At AllFaith.com I share numerous studies into the world's religions based on my personal quest for Truth. Over the years this research has led me to embrace Judaism. That is now the main focus of the domain.
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Todah veShalom,
~ John of AllFaith
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Is the Rapture a Biblical Doctrine?
"The Earth Belongs to HaShem and the Fullness Thereof."
Is the Rapture a Biblical Doctrine?
By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 4.16.08
The Doctrine of the Rapture of the Church is the popular Christian belief that at some point in the future HaShem will extract all true Christians from the earth, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," leaving everyone else here to suffer under the reign of the coming Antichrist or Rex Mundi. The notion gained popular support through the teachings of Dr. Clarence Larkin ("Dispensational Truths"), Rev. Charles Scofield ("the Scofield Bible"), a plethora of "Second and Third Great Awakening" Evangelists (see my study The Great Awakenings for more on these religious developments), and most recently from the unbiblical works of fiction by Tim Lahey known as The Left Behind Series in which the Antichrist is depicted as a Transylvanian Dracula-type Liberal do-gooder gone bad!
In Summary
"Just the Facts Please!"
This is a new doctrine, not historically held by any segment of the Church.
Christians can't agree on the question of timing: Pre, Mid or Post Tribulation, so it's obviously not that clear at best. If this earth shaking event were truly a biblical prophecy it would be made clear.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture (the most commonly held view) is directly and repeatedly contridicted by the clear teachings about who will be opposing the Rex Mundi and when. According to the prophets, Believers will be present throughout the Seven Years.
At certain points in the Tribulation, including during the second half, the Great Tribulation, Believers will receive certain protections from certain of the coming plagues and so will obviously still be on the earth.
A reason often given for why the Rapture must occur is that Holy Spirit must be removed during the reign of the Beast. Were this so, no one post Rapture could be "saved" or have report with God yet the Prophets show Divine intervention and inspiration will occur throughout the period and the oft stated presence of Believers on earth.
Master Y'shua does not discuss or even reference the Rapture in his important Matthew 24 list of signs for, "When will these things be."
Master Y'shua's Matthew 24 reference to 'those in the field' being "taken" is clearly speaking of the Jews of Jerusalem who will flee the City once the Rex Mundi declares his divinity and the "abomination of desolation spoken of by Prophet Daniel" occurs, and not to a Rapture when read in context.
Master Y'shua does not discuss or even reference a Rapture in his prophetic presentation to John in the Book Revelations
Modern Christians do not honor the Sabbath (as commanded in the Bible) and so the Master's concern that this fleeing not take place on the Sabbath has no meaning for modern Christians. Master Y'shua would surely have known the Church would abandon the Sabbath three hundred years after his death.
'Those in the field,' 'on the roof tops' etc. are encouraged to run rather than return home for their belongings. Such options would not exist in the Rapture as taught and so the reference can not be to it.
Believers are advised to stand firm against the Antichrist. To do so they must be present on the earth during his reign.
The "Last Trump" is blown to announce the establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. The reference therefore to Paul in I Cor 15 specifically refers to the time that trumpet is blown. The Rapture, as conceived, would have taken place years before this horn is sounded. It is sounded when the Jews are ALL gathered back to Jerusalem for the inauguration of the global theocracy.
God never granted this type of protection to the Jews, His Elect, even during the Russian Pograms and Nazi Shoah and there is no biblical evidence that He will do so for the Christians.
Revelations 6:9 makes it clear that during the entire seven year period those martyred by the Antichrist and his New World Order must patiently wait, "until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." This clearly shows there will be no Rapture to rescue their fellow Believers from martyrdom.
The prophetic word about the future of the Church: Through the Seven Church Ages the Church draws progressively farther and farther away from the God of Israel until, in the End Times, it will embrace the Antichrist and God will "vomit it from His mouth" and 'sever the Church from the 'Tree of Israel' and cast it into the 'fire'. If the Church deserves to be vomited out how and why would God rapture it away to safety and bliss?
The foretold Church of the Last Days is a lukewarm, hypocritical body that has abandoned the teachings of Master Y'shua and become largely irrelevant in the world (surrendering its position to Secular Humanism and eventually to the Rex Mundi as Babylon the Great and her daughters). Portions of the Church are even now being "vomited out of God's Mouth" as is obvious in the various sex and money scandals, the lack of Christian opposition to the New World Order, the practice of abortion, etc. The fallen Church of today will not be raptured away for its protection.
