Rapture Date Setting And Paranoia

BIBLICAL PROPHECY! BLOOD MOONS! THE FALL FEASTS! THE RAPTURE! THE TRIBULATION! DESTRUCTION! DEVASTATION! THE END OF THE WORLD! ECONOMIC COLLAPSE!

Seeing the unsaved being influenced by their own fearful thoughts and gripped with fear about the possibility that mayhem and destruction is right around the corner is one thing, but when those who call themselves Christians let fear and uncertainty grip their heart and control their thoughts and actions, that's quite another. Yes, there are principalities and powers at work in this world, but Christians have One greater who lives within them... the Holy Spirit. We mustn't allow ourselves to get caught up in all of the hype of this season of change. For years, believers have predicted the date of the Rapture, and unbelievers have predicted the destruction of the world, oftentimes to the determent of those who believed those stories, but neither the Rapture nor the earth's destruction have occurred as feared.

We can excuse the unbeliever for predicting the ultimate demise of the planet and everything on it, but can we excuse the born again believer of sharing the false assumption that the date of Jesus return can be predicted? Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36  He didn't say, "...knoweth no man, except those who were clever enough to figure it out." No, he said, "...knowth no man... but my Father only." Everything thrown out there by those born again believers who have studied God's word, Jewish tradition, and world history, doesn't really give us a clue as to when the Rapture will take place. These individuals have absolutely no idea when the Rapture will take place. It's all guesswork. There's not going to be that one believer in Heaven who will be able to say, "Yep, no one else figured it out except me." There's no crown, no special badge of honor, and no special seat at God's throne for such a thing, because God has already said that no one will be able to know the date and time of the Rapture. To say that it's possible to do so, would be to call God a liar.

There have been some famous, or infamous, date setters and those followers who believed in their prophecies and mathematical calculations. 

Do you remember Harold Camping? He continually invented new Rapture predictions, and no matter how many times they failed, he'd give an excuse and invent a new Rapture theory and date. Even though he was a false prophet, he had a worldwide following and earned millions of dollars in donations from them. His Rapture dates? Well, he predicted the Rapture would occur on or about September 6, 1994, and when that failed, he came up with two successive dates for that year (September 29th and October 2nd), both of which did not produce a Rapture. He had three more predictions for 2011, which by then included the destruction of the universe (which is not biblically sound when speaking about the Rapture). 

I could reach back into history and come up with many more examples of false prophets who predicted the Rapture, but why look to the past when we have individuals here on YouTube who explain their theories and calculations and machinations in order to convince a gullible audience of their authority and surety of a Rapture that can be predicted.

September 13, 2015 was thrown out there by some Christians who believed that this was the date of the Rapture. That date has since come and gone. These same Christians then claimed that the Rapture would occur on September 28, 2015 at the next blood moon. Again, no Rapture. 

Let me state this as clearly as I know how. If you are absolutely positive, and believe in your heart, and you know that you know that you know that the Lord will return on a specific date, then you can be positive that you are... completely wrong, because Jesus said that no man would know the day nor the hour of His return. If you don't agree with what Jesus said, then you're basically calling Jesus a liar.

Be honest... how many of us, in the past, have bought in to the idea that the year had finally come for the Lord's return? (I'm raising my hand) That year passed without the Rapture, then the next and the next until we now find ourselves here in 2020. Some are positive that this is the year. In fact, there's one brother on YouTube who states that he has serious doubts that we'll even be around for the election in November 2020. Really? I have a question for all the date setters. What happens if and when 2021 rolls around? Will you then be positive that the Rapture will take place in 2021? What if we reach 2022? How positive will you be then that 2022 will be the year of the Rapture?

Even though we don't know the day or the hour, we've been told that we will know the season. Many of us believe that we are in that season even now, but we have no idea how long this season will last. We know that Jesus' arrival is imminent and it could occur at any time, but that's not to say that this season won't last another five or ten years. I'm hoping that's not the case, though. I hope that the Lord does return this year, but I'm not going to listen to those false prophets who lead people on, and choose their words to carefully craft a prediction, while still weakly claiming that "it's just an educated guess." You know the kind of YouTubers I'm talking about. Some of them are pretty famous in the YouTube Rapture Prediction community.

While we're here, we have a war to fight. We're here to take back ground from the enemy and to advance the kingdom of God here on earth. We're here to rescue those who are unwittingly running headlong toward the edge of the abyss, and while we're doing this, the enemy continues to make his preparations for the coming of his Antichrist. God has Satan hemmed in so that he can only accomplish so much, but when the point is reached where the world is ripe for the great deception that will fall upon them, and the world system has been created for the Antichrist to take control of, then we'll be ripped from this world in a blink of an eye at the same moment that the full force of evil in this world is released and the Antichrist is revealed!

There are people out there in the Christian community and here on YouTube who will talk about the blood moons, the Jewish Feasts and the "last trump" and who will try to convince us that the blood moons signal catastrophe and that through their study they've concluded that the Jewish feasts and the scripture relating to the "last trump" show that the Rapture will occur on the last day of Rosh Hashanah. These individuals have received monetary gain from the books, videos, charts, posters, and anything else, that they've hawked online. Whether they receive monetary gain or not, they make these claims, all the while telling us that they're not date setting. If it's not Rosh Hashanah 2020, then all through next year the date setters will be talking about Rosh Hashanah 2021... but they're not date setting. Mhm...

