Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

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The Good Housekeeping Seal of approval

Mark 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Compare this with Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

This is much more personal in Mark. In Luke it is false friends, false kinsfolk, but in Mark it is those closest to you, father kills son, children kill parents. Also in Luke it says "some of you shall they cause to be put to death". We all get betrayed, it could be a friend, a relative, a neighbor. But prior to the rapture it is only some that get betrayed to death. But after the rapture, if they betray you then you are put to death.

13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The worst thing you can run into when preaching the gospel is ambivalence, apathy. Hate is not nearly as bad as that. When people hate you without a cause it will help others to turn fully to the Lord. It is like the expression "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". They hear the gospel from you, they are on the fence, can they trust you? Is this really God calling you? Then they see that people who are clearly evil and Satanic hate you for no reason, that is like God giving you the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

The dedication of the Temple and the Rapture

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:

Compare this with Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

The saints raptured before the tribulation are not going to see the abomination of desolation standing in the Holy sanctuary. What they will see is Jerusalem compassed with armies. During the 2023-2025 war between Hamas and Israel they were compassed about with Hezbollah, Houthi, Iranians, Syrians, Yemenis, etc. At one point their were seven fronts to for Israel in this war. That was your warning to flee. However, prior to the rapture God's people are the Christians. So we can view this word both literally and figuratively. For example, "flee to the mountains" that is what the Maccabees did. This is a reference to Hanukah and those who are left behind after the rapture fleeing. Preterists claim that this verse was fulfilled in 70 AD. I agree that this verse is clearly referencing 70 AD but it is doing that as a shadow of what will take place at the end of the age. We can understand this literally for 70 AD and also as a warning to the church, the temple of God for the end of the age. The Lord said "not one stone will be left upon another", that refers to the temple in 70 AD, it also refers to the believers after the rapture. In 70 AD Rome had had enough with the Jews and came to utterly destroy them. At the end of the age the world will have had enough with the Christians and will determine to utterly destroy them. The word in the New Testament that we say refers to the rapture is Harpazo, it means to be snatched out of the way of certain immediate death.

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. 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.

Jesus would not say "pray ye that your flight be not in winter" if it was determined to be in the winter. The Gospel of Mark is referring to when the abomination of desolation is placed in the Holy Sanctuary. We think that is likely around the time of Passover. However, in Luke it does not say to pray that your flight be not in winter. In Luke this event takes place when Jerusalem is surrounded. This current proposed peace treaty from the US with the backing of many nations has Israel surrounded. Our flight can be in winter and that is when Hanukah is, the only appointed day that is in winter. Hanukah is not part of the Old Covenant, it is only mentioned in the New Testament as the dedication of the temple. Today the church is the temple of God and its dedication will be at the rapture. That is when all those left behind will give themselves fully to the Lord, and those who are raptured will be those who are fully dedicated to the Lord.

 

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No place to Hide

Mark 13:19 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.

This is a clear reference to the Great tribulation, the last 3 1/2 years of this age. But we don't see this expression in Luke, He doesn't say it will be greater than we have seen since the beginning of creation, that is on Mark, not Luke. All Christians go through tribulation, but the Great Tribulation is a special kind of tribulation. I compare this to squeezing orange juice from orange halves. At first you barely have to squeeze to get the juice out, but at the very end then you really have to apply the pressure to get those last few drops.

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.

This sounds like waterboarding. They simulate drowning, but keep it short enough that you don't actually drown. The New Testament is clear, God does not desire a single person to perish but wants everyone to come to the full knowledge of God. Some seeds are easier to sprout than others. Redwood tree seeds will not sprout unless there is a big forest fire. This makes sense, without that big fire they would have no chance of growing up. So you might have a hundred years of seeds, maybe 200 years of seeds in the leaf litter that all sprout at the same time and so a new Redwood forest sprouts right after a big forest fire wipes out the old forest. Think of these last seeds sprouting as needing the Great tribulation and the torture to sprout.

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.

There is a doctrine that these prophecies have already been fulfilled because of what happened in 70 AD. Was there tribulation and affliction? Yes. Was it greater than all tribulation since the creation? No. Did they torture Jews, yes, some. Did they kill them? Yes, some. Now the holocaust gives us a glimpse into what the greatest tribulation since the creation will be like. Imagine the whole world is like the holocaust, that we have never seen. Genocide we have seen. Concentration camps we have seen. In the past there was always somewhere to flee to, but not during the great tribulation. The entire world will be horrifying with no place to hide.

 

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The ditch on either side of the narrow way that leads to life

Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

We are told to take heed, the Lord has told us all things ahead of time. Don't simply look at this chapter, you have to look at the entire Bible. All the prophets. If you do that it is incredible how many things have been foretold that we are seeing take place right now.

