THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JEWISH FESTIVALS
(Part 2 if 3)

Per our Bible, the hands of the priest then transferred the sins of the people to the live goat, i.e. the goat "to Azazel", and it was released in the wilderness. Extra Biblical sources give us a bit more detail here, however. They indicate that the ribbon was torn in half. Half of it was hung on the temple door, and the other half was tied to the horn of the goat. They then tell us that when the goat was released into the wilderness, it was carefully manipulated to the edge of a precipice about ten miles from the city. At this point, some say the ribbon was torn yet again with a part of it being hung on the side of the cliff, and the remainder being retied to the horn of the goat. Then the scapegoat was forced over the cliff to its death. The death of the goat was also to provide atonement for the sins of the people. As soon as the goat died, the Lord granted atonement, and both halves of the red ribbon turned white to signify that the sin atonement had been approved (Isaiah 1:18) . The Hebrew people eagerly awaited the sign of the ribbon hung on the Temple door turning white each year to know that their sins for the past year had been atoned. (Note: Many theologians now see Yeshua as being born in 3 B.C., and being put to death in 30 A.D. at the age of 33. For the entire forty years between the crucifixion of Yeshua in 30 A.D. to the year of the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. when the sacrifices and oblations finally ended, year after year the lot of the goat "to Adonai" would come up in the left hand of the Priest, and the red ribbon hung on the side of the cliff would fail to turn white). Devout Jews still attend five services during this 24 hour period. In addition to fasting, the soul is to be afflicted by a prohibition of bathing and sexual relations on that day. The Book of Jonah is read, and the Jewish peoples are admonished to accept responsibility for their actions and return to God. Whereas the Jewish people believe that the gates of Heaven are open to receive their prayers and pleas of repentance throughout the Days of Awe, they see these gates as closing at the end of Yom Kippur. The "Neilah" service ends this most holy day, and with the blowing of the trumpet called the "Great Trump" (Shofar HaGadol), the gates of Heaven are closed to further appeal. In years past, there was always great relief when the red ribbon turned white, thus the festivities at the end of the day were quite joyous. Though the reassurance of sins atoned is no longer visible to the Jewish people, there is still an air of festivity toward the end of the day, relief that the month of Elul and the Days of Awe are finally behind them. Single people often dance in the fields, and choose marital partners now, there is a large public wedding ceremony to join each bride to her groom in holy matrimony. The bride and groom often fast the day of the wedding and seek forgiveness of past sins before beginning their new life together. Since this has just been accomplished it is considered to be a highly appropriate time to marry. This type of public ceremony occurs only twice in the Jewish year, the other date being Av 15 (July - August on our calendar). This date was called the "Breaking of the Ax" to celebrate that it was not necessary to cut any more trees for the Temple service after that date, and is now celebrated much as we celebrate Arbor Day. On this festive occasion, the single women again dress in white and dance in the vineyards, in hopes of finding a prospective mate, and mass marriages are performed.

Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths) is found in Leviticus 23:34-36, Numbers 29:12-38, and Deuteronomy 16:13-16. It is also called "Chag Haasif" (Festival of Ingathering). The first day of celebration for Sukkot begins on Tishri 15, and continues for seven days. The people construct booths from branches of citron, myrtle, palm, and willow, which are loosely assembled so the stars can be seen through the roof. They eat and sleep in these booths, residing in them day and night in remembrance of the wilderness journeys in route to the promised land when the Tabernacle of God was in the midst of them. The second day of the festivities is called the "Libation of Water", and water from the Pool of Siloam or Shiloah (Shiloah means "being sent") is poured on the altar. The seven day festival concludes on "Hoshana Rabba". As Yom Kippur was regarded as the date that the fate of man was determined, Hoshana Rabba is considered to be the final opportunity for the sentencing of the people to be reversed. The verdict of Yom Kippur is said to be sealed by written decree on this day. The people beat willow branches, and often afflict themselves on this day as they did in Yom Kippur. Beaten and chopped ingredients are used to prepare the food for this day to represent their penitence. It is also called the "Day of Judgment for Rain", as it is now time for the fall rain to begin. Being the seventh day of the festival, it falls a full twelve days after Yom Kippur (twelve being God's number of closure). This day is followed by a day of holy convocation in which no work is done. It is called "Shemini Atzeret", and is to be considered separate from the seven Feast days of Sukkot. The people recite prayers for the dead on this day, as they do on Passover, Shavuot, and Yom Kippur.

