Summary of Bible references on the Rapture
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Proof that the first rapture cannot take place prior to the start of the 70th week marked by the covenant with the many being confirmed.
Leviticus 25:4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.
This is why we expect that during the millennial reign there will not be any sowing or reaping for those thousand years. That is a sabbath day. However, this may also apply to the last seven years known as the seventieth week. This may indicate that all who will get saved will get saved in the first six years.
10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.
Most of us think that the millennial reign will begin with a jubilee year.
But this word helps to confirm the significance of the Shemitah. The seventieth week must begin on a Shemitah year and this proves that the rapture cannot take place prior to the start of the 70th week because prior to the start of the 70th week you have the seventh year of the previous Shemitah and there is no reaping during that year.
Leviticus 25:4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.
This is why we expect that during the millennial reign there will not be any sowing or reaping for those thousand years. That is a sabbath day. However, this may also apply to the last seven years known as the seventieth week. This may indicate that all who will get saved will get saved in the first six years.
10 And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. 11 A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.
Most of us think that the millennial reign will begin with a jubilee year.
But this word helps to confirm the significance of the Shemitah. The seventieth week must begin on a Shemitah year and this proves that the rapture cannot take place prior to the start of the 70th week because prior to the start of the 70th week you have the seventh year of the previous Shemitah and there is no reaping during that year.
Furnace of Fire
Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I was reminded of the LA fires and Lahaina fires. These are warnings to us, this word will be fulfilled. Now is the time to get right with the Lord.
Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
This is Abraham's covenant with God, the father of our faith. We all must go through the sacrifice to God as either a smoking furnace or a burning lamp. Better to be a burning lamp with a testimony that shines to the whole house.
Genesis 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
What we are seeing in LA is a preview of what we will see when Sodom and Gomorrah are judged.
Exodus 9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
The ashes from the fires in LA and Lahaina are a testimony against man that they have not done what they ought to have done and they have done what they ought not to have done. For example, the brush was not cleared away in LA over some lame excuse about climate change. You can clear the brush without cutting down the trees. Also there was a reservoir that holds 11 million gallons which was empty in LA, that should have been filled. Also, it turns out that these houses in LA have smart meters on the outside of the house that are powered by Lithium batteries. When they get hot from the fire they can burst into flames burning at 6,000 degrees and heating up all the wires that go into the house so that the houses burn from the inside. We have lots of video of houses burned to ashes while the trees in the yard are still green.
Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
The burning of Sodom and Gomorrah will set the stage for the tribulation to begin in earnest on Shavuot.
Deuteronomy 4:20 But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
The Jews leaving Egypt and entering the good land is a picture of the rapture rescuing God's people out of an iron furnace. Working in an iron furnace is a good picture of the industrial revolution.
Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
No one gets to avoid the furnace of affliction if you want to be chosen of the Lord.
Jeremiah 11:4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
Our experience in the furnace teaches us to Obey the Lord's voice and to do all that He commands us.
Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
The tribulation during the seven years known as the seventieth week will be much hotter than it was during the church age. During the church age Jesus freaks were mocked, ridiculed and ostracized. But during the tribulation they will hunt you down, prosecute you and behead you. That is significantly hotter. This does not mean that the tribulation that is worse than all of human history is seven years long. It means that at the start of the seven year period the order is given to heat the furnace. It takes time to get seven times hotter. During the Great tribulation, the last half of the seven years, it is much hotter than the first half. It takes a full 3 1/2 years to get heated up to that level. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego represent the saints who are left behind while Daniel represents those who were already raptured. What is the difference between the two? All four were given Babylonian names. A name denotes the person and work. 75% of them expressed that Babylonian person and work and so they are called by their Babylonian names. 25% of them did not. Daniel still was called by his Hebrew name. Daniel was sanctified while the other three were pickled in the Babylonian culture.
Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I was reminded of the LA fires and Lahaina fires. These are warnings to us, this word will be fulfilled. Now is the time to get right with the Lord.
Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
This is Abraham's covenant with God, the father of our faith. We all must go through the sacrifice to God as either a smoking furnace or a burning lamp. Better to be a burning lamp with a testimony that shines to the whole house.
Genesis 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
What we are seeing in LA is a preview of what we will see when Sodom and Gomorrah are judged.
