rollinTHUNDER

Why I believe Matthew 24 is Daniel’s 70th Week, the final 7 years. . + Matt. 24:4-14 = Time of sorrows (birth pains – 3 1/2 yrs.) + Matt. 24:15 = Abomination of desolation (end of sacrifices) + Matt. 24:16-28 = Great tribulation (3 1/2 years) + Matt. 24:29-31 = (Rapture) End of 70th week / Times of the Gentiles fulfilled Before I begin, let me say that profound mysteries in Bible prophecy are usually fulfilled in ways that most of us are not expecting. Let’s use the coming of Israel’s Messiah, for example. Israel knew the time was near for their Messiah to come, but nearly everyone, if not all were expecting a mighty conquering king. They had no idea that Messiah would be coming twice. So when He finally came as a humble, suffering servant, very few were able to recognize and receive Him, even though there were many other prophecies that also foretold of Him coming as the Lamb of God. But because Israel had grown very weary of being subject to the Romans, they were longing for their mighty king, so they focused on the prophecies that foretold His second coming instead. I believe this prophecy is very similar in a way. . Daniel 9:24-27 – “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” . Many scholar’s believe that Daniel’s 70th week has already been fulfilled, because they do not see a gap in this prophecy. Well, it’s true, there is no mention of a gap in the prophecy above. However, there’s also no mention of Christ being baptized to begin the 70th week as some believe, especially when the previous verse (26) is clear He was already cut off after 69 weeks. He could not be both, cut off after the 69th week, and then be baptized and begin His ministry at the start of the 70th week. There’s also no mention that Christ, Himself, put a stop to sacrifices in the middle of the week, as some claim who believe the 70 weeks have already been fulfilled. And finally, this prophecy says nothing about the end of the week ending with the stoning of Stephen. Personally, I’d choose the gap any day, over those three assumptions that do not fit the scriptures. Now please allow me to tell you why there is a gap, even though it’s not mentioned in Daniel’s prophecy. . First, scripture is clear that the sacrifices did not stop in the middle of the week, when Christ was crucified. The sacrifices continued another 40 years, until the temple was finally destroyed in 70AD. Second, Daniel also tells us what will put a stop to the sacrifices in the middle of the week, and that is the abomination of desolation that will occur 1290 days before the resurrection/rapture. . Daniel 11:31 – “His armies shall rise up and desecrate the sanctuary fortress. They shall abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination that makes desolate.” . Daniel 12:11-13 – “From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 “But as for you, go your way until the end. Then you shall rest and rise again for your lot at the end of the age.” (resurrection) . Now about that gap that isn’t mentioned in Daniel. Since Israel chose to reject her Messiah, God’s plan was to open the way for the salvation of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:11). After all, Christ didn’t come to die for Israel’s sins alone. No, He was the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29); so yes, even though the 70 weeks prophecy was for the Jews and Jerusalem, the Gentiles must be included as well. However, there was no need for God to mention His plan for the Gentiles in Daniel’s prophecy for Israel, and I believe this may be why the Gentiles were not mentioned. So once Israel rejected and crucified Christ after 69 weeks (483 years), the 70th week was put on hold, and God turned His focus unto the Gentiles. Paul later told the Gentiles that Israel would be partially blinded until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled (Rom. 11:25). . Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” . When the nation of Israel officially rejected her Messiah on the day He came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey at the end of the 69th week (483 yrs.), He was cut off (crucified) just a few days later, not in the middle of the week or 3 1/2 years later. I believe that since Israel rejected Messiah, it was God’s plan to put the 70th week on hold, and then turned His attention to the Gentile nations. The times of the Gentiles will last for 2000 years, which is why Christ still has not returned. And I believe the 70th week will not begin until the following passage is fulfilled. . John 5:43 – “I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” . Hosea 6:2 – “After two days He will revive us. On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” . In Hosea’s prophecy above, we know that Israel was not revived in 2 days or even 2 years. Christ was crucified almost 2000 years ago, so the 2 days can only represent 2000 years, if we are to understand this properly. Therefore, the only way this prophecy makes any sense, is when we apply (2 Pet. 3:8 and Psalm 90:4). . 2 Peter 3:8 – “But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” . Psalm 90:4 – “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” . We also know from other scripture that Israel would be partially blinded until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, which are also nearly 2000 years. Yes, we are still in the times of the Gentiles today. Israel is still partially blind as they still can’t see that Christ was their long awaited Messiah, so the 2000 years still have not yet expired. . Romans 11:25 – “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” . And we also know, according to scripture, that the times of the Gentiles won’t be fulfilled until after the great tribulation, after the 42 months, which is the second-half of Daniel’s 70th week. And the two witnesses will also be prophesying for 1260 days (42 months) during that future time as well. I guess people are still selling fools gold these days, and unfortunately some people are still buying it, but scriptures are not fulfilled by assumptions. . Revelation 11:2-3 – “But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” . So this explains the 2000 year gap between the 69th and 70th week, and why the Lord has still not returned in nearly 2000 years. We are still in the times of the Gentiles and I believe the 70th week will begin when Israel receives the one who will come in his own name, and there will also be some type of peace settlement for one week (7 yrs.) involved. I believe the times of the Gentiles will end when the sign of the Son of man appears (rapture), as Christ will appear immediately after the tribulation of those days. . Matthew 24:29-31 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” . So just because we don’t see the 2000 year gap mentioned in Daniel’s 70 weeks prophecy to the Jews and Jerusalem, this does not mean there won’t or can’t be a gap. As I mentioned earlier, there are other prophecies that relate to the times of the Gentiles. God has a plan for Israel and a plan for the Gentiles. He is not required to reveal His plan for the Gentiles within His plan for Israel. We know that the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world, so His plan must include the Gentiles as well. Therefore, salvation was offered to Israel first, and then to the Gentiles. We remain today, in the times of the Gentiles, and desolation’s (plural) have been determined for the holy city, until the consummation, when the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled and the sign of the Son of man appears in all His brilliant glory. . 2 Peter 3:3-9 – “Know this first, that there shall come scoffers in the last days who walk after their own lusts, 4 and say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were since the beginning of the creation.” 5 For they willingly ignore that, by the word of God the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed standing out of the water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed was flooded with water and perished. 7 But by the same word, the heavens and the earth that now exist are being reserved for fire, kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 8 But, beloved, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

