The 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad What is it? Does it mean anything??? PART 5 of 6 Possibilities
OK...Finally... What could happen? Notice we use the word could and not will. Only God has perfect foresight. As we said earlier, there is wild speculation about this upcoming tetrad. We do have some guidelines to use for our speculation...
We know... All of the tetrads have occurred around events that have to do with the people of God, and the city of God (Israel, Jerusalem, Jews and Christians) God allowed some terrible times, followed by deliverance/judgment, near tetrads God s timetable revolves around the appointed times (feasts).
We also know... There are many prophecies regarding Israel that have not as yet been fulfilled. These prophecies may be a source of potential speculation.
What about Tisha b Av? The 9 th day of the month of Av (5 th month of Hebrew calendar) is a day no one looks forward to. It is a national day of mourning because of the many tragedies that have occurred on this day. We ve spoken of coincidence, but it is quite obvious that coincidence is not even a remote possibility here.
A short list of just some of the events that have occurred on Tisha b Av... 1. Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land, causing that generation to die in the wilderness (Numbers 14) 2. Solomon s Temple (1 st Temple) destroyed (587 BC). 3. Ezra s Temple (including Herod s restoration, 2 nd Temple) destroyed (70 AD) 4. Romans crushed a Jewish revolt under Bar Kochba, killing over 100,000 Jews (132). The Romans plowed the city of Jerusalem under the next year.
5. Pope Urban II declared the first Crusade in which thousands of Jews were killed (1096) 6. Edict of Expulsion, Jews expelled from England (1290) following over 200 years of intense persecution 7. Jews expelled from France (1306) 8. Jews expelled from Spain (1492) 9. Germany entered World War 1 (1914) leading to European upheaval and eventual Holocaust 10. Nazi s approve Final Solution to eliminate Jews (1941). It is estimated that a third of world s Jewish population is captured and killed during this period.
11. Massive deportation of Jews from Warsaw ghetto to Treblinka began (extermination camp) (1942) 12. Jews observe Tisha b Av today to mourn for the 6,000,000 Jewish victims of the Holocaust 13. AIMA (Argentine Israelite Mutual Association) bombing that killed 85 and injured 300 (1994) 14. Israel s unilateral disengagement from Gaza and some areas of West Bank (Gaza Expulsion) began (2005)
Tisha b Av is not a good day for Israel and the Hebrew people! Some speculate we may see another tragic incident on this day either 2014 (August 5 ±), or 2015 (July 25 ±). WHAT event that might be, we have no idea.
The following events are possibilities for this coming tetrad. And that is ALL they are possibilities. God may have other plans!
Psalm 83 Prophecy Psalm 83 was written 3000+ years ago. It states the desire of Israel s enemies (and names territories and peoples that are existing Arab terrorist states) to Come and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. (v 4) It predicts a huge Arab-Israel war that concludes with a decisive Israeli win, bringing Israel closer to her God-mandated borders, increasing her territory and power in the Middle East. This war would probably be preceded by more terror, bombings, and persecution before Israel retaliated.
Gog and Magog Ezekiel 38-39 Gog and Magog depicts a massive war in the Middle East detailed in the book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39. This prophecy lists the players (enemies of Israel) by their ancient names. Most scholars agree that these names correspond to Russia (as leader of this invasion) and almost all of the current Arab/Islamic enemies of Israel (There is controversy over some of their identities). Ezekiel mentions an alliance of these nations, which has recent current fulfillment as Russia has aligned herself with Arab nations against Israel in the past, and today.
Gog and Magog Ezekiel 39-40
Gog and Magog These two chapters are incredibly detailed, and read just like an NBC manual of warfare (Nuclear, Biologic, Chemical). Unlike other battles and wars, however, God intervenes big time and defeats Israel s enemies with divine power that is seen by the entire world. These chapters detail an Armageddon type of conflagration. Whatever event it depicts will be world changing.
Gog and Magog There is a great deal of speculation about this war, its players and its timing. Most believe it will happen prior to the final 7 years of hardship this world will experience (commonly called the Tribulation), others believe it happens at some point within this time, and even others correlate it with the Gog and Magog invasion of Revelation 20. Most likely these events are not the same. Whatever it is, it will definitely shake up the entire world.
Obadiah This shortest book in the Bible contains a powerful prophecy about the destruction of Edom. This is the territory established by Jacob s twin brother Esau. These people came to be known as Edomites. Esau and Jacob were estranged (we all know the story of the pot of stew and birthright) throughout most of their lives, but eventually had a reunion and sort of tentative relationship. Because of Edom s continued siding with Israel s enemies, however, God cursed them. Obadiah contains the reasons and the certainty of God s judgment on Edom.