Exodus 9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.
The ashes from the fires in LA and Lahaina are a testimony against man that they have not done what they ought to have done and they have done what they ought not to have done. For example, the brush was not cleared away in LA over some lame excuse about climate change. You can clear the brush without cutting down the trees. Also there was a reservoir that holds 11 million gallons which was empty in LA, that should have been filled. Also, it turns out that these houses in LA have smart meters on the outside of the house that are powered by Lithium batteries. When they get hot from the fire they can burst into flames burning at 6,000 degrees and heating up all the wires that go into the house so that the houses burn from the inside. We have lots of video of houses burned to ashes while the trees in the yard are still green.
Exodus 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
The burning of Sodom and Gomorrah will set the stage for the tribulation to begin in earnest on Shavuot.
Deuteronomy 4:20 But the Lord hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
The Jews leaving Egypt and entering the good land is a picture of the rapture rescuing God's people out of an iron furnace. Working in an iron furnace is a good picture of the industrial revolution.
Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
No one gets to avoid the furnace of affliction if you want to be chosen of the Lord.
Jeremiah 11:4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God:
Our experience in the furnace teaches us to Obey the Lord's voice and to do all that He commands us.
Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
The tribulation during the seven years known as the seventieth week will be much hotter than it was during the church age. During the church age Jesus freaks were mocked, ridiculed and ostracized. But during the tribulation they will hunt you down, prosecute you and behead you. That is significantly hotter. This does not mean that the tribulation that is worse than all of human history is seven years long. It means that at the start of the seven year period the order is given to heat the furnace. It takes time to get seven times hotter. During the Great tribulation, the last half of the seven years, it is much hotter than the first half. It takes a full 3 1/2 years to get heated up to that level. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego represent the saints who are left behind while Daniel represents those who were already raptured. What is the difference between the two? All four were given Babylonian names. A name denotes the person and work. 75% of them expressed that Babylonian person and work and so they are called by their Babylonian names. 25% of them did not. Daniel still was called by his Hebrew name. Daniel was sanctified while the other three were pickled in the Babylonian culture.
The Seven Year Tribulation
Let's consider the 7 year famine with Joseph. The first year we have a bad crop, not enough food for us or the cows. What happens? Inflation, food gets more expensive. Thanksgiving in the US was 20% more expensive in 2024 than in 2020. But with each progressive year the situation becomes worse and worse. That is what we see in Revelation with the seven year period. If you want to call it seven years of tribulation based on the story of Joseph that is fine. But that first year of famine is not worse than anything the world has ever seen or.ever will see again. That does not happen until the last 3 1/2 years of the seven year period.
There is nothing in the Bible that says the rapture will be before inflation or before one bad year of harvest.
Rather we are told the rapture is before the hour of trial. That is the question, when does the hour of trial begin and no doubt from Revelation that is a reference to the Mark of the Beast where you cannot buy or sell without the mark and if you refuse the mark they will ultimately execute you.
It would be absurd to say that this is what the covenant with the many is because that day comes as a thief in the night. They can't tell people what is going on because the restrainer is still here.
The last seven years is a Shemitah. The first year of one Shemitah follows the seventh year of the last Shemitah. During the seventh year you cannot reap your fields, so there cannot be a reaping, there cannot be a rapture prior to the seventieth year starting and we know on day one of the seventieth year there is no rapture because the Antichrist is still creeping around in the dead of night like a thief in the night.
On the other hand we can say that there is a 7 year 6 month gap between the rapture and Israel being raised up. But let's consider that, Israel being raised up would be a reaping. You cannot reap during the 7th year of a Shemitah. Therefore they are not raised up during the seventieth week. They are enlived during that time when the Lord returns in glory and defeats the army of Armageddon. But they are not raised up for another year. The seventh year is a year of rest, the Lord will do everything.
Every piece to the puzzle must fit together. Since Jesus returns in the seventh year of the seventieth year we know it will be in the 8th year that the Lord's kingdom is set up in Jerusalem. This will have to be after the day of Judgement.
Basically the rapture must take place after the seventieth week begins when they confirm the covenant with the many on the Feast of Trumpets but it cannot be more than six months after that date.
