The pre-tribulation and post tribulation raptures

My belief system is changing somewhat since I wrote this, as I am focusing on the historical view first and then the symbolic.

In teaching on end time events, I realize that there was an initial fulfillment of them in 70 A.D.

 Mark 13:3- Peter, James, John and Andrew came to Jesus privately, asking him when these things shall be fulfilled.

Mark 13:30 Jesus told them when they see these things come to pass, that this generation speaking of the generation of Peter, James, John and Andrew shall not pass, till all these things be done.

Mark 13:20 it says unless the Lord shortened those days no flesh would be saved. This has not come to pass yet,

In 70 A.D it dealt with Jerusalem and the temple, not all flesh-people.

Prophecy has a dual fulfillment, there is an initial fulfillment in the time it was given, but also a total fulfillment to come in the future, in the end of the age in which we are living.

How does Jesus’ return. Is it all at once, in stages, etc.? Does He come secretly, visibly, or what? And what about the “rap­ture”? Is it scriptural? Are Christians to be taken or left? And if taken, where to? And for how long?

There are three comings of Jesus recorded in the scriptures.

1-The Coming of Jesus TO His saints and IN His saints.

2-The Coming of Jesus FOR His saints.

3-The Coming of Jesus WITH His saints,

The apostle John on the isle of Patmos had unveiled to him in symbolic and prophetic vision what he chose to call “The Rev­elation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1).

Jesus said, when promising anoth­er Comforter in the person of the Holy Spirit, “I will not leave you comfortless: I WILL COME TO YOU” (John 14:18).  

But the Lord’s coming TO the church is NOT His only coming. He will also come FOR His saints. And there is a final coming of the Lord Jesus expressed in the words of Jude in the 14th verse of his book: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes WITH ten thousands of his saints’.”

The glorified saints also return with Him in His final descent, as in Rev. 19:14 the “armies” of heaven follow Him to earth.

Mt. 24:37-41, speaks of some being taken and others left.

So often the truth is missed because our English trans­lations do not give the distinction between different Greek words that are used.

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, mar­rying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

WATCH THEREFORE: for you know not what hour your Lord comes” (Mt. 24:38-42).

Two different Greek words are used for took and taken

The Greek word translated “took” in the first instance, where it speaks of the fact that he “took them all away” (in judgment), is an en­tirely different Greek word than that used in the verses follow­ing where He says that “one shall be taken, and the other left. ”  

Strongs: #142, Greek, AIRO: “to lift; by implication, to take up or away; away with, put away, remove, take.” This is the Greek word that is used in Mt. 24:39 where it says that God “took them (the wicked) all away.”

It is the same word used in Lk. 19:26 where of the “wicked servant” it is said that “even that which he has shall be taken away from him.”

Strongs: #3880, Greek, PARALAMBANO: “to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by anal. to assume an office; receive, take (unto, with).”

And this is the word used in Mt. 24:40-41 where it says that “one shall be taken, and the other left.” Here it is not the wicked being taken away in judgment, but rather Christians who are READY being taken to be near Jesus in intimate relationship, to be associated with Him in a particular work or ministry, where they will “assume an office “or function in His consummating plan for this age. Note the following other scriptures where this Greek word is used.

Mt. 1:20:”…fear not to take to you Mary your wife.”

Mt. 2:24: “…and (Joseph) took to himself his wife.”

Lk. 9:28: “He (Jesus) took Peter, John, James, and went. . .”

Mt. 26:37: “…and He (Jesus) took with him Peter.”

All indicate a taking or receiving to a person for an intimate re­lation and purpose.

Immediately following His statement that some would be taken and others left, Jesus gives the admonition, “Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord comes.” Mt. 24:42. 

Now WHY the admonition to “watch” if the Lord is only talking about the wicked being taken away? But if, as we have pointed out, the Lord is warning Christians lest they be left behind when He comes to take some to Himself, THEN the admonition to watch makes sense.

All we have to do is to con­tinue to read the verses following the admonition (24:43-51), to get a clearer understanding.

 “But know this, that if the goodman (head) of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have permitted his house to be broken up.

Therefore BE YOU ALSO READY: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes” (Mt. 24:43-44).

Thus Jesus is coming to break into the household of the church to TAKE those who are READY, and leave others behind.

The same thought is presen­ted under a different analogy in 24:45-51 as the faithful and wise servant who is ready when the Lord comes, is contrasted with the unfaithful and careless servant who is to be “cut asun­der” (separated from those who are ready by being left behind), so that his portion (during the tribulation) will be appointed with the hypocrites.

The whole context of the passage has to be studied to grasp the signifi­cance of some being taken and others being left because of READINESS, as well as STRATEGY in dealing with the house­hold of the church.

Coming TO His Saints

We need to understand each phase of the Lord’s coming. First, we need to see that there is a spiritu­al coming of the Lord TO His church through the personal min­istry of the Holy Spirit.

Our authority for this is found in John 14:15-18, where Jesus promises another Comforter, and then He says: “I WILL COME TO YOU.”

Jesus was very clear in His teaching on the Holy Spirit in John, chaps. 14-16, that this one who was to be sent was HIS personal representative, acting on HIS behalf, and communicating HIS life, truth, presence, etc. to HIS disciples (see particularly John 16:13-15). By means of the personal ministry of the Holy Spirit, HE would always be with them, to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5).

Suddenly coming.

God had spoken through the prophet Malachi concerning HIS COMING to His people in these words: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple” (Mal.3:l).

This was first fulfilled when God in human flesh came to the Jews in the person of Jesus. The messenger who prepared the way was John the Baptist.

 In the early part of His ministry, Jesus came suddenly to the tem­ple at Jerusalem and cleansed it of the money changers (John 2:13-17).

Holy Spirit came suddenly came on the day of Pentecost.

The disciples who had gathered in the upper room to wait for the “promise of the Father” (Acts 1:4) had become, through the previous receiving of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), His spiritual TEMPLE. This is when they were born again- Jesus breathed into them the Holy Spirit.

But Jesus was yet to COME to that temple in order to endue and fill it with power and glory. This was to be accom­plished through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1-2: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And SUDDENLY there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” Thus in fulfillment of Mal. 3:1, Jesus suddenly came to His spiritual temple when the Holy Spirit was out poured upon the waiting disciples. This is when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire. The baptism of fire is lacking today in most Pentecostal, but is being restored. I have a series of messages on it-go to categories on my website.

Second Pentecost.

There must, however, be a second Pentecost in order to bring forth an end-time harvest. The outpour­ing of God’s Spirit in the Scriptures is likened to the falling of rain (Isa, 44:3, 32:15). 

The Lord had promised the Israelites that if they would obey His commandments. He would give them rain for their land in its season, “the first rain and the latter rain” (Deut. 11:14).

 The first, or early, rain came in the fall of the year, after the long hot summer, in order to soften the ground that they might plow the soil and plant the grains before the winter came.

 The latter rain came in the spring in order to increase in size the grain and bring the crops to maturity for harvest.

That which God established in the natural is designed by Him to pattern His workings in the spiritual realm. First the natural and then the spiritual (1 Cor. 15:46), with the natural becom­ing a type of the spiritual.

 Thus we know that for God to be true to His word, there MUST be a latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the HARVEST of this age to be brought forth.

This latter outpouring is Jesus coming to be glorified in his saints and admired in all those who believe (2 Thessalonians 1:10) this happens during a time of judgement before the tribulation, when people look to the Lord because of all the judgements happening in the earth.

This is the first rapture and the beginning of the tribulation for three and a half years, when those who were not ready go and get more oil, so they will be ready for the second rapture, as I will show latter.

That which came on the disciples in the upper room as recorded in Acts 2 was only the first, or early, rain, in order that the gospel seed might be sown.

We are now coming to the end of this church age which is the time of the latter rain and harvest. Mt. 13:39 makes it clear that the harvest is the end of the age.

The Husbandman.

In James 5:7-8, God is likened to a husbandman who “waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.”

Then follows the admonition, “Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming (presence, second Pentecost) of the Lord draws near.”

This scripture indicates that the Lord cannot receive the full fruit of the earth (the final harvest) apart from the “latter rain,” and with patience does He wait for the time of that fruit to come.

There are two other scriptures from the Old Testament to indicate the Lord’s coming TO His people in a latter rain outpouring. 

The first is Joel 2:23: “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for he has given you the former rain moderately, and He WILL CAUSE TO COME down for you the rain, the former rain, AND the latter rain in the first month. “

Then in Hos. 6:1-3 we have the following admonition and promise: “Come, and let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has 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 TO US as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth.”

