The Translated Word “Rapture” Found All Over the Bible

IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER... 
 

• Featured Article: The Translated Word “Rapture” Found All Over the Bible 
• Are the Covid Winds Shifting...and Why? 
• Church Not in Tribulation, Pt. 2 of 3 
• Praise Ye the Lord 
• Daily Jot: The new pandemic 
• Daily Devotion: Unbelief Is a Thief 

---

The Translated Word “Rapture” Found All Over the Bible – Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-word-rapture-all-over-bible.html
 
16“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall BE CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”(1st Thessalonians 4:16 -17)
 
(caps and quotes are my emphasis in this message)
 
Very familiar verses for all prophecy writers and readers alike has been the subject of much debate and confusion over the last 150 years. Many critics believe that this verse is talking about the church being taken up in the air at the seventh trump that the seventh angel blows to signal the bowl judgments spoken of in Revelation chapter 16. That would be a Post-Tribulation model. But are they right?
 
I had a brother in Christ, who at the very mention of the word “rapture”, became very irate and bellowed, loudly, quote “there is no scripture in the bible that speaks of a rapture.” end-quote. But is he right, or just ignorant of the fact that Paul and many writers pointed to a “catching away” of the church and there are found many instances in the bible that support that doctrine? You can find examples of this teaching in both New and Old Testaments. Let's take a journey through biblical chapters and see what we find, shall we?
 
Noting the above verse quoted in the start of this message, note the capitalized words to “be caught up”. Are there any other verses in the bible with the same words that mean the same thing as this verse does? The Greek word for this phrase is “harpazo” #726 in Strong's Concordance that was translated into the Latin Vulgate as “rapiemur” and came from the derivative of the Greek word #138 in Strong's Concordance “haireomai” which literally means “to seize, catch away up, pluck, pull, or take by force”, hence the modern English word “rapture”, that often maligned word, that many in the conservative church movements equate with some type of emotional display or escape hatch for those who disbelieve the church goes through the Tribulation. Getting back, are there any other verses that use the exact same word used here of “harpazo”? Turn with me now to 2nd Corinthians:
 
 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one CAUGHT UP to the third heaven.
 
12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
12:4 How that he was CAUGHT UP into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”(2nd Corinthians 12:2-4)
 
Paul is speaking of himself being caught up into paradise and heard things, that I believe he shared with the church during his days when he wrote his epistles. He calls it a mystery...what is the word he used....? Correct, it was the Greek word,"harpazo". Paul was snatched in the spirit into heaven. Paul uses the word twice. The Old Testament is full of the prophecies concerning the second coming of the Lord God at the end of the age, but in Paul's epistle, especially in this letter to the Corinthians and the Thessalonians, Paul speaks of a mystery that would not have been a mystery to those who studied the Torah or the major/minor prophets, but here refers to this mystery, or something that previously had not been known. And further, Paul equated it with the known Feast of Trumpets, referring the last trump that is blown at it's conclusion and not referring to John's description in Revelation, as John had not even written the last book of the Bible when Paul wrote these letters to the churches. So even in that respect, they are not the same trumpet and should not be confused with each other. One trumpet expresses indescribable joy and the one in Revelation heralds the beginning of indescribable horror that slays nearly all of mankind. Those Feast that God gave Israel at Mt. Sinai are what I call “the plan for the redemption of mankind”...note that Jesus fulfilled the spring feast observances on the very day on the Jewish calendar. Since God is a God of order, will He do so in the coming Fall Feast? I pray He will.
 
Now let's turn to another verse that speaks of this same snatching away, but in a different context.
 
(Matthew 11:12) , “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence , and the violent “TAKE IT BY FORCE.”
 
(Matthew 13:19) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and CATCHETH AWAY that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. “
 
Different context, but same meaning...to be snatched away, by force. Now another, found in Gospel of John it is used four different times.
 
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and “take him by force” to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”(John 6:15)
 
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.”(John 10:28-29)
 
28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish , neither shall any man PLUCK THEM OUT of my hand.
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.
30 I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)
 
Again, in Acts 23:10, Jude 1:23, Revelation 12:5 “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” (the child is the body of Christ, the Church in the rapture)
 
Let's not forget Phillip the apostle when he had baptized the Ethiopian eunuch after explaining who Isaiah chp. 53 was speaking of and revealed to Him that Jesus was the Messiah,
 
 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord “caught away” Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts, 8:39)
 
If you've been keeping count, that is 13 times in the New Testament including the ones I didn't quote , but gave reference to, that the word “Harpazo” is used and it means in every instance to be removed by force, without warning being snatched away...not each mention of the Greek word “Harpazo” has to do with with the mystery that Paul speaks of, but it shows that the word was used repeatedly to speak of with the same definition and example.
 