What they don't tell you is that the Jewish calendar has gone through some changes since Jesus prophetically fulfilled the first four major feast days. Without getting into great detail, the Jewish calendar that was around when Jesus walked this earth isn't the same calendar that they use now. The Jewish calendar used to be based on the lunar cycle, and eye witness accounts of when the new moon appeared, but as I understand it, that was changed in the fourth century when it was changed to a fixed calendar. As you can imagine, those in Jesus' time would be celebrating a holy day on a particular day while those in the fourth century and beyond would be celebrating it on another, since they would be operating under two different systems of marking days and months. The modern calendar allows for the adding and taking away of days so that certain holy days don't fall back to back or on the "wrong day."

The point I'm trying to make concerning these two methods of marking time, is that it makes no sense to try to connect the "last trump" Jesus spoke of with the last trumpet blast of the modern celebration of Rosh Hashanah because it's more than likely that this holy day won't line up with the old lunar calendar. That's why if God was referring to Rosh Hashanah when He made mention of the "last trump," it would most likely be blown on the date that Rosh Hashanah would have ended in regard to the old Jewish calendar and not the last day of Rosh Hashanah that is marked on the modern Jewish calendar that they use today.

Many of us feel that we're in the season where we are to look up and expect the arrival of the Bridegroom, but it's not a time to panic and believe that every news story is going to lead to the immediate destruction of this nation. Not every urgent new article or broadcast is an imminent warning that the Rapture is days or weeks away. Neither is the existence of any virus a sign that the Rapture is at hand. Christians just need to calm down and remember that there was no urgency in the Apostle's actions as they shared the gospel, even though they initially thought Jesus was returning in their lifetime. We need to use them as an example of how we're to conduct ourselves. Panic and urgency aren't gifts of the Holy Spirit.  

Yes, the United States is most likely going to fall, because the greatest and most powerful nation that there has ever been on this planet is found nowhere in biblical prophecy. Will it be civil war that takes us down? Could a civil war be seen as a moment of great upheaval and confusion in our nation which would prompt our enemies to launch a limited nuclear or EMP attack on this nation that would exclude us from taking a major role in the Tribulation? A major EMP attack would wound our country immensely. Imagine, a country without electricity. No computers, no cell phones, no modern transportation, no satellite communication, no GPS, no television, no radio, no electric home appliances, no lights in your home or on the streets... you get what I'm saying. We'd be back to horses and wagons and getting our food in the wild and our water at the river or well. No longer would we hold the place of the most powerful nation on earth. We'd be out of the game and out of biblical prophecy. 

Instead of fearing what is to come, we need to prayerfully prepare for what we may need to go through before the Bridegroom arrives. We don't know how bad things are going to get in this world or how bad it's going to be for born again believers before the Tribulation begins. We are already seeing the leading edge of Christian persecution in this country and it's only going to get worse as we get closer to Yeshua's return. 

What's a Christian to do? We need to live each day in it's own time. We need to continue to believe, pray, share, witness, evangelize, teach, etc... We need to continue to depend on God to increase our faith, give us strength, and lead us by His Holy Spirit. Jesus said that His return would be as the great flood occurred in Noah's time. Everyone would be eating and drinking, getting married, and going on with their daily lives. His return will happen suddenly, as a thief in the night. In the blink of an eye we'll be ushered into His presence and our thoughts will no longer be focused on what is happening in the world, but will instead be focused on the One who saved us through His blood on the cross.

In conclusion, I want to warn you again not to fall into the date setting trap. Live your days one at a time while looking up in anticipation of the arrival of the Bridegroom. One day, when you least expect it, you'll hear that shout and that trumpet blast, and in that moment we'll be with Jesus!

Remember: Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Pt. 5 - The First Resurrection

READ THE BLOG OR WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

VIDEO: WHY I BELIEVE IN A PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE - PART 5: THE FIRST RESURRECTION

It's easy to confuse the first resurrection with the Rapture. After all, they both involve resurrected bodies. The Rapture isn't exclusively a resurrection. By that, I mean that yes, the saints that have gone before us will be reunited with their bodies and have them transformed into immortal and incorruptible bodies just a moment before we, who are living, have our bodies transformed in like manner. It isn't described as the first resurrection, but as being caught up. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with with trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV) 

The first resurrection won't involve the living, but the dead in Christ. Here we see both the living and the dead being "caught up" to be with the Lord forever. It's not known as a "resurrection Rapture," but only as the Rapture (the catching away of the living and dead in Christ). The Rapture won't be the first time that the dead have been resurrected either. If you remember, immediately after Jesus rose from the dead, others rose from the dead as well. 

"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Matthew 27:50-53 KJV)

It would be just as easy to confuse this with the “first resurrection” as it would be to confuse the Rapture with the "first resurrection."

So when does the "first resurrection" occur?

"And I saw thrones, and they that sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for their witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, nor in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4-6 KJV)

This scripture specifically mentions events that will occur only at the time of the Tribulation. Those who participate in the "first resurrection" were beheaded for their witness for Jesus and for the word of God, did not worship the beast, and did not receive the mark of the beast on their hand or forehead. It's clear that the "first resurrection" occurs AFTER the Tribulation, when Jesus returns to Earth along with those who had been raptured seven years prior. Nowhere in this portion of scripture does it mention that those alive in Christ will be caught up together with them. This event happens seven years AFTER the event known as the Rapture. 

Many will continue to support the idea of a post-Tribulation Rapture, but that just isn't the case. This "first resurrection" is exclusive to those who have experienced death and there is nowhere in scriptures of this kind that describe the catching away of those who are living as well. If you read the following verses, you'll see what I mean:

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Rev. 6:9-11  KJV - bold mine) There is nowhere in this scripture that even eludes to the fact that those who are alive will be caught up with them. This event coincides with Christ's return along with those who participated in the Rapture seven years before. 

