Now let’s briefly take a look at the words “caught up” in 1 Thes. 4:17. These words have produced the word “rapture” in the modern Christian theology, which isn’t in the Bible.  The Greek word for “caught up” means “harpazo,” which is translated “caught away or seized.”

Indeed, all believers can be “caught up” in the Spirit with the Lord when His presence is amongst us and heaven’s reality seems to be larger than earth’s reality. But we can also be “seized” by the Lord when the Holy Spirit is calling us forth (trumpet/voice) and we draw ourselves toward Him in our hearts.  Moses gave us that example at Mt. Sinai when He went up into the thick cloud-like presence of God while the rest hid out of fear (Ex. 19:18-20).

“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die” (Ex. 20:18).

Whether we actually lift off the ground like Jesus did when He walked on water and was transported from the place He and the disciples were in the boat to the land across the sea,

“Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum.  And i was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them.  Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing.  So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid.  But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’  Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (John 6:16-21).

or translated like the disciple Phillip,

“Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.  But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:39,40).

or we get “caught up” sitting in our living rooms worshipping and the fire, wind, and rain of the Holy Spirit “seizes our hearts,”

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven” (2 Cor. 12:2),

I really can’t say for certain, although all of those are possibilities. However, a cleansing and purification process must proceed any presentation of the “firstfruits remnant” who are redeemed from the earth and “caught up” before a Holy God (Rev. 14:1-5), which is why the LORD set the pattern with the Day Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles following Trumpets for a people He has chosen (Rev. 17:14).

I also know that the union with Christ is for the purpose of escorting the KING (Commander in Chief) to His kingdom here on the EARTH to reign….Not to go away with Him to stay in heaven.  

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True.  And in righteousness He judges and makes war…And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp work, that with it He should strike the nations.   And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron…” (Rev. 19:11,14-15).

Many misinterpret this “caught up” or rapture idea thinking we are to escape and live in heaven eternally and miss the “days of tribulation.”  But this contradicts the Disciples Prayer [called by many as the LORD’S Prayer], which IS THE BASIC BLUEPRINT OF GOD’S PLAN OF REDEMPTION (Matt. 6: 9-13).

“Thy kingdom COME, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

God’s heart is to bring His kingdom to earth to rule, redeem, and multiply His goodness, not destroy it.  Anyone who has embraced the Lord’s sanctification process has NOT been trained by it to run away from the Lord’s battle, or to hide from the battle we are going to win.  This process trains us to follow our Commander in Chief!

God is also NOT taking Christians away so He can destroy the earth.  The earth will go through tribulation due to God’s judgment in correcting the choices believers and the non-believers have made to sin.  It will produce a “shaking” to break the evil strongholds and to set the captives free (Is. 24).  This will lead creation through a process that produces healing, life, and a revelation of His love. 

God and His army are coming so that the earth can be restored back to His glory through righteous leadership.  This is why the Bible says:

“creation eagerly waits for the revealing [unveiling, stepping forth, “catching up” of the sons of God”(Rom. 8:19).

Jesus informs us that the “last days,” before the Fall Feasts begin to go “live,” are going to be similar to the days of Noah. 

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37).

Noah was never taken from the earth during the tribulation of his days. Noah was divinely protected through the flood of judgment.  It was Noah’s obedience to the Lord’s instructions to build an ark and share the news of repentance for 120 years prior to the flood that was a part of his “sanctification process.” Noah obeyed the Lord wholeheartedly.  Jesus captures the heart of Noah’s example when He said,

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).

From the story of Lot, he was removed from Sodom, and taken to another city on the earth so he would be spared from the Lord’s judgment.  In both instances, the WICKED were removed from the earth, not the righteous.  

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took THEM all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left (Matt. 24:37-40).

The “THEM” in the above Scripture was the WICKED, not the righteous!

The Lord even tells us in the Beatitudes in Matt 5:17 that the meek (gentle) will be blessed and inherit the earth, not be removed from it

Jesus is coming back to judge the nations, and there will be consequences for those who oppose Him. But God promises us protection, as He declared in Psalm 91, and showed us that same pattern of protection for His people in Egypt when the 10 plagues were released.

“And in that day, I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.  I will make a difference between My people and your people.  Tomorrow this sign shall be” (Ex. 9:22-23).

I believe the sign of the “dead in Christ” rising from the graves, and the sound and sign of Christ and His army coming will cause an alarm to ALL Christians who will then mourn.  This is because the “fear of the Lord” will be upon us, and we will understand our frailty in the presence of the Lord and recognize our need to repent. This is also why the ten days following the Feast of Trumpets are called the “Ten Days of Awe,” as Christians will be in awe that the time is at hand for the Millennium reign to begin, which means judgment will begin in the house of the Lord.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God” (1 Peter 4:17)?

We will all be in a state of reflection:  Are we ready? Will we be like the 5 wise Virgins in the Parable of the 10 Virgins, who had oil? Or will we be like the 5 foolish Virgins who didn’t have oil and the door was shut, unable to join those chosen for the First resurrection (Matt. 25:1-13)?  These Fall Feast “dress rehearsals” each year helps us examine our hearts so we are ready.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13).

We have established that the one of the signs of the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets is that the “dead in Christ” will rise.  These will be those chosen, along with those who are called and chosen who are alive at His return, to be a part of the FIRST resurrection to reign with Christ in the Millennium.  

“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” (1 Thes. 4:16).

The next Scripture is key for the order of events for all those who are alive when this event happens on the Feast of Trumpets.

