Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

Luke 19:

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

All three synoptic gospels have the account of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but only in Luke does it have this portion. Luke is the word to those who are raptured prior to the tribulation. At that rapture the Pharisees and religious leaders will be rebuked. There are numerous prophecies about those of the synagogue of Satan being chastised and realizing that God really was with the church in Philadelphia.

So then at the present time we are seeing many so called experts, Phd's, priests, scribes, and other "Pharisees" rebuking those who are saying that the signs are pointing to the Lord's return and the Lord is saying hey, if they keep quiet the stones will cry out. Do you want that? What would that be, volcanoes and earthquakes? I don't know but it seems to me it is always better to choose the path the lord offers us rather than the broad way that leads to destruction.

BLM was kicked off Amazon.com's charity platform because they have not disclosed where tens of millions in donations have ended up. In order to be a charity states have rules and by not disclosing where the money is going they have violated those rules. I am including this story on this blog because I have repeatedly referred to BLM, often questioning their status as a charity.

https://rumble.com/vv7p86-amazon-suspends-black-lives-matter-from-its-charity-platform.html

Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

All three synoptic gospels have the same account of the baptism except for this part about John the Baptist trying to prevent Jesus, this is only in Matthew. Consider that the three gospels are to three groups, like three fields that will be harvested at different times. The first shall be last and the last first. Matthew is to the Jews who are taken last whereas Luke is to the Christians who are taken first. This word by John demonstrates that they have been completely humbled at this point. There are verses and prophecies that indicate the Jews realize that Jesus is the Messiah, they look on Him whom they have pierced and feel ashamed and unworthy, yet the Lord is there to save them. This is the point of the tribulation, we must be humbled to put our faith in Jesus and not in ourselves.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

This portion is identical in all three synoptic gospels. All of us need to see that Jesus is the Son of God, the one that God loves and the one in whom God is well pleased. The gospel says that we can believe "into" Jesus so that we too could be in the one that is the Son of God, the one that God loves, and the one that God is well pleased with. The lesson for those who are baptized is to stay inside of Jesus. Think of Jesus as a tank, as long as you are in Him you can survive the war. Whatever you do, don't leave Jesus and if by chance you did leave Him get back into Jesus as soon as possible.

Matthew 2:13Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; 15and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son. 16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men. 17Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 18A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not. 19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life. 21And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

What is fascinating is that this account is only in Matthew. Once again let's consider the theory that Matthew is written to the Jews. They did not recognize Jesus when He came the first time and as a result they were scattered to the four corners of the earth. It wasn't until 1948 that God called them "out of Egypt", after WWII, after the Nuremberg trial where all those who sought to kill the Jews had died.

In the gospels this is the only major atrocity recorded. The beheading of John is horrific and the crucifixion of Jesus is criminal and heinous. But, the killing of these male children is a very clear atrocity. This is when the gospel begins for the Jews.

So let's examine it a little closer, Herod was "mocked of the wise men" because they realized it would be foolish to go back and tell him. Here is what I don't understand, you live in Bethlehem, Jesus was born more than a year earlier when the shepherds saw all the angels. Then you have wise men come from afar to offer this family gifts. Bethlehem was not a big city, how is all this not really big news? How do you not recognize that Jesus, king of the Jews has been given to you? Now imagine you have a small child about the same age as Jesus, why would you not want your child to play with Him? What a blessing. Can you imagine your child grows up as best friends with Jesus? Now if you had done that I have to believe you would see Joseph and Mary packing up and fleeing to Egypt. If you were already close with them they would have explained that an angel warned them of Herod. How do you ignore that?

So to me there is a contrast here between the wise men who "mocked Herod" and all these parents of small boys in the surrounding area to Bethlehem. Those parents were not wise. They were clueless just like the Jews who didn't realize the day of their visitation at the time of Jesus crucifixion. To those who have much will be required. We have the word of God, the Gentiles didn't have it. This account is not in Mark of Luke, but it is in Matthew. The Jews had the word of God that is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing for those who receive this word and dive into it and a curse to those who ignore it.

Luke 3:7He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9And even now the axe also lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

This is fascinating, both Matthew and Luke have the same account and Mark doesn't have any mention of this. Think about that! Suppose Luke is written to those who are raptured prior to the tribulation. That rapture will be when the axe is put to the root of all these lying prophets who told you to ignore this word and they are cast into the fire. It isn't necessary to give this word in Matthew because this event has already taken place.

Then in Matthew the Jews come to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah, they see the one whom they pierced and now we have the same situation with the Jewish religious leaders and rabbis. For 2,000 years they held to this thought that they had Abraham as a father.

