First-fruits before YHWH

Nearly one thousand five hundred years before the fulfilment of this appointed day, YHWH, the One who knows the end from the beginning, commanded Moses saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, “When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and you gather its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.”’ [Lev. 23:9-14].

Three days and three nights after being crucified as the Passover Lamb, the Messiah rose from the dead. Exactly according to YHWH’s appointed calendar, on the day after the Sabbath that immediately followed Passover, the Messiah rose as a first-fruits wave offering before the Father. Paul writes to the Corinthians, ‘But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are asleep.’ [1Cor. 15:20].

Today, on this Day of First-fruits, a day the Father commanded us to remember as a permanent statute throughout all generations, I remind myself of the hope I have – a hope born from the surety of my redemption which was paid by the Lamb of YHWH that was slain on Passover. I remind myself that soon, not very long from now there will be another resurrection – a resurrection of those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of His coming [1Cor. 15:23]. At that time, in a twinkling of an eye, those in this resurrection will be transformed into imperishable beings [1Cor. 15:52] and made just like the Messiah in all His glory [Php. 3:21]. This will be followed by the reign of the Messiah over the whole earth for 1000 years. Then comes the culmination, when He hands over the Kingdom to God the Father, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power [1Cor. 15:24]. At that time, there will be the second resurrection when all who were not part of the first resurrection shall be judged, each according to his own deeds [Rev. 20:5,12].

While I remind myself, with gratitude for the grace and mercy shown me, of the hope of being in the first resurrection, I exhort myself not to take this favour lightly. For when the sickle is thrown to gather in the harvest, like wheat is separated from tares, there will be a separation too. Blessed are those who walk by the ways of the Spirit and not by the ways of the flesh [Rom. 8:4].

At the appointed time, on the Day of First-fruits, Yeshua, the Messiah was raised, as the first-fruits of the rich harvest of the righteous. Grant grace and strength to me, Saviour of my soul, that I may be ready at the harvest of the righteous when Yourr appointed time comes again.

Choosing the Lamb!

Just when the God of Israel was about to redeem His people from bondage, He commanded them through Moses saying, ‘On the tenth day of this month (the first month in the calendar that the Lord Himself instituted, now known as the Jewish calendar), each man is to take a lamb for his family, one per household…’ [Exo. 12:3]. He also commanded that they were to keep this lamb ‘until the fourteenth day of the month’ when all Israel will slaughter their lambs at dusk [Exo. 12:6]. This is the Passover which the One who knows the future commanded should be remembered and celebrated as a festival to the Lord from generation to generation as a perpetual regulation [Exo. 12:14].

Several thousand years later, on precisely the tenth day of the first month (which, this year, falls on 10 April), the Lord's Anointed One, Yeshua the Messiah, entered Jerusalem riding on a colt before all Israel. The people lay branches on the road and spread their cloaks before Him, crying 'Hoshiana! Blessed is He who comes in the name of Adonai.' The translation of the Hebrew word, 'Hoshiana', is 'Save us' or 'Rescue us'.

Orchestrated by the Father, Israel on precisely the tenth day of the first month, selected the lamb that would be the Passover lamb - the Lamb of God who would take away their sins, and not only theirs, but the sins of the whole world too.

From tomorrow evening (10 April 2022) until dusk on 11 April, is the tenth day of the first month in the biblical calendar. Just as Israel was commanded to prepare for the Passover by removing all leaven from their homes. May, we, even those who were once Gentiles but now have been made a part of Israel through the mercy and kindness of the Father, prepare for the Passover (which is from the evening of 14 April to dusk on 15 April) by removing all leaven from our homes and our lives. 

This Pesach, let us remember the great privilege we have been granted by the Passover Lamb. For through Yeshua, all who have believed in Him and have passed over from death to life, YHWH, El Elyon, who is also Elohe T'seva'ot, says to such, 'I will be your God and you will be My people.' 

Separate yourselves as a people whose lives, through obedience to His word, will magnify His Name and proclaim His excellencies. For to such He says, 'If you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep My covenant, then you will be My own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you will be a kingdom of cohanim for Me, a nation set apart' [Exo. 19: 5,6]. 

Shalom!

Boxed in a Paradox

I feel a growing sense of living in a world that is going in exactly the opposite direction that I know it should actually be going; yet at the same time realizing that unless it continues in the path of destruction, her sins will not be ripe for judgment and the coming of the Son of Man.

