By Maria Merola אריאל
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance, May 2007
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/DPIMinistries
In this study, the sole purpose is to refute the erroneous idea that “The wicked are
taken,” while “The righteous are left behind,” when the bridegroom comes for
his his bride. To
sum it up in a nutshell, (a basic misunderstanding that I see), is that many are
conflating the parable of “The wheat and the tares” (in Matthew 13:25-30) with the
parable of the those that are either “taken or left” (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke
17:34-36).
In this study, the sole purpose is to refute the erroneous idea that “The wicked are
taken,” while “The righteous are left behind,” when the bridegroom comes for
his his bride. To
sum it up in a nutshell, (a basic misunderstanding that I see), is that many are
conflating the parable of “The wheat and the tares” (in Matthew 13:25-30) with the
parable of the those that are either “taken or left” (Matthew 24:40-41; Luke
17:34-36).A
fundamental flaw is to presume that because the tares are “gathered” (and harvested
first), it means they are “taken” away from the earth. It is assumed that
the words “gather” and “taken”
mean the
same thing, but they do not.
The
tares are indeed gathered first, and thrown into the furnace. But they are not
taken away from the earth.
Revelation
19 tells us where these wicked tares are gathered:
Chazown (Revelation) 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he
cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of
heaven, Come and gather
yourselves together unto the supper
of the great Elohiym;
Chazown (Revelation) 19:18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh
of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them
that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and
great.
Revelation 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth,
and their armies,
gathered together to make war
against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
As
you can see, the wicked tares are gathered
together into one place (here on earth) to a great battle where they
will be slaughtered, and their flesh eaten by the birds!
This
explains why in the parable of the wheat and the tares, it says the following:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 13:30 Let both grow together until the
harvest: and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather
the wheat into my barn.
As
you can see, the tares are “gathered
together into one place,” where they shall be eaten by the birds, here on earth. The bride is then gathered to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” during the Feast of Tabernacles
which takes place in a sukkah.
The
next thing I would like to address, is the word “rapture.” The
word “rapture” is not found
any place in our English Bibles. However, it is a Latin word “rapturo” which
means: “To seize, to
snatch, to carry away.”
This
is the very same word that is used in 1st Thessalonians
4:17 where it says that the elect shall be “caught up” to meet
YaHuWaH in the air. This word in Greek is “harpazo” and it means the very same thing as “rapturo.”
The
word harpazo in 1st Thessalonians 4:17 is seen in the
Greek Concordance as follows:
Strong’s #G726 – harpazō ἁρπάζω
“To seize, carry off by
force, to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly, to snatch out, take
by force, pluck, carry away.”
I
am explaining all this, because there are some people who would try and argue
that there is no such thing as a “catching away” of the bride, and I am going to illustrate that they are wrong. The word rapturo and harpazo are the very same word, only one
is Latin and the other is Greek, however they mean the very same thing!
When
our Messiah, (the bridegroom) comes and seizes his bride, he will then carry her
away to the wedding chuppah in heaven. Those who go into the marriage are “taken,” and those who
did not have their lamps filled (the five foolish virgins) are the ones who
will be “left” out
of the marriage.
When
reading 1st Thessalonians 4:17 in
Italian we can see the term “rapiti” which
is the conjugated verb from where we get the word “rapturo.”
1st Tessalonicesi 4:17 (La Nuova Diodati)
Poi noi viventi, che saremo rimasti saremo rapiti assieme a loro sulle nuvole, per incontrare il
Signore nell'aria; cosí saremo sempre col Signore.
The
verb “rapito” in
Italian is as follows: rapito: kidnapped, abducted; rapt, charmed, fascinated,
enchanted.
The 2nd person
past tense of this verb “rapiti” refers
to the body of Messiah (the bride) being caught up.
When Does the Bride Get “Taken” Into the Marriage?
In
this study, my purpose is not to focus on the timing of this event. The main
purpose of this study is to make a distinction between which group of people will be “taken,” and
which people will be “left
behind.”
I highly recommend reading my other blog where I refute the idea of a “Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” In this blog, I also explain that the catching away of the bride----what 1st Thessalonians 4:17 calls the “harpazo” (in Greek) or the “rapturo” (in Latin) of the bride will take place “Immediately after the tribulation” (Matthew 24:29-31).
I highly recommend reading my other blog where I refute the idea of a “Pre-Tribulation Rapture.” In this blog, I also explain that the catching away of the bride----what 1st Thessalonians 4:17 calls the “harpazo” (in Greek) or the “rapturo” (in Latin) of the bride will take place “Immediately after the tribulation” (Matthew 24:29-31).
Click here for the blog entitled “Pre-Tribulation or Post-Tribulation ‘Rapture’ Theory?”
There are patterns within the entire counsel of Scripture (both Old & New Testaments) for this concept of the bride being “taken,” and those who will be “left” out of the marriage.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
There are patterns within the entire counsel of Scripture (both Old & New Testaments) for this concept of the bride being “taken,” and those who will be “left” out of the marriage.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins (Ten Northern Tribes), which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him.
*Note: the five wise virgins are “going out to meet” the bridegroom! They are “leaving” to go somewhere!
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
*Note: the bride follows the same pattern as her Messiah---she “arose” and went up to meet him in the air!
