The Month of Nisan
- Passover (Pesach): The most prominent event associated with Nisan is the celebration of Passover. This festival commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. The story is narrated in the book of Exodus, where God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, so the Angel of Death would "pass over" their homes. The Exodus and the Passover are foundational events in Jewish history.
The last plague before the Passover and the children of Israel leaving was the three days of darkness. This could be a reference to Jesus being in the grave for three days and also at the end of the age to those left behind to also experience three days of darkness after the rapture.
- Dedication of Solomon's Temple: According to the biblical account in 2 Chronicles 7:9, King Solomon dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem during the month of Nisan. The dedication involved sacrifices and celebrations.
If Solomon's temple was dedicated in Nisan it would stand to reason that this would be an ideal time for the Red Heifers to be sacrificed signifying the beginning of the 70th week for Israel which would start after the end of the church age punctuated by the rapture.
- Israelites enter the Promised Land: According to the Book of Joshua, the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land during the month of Nisan.
One group leaves Egypt at the same time a different group is entering the good land. This could depict one group being raptured while the left behind saints are leaving the world behind.
- Counting the Omer: The period between Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost) involves counting the Omer, a span of 49 days. This counting begins on the second day of Passover (16th of Nisan) and continues until the day before Shavuot. It is a time of anticipation and spiritual preparation.
This is a period of spiritual preparation. We learn that during this time Jesus appeared to the disciples 40 times before ascending to the heavens. So it is a period of preparation and also of testing.
- Nehemiah's Covenant Renewal: In the book of Nehemiah, there is an account of a covenant renewal ceremony that took place during the month of Nisan. The people gathered to hear the reading of the Law and to renew their commitment to follow God's commandments.
This seems to certainly be a reference to the left behind saints immediately after the rapture.
In the New Testament we have
- Palm Sunday: The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, often referred to as Palm Sunday, is an event where Jesus is welcomed by crowds waving palm branches. It is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19). This event is usually considered to have occurred in the week leading up to the Passover, which would be around the time of Nisan.
What could be more glorious and cause more people to fill the streets shouting Hosannah, Glory to God in the highest than the rapture?
- Cleansing of the Temple: Jesus' cleansing of the Temple is an event where he overturns the tables of the money changers and sellers. It is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48, John 2:13-22). The timing of this event is sometimes associated with the time of Passover.
March 11th seems to be a critical date for the US banks. We could easily see the tables being turned on the money changers this Nisan.
- The Anointing at Bethany: A woman anoints Jesus with expensive ointment in the house of Simon the leper. This event is recorded in Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, and John 12:1-8. The context suggests that this occurred shortly before the Passover.
Right now with everything as expensive as it is we have the perfect opportunity for everyone to pour out whatever they have on the Lord prior to the rapture.
We also had these events:
- The Last Supper: The Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and washed his disciples' feet, is often linked with the Passover meal. According to the Gospels, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples before his crucifixion (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-38).
The Last supper is where Jesus teaches the disciples to wash each other's feet by example. Something that the entire country was reminded of during the Superbowl. It was also when Judas decided to betray Jesus and when he led the soldiers to take Jesus.
- Jesus' Crucifixion: The crucifixion of Jesus is a central event in Christian theology. It is believed to have taken place during the Passover season. The Gospels describe the events leading up to the crucifixion, including Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19).
There is a very clear reference to the rapture when the graves were opened and a clear reference to the sixth seal being opened with the great earthquake.
- Resurrection: While the resurrection itself is not tied to a specific date in the Gospels, it is a crucial event in the Christian faith and is traditionally celebrated on Easter Sunday, which is determined by the lunar calendar and can fall in the month of Nisan.
The reason we celebrate Jesus on the Lord's day and not on the Sabbath day is because this is the day He rose from the dead. It is also the day that we celebrate the Lord's table which is a dress rehearsal for the wedding feast and the rapture.