Noah lived in times like this, probably worse, because we are still to reach to that point where Yahweh decided that the time was ripe for total annihilation of all that lived on the face of the earth, save those on the ark. The Torah tells us that Noah was a righteous man who walked before Yahweh. I can only imagine what his troubled soul would have been going through when he saw the evil that existed against all righteous standards set — for as Paul wrote: ‘What is revealed is God’s anger from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who in their wickedness keep suppressing the truth; because what is known about God is plain to them, since God has made it plain to them’ (Rom. 1: 18, 19) — yet conscious that the Creator had purposed to begin all over again and nothing was going to change that.

I can only imagine what it must have been like for Abraham in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. The twin cities were just a bit South East from where the patriarch lived when Adonai met him by the oaks of Mamre. Abraham was a righteous man who heeded what Adonai said. He did what Yahweh told him to do — he followed His commandments, His regulations and His teachings (Gen. 26:5). The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was so great and their sin so serious that Adonai said, ‘I will now go down and see whether their deeds warrant the outcry that has reached me; if not, I will know’ (Gen. 18:20, 21). Abraham found himself in a paradox. He lived in a world where its stink had reached the heavens yet He also knew His Master and Friend. He knew that the Judge of all the Earth would never destroy the righteous with the unrighteous (Gen. 18:25). This man’s knowledge of His Creator both inspires and challenges me.

The Eternal One waited 400 years; for it would be only then that the Amorites would be ripe for punishment. This He reveal to Abraham when He made a covenant saying, ‘Know this for certain: your descendants will be foreigners in a land that is not theirs. They will be slaves and held in oppression there four hundred years. But I will also judge that nation, the one that makes them slaves. Afterwards, they will leave with many possessions. As for you, you will join your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. Only in the fourth generation will your descendants come back here, because only then will the Emori be ripe for punishment’ (Gen. 15:13-16).

The righteous who lived at that time, including Moses, knew that Yahweh was to judge and utterly destroy (Ex. 23:23) a people [at least six are named], living in utter depravity and give the land to Israel whom He had made righteous — for all of Israel (the native and the foreigner) were guided by the pillar of cloud, they all passed through the sea. They all ate the same food from the Spirit, and they all drank the same drink from the Spirit — for they drank from a Spirit-sent Rock which followed them, and that Rock was the Messiah (1Cor. 10: 1-4).

And here lies the paradox: the righteous knew and heard of all that was going on around them. They would have been disturbed by all that they saw. With each passing year the sins of the Amorites could only get worse. Evil appeared to have the upper hand over good. Unrighteousness seemed to triumph over righteousness. Yet, as was foretold long ago, they knew that the increase in evil was inevitable and that at the fulness of time, the faithful One who never changes His mind would do what He has determined (Isa. 46:9, 10).

The Messiah has told us that at the coming of the Son of Man, it will be just like the days of Noah (Mt. 24:37; Lk. 17:26, 27). He also compared those days to the time when Lot was living in Sodom and Gomorrah, saying ‘It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed’ (Lk. 17:28-30).

The righteous who live in the world today can see how the wrong is being touted as right and are troubled. Established institutions expected to stand for righteousness, justice and truth have come together to support what is evil. Governments, the Judiciary, the Media, the Police — they have all become futile in their thinking; and their undiscerning hearts have become darkened. People of entire nations are cleverly influenced through vitriolic messages and spurred to support and pursue all that is vile and corrupt.

Week after week I read news that I wish could have been different. Each time it appears as though unrighteousness has a clear advantage. All I can do is observe in silence, pained and concerned at our future and the future of my loved ones. I seem to be hopelessly in the minority. Everything in the world — our nation, our surroundings — appears to be hurtling downhill [at break-neck speed, if I may add] to the very abyss of destruction. And all I can do is watch, just as did Noah or Abraham or Jeremiah or even Yeshua and the disciples in the days of Roman injustice.

Then I remind myself that what has been spoken of long ago must be fulfilled. The stage must be set for the coming of the man of lawlessness; the period of tribulation; the days of judgment and then the coming of the Son of Man on the clouds in great glory. The latter cannot happen without the former. So it was spoken, so it will happen.

What I need to do however, as should all who love righteousness, justice and mercy, is to be strong and courageous. This what Yahweh said to Joshua in those days of judgment to the Amorites:

Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Christians use verses like these to preach a prosperity gospel. But those who understand the whole truth of Yahweh’s word know that they need grace to be strong, courageous and stay alert as children of light. For as the Apostle Paul wrote of these times, ‘You, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober’ (1Thes. 5:4-6).

