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Volume III No. 14 Nicholas Scrolls May 2007 The Acceptable Year of Our LORD The Year of Jubilee 2028AD Greetings
brethren, friends and neighbors, I bid each one of you shalom –
to you and each member of your household. By now, many of you should understand
where I stand in regards to obedience of God’s Word and discipleship after
Christ’s pattern. Over the years I have made it abundantly clear that there is
a problem with mainstream Christianity and the “many divided houses of God”
that have proliferated themselves over the centuries. In the course of their
developments, a number of errant doctrines and theologies have developed to
further dilute and make weak the Body of Christ. It began with the introduction
of Gnosticism and later became a process of the Church accepting other
worldliness in an attempt to make larger the body of professing Christians on
the planet. The Churches of Rome, Spain and The
whole history of Christianity after about 250AD can be summed up by one word –
REBELLION. Now this is not to say that they’re haven’t been minorities of
Godfearing men throughout the centuries who have made a difference. History
shows that Gnosticism was the first heresy to creep in the first century
Church, which the Apostles spent much time countering as evidenced in the New
Testament epistles. Gnosticism and other pagan traditions continued to
influence the development of the early Church and then a marriage of sorts was
made with Constantine’s legalization of Christianity. This rebellion began
within the Roman Empire and encouraged anti-Semitism. The growth of the Roman
Catholic Church promoted this never-ending cycle of rebellion towards God among
Gentile cultures. These things I have made abundantly clear throughout my many
Scrolls and Exhortations. In protest of many Catholic heresies, Martin Luther
began a new rebellion, which spawned Protestantism, which later brought with it
dispensationalism. Much of the religious pomp and ceremonials associated with
Roman Catholicism was passed on into developing Protestant factions over the
last 500 years. One of
the most difficult things to rid myself of in my own pursuit of obedience and
discipleship to Christ has been the influence of dispensationalism (age of
law/age of grace) to modern contemporary applications of faith. I witnessed the
influence of this heresy in both the Catholic and Protestant periods of my
life. The mindset of dispensationalism has resulted in extreme prejudice and
anti-Semitism over the centuries and to this day is still fueling hatreds
between various peoples and cultures of faith. It would seem that the Jews have
always been the center targets of this vile hatred and partiality practiced by
various Gentile cultures. The Church therefore has long been in stages of
rebellion and has been responsible for accepting and promoting various heresies
and utter rebellion towards God and His chosen. Nowadays,
it seems almost an impossibility to sort through the deeply entrenched heresies
that have so weakened Christianity. Many people end up choosing for themselves
the lesser of two evils when trying to find a good church or faith to practice
because they are unable to see the purity and simplicity of God’s plan for
Salvation and practice it. People often gravitate towards what’s popular or go
with mainstream ideals without questioning doctrinal validity. Those who ally
themselves with one divisive form of contemporary Christianity or another often
do not understand that they are missing the mark (sinning) and further, do not
understand the point and ultimate purpose of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
Many of the same end up comforting themselves with the idea that fellowship in
any Christian sect guarantees one’s own salvation. This in itself is a sign
that they were misled by poor teachers and evangelists because salvation became
for them a selfish pursuit rather than a selfless lifestyle and reason for
living the life of Christ. Because of the prolific deception produced over the
centuries many will not withstand the judgment that awaits them before the marriage
of the Lamb. Sadly,
an untold number of professing Christians (dead or alive) will not enter the
New Millennium in the first resurrection because of their unbelief, hypocrisy
and rebellion. Many that await the second resurrection after a thousand years
of Christ’s rule will also be terribly disappointed and not enter through the
Kingdom gates because of their total rejection resulting in unrepentant sins
against God and humanity. Jesus did elude to some former generations that were
once judged unrighteous may stand in judgment of later generations because the
sins of the former generations will appear to be less than the latter making
them more worthy of God’s mercy. But that judgment, which awaits those in the
second resurrection remains to be the Lamb’s duty and not our own for no one
but Him is worthy and able to open the Book of Life. Because of this, we ought
to be more humble and Godfearing in our profession of faith and focus more on
the selfless attributes of Christ’s pattern rather than filling our lives with
vain precepts like trusting self or
believing in “once saved always saved”
or pursuing various health, wealth
and prosperity doctrines. I’ve
proclaimed it many times… stop making excuses for yourself and others. It does
no man any good! Look to Christ and God’s Word alone and let yourself be judged
by it. I
mentioned in the above God’s plan for salvation. His plan for salvation is
revealed many times over throughout Old and New Testament histories and
fulfillments. It starts with the six
days of Creation ending with a seventh
day of rest and this pattern is repeated over and over again throughout the
pages of our Bibles from Genesis to Revelation showing us exactly what God is
doing with humanity. There is a strong correlation made in multiple scriptures
indicating the timing of the two promised resurrections, the salvation of
