT trying to be critical of anyone, just imploring that we all need to reconsider the unchanging evidence of Scripture.

Before we start just consider this your own definition of tribulation.

Today, over 2.7 billion people live in 130 countries with an average GDP per capita of less than $10,000 per year. Of those, 100 nations live on $5,000 or less per year and 37 less than $1,000. There are 992,000,000 people or three times the population of the U.S. living on $1,000 or less per year and that will soon pass one billion! Further, there are only 34 nations with formal healthcare systems, that leaves 157 countries with no supported formal health system. There are 53 nations whose average lifespan is below 65 years of age, 40 are below 60 years of age and 18 nations have average lifespans below 50 years of age. Did you see that?

In just the last ten years 20 nations have been declared to be in famine. With these facts we have to reconsider that our geography should not define our perspective on Scripture nor our intrepretation of it. So, with that sobering warm up, let's get started.

God says He declares the end from the beginning and He means what He says. The key to understanding the end from the beginning is to understand God gives us His teaching and instruction for living because He loves us and He never changes His mind. He teaches us some very simple guidelines about how we are to live. It's the original message of the Deceiver to fall for the idea that God does not mean what He says or that He changes His mind. Don't listen to that message any longer.

So let's take a look at what Moses wrote for us about God's instruction:

"And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, "and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, "then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. "If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. "And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. "And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." Deuteronomy 30:1-6

Zephaniah has recorded some prophetic words of the fall festival of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, so let's look at that:

"Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord , is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. "I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. "Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. "At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the Lord." Zephaniah 3:14-20

Unless we choose to reject His word, Messiah Yeshua tells us plainly that He will gather the saints together “immediately after the tribulation of those days” Matthew 24:29 His great prayer in the book of John 17:14-19 is just as direct and straightforward:

"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."

"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."

“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just." Matthew 13:49

This is done with a threshing board.

Let's read Paul's summary of the teaching and instruction of God that are found throughout the whole of Scripture and consider what the Apostle actually says:

"The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Now look at Paul's second letter to the assembly of the believing Thessalonians. Let's consider the term known to many as the "apostasy". Why? I am concerned for those that might put the faith into a "secret" rapture to "heaven" to save them from tribulation. The concern is simple: what if Messiah's words are as plainly truthful as they are spoken? Then what?

With this Scriptural preface, consider what Paul really said in his warning about the return of the Messiah:

"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." 2Thessalonians 2:3-4

We are to preach the word.. reprove, rebuke, and exhort! That is why I am writing this today. To get right to it, if one puts their faith on a "secret", undisclosed pre-trib imminent rapture - they may lose there faith and fall away if their hidden escape is not a part of God's eternal unchanging plan. For starters, Messiah said he will resurrect on the "last day", not on some super secret "pre-trib" day. If you are still with me, please consider that this whole "doctrine" may be related to the lesson of the "golden calf" story and I'd like to show you why that is possible.

First of all, we need to consider something radical in many circles - that the Israelites thought that they were worshipping God in a proper manner when they made the Golden Calf. They thought they were honoring God. The thing is, despite the fact God had jst told them no to make an image and worship it, they were not following His voice, His instruction.

Are you?

While discussing my firm belief in Scripture and Messiah's words on this matter, recently I was told "I'd rather believe Paul than Jesus."

But we need to listen to His voice. After all, Jesus plainly says "after the tribulation of those days shall the sign of the son of Man appear". In my heart of hearts, I pray this person did not mean that. I hope the feelings expressed were only... I hope for a pre-trib rapture because I want to be able to escape and trouble and fly up, up and away in an escape cloud before things get tough.

But our Messiah and Savior said:

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40

God tells us over and over what we are to do before He returns: "return to me and I will return to you." Simply put, God gives us our assignment and job #1: REPENT and demonstrate our love for Him by following His teaching and instruction!

The key to misunderstanding "the tribulation" is that we must know it is for the Children of God. If you are a parent you can understand this kind of love because you have certainly corrected your child out of your parental love emploring them to come under your authority and guidance. If you did not, what kind of parent would you be?

