This study describes the signs of the End Times, what has to be in place and the order of events both before Ya`akob’s Trouble (The Great Tribulation).
It does not discuss the events of Ya`akob’s Trouble.
Return of Messiah – in the Clouds p.1; Snatching Away (Rapture) p.1;
Timing of Messiah’s birth p.2;
The Restrainer p.7;
The Two Witnesses p.8;
Apostasy – 2 Thess. 2:3-8 p.10;
References and Credits p. 14.
In this study the following are to be considered:
The use of the term ‘Rapture’ is not used as it is derived from Latin whereas the term ‘Snatching Away’ is more accurate.
The End Times/Eschatology
Part II- Future Signs
Part (ii) (Snatching Away)
“Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Master Yahusha the Messiah, and our gathering together to Him,” (2 Thess. 2:1).
Return of Messiah in the Clouds (Snatching Away)
“For Yahuah did not appoi nt us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Master Yahusha the Messiah,” (1 Thess. 5:9). Yahuah has not chosen Mankind to suffer His anger.
“…where the Messiah is, seated on the right hand of Yahuah.” (Col. 3:1b). The word seated refers to someone sitting right on the edge of a chair eagerly waiting to rise up.
“whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which Yahuah spoke long ago by the mouth of His prophets.” (Acts 3:21). The Messiah is restrained until all the words of the prophets are fulfilled.
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (Gal. 6:15 KJV).
“But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;” (Rom. 11:17).
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“that you were at that time separate from the Messiah, alienated from the commonwealth of Yisra`el, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without Yahuah in the world.” (Eph. 2:12). Gentiles Believers are grafted in to the commonwealth of Yisra`el because of the rejection of the Jewish non-Believers. Yahuah does not consider the natural born Jewish people or Gentiles to be part of His people Yisra`el. Only those people who have come to faith through the Messiah Yahusha are to be called ‘His people’, Yisra`el. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, ‘There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:’” (Rom. 11:25, 26 KJV). In his letter to the Messianic Community in Rome, Rav Sha`ul addresses the assembly that comprises mostly of his fellow Jews. He explains why the Messiah had not already returned as some had hoped.
“For you yourselves know well that the day of the Messiah comes like a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5:2). Why is day of the Messiah likened to a thief? Is He to sin? No, He comes to take back what is in the possession of the prince of this world. This would be at the first day of #H5521 סֻכּוֹת soo-kar (booth)*1492e Sukkot soo-coat (where the Yisra`elites first stopped after the Exodus) as an appointed time of as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the talmidim came to Him privately, saying, #H6005 *1640d עִמָּנוּאֵל I-man-oo-ail [with us is El]. Yahuah has appointed times [mo’edim] when He repeatedly acts on the same day of the year. The Master was born on the first day of סֻכּוֹת Sukkot and His return will be on the same day. This is also borne out by the Parable of the Ten Vigins (see Preparation Matt. 25:1-13 below). Further names of Sukkot also reveal important indicators of Sukkot being the time of the Snatching Away (and Return of Messiah):
זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ Z`man Simchateinu z-man sim-kha-tain-oo (Season of Our Rejoicing);
חַג הָאָסִף Chag HaAsif kharg Ha-a-seef (Festival of the Ingathering) (www.reformjudaism.org)
“Three times in a year shall all your males appear before the Yahuah your `Elohiym in the place which He shall choose: in the feast of matzah, and in the feast of Shavuot, and in the feast Sukkot; and they shall not appear before Yahuah empty:” (Deut. 16:13). It was mandatory that all males to go up to Yerushalayim to celebrate these three major festivals at the Temple. During these the הַלֵּל Hallel ha-lell Praise-El (Psa. 113-118) are sung. Sukkot is particularly associated with Psa. 118 and is considered ‘The Conqueror’s Psalm’ Barclay(2)). Of note are the following verses: “Out of my distress, I called on Yahuah. Yahuah answered me with freedom.” (v5); “All the nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Yahuah, I cut them off.” (v10); “I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, And have become my salvation (yahshu`ah).” (v21); “This is the day that Yahuah has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it! Save us now, we beg you, Yahuah; Yahuah, we beg you, now send prosperity. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Yahuah! We have blessed you out of the house of the Yahuah.” (vv24-26). It is my opinion that these prophetically detail the conditions in Yisra`el immediately prior to the Snatching Away and the Messiah’s return to earth.
Alternatively, it can easily be shown that The Master was born at Sukkot through the birth of Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) and the priestly courses instigated by King Dawid (www.betemunah.org).
