The Living Temple

The Rapture and the Kingdom of Heaven As Christians, we believe that the Holy Bible is Gods perfect Word and that it is a testimony to Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is Gods rule over the universe and also over humans who willfully acknowledge him as King. One day his Kingdom will come to earth, which the Bible describes as personal and visible return of Jesus. This day is known by many Christians as the rapture, a term used to describe when Jesus will come in the clouds with great power and glory to gather his believers into his Kingdom of Heaven. The key to unpacking this momentous occasion is understanding the Holy Bible, the customs of the Jewish people and the history of the nation of Israel. We will specifically focus on comparing Matthew chapter 24 and Revelations chapter 6. The Jewish wedding ceremony is the theme and model of the rapture, and determines the sequence of events. The reestablishment of Israel as a nation, the definition of a Biblical generation, the Jewish feasts and the Feast of Trumpets help guide us to the timing of the rapture. The goal is a clear understanding of the rapture, as a catalyst for holy living. Matthew chapter 24 and Revelations chapter 6 - First, we will compare the two most important chapters in the Bible relating to the End Times, side by side. * This describes when the Antichrist comes into the world to conquer: Matt 24:4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Christ, and will deceive many. Rev 6:2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering, and to conquer. * These scriptures outline a period of great war: Matt 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Rev 6:4 And another, a red horse, went out; and to him who sat on it, it was granted to take peace from the earth, and that men should slay one another; and a great sword was given to him. * In this time period, there will be a deadly famine leading to massive death:

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Matt 24:7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Rev 6:5 And when He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, "Come." And I looked, and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard as it were a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine."And when He broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, "Come." And I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. And authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth. * Now a period of widespread persecution of Christians will occur: Matt 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Rev 6:9 And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; These scriptures outline the actions of the Anti-Christ as he reveals his true nature: Matt 24:15 "So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniellet the reader understand then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Rev 13:1-8 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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Notice that the two most important chapters in the Bible relating to the End Times agree completely on this sequence of events: the Antichrist coming into the world to conquer, a great war, a deadly famine leading to massive death, widespread persecution of Christians, and the Anti-Christ finally revealing his true nature with people worshiping him as God. This is a timeline showing the timing of the most critical End Times events.

Jewish wedding ceremony This ceremony is the theme and model of the rapture, and determines the sequence of events. The Jewish wedding is a type and shadow of the return of Christ Jesus, the Messiah, for His Bride (Church). For example: * Groom pays a Bride price (His sacrifice on the cross). * Bride prepares herself (as Esther did) * Groom gives gifts to His chosen Bride (gifts of the Spirit) * Groom prepares a place for the Bride and Himself (a home) * Father tells the son when to get His Bride (Father decides) * Groom comes with others at midnight with a shout! (Rapture) * Groom takes Bride to private chambers for 7 days (7 years) * Bride and Groom share a Marriage Feast (Feast of the Lamb) "But of that day and hour, no man knows, no not the angels of heaven, but by My Father only. Matthew 24:36 The reestablishment of Israel Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled." Matthew 24:34
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* Israel becomes a nation as Prophets had foretold * reestablished May 1948

A Biblical generation * A generation is 70 years. The days of our lives is seventy years. Psalm 90:10 * 1948 + 70 years =2018 The Jewish feasts "The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts." Leviticus 23:2 Spring Feasts: Fulfilled * Passover................. death of Christ Jesus on the cross (sacrifice) * Unleavened Bread..burial of Jesus, Our Lord * First Fruits................resurrection (Jesus first to rise) * Pentecost.................outpouring of Holy Spirit, beginning of Church Fall Feasts: Still to be fulfilled * Trumpets....................rapture (catching away) of the church or Bride * Atonement.................2nd coming of Messiah * Tabernacles..............Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ 2018 - 7 years of tribulation = 2011 possible Rapture

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The Feast of Trumpets Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. I Corinthians 15:51-52 'Thus says the Lord God: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon (Feast of Trumpets) it shall be opened." Ezekiel 46:1 There shall be an opened door on the new moon. The Feast of Trumpets is the only feast that is remembered on a new moon. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. I Thessalonians 5:9-10
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The Living Temple

In this study we have compared Matthew chapter 24 and Revelations chapter 6 and found that they agree on the events of the End Times. We have seen that the Jewish wedding ceremony is the theme and model of the rapture, and determines the sequence of the events. We have noted the reestablishment of Israel as a nation, outlined the definition of a Biblical generation, and explored the Jewish feasts and the Feast of Trumpets to help guide us to the timing of the rapture. A strong case is made for the rapture occurring during the Feast of Trumpets this year (September 29, 2011).

Catalyst for holy living There is a day when the Lord will be coming for His people in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime we must be careful to "Occupy till I return" and that what the Lord has said to us. What this means is to continue to live RIGHT before HIM. It means to continue to go to work, pay your bills, feed your family, go to school, and so on. Trust in the Lord, and do good: Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3,4 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 The real question is, are you ready to be taken up in this manner? Have you washed your robes in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus' redemptive work on the Cross) to meet Him in the air? How do you treat others in your live? Are you walking, talking, living, breathing a holy life? Do you go to the Lord and ask forgiveness when you have done wrong? God has called us to Holiness For He is Holy! Having yourself ready is imperative. But what about the rest of the world? If the last day is coming soon, what will you do differently to make a change for the world around you? First of all, you need to love and encourage all those around you to be ready no matter what day the rapture happens. Exhort! Encourage! You can pray like you never prayed before for the world around you. The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much. PRAY! PRAY! and PRAY again! You can evangelize everywhere you go, not using the fear of damnation but talking about the love of the Father! You can make disciples. Teach by the example of your own life. We are Books read of men! Be the very best Book you can be from cover to cover! Trust that the Lord will direct you and your families path as you LISTEN to His direction and OBEY!
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Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Matthew 5 12-24

And the Spirit and the bride say "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

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