 We are now in the dawning period of this third day, and the Lord is beginning to come to His church as the rain.

But first it is a restoration of the former rain, coming down now moderately, according to Joel 2:23. But the full intensity of the former rain is to be restored, as well as the latter rain be­ing added to it.

The Coming of Jesus FOR His Saints.

Jesus’ promise in John 14:3 that He would come again and RECEIVE His own to Himself, refers to our access to the heavenly places in Christ. We now have access to come boldly to the throne of grace to ascend into the spirit realm, because our spirit already dwells there.

In the parable of the pounds recorded in Lk. 19:1-27. Verse 12 tells of a certain nobleman (symbolizing Himself) who “went into a far country to RECEIVE FOR HIMSELF a kingdom, and to RETURN.”

This is in harmony with the Greek word paralambano which we examined earlier as used in Mt. 24:40, which means “to RECEIVE NEAR.”

 As we examine the scriptures, however, the evidence points to the fact that Christ will receive His saints to Himself in TWO groups, separated by a period of time.

 Re­member that the word church means the “called out ones.” Just as we have been spiritually called out of the “Egypt” of this world, so will the saints of the true church be literally “called out” of the present earthly conditions, putting on immortal, incorruptible and glorified bodies, which will no longer be sub­ject to the limitations of the physical realm. 

Christ cannot “receive” for himself a kingdom (people) unless their bodies are changed into the likeness of His glorious body, so that they can function in the heavenly realm where He is, and also manifest or appear in the physical realm as He did after His resurrection.

There are a number of scriptural illustrations which can clarify this truth of the two-fold church, or the church being received in two groups.

1.  Wise and Foolish virgins (Mt. 25:1-13).

2.  Children and Friend (Luke 11:5-8).

3.  Feeding of 5,000 and 4,000 (Mt. 14:15-21, 1529-39).

4.  Firstfruits and Harvest (Rev. 14:1-5, 14-16).

5.  Woman and Manchild (Rev. 12:1-17).

6.  Martha and Mary (John 11:1-32).

7.  Enoch and Elijah (Gen. 5:22-24, II Kings 2:11-12).

8.    Noah and Lot (Luke 1726-37).

9.  Daniel and Three Companions (Dan. 2:48-49, 3:10-27).

10.  Queen and Virgins (Psalm 45:9-16).

11.   Bride and Those Called (Rev. 19:7-9).

12.   ” You” and “They” (Luke 12:35-36).

13.  Second and Third watches (Luke 12:37-40),

14.  Jesus’ First and Second Ascensions (John 20:17, Acts 1:9).

15.   Faithful and Unfaithful Servants (Luke 12:41-48).

16.   Peter, James, John and Rest of Disciples (Mt. 17:1-18).

17.    Overcomers and Churches (Rev., chaps. 2 & 2).

As you can see, there are two contrasting groups in each Biblical illustration, and/or there are two distinct events or episodes which demonstrate the same pattern.

Christians have so often fought over pre-tribulation and post-tribulation rapture theories, each finding scriptural support for their beliefs, with most causing division of opinion to one point of view or the other.

 But very few ever seem to realize that there is some truth to both positions. We need to “unify” all scriptures in a beautiful picture of God’s end-time plan, which clearly shows that some (a small number) will be translated before the tribulation for the purpose of strategy, as well as to fulfill a certain “role; in the kingdom” and that a much greater num­ber will be translated at the close of the tribulation. For contrary to traditional teaching, the tribulation period will see the greatest revival in human history. Even those transla­ted first will minister on the earth at that time.

Wise and Foolish.

Let us take a look first at a parable which vividly portrays the truth of some being taken and others left behind.

 In Mt. 25:1-13 we have the story of the TEN VIRGINS, of whom five were wise, and five foolish. All went out to meet the Bridegroom, but the wise took extra oil with them, so that when the Bridegroom tarried they did not run out.

The foolish did not take extra oil and were found wanting at the midnight hour when the Bridegroom finally came. The wise were taken into the marriage, but the foolish were left behind, as expressed in Mt. 25:10: “they that were READY went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”

ALL ten were VIRGINS. Thus they all portrayed as born-again Christians who have been “ESPOUSED to Christ” (II Cor. 11:2). This is further shown by the fact that all ten had lamps (a type of the Word of God, and our spirit) and oil in their lamps (a type of the Holy Spirit or anointing).

The wise simply had EXTRA oil with them (a type of the FURTHER WORK of the Holy Spirit in the BAPTISM of the Holy Spirit and fire and subsequent purifying and prep­arations by that same Spirit).

Are you ready?

MORE is required to be READY to be taken by the Lord than simply being a born-again believer.

There is an abundance of scripture to show that salvation is sim­ply the lifting of the death penalty, giving the spirit of a person eternal life now by receiving the gift of God’s grace.

But just WHERE the believer will live in heaven and what level of glory will he attain to depends upon how much they have been conformed to the Image of Christ.

I Cor. 15: ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. ⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead^.

Those who rule in his kingdom are the Overcomers.(Rev. 2:26-28, 3:2!).

All Christians are now espoused to Christ in new covenant relationship through the new birth, but only a select group out of the espoused ones will be TAKEN (even as the wise virgins) to become the heavenly BRIDE of Christ, for the bride is one who makes herself READY (Rev. 19:7).

Even though the foolish virgins in the parable were left behind when the Lord came as the Bridegroom, it is quite evident that they did secure that extra oil they needed (even though too late to be taken at the midnight hour). And this is what vast numbers of Christians left behind will be doing during the tribulation period: getting that extra oil and getting READY for the Lord’s return to take them at the close of the tribulation, to become his wedding guests.

Children and Friend.

Another parable which is closely related to that of the wise and foolish virgins is the “friend at midnight” as recorded in Lk. 11:5-8.

Both parables deal with a crisis at the midnight hour. The foolish virgins were without oil at the midnight hour, and a certain man was without bread. In both parables we find that “a door was shut” (Indicating a lost op­portunity because of lack of preparedness). In both parables there were some on the inside of the shut door, indicating that they were taken in before the door was shut.

The wise virgins were taken in, and in the parable of Lk. 11:7 we read of the Friend (Jesus) saying to the one on the outside: “Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed.” “In bed” with Jesus would indicate that place of REST and INTIMACY which will be experienced after translation and glorifi­cation into His realm to be with Him.

This parable illustrates again that some will be taken first to be with the Lord and oth­ers left behind. But this parable adds a clarifying and hopeful detail with reference to those left behind.

Although the man without bread found the door shut when He went to his friend (Jesus) to get the bread he so desperately needed, he continued in importunity asking, seeking, knocking (see Lk. 11:9-10 which immediately follows the parable), until he got what he sought so intently for.

Three loaves.

Because of his importunity (persistence) the man in the parable receives the assurance that his friend (Jesus) will “rise and give him as many as he needs ” (Lk. 11:8); but since in vs. 5, he specifically asks for three loaves, we can assume that is what he received.

The “three loaves” are a veiled reference to the three categories of Christians as given in Mk. 4:28—the 30 fold-outer court, 60 fold-holy place and 100 fold-throne room.   Since the man in the parable who needed bread asked for three loaves, it portrays to us that he was not going to be satisfied with the 30 or 60 fold stages of Christian experience, but wanted that “third loaf-the 100 fold estate.

 Only the 100 fold will be translated into the heavenly realm to be with Christ, so this parable vividly portrays the intensity with which all Christians who are left be­hind when some are taken at the midnight hour, will seek the Lord Jesus (their Friend) and with importunity cry out for Him to meet them with the baptism of fire and other dealings and preparations that will be necessary to be taken at the close of the tribulation.

Feeding of 5,000 and 4,000.

One of the most interesting pic­tures of two gatherings is in two similar miracles which Jesus performed, in Mt. 14:15 we read of the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Jesus fed this multitude with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.

 The miracle took place near the Sea of Galilee. Galilee means “a circle,” and is a picture of the circuitous area of the whole earth.

To us it speaks of Jesus’ ministry throughout this age as the bread of life has been broken to multitudes throughout the whole earth, and as they have partaken of the benefits of His plan of salvation (symbolized by the fish—which speaks of the mystery of regeneration).

But notice, after the multitudes were fed, there was a gathering up of the fragments that remained. This speaks of those who remain (are still alive) at the coming of the Lord.