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“On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly: you shall do no servile work;” (Num. 29:35). The day after the seven days of Sukkot is to be a separate feast day known as שמיני עצרת Shemeni Atzeret or The Eighth (Day of) Assembly (www.hebcal.com/shmini). It is closely associated with ערב שמחת תורה Simchat Torah or Rejoicing with/of the Torah. This is the completion and commencing of the weekly parashot Torah reading cycle. (www.hebcal.com/simchat). “In the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Lev. 12:3). “When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, His name was called Yahshua, which was given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21). If the Master was born on the first day of Sukkot then He was circumcised according to Torah on Shemeni Atzeret. It is my belief that this is what took place and that the Torah rejoiced in its completion found in the Master, “For the Messiah is the fulfilment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Rom. 10:4). Luke (a Gentile) wrote his Good News account for Theophilus (another Gentile) and ultimately for all mankind. The Master’s circumcision clearly shows that He is the connection between the Tanakh (Old Testament) and Renewed Covenant (New Testament). (See also The Forty Five Days below).
Another aspect of Shemeni Atzeret is the ancient tradition of reciting the ‘Prayer for Rain’ on this day. After the completion of the harvest on the seventh day of Sukkot, a special prayer was offered on Shemeni Atzeret for rain to celebrate the beginning of a new cycle. Throughout Scripture the Messiah/Master is referred to as rain or water, “Behold, Yah is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yahuah, Yahuah, is my strength and song; and He has become my yeshu`ah. Therefore, with joy you shall draw water out of the wells of yeshu`ah.” (Isa. 12:2, 3 cf 44:3; John 4:10); “For as the rain comes down and the snow from the sky, and does not return there, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, and gives seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my Word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isa. 55:10, 11). It is further associated with the consummation of the marriage of the bride and groom in its outpouring of joy and intimacy. (www.triumphpro.com). (For further discussion refer to Ya`akob’s Trouble Begins – When? and The Messiah Returns below).
“I ask then, did they stumble that they might fall? May it never be! But by their fall Salvation has come to the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.” (Rom. 11:11). The Jewish people are provoked to jealousy by non-Jewish Believers. “For the people shall dwell in Tziyon at Yerushalayim; you shall weep no more; He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry; when He shall hear, He will answer you.” (Isa. 30:19). The non-Believing Jewish people will see the blessings Yahuah pours out upon non-Jewish Believers and incites them to jealousy. In repenting and turning back to Yahuah, these previously non-Believers come to faith through Yahuah and the Messiah, Yahusha. All Believing Jews will then cry out to Yahuah `Elohim.
“For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Yahuah!’” (Matt. 23:39). The Messiah’s last words to His followers, and through them, to all Believers is that He will not be seen on earth again until His ‘Second Coming’ appearance and His footfall on Mount Olivet. This is contrary to the various cults that have claimed to be based on the Messiah appearing to their founders.
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“Everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3). Believers are instructed to keep themselves pure. If Ya`akov’s Troubles were after any specific event that can be readily recognised, then there would be time for Believers to repent and re-purify themselves.
“…For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:52). “For the Messiah Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief angel, and with Yahuah‘s shofar. The dead in the Messiah will rise first,” (1 Thess. 4:16). This will not be a bodily resurrection but a shedding off of the old corruptible body. The first resurrection (and re-combination of the ‘new style’ body and the soul/ruach) will not take place until the Trouble’s martyrs are raised up. For more on this refer to The Return of the Messiah below.
In the Tanankh, there are two common words that are translated into English by the word trumpet; #H2689 *726a חֲצֹצְרָה khats-so-ser-rah referring to a metallic silver tube with a fluted mouth and #H7782 *2449c שׁוֹפָר show-far referring to the ram’s horn. Both are translated in the Septuagint (LXX) by the Greek word #G4537 σαλπίζω sal-peed-zo. The khats-so-ser-rah was used to assemble people (Num. 10:2-4) and is blown by the priests (2 Chron. 5:12) and almost invariably blown in groups and not singularly. They were used to summons the tribal leaders and to break camp in the Wilderness, “Make you two trumpets (khats-so-ser-roat) of silver; of beaten work shall you make them: and you shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps. When they shall blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the tent of meeting.” (Num. 10:2, 3).
“It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the voice of an exceedingly loud shofar; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moshe led the people out of
the camp to meet Yahuah; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.” (Exod. 19.16, 17). The shofar, on the other hand was used to bring the people closer to Yahuah by introducing the Feasts and new moons, liturgical praise, “Praise Him with the sounding of the shofar! Praise Him with harp and lyre!” (Psa. 150:3) and to announce a new king, “and let Tzadok the Kohen and Natan the prophet anoint him there king over Yisra`el; and blow you the shofar, and say, ‘Long live king Shlomo.’” (1 Kgs. 1:34) (Harris et al). It was also a call to arms or a forewarning for which the people were required to prepare for some form of action, “Does the shofar alarm sound in a city, Without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, And the Yahuah has not done it?” (Amos 3:6). (www.lightofmashiach.org).
