Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

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ZNP

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Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.
 

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On the Eve of It All Word 12-30-21@6:08PM (Sharing on YouTube 12-22-24)


I think it is important to go back to 2021 and look at this word right before Russia invaded Ukraine. A lot of people attacked her as a false prophet because they expect to see things take place in days and hours rather than months and years.
 

ZNP

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On the Eve of It All Word 12-30-21@6:08PM (Sharing on YouTube 12-22-24)


I think it is important to go back to 2021 and look at this word right before Russia invaded Ukraine. A lot of people attacked her as a false prophet because they expect to see things take place in days and hours rather than months and years.
James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

I think this is very clearly referring to the beginning of the church age and the end of the church age. There were events that set the stage for Jesus to come the first time and things that are setting the stage for the second coming.

Surely we could consider the destruction of the Temple by the Romans and Antiochus Epiphanes as the rain that helped with the planting of the seeds of the gospel. Now at the end of the age WW1, WW2, and now WW3 are setting the stage for the harvest.

If you divide 2000 by 12 you get around 166 years. Subtract that from 2031 and you get the approximate time that Mark Twain went to Israel and did his report on it.

All of these events are helping ripen the harvest and now our focus should be on bringing in the harvest.
 

ZNP

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A nice summary of the last four years and a very clear view of the next four years.

The Last four years

Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

First we need to be led out of the town. CNN, MSNBC, and the prevailing wisdom, we need to leave all that behind. Second, we need someone to spit in our face, call us deplorable, garbage, and every other insult they can. This is what has happened to many of us to help those of us who were blind to see.

24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

So the first thought is that those leaders and rulers are giants. You have this idea that the talking heads on TV tower over you with their intellect. The flip side of that is you see all these ones as firewood to be tossed into the fire. Either way, you are not seeing aright.

25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

Trump is not a savior and Joy Reid and Rachel Maddow are not towering intellects.

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

He didn't say don't talk to anyone, just don't talk to those in the town. We don't need to get into debates and arguments with those who are blinded by CNN, MSNBC and the mainstream media. That has not helped, that has simply caused them to become more belligerent and insulting accusing people of being Nazis and racists.

27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

By the way? This has been a major talking point on social media, what is going on, is this the second coming?

28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Remember, this is what the disciples are saying, not Herod or the Romans. Even the disciples are saying we are still many years from the second coming. These prophets prepared the way for the Messiah. By saying this the disciples are giving themselves many more years before the Lord comes.

29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

How appropriate for Christmas. Christ means the anointed one. The oil signifies the Holy Spirit, when they are anointed it signifies their vessel is filled with oil. Mass means the gathering or assembly. Christ Mass is the assembly of the wise virgins whose lamps are lit and whose vessels are filled with oil.

30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

I think we can all appreciate this charge changes after the resurrection. Then we are charged to be His witnesses. Can you imagine someone latching onto this verse as the Lord's commandment to not preach the gospel? That would be myopic, ignoring all the other Bible verses, ignoring the context, and the result is an absurd "Don't tell anyone about Jesus" doctrine. We can laugh about that, but is it any different with "no one knows the day and hour"? Have you correlated that verse with all the other prophecies and words in the Bible because if you do it seems clear that word was only meant for that moment. If Jesus had said "and no one ever will" then that would directly contradict the Old Testament where it tells us God does nothing without telling His apostles and prophets.

The next four years

31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

This is a very good description of the tribulation and what will happen then. That is the next four years. Why must these things happen? Think about Daniel's three friends, why must they be tossed into the furnace of fire? Because when they are the whole world will see that Jesus is in the fire with them and will deliver them. This is a powerful testimony to the world, through it some will be saved and others will be condemned for continuing to reject Jesus as Lord.