repentant Gentiles and Judah. This pattern ultimately becomes the 7000-year
redemption plan of God for humanity. These repeating patterns are what defines
and determines the truth about God’s redemptive plan and puts asunder every
lofty and argumentative speculation that has ever existed regarding the
salvation of Jews and Gentiles, death and resurrection, tribulation and
judgment. Let’s take a look at these repeating patterns and see if you’re not
convinced as I that the Church will undergo trial in the tribulation. Clearly,
by these following accounts the first resurrection will not be until after a
professing Christianity has truly suffered for His name’s sake because man
continues to make a mockery of God through his religious ideals. That promised
suffering would either destroy or lead many to a genuine repentance. NOAH’S FLOOD AND BAPTISM BY WATER
According to the Genesis account Noah
was 600 years old when God exacted judgment upon all living creatures causing
the earth to flood. Genesis 7:11-12: "In the six
hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month,
the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the
windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights." Noah’s age not only gives us a parallel picture of six days for man to repent and reconcile with God but also demonstrates what will become of unrepentant humanity for failure to repent. More simply, Noah’s 600 years is likened to God’s redemption plan of 6000 years for humanity. We know what happened to all the living creatures on the earth as a result of the flood and this became as it were a condemnation against humanity for its failure to acknowledge and worship God. This account begins a pattern established by God the Father that six days of His time clock would be likened to 6,000 years for mankind. And this pattern is likened to the six days of Creation followed by the seventh, which becomes a pattern of the end, the Olam Hazeh or judgment, when the wrath of the Messiah/Chevlai shel Mashiach, will come upon the earth perfecting His creation before the day of rest. Notice too that the rain fell for forty days and forty nights indicating a parallel of four days on God’s time clock being like 4000 years to mankind. 4000 years of time passed between Adam and Christ Jesus’ first coming. Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved
with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.” Another parallel seen in the story
of Noah’s flood is striking in that the 40 day/night deluge cleansed the whole
earth from sin and unrighteous men just as the baptism of water is said to do –
to cleanse and purify us of our sins in repentance. The earth then underwent a
sort of baptism by water in the first recorded judgment. The story and accounts
of Christ showed us too that we would each undergo a second baptism by fire.
John the Baptist alluded to those gathered around him that though he baptized
with water for repentance, Jesus would baptize by the Spirit and fire. Matthew
3:11 “I indeed baptize you in water unto
repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am
not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:” Luke 3:16-17 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you
with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not
worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will
thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire
unquenchable.” BAPTISM BY SPIRIT AND FIREThis second baptism by fire is necessary because Paul revealed the works of man must be tried and tested. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” In like manner and parallel with
the acts and fulfillments of Jesus so will the whole earth undergo a second
baptism. Jesus said very concisely in Luke 12:49 “I
came to cast fire upon the earth;
and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?”
Peter recorded for us in more detail the purpose behind the two baptisms. 2
Peter 3:3-7 “Knowing this first, that
there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And
saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of,
that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of
the water and in the water: Whereby the
world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the
heavens and the earth, which are now, by
the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” MOSES ON MOUNT SINAI
The first time Moses was recorded going up to see God on Mt. Sinai, the God of Israel commanded Moses to go back down and consecrate the people for two days telling them also to wash their garments. Exodus 19:10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes,” Then God told Moses to make sure and tell all the people to be ready for the third day to meet God! Exodus 19:11 “And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” This third day is representative of the prophetic promise indicated to take place again in the future: Hosea 6:1-3 “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” This third day scenario is also a pattern parallel to the return of Christ after 2000 years (two days) have passed since beginning His earthly ministry. We are promised that He will return sometime in the morning of the third day “to raise [His children] up [to] live forever in His sight.” That day is rapidly approaching us in our time. The last part of this verse is speaking of latter and former rain indicating directly that God’s appearance will follow the same pattern in the future as He accomplished in the past. This prophetic utterance proves God’s intention to “repeat a pattern.” Moses was required to walk up and down the mountain many times; going up to receive instruction and walking back down to effect a work or deliver God’s Word to the people encamped below. After doing this many times, the time finally came for the people to affirm their Covenant with God. Moses recounted every Word the Lord had instructed him to deliver to the people and then burnt offerings and sacrifices were made on the