“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” (1 Thes. 4:17).

Let’s unpack this last Scripture, starting with the word first word, THEN.  “Then,” in verse 16, indicates that the next event will happen AFTER the dead in Christ are raised, but it is not clear WHEN.

Most Christians assume that after the dead in Christ resurrect, those Christians who are alive are “caught up” with them immediately. But this is because most Christians aren’t familiar with the blueprint of the Fall Feasts, and how they are a prophetic pattern that reveal the redemption story concerning Christ’s return.  When we examine the Feast blueprint, it gives us a clearer timetable.

It is conclusive that THEN does indicate afterwards, but according to the Fall Feast blueprint, there is ten days, known as the “Days of Awe,” that elapses between the Feast of Trumpets [The appointed day that the dead in Christ rise], and the next Fall Feast, which is the Day of Atonement.  On the Day of Atonement, the Church is judged, and this is the day that the Lord sifts out those believers who are alive who are His overcomers; for it is the day of reward or judgment of the body of Christ.  This is when the THEN is.

The Scripture also defines who will be caught up by saying it will be those who are alive AND REMAIN. The word “remain” defines those saints who are alive at that appointed time whose hearts “abide” in the Lord, who have surrendered their will for His and have become “bondservants” of Christ:

“…He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruits; for without Me you can do nothing”(John 15:5).

Next, the purpose of the “dead in Christ” being raised from the grave is to inherit God’s promise of their “glorified body.” In order to do so, they need to first be above ground, “in the air,” where the Lord can breathe new life into them and form their body:

” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ez. 37:10).

On the Day of Atonement, when the reward/judgment is determined, the “dead in Christ” and those who are “alive and remain” will be “sealed” by the Lord to be the ones to inherit the promise of their gloried bodies first. The two will come together with Christ and begin the glorification process during the Feast of Tabernacles, until the 8th day when they are ready to ascend to the throne, and then descend to the earth, as Christ did.

“..who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself”(Phil 3:21).

Let’s continue unpacking 1 Thes. 4:17 as we look at the meaning of “clouds” in the Scripture:  

“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” (1 Thes. 4:17).

Clouds can be both literal and figurative in the Bible.  In the literal sense, God’s presence comes like a cloud at Mt. Sinai, and the cloud covered the children of Israel by day when they were in the wilderness.

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way…”(Ex. 13:21). 

Clouds are also figuratively used in referring to the list of the “heroes of faith” in Hebrews 11 as the great cloud of witnesses.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses… (Heb. 12:1).

Jesus speaks of the day He returns “coming on the clouds of heaven with power and glory” (Matt. 26:64). I think these clouds are again those “witnesses” who are a part of the Lord’s army escorting Him here to earth.

John also begins the book of Revelation with this statement in the first chapter of how Christ is coming with clouds (witnesses):

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen”(Rev. 1:7).

When describing the Feast of Trumpets, we can refer to the prophet Joel who said it best:

“Blow the trumpet in Zion.  And sound an alarm in My holy mountain!  Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand” (Joel 2:1.)

The Feast of Trumpets is a “blast of the horn” that signals an awakening of God’s people to remembrance and readiness:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold”(Psalm 18:2).

It is also an announcement that the King is coming to gather His army to wage war against the enemy and to establish His reign on earth:

“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”(Rev. 19:15).

These Fall Feasts are honored and celebrated as “dress rehearsals” so our hearts are in sync with the Lord’s redemption plan.  So what happens when the Feast of Trumpets goes “live” after the sound of the trumpet?

“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 (1 Thes. 4:16).

One of the most remarkable signs that will happen when this Feast is fulfilled is that the dead in Christ will rise from the grave.  Most Christians assume ALL those who are believers that have died will rise at this resurrection. But after studying Scriptures, a different pattern emerges as we define the purpose of the two resurrections the Bible refers to:

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST resurrection.  Over such the SECOND death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).

The fact that the Scripture indicates there is a first resurrection mandate that there is a second. God has a trumpet call for two occasions, and it is clear from Rev. 20 that the FIRST is for those who will reign with Him during the Millennium.

Let’s go back in the Bible and find the purpose of the blowing of the silver trumpets and see how it ties into these two resurrections.  In Numbers 10, God instructed Moses to make two trumpets from hammered silver: 

“Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps.  When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.  But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you”(Numbers 10:2-4).

Notice that when the Lord said to blow ONE trumpet, He was calling forth the HEADS (those chosen for rulership) to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. But when the two trumpets were blown, it was to gather ALL.

1 Cor. 15:51,52 shares Scriptures that reveal some details of Christ’s return, and the unfolding events after the trumpet is sounded:

“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.”

Notice the Scripture above doesn’t say trumpets.  This is because the purpose of this first resurrection is to call forth those who have been chosen as “heads” (first) to reign with Christ in the Millennium.   This is also confirmed in 1 Thes. 4:16. Both Scripture references say one trumpet is blown when the dead in Christ rise.  Therefore, all those who are dead in Christ won’t arise in this first resurrection (Rev. 20:6).  Those who remain dead will rise and get their glorified bodies in the second resurrection.

The word “head” is actually the definition for the Hebrew word “Rosh” which is the same word used to describe “firstfruits.”   

The Bible makes it clear that God has set aside a “firstfruits” remnant of 144,000 who are chosen to reign with Him in the Millennium.  This number is most likely symbolic as it follows the pattern of symbolism throughout the whole Book of Revelation, and using common sense, God will need more than 144,000 in the earth to help assist Him through the Millennium reign. The Bible does make clear that ALL aren’t chosen to reign with Him during this time.

“Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads”(Rev. 14:1).

In John, Jesus did however talk about a general resurrection in which ALL who were dead, both good and evil, will be raised at the same time and hear His voice – NOT just those who are “dead in Christ” as the previous Scriptures indicated.  

“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which ALL who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth-those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation”(John 5:28,29).

The above Scripture is a picture of the SECOND resurrection that includes both believers and unbelievers.

Looking at all these Scriptures, it is evident that the FIRST resurrection is NOT the time for the resurrection of salvation.  The first resurrection marks the time Jesus is coming back, gather the 144,000, and together, rule over the nations to secure and establish His governmental authority in the earth.  

The issue of salvation is the purpose of the SECOND resurrection, which is explained in Rev. 20.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books [The Law].  

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.  

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:12-15).

Taking all these scriptures into account, we can conclude that the sole purpose of the FIRST is to call forth those believers who are “rewarded” with the responsibility to reign with Christ for 1,000 years (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 7; Rev. 20:6).

When talking to the disciples about the rewards of leaving all to follow Him, Jesus said to them that they would be repaid at the “resurrection of the just.” 

“And you [disciples who gave ALL] will be blessed, because they [the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind] cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14).

We can further conclude that Christ is referring to the FIRST resurrection since there is no reference in this passage of the SECOND, and the “just” can ONLY signify believers since no one outside of faith in Christ alone are “just” (Rom. 5:1).

The reward given at the FIRST resurrection that Christ was referring to doesn’t equate to be a more “powerful or important position” in the body of Christ. That kind of thinking is what our world thinks, so it’s hard to grasp that this doesn’t mean a person chosen that is “special” or “better than” other Christians.

On the contrary, these who are rewarded are “bondservants of Christ” like our example of the Apostles Paul and Peter, who laid their lives down to serve Christ (Rom. 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1). 

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2Cor. 4:5).

In humility of heart, these bondservants followed His voice out of obedience to serve and faithfully steward the talents God had given them. “Bondservants” of Christ have allowed the sanctification process to crucify their flesh so that they think and act like Christ. Christ can then entrust them with His authority of rulership, which is His reward:

“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matt. 16:27).

In the letters to the 7 Churches in the Book of Revelation, God first praises and acknowledges each Church for the things they were doing well. But He goes on to chastise each Church in the areas they were in error or had veered off course. In every letter the Lord addresses, He states that those who had an ear to hear would be rewarded when He returned, for following His instruction.  These would be known as His “Overcomers;” the ones who embraced the sanctification process and were willing to go through the tribulations of their day. Here is a list of rewards for those who OVERCOME:

1.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God”(Rev. 2:7).
2. “…He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Rev. 20:2:11).
3. “…To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.  And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it”(Rev. 2:17).
4. “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations- ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’- as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star”(Rev. 2:26-28).
5. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels”(Rev. 3:5).
6. “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.  I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the NEW Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.  And I will write on him My new name”(Rev. 3:12).
7. “To him who overcome, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne”(Rev. 3:21).

If you read the entire chapters of Rev. 2 and 3, the Lord makes a distinction between Christians who will overcome, and those who don’t repent but continue following their own ways.  It is important to emphasize that becoming an “overcomer” has nothing to do with salvation, for the letters were addressed to ALL who were saved by grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Eph. 2:8,9).

But Christ does lay out the rewards for those who overcome through this sanctification process.  They enter into the FIRST resurrection, while the others continue on with the sanctification process, or die, and must await until the SECOND resurrection.

In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares what rewards, concerning the kingdom of heaven, have to do with rulership. The man traveling to a far country in this parable is symbolic of Jesus.  He gives to each servant (Christians) talents according to their ability to steward them until He comes back.  What does He say to the servant who gained from the talents given:

“…Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you RULER over many things.  Enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matt. 25:21).

Rulership is a product of faith, obedience, and the sacrifice of self. No one bi-passes this sanctification process.   Even Jesus Christ couldn’t bi-pass the process that led Him to the cross.  But there is a “firstfruits” remnant whose hearts will be ready first at the time of Christ’s return.

Think about the difference between King Saul and King David.  Both kings served the Lord.  Both weren’t perfect leaders, nor perfectly obeyed the Lord’s commandments.  But Saul never fully surrendered his heart to the Lord. Instead, he was led more by his own ambitions, needs, and pride. David, however, was on his knees asking for the Lord’s help. David was not perfect by any means, but he was one in whom God could entrust with His anointing of rulership.  

Kingships “rewards” are a product of our choices whether we lean into God’s voice as Moses did, in obedience to His commandments, or run away and do our own thing.  Those who have learned obedience by the things they suffer will find their reward, as Christ did (Heb. 5:8).

“And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give to every man according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).

In the Old Testament, when the seventh month of the Hebrew year arrived, the ram’s horn was blown for Firstfruits when the sliver of the moon was spotted in the sky on the darkest night of the month. Afterwards, the silver trumpet was blown to signify it was the Feast of Trumpets, or also known as the “Day of Awakening.”

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying; ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month (Firstfruits), you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation” (Lev. 23:24; also found in Numbers 29:1-6).

