Tribulation.
The Key point here is that the Tribulation is shorter than the seven years of chastisement for Israel. So how do we measure that?
Anti-Christ - rules for 1,260 days.
The Peace negotiator who made the Peace Treaty with Israel at the beginning of the 7 years, sets out to deceive the world. He appears to be mortally wounded and die. However, he seems to miraculously come `alive` again. All the world worships him and Satan. He was given authority to rule for 42 months
Israel`s 7 years.
The Key point here is that God has given Israel 7 more years to complete its chastisement. This chastisement is to finish their 70 x 7 years (490), because of their rebellion against God, in not obeying Him.
`Seventy weeks (unit of 7) are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, (national rebellion)..& to anoint the Most Holy, (sanctuary)` (Dan. 9: 24)
483 years have been up to the time of Christ, and then Israel`s purpo
7 Years & Beyond: Fulfillment.
The first two commemorative times are fulfilled during the 7 years, while the last one is fulfilled after the 7 years. They are key times that affect Israel`s temple and national deliverance.
Tisha B`Av - Mourning.
Israel will again mourn her sin and the desecration of their Holy Temple. The Global Leader, the anti-Christ, will get an image of himself set up in the Holy Place on this exact day of national mourning. This is the fulfilling
7 years & Beyond: History
These commemorative times are from events in Jewish history. They are mentioned in scripture; however they are not as well known as the main Festivals, appointed times.
Tisha B`Av - Mourning. 17th of Tammuz - 9th of Av)
This is a Three Week annual mourning period that falls out in the summer, from 17th day of Tammuz to the 9th Av. This is when Israel mourns the destruction of the Holy Temple and the launch into a still ongoing exile.
Isra
I have added more detail than the Feasts, however a study from God`s word does reveal -
- when the Holy Spirit was sent to establish the Body of Christ. (John 16: 13)
- when Christ comes to take His body to His throne in glory. (Rev. 3: 21)
- This time frame is called the Day of Christ, plus the specific day when Christ appears for His Body. (1 Thess. 4: 14 - 17)
- when the Lord brings judgments upon the rebellious throughout the tribulation. (Joel 2 & 3, Rev. 8 & 9 ff)
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Fulfillment.
These feasts, convocations are God`s Prophetic Calendar from Calvary to the Kingdom, rule of the Lord through Israel. They are solemn appointed or set time. Some are appointed days and some appointed weeks. Collectively, the feasts of the Lord form the divine appointed calendar with Jerusalem as the meeting place. (Isa. 33: 20)
Passover
This feast foreshadowed the Jewish Messiah as the Passover Lamb. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah in terms of the Pass
History.
`The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are my feasts.` (Lev. 13: 2)
Convocations - an assembly, a rehearsal of the past, but looking to the future fulfillment.
Passover
This commemorated Israel`s deliverance from Egypt. Each family celebrated the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, and symbolically re-enacted the first Passover as they ate their own special meal.
The celebration continued for seven days as
OVERVIEW.
`All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.` (2 Tim. 3: 16 & 17)
All scripture is for us to read and learn from however, it is not all about us. God has purposes for three groups - the Body of Christ, for Israel and for the Nations.
The Lord`s Feasts are mainly to do with God`s purpose for Israel.
CONCLUSION
The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head, is bringing His Body to maturity in Himself. He is in the final stage of completing that which He has begun over 2,000 years ago. With great insight, wisdom and unsurpassed strength, Christ has been building His Body over the centuries and across the world.
With great joy, Jesus the Head of the Body is completing this amazing task which He purposed in Himself to gather together many sons to glory to rule and reign with Him in th
In Christ Alone.
The Lord says -
`It is not the towering ability of individual men that will bring the close of this dispensation to an end, but it will be the ripening, the moulding, the perfecting of a Body of People that will be peculiarly Mine.
There will be no possibility for `flesh` to glory, for all will be interwoven one into the other, and in the centre of them will be the fires of Divine Affection, in the centre of them will be the seeds of Divine Love, in the cen
Overcoming the Spirit of Fear.
The Lord warns that in the end times people will be overcome by a spirit of fear.
`And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men`s hearts failing for fear and the expectation of those things, which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.` (Luke 21: 25 & 26)
However He encourages us, saying -
`
The Fresh Anointing.
