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The Mulberry Tree Joh 15:5 Rom 11:18 The night is far spent, Preface
“Behold I shew you a mystery” those are the words used by the apostle Paul as he explains that “we shall not all sleep”, but “we shall all be changed.”
This could not possibly take place at the end of the tribulation, in light of many verses such as the following verse
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The Lord puts a stop to the tribulation for one very important reason; to save Flesh and Blood on the earth! Adams race must be preserved (specifically Jacob) on the earth for reproduction and habitation during the millennial reign of Christ. If all were “changed” at the end of the tribulation all would be as the angels in heaven and not given in marriage, voiding all of God’s earthly promises to Israel.
Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
1Co 15:52 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.
Isa 65:8-9 Thus saith the LORD. . . so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob . . . and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
I suppose that those who might gain the most immediate help from this study are those that find themselves in the tribulation without answers. There will be unequaled deception during this Anti-Christ driven world..
When it comes to the rapture and the second coming of Jesus Christ there are many verses of scripture which must be dealt with honestly to construct an accurate biblical portrait. The Bible must be allowed to speak for itself without twisting, prodding, cramming or rewriting what it says. One sooner or later will find themselves at the mercy of the Scriptures. History will not unfold any other way! The assertion is simple, the bible contains the answers.
The author is not infallible and is of the mindset that when there are two conflicting accounts there are three possible solutions. 1. Neither is right. 2. One is right and one is wrong. 3. Both are right, in different ways. When it comes to the subject at hand whether you’re pre-tribulation or post-tribulation your favorite verse may not actually say what you think it says at all.
The conclusion of this book may be just what you need to stop thinking that the church is going into the great-tribulation, or how to live through it. There can be no tribulation unless the Church departs. See the appendix for a multitude of various reasons for this that are not specific to this author or this writing.
The attack on the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture will grow increasingly predominate as the church becomes less doctrinal and more worldly. Preachers will stop preaching it. Many churches filled with unsaved people are being lied to. This will aid in the big lie that their being left behind will appear to be their salvation. The Anti-Christ explanation of the rapture will be that it happens at the end of tribulation and that the world’s problems are over and not just getting started when he shows up.
As with anyone I suppose there remains some bias. There are a few concepts that underlie this work they are as follows:
1. The King James Bible is the inspired, perfect, word of God and is the only text used. 2. There are two distinct Kingdoms in the Bible, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven. They may have similarities but are distinctly different and can operate independently of one another. When Jesus comes back to earth both kingdoms co-exist. 3. Israel is God’s first Elect, and God is not finished with Jacobs’s literal, physical, earthly, natural copulating seed, as it pertains to the covenants that God made with Abraham for land and descendants, and David for an eternal Kingdom.
Where is all this going
So, is there really a day in the future where every living Christian will literally disappear from this earth? Will this take place as a great vanishing act into thin air, leaving offices, homes, cars, and beds empty? And more importantly is it an imminent threat? The answer is yes, most definitely! This book will show where these things can be found in the Bible, such as where did a mass of people ever disappear at one time?
Hos 12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets. . . and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
Have you ever studies things in the Bible that come up missing? For example-
Just before Saul (type of the Anti-Christ) was anointed king by Samuel the asses disappear!
1Sa 9:3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. . . .
Results of the Search party:
1Sa 9:4 . . . they found them not . . . they were not . . . found them not.
Biblical similarity:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Now read the conclusion:
1Sa 9:20 And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?
Life must go on; three years into the tribulation people are going to have to forget about the missing and set their affections (desires) on the Anti-Christ.
Biblical similarity:
Job 24:1-5 . . . they that know him. . . Some remove the landmarks . . . as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work;
Rom 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
Rom 11:25 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.
James declared this to be true at a church council, by Spirit and by the word of God, that God does indeed have a prescribed plan that distinguishes Israel.
Act 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
You will learn that the rapture of the church is necessary because their time is up and Israel’s blindness is not forever. See Hebrew chapter 4 for more on the unfinished business that God has with Israel. And remember, every dispensation ends in apostasy, even the millennium.
Christians in the church age have dropped the ball and ignored scripture for what it says instead of what they think. Most Christians read prophecy books or watch movies but ignore the Bible. The following verses are an example of not paying attention to detail.
Luk 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Luk 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
You have never heard Luke 17:37 quoted in any “Left Behind” movie or book.
These and other verses are being spread rapidly via the internet and other means to prove that the rapture, when it happens, will be God’s judgment on the wicked. People would rather sell books than tell the truth. Christians have far too long gleaned spiritual truths instead of doctrinal truths from scripture.
The truth shall set you free.
We must not forget that a Christian that is living for the Lord is promised persecution, and tribulation, and even sometimes death. (2 Tim 3:12, 2 Cor 4:11) The rapture of the Church has nothing to do specifically with escaping tribulation (although the tribulation is a different kind of trouble, it is a time when God’s wrath will be poured out; A time of Jacobs trouble not the Church’s.) As you will see the Church is removed for no less than two very plain reasons:
1. The Time for the Jews to be grafted back in will come. Romans 11:24, 25 In the Church there is neither Jew nor Gentile, for God to deal with the “Jew” there cannot be a Church. He cannot isolate “Israel” through the Body of Christ.
2. The Church is in such apostasy that it must be removed. It is beginning to do more harm than good, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. II Thes 2:3, Mat 16:18
The rapture of the Church is not so much the controversy these days as is the question of when will it happen? All we really know is that it will take place as a thief in the night.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thes 5:4)
The issue at hand is; does the Bible teach a Pre-tribulation rapture? Are we looking for an event that could immediately put you in the presence of the Lord at any moment, or a tribulation rapture that can be watched for as events unfold? You might say well what’s the difference? That’s easy, one has you waiting for the Anti-Christ and the other has you listening for a sound, for starters. As it has already been noted the doctrine of the rapture covers a number of verses that are not always clear as to their exact meaning or timing. Therefore this subject has many different teachings, just the way the devil likes it. Things are complicated further due to the fact that there are a number of raptures described in the Bible. The ascension of Jesus was the fulfillment of the first of three New Testament raptures. Most prophecy teachers never realize that there are literally two raptures in the Bible thus far unfulfilled. Yes, two distinct raptures coming up that are similar, but different.
