So how do we find out how all of these signs and prophecies line up with our calendar? Well the first set of Feasts started with Passover and ended on Pentecost followed by a very long pause of about 2,000 years. Passover was marked by a lunar eclipse on the eve of the Feast Day – and from a Jewish perspective it would actually be the start of Passover. From Israel’s perspective, a day starts in the evening of the previous day. As I mentioned earlier, there was a massive 3-hour eclipse from 12pm until 3pm on the day of Passover when Yeshuah – the true Passover Lamb – hung on the cross, that clearly marked the start of the appointed times that formed part of the first “season” of Feast Days and this was recorded in the Bible as well as by secular historians.
What is interesting to note here is the presence of the rogue planet at the time of Yeshuah’s crucifixion. Only the resulting effect of its presence between the sun and the earth could be observed, which means that it did not reflect light. There are also numerous prophecies throughout the Old Testament that described in advance the events that took place on the day off Passover. These supply us with exact patterns to look for in the New Testament to find the start of the second set of Feasts at the end of which Yeshuah will return, this time as the King of Kings and to rule over the earth for 1,000 years.
You may also have heard of the lunar tetrad or “Blood Moons” of 2014-2015? The lunar tetrad of 2014 and 2015, where 4 total lunar eclipses occurred in succession on Jewish Feast Days, was one of a kind as well. There have been only 8 of these since the time of Jesus. During these blood moons, 4 total lunar eclipses occurred in succession on Jewish Feast Days. What made the most recent series even more unique are 2 solar eclipses that also fell on Jewish Feast Days during this series of eclipses. This is the only series that had lunar and solar eclipses all occurring on Jewish Feast Days. This should tell us that a special notice had been served by God to his people Israel, but also to the world:
Joe 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
When God point out prophetic times to his people as in the passage above, we know based on the patterns that we have noticed before that it always has to do with the Feast Days of the Lord. The fact that we have had a unique Blood Moon Tetrad in 2014-2015 that had lunar and solar eclipses falling on Feast days, unlike any in the past, should tell us that God has indicated that the time for fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy above is right ahead of us and about to be fulfilled.
When we look at the order in which the first 4 Feasts were fulfilled, we notice a sequential order. This also matched the order in which they were given by God to Israel. So the next Feast to be expected would be that of Trumpets or Yom Teruah. An interesting fact about this specific Feast is that it starts the Jewish New Year of years in which Israel is instructed to blow trumpets. This Feast is celebrated over a two-day period during which the determination of which day would be the first day of the year is traditionally made by two witnesses who would then report their observation of the first sliver of the new moon to the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin would then declare on which of the two days, the first day of the month falls and subsequently inform the people of Israel about this. Another important fact is that the Feast of Trumpets stands as being the only Feast Day of which no man knows the day or the hour as it falls on one of two possible days. It could only be determined by the decree from the Sanhedrin declaring that the New Moon had been spotted. This Feast is also singled out as a point in time to which both the Church of God as well as Israel should be watching for and that it will be a day of “announcement”. This can be seen in the passages below:
Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
We know that the last Feast that was fulfilled by Israel’s Messiah is Pentecost and at this time God’s focus shifted to the gentile nations. This period known as the church age or the Times of the Gentiles has been active for the past 2,000 years. Since we also know that the Feasts relate to Israel and their Messiah, we know that the very next feast will once again relate to Israel and their Messiah. Just as we know that Pentecost signalled a pause in Israel’s prophetic clock, so we know that the very next Feast Day will signal a restart of the prophetic clock for Israel and indicate the end of the Church-age. Note that this is not yet the end of the times of the Gentiles, as explained earlier.
So if we use the patterns that God has provided for us relating to the Spring Feasts and we know that the next Feast due to be fulfilled is that of Trumpets, we would need to look for a celestial signal that would mark the start of the second set of Feast Days.
When we look at the description given in Revelation 12 the specific alignment of stars occurs on September 23rd of 2017. What makes this date incredibly important and relevant with regards to the Feast days is the fact that the woman in travail sign marks and concludes on the very day after the Feast of Trumpets. Why is this so important? It is of paramount importance as Israel’s prophetic clock will be restarted as soon as the Church age comes to an end. Based on Yeshuah and Paul’s pointers to this time, we know that God will remove his church from the earth on one of the two days that make up the Feasts of Trumpets. The fact that the sign of Revelation 12 falls on the very day following this Feast, would signal the first day after the Church age has concluded and God’s focus shifting back to Israel. This matches a correct restart of Israel’s prophetic clock with 7 years starting to count down from this day. This will also be the very day for Israel’s counterfeit messiah to step onto the scene as this is the first day in which Satan would be given back full authority over the world for a period of seven years. Why do I say this?
