Watching for the Coming of our Lord and Savior at the Pre Tribulation Rapture. Sharing information on the Rapture, and How to Prepare for the Lord's Coming in the clouds.
Jesus is coming again. It's in the Bible, John 14:2-3, NKJV. "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
There are signs of Jesus' coming. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:29-31, NKJV. "Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near."
What are some signs? It's in the Bible, Matt 24:3, NKJV. "As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Men posing as Jesus will try to deceive people in the last days. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:23-24, NIV. "At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!' or ‘There He is!' do not believe it. For false Christ's and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible."
There will be wars, though they may seem overwhelming, it is not the end. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:6, NKJV. "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
Earthquakes and famines, and all the signs are only the contractions of what's coming. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:7-8, NKJV. "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."
Non-Christians will find it hard to believe we are living in the last days of earth's history. It's in the Bible, II Peter 3:3-4, TLB. "First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of, and laugh at the truth. This will be their line of argument: ‘So Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He? He'll never come! Why, as far back as anyone can remember everything has remained exactly as it was since the first day of creation.'"
The coming of the Antichrist is a sign of the end. It's in the Bible, I John 2:18, NKJV. "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that theAntichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour."
What moral conditions will be characteristic of society in the last days? It's in the Bible, II Timothy 3:1-5, NIV. "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
What other signs of the last days does the Bible mention? It's in the Bible, Luke 21:25-26, NIV. "There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."
Talk of peace and safety are a sign of the last days. It's in the Bible, I Thessalonians 5:2-3, NIV. "For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
The gospel will go to the whole world and the end will come. It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:14, NIV. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
What are people to do when they see these things taking place? It's in the Bible, Matthew 24:42-44, TLB. "So be prepared, for you don't know what day your Lord is coming. Just as a man can prevent trouble from thieves by keeping watch for them, so you can avoid trouble by always being ready for My unannounced return."
It's in the Bible, Luke 21: 28, NKJV. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Unimagined Glory (Journey Through Heaven) Christian Music Artist
What is heaven like? The Bible gives us some insights in various passages, especially in the book of Revelation, but even that, is looking through a glass darkly. The world we live in now is an abberation, completely designed for decay and death. Everything and everyone around us is in some state of deterioration.
If you truly understood what Heaven is like, and what it would be like to be there, you would change all your negative lifestyle habits and attitudes. Think of the happiest moment you've ever experienced, think of the best you've ever felt, think of the most incredible beautiful sight you've ever seen, magnify it billions of times, and understand there is no end to this joy, no aging, no pain, no disease, no loneliness, no fear, no doubt, no discomfort, no death, and you only scratch the surface of what it's like in the Paradise of God. Majesty beyond conception, brightness and light of such beauty, it's beyond description.
Let's imagine we're standing on a vast plain, with the heavenly city towering above us in resplendent beauty. Our eyes behold a brilliant, shining city, with light streaming through its jasper walls and pearly gates, and a full spectrum of color gleaming from its jeweled foundation. As we gaze in awe on the city, the first thing to attract our attention is its massive jasper wall. The apostle John described it as follows: "The light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. We know that these semi-precious stones are translucent in composition, so that light is able to pass through them. From these jasper walls, therefore, radiate brilliant rays of dazzling color for all to see. The glory of the city will thus be visible from afar, and even the dwellers in the area outside the walls will share in its brightness.
Although the wall around the city is real, it is also symbolic. The purpose of the wall is not to preserve the city against invaders, for God will have no enemies in the new earth. Being 216 feet high, it impressively signifies that no one will enter the city apart from God's grace. The wall is too high to be scaled by human effort, and the only portals are the 12 guarded gates. The requirement for admittance is salvation, and no one who has rejected God's plan will be able to go in. Salvation is the gift of God's grace to those who humbly acknowledge their need of forgiveness and who receive Jesus Christ as Savior.
The next thing to catch our vision as we look at the city is its jeweled foundation. Many Bible students believe that these jewels reflect all the colors of the rainbow, though we do not know the precise characteristics of each stone. Beginning at ground level, these were probably the colors seen by the apostle: the jasper stone may have been a light green or yellow; the sapphire, a sky-blue or azure; the chalcedony, containing a combination of colors, was mostly green and blue; the emerald, bright green; the sardonyx, red and white; the sardius, reddish in color; chrysolite, golden yellow; beryl, sea-green; topaz, yellow-green and transparent; chrysoprasus, golden-green; jacinth, violet; and amethyst, either rose-red or purple. The radiating light of the city, shining out through the jasper wall and blazing through the open gates, reflects from these precious stones in splendrous color.
And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass (Rev. 21:12,21). Some Bible scholars believe that these gates of pearl suggest salvation by grace. Even as a wound to an oyster results in the formation of a valuable pearl, the gates of heaven can be entered only because the Lord Jesus was "wounded for our transgressions" (Is. 53:5). Although men wickedly rejected Him and crucified Him, it was through this death that salvation was made possible. Now, all who believe on Him can look forward to entering the pearly gates of heaven. Jesus Himself said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved" (John 10:9).
The gates are open at all times and in every direction, for salvation is still offered freely to everyone. The angels who keep watch at the open gates, therefore, are a wonderful contrast to the cherubim who guarded the closed gate of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned. These angels keep the way of access open, while the cherubim kept the Garden closed to fallen humanity. One of the characteristics of the heavenly city is the abundance of gold. A precious commodity throughout man's history, gold has been used as an overlay in works of art and as a standard of value, and has been the means of a great amount of both good and evil in society.
It served the purposes of God in the tabernacle and temple, for much gold was in evidence there; it was also used by idolaters in the making of images. On earth, men have fought, suffered, and died for it. But in the New Jerusalem, gold will be so plentiful that it will be used for cobblestones and building blocks. And it will be like glass, possessing transparent qualities, so that the glorious light of the holy city will both shine through it and be reflected by it. Here is John's description: The city was pure gold, like clear glass. . . . and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass (Rev. 21:18,21). Traditionally, gold has symbolized purity. In the wedding band, for example, the circle speaks of endlessness and the gold stands for purity. The golden street of the New Jerusalem, therefore, might well suggest the pure and holy walk of God's redeemed in eternal paradise. And the brightness of the city, reflecting from the gold that abounds everywhere, will have its uncorrupted counterpart within the heart of every citizen of Heaven. Purity pervades the eternal Paradise of God.