WHAT ABOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT?
 
Good question. Is there anything that can point to a parallel word that has the same meaning used in Greek in these passages found in also in the Old Testament.? Matter of fact, there is. There a examples of men being “snatched up” and removed from this earth. Let's start with the earliest known example in Genesis:
 
22 "And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God “took him.” (Genesis 5:22-24)
 
Here the word for the phrase “took him ” is the Hebrew word #3947 in Strong's, “leqach” which means to “receive, reserve, seize, send for, take away, or fetch”.
 
Paul speaks of Enoch this way in the book of Hebrews:
 
“By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away (translated him). For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” ( Hebrews 11:5)
 
 The word used for “translated, or taken him away” is the Greek word, metatithemi, Strongs #3346, which means “transport, exchange, change sides, carry over, change, remove”. Scoffers will use the passage in verse 13 of that same chapter,13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 5:13)
 
But to use that verse as proof that Enoch died contradicts verse 5, and the bible cannot contradict itself. So Enoch was “snatched away, removed” from this earth alive and did NOT see death, but verse 13 applies to all others who lived by faith.
 
Another example is the prophet Elijah and we will turn to 2nd Kings
 
“ And it came to pass, when the LORD would “TAKE UP” Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.” ( 2nd Kings 2:1)
 
And as we read down “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”(2nd Kings 2:11)
 
What is the Hebrew word for the phrase “would take up” in verse 1 of the above passage? It's the word and the equivalent word as used in the example of Enoch, as this word is “Leqach” used to describe the snatching away of Enoch. Some will make a convoluted argument that both men are dead and died in faith, but they use logic that is beyond their grasp of the infinite, not believing that God is Sovereign and He can do whatever He wishes to do, apart from their finite analogies. They will use “did not see death” and try to explain the second death. That's stretching the meaning of the text and we have no clue to do so. It's best to take what the Word says literally and not add your own meaning, by adding or subtracting from God's message. They will say that he lived 365 years and no longer, but you can't count eternity, because it's without time. So again, they try to rationalize their preconceived ideas to support their doctrine of “believers in Jesus Christ” not being removed bodily from this earth in an instant....or the bible says, in the “twinkling of an eye.”
 
Note that we have covered Enoch, Elijah, Phillip, Paul, our Lord and Savior, and finally the Church itself, the bride of Christ being described with the words “snatched up, or plucked by force” from the earth.
 
But still the critics will not believe. I point them to some passages that mirror each other and tell us why these examples were given to us. First is Isaiah:
 
“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
20 Come, my people, ENTER THOU INTO THEY CHAMBERS and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”(Isaiah 26:19-21,)
 
And her companion verse, spoken of by my Lord, 
 
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”(John chapter 14:2-4)
 
What do these companion verses say to you? They tell me that Jesus will bring us unto Himself and we will be rewarded a mansion in the New Jerusalem, as He promised. There we will wait for the indignation, or His wrath to be over-past or to subside. These verses speak of resurrection, changing from mortal to immortal, and not being present when His wrath comes upon this earth, both the resurrected dead in Christ, and the living who are both changed as Paul spoke of in the very first verses of this message.
 
THE DOCTRINE OF THE RAPTURE IS A MODERN ONE?
 
In recent years, many opponents of the pre-tribulation rapture view have made dogmatic assertions that this view was never taught before 1820 A.D. There have been attempts to attribute the origin of this view to John N. Darby.... but this is false and misleading. Ephraem the Syrian wrote, in 373 AD,
 
 "For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins." …
 
Revealing that the early church fathers themselves were indeed teaching this.
 
This text was originally a sermon called “On the Last Times, the Anti-Christ, and the End of the World.” There are four existing Latin manuscripts (the Parisinus, the Augiensis, the Barberini, and the St. Gallen) ascribed to St. Ephraem or to St. Isidore . Some scholars believe this text was written by some unknown writer in the sixth century and was derived from the original Ephraem manuscript.
 
The sermon describes the events of the last days, beginning with the rapture, the Great Tribulation of 3 1/2 years duration under the Antichrist's rule, followed by the Second Coming of Christ. In Ephraem's book “The Book of the Cave of Treasures”, written about 370 A.D., he expressed his belief that the 69th week of Daniel ended with the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus the Messiah. Although this does not prove that the doctrine of the Rapture is correct, it does show that even early Church Theologians were teaching this and it is NOT a modern device of an immature girl and John Darby, as some claim, but a doctrine of the early church.
 
The glorified Jesus, the Great I AM, that I AM spoke of this in the His precious Word, as Ephraem the Syrian did, when our Lord spoke in Revelation:
 
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”(Revelation 3:10)
 
As I have hammered home the interpretation of what Jesus was telling John, that the Greek word for “Will keep thee from” is the Greek Word “EK” which literally means to be taken from the time and period of the event. That abolishes the theory that the church goes “through” the coming Tribulation, instead of as Jesus spoke, to be removed from the time of the event.
 