The Resurrection & Ascension of the Bride Follows the Same Pattern as that of Messiah’s
The Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) explains that righteous will follow the same pattern of the Messiah in death, burial and resurrection:
The Resurrection & Ascension of the Bride Follows the Same Pattern as that of Messiah’s
The Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) explains that righteous will follow the same pattern of the Messiah in death, burial and resurrection:
Romiym (Romans) 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romiym (Romans) 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Our Messiah is referred to as “The man-child” in Revelation 12, for he was born of the woman “Miryam” (Mary), and then caught up to Elohiym and to his throne.
However, Revelation 12 has a dual fulfillment in the future resurrection of the bride of Messiah. The man-child is also a corporate resurrected body of people referred to as “one new man” in Ephesians 2:15. Jews and Gentiles alike who are “born-again of incorruptible seed” will put on immortality when they are resurrected:
Chazown (Revelation) 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto Elohiym, and to his throne.
Our Messiah remained here on earth after his resurrection for forty days, and afterward, he ascended back to the Father in heaven:
Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Acts 1:11 Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? This same Yahuwshuwa (Jesus), which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
Continuing with the Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
*Note: Our Messiah refers to himself as “The door” to the sheepfold, and the door to salvation in John 10:1-9. In Revelation 3:8 and 4:1, Messiah describes an “open door” that no man can shut for the elect who overcome.
Once that door is shut, nobody can enter into the marriage after that! As in the days of Noah, once the elect went into the ark, (and the door was shut), there were no more people saved after that!
Parallels with Noah & The Ten Virgins
We are now going to observe patterns with the account of Noah and the flood to the parable of the ten virgins.
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 25:
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Master, Master open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.
*Note: verse 13 is a hint regarding “The day that no man knows.” This phrase is a Hebrew Idiom describing the Feast of Trumpets, aka Yom Teruw’ah in Hebrew. To learn more, see my other blog: The Feast of Trumpets: “The Day That No Man Knows!”
Why is the Feast of Trumpets nick-named “The day that no man knows.” The Feast of Trumpets is the only feast outlined in Leviticus 23 wherein the commencement of it is determined by the sighting of the new moon.
No man on earth can determine exactly when this feast will begin, because only the Father in heaven can control when the moon shows itself in the sky. In Acts 1:7 our Messiah said to his disciples “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.”
Our Messiah warned us in advance to be like those five wise virgins by having our lives filled with the “Ruwach ha’Qodesh” (Holy Spirit), so that we will be ready to meet the bridegroom at his return. If we do not have our oil lamps filled (symbolic of being filled with the Spirit), then we will be counted as the foolish virgins who get left out of the marriage!
Do These Five Foolish Virgins Look Like They Are Going Somewhere?
Our Messiah warned us in advance to be like those five wise virgins by having our lives filled with the “Ruwach ha’Qodesh” (Holy Spirit), so that we will be ready to meet the bridegroom at his return. If we do not have our oil lamps filled (symbolic of being filled with the Spirit), then we will be counted as the foolish virgins who get left out of the marriage!
Do These Five Foolish Virgins Look Like They Are Going Somewhere?
The Words Taken & Left Correspond to Married & Divorced
What is interesting is that we see patterns throughout the Towrah, Prophets, & Writings as well as the Briyth Chadashah (Renewed Covenant) scriptures that point to the fact that “taken” is most often used to mean “taken in marriage.”
In 2nd Kings 2:9, Eliyahuw (Elijah) is about to be “taken” away in a Chariot of Fire, and in this account, the Hebrew word for “taken” is Strong’s #H3947 which is “laqach” and the definition of this word means:
“To marry, take a wife, snatch, take possession of, take in marriage, receive, accept, seize, acquire, buy, select, choose.”
“To marry, take a wife, snatch, take possession of, take in marriage, receive, accept, seize, acquire, buy, select, choose.”
As you can see this is all “marriage covenant” language!
In 2nd Kings 9:8 Ahab and the rest of the wicked are “left” behind and the Hebrew word for “left” is Strong’s #H5800 “azab” which means: to abandon, forsake, neglect, apostatise, to depart from, leave behind.
*Note: it is important to note that the word “apostatize” in Greek means “to write a certificate of divorce:”
#647. apostasion ap-os-tas’-ee-on neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of 868; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce:--(writing of) divorcement.
The five foolish virgins were engaged to the Messiah, but then he divorced them and they were “left” out of the marriage because they had no oil in their lamps!
What we see in 2nd Kings 9:8 is that Ahab is a prophetic “type” of the Anti-Messiah and Captain YaHuW (Jehu) is a type of Messiah. And he is getting ready to come and “smite” the House of Ahab and “avenge the blood of the servants the prophets.”
This is definitely a picture of the end-time scenario that we are going to see again in Revelation 19, when our Messiah returns and “avenges the blood” of the servants of YaHuWaH!
When we read this account, we can now see who will be “LEFT BEHIND!”
2nd Melakiym (Kings) 9:
7 And you shall smite the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of YHWH, at the hand of EzyBaal (Jezebel).
8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisses against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Yisra’el:
As you can see, the House of Ahab were “left!” We can see the same pattern again in Matthew 24:40-41 with the terms “taken” and “left.”
The Greek word for “left” in Matthew 24:40-41 in the Greek Strong’s Concordance is as follows:
#863. aphiēmi which means “to forsake, a husband divorcing his wife.”
The Greek word for “taken” in the Greek Strong’s Concordance is as follows:
#3880. paralambanō which means: “to take unto oneself in an intimate way, to join unto oneself.”