Now that we have a basic understanding of some of the traditions of the Feasts, some knowledge regarding the traditions of the Jewish betrothal and wedding customs may be of interest. When a young man would spot the woman he wanted to marry, he would prepare a contract of marriage which would state the terms for both he and the bride. It would include the price he would willingly pay for the privilege of marrying her. The bride would then decide if she wanted to abide by the contract and marry this young man. He would offer her a cup of wine, and if she chose to drink it, she would be agreeing to betrothal to the man, and all of the commitment that went with it in accordance with the contract. Partaking of the cup settled the matter once and for all. She could not change her mind now. She was betrothed, and the contract was legally binding. Betrothal was actually considered to be the first phase of the marriage itself, and a decree of divorce was required in order to sever the commitment. Such a decree must be issued by the groom. The bride could not initiate it. The bride must patiently wait as the groom went to prepare a place for her. He would redecorate a room in his father's house or build a separate building on his property as a bridal chamber for his bride. The process would take about two years, but he could not make the decision regarding its completion. The bridegroom's father had to approve of it, and thereby release him to go bring his bride home. The bride was not given much advanced notice of exactly when to expect him. All Jewish brides were stolen away by the bridegroom, often at night, as those around her slept. While she awaited his return, the bride was not to appear in public without her veil, which signified her betrothal. She was said to be "consecrated", "set apart", or "bought with a price", and was to spend her time preparing for the return of her bridegroom. She was to keep her oil lamp lighted and ready, being sure she always had adequate oil for what could be a long trip upon his return. All bridegrooms allowed the bride just a tiny bit of notice so (all other preparations having been made) she could properly adorn herself upon short notice. Someone in the wedding party would shout, and when she heard the shout, she knew he would be at her window quickly. She would only have time to check her appearance and grab her oil lamp before the abduction occurred. The rejoicing in the streets would awaken the people who slept, and they would realize that the bride had been stolen away.

When they reached the father's house the bridegroom and his bride would be left alone for a period of seven days, the length of this phase of the wedding, during which time the marriage was consummated. At the end of the week there would be an elaborate reception for the newlyweds, which would include a tremendous feast. They would then leave the father's home for another home prepared by the groom.

One of the most beautiful love stories in the Bible is found in the Book of Ruth, but rarely is the significance of this book noted. Ruth was a Moabite (gentile) who was married to a son of Naomi. First Naomi's husband had died, now both of her sons died, and Ruth was widowed as was Naomi. Naomi encouraged Ruth to return to her family, but Ruth would not go. She embraced the God Naomi worshipped and committed to remain with her. Boaz, a man of Hebrew descent and a near kinsman observed her gleaning in the field, and spoke kindly to her. She fell on her face before him, bowing herself to him, asking why she had found grace in his eyes. He answered that her actions had been observed, and that the Lord in whom she had placed her trust would reward her fully for all she had done. He further allowed her to glean from the fields without reprimand throughout the barley harvest and into the wheat harvest. Then Naomi advised Ruth to seek her rest from Boaz, lying at his feet when he would fall asleep. Accordingly, she laid down at his feet upon the threshing floor when he retired to sleep. When he found her there during the night, he honored her virtuous nature, and agreed to take her as his bride, following the customary procedures of the day. It was into the lineage of Boaz and Ruth that Yeshua would eventually be born.