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

He didn't say "after the tribulation" but "after that tribulation". That refers to the false prophets and false Christs trying to deceive people. Think about how this works, we have cult leaders causing their followers to be killed. So no one wants to get involved in a cult. Then you have people giving you 88 reasons why the rapture is in 1988. That also falls flat. So anyone who wants an excuse to not follow and take heed can. Then when the rapture does take place everything goes dark all at once and the powers of heaven are shaken. One minute the sun is shining and you are feeling confident making fun of false prophets. The next minute it is too late to repent.

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.

The mockers and scoffers are caught wagging their tongues as the believers are raptured. We are walking a narrow way that leads to life, on one side we have a ditch with cult leaders and false prophets, on the other side we have a ditch with mockers and scoffers. Therefore the mockers and scoffers are also a fulfillment of prophecy just as the cult leaders and false prophets were as well.

 

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A parable of the fig tree

Mark 13:28 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. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

This sign gives us the generation in which all these things will be done. It doesn't give us the day, or the year, but it does give us a time range. So then, what does the Fig tree represent. Some say it represents Israel, but the national tree for Israel is an olive tree. The fig tree is closely associated with trying to cover up man's sin when they covered themselves with fig leaves. Human government as a whole is a fig leaf for sinful man. Now you can argue that Israel returns while they are still sinners and so the fig tree can represent their government. The Jews were exiled and after a long winter were able to return, just like a fig tree sprouting new leaves in the spring. You can also argue that they were exiled because of sin. You can also argue that the UN is like a fig tree. There is no "national tree" for the UN, but it is supposed to be a worldwide fig leaf to deal with the many sinful governments. The UN was formed in 1945 and one of its first acts, one of the first tender leaves it put forth, was to vote for statehood for Israel. So then 1945 is when this generation begins, and 1948 is when this tree put forth leaves.

Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

By this reckoning the seventy years is up in 2015 and 2018. The word that if you live to fourscore it is due to your strength, labour and sorrow. This is a reference to rebellion. So one generation should pass the torch in 70 years, but if they refuse and hold on to the end it will be 80 years. October 24th is when the UN turned 80 this year. Based on this we could imagine that they will pass away and be replaced by the beast government before October 24, 2026. But that is one way to calculate this. Another way is by decades. This verse in Psalm 90 refers to seventy years and eighty years. People do not die the minute they turn seventy or eighty. A decade would be 65 to 74 years for 70 and 75 to 84 years for 80. That means the UN should be replaced with the Antichrist regime by October 24, 2030. We should see Jesus return in glory before May of 2033. Now this is simply one parable, it provides a certain amount of wiggle room, but I think most people understand that the seven year tribulation concludes with the day of Atonement and the Feast of tabernacles, 2033 would be too late, by then Israel is 85. So that final Day of Atonement that fits this interpretation would be in 2032. Other prophecies indicate the seven year tribulation is 2,520 days. So for example, 2,520 days from this Thanksgiving is October 21, 2032, and 2,520 days from December 19, 2025 (the start of Hanukah) is November 12, 2032. The clear takeaway is that the time is short, that is certain.

31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Yes, it is quite amazing that 2,000 years later we are examining the Lord's words under a microscope to see what is going to happen.

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.

I know that some are looking at every holy day that the Jews have since they are "dress rehearsals" for things that take place in the future. But, we are told clearly no one knows the day and hour, indicating it can't be one of those days that we know.

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

The bottom line is we are to take heed of very word, every jot, every tittle in the word of God because even though it may not tell us the day and hour, it does tell us the generation and it tells us all the things we will be seeing leading up to the rapture.

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. 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.

What is important is not that we can guess what day the Lord is going to return, but that when He does return He finds us at our post, watching and doing our job.

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

This word applies to everyone.

 

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Thanksgiving or "why this waste"?

Mark 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

This word craft is what "witch craft" is based on. My understanding is that it is the same thing a prosecuting attorney will do to a witness. They look for any possible way to discredit that witness and they will take a mole hill and turn it into a mountain. In the movie "the insider" the whistleblower had once returned a can opener he bought online that didn't work. It costs $8, he returned it, and since he bought it with a credit card he had every right to return it and cancel payment. They tried to use that and infer he was a thief. You might think the two things have nothing to do with each other, a high level executive in the cigarette companies blowing the whistle on lies they have told and returning a cheap item he bought online that didn't work. But that is how they operate, it is like a rock climber looking for the smallest crack or bump they can use as a handhold. However the Holy Spirit is our defense attorney. Talk to the Holy Spirit, follow His leading. If you are wrong, you must deal with that. For example, I had leased a car for 42 months and then after 36 I went to see about returning the car. I did not realize I still had six months on the lease. While there they talked to be about leasing another car. My plan was to return this car but then I learned I still had six months so I decided to hold on and told them the earliest I'd be interested in considering another car would be in four months and I gave them the criteria my wife would want. Four months later they texted me they had that car and would I like to look at it. I wanted to ignore that text but the Lord convicted me about keeping my word. I went in, they had done everything I had asked and although I had not considered this a verbal agreement the Lord did. So I wound up getting the new car. A second time the Lord spoke in a message I was listening to about unintentionally offending others, that this also was something we should confess and repent of. I had never thought that it was my issue if someone misunderstood me and got offended. But that message caused me to apologize.

