The wedding custom of Jesus' day was somewhat similar to our modern day wedding custom, yet there was also considerable differences. It's those differences which are important. During Jesus' day, there was no dating and no courtship like we're familiar with here in America today. Many times the young man and young lady were paired together by their parents. It was not always romantic, but it was always a practical and legal matter.

When it came time for the proposal, the young man would bring a marriage agreement or contract -actually a covenant which contained certain considerations. The main consideration in that covenant was something called "the bride price." The "bride price" was simply the purchase price which was to be paid by the bridegroom to the girl's father for his daughter. It was somewhat similar to what we call "Earnest Money" during real estate transactions today.

In those days sons were more of an asset than daughters were to a family. Since agriculture was so common, sons were a built-in work force in the fields.

The payment for a daughter was sort of deferred until she married. When a daughter married, her father would finally be reimbursed for raising such a fine prospect for a wife.

And so when a bridegroom was ready to propose he would present himself and his agreement to the girl and her father. At that time, the girl would consider the young man while her father would be considering the agreement and the "bride price." If the girl's father approved of the agreement and the "bride price", and if the girl approved of the young man himself, the bride and groom would drink a cup of wine together.

This drinking of the wine together would be the same as you and I signing an agreement today. The drinking of "the cup" together signified the groom's willingness to pay the agreed price. For her, it indicated her willingness to enter into the marriage agreement with that particular young man and to faithfully wait for him to return for her, no matter how long it might take him. But if, for some reason she didn't want to marry this particular young man, she was not obliged to partake of the cup and marry him. But not knowing if or when another proposal might be presented and with the parental pressure, she normally accepted and showed her consent by drinking the wine with him. If you recall, Christ did this for His Bride, the Church. But it wasn't wine - it was His blood which was poured out!

One thing concerning "the bride price" should be pointed out here. The price was no small token amount. The larger the sum paid by the bridegroom, the more certain it would be that he would return to receive his investment.

When it comes to the Bride of Christ, "the bride price" that Jesus paid was high indeed. He gave His very life for His bride - the Church - for us! Surely He will return for us as He said He would.

Assuming all was agreeable and after drinking of "the cup" together, as the bridegroom would leave, he would say something like Jesus said in John 14, "I'm going now to prepare a place for you. I'll return and come back for you, and receive you unto myself so that where I am, you may be also."

The bridegroom would then return to his father's house to build a temporary bridal chamber which was called a "chupah". Once the bride and bridegroom entered into that "chupah, they would remain inside for the full seven days. So obviously, it had to have some provisions. It had to have enough food and water to last them for seven full days. Also during his time of absence, in addition to the chupah, the bridegroom would build a permanent residence for their future home.

The "chupah" or temporary bridal chamber which the bridegroom would build might be a separate building on his father's property or it might be a highly decorated room in his father's house. However, the permanent residence would not be on his father's property. The "chupah" must be well built and beautifully decorated and something hastily thrown together. And so it usually took the bridegroom the better part of a year and even sometimes as long as two years to build and prepare both the "chupah" and the permanent residence.

Meanwhile, the bride must be very patient and do a lot of waiting. During this waiting period, the bride was often referred to as being "consecrated," or "set apart," or "bought with a price."

Outside of her home, the bride would wear a veil as a sign to everyone who saw her that she was "spoken for." Because of the veil, few, if any, could recognize her.

Also while in waiting, the bride must have her trousseau and oil lamp ready at all times. As the year would wear on, the bride would assemble her sisters and bridesmaids every night just in case the bridegroom might show up for her that night. She expected him to come! Are you ready and watching for Him to come?

hen it was finally decided that the construction had been sufficiently completed, the bridegroom would assemble some of his friends to go with him to help him "steal" his bride. Stealing the bride was the romantic part. All Jewish brides during the time of Jesus were both surprised and "stolen." Most brides would be thrilled to be "abducted" and carried off in the night!

But not "abducted" by just anyone, of course, but by the one who loved her to the extent that he had paid a very high price for her and had been away for such a long time preparing "a place for her." However, when "stealing" the bride, the bridegroom was obliged to give the bride some consideration. After all, she would probably need at least a few moments to get ready and quickly put on some traveling clothes.

Therefore when the party of young men would get within shouting distance of the bride's house, one of them would shout, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!" At that point, the excited bride and bridesmaids would quickly gather their traveling clothes, and trim their lamps. The lamps were necessary to see the rocky terrain which is so prevalent in the land of Israel.

And so the bridegroom and his friends would rush in, grab the girls and make off with them into the night! Except for taking a quick glance just to verify that they were the expected intruders, the bride's father and brothers would normally look the other way. And the wedding party would be off and running!

Some of the villagers would be awakened by the noise and look out their window. They would see the lamps, hear the happy voices, and realize that it was a wedding party. Today in the USA, for those who even bother to get married, we many times hear automobile horns sounding to make the announcement. However, the villagers couldn't recognize the bride because she was veiled. But a week later she would be traveling those same streets with her husband, without her veil, and everyone would realize just who the couple was.

When the wedding party reached the house of the bridegroom's father, the couple would go into the prepared "chupah" and shut the door where, as I said, they would remain for seven days. And, of course, no one else would be allowed to enter.

Meanwhile, the bridegroom's father would have assembled all the wedding guests (normally his friends) and they would be ready to celebrate the new marriage. Since the wedding party would last for seven days, sometimes it was difficult to plan for. It wasn't unheard of to run out of wine. And yes, it was real wine! Remember the Lord's first miracle that He performed when He turned the water into wine at just such a wedding celebration? (John Chap. 2).

But before any celebrating could begin, the marriage had to first be consummated. The "groom must first be joined unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh." Eph 5:31. Otherwise, they wouldn't be considered as being married. After the couple went into the chupah and the door was shut, the friend of the bridegroom, the one we refer to as "the best man," would stand outside the door to the "chupah" and wait until he heard the voice of the groom confirming the consummation. John, the baptizer, had something to say about that. Let’s take a look at what he said.

When the groom's friend got the news that the marriage had indeed been consummated, he would quickly go and announce the good news to the wedding guests! Then the celebrating could begin. This celebration would last throughout the entire seven days while the bride and groom remained in the chupah. By the way, in case you haven’t already guessed it, these seven days are a type and shadow of the seven years of Tribulation despensation.

