There has been a lot in the news as of late concerning the Mayan calendar [1-2] , the aligning of the sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy (2012) and the ‘Blood Moon Eclipse’ (2015) [3]. While I find these articles and hypothesis’s intriguing, I would note that the Lord’s second coming, most likely, will not happen in this time span.
But, I do believe the date of December 21, 2012 might have possible significance and I will address this at the end of the article.
First, what I believe.
The Rapture
I am a pre-tribulation rapture proponent. Contrary to popular belief, the Rapture has been Christian doctrine since the day of Pentecost.
As Hal Lindsey so astutely pointed out - the Old Testament pointed to one Messiah but two manifestations. One as a ‘Suffering Servant,’ the other as ‘Conquering King.’ The same also applies to the ‘Second Coming.’ [4]
Most Scholars agree that Jesus will come back to Earth seven years after the Tribulation period begins - 3 ½ years after the ‘Abomination that causes Desolation.’ (Daniel 11:31)
Thus the ‘Tribulation Saints’ (see note below) that are left on Earth will know the day and hour of Christ’s return.
If the Bible is so clear about the timing of Christ’s return, then why are we told in 1 Thessalonians 5:2 that ‘the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night?’
It is because there are two different events in relation to Christ’s return. One referred to by scholars as the ‘rapture,’ the other - the ‘second coming.’ One invisible and one visible.
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV)
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)
There are many other verses in Scripture confirming these two separate events.
The Third Jewish Temple
Scripture is very clear that there will be a Jewish temple in the last days. This temple is currently in the birthing stages. [5]
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” - Daniel 9:27 (NIV)
War of Gog and Magog
Russia, Iran, Libya, Syria and other nation hater’s of God’s chosen people will attack the Jewish nation revealed in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. [6]
Good news! God, as always, wins!! Israel will be divinely protected and restored.
“On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east of the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley Of Hamon Gog.”
“For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I am glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares the Sovereign Lord.” - Ezekiel 39:11-13 (NIV)
Anti-Christ
“The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written from the creation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain.” - Revelation 13:5-8 (NIV)
No anti-Christ - No Tribulation. They go hand in hand.
Note: You may have observed that anti-Christ is making ‘war against the saints.’ This is not the Church. They are those Scholars commonly refer to as ‘Tribulation Saints.’ Those left behind after the Rapture - then making a decision for Christ.
“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” - Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV)
This technology is already available and being used today. [7]
This doesn’t mean the anti-Christ is pulling the strings. This technology must be used on a global scale with the only available ‘opt out’ policy being death.
Lets Review
1. The Church has yet to be ‘snatched away.’
2. The Jewish Temple is in the early stages.
3. Russia, Iran and their depraved coalition with evil intentions have yet to attack Israel.
4. Anti-Christ is yet to step onto the world stage. (He most likely is here, but his power is limited.)
5. The ‘Mark of the Beast’ in not fully implemented; and won’t be until anti-Christ’s reign.
Conclusion
In order for the ‘Second Coming’ of Jesus to coincide with the 2012-2015 date range; the Church would have to be Raptured no later than the end of 2008.
Remember, the Rapture has to happen first.
I also believe that the lining up of the sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy could very well have environmental and ecological consequences predicted by Jesus Himself:
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” - Luke 21:11 (NIV)
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” - Luke 21:25-26 (NIV)
I also believe the anti-Christ could use the hysteria of the ancient Mayan calendar to prop himself up.
“He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws.” - Daniel 7:25a (NIV)
Could the end of the Mayan calendar, dated for December 21, 2012, be the perfect vehicle for anti-Christ to accomplish just this? I believe it very well could.
Claiming that ancient civilizations predicted his messianic kingdom by purposely ending their calendars at the predetermined time, would certainly cause many to take notice. Then follow it up by producing a calendar dedicated to his worship and all the while wiping from the memory of the masses, the timeline humanity has used for over 2,000 years - The timeline of Christ.
Get ready. The sands of time are running low and Christian, we’re about to take a ride!