A river clear as crystal will flow through the New Jerusalem. The apostle John declared: And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1). Just as in Eden there was a river to water the garden, so also in the New Jerusalem there will be a river of life. It will begin at the throne of God, the very uppermost part of the city, and it will course downward through the entire area. In the New Jerusalem, a river of crystal will flow forever, reminding us for all eternity that God has graciously and abundantly provided for our every spiritual need. Remember, life in eternity will not be a nebulous existence in some nameless place. No indeed! We will lead rich and full lives in glorified bodies. We'll dwell on a renewed earth in a real city of gold, and our lives will be filled with significance and meaning as we give praise to our Redeemer and gladly do His bidding.
This crystal river flowing through our eternal home will be of sparkling beauty and of clarity beyond the purest water man has ever seen. Think of it! All who believe in Christ will walk the banks of this glorious crystal river. What a joy will then be ours! It's difficult to envision just how the trees, the crystal river, and the street of gold will be related. Some Bible teachers feel that a river will flow through the middle of a broad street, and that alongside the river on each bank will be the trees. Others believe that a grove of trees is centered between the avenue of gold on one side and the river on the other. Regardless of which view you may choose, it's evident that those who conceive of Heaven as a place where the redeemed will do nothing but sit on golden stairs playing harps are grossly mistaken. Life in heaven will be filled with beauty and variety.
We've been concerned with what the Bible tells us about our eternal home. We have seen its beauty from without: its gleaming jasper walls, its jeweled foundations, and its gates of pearl. We have also seen its glory within as we have envisioned the street of gold, the crystal river, and the tree of life. This glimpse of our eternal home should bring two responses to the heart of the true believer in Christ. First, there should be a renewed determination to place top priority on the spiritual and eternal rather than on the physical and temporal. Therefore, in anticipation of the glory and beauty of our eternal home, begin right now to "lay up . . . treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6:20) by putting God first, and by a constant willingness to serve Him. The thought of Heaven should cheer us when we become discontented with life and discouraged about the future. No matter how bad things may be going or how difficult the struggles, the prospect of that wonderful abode awaiting us should be a source of encouragement and hope.
We will know a purity, bliss, and love such as could never be experienced here. Writing in Revelation 21 and 22, the apostle John recorded his vision of an immense city of shimmering beauty, descending slowly from heaven to become the capital city of our eternal home. It will be radiant with the light of God's glory shining through its jasper walls, its jeweled foundation, and its pearly gates. And this city, the New Jerusalem, will be the eternal abode of all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. All who have been saved will walk the street of gold in transformed, eternal, glorified bodies. We'll enjoy heaven's beautiful crystal river and have ready access to its tree of life. We'll be eternally delivered from every evil and burden that plagues our world today. And we'll finally have become what God intended us to be.
In that perfect society we'll realize our full spiritual potential as individuals. Having entered an eternal fellowship with God, we'll be engaged in an endless variety of meaningful activities. We'll join with the saints of all the ages in a spirit of communion, fellowship, and love never ending. We'll see that the imperfections of this life will be missing and that positive blessings will be there in abundance. All you have to do is stop clinging through sentimentality and emotion, to the miserable, hopeless, death centered way of life the world has decieved you into living, and cut your emotional bondage to it, become a new person inside and out, and find a destiny of never ending hope.
Snippets from:
"Jim Wilhelm I knew this was Heaven!"
As I was traveling through the light, I was laying flat on my back and could see the faint outline of this image, which appeared to be very softly speaking to me, but I could not understand any of the words, but somehow I was profoundly comforted by him. My trip through this light seemed to be very short, then suddenly I found myself lying in the tallest bright green grass I had ever seen . As I looked around I noticed that all the colors were absolutely pure and very bright. I was laying down,as I noticed the blades of grass were at least four feet high and about six inches wide.
I recall standing up and pushing the blades of grass to the side, revealing a river right in front of me, running from my right to my left , and I was amazed that I could see right to the bottom of this beautiful river. The river was very deep. I was amazed at how clearly I could see the bright shiny stones at the rivers bottom. They looked like clear, shiny jewels.
Never had I ever felt this happy, and music was everywhere, and it sounded so beautiful it defies description. I JUST KNEW THIS WAS HEAVEN.
Everything we see on earth is dull in comparison to the colors that are in Heaven. The music is so beautiful in Heaven, and I know we are not capable of even coming close to making music on Earth that compares. The music in Heaven is too beautiful to describe with words. I felt so happy in Heaven, my Spirit was completely filled up with joy, love, and peace, which was indeed the Holy Spirit filling me up with ultimate purity. It was in Heaven when I learned this deeper meaning of God's beauty and love. Throughout my entire Heaven experience, I continually had the distinct feeling that someone was close by, as I experienced this intense feeling of love.
Looking to my right where the river came from, there was a beautiful stone built wall that was about one half mile high. It was about 200 yards away from where I was standing by the river. Beautiful music appeared to be coming from behind the wall. It reminds me of how it sounds directly outside Yankee Stadium during a sold out baseball game, only, behind the Heavenly wall there were people talking, and also people worshiping, and the sound of people speaking and worshiping in Heaven is much more pure than anything here on earth. The colors everywhere were extremely magnificent (I cannot stress that enough) and beyond any description one could ever believe. I approached the wall but could not see inside of it. It sounded like thousands, maybe even millions of people were worshiping within these walls, so I knew I was not alone.
Then came the return trip through that same bright light. I did not want to return to earth and kept asking that God please not send me back. I don't recall receiving an audible answer, but I felt assured from the love and peace and happiness around me that this was just a trial for me and that God was not finished with me yet. The next thing I remember is waking up in an Ambulance with a nurse yelling to someone (Step on it, he is not going to make it). I next awoke on an aircraft and later learned they had air lifted me to Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
The whole time, I continued to feel that heavenly feeling, a feeling of absolute love. I recall the nurses on the plane taking my vitals and one nurse telling the other, I would never make it. They thought I was unconscious but I did hear many of their conversations. I could not respond to them and tell them just how wonderful I felt.
One of my daughters, who is a nurse and was on the night shift at the hospital, told me later that she had been outside the hospital waiting for me and watched them bring me in from the aircraft. She never recognized me until she was told who I was. You see, my
head had swollen up so badly as a result of the poison from that wasp spray that I couldn't be recognized .
The next few days I began to gradually improve. I was told I never stopped smiling during my stay in that Hospital. I just felt so wonderful from my experience, and I just knew I had been in Heaven. Praise the Lord and thank you Jesus. That feeling of joy, love and peace that defies my own understanding would not leave me and I was so grateful for that.
A week or so later they flew me back home on one of the same little airplanes, and I just knew I was not the same person. I felt so clean and pure and happy and had the ability to love like never before.
As time went on during that summer, I tried to tell everyone about my experience, but each time I attempted to share Heaven with others, I became so frustrated because I would just sit and weep with joy. I found there was just no way I could describe my experience . I simply could not put it into words.
