High watch times (discerning the season vs date setting)

[Red Sky at Morning]

Full circle??


SCRIPTURE teaches that there is an appointed day for the Rapture (Acts 17:31). While only God knows the day, many believe that it could be the Feast of Trumpets.

Here are 10 reasons why:

1. NAME MEANING

The Hebrew name for the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Teruah, means “Day of Shouting” or “Day of (trumpet) Blowing.” The Rapture is when Jesus descends with a shout and a trumpet:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout … and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thess. 4:16).

Moreover, trumpet blasts or shouting (teruah) are associated with:

• The opening of a door to heaven (Rev. 4:1).

• Entering the Promised Land (Josh. 6:20).

• A gathering of the people (Isa. 27:13).

• The coronation of a king (1 Kings 1:39).

• Jubilation (Ezra 3:12).

• Impending judgment (Ez. 33:4; Joel 2:1).

All of these themes point to the Rapture.

2. HIDDEN MOON

The Feast of Trumpets is the only festival observed on the first day of the month, when the moon is in its new, or invisible, phase (Lev. 23:24). The Rapture is when the Church, symbolized by the moon, disappears, or is hidden:

“Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by” (Isa. 26:20).

3. NEAREST THE SUN

The Sun is a symbol of Jesus, the Bridegroom:

“The LORD God is a sun” (Ps 84:11).

“[The sun] is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber” (Ps. 19:5).

The Feast of Trumpets is when the New Moon, symbolic of the Church, is directly between Earth and the Sun, and thus at its closest distance to the “Son.”

4. DAY AND HOUR UNKNOWN

The Feast of Trumpets begins with a trumpet blast at the sighting of the new-moon crescent: “Blow the trumpet at the new moon … on our feast day” (Ps. 81:3). Since weather and other factors make it impossible to predict when the crescent will be sighted, no one knows the “day or hour” that the festival begins (Matt. 24:36).

5. HEAVEN’S GATE OPENED

The new moon (Feast of Trumpets) is when the eastern gate of Jerusalem is opened: “The gate of the inner court facing east is to be shut on the six working days, but on the … day of the new moon it is to be opened” (Ezek. 46:1).

The Rapture is when, after six thousand-year “days,” God’s people enter through the gate into heavenly Jerusalem: “Behold, I am coming quickly …. Blessed are those who … enter through the gates into the [holy] city (Rev. 22:12, 14).

6. BIRTH SIGN

The Feast of Trumpets is when the constellation Virgo is clothed with the Sun, and the Moon is under her feet. The annual alignment in Virgo, called a “great sign” in Revelation 12, depicts a woman in labor and giving birth. This is significant because the resurrection–rapture is likened to a birth:

“As a pregnant woman about to give birth writhes and cries out in her pain, so were we in your presence, LORD. We were with child, we writhed in labor, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth, and the people of the world have not come to life. But your dead will live, LORD; their bodies will rise—let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy—your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead” (Isa. 26:17–19).

7. PEACE AND SECURITY

The Feast of Trumpets coincides with the annual assembly of the UN—the organization founded on the anniversary of Noah’s Flood (Cheshvan 17) and whose stated mission is to “maintain international peace and security.” This is significant because Scripture says that when Jesus returns, it will be “like the days of Noah,” and people will be saying “peace and security” (Matt. 24:37–39; 1 Thess. 5:3).

8. WHEAT GATHERING

The Feast of Trumpets occurs around summer’s end, when the wheat harvest is gathered into barns or granaries (Deut. 16:13). The gathering of wheat into a barn is a picture of the gathering of believers into the Father’s house at the Rapture:

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him” (2 Thess. 2:1).

“He will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:12).

9. WEDDING REMINDER

The Feast of trumpets is called a “memorial” blowing of trumpets (Lev. 23:24).

While Scripture does not specify what the trumpet blasts memorialize, they are believed to commemorate the original trumpet blast at Sinai, when the Lord descended in a cloud and entered into a “wedding agreement,” the Law, with the Children of Israel (Ex. 19).

