by Bruce Baber
Science teaches us that there are many things that our senses cannot detect in the natural world. There are ultraviolet and infrared bands of light which our eyes cannot see. There are both sounds and scents that we are not equipped to hear or smell. But, just because we cannot perceive these things in the natural world, it does not mean they do not exist. Who hasn't observed that a dog hears sounds we cannot, or picks up a scent that to us is undetectable?
God, who is the Creator of the natural world, operates in the spiritual realm occording to the same principles. Hidden in the Bible, God's inspired word, there are a great many mysteries which can pass undetected. However, because they are hidden, it is by no means true that they cannot be found. The Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher. In John 14:26, The Amplified Bible says,
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby) the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name (in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf), He will teach you all things...
As far as I can determine, there are three ways that the Bible instructs us. There are prophecies (both plainly recognized and veiled). There are teachings (both plainly spoken and veiled). There are instances of symbolic foreshadowing (both plainly perceived and veiled). It is the Holy Spirit which lifts the veil in all these cases. So, just as there are colors our eyes can't see; pitches our ears can't hear; scents our noses can't detect, there are spiritual truths which we must have assistance to discover.
While we are searching the scriptures for these things which are hidden, we must be very careful. Remember this important truth. If you come across something that you believe is a veiled or hidden subject, it must always be verified by prophecy, teachings and symbolic foreshadowing, all three.
Let's take a look at a case of foreshadowing, or symbolism. When the Jews were slaves in Egypt, Moses instructed them to take the blood of a lamb and mark the thresholds of their doors with its blood. When the angel of death came, the Jews were spared while the firstborn of all the Egyptians died in a single night. The Jews celebrate this event as Passover. Yet, we Christians accept this as an instance of foreshadowing Jesus' death and provision of salvation. As we know, this is indeed a case where foreshadowing is born out by both teachings and prophecies. All three support the truth. All three work together.
I was in the delivery room with my wife when both of our children were born. I remember how anxious and excited I was as a proud, expectant father. Both Suzanne and I were so relieved and happy when the doctor announced, "I can see the head!" In the moments that followed, there was a body and last, those two tiny feet. Our joy was fulfilled when we saw each of our children born whole and complete into this world.
Of course, the joy we felt cannot equal God's joy with the birth of His church. After all, He had waited and planned for it for so long! Is the analogy accurate? Is the comparison of a baby's birth to the church's birth a fair comparison to make? Absolutely! The church is the Body of Christ and He is the head. The Bible states this in a number of passages quite clearly. See Ephesians 4:12 and 5:23.
Knowing that we are part of the body of Christ, we may also find it interesting to go back and read Psalm 139. It certainly speaks about how God formed us in the womb and knew us before we were born as individuals into this world. However, when we view this Psalm in terms of the birth of the church as Christ's body, it takes on both a very symbolic and prophetic meaning.
In fact, there are many places in the Bible that hint at what was to become the future birth of the church. But, once we begin to focus on the birth of the church and begin to think in those terms, we are left with a very obvious conclusion. If the church is born into this world like a baby, with first the head (Christ) appearing, followed in succession by the other parts of the body, then the end-time church would naturally have to be the feet. We, the end-time church, are the feet of the Body of Christ! This fact is important. It allows us to see if God has foreshadowed any events which relate to this part of the church. Now that we know how to look for it, we find that the Bible has a great deal to tell us!
It seems staggering to me that so much has been written on the two feet of the image which appears in Nebuchadnezzar's dream which is found in the book of Daniel. Volumes and volumes! Daniel, himself, tells us that the feet of the statue represent the end-time empire. We know this is the revived Roman Empire. Much has been said in books, sermons, lectures and discussions about the feet of the statue. If the Bible gives us so much to go on regarding the feet of the image in the book of Daniel, isn't it possible that the Bible would give us at least as much detail about the end-time church? In fact, it gives us a great amount.
All the way back in Genesis 3:15, we find a veiled reference relating to a foot, or heel, which will be injured by Satan. Practically everyone agrees that this is a reference to the crucifixion of Christ. So do I. Jesus' feet were pierced whan He was crucified. Genesis 3:15 certainly does symbolize the crucifixion event. However, it is also a veiled foreshadowing of an event which pertains to the end-time church. How do I know this? because the Bible doesn't make mistakes. Genesis 3:15 clearly says heel (singular). It does not say heels (plural). During the crucifixion, both of Jesus' feet were pierced. I am utterly convinced that when God was speaking in Genesis 3:15, He was at the same time making a veiled prophecy about the end-time church!
Just as the statue in Daniel has two feet which represent the end-time world power, so the end-time church is represented by two feet, one of which will be bruised, or persecuted by Satan! God says that one heel will be bruised, not two. What happens to the other foot? The answer is simple. One part of the church (one foot) will have gone in the Rapture! It was the front foot.
I remember something that happened to me when I was a young boy. I was fishing with some older boys at a pond. Sunning itself beside the water's edge was a poisonous copperhead snake. I didn't see it. I stepped right on top of it. The moment it moved under my foot, I saw it and jumped. That snake was mad! It came after me. Thankfully, my friends were there to chase it away with their fishing poles. But, had that snake caught me, it would surely have bitten me on the back of my heel. I was running from it. My heel was the only place it could have struck me. When Satan chases and persecutes the end-time church, which is represented symbolically by the feet, he will surely bruise and afflict the heel of the foot which is fleeing from him. One foot of the church will be beyond his grasp. It will have departed.
Back to foreshadowing. If one foot of the church is taken in the Rapture, we should find it foreshadowed in the scriptures. It's there, of course. Enoch. We find him raptured way back in Genesis. He is the first one to have ever been taken away. But, he isn't the last one! There is further foreshadowing of a second Rapture. Elijah. He foreshadows the Rapture of the second foot of the persecuted end-time church.
Elijah's life perfectly represents the church of the persecution during the Tribulation. At various times he had to go into hiding. He was persecuted by Jezebel, who participated in the vilest forms of idolatry. Of special interest is the fact that during a period of about three years, there was a severe drought and famine. He had to leave his country and live with a widow who miraculously supplied him with food. On another occasion, Elijah was supplied with food by ravens. Later, he was helped by an angel who provided food and water. At various times, Elijah would say he was the only believer left.
Taken together, all these instances make a dramatic parallel to the events which transpire for the Christians who have to go through the persecution. Not being able to buy or sell, they will be forced from their homes and depend on miraculous provision from God. They too may feel like they are the only true believers who are left. However, they are not alone. God will not abandon them just as he did not abandon Elijah. Moreover, the persecuted Christians will have the same source of strength that Elijah had. They will receive the Holy Spirit. Remember what the Amplified Bible calls the Holy Spirit? He is called the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby.
There are many who teach that when the Pre-Tribulation church goes in the (first) Rapture, the Holy Spirit departs with them. This is only partially true. The Holy Spirit does go with them. However, he does return. Just like our blessed Saviour who departed, but will come again. Can this be proven? Yes! beyond any doubt.
In John 14:16, Jesus said, "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you forever." A little further on, Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless." I would call this teaching pretty direct. But, let's see if it fits with what we know about the end-time church being the symbolic feet of Christ. Earlier, I said that once we knew that the end-time church is symbolically represented by the feet of Christ, it would lead us to discover what God has in store. Let's find out.
On two separate occasions, Jesus' feet were annointed with a costly perfume. This perfume is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. What a perfectly harmonious analogy! The church which goes in the first Rapture has the Holy Spirit. Later, the remaining church is given the Holy Spirit! This brings me to an important point. The very reason that part of the church is left behind at the first Rapture is because they are living without the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives right now! They will be left out of the first event and have to live through a terrible persecution because they are not living for Jesus in the present. What a terrible tragedy!
I believe that for a period of time, the church of the persecution (symbolized by the second foot of Christ) will have to endure without the Holy Spirit. They will be like Jeremiah, who in Lamentations 1:16, said, "For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears, because a comforter, one who could refresh and restore my soul, is far from me..." (Amplified Bible). But, please remember that God will not abandon this church. They will be sent the Holy Spirit. After all, it was ten days after Jesus departed this world before the Holy Spirit was sent.
Jesus taught a parable which is a warning about being caught without enough of the Holy Spirit at His coming to take the church into Heaven. Marilyn Agee, in her book, "The End of the Age," writes about this parable known as the parable of the foolish virgins. Quoting:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that 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 tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there not be enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that 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 marriage: and the door (which opens in heaven at the Rapture) was shut (like the door of the Ark) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
"Christ is the bridegroom coming for His bride, the church. The oil represents the Holy Spirit." Marilyn Agee continues, "We would not like to be foolish virgins and be left behind at the first trumpet call. There are too many disadvantages in trying for the last trumpet, like being a martyr, for instance."
