"Pre-Tribulation Truth;" PLUS MY GUESS AT DATE OF FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE (original) (raw)
Re: Pastor Bob: "Pre-Tribulation Truth;" PLUS MY GUESS AT DATE OF FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE
Hi:
> > �Paul first revealed the Pre-Tribulation Rapture in the Greek text of 2nd Thessalonians 2:3!�
To me, Paul first revealed the First-Trump Rapture in I Th 4:13-18. He referred back to that in 2 Th 2:3.
ANAPHORIC (PREVIOUS REFERENCE)
As you know, �Anaphoric reference means that a word in a text refers back to other ideas in the text for its meaning. It can be compared with cataphoric reference, which means a word refers to ideas later in the text.� https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=meaning+of+anaphoric&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4MXGB\_enUS531US534&q=meaning+of+anaphoric+reference&gs\_l=hp..1.0j0i30j0i5i30.0.0.0.586074...........0.Eb2z9HcHlDg
In the Greek, the definite article "he" (the) can be Anaphoric and refer back to something spoken previously. This happens in 2 Thess. 2.
2 Th 2:5 (KJV) says, "Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I TOLD YOU THESE THINGS?�
THE DEPARTURE
Since the definite article is used with apostasia, it refers back to the First-Trump Rapture Paul taught the Thessalonians previously in I Thess. 4:13-18.
"Liddell and Scott" gives the second meaning of apostasia as "departure" or "disappearance".
As you know, these early Bibles have DEPARTING FIRST in 2 Thess. 2:3.
Wycliffe Bible (1384) has "departynge first"
Tyndale Bible (1526) has "departynge first"
Coverdale Bible 1535) has "departynge first"
Crammer Bible (1539) has "departynge first"
Geneva Bible (1587) has "departynge first"
Breeches Bible (1576) has "departynge first"
Beza Bible (1583) has "departing first"
The Vulgate used �discessio,� which means departure.
Some modern translators are waking up to this.
2 Thess. 2:3,4 (WEB) says, "Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you 2 not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ (should be day of the Lord, as in the Sinaitic Codex, the Vatican Codex and the Alexandrine Codex) had come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For it (i.e., the Day of the Lord) will not be, unless THE DEPARTURE (i.e., the First-Trump Rapture) COMES FIRST, and the man of sin (i.e., the False Prophet) is revealed (i.e., MID-TRIB), the son of destruction, 4 he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God."
2Th 2:3 (HNV) says, �Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless THE DEPARTURE comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction�.
A footnote in the Amplified Bible says that a possible rendering of the Greek apostasia is �departure (of the church)�.
Kenneth Wuest, a New Testament Greek scholar, translated verse 3 as: "Do not allow anyone to lead you astray in any way, because that day [the day of the Lord] shall not come except the aforementioned departure [of the Church to Heaven] comes first."
> > I explained the background on the missing "Definite Article" missing in the English KJV Bible, that it is in the Greek Textus-Receptus text, and that it means a specific event - "The Departure".
I agree, and have found something new.
THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE SEEMS TO COME A LITTLE BIT BEFORE MID-TRIB, WHEN THE FALSE PROPHET COMES TO POWER
Rev 13:4-6 says, �And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast (i.e., the Antichrist): and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months (i.e., the first half of the Tribulation). 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and THEM THAT DWELL IN HEAVEN.�
AT THIS POINT, THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE HAS JUST TAKEN PLACE
Along with the lukewarm church of Laodicea, the church of Thyatira will have some left behind to go into the GREAT TRIBULATION, the last half of the Tribulation.
Rev 2:18-20 says, �And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass (i.e., a symbol of judgment); 19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel (meaning unmarried), which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery (i.e., join) with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known THE DEPTHS OF SATAN, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.�
Rev_22:16 says, �I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.�
The third heaven is on a bright and morning star too.
THE SECOND RAPTURE WILL BE ON THE DAY OF THE LORD, THE DAY OF GOD�S WRATH THAT ENDS THE GREAT TRIBULATION
Rev 6:17 says, �For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?�
Rev_7:14 says, �These are they which came out of GREAT TRIBULATION, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.�
Those saints out of the Great Tribulation include the Laodiceans.