A few years ago, I was invited by my Pastor to speak at a men's breakfast . I was very hesitant to do so, as I still, after approximately 17 years, could not do the Lord justice by describing what Heaven was really like. Somehow, and with the help of God, I got through that morning, but did not feel I had completed my mission.
Some weeks later, my Pastor spoke one Sunday morning about Don Piper's book--90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN. That immediately aroused my interest. Shortly thereafter, the Pastor mentioned my name during a Memorial service. A young lady contacted me after the service and requested that I tell her about my experience in Heaven. I just starred at her and froze, and immediately realized I could not answer her as there was just no way I could describe it in heavenly terms---frustration again, only this time I was determined to think clearer and I prayed to God to please give me the words, so that I could minister to others.
When I read the first few chapters of Don Piper's book, I just wept with joy. I knew that God had answered my prayer. Our experiences were very closely related, and the best part was when Don described his own personal frustration by waiting many years, before he was able to describe and talk about his experience in Heaven. The only differences I noticed was that Don reunited with his deceased family and friends. and actually saw people and talked to them. I did not. But yes, he also talked about the beautiful colors he would not believe existed, just as I had earlier described. Reading Don,s book completely reinforced my own experience in Heaven and although I still find it difficult to talk about it, I feel that God is moving me along in his direction now.
Yes, there really is a Heaven, I know, and I would encourage everyone to prepare for it. It is really authentic and real, just as our Holy Bible describes it. I have some good news for you: The Bible says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life. What that simply means is this: God loved you enough that he made a way for your sins to be forgiven. Washed away. So at that moment you take your last breath, and you are standing before God your creator, it's not God casting you away for all eternity into a place called Hell. But its God ushering you into his holy presence for all of eternity. In a place called Heaven.
Do not delay in making your decision for the Lord---LOOK--God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as he is with the attitude of your heart. I know that God sent me back here to earth for a purpose. I pray that you will learn to believe in a
God who sent his only Son to die for you on a cross because he loves you. I pray you will anticipate Heaven in a way that reveals profound truth in your life as you move forward with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God bless you. I would like to give you an
opportunity to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. So right now, please bow your head and pray after me--
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally . Thank you for dying on the Cross for my sins. I now will open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you Jesus, for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life and make me the kind of person you want me to be. We ask this in Jesus, precious name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer with me, Congratulations!!! You are the newest future resident of Heaven, and you can now look forward to an eternity in Heaven.
If you would like to contact me, my name is Jim Wilhelm.
My Email address is delljim@gmail.com.
My mailing address is :
17200 W. Bell Rd.
Lot 2185
Surprise, AZ 85374
and my phone number is: 623-229-7642.
If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior today, please contact me. I would love to hear from you and pray with you today. If you have had a similar experience as mine, or would like to ask any questions or just talk, I would also love to hear from you. I pray that God blesses you. Anticipate the day when you can someday walk through the gates of Heaven. It is certainly something to look forward to, God Bless You!!
This is one of the best videos I have watched describing Heaven.
It's worth your time to watch and listen, and be blessed.
Testimony of Heaven - Inside The Holy City
Interview with Reverend Oden Hetrick
Uploaded on Jun 1, 2011
An interview with Rev. Oden Hetrick who visited Heaven many times. It unveils amazing details of Heaven: The Holy City, The Tree of Life, The River of Life, Mansions, Chambers, The Throne of God, The Sea of Glass, Companionship & Intimacy, and much more.
Introducing Oden born on earth---5/21/1922 taken to Heaven to stay---2/5/2001 One day as a small boy my dad cut his finger. When he saw it bleeding he ran crying to his mother. As she bandaged the wound she reassured him with the words, "Cheer up Junior, you're not going to die." It was then that he determined in his heart, "If there is such a thing as everlasting life I'm going to find it." He was born with what they called in those days a "bad heart' (trouble breathing, etc.) But at the age of twelve his parents took him to a revival service in a church where the evangelist prayed for him. God healed him and his heart never troubled him again. From earliest childhood, Dad knew that he was being watched over by an invisible guardian angel.
At the age of twelve he accepted Jesus as his Savior from sin. At sixteen he dedicated his life to God. Such joy filled his soul that he laughed all the way home and could hardly sleep that night. Thereafter his quest for eternal life took on new meaning, and he looked forward to living in Heaven forever. He knew that he was delivered many times throughout his life by supernatural intervention from accidents, evil men and death. He once said that all he ever learned in Bible College was how to study the Bible and that he loved to do. Then throughout his life, he would write articles and books about the truths he discovered. Another part of his ministry was traveling and singing with his family.
In this way he was able to share his message of the good news of salvation, and our pilgrim journey through life, with the Celestial City as our final destination and goal of every Christian. One day while he was painting a house he saw three angels around him. He heard them say "Let's take him to Heaven" He responded with "Oh no I can't go in these paint clothes!" But the next thing he knew he was standing on soft green grass, with beautiful flowers. About this he always said, "You should never say no to your angels" That was the first of many, many visits. He stopped counting after 80 and that was still early in his life. Here is one of his many definitions, inspired by the things he saw and heard. DEVOTION — the ways of God should so delight your heart, soul, and mind that they become personal traits of character without mental effort.
Heaven is big like a planet. The city of Heaven, New Jerusalem, is foursquare as in Rev 21:10-16, with 12 foundations, walls of jaspar and 3 gates on each side. Over the gates are the names of the tribes of Israel. After entering the gate you go thru a large bright hallway, you are greeted by an angel and then you step into the Holy Place of Heaven. This is where you see the River of Life, the Tree of Life, and the big beautiful City Mansions. The round tower you see in the center is the Holy of Holies of Heaven. This is the Throne Room of Yahweh.
Around the outside of the City is an outer expanse like environs or suburbs. These suburbs are huge and are very much like earth, with mountains and valleys, trees and rivers. But unlike earth, (Mat 6:19) there is nothing here to corrupt. (Mat 6:20 & Rev 21:4 & 27) Also this City with suburbs was finished from the foundation of the world. It was made before the earth was created. (Heb 4:3 & Mat 25:34)
The Second Coming of Jesus to Earth is filled with signs in the heavenlies, right now. It will take place after 7 years of the reign of the Anti-Christ. However, this is awesome news because, the Rapture takes place beforehand, and it is imminent. The Rapture may happen before, this year is gone. Seems like Jan. 2014, is reserved for judgment, as debris from comet ISON, will be dispersed. Maranatha! Valerie
This is a full run down of the signs from the Book of Revelation that have happened during 2013, please feel free share this if you enjoy it. These aren't 'my' signs they are Gods signs and point to the authenticity of the Book of Revelation. Jesus is Messiah and He is coming back!!!