As long as the enemy has even the slightest thing to complain about it will be like that prosecutor attacking you, but if you confess, repent and take the Lord's blood your defense attorney will object and the judge will agree and block that line of attack by the prosecutor.

Now in Jesus case they couldn't attack anything, so the next line they will take is to find a friend who is a weak link and attack them. Judas was the weak link that they used to get to Jesus.

2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

This is a big deal to the watchmen. We have little hints like this that the rapture will be on a feast day. In the Old Testament there are prophecies about it being "an appointed day". This expression "an appointed day" is a reference to a holiday, or a feast day. However, I believe it cannot be one of the feasts mentioned in the Bible because when Jesus said "no one knows the day or the hour" everyone knew the day and the hour of those feast days. Because of that I have thought that it is a feast day that has come about since Jesus was crucified, a day that no one knew of at the time of the disciples. For example, Christmas is not in the Bible, but since it dates back to ancient Babylon I think that is an iffy example because Jesus was clear that no man or angel knew the day. There are two feast days that are specifically mentioned in the New Testament that were not mentioned in the Old Testament. You have the feast of new wine, Pentecost, which is 50 days after the day that Christianity uses. You also have Hanukah, the dedication or the rededication of the temple. The problem with that is that even though those days are not mentioned in the Old Testament the disciples knew both of those days when Jesus said "no one knows the day" so that also seems very iffy to me.

You then have Halloween, a harvest festival, tied in with the occult, that seems like a dress rehearsal for the demons and the three days of darkness. This is the only holiday we have that is specifically celebrated at twilight, at the "twinkling of the eye". Also there are three days: Halloween, Day of the Dead and All Saints day. But it is very hard to see anything of raptured saints in that day. Still no one knew the day or the hour of that appointed day at the time of Jesus.

The other option is Thanksgiving. This is directly tied to the book of Acts and that really does give us a view of both the raptured saints and the left behind saints. This is a true feast day, Halloween is not a feast day. And there is a midnight hour for this feast to wake up all the Christians who have been sleeping. So let's examine this day.

There are three presidents in the US who declared a day of thanksgiving. The first one was Washington who declared this day as a day for the nation to give thanks for coming through the revolutionary war. He had no ulterior motive, the day was fully given to God. This is like Barnabas who gave a free will offering, a thanksgiving, to God. The second president was Lincoln, he thought that having a day of thanksgiving would help unite the country at a time of civil war. He did have an ulterior motive that calling for this day would help his presidency. He is like Ananias who kept back part of the holiday for himself. Like Ananias Lincoln also died. Finally, we have FDR who also had an ulterior motive. He thought this holiday would help kick off Christmas purchases and get the economy out of the doldrums. If he were honest Thanksgiving was for God and Black Friday was for his economy. But he wasn't honest and he too was killed in office, just like Saphira. I think this depicts the two kinds of Christians, one kind are fully sold out to the Lord, like Barnabas, sons of consolation. Like Enoch they are dedicated to the Lord without any guile. The other kind are those who are hypocrites, they portray themselves as sold out but at midnight they will be on line to buy some item for Black Friday sales. To them Black Friday is as big a holiday as Thanksgiving. Also, to be fair, this day is a day that "no one knew the day" at the time Jesus was speaking to the disciples.

Then in Acts there are several responses to this event when Ananias and Saphira die.

Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

This sounds like an accurate description of the rapture. At the time of the rapture there will be great fear for the rest of the world. Also, at the same time that some are raptured the false prophets will be slain. It will be like when Elijah called down fire and 400 prophets of Baal were slain. To be a prophet of Baal means it was your career and you were paid to do what you did. This doesn't mean that a servant of the Lord cannot be full time and supported by the ministry. But, it does mean that many prophets prophecy for money just like Balaam and Judas. Also these signs and wonders are prophesied to take place during the tribulation to help the left behind saints. Finally, this is the point in the book of Acts where the real persecution of the church begins and saint Stephen is martyred and Saul of Tarsus is rounding up Christians.

Finally, the horrors of war during the revolutionary war were every bit as horrific as the holocaust. They starved and froze to death, they had primitive doctors and the treatment was similar to torture. Imagine having limbs amputated without anything to put you to sleep or numb the pain. Think of people dying from gangrene or frostbite. These are horrific ways to go and Washington saw it all. And yet he gave thanks to God. There was a great sacrifice made, a great price was paid, but now we had a country that was ours. When Barnabas sold his house that was a great sacrifice, but now we had a church that was ours and he gave all that was sacrificed to the church. If you highly value the church you will give thanks, if you do not value the church you will think "why this waste"? The same is true of the Holocaust. If you highly value the Jews returning to the land of Israel you will give thanks. If you do not value the Jews returning to Israel then you will say "why this waste"?

