Angel Sabotage

 

Below is a commentary from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew, from my manuscript, Waiting for the Day and Hour.  

 

Mathew 24:36

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, but my Father alone” (Darby Bible).

 

Jesus begins to prophecy the rapture of the Church in 24:36. Some believe Matthew 24:36 refers to the 2^nd appearance/coming of Jesus Christ. I think the reason they believe this theory is that they are unable to distinguish between the two events. They do not understand the distinctiveness of the rapture of the body of Christ and the 2^nd coming of Jesus. I hear people calling the rapture of the Church the 2^nd coming. The 2^nd coming happens on the final day of Israel’s 70^th week. The rapture occurs before Israel’s 70^th week begins. There are at least 2,520 days between the rapture and Christ’s 2^nd appearance. That is seven biblical/prophetic years. A biblical/prophetic year is 360 days. I mentioned this in chapter six, Daniel’s Vision, under the heading Calendar Years.

Sometimes I hear people say that Jesus is coming back when they refer to the rapture. They are confused. Jesus returns in his 2^nd appearance. At that time, he redeems the remnant of Israel. After that, he sets up his millennial kingdom and reigns from Jerusalem (Rev. 19:11-21; 20:4; Dan. 2:44; Ps. 2:6-12). At the rapture, Jesus does not return to the earth; rather, the church is raptured into heaven (1 Thess. 4:16-17). When the Scripture says the church will meet the Lord in the air, it means the church meets Jesus at the place where the earthly realm meets the eternal realm, the gateway of the heavenly realm. When Scripture says the Lord descends from heaven, it is emblematic of getting off his throne to meet the church at the gateway of heaven. He will be there to greet the body of Christ as they transition from their earthly bodies to their heavenly bodies once they enter the heavenly realms.

No one knows the day and hour; the church is raptured. The Lord has mandated the day and hour as a secret. There is a reason for this mystery. If the day and hour of the rapture of the body of Christ were revealed, then Satan and his fallen angels would sabotage it. They would put their destruction of this world on pause that day, leave their appointed territories, and gather at the gateway of the heavenly realm to create a barrier. Before the church could enter the gateway to the heavenly realm, chaos would happen. Satan and his angels would try to stop the rapture of the body of Christ from happening. This is why God is keeping the day and hour a secret. By keeping it a secret, the body of Christ’s transition from earth to heaven happens without any issues. By keeping the rapture a secret, the body of Christ’s transformation from earthly to heavenly bodies will be a smooth transition.

Satan and his angels still have access to the heavenly realm, but they cannot come anywhere near the realm where the throne room of God is situated, the inner sanctuary (Rev. 4:1-11; Isa. 6:1; Ezek. 1:26-28). They were cast out of the inner sanctuary of heaven when Satan rebelled against God (Ezek. 28:12-17; Isa. 14:12-15). Scripture alludes to one-third of the angels rebelling with Satan (Rev. 12:4). The Lord had created a ουράνι (myriásin) myriad (countless) of angels (Heb. 12:22). The fallen ones will be cast out of the entire heavenly realms during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 12:7-9). Therefore, when the rapture happens, they have access to the gateway of the heavenly realms. But, since the rapture is a secret to every angel, Satan and his angels do not know what day or hour it happens. When it happens, they will be unaware of it. There will be no time to leave their appointed territories to attack the body of Christ because of how quickly the church is raptured, in the blink of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-52).

As it is, Satan and his angels move back and forth from the heavenly realms to the earth. Satan and his angels roam throughout the Earth, and limited areas within the heavenly realms (Job. 1:7; 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:8). Evil spirits do not have access into the heavenly realms, only the earth (Enoch 15:8-11; Matt. 12:43; Lk. 11:24). But if the fallen angels knew the exact moment the church was to be raptured, they would be at the gateway of the heavenly realm to assault the believer’s before they transition from the earthly to the heavenly realm. Every Old Testament saint and believer in Christ in heaven who has their earthly body resurrected the moment the rapture of the living believers happens would have their resurrected body attacked by the fallen angels on this side of the gateway of the heavenly realm. The Old Testament saints and those who have already passed away in Christ will be reunited with their earthly bodies at the place where Jesus meets his church in the air, on the other side of the gateway to the heavenly realm. This happens before the living believers meet Jesus at the gateway of heaven: “For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep” (1 Thess. 4:15, CSB). Every believer who is raptured alive would suffer the same assault before they enter the gate to the heavenly realms. Therefore, God has made the moment the rapture happens a secret. He only lets Satan know the generation when the rapture will occur. All Satan can do is guess at what day it will be.

Satan knows the generation when the rapture will occur because he knows Bible prophecy, but not the day and hour. The church can know what Satan knows. All they have to do is study. But sadly, many in the church choose not to. Evil spirits can trick the church into believing there is no rapture if they reject endtimes prophecy. Evil spirits can ruse church leaders into thinking the rapture will not happen in this lifetime, for many generations to come, if they refuse to study and teach endtimes prophecy. Because many in the church let themselves be schemed, they do not have their eye on the rapture. They do not view it as important. They are spiritually asleep. The reason Jesus commands the church to stay awake is that they do not know the day or hour it will happen (Matt. 24:42; 25:13). The reason Jesus commands the church to be ready is that he is coming when the church least expects it (Matt. 24:44).    

Satan has deceived many in the church into believing they can change the world. That they can change the hearts of everyone, so evil is defeated. He has tricked many into thinking they can defeat him, his fallen angels, and all the evil rulers of this world. Evil spirits have tricked many Christians into believing they can create a Christian kingdom on earth. I am not saying the church should not preach the gospel. We have been commanded to do so. But, conquering the world for Jesus and defeating Satan is not what the church has been told to do. If this was God’s plan, then why would he give Jesus the Revelation of things that are soon to take place, in the endtimes (Rev. 1:1)? Why is it written that Jesus personally defeats the kings of the earth, the Antichrist, and the false prophet (Rev. 19:11-21)? Satan is bound for 1000 years by Jesus, not the church in their earthly bodies (Rev. 20:1-3). The church in their earthly bodies cannot defeat Satan and his fallen angels. Even Michael, the archangel, when he argued with Satan over the dead body of Moses, watched what he said: οὐκ ἐτόλμησεν κρίσιν ἐπενεγκεῖν βλασφημίας (ouk etólmisen krísin epenenkeín vlasfimías) “He did not dare to impose a judgment of blasphemy” (Jude 1:9, mGNT). Jesus personally defeats Satan, his angels, and the evil rulers of this world after the inhabitants of the earth go through seven years of Tribulation. Evil spirits have deceived the church into thinking they are the ones who will conquer the spirits of darkness. This deception is called Dominion theology. I wrote about Dominion theology in chapter nine.