The Second Coming of Jesus to Earth is filled with signs in the heavenlies, right now. It will take place after 7 years of the reign of the Anti-Christ. However, this is awesome news because, the Rapture takes place beforehand, and it is imminent, and may happen before, this year is gone. Seems like Jan. 2014, is reserved for judgment, as debris from comet ISON, will be dispersed.
Maranatha! Valerie
Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:26
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luke 21:27
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
Revelation 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand, or in their foreheads
Revelation 13:17
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
DO NOT Take the Mark Of The Beast - Do NOT Allow A Microchip of Any Kind in your Body
FAIR USE FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES
The Microchip is the Mark of the Beast
If you take the mark of the Beast there is no hope for you, because you will spend eternity in Hell.
Revelation 14:9
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Revelation 14:10
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
Revelation 14:11
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
The baptism in Holy Spirit is God's gift of spiritual power. The gift of salvation brings eternal life. The gift of the Holy Spirit grants us the ability to reach the lost with the Gospel message.
Few Christians understand the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in the Body of Christ. Jesus repeatedly stated that the Holy Spirit would have a major role in a believer's life. The Bible says that God's Spirit will lead us to a deeper understanding of truth, and He will empower us to witness.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you" (John 16:7).
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence...But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:5 and 8).
Several passages in the Word of God tell us that the gift of the Holy Ghost is something we should earnestly seek.
"But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy" (Acts 2:16-18).
"...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39).
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him" (Acts 5:28-32).
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?...Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:9-13).
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
John 13:35 "By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another".
The Rapture – Answering the Critics
By Terry James
The Rapture – Answering the Critics
This generation is full of scoffers, mocking the prophesied return of Jesus Christ to Planet Earth. This is as the great Apostle Peter foretold it would be at the end of the age of grace (Church Age): “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Pet. 3:3-4).
God’s prophecies are 100 percent accurate, so it doesn’t surprise in the least that there is the scoffing and mocking today, exactly as one of God’s prophets said there will be as time nears the Lord’s return. Many signals are occurring simultaneously, and with phenomenal frequency and intensity, pointing to where we are on God’s prophetic timeline. Chief among these are all of the geopolitical dynamic intrigues surrounding the nation Israel –God’s prophetic timepiece. The sneering at the thought that there could possibly be a rapture just throws fuel on the fire of the end-of-days deluge –the end that is coming in with a flood of last-days indicators as foretold by Daniel the prophet: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (Dan 9:26).
Daniel was foretelling what would happen from the time the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would die for the sins of mankind until the very end of human history at Armageddon. Great, convulsing, prophesied issues and events would, near the very end of the age, he forecast, gush through the generation alive at the time like a flood.
Daniel’s End-Time Flood
One of those predicted events of the end-time flood is the level of anger that will be against believers who proclaim that one of the most stupendous events of all human history will one day –perhaps very soon—take millions upon millions from the earth’s surface in a fraction of a second.
We receive in our e-mail each week any number of messages declaring that the truth we champion regarding Bible doctrine and prophecies –particularly the pre-trib rapture of the Church-- are everything from ludicrous to heretical. This criticism gets especially intense whenever the raptureready.com website is written or spoken about in a major media outlet. That is to be expected, because there can be no spiritual discernment among those of the lost world. Believers in Jesus Christ can understand, while those who do not belong to God’s family through belief in His only begotten Son cannot understand:
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:11-14).
Defense of Rapture to Lost and Saved
Trying to explain or defend the rapture to the world of the lost is, therefore, fruitless. There is just no way they can come to understand or believe this doctrine, unless and until they repent, ask for--and accept--God’s grace gift offer of salvation through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross at Calvary nearly two millennia ago. We can go through the vast body of scriptural text, laying out the Bible facts as we are confident God’s Word presents truth about the rapture. But, unless and until one is capable of spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit, a person, no matter how intellectually brilliant, can never come to believe those facts. They might even come to understand the facts in a purely cerebral sense, but never truly comprehend them to the point of knowing that the rapture is a cataclysmic event in the future of one particular generation of earth’s inhabitants.
So, our efforts to explain the rapture will meet with quite limited results, seeing as how there is a great spiritual discernment disconnect, when explaining to those who don’t know Christ for salvation. This we accept, thus can move ahead with limited frustration in putting the truth about prophecy and the rapture before these as best we can.
Dealing with the Body of Christ--all born-again believers--is quite another thing, when it comes to our frustration meter. It becomes a bit more disconcerting when our efforts to put out truth about prophecy, and the rapture in particular, is met with the same arguments, no matter how thoroughly and how cogently we organize and present what God’s Word has to tell His children about these matters.
Hard-Shell Rapture Detractors
There are, of course, the die-hard preterists (believing that most all prophecy has been completed or should be spiritualized) and the reform replacement theological enclaves (those who declare God’s promises have been taken from Israel and given to the church). These make their livings throwing mudballs –usually with stones at the centers—at those of us who proclaim the truth that Jesus will come for His Church –all born-again believers—BEFORE the tribulation era –the last seven years of human history that culminates at Armageddon. These, who refuse to see two programs of God’s dealing with mankind, Israel , and the Church --these two dovetailing into one magnificent prophetic culmination-- castigate us who believe that God deals with His creation called man dispensationally (the ages of Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, David, the Church, Tribulation, Millennium, etc.). Sometimes, it seems fruitless to try to break through the thick spiritual iron wills of these, in trying to present truth about the rapture. But, these are not the most troubling that seem to fit the 2 Peter 3: 3-4 description, so far as scoffing is concerned. The more concerning, to me, at least, are those who, despite being given, time after time, the same tremendously in-depth explanation from God’s Word about the rapture and the truth that it will be a pre-trib one, continue to come to us with the same arguments to the contrary. This, despite the fact that they visit the Rapture Ready website, and can read more than 15,000 articles on matters of God’s truth, many dealing specifically with eschatology.
These are Christians who just seem to have it in their determination that they must go through –endure—the tribulation, the time about which Jesus foretold the following: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt. 24:21).
The Tribulation, if we can imagine, will be worse than the concentration camps, torture chambers, crematoriums of Hitler, or the most terrible days of the inquisitions with all of the devilish methods of torture. Yet, there seems to be a need –they deludedly think—for some Christians to go through that time, during which Antichrist will do his dead-level best to kill every person who refuses to worship him.
Anti-Rapture Example
I’ve chosen one letter from such a Christian. It is a simple and mild letter; no mud-ball throwing. But, it represents the most troubling of all of the critics of the rapture of the Church, in my view. It is most troubling that these types think as they do, because it shows an almost willfulness against accepting God’s promises, summed by this passage: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9).