Let's consider these points in detail:
Some Christians believe the Rapture will occur just prior to the appearance of the Antichrist (this is called the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and is currently the most popular view), some believe it will occur at roughly the same "Middle of the Week" period that sees the Rex Mundi assassinated and raised from the dead (ie three and half years after he comes to power for his seven year reign, this is the Mid-Tribulation doctrine), while others believe that following the Battle of Armageddon, at the end of the seven years, Jesus will transport all true Christians to Heaven and destroy the earth completely (this is known as Post-Tribulation Rapture). Some of those who believe this version say that after destroying the earth God will recreate it and place the Christians on the New Earth and many Christians still believe that they will spend eternity in Heaven, which the Bible clearly does not teach anywhere. At most the souls of the Redeemed abide in Heaven as they await the beginning of the thousand year reign. Of course there are variations on each basic view. Yet none of these teachings are what the prophets teach in my opinion.
In this piece I will not be discussing the history of this relatively new doctrine, rather I will show that this is not the future the Prophets foretell for the Christian religion and people by explaining from the Scriptures what awaits the Church and everyone else according to the biblical prophets.
Let's begin with Master Y'shua's most famous prophecy, Matthew chapter 24.
The chapter begins with the Master telling his followers that the Holy Jerusalem Temple, the heart of the Jewish faith, would be utterly destroyed! This was shocking news for people hoping that their Master was the Moshiach (Messiah)! The biblical role and function of the Messiah is to oversee the creation of a global Jewish government, but Prophet Y'shua tells them that dire days lie ahead for the Jews! They were shocked!
The disciples replied, "...when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age?" (The KJV uses the word "world" here but "aion" means age. It means world in the sense that "your world is ending" but not in the sense it implies today. The present age or "aion" is ending, not the world.
In verse 4, "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you...."
For the next many verses the Prophet reveals details of the End Times. The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. The other events he speaks of would not happen until the End of the Age.
The Master warns that many false prophets will arise claiming to be anointed by God ("christ" means anointed and is not synonymous with Messiah other than by association in Church doctrine). I don't believe the point here is that they will claim to be Christ as in Master Y'shua returned (although some do), but that they are speaking the Words of God and are deceiving the people thereby.
He accurately foretells the two world wars:
7 For nation shall rise against nation [WW I], and kingdom against kingdom [WW II]: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
It is a generally acknowledged fact that the 1900's to the present have seen dramatic increases in such catastrophes. I wont go into all the details or offer evidence here as these are secondary to the issue at hand, the Rapture of the Church.
In the following verses we read of the religious persecutions that have been so prominent against Jews and others since the days of Hitler, then, directly related to our present study, we have the following concise prophecy:
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
The abomination of desolation spoken of by Prophet Daniel is spoken of in the ninth chapter of his book:
25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
First we note that "...When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation" shows that "you" (the people of God) will still be present on the earth at the time in order to witness it. This is one piece of evidence against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture because this 'desolation' takes place three and half years into the reign of the Rex Mundi. The Antichrist will order the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple early on and then desecrate it 3 1/2 years after his reign begins, three and a half years before it is ended by the true Messiah to saved the rescue the Jews (Matt 24:22). At the half way point he will commit the abomination (as typified by Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian King for those familiar with his reign). We see clearly then that the Believers will not be removed from the earth, at least not prior to this point.
21 For then [ie following this desecration] shall be great tribulation [hence while the entire seven years are called the "Tribulation Period", the second half is known as the "Great tribulation."] such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened [ie to save the Jews, the Elect, the second half will be shortened somewhat by HaShem]. 23 Then [ie "tote" or "at that time", ie at the half way point in the seven years, when the Antichrist rises from the dead and declares himself to be God (compare II Thess 2:4)] if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not [in verse 5 the words, many will come saying, "I am Christ" means, "I am anointed or authorized by God" but here the claim is that, "I AM God." This claim is the essence of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel Prophet in Dan 9]. 24 For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders [referenced at Rev 13:4 and elsewhere of the Antichrist's works and those of his False Prophet (for more on this see my study on Babylon the Great]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect [ie the Jews, which for the first three and half years will also be deceived by the Rex Mundi. When the Rex Mundi desecrates the new Temple and proclaims himself God however, someone, presumably a religious Jew, will assassinate him for this blasphemy and deception]. 25 Behold, I have told you before.
Next we are shown the Battle of Armageddon: "For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together" is a referenced back to the earlier Hebrew Prophets for this upcoming war. After the war we read, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days..." Moshiach will come.
Nowhere in this section of the prophecies is there a Rapture referenced.
