Elijah and Enoch have a very important mission when they
return. Likewise we have a very important future mission as well. Both the two
witnesses and the redeemed will have key roles in the future and much of what
will happen centers around the word harpazo,
“seizing by force or snatching”. There are some important correlations with the
two witnesses and the gathering of the body of Christ in the timing of events
such as one faction leaving, the other returning and then the returning faction
leaving and the leaving faction returning. In other words, there will be a
trading of places between the witnesses and the redeemed more than once. We
have to understand this future timing and words such as harpazo, resurrection, kingdom of heaven, and Day of the Lord
because these words are not synonymous, they all have their own timing. Some
people have said that there is no precedence for the harpazo in the Old
Testament, but that is simply the unlearned giving a stiff necked opinion. Also,
once the first harpazo of the redeemed comes to pass, that is when the scary
and terrifying events begin on the earth. Then there will be a second gathering
out of the Great Tribulation, and the witnesses will have a key role in that
event taking place. And as we will see there are some who do not go through a
physical death on the earth.
As we have studied in the past, the two witnesses are the
only two people that still have their (birth) bodies and will be killed by
Apollyon/Abaddon/Gog the Locust King. The only two people that still have their
bodies that lived a long time ago, that did not die yet, are Enoch and Elijah.
Yes, it is appointed once for every man to die, but they haven’t died yet, the
question is when will they die? They will die at the end of the first three and
one half years of the tribulation called the wrath of the Lamb.
Enoch was well pleasing to God and was transposed. By
reading the Book of Enoch we know that there is more to the story. Enoch was
well pleasing, a teacher of men, and an intermediary between God and the fallen
angels. Enoch saw and recorded many things for our learning. But he was
transported, like Captain Kirk and Crew but without the need for a transporter
room and Scotty giving the transporters more power.
Gen 5:24G2532And G2100Enoch
was well-pleasing G* G3588to G2316God. G2532And G3756he was
not G2147found,
G3754for G3346[2transposed
G14733him G3588 G23161God].
3346 LSJ Gloss: μετατίθημι to place among
Dodson: μετατίθημι I transfer, desert, change (a) I
transfer, mid: I go over to another party, desert, (b) I change.
μετατίθημι metatithēmi met-at-ith'-ay-mee From G3326 and G5087; to transfer, that is, (literally) transport, (by implication) exchange, (reflexively) change sides, or (figuratively)pervert KJV Usage: carry over, change, remove, translate, turn.
To be transposed is to be transferred as if to be placed in
a different location. This is what happened to Enoch. The writer of Hebrews
says it was by faith that Enoch was transposed, but that terminology gives us
the idea that all Enoch had to do was “believe big” to get transposed, but that
is not quite right. Enoch did not facilitate his transposing. All Enoch did was
have faith in God. He believed in Yahweh and had a close relationship with Yahweh,
which is what made him well pleasing. Enoch did not know death. He simply
hasn’t died as of yet.
Hebrews 11:5G4102By
belief G*Enoch G3346was
transposed G3588 G3361to not
G1492know G2288death,
G2532and G3756was
not G2147found,
G1360because
G3346[2transposed
G14733him G3588 G23161God]; G4253for
before G1063 G3588 G3331his
transposition G1473 G3140he
bore witness G2100to
have been well-pleasing G3588to G2316God.
The Message reads this way:
Heb 11:5 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death
completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had
taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was
taken "he pleased God." (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary
Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Ecclesiasticus is our second reliable testimony, as Genesis
was first. But it goes one step further. Enoch was an example of repentance to
all generations, he also repented for the nations. Remember in Enoch’s time
there was no Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. There were no sons of Jacob, no Israel,
and no chosen nation. There was one language, fallen angels and their progeny
the Nephilim, and an impending flood to regenerate mankind. Enoch was an
example of repentance to all generations and he repented on behalf of all
generations.
Ecclus 44:16 Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated,
being an example of repentance to all generations. KJV
Ecclus 44:16 Henoch pleased God, and was translated into
paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations. Douay-Rheims
Sir 44:16 Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated,
being an example of repentance to all generations. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Sirach/index.htm
Again we are told that Enoch was taken from the earth.
Enoch was taken before the flood, there were no witnesses to Enoch’s departure,
but we find in historical records that the people tried to follow him. Noah
carried the records of those historical events as well as the books Enoch wrote
on the ark. Nonetheless, Enoch still has a physical body.