On this “appointed” day, there were two separate types of horns signifying two events that were happening at the same time. One horn was made from the horn of an animal, which is the shofar.  The other horn was made by man from silver – the trumpet. Both came together as ONE on this day of REMEMBRANCE, READINESS, and RESURRECTION.

The shofar was blown for Firstfruits as a reminder that God is the One who provides and honors His Covenant, inspiring a response of thankfulness to the Lord (Num 10:10).  This then became the sound of the beginning of “Firstfruits.” It was also a reminder to the children of Israel of the event when God stopped Abraham from offering up Isaac and supplied the ram from which the shofar was made (Gen. 22:13,14).

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a ticket by its horns.  So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.  And Abraham called the name o the place, “The-LORD-Will-Provide; and it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided”(Gen. 22:13-14).

The silver trumpet was blown to awaken to a memorial.. of what?

The Lord instructed the children of Israel to always remember the sound of the trumpet as it related to events that transpired at Mt. Sinai.  What event during that time was significant to Trumpets?

To answer that question, we have to go back to Ex. 19:5, when God proposes to the children of Israel to be His “special treasure” above all other people. The people responded in verse 8 and said “We do.”  God instructs Moses on how He wants the “marriage ceremony” to go and it happened like this:

“Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled (Ex. 19:16).  

Moses brought the people (bride) out to meet God (Ex. 19:17).

“Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire….And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.  THEN the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain.  And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up” (Ex. 19:18-20).

Jesus shares a prophetic proclamation of the future event that will take place when He returns. The same symbolism of the thundering’s and lightnings are given; the thunder of HIs glory flashing from the east to the west as He comes with the desire to join His Bride:

“For as the lightning comes form the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:27).

God wanted His people to always remember the Covenant of Marriage then, so we will understand how the Covenant is redeemed up ahead through Christ.  As the children of Israel waited at the base of Mt. Sinai and the Lord descended and came down to the people in the form of a cloud, lightning, thundering, fire and VOICE, it was a moment of matrimony. (I wish I could have been there!)

When Moses went up the mountain by himself afterwards, it was symbolic of Christ ascending and presenting Himself as the “Firstfruits.” 

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…..But each one in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1Cor. 15:20,23).

We too anticipate the time when we will be able to follow Christ’s example and be able to go before the throne in heaven and come back to earth in a glorified body.  The Feast of Trumpets marks the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise of resurrection, followed by another “wedding ceremony” of the Bride (Church) with the Groom (Christ).

It is worth noting that in Deut. 4:25-40, we get an account of how the children of Israel responded to the voice of God. They trembled out of fear, hid, and asked Moses to stand before them.

In Ex. 20:19-21 it says:

“Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’  And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may no sin.’  So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.”

Today, we have had Christ make a way for the Lord’s voice to be heard again through the Holy Spirit. Believers are faced with the same choice now that the children of Israel had: to draw near to His voice as Moses did, or hide and have another stand in the gap and become the voice of God (religious leaders).

I am certainly not saying it’s not important to hear what religious leaders have to share.  But we should not lean on them first to hear the Lord for our own lives, or think religious leaders are the only ones who hear from the Lord.

We also learn from this blueprint in Exodus that believers who draw near to the Lord’s voice and His presence, as did Moses, will be “caught up” to meet God in the “air” and come back with Him to reign in the Millennium.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”(Rev. 3:20-22).

The Trumpet signals to the Bride to awaken because the Groom has determined it is time to for the ceremony of union to begin.  Have you noticed that the angels in the book of Revelation use trumpets, not shofars, to sound the alarm?  Those who hear and are ready will run towards the Lord.  Those who aren’t will want to hide.  The Day of Atonement that follows after the Feast of Trumpets sifts this all out.

“Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.  For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob”(Psalm 81:3,4).

So what is the significance of the Feast of Trumpets? The literal Hebrew translation is “a memorial of blasts.” In Hebrew, this Feast is called “Yom Teruah.”  Yom means day, but Teruah doesn’t mean trumpets.  It means a shout or blast of war, alarm or joy. So literally translated, this is a Feast that is a “Day of Blasting or Shouting.”

The Feast of Trumpets is the ONLY Feast that is celebrated on Firstfruits, tying its meaning with “firsts” and making this day the “granddaddy” of all Firstfruits celebrations. It is believed by Biblical historians that Adam was born on this day. It has also been known by the Jews as the “Anniversary of Creation.”

The Feast of Trumpets is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Tishrei was originally recognized as the first month of the calendar the Hebrews followed, due to the epic beginnings just described. 

However, in God’s master plan for redemption, He needed to create a separate, but intimate, calendar with the people He was in covenant with so that they could become His SIGN, to the nations, that He was the One True God.  

This special covenant calendar was purposed to establish a pattern, purpose, timing, and union with God that set the Israelites apart from all other nations.  But it also was a witness of the sign of the “Coming One” (Jesus), as God would use the calendar to fulfill His prophetic promises.

It’s worth mentioning again that the Hebrew Covenant Calendar was created when God spoke to Moses and Aaron in Ex. 12:2:

“This month (Abib/Nisan) shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first of the year to you” (Ex. 12:2). God followed this commandment with His instructions for Passover.  Afterwards, He declared, “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations.  You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance”(Ex. 12:14).

Later on when the children of Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai, God gave instruction for all 7 Feasts after He sealed His Covenant with them and set them apart from all the other nations. The month of Tishrei was now changed to be the seventh month in the Hebrew calendar, and the first day of the harvest (blessed) season and the month in which all the Fall Feasts were celebrated.