Altar Moses had built with twelve pillars in it representing the twelve tribes of Israel. After six days, Moses (Moshe) was called up to mount Sinai to be in the presence (kivod) of Yahweh, the God of Israel and to meet with His Majesty in midst of the cloud on the seventh day. Exodus 24:13-18:"…and Moses went up into the mount of God … and Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And the glory of the Lord abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud … And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights." In the eyes of the sons of Israel, the appearance of God Almighty was like as unto a consuming fire and His voice was like “an exceedingly long trumpet blast.” This is yet another example and representation given to us by Yahweh, the God of Israel that after 6,000 years (6 days – the end or the Olam Hazeh), the glory (kivod) of Yahweh, the God of Israel will be upon the Bride of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. The bride will be caught up in the clouds to be in the presence of the God of Israel (Daniel 7:13, Matthew 24:30, Hebrews 12:1, Revelation 1:5,7) just as Moses was called into Yahweh’s presence in the clouds. So, depending on how you are viewing the calendar, the resurrection will take place on the sixth day (6000 years) after Creation, which is the start of the third day (after 2000 years – 2 days) that Christ (Yeshua) Jesus began His ministry. The appointed day is set and the pattern has been clearly established! I Thessalonians 4:16-17:"For the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [shofar] of God; and the dead in Christ
shall rise first: 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." In the traditional Judean
practice, the two themes associated with the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) are the resurrection of
the dead and the blowing of the Last
Trump. It should be noted here that the Last Trump should not be confused with the seventh trumpet blown by
the seventh angel in the Book of Revelation. When referring to the Last Trump, it should be understood
that reference is being made to the terrifying voice of God. God’s voice
historically causes the mountains to shake and the earth to tremble and
lightening and thunder to break silence in the heavens as was witnessed by the
Jews when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Exodus 19:16 “And it came to pass on the third
day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightning’s,
and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the
voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in
the camp trembled. Therefore, I Thessalonians 4:16-17 is a hope, an expectation and a likeness to the resurrection of the dead which will take place after 6,000 years (six days) of time passed occurring on the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah). Notice too the familiar pattern of 40 days/nights that Moses spent on the mountain before God gave him the stone tablets containing the 10 Commandments. In this pattern, 40 days/nights would be representative of four days (4000 years) of time where God would administer His Law unto mankind prior to sending their redeemer. JUBILEE – When Jesus Proclaimed the Acceptable Year of the LORDWhen the first resurrection event
takes place is a subject matter of many debates among scholars but it is my
belief that this event will occur in a Jubilee Year. In addition to the
evidence I offered above the strongest biblical evidence I can provide for this
is found in the Book of Luke where it is recorded that Jesus began His public
ministry in the 15th year of Emperor Tiberius. The year was 28AD – a Jubilee
year according to the Hebrew calendar. Immediately after Christ’s wandering in
the dessert for 40 days and after
being tempted by the devil, He returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit
and began preaching and teaching throughout the region. The first Synagogue He
taught in He read from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-2 “The
Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach
good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound; To proclaim the
acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort
all that mourn;” This
passage tells us directly what our redeemer was sent to do and further
indicates to us when. The “when” is what Jesus called the “acceptable year of the LORD.”
He describes for us the intention of God in proclaiming liberty to the captives
and comforting all who are oppressed and those that mourn. Jesus made this
proclamation in 28AD initiating the beginning of the fifth day. Nearly 2000 years (two
days) have since passed making the end of the sixth day nearly complete. Now this
is no small matter of significance when one understands that Jesus literally
fulfilled four of seven Jewish feasts, which are a
pattern of God’s redemption plan for humanity. The first four feasts fulfilled
were Passover (crucifixion), Unleavened Bread (burial), First Fruits (His
resurrection) and Pentecost (the giving of the Holy Spirit) all occurring in
31AD. These are also known as the Spring Feasts - all occurring in the same
year. There are still three feasts remaining to be fulfilled: Feast of Trumpets
(Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot
1000 yr. Millennium). These are known as the Fall Feasts and the same rapid
fulfillment can be expected of them when the acceptable year of our LORD comes
upon us. Because He made this proclamation in a Jubilee year Jesus was
literally establishing when the acceptable year of our LORD would begin. These
three events encompass the first resurrection, His return and His promised
wrath followed by the millennium rest. In our current calendar, the last
Jubilee year was 1978, which would make the next Jubilee year 2028. A Jubilee
takes place every 50 years. Considering
the overwhelming expression by many Christians today that we are indeed in the
midst of “end days” and given the current tensions in the Middle East and the