This study contains information that will not mean much to the modern, unfaithful or un-regenerated reader. If you by chance are reading this after the great disappearance takes place, repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, reject the coming mark of the beast, and stay faithful until death. Start reading Hebrews to Revelation paying particular attention to I, II, and III John. There is hope for you and the Lord Jesus is coming back very soon.
Today many Christians have lost their faith in the Bible due to many false teachers, and Pastors. There is a certain amount of faith required to take this journey, and you will be challenged to look at certain Scriptures like they mean something. A concept stolen by every teacher or preacher that ever told you that “a better translation would be…” or “this word in the original Greek or Hebrew really means…” This carnal or demonic (take your pick) method of teaching leaves one to believe that God’s word is questionable and correctable, if you have the education. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and God will make a liar out of every one of them. The rapture of the church is best understood by believing what God says when He says it. We will be led to a mysterious verse found in 2 Samuel that will bear witness to what many faithful have been saying for years. There is a special teaching of the rapture of the church through the Mulberry Tree. We will then look at the third rapture, one that does take place in the tribulation. The rapture of the “tribulation saints” this is a separate rapture with different details all together, as you will see.
Most of the material we are about to explore is not entirely the author’s. This study picks up where others leave off. This work also differs from others in the method, and correlation, in which the scriptures are compared and allowed to bear witness to each other. The information is compelling and straightforward. The average Christian may choke a bit due to some of the strong meat in this study (this is due to the scriptural ignorance.) I repeat, many Christians today have set aside the King James Bible for a false imitation modern version which hides most of what you will discover in this writing. If you are one of those people, please do yourself a favor and go get yourself a real Bible. Don’t ask questions! No more excuses! For once, stop what you’re doing and take some good advice.
The most difficult part of this writing is the layout; knowing where to jump in and start, and how to arrange the outline to best flow from one point to the next, and how much detail needs to be made in order to do the subject justice. On the one hand there needs to be enough detail for those who are just beginning or have certain misunderstandings; but, on the other hand, too much detail may produce a work that is difficult to read and follow. For the benefit of even the beginning Bible student, every attempt will be made to explain difficult issues in moderate detail, with a prayer that all may receive a blessing from the material at hand. The outline does go back and forth so be patient to put all the pieces together.
Let’s start by defining some terms. The term “rapture” will be used to mean a taking away, going away, or a disappearing. “Believer” or “Christian” will be used interchangeably in reference to individuals that have been born again, and are saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ; by grace through faith. The term “Church” means the body of Christ that is made up of born-again, saved believers, baptized into the body by Spirit Baptism. Eph. 4:4, 5; 5:30, 32. The term “Bible” or any similar reference thereof means the King James Bible, and never anything else. Neither the NIV, ASV, etc… nor the original languages were used to ascertain what you are about to learn regarding one of the greatest mysteries of the Bible.
Rightly Dividing
The Bible can be a difficult book to understand by design. It is God’s intent to keep information from certain individuals; Mat 11:25. Some truths are not understood for lack of scriptural knowledge; Mat 22:29. The Bible must also be spiritually discerned; 1 Cor 2:14. A lack of faith; I Thes 2:13, 2 Cor 4:4, willful ignorance; 2 Pet 3:5, 1 Cor 14:38, sin; 1 John 2:11, among other things make it impossible to make heads or tails of the scriptures, without meeting God’s requirements for proper understanding and interpretation.
First of all, the Bible establishes a “Golden Rule” for interpretation which is ignored by 95% of people who read it. Here is lesson number one:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Peter 1:20.
If you never understand anything, understand that verse. It says that the first thing you should know is that prophecy was not, and is not, given for people to sit around and personally, privately attach some sort of interpretation that they think sounds good to them. The very next verse says that man didn’t come up with the prophecies therefore he cannot interpret them. The proper way to interpret the scriptures is found in 1 Cor. 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Man's wisdom is just not adequate to understand things that didn’t come from man. The Bible and the prophecies in it come from the Holy Ghost moving men to speak 2 Peter 1:21 and the words spoken are spiritual, John 6:63. Therefore, the proper instruction is to compare spiritual things with spiritual things, this is as simple as letting the Bible speak for itself, and comment on itself. This is how the Holy Ghost teaches it, if in doubt read the verse again.
There is also a triple application for each verse. The verses of the Bible contain a history lesson, a doctrinal lesson, and a spiritual lesson. The Bible is said to be like a “twoedged” sword, Heb 4:12. It’s no wonder that the Bible contains seemingly contradictory information; a twoedged sword can cut in opposite directions at the same time. Examples of this include verses like 1 Cor 14:33 compared to Gen 11:9 or 1 Cor 1:27. In this example, God is both the author of confusion and not the author of confusion. How about comparing Jer 6:16 with Ecc 7:10. Here one is told to ask for the old paths, while the other verse deems such an inquiry not wise. Again, see Mar 6:8, and Luk 22:36, or Mat 11:14 with John 1:21. The list goes right on through the entire Bible. What do we make of this? Obviously, all the scriptures are correct and true. In 2 Tim 3:16, it states that the scriptures are profitable for a number of things, not just doctrine.
