Anticipation

“Then the LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.”   “For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.”         Genesis 7:1,4  NKJV

A subject which has moved to the forefront the past few years when discussing the rapture of the church, if you hold to the pre-tribulation rapture position, concerns the possibility that there may be a “gap” of time between the rapture and the beginning of the tribulation. While many people believe there is no gap, and that the tribulation begins right after the rapture takes place, many prominent biblical scholars feel there may be some time between the two events. While some might feel there is insufficient evidence to know the answer to that precisely, I believe it's possible there are numerous clues to be found in scripture.

The verses above are from the story of Noah and the circumstances surrounding the command of God to enter the ark. We see there was a period of seven days that separated his entering the ark and the door being shut, and the beginning of the rain that fell for forty days and forty nights. If we consider the possibility that the entering of the ark and the closing of the door might also be a picture of the rapture of the church, could it be that this is a clue that there will be a gap of time between the rapture and the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week known as the tribulation?

There are other clues as well but because I have discussed them in past posts, today I want to share some thoughts on what I consider to be a major implication concerning the rapture of the Church when considering the Gap Theory.  With the caveat that there is no universal agreement on end time events, generally speaking many of those who believe in the pretribulational rapture of the Church also believe that the Gog Magog conflict, which we touched on last week, occurs sometime before the rapture paving the way for the peace agreement enforced by the antichrist.

Side note: While many if not all teach that this peace agreement between Israel and its enemies is for the benefit of Israel, with their enemies destroyed and God on their side I believe it is safe to assume the balance of power in the Middle East will shift in Israels’ favor. Considering Israels’ enemies have just been totally destroyed by God I have to wonder if the motivation of the antichrist is to use this agreement to protect the enemies of Israel so they can rebuild their armies.   Keeping that thought in mind, let’s not forget that even though the agreement is for seven years, just three and a half years later the antichrist declares war on Israel.

Those who subscribe to the Gap Theory generally agree that because the disappearance of the Church at the rapture causes so much confusion world wide as well as a weakening of the United States, that Israels’ enemies feel emboldened to attack and attempt to destroy them.  The majority of bible scholars agree that the tribulation period will begin in the fall season, around the time of the Fall Feasts of Israel.  That said, if there is a gap of time before the tribulation I believe it would be logical to assume that the rapture of the Church might well occur in the spring. 

“Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, in the spring, and Sarah shall have a son."  Genesis 18:14 RSV

As I have studied the Word over the years, I have found that God ordained many events to occur in the spring as well. It is especially interesting to see how many of those events could be identified with the idea of a new beginning. If we recall the story, God visited Abraham and Sarah and told them that Sarah was to have a son. He also tells them that He will return to see them when that happens, and even tells them that it will be in the spring! If you look closely at the Hebrew you will find that in this particular case, the RSV translates it best, because if you take the two words mowed and chay together in the same phrase, you understand spring is identified as the season this event will occur.

mow`ed : 1) appointed place, appointed time, meeting

chay : 1) living, alive, a) green (of vegetation), b) flowing, fresh (of water), c) lively, active (of man), d) reviving (of the springtime)

Since Abraham is told he would become the father of the nation of Israel, the birth of Isaac began the fulfillment of that prophecy and as we see, it began in the spring.

We also find in the book of Exodus that the deliverance of the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt occurred in the spring. The first three feasts of Israel, Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits all occur in the first month on the Jewish calendar which normally begins around the end of March or the beginning of April on our calendar, and is called Nisan or Abib.

“And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. "On this day you are going out, in the month Abib.”   Exodus 13:3,4 NKJV

Of course, of greater interest to us as believers is the fact that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred at the time of these three feasts as well. If you recall, Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, was then arrested, crucified and  rose again on the third day which was the Feast of Firstfruits.

“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, that He said to His disciples, "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."   Matthew 26:1,2 NKJV

“Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.”   Matthew 28:1,2 NKJV

If we consider the idea of spring being a time of new beginnings, how important could the fact be that our deliverance from sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ occurred in the spring? Is it possible that so many events happening in the spring season are just coincidence? If you still think it may be, why not look at another event that is certainly significant to all believers. Just fifty days after the resurrection, on the Feast of Pentecost, something else rather important happened as well; the giving of the Holy Spirit.

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”  Acts 2:1,2 NKJV

Do you begin to see what I mean about the spring being the most interesting season? The Bible is full of “new beginning” type events which occur in the spring. As I considered all of this, I had to ask myself the question if it's possible then that the rapture of the church could occur in the spring season? If it did, it would certainly fit in with the idea of a new beginning type event happening the same time as so many others have.  The past two weeks where I live in the Pacific Northwest have been filled with the signs of spring that I always look forward to.  The migratory birds have started to return, the tulips are emerging in my yard, the trees are beginning to show buds, and best of all daytime temperatures have risen to the point that I can actually spend some quality time outside rather than indoors by the fire.