Paul echoes what Jesus spoke to John some 30 years later, when he penned these verses,
“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”(1st Thessalonians 5:8-10)
 
POINT AND COUNTERPOINT!!
 
The Church is a specific group of believers in Jesus Christ.  It is not a building ... nor is it any particular denomination or religion.  It is also known as the Body of Christ. The Living Church of God is a living organism that began at Pentecost -- see Acts 2:1-4 and culminates at the rapture -- see 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.  It does not include anyone who was a believer prior to or after the two above-mentioned events.  The terms saints or elect refer to another specific group of believers.  This group includes all the Old Testament saints, as well as those who become believers in Christ after the rapture. I've made many references in past messages that the Tribulation is designed for two things, and two things only and that is:
 
-Pouring out of God's wrath on an unrepentant, and rebellious world,
 
-refining Israel as silver is refined in the fire....and we are NOT included in that refining. Why?
 
Because there is no need, as Jesus paid it all at the cross, and to think otherwise smacks of “catholic purgatory” that Jesus blood and sacrifice just was not sufficient to fully save the sinner. A serious mistake by a past ruling Theocracy.
 
There is a marked difference in the Bible when you look at references to the Church compared with references to the saints or the elect.  The Church is always referred to in very narrow and distinct terms, whereas the saints or the elect are always referred to in very broad terms.  More pointed, however, is the fact that the word Church never appears again after Revelation 3:22 -- you'll only see the words “saints or the elect” mentioned throughout the rest of the book -- and this is directly after a very significant reference to this “catching away by force” , that Jesus mentions in Revelation 3:10
 
 ASSESSMENT and CONCLUSIONS
 
What is the tribulation? It is the wrath of God. When does it start? When the first seal is broken in chapter 6 of Revelation by our Lord, Jesus Christ. What are we not appointed to? We are not appointed to wrath, but salvation through Him, Jesus Christ our Lord. How will the tribulation begin to commence? When the Church of God is removed out of the way. Isaiah 26:19 we covered above, and in 2nd Thessalonians
 
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let (the Holy Spirit), until he be taken out of the way.
2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:7-10)
 
 
 But forewarning to those who belong to a “church”...these bible verses which speak of the removal of the CHURCH will not be everyone who sits in pew, or says some “hail mary’s” in some repetitive fashion, or think their pope, priest, or their pastor can usher them into God's Kingdom. It's not about being Catholic, or Protestant or something somewhere in between. It is solely dependent on the application of the blood of Jesus Christ to your life and clothing your spirit with His Righteousness. There are many verses that point solely to Jesus Christ being the “Way, the Truth and the Life”. No man can come to the Father in Heaven except through Him. All roads do not lead to eternal life, but believing in your heart of hearts and accepting His free pardon for your sins through Grace and faith in the only Begotten Son of God.
 
 “For God so loved the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17, God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
 
God has given us example after example. He has given us story after story to show the TRUE children of God being removed out of the way (and there are many more). He has given us words to show that HE WILL remove the TRUE, blood washed church before His wrath is poured out on this earth. How much more clear does He need to be? When someone remarks, “the rapture is not found in the bible”, then my reader, you can direct them to passages that show they misunderstand. And if they still don't get it, then that's Ok...you can explain it to them on your way up to meet the Lord in the air
 
 “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved” Don't be left behind when all hell breaks loose on this earth in the coming Tribulation, which may be sooner than anyone cares to think of....maybe even this year??? ARE YOU READY?
 
This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying God's salvation in your life and to ready for the soon return of our King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, our Savior. If there is anything I can help you with, pray with you about, or just listen, email me at [email protected] . Or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com , for more messages based on the Word of God. God bless you all, till we meet at Jesus Feet.

 


 
Are the Covid Winds Shifting...and Why? - by Bill Perkins - https://compass.org/are-the-covid-winds-shifting-and-why/
 
There may be a shift coming in the Brandon Administration's va((ine rollout.
 
In the past, the Communists/Satanists have pushed as far as they can and then drop back—but nowhere near where they started—always gaining ground—only to start again in the future.
 
That's probably what's happening now. Seems they feel it's time for a pull-back to make people feel better.
 
News out of Israel, Britain, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and even here in the United States are coordinating Covid policy changes.
 
They all are dropping Covid mandates, admitting the va((ines don't work and are even permanently damaging body organs.
 
CLICK HERE to read about damaging organs
 
In Britain, Boris is suddenly trusting his people to do the right thing. Not sure why he didn't trust them before.
 