The Bible also teaches us that we must study. The Bible says in 2 Tim 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When it comes to dividing the Bible it is a difficult and time consuming task and practically impossible to master. Who studies divisions anyway? Most people acknowledge a division of teaching between the Old and New Testament, but never get anything past that. Let’s look at a perfect example of division as Jesus Himself demonstrates that all things do not go together. In Luke 4:18, 19, Jesus is reading from Isaiah 61. He reads verse 1 and then in verse 2 he stops at a comma and gives the book back and sits down. Why? Because there is a division between the first part of Isaiah 61:2 and the last part; Jesus stopped at only the part he had fulfilled, “Rightly dividing the word of truth.” Let this be another lesson, divisions are more complex than just separating books, or authors.
Nothing short of meeting God’s requirements of attitude, faith, studying, and rightly dividing will we meet God’s approval when dealing with His word. If you’re wondering why there are so many interpretations of the Bible or why every one gets something different, this one chapter ought to make the reason abundantly clear. The Bible could be mis-used to teach what ever you wanted, that’s not a big secret. Why not study for yourself. Allow the Bible to say what it says and mean what it says. Here’s a place to start Rom 4:5 and James 2:20. A Bible student should be able to know how both of these verses are absolutely true, but opposite each other. This basic operation of reconciling differences is part of learning to move from milk to strong meat, and exercising discernment, Hebrews 5:13-14. However, one must learn to understand the simple things before moving to the stronger things.
Rightly dividing is the key to understanding that there are different raptures that most Bible teachers persist on jamming together. Another major mistake made by many is, once they find something the Bible teaches, that is so, as soon as they find another verse that contradicts it; they either lie about it, run to the Greek and pretend it was mistranslated or worse. Never fall into this trap. Let’s take the previous verses and make an attempt to understand differences. The first obvious difference is to whom the books are written. Romans is written to the Gentiles while James is written to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. See James 1:1. Things that are different are not the same! Look at Romans 4:5 and notice in the context, the issue is faith by promise. Read Romans 4:2 when you receive righteousness by faith you can’t glory before God. Why? Because He gives it to you for free. Now notice in James 2:18, “Yea, a man may say...” this is faith before men, which requires works to prove. Why? Because men cannot see the heart. Secondly, the stories are not the same. In James, Abraham is living out the faith that God knew he already had before Isaac was born. Therefore, both verses are true, but different. Romans has the doctrine for the Church, while James is laying out the doctrine for the Jew in the tribulation. My point here is simple; in order to understand this subject you must understand the distinctions made in the scriptures between similar, but different things. The kingdom of heaven is not the kingdom of God, the Church is not Israel, persecution is not the great tribulation, and the Book of James is not written to the Church. Look for yourself.
Dr. Peter Ruckman once said that “every heresy in this age is a Bible truth misplaced.” There are very dedicated Bible students who use the Bible to prove the Church will go through the tribulation. This is simply due to the failure of recognizing proper divisions.
What you are about to read is not one mans’ opinion on the rapture, although speculation is added in a few places, this work demonstrates a layout and Biblical pattern that only God himself could have put together. It is the Bible bearing witness to itself. As you will see each rapture is distinct and orderly, and different.
Discovery
Most works today are rewrites of the same material that have been in print for years. This work contains a wealth of scriptures related to the subject unknown until now. However, this information bears witness to some of the best works in print. Dug out of the scriptures from a unique way, this method; described below, will bless you in your personal study as well. There is plenty of “nuggets” buried in the pages of our Holy Bible yet to be found. Let this be an encouragement to get you into your Bible.
The thesis of this booklet will take the reader through the pages of the Bible covering over 300 references. The methods include the following:
1. Biblical numbers: I cannot explain with any authority the subject of numbers in the Bible. Other writers have very detailed works on the subject. However, I have never read any material on the number 17. This particular number is somehow significant to the raptures in the Bible, particularly the rapture of the Church. This type of information is indirect, but allows us to see a unique handprint in the scriptures. Numbering, counting, formulas, and patterns are part of a road map that allows us to navigate through the Bible, Heb. 8:5. Numbers, as far as I can tell, are not consistent all the time. However, there is enough, obvious occurrences, not to be ignored, or discredited.
2. The majority of information is found in a well kept secret. The Book of Isaiah! This is the source and key to the information on this subject. Some commentators have acknowledged that the Book of Isaiah has the same number of chapters as the Bible has books, 66. This does not include the apocrypha which is not part of the Bible anyway. Most all commentators acknowledge the major difference between Isaiah Chapter 39 and Isaiah Chapter 40 which corresponds with the end of the Old Testament and start of the New Testament. This is where the majority of commentators crash, they spend the rest of their time trying to find the second author of Isaiah, due to the drastic change from 39 to 40. Most commentators therefore fail to deliver the goods on the Book of Isaiah; failing to recognize that it is laid out like a miniature Bible. A simple demonstration would be to take the matching words in Isaiah 40:3 with Mathew 3:3, Isaiah 1:2 where heaven and earth is mentioned, with Genesis which has the creation of heaven and earth, also Isaiah 66:22 matches book 66, Revelation 21:1, “new heaven and new earth.” When you have a situation like this; where the numbers match, the beginning matches, the middle matches, and the end matches, it bears witness to a supernatural set up and divine authorship of the Bible.
Below is a short list of word matches (only). They show a more thorough and remarkable connection between the Book of Isaiah and the Bible as a whole. Knowing the history of the Bible, this would be impossible to duplicate by man over the writing and collecting of the 66 books of the Bible from beginning to end. Again, each chapter of Isaiah corresponds with the same book of the Bible counting Genesis as 1, Exodus 2, Leviticus 3, all the way to Revelation 66. Open your Bible and familiarize yourself with a few or all of the following usage of words in this list.