Are we seeing a pattern yet? The word for “taken” in both Greek and Hebrew in Matthew 24:40-41 & 2nd Kings 2:9 pertain to being taken into marriage! And the word for “left” in both Hebrew & Greek pertains to being divorced or forsaken! Now let’s take look at the account of Noah as described by our Messiah in the gospel of Matthew.
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 24:37-39 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Who Was Being Taken Away?
As the waters “rose” higher, the eight righteous people on Noah’s ark were “taken up” from the earth away from the flood!
Noah’s family “came back down” to inherit the earth, just as our Messiah taught in Matthew 5:5 “The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Many people interpret Matthew 24:39 to mean that the wicked were “taken away” by the flood. However, they did not escape the wrath of Elohiym! They were left down here on the earth to die in the flood!
What is even more telling is that the phrase “and took them all away” in Matthew 24:39 is just one Greek word “airo,” from where we get the English word “air!” Take a look at the graphic below from the Greek Lexicon. You will see the definition of the phrase “and took them all away.”
It literally means “To sail away, to raise from the ground, to elevate!”
Who Was Being Taken Away?
As the waters “rose” higher, the eight righteous people on Noah’s ark were “taken up” from the earth away from the flood!
Noah’s family “came back down” to inherit the earth, just as our Messiah taught in Matthew 5:5 “The meek shall inherit the earth.”
Many people interpret Matthew 24:39 to mean that the wicked were “taken away” by the flood. However, they did not escape the wrath of Elohiym! They were left down here on the earth to die in the flood!
What is even more telling is that the phrase “and took them all away” in Matthew 24:39 is just one Greek word “airo,” from where we get the English word “air!” Take a look at the graphic below from the Greek Lexicon. You will see the definition of the phrase “and took them all away.”
It literally means “To sail away, to raise from the ground, to elevate!”
The only people who were lifted up from the earth and elevated was Noah’s family!
The wicked did not know the flood would come, even though Noah tried to warn them. Although Noah knew the flood was coming, he did not know the exact day, nor the hour that the flood would come as Yahuwshuwa tells us here:
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 24:38-39 “…Noah entered the ark and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.”
Took Who Away?
Does this illustration look like the wicked were taken away from the flood? Or were they “left” here on the earth to die in it?
Many believe that this verse is referring to the wicked being “taken away.”
However, if you look at the sentence structure, you can see that the last subject in this sentence is “Noah,” and it was his family of “eight” people that were “taken away” from the destruction of the flood into the ark.
Those who accept the idea that the wicked people are “taken,” are misinterpreting this verse to insinuate that there is not going to be a “catching away” of the bride. They use this verse to imply that the wicked are going to be “taken” somewhere, and the righteous are going to be “left behind.” But let me explain why this is not the case. We already know that righteous Noah and his family were “taken up from the earth” in the ark under the protection of YaHuWaH, while the wicked were left behind on the earth to die in the flood. We also see many other similar patterns in scripture.
The Righteous Shall Never Be Removed?
Those who teach that the righteous will be “left” and the wicked will be “taken” often use this verse out of context:
The Righteous Shall Never Be Removed?
Those who teach that the righteous will be “left” and the wicked will be “taken” often use this verse out of context:
Mishle (Proverbs) 10:30 The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
What does this verse mean? Let’s look at the Hebrew word for “removed” in this verse:
#4131. mowt mote a primitive root; to waver; by implication , to slip, shake, fall:--be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, X exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-)moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip.
The bride of Messiah will be taken into the marriage into a “set-apart” place called the “chuppah” (bridal chamber) for seven days, just like Leah & Jacob who also had a seven-day honeymoon before being presented to the wedding guests (Genesis 29:28). The bride of Messiah will then return with the bridegroom as described in Revelation 19:7-9 to inhabit the earth during the Millennium.
Obviously the wicked people in the days of Noah perished and their dead bodies were “left” here on earth to be eaten by the birds. The same thing will happen in the future on the Great Day of Wrath:
Revelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Elohiym;
Revelation 19:18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Another reason why many are confused about who is “taken,” and who will be “left,” is because of the words of our Messiah. At first glance, it appears that our Messiah was telling his disciples that the wicked people would be “taken,” to where the eagles will be gathered. However, a closer look at the verses below indicates that those who are gathered to the battlefield in Revelation 19, are those who were “left behind” after the bride was “taken into the marriage.”
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 24:28:
27 For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
You will notice that the event being spoken of in the above verses is referring to the second coming of Messiah, which will take place “Immediately after the tribulation.”
However, our Messiah said that wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. What are they gathered together to do? Yahuwshuwa was telling his disciples that the wicked will be left behind here on earth to be eaten by the birds as described in Revelation 19:17-19. In Revelation 19:11-14 Yahuwshuwa is seen returning on a white horse with an army that follows him “clothed in fine linen white and clean.” Who is this army?
However, our Messiah said that wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. What are they gathered together to do? Yahuwshuwa was telling his disciples that the wicked will be left behind here on earth to be eaten by the birds as described in Revelation 19:17-19. In Revelation 19:11-14 Yahuwshuwa is seen returning on a white horse with an army that follows him “clothed in fine linen white and clean.” Who is this army?
Chazown (Revelation) 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the qodeshiym (saints).
