The Rapture time line chart is not accurate regarding the "beheading of the foolish virgins."  Because of this I have removed it from this posting and I am researching this question and will show my findings soon.  (The former inaccurate chart can be found in previous posts) 

Leo

Joel’s Army, the Army of Jesus Lovers

   When we read the description of Joel's Army, these do not fit the description of your average Christian.  Christians in America seem willing to tolerate any kind of sin, as long as it doesn't effect their own sphere of influence.  Because of the election of false persons into positions in government, American laws and institutions have been taken ill with laws and policies which violate the commands of God.  Despite this, American culture allows for secular humanism to dictate some part of the governance of the nation.  Even though Christians seem to be tolerant of sin, it grieves the heart of them that know God's goodness.  It grieves the many saints who have found that God's word will bring life in the long run, if followed.  Christians have been commanded to submit to the authorities (Romans 13:1-10), however Christians have been commanded to not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  When our American leaders begin to encroach on Christian liberty to the point of unfairness, only then the Christian community organizes in opposition to those policies and laws and leaders that would enact them.  Christians feel frustrated by this uneasy truce with legalized sin, but feel obligated to permit it, being cognizant of the command of God to be submitted to Governmental authority.  Joel's Army has no such restraint, thus its political and moral power is unlimited.  This is not what we commonly picture as an army of Christians.

    A question that we must answer is, "What is it about Joel's Army that qualifies the members to exercise unlimited moral and political authority?"  Simply put, it is that "saints" have been approved by God to rule and reign with Christ.  2 Timothy 2:12-13 says:

2 Timothy 2:12
12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

To suffer with Christ is to pay the price in life to follow Him.  The way you "pay" that price is not by natural money, but by obedience to His word.  The work of being a disciple involves doing God's will on earth, no matter the personal cost, whether it be use of time, treasure, or talent.  Christians often lose their reputation, or their financial opportunities, simply because of this faith in Christ.  Some lose their family's love, or worse.  Jesus said, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27).   Being a disciple of Christ in life is the single most qualifying mark of the members of  Joel's Army. 

    Another qualifying aspect is that Joel's Army are participant in the "first resurrection" (See the Prophetic Timeline chart).  John writes in
Revelation 20:
   
Revelation 20:6
6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

The glorification of the saints is the finality of the perfecting of the soul and body, in addition to the "born again" spirit that initiates the salvation of the saint (John 3:3-7).  Whereas the person who is "born again" has their spirit born of incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23), the full inheritance of the incorruptable has not yet been given (1 Peter 1:4-5).  However, this incorruptible inheritance will be given in the last time:

1 Peter 1:3-5
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

At the last moments of the Church Age the church will be marked by the "revealed" incorruptible inheritance "in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5) in the resurrected power of Joel's Army.  After the glorified ones are raptured, then the Antichrist has his ascendancy to world rule (2 Thessalonians 2:7-8).  So we can conclude that only those that qualify in life for glorification will be rewarded with glorification and resurrection (in the case of the dead) and will be qualified to rule after the rapture.  Further we can conclude that the authority of Joel's Army is based in its incorruptibility, therefore its ability to enact judgment, both politically and morally will be completely according to God's perfect judgment.  Christians today are commanded to judge in a way that is consistent with the ways of Christ while Christians are yet imperfect:

John 7:24:
23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. 

How much more when made incorruptible will Joel's Army be qualified to judge the corruption of man? 

    Some might ask how imperfect Christians can be righteous as Christ is in judgment after resurrection.  To start, we must look at this army as saints that have been resurrected in the image of Christ.  Paul wrote in Romans 8:

Romans 8:29-30
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Many might tend to read the word "predestinate" and then put this scripture into a future time period, and a heavenly locality.  Although the future is the Christian's present relation to this "glorified" state, the place of glorification is not only in the future heaven.  This same Paul says that this will happen on earth before the rapture occurs.  Glorification will happen to all Christians before they are raptured!

1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 


Paul agued with many who found this glorification far fetched.  He called them fools (1 Corinthian 15:35-36).  Many scriptures point to the supernatural resurrection body that the saints shall receive.  These scriptures are familiar:

2 Corinthians 5:1-4
1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

Imagine for a moment that the resurrection of the Christian saints has occurred and that the rapture is immanent; but what has astounded the whole earth is that not only have a great number of deceased Christians resurrected, but a certain number of living Christians have at the same moment been clothed upon by the glory of God as in 2 Corinthians 5:1-4.  What might one of these supernaturally transformed Christians look like and how could you distinguish them from the normal human being?  The answer must eventually lie in what Jesus looked like after His resurrection, for Romans 8:28-30 says:

Romans 8:28-30

28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Paul’s use of “glorified” in the past tense indicates Paul’s perfect revelation of the final intention of the Lord; spoken with prophetic surety as though already accomplished.  He did not put it away in the mists of future heaven, but in present finality.  In addition to this unique point of view, it is basic Christian doctrine that the believer has been "born again," or glorified in the spirit.  many do not apply this concept beyond the realm of the spirit.  however, Paul is obvious talking about the body.

