Scripture for Today, 3-8-17

Revelation 12 & Year 2017 from A. V. Rauf

3-7-17, A. V. Rauf -- I want to start this post by stating right up front that I am not a date setter when it comes to events. However, I invite you to examine this on your own and prayerfully come to your own conclusions as the Spirit of God speaks to you. ​See Revelation 12:1-5 [1]

---

On Saturday, September 23, 2017, an unprecedented astronomical (astronomical , NOT astrological) alignment will appear in the sky over Israel. Apparently fulfilling a literal word-for-word fulfillment of Revelation 12:1-5 that describes a heavenly sign where a pregnant woman appears covered in the sun, with the moon at her feet, and crowned with 12 stars. The woman gives birth and the child is “caught up” to God; see this terrific diagram by Luis Vega: [2]

---

God set the stars, moon, and sun in the sky for seasons and for signs for us. What is a sign? It is something that points us to something else or points us in the right direction, or gives us important information.
 
God said at creation: "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years." Genesis 1:14, Luke 21:25
 
A literal reading of Revelation 12 tells us seven things that must all be true for a proper and complete fulfillment of the prophecy:
 
1. It is a heavenly sign, not an earthly occurrence
2. The sign includes a pregnant woman
3. Giving birth to a male child who is royalty [the Church?]
4. The woman is clothed with the sun & the moon is under her feet
5. She is crowned with twelve stars
6. A dragon throws 'stars' to earth [meteors?]
7. A Dragon [anti Christ Islamic nations?] plan to devour the child
​ 
In these passages the following is revealed:

• The "woman" is the constellation Virgo, the Virgin represents Israel [the Church came out from Jewish forefathers] and she is ready to give birth.
• The child  (“teknon“) based on the references and meanings where the same word is used, has got to be The Church, children of God, born again believers in Jesus. It couldn't refer to Jesus ascension because He wasn't 'caught up or snatched away' to heaven; rather He ascended  up to Heaven. Acts 1:11

Could this possibly mean then that the Rapture of the Church may take place  when the Sign described in Revelation 12 occurs in the heavens? See: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 [3]
 
Can we know the approximate date when Jesus 'is at the doors?' Clearly the scripture does say that Christ will come like a thief in the night ... no one knows when … however in verse 4-5 it explains that HIS children are not in darkness to be overtaken:
 
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." I Thessalonians 5:4-5
 
Importance of the Jewish Feasts [4] and God's Appointed Times. The seven Jewish feasts all occur annually within a seven-month period:

•  - The first four occur in the spring: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits [aka Easter] & Pentecost
•  - The final three occur within a fifteen day period in the fall: Trumpets [aka Rosh Hashanah] Yom Kippur, Sukkot [aka Tabernacles]

 
Jesus & the Holy Spirit came  at appointed times:
1. He was buried and resurrected all on the Feasts of Passover, Feasts of Unleaven Bread and the Feasts of First Fruits
2. He sent the Holy Spirit the Feast of Pentecost
 
The final 3 feasts will be fulfilled in the events of Christ’s second coming [He accomplished the first four at His first coming]. This clearly reveals and displays that nothing deviates from the Lord’s already established “appointed times.”

---

Thus the planet alignment along with everything else that is transpiring in the world should definitely get our attention.

Especially that September 20-22, 2017 Feast of Trumpets [aka Rosh Hashana] falls just prior to the planetary alignment.

In regards to the Trumpets feast, people would say “No one knew the day or the hour.” The feast is also called Yom Teruah which means the awakening blast, wakening those who have died. It is known by the Jews as the resurrection of the righteous dead. During the feast 99 trumpet blasts were blown. The 100th and final trumpet blast was known as “The Last Trump.” See 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 [5]

​The Rapture of the Church and Jesus' second coming will be at an appointed time. Almighty God has His own timetable and He will not deviate from it. Whether or not these upcoming events will occur this year remains to be seen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

---

Excerpted and adapted full original message here
[1] Revelation 12
[2] Luis Vega
[3] 1 Thessalonians 5
[4] Jewish Feasts Days
[5] 1 Corinthians 15