“Therefore, all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim (Tishrei), which is the seventh month” (1 Kings 8:2).

There is much confusion today as to when the Hebrew Covenant calendar starts because the Jews today emphasize celebrating the beginning of their civil year in the month of Tishrei. Today, Jews celebrate the first day of Tishrei as Rosh Hashanah; translated as “the ‘head/first’ of the year.”   But if God said that Abib/Nisan was to be the first of the year, why are the two months still recognized as first?

To find the answers as to why this is, we can go back to Biblical history when the twelve tribes of Israel were split into two kingdoms after King Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 11).  Subsequently, the Israelites were divided into the Southern Kingdom, also known as the House of Judah; and Northern Kingdom, also known as the House of Israel (1 Kings 11). The House of Judah consisted of the two tribes, one being the tribe of Judah where the Jews originated, and the other the tribe of Benjamin (so that David My servant would have a light in Jerusalem when the Messiah) (1 King 11:36).

After being in captivity, the House of Judah adopted some Babylonian ways, and added them to their Jewish traditions.  One of those changes was the “resurrection” of importance of the Jewish Civil year again in the first and second century because of the writings that were compiled in what is known as the “Mishnah.” Sometime between the finality of the writing of the Torah by Ezra, and the creation and codification of the Mishnah, the autumn Civil Calendar New Year regained acceptance by the Jews, and its relevance was incorporated into the Feast of Trumpets celebration.  The Hebraic Covenant calendar, which God created for His covenantal purpose and celebration, was not intertwined with the calendar the Lord had separated His people out of.  The first of Tishrei took on a double meaning, which makes is confusing. 

The Northern Kingdom (House of Israel), made up of the remaining ten tribes, originally kept the Ecclesiastical (Priest) year that God commanded them to follow in Ex. 12 as well…. Somewhat.  But over time, after the House of Israel was captured by the Assyrians and scattered all over the nations, their heritage, name, blueprint of Covenant (including following the Hebrew Covenant Calendar), was altered or omitted because they forgot they were God’s people, even though God promises He would never forget them.  

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Surely, they (House of Israel) may forget, yet I will not forget you” (Is. 49:15).

“Forgetting” was a part of the chastisement of God, which is why when Jesus speaks of his original mission for the disciples:

 “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying, ‘Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.  But go rather to the lost tribes of Israel’” (Matt. 10:5,6).  

By the time the Mishnah was created in Babylon, and its writings adopted as ” Jewish tradition,” the House of Israel was long gone, having scattered through the Caucasian mountains, into Europe and the “isles” (which was later known as Great Britain.) 

Technically, both calendars are correct, because both calendars exist.  But God commanded Moses and His chosen nation to follow His new calendar in Exodus 12, and for those wanting to recognize, honor, and be a SIGN of the redemption process that God has determined, honoring the Hebrew Covenant Calendar should continue to trump any calendar, including the Gregorian calendar most of our world today recognizes.

The school calendar versus Gregorian calendar is a parallel example of two calendars followed during the same time, but the Gregorian begins on January 1^st, while the school calendar starts in September.  The Gregorian calendar is the one the world follows, while the school calendar is for a specified people who are signed up for education, which is their focus. 

Because the Jews returned to honoring the Jewish Civil calendar with their Feast celebration, it brought about confusion that continues to exist today when celebrating the Feast of Trumpets. This is perhaps one reason why the Jews couldn’t see and accept Christ as the Savior when He began His ministry, because the adoption of honoring the two calendars caused them to anticipate a conquering king FIRST rather a sacrificial lamb.  

God created the Covenant Calendar in Ex. 12 to “set apart” His Covenant promises of how Christ would become our High Priest FIRST, and our King of kings second when He returned to the earth.  If we keep our focus on God’s purpose in creating this calendar, we will not be confused or blinded with God’s prophetic timing of redemption.

“…You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9,10).

So let’s now get back to the simplicity of the purpose of the Feast of Trumpets, which is to awaken us with a blast of the trumpet.  What are we awaking to?

The trumpet has many significant meanings in the Bible.  

The trumpet was blown to signal war against the adversary (Josh. 6:5; Jer. 51:27; 1 Cor. 14:8) 

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies (Numbers 10:9).

It was also used to announce the king (2 Kings 9:13; 11:14).

“Then Zadok the priest took a horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon.  And they blew the horn, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” (1 Kings 1:39).

The trumpet was the sound to wake up the Church (Rev. 1:10).

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.”

All of these reasons (and there are many more) of why the trumpet is used are all united together on the Feast of Trumpets. This “dress rehearsal” shares it’s purpose of becoming the signal (/sign/proclamation/alarm/shout) to awaken us, to announce war against the adversary, to announce the return of the King, and to summon God’s people who are IN covenant with Him.  And when this Feast goes “LIVE,” it will mark the beginning of the Millennium.

The last three out of seven Feasts of the Lord are celebrated in the seventh month, known as Tishrei, of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar.  Typically, these last three are collectively referred to as the Fall Feasts, but singularly they are known as the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. 

In short, the Feast of Trumpets announces the commencement of the Fall Feasts, and the trumpet is blown to awaken God’s people that the King (Jesus) is coming.  The Day of Atonement follows ten days later and is the one day of the year God chose for the nation to repent for their sins (The Lord’s “National Day of Prayer”). The Feast of Tabernacles is an eight-day grand finale of a joyful celebration of the harvest, and the promise of receiving glorified bodies and “dwelling” with the Lord.