    Jesus is for all Christians the pattern of things that are to be believed and He is the pattern for all things to come.  If a resurrection army is to exist, then it must resemble the resurrection of Christ; otherwise it is a Satanic counterfeit.  Jesus' physical attributes were enhanced after His resurrection as you can see by this list of supernatural acts after He rose from the dead:

Luke 24:31- Jesus vanishes.
Luke 24:36 - Jesus appears in the midst of the apostles
John 20:19 - Jesus appeared in an enclosed room without entering by a door.
John 20:27 - Jesus' resurrected body had open wounds from the crucifixion, and no apparent pain or blood.
27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

And of course Jesus was “raptured” in Acts 1:9-11
9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.


The body of Jesus has all the characteristics of that body that must comprise the Army of Joel 2.  Remember that the rapture is after the resurrection, so shouldn’t our focus as Christians be to achieve our resurrection, rather than to "make the rapture?"


The Message of the Army of Jesus Lovers

    This supernatural army has ultimate authority on earth and no stronghold can resist its movement, so what message will Joel‘s Army carry?  Again we look to Jesus‘ final instructions.  Acts 1:1-5:

1The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Whereas many denigrate the Charismatic sects of Christiandom, Jesus himself told the believers to wait for a further installment of grace by means of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  He said that this installment would make them into witnesses of his kingdom:

Acts 1:8
8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

If we are to take seriously our election in God’s plan, then we must not minimize this command to wait to be endued with power.

The prophesy of Malachi $ speaks of a final Christian uprising.  This is an army that repudiates the forces of the liberal and the Marxist, and all manifestations of the Antichrist.  However this happens in a “day,” or season, not as a perpetual condition.  This is consistent with the “day” of Joel’s army.

Malachi 4:1-3
1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jesus walked freely after His resurrection preaching the kingdom of God, so Joel’s army will do the same.  However, it will not be mild and meek and without judgment, rather lets look at Enoch‘s manner of preaching and his message.

Jude 1:14-16
14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,  15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

No longer do we see Christians cowed into “non-judgmental” evangelism.  Frankly, no true evangelism go forth without the judgment of the Law of Moses, and conviction of the Spirit; however conversion to Christ is a voluntary response , as is obedience to Him.  Isaiah 26:9-10 says:

9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

Joel’s army is what the world fears most, though they know not that it is coming before the rapture of the saints.  Imagine an army of Christians unafraid of lawsuits, accusations of “hate speech,“ or reprisals from liberal religious organizations, atheists, Muslims, Marxists or from governmental oppressions of any kind.  Not any human law or atheistic authority, or force of arms will be able to stop this army of Jesus lovers from preaching the Gospel.  Joel 2:6 says, “Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.”  The word “blackness” comes from a Hebrew  word (6289 in Strong’s Concordance) Which indicates red faced shame.

                    *****

Through this series of entries in the BLOG I have built a case for a dwell time between the Christian resurrection and the rapture.  This next section will cover the question of how we can qualify to march in Joel's Army, and how we can participate in the marriage of the Lord.

Contrasting the White Horse Army with Joel's Army

Contrasting the White Horse Army with Joel's Army

The army described in Joel Chapter 2 cannot be that of the white horse return of Christ, simply because the descriptions of these armies do not match.  Let us now examine a list of distinctions will show that the "white horse army" cannot be Joel’s Army:


One of the main points describing the white horse return is that Christ does a lot of killing (Revelation 19:21).  You know that this is actual killing by the feast of vultures being invited to "the supper of the great God" (Revelation 19:17-18).  In contrast, Joel’s army only brings conviction on the world (Joel 2:6) with no killing described. 

The manner of the "white horse return of Christ" will be a visible descent from heaven (Acts 1:10-11) with the "armies of heaven" dressed in white linen riding with the Lord upon horses (Revelation 19:14).   In contrast, Joel's Army manifest "as the morning spread upon the mountains" (Joel 2:1), which signifies a world wide instantaneous appearance; not a single invading army of horses led by Christ.

The White Horse Army rides on horses.  In contrast, Joel's Army runs and leaps (Joel 2:4-5).

The duration of the armies is different.  The verse in Joel 2:2 that says, “...a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.”  This description does not seem to fit the "white horse army" that rules with Christ (Jude 14-15), at a thousand years (Revelation 20:6) and presumably for all eternity yet to come.