32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Once again, we see Christians like this. Notice how all the other disciples were saying things like John the Baptist, meaning Jesus is preparing the way for the Messiah but isn't the Messiah. Peter here saw that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be King, but his view is not of a loving savior that delivers us all from sin. No, Peter is teaching dominion theology, Jesus is here to set up his kingdom. This is essentially teaching that the Antichrist is the Christ because that is the gospel that Islam has and that Dominion theology teaches.

33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

It is a satanic doctrine.

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

There is only one way and that is the way of the cross.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

We do not have the ability to save our life, but we do have the ability to choose the cross and to lose our life for the Lord's sake. You have free will, choose wisely. Trying to save yourself will only result in failure and shame.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Is that logical? People use their logic to avoid the cross, but the cross is the only path that leads to the salvation of your soul. Why would you trade a fancy car and swimming pool for your eternal soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Wow, we hear of people who sell their soul to the devil. What do they get in exchange? Fame? Fortune? Why would you take a few years of fame and fortune in exchange for your eternal soul?

38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

You see, Jesus told them not to tell any man about Him being the Christ, but in the same passage He tells us that we must proclaim His word boldly and that includes all His words. That means we are to be His witnesses and to go into all the earth.
 

ZNP

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So Enoch appears to be a picture of the rapture of the church. He was the seventh and the number seven is typically used to refer to the church. Samson pushing out the pillars depicts the destruction of the apostate church and the death of many adulterous believers similar to Elijah calling fire down from heaven and then having the 400 prophets of Baal killed.

Elijah and Enoch depict two aspects of the rapture. Just as the church will have both pre tribulation rapture and tribulation saints. With Elijah we also have Elisha.

Now with Samson we are told the pillars are pushed out during a great sacrifice to Dagon. I would think the two biggest sacrifices to Dagon today are Christmas and Easter (Dagon signifying the Catholic church). Meanwhile Enoch is associated with two different dates. He was born on Shavuot and many think he was caught up on Shavuot in June. Also Hanukkah is associated with Enoch. This is interesting because the two times are six months apart and the two witnesses during the tribulation have a ministry for 42 months or 3 1/2 years. So if Enoch depicts all the church being caught up it could be a reference to being done inclusively between Hanukkah and Shavuot.

We have a clear word in Jeremiah indicating the rapture takes place in the winter after the harvest festival is over.

We have a clear word in Amos indicating our joyful songs of our holy day would be turned to sorrow.

If we combine everything, a great sacrifice by the Catholic church in the winter with joyful songs, that would point to Christmas.

The name Christ Mass indicates an assembly of the anointed ones, the spirit filled ones. That is the pre-tribulation rapture.

God uses appointed days because it proves that He is God and that He tells us the end from the beginning.

It also fits with Jesus telling the disciples that "no one knows the day or the hour". That would not apply to Shavuot but it would apply to Christmas and the Catholic church because neither of them existed at that time.
 

ZNP

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So Enoch appears to be a picture of the rapture of the church. He was the seventh and the number seven is typically used to refer to the church. Samson pushing out the pillars depicts the destruction of the apostate church and the death of many adulterous believers similar to Elijah calling fire down from heaven and then having the 400 prophets of Baal killed.

Elijah and Enoch depict two aspects of the rapture. Just as the church will have both pre tribulation rapture and tribulation saints. With Elijah we also have Elisha.

Now with Samson we are told the pillars are pushed out during a great sacrifice to Dagon. I would think the two biggest sacrifices to Dagon today are Christmas and Easter (Dagon signifying the Catholic church). Meanwhile Enoch is associated with two different dates. He was born on Shavuot and many think he was caught up on Shavuot in June. Also Hanukkah is associated with Enoch. This is interesting because the two times are six months apart and the two witnesses during the tribulation have a ministry for 42 months or 3 1/2 years. So if Enoch depicts all the church being caught up it could be a reference to being done inclusively between Hanukkah and Shavuot.

We have a clear word in Jeremiah indicating the rapture takes place in the winter after the harvest festival is over.

We have a clear word in Amos indicating our joyful songs of our holy day would be turned to sorrow.

