Introduction

In Isaiah 46:9-10, Elohim[1] declares, “Remember the former things of old, for I am Elohim, and there is none else. I am El, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure…,” This declaration by Elohim possibly contains the most overlooked detail regarding the understanding of prophecy. Those who desire to understand what is prophesied to happen at the end of the age must first “search out” what happened in the beginning. It makes sense, then, that the starting place for understanding the prophecies related to the end of the age is in the book of Genesis, which in Hebrew means, “Beginnings.”

In The Genesis Code, Part 1: The Tabernacle and Eternal Life, a biblical code was revealed in the book of Genesis based on the seven days of creation. It is in this code where the keys to the prophecies that are related to the end of the age are encoded. The code has multiple applications, but perhaps the most significant is how it applies to the current, spiritual temple, Yeshua’s congregation (Matt. 16:18), the Body of Messiah (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:15-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5). Proverbs 25:2 states, “It is the glory of Elohim to hide a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” So if you are interested in understanding the prophesies related to the end of the age, let’s dig deeper.

The Body of Messiah: One Body / Two Congregations

The Scriptures identify the Body of Messiah symbolically as the Bride of Messiah, which is divided into two rival congregations. One of them is portrayed as a chaste virgin, and, in contrast, the other one is portrayed as a harlot.

The chaste virgin is described in the following Scriptures: In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul wrote, “For I am jealous over you with a jealousy of Elohim. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a chaste virgin to Messiah.” Revelation 12:1 adds, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” Revelation 14:4 also adds, “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to Elohim and to the Lamb.” And Revelation 19:7 further adds, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready” (cf. Eph. 5:22-27). In each case, part of the Body of Messiah is described as a chaste virgin.

The harlot is described in Revelation 17:1-6, which reads, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, “with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.”

Who is “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots?” The answer to this question will, no doubt, shake many people to their very core. A simple search will reveal that the Catholic Church recognizes herself as the “mother church,” and the Protestant Churches as her “daughter” churches. Also, in Revelation chapters 8 through 11, Elohim brings the seven trumpet plagues to bear on four distinct demographics shortly before Yeshua returns in Revelation 11:15: one-third of the land, one-third of the sea, one-third of the freshwater rivers and streams and one-third of the heavens. Collectively, one-third of four demographics is the equivalent of one-third of the total population of the earth. David Barrett’s World Christian Encyclopedia is considered to be “the most comprehensive sources of data on Christian denominations around the world.”[2] This journal indicates that the mainstream Christian population percentage came to number one-third of the population of the earth in about the year 1900 AD.[i] Encyclopaedia Britannica reports the same percentages.

As we will see, these two congregations, one which becomes world-renowned and grows to number well over two billion people (Rev. 8:6-13; 9:15, 18), and the other one which remains obscure and seemingly insignificant (Luke 12:32), have come to significantly impact one another throughout their near two-thousand-year history.

Three, Two Thousand-Year Timelines

The Scriptures contain three, two thousand-year, prophetic timelines related to the Body of Messiah. One of the timelines, Revelation chapters 2 and 3, relates to the chaste congregation, and the other two, Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 through 11, relate to the harlot and her daughter congregations.

With regard to the two timelines that are contained in the book of Revelation, John was given a vision by Yeshua who instructed him to, “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this” (Rev. 1:19). The phrase, “the things which you have seen” refers to the prophecies that had already been fulfilled in John’s day; the phrase, “the things which are,” refers to the prophecies that were currently being fulfilled; and the phrase, “the things which will take place after this,” refers to the prophecies that were yet to be fulfilled. This means that both timelines in the book of Revelation extend from the destruction of the temple to the return of Messiah Yeshua, which takes place in Revelation chapter 11, verse 15 at the end of the age.

With regard to the third timeline that is contained in the book of Matthew, the account reads, “Then Yeshua went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Yeshua said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:1-3). The disciples’ three-part question implies that they believed that the destruction of the temple, the sign of Yeshua’s coming and the end of the age would all be fulfilled in one prophetic event. However, that is not what happened. The Romans destroyed the temple in 70 AD and yet we continue to wait for Yeshua to return to this day. This means that the seven signs of Yeshua’s return in Matthew chapter 24 also extend from the destruction of the temple to the return of Messiah Yeshua.

Thus, all three timelines: the seven signs of Yeshua’s return; the seven seals of His return; and the seven letters of His return, run parallel to one another and cover a time-span of 2000 years.

The Seven Eras of the Body of Messiah

While there are three, two-thousand year, seven-era prophetic timelines related to Yeshua’s return, one of them, the seven-letters timeline in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, reveals details regarding the lengths of time between each congregational era.

These seven congregations were located in Asia Minor in the First Century. They formed a circuit along an ancient, Roman mail route. A search on Google Maps will reveal the approximate distance between each city. The approximate distance between Ephesus and Smyrna is 46.8 miles; Smyrna to Pergamon is 62.2 miles; Pergamon to Thyatira is 53 miles; Thyatira to Sardis is 36 miles; Sardis to Philadelphia is 29 miles; and Philadelphia to Laodicea is 57 miles.

Elohim warned the Israelites that if they were to disobey Him, He would multiply their curses “seven times more” (Lev. 26:18, 21, 24, 28), and since curses and blessings are the exact opposites of one another, it follows that if the Israelites were to obey Him, He would bless them “seven times more.” Matthew 18:21-22 reads, “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Yeshua said to him, “I do not tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.” It is likely that Elohim blessing the Israelites “seven times more” is based on this principle. So, when the mileage estimates between each city are multiplied by seven, they seem to identify the estimated length of time of each congregational era. And when the mileage estimates between each city are added together, they seem to be consistent with the three, two thousand-year prophetic timelines that culminates in the return of Messiah Yeshua. More study into this matter, especially in the light of church history, will enable us to better pinpoint the beginning and the end of each congregational era. While further study will never reveal the exact time of Yeshua’s return (Matt. 24:36-37; cf. Mark 13:32-33), it should give us a better understanding of where we are now in the prophetic timeline.

John Walvoord, a prominent Bible expositor, wrote, “Many expositors believe that in addition to the obvious implication of these messages, the seven congregations represent the chronological development of church[3] history viewed spiritually. They note that Ephesus seems to be characteristic of the Apostolic period in general and that the progression of evil climaxing in Laodicea seems to indicate the final state of apostasy of the church. ...the order of the messages to the churches seems to be divinely selected to give prophetically the main movement of church history.”[4]

Not only does the Genesis Code serve to place the prophecies related to each of the three timelines in their proper historical eras, but it also serves to reveal the spiritual progression of each congregation as they pass from era by era. As we will see, the prophecies of the first era of the chaste congregation are related to: TRUTH; the second era, FAITH; the third era, the WORD OF ELOHIM; the fourth era, REPENTANCE; the fifth era, REBIRTH; the sixth era, GRACE; and the seventh era, ETERNAL LIFE. In contrast, it also reveals that the prophecies of the first era of the harlot/daughter congregations are related to: LIES; the second era, FEAR; the third era, FAMINE OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM; the fourth era, SPIRITUAL DEATH; the fifth era, FALSE REBIRTH; the sixth era, MOURNING; and the seventh era, ETERNAL DEATH.

Yeshua Ministers to the Body of Messiah

Yeshua, who our High Priest (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:5), ministers to both the chaste congregation and the harlot and her daughter congregations throughout the 2000-year timeline, but in two very different ways. He sends each era of the chaste congregation letters of encouragement and admonishment, ending each of His seven letters with the words, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the congregations.” In contrast, since the harlot and her daughter congregations do not have ears to hear, He sends them plagues to get their attention for the purpose of bringing them to repentance.

In speaking of “…Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots… (Rev. 17:5), Elohim cries out, “…Come out of her, My people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you do not receive of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4). This begs the question, who is “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots?” The answer to this question is “the Catholic Church,” who unwittingly recognizes herself as being the “mother church,” and the Protestant Churches as being her “daughter” churches. In addition, in Revelation chapters 8 through 11, Elohim brings the seven trumpet plagues to bear on four distinct demographics shortly before Yeshua’s return in Revelation 11:15: one-third of the land, one-third of the sea, one-third of the freshwater rivers and streams and one-third of the heavens. Combined, He brings them to bear on one-third of the total population of the earth. This demographic proves to represent Christianity, the harlot and her daughter churches, at the end of the age. David Barrett’s World Christian Encyclopedia is considered to be “the most comprehensive sources of data on Christian denominations around the world.”[5] This journal indicates that the Christian population percentage came to number one-third of the population of the earth in about the year 1900 AD.,[ii] and has been holding steady ever since. Encyclopaedia Britannica reports the same percentages.

Seven Eras of Blessings and Curses Contrasted

Elohim had preordained that those who keep Torah[6] would receive blessings (Lev. 26:1-13; Deut. 28:1-14), and that those who break Torah would receive curses (Lev. 26:14-25; Deut. 27:15; 28:15-68). As a result, throughout the two-thousand year, seven-era prophetic timeline of Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the chaste congregation has kept Torah and, inasmuch as they have done so, they have received blessings. In contrast, throughout the two-thousand year, seven-era prophetic timelines of Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 through 11, the harlot and her daughter congregations have broken Torah and, inasmuch as they have done so, they have received curses.

Below, the blessings of the chaste congregation in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are contrasted with the curses of the harlot and her daughter congregations in Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 through 11 throughout the two-thousand year, seven-era prophetic timeline, era by era:

The First Era of the Body of Messiah: Ephesus (Desirable)

27 AD - 312 AD? / Truth vs. Lies

In Yeshua’s first-sign prophecy of His return in Matthew 24:4-5, He states, “…Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ but will lead many astray” (cf. Acts 20:28-32; 2 Peter 2:1-2; Jude 1:3-4).

Here, Yeshua warns the people of Elohim not to be deceived by those who claim to recognize Him as their Messiah, but LIE.

In John’s corresponding, first-seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation 6:2, He wrote, “And behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow. A crown was given to him, and he came fourth “conquering, and to conquer.” In the Scriptures, the color white is symbolic of righteousness (Isa. 61:3, 10; Rev. 6:11; 7:9, 13-14; 19:7-8). However, the fact that the rider of the white horse came fourth “conquering and to conquer” indicates that he is a LIAR who masquerades as an agent of righteousness.

In John’s corresponding, first-letter prophecy of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 2:1-7), He wrote, “I know your works, and your toil and patience, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them to be LIARS” (vs. 2). In contrast, He states, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your menorah out of its place, unless you repent” (vs. 5). A menorah shines light, which symbolizes TRUTH (John 3:19-21; cf. Ps. 119:105, 160; Isa. 8:20; 1 John 1:5-8).

Yeshua also states: “But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (vs. 6). The name “Nicolaitans,” which means, “Conquerors of the People,” corresponds to the white horse of first-seal prophecy addressed just above who come forth “conquering, and to conquer”, and the “false messiahs” of the first-sign prophecy, which is also addressed above.

Now, let’s examine these first-era prophecies in the light of other relevant biblical Scriptures, church history and secular history.

Yeshua, who was the mediator of the New Covenant, declared, "I will build my congregation…" (Matt. 16:18), which is also known as the Body of Messiah. He began building His congregation, starting with the twelve disciples and expanding it from there through His message of Good News to this day.

In Yeshua’s first letter to the chaste congregation, He praised them for having “…tested those who call themselves apostles…”, just like the Bereans tested those who claimed to be apostles by “examining the Scriptures daily” to see whether or not what they taught was true[7] (Acts 17:11). However, after Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection, false messiahs and false apostles arose, which prompted the true apostles to issue the following warnings to the Body of Messiah:

“For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).

Peter wrote:“But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will also secretly bring in destructive sects, denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words, whose judgment of old does not linger, and their destruction will not slumber” (2 Pet. 2:1-3).

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of Elohim, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (I John 4:1).

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah. And do not marvel, for even Satan transforms himself into a messenger of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his servants also transform themselves into servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

“For the mystery of Torahlessness is already at work…” (2 Thess. 2:7).

“For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound teaching, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

In Yeshua’s first letter to the chaste congregation, He adds, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works, or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your menorah out of its place, unless you repent” (vs. 5). Jude put it this way: “Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For there are certain men who crept in secretly, who were long ago written about for this judgment, irreverent men, transferring the grace of our Elohim to licentiousness, and denying our only Lord, Elohim, and our Master, Yeshua Messiah” (Jude 1:3-4). Thus, despite the fact that the chaste congregation, in its earliest stage, had “tested those who call themselves apostles”, there soon came a time when they became complacent, which enabled the false messiahs and false apostles to gain entrance into the Body of Messiah.

Initially, the Body of Messiah was comprised solely of a remnant of Israelites who had repented and entered into the new covenant with Elohim (Acts 2). Then, when the good news was opened to the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-36, 44-45; Rom. 11:13; Gal. 2:7-10), many converts were added to the Body of Messiah. Scripture identifies this combination of Israelite Believers and Gentile converts to the faith as the “Israel of Elohim” (Gal. 6:16). These Gentile converts in the congregations raised up by Paul were “imitators of the congregations of Elohim which are in Judea” (1 Thess. 2:14). In time, however, the Gentile converts to the faith began to outnumber the Jewish Believers. As a result, they rose to positions of authority and mixed in elements of their pagan festivals, images, idols, rituals, and traditions with the true faith, which is explicitly forbidden in the Scriptures (Deut. 12:29-32; Jer. 10:1-5). In the end, a major part of the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) was transformed into what became known as the Roman Catholic Church. Once the Catholic Church seized power, they consolidated their power by branding the true Believers as heretics. And in allegiance with Rome, they persecuted and killed them, and forced them into hiding.

In Acts chapter 8, the Apostle Philip traveled to preach the good news in Samaria, a country that had embraced the ancient Babylonian Mystery Religion (Rev. 17:5). There, he encountered a man named Simon, who was known in secular history as Simon Magus, meaning Simon, the magician. Simon was the high priest of the Babylonian Mystery Religion in Samaria. Phillip baptized him into the faith, along with many other converts. Sometime later, the Apostles Peter and John went to Samaria to pray for the new converts to receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon witnessed the miraculous manifestations of the Spirit, he offered to pay the apostles to receive the same power. Full of righteous indignation, Peter rebuked him (Acts 8:4-25). But rather than repent, tradition has it that Simon went to Rome, claimed to be the Messiah, and established a counterfeit faith. Eusebius wrote, “…the enemy of salvation [Satan] devising some scheme of seizing upon the imperial city for himself brought thither Simon, whom we mentioned before. Coming to the aid of his insidious artifices, he attached many of the inhabitants of Rome to himself in order to deceive them.”[8] Simon Magus’ new religion proved to be an unholy mixture of the ancient Babylonian Mystery Religion and the true faith. The Book of Revelation identifies the Catholic Church as being, “…Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth.”