I am emphatic about these distinctions, because the last days prophesy that I am promoting does not include Dominion Theology, A-millennial-ism, Latter Reign, or Kingdom Now doctrines.  Though these doctrines are held by large sects within Christianity, their greatest flaw is that they attempt to apply the perfect glorification of Joel's Army upon their own lives and present societies.  They have missed the message of 1 Corinthians 15:50 that says, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."  As you study thsi prophesy, you will find that, I have made my presentation of this prophesy about the last days rapture based upon the actual words that come from the scriptures, not out of fanciful doctrinal twists that satisfy the fleshy conceptions of man.

Thesis #2 
Joel's Army is not only different in substance, but different in activity than the White Horse Army that follows Jesus Christ at His "2nd Coming."
What is Joel Chapter 2 talking about?
What has driven me crazy for years in the reading of  Joel 2, are the questions:

Who forms the ranks of this army?
How do you become one of these soldiers?
When does it appear?
an additional question that must be known is, For how long does it march?

The answers are, well, in the scriptures: such as the physical description. its nature, its power, its activity, etc. are listed in Joel.  Joel Chapter 2 reads:

1Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. 4The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. 5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. 6Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. 7They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: 8Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. 9They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

This passage presents an army of supermen, a supernatural army, not an army of natural countries or of men.  However, the White Horse Army of Revelation 21 is also a supernatural army, so they can be confused.  Though they are both supernatural armies, a comparison of descriptive points shows that they are not the same army, nor do they ride at the same period in prophetic history. 

Army: White Horse Army  vs.  Joel's Army
    
Leader:    Christ Himself   vs.  The Lord's Voice 
   
Transportation:    white horses  vs.  Running on foot, or flying

Activity:  Following Christ as He destroys The militaries of the antichrist vs. Destroying property and rooting people out of strongholds and violating social structures repudiating the strength of the ungodly. 

Scope of movement:   traversing the atmosphere of Earth in plain sight  vs.  Strong doors and locks provide no obstacle  
 
Eschatological order of Appearance:  2nd Coming, Initiating the Millennial reign of Christ  vs. At a time approaching the Day of the Lord (The 2nd Coming).
 
Mortal Limits:  Not seen facing any opposition, though glorified and immortal  vs.  Cannot be killed, (allowing for such attempts by the unrighteous).
 
Earthly Reception:  None specified, presumably obedience  vs.  The ungodly attempt to kill; many feel fear and shame.  
 
Duration of appearance:  1000 years, and presumably into eternity?  vs.  Limited, not continuing, but existing for a space before the white Horse return of Christ.



 


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    Joel Chapter 2 describes an army of "supermen."  Some doubt the word of God and allegorize this passage so the natural meaning of this passage is discounted and downgraded to a prphesy about a plague of locusts.   This passage is too challenging for most scholars, because of the necessity to conform to traditional theology.  If these scholars believe that there will be a worldwide resurrection of Christians, then a delayed rapture, then such personas, would be abloe to allow for an army of perfected Bible thumpers, evangelizing the world with impunity.  An honest overview of all revealed Biblical history and prophesy (history yet to be) one must will be driven to admit that the only place this prophesy of Joel could be played out is between the time of the Christian resurrection, and the rapture, followed by the revealing of the Antichrist.  At the time of Christ's resurrection was the only historical place that this kind of resurrection superman can be found.  Since there is another resurrection of saints yet to come, what more likely place is there for Joel's Army to march?   The army told of in Joel must be resurrected saints, whether risen from the dead or quickened with them at this time of resurrection, otherwise the "soldiers" in this army will not be immortal.  It's time to put away unbelief and begine to sound the alarm in the body of Christ!

God Resurrects the Dead Jews
The only other place there was a human resurrection "army" was Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones that were raised to form, “...an exceeding great army...”(Ezek 37:2-14).  It is recognized that this Ezekiel prophesy has an application to the advent of the Zionist movement and the re-establishment of Israel in Palestine, however the promise given by God to the Jews is a literal resurrection.  The prophesy does say emphatically that dead Jews will be raised physically from graves. 

“... Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.”

 I can imagine all the murdered of the holocaust suddenly raising from the dead in triumph, and living back in the land of Israel.  I can imagine that when this happens, that they will “know it was the Lord.”

    This will literally happen, but I have no revelation of what the timing of this even is, however God will show the truth to those who seek it.

Post 7c - Events 7 and 8

Event 7. The New Heavens and Earth Created

This is the New Creation not the original creation of Genesis 1:1, nor the reconstituted creation of Genesis 1:2 (our present world); rather it is a world  and creation neither marred by sin, nor the "corruption" which hindered the true nature of the creation (Romans 8:21).  Paul wrote:

Romans 8:19-23:
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

So we see a massive deliverance from "vanity," in the natural kingdom and for the saints who have been translated into this Kingdom of God, by the Spirit, through Christ.

