Walking on the Sea - A Rapture Paradigm

WALKING ON THE SEA – A Rapture Paradigm

10/14/2018

Matthew 14:24-32 NET Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it. (25) As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea. (26) When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, "It's a ghost!" and cried out with fear. (27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them: "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." (28) Peter said to him, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water." (29) So he said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. (30) But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" (31) Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (32) When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.

A version also appears in Mark 6:45-51

John 6:16-21 NET Now when evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, (17) got into a boat, and started to cross the lake to Capernaum. (It had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.) (18) By now a strong wind was blowing and the sea was getting rough. (19) Then, when they had rowed about three or four miles, they caught sight of Jesus walking on the lake, approaching the boat, and they were frightened. (20) But he said to them, "It is I. Do not be afraid." (21) Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat came to the land where they had been heading.

Miracle Signs

The 4^th and 5^th miracle signs given by John are the centerpiece of the feast of Tabernacles, and they are recorded in John 6:1-21. The last half of John 6 gives commentary on the 4^th sign (feeding the multitude), and then John 7 gives commentary on the 5^th sign (coming to the disciples in the middle of the lake).

It can be said that the 5^th sign in John (i.e. walking on water) is a prophecy related to the second coming of Christ in the midst of a prophetic “storm” (opposition, threats). Although there is no actual seven years of dispensational tribulation it can be said that various types of tribulation are presently occurring:  the Trump-Russia conundrum; the entry of illegal immigrants into the USA and many parts of Europe; the proposed coming of an economic collapse; the coming new global currency system based on gold; etc.

In Matthew 24: 6-7 Jesus prophesies of wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes.  Some claim this has already been fulfilled, which may or may not be true, but on a secondary level it may be a double prophesy that pertains to the present.

Matthew 24:6-8 NET You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come. (7) For nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. (8) All these things are the beginning of birth pains.

Matthew 24:8 reads, “these things are the beginning of birth pains” and our current storm denotes the beginning of the soon return of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom of God.

The fifth sign given by John (walking on the water) is connected to the fourth sign (i.e. the feeding of the multitudes).  In a prophetic sense the multitude feeding suggests that truth is being dispensed to the people.  There will be a massive outpouring of the Holy Spirit just prior to the return of Christ which is represented by the feeding of the people with the manna from Heaven i.e. spiritual food.  John 6:51 shows that Jesus was and is the bread that came down from heaven to feed the people.

John 6:49-51 NET Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (50) This is the bread that has come down from heaven, so that a person may eat from it and not die. (51) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats from this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

In the Old Testament, the feast of Tabernacles was the only feast where the entire book of Deuteronomy was read and studied each year.  the climax of the feast was the 5^th day.  In Hebrew parallelism, this is about Kingdom Government.  According to Dr. Jones this suggests that the 5^th day of Tabernacles is when Christ will return.

Note also John’s commentary in the 7^th chapter, where Jesus sent the disciples ahead to Jerusalem and then arrived in secret (John 7:8-10) in the midst of the feast (John 7:14). This suggests, as I believe, that Jesus will come in the midst of Tabernacles. By connecting John 7 with the 5^th sign in John, I believe that Christ will return specifically on the 5^th day of the feast of Tabernacles.

A Prophetic Rapture

For those who may not know, the word “Rapture” is a Latin translation of the Greek word “harpazo”.

Thayer Definition:  1) to seize, carry off by force  2) to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly

3) to snatch out or away

1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (i.e. harpazo) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Jesus sends the disciples ahead of Him, to Capernaum by boat.  A violent storm erupts about halfway across the lake.  The disciples are somewhat shaken in spirit but suddenly they see Jesus walking toward them on the water devoid of any regard for the storm.  As Jesus approaches near to them, Peter asks Jesus to allow him to walk toward Him, and Jesus agrees.  Peter takes a few successful steps and then fear grips him and he begins to sink into the water.  Jesus takes his arm or hand and places Peter upright and they both walk to the boat and get in and the storm came to a halt.  John 6:21 comments that when they entered the boat they were supernaturally transported to the shore of Capernaum, “Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat came to the land where they had been heading”.

Contrary to the evangelical opinion claiming that all Christians will be raptured and taken to heaven, the truth is that the “caught up” dead and living elect are to be the judges, Melchizedek-type priests, and sub-rulers under the command of Jesus Christ.  The “caught up” "dead and alive" elect may be presented to God for edification but their positions of authority will be on the planet.

The five wise virgins presented in Matthew 25 went out to meet the bridegroom and then returned with Him to the wedding - they did not return with the bridegroom to His place of origin.  Peter went out to meet Jesus and then both returned to the boat.  Thus it can be accurately stated that no one goes to the heaven of God and remains there for any length of time.

Who Represents the Elect?

Dr. S. Jones writes that Peter most likely represents the elect and the disciples who remained in the boat represent the normal people.  My opinion is somewhat different.  I consider all the disciples to be the elect and that Peter represents the group that will be raised from the dead.  After all, a small amount of lacking-faith caused him to sink into the lake and he would have physically died if not rescued by the hand of Jesus.