THOSE THAT DWELL IN HEAVEN OF REV 13:6 SEEM TO BE THERE A LITTLE BEFORE MID-TRIB, WHICH MAY BE SEPT 19, 2016
The First-Trump Rapture may take place on Pentecost, Sivan 6, 5776, Sun. June 12, 2016 (�not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day� Mt. 24:20, but in the spring, Song of Solomon 2;10f and Isa 18:3f).
Because it seems to be in the spring, the First-Trump Rapture probably will take place a little bit before the Antichrist�s 42 months are up Mon. Sept. 19, 2016.
Between the First-Trump Rapture and Mid-Trib, the Antichrist will make war with the lukewarm saints left behind. Then, at the end of that first 42 months of the Tribulation, the False Prophet will take command, maybe Mon. Sept. 19, 2016. He will rule during the shortened Great Tribulation. His rule will end on the great and terrible Day of the Lord. The Last-Trump Rapture will also take place on that day just before God�s wrath is poured out on Babylon near the Euphrates River.
After the Philadelphian saints are in Heaven, Rev 13:7-11 says, �And it was given unto him (i.e., the Antichrist, the first beast) to make war with the saints (i.e., the Laodiceans left behind at the First-Trump Rapture), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the SWORD (i.e., the Sword of the Lord, Satan�s asteroid Wormwood). Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 11 And I beheld another beast (i.e., Satan, who goes into the False Prophet) coming up out of the earth (i.e., Mid-Trib, Rev. 12); and he (i.e., Satan) had two horns (i.e., two comings to power, in Judas Iscariot and the False Prophet) like a lamb (Jesus), and he (i.e., the Satan-possessed False Prophet) spake as a dragon (Satan).�
THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE COULD BE EXACTLY MID-TRIB
Rev 12:12-14 says, �Therefore rejoice, YE HEAVENS, AND YE THAT DWELL IN THEM. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place (i.e., Petra), where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (i.e., the 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation), from the face of the serpent.�
Dan 12:1 says, �And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and AT THAT TIME (i.e., Mid-Trib) THY PEOPLE SHALL BE DELIVERED (malat, to leap out, escape, i.e., be raptured), EVERY ONE THAT SHALL BE FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK.�
THE SWORD OF THE LORD IS SATAN�S ASTEROID WORMWOOD
Jer_12:12 says, �The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.�
Gen 3:24 says, �So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims (i.e., the 4 terrestrial planets, of which Earth is one, Eze 1:15), and a flaming sword (i.e., the asteroid Wormwood) which turned every way (i.e., it revolves and orbits), to keep the way of the tree of life.�
The asteroid Wormwood comes from an orbit between the four terrestrial planets.
Eze 10:2 says, �And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels (i.e., orbits), even under the cherub (i.e., Satan), and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims (i.e., the four terrestrial planets), and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight.�
Rev 8:10,11 says, �And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star (aster) from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called WORMWOOD: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.�
Isa 51:9 says, �Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut (chatsab, split) Rahab (i.e., Satan�s planet, now our Asteroid Belt), and wounded the dragon?�
Isa 22:16-19 says, �What hast thou here? (i.e., Babylon) and whom hast thou here (the Satan-possessed False Prophet), that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he (i.e., Satan) that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock (i.e., Wormwood)? 17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover (atah atah, roll, turn aside) thee. 18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. 19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state (min maamad, position) shall he pull thee down (haras, throw down).�
CHARLES SWINDOLL BELIEVES IN THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE
> > You see, it does not matter what name is added to the list of those "coming out" and saying they are now against the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. It could be Charles Swindoll, himself and say he changed his mind about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture (he is president of Dallas Theological Seminary)
I understand where you are coming from, because Chuck Swindoll was the pastor of my church, Rolling Hills Covenant, when I lived in Lomita, CA. At that time, I believed in the Pre-Trib Rapture. I not only listened to him in church, I studied his tapes. I believed as he did. It took many more years of Bible study on my own to realize that there are two Raptures, I Th 4:16,17 and I Cor 15:51-54, and that they bookend the shortened Great Tribulation.
THE TWO RAPTURES ARE NOT ALIKE
I Th 4:16,17 is the First-Trump Rapture, and I Cor 15:51-54 is the Last-Trump Rapture. At the First-Trump Rapture, none actually become immortal. At the Last-Trump Rapture, all saints actually become immortal.