 

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This was the final straw for Judas

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

This is how some might view the revolutionary war. Why this waste? They paid the price so that we could be free of the evil monarchies. This is how some might view the Holocaust, why this waste, they did it because they paid the price for the Jews to be atoned for and so they could return to the land of Israel.

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

I get it, some people don't see it this way. Those people who died in the Revolutionary war, they could have instead served the king of England and perhaps paid out 300 pence in taxes to him over their lifetime. Likewise with those who died in the Holocaust, they could have continued working in Germany and paid taxes for the German government. If your goal is to bring in the kingdom of heaven to the earth then you will appreciate and give thanks for their sacrifice. If that is not your goal, then you will complain "why this waste".

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

These deaths meant something, they meant something for everyone that survived them. It is fitting that millions of people give thanks for their sacrifice.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

This should be what each of us ascribes to, a ministry that anoints the Lord's body (the church) before the burying and resurrection.

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

The same is true of those who died in the Revolutionary war and for those who died in the Holocaust.

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.

This was the final straw for Judas.

 

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We need a renewed mind

Mark 14:11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

So let's make sure everyone understands exactly what happens here. A woman pours out costly ointment on Jesus, Judas is offended, he could have sold that ointment, given money to the poor and kept some of the proceeds for himself. Just like Ananias and Saphira. He doesn't say that, rather he complains that this was a waste. Jesus says she is anointing His body before hand for the burial and this was true, the way in which Jesus was crucified would not give them time to properly anoint the body for burial. So then Judas offers to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Presumably this is not a "waste" in his opinion. Jesus is then crucified, most of us would cry "why this waste" concerning His death, apparently that doesn't bother Judas. Or maybe it does because then he throws the money on the flood and commits suicide. In the final analysis which was truly a waste, the 30 pieces of silver that Judas betrayed Jesus for, or this ointment used to anoint Jesus body for the burial, a memorial that is remembered even to this day? We need a renewed mind.

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

This is the most confusing account in the entire Bible. Jesus was crucified on the day that they kill the Passover lamb and yet we are told that the day before was the day they kill the Passover lamb. I believe the only way to really understand this is to realize there are several calendars. There was a calendar that we discovered in the dead sea scrolls which is different from the calendar used by the religious leaders of the day. However, we deal with this everyday. Each of your eyes has a separate view, they are off a little, but then your brain puts the two together and so you think you are seeing one clear view. As a result you get depth perception. I think this is what we are seeing here, two views of the Passover based on two calendars and this gives us depth perception.

13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

There is a very clear reference to the constellation Aquarius here.

I had a personal experience similar to this. I wanted to find a church to meet at in NYC. I walked down the street early Sunday morning praying as I went. At every intersection I prayed and continued walking for about two miles. Then I immediately felt "turn left here". I crossed a very busy four lane road to go down a small one way street and as I did I saw a man come out of his house carrying a Bible. I immediately did a 180 and followed him as he went up the hill to a large upper room, a church that held about a thousand people if packed out.

14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

I stayed in that church for twenty years until the vaccine mandate let me know that the day of the Lord was at hand.

16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

 

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Lord we pray you would reveal the false prophets hiding in our congregations

Mark 14:17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.

During the day they prepared. Jesus said the night is coming when you can't work. It is like that today. A few years ago you could speak without censorship. But since the pandemic they have trampled the norms that we thought we had. It was not normal to have to speak in code: "see eye A" is one example I have seen, another is referring to "the thing in the arm".

18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

We should all take this to heart. If one out of 12 disciples of the Lord was a son of perdition we should not be surprised if we have members of the occult hiding in our congregations.

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

When Jesus said this Judas had already cut a deal to betray Him. The other disciples didn't understand, thinking this meant they would backslide. For example, suppose the coach comes into the locker room before the Super bowl and says "one of you will fumble away the victory". Everyone thinks this is a prophetic vision he had but what he is really saying is "one of you has cut a deal with people handling the betting on the game and you have agreed to make sure we lose".

20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

Look at this from Satan's point of view. Who would be able to fumble away a victory? There are only certain players who are guaranteed to have the opportunity to do that.

21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

Once again, if you don't believe in Hell you are ignoring the words of the Lord. He refers to it frequently in His ministry. Never been born is not the same thing as never existed. Life begins from conception. This is like Jesus saying It would have been better if he had been aborted, or been a miscarriage.

 

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The Christian life begins and ends with us being one with the crucified Christ.

