Major Discovery Concerning Revelation 12

Unsealed ^ | 7/11/17 | Gary

[amessenger4god]

Next month is The Great American Eclipse and the month after is The Great Sign.  For those of you who have followed our articles on the Revelation 12 Sign, you know that we openly admit that we don't know for sure the day or the hour of the rapture, but we do recognize that a strong case can be made that the male child in Revelation 12 represents the Church in union with Christ and therefore Revelation 12:5 portrays the pre-tribulational rapture of the Church.  Therefore, if the rapture occurs in close proximity to the September 23rd sign itself, whether on a day shortly before or after, I will not be surprised.

I was recently studying Paul's letter to the church in Galatia and I stumbled across what might be the pivotal clue we've all been looking for, but first, let's review the existing reasons why the male child in Revelation 12:5 should be identified as the Church:

1. The Church is twice called a man (Ephesians 2:15, 4:13) and the most common metaphor in the Bible for the Church is actually the "Body of Christ", rather than the "Bride of Christ".  That is not to say the Church is not also Christ's Bride, but that as far as metaphors go, and there are many, the "Body of Christ" is the one most frequently used (e.g. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 12:12-13, 25-27; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18, 24, 2:19, 3:15; Ephesians 4:4, 11-13).  So to say that the male child is only Christ would be to neglect these many other Scriptures.

2. The Apostle John intentionally made a grammatical error in Revelation 12:5 by modifying masculine huios (son) with neuter arsen.  He is clearly connecting this particular male child with the male child in Isaiah 66, which is a corporate entity.

3. Revelation 12:5 says that the male child "will rule all the nations with a rod of iron" and Revelation 2:26-27 informs us that the Church "will rule them with a rod of iron".

4. Identifying the male child as the Church preserves the corporate symbolism in Revelation 12.  The woman is Israel, the dragon is the satanic world system that arises under antichrist, and the child is the Church.

5. The male child is raptured in Revelation 12:5.  The Greek word used is harpazo, which means "caught up" or "snatched up" and it is the word used for the rapture of the Church in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.  Every single mention of Jesus' ascension is described using the words epairo or anabaino, both of which indicate a gradual rising, not a violent snatching away (harpazo).  Revelation 12:5 is a clear connection to the rapture event.

6. The context of Revelation 12 is the Tribulation and Revelation 1:1 indicates the vision is yet future.  Reading past events into the passage would be a violation of a number of important exegetical principles and also a violation of the text's prima facie meaning.

7. Revelation 12:5 was the original proof-text of the modern dispensational movement and the founders of modern pre-tribulationism recognized it as such (e.g. John Darby, Harry Ironside, etc).

8. The raptured child in Revelation 12:5 is called teknon (informal child), rather than huios (son of honor), which is strange considering that Jesus is exclusively called huios in the Scriptures, except on a single occasion by his mother (Luke 2:48).  In addition, the Apostle John uses teknon to refer to the Church as the children of God in his first epistle (1 John 3:1-2, 10, 5:2), and uses huios exclusively to refer to Christ in his gospel and first epistle (John 1:49, 59, 3:13, 16, 5:19, 14:13, 1 John 3:8, 4:15, 5:5, 5:20).  To assume John is suddenly changing course in Revelation 12 would be contrary to all evidence.

9. Any mention of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection in Revelation 12 is sorely lacking if indeed the male child is Christ.  These missing details have confounded scholars for centuries in addition to the fact that the child is raptured to Heaven shortly after birth with seemingly no intervening period of time.  These missing details suggest that the male child is the Church.

...And now on to what I found in Galatians, which is point #10.

Let's start with Galatians 3:16:

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, 'And to offsprings,' referring to many, but referring to one, 'And to your offspring,' who is Christ.

