(Connecting some dots from various chapters in The Revealing)
How do we come to this conclusion?
- Sheaf of Firstfruits
- He shall return just as you saw Him go (Cloud of Saints=Cloud of Glory)
- Angel in the pillar and cloud leading Israel – was Jesus – will be the church (body of Christ—Messiah) with Jesus as Head leading Israel again
- Epiphany of His Parousia
- Sign of the Son of Man
- Jacob’s Ladder is Typology of this and a prophecy for the Church
- The Man-Child (THEY feed her there – the Woman – Israel)
1. Sheaf of Firstfruits
Lev 23:10-14 ESV – 10 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 And on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb a year old without blemish as a burnt offering to the LORD. 13 And the grain offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a food offering to the LORD with a pleasing aroma, and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, a fourth of a hin. 14 And you shall eat neither bread nor grain parched or fresh until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
The Sheaf of Firstfruits was waved before the Lord “on the morrow after the Sabbath” that was the same day that Jesus rose from the dead (Mark 16:9). Before there was a general harvest, one sheaf was taken and waved before the Lord on the first day of the week during the Feast of Unleavened Bread:
It was a reminder and a promise of a great harvest from God. In the same way, “Christ, the firstfruits” is a reminder of the great end-time harvest that God will bring.
John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
1 Cor 15:20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
1 Cor 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
The one ripe sheaf testified that there would be a great harvest from God.
The saints who arose at His resurrection were also part of this first “sheaf”:
Mat 27:52-53 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
This was a partial fulfillment of John 12:24 and of the Old Testament of Firstfruits. Those who were resurrected appeared as a witness to those in Jerusalem.
The Sheaf of Firstfruits foreshadows the end time harvest and the activity of the glorified church – appearing to those in Israel whose hearts are ready and possibly beyond.
The resurrection of Jesus and these Old Testament saints together were the sheaf of firstfruits waved before the Lord fulfilling the OT typology of the Sheaf of Firstfruits.
It was a promise of a great harvest at Pentecost, which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (also called the Feast of Firstfruits-believers partook of the resurrection, but not yet physically) and a greater resurrection harvest to come at the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles – the resurrection and taking up of the saints at the rapture.
The word “appeared” indicates glorified bodies like their Lord who could “appear” and “disappear” at will.
It is only quite reasonable to assume that these saints who had resurrected with Jesus, also ascended into heaven with Him. Consider that Acts 1:9-11 teaches Jesus’ ascent into and return from heaven will closely parallel each other.
2. He shall return just as you saw him go
Acts 1:9-11 9Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Mark 13:26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
Zec 14:5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus, the LORD my God will come, and all the saints with You.
Jude 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints…”
Mark 13:26 says “in the clouds” while Zechariah 14:5 and Jude 14 say “with His saints.” Jesus was taken up into heaven in a cloud. The implied parallel (in Acts 1:11) is that Christ ascended into heaven together with those of His saints who were resurrected at that time. The use of cloud is key.
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 links Old Testament saints with a “cloud”
Paul links the fulfillment of firstfruits to the second coming:
1 Cor 15:22-23 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
Conclusion: CLOUD OF (GLORIFIED) SAINTS=CLOUD OF GLORY
3. Angel in the pillar and cloud leading Israel – was Jesus – will be the church (body of Christ – the Messiah) with Jesus as Head leading Israel again
God has not forgotten His people, Israel:
Isa 4:2-6 2In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing, for those of Israel who have escaped. 3And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy – every-one who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, 5then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. 6And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.
Above Mount Zion (implies Temple Mount & perhaps all of Jerusalem) there will be a glorious cloud, smoke and flaming fire protecting those in Zion. A covering – a Tabernacle -linking to The Tabernacle!
Exo 23:20–22 20 “Look, I am about to send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Be attentive to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel against him, because he will not forgive your transgression, for my name is in him. 22 But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.”
Lev 11:45 I am Yahweh, who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be for you as God.
Josh 24:17–18a 17Yahweh our God brought us and our ancestors from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery, and did these great signs before our eyes. He protected us along the entire way that we went, and among all the peoples through whose midst we passed. 18And Yahweh drove out all the people before us…
Deut 4:35-38 35You yourselves were shown this wonder in order for you to acknowledge that Yahweh is the God; there is no other God besides him. 36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to teach you, and on the earth, he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from the midst of the fire. 37 And because he loved your ancestors he chose their descendants after them. And he brought you forth from Egypt with his own presence, by his great strength, 38 to drive out nations greater and more numerous than you from before you, to bring you and to give to you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day .
Jud 2:1 And the angel of Yahweh went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up from Egypt, and I brought you to the land that I had promised to your ancestors”
Jesus Christ was that cloud in the wilderness, just as He will be amidst the cloud of glory along with His saints (His holy ones – the Church). He will lead Israel through the spiritual wilderness they are in.
4. Epiphany of His Parousia
2 Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
Brightness of His coming—Lit. Epiphany of His Parousia | unveiling, or outshining of His presence
This wording implies a period of time in which His coming in His Presence, or Parousia, is hidden or veiled, until the Outshining or Epiphany of His Parousia.