As you can see from the above verse, it is the bride in her new resurrected body! The bride gets to watch him take vengeance on her enemies as the wicked are “left behind” as prey for the birds.
On the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the bride will be taken away by the bridegroom at the seventh and last trumpet (after 1,260 days of tribulation).
As you can see from the above verse, it is the bride in her new resurrected body! The bride gets to watch him take vengeance on her enemies as the wicked are “left behind” as prey for the birds.
On the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), the bride will be taken away by the bridegroom at the seventh and last trumpet (after 1,260 days of tribulation).
The bride and groom will elope, and go off to the bridal chamber in heaven, aka “The chuppah.” They will be there for seven literal days, just like Jacob’s wedding to Leah in Genesis 29:27-28. Samson also had a seven-day wedding in Judges 14:12. But how do we know that the bridegroom will take his bride into a bridal chamber?
In Psalm 19:5 and in Joel 2:16, we see this language being used of “The bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and the bride coming out of her closet.” The English words that are translated as “chamber” and “closet” are from the Hebrew word “chuppah!”
*Explanation: There are ten days, commencing with The Feast of Trumpets, leading up to The Day of Atonement. These extra three days is when the bride is given a “shout” from a distance (letting her know that the groom is getting close). This, I suspect is the same 3.5 days where the “Two Witnesses” (Ephraim & Judah) are dead in the streets (three days and three nights like our Messiah), and then they are raised up (resurrected like Messiah) in Revelation 11:12.
Once the bride is resurrected (after 3.5 days), the seventh and last trumpet is sounded (Revelation 11:11-15). You will also notice another pattern that the bride follows after her Messiah. If you have studied the Ancient Hebrew Wedding Customs, the bridegroom comes and snatches away his bride in the middle of the night. What is the only feast that begins at night? The Feast of Trumpets!
This is why it is nick-named “The Day that No Man Knows!”
In an Ancient Hebrew Wedding Custom, the bride and the groom elope, and go away for seven days. Where do they go for those seven days?
It is called “The Bridal Chamber,” or in Hebrew, the “chuppah!”
Tehelliym (Psalms) 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.
It is called “The Bridal Chamber,” or in Hebrew, the “chuppah!”
Tehelliym (Psalms) 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.
Yowel (Joel) 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
What are the Hebrew words in the above verses for “chamber & closet?”
#2646. chuppah khoop-paw' from; a canopy:--chamber, closet, defence.
The Chuppah!
The bride and the groom both come out of the chuppah!
You will notice the similarity between the chuppah (chamber) and the ark of protection. The Hebrew word above means “defence,” therefore, it means a place of protection for the bride. She is taken away to a safe place!
In the account of Noah’s ark there were seven days from the time that Noah entered the ark, and when the rain began to fall as the wrath of YaHuWaH was being poured out upon the wicked:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 7:4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.
From the time that Yahuwshuwa snatches away the elect (1st Thessalonians 4:17) until his wrath is poured out on Yom Kippur, (the day of vengeance, avenging or atonement), there are a total of ten days.
From the time that Yahuwshuwa snatches away the elect (1st Thessalonians 4:17) until his wrath is poured out on Yom Kippur, (the day of vengeance, avenging or atonement), there are a total of ten days.
Chazown (Revelation) 11:
11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from Elohiym entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were afraid and gave glory to the Elohiym of heaven.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were afraid and gave glory to the Elohiym of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our YHWH, and of his Messiah; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
As you can see, the seventh angel sounds at the last trumpet which is on the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah!
As you can see, the seventh angel sounds at the last trumpet which is on the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah!
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is on the 15th day of the seventh month of Tishri (Ethaniym). This is when the wedding reception takes place in front of the guests. You see, in an Ancient Hebrew Wedding, the bride and groom elope first, and go away for seven days. Then they return for yet another seven days, to have the wedding reception with the guests. After the seven-day wedding reception, the bridegroom and his bride will being their reign into the Sabbath Millennium. Together, they will rule and reign for 1,000 years.
Now, I want to address a difficult passage that people often-times use to support the idea of the wicked being “taken,” and the righteous being “left behind.”
The Harvest of The Wheat & The Tares
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 13:
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:...
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, did not you sow good seed in your field? from where then has it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy has done this. The servants said unto him, Will you then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, No; lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
As you can see, both groups are “gathered.” The term “taken” or “left” is not used here. Because our Messiah said that “The tares will be gathered first,” most people assume this means that the tares are “taken” while the “wheat” is left behind.
However, both the wheat and the tares are “gathered.” Just because the tares are “harvested first,” does not mean that they are taken away from the earth. What this means is, that the tares are “gathered” to be burned (down here on earth), where they shall be eaten by the birds. This is illustrated in Isaiah 18 & Revelation 19. Taking a look at these two passages (below), we can see this is the same event being described. This is “The Great Day of Wrath” for the wicked.
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 18:
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
7 In that time shall the present be brought unto YHWH of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of YHWH of hosts, the mount Tziyown (Zion).
Chazown (Revelation) 19:
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Elohiym;
18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
We can see from Isaiah 18:6 that the wicked were “left together” here on earth to be eaten by the birds on the mountains. They are not taken anywhere! They are “left” here on earth to be trodden under foot! In Revelation 19:21, the birds (fowls) were filled with the flesh of these wicked people!
Now, we can begin to see what our Messiah was describing in Matthew 13:24. He was showing us that the “tares” will be “gathered” (not taken away from the earth). But where will the wicked tares be gathered to?