Thus, the Feast of Trumpets is a day to remember Israel’s wedding and, by association, the Church’s betrothal that occurred on the same day, centuries later (Acts 2). Since Trumpets is a day to recall past wedding agreements, it is an apt time for the rapture–wedding.

10. RUTH AND BOAZ’S WEDDING

The wedding of the Gentile Ruth to the Jewish redeemer Boaz is a picture of the Rapture.

While Ruth and Boaz were betrothed, or legally married, around Pentecost, Scripture records that Ruth continued to live with her mother-in-law until the end of the wheat harvest (Ruth 2:23). Some translations specify, “till all the barley and the wheat were laid up in the barns” (DRB).

Since Ruth did not cohabit with Boaz until the wheat harvest was complete, it is possible that the marriage was not consummated until around the Feast of Trumpets.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The Feast of Trumpets is when:

• Trumpets are sounded.

• The Moon (Church) is hidden.

• No one knows the start time.

• The gate to the Holy City is open.

• The sign of the woman giving birth occurs in Virgo.

• The nations meet to discuss “peace and security.”

• Wheat is gathered into barns.

• Jews and Christians recall past weddings and betrothals.

With the rapture themes in view, it is significant that the Feast of Trumpets is marked by rapture-themed signs in the consecutive years 2023 and 2024:

The Feast of Trumpets 2023 saw Comet Nishimura—the “wedding comet”—enter Virgo, the sign of the woman giving birth, as it reached peak brightness. Simultaneously, a pair of asteroids named “Child” and “United Nations 6000” exited the belly area of the woman, denoting a birth or new beginning.

The Feast of Trumpets 2024 will see Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS—expected to be among the brightest comets of the century—enter Virgo near peak brightness.

The name Tsuchinshan means “Purple Mountain.” The color purple signifies authority and royalty in Scripture. Mountains represent kingdoms (Dan. 2:35) The name Purple Mountain could thus be translated “royal kingdom,” or “Kingdom of God.”

But there is more.

While the Purple Mountain comet is shining brightly in Virgo, an annular “ring” solar eclipse—also in Virgo—will be viewable only from Easter Island, the location named after the Gentile holiday that celebrates the Resurrection.

Combined, the Trumpets-signs in Virgo convey the themes: “wedding,” “birth,” “resurrection” and “God’s Kingdom.”

The Trumpets-signs are even more interesting when we consider that the years in which they occur—‘23 and ’24—match the chapter and verse numbers associated with the Feast of Trumpets:

“On the first day of the [seventh] month, you shall have … a memorial of blowing of trumpets” (Lev. 23:24).

Moreover, Leviticus “23:24” marks the first appearance of the word teruah (shout or trumpet blast) in all of Scripture.

A final sign that the Feast of Trumpets ‘23 and ‘24 may be pivotal is that precisely in-between, on Nisan 1, occurred a historic solar eclipse—believed to be the most witnessed astronomical event ever—with a distinct Jubilee theme (see notes).

In conclusion, no one knows whether the impending Feast of Trumpets will see the Rapture:

“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matt 24:42).

But it is certainly a time to be vigilant.

. . .

NOTES:

1. The Hebrew word teruah is defined as a “shout or blast of war, alarm, or joy.”
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8643.htm

2. Since the Sun symbolizes Jesus the Bridegroom (Ps. 19:5; 84:11), the Moon, the Sun’s heavenly counterpart, represents the Bride, or Church. The Moon is emblematic of the Church in that it has no light of its own, relying entirely upon the Sun for its light (Ps. 19:4, 5; 84:11). Likewise, man has no light of his own. We were created in the image of God to reflect His brilliance and glory (Gen. 1:27).

3. The United Nations Organization was formed on October 24 (Cheshvan 17), 1945, with the central mission of “maintaining international peace and security.” https://www.un.org/en/our-work/maintain-international-peace-and-security

4. Since the Rapture is when many are “left behind,” it is striking that the theme of the UN assembly in 2024 is “Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.”

5. A clue that the Feast of Trumpets is a remembrance of the giving of the Law, or “wedding agreement,” is the fact that Ezra read the Law, as a reminder to the newly returned exiles, on the Feast of Trumpets in Nehemiah chapter 8.