We have need of endurance, brethren, so that when we have done the will of God, we may receive what was promised. ‘For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. But My righteous one will live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ Yes! We have need of endurance. We should be strong and courageous so as not to shrink back to destruction, but have faith that leads to the safekeeping of the soul (Heb. 10:36-39).

Eulogy

I wrote down my thoughts to cope with losing my friend. Here is what I put down:

I loved Reena dearly. I considered her as my own. I was afraid I would lose her. This fear has now become a reality. It is understandable therefore that we should weep because we will miss her. We will miss seeing her smile; we will miss talking to her; or receiving messages from her. Some went to Reena to pray. Some ran to pour their heart out because they knew that Reena would listen and provide counsel. Now Reena is no longer here. For this reason, we will miss her.

However, through most of yesterday, even while Reena was on life support, my mind was pinned to this thought which I will share with you now:

Do not grieve for Reena. Do not grieve because she has gone from our midst. Rather, grieve for ourselves. The Messiah Himself said that those who mourn for themselves are blessed. And why do I say this? Listen!

Reena is safe; far safer than we are.

Reena has nothing to be afraid of now. We have.

Reena will not have to face the difficult times which are already at hand. We will.

Reena has run her course. She has finished the race. We still have a course to run. Our race is not over yet.

Reena persevered through very difficult times. She persevered in pain. She persevered alone in her room. She was frustrated at times but she persevered with hope knowing Who she had believed in. She has no need to persevere any more. She is at rest.
We on the hand, still have need of perseverance. We still need to battle so that we do not forsake the truth. We still need to guard ourselves from the great falling away (or the apostasy) that the Holy Spirit has been warning us will surely come.

Do not mourn that Reena has gone from this world. Rather rejoice. Rejoice because she is safer right now than we are.
Blessed, instead, are those who mourn for themselves. And while you mourn, gird yourself. Be prepared for the time that is about to come by behaving as children of light (who walk in truth). Such have nothing to fear. The day will not come as a thief in the night for those who are dressed in readiness; who walk in the commandments given by the Father. Mourn and weep for this. The promise from the Messiah is that you will be comforted.

Prophetic Sequence of Events as Foretold in the Bible

Before I begin, I would first like to clearly state that I am not a prophet, not yet. Also, I do not claim that what I write in this piece is some revelation of a mystery. My attempt is simply to collate the various portions of scripture, more like gathering the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and trying to piece them together. My objective is three fold:

1. That through this piecing together the purposes that Yahweh has revealed through His prophets and apostles, we may see the eternal wisdom of the only true God who was and is and is to come. For He declares, ‘the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure” ’ (Isa. 46:10).
   
2. That the magnificent beauty of the gospel, purposed in redeeming love and mercy, may be showcased as ‘too wonderful for words’.
   
3. That all who have put their trust in Yeshua and walk as set apart people of the Holy One may take encouragement and comfort in what the Most High has declared He will do. In receiving this encouragement, we may persevere till the end and not grow weary.

It is also necessary to state right at the outset what I believe. 

I believe:

• That the whole Bible, with all its 66 books is true, relevant and applicable to our lives today. The faithful Yahweh, who never changes, has given us His word which abides forever (Isa. 40:8; Mt. 5:18,19).
  
• The bride of the Messiah is Israel, the body of the Messiah identified by the Apostles as ‘Ecclesia’ — that is to say, all who are from the seed of Abraham that have believed in the Messiah, along with those not born directly of Abraham but who were formerly Gentiles having now believed in the Messiah and making the God of Israel their God, obedient to all that Yahweh has commanded Israel through Moses and the Prophets.
  
• The body of the Messiah (or the bride) has been cleansed of all sin by the blood of Yeshua. Her salvation is derived from her believing in the work of the Messiah on the cross. Through her being forgiven and cleansed of all sin, she is redeemed from the kingdom of darkness; made a new creation with the purpose that she should walk holy (or set apart) in the paths of righteousness — her thoughts, words and behaviour reflecting the life of the Messiah.
  
• That the whole purpose of the bride’s righteous walk must eventually culminate in her being just as the Messiah is (1Jn. 3:2, 3); for at His appearing in the clouds, she will be caught up in the air and transformed in conformity with the body of His glory (Php. 3:21).