And Dr. Clive Dix, who is ex-head of the UK Va((ine Taskforce and who worked on creating the original va((ines, said,
 
"...va((inating people for protection is now a waste of time... I think the original thinking was very much to stop infection and transmission where clearly these vaccines don’t do that.”
 
CLICK HERE for British article
 
Israel's leading immunologist tells Israel's Health Minister that "it's time to admit failure" and to find another strategy besides va((ines. CLICK HERE
 
And the Health Minister in Israel is also now saying va((ine passports are no longer relevant. CLICK HERE
 
In Europe and at the World Health Organization, regulators call for an end to boosters. CLICK HERE
 
And here in the United States, even Fauxi himself on January 12 told a congressional panel "Just about everybody will get Omicron," va((inated or not.
 
Fauxi's comments were echoed by Dr. Janet Woodcock, commissioner of the FDA, saying “I think it’s hard to process what’s actually happening right now, which is most people are going to get COVID,”
 
While this is good news on the surface, let's be careful to remember we're dealing with the devil. Why all of the sudden is all of this coming out now?
 
Again, the Communist/Satanist/Covid playbook is always the same. Push as far left as you can, then back off to give people the illusion of things returning to normal.
 
These people still control the media, banks, big corporations, etc. It's very possible, if not probable, that all of this is part of their plan all along.
 
Shoot, I'm so jaded I think they could have allowed the Virginia Governor's race to be won by a conservative to take the air out of the balloon before it popped.
 
They could have cheated to win Virginia, but they didn't. And didn't we all feel better to see a conservative win?! We've totally moved on past all the evidence that they cheated to win the last Presidential election.
 
I think they figured they could very well have sacrificed a Governorship that didn't matter in their razor-thin majority in the House and Senate.
 
I would like nothing more than this whole mess to be over and done with, just like you. But we have to not take the bait and realize we're dealing with Satan.
 
Whatever comes out of the major media is controlled. And Satan's minions still want to sink America. And they are still killing people via va((ines.
 
Meanwhile in China...
 
Also, it's even possible that the changes noted above may be to get the world ready for a new disease being released, because something's going on in China that no one can figure out.
 
Seems China's President XI is desperately trying to cover up a news release that a new virus has "escaped."
 
On December 23, 2021 President Xi locked down an entire city of 13 million... which just happens to be responsible for 40% of Samsung's global microchip output.
 
It has been reported that in addition to normal Covid respiratory tract symptoms, people infected with this strange infection are also bleeding profusely from their eyes, ears and nose.
 
CLICK HERE TO READ CHINA ARTICLE
 
And all of that brings up another question...
 
I read an email where Dr. Peter McCullough had personally admitted in writing that the Omicron variant was infecting everyone—regardless if they had been va((inated, unva((inated or even if they had natural recovered immunity.
 
If Omicron is a variant of the original Sars Covid 19, is that even possible? I'm not a physician and may be missing something, but I smell a rat. Just saying...
 
If Omicron is not a variant of the originally released virus, and since we know that Covid is a manufactured bio-weapon, then they could've released Omicron as another bio-weapon. This one just happens to be more infectious but less deadly.
 
And if that is true (trying to think all this through) then Omicron could have been released as a distraction to cover for all the excess deaths beginning to show up from the poison in the va((ine. Or at least take our eyes off the problem, which is called a "false flag."
 
CLICK HERE and HERE to read about excess deaths from va((ine.
 
Hopefully all this "pull-back" is because those self-focused dimwits missed a few things rolling out their covert death shot.
 
Like maybe missing the fact that insurance companies would scream bloody murder (pun intended). They're not about to pay out multi-millions of dollars due to deaths from an optional experimental clinical drug trial.
 
And did they think their covering up proven, effective and safe Covid treatments wouldn't be discovered?
 
CLICK HERE to read about Covid treatment cover-ups revealed in newly released documents.
 
Are they that stupid or do they have something else planned? Time will tell. I CAN promise you they're not finished.
 
So continue to pray for wisdom and protection!

 



 
Church Not in Tribulation, Pt. 2 of 3 - By Grant Phillips - https://www.raptureready.com/2022/01/14/church-not-in-tribulation-pt-2-of-3-by-grant-phillips/
 
ONLY HIS ENEMIES WILL BE JUDGED
 
Every child of God was once in violation of His holiness because of their sins, but all who repent and look to the cross in true belief are saved. Those who recognize they are a sinner needing forgiveness, and rest their faith in Jesus to save them, will be saved. All who turn to Jesus will be clothed in His righteousness.
 
{I want to interject a definition of the word “repent.” There are some folks who do not understand what the word “repent” means.
 
The Greek word is “metanoeo.” It means [1] to change one’s mind, i.e., to repent or [2] to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.
 