After discussing post tribulation events, the Master returns to the central question of this chapter, "When shall these things be," and tells us:
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree [a common representation of Israel in the Bible]; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things [ie the replanting and sprouting of Israel as a nation (1948/1967) as well as the earlier signs revealed], know that it [the end of the age] is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation [ie the one that sees these things, ie our generation] shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
Now we will consider some of the verses people use to support the Doctrine of the Rapture:
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe [Noah] entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [note that for this entire pre-flood period Noah was warning the people that God's judgment was soon approaching even as many people are today. They "knew not" because they chose to know not. The word was given.] 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Does this "taking" refer to the Rapture? No. A few verses earlier Prophet Y'shua explained this when he said,
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains [to Petra according to other Prophets]: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: [it says the one on the roof would have that option, but it will be best to simply flee to Petra rather than take the risk of going back into the house. In other words, when you hear that the Rex Mundi has proclaimed his divinity, FLEE! At the Rapture, as envisioned, there will be no option "to return to your house," Christians will simply and instantly vanish.] 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes [again, in the "Rapture" this would not be an option]. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! [Why? In the Rapture, as envisioned, Christian moms and their pre-born babies would both be Raptured. These verses make no sense if applied to the Rapture] 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day [Again, the weather and day would not matter in the Rapture. Plus, the vast majority of Christians do not observe the biblical Sabbath anyway, they honor the day of the Sun God Sol Invictus worshiped by Constantine (for more on this see my study on the origins of the Christians Faith, so again, the Rapture occurring on the Sabbath wouldn't matter to Christians. For more on this topic see my study on the rise of Babylon the Great].
No, these verses (17-20 and 39-42) are not talking about a Rapture. They are giving a severe warning to those Jews (and doubtless Noahides) living in Jerusalem to be ready to immediately flee the City (and elsewhere) because when the Rex Mundi is killed, ...then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
These verses are clearly not talking about a Rapture of Gentile Christians when understood in context.
Likewise some people point to I Corinthians 15 as evidence for the Rapture:
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [be dead], but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
"At the last trump" is the key to understanding here. To understand this timing we return to Matthew 24:
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together [you will recall this as a reference to the Battle of Armageddon]. 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days [the battle concludes the seven year Tribulation Period, thus after the timing offered by both Pre and Mid Tribulation Rapture proponents] shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory [the Moshiach will come and still there is no final trumpet!]. 31 And he [Moshiach] shall send his angels [messengers and representatives] with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect [ie the Jews] from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
When does this historic gathering of the Jews occur? The "last trump" will announce the establishment of the global Kingdom of HaShem and the Jews will all go to Jerusalem. The new theocratic government and global Jewish priesthood will be established. During the thousand year theocracy death will not occur (Oh death where your sting!). Again, this is not a reference to the Rapture.
So then, if the prophets did not reference a Rapture, what is to become of the Church?
When Emperor Constantine's Roman Papacy was editing, adding and deleting texts to what would become the official Christian Cannon (ie the Christian Bible) the Book of the Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed to his Disciple John almost didn't make it! It, and the Book of Hebrews, just barely squeaked into the official Canon. Lucky for us they did because they hold tremendously important information!
In Master Y'shua's detailed prophecy to John the Beloved he offers a detailed description of the future which many people, including me, regard as the Book Daniel, Part Two!
Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
It is Prophet Y'shua's Book of Revelations that makes Daniel's writings understandable and relevant.
It is impossible to understand the flow of Hebrew prophetic wisdom without understanding these two books of prophecy. Ignoring the Book of Revelations for instance some see Antiochus Epiphanes as the final fulfillment of the Little Horn spoken of by Prophet Daniel. When Prophet Y'shua's information is included however it is evident that Antiochus Epiphanes was, like Hitler, merely a type or preview of the coming world ruler, not the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning him.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ [Y'shua the Anointed], which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
In this awesome book of prophecy Master Y'shua picks up where he leaves off in Matthew's account of his prophecies. This book is essential to understand!
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
As I have said, the Vatican did not like this book! But its meanings are somewhat hidden, the Vatican had the power to outlaw anyone other than priests and certain monks from reading it, and the book bears the unmistakable feel of real prophecy, plus it had many devoutly sincere proponents for its inclusion, so they reluctantly allowed it to pass into the Canon.
10 I [Apostle John] was in the Spirit on the Lord's day [ie I was meditating on the Sabbath], and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet...
The prophecies in this book, like those in the Hebrew Scriptures, claim to be divinely inspired. As other inspired visions, they were given with a degree symbolism that requires them to be studied if one would understand their teachings.
At the time there were seven literal churches in Asia bearing the names of these churches. Doubtless John sent copies of his book of prophecies to each of them. However there is a deeper understanding as well!
In my piece on Babylon the Great I discuss the Seven Church Ages as follows. If you are reading this solely to understand whether or not there will be a Rapture of the Church you may want to skip down to seventh Church listed here, Laodicea. It is the present and final stage of the Christian Church. Prophet Y'shua specifically tells us what will become of the Church of the Last days! This is important information for those wishing to understand the prophets and their teachings on the Rapture, the future, and other related topics:
The Seven Periods of the Church
In the book of Master Y'shua's prophecy to John he explains that the Church would pass through seven distinct periods of time before finally embracing the role of Babylon the Great and being rejected by God and man. These "churches" existed in the cities referenced, but the meaning is deeper, signifying the future of the Church. We are currently living in the seventh and final of these periods. What follows is a list of the Seven Churches of Revelation and their approximate dates. These dates are given only as markers because the distinguishing traits of each period bleed over into the others in the continuous flow of time. This list should not therefore be taken as giving exact dates for the periods they reference. In these letter the Master addresses those who hold true to his Way.