We'll see. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

The 6th seal and God's wrath have nothing to do with the abomination of desolation or even the great tribulation. Rev. 12:12 tells us the tribulation is Satan's wrath, because he'll know he only has a short time left.

We are living stones being built as a heavenly temple, but this does not negate the fact that the religious Jews want their temple re-built. It will be rebuilt, and they will resume animal sacrifices. This will probably not go over very well with the world. No doubt, the armed forces will cause the desolation, but I still see no nuclear bombs in any of this.

You said that before, but I just can't see that happening. Scripture says the man of sin or son of perdition will go into the re-built temple showing himself as God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 - "Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and concerning our gathering together unto Him, we ask you 2 not to let your mind be quickly shaken or be troubled, neither in spirit nor by word, nor by letter coming as though from us, as if the day of Christ is already here. 3 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For that Day will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself as God."

Before I wrote my book, most scholars believed that the increase of knowledge in Daniel's prophecy was alluding to the advancing of modern technology at the time of the end. No doubt, technology has always been advancing, but they overlooked that it was about the words to Daniel's prophecy, the words that were shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Daniel 12:8-13 - "As for me, I heard, but I could not understand. So I said, “My lord, what shall be the result of these things?” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel. For these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified and made white and tried. But the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 “But as for you, go your way until the end. Then you shall rest and rise again for your lot at the end of the age.” I believe the increase of knowledge came with the New Testament. And it was none other than Jesus, Himself, who continued and completed Daniel's prophecy. Just as Christ was concealed in the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament, the same can be said about rapture. The old covenant saints knew about the resurrection, but they had no clue about the mysterious rapture, the Church, the new covenant and even very little about their coming Messiah. I love how the Lord eased Daniel's mind at the end of this prophecy. Daniel knew these things would happen after his life on earth had ended, and that he would be rewarded at the resurrection at the end of the age.