Here is what she wrote, in part:
“I know that the Tribulation is going to be extremely bad and even worse than I can imagine but I sincerely believe I along with you and other Christians that are living at the time, will be going thru the bad. I am prepared mentally and will do whatever comes my way to either get thru or stand up and say no when needed. If I am one that is to [be] beheaded then so be it. I know GOD will be holding my hand and whatever comes my way, HE will see me thru. If I can be of any use to GOD to help save people then I am prepared to do as HE wants. I have many family members that are not believers now and pray daily that will change. I do believe that many souls will be saved. I know that I am a sinner and do not like verses of the Bible taken out of context. The whole book or at least the chapter needs to [be] read and understood not just a verse here and now to prove a theory that did not even come into being until a couple of hundred years ago. How is every eye going to see JESUS return if HE comes back in secret. Just don't believe any are going to be "raptured away". The Bible states that HEAVEN will be coming down here not us going up there.”
Tragic Misconceptions Unscriptural
The Christian sister makes a number of statements of misconception that are dealt with through hundreds of the thousands of articles on the RR website. This is my problem. Many criticisms of us who hold to the pre-trib rapture are issued forth by those who obviously have never mined the rich resources available to them, before making their criticisms/argumentations.
She writes that she is sure that she will be going through the tribulation, in order to stand for Christ and help God save people out of that horrendous time. She charges that she has disdain for those who twist Scripture out of context, with those (like us, I presume) using scattered and sporadic Scripture passages to make our points.
She, at the same time, provides no Scripture for any of her criticisms of the rapture “theory,” as she puts it. However, most who make this charge do so, using Scripture from Revelation that they declare shows saints in the middle of that time of Tribulation. Thus, they conclude, the Church is right there, taking the brunt of Antichrist’s rage and God’s wrath.
Dispensational Discernment Required
Indeed, believers will populate that era by the millions. It will, many who study that period believe, be a time of the greatest coming to Christ in the history of man. What the writer of this letter–and others—fail to recognize, or even consider, is that God deals with man, including His children, in dispensations. There are saints of the Church Age at present, and there will be saints during the tribulation. Neither will be together in the same dispensation.
Jesus told us that He would build His church upon the gospel message the apostle Peter had just given, telling Jesus that he believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God: “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:17-18).
Do you see that? The gates of hell –Satan—will not prevail against the Church. That’s all about the Church Age saints.
The Revelation tells quite another story for God’s saints. The following Scripture is speaking, of course, about Satan’s great tyrant, Antichrist, during the Tribulation era: “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Rev. 13:7). The Church will not be “overcome” by Satan, because it won’t be here. The tribulation saints (those who accept Christ after the rapture) will be overcome to a large extent –lose their physical lives for the cause of Christ.
Myth-Making Against Rapture
Our Christian critic-friend proves that she has at least done some study, but not from God’s Word. She has read the books and literature of those who incessantly and speciously claim that we who believe in the pre-trib rapture have learned our “false” doctrine from a 19th-century witch, who somehow influenced John Darby to later perpetrate the hated rapture theory.
The most ludicrous of the criticisms is that we base our view that there will be a rapture upon Margaret MacDonald’s vision in the 1800s. It makes me almost nauseous to have to even address this –for the thousandth time, when, if the critics would just read what is already written on the subject on the site, it should quell their proclivity to make such ridiculous claims. But, I will briefly answer again, those who are so intellectually and spiritually lazy.
The rapture, the "catching up" (harpazo) was revealed by Paul the apostle. It is a mystery he gave us through Holy Spirit inspiration, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18. The Rapture was not the concoction of John Darby, who picked up this teaching, and gave it improved order of presentation centuries after the doctrine was believed and taught by the early church fathers (first two centuries AD).
The rapture isn't built on one or two verses, but on the entire body of Scripture. When viewed in totality, and in context, the doctrine flows with prophetic signals we observe occurring in the world today--i.e., the world isn’t getting better and better as the "kingdom-now" people believe (that the Church will make the world better until Christ can return to set up His throne). The pre-trib rapture view puts forward that the world will grow worse and worse. The Church will be removed from earth, then God’s judgment will begin to fall on rebellious earth-dwellers.
Which do we see happening today? The world getting better and better –or- are things looking worse and worse for Planet Earth? Read the daily headlines, or watch the hourly news, and you will have your answer.
Two Phases of Second Coming
Again, Paul shows us the mystery --i.e., he reveals the mystery of the rapture in 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55. The mystery he is expanding upon is the wonderful promise Jesus made as shown in John 14: 1-3. Jesus is coming for us --before God's wrath must fall.
A foreshadowing of that principle is seen in Genesis, chapter 19, when God said that He could do nothing in the way of sending judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot was first removed. Lot represented the only righteousness God recognized. It was Lot 's faith --as puny as it was-- that kept him and the other few believers of his family from the time of God's wrath--again, Revelation 3:10.
Our critic asks how all eyes can see Christ return, if He comes secretly in some rapture. She declares she just doesn’t believe anyone is going to be raptured away, and she states Christ will be coming down to earth, not Christians going up to Him. Again, she, and those who fill her head with anti-rapture rhetoric fail to, or willfully refuse to, see God’s dispensations in dealing with man. In the case of the return of Christ, Scripture makes it clear there are two separate returns. These are at least seven years apart, one from the other.
Jesus will return at some unknown time in the rapture. Jesus, himself, likens that coming to a thief-in-the-night experience for those on earth. They won’t know what has happened, and certainly won’t see Christ. Paul says it is a moment in time when all believers (the Church) will meet Jesus in the air: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
Jesus will come the second time, following at least seven earth years, at the close of the tribulation era, known also as “Daniel’s seventieth week.” This time He will come all the way to the planet, and every eye will behold Him. There will be absolutely no doubt about this re-entry and landing: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Rev. 19:11-15).
Scriptural Proof Required
As stated before, each of these things intended to deny the validity and credence of pre-trib rapture are dealt with at great length, and in tremendous depth throughout the RR website. All opposing views are carefully dissected, and with Scripture given at every point along the way in addressing any and every question. But, it DOES take determined research to seek out truth found in the articles –truth that is God’s Word, not merely ours.
And, here is the main crux of this dear lady’s problem in not discerning truth about Christ’s coming for the Church –for her. She presents not one Scripture to back up any of her assertions, declarations, or suppositions/postulations. She simply parrots things critical of the rapture doctrine she has read or heard from those who mock, without anything of spiritual substance to back her/their criticisms.
My intention is not to pick on her. I want only to used her method of criticism –a method used in almost every instance by those who listen to the anti-rapture crowd-- as an example to show there is no foundation to her/their argument/denial that the rapture is a doctrine taught in God’s Word. This is our answer to such critics. Study the Word of God. Make your criticisms from His Word –as the dear woman says—not from just a Scripture here or there, but from the whole context of the matter, whatever the matter happens to be.