It was important to state what I did above because I am keen that what I now attempt to piece together should be read with this background in mind.

What I will now do is attempt to collect all the prophesies given to us throughout scripture and place them in a sequence, which I think likely. I repeat that I do not claim that it must happen this way but simply attempt to layout a possible roadmap that we are likely to witness. Therefore, my appeal is: ‘avoid getting caught up with the trees so as to miss the forest’.

I have heard it said numerous times, ‘No one knows the day nor the hour of the Messiah’s return’ — such close their mind to what Yahweh has so mercifully revealed to His children. What I do see is a loving Yahweh who always reveals to His servants the things He is going to do, before He actually does them (Amos 3:7). This is why the righteous One showed Noah (Gen. 6:13) or Abraham (Gen. 18:17) or Jeremiah (Jer. 21: 3-7) what he was about to do. This is also why our Saviour warned of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem before it actually took place in 70 AD. The reason why Yahweh has revealed all His purposes in advance is because His people, who walk in the light, can be prepared (1Thes. 5:4).

Below is therefore a list of, what I understand as, sequence of prophetic events that Yahweh has long ago foretold will happen.

Prelude

The first four or five seals are likely to have already been broken — the results of which are increasingly being seen, though they would have begun centuries earlier. Just as birth pangs begin before the actual delivery of a child and increase in intensity and frequency as the time approaches, in like manner, the Messiah likened some events as birth pangs that must take place before the actual tribulation (Mt. 24:8).

First Seal (Rev. 6:1, 2): The first seal is widely seen as the release of the spirit of the antichrist. This was something that the Apostles warned the believers about and stated that it was already at work. It involves false teaching, deception, distortion of the truth and leading astray. While this spirit has been present through the past two millennia it is increasing both in intensity and in frequency.

Second Seal (Rev. 6: 3, 4): While wars have always been present throughout man’s history, never before was peace taken away from the earth (Rev. 6:4) the way it has been over the past 2000 years. The Crusades; the Inquisition; the Holocaust; the two World Wars are only some prominent examples of this. All this must also be seen in the context of Yah’s people and the land that He gave them as their inheritance. The more we read of what happened in the past 1500 years or so, the more this effect of the 2nd seal is apparent. As in birth pangs, the intensity and frequency is only increasing.

Third Seal (Rev. 6:5, 6): Greed and exploitation have been in existence through man’s history. However, as the earth is increasingly being stripped of her resources; and abused with dumping and pollution — this added with natural calamities such as famines caused due to drought has made resources costly. Once again, as in birth pangs, this is likely to get worse.

The widespread reports of unexplained deaths of animals, birds and sea creatures across the globe could correspond with what Yah said long ago through Hosea, the prophet (Hos. 4:3). Drought, the large number of cyclones and rampant forest fires over the recent years — where hundreds of thousands of hectares, be it in the Amazon, California or Eastern Australia, are destroyed and with it all associated life — can be seen as part of the effects of the 3rd seal.

Fourth Seal (Rev. 6: 7, 8): Killing for resources, famines and pestilence make up a significant part while examining the effects of the 4th seal. The present COVID-19 global pandemic is the latest and is probably the biggest wake-up call since World War 2. Nations are being pushed to the brink of both economic as well as health-care disaster. Resources will be scarce, as is evident in the foretold Ezekiel 38 war when nations will gather against Israel because of her security and wealth (Eze. 38:8, 11, 13).

Fifth Seal (Rev. 6:9 - 11): I do not know anything about this and would be lying if I write anything in ignorance while pretending to be knowledgeable.

End-time Prophesies Awaiting Fulfilment

From my understanding of the word of Yahweh, I am expecting the following events to take place not long from now. The events I list are certain to take place because they have been foretold of long ago through the prophets. However, I am acutely conscious that this list is neither comprehensive and more importantly, in the context of sequence, subject to error.


Starting Point

I expect the domino effect to begin with the prophesy in Ezekiel 38.

Gog and Magog: Nations from the North (Eze. 38:15, 16) will come against Israel. It is widely believed that these nations are modern day, Russia, Turkey and Iran. They will be assisted by Libya and Ethiopia (possibly Sudan).

We can expect a great earthquake to take place in Israel at this time (Eze. 38:19; Isa. 29:6).

The Lord of Hosts will deliver Israel miraculously and crush the enemy nations to such an extent that it will take seven months to bury the dead (Eze. 38:22; Isa. 29:5, 7, 8; Eze. 39:3, 4).