When the Jews were wandering in the wilderness, before entering the promised land, there were two trumpet calls in the morning to prepare the people to move out. The first one called the leaders of the tribes. The second one called the remainder of the people. Just as with the ancient Jews, there will be two trumpet calls for the church. Both trumpet calls are to the two coming rapture events.
If you are reading this before the first Rapture, I urge you to pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit in your life and the lives of all your loved ones. Do it now! Don't wait. Be ready when the first call is made. You do not have to endure the agony of persecution.
If you are reading this after the first call, take heart. The Holy Spirit will come. Pray for the Holy Spirit unceasingly and God will surely provide. And just like with Elijah, God will provide sustenance, food when you need it, water when you need it. It might not be a feast. It might only be as little as what a bird can bring (remember Elijah being fed by the ravens). God will never abandon you, no matter how you feel. Don't go with feelings. Go with faith! There is hope for you. He will give food, the Holy Spirit and a second call to join Him in Heaven at the second Rapture. Remember, just like feet, we mount up the stairs one foot at a time.
One foot at a time. That's how we climb the steps of a ladder, or go up the stairs. In Genesis 28:12, Jacob has a dream. It is one of the most familiar passages in the Bible and yet many of us have missed its significance.
And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
Yes. It is a ladder. In all my life, I never clumbed a ladder using two feet at a time. The point is simple and well taken. The two symbolic feet of Christ's body will mount up to Heaven in two stages. There will be two Raptures.
Is this the only example we can look at? No. Look at the Song of Solomon. So many people ignore this book. I don't know why. It is one of the most beautiful books in the Bible. One of the reasons that I delight in reading it is because it gives us a wonderful insight into how God views the Bride of Christ. Please remember that the body, the church, is also the Bride of Christ and is described in those terms in a number of different passages.
In the Song of Solomon (chapter 2, verse 10) the inspired word of God says, "My beloved speaks to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away..." At the Rapture, God will call us to rise up! A few verses later (verse 14), the Amplified Bible says, "So I went with him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps..." There it is again! Steps. Steps which we can only climb up one foot at a time.
It would be easy at this point to digress. There is a great deal more that could be made out of the foreshadowing in the Song of Solomon. However, the point I would most like to bring out, regards the specific reference this book makes about the feet. Please notice the beautiful descriptions attributed to each part of the body. We see how God feels about each and every part. The feet are described as being beautiful (chapter 7, verse 1). God truly loves us! To Him, we are beautiful despite all our faults. Despite all we have ever done, God finds beauty in us.
I know what you must be thinking. If there are two separate Raptures, then when will they occur? In the Song of Solomon and elsewhere in the Bible, it strongly suggests that the first Rapture will take place in the spring. There is a great deal of evidence to support this conclusion. Marilyn Agee, in her book, "The End of the Age," says we should look forward to the first Rapture on May 31, 1998. Marilyn brilliantly explains her conclusions and I would do her a great disservice by trying to explain it. I should let her do so in her own words.
Note from Marilyn, 11-15-99: I now am hoping for the Rapture on Pentecost, 2000.As for the second Rapture, look at Revelation 2:10. Once again, I will quote from the Amplified Bible:
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Dismiss your dread and your fears! Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proven and critically appraised; and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death - (that is) even if you must die for it - and I will give you the crown of life.
The days are years. This usage of days for years is not uncommon in the Bible. If this interpretation is accurate in this instance, then the second Rapture must be ten years after the first one. In order for all this to fit together, we must understand a few things. The seven years of Tribulation do not occur immediately after the first Rapture! There is a brief waiting period of about three years. Once again, Marilyn Agee explains this better than I can. Suffice it to say, the second Rapture occurs during the tail end of the Tribulation.
I can only conclude that it is far better to be a participant in the first Rapture. God doesn't want us to endure the coming persecution. He gives us a way out! We just have to be ready. Remember those virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to come? Some were ready and some foolishly were not. I urge you to once again to pray. Pray that the Holy Spirit will come fully and completely to live in you. Be filled with His presence. Accept not only God's salvation, accept Him as Lord of your life. Do it now. Please do not wait.
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Updated 1-11-98
© 1996, 1997 Marilyn J. Agee