I have studied most all of the positions and variations thereof involved in these arguments for decades --which gives away my age, I guess. The pre-trib view of prophecy yet future is absolutely the only one that makes sense in the totality of scriptural context, and in terms of what we see unfolding today in things of geopolitics, global socio-economics, and religion.
Salvation – Rapture Inseparable
The Rapture is an issue incontrovertibly linked to salvation --something Jesus did on the cross, which puts us in God's family when we truly believe. That faith keeps us from the time of God's wrath --both in the coming tribulation, and in eternity. Wrath and judgment must fall upon rebellious mankind, because of sin. Jesus paid the price for that sin. He said on the cross "It is finished." Sin was forever paid for at that moment, for those who would accept his sacrifice --the only sacrifice that God will accept --the precious blood of His Blessed Son.
We are told we as Christians, while in the flesh, will have tribulations (troubles). Certainly Christians have had troubles down through the years. Persecutions --genocide, martyrdom, etc. These horrors are still happening in some places around the world. But, this was not, and is not, God's wrath and judgment, but was, and is, satanic rage against God's people. The tribulation will include satanic rage, but it will be within the horrific storm of God's wrath and judgment.
Christians (those who have been --as our critic says-- saved following the rapture-- will certainly suffer satanic rage, but not God's wrath. Many will be martyred, as in the times of the early persecutions --like Christians are being martyred in some nations today. But, we are told that we (Paul denotes the difference between Christians of the Church Age and those who aren't in God's family by the use of pronouns) we aren't appointed to wrath, but to salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are told by Paul to "comfort one another with these words"--not look to fear, but to comfort (read 1 Thess. 4:18, and 5:9-11). We will be kept out of "the time of testing (the apocalypse or tribulation), John was told by Jesus (Rev. 3:10).
Rapture Ready or Not…
Now, you might not agree, and that's fine. If you know Christ you are going instantly to Him anyway, when Jesus says "Come up hither," as He did to John in Revelation 4:1-2. You will have no other choice, if you are in God's family. But, please don't ever think --or claim--that there is only scattered verses here and there, or that there is no tremendously deep body of scriptural evidence and proofs beneath the truth of the pre-trib rapture.
Again, you can disagree, but, please don't accuse us of not knowing about the other views, and, don't just blindly accept what opponents falsely say when they lie, proclaiming that we just believe in something a 19th-century Englishman said, or that we follow some woman who dabbled in the occult. That isn't true, and you should look more deeply into the evidence upon which we base these understandings, than just to take the word of those who make such shallow and deceptive accusations.
Put this Scripture in a place you can memorize it –and make it your model truth for avoiding the pitfalls of intellectual and scriptural laziness: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
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No One Knows the Day or Hour
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is instructive as well that God appeared to the children of Israel on Mount Sinai not only in the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exod 19:1) but on a third day after two days of spiritual preparation (Exod 19:10-11, 16-20). As could be expected, after the Lord’s self-revelation and instructions to the assembled multitude, more was to follow. Such came in God’s issuing of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:1-17; cf. Deut 5:6-21).46 In all of the above texts the third day motif points to actions and matters that take on a spiritual dimension. Something distinctive, even unique, was to occur on the third day and that in turn pointed to important things to follow.
Purity Or Healing
“The third day has a ceremonial significance as well … The meat left from sacrifices was to be destroyed on the third day (Lev 7:17-18; 19:6-7).”47 Thus nothing spoiled or impure was to mar the spiritual nature of the sacrifice and the third day itself was to be kept holy and pure. In keeping with this were the later regulations concerning purifications by water on the third day as well as the seven days after contamination by touching a dead body (Num 19:11-12, 19; 31:19). Hezekiah asked for a sign that the Lord would heal him so that he could “go up to the temple of the LORD on the third day” (2 Kgs 20:8). The idea of healing thus is attached to the motif of the third day here. Once again not only is the purity of the day emphasized, but the day is one of healing and spiritual activity. It is not surprising, then, that when the prophet Hosea urges the sinning people of the Northern Kingdom to return to the Lord so as to experience His forgiveness, and their healing and restoration, that he employs the motif of the third day: Come, let us return to the LORD.
He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; On the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence (Hos 6:1-2).
In light of Old Testament precedents Hosea’s employment of the third day motif would likely fall upon ears that were familiar with its significance. The Lord’s healing and restoration was not only certain, but it would be a very special time of victory for God’s people.
The Day Of Resurrection
Although it is difficult to think of Hosea’s prophecy concerning Israel’s future healing and restoration as a prediction of Christ’s resurrection, it is interesting that mankind’s spiritual healing is associated with the motif of the third day. Indeed, after Peter’s great confession of Christ, Jesus taught that He “must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Matt 16:21; cf. Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22). Shortly after Jesus’ transfiguration He again taught His disciples, “The son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life” (Matt 17:22-23).
Jesus repeatedly stressed the message of His coming death and resurrection on the third day, calling it His “goal” (Luke 13:32). Such began as early as His first miracle at Cana of Galilee where He said to the Jews, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). John reports that Jesus’ saying referred to His body and that “after he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said” (v. 22).48 On His final journey to Jerusalem He repeated His earlier prophecy concerning His death and resurrection saying, “The son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise” (Mark 10:33-34). Jesus’ teaching was apparently well known, for Matthew reports that as He lay in the tomb the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate and said, “Sir, … we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again’” (Matt 27:63).
That Jesus died and rose again bodily on the third day is abundantly attested in the Scriptures, which contain several lines of evidence, including the empty tomb in which lay Christ’s undisturbed grave clothes (Mark 16:6; John 20:6-7), the displacement of the massive tombstone (Matt 28:2) that was guarded by trained Roman soldiers (Matt 27:62-66), the transformation of the disciples perspective from one of utter despair and disbelief to absolute certitude—a conviction for which they would and many did die (e.g., cf. Luke 24:11 with Acts 2:32), and ten post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, in five instances on the third day alone (e.g., Matt 28:1-10; Mark 16:6, 9-13; Luke 24:1-35; cf. 1 Cor 15:5; John 20:10-23).49
Of interest to the subject of this study is the fact that some of these texts also include a testimony to Christ’s teaching concerning the significance of the third day. Thus the angels instructed the women who came to Jesus’ tomb on the third day, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again’” (Luke 24:5-7). Moreover, the two who were traveling to Emmaus that day remarked to the risen Jesus (whom they were kept from recognizing) concerning their hope in Christ, “But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place” (Luke 24:21). Still later Jesus reminded his assembled disciples, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45s46).50
Even after Jesus’ ascension the teaching concerning Christ’s resurrection on the third day was still fresh in the apostles’ minds as they bore witness to the truth. Thus Peter testified to this at Cornelius’ house, “God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead” (Acts 10:40-41). Paul boldly proclaimed to the Corinthian Christians:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve (1 Cor 15:3-5).
The motif of the third day therefore reaches its climax in the fact of the resurrection on the third day. It is then that the emphasis of the third day as one of spiritual activity and completeness finds its culmination in Christ’s finished redemptive work. And yet, the motif suggests that there is still more to be seen.51
THREE: In sacred Scripture the number 3 represents that which is solid, real, substantial, and something in its completeness. This number usually indicates something of importance or significance in God's plan of salvation by identifying an important event in Salvation History. This number operates as a "sign-post" in Scripture study for the reader to "pay attention" to the significance of the next event.
In the Old Testament:
It is the first of the 4 perfect numbers which are 3 (divine perfection); 7 (spiritual perfection); 10 (ordinal perfection); and 12 (governmental perfection).
The earth was separated from the waters on the 3rd day [Genesis 1:9-13]
There were three Patriarchs of the children of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel
There are three verses in the Priestly Blessing in which the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, God's holy covenant name, appears 3 times [Numbers 6:24-26].
Three times the angelic Seraphim cry "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8). After the Great Flood mankind descended from the three sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. [Genesis 10:1-32]
Three "men" announced to Abraham that his barren wife would bear a son [Genesis 18:14].
Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son after a 3-day journey to Mt. Moriah [Genesis 22:1-4]. Baby Moses was hidden by his mother for 3 months [Exodus 2:1] and the adult Moses requests of Pharaoh that he let Moses take his people on a 3 day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifice to their God [Exodus 3:18].
There were 3 divisions of the desert Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies [Exodus 27:9; 26:1-30, 35-37; 31-34; 38:9-20; 21-31; 40:1-33; 1 Kings 6: 1-37].
God is mentioned three times in the Shema (the first profession of faith in Deuteronomy 6:4) and three times in the blessing in Numbers 23:24.
There are 3 attributes of God mentioned in Exodus 33:18-19: hen, rachum, and hesed (gracious, compassionate /merciful, and loving kindness).
Of the 7 Holy Feasts of the Sinai Covenant, 3 are Pilgrim feasts in which every man 13 years or older must present himself before God at the Temple in Jerusalem. This command is repeated three time in scripture.[Exodus 23:14-17; 34:18-23; Deuteronomy 16:16]
Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of the great fish [Jonah 1:17]; Jonah took a 3 day journey across the city of Nineveh [Jonah 3:3]
In the New Testament:
Jesus' ministry lasted 3 years.
Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months [Luke 1:56]
Jesus was missing for 3 days when He was 12 years old [Luke 2:46]
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the Mt. of Transfiguration [Matthew 17]
Jesus arose from the dead on the third day.[Matthew 16:21, Acts 10:40]
Saul was blinded for 3 days [Acts 9:9]
The theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity [1 Corinthians 13:13]
The heavenly Jerusalem has 3 gates on each of its four sides [Revelation 21:13]
Christians saw three as symbolic of the Trinity, the triune nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Three is also recognized as the number of the Holy Spirit.
Our Planet Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun! Jesus came to our planet to save us and eventually our planet as well!
"Fair Use for Information & Discussion Purposes"
"We have three phases in life, Birth/Life/Death!
The triangle is the most powerful shape since it is able to sustain pressure.
Governments are set up because of the Bible (God is an absolute ruler and the angels are his upper class, the people are his subjects) and ours consists of three different forms, Judicial, Legislative and Presidential."
The Number 3
Another of the numbers where we can readily see God use it in a spiritual sense to signify something, is the number three. It is used of God to signify His Purpose or His Will! For example, when God sent the three messengers to Abraham to tell him that Sarah would conceive in her old age (Genesis 18), by the use of the number three we see in this an illustration that they came with God's "purpose and will" to Abraham. i.e., it was by the will of God and for His own purposes that Sarah should conceive so that God would make a great nation of Abraham through it.
The same illustration is seen as God brought a thick darkness upon the land of Egypt (exodus 10:22-23) for three days. In this, God's purpose and sovereign will of judgment is worked out. The number three illustrated that it was for God's purposes that they were in darkness while all the Children of Israel had light!
We can see this in the three times in a year God commanded that the men of Israel were to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem (Ex. 23:14,17 Deu. 16:16). This illustrated the will and purpose of God in the feasts Laws, which all pointed to Christ!
In 2nd Samuel 21:1 the Lord sends famine in the land for three years, and says it was because of Saul and his bloody house. In other words, it was God's will that this happen, and the purpose of God in doing this was to bring judgment because of Saul's bloody House.
Another example is in 1st kings 17:21 as Elijah stretches forth his body over a dead child three times, and the child lives again. This signified that it was God's will and for His own purpose that the child should yet live again, a type or spiritual "shadow" of things to come.
Again, as the Lord said His servant Isaiah walked naked and barefoot three years as a Sign (signification) and a wonder upon Egypt (Isaiah 20:3), once more indicating God's will and purpose for Egypt.
Even when we look at the three men who were cast into the furnace of fire, and a fourth who was there like the Son of God (Daniel 3:24-25), we see that it was God's will and purpose that these three men would not be harmed by the fire because of the presence of the Son of God. This was demonstrating that by the presence of Christ, the will and purpose of God that His people not be harmed in the fire, will be accomplished.
These are just a few of the examples, and we could go on and on about this. These places where the number three is found is numerical symbology which is putting forth spiritual truths, that we can learn from as we consider them. For in three, God works out His purpose and His will. As Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so it indicated it was for God's purpose, and that His will would be worked out in this (Again, a type of Christ).
If I could use an earthly analogy of a Biblical principle, It's somewhat like asking someone three times whether they really want to sell their house for a certain fee. After they say yes the third time, it's established that this is their will and purpose or intention. That, of course, is a bad analogy, but one which makes the point. That is the way the number three is often used in scripture. It signifies the establishment of God's will and His purpose. The three days and three nights Jonah spent in the fish established that God's purpose and will would be worked out in that. In Acts, the Lord smote the Apostle Paul with blindness for three days:
Acts 9:9
"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."
Was the fact that he was blind "three" days just a number picked out of a hat, as if any number would do? No, the number was God breathed. He was Blinded three days not by coincidence, but "by divine fiat or decree". It was God's purpose for him to be blind and to neither eat nor drink for those "three" days because He was bringing Paul to the light! Why not four days? Why not two days? Because those are numbers God uses to signify other things, and He wanted to indicate by the number "three" that it was for His own good purpose and by His sovereign Will that Paul be blind. And that is what the number three signifies.