Ecclus 49:14 But upon the earth was no man created like
Enoch; for he was taken from the earth. KJV
Ecclus 49:16 No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he
also was taken up from the earth. Douay-Rheims
Sir 49:14 But upon the earth was no man created like
Enoch; for he was taken from the earth http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Sirach/index.htm
At that time there wasn’t anyone like Enoch. But Enoch
wasn’t the only one taken off the earth without experiencing death. Elijah was
taken. His physical body is still intact. Elijah’s account is slightly
different as we have the record of his going up in a whirlwind or a rumbling. We know what happened after
Elijah’s departure as well. So our written records are a bit more detailed for
Elijah.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on,
and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire,
and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
KJV
4 Kgdm 2:11 And as they went on, walking and talking
together, behold a fiery chariot, and fiery horses parted them both asunder:
and Elias went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Douay-Rheims
4 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass as they were going,
they went on talking; and, behold, a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and
it separated between them both; and Eliu was taken up in a whirlwind as it were
into heaven. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Kings%20IV/index.htm
2 Kings 2:11G2532And G1096it
came to pass G1473of
their going G4198 G2532and G2980speaking,
G2532that G2400behold,
G716a
chariot G4442of
fire, G2532and G2462horses
G4442of
fire, G2532and G1291they
drew apart G303.1between
G297both; G2532and G353Elijah
was taken up G* G1722in G4952.2a
rumbling G2193unto G1519into G3588the G3772heaven.
353 LSJ Gloss: ἀναλαμβάνω to take up, take into one's hands
Dodson: ἀναλαμβάνω I take up, raise I take up, raise; I
pick up, take on board; I carry off, lead away.
Strong's: ἀναλαμβάνω to take up Derivation: from G303 and G2983;KJV
Usage: receive up, take (in, unto, up).
Thayer: 1) to take up, raise 2) to take up (a thing in
order to carry or use it)
ἀναλαμβάνω analambanō an-al-am-ban'-o From G303 and G2983; to take up KJV Usage: receive up, take (in, unto, up).
The “whirlwind” or “the beings that transport” are known as
the Ophanim as in Ezekiel. They are
described as a “revolving wind” when they move and they are heard as a “rumbling”.
So when we see the Ophan we hear a rumbling. It seems to be a sub-usage of a
word meaning convulsing, tearing, or rending. Let’s look at an occurrence in 2
Samuel of rumbling for a broader understanding. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/04/ophanim-ezekiels-wheels-enochs.html
2 Samuel 5:24G2532And G1510.8.3it
will be G1722in G3588 G191your
hearing G1473 G3588the G5456sound G3588of the
G4952.2rumbling
G575from
out of G3588the G251.1Grove G3588of the
G2805.1Weeping,
G5119then G2597you
shall go down G4314to G1473them; G3754for G5119then G1831the lord shall
go forth G2962 G1715in
front of G1473you G5180to
strike G1722in G3588the G4171battleG3588of the
G246Philistines
(2 Sam 5:24) 2 Kings
5:24 And it shall come to pass when thou hearest the sound of a clashing
together from the grove of weeping, then thou shalt go down to them, for then
the Lord shall go forth before thee to make havoc in the battle with the
Philistines. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Kings%20II/index.htm
When they heard the sound of clashing, or rumbling, they
should go into battle. Why? Because the help of the Ophanim would be there to
war against the Philistines. In the time of the Prophets of Elijah and Elisha,
the story of Elijah’s going up to heaven was known as causing a sound, a
rumbling.
2 Kings 2:1G2532And G1096it
came to pass G1722in G3588the G321lord to
lead G2962 G3588 G*Elijah
G1722in G4952.2a
rumbling G5613as G1519into G3588theG3772heaven,
G2532thatG4198[4went
G*1Elijah
G25322and G*3Elisha]
G1537from
out of G*Gilgal.
2 Kings 2:1 And it came to pass, when the Lord was
going to take Eliu with a whirlwind as it were into heaven, that Eliu and
Elisaie went out of Galgala http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Kings%20IV/index.htm
In a recounting of Elijah the prophet’s marvelous works we
have this interesting mention. Elijah is registered in the judgments of times
to appease the wrath of the Lord to reconcile the heart of the father to the
son and to restore the tribes of Jacob. As we will soon see, Elijah is foretold
to comeback in the judgments of times.