“Speak to the children of Yisra`el, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a set apart convocation.” (Lev. 23:24). יוֹם תְּרוּעָה Yom Teruah the Day of the (Trumpet) Blast (Feast of Trumpets) instigates ימים נוראים Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) or עשרת ימי תשובה Aseret Yimei T’Shuva (Ten Days of Repentance). The word trumpet is implied but does not exist in any of the earliest manuscripts. The memorial is meant for people to look back and for the following eight days repent of their sins. The tenth day is Yom HaKippurim when people are to cry out to Yahuah for forgiveness. (www.hebrew4christians.com/Rosh_Hashannah).
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“For this we tell you by the Word of Yahuah that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Messiah, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Messiah Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief angel, and with Yahuah ‘s shofar. The dead in the Messiah will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Messiah in the air. So we will be with the Yahuah forever.” (1 Thess. 4:15-17). All Believers past and alive at the Snatching Away, will go up to meet the Messiah in the clouds; the dead by resurrection and the alive by translation. This is known as the First Judgement (for more details please see maxi-study Judgement).
“By night on my bed, I sought Him whom my soul loves. I sought Him but I did not find Him…Come out, you daughters of Tziyon and see King Shlomo, With the crown His mother has crowned Him, In the days of His weddings, In the day of the gladness of His Heart…Come with me from Levanon. My bride, With me from Levanon. Look from the top of Amana, From the top of Senir and Hermon, from the lion’s den, From the mountains of the leopards…” (Song 3.1-5:1). The wise Shulamite woman (MacDonald 2016 p.12) is actively seeking her Spouse. When He comes to her, she will be ready. The Suitor has come to take away His bride and this is the last we hear of her. From this point onwards, only the unwise Shulamite woman remains. She now tries to find her beloved, but He is nowhere to be found (cf Matt. 25:1-13).
“They asked Him, ‘Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?’…‘Not a hair of your head will perish…Let those who are in Yehudah flee to the mountains…Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory…Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man’”. (Luke 21:7-36). When the Master was asked about the events preceding the end of the age, He gives them an insight into what will take place. Nevertheless, He warns them to be constantly vigilant so that they may escape these events ushering in the Day of Yahuah’s Wrath. When the Suitor comes for His bride (Song 4:8), He calls her down from the heights of Levanon, Amana, Senir and Hermon.
“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and tell Gog, ‘Thus says Yahuah `Elohiym: ‘In that day when my people Yisra’el dwells securely, shall you not know it?’’” (Eze. 38:14a cf Dan. 8.25). Nowhere does the Master refer to any battle with Gog and Magog having to be waged before His return. This passage cannot refer to any time prior to the Messiah’s actual return on earth, as Yisra`el is said to be living in security. Prior to the Snatching away, Yisra`el was not living in safety as the surrounding nations were plotting Yisra`el’s downfall under the fake peace treaty. Prior to His Second Coming, Yisra`el are only said to be living in peace whereas after He sets foot back on earth all the enemies are destroyed and Yisra`el actually do dwell in peace. The only time Yisra`el dwells in safety is during the Millennial Kingdom. Therefore, the Gog/Magog war of Eze. 38 & 39 must take place when haSatan is released and finally defeated.
The word describing how Believers are taken away ‘caught’ #G726 ἁρπάζω har-pad-zo -meaning to seize, carry off by force, to seize on, claiming for one’s self eagerly, to snatch out or away. This is the passage that gives rise to the non-biblical expression ‘the Rapture’. Har-pad-zo was translated into Latin by rapiemur – a sudden and physical withdrawal or snatched away. At FGA, biblical expressions that occur from Latin are usually sourced from the origin language. #H5337 נָצַל nart-sell – deliver, escape, rescue, drawing or pulling out. Again, this has the connotation of being forcible removed.
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When Believers are snatched away, there will be many non-Believers that will be saved and will need to find fellowship with post-snatching away Believers. However, there will be many people who turn to the organised ‘Christian’ religion amalgamated under the guise of Ecumenicalism but, in reality, coming under the control of the Papal Church.
The Snatching Away is the term preferred by FGA. Why are Believers taken away by force? There is some thought that they will not want to leave unsaved loved ones behind. In my opinion, this is a false reason as the unsaved had not listened to the Word of Yahuah, the Prophets and the Good News (Luke 16:16-31) so it will take an act of such wonder/terror that those who will be left behind will cry out and repent.