The exact same principle in Acts Chapter 10, when a voice from heaven told Peter to rise kill and eat the beasts of the earth that were on a sheet descending from heaven. And Peter says No, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. Then the voice says, "what God has cleansed, don't call it common". And we read,
Acts 10:16
"This was done thrice (3 times): and the vessel was received up again into heaven."
Why was this done "three" times, and then the sheet received up again into heaven? When we study scripture in context, we find that these passages were to indicate that the gospel was going out to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. And that is why it is meticulously pointed out by God that this was done three times and "then" received up again unto heaven. It is to signify this is the purpose and will of God that Salvation go to all the world. It's not just any number, it's the number that signifies God's purpose and will that Salvation go to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. The "three" times it's done, gives us this spiritual signification that it is established by God for His purpose.
Christ spoke a parable which was about a fig tree in a vineyard in Luke 13:6 (Symbolizing Israel) and the man of the vineyard came "three" years seeking fruit and found none, and so said cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground. Why didn't God in this parable say cut it down after one year, or after two years? It was because the "three" years he came seeking fruit is symbolizing the purpose of God. He gave it "three" chances before he said cut it down. (Remember the analogy I made of three times asked makes it established?) The establishment of God's purpose and will is seen in this number three.
One of the greatest places to see this numerical symbology is in that there is only one God, and yet there are three in the Godhead. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
1st John 5:7
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one".
The purpose or will of God the one God, is worked out in these three. Read the Bible with wisdom and understanding. Because these things were put there for just that purpose. The purpose and will of God is worked out in the three of the Godhead.
When Paul sought God to remove the thorn in the flesh, but it was for God's own purpose that Paul retain this thorn (it wasn't God's will to remove it) He illustrates this by the number three. Consider what we read in,
2nd Corinthians 12:8:
"For this thing I besought the Lord thrice (three times) that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee.."
Here we see it again "three" times Paul besought the Lord! Why not once, or twice? Why didn't God tell him after the first time or the second? Why did God wait for the third time? It's because God deliberately wants to indicate in scripture by this number 3, that it is not His purpose, or His Will that this thorn be removed. He says to Paul after being asked the third time, "My Grace is sufficient for you." In other words, My Grace is enough for you. i.e., After the third time asking, it was established as God's will that this was not to be removed. Grace was enough for Paul. So again we see clearly that the number three here was an indication to us that it was not God's will that this be removed.
There are just so many indications of the number three being used to symbolize the will and Purpose of God. None more "God Glorifying" than the atonement that the Lord made at the cross. The Atonement has the number "three" all around it and we can readily understand why. That's because though Christ was Crucified, it was God's will and for His purpose that Christ went to the Cross. For example, Jesus sat with the elders in the Temple three days being about His father's work, there were three Crosses, there were three men crucified, there was writing in three different languages on the cross, Jesus prayed three times that if it was possible could this cup pass from me, three Apostles went into the garden to pray with Him, Peter denied Our lord three times, Pilate sought three times to let Jesus go, it was the "third" hour when they crucified Him, Jesus was in the heart of the earth "three" days and "three" nights, When Jesus was risen He asked Simon three times loveth thou Me, and on, and on. The number three is everywhere indicated in the atonement that Christ made for us because it was God's will and purpose. Are these all just coincidental references? The scoffers will tell you that, but the Spirit tells another story. Christ had to go to the cross in order for us to be Saved. It is a Gift of God. It was His will. The number three being used this way is a coincidence like the sheep being used as an indication of a believer is a coincidence. No Possible Way! They were both put there by God to give us a great Spiritual, or symbolical picture that we can learn from.
Unfortunately, there are many in our day who choose to remain spiritually ignorant in these things.
It's not curious then that the number three is sometimes used in conjunction with the number two (which signifies the agreement of truth) when making statements about God's purpose. Because His will and purpose go hand in hand with the truth. For example, in relationship to the Church. For the Church is the pillar of truth, and it is also doing God's Will, and working to accomplish His purposes. Jesus says in:
Matthew 18:19-20
"Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.
For where two or three are gathered in My name, there Am I in the midst of them."
There we have the establishment of the truth (2), and the Purpose of God (3) in the definition of the Church. Where two or three are gathered in Christ's name, there is the truth and the will of God being done, and Christ in their midst. That's the two or three witnesses of God. That's the Church with Christ in the midst (remember the two witnesses of revelation chapter 11?) There is the "definition" of the Church! Two or three witnesses gathered together in the name of Christ! The two is illustrating established truth, and the three illustrating the purpose and will of God.
The Trinity is imbedded in the temple. In the Holy of Holies there was a cube each. The temple had cube of twenty cubes. Each of these twenty “had three parts to it.” these parts are: The Court, the Holy Place and the Sanctuary. there were “three chambers” around the temple. The Brazen Sea had “three” thousand baths with a line of “thirty” cubits with “three” hundred knops. [1 Kings 7:24]. Its foundation were twelve oxen (3x4); “three” looking north, “three” looking west, “three” looking south, and “three” looking east.
Not only in the word of God stamp with the Trinity, but the whole of creation have the Mark of The Trinity. When I first enter the field electronic one of things I thought was amazing was the fact that only “three” dots striking the screen was responsible for the beautiful color picture on the screen. And on top of that it take only “three” basic colors [red, blue and green] to produced all the different hues. Yes we have a whole universe designed around the important number “three” the number of perfection, the number of God! The number of the resurrection! The number of the Godhead!
The number “three” rule the vegetation kingdom. There three types of vegetation: grass, herbs and trees [Gen 1:11].
There “three” kind of light of lights in the sky: the sun, the moon and the stars [Gen I:16].
There are "three" kind of animals: fish, foul and land animals.
There are "three" states of matter [solid, liquid and gas].
Our world is the "third" planet form the sun.
These is only some of thing in the universe and the bible, God use to direct the searching soul to the truth. If the Trinity was of pagan origin would God mark His whole creation with the mark of the beast? You know the answer. How could He be any more clearer? Those with a love of the truth can’t miss it. Those who continue to defend a tradition will miss it. The only way we can find the truth is to come to the word of God looking for the truth, and not “my” but “God’s” truth.
Everything is simple and straight forward and easy to understand. You don't need to know Greek or take a class in Hebrew to understand it. “Three” is “three” in every language. There are many more example I can bring out from the bible and the physical creation but if this is not enough I don’t know what it will take open blind eyes.
GOD MADE IT SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS “THREE” AND THE “THREE” IS ONE! MAN COMPLECATE WHAT GOD INTENED TO BE SIMPLE!