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement[1] is largely responsible for this deception. This branch of the church is an extension of the former Latter Rain Movement.[2] Their theology is not in line with what the Scriptures teach about the endtimes. They believe Jesus will give the church dominion over the world. They believe that Christians will create heaven on earth, a worldwide Christian kingdom. This theology does not speak about a pre-Tribulation rapture. It does not mention the 70^th week of Israel or the 7-year Tribulation Period.

I have mentioned in this book that this is the generation when the rapture of the Church will happen, because Jesus said it would. The generation that witnessed Israel’s statehood renewed (1948) will also witness the rapture of the Church, Israel’s 70^th week, and the second appearance of Jesus (Matt. 24:32-34; Mk. 13:28-30; Lk. 22:29-32). Some say that the preceding passages are symbolic of an endtimes revival in the church. But that is utter nonsense. These passages refer to Israel’s renewed statehood. There was a reason why Jesus prophesied these passages in riddle form. God hides the true meaning of these mystery passages from church leaders who refuse to preach the rapture to their congregations.  As a consequence, the disobedient preach delusion.

Satan knows this is the generation that God will gather his church into the heavenly realms to complete its salvation. He knows that Jesus will come back again to redeem the remnant of Israel (Dan. 9:24; Rms. 11:1-5, 11-12, 25-28). He knew that Israel would govern their state again (Isa. 66:8-10; Ezek. 37:21-22). And he knew the year before it happened. As I have written in chapter nine, Israel’s Renewed Statehood, under the heading, The Completion of the Proviso. That is why the fallen angels tried to destroy Israel’s renewed statehood by inspiring the Nazi Party (The Third Reich) to exterminate the Jews. They believed that if they could get rid of the Jews, then they would not become a sovereign state again. If they could stop Israel from becoming a sovereign state again, then they could also prevent the church from being raptured. If they could annihilate the Jews in the 2^nd World War, then the remnant would not be redeemed.  But since Satan failed at stopping Israel’s statehood from being renewed, he began to focus on stopping the church from being ready for the rapture. That is why he has deceived many leaders in the church so that they do not teach the church about the rapture or endtimes prophecy. Satan has convinced pastors to abstain from teaching the doctrine of endtimes, thereby starving the church of vital information so they can watch and be ready for when the rapture happens. He knows that God will complete his salvation in the body of Christ, at the rapture, when the last person appointed to eternal life is redeemed (Acts 13:48; Jn. 10:26-27; Rms. 8:29-30; 2 Thess. 2:13-14).

Some English Bibles include in their translations that Jesus (Son of God) is unaware of what day the rapture will occur. They second-guess themselves by adding a footnote similar to: Most manuscripts omit that the Son of God does not know. The manuscripts being referred to are ancient Greek manuscripts—there are no original Greek manuscripts. The Textus Receptus is a Greek manuscript that I quote from often in this book. It is considered the most authentic Greek version of the New Testament.[3] It is one of the ancient Greek manuscripts that omits any reference to Jesus not knowing the day and hour the rapture will happen. However, all ancient manuscripts and English versions say the angels do not know the day and hour.

 

Picture: Pixabay (PublicDomainPictures)

Free for use under the Pixabay Content License 

 

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[1] New Apostolic Reformation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Apostolic_Reformation#:~:text=The%20New%20Apostolic%20Reformation%20(NAR,separation%20of%20church%20and%20state.

(Accessed 8/03/2024)

[2] Latter Rain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latter_Rain_(post%E2%80%93World_War_II_movement)

(Accessed 8/06/2024)

[3] What is the Textus Receptus?

https://www.gotquestions.org/Textus-Receptus.html

(Accessed 7/14/2025)

The Resurrected

 

Below is a commentary from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew, from my manuscript, Waiting for the Day and Hour.  

The context of this passage (Matt. 22:23-28) is that the Sadducees (a political party of the Jewish elite) questioned Jesus about a man who died and had no children. According to Moses, the dead man's brother should marry his widow and have children, for him (Deut. 25:5-9). His brothers kept marrying his widow, one after the other, because they kept dying too. They asked Jesus which brother could claim the widow as their wife at the resurrection. Jesus was able to see through their deception because the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead; they believed in no afterlife. Neither did they believe in the spiritual realm or angels, whether holy or fallen. However, the Pharisees did believe in these things. Jesus answered the Sadducees by referring to the resurrection of those who die and were faithful to him. This would be the faithful Church and the faithful Old Testament saints who were obedient to Yahweh.

There are three resurrections in Scripture: One at the rapture of the body of Christ (1 Thess. 13-17)—this is the one Jesus was referring to. At this resurrection, the dead in Christ will be reunited with their body. It will be resurrected and transformed into a heavenly body (1 Cor. 15:22-23, 42-44, 51-53). Then there is a resurrection referred to as the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6). At this resurrection, all those who are killed during the 7-year Tribulation/70^th week of Israel, because they repent and turn to the One true God, will be resurrected to live again in their earthly body. During the Tribulation, they will not worship the Antichrist or his image. They will not receive his mark on their hand or forehead. These Tribulation saints will be resurrected after Jesus Christ defeats the kings of the earth, with their military, and the endtimes ἰσχυρός (ischyros) mighty men. These ischyros are similar to the Nephilim seen in the Old Testament (Gen. 6:4; Num. 13:33). They were also referred to as the גִּבּוֹר (gibôr) hero or mighty men (Gen. 6:4; 10:8-9; Josh. 10:2; Jdg. 5:23).[1] The נָפִיל (nāp̄îl) Nephilim/giants were the offspring of the sons of God (angels). The giant offspring of the angels were also called רְפָאִים (rᵊp̄ā'îm) Rephaim (Deut. 2:11, 20; 3:11, 13; Josh. 12:4). The Tribulation saints could be resurrected before Jesus sets up his earthly kingdom. After Christ’s millennial reign, there will be another resurrection (Rev. 20:7, 11-15). This resurrection is referred to as the White Throne Judgment. Everyone who does not have their name written in the book of life will have their body resurrected to be reunited with their spirit and soul. Because they do not have their name written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 13:8), they will be cast into the lake of fire.   

Jesus made it clear which resurrection he was referring to. He said the resurrected will be ὡς ἄγγελοι ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ (os ángeloi en tó ouranó) “like angels in heaven” (22:30b, mGNT). He meant the resurrection that is concurrent with the rapture of the body of Christ, who are still alive at this glorious event (1 Thess. 4:15-17). When the dead in Christ and the faithful Old Testament saints are resurrected simultaneously with the raptured body of Christ, each will receive a heavenly body (1 Cor. 15:51-53). Their Heavenly bodies will be similar to the kind of Heavenly body the angels live in. The raptured and resurrected saints will be like the angels in heaven, but different. That is what he meant when he said the resurrected will be like the angels. He was referring to the angel’s heavenly body. The body of Christ and the faithful Old Testament saints will become heavenly beings like the angels of God. The angels have one kind of heavenly body, and the body of Christ will have another type of heavenly body. The body of Christ and the faithful Old Testament saints will receive a heavenly body like the one Jesus received when he was raptured (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Jn. 3:2).  

There is no other way Jesus could have explained the transformation of the faithful to the Sadducees, especially since the Church had not been born. And because they did not believe in the heavenly realms and life after death. He had to say the resurrected will be like angels, so they could get an idea of what he was saying.

When the Tribulation saints are resurrected, they do not receive heavenly bodies. At least the Scriptures do not imply they do. They are resurrected back into their earthly bodies, which will live forever. They would have to be raptured into the eternal realm for their resurrected body to be transformed from earthly to heavenly. The Scriptures do not imply they are raptured into Heaven after the Tribulation, like the church is before the Tribulation. When Jesus was resurrected, He came to life again in the same earthly body. He did not receive his heavenly body until he was raptured and taken into heaven before the eyes of the apostles (Acts 1:9). The Tribulation saints will dwell on the earth once they are resurrected in earthly bodies that will not die again. They will rule and reign with Jesus in their earthly bodies during his millennial reign (Rev. 20:4). After Jesus’ millennial reign the Tribulation saints and the offspring they produce during the millennial reign of Christ will experience Satan being released out of his prison (Rev. 20:7). Satan will deceive some of their descendants into joining him to turn against their forefathers, the Tribulation saints (Rev. 20:9a). But God destroys them from his throne in heaven (Rev. 20:9b).

Again, there is no indication in the Scriptures that the Tribulation saints receive heavenly bodies like the Church does at the rapture. The Scripture only says they come back to life again to serve Jesus in their earthly bodies. The Scripture leaves us with the idea they come back to life into their earthly bodies and stay that way for 1000+ years (Rev. 20:6). The raptured body of Christ will dwell in the eternal realm once resurrected and caught up to heaven, because this day will be the day when the salvation process in the body of Christ is complete (Rom. 8:18-23; 2 Cor. 5:1-4a). 

 

Picture: Pixabay (MerandaDevan)

Free for use under the Pixabay Content License  

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[1] Who Is Your Master

https://thelogosrevealer.blogspot.com/2024/07/who-is-your-master.html

Speaking in Tongues

  

Acts 2:2-4

“Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting… They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them… All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [languages] as the Spirit enabled them” (NIV).

 

When the apostles and those with them were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, they all began to speak in other tongues. Each spoke in a language that was not their own. A language they had not learned through study or adopted by living in another culture. The languages that the Holy Spirit empowered them to speak were languages spoken throughout the world. The Holy Spirit did not empower the apostles to speak gibberish or meaningless babble. The apostles were not speaking nonsense when the Holy Spirit filled them with divine power.

When you hear a Christian praying or prophesying gibberish or meaningless babble, they are not praying or prophesying in the Holy Spirit. They are speaking words contrived by the power of their human mind. What do I mean by gibberish or nonsensical babble? I mean, the sound coming off their tongue is not an intelligible language. It is not a language that exists or has ever existed. Have you ever heard a Christian supposedly speaking in tongues by repeating the same incoherent sounds over and over again? When a Christian is genuinely praying in the Holy Spirit, an intelligible language is rolling off their tongue. A language unknown to the one praying in tongues, but a language nonetheless. The Holy Spirit does not speak gibberish or mumbo jumbo. He knows every language in the world, and that is how he prays through the Christian vessel.

Some say they are speaking a heavenly language when they are speaking in tongues. But the Scriptures do not support that theory. Some believe that because the Apostle Paul mentioned the language of angels in his writings (1 Cor. 13:1), the language spoken by the Holy Spirit through a baptized believer must be a heavenly language. I disagree. Paul did not say that angels have a unique language; he was trying to make the point that love is important. When angels spoke to the prophets and saints, they always spoke in that prophet or saint’s native tongue. The languages the Holy Spirit enables baptized believers to speak are genuine languages. They are languages from the many cultures spread across the earth. Some of the languages may be from cultures that no longer exist. Nonetheless, they were once genuine and intelligible languages that people spoke. You may think a language spoken by one culture may be no more than gibberish and nonsensical babble to another culture. That kind of thinking is arrogant. Every language ever spoken is intelligible to those who speak it. A person from one culture may not comprehend the language from another culture, but that does not make it an inauthentic language. An unintelligible language to one is comprehensible to someone else. But gibberish and nonsensical babble are neither an authentic nor intelligible language.

When the Jews who were staying in Jerusalem from every nation heard the noise the Holy Spirit made when he came to baptize the apostles, they were confused, so they gathered together to investigate (Acts 2:2, 5-6a). They could hear the apostles speaking in their languages (Acts 2:6b). These Jews and converts to Judaism were from Northeastern Persia, Iran (Parthians). Media, east of Mesopotamia and northwest of Persia (Medes). Elam, north of the Persian Gulf (Elamites). Mesopotamia, between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers (residents of Mesopotamia). Jewish homeland (Judeans). Districts in Anatolia—the Asian part of modern Turkey (Cappadocians, Pontic Greeks [Pontus], Asians [minor], Phrygians, and Pamphylia). Egypt, Libya, and Rome. There were inhabitants from the island of Crete (Grecian Jews) and Arabs. The Jews who heard the Christians speak in other tongues were hearing them speaking in their native languages (Acts 2:8-11). The disciples' native languages would have been Aramaic and some Greek. This is why those who heard the followers of Jesus Christ speaking in their native tongues were amazed (Acts 2:12).

When a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, they will speak in a foreign tongue. There will be no need to force it. Another language will flow from the tongue of the believer without effort. If a Christian tries to force himself to speak in tongues, they will be speaking gibberish. It will be a false manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enabler; the believer is the vessel. When a believer is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, they should pray to God in tongues as much as possible.  

 

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Sit Upon Twelve Thrones

 

Below is a commentary from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew, from my manuscript, Waiting for the Day and Hour.  

 

Matthew 19:28-29

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel… And everyone that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life” (ASV).

(Parallel passages: Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30)

 

Some believe this passage refers to the time immediately after the 7-year Tribulation Period, when Israel’s 70^th week is completed. When the Lord Jesus Christ begins his millennial reign on the earth. But I disagree with this theory. I believe this passage is another of Jesus’ frequent references to the rapture of the Church.

The context: A man came to Jesus and asked him what he can do to obtain eternal life (Matt. 19:16). Luke wrote that he was a young ruler, maybe of the Sanhedrin (Lk. 18:18). He was wealthy (Matt. 19:22). Jesus told him he had to obey God, forsake this world, and follow him (Matt. 19:17-21). After the young ruler left, Jesus informed his disciples that it is hard for the rich to enter God’s kingdom and receive eternal life (Matt. 19:23-24). The disciples were puzzled, wondering who could then receive eternal life (Matt. 19:25). Jesus reassured them: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26, YLT). Peter answered Jesus: “We have left all things and have followed thee; what then shall happen to us” (Matt. 19:27, Darby)?

Jesus answered Peter’s question and prophesied about the future of his apostles (Matt. 19:28). They will sit upon twelve thrones and have the responsibility of judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus sat on his throne in heaven after his resurrected body of flesh was raptured and transformed into a heavenly body (Acts 1:9; 7:55; Matt. 26:64; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1). When the body of Christ is resurrected and raptured off the earth, we will receive the same heavenly body Jesus has (1 Cor. 15:49; Phil. 3:21; 1 Jn. 3:2). Jesus does not have a Heavenly body like the angels. His heavenly body is unique. When the body of Christ is raptured, when our salvation is complete, we will receive the same unique heavenly body as Jesus.   

The apostles will not judge the twelve tribes of Israel until they are resurrected and transformed into heavenly bodies. Matthew used the Greek word παλιγγενεσίᾳ (palingenesia) rebirth, to describe what Jesus meant. Palingenesia can be translated as regeneration and renewal. The ASV in the passage above has translated palingenesia as regeneration. It means to be transformed from one state to another. When a person is born again, their spirit is renewed or regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). It is created anew. But Jesus was not referring to his or the apostle’s spirit being renewed or born again. Jesus was not born again as some have taught. His spirit was not created by the union of a man and a woman, but by the Holy Spirit as he was recreated in Mary’s womb. Jesus “took on the form of a human embryo through the recreating power of God, coagulating with the egg cells in his mother’s ovaries.”[1] Therefore, Jesus did not need to be born again, because when he was in his earthly body, his spirit was 100% God. What Jesus was referring to was the palingenesia (rebirth) of his earthly body. The regeneration of his body, not his spirit. He also meant that when his apostles’ earthly bodies are regenerated (renewed) into heavenly bodies, they will sit upon their thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Therefore, Jesus was referring to his rapture and the rapture of the Church in Matthew 19:28.

In the following verse, Matthew 19:29, he also alludes to the rapture of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is everyone who has completely dedicated their life to serve the Son of God. They shall receive eternal life once they are raptured into heaven, their salvation is complete, and their earthly bodies are palingenesia (renewed) into heavenly bodies.

 

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[1] The Messiah: Before, During, and After

https://thelogosrevealer.blogspot.com/2025/04/the-messiah-before-during-and-after.html

The Divine Seine

 

Below is a commentary from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew, from my manuscript, Waiting for the Day and Hour.  

 

Matthew 13:47-50

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a large net thrown into the sea. It collected every kind of fish, and when it was full, they dragged it ashore, sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but threw out the worthless ones. So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (CSB).

 

This allegory is allusive to the rapture of the body of Christ. Some say it is not. They believe it refers to the end of the Tribulation Period when the sheep nations will be separated from the goat nations (Matt. 25:31-46). I say it is an indirect allusion to the rapture of those faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the church age.

Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a large σαγήνη (sagēnē) net. A sagēnē is a dragnet used for fishing. It drags the bottom of the water to catch as many fish as possible. Sagēnē can be translated as net, trawl, or seine. The Darby Bible translates sagēnē as seine, to give a clear picture of what kind of net Jesus was referring to. Merriam-Webster describes a seine as: “A large net with sinkers on one edge and floats on the other that hangs vertically in the water and is used to enclose and catch fish when its ends are pulled together or are drawn ashore.”[1] Fishing with a seine will not only catch fish that are useful, but also fish that are not.  

Throughout the church age there have been people who have received the word of truth and let it grow, allowing their faith to increase (Matt. 13:23). There have been people who have received the word of truth but have let the evil ones snatch it out their heart (Matt. 13:19). Some have received the word of truth making them happy but do not let the word of truth take root (Matt. 13:20-21). When persecution or trouble comes, they fall away from the faith (2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3-4). Some who have received the word of truth end up with no faith at all; they become unfruitful, because of the cares and riches of this world (Matt. 13:22).

The sagēnē that Jesus talked about in this teaching is the divine seine/dragnet that the angels have cast upon the earth during the church age. The divine seine/dragnet gathers all kinds into the church, but at the end of the church age, the harvester angels (Matt. 13:30, 39c-41) will separate the wicked from the righteous. At the rapture, the angels will separate those who love the world and love the things in the world from those who have been faithful to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. They will separate those who hate their brother from those who love and pray for those who hate them. In short, the angels will separate those who have walked in righteousness and been faithful from those who have not. The evil people will be cast into the κάμινον τοῦ πυρός (káminon toú pyrós) “furnace of fire.” The furnace of fire is the place of exóteros skótos (outer darkness) mentioned in the Matthew 8:11-12 commentary above. The furnace of fire and the place of outer darkness is “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is the Tribulation Period/70^th week of Israel. As I have written, ‘Scripture prophesies that these seven years will be the worst time any man will ever have to endure’ (Dan. 12:1b; Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:21). It will be a place that feels like a blazing furnace. It will be a place where darkness reigns completely. In the káminon toú pyrós (furnace of fire), people will have one last chance to repent as they weep and gnash their teeth. Many will repent during that time (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-14).  

 

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Free for use under the Pixabay Content License

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[1] Seine

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seine

 

The Kingdom was Prepared for Jacob

 

Below is a commentary from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew, from my manuscript, Waiting for the Day and Hour.

