The "coincidence" of the Jewish Spring holidays and the Christian Spring holidays. Very rare indeed

[bones327]

This year something very unusual happened. When it happened last, I could not tell you. But it is so significant that I had to post something here. Actually, I do not know where else the posting of this information might be appreciated more.

You may or may not be aware, but the Passover Holidays are intertwined with the spring Christian holidays in ways that are so important that they need to be pointed out. In fact there are essential elements and symbols of Christianity that have virtually no meaning apart from their Jewish roots, yet, these important symbols and their meanings are almost (if not completely) lost on modern followers of Jesus. Not only that, but many of these important symbols' meanings are lost on the Jews who repeat them every year.

The story starts in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 12. Actually, the story of the Exodus starts earlier, but this is not the time to start at the very beginning of the tale.

In Exodus 12, the story is being told that God is going to free the Israelites from their bondage in slavery to the Egyptians. (In the Bible, Egypt represents sin in the world and the Exodus represents leaving the world of sin, by the means of a sacrificed Lamb, and entering a communion with God.) God had already ravaged the Egyptians with the first 9 of the 10 plagues. The 10th plague, the slaying of the first born, was about to be carried out.

The Israelites were commanded to re-arrange their calendar to focus on the event of the Exodus. On the 10th day of Nissan, the Israelites were commanded by God to take into their homes a perfect Lamb, without defect, and to care for the Lamb for 4 days. After that, they were to slaughter the Lamb and put its blood on the doorposts of their homes. When God came to destroy the first born of Egypt, He would see the homes that were covered by the blood of the Lamb and death would not enter their homes, but would "Passover" them.

Recall, for a moment, that John called Jesus "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." That identification by John, who was viewed by all of the people as a prophet, was not lost on the people of the day. Does the Church today know what that reference meant or means now?

This year, the 10th of Nissan, the welcoming of the perfect Lamb into the homes of the Israelites, was on Palm Sunday: the day that the Israelites welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. For 4 days the people formed a relationship with the perfect Lamb of God. Then He allowed himself to be slaughtered and His blood was poured out.

It is no coincidence that people who believe in Jesus as Savior accept that His blood was poured out for them personally. He is the Perfect Lamb, who is brought into a relationship with the believer (brought personally into the home of the believer) and then His blood was shed for the removal of sin and death passes away from the believer. Each believer therefore must have his or her own personal "Passover."

On the night before He allowed this sacrifice, Jesus celebrated the holiday with his friends. The bread of the Affliction (matzoh) was broken and they shared the ceremonial glasses of wine. These have become the "Lord's Supper," celebrated in churches all over the world.

To this day, every Jew who celebrates Passover must use matzoh which is striped and pierced. It is not kosher, if it is not striped and pierced. This calls to mind the passage of Isaiah 53 - he was pierced for us and by his stripes we are healed. The Jews use this symbol every year and do not even know what it means. Christians use the symbol in their churches and do not know where it comes from. Another symbol on the Seder table of every observant Jew is the presence of 3 pieces of Matzoh. They represent the Trinity, but the Jews do not realize this. The leader of the Ceremony takes out the middle matzoh and breaks it. Who is the middle of the trinity? (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.) The Son IS the middle matzoh. Then the leader of the ceremony takes the pieces of the broken matzoh and wraps it in a napkin, which is a symbol of a burial shroud, the broken matzoh is then hidden (buried). After the ceremonial meal, members of the family (usually the children) search for the broken, buried matzoh, and it is retrieved (from the grave.) It is only after the hidden matzoh is recovered that the ceremony can end. It is the last food eaten with the last cup of wine. (Any guesses about this symbolism?)

On Palm Sunday the Lamb came into Jerusalem, He was there 4 days, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, He was sacrificed on the cross. He died before the Romans came along to break his legs - to hasten the execution, but they did not break His legs. It is forbidden to break the bones of the Passover offering. He was taken down from the cross before sundown, which is the start of passover. He was in the grave, Thursday evening - Friday morning - 1 day, Friday evening into Saturday morning - 2nd day, Saturday evening into Sunday morning - the 3rd day. The Son of man had to spend 3 nights and 3 days in the tomb.