On the seventh day the new couple would exit the "chupah" and finally make their appearance to the cheering guests. At this point everyone was then ready for the "Marriage Supper" which was to be a very generous and joyous meal for all! It was something like our traditional wedding reception, but with much food. During this time, the bride would be without a veil and now everyone would see exactly who it was the bridegroom had chosen for his wife. So the entire matrimonial week would conclude with the "Marriage Supper."

After the "Marriage Supper", the newly wed couple would leave the home of the groom's father and go to their own house, which the groom had previously prepared. Contrary to popular traditional belief, the Church and Bride of Christ, will spend only seven years at the Father's house in Heaven! As the Bride of Christ we will return to planet Earth with our Groom, Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, to occupy the earthly Kingdom which He has prepared for us. When we all come back with Him to Earth, riding on our white horses, (see, there really are animals in Heaven) everyone will see us and recognize us (the newly wed bride) for who we really are. The Church is truly the Bride of Christ!

Well, that's the story of the Jewish wedding custom in all its glory during the time of Jesus. Surely you have already recognized some of the analogies between this Hebrew marriage custom and the manner which the Lord Himself called out His chosen Bride. The knowledge of the Jewish wedding custom can shed so much light and understanding concerning the rapture of the Church, especially when divided into the following seven main topics: 1) The Covenant; 2) The Cup; 3) The Bride Price; 4) The Groom's Departure; 5) The Groom's Return; 6) The Bridal Chamber; and 7) The Marriage Supper. Let's take a closer look at each one of these topics individually, and see how the analogy of each corresponds with the scriptures. The study of the Jewish wedding custom and how it corresponds to the scriptures is, in my estimation, the most exciting and joyful Bible studies of all l!

In the New Testament, the Church is called "the Bride of Christ", and we believers are called that for a good reason. We are the ones who have a covenant relationship with the One who forgives sins. We are the ones who partake of the cup with Him and we are the ones for whom He paid such a high Bride Price. We are the ones to whom He said, "I go to prepare a place for you." And we are the ones who are now awaiting (or should be awaiting) His sudden imminent return. The majority of the Church doesn’t realize it, but the time for His return is closer than you might think!

There are a good number of Christian congregations who drink of "The Cup" on a regular basis (some more often than others) who have never even heard of the Jewish wedding custom and know little, if any, about it. That's sad because they're missing out on so much of the beautiful analogy and, of course, a great help to understanding the scriptures in the New Testament. Our covenant with the Lord was expressed in all its fullness by the prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah Chapter 31 concerning God’s chosen people, the Jews. Since we have been grafted into His Body, the Church, with them, then it also applies to us gentiles as well.

"Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant (we call it the "New Testament") that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

The apostle Paul also repeated the same covenant in the New Testament in Hebrews Chapter 8 for our benefit. Here in verse 31, the Lord made His covenant with "the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." However, that same covenant is also in effect to us because we New Testament believers are the spiritual seed of Abraham. The New Covenant (the New Testament) is written in our hearts. It's not like the Old Covenant (the Old Testament) which was given to Moses. The Old Covenant was etched in stone --- totally inflexible and unbreakable.

The Old Covenant (or agreement) was strictly based on a legal relationship. The punishment for disobeying it was death! But the New Covenant is based on a love relationship. Today, we who are under the New Testament, obey the Lord because we love Him - not because we're afraid of Him or because of consequences. And so the New Covenant is a matter of the heart.

In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Notice the relationship between loving our Lord and the keeping of His commandments. It seems that our love for Him is in direct proportion to our willingness to keep His commandments. In other words, the more we love Him, the more willing we are to keep His commandments.

God’s Word contrasts the New Covenant with the Old Covenant in order to point out a vital part of His new agreement with us. He points out that with this new and better agreement, He not only forgives our sins, He goes a step farther and even forgets them!! What a deal for us!!

In addition to paying our bride price in advance, our bridegroom loves us so much that He’s willing to totally forgive and forget all of our sins - - - past, present, and future! It’s unfortunate but due to a lack of good teaching, some believers act as though the New Covenant reads, "I will forgive you only if you are good!"

For just a minute, let's consider the New Covenant to be a"gift certificate" for some merchandise called "salvation". All we have to do in order to receive the merchandise (or salvation) is to present the certificate to the store that has it. There won't be any charge to us for the merchandise. It's not that the store is giving away free merchandise. No. Someone has to pay for it. But in the case of a "gift certificate", it means that someone went to the store ahead of us and has already paid for the merchandise (in this case salvation) so that we won't have to pay for it when we go to pick it up.

To further help us understand this concept of the New Covenant, let's pretend that the owner of the store is the Heavenly Father and that He has agreed to provide the recipient of the gift certificate (that’s us) with the merchandise (that’s salvation) in return for the gift "certificate" which just happened to have been purchased by the store owner's own son. You see, it's as simple as that!

Actually, the New Covenant is a lot like a contract because it's also signed and dated. We can find the signature of the New Covenant in Jeremiah Chapter 31.

There's no doubt about that signature, is there? Now for the date, let's look at the next verse.

God very plainly tells us here in verse 36 that His covenant will only be void and out of date when Israel ceases to be a nation! So the very presence of the nation of Israel is a sign concerning the enforcement of the New Covenant. The New Covenant (or New Testament, as we call it) is still in force today and the sins of every believer are still forgiven today because Israel is still a nation! And in case anyone has any doubts about whether or not Israel will survive in the future, the Lord added a footnote about that in the next verse.

If I understand this verse correctly, Israel is as secure as you can get. Israel is as secure as the secrets of how God put the universe together! Now that’s pretty secure, don’t you think?

And so we have our marriage contract with the Son of God and it’s really a good one where we're concerned. Did you happen to notice back in verse 32 of Jeremiah Chapter 31 that concerning the Old Covenant He said, "Which my covenant they broke, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord."

He said that He tried to marry them before, but they broke the marriage contract! But because God is long-suffering and so forgiving, He made another covenant with His people again (as I said, we call it the "New Covenant"). But this time, He sent His only begotten Son, in person, and the Holy Spirit to the nation of Israel and its people. And, it was Israel who first sent the gospel of the Messiah to the World through Jewish missionaries. These Jewish missionaries established the first Christian churches.