 

Matthew 8:11-12
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven… But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (NIV). 

“And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven… But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (NLT).

(Parallel passage: Luke 13:28-29)

I believe that Jesus refers to the wedding supper of the Lamb in this passage (Rev. 19:6-9). He prophesied that at his wedding supper, there would be many dismissed. The writers of the New Living Translation (NLT) get right to the point. Many of these people will be Jewish. The people of Israel are the sons and daughters of God’s kingdom (Exod. 4:22-23; Deut. 14:1-2). The Lord proclaimed through Jeremiah that he is Israel’s father (Jer. 31:9). At the wedding supper of the Lamb will be Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because they were faithful to their Messiah when they were alive, before his 1^st coming. They are God’s sons. The people from the east and the west are believing Gentiles that have been grafted into God’s family during the church age (Rms. 11:11-24). The faithful saints of Israel are God’s heirs along with every born-again Gentile (Eph. 2:19; 3:6). Every Jew who has put their faith in Jesus as their Messiah during the church age will be at this marriage supper, along with their faithful Old Testament brothers. Every Jew who has rejected Jesus and is still living when the rapture of the body of Christ happens will be cast into Israel’s 70^th week period/7-year Tribulation. This is what the ἐξώτερος σκότος (exóteros skótos) “outer darkness” is. It is the Tribulation Period. It is seven years of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Every Jew and Gentile who has rejected Jesus Christ before Christ’s 1^st coming, and during the church age, and Israel’s 70^th week, will be resurrected at the end of Christ’s millennial reign (Rev. 20:5). They will then be judged because they names are not written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:11-15).  

I have given the reader two translations of the above passage to view. I did this so that you can see the different interpretations of this text, from both the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT) translators. According to Scripture, the wedding supper will happen after the rapture occurs (Rev. 4:1-2; 1 Thess. 4:16-17) and before Jesus returns at his second appearance (Rev. 19:11-16). It takes place in heaven while the world is going through the seven-year Tribulation Period, while the Jews who missed the rapture are going through their 70^th week. Some believe the wedding supper of the Lamb happens after the Tribulation Period. In chapter twelve, The Rapture of the Church, under the heading, The Marriage Supper of the Lamb, I wrote about this.

The context of Matthew 8:11-12: A Gentile soldier reveals that he has faith in Jesus and his ability to heal his servant, who was paralyzed (Matt. 8:5-10). Jesus then implicitly prophesies the creation of the church, the new creation, that will be at the wedding supper of the Lamb with Israel’s patriarchs in attendance in verse eleven—the centurion’s initiative revealed that Gentiles would put faith in Jesus Christ, something unrepentant Jews will not do during the church age. Then he gives the grievous news that the sons of the kingdom (Israel) will not be allowed to take part in his wedding supper with the Jewish patriarchs.

To recap: At the marriage supper of the Lamb, any Jew who has not put their faith in Jesus before the rapture occurs will not be allowed to attend. Instead, they will be cast into exóteros skótos (outer darkness) where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In chapter fourteen, Pastors and Teachers, under the heading Placed With the Hypocrites, I have written that this horrible place refers to the Tribulation Period, the 70^th week of Israel. The 70^th week of Israel will be seven years of great affliction, physically and mentally. Scripture prophesies that these seven years will be the worst time any man will ever have to endure (Dan. 12:1b; Jer. 30:7; Matt. 24:21). The lake of fire is a similar place of darkness. But it will be even more unbearable because there is no chance of repentance in that place. No unbelieving Jew or Gentile will get into the marriage supper of the Lamb or partake in it with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

In Luke 13:28-29, the same thing is written. It refers to entering the kingdom of God through the narrow door, which is faith in Jesus (Lk. 13:23-24). Once the rapture happens, many unregenerate Jews and Gentiles will call on God from the earth, wondering why they are not snatched out of the world with the body of Christ (Lk. 13:25-27), and left to endure this very dark time that is coming.

Picture: Pixabay (Pexels)

Free for use under the Pixabay Content License

Israel and Iran

 

Today, June 16, 2025, is day four of Operation Rising Lion. According to i24NEWS, there have been at least 24 Israeli casualties as of midday. Today is also day 619 of Operation Iron Swords.[1] Operation Iron Swords began when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Last night, there were 4 people killed when an Iranian missile hit an apartment building in Petah Tikva, Central Israel. The total dead overnight is 9 nationwide. Iran threatens more intense missile attacks. Israel has destroyed about 1/3 of Iran’s rocket launchers so far.

Israel has concentrated on targeting nuclear and military sites, while Iran has been targeting heavily populated areas in Israel, like Tel Aviv. Iran has fired about 350 ballistic missiles into Israel since the operation began. Israel has hit some state and military sites located in the capital of Iran, Tehran. Tehran has suffered heavy losses with more to come. Many of Iran’s senior generals in the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been killed. Also, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, an Air Force Commander, has reportedly been killed.  

Israel’s goal is to remove Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats. They want to move Iran to accept a nuclear agreement. Israel’s military officials say it could take at least 3 more weeks to weaken Iran’s military operations completely.  

Some independent news sites are accusing Trump of giving in to the Washington Neocons, who are praising Israel for attacking Iran. The Neocons want Trump to give the go-ahead and give the American military the green light to strike Iran. Others wish Trump would stay out of this conflict. Some say that Netanyahu attacked Iran on Friday to draw the United States into war with Iran.

I understand why Americans do not want to be drawn into this war. Just like they do not wish the United States to be involved directly in the Ukraine/Russia war. But if the United States is to be involved in protecting any nation besides its own, it has to be Israel. The reason why America has the strength it has is because of their alliance with Israel—God gives the USA its strength because it blesses Israel. If at any time Israel needs help, it is when their cities are being attacked.

Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed (Gen. 12:3; 27:29; Num. 24:9). Jesus taught that when he comes at his 2^nd coming to redeem Israel (Matt. 24:27-31), he will judge the nations (Matt. 25:31-46). He taught that the nations that bless Israel will be likened to sheep, which he will place on his right. The nations that curse Israel will be likened to goats. He will put the goat nations on his left. The sheep nations bless Israel when they need help, but the goat nations curse Israel when they need help. The nations that help Israel will enter into eternal life, but the nations that do not help Israel will suffer forever torment.   