move to divide up Israel further with Bush’s “Road Map to Peace,” It seems likely, even probable that we shall
see a “Peace Covenant” soon
established and the re-building of a new Temple setting the stage for the
beginning and ending of sacrifices leading to the “Abomination of Desolation” when the “son of
perdition” appears. Does the acceptable year of the LORD fall on 2028AD, two days (2000 years) after Jesus made
this proclamation? I have no doubt that it will be a Jubilee year. Remember
the repeating patterns and confirmation of the timing of the first resurrection
as given us in Hosea 6:1-3 “Come, and let
us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath
smitten, and he will bind us up. After
two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall
live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD:
his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the
rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” In my
book, Apostasy Revealed and many prior Scrolls I prophetically wrote:
“We are
in the last hours, even moments of the second day and soon the third day will
dawn. What happens on the morning of the third day oh son of man?” The Spirit of God gave me this word before I knew its
significance. Within moments of hearing His whispering voice, I turned to the
pages of Hosea and my eyes instantly lit upon Hosea 6:1-3. It was one of many
powerful episodes I have had since my awakening. I immediately was given an
understanding that mankind had but two
days to prepare for the Second Coming. That is, two days since the time of Christ. What I did not understand
clearly at that time was when the beginning of that time was marked. Did it
start with His birth or death or were there other clues that revealed the
answer in scripture? I now
believe that that time was marked from the moment of Christ’s baptism in the
Jordan. Now, it all makes so much more sense to me that if a day in the LORD is
as a thousand years to man and two days are two thousand years… then two
thousand years of history would pass after Jesus began His ministry before we
would see His return. Now His actual return will likely be marked from the
moment of His ascension. But the first promised resurrection will likely occur
2000 years (two days) from the
moment that Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives in the reading of Isaiah
in the Temple on the Year of Jubilee 28AD. This will also mark the end of the
6000-year (six-day) redemption plan
of God ushering in the seventh day of rest, which will be the Millennium rule
and reign of Christ. This last day in God’s timetable will fulfill the last
Feast known as Tabernacles. The promise given in Revelation 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth,” is a promise for all those that
shall take part in the first resurrection. IN THREE DAYS I WILL RAISE IT UP! When
Jesus was before Caiaphas, one of His accusers said in Matthew 26:61 “… This fellow said, I am able to destroy
the temple of God, and to build it in three
days.” What Jesus actually said was properly recorded in the Book of
John 2:18-19 “Then answered the Jews and
said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou do these
things? Jesus answered and said unto them, “Destroy
this temple, and in three days I will
raise it up.” Most believers accept that
Jesus was foretelling His death leading to His resurrection on the third day. But this also becomes a
pattern for what is to come for the age of Christianity after 2000 years (two days). Mankind will have pretty
much destroyed Christianity after 2000 years by rejecting the fundamental
obedience and selfless attributes, which accompany true salvation. Many
faithful Christians towards the end of this era will be martyred as a result
and on the third day, Christ will
raise (resurrect) the faithful (the true church) before He spends His wrath
upon all His enemies. Another
compelling pattern established by Christ was evidenced in His response to the
disciples who marveled at the beautifully adorned Temples. Matthew 24:1-2 “And Jesus went out, and departed from the
temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the
temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not
all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not
be thrown down.” This led the disciples to
inquire further what signs will become evident indicating the end of the age
and His Second Coming. One should accept that Jesus was not only foretelling
His death but also the signs that would accompany fallen Christianity leading
to His Second Coming. He elaborates further in the Book of Luke 19:41-44 “And when he was come near, he beheld the city,
and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst
known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy
peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon
thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round,
and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and
thy children within thee; and they
shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knew not the time
of thy visitation.” The
Apostle Paul exhorted to the Thessalonians the same deterioration being evident
within the Church before the “man of
perdition” would take his seat on the Temple Mount displaying himself as a
god. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (the Day of our Lord’s return)
shall not come, except there come
a falling away (apostasia) first,
and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts
himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God
sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” The
above patterns expressly show that man will attempt to destroy (kill) true
Christianity just as Christ was crucified (killed) on the cross. His death and
resurrection foreshadowed the prophetic time line indicated in the 2000 years (two days) of Christianity being
apostatized but saved via the promised resurrection on the third day; the taking up (resurrection) of His true Church.
As the last saint is martyred, not one
stone shall be left upon another. It is also noteworthy to mention here
that Jesus’ ministry lasted three years
indicating the time on God’s clock the faithful Church would have to await
their death and resurrection. Judging from the strong messages contained in the
seven letters to the seven Churches in the Book of Revelation, it is clearly
apparent that the condition of the Churches would continue to deteriorate over
time. But in each letter, those with a little or more faith are admonished
to hold on to what they do have. All else are commanded to repent before the
great and terrible day of the Lord. Clearly, while Judah has rejected their own
Messiah for 2000 years (two days)
Israel (Christianity) has been the target of attack since the time that the
devil fled Christ in the desert. It has been the devil’s mission ever since to
destroy the children of God and make us weak. His dark spiritual influence upon
us is ultimately what has weakened Christianity and made the contemporary
Churches apostate. Sadly, to many, the angel of darkness has appeared as an
angel of light deceiving and leading countless millions astray over the
centuries. THE DISCIPLES AND CHRIST’S TRANSFIGURATIONThe familiar six day pattern is again seen when Yeshua/Jesus took Peter (Kefa),
James (Ya’acov), and John (Yochanan) up into a high mountain and
was transfigured before them. Matthew 17:1-4: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up
into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did
shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there
appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and
said unto Jesus, Lord it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elijah." This well establishes a repeating pattern given to us by God that after 6,000 years (the end of the Olam Hazeh), there will be a resurrection of the dead and the Bride of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus will rule and reign with Him during the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo). The transfigured forms of Jesus, Moses and Elijah are representative of the newly resurrected form the saints shall acquire as they enter in the New Millennium. Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles is the celebration of the forth coming Messianic Age. Again, the first resurrection of the faithful dead and living entering into the New Millennium (a.k.a. seventh day of rest) under Christ’s rule will be a fulfillment of the seventh feast. When this occurs, the 6000-year redemption plan of God will be complete and God will enter a figurative day of rest lasting 1000 years on earth. There will be no more wars, no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more hunger and no more bloodshed. There will at last be true peace on earth and the surviving remnants of humanity (the Nations) will heal and the land will be at rest. The earth will be quite a different place during the Millennium – even the beasts of the field will live tranquil lives. I picture in my mind an utter utopia, one that men have long dreamed of. It is noteworthy to mention here that after Peter answered Jesus saying, “let us make three tabernacles;” The voice of GOD spoke loud and clear rebuking the disciples for such nonsense admonishing them to listen only to Jesus in whom the Father of Heaven was well pleased. When God’s voice rang out from the bright cloud above, they became very afraid and planted their faces in the dirt. This description of their reaction suggests that the voice of God was no less fearsome to them as it was to the people below Mt. Sinai when Moses was speaking with God receiving the Ten Commandments. God also admonished Moses when he wanted to erect a tabernacle; God of Israel spoke and said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern, which was shown you on the mountain.” (Ex 25:40, Heb 8:5) The parallelism between the Transfiguration of Christ and Moses on Mt. Sinai is striking and also revealing of a repeating pattern. Here, the unchanging message of God in the Old Testament is the same in the New Testament. THE RESURRECTION OF LAZARUSThe resurrection of Lazarus also took place over a six-day period. Lazarus was reported sick for two days in John 11:1-6 “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard that, he said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” Then following his sickness, Lazarus died and was dead a total of four days. Jesus appeared to delay His coming to Lazarus but showed up after six days and performed one of His most stunning miracles. John 11:39-44 “Jesus said, Take
ye away the stone. Martha, the
sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh:
for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God? Then
they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus
lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee
that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of
the people which stand by I said it, which they may believe that thou hast sent
me. And when he thus had spoken,
he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound
hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin.
Jesus saith unto them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
Amazingly, another exact representation is given to us by God that after 6,000 years (the end of the Olam Hazeh), there will be a resurrection of the dead. This last 1,000-year period is the "final day" (Psalm 90:4, II Peter 3:8) of the 7,000-year plan of the God of Israel. The following conversation between Martha, the sister of Lazarus, and the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is very revealing. She knew that the resurrection of the dead would take place in the "last day." In John (Yochanan) 11:21-27: "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been
here, my brother had not died. But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt
ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again. Martha
saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in
me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe
that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the