1. Isaiah 1:2 (See Genesis 1:3; 2:1) 2. Isaiah 1:9 (See Genesis 9:1) 3. Isaiah 2:3 (See Exodus 24:12) 4. Isaiah 2:3 (See Exodus 3:1) 5. Isaiah 3:17 (See Leviticus 13:2) 6. Isaiah 4:3 (See Numbers 4:49) 7. Isaiah 5:1 (See Deuteronomy 31:19) 8. Isaiah 5:20 (See Deuteronomy 1:39) 9. Isaiah 6:5 (See Joshua 5:13) 10. Isaiah 7:4 (See Judges 15:4) 11. Isaiah 40:3 (See Mathew 3:3) 12. Isaiah 41:9 (See Mark 9:35) 13. Isaiah 42:13 (See Luke 1:31) 14. Isaiah 42:13 (See Luke 13:17) 15. Isaiah 43:1 (See John 1:3) 16. Isaiah 43:11 (See John 14:6) 17. Isaiah 43:12 (See John 10:30) 18. Isaiah 44:3 (See Acts 2:2) 19. Isaiah 45:4 (See Romans 11:28) 20. Isaiah 45:9 (See Romans 9:20) 21. Isaiah 45:19 (See Romans 10:6) 22. Isaiah 45:23 (See Romans 14:11) 23. Isaiah 46:6 (See I Corinthians 10:7) 24. Isaiah 46:8, 9 (See I Corinthians 11:24, 25) 25. Isaiah 49:6 (See Ephesians 2:6) 26. Isaiah 49:7 (See Ephesians 5:14) 27. Isaiah 49:9 (See Ephesians 1:3, 20; 2:6) 28. Isaiah 49:20 (See Ephesians 4:27) 29. Isaiah 50:2 (See Philippians 2:20) 30. Isaiah 50:4 (See Philippians 4:11) 31. Isaiah 50:6 (See Philippians 3:10) 32. Isaiah 51:6 (See Colossians 3:1) 33. Isaiah 51:11 (See Colossians 3:16) 34. Isaiah 51:13 (See Colossians 1:16) 35. Isaiah 66:7 (See Revelation 12:5) 36. Isaiah 66:15-16 (See Revelation 19:12) 37. Isaiah 66:22 (See Revelation 21:1)
Anyone taking the time to compare even a few of these examples, which are only a fraction of a complete list, must honestly conclude that man could not have created such a counterpart as occurs through the entire Book of Isaiah.
3. Gleaning. This method is based on using the works of others to complement the big picture. These subjects include Biblical teachings and scriptural nuggets that will not be elaborated on, in much detail, although referred to, these include; the blood of the believer, will be left behind at the rapture of the Church, saved women will be changed in the rapture to be as men, and the most scriptural timing for the rapture is late spring or early summer. (See some of you are choking already and we haven’t even got started.) One may obtain information on those subjects and other material from the Bible Baptist Bookstore in Pensacola, FL.
Three Raptures
There are three New Testament raptures, they are; the ascension of Jesus Christ, the ascension of the body of Christ, and the ascension of the tribulation saints. The Bible uses the phrase “come up hither” three times.
These references are:
Proverbs 25:7 Compare this to John 16:7
Revelation 4:1 Up to this point in the Book of revelation the word church is used eighteen times. And only once, after the tribulation is all over.
Revelation 11:12 This is the calling up of the dead prophets just before the tribulation is over.
There is another place in the Bible that bears witness to this very thing. When Paul refers to the rapture in I Cor 15:51, he reveals that Jesus was the “firstfruits” of a type of harvest, 1 Cor. 15:23. The rapture is like a harvest. Every gardener knows that a harvest has three parts to it:
1. The first fruit that ripens early. 2. The main harvest. 3. The gleanings or fruit that ripens late.
They are all part of the same harvest, and explain why most students of prophecy trip over the following verse:
Rev 20:4 . . . I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
This verse places the rapture in many minds at the end of the tribulation. It is called “Tunnel Vision”
Jesus is the first Resurrection! And so are the tribulation saints, how? It’s the same harvest in 3 parts!
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man (Jesus) came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:23-24 But every man in his own order:
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3
(1) Christ the firstfruits;
(2) afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
(3) Then cometh the end,
when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
If I planted my first garden with all kinds of seeds the Sweet corn and beans and Watermelons harvested would all be part of the first crop or first fruits even though they actually were harvested at vastly different times. What comes in late is still part of the FIRST harvest. I could honestly say of the last picked this is the first crop!
There is no “second” resurrection, like there is a “second death.”
The Bible explains these things, let’s look at a verse that describes the timing of these harvests, also known as feasts Exodus 23:17. The Bible explains and states that; the spring feast and fall feast are “3 in 1.”
“Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.”
(Notice the number 17) (Notice males only, “all thy males” this means not women and children, this is hinting to a future fulfillment when in the resurrection, people “are as the angels which are in heaven”, Mark 12:25. All the angels in the Bible are men, every time without exception. (Notice where this is found, Exodus means, to exit or get out!) (Notice “three times”, to be a complete harvest it must contain three parts.)
This commandment, to appear, is written three times in the Bible; also see Exodus 34:23, and Deut 16:16.
There are three feasts that make up the three appearances, Ex. 23:14-16 they are; “the feast of unleavened bread”, “the feast of harvest”, and “the feast of ingathering”.
The first feast has three parts to it. Likewise, the last feast has three parts to it. The feast of harvest is a single event.
They are described as follows:
feast of unleavened bread (Leviticus 23:5-14 ) Includes (Passover, firstfruits) Exodus 23:15 Exodus 34:18 Deuteronomy 16:16
feast of weeks or “harvest” (Leviticus 23:15-23) Exodus 23:16 Exodus 34:22 Deuteronomy 16:16
feast of ingathering or “tabernacles” (Leviticus 23:24-44) Includes (Blowing of trumpets, Day of Atonement) Exodus 23:16 Exodus 34:22 Deuteronomy 16:16
These three appearances will correspond to and create the necessities for each rapture. Things that are different are not the same.
The Ascension of Christ
Let’s look at what we know to be true; Jesus Christ is the first person to go into death (three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Mat 12:40) and rose again, not just back to life (like Lazarus) but He ascended to the Father.