Some may wonder why Israel’s Iron Dome is not stopping all the Iranian missiles. Likewise, why are Israel’s other defense systems not fully effective, like the Patriot, the Arrow, and David’s Sling? Only God has the answer to these questions. Israel’s defense systems have been effective before, but now Iran can get some of its ballistic missiles through to cause destruction and many deaths. Why Lord?  

Some think that if Israel suffers many casualties, it will draw the United States into this war. But I do not believe that Benjamin Netanyahu is allowing his people to be killed, or Israeli cities suffer destruction, so that America will help him win his battle against the Ayatollah. I do not believe that the PM stood back while the Palestinians murdered Israelis on October 7, 2023, either, as some say he did.  

Some Christians wonder if this war against Iran has anything to do with the endtimes prophecy written in Ezekiel 38:1-23. It is the Gog of Magog war. I wrote and posted an article about Gog[2] on July 19, 2018. There I wrote who could be Gog, the leader of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, when this war begins (Ezek. 38:2)—the Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal in Ezekiel 39:1-21 is the Gog of Ezekiel 38. I also wrote that Magog, Meshech, and Tubal are mentioned in Genesis 10:2. Today, the geographical areas of Magog are Russia and parts of Central Asia. Meshech and Tubal are possibly Turkey, Southern Russia, and Northwest Iran. The Ezekiel 38 war will happen in this generation, soon. Some scholars believe it will happen after the body of Christ is raptured into the eternal realm, and before the 70^th week of Israel/7-year Tribulation begins.

Modern-day Iran is ancient Persia (Ezek. 38:5a). Persia changed its name to Iran in the mid-1930s. In the days of Israel’s exile to Babylon, 605-536 BC, the Persian King, Cyrus, allowed Israel to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Lord’s temple that was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians (2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ez. 1:1-4). He is beloved by the Jews for this liberation of their people, even today. Some say that when Israel became a sovereign state again (1948), even though its surrounding Muslim nations began to wage war against it, Iran extended friendship to Israel. But, in 1979, when the Shah (king) of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (he reigned from 1941-1979), was overthrown and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini took power, Iran became an enemy of the state of Israel. Since then, Iran has been determined to wipe Israel off the face of the map.

The beginning of Operation Rising Lion is not the Gog of Magog war. Although Iran has bombed Israel with a small measure of success, it will put Israel in a position of rebuilding parts of their cities that have suffered destruction—Tel Aviv, Haifa, Rishon LeZion, Bat Yam, and Petah Tikva. This war may be the catalyst for the Gog of Magog war. Ezekiel prophesied that Gog and his allies would advance on the land like a storm, that is being restored from war and where its people are experiencing a sense of security (Ezek. 38:8-9). This land is the land of Israel. Israel may be lulled into a fake sense of security when Iran capitulates to President Trump’s demand that they sign a nuclear deal. Iran will capitulate and halt its uranium enrichment program, because if they do not, the USA may threaten its destruction in one way or another. Once Iran ceases its uranium enrichment program, Israel will fall into a false sense of security. After this, the war of Gog of Magog will happen. But it will not happen until the Church is raptured. God will annihilate Gog and his allies because it will arouse his anger (Ezek. 38:18). God will supernaturally destroy Gog and his allies in a way similar to how he did the Assyrians (Ezek. 38:21; 2 Kgs. 19:35; 2 Chron. 32:20-23; Isaiah 37:36-37). The angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night.  

 

Picture: AP Photo/Leo Correa

“Damaged cars are seen at the site where an Iranian missile struck in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025.”

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[1] Swords of Iron

https://www.jewishagency.org/war-in-israel-operation-iron-swords/

[2] Gog

https://thelogosrevealer.blogspot.com/2018/07/gog.html

 

The One Who Does God’s Will

 

In January 2022, I posted an excerpt from my manuscript, Waiting for The Day and Hour, in the article called, Did We Not.[1] Since then, I have edited that excerpt. And what you see below is the newly edited version of my commentary on Matthew 7:21-23. This commentary is one of many from chapter sixteen, Rapture Passages in Matthew.  

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven…  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’… Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers’” (NIV)!

(Parallel passage: Luke 13:22-30)

Some may be puzzled by this passage. Some think anyone who calls Jesus Lord should enter the kingdom of heaven. They may think 1 Corinthians 12:3 proves their theory: “No one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit” (AMP). However, the verse in the letter to the Corinthians is a declaration spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—an affirmation of something true. And Matthew 7:21a is a way of addressing someone important who has great authority. In this case, the person is Jesus. He is Lord of lords and King of kings. He is God. He should be addressed by the title, Lord. Addressing Jesus as Lord is an act of acknowledging that he is Lord. However, declaring “Jesus is [my] Lord” affirms one’s dedication or loyalty to him. Therefore, not everyone who addresses Jesus as Lord will enter Eternity.

Matthew, when compiling his gospel, recorded what is written in 7:13-20 right before Jesus’ warning about doing his Father’s will (7:21-23), to indicate how a person may enter heaven (7:21-23). Whether or not Jesus taught chronologically what Matthew recorded in these verses, we do not know. Because we do not see the same chronological record in the other gospels. Luke has what is written in Matthew 7:13-23, but he has them recorded in another order, differently. In Luke’s record, it looks like Jesus said these things at different times (6:43-46; 13:22-30). Remember what I wrote in chapter four, The Live Encounter with a Fig Tree, under the heading, Two People, Two Different Personalities, Matthew’s gospel is recorded differently than Mark and Luke’s gospels. Mark and Luke usually recorded what Jesus said chronologically. They recorded what Jesus taught with some resemblance to a timeline. Matthew recorded Jesus’ teachings systematically. He compiled Jesus’ various teachings and arranged them like an accountant arranges the names of each account. Matthew wrote that Jesus taught to enter heaven through the narrow gate (7:13-14). Then he writes that Jesus warned of false prophets, who can be recognized by their καρπός (karpós) fruit (7:15-20). I believe Matthew recorded these teachings of Jesus in an orderly way to give his readers a better grasp of what Jesus meant in 7:21-23. 