Many don’t realize that the early Church was totally Jewish for about the first 11 years. As a matter of fact, It wasn't until about 11 years after the Pentecost of 30 A.D. as recorded in Acts Chapter two, that the Gentiles entered into the Church and became part of the Body of Christ. It was about 41 A.D. when Cornelius and his household first heard the gospel from the apostle Peter and the Holy Ghost fell on all of them.

The New Covenant specifies that God has agreed that if His Bride happens to sin again, He'll just forget about it! It's as if He said to the Bride, "I'll pay the price for you. I'll drink the cup with you, and I'll prepare a place for you. And if you happen to stumble during the time that I am away, I'll just forget about it. If, while I'm away building the bridal chamber and I hear that you have been unfaithful to me and went out with someone else, I’m just going to ignore it and forget about it."

How could Jesus possibly make such a contract, especially with the likes of someone like us? Well, I believe we could say that the Bride Price was a very high one! And it was! The price He paid was His very own life!

Jesus came to the people of Israel, prepared to pay that high price. He came with the New Covenant, prepared to sign it with His very own blood. In Matthew Chapter 26 we read about Him drinking the cup with some of His Bride at the Passover table. He was to pay for His bride with His very own life during that same calendar day at three P.M.

As you know, the Jewish calendar day begins and ends at sundown. At that Passover meal which is more commonly known as "the last supper", Jesus was taking His last opportunity to drink the Cup and seal the Marriage Contract, the New Covenant, with His future Bride.

After giving thanks, He told all of the disciples who were there to drink of the cup. In doing so, they would be giving an affirmative answer to His proposal to become His promised Bride. Then He announced that the cup was His blood of the New Covenant, and that His blood would be shed for the remission of sins. He was actually fulfilling Jeremiah's prophesy which we just read, concerning the New Covenant - - - the New Covenant which would forgive sins.

In a sense, the New Testament is our copy of our marriage contract to Him and we have indeed been "bought with a price". In order for us to comprehend the significance of all this, we need to be Old Testament knowledgeable, and New Testament taught!

If Christ is our Bridegroom (and He is) then our first responsibility is to honor the covenant we've made with Him in the same way that any virgin bride would honor her marriage contract. We can not impress God by making any more sacrifices. Jesus made it very clear that His one sacrifice and this one cup is entirely sufficient to forgive everyone's sins from then until He returns for us and takes us to Heaven.

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom (during the Marriage Supper).

But, as believers, we are still responsible to God for good works because in addition to being a Bride, we're also workers in a field. But always remember this: Our salvation has already been purchased and paid for. We can't enhance it in any way according to this contract.

Just how much did our Bridegroom, Jesus, pay for us? Well He went to the cross for us which was very painful, humiliating, and insulting. He literally paid for us with His very life. I’d say that was a very costly "Bride Price", wouldn’t you?

From history we know that being crucified normally took an average person two to three days to die. But the Bible tell us that Jesus only spent six hours (from 9 A.M. until 3 P.M.) on the cross before He physically died and "gave up the ghost". Some people with terminal diseases die slow, lingering deaths. Some people are born with handicaps that they put up with throughout their entire life.

So from the Scriptures, it looks like our Bridegroom's Father might have shortened His time on the cross and made it a little easier for Him. At least, on the surface, it kind of looks that way, doesn’t it? After all, Jesus was a very strong and healthy person. It wasn’t uncommon at all for Him to walk that seventy-five mile trek from Galilee to Jerusalem. He did it at least once a year in order to attend Passover and the other feasts. Could there be another answer as to why Jesus only spent six hours on the cross? Have we overlooked something? Well, lets see what the Word has to say about it.

Right after the Passover supper, the Lord and the disciples went to the Mount of Olives to a garden called "Gethsemane". It was while they were there that He said to His disciples, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation", which is what any bridegroom might say to His bride just before leaving her for a prolonged period of time. In those instances, many young bridegrooms must have said something like, "Be sure and wait for me now. I'll be back for you just as soon as I can. Please don't get tempted to go out with someone else while I'm away!"

At that point He must have really had some very mixed emotions about what lay ahead for Him. He even asked the Father to remove, or render void that cup that He had already partaken of with some of His future Bride when He pledged His life for them. And remember, during this time, even though He was and still is God, Jesus was experiencing and living out every bit of this as 100% man, just like you or I or any other person would be required to do.

However His greatest desire of all was to be obedient and accomplish His Father's will. But walking out everything He had agreed to wasn't going to be a piece of cake by any means! The Father's will concerning the removal of the cup as Jesus first requested and the agony He was undergoing at that time becomes very clear in the next two verses.

You see, there was no removal of the cup. Instead, there was additional strength from Heaven. From verse 44 we can very clearly see what Jesus Himself thought about the "Bride Price" that He had agreed to for you and me. Now we begin to get some idea of the magnitude of the price He was to pay.

But when Jesus was nailed to that old cross, how come it only took this carpenter who was in such fine physical condition to die in only six hours? Did His Father have mercy on Him and make it easier for Him as it would seem? That question has been asked many times by believers who, apparently, have no knowledge at all of the Jewish feast days. The answer is really very simple: He had a feast to keep. John, the baptizer, referred to Jesus as "the Lamb of God" and Paul told the Church at Corinth in 1 Cor. 5:7, "Christ our Passover (lamb) is sacrificed for us."

You see, Jesus Christ, really is our Passover Lamb. The Exodus account of the Passover lamb pointed to this very time and event. At that time, back in Egypt, they applied the blood of the Passover lamb. Today, we also apply the blood of JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD! Back in Egypt, the Passover lambs were required to be slain in the Temple at exactly three P.M. on the day of Passover. As the lambs were slain, the priest would say, "It is finished." Jesus, Who is also our "high priest", had an appointment to keep as our Passover Lamb. And, if you remember, His last words at 3 PM. as He died were, "It is finished." Isn’t it amazing just how much is really in the Bible if we would only take the time to read it!

Being a good Jew, every year Jesus observed The Seven Feasts like God had appointed the Israelites to do. He even observed the first four of the seven in His death! You see, Jesus was crucified on Passover; buried at the beginning of Unleavened Bread; was resurrected on First Fruits; sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Since He observed the first four feasts in His death, then I believe He will also keep the last three memorials as well. If I’m correct about this, then He will come for His Bride on Trumpets; He will return to Earth with His wife on Atonement; and He will establish His Kingdom (His one-thousand year Earthly reign) on Tabernacles. As long as you and I keep the faith, we’ll be right along beside Him as He observes those last three feasts! Won’t that be exciting!!?