If we combine everything, a great sacrifice by the Catholic church in the winter with joyful songs, that would point to Christmas.

The name Christ Mass indicates an assembly of the anointed ones, the spirit filled ones. That is the pre-tribulation rapture.

God uses appointed days because it proves that He is God and that He tells us the end from the beginning.

It also fits with Jesus telling the disciples that "no one knows the day or the hour". That would not apply to Shavuot but it would apply to Christmas and the Catholic church because neither of them existed at that time.
The Vatican's midnight mass will be from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, Rome time, that is 1:30 to 3:30 pm EST 24th of December. I wonder if that will be when Samson, the strong man, pushes out the pillars.

Imagine the rapture takes place during this time and around the world people are being raptured and yet no one at that ceremony is taken. Talk about bringing the temple down on their own heads and exposing the false prophet.
 

ZNP

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If these two holidays do depict the rapture before the tribulation and the rapture of the two witnesses let's compare, suppose the pre tribulation rapture is Shavuot.

1. That is not after the harvest festival. That is not in winter. That would mean the verse in Jeremiah is not referring to the pre tribulation rapture but to the two witnesses.

2. It would also mean that the flight of the Jews is in winter despite the Lord telling them to pray that it is not in winter.

3. It would make sense that people are giving each other gifts as it would be around Christmas time, but would not coincide with Hanukkah.

4. The songs being turned to mourning would therefore take place at the midpoint of the tribulation and not at the start.

5. The destruction of Babylon would be in June and would not be a Christmas present from N. Korea, nor would it commemorate the fall of the USSR.

6. Also, the fall of Babylon would not be during a great sacrifice to Dagon as in the story with Samson.

7. The story of Hanukkah is that the oil was only supposed to last for one day but lasted for eight. That would make sense if Hanukkah is at the start of the seven year tribulation followed by the marriage of the Lamb. But it wouldn't make sense if it takes place 3 1/2 years before the marriage of the lamb.

8. The midnight cry correlates with the winter solstice, not the summer solstice. That means the story of the ten virgins and their lamps would correspond to the midpoint of the tribulation. But then who do the foolish go and buy oil from? That should be the two olive trees, the two witnesses whose ministry is in the first half of the seven year tribulation.

9. Also if the two leavened loaves represent the two witnesses of the Old and New Testaments, Jews and Gentiles being united in their common belief that Jesus is the Messiah, that takes place at the midpoint of the tribulation, not at the start.

10. The pre-trib rapture is depicted by Samson pushing out the two pillars. If this takes place during the midnight mass in the Vatican then the Catholic church would be exposed as the false prophet and the prophecies of them being burned would make sense. But if it takes place in June it would not be nearly as obvious that the Pope is the false prophet depicted as the 400 prophets of Baal when Elijah called down fire from heaven.

11. If the pre-trib rapture is December 24th it fits with no one knows the day or hour because this was not yet established. But if it is during Shavuot it does not fit because all the Jews knew that feast.

12. However, Shavuot does fit nicely with the rapture of the two witnesses when the Jews will look on Him whom they pierced and weep. It is their feast day (belonging to their covenant) which would be nicely fulfilled.

In my opinion Hanukkah/Christmas and Shavuot are the two best candidates for the pre-trib rapture and the rapture of the two witnesses. I think it fits very nicely with a pre-trib rapture this December 24th, but I don't think anything fits very well if you switch is so that pre-trib is during Shavuot.
 

ZNP

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Behold the Fig Tree

Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

We commonly use this parable in relation to the formation of the nation of Israel in 1948. However, the nation of Israel is not depicted by a Fig tree but by an Olive tree. So just as you would not say that the fig tree depicts the USA (our national tree is the oak tree) it is not reasonable to interpret this as a direct reference to Israel.