Jesus said only those who do God the Father’s will are permitted into τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν (tín vasileían tón ouranón) “the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 7:21a, mGNT). His Father's will is achieved by putting faith in the Son of God, and then doing what he commands. Whoever the Son of God has been revealed to, and then believes in him (truly follows him), will have eternal life (Jn. 6:40). The Fathers perfect will is that those who believe in Jesus should not follow the world or their agenda, but change the way they think so they can know what the will of God is (Rms. 12:2). The one who is permitted into heaven is the one who offers their body as a living sacrifice to God (Rms. 12:1). The one who calls Jesus, Lord, must understand what the will of God is, and then do it (Eph. 5:17-21). It is the Father's will that his children be sanctified: avoid sexual immorality, control one’s body (be holy and pure), and not lust like the pagans do (1 Thess. 4:3-7). Those who call Jesus Lord must not spend their time chasing what their flesh desires but live to do the will of God (1 Pet. 4:2). Those who do the will of God will be permitted into tín vasileían tón ouranón (the kingdom of heaven).  

Some may not see it, but this passage (7:21-23) is allusive to the rapture of the Church. Jesus prophesied the day of the rapture of the Church in this statement with an indisputable warning. He said: πολλοὶ ἐροῦσίν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ (polloí eroúsín moi en ekeíni tí imér) “Many will ask me on that day” (7:22a, mGNT). “On that day” is allusive to the day he comes for his church (Mal. 3:17-18; Matt. 24:36; 1 Thess. 5:4; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:8). This statement is a prophetic picture of what some people will say or ask Jesus on that day. I just wrote ‘what some people will say or ask Jesus,’ but Jesus said, what many will ask him. The unarguable warning is that only those who do the will of Jesus’ Father will enter the eternal realm on the day the rapture happens. 

Some readers may think: Would these people denied entrance into heaven not be raptured for Jesus to speak to them since he is in the eternal realm? So, how can this be an allusion to the day of the rapture? Well, the primary passage in the Scriptures that describes the rapture of the body of Christ (1 Thess. 4:13-17) says that Jesus will meet them “in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17b). I have written before that εἰς ἀέρα (eis aéra) “in the air” means the place of transition. It is where the physical realm meets the heavenly realm—the door or gateway of heaven. Therefore, those denied access into the eternal realm are stopped at the place of transition, eis aéra (in the air)—at the door or gateway of heaven. At this place, they will be saying (likely anxiously shouting): “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?” Being troubled, they will remind the Lord of their works. No doubt they will be filled with fear knowing they are denied access to the kingdom in heaven. They will be denied access to the eternal realm because Jesus has determined that they did not do the will of his Father. Every Christian should take note: Just because a believer uses the gifts of the Spirit does not guarantee that they will not be turned away at the gateway of heaven. Those who call Jesus Lord must do the will of Christ’s Father.

Jesus predicts that he will say to those he will not let into the eternal realm, that he has never known them (7:23a). This means he has never known them to be his servants. They do not serve Jesus because they do not do God the Father's will. They may not do his will because they are Scripturally illiterate. Or, it is just not important to them. They follow the world and their agenda instead of doing God’s will. They do what they want, fulfill their desires. They do not work at renewing their mind to know the will of God. They do not offer their body as a living sacrifice to God. They do not work at being holy, but live to please the sinful nature. If these people do God’s will, Jesus will allow them to access God’s heavenly kingdom. Jesus said the disobedient are: οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν (oi ergazómenoi tín anomían) “those who work lawlessness” (7:23b, Textus Receptus). 

Some think this passage refers to the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), and that these people are being judged and rejected. But that is not the purpose of the judgment seat of Christ. Anyone who stands before this seat is rewarded, with little or much (Rms. 14:10). The judgment seat of Christ takes place in heaven. These people are not allowed in heaven “on that day.” The day of the rapture. That is what this passage alludes to. It is not that they are not doing God’s will only on the day of the rapture. Only at the hour preceding the rapture. No! They are not practicing the will of God leading up to the day of the rapture. They have not been doing the will of God for a long time. If they paid attention to the signs concerning the day they are living in, the endtimes, the rapture is near, they may have repented before it is too late. If they were not beguiled by false doctrine, they may be able to do the will of God.

It is not the great white throne judgment either (Rev. 20:11-15). This judgment happens after the Tribulation Period. The people who stand before this judgment do not have their names written in the Book of Life. There is no indication in Matthew 7:21-23 that these people are not written in the Book of Life. If their names are not written in the Book of Life, Jesus would have said it. He would have said: Your names are not written in the Book of Life, so get away from me, you wicked ones (I surmise). Rather, they cannot enter Eternity because they are not doing God’s will. Jesus was specific. I believe Matthew’s passage is about people in the church who do not do God’s will. But, live to fulfil their desires. Therefore, when Jesus comes for his church to take them to his Father’s house, those who live like this are turned away. Instead, they are cast into the Tribulation where the hypocrites, unbelievers, and unfaithful are placed to have one last opportunity to repent (Matt. 24:51; Lk. 12:46). The people that are not permitted into heaven on the day of the rapture are possibly the people who repent during the Tribulation, and are killed for their rejection of the Antichrist and his government (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17). They will then be resurrected at the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4-6).

This passage is similar to the μωρός (morós) foolish virgins in the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). Morós can also be translated as moron and witless. According to this parable, the morós virgins will be shut out of the wedding feast (Matt. 25:10-12). The Mathew 25:1-13 parable discloses and implies that the foolish virgins – like the ones that did not do the will of the Father of Jesus in 7:21-23 – will not enter into the kingdom of heaven when the Son of God comes for his bride because they will not be prepared to meet his Father (See chapter #13, The Betrothal Period). Matthew 7:21-23 is also similar to the pastors and teachers who refuse to do as the Lord commands them to do in the endtimes (Matt. 24:45-51). They refuse to preach and teach endtimes doctrine, especially the rapture of the body of Christ as they have been commanded (See chapter #14, Pastors and Teachers). This group is not preparing God’s church for the day Jesus mentions in Matthew 7:22. Instead, they are busy advancing their agenda. They make their position in the church a career, instead of something God has called them to. They also live for the pleasures of this world (Matt. 24:49). Jesus calls these servants evil (Matt. 24:48a), just like the ones in Matthew 7:21-23.

How anyone who is casting out demons and doing miracles is not doing God’s will is being left to our imagination. The Scripture does not elaborate. However, the purpose behind this record is to get those not doing God’s will to repent and do his will before the rapture happens. Some say that these evildoers are not saved. But the Scriptures say they call Jesus Lord. Why would they address him with that title, and be driving out demons and doing miracles, if they were not sons of the Light? Jesus did not say they could not enter the kingdom of heaven because they were not. They could not enter heaven “on that day” because they were not doing the will of God the Father. Where do these people get the power to cast out demons and do miracles in the Name of Jesus if they do not have the authority to use his name? Do they get this power from the evil ones? If that is so, how can evil spirits cast out evil spirits? Remember what Jesus said: “If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand” (Matt. 12:26, CSB)? In the days of the apostle Paul, the sons of a Jewish high priest were trying to cast an evil spirit out of a man by invoking the name of Jesus, and they were beaten and bloodied by that man (Acts 19:13-16). This beating happened because the evil spirit in the man knew the seven sons did not belong to Jesus. It is stated in 7:22 that those not allowed to enter the eternal realm “on that day” are casting out evil spirits and doing miracles. Therefore, they must have the authority to use the name of Jesus.