Don't take my word for it. Check this out for yourself.

Jeremiah quotes The Lord:

"'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart." Jeremiah 24:7

Zechariah confirms this:

"Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 1:3

Malachi gives a third witness to this prophetic instruction:

"From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept {them.} Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts." Malachi 3:7

But you might say, "How shall we return?" Malachi writes the answer that God gives him:

"Remember the Torah of Moses My servant, {even the} statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to {their} children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." Malachi 4:4-6

As to Jesus' leaving the visible realm of Earth, Hosea prophesied of His and His delayed return from heaven and the purpose of Tribulation:

"I will go away {and} return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their afflictionthey will earnestly seek Me. Hosea 5:15

Believe it or not Hosea also records the time frame for His return as two thousand years when he writes:

"Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn {us,} but He will heal us; He has wounded {us,} but He will bandage us. "He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. Hosea 6:1-2

Folks, in Biblical time two days is 2,000 years.

Matthew recorded Yeshua's words as The Lord described the time of His own return to His disciples:

Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

"But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. "And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other." Matthew 24:29-31

Revelation tells us of seven trumpets, so if the elect are to be restored and gathered into the Kingdom at the last Trumpet, don't you think they will be around for the first six?

Perhaps we should consider that those messengers, those "angels" that are to be sent forth may very well be the 144,000 described by John in Revelation 7.

Jeremiah also recorded the words he heard from The Lord on the regathering of His people:

"Behold, I am bringing them from the north country, And I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and she who is in labor with child, together; A great company, they will return here. Jeremiah 31:8

Both of Jeremiah 30 and Jeremiah 31 give an amazing story that The Lord told the prophet to write down for all believers. I encourage you to read it and study it.

The writer of Acts quotes the ancient Scriptures telling us The Lord will return and restore:

"And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago." Acts 15:16-18

Zechariah gives us an amazing look into the future that has not been fulfilled, in Zechariah 8, the prophet describes this:

""Thus says the LORD, 'I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts {will be called} the Holy Mountain.'"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each man with his staff in his hand because of age. 'And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets.'... "'So many peoples and mighty nations will come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.'" Zechariah 8:3-5

Job concurs:

For I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth Job 19:25

Now, back to the golden calf story... Remember God declares the End from The Beginning Isaiah 41:22.

The whole Exodus story, from the plagues - to the Golden Calf error, can really seem bizarre if we don't look back at Egyptian religious history and its mythology. Remember when Pharaoh told Moses he did not know his God and then Pharaoh consulted his mystics? He did this because they had so many gods, perhaps the Pharaoh could not keep up with all of their names!

As to the golden calf, the Egyptian people worshiped Hathor. But get this... Hathor was a cow, a corruption of the truth!

The deceiver does that for a living. He takes YHVH's truth, twists it and corrupts it so that we become corrupted. The reuslt we cannot draw near to God.

The truth is, in the ancient Paleo pictographic script, the first letter of the Hebrew alephbet is the Aleph. It means "strength" and as it stands alone, the letter represents God, in Hebrew Elohim. The corruption of this meaning is how ancient Egypt's pagans ended up with Hathor.

Hathor's counterpart was Apis the bull god. It seems then that the people, including Moses brother Aaron, that insisted on making the Golden Calf did so because of their background of living within Egyptian culture for hundreds of years and their perhaps innocent but misguided symbol of strength that came from Egypt. But we must know that "God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace... 1Corinthians 14:33

Their mistaken reference for proper worship was far from God's instruction. I do not think for a minute that the Exodus family was trying to worship Hathor or Apis, instead they were "trying" to honor God, but they were doing so in the wrong way, they had not heeded the simple instruction He had given them from the top of the mountain, "make no idols or graven image". They were not "doing" His word. Rather than drawing closer to Him, like Adam they brought on their own penalty for sin.

They certainly knew that God was real and that He had saved them! They had just walked out of Egypt, out of slavery, oppression and tribulation into a camp that had God's literal presence! Exodus 19:6 tells us that they had just received the blessing that they would become Kingdom priests serving near to God and witnessing to the nations. But because of their disobedience and breaking the convenant in which they promised to do all the instruction of God the firstborn sons of Israel lost their great blessing and it was given to the tribe of Levi only to be Priests.