Spring Rapture talk with Dale Jones and Samuel Huster

Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

This is how Luke refers to the start of Jesus' ministry, it is incredibly vague and could refer to the last 2,000 years. Compare this with what Mark says.

Mark 1:15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel.

This would be appropriate for preaching the gospel to those who were not taken in the first rapture.

Now compare this with what Matthew says.

Matthew 4:13 and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up. 17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus leaves Nazareth and comes into Capernaum, after the mid tribulation rapture Jesus will leave Gentiles and come into the territory of the Jews. This is when the Jews see a great light that Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom they have pierced.

This is stunning

Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, To-day hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears.

Wow! Jesus beginning his ministry according to Luke was on the year of Jubilee, Matthew and Mark do not have this in their account. Again, this makes sense. If you are rapturing believers in three groups like harvesting three fields, and this takes place over a 7 year period with the Mid Tribulation rapture about 3 to 3 1/2 years after the first rapture and about 3 1/2 years before the salvation of the Jews then obviously only one of those could be during a jubilee year. There is an interesting prophecy that places the Six day war in 1967 is a jubilee year and that 1917 was a jubilee year when the Balfour declaration was made. Then in 2017, September 23rd we had the Revelation 12 sign, it would be a major sign of the Lord's coming and it would mark the beginning of the ministry of the "watchmen" who have been proclaiming Jesus' return. So, just like Luke you could say that this ministry began with the proclamation of the Jubilee.

22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? 23 And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country. 25 But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; 26 and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. 28 And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things; 29 and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

Laugh out loud funny! OK, anyone who has been involved in proclaiming these signs is well aware of many religious leaders, priests, pastors, and teachers of the Bible rebuking the watchmen telling them that "no one knows the day or the hour". Once again this is very similar to these days. This account is not in Mark. They were dismayed that it was a "carpenter's son" who was speaking and refused to receive their word, but that is the extent of it. Likewise in Matthew. In Mark and Matthew they were offended in Him teaching them. But in Luke they want to put an end to this speaking by killing those that speak it.

This is Amazing

Mark 1:16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea; for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they left the nets, and followed him. 19 And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.

This account is in both Matthew and Mark but is completely missing in Luke! The way I understand this is that the tribulation is going to be the best time to be a fisher of men. People will turn to the Lord by the "net full". During the last 2,000 years everyone wants big revivals and great evangelism events. But what this tells me is that nothing that we have seen in the last two thousand years will compare with these last seven years. This is what everyone needs to understand, the Lord has set the stage for the end of the age to cause millions and millions of people to repent and come to the Lord. I think there are several ways to look at the end of the age.

First, you can compare it to three harvests: First fruits, summer wheat harvest and fruit harvest.

Second, you can compare this to a military operation in which you have a three front war. Those in Luke, Mark and Matthew are all part of the Army but they have different missions. In every case they will all confess that Jesus is the Son of God and will be a testimony to others. No person will be able to avoid the coming judgement because everyone will have to respond to that testimony.

Luke 4:43 But he said unto them, I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also: for therefore was I sent.

Mark 1:38 And he saith unto them, Let us go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also; for to this end came I forth.

This verse is in both Luke and Mark but not in Matthew! This has been the rule for the last 2,000 years and will be the rule in the first half of the tribulation, but during the Great Tribulation God's wrath will be poured out on the world. It is too late for the gospel for them. Now the focus will be on Israel.

Mark 13:14-25 Take heed I have told you all things beforehand

14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Daniel 11 “31 “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.”

So the antichrist will come in, desecrate the temple, set up an abomination in the temple which will cause desolation, he will corrupt many with flattery, and those that know God will resist him. Right now we don’t even have a temple, so then this could not be fulfilled today. But by referring to Daniel Jesus is referring to the 70 weeks as well. This chapter began with the temple being utterly destroyed, not one stone upon another. Now, he says antichrist will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up an abomination that causes desolation. Therefore the temple needs to be rebuilt.

Daniel 9: 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. 25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

So here you can see in the middle of the last 7 years the same guy who struck a deal with Israel for peace breaks the deal and in the temple sets up an abomination that causes desolation. This peace treaty that Trump is negotiating with Israel and the 22 nations of the Arab league allows the Jews to have authority over Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple. It is a major sign. The book of Daniel is a major prophecy concerning the end of the age. This does not mean that Trump is the antichrist. The antichrist is not revealed until He who restrains steps aside. Since He who restrains has not yet been removed (raptured?). Instead Trump may be a man sent by God in much the same way that Samson was. There is a lot about Samson that you can find fault with, just as there is with Trump. Or you could compare him to Jehu and Bill and Hillary to Ahab and Jezebel. Again, there is a lot you can find fault with Jehu.

