the 'shadow' of things to come

murjahel said:

Someday, at the rapture, the two groups (raptured, and resurrected saints) will be presented by Jesus to God the Father.​

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murjahel said:

If I were going to guess,​

which day is most likely to be
the one on which the rapture happens,
I would choose the 'day of Pentecost'...​

there are others who guess other
feast days...
but I think there is more and better
evidence for this one...​

of course, we will not 'know'
the day or hour...
but we may guess right...​

but God has made it impossible
to absolutely 'know'...
for other days have some evidence
to support them...
and God made it that way,
so we will not know which is the correct
guess, till it happens...​

SIXTH DAY OF SIVAN
FEAST OF PENTECOST​

This is the fourth of the seven feast of the Lord. (Leviticus 23:15-16,21) ​

It took place 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. ​

The word "pentecost" comes from the word "fifty." ​

The Jews called this day "Shavuot." ​

It was also called the "Zeman Matan Torenu" referring to
it being the day
that the law was given to Moses. ​

ENOCH RAPTURED
on this day...​

The Jewish writer, H.L. Ginzberg wrote in "The Legends of the Jews"
that according to Israel's oral tradition,
Enoch was raptured on the 6th of Sivan. ​

The rapture of the saint from the patriarchal age went to heaven miraculously, in his earthly body. ​

He is still there, never having died,
and awaiting a return for 42 months,
in which he will finish his ministry in the tribulation period. ​

He is one of the "two witnesses" of Revelation.​

Genesis 5:24
"AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD
AND WAS NOT FOR GOD TOOK HIM."​

on this day,
years later,
there was the
GIVING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS​

After leaving Egypt, the Jews marched 50 days. On the 3rd day of the third month, Sivan, they arrived at Mt. Sinai. Israel waited three days for Moses to return from the mount.​

Exodus 19:11
"BE READY AGAINST THE 3RD DAY; FOR THE 3RD DAY THE LORD WILL COME DOWN IN THE SIGHT OF ALL THE PEOPLE UPON MT. SINAI."​

Thus, the rabbi's taught that it was on the 6th of Sivan that God came down to the top of Mt. Sinai to give the law to Moses. ​

The "Jewish Almanac" records that, historically, it (6th of Sivan) commemorates the revelation of the Torah to Moses. ​

"The Jewish Holiday- A Guide and Commentary" describes the Feast of Pentecost, Shavuot, as the celebration of the giving of the Torah by God.​

this of course, is also the day of
the ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT​

Fifty days after Easter, the disciples were in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit arrived (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4). ​

The Holy Spirit had ben promised by Jesus to come. The Spirit had come to an upper room. The disciples then went down to the ground level and 3000 were saved that day. The next day 5000 more were saved. Within 70 years, over 10 million had been converted.​

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I believe that this will also be the day
of the RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
... of course, I do not know which year...
nor can I be adamant that it has
to occur on this day...​

This is the most likely day for the rapture of the church to occur. ​

There are others who prefer other dates for the rapture, yet I feel that the day of Pentecost is the most likely.​

God made it possible for us to argue for several different dates.​

Some choose the Feast of Firstfruits (Easter),
because
following that day there were seven weeks and one day of harvesting before the day of Pentecost.​

So they think that the Feast of Firstfruits typifies the rapture,
and the day of Pentecost as the second coming following the seven years of tribulation.​

They picture the rapture of Jesus on the 40th day like the rapture of the two witnesses, the 144,000, and the tribulation saints.​

Some choose the Feast of Trumpets as the most likely day for the rapture. They assume that the "trump of God" that is to sound is an indication for this day.​

Some choose the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles as the most likely day because the seven days is like the tribulation's seven years. ​

If the rapture is to occur before the tribulation, then, they feel, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles is a likely day.​

There are a number of reasons that I choose the day of Pentecost as the most likely day for the rapture to occur.​

This feast is also called the "feast of weeks" because it came 7 weeks after the Feast of Firstfruits.
The rapture is to occur after the seven church ages described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.​

The Feast of Pentecost is also called
the "Feast of Harvest"
because it was held at the close of the wheat and barley harvest. ​