The Bible is clear in stating that God’s Church, indwelled by the Holy Spirit is the ultimate authority on earth while Jesus is preparing dwellings for those that will meet him at the heavenly wedding. Satan has no authority over God’s Church, except for persecuting it, which in fact helps it to grow. When Jesus announced the Church to Peter in Matthew 16 he stated the following:
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
In the passage above we see authority been given to God’s Church on earth which is above that of Satan. This is also confirmed in the following verses:
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Here we see that the Church (who is also the Messiah’s body) is recipient of God’s mighty power and authority which is “far above all principalities and power and might and dominion”. We further know that Satan cannot take over full control of this world until the “restrainer” is removed as can be seen from the passage below:
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
There is much confusion and various interpretations around the passage above and what it means. I think it would be good to pause here for a while to explain some of this:
In the passage above, Paul is addressing the Church of Thessalonica that have been infiltrated by some false doctrine that had them believing that the “day of Christ” had already occurred. Paul then continues to explain the situation by stating what events have to occur before the “day of Christ” could come. What is meant by the “day of Christ” and how can we answer the what, when and why questions? From the information covered, we know that what is referred to, being the 7-year period that includes 3.5 years at the end of great tribulation.
Eze 30:3 For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
So we know what Paul is talking about when he refers to the “day of Christ”. In general, the “falling away” mentioned by Paul has historically been understood to be a decline in morals or moving away from sound doctrine over time as we approach the time that Paul is referring to. However, if one reads Paul’s statement carefully, it has become more and more evident that the way in which Paul structured this, would point to an “event” that is required to allow the Antichrist to be revealed rather than a gradual process of moving away from the Truth or a general condition of the world.
We know that when Yeshuah describes the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3, that it is said to be lukewarm. This would contradict a notion of the church suddenly turning cold before the arrival of the Antichrist. We know that there has been a decline in morals worldwide and that the truth is being twisted so that right has become wrong and wrong has become right. The intent is not to negate this fact – albeit that moral decline has occurred gradually over many decades and even centuries. The question we have to ask ourselves then is this: “When will the intensity of “falling away”, as mentioned by Paul, be sufficient to be considered enough, so that the Antichrist can be revealed?” To me, this approach has become less and less likely to match the way in which Paul stated the facts. The “apostasia” that he is referring to here seems more like an “event” than a gradual decline or describing a specific condition in the morality of the world.
Another clue that we have to bring into the analysis here is the fact that Paul states that there is a “power” that is withholding the Antichrist from making his appearance. It is not stated who or what this is in this passage, but Paul reminded the Thessalonians of what he told them before. So they had the knowledge of Paul’s explanation from an earlier conversation and could get to the answer. Fortunately for us, God’s Word can interpret itself if one searches thoroughly. So we can be sure that we too can find the answer to this question in God’s Word!
Knowing therefore that Paul stated the “falling away” needs to happen before the Antichrist can be revealed and knowing that He specifically states that the Antichrist is being withheld by someone or something that will bring forth the appearance of the Antichrist as soon as it is removed, it is logical to then draw a preliminary conclusion/assumption that the “falling away” and the “withholding power” could be connected. However, we need more evidence to arrive at a more watertight argument.
If we look at the word “apostasia” in Greek and see if we can find other application for it that could be related to an event, rather than a gradual decline, what options are there? One that stands out is given below from the Strongs concordance:
646 apostasía (from 868 /aphístēmi, “LEAVE, DEPARTURE,” which is derived from 575/apó, “AWAY FROM” and 2476 /histémi, “stand”) – properly, DEPARTURE (implyingdesertion);
Our connotation with the word “apostasy” has been stereotyped to mean rebellion or moral decline and we seldom think about the fact that in Greek it could also mean “departure” or “to leave”. So if we apply this other meaning to what Paul is saying we have the following:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a “departure” first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
So this helps us understand this better if we are considering a specific event rather than a general condition preceding the Antichrist’s appearance. Then we also need to see if we can find any possible connection between the “power” that is withholding the Antichrist and the event that is described as a “departure”. We need to identify the withholding power.