They shall be “gathered” to the Lord through translation, even as we read in II Thess. 2:1 of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him.” this refers to the first gathering,

The feeding of the 4,000 is the second gathering, for we read of another gather­ing in the feeding of the 4,000, which we will look at shortly.

In Mt. 14:20 we read that the fragments taken up filled twelve baskets.  Notice that number 12, for it is the key number in speaking to us of the First fruits who will be gathered first.

In Rev. 14:1 the first fruits are symbolized by 144,000. But please note that this number is the multiple of 12 x 12,000; confirming that 12 is the first fruits number. Also the Greek word for “basket” in Mt. 14:20 means a small wicker hand basket. This is important as we will see when we examine the next miracle.

Contrast.

I will now show some contrasts between the feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000.

The latter miracle is recorded in Mt. 15:32-39. It also took place near the sea of Galilee in a “wilderness” place, it is important to notice that this miracle took place sometime after the other one, so that the “gathering” of the fragments pictured here would speak to us of a gathering of saints which takes place later than the first gathering.

The “wilderness” place (15:33) could speak to us of the great tribulation period, which great numbers of Christians will find themselves going through after the first fruits have been taken, for in Rev. 12:6 we see the remaining church going into the wilderness. 

 In the feeding of the 4,000 there are seven baskets of fragments taken up. The num­ber 7 is symbolic of completeness or fullness.

Thus this miracle speaks to us of the close of the tribulation when the FULL and complete gathering of the church takes place (in contrast to a small part only—the first fruits—being taken earlier).

The Greek word for “basket” in Mt. 15:37 means a large basket, the word basket in Mt. 14:20 mean’s a small basket.

Thus the 7 baskets taken up after the feeding of the 4,000 would be a much larger amount of fragments than the 12 baskets taken up after the feeding of the 5,000. Again, con­firming the fact that the great host to be taken after the tribu­lation is a much larger group than the firstfruits taken earlier.

Numbers.

The numbers also speak further to us when we see the contrast between the “5” in the feeding of the 5,000, and the “4” in the feeding of the 4,000. Five is the number of freedom through the grace of God. The number four has to do with the earth- Four seasons.

Thus the fragments taken after the feeding of the 5,000 speak to us of the first fruits who shall enter into a full freedom FIRST, being released from the earthly into the heavenly through translation into a glorified body.

The frag­ments taken after the feeding of the 4,000 speak to us of those who must remain on EARTH during the tribulation, that the full­ness of fruit might be developed in them during that time. Then they shall be ready to be gathered after the tribulation.

In John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, we read in chap. 6:9, that the loaves used to feed the multitudes and gathered in fragments at the close were ” barley loaves.”

This is a further confirmation that these frag­ments symbolize the first fruits, for barley ripens and is ready for harvest before the wheat.

In the feeding of the four thous­and, the loaves were wheat.

Barley was par­ticularly used to make bread for the poor, and this speaks of that which we read in Isa. 66:2, “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” Jesus’ first blessing was on the “poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3).

First fruits and Harvest.

Having mentioned the “first fruits” in the feeding of the 5,000, we will now look at the scriptural background for the offering of first fruits preceding the main harvest.

For the law of the first fruits was clearly set forth to the Israelites in the Old Testament; namely, that the first of all the fruit of the earth was to be put in  a basket and  was to be dedicated to the Lord in a special way.

Deut. 26:1-12 gives the instructions of how each family was to bring a bas­ket of their first fruits and give it to the priest as the Lord’s rep­resentative.

 Also Lev. 23:10-14 gives the instructions for a special “firstfruits sheaf” of the barley harvest which was to be offered to the Lord at the time of the Passover festival in the spring of the year. 

They could not begin their harvest of the barley and other crops until the high priest had offered this first fruits sheaf to the Lord in a special ceremony. As the Lord of the harvest, God had to receive His special portion before the rest of the harvest could be reaped. This is a TYPE of God’s ways in His spiritual harvest of the church.

Jesus clearly states in Mt. 13:39 that His harvest comes at the close of this age.

 But before He can gather a great host into His barn- Mt. 13:30, He must receive to Himself first-fruits.  And this “first fruits” must be gathered out of the end-time harvest, to be translated without experiencing death.

Mystery revealed.

The preceding “mystery” is revealed to us in the book of Revelation.

We must keep in mind that when Jesus was on the earth. He either did not know, or was not permitted to reveal all the details of the Father’s plan. This is why the book of Revelation is an absolute MUST to get the whole picture.

 In Rev. 1:1, it is called “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to John (in addition to that which He spoke when on earth) to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass.”

 In the 14th chapter of Revelation we see both the first fruits and the rest of the harvest.

In Rev. 14:1-5, are the 144,000 first fruits standing with the Lamb on Mount Zion,” having been redeemed out from the earth.”

This can only mean that they are no longer on earth, but translated into the heavenly realm through having their bodies glorified.

Then follows in the rest of chapter fourteen we see the preaching of the gos­pel to all the earth, the judgment on Babylon, the warning about the mark of the beast, the wrath of God, the blessing on the martyrs who die at the hands of the Beast powers-all of which take place during the tribulation period.

AFTER these things, we see the Lord Himself in 14:14-16 with a sickle REAPING the REST of the harvest, gathering the remainder of the saints at the close of the tribulation.

Woman and Manchild.

The truth of a two-fold church is also clearly given to us in the 12th chap. of the book of Revelation.

 In 12:1-2 is recorded the vision of the woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

 We see a glorious church, symbolically pictured as a woman.

This woman is “with child”; and she gives birth to a male child which is caught up to the throne of God (12:2-5).

We see a comparison of the man-child in Revelation 12:5 with the Overcomers within the wom­an or church in Revelation 2:26-27.

 Their “birth” out of the church, being caught up to the throne of God, pictures their translation without the experience of death to the glorified estate AHEAD of the rest of the church.

That this takes place at the beginning of the tribulation is clear from 12:6 where we read that after the wom­an gives birth she goes into the “wilderness” for 1260 days.

This “wilderness “is none other than the great tribulation which Jesus describes in Mt. 24:21-22.

Rev. 12:7-17 describes the wrath of Satan at that time against the “woman” and her divine protec­tion by God.

Surely this makes plain the truth, and confirms the many other patterns, that a small group will be translated at the beginning of the tribulation, while the remainder and much larger body of Christians goes through the tribulation; emphasizing the truth of some being taken and others left.

Martha and Mary.

Another symbolic picture of the two-fold church given to us in the New Testament is that of the sisters: Martha and Mary. 

 I mention Martha first since she evidently was older, and more mature. This is portrayed by the fact that in Lk. 10:38 we read of Jesus and His disciples coming to the village of Bethany and “Martha received him into her house.”

Likewise she was taking charge of making preparations for the several tired and hungry travelers, while Mary, her sister, sat at Jesus’ feet.

Some have tried to deduce from this that Mary was the more spiritual one. However, close examination of the symbolism does not bear this out.

Mary represents the newer, more immature Christian, who is not ready to be “up and serv­ing” the Master.

Martha was rebuked by Jesus, not because she was serving—that was her responsibility as head of the house-but because she was burdened with having no help and critical of Mary for not giving her a hand.

 Martha’s approach to the Master and her words indicate that she was on intimate terms with Him, and evidently had herself sat at His feet much prev­ious to Mary’s coming to that point.

Mary, on the other hand, was no doubt a more recent “convert,” perhaps coming out of a life of deep sin. Therefore she needed to be at the Master’s feet at that time. Jesus said that she had chosen “that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:42).

This por­trays the “gift of eternal life” (Rom. 6:23) which shall not be taken away once it is given (Rom. 1129). Like Mary, we too who have received His gift of life, must always find time to “sit at His feet” and learn of Him; but we must also grow and mature to where we can also be “up and serving” like Martha. Both are necessary in our Christian experience.

Meeting Jesus.

Having clarified the above picture, we now proceed to the 11th chapter of John where again we see Jesus visiting the household of Bethany.

This time it was a crises situation. Martha and Mary had sent word for Jesus to come from some distance and four days had passed before He arrived. In the mean time Lazarus had died. Jesus had allowed this to happen because He purposed to glorify God by raising him from the dead.

Our purpose at this time is not to go into all of the details of this story, but to point out the prophetic pattern por­trayed by Martha, Mary and Lazarus. The name “Lazarus” means “whom God helps” and he is symbolic of the Jewish na­tion whom God has sworn to help, and which He is going to “raise up” to spiritual life (through their accepting of the Mes­siah) at the time of Jesus’ return to this earth.

Martha and Mary represent the two-fold church, one portion of which goes out to meet the Lord before the other.