17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

It is not called the “great tribulation” for nothing. If you are familiar with the holocaust, or slavery in the South, or many of the other horrific events in history you have a scale for what the “worst affliction has been in human history”. This will be off that scale. But to save time, we don’t need to discuss that here.

20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

This is the second time He has told us this. Things are going to get crazy. You need to get a very good foundation in the Lord’s word before those things happen. Satan will do everything in His power to make things completely crazy at that time. Who could have thought that all the churches in the US could have their doors shut? If you had asked me two years ago if that were possible I would have said no. Who would have thought you would be mandated to take an experimental vaccine or else would not be allowed to work, or to go to a variety of businesses, or go to school. Who could have imagined the behavior of Trudeau in Canada in freezing bank accounts, arresting truckers and doxing people who contributed to them?

23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

This is the problem with those who ignore these words because “it will all work itself out in the end”. He tells us to take heed to these words. He tells us He is warning us and foretelling what is going to happen. The best coaches can foretell what the other team is going to do, what to look for, how to react. That is what the Lord is doing, it is a deceit to tell believers they don’t need to heed to this word. We need to respond with courage, and courage comes from faith, and faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from this word from the Lord. There are several deceitful teachings taught by lying pastors and teachers of the word. One is that we can't know when the Lord is coming back so let's not talk about it, the other is that it will all work itself out in the end so no need to discuss it. Jesus and the apostles never said anything like that.

24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

I have seen some Christian messages concerning the signs in the heavens and these signs have already appeared. God made the stars for a sign. I have also seen how these forest fires cause the sun to be darkened during the day.

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Revelation 12 goes into specific detail about what the sign of the Son of Man is, this sign has appeared twice in the heavens, once in 3915 BC and once in September 23, 2017. It is the woman crowned with 12 stars, clothed with the sun, and the moon is under her feet. She is in travail to give birth. The idea is that this sign is the basis for the first prophecy concerning Jesus, the seed of the woman shall crush the serpent's head (crushing the serpent’s head can be seen shortly after the birth). This would align with John saying Jesus is the “alpha and omega, the first and the last”.

Luke 5:39 And no man having drunk old wine desireth new; for he saith, The old is good.

This is part of the account where the Lord says you put new wine into new wine skins. The account in all three gospels is very similar however, only Luke has this verse.

Once again let's put this into context. During the age of grace this is how every new doctrine was greeted. This is the story of the Protestant reformation. This is how they are responding to the watchmen posting the signs, wonders and prophecies concerning the Lord's soon return. However, no one would say that after the rapture, and the Jews wouldn't say this after the start of the Great Tribulation. In both of those cases the believers have been greatly humbled that they were wrong and will come to the Lord repenting for rejecting the word.

Mark 13:26-37 The Lord is at the doors

26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 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.

This refers to the rapture. I subscribe to the theory that Luke is speaking to those who are raptured prior to the tribulation and Mark is written to those who are raptured in the middle of the tribulation about 42 months after the first rapture.

28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

OK a lot is here, let’s unpack it. The fig tree signifies Israel. In 1948 Israel as a nation was reformed, that was the fig tree putting forth leaves. You knew this was a major fulfillment of prophecy. This term “it is at the doors” is also very significant. One day Noah entered the ark, the door was shut, and from that point no one could enter in, the flood began. This is given to us as an example of the rapture. A door in heaven is opened, once we enter in, the door is closed. The foolish virgins went and bought oil at the last minute, then they came knocking on the door for the Lord to let them in, but it was too late. Right now we know that “it is at the doors” but at some point in the future those doors will be opened and the rapture will take place.

