Rapture and End Times

Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. (Psalm 39:4)

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The numbering system we use has an interesting history. The oldest calculating system was counting fingers, then came notches, pebbles, and numbers on strings (a memory tool made of knotted strings called a Quipu).

The invention of number system was not a linear process. Some cultures developed numbering systems independent from each other, or tried to improve on an old system when they discovered that what they had previously did not meet their needs.

Numbering systems came out of necessity of economic and social development, and therefore there are no differences between ancient rock paintings, memory aids (mnemonic devices), winter counts, tallies, knotted cords, and hieroglyphs.

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From counting by means of flocks to finger symbols our current numerical system has evolved to our present day numbers. The journey has taken us from the Stone Age to the present day, and we still use some of the old numerical systems and symbols. These are some examples:

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We’re interested only in numbers that have meaning to us. From counting farm animals, we have invented the natural numbers.  Ultimately, the need to count more efficiently lead to the invention of the computer. Computers truly came into their own as great inventions in the last two decades of the 20th century. The electronic computer is basically a brain.

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Von Neumann based some of his ideas for the architecture of the electronic computer on a model of the brain. We have learned that our brains are computers that work using a system of connected brain cells, called neurons, that exchange information using chemical and electric signals called action potentials.

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Understanding our biological neural network has lead to creating thinking machines. Machine learning – what we most commonly mean when talking about “artificial intelligence” – came into its own in the 2010s.

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Using statistics to identify patterns in vast datasets, machine learning today powers everything from voice assistants to recommendations on Netflix and Facebook. So-called “deep learning” takes this process even further and begins to mimic some of the complexity of a human brain.

For Max Jaderberg, a research scientist at DeepMind, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, the next big leap will come via “algorithms that can learn to discover information, and rapidly adapt and internalize and act on this new knowledge,” as opposed to depending on humans to feed them the correct data.

That could eventually pave the way to “artificial general intelligence”, or a machine capable of performing any tasks humans can, rather than excelling at a single function.

Only 10 years ago, scientists working on what they hoped would open a new frontier of neuromorphic computing could only dream of a device using miniature tools called memristors that would function and operate like real brain synapses. But now a team has discovered, while on their way to better understanding protein nanowires, how to use these biological, electricity conducting filaments to make a neuromorphic memristor, or ‘memory transistor,’ device.

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Thank the Lord that we don’t need neuromorphic computing to determine approximately when the Second Coming will happen.

There a way we can calculate it with accuracy, with simple addition.

The Lord build all the numbers we need for the countdown into His Word – the Holy Bible:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Everyone knows this story.

Very few ask the question: why were these wise men expecting the Messiah at this time? What lead them to be seeking a sign at that moment?

These men read the Scriptures, and knew them very well. We know that, because of what happens next:

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

“In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the leaders of Judah:
because out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:3-6)

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The chief priests and scribes quoted Micah 5:2. They were not pagan astrologers. They were wise in knowing their Scripture. They most likely also knew the Book of Daniel. They were probably basing their timing of the Messiah on these revelations that the angel Gabriel gave to Daniel:

He gave me this explanation: “Daniel, I’ve come now to give you understanding. At the beginning of your petitions an answer went out, and I have come to give it, for you are treasured by God. So consider the message and understand the vision:

Seventy weeks are decreed
about your people and your holy city—
to bring the rebellion to an end,
to put a stop to sin,
to wipe away iniquity,
to bring in everlasting righteousness,
to seal up vision and prophecy,
and to anoint the most holy place.
Know and understand this:
From the issuing of the decree
to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
until Messiah the Prince
will be seven weeks and 62 weeks.
It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat,
but in difficult times.
After those 62 weeks
the Messiah will be cut off
and will have nothing…” (Daniel 9:22-26)

The wise men knew the Word of God. The prophecy stated that 69 weeks of years (173,880 days using the 360 day prophetic year) after the command went forth to restore and rebuild the city of Jerusalem the Messiah would come.

They counted forward 173,880 days from the decree of Artaxerxes in 445 B.C. and determined the Messiah would “cut off (killed) around 32 A.D.