Often the rapture time was referred to as the harvesttime. The whole church age started with the former rain revival, and it will end with a latter rain revival. These are like the spring and the harvest rains of a growing season. ​

The church is the harvest that the Lord is anxious to harvest. The church is likened to wheat that will be harvested.​

The day of Pentecost is the day they celebrated the wheat harvest.​

On this day the people were to take some of the harvest, and carry it to the temple to present it to God. ​

They walked along the streets of the city praising God on this day, and went to the temple to present their offering to God. On the rapture day, we will be presented to the Lord.​

The celebration of this day consisted of 2 loaves of bread, baked with leaven, waved before the Lord. ​

The two loaves represent the raptured, and resurrected saints.​

While the priest was in the temple waving the bread, the saints were in the upper room, and the coming of the Spirit announced the beginning of the church age.​

On Mt. Sinai, the two tables of law were given, and a new relationship was entered into by God with His people.​

Someday, at the rapture, the two groups (raptured, and resurrected saints) will be presented by Jesus to God the Father.​

When God came down onto Mt. Sinai, a new relationship was started with mankind. When the Spirit came to the upper room, God announced a new relationship with mankind.​

When Jesus comes in the rapture a new relationship will begin between mankind and God.​

Sinai saw the giving of the law.
The upper room saw the giving of new life and power.
The rapture will be the giving of the eternal life.
These show God's total plan.​

The common sermon of today on the rapture has to include the idea that -
- it is sooner than we think. ​

Why is it sooner than we think? ​

Why don't we think it to be sooner than it is? ​

Why do Christians want to put off the rapture? ​

The Thessalonicans had to be corrected by Paul for thinking the rapture to be sooner than Paul had taught. ​

The Jews had expected what we know to be the second coming when Jesus came the first coming. ​

Abraham "looked for a city whose builder and maker was God" long, long ago. ​

Yet, the average Christian desires Jesus to take His time in returning. ​

What a poor compliment to the Lord to not anxiously await His return! ! !​

Imagine the youngsters in a classroom awaiting the final bell of the school year. With the sounding of that bell, the summer vacation begins. With eager anticipation, and legs ready to scramble for the door, they watch the clock tick slowly to the sounding of the bell. ​

Yet, many Christians seem to want the rapture to be delayed. Their lack of enthusiasm must grieve our Savior. He has prepared joys and rewards for us that are beyond imagination. He wants to call us home to heaven. I would rather be ready and waiting too early, than to be like many who are trying to find loopholes in any idea that the Lord may be returning very soon!! ​

Enoch walked with God, and the Lord took him home to heaven on this day. We as the saints of the last days need to be walking with the Lord, ready to be called home.​

I doubt if the Lord had to convince Enoch that he should want to be raptured. ​

Enoch had a relationship with the Lord that made him anxious for his rapture.​

Click to expand...

(So what comes next ...
or is there more to know of this day? )​

murjahel said:

SEVENTEENTH DAY OF TAMMUZ​

FAST​

Zechariah 8:19
"THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS:
'THE FAST OF THE 4TH MONTH,
AND THE FAST OF THE 5TH,
AND THE FAST OF THE 7TH,
AND THE FAST OF THE 10TH,
SHALL BE TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH
JOY AND GLADNESS
AND CHEERFUL FEASTS.'"​

Each of the four fasts mentioned in the above verse, were in commemoration of some tragic events concerning the destruction of the temple, Jerusalem, and the Babylonian invasion (606 - 587 B.C.) ​

Zechariah promises that
once the Messiah comes,
these four feasts
will become times of rejoicing.​

Many tragic events have occurred on these days,
yet - soon- some great events
will transpire
to make them forget
the tragedies of these days. ​

They will begin to celebrate on these days that once brought memories of sorrow and grief.​

The fast of the fourth month occurred on the 17th.
It was a day of fasting and mourning.​

It began a three week period of national mourning.​

It led up to the fast of Tisha Beav (9th of Av).
The mourning was to recognize their sin and the punishment to come because of it.​