I agree that Jesus told them they would be killed. However, He was very clear about the end in verse 14. Then He immediately pointed to the abomination of desolation, which starts the great tribulation in the very next verse. Matthew 24:14-15 - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. The Great Tribulation 15 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)," So does enduring to the end mean enduring to the end of your lives, or enduring to the end of the great tribulation, when Jesus promises to gather together His elect (rescue/rapture), immediately after the tribulation? Matthew 24:21-22 - "For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 “Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." In my view, He will shorten those days for the sake of His elect who are living, otherwise no one would be saved. Another version says no flesh would be saved, which is clearly referring to the living elect. We may be straining at gnats here, because I also believe you would be correct for people who lived and died before the great tribulation, but these would rise first in the resurrection of the dead, which precedes the rapture of the living. Jesus is talking about the living here, because He is continuing and increasing knowledge about Daniel's unfinished prophecy... Daniel was told about the resurrection, but nothing about the rapture, as this is precisely where the words were shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Daniel 12:1-4 - "And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Jesus fills in the blanks and continues where the words to Daniel's prophecy were shut up and sealed until the time of the end, speaking about the rapture of the living, starting at verse 21. Matthew 24:21-22 - "For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 “Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." Interestingly, Daniel was told about the resurrection of the dead, but nothing about the rapture of the living. And hundreds of years later, Jesus continues these words, adding the rapture of the living, but says nothing about the resurrection of the dead. And later, the apostle Paul would confirm both as he put the two together. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord." Matthew 24:29-31 - "Immediately after the tribulation of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Revelation Man. I don't want to spend too much time and energy on OSAS or whether someone is really saved or not. I do differ with you about this being solely about His disciples. They specifically asked Him about the sign of His coming and the end of the age. They won't be here for the great tribulation, but Jesus answered their question anyway, and in great detail. I believe He did so for the sake of those who would be alive to witness these endtime events. Cheers

Very interesting points you bring up, Dennis. There are several scriptures that are very convincing on both sides of the OSAS issue, even though I didn't intend for this thread to be about that issue. However, I did mention it, so I guess I must also deal with that part as well. I remember years ago, I used to believe that one could lose their salvation. There were plenty of scriptures that would seem to suggest we may be able to lose our salvation. However, everything changed with the Readiness Rapture theory, and understanding the difference between the cold, hot and lukewarm believers and how they will be rewarded when Christ returns. I can now see how God may punish believers without them losing their eternal salvation. Some will suffer loss when it comes time to receive the rewards for the things we've done in His body. As most people know, salvation is a gift, God's grace (unmerited favor) for those who receive His Son. We can't do anything to earn this free gift, nor are we told that we must do certain things in order to keep it. There are promises made for doers of His Word and for those who overcome, but these just bring greater reward. It doesn't mean the others will lose their gift. The parables do show that there will be punishments as well, for wicked or lazy servants, and God is able to punish them without taking their free gift. I don't believe Peter ever lost his salvation, but may have lost his faith for a time, but his faith was later restored. I'm sure he was much stronger in faith after he received the Holy Spirit a few days later. You also mentioned that one man got saved and started out doing great things in the church, but then later he seemed to fizzle out. You questioned was he really saved to begin with? Fair question, but I don't believe it's our place to judge that. God knows which ones belong to Him, and Jesus promised that He would lose none of the ones His Father gave Him. But here's where I think the rubber meets the road. God cannot lie. And it was His promise that everyone who called upon the name of the Lord would be saved. Everyone who confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believes in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead, they will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Now, it may be possible for someone to lose their salvation if they later change their mind and renounce or denounce their faith, but I'm not certain about this. Just suggesting that it (may) be possible, but I would not recommend this. I am aware of one act that would most definitely give God an out, so He no longer has to keep His promise of salvation, and that would be when a believer takes the forbidden mark of the beast. If that should happen, it's game over. Cheers