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Mark,
Your article doesn't mention anything about the two witnes's mentioned in Rev. 11. Where do you believe they fall in all of this? Will they appear before the church is raptured or after? And who are they? After all, clearly they play a very important role in all of this. Click here to reply to this post
My thoughts
Posted On: 09/07/08 02:27:51 AM
Age 29, NEW ZEALAND
Well, I'm informend 2012 is definetley going to happen. I know the anti-christ and she is a woman. Really nice person. But there is another, her husband. He is infact God. He is here to send all those that listen to her to hell with her. I'm also informed hell isn't forever though you think it does, and it does last for a very very long time. That's all i can give you and may God have mercy on your soul! Click here to reply to this post
J N Darby repackaged
Posted On: 08/11/08 07:47:10 AM
Age 46, ENGLAND
The teaching in this article has been around for years and I used to subscribe to it. I don't anymore. The King is coming - that is the clear teaching of the Bible. All of the discussions around this glorious future event are theories based on different interpretations of the Bible. Who's theory is right? We'll see! In the meantime let's stop castigating each other and making stupid comments like, 'I hope all the post-tribbers get their opportunity to go through all seven years of God's judgment.' Let's live like The King's coming tomorrow and plan for the next fifty years. Click here to reply to this post
Duane
Posted On: 08/09/08 01:22:01 PM
Age 63, KS
It is very interesting how many "experts" disagree on this issue. All I know is that there are thousands of Christians in China, Russia, North Korea, several countries in Africa and the Mid-east who have gone and continue to go thru tribulation.
It is very convenient and popular for us to believe we won't have to go thru any tribulation. Click here to reply to this post
The Rapture: Escapism
Posted On: 08/08/08 11:42:01 AM
Age 45, NJ
It is clear we have a difference of opinion but it is merely one of unimportant disagreement. In other words we can still be brothers and not agree on this matter.
Here is my writing on the subject...
The "Rapture" - The Teaching of Escapism:
http://www.onlyjesussaves.com/PatrickArchive/RaptureDisputation.htm
Patrick J Burwell/OnlyJesusSaves.com Click here to reply to this post
Rapture takes place around 2012
Posted On: 08/06/08 10:23:30 AM
Age 50, TN
Great article.Many people believe that Jesus will return 6000 years after Adam for His 1000 year rule.The greatest Bible experts such as Perry Stone wwwperrystone.org and Jack Van Impe wwwjvim.com believe in the soon rapture of the church. You can submit your questions to Jack Van Impe. Van Impe said according to Rev 3:10 we won't be around for the tribulation. The Bible says, "I will keep you "from" out of the hour of temptation which comes upon all the earth. So let's rejoice. God wants Christians to impart before we depart! The reason there has been confusion is because Christians wrongly believed the end times began with Israel becoming a nation in 1948 and wrongly believed a generation is 40 years. Hal Lindsey made made both errors. We don't begin with 1948 but with the Jews capturing Jerusalem in 1967 according to Daniel 9:24 and Luke 21:24. As Jack Van Impe said, "A big error has always been that a generation supposedly was a 40 year period. No, "Forty years was I grieved with this generation" the Lord said in Psalm 95:10 but He didn't say a generation was 40 years. A generation according to Matt 1:17 and Luke 3 comes out to 52 years both times. You add 52 to 1967 and you come out to 2019 minus 7 years for the rapture and that comes out to 2012. The Bible says no one knows the hour but it says we can know when it is at the door. So let's reoice Jesus is about to return and impart before we depart! Click here to reply to this post
FALSE PROPHETS and The Easy Way Out
Posted On: 08/06/08 07:15:42 AM
Age 50, MN
No Man Knows The Day Or Hour....
The Hebrew Calender starts on a diffrent day and hour every year...We are to recognize the Season....can you say HARVEST ?
Sorry folks but mid-trib or post trib wins out over PRE-TRIB...If there were any people that deserved to be raptured which is the same as TRANSLATED it would have been the apostles of CHRIST.They all got executed or exiled. What a reward for their work. Our reward comes in Heaven and we are to HATE THIS WORLD. Enoch and Elijah, the only 2 people "raptured", ever. We are promised protection during the tribulation. The Israelites weren't hurt by the plagues against Egypt now were they? Anybody that wants to start calling people satan's little helpers best be careful because the Bible clearly states that satan is the father of lies and that satan even MIMICS Christ.