In the four short verses of John 12:24-27 Yeshua tells us that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it cannot bring forth fruit, then He shows us that only when we hate the life in this world will we really find our life. It is then explained that we must follow Yeshua (Now please recall that we noted in the section pertaining to the Feast of the Passover that through His death, burial, and resurrection, Yeshua brought redemption to the "church". We also noted that the barley harvest was symbolic of His resurrection.) Yeshua is showing us here that just as He related to the barley, as the wheat of the "church" we likewise must be willing to figuratively "die to self" and put off (bury) the "old man" in order to produce fruit and find the life we are intended to find. Thus we see that the wheat of the "church" is expected to be dead to self-will, productive, and obedient to the teachings of Yeshua. When we look now at Ruth, we see that she was known to Boaz as a virtuous and obedient woman. She lay in wait at his feet upon the threshing floor, and asked Boaz to cover her with his garment, (a form of request to become his wife). He acknowledged her desire to be wed to Him, and due to His appreciation of her virtuous nature, He redeemed this gentile woman in marriage. We will find Ruth to be a good example of the wheat of John 12:24-27. She had turned her back on her heritage, agreeing to follow the God of Naomi (died to self), and she had matured to yield much fruit in obedience to the instructions that were given unto her. We find her prostrate before the feet of her redeemer on the threshing room floor, seeking him as her bridegroom. Now we need to note that Ruth 2:23 indicates that the barley harvest was ending and the wheat harvest was beginning. Chapter 3, verse 2 further clarifies that Boaz had been threshing barley when she approached him. This would make the timing to be in the vicinity of Shavuot, when the barley is harvested, and the First Fruits of the wheat are offered up as sacrifice.

"So, we might ask, is there such a thing as a First Fruits offering whereby the first of the ripened wheat will be raptured at Pentecost and waved before the Father as a First Fruits offering of the wheat harvest planted by the Son during his ministry on the earth? If so, could Ruth have been an Old Testament prototype of this very thing? Could there possibly be a First Fruits wheat harvest (rapture) which occurs prior to the ingathering wheat harvest (rapture)?

Though Scriptural references throughout the Bible verify that a First Fruits Rapture is not only plausible, but almost emphatically certain, most of the "church" has failed to see it. Could the reason be that the majority of the "church" today has not fit the bill of the virtuous, selfless, obedient, fruitful wheat we are supposed to be, and does not want to face the prospect of being left behind at the Pretribulational First Fruits Rapture to endure the purification from the trials of Tribulation before the ingathering rapture of the ripened harvest at the end of the season? Sadly, it seems that the Laodicean "church" of today is in desperate need of the eyesalve spoken of in Revelation 3:18. Now, if the concept of two raptures is foreign to you, there will certainly be doubt in your mind at this point. As true Bereans (Acts 17:11) let us search further to see if this might not be true.

We have discussed the need of a First Fruit barley offering for Yeshua (in His role as High Priest) regarding Bikurim (First Fruits). Likewise in His role as High Priest, He must have a First Fruit offering of wheat for Shavuot to wave before the Father at the heavenly throne, so lets gather some information that may shed light on the nature of this offering.

James 1:18 tells us that we are to be a kind of First Fruits of his creatures. I Corinthians 16:5 speaks of the house of Stephanos, a first fruits of Achaia, addicted to the ministry of the saints. Incidentally, this follows on the footsteps of a passage that speaks of Pentecost and a great door being opened. We must be aware that many mysteries are hidden within God's Word to be seen in the end days!) In Revelation 14:15 we see a group of 144,000 who are referred to as First Fruits unto God and to the Lamb, who were redeemed from among men. They had followed the Lamb, and were virgins undefiled by women (most probably in the spiritual sense of keeping the faith while remaining uncontaminated by the feminine energies of the New Age movement, being seductively packaged and presented in our churches today as manifestations of the Holy Spirit). In their mouth was found no guile (deceit), for they were seen to be without fault before God. They had the Father's name written in their foreheads (as was promised to those who overcome by keeping the Word of Yeshua's patience in Revelation 3:10-13). In Revelation 14:12 we see that the patience He spoke of is to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.

Now some would say that the two groups of 144,000 mentioned in the Book of Revelation are the same group. Throughout God's Word, however, we see the spiritual application of the Believing Gentile elect being a counterpart to the Hebrew elect. Though there are similarities in the descriptions of these two groups, there are some distinctive differences as well. It appears that the 144,000 of Revelation 14 are the Believing Gentile counterpart to the Hebrew 144,000 of Revelation 7. The 144,000 of Revelationï14 would be the "First Fruits" redeemed (raptured) from the earth, i.e. First Fruits of the wheat harvest must be Believers who were living according to His mandates when He came for His Bride at Shavuot. Those who were not ready would be left behind until the ingathering harvest rapture of the wheat, as the virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 who were not ready were left behind when the Bridegroom came for the Bride.