6. There are two reasons that Ruth may have continued to live with her mother-in-law, despite being legally married to Boaz, until the grain was stored in barns:

The first reason is that Boaz, as the owner of the field, would have been busy overseeing the harvest. It was normal practice in those days for landowners to supervise the harvest, even sleeping on the threshing floor, as a deterrent to theft (Ruth 3:7). Boaz’s work would not have ended at the threshing floor. After winnowing and sifting, the grain had to be measured and portions meted out as various payments or tithes, before the rest could be stored. For these reasons, Boaz could have easily been occupied with the harvest until summer’s end.

A second reason Ruth may not have cohabited with Boaz until summer’s end is a Jewish law called Havchana, which requires a divorcee, widow, or new convert to Judaism to wait at least three months after the betrothal before consummating the marriage. The purpose of the law is to ensure that the bride is not already pregnant before marrying, thus avoiding any confusion concerning the lineage of the child. Since Ruth was both a widow and a convert to Judaism, it is possible that in accordance with the law of Havchana, the wedding was not consummated until three months after the betrothal, in late summer.

7. More on the comet and asteroid signs by T.W. Tramm:

Comet Signs of 2023–24: https://tinyurl.com/mwwntbsb

God’s Heavenly Signs: Reflecting on the Virgo Alignment of 2023:

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tinyurl.com

8. Annular (ring) eclipse above Easter Island at the Feast of Trumpets: https://www.space.com/annular-solar-eclipse-october-2-2024

9. More on the Jubilee solar eclipse by T. W. Tramm:

Ten Reasons the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 Was a Jubilee Sign

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tinyurl.com

Nine Reasons 2024 Could Be a Jubilee

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tinyurl.com

2024 Eclipse and America’s Prophetic Destiny

https://tinyurl.com/ts9apvhr

2024 Eclipse and the Sign of Jonah

https://tinyurl.com/3jacmwnb

2024 and 2017 Eclipse Paths: God Is in the Numbers

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tinyurl.com

Solar Eclipse 2024: God’s Final Warning for America?

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tinyurl.com

10. It is interesting that Matthew 24:42 (mirrored “24s”) specifies that we do not know the day of the Lord’s coming. There is no mention of the year being unknowable.

. . .

*Visit the author’s website: www.theseasonofreturn.com

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:36). However, a convergence of biblical signs and timelines suggests that it is near. To escape the judgment reserved for a God-rejecting world, one must know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you have not yet done so, call on His name and believe that He is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead, and you will be saved (Rom. 10:13).

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[Clout]

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:36). However, a convergence of biblical signs and timelines suggests that it is near...

Yup, we're witnessing these prophecies with our own eyes right now as the world becomes more and more morally and spiritually degenerate-
"..you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour" (1 John 2:18 )
"Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist.. (1 John 2:22/3)
"Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 1:7)
"..every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world" (1 John 4:3)

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

Anyone interested in this topic can do worse than watch the following exploration of the patterns and foreshadowings of a 1st century Jewish wedding. Once the culture is understood, the meaning of so many things become clear:

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

THE Feast of Trumpets is called Yom Hamelech, or “Day of the King.”




From T.W. Tramm’s Facebook page:

The title derives from the Jewish belief that Trumpets is the day on which God created the Universe and was crowned its King.

In view of the kingly theme, it is striking that on the eve of this year’s Feast of Trumpets, October 3, an asteroid named “2305 King” will enter the constellation Virgo, the virgin or bride.

Interesting to note about 2305 King:

• It was discovered in a Sabbatical year, 1980, during the Feast of Trumpets.

• Before entering Virgo at the forthcoming Feast of Trumpets, it will have spent the summer lingering in Leo, the sign of the coming King.

• The asteroid’s assigned number, 2305, has a kingly connotation: Strong’s #2305 Greek is the word theiotés, referring to the “Godhead.”

