"Whereby
the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens
and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto
fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."
2 Peter
3:7,8 NKJV
Lately
there has been an upsurge in conversations among believers concerning the
possibility that the rapture of the Church might occur sometime close to the
anniversary of the flood of Noah, which this year will be on or around the
sixth or seventh of November. This
belief is based on the fact that many different people, from very diverse
backgrounds, using different schools of research, have all arrived at the same
approximate point in time as a window for the rapture to occur. I have been asked
for my thoughts on this, so what follows is my opinion on the possibility of a November
rapture.
There
are many different ways that some have arrived at their conclusions for the
timing of the rapture. Some of these include numerology, Bible codes,
astronomy, visions and dreams, and even the Great Pyramid in Egypt. I want to
make it perfectly clear that I have no reservations whatever about the
convictions or the research by believers who hold to these positions, for I am
familiar with most and am impressed not only by the scholarship, but by their
commitment to serve the body of Christ by their willingness to share the
results of their studies, research and experiences.
Regardless
of the method used to arrive at their conclusions, those who believe the
rapture will occur this month connect those conclusions directly to the events
of the flood of Noah, and the fact that the Bible tells us clearly when that
occurred. The flood began on Cheshvan 17, or what on our calendar will be
November 7. Much of the research used to point to this day as the day of the
rapture stems from day counts working backwards from the Holy days of Israel
that will occur approximately seven years from now using the length of the Tribulation
given to us by the prophet Daniel as a starting point.
Now,
while not having any disagreement with the scholarship, I do have a question
concerning using the anniversary of the flood as a day for the rapture of the
Church. Why? It's because of a little thing called “typology”. We have looked
at this subject before, but if you are
not familiar with this term, let me try to explain it in a way that makes
sense. In essence what this term means is that many of the events in the Old
Testament were actually pictures of what was to occur in the future, and the
study of these events is called typology. Some examples that may help would be
the story of Abraham being told to sacrifice his only son Isaac, and God
providing a lamb as a substitute. Joseph, sent by his father to visit his
brothers and being “killed” in a sense by his imprisonment in Egypt only to
reappear as second only to Pharaoh as ruler in Egypt. Then there is Jonah,
being thrown overboard allowing the others to survive while he suffers the
punishment of God's wrath in the belly of the whale for three days and three
nights. There are many more, but hopefully these are enough for you to begin to
see what is meant by the study of typology.
So
exactly what is the point I'm trying to make here? Simply this; if typology is
an accurate method to predict future events, (and as a teacher of mine used to
say, “Pattern is prologue”), Noah and his family were not “raptured” but
preserved “through” the flood which was the “judgment” by water mentioned in
this passage from Peter. In the book of Revelation we read that there are those
who are preserved “through” the tribulation as well. As this passage also says
that another judgment is coming, this time by fire, which we know to be a
reference to the coming tribulation, it would seem to me that the anniversary
of the flood is better suited to be an indicator of the beginning of the
tribulation period and not necessarily the rapture of the Church.
Now
rather than being depressing, that conclusion should actually excite us since
the rapture of the church (if you hold to the pretribulation rapture view)
occurs before the tribulation begins. So if the prevailing opinions that the
rapture is this month are accurate, that being the case, a whole lot has to
happen in just the next couple of weeks. Now many of you thinking, “So when is
the rapture”? Well, I certainly don't profess to know the day or the hour, but
considering our little diversion into typology, notice something often
overlooked in the story of Noah.
"..two
by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded
Noah. And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on
the earth."
Genesis
7:9,10 NKJV
Considering
that God had everyone and everything get on board and then waited seven days before
executing His judgment, could this possibly mean that God might use the rapture
of the Church as a seven day warning of His coming judgment on the earth?
Personally I believe that it makes sense that there will be a little time
between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation since there are
obviously events that need to occur to prepare the world to accept the reign of
the Antichrist. Many scholars believe the destruction of Damascus which we find
in the book of Isaiah, and the Gog Magog War found in Ezekiel, will take place
immediately before the Tribulation begins. The belief is, in fact, those very
events produce the “enforced peace” brokered by the coming new world leader.
With
that thought in mind, let me create a work of fiction that might help explain
my thinking. Part of this will be conclusions I came to when writing my book
concerning the coming conflict in Israel, but I think you will agree that most
of it makes sense even if it doesn't occur exactly as I lay it out. After
reading it, I think you will then understand my statement that a whole lot must
happen in a very short time if the Tribulation is to start this month. Again,
what follows is not prophecy, just an educated guess as to what might happen in
the time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation.
IF....the
rapture occurs only seven days before the start of the tribulation;
Day
One; Total World Upheaval as millions disappear without a trace. Society begins
to fall apart as governments, institutions, military and law enforcement
agencies, all are crippled.
Day
Two; Israel's enemies attack believing the disappearance of the “infidel”, and
the crippling of the west is a sign that their cause is just. Unfortunately,
they choose to use chemical weapons. Israel responds by using nuclear weapons
to defend themselves, resulting in the complete and total destruction of
Damascus. (Isaiah 17)
Day
Three; What is left of world government, UN, EU, individual countries, condemn
Israel's response (naturally) and seek a solution. The nations of Ezekiel 38
agree to combine efforts and come up with a solution of their own.
Day
Four; While the debate rages among what is left of world government, the
Ezekiel 38 coalition of countries moves their forces to position themselves for
an attack on Israel making no attempt to hide their intentions. This scenario, considering the number of Russian
troops now in Syria, is eerily possible.
Day
Five; A massive attack by the Ezekiel 38 coalition using their combined air
assets is attempted and destroyed by God's intervention.
Day
Six; A highly respected, powerful individual proposes a solution to the
conflict between Israel and its enemies which guarantees an “enforced” peace.
Day
Seven; The government of Israel and the combined governments of their enemies
agree to the proposed peace agreement and sign the “covenant with death”.
(Isaiah 28:15) The seven year Tribulation begins.
So
do you begin to understand what I mean when I say a lot has to happen in a very
short time? If the conclusions of many that this is the season of the rapture
and the beginning of the Tribulation, many events must transpire in just the
next few weeks. Again, I have no idea if events will occur in the order or in
the time frame I used here, but I think it will give you an idea of how things
just may work out to bring about the time of God's judgment on this earth.
Of
course, the question I have often asked in my articles when discussing the
rapture of the Church, and our responsibility as watchers is this; what are you
doing about what we are seeing? Are you simply observing all that is occurring
around us or are you looking and searching for ways to share the gospel of
Christ with those who do not yet believe? As we see the day approaching we need
more than ever to be bold when opportunities present themselves to share our
faith.
If
you are reading this blog and have never made a decision to accept the free
gift of salvation offered by our God I encourage you to do that right now.
Simply pray to God and confess you are a sinner, ask Him to come into your life
and take control, turn away from your old life and seek to live your new life
according to His instructions given to us in His word, the Bible.
Keep
watching.