Joh 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Others had been raised from the dead, even in the Old Testament, the soul called back to the body from Abraham’s bosom 1 Kings 17:21. Some were called from earth to heaven, like Enoch and Elijah. Moses is the only person that actually died and still had is body transported to heaven for God’s use Jude 1:9. But nobody ever went from the bottom to the top in one leap on their own merit. Jesus Christ is the first! Jesus himself was actually seen ascending into the clouds, who had been dead, and taken out of sight into heaven Acts 1:9-11. The Bible states that this knowledge gives us hope of the very same thing happening again; a day ahead when the dead in Christ and the living will be “changed” and “caught up”, 1 Thes. 4:14 and 1 Cor. 15:14, 51.
All three parts of the first feast were fulfilled by Jesus. The three parts of this first feast are; Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits. Passover initiates the event followed by seven days of unleavened bread. The feast of firstfruits takes place during the days of unleavened bread, and falls on the first day of the week following the Sabbath.
The death, burial, bodily resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven literally fulfilled the first mandatory appearance before the Lord. This particular appearance required a single sheaf to be waved before the Lord GOD on the first day of the week, Lev 23:11. Just as Jesus rose from the dead and brought up a sheaf with him, “…he led captivity captive…” a sheaf is bound. Gen 37:7. He did not appear before the Lord empty handed. The Lord emptied Abraham’s bosom Lk 16:22 at the first resurrection. This is the natural time for barley harvest in Palestine; a grain that ripens early. Something to note for later is that in Exodus 9:31 the barley is said to be in the “ear”. Something that we today would only associate with maize is true of barley and wheat.
What we have here is the first exit or rapture. Some speculate that because they watched Jesus rise, that people will watch the Church rise. However, this is not necessarily the case. Each event is uniquely different. The rapture of the Church is described as happening in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 1 Cor 15:52. The rapture that takes place in Revelation 11:12 states that their enemies watch them. It is not quite accurate to describe this first ascension of Jesus as a “rapture”. The word rapture implies a taking by force. Hence, the word “rape” comes from rapture, also “to remove”.
However, the graves were opened and people came out. We also see as Luke testifies Lk. 24:50, 51 that Jesus was taken up and ascended. We also see in 1Cor 15:23 that every man has his own order, and Jesus Christ’s order was the “first fruits”. Look at the fulfillment of Jesus in the following verses.
Matthew 27:52, 53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Ephesians 4:8, 9 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
1Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
If Jesus was the fulfillment of the firstfruits as 1 Corinthians states, then there are still two appearances or raptures that must take place. Most commentators make the next feast fulfilled on the day of Pentecost; in fact, most refer to it as the feast of Pentecost. However, there was no appearance of anyone up in Heaven at that time. The fulfillment of the second appearance has yet to happen. This will correlate with the second time the Bible uses the phrase “come up hither” Rev. 4:1. This is not speaking of the day when the Holy Spirit came down and added to the Church, although, this event did take place during the second feast.
The Rapture of the Church
This may be one of the most misrepresented doctrines in the Bible. Like many things, everybody has an opinion on the subject. What is most discouraging to a young Bible student is the vast difference of opinions. This has caused many to write-off the notion of the ability to know what the Bible says for sure. In 1 Corinthians 4:1, we learn of a stewardship of the mysteries of God, which includes the rapture of the Church, 1 Corinthians 15:51. It is required that a steward be found faithful. The Church today is not willing to uphold this doctrine with any conviction. I pray this work will strengthen your faith of an event that will soon come to pass. Furthermore, psychologists are working overtime to construct a class of mental illness for such a belief. This is replacing God’s message of comfort and victory with one of fear and control.
There are a number of reasons why the Church will not go through the “great tribulation” also known as “Daniels seventieth week”. We will get to some of these reasons later.
The most well known New Testament verse on the rapture of the Church is found in 1st Thessalonians 4:14-18 which reads as follows:
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Notice in verse 17, “caught up”. I Thessalonians is the 52nd book in the Bible. Let’s look at Isaiah 52 for a counterpart to these verses. ( )=I Thessalonians
(the dead in Christ shall rise first) Isa 52 V.1 Awake, awake; put on thy strength, Isa 52 V.2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise,
(For the Lord himself shall descend with a shout) Isa 52 V.6 …they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
(with the voice of the archangel,) Isa 52 V.8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye,
(Comfort one another) Isa 52 V.9 the LORD hath comforted his people
(we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together) Isa 52 V.11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence,
Isa 52 V. 12, 13 with haste, by flight: the LORD will go before you; he shall be very high. Warning! These words are taken out of context! Only note the way in which Isaiah 52 has the material of the 52nd book of the Bible within its own text.
Now, as for the pre-tribulation timing for this rapture of the Church, it may be premature for me to direct you to the next book, Isaiah 53, or II Thessalonians (book 53). On second thought, who would believe me anyway, Isa 53:1? Let’s take an easier route, which is a short cut to the Mulberry Tree.
Before I lay out my next point, let’s go back to the feasts. The second feast listed, where all the “males” are to appear before the Lord, is the feast of weeks or harvest. Ex. 23:17. As mentioned before, most commentators make this second feast fulfilled at Pentecost, and make the third feast, the blowing of trumpets, unfulfilled for the rapture of the Church. This is without merit; it is the trumpet that causes everyone to skip ahead. The second feast in question is mentioned in Exodus 23:16, 34:22, and Deut. 16:16, and is called the feast of “Weeks” or “Harvest” Ex. 23:16. It is said to be the “firstfruits of wheat harvest” Ex. 34:22, not to be confused with the feast of “Firstfruits”. There is something very different, even strange about this feast. Examine the details of this appearance in Leviticus 23:17 (watch the number 17 hit the nail on the head again.)
Leviticus 23:17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD.
