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Why the Great Tribulation is an Exciting TimeDivisions:
Now that we've sorted things out a little bit, and have our attitudes re-arranged (you are still with me aren't you?) let's pick up where we left off when Yeshuah was talking to his pupils about when all these things would occur. You remember that the pupils were a little bit disturbed when Yeshuah said things like, "You will see me no more until you say, 'Blessed...'" and "Not one stone will be left standing on another..." and other hard sayings (to say the least). After all, they thought the kingdom was going to be set up now! Why! Just a few days ago, half of Jerusalem was out waving palm branches and yelling, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Yeshuah even ordered up a donkey so as to purposely fulfil the prophecy about the king arriving on a donkey! Now, we have to wait 'till the priest's and elders say it? Oi veh! That could take forever! As angry as he made them just now? And just where is he going anyway? And now we have to wait 'till the temple is torn down and rebuilt? We didn't see any demolition crews waiting outside the temple compound did we? No? Didn't think so. So, it was mutually agreed that the time had come for some serious questions. As soon as they reached the top of Mt. Olives, where they were preparing to spend the night, they gathered around with serious looks on their faces. "Okay, we give," they said. "When will these things happen that you're talking about, and what will be the definite sign of your coming as king, and the age of Messiah?" Though the wording was a bit different, that's essentially what they were saying. So, he told them. Return to head of chapter As I said, he was now addressing his own pupils who were just about to be switched on to the "spin" cycle, cranked through the wringer, and, before they could even catch their breaths, launched into apostolic ministry. Many of the things mentioned would happen (in part) during their own lifetimes (those that weren't martyred first). The temple would indeed be torn down by the forces of Titus in 70 c.e. and many of the things Yeshuah was describing to them would happen as a build-up to that event. However, as is often the case with prophecies, it had a duel application. What happened in 70 c.e. was only partial fulfilment. The Gospel of the kingdom had not yet been preached in all the world for a witness. The Navajo Indians, the Zulus and the Mauries still hadn't heard! The events in Jerusalem in those days could indeed be described as great tribulation, but the one which has no precedent neither before nor after, is yet to come. The abomination of desolation that Daniel spoke of was partially fulfilled when Antiochus Epiphanies sacrificed a pig on the alter about 166 b.c.e. and again, of course, in 70 c.e.. Exactly what form it will take in the final fulfilment is anyone's guess. Those believers inhabiting Jerusalem in the days of the Jewish revolt took these prophecies of Yeshuah seriously, and indeed, when they saw the armies coming, they fled eastward to the town of Pella without running to get their coat first. The rabbis went westward to Yavneh, and there began the work of preserving Judaism in the form that has existed until today. All of these things in Matthew were partially fulfilled, and now await their final fulfilment. When will that happen, you asked? You are full of questions today! Yeshuah himself couldn't say the exact day or the hour, but it looks like everything is moving very quickly to where all these things have a good possibility of actually happening. Through a series of unforeseen events, the Jews once again have a nation, and have regained control of Jerusalem. Concurrently, the Church is being restored to what she was formerly. Some have written books pointing to events in the development of the Zionist movement and of the State of Israel, which coincide with revivals and movements in the Christian world. It has become such that some are now calling Israel "God's time piece." Though many on both sides would vehemently deny it, it appears that now, the two peoples, the Jews and the Christians are more and more marching in step. Just judging by the historical developments but ignoring the expressions on their faces, one could expect at anytime for the two to suddenly become one. As we have seen in the earlier chapters, that is exactly what the plan of God is. Once we face up to who we are, and what we've done, and put a stop to history repeating itself over and over because of our unrepented sins -- that is, stop running around in these tiny circles; then history will make one big circle backwards, and make a repeat of 30 and 70 c.e. -- this time a complete one. Two scriptures will be fulfilled: You shall see me no more till you say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matt 23:39) And also: ... there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. Then if anyone says to you, "look, here is the Christ!" or "There!" do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to you, "look, he is in the desert!" do not go out; or "Look, he is in the inner rooms!" do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matt 24:21-31) The great tribulation -- which was foreshadowed by the tribulation both in Jerusalem, with the revolt, and in the Roman world with the persecution by emperor Nero -- will happen in its final form. Then, we read, He will gather His elect from the four corners of the world in the final rapture which we've been waiting for. Return to head of chapter I know many people teach that it's the other way around -- that the rapture will happen first, and then the great tribulation -- but here the plain meaning is that first comes the tribulation, then the rapture. The plain meaning is exactly what you see on the page before we juggle everything around and somehow convince everyone that what the Bible says here, is not what the Bible means. There are times when juggling is called for, mind you, but there has to be a very good reason for rejecting the plain meaning in favour of something else. That would require another scripture passage somewhere, worded just as clearly, but saying just the opposite, like, "Beloved brethren, the rapture is before the tribulation." We would then have to re-examine the context to see how the two seemingly contradictory statements can both be right. However, no clear passage has been found as yet that doesn't require a lot of explaining. Until we do find such a verse, we're left with no choice but to accept the plain meaning of the one that