The three Fall Feasts reveal the pattern and purpose of God’s SET TIMES when Jesus will return to finalize His Dominion (Kingdom) and to rule the nations (Matt 6:6-9).  During His 1,000-year reign, Christ will utilize His “Firstfruits” Remnant to establish His righteousness in the earth (Rev.5:9,10).  

The Fall Feasts reveal the events, purpose, and timing when Christ returns that are corporate in nature and a fulfillment of the promise given in the Bible to Abraham and his descendants.

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.  No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.  I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you…” (Gen. 17:4-6).

Given that Abraham was promised “nations,” the Lord is not just coming back for the land of Israel.  There are nations He is returning for, particularly those who have multiplied His Kingdom on the earth.

“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matt. 21:43).

The Scriptures indicate that God will use the “Feasts of Tabernacles” as a SIGN to distinguish those nations in the Millennium that accept Him as Lord and King, and those who aren’t:

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.  And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain.  If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.  This will be the punishment of Egyptand the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16-19).

The nations accepting or rejecting the Kingship of Christ in the earth during the Millennium are differentiated in the Bible as those who are called “sheep” nations (with Christ), and “goat” nations (oppose Christ). (It is interesting that many Christians do not realize that the nations are judged FIRST).

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left”(Matt. 25:31-33).

In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh ruled an “anti-Christ” government that opposed the Lord and oppressed God’s people (Ex. 1).   So when the Lord delivered the Israelites out of Egypt and brought them to Mt. Sinai, He offered the nation a “proposal of marriage” that they accepted (Ex. 19).  By honoring God’s Covenant, they were “His Holy Nation,” under His governmental authority, as well as a SIGN to the world.

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths [weekly and yearly Feasts, or “Holy Days”] you shall keep, for it is a SIGN between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I AM the Lord who sanctifies you” (Ex. 31:13).

As the nation honored the Feasts, they became God’s witness, His SIGN, that He was the One True God.  In like manner, these corporate Fall Feasts, specifically Tabernacles, will unify the nations with the Lord’s headship as it did back in the Old Testament with the Israelites, but now, perfectly through the union of Christ.  The corrupt governments of the world will be exposed through His leadership.

“For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year” (Ex. 34:24).

Because the Israelites failed to keep their promise to God, it didn’t take much time until they did not reflect God’s SIGN in the earth.  It would take God Himself to keep His promise to the nation regardless of their shortcomings.  And so…. Christ came… fulfilled the Spring Feasts, redeemed the Covenant, and made way for His SEAL/SIGN to bear witness of the One True God.

Jesus will come again and fulfill the pattern and purpose of the Fall Feasts very soon.  He will judge the nations, with His “Firstfruits” remnant at His side, and establish righteousness in the earth. The nations who are with Him will become HIS CORPORATE SEAL/SIGN in the earth.   

For those to whom God is revealing this pattern of His Holy Days, they too have an opportunity to resurrect God’s SIGN in the earth.

At sundown on August 8/9th, we will be entering into the sixth month of the Hebrew Covenant Calendar known as ELUL, which is linked to the tribe of GAD. Gad was the seventh son of Jacob and his name primarily means a “troop.” However, GAD can be translated as well as: good fortune, to attack, to overcome, to invade, and to gather together.  

This is the final month of the summer season, and one that reminds us of the “good fortune” that comes when God’s people choose to gather together in a heart of humility, repentance, and forgiveness.

ELUL translates to a month that God wants to meet us intimately right where we are, even in the midst of struggle, and “hang with us.” 

This is pictured through the ministry of Jesus here on the earth: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” John 1:14.  Today, it is pictured through the gatherings of God’s people dwelling together in unity and manifesting His power!

The word “dwelling” is actually the word for “tent” or “tabernacle.” Jesus left His throne to come and “tabernacle” among us for 33 years.  Then He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit who “dwells” within us. 

Historically, the last two months of the Hebrew calendar before ELUL are tragic in the days of Moses!  The children of Israel had built the golden calf, and when Moses returns to see them all worshipping idols, he breaks the tablets of Covenant.  Moses called out, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side-come to me!”  Ex. 32:26 Those who came were then given instruction to kill everyone else left, totaling 3,000 people.  

Afterwards, Moses instructed the remaining people to consecrate themselves while he went to ask God to pardon them for their sin.  The Lord still plagued the people, as their “stiff-necked” demeanor was being chastised and their idols thrown away. After many days of continual prayers, God answered Moses’ plea.

On the first day of ELUL, Moses went back up to Mount Sinai to get the second tablets of covenant.  It was during this month that the children of Israel gathered together and prepared their hearts in humility.  They understood it was the mercy of God that had given them a second chance. 

Today, this month is symbolic of the body of Christ getting their hearts ready individually and corporately with an atmosphere of humility and thanksgiving for God’s mercy as we await for Jesus to return as King.  

The tribe of GAD was known to be great warriors and taking the lead line in the battlefield. 1 Chronicles 12:8 says, “Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR, MEN TRAINED FOR BATTLE, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.”

The Gadites were effective when they joined the king’s forces and came under their authority and purpose. The Lord today is training us to be His mighty army as we learn to come under His command and defeat the enemy.

Before Moses died, he prophesied over the tribe of Gad.  “..he (Gad) administered the justice of the Lord, and His judgments with Israel”  Deut. 33:21.