Chazown (Revelation) 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of Elohiym Almighty.
The wicked will be “gathered” to the battle of that great day of wrath, and then the righteous wheat will be “taken” out of the way under the protection of YaHuWaH, just as Noah’s family were also taken away in the ark under his protection. The wicked tares below will be destroyed as in the days of the flood. After the wicked tares are destroyed, the elect are then gathered together at the marriage supper of the lamb for the Feast of Tabernacles:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
Marqos (Mark) 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
In Matthew 13:30, where the tares are “gathered” into barns, the Greek word is as follows:
#4816. syllego - to gather up, to collect.
In Mark 13:27 where the angels “gather” the elect, the Greek word used is:
#4816. syllego - to gather up, to collect.
In Mark 13:27 where the angels “gather” the elect, the Greek word used is:
#1996. episunago - ep-ee-soon-ag'-o from 1909 and 4863; to collect upon the same place:--gather (together).
This is not the same Greek word used in 1st Thessalonians 4:17 for “caught up” (harpazo) and neither is it the same Greek word that is used for “taken” in Matthew 24:40-41 which is:
#3880. paralambano which means: to receive near, associate with oneself, (in a familiar or intimate act or relation); to assume an office, to learn, receive, take (unto, with).
For the wicked to be first gathered together in one place (to the battle) does not mean that they are “taken” unto YaHuWaH in a familiar or intimate act.
The Harvest of the Grapes of Wrath Takes Place on Earth
You will notice in the verses below, that the wicked are likened unto grapes of wrath, that are harvested upon the earth:
You will notice in the verses below, that the wicked are likened unto grapes of wrath, that are harvested upon the earth:
Chazown (Revelation) 14:
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
*Note: The tares are being harvested down here on the earth while the wheat is being taken into a special place called “the barn.”
What does a barn symbolize? Where was our Messiah born? He was born in a “manger” or a barn! His body served as a “tabernacle” as he was the “word become flesh” and dwelt with us in a mortal body.
What this means is that the elect who are his “seed” are going to follow is his pattern by being “born-again” with a new resurrected body in a “heavenly barn” or a “heavenly tabernacle.”
The prophet Haggai prophesied about the “seed” being yet in the barn (Haggai 2:19). This means that our Messiah, who was the promised seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15, also produces his own seed with the “woman” (Yisra’el) and she will give birth to a man-child (the same one new man seen in Ephesians 2:15 & Revelation 12).
The seed of Messiah was in Miryam’s womb (the barn) on the 24th day of the 9th month of Kislev according to this prophecy of Haggai, and likewise, the bride (who is born-again of incorruptible seed) is also going to be gathered into the barn (heavenly tabernacle) in order to be changed (born-again) with an immortal, incorruptible body! You will notice in the verses below, that the wicked are gathered up as grapes for wrath:
The prophet Haggai prophesied about the “seed” being yet in the barn (Haggai 2:19). This means that our Messiah, who was the promised seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15, also produces his own seed with the “woman” (Yisra’el) and she will give birth to a man-child (the same one new man seen in Ephesians 2:15 & Revelation 12).
The seed of Messiah was in Miryam’s womb (the barn) on the 24th day of the 9th month of Kislev according to this prophecy of Haggai, and likewise, the bride (who is born-again of incorruptible seed) is also going to be gathered into the barn (heavenly tabernacle) in order to be changed (born-again) with an immortal, incorruptible body! You will notice in the verses below, that the wicked are gathered up as grapes for wrath:
Chazown (Revelation) 14:
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of Elohiym.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
More Examples of the Righteous Taken & the Wicked Left Behind
The same pattern is seen in Bereshiyth (Genesis) 19:24 when the wicked were “left” behind in Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed by Yah’s wrath, but the righteous were counted worthy to “escape” (taken away) as the angels came and took Lot and his family away from Sodom and Gomorrah.
The same shall be true in the end as Yahuwshuwa warns us that we should pray always that we would be accounted worthy to “escape” Yah’s wrath to come:
Luqas (Luke) 21:36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Yahuwshuwa reveals to us that the disobedient who are deceived into following the Anti-Messiah will “not escape” the wrath of Elohiym. But those who “overcome” (Revelation 3:10) by resisting the Anti-Messiah, are not appointed to wrath, therefore the overcoming saints do escape the wrath of Elohiym in the 1st Resurrection:
1st Tas’loniqiym (Thessalonians) 5:3-9 ... then sudden destruction comes upon them and they shall not escape (the disobedient) For Elohiym has not appointed us (the overcomers) to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our YHWH Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach (Messiah).
Remember Lot’s Wife!
Luqas (Luke) 17:
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
*Note: if you did not know any better, the way that this sentence is worded it sounds as if Noah and his family were destroyed because it says “Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.” But who was destroyed? It was “they” (the wicked people who were left out of the ark).
Luqas (Luke) 17:
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
*Note: are we seeing a pattern yet? Lot and his family “went out” and who was destroyed? Those who were “left behind” in Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed!
Luqas (Luke) 17:
Luqas (Luke) 17:
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE.
*Note: Yahuwshuwa is telling his disciples that whoever is on the rooftop should not go back to get his stuff because they are about to go somewhere. Then he compares those who attempt to stay behind to get their stuff with Lot’s wife. If the righteous are not going anywhere, and they are going to be “left” on the earth, then why are they being told that they have to be ready to get away quickly and not go back to get their belongings?