says, "Immediately after the tribulation in those days (which is greater than any before or after) ... He will send his angels ... to gather together His elect..." The strongest reason for believing otherwise, is really the desire to escape the Great Tribulation. Too often, that is motivated by fear. As we have seen, that is a very strong incentive to hold on to the beliefs that we do. We sit more comfortably on our perches that way. For us, there is nothing to fear. If we really know what's going on, we have everything to be happy about! You mean you're happy about all this, Uncle Baruch?! Of course I'm happy! Why would I write a book if I weren't happy? The trouble is, you don't sound so happy! You sound like you're already in the middle of the Great Tribulation! We are not in the Great Tribulation yet. There is a good reason for that. Because the Church isn't prepared for it. That's right. We're not in it because you're not happy about it yet. But my purpose here is to make you happy about going through the Great Tribulation. I hope that by the time you've finished this book, you will be jumping up and down and clicking your heals that the Church is going through the Great Tribulation! Why? Because there are some things about God's plan for the Church that are definitely something to be happy about! The fact is, history is drawing to a climax. The kingdom of antichrist is the ultimate that Satan has to show for his efforts. It is Satan's kingdom at it's finest and best. At the same time, we will be moving as God's Church at her finest and full of God's glory. We won't be going into the Great Tribulation as a motley crew that we are now. We'll go in as a unified body. When the tummy itches, a hand will come down and scratch it. When the hands have a hard time prying one piece of wood from another, a foot will come in and hold one piece down so that both hands can combine their strength. When you face a sudden problem, intercessors will immediately go to prayer for you, and their prayer will make the difference. When you become discouraged, an encourager will suddenly show up on the scene and give your spirits a lift. When one location suddenly becomes a dangerous place to live, a prophet will say, "Let's all move to this other place," and there everyone will find their needs met. Along the way, you will open your mouth and God will fill it -- both with food and with things to say to people. People will come pleading you to tell them about Jesus. This has been happening to a small extant, but not like it's going to. So far, it's been the exception rather than the rule, but as the Body comes together, it will become the rule. As you yield to Him in the inner sanctuary, you will begin to see this come about. At the same time, God is holding back Satan's forces until His body is ready to stand against it. Return to head of chapter II Thessalonians 2:6 says, regarding the man of sin, or the antichrist, "...you know what is restraining that he may be revealed in his own time." The "one who restrains" or "hinders", I believe, is God, through one of His angels, who fulfils His promise in I Corinthians 10:13: God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13 is the restraining clause. "Escape," in this case, doesn't mean "rapture," but the divine ability to bear the trial and come through victoriously. Satan is restrained from tempting us more than we are able to bear, both in daily situations and in regard to the end time tribulation in which Satan will be finally allowed to unleash his finest and best, the antichrist. But that will only happen when the church is fully prepared in the inner sanctuary, then we will be prepared for all out war. When the time is right, Satan's best and finest will be unleashed, but the church will be victorious in spite of all Satan can do. Satan will throw his best punches, but do you know what? We'll dodge them like a slick boxer. The only ones taken out will be those especially called to the gift of martyrdom. Even they won't feel the pain. In fact, with each one martyred, there will be that much more power added to the Church, and even greater avenues of ministry opened up. Martyrdom is a form of intercessory prayer. The only ones in heaven that have the power to pray for what goes on in the earth are the martyrs under the throne of God (Rev 6:9-11). And the punches we throw on him! He'll reel backwards from every one! The picture we've had in the past is that the Church is victorious, but only as it is raptured out of Satan's reach. What kind of victory is that? That's like one boxer, instead of fighting to the finish, jumping up and swinging from a light fixture and landing on the balcony, and saying, "Can't catch me! Can't catch me!" That is not a victory. Victory is moving in glory and unity like the earth has never seen before, in spite of Satan's best efforts to stop us! Of course you are not ready now, but you will be! God is working in your life to make you ready. He is bringing teachers and preachers and prophets to prepare the Body. You have heard some of them. This book is one of them. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ." Paul wasn't just finding some nice positive things to say when he said that. He said that because that is exactly what God is doing. Return to head of chapter Tommy Hicks's Vision of the End Time Body of Christ The following vision was given to Tommy Hicks, a healing evangelist of the 1950's: My Message begins July 25, about 2:30 in the morning at Winnipeg, Canada. I had hardly fallen asleep when the vision and the revelation that God gave me came before me. The vision came three times, exactly in detail, the morning of July 25, 1961. I was so stirred and so moved by the revelation that this has changed my complete outlook upon the body of Christ, and upon the end-time ministries... ...As the vision appeared to me after I was asleep, I suddenly found myself in a great high distance. Where I was, I do not know. But I was looking down upon the earth. Suddenly the whole earth came into my view. Every nation, every kindred, every tongue came before my sight from the east and the west, the north and the south. I recognised every country and many cities that I had been in, and I was almost in fear and trembling as I beheld the great sight before me: and at that moment when the world came into view, it began to lightning and thunder. As the lightning flashed over the face of the earth, my eyes went downward and I was facing the north. Suddenly I beheld what looked like a great giant, and as I stared and looked at it, I was almost bewildered by the sight. It was