    We see that corruption is a state of being, a law, if you will.  Corruption is not merely an aberration in the order of life and existence, rather it is a condition that interwoven with life as we know it.  However this "corruption" offends our deepest instincts, and we are not resigned to the present order.  Also, nature itself is hindered in its own right.  It was the rebellion of Satan that made it needful that God would subject his creation to the wasting effects of corruption.  The fact that man's nature would produce sin later on following the re-recreation of Genesis1:2, also showed that the re-created divine order was different than the original creation of Genesis 1:1.  Paul says that God subjected the creature to "vanity" so we ask, Why."  We must assume that God knew that the corrupted order of creation would produce a company of souls that were "sons," those that do not walk in sin or the rebellion of the Devil.  This final, complete manifestation came first through Christ in spirit, soul, and body, and second, it came in the believer being "born again" (1st Peter 1:23).  Though it came through Jesus fully, it has only come in the spirit of the believer (2 Thessalonians 2:13), but it has not come fully to the believer in that the soul and body are not brought to incorruption.  This is the reason that Christ said that one must take up the cross daily, in order to be His disciple.  We are keenly aware of our capacity to sin, yet we walk in righteousness. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:2-5:

2 Corinthians 5:2-5
2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

So we see that we have the "earnest of the Spirit," which is the downpayment which will be followed by the perfecting of our souls and glorification of our body, just as Christ was perfected (Luke 13:32) and glorified (Acts 3:13).

The taking up of the cross insures the believer's obedience to God's word.  The cross allows imperfect man to walk in the perfection of the Lord.  We are born again in the image of God's Spirit, but not yet complete in that image.  Until the resurrection we will always need the cross to exercise our souls to holiness; our body and souls have not yet been "reborn" in the image of Christ.  Until the change of 1st Corinthians 15:51-52 comes upon the world, the cross is the specific instrument of death that hinders the corruption that besets our souls.  Paul wrote:

Romans 7:24-25
24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The :"...body of this death..." is that principle of corruption that is interwoven with every aspect of creation.  When the transformation comes upon the believers, then perfection will have come in all three aspects of human existence, the spirit, soul, and body.

As we have seen in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17 that this Physical "translation" will also occur shortly before the Rapture.  This will clear the path for the revelation of the Antichrist and is followed by "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:21).

    The reconstitution of Creation found in Genesis 1:2 was the original creation of Genesis 1:1 recreated, but with corruption interwoven into its fabric.  In addition the Curse was placed upon life in additon the corruption that was already present.  We can assume this because in Genesis 1:1 it says that God created the heavens and the Earth.  However Genesis 1:2 says that it began to be disorganized.  Later we find that light was absent so it and other important aspects of existence had to be spoken into existence.  This is apparent when we consider the words of Isaiah:

Isaiah 45:18
18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

The creation was whole and intact, it became disorganized (due to Satan's rebellion, Isaiah 14), God re-created the now spoiled creation, then God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Following this they sinned, which precipitated the Curse that has marred life since that time.

Genesis 3: 9-19
9And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

This New Heavens and New Earth will not be subjected to corruption, the constraints that the Curse embodies, will not exist.  Animals will not hunt each other for food (Isaiah 11:6), and may be able to speak, also will not have fear of man.  The Earth will become "alive" and co-operative with man in his God led efforts, since sin no longer blinds the human heart in the New Heavens and Earth.  No force of death will be in place to oppose the force of life.



Event 8. The City of New Jerusalem revealed as the "Lamb's Wife"

The city is described as the Lamb's Wife.  This special relationship is typified by the New Jerusalem, which floats down out of Heaven toward earth (Revelation 20 and 21).  Even though it seems odd to call a city the 'wife of the Lamb,' 1st Peter 2:4-8 likens Christ and the believer to this very thing.

1st Peter 2:4-8
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

We see that the building material of the New Jerusalem is is likened to believers.  One of the most striking feature is that  "... the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass" (Revelation 21:16).  The gold used is transparent, being 100% pure, symbolizing the purity of its maker and its residents.   This symbolizes the many perfected souls that have no darkness that absorbs or corrupts the light of God which shines throughout.  This transparency is available in modern day fellowships of believers, but only in the spirit, however this will change when the soul and body are also redeemed.   Paul writes:

2nd Corinthians 5:1-5
2For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.


Our conclusion to this series of events must include the truth that the believer now does not belong in the present creation, but is destined to have a home in the New Creation.

These are some of the main events involving Christ's interaction with the earth in His role as administrator of all the kingdoms of the earth.  This is important to keep clear, because this framework allows us to attempt to accurately place the appearance of "Joel's Army" in the scheme of prophetic history.

The Event Timeline (Post 7b)

The Event Timeline (Post 7b)

Event 3 - The White Horse Return of Christ/1000 year reign

After an additional period of time, the Lord returns on a white horse with “armies of heaven” dressed in white linen (Revelation 19:11-15).  In this "White Horse" return, the Lord  overcomes the armies threatening Jerusalem by physically slaughtering the armies of nations that followed the antichrist (Rev. 19:17-21).  He personally does this by the sword out of His mouth.    The linen clothed army of Saints don’t seem to do much, except follow the Lord on horseback (Revelation 19:14). 