30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

A generation is 70 to 80 years. 80 years from 1948 is 2028, that means that all these things would have to be completed before that point. So May of 2029 is the deadline on this prophecy. The tribulation is 7 years long, so that means it must start by 2022 to fall within this parameter. In 2017 we had the Revelation 12 sign during the Feast of Trumpets to let us know that Jesus was at the door. There is a story about a fig tree that hadn't born fruit after 3 years and the farmer decided to dung it for a 4th year. This year on the Jewish calendar is the "dung year". It is also the fourth year since the Revelation 12 sign. Now is the time to find the fruit of righteousness on this tree. This year will end with Nisan 1 which is around April 1/2nd.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Again, a lot here that we need to unpack. Most of us understand “turkey day” to refer to the fourth Thursday in November, it is an idiom we all understand. This phrase “no one knows the day nor the hour” is a Jewish idiom for the Festival of Trumpets. A typical day for the Jews begins at sunset. However, this festival begins at a new moon. They need two witnesses to testify they saw the new moon, then they blow the trumpets to signify the day has begun. So when Jesus said this the disciples understood He was talking about the festival of Trumpets. Paul said that these festivals are a shadow of things to come. The age began with Jesus being sacrificed as our Passover. That was the first day of the feast of unleavened bread, which became our Lord’s table. He was raised on the feast of firstfruits. The church was born on Pentecost. Those are the first four festivals of the Jewish year, they were each very significant in the move of God in this age. The fifth feast is the festival of Trumpets. Jesus referred to it here, and not only so He said “neither the Son, but the Father”. This is a very significant expression. When a man got married he would first have an engagement contract with his bride (the New Testament), he would pay the price for her (Jesus sacrificing Himself for us) then he would go and prepare a house for them to live in (Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you). Once the house was ready He would then go and get His bride. However, the Father had to tell Him when it was ready, hence no man knoweth but the Father. The festival of Trumpets is also the time when the Messiah marries His bride. Once again, Jesus referred to this when He said “you will not see me again until you say ‘blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord’”. This also is a reference to the wedding. When a Jewish man was going to get married the rabbi would “call him up” to the front to read from the Torah. When he approached the congregation would say “blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord”. What I am seeing from a variety of watchmen is the consensus that the Feast of Trumpets is an ideal time for the tribulation to begin. That said there is no reason to think that the rapture and the tribulation will be on the same day. On the contrary all we can really say is that the pre tribulation rapture should take place prior to the tribulation. Could be six months before, could be a week before, but it certainly suggests that the rapture takes place before the feast of trumpets 2022.

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

After this refers to the discussion of the seven churches, it is after the church age. The door in heaven is standing open at the festival of trumpets. A voice like a trumpet spoke to him. The rapture takes place at the trumpet of God. Come up here foreshadows our rapture. After this is after the church in Philadelphia is kept from the hour of tribulation, and after those in the synagogue of Satan confess that God was with them, and after the rebuke to the lukewarm church in Laodicea. All of that happens prior to chapter 4.

And it is a reference to the rabbi calling the groom to “come up here”. So this also refers to the wedding of the Lamb. I will show you what must take place shortly after this, everything else that happens in Revelation, the tribulation, the wrath of God, that happens “after this”. The great sign in heaven appeared in September 23, 2017, that was four years ago. How do you explain that? After the festival of Trumpets there are ten days of awe, these are known as “Jacob’s trouble” and is a reference to the tribulation. So although the 70th week refers to a seven day period (seven year period), Jacob’s trouble is a ten day period. During this time the books are opened and the Lord judges His people and puts them into three categories. You have the good and faithful servants, you have the wicked who are given to Satan, and you have those in a gray area where it isn’t clear. We know that at the mid point of the tribulation when the Antichrist sets himself up on the temple there is a rapture of the believers who remain. We know at the end of this seven year period there is the Great White Throne where many unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire.

33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Many Christians will say that since we don’t know the day and the hour there is no reason to watch. This is a misunderstanding. On the festival of trumpets you have to watch for the new moon precisely because you don’t know the day and the hour. You don't know the day, you don't know the hour, but the witnesses do know what to watch for, what signs will signal the beginning of this day.

34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Every one of us has been assigned a job to do by the Lord. You want to be doing that job faithfully when He returns.

35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

This is a reference to the High Priest. He would walk around the temple at night and if he found those who were supposed to be watching sleeping he would set their clothes on fire. They would wake up, throw off the cloak and run naked in shame. The same thing the Lord warned the lukewarm church in Laodicea of.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Three times we are told to watch. Think of the audacity of believers who teach we don’t need to watch. They say “if you are ready at the Lord’s return that is all that matters”. Time and time again we are told that honoring God’s word, keeping His word, meditating on it, is to honor God. When the Lord tells us to watch and take heed repeatedly to this word, you have a lot of chutzpah to tell saints they don’t need to watch and don’t need to take heed to this word.

Luke 6:1Now it came to pass on a sabbath, that he was going through the grainfields; and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2But certain of the Pharisees said, Why do ye that which it is not lawful to do on the sabbath day? 3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read even this, what David did, when he was hungry, he, and they that were with him; 4how he entered into the house of God, and took and ate the showbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat save for the priests alone? 5And he said unto them, The Son of man is lord of the sabbath.