Notice now that in the Shavuot offering of First Fruit, two loaves baked with leaven were waved. This would indicate that the two groups of 144,000 would be the loaf of Hebrew Believers and the loaf of Gentile Believers who were not perfect (baked with leaven), but would be considered worthy by the evidence of the righteousness of Christ seen through them. These Believers must be filled with the Holy Spirit, as it will be the Holy Spirit that transports them to the heavenly throne, and those without oil in their vessels will not be able to go.

These Hebrew Believers would be sent back to witness to the Jewish non Believers whose eyes had been temporarily blinded to God's truth (Romans 11:7-11). The revival of the Jewish people who inhabit the earth during the time of Tribulation may be tremendous. Many will be awakened to the understanding of the role of servant (ben Joseph) Yeshua had to perform at Hs first coming before He could complete the role of king (ben David) at His second coming. They will thus be enlightened to the understanding of the New Testament writings, and be aware of their need to flee to Petra at the appropriate time.

A review of the section on Shavuot (Pentecost) will remind us that this Festival is linked to Passover by the counting of the omer (a measure of First Fruit), and is thought of as the 50 day extension which ends the Spring Festivals. The wheat which composes the two loaves of the Shavuot First Fruit is made from flour that is sifted twelve times to insure that it is extremely FINELY ground flour! The Believers who compose this First Fruit offering will be very finely attuned to the Lord in total submission. The flour was to be mingled with or anointed with oil (the Holy Spirit) and graced with frankincense (a fragrance pleasing to the Lord which symbolizes communion with God through prayer). It is referred to as Atzeret (assembly), and associated with the confirmation of loyalty (this assembly must be composed only of those who confirm their loyalty to Yeshua daily in order to exhibit His righteousness in their lives). The confirmation of Jewish children who are "of age" on this date emphasizes the necessity to accept such responsibility of confirmation of our loyalty to Yeshua as Believers that comes with becoming "of age". The reading of the Book of Ruth indicates the virtuous qualities sought as the standards for the Bride. To expand upon this principle a bit, we'll take a quick side trip.

Along these lines, we refer now to Genesis 24 where Abraham (representative of God the Father) sent the unnamed servant (representative of the Holy Spirit) to secure a bride (representative of the worthy/virtuous portion of the Believers) for Isaac (representative of the Yeshua the Son). The servant was looking for a near kinsman who would offer to do not only as he verbally requested (as in the Word of God), but would gladly and graciously submit to pleasing him even as she could sense the "unspoken" desires of the servant (Holy Spirit). He found such a one in Rebekah. The family of Rebekah pleaded with the servant to allow her to remain with them yet ten more days before departing, but he would not, and upon Rebekah's consent she was taken immediately by the servant to meet her bridegroom. Thus we see the prophetic portrait of the earthly family (the world) of today's "Bride to be" striving to keep her from leaving when she is supposed to leave. Since Rebekah's consent was required, we see the "Bride to be" being given a choice to remain with her family yet ten more days (significance to be discussed later) or to go immediately, (trusting in her prompting to face the unknown) and be received by the bridegroom she had yet to meet. As Rebekah chose to do, so we must be prepared and willing to go immediately to meet our Bridegroom, without being lured by our earthly family (the world) to remain behind for yet ten more days. We can thus be ready when He comes for us, and be transformed and escorted by the Holy Spirit into the very presence of our Bridegroom. Note: It is vital to understand that the prospective bride MUST prepare for her journey and consent to going with the servant (Holy Spirit) immediately when He comes for her (be watching and waiting in expectation) in order that He may keep the charge of the Master (the Father) by taking the chosen Bride to meet her Bridegroom (Yeshua the Son) at the appointed time! When the Holy Spirit prompts the prospective Bride that it is time to go, He will not COMPEL her to go, and He will not wait for her if she is unprepared OR unwilling to go immediately!!!