All Israel had just been a part of the first three of the ten plagues of Egypt and they had witnessed seven others directed against their Egyptian oppressors. After their baptism (in Hebrew - mikveh) through the parting of the sea, they saw the column of smoke and the fire on the mountain top, they even heard God's trumpet and the thunder of His mighty voice.

Do you remember what the people were doing when Moses returned from the mountain? They were dancing, celebrating!

Well believe it or not, "Hathor" was also the goddess of music and "dance". Depictions of her are found literally everywhere in the Egyptian writings and inscriptions that are still around for us to see today. Just "Google" the name and click on the "Images" link to see for yourself. Hathor was the queen of Horus, she was the false mother-goddess of the whole world in Egyptian mythology. "Horus" is also seen in many Egyptian inscriptions in the form of a falcon-headed man, but he is also shown in other depictions as a lion with the head of a falcon, or you may have guessed - a sphinx!

Many say the eye of Horus is found on every dollar bill, its the eye above the pyramid, I know this is really weird but just take a look for yourself at the dollar sitting in your wallet or purse.

God sent His hail and destroyed the crops and cattle of Egypt and the other plagues to show the Egyptian people that He alone is GOD and greater than any false god or idol made by man. By this plague, their false god Seth, "the protector of crops" was shown to be nothing and have no protective powers at all.

It seems crazy but if you dig deep into Egyptian mythology you will see there were many other false gods our Creator destroyed in Egypt, and He will do it again just as He has now begun to crumble our false gods of money and wealth. If you just think about the United States is truly one nation under debt. The same is true for all that worship the almighty dollar, the Euro or any other currency for that matter. He will be doing the same with our false beliefs that we are a god choosing to abort life without recompense, that homosexuality is a lifestyle or that Bible study or public prayer is a crime.

Consider this about the plagues:

God provided His staff to Moses so that it could devour Pharaoh's snakes. That seems very odd when you think about it with not other context right? Well, the snake gods of Egypt were Denwen and Wadjet. Yes they had names.

You many have wondered, what's the deal with all the frogs? God sent the frog plague to prove that Heqet the Egyptian frog goddess was a joke.

Remember, there was no bug repellant in those days. The Nile mosquitoes must have been everywhere. Perhaps you can now imagine why frogs were sacred to the Egyptians. Think about malaria for a moment. If anyone in Egypt killed a frog the penalty was a death sentence, but the slavery and imprisonment of the people Israel was not a crime in this land.

The plague of gnats was an attack on Geb, the Egyptian god of earth and vegetation. The plague of flies was against Khepfi, the god of insects. God sent the locusts to prove Renenutet the goddess of the harvest was a goddess of nothing and this plague also mocked Isis, protector against locusts, and Seth, protector of crops.

God soured the water and turned it to blood to prove Hapi the god of the Nile river, Naunet the water god, Heryshef the riverbank goddess and Hatmehyt the fish goddess simply did not exist. In fact, the Nile river was full of different gods, there was even a crocodile god named Sobek. They were all destroyed literally and in the hearts and minds of every Egyptian. That's why you may have never heard of them befor now.

The hail storm was an attack on Nut, the sky goddess. The boils were an attack on Imhotep the god of medicine and wisdom.

YHVH, the holy One of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob covered Egypt in darkness to show that Ra, Montu and Aten the solar gods and Nefertem the god of sunrise had no power whatsoever. Finally, He sent His own angel destroyer who killed the firstborn of Egypt to prove beyond a doubt in any Egyptian mind that Osiris, the god of the dead and Apep the destroyer god were nothing but false gods.

On top of that He saved Israel with the blood of a lamb. In Egypt, a lamb was sacred. Sheep were also considered a pagan god of the Egyptians, the ram headed false god Amun.

It is also very important and critical to understand that many of these same false gods later "morphed" into the pagan gods of the mythologies of Greece and Rome. But they all began in ancient Babylon and they existed in Assyria too. So, as you can now see, the real purpose of the plagues was to destroy the false gods and idols of Egypt and to show the Egyptians that their gods did not exist! This is very significant and important to understand. Pharaoh told Moses he did not know his God YHVH, but God told Moses:

"The Egyptians shall know that I am YHVH, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them." Exodus 18:11

Indeed, false worship was the first thing God spoke about on the mountain in the wilderness at Sinai when He spoke from the quaking mountain covered with fire and smoke when He declared the first words to the people of Israel and the sojourners that were among them. They became very afraid when they heard His voice when He said:

"You shall have no other gods before Me."

No gods, no idols... in other words, we are to solely rely on The Lord for our salvation, He alone is God, our creator. He alone provides our salvation through His grace.

Moses' father-in-law only came to understand this after he heard of all that had happened to the Israelites. Why else would he say:

"Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people." This is recorded by Moses in Exodus 18:10-11.

This is a message for us today. I know that God will again deal with false gods. Today, they are many of the same false gods that existed in Moses' day, they just have new and different names. Millions of people in India still worship cows right? God will do the same again to those that worship the false gods now called Allah, Buda, the Hindu gods, Confucius and so on.

Today, we need to make sure that we are following the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We must make sure our faith is in the Messiah of Israel and His word. Let's not get confused, instead let's look at His words to see just what did He say:

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Mark 13:24-27

Many fine and wonderful people have one understanding of what many call the rapture and that has been the pre-trib view. It may be distressing to learn that Jesus - Yeshua clearly and plainly teaches a post-trib regathering of His elect. Sometimes the truth is tough, but we all know it is always best to know the truth. The elect living in the final generation will have to face great persecution and hardship like fire refining silver or gold. I fear many will fall away relying on a rapture ride (please see Matthew 24:9, 10 and 2Thessalonians 2:3).

Don't confuse trouble, tribulation with God's coming destructive wrath. They are NOT the same. The Hebrews knew the first three plagues but they were not subject to the big seven.

Trust God's word, the elect will receive correction in tribulation, God will eliminate all false gods and those that will be delivered from the wrath of God will have done so with a repentant heart walking in God's instruction, after all that is what "salvation" is all about. Once again - the tribulation is NOT the wrath of God.

Consider this, the Israelites were there in Egypt among the Egyptians and all the plagues against them and their false gods, yet because they believed and followed the instructions given to Moses, they were saved from the angel of death. In fact, they were saved by the blood of a Passover Lamb!

Once again the key is: they followed the instruction of God and they survived three events of tribulation and witnessed the seven terrible plagues against the Egyptians. So, by now you may be asking, are you nuts, what does this have to do with a "pre-trib" rapture?

Please don't take this wrong... it is not meant as an insult or to offend anyone, but if you consider yourself as one of "His people", perhaps you are one of the "last generation" before His return. You are here now for a reason and if you are looking to a "secret rapture" as your "blessed" hope, if you a looking to an "escape hatch" flight for your salvation, then you will want to ask yourself an extremely tough question:

Has that secret rapture in itself, somehow become much like the Golden Calf of the Exodus in your life?

Perhaps it has if you have put your faith, your theology, a part of your worship into a super secret "event" rather than the plain words of Almighty God YHVH. We must be very careful and not allow a "pre trib rapture" to innocently but unwittingly morph into a kind of false hope, a Golden parachute.... I mean "idol". Listen to God.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven... Exodus 20:4

I am very concerned that many professing Christians and pastors talk and teach about a "secret rapture", an event and time when planes and trains crash because people, are whisked away. It seems there is more conversation and that there are more sermons on this top secret than there are about what God instructs us plainly on what WE MUST DO BEFORE He will return to rule as King on earth from Jerusalem. We are to repent, return to His word.

Words are important in Scripture. One of them is the "cloud" noted by Paul:

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." 1Thessalonians 4:16-17

Since so many put their faith in the "cloud" Paul wrote of let's look closer. The "cloud" was there before the first exodus "crowd", the Hebrew people of the tribes of Israel and the sojourners and strangers with them that were being led to the mountain after the tribulation events of Egypt.

If you have not heard this before, you can do your own research. Just open you Bible, read the verses and then open a concordance and you will find the Greek word translated as cloud is actually "nephelē" which according to the Strong's Lexicon means "used of the cloud which led the Israelites in the wilderness".

But do not take my word for it for a minute, look it up for yourself!

Remember - God declares the end from the beginning. So let's look at the beginning when Scripture tells us of this glory "cloud". It is the Hebrew word `anan עָנָן.

Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people.

Now let's consider the concept of a "secret" rapture. Except to those that ignore God's word, there was certainly nothing secret about the "great exodus" from Egypt as the people Israel followed God's cloud, the Shekinah Glory and there was nothing secret about destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. We need to learn from these as we consider the future "greater exodus". You've heard it here before, God's word is clear as He declared the end from the beginning:

Isaiah 41:22 Let them bring [them] forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they [be], that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

The is certain nothing secret about the second coming. Paul said so himself. Just reread the words with some bold emphasis:

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, 1) with a loud command, 2) with the voice of the archangel and 3) with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, 4) we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." 1Thessalonians 4:16-17

Does the numbering help you see the truth? ...we who are still alive and are left... Oops, did you see that? "we who are still alive and left..." whoa Paul must not understand the pre-trib popular "left behind" teaching of today. If he did he certainly would have never said "we who are still alive and left..."

If you want to understand the end, you have to know the beginning. We have to understand the Fall Feasts to possess wisdom of God's future plans, otherwise it is easy to become confused by the doctrines of men.

Ladies and Gentlemen, God does not change so there are some things we need to know. Scripture says there are two resurrections: 1) the first resurrection occurs after the "tribulation" and 2) the second occurs after the millennium before the judgement and restoration of the New Heaven and Earth. Clearly, there are two resurrection events plainly stated in Scripture.

# 1 - Resurrection after tribulation for those killed for the witness of Messiah and His word during that time...

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 Yeshua (Jesus), and for the word of God (Bible), and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years. Revelation 20:4

#2 - A second resurrection after the millennium and the day of God's wrath and His Yom Kippur white throne judgement...

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection. Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:5-6

When the old passes away God promises to restore His creation and mankind to the intended state of glory that existed in Eden:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:1-7

It is at this new beginning... after the days of the old earth, after the days of death from sin that God will do a new thing as He promised to Jeremiah. a day when each person will personally know the face of God and sin no more:

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:33-34

God gives us a simple instruction, we are to return to Him just as He told Malachi and other prophets. I pray I have not gone overboard but I just do not think we should really ever define ourselves as to our faith based on a "secret" rapture, but only on God, who is sovereign.

Paul is describing the "falling away" of a generation that would lose faith "during tribulation". Is this because they were relying on a "pre-trib rapture" instead of witnessing for God through tribulation? Many say that the "falling away" is supposed to take place after the "rapture". Well let's think about that one... if the apostasy is supposed to take place after the pre-trib rapture, then who in the world are those here on earth that are to "fall away" from faith if in fact, all the people of "faith" supposedly got raptured away in the first place?

May God bless you as you consider this and the historic truth of the golden calf, the plagues of Egypt and the Exodus. Remember, never forget our Creator's first command from Mt. Sinai: We are to have NO other gods before Him! We are to go through the wilderness with Him. There is no shortcut to the promised land! When Israel came out of Egypt "God led them not [through] the way of the land of the Philistines, although that [was] near" instead "God led the people about, [through] the way of the wilderness".

At the end of the day, you must base your faith on God's word, search these matters out for yourself in the Scriptures and heed the advice of the Apostle Peter:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." 1Peter 4:12-14

Carefully, reconsider Paul's words:

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. or the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2Thessalonians 2:1-12

Also Peter's:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Messiah, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." 1 Peter 4:12-14

And Hosea's:

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Hosea 5:15

Remember, He declares the end from the beginning... This "latter days" tribulation was first prophesied by Moses:

"But from there you will seek YHVH your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to YHVH your God and obey his voice." Deuteronomy 4:29-30

It is very difficult to say, and harder to consider but tribulation has its role in the plan of God in the future just as it did in Egypt.