Significantly, other signs occurring around this year’s Feast of Trumpets have a kingly theme as well:

COMET TSUCHINSHAN–ATLAS

On October 4, the Feast of Trumpets, a super bright comet named “Tsuchinshan–ATLAS” will enter Virgo. The name Tsuchinshan means “Purple Mountain.” Since purple is associated with Jesus’ Kingship, and mountains represent kingdoms, the name “Purple Mountain” evokes the Kingdom of God.

RING ECLIPSE

On the eve of the Feast of Trumpets, October 2, an annular “ring” solar eclipse—also in Virgo—will be viewable from only one location: Easter Island. Since the ring is a wedding symbol, and Easter is synonymous with resurrection, the ring eclipse in Virgo evokes the Rapture, or Wedding of the King.

THE CROWN

While the exact date is unknown, scientists calculate that around the end of September (Feast of Trumpets), a nova explosion will become visible in the Crown constellation, shining for several days as its brightest star.

The nova–star, sparkling like a jewel in the heavenly Crown at the Feast of Trumpets, evokes Jesus’ kingship (Rev. 14:14). It also recalls a passage in Zechariah where believers are compared to jewels in the Lord’s crown at His return:

“Then the LORD will appear … [He] will sound the trumpet …. [and will] will save his people on that day … They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown” (Zech. 9:14, 16).

Furthermore, the sparkling Crown evokes the imperishable crowns awarded at the King’s coming: the Crown of rejoicing, the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Glory, and the Crown of Life (1 Cor. 9:24, 25; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10).

Our next and final Trumpets sign does not have an overtly royal theme, but it is fascinating nonetheless.

SECOND MOON

Scripture says that in the last days, people will have prophetic dreams (Acts 2:17, 18).

Going back years, at least a decade, people in the watchman community have been having dreams about “two moons” at the time of the Rapture.

Examples:

It is thus significant that in August, news stories about Earth gaining a second moon began flooding the media. According to scientists, on September 29, a few days before the Feast of Trumpets, our planet’s gravitational pull will draw in a 33-foot diameter asteroid named 2024 PT5, which will orbit Earth as a second “mini-moon” for exactly eight weeks.

Adding to the significance, mini-moons are extremely rare: small asteroids are typically pulled into Earth’s orbit only about once every 10 to 20 years, and the current one, 2024 PT5, is only the fifth to ever be detected.

Some would say that the mini-moon does not fulfill the rapture dreams, as it is actually a tiny asteroid. But Scripture is brimming with examples of dreams in which one thing represents another. Besides, what better way to convey that an asteroid mini-moon will be circling Earth at the time of the Rapture than a dream about two moons?

Whether the mini-moon is a sign of the Rapture only the Lord knows. But it is a remarkable coincidence indeed that following years of two-moon rapture dreams, on the eve of the Feast of Trumpets, Earth is set to gain a rare second moon.

Finally, while on the subject of the moon, here is another coincidence related to this year’s Feast of Trumpets: Though the visibility of the new moon crescent depends on many factors and cannot be calculated with certainty, it is fascinating to note that, according to the moon phase charts, the 3% crescent that marks the start of this year’s Feast of Trumpets occurs when the moon is exactly 1.53 days old. The number 1.53 is striking because “153” is the number of fish “caught up” and brought to the Lord—a picture of the Rapture (John 21:10–14). Moreover, this coincidence occurs at no other Feast of Trumpets in the 17-year span between 2015 and 2031. A fluke? Perhaps. Or perhaps the God who “numbers even the hairs on our heads” is employing all means to confirm that the catching away is near.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The forthcoming Feast of Trumpets, or Day of the King, will see:

• An asteroid named King enter Virgo.

• A comet named Purple Mountain (God’s Kingdom) enter Virgo.

• A wedding ring eclipse in Virgo.

• A nova explosion in the Crown constellation.

• A rare second moon, and a “153” crescent.

Significantly, the above convergence includes every type of major heavenly body—the Sun, the Moon, the stars, a comet and asteroids—indicating that the Lord is employing all means to send signs at this Feast of Trumpets.

What’s more, three of the signs occur in Virgo, the constellation associated with “great” signs (Rev. 12).