    The manner of the timing of this event can be seen when the Lord Himself clarified this appearance in Matthew 24.  In vs. 15-30 the Lord says that His visible return happens some time after the Antichrist presumes the right to sit in the holy place in the Jewish temple.  Following this are all the ensuing "tribulation" judgments will be enacted upon the Earth precipitated by this act of the Antichrist, known as the "abomination of desolation" (vs. 15).  This is what is referred to when he says, “let the reader understand.“  Revelation 19:11-21 indicates that at His return Christ puts the False Prophet and the Antichrist into the lake of fire, then follows the millennial reign of Christ; however, the Devil is not cast into the Lake of Fire at this time, but is bound and sealed in the bottomless pit (This is possibly in the center of the earth where gravity is equalized, hence having no bottom.) for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3).


Event 4 - Satan Loosed for a Season/ Satan's Armies Destroyed by fire

It is almost inconceivable how after nearly 1000 years of His Earthly Reign that the Lord will have Satan loosed again so as to deceive the nations (Revelation 20:3).  The amazing thing to consider is that the Devil will be successful at doing this, amassing an army of nations against the Lord while He reigns in Jerusalem.  This goes to prove that even the presence of the Lord, Himself, on Earth will not be enough to convert the sinner, that it still takes faith to be saved.  This demonstrates the pure evil that dwells in the heart of man!  Many have confused the Millennial Reign with the New Heavens and Earth; but the fact that sin still exists on the earth during the time of the Millennial reign of Christ is fully apparent by the release of Satan.  The Devil's unimpeded presence emboldens the flesh of man into outward rebellion against Jesus in the flesh!  

The manner of the final battle that follows the millennial reign and precedes the White Throne Judgment does not involve a "return of Christ," because Christ is ruling from Jerusalem,  In addition, it does not involve an army, because it is fire falling from Heaven that subdues the armies of Satan at this "battle."

Revelation 20:7-10
 7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Indeed, it will be Christ who sits in Jerusalem at this final "battle."  This is the final showdown between the Devil and Christ.  The same Devil that tempted Him in the wilderness is this same Devil in his pride (Isaiah 14:13-15) that raises the world's armies against Christ on Earth this last time.  The Devil is again destroyed; but not with Christ's words only as in the wilderness, but by everlasting banishment in the Lake of fire.

Event 5 - The "Second" Resurrection

The "second resurrection" refers to one of two classes of resurrection:  those souls participating in the judgment seat of Christ before the 1000 year reign, and those who are born and are judged at the Great White Throne Judgment before the creation of the New Heavens and New Earth.  The "First Resurrection" is described in the following passage:

Revelation 20:1-6
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

    The difference between the First Resurrection and the Second Resurrection has in their meaning two different manners of people and two manners of judgment.  The First Resurrection will consist only of pre White Horse Return Christians, that is, only those who have died having faith in Christ before the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord, or The Second Coming of Christ.  On the other hand, the Second Resurrection (which occurs at the end of the 1000 year reign) will include three categories of people:  

1.  All people that died in their sins and have remained in Hell since the beginning of creation, until the end of all creation where time is no more.  From Genesis 1:1 to the Great White Throne of Revelation 20, those unbelievers will be judged unto damnation.
          
2.  Those un believers and believers that remain alive through the 3 
      and 1/2 years of "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:15-22, Daniel   
      9:27). 

3.  All those believers and unbelievers who will have been born 
     During the millennial reign of Christ, and those believers and
     unbelievers that will have died or been killed during the Millennial
     Reign of Christ. 

This "2nd Resurrection has power over the individual in that He or She must stand before the White throne to be Judged according to the law of Moses, or the law of life in Christ.  Two categories of person will be divided:  Those that for all eternity to go into everlasting life in the new Heavens and Earth, and those that go into everlasting destruction in the Lake of Fire which is the "second death." 



    In Contrast, the 1st Resurrection is judgment based upon one's faith in Christ, where the believer's eternal rewards and heritage will be chosen based upon the believer's works.  Also this judgment takes place only after the full number of "tribulation martyrs" will be put to death by the Antichrist (Revelation 6:10-11), before the White Horse Return of Christ.




Event 6. The White Throne Judgment

    The Great White Throne is when God puts all things right, before He creates the New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21).  God will have now resurrected all the people that have ever lived that were not part of the First Resurrection, both saved and unsaved.  All people from the lowest to the highest, world leaders, angelic hosts and prophets, teachers, politicians and every spirit that has any choice to serve God or not; and they are judged as to what manner of soul they chose to be.  Jesus said: 

Matthew 12:30-32
30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

As a farmer assigns the chaff to the incinerator, so also the profane ones are  assigned eternal punishment.  Then also as the farmer gathers his wheat into the silo, then God creates the New Heaven and new Earth to be populated by His people (Matthew 3:10-12).