God is very specific when He is describing those who are "under the alter." 

• They are the souls who were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
• Christians will be killed during the Tribulation
• They are told to "rest yet for a little season."
• "little season" - Remainder of the Tribulation
• They are to wait until their fellow servants/brethren are killed as they were. 
• Their fellow brothers and sisters will be killed during the Tribulation in the same way they were

These souls aren't representative of every Christian who is waiting to be resurrected at a post-Tribulation Rapture. These are specific souls that have been persecuted and killed because of their faith and it is during the seal judgments that they are first mentioned, linking their persecution and deaths to the Tribulation. These souls mentioned here in Rev. 6:9-11 are the same souls mentioned in Rev. 20:4-6. They are the souls who are part of the "first resurrection" and who "lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." The importance of the "first resurrection" cannot be understated. After the pre-Tribulation Rapture, the "first resurrection" will be vitally important. It will give those who had previously rejected Christ the opportunity to repent, believe, and be saved before their physical death. They are assured that even though they did not participate in the Rapture, they will participate in the "first resurrection" and live and rule with Christ for a thousand years! They have escaped the curse of the second death. The Rapture was their wake-up call, and many will heed that call.

Is there a second resurrection?

Well, yes and no. It's not specifically called the "second resurrection." It's called the "second death." It occurs at the White Throne Judgment after Satan is finally defeated and condemned to eternity in hell. It is at this time that those who died apart from God, are resurrected and stand before Jesus to be judged by the law of God, receiving the eternal destiny that they have chosen for themselves… eternity in the lake of fire and brimstone. This is why you need to repent and believe, so that you can be part of the experience known as the Rapture or, if you are left behind, be a part of the first resurrection. Just as those who take the mark of the Beast are automatically condemned to Hell, those who are part of the “second death” are destined to spend eternity in Hell.

If you'd like to read the other articles in this series, please click on a link below:

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 1: The 24 Elders

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 2: Noah, Lot, and Rabbit Holes

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 3: The Slow Motion Replay

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 4: The Apostasy or Falling Away

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 6: The Bridegroom

Why I Believe In A Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Part 7: Timing Is Everything

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

REPENT, AND BE FORGIVEN!

BELIEVE, AND BE SAVED!

TRIBULATIONHARVEST.NET

The World Won't Ever Be Void Of God's Chosen

Since the creation of mankind, there has always been someone on earth who has had a close relationship with God, even if that individual stood alone or acted without regard to their own personal safety. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Issac, Moses, David, Esther, Elijah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, etc... No matter what Satan did to try and wipe God from the minds of mankind or to destroy God's people, he just couldn't accomplish that task. 

Then a marvelous thing happened. Jesus came into the world! Through His birth, sinless life, crucifixion, death and resurrection, He provided us access, in His name, to our Father in heaven. Although all believers rejoice in that knowledge, the unsaved, and their slave master Satan, wish that it was otherwise.

There never has been a time when God was not praised and worshiped on the earth, and there will never be a time when unbelievers will ever experience a world where God is not Lord of all.

Many unbelievers half-heartedly hope that the Rapture is a real event so that they can finally be rid of all those "intolerant," "hateful," and "judgmental" people who call themselves Christians. What they don't realize is that once Jesus returns for His bride and quickly whisks her away, there will be a whole host of born again believers to take their place.

That's right, there will be millions of men and women who will repent and believe and take up where the raptured saints left off. Who will they be? 

• Those who called themselves Christian, but did nothing more than play church on Sunday.
• Those who walked away from the faith, never truly giving their lives to the Lord.
• Those who were evangelized and witnessed to, but never made a decision for Jesus.
• Those who are ignorant of what a relationship with God truly is, and are evangelized and witnessed to during the Tribulation.

The first two groups will have a working knowledge of who Jesus is and what true Christianity is all about. They will most likely be the ones to teach and lead those who make up the last two groups.

What the world doesn't foresee is the chaos that is going to arise immediately following this worldwide event. The joyous hope of ridding themselves of every true born again believer will leave them desperate, petrified, horrified, and regretful. The world that remains after the Rapture won't be the world they envisioned. They believe they'll finally make the world a utopia, but it becomes just the opposite.

Many will develop a hate for God to the point of where it will consume them. They will shake their fists at Him in defiance and help to track down born again believers in order to hand them over to the authorities for re-education, and eventually, execution.

No, the unbeliever will never be rid of true men and women of God no matter how hard they try. From Adam's time on this earth to the moment Jesus returns as King of kings and Lord of lords at the battle of Har-mageddon, God will always have His chosen people here to spread His word and keep the faith alive in the midst of those who have not yet repented and believed. God has gone, and will go, to great lengths to make sure that mankind has every opportunity to hear the truth, repent, and believe.

To God be all the glory and honor forever and ever! Amen!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

The Third Temple And Zion

Could the Third Temple be constructed in an area other than the Temple Mount?

Before I share my thoughts on this subject, let me first lay some groundwork. It's safe to say that most Jews have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah (Mashiach), and because of that, they believe that there are two different outcomes in biblical prophecy concerning His arrival. In one scenario, scripture describes Him humbly entering Jerusalem on a donkey. In the second scenario, scripture describes Him arriving triumphantly in the sky on a cloud. In order to bring some sort of sense to what seems to them to be conflicting scripture, many Jews see these as two separate but linked prophecies. They believe that their Messiah will arrive in one of these two ways, but they don't know exactly which prophecy will be fulfilled. Many Jews believe that these two prophecies hinge on the status of the Third Temple (Third Bet-Hamikdash) at the time of the Messiah's arrival.