Sometime before this battle, I expect Damascus in Syria to be completely destroyed (Isa. 17:1). The Arab nations will be subdued and will not pose a threat to Israel, hostile as they are in present times. It is significant to note that during the Ezekiel 38 war, none of the Arab nations are mentioned.

Israel’s Fortunes Restored (Eze. 39:21 – 29): The nations will by now witness the glory of Yahweh. Israel, more particularly, realizes that Yahweh is their God who fought for them and who will also restore them. There will be a great exodus from all the nations to Israel (Eze. 39:28)

At this stage there could be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Eze. 39:29; Joel 2:18 – 29).

Sixth Seal (Rev. 6:12 – 17): I expect at this point a great earthquake bringing great fear on all who inhabit the earth. This could possibly be the time when the days are shortened to 30-day months or a 360-day year (Mt. 24:22).

The Great Falling Away: While apostasy and deception from false prophets has already begun, I believe that sometime after the great earthquake, and during the period of the seven trumpets, apostasy will increase. At this point I would like to state that apostasy means a great falling away from the truth. Hence this applies to those who have believed in Yahweh and had been cleansed by the blood of Yeshua. Blessed is the man who stays alert and ready (Mt. 24:42), walking as children of light (1Thes. 5: 5, 6). Though Yahweh’s bondservants will be targeted and persecuted, the sovereign One has His eye on them. Lawlessness increases. The love of many grows cold (2 Thes. 2:3; 2 Tim. 3:1 – 7; Mt. 24: 12, 13).

The Goat and the Ram (Dan. 8): The goat from the West which represents the kingdom of Greece (v. 21) defeats the ram from the East which represents the kings of Media and Persia (v. 20). While Persia clearly indicates modern day, Iran, the kingdom of Greece could refer to European nations. Great loss and damage takes place on both sides. The ram in the East is hurled to the ground and trampled upon (v. 7). From out of the goat comes the antichrist or the beast (v. 9; vs.23 - 26). On this point, it is important to note that Daniel’s vision reveals that four great beasts come out from the Sea (Dan. 7:3). The Bible consistently refers to the Sea as the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, the beast must come from a nation in this region.

Preparation for the Great Tribulation

Seventh Seal (Rev. 8:5, 6): The beginning of global disasters is heralded with the breaking of the 7th seal. Catastrophe and large scale destruction are about to begin.

The Seal of Yah on His Bondservants (Rev. 7:1 – 8): It is very heartening to note that the bondservants of Yah are given a seal on their foreheads. These are the 144,000 who form the remnant of Israel. They are kept safe during the tribulation beginning with the seven trumpets. Blessed is the man who remains in the covenant of Yah which He has made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah — the same covenant that Yeshua, the Messiah has ratified by His blood. Such are those who are true to the laws that are written on their heart. These know that Yahweh is their God and they are His people (Jer. 31:33, 34).

Peace Treaty by Antichrist (Dan. 9:27): Around this time, the antichrist enters into a seven-year peace treaty between the nations and Israel.

The temple of Jerusalem is rebuilt. Daily sacrifices in the morning and evening is carried out for a period of 3½ years. This is the beginning of the 70th week as was shown to Daniel (Dan. 9:24 – 27).

The Seven Trumpets — Peals of thunder, sounds, flashes of lightening and an earthquake announce the period of the great tribulation.

First Trumpet (Rev. 8:7): The sounding of this trumpet results in a third of the trees and vegetation of the earth being burned up.

Second Trumpet (Rev. 8:8, 9): The sounding of this trumpet results in a third of the sea turning blood. A third of the sea creatures die and a third of the ships are destroyed.

Third Trumpet (Rev. 8:10 – 11): One third of the rivers and springs of the earth turn bitter and many die from drinking of this.

Fourth Trumpet (Rev. 8:12 – 13): A third of the sun, moon and stars are struck so that they are darkened. This is when darkness covers the earth for one third of the day and likewise the moon does not give its light for a third of the night.

The Great Tribulation

The Beginning of the Great Tribulation: The abomination of desolation marks the beginning of the great tribulation. It lasts for 3½ years or 42 months (Rev. 13:16, 17; Mt. 24:21).

Peace Treaty Broken: At the end of 2300 evening and morning sacrifices [which works out to 1150 days; 110 days short of 1260 days of the first half of the 7-year peace treaty]; the antichrist puts a stop to the temple sacrifices (Dan. 8:13, 14).