On Sunday - Resurrection Sunday it is the Israelite's Festival of First Fruits. I am sure you have heard it said that Jesus was the First Fruits of the dead. The resurrection and First Fruits is the same day and it was so this year! Praise God. This is, frankly, so amazing I cannot believe people have not been talking about it.

Beginning on Resurrection Sunday Jesus walked among the living for 40 days and then He ascended. Beginning on the Festival of First Fruits, the Israelites count 7 weeks plus 1 day to the Holy day of Shavuot (The Festival of Weeks.) On Shavuot, God gave the Israelites the 10 Commandments. The Law came to the Israelites and through them, to the world, on Shavuot. On the same day the Christians celebrate Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The law came through Moses and Grace through Jesus Christ - on the same exact day of the year.

This year, they will be on the same day again!

The first time Jesus was here, He fulfilled the promises of the Spring Festivals. When He returns, He will fulfill the Fall Festivals.

Though it is fodder for another post, the Fall Festivals begin with Rosh Hashanah. The head of the New Year. It is NOT a coincidence that Rosh Hashanah is called the Festival of Trumpets and that the Rapture will occur on the blast of the final trumpet. Rosh Hashanah does not commemorate creation, it commemorates when Adam recognized God as his King.

It also is NOT a coincidence that Jesus told His followers that the day of his return "no man knows the day or he hour," only His Father in Heaven. This statement by Jesus was not a mystery to his followers. The Festival when no man knows the day or the hour IS Rosh Hashanah. It is the only Holy day of the year which is so important that the new moon, which starts the festival must be agreed to by more than one man - thus no one man knows the day or the hour. Only God Himself knows exactly when the new moon begins.

The 10 days of Penitence begins on Rosh Hashanah and ends on Yom Kippor - the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippor ends with a series of blasts on the trumpets (shofars.) It will not surprise me if the Rapture occurs on Rosh Hashanah, the Festival of Trumpets, which no man knows the day or the hour exactly of the new moon, which opens and closes with blasts on the shofar. It may even be THIS Rosh Hashanah.

If I were you, I'd have oil in my lamps. You know what I mean?

[Any Minute]

bones327,
Welcome to RF, and thank you for the post.
I'm in agreement with much of your post. I have seen this teaching before here and on other sites. I may have the name wrong, but I believe Bill McCloud teaches something very similar.

First, the Rapture may very well occur on Rosh Hashanah, or any other moment of any day before the start of Daniel's 70th week. I tend not to go too far when seeing the parallels and shadows of the Holy days and feasts of Israel, and applying them to the Church.

Second I would like to ask, How can a born again believer in this Age of Grace, indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, ever be without oil in their lamp, so to speak?
I believe Matthew 25:1-13 is not speaking to Church age believers directly, as it is impossible for a born again believer to be caught not prepared. You may not be watching or even walking out your faith visibly, but if you are indeed saved, all believers will be taken in the Rapture. Those that are true believers are eternally secure, evidenced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We were bought at a high price, He will leave none of His behind.

Now the virgins of Matthew 25 are another story, they better be prepared and even know that He is returning to step foot on the Earth soon.
Matthew 25:13 Watch ye therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
They must watch and be prepared because the Bridegroom is returning soon.
We know the Rapture is imminent, could happen any minute. Time to focus on sharing the Gospel with the lost so that they might go with us!

[bones327]

bones327,
Welcome to RF, and thank you for the post.
I'm in agreement with much of your post. I have seen this teaching before here and on other sites. I may have the name wrong, but I believe Bill McCloud teaches something very similar.

First, the Rapture may very well occur on Rosh Hashanah, or any other moment of any day before the start of Daniel's 70th week. I tend not to go too far when seeing the parallels and shadows of the Holy days and feasts of Israel, and applying them to the Church.

Second I would like to ask, How can a born again believer in this Age of Grace, indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit, ever be without oil in their lamp, so to speak?
I believe Matthew 25:1-13 is not speaking to Church age believers directly, as it is impossible for a born again believer to be caught not prepared. You may not be watching or even walking out your faith visibly, but if you are indeed saved, all believers will be taken in the Rapture. Those that are true believers are eternally secure, evidenced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We were bought at a high price, He will leave none of His behind.