The standard of judgment will be based in the relationship that each person has to God.  If the relationship is based in the redemption of Christ, then the "Law of liberty in Christ..." (James 2:12) will purge them of sin and conduct them into eternal life.  If the relationship to Christ is in enmity, then the ten commandments will condemn that soul to eternal death in the Lake of Fire.

    This Lake of Fire will kindle upon the Devil and his angels in everlasting destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10), but it will include all that believe not in the Lord.  It is the at the Great White Throne Judgment that shows the Lord judging Nations in accordance with how they treated Israel and Christians on the Earth during the church age and the period of tribulation (Matthew 25:31-46). 

    In the terminology of farming, this Great white Throne Judgment is the big threshing floor, that will separate the wheat from the chaff, and clear the way for the New heavens and earth.  the Chaff will be disposed of in fire, but the wheat will be transplanted in the New Heavens and earth.  This is why Paul the Apostle writes:

2 Corinthians 5:16-20
16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Paul is saying that those who are born again are a "new species" of person which now belongs to the New Heavens and Earth, which will be created.  This explains why he says that we are "ambassadors,"  because we don not belong to this world, but a future world to come (John 18:36).

Resurrection/Rapture Timeline Updated January 15, 2010

Explaining the Timeline (Post 7a)

Timeline:  From Resurrection/glorification to Eternity
  
The day of resurrection and glorification of saints signals the end of the Church age , followed by the rapture.  The major worldwide events following this are in this order:

1. Resurrection/glorification - short term (40 days) Christian world wide takeover
2. Rapture, followed by Revealing of the Antichrist
3. The White Horse Return of Christ/1000 year reign
4. Satan's Armies Destroyed by fire
5. The Second Resurrection
6. The White Throne Judgment
7. The New Heavens and Earth created
8. The City of New Jerusalem revealed as the "Lamb's Wife"

Event 1. 
At the beginning of this framework we see the resurrection of saints and the glorification of believers.  This creates a standing army of super human, immortal Christians on the earth.  This will be the final and most glorious expression of the body of Christ for a period of time before the rapture.  Non resurrected/glorified saints will not be abole to go in the rapture.  Paul explains the necessity of glorification before rapture:

1 Corinthians 16:49-55
49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.  51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

This change in the Church will create the greatest expression of church effectiveness, for a short time before the rapture removes this "Joel's Army" from the earth.  This is the final expression of "The Bride of Christ" that so many charismatic ministers attempt to project on to an unperfected un-glorified present day church.  Such modern charismatic movements as "Latter Reign," "Kingdom Now," "Manifest Sons of God," "Dominion Theology," and all other fantastic notions are based upon ministers projecting this perfection spoken of by Paul upon their own particular church body and church organization.  The rapture cannot happen to any other than glorified individuals, because corruption cannot inherit incorruption.  This glorified church will have a period of time to work, as described by Joel 2 and Malachi 4, before the rapture removes the church.
This resurrection/glorification will be God's time to show off His bride:

Isaiah 62:1-5
1For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 3Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

The appearance of the glorified Church, God's kingdom will be ruling the earth simultaneously throughout the nations and on all levels of society.  This is what Isaiah meant when he wrote:

Isaiah 66:5-8
5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 6A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies. 7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

We see a sudden appearance of a "nation," not based in a geographical location, but as the resurrected and glorified members of the Bride of Christ!  Isaiah also spoke of this time in a way that is described as a "strange act" followed by a "consumption," as in Daniel above:

Isaiah 28:
21For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. 22Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

The Glory that the world will be forced to see will far outshine all manifestations of the church, and will only be dwarfed by the appearance of the New Jerusalem in the New Heavens and new Earth.  However, even as the world did not like the presence of Christ, how much less will the world desire Joel's Army?  Imagine a universal, world wide nation of super human Bible thumpers!

Event 2.  
The rapture Performs an important function both from the world's perspective and in the forwarding of the plan of God.  The world system and the Devil will hate the appearance of the fully empowered Church, because the Devil will have had power over Christians, through governments, up until then.  The presence of the manifest glory of God will be a great inconvenience to the forces of the Antichrist, and such forces of Satan will be powerless to work until the glorified saints be gone in rapture.

          This will be the oft longed for "Manifestation of the Sons of God" (romans 8:19) seen in Charismatic denominations and societies.  This manifestation of rulership is not as in the 1000 year reign, but as the authoritative prophetic body of Christ before  the world wide rapture.  This "Joel's Army" (Joel 2) which will be engaging in the most aggressive form of evangelism ever seen, nor will be seen again.  Imagine limitless power to do all that God has put in the Christian's heart...  Is this what Daniel meant when he said, "32And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits" (Daniel 11:32)?  The rapture must occur to allow the Antichrist to progress his own version of world rule.  Paul writes:

2 Thessalonians 2:7
7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  With the presence of a super human glorified Christian Church on the Earth, the Anitchrist will not have a chance!  Indeed it is only after the rapture, according to Paul, that the Antichrist can reveal himself as "god!"  This time of the church will be short, but the glory will be awesome.  Get ready Christians!