Luqas (Luke) 17:
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Master? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
In the above verse we see Yahuwshuwa describing to us “one taken and one left.” We are told specifically to “REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE.” We are told if we are on the rooftop; don’t go down to get our stuff. We are told if we are in the field not to turn back. Stay with me on this.
We know that in the story of Lot, he and his family were the ones who were “taken” out of the city, but the wicked remained. Here in Luke 17, we are told to remember Lot’s wife, why? Because Lot’s wife looked back as she was leaving Sodom & Gomorrah, and so she did get to escape the wrath of Elohiym when she and her family were being “taken” out of the city. If the wicked were the ones being “taken” then why are we told to remember Lot’s wife? Was Lot’s wife accounted worthy to escape wrath! NO! She was left there to perish!
Other Examples in Scripture of those who were “Taken.”
We know from the record of Scripture, that YaHuWaH “took” Hanock (Enoch). But where was he taken to? Scripture does not tell us where, but we get a clue from the Hebrew word for “took.”
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 5:24 And Enoch walked with Elohiym: and he was not; for Elohiym took him.
The Hebrew word here for “took” is as follows:
# 3947. laqach law-kakh' a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
2nd Malakiym (Kings) 2:16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with your servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray you, and seek your master: lest peradventure the Spirit of YHWH has taken him up.
This Hebrew word corresponds to the Greek word harpazo or “caught up” in 1st Thessalonians 4:17. The Latin word is rapturo, and it means the very same thing (to seize, to snatch away, to take, to carry away).
Elijah was “taken away” in a chariot of fire into heaven, which was a type of Yahuwshuwa’s ascension into heaven. Elijah being taken also parallels the future catching away of the “elect” into heaven (1st Thessalonians 4:17). It is also possible that the prophet Eliyahuw (Elijah) was
It is important to remember, that the third heaven (where Elohiym’s throne is) is in another dimension outside of linear time as we know it here on earth. When saints die, their spirit goes back to Elohiym who gave it, according to Ecclesiastes 12:7. This means that time-travel is possible outside of linear time. When a righteous soul dies, they can travel to the future, outside of linear time, where all time continuums coexist and converge. We know this, because in eternity, we are shown that YaHuWaH is the one “Who is, and who was, and who is to come...” (Revelation 1:4-8). He is eternal, for he has “Neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:3).
Where Was Elijah Taken To?
Eliyahuw (Elijah) the prophet wrote a letter to King Jehoram in 2nd Chronicles 21:12-15, which was several years after he was taken up in a chariot of fire. Therefore, it would seem that he was not taken to the third heaven, where Elohiym’s throne is. However, it is also possible that Elijah was taken in the spirit to the third heaven (as described in Ecclesiastes 12:7).
Also, John 3:13 says the following: “And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”
The above verse is speaking about bodily resurrection. It is not suggesting that righteous souls cannot go to the third heaven outside their bodies.
However, eventually Elijah died, and went to the place where all “Old Testament” saints went following death, which is a place called “Abraham’s Bosom” (Luke 16:22).
At the time when our Messiah spoke the words of John 3:13 to Nicodemus, he had not yet resurrected. However, after his resurrection, he descended to the lower parts of the earth (Abraham’s Bosom) and gave the gift of salvation to those pre-crucifixion saints; thus bringing them with him to heaven as his first-fruits wave sheaf offering. See Ephesians 4:8-9.
Therefore, nobody has bodily resurrected yet, but post-crucifixion righteous souls now go to heaven, awaiting the redemption of the body.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we are ourselves, groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of the body.
At the future resurrection, all righteous souls will be joined to their incorruptible bodies. See my other blog: Where Do Redeemed Souls Go When They Die?
Yahuwshuwa was taken up to heaven just as his elect will be taken up:
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Spirit had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 1:11 You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Yahuwshuwa (Jesus), which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
The Greek word in the above verses for taken is alanambano which means: to take up, receive up.
The Apostle Phillip was also caught away alive as seen in scripture:
Ma’aseh Shlichiym (Acts) 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of YHWH caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Apostle Paul describes a man who was caught up to heaven:
Qorintiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 12:2 I knew a man in Mashiyach (Messiah) above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: (Elohiym knows;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.
Qorintiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
This is the same caught up that the elect will experience in the resurrection:
1st Tas’loniqiym (Thessalonians) 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet YHWH in the air: and so shall we ever be with YHWH.
Chazown (Revelation) 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto Elohiym, and to his throne.
The word in all of these above verses for caught in Greek in the Strong’s Concordance is:
#726. harpazo: to seize, catch away, pluck, pull, take (by force).
The word in the Greek here for taken in all of the verses below is:
#3880. paralambano: to receive near, associate with oneself, (in a familiar or intimate act or relation); to assume an office, to learn, receive, take (unto, with).
Yahuwshuwa tells us here that the righteous will be taken, while the wicked will be left behind:
Matthithyahuw (Matthew) 24:40-41 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luqas (Luke) 17:34-36 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
This is clearly showing in the above verses, that YaHuWaH Elohiym will take the elect unto himself “In a familiar or intimate way to assume an office” as “kings & priests” (Revelation 1:6, 5:10). He will take unto himself the elect or his chosen.