Also the best date on the Jewish calendar as a shadow of the Jews rejecting and killing the two witnesses will be the 9th of Av and the best date for Jesus to return in glory is Shavuot (same day He ascended) and the best date for the Jews to be raised up 7 1/2 years after the rapture is the 15th of Av, the day the curse ended and the Jews rose up out of the graves.
Let's consider the 7 year famine with Joseph. The first year we have a bad crop, not enough food for us or the cows. What happens? Inflation, food gets more expensive. Thanksgiving in the US was 20% more expensive in 2024 than in 2020. But with each progressive year the situation becomes worse and worse. That is what we see in Revelation with the seven year period. If you want to call it seven years of tribulation based on the story of Joseph that is fine. But that first year of famine is not worse than anything the world has ever seen or.ever will see again. That does not happen until the last 3 1/2 years of the seven year period.
There is nothing in the Bible that says the rapture will be before inflation or before one bad year of harvest.
Rather we are told the rapture is before the hour of trial. That is the question, when does the hour of trial begin and no doubt from Revelation that is a reference to the Mark of the Beast where you cannot buy or sell without the mark and if you refuse the mark they will ultimately execute you.
It would be absurd to say that this is what the covenant with the many is because that day comes as a thief in the night. They can't tell people what is going on because the restrainer is still here.
The last seven years is a Shemitah. The first year of one Shemitah follows the seventh year of the last Shemitah. During the seventh year you cannot reap your fields, so there cannot be a reaping, there cannot be a rapture prior to the seventieth year starting and we know on day one of the seventieth year there is no rapture because the Antichrist is still creeping around in the dead of night like a thief in the night.
On the other hand we can say that there is a 7 year 6 month gap between the rapture and Israel being raised up. But let's consider that, Israel being raised up would be a reaping. You cannot reap during the 7th year of a Shemitah. Therefore they are not raised up during the seventieth week. They are enlived during that time when the Lord returns in glory and defeats the army of Armageddon. But they are not raised up for another year. The seventh year is a year of rest, the Lord will do everything.
Every piece to the puzzle must fit together. Since Jesus returns in the seventh year of the seventieth year we know it will be in the 8th year that the Lord's kingdom is set up in Jerusalem. This will have to be after the day of Judgement.
Basically the rapture must take place after the seventieth week begins when they confirm the covenant with the many on the Feast of Trumpets but it cannot be more than six months after that date.
Also the best date on the Jewish calendar as a shadow of the Jews rejecting and killing the two witnesses will be the 9th of Av and the best date for Jesus to return in glory is Shavuot (same day He ascended) and the best date for the Jews to be raised up 7 1/2 years after the rapture is the 15th of Av, the day the curse ended and the Jews rose up out of the graves.
The rapture is before the hour of trial
The three synoptic gospels have significant differences that indicate Luke is written to those who are raptured first, Mark is to the left behind and Matthew is to the Jews. Obviously the entire Bible is to all of us, every verse is good for instruction, but there is a distinction that helps us understand these three groups.
Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
This refers to those raptured first. Not all Christians have continued with the Lord in His temptations. The prosperity gospel is a cloak to justify not continuing with the Lord in His temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
This is why they have been raptured. This reminds us of the guy who had five talents being made ruler over five cities.
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This is also the reward of those who are raptured first. The Lord said He longed to eat and drink with us again at the table and that will happen at the time of the rapture.
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
This is a word to those who are left behind. The rapture is before the hour of trial and Simon denies the Lord during the hour of trial.
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
He has prayed that those left behind will stand strong, turn to Him and trust in Him.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
There will be many who think this is the case, but notice the difference. Those who are raptured are those who continued with the Lord in His temptations, that might have been prison, that might have been death. Peter doesn't say "I have gone with you" he says "he is ready to go with Him" and that is precisely what will happen to those left behind.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
This is the hour of trial for Peter. We all must go through this trial. If you preach the gospel regularly, if you were threatened with losing your job or some other trial and yet you refused to deny the Lord then you have not abandoned the Lord in His temptations. But if you buckled under to the pressure then you have.