Peter used this word in Acts 2:38, 3:19, and 8:22. Paul used this word in Acts 17:30 and 26:20. They were simply saying, ‘Change your mind’ or ‘change your mind for what is better.’ Those who have put their trust in Jesus have changed their minds about Him and now believe.}
 
For those who are saved: if Jesus paid the debt for our sins, and He did; if He clothed us with His righteous, and He did, we are positionally (the cross) without sin because God looks at us (true Christians) and sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ, His Son. All of this being true, why would He administer judgment and wrath (the Tribulation) upon those He has forgiven and clothed in His own righteousness? Why would Jesus administer His wrath (the Tribulation) upon those He has predestined, called, justified and glorified? (Romans 8:30-39).
 
Everyone, the Church included, will suffer tribulation (small “t”) in this world, but that tribulation is brought on by man, not by God. The Tribulation (large “T”) is God’s wrath, not on His bride, the Church, but upon the world.
 
For those who are in Christ: ALL of our sins are paid, and we are clothed with His righteousness. Therefore, there remains no reason for judgment. Jesus took our judgment upon the cross and accepted God’s wrath upon Himself for us.
 
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
 
The bride of Christ, the Church, “does not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” because every true believer is filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
 
BLESSED HOPE
 
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).
 
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” is speaking of when Jesus comes FOR His bride prior to the Tribulation; i.e., the Rapture. It is not referring to Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation when He returns WITH His bride, because then it would mean that Jesus has lied and will take His wrath out also upon His bride, the Church. That is impossible. He cannot lie. This “hope” is not a “blessed” hope if we are waiting to be judged by His wrath (Tribulation). Once again, He, Jesus, has already taken our wrath upon Himself.
 
HOLY SPIRIT REMOVED
 
Satan would love to have free reign upon the earth … right now, but the Holy Spirit is restraining him. God will not allow him to be revealed until his set time during the Tribulation.
 
“And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6).
 
Satan is working in the world now in opposition to God, but until God says so, he is being kept on a short leash. When the time is right, God the Holy Spirit (He who now restrains) will return to Heaven with the Church and work through only a few individuals as He did prior to the Church age.
 
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
 
Before Jesus returned to Heaven, He assured the Church through His disciples that the Holy Spirit would be sent to be another helper (of the same kind as Jesus), abide with us forever, and dwell within us. Jesus also promised that He would not leave us as orphans but will come to us.
 
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).
 
We are also promised the Holy Spirit to be a guarantee that we are always His beloved possession.
 
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
 
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14).
 
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).
 
Once the Holy Spirit of God is removed (with the Church), Satan will be revealed in the Tribulation and eventually consumed by God.
 
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8).
 
BRIDEGROOM LOVES HIS BRIDE
 
Anyone acquainted with the Jewish engagement and marriage can instantly identify with the necessity of Jesus’ return for His bride prior to the Tribulation. There is simply no other way it can fit. Why? The Tribulation is a time of His wrath (Revelation 6-18) upon this unbelieving world. Jesus must remove His bride from harm’s way first. They will be married in Heaven while Israel and the remaining world are being judged upon the earth during the Tribulation. The Church will return with Jesus at the end of the Tribulation when Jesus will intercede at Armageddon, end the Tribulation, and prepare for the Millennium.
 
If you are interested in reading an in-depth account of the Jewish engagement and marriage, Zola Levitt wrote an excellent booklet called A Christian Love Story. The ISBN is 1-930749-26-0. Every step of this beautiful love story will be fulfilled.
 
Think about it. There is no way a groom is going to beat his bride to a bloody pulp (the Tribulation), then say, ‘Okay Sweetie, now let’s get married. Love you.’
 
Also, in their marriage customs of that day, they were the same as married in their faithfulness to each other when they became engaged. We haven’t arrived at the marriage ceremony as yet, but Jesus, our bridegroom, is faithful, and He is not going to leave His Church on earth to suffer His wrath.
 
JESUS IS HEAD OF THE CHURCH, HIS BODY
 
“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5).
 
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).
 
In Ephesians 5:22-33, the apostle Paul speaks to husbands and wives, then says in verse 32, “This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” Jesus and His bride are one. We are the bride and body of Christ. The Church is exempt from the Tribulation since we are His body and His bride. To think He would beat up on His bride, His own body, is foolish, to say the least.
 