The great prophet, Elijah, was from the tribe of Gad. His life illustrates how one man can take down the enemies of the camp with the “sword/word”.  The story of Elijah confronting the false prophets of Baal really capture the essence of Gad’s strength as well as the Father’s heart of giving his people an opportunity to repent and forgive before judgment comes.

In 1 Kings18:18, King Ahab accuses Elijah of being a “troubler of Israel.” Elijah boldly answers, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed after Baals.” It was after this encounter that Elijah challenged King Ahab to bring all the false prophets to Mount Carmel. Ahab takes on the challenge, and brings the children of Israel as well.

God then uses Elijah to draw a line in the sand between righteousness and justice, giving the children of Israel the opportunity to humble themselves and escape God’s judgment. In verse 21, Elijah speaks to the people, “How long with you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” Unfortunately, God’s people did not respond to this call.

Elijah then challenges the false prophets to a sacrifice dual. “Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:24 Elijah eventually calls on the Lord after the false prophets fail the task. The Lord consumes the sacrifice with fire, and then has all the false prophets executed.

This is the same cry of God’s heart even today: HOW LONG WILL YOU FALTER BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS? God wants to see the gift of Gad rise up in all of us and confront the enemy, but more importantly, he wants us to have ears to hear His rebuke so we can repent before judgment comes.

After Elijah’s huge victory over the enemy, we find him alone in the wilderness, fleeing in fear for his life after Queen Jezebel threatens to kill him.  This was right after he was used by God to call down the fire of judgment on the false prophets.  This hidden fear in Elijah was exposed when he SAW Jezebel and HEARD her threat.  All of the sudden, God became small compared to Jezebel’s threat to kill him.

Let’s look back at the Word that was given to Gad to understand Elijah’s weakness.  Genesis 49:19 prophecies of GAD in the latter days: “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, BUT he shall triumph at last.”

This latter day prophecy of Jacob over his son Gad used the word “troop” to describe Gad’s enemy. This indicates that Gad’s greatest enemy can be himself because “a troop” is what Gad’s name means!  The enemy can work on the soul of Gad to defeat himself, even though he is known as a great warrior.  This happened even to the great prophet Elijah!  How many Christians today are defeated by fears instead of the fear of the Lord?  

BUT, God came to Elijah in a still small voice, meeting him intimately in his weakness. As God spoke, Elijah gathered strength, humility, and the instruction of moving forward with God’s plan.  This is the heart of ELUL, and the heart that is ready to meet the King!

“In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” Proverbs 16:6

This month will be beautiful for those who are seeking the LORD. He will meet them heart to heart. He will give them a glimpse of His “Holy Habitation” and give fortify the connections that are His for the season. But for those who aren’t, it will be a month that is NOT filled with peace, but rather another difficult month to war against the flesh and the ways of the world.

Given that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed twice in the month of AV, and we are coming to the final day of the month of AV, I wanted to take time and share about the making of the “third temple.” Most things God treasures are fashioned by Him in the secret place…like His hidden gems He calls His remnant. 

The Master Craftsman has been forming, fashioning and polishing a firstfruits of His remnant to be presented to the world FIRST of His promise of redemption.  At His appointed time, the building of God’s third temple will be complete, “The NEW JERUSALEM,” that radiates His glory to all creation, known for His “Holy Habitation”.  

There is a pattern of darkness that always precedes the next great move of God’s story of redemption.  So, if one were to ask me if I am worried about this time we live in now, and the shaking that has happened and more to come, I would say “NO!”  I know it’s all a part of the process and written in His word, and the LORD is dusting off His gems, pouring out His fire to seal them, as well as His fire to separate His treasure from anything that is unclean, so they are purified and made whole according to His design.

There is however a confusion about the making of the “third temple” that I would like to address and perhaps it will help clear up the temple issue.

When Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb and died for the iniquity in our Adamic blood lineage, ALL Adamic genealogies end that qualify as to whom God declares are His chosen.  When we go past that point and declare a blood lineage or religion that qualifies us outside of the LORDSHIP of Christ alone, we get off track and partner with an antichrist spirit that Jude 4, 2 John 7 and 1 John 2:18-23 and 4:1-3 confirm.  

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7).

Rev. 17:14 states those who are chosen are with Jesus who accept Him as LORD:  

“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

The LORD’s blood was spilled out for ALL mankind and the sin we were all born into since Adam.  He is the second Adam that makes all things new and separates us from that sin.  

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22)

This is why even scriptures go radio silent in genealogy past the resurrection.  

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose ^[a]praise is not from men but from God” (Rom. 2:28,29).

However, the covenant trail we follow after the LORD’s death and resurrection is who carries HIS DNA and bears the torch of the birthright responsibility to share the good news to the nations until the return of Christ.  The “Stone Kingdom” spoken of in Daniel 2 that has not been built by hands, but by the Spirit of God, has been growing through the Lord’s disciples fulfilling the Great Commission, even in the midst of a global “slavery system.”  

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20,21).

Following the foot trail of the disciples scattering to the nations is then key, and why America is the number one target of the antichrist.  Our Forefathers were brought to America by the wind of the Spirit of God, carrying His torch of covenant to establish His kingdom here on the earth, and since then the Stone Kingdom has grown exponentially.  It is no coincidence that America means, “heaven’s kingdom,” and why she has been a beacon of hope to the nations over the years.  America was also the appointed place where the LORD Jesus was honored as KING for those who love Him, and not an earthly one. 