The simple reason that He was only on the cross for six hours is that He was a law abiding Jew and He had a feast to keep. What’s significant about that, however, is that Jesus paid the FULL price for us. He could have called a legion of angels to avoid the cross, or His time on the cross could have been shortened even more. Or, the Father could have arranged for Him to have a more merciful death than that of a flogging followed by a public crucifixion. But the fact is, Jesus accepted His Father's will and was obedient, "even unto the death of the cross." He remained on the cross only as long as it was lawful for Him to do so and still make the next feast (the feast of unleavened bread) which began on the next calendar day, only three hours later at sundown.

As we, the Bride of Christ, more fully realize the price He paid for us, the more we ought to be inspired to live up to His expectations. If we read our contract (the New Testament) often, and meditate on it often, I believe we'll be more likely to glorify our Bridegroom while we're still in this waiting and occupying mode.

According to the Jewish Wedding Custom, after the groom’s payment of the "bride price", and drinking from the cup by both the groom and expectant bride, the groom would say something similar to what Jesus said to His disciples just before He departed.

Just before He departed to His Father's house He said to them, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 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."(John 14:1-3)

I'm sure you know by now, that Jesus is in Heaven this very moment, and is almost finished preparing our "monay" (our new residence). At the present we are still in the waiting period of this Jewish wedding scenario, waiting for our Bridegroom, Jesus, to come back and steal us away. In Jesus' day, when brides waited for their bridegroom to return, I'm feel sure there must have been some cases when one or both of the couple would get impatient and might have possibly violated the "no visitation" tradition. Let’s consider Mary and Joseph for instance. Since Mary was expecting a child and was only betrothed to Joseph, I’m sure everyone probably thought they had violated that Jewish tradition. Even Joseph himself, initially thought that Mary had violated their covenant and had seen another man.

The Word of God says that Joseph even sought to "put her away", which would, of course, cancel the contract. But, as you know, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and revealed the truth about the situation to him, and they eventually married.

There is one thing that we must all realize, however, while we're waiting for our Bridegroom to come and get us. Our Bridegroom is not an average man. He is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and He IS coming back for us and IT WILL TAKE PLACE ONE OF THESE DAYS! His Word is good and NEVER fails.

But let's be honest now. The average Church attending Christian doesn't really, really, believe He's coming back today, tomorrow, this month, or even this year. Some have never even heard of His return for the Bride of Christ. This is the day and time of the "instant generation." Most tend to want what belongs to them - - - right now! Actually, yesterday would be better. "Wait" seems to fall into that category of "four letter dirty words" - - - wait; save; walk; work, etc. But why then does it seem like it’s taking Jesus so long to return? For the answer, let's read our agreement.

The Lord isn't going back on His promise to return for us. He's merely waiting for more lost souls to come to repentance and receive Him. Well, one thing’s for sure. His return is closer right now, than it was yesterday!

THE "STEALING" OF THE BRIDE

These verses are from the first of two letters written to the Church at Thessalonica by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. In these passages these men are explaining to the Thessalonians about who will be raptured and when. Also covered is the sequence are some signs which will immediately preceding the rapture.

There is only one angel in the Bible who is referred to as the archangel, and that's "Michael" (see Jude 9). When the rapture occurs, I believe the first thing the "alive in Christ" will hear will be the sound of the ram's horn trumpet, the trump of God. The next thing heard will be the voice of Michael saying, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh. Go ye out to meet Him." Then I believe we'll hear the Lord shout, "Come forth saints", much like He did when He raised Lazarus from the dead.

As I said before, I believe the Lord will continue observing the Seven Feasts of Israel by observing the last three just as He has the first four. If He does, then it looks to me like He will come back for His bride (the Church) on the Feast of Trumpets which is also known as "Rosh Hashanah". You can probably find "Rosh Hashanah" on your calendar. There are several "types and shadows" of the Rapture mentioned in the Bible. Since these "types and shadows" have already occurred, the actual "Rapture of the Church" will be a repeat performance.

For instance, the flood that came during Noah's life is one "type and shadow". Noah, who was found righteous in God's eyes, and his family were spared. As the flood came upon the Earth, Noah and his family were "taken up" in the ark and rode above all the water and destruction below.

Jericho is also a "type" or analogy of the rapture of the Church. In the Jericho analogy God had already delivered His Chosen People into their Promised Land when Joshua led the Israelites against the city of Jericho. The actual walls of Jericho have now been found and uncovered. They measure eleven (11) feet thick!

How in the world could a bunch of old men, women, and children of the wandering tribes of Israel assault a city like Jericho which was so well fortified and prepared? Well, when we look at the Israelite's weapons maybe we can understand a great truth. Also don’t forget. "All things are possible with God."

Once again we find God's people ascending upward! And here's another interesting observation. In addition to saying that "the people shall ascend up" (just like it will be in the "Rapture of the Church") the name of the Israelite leader was "Joshua" which is the same name as our Leader! Many Christians don't know that the name "Jesus" is actually a transliteration of His real name. His real name in Hebrew is "Yeshua". "Yeshua" translates into English as "Joshua". So when the people ascended up at Jericho, and in the near future when the Church ascends upward, both leaders have the same name. Also notice that just as the trumpet was used at Jericho, so shall it also be used at the rapture of the Church!

Now let's examine these two letters written by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the Church at Thessalonica, better known as First and Second Thessalonians. In their first letter to that Church, which we have already discussed to some extent, they wrote about the "dead in Christ" and those who would be alive when the rapture occurs, (the "alive in Christ"). Their second letter to that same congregation was written just a few months later for the purpose of clarifying letter number one.

Apparently the Thessalonians misunderstood something in the first letter concerning the timing of the "Rapture" and the "Second Advent". They apparently believed they had missed the "rapture" and that the "Second Advent" (the second coming of Christ or the "Day of Christ") was "at hand" or had already happened.

The normal sequence of those events, according to God's Holy Word, is as follows: 1. The rapture of the Church; 2. The seven year tribulation period; 3. The second advent (second coming of Christ). At any rate, a second letter (Second Thessalonians) was sent in order to get them straightened out and back on track as to when these events would happen.