All this to say that I, like many others, believe that spring may prove to be the season of our rapture.  It also follows that if the tribulation does indeed begin in the fall season, and there is a gap of time between the rapture and the beginning of those seven years, the spring season certainly seems to be an appropriate time for the rapture to occur.  Only time will tell but this is just one more reason I always look forward to the arrival of spring.

As so many believe we are seeing the signs of the time of the rapture occurring all around us, along with the speculation that this event might well  happen in the spring, making the decision to believe in Jesus Christ as our savior is more important than ever.  If you have never made the decision to accept the free gift of eternal life God has provided through His Son, I encourage you to do so today.  Simply ask God to forgive you of your sin based on your belief that Jesus died to pay the price for your sin, and turn over control of your life to Him.  You can do that right now by praying a prayer just like this one;

"Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen."

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Pattern is Prologue

“I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.  Ezekiel 38:21  NKJV

The presence of Russian troops in many of the countries in the Middle East, along with the belief that Gog, does in fact, refer to Russia, has prompted many people to speculate on the possibility that the prophecies which are set to occur just before, and after the rapture of the Church, are about to be fulfilled.  I for one, agree with that idea wholeheartedly, and am of the opinion it is going to happen sooner rather than later.  As I have studied different prophecies over the years, this conflict as revealed by Ezekiel, has quite often held my attention for a number of reasons.  

If you look up the definition of the word war in any dictionary, you will most likely find something along the lines of “an armed conflict between two opposing forces or nations”.  Now that sounds fine on the surface, and most would agree that it accurately describes what we have come to know as war, yet I believe that in situations where God is on one side of the two opposing forces, history shows this might not be an entirely accurate description of what occurs on the battlefield.  Why is that you ask?  Look closely at the account in the passage from Ezekiel and tell me what “arms” are used by God to defend His people?

“Every man’s sword will be against his brother.”

As I thought about what we read here, I could not help but wonder exactly how this is going to play out in the eyes of the world when it occurs?  You have a massive army of Israel’s enemies led by Gog who descend upon the mountains of Israel, better known as the Golan Heights, with the intent to annihilate and take spoil.  Israel will no doubt be preparing to defend itself by moving massive numbers of troops and materiel northward in anticipation of the invasion.  The world will be watching with all too many hoping to see Israel finally defeated, when suddenly the entire army of Gog begins to fight against each other!

Now if this sounds a little unbelievable, I can assure you it is not the first time God chooses to use this method to defeat His enemies.  In fact, there have been several occasions when God has acted on behalf of Israel in the very same way. 

When Israel went to war against the Midianites, led by Gideon, God employed the same “tactic” allowing Israel to be victorious using only three hundred men!

“When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp;”  Judges 7:22  NKJV

Later in Israel’s history, when Saul was king, once again God uses the same “sword” to defeat the Philistines.

“Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.”  1 Samuel 14:20  NKJV

Do you begin to see a pattern here? The following passage details another conflict during the reign of King Jehoshaphat in the Old Testament where God chooses to do the fighting for Israel.

 “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly.And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.‘Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel.‘You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.”And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshiping the LORD.Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high.So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:“Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.”Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.”  2 Chronicles 20:14-23. NKJV

Watching these forces assemble had to be one of the most frightening things Israel had ever seen and yet God simply tells them “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s…….You will not need to fight in this battle.”  You have to wonder what went through King Jehoshaphat’s mind, as well as the rest of the nation of Judah when they heard these words.

As I thought this week about God’s sword being a method of confusion causing His enemies to fight against each other, my first thought was exactly how could the “media” today put a spin on this when it happens in Israel?  A new biological weapon engineered by Israel which causes “hallucinations and paranoia” when released above the battlefield?  If you think about it, do you really believe the world would admit “God” actually exists and is defending Israel?  Obviously that thought has already occurred to God because He goes on to make it clear that the entire world will know exactly who is making this all happen.

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. “For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ‘so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ “I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ’                             Ezekiel 38:18-23  NKJV

No one knows when the rapture of the Church will occur, but it certainly seems obvious from this account in Ezekiel that God has a plan to reveal Himself in such a way as to remove anyone’s claim that they did not know He exists, and that it is incumbent for mankind to make a choice to believe or not believe.  Seen in that light, it seems clear that all those left behind will be faced with making a choice to accept or reject what God will reveal to them on the day of His deliverance of Israel from Gog and his armies.  I have no doubt that the world will come up with some sort of explanation for the events described in this passage of scripture, but even if it does make some sort of sense and the media does its best to propagate it, we are told by God Himself that the world will know the truth.

My personal conviction is that this event will occur after the rapture of the Church as the removal of millions of people produces the confusion, chaos, and political upheaval necessary for Israels’ enemies to decide to attack. As so many believe this day is approaching, and the day of our deliverance is imminent, have you made your choice yet?  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do it right now. Simply admit to God that you need His forgiveness because you are a sinner, believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and invite Him to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit by praying a simple prayer like this;

Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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