What all has happened on this particular day????​

1. MOSES BREAKS THE TABLETS
OF THE LAW
WHEN HE SEES THE GOLDEN CALF​

Moses met God and received the law on the 6th of Sivan.​

Mt. Sinai was covered with a cloud of smoke. ​

The Lord God descended upon it in a fire. ​

The whole mountain quaked greatly. ​

(Exodus 19:18) Moses was on the mountain 40 days.​

While he was there the people built a golden calf and worshipped it. ​

On the 17th day of Tammuz,
as Moses came down from the mountain,
he saw the people
in idolatrous worship of the calf.​

He broke the tables of the law (Exodus 32:19).​

Moses called out: 'Who is on the Lord's side?' ​

The Levites came and stood beside him. ​

Three thousand rebels were killed (Exodus 32:26). ​

These events occurred on the 17th of Tammuz. ​

They were a cause of shame for the Israelites.​

They fasted on this day each year to remind themselves of their sin. ​

They had broken the law, and gone far into idolatrous sin, in the short time it took ​

Moses to receive the law from God on Mt. Sinai.​

2. Also on this day, years later,
THE BABYLONIANS BROKE
THROUGH THE WALLS
OF JERUSALEM
AND CAUSED
THE DAILY SACRIFICE TO CEASE​

The city of Jerusalem was about to fall after a two year siege by
Nebuchadnezzar. ​

Finally, the Babylonians broke through the wall.​

In an attempt to continue the daily sacrifice,
the priests had put gold coins in a basket,
and lowered them from the wall. ​

The Babylonian soldiers had put sheep back into the basket, as trade.​

When the outer walls were broken,
the soldiers stopped selling the sheep. ​

They knew they would soon have the whole city.​

For the first time in more than 400 years, the Israelites could no longer continue the daily sacrifice. ​

The 17th day of Tammuz
showed God's anger,
and the loss of His protection. ​

The city was about to fall, and the sacrifices were stopped,
and God was tired of accepting sacrifices from those who were not truly repentant.​

3. Also, on this day, many years later,
THE ROMAN ARMY FORCES THE CESSATION OF THE DAILY SACRIFICE​

Almost 40 years after Christ's crucifixion,
the Roman army besieged Jerusalem. ​

In A.D. 66, a war of independence had started. ​

In A.D. 70, Titus had Jerusalem surrounded. ​

On the 17th day of Tammuz,
Titus moved catapults close enough to hurl boulders onto the temple. ​

This put the city into chaos, and caused them to cease the daily sacrifice. ​

656 years earlier, the Babylonians
also had stopped the sacrifices on this exact day.​

Again the day
recognized the announcement day
by God that He
was about to devastate
the city for its mock repentance. ​

They were not truly repentant,
and they had not reconsidered their rejection of the true Messiah. ​

They were going through a form of religion,
but had no power therein,
for the repentance was not genuine.​

We find many today,
with mock repentance...
which angers God.​

Now, what future event,
would change this 'fast day'
to a day of rejoicing???​

FUTURE EVENTS TO CHANGE THE MOURNING INTO JOY​

Perhaps this will be the day in Petra
when the Jews
will their call on Jesus to return.​

Realizing their mistake of rejecting Jesus as their Messiah,
they will call for another chance. ​

God had announced on this day, throughout the years, that because of their fake repentance, judgment was about to fall.​

It would be an appropriate day for them to truly realize their sin, and begin a repentance process,
that will bring the return of the true Messiah, Jesus Christ.​

This would turn this day of mourning into a day in which they could commemorate something joyful.​

This is my idea,
but there are other possibilities...​

with the prophetic promise
that this day would be
turned into a day of rejoicing,
there needs to be some
great event to make it thus...​

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murjahel said:

another fast ​

day that will someday
become a feast day is​

NINTH DAY OF AV
FAST OF MOURNING​

This day is known at Tisha Be-av,
and is the day that the nation of Israel
mourns the loss of their temple. ​

The ninth of Av has witnessed many great disasters. It was a day that Israel mourned the loss of their temple and looked forward to the coming of their Messiah. ​

This fasting and mourning day will become a day of joy and gladness in the last days. ​

Zechariah (8:19) tells us that God will cause events to happen on this day that will transform its meaning.​

12 SPIES RETURN, 10 WITH AN EVIL REPORT​

Moses sent out 12 spies to spy out the promised land. Ten returned with a pessimistic and unbelieving report. Joshua and Caleb had faith and courage. The Jewish commentary says the night of mourning and weeping was on the 9th of Av. ​