The Jews also have the same issue with the scriptures that describe the Third Temple as they do with the scriptures describing the arrival of the Messiah. To the Jews, there seems to be a conflict in scripture, and the way to reconcile that is for the Jews to believe that God will choose which prophecy will be fulfilled. Many Jews believe that if they build the Third Temple, then the Messiah will return triumphantly. If they do not build it before the Messiah's return, then the Messiah will return as a meek and gentle ruler on a donkey and, as Messiah, will order the Jewish nation to build the Third Temple. The Jews are so conditioned to understanding God's interaction with them through the physical Temple, that they don't recognize that these scriptures relate to a more personal relationship. An actual physical presence of the Messiah outside the confines of a man made temple. That is one of the reasons they rejected Jesus as their Messiah. They either didn't understand the scriptures or they were so entrenched in tradition that they ignored scripture in favor of their own traditions, which they made equal with scripture, and completely missed who Jesus was.

There was a recent article published entitled, "Holy Alter Constructed For The Third Jewish Temple." This article explains that the alter of burnt offerings has been completed and that everything is ready for the rebuilding of the Third Temple right here and right now. There are just two obstacles preventing this, one of which is the right to free and unencumbered access to the Temple Mount. This is where we take a turn and head down another path.

I've read a book entitled, "Temple" by Robert Cornuke. It deals with old and new discoveries about the placement of the First and Second temples. The author discusses his belief that the First and Second Temples weren't constructed on the Temple Mount, but in the lower part of Jerusalem known as the City of David. That idea made my mind swim with questions and possibilities that I had never entertained before. The author quotes scripture that describe where the First Temple (Solomon's Temple) was to be placed (Here's a hint: It wasn't built in the area commonly known as the Temple Mount). The Second Temple was then built upon the site where the First Temple had been. The Second Temple (Herod's Temple) was the one that was standing when Jesus was here on earth. The Romans, in 70 AD, destroyed the Second Temple, leaving no visible traces of it behind. What were Jesus' prophetic words when discussing the Second 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." Matthew 24:2

I've underlined those words because they're very important... not one stone would be left upon another... they would all be thrown down. Certainly Jesus didn't mean there wouldn't be any stones left stacked one upon another, did He? Maybe just a few? Maybe 50? 20? 7? 2? If we take Jesus' word as truth, there would be none. NONE! If that is the case, how do you explain the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? How can it be part of the Second Temple if Jesus himself stated that "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"? Either Jesus was a false Prophet, or the Western Wall isn't part of the Second Temple. That's when I began to understand that the Jews have been worshiping and preparing to build their Third Temple on the wrong plot of land!

How could they (and we) get it so wrong? Well, we need to remember that the Jews were absent from the land for hundreds of years (generations upon generations). The Romans had undertaken the destruction of the Second Temple and in doing so, utterly destroyed any visible trace of where it had been built. They had done such a thorough job of dismantling the Temple and using the raw materials for other building projects, that there was no trace above ground (hint) of where the Temples may have been located. Also add to that the ravages of time upon the land where wind, rain and overgrowth had stripped the land of any discernible signs of where the Temple had once stood, and we can understand why the Jews, upon their return to the land so many generations later, had difficulty pinpointing exactly where the Temples had once stood.  

After investigating the lay of the land, the Jews eventually arrived at a list of four possible areas where they believed the Temples may have been located. It was more of an educated guess and not based on scripture or physical evidence. Some time later, the words of one highly respected religious leader put the seal of approval on the Temple Mount. His word was so respected and his conviction so strong, that the Temple Mount officially became recognized as the place where the Temples had once stood, even though they had no proof to make that claim. It seemed the most "logical" choice at that time because they believed the large stone wall (the Western Wall or Wailing Wall) was so grand that it must have been part of the Second Temple. What they didn't (and still don't) realize was that the place they deemed holy was actually a place built by their oppressors. It is not part of the Second Temple. Not even close! When you find out what the "Wailing Wall" really is, your mind will be blown. I know mine was. Want to know what it is? Read the book...lol. If I told you what it was, then I'd have to spend a long time explaining what the book seems to do so well.

I'm also not going to venture into a deep explanation of all the other scripture references and archaeological discoveries that have been made to support the idea that the First and Second Temples were actually located in the city of David, a name which is synonymous with Jerusalem. That would take up too much time, making this article far too long, and it would rob Robert Cornuke of the opportunity of sharing his discoveries through the book he worked on so diligently.

I know that some of you may be asking, "But isn't Zion Jerusalem?" Jerusalem and the City of David are synonymous. David captured Jerusalem by capturing it's seat of power ("the castle of Zion" 1Chronicles 11:5), which came to be known as the city of David. The Jerusalem that we know of today didn't exist at that time.  The city of David (or Jerusalem) expanded in the 8th century BC under the rule of King Hezekiah, making it necessary to build a protective wall around the area which expanded to the hill west of the city. This is the area we now call the Old City. The "city of David" and "Jerusalem" were one in the same. Time passed and the population shifted. Unfortunately, by medieval times, the original area known as the city of David was left abandoned while "Jerusalem" remained. This may be how it erroneously became known as two distinct cities, but that is historically and biblically inaccurate. "Jerusalem" is the city of David. Where does the bible state that Zion is located? Look here...

"And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.  5 And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither.  Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David." 1Chronicles 11:4-5

"And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither; thinking, David cannot come hither.  7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David."  2 Samuel 5:6-7

"Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared unto David his father in the place that David had prepared in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite." 2Chronicles 3:1

These scriptures can be confusing if you don't realize that the words "city of David" and "Jerusalem" are interchangeable.  They mean the same thing. So, where is Zion? Zion is within the original boundaries of the city of David. Zion is where the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite was. It was never within the boundaries of modern Jerusalem, it has always been and always will be within the original boundaries of the city of David. 