Many false teachers rose up in the tradition of Simon Magus. Clement of Rome rose to power between 91 and 100 AD. He advocated for submission to the bishops of Rome rather than to scriptural authority. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, rose to power between 67 and 110 AD. He was an anti-Semite who rejected the Sabbath. In addition, at the end of the First Century, he coined the term “Catholic” in reference to the church. Justin Martyr rose to power between 100 and 167 AD. He was a Geek philosopher and a Samaritan. He was also an anti-Semite who rejected the Torah. Barnabus of Alexandria rose to power between 130 and 138 AD. He was a Gnostic who rejected the Sabbath and advocated for Sunday worship. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, rose to power between 130 and 200 AD. He was a student of Polycarp and Papias. He was also a church historian who was later influenced by Justin Martyr. Marcus, the first Gentile Bishop of Jerusalem, rose to power about 135 AD. He rejected the Torah and influenced most of the Jerusalem Congregation to align with the Roman Catholic Church. Tertullian of Carthage rose to power between 150 and 220 AD. He was influenced by Platonic philosophy, stoicism and asceticism. He also developed the monastic orders and advanced the teaching of the trinity. He was also given the title: the “Father of Latin Christianity.” Origen of Alexandria rose to power between 185 and 254 AD. He too was influenced by Platonic philosophy and asceticism. In fact, he castrated himself while lecturing to his students. Ciprian, Bishop of Carthage, rose to power about 250 AD. He was the first to officially state that there is no salvation outside the Roman Catholic Church. Eusebius rose to power between 260 and 340 AD. He was a church historian who documented the first three centuries of the church. He also supported Emperor Constantine’s role in the church. The Roman Catholic Church has come to recognize these false messiahs as the fathers of their faith, presuming to have replaced the true fathers of the faith, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Ex. 3:15-16; 4:5).

With regard to false believers, John wrote: “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us, for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.” By the end of the first era of the Body of Messiah, “...the faith which was once delivered to the saints…” (Jude 1:3) had split in two: the chaste congregation and the harlot congregation. The true ministers of the first era who championed truth included: the apostles; James, the brother of Yeshua; Simeon; Polycarp; and Polycrates. While Yeshua praised most Believers in the first-era of chaste congregation, there were also those who He admonished, saying, “But I have this against you, that you left your first love (vs. 4). Their first love was truth, which is the first step in the process of salvation. Paul states, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Elohim our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the first era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between TRUTH, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and LIES, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

The Second Era of the Body of Messiah Smyrna: (Sweet Smelling Aroma)

313 AD - 787 AD or 880 AD? / Faith vs. Fear

In Yeshua’s second-sign prophecy of His return in Matthew 24:6-7, He states, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom….”

History proves that the rise of dictators to power oftentimes sets in motion what historians call the "universal sequence of war, famine and death." Clearly, Yeshua’s prophecies of Matthew chapter 24 are based on this principle, albeit with one very important, fundamental difference; the prophecies of Matthew chapter 24 are initiated by false messiahs (Matt. 24:5), not by dictators. This is an extremely important clue that must be understood if we are to interpret Yeshua’s Olivet prophecies correctly! There is a huge difference between dictators and false messiahs. One has secular implications, while the other has religious implications. So, just as dictators cause wars, and wars cause famines, and famines cause death, the false messiahs of Matthew chapter 24 cause wars of faith, wars of faith cause famines of the word of Elohim and famines of the word of Elohim cause spiritual death. Thus, the fact that Yeshua's Olivet prophecies are set in motion by false messiahs proves that they have a spiritual, not a physical application. Thus, the prophecy “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled….” in Matthew 24:6-7 quoted above symbolizes FEAR.

In John’s corresponding, second-seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation 6:3-4, He wrote, “Another came fourth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should slaughter one another. There was given to him a great sword.” The prophecy, “Another came fourth, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth…” symbolizes FEAR.

In John’s corresponding, second-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 2:8:11), He wrote, “Do not FEAR any of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be FAITHFUL to death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the second era of the Body of Messiah was defined by wars between FAITH and FEAR.

Now, let’s examine these second-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

In the video documentary, A Lamp in the Dark, the narrator states, “But by 313 AD the face of what was called Christianity would undergo a dramatic transformation when the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, won his famous battle at Milvian Bridge [in 312 AD], a victory that ultimately made him the soul emperor of Rome. Before the battle, Constantine claimed he had seen a vision of a cross emblazoned on the sun, and he heard a voice tell him ‘in this sign conquer.’ Adopting this symbol, he went forth and conquered his enemies.[9] A short time later, [in 313 AD], Constantine would sign the Edict of Milan, granting tolerance and protection to Christians [both true and false]. With the emperor’s reported conversion Christianity would eventually become the state religion [in 324 AD].”

After the battle at Milvian Bridge, Constantine had an arch built in Rome celebrating his victory. Incredibly, the cross, the very thing Constantine attributed his victory to, was not accounted for on the arch. Rather, the arch was covered with images of pagan Elohim and symbols. In addition, Eusebius, a Greek, church historian, did not mention Constantine’s supposed vision of the cross in his first account of the event.

Then, in 325 AD, Constantine summoned a conclave of bishops from all parts of the empire to a council he himself presided over in Nicaea, despite the fact that he had no Scriptural authority to do so. Eusebius was among the bishops who attended. After the council, which occurred thirteen years after Eusebius’ original account, he wrote a second account of what had happened at Milvian Bridge, and this time, his account included Constantine’s supposed vision of the cross. However, considering all the facts in this matter, it is likely that Constantine persuaded Eusebius to do so. Either way, it soon became a matter of controversy whether or not Constantine had actually converted to Christianity.

Researcher Dave Hunt has this to say regarding Constantine’s supposed conversion to Christianity: “…while heading the Christian church, Constantine continued to head the pagan priesthood, to officiate at pagan celebrations and to endow pagan temples, even after he began to build Christian churches. As head of the pagan priesthood, he was the Pontifex Maximus and needed a similar title ‘as head of the Christian church.’ The Christians honored him as ‘Bishop of Bishops’ while Constantine called himself Vicarius Christi, [the] Vicar of Christ.”[10]

The council of Nicaea recognized the Catholic Church as the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.” The title Catholic means “Universal” in Latin, which, by definition, indicates that other congregations that refused to submit to the “authority” of Rome would not be tolerated. The council adopted the Nicene Creed, a statement of faith, which supposedly served to distinguish between believers and heretics. The first bishop to be labeled as a heretic was Bishop Arius of Alexandria, who attended the council. Most of the bishops who attended the council obeyed Constantine, but some did not. As a result, in 331 AD, Constantine issued another edict stating that those who had not submitted to the authority of Rome were to be arrested and persecuted, and that their churches and literature were to be burned. Constantine was determined to unify the faith, and he was willing to achieve his goal through fear. Ironically, the Nicene Creed did indeed serve to distinguish between believers and heretics, the Catholic Church being the heretics and many of those who it persecuted being the believers. Prophetically speaking, this was the time when the Great Harlot, the Catholic Church, symbolically mounted the beast, the Roman Empire (Rev. 13 and 17),[iii] the time of the great “falling away” (2 Thess. 2:3-4).

Six other councils followed the council of Nicaea. Collectively, they came to be known as “the Seven Ecumenical Councils.” The other six councils were: the First Council of Constantinople in 381 AD, the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD, the Third Council of Constantinople from 680–681 AD and finally, the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 AD While these councils were referred to as “Ecumenical Councils,” which means to be concerned with establishing unity among churches. Since the historical record shows that the Catholic Church attempted to establish unity through persecution and murder, these councils were in reality “war councils,” some of which were waged on the chaste congregation, Believers who obeyed Elohim rather than man (Acts 5:29; Rom. 6:16).

With regard to the rider of the red horse who was given “a great sword”, Steve Gregg states, “The great sword (vs. 4) given to this rider is the machaira, the same word used in Christ’s statement just cited [Matt. 10:34]. It was a short sword or knife suited for the killing of a sacrificial animal, such as that used by Abraham when he intended to slay Isaac (Gen. 22:6, 10 LXX). Also the word kill (v. 2) is sphatto, a word used elsewhere of the killing of Messiah the Lamb (cf. 5:6) and of those whose souls were seen “under the altar” (6:9). It properly means “slaughter” and thus could point to the sacrificial character of the faithful martyrs’ deaths.”[11] Thus, the reason why the red horse, which symbolizes the harlot congregation during the second era, is given a sacrificial sword is because it sacrificed many of the Believers of the chaste congregation.

In another effort to consolidate his power over the church, Constantine, in 331 AD, commissioned Eusebius to produce fifty authoritative copies of the Bible for the use of the Bishop of Constantinople in the growing number of churches in that very new city. Eusebius quoted the letter of commission in his Life of Constantine. It states, “I have thought it expedient to instruct your Prudence to order fifty copies of the sacred Scriptures, the provision and use of which you know to be most needful for the instruction of the Church, to be written on prepared parchment in a legible manner, and in a convenient, portable form, by professional transcribers thoroughly practiced in their art.”[12] After accomplishing his task, Eusebius wrote, “Such were the emperor's commands, which were followed by the immediate execution of the work itself, which we sent him in magnificent and elaborately bound volumes of a threefold and fourfold form.”[13] These Bibles were written in the Greek language. “By 400 AD, the Scriptures had been translated into over 500 languages. But now the church in Rome allowed only one language, and that language was Latin.[14]

In 382 AD, Pope Damasus commissioned Jerome to translate both the Old and New Testaments into Latin. After this was completed the Roman Church forbade the Writing of the Scripture in Hebrew, and ordered the destruction of all Hebrew Manuscripts. Miles Joans

In 290 AD, Lucian of Antioch translated the entire Bible into Greek. This is known as the Received Text of the Bible.

The Catholic Church locked the Bible away in cathedrals, maintaining that ordinary believers could not understand it. Only approved church “scholars” were able read and interpret it. Anyone with a Bible was obliged to hand it over to the church to be burned.

 “The pope was elevated to God’s sole agent to lead the church, and resistance to his leadership was an act of heresy punishable by excommunication or death.”[15]

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the second era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between FAITH, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and FEAR, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

The Third Era of the Body of Messiah: Pergamon (Elevated)

788 AD - 1183 AD? / Word of Elohim vs. Famine of the Word of Elohim

In Yeshua’s third-sign prophecy of His return, He states, “…And there will be famines…” (Matt. 24:7). The word “famines” symbolizes FAMINES OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM.

In John’s corresponding, third-seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation 6:5-6, He wrote, “When He opened the third-seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a yoke in his hand. I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A measure of wheat for a denarius, and three measures of barley for a denarius. Do not damage the oil and the wine.” Wheat and barley being measured by a yoke symbolizes FAMINES OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM.

The denarius was a day’s wage for the average laborer.[16] In this prophecy, the day’s wage is used to buy either wheat or barley, which are both used to make bread. This is an illusion to the daily manna Elohim provided for the Israelites in the wilderness (cf. Matt. 6:11), which represents Yeshua, the “bread of life” (cf. Matt. 6:31-35). The prophecy tells us that the wheat, which is a higher priced grain, and the barley, which is a lower priced grain, are symbolically yoked together, rather than being properly measured by a balance scale. This symbolizes the Catholic Church’s unholy mixture of true teaching and false teaching with regard to the bread that symbolizes Messiah Yeshua, which is expressly forbidden (Deut. 12:29-32; Lev. 10:8-11; Ezek. 22:26;44:15, 23; Rev. 18:4-8).

The oil is a reference to anointing oil, which symbolizes healing (James 5:14) and the wine is a reference to Yeshua’s shed blood, which symbolizes salvation (Matt. 26:28; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 10:43). In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:21-37), the Good Samaritan, Yeshua, anoints the man who was left for dead with these exact two items, which also symbolize healing and salvation. Thus, the prophecy, “Do not damage the oil and the wine”, means, “Do not damage [the sale of] the oil and the wine.” the Word of Elohim (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4).

In John’s corresponding, third-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 2:12-17), He wrote, “But I have a few things against you, because you have there, those who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans” (Rev. 2:14-15). Balaam was a non-Israelite, prophet for hire (Num. 22-24), “who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to mix the true faith with pagan practices. The “Nicolaitans” are the Catholic Church. Thus, the false teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans also symbolize FAMINES OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM. Yeshua contrasted those who hold the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans with the chaste congregation who receive “hidden manna” (Rev. 2:17), which symbolizes the WORD OF ELOHIM. Proverbs 25:2 states, “It is the glory of Elohim to hide a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the second era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between WORD OF ELOHIM and FAMINES OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM OF FAITH between the harlot congregation and the chaste congregation.

Now, let’s examine these third-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

The Catholic Church has a number of false teachings with regard to the sale of healing and salvation. One of these teachings is the sale of relics, which supposedly have healing qualities. Another is the sale of indulgences, which are literally written licenses authorized by the Pope as pardons for sin, supposedly enabling the sinner to escape the penalty of sin, which is death (Rom. 2:23). Still another one is the fabrication of a fictitious place called “Purgatory,” a place in which sinners are supposedly held in waiting until someone donates money to the church to hold a mass on their behalf, which supposedly gains their release to heaven.

Will Durant, a highly respected historian wrote, “Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. The Greek mind, dying, came to a transmigrated life in the theology and liturgy of the church; …Other pagan cultures contributed to the syncretist result. … Christianity [as most people understand it today] was the last creation of the ancient pagan world… Christianity became the last and greatest of the mystery religions.”[17]

Of course, the Scriptures expressively forbid mixing paganism with the true faith. Deuteronomy 12:29-32 states, “When יהוה your Elohim shall cut off the nations from before you, where you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them, and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you, and that you not inquire after their elohim, saying, “How do these nations serve their elohim? I will do likewise.” You shall not do so to יהוה your Elohim, for every abomination to יהוה, which He hates, have they done to their elohim, for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their elohim. Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (cf. Jer. 10:1-5).

Thus, once the Catholic Church consolidated her power by persecuting and killing many true Believers, and gained control of the Scriptures, she was able to sell her false teachings, and create a famines of the word of Elohim (Amos 8:11-13).

the rider of the black horse substitutes barley, a lower priced grain, for wheat, a higher priced grain, which are used to make two different types of bread. The substitution of the one type of bread for the other is symbolic of the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation, the change of the whole substance of bread into the substance of the Body of Messiah. Rather than being properly measured by a balance scale, the two grains are symbolically pictured yoked together, which symbolizes that the comparison is not true.

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the third era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between the WORD OF ELOHIM, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and FAMINES OF THE WORD OF ELOHIM, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

The Fourth Era of the Body of Messiah: Thyatira (Odor of Affliction)

1184 AD - 1527 AD? / Repentance vs. Spiritual Sickness and Death

In Yeshua’s fourth-sign prophecy of His return in Matthew 24:7, He states, “And there will be … pestilences. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.” The word “pestilences” symbolizes SPIRITUAL SICKNESS AND DEATH.[iv]

In John’s corresponding, fourth-seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation 6:7-8, He wrote, “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was DEATH, and the Grave followed with him….” The prophecy, “And behold, a pale horse, and he who sat on it, his name was Death, and the Grave followed with him”, like the fourth-sign prophecy, symbolizes SPIRITUAL SICKNESS AND DEATH.

In John’s corresponding, fourth-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 2:18-29), He wrote, “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman, Jezebel [the harlot congregation], who calls herself a prophetess.” She teaches and seduces My servants [the chaste congregation] to commit adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her [the harlot congregation] time to REPENT of her fornication, but she refuses to REPENT. Behold, I will throw her [the harlot congregation] into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her [the chaste congregation] into great tribulation, unless they REPENT of her works. I will kill her children [her soon-to-be born Protestant, daughter congregations] with DEATH, and all the congregations will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Rev. 2:20-23). In this prophecy, Jezebel, the harlot congregation, the Catholic Church (Rev. 17:3-5), which suffers SPIRITUAL SICKNESS AND DEATH, is contrasted with Yeshua’s “servants,” the chaste congregation, who experiences REPENTANCE.

The first part of this prophecy, “Behold, I will throw her [the harlot congregation] into a bed”, refers to a sickness-related, birthing bed, which is fulfilled during this era of the Body of Messiah. However, the second part of the prophecy, I will throw her “and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they REPENT of her works. I will kill her children with DEATH…” is fulfilled during the following, fifth era, the era of rebirth. The words, “her children,” refer to the harlot congregation’s Protestant, daughter congregations.