The first time that the Fig tree is mentioned in the Bible is when Adam and Eve sinned and covered themselves with fig leaves. Therefore I think it is more appropriate to view the Fig tree as the national symbol for the sinful nation. Yes, that would often be a reference to Israel, but it would more appropriately be a reference to the one world government that the Antichrist is going to lead.

October 24th, 1945 the UN was formed. We should expect that the UN will only live for 80 years, which could mean 84 years at most. The Antichrist sets himself up as some kind of divine rule at the midpoint of the seven year tribulation. By that point we can conclude the UN will be "dead". According to Moses a rebellious generation is eighty years or more precisely 75-84 years before completely passing away. 75 years after the UN was formed we had the Covid Pandemic.

October 22, 2020 the US FDA approved the use of Remdesivir as the first Covid-19 drug. We now know that this drug was the absolute worst possible response to Covid. At this point the submissive and faithful generation passed away and we entered a new and bizarre world of the rebellious liars ruling. In December they approved the experimental vaccine to be used on people.

Jacob's trouble being a ten year period probably began around this time, perhaps Feast of Trumpets in 2021 being the start.
 

ZNP

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Behold the Fig Tree

Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

We commonly use this parable in relation to the formation of the nation of Israel in 1948. However, the nation of Israel is not depicted by a Fig tree but by an Olive tree. So just as you would not say that the fig tree depicts the USA (our national tree is the oak tree) it is not reasonable to interpret this as a direct reference to Israel.

The first time that the Fig tree is mentioned in the Bible is when Adam and Eve sinned and covered themselves with fig leaves. Therefore I think it is more appropriate to view the Fig tree as the national symbol for the sinful nation. Yes, that would often be a reference to Israel, but it would more appropriately be a reference to the one world government that the Antichrist is going to lead.

October 24th, 1945 the UN was formed. We should expect that the UN will only live for 80 years, which could mean 84 years at most. The Antichrist sets himself up as some kind of divine rule at the midpoint of the seven year tribulation. By that point we can conclude the UN will be "dead". According to Moses a rebellious generation is eighty years or more precisely 75-84 years before completely passing away. 75 years after the UN was formed we had the Covid Pandemic.

October 22, 2020 the US FDA approved the use of Remdesivir as the first Covid-19 drug. We now know that this drug was the absolute worst possible response to Covid. At this point the submissive and faithful generation passed away and we entered a new and bizarre world of the rebellious liars ruling. In December they approved the experimental vaccine to be used on people.

Jacob's trouble being a ten year period probably began around this time, perhaps Feast of Trumpets in 2021 being the start.
So if we connect the Lord's word to both the UN and Israel we come up with a very interesting conclusion: the UN will perish 3 years before Israel (UN formed in 1945 and Israel in 1948). Actually to be even more precise the UN perishes 2 1/2 years before Israel. That fits, it seems that in the book of Revelation at the midpoint of the tribulation when the Abomination of desolation is placed in the Holy place that would mark the end of the UN and the start of Antichrists idolatrous theocracy. Meanwhile it isn't until the Lord steps down on the Mount of Olives that the nation of Israel would perish.

Also, counting years is different in different countries. In China when you are born you are 1, whereas in America we say your first anniversary of your birthday is when you are 1.

Therefore October of 2029 would be when the UN turns 85 by Chinese reckoning and October 2024 is when they turned 80 and October 2019 when they turned 75 (80th decade began when China had the Covid outbreak)
 

ZNP

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Does the rapture need to be on an appointed feast day?

Well lets consider this, what if Jesus had not been crucified on Passover? Suppose he had not gone into the grave at the start of the feast of unleavened bread? Suppose He did not rise from the dead on the Feast of the First Firstfruit? Would that have made a difference?

Yes, it would. The fact that all those things happened precisely at the time they did helps us to understand them and apply all the words in the Bible to those events. This fulfilled John the Baptist's prophecy "behold the lamb of God". During Passover you are to inspect the lamb before sacrificing it and we saw that Jesus was inspected for the 3 1/2 days before He was crucified. But God gave us 3 1/2 years to inspect the lamb of God.