There are verses in 1 John that go so far as to tell you that you can LOSE your salvation.
Yet there are other verses that tell you that if you believe in CHRIST JESUS you are saved.PERIOD.There are also other verses that tell you that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD FAITH yet we are not saved by works but by GRACE. Want to start TWISTING scripture?
The wicked are removed from this Earth,the meek inherit the Earth. The millenial reign is to clean up the mess and get ready for the ultimate battle. WE DON'T DESERVE TO BE "raptured"...the Apostles did.
Even RUTH GRAHAM said, " It would be better to be raptured waiting for tribulation then it would to wind up in the middle of tribulation when you thought you were going to be raptured!! " Thanks RUTH ! ! ! You Folks Better Put On The ARMOR Of CHRIST JESUS because we haven't seen anything yet. Timothy J Clark
P.S. The stars and the Universe DON'T lie....The Mayan Calender is not astrology. It's astronomy. They know how the " Star Of Bethlehem " was formed....it's an astronomical fact. Click here to reply to this post
THE THIRD TEMPLE IS NOT BUILT BY MERE MEN
Posted On: 08/05/08 11:23:53 PM
Age 64, OH
Mark, you say there will be a third Jewish temple. There is one pictured in Ezekiel, but how do we know this is a physical building. Think about this; why did Jesus destroy Herod's temple after He died for us on the cross. After Jesus shed His blood to pay for the sins of all, it was a supreme insult to what Jesus had done for mere men to be offering the blood of bulls and goats to pay for their sins. Jesus had the temple destroyed to stop this insult to His sacrifice. I do not see why he would let them rebuild the temple to start this insult to His blood up again. The temple has been being rebuilt from the day Jesus died until now. We are the temple. It is a temple of living stones and the builder is God and not men. There is no tool used on any of these stones. They are prepared and fitted into place by the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus. There is no way for man to build a temple like this. Unless the Lord builds the house it is built in vain. This temple will have no end to it and will be taken to heaven for all eternity. What need is there for another temple built by men. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Revelation is a book of prophecy
Posted On: 08/14/08 06:37:47 PM
Age 63, TX
You stated, "The Revelation is NOT about future events at all. It is about The Revelation of the One who was, and who is, and who will be." ("will be" is future tense.) How do you explain Rev. ch. 22's statements such as "Behold I am coming soon. ("coming soon" is future tense.) Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near." ("time is near" is future tense.) Ch. 1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place...." (future tense.) Rev. 19:10 "...Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." I hope you're reconsider and broaden what the book is offering you, because it is a book full of unfulfilled prophecy, which is still FUTURE. We can all testify that there is much OT prophecy that is now fulfilled, so much of it by Jesus, and even the reestablishment of the state of Israel. I believe God finishes what He starts and He will fulfill every prophecy in His Word. The great Author tells us over and over that it is a book of PROPHECY. I rejoice that He loved us so much that He wrote that precious book to us! Click here to reply to this post
THE BOOK IS NOT ABOUT TIME BUT ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Posted On: 08/16/08 10:13:47 AM
Age 64, OH
You have misunderstood my post dear friend. Some even misquote the title of The Book and call it "Revelations" as to say the book is about a telling of the future. The Book is not about "events" or "time"(the future) but it is about The person of The Lord Jesus Christ and The Revelation of The Lord Jesus Christ. This Revelation takes place in the past, present, AND future as I well stated, did I not. You are correct that the Spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus. But this testimony does not only take place in the future and also took place from the beginning and has took place all during the entire time of this universe since it was created, even before man was here. This revelation will climax in the Revealing of Jesus as Lord of Lords and King of all Kings when He returns for the whole world to see and bow their knees and confess that He is Lord. This final Revelation of the Lord Jesus in this age will be the end of this age and His final return at the last trump or the 7th trump in the Book. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Great Article, Mark!