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the second era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between REPENTANCE and SPIRITUAL SICKNESS AND DEATH, between the harlot congregation and the chaste congregation.

Now, let’s examine these fourth-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

During the fourth era of the Body of Messiah, the harlot congregation became sick, openly corrupt, drunk with power and spiritually dead, a condition that was exemplified by the gross immorality of its popes, many of which are detailed below:

“Pope Innocent III: A number of the popes had committed murders, but Innocent III (1198-1216) surpassed all of his predecessors in killing. Though he did not do the killing personally, he promoted the most devilish thing in human history—the Inquisition. Estimates of the number of heretics that Innocent (not so innocently) had killed run as high as one million people! For over five hundred years, popes used the inquisition to maintain their power against those who did not agree with the teachings of the Romish church.

“Pope Boniface VIII: In conflicts with cardinals and kings, numerous charges were brought against Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303). Says The Catholic Encyclopedia, "Scarcely any possible crime was omitted—infidelity, heresy, simony, gross and unnatural immorality, idolatry, magic, loss of the Holy Land, death of Celestine V, etc.... Protestant historians, generally, and even modern Catholic writers ... class him among the wicked popes, as an ambitious, haughty, and unrelenting man, deceitful also and treacherous, his whole pontificate one record of evil." It is not necessary to insist that all charges brought against him were true, but all cannot be dismissed either. During his reign the poet Dante visited Rome and described the Vatican as a "sewer of corruption." He assigned Boniface (along with Popes Nicolas III and Clement V) to "the lower parts of hell."

“Though seeking to put emphasis on certain good traits of Boniface, "Catholic historians ... admit, however, the explosive violence and offensive phraseology of some of his public documents." An example of this "offensive phraseology" would be his statement that "to enjoy oneself and to lie carnally with women or with boys is no more a sin than rubbing one's hands together." On other occasions, apparently in those "explosive" moments he called Christ a "hypocrite" and professed to be an atheist.

“Yet—and this sounds almost unbelievable—it was this pope that in 1302 issued the well-known "Unam Sanctum" which officially declared that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church, outside of which no one can be saved, and says: "We, therefore, assert, define and pronounce that it is necessary to salvation to believe that every human being is subject to the Pontiff of Rome." Because there have been sinful popes, being "subject" to the pope has raised a question. Should a sinful pope still be obeyed? The Catholic answer is this: "A sinful pope ... remains a member of the (visible) church and is to be treated as a sinful, unjust ruler for whom we must pray, but from whom we may not withdraw our obedience."[18]

“THE SALE OF relics, church offices, and indulgences became big business within the church of the Middle Ages. Pope Boniface VIII declared a jubilee for the year 1300 and offered liberal indulgences to those who would make a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s. An estimated 2,000,000 people came within that year and deposited such treasure before the supposed tomb of St. Peter that two priests with rakes in their hands were kept busy day and night raking up the money. Much of this was used by the pope to enrich his own relatives- the Gaetani-who bought numerous castles and splendid estates in Latium. This was strongly resented by the people of Rome.” [19]

“From 1305 to 1377 the papal palace was at Avignon, France. During this time, Petrarch accused the papal household of "rape, adultery, and all manner of fornication." In many parishes men insisted on priests keeping concubines "as a protection for their own families!"

“During the Council of Constance, three popes, and sometimes four, were every morning cursing each other and calling their opponents antichrists, demons, adulterers, sodomists, enemies of God and man. One of these "popes", John XXIII (1410-1415) "was accused by thirty seven witnesses (mostly, bishops and priests) of fornication, adultery, incest, sodomy, simony, theft, and murder! It was proved by a legion of witnesses that he had seduced and violated three hundred nuns. His own secretary, Niem, said that he had at Boulogne, kept a harem, where not less than two hundred girls had been the victims of his lubricity." Altogether the Council charged him with fifty-four crimes of the worst kind.

“A Vatican record offers this information about his immoral reign. "His lordship, Pope John, committed perversity with the wife of his brother, incest with holy nuns, intercourse with virgins, adultery with the married, and all sorts of sex crimes ... wholly given to sleep and other carnal desires, totally adverse to the life and teaching of Christ., he was publicly called the Devil incarnate." To increase his wealth, Pope John taxed about everything—including prostitution, gambling, and usury. He has been called "the most depraved criminal who ever sat on the papal throne.

“Pope Pius II: (1458-1464) was said to have been the father of many illegitimate children. He "spoke openly of the methods he used to seduce women, encouraged young men to, and even offered to instruct them in methods of, self-indulgence." Pius was followed by Paul II (1464-1471) who maintained a house full of concubines. His papal tiara outweighed a palace in its worth. Next came Pope Sixtus IV (1471-1484) who financed his wars by selling church offices to the highest bidders and "used the papacy to enrich himself and his relatives. He made eight of his nephews cardinals, while as yet some of them were mere boys. In luxurious and lavish entertainment, he rivalled the Caesars. In wealth and pomp he and his relatives surpassed the old Roman families.

“Pope Innocent VIII: (1484-1492) was the father of sixteen children by various women. Some of his children celebrated their marriages in the Vatican. The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions only "two illegitimate children, Franceschetto and Teodorina" from the days of a "licentious youth." Like numerous other popes, he multiplied church offices and sold them for vast sums of money. He permitted bull fights on St. Peter's square.

“Next came Rodergio Borgia who took the name of Alexander VI (1492-1503), having won his election to the papacy by bribing the cardinals. Before becoming pope, while a cardinal and archbishop, he lived in sin with a lady of Rome, Vanozza dei Catanei; and afterward, with her daughter Rosa, by whom he had five children. On his coronation day, he appointed his son—a youth of vile temper and habits—as archbishop of Valencia. Many consider Alexander VI to be the most corrupt of the Renaissance popes. He lived in public incest with his two sisters and his own daughter, Lucretia, from whom, it is said, he had a child. On October 31, 1501, he conducted a sex orgy in the Vatican, the equal of which for sheer horror has never been duplicated in the annals of human history.

“According to Life magazine, Pope Paul III (1534-1549) as cardinal had fathered three sons and a daughter. On the day of his coronation he celebrated the baptism of his two great-grandchildren. He appointed two of his teenage nephews as cardinals, sponsored festivals with singers, dancers, and jesters, and sought advice from astrologers.

“Pope Leo X (1513-1521) was born December 11, 1475. He received tonsure at age 7, was made an abbot at 8, and a cardinal at 13! The illustration given above shows the Bull of Pope Leo X. On one side of the leaden seal appears the apostles Peter and Paul, on the other the pope's name and title. The word "bull" (from a Latin word linked with roundness) was first applied to the seals which authenticated papal documents and later to the documents also.

“The Catholic Encyclopedia says that Pope Leo X “gave himself up unrestrainedly to amusements that were provided in lavish abundance. He was possessed by an insatiable love of pleasure.... He loved to give banquets and expensive entertainments, accompanied by revelry and carousing.

“During those days, Martin Luther, while still a priest of the papal church, traveled to Rome. As he caught the first glimpse of the seven-hilled city, he fell to the ground and said: "Holy Rome, I salute thee." He had not spent much time there, however, until he saw that Rome was anything but a holy city. Iniquity existed among all classes of the clergy. Priests told indecent jokes and used awful profanity, even during Mass. The papal court was served at supper by twelve naked girls. "No one can imagine what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome," he said, "they must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, 'If there is a hell, Rome is built over it'."[20]

Thus, the famines of the Word of Elohim caused by the Catholic Church during the third era of the Body of Messiah, resulted in the church becoming spiritually sick and dead during the fourth era.

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the fourth era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between REPENTANCE, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and SPIRITUAL SICKNESS AND DEATH, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

Text: inclusion to be determined:

During the fourth era, between 1123 AD and 1512 AD, the Roman Catholic Church held five ecumenical councils at the Lateran palace in Rome. These councils dealt with matters of the church, including doctrine. Among these doctrines were the current seven sacraments of the church, which were set out in the Sentences by Peter Lombard sometime before he died in 1160 AD, and these seven were confirmed by the Fourth Council of the Lateran in 1215.

Through the preaching of Peter Waldo, and a more accurate copy of the Scriptures, many people came to faith. They were called the Waldensians

In 1184, the Inquisition was created through papal bull, Ad Abolendam, which was issued by Pope Lucius III to abolish “heresies,” including those of the Albigenses and the Waldenses, who were actually faithful Believers. Other inquisitions followed, including the Spanish Inquisition in 1487.

The Catholic Church viewed the Waldensians as unorthodox, and in 1184 at the Synod of Verona, under the auspices of Pope Lucius III, they were excommunicated. Pope Innocent III went even further during the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215, officially denouncing the Waldensians as heretics.

When the Scriptures resurfaced sometime before the year 1200 AD within two groups, the Albigenses and the Waldenses, the harlot congregation responded swiftly in order to protect her interests. In 1199, Pope Innocent III stated, “...to be reproved are those who translate into French the Gospels, the letters of Paul, the psalter, etc. They are moved by a certain love of Scripture in order to explain them clandestinely and to preach them to one another. The mysteries of the faith are not to be explained rashly to anyone. Usually in fact, they cannot be understood by everyone but only by those who are qualified to understand them with informed intelligence. The depth of the divine Scriptures is such that not only the illiterate and uninitiated have difficulty understanding them, but also the educated and the gifted.”

The indulgences were sold to pay for the building of Saint Peter’s basicalla in Rome. Sexual immorality was unrestrained.

Protestants denounced the papacy was the antichrist. The view of the Papacy as antichrist is no longer widely held by Protestants today.

The Catholic Church initiated a series of religious wars known as the Crusades during the period between 1095 and 1291 that were intended to recover Jerusalem and its surrounding area from Islamic rule.

The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Latin Church in the medieval period. The best known of these Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 that were intended to recover Jerusalem and its surrounding area from Islamic rule.

The Fifth Era of the Body of Messiah: Sardis (Something New/New Start)

1528 AD - 1688 AD or 1648? / Rebirth vs. False Rebirth

In Yeshua’s fifth-sign prophesies of His return in Matthew 24:9-28, He states, 9 “Then, they will deliver you up in contractions [FALSE REBIRTH] and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for My name’s sake. 10 Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will rise up, and will lead many astray. 12 Because Torahlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 (But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. 14 This good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.) 15 “Therefore, when you see the abomination that lays waste[21] which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. 18 Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days! 20 Pray that your flight will not be in a storm, nor on a Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great contractions [FALSE REBIRTHS], such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. 22 Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. 23 “Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Messiah,’ or, ‘There,’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.

The first four signs of Yeshua’s return in Matthew 24:4-7: 1. lies, 2. wars of faith, 3. famines of the Word of Elohim and 4. spiritual sickness and death, resulted in a martyrdom of saints who were killed by the Catholic Church. In summing them up the first four signs, Yeshua states, “All these things are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8).

Why did Yeshua refer to the first four signs of His return as birth pains? The words “birth pains” were translated from the Greek word “odin,” which, according to Strong’s Concordance means, “1. the pain of childbirth, travail pain, birth pangs. 2. intolerable anguish, in reference to the dire calamities that precede the advent of the Messiah.” The fact that Yeshua referred to the first four signs of His return as “birth pains” indicates that He used the “pain of childbirth” as a metaphor to describe “the dire calamities that precede the advent of the Messiah.” This application is supported in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, which reads, “For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains [odin] on a pregnant woman, and they will in no way escape.”

In addition to Strong’s Concordance, there are a number of commentaries that also support the word odin being used as a metaphor to describe a new birth. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers states, “The beginning of sorrows. -The words mean strictly, the beginning of travail pangs. The troubles through which the world passes are thought of as issuing in a “new birth”—the “regeneration” of Matthew 19:28. So St. Paul speaks of the whole creation as “travailing in pain together” (Rom. 8:22). So a time of national suffering and perplexity is one in which “the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth (Isaiah 37:3).” Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states, “…The word here used, signifies the sorrows and pains of a woman in travail. The Jews expect great sorrows and distresses in the times of the Messiah, and use a word to express them by, which answers to this, and call them, “the sorrows of the Messiah….” The Pulpit Commentary states, “Verse 8. - Beginning of sorrows; ὠδίνων: labour pangs, travailings. The metaphor often occurs (see Isaiah 26:17; Jeremiah 13:21; Hosea 13:13, etc). These great events are called “labour pangs” because they usher in the new creation, “the regeneration” spoken of in Matthew 19:28 (see note there). St. Paul writes (Romans 8:22), “The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” … Jewish writings speak of “the sorrows of Messiah,” distresses, wars, famine, dissension, etc., which should herald his advent, and Christ may have used the popular opinion, true as far as it went, as a vehicle for conveying the further truth, that the coming age would be produced amid terrible agonies of men, peoples, and nature.”

Just as the first four signs of Yeshua’s return that caused the first martyrdom of saints are to be understood metaphorically, so too are the remaining three signs. Yeshua statement, “All these things are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8) indicates that there would be a time of even greater birth pains that would result in a new birth(s) and a second martyrdom of saints. A careful examination of the timeline, which is known as Yeshua’s Olivet prophecies, will reveal that there are actually two times of greater birth pains that describe “the dire calamities that precede the advent of the Messiah,” and both of them are in are included In the fifth sign. The first time is in verse 9, where in most translations of the Bible Yeshua states, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you….” And the second time is in verse 21, where in most translations, He adds, “For then there will be great tribulation….” The word “tribulation” in both verses is translated from the Greek word “thlipsis,” which, according to Strong’s Concordance, means, “1. a pressing, pressing together, pressure. 2. metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits.” It is derived from the Greek root word “thlibo,” which means, “to press (as grapes), press hard upon; a compressed way; narrow straitened, contracted; and metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress.” Of course, of the definitions that are listed above, the one that best describes the greater birth pains of childbirth is “contraction(s).” In John 16:21, the same word, thlipsis, is used exactly in this way. It reads, “A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the contractions [thlipsis], for the joy that a human being is born into the world.” Thus, since the context of Matthew chapter 24 is speaking about childbirth in metaphorical terms, verses 9 and 21, which describe the greater pains of childbirth, are correctly translation: “Then they will deliver you up in contractions and kill you…”, and “For then there will be great contractions…”, respectively.

This prophecy was fulfilled when the Catholic Church gave birth to her Protestant, daughter churches, after Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.

The rebirth of the false messiahs and the false prophets who disseminated lies was fulfilled in: Martin Luther; John Calvin; Thomas Cranmer; Menno Simons; John Wesley; John Knox; Huldrych Zwingli; Robert Browne; and John Smyth; etc.. The rebirth of wars and rumors of wars is described as the great tribulation. The rebirth of famines of the word of Elohim was fulfilled in “Torahlessness,” which includes the false teachings of salvation by grace alone, a teaching birthed by the heretic Martin Luther, and eternal security, a teaching birthed by the heretic John Calvin. And finally, the rebirth of spiritual death was fulfilled in “the abomination that lays waste.”

Thus, just as the harlot congregation, the Catholic Church, killed the true Believers of the chaste congregation by means of the four horsemen, the Protestant church, which the Catholic Church created in her image and likeness, in turn killed Catholics by means of their four horsemen.

In Scripture, kind begets kind (Gen. 1:20-29; Prov. 22:6; Jer. 16:19; Hosea 2:1-5). So just as the Catholic Church

It reveals that the harlot, the mother, the Catholic Church, and the first beast, the father, Western Civilization, created the second beast, the modern, secular, nation of Israel, after their kinds.