As the Lord brings His Body to maturity He pours out a fresh anointing. First there is a fresh vision of the Lord as Head of His Body. Then the believers begin to see Him actually working in their lives and then out to others. The realisation comes that the Body of Christ is connected through meaningful relationships and not focused on man`s organisation.
The Body Ministry.
It will not be the great ability of individual men that will bring
Holding Fast to the Head.
God the Father sums up His Eternal Purposes.
` God...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times, He might gather together in one (harmony) all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.` (Eph. 1: 9 & 10)
The first purpose in Christ, which is being completed, is His Body of believ
Contemporary Move of God.
The Whole Counsel of God.
Looking back over the last 2000 years we see the amazing work, the Lord Jesus, the Head of the Body has been doing amid the great battle. Satan and his demons have sought to overpower the believers with errors and false teachings. The battle has been fierce with many people having to die for their belief in Christ.
The Apostle Paul taught the whole counsel of God to the disciples; however those truths were challenged and s
5. Pentecostal Revivals. (1900 - 1950)
At the beginning of the 1900`s there was another significant stage of growth in the Body of Christ. God`s Holy Spirit awakened people to a deeper understanding and walk with Him. Two great outpourings occurred - one in Azusa Street in America, and the other in Wales. This became known as the Pentecostal revivals.
Pentecostalism spread rapidly to Europe, South America and Australia. In less than a century it became a major force in
4. Evangelical Revivals. (1600 - 1900)
The 17th century gave rise to an intellectual movement called `the Age of Reason.` They believed that humans could do anything if they took control of their own lives. Most `enlightened` thinkers embraced the outlook called Deism - the belief in a God who created the world like a Great watchmaker, then relinquished control of His creation and allowed it to run without intervention and according to certain natural laws.
The evangel
2. Formalism - Dark Ages. (3rd C - 1300`s)
There were many misleading teachings, such as legalism, (laws) Gnosticism, (secret knowing) spiritism, (connecting to evil spirits) ceremonialism, (traditions) and asceticism, (severe regulations), all of which made void of what Christ had done, and obscured His glory. Paul had addressed these false philosophies in his letter to the Colossians, so the believers had the truth to stand against such errors. (Col. 2: 8 - 23)
State Church.
Historic Moves of God.
For over 2000 years the Body of Christ has been battling against Satan and his demons, who have tried to stop the believers coming to maturity in Christ. Although the Apostle Paul taught the whole counsel of God, he warned the believers that false teachers would arise.
`Therefore take heed to yourselves.....For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking p
The `Church` System.
As well as the World System there is another system that believers need to be aware of and the influence and control it can have in their lives. This system is the structure of organisations putting on public meetings for believers.
Over the centuries many different structures have developed however all have a hierarchy of power that seeks authority over believers. Jesus expressively said that this was not to be so among the believers for it was how the World Syste
The World System.
Christ does not battle with guns and tanks as man does, but reveals His righteous rulership through a body of believers who will stand against the enemy and his deceptions.
`For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places.` (Eph. 6: 12)
Principalities, Powers, rulers of the darkness and spiritual wickedness, are all in array against t
Christ, the Head of the Body.
In this process, Christ is forming His Body of believers who will become overcomers and rule and reign with Him in the highest realm. This is the very position that Lucifer/Satan fell from.
`(God the Father)...gave Him, (Christ) to be Head over all things to the ekklesia, (called out ones) which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.` (Eph. 1: 22 & 23)
Christ`s resurrected life is shown to the demonic angels in the universa
God`s Purpose.
Christ, the Wisdom of God.
Satan and his fallen angels are in rebellion against God. Satan desires to be as God and rule the world. He never knew the full purposes of God for if he did he would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
`We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.` (1 Cor. 2: 6
OVERVIEW.
God`s Purpose.
Satan and his fallen angels are in rebellion against God. Satan desires to be as God and rule the world. He never knew the full purposes of God for if he did he would not have crucified the Lord of glory. For it is through the Lord`s death and resurrection that He is bringing many sons to glory who will rule and reign with Him, in the highest realm. This was the place where Satan had his throne before he and his angels were cast out.