Believers will be taken up to meet the Messiah in the clouds, not the Messiah coming down to earth for Believers. This then cannot be the ‘Second Coming’. In my opinion, this is the cause of the confusion as to when the Messiah actually returns to earth. The ‘Second Coming’ is to be delayed but for a short period compared to the previous wait in history.
“Hanokh walked with Yahuah, and he was not, for Yahuah took him.” (Gen. 5:24). Hanokh (Enoch) is unique in all the generations of Adam in that he is described as being ‘taken away’ #H3947 לָקַח *1124 la-kakh to be taken or captured. “But Yahuah will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me. Selah.” (Psa. 49:16[15]). In this passage the Psalmist uses parallelism in this single sentence with redeem coinciding with receive. However, the word ‘receive’ is לָקַח la-kakh that also has the meaning of to be bought, taken as a wife or snatched away. In this passage, it seems that the Psalmist is offering himself up whereas I believe that the Psalmist is a passive object of the verse. In redeeming Man, Yahuah has ‘snatched’ man from the grip of She`ol.
“It happened, when Yahuah would take up Eliyahu by a whirlwind into heaven, that Eliyahu went with Elisha from Gilgal. The sons of the prophets who were at Beit-El, came forth to Elisha, and said to him, ‘Do you know that Yahuah will take away your master from your head today?’ He said, ‘Yes, I know it; hold your peace.’” (2 Kgs. 2:1, 3). Here, Eliyahu (Elijah) is described as being ‘taken up’ #H5927 עָלָה ar-lah 1d) to be taken up into. *1624 `ala ascend. Eliyahu goes on to tell his followers that he is soon to be taken away (לָקַח la-kakh).
The manner of both his and Hanokh’s removal is a type of Snatching Away in as much as they are both physically removed and taken up to be with Yahuah. “until the day in which He was received up, after He had given commandment through the Ruach HaQodesh to the apostles whom He had chosen.” (Acts 1:2). Here ‘taken up’ has been translated from #G353 ἀναλαμβάνω a-na-lam-banoh that is used by the Septuagint (lambanō)when translating 2 Kgs. 2:3 from the Hebrew. “When He had said these things, as they were looking, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9). #G5274 ὑπολαμβάνω hoo-poh-lam-banoh to take from below. The Master was taken up into heaven and believers will be taken up in the same manner.
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The study of a single topic in the Word of Yahuah can give rise to what I term “the Ferrari Concept”.
Consider a Ferrari sports car. Experts in the field of metallurgy focus in on the properties of the different alloys required to make an engine; the aeronautical designers look to get the most aerodynamically efficient design; the rubber technologists focus in on the best type of tyre; the best design of engine is in opposition to the most efficient shape. They are so engrossed with their own little section that they may not take the opportunity to ‘step back’ and appreciate the beauty of the car in its totality
If, in our studies, we focus in or concentrate too much on a single topic or idea we may miss the overall beauty of Yahuah’s Word. It is vital that all studies are given the chance to see how the part fits into the whole. Yahuah’s priority for Mankind is His salvation. Otherwise such a precious Sacrifice would not have been given. It is my belief that snatching away of Believers is the single most important evangelical event that will occur in history. (Some may argue that Creation was cf. Rom. 1:20). Imagine all those people that know Yahuah’s Word that will be left behind. Multitudes will repent and call upon Yahuah to forgive them. These new Believers will be saved but will have to go through Ya`akob’s Trouble. Again, it is my opinion that this causes yet further confusion when Scripture describes how Yahuah protects Believers during Ya`akob’s Trouble.
“…Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.” (Rev. 4:1b). Revelation Chapters 1 to 3 is all about the world-wide assembly of Believers. In Ch. 4 Yochanan was called up into heaven and this Assembly is not mentioned again until after the return of the Messiah in Ch.19.
These parenthical chapters are all about the Ya’akob’s Trouble. This would indicate that the Trouble is not for the Believers alive before the Snatching Away but any references to Believers during the Trouble can only be referring to those converted after the Snatching Away.
“Now you know what is restraining it, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. Then the Torahless one will be revealed, whom the Messiah will kill with the breath of His mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of His coming;” (2 Thess. 2:6-8). It has been said that this passage proves that the Ruach HaQodesh was removed at the Snatching Away along with the Believers. Therefore, there cannot be any new Trouble’s Believers as it is only the Ruach HaQodesh that can convict a person unto repentance and salvation.
“Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.” (Dan. 12:12). “…and it was given to him to wage war with the set apart ones, and to overcome them” (Rev. 13:7b). “Here is the patience of the set apart ones, those who keep the commandments of Yahuah, and the faith of Yahusha. I heard the voice from heaven saying, ‘Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Messiah from now on.’’ ‘Yes,’ says HaRuach, ‘that they may rest from their labours; for their works follow with them.’” (Rev. 14:12, 13). “I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Yahusha, and for the word of Yahuah, and such as did not worship the Beast nor its image, and did not receive the
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mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with the Messiah for the thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4). These verses describe actions of Believers during Ya`akob’s Trouble. If, as I believe, all Believers are taken away at the Snatching Away, then these referred to above must be new Trouble’s Believers. Therefore, the Ruach HaQodesh must be active after the Snatching Away. Then what could the reference in 2 Thess. refer to? What is the difference between the day before the Snatching Away and the day after? The only difference is that the day afterwards, there are no Believers, at least no mature Believers.
The (wise) Shulamite woman (Song Ch.3), the Wise Virgins (Matt. Ch.25) and the Philadelphian Assembly (Rev. 3:7-13) are types of the (wise) Believers who are taken at the Snatching Away. On the other hand, the (foolish) Shulamite woman (Song Ch.5), the Foolish Virgins (Matt. Ch.25) and the Laodecian Assembly (Rev. 3:14-22) are types of the Believers who have come to faith after the Snatching Away (MacDonald 2016).
In the account of Yonah (Jonah 1:1-4:11), MacDonald (p.27) groups together the types of Yonah with the foolish Shulamite woman, the foolish virgins and the Laodecia Assembly. These have all missed the promises of Yahuah because of unbelief. This would give rise to the anti-type being those who were not snatched away. All except the virgins were given opportunities by the Ruach HaQodesh to repent but these had to go through Ya`akob’s Trouble. The foolish virgins, because they lacked HaRuach, were not able to repent.
“They overcame it because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They did not love their life, even to death.” (Rev. 12:11). “I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Yahusha, and for the word of Yahuah, and such as did not worship the Beast nor its image, and did not receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with the Messiah for the thousand years.” (Rev. 20:4). The Adversary is defeated by the combined Lamb’s Blood and by the witness of Believers. The Blood has been shed once for all and is constant (does not need to be poured out again and again). Therefore, the deciding factor is the testimonies of the Believers. I believe that immediately after the Snatching Away, the witness of the new Believers takes time to become effective. It is during this period that the Torahless one pounces and comes to full power.
Two Witnesses
Yahuah sends two witnesses to warn non-Believers that time is running out. As the chronology of events are known, these Witnesses must be sent after the Snatching Away but no later than 42 months before the Messiah returns to earth. “I will give power to my witnesses and they will prophesy one thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Rev. 11:3). The identities of the two Witnesses are not given. Several pairs of men have been suggested; Moshe (representing the Law) and Eliyahu (representing the Prophets) should be considered due to their appearance with the Master on the Mount (of Transfiguration). However, one is generally accepted as Eliyah the Tishbi (2 Kgs. 2:1, 11; Matt. 17:3; Luke 4:25) representing the Prophets. The second Witness may be Moshe (Exod. 7:1-11:10; Deut. 34:5; Matt. 17:3) representing the Law.
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The other major consideration is Hanokh who, along with Eliyah, did not see death but was taken away by Yahuah. “Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,” (Heb. 9:27). This must not be taken as an absolute but only as a general principle. “Then six days before the Pesach, Yahusha came to Beit-Anyah, where El`azar was, who had been dead, whom He raised from the dead.” (John 12:1). El`azar is just one of several accounts of people in Scripture where people have died but then raised back up to life. Therefore, just because there are no records in Scripture of Hanokh and Eliyahu having died, it does not prove that they are the two witnesses. The pair of witnesses may be two unknown Believers around at the time. The ‘who’ is not really relevant (otherwise the Messiah would have revealed it to Yochanan). The important fact is that the Witnesses will appear and act exactly as Scripture states.
“When they have finished their testimony, the Beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them…Those who dwell on earth will rejoice over them and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev. 11:7-10). “Mordekhai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Yehudim who were in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, to enjoin those who they should keep the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, as the days in which the Yehudim had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness and from mourning into a good day, and gifts to the needy.” (Rev. 9:20-22). This is the festival known as Purim and occurs just one month before Pesach and could well be the time when the two witnesses are killed. 42 months prior to this festival would be around September. As stated above יוֹם תְּרוּעָה Yom Teruah the Day of the (Trumpet) Blast (Feast of Trumpets) instigates ימים נוראים Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) or עשרת ימי תשובה Aseret Yimei T’Shuva (Ten Days of Repentance). Yom Teruah is used as an alarm call, to wake up Yisra`el out of their spiritual lethargy. This is exactly why the Two Witnesses had to come to wake up the world from its sleep of death.