Our creator God knows our human nature, our reactions and responses. We were given of small hint of this during 9/11. Do your remember the core response? Exactly one year after the horrific event, these excerpts from a Fox News report give us the clue:

"A surge of spirituality occurred as Americans examined just how fragile life was and evaluated what was really important. Answers were hard to come by in the months that followed the attacks, and many sought solace in a higher power.

After 9/11 we had 20-some odd thousand people show up," said Senior Pastor Ed Young. "The largest crowd in the history of Fellowship Church and when I walked on stage I looked around and said, 'Where have you guys been? It takes something like this for you to show up to church?'

Young attributes the initial attendance spike to human nature. "I think when we are riddled with fear, when things fall apart around us especially when we are struck at the heart of who we are, people suddenly respond and they're turning to God and asking those deep questions in an even deeper way," he said.

"When things are going bad we want to turn to God and want to get right with him and we want to attend to church," Young said. "When things level out we tend to forget the most important things and drift away.""

There is an eternal promise:

"For YHVH your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore Deuteronomy 4:31

As to understanding the timing of His coming we need to be a watchman and not asleep thinking he will come as a thief in the night. He only comes in that manner to those that are asleep, not watching and not paying attention to His word.

Did you know that there were 24 watch stations at the Temple?

The captain of the watch would make his rounds each night. The watchmen were to rise up before him. If they did not, the captain would call out, “Peace be unto you!” If the watchman did not rise, the captain knew the watchman was asleep. He would then rap the sleeping watchman with his rod or even light his coverings on fire. The captain of the Temple watch was called the "thief in the night"!

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians give us the context of the night watch in the Temple and it presents the deeper meaning:

"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. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

The captain of the priestly guard came as a "thief" in the night to those watchmen who had fallen asleep in The Temple. The Lord’s coming will come as a thief in the night to those who have fallen asleep on their watch today. But to those who are standing vigilant in their watch, that day will not come as the thief in the night. Yeshua’s words of revelation to the assembly in Sardis is that He will come as a thief in the night if they don’t wake up and stand their watch.

"Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." Revelation 3:3

We are to be watchmen so that His arrival does not come upon us as the thief in the night.

"Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you." Revelation 3:3

"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15

Beware of preconceived ideas, the earth is not flat.

Just go by the Scriptures themselves and let the Spirit of God speak to you as He declares the end from the beginning and you will see the clarity of His Word.

Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them...

In the beginning, the first lie was spoken to mankind by the great deceiver. Don't fall for it now: "Ye Shall Not Surely Die". Instead, may our knowledge increase:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:2-4

Perhaps, like me you too have had a "Holy Cow!" moment just like I did during my Scripture studies. That's the kind of moment when the basic assumptions that form the "solid" cornerstones of our life suddenly crumble like dry clay and the words of Jeremiah seem to come alive:

An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes? Jeremiah 5:31

I shared this story of the Golden Calf because I know that it was written for our teaching and instruction today. In fact, the entire story of the first Exodus is a shadow story of the Greater Exodus in the latter days and the return to the Kingdom. All the themes of Exodus match those we see in Revelation. If you want to really understand Revelation you have to study Exodus.

Human nature has not changed. We must be careful. We must consider that false teachings, false hopes, false worship can make us stumble just before His Second Coming. The mistake made 3,500 years ago at Sinai was repeated by religious men 2,000 years ago.

The Sadducees and the Pharisees made a similiar mistake. They were the religious leaders and teachers that taught based on their own doctrines, traditions and intrepretations concerning the coming of the Messiah and His purpose. They knew He was coming, they knew the time was right and they were all waiting for His appearance. But when He came they did not recognize His teaching or His mission so they could not see Him for "Who" He really was.

In fact, the teaching of a Pre-Trib rapture is a parallel to the story of the Golden Calf and the Sadducees and the Pharisees, both stories of misguided worship and misguided religious doctrine. We need to beware, if we put our trust in a Pre-Trib rapture and believe we will disappear from the earth and escape to the clouds of an ethereal heaven without experiencing the triumph of the Tribulation we will miss our purpose. We will miss our chance for true worship and faith, a time time when God's people are participate in God's victory battle to crush Satan's dominion here on earth.