So, just as the first martyrdom of saints was killed during the first four signs, which corresponds to the first four eras, the second martyrdom of saints was killed during the intensified fifth sign, which corresponds to the fifth era.

Prophecy regarding the fifth era… , “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman, Jezebel [the harlot congregation], who calls herself a prophetess.” She teaches and seduces My servants [the chaste congregation] to commit adultery, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her [the harlot congregation] time to REPENT of her fornication, but she refuses to REPENT. Behold, I will throw her [the harlot congregation] into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her [the chaste congregation] into great tribulation, unless they REPENT of her works. I will kill her children [her soon-to-be born Protestant, daughter congregations] with DEATH, and all the congregations will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds” (Rev. 2:20-23).

The first four signs of Yeshua’s return in Matthew 24:4-7: 1. lies, 2. wars of faith, 3. famines of the Word of Elohim and 4. spiritual sickness and death, resulted in a martyrdom of saints who the Catholic Church caused to be killed. In summing them up, Yeshua states, “All these things are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8).

In John’s corresponding fifth-seal prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 6:8-11), He wrote, “…Authority was given to them over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth. When He opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the people who had been killed for the word of Elohim, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, Holy and True, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course [FALSE REBIRTH].”

Notice that in summing up the rides of the four horsemen, John prophesied, “…Authority was given to them over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild beasts of the earth” (Rev. 6:8). Then, Yeshua opened up the fifth seal and revealed that there would be a second martyrdom of saints, “…who would also be killed even as they were …” (Rev. 6:11). The pronoun “they” refers back to the first martyrdom of saints who were killed by the four horsemen. Thus, just like the first martyrdom of saints was killed by the four horsemen during the first four seals, the second martyrdom of saints was killed by a rebirth of the four horsemen, although in one all-inclusive fifth seal.

In John’s corresponding fifth-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 3:1-6), He wrote, “…I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain…” [REBIRTH] (Rev. 3:1-2). Yeshua admonished the chaste congregation to seek a spiritual rebirth, meaning through the first four qualities of spiritual progression, namely: truth, faith, the word of Elohim and repentance.

The rebirth of true ministers who championed truth during the fifth era of the Body of Messiah included: Ferenc Dávid; Andreas Eossi; John Traske; Theophilus Brabourne; Philip Tandy; James Ockford; Edward Stennett; Dr. Peter Chamberlin; Thomas & Francis Bampfield; Steven Mumford; and William Gibson. Once the chaste congregation repented, she experienced a spiritual rebirth.

adds…   also speaks of: false messiahs and false prophets (vv. 11, 24), the great tribulation (vs. 21), Torahlessness[22] (vs. 12), and the abomination that lays waste” (vs. 15).

Thus, the spiritual sickness and death caused by the Catholic Church, resulted in a false spiritual rebirth.

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the second era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between REBIRTH and FALSE REBIRTH, between the harlot congregation and the chaste congregation.

Now, let’s examine these fifth-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

Most Believers maintain that the prophecy, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be” (Matt. 24:21), will be fulfilled at the end of the age. This is not so! Notice the phrase “…no, nor ever shall be” at the end of the prophecy. This phrase implies that there would be a lengthy period of time after the great tribulation during which Elohim would not allow an even greater tribulation to occur. The mileage between each of the seven congregations, when multiplied by seven places the prophecies regarding the great tribulation in the fifth era, which indicates that they were fulfilled in the Protestant Reformation, the bloodiest era of infighting and rebirth in the history of the harlot church. The Thirty Years’ War “…was the last major religious war in mainland Europe, ending the large-scale religious bloodshed accompanying the Reformation, which had begun over a century before. Other religious conflicts occurred until 1712, but only on a minor scale and no great wars.”[23] So while the great tribulation is well in the past, that doesn’t mean that the future is not without great challenges.

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the fifth era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between REBIRTH, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and FALSE REBIRTH, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

Inclusion to be determined:

The great awakening…

These severe contractions are comprised of: false messiahs and false prophets (vv. 11, 24), the great tribulation (vs. 21), Torahlessness (vs. 12), and the abomination that lays waste (vs. 15), and are inclusive of the fifth era of the harlot congregation. Of course, these severe contractions culminated in the multiple births of the Protestant Reformation.

The Sixth Era of the Body of Messiah: Phildelphia (Brotherly Love)

1649 AD - 2015 AD? / Grace vs. Mourning

In Yeshua’s sixth-sign prophecy of His return in Matthew 24:29-30, He adds, “But immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the heavens, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven and all the tribes of the earth will MOURN….”

In prophecy the terms “sun,” “moon,” and “stars” symbolize Israel. The following Scriptures prove this to be true. In Genesis 15:5, Elohim promised Abram, whose name He would later change to Abraham, “...Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” After that, Abram fathered Isaac, whose name Elohim would later change to Israel and Israel fathered Joseph who was a dreamer of dreams. In Genesis 37:9-10, Joseph shared one of his dreams with his brothers. He said, “...Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” Israel understood the connection between the sun, the moon and the stars and his descendants, the twelve tribes of Israel. Later, the prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Thus says YHVH, Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar (YHVH of hosts is His name): “If those ordinances depart From before Me, says YHVH, Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a nation before Me forever” (Jer. 31:35-36). Finally, the Apostle John wrote, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars” (Rev. 12:1; cf. Ps. 89:34-37; Gen. 22:17; 26:4; Heb. 11:12). In each example listed above, the sun, the moon and the stars symbolize all twelve tribes of Israel.

Since the plagues in Revelation chapter 6 through 11 are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, the two groups of people who are in MOURNING in Matthew 24:29-30 are two groups of people who comprise those congregations. The first group, which is symbolized by the sun, moon and stars symbolizes the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel. And the second group, which is comprised of “all the tribes of the earth,” refers to the Gentiles. The reason why the Gentiles are openly identified and the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel are hidden in symbolism is because the latter group is hidden within the harlot/daughter congregations.

In John’s corresponding sixth-seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation 6:12 through 7:17, He wrote, “I saw when He opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the moon became as blood. The stars of the heavens fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. The heavens were removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:12-17).

The first part of this prophecy states, “…there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the moon became as blood. The stars of the heavens fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. The heavens were removed like a scroll when it is rolled up.” Like the first part of the sixth-seal prophecy of Matthew 24:29-30, the first part of this prophecy regarding the sun, moon and stars also symbolizes the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel in MOURNING.

The reason why the terms sun, moon and stars in Matthew 24:29-30 and Revelation 6:12 through 7:17 symbolize Israel is because, just as the purpose of the sun, moon and stars is to illuminate the earth, Israel’s purpose is to illuminate mankind through the message of good news. In this regard, Elohim spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah saying, “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isa. 49:6). This prophecy was fulfilled in Paul’s day and is addressed in Acts 13:44-47, which reads: “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of Elohim. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of Elohim should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. “For so YHVH has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

The second part of the prophecy states, “Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Like the second part of the sixth-seal prophecy of Matthew 24:29-30, the second part of this prophecy regarding the seven classifications of the men of the earth also describe the Gentiles in MOURNING.

Seventh-day Adventists are my least favorite congregation. They follow the teachings of a false prophet as they lean Protestant. So does Messianic Judaism, especially the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America. I would recommend the Church of God (Seventh Day) and the Living Church of God.

Yeshua told His disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a menorah, and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” When the good news was opened to the Gentiles, many of them came to faith and were grafted into Israel (Rom 11:11-24) and, as a result, they too became a light to the world. However, the Gentiles in the sixth-era harlot/daughter congregations were “moved out of their places” and “hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains” because, like the five foolish virgins, they ran out of oil for their lamps (Matt. 25:1-13), and Elohim removed His spirit from them. As a result, they were not able to shine their light before men through the message of good news.

In John’s corresponding sixth-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 3:7-13), Yeshua states, “I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept My word, and did not deny My name” (Rev. 3:8).

In Scripture, the phrase, “open door,” refers to receiving the GRACE of Elohim to preach the good news (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3-4). Thus, the prophecy regarding the open door given to the sixth-era of the chaste congregation to preach the good news is the exact opposite of the corresponding prophecies of the sixth era regarding the closed door experienced by the harlot/daughter congregations.

Now, let’s examine these sixth-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

Despite the fact that the harlot/daughter congregations refused to repent during the fifth era of the Body of Messiah and experienced a false rebirth, there arose a renewed expectation amongst them for the return of Messiah Yeshua. This renewed expectation resulted in a renewed effort to preach the good news in preparation for His return. However, the harlot/daughter congregations no longer had any light to shine and, as a result, were no longer able to share the message of good news. They were in mourning, relentlessly crying out for revival, but each time they seemed to have achieved it, it proved to be based on emotion rather than true repentance and was short lived.

In contrast, the chaste congregation repented and experienced a true rebirth, receives GRACE and greatly increases in size. As a result of its efforts, 144,000 descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel and a great multitude of Gentiles converts to the faith will have exited the harlot/daughter congregations before the end of the era.

After the false rebirth of the harlot/daughter congregation and the true rebirth of the chaste congregation during the fifth-era of the Body of Messiah, there arose a renewed expectation in both congregations for the return of Messiah Yeshua. This renewed expectation resulted in a renewed effort to preach the good news in preparation for Yeshua’s return. However, the harlot/daughter congregations were no longer able to shine their light before men by sharing the message of good news.

as a result of having no light to shine and experiencing a closed door with regard to the sharing of the good news, were in MOURNING, relentlessly cry out for revival, but just as soon as they claim to have achieved it, it proves to be based on emotion rather than true repentance and is short lived. In contrast, during this same era, the chaste congregation, which experiences true repentance, receives GRACE and greatly increases in size. As a result of its efforts, 144,000 descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel and a great multitude of Gentiles converts to the faith will have exited the harlot/daughter congregations before the end of the era.

Many Christian revivals drew inspiration from the missionary work of early monks, from the 16th-century Protestant Reformation (and Catholic Counter-Reformation)

This expectation began with William Miller who started the Advent movement.

To this congregation Yeshua added, “Because you kept My command about patient endurance, I also will keep you from the hour of trial, which is to come on the whole world [including the harlot/daughter congregations], to test those who dwell on the earth” [the chaste congregation] (Rev. 3:10).

During this era the chaste congregation is loosely comprised of congregants from the various Sabbath-keeping denominations, Church of God, Seventh Day, the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Worldwide Church of God, Messianic Judaism, and the Hebrew Roots movement, etc.

Up until this point of the sixth era, the identity of the modern-day Israelites and the Gentiles were hidden in symbolism. However, now they are being described as 144,000 modern-day Israelites who are sealed (Rev. 7:3-4), and a “great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages” (Rev. 7:9). The combination of the 144,000 modern-day Israelites and the great multitude are an illusion to the Israelites and the great multitude from the Exodus account (Ex. 12:38) in which the prophecies are being described through typology. Thus, the typology of the divine intervention, the act of repentance, the 144,000 modern-day Israelites who are sealed and the great multitude who receive white robes is unmistakable; this is the time of the regathering of Israel and the long awaited “greater Exodus.”

In the typology of the Exodus account, the Israelites, who lived separately from the Egyptians and who did not receive plagues, symbolize the chaste congregation. In contrast, the Egyptians, who symbolize the nations, and the mixed multitude, who lived among the Egyptians and symbolize the harlot/daughter congregations, both received plagues (cf. Rev. 18:4). This is exactly what Yeshua prophesied to this era of the chaste congregation. He said, “Because you [the chaste congregation] kept My command about patient endurance, I also will keep you [the chaste congregation] from the hour of trial, which is to come on the whole world [the nations], to test those who dwell on the earth” [i.e. “who tabernacle on the earth”: the harlot/daughter congregations] (Rev. 3:10).

Also, in the Exodus account, Elohim enabled the Israelites to save the mixed multitude from both the religion and the nation of Egypt. Likewise, He also enables the chaste congregation to save the great multitude from both the harlot/daughter congregations and the beast through the open door of the good news.

Finally, the exact number of 144,000 modern-day Israelites is an illusion to a ledger or register the Israelites kept of all their citizens (Ex. 32:32-33; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1). To have one’s name erased from this book would indicate loss of citizenship (Rev. 13:8; 17:18; 20:12-15; 21:27; Phil. 4:3). The register was a type of the book of life, a divine ledger listing those destined for eternal life (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27).

The Most Holy Place is 10 cbts3 = 1000 cbts3, 30 feet squared (1 Kings 6:20) and the New Jerusalem is about 1500 miles3.

Thus, the false spiritual rebirth caused by the Catholic Church, resulted in mourning, except for the 144.000 who answered the call of Elohim to come out of Babylon.

Thus, in contrast to the harlot/daughter congregations, which MOURNED during the sixth era

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the sixth era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between GRACE, which was received by the chaste congregation, and MOURNING which was received by the harlot/daughter congregations.

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the sixth era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between GRACE, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and MOURNING, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

After the Protestant Reformation the harlot experienced a false rebirth through her counter-reformation movement. And her harlot daughters experienced false rebirths through the four periods of religious awakenings in the United States. The first began in 1730 AD and ended in 1755 AD; the second began in 1790 AD and ended in 1840 AD; the third began in 1855 AD and ended in 1930 AD; and the fourth began in 1960 AD and ended in 1980 AD

Once the harlot congregation, the Catholic Church, experienced a false spiritual rebirth, there arose an expectation for the return of a Torahless, counterfeit, Messiah Yeshua, which manifested itself in a renewed effort to preach a false version of the good news.

In contrast to the harlot/daughter congregations, which mourned during the sixth era of the body of Messiah, Yeshua gave the chaste congregation an open door to preach the good news (Rev. 3:8)

This combination of Jews who accept Messiah Yeshua as their Savior and Gentile converts to the faith (Rom. 11:13-26), who include the divorced ten lost tribes of Israel

Paul refers to these Believers as the “Israel of Elohim” (Gal. 6: 16), or the “children of the promise” as opposed to the “children of the flesh” (Rom. 9:1-8), who are Israel in name only.

When the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, they named their kingdom Israel, after their forefather Israel, who was formerly known as Jacob, and divided the land by lot between the twelve tribes (Num. 26:55; Josh. 7:14; 14:2; 1 Sam. 14:42). Later, during the reign of King Rehoboam, the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes (1 Kings 11:13-13, 31-37; 12:1-24). The ten northern tribes retained the national name of Israel, and referred to themselves as the house of Israel, or the house of Ephraim, after their predominant tribe! The two southern tribes referred to themselves as the house of Judah, after their predominant tribe, Judah (the Jews). Soon after the house of Israel seceded from house of Judah they broke their covenant with Elohim. They stopped going up to Jerusalem to worship Elohim in the temple during the Feast Days (Ex. 23:14-17; 1 Kings 12:31-32; 13:32-33; 2 Kings 17:28-30), they practiced idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33; 14:15-16) and broke the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:10-24). As a result Elohim divorced the house of Israel (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa, 50:1-2) and sent them into captivity in Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-29; 18:9-12) around 720 BC. They assimilated into the nations, lost their identity, and became Gentiles.

The account doesn’t end there, though. There are many Scriptures that speak of the regathering of Israel (Isa. 11:10-13; Isa. 49:1-6; Isa. 56:1-8; Ezek. 37: 1-22; and Zech. 2:6-13; etc). In the last example listed above, the woman who symbolizes Israel is wearing “a garland of twelve stars” on her head, which is symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, not just the tribe of Judah, the Jews.

Thus, the fact that this example is taken from the Book of Revelation and symbolizes the regathering of Israel during New Testament times,

Of course, since the house of Israel assimilated into the nations, lost their identity, and became Gentiles, the way Elohim chose to regather them was to open the message of good news to the Gentiles, who included the divorced house of Israel.