Exactly. Enduring to the end has absolutely nothing to do with our eternal salvation. It seems that Jesus was warning against falling away before He comes, as they will not be saved or rescued (rapture). This removes the cold from the picture. This leaves only the hot and lukewarm for the judgment seat of Christ. I believe the hot are the wise virgins who keep their lamps burning are the ones who'll be ready when He appears and gathers His elect. But at that same time, the lukewarm will also be left, as He promised to spit them out of His mouth...."Two will be in the field, one shall be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding in the mill, one shall be taken and the other left." I believe both the hot and the lukewarm are the saints that will be returning to rule and reign with Christ when He returns for the second coming, but only the hot will be ready and go to the wedding supper. Meanwhile, the lukewarm will be left and will need to be purified, so they will go thru the hour of trial and be overcome by the beast or martyred when they refuse to take the mark. As for those who fell away before He appears, I believe the cold will have to wait for the sheep & goats judgment, which is His second coming. This means that they will have to go through and be protected through God's wrath. I believe they are also those in Rev. 9:6, who will want to die, like the martyrs did before them, but death will flee from them. They will be the sheep (mortals) that will re-populate the earth during His millennial reign. They will also be subject to Christ and His returning saints, both the hot and lukewarm.

Based on the fact that Christmas is not in God's Word, I personally reject this pagan holiday. We do find that Christ's birth is recorded, but rather than going along with the Christmas story bit, I view His birth as fulfilled biblical prophecy. Yes, those who were alive to witness this glorious event had every reason to celebrate at that time, because it took hundreds of years to fulfill. I see no reason to celebrate His birth anymore, however, and additionally, no birthdays whatsoever were ever celebrated in the Bible. Bottom line: Jesus commanded us to do one thing, and one thing only in remembrance of Him. That is communion or the Lord's Supper. He wants us to remember His death until He returns, not His birth. He did not leave glory to come to the earth to be born. No, He came to earth to die for the sins of the world as the Lamb of God. He is the redeemer of fallen man. Me and my family stopped celebrating Christmas in 1993, and this year will be 30 years removed. I will add that I don't condemn others who choose to celebrate it. That is a decision that we must all make on our own. Cheers

Good eye, Shilohsfoal, I believe there's no doubt, Daniel 12:1 and Matt. 24:21-22 are both referring to the same event and the same time in the future. Daniel 12:1 - "And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book." Matthew 24:21-22 - "For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. 22 “Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