AT THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE, PROBABLY JUST BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, NO ONE BECOMES ACTUALLY IMMORTAL
1Th 4:13-18 says, �But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (phthano, precede) them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.�
AT THE LAST-TRUMP RAPTURE, ON THE DAY OF THE LORD, THE DAY OF GOD�S WRATH AT THE END OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, ALL SAINTS OF BOTH RAPTURES ACTUALLY WILL BECOME IMMORTAL
1Co 15:51-54 says, �Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.�
THE POSSIBLE DAY OF THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE
> > �However, the events this year are ominous to say the least and I feel comfortable with my thoughts on this Rosh HaShanah being an excellent day of our "Departure".�...
I hope you are right. However, Pentecost, Sun. June 12, 2016 (Sivan 6, 5776) sounds likely to me at this time.
HOW DO YOU TAKE SONG OF SOLOMON 2:10f? IT SPEAKS OF SPRING
The former rain comes Tishri 1, and the latter rain comes Nisan 1. If Nisan is over, the First-Trump Rapture of I Th 4:16,17 might be in Iyar or Sivan, maybe on Pentecost, Sun. June 12, 2016 (Sivan 6, 5776). If the Tribulation started on March 19, 2013, adding 42 months would bring us to Mon. Sept. 19, 2016 for Mid-Trib. Maybe the Rapture would take place during the preceding spring.
JOB 11:6 SAYS, �THE SECRETS OF WISDOM, THAT THEY ARE DOUBLE TO THAT WHICH IS!�
The Holy Spirit came to the church on Pentecost, the memorial of the descent of the Lord on Mt. Sinai on Pentecost. In John 16:7 the Lord had told His Disciples, �I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.�
In Joh 14:18, Jesus also said, �I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.�
He came on Pentecost in 30 AD, and it looks likely that he will come for the Philadelphian Church on Pentecost in 2016.
In the Old Testament, the LORD came down to Mt. Sinai on Pentecost. In the New Testament, Jesus came to the church on Pentecost. Will the Lord come to the church again on Pentecost?
The word Sinai seems to be from the Sanskrit Sani, Saturn, which is the third heaven that Paul was caught up to in II Cor. 12:2-4. Earth�s first heaven is Mars, the second Jupiter, and the third Saturn.
Josephus, a Pharisee priest, let us know that the candlestick represented the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn (Ant. III. VI. 7 and Wars V. V. 5). That makes identifying the three heavens easy.
Moses and Elijah will come back with Christ at the time of the approximately Mid-Trib First-Trump Rapture (i.e., the �Rise� of Rev. 11:1), and begin to prophesy 1260 days (Rev. 11:3). At the end of those days, which are to be shortened, Moses and Elijah will be killed, resurrected and caught up in the Last-Trump Rapture, when there is a great earthquake because Satan�s asteroid Wormwood will hit Babylon, and a mountain-sized piece will hit the Mediterranean Sea, causing a tsunami that will wash Gog�s army out of Israel�s hair.
Rev 11:12,13 says, �And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.�
EX 19:3,4 MAY BE A CLUE TO THE DATE OF THE FIRST-TRUMP RAPTURE
It says, �MOSES WENT UP UNTO GOD, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain (i.e., which represented Heaven), saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I BARE YOU ON EAGLES� WINGS, AND BROUGHT YOU UNTO MYSELF.�
Exo 19:13 says, �when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.� That is the first time a trumpet is mentioned in Scripture. According to the Law of First Mention, the meaning can be determined by the first mention. The first trumpet sounded at Mt. Sinai, and the trumpet will sound at the first Rapture, maybe on Pentecost. The last Rapture seems to be on the Feast of Trumpets.
In Judaism, the First Trumpet sounds on Pentecost, a harvest festival, and the Last Trumpet sounds on the Feast of Trumpets and the Great Trumpet sounds on the Day of Atonement.
Ruth and Boaz were married around the time of Pentecost. He was winnowing barley the night she lay at his feet. That might be significant. We are the Bride of Christ.
Pentecost is called the feast of harvest.
Ex 2314-16 says, "Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); and THE FEAST OF HARVEST, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.�
THE SAINTS ARE FIRSTFRUITS, AND FIRSTFRUITS WERE OFFERED TO THE LORD ON PENTECOST
Jas_1:18 says, �Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.�
Psa_126:6 mentions �He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.�
Sheaves point to Pentecost, the beginning of the harvest of winter wheat, which is planted from September to December.