The Church of Ephesus:
70 CE - 170 CE: As the Jews, including the followers of the Jewish Master Y'shua, were expelled from Zion (as the Master predicted in Matthew 24) the Nazarenes (the followers of Y'shua of Nazareth) began to lose faith in the Way. They had hoped the Jewish Moshiach had come, but now with the utter destruction of Israel they felt rudderless. According to the prophets Moshiach would establish Israel, not oversee its destruction! The Master was dead, the Temple lay in rubble and the Gentiles ruled supreme while the Jews fled for their lives into the lands of infidels! In their confusion certain of the followers of the Way began embracing various non-Abrahamic doctrines. Having lost their homes and being dispersed throughout the world they began compromise their beliefs and to accept doctrines never taught by Moses, Master Y'shua, or the Jewish Scriptures.
Revelation 2: 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
There were devout (Written) Torah Observant Nazarenes still and they were struggling to maintain the true faith of the Master and his reformed Jewish beliefs. Others however were claiming to be apostles of the Master when in truth they were introducing false doctrines and leading the Nazarenes astray. Among these heretics were the Nicolaitanes (Nicolaitans or Nicolaites). While neither the texts we have today in the Bible nor external information positively identifies this sect, we do have clear identification of who they were. This sect (in verse 14) held to the error of Balaam as we will see below. The error of Balaam was the merging of Judaism with other religions and rites, thus leading them astray from the God of Israel. God is the God of the whole world and Master Y'shua taught that there were other, non-Jewish (and non-Nazarene) "sheep," however he had come solely for the House of Israel (Matt 15:24). The Nicolaitanes were leading the mainly Jewish (at this point) followers of the Master away from Judaism into a religious synthesis that was the hallmark of Roman religion. As is well known, whenever Rome conquered a people their gods were merged into Roman pantheon. The Nicolaitanes were seeking to merge the God of Israel into their Universal Pantheon. This Church period precedes the creation of the Roman Papacy but in the Nicolaitanes we see the trend the Church would follow. The Nicolaitane Heresy prevailed.
The Church of Smyrna:
170 CE - 312 CE: As the followers of Master Y'shua and other Jews held firm to their devotion to the God of Israel they experienced severe persecution. During this period there was little time to debate doctrine, the followers of the Way were struggling to survive! It was during this period that the Maranatha fish was developed as a secret identifier by which the followers could come toward. For information on this and similar symbols and how they eventually led to the renaming of Master Y'shua, read my study IHS, Chi-Rho and the Name of Master Y'shua
Revelation 2: 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Here we see the Nicolaitane Heresy clearly identified. These people were claiming, "to be Jews," but they were not. Rather, they were laying the foundation for a new religion that would be the bane of Jewish existence for the next 2000 years. Master Y'shua was Jewish. ALL of his disciples were Jewish. As Gentiles initially embraced his Way they considered themselves converts to Judaism. The difficulty was of course that the Jewish hierarchy did not accept the reformation of Prophet Y'shua and hence rejected the conversions of his Gentile followers. This situation is described in painful detail in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. The final decision of the Apostles was that those who wished to enter into the Nazarene Congregation would not be required to formally convert into Judaism (via circumcision, the acceptance of the Jewish authorities etc).
This ongoing controversy empowered those who wanted to transform Master Y'shua's reformation of Judaism into a new Universal Church that would be distinct from Judaism and hold the authority and blessings of Rome. At this point, 170-312 CE the true followers of the Master, Jews and the Noahides (Gentiles) alike, still considered themselves to be Jews as this verse makes clear. The Nicolaitanes however were clearly abandoning the precepts of Judaism and seeking to establish something entirely different: Modern Christianity. This abandonment of Judaism by the followers the Way was a development, "which I also hate" (vs.6). As the followers of the Way approached the 300's the Nicolaite heresy was gaining popularity. This was partly because those who surrendered to Roman rule faced less persecution and partly due to the growing, even rampant, antisemitism of the day.
Unlike many of the followers of the Way, the Jews who had not embraced Master Y'shua were adamant in their rejection of Rome and its developing Universal religion. The Jews were praying for a return to their God-given Holy Land, for the coming of the true Moshiach, and now they had to contend not only with overt Pagans who hated them and had destroyed their Holy City and Temple, but also new Pagans who claimed to be the true Jews! These Roman Pagans actually claimed the God of Israel had rejected His people in favor of infidels!