Now the virgins of Matthew 25 are another story, they better be prepared and even know that He is returning to step foot on the Earth soon.
Matthew 25:13 Watch ye therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
They must watch and be prepared because the Bridegroom is returning soon.
We know the Rapture is imminent, could happen any minute. Time to focus on sharing the Gospel with the lost so that they might go with us!

Thanks for the greeting!

The spring festivals were fulfilled, as necessary during Jesus' first appearance. The fall festivals are, as yet, unfulfilled. It makes sense that they will be fulfilled in the Lord's return. Think about it, the Spring and the Fall are two important growing seasons in an agrarian society, whose symbols and messages fill the scriptures. Did Jesus not say "I have not come to change the law but to fulfill it," and condemn whoever changes even 1 letter or stroke in the law until all is fulfilled? Is Jesus not the author and finisher of the faith? Is He not the "I AM," YHWH? IF He is, and I believe He is, then He knows exactly what He put into the Torah and everyone of the Festivals. All of the Festivals of the Torah are God's Festivals. They are not "Israel's festivals." They are Divine appointments that the King has with mankind. In my opinion, the relationship of God with believers is not changed, it is enhanced.

See, for example, Zechariah 14:16 et.seq. - after the Lord comes to reign in Jerusalem the people will come up to Jerusalem to worship the king during the final fall festival - Tabernacles, called Sukkot in the Hebrew. You cannot say that He has already fulfilled everything, since He still promises to celebrate Sukkot every year during the Kingdom. (By the way, in John, when he said that the Lord "tabernacled with us," I believe that is a clue that the King was born during Sukkot - the fall harvest festival, which would be a time of year when the people would be out in the fields at night. In fact, being out in the fields at night with the flocks and the bounty of the harvest is a fundamental feature of the Festival of Sukkot. NO ONE will be out in the fields at night in December in the Judean hills, it is far too cold. Jesus was not born in late December.

Thanks for bringing up the reference to Matthew 25. As for the virgins and the oil parable of Matt.25, the people who believe in God are not all saved. They individually have to ask God into their lives. He knocks at the door but waits to be invited in. There are people who believe in God, but have not asked Him in. There are people who believe in God and have asked Him in. These are the 2 sets of believers, some who have the oil of the Holy Spirit and some who need that oil. Those who have the Holy Spirit need to encourage those who do not have the oil in their lives to get it, while there is yet time. The virgins without oil cannot get it from the virgins who already have it. They need to get the oil from the source while they still can. If they wait too long to invite the Lord in, they won't have their oil when they need it and they will be shut out of the wedding feast. Of course, these virgins can still be saved during the tribulation, but they will not be raptured with the prepared virgins.

One very interesting parallel between the Rosh Hashanah rapture and the parable of the virgins and the oil of Matthew 25 is that the people know that the King is coming for Rosh Hashanah - Yom Kippor to determine the sentences of the people. Will they live another year? Will they be taken during the coming year? These determinations are made during the 10 days and the Book of Life is sealed on Yom Kippor. The "Day of Atonement" is the annual judgment day. Atonement means covering, as in are your sins covered by the blood of the sacrifice made for you? Yom Kippor presages the ultimate Judgment Day, when the King is on His throne and we are either brought into eternal life with the sheep, or cast into judgment with the goats.

So, with knowledge that the King is coming for judgment, the people are told to prepare for His arrival (get oil for your lamps, the King is coming.) For 30 days before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish believers are supposed to be getting themselves ready for His arrival. The question is whether they will get the oil they need before the festival or not.

[Any Minute]

Thanks for the greeting!

The spring festivals were fulfilled, as necessary during Jesus' first appearance. The fall festivals are, as yet, unfulfilled. It makes sense that they will be fulfilled in the Lord's return. Think about it, the Spring and the Fall are two important growing seasons in an agrarian society, whose symbols and messages fill the scriptures. Did Jesus not say "I have not come to change the law but to fulfill it," and condemn whoever changes even 1 letter or stroke in the law until all is fulfilled? Is Jesus not the author and finisher of the faith? Is He not the "I AM," YHWH? IF He is, and I believe He is, then He knows exactly what He put into the Torah and everyone of the Festivals. All of the Festivals of the Torah are God's Festivals. They are not "Israel's festivals." They are Divine appointments that the King has with mankind. In my opinion, the relationship of God with believers is not changed, it is enhanced.

See, for example, Zechariah 14:16 et.seq. - after the Lord comes to reign in Jerusalem the people will come up to Jerusalem to worship the king during the final fall festival - Tabernacles, called Sukkot in the Hebrew. You cannot say that He has already fulfilled everything, since He still promises to celebrate Sukkot every year during the Kingdom. (By the way, in John, when he said that the Lord "tabernacled with us," I believe that is a clue that the King was born during Sukkot - the fall harvest festival, which would be a time of year when the people would be out in the fields at night. In fact, being out in the fields at night with the flocks and the bounty of the harvest is a fundamental feature of the Festival of Sukkot. NO ONE will be out in the fields at night in December in the Judean hills, it is far too cold. Jesus was not born in late December.

Thanks for bringing up the reference to Matthew 25. As for the virgins and the oil parable of Matt.25, the people who believe in God are not all saved. They individually have to ask God into their lives. He knocks at the door but waits to be invited in. There are people who believe in God, but have not asked Him in. There are people who believe in God and have asked Him in. These are the 2 sets of believers, some who have the oil of the Holy Spirit and some who need that oil. Those who have the Holy Spirit need to encourage those who do not have the oil in their lives to get it, while there is yet time. The virgins without oil cannot get it from the virgins who already have it. They need to get the oil from the source while they still can. If they wait too long to invite the Lord in, they won't have their oil when they need it and they will be shut out of the wedding feast. Of course, these virgins can still be saved during the tribulation, but they will not be raptured with the prepared virgins.

I don't have much time to respond right now (I'm watching my 13 month old grandson) but I will say I don't disagree with much of what you said. I probably should have clairified the "Israel's feasts" part and I do agree they are God's festivals.

You do agree that there is a distinction between Israel and the Church though, don't you? We were not grafted into Israel but rather into Christ, upon their rejection of the Messiah, all part of God's plan.

The point I was making about Matthew 25 is that the virgins spoken about, both wise and foolish, are both in the tribulation. They will not be raptured with the Church even if they come to saving faith in Christ. I'm not sure if we're saying the same thing. I don't see the wise virgins representing the Church, but a believing remnant who come to faith during the Tribulation. Are you a pre-trib believer? I mean no offense by asking, just clarifying. *EDIT* I ask because of your last sentence. It would be impossible for them to be raptured in my view, as the rapture will have already occured. I apologize if I misunderstood and I'm open to Biblical correction.

[bones327]

I don't have much time to respond right now (I'm watching my 13 month old grandson) but I will say I don't disagree with much of what you said. I probably should have clairified the "Israel's feasts" part and I do agree they are God's festivals.

You do agree that there is a distinction between Israel and the Church though, don't you? We were not grafted into Israel but rather into Christ, upon their rejection of the Messiah, all part of God's plan.

The point I was making about Matthew 25 is that the virgins spoken about, both wise and foolish, are both in the tribulation. They will not be raptured with the Church even if they come to saving faith in Christ. I'm not sure if we're saying the same thing. I don't see the wise virgins representing the Church, but a believing remnant who come to faith during the Tribulation. Are you a pre-trib believer? I mean no offense by asking, just clarifying.

No, I do not believe in replacement theology. Jesus is the vine. The believers are grafted into the vine and bear much fruit, but they are treated as sons of the Tribes of Israel (adopted) into God's family by faith in Messiah. These are different but related ideas. Yes, I believe that the rapture will precede the Tribulation. God's plan calls for the revival of Israel and, as Paul said, Israel will be saved.

No, I do not believe that all of the virgins are in the tribulation. There are wise virgins, with oil, and foolish virgins, without oil. They are waiting for the arrival of the husband, to be taken to the wedding feast, the rapture. Some go to the wedding, some do not. The doors are shut. The ones who do not make it in, have to go through the tribulation, the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

[Any Minute]

No, I do not believe in replacement theology. Jesus is the vine. The believers are grafted into the vine and bear much fruit, but they are treated as sons of the Tribes of Israel (adopted) into God's family by faith in Messiah. These are different but related ideas. Yes, I believe that the rapture will precede the Tribulation. God's plan calls for the revival of Israel and, as Paul said, Israel will be saved.

No, I do not believe that all of the virgins are in the tribulation. There are wise virgins, with oil, and foolish virgins, without oil. They are waiting for the arrival of the husband, to be taken to the wedding feast, the rapture. Some go to the wedding, some do not. The doors are shut. The ones who do not make it in, have to go through the tribulation, the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

Thank you for the reply, I do hope I didn't offend you. This is an interesting topic, I'm glad you are sharing with us. After this, I won't say anything else about Matthew 25:1-13 unles you choose to do so. I only brought it up because of your reference in your first post. "If I were you, I'd have oil in my lamps. You know what I mean? "

I do realize their are several views of this portion of scripture, here is the position I hold closest to. Sorry for the wall of text and formating. Bolding is mine.
http://www.pre-trib.org/data/pdf/Ice...Interpreta.pdf

AN INTERPRETATION OF MATTHEW 24—25
Part XXXVII
by Thomas Ice
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins,
who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And
five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the
foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent
took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom
was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at
midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to
meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for
our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No,
there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the
dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going
away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who
were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door
was shut. And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord,
lord, open up for us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to
you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know
the day nor the hour.”
—Matthew 25:1–13
Alas, we wave good-bye to chapter 24 and say hell-o to chapter 25. There are a
number of items that need to be addressed as we move into Matthew 25, which impact
how we should understand Christ’s intent in this passage. If we are wrong on these
issues it will guarantee that we will misinterpret the passage (unless we are illogical in
the process).
One of the first issues that should be recognized is that the parables and teachings in
Matthew 25 are a continuation of the flow of the previous chapter. Jesus has not totally
shifted gears and started speaking about something totally new when He enters this
section. This means that these parables are related to Israel, (not the church), her first
century rejection of His Messiahship, and the coming spoken of here relates to the
second coming and judgment that will take place upon Christ’s arrival. Stanley
Toussaint explains as follows:
This parable as well as the next one deals with the Jews in the tribulation
period. This is seen from various facts. The context favors this view
(Matthew 24:3, 8, 14, 15, 30, 31, 33, 42, 44, 47, 51). The subject being discussed
is the end time, the final years before the kingdom is established. At the time
the church will be absent from the earth. Therefore this section deals with a
Jewish period of time.1
Chapter 25 highlights that since the Jewish people missed Messiah’s first coming
because of unbelief and were judged temporally in A.D. 70, they need to be prepared
for His return so that they will escape judgment and enter into blessing (the millennial
kingdom). “He taught that following His return (Matt. 24:30) and the regathering of
the nation Israel to their land (v. 31), the nation would be brought under judgment
Page 2
(25:1–30),” says Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost. “Christ used two parables to teach that the
regathered nation will be judged to determine who is saved and who is unsaved. The
purpose of this judgment will be to exclude the unsaved from, and to received the
saved into, the kingdom that He will establish following His Second Advent.”2 Jesus
accomplishes His goal as He continues presenting parabolic lessons and teachings about
judgment upon His return. Matthew 25 can be broken down into the following three
sections: First, the parable of the ten virgins (25:1–13), second, the parables of the talents
(25:14–30), and third, the judgment of the Gentiles (25:31–46).
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
In a sense, Matthew 24:50–51 raises the following question: “On what basis will
Israel be judged?” The answer in 25:1-13 is preparedness. The parable of the ten
virgins provides a picture of living Israel brought back to the land at the end of days for
a judgment to see who is prepared and who is unprepared the second time for the
coming of Messiah. The focus is on Israel in the last days (i.e., the tribulation period just
described in Matthew 24:4–2. The prepared enter the millennial kingdom while the
unprepared are excluded.
The ten virgins represent the nation of Israel as a whole. The nation is divided into
two groups of five each. One group, the wise, is depicted as prepared and waiting since
they have obtained extra oil in case a delay occurs in the coming of the bridegroom.
This first group represents believing and prepared Israel. The second group, the