The Apostle Paul makes a critical argument in this verse.  He says that you should go back and look at the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis (specifically Genesis 13:15, 15:5, and 17:8).  He then says that you should do a grammatical study on the word used for offspring or seed and take notice that the noun is in the singular rather than plural form.  It is almost unheard of for one of the Bible's many authors to walk their audience through a grammar study.  What in the world is Paul doing?

It was already well established that the Abrahamic Covenant was a promise apart from the law to bless all the families and nations of the earth.  Abraham was promised not just one, but many offspring, "as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore" (Genesis 22:17; see also Genesis 15:5).  Yet here in Galatians 3:16 Paul zeroes in on a single noun.  His conclusion is that the singular male offspring promised to Abraham is Christ.  Christ is the true Son of Promise.  Christ is the singular seed.  Christ is the male child of Genesis 3:15 and the later Abrahamic Covenant.

So is Paul contradicting the corporate aspect of the promise to Abraham?  Is he saying there will not be many?  Here is the prophetic linchpin in Paul's concluding remarks in the passage:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's [singular] offspring, heirs according to promise.

- Galatians 3:28-29

Paul makes the unequivocal statement that Believers are united in Christ.  The many are one.  And he drives his point home by saying that through faith the Church is the singular male child promised to Abraham.  The Greek is as clear as day (see here).

While some of the earlier points (#1-9, especially #1) hint at this truth, Galatians 3:29 spells it out directly.  There is now direct Scriptural support for identifying the male child in Revelation 12:5 as the Church in addition to all the circumstantial evidence.

To summarize:

10. The Church in union with Christ is the singular male child promised to Abraham.

You can read a more detailed study of the first eight points here and here.

[freedomjusticeruleoflaw]

I’ve looked at this on YT (search revelation 12 sign). Not a joke.

[freedomjusticeruleoflaw]

And .... September 23, 2017 revelation 2.

[lurk]

Well, that’s a sloppy hermeneutic.

John wrote a grammatical error? And you know better than he does which word he should have used?

[Arlis]

Many good points, but many holes as well.

Implication is that the male child is caught away soon after birth - not after a long period of time.

I’m sure you know Darby’s teaching on the overcomers - that only those who are spiritually ready, walking with God, will be raptured pre-trib, and that the rest of the church will be caught up through the tribulation as they are purified and seek to walk with God during it.

I don’t ‘buy the traditional view that the woman is Israel and the child is Christ. Too much doesn’t fit with that and it is a twisted interpretation.

Could the woman be the church? Seems possible to me -

I personally have held all views throughout my 50 years serving the Lord. Now, to be honest and true to the scripture I know well - I just don’t know - and see serious holes in everyone’s explanations. I am sceptical of any who say they’ve got it all figured out. No one does.

Our fellowship has been seriously studying Revelation for the last year and some are serious students of scripture as I am - 2 other “former” pastors. We all agree. There is so much we don’t know - and dare not be dogmatic about.

I sense some of that attitude in your first part - and appreciate it......

BTW - I don’t believe “the body of Christ” is a metaphor. It is a spiritual reality......He dwells in two bodies (no - we cannot explain that - as we cannot explain much spiritual truth) - one at the right hand of the Father who we will see face-to-face, and His church. IMHO, of course.

See Watchman Nee’s, “The Body of Christ - A Reality”. No - I am not a Nee-ite, though his ministry has profoundly affected my life and ministry........

[publius911]

Stupid thread.

Headline makes no sense.

[publius911]

If I have to fight to the death to accept or reject a faith, I would rather reject them all and rely on human reason.

If it's all right with you?

[fso301]

Do you know how kooky one failed end-times prediction after another makes all believers look?

[Arlis]

Please explain the many warnings by our Lord Jesus that we must be READY for His return, to “watch and pray”......there is a dominant theme in His words that there are serious implications for those who are NOT READY.

What about the ten virgins? I have to believe those are SAINTS or they would not be called virgins. They all had lamps and had oil (Holy Spirit) at one time. Unbelievers have neither.