world." The above account not only proves the timing of God’s planned resurrection for His children but also indicates that He will appear to delay. In one of Jesus’ parables where the ten virgins are waiting for the Bridegroom to let them in for the marriage feast, scripture indicates they feel this same sense of delay. More striking is the fact that these two passages deal specifically with resurrection and marriage where many other passages are essentially symbolic showing familiar repeating patterns. Notice too all the relatives and friends gathered about Lazarus’s tomb weeping and mourning. This is a visible sign of little faith and so shall it be with many awaiting the first resurrection. Many will have believed in a “pretribulation rapture” thinking that they would escape difficult times and when they find themselves still waiting while undergoing great persecution and tribulation - their faith will dwindle and they will become weak minded because the Lord will appear to delay in His coming. In the parable of the 10 virgins, only half were allowed into the feast. How many will receive their new bodies when the first resurrection comes to pass? LANDS, SLAVE LABOR AND UNPAID DEBTSThe God of Israel has used the
numbers two, three, four, six and seven many times over throughout the Old Testament recordings and
in the laws and ritual practices. There was also to be a rest for the land and
after six years of cultivating, it would
rest a seventh. Leviticus 25:4 “but in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the
land, a Sabbath unto Jehovah: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune
thy vineyard.” God also declared in the Torah that a Hebrew servant was to
work for six years and on the seventh year he was to be
freed. Exodus (Shemot) 21:2:"If thou buy a
Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve:
and in the seventh he shall go out free
for nothing." Any unpaid debts or loans were also to be forgiven
if there were any unpaid balances after forty-nine years. Debt would be
forgiven in the fiftieth year (Jubilee) giving the indebted a kind of financial
rest. A Jubilee occurs after every cycle of seven times seven
equaling forty-nine years. Wouldn’t it be nice if that were so today? Anyone
under obligation, whether pecuniary or moral, Mt 23:16; Ro 1:14; Gal 5:3, is
said to be a debtor. If a house, cattle, or goods of a Hebrew could not satisfy
or meet his debts, his land might be appropriate for repayment of a debt until
the year of Jubilee, or his person might be reduced into servitude until his
debt was paid by his labor, or until the year of Jubilee, which terminated
Hebrew bondage in all cases, Le 25:29-41; 2Ki 4:1; Ne 5:3-5. Remember Christ’s
instruction on praying properly to our Heavenly Father: Matthew 6:12 “And forgive
us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The
year of Jubilee is very significant in our release of bondage and receiving
back our liberty. As we forgive others so are we also forgiven according to
Christ. Is a man who cannot forgive ever forgiven? ADAM’S SIN AND PUNISHMENTHere is another account given to us by God ordaining punishment for Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). This account suggests that man would be a slave to the earth for 6,000 years (until the end of the Olam Hazeh). Afterward, man would be freed from his bondage to the earth and would enjoy the peace (shalom) of the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo). Adam’s bondage to the earth was a punishment administered by God the Creator because of his sin in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). For 6000 years, men would labor with their hands and women would labor in childbirth. Genesis 3:17-19: "And unto
Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast
eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, thou shalt not eat of it:
cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days
of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou
shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou
art, and unto dust shalt thou return." This becomes another foretelling example and is evidence of mankind being under the bondage of sin (John 8:34, Romans 6:16) and the slavery of Satan’s kingdom for 6,000 years because Adam sinned and yielded to the temptation of the serpent (Nachash) in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). Afterward, man would be free from the slavery of Satan’s kingdom during the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo). This will be a time when Satan is bound (Revelation 20:2) and the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus would rule and reign for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4) teaching the Laws of God to all the healing nations from Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). The prophesy of this forth coming
event is still yet to be fulfilled as recorded in Isaiah 2:2-4 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the
LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye,
and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob;
and he will teach us of his ways, and we
will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of
the LORD from Jerusalem. And he
shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall
beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” KING JOASH WAS SIX YEARS IN HIDINGKing Joash was hidden for six years in the Temple (Beit HaMikdash). At the beginning of
the seventh year, King Joash was
crowned King over Israel. II Kings 11:1-4, 21: "And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah
saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba,
the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah,
and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him,
even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not
slain. And he was with her hid in the
house of the Lord six years. And Athaliah did reign over the
land. And the seventh year Jehoiada
sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and
brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant with