Grant Phillips
 
Email: [email protected]
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 


 
Praise Ye the Lord - Nathele Graham - [email protected]
 
The Psalms are loved by most of us who love the Lord. We often think of King David when we think of the Psalms, but there were many men who wrote them. Some of the psalms strengthen us in times of need. Quite often we can read elsewhere in Scripture the circumstances that inspired a certain psalm. For instance, Psalm 51 is one written by King David at a very dark time of his life. His sin was great and he risked losing his salvation because of his actions. His repentance was genuine and it’s easy to feel his remorse when reading this Psalm. Other psalms were written when the enemy was attacking, and God’s intervention was needed. Some are encouraging, such as Psalm 23. Some are written for the sole purpose of praising the Lord. These can take one’s breath away, from the pure and joyous praise of the Lord! “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.” Psalm 150:1. The Hebrew word for “praise” is “halal” and that is what Psalm 151 is all about. Praise Him in His sanctuary and praise Him in the firmament of his power. In other words, praise Him everywhere and at all times.
 
“Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” Psalm 150:2. Do you take time to praise the Lord? Or are your prayers more along the lines of what you need from God? Can you think of anything to praise Him for? How about the fact that He entered this world and humbly gave us the example we are to follow? How about the fact that He shed His blood to purchase your salvation? That sure seems like it’s worth a word or two of praise. When this psalm was written, God had done many, many amazing things that were worthy of praise. He created the world and all that’s in it. He called Abraham to be the father of God’s people. He had promised land to his descendants. God had been faithful to His promises, making it possible for Abraham’s wife Sarah to bear a child long after she had passed child-bearing age. He led the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, parted the Red Sea so they could pass through. He fed them every morning with mana for the day. He caused water to flow from a rock. God did all these wonders, and He is to be praised. Since then, He’s He has done so much more. He gave His life on Calvary. Praise ye the Lord!
 
“Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.” Psalm 150:3. Can you play a musical instrument? If so, do you use your talent to praise the Lord? The three instruments named here are loud. Especially the trumpet. Our praise for the Lord isn’t to be quietly hidden so nobody hears our praise. Does this mean it’s supposed to be chaotic? No, but He’s done everything for you, so why not let the world know? Elsewhere in Psalms, we’re told, “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1. A joyful noise isn’t necessarily on key, and it isn’t necessarily the style everyone likes. It is praise to the Lord, and that’s Who you need to sing and praise with musical instruments and song.
 
“Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.” Psalm 150:4. Are you one to sit quietly in your pew, barely singing above a whisper, while others are lifting their hands in praise and clapping? Even swaying in rhythm? Praise the Lord with all that is within you. He can hear your thoughts, but loves to hear your voice. Again, the timbrel, stringed instruments and organs aren’t quiet instruments. A timbrel is a tambourine, and an organ is a type of flute or a reed instrument.
 
“Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:5. Be honest. Are cymbals a muted instrument? Something that quietly plays in the background? Not hardly. Cymbals make a lot of noise, and the psalmist says to use “loud” cymbals and “high sounding” cymbals. These aren’t the tinkling finger cymbals used in some forms of dance. Let the world know you’re praising the Lord of all creation.
 
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:6. Do you have breath? Then, praise the Lord! Let Him hear your voice and let the neighbors hear your songs of praise. One day soon, everyone will see Jesus. Christians will be called Home in the Rapture, then there will be a time of Great Tribulation. A time when evil is worse than ever before. If you accept Christ after the Rapture and sing His praise, you will be martyred. At the end of that seven-year period of time, Jesus will appear and fight for Israel. Of course, He wins. At that time, everyone will bow before Him. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11. A wise person will bow before Him now and confess to Him. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt a few days before His crucifixion, the people couldn’t hold back their praises to Him. The religious leaders were angry because the people were praising the Messiah. “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:39-40. If even stones can cry out in praise, shouldn’t those of us who have breath in us and who have been redeemed sing His praise? The answer is yes.
 
Praise and worship don’t always need to be loud. Solomon wrote “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace , and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; at time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. There is a time when we need to just allow the majesty of God to wash over us and solemnly praise Him. For instance, Isaiah and John both were privileged to see the throne of God. What an awe-inspiring sight that must have been. Both men saw living beings around the throne. Isaiah called them seraphim. These beings praised God. “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3. John described four beasts around the throne. These beasts also praised God. “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and I,s and is to come.” Revelation 4:8. These living creatures praise God all day and all night. Shouldn’t we praise Him too? He gave us all that we have. He gave us life, both in this world and the next. We don’t have much choice as to our situation in this life. Some are born to riches, while others are born to poverty. Most of us are somewhere in between. It’s the choices we make in this life that determines where we will spend eternity. Eternal life should be on your mind and heart. If you’ve rejected Christ, and the eternal life His death, burial, and resurrection gives, then you’ve chosen eternity in the lake of fire that burns forever.
 