Posted On: 08/05/08 10:07:04 PM
Age 58, MS
Hi Mark,
I thought your article was very thoughtful, although I'm still dubious about the events (Mayan Calender and Blood Moon Eclipse) that many may be using for their endpoint
(2012-2015). I have been teaching Biblical prophecy and typology in churches for twenty-seven years, and I can tell
you without reservation, that very few have the spiritual capacity to understand this complex subject. Some fortunately (usually a handful), realize that something is about to happen, but most are too caught up in their day-to-day activities to really care. As far as the pre-trib naysayers, I say go back and read some real scholars, such as, John Walvoord, J. Dwight Pentecost,Leman Strauss, or Clarence Larkin. These men had real insight into the subject of eschatology. As far as the seven-year tribulation, I hope that all post-tribbers get their opportunity to go through all seven years of this
time of God's judgment. I have had two or three forums where the fellowship was tremendous only to be destroyed by
these people and eventually my forums were deleted because they killed the spirit of fellowship. Believe it or not, the Holy Spirit gives some men insight over and above what's in the commentaries and what the liberals teach in the seminaries. The last book that I wrote on Revelation I used over
130 sources. I can only wonder how many books these people have read on the subject of Bible prophecy. I'm not saying that I am an expert or that I have all the answers, but God has given me insight into this world of Bible prophecy and I have come to realize that either you get it or you don't get it and that's about the sum of the matter. Click here to reply to this post
THE GREATEST TEACHER IN THE UNIVERSE
Posted On: 08/05/08 11:08:55 PM
Age 64, OH
You say you have read 130 books on Bible prophecy. I have read very few and do not think that it is important how many books one reads. You can read all the books of men that you want. For instance the book Late Great Planet Earth is only a few years old and is already out of date. Many things in it did not come true and were wrong. I will read the Book of our Lord. It is not important where you go to school or which book you read. The only thing that is important is who your teacher is. I have been taught from the start by the Holy Spirit and He has been my teacher to this day. Do you think that leaves me at a disadvantage. I do not think there is any better than the One who died for us and the One who will return for us. I think there is none equal to Him. I am open to whatever He wants to teach me. It is often NOT what I want to hear, in fact never is. But He is able to make me willing to be made willing to learn of His Revelation. The Revelation is NOT about future events at all. It is about The Revelation of the One who was, and who is, and who will be. The Revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ is about just that, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. That Revelation started when God created the heavens and the earth. Lou Click here to reply to this post
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Posted On: 08/18/08 03:20:40 PM
Age 63, TX
(Lou, I'm reposting my response to a response I wrote and then posted after the wrong statement. If that was confusing, I sincerely apologize. Perhaps it will make more sense posted here.It follows:)
You stated, "The Revelation is NOT about future events at all. It is about The Revelation of the One who was, and who is, and who will be." ("will be" is future tense.) How do you explain Rev. ch. 22's statements such as "Behold I am coming soon. ("coming soon" is future tense.) Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near." ("time is near" is future tense.) Ch. 1:1 "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place...." (future tense.) Rev. 19:10 "...Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." I hope you're reconsider and broaden what the book is offering you, because it is a book full of unfulfilled prophecy, which is still FUTURE. We can all testify that there is much OT prophecy that is now fulfilled, so much of it by Jesus, and even the reestablishment of the state of Israel. I believe God finishes what He starts and He will fulfill every prophecy in His Word. The great Author tells us over and over that it is a book of PROPHECY. I rejoice that He loved us so much that He wrote that precious book to us! Click here to reply to this post
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Posted On: 08/22/08 07:33:04 AM
Age 64, OH
Is the book about time or is the book about a Person. This Lord of all lords, The Lord Jesus created time and lives outside of time. The Book is The Revelation of The Lord Jesus Christ. The climax of this revelation is in the future as far as time goes but this revelation also happened in the past and happens right as we speak. I never said the book did not include events that were to happen in the future, but that the future was NOT the focus. The focus of the book is Jesus Christ. Rev 1: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, clouds,..... 8"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."-- The Book is about our dear Lord, but even as far as time goes, it is concerning the past, present, and future; not just the future. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Disciples' questions Re:"When" and "What"