Numbers 14:1-10 records the rebellion and their desire to stone Moses. Each year the Israelites mourn over this sin and disobedience.​

Christians today need to mourn some of the poor decisions they have made. Some have believed false prophecies, and missed great blessings from God, as did the Israelites. Happily for us, when we repent, the price is already paid, and out day can be turned immediately into joy, for we are then forgiven. ​

We can then use that same day as a day to rejoice in the mercy of a forgiving Lord and Savior.​

Some day soon, the Israelites will be able to rejoice on this day, that once brought sorrowful mourning. ​

There will come events one this day, that will cause them to rejoice for the mercy of their true Messiah. ​

DESTRUCTION OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE BY THE BABYLONIANS​

In 589 B.C. a siege was started. Two years later the Babylonians broke through the walls. ​

Twenty one days later the fight came to the Temple mount. ​

On this 9th and 10th of Av the temple was burned. ​

Jeremiah 52:5-14 is Jeremiah's eyewitness account of this event. ​

On this day the Jews read the book of Lamentations.​

The book of Lamentations is a book of LAMENTS, or mournings which are spoken. Jeremiah had warned the people of Jerusalem and Israel for many years. ​

He had been rejected, hated, mocked, berated, imprisoned, and physically abused for his prophecies. Now, when the truth of his prophecies had been fulfilled, he did not rejoice, and say - 'I told you so...', but rather, he mourned woefully for the people he still loved.​

Lamentations 2:7
"THE LORD HATH CAST OF HIS ALTAR, HE HATH ABHORRED HIS SANCTUARY, HE HATH GIVEN UP INTO THE HAND OF THE ENEMY THE WALLS OF HER PALACES; THEY HAVE MADE A NOISE IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, AS IN THE DAY OF A SOLEMN FEAST." ​

DESTRUCTION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE BY THE ROMANS​

In A.D. 70, over 1,250,000 people were trapped in Jerusalem by the Romans. The original attack started on Passover in A.D. 66, while many pilgrims were in Jerusalem. ​

The daily sacrifice ceased on the 17th of Tammuz. ​

Twenty one days later on the 9th of Av,
the army reached the temple.​

Titus had given orders to his men that they not destroy the Temple. ​

Luke 19:41-44 details the prediction of Jesus on this event.
The angry soldiers disobeyed Titus and threw torches into the Temple. ​

Josephus records that Titus stood at the Holy Place and tried to keep the soldiers out.
"As God is my witness,
this was not done by my order." ​

Daniel 9:26
"...PEOPLE OF THAT PRINCE ...
SHALL DESTROY THE CITY AND THE SANCTUARY..."​

Thus, Daniel shows that it was the "people of that prince" and not the "prince" that would destroy the Temple.
Titus had just become a "prince". ​

In A.D. 69, his father Vespasian, had become the emperor of Rome. So in A.D. 70, Titus was a "prince."
The predictions of Jesus, and Daniel had been fulfilled in the smallest detail. ​

The heat of the fire melted the gold.
It ran down into the cracks of the building.
The soldiers, in search for the gold, used wedges and bars to search for the gold. ​

In doing this, not one stone was left upon another. ​

This destruction took place on the 9th of Av.​

The Lord gives accurate prophecies, and even has them occur upon appropriate days of the calendar. ​

We serve a God Who is precise in every detail.​

ROMANS PLOWED THE TEMPLE MOUNT​

In A.D. 71, on the 9th of Av, the Romans plowed the Temple mount. ​

This fulfilled the prediction in Micah 3:12:
"THEREFORE SHALL ZION FOR YOUR SAKES BE PLOWED AS A FIELD AND JERUSALEM SHALL BECOME HEAPS, AND THE MOUNT OF THE HOUSE AS THE HIGH PLACES OF THE FOREST."​

DESTRUCTION OF BAR KOCHBA'S ARMY​

A dynamic leader, Simon Bar Kochba, was accepted by some to be the Messiah.​

Jesus had predicted that the Jews would accept another in place of Jesus. ​

John 5:43
"I AM COME IN MY FATHER'S NAME,
AND YE RECEIVE ME NOT,
IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME,
HIM WILL YE RECEIVE."​