They would have also known from the Hebrew Scriptures that service as a priest started at the age of 30 (Numbers 4:43). Therefore, the Messiah would have been more than 30 years old and the Wise Men could have counted backward from the date of the Messiah’s death and determined an approximate time of His birth. Knowing the approximate time of the Messiah’s birth the Wise Men would have known to be watching for a sign…

Now, look at the rest of the Daniel 9 revelation:

“…The people of the coming prince
will destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end will come with a flood,
and until the end there will be war;
desolations are decreed.
He will make a firm covenant
with many for one week,
but in the middle of the week
he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering.
And the abomination of desolation
will be on a wing of the temple
until the decreed destruction
is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:26-27)

The scope of these revelations that the angel Gabriel gave to Daniel span from the decree to restore Jerusalem all the way to the Second Coming. The Lord had shown Daniel the entire history of the Church Age and the 7 year peace agreement (a firm covenant)  that the Beast will make.

The wise men knew their Scripture, and they knew how to count.

They had faith in the Lord. Note that they “arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1). No one else was expecting the Messiah at that time.

A plain reading of the Holy Bible, along with some simple math, clearly shows that the time of His Second Coming is rapidly approaching. We have multiple countdowns that point to imminent End Times. There is a 6,000 year, 2,000 year, and an 80 year countdown:

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Clue 1

6,000 Years from Adam to the Second Coming

The Old Testament, New Testament, and early writings confirm that the church taught that there will be a thousand year millennial reign of Christ with His people on the earth.

The common belief and teaching was that a millennial reign would come after a literal six thousand year reign of Man.

The scripture in Revelation is clear on the thousand years:

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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. (Revelation 20:4-6)

So, the natural question is, when do the six-thousand years of Man’s self-rule end? Here is the relevant biblical genealogy, formulated and published by the brilliant Biblical scholar Dionysius Petavius in 1627:

Here is the relevant biblical genealogy for the first portion from Genesis 5 (the last verse is from Genesis 7):

Adam to Seth
130 years

Seth to Enosh
105 years

Enosh to Kenan
90 years

Kenan to Mahalalel
70 years

Mahalalel to Jared
65 years

Jared to Enoch
162 years

Enoch to Mathuselah
65 years

Mathuselah to Lemech
187 years

Lemech to Noah
182 years

Noah at the time of the flood
600 years GENESIS 7:11
_____________
total: 1,656 years

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2 years after the flood Shem had Arphaxed

Arphaxed to Shelah
35 years

Shelah to Eber
30 years

Eber to Peleg
34 years

Peleg to Reu
30 years

Reu to Serug
32 years

Serug to Nahor
30 years

Nahor to Terah
29 years

Terah to Abram(Abraham)70 years
135 years later Terah died
_____________________________
total: 427 years

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GENESIS 12:4

Abram as 75 years old when Terah died and God told him to leave Haran. Genesis 17:1 Abram was 99 when God made the Covenant 75 to 99 = 24 years
_________
24 Years

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GALATIANS 3:16-17
EXODUS 12:40

From the time of the Covenant to the year of the Exodus was
_________
430 years

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I KINGS 6:1

From the Exodus to the fourth year of King Solomon was
_________
480 years

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The fourth year of King Solomon when he began the building of the temple
_________
966 years

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Therefore, if we add up 1,656 + 427 + 24 + 430 + 480 + 966, this suggests the creation of Adam was approximately 3,983 BC.

6,000 years – 3,983 = 2018 (there is no “year zero” from BC to AD)

Obviously, Petavius was overly idealistic in his math, not accounting for gaps and rounding errors due to 6,000 years of time being calculated, so his estimate was very rough.

The Second Coming did not happen in 2018, but his calculations do give us the season of the End of this Age.

The next 2 clues refine the countdown…

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Clue 2

2,000 years from Jesus’ First Coming to His Second Coming

Come, let us return to the Lord.
For He has torn us,
and He will heal us;
He has wounded us,
and He will bind up our wounds.
He will revive us after two days,
and on the third day He will raise us up
so we can live in His presence. (Hosea 6:1-2)

The Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:23) states that Jesus was “about 30 years of age” at the start of his ministry. Luke noted that the ministry of John the Baptist began in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, which was the year AD 26.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. (Luke 3: I, 2)

This statement of Luke makes certain the approximate date of Jesus’ public ministry, for we know when Tiberius was emperor (I4-37 A. D.) and when Pilate was procurator (26-36 A. D.).

Jesus began to minister shortly after this time. His crucifixion took place around AD 30, indicating that His public ministry took place within the AD 26 timeframe.

Scholars note that if Jesus began His public ministry between mid to late AD 26 and died in the spring of AD 30, His ministry would have been a total of 3½ years (including His resurrection, 40 days of appearances, and ascension).

Jesus declared that His ministry around 26 AD:

He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent Me
to proclaim freedom to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.” (Luke 4:16-21)

If we use the date of the end of His public ministry as the First Coming, and add 2,000 years, this suggests the Second Coming could be around 2030. If we subtract 7 years for the Tribulation, the Rapture date could be around 2023.