Because the location of Zion was lost to history, modern historians eventually started a new tradition that was going to become just as entrenched in the Jewish psyche as the Temple Mount would become. They moved Zion from the city of David, to the southern portion of the "Western Hill," which is called Zion to this day. They did this for no apparent scriptural or historical reason.

The Temple Mount has been burned into the minds and hearts of the Jewish nation as being the place where the Temples were built in the past. It is a religious tradition that is deeply ingrained, so much so that even the rest of the world has been convinced that it must be true. If the author of "Temple" is correct, as many Christians, scholars and archaeologists believe that he is, then the Third Temple should be built in the city of David, just below the heights of Jerusalem.

It seems impossible that the Jews would ever accept an alternate place to build the Third Temple, but then again we believe in biblical prophecy which states that the Third Temple will be built at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation. With the tensions on the Temple Mount, how can this be accomplished? I don't believe that the Muslims will agree to allow the Jews to build on the Temple Mount (besides, it wouldn't technically fit there anyway). What I think will happen is that the Third Temple will be built where it belongs, in the city of David.  

Much needs to happen before the Jews would even consider such a thing. The Jews would have to be willing to let go of their long held belief that the Temple Mount was the site of the two previous Temples. They would have to be willing to look at the evidence unearthed by archaeologists in the city of David who have excavated much of the evidence needed to prove that the previous Temples were located on that very site (Again, you'll need to read the book to find out exactly what they've discovered and they've discovered so much more since the book was written). They would need to cede the fact that Zion is not where recent historical tradition says it is and would then need to re-designate the city of David as Zion in total agreement with scripture. I believe that once the Jewish people have grasped the truth and have come to terms with the error of their long held traditions concerning such matters, it will be only a matter of time before they abandon the Temple Mount in favor of the city of David and commence major work on excavating the site and begining actual construction of the Third Temple.  
It could happen at any time. The Temple instruments, robes, high priest crown, menorah, trumpets, alters, etc... are ready to go once the Third Temple has been built. There are only two things standing in the way. 

The first is access to the Temple Mount. It's my humble opinion that God has placed this stumbling block before them because this is not where He wants the Third Temple built. I also believe that eventually the Jews will understand that the Third Temple needs to be constructed in the city of David.

The second thing standing in the way, is the the need for the ashes of a red heifer. The waters of purification need to be made from these ashes, and as far as I am aware, a red heifer has not been born that meets their strict requirements, although they're currently in the process of trying to breed a red heifer without spot or blemish. We have seen in the past how archaeologists have discovered items pertaining to the Second Temple. I'm referring to the anointing oil (made from trees that no longer exist and an oil thought to be lost forever) and the blue dye used for the priest's robes. You can read about those amazing discoveries here. Could the ashes of the red heifer be hiding in a cave waiting for the Lord to direct someone there to discover them just as they discovered the anointing oil and the blue die? As the previous link proves, it can happen.

HEADLINE UPDATE: Temple Institute Announces Birth Of Red Heifer

Zion, the city of David, the original place of the two previous Temples... who will bring this new revelation to the Jews in a way that will cause them to finally see the truth and change their minds? Could it be the one who is prophesied to enter the world stage at this critical time in earth history? Could it be the one who brokers a peace agreement with Israel and her neighbors? Could it be the one who born again believers know by the names "Antichrist" and "Beast?" It's possible. Satan knows where the previous temples were located. He could easily influence events and use the Antichrist to solve the most pressing problem in the Middle East today. Imagine being the "one" who brought peace to the Middle East by convincing the Jews to abandon their claim to the Temple Mount in favor of building the Third Temple in the city of David. The Muslims would have their Temple Mount and the Jews would have their Third Temple. Both would be indebted to such a man. 

One thing is sure, God will allow the Jews to fulfill their desire to build the Temple. It must be there as end-time prophecy unfolds. It is the same Temple that the Antichrist will defile 3.5 years into the brokered 7-year peace agreement (the first half of the Tribulation), which will usher in the next 3.5 years of what is known in biblical prophecy as the Great Tribulation.

That is a part of history that we will not be witnesses to when it happens. If you believe, as I do, in a pre-Tribulation Rapture, then we'll be gone before the building of the Temple even begins. That'll be a story best told by those who are left behind and who live through that part of biblical history.

I know you have questions and you have your own personal ingrained beliefs that seem to be in direct conflict to what I am sharing. All I can ask is that you read the book. Get it from the library, borrow it from a friend or purchase a copy for yourself. Then pray and ask the Lord to open your mind and your heart to the possibility that the Temple Mount is not the area where the first two Temples were built. God bless!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

Left Behind: I'm In The Minority Report

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!  I have briefly described scenes in the movie in order to offer up my opinion.

As many of you may have already noticed, the film, "Left Behind: The End Begins," stirred up a lot of controversy among Christians. First there was the controversy between those who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture, those who believe in a mid-tribulation rapture and those who believe in a post-tribulation rapture.  Then there was the controversy between those Christians who liked the film and those who expected more. I will not attempt to address the former controversy in this post (I'm saving that for another time), but will instead attempt to address the latter.

As we all know, opinions are mainly subjective. In this case, either you liked the film, "Left Behind: The End Begins," or you did not.  I've read film-goers' positive and negative responses as well as online reviews from established Christian web sites and I can't seem to agree with the negativity that has been circulating throughout parts of the Christian community regarding this film.

Let's address some of the negative comments you may have heard about this film.

#1 This new film is not like the books or the original movie.

Since this is a "reboot" of the Left Behind series, complaints about straying from the original storyline found in the books and the original movie just don't seem to make sense to me. It's a reboot, not a remake. If anyone is going to see this film expecting to see an updated version of the original movie from opening title to closing credits or that it tells the story of the first book from cover to cover, then let me tell you that you will be disappointed.  

Star Trek had a "reboot." Among the changes made was the addition of Spock's romantic relationship with Uhura, Capt. Pike's altered future (he's alive and well), and the destruction of Spock's home world of Vulcan. This wasn't part of the original series or the original theatrical releases that resulted from the popularity of the series, but it didn't deter many people from going to see this film. The same should be true about the new Left Behind film. The changes in the storyline should not deter people from seeing this film. Here are a few of the changes that have been made:

• Hattie isn't the ditsy blond from the books
• Rayford's indiscretions are noticed by his daughter earlier on in the time line. 
• Raymie is raptured in Chloe's presence.
• Buck has use of his personal satellite phone on the plane.
• Characters on the plane actually have a story line and aren't just there to take up space.
• The film focuses only on the day of the rapture, beginning with Chloe's arrival at the airport as she returns home for her dad's birthday, and concluding with the dramatic landing of Rayford's aircraft.

I could go on, but I believe the point has been made. This is a REBOOT, not a remake of the original story line.  There is no mention of a Tribulation Force at the end of the movie, only the ominous statement by Chloe that this was just the beginning of what is to come.

#2 Christians are portrayed as lunatics.

A woman in the movie approaches Buck in the airport terminal and immediately begins to bible bash him. We all know the type. These people lack wisdom and humility and tend to be very judgmental. What I'm trying to say is that these people are real and their behavior, although well meaning I'm sure, is overbearing and just pushes people further away from Jesus. It may be difficult to watch a Christian movie that has a character that makes us cringe, but it's a part of our Christian culture and we can't run away from it. We can't shove it in a closet and pretend it doesn't exist. We have to own it. It's real. The film makers understand this and put it right out there for everyone to see right from the start. This scene not only instructs Christians how NOT to witness to unbelievers, but also helps us to understand how many non-believers view Christians. The film makers show empathy toward unbelievers who have had to deal with people like this in the past (which may have helped push them further from making a decision for Christ). This is a teaching moment, people!  

In another scene, as Chloe describes this incident at the airport to her mother, she lets slip that she believes the woman at the airport is just as crazy as her mother. Her mother is wounded, which makes Chloe regret her choice of words. Her mother tries to share God's word with her, to prepare her for what's coming, but before she can, Chloe makes an abrupt departure. Another missed opportunity to share God's word on wide screen? Some may see it that way. I just don't happen to agree with them. I'll explain why in the next section.

#3 The name of Jesus is never spoken and scripture is sorely lacking. It's a watered down version of the book meant to appeal to the widest Christian audience possible.

How many people know what Christians are going to say before they say it? How many unsaved know that we're going to tell them that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one goes to the Father except through Him... or that Jesus shed His blood for them to cover a multitude of sins... or that they need to be born again to enter the kingdom of God? How many of them have heard those words from church, on television, in secular movies, in soup kitchens, and yes, even at church? Yes, the words are out there, but the unsaved aren't falling to their knees in droves. They remain on the broad and easy path that leads to their destruction. The film makers decided to take a different direction. Gone is the in-your-face preaching that would drive many of the unsaved away from this movie, and in it's place is a real life example of what life is for many people.  

What do I mean by that? Here is Irene. She's the mother of Chloe and Raymie and is wife to her pilot husband Rayford. A year prior to the events of the movie, she became a born again believer in Christ. During the past year she's quoted all the scripture and shared her faith with her reluctant family, yet they still do not believe. Her daughter even goes so far as to say that her mother "drank the Kool-Aid." So what does Irene do? She doesn't press. She lives her life as a faithful Christian woman and surrounds herself and her family with symbols of her faith. She tries not to push them away from the truth, but attempts to gently draw them to Jesus by setting an example for them. Yes, she still tries to share her faith with them because she loves them and longs for their salvation as well, but she also knows that she can't go too far because that will just drive them further away from the truth. You can see that when Chloe comes home and Irene places her gardening gloves on top of her bible. She doesn't want to push.

We see Irene's faith by the jewelry she wears, the bible on the table (mentioned above), mention of her church attendance, the little reading nook she has set up with a pillow that says Pray and subtle artwork of Jesus on the cross.  Many people would look at this as a way to plug Christianity into a movie that has no Christian underpinning, but I disagree. I see the little nook she has set up, the one Chloe glimpses at as she searches the house for her raptured mother, as a subtle message. What is that message? Get alone with God, no matter where it is. Get to some small, quiet, private place where you can be alone with Him. Pray and confess your sins. Repent and give your life to Jesus. That's what I took away from that ever-so-short glimpse of Irene's little nook.

So, scripture doesn't play a major role in the movie, but Irene's faith does. That reflects real life. I don't beat my friends and family over the head with scripture. They know what I'm about and they've heard me say it all. How I live my life is my testimony to those who refuse to repent and believe. That's what this movie is to me... real life. It doesn't beat you over the head with something you already know. As a side note, scripture is presented on screen at the end of the movie before the credits roll. The closing credits roll with the beautiful voice of Jordan Sparks as she gives us her rendition of the song, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready."  

Some people want to draw a line in the sand with a detailed list of examples of what a Christian movie should contain. If it doesn't meet their demands, it's deemed a poor example of Christian film making and they automatically give it a thumbs down. I have to honestly disagree with that. There are Christian films that are made solely for Christian audiences and then there are those rare Christian films whose main purpose is to reach out to the unsaved. I believe that "Left Behind: The End Begins" is an example of the latter.  

The conversation, the questions and the scripture all come after watching this film, when you and those who have seen the film begin to share your thoughts. This film is a door that starts the conversation moving in God's direction. It's like handing a tract to someone. First they look at the cover and then they read what's inside. Look at the film as the tract cover that invites the one receiving it to want to read more. What's inside that tract is what we share when the movie's over. It's not the film's responsibility to witness to the lost, it's ours.  

Invite someone to watch the movie with you. They won't feel as if they're being force fed scripture, which may allow them to open up and begin asking those questions that they've been dwelling on for awhile.

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

Stop Casting Pearls and Start Shaking The Dust Off Your Feet Christians!!!

As Christians, we know how subtle the enemy (Satan) can be. He often dissuades us from pursuing a relationship with God and tries to convince us to take a break from Christianity for a while, hoping to separate us from Him and lead us to that wide and easy path that leads to death. What we don't expect from the enemy is encouragement to continue witnessing to the lost.

What???  Satan convinces us to continue witnessing? I believe that he does, and here is why I say that. He convinces us to continue witnessing to a resistant soul, someone who is so entangled in the enemy's web that the enemy is convinced he/she will never submit to God. Why would he do this? Think about it. If the enemy can get you to spend your time constantly witnessing to a resistant individual who does nothing but reject God and mock you, then those unsaved individuals out there who are truly seeking the truth will be, for the most part, ignored.  Great plan, don't you think?

There are those who eagerly accept the word of God, and there are those who reject it outright. The problem I used to have (and many Christians still have) is that I used to spend a lot of time trying to use the word of God to show people that God is real and that they need to repent of their sin. Unfortunately, the more resistant a person was to receiving the word of God, the more time was taken away from those who were urgently seeking someone to answer their questions about salvation.

Look, Jesus gave us the perfect example on how to deal with non-believers who totally reject who God is.

• Don’t cast your pearls before them (they’re just going to trash the word of God). 
  • “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6
• Shake the dust off your feet and walk away (if they’re not going to accept the salvation message, move on).  
  • "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet."  Matthew 10:14
• Let the blind lead the blind (if they’re intent on continuing in the same direction, let them go).  
  • “Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:14
    

We can’t neglect the rest of the harvest just because of one person. The consequences of that are just too great.  

Jesus taught those who wanted to listen.  I don’t recall any recorded incident in the bible where Jesus purposely sat down with those who rejected Him and tried to convince them otherwise. Everyone makes that personal decision whether to believe and repent or to deny and remain blissfully ignorant. Who were those who followed Jesus out into the fields and hills? While some were there to mock Him or test Him, the majority were those who wanted to hear what He had to say, to sit under this Prophet's teaching. They were those who thirsted after God.

We must understand that having a human nature means that we take on much more responsibility than God wants us to have.  We constantly have to battle that way of thinking.  It’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to convict the sinner, to open his eyes and to change his heart.  It’s His responsibility to convince the sinner of who God is.  Our job is to share the word of God with those who will listen and to point people to Jesus.  If they truly don't have any desire to give their life to God, then we’re to move on, NOT double down and put a more concerted effort and increased time into trying to convince them otherwise.

"That's not loving... we need to fight for them until the very end... how can you call yourself a Christian if you're willing to give up on them so easily? Surely God didn't say..."  Can you hear the enemy's voice?  He's trying to make us feel guilty for abandoning someone to hell.  Don't listen to him.  The enemy uses this flaw in Christians to delay them from reaching those who the enemy knows are on the verge of repentance or who have opened their heart enough to begin seeking the truth.  He has convinced Christians that we can’t love the sinner if we’re willing to walk away, but that’s a lie.  We've been instructed by God to do just that.  

For those who have hardened their heart against God, our personal walk with the Lord is our witness.  That doesn't mean that we don't pray for all of those who have rejected Him.  Our prayers for lost souls is powerful, but let's us not be deceived into believing that our one-on-one witnessing is the only way to witness to these individuals who have a heart of stone.

So what do I suggest?  If someone doesn't accept the salvation message, offer to give them some information (tracts) or point them to a specific Christian web site.  If they won’t accept the information, then let them know that you’re there for them if they have any questions or if they need prayer.  Always share the love of Christ with them through selfless acts and a warm smile.   That is a wonderful witness.  

The most important thing is to allow God to place you in the harvest field to reap as much fruit as possible before your time here on earth is over.  We're called to plant, sow and reap the harvest.  We're not called to pull up the tares.  We need to leave that to God.  Continue to pray for those who have rejected the message of Jesus Christ, but continue even more in pursuing those who are hungry for Him.

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

And God Will Send Them A Strong Delusion

READ THE BLOG OR WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

VIDEO: AND GOD WILL SEND THEM A STRONG DELUSION

As the millennial reign of Christ approaches, so do the ominous hoof beats of the coming Tribulation. Biblical prophecy makes it clear that God's going to send a powerful delusion upon an unrepentant population. (2 Thess. 2:8-12)

Ever since sin entered the garden, mankind has chosen self over God. It's the result of our fallen nature. The desire to live our own lives apart from God is just as strong today as it was in the beginning, the evidence of which we can find in the myriad of false religions and belief systems in the world. We have Wicca, Scientology, Humanism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Universalism, Rastafarianism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Islam, etc... Mankind's attempt to bring meaning to their lives apart from the One True God continues to occupy the minds of the majority of the population as they spend their time fulfilling their own desires and seeking their own "truth"... a truth that fits their own individual moral code. Christians know there is only one "truth," and that is Jesus. 