The antichrist (or the beast) sets himself as god and here is where the abomination of desolation occurs in the temple (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15; 2Thes. 2:4).

Everyone is forced to accept the mark of the beast. No one will be allowed to buy or sell without the mark (Rev. 13:16, 17).

The set-apart of Yahweh are persecuted (Mt. 24:9; Rev. 12:7).

An image of the beast is set-up and people are made to worship it (Rev. 13:15).

This is also the time when the two witnesses will make their appearance (Rev. 11:3 – 12).

Fifth Trumpet (Rev. 9:1 – 11): A flood of demonic spirits is released across the earth. They have been given authority to torment all who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads (v. 4). These are tormented for five months. The bond-servants of Yah are protected just like the Israelites in Goshen, Egypt at the time of Moses.

Sixth Trumpet (Rev. 9: 13 – 21): One third of mankind is killed in the Middle East (vs. 14, 15). And another one third is destroyed by three plagues — fire, smoke and brimstone [sulphur] (v. 18) just as with Sodom and Gomorrah. The rest of mankind does not repent (vs. 20, 21).

Two Witnesses Killed (Rev. 11:3 – 13): In the second half of the 7-year period, the two witnesses of Yahweh prophesy for 1260 days. They are given power and authority and no one can harm them in this period. At the end of the 42 months, the two witnesses are killed. The inhabitants are overjoyed. The bodies of the witnesses are allowed to lie on the streets of Jerusalem. After 3½ days, they are resurrected causing great fear in all who behold them (vs. 7 – 12). Following this, a great earthquake occurs in Jerusalem. One-tenth of the city is destroyed. 7000 people are killed in the earthquake (v. 13).

The Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15 – 19): This is the last trumpet — what Paul refers to as the ‘last trump’ (1Cor. 15: 52). At the sounding of this trumpet, the Messiah comes on the clouds. The trumpet is accompanied by a great shout from the archangel. (Mt. 24:30; 1Thes. 4:16).

This is when the first resurrection occurs (Mt. 24:31; Rev. 20:5, 6). The dead who believed in the Messiah are first raised from the graves (1Thes. 4:15, 16). Then those who are alive (1Thes. 4:17). These are caught up in the air to meet the Messiah (1Thes. 4:17).

Their bodies are transformed to an incorruptible state in the twinkling of an eye (1Cor. 15: 50 – 54; Php. 3:21; 1Jn. 3:2; 1Cor. 15:42 – 44; Rom. 8:23).


Yahweh’s Wrath Poured Out on Earth

Catastrophe on Earth: At the end of the 1260 days, the earth is violently broken, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken exceedingly. The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard, and totters like a hut (Isa. 24:19, 20). The sun is darkened and the moon turns to blood (Mt. 24:29).

Seven Bowls of Wrath — Daniel is shown a period of 1290 days from the time the antichrist abolishes the sacrifices and the abomination of desolation occurs in the temple (Dan. 12:11). This reveals a 30-day period after the 1260 days (3½ years) of the great tribulation are completed. I believe that this is when the wrath of God will be poured out upon the earth by way of the seven bowls.

First Bowl (Rev. 16:2): A malignant sore breaks out upon those who have the mark of the beast and worship his image.

Second Bowl (Rev. 16:3): The sea becomes blood and every living creature in the sea dies.

Third Bowl (Rev. 16:4): The rivers and springs all over the earth turn to blood. There is no clean water to drink.

Fourth Bowl (Rev. 16:8): The sun on the earth is made severe. Men are scorched with its fierce heat.

Fifth Bowl (Rev. 16:10, 11): The kingdom of the beast is darkened. They struggle because of pain and sores.

Sixth Bowl (Rev. 16:12): The Euphrates River dries up preparing a way for the armies of nations to come towards Israel for what is known as the ‘Battle of Armageddon’ (vs. 13 – 16).

Seventh Bowl (Rev. 16:17 - 21): It ushers in a great earthquake, such as the earth has never seen before; accompanied by flashes of lightening and peals of thunder. Jerusalem is split into three parts. The cities of the nations are destroyed. Islands flee. Mountains disappear. Huge hailstone, each weighing around 50 kg., falls from heaven upon the earth. This initiates the judgment upon Babylon, the harlot.