MAYBE PENTECOST AND TRUMPETS ARE THE DATES OF HE TWO RAPTURES
Concerning Pentecost, Lev 23:15-17 says, �And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring from your dwellings two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the FIRSTFRUITS to the LORD.�
Ex 23:15,16 says, �Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) 16 And THE FEAST OF HARVEST, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field (i.e., Pentecost): AND THE FEAST OF INGATHERING, WHICH IS IN THE END OF THE YEAR, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.�
The autumn feasts are at the end of the summer harvest. The Feast of Trumpets is the end of the harvest of spring wheat, planted in March and April and harvested in the late summer.
Act 2:17-21 links Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came to indwell the Church, and the Feast of Trumpets, which will be the future Day of the Lord. The two Raptures may fall on those two feasts.
Act 2:17-21 says, �And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit (i.e., probably on Pentecost as in 30 AD); and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable DAY OF THE LORD come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.�
Ginzberg, in Legends of the Jews (1:137) said that Enoch ascended to heaven on Sivan 6. That could be another sign that the First-Trump Rapture would be on Pentecost.
He said, �Enoch was born on the sixth day of the month of Siwan, and he was taken to heaven in the same month, Siwan, on the same day and in the same hour when he was born.�
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/lginzberg/bl-lginzberg-legends-1-3k.htm
THE SECRET OF THE STAIRS
Song 2:10-16 says, �My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up (qum, lift up, rise up, arise), my love, my fair one, and come away (halak, DEPART). 11 For, lo, the winter is past, THE RAIN (i.e., of Nisan) IS OVER AND GONE (i.e., then it could be Iyar or Sivan); 12 The flowers appear on the earth (i.e., April showers bring May flowers); the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle (lit., turtledove, i.e., they come in April and leave in October) is heard in our land; 13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise (qum, rise up), my love, my fair one, and come away (halak, DEPART). 14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes (semadar, vine blossoms, tender grapes, i.e., sounds like Sivan, the flowers are pollinated in May and the grape harvest starts in June). 16 My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. 17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether (i.e., separation, i.e., there are two Raptures).�
The spectacular white wildflower, the Madonna Lily, Lilium candidum, that grows in the high valleys of the upper Western Galilee and Mt. Hermon, naturally blooms in May and June. Some are growing it now in greenhouses, trying to get it to bloom at Easter.
�IN THAT TIME (i.e., IN THE SPRING, PROBABLY IN MAY OR EARLY JUNE) SHALL THE PRESENT BE BROUGHT UNTO THE LORD OF HOSTS OF A PEOPLE SCATTERED AND PEELED�
Does Isa 18:2-7 indicate that the First-Trump Rapture will be in the spring? A trumpet is blown on the first of each month and on the feast days. Maybe the First-Trump Rapture will be on Pentecost, a harvest festival, Sunday, June 12, 2016 (Sivan 6, 5776). It celebrates both the descent of the Holy Spirit and the coming of Jesus. According to the Hebrews, Moses was placed in the water on Sivan 6.
Isa 18:2-7 says, �That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign (i.e., the UN flag) on the mountains (i.e., kingdoms); and WHEN HE BLOWETH A TRUMPET (i.e., probably on a Feast Day), hear ye. 4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider (nabat, regard with pleasure) in my dwelling place (i.e., Heaven) like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. 5 For afore the harvest (i.e., the grape harvest starts in June), when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs (zalzal, tremulous, a twig, from zalal, to be loose morally, worthless or prodigal) with pruning hooks, and take away (sur, DEPART) and cut down the branches. 6 THEY (i.e., the unfruitful branches) SHALL BE LEFT together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of THE EARTH: and the fowls shall SUMMER upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall WINTER upon them. 7 IN THAT TIME (i.e. in the spring, maybe June 12, 2016) SHALL THE PRESENT (shay, present, gift) BE BROUGHT UNTO THE LORD OF HOSTS OF A PEOPLE SCATTERED AND PEELED (morat, obstinate, independent, peeled), and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place (maqom, country, i.e., Heaven) of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.�
�Some synagogues decorate the bimah with a canopy of flowers and plants so that it resembles a chuppah, as Shavuot is mystically referred to as the day the matchmaker (Moses) brought the bride (the nation of Israel) to the chuppah (Mount Sinai) to marry the bridegroom (God); the ketubbah (marriage contract) was the Torah.� https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Shavuot
Acts 2:1 says, �And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.�
They were in the upper room (Act 1:13), appropriate to represent our arrival in Heaven.