So how else would you know that Jesus crucifixion was the fulfillment and that He was the Messiah?

In the same way how is anyone to know that the rapture is not aliens removing bad people from earth? How are we to know who the prophets of Baal are and who the genuine prophets of God are that we can trust? If Jesus had not been crucified on Passover He would not have had God's good housekeeping seal of approval. The same with the rapture.

So then I do believe the rapture will be on an appointed day with a lot of significance so that those left behind will know what it was. However, when Jesus said "no one knows the day" I understand that to mean it is not an appointed feast in the Old Testament. Everyone listening to Him at that time knew those days.

Therefore I am looking for an appointed day that the Lord Jesus has allowed to be established during the church age.
 

ZNP

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Does the rapture need to be on an appointed feast day?

Well lets consider this, what if Jesus had not been crucified on Passover? Suppose he had not gone into the grave at the start of the feast of unleavened bread? Suppose He did not rise from the dead on the Feast of the First Firstfruit? Would that have made a difference?

Yes, it would. The fact that all those things happened precisely at the time they did helps us to understand them and apply all the words in the Bible to those events. This fulfilled John the Baptist's prophecy "behold the lamb of God". During Passover you are to inspect the lamb before sacrificing it and we saw that Jesus was inspected for the 3 1/2 days before He was crucified. But God gave us 3 1/2 years to inspect the lamb of God.

So how else would you know that Jesus crucifixion was the fulfillment and that He was the Messiah?

In the same way how is anyone to know that the rapture is not aliens removing bad people from earth? How are we to know who the prophets of Baal are and who the genuine prophets of God are that we can trust? If Jesus had not been crucified on Passover He would not have had God's good housekeeping seal of approval. The same with the rapture.

So then I do believe the rapture will be on an appointed day with a lot of significance so that those left behind will know what it was. However, when Jesus said "no one knows the day" I understand that to mean it is not an appointed feast in the Old Testament. Everyone listening to Him at that time knew those days.

Therefore I am looking for an appointed day that the Lord Jesus has allowed to be established during the church age.
The rapture is the gathering of all those who are spirit filled. The biblical term for Spirit filled is "Anointed". It is the gathering or the assembly of the anointed ones.

It is also, according to the story of Samson, going to be during a great sacrifice to Dagon. Because of the similarity of the Pope's hat and the priests of Dagon's hat I would say the modern equivalent will be a great Catholic celebration. Obviously it should be during a midnight Mass that is live streamed to the whole world. Because like Elijah calling down fire the whole world needs to see who the prophets of Baal are that have been lying to you.
 

ZNP

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I would be very interested in someone doing a deep dive comparison of Elon Musk with the forerunner of the Antichrist being like Elijah and being like John the Baptist. The one who makes straight the paths of the Antichrist.
 

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When & How Will Hanukkah 🕎 Be Fulfilled? Rapture Soon ⬆️


He makes a good point that he does not see Hanukkah as a rapture scenario. I agree. However it is a very good scenario to kick off the tribulation of the saints which takes place to the tribulation saints immediately after the rapture.
 

ZNP

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Is Hanukkah a rapture scenario?

Yes and no. I think the celebration correlates nicely with the ten virgins with lamps that are lit. The foolish ones don't have any oil. That oil will take them through the tribulation just as Hanukkah describes oil lighting the lamps lasting for seven days when it was only enough for one day.

I think the celebration definitely would kick off the tribulation and that the tribulation begins (hour of trial) right after the pre-tribulation rapture. So in that sense it nicely correlates.

Antiochus Epiphanes is a type of the Antichrist, so Hanukkah should be seen as a celebration of tribulation saints taking a stand against the antichrist.

Also, in the New Testament when Jesus is celebrating the feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) they ask Him how long He is going to keep them in suspense, tell them clearly if He is the Christ. I think you can say that the rapture is when Jesus tells them clearly that He is the Christ.