This verse not only speaks of getting “out of your habitations” (rapture), but for some odd reason this is the only offering that requires LEAVEN. Leaven is forbidden in all other offerings and sacrifices. Lev. 2:11, 6:17, et al. What we have here is the appearance of the Church; in the form of two equal loaves, “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” Romans 10:12. The leaven represents sinners saved by grace. As the priest was to wave these loaves before the Lord, Jesus will soon perform His priestly duties and wave the believers (Romans 10:11), the firstfruits of his labors (Ex. 23:16), to the Father. Not as a bound sheaf, but as two equal loaves.
How can these loaves be acceptable when the Bible says in Galatians 5:9: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
That’s easy, read Romans 11:16.
“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy:”
Imputed Righteousness! Romans 4:22
This is clearly why Jesus told Mary the following: “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Jesus was to fulfill the first appearance; Holy, untouched, undefiled, unleavened.
The day is soon approaching for the rapture of the Church. As Jesus is the bread of life, John 6:48 we the Church shall be like him 1 John 3:2; only baked with leaven whereas Jesus was unleavened, Luke 6:40. The equality issue is hinted of again. See Gal 3:28. Women will not be the weaker vessel in eternity. 1 Pet 3:7. The third feast that requires an appearance before the Lord is a rapture that takes place near the end of the tribulation period. For now, let’s continue to build a foundation for the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. The layout of booksThe very books of the Bible are laid out in a pre-tribulation order. See Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms. Ezra is about the Jews going back to Jerusalem, Nehemiah is about the Jews rebuilding the temple, Esther is about a feast in the king’s court, Job is about Satan dishing out trouble, and Psalms is about the coming of the King. Did you catch it? At present, the Jews are in their homeland waiting to rebuild the temple. This accounts for Ezra & Nehemiah. However, Esther represents the rapture, which comes directly before the persecution in Job. I know you wouldn’t believe me if I told you that Esther is the 17th book of the Bible, so count it for yourself.
Let’s start by looking at the Book of Job. There are 42 chapters in Job. This matches the time given to the beast in Revelation 13:5
“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
42 also matches Revelation 11:1, 2 where they were measuring the temple.
“…and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”
Now, Job is the 18th book of the Bible 6+6+6=18. Let’s look at Isaiah 18 for a counterpart to Job.
(Isaiah 18:7) …a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot,…
This verse could not match Revelation 11:2 any better. The meted out is a measurement, and trodden under foot is the 42 months. And the people are scattered and “peeled” as Job.
Job pictures the Jew in the tribulation being persecuted by the anti-christ. Job also is restored at the end, just as the Jews will be. These verses, books, and numbers align themselves perfectly.
What is more compelling is the material found on either side of the Book of Job. Job is followed by the Psalms; the 19th book of the Bible. Look at Isaiah 19:1 to see what follows this book of great trouble. Isaiah 19:1 “…Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt;…”
Compare this to Revelation 1:7 and 19:11 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him,…
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Isaiah 19 is one of the greatest single chapters in the Bible on the second coming of Jesus Christ to this earth, and His earthly kingdom. See Isaiah 19:25. How’s that for peace?
What do you suspect we will find when we look just before Job, at the Book of Esther, the 17th book of the Bible, and Isaiah 17? You guessed it; right where the Holy Spirit hid it.
“The rapture of the Church” Unmistakably In pre-tribulation order Esther 1:14 And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
Counterpart
Isaiah 17:7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
Get that! Before the 42 chapters of the “trodden down” of Job, and the coming of the Lord in Psalms, a bunch of gentiles, seven of them, get to see the king’s face; counterpart- they get to see their maker eye to eye! Remember Isa 52:8 “for they shall see eye to eye”. Now look again at Esther 1:14 “Which sat the first in the kingdom.” Although we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, Romans 14:10, Ephesians 2:6 states: “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” You can’t beat it! We’re just getting started. Get ready for the rapture! It is coming before the tribulation. Comfort one another with these words.
Esther also depicts the time when the Gentile queen is replaced by a Jewish queen. Interesting enough it was because of her conceit and rebelliousness. The king feared that she was going to spread her discord to all the other women. That’s the condition of the Church today.
God is not done with the Jew; He is preparing to restore his people!
Romans 11:24,25 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
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. More on Isaiah
Now we have found a very interesting set-up in the Bible. The very book of the Bible, I Thessalonians, which tells of a day that Jesus will raise the dead and the living, matches the corresponding chapter in Isaiah which tells a similar story. Likewise, other books tell the same story, numbers, events, and words fit together like a glove. What we are about to look at now is a little different. It involves doctrinal issues. The intent up to now has been basically to show that there is more to the Bible than meets the eye. Attempting to sway doubters and attempting to show believers that these connections are not accidental, building steam for the meat of the rapture as we go.
The Bible is compiled of different books, written at different times in history, by different authors, many without knowledge of the other, yet it is complete, and intertwined as one book. This “phenomena”, so-to-speak, is more than words lining up. The same process shows that the Book of Isaiah will elaborate doctrinally.
Example 1: (II Timothy 3:16) Inspiration of scripture
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Timothy is the 55th book in the Bible. Now read from Isaiah 55, on the inspiration of scripture.
Isa 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Here the counterpart would explain inspiration doctrinally. The word of God is “bread”, “seed”, “words” that come out of God’s “mouth”, hence “God breathed”, and “shall prosper”. That’s like “profitable” to accomplish the “thing” (doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness) whereto it is sent. Like a refreshing rain or snow.
Example 2: (Ephesians 1:13) Eternal Security
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians is the 49th book in the Bible. Now read from Isaiah 49, on eternal security.
Isa. 49:8 “…in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee,…” Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
Here the counterpart shows the gravity of salvation, it’s not a matter of just being in his hand, we are part of his hand. One would have to cut off the Lord’s nail pierced hand to take what belongs to Him. Try jumping ship on that one Christian. Free will and living a sinless life, is it? We have free will to accept or reject our salvation, and good works will be rewarded, but the Lord Jesus Christ is not fumbling around trying to keep all those who come to him like a boy trying to keep a handful of crickets from escaping his hand. There is much more on this issue in Isa 49. Read it for yourself.