John 11:20 says that “Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house.”

 Martha going out to meet the Master “outside the city” is a type of the first group of Christians being translated to meet the Lord before the trib­ulation begins; whereas Mary represents those left behind who go through the tribulation.

Martha calIs Mary.

After Martha had met Jesus outside the village, and had conversed with Him for a time, John 11:28 says that “she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying. The Master is come, and calls for you.”

This por­trays the fact that the Martha group will have a ministry in helping to prepare the Mary group for their translation.  No­tice that Martha talked to Mary secretly.   

After the Martha group has been translated, during the tribulation they will be engaged in appearing to Christians yet on the earth, to help them.

These appearing’s will be “secret”—that is, not known by the world.

Such appearing’s will be similar to the appearing’s of Jesus to His disciples after His resurrection and glorification.

Acts 1:3 says that Jesus was “seen of them forty days,” and He was “speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” So will the glorified saints of the Martha group appear during the great tribulation, for the number “40” is symbolic of testing.

Mary meets Jesus.

After being prepared by Martha, John 11:29 says that Mary “arose quickly, and came to him.” And verse 30 tells us that “Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.”

Mary met Jesus in the same place outside the town that Martha had met Him. WHY? We would ordinarily think that Jesus would have proceeded into the town with Martha after she had gone out to meet Him.

 But once we understand that every MOVE Jesus made portrays a part of His prophetic plan, then such details SPEAK to us.

Both Martha and Mary meeting Jesus OUTSIDE the town, speaks to us of saints meeting Jesus “in the air” (atmospheric region above the earth) BEFORE He comes TO the earth with those saints to fully manifest Himself.

But again, we notice two groups separated by time. Martha meeting Jesus first, and Mary later (but in the SAME place), so shall the two-fold church be.

When Martha went out to meet Jesus there is no record that anyone saw her go (John 11:20), but when Mary left, John 11:31 says that the Jews saw her leave. This again fits the pattern that when Jesus takes the first group of saints it is a secret maneuver, but when the second group is taken, they are seen ascending, headed by the two witnesses (Rev. 11:12).

Enoch and Elijah.

Facts and prophetic episodes relating to the New Testament church are TYPED in the Old Testament.

It is no accident that just TWO men were translated without experiencing death. They picture the two­fold church in this end time. 

Enoch is a type of those to be taken first, BEFORE the tribulation, because Enoch was trans­lated before the FLOOD came on the earth.

Enoch pictures those who are now “walking with God,” as he did (see Gen. 5:22-24). “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. “

 Heb. 11:5 declares that “by faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

In contrast to Enoch, Elijah pictures those who will be translated following the tribulation.

Elijah was on the earth when FIRE fell from heaven, and a great RAIN came (I Kings 18:38, 45), which symbolize the “second Pentecost” of the latter rain outpouring which is to come in its fullness  AFTER the Enoch group of Christians is translated.

Following this, Elijah went into the “wilderness,” where he was sustained supernaturally (I Kings 19:4-8), for a period of 40 days and nights. “Forty” is the number of testing, and speaks to us of the great trial of the tribulation period (Rev, 3:10), while the church is in the wilderness (Rev. 12:14).

Elijah was persecuted by King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel, who picture the end-time forces of the Beast and apostate religion coming against the true saints (Rev. 2:20, chap. 13 and chap. 17), es­pecially during the tribulation period.

Noah and Lot.

In Luke 17-26-32, Jesus connects the days of Noah and Lot together as picturing end-time conditions and the return of the Lord. 

Noah was taken into the ark BEFORE the floods of tribulation came, and was LIFTED UP above the wat­ers, even as the firstfruits will be “lifted up” by translation be­fore the tribulation.

Mt. 24:39 says that the people in Noah’s day “knew not “that Noah had been taken into the ark until the floods came. In other words, it was a secret maneuver and se­cret departure.

The name Noah means “rest”; and speaks to us of the rest obtained or entered into by a small elect body by means of the mystic “marriage “to the Lamb of God.

Like to Enoch, Noah “walked with God” (Gen, 6:9), and was called “a just man and perfect in his generations.” Thus he types those who are now “following the Lamb” (Rev. 14:4), waiting and ex­pecting to be secretly taken.

On the other hand, Lot did not live a separated life like to Noah, but in the midst of Sod­om and its wickedness (and this was something that he decided). Gen. 13:10-11.

Sodom means “scorched,” whereas her sister city, Gomorrah, means “submerged.” Lot lived in Sodom, not Gomorrah.

Thus he pictures those Christians who have lived free enough from the world so that they are not submerged in its sin and ways; but they have lived in close enough proximity to its ways that they have been scorched by it. Lot chose to live in Sodom even though his righteous soul was vexed by its wickedness (II Pet. 2:8).

Delivered from wrath.

Compromising Lot thus represents that group of Christians who must go through the tribulation, and be received of the Lord at its close.

Note that it is clear from Luke 17:29 that Lot and his family were delivered out of Sodom JUST BEFORE God rained fire on the city to destroy it. Then verse 30 says, “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is REVEALED.”

Jesus is not revealed “in flaming fire” to take vengeance (11 Thess. 1:7) until the very close of the tribulation. When He comes at the beginning of the tribulation it is as a “thief,” unseen except by that small group that he takes.

Some quote I Thess. 1:10 as evidence that Christians can­not go through the tribulation because they have been “deliv­ered from wrath to come.”

However, it must be seen that the tribulation is not God’s wrath, but rather Satan’s wrath (Rev. 12:12).

Only at the very close of the tribulation, in the 7 Vials of Wrath of Rev. 16:1-21, is the “wrath of God” poured out on the earth.

 This corresponds to the “fire” that was rained on Sodom AFTER lot was delivered. Also in Rev. 15:2-4 we see saints who are obviously in a glorified estate in the heavenlies just BEFORE the vials of wrath are poured out.

That they had gone through the tribulation is evident by the fact that they “had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name” (15:2).

So shall the “Lot” group go through the tribulation, in victory over the beast and his system, and be translated to glory just BEFORE the vials of wrath are poured out.

Taken and Left.

We have already examined the passage in the gospel of Matthew about those being taken and left.

However, Luke’s account gives added insight which needs to be looked at, Matthew does not give a complete account; Luke is better.

In Luke 17:34 we read: “I tell you, in that night there shall be two in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. “

Notice, the two are in ONE bed; they are resting in the same place, having one abode in common. Thus they are both Christ­ian believers. 

Had the Lord wanted to portray the difference between believers and unbelievers, He would have said: “Those in one house shall be taken, whereas those in another house shall be left.”

Whereas Jesus said “In that NIGHT there shall be two in one bed and one shall be taken,” etc., it first indi­cates that it shall be factual night over Jerusalem when the “taking” starts.

Secondly, because the horror and darkness of the great tribulation then opens IN FORCE, the general sit­uation in the world will be similar to that of a “night.”

Recall that it was at midnight (Mt. 25:6), that the cry went forth which caused the wise virgins to bestir themselves that they might meet the approaching bridegroom.

Also, it was at mid­night (Ex. 12-29) that a cry went up out of the land of Egypt because the Lord had taken (by death) the firstborn of the land.

As THAT “taking was a judgment on Egypt for their hardness, in heart, so in a like SIMILITUDE, shall a CRY go up from the church, as the Lord takes the “firstborn” (firstfruits) through translation as a judgment on a lukewarm, careless, “sleep­ing” church.  It is the same as the Lord “breaking into” the household of the church as a thief (Mt. 24:43-44) to take His “jewels,” as in Mal. 3:17: “And they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them (from the great tribulation), as a man spares his own son that serves him.” Such “thievery” is the PRICE He exacts on the balance of the church for their lack of readiness.

Lot prepared.

We read in Gen. 19:1 that God sent heavenly messengers to Sodom to prepare Lot for departure from Sodom. Even so, shortly after the “first fruits” are translated, shall THEY be sent as “messengers” to the Lot group to help prepare them. They shall have their glorified bodies at that time, and will have the power to appear and disappear even as did Jesus when He was on earth for 40 days after His resurrection and glorifica­tion. This is pictured in Rev. 12:6 where we read that those of the “Manchild” group “FEED the church in the wilderness (of tribulation).”

When Lot left Sodom, it was not secretly, and at night, but in broad daylight (Gen. 19:15), seen by others. Of that moment Jesus spoke in Luke 17:35, “Two shall be grinding together (at the mill); the one shall be taken, and the other left.” Ordinarily, grinding is done in the DAY. Thus over Je­rusalem, broad daylight shall prevail when the Lot group is tak­en, and Rev. 11:12 informs us that those who ascend at THAT time will be SEEN going up, even as Jesus was seen when He ascended (Acts 1:9).