 

Picture: Pixabay (geralt)

Free for use under the Pixabay Content License   

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[1] Did We Not

https://thelogosrevealer.blogspot.com/2022/01/did-we-not.html

 

Ancient Manuscripts

In chapter fifteen, Rapture Passages in the Old Testament, and Proof it is Pre-Tribulation, of my manuscript, Waiting for The Day and Hour, I added some information taken from Ken Johnson’s book, The Rapture, on three ancient manuscripts that refer to the rapture of the body of Christ. These ancient manuscripts below affirm that the rapture of the body of Christ is pre-Tribulation.

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“Ken Johnson also records in his book three ancient manuscripts that refer to a pre-Tribulation rapture (The Rapture: Pages 86-91). He has translated these manuscripts from the Dead Sea Scrolls and published them. They are 1) The Book of Enoch, 2) The Ezra Apocalypse, and 3) The Book of Gad the Seer.

1) The Book of Enoch: He writes that the Book of Enoch was “rediscovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls” and that before that rediscovery, the Ethiopian Coptic church had a copy of this book in their Ethiopian Bible. Online, I discovered that the Ethiopian Bible was written in Classical Ethiopic, or Ge’ez.[1] This language is not spoken anymore. However, it is used in some portions of the Church service in the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox congregations. The Ethiopian Bible is about 800 years older than the King James Bible (1611) and is the oldest Bible in the world.[2]

In The Book of Enoch, 50:1-2, he prophesies about the Body of Christ, before it existed, being glorified. Johnson also points out that this passage in Enoch relates to Daniel 12:1-3, where the righteous will be resurrected (the day of the rapture). Then comes the Tribulation, which causes many to repent.

“In those days a change will take place for the holy and elect, and the light of days will abide upon them, and glory and honor will turn to the holy.  On the day of tribulation on which evil will gather against the sinners, the righteous will overcome in the name of the Lord of Spirits.  He will cause the others to witness it that they may repent and cease the works of their hands” Enoch – 50:1-2 (The Rapture: Pages 86-87).

2) The Ezra Apocalypse: Ken Johnson writes that The Ezra Apocalypse is a modern version of 2 Esdras that he wrote and published. 2 Esdras is in the KJV 1611 Bible. He writes: “This book (2 Esdras) was included by the Anglicans because it accurately predicted the details of the partial fall of Rome and predicted the doom of Roman Catholicism.” The Ezra Apocalypse prophesies about the endtimes. Concerning the rapture of the body of Christ, it prophesies that the people who survive the Tribulation Period will witness the people who were caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the 70^th week/Tribulation began.

“Everyone who survives all these things of which I have told you, will escape and see My deliverance and the end of the world.  Then the men who have been taken up, who have not tasted death since their birth, will see it.  Then the heart of the inhabitants of the earth will be transformed and changed into a different mind, for evil will be blotted out and deceit extinguished” Ancient Apocalypse of Ezra – 6:25-27 (The Rapture: Page 88).

The Ancient Apocalypse of Ezra also prophesied that the body of Christ is referred to as the bride. The bride will return at the start of Christ’s millennial reign.

“For behold the days to come, when the signs that I have foretold come to pass, the bride will be revealed, and what has now been withdrawn from the earth will be brought back.  Whoever is delivered from these predicted evils, will see my wonders.  For My Son, the Messiah, will be revealed together with those who remain, and will rejoice with those who remain one thousand years” Ancient Apocalypse of Ezra – 7:26-28 (The Rapture: Pages 88-89).

3) The Book of Gad the Seer: Gad was King David’s seer (1 Chron. 21:9-11). A seer is the same as a prophet: 2| “A person who prophesies future events; prophet” (Dictionary.com). 1 Chronicles 29:29 says Gad the Seer wrote books, just like Samuel the Seer and Nathan the prophet wrote books. Ken Johnson obtained a Hebrew manuscript written by Gad the Seer and published it in English in 2016 (See his book[3]). Chapter 14 of The Book of Gad the Seer mentions a pre-Tribulation rapture. It also mentions that The Book of Life is opened, and those in it receive eternal life on the day that alludes to the rapture. There is another book where God says he will wait to give those in it another chance to repent—this alludes to the Tribulation Period. Johnson writes: “In this picture [below] we have believers who are sinners, but forgiven, receiving eternal life. Those who missed the rapture must wait until the end of the tribulation period to see the Messiah. They must repent before that time or their names are removed into the third book and they will be damned for all eternity” (The Rapture: Pages 89-90).

“And then a man dressed in linen brought before the glory of the LORD three books that contained the records of every man. And he read the first book and it contained the just deeds of his people, and the LORD said, “These are granted eternal life.” And Satan said, “Who are these guilty people?” And the man dressed in linen cried to Satan like a ram’s horn saying, “Silence! This day is holy to our Lord.” And he read the second book, and it contained the unintentional sins of His people, and the LORD said, “Put that book aside, but save it, until one third of the month passes by, to see what they will do.” And he read the third book, and it contained the wicked deeds of His people. And the LORD said to Satan, “These are your share. Take them and do what you want with them.” And Satan took the wicked to a waste land to destroy them there. And the man dressed in linen cried like a ram’s horn, saying: “Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout [who look toward the rapture], O LORD, who walk in the light of Your countenance” The Ancient Book of Gad the Seer – 14:7-14 (The Rapture: Pages 90-91).”

 

Picture: Pixabay (ilovechile-travel)

Free for use under the Pixabay Content License

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[1] Ge’ez language

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Geez-language

(Accessed 5/13/2025)

[2] Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth: Ancient Origine

https://borkena.com/2016/06/30/ethiopian-bible-is-the-oldest-and-complete-bible-on-earth-ancient-origine/

(Accessed 5/13/2025)

[3] Ken Johnson: Ancient Book of Gad the Seer – BibleFacts.org

https://biblefacts.org/store.php