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God Couldn't Be Clearer: The Rapture Linchpin, Israel-Church Contrast, and Mega Signs Just as Foretold

Nowhere to my knowledge does scripture indicate astronomical signs have any significance to the rapture. IMO, its trying to fit pieces in the prophetic puzzle that simply don’t belong/fit.



The below is from the link:

In our latest discussion we evaluate upcoming astronomical signs and their potential significance for the rapture. In particular, three solar eclipses (2017, 2023, and 2024) that formed an "X" over North America and an upcoming lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025, visible over Israel and to 80% of the world's population. Relating these signs to biblical prophecies, particularly Joel 2:30–31, it is worth considering that they may serve as an "exit sign" for the Church (in association with the Revelation 12 Sign), indicating the rapture is approaching quickly.
 
Nowhere to my knowledge does scripture indicate astronomical signs have any significance to the rapture. IMO, its trying to fit pieces in the prophetic puzzle that simply don’t belong/fit.



The below is from the link:

In our latest discussion we evaluate upcoming astronomical signs and their potential significance for the rapture. In particular, three solar eclipses (2017, 2023, and 2024) that formed an "X" over North America and an upcoming lunar eclipse on September 7, 2025, visible over Israel and to 80% of the world's population. Relating these signs to biblical prophecies, particularly Joel 2:30–31, it is worth considering that they may serve as an "exit sign" for the Church (in association with the Revelation 12 Sign), indicating the rapture is approaching quickly.
Thanks @StaceyLovesJesus -- Interesting to consider dear sister :)

As far as I know, yes no where does scripture connect the rapture with astronomical rapture signs, proper. But if it did, would we recognize it?

In 2017, when there was all the Youtube buzz about the Rev 12 sign, I was fairly new to Youtube. It was interesting to watch that develop. Some takeaways for me was that it seemed to be a forcing the issue of sorts, at first. Later I ran into a guy that thought he was a prophet (I'm a cessationist by the way) and actually had the most detailing of 9-23-17. Something like 30 points of reference. One even included a discovery in that very region of celestial focus discovered by astronomers. It was a blackhole newly discovered in that region of Virgo. Has many anomalies. And is the first black hole to be photographed. And heard sounds like heartbeats coming from it. As well as it being the first blackhole data configuration turned into audible sounds by NASA. Then in 2024 (that interesting 7 year variance: Great American Eclipse Part I and II theme timing), Israel discovers another "red" one in 2024...


In any event, I saw 2 videos from Joel Richardson (YouTube scholar...lol) that gave reason why Rev 12 sign was not 9-23. The ironic thing is that after he did those, the features he used seemed to convince me more that it might be. Only the Lord knows. But the timing is interesting. During the year Israel got Jerusalem affirmed as their capital. And Trump then, and Trump now 2024/2025 mirror like (Great American Eclipse like) touch to it all.

. . . . .

The reasons I bring that up is that I don't know if 9/23 was the Rev 12 sign. But the arguments I heard against it (including Answers in Genesis) were pretty sad. Aside from borrowing from other constalations (which was a good but not ultimate point for me), AIG stated there was no connection in part because linking Rev 12 to the rapture was purely and only a Youtube-ism. I came from the reformed world which typically did belittling antics like that. So I was used to that mode. And I checked in something published in 1991. And it mentioned how different denominations view the Rev 12 sign in the bible. It had dispensationalists seeing the Rev 12 sign as the church child rapture in part. In 1991. YouTube started in 2005. So AIG was just posing/poser.

My take is that Rev 12 is the biggest evidence in scripture for a pre-trib rapture. In my view. Typically it is seen as Christ's ascention. But it was written 60 years later as a sign pointing to something future (how does prophesy work?). Yet, we settle on it being the past. Or in some circles as re-rendering of Joseph's dream. Some have difficulty with Rev 12 being in the middle of the book of Revelation. Asking how it could be the beginning? Rev 10, 11, and 12 though all follow a similar theme. Chapter 10:1-7 seems mirror like of approaching time of the midpoint. Then the midpoint +. 11 seems to take beginning of trib (after the 6 trumpets had been opened just previously in chapter 9)) to midpoint. Chapter 12 seems to do a similar thing. As an example, Macarthur believes the child in Rev 12 = Christ's ascension. But then in his commentary notes that that fight in heaven between Michael and the dragon seemed to him to imply a war of the enemy not wanting raptured saints to enter heaven, nor his being kicked out of whatever abode still left to him in the heavenlies. So I found that to be rather ironic. In the church, Rev 12 is all over the map.

The issue in 2017 for me though was why would "a sign" be the thing it points to also? If it is a sign it is for something in the future. And nothing had to happen on that day. Although I confess, at the time I was expecting the rapture. So just saying. It may not be the Rev 12 sign. But look at everything since. If it is the Rev 12 sign, to me it represents "seals." The red dragon, trumpets. And as stated in Rev 15, the 7 angels celestial sign = bowls. Many were looking for the red dragon if 9/23 was the sign. But I believe the red dragon celestial sign appears when the trumpets are approaching. Not years before the seals even start. So if it is that (if Rev 12 sign = seals), it would make sense it would be in years in advanced. As it is the age of grace. And we still have God's patience.

. . . . .

I understand not going with all the hysteria. Amen. But it does look like to me a great possibility that since 2017, we may be in "the season." Especially with the Alpha and Omega presumed symbolism with solar eclipse after effects too. The Alef, the Tav, Eclipses and the Exodus So the way I would receive this (if it is something) is more potential details along the way. Could the rapture be this year? Yes. But I believe it could also be 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 etc. We do seem to be in some nearness. Ultimately though if a biblical generation at its most be 120 years, and "this generation" means Isreal (in Matt 24) then I suppose it could be as late as 2061, But I don't think it is that far off though. Blessings.
 