What happens when an individual, group, city, nation or worldwide population becomes stiff necked, hard-hearted, and turn their backs on God, choosing instead to satisfy their own fleshly desires and worship their own false gods? The bible is full of examples of the consequences of these actions. Here are just a few you may be familiar with:

- The fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3)

- The great worldwide flood. (Genesis 6-7)

- The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and their inhabitants. (Genesis 19:1-25)

- The fall of Nineveh (Nahum 1-3)

- 40 Years of God's people wandering in the desert, denying an entire generation entrance into the promised land. (Numbers 14)

... and numerous incidences of God's chosen being taken into captivity.

After these judgments, mankind, as a whole, has still refused to repent. Lessons learned are soon forgotten as time passes and memories fade, taking what was once a mighty work of God and diminishing it to the point where it's seen as just an old fable. So here we are today, in what people would like to believe is a more enlightened age. As mankind continues to push God away, they are unwittingly setting themselves up for the consequences to follow, just as those who have lived before us have done. This time, the consequences will involve falling under a strong delusion that God's going to send during the Tribulation.

What exactly is the definition of a delusion?

Strong's: Delusion(4106) plané Error, delusion, deception

Oxford Dictionary: "an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument..."

Cambridge Dictionary: "something a person believes and wants to be true, when it is actually not true"

Mirriam Webster: "something that is falsely or delusively believed or propagated"

Some of the consequences of this "delusion" will be:

- Being ensnared by a one world religion and one world government/economic system

- Receiving the mark of the Beast, which will mean declaring themselves an enemy of God, suffering God's wrath during the Tribulation, and sealing their ultimate fate.

- Being deceived into believing that Christians are the enemy and participating in the worldwide persecution and execution of born-again believers.

So, who exactly are these people who will fall under this strong deceptive influence? Read Romans 1:18-32, John 8:42-47, and 2 Thess. 2:8-12. As you can see, mankind hasn't changed throughout the course of human history. Mankind's increase in knowledge has allowed us to invent new and convenient ways to sin, but our sin nature has not changed. Sin also challenges born-again believers, who continue to live in these fleshly tents and experience daily battles.

Man's heart is wicked, God's word tells us so (Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19). Being under the influence of this strong delusion will cause reason and sound logic to fly out the window. As a result, most, if not all, will never experience a repentant heart as they endure the judgments of God during the Tribulation. No. Instead of coming to God on their knees, they will do just the opposite. They will shake their fists at God, curse Him, and reject Him. (Rev. 16:8-11)

God will be sending this strong delusion at a time when born-again believers have already been raptured, rescued in the blink of an eye from the 7-year Tribulation to come. Those remaining on the earth will be in one of two groups:

- Those who repent and believe (yes, it is still possible to become a born-again believer during the Tribulation).

- Those who will continue to reject God.

Unfortunately, with the Holy Spirit no longer holding back the full force of evil in the world after the rapture, Christians during this time will suffer worldwide persecution. That would include the United States as well. Even now, Christians are being persecuted all over the world. Even in the United States, bible believing Christians are being classified as radicals and possible terrorists. We are in the first stages of worsening persecution.

During the Tribulation, those living under this strong delusion will honestly believe that they are performing a beneficial act for the good of mankind and world peace by persecuting, incarcerating, torturing and killing those that they deem "intolerant," "racist," "judgmental," "divisive," "dangerous," "phobic," and, believe it or not, "delusional." But that's not all. Sin's ferocity, no longer restrained, will be multiplied many times over. If the unsaved are willing to try and beat down the doors of the Supreme Court, riot and burn down and destroy neighborhoods, physically attack and "cancel" those who disagree with them, and label truth as lie while ignoring or distorting the evidence, as we've witnessed in recent history, if they snap at a moment's notice and verbally and/or physically attack someone who doesn't support their cause to murder babies in the wombs of their mothers, if they are willing to flaunt their hatred by holding up and effigy of a president's bloody, severed head, if they can go on television or stand on their soap box in public to incite groups of other individuals to harass law abiding citizens, if they can call for the death of those who don't agree with their sinful beliefs, if they can do all this and more in the name of what they deem is "right" in their eyes at this moment in history, then when the full force of sin is released, the harassing, beating, torturing and killing of Christians will become the answer to their "prayers." 

This strong delusion will help the Antichrist affirm his position as the head of the New World Order, a one world government. Those unsaved individuals who are under this strong delusion will see the Antichrist as mankind's savior, during a time of economic and social upheaval. When the Antichrist is killed and then "resurrected" a few days later during the middle of the Tribulation and at the start of the Great Tribulation, he will secure his place as their temporary "god." 

To recap:

- Biblical prophecy reveals that God is going to send a strong worldwide delusion during the Tribulation.

- This delusion will affect everyone who is not a true born-again believer.

- Those under this delusion will eagerly and willingly take the mark of the Beast and even worship him and his image.

- Christians will be persecuted and martyred by those who believe they are actually doing what is right in their eyes.

- Biblical history reveals a multitude of examples of God's righteous judgments against a wicked, rebellious and unrepentant individual, group, city, nation and world population.

- This delusion will help cement the position of the Antichrist as the head of the one world government and as mankind's "savior."

- This is just the precursor to their eventual defeat and eternal punishment.

Don't leave yourself open to this delusion. Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!  

All scripture, unless otherwise noted, is quoted from the New American Standard Bible

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net