Mark 14:22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

This is the institution of the Lord's table. Mark is interesting in that he does not mention that Judas has already left.

23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

His body is the bread, it is broken for us, and we can eat and be filled and strengthened to walk this walk. The blood is the blood of the New Testament. The New Testament refers to the legal document providing us with our inheritance and all the promises. All of them are yes and amen because of the blood of Jesus Christ. This is why Satan hates the blood, when you plead the blood you are pleading for all the promises of your inheritance. We could never receive that inheritance as sinners, the blood washes away our sins and makes us eligible.

25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

This is a reference to the Feast of new wine, which is Pentecost. The church is the body of Christ and the body of Christ drank the wine new on Pentecost. This also points to the return at the end of the age. When the marriage feast takes place we will be drinking the wine new in the kingdom of God. The Christian life begins and ends with us being one with the crucified Christ.

26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

 

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Become a prayer warrior

Mark 14:27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

This reminds me of the mighty men of David: 2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines. Everyone runs away but Jesus hold's His ground, makes a stand, it seems like suicide, but after going into battle with death He arises victorious in resurrection. 12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the Lord wrought a great victory.

28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

His victory is not for Himself, He will lead all of us into victory. We need to be trained like Navy Seals, but we too can be the Navy Seals in the Lord's army.

29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

Pride goes before a fall. Peter did not have the training, he did not have the resurrection life. This is how all new believers feel, they think living the Christian life is easy, they can do it, just watch me. Then for some of them when they do get punched in the nose they shrivel up and die just like the seeds sown in the rocky ground.

30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

This reminds me of videos I have seen on Youtube, some tough guy from the neighborhood wants to get into the ring with a kid his age who is not as big, but who has been trained to fight. The trained fighter demolishes the guy who thought he was so tough. Teddy Roosevelt said you should train to fight because most bullies are not trained fighters.

31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

No need to debate, let's just see what happens. Many conversations end like this on the internet forums. Don't argue, simply wait, time will tell, and then revisit the discussion to see if they were right or not.

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

At this stage in my Christian life the only thing I really want to study is how to pray. I have been a Christian for over 50 years, I have read the Bible cover to cover over 100 times, and I have studied every book in the New Testament verse by verse, and have also studied every book in the Old Testament. I have also read biographies. I feel like everything I have learned has just brought me closer and closer to a life of effective prayer.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

Peter is the one to whom the keys of the kingdom have been given. Out of all the disciples it is these three that Jesus takes with Him and Peter's name is listed first. This indicates he was the leading disciple and that means it is that much more significant that Peter is going to deny Him three times.

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

This shows us that Jesus is very clear about what is about to take place. He prays "if it were possible" indicating not my will but thine be done.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

This is an important concept. I was once praying "Lord if it is your will you can heal this person" and the Lord said "when was it ever not my will to heal?" The Lord is the healer, that is who He is. However, sometimes He uses a sickness or health issue like He did with Paul when Paul said He had a thorn in the flesh. Paul knew why the Lord would not take away the thorn and he told us, it was because he was in danger of getting puffed up and proud. So to protect him from pride the Lord gave him the thorn in the flesh. Before we pray for the Lord to do something we need to know why the current situation is the way it is.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

This guy thinks he can step into the ring with death, hold his own and won't deny the Lord and yet he can't watch for one hour? If you can't watch for one hour your strength is small. Rocky Marciano was the greatest heavyweight of all time. He wasn't as highly skilled as Muhammed Ali. He wasn't as tall, didn't have the reach, in many ways you would not think he was the best. But what he did have was the most rigorous and exhaustive training. His strategy was to come at you with the same intensity for all 12 rounds. There is nothing more exhausting than a 12 round prize fight. No other fighter was as persistent and intense. Even if you could win the first six rounds you knew you would be exhausted and he would win the next six rounds and you would be going through hell. That is why he was undefeated. He reminds me of another one of David's mighty men

2 Samuel 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: 10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the Lord wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Paul said that he buffeted the part of his face below the eyes. To me this means he read the word of God like you might train for a fight.

39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

You pray the same prayer until you get an answer. The Lord doesn't simply want to know what God's will is, He wants to know if there is any other way possible? If there isn't then He can have that much more assurance. We can be willing to sacrifice all, but is this what God wants or is there another way? We might be willing to do a suicide mission, but is that what the Lord really wants or are we simply doing this in ignorance. We get the assurance that this is the only way, even if the chance of success is miniscule it is still the only possible way.

40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

This is one way that the enemy will attack us, he will make our eyes heavy and hard to keep open. Therefore pray for strength and alertness so that your eyes are not heavy. The Lord wants you to watch with Him, all you need to do is ask because now you know you are praying according to His will.

41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

This is different from Luke's account. In Luke it only mentions the Lord finding them sleeping once, but this account emphasizes they were asleep three times. Mark is to the left behind saints, those who were sleeping and not watching for His return.