Now let’s take a look at the word “left” in all the above verses. In the Greek concordance it is:
#863. aphiemi which means the following: to send forth in various applications (as follow): cry, forsaken, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
This is not a good connotation of being “left,” as we can see by the synonyms. We will either be “left” here on the earth to be eaten by the birds, or “taken up” into heaven to meet YaHuWaH in the air.
If you are accounted worthy to “escape the wrath to come,” you will be “taken” into the heavenly tabernacle to be “changed” into immortality; and then (seven days later), you will return to earth to rule and reign with Messiah as one of his kings & priests---in other words assume an office!
This is the precise meaning of the word “paralambano” or “taken!”
If you are accounted worthy to “escape the wrath to come,” you will be “taken” into the heavenly tabernacle to be “changed” into immortality; and then (seven days later), you will return to earth to rule and reign with Messiah as one of his kings & priests---in other words assume an office!
This is the precise meaning of the word “paralambano” or “taken!”
There is no other conclusion that one can make from these two words left and taken in these passages of Scripture.
In the following verse in Luke, you can see that the disciples asked Yahuwshuwa “Where, Master?” But it does not specify if the “where” is referring to “Where will they be taken?” or “Where will they be left?” We can only take the last verb “left” to apply to the question that the disciples were asking. Those who get “left behind” after the resurrection of the elect will be left here on earth to be eaten by the birds as seen in Revelation 19.
Let’s take a look at Revelation 19 to see who is “taken” and who is “left:”
Chazown (Revelation) 19:
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he says unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he says unto me, These are the true sayings of Elohiym.
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
What are we seeing in the above verses? We are seeing an army called “The wife” of the Lamb, and they are coming back with Yahuwshuwa “riding white horses.” Why are they “coming back?” Where have they been that they are “coming back with him?”
They were “caught up” to meet him in the air, and to be changed---to put on incorruption, to put on immortality!
1st Tas’loniqiym (Thessalonians) 4:
15 For this we say unto you by the word of YHWH, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of YHWH shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For YHWH himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohiym: and the dead in Mashiyach (Messiah) shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet YHWH in the air: and so shall we ever be with YHWH.
Continuing in Revelation 19:
15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty Elohiym.
16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND MASTER OF MASTERS.
17 And I saw a malak (angel) standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Elohiym;
18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
*Note: the birds are being “gathered together” by a malak (angel) of YaHuWaH to do what? To eat the flesh of the wicked people! Are these people being “taken” anywhere? No! The wicked will be “left” here on the earth as “prey” for the birds.
Chazown (Revelation) 19:
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
What we see in Revelation 19 is the bride coming back on white horses with Yahuwshuwa, to earth. He then calls for the birds of the air to eat the carcasses of the wicked people of the earth, and the animals to be eaten as well. Those who are being eaten are the ones who will be left here on earth for the Great Day of Wrath while the bride was counted worthy to “escape” the wrath of Elohiym (Luke 21:36).
The question that the disciples asked Yahuwshuwa about “where” they shall be left now makes sense, in light of reading Revelation 19.
Luqas (Luke) 17:36-37 Two [men] shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Master? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Some people use this passage of Scripture to argue that the bodies are “taken” somewhere to be eaten by the eagles. But those who are “taken,” are those who go into the marriage.
The ones who are “left,” are the ones who don’t get to be in the wedding, because their oil lamps ran out of oil.
The ones that are “left,” are here when the “Wrath of YaHuWaH” is poured out upon the earth. After the wrath of YaHuWaH is poured out, their dead bodies are prey for the eagles.
Therefore, the “where” in Luke 17:36-37 is talking about “Where they will be left,” not “Where they will be taken!”
Therefore, the “where” in Luke 17:36-37 is talking about “Where they will be left,” not “Where they will be taken!”
We see the same account being spoken about by the prophet Isaiah:
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 18:
1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
2 That sends ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, you swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hearto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
3 All you inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see you, when he lifts up an ensign on the mountains; and when he blows a trumpet, hear you.
4 For so YHWH said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
5 For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.
6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
*Note: The wicked shall be “left” together unto the fowls of the mountains to be eaten!
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto YHWH of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hearto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of YHWH of hosts, the mount Zion.
The Bride Will be “Taken” to Mount Zion to Marry the King!
In an Ancient Hebrew Wedding, the groom comes in the middle of the night to seize and carry away his bride. The above illustration is a reenactment of an ancient Hebrew wedding, where the bride is escorted to the bridegroom’s father’s house. The bridegroom has already prepared a honeymoon suite for her, as described in John 14:2-3. The canopy that the bride is carried in is called an “aperion.”
To learn more, see my other blog: End-Time Events Patterned After Ancient Hebrew Wedding Customs & The Prophetic Feasts
Zola Levitt writes:
“And she waited at home every night. She certainly didn’t want to be caught away from home when the bridegroom came. The tradition was that he would come at night, even at midnight, and try to take her by surprise. Matthew 24:42-44 ‘…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Master will come. You must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.’ Yes, suddenly one night the groom would come. The bride’s father and brothers would ensure it was the man with the marriage contract, then look the other way while the two of them and all their friends eloped! They were all whisked away into the night to begin the reception. ... Would they have no warning at all? Well, just this much. When the groom’s party was close, they would shout; and when the bride heard that shout, she knew she was as good as married.”