so gigantic and so great. His feet seemed to reach to the north pole and his head to the south. Its arms were stretched from sea to sea. I could not even begin to understand whether this be a mountain or this be a giant, but as I watched, I suddenly beheld a great giant. I could see his head was struggling for life. He wanted to live, but his body was covered with debris from head to foot, and at times this great giant would move his body and act as though it would even raise up at times. And when it did, thousands of little creatures seemed to run away. Hideous creatures would run away from this giant, and when he would become calm, they would come back. All of a sudden this great giant lifted his hand toward the heaven, and then it lifted its other hand, and when it did, these creatures by the thousands seemed to flee away from this giant and go into the darkness of the night. Slowly this giant began to rise and as he did, his head and hands went into the clouds. As he rose to his feet he seemed to have cleansed himself of the debris and filth that was upon him, and he began to raise his hands to the heavens as though praising the Lord, and as he raised his hands, they went even into the clouds. Suddenly, every cloud became silver, to most beautiful silver I have ever known. As I watched this phenomenon it was so great I could not even begin to understand what it all meant. I was so stirred as I watched it, and I cried unto the Lord and I said, "Oh, Lord, what is the meaning of this," and I felt as if I was actually in the Spirit and I could feel the presence of the Lord even as I was asleep. And from these clouds suddenly there came great drops of liquid light raining down upon this mighty giant, and slowly, slowly, this giant began to melt, began to sink itself in the very earth itself, and as he melted, his whole form seemed to have melted upon the face of the earth, and this great rain began to come down. Liquid drops of light began to flood the very earth itself and as I watched this giant that seemed to melt, suddenly it became millions of people over the face of the earth. As I beheld the sight before me, people stood up all over the world! They were lifting their hands and they were praising the Lord. At that very moment there came a great thunder that seemed to roar from the heavens. I turned my eyes toward the heavens and suddenly I saw a figure in white, in glistening white -- the most glorious thing that I have ever seen in my entire life. I did not see the face, but somehow I knew it was the Lord Jesus Christ, and he stretched forth his hand, and as he did, he would stretch it forth to one, and to another, and to another. And as he stretched forth his hand upon the nations and the people of the world -- men and women -- as he pointed toward them, this liquid light seemed to flow from his hands into them, and a mighty anointing of God came upon them, and those people began to go forth in the name of the Lord. I do not know how long I watched it. It seemed it went into days and weeks and months. And I beheld this Christ as he continued to stretched forth his hand; but there was a tragedy. There were many people as he stretched forth his hand that refused the anointing of God and the call of God. I saw men and women that I knew. People that I felt would certainly receive the call of God. But as he stretched forth his hand towards this one and toward that one, they simply bowed their head and began to back away. And each of those that seemed to bow down and back away, seemed to go into darkness. Blackness seemed to swallow them everywhere. I was bewildered as I watched it, but these people that he had anointed, hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, in Africa, England, Russia, China, America, all over the world, the anointing of God was upon these people as they went forward in the name of the Lord. I saw these men and women as they went forth. They were ditch diggers, they were washerwomen, they were rich men, they were poor men. I saw people who were bound with paralysis and sickness and blindness and deafness. As the Lord stretched forth to give them this anointing, they became well, they became healed, and they went forth! And this is the miracle of it -- this is the glorious miracle of it -- those people would stretch forth their hands exactly as the Lord did, and it seemed as if there was this same liquid fire in their hands. As they stretched forth their hands they said, "According to my word, be thou made whole." As these people continued in this mighty end-time ministry, I did not fully realise what it was, and I looked to the Lord and said, "What is the meaning of this?" And he said, "This is that which I will do in the last days. I will restore all that the cankerworm, the palmerworm, the caterpillar -- I will restore all that they have destroyed. This, my people, in the end times will go forth. As a mighty army shall they sweep over the face of the earth." As I was at this great height, I could behold the whole world. I watched these people as they were going to and fro over the face of the earth. Suddenly there was a man in Africa and in a moment he was transported by the Spirit of God, and perhaps he was in Russia, or China or America or some other place, and vice versa. All over the world these people went, and they came through fire, and through pestilence, and through famine. Neither fire nor persecution, nothing seemed to stop them. Angry mobs came to them with swords and with guns. And like Jesus, they passed through the multitudes and they could not find them, but they went forth in the name of the Lord, and everywhere they stretched forth their hands, the sick were healed, the blind eyes were opened. There was not a long prayer, and after I had reviewed the vision many times in my mind, and I thought about it many times, I realised that I never saw a church, and I never saw or heard a denomination, but these people were going in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Hallelujah! As they marched forth in everything they did as the ministry of Christ in the end times, these people were ministering to the multitudes over the face of the earth. Tens of thousands, even millions seemed to come to the Lord Jesus Christ as these people stood forth and gave the message of the kingdom, of the coming kingdom, in this last hour. It was so glorious, but it seems as though there were those that rebelled, and they would become angry and they tried to attack those workers that were giving the message. God is going to give to the world a demonstration in this last hour as the world has