This also parallels Matt 24 where Jesus uses two different words that are translated “coming” – Parousia for His lightning flash presence (from a cloud?) behind the scenes (you don’t see lightning bolts – just the flashes), and the word, Erkoma for His coming in power and great glory for every eye to see Him.
5. Sign of the Son of Man
Sign of the Son of Man/Clouds of Glory | Matt 24 | Rev 1:7 | Dan 7:13-14
Mat 24:27-30 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 29“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Rev 1:7 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.
The “Son of Man’’ language originates from Dan 7:
Dan 7:13-14 ESV – 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Jesus is the prophesied Son of Man.
The repeated emphasis of clouds suggests much more than mere rain clouds. This signifies the beginning of the God’s ‘‘new age’’ – Yahweh dwelling with His people in His manifest presence.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
This reappearance of the Shekinah cloud of glory will explain and reveal the meaning of Christ’s coming to the earth: ‘‘God with us’’ – God come to dwell with man.
Jesus will come with a cloud of saints, and in a cloud of glory – these are both speaking of the same cloud and the same event!
Phil 3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who 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.
This verse literally asserts we will be ‘‘conformed to His body of glory.’’ That is, just as Jesus has a body of glory, so shall we. This is guaranteed by ‘‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’’ (Colossians 1:27). When Jesus reigns in our body, soul, and spirit, He will ‘‘subdue all things unto Himself.’’ He can transform every molecule and fiber of our being – from corruption to incorruption, from dishonor to glory, from weakness to power.
At the Transfiguration:
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
2 Pet 1:4 By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Isa 26:20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. [Indignation, Day of the Lord, Great Trib, Jacob’s Trouble]
Here, Isaiah speaks of the chambers, or tabernacles that the church will enter during the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be God’s protecting Glory on behalf of believers, comprising the Body of Christ in the last days, possibly before or at the outset of the Great Tribulation (The Indignation) when the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth. The glory of God here is protecting the church and the church with their head, Jesus, is protecting the Remnant of Israel – both partaking of the Feast of Tabernacles in the last days.
Therefore, this does not mean the church will be inactive during the Great Tribulation. On the contrary, it will be the church’s ‘‘shining hour.’’
Rev 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Rev 13:5-7 5And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
These references concern the same 3½ years (whether 42 months or 1260 days). After God receives the congregation (the Church at the beginning of the Parousia), His judgments begin. In Revelation 13, we see the Antichrist blaspheming God, His tabernacle, and those who dwell (literally, ‘‘pitch their tents’’, chambers, or tabernacles) in heaven during the Day of the Lord. This is the Parousia, the Body of Christ dwelling in the heavens above the earth. Although we can’t be dogmatic, we believe it could either be the “second heaven,” (outside the atmosphere where celestial bodies such as the sun and moon reside), or possibly “the first heaven” – the atmosphere – as “the Prince and power of the air” along with his angels lose their position of rulership there (the Divine Council has been displaced and is cast down to the earth). The evil principalities’ occupation has ended and the Body of Christ replaces them. We read of this moment in Revelation, chapter 12:
Rev 12: 6-8 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
Israel will meet again with God through their true Messiah. However, our thesis, in light of and supported by the previous presentation up to this point, is that believers in Messiah will also be His glorified sons and daughters. However, those glorified at the resurrection, the Body of Christ, is the family destined to take the place of the corrupted Divine Counsel. The Shekinah, the cloud of glory, may appear (as the cover of this book illustrates) over Israel during the Indignation (i.e., the Time of Jacob’s Trouble). God’s translated family may also aid in Israel’s protection and elsewhere as the LORD wills.
That cloud of glory over Israel is the Sign of the Son of Man—an awesome sign to Israel and to the whole world.
6. Jacob’s Ladder is Typology and a Prophecy for the Church
Let’s recall one of the best-known passages from Genesis:
Gen 28:11-15 11So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Jesus’ version:
John 1:51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
In the context of the Genesis passage, it is reasonable to conclude that Jesus’ version or interpretation of Jacob’s Ladder is found with His statement in John 1:51. The ladder is Jesus: the Greek says ‘‘on the Son of Man.’’ The angels of God ascending and descending on Jesus, the Son of man. In Genesis, He is not only the ladder but in verse 13, He stands at the top of the ladder. Do you see how this proclamation might also convey what we have just considered? The Body of Christ, like the angels in times past, moves between heaven and earth with their Head, the Lord Jesus. The word, angel, also means messenger – the glorified church in action becomes higher than the angels (remember, we will judge angels) and possibly becomes part of the ascending and descending… The usual conception of the events after the Rapture, has the Church safeguarded and “stashed away” in heaven, with no interaction with those on the earth. Perhaps we have missed the “types” presented in the Old Testament and its fulfillment in the Church who reigns with Christ:
Eph 1:20-23 20Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Gen 28:16-19 16Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 18Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
Yahweh through Y’shua dwells in the church, the Body of Christ, the House of God.