 In perfect harmony with this is the fact that when Martha went out to meet Jesus, no one saw her leave (John 11:20), but later, when Mary left to meet Jesus in the same place where Martha had met him, we read that “the Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they SAW Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, follow­ed her.”  

Summarizing. 

Looking again at Luke 17:34-35, we see that there are two statements of being “taken.”

Lk. 17:36 is NOT to be found in the older and authentic Greek manuscripts. It probably means that the statement contained in that verse was spoken by Jesus at ANOTHER TIME, when speaking of the same matter, but inadvertently inserted here by a copyist of later manuscripts.

 Thus we have TWO “takings”; the first of Lk. 17:34 at NIGHT; the second of Lk. 17:35 in the DAY. They are separated by three and one half years.

The first “taking” is a Secret maneuver; a sudden breaking into the house by the thief to take the “jewels,” who are the firstfruits Bride; symboliz­ed by the Wise Virgins, the Manchild, Enoch, Noah, Martha, etc.

These are taken before the great tribulation, and are thus “accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Lk. 21:36; see also Rev. 3:10). This coming of Jesus is unexpected, except by those awake and watching; thus the admonition by Jesus: “Watch, therefore, for you know not what hour your Lord comes. . . therefore be you also ready; for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes” (Mt. 24:42, 44).

“For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Lk. 21:35).

The second taking is EXPECTED; there is nothing secret about it. Christians left to go through the great tribula­tion will KNOW that they have just three and one half years to get ready. It will correspond to Lot going out of Sodom in broad daylight. This group to be taken will make up the re­mainder of the “heavenly household” to be joined to the Bride. They are symbolized by the foolish virgins, the woman in the wilderness, Elijah, Mary, Lot, etc. They will be SEEN as they go up.

Revelation.

It is impossible for anyone to construct a pattern of end-time events from the gospels alone. Only the book of Rev­elation can help clarify some of the details, and that is why Jesus gave to John that revelation on the isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:1, 19).

I am scripturally interpreting some of Jesus’ statements in the gospels in light of the further revelation given to John on Patmos, especially time factors.

 Let me illustrate this principle. Jesus speaks about the resurrection in John 5:29: “And they shall come forth; they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.” If this brief statement was all the information we had concern­ing the subject, we might conclude that the resurrection of both the good and the evil would take place at approximately the same time.

 Yet, Jesus’ further revelation given to John on Pat­mos makes it clear that the two resurrections will be separated by a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). Thus the book of Revelation is very important in order to get the whole picture of end-time events. 

It is also impossible to try to build an end-time pat­tern on the writings of Paul alone. Paul said he “saw through a glass darkly” (I Cor. 13:12), so important details were not given to him. His writings can add some illumination, but the basics must come from Jesus’ words in the gospels and in the book of Revelation.

Where to Lord?

It is quite obvious from Lk. 17:37 that the dis­ciples understood Jesus’ teaching concerning the “taking,” for they asked the question “Where, Lord?”

That is, WHERE are those taken going? What’s their destination? Jesus answered “Wherever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

At the beginning of the tribulation, just before He takes the first group of Christians, Jesus will have personally descended to our earth’s atmosphere.

HE, himself, will be the “Body” to which the saints will be gathered.  Jesus used the figure of “eagles” or birds of prey which feed on a “body” or carcass.

First, the figure is fulfilled in that we who belong to the Lord FEED on Him; we “eat His flesh and drink His blood” (John 6:56).

Secondly, when Christians are translated from an earth-bound body to a glorified body, they are FREED (like the birds) to ascend and GO where Jesus IS (gathered together to Him).

At the close of the tribulation, at the time of the sec­ond “taking,” both Jesus and the glorified first fruits saints will constitute the “Body” that the rest of the saints will be gathered to.

This will fulfill I Thess. 4:17 where Paul speaks of those to be “caught up “to ”meet the Lord in the air.” Also, II Thess. 2:1 speaks of the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gath­ering together to HIM.”

Where JESUS is.

The above is in harmony with Jesus’ statement in John 14:3 that he would come again and “receive you to MYSELF; that where I AM, there you may be also.”

We can ascend to the heavenly places in our spirit and soul now. But when we are taken we ascend in our body.

Jesus remains in the atmosphere of our earth during the entire three and a half years tribulation, and so do the firstfruits who will have been translated (but ministering to those yet on earth by appearing to them and instructing them). 

When the second group is translated at the close of the tribulation, ALL of the glorified saints will be taken by Jesus into the highest heaven where the TEMPLE (and throne) of God is located.

There, at the proper time they will enter that temple to be introduced to the Father. There the “marriage supper of the Lamb” will take place while the “vials of wrath” are being poured out on the earth.

 Jesus then RETURNS WITH His saints to the earth at the very climax of those vials, to personally consummate the “wrath of God” on this earth. Rev. 15:1-8, 19:7-21.

Daniel and Three Friends.

Let us now go back to the Old Test­ament for further illustrations of the two-fold church and God’s plan for each in this end time.

One of the most interesting pat­terns is that of Daniel and his 3 companions, Shadrack, Meshak and Abednego. In Daniel 3:1, we read of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, setting up a great image, and in 3:4, every­one was commanded to bow down and worship the image. This is a type of the end-time “image” which the nations of earth are commanded to “worship” according to Rev. 13:14-15.

Because Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego would not bow down to the image they were cast into a fiery furnace, but were supernaturally protected (Dan. 3:19-27). The “fiery furnace” is a type of the great tribulation which most Christians will have to go through, but with the protection of Almighty God.

 Why was Daniel not cast into the fiery furnace? Surely he did not compro­mise and bow down before the image.

 The answer is found in Daniel, chap. 2. There we read of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the inability of all the wise men of Babylon to tell the dream or its interpretation. However, God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel, who then related it to the king.

The king was so grateful that Dan., 2:48-49 tells us that “the king made Daniel a great man. . . and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors overall the wise men of Babylon. “

  This “elevation” of Daniel took place BEFORE the fiery furnace of chap. 3. Thus we see that those who accused Daniel’s friends in 3:8 could not touch Dan­iel. He was TOO HIGH. He could have had their heads chopped off.

The picture here fits beautifully into the patterns that we have seen elsewhere. Daniel represents the “first fruits” who are taken (and elevated through translation) before the peoples of the nations are required to submit to the “image” of the Beast.

Whereas Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego represent the Christ­ians who go through the tribulation (the “fiery furnace”).

Be­cause of their faith and commitment, these men were protected by God and brought through the fire unharmed.   What a beautiful picture of what God will do for all who are committed to Him in the coming tribulation. But also, how blessed will be those in the “Daniel” group to be “elevated” be­fore the fiery tribulation comes.

Queen and virgins.

Psalm 45 is one of the most beautiful of all the Psalms. It speaks of the glory and majesty of Christ and His Kingdom.

Besides the King in verses 1-8, we see the Queen in verse 9: “on your right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.”

 Verses 10-14 tell of her beauty and character, as well as her love and devotion to the King, then verse 14 says: “She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that FOLLOW her shall be brought to you (the King).”

Notice, that there is another company men­tioned besides the queen. They are “the virgins her compan­ions who follow her.” That they follow her indicates that they would arrive AFTER the queen.

This again is in harmony with the other patterns we have seen. The first group of Christians (“firstfruits“) taken by Jesus will make up the BRIDE company, becoming the “Queen” of the heavenly realm.

 The others who follow (three and one half years later) will be “virgins her com­panions,” that is, maidens in waiting and servants of the King and Queen but destined to fulfill important positions of responsi­bility in the Kingdom.

Sonship.

The above designations refer to the “roles “or positions they will be filling, whether of the Bride company or the Ser­vant company.

But all together, they will make up the “heav­enly household” of UNVEILED SONS OF GOD.

This is why in Rev. 12:5, even the Bride Company is pictured as a “manchild.”

It is to emphasize the positive spirit-factors: over­coming and gaining dominion; of maturity and “SONSHIP.”

When God seeks to emphasize the qualities to be developed in His people such as love, devotion, gentleness, faithful­ness, etc., the church (or any part thereof) is pictured as female, as in II Cor, 11:2 where the church is espoused to the Lord as to a husband (see also Ephes. 5 22 -33).