Homes were decorated with green foliage, because it represents the fruit trees. It is said that the fruit trees are judged at this time! Yeshua, in his ministry, pronounced judgment on the unproductive fig tree in Matthew 21:19, and it withered away. As Believers we are told to "bear fruit". Could it be that on Shavuot the Lord will pronounce judgment upon the productivity of the "fruit tree" of each Believer in choosing the Believers who are deemed to be worthy to be chosen as the Bride of the Son? We're told all about the fruit we should be bearing through the working of the Holy Spirit within us in Matthew 2:17-20 (more regarding the fire in verse 19 later) and in Galatians5:22-23.

"There is a gigantic parade in the streets, everyone wearing festive attire. Please note in the section regarding the marriage customs that the bride was stolen away and the streets were alive with the joy of her abduction. Such celebration would thus be found in the streets when she was taken to her heavenly home, even though those who promenade in the streets do not know why they do it! The celebrants pour water upon one another in an ecstasy that they do not understand! The fact that the Bride has now been united with the Living Water of the Word is not yet a consideration.

Many people stay up on the eve of Shavuot, (as though waiting for something), just as we are to be awake and watching for the Bridegroom. It is no coincidence that they view this time as preparation (perfecting oneself) for Shavuot. Holiness, prayer, and the reading of Scripture is emphasized now. As the prospective Bride of the Son of God, we MUST be spiritually prepared!

It was stated before that the Law at Mount Sinai is seen as the marriage of the Jewish people to God. We must recall now that the betrothal portion of the marriage is considered to be legally binding. It is at the time of betrothal that the "Bride to be" becomes the WIFE, and it is at the wedding and the consummation of the marriage that she becomes the BRIDE. The WIFE is Athrough contractual arrangement, but the BRIDE is through intimate relationship! The Hebrew people after the Shavuot experience at Mount Sinai was spoken of as the WIFE. Our God is a God of intricate planning and patterns. Would it not be appropriate for Him to provide the next phase of the marital process on the same date He initiated it? We need to take note hear of the three day process of preparation for those who were to be married. They were to wash their clothing and abstain from even marital relations during that time. When we look at the notations regarding the Bride of Ephesians 5:22-27 we note that The Son desires a bride who is cleansed with the washing of the water by the Word, that He might present without spot or wrinkle; holy and without blemish. Thus we see the spiritual AS WELL AS the physical connotation to the process of cleansing. As we look again to Revelation 14:4, Revelation 2:20-22, and Revelation 17:4 we see that fornication has a spiritual connotation as well. We are to be unwavering in our loyalty to the God we serve, keeping TOTALLY separated from anything that even hints of other practices, beliefs, and faiths. Again, we should presume that this spiritual faithfulness would be a longterm commitment, but that even the physical body should be kept pure as related to intimate relations for three days prior to Shavuot, so we will be found in both physical and spiritual cleanliness against the third day.

Just as the trumpet (the first trump) sounded long to announce the arrival of the Lord when He came to betroth the Hebrew people, should not the first trump sound long again when the Lord is ready to receive His Bride? Indeed Revelation 4:1 mentions a voice like a trumpet as the door of heaven opens, and this reference is often thought to be when the Bride is taken to heaven to be joined with her Bridegroom. Actually, just the fact that this revelation was given to John is interesting, as he can be seen as a type of Bride; the most beloved of the chosen ones (disciples) of Yeshua, who leaned upon his breast in John 13:25. Note that the Song of Solomon 8:5 refers to the loved one as leaning upon her beloved. The other disciples were martyred, but no mention is made of John being martyred, as the Bride will not be martyred, but will be taken in life through the open door at the sound of the trump into the very realm of heaven. As it was said of Enoch, may those who are still here after the Bride goes home say of her, she walked with God: and was not; for God took her. Indeed in these end days, man is "running to and fro" in computer versions of the Hebrew and Greek Biblical text, finding mysteries intended to be unseen until these very days; mysteries that (when they are revealed) will increase the knowledge of the awakened portion of the "church" (Daniel 12:4). The words "natsal" (the old Hebrew word which means "a snatching away") and "shilhoov" (the modern Hebrew word with the same meaning) are both found encoded within the Exodus 19 passage of the Shavuot experience on Mt. Sinai in equidistant spacing. Natsal is found in this passage with the spacing of 80, which is said to be the number that relates to Enoch. Could God in His infinitely mysterious ways be trying to tell us something? Will we be awake enough to see it? Let us remember that David (the THIRD generation or great-grandson of Ruth) AND Enoch were both born and passed on into the next phase of life on Sivan 6. Likewise the "church" (which includes the Bride) was born on Sivan 6. When might she enter the next phase of her life (she walked with God: and was not; for God took her)? How appropriate it would be that on the same date the Holy Spirit came to the Believer He would take her to her Bridegroom!