    One more thing that the rapture accomplishes is the fulfillment of the Jesus words regarding the work of the Holy Spirit, or "Comforter:"

John 16:8-12
8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

I have underscored vs. 10 because this is the final confirmation of true righteousness that all the resurrected/glorified Christians will have to their own credit.  Here is a scenario described by Jesus that shows a spiritual divide between individuals engaged in mundane tasks:

Matthew 24:37-40
7But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

The scenario is a last days condition, as indicated by Jesus' reference to the Ark of Noah.  The tasks of life are going on as usual, but suddenly there is a "coming of the Lord," not to be confused with the White Horse Return, the "Second coming."  this simply indicates that the Lord is on the move and coming to do something unique in certain individuals throughout society, presumably throughout every society in every nation of the world.

    The Rapture is the ultimate argument proving who really is righteous, and who is not.  Jesus said that this is one of the ways that the Holy Spirit convicts, the world, convincing it of sin.  There will be many Christians that suffer the condemnation of hypocrisy, yet they will not go to Hell.  The rapture will be that separation between the truly righteous and not.


    The dead will rise first, then after a period of time all resurrected and glorified Christians are received into the clouds and meet Christ in the air (1st Thessalonians 4:15-17).  This rapture, clears the way for the Antichrist to exalt his diabolical rule upon the planet.  It also removes the Bride of Christ into the presence of the Lord and sequesters His Bride to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9), before  His White Horse Return, to save Israel (Zechariah 12:9-10).

There are six more parts to this section explaining the end time list above...


---------------------------------------------------------

Christians, Are You Ready To Rumble?

A Note on This Prophesy about Rapture:

    As I write this I am concerned that many believers will find my message repugnant and somehow not "normative" of the Christian faith.  Let it be known that I have no personal reason to proclaim this message that would benefit me as of now, except a conviction that this is my service to Jesus Christ as a man saved by the Grace of God.  When God used Isaiah to speak to Israel he told him:

Isaiah 30:8-15
8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: 9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: 10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. 12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: 13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. 14And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit. 15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

God is saying through Isaiah to Israel that those that oppose His messages through His servants that He sees the hidden motives, reasons for their opposition to His word.  As a New Testament "Prophet" I must be submitted to the Spirit of God, and His Servants that minister in the Spirit of God.  If someone has accusations against me or my work, then I would have to reject such if given in the wrong spirit.  Though accusations will come, I would rather give full liberty for thoughtful brethren to correct me; if they see a fault in me or in my writing.  I am not particularly super confident in my suitability to deliver this message, but the message burns within me, so I am confident that God has given me the grace to deliver this message.
. 
    We must be self examining in the face of prophesy.  I hope that if any fellow Christian has doubts of the authenticity of this prophesy, that you will be willing to bring your disagreements in an humble spirit in a manner consistent with the Lord Jesus.  If there is any other manner in which one might address such disagreements, I suggest a time of self evaluation of your motives.  In the passage above God reveals the actual intention of the unbelieving hearers:  to push God out of their system of political and religious control, "to cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us," to not allow God back into a religious/political system that has become a false activity.  So also this prophesy about the resurrection and rapture will serve to disturb many who have vested interests, both intellectual, political, social and financial. 

    This prophesy will threaten to dissolve academic relationships that rely on doctrinal conformity in order to maintain denominational honor and prestige.  Many in government will not want to have the general Christian population to know that they will resurrect, because governments use the fear of death to control its population, which is why the Devil operates through governments so effectively (Hebrews 2:15).  If the Christian knew that he or she will return in the army of Joel, then how much more steadfast would our resistance to the Devil be? (James 4:7).  Many otherwise reasonable people will not trust a prophesy simply if they have never heard it from a trusted source, such as a pastor or a Christian author of notable reputation: rather than understanding the Bible for themselves.  This is because they receive their faith through "milk," rather than by "strong meat," which is a matter of Christian maturity according to Hebrews 5:12-14:

12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Also, many have written books and made movies that are an attempt to apply semi accurate doctrines on the rapture to a real life scenario.  Many will be challenged by this prophesy, and as any true prophesy it will divide souls either with God or away.  Please read with humility, because this prophesy is going to have an effect upon you for better or for worse, depending on how you respond to it.


Christians, Are You Ready To Rumble?