Life can be tough. Things happen that can steal our joy. We lose loved ones, our health suffers, our finances might not stretch from paycheck to paycheck. When the psalmist says to praise God, there is no qualifying words…praise God if your bills are paid, or praise God if you’re healthy. Those are reasons to praise God, but the Apostle Paul tells us “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. Paul suffered much in his life, and some of that suffering happened in Philippi when he cast a demon out of a woman, which caused her “owners” to bring charges against him. This resulted in him being beaten and thrown into prison. What did Paul and Silas do in that jail? They didn’t have a pity-party. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:25. There was an earthquake, the prison was shaken, and the chains fell off. The prisoners could have escaped, but the witness of Paul and Silas affected everyone who heard. No prisoner escaped. This would have meant the keeper of the prison would have been held responsible. That man was ready to commit suicide because he assumed the prisoners had escaped. “But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Acts 16:28. The keeper of the prison was truly thankful, and because of the praises of Paul and Silas he knew he needed what they had. He was changed. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:30-31. You might be surprised how your praise for the Lord affects people around you. I heard of a man who would hum “Jesus Loves Me” in an elevator. How many people heard the song, and carried Jesus with them for the rest of the day? Only God knows.
 
Sometimes we need encouragement to get through a day. We all have spiritual battles we face, and sometimes it’s very hard to sing out in praise. We can get weary fighting the battles around us. The battles in life aren’t anything new. Neither is our need for encouragement from others. Even Moses needed help on occasion. In Exodus 17 we read about a battle against Amalek. Joshua let the battle, and Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the top of a hill. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” Exodus 17:11. Sometimes we all grow weary, but if we are a part of a Christian fellowship, we should never have to stand alone. “But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Exodus 17:12. Do you know anybody who is growing weary of fighting the spiritual battle around us? Satan seems to be attacking Christians with zeal. We need each other. Sometimes we need to have help in raising our hands in praise, but at other times we need to be the support for our fellow Christians. Don’t lose heart, but praise the Lord.
 
Sing His praise…speak His praise…but at all times “…Praise ye the LORD” Psalm 150:6b.
 
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
[email protected]
[email protected]
 
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com                                                  
www.prophecyupdate.com                                                  
www.raptureforums.com
 
All original scripture is “theopneustos” God breathed.
 
If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries just drop me an email and let me know.
 

 


 
Daily Jot: The new pandemic - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com
 
The Biden Administration soon will have to face a stone-cold fact—the push for unconstitutional government COVID mandates must end as the pandemic is ending. Even Pfizer’s CEO is now saying that things should be back to normal by Spring. But the damage done to not only Americans, but around the world, by government and corporate fearmongers and their lapdog media may take decades to undo. Christ said in Mark 3:25, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Those who have sought to use COVID to destroy this country are imbedded in society, and they believe that anyone who dissented against the government should be dealt with harshly. They are a pandemic of division.
 
Look no further than the rank and file of the Democratic Party. Rasmussen Reports and Heartland Institute conducted a survey that found “78% of Democratic voters support the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate plan, only 22% of Republicans and 41% of voters not affiliated with either major party support the vaccine mandate. And many Democrats would support even harsher measures, including fines for Americans who won’t get the COVID-19 vaccine and criminal punishment for vaccine critics… 55% of Democratic voters would support such a proposal, compared to just 19% of Republicans and 25% of unaffiliated voters.” But wait, it gets much worse.
 
The survey indicated that “Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Democratic voters would favor a government policy requiring that citizens remain confined to their homes at all times, except for emergencies, if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Such a proposal is opposed by 61% of all likely voters, including 79% of Republicans and 71% of unaffiliated voters. –Nearly half (48%) of Democratic voters think federal and state governments should be able to fine or imprison individuals who publicly question the efficacy of the existing COVID-19 vaccines on social media, television, radio, or in online or digital publications. Only 27% of all voters – including just 14% of Republicans and 18% of unaffiliated voters – favor criminal punishment of vaccine critics.” America faces a new strain of COVID that has incubated for a long time–division. And it is a pandemic.
 
Meantime, England’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson is ending COVID mandates because he says COVID is now becoming an endemic—meaning COVID is not eradicated, but it is reduced in strength enough that the population can live with it. No more mask mandates, vax passports, forced working from home. Getting back to normal in England. We in America should demand no less. America needs to unpack just what happened during COVID and consider accountability for its origin, the number of COVID deaths that occurred at the hands of lethal, not life-saving, government policies and protocols, censorship of dissenting, yet life-saving medical opinion, civil and patients’ rights violations, and vaccine side effects that have long-term debilitating consequences. We must work to expose the truth and make sure this fiasco never happens again 

 


 
Daily Devotion: Unbelief Is a Thief - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org
 
And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. —Mark 6:5–6
 
https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/unbelief-is-a-thief/ - Listen
 
The Bible tells the story of a woman who was pleading with Jesus for her daughter, and she was very persistent in her faith. Jesus answered her prayer and said, “Dear woman, your faith is great. Your request is granted” (Matthew 15:28 NLT).
 