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
This is a reference to the church age prior to the rapture.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
This is a reference to the believers who are left behind after the rapture.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Have you been reckoned among the transgressors? That is a requirement. Jesus was accused of the worst crime and convicted. Will you continue with the Lord when you are reckoned among the transgressors? Either the answer is I have been already or I am ready to. That tells me if you are going to be raptured or if you will be left behind.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Do you think that we bring in the kingdom with swords? Then you can be sure you will be left behind.
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
Do you have a well established habit of daily prayer?
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
When I was a kid I watched Muhammed Ali dancing in the ring flicking his jab and thought that is how I will fight. Then when I got into the ring I discovered how exhausting that is. If you don't actually fight in the ring you may think you don't need to pray about temptations that the enemy can throw your way. But when you are actually in the ring you learn to pray. You learn that everyone can make a mistake and it only takes a small mistake to lead to knock out punch.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
When I pray I feel like I am in a tank firing at the enemy. I want to be a stone's cast away from the brothers and sisters so that there are no friendly fire injuries.
The three synoptic gospels have significant differences that indicate Luke is written to those who are raptured first, Mark is to the left behind and Matthew is to the Jews. Obviously the entire Bible is to all of us, every verse is good for instruction, but there is a distinction that helps us understand these three groups.
Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
This refers to those raptured first. Not all Christians have continued with the Lord in His temptations. The prosperity gospel is a cloak to justify not continuing with the Lord in His temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
This is why they have been raptured. This reminds us of the guy who had five talents being made ruler over five cities.
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
This is also the reward of those who are raptured first. The Lord said He longed to eat and drink with us again at the table and that will happen at the time of the rapture.
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
This is a word to those who are left behind. The rapture is before the hour of trial and Simon denies the Lord during the hour of trial.
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
He has prayed that those left behind will stand strong, turn to Him and trust in Him.
33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
There will be many who think this is the case, but notice the difference. Those who are raptured are those who continued with the Lord in His temptations, that might have been prison, that might have been death. Peter doesn't say "I have gone with you" he says "he is ready to go with Him" and that is precisely what will happen to those left behind.
34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
This is the hour of trial for Peter. We all must go through this trial. If you preach the gospel regularly, if you were threatened with losing your job or some other trial and yet you refused to deny the Lord then you have not abandoned the Lord in His temptations. But if you buckled under to the pressure then you have.
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
This is a reference to the church age prior to the rapture.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
This is a reference to the believers who are left behind after the rapture.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Have you been reckoned among the transgressors? That is a requirement. Jesus was accused of the worst crime and convicted. Will you continue with the Lord when you are reckoned among the transgressors? Either the answer is I have been already or I am ready to. That tells me if you are going to be raptured or if you will be left behind.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
Do you think that we bring in the kingdom with swords? Then you can be sure you will be left behind.
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
Do you have a well established habit of daily prayer?
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
When I was a kid I watched Muhammed Ali dancing in the ring flicking his jab and thought that is how I will fight. Then when I got into the ring I discovered how exhausting that is. If you don't actually fight in the ring you may think you don't need to pray about temptations that the enemy can throw your way. But when you are actually in the ring you learn to pray. You learn that everyone can make a mistake and it only takes a small mistake to lead to knock out punch.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
When I pray I feel like I am in a tank firing at the enemy. I want to be a stone's cast away from the brothers and sisters so that there are no friendly fire injuries.
The Right Attitude for those left behind
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
This is the right attitude. Jesus is about to go into the ring to destroy Satan, Death and Sin. Trying to show off is a temptation, we pray not to enter into temptation, and we pray that we are walking according to God's will. We did not choose to enter into this ring, God is constraining us so that we must enter into this ring.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
This is further proof that it is God's will. A boxer needs someone to lace up his gloves, if it is truly God's will He will send an angel to lace them up for you.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Foolishness and courage can look like the same thing. This verse proves the Lord was not foolish, He knew precisely what was coming His way. Peter on the other hand was a fool, He didn't know what was coming when he said he was ready to die. Later he did and that is expressed in his epistles. The first time I got into a boxing ring I was a fool. I had no idea what I was getting into. I fought for 12 rounds, we had a referee, we had three judges, but this was something I had organized as 12 year old kid. We had no head gear. I had no idea that kids don't fight 12 3 minute rounds. After that fight both me and the other kid knew exactly what to expect and neither of us ever wanted to get back in the ring. I describe that fight as the closest I have ever come to death.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
This also was my case. After each 3 minute round I knew I was losing but had no idea what to do about it. What I learned from that fight is how important it is to have a coach. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the word of God, these are our coaches.