Pentecost was the time of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. We are firstfruits. It seems reasonable to expect the Rapture of the firstfruits of winter wheat on Pentecost, and the Rapture of the spring wheat on the Feast of Trumpets.
In the Talmud, Pentecost is called the �marriage day� between God and the Israelites.
In Jewish tradition, Pentecost is called by these names:
Chag Shavuot, The Festival of Weeks, Ex 34:22; De 16:10
Chag Hakatzir, The festival of the Harvest, Ex 23:16
Yom Habikkurim, The Day of First Fruits, Lev 23:9-12
Bikkurei Ketzir Chittim, The first fruits of the wheat harvest, Ex 34:22
Yom HaKahal, The Day of Assembly, De 18:16
Z�man Mattan Torateinu, The season of the giving of the Torah
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring\_Holidays/Shavuot/shavuot.html
I am hoping that next Pentecost will be the day of the First-Trump Rapture, Sivan 6, 5776, Sun. June 12, 2016.
Mid-Trib, end of the first 42 months, seems to be Elul 16, 5776, Mon. Sept 19, 2016. I think we will be caught up to Heaven a bit before that, on Pentecost, but not Pre-Trib. That time has already passed. It is now too late for that.
RECENT NEWS
On Five Doves: Bob Anderson (7 June 2015) �What Does Pope Francis Believe?�
"This pope is unbiblical and he is un-Roman Catholic."
https://endofdaysprophecy.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/lamb-lion-ministeries-what-does-pope-francis-believe/
�Mike Gendron: The Roman Catholic Jesus is called down from Heaven every day to be offered again and again as a sin offering by the priest on an altar. Transubstantiation happens, Catholics say, to appease the wrath of God. Divine justice is served every day on a Catholic altar. This is not the Jesus of Scripture.
The Jesus of Scripture entered Heaven having obtained eternal redemption. He died once for all for all time.�
�Dr. Reagan: This is to me the most off-the-wall statement I have ever read by Pope Francis: �God is not a divine being or a magician.�
(http://washingtonpost.com.co/pope-francis-to-followers-koran-and-holy-bible-are-the-same/)
�On Monday (June 8, 2015) the Bishop Of Rome addressed Catholic followers regarding the dire importance of exhibiting religious tolerance. During his hour-long speech, a smiling Pope Francis was quoted telling the Vatican�s guests that the Koran, and the spiritual teachings contained therein, are just as valid as the Holy Bible.�
By Joshua J. McElwee, NCR Vatican correspondent, Mar. 13, 2015
"Symbolically calling on the entire global Roman Catholic church to take up his papacy's central message of compassion and pardon, Pope Francis on Friday announced that he is convoking a jubilee year to be called the Holy Year of Mercy....
"We entrust it as of now to the Mother of Mercy, because she looks to us with her gaze and watches over our way," Francis said....
�Francis on Friday said the new jubilee would begin on this year's Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated Dec. 8. It will close on Nov. 20, 2016, the day celebrated that year as the feast of Christ the King....
�The jubilee year will formally open Dec. 8 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. The other holy doors of basilicas around the world will then be opened as a sign of God's opening a new pathway to salvation....
"No one can be excluded from the mercy of God," Francis continued, repeating: "No one can be excluded from the mercy of God!"
"The church is the house that welcomes all and refuses no one," the pope said. "Its doors remain wide open, so that those touched by grace can find the certainty of forgiveness."
Pope Francis also said, �I believe in God � not in a Catholic God; there is no Catholic God. There is God, and I believe in Jesus Christ, his incarnation. Jesus is my teacher and my pastor, but God, the Father, Abba, is the light and the Creator.�
Hasn�t he read the Bible?
Joh 1:1-3 says, �In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.�
The Word is Jesus. Rev_19:11-13 says, �And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.�
Eph_3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ�.
Col 1:16 says, �For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him�.
Rev_4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.�
Rev_10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein�.