There are several words and word phrases in the above passages that tend to get readers thinking wrongly. The first such phrase is in verse one: "our gathering together unto Him." We must keep in mind that the context here is this: The Thessalonians thought that the second coming of Christ was already at hand and that they had missed the Rapture. The "gathering together" is referring to God’s gathering the already raptured saints in Heaven together for their return to Earth with the Lord at His second coming (see Matthew 24:31 and Mark 13:27). It is not referring to a gathering of God's people at the time of the Rapture of the Church.

Another phrase which is commonly misinterpreted here is found in verse three: "for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first . . ." When reading or hearing this verse, the word "falling" paints a mental picture in the reader’s mind of something or someone moving in a downward motion - - - from top to bottom. In other words, a downward movement.

I believe that the phrase "falling away" is actually a mistranslation of the Greek word "apostasia" and should have been translated as "departure." The root verb "aphistemi" is found fifteen times in the New Testament and eleven of those fifteen times it's translated as "depart" or some form of it such as "departed" or "departing". The Greek word as used for "a falling away" is "apostesia". However the predominant meaning of the verb "aphistemi" is that of a person departing from another person or from a place! Therefore it seems much more likely this phrase is referring to the "departure" of the Church from planet Earth with a rapid upward movement!

When it comes to the phrase, "that man of sin be revealed", we all know that this is referring to the "antichrist". Then in verse four it speaks of the antichrist "sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." When will this occur and to whom will he be revealed? >From Matthew 24:15 and Daniel 9:27 we see that this event will take place during the middle of the Seven Year Tribulation period. Since the Church will be raptured prior to the Tribulation Period, then the antichrist will be revealed, not to the Church, but to those who will remain on Earth after the Church is gone. In other words, to those who will miss the Rapture of the Church.

Now that we have all that cleared up, let's go back and see if we can determine just what these four verses are trying to convey to us. I believe they are conveying to us that "concerning the second coming of the Lord ("also known as The Day Of Christ") and our being gathered together to return with Him at that time - - -", and then it continues instructing the Thessalonians to refrain from being upset because that day was not "at hand." In other words, that day had not already come and gone.

This epistle then goes on to say that prior to the coming of "The Day Of Christ" two specific events must first occur. 1. There must be a "departure". This, I believe, is referring to the Rapture of the Church. 2. The antichrist will occupy the temple (apparently having been built during the first three and one-half years of the seven year tribulation period) and present himself as being God.

When he declares himself to be God, then his true nature and identity will finally be revealed to those who will be remaining on Earth. Those to whom the antichrist will be revealed is referring to those who will still be living during the Tribulation Period. It is not referring to the Church. So it is fruitless for any believer to attempt to identify who the antichrist will be.

THE BRIDAL CHAMBER

Well, as previously discussed, our bridal chamber will be at our Father's house in Heaven, and our honeymoon will be there also. We also know that "The Judgment Seat of Christ", where our works will be judged, will take place during our honeymoon. Now that might not sound very pleasant and it probably causes some to wonder just how our seven years in Heaven with the Lord will be like a honeymoon with that kind of event taking place.

So how does this resemble a honeymoon? Well, during a normal honeymoon wouldn't the bridegroom remove his bride's veils and more in order to know all of her secrets? Since we will have previously been changed into a spiritual body, we'll be in the spiritual realm when we meet Christ. And it will be in that spiritual realm and time that our Bridegroom will examine all of our spiritual secrets to see whether or not they are worthy of rewards.

So this event will not be a time of punishment, it will be a time for rewards! The apostle Paul spoke clearly about what will take place during the "Judgment Seat of Christ" in his first letter to the Corinthians. We’ve already discussed this. Remember?

The Lord will put the heat to our works, but not us. Our works that fall in the category of metal or precious stones, which represent "works of the spirit", will remain. However, those "works of the flesh" which fall in the wood, hay and stubble category will be burned up and destroyed, thereby cleansing us from all "works of the flesh." Afterwards, we will be rewarded for our good works - for "the works of the Spirit" which survive the fire of God.

Now think back about he story of the Jewish wedding custom concerning the best man. If you recall, he's the one who stands outside the door of the "chupah" (or wedding chamber) waiting to hear the Groom's announcement that the wedding has been consummated. It is my belief that the best man at our wedding to the Lord will be none other than John the Baptizer - the Lord's cousin. The reason I believe this is because of what John the Baptizer said in St. John, Chapter three.

Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this (thus) my joy therefore is (will be) fulfilled.

As you know, John the Baptizer was beheaded before Jesus was crucified and is therefore an Old Testament Saint. He could very well serve as "best man" to the Lord at our Heavenly wedding since the Old Testament Saints are not part of the Church and won’t be involved with the goings on within the Wedding Chamber (Chupah).

It is customary in Jewish weddings when the wedding guests get the good news from the best man, a seven day celebration begins. In case you are wondering who the wedding guests at our marriage to the Lord will be, the friends of the Groom's Father are traditionally the guests. So in this instance, they will most likely be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the prophets, and the Heavenly Father's many other friends from the Old Covenant days. Can you just imagine how exciting it will be for us when we actually meet all those Old Testament Saints as we sit down to partake of the Marriage Supper?

The Bible doesn't seem to have a lot to say about The Marriage Supper itself. However, in the Book of Revelation Chap 19 we do have some enlightenment.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife had made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

After the Judgment Seat of Christ, after we will have been cleansed and perfected, then we will be spiritually prepared to become the Lord's wife. You see, our sins were forgiven at the cross, our bad works will be done away with at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and then we'll be presented to the Lamb as a proper bride. Right now we should rejoice because we are the betrothed Bride of Christ. But just imagine the joy we'll have when we finally become the Queen of the King of Kings in the Kingdom to come!

Again, according to the Jewish wedding custom, after the marriage supper, the newly married Jewish couple normally departs from the groom's father's house and travels to their new home. After the marriage supper we’ll also depart from the Father's house in Heaven and return with the Lord to Earth. We'll no longer dwell in the Heavenly Father's house, but we'll depart from Heaven to occupy our Earthly Kingdom.