For the Snatching Away to be at a sudden, unknowable time, the two witnesses must appear some time after the Snatching Away at Month 0 but they are to be killed some time before the return of the Messiah (Second Coming/Revelation) at Month 84 on Mount Olivet. Therefore, if this occurs at Sukkoth, it is possible that their deaths would occur at the final Purim before the Revelation at Month 77. The two witnesses testified for 42 months making their appearance at Month 35 or 7 months before the Abomination of Desolation and the commencement of Ya`akob’s Trouble or Great Tribulation.
“I am the good Shepherd. I know my own, and I am known by my own; I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one Shepherd.” (John 10:14, 16). It could be said that at the Snatching Away Yahuah discriminates between Believers and non-Believers and is therefore a form of judgement. However, when the Messiah comes in the clouds, He will call out to all mankind, dead and alive but it will only be those who belong to Him (those who have called Him Saviour) that will be able to hear His voice. It is my belief that the gathering to the Messiah must occur before Ya`akob’s Trouble from the following biblical verses.
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Apostasy – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction. He who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called `Elohiym or that is worshipped; so that he sits as `Elohiym in the Sanctuary, setting himself up as `Elohiym. Do you not remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things? Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of Torahlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. Then the Torahless one will be revealed, whom the Master will kill with the breath of His mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of His coming.” (2 Thess. 2-3-8).
Due to the importance of this matter each verse will be looked at individually.
v3) “Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,”
ἡ ἀποστασία ho a-po-sta-seea – this is from where the English word ‘apostasy’, the falling away from faith, originates, and is the cause of some confusion.
J.D. Farag quoting Dr. Andy Woods (YouTube.com) cites the 1560 Geneva Bible where ἀποστασία (a-po-sta-seea) has been translated as departure. This has led to the theory that the verse is proof that the Snatching Away (Rapture) is Pre-Tribulation. This departure comes before the Man of Torahlessness is revealed, ushering in Ya`akob’s Trouble. The theory states that it will be a physical departure as opposed to a spiritual decline.
In my opinion, this is problematic on a number of issues:
v1 sets the context of the passage as the return of the Messiah for Believers. Many translations have the phrase ‘that day shall not come’ in v3 and is used as the rationale behind using departure. However, this phrase is in italics in most variants, signifying that it is not in the manuscripts but is implied.
The 1560 Geneva Bible used as the translation justifying the theory, has the indefinite article preceding departure. This would seem to indicate that it was a general departure, the likes of which was not uncommon. To use it for the Snatching Away, an event that will have no equal in all of history, would not be correct. However, the Greek uses the definite article, that would seem to indicate a specific event. Although this would seem to benefit the argument for using ἀποστασία (a-po-sta-seea)for the Snatching Away, it opens the translation to the criticism of its accuracy.
Out of over thirty bible versions, only two (1560 Geneva and Hebrew Names Version) refers to the definite article. If, as the theory states, the Epistle 2 Thessalonians referred back to 1 Thessalonians, hence the use of ἡ ἀποστασία (ho a-po-sta-seea)in place of ἁρπαγησόμεθα (harpagesometha har-pa-ges-oh-mee-tha stolen away 1 Thess. 4:17). The use of the definite article would then have been meaningful. As it is, the 1560 Geneva Bible clearly states the indefinite article.
The theory criticises the use of ἀποστασία (a-po-sta-seea) to emphasise spiritual milieu
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because it possibly describes the departure of the Church from the one true faith (Roman Catholicism) during the Reformation. As such, it was future translators that claimed the spiritual schism was a rebellion against the ‘Mother Church’ and used this pretext to show how Protestant Reformers were contrary to the Word of Yahuah.
Roth suggests that the apostasy was beginning during Sha`ul’s time with the ‘Christian’ church departing from the true faith of the original Netzarim Believers in the Messiah Yahusha. This was due to a faith based upon Torah being replaced by a faith based upon a Hellenistic and pagan paradigm (AENT p.618 #3). Sha`ul understood the immanentcy of the return of the Messiah (1 Thess. 4:15)
It is more likely that Sha`ul would have been concerned with the real problem of Jews returning to Pharisaic Judaism, that he was later to develop in the Letter to the Galatians (cf. Gal. 2:17-3:29). There would soon be a further problem of Believers being enticed into the sin of the Nicolaitans that would develop into Roman Catholicism from the end of the 1st, Century C.E. (cf. Rev. 2:12-17) and away from the Hebraic heritage of the early Church Universal.