    What if God gave you full authority and power to serve Him in any way that you were led?  Would you preach on the street corner?  At the front door of the local abortion mill?  In the toughest, darkest Ghetto?  In the halls of congress?  In the houses of prostitution?  How about preaching the gospel in your own church, or someone else's church?  How about the local mosque, or Jewish temple?  How about walking into an abortion clinic in the middle of an abortion with impunity bringing conviction with the message of Jesus Christ?  Or how about in the smoke filled back room meetings of politicians, as in Ezekiel 8:12 where they work out their corrupt deals long before they play their public charade of legislating; would you enter there with the word of the Lord?  This is the kind of power on a world wide scale certain resurrected/ glorified Christians will exercise before the rapture.  Get ready to Rumble!!!

    One of my favorite Biblical exercises is to create time line charts that visualize prophesy.  Placing the appropriate scriptures surrounding the doctrine of rapture in a timeline allows a clear understanding of how Joel's Army marches and who actually becomes a member of this great resurrection army and for how long.  Above you see a chart that represents nearly everything that I discuss in this prophesy regarding the doctrines of the pre-Antichrist resurrection and rapture.

This chart will give the reader a visual set of notes pertaining to that which I write in this work.  It's most updated form will be found in the heading of the most recent posting.
    
The True End of the Church Era:

    It is generally agreed that by all scholars in every Christian denomination that the Christian church was born ten days following the ascension (rapture) of Jesus from the Mount of Olives.  Acts Chapter 1 has the disciples and over 100 other believers gathered in Jerusalem in an upper room, according to Jesus' command to wait for the Promise of the Father; which according to Acts 1:4-5 is the "Baptism of the Holy Ghost."  This was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit that infused the believers with the power to speak God's word, converting 3000 souls in one day.  Church history has been under this infusion of grace ever since, however this church era will come to an end. 

    The end of the Church era, or Church Age, is not the re-founding of Israel in May 1948, because it is obvious that the Christian church is Israel's greatest non-governmental supporter in the world today.  Indeed the Christian church is still aggressively evangelizing the world.  The end of the church age will depend upon the change, or "transformation " of the church, such that it's nature has been transformed from corruptible to incorruptible.  This has to do with resurrection That will be followed by the rapture.  Paul the Apostle writes:

1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

We see by this passage that according to Paul there will come a time that living Christians will become immortal.  This is good basic Gospel, however, few realize that this will happen shortly before rapture, which will then be followed by the revelation of the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:5-7).  Few Christians realize that this "victory over death" is not reserved only for Heaven, but it will happen here on earth.  Paul writes, "we shall not all sleep."   This means that some of the Christians will be transformed into glorified saints, never having died!  So if you have not died and you are glorified, how can you say that glorification only happens in the "great by and by?"  No, on the contrary, it must happen here on the earth in the sight of all reasonable conditions of evidence and witness.

    The first great question one must answer for himself is a question that has irked unbelievers the world over in every age of Christian influence: “What gives the Christian the right to influence and control this world?”  the answer is that the Lord Jesus said so:

Mark 16:14-18
14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

This authority remains in force unto the day of this writing, but it will not continue indefinitely.  The end of the church era can only happen when the "great commission" has run it’s course and expired and/or when the commissioned members of the Church have been  removed.  the Bible says that the "saints" are overcome, never "the Church."  Once the authority of the great commission has been cancelled, then the spiritual authority to push back "the gates of Hell" (Matthew 16:18) will be non-existent on the earth and the Antichrist will be able to "wear out the saints" (Daniel 7:25). And raise up his diabolical rule in the earth.  The Gates of hell will prevail against the Saints for a season (Revelation 13:7).  The Lord promised that the Church that was built on the “rock” of the revelation of the Son of God (first voiced by Peter in Matthew 16:16-19), would never be able to be overcome by the “gates of Hell.”  If then we see Antichrist overcoming the saints, then it stands to reason that those that were carrying the spiritual authority behind the “great commission” are the ones that were either decommissioned, or were removed by rapture, as is promised by the word of God (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

    The “decommissioned” church will by necessity be removed by rapture, however it must be resurrected and glorified before the rapture occurs.  This change is what Jesus probably meant when he said in Luke 21:28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.“  This redemption is probably that same “Death is swallowed up in victory” that Paul wrote about in the passage above, 1 Corinthians 15:54.  The end of the church era will be signified by the change of the nature of the church.  “The putting on of incorruption,” will change its nature, therefore its purpose for existing on earth.  Indeed its authority will be amplified immeasurably, according to Joel Chapter 2, for period of time.  The Church will never be quit of its authority on earth until the Church is removed from the earth.  As an army  that is encamped on a beachhead or in a locality, its authority is enforced by its presence until it is recalled to its land of origin.  Though there will be many a born again believer “left behind,” the authority to prevail against the “gates of Hell” will be removed on that great day of rapture; however, not until its absolute authority is demonstrated one time for a short season in the form of “Joel’s army.”