Matthew 24:13 is often quoted to refute Christian’s who believe in eternal security or “once saved – always saved” (OSAS). Both sides of this hotly debated issue are popular, as there seems to be a 50/50 split among those who believe it has merit versus those who don’t. One side believes our salvation is eternally secure once we accept and receive Christ as our Lord and savior, but it seems that just as many believe that we can lose our salvation. Personally, I believe this scripture is most often misunderstood, misapplied and taken out of context. In this post I hope to shed more light on this subject and share a completely different perspective, so let’s jump right into the scripture in context. Matthew 24:9-14 – “Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 Then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise and will deceive many. 12 Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Where I differ greatly from most is that many people assume that Jesus was talking about our salvation and/or whether or not we can lose it. However, I do not believe He was referring to our eternal salvation in the passage above. Sometimes words have several different meanings. And in this case, there is an entirely different meaning for the word “saved.” For instance, if we go into a burning house and save the occupants inside from death, this type of save is a rescue and has nothing to do with spiritual salvation. Could this meaning possibly be what Jesus meant? Why, yes, I believe it is exactly what He meant and now I’ll tell you why I believe this. It is very important that we read the entire text if we want to properly understand what Jesus meant. When I read the text in its entirety, I discovered that Matt. 24:13 is not the only time in this chapter that Jesus mentions the word “saved.” When we continue reading further, we come to the second time Jesus used this word. Lets take a look and then compare the two. Matthew 24:21-22 – “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.“ In my view, this second mention of the word makes it much clearer. Jesus tells them about a future time of great tribulation, that will be unequaled in the history of the world. It will be so distressing that if those days were not shortened, no flesh would be saved. Some may assume that no flesh being saved would mean the extinction of all mankind on the earth if those days were not shortened, but I don’t see it that way at all. Rather, I believe Jesus was alluding to all living Christians during this specific time (great tribulation) would be killed if those days weren’t shortened. In other words, all living Christians would be killed if Christ doesn’t shorten those days. He said it was for the sake of His elect that those days would be shortened, not for the sake of mankind. Jesus warned of a coming persecution where Christians will be hated by all nations (global government) and killed for His namesake. Revelation 13 tells us about the beast overcoming the saints. This is why I believe Jesus warned that we must be ready, or worthy to be among His chosen (elect). I believe the shortening of those days is alluding to the gathering together of His elect, when the sign of the Son of man appears and rescues those who are ready (rapture). I don’t believe all Christian’s will be ready, however, as there will be just as many martyrs that will be overcome by the beast in those days. Christ warned that two would be in the field in those days, one will be taken and the other left (lukewarm). Two women will be grinding in the mill, one shall be taken and the other left. It appears there will be a 50/50 split when the thief comes to break up the house, cutting it asunder (in two). He also told us about the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. The gathering together of His elect (rapture) in Matt. 24:29-31 corresponds with what Paul said in 1 Thes. 4:16-17. Many pastors and teachers talk about the rapture of the entire church, as if we will all be ready, but I cannot find any scripture that supports the entire church being raptured. If that were so, then why did Jesus warn us all to keep watch and be ready and to not let anyone deceive you? Why did He give all of the warnings and promises to those who overcome in the letters to the seven churches in Rev. 2 and 3? This is why I believe it’s dangerous to assume we will all be ready. Jesus left us with several clues in His parables, as to what He’ll be looking for in His elect. Here’s one that is often overlooked. Matt. 24:45-46 – “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” There are two mighty powerful clues in that short passage above that usually go unnoticed or get overlooked. First, He promises “meat in due season,” which is a clue about the wedding supper for those who are ready; and second, He tells us that He’ll be looking for doers when He comes, not just hearers only. Many believers assume they are ready, but Jesus is actually spelling it out for us in His parables, what it means to be ready and what He’ll be looking for when He returns to gather His elect. Many teach that the church will be raptured, but be careful, for that is not what Jesus said. He said that some will fall away, the elect will be gathered, and some will be left. We should never forget the martyrs who will be killed for refusing the mark of the beast in the end, and Rev. 20 says that these martyrs will also reign with Christ when He returns. The letters to the seven churches were written to believers, so lets not assume those who get left are the unbelievers. It’s important to keep in mind that Matt. 24 & 25 was given as an answer to His disciple’s