As the new Catholic (lit. "Universal") Church gradually developed based on the Nicolaite heresy, they established their power base upon the "Holy See" at Rome. Soon persecution against the "Christians" subsided and the Vatican and its priesthood amassed great power both religiously and materially. For the Jews however life only got harder and their struggle for survival showed no sign of easing.
The Church of Pergamos: From Constantine to Pope Boniface III
312 CE - 600 CE: The "Doctrine of Balaam" wins the day and the Nicolaites establish their authoity when Emperor Constantine feigns conversion and declares the creation of a new religion known as Roman Universalism (ie Roman Catholicism). Based on the presence of the Nicolaites and their essential heresy since shortly after 70 CE, the new Roman Papacy declared itself the inheritor of the authority given to Peter as first Pope.
But is this what the Master did? Here's the biblically cited source of this essential Roman Catholic dogma:
"And I [Master Y'shua] say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
But... what was the Master really saying to Peter? Was he saying that Peter was the rock (foundation) upon which the Master would build his Church or something else?
First we need to understand that Master Y'shua did not come to build a Church! He was very clear in this:
"But he [Master Y'shua] answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
So what was he talking about?
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
The English translation is intentionally misleading here. Verse 16 actually says, "And Simon Peter answered and said, You are anointed, a man devoted to the living God."
In other words, the Master asked, "Who am I?"
Peter's reply was that there existed debate on this question. Some believed the Master was John the Baptist in a dual reincarnation (for a bit on dual births see my reply here and here), others believed he was the reincarnation of Prophet Isaiah, Jeremiah or some other major Tanach prophet.
"But who do you say I am Peter?" he asked. Peter replies, I know you to be a man anointed by God and I intend to follow you as such. To this the Master replies, upon the rock or foundation of this truth, ie my devotion to and anointing by the God of Israel those who accept this truth will gather in fellowship and assist in my work of reforming Judaism. I discuss this topic in detail elsewhere. Master Y'shua never left Judaism, never sought to convert Gentiles, nor did he ever encourage others to do so. This verse therefore was not intended to established "the Throne of Peter" nor the establishment of a Gentile Church.
Revelation 2: 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
By this point the Christian religion was based in Rome, "where Satan's seat is," ie the seat of the Roman Empire and the Nicolaitane Heresy.
The "Word" is the Written Torah (and Tanach), ie the Hebrew Scriptures. These were the Scriptures used use Master Y'shua and his followers (there was as yet no New Testament written).
The Nicolaitanes were teaching heresies that the Torah condemns and the Master warns those who remain committed to his teachings not to embrace these false doctrines. He praises those who are standing firm as Nazarene Jews (or Noahide Nazarenes). It is notable that the Master also praises them for remaining true to his name. "Name" is onoma and literally means his name, ie not his teachings etc. It was during this period that the Roman Papacy deleted the name of our master, Y'shua (or Yeshua) and replaced it with the name "Jesus." I discuss the origin of the name "Jesus" Here. At this point Roman Catholics were beginning to use the new name for the Master but his loyal followers refused to embrace it.
Despite the continuing loyalty of the Noahide Nazarenes during this period, Master Y'shua warns that it is their job as Sheep to stand against the rising Papacy and maintain the true form of Judaism he had taught through his apostles and others. Stand! he orders, or God may reveal the heresies of this new religion by removing His blessings from you!
The Church of Thyatira: Boniface III - Gregory VII (Hilderbrand) to the Reformation
600 CE - 1520 CE: the Roman Papacy now rules much of the world and the religion of the Nicolaitanes reigns supreme. As a direct result of this the Spirit of HaShem, the God of Israel, is partly removed and Europa is plunged into the Dark Ages.
Without the Spirit of HaShem the Church becomes increasingly legalistic and harsh. The "Holy Inquisitors" are commissioned to destroy all traces of Judaism, the Noahide, the Noahide Nazarene Way and those Pagans who, like the followers of Master Y'shua, boldly refused to bow the knee to the Papacy. All of these were crushed in various ways. During this period it is estimated that over that six million European Pagans were slaughtered in what came to be known as the Burning Times. The loyal followers of Master Y'shua's teachings were condemned as "Judaizers," Arians (not "Aryans," Arians are those who, like me, reject the anti-Torah Trinity Doctrine created at Nicea). Bloodshed, ignorance and darkness of all sorts descended across all lands controlled by the New Universal Religion.
It was also during this period that certain occult bodies were coming into their own and establishing Occult Brotherhoods that continue until our time and will, within our generation, bring forth the World Ruler known as Rex Mundi, Antichrist, Dijal and Little Horn.
Still however HaShem did not turn away from the Church completely, in part because within it there has always existed sincere Believers and in part because HaShem was/is working out His grand Plan of Global Restoration. The word "Church" actually refers to those who place their faith in Master Y'shua and within Roman Catholicism, the Eastern Orthodoxies, the Anglicans, the Protestants and even among the Heterodoxies there have always been, as there is today, sincere, devout Believers.
Among these Believers were the Protestant Reformers but there were also those who remained within the Church as "loyal opposition," who have worked hard to stir the Catholic Church godward. Alas both the Reformers and the members of the Loyal Opposition failed to restore the Church to its Jewish roots.
Revelation 2: 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Here we see the birth of Whore of Babylon, "that woman Jezebel."
The Church of Sardis: The Reformation to the Peace of Westphalia and beyond.
1520 CE - 1750 CE: The Church was divided on several fronts. The Eastern and Roman Church had long since split, the Anglicans (Church of England) and the Protestants had also left the Roman Church, but nothing essential changed. The Pagan additions to the Hierarchical Church had become so entrenched that the Reformers didn't know what Master Y'shua had even taught. Christians were woefully ignorant of the Bible, in part because the Church had declared reading it illegal! Now the Church was fragmented and the chaos of infighting was everywhere present. This period of the Church is described as being all but dead. The main issues the Protestants had with the Church are contained in Martin Luther's Ninety Five Thesis of Reformation (Click Here and scroll down for this list). What is woefully absent from this list is the need to return to the Jewish roots of the Master's teachings. Despite this, there were still sincere and devoted people within the Roman, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant Churches and HaShem was limitedly active within them all.
Revelation 3: 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Here the Master clearly tells us that much has now been lost but that some remains.
The Church of Philadelphia: The Church in revival
1750 CE - 1914 CE: There occurred that period of time know as the Great Awakening. This spiritual awakening produced several ministers and ministries seeking to restore spirituality to the Christian faith. These people ministered in all segments of the Church.
Early on during this period, in fledgling America, the First Great Awakening occurred. This Awakening began in the Dutch Reformed Churches of New Jersey circa 1726. It soon spread to the Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches. This Great Awakening finally reached its zenith in New England in the 1740's. It produced thinkers such as Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), John Locke (1632-1704), John Wesley (1703-1791) and George Whitfield (1714-1770), people who opposed the high level of emotionalism that was typical of the Enlightenment. Itinerant preachers such as the Reverends Gilbert Tennent, Samuel Davies, Eleazar Wheelock, Samuel Finley etc. traveled throughout the thirteen colonies expounding emotionally charged "American Protestantism," a new brand of religion that was born of American experiences. The Awakening fires spread to Virginia and elsewhere in the 1750's, but soon ended, being replaced by humanist certainty and the growing acceptance of Science and Darwinism and Secular Humanism.
The impact of this Awakening was essential for the colonies as it created a bond between them ("e pluribus unum") and established a sense of identity and national destiny as a distinct people. Protestant Americans began to hail the United States as the New Zion, a virtual Protestant Promised Land. Jonathan Edwards considered the Awakening to be a "surprising work of God." He boldly proclaimed that Jesus had "flung the door of mercy open so that all could enter." During this period, the fatherhood aspect of the Christian God was emphasized, and the Colonists regarded themselves as His special children. These children of God fully expected that God would lead them and punish them for sins they allowed. As a result, "submission of the stubborn human will" became an important concept and the religious life of the day reflected this. Holiness in all things came to typify this Puritan revival.
According to E.S. Gaustad, "the founding of the Separates and the Separate Baptists was the most conspicuous institutional effect of the [first] Great Awakening in New England." It was by no means the only one however. By 1755, there were over 125 Separate (or Strict Congregationalist) churches in New England. By 1776 over 70 Separate Baptist Churches existed. Later came the Universalists, the Unitarians, Free Will Baptists, Shakers and Quakers, the New Light Theologies (later organized as Edwardsianism, Hopkinsianism, and Consistent Calvinism), etc. The general-consensus of these movements was fundamentally Calvinistic, but this view was gradually changing.
John Calvin was one of the primary 16th Century Reformers and a gifted debater and theologian. His teachings had a profound influence on the Reformed Christian Movement. The distinctive teaching of Calvinism is the Doctrine of Predestination. This belief holds that before the foundations of the heavens were set in place, God had already chosen those people who would be saved. The teaching is not that God, in His foreknowledge knew which people would choose to accept Him, but rather that God chose who He would saved. Those He did not choose were damned to suffer eternal torment in Hell no matter what they might do or desire to the contrary, even before entering their mother's womb! This doctrine is not as popular as it once was, but many Christians still believe it. Most Christians do not really understand the Christian doctrine of predestination or its dark implications.
The First Great Awakening sparked the notion that God was willing to save anyone who truly repented. This was a harsh blow to then popular Calvinism! To do otherwise, it was argued, would be unAmerican! The ministers of the Awakening viewed America as a potential tool for the establishment of the millennial reign of Christ and themselves as his veritable ministers.