Posted On: 08/22/08 05:15:47 PM
Age 63, TX
As you quoted Jesus from Mt., "See, I have told you ahead of time." Jesus was telling the disciples the answers to their specific questions about what EVENTS and when they would take place leading up to, during and through the trib. They already knew He was the Messiah. They specifically asked WHEN and WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN. I don't deny that it's a reaffirmation of who Jesus is, but that's not the only book in the Bible that describes Him, and you can't say that's the only topic of any of them, either. In another post, you stated, ""THE JEWS WERE DECEIVED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT TRUST IN GOD. BUT WE SEE THE ELECT IS STILL HERE." (I didn't bother to respond) Do you think any of the elect are Jewish? Are you implying that because many of the Jews were deceived that they all were? For all time? During the trib? If that's your position, consider who Mt. 24 is told to, and what it's about. Who was the Jewish Messiah talking to? Jewish believers. Where were they? In Jerusalem. Verse 15 puts us at mid trib, 3.5 years in the middle, when the antichrist identifies himself. "SPOKEN OF through the PROPHET DANIEL"--Jesus' words! Who's going to know the book of Daniel? The Jews! Who was the early church--Messianic Jews--told to take the gospel to? To the JEWS first, starting in Jerusalem, and then to the Gentiles. He's referring to the Jews when He says THEN let those who are in JUDEA flee to the mts. I believe that's Petra. "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath." WHO is forbidden to travel on the Sabbath? ORTHODOX JEWS! In verse 27 He tells them to not look for Him, He's coming to them: So obviously, since so much of this conversation is about the Jews and Israel, Jesus is coming for some Jews who will be saved during the trib! "For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Rev. chapter 19 opens with a roar in heaven. 19:8 describes the BRIDE at the wedding feast of the Lamb as dressed in "FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN," and in 19:14 it reads "The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and DRESSED IN FINE LINEN, WHITE AND CLEAN. So the bride is already in heaven at the beginning of the chapter for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and then returns to earth with the Jesus. Those who were truly saved and Raptured will be a part of the bride, riding behind Him. I think it will include even a lot of people who didn't believe in a pre-trib Rapture! Click here to reply to this post
LET THEM BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE
Posted On: 08/25/08 12:14:26 PM
Age 64, OH
Dear friend, thank you for your kind reply. It would be nice if you would include your 1st name so I can call you by name, but not necessary. In general, would you say modern Israel is Christian or are they deceived. Of course a few are trusting in Jesus, I know some that are. As far as Jesus referring to the sabbath and the winter, I think Jesus was saying to pray that we are not dormant (winter) or at rest but working to serve Him when He returns. When Jesus said, beware the yeast of the pharisees, was He speaking of bread. As to your remark, who was Jesus speaking to: Jesus was speaking to whoever has ears to hear, which is all who are humbly seeking the Truth, and not trying to justify their position.- The book of Daniel is not for Jews, but it is for all those who trust in The One and Only true God. I read it, don't you. Did the Jews understand the book of Daniel, which tells about Jesus coming to earth 2000 years ago also. Paul tells us that the Jews have been cut out and we have been grafted in. The message of the whole Bible is that God saves all who trust in Him. Ruth was not a Jew, yet she has a book named after her. Enoch was not a Jew, yet he was raptured before he even died. We are not saved as nations but we are saved as individuals. - Many scriptures can be interpreted many ways, but they all have to agree, or it is not the truth. Jesus says, LET THEM BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST, which is the end of the age. How can you interpret these words of Jesus to mean that the wheat is taken 1st. Lou Click here to reply to this post
End Time Events
Posted On: 08/05/08 04:26:14 PM
Age 44, TX
After teaching and preaching a pre-trib position for years, I understand how someone can be caught up in the doctrine. I encourage people to look at the two passages Paul qoutes as the basis of the rapture in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
If anybody knows what Paul was talking about, it should be Paul. One is from Isaiah 25:8, the other Hosea 13:14. Look at them in context.
If your veiw of the rapture isn't built on these two passages, then it is built on fantasies.
rlytle@gt.rr.com Click here to reply to this post