The reasons why the terms sun, the moon and the stars symbolize Israel is because, just as the purpose of the sun, moon and stars is to illuminate the earth, Israel’s purpose is to illuminate mankind through the message of good news. In this regard, Elohim spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah saying, “I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Isa. 49:6). This prophecy was fulfilled in Paul’s day. Acts 13:44-47 reads, “On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of Elohim. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of Elohim should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. “For so YHVH has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

So who does the term “Gentiles” refer to? When Elohim divorced the House of Israel during the divided kingdom (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa. 50:1-2), He promised that He would one day regather them. However, when He scattered them, they assimilated into the nations, lost their identity, and became Gentiles. Thus, in order to regather them, it was necessary for Him to open up the good news to Gentiles. Of course, this regathering took place in the Body of Messiah.

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied that there would come a time when Israel would reject the message of good news and, as a result, it would be open to the Gentiles.

Paul states, “For I am not ashamed of the good news of Messiah, for it is the power of Elohim unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

After the harlot/daughter congregations allow their light to be totally extinguished, 144,000 descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel and a great multitude of Gentiles “which no man could number” come out of the great contractions and are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Rev. 7:4-14). This prophecy is a type of Exodus, because just as the Israelites and a great multitude of Gentiles came out of Egypt when they were being cursed (Ex. 12:37-38), the descendants of the Israelites and a great multitude of Gentiles come out of the harlot/daughter congregations when they are being cursed.

The Seventh Era of the Body of Messiah: Laodicea (A Judged People)

2016 AD to ? / Eternal Life vs. Eternal Death

In Yeshua’s seventh-sign prophecy of His return in Matthew 24:30-31, He states, “…And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send out His messengers with a trumpet and a great voice, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

In John’s corresponding seventh seal prophecy of Yeshua’s return in Revelation chapters 8 through 11 the seven trumpet plagues are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, which culminate in the return of Messiah Yeshua in Revelation 11:15-17. Thus, both prophesies speak of...

Once the 144,000 Israelites and the great multitude repented and came out of spiritual Egypt, they were regathered in the chaste congregation.[v] Those who did not repent will receive the seven trumpet plagues. Finally, Messiah Yeshua returns at the sound of the seventh trumpet, which is the end of the 2000-year, seven-era prophetic timeline.

The prophecy, “He will send out His messengers with a trumpet and a great voice, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other,” (Matt. 24:31) is fulfilled in the regathering of Israel and the Gentiles who have come to faith into the Kingdom of Elohim.”

The feast held on the first day of the seventh month is “a day of blowing the trumpets” (Num. 29:1).

In John’s corresponding seventh-letter prophesies of Yeshua’s return (Rev. 3:14-22), He wrote, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and do not know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:15-19).

The phrase, “gold refined in the fire” is symbolic of being tested (1 Pet. 1:6-7) and the phrases, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire” and “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” reveal that Elohim is the source of the chaste congregation’s tests (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 13: 20-21; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 13:7-14; Phil. 1:3-11; Col. 4:12; James 1:2).

Yeshua adds, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). This symbolizes the return of Messiah Yeshua at the end of the 2000-year, seven-era prophetic timeline. seventh-letter prophesies of His return in Revelation 3:14-22, He wrote, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing,’ and do not know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:15-19).

The phrase, “gold refined in the fire” is symbolic of tests (1 Pet. 1:6-7) and the phrases, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire…” and “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten…” reveal that Elohim is the source of the chaste congregation’s tests (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 13: 20-21; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 13:7-14; Phil. 1:3-11; Col. 4:12; James 1:2).

Yeshua adds, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). This prophecy symbolizes the return of Messiah Yeshua at the end of the 2000-year, seven-era prophetic timeline.

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the seventh era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between GRACE, which was received by the chaste congregation, and JUDGMENT which was received by the harlot/daughter congregations.

Now, let’s examine these seventh-era prophecies in the light of both church history and secular history.

Thus, the mourning caused by the Catholic Church will result in spiritual incompletion.

Thus, the three corresponding prophecies quoted above and the corresponding historical record reveals that the seventh era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a struggle between

A comparison of the three corresponding prophecies quoted above reveals that the seventh era of the Body of Messiah was defined by a battle between GRACE, which was received by the chaste congregation, and ETERNAL DEATH which was received by the harlot/daughter congregations.

Now, let’s compare these prophecies with the historical record of the seventh era of the Body of Messiah.

, which was characteristic of the chaste congregation, and ETERNAL DEATH, which was characteristic of the harlot congregation.

Conclusion

The mileage between each of the seven congregations, when multiplied by seven reveals the following:

1.     It confirms the 2000-year prophetic timeline, a timeline that seems to culminate in Messiah Yeshua’s return on the Feast of Trumpets sometime around the year 2027 AD During the creation week, Elohim established the weekly cycle of seven days. He worked the first six days and “rested on the seventh day” (Gen. 2:1-3), the Sabbath, providing us an example (Ex. 20:8-11). Psalm 90:4 provides the following insight: “For a thousand years in Your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.” Based on these Scriptures, many early rabbis interpreted these Scriptures to mean that the six days of creation represents six millennial work days, and that the seventh day Sabbath represents the millennial rest. For example, about 200 years before Messiah, Rabbi Elias wrote, “The world endures six thousand years: two thousand before the Torah, two thousand under the Torah, and two thousand under Messiah.” The New Testament writers echoed the rabbi’s interpretation of the same Scriptures with regard to the anticipation of Messiah’s return. They also believed that the first six days of creation represent six millennial work days, and that the seventh day represents the millennial Sabbath. The Apostle[24] Peter wrote, “But do not forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with יהוה[25] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet. 3:8). The Apostle John was inspired to write that this coming era, beginning with Messiah’s return to set up His Kingdom, will last 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1-4). The Apostle Paul explained that the seventh-day Sabbath pictures the “millennial” rest (Heb. 4:1-11). Matthew testified that Yeshua took Peter, James and John up a high mountain to witness the transfiguration, which occurred “after six days” (Matt. 16:28 through 17:1-9). The six days refer to the six millennial work days and the transfiguration refers to the resurrection, an event that ushers in the millennial Sabbath. Many church “fathers” also agreed with this interpretation. In Against Heresies (c. 150ad), Irenaeus wrote, “This is an account of the things formerly created, as also it is a prophecy of what is to come. For the day of the Lord is a thousand years; and in six days created things were completed; it is evident, therefore, that they will come to an end at the sixth thousand years.” Other “church fathers” who were also in agreement included: Lactantius, Victorinus, Hippotylus, Justin Martyr and Methodius, etc. Though these men may not always be relied upon for biblical truth, they certainly do attest to how widespread this interpretation was in the early centuries after Messiah’s death.

2.     Many Believers assume that the chaste congregation was prophesied to suffer persecution and martyrdom at the hands of the nations, but the truth is that no one has caused us more persecution and martyrdom than the harlot/daughter congregations.

3.     Most Believers maintain that the prophecy, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be” (Matt. 24:21), will be fulfilled at the end of the age. This is not so! Notice the phrase “…no, nor ever shall be” at the end of the prophecy. This phrase implies that there would be a lengthy period of time after the great tribulation during which Elohim would not allow an even greater tribulation to occur. The mileage between each of the seven congregations, when multiplied by seven places the prophecies regarding the great tribulation in the fifth era, which indicates that they were fulfilled in the Protestant Reformation, the bloodiest era of infighting and rebirth in the history of the harlot church. The Thirty Years’ War “…was the last major religious war in mainland Europe, ending the large-scale religious bloodshed accompanying the Reformation, which had begun over a century before. Other religious conflicts occurred until 1712, but only on a minor scale and no great wars.”[26] So while the great tribulation is well in the past, that doesn’t mean that the future is not without great challenges.

4.     It reveals the path to spiritual completion as it relates to the chaste congregation. Amazingly, when the spiritual qualities of the seven eras are compiled in a list, they prove to comprise a code that reveals seven stages of spiritual progression that lead to spiritual completion, i.e. eternal life. The code is: 1. truth; 2. faith; 3. the word of Elohim; 4. repentance; 5. rebirth; 6. grace and; 7. tests. The process starts when the Believer hears truth. Then, the Believer comes to faith, studies the word of Elohim, repents, experiences a spiritual rebirth, receives grace, and is tested. In contrast, it also reveals the path to spiritual incompletion as it relates to the harlot/daughter congregations in which the spiritual progression is comprised of seven counterparts that lead to spiritual incompletion, i.e. eternal death.

5.     It identifies end of the sixth era of the collective timelines to be the end of the open door to the preaching of the good news, and the Exodus out of the harlot church, which no doubt corresponds to the “killing” of the two witnesses. (For more information on this read the article: The Bride, the Groom and the Two Witnesses). It seems to me that we are currently at the very end of the sixth era, as I don’t think that the two witnesses are quite dead yet! As a result, we must rededicate ourselves to preaching the good news to the harlot/daughter congregations until the end, and we must do so with a sense of urgency! We must try our best to bring them to repentance. After all, Philadelphia is the era of brotherly love and this begs the question, “Are we our brother’s keeper? Of course, the answer to this question is a resounding, “Yes!”

Finally, we would be wise to heed Paul’s warning: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, but I wear out my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have proclaimed to others, I myself should be rejected.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

May יהוה bless you!

Stephen P. Otto

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 1997-2023  Stephen P. Otto - All Rights Reserved.

This publication may be freely downloaded, reproduced or shared,

but may not be used for commercial purposes without prior permission.

Quotations must include Bible translation name or abbreviation APV.

[1] The Hebrew title for God.

[2] Sarkissian, Ani (January 1, 2009). Religious Reestablishment in Post-Communist Polities. Journal of Church and State. 51. Oxford University Press. pp. 472–501.

[3] The word church is a substitute word for the Greek word ekklesia, not an actual translation of it. It is properly translated as either “congregation,” or “assembly”  

[4] John Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus, the Messiah, 1989, pp. 51-52.

[5] Sarkissian, Ani (January 1, 2009). Religious Reestablishment in Post-Communist Polities. Journal of Church and State. 51. Oxford University Press. pp. 472–501.

[6] The Law of Elohim, meaning His commandments.

[7] The New Testament Scriptures had not yet been written.

[8] The Ecclesiastical History, bk. 2, ch. 13, sec. 1.

[9] A Lamp in the Dark: The Untold History of the Bible, Adullam Films, 2009.

[10] A Woman Rides the Beast, by Dave Hunt, p. 46.

[11] Revelation Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, edited by Steve Gregg, p. 109.

[12] Eusebius, The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, Bk 4, Ch 36 Constantine's letter of commission.

[13] Eusebius, The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, Bk 4, Ch 37 Constantine's letter of commission.

[14] “Jerome was the most outstanding [Catholic] scholar of his day. In 382, he was commissioned to translate the Bible from the Greek into Latin. It became known as the Latin Vulgate. As centuries passed, the Vulgate would be corrupted by unfaithful copying and the interpretation of the canon was restricted by a few dozen scholars in each generation” (The Forbidden Book: The History of the English Bible, www.NewLibertyVideos.com, DVD).

[15] The Forbidden Book: The History of the English Bible, www.NewLibertyVideos.com, DVD.

[16] Revelation Four Views, A Parallel Commentary, edited by Steve Gregg, p. 110.

[17] The Story of Civilization, Vol. III, pp. 595, 599.

[18] Babylon Mystery Religion, Ralph Woodrow, Chapter 11, pp. 94-95.

[19] Babylon Mystery Religion, Ralph Woodrow, Chapter 4, p. 65.

[20] Babylon Mystery Religion, Ralph Woodrow, Chapter 4, pp. 95-98.

[21] 24:15 The word, “Therefore,” is a conjunction which links the prophecy regarding “the abomination that lays waste,” back to “Torahlessness” in verse 12.

[22] Means “without Torah,” the commandments of Elohim.

[23] Wikipedia Encyclopedia: article: “Thirty Years’ War.”

[24] Hebrew for “apostle.”

[25] The Hebrew personal name of Elohim.

[26] Wikipedia Encyclopedia: article: “Thirty Years’ War.”

[i]

The Genesis Code Revealed

Before we can understand the details of the fifth trumpet plagues as they relate to the end of the age, we must first reveal an incredible code that is hidden in the book of Genesis. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God states that He declares, “…the end from the beginning.” In other words, those who want to “search out” (Prov. 25:2) what is prophesied to happen at the end of the age must first make the connection to what happened in the beginning. It makes sense, then, that the starting place for interpreting the prophecies related to the end of the age is in the book of Genesis, which in Hebrew means, “Beginnings.” The book of Genesis opens with the seven days of creation and it is here where the key to the prophecies related to the end of the age are hidden. A careful examination of them will reveal that the life-sustaining qualities God “created” over the seven days have spiritual equivalents.

Genesis 1:3-5 states, “God said, “Light be.” And there was light. God saw the light, that it was good! Then God separated between the light and the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ So there was an evening and there was a morning, day one.”

Thus, on the first day of creation, God created light, which is necessary to see. In spiritual terms; however, light symbolizes truth (1 John 1:5-6; Ps. 119:105, 60; Isa. 8:20).

Genesis 1:6-8 states, “Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it separate between the water and the water.” And it became so. God appointed the expanse, and separated between the water which was under the expanse and the water which was over the expanse. God called the expanse ‘air.’ And God saw that it was good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the second day.”

Thus, on the second day of creation, God created air, which is necessary to breath. In spiritual terms; however, air, which is invisible (Job 26:7), symbolizes faith. Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (cf. Rom. 8:24-25; Job 26:7). The expression, “a leap of faith” illustrates this point well, as it accurately pictures a person leaping through the air from one surface to another surface in faith.

Genesis 1:9-13 states, “Then God said, “Let the water under the air be gathered unto its places, and let the dry land appear.” And it became so. The water which was under the air was gathered unto its places, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land ‘earth,’ and the gathering of the waters He called ‘seas.’ And God saw that it was good! God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: herbs yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them after their kinds on the earth.” And it became so. The earth brought forth vegetation, herbs yielding seed after their kinds, and trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them, after their kinds. And God saw that it was good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the third day.”

Thus, on the third day of creation, God created food. In spiritual terms; however, food symbolizes the word of God. Matthew 4:4 states, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (cf. Deut. 8:3; Luke 4:4).

Genesis 1:14-19 states, “Then God said, “Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth and to separate between the day and the night. They shall serve as signs for seasons, for days and for years. And let them serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it became so. God appointed two great luminaries: the greater luminary to rule the day, and the lesser luminary to rule the night, among the stars. God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth, to rule over the day and the night, and to separate between the light and the darkness. God saw that it was good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the fourth day.”

Thus, on the fourth day of creation, God created seasons, days, and years, which are necessary to count the passage of time. In spiritual terms; however, time symbolizes repentance. Revelation 2:21 states, “I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she refuses to repent” (cf. Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 2:10).

Genesis 1:20-23 states, “Then God said, “Let the waters increase abundantly with moving things, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the air.” And it became so. God created large sea creatures, and all living creatures that move, with which the waters increased abundantly after their kinds, and all winged birds after their kinds. And God saw that it was good! God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So there was evening and there was a morning, the fifth day.”

Thus, on the fifth day of creation, God created life from the waters, which, in spiritual terms, symbolizes rebirth. Romans 6:4 states, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (cf. Titus 3:4-5).