But when God seeks to emphasize the spirit-attributes of positive overcoming, gaining dominion, coming to maturity, etc., the church (or any part thereof) is pictured as male, as in Ephes. 4:11-16 where Paul speaks of the church being edified and growing to maturity, “till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the know­ledge of the Son of God, to a perfect (full-grown) MAN, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 

 Paul says in Rom. 8:19 that creation waits for the “manifestation (re­vealing) of the Sons of God.” Those in the “Bride” company will be the first to manifest such “Sonship” in deathless, glori­fied bodies, at the beginning of the tribulation.

Many others will be ready for “manifest Sonship” at the close of the tribu­lation, but they will be a part of the “household of servants” to fill many positions of responsibility in the Kingdom .

The Bride and Those Called.

We have seen how the 5 wise virgins (who represent the Bride) are pictured in Mt. 25:10 as going in with the Lord to the marriage.

 In Bible times, when a man was ready to marry, he simply took the woman who had been pledged (espoused) to him to live with him, making a public announcement of the fact that they were beginning married life, and then inviting his relatives and friends to a time of feasting and celebrating, called the marriage supper or wedding feast.

When Jesus takes (through translation) His first fruits Bride at the beginning of the tribulation, the fact that they are then joined to Him constitutes the “marriage”—they are united to live together.

Those who are left behind are not a part of that marriage, but they ARE invited to the “marriage supper,” which will take place when the great host is translated at the close of the tribulation.

Note two distinct episodes in Rev. 19:7 and 9. First, the writer says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready” (19:7).

But then in 19:9 we read, “And he says to me. Write, Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

 A Bride is not invited to her own marriage celebration; SHE is the one who helps to extend the call, and invites others, as we read in Rev. 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.”

The Bride Company will be busy during the tribulation extending the call to many, and getting them ready for the marriage supper.

This is in harmony with a previous pattern where we saw Martha re­turning to Mary and saying “The Master is come, and calls for you” (John 11:28).

We have already seen that those in the Bride Company will have the power to materialize their glori­fied bodies and speak to those yet on the earth.

“You” and “They.”

Another passage which relates to this matter is Luke !2:35-36. Jesus again contrasts and shows the dif­ference between some who will be ready when He comes and others who will not. 

He distinguishes between two groups in verses 35-36 by using two personal pronouns: “You “and “They.”

Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and YOU like to men that wait for their lord.”

The “YOU” here would be those who are ready, looking for and expecting the return of the Lord.  The very fact that He admonishes them to have their “lights burning,” indicates that His coming would be at NIGHT, and we have previously seen that this coming is for the FIRST group of Christians, and it also parallels the thought of the parable in Mt. 25:1-6 where the wise virgins were ready because they had extra oil, and thus their lights were burning when the Bridegroom came at the midnight hour.

Now notice the next statement Jesus makes in the last half of Lk. 12:36, “When he (the Lord) will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, THEY may open to him immediately.”

Notice the change in pronouns from “You” to “They.” And the “they” group are admonished to be ready to receive the Lord when He returns from the WEDDING.

This in itself indicates that some had previously been taken by the Lord and joined to Him in “spiritual matrimony,” as we read in Mt. 25:10.

 The initial “union” of Jesus, the Bridegroom, and His Bride, con­tinues during the tribulation period, at the close of which He returns from the wedding to receive those who are CALLED to the marriage supper.

The marriage festivities will take place in the heavenlies while the vials of wrath are being poured out on the earth. Then, as we will see later, following the vials of wrath, they will all RETURN with the Lord to help inaugur­ate His Kingdom on this earth.

Second and Third. Watches.

Continuing in the passage in Lk.12, we note that in vs. 37 the Lord admonishes watchfulness.

Luke 12:38 “and if he shall come in the second watch, and in the third watch he may come, and may find it so, happy are those servants.”

Notice carefully, that this verse says Jesus will come in the second watch AND in the third watch—that is, a TWO-fold coming for His people; in perfect harmony with the other patterns we have beheld.

The second watch in Bible times was the watch from 9:00 p.m. to MIDNIGHT, and was called the “midnight” watch; and thus speaks of Jesus coming for the first fruits Bride company at the “midnight” hour (Mt. 25:6).

The third watch came after mid­night until 3:00 a.m., and was called the “cockcrowing watch.” It was during this watch that the disciples went through severe trial the night Jesus was betrayed and taken into custody, ending in Peter’s denial of the Lord, which came just before the cock crowed (Mt. 26:34, 74-75).

So the third watch por­trays the tribulation period, which is spoken of in Rev. 3:10 as “The hour of temptation, which shall come on all the world to TRY them that dwell on the earth.”

 The “third watch” coming of the Lord is for those who go through the tribulation and are ready to be received at its close.

Jesus’ First and Second Ascensions.

Jesus was “taken” twice from this earth. WHY? Certainly the primary reason was rela­ted to His personal ministry and that which He was accomplish­ing for man’s redemption. However, we need to realize that He set the pattern for the church, portraying in His own life and actions God’s plan. Did He not declare Himself to be THE TRUTH? (John 14:6).

Will His church be involved in anything that He Himself has not already portrayed and acted out? First of all, Jesus’ resurrection and translation to glorified life took place secretly, No one saw it. His body was simply found missing. Then, on the very morning of His resurrection, He ascended to the Father. The only one to whom He appeared before that ascension was Mary Magda­lene (see John 20:11-18). WHY?

When we realize that Jesus by His actions was enacting a prophetic drama, then we under­stand that Mary is thus prophetic of the Bride who is to be tak­en first, secretly as it were, even as Jesus appeared secretly to Mary and then ascended without anyone else seeing Him.

There are several women named “Mary” in the New Testament. Mary Magdalene is a different woman than Mary, the sister of Martha, whom we discussed earlier. Mary Magdalene is the one of whom it is spoken in Mark 16:9 that Jesus “appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.” Sev­en is the number of perfection or completion, and the “seven devils cast out” here speaks of the complete work of cleansing of the Bride com­pany in preparation for their translation.

Jesus Appears to Others,

As Jesus ascended following His secret meeting with Mary, So did He portray by His own action the coming translation and ascension of the first fruits Bride.

 But later in the day, He returned and appeared to the other women and His disciples. He then remained on earth for 40 days during which time He appeared to many (Acts 1:3).

Even so shall the first fruits Bride company (after their translation to ascend to Jesus somewhere in our atmosphere) RETURN to appear to and minister to the remaining church on earth.

“40” is the num­ber of testing, and Jesus TYPED the coming tribulation period by that 40 days He ministered on earth after His glorification.

After Jesus’ 40 days on earth He again ascen­ded, but NOT secretly as previously.

According to Acts 1:9-11, His disciples saw Him visibly ascending until He disappeared into a cloud. Thus the prophetic drama continues, as Jesus by His own action portrays the translation and ascension of the re­mainder of the saints at the close of the tribulation, who, as we have already shown, will go up visibly and openly.

Faithful and Unfaithful Servants.

I will now return to Luke 12, and comment on one more contrast which Jesus spoke of.  In vs. 39 Jesus speaks of the thief breaking into the house „

We know that Jesus comes first as a “thief “to break into the house­hold of the church to take His “jewels” (the Bride company).

Some quote I Thess. 5:1 and say that it is only the “day of the Lord” that comes as a thief and not Jesus personally. They use I Thess. 5:4 as evidence that it is only the world that is to be taken by surprise, for “you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

 But WHO are the “you” of that verse? Certainly we cannot equate the common lot of careless, sleeping, Christians of today with the Spirit sancti­fied and consecrated Thessalonians Christians who had been un­der the personal teaching of the apostle Paul and were fully in­structed in end-time matters.

 In addition, a careful reading of scripture shows that it is not only the day of the Lord that is to come as a thief, but also Jesus personally. Besides, how can we separate Jesus from His “day”?

In Rev. 16:15, Jesus, speaking TO Christians, says: “Behold, I come as a thief.  Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk na­ked, and they see his shame.”

Jesus also warns the church in Rev. 3:3: “If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come on you.”

 The “day of the Lord” coming as a thief speaks primarily of sudden and unexpected judgments coming on the world, but Jesus personally coming as a thief refers directly to His sudden and unexpected (by most Christians) coming on His church.

 It is in this context that Jesus gives the contrast in Luke 12:37-48 of the two kinds of servants—the faithful and wise, and the unfaithful.

In contrast.

In the passage just mentioned, the “faithful and wise” servant is the one who is “ready” (vs. 40), faithfully do­ing the Lord’s will (vs. 43), and receiving the promises of in­creased “meat” (understanding) and rulership (increased stew­ardship) responsibility (vs. 42, 44).