Ecclus 48:9-15 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in
a chariot of fiery horses.10 Who art registered in the judgments of times to
appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were
honoured with thy friendship.12 For we live only in our life, but after death
our name shall not be such. 13 Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and
his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and
no man was more powerful than he.14 No word could overcome him, and after death
his body prophesied.15 In his life he did great wonders, and is death he
wrought miracles. Douay-Rheims
Sir48:9 Who was taken up in a whirlwind of fire, and
in a chariot of fiery horses: 10 Who wast ordained for reproofs in
their times, to pacify the wrath of the Lord’s judgment, before it brake forth
into fury, and to turn the heart of the father unto the son, and to restore the
tribes of Jacob. 11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and slept in
love; for we shall surely live.
12 Elias it was, who was covered with a whirlwind: and
Eliseus was filled with his spirit: whilst he lived, he was not moved with the
presence of any prince, neither could any bring him into
subjection. 13 No word could overcome him; and after his death his
body prophesied. 14 He did wonders in his life, and at his death were
his works marvellous. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Sirach/index.htm
Enoch and Elijah are our two examples of people being taken
with their bodies before Jesus came. Jesus tells us about Elijah coming back.
Some translators try and make John the Baptist Elijah, but he was not THE Elijah, he was a prophet LIKE Elijah. John was in prison. In the
context John’s disciples are asking if Jesus is the Christ. After talking to
Johns disciples Jesus says to his disciples that no one who has been born is
greater than John, but John will be least in the kingdom. To keep events
straight, when does the kingdom happen? It takes place after the resurrection.
That is a different time and event than the harpazo. The resurrection is at the
end of the age, after the millennial reign. Then the kingdom of heaven is
established. The harpazo is before the millennial reign. Jesus then explains
that all the prophets prophesied until John.
Matt 11:11-15 Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among
them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the
lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.12 And from the days of John
the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the
violent bear it away.13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until
John:14 And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.15 He that hath
ears to hear, let him hear. Douay-Rheims
Matt 11:14G2532And G1487if G2309you
want G1209to
receive, G1473he G1510.2.3is G*Elijah,
G3588the
one G3195being
about G2064to
come.
1209LSJ Gloss: δέχομαι to take, accept, receive
Dodson: δέχομαι I take, receive, accept, welcome.
δέχομαι dechomai dekh'-om-ahee Middle
voice of a primary verb; to receive (in various applications,
literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: accept, receive, take.
3195 LSJ Gloss: μέλλω to think of doing, intend to do, to
be about to do
Dodson: μέλλω I am about toI intend, am about to; I delay,
linger.
μέλλω mellō mel'-lo A strengthened
form of G3199 (through
the idea of expectation); to intend, that is, be about to
be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the
sense of purpose, duty,necessity, probability, possibility,
or hesitation) KJV Usage: about, after that, be (almost), (that
which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be
at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after,
afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
2064 LSJ Gloss: ἔρχομαι to come
Dodson: ἔρχομαι I come, go.
ἔρχομαι erchomai er'-khom-ahee Middle
voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the
others being supplied by a kindred [middle voice] word, ἐλεύθομαι eleuthomai
or ἔλθω elthō ; which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in
a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) KJV Usage:
accompany, appear, bring, come enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next,
pass, resort, be set.
Verse 14 is translated awkwardly. “If you desire to accept
he is Elijah about to come.” John was in prison about to die. Elijah had not
died, he was taken up. John is a type of Elijah. He is a prophet. But as we
know from Revelation, someone who still has a body comes back to witness and
die before the Day of the Lord. Again, keeping our time straight, when is the
Day of the Lord? At the end of the tribulation, before the millennial reign.
John was beheaded, so he won’t be coming back. But Elijah still has his body
intact. Later Jesus explains this a bit further.
Matt 17:10-13 And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then
do the scribes say that Elias must come first?11 But he answering, said to
them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things.12 But I say to you, that
Elias is already come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever
they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.13 Then the
disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist. Douay-Rheims
Matt 17:11G3588 G1161And G*Jesus G611answering
G2036said G1473to
them, G*Elijah
G3303indeed
G2064comes G4412first,
G2532and G600shall
restore G3956all things .
2064 LSJ Gloss: ἔρχομαι to come
Dodson: ἔρχομαι I come, go.
600 LSJ Gloss: ἀποκαθίστημι to re-establish, restore,
reinstate
Dodson: ἀποκαθίστημι I restore, give back I set up again,
restore to its original position or condition; hence: I restore, give back.