Faith can make the difference between something happening and not happening.
 
For example, the Bible tells us that Jesus could do no mighty works in His hometown of Nazareth because of their unbelief (see Mark 6:5). Jesus went to other cities and miracles would happen. Demons would come out of people. The blind would receive their sight, and the deaf would hear again. People with leprosy would be cured.
 
But when He went to Nazareth, they doubted Him immediately. Maybe they thought, “Jesus? We remember him when he was knee-high to a grasshopper. We remember him working at the carpenter shop with Joseph. We knew that kid.”
 
Yet that “kid” was God incarnate and the Messiah.
 
We can stop the work of God in our lives by unbelief. Unbelief is a thief. In Scripture, we can see how God works through people exercising their faith to produce amazing things.
 
For example, God could have parted the Red Sea by His own power. He didn’t need Moses to hold up his staff. Instead, God said, “Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground” (Exodus 14:16 NLT).
 
God also could have done other things like bring fire down from Heaven on the altar when Elijah faced off with the prophets of Baal. He didn’t need Elijah to call for that fire. But God wants us to exercise our faith. He wants us to be a part of the process. So we need to call out to Him. 

 


 


 
FROM THE HEART
    
Let Us Make the Short Time We have Left,
Count for ALL of Eternity!

IF YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED THROUGH THIS MINISTRY, THEN WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE REMEMBER PROPHECY UPDATE IN YOUR GIVING - WE ARE TRULY, TRULY, THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT  
 
WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT?
 
One of the most reliable ways to determine if a ministry is worthy of your financial support is to examine its fruits. If Prophecy Update is keeping you informed, and if that information inspires you, and causes you to draw closer to the Lord, if Prophecy Update equips you with valuable information and knowledge to share with and encourage other believers, and open the eyes of non-believers, and if Prophecy Update keeps you connected to current events relating to Bible Prophecy, then you are partaking of the fruit produced through this ministry. None of this would be possible without the Lords blessings and your support. I believe where the Lord guides, the Lord provides, and most of the time He provides through the willing and generous hearts of believers just like you and me.
 
Humbly Seek Your Support
 
Prophecy Update has no corporate sponsors. This ministry is paid for and prayed for by readers and supporters. Without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update, Please pray about becoming a monthly supporter - thanks!
 
If ever there was a time to invest in God's Kingdom, it's now!
What on earth are you doing for Heaven's Sake?
"Share in the Blessings and Rewards that will last Forever!"
 
"Folks, it's all beginning to unravel. America is in more danger of falling than at any time in its history. But I believe Bible prophecy predicts this very decline. From this point on, we believers have to get serious. We are going to face discouragement, disillusionment and, most certainly, persecution in the time between now and the Rapture. But don't be discouraged or disillusioned. The coming turmoil will provide us unrivaled opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. So be ready to share your faith and your hope with those who need Christ. We still have time to reap a great harvest of souls for God's kingdom!" - Hal Lindsey
 
1) We need your prayers!- We proclaim the Truth of the Word of God and we are under constant spiritual and sometimes even physical attack.
2) We need your encouragement!- We need to hear from you, let us know how the Lord is blessing you through this ministry so that we can share it with others.
3) We need your input! - If you have a prophetic article or story or if there is a news related item we missed, let us know.
4) We need your financial support!- To put it quite simply, without your support, there would be no Prophecy Update.
 
I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to get the Word out and keep the world informed. Remember, your gift, no matter how small, does make a difference! You will be helping to touch lives, around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to the internet your generosity carries a global impact! - Thanks!
 
Our Prayer for You- "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 2 Corinthians 9:10-13
 
If you have been blessed by Prophecy Update and would like to help support this ministry financially. You can make a secure donation online by going to:
 
 DONATE NOW 
 
 
 
Or write us at:
 
Prophecy Update
P.O. Box 40516
Bakersfield, CA 93384-0516 
 
 
We are very pleased to offer all our readers this FREE download on Bible Prophecy from the Evangelical Bible College of Western Australia - Just download and enjoy and be blessed! Feel free to share it with all your friends and family members.
 
Click below to download!
 
"AS YOU SEE THE DAY APPROACHING"
 
 
 
 
If You Died Today, Would You Go To Heaven?
Find out, visit:
www.thegoodtest.net
www.gotquestions.org
www.wayofthemaster.com 
How to know God
 
 
 
DID YOU KNOW?
You can submit an article, leave a comment or praise report at email:
[email protected]
 
 
Maranatha! (Lord Come Quickly)
 
 "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All other ground is sinking sand."
 
 "Let Us make the short time we have left count for all eternity!"
 
 YBIC-Randy