The land we know as Israel today was removed from bearing that responsibility of multiplying and bearing fruit for the kingdom by Jesus Himself when He declared,

“³⁷ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate;³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Matt. 23:37-39).

Jerusalem was the capital during King David’s reign, yet his son, King Solomon, built the temple of God.  The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in the month of AV in 586BC. 70 years later, it was rebuilt by Nehemiah and crew, only to be destroyed once again in 70AD.  70 years after becoming the nation of Israel in 1948, Israel is attempting to build a third temple.  But this temple will NOT host the glory of God, for it has departed (Ichabod) from a structure made of hands long ago!

“‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?” (Haggai 2:3).

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” ( I Cor. 3:16).

The Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus as the one God chose to be the head of the tribe of Judah, the Messiah, and the chosen Seed to bring redemption and truth into the world.  While the LORD redeemed and restored the Abrahamic covenant to a people who had faith in Him as their Redeemer, the rejection of the Messiah by the Jewish people cut them off from covenant according to Levitical law (Lev. 26). This can ONLY be restored through a faith in Christ alone and His sacrifice for all.

^26” For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29).

The LORD sent a guarantee of the inheritance promised to Abraham that through His seed all the families of the earth would be blessed; which was the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in our body, or “temple.” The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to begin the building process of the “third corporate temple” that will not be made of hands, but by His Spirit. God’s plan was to have a great number of “living stones” (which is how Peter describes the making of this corporate temple; or the NEW JERUSALEM) to build this temple by God’s design, which will be HOLY.  

“you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

We have not yet seen the manifestation of this corporate temple the Bible refers to as the NEW JERUSALEM because it hasn’t been God’s appointed time to exchange our corruptible bodies for incorruptible ones which has to proceed the UNION of a HOLY God to His people for us to see this New Jerusalem.

^50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² 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.” (1 Cor. 15:50-52).

However, we are getting seriously close to the arising of the Firstfruits remnant who receive their glorified bodies FIRST and are joined in union with Christ.  Therefore, there is a cleansing that is happening now in the body of Christ and in the land in preparation for the LORD’s return and His “HOLY HABITATION” dwelling here on the earth and establishing His righteous reign that will bring healing and rest to the world.  

The Firstfruits remnant is the SIGN that the enemy dreads, for he knows that when the remnant arise, his day is numbered to oppress God’s people.  The Millennium ushers in the kingdom age we are all anticipating when justice is served by the LORD judging the nations. We are in the midst of a transition between the ages that requires awakening and cleansing first for a people to “come out of Babylon,” before the set time God brings judgment (Rev. 18). 

²¹ “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, ²² until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:21,22).

During the Church Age, believers were able to enjoy the experience of God’s presence through the manifestation of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  But up ahead, experience shifts to habitation. And cleansing of the temple comes prior to the great outpouring!

Jesus cleansed the temple in Matt. 21 before sharing what would transpire in the latter days upon His return.  The LORD’s temple is holy, and idolatry and sin cannot stand in the presence of the LORD as His fire will consume all flesh (sin).  But with a temple that is cleansed, His consuming fire radiates His glory immeasurably.

In the end, the temple in Jerusalem had to be destroyed in 70AD, because the people would have held onto the Old Covenant template for a corporate temple to host God’s glory.  A third temple is in the making of the Jews in the land of Israel right now, but only the NEW JERUSALEM will host His glory! 

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands (Act. 17:24).

Christians who understand the Old Testament temple design, law, and purpose see it is as a shadow of the image of greater things to come.  The pattern joins God’s people corporately together in union with Him to become His “Holy Nation.” (Ex. 19).  The gates to the temple opened in the temple to enter into the Holy place on the Sabbath and New Moon, and each tribe had a position God designed for them to dwell around the tabernacle.  All of this gives us a glimpse of a blueprint of the building of the NEW JERUSALEM up ahead as described in Rev. 19.  When our spirit coming in alignment and agreement with the pattern established, we align to the LORD’s headship (which the Temple Mount reveals the blueprint of God’s government and presence where He alone sits).  

“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” (Rev. 3:12).

The scriptures are clear that Jesus is the chief cornerstone… and we are His living stones being built upon the Apostles (His leadership) and the prophets (His Word.). This IS the building of the 3rd temple and the Old and New Testament describe His temple perfectly joined and fit together with the HEAD: Christ alone!

The temple made of hands, the one that is being attempted in Jerusalem is what is described in Galatians 4 representing Hagar who is in bondage and not free.  

“For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴ which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵ for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶ but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all” (Gal. 4:22-26).

The third temple construction in Israel is only a sign of the impending destruction that will again transpire in Jerusalem before the Lord returns. This third temple is NOT where the glory of the LORD will dwell.  Even the rebuilding of the temple built in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah paled in comparison of Solomon’s temple because the glory of God has departed from a temple made with hands.  

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Mark 11:15).

Ezekiel’s vision describes God’s consuming fire burning brightly through His gems, His remnant that displays this NEW JERUSALEM. 

We are seeing massive fires in the USA in the Northwest.  But in the Holy Spirit of fire is at the same time cleansing His firstfruits remnant. Fiery trials in the end for those who love the LORD serve to cleanse our temples and purify us from everything that is of the flesh so that we can be ready for His consuming fire of His glory that this dark world needs.  So don’t be alarmed by the fiery trials that we are enduring, for we are called to rejoice in it as God is polishing His gems! (1 Peter. 1:6).

^4” Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire.” (Ezekiel 1:4)

^17” and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God (Rom. 8:17-19).