Genesis 1:24-31 states, “Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kinds: beasts, moving things, the living creatures of the earth, after their kinds.” And it became so. God appointed the living creatures of the earth after their kinds: the beasts after their kinds, all the creatures that move on the land after their kinds. God saw that it was good! Then God said, “Let Us appoint man to Our image, according to Our likeness. And let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the earth, over all moving things that move on the earth.” So God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the earth, over all living creatures that move on the earth.” God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed, which is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. To all the living creatures of the earth, all the birds of the air, and to all that move on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it became so. God saw everything that He had appointed, and behold, they were very good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the sixth day.”

Thus, on the sixth day of creation, God created man, blessed him with unmerited dominion over His creation and commanded him to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:24-31) and, in effect, extend his blessing of dominion to all mankind. In spiritual terms; however, God creates each Believer a “new man” (Eph. 4:20-24; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:14-15; Col. 3:9-11). He blesses him with unmerited dominion over the “Kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33; 25:34). He commands him to “Be fruitful and multiply” by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3-4) “…in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14). Thus, in effect, He extends His gift of grace to all mankind. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Genesis 2:1-3 states, “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. On the sixth day God completed His work which He had appointed, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had appointed. God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which He had appointed and created.”

Thus, on the seventh day of creation, God rested (Gen. 2:1-2). Of course, the reason why God rested on the seventh day was not because He was tired, but because He provided us with an example to rest and to be restored to physical completeness. In spiritual terms; however, the Sabbath symbolizes spiritual completeness. Hebrews 4:8-11 states, “For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”

Amazingly, when we compile the spiritual equivalents of the life-sustaining qualities of the earth in a list, they prove to comprise a code that contains seven stages of spiritual progression. The code is comprised of the following stages of spiritual progression: 1. truth; 2. faith; 3. the word of God; 4. repentance; 5. rebirth; 6. grace and; 7. spiritual completion. It is important to understand that the first component of the code, truth, acts as a catalyst in the life of the Believer and sets into motion a chain reaction that culminates with spiritual completion.

The Code Applied to the Tabernacle

King David wrote, “And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever” (Ps. 78:69). In other words, the earth provided the pattern on which God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 25 through 29). A careful comparison of the physical life-sustaining qualities of the earth with the spiritual life-sustaining qualities of the tabernacle will reveal that they parallel one another perfectly.

The divine presence of God “rested” on the mercy seat (Ex. 35:40) above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 25:10-22), which symbolizes light. Of course, the divine presence of God is the equivalent of the light that was created on the first day of creation. Both symbolize truth (John 3:19-21; 1 John 1:5-6; Ps. 119:105, 60; Isa. 8:20).

The altar of incense (Ex. 30:1-10) was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided a sweet aroma that ascended into the air, which symbolizes prayers of faith (James 5:13-15; cf. Rev. 5:8; 8:4 Ps.141:2). Of course, the altar of incense is the equivalent of the air that was created on the second day of creation. Both symbolize faith (Heb. 11:1).

The table of showbread (Ex, 25:23-30), which consisted of twelve loaves of bread, was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided food for the priests (Ex. 29:32-34; Lev. 24:5-9). In spiritual terms; however, the table of showbread symbolizes the word of God. Of course, the table of showbread of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the food that was created on the third day of creation. Both symbolize the word of God (Matt. 4:4).

The golden menorah (Ex. 25:31-40), which consisted of seven branches, was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided light for the priests. In spiritual terms; however, the seven-branched golden menorah represents the seven eras of the Body of Messiah (Rev. 1:20; chapters 2-3), which symbolizes repentance. Of course, the seven-branched, golden menorah of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the seasons, days and years of the fourth day of creation. Both symbolize repentance (Rev. 2:21).

The laver (Ex. 30:17-21, 38:8) was located between the altar of sacrifice and the entrance of the tabernacle. It provided water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifices or entering into the tabernacle. In spiritual terms; however, the laver symbolizes rebirth. Of course, the laver of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the sea creatures abounding in the water on the fifth day of creation. Both symbolize rebirth (Rom. 6:4).

Levitical Priests were located throughout the tabernacle (Lev. 1:50). They acted as mediators between the people and God, offering sacrifices so that sin might be forgiven (Lev. 4:20, 26, 31). In spiritual terms; however, the Levitical Priesthood symbolizes grace. Of course, the Levitical Priesthood is the equivalent of the creation of man on the sixth day of creation. Both symbolize grace.

The altar of burnt offerings (Ex. 27:1-8) was located on the far side of the laver (Ex. 40:6). It provided the people with a means by which to offer a sacrifice and enter into the presence of God! In spiritual terms; however, the altar of burnt offerings symbolizes trials and spiritual completeness. Of course, the altar of burnt sacrifices of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the Sabbath of the seventh day of creation. Both symbolize spiritual completion.

Just as the spirit of God initiated the creation of the earth (Gen. 1:2), it also initiated the creation of the tabernacle (Ex. 35:31). Also, just as on each of the seven days of creation God said, “Let there be … and it was so,” the tabernacle was raised in seven stages, each ending with the phrase, “…as יהוה had commanded Moses” (Ex. 39-40). Finally, just as God looked over all His work and blessed it (Gen. 1:31), Moses looked over all his work and blessed it (Ex. 40:33; 39:32, 43).

The Code Applied to the Chaste and Harlot Congregations

The Genesis Code not only applies to the tabernacle, but it also applies to the chaste congregation and the harlot congregation, which, according to the principle that kind begets kind, includes her daughter, Protestant congregations. It applies to the chaste congregation through a 2000-year, 7-era timeline outlined in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, which culminates in Yeshua’s return. And it applies to the harlot/daughter congregations through parallel 2000-year, 7-era timelines outlined in the seven signs of Yeshua’s return in Matthew chapter 24, and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return in Revelation chapters 6 through 11.

Yeshua addresses the spiritual needs of these rival congregations through two very different methods. He sends letters of admonishment, encouragement and praise to the chaste congregation, while He sends plagues to the harlot/daughter congregations (Rev. 18:4). This indicates that the chaste congregation has ears to hear (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22), which Yeshua mentions toward the end of each of the seven letters. And it also indicates that the harlot/daughter congregations do not have ears to hear, which forces Him to take drastic measures to bring them to repentance.

Since the focus of this document is on the fifth trumpet plagues, which are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, the chaste congregation is not directly addressed, at least not inasmuch as they are being faithful to God.

The chart below indicates how the Genesis Code, which is based on the seven days of creation, applies to the temple/tabernacle, which is comprised of seven stations. These details are addressed earlier and are now presented in the chart as a summary. The chart also indicates how the code applies to the chaste congregation, which is comprised of seven eras, and the harlot/daughter congregations, which are comprised of the seven signs of Yeshua’s return and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return. In the interest of time, the details of all three of these applications were not addressed earlier in this document. However, they are laid out in the chart below, and it is important to study them thoroughly in order to understand the full scope of this message. For a more detailed study on the Genesis Code as it relates to both congregations, read the document, The Seven Congregations of Revelation Revisited on this website.

The focus of this document is on the counterpart application of the code as it applies to the seven signs of Yeshua’s return outlined in Matthew chapter 24, and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return outlined in Revelation chapters 6 through 11, which include the seven trumpet plagues. Specifically, it applies to the plagues of the fifth trumpet. However, before I address them, it is important that we understand the first four.

Thus, these false messiahs were the catalysts that lead to war, famine and death.

If Yeshua’s time of delay began in 1996, which marks the beginning of the trumpet plagues that are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, than the false messiahs of the first trumpet plague must be people who rose to prominence starting in the year 1996. In order to identify the false messiahs of the first trumpet plague, we must first identify the false teaching that was most prevalent during the period of time starting in 1996 by connecting it to its negative impact on society. When we examine both factors, the evidence strongly suggests that the false teaching in question was the social gospel.

In the meantime, on September 11, 2001 the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda, under the orders of Osama bin Laden, attacked the United States. The attacks resulted in nearly 3000 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and a huge number of people who developed long-term health issues. In addition, there were over $10 billion in damages. 9/11 is the single, deadliest terrorist attack on the United States and, by extension, Western Civilization to date.

Despite the fact that the 9/11 attacks occurred in one, single day; they were not spontaneous attacks. Rather, they were planned long before that tragic day. “In 1996, bin Laden issued his first fatwā,[i] calling for American soldiers to leave Saudi Arabia. In a second fatwā in 1998, bin Laden outlined his objections to American foreign policy with respect to Israel, as well as the continued presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War. Bin Laden used Islamic texts to exhort Muslims to attack Americans until the stated grievances were reversed.”[i] Thus, the actual planning for the attacks began in 1996. This confirms the significance of this particular year.

After the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden released two videos, the second one on December 27, 2001. In it he said, “It has become clear that the West in general and America in particular have an unspeakable hatred for Islam. ... It is the hatred of crusaders. Terrorism against America deserves to be praised because it was a response to injustice….”[i] Thus, bin Laden’s attack on the United States and, by extension, Western Civilization actually began in 1996, which corresponds to the three converging timelines mentioned earlier regarding this particular year.

After 9/11, President George W. Bush finished a number of his speeches, if not all of them, with the sobering words: “May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America.” His words brought into question whether or not God would continue to bless the United States.

Since 9/11, Islamists have stepped up their efforts of attacking Western Civilization from the inside. To this end, they have attempted to change their reputation from being terrorists to being perceived as an oppressed people by conjuring up a moral equivalency between their “oppression” and the “oppression” of others, especially black people and, ironically, women. In order to achieve their goals, Islamists have integrated into these communities through the social gospel and have been very successful in winning people over to their cause, and adopting their belief that unprovoked violence against innocent people is necessary in order to fight injustice.

[ii]

The Genesis Code Revealed

Before we can understand the details of the fifth trumpet plagues as they relate to the end of the age, we must first reveal an incredible code that is hidden in the book of Genesis. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God states that He declares, “…the end from the beginning.” In other words, those who want to “search out” (Prov. 25:2) what is prophesied to happen at the end of the age must first make the connection to what happened in the beginning. It makes sense, then, that the starting place for interpreting the prophecies related to the end of the age is in the book of Genesis, which in Hebrew means, “Beginnings.” The book of Genesis opens with the seven days of creation and it is here where the key to the prophecies related to the end of the age are hidden. A careful examination of them will reveal that the life-sustaining qualities God “created” over the seven days have spiritual equivalents.

Genesis 1:3-5 states, “God said, “Light be.” And there was light. God saw the light, that it was good! Then God separated between the light and the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ So there was an evening and there was a morning, day one.”

Thus, on the first day of creation, God created light, which is necessary to see. In spiritual terms; however, light symbolizes truth (1 John 1:5-6; Ps. 119:105, 60; Isa. 8:20).

Genesis 1:6-8 states, “Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it separate between the water and the water.” And it became so. God appointed the expanse, and separated between the water which was under the expanse and the water which was over the expanse. God called the expanse ‘air.’ And God saw that it was good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the second day.”

Thus, on the second day of creation, God created air, which is necessary to breath. In spiritual terms; however, air, which is invisible (Job 26:7), symbolizes faith. Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (cf. Rom. 8:24-25; Job 26:7). The expression, “a leap of faith” illustrates this point well, as it accurately pictures a person leaping through the air from one surface to another surface in faith.

Genesis 1:9-13 states, “Then God said, “Let the water under the air be gathered unto its places, and let the dry land appear.” And it became so. The water which was under the air was gathered unto its places, and the dry land appeared. God called the dry land ‘earth,’ and the gathering of the waters He called ‘seas.’ And God saw that it was good! God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: herbs yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them after their kinds on the earth.” And it became so. The earth brought forth vegetation, herbs yielding seed after their kinds, and trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them, after their kinds. And God saw that it was good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the third day.”

Thus, on the third day of creation, God created food. In spiritual terms; however, food symbolizes the word of God. Matthew 4:4 states, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (cf. Deut. 8:3; Luke 4:4).

Genesis 1:14-19 states, “Then God said, “Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth and to separate between the day and the night. They shall serve as signs for seasons, for days and for years. And let them serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it became so. God appointed two great luminaries: the greater luminary to rule the day, and the lesser luminary to rule the night, among the stars. God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth, to rule over the day and the night, and to separate between the light and the darkness. God saw that it was good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the fourth day.”

Thus, on the fourth day of creation, God created seasons, days, and years, which are necessary to count the passage of time. In spiritual terms; however, time symbolizes repentance. Revelation 2:21 states, “I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she refuses to repent” (cf. Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 2:10).

Genesis 1:20-23 states, “Then God said, “Let the waters increase abundantly with moving things, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the air.” And it became so. God created large sea creatures, and all living creatures that move, with which the waters increased abundantly after their kinds, and all winged birds after their kinds. And God saw that it was good! God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So there was evening and there was a morning, the fifth day.”

Thus, on the fifth day of creation, God created life from the waters, which, in spiritual terms, symbolizes rebirth. Romans 6:4 states, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Messiah was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (cf. Titus 3:4-5).

Genesis 1:24-31 states, “Then God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kinds: beasts, moving things, the living creatures of the earth, after their kinds.” And it became so. God appointed the living creatures of the earth after their kinds: the beasts after their kinds, all the creatures that move on the land after their kinds. God saw that it was good! Then God said, “Let Us appoint man to Our image, according to Our likeness. And let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the earth, over all moving things that move on the earth.” So God created man in His own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the earth, over all living creatures that move on the earth.” God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed, which is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. To all the living creatures of the earth, all the birds of the air, and to all that move on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it became so. God saw everything that He had appointed, and behold, they were very good! So there was evening and there was a morning, the sixth day.”

Thus, on the sixth day of creation, God created man, blessed him with unmerited dominion over His creation and commanded him to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:24-31) and, in effect, extend his blessing of dominion to all mankind. In spiritual terms; however, God creates each Believer a “new man” (Eph. 4:20-24; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:14-15; Col. 3:9-11). He blesses him with unmerited dominion over the “Kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33; 25:34). He commands him to “Be fruitful and multiply” by preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3-4) “…in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14). Thus, in effect, He extends His gift of grace to all mankind. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Genesis 2:1-3 states, “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. On the sixth day God completed His work which He had appointed, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had appointed. God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which He had appointed and created.”

Thus, on the seventh day of creation, God rested (Gen. 2:1-2). Of course, the reason why God rested on the seventh day was not because He was tired, but because He provided us with an example to rest and to be restored to physical completeness. In spiritual terms; however, the Sabbath symbolizes spiritual completeness. Hebrews 4:8-11 states, “For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”

Amazingly, when we compile the spiritual equivalents of the life-sustaining qualities of the earth in a list, they prove to comprise a code that contains seven stages of spiritual progression. The code is comprised of the following stages of spiritual progression: 1. truth; 2. faith; 3. the word of God; 4. repentance; 5. rebirth; 6. grace and; 7. spiritual completion. It is important to understand that the first component of the code, truth, acts as a catalyst in the life of the Believer and sets into motion a chain reaction that culminates with spiritual completion.

The Code Applied to the Tabernacle

King David wrote, “And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has established forever” (Ps. 78:69). In other words, the earth provided the pattern on which God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 25 through 29). A careful comparison of the physical life-sustaining qualities of the earth with the spiritual life-sustaining qualities of the tabernacle will reveal that they parallel one another perfectly.

The divine presence of God “rested” on the mercy seat (Ex. 35:40) above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 25:10-22), which symbolizes light. Of course, the divine presence of God is the equivalent of the light that was created on the first day of creation. Both symbolize truth (John 3:19-21; 1 John 1:5-6; Ps. 119:105, 60; Isa. 8:20).

