The Rapture – Part I
or The Rupture of Christian Eschatology?
In Matthew 24, Yeshua makes it pretty clear that He is coming at the end of the Great Tribulation, for His elect. That means the rapture of the living saints and the resurrection of the dead saints happens post-tribulation, but take heart, Yeshua will shorten the Great Tribulation days for the sake of the saints. In verse 8 we have the beginning of sorrows, which we are in now. In verse 9 we begin tribulation with death to the saints. In verse 15 we have the abomination of desolation of Daniel, which leads to the great tribulation of verse 21. After the tribulation, verse 29, Yeshua comes in verse 30 and collects the saints in verse 31, with the sounding of a trumpet. The key to understanding the rapture and resurrection of the saints is the Feast of Trumpets. Yeshua gives us another clue that this happens at the Feast of Trumpets in verse 36, nobody knows the day or the hour when the new moon will appear, so nobody knows when Yeshua will appear. Verse 42 tells the five wise virgins to watch therefore, because we won’t know the hour of His coming. For those who are watching, Yeshua’s return will not be as a thief, but for those unwise virgins that are NOT watching, His return will be as a thief in the night. The unknown day and hour of the Master’s return are direct references to the Feast of Trumpets, which is a rehearsal of His return, verse 50.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of Yahweh; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”” The early Hebrew mindset Church knew what Paul was talking about when he said the last trumpet. The modern western mindset Church does not. The early church was simply a sect of Judaism. The Jews blast the trumpet 100 times on the Feast of Trumpets. The last trumpet is the 100th blast of the trumpet at the fall Feast of Trumpets. The rapture and resurrection will occur during this last trumpet blast on some future Feast of Trumpets, I hope it is on one real soon.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died physical death), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14For if we believe that Yeshua died and rose again, even so Yahweh will bring with Him those who sleep in Yeshua (the dead in Messiah).
15For this we say to you by the word of the Master, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Master will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Master Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of Yahweh. And the dead in Messiah will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Master in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Master. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words.” The rapture and resurrection of the saints has been the hope of the Church for 2,000 years!! Notice again the trumpet of Yahweh being blown at this event. From the keys and clues given to us by Yeshua Himself in Matthew 24, we know this trumpet is the last trumpet blast of the Feast of Trumpets!! Paul knew it, that’s why he could mention it specifically.
My personal problem with the rapture, or resurrection for that matter, is found in Luke 21:36, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” I don’t believe I’m worthy. I’ve never done anything that I know of that would qualify me for escaping anything coming upon the earth in these last days. If I were Yahweh, I would blot my name out of the Book of Life, and probably the name of everyone I know, but thanks be to Yahweh, He is merciful and He counts the blood of Yeshua as priceless and more precious than we can ever comprehend!! Thank you Father, I plead the blood of Messiah Yeshua, come Master Yeshua!!
Compare the unknown of the new moon at the Feast of Trumpets and Yeshua’s return with the known event of the Feast of Yom Kippur, Judgment Day, the Day of Redemption, as found in Revelation 9:13-15, “Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before Yahweh, 14saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind.” The year, month, day, and hour is a direct and very specific reference to Yom Kippur, Judgment Day, when the final redemption of Yahweh’s people will finally be accomplished. All Hebrews look forward to that sacrificial offering made at that specific hour once each year. Apparently, there will be 10 days of awe between the rapture and resurrection of the saints, accompanied by Yeshua’s return to earth at the head of the Heavenly host, at the Feast of Trumpets, until He pours out His final wrath upon the remaining rebellious population on earth, at the Feast of Yom Kippur. Five days later, of course, will be the glorious wedding feast and 7-day marriage celebration during the Feast of Tabernacles. While we’re eating at the wedding feast, the beasts and birds of earth will be gorging themselves on the carcasses of Yahweh’s enemies!! Be glad the rapture comes first. I am.
Blessings,
Gene Benjamin II
September 18, 2012 CE