The common usage of the ἀποστασία (a-po-sta-seea) as a spiritual falling away may indicate the prophetic nature of this passage in 2 Thessalonians. Sha`ul, under the inspiration of HaRuach, may be warning of the situation immediately prior to the Snatching Away, whereby many Believers follow another form of religion, “holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also.” (2 Tim. 3:5); “For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.” (2 Tim. 4:3).
There have always been wars, earthquakes, tribulations, etc. but as history draws to a close with the End of Times, these will be increasingly more severe and frequent. Nevertheless, there will come a time when there will be a battle the like of which has never been, “He gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew, Megiddo.” (Rev. 16:16). This could well be described with the definite article as the Battle of Armaggedon. Similarly, there will be a time of tribulation the like of which has never been, “or then there will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.” (Matt. 24:21). This is commonly known as the Great Tribulation. All these End Time events are of a magnitude and severity unparalleled in history using the definite article; the final spiritual falling away must, therefore, be known as the apostasy.
The irony of this theory is that it has been said that the switch from the meaning of a physical departure to a spiritual falling away was due to the mass exodus of people from universal Roman Catholicism (considered as the one, true religion) to Protestantism. However, it is my view that ἡ ἀποστασία (ho a-po-sta-seea)will be seen as the spiritual mass exodus from true faith back to a universal single religion either actually Roman Catholicism or one totally dominated by it.
In the vast majority of translations, ἀποστασία is translated as rebellion rather than a falling away or departure.
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ἀποστασία apostasia – rebellion is from the root ἀφίστημι a-fi-stay-mee – (middle voice what someone does to themselves) to remove oneself (Kittel & Friedrich p88). Compare this with:
ἁρπαγησόμεθα har-pa-ges-oh-mee-tha – to sieze, kidnapped or to be caught away. This is the verb (ἁρπάζου har-pad-zo) usually associated with the Snatching Away (Rapture). It is in the indicative passive voice i.e. subject of the verse has the action done to them. In 1 Thess. 4:17, the subject of the verb is all living Believers and they are snatched away by some other Power.
In 2 Thess. 2:3 the sense was one of an active voice i.e. the falling away was one under the control of the people. It was the people that were the cause, instigators and recipients of ἡ ἀποστασία (ho a-po-sta-seea). It is true to say that these people were the subject of being led astray or deceived, yet they had a free-will choice; to follow or stand fast. The Believers involved with the Snatching Away were totally passive, having no involvement other than being whisked away.
There is also a sub-context associated with the Coming of the Messiah (in the clouds). In each of the main passages concerning the Coming of the Messiah, there is a warning regarding about being deceived, “Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Messiah,’ or, ‘There,’ do not believe it. For there will arise false messiahs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matt. 24:23, 24). Rather, “Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21). There is some ambiguity as to the timing of the revelation of the Man of Torahlessness. The Son of Perdition is revealed during ἡ ἀποστασία as a consequence of ἡ ἀποστασία (he apostasia). Grammatically ἡ ἀποστασία (he apostasia) is the main object of the verse (noun nominative) and that the Torahless one is the covert driving force behind the apostasy and his influence is finally revealed (verb aorist subjective) (biblehub.com…2-4; blueletterbible.org…1118003) because of the apostasy (Marshall p.816; Sanford p.736).
v4) “He who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called `Elohiym or that is worshipped; so that he sits as `Elohiym in the Sanctuary, setting himself up as `Elohiym.” This is the proof text used by many commentators to further the doctrine of a pre-wrath Snatching Away.
Before this study goes any further, it is important to state one obvious fact, to which all Believers, irrespective of their stance on when the Snatching Away occurs: Yahuah is sovereign. The timing of events may be open for discussion, but only Yahuah knows.
It has been said that all Believers must pray and hope for the best (Snatching Away before Yaakob’s Trouble i.e. pre-Trib./wrath) but pray and prepare for the worst (Snatching Away
after Ya`akob’s Trouble i.e. post-Trib.). All that we should is repeat the prayer of the Master “He said ‘Abba Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’” (Mark 13:36). Whatever befalls the Believer, we must trust that Yahuah will bring us through the persecution.
Will many Believers die? Yes! However, Rabbi Sha`ul exhorts all Believers that “For if we live, we live to our Master Yahusha; or if we die, we die to our Master. If, therefore we live or die, we are our Master’s” (Rom. 14:8). Whatever happens our final prayer must be that ‘Father, glorify your child so that your child may glorify you.’ (cf John 17:1).
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Even so, marana tha (our Master comes)!
Now back to v4.