For two years, this false Messiah, repelled the Romans. finally, the Emperor Hadrian, attacked the Jews at Beitar, southwest of Jerusalem.​

On the 9th of Av, in A.D. 135, Israel was slaughtered without mercy. Dio Cassius (a Roman historian) says that 580,000 Jewish soldiers died by the sword alone (not counting those who perished by fire and famine).​

The horses of the Romans waded in blood up to their girths. ​

It was 65 years, to the day, after Jerusalem and the Temple had been burned.​

From that day until May, 1948, Israel ceased to be a nation. ​

The event that marked the end of their national status, was the result of accepting a false Messiah. ​

ENGLAND EXPELLED ALL THE JEWS IN 1290 A.D.​

On the 9th of Av in 1290 (July 18th), King Edward I ordered the expulsion of all the Jews of England. 400 years later, Oliver Cromwell granted the Jews the right to settle (A.D. 1657). Britain began to prosper at that time of their return. When the Jews returned to England, England began to truly prosper.​

Genesis 12:3
"I WILL BLESS THEM THAT BLESS THEE, AND CURSE HIM THAT CURSETH THEE. IN THEE SHALL ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED.​

It was on the 9th of Av, that England had expelled all the Jews in 1290. An event caused by the belief in the false prophecy started by that devil, that the Jews were the source of curses in a nation, and the only way to be blessed and prosperous, is to eliminate them. Many people still believe that false prophecy.​

SPAIN EXPELLED ALL THE JEWS IN A.D. 1492​

On August 2, 1492, on the 9th of Av, Spain ordered 800,000 Jews expelled. From that point on, Spain decreased. It was on that same day that Columbus sailed for the new world. When one door was closing for the Jews, God was about to open another temporary homeland for the Jews. ​

The United States is still the country with the most Jews. In 1948, it was the U.S.A. that was the strongest supporter of the nation of Israel.​

While many still believed the false prophecy that the devil continues to promote, the Lord is still demonstrating the truth, that those who bless the Jewish people are blessed of God.​

RUSSIA LAUNCHED THE PERSECUTION OF THE JEWS IN 1914​

On the 9th of Av, August 1, 1914, attacks and persecution began in Russia against the Jews. The immigration that these events started, helped set the stage for the events leading to the creation of the nation of Israel in 1948.​

Again, the belief that the Jewish people are a source of trouble, has been believed by many, many people down through the ages. It is a lie, and God has always been demonstrating this to the world. This day, the 9th of Av, is a day when God has allowed to occur the rejection of His people, and the acceptance by sinners of the false prophecy of the devil.​

FUTURE EVENTS ? ? ?​

TRUE PROPHECY TO BE TAKEN TO THE JEWS IN PETRA​

On the 9th of Av,
all events occur with or as being a problem
with
false prophecy. ​

1. False reports were given by 10 of the 12 spies.​

2. Solomon's temple was destroyed despite the false prophets' predictions.​

3. The second Temple was destroyed because of the rejection of Christ by the false prophetic teachings of the religious leaders of Jesus' day.​

4. The destruction of Bar Kochba's army was the result of people believing false prophecy that he was the Messiah.​

5. England believed false doctrine that the Jews were the source of the trouble, and expelled the Jews.​

6. Spain expelled the Jews in 1492 because they believed the same false prophecy.​

7. Russia began the persecution of the Jews in 1914, also because of the same false reports.​

Since this mourning day is to soon be replaced with a day of joy... the start of the rejoicing may be the celebration of the day when true prophecy will be taken to the Jews in Petra. ​

The two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, who return during the tribulation will go to the city of Petra and tell the Jews who are hiding there in confusion, that Jesus was the true Messiah. ​

They were startled to learn that the Antichrist was not their Messiah.
Now they will be taught the true prophetic truths, by the final two prophets.​

Zechariah 8:19
"THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS: 'THE FAST OF THE...FIFTH...
SHALL BE
TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH JOY AND GLADNESS,
AND CHEERFUL FEASTS; ​

THEREFORE LOVE THE TRUTH AND PEACE."​

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Fascinating research you've done, Murjahel.
It must have taken a long time to study all of this.
Thank you for sharing it! ​