The bride, for her part did a lot of waiting. Custom required her to be ready ... have an oil lamp ready in case he came in darkness ... she was to be ready to travel at a moment’s notice. ... The bride would assemble her bridesmaids and whoever would go with her to the wedding ... they were all to have oil lamps ready. They would wait at her house every night on the chance that the groom would come ... and sweep them all away to a sudden wedding ceremony. ... When the Father deemed all to be ready, the bridegroom would assemble his friends ... and set out in the night.... The Hebrew brides were stolen ... as the party would get close to her house, they were required to give her a warning. Someone in the party would shout! When the shout was heard, the bride and her party were to go out to meet the bridegroom.”
Does the Concept of the “Catching Away” Exist in the Tanakh?
The spiral staircase that Ya’aqob (Jacob) saw in his dream, is exactly what human DNA looks like. Jacob’s ladder symbolizes the restored DNA of a human being when we are born-again of incorruptible seed (1st Peter 1:23). Jacob’s fallen sinful nature was changed when he wrestled with a man all night long, and came face-to-face with Elohiym. This can only mean one thing. The man that he wrestled with was no ordinary man. It was the pre-incarnate Messiah, Yahuwshuwa that he wrestled with, so that his life was preserved (Genesis 32:30).
Elohiym was letting down his ladder (his DNA) to the earth, so that Jacob might “ascend,” or make “Aliyah!” This would enable Jacob to communicate with Elohiym through a direct portal to shamayim (heaven)!
After his DNA was changed, his name also was changed to “Yisra’el.” Why did YaHuWaH change his name? Because once he had wrestled with Elohiym, he proved himself to be “an overcomer.” Jacob “prevailed with Elohiym.” Thus, the name “Yisra’el” comes from a root word “sarah” which means “to prevail, to have power as a prince.”
1st Yahuwchanon (John) 5:4 For whatsoever is born of Elohiym overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.
1st Yahuwchanon (John) 5:5 Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Yahuwshuwa is the Son of Elohiym?
Chazown (Revelation) 2:7 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Ruwach (Spirit) says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of Elohiym.
Chazown (Revelation) 2:11 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Ruwach (Spirit) says unto the assemblies; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.
Chazown (Revelation) 2:17 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Ruwach (Spirit) says unto the assemblies; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he that receives it.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 28:12 Ya’aqob (Jacob) dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it REACHED TO HEAVEN: and behold the malak of Elohiym ASCENDING [ALIYAH] and descending on it.
Ya’aqob (Jacob) saw in a dream the “malak” (messenger) of Elohiym ASCENDING [ALIYAH] on a ladder/staircase to shamayim (heaven), and then descending.
Ya’aqob (Jacob) saw the Messiah (Melchizedek) in his pre-incarnate, visible image ASCENDING [ALIYAH] up and down the spiral staircase that resembles human DNA!
In Proverbs 30:4, we read that it is the SON who ASCENDS [ALIYAH] and descends!
In Ephesians 4:4-8, our Messiah ASCENDED [ALIYAH] after he first descended into the lower parts of the earth (Abraham’s Bosom) to redeem (give gifts) to those righteous souls.
After this, he ASCENDED [ALIYAH] with his qodeshiym (saints) as his first-fruits wave sheaf offering and presented them at the throne before the Father!
After the corporate two witnesses are killed in Revelation 11, they will ASCEND [ALIYAH] to the throne in heaven!
Chazown (Revelation) 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, COME UP HERE. And they ASCENDED [ALIYAH] UP TO HEAVEN IN A CLOUD; and their enemies beheld them.
Chazown (Revelation) 12:5 And she brought forth a man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and HER CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP [HARPAZO] unto Elohiym, and TO HIS THRONE.
Resurrection from the dead, does not necessarily result in putting on incorruption. When our Messiah resurrected Lazarus and Jairus' daughter, they came back into their finite bodies, and lived out the remainder of their earthly lives before dying.
The term “harpazo” means the same thing as the Latin “rapturo,” which is more specific than “resurrection,” because it is equivalent to making “ALIYAH” which means “TO ASCEND!”
The concept of being TAKEN UP & AWAY is the Hebrew word “lachaq” or “Aliyah.”
Malakiym Beyt (2nd Kings) 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Eliyahuw (Elijah) said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be TAKEN AWAY [LACHAQ] from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.
Malakiym Beyt (2nd Kings) 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Eliyahuw (Elijah) WENT UP [ALIYAH] by a whirlwind into heaven.
In the above passage, the word “whirlwind” is as follows in Hebrew:
#5591 ca`ar sah'-ar or (feminine) ctarah {seh-aw-raw'}; from 5590; a hurricane:--storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind.
It would appear that the prophet Elijah was taken with a chariot and horses made of fire. This was obviously, a supernatural experience, whereby YaHuWaH was taking him to the third heaven, via a portal, described as a whirlwind. Just like Enoch, I suspect that these two men were taken in the spirit, as Ecclesiastes 12:7 describes, but this was not a bodily resurrection, because that event has not taken place yet. We know this, because Romans 8:23, and John 3:13 both give us insight into the idea that the bodily resurrection of the qodeshiym (saints) is reserved for that day that we read about in Ezekiel 37:1-14, and 1st Corinthians 15:50-54. In the meantime, we know for certain that all righteous souls that die, are taken immediately “out of the body” to the third heaven.
Qorintiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from YHWH:
Qorinthiym Beyt (2nd Corinthians) 5:8
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with YHWH.
