Searching the Manner of Time

 

There is substantial criticism lodged on those of us who attempt to estimate the season and  the Day of Christ.  We are often charged with the "date setting" indictment, a badge of shame.  The date setting charge is designed to quash the spirit of encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:18) and the blessed hope (Titus 2:13) which produces a purifying hope (1 John 3:3).  

There will be no revival in the world before the Rapture.  All prior ages have ended in apostasy.  So will it be with the Church Age. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

 

Manner of Time

 

Peter says the prophets "enquired" and "diligently searched" [the Scriptures of Truth] with a view to determine the time that Messiah would appear.   They were probably charged with being "date setters" since the Age of the Law ended in apostasy too.  They killed the prophets and their Messiah.  

 

1 Peter 1:10-12 states:

 

¹⁰ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

 

¹¹ Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

 

¹² Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

 

I wonder about a present day application of the 1 Peter 1 verses cited above.   Peter is doctrinally written to Tribulation Jews.   I think it is reasonable to consider that Peter was possibly writing about today's  "date watchers" who study and search the Scriptures for the Rapture season or Feast. 

 

I think there may be an intended current application because Peter says that these prophets who search the "manner of time" have the Spirit of Christ in them".   The Spirit of Christ was not in the Old Testament prophets.  The Spirit of Christ is in or indwelt the body of Christ, the true Church.

 

We are all prophets,  in the sense that we "speak and proclaim" the word of God, as written [in the King James Authorized Version of the Bible].   God has disclosed his plans in advance. (Amos 3:7; Matthew 24:25)  This is no secret.

 

Peter says that the Spirit of Christ in these prophets is "signified" by looking back at Christ's sufferings (first coming) and looking forward to the glory which should follow.   We have the proof of the first coming which was proclaimed by the Old Testament prophets.  We look forward to the "signifying signs" of His Second coming, first,  for "his own at His appearing" [rapture]  (1 Corinthians 15:23) and,  later,  to join Him at His return at the end of the Time of Jacob's Trouble (1 Corinthians 15:24).

 

We await the "blessed hope" and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.  (Titus 2:13)

So, we should follow John's advice.  It is an imperative command.  Search the Scriptures !! (John 5:39).  Then,  follow Paul's advice to Timothy.  Study the Scriptures and learn to "divide" them into understanding the doctrines of God. (2 Timothy 2:15).   Then, you will come into the view proclaimed in 2 Timothy 3:16.  That is "all Scripture"  is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness.  This therefore,  perfects the "man of God" preparing him for the works which are pleasing to God. (2 Timothy 3:17).

 

Jesus is coming soon.  By all reasonable reckoning, searching and studying the Scriptures, we may reasonably estimate that the period between Pentecost 2016 and 2017 is a high watch date range. (See Note 1)   I am watching  these two Pentecostal dates.   

 

Just look at the calendar mess we have today.   Nobody even knows the 2016 Pentecost date because of leap year issues.  We can know the season. (Matthew 16:3).  It is Spring. (Song of Solomon)   Jesus criticized the Pharisees for not recognizing the time of their Visitation.  They should have known.  It was in the Scriptures.   Therefore, Jesus teaches us that we can know the season.  The season is easier than the Year.  The Season is a Spring Feast.  Paul tells the Thessalonians that they did not need teaching as to the times and seasons of the Day of Christ.  They understood. (1 Thessalonians 5:1).   Paul taught about the First Resurrection in detail.  First Corinthians Chapter 15 is entirely dedicated to this teaching.  

 

The Feasts of Leviticus teach about God's prophetic times and seasons.  The Feasts of the Lord are a prophetic picture of His redemption plans.  This is no secret.  We have the proof.  Paul teaches that these are "shadows of things to come". (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1)  Jesus died as the Passover Lamb, was buried sinless during Unleavened Bread and resurrected to life everlasting on First Fruits.  Jesus fulfilled the Spring feasts.  The Church is in Pentecost.   The Fall Feasts are about the Jews and the Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus. 

 

Paul teaches that there are three orders of the first resurrection of righteousness.  They track parallel to the Pilgrimage Feast of the Lord. (Exodus 23:14) Paul teaches that rapture of "Christ's own"  is the second order of the resurrection which occurs at the second pilgrimage feast or Pentecost.  (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)  

 

Pentecost is yet to be completely fulfilled. (See Note 2)  When we believed, we received a deposit [the Holy Spirit].  This was a transactional down payment against the next stage, the redemption of the body.  The completed transaction which began on our Pentecostal salvation will be completed on the same Feast Day.   This two stage resurrection: (1) Christ indwelt and (2) the glorified body, are both Pentecostal events.   It is a purchase transaction completed  in two parts fulfilling Pentecost: a deposit of the Spirit followed by redemption of the body.  We are Christ's purchased possession. (Ephesians 1:14)

 

Passover had a dual application.  The first Passover lamb was sacrificed in Egypt.  The last Passover Lamb, Jesus, was sacrificed in Jerusalem.   We follow Jesus.   He came to us at our individual High Holy Day of Pentecost when He deposited His Spirit into us with the promise to finish the purchase transaction with the Redemption of our bodies.  This is the blessed Hope.  It will arrive soon, very soon. 

 

This is the purifying hope.  And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.  (1 John 3:2)

 

Note 1.   The Rapture occurs before the Tribulation.  We can know the season of the Rapture by focusing on Israel and Daniel's 70th Week.  We can know the season of the Rapture by studying 1 Corinthians 15, Leviticus 23 and Exodus 23.   The Tribulation is the Time of Jacob's (Israel's) Trouble or Daniel's  70th Week.  It is not the Churches trouble.  Our trouble is now.  The Time of Jacob's Trouble is principally purposed in getting the remnant of Israel to accept Jesus as Messiah.   The body of Christ will not be subject to God's condemnation during the Tribulation.  Jesus paid the full price, once for all.  There is NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. (Romans 8:1)   And to them who would suggest that the Church is not ready for a pre-Tribulation rapture and will need to go into the Tribulation for a mid or post Tribulation rapture,  you teach a works and faith heresy.  Jesus paid the full price.  He alone saves. We can add nothing ! (Ephesians 2:8-9)  We have peace with God. (Romans 5:1) 

 

The Tribulation is about Daniel 9.  We are dealing with Israel and 70 year periods.  See: http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2014/70.70.70%20Jacobs%20Trouble.pdf

 

It is during this 7-Year period when God will save and deliver the remnant Jew who keeps the commandments of God and has the faith and testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 12:17; 14:12) 

 

The Years 2016 and 2017 are in the 70-Year prophetic window from the 1947/48 re-gathering of Israel. This is the fig tree prophesy. (Matthew 24:32).  Those who witness the re-birth of Israel and reject Jesus as Lord,  will experience the Time of Jacob's Trouble.  God will most likely act on Israel in this 70-Year period.  At the "fullness of the Gentiles", God in Christ will remove the true Church.  Then, God will commence Daniel's 70th Week.    It is a pattern which is reliable.

 

Note 2.  There is no Scriptural support for the proposition that the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai fulfilled a part of Pentecost.  Moses never suggested anything.  Paul did not teach it, on the contrary, he teaches that Pentecost is associated with the hope of glory.  Beware the traditions of men. (Colossians 2:8)