 

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Zechariah 5 Describes America's Fall in Exact Detail—And We're in the Final Stage

 

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Meet the attack head on

Mark 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Do not run from them, meet them head on.

43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

This also reminds me of David's mighty men: 2 Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

Bullies are cowards, they always attack when they outnumber you and are bigger than you.

44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

Those who betray you are like snakes in the grass. If anyone behaves weird around you showing you way too much affection when others are out to kill you, that should be a big red flag. They will act like they are Jonathan, your close friend for years who has always been by your side when in reality they aren't Jonathan. That should be your tip off something is wrong.

45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

Do you get what just happened? It is night, there are twelve people counting Jesus and His disciples and this great multitude comes up as well. Everything is in confusion but then at the most importune time Judas comes running up "Master, master" and kissed Jesus. I suppose he thinks this pretense can keep him in good standing with Jesus and the disciples. Behavior like this can identify those who are traitors.

47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

We still have those in the church who think we need to bring in the kingdom by fighting with the flesh. This is extremely ignorant. We have preppers who think they can hide during the tribulation by going off the grid. There is no way. They will know where you are and when the time is right they'll come out to your compound and gather you up. If this is me I want to follow Jesus, make a strong testimony and be crucified (or beheaded).

48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

Jesus was not violent, never had any weapons, so this SWAT team coming to take him down exposes them. This is why the guy who cut off the ear is a negative testimony, it actually justifies them bringing the SWAT team and you can be sure that is all the news will cover.

49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

The Lord is exposing how corrupt the rulers are. They think they are conquering Him, they expect Him to be afraid of death, afraid of torture. But you stand strong to the end and they will be the ones exposed as monsters.

50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

 

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Following from Afar, an apt description of those left behind

Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

We all experience the Lord's crucifixion, but we all don't have the same experience. This guy running away naked reminds me of the watchmen in temple. The guy in charge of them goes around at night and if they are sleeping he sets their cloak on fire and they run away naked. The Lord warned people repeatedly what is coming and some were ready and some did not prepare.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

All the chief priests, elders and scribes. These are the ones you were supposed to have faith were leading you according to the word of God. These ones are betraying God, He sent His son and now they are going to put His son to death.

54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

This is a dangerous position to be in. When I played football the guys who always got hurt were like Humpty Dumpty, they were halfway. Either you go all in with Jesus or you don't. Following from afar is not a safe position, but this is an apt description of those who will be left behind. Are they following the Lord? Yes, but they are following from afar.

 

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Brace yourself

Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

You have been warned, when they come for you they will be trying to get witnesses to accuse you of something.

56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

At this time you discover you were surrounded by liars and evil people.

57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.

This is similar to what we have seen recently. Do you remember when people who turned down the experimental vaccine for Covid were vilified? I was not permitted to get an operation without first getting the vaccine (I had been diagnosed with cancer). People were fired and mocked by late night comedians. So what was their crime? Whatever happened to "my body my choice"? This is how fast people can turn and behave in a bizarre fashion.

59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

I remember that we were told the vaccine was more effective than simply recovering from Covid. That was contrary to everything that had ever been taught up to that point and if you asked them for the evidence of that, they had no evidence. Then they got upset "to question Fauci is to question science"!

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

I lost interest real fast in these debates. The vaccine was experimental, Fauci was a liar, I chose to retire rather than get it. As far as I was concerned time would tell, I'd wait for ten years to see how it turns out for those who got the vaccine.

61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

When I retired I was asked directly by the Principal if this was "the end of the world".

62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

I told her it wasn't "the end of the world" it was the end of the age. The next age would have Jesus reigning for a thousand years on the earth.

63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

At that time they thought if you believed the prophecies in the Bible you were unstable and cult like.

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

That was the fall of 2021. There has been ridicule, mockery, and scorners continuously since then trying to twist the words that I have said. The way I deal with this is I give them double what they give me. So if I make a post that they mock, you can be sure for every mocking post I will respond and then I'll also make another post to hammer home the point even more. My thought is this, if Satan doesn't want people to hear something then I better makes sure it gets repeated.

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Look when she comes, right as everyone is slapping Jesus. This is how bullies behave. Once it is clear they are going to convict him of blasphemy then it is fair game on all his disciples.

68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

He is not ready to take a stand. Every believer needs to take this to heart so that when your day comes you are ready to take a stand. You don't want to start with the championship fight. You want to start by sparring. This is why I like this forum, iron sharpens iron and this forum keeps me sharp.

69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

Notice how it is a maid. When you are confronted with the whole world screaming for blood even a maid can be scary.

71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

 

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Satan will use inuendo

Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto them, Thou sayest it.