Scripture says the heavens speak to us:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” (Ps. 19:1, 2).

The message of this year’s Trumpets signs is that the King is coming.

Soon!

. . .

NOTES:

1. Asteroid “King,” named after Martin Luther King Jr., was discovered on a Friday, September 12, during the Feast of Trumpets.

Hebrew Date Converter - September 12, 1980 / 2nd of Tishrei, 5741

Convert Gregorian/civil and Hebrew/Jewish calendar dates. Fri, 12 September 1980 = 2nd of Tishrei, 5741

www.hebcal.com

2. Feast of Trumpets 2024 begins on a Friday, October 4, when the new moon is 1.53 days old.

https://www.calendar-12.com/moon_calendar/2024/october#google_vignette

3. The color purple is associated with Kingship and the office of the High Priest (Mark 15:17; Ex. 39:1; Heb. 4:14).

4. God’s Kingdom is likened to a “mountain” (Dan. 2:35).

5. Ring eclipse visible from Easter Island: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/chile/easter-island?iso=20241002#:~:text=This annular solar eclipse is,strip on the Earth's surface.

6. The name Easter Island was given by the island's first recorded European visitor, the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen, who encountered it on Easter Sunday in 1722.

7. Nova explosion in the Crown constellation:

A nova explosion may soon be visible in the night sky. Here's where and when to look

Keep an eye on the sky for the second half of 2024 and you might be able to witness a rare astronomical event. A space scientist explains how nova events work and where to look.

www.pbs.org

8. That the Crown constellation symbolizes the crowns awarded to believers is supported by its various features:

• The seven stars that comprise the Crown correspond to the seven Churches (Rev. 1, 2).

• The Crown is a subdivision of Libra, the constellation whose “balance scales” point to the judgment seat of Christ at the end of the Church Age (2 Cor. 5:10; Luke 12:48).

• The Crown is located above the constellation Serpens, the enemy, which is orientated to appear as if he is reaching up to take the Crown. Jesus tells the Church, “Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Rev. 3:11).

9. Two-moon headlines:

USA Today: ‘Earth is about to get a second mini-moon’: https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/09/19/asteroid-mini-moon-2024-pt5/75260498007/

ABC News: ‘Earth is getting a second moon for a limited time beginning the end of September’: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/asteroid-enter-earths-orbit-temporarily-mini-moon/story?id=113853998#:~:text=The Earth is getting a,moon," according to astronomers.

Independent UK: ‘Earth to get a second moon this month, scientists reveal’:

Earth to get a ‘mini moon’ this month, scientists reveal

Space rock to orbit Earth for brief period between September and November, researchers say

www.independent.co.uk

10. Two-moon rapture dreams:

11. It is significant that the mini-moon is 33 feet in diameter. King Jesus was 33 years old at the time of His resurrection. Strong’s #33 Greek is the word age, which means “come! Or “come now!”

12. Each year during the Feast of Trumpets, the constellation Virgo is clothed with the Sun, and the Moon is under her feet, an alignment that is called a “great sign” in Revelation 12.

. . .

*Visit the author’s website: www.theseasonofreturn.com

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:36). However, a convergence of biblical signs and timelines suggests that it is near. To escape the judgment reserved for a God-rejecting world, one must know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you have not yet done so, call on His name and believe that He is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead, and you will be saved (Rom. 10:13).

 

[Clout]

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

This one feels a little “left-field” to me as it doesn’t quite fit with some of the things I have come across, but I have been known to be wrong (!) so if it does turn out to be of significance, I would rather have highlighted it than ignored it…

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

Concerning the day of Jesus’ coming, Scripture says:

• We will see the day approaching (Heb. 10:25; 1 Thess. 5:4).

• No one knows the day, not even the angels (Matt. 24:36; 1 Thess. 5:1, 2).

• It will seem like He is delaying (Matt. 24:48; 25).

• He is not delaying (Matt. 24:48–50; Heb. 10:37).

• Don’t lose confidence (Heb 10:35).

• He may come in the second or third watch (Mark 13:35).

• Be ready always (Matt. 24:44).

• Keep watching (Mark 13:37).

To emphasize the unpredictability of the day, Jesus uses the analogy of a homeowner keeping watch for a thief:

“Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch
and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt. 24:42–44).

The lesson is that if the homeowner knew which day the thief was coming, he would simply watch on that day and not have his house broken into. But the reality is that no one can predict the time of a break-in, so one has to be watchful always.

We understand that the warning to keep watch is for the Church—those looking for the Rapture—because Paul uses the same “thief” analogy in a letter to the Church at Thessalonica:

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1, 2).

According to Paul, there is no need to discuss dates because it is understood that Jesus is coming like a thief. Question: on which day does a thief show up? Answer: no one knows.

This is not to say that believers will be caught unawares when the Lord comes like a thief. Paul says those who are awake will know when the day is at hand and be ready (vv. 4, 5). It simply means that one cannot be certain of the day.

The bottom line is that Scripture says watchful believers will know the general timeframe, but not the day. While some days seem a perfect fit, Jesus may come at an hour unexpected.

So keep watch, because the Lord could return “in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping” (Mark 13:35–37).

. . .

*Visit the author’s website: www.theseasonofreturn.com

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:36). However, a convergence of biblical signs and timelines suggests that it is near. To escape the judgment reserved for a God-rejecting world, one must know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you have not yet done so, call on His name and believe that He is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead, and you will be saved (Rom. 10:13).

 

[Clout]

..the warning to keep watch is for the Church—those looking for the Rapture...

In my opinion he Rapture belief is a load of cultish baloney..

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

In my opinion he Rapture belief is a load of cultish baloney..

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
King James Version

16 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:
17 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.

#paulthecultleader

 

[Clout]

I once invited a christian woman over for tea, but she kept going on about the Rapture, boy was she soon out on her butt..
I asked her to explain the Rapture and she said "It means all christians will vanish off to heaven on judgement day, and the nonchristians left on earth will look round wondering where they went"
So I then said- "But what if christian airline pilots, train and bus drivers all vanish, causing crashes because they're no longer at the controls?"
"That can't be helped" she replied, "and anyway airliners always have a nonchristian co-pilot on board so that when the christian pilot is raptured away, they'll be able to take over the controls"

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

I once invited a christian woman over for tea, but she kept going on about the Rapture, boy was she soon out on her butt..
I asked her to explain the Rapture and she said "It means all christians will vanish off to heaven on judgement day, and the nonchristians left on earth will look round wondering where they went"
So I then said- "But what if christian airline pilots, train and bus drivers all vanish, causing crashes because they're no longer at the controls?"
"That can't be helped" she replied, "and anyway airliners always have a nonchristian co-pilot on board so that when the christian pilot is raptured away, they'll be able to take over the controls"

I’m not sure at what point you felt you put her beliefs on the floor? I don’t think the Lord is obliged to make the transition from an age of grace to a time of judgement especially smooth on those who reject His Son.

 

[Clout]

Jesus says in Mark ch 13-
"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens"
See, he never mentions anything about vanishing in a so-called ''rapture'..

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

Jesus says in Mark ch 13-
"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens"
See, he never mentions anything about vanishing in a so-called ''rapture'..

Is it the word “Rapture” you don’t like?

The Latin word rapturo comes from the Greek word harpazo, which means "to snatch or take away" as in the passage you cite.

 

[Clout]

Is it the word “Rapture” you don’t like?
The Latin word rapturo comes from the Greek word harpazo, which means "to snatch or take away" as in the passage you cite.

Jesus said he's returning in full view of the whole world to "gather his elect" he makes no mention of "beaming" anybody up to heaven..

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2) The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The rapture occurs before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent—there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6–19 nowhere mentions the church. During the tribulation—also called “the time of trouble for Jacob” (Jeremiah 30:7)—God will again turn His primary attention to Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

The rapture and second coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire.

 

[Clout]

..In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath...

Not according to this verse where Jesus refers to end world disasters like earthquakes etc-
Jesus said - "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened" (Matt 24:22)
See, the "elect" (true christians) will be in it along with nonchristians, before Jesus arrives to rescue them..-
"At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens"

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

Interesting…

“The Old Testament applies the term "elect" (Biblical Greek: ἐκλεκτος; Biblical Hebrew: בָּחִיר) to the Israelites insofar as they are called to be the chosen people, people of God, or faithful to their divine call. The idea of such an election is common in Deuteronomy and in Isaiah 40-66.”

So “elect” refers to God’s chosen in various time periods. The term “church” is dropped after the letter to the Laodicean church, John is told to “come up hither” and door opens in heaven at the beginning of Revelation chapter 4.

 

[Clout]

The "Elect" are something special and are the children of God himself because they've rejected the world and its stupid ways..
"What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?..Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters" (2 Cor 6:14-18 )

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

The "Elect" are something special and are the children of God himself because they've rejected the world and its stupid ways..
"What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?..Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters" (2 Cor 6:14-18 )

From a Biblical perspective the elect include but are not limited to the Church. That’s why at times Israel is also referred to as elect. During the Tribulation, there will be those who didn’t believe before but will come to faith, both Jew and gentile - these will be the elect referred to in the Book of Revelation.

 

[Red Sky at Morning]

From T.W. Tramm’s Facebook page

THE most joyous festival on God’s calendar, the Feast of Tabernacles, begins October 17–18 this year.

While Tabernacles foreshadows generally the Millennial Kingdom and beyond, when God will dwell, or “tabernacle,” with man, there are at least 17 ways that it points specifically to the Rapture:

1. WHEAT GATHERING

Tabernacles, also called the “feast of ingathering,” is when the wheat that has been processed—cut, dried, threshed, winnowed, sifted and ground—is gathered into barns or granaries (Ex. 23:16; Deut. 16:13). The gathering of wheat into barns is a picture of the “gathering” of believers into the Father’s house at the Rapture (2 Thess. 2:1; Matt. 3:12; John 14:2).

2. REJOICING WITH PALMS

Tabernacles is a time of rejoicing before the Lord with palm branches (Lev. 23:40). In Revelation 7, the newly raptured saints are seen rejoicing before the Lord with palm branches (vv. 9–12). What’s more, it is said that God will spread His “tabernacle” over them (v. 15).

3. FEAST OF NATIONS

Tabernacles is called the “Feast of Nations.” The Rapture is when people from every “nation tribe, people and language” stand before God’s throne (Rev. 7:9). Moreover, Tabernacles will be celebrated by the nations throughout the Millennium (Zech. 14:16), indicating that it has special importance to Gentiles.

4. WEDDING COVENANT

Tabernacles is when the Law, or ‘wedding covenant,’ is read annually as a reminder (Deut. 31:10, 11; Neh. 8–10). The Rapture is when the wedding covenant is consummated.

5. SEVEN-DAY FESTIVAL

Tabernacles is celebrated for seven days, corresponding to the seven-day bridal week (Gen. 29:27). The bridal week foreshadows the seven-year wedding celebration in heaven, after the Rapture.

6. HARVEST COMPLETE

Tabernacles is when the harvest is complete. The Gentile Ruth married the Jewish redeemer Boaz, a picture of the Rapture, when the harvest was complete (Ruth 2:21, 23 DRB).

7. FULL MOON

Tabernacles begins at the full moon, signifying the fullness of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:25). The full moon is also when the proverbial “husband,” or “goodman,” Jesus, returns (Prov. 7:19, 20).

8. SUMMER’S END

Tabernacles is observed after summer, when the harvest is past. After the harvest is when the Jews lament not being saved: “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20).

9. TIME OF RELEASE

Tabernacles is the appointed time of release, or debt forgiveness (Deut. 31:10 AMP). The Rapture is the ultimate release from earthly concerns.

10. SUKKOT

After departing Egypt, the Israelites first camped at a place called Sukkot, the Hebrew word for Tabernacles (Ex. 12:37). The departure from Egypt is a picture of the Rapture.