ἀποκαθίστημι apokathistēmi ap-ok-ath-is'-tay-mee From G575 and G2525;
to reconstitute (in health, home or organization) KJV Usage:
restore (again).
3956 LSJ Gloss: πᾶς all, the whole
Dodson: πᾶς all, the whole, every kind of.
πᾱς pas pas Including all the forms
of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every,
the whole KJV Usage: all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one),
X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly,
whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Elijah comes first
to restore all things, but John did not restore all things. Even though Jesus
is comparing John to Elijah, he is comparing their prophetic message and
willingness to share it through adversity. Elijah comes first to restore the
hearts of the fathers and the children and the people and their neighbors, and
the tribe of Jacob. Elijah comes before the Day of the Lord. At this point in
time the people thought of Elijah as a great prophet. But as Jesus goes on to
say, the people did not have a perception of above knowledge of John as a type of Elijah.
Matt 17:12G3004And I
say G1161 G1473to you
G3754that G*Elijah
G2235already
G2064came, G2532and G3756they
did not recognize G1921 G1473him, G235but G4160they
did G1722to G1473him G3745as
much as G2309they
wanted. G3779So G2532also G3588the G5207son G3588 G444of man
G3195is about
G3958to
suffer G5259by G1473them.
1921 Dodson: ἐπιγινώσκω I come to know, discern, recognize
I come to know by directing my attention to him or it, I perceive, discern,
recognize; aor: I found out.
ἐπιγινώσκω epiginōskō ep-ig-in-oce'-ko
From G1909 and G1097;
to know upon some mark, that is, recognise;
by implication to become fully acquainted with,
to acknowledge KJV Usage: (ac-, have, take) know (-ledge, well),
perceive.
They had no above knowledge of Elijah, or spiritual
knowledge of John as Elijah, but Elijah will come before the Day of the Lord.
Elijah will restore the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of
a man to his neighbor, or as Sirach says:
Sir48:10 Who wast ordained for reproofs in their
times, to pacify the wrath of the Lord’s judgment, before it brake forth into
fury, and to turn the heart of the father unto the son, and to restore the
tribes of Jacob.
Elijah was and is ordained for reproofs, to bring reproofs
in their times, to pacify the wrath of the Lord’s judgment before the second
half of the tribulation, the time called the wrath of God. That is exactly what
the two witnesses do, they have the power of judgments BEFORE the Day of the Lord, the day the Lord returns with his
armies. The witnesses are to help restore the tribe of Jacob. This is a very
important point, the tribes of Jacob will be restored, or brought back to life
as we will see shortly.
Mal 4:5-6 Behold I will send you Elias the prophet, before
the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.6 And he shall turn the
heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their
fathers: lest I come, and strike the earth with anathema. Douay-Rheims
Mal 4:5G2532And G2400behold,
G1473IG649shall
send G1473to you
G*Elijah
G3588the G4396prophet
G4250before
G2064the coming
G2250day G2962of the lord --G3588the G3173great G2532and G2016apparent;
6G3739the
one who G600shall
restore G2588the heart
G3962of the father
G4314to G5207the son,
G2532and G2588the heart
G444of a
man G4314to G3588 G4139his
neighbor, G1473 G3361lest G2064coming
G3960I
strike G3588the G1093earth G696.2entirely
Mal 4:5 And, behold, I will send to you Elias the
Thesbite, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes; 6 who
shall turn again the heart of the father to the son, and the heart of a man to
his neighbour, lest I come and smite the earth grievously.
Remember the law of my servant Moses, accordingly as I
charged him with it in Choreb for all Israel, even the
commandments and ordinances. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Malachias/index.htm
The witnessing that the witnesses do is not simply words
but words and power. This is how they restore the tribe of Jacob and after they
do, the Lord will gather some of them. So they restore the tribes by showing
Yahweh’s power, and then those people repent and believe. Their hearts become restored.
Here is the power the witnesses have.
Rev 11:3-8 And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they
shall prophesy a thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These
are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks, that stand before the Lord
of the earth.5 And if any man will hurt them, fire shall come out of their
mouths, and shall devour their enemies. And if any man will hurt them, in this
manner must he be slain.6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in
the days of their prophecy: and they have power over waters to turn them into
blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues as often as they will.7 And
when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast, that ascendeth out of
the abyss, shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill
them.8 And their bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city…Douay-Rheims
Then the witnesses will die. The two men, Enoch and Elijah,
the only two prophets who still have intact bodies, who lived before Jesus, at
this time are waiting for the harpazo of the redeemed. Then they will come to
earth. Even though the word harpazo was not used regarding Enoch and Elijah,
they were seized, or snatched, transported or taken up in a rumbling whirlwind.
They were taken as opposed to choosing to leave. Even though they knew Yahweh’s
plan for them they agreed to it. The Body of Christ, the redeemed, are the
same. We know Yahweh will come to seize us, do we agree? Of course.
1 Thes 4:17G1899Thereupon
G1473we G3588the G2198living,
G3588the
ones G4035remaining,
G260together
G4862with G1473them G726shall
be seized G1722in G3507clouds,
G1519for G529meeting
G3588the G2962Lord G1519in G109the air,
G2532and G3779thus G3842at all
times G4862with G2962the Lord
G1510.8.4we
shall be.
726 LSJ Gloss: ἁρπάζω to snatch away, carry off
Dodson: ἁρπάζω I seize, snatch, obtain by robbery.
Strong's: ἁρπάζω to seize (in various applications) Derivation:
from a derivative of G138; KJV
Usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Thayer:1) to seize, carry off by force 2) to seize on,
claim for one's self eagerly 3) to snatch out or away
ἁρπάζω harpazō har-pad'-zo From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications) KJV Usage: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).
Harpazo is used forty six times between both the Old and
New Covenants. Mostly in the Old Covenant it is used as a wolf snatching a
lamb. They saw that type of snatching as harpazo. So when New Covenant writers
use this word they expect the imagery of seizing. Philip was seized, but
transported to Azotus (Ashod).
Acts8:39G3753And
when G1161 G305they
ascended G1537from
out of G3588the G5204water,
G4151spirit
G2962of the Lord
G726seized
Philip by force, G3588 G* G2532and G3756[3did
not G14924see G14735him G37656any
longer G35881the G21352eunuch];
G4198for he
went G1063 G3588 G3598his
way G1473 G5463rejoicing.
40G*And
Philip G1161 G2147was
found G1519in G*Azotus;
G2532and G1330going
through G2097he
announced good news to G3588[2the
G41723cities
G39561all] G2193until G3588 G2064he
came G1473 G1519unto G*Caesarea.
A seizing or snatching for Enoch and Elijah is the same as a
seizing of the redeemed. We have answered the question as to the pattern for
the snatching away of the called out. The interesting thing is that both the
witnesses and then the redeemed come back to the earth. In reviewing our
timeline of events from today forward, we see that the first event that starts
the last seven years on earth, before the millennial kingdom, is the harpazo of
the redeemed. At that time the witnesses come to earth. The redeemed are
singing about being redeemed and praying for those on the earth while the
witnesses restore the hearts of the fathers to the children, the people to
their neighbors, and restore the nations and the tribe of Jacob. After the
three and one half years are complete and the witnesses die on earth, they join
the redeemed at the crowning/coronation of Jesus as the kingdoms of the world
will now be his and he shall reign forever. Jesus will then give out rewards
and the second half of the tribulation will begin. At this time there will be a
second group being gathered.
Rev 14:1-4 And I beheld, and lo a lamb stood upon mount
Sion, and with him an hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the
name of his Father, written on their foreheads.2 And I heard a voice from
heaven, as the noise of many waters, and as the voice of great thunder; and the
voice which I heard, was as the voice of harpers, harping on their harps.3 And
they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne, and before the four
living creatures, and the ancients; and no man could say the canticle, but
those hundred forty-four thousand, who were purchased from the earth.4 These
are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These follow
the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, the firstfruits
to God and to the Lamb: Douay-Rheims
The Angels seal the 144,000 as we know from Revelation 7.
These are 12,000 from each tribe. These are the tribes of Jacob that Elijah and
Enoch are restoring during the time they are on earth. As soon as Jesus is
crowned, he comes back for the 144,000. They are not all in Israel, they are
all over the earth and are then purchased from the earth and taken up. Notice
there is noise when they are gathered, the noise of many waters and great
thunder as well as music and singing. Let’s read this in the Amplified.