foolish, did not prepare and they represent unbelieving Israel. They were not ready for
the coming of Messiah. Dr. Pentecost tells us the following:
Although a strong testimony will be given to the nation of Israel during
the Tribulation (Matt. 24:14), some people will be unprepared when the King
comes to institute His millennial kingdom. The prepared will be received into
the kingdom to enjoy its bounty but the unprepared will be excluded. Thus
this parable teaches that there will be a judgment of living Israelites to
determine who is and is not prepared. This is an expression of Christ’s
previous statement that “you also must be ready” (Matt. 24:44).3
SOME RAPTURE IMPLICATIONS
Since this parable deals with the future nation of Israel (likely the current nation of
Israel that exists today), this is not a passage that comes into play concerning the
rapture. This means that the parable of the ten virgins does not support the notion of a
partial rapture position, which has been argued from this, as well as other passages
(Matt. 24:40–51; Mk. 13:33–37; Lk. 20:34–36; 21:36; Phil. 3:10–12; 1 Thess. 5:6; 2 Tim. 4:8;
Tit. 2:13; Heb. 9:24–28; Rev. 3:3, 10; 12:1–6). This view teaches that the rapture occurs
before the tribulation, but only “spiritual” Christians will be taken, while other
Christians will remain through the tribulation. They also believe that multiple raptures
will occur throughout the seven-year tribulation period. This view is thought to have
been developed by Robert Govett in the mid-nineteenth century in England, and held
mainly by British advocates such as J. A. Seiss, G. H. Lang and G. H. Pember.4
Since this passage, by and large, is not thought to relate to the rapture by
pretribulationists because it contextual refers to Israel, it is even harder to make a case
for a partial rapture. “We shrink from the partial rapture idea because other passages
seem plainly to suggest that every member of the body of Christ will be caught up (2
Thess. 4:16–17; 1 Cor. 15:51–58, etc.),” notes Randolph Yeager. “Partial rapture would
Page 3
seem to imply rupture in the Body of Christ.”5 Quite frankly, the same grace that saves
each believer is the grace that will take one out at the rapture. One does not have
qualify through their own words or reach a certain level of sanctification to be taken at
the rapture. Qualification for being taken in the rapture is not a reward for faithfulness,
but like salvation itself is a free gift. One’s name is added to “the rapture manifest”
when their name is added to the roll the moment one trusts Christ as his Savior. Even
if a believer does not believe in the pretribulational rapture, they will be taken anyway
if they are indeed a believer. I am sure some will be taken by surprise, and perhaps
some kicking and screaming but they will be taken nevertheless.
Partial rapturists say that this parable pictures the part of the church that is watching
and waiting for the Lord’s return as the five wise virgins who had oil and the carnal
church who is left behind as the five foolish virgins. This they believe supports the
notion of the partial rapture theory.
There are major problems with anyone’s attempt to apply this parable to the church
to begin with, since Israel is in view. Further, the imagery does not match up with what
should be if this were actually teaching a partial rapture doctrine. The imagery used in
the parable of the ten virgins does not comport with that used of the church in other
New Testament passages. “The passage itself uses none of the characteristic terms
relating to the church, such as bride, body, or the expression in Christ,”6 notes John
Walvoord. Instead we see that the ten virgins are merely bridesmaids who would be
attending at a wedding and not brides themselves. Where this portraying in some way
the church, then these virgins would need to be portrayed as brides who were waiting
upon their bridegroom, which would be Christ. This is not what is found in the
passage. Dr. Walvoord further explains in the following:
If watchfulness is necessary for worthiness, as partial rapturists
characteristically argue, then none of the ten virgins qualify for “they all
became drowsy and fell asleep.” The command to “watch” in verse 13 has,
then, the specific meaning of being prepared with oil—being genuinely
regenerated and indwelt by the Spirit rather than having unusual spirituality.
The clear teaching is that “watching” is not enough. This passage will serve
to refute the partial rapturists instead of sustaining their viewpoint. Only by
the power and presence of the Holy Spirit can one be qualified for entrance
into the wedding feast, but all the wise virgins enter the feast.7

[RandallB]

We must be very careful not to mix up the Church's mail with the Trib-Saints’ mail. Fuzzy eschatology and ecclesiology occurs if we mix them up. (Partial rapture -- Church members can loose salvation, etc.)

The wedding feast happens after the 7 day wedding ceremony. The bridegroom is pictured on his way to the wedding feast therefore the actual wedding has already happened.

The Bride is always singular. These pictured here are 5 virgins - plural - the bride’s maids.

The Trib-Saints are cautioned to maintain their faith until their end - either martyrdom or the 2nd coming (which is after the wedding in heaven and on His way to the wedding feast which is in the MK.)

Remember both groups started out with oil (faith in God), both sinned while waiting - fell asleep, only one group maintained their faith in God until their end and were ready at His 2nd coming.

The Bride is never cautioned to maintain her faith in order to be saved. She is sealed by the Holy Spirit a totally unique blessing from the Lord.

The Trib Saints will be in heaven as resurrected martyrs or else as mortals in the MK. OT Saints are also in heaven and will be in their resurrected bodies at the 2nd coming. But neither of these will have the blessings that will be accorded to the Bride. Heaven here is defined as being with the Lord who will be reigning over the MK kingdom.

Also want to point out that the Bride is not considered a virgin at her own wedding feast. .... Just Saying.....

[Yehoshua]

No, I do not believe in replacement theology. Jesus is the vine. The believers are grafted into the vine and bear much fruit, but they are treated as sons of the Tribes of Israel (adopted) into God's family by faith in Messiah. These are different but related ideas. Yes, I believe that the rapture will precede the Tribulation. God's plan calls for the revival of Israel and, as Paul said, Israel will be saved.

No, I do not believe that all of the virgins are in the tribulation. There are wise virgins, with oil, and foolish virgins, without oil. They are waiting for the arrival of the husband, to be taken to the wedding feast, the rapture. Some go to the wedding, some do not. The doors are shut. The ones who do not make it in, have to go through the tribulation, the Time of Jacob's Trouble.

Shalom brethren, one thing to notice is the Church is likened to the bride of the Messiah, as opposed to these virgins which in greek have a definition of "maids". If im not wrong also, i believe that in jewish weddings the groom doesnt take the bride herself to the wedding. But thats just my understanding maybe =) my 2c

Shalom :)

[RandallB]

Originally Posted by bones327
....
This year, the 10th of Nissan, the welcoming of the perfect Lamb into the homes of the Israelites, was on Palm Sunday: the day that the Israelites welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. For 4 days the people formed a relationship with the perfect Lamb of God. Then He allowed himself to be slaughtered and His blood was poured out.

.......

Also the 10th of Nissan 5772 this year was on Monday April 2, 2012 (not Palm Sunday).

Not sure if this throws off some of your other discussions.

10th of Nisan in 32AD did fall on a Sunday - Palm Sunday when Jesus did present himself as the Lamb for Inspection and was in the temple being inspected the next few days.

[Any Minute]

We must be very careful not to mix up the Church's mail with the Trib-Saints’ mail. Fuzzy eschatology and ecclesiology occurs if we mix them up. (Partial rapture -- Church members can loose salvation, etc.)

The wedding feast happens after the 7 day wedding ceremony. The bridegroom is pictured on his way to the wedding feast therefore the actual wedding has already happened.

The Bride is always singular. These pictured here are 5 virgins - plural - the bride’s maids.

The Trib-Saints are cautioned to maintain their faith until their end - either martyrdom or the 2nd coming (which is after the wedding in heaven and on His way to the wedding feast which is in the MK.)

Remember both groups started out with oil (faith in God), both sinned while waiting - fell asleep, only one group maintained their faith in God until their end and were ready at His 2nd coming.

The Bride is never cautioned to maintain her faith in order to be saved. She is sealed by the Holy Spirit a totally unique blessing from the Lord.

The bride's maids are still in heaven as resurrected martyrs or else as mortals in the MK. OT Saints are also in heaven and will be in their resurrected bodies at the 2nd coming. But neither of these will have the blessings that will be accorded to the Bride. Heaven here is defined as being with the Lord who will be reigning over the MK kingdom.

I agree.

I'm glad you made those points as it was the same direction I was going in. I do not believe in any partial rapture either and that was going to be my next question.
It seams that many times when I read or study articles about the feasts, it turns into wrongly (imho) applying things meant for Israel(by the context), to the Church.

You are either saved or not. Made righteous and fully acceptable by His blood or your not saved. There's no middle ground, if you are indeed saved, you will be taken in the rapture regardless of your eschatological position. And you can not lose your salvation, nor work to keep it i.e., watching, works, celebrating feasts, ect. in this dispensation. It will be a little different for those who come to faith during the Tribulation as I believe those passages are referring to.