This word from Jesus, "thou sayest it" is a great help. When you are under attack focus on the words of the attack. Often we want to ignore them, inside we are screaming "lies" and so we don't want to listen. But don't do that. Think of yourself as a batter in baseball, focus intently on the words the way the batter would focus on the ball. Because if the Holy Spirit is operating in you it will be a bright light that exposes what is in others. With their own words they will condemn themselves.

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.

I have shared this type of experience already. Satan loves to attack you with inuendo. If you respond in any way, if you say "that's not true", then you are admitting that he was talking about you. Now the inuendo will clearly be about you and no one else, but any response at all will give him the way to confirm this is true simply by you confirming he was talking about you.

4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

In one of my experiences I was cornered after the meeting by a number of saints and one asked me directly "who was the elder talking about?" I said "I don't know, ask him." He had never actually said it was about me even though it couldn't have been about anyone else. Why? Because if he did lie about me in a church meeting to a hundred people and use my name he could be sued.

 

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Which one is the real son of God?

Mark 15:6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.

Let's consider these two men. One is named "son of the father" and has committed insurrection and murder. The other is named "Jehovah Savior" and has healed the sick and raised the dead. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is the tree of death. The tree of life is the tree of healing and resurrection life. There are many unstable people who will use the word of God to justify insurrection and murder. They will put on a cloak of "being the son of the father". The proper Biblical understanding is that Jesus Christ is Lord, not that "Jesus Christ needs your help to be Lord". If the world right now is unrighteous and has committed crimes, that is fully under the Lord's sovereignty. Don't twist that, I didn't say He approved, but He does know. He is omniscient. I didn't say that this unrighteousness is "good" but it can be used for good to those that love God. Because the Lord working through you and answering your prayers can overcome all things and that can be your ministry. Think of unrighteousness in the world as a gym where you get to work out and lift weights. These are spiritual weights, which we call burdens. You can pray about these burdens, you can speak to the mountain to be cast into the sea, and as you do this you become stronger spiritually and all these things will obey you. These two men, Barabbas and Jesus show us two different ways, one is a broad way that leads to destruction and one is a narrow way that leads to life. Now you might think that the cross is destruction, but that is actually the way, the only way, to the resurrection life. You might also think that being released like Barabbas is the way to life, but that is the way of a scapegoat. It doesn't exonerate him of his murder and crimes. He leaves with his guilt and shame to become a wanderer on the earth.

8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.

So Pilate knew that Jesus was not guilty of a crime punishable by death and yet he went ahead and sentenced him to death to satisfy the crowd. This reveals how corrupt judges are. He wasn't paid a bribe, he wasn't blackmailed. He was threatened that they would complain to Caesar about him. That is all it took, someone saying "we'll talk to your boss if you don't do what I want".

11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?

Look at the twisted world we are in. They are threatening to tell Caesar that Pilate is not a friend of Caesar if he releases Jesus because his being a king is contrary to Caesar. Even though Jesus didn't say He was a king, they did. Would Caesar even care? But then he releases a man who is guilty of insurrection, that you would think Caesar would care about.

13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.

The same city where people were crying out "Hosanna" a few days earlier is now the city that is crying "crucify him". This is a window into the reality so that we are not deceived.

14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.

This would be funny if it were not so evil. They don't want to be bothered with facts and evidence. We saw this with the vaccine. What evil had people done that didn't want to take an experimental vaccine? We saw this with January 6th. About a million people were there for that event, and about 100 were arrested. The crimes for those who were arrested was "trespassing". They did not kill anyone, it was the police who killed a few people that day, not the crowd. This means that 99.999% of the crowd was peaceful and did not commit any crime. By definition that is "mostly peaceful" and yet they were vilified to no end. Meanwhile the guy that dropped the pipe bomb was not arrested even though Washington DC has cameras everywhere.

15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

This just gets worse and worse. Many argued that the Romans would not scourge someone who was to be crucified. They were two separate punishments. Yet when we found the shroud of Turin it depicts a man who was both crucified and scourged. It also depicted a man who had had thorns for a crown. And this shroud was according to Jewish law and custom. These things are so unique that the Shroud can only be of Jesus or be a fake, it cannot be a shroud from some random person. There are other interesting things about the Shroud, they found pollen from 70 different plant species that would be putting pollen into the air at the time of Passover and to have all 70 it would have to be in the immediate area of Jerusalem. They also found tiny bits of limestone with a unique amount of trace elements, these act like a fingerprint making the limestone unique, and they prove this Shroud at one point was laying on the stone ground of limestone caves where Jesus' tomb is said to have been. Also the head covering is called the Sudarium, and the history on that artifact is very good so that they know that was definitely taken from Jesus' tomb. The blood type on the Sudarium matches the blood type on the Shroud, it this was a fake the forger would have had a 10% chance of using the same blood type. What is most interesting to me are the things in the Shroud that do not match the account. When they wrap a body in a shroud like this the clothe is twelve feet long. They lay the body down, fold the clothe over the body, and then tie it up with a strip that has been cut from the clothe lengthwise (it is also 12 feet long). This strip was sewn back onto the shroud and was done with such skill that many had not noticed this. This proves the shroud could not have been long in the tomb. Once you have decay it would have been impossible to do this. But why would someone do this? This suggests to me that the motive was love. Whoever did this was treating the Shroud as a sacred object. There is more to be said about the Shroud, but the conclusion is simple, either the Shroud is real or you are dealing with the most incredible forger of all time. Also, consider this, why would a forger do this? Do they want to make money off of people by scamming them? The problem with that theory is we know the shroud is at least several hundred years older than when it first turned up in Turin. So this master forger, if that is your theory, never used it to make money.