So when we approach this topic we will have to make use of an elimination process to arrive at the answer. “Who would be in a position to resist the Antichrist?” will be our first question to answer. The most likely candidates would be:
1. God
2. Angels
3. Christians who are the church of God
We know that God is all powerful and has created the Antichrist and will definitely have power over him and would be able to resist him.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Paul’s explanation above of the action that will be carried out to allow the Antichrist to be revealed seems to be performed by a higher power than the entity that is withholding and does not fit an action that would describe God resisting the Antichrist, in my opinion. God would not be taken out of the way, because there is no one capable of doing that. If it was God’s intention to have Paul write this with God as the resisting entity, one would think that God would have had Paul phrase the sentence differently.
Next we look at Angels. Many believe that this resisting power is the archangel Michael, but we do not read in God’s Word that any of God’s angels have been given the task or authority to resist the devil here on earth or to prevent him from making known the identity of the Antichrist. In fact we read in Daniel quite the opposite. The earth is Satan’s dominion and God’s angels have to fight their way through those of Satan to get things done as can be seen below.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Dan 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
So from these passages it would seem that in the time of Daniel, angels, good or bad, operated on an equal footing here on earth, but that fallen angels can effectively resist God’s angles. We also see a battle described between Satan and his angels and Michael and his angels in Revelation 12 and that this has as a result, Satan’s confinement to earth. This would also not seem to perfectly fit with the situation that Paul is referring to in 2Thessalonians 2.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
We even see scriptures where humans are said to have power over angles where Jacob is described in wrestling with the angel of the Lord; where those who belong to Christ will be appointed judges over angels and finally where Hebrews describe the position of angels:
Hos 12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
So we could categorise the “angel-option” as questionable at most as we do not have any passages assigning authority to angels over other angels in God’s Word. Next we will look at the final option and see if this is a more suitable candidate to fit Paul’s description – the Church. The very first mention of the church is made in:
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
What is noticeable here is that the very first attribute that is assigned to the Church is authority over hell and that hell as the defending entity will not be able to withstand. Why is this? We find several passages expounding on this for us:
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Jas 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Here we see overwhelming evidence of authority over Satan and hell given to the Church. The Church is an entity that God established with a specific purpose in mind – having his authority over the world and over Satan and his dominion. It was a hidden secret that was not known to other ages and whose attributes did not apply to past ages and will also be absent from the 7-year period of Jacob’s Trouble.
Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
1Pe 1:12 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.
So given this knowledge, we can now better understand what Paul is saying if we consider the Church’s authority on earth and that is this:
While the Church is on earth, Satan and all of his angels are subject to the authority of God through his Church. If Satan revealed his Antichrist while the Church is present on earth, he would stand no chance of achieving his desired outcome. We have seen the true Church of God being victorious over Satan for more than 2,000 years now. It was God’s purpose to put the Church on earth to keep Satan under control and to prevent him from achieving his desired outcome before the time was right for it. This period of 2,000 years also allows time for God’s harvest of souls to ripen who will be included as part of his Bride, when He sends his angels to harvest. When God then removes the Church, the door will be opened for Satan, who will then not only be the head of authority on earth, but will also be confined to the earth and those who are left with him will not have the authority over him that the Church had.
We can then clearly see from the considerations above that the Church, being indwelt by God’s Spirit and having God’s authority is the withholding power that will be removed in order for Satan to obtain ruling status on earth that can then allow his Antichrist to step forward without the threat of being defeated.
Something else which would further cause a contradiction is Revelation 13:7
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
If God gave authority to the Church over hell and said that hell would not be able to withstand the Church, why would God break his promise by allowing the Antichrist to overcome the Church during the Tribulation as it seems to imply from the passage above? God cannot lie and He does not break his promises, so we know that when we read the verse above, that this cannot refer to the Church. It is also interesting that the word that is used for Church “ecclesia” is used abundantly in the first three chapters of Revelation. Then it is strangely absent from the text during the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments, and only used again at the second coming of Christ. This is by design, because God will not pour his wrath out over his Bride.
Any view that would see God’s Church go through any the 7-year period of tribulation and any view other than that of a pre-tribulation view, would result in God’s Word contradicting itself and assigning attributes to God that He has clearly stated are not part of his character.
Understanding the passage below as shown, is the only interpretation that in my opinion, does not lead to contradictions:
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (“departure”) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he (“the church”) who now letteth will let, until he (“the church”) be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: