10/20/2000, Vince Aquilino
Is the Rapture at Hand?
One reader writes, very aptly I might add, "you are looking for the wrong happening at this moment in time. The Ezekiel nations are not going to participate at this time. That war happens when Israel is living in peace and safety, and occurs near the middle of the tribulation. I have just found your site so I don't know what you believe concerning the rapture etc., but the Jews are crying out for peace and the antichrist could very easily bring it to them and solve all the problems, but of course the church will have to be taken out of the way. It's time now; we are in the Jewish year 6001."
Here is a response for your consideration:
This reader could be right, but that is not the point of Biblical prophecy. It is certainly possible that somehow in the midst of all this that the "man of sin" may get his chance to be the "man of peace" and bring peace into a seemingly impossible situation.
This possibility is intriguing, especially in light of the fact that we have just concluded a seven-year peace treaty somewhere between Sept 13, 2000 and Oct. 13th, 2000 depending on whether or not you consider the "agreement in principle date" or the "ratification date" as the date of demarcation. When you consider that the anti-christ confirms a treaty with the many; and the word "confirm" means to make stronger, the implication is that there has to be an existing peace treaty to be made stronger.
According to Daniel, this occurs in the midst of the week. However, "in the midst-of-the-week" has different meanings. Some feel it refers to a point in time that is 3 1/2 years into the seven-year peace agreement which also, some believe, runs in parallel with the time of Jacobs trouble; i.e. the seven-year tribulation period. But others, however, feel that "the midst-of-the-week" means in the middle of the sabbatical week - consider Jesus was cut-off 3 1/2 years into His ministry, in the middle of a sabbatical week when the time-clock stopped for Israel. If this latter view is true, then the time of Jacobs trouble could in fact start where it left off, that is, in the middle of a sabbatical week.
The "sabbatical week" view is interesting in that if true, one could conclude that the "time-of-Jacobs-trouble" has in fact started this year (or at least the events leading up to it have started), not coincidentally on the day after Rosh Ha'SHanah (the Jewish new year) and at the end of God's 6,000 year plan for mankind.
Is it possible that all the current killing and turmoil for Israel shows that the "Time of Jacob's trouble" is at hand? Interesting thought? One must also consider that this day just happens to be the next day after the conclusion of 6,000 years and at the exact start of year 6001 -- because that is when all the current killing and turmoil for Israel began. Interesting? If you would like to read about God's 6,000-year plan for mankind, click here:
http://prophecyandcurrentevents.com/thglory/7000year.htm ('Rosh Ha'Shanna' - Is it the Rapture? - Part 1)
What is also of interest is that Zechariah's prediction is being fulfilled before our very eyes -- as the whole world is turning against Israel and Jerusalem has become that "burdensome stone" for the whole world. For example, this week Turkey, Israel's long-time allie, chose to support the PLO, as well as the Europian Union, and even the U.S.A. is waffling on commitment to Israel.
As far as the rapture, I generally try not to adopt a view because pre-conceived notions can color one's interpretation of current events relative to prophecy; which is why I do not get hung up on rapture theories -- after all, no man knows the day or the hour). However, speaking of the rapture, I am shocked that many spiritual leaders are oblivious to the signs of the times. Some even say "I heard all this second coming stuff 30 years ago, and nothing has changed." They do not realize they are crying out from the Bible: "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." They have lost sight of the fact that the Lord will come as a thief in the night, at the appointed time, to redeem the earth and mankind. Clearly, this reader is not in this camp.
However, we must be mindful and recognize that we could have a peace treaty by the end of this week; whereupon the orig. OSLO accord will be confirmed by "the many" (perhaps in the middle of a sabbatical week of years), whereupon the Jews will cry out peace and safety...which will be followed by sudden destruction.
Relative to rapture theories, the Ezekiel 38 invasion, for reasons cited in the articles on this web site, could occur anytime; including before a pre-trib rapture. Although, once again, I am not hung up on rapture timing theories because that always clouds one's ability to see the connection between the prophetic events and the current event by biasing one's view of the obvious current events.
The important thing is to keep looking up and remember that Jesus is returning for a holy and spotless bride. Jesus told us, "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28)
For indeed that day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, should we not be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and should we not account that the longsuffering of our Lord is for the salvation of the lost.
Therefore, since we know these things beforehand, we must beware lest we also fall from our own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but rather we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to 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 creation." For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless." (2 Peter 3:1-14)
Remember, we do not need the rapture to face eternity, it is only a heart beat away. Since you do not know when your life will end, choose this day whom you will serve. One path leads to eternal life and one path leads to eternal damnation. Which will you choose? Choose Life!
And to those who count themselves as children of God, consider the words of the One who is Holy and True:
"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked - "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' " (Rev 3:14-22)
"Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." (Rev 2:5)
``It is now the hour to awake from sleep, for our salvation is closer than when we first accepted the faith.'' (Rom 13:11)
As we see the signs of His return drawing close, what manner of holy life should we be living? Remember that Jesus is returning for a Holy and Spotless Bride. Whether His return is today or 10 years from now is irrelevant since eternity is only a heart beat away for any of us. So choose this day whom you will serve, ask the Holy Spirit to search you to see if there be any iniquity in you, and then call upon Jesus your Deliverer. He is faithful for forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unfaithfulness.
"Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Maranatha!
How to Be Saved Through Jesus
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/salvation/index.html
"Rosh Ha'SHannah' - Is it the Rapture - Part 1
"Rosh Ha'SHannah' - Is it the Rapture - Part 2
"Rosh Ha'SHannah' - Is it the Rapture - Part 3
"Rosh Ha'SHannah' - Is it the Rapture - Part 4
Has the Tribulation Come?
http://www.prophecyandcurrentevents.com/thglory/sher0041.htm
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