This period transformed into the Second Great Awakening that abruptly ended with the onset of World War One in 1914, as Master Y'shua had foretold (Matt 24:6).
Calvinism was waning and new religious forms and doctrines were developing by diverse Protestant and heterodox thinkers. Among the new Christian groups that arose during this shift away from Cavinism were the Missouri Synod, the Norwegian Evangelical Synod, the Church of the United Brethren, the Disciples of Christ, the Millerites, and Mormonism (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Also appearing was Swedenborgianism, Taylorism (or Beecherism), Mesmerism, Owenism, Fourierism, the Oneida Society, the Mennonites, the Moravians, the Seventh Day Baptists, the Six Principle Baptists and Dunker Baptists, the Free Will Baptists, the YMCA, etc.
This enlivening Americana feeling of divinely inspired individual responsibility and worth began again among the New England Congregationalists and soon spread throughout the United States, being found in all major denominations to some degree. By the mid 19th century however this movement likewise was absorbed into religious structure and the stagnation of traditional dogma. It should be remembered that these flowerings of intellectual and spiritual awakenings did not and do not occur in a vacuum. Each appearance or spiritual renewal is directly tied to the experiences of its predecessors. Such was again the case between the years 1875 and 1914 when the Third Great Awakening occurred.
Some authorities do not see a break between the Second and Third Great Awakenings as I list them here. Its semantics really. I see a decided difference however because with the Third Great Awakening non-Christian religions began to emerge on the American scene.
I discuss these awakenings and share a lot of information about the Third Great Awaking in particular Here. During this Awakening our modern eclectic religious landscape was established.
Then came the first major sign that the End of the Church Age was dawning.
Revelation 3: 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The Church of the Laodiceans:
1914 CE - Present:
Now we come to the present and final age of the Christian Church. This is the Church which the proponents of the Doctrine of the Rapture believe HaShem will protect and remove from the planet in order to protect it from the coming Rex Mundi. Let's take a close look at the Church of the Last Days and see whether it in any way deserves such an unheard of privilege and protection.
The Jews, the Elect of God, were not raptured away from the Shoah (Holocaust), but many Christians believe they will be protected from this coming leader and his plans of genocide:
For great information on what the Jews and others suffered at the hands of the Nazi precursors of the New World Order I highly recommend the Holocaust Chronicles website and book:
Long Live Israel! Long Live the Jewish People! Peace in the Middle East Yes, but NOT if that means the death of Israel!
Following the Onset of World War One Everything Changed! Faith in God and observance of religious principles as matters of devotion began to wane. The world gradually embraced Secular Humanism and openly debated even openly rejected the existence of God. While most people still claim to believe in God it is clear that 'the faith of the many has grown cold'. As we move ever closer to the end of the Church Age Master Y'shua's warning to the Church of the Last Days becomes both more relevant and more ignored.
Revelation 3: 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
The teaching is abundantly clear! Rather than the Church of the End Times being so pure that HaShem would rapture it away from the devastating times to come, He will vomit the Church out of His mouth in disgust! He will do this even as He resumes Israel's national existence. The timing is no coincidence!
For a season HaShem turned His attention away from His people and to the Church. This period was foretold by the Prophet Hosea as follows:
Hosea 14: 1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. 4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. 7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. 9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
But now, in our generation, HaShem will vomit the lukewarm hypocritical Roman Church and Her daughters from His mouth and restore Israel to its Land in preparation for the establishment of His global Theocratic rule. I discuss the Roman Pagan origins of modern Christianity here.
The Prophet Paul shares this same dire information in this way:
Romans 11 1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Did you catch this? There are still those who not bent the knee to Baal, which is to say, to Balaam. The Jews are now, as they have been since the days of Abraham, the Chosen People of HaShem.
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
What history has clearly demonstrated is that neither the Jews nor the Gentiles will serve HaShem faithfully. Both rebelled against God frequently. Both embraced false gods and doctrines. However the first fruit, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, were holy and through them the Kingdom will be established.
In the following verses Paul will be referencing the coming Kingdom of HaShem using the analogy of Israel as "the Tree of God." This analogy has a long and honored biblical basis. The Gentile nations (trees) and Israel (the tree HaShem planted for His own purposes) make up "the human garden" that man planted when we lost Eden and Tree of Life. For the past 6000 some-odd years HaShem has been inviting us back to His Garden (the Kingdom).
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
"...Until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in."
This is that referenced by Master Y'shua:
24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
This period of time ends or is fulfilled as the Laodicean Church is vomited out and the Jews embrace their destiny and, with the Moshiach, establish the Kingdom of HaShem. As the Church is "vomited out" or as "these branches are cast into the fire," the Papacy and her denominational daughters will become Babylon the Great. This is why HaShem will vomit them out. Their embrace of Rex Mundi will be the "straw that breaks the camel's back," or the betrayal that causes HaShem to turn away His face from the church completely.