We'll return to Earth with "the Lion of Judah" and put a stop to the "Battle of Armageddon" before the destructive forces here destroy the entire human race and Earth itself. When we return to Earth, we will not be wearing our spiritual veils any longer and all those who are still in their natural bodies (those who missed the "Rapture" and managed to survive the "Great Tribulation") will fully realize that the Church is the "Bride of Christ" and why we acted the way we did before we left Earth.

As wife and Queen in the Kingdom, we'll rule and reign with Christ during His one thousand year kingdom reign on planet Earth. During this time "the meek will indeed inherit the Earth." During this time, Christ will be ruling the entire Earth from His headquarters in Jerusalem, Israel. At last, "God's will finally will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven!" A M E N !!

During the last decade or so there has been an increase in the interest of UFO's. Many movies and television films are about aliens and human beings being "beamed up" into space ships. Some even claim they have been abducted by aliens and examined, etc. Even scientists have been hyper with their space probes and their speculation about life on other planets. Some cult leaders boldly claim that in the past they have lived on other planets before coming to Earth. Currently there is a great renewed interest by these people in the planet Mars.

It seems reasonable to me their explanation for our disappearance will have something to do with aliens and space. After the Church is raptured, they will most likely proclaim that we were abducted by aliens, or they might even claim that we ourselves are aliens and that we had been planted on Earth for some crazy reason.

At the time of our departure, I also see a world-wide economic collapse which will probably trigger the beginning of World War Three and the beginning of the Seven Year Tribulation Period. The last skirmish of this War, according to the Word of God is called "The Battle of Armageddon." It'll be "the mother of all battles" and will be brought to a climax with "The Word" --- with the Word of God spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!

And I (John) saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), and out of the mouth of the beast (the antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils (demons), working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the Earth and of the whole world (Earth), to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I (the Lord) come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

Our disappearance and the World's belief about our alien abduction will cause the kings of the Earth to mobilize militarily in order to be ready when these so called "aliens" return! Then sure enough, seven years later, someone will come from space (actually beyond space - - - from the third Heaven) when we'll come back, not with aliens or as aliens, but as the armies of God led by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords as leader and commander-in-chief. At that time, the "Battle of Armageddon" will become a reality, and bring the Tribulation Period to a close.

And I (John) saw the beast (antichrist), and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse (Jesus), and against His army (all the Heavenly Saints). And the beast (antichrist) was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him (antichrist), with which he (false prophet) deceived them that had received the mark of the beast (antichrist), and them that worshiped his (antichrist's) image. These both (antichrist and false prophet) were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword (Word) of Him (Jesus) that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His (Jesus') mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their (the remnant's) flesh.

And he (the false prophet) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast (the antichrist), or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast (the antichrist): for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Not too long ago I personally heard the Vice-President of CISCO SYSTEMS make a statement. CISCO SYSTEMS is the second largest internet provider in the World. During a TV interview he said that he didn't think it would be very long before all retail buying and selling would be done over the internet! There are already some items being sold which can only be purchased through the internet. I feel sure that many people who are not on the internet, for various and sundry reasons, are already beginning to experience some of that. I know that I have.

Now what I’m about to relate to you now might or might not mean something. For those of you who are into prophecy, even just a little bit, you already know that everything God does is connected with the nation of Israel by one way or another. Amen? And everyone who knows anything about the internet is familiar with the term, "World Wide Web", which, of course, is abreviated by the letters, "WWW".

It's my understanding that if you were in Israel today and wanted to say or write down "WWW", you would have to substitute the letter "V" for the letter "W" since the Hebrew alphabet does not contain a "W". Also every letter of the Hebrew alphabet also has a numerical value. And it’s value is based on its position within the alphabet. For example, the first letter has a value of "1". The second letter has a value of "2", and so on.

Well, in case you haven’t already guessed where I'm headed with this, the Hebraic letter "V", which the Jews must substitute for the letter "W" in any other language, has a numeric value of "6" since it's the sixth letter in the Hebrew alphabet! So "WWW" in Hebrew would have a numeric value of "666"!

Now, with that in mind, along with the scriptures in Revelation Chapter 13 which we just read concerning the "mark of the beast", I think I see something coming on the horizon. I have a deep down feeling that during the Tribulation Period, the antichrist will get complete control of the internet.

If I happen to be correct about that, then those who will be going through the tribulation will be unable to buy or sell anything without using the name of the antichrist, or the mark of his name, or the number of his name. I believe it's going to take one or more of those three codes to access the internet which, by then, will be the only method by which one will be able to buy or sell goods!

But before you get too shook up, keep in mind this will only take place at or near the mid point of the Tribulation Period, which will be approximately 3 1/2 years after we, the Church, will have departed from Earth. The Lord's going to see to it that those who belong to Him are removed from Earth before that can happen. Remember?

Always remember, we have not been appointed unto wrath. Amen? So the only ones who will need to be concerned with the mark of the beast (or antichrist) will be those who are not part of the Church and therefore miss out on its departure.

Traditionally, there are four basic schools of thought concerning the Church's departure. They are 1) Pre-Tribulation Rapture: - the belief that the Church will rapture prior to the beginning of the Tribulation Period; 2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture: - the belief that the Church will rapture about the middle of the Tribulation Period; 3) Post-Tribulation Rapture: - the belief that the Church will rapture at the end of the Tribulation Period; and 4) No Rapture: - the belief that the Church will never rapture.

Why are there so many different theories concerning the departure of the Church? Is the Word of God really that unclear concerning the subject of the Rapture? Is there a good logical explanation for these various beliefs? Personally, I believe there is. As a matter of fact, I believe there are two good explanations.

Explanation No. 1: There is a deficiency of good, anointed teaching concerning the Church’s true identity. Explanation No. 2: There are numerous false and shallow teachings being taught today which are based on the traditions of men instead of being based upon the Truth - - - upon the anointed Word of God! But let’s dig a little deeper and see if we can find the reasons for these two explanations.

I believe these two problem areas exist because of three reasons:

1) Because, according to the Word, one group of believers will be translated instead of raptured; That’s unclear and confusing to some which causes them to wrongly divide the Word of Truth. We’ll discuss that particular group in just a moment.

2) Because not all believers who will rapture, will rapture at the same time; This is probably the greatest stumbling block. Most believers only see one rapture and are inclined to think that’s all. Others see a different rapture event and tend to believe that what they see is all. So we quickly end up with different points of view.