The story of Jacob’s ladder also conveys a typology of the church – the church is the gateway of Heaven – it is the portal, or doorway through which the blessings of God will be manifested. To use the biblical metaphor, He is building a house with lively stones (that’s you and me) in which He dwells:
1 Pet 2:5-6 5You 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. 6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
Eph 2:19-22 ESV – 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Psa 20:1-2 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2May He send you help from the sanctuary, and strengthen you out of Zion.
The God of Jacob will send help from the sanctuary, or Holy of Holies (where His glory dwells)! There will be help for Jacob in the time of Jacob’s Trouble.
Members of the Body of Christ, as pictured in Jacob’s ladder will be ascending and descending (or from the earthly perspective, “appearing and disappearing”) in accordance to what the Head of the Body wills. Thus, it seems probable that this ‘‘Parousia’’ ministry will be primarily focused on Israel (Jacob), but will certainly include others whose hearts are open to receive and drawn by the Spirit.
7. The Man-Child (THEY feed her – the Woman – Israel – there)
Rev 12:1-5 1Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
Rev 2:26-29 26And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations – 27’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; 28and I will give him the morning star. 29”He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘
We conclude that the man-child that the woman (Israel) brings forth is one who overcomes, and who believes (many so believe) – as written to the Seven churches in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3). We know that God the Father, brought forth one Son by Israel (in Mary) but that He must be joined to many mature sons to be one Body for the Messiah, Jesus. And when He comes in glory with them, they will rule and reign with Him.
Rev 20:4 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.
To expand further: the ‘‘man-child,’’ in the Greek says, ‘‘male son,’’ or vios (meaning a mature son, ready to rule the Father’s house).
Rev 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
“That they should feed her there.” Could the “they” be members of the Body of Christ? Might they participate in the care of those Jews that flee to the wilderness? Might the ‘‘man-child’’ nourish the woman in the wilderness for 3½ years? We know that this period lasts for 3½ years.
And, likewise, it is agreed that a biblical, prophetic year is 360 days. Therefore, 1260 days = 3½ x 360 days, or 3½ years. There is no question that this period of safekeeping transpires during the same period that the Antichrist seeks to destroy Jews and those who have become believers during the Great Tribulation.
Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev. 12:1-5 possibly a double fulfillment, if it indeed spoke of the birth of Jesus, it would be foreshadowing the birth and “adoption”, or “son-adoption” of the church and it’s subsequent glorification and taking up.
Rev 12:6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Hosea 2:14 “Therefore, behold. I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.
We believe that this possibility is worthy of serious consideration. We think it may indeed be a ministry of the already glorified saints. They will care for the mortal Israelis in the wilderness of Edom. The “male child” will manifest His glory to the remnant in Petra (or other location); that is, those mature sons of God, the Body of the Messiah. God in His lovingkindness and providence, provides a place for the woman and her children to serve her.
WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN TO BRING ISRAEL TO FAITH?
But we believe that God has a plan to bring many, living in Israel, to faith in Jesus Christ. And he will do this in a spectacular and glorious way!
Rom 11:31 Even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.
Isa 59:19-21 19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him. 20“The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the LORD. 21“As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”
Isa 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
The visible, manifest glory of God plays a prominent role in the salvation of Israel. Unlike what we have typically been taught, this presence may even appear over Israel in the very last of the last days:
Ezek 38:23 Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”’
Ezek 39:7-8 7So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. 8Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord GOD. “This is the day of which I have spoken.
Ezek 39:28-29 18Then they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 29And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD.”
Zech12:8-10 In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them. 9It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
Isa 10:20-21 20“The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the LORD. 21“As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”
Hosea 3:4-5 4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.
BEGINNING OF THE DAY OF THE LORD
The Day of the Lord is a period of time and it starts with or after the Parousia (which starts after the Abomination of Desolation-Matt 24, 2 Thess)
Zech 14:1-9 1Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, the houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. 4And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south. 5Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, for the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus, the LORD my God will come, and all the saints with You. 6It shall come to pass in that day that there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7It shall be one day which is known to the LORD – neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light. 8And in that day it shall be that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea and half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day, it shall be – “The LORD is one,” And His name one.
Zech 13:1-2 “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. 2“It shall be in that day,” says the LORD of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.
Living Water will flow out of Jerusalem during the Parousia (through the church, God’s pipeline), and after that, through the next 1000 years (probably a symbolic number).
Rev 14:1 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.
Isa 30:18-21 18Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. 19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of y our cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. 20And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. 21Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
The church will fulfill this at the Parousia, when it accompanies Israel (like the pillar of cloud and fire) through the tribulation wilderness.
Isa 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, And the light of the sun will be sevenfold, As the light of seven days, In the day that the LORD binds up the bruise of His people, and heals the stroke of their wound.
Isa 30:30 The LORD will cause His glorious voice to be heard, and show the descent of His arm, With the indignation of His anger; And the flame of a devouring fire, With scattering, tempest, and hailstones.
The LORD will be there in glory with rivers of Living Water for a thirsty Israel. In this context, we should “reread” what Paul says in the Book of Colossians:
Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
See https://bible.org/article/apocalypse-john-and-rapture-church-reevaluation
© 2017 Gary Huffman. All rights reserved.