Posted 4-2-01
John Tng has sent a copy of the original post containing the picture.
Moon over Jerusalem
Taken by Mr. Jerry Golden, 1-9-01
Jer. 303-12 says, "lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I WILL CAUSE THEM TO RETURN TO THE LAND that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for THAT DAY is great, so that NONE IS LIKE IT: it is even the TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar (heaven), and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet I will not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous." Agape
He is speaking to us. The whole book of Revelation is to us here on Earth when the Rapture is about to take place.
> > He was speaking to the "seven churches" and he told them that "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" would "shortly take place" and "the time was near" not 2 thousand years. So when you read in verse 7 you have to look at the context and who he was speaking to.
The setting of "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" is when the Rapture is near. At the Rapture, he will be revealed to us. The book of The Revelation is a dramatic production, a miracle play, with Christ as the author of the script. He chose as his setting the time when the Rapture would be at hand. It is "at hand" in both the first and last chapters (1:3; 22:10). He signs off with, "Surely I come quickly." He comes quickly at the Rapture (2:5; 3:11). He stands at the point maybe 10 days before the Rapture (2:10) and looks both backward and forward to show us things to come.
Like modern directors, he presents us first, in Rev. 1, with a Preview of coming attractions. He presents a Preview of the Rapture. John was on Patmos (mortal) and became in the Spirit. In Heaven, he turned to see who spoke to him and saw Christ with all the churches around him. The star achievers were still in his hand for he had just caught them up.
In 1:4-8, we find the Introduction to the play woven in with the Preview. We even get a quick picture of Christ at the Second Advent in 1:7. Then Christ tells us exactly who he is, the Almighty, in verse 8. It says, "I am Alpha AND Omega, the beginning AND the ending, saith the Lord, which is (at the Rapture), and which was (at the First Advent), and which is to come (at the Second Advent), the Almighty."
> > What do you see Matt 16:27 speaking of? Below you quote some persons belief that "When the Son of man shall come..." is not refering to the second coming of Christ. You are right in the fact that it was the Judgement on the Nations, but this is synonomys with Jesus' second coming.
I said, "Mt. 16:27 is the Second Advent, when he comes in glory and every eye will see him. Rev. 1:7 says, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him."
The Judgment of the Nations probably follows the Second Advent by about 2 weeks. He returns on Nisan 1 (Eze. 29:17,21; Hos. 6:3) and the full 2520 days are up 2 weeks later.
> > 32"Now learn this parable from the fig tree: ...when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
It was to their generation. That nation there.
The generation in 30 AD appears in Mt. 23:36. Jesus told the Pharisees, "All these things shall come upon this generation." They did in 70 AD.
In the parable of the fig tree, Jesus is answering the disciple's question, "what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)" (Mt. 24:3). Therefore the generation spoken of there was in the future, in our days at the end of this age.
Mt. 24:32-34 (KJV) says, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree (Israel, Joel 1:6,7; Hos. 9:10; Eze. 36:8; Jer. 24:5,6); When his branch (klados, scion broken off for grafting, i.e., modern Israel grafted into her old rootstock) is yet tender (apalos, young, i.e., no more than 19 years old), and putteth forth leaves (Gaza Strip, Golan Heights, Sinai, West Bank, in the Six-Day War of 1967, when Israel was 19), ye know that summer is nigh (the war started June 5; summer began June 21): So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it (the Rapture) is near, even at the doors (i.e., there are 2 Raptures, when heaven's door opens, as in Rev. 4:1). Verily (Amen, so be it) I say unto you, This generation (born in 1967) shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."
A generation is 40 years plus another 120 days. It was 40 years plus another 120 days from Palm Sunday in 30 AD, when Jesus was refused as king, to Av 10 in 70 AD, when the temple proper was burned. Adding the 40 years plus another 120 days to June 7, 1967, when the temple area was regained takes us to Sept. 13, 2007. It is the Feast of Trumpets, and, I think, the Day of God's Wrath.
It must be in a Jewish Leap Year, because there are 7 months between that Tishri 1 and the following Nisan 1, when Jesus returns (Eze. 39:12,13). The date of Sept. 13, 2007 is Tishri 1, 5768, which is a Jewish Leap Year.
Subtract 2300 days (Dan. 8:13,14) for the shortened Tribulation (counted by Jewish Inclusive Reckoning), and you will find that the 70th week of Daniel/Tribulation is likely to start on the Feast of Weeks in 2001. I am expecting the Rapture before the covenant is confirmed that day.
> > Revelation 22:12 (NKJV) 12"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, **to give to every one according to his work.** So in Matt 16:27 we have wording that is exactly like that that you see in Rev 22:12. What would you say that Jesus means here?
The passages are different. In Mt. 16:27, Christ comes in glory with his angels, and he does not come quickly. In Rev. 22:12, he does not come in glory, but he comes quickly.
In Rev. 22:12, Jesus is coming at the Pre-Trib Rapture. The clue is that he is coming quickly. In Mt. 16:27, it is the Second Advent. He does not come quickly at the Second Advent. Every eye will see him as the globe rotates.
> > First about the the transfiguration. Jesus tells His disciples that "there are some of you standing here which shall not taste death". This is refering to them dying. Why would He tell them this when the transfiguration was only what ...6 days from that time. What kind of surprise would that be to find all of them still alive at that time
He didn't say it would be a surprise. He was demonstrating what he would look like. He was also showing us that the 2 witnesses of Rev. 11:4 are Moses and Elijah (Zech. 4:11-14). It also reveals that he is "the LORD of the whole earth" (Zech. 4:14).
> > Matt 10:23 23When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. > > This was the "great commission" and this was refering to the time after Pentecost when the disciples were to go out into to the world to spread the Word, right? So this verse could not be speaking of Pentecost.
You're right. On closer examination, I see my error. Verses 16-23 reach beyond the ministry of the 12 apostles. In verse 22, Jesus skips right to the Great Tribulation when he says, "but he that endureth to THE END shall be saved." Verse 23 probably applies to the Great Tribulation. Mt. 24:14,15 shows when THE END will come. It says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall THE END come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place..." That is Mid-Trib.
> > Anyway so what else do you have to prove that Jesus' second coming is yet a future event to us?
Zech. 14:4 shows that when Jesus' feet touch the Mt. of Olives, it will split, "and half of the mountain shall remove towared the north, and half of it toward the south." This has not yet happened. Do you need more?
Zech. 14:5 says, "the LORD my God shall come, AND ALL THE SAINTS WITH THEE." Rev. 19:14 says, "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." For us to all come back with him, we have to all be caught up to Heaven first. All the saints includes the Old Testament saints, the Church saints and the Tribulation saints.
> > Do you see that earth as being destroyed at the second coming and if so what scripture do you use to suport this?
Not at the Second Advent, but 7 months (Eze. 39:12,13) before the Second Advent, the asteroids of Rev. 8:8,10 impact Earth. The one the size of a great mountain burning with fire hits the Mediterranean Sea (Zeph. 2:4,5). It stops Gog's army that is attacking Israel (Eze. 38:18-20). The other larger burning "aster" will destroy Babylon completely (Rev. 18:21). The earth will be turned upside down. Isa. 24:1 says, "Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof." Egypt will be hurt so badly that no one will live there for the next 40 years. Eze. 29:11 says, "No foot of man shall pass through it, nor foot of beast shall pass through it, neither shall it be inhabited forty years." Every wall will fall (Eze. 38:20). The cities of the nations will fall (Rev. 16:18). Civilization as we know it will be destroyed. This has not happened yet.
As the 1st asteroid impacts the Mediterranean Sea, 1/3rd of life in the sea dies (Rev. 8:8,9). A little later on, when the 2nd vial is poured out (Rev. 16:3), all life in the sea is dead. This has not happened yet. I think it will take place on the 2300th day of the shortened Tribulation (Dan. 8:13,14). Agape
So glad you decided to write back ~ I have a nice bedtime story to share with you ~ check out the non-canonical "Lost Books of the Bible" - Nicodemus ch 20... Not only is it a fun story to read, (What Jesus was doing after His Crucifixion) but the fact that Elijah and Enoch are together, waiting for their appointed time to return to earth, prophesy, and die at the hands of the AntiChrist after 3.5 years to boot...ineresting bedtime story no doubt.
NOT my main source of information, just a buffer to a pretty strong theory already. I Praise God for your brilliance in His Word...and I know you are fully qualified to answer my "immature questions" ~ with all due respect to you ~ Moses has already died, he is instantly negated by God's Own Word in Hebrews 9:27, or not? Why would Moses be "resurrected", to put on "incorruption" and "preach/prophesy" - (remember, he wasn't comfortable with that public speaking thing in the first place, ergo Aaron...) toward a generation Moses had never been prepared for? Or, even entering the "Land of Milk and Honey" was forbidden to him, and was a big deal regarding the promise unto death. How many things are we going against God's Word if we surmise this way?
One of your points about the Two Witnesses is the "Olive Tree" example...if you look into some of these "Books" that were kept from public speculation until the Dead Sea Scrolls were revealed...Enoch and Elijah are portrayed as being sustained in the "Heavenly" Garden of Eden until their return to prophesy against, and finally die at the hand of the AntiChrist. Easily viewed as the two Olive Trees before God, where He can see them in the "Garden He put them in, until His Son's Bride is Raptured..."
The Book of Enoch tells of incredible events reagarding his (Enoch's) prophesying TO the Jews in the last days...like I said, just a bedtime story....but?
I love having dialog with you ~ I want my sponge-brain to know all I may about Our Savior...thanks for your time and your thoughts...looking forward to hearing from you!
And finally, I know Jesus had to die...that is scipturally referenced throughout the Bible - so, if Moses is going to be "mustered up" for this finale ~ and we go head-on into the Trib sometime after 4/28 ~ we still have a problem with Enoch and God's Word. Here's a man who never died. (same as Elijah), is never Judged, (like Elijah), yet cannot seemingly qualify to fully join in the council of Heaven. (Not "dead in Christ" nor "alive, and remain" in Christ"...) (uh, like Elijah) Does Moses qualfy in the least at this point?
Please, let me be clear on your stance for debate's sake, are you saying that Moses will be "resurrected" from the dead, die again in Jerusalem with Elijah, and go through resurrection again? Again, I ask, what to do with Enoch, then? He is referred to by name on up to Jude, the little book right before Revelation...maybe he deserves a little more research...In our King's Precious Name, Respectfully
Will these have to die? Will God slay them all at once and then bring them back to life? I don't think so. I Thess. 4:17 says, "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." There is no mention of our dying. Surely you have read I Cor. 15:51. It plainly says, "Behold, I shew you a mystery; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, but we shall all be changed."
Enoch represents those that will not have to die. He was raptured without dying to show us that we can also be raptured without dying. "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:17).
General rules sometimes have exceptions. Heb. 9:27 says, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." This is stated to show us that reincarnation is false. Lazarus is an exception to this rule. He died twice. God can overrule general rules and do whatever he wants to do.
There are people alive today that have died and been brought back to life. Some of them were even given a choice whether they wanted to return or not. When we had Spring Crest Drapery, our Tuftex Carpet rep had a heart attack, died and was brought back to life. Just before his second attack, he was given a choice, "Stay, or go, stay, or go, stay, or go." He decided to stay and immediately had the 2nd heart attack. He stayed to tell his story to everyone he met. It changed his life. A lady e-mailed me and told me she died, went to Heaven, and was told that her time was not yet. She came back on the way to the ambulance. Ed's brother died once, was brought back, and a few days later died again. A man came to my house to tell me his story. His wife was with him, agreeing with what he said. He had died twice, at two different times, went to hell and was brought back to life at the hospital both times. He accepted Christ, carried his Bible with him, had read all but Judges and was telling everyone his experience so they would accept Christ. He said that we have no idea how awful it is to be in a place without God.
> > Why would Moses be "resurrected"
To show that the dead live again, also to show that though one was sent from the dead to people that would not believe what Moses wrote, they would still not believe. Look at Luke 16:30,31. It says, "...Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."
> > Here's a man who never died. (same as Elijah), is never Judged
Never judged? Why would Enoch not receive his rewards when we receive them at the Judgment Seat of Christ? Rev. 11:18 says, "the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be JUDGED, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the PROPHETS, and to the SAINTS, and them that fear thy name, SMALL AND GREAT."
> > Again, I ask, what to do with Enoch, then?
His name means "teacher." He is a type of the Pre-Trib Rapture. His being caught up before the Flood teaches us that we can be caught up before the Tribulation. He pleased God, so God took him. Likewise, we want to please God, so he will take us. Agape
"The basic error of the split rapture teaching"
The Book of Romans, Contemporary English Version Chapter 3:25-28 God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life's blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus. What is left for us to brag about? Not a thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith. We see that people are acceptable to God because they have faith, and not because they obey the Law.
The basic error of the split rapture teaching is faith vs worthiness or works. It's also man's basic error to go back into thinking that works makes one acceptable to God. Jews understandably have more of a problem in thinking that salvation could possibly be completely free since they're historically people of the law. I was raised in a legalistic church so I know how easy it is to be drawn into that thinking.
The writings of the Apostle Paul warns. Ga 2:16 Knowing that a man is NOT justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
The BLOOD OF JESUS is the only cleanser of sin or way to be made acceptable for rapture
ALL that look to him will be accepted in the beloved.
It seems right to the natural mind to think that there is something of value, that we can add to the blood of Jesus. But it is not right.
Remember the warning of Jude to us living in the last days. This verse describes us perfectly.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain,(WORKS) and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (rebellion)
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION for us.
Ro 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith WITHOUT the deeds of the law.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God:
The Spilt rapture teaching is basically flawed in that it teaches that those that are minding (measuring up to the law), when Jesus returns, are worthy to go, so they get to go in the rapture. Those that don't quite have it all together have to be brought into obedience and then they may attain a second rapture or heaven.
That is so very wrong. DANGEROUSLY WRONG! That undermines faith and grace But most important is that it totally annihilates the power of the blood to save.
What brings you close to Christ? Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD of Christ.
What gives you access? Ro 5:2 By whom also WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Are we right to add something to the blood?
Faith is a priceless gift from God! 2 Th 3:2b all men have not faith.
We must GUARD our faith. It's our most precious gift from God. You may think that faith makes it too easy.
Not so. There is a CONTINUAL fight for faith. Faith in Jesus stripes to heal us! Faith in our Heavenly father to feed us! Faith in the blood of Jesus to save to the uttermost!
I'm saved to the uttermost I know that I am Saved by the blood of the precious lamb, I'm saved, and I'm filled with the Holy Ghost I'm saved to the uttermost
Oh that the people of God would understand that there is power in the BLOOD, and stand in faith, hoping in Christ with faith in his blood.
Listen to these powerful words. Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
The blood of Jesus alone makes us rapture ready.
His blood is completely sufficient to take me in the first rapture and since that is true there is no need for more raptures.
However, you need to try to find a way to tell Peter that he goofed, that he just did not understand that "The blood of Jesus alone makes us rapture ready." Look what ridiculous things he said for us to add to our faith. And he said, "BY THESE YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE." You need to tell him that you don't need his advise, that you are already "filled with the Holy Ghost," because you have accepted Christ.
II Peter 1:1-12: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, TO THEM THAT HAVE OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory AND VIRTUE: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that BY THESE YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE (i.e., be wise virgins filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE; And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS; And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY (agape love). For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But HE THAT LACKETH THESE THINGS IS BLIND, AND CANNOT SEE AFAR OFF (Heaven), and hath forgotten that he was purged from his OLD SINS (when he accepted Christ). Wherefore the rather, brethren, GIVE DILIGENCE TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE: for IF YE DO THESE THINGS, YE SHALL NEVER FALL: FOR SO AN ENTRANCE (i.e., the Rapture) SHALL BE MINISTERED UNTO YOU abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."
You were filled with the Holy Spirit when you accepted Christ. You understand that. Great. And you are still filled with the Holy Spirit if you have no unconfessed sins committed since you accepted Christ. I John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins (i.e., known ones), he is faithful to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. That takes care of the unknown sins too.
"God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin" (I John 1:5-8). What if believers don't walk in the light? Will the blood of Jesus Christ cleanse us from ALL sin?
You see, there are "old sins" (II Peter 1:9), and new sins. At the moment of salvation, all our "old sins" are wiped off the books. We get a fresh start. After that, we need to confess our sins so they will also be brought under the blood of Christ.
The foolish Laodicean virgins will have to learn that lesson the hard way. By the 2nd Rapture, the Tribulation saints will all have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:14). You see, the Laodiceans thought they had it made and didn't pay any attention to Christ's advise to buy of him "white raiment" (Rev. 3:18). They were blind and didn't know it. They said that they had "need of nothing" when they lacked white garments of righteousness. It's too bad, but the Bride wears white. Those with Christ "are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:14).
In John 15:1,2, Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch IN ME that beareth not fruit he taketh away." Are you mixing up salvation and Rapture readiness? They are two separate things. We can't work for salvation. We can work for rewards. One reward is do what Paul did, to "press toward the mark for the prize (the Rapture) of the high calling of God (Christ's 'Come up hither') in Christ Jesus." In II Cor. 9:27, Paul said, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." A castaway is a Laodicean of whom Christ said, "I will spue thee out of my mouth" (i.e., out of the Body of Christ) (Rev. 3:16).
Christ said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (i.e., at the Rapture) (Luke 21:36).
Pro and Con 724 Or Return
Contact me for more information at: mjagee@pe.net
8641 Sugar Gum Rd, Riverside, CA 92508, USA; (909) 653-4110
© 1996-2001, Marilyn J. Agee
Updated 4-2-01