Rev 14:1-4 THEN I looked, and behold, the Lamb stood on
Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 [men] who had His name and His Father's name
inscribed on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound
of great waters and like the rumbling of mighty thunder; the voice I heard
[seemed like the music] of harpists accompanying themselves on their harps. 3
And they sang a new song before the throne [of God] and before the four living
creatures and before the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin]. No one could learn
[to sing] that song except the 144,000 who had been ransomed (purchased,
redeemed) from the earth. 4 These are they who have not defiled themselves by
relations with women, for they are [pure as] virgins. These are they who follow
the Lamb wherever He goes. These are they who have been ransomed (purchased,
redeemed) from among men as the firstfruits for God and the Lamb. AMP
I’ve made this point in the past, but for all the groups
that think they are of the 144,000, here are the requirements. This group is
not of the redeemed before the seven year period of tribulation starts,
otherwise they would have been harpazo’d with the redeemed. They are not old
married men, they are young virgins. This tells us that they probably are pre-pubescent.
They are not females. They are sealed by Angels during the wrath of the Lamb. They
also have to come out of the great tribulation, which means they do not rise in
Revelation 7. Revelation 7 is not completely chronological. The sealing of the12,000
of the twelve tribes is chronological, the rest is a parentheses of explanation
that is fulfilled in Revelation 14 after Jesus is crowned (ch 11) and the Beast
attacks Babylon (ch 13). This group is taken off the earth more than halfway
through the tribulation. They have been hidden from the beast, but that doesn’t
mean that 144,000 young men are hiding out in a cave somewhere. They are
probably hiding in plain sight. In fact if the harpazo is close at hand, they
are among us today, unsealed, but born and living on the earth in many
nations.
After the wrath of God when the bowl judgments are poured
out comes the Day of the Lord, the day the Lord comes back with his saints. The
beast convinces people to war against the Lamb but Jesus sets things straight. Then
the start of the millennial reign of Christ begins and at the completion of
that time, after a few more plot twists, comes the resurrections. The
resurrection of the just and the unjust occurs and everyone who was not risen
before the millennial kingdom and those who died during the millennial kingdom
will be judged as to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The two witnesses who were caught up, or transposed, not
seeing death were just like the people who will be on the earth at the time of
the harpazo. The dead redeemed rise first, so we know that those people don’t
have their earthly bodies. Then those who are alive on the earth join the dead,
but they still have their bodies. All the seized, both dead and alive, go up.
The sections Paul wrote regarding the harpazo is a pattern of Rosh ha Shanna.
Every time we pass another Rosh ha Shanna, we are to remember the harpazo. It
is a time of remembrance of the dead. Not to be sad because they are dead but
to remember that they in fact rise first if they reside among the redeemed
dead. That is what that day, Rosh ha Shanna, the Feast of Trumpets, is about.
Remember a few weeks ago we looked at the Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, from
Jubilees. We observed that Yahweh uses holy days over and over, meaning he uses
the same days on earth for holy observances as the angels observe in heaven. He
also has a prescribed time on a solar calendar for these events. Rosh ha Shanna
is the same, several different ideas celebrated on this particular day. Am I
saying this is the calendar day that the harpazo will take place. Not really,
as our calendar is not correct, the modern Jews use a lunar calendar which
Moses was told would make those holy days incorrect. Although if we had to pick
a day, that wouldn’t be a bad guess. Nor would Pentecost. But in any event, if
we are still on the earth during Rosh ha Shanna, we are to remember the harpazo
that is to come.
To wrap up, the witnesses and the harpazo, the two
witnesses, Enoch and Elijah went up. Then the dead and living redeemed go up
and the witnesses come down to earth. Then the witnesses go up. Next the
144,000 go up. Then the bride comes back down with Jesus to do away with the
beast. There are three groups of people who do not die on the earth, the
witnesses before they come back, the living at the harpazo, and the 144,000
young virgins. Enoch and Elijah are our example of the harpazo. And just to be
clear Jesus was harpazo’d after his death. So if the harpazo were to happen
today, the dead redeemed will rise as exampled by Jesus and allegorized in
Revelation 12. Then the living redeemed will rise as exampled by Enoch and
Elijah. Then Enoch and Elijah will die and after three days rise, as exampled
by Jesus, and the dead redeemed. The 144,000 will rise as exampled by Enoch,
Elijah, and the living redeemed. Since we don’t know when the harpazo will
occur we don’t know when the rest of the events will occur, but we know that it
is not an unheard of event for people to rise with their bodies as Enoch and
Elijah both did. And since the mission of Elijah is to restore the tribes of
Jacob during the tribulation, it is to the gathering of the 144,000 out of the
great tribulation. Remembering the harpazo each year is the way we are to teach
one another about these future events.