never known. These men and women are of all walks of life, degrees will mean nothing. I saw these workers as they were going over the face of the earth. When one would stumble and fall, another would come and pick him up. There were no "big I" and "little you," but every mountain was brought low and every valley was exalted, and they seemed to have one thing in common -- there was a divine love that seemed to flow forth from these people as they worked together, and as they lived together. It was the most glorious sight that I have ever known. Jesus Christ was the theme of their life. They continued and it seemed the days went by as I stood and beheld this sight. I could only cry, and sometimes I laughed. It was so wonderful as these people went throughout the face of the whole earth, bringing forth in this last end time. As I watched from the very heaven itself, there were times when great deluges of this liquid light seemed to fall upon great congregations, and that congregation would lift their hands and seemingly praise God for hours and even days as the Spirit of God came upon them. God said, "I will pour my Spirit upon all flesh," and that is exactly this thing. And to every man and every woman that received this power, and the anointing of God, the miracles of God, there was no ending to it... ...And then again, as these people were going about the face of the earth, a great persecution seemed to come from every angle. Suddenly there was another great clap of thunder, that seemed to resound around the world, and I heard again the voice, the voice that seemed to speak, "Now this is my people. This is my beloved bride," and when the voice spoke, I looked upon the earth and I could see the lakes and mountains. The graves were opened and people from all over the world, the saints of all ages, seemed to be rising. And as they rose from the grave, suddenly all these people came from every direction. From the east and the west, from the north and the south, and they seemed to be forming again this gigantic body. As the dead in Christ seemed to be rising first, I could hardly comprehend it. It was so marvellous. It was so far beyond anything I could ever dream or think of. But as this body suddenly began to form, and take shape again, it took shape again in the form of this mighty giant, but this time it was different. It was arrayed in the most beautiful gorgeous white. Its garments were without spot or wrinkle as its body began to form, and the people of all ages seemed to be gathered into this body, and slowly, slowly, as it began to form up into the very heavens, suddenly from the heavens above, the Lord Jesus came, and became the head, and I heard another clap of thunder that said, "This is my beloved bride for whom I have waited. She will come forth even tried by fire. This is she that I have loved from the beginning of time." As I watched, my eyes suddenly turned to the far north, and I saw seemingly destruction: men and women in anguish and crying out, and buildings in destruction. Then I heard again, the forth voice that said, "Now is my wrath being poured out upon the face of the earth." From the ends of the whole world, the wrath of God seemed to be poured out and it seemed that there were great vials of God's wrath being poured our upon the face of the earth. I can remember it as though it happened a moment ago. I shook and trembled as I beheld the awful sight of seeing cities, and whole nations going down into destruction. I could hear weeping and wailing. I could hear people crying. They seemed to cry as they went into caves, but the caves in the mountains opened up. They leaped into water, but the water would not drown them. There was nothing that could destroy them. They were wanting to take their lives, but they could not. Then again I turned my eyes to this glorious sight, this body arrayed in the beautiful white, shining garments. Slowly, slowly, it began to lift from the earth, and as it did I awoke. What a sight I had beheld! I had seen the end-time ministries -- the last hour. Again on July 2, at 2:30 in the morning, the same revelation, the same vision came again exactly as it did before. My life has been changed as I realised that we are living in that end time, for all over the world God is anointing men and women with this ministry. It will not be doctrine. It will not be churchianity. It is going to be Jesus Christ. They will give forth the word of the Lord, and are going to say, "I heard it so many times in the vision and according to my word it shall be done." Oh, my people, listen to me. According to my word, it shall be done. We are going to be clothed with power and anointing from God. We won't have to preach sermons, we won't have to have persons heckle us in public. We won't have to depend on man, nor will we be denomination echoes, but we will have the power of the living God. We will fear no man, but will go in the name of the Lord of Hosts! Return to head of chapter
Spiritual Dynamics for the End TimesDivisions:
Mysterious passages I like to wonder about There are certain parts of Revelation that I have often gone back to now and then, and read over and over. There are passages and phrases that are so difficult to understand, and yet, there is something that draws me to read them again. I may read it a few times, and then become involved with a different book of the Bible, or a different section. Then, maybe months later, or even a year later, I'll be back to those chapters, wondering what they mean. I don't know about you, but I find that I would rather go away from those passages still not knowing what they mean than to accept someone's shallow sounding explanation, just for the sake of having an explanation to show for all my study. After all, what ever is wrong with simply not knowing? If someone asks, just answer, "I don't know." I hope you're not trying to protect a reputation! I guess I could say that these passages have enjoyed the same place in my mind as the question of the "great delay" I talked about earlier. They are pet wonders that I go back to every now and then, and enjoy feeding with a few more browses through those particular passages. One of these passages is in Revelation 10, about the giant angel and the little book and the seven thunders; and the other is Revelation 12, regarding the virgin with the seven stars on her head, who gives birth to the man child. I think that I have increased just a little bit in my understanding of these passages -- at least enough to throw some light on the subject of prophecy and spiritual warfare. Maybe we will also find some keys to understanding the end times. Let's go over these chapters, and some of the ones following, and you see what you think. Also, even while writing or teaching on a subject, I sometimes gain new insights into some things. This should be beneficial for both of us. One reason why I am not excited about the pre-tribulational rapture view point, is that when I read certain passages, I see so many spiritual dynamics gyrating around and 'round, and so many exciting things happening (even positive things), I think it would be a shame if the Church misses that. Well, let's start with chapter 10. Return to head of chapter Here, we see a giant angel coming down from heaven holding a little book that is open. He is vividly described. Some commentators believe this angle is none other than Jesus Himself, which seems very likely. He makes a loud pronouncement, which isn't recorded, and then the seven thunders utter their voices. John isn't allowed to record their utterances. Of course, everyone reading this since the day John wrote it has been intrigued by the question of what the seven thunders said. Who are the seven thunders? Are they another set of judgements similar to the seven seals, or the seven trumpets or seven bowls of wrath? Why is the Bible so hush-hush about it? Just recently I began to wonder if the little book in the Angel's hand is none other than the book of the seven seals described in Revelation 5, which no one could open but the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Now, here is the Lamb, who was also described as a Lion, now as a mighty angel with one foot on the land and one on the sea, holding the very same book, now open, its seals having been broken. He has opened the seals Himself, so now, He is standing, making a proclamation that only He has the right to make. Are the seven thunders responses to each of the seven seals? If so, who is making the responses? Do we dare to venture a guess? Skipping over the next few verses, John is told to go up to the Angel, and take the book from His hand. He asks for the book, and the Angel tells him to eat it. It will be sweet to his mouth, but bitter in his stomach. Then he is told he will prophecy again over many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. Is it John who is to prophecy, or is he representing the Body of Christ? The next chapter, which is really a part of the same passage (the giant Angel seems to be narrating), speaks of the two witnesses. Are they the physical manifestation of the anointing from the little book? Whatever the answer is, it is clear that there is a prophetic anointing that comes from eating the little book. The words are sweet to the mouth, but bitter in the stomach. That could speak of an intercessory prayer burden, which one often feels in the stomach area. If it is indeed the book of seven seals that causes this anointing, this brings us to yet another point. The book of seven seals, described in chapter 5, is something like a legal document for the lease of the earth. Because authority over the earth had been given to Adam, God honoured the lease even though Adam had disobeyed, and in effect, given that authority over to the evil one. Therefore, no one in heaven had the authority to bring the age to a close except the Lamb, who had redeemed the earth back on behalf of man. Having broken all of the seals, thereby unleashing seven forces leading into the end time (the details of which I'll leave to someone else to write a book about), He stands with one foot on the land and one on the sea. The seven thunders speak. Are the seven thunders confirming words from God to each of the seven seals, or are they defiant challenges from the evil one? Whatever the case, the book is given to the prophet to eat. Is it possible that the mystery of the seven thunders is somehow to be addressed through end time prophecy? Will God's end time prophets speak each of the events of the seven seals into being? Indeed, the two witnesses who follow immediately afterwards, are said to have power to strike the earth "with all plagues." After the seven thunders have uttered their voices, the Angel raises His hand to heaven, and swears by Him who lives for ever and ever that there will be no more delay, but as the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, the mystery of God would be finished, as declared to His servants, the prophets. No more delay. Is that the same delay that has lasted now for almost two thousand years? What is the delay due to? We suggested earlier that it is until the fullness of the Gentiles comes about, and those in the seat of Moses make their declaration welcoming King Messiah to reign. The mystery of God will be completed in the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The seventh trumpet, I believe, is the last trumpet of I Corinthians 15:52. What can the mystery of God be but the resurrection, and the unveiling of the Church? The resurrection has been referred to as a "mystery" in I Corinthians 15:51; and the Church has been so described in Ephesians 5:32. Is there anything else in the universe so profound or central to God's plan as to be called the mystery of God? Of course, Dispensationalism can probably come up with about a dozen mysteries! At least one regarding the church, and one regarding Israel, and one for each dispensation! But Ephesians 3:2-6 shows us that the mystery concerns the Gentiles and the Jews being made fellow heirs in one Body -- not two divine programs. In Romans 11:25-27, the mystery is regarding the blindness on Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Then, all Israel will be saved, and the Deliverer will come out of Zion according to God's ancient covenant with Israel. It's all talking about one mystery -- the mystery of God, which will be complete in the days of the seventh trumpet. Let's flip ahead to Revelation 11:15, and find out what indeed happens as the seventh trumpet is sounded. Return to head of chapter Verses 15 through 19 tell us what happens in heaven. Some very profound proclamations are made: The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! More proclamations and events happen that show us that something climactic has taken place. We are not told in the usual straightforward way what has happened. Instead we take several chapters to back up and review the situation and see what has actually been happening, and then, in chapter 14 we see the actual resurrection of the dead, which resulted from the seventh trumpet. Let's look first at chapter 12. Return to head of chapter The classical interpretation of the man child born to this woman, is that it is Jesus. Some how, that explanation all by itself without further elaboration, failed to excite me. I saw too many spiritual dynamics going on to leave it as simply a summing up of past history. I was tempted for a long time to interpret the birth of the child as the rapture of the church. I believe that is a little bit closer to the spirit of the story, but now, I believe it has more to do with the first explanation. I'll go into that a little bit later. I'm satisfied that it fits the spiritual dynamics of the end times, which I'll explain first. Notice, verse 2 especially in the KJV or the New KJV uses an abundance of words just to say she is pregnant. Isn't it enough just to say, "She was pregnant"? But here, it says, "Then being with child, she cried out in labour and in pain to give birth." It practically says it three times. Not only is she pregnant, but she is very pregnant. Not only is she very pregnant, but she is crying loudly in travail. Why hasn't anyone ever noticed the parallel between this and other references to intercession, which describe it as giving spiritual birth (Gal 4:19; Rom 8:26; Col 1: 24 & 2:1)? As I said, I used to think perhaps it indicated "hastening the day of His return" (or the rapture, II Pet. 3:12) through intercession. That isn't all that far from the truth, but it leaves too many strings untied. However, I believe it indicate intercession and spiritual warfare. Verses 1-6 describe the whole scene from the point of view of the woman. The child is born, and is caught up to heaven, and the woman flees into the wilderness where a place is prepared for her for three and a half years. Then, verse 7 onward, goes back over the same scene, but from the point of view of heaven. We know this, because in verse 14, the woman is again described as fleeing to a place in the wilderness for three and a half years. Does she flee twice? I don't think so. Verses 7 through 17 are obviously going back over the same events, but from a heavenly point of view. This teaches us a lot about spiritual warfare. While the woman is in travail, war is going on in heaven. Michael and his angels are fighting with the dragon and his angels. As the dragon is defeated, the man child is caught up into heaven. While the saints are travailing in intercessory prayer, the angels are warring in the heavenlies. Verses 10 and 11 show us yet a third aspect of the warfare. Satan, or the dragon, is described as the "accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night." How can Satan accuse us before God? Are we not made the righteousness of God in Christ? Aren't all of our sins already placed at the cross? Why then does Satan bother to go to God to accuse us if it's such a useless exercise? Is he stupid? No, Satan isn't stupid. His accusations are what keep God's plan for the ages from taking place. Satan says, "Look at them! They're all fighting each other! Your saints are acting so unsaintly! Why! Your spotless bride is involved in a mud-wrestling tournament! In fact, look! She's clobbering your beloved Jews -- the apple of your eye! And you call this 'the mystery?'" God is compelled to look, and, true. His bride has indeed taken up mud-wrestling! That's what has been happening over the ages. That is why the great delay! Praise God, that time is coming to a close! Yes, we are individually righteous before God. We have the right to enter the Holy of Holies into His very presence. But only as we actually enter in and exercise our right as sons in the inner sanctuary will we overcome! The time is coming when verse 11 is being fulfilled: And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death (That's just too good a verse to relegate to the post-rapture "tribulation saints"). That is the third aspect of spiritual warfare. First we saw travailing in the spirit. Than, we saw the war of the angels in the heavenlies. Now, we see the believers, themselves, actually gaining victory over Satan by their lives, and overcoming him by their word, and through the blood of Yeshuah. They have died to the world, and don't even consider their own lives something to be cherished. As a result of all this, something climactic happens, but what? Is the birth of the man child the rapture of the Church? Or did this all happen two thousand years ago when Jesus was born and died, and rose, and ascended into heaven? If it is the rapture, than who is the woman? If she's the Church, then why isn't she caught up into heaven? If she's Israel, how is she giving birth to the rapture of the believers? She could be Israel, as she makes the declaration, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." But that is the result of intercession on the part of the believers. Again, why isn't the woman raptured? If it's the rapture, that would infer a mid-tribulational rapture of the church, because there is a three and a half year time period after that. During that time, the dragon is out to persecute the other children of the woman, who hold the testimony of Jesus. Obviously, that means persecutions, and martyrdom of those who somehow either failed to go up in the rapture, or were saved afterwards. That presents a problem, because Revelation 20:4,5 says that those who were beheaded for their faith are raised up to reign with Christ for a thousand years, and this is the first resurrection. Remember, "resurrection" and "rapture" mean the same thing. "Rapture" is simply the resurrection of someone who's still alive. The two can't be separated. Therefore, the birth of the man child three and a half years before that can't be the rapture. Just what does the birth of the man child signify, then? We must go back to the classical explanation. It is Jesus, the Messiah. However, to understand exactly how it relates to Jesus, we must understand that visions and prophecies have a duel nature. They can mean two things at once. They can mean something current, and something in the distant future. The man child born of the woman is Jesus, birthed into His earthly ministry, until he ascended to heaven, and his end time body which only becomes complete with the fullness of the Gentiles and Israel's acceptance of Him as King Messiah. In his earthly ministry, Jesus was just one man with only a human body. Now, he has a body made up of many members; he is the head; and the body is carrying out earthly ministry. That had to be birthed into being just as Jesus's physical body did. Jesus's physical body was birthed into existence through the travail of people such as Simeon and Anna, who are spoken of in Luke 2. Anna, it is said, went around telling others in Jerusalem that Messiah had been born, so there were probably many more who were in intercession for the deliverance of Israel. The prophets, of course, spoke Jesus's ministry into existence through the prophetic word. That also is a form of spiritual warfare. Now, Jesus's physical body made up of the fullness of the Gentiles and the redeemed of Israel is being birthed. The vision of the Sun 'n Moon woman treats both as though they were one and the same event, just as all the Old Testament prophets treated it as one event. The "great delay" has been collapsed down to nothing. In God's sight it is nothing. After all, it's only the third day! If Kevin Conner, in his book The Seventy Weeks Prophecy is right, it's the two halves of Daniel's 70th week put back together (Daniel 9:24-27). The three and a half years of Yeshuah's ministry, according to Kevin Conner, count for the first half of the 70th week. Now, we see the second three and a half years fulfilled. The woman is both Israel and the Church. More specifically, it is Israel, a remnant of whom is even now in travail for the rest, that she would give birth to King Messiah. It includes the Gentile church in so much as they also are in intercession and travail for Israel, but ultimately, it is Israel. Once that happens, the resurrection of the dead doesn't happen right away. The dragon is cast to the earth, and pursues the woman. She has to flee into the wilderness for about three and a half years. The chapter just before that has just told us that Jerusalem will be trodden down by Gentiles for three and a half years. This must mean a hard time for Israel. Perhaps it is at this time that the antichrist will manifest himself as the abomination of desolation in the temple. This is the time that Jesus warned, when you see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place, flee for the mountains. That is where there is a place prepared for the woman. Some have said it is the ruins of Petra, and others have said it is the regions around the Dead Sea. If we find out for sure, perhaps we shouldn't print it in a book, in case the wrong people read it! However, we do know, that they will receive supernatural protection -- just one more reason not to fear the Great Tribulation. Return to head of chapter Where is the rest of the Church at this point? By now, I believe, we will have a remnant from every nation, tribe and tongue who have overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, and love not their lives to the death. The Church will be the picture described in Revelation 7:9-17. It is evident that this passage is not referring to the Church in heaven, but on earth. They will not be scorched by the sun by day, or by any heat, they won't hunger, the Lamb will lead them to flowing fountains of water ("living water" can mean "naturally flowing water"). If they are in heaven, why are we be being told all this? Is there really a question of people being scorched by the sun in heaven? Will there be tears to wipe away in heaven? Is the Bible superfluous? Then it's not talking about heaven, but of the Body of Christ on earth. Of course, there is also a spiritual application that is applicable even today -- if you follow the Lamb, He will always lead you to living water. These are literally a people from every nation, tribe and tongue who have begun moving in unity and glory, and whose tears have been wiped away by the confidence that the Lamb will protect them from any danger. It's the picture of the Church in the Great Tribulation! Air condition comfort, abundant supply! How would you like to be in that number? You will be! It will be a great time! Earlier in that same chapter, we read of the sealing of the 144,000 Jews. They are the special anointed Jewish delegation of the Body of Christ. That doesn't mean that only 144,000 Jews will be saved. In Romans 11:26 it says "All Israel will be saved." These could be those who "sit in the seat of Moses," or perhaps the required number of Israel, representing each tribe. Just as the great multitude had to represent each nation, tribe and tongue, so each tribe of Israel must also be represented so as to officially recognise Yeshuah as King Messiah. It could be that chapter 7 is parallel to chapter 14. There, in verse one, we see the 144,000 on Mount Zion gathered around the Lamb. Remember, the Lamb, Messiah Yeshuah, had said He would not be seen on Mount Zion until the leaders, who sit in Moses's seat will say, "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." He is not there in His official "second coming" state, but has simply appeared to them in response to their cry. They are on the earth, as the next verse begins, "And I heard a voice from heaven..." If they were in heaven, how could they hear a voice from heaven? They were on the earth, but they were able to catch a song that is being sung before the throne of God. They have found the inner sanctuary, and they are able to hear a song. That song is not just for them. Perhaps they sing it while they wash the feet of their Gentile brethren, but sing it they do, and they bless others with it. So the Body of Christ is complete. Israel is in her place; the Gentiles from every nation, tribe and tongue are in their places; but it looks like they aren't raptured for another three and a half years! Why? Well, let me ask you. You finally have a functioning body that works perfectly as it should. What's the first thing you do? Do you suddenly need to take a long rest? No! You get to work! Now, it's harvest time! Now, the body is finally functioning at its peak, so its time to decisively give Satan the knock out blow. Now, Satan is released to give it his best shot. Chapter 13 tells us about the very biggest and best weapons Satan has in his arsenal (read it yourself). Chapter 14, after talking about the 144,000, tells in verse 6 of the angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. Some have taught that an angel actually flies around preaching, like a UFO equipped with a PA system. Really, it's the angel that is given special charge over the task that is to be carried out by this unified body of believers, in the same way that Michael is the warring angel, etc. It is the spirit of evangelism. The Body of Christ will now move as never before. There will be perfect unity. Each of the different groups form every nation, tribe, tongue and hidden people-group etc., will go to their own people, but with the strength of the entire body of Christ behind them. Probably a few Jews will go to each group for good measure, so everyone will hear their song. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, gifts of helps, gifts of miracles, etc. from all these ethnic groups will move in and out, some stationary, and some travelling from one place to another. Some whole groups will move from one place to another as God leads, so as to find protection from their persecutors. The whole world will be like a river of believers flowing here and there as the wind sends them, but no one will know where they come from or where they will go next, in fulfilment of John 3:8. Not only will this great Body move in evangelism, but the spirit of prophecy, in verse 8 will also move them. They will proclaim the fall of the world's system. Verse 9 indicates that they will warn those who follow the antichrist of the wrath that is to come. There will be martyrdom. That won't matter to us, who love not our lives unto the death. Verse 13 says "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." This is a special gift of martyrdom that hasn't been seen before. They are especially blessed. Not all will be martyred, of course -- only a privileged few! Then, verse 14 tells us of the final harvest. The Son of Man, wearing a golden crown, and holding a harp, will thrust in His sickle and we will be gathered to Him. Now, you say, this is three and a half years after the acceptance of Messiah by Israel, and the unity of Christ's body. Doesn't it say, "No one knows the day nor the hour?" How then will we know that it is exactly three and a half years to go before the rapture? I was hoping you wouldn't ask that. However, we may not know it to the exact day and hour. Secondly, the time is scheduled to be three and a half years. However, Matthew 24:22 says, "Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved: but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." We know that they will be shortened, but we don't know by how much. Also, there is room in our scenario for a "pre-wrath" rapture. That means the rapture is after the tribulation, but before the 7 angels begin pouring out the seven last bowls of God's wrath. That could be from a couple of months to a couple of years! Now, we've once again regained the aura of mystique. Now isn't this exciting?
So, What's the Point of this Book?
Sometimes, when I'm in Bangkok, and I'm bargaining for a non-metered cab, or a tuk-tuk, or some other means of hired transport, I will always bargain for the best price possible. Sometimes I drive a vary hard bargain. I may even send a taxi away because he insisted on a ridiculous price, and hail another one. Then, when we finally arrive at my destination, I may relent and actually give the driver a bit more than we agreed on. In this book, I've driven a hard bargain on a number of Biblical positions people tend to differ on. I have given scriptures, and titbits of history, and poked holes in faulty arguments, but I've done all that because I see history, as a unified whole, coming to a climax with the resurrection of the dead. I see God's dealings with mankind based on covenant. First, the covenant of Abraham, and of Moses, in which Israel plays a key role. Established on that is the New Covenant, which doesn't displace the Old Covenant, but rather completes the whole picture. In all this, Israel continues to play a key role, but the crowning result is the Church, the body of Christ, in which Israel must take her place. Most important of all, you, the reader; whether you be Jew or Gentile; or male or female; or minister in the five fold ministry, or active church member; or Australian or Afghan or Albanian or Angolan you must take your place in the inner sanctuary. That is the most important place to be. That, itself, sums up the Law and the Prophets, and the Gospels and Epistles. Intimate relationship with our creator in the Holy of Holies is the key. When we are truly doing that, all of our relationships with others fall into place. Our ministry vision will be in perspective with the great vision of the Church. It is out of the inner sanctuary that the Body, the giant that Tommy Hicks visualised, will arise, and fulfil its calling in God's glorious plan. Then, we, the church collectively will arrive at the glorious end of the age. If you understand that, then we've accomplished what we set out to do, as far as this book is concerned, even if we haven't convinced you regarding the timing of the rapture and so forth. So, I'll relent, and say that if you see no conflict between your view and an understanding of the climactic nature of the resurrection, God's glorious plan for the Church of the end times, and our part in hastening the day of the Lord by establishing ourselves in the inner sanctuary; then, praise the Lord! As long as we are together in the inner sanctuary, we have worlds more in common with one another than any of the differences described in this book can even touch. That is where it's at! Amen and amen!
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . footnote - 71 Some passages can be taken to mean pre-tribulation rapture, if you read it a certain way, but they can't be taken to prove anything, because there are other possible interpretations. So far the strongest statement either way, by far, is this one in Matthew 24. The only way to reinterpret this is to explain the whole concept of Dispensationalism, and to prove that God has a different program for Israel than he has for the Church. Return to text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . footnote - 81 This is not an argument for "post trib rapture". There is nothing here to indicate whether Tommy Hicks was a "pre-tribber" or a "post-tribber." This has been included just to further encourage you. Return to text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . footnote - 91 Why 144,000, you ask? That's 12,000 from each tribe to welcome Messiah, for the same reason why, in a trial by jury, a decision depends on the unanimous word of 12 jurors. That's actually been borrowed from rabbinical practice. For a capitol offence, 23 judges must sit to judge. Why 23? The rabbis infer from Num 35:24,25, two congregations (a congregation judges... a congregation acquits). One congregation equals 10 men, or a minyan; thus two minyans equal 20 men. Exodus 23:2 is taken to infer that a majority of 2 is required to convict whereas a majority of only one is required to acquit; thus we have 22. One more is added to break a tie, bringing the total to 23. 12 unanimous decisions is thus a majority of 23. For a tribe of Israel to acknowledge Messiah, therefore requires 1000 majorities, or 12,000. 1000 from all the tribes equals, of course, 144,000. Return to text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | ||||