When we look at the life of Jacob, we see the overwhelming love he had for Rachael. There are some unique features in this love story that might be worth mentioning when we think of the concept of the Bride of the Son. Though Rachael was the desire of his heart, he found that he must first be wed to Leah, due to the fact that she was the older daughter. Genesis 29:27 tells us that the seven years must be fulfilled for Leah before Rachael could be His. He had to serve a double portion of time in order to receive Rachael. Whereas there was not a great intimacy between Leah and Jacob, his relationship was very intimate with Rachael. Leah may represent the more technical relationship between Husband and wife that is the betrothal process, whereas Rachael represents the most beautiful marital relationship of consummation of the Bride.

The Hebrew people have not yet had the opportunity to develop the intimate relationship that one can only have with Yeshua via the internal dwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew people have been blinded to Yeshua for a time by God, but Believers are to awaken them to their need for Him. In the meantime, some (said to be over 100,000) of these chosen Jewish people are even now being awakened from their blindness, and seeing that Yeshua was and is their Messiah. Thus the Bride of Believers will be made of both Jewish and Gentile Believers, as seen in the two loaves of leavened bread waved before God.

Before we leave Rachael, let's look at her a bit more closely. She gave birth to Joseph (who can be seen on one level as a type of Christ, but on an entirely different plane can also be seen as a type of "church"). In fact, he had two sons who inherit his portion of Jacob's blessing. Ephraim, the younger son (against all tradition) received the double blessing of Jacob, while Manasseh, the older son was denied this double portion. Note here that in the Hebrew Ephraim means "double fruitful", and Manasseh means "forgetful". Now let's look at Rachael's other son, Benjamin. Joseph (in the typology of Christ) yearns for Benjamin, and is intimately moved by him. The Hebrew for Benjamin can mean "VERY fruitful". (Whereas both of Rachael's children are the prototype of the "church", Benjamin is even more loved and honorable in God's eyes than the portion of the "church" represented by Joseph through Ephraim and Manasseh.) Could Benjamin represent the overcomers? Let's look at Rachael's delivery of Benjamin. Could Rachael's hard labor and struggle in delivery be because Benjamin represents the "Overcomers" of Revelation? It would indeed be difficult to give birth to a group who would have the strength and tenacity to overcome the materialistic mind set of the majority of the "church" of the end days, and get back to the basics of total commitment to God. The struggle to deliver this child was so intense that it cost her her life (as we know it), for the Bible says she died in this childbirth. Nowhere in all of God's Word, however, have I been able to find like wording for this death process. Note that in Genesis 35:18 it states "as her soul was in departing" in conjunction with her "death". Could this wording be intentional in order for us to recognize Rachael as a prototype for the Bride? We have talked about how beloved she was of Jacob (in the Son typology). Her childbirth of the "overcomers" consumed her life (as the First Fruits house of Stephanas had addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints). As the delivery of this child was in progress, the Lord reassured her that he WOULD be born (i.e. some Believers left behind would overcome), and her soul departed (was caught up). Am I saying that RACHAEL was raptured? No, she was laid to rest in Bethlehem (which means "House of Bread" in Hebrew). She died, but the underlying message seems to be one of rapture of the Bride to a place of rest in the house of the Living Bread of Life!