They were not ready for the wedding feast - the first stage of the coming together of the groom and the bride.

What percentage of the church is a.) closely walking with the Lord, and b.) eagerly watching and praying and looking for His coming? would you not admit that that does not describe most saints?

I believe from all the Lord’s warnings and those in the rest of the NT there have to be consequences for the believer who is not walking with Him when He comes. Serious consequences.

While salvation is solely by faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus, it is clear that rewards for believers are based on works.

Could it be that the first reward is being caught up when he comes in the clouds?

I’m not sure.........but I do know I want to be ready, and I long to see His face, and I live like He may come in the next minute......

Am I saying I am ready? No. No one can say that. In fact, if one says he/she IS ready, they don’t have the attitude of Luke 17:10 and therefore are not ready...........

[Nifster]

Fine by me

You don’t have to fight to be a Christian. Merely surrender and accept Grace

[SubMareener]

A verse from Isaiah that now may make some sense: ISA66:07 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

So before the non-believing Israel goes into the Tribulation, the believing "ruled by God" are "brought forth". Just to make the connection to Revelation 12:5, "a male child" is mentioned.

The Context:

ISA66:05 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. ISA66:06 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. ISA66:07 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. ISA66:08 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. ISA66:09 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

God. KING JAMES BIBLE TOUCH - KJV (Kindle Locations 29922-29930). Kindle Edition.

Here is the schedule of coming events. Get ready!

[MHGinTN]

Naw, THIS (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3566916/posts) is a stupid thread!

[metmom]

If I have to fight to the death to accept or reject a faith, I would rather reject them all and rely on human reason. If it's all right with you?

You know what. Don't throw away your life for *a faith*.

A *faith* a religion, a church, a denomination, does not save. Only Christ saves.

If you want something, or rather someone, to live for, turn to HIM and forget all the religious nonsense.

[vladimir998]

“Next month is The Great American Eclipse and the month after is The Great Sign.”

So what will these people being saying if NOTHING happens in September?

[Zionist Conspirator]

The Hebrew word for seed is zera`. It is a collective singular, and refers not to a single human descendant but to any number of descendants collectively. So Paul either 1)had no idea what he was talking about or 2)was pulling a fast one. My guess is the latter.

Of course, trying to get this point across to people who think Genesis is a chrstian text is, to put it mildly, very difficult.

[aimhigh]

An eclipse over Israel might mean something. An eclipse over the US means nothing.

[MHGinTN]

Spot on ... the Rapture could happen before I finish this post. BUT the start of the Tribulation is identified as when Israel signs a compact or is given a seven year assurance of Peace by the anti-Christ individual. I strongly suspect there is a time lag between the Rapture and what catastrophe that will cause, and the beginning of anti-Christ’s faux assurance. There is a reason why antichrist is identified in the Revelation as riding a white horse, carrying a bow but no arrows. Humans will plead for a person to get things working again, feed them, and bring peace to communities. His ascendancy is not forced (a bow with no arrows), he is begged to take charge and restore order.

[MHGinTN]

Only 1or2? Fallacy of the undistributed middle. The Body of Christ comes to mind from Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired teaching.

[delchiante]

quote-An eclipse over Israel might mean something. An eclipse over the US means nothing.

I saw a study once that broke down the word ‘America’ to mean:
Kingdom of Heaven.
This is a prophetic nation. It can be seen in the Presidents that get elected. and maybe with those that don’t.

I read somewhere that the first major city to have this eclipse cross in the United States of America, is Salem or ‘Shalom’ Oregon.
And where it ends is also prophetic.

His Word says He uses His lights in the firmament for signs and appointed times and days and years (Genesis 1:14)
Whether we understand those signs is another thing.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Only 1or2? Fallacy of the undistributed middle. The Body of Christ comes to mind from Paul’s Holy Spirit inspired teaching.

Paul was about as "inspired" as Mohammed or Joseph Smith.