 

[ZNP]

Anyone who denies the Bible is the word of God or that Jesus is the Messiah will be without excuse

Mark 15:16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

This is perhaps the most convincing evidence that the three synoptic gospels refer to three groups of people. Matthew describes a scarlet robe, Mark a purple robe, and Luke a glistening white robe. Barley, the first crop to be reaped has a white husk, wheat the second crop to be reaped has a purple husk. Barley does not need a tribulum to remove the husk while wheat does. A tribulum is where we get the word tribulation, they have a big heavy roller they roll over the wheat that breaks the husk off. Scarlet is the color of wine, and grapes are crushed in the wine press. A description of what takes place in the great tribulation.

19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

The experience of the crucifixion is not simply being scourged in public, it is not simply being nailed to a cross to die a slow agonizing death, it is also the mocking, insulting, scoffing that we see here.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

Why do they go to so much trouble? I imagine that most people who get crucified don't get any of this treatment. For most criminals the soldiers don't really care. But what we see here is hate, and you can't hate someone unless you first loved them.

21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. 22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.

Each of these items is a prophetic fulfillment. Anyone who denies the Bible is the word of God or that Jesus is the Messiah will be without excuse.

 

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Truly this man was the Son of God

Mark 15:25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.

If you are crucified with Christ what would your accusation be? "He preached the gospel"? "He was a witness of Jesus Christ"? "A Christian"?

27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Each point that Mark is mentioning is a fulfillment of prophecy. Are you numbered with the transgressors? I remember at college my freshman year. Everyone loved me right up until I got baptized. The change was dramatic, I went from being at the center of the party to being an outcast the minute they learned. I returned to my dorm room, there were about twelve people sitting around laughing, one guy asked me why my hair was wet. I said I had just gotten baptized. Instantly everything changed, no more laughter, and he asked "why did you do that?"

29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

Paul said he was crucified with Christ, this is what it means. You are put on display for all to mock and ridicule.

33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

The three hours of darkness is similar to the darkness that descended on the land of Egypt and the outer darkness that takes place at the time of the rapture. The Lord talks about casting some out into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. There are also prophecies that we will have 3 days of darkness as a final purging immediately before the rapture. You may think that you have confessed and repented of all your sins and you are white as snow, but during the three days of darkness any unrepented of sin will haunt you. This gives you one final chance to repent of these sins prior to the rapture.

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

To my understanding this is the cry of those left behind after the rapture.

35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

This also was a fulfillment of prophecy.

37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

The rapture is also accompanied with a great earthquake. It is the opening of the sixth seal in the book of Revelation.

39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

 

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10 Important Prophecies Dumitru Duduman 11/27/2025

 

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It is never too late for a second chance

Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. 42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

Remember the woman who anointed the Lord with the alabaster, the costly ointment? These women want to prepare the Lord's body for burial but there is no time. They only have a few minutes from when they take Him down to when they put the body in the grave. Jesus told the disciples ahead of time He was going to be crucified, but He never told them there would not be time to prepare the body. The only way you would know that is if you had first hand knowledge. Perhaps a loved one close to you was crucified and you never had the chance to prepare his body. Maybe that was a big regret and then here you get a second chance, you hear that Jesus is going to be crucified and so you anoint His body for burial beforehand. Everyone is offended at you for such a waste, but in your spirit you are elated, God gave you a second chance. Before you were filled with shame, perhaps your brother died this shameful death. But now you feel redeemed, the devil meant it for evil but the Lord has used that for good,

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

I guess if you scourge the criminals first then they die much faster. These three people were not the only ones to ever be crucified, and most likely many are crucified on days that don't precede a sabbath and so they don't need to get the bodies down quickly. They might linger for hours at night moaning away. This is a really cruel death.

45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

I know many think that the Shroud of Turin is fake, but the Bible is very clear about this shroud existing. So then, what happened to it? We know the disciples found both the shroud and the head covering after the resurrection. Does anyone really think they would just throw it away? We know the head covering was kept as a sacred object, so surely they must have done the same with the Shroud. So then, if the Shroud of Turin is fake, where is the real shroud?

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

It is never too late for a second chance.