There is a key understanding here we don't to want to miss! Since its inception the Roman Papacy and most Christian denominations have pointed to Israel's short comings, citing these as the reason God turned to the Gentiles. In the Seven Churches we behold the absolutely hypocrisy of this claim. As David wrote:
Psalm 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2 HaShem looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon HaShem. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. 6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because HaShem is his refuge. 7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when HaShem bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
According to the Hebrew prophets, Master Y'shua and his disciples it is true that the Jewish people wavered in their service to HaShem. This is part of what Romans 11 is discussing above. However Paul also explains there this failure was foreknown and was used by HaShem to show His mercy upon all people. The Christian Church Ages have confirmed the words of Paul:
Romans 3
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Through the entire span of biblical prophecy we return where we began.
Material life exists to provide us the stage on which to learn and grow in our relationship with the One God. It is only by the Grace of the One that we are free and fulfilled. This is true first of the Jew and also of the Gentile.
And so as the Church embraces the Antichrist, as the flames of Armageddon are sparked and fanned,
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and we will have fellowship"
And again:
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
In Conclusion/Summary
"Just the Facts Please!"
This is a new doctrine, not historically held by any segment of the Church.
Christians can't agree on the question of timing: Pre, Mid or Post Tribulation, so it's obviously not that clear at best. If this earth shaking event were truly a biblical prophecy it would be made clear.
The Pre-Tribulation Rapture (the most commonly held view) is directly and repeatedly contridicted by the clear teachings about who will be opposing the Rex Mundi and when. According to the prophets, Believers will be present throughout the Seven Years.
At certain points in the Tribulation, including during the second half, the Great Tribulation, Believers will receive certain protections from certain of the coming plagues and so will obviously still be on the earth.
A reason often given for why the Rapture must occur is that Holy Spirit must be removed during the reign of the Beast. Were this so, no one post Rapture could be "saved" or have report with God yet the Prophets show Divine intervention and inspiration will occur throughout the period and the oft stated presence of Believers on earth.
Master Y'shua does not discuss or even reference the Rapture in his important Matthew 24 list of signs for, "When will these things be."
Master Y'shua's Matthew 24 reference to 'those in the field' being "taken" is clearly speaking of the Jews of Jerusalem who will flee the City once the Rex Mundi declares his divinity and the "abomination of desolation spoken of by Prophet Daniel" occurs, and not to a Rapture when read in context.
Master Y'shua does not discuss or even reference a Rapture in his prophetic presentation to John in the Book Revelations
Modern Christians do not honor the Sabbath (as commanded in the Bible) and so the Master's concern that this fleeing not take place on the Sabbath has no meaning for modern Christians. Master Y'shua would surely have known the Church would abandon the Sabbath three hundred years after his death.
'Those in the field,' 'on the roof tops' etc. are encouraged to run rather than return home for their belongings. Such options would not exist in the Rapture as taught and so the reference can not be to it.
Believers are advised to stand firm against the Antichrist. To do so they must be present on the earth during his reign.
The "Last Trump" is blown to announce the establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. The reference therefore to Paul in I Cor 15 specifically refers to the time that trumpet is blown. The Rapture, as conceived, would have taken place years before this horn is sounded. It is sounded when the Jews are ALL gathered back to Jerusalem for the inauguration of the global theocracy.
God never granted this type of protection to the Jews, His Elect, even during the Russian Pograms and Nazi Shoah and there is no biblical evidence that He will do so for the Christians.
Revelations 6:9 makes it clear that during the entire seven year period those martyred by the Antichrist and his New World Order must patiently wait, "until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." This clearly shows there will be no Rapture to rescue their fellow Believers from martyrdom.
The prophetic word about the future of the Church: Through the Seven Church Ages the Church draws progressively farther and farther away from the God of Israel until, in the End Times, it will embrace the Antichrist and God will "vomit it from His mouth" and 'sever the Church from the 'Tree of Israel' and cast it into the 'fire'. If the Church deserves to be vomited out how and why would God rapture it away to safety and bliss?
The foretold Church of the Last Days is a lukewarm, hypocritical body that has abandoned the teachings of Master Y'shua and become largely irrelevant in the world (surrendering its position to Secular Humanism and eventually to the Rex Mundi as Babylon the Great and her daughters). Portions of the Church are even now being "vomited out of God's Mouth" as is obvious in the various sex and money scandals, the lack of Christian opposition to the New World Order, the practice of abortion, etc. The fallen Church of today will not be raptured away for its protection.
This has been a rather long study but I hope that through it you have been blessed and come to better understand the times in which we live.
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