Other Aspects

According to Dr. Jones this event occurred on the 5^th day of Tabernacles, thus it suggests that the 5^th day of Tabernacles is when Christ will come, “Peter” will metaphorically go out to meet Him, and when they return to the prophetic “boat,” they will be caught away together to Capernaum, “covering of the Comforter.”

In John 6, Jesus told the disciples to go out ahead of him across the lake into the storm which would represent a type of tribulation. Then He came to them after they had gone 25 or 30 furlongs (6:19), which was the middle of the lake. When Jesus got into the boat the storm and wind completely stopped, and then the entire boat was transported to Capernaum (6:21, 24). Capernaum means "the Covering of the Comforter." It speaks of the fullness of the Spirit.

John 6:21 NET Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat came to the land where they had been heading.

After arriving at Capernaum Jesus sends the disciples on to the city and afterwards comes to the elect disciples in the middle of the Feast, perhaps on the fifth day. On the Feast of Trumpets over two weeks earlier the dead were raised to meet the Lord; but in the midst of Tabernacles it appears that the living overcomers, represented by Peter, will go out to meet Him.

This appears to speak of two "raptures" but not in the manner of the evangelical doctrine which claims there will be two second comings of Jesus:  one at the beginning of the so-called 7 years of tribulation and another at the end of the seven years.  The raptures of the dead and the living could be separated by a few days and there is no biblical statement saying otherwise. Paul gives us the order of events, but does not give us timing details in 1 Thess. 4:16, 17,  ¹⁶ . . . the dead in Christ shall rise first. ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

So first the dead will be raised, and they will meet Him above ground in the air. The next event will be the catching away of those who are "alive and remain." This is not a statement that establishes timing.  It only establishes the order of events.  Paul's only statement about timing comes earlier in verse 15, saying that we who are alive will not precede those who have already died.

Dr. Stephen Jones:  I believe that the eight trips that Moses made up Mount Sinai represent the eight days of Tabernacles.  At the end of his final trip, he returned with his face glowing, holding the new tablets of the law (Ex. 34:29). I believe that this final return came to be celebrated as the eighth day of Tabernacles.

He sent His disciples across the lake in a boat, knowing full well that a storm was brewing. Why? No doubt because He was aware that they had to go through that experience, and He had to come to them in the midst of the storm, in order to give us a pattern of tribulation and of His coming.

He did not stop the storm from coming. He did not even stop the storm when it came time to walk on the water to the disciples. He did not stop the storm until He was in the boat with them. Matt. 14:32 says, "and when they [Peter and Jesus] were come into the ship, the wind ceased." In other words, the Church will experience tribulation until the second coming of Christ. When He comes, it ends.

But look at the manner of His coming to them, for this reveals some important patterns of Christ's second coming as well. Peter went out to meet Him, even as the overcomers will go out to meet Him. The rest of the disciples (Church) remained in the boat. They did NOT go out to meet Him, even though they were believers. Peter represents the overcomers; the rest of the disciples represent the Church in the story.

Secondly, when Peter went out to meet Him, it was to escort Jesus back to the boat. Jesus did NOT take Peter back to the shore from whence He came. Normal rapture teaching says the opposite, that Jesus will come and take ALL the disciples back to the shore and presumably to the high mountain from whence He had come.

Resurrections, Rapture, & The Kingdom

RESURRECTIONS, RAPTURE, AND THE KINGDOM

8/26/2018

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13 NET "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (2) Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. (3) When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. (4) But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. (5) When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. (6) But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.' (7) Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. (8) The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' (9) 'No,' they replied. 'There won't be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' (10) But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. (11) Later, the other virgins came too, saying, 'Lord, lord! Let us in!' (12) But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I do not know you!' (13) Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.

1   "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Note that the first verse identifies the background of this parable by stating that it concerns the Kingdom of Heaven, which is Matthew’s version of saying “the Kingdom of God” which appears in the Gospel of Luke.  This parable will give us information concerning where the Kingdom of Heaven (or God) will reside and what group of people will be allowed at the wedding banquet of the Kingdom.

Prophetically speaking, the bridegroom is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and the bride will be those included within the first resurrection.  The future bride is symbolized in this parable as the prepared maidens with adequate oil for their lamps.

Revelation 19:7 NET Let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

The word translated as “virgin” is defined as a maiden or as an unmarried daughter in the Strong’s dictionary. 

      (2) Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. (3) When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. (4) But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.

The ten maidens are divided into two groups:  the foolish and the wise.  All ten had a lamp but the foolish maidens did not bring extra oil.  The wise maidens had predetermined that extra oil might be necessary and they had it in their possession.  The oil, the lamps, and particularly the extra oil are figurative elements of spiritual preparation.  The wise represent spiritually prepared believers and the foolish maidens represent believers with inadequate afterthought for the things of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Two Resurrections

3)   (10) But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. (11) Later, the other virgins came too, saying, 'Lord, lord! Let us in!' (12) But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I do not know you!' (13) Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.

All the maidens dozed off and were awakened when the announcement came that the bridegroom was at a short distance.  The lamps of the foolish had run out of oil and they asked for oil from the wise which was denied them because the wise only had enough for the event.  The foolish left to get more oil but when they returned the door was shut and would not be reopened.