them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord, and showed them the king’s son … seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign." The story of King Joash indicates a type of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In traditional Jewish thought (house of Judah), the Messiah (Mashiach) is one of the seven things created before the creation of the world and the timing of His coming or the redemption is also one of the seven things which are hidden from man (Talmud, Pesachim 54). Therefore, King Joash is a Messianic type given to us by the God of Israel teaching us that the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach), Yeshua/Jesus, would be hid from ruling and reigning on the earth (physically) as King (Zechariah 14:9) for 6,000 years (the end of the Olam Hazeh). Here again we have another indicator that mankind must wait six days of God’s timetable for our Messiah’s return. After He has put an end to all His enemies on earth and put Satan away in prison, He will take His rightful place upon a throne in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) at the beginning of the seventh day governing all the Nations as King of kings and Lord of lords. (Zechariah 14:9, Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 19:11-16). SIX STEPS TO KING SOLOMON’S THRONEHow many of you know that King Solomon (Shlomo) had six steps to his throne and the seventh step was his throne? In II Chronicles 9:18: "And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays." This becomes a Messianic blueprint of the progression of time up a stairway of six steps (6,000 years of time known as the Olam Hazeh) until we reach that seventh step (the Messianic Age/Athid Lavo) when the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus will take His rightful place as King of kings and Lord of lords (Zechariah 14:9, Revelation 19:11-16). THE MARRIAGE IN CANAMany Christians recall the
marriage in Cana of Galilee as the event where Jesus turned the water into a
fine wine. That indeed has its own significance but I want to show you another
interesting parallel outlined for us in the Book of John beginning in John 1:19 through John 2:1. These passages outline events taking place over the course of four days as outlined by John. Remember the disciples and Jesus was invited to attend the wedding in Cana? It is significant here that when Jesus did arrive, He came to the wedding feast after four days of being recognized by John the Baptist. Jesus arrived at the wedding in Cana when it was in its third day of celebration. This event described by John is spiritually representative of the seventh day when Christ will be married to His chosen Bride. In verse 1:19, John begins by
saying this is his testimony “when the Jews sent to him various priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to inquire, “Who
are you?” This was day 1. In verse 1:29, John indicates the next day when
he saw Jesus coming to him prompting John to confess with his mouth “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world!” This was day 2. In verse 1:35, another day
followed when John was standing with two more of his own disciples and then
shouted making the same announcement causing his two disciples to follow after
Jesus. This was day 3. In verse 1:43, Jesus purposed to “go into Galilee.” While on that journey, He took to Himself
additional disciples saying to them, “Follow Me.” This was day 4. In verse 2:1, Jesus arrives in Cana of
Galilee on the third day of the wedding feast. The first four days described
are representative of the first 4000 years (four days) of time between Adam and Christ. The arrival of Jesus to
the wedding on the third day is
clearly symbolic of the forthcoming marriage of the Lamb. John testifies in
verse 2:11 that this marked the beginning of His signs and miracles bringing
glory to His name. After the wedding, Jesus and His disciples went into
Capernaum, stayed a few days and then traveled directly to Jerusalem for the
first Passover with His disciples. This was when Jesus cleansed the Temple
disrupting the “money changers” lives
and vocation. After the fourth day, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus will go forth into all Galilee. The word Galilee (1551) in Hebrew means "a circle." A circle is a synonym for heaven. These four days which include the beginning of time marked as “Day 1” are a spiritual blueprint given to us by God that the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus would come to the earth after being in heaven/circle (Olam Haba) 4,000 years from the creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). John 2:1 describes a marriage in Cana of Galilee on the third day. This third day (after the four previous days) is the seventh day. On this day, there is a wedding. This is one of the strongest indicators given to us by God that after 6,000 years of time (the end of the Olam Hazeh) He will enter into the fullness of the marriage with His people when the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus will rule and reign with His Bride during the Messianic Age (Athid Lavo). In traditional Jewish thought (house of Judah), the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) is the day of the fullness of the wedding of the God of Israel with His people. CROSSING THE RIVER JORDANThe story of Joshua crossing over the River Jordan with the children of Israel is yet another repeating pattern of the first 6,000 years of time known as the Olam Hazeh or “the present age.” In this story Joshua also becomes another messianic type we see represented time and again in our Bibles. Remember too that the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years prior to their crossing over into the Promised Land. Joshua 3:1-3 “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim,
and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before
they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; And they
commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the
LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove
from your place, and go after it.” After three days (Day 4), the children of Israel cross the Jordan. In this Scripture passage, Joshua (Yehoshua) is a type of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. Joshua (3091) is Yehoshua in the Hebrew language. Jesus (2424) in the Greek dictionary of the New Testament is Brit Hadashah and corresponds to the Hebrew name Joshua or Yehoshua. Joshua became the leader of the children of Israel after the death of Moses (Moshe) and led God’s chosen people to enter into the Promised Land. These four days are once again a spiritual blueprint patterned for us by God. He is a picture and likeness of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus coming to the earth 4,000 years (four days) after the creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). His purpose was to lead all those who would put their faith, (trust) and confidence (emunah) in Him to lead them into the Promised Land of the Messianic Kingdom. According to Joshua 3:3-4, There is a space of 2,000 cubits between the Ark of the Covenant and the children of Israel. These 2,000 cubits are yet another indicator given to us by God representing to us a distance or space of time that Jews would be separated from their Messiah. The house of Judah as a corporate body have indeed removed themselves from the God of Israel’s spiritual ark of the covenant (the Jewish Messiah [Mashiach] Yeshua/Jesus) for 2,000 years following the first coming of Yeshua/Jesus as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph). These repeating patterns of numbers are extraordinary evidence of what would later become signs of prophetic fulfillment. At the end of 6,000 years of time (Olam Hazeh), the Jewish people as a corporate nation will receive a new heart and accept Yeshua/Jesus as their Messiah (Mashiach). Remember