3) Because of the inability to see the Tribulation Period as a distinct dispensation of time which stands alone and apart from the Church Age. "The Day of the Lord" is a common Biblical phrase that can be misleading. This phrase does not refer to just one particular 24 hour day as some believe, but rather to a particular span or length of time which will begin with the Second Advent, not with the Rapture of the Church. Its length is in excess of one thousand years - - - from the Second Advent until the completion of the relocation of the New Heavenly Jerusalem to Earth. (See Rev. 21:2-3).

IMPORTANT: Every believer, with the exception of the deceased Tribulation Believers, will be united with Christ, in a resurrected spiritual body, PRIOR to the Battle of Armageddon. This Battle, of course, will occur near the end of the Tribulation Period soon after the Second Advent. However, just prior to that Battle, the Word says that Christ will return (the Second Advent) with "ALL" His Saints. That means "with all of the Believers who will have been resurrected up to that particular time"! The deceased Tribulation Believers will not be resurrected until after the Battle of Armageddon (See Rev. 20:1-6)

Remember now, the title of our subject is "The Rapture And Beyond" and we’ve already discussed the Church and its future Rapture at length. However, there are four other groups of believers which we ought to discuss if we’re going to cover this subject of "all the Saints" and extend our study to "beyond" the Rapture.

In addition to the Church, who will already have gone to the third Heaven in the Rapture and the deceased Tribulation Believers who will not be resurrected until after the Battle of Armageddon at or near the end of the Tribulation Period, there are three additional groups of believers who will be resurrected and gathered unto the Lord, at different times. All of these resurrections and gatherings will take place at various times between the Rapture of the Church event and the Battle of Armageddon event.

These three groups of Believers are: 1) the 144,000 male Jewish evangelists; 2) the two witnesses who will be killed in the streets of Jerusalem and 3) those who will become believers during the Tribulation Period and somehow manage to physically survive.

Will all of these future believers make it to Heaven in their resurrected spiritual bodies in time to join us when we return to Earth with Jesus at the end of the Tribulation Period? If so, when and how will it all be accomplished? What do the holy scriptures tell us about the "gathering together" of the resurrected believers to Christ? These are some good questions and, of course, the Word of God has the answers. Amen?

As we get into this part of the study, keep in mind that no one who becomes a believer subsequent to the Rapture of the Church is or will be part of the Church. Neither will they qualify to be a part of the Bride of Christ! Only those who are a part of the Church at the time of the Rapture will be allowed to participate in that quick departure from Earth and meet the Lord in the air! Those who are not a part of the Church at that time must remain here on Earth and tribulate!

It’s much like the parable of the ten virgins we read about in Matthew Chapter 25. Once the door to the "Chupah" (ie. the wedding chamber) is shut, no one else will be allowed to enter. That’s why it’s so important to choose to believe the Gospel and become a part of the Church right now - - -today - - - before the Bridegroom returns! Everyone who is not a believer when Jesus returns for His Bride will have to go through some, or all, of the Tribulation.

If you have not yet been saved, then don’t put it off a minute longer! Procrastinators run a dangerous risk of having to go through that awful Tribulation Period and a very real possibility of having to live forever in Hell, separated from God as well. And if you’re uncertain about your salvation, then most likely you have not been saved. For those of us who are saved, there is an inner witness which comes from the Holy Spirit and assures us that we are a child of God and that we belong to Him. We know, that we know, that we know, that we are saved - - - beyond any doubt. So if there is an uncertainty in your life, then quickly get with someone who knows they’re saved, and let them help you. They’ll know how to help you get right with God through Jesus Christ. Now back to our subject of "Beyond The Rapture".

But now is Christ risen (resurrected) from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (died). 21) For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Jesus) came also the RESURRECTION of the dead. 22) For as in Adam all die (physically), even so in Christ shall all be made alive (spiritually resurrected or changed). 23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; AFTERWARD they that are Christ's at his coming.

These four verses tell us that resurrection is important. Jesus’ resurrection is the very backbone of Christianity. They also tell us that Jesus was the first one to ever be resurrected from the dead. The indication is that others will follow. It seems very logical that since Jesus is the first one to ever be resurrected, then everyone else must be resurrected afterward! Amen?

Before we continue, I want to make sure that no one gets confused about the difference between being "resurrected" from the dead or ‘changed" from that of being "raised" from the dead. They are similar, yet very different. Simply put, being "raised" from the dead brings one back to life in the same old flesh, bone, and blood physical body that they had before, and they continue to be subject to physical death just as before.

On the other hand, being "resurrected" from the dead or "changed" causes one to be alive with a spiritual body of flesh and bone - - - without blood. Also being "resurrected" releases one from this physical life and places him or her into the spirit world with a spiritual life which will never end. He or she will no longer be subject to any physical thing or person. In this lesson we are concerned with being "resurrected" from the dead or "changed" - - - not being "raised" from the dead.

While we’re on this subject, we should also understand the difference between being "resurrected" and being "changed". Here’s the best way to explain this that I know of: Those who receive a spiritual body without experiencing physical death are the "changed". Those who receive a spiritual body after death are the "resurrected".

So now, what about those who will become believers after the Church has raptured, during the Tribulation Period? How and when will the surviving Tribulation believers receive their spiritual bodies and get to Heaven so they can later return to Earth with the rest of us believers? What about the two witnesses who will be killed in Jerusalem? And let’s not forget the 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will proclaim the Gospel during the Tribulation Period!! How and when will these get to Heaven so they can return as part of the heavenly army of God?

Well, if we really want to know, the Bible tells us that it will be revealed to us when we study and rightly divide the Word of Truth. Believe it or not, some say this subject is of no interest to them and they don't really care to learn about all these details. It seems to me that anyone who has that kind of attitude is simply attempting to justify their lack of love for the Word -- - for the whole Truth. It's just too much trouble and time consuming for them to do that kind of study, you see.

But since God put the answers to these questions in His last Will and Testament and recorded it for us, then don’t you think He expects us, as His heirs, to at least make an effort to read it and understand it? I think so. And I also believe He intends for us to understand it now - - -today - - -in this life! Because it’s in this life that we need hope. Amen?