The altar of incense (Ex. 30:1-10) was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided a sweet aroma that ascended into the air, which symbolizes prayers of faith (James 5:13-15; cf. Rev. 5:8; 8:4 Ps.141:2). Of course, the altar of incense is the equivalent of the air that was created on the second day of creation. Both symbolize faith (Heb. 11:1).

The table of showbread (Ex, 25:23-30), which consisted of twelve loaves of bread, was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided food for the priests (Ex. 29:32-34; Lev. 24:5-9). In spiritual terms; however, the table of showbread symbolizes the word of God. Of course, the table of showbread of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the food that was created on the third day of creation. Both symbolize the word of God (Matt. 4:4).

The golden menorah (Ex. 25:31-40), which consisted of seven branches, was located in the Holy Place of the tabernacle. It provided light for the priests. In spiritual terms; however, the seven-branched golden menorah represents the seven eras of the Body of Messiah (Rev. 1:20; chapters 2-3), which symbolizes repentance. Of course, the seven-branched, golden menorah of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the seasons, days and years of the fourth day of creation. Both symbolize repentance (Rev. 2:21).

The laver (Ex. 30:17-21, 38:8) was located between the altar of sacrifice and the entrance of the tabernacle. It provided water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifices or entering into the tabernacle. In spiritual terms; however, the laver symbolizes rebirth. Of course, the laver of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the sea creatures abounding in the water on the fifth day of creation. Both symbolize rebirth (Rom. 6:4).

Levitical Priests were located throughout the tabernacle (Lev. 1:50). They acted as mediators between the people and God, offering sacrifices so that sin might be forgiven (Lev. 4:20, 26, 31). In spiritual terms; however, the Levitical Priesthood symbolizes grace. Of course, the Levitical Priesthood is the equivalent of the creation of man on the sixth day of creation. Both symbolize grace.

The altar of burnt offerings (Ex. 27:1-8) was located on the far side of the laver (Ex. 40:6). It provided the people with a means by which to offer a sacrifice and enter into the presence of God! In spiritual terms; however, the altar of burnt offerings symbolizes trials and spiritual completeness. Of course, the altar of burnt sacrifices of the tabernacle is the equivalent of the Sabbath of the seventh day of creation. Both symbolize spiritual completion.

Just as the spirit of God initiated the creation of the earth (Gen. 1:2), it also initiated the creation of the tabernacle (Ex. 35:31). Also, just as on each of the seven days of creation God said, “Let there be … and it was so,” the tabernacle was raised in seven stages, each ending with the phrase, “…as יהוה had commanded Moses” (Ex. 39-40). Finally, just as God looked over all His work and blessed it (Gen. 1:31), Moses looked over all his work and blessed it (Ex. 40:33; 39:32, 43).

The Code Applied to the Chaste and Harlot Congregations

The Genesis Code not only applies to the tabernacle, but it also applies to the chaste congregation and the harlot congregation, which, according to the principle that kind begets kind, includes her daughter, Protestant congregations. It applies to the chaste congregation through a 2000-year, 7-era timeline outlined in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, which culminates in Yeshua’s return. And it applies to the harlot/daughter congregations through parallel 2000-year, 7-era timelines outlined in the seven signs of Yeshua’s return in Matthew chapter 24, and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return in Revelation chapters 6 through 11.

Yeshua addresses the spiritual needs of these rival congregations through two very different methods. He sends letters of admonishment, encouragement and praise to the chaste congregation, while He sends plagues to the harlot/daughter congregations (Rev. 18:4). This indicates that the chaste congregation has ears to hear (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22), which Yeshua mentions toward the end of each of the seven letters. And it also indicates that the harlot/daughter congregations do not have ears to hear, which forces Him to take drastic measures to bring them to repentance.

Since the focus of this document is on the fifth trumpet plagues, which are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, the chaste congregation is not directly addressed, at least not inasmuch as they are being faithful to God.

The chart below indicates how the Genesis Code, which is based on the seven days of creation, applies to the temple/tabernacle, which is comprised of seven stations. These details are addressed earlier and are now presented in the chart as a summary. The chart also indicates how the code applies to the chaste congregation, which is comprised of seven eras, and the harlot/daughter congregations, which are comprised of the seven signs of Yeshua’s return and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return. In the interest of time, the details of all three of these applications were not addressed earlier in this document. However, they are laid out in the chart below, and it is important to study them thoroughly in order to understand the full scope of this message. For a more detailed study on the Genesis Code as it relates to both congregations, read the document, The Seven Congregations of Revelation Revisited on this website.

The Genesis Code

Second Witness

Other

Witnesses

The Heavens &

the Earth:

Blessed

Earthly

Sanctuary

The Temple

/ Tabernacle:

Blessed Earthly/Spiritual

Sanctuary

The Chaste Congregation:

Blessed Spiritual

Sanctuary

The Harlot/daughter

Congregations:

Cursed

Spiritual

Sanctuaries

7 Days

of

Creation

(Isa. 46:910)

7 Stations

of the Tabernacle

(Ps. 78:69)

7 Eras

of the

Chaste Congregation

(Rev. 2-3)

7 Signs

of

Yeshua’s Return

(Matt. 24)

7 Seals

of

Yeshua’s Return

(Rev. 6-11)

1st Day

Light: symbolizes

truth

1st Station

The Presence of God:

symbolizes

truth

1st Era Ephesus:

Believers who are liars (Rev. 2:2) are contrasted with Believers who shine their light

(Rev. 2:5).

1st Sign

False messiahs:

symbolizes

lies
(Matt. 24:4-5)

1st Seal

White horse: symbolizes

lies

(Rev. 6:2)

2nd Day

Air:

symbolizes

faith

2nd Station

The

Altar of Incense: symbolizes

faith

2nd Era Smyrna:

Believers who cause tribulation are contrasted with Believers who are “are faithful until death”

(Rev. 2:10).

2nd Sign

Wars and rumors of war

(Matt. 24:6-7)

2nd Seal

Red horse:

symbolizes

war

(Rev. 6:3-4)

3rd Day

Food:

symbolizes the word of God

3rd Station
The

Showbread: symbolizes the word of God

3rd Era Pergamos:

Believers who teach false teaching (Rev. 2:14-15) are contrasted with Believers who are given “hidden manna”

(Rev. 2:17).

3rd Sign

Famines:

symbolizes

famines of the word of God

(Matt. 24:7)

3rd Seal

Black horse:

symbolizes

famine of the word of God

(Rev. 6:5-6)

4th Day

Time: symbolizes repentance

4th Station

The

Seven-Branched

Menorah:

symbolizes the 7 eras of the

chaste congregation, which symbolizes time and repentance.

4th Era Thyatira:

Believers who die spiritually because they refuse to repent (Rev. 2:20-23 are contrasted with Believers who repent

(2 Cor. 7:10)

(Rev. 2:21).

4th Sign

Pestilences:

symbolizes spiritual death

(2 Cor. 7:10)

(Matt. 24:7)

4th Seal

Pale horse:

symbolizes spiritual death

(2 Cor. 7:10)

(Rev. 6:7-8)

5th Day

Water Abounding: symbolizes rebirth

5th Station

The Laver: symbolizes rebirth

5th Era

Sardis:

Believers who experience a false rebirth (Rev. 3:1-3) are contrasted with other Believers who experience a true rebirth and are given white garments (Rev. 3:4-5).

5th Sign

The Great Tribulation:

symbolizes

a false

rebirth of

the first 4 signs

(Matt. 24:8-28)

5th Seal

Second Martyrdom:

symbolizes

a false

rebirth of

the first 4 seals

(Rev. 6:9-11)

6th Day

Man: symbolizes grace

6th Station

The Levitical Priest:

symbolizes grace

6th Era Philadelphia:

Believers who mourn and lose their crowns (Rev. 3:11) are contrasted with Believers who accept Yeshua as their Savior and receive grace (Rev. 3:7-8).

6th Sign

Heaven and

Earth Mourn:

symbolizes

judgment
(Matt. 24:29-30)

6th Seal

Heaven and Earth Mourn:

symbolizes

judgment
(Rev. 6:12-17)

7th Day

Rest: symbolizes spiritual

completion

7th Station

The Altar of Sacrifice: symbolizes spiritual

completion

7th Era Laodicea:

Believers who are spiritually incomplete and receive trials (Rev. 3:15-18) are contrasted with other Believers who are complete and receive rest (Rev. 3:21).

7th Sign

Angles Sound Great Trumpet:

symbolizes spiritual

incompletion
(Matt. 24:31)

7th Seal

Comprised of seven trumpet plagues:

symbolizes spiritual

incompletion

(Rev. 8-11)

The focus of this document is on the counterpart application of the code as it applies to the seven signs of Yeshua’s return outlined in Matthew chapter 24, and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return outlined in Revelation chapters 6 through 11, which include the seven trumpet plagues. Specifically, it applies to the plagues of the fifth trumpet. However, before I address them, it is important that we understand the first four.

Thus, these false messiahs were the catalysts that lead to war, famine and death.

If Yeshua’s time of delay began in 1996, which marks the beginning of the trumpet plagues that are brought to bear on the harlot/daughter congregations, than the false messiahs of the first trumpet plague must be people who rose to prominence starting in the year 1996. In order to identify the false messiahs of the first trumpet plague, we must first identify the false teaching that was most prevalent during the period of time starting in 1996 by connecting it to its negative impact on society. When we examine both factors, the evidence strongly suggests that the false teaching in question was the social gospel.

In the meantime, on September 11, 2001 the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda, under the orders of Osama bin Laden, attacked the United States. The attacks resulted in nearly 3000 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and a huge number of people who developed long-term health issues. In addition, there were over $10 billion in damages. 9/11 is the single, deadliest terrorist attack on the United States and, by extension, Western Civilization to date.

Despite the fact that the 9/11 attacks occurred in one, single day; they were not spontaneous attacks. Rather, they were planned long before that tragic day. “In 1996, bin Laden issued his first fatwā,[ii] calling for American soldiers to leave Saudi Arabia. In a second fatwā in 1998, bin Laden outlined his objections to American foreign policy with respect to Israel, as well as the continued presence of American troops in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War. Bin Laden used Islamic texts to exhort Muslims to attack Americans until the stated grievances were reversed.”[ii] Thus, the actual planning for the attacks began in 1996. This confirms the significance of this particular year.

After the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden released two videos, the second one on December 27, 2001. In it he said, “It has become clear that the West in general and America in particular have an unspeakable hatred for Islam. ... It is the hatred of crusaders. Terrorism against America deserves to be praised because it was a response to injustice….”[ii] Thus, bin Laden’s attack on the United States and, by extension, Western Civilization actually began in 1996, which corresponds to the three converging timelines mentioned earlier regarding this particular year.

After 9/11, President George W. Bush finished a number of his speeches, if not all of them, with the sobering words: “May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless America.” His words brought into question whether or not God would continue to bless the United States.

Since 9/11, Islamists have stepped up their efforts of attacking Western Civilization from the inside. To this end, they have attempted to change their reputation from being terrorists to being perceived as an oppressed people by conjuring up a moral equivalency between their “oppression” and the “oppression” of others, especially black people and, ironically, women. In order to achieve their goals, Islamists have integrated into these communities through the social gospel and have been very successful in winning people over to their cause, and adopting their belief that unprovoked violence against innocent people is necessary in order to fight injustice.

[iii] When the Israelites inherited the Promised Land, they named their kingdom Israel and divided the land by lot between the twelve tribes (Num. 26:55; Josh. 7:14; 14:2; 1 Sam. 14:42). Later, under King Rehoboam’s reign, the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes (1 Kings 11:11-13, 31-17; 12:1-24). The ten northern tribes retained the national name of Israel while the two southern tribes named their kingdom Judah, after the predominant tribe, Judah, i.e. the Jews. In time, the northern nation of Israel broke their covenant with Elohim, so Elohim terminated His covenant with them, sending them into captivity in Assyria in about 720 BC (2 Kings 17:5-29; 18:9-12). A short time later, the southern nation of Judah became sinful, which resulted in Elohim allowing them to be taken into captivity in Babylon between 597 and 586 B.C. During their captivity, Elohim gave the prophet Daniel a vision of four beasts rising up one after the other out of the sea. The first beast was like a lion, the second was like a bear, the third was like a leopard and the fourth was so “dreadful and terrible” it couldn’t be symbolized by any earthly beast (Dan. 7:1-7). Of course, the first beast, the lion, symbolizes Babylon, the first kingdom to rule over Judah; the second beast, the bear, symbolizes Medo-Persia, the second kingdom to rule over Judah; the third beast, the leopard, symbolizes Greece, the third kingdom to rule over Judah; and the fourth beast, the “dreadful and terrible” beast, symbolizes Rome, the fourth beast to rule over Judah! As each nation seized power from its predecessor it also, in effect, inherited rulership over Judah.

[iv] The Shaliah Paul revealed a very important principle in 1 Corinthians 15:46: “However that which is spiritual is not first, but that which is physical, then that which is spiritual.” Based on this principle, Paul tells us that Yeshua is the “…mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises…” (Heb. 8:6), including the “promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). Thus, death during Old Testament times was physical, whereas death during New Testament times is spiritual (2 Cor. 4:18). During Old Testament times, Israel was a physical minded people; they had a physical king; they had a physical temple; the Torah was written on a physical material, stone; their enemies and weapons were physical; and they entered into a physical Promised Land, Israel; etc. Conversely, during New Testament times, remnant Israel is a spiritually minded people (Gal. 3:7); we have a King who is a spirit being (John 4:24), Yeshua; we are a spiritual temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16-18; Eph. 2:14-22; 2 Thess. 2:4); the Torah is written on spiritual material, our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:8-13); our enemies and weapons are spiritual (Eph. 6:10-20); and we will enter into a spiritual Promised Land (Heb. 11:13-16), the Kingdom of Elohim (John 3:3-6; 1 Cor. 15:50). Thus, the Scriptures teach that there are two types of death, the first death, which is physical (Heb. 9:27-28), and the second death, which is spiritual (Rev. 2:10-11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). The following Scriptures are examples in which death is described in spiritual terms in the New Testament: Yeshua said, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the being. Rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both being and body in Gehenna” (Matt. 10:28). Yeshua said, “…Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead” (Matt. 8:22; cf. Luke 9:60). Yeshua told the Pharisees, “I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins, for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24; cf. vs. 21). Paul told the Ephesians, “You were made alive when you were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1-2). Paul told the Colossians, “You, who were once dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him…” (Col. 2:13). Paul also said, “But she who lives in self-indulgence is dead while she lives” (1 Tim. 5:6). Yeshua told the congregation of Sardis, “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). Finally, the prophecy that the seven trumpet plagues “kill” one third of mankind is symbolic, which means that they are killed spiritually and “separated from Elohim” (Isa. 59:1-2; cf. Ps.51:11; Rom. 8:9).

[v] In order to understand the regathering of Israel, we must first understand the gathering of Israel. When the Israelites settled the Promised Land, they named their kingdom Israel, after their forefather, Israel, who was formerly known as Jacob. Israel divided the land by lot between the twelve tribes (Num. 26:55; Josh. 7:14; 14:2; 1 Sam. 14:42). Later, during the reign of King Rehoboam, the ten northern tribes seceded from the two southern tribes (1 Kings 11:13-13, 31-37; 12:1-24). The ten northern tribes retained the national name of Israel, and referred to themselves as the house of Israel, or the house of Ephraim, after their predominant tribe. The two southern tribes referred to themselves as the house of Judah, after their predominant tribe, Judah (the Jews).