We have mentioned Enoch's translation would be a prototype of the First Fruit rapture of the Bride. We may want to note a second person here who was spared the worst of the trauma of the tribulation of the flood. Noah has also been related as a prototype of the rapture, but it must be noted that Enoch was REMOVED FROM the tribulation, whereas Noah was BROUGHT THROUGH the tribulation. After the rapture of the Bride, many Believers who were not awake, watching, and ready when the trumpet call was made will be left behind to endure a bulk of the :tribulation to come upon the earth (Luke 21:36). How much better it would be to be removed from than to be brought through this time of incredible horrors. Many Believers will not even be brought through it, but will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 20:4). (Note: some would say that those who are martyred would be non-Believers who accept Christ during the tribulation period. In II Thessalonians 2:11-12, however, we find that many who had not received Christ prior to the taking of the Bride will be given strong delusion that they should believe a lie and be damned. This being so, those who are beheaded for their testimony had probably received Christ prior to the removal of the Bride.)

Most Christians have been taught that the tribulation period would be seven years, based upon the seventieth week of Daniel. They rationalize this theory by putting two periods together of threeand onehalf years each, making seven years. The theory indicates that the Anti Christ instigates a seven year peace treaty that he will violate after the first three and one-half years, sitting in the Temple, claiming to be Messiah, and causing the sacrifice and oblation to cease to begin the second half of the seven year period of tribulation called the Great Tribulation. This may be a secondary application of the passage, which relates to the here and now to a degree, but it appears that the "He" in the context of verse 27 might be the Messiah mentioned in verse 26. Considering this potential, the covenant He confirmed would be the new covenant He made to restore the position of the wife He had divorced, and to allow the Gentile peoples to be grafted in, and in the midst of the week (after three and onehalf years of time in ministry) He was cut off (crucified). This caused the sacrifices to cease ("suffer to become lacking" in the Hebrew could have been meant here rather than the understanding we have of the word cease today). In other words, instead of causing the sacrifices (mandatory) and oblations (voluntary) to stop, the precious blood shed by the Messiah rendered all further sacrifices and oblations to be ineffective. History proves that they continued, but verifies their ineffectiveness because after the crucifixion of Yeshua, the red ribbon of the scapegoat never again turned white. Shortly thereafter (in 70 A.D.) the Temple was destroyed to make such sacrifices desolate (end totally) even until the consummation (end of time) when that which has been determined (God's wrath) will be poured out upon the desolate (also means "amazed" in Hebrew). Thus the actual time of Jacob's trouble would need to fill only the last three and onehalf years of the seventieth week of Daniel. But does that mean that the period of Tribulation is only three and one-half years long? No.

Revelation 2:10 says that "ye shall have tribulation ten days". Nowhere in God's Word is the time of tribulation limited to seven days, but rather here it states that it will be ten days. Recall that in the instance of the servant seeking the servant (Holy Spirit) seeking Rebekah (the Bride) for Isaac (the Son), her family (the world) wanted her to stay behind yet ten more days. It is, however, interesting that the "church" has chosen to fix her sights upon a SEVEN day tribulation period, as this is the length of the time of tribulation that would apply to her! The last three and onehalf years of the 10 years is reserved entirely for the Hebrew people to readjust their thinking, but the first seven years of the ten years is primarily a time of judgment and persecution to purify and readjust the thinking of the "church" who has been left behind when the Bride was taken out. The "he" in II Thessalonians 2:7 is the man-child of Revelation 12:5, whom the "church" brings forth. The church must bring forth the man-child (First Fruit offering for the Lord) who will rule and reign with Yeshua when he returns (Revelation 2:27), then the church must go into hiding for three and onehalf years. This refers also to Israel, who will also have to go into hiding for three and one-half years. As in SO MANY instances, there is a dual layering in this passage, to apply to both loaves or segments of the elect, the Gentile and the Hebrew! The need to go into hiding for the church will also be when they see an abomination of desolation sitting where it ought not, in a somewhat different manner. When the Anti Christ has taken his seat as ruler of the New World Order, and has fully established his reign, they also should flee for their lives. It will take roughly three and onehalf years from the time the Bride is taken home before he is fully enthroned and the heaviest persecution of the "church" which remains behind will begin. This middle three and one-half years (the last three and onehalf years before Israel is left here alone will be the time when most of the Believers who are left behind will be martyred. They too should flee to the "wilderness" of Revelation 12:6 (which I believe to be Petra) if at all possible. Actually, getting a head start during the first three and onehalf years while the Anti Christ's New World Order is being put in place would be a wise move. The United States may be in for some HEAVY judgment both at the hands of some Palestinian terrorists and from the heavenly throne! It may be worthwhile to note that whereas mankind has a body, soul, and spirit, this triad equation fits also many other areas of prophetic significance. Thus, Iraq with her riches of oil would be the actual ("physical" relocation of Babylon (Revelation 18:2); the Vatican which sits upon seven mountains (hills) with all it's purple, scarlet, riches, jewels, and a Pope has begun to initiate the one world religion by drawing all faiths together in prayer to the "universal God" (Hindu and Islamic faiths with Christianity) is likely the "spiritual" Babylon; and the United States, filthily rich with her lavish materialism, will almost certainly be deemed the "soulical" Babylon. The United States has brought the degradation of pornography and smut of all types to an all time high, and shared them generously with all the nations of the world, has been the example of "liberation" in the killing of untold millions (if not billions) of unborn children, and played God in the taking of human life when it is no longer deemed worthwhile by euthanasia. It is probably most likely that Washington D.C. or New York City will be targeted by the Lord since Babylon is spoken of as a "city", but it is doubtful that any of this country will totally escape the vengeance of wrath to be poured out on depraved humanity during this time of tribulation. This interaction with mankind may not wait until the Anti Christ has been enthroned, so those left behind when the Bride is taken out would probably be well advised to head to Petra early on!