Example 3: (Ephesians 2:9) salvation by grace
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
When it comes to salvation, works cannot produce.
Isa 49:4 “Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain:…”
Example 4: (Ephesians 6:4) raising children
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Here is a picture of instruction for raising your kids.
Isa 49:22 “Thus saith the Lord GOD, …bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.” We need to lift our children up instead of tearing them down all the time. This is the rightful place for your children. A daughter is never happier than when she is raised on to the shoulders of her father; likewise, your sons should rest on the strength of your arm. “Provoke not your children to wrath.”
That should be enough for now. Search the scriptures for yourself. Read the story of Lazarus from John 11, which is the 43rd book. Now go to Isaiah 43 and search for the story. Ask the Lord to help you see the story as it was tucked away years before it came to pass.
I hope you’re still not reading an NIV or something like it. Get rid of that perversion and get yourself a King James Bible! Translating committees today are of the devil, and will eventually hide all truth.
A man recently told me that the King James Bible came from a translating committee just like all other versions. This is not the case by a long shot. Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
The translating committee of the King James Bible was ordained of God under the authority of a KING.
That’s a far cry from a bunch of self conceited men and women getting together to fix what isn’t broken.
It’s probably time for you to take a break, go get you some warm milk and cookies, it will be alright in the morning.
Your problem is that you can’t stand:
The fact that God is true and every man is a liar; The Word Scripture, in the bible, NEVER refers to the original manuscripts; Anytime something is translated in the bible it gets BETTER not worse.
A hypocrite once said well how can the King James Bible be God’s word; what if you didn’t speak English? I say hypocrite because everyone knows that God wrote the Old Testament in ONE language, Hebrew. (So what were you saying?) Everyone knows that the New Testament was written in ONE language, Greek. (The inspired originals that by the way have never been found and never will be found) Boy, God sure wasn’t fair to those folks who didn’t know Greek, like say, YOU. It is perfectly within Gods dealing with His word and the world to have ONE language that is the standard.
England sets the standard for Time: Greenwich Mean Time England sets the standard for Location: Longitude & Latitude England sets the standard for Energy: BTU England sets the standard for Truth: KJV
God Blessed the British Empire and the English language and if you don’t know that you just don’t know history. Isaiah 17
Back to Isaiah 17 which is the counterpart to the Book of Esther. Let’s examine a couple verses as they pertain to the rapture of the Church.
Isa 17:5 And it shall be as 1 when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; 2 and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.3 Isa 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, 4 four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.
1. “As” is a word in the Bible that describes things that are similar. 2. This is a grain harvest; John 12:24 states that “…Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground…” This will end up being the wheat harvest of Exodus 34:22. Notice the reaping is with the “arm”. Isa 52:10 (the counterpart for 1 Thessalonians) states “The LORD hath made bare his holy arm…” This arm is none other than Jesus Christ. 3. As in the valley of Rephaim. We will come back to this. 4. Gleaning grapes “left in” are the Jews left in the world to ripen after the rapture of the Church (Isa 17:7). There is a final harvest yet to come in the next feast; the feast of “Trumpets”. A very peculiar change is made here by the Holy Spirit changing from grapes to olive berries. This refers one all the way to James 3:12 “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?...” James is written to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. This matches four or five in the outmost fruitfull branches. These gleanings are left in for the poor. Also notice the change between a grain harvest and a fruit harvest. (One is the Church, one is not) This harvest is in keeping with the law for in Leviticus 23:22 it says:
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Compare this to James 1:27, 2:5, 6. Once the Church is gone, the gleanings left in the world are for the widow, the stranger, and the poor. The Jews will be under a faith plus works situations during the tribulation. Things that are different are not the same. Again, people who get saved in the tribulation must have good works and endure until the end or their salvation is no good.
We will take the next chapter to understand how the rapture is “as” the harvest in the Valley of Rephaim. The Valley of Rephaim
The Valley of Rephaim is mentioned a total of six times in the Bible. All are a reference to a place where the Philistines would spread themselves out to battle David and his men. 2 Samuel 5:18, 22; 23:13; 1 Chronicles 11:15; 14:9. Isaiah 17:5.
This story is one of the most misunderstood events in the Bible. The wordage and descriptions are vague and confusing. However, you will see how this is the event given to us in Isaiah 17 to understand the rapture of the Church.
Here is the most complete account in 2 Samuel 5:17-24.
2Sa 5:17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold. 2Sa 5:18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 2Sa 5:19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
2Sa 5:20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim. 2Sa 5:21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them. 2Sa 5:22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. 2Sa 5:23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. 2Sa 5:24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
Putting scripture with scripture, let’s see how this has anything to do with the rapture of the Church.
Verse 17- “went down to the hold” In Judges 9:49, the “hold” is a tower, a high place. In David’s case, the hold is the “cave of Adullam” See 1 Chron 11:15. There is a double application here.
1. The Lord will come down to the hold, which will be a high place. 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 2. David is told when to come out of the cave in verse 24, this will match 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “the dead in Christ shall rise first”. We see here that the dead will come out of the graves. Verse 18- “spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.” This verse is significant; it is repeated four times in scripture. See V.18, and 22; 1 Chronicles 14:9, and 13. We will come back to it. For now, remember the enemy is “spread out”.
Verses 19-22, David is told to go and defeat the Philistines. However, they return again.