This story is in all three gospels and what is in Luke is in both Mark and Matthew. However, Mark includes the following verse:

Mark 2:27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

I would point out that this 7 year tribulation was also made for man to help us repent and turn to the Lord. Some people need this. Instead of wondering why a loving God would allow this horror understand that it is this horror that will cause many to be saved.

Then Matthew has another tidbit

Matthew 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, that on the sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are guiltless? 6 But I say unto you, that one greater than the temple is here. 7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

Again, this only refers to the Jews and the priests who perform circumcisions on the Sabbath. Also look at his point about the Temple, Jesus is the greater temple than the building they have in Jerusalem. And who was the guiltless that they condemned, could that be Jesus?

So what does this mean "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" because according to Jesus they wouldn't have condemned Him if they knew what that meant. James explains that the golden rule by the Lord Jesus to do unto others as you would have them do unto you means that you treat others with mercy. Everyone who appears before a judge hopes to be treated with mercy. Why is it that the Jews go through the great tribulation when the wrath of God is poured out? It is because they did not treat others with mercy, it is because as they have done it will be done unto them.

Luke 6:6 And it came to pass on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man there, and his right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath; that they might find how to accuse him. 8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man that had his hand withered. Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it? 10 And he looked round about on them all, and said unto him, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

This account is essentially the same as in Mark, but in Matthew you hear about a man having a sheep that falls into a pit and pulls it out. There is more explanation for the Jews concerning helping someone on the Sabbath than in Luke or Mark.

So this is a very important story as it appears in all three gospels, look at the central point:

Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

Each one of us will be required to stand up in the midst, to take a stand for righteousness.

9 And Jesus said unto them, I ask you, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do harm? to save a life, or to destroy it?

The world is trying to pass laws saying it is not lawful to do good. I saw a woman on today's news who was attacked, doxed, and ridiculed for giving gas to a trucker so that he wouldn't freeze in -30 degree weather.

Luke 12:33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

This verse is very similar to a verse in Matthew but there is no similar verse in Mark. That is interesting because in the tribulation you will have the Mark of the Beast where you cannot buy or sell without taking the mark. It is almost as though the Lord makes it so that this temptation of money is taken away from the believers which helps them mature quickly. We need to do three things: confess that Jesus is the Son of God, love Him and Listen to Him. Taking money away will help the believers love the Lord.

Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

Proverbs 24 -- Rare and beautiful treasures fill the house

Saying 20

24 Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; 2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.

Maxine Waters is a good example of someone who plots violence and her lips talk about making trouble. So the warning here is don’t desire their company, they seem to have an organization and influence, stay away from them, don’t envy what they have built up, don’t desire to get involved with them because they will ultimately all be judged for their crimes.

Saying 21

3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

We need to appreciate the wisdom that the Lord has displayed in building His house. He has filled the church with rare and beautiful treasures. Recently I was considering all the incitement to violence and hate and the attempt to divide us with a race war. What is the best innoculation to this virus? Then it hit me: love one another as Jesus has loved you. If you lived this life it is hard to believe people could fall for this transparent attempt to divide us.

Saying 22

5 The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. 6 Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.

A great example of this is given to us in the movie “MoneyBall”. The story is about a General Manager of a small market baseball team trying to compete in a league where some teams had budgets two or three times greater than him. He ultimately teams up with a guy just out of college without any experience in baseball. They use statistical analysis to find players who are undervalued, guys they can get at a big discount. He is incredibly successful setting a new record for consecutive victories in a single season. We have challenges they are not insurmountable, rather we need guidance and the Lord has already filled His house with these rare and beautiful treasures that can provide that guidance.

Luke 16:18 Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.

In Luke it is crystal clear, sin is sin. Don't even try to explain away sin. The harm is to you, your wife, your kids, the community. Does this condemn you? We all are condemned and are sinners. We all need Jesus.

But look at what Mark says:

Mark 9:43 And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. 44 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life halt, rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell. 46 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye cause thee to stumble, cast it out: it is good for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell; 48 where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

If you are a Christian and wind up in the tribulation there will be a guillotine chopping heads off. The Lord is telling you it is better to enter life maimed than to go into unquenchable fire. If you take the mark and worship the beast that is equivalent to spiritual adultery. There is no salvation after that.

Then look at what Matthew says

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell. 31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.

This goes into even greater detail about pornography, and references some rabbinical teachings for the Jews.