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Once you are familiar with what a real fight is going to be like then you will prepare and you will prepare in a way that you will not be sleeping but praying. For example, in one Superbowl the score was 28-3 in the 3rd quarter. However the team that was losing wound up winning. They were getting beaten bad, but they had to make adjustments and they did and they were able to turn the game around. This is what warfare is all about. These guys sleeping, they are not warriors.
47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
However, they also are not snakes in the grass like Judas. Warriors know there will always be a snake, a traitor, a spy. They are vigilant and they spot them before the knife goes in the back. Jesus knew Judas was a snake, but these ones sleeping, they didn't.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Beware of those who want to be buddy buddy with you. When people read about how Michael Jordan treated his teammates they often think he was too mean. He wanted people he could depend on when the fighting was the fiercest. If they couldn't handle his treatment of them in practice they would never handle the toughest fights on the court.
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
No. We shall not. But did they wait for Him to answer? Another reason why they are left behind. They pretend to pray but then run off and do their own thing.
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Remarkably similar to what happened to Trump.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Jesus gave us a pattern on how to endure the trials and temptations. These ones were being coached, they had not learned these lessons yet and that is why they are left behind.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
Get ready, this is what is coming for those who are left behind. You must be reckoned with the transgressors. Those who are raptured are kept from the hour of trial and this is clearly the hour of trial.
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Again, comparing the church age with the hour of darkness, the end of the Age.
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
This is the right attitude. Jesus is about to go into the ring to destroy Satan, Death and Sin. Trying to show off is a temptation, we pray not to enter into temptation, and we pray that we are walking according to God's will. We did not choose to enter into this ring, God is constraining us so that we must enter into this ring.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
This is further proof that it is God's will. A boxer needs someone to lace up his gloves, if it is truly God's will He will send an angel to lace them up for you.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Foolishness and courage can look like the same thing. This verse proves the Lord was not foolish, He knew precisely what was coming His way. Peter on the other hand was a fool, He didn't know what was coming when he said he was ready to die. Later he did and that is expressed in his epistles. The first time I got into a boxing ring I was a fool. I had no idea what I was getting into. I fought for 12 rounds, we had a referee, we had three judges, but this was something I had organized as 12 year old kid. We had no head gear. I had no idea that kids don't fight 12 3 minute rounds. After that fight both me and the other kid knew exactly what to expect and neither of us ever wanted to get back in the ring. I describe that fight as the closest I have ever come to death.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
This also was my case. After each 3 minute round I knew I was losing but had no idea what to do about it. What I learned from that fight is how important it is to have a coach. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the word of God, these are our coaches.
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Once you are familiar with what a real fight is going to be like then you will prepare and you will prepare in a way that you will not be sleeping but praying. For example, in one Superbowl the score was 28-3 in the 3rd quarter. However the team that was losing wound up winning. They were getting beaten bad, but they had to make adjustments and they did and they were able to turn the game around. This is what warfare is all about. These guys sleeping, they are not warriors.
47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
However, they also are not snakes in the grass like Judas. Warriors know there will always be a snake, a traitor, a spy. They are vigilant and they spot them before the knife goes in the back. Jesus knew Judas was a snake, but these ones sleeping, they didn't.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Beware of those who want to be buddy buddy with you. When people read about how Michael Jordan treated his teammates they often think he was too mean. He wanted people he could depend on when the fighting was the fiercest. If they couldn't handle his treatment of them in practice they would never handle the toughest fights on the court.
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
No. We shall not. But did they wait for Him to answer? Another reason why they are left behind. They pretend to pray but then run off and do their own thing.
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
Remarkably similar to what happened to Trump.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.
Jesus gave us a pattern on how to endure the trials and temptations. These ones were being coached, they had not learned these lessons yet and that is why they are left behind.
52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
Get ready, this is what is coming for those who are left behind. You must be reckoned with the transgressors. Those who are raptured are kept from the hour of trial and this is clearly the hour of trial.
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Again, comparing the church age with the hour of darkness, the end of the Age.
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.