You see, the problem is if you miss the tribulation you will miss the victory.

Throughout the Scriptures, God's people are only prepared after a time of testing but believers today are not different than those leaving Egypt and crossing the wilderness. They want to escape the wilderness experience and go straight into the Promised Land. But God's pattern of salvation and victory does not work that way.

Without question, the last generation that is in exile from the Kingdom will undergo great testing, undergo trials and tribulation. There is no other way to enter into the Millennial Kingdom of Messiah.

As Paul teaches in Romans chapter 11, we as "Believers" are grafted into the olive tree, representing the family of God.

It is very hard to understand, but must think of the purpose of the fruit of the olive tree in Scripture and it brought to focus some explanation for suffering and for tribulation. Issues which are so very hard to grasp, understand and accept.

The fruit of tree’s branches, the olive is used for two purposes in His Word: the oil is used for “anointing” and for a “light”, to the Menorah.

But it is only to be used for those holy, set apart purposes if the fruit is “pure” and “beaten”.

“And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” Exodus 27:20

The words pure and beaten here are transliterated as “kathiyth”. It is the Hebrew word God chose to use in Exodus 27 while speaking to Moses.

I found that in Hebrew it is כָּתִית and is found in 1) Exodus 27:20; 2) Exodus 29:40; 3) Leviticus 24:2; 4) Numbers 28:5 and 5) 1Kings 5.

It is no coincidence God uses this word seven times in five Scripture verses. I think it is very interesting, amazing that the word “beaten” occurs in the KJV version forty times. Seven is the perfect number, five represent the five books of Moses, forty represent trial.

Paul wrote to those scattered from the Promised Land in Rome:

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: If we indeed are to be used for His purposes, like Him we must also suffer…. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:16-18

It's our job to battle darkness with light, that's why Paul implored that you must keep alert and wear the Armor of God in the day of evil:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:10-18

Don't be afraid to go up and possess the Promised Land or you will be left out to die in the wilderness. The battles of Israel are you future - put on your armor and keep His commandments and let us pray that we may come to the wisdom of God's book of life so that our understanding shall increase greatly:

“At that time, Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people: And there shall be a Time of Trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered everyone who is found written in the book of Life. Daniel 12:1

After this time, just as the disciples received the Spirit at Pentecost, we will receive a great promise, the New Covenant, a promise from God that we will ALL learn His teaching and instruction intimately and directly from Him as He teaches His Torah in the Millenium and we learn face to face just as Moses, the disciples and the men on the seven mile road to Emmaus did:

“The time is coming, declares The Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares The Lord.

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares The Lord. I will put my Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know The Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares The Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares The Lord. I will put my Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know The Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares The Lord. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. Jeremiah 31:38

It is a difficult book, but read Revelation and study Exodus. Be like the noble Bereans, search the Scriptures for truth.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

I pray you will consider reading more on this website. It is all about unlearning things that I was taught that are not correct, not in line with God's unchanging word and learning the truth of God's word. Don't misunderstand me I am very thankful and appreciate those that have taught me along my walk trhough life but at the end of the day it is critical to rely on the unchanging word of God and not the doctrine of men. Study His Word and Do It and understand that which really is Messiah's Bible, the Hebrew Scriptures that Jesus taught from.

I'd like to recommend you take a look at these postings: The Three Fall Feasts of The Lord and also The Lost Sheep Scriptures.

This great Proverb is worth reading:

The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the LORD [is] strength to the upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Proverbs 10:27-30

Tony Robinson of Restoration of Torah Ministries teaches from the Hebraic understanding of several scriptures as to why we want to be "left behind" in two excellent studies entitled: A Pre-Trib Rapture? and The Torah and the Rapture.

Whatever the future holds get ready for the hard times in front of us by returning to the faith of the disciples and the Covenant established by the teaching of God's instruction, The Torah.