question about the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matt. 24:3). Christ will be the judge when He returns, and He was the only one that mentioned the cold, hot and lukewarm believers. What most people do not realize is that He also told us about all three of them in His answer to His disciples question about the sign of His coming and the end of the age in Matthew 24 & 25. Let’s take a look at the cold first. Matthew 24:10-13 – “Then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise and will deceive many. 12 Because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” It appears to this writer that those who fall away or depart the faith will lose their positions in His kingdom, but I believe they will still be saved, as in keep their eternal salvation that Christ purchased with His blood. Remember, salvation is a free gift, God’s unmerited favor, and we are not saved by our works, nor do we have to work to stay saved. We will, however, be judged according to our works, and we’ll be rewarded accordingly when He returns (2 Cor. 5:10, Matt. 16:27 & Rev. 22:12). If one falls away after receiving Christ, God will not take His free gift back, but they will suffer loss of reward instead. 1 Cor. 3:15 reveals that some will be saved, yet only like one escaping through the flames. Additionally, in Luke 12:46-48 Christ warned that there will also be punishments for some of His servants. Why is it that no one ever teaches about this? Luke 12:35-48 – ““Let your waist be girded and your lights be burning, 36 and you be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door immediately for him when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master will find watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will dress himself and have them sit down to dine, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 41 Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You telling this parable to us, or to everyone?” 42 The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his house servants, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will appoint him over all his possessions. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the house servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not look for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him to pieces and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 “That servant who knew his master’s will, but did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.48 But he who unknowingly committed acts worthy of punishment shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whom much is given, of him much shall be required. And from him to whom much was entrusted, much will be asked.“ 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 – “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” I believe the cold will fall away before the Lord even appears, so they obviously will not be among those who endure to the end or will be ready when the sign of the Son of man appears. And since the cold have removed themselves beforehand, I believe they will forfeit their reward, miss the wedding supper and will no longer be saints that will rule and reign with Christ when He returns to earth for the second coming with His saints. By falling away, the cold will choose to exit His kingdom before the judgment seat of Christ, so they will be judged later, with the sheep & goats or the judgment of the nations instead (second coming), which will determine which mortals (sheep) will get to enter His millennial kingdom. Once persecution comes and the cold fall away, only the hot and lukewarm will remain when the sign of the Son of man appears (rapture/judgment seat of Christ). The gathering of His elect is the judgment seat of Christ, when we see Him choose His faithful servants, those who are “ready” as in the parable of Ten Virgins. Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth.” Most of the parables in Matt. 24 & 25 deal with the judgment between His hot and lukewarm servants. We know this because the sign of the Son of man appearing comes (after) the falling away, so the cold believers will no longer be in the picture at that time. I believe the hot are His faithful servants that will endure to the end, and they are His elect who will keep their lamps burning with oil. They will be ready for the rapture, but the rapture will also be the moment the lukewarm will get spit out of His mouth (left). Few seem to realize that when Jesus comes like a thief, He won’t be coming to steal. Instead, the thief in this parable is coming to break up the house, cutting it asunder (in two). What house? Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17-18). Matthew 24:40-41 – “Two will be in the field; one will be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and the other left.” Matthew24:45-51 – “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We see the same judgments continue into the parables in chapter 25 with the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. We see it again in the parable of talents. The servants that were given 5 and 2 talents were rewarded and entered into the joy of the Lord (rapture), but the lazy servant that hid his talent in the ground was cast into outer darkness (left in the dark world). This is why I believe the Readiness Rapture theory should not be overlooked, even though it will likely never be as popular as other theories that are loaded with assumptions. We need to be diligent when we study God’s Word, as God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Luke 21:34-36 – “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.“