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Clue 3

The Last Generation

In the book of Matthew, we see Jesus teaching the Apostles that the Tribulation, His Rapture of the bride, and the His Second Coming will be linked to a certain generation:

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Matthew 24:32-34).

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We believe that this generation started when Israel (often Biblically symbolized as a fig tree) was reestablished as a nation in 1948 after 1,900 years of dispersion, persecution and oppression. The reason we think this is the last generation is that the Rapture, Tribulation and Second Coming require the existence of the nation of Israel.

A Biblical generation is defined as 70 to 80 years:

Our lives last seventy years
or, if we are strong, eighty years.
Even the best of them are struggle and sorrow;
indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10)

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Now, applying simple addition, we can add 80 years to 1948 = 2028, and conclude that the Second Coming is near. This is the season for His return and for all that was prophesied to be fulfilled. 

Can these countdowns be a coincidence?

6,000 Years from Adam to the Second Coming = 2018 (rough estimate)

2,000 years from Jesus’ First Coming to His Second Coming = 2030 (approximate)

80 Years from the reestablishment of Israel to the end of the Last Generation = 2028 (approximate)

God entire plan and timeline of the Earth and heaven were laid out from the beginning. It is amazing that these 3 dates are within years of each other. With these clues, we are clearly being shown to pay attention to the signs of the times. What are the signs?

The Bible describes it like this:

He also said to the crowds: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be a scorcher!’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this time? (Luke 12:54-56)

Jesus’ listeners knew that when clouds formed in the west over the Mediterranean Sea, rain was on the way. They knew that when the warm wind blew south from the Arabian desert, a heat wave was coming.

In our present times there are many reasons to believe that Jesus is coming soon, adding to our sense of urgency as we hope to discern this time.

What’s happening:

* The stage is set for a rebuilt temple, necessary to fulfill the prophecies of the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Since 1948 Israel is a nation again, and hopes of a rebuilt temple continue to rise among a minority of Jews.

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* The stage is set for the sort of world-dominating confederation of nations, heir to the Roman Empire to arise (Daniel 2:36-45, Revelation 13:1-8, Revelation 17:10-14). It will likely be connected to the modern European Community, arising out of the goals of their leaders and the chaos of the times.

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* The stage is set for a political and economic world leader to arise, the sort of single political leader who will lead this world-dominating confederation of nations (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, Revelation 13:4-7).

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* The stage is set for the kind of false religion the Bible says will characterize the very last days (2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Revelation 13:11-15, Revelation 17:1-6).

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* The stage is set for the kind of economic system predicted for the very last days (Revelation 13:15-17). The technology is available, and the need is present.

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For indeed, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them,” says the Lord of Hosts, “not leaving them root or branches. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. You will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the Lord of Hosts. (Malachi 4:1-3)

For thus says the LORD:

      ” The whole land shall be desolate; 
      Yet I will not make a full end. 
       For this shall the earth mourn, 
      And the heavens above be black, 
      Because I have spoken. 
      I have purposed and will not relent, 
      Nor will I turn back from it. (Jeremiah 4:27-28)

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Who are the wise men and women of today?

Who is waiting expectantly for the Rapture, and His Second Coming?

Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to develop a genuine understanding with a reminder, so that you can remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, living according to their own desires, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” They willfully ignore this: Long ago the heavens and the earth were brought about from water and through water by the word of God. Through these waters the world of that time perished when it was flooded. But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Dear friends, don’t let this one thing escape you: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

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But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell. (2 Peter 3:1-13)

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If you are not sure that you are a member of the family of God, you can accept Christ into your life right now, by praying:

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior.”

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Spread the Word:

Send any comments, suggestions, or prayer requests to raptureandendtime@gmail.com 

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Reader Comments:

I am in general agreement with your Biblical timeline. There is no doubt that we are now on the edge of dramatic events.

You mention Malachi 4:1-3 and 2 Peter 3:7, both Prophesies of the forthcoming punishment of God’s enemies by fire.
THIS is what will be the world changer; the disaster which will commence all the things Prophesied from the Sixth Seal to the glorious Return.

Obviously, from your forum name; you believe in a ‘rapture to heaven’.
I do not see that anywhere in the Prophesies and I look forward to the amazing time when the Lord will bless His faithful people as they live in peace and prosperity in all of the holy Land. John sees us there in Revelation 7:9

Keraz

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