These two groups of maidens (i.e. wedding banquet guests) symbolize the two resurrections and the believers who will participate in those two resurrections.

Qualifications of an Overcomer

The virgins or maidens with an ample supply of spiritual preparedness will experience the first resurrection as the elect; overcomers; or saints of the most High God as named in Daniel 7.  As noted in previous posts an overcomer is a forgiver who agrees with God in all matters.  They are as obedient as possible to the laws of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ by submitting to the will of God, and agreeing with His will.  They are not haters but display unconditional love for everyone, and they are in complete and total agreement with the ways, the will, and the love of God.

The nations of today desire peace and justice. They have had enough bloodshed and injustice. They long for leaders that rule by love, rather than by fear.  Agreement with God is not a lesson that can be learned as it is a state of being in which we walk by nature.

The believing Christians with a short supply of spiritual attributes will not experience the first resurrection but will be required to wait until the White Throne Judgment at the second resurrection which will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom of God (or Heaven). If they are relatively young and alive at the beginning of the Millennial, they will live a pleasant life with many advanced medical benefits and advanced scientific mechanisms but they will not be “gathered up” (i.e. raptured) to rule with Christ as will those selected for the first resurrection.

The phrase, “I tell you the truth, I do not know you”, may sound somewhat harsh but it can be interpreted as “You don’t qualify as one of the elect but in time you will sanctified and inherit a glorified body.”

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus issued the same statement concerning the future fulfilled Kingdom.

Matthew 7:21-23 NET "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven -- only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (22) On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?' (23) Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'

Similar to the five virgins with insufficient oil, Jesus will metaphorically say to those questioning their lack of inclusion in the first resurrection, “I never knew you”.  Although the questioning group were somewhat spiritual according to their claims of prophesying, casting out demons, and other deeds, they apparently lacked some of the qualifications to be considered an elect overcomer.

The Location of the Kingdom

By creating a man separate from a woman, God also created the need for marriage in order to bring the two back into a new type of unity.

Genesis 2:22-24 then shows us HOW this unity was to be accomplished:

²² And the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. ²³ And the man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." ²⁴ For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Note especially that it is the man who is to leave his father and mother. This is a prophetic statement, specifically applicable to the Last Adam as He comes to claim His bride. The bride does not return to heaven with the bridegroom.  Christ must leave His Father (Yahweh) and Mother (El Shaddai) and come to earth to be united to His wife (i.e. the elect Church). (This is not to imply that Yahweh and El Shaddai are separate gods; they are simply male and female manifestations of one God. The distinction has to do with the way we relate to God, rather than a personal difference.)

In the parable, it is evident the bridegroom came to the wedding feast of his future wife.  The maidens (and others) came out to meet the bridegroom and escort him to the feast.  They did not follow the bridegroom back to his starting location.  Therefore, Jesus Christ will leave the heavenly realm and come to earth to the home of the bride. It is NOT the case that the bride must leave her father and mother and go to heaven to the home of her Husband.

When Paul speaks of Christ's coming, He speaks of believers meeting Him in the air to escort Him to earth, but not of the believers going to heaven as their final home.  The major purpose of creation and of history is for heaven to come to earth, for Christ to manifest Himself in earth, and for the glory of God to fill the earth.  It is to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth, not to destroy the earth and set up a kingdom in heaven even though Matthew calls it “the Kingdom of Heaven”.  The final result is for earth to be the kingdom in a heavenly manner, or a “heaven on earth”.  His purpose is to bring forth spiritual flesh that manifests the glory of God, of which Moses was a type and Jesus our example.

The disciples saw Jesus walking upon the water in their direction. Peter asked if he could walk out to Him and was given permission. Peter’s slight tinge of doubt caused him to begin to sink but Jesus reached for him and pulled him up. They then both went to the boat, not back to the original point from which Jesus had come.

Matthew 14:31-32 NET Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (32) When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.

The apostle John adds some interesting information.  When Jesus entered the boat it was instantly transported to Capernaum. 

John 6:21 KJV  Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

This method of instant transfer is similar to that of Phillip after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch.  These two examples should not be considered a type of rapture but as a description of the type of relocating ability that overcomers will possess as they reign during the age of the Kingdom of God.  The overcomers, like the boatload of disciples, will have the permanent ability to translate from place to place at will, even as Jesus could do after His resurrection.

Acts 8:39 NET Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away…..

They will be able to travel at the speed of thought from one part of the earth to another or between heaven and earth (i.e., between the spiritual dimension and this physical universe).

The story itself has allegorical meaning. Jesus ascended the "mountain" to pray, or to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). Meanwhile, He sent the disciples ahead of Him into the coming storm. In other words, the disciples were sent into the world, where they would experience tribulation and persecution at the hand of the political and religious systems of the world. Then Jesus came to them in the middle of the lake, walking on the water. This signifies His position of authority over all the nations, for Revelation 17:15 says that the waters represent "peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues."

Overcomers are Christian believers who do not fear the wind and waves and are willing to walk through it and, like Peter, walk upon it.