11. NEW DWELLINGS

Tabernacles is when the Jews remember how they previously lived in temporary dwellings (Lev. 23:42, 43). The Rapture is when believers receive new and permanent ‘dwellings,’ i.e. glorified bodies, and mansions in heaven (1 Cor. 15:53; John 14:2).

12. LIMITED APPEARANCE

In John chapter 7, Jesus attends the Feast of Tabernacles in partial secrecy because His time had not yet fully come, and even His Jewish brothers did not believe in Him (vv. 5, 6). Similarly, the Rapture is a limited appearance at a time of Jewish unbelief.

13. TRANSFIGURATION

Jesus’ transfiguration “after six days” occurred during the Feast of Tabernacles (Matt. 17:4). The transfiguration after six days foreshadows the Church’s glorification after 6,000 years.

14. TEMPLE DEDICATION

The First Temple was dedicated to God at the Feast of Tabernacles (1 Kings 8:65). The ultimate Temple, the Church, or Body of Christ, will be dedicated at the Rapture (Eph. 2:20–22).

15. LAST TRUMP

Since Tabernacles is the last festival of the biblical year, the seventh festival of the seventh month, it is when the “last trumpet” is sounded (1 Cor. 15:52).

16. LAST DAY

John chapter 6 states four times that the resurrection will occur at the “last day” John 6:39, 40, 44, 54). In the following chapter, the phrase “last day” is applied to the Feast of Tabernacles: “In the last day, that great day of the Feast [of Tabernacles], Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37).

17. EIGHTH DAY

Tabernacles is the festival with a special eighth day that is observed afterward (Lev. 23:36). The number eight signifies a putting off of the flesh, a new beginning, and rescue from judgment (Gen. 17:12; 1 Pet. 3:20), themes that describe the Rapture.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The Feast of Tabernacles is a time of:

• Ingathering.

• Rejoicing with palms.

• Fullness and completion.

• Gentile celebration.

• Transfiguration.

• Temple dedication.

• Jesus appearing in part.

• The last trumpet.

• The last day.

With the tabernacles–rapture correlations in view, it is important to keep in mind that no one knows how the fall festivals will be fulfilled. Since the Second Advent is essentially a two-phased event that occurs over the course of years, and includes two groups, the Church and Israel, there may be multiple fulfillments. That said, here is an outline that shows how a Tabernacles Rapture would make sense relative to the other festivals:

• The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, in late spring marks the beginning of the extended harvest period called the Church Age.

• The Feast of Trumpets at summer’s end is an awakening blast that the harvest period is drawing to a close.

• The “Days of Awe” leading up to the Day of Atonement represent the final opportunity to be sealed for redemption before the judgment is set.

• The full moon at Tabernacles signifies the fullness of the Gentiles and the conclusion of the Church Age—the time when the ‘wheat’ is gathered into God’s ‘barn.’

• The post-rapture judgment could begin immediately, or a few weeks after Tabernacles, around the anniversary of Noah’s Flood. Scripture says it will be like the “Days of Noah,” and that people will be saying “peace and security” (Mat 24:37; 1 Thess. 5:3). The fall is when the UN, the organization founded on the anniversary of Noah’s Flood, meets to discuss matters of "international peace and security." This year, the call for peace is amplified as Israel is embroiled in a spiraling war that began, coincidentally, the day after last year’s Feast of Tabernacles.

Having outlined a possible scenario, we understand that no one knows the day of the Rapture, not even the angels (Matt. 24:36). While it could occur on a festival day, there are Scriptures that suggest it may not (Matt. 24:42–44; 1 Thess. 5:1, 2). Nonetheless, the “festival of ingathering” is a time of heightened hope and anticipation for those who long to be with the Lord, and to inhabit a new and perfect tabernacle.

. . .

*Visit the author’s website: www.theseasonofreturn.com

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: No one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matt. 24:36). However, a convergence of biblical signs and timelines suggests that it is near. To escape the judgment reserved for a God-rejecting world, one must know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If you have not yet done so, call on His name and believe that He is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead, and you will be saved (Rom. 10:13).