No what I am looking for is something similar to Revelation 12 with the birth of the manchild who is snatched up before the dragon can devour him. If there were only a Christian day, a celebration that was dedicated to that with Hanukkah immediately following it. Also I expect this festival to be celebrated at night, Jesus comes as a thief in the night, and not at sunrise like we do on Resurrection day.
 

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John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

The door is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is also a rapture imagery with Jesus at the door and then the door is opened and of course we are called up to enter in the door and of course the door is shut on the foolish virgins and they cannot enter in but are left in the tribulation. The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night and here He explains, these are the ones who are trying to steal the sheep but don't enter in by the door.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This is a reference to false prophets. Recently the amount of liars and false prophets has grown exponentially. It is stunning the extent of the lies on the media. It seems anyone that could have been trusted has been removed from speaking ever since Covid pandemic.

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

This message is repeated, that is how important it is. It used to be you did not have to be so careful in who you trusted or who you listened to. Yes there were scam artists and flim flam men, but they get exposed eventually and so people learned to be wary of strangers. But now with TV, then the telephone and ultimately the internet the ability for strangers to scam people has grown exponentially. As a Christian you must know the word of God for yourself and you must be able to discern between the voice of the Lord and all others.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Are doctors bad? Are lawyers bad? Are politicians bad? Maybe not, but for the vast majority they are hirelings and they flee when they see the wolves. Those that don't flee get killed. We saw this with 911, and with the Mortgage crisis in 2008 and with the Covid pandemic in 2020.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The Main Stream Media are hirelings. They don't care for the sheep, that much we know for sure.
 

ZNP

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John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

This is how we know that Jesus and the apostles were good shepherds. They laid down their lives for the sheep. The same is true the last four years, some went along with closing churches, vaccine mandates, and all of that. Others took a stand even if it costs them their job, their house, their career, and their reputation.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

This was the case at the time of Jesus' ministry on Earth but it is also true at the time of the pre-tribulation rapture. There will be many more that follow the Lord after that event.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.18 No man taketh it f rom me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

So not all those who are raptured pre tribulation will go to heaven for seven years, there will be the 144,000 who are the Lord's army here on Earth.

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?

There are many accusing Christians of being conspiracy nut jobs with tin foil hats. But after the rapture it will be clear that their eyes were open.

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.


So this lets us know the rapture preceded Hanukkah, but it was at the same time as Hanukkah.

23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

The rapture will tell the world plainly that Jesus is Lord. It will also cause the religious leaders to be exposed that they are not His sheep.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Why do you think that CNN and MSNBC's ratings have tanked? No one is listening to them, no one is following them.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

This is a reference to the tribulation saints. So right after saying it was the feast of dedication we now talk about the tribulation saints.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Pluck them out of my hand is the same word we use for the rapture. Jesus can rapture us, pluck us out of the way of harms way but Antichrist and Satan are powerless to pluck the believers out of His hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

This is the purpose of the seven year tribulation, to convince all that Jesus and the Father are one.
 

ZNP

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John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

During the tribulation they will use the Noahide laws to execute anyone who claims Jesus is God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

The great delusion includes the fallen angels coming to earth and claiming they are gods.

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

During the tribulation the saints will have to flee to the wilderness

40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.

During the tribulation many will believe in the Lord.
 

ZNP

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She makes an excellent point


Hanukkah and Birth: Passover to Hanukkah in the Womb

When Jesus said "receive ye the Holy Spirit" that can definitely be compared to the conception of the Body of Christ. If we go 39-42 weeks from this date we do come to Hanukkah. What is also clear is there is no other possible celebration. When you compare this with the celebration of Jesus' birth on Christmas eve, you can't ignore this or think it is a coincidence. After the birth in Revelation 12 the woman flees into the wilderness, that sounds like the tribulation saints. The manchild is caught up to heaven, that sounds like the raptured saints.