And remember, there is no secret Trumpet, the Shofar of God will be heard by all because there is a very deep reason that a time of testing and persecution will come on those that believe and trust in Messiah to fulfill Covenant and walk after Him. This is the mark and endurance of His people that distinguishes them as bondservant workmen of God set apart from the rest of the world.

Don't be fooled by those that think the instruction and teaching of God (the law) was hung on the cross. Just read Micah or Isaiah as they both say the same thing. This is written twice by two witnesses in God's word because it is important, really important to God, so it is important for you!

"In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law {Torah} will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." Micah 4:1-2

"In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law {Torah} will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." Isaiah 2:2-3

During the millenium, the Torah will go out to the world from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as Messiah teaches us His ways so we may walk in them. There's no need to wait. You can start now. Don't listen to those that say His law is bondage, its been hung on the cross. If that is your view of then the time spent hearing and learning from the God of Jacob for a thousand years may disappoint you much like missing the pre-trib rapture.

If that is the case, you have to ask yourself the very hard question - could the apostasy be talking of you??

After all, even the sacrifices will return to Jerusalem with Messiah. Just read the evidence found in Ezekiel 40-48, Isaiah 56:6-8, Zechariah 14:16 and Jeremiah 33:15-18.

It's not too late to change your heart if you want to believe and do the whole word of God. Remember, Messiah suffered as the "Son of Man" and His suffering and death were known before the foundation of the world was ever set. Only by temptation and suffering while maintaining obedience to the Word of God and the teaching and instruction of God, His Torah, did Messiah truly demonstrate love as well as obedience to the Covenant which He gave as the Creator. Through this glory as the word of God, He was resurrected and quickened into the new physical realm of immortal life. So too, you and I will be tested in His covenant as to whether we will choose to be like Him and walk in God's path of obedience while enduring suffering for His name.

It is really simple. If we choose His path we will be following Him.

The trials, tribulation and endurance of the elect are all shown to us in the so-called Old Testament, otherwise known as the Tanach which as Jesus said include Moses, the prophets and the writings. Most of the writings are the Psalms which are dedicated to the tribulation saints. Just read Psalms 44 as well as Psalms 37, Psalms 69, Psalms 71, Psalms 109, Psalms 119, Psalms 142 and Psalms 102 in which we can see described within the ancient words the ovens of the Holocaust of World War II:

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth." Psalm 102:1-3

This walk in obedience to God's teaching, His Torah is NOT our salvation as one's personal salvation has never been dependent on the works of the law for no man - whether Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or Moses. Salvation is by the grace and mercy of God alone.

Only Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) Himself has been able to abide perfectly in all the teaching and instruction, the commandments of YHVH.

Yet we are not condemned to be a false witness as His people because the dilemma is solved by God Himself - the Creator became the seed of Abraham of the tribe of King David meeting all requirements for the eternal inheritance to anyone that seeks to have their transgressions atoned and covered by His blood and taken away by the pardon of debt that only He can freely give. Mercy and grace from Messiah who came in the authority and name of God YHVH alone can give redeemption as all Scriptures show, both old and new. Yet walking in faith through trial proves our love for YHVH, the One that gives eternal life and brings us nearer to Him as we walk in His path.

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Isaiah 2:5

Let's look at First Thessalonians, it is the elect, those like the martyr Stephen that have chosen to drink from His Passover Cup and eat the bread to stand in firey baptism to follow Him through tribulation. Revelation 20 plainly tells us that it is the elect in tribulation who lose their life 1) for the witness of Yeshua, and 2) for the word of God who will rise in the first resurrection, quickened by God. Indeed, if we just consider that there would be no need for this promise of resurrection after tribulation if the elect simply remained alive and were all raptured away before the sword of trouble.

Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

It is time to trust in His name, call on Him, repent and ask for His personal pardon so that you may receive all of His eternal covenant promises, then walk in His instruction in thanksgiving and demonstration of your love for Him so that you will be blessed and overcome adversity. In that walk, all people will see that you are called by His name, chosen by God to join the family as children of God that have received the gift of salvation, the family He calls has always called "Israel".