As you can imagine, after the Church has raptured and left Planet Earth, there will be those who will immediately turn to the Lord Jesus Christ after they realize that their believer friends have vanished. Some will even remember being told about the Rapture and about how close at hand it was. And there will be many other realizations for unbelievers after the Rapture takes place, I’m sure.

The point is this: All throughout the entire seven year Tribulation Period there will be many who will become believers because of various reasons. During the Tribulation Period many will be martyred after they become believers and many will also die due to various other reasons. And as I’ve already pointed out, the Bible indicates that these deceased Tribulation Believers won’t be resurrected until sometime after the Battle of Armageddon. But what about those who physically survive until the end of the Tribulation? That’s who I want to talk about right now.

These scriptures are describing how it will be at the time of the Second Advent - - - when Jesus returns to Earth the second time with all of those resurrected Saints. Now those resurrected Saints will also include the Antediluvian Believers (those believers who lived from Adam until the flood). In other words, before the flood. They are some of the "spirits in prison" that Jesus preached to during those three days and three nights immediately following His crucifixion (See 1 Peter 3:18-20 and John 5:24-25).

Also coming back will be the Old Testament Believers - - - those who lived from the time of the flood until the crucifixion of Jesus. These two groups are a separate teaching in themselves but I just wanted to let you know that they will also be included in that Heavenly army which will be coming back with the Lord at His Second Coming. Right now , however, we need to concentrate on the surviving Tribulation Believers.

As I said, these scriptures here in Luke Chapter 17 are describing the conditions just prior to the Second Advent. However, the important part I want you to see here begins with verse 34. Notice it says "in that night". But in verses 35 and 36 we see that we have people grinding at a mill and working in a field. Would they be doing those kinds of chores during the night time? I don’t think so! So this tells us this event is global. At this particular time, it will be dark on one side of Earth, and on the other it will be light.

Now notice, that in all three verses (verses 34, 35, and 36) we have something which is common to each verse. In each verse it says, "the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left". Some think the word "taken" means "to destroy". In other words, they think that "the taken" will be destroyed and the other will be left alone.

But no! That’s not what He’s saying. One needs to do a word study in order to arrive at the Truth here.

The word "taken" in each case here is the Greek word, "paralambano". The following meaning is from the New Exhaustive Strong’s Concordance: "to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation)."

What Jesus is actually saying here is that those believers who happen to be alive at the time of His Second Coming will be brought along side of Himself and received. You see, they will not be raptured, because the very meaning of rapture is "to be caught up". At the time of the Second Advent Jesus will not be "up"! He will be down here on Planet Earth at the Valley of Megiddo where He will face the armies of all the Earthly nations to do battle!

In verse 37 the disciples ask the Lord where He was going to receive them. They said, "Where Lord?". We know they were not asking where these would be left because that’s obvious. They will be left in a bed, at a mill, and in a field. They were asking Him where they would be "taken" or "received". Now look at His answer.

In the latter part of verse 37 He answered and said, "Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles (vultures) be gathered together." This certainly won’t be in Heaven. No. This will be at the Valley of Megiddo. Now the word "body" in this answer can be used either literally or figuratively. It could be dead bodies which will certainly draw the vultures, or it could mean the Body of Christ - - - the Church. I think it probably means dead bodies because of the following scripture.

So these are the "paralambano" believers of the Tribulation Period. They will not experience physical death. But they will "change" into their spiritual bodies like the "alive in Christ" will when the Lord comes back for His Bride. And they will also be like the "alive in Christ" because they too will not be resurrected. These "paralambano believers" will be "translated" (not raptured) from all parts of the globe, from wherever they might happen to be at that time, to the Valley of Megiddo when they are gathered unto the Lord.

These "paralambano believers" were the ones to which I was referring earlier when I said that one of the reasons there are so many different beliefs concerning the Rapture is because all believers will not be raptured when they are gathered unto the Lord. By the way, the word "Megiddo" means, "place of troops"!

Verses 5 through 8 goes on to say that there will be 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. And in the previous verse (verse 3) they are referred to as "the servants of God" and they will be sealed on their foreheads. Apparently they will preach the gospel of Christ during most, or possibly all, of the first half of the Tribulation Period. The Word does not tell us exactly how long they will preach.

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman (Israel) clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, (Satan) having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth (the fallen angels thousands of years earlier): and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5) And she brought forth a man child (the 144,000 Jewish male virgins - See Rev. 14:1-4), who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was CAUGHT UP (raptured) unto God, and to his throne.

As you can see, verse 5 says that the 144,000 are "caught up" (raptured) unto God and His throne. So these Jewish evangelists will, like the "alive in Christ" at the time of the rapture of the Church, be changed into their spiritual bodies of flesh and bone just prior to being raptured upward unto God. They will also be like the "paralambano believers" and the Church "alive in Christ", because they too will not physically die. And since they won’t experience physical death, there will be no need for them to be resurrected.

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5) And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and THEY STOOD UPON THEIR FEET; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12) And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, COME UP HITHER (same as Rev. 4:1). And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

There are several schools of thought as to who these two witnesses are. Personally I believe they are Enoch and Elijah since both of these were "translated" up to Heaven to God without experiencing physical death. Moses already died once and the scriptures say that man is appointed to die only once (See Heb. 9:27).

We see that these two witnesses prophesy for three and one-half years. Since the Tribulation Period is seven years long, we don’t know for sure just where within this seven years these three and one-half years fit. I believe it will most likely occur during the first one-half of the seven years. However, I have no scriptures to confirm this statement.

Verse seven tells us that at the end of their three and one-half years, these two witnesses are then killed. The scriptures also state that after their bodies lie in the

streets of Jerusalem for three and one-half days, they are then "resurrected". It says that they "stand upon their feet". That’s a resurrection. The very fact that they are then called to "Come Up Hither" indicates that they are, a that time, in their spiritual bodies when they ascend upward. That command "Come Up Hither" in verse twelve is an identical command as found in Revelation 4:1 where most theologians believe the Church is raptured just prior to the Tribulation Period.

Well, are you ready? Are you ready for the "Rapture And Beyond"? Or would you rather stay here and tribulate? Our Bridegroom is just about ready to begin His journey back toward Earth to "steal His Bride" and then escort us back to His Father's House. We must be ready like any good Bride should be. So let’s watch and be ready! Who knows? This just might be the year!