Verse 23- “fetch a compass behind them” A different set of instructions are given to David this time. We will need to look at Numbers 34, where the Bible defines its own terms. Fetch a compass is found in Num. 34:5. The Bible in Numbers 34 tells how to draw the borders of the land. Verse 5 “fetch a compass” Verse 8 “point out” Verse 9 “go on to” Verse 12 “go down” Verse 11 “descend”, “reach”
Notice in Num 34:5 that “the goings out of it shall be at the sea.” This will match a verse in Luke 17:6 about a sycamine (Mulberry) tree. (don’t forget to watch the number 17). You can use any of these definitions to see that the instruction is to “go” behind. This is the reaching arm of the Lord about to make a harvest.
Verse 24- “when thou hearest the sound of a going” Again, what in the world is the “sound of a going”? Only the Bible knows. In Jeremiah 48:5, the sound of a going is either a weeping or a cry. Maybe a shout, but I can’t prove it.
Verse 24- “in the tops of the mulberry trees” This will be covered in the chapter of the Mulberry Tree. Mysteries of the Bible
The following scriptures bear witness to this verse in 2 Samuel but I could not explain it if I had to.
2Sa 5:24 “And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself”
This verse is the heart of the “as” in Isaiah 17:5 in reference to the rapture of the Church. How it is connected to this next verse is beyond my knowledge. On occasion I have stumbled across a connection between verses in Genesis and 2 Samuel. Here are some examples.
Gen 2:23 “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 2Sa 2:23 “Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him;…” Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. 2Sa 7:1 And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies;
Gen 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. 2Sa 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
In studying 2 Samuel 5:24, my curiosity took me to Genesis 5:24 to see if there was any match to help understand the verse that was sure to be about the rapture. Here are the verses together. 2Sa 5:24 “And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself” Gen 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
How do you like that for irony?
Pay particular attention to the usage of the words, “he was not”.
This verse matched up with the exact verse, which best typifies the pre-tribulation rapture; a man disappearing, prior to the flood of Genesis Chapter 6, 7.
However, there is a greater connection here. In searching the scriptures for any and all information on this “valley of Rephaim”, we find that David reflects in the Psalms as follows:
Psalms 37:35, 36 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Verse 35 takes us back to the enemy spreading himself out. 2 Samuel 5:18. Verse 36 says “he was not”. This is not David talking about Enoch, but his enemy that was spread out before him. Explanation? “I sought him, but he could not be found.”
Here we have a remarkable testimony of David; the enemy was there, and then, was not there. Just as Enoch, “he was not” for God took him. Gen 5:24.
Therefore, what we have in 2 Samuel 5:24 is David hiding in the hold, a type of the grave. The enemy spread out, a type of the mass of living that will disappear. The Lord descends with a shout or a cry, reaches in his arm for the harvest, and the dead bestir themselves and come out, and the living disappear and cannot be found. Alleluia!
The rapture is just like that.
Now you see them,
now you don’t. The Mulberry Tree
There are unique characteristics of the Mulberry tree that depict certain scriptural references to the Christian and the rapture. After studying these various distinctions of the Mulberry tree, it is obviously the best type of tree to put into the scene of a mass harvest. Below is a list of some of those distinctions and the relationship between the Christian, the rapture and the Mulberry tree.
1. The Mulberry tree is wild by nature, spread around by birds and other animals that eat the fruit, and considered a nuisance by most people. 2. The Mulberry tree produces its fruit in late spring, early summer. (feast of harvest/weeks) 3. The fruit ripens together over a long period and then falls suddenly. On different occasions the rapture is similar to something falling away. See also Vashti in the book of Esther, and 2 Thessalonians 2:3. 4. Harvesting can be accomplished by shaking the fruit from the tree. 5. The tree is most known for the “blood like” mess and stain that it creates on streets, yards and sidewalks. 6. Mulberry trees are either male or female, and sometimes will change from one sex to another. 7. The leaves of a Mulberry tree are individually different. 8. Not all Mulberry trees produce fruit. (Not all Christians produce fruit.) 9. Botanically the fruit is not one berry like a raspberry, but a collective fruit; all put together to look like one. (Like the "fruit of the Spirit") 10. Mulberry tree varieties are red, black, and white. (Just like the Church!) 11. No special pruning techniques are needed after the branches have been trained to a sturdy framework. It is not advisable to prune the trees heavily since the plant is inclined to bleed at the cuts. Cuts of more than two inches in diameter generally do not heal and should be avoided at all cost. (Christians are some of the most sensitive vessels alive.)
What about the blood? The Bible says that “flesh and blood” cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
But- “flesh and bone” can.
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Just as Jesus shed his blood, at the rapture the blood of the living will have to stay behind on this earth. The rapture will be a bloody mess. It will appear to the world to have been a massacre; wherever there was a raptured body, only a blood stain will linger where a body was taken. A Christian will leave their mark on this world whether they like it or not.
The rapture is likely to happen in late spring or early summer as alluded to in the feasts, the Mulberry Tree, and the Song of Solomon.
Son 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Son 2:11 For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; Son 2:12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; Son 2:13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. Son 2:14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
The Black Mulberry Tree is also mentioned in Luke 17:6 as the “Sycamine” tree. Not to be confused with a "Sycamore." (This "Sycamine" is changed to “Mulberry” in the NIV. Just when it looks like they might get something right; (just kidding) they change the "Mulberry" tree in II Sam 5:24 to the “Balsam” tree, once again obscuring the truth, and the cross-reference placed so perfectly by the author of the scriptures.) When you were being lied to about the new versions making the bible easier to read, the devil was busy changing everything he could so that you could easily read everything that was not so, thinking it was God's word. You've got to give him credit the trap has caught untold thousands of preachers, teachers, missionaries, and church goers. Notice again the number 17, Luke 17:6. Here the Lord is speaking of transplanting that tree into “the sea” (heaven). Remember Numbers 34:5 to “fetch a compass” was followed by the statement;
“the goings out of it shall be at “the sea.”
Revelation 4:6.
“And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:…”
When John was taken up to heaven, he said that there was a “sea” of glass. See the chapter on types, John is the type of the Church.
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