Hosea’s prophetic word? In Hosea 5:15, 6:1-3: "I
will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek
my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Come and let us
return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten,
and he will bind us up. After two days
[2,000 years from the Messiah’s first coming] will he revive us: in the third day [the Messianic Age/Athid Lavo] he will raise us up, and we shall
live in his sight. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord: his
going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the
rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." Joshua 3:5 “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” The “tomorrow” is significant because it represents the space or distance of Judah from the spiritual Ark of the Covenant in likeness to Judah’s hardened hearts and rejection of Christ Jesus for 2000 years. Then in Joshua 3:7 “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” This prophetically spoke of God’s faithfulness towards them despite what would become their own faithlessness. The “tomorrow” and “this day” then becomes a spiritual pattern of the four days from Adam and Eve to the first coming of Christ the Savior plus the two days of their Messianic rejection equaling a 6000 year time span before the promised Resurrection – Judgement and Day of Rest. After 6,000 years (Olam Hazeh / the present age), the Lord will magnify the sight of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus in the sight of all of Israel during the time of Jacob’s (Ya’acov’s) trouble. See the promise in Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” So though we know the promised tribulation will be great as formerly prophesied, the children of Israel and the house of Judah will be saved from out of the promised tribulation of the Messiah (Chevlai shel Mashiach). SummaryIf there ever were a time for the children of God to prepare for the rest of God’s fulfillment, it would be moreso now than ever before. In order for a full restoration to come to both the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (all Christianity), Christianity must replace their traditional understanding of time based upon dispensationalism (age of law/age of grace) with the 7,000-year redemptive plan God. Dispensationalism has done more to damage Christian understanding than any other deception ravaging the Church of God. The eternal Word of God has always held the answers but humanity is still largely full of unbelief and has always sought easier paths to salvation. Few want to acknowledge and embrace the same suffering that Jesus underwent for their sanctification. Additionally, the house of Judah (Judaism) needs to realize that their Jewish Messiah (Mashiach), Yeshua/Jesus, came to the earth 4,000 years following the creation of Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden) as the suffering Messiah known as Messiah ben Yosef (Joseph) at the exact time when they were expecting the God of Israel to send the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach). His completed sacrifice has done more for them than they realize. Few understand that their rejection of the Jewish Messiah over the last two millennium also became as it were - prophesy fulfilled. Throughout this Scroll repeating patterns are seen in how God has dealt with humanity. Four thousand years from Adam to Christ is like a rain occurring for forty days to flood the earth cleansing it of sin. We’ve seen the example of Moses being in the presence of God on the Mountain for 40 days and the tribes wandering through the wilderness for forty years cleansing the former generations which again is not unlike Christ wandering through the desert after His baptism for forty days overcoming the temptations He faced. These patterns are all representatives of the four days on God’s clock giving humanity four thousand years to be introduced to Yahweh, the God of Israel, His Laws and then to learn the path of sanctification. The fifth day of God’s timetable saw the introduction of Israel’s Messiah and humanity’s redeemer. But Judah rejected their Messiah and as the Old Testament Prophets indicated, the Gentiles would be invited into God’s New Covenant. But the story doesn’t end there because the prophets like Isaiah and Hosea understood there were to be two more days of suffering and discipline before the children of God would be taken up and delivered from their torment. These two days have nearly come to pass and are known as “the time of the Gentiles.” There has been almost two thousand years (two days) of time passed since Christ’s baptism shortly after which He read from the Scroll of Isaiah proclaiming the acceptable year of the LORD. Hosea proclaimed the third day as that time when they would ever be with the LORD. That third day is yet another one thousand years prophesied to be the millennial rule of Christ, which would become the “Day of Rest” for God. Peace on earth will be restored and the devil will be imprisoned for that period of time. Even the death and resurrection of Christ became another telling likeness of how long it would be before the prophesied first resurrection would take place. As Jesus was resurrected on the morning of the third day so too will all God’s faithful children be resurrected on the morning of the third day of God’s time clock. These four days prior to Christ and the three days following Christ are the seven-day redemption plan of God. That seven days on God’s clock is quite literally seven thousand years to mankind. We are quite literally on the verge of seeing the rest of the scriptures fulfilled. The clock is ticking and the end of the sixth day is near! The
Spirit of God in me asks, “We are in the last hours, even moments of the second day and soon the third day will dawn. What happens on the
morning of the third day oh son of man?” By His
grace and command – You’re faithful servant and Godfearing brother in Christ, Nicholas
A. Stivers, a humbled God fearing man, scribe and messenger.
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