Soon after the house of Israel seceded from house of Judah they broke their covenant with Elohim. They stopped going up to Jerusalem to worship Him in the temple during the Feast Days (Ex. 23:14-17; 1 Kings 12:31-32; 13:32-33; 2 Kings 17:28-30), they practiced idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-33; 14:15-16) and broke the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:10-24). And so it was that when the house of Israel broke their covenant with Elohim, Elohim terminated His covenant with them, sending them into captivity in Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-29; 18:9-12) around 720 B.C. In other words, He divorced the house of Israel (Jer. 3:6-11; Isa. 50:1-2).

The Assyrians had a strategy of deporting large proportions of people from the nations they had conquered and resettling them in other conquered nations. The purpose of this policy was to promote intermarriage between conquered peoples in order that they would lose their national identities, thereby decreasing the threat of nationalistic revolts. To this end, the Assyrians deported a large proportion of the citizens of Israel to Babylon and a large proportion of the citizens of Babylon to Israel (2 Kings 17:24).

The Scriptures prophesy about a time when Israel will be regathered (Isa. 11:10-13; Isa. 49:1-6; Isa. 56:1-8; Ezek. 37: 1-22; Zech 2:6-13). However, Elohim had decreed that the Israelites would have to repent of their sins before He would regather them. Deuteronomy 30:1-3 makes this very clear: “It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, where יהוה your Elohim has driven you, and shall return to יהוה your Elohim, and shall obey His voice according to all that I command you this day, you and your children, with all your heart, and with all your being, that then יהוה your Elohim will turn your captivity, and have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples, where יהוה your Elohim has scattered you.” Nehemiah 1:8-9 agrees: “Remember, I beg You, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause My name to dwell there (cf. Deut. 4:27-31; 28:62-68). Sadly, the majority of the Israelites who were scattered from the land never repented. Rather, they eventually lost their national identity (Deut. 32:26), their Hebrew tongue (Isa. 28:11) and became known as the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel” or the “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel.”

Those Israelites who remained in the land did indeed intermarry with the Babylonians and, as a result, they changed the name of their country to Samaria. The religion of the land during the early stages of the New Testament was the Babylonian Mystery Religion (Rev. 17:5). The people of Judea regarded the Samaritans as half-breeds, both physically (2 Kings 17:24-41) and spiritually (John 4:20).

About 130 years after Elohim had terminated His covenant with Israel and exiled them from the Promised Land, Judah followed in Israel’s footsteps and broke their covenant with Elohim. As a result, Elohim allowed Judah to be conquered by the Babylonians in three separate stages, between 597 BC and 586 BC, and taken into captivity (2 Kings 24:8-17; 25:1-7, 21). Unlike Israel, though, a remnant of Israelites from the house of Judah repented and returned to the land 70 years later (Jer. 29:1-14; Ezra 1:1-5). Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary under the heading “Jerusalem” and the subheading, “The Restoration” states, “For more than half a century the Jews remained captives in Babylonia, and their beloved Jerusalem lay in ruins. But this changed when Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated the Babylonians. He allowed the Jewish captives to return to Jerusalem to restore the city. Zerubbabel was the leader of a group that left Babylon in 538 BC to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. After a period of over 20 years, the temple was restored, (although it was not as lavish as Solomon’s original Temple had been). Under the leadership of Nehemiah, a second group of Jewish exiles returned to the holy city to restore the wall around the city. Through a masterful strategy of organization and determination, “the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty-two days” (Neh. 6:15).

About 600 years later, in 70 AD the Roman Army under General Titus sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the temple so thoroughly that not one stone was left upon another. The Levitical priesthood and the Sanhedrin were abolished and millions of Jews were scattered into the Gentile nations. Then, with regard to Israel’s “rebirth” in 1948: Wikipedia, under the heading “Israel” states, “Following the birth of political Zionism in 1897 and the Balfour Declaration, the League of Nations granted the United Kingdom the British Mandate of Palestine after World War I, with responsibility for establishing “...such political, administrative and economic conditions as will secure the establishment of the Jewish national home….” While the Balfour Declaration resulted in, and continues to result in, many Jews returning to land, which they now call Israel, it is not the fulfillment of the biblical regathering of Israel. Like the northern nation of Israel, Judah did not repent so, according to His own decree, Elohim could not have regathered them. The truth is that Christian Zionists knew that the prophecies regarding the regathering had to be fulfilled before Messiah Yeshua could return, so they lead a political movement to promote their return to the land. In other words, they unwittingly self-fulfilled the prophecies.

In the meantime, Jeremiah had prophesied, “Behold, the days come, says יהוה, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, for they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says יהוה. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says יהוה, I will put My Torah in their inward parts, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.” Notice that the New Covenant was to be made with both “the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” This implies that both houses were on equal footing. One house didn’t have a spiritual advantage over the other.

Sometime after Yeshua began His ministry, He declared, “… I was not sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). The fact that His ministry was centered in Judea suggests that He was applying the title, “house of Israel,” not only to the northern nation of the divided kingdom, but to the entire nation of the united kingdom. In other words, He was referring to both the House of Israel and the House of Judah as being lost.

Once Israel lost their national identity, it became virtually impossible for them to be regathered. How do you regather a people to their homeland when they don’t even know that it is their homeland? The only way to regather the Israelites is through the good news, which is open to everyone who believes.

Yeshua is the “…mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises…” (Heb. 8:6). This includes the “promise of the eternal inheritance.” (Heb. 9:15). Of course, this means that the regathering of Israel starts in the Body of Messiah and ends in the Kingdom of Elohim.

May יהוה bless you!

Stephen P. Otto

The first verse of the book of Revelation states, “This is the Revelation of Yeshua Messiah, which Elohim gave Him to show to His servants the things which must happen soon…” (Rev. 1:1). The fact that the book of Revelation needs a revelator proves that it is a concealed book, and a careful study of the book itself will reveal that it is concealed in symbolism. Since Yeshua, who is identified in Scripture as the Word of Elohim (John 1:1, 14), is the Revelator of the book, it follows that those who desire to understand it must rely on, the written word of Elohim, the Bible, for its proper interpretation. In other words, the Bible is not subject to “private interpretation” (2 Pet. 1:19-21); we must allow it to interpret itself.

Among the prophecies of the book were those that are contained in the seven letters to the chaste congregation in chapters 2 and 3. One letter was sent to each of the seven congregations that were located in the western region of modern-day Turkey along an ancient, Roman mail route. In reference to these regional congregations,

So, just as mail carriers would travel from city to city to deliver the mail, the chaste congregation was prophesied to pass from era to era until the time of Yeshua’s return, at the culmination of the 2000-year, seven-era prophetic timeline.

Thus, just as the chaste congregation passes from era to era through the 2000-year prophetic timeline, so does the harlot/daughter congregations. However, while the two congregations run parallel to one another throughout the course of the timeline, they are on opposing spiritual paths.

As the spiritual temple, the Body of Messiah is comprised of three, seven-era, two thousand-year prophetic timelines. One of the timelines, Revelation chapters 2 and 3, relates to the chaste congregation, while the two remaining timelines, Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapters 6 through 11, relate to the harlot congregation. The code, which is specifically based on the seven days of creation, corresponds to the seven congregations of Yeshua’s return; the seven signs of Yeshua’s return; and the seven seals of Yeshua’s return, respectively. Not only does the application of the code serve to place the prophecies of each timeline in their proper historical era, but it also serves to reveal the spiritual progression of each congregation as they pass from era by era. Of course, the process culminates in the return of Messiah Yeshua when each individual person will either receive eternal life or death (Rom. 6:23).

While the mileage estimates between each city are fairly accurate, they are not exact. Below is a list of challenges that inhibit us to arriving at better estimates: 1.The exact path of the ancient, Roman mail route is not known. 2. The location of any one of the cities may have changed over time. 3.Archaeologists have not completely excavated all seven of the cities where the congregations were located, so they cannot determine the exact borders of each city and, as a result, the exact mileage between each city. 4. The borders of each city may have changed since John’s time, which would affect the mileage estimate.

In addition, Yeshua has given us one more important clue to help us achieve more accurate mileage estimates. Immediately after the “rides” of the four horsemen, Revelation 6:8 states, “…Authority was given to them over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth.” Since mankind has existed for about 6000 years on earth, the phrase, “…Authority was given to them over one fourth of the earth…,” reveals that the collective “rides” of the four horsemen were to last 1500 years. Of course, this 1500-year period of time applies to both the chaste congregation timeline and the harlot/daughter congregations’ timeline, since they run parallel to one another.

Once the chaste congregation was founded on truth, truth empowered her to “…Be faithful unto death….”

Thus, once the chaste congregation built faith, faith empowered her to hear the word of Elohim.

meaning the word of Elohim” (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4; Luke. 4:4).

This prophecy was fulfilled by Yeshua sometime before the year 1200 AD, when, after a period of a famine of the word of Elohim, the Bible resurfaced in two groups, the Albigenses and the Waldenses.[v]

The Christians honor him as ‘bishop of bishops’, while Constantine called himself Vicarius Christi, Vicar of Christ (a woman rides the beast by Dave Hunt, p. 46) For the cause of unifying the empire, the pagan practices of Rome were eventually combined with what was called the universal or Catholic church. But many Christians saw in this new system an apostate union between the church and the powers of the world. Through Constantine would begin the persecution of those who oppose the new universal faith. As a result of his edict against heretics it will be said that more Christians were persecuted after his conversion than before it. When the Roman Empire would eventually suffer its decline the bishops of Rome would rise up and take to themselves the titles of Constantine Pontifex Maximus, the bishop of bishops and Vicarius Christi the Vicar, or substitute, of Christ. As Seventeenth century historian Thomas Hobbs wrote “If a man consider the original of this great ecclesiastical dominion, he will easily perceive that the papacy is no other than the ghost of the deceased Roman Empire, sitting crowned upon the grave, thereof…” (Thomas Hobbs, “Leviathan” published in 1691) because of his influence some researchers mark the so-called conversion of Constantine the great and his persecution of Christians as the real beginning of the dark ages. Jesus had warned His disciples saying... (John16:2-4). While some may attribute the dark ages to Constantine the record of history shows that the name of this era was given because of the bible was forbidden. The Psalmist rights... (Psalm 119:105) but in the Thirteenth Century Rome made a concerted effort to put out that light and to keep men from the scriptures. (Stopped at the 15:29 mark).

While some may attribute the dark ages to Constantine the record of history shows that the name of this era was given because of the bible was forbidden. The Psalmist rights... (Psalm 119:105) but in the Thirteenth Century Rome made a concerted effort to put out that light and to keep men from the scriptures. (Stopped at the 15:29 mark).

Conenforce unity and uniformity within the faith,

Thus, the Catholic Church gained control over the Body of Messiah through lies.

In fulfillment of these warnings,

were both translated from the Greek word “nikao.” Thus, the false messiahs who went forth “conquering and to conquer” correspond to the “Nicolaitians,” which means “Conquerors of the People” was translated from the Greek word, “nikolaites,” a group who are mentioned in the first-congregation prophecy, who seized power through lies.[v]

Before that time Jesus had warned that the body of Messiah would face great trials and afflictions for the sake of the gospel.

The Shaliah Paul gave a similar warning when he bade fair well to the Ephesian elders. Paul and others warned what would take place, Paul said after my departure...” Paul was so adamant about this imminent threat that he said Therefore watch...” (Acts 20:31).

Paul warned that “...many, which corrupt the word of God...” 2 Corinthians 2:17.

While the Shaliah Peter warned that false teachers would bring in what he called damnable heresies and that many would follow their pernicious ways because of them evil truth will be well spoken of (2 Peter 2:1-2).

Not Part of Document

The Shaliah Paul had also been inspired to write … (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said

In fulfillment of these warnings the church was persecuted in the early centuries, Christians were hated and hunted by of a succession of Roman Emperors. Beginning with Nero in the First Century and ending with Diocleasion at the start of the Fourth Century.

An increasing number of Believers are becoming intrigued with Bible prophecy, especially those prophecies that are related to the Body of Messiah at the end of the age. Proverbs 25:2 tells us, “It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Yeshua adds, “I tell you, ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10; cf. Matt. 7:7-8).

In the 6th Century B.C., Elohim gave the prophet Daniel a vision related to the end of the age. When Daniel asked Him for its interpretation, Elohim said, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased” (Dan. 12:4). Thus, Elohim has chosen not to reveal the prophecies related to the end of the age until now, which, in itself, confirms that we are indeed living at the end of the age.

The faith that was founded on lies evolved into what became the Roman Catholic Church, which taught a counterfeit spirit, a counterfeit messiah and a counterfeit message of good news (1 John 4:1-3).

In the end, the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) was transformed into what became known as the Roman Catholic Church.

In time, the “…faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) split in two! The false messiahs who compromised the faith transformed part of the Body of Messiah into what became known as the Catholic Church, a hybrid religion of both true and false teachings (Jude 1:3). The faithful Believers continued to recognize themselves as the Israel of Elohim for some time until they too adopted the word “church” into their various titles. And so it was that the Israel of Elohim had divided into two types of churches: the chaste church and the harlot church!

Archaeologists have excavated all seven cities where the seven congregations were located to one degree or another. However, establishing the exact mileage between each city is complicated by the fact that we do not know the exact location of the borders of each city at the time John wrote the book of Revelation. Since it is impossible to establish the exact borders of each city, it follows that it is also impossible to establish the exact mileage between each city and, more importantly, the exact time-span between each era.

Again, the word “tribulation” was translated from the word “thlipsis.” However, unlike verse 9, which speaks of “contractions,” verse 21 speaks of “great contractions.”

The reason Yeshua referenced the first four signs of His return in Matthew 24:8 as birth pains, which progressed to contractions in verse 9, and then to great contractions in verse 21, is because the chapter is comprised of three birthing periods that increase in intensity as they are fulfilled chronologically over a period of 1500 years. Each birthing period contains false messiahs and/or false prophets.

However, since the word thlipsis in Matthew chapter 24 is used as a metaphor that describes “the dire calamities that precede the advent of the Messiah,” it is properly translated as “tribulation” in verses 9 and 21. Still though, since the underlying meaning of the word describes a new birth in this context, the word is to be properly understood as “contractions.”

group is symbolized by seven classifications of nature: 1. the sun; 2. the moon; 3. the stars;[v] 4. the heavens; 5. the fig tree; 6. the mountains and; 7. the islands. This group symbolizes modern-day Israel who are members of the harlot/daughter congregations. The second group is symbolized by seven classifications of men: 1. kings of the earth; 2. the princes; 3. the commanding officers; 4. the rich; 5. the strong; 6. every slave; and 7. every free man (Rev. 6:15). This group symbolizes Gentiles who are members of the harlot/daughter congregations. The corresponding sixth-sign prophecy also speaks about these same two groups of people. Again, the sun, moon and stars symbolize modern-day Israelites who are members of the harlot/daughter congregations and the group which is comprised of “all the tribes of the earth” again symbolizes Gentiles who are also members of the harlot congregation. The symbolism within the sixth seal and the sixth sign picture both groups coming to true repentance.

The corresponding prophecy of Revelation 6:12 states, “the sun became black as sackcloth of hair….” The significance of this description is that sackcloth is a symbol of mourning (Joel 1:13; Jonah 3:5-6; Matt. 11:21).

As a result, when Yeshua opened the sixth seal, “…there was a great earthquake” (Rev 6:12), which symbolizes divine visitation,[v] and manifested itself in the open door to preach the good news.

Of course, the woman symbolizes Israel, who Elohim had married at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:5-8; cf. Jer. 3:6-10; 2 Cor. 11:2; etc). Notice that in this New Testament prophecy the woman is wearing “a garland of twelve stars” on her head, which is symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel, not just the tribe of Judah, the Jews.

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