Obadiah Some believe this prophecy was fulfilled shortly after it was given (difficult to date, but most likely in the 500-600 BC period, after the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC). However, others believe it will also have a secondary fulfillment in end times. Essentially it is about the 4,000 year old feud between the descendants of Israel (Hebrews, Jews), and the descendants of Edom (many Arab peoples). Because of today s situation involving these groups, it is likely Obadiah s prophecy will have another final fulfillment. (Note: Many of the Arab peoples today are descendants of Esau, or the Edomites. Many others are descendents of Ishmael - most of these consider themselves Persians. )
Destruction of Damascus - Isaiah 17 Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer* are forsaken; (*current Jordan, formerly Moabites)
The World is Ripe for Fulfillment Any of these prophecies could be on the horizon, perhaps during this current blood moon tetrad. Or, it could be something else entirely. Our current geo-political world is quite ripe to fulfill any or all of these prophecies. Psalm 83 Ezekiel 38 and 39 Obadiah Isaiah 17
And... there are those who say this current tetrad will herald the return of the Messiah, either to catch away the Bride, or to return in judgment.
We know the appointed times (feasts) of God have meaning as His prophetic calendar. In addition to watching for potentially big events in Israel, we should also be watching for the final fulfillment of the appointed times.
We have already seen the fulfillment of the Spring feasts: 1 Passover: Death of Messiah 2 Unleavened Bread: Burial 3 Firstfruits: Resurrection 4 Weeks (Pentecost): Coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers, beginning of the Church
If God has precisely fulfilled the spring feasts, then He will just as precisely fulfill the final 3 Fall feasts. But what events might occur on these days? 5 Trumpets:? 6 Day of Atonement:? 7 Tabernacles:?
The first three feasts fulfilled the first coming of the Messiah. The 4 th feast fulfilled the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church. It is believed, logically, that the last three feasts (Fall) will fulfill the 2 nd Coming of the Messiah. In the first coming, He came as servant and sacrifice. In the next coming, He will come as King and Judge.
As we speculate, we need to consider what events will occur in the end times prior to the return of the Messiah? What big events are on the horizon to fulfill prophecy, that might be considered to be feast-day fulfillments? What is remaining in God s plan for all mankind that is yet to be fulfilled?
We have good evidence that the Millennial Kingdom will fulfill the final feast, the feast of Tabernacles. This is found in Zechariah, chapter 14.
So, what about Trumpets (5 th feast) and the Day of Atonement (6 th feast)? In 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 (v13-18), Paul writes: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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 thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
This event is what has come to be called the Rapture of the Church. Rapture is from the Latin rapturo. The original Greek word is harpazo, which literally means to seize, or snatch away. It is the word that our English has translated caught up.
This event is Biblical, and not debatable. The actuality of the event is sure... but the timing of this event is what is in question, and the cause of much controversy and even division among believers.
For information purposes only, (it is not our goal to debate the timing of the catching away of the true believing Church in this presentation) there are 4 main positions held regarding this timing issue: 1. Pre-Tribulation 2. Mid-Tribulation 3. Post-Tribulation 4. Pre-Wrath
Those who hold the Pre-Tribulation Rapture position believe that the Messiah will come for His believing Church BEFORE the events we call the Tribulation (a 7-year period of terror and evil on earth). It seems obvious that we are rapidly approaching that period of time. The signs have been given to us, and they are all present in abundance, and increasing frequency.
For these reasons, and including an understanding of God s appointed times, there are many today who believe that the catching away of the Body of Christ might happen soon perhaps ON or near a scheduled feast day. Because we do not definitively know how God intends to fulfill His feast days, we can only speculate...
The Feast of Trumpets falls on the 1 st day of the month of Tishri in the fall. It is the first of the last three feasts (Fall) yet to be fulfilled. Remember this portion of the rapture scripture passage... For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
In 1 Corinthians 13:51-52, Paul writes: Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This passage is associated with the catching away (rapture), and the change from corruption to incorruption.
These references to trumpets are what cause so many to believe that the catching away (rapture, removal of the Church) may happen on the Feast of Trumpets, the 5 th feast in the cycle. Removing a huge portion of the population of the earth will certainly qualify as a big event in the end times!
The next appointed time, the Day of Atonement, is one that is the most solemn of all the feasts. Those who observe this day are to afflict your souls in other words, understand the gravity of our sinful lives before a completely holy God, repent and get right with God. The ten days of awe between Trumpets (Tishri 1) and the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10) are to be used as days of repentance and reflection.
Because of the nature and solemnity of this day, many believe that the Day of Atonement will be fulfilled by the final battle (Armageddon) and the return of the Messiah in judgment and glory. The entire world will see Him. By this time, they will have no excuses before Him. As the book of Revelation tells us, they will flee to the mountains and beg the rocks and hills to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the Lamb.
In speculation, many believe: The Feast of Trumpets may be fulfilled by the removal of the Church The Day of Atonement may be fulfilled by the literal Second Coming of the Messiah in glory, to judge the whole earth. (some project other ideas, but these are the most popular...remember it is speculation, based on scriptural interpretation)
Therefore... Some are postulating that the catching up of the Church may occur on the Feast of Trumpets either October 2014, or September 2015. Others are saying that the Messiah may return on the Day of Atonement either year.