I understand not going with all the hysteria. Amen. But it does look like to me a great possibility that since 2017, we may be in "the season." Especially with the Alpha and Omega presumed symbolism with solar eclipse after effects too. The Alef, the Tav, Eclipses and the Exodus So the way I would receive this (if it is something) is more potential details along the way. Could the rapture be this year? Yes. But I believe it could also be 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 etc. We do seem to be in some nearness. Ultimately though if a biblical generation at its most be 120 years, and "this generation" means Isreal (in Matt 24) then I suppose it could be as late as 2061, But I don't think it is that far off though. Blessings.
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There are so many ideas about "this generation". One that I speculate with is that it could mean this era from that time back then to the 2nd coming.
Understood. From my semi-reformed roots what ties timing in to generation in Matt 24 is the people seeing signs described taking place. It does not link the fig tree directly into "this generation." In Luke 21 i says a similar thing and adds "and all the trees." So although there is no direct link to fig and events occuring mapping out a specific generation, it does seem most on its face as Macarthur would see it: The generation that sees the start also sees the end. Now this would make the most "face value" reading I believe.

But if we consider that Matt 24 seems to be architectured for Israel in their 70th week proper. And of course a heads up to gentiles along for the ride. But the address is to the disciples as Jews before their ultimate Rabi. There is no need for Jesus to be speaking such a way for an immediate gentile/church audience. Remotely, yes. But directly, no.

Although there is a distinction between fig and all trees. Ok, so this is 5-D Bible study...lol. But if we conjecture that Ez 38 comes first (before Rev 6). Then we can say that the distinction between fig and all could be a reference to Israel and Arab nations prophesied to be involved. Because Ez 38 has the most detail of any one prophesy in any one place. And if it is what we should look for the most, this fig/all statement seems to be far deeper connected to the sense that fig would be Israel back on scene in our day.

Obviously no one would know how long the end times last in Matt 24. But as Daniel predicted the day of Messiah, it also told them 7 years, did it not? So would they need to be told 'hey its not a super long time. Less than a generation, ok?" Perhaps. But I believe when Israel came back on the scene, it was on the wings of WW1 and 2. So i'd say...that generation. The one that were alive when Israel became a nation in 1 day.

I know there are different views. And we will have them. It's just though that we have Isreal as quagmire here don't we? Does something in our age hint at even evangelicalism having a blind spot concerning Isreal? Because if we can see that, Matt 24 "generation" theory + evangelicalism blind to Isreal in our own age sounds like a pretty good way to do 6-D Bible study. See if this is not true: How many ministries see America becoming powerful "again" as a way for Israel to get peace and safety? And the Abraham Accords to be something beyond the covenant the AC strengthens? We don't exactly see it as part of Israel being empowered. I've heard no one really say that. But I do think it.

If America becoming poweful enables Israel to become at peace and safety levels...we need to take the AC by the and and walk him over to the curb. I'm not seeing evangeilicalsim willing to give up that chip. It too sweet and hot to be seeing AC. Ez 38 is not coquette enough for us to give her much of a hug. And if that is where we are on the heels of Ez 38 forming...I would say FOR SURE with no hesitation that Matt 24 means fig tree as in Israel. Something evangelicalism will miss because Revelation is more of the shiney object of interest...than that whole dusty ol tired out Isreali thing. Get with the New Age already 👅 In any event just saying if we can see that occuring...its a pretty good inverse imprint of what we might not see so sharply in Matt 24, no?

Not trying to put too many words out there on Matt 24. It means what it does. But I think these kinds of inventory taking can yield fruit even in ways in which we understand scripture I reckon. I mean it could a way possibly? Blessings.
 
Wasn't the "120 year generation" the people that were alive during and up to the start of the Great Flood?
The striving with man for 120 seems to be the outter most silhouette of generation I believe. Although not clearly stated as such. That would be the max length of a person from a generation. And rare too. But I believe 70/80 is more commonly accepted per Psalm 90. The longest with mention I believe is the 4th generation of Jews being the one in exile. Coupled with a mention of it being some 400 and 30 years. So just over 100 years generation on that one. I think the mistake made in 1988 with that craze of rapture perpdiection is that West used contemporary marketing ages to do "generation." And make the same mistake I think in poo pooing that it is futile to consider what a generation is. At least it would not be until 2061 I believe. Just saying. Hope that helps. Blessings.
 
I liken that revelation 12 sign to cloud-watching. One person sees a tiger and another sees a man riding a bike. Anyone could have interpreted that constellation event to look like or apply to anything they wanted. I hate that people are still considering this thing. It’s such a distraction and makes us look silly.
 
There are so many ideas about "this generation". One that I speculate with is that it could mean this era from that time back then to the 2nd coming.
Yeah i've heard the "this generation"thing flogged to death in terms of it being a rapture sign/indicator.

Interestingly i seen Don Stewart say in an interview with Tome HUghes that Israel isn't the actual figtree that everyone keeps referring to and that it Israel is actually a vineyard and references a verse in Isaiah to back up his position.

The view that Andy woods claims makes more sense to me that when they talk about this generation, that he's referring to the generation that is alive during the tribulation.

In relation to Don Stewarts's position on Israel not being the figtee, he elaborates this from 21.15 on the vid

 
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