It has been emphasized above that the period of tribulation for most of the church will be but seven of the roughly ten year total tribulation period. They will all be removed in two transits before the final three and one-half years. TThe second of these two transits is where the fifth Festival comes into play.

We have seen where Rosh HaShannah was the one Festival that (until very recently) could not be predetermined, and was cryptically referred to as the Festival of which "no one knows the day or ´hour". We are told in II Thessalonians 4:13-18 that the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, and that the bodies of those who have died in Christ will be resurrected first to be joined with their souls and spirits, then those Believers who are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet Him in the clouds. It is interesting that the Greek word "perileipo" is used here for the translation "remain". It is not used anywhere else in the New Testament where the translation "remain" occurs. Nearly every other mention of the word remain in the New Testament is drawn from the Greek word "meno" (meaning abide; continue; dwell; endure; be present; remain; stand; tarry). The word "perileipo" used here, however, indicates having been LEFT all around, with the implication of having been passed up; survived; remain.) Now II Corinthians 15:52 indicates that this glorious catching away will occur at the last trump. Please recall that the trump which sounds at Rosh HaShannah is the "last trump", the right horn of the ram, the counterpart to the previous "first trump" which was the left horn of the ram at Shavuot. This is the two occurrence of the "catching up" of the "church". Note that in this instance, there is no prerequisite of righteous standards. ALL Believers who are alive and remain as well as those who have died in Christ will be taken to the heavenly throne at this time. The "church" will be reunited (for better or worse) to stand before the Bema Judgment seat of Christ . We want to note here that Psalm 47 is read seven times during the Rosh HaShannah services. It states that God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, and that God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness".

It is acknowledged as a time of judgment when Books of Life are opened, where the righteous, the wicked, and the ones who fall between are exposed and dealt with. Returning to God is emphasized on this holy day. It is also the start of a new year (phase of existence). For some, the new fruits of the year will be enjoyed for the first time that year (those who receive awards will enjoy the new fruits that await them in this new phase of existence).

The "church" today teaches that there is no penalty ahead for the Believer who lapses back into a life of sin, that the "dog who returns to his vomit" will not receive any consequences before the throne of the living Lord when he stands before the Son's Bema (Greek word for "judgment seat") throne in Romans 14:10. The "church" teaches us that those who have cared so little about the blood that secured their eternal life will simply "lose their rewards". They won't receive any crowns, and their "mansions" in the heavenly realm may be a bit less fancy than those who have overcome. This "sound pretty" theology is just as foreign to the teachings of God's Word as the theology that is taught regarding the Pretribulational Rapture of ALL Believers. Romans 8:1 doesn't say there is no condemnation for any Believer (one who has Christ Yeshua IN HIM). It says: "1) There is therefore no condemnation for them which who ARE IN Christ Jesus, ...."