This is the nutshell version of my new rapture theory from my book. But a new rapture theory is not the reason I wrote my book. I didn't even realize I had a new theory until I read the first proof-copy of my book, looking for any errors or typos before it went to print. In fact, when the Lord told me I was going to write in 1989, I wasn't a writer then, so I didn't even know I was going to write a book either. I really didn't understand any of this at that time. It wasn't until I discovered a deep and hidden mystery in God's Word several years later and I felt a great burden that I needed to share this new information. I read where Daniel's prophecy was suddenly stopped, as I was studying about the abomination of desolation. Daniel 12:1-4 - "And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn the many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Then I discovered where Daniel's prophecy was actually continued again. About 500 years after Daniel was given this prophecy, the New Testament was written. I discovered it was none other than Christ, Himself, that continued this prophecy. However, at the time I discovered this truth, most Bible scholars believed the increase of knowledge was foretelling the advancement of modern technology, even though it had absolutely nothing to do with modern technology. It was about the words that Daniel was told to shut up and seal... Daniel 12:8-10 - "As for me, I heard, but I could not understand. So I said, “My lord, what shall be the result of these things?” 9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel. For these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified and made white and tried. But the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." So it wasn't about modern technology, but rather, it was the words of Daniel's prophecy that would be continued and knowledge would increase all the way to the time of the end. It is here where my discovery comes into play. I don't know why God chose me to discover this, because I was not a even a writer, not to mention that I had always had trouble explaining complicated things, so this was going to be a great struggle for me. I didn't know I was going to write a book, but I knew I had to share this important information with Christians some how, so I started writing everything down as I kept studying. I found myself going deeper and deeper, and my burden to share this grew heavier and heavier the deeper I went. It was then that I knew I had to write a book somehow. I remember asking the Lord why He was sharing this mystery with me, when there were other writers out there that could deliver this message much better than I could. I told Him that no one knows me and no one was going to listen to little ole me, but He left it to me anyway. Then I read how He chooses the foolish things in the world to confound the wise, the weak things to confound the strong and he calls things that are not to nullify the things that are. After reading that, I knew that I was now qualified too, but I still had no idea where to start when it came to writing a book. It took me seven years to finally finish it. You may be wondering what is the increase of knowledge exactly? Why was Daniel's prophecy stopped and then continued hundreds of years later? And what was my part in all of this? Good questions, indeed. Well, lets remember that Daniel was told his words were to be shut up and sealed and that knowledge would increase until the time of the end. Daniel was given this partial prophecy about 2600 years ago. Then it was completed by Christ over 500 years later. But now it's been nearly 2000 years since, and we're just now discovering that Daniel's prophecy has been continued. Why so long? We are only now, almost 2000 years later, approaching the time of the end, and no one in all of that time has been able to understand it, until now. It's not about modern technology at all. There was a good reason Daniel was stopped precisely where he was stopped. You see, he got knowledge about a time of trouble (great tribulation) not seen since there was a nation, and then his people would be delivered at the time of the resurrection. Stop right there!....What comes immediately after the resurrection? It is none other than the rapture, which was not taught until the New Testament came, which increased Daniel's knowledge. The reason the rapture has become so controversial is because of a series of parables Christ gave that has stumped scholars for nearly two millennia. This is where my book comes into play, because in the final year I was writing my book, the Lord gave me the insight to unlock the hidden meaning of these parables as I was breaking down the increase of knowledge line by line. I had no idea I was creating a new rapture theory, but here it is. I do believe the Lord knew the entire time, but He never told me anything about it. I didn't even know, myself, until my work was finally finished. What an awesome God we serve! Praises to His name!

Thanks for your encouraging words, Philologos. Honestly, though, I don't really consider myself to be a writer, even though, technically I am because of the Lord's calling, but people have no idea what a struggle it has been and that it took me years to reach the finish line. Believe it or not, I still type with only two fingers. I think I'm just one of the foolish things God sometimes chooses to confound the wise, and one of the things that is not to nullify the things that are (1 Cor. 1:26-29). I agree that it's more of a revelation than a theory. However, I didn't want to mislead anyone or send them down some rabbit hole only to discover its just another one of those controversial rapture theories. Regardless of what I call it, though, it is an alternative to the other rapture theories, so people who aren't sold on the others can give this one a try. You can count all of the major rapture theories on one hand (pre-trib., post-trib., mid-trib, prewrath, & the partial rapture theory), but now the Lord has given me one to put on the other hand. But more than just another rapture theory, I also believe it is part of the fulfillment of Daniel's promise to the increase of knowledge (Dan. 12:1-4), when he was told, "But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” I have never mentioned that in public before, until now. Before I wrote my book, most Bible scholars believed the increase of knowledge was the increase of modern technology, but my book disproves that. Anyway, this thread is just a nutshell version of the rapture theory in my book. I thought it would be good to write it for those who don't have time to read books. So here it is.