The grammar of this verse signifies that Torahless one will testify as to his right to be worshipped by him sitting down in the Sanctuary (biblehub.com; blueletterbible.org). However, with all prophetic passages, there may or may not be some telescoping of events. The prophetic chronology is: the apostasy; the Torahless one exalts; he sits down; he sets forth. Nevertheless, although these are consecutive, there is no grammatical rationale behind the following on of one event immediate after another, one single occasion or that they can be interspersed by other events.
There are two important hermeneutical/exegetical factors that must be stated: No doctrine should be made of a translation nor of a stand-alone verse (cf. Mark 16:18). In the case of the pre-wrath doctrine, there is neither definitive grammatical (exegetical) evidence in support nor is there any scriptural (hermeneutical) support for this doctrine.
While the grammar equally does not support a pre-trib. doctrine, there are numerous passages supporting the theory of imminence. The Master taught regarding the immanency of the Kingdom of Yahuah and His return (Matt. 24:1-25:12; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:41-48; 17:26-32; 21:34-36; Rev. 1:10-19; 2:16; 3:2, 3; 2:11) (Stern).
v5) “Do you not remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?”Sha`ul wrote this epistle from Laodicea of Psidia and sent via Tychius (AENT p.622) to ensure that the Thessalonika Assembly knew that it was from Sha`ul and not someone writing in his name.
v6) “Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.” There is strong evidence that it is the prayers of the body of Believers that is the restraining force and not HaRuach (Rev. 20:4). It is only after the restraint is removed that the Torahless one is finally and fully revealed.
v7) “For the mystery of Torahlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.”The apostasy is spiritual, general and gradual and that it gives rise to the appearance of the Torahless one. This can be considered to be ongoing at the time of the writing of the epistle (Henry p.2347), hence Sha`ul’s use of present tenses. However, it may have started in Gan Eden (Gen. 3:6, 7) but certainly from the Flood (Gen. 6:11-13). This has carried over into the post-Resurrection age.
v8) “Then the Torahless one will be revealed, whom the Master will kill with the breath of His mouth, and bring to nothing by the brightness of His coming.”This is another case of prophetic telescoping. Chronologically, the Torahless one will be fully revealed when he desecrates the Sanctuary. However, grammatically, one may follow immediately after the other, but it is my opinion that it will be the final half of Dani`el’s seventieth week, the 42 months after the Abomination that causes desolation.
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Yahuah bless you and keep you,
Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you,
Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.
All glory be to Yahuah,
Ameyn.
References and Credits
Barclay Rev. W. (2)(1960) The Good News of John Vol.2, St. Andrew Press, Edinburgh.
Harris R.L., Archer G.L., Thoelogical Wordbook of the Old Testament, Moody, Chicago, Waltke B.K. (1980) Il.
Kittel G. & Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Eerdmans Pub.,
Friedrich G. Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A. Trans. Bromiley G.W. (1988).
MacDonald S. (2016) The S.O.S. A Handmaid’s Guide to the Apocalypse, Xlibris, U.K.
Marshall Rev. A. (1976) The New International Version, Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, Regency Ref. Library, Zondervan Pub., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Sanford W.H. (2018) The Messianic Aleph Tav Interlinear Scriptures, 5th. Vol. Ed., Of Acts-Revelation, CCB Pub., B.C., Canada.
“Scripture (or Content) taken from the Messianic Aleph Tav Interlinear Scriptures
(MATIS), copyright 2018 and used with permission by William H. Sanford.”
Stern F. (2006) A Rabbi Looks at Jesus’ Parables, Rowman & Littlefield, Lanam, Maryland, U.S.A.
Strong J. (1994) Strong’s New Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, World Bible Publishers Inc., Madison.
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Strong J. (1996) The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
http://www.betemunah.org/birth.html
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_thessalonians/2-3.htm
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm
https://blueletterbible.org/hnv/2th/2/1/t_conc_11180043
http://www.hebcal.com/holidays/simchat-torah
http://www.hebcal.com/holidays/shmini-atzeret
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Rosh_Hashannah/rosh_hashannah.html
http://www.lightofmashiach.org/yomteruah.html
http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/sukkot
http://www.triumphpro.com/shemini-atzeret-eighth-day.htm
https://YouTube.com: J.D. Farag – The Rapture Comes First – 14th. June 2020.
HNV The Hebrew Names Version is based off the World English Bible, an update of the American Standard Version of 1901. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.
King James Version (KJV) Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown. This Bible is printed and published by Cambridge University Press, the Queen’s royal printer, under royal letters patent. The text commonly available now is actually that of the 1769 revision, not that of 1611. The text used by BLB is the current 1769 edition.
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First Generation Assembly 