 The unfaithful and care­less servant does not take seriously the warnings of the Lord’s coming and the need to be ready (vs. 45), but continues to en­gage in carnal type activities (vs. 45). The “beating” of others and getting “drunk” are not necessarily to be taken literally any more than the “stripes “of vs. 47-48. They are simply sym­bolic of wrong attitudes and actions towards others through un­faithfulness in stewardship responsibilities.

Also Rev. 17:2 gives a symbolic picture of being “drunk” on the “wine” of the har­lot’s “fornication.” This speaks of prostituting the word of God, and the gifts of the Spirit.

 James amplifies on this by saying in his epistle that “friendship (intimate contact, spiritual adultery) with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4).

In Luke 12:46 Jesus states the consequence of such careless, com­promising living: “The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looks not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware (as a “thief”), and will cut him in sunder, and will ap­point him his portion with the unfaithful.”

Cut in sunder.

Just what does the Lord mean by the expression “cut him in sunder”? The Greek word used here means literally to bisect or cut in two. The Lord is not going to literally cut any person in two, but when He comes “unawares,” secretly, “as a thief,” and TAKES by translation the “faithful and wise servants,” then He divides or “cuts asunder” some from others; those left behind are then “cut off” from those taken.

Those left behind then have their lot appointed with the “unfaithful,” that is, they will have to go through the tribulation. According to the concordance, the Greek word translated “cut asunder” can, by extension of thought, also be translated “to flog severely.” This is exactly in harmony with that which is stated in the passage in Luke 12:47-48, that those servants who did not prepare themselves suf­ficiently and are left behind shall be “beaten with stripes.” These “stripes” are simply the buffeting conditions of the tribu­lation period, which the Lord says will be either few or many.

 Can we not see how important it is for the Lord to prepare us now, so that even if we are not chosen to be in the first group to be taken, we will not have to be buffeted greatly by the tribu­lation conditions, but will receive the completeness of the Lord’s protection.

The parable we have just been considering, however, does indicate that many careless and unfaithful ser­vants of the Lord will experience many buffeting “stripes” dur­ing the tribulation.

Peter, James, John and Rest of Disciples.

Mt. 17 relates the story of Jesus’ transfiguration on a high mountain. When we un­derstand that everything Jesus did was prophetic of His plan for His church, then this takes on special importance.

 In God’s symbolic language, a mountain symbolizes a kingdom–and in this story we must see it as symbolic of the heavenly kingdom which Jesus will establish when He returns. His own glory which He chose to manifest at that time (Mt. 17:1) was a foretaste and preview of that which would take place when His physical body would be changed into a glorified body—after His resurrection.

All who are translated into that realm will have glorified bodies like to His (Phil. 3:21).

Not all of the Disciples.

Jesus did NOT take all twelve of the disciples into the mount on this occasion. WHY? One reason is that He was trying to con­vey a prophetic pattern?

This is just another evidence that it is only a small portion of Christians that are FIRST to be trans­lated when Jesus comes for His saints.

After 6 days Jesus took Peter, James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by himself and was transfigured before them.  

How many hours are there in six days? You will find there are exactly 144 hours. We have already seen previously that the first group to be translated is represented by the 144,000 of Rev. 14:1.  

To me this is absolute­ly staggering—that God would have that “144” number as an integral part of the time pattern showing us WHEN the first group is to be taken.  

It has now been 6,000 years since Adam’s fall (4,000 years before Christ, and 2,000 years since Christ), and that if we figure the time ac­cording to either lunar or prophetic time—in contrast to solar time, that we are already closing out the 6th day and are in the dawning of the 7th day.

So any year now Jesus may come and take some into that “mountain.”

Notice that after the experi­ence in the mountain, Jesus and the three disciples come down to find the rest of the disciples dealing with a “lunatic” who was vexed with a demon, and they could not cure him (Mt. 17: 14-16).

 Even so, when those who are taken first RETURN to manifest to the remaining church, they will find the world vexed with demonic power, for Satan and his demons will be cast down when the first group is taken (Rev. 12:5-9).

 And the church on earth will need the ministry of the glorified saints to help coun­teract the influence of such demonic power. This is the mean­ing of the statement in Rev. 12:16 that “the earth helped the woman.” The glorified saints will be able to appear in their glorified physical bodies and open their mouths to speak com­fort, deliverance, or whatever is needed. They will help the saints on earth bring deliverance to many, and this is pictured in the deliverance wrought in Mt. 17:18.

Overcomers and Churches.

In the book of Revelation, chapters 2 & 3, are re­corded the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia.  Each letter, with its commendations and rebukes, is sent to the whole church in the city to which it was designated.

But within each letter is a special promise to the “Overcomers.” The Greek word means “to subdue, conquer, prevail, or get the victory.” We cannot here go into all of these promises. But in the last three (Rev. 2:26, 3:12, & 3:21), we have the clear indication that it is the Overcomers who are going to rule with Christ in the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, which will come down and be stationed in our upper atmosphere (Rev. 21:10), and from which the glorified saints will descend and ascend to carry out their duties on this earth during the millennium and beyond.

When we get a clear understanding of these promises to the Overcomers, it will become apparent that more is required to be qualified for translation into the heavenly kingdom than just being saved. There must be victory over sin in one’s life, and a partaking of the holiness of Christ (Heb. 12:14).

 Note the correlation between Rev. 2:26-27 and Rev. 12:5, showing that the FIRST ones to be translated will be a group of overcoming Christians.

Then the rest of the Christians in the churches will have their opportunity to become “Overcomers” during the tribulation period, being ready to be taken at its close.

Parousia.

When speaking of His “coming,” Jesus used two Greek words: erchomai, and parousia. WHY? The erchomai word is the one most commonly used in the New Testament for the arrival of someone.  In the passage in Matthew’s gospel dealing with Jesus’ second coming, chap. 24, it is used in vs. 30, 42, 43, 44, 46, & 48.

The parousia word is used relatively few times in the New Testament, but most .particularly with reference to Christ’s coming again. It is used in Mt.24:3, 27, 37, & 39. Parousia means “a being near,” or “presence.”

Parousia: “This word which is so often translated ‘coming,’ and is literally ‘presence,’ does not refer merely to His coming for His saints, but to a series of events.

As lightning.

Jesus made it abundantly clear, however, that His parousia INCLUDES His final visible descent to this earth WITH His saints. The parousia word is also used in Mt. 24:27 where Jesus says: “For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the parousia of the Son of man be.”

The reason for this is clear. Jesus knew that false teachers would arise to use that “parousia” word to claim that his parousia is ONLY a spiritual presence with His people, and thus denying a literal, visible return of the Lord to the earth.

But the word, as used by Jesus, indicates a definite arrival in our atmospheric cover, continuing throughout the tribulation period (present, but unseen), and then consummated by a glorious and brilliant (as lightning) VISIBLE and bodily return with His feet standing on the mount of Olives, 

False Christs.

 In Mt. 24:24 Jesus warns specifically of “false Christs” and “false prophets” aris­ing. Read verses 21-23 and you will see that this is specially spoken with reference to the great tribulation period.

With reference to the be­ginning of that time, Jesus warned, “THEN if any man shall say to you, ‘Lo, here is Christ, or there;’ believe it not.” Where­fore if they shall say to you, ‘Behold, he is in the desert;’ go not forth; ‘behold, he is in the secret chambers;’ believe it not.” (Mt. 24:23, 26).

Although the tribulation period will be a time of unprecedented opportunity for the church, with the pow­er and glory of the Lord manifest as never before, it will also be a time of great testing, with Satan furiously active.

Specif­ically for that time are Jesus’ words applicable: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall de­ceive the very elect.” (Mt. 24:24).

The implication of Jesus’ words is that it will NOT be possible, primarily because of the “overshadowing” ministry of the glorified first fruits saints.

The “elect” who will not be deceived at that time, will be those destined to be taken into the heavenly kingdom at the close of the tribulation.

Coming WITH His Saints

Jude, the brother of Jesus, who wrote the small book of Jude in the New Testament, quotes a prophecy from Enoch in vs. 14; “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying. Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment on all.”

Thus the coming of the Lord WITH His saints is at the time that the Lord personally and openly manifests Himself in the final act (or acts) of judg­ment which terminate this age, and put an end to man’s mis­rule.

This is in harmony with II Thess. 1:7-8 where Paul states that “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 Notice, this is the time that He shall be revealed. The Greek word for “reveal “is apokalupto, and it means to un­cover and unveil something.

Previously, He comes as a “thief “at the beginning of the tribulation to call the first fruits Bride

Near the close of the tribulation He calls the rest of the saints TO the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9), but still He must remain “veiled” except to those who have entered into His realm, until the 7 vials of wrath are poured out on the earth. During the pouring out of these vials, the marriage sup­per proceeds in the heavenlies. These vials of wrath will like­ly cover a very short period of time—perhaps not more than a couple of weeks.

THEN shall the entire company of glori­fied saints be ready to accompany the Lord in His visible descent to the earth, forming great “clouds” of glory around Him, and trailing off into the distance behind Him like a great “train” in procession.

This final descent from the heavenlies is pictured in the book of Revelation, chap. 19:11-l6. Notice that this fol­lows the verses dealing with the “Marriage supper” in 19:7-9. John says, “And I saw heaven opened” (19:11); that is, what had been previously unseen by the remaining survivors on the earth would now be OPENLY viewed.

 They would “see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Mt. 24:30).

 Then John proceeds: “and behold, a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True. . . and the armies (glorified saints) which were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”

We then have a statement that confirms the other scriptures which indicate that as Jesus returns He is consummating the vials of wrath and climaxing the final judgments:

 “And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations. . . and he treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (19:15-17).

Remember that we had read previously in Luke 17:29-30, that the Lord, when speaking of the raining of fire and brimstone on Sodom, said: “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is REVEALED.” Thus all these scrip­tures agree that the Lord comes finally, and is revealed in con­summating, cataclysmic judgments, when He returns WITH His saints.

Zechariah 14:4 indicates that when the Lord re­turns in His final descent out of the atmosphere that “his feet shall stand in that day on the mount of Olives.”

 The follow­ing verses indicate that when this takes place there will be a great earthquake as the entire earth reels under the impact of the immense power of the glorified Christ.

 The Mount of Olives will be split in two and a great valley created, with under­ground waters springing up to flow both east and west—to the Mediterranean and Dead Seas. Then 14:9 says, “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth.” Hallelujah! And the glori­fied saints will rule with Him over the earth (Rev. 15, 2:26, 3:21, 5:10, 20:4-6), For the last 2,000 years (approximately) the Lord has been sitting at the right hand of the Father on His throne (Heb. 1:3, 8;1), but in Rev, 3:21 Jesus says, “to him that overcomes will I grant to set with me in MY throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in HIS throne.”

That throne of which Jesus spoke, which is to be shared by the overcoming saints, is in the New Jerusalem, for “the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus) shall be IN it” (Rev. 22:3).

New Jerusalem descends. 

Closely associated with the events which take place in connection with the Lord’s return is the descent of the celestial city, the New Jerusalem, which Jesus has been preparing for those who are to be a part of His heav­enly kingdom (John 14:2-3). John saw in vision the city descending out of heaven (Rev. 21:1-10). This city will be the home and headquarters for Christ and His glorified saints. It will be stationed in the upper atmosphere where it will likely be seen by those on earth as a soft glowing light. 

Although the glorified saints return with Christ when He touches down on this earth, they will not be remaining on this earth all of the time. During the millennium they will be “ascending and descending (see John 1:51), or you might say, commuting between the New Jerusalem (in the upper atmosphere) and the earth, for they will be fulfilling their responsibilities of “ruling” the in­habitants of earth. 

Occupy.

In the parable of the pounds as recorded in Lk. 19:1-27, a certain “nobleman” (who pictures Christ Himself) was to go into a FAR country (which represents Heaven). So he gathered his servants together and delivered to each a certain amount of money, and said; “Occupy till I come.” 

Without going into the details of the parable, I will simply state that WE Christians are the servants who have been given the respon­sibility and stewardship to be faithful with what the Lord has committed to us (the “money” in the parable represents all the gifts and blessings that are ours through Christ); and we are charged to “occupy “until Jesus comes.

The Greek word trans­lated “occupy “means “to busy oneself,” “to trade,” to be oc­cupied in business.” Our “business” is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Mt. 24:14 says that “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and THEN shall the end come.”

As long as the Lord has not re­turned, there is WORK to be done; we must be faithful stewards of all that the Lord has committed to us. Only the Lord knows when all nations have had a sufficient witness. I point this out because some have argued that we shouldn’t put much emphasis on the second coming of Christ because it causes people to think only about His coming and NEGLECT the responsibilities that are ours now. Such should NOT be the case if a proper bal­ance and perspective is presented. 

It should cause us to be MORE diligent than ever when we realize the shortness of the time. Besides this, John writes that everyone who has this hope (of His coming) “purifies himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3). Thus we will be diligent about our own preparation as well as being faithful  

We have already mentioned the importance of prayer (in connection with “watching,” or being spiritually awake and al­ert), but I want to call your attention to an O.T. scripture which is important for serious Christians at this time.

 In Zech. 10:1 we read this admonition, “Ask of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field.”

 So many tend to feel that what the Lord is going to do will come to pass anyway. But God has chosen to work through chosen ones here on earth. God found an instrument in the person of Elijah, and James tells us that “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:17-18).

Is not God seeking out human instruments now who will “pray earnestly” as did Elijah? Will He work apart from such instru­ments?

The scripture quoted from Zechariah commands us to “Ask [for] rain in the time of the Iatter rain.” This has two stages. One is now. “Rain” speaks of the outpouring of God’s Spirit. Even so are we to pray now for a greater move of God’s Spirit among God’s people, for among those who are hungering and seeking.

The Spirit will be increasingly moving and working in preparation for the climax that is coming. The second stage will be after the first fruits are translated. The remaining church will be shocked into day and night prayer, ASKING for “Rain.” God will hear from heaven and pour out the full effusion of the “latter rain.” It will be a “second Pentecost” plus. For a double portion and more will come on the church for the glorious consummation during the tribulation period.

Snare.

The importance of being spiritually alert and ready is emphasized by Jesus in Luke 21:34-36: “And take heed to your­selves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with sur­feiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on you unawares. For as a SNARE shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

 The Greek word translated “snare” in this passage, means a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch) Repeatedly in this study, I have been seeking to show you God’s strategy; and that is to suddenly and unexpectedly (by most) to break in­to the “household” of the church and “take” as a thief, the “jewels” (first fruits saints) in order to bring the remaining church to its knees in brokenness and repentance.

We have shown that these first fruits saints are to fulfill the role of the Bride. In the 24th chap. of Gen., we read the story of Eliezer (a type of the Holy Spirit) being sent by Abraham (a type of God the Father) to get a bride for Isaac (a type of Jesus Christ).

 The bride was Rebekah. The Hebrew word for REBEKAH means “a rope or noose.” Thus we can see that the very name of the Bride (Re­bekah) indicates that the “snare” which God is preparing to suddenly “spring” on the world is the TAKING (by translation) of that group of saints who will make up the Bride com­pany. This is a part of God’s plan

Veiled.

But notice, in Gen. 24:64-67 we read that Rebekah remained “veiled” until after she had met Isaac and he had tak­en her into his mother’s tent.

 This shows that up until the time that the Bride is taken, much of the truth of God and his end-time strategy remains “veiled;” and that is why there is so much confusion and lack of understanding even among God’s people.

Worthy.

We had previously quoted Lk. 21:34-36 about the “snare.” But I want to emphasize the statement in vs. 36 con­cerning those “accounted worthy to escape all these things. . . and to stand before the Son of man.”

What does it mean to be “worthy?” The Greek word translated “worthy” means to be entirely deserving or fit, comparable or suitable. And how do we become worthy? Jesus makes it very clear in Mt. 10:34-38:

“He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows af­ter me, is not worthy of me. “A very clear distinction needs to be made here. It is possible to receive a gift from the Lord (such as salvation), and yet not be worthy of HIM, as far as being ready to dwell in His immediate presence and qualifying to be a part of His ruling kingdom. 

 There must be sufficient change in our lives that there is a comparableness or suitable­ness of our natures with His, and there must be a proving to be trustworthy and faithful so that we are fit to dwell with Him. Only the “First fruits” will be worthy of this high calling at the beginning of the tribulation.   The tribulation will provide the opportunity for a vast host of others to qualify and be ready by its close.

Finally.

We see from Gen. 24:63 that Isaac went out into the field at evening; and there He received His beloved Rebekah. Evening speaks to us of the approaching close of this age, and is not our “Isaac” (Jesus) coming to the “field” (this world) to receive His beloved? Even so, COME, Lord Jesus!