Babylon, the harlot: Personally, I understand Babylon to be religious organizations that have been using the Holy Bible with evil, crafty intent to deceive people. They make a fortune teaching incorrect doctrine, all the time professing them in the name of Yahweh and His Son, Yeshua, leading people away from the truth. They use the Word of God for sordid gain. It is for this reason that there is the clarion appeal from heaven, ‘Come out of her, my people.’ (Rev. 18:4). In one hour Babylon is destroyed completely.


Preparation for the Millennial Reign

Marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19: 7 – 9): The bride of the Messiah who was caught up in the air at the coming of the bridegroom is married to the Messiah.

Battle of Armageddon and the Doom of the Beast (Rev. 19:11 – 20): The Messiah comes down to the earth. ‘His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.’ (Zech. 14:4). The Messiah defeats the armies of the nations that have come against Him. The beast and the false prophet are seized and thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). The rest [that is all the leaders of nations and their armies that come against Jerusalem] are slain (Rev. 19:21).

Final Preparation:

Daniel reveals another number in addition to the 1260 and 1290 days. The text reads, ‘How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!’ (Dan. 12:12). My understanding from this is that after the 30-day period in which the wrath of Yahweh is poured out upon the earth; Babylon the harlot is destroyed; and the kings of nations and their armies are defeated; there is a 45-day period. During this period, the following has been foretold will take place:

• Satan is bound for 1000 years so that he does not deceive the nations which remain during the Millennial reign of the Messiah (Rev. 20:3).
  
• The earth which hitherto has been groaning and waiting for the bride to be revealed (Rom. 8:19 – 22) is now restored to the state it was before the fall of man.
  
• Israel’s boundaries are defined just as Yahweh promised Abraham (Gen. 15:18). Jerusalem’s boundaries are redrawn (Jer. 31:38).

Millennial Reign Begins 

• The Messiah reigns from Jerusalem (Isa. 24:23; Eze. 43:7; Dan. 7:13, 14).
  
• The bride will be priests of Yahweh and reign alongside the Messiah (Rev. 20:6).
  
• The temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt (Eze. Chapter 40 – 43).
  
• Righteousness and peace are the chief defining characteristics that prevail on the earth (Isa.11:4 - 9).
  
• All nations keep the righteous laws of Yahweh (Isa. 60:3).
  
• The nations will gather at Jerusalem each year during Sukkot [Feast of Tabernacles] (Zech. 14:16, 17).
  
• Nations honour the Messiah and hold Israel in esteem (Isa. 62:2, 3).

Post-Millennial Era 

• After the 1000-year period is over, the devil will be released for a short time (Rev. 20:7).
  
• The devil gathers the nations against the Messiah and Jerusalem (Rev. 20:8).
  
• The nations are devoured by fire that comes down from heaven (Rev. 20:9).
  
• The devil is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet were earlier thrown into (Rev. 20:10).

Judgment (Rev. 20:11 – 15) 

• At judgment, books are opened (Rev. 20:12).
  
• Each one is recompensed according to what he has done (Rev. 22:12).
  
• The bride is not part of this judgment as she has already passed out of death into life (Jn. 3:18; Jn. 5:24). The second death has no power over her (Rev. 20:6).
  
• Death is thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14).
  
• Everyone whose name was not found in the Book of Life is thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15).

New Heavens and New Earth 

• A new heaven and a new earth is created.
  
• The bride of the Messiah is also called the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2). She becomes the chief city and will reign forever (Rev. 22:5) over the nations of the new earth (Rev. 21:24).
  
• Yahweh and the Messiah is the temple in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22).
  
• Rivers flow through the city, the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1, 2).
  
• The tree of life is found in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:2).
  
• There is no need for the sun or the moon to shine on the new earth. There is no night. The glory of Yahweh is its light that shines throughout (Rev. 21:23).
  
• There is no death (Rev. 21:4) [because it is thrown into the lake of fire with the devil, the beast, the false prophet and those whose names were not in the Book of Life]; there is no unrighteousness (Rev. 21:27); there are no tears nor suffering or pain (Rev. 21:4). There is no longer any curse (Rev. 22:3). There is safety (Rev. 21:25).

Compiled from the Holy Bible by Charles Fernandes, Panchgani. Any error can be attributed wholly to me. Any praise belongs completely to Yahweh who gives wisdom and understanding to all who fear Him.

There is no copyright to this writing as the ownership belongs to the Great I Am, who was and who is and who is to come. However, if you intend to use extracts from this writing by quoting me, it would only be fair to seek consent first. You could write to edsons7@gmail.com