Saturday, September 19, 2009

Maranatha - Come Lord Jesus

The word "Maranatha" is an ancient Hebrew-Aramaic phrase that meant alternatively, “the Lord is coming soon,” or “Oh, Lord, Come Soon.” It was part of the Jewish congregational prayers in the first century. The New Testament includes it in 1Corinthians 16:22 (the Aramaic phrase is transliterated into Greek letters in the text). "As understood here ("O Lord, come!"), it is a prayer and declaration for the early return of Christ. This interpretation is supported by what appears to be a Greek equivalent of this acclamation in Rev 22:20 "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"

It seems like the Rapture of the church and the Second Coming of Jesus is a much less preach these days on the pulpit! But we all know that Jesus told us to expect His return and we are to be watchful and wise. We are seeing many signs being fulfilled in the last days and as God's end-times clock is sticking by the seconds ... one thing we can know for certain is that Jesus expect every of His followers to be ready. ARE YOU?

Interestingly there are Seven Feasts (Leviticus 23) mentioned in the Bible is which has direct fulfillment and foreshadow to the end-times calender:
1) Feast of Passover (Pesach) - Deliverance from slavery in Egypt - Fulfilled at Jesus' death
2) Feast of Unleavened Bread (ChagHamatzah) - When leaving Egypt - Fulfilled at Jesus' burial 3) Feast of First Fruits (Yom Habikkurim) - First harvest wave offering - Fulfilled at Jesus' resurrection
4) Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) - Celebration of first fruit of harvest - Fulfilled at Pentecost
5) Feast of Trumpet (Rosh HaShanah) - Blowing of the shofar - Foreshadow of the Rapture
6) Feast of Atonement (Yom Kippur) - Solemn assembly to express repentance and forgiveness - Foreshadow of Jesus' second coming and judgement
7) Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) - Celebration of final harvest - Foreshadow of the Milennium where Jesus's kingdom is established on earth

The first four Feasts were fulfilled at Christ's first coming, and on the EXACT DAY OF THE FEAST. The last three Feasts picture the second advent, and the Feast of Trumpets (the blowing of trumpet is an important part of this event) is the first of the latter three Feasts, picturing the Rapture.

Just as Christ, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed at Passover, for which the Lord instituted Passover to symbolize and foreshadow, it is very likely that His return will be at the time of the Feast of Trumpets, for which the Lord instituted the Feast of Trumpets to symbolize and foreshadow. (The Apostle Paul, speaking of these Jewish Festivals, declares, "Which are a shadow of things to come" - Colossians 2:17).

In 1 Corinthians 15:52 we are told Christ will come, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound." Notice this is spoken of as the last trump, and this may remind of the last trump of Rosh Hashanah.

In another description of Christ's coming for His Bride, Paul speaks of the trumpet of God (1 Thess. 4:16). This is not a trumpet blown by a man or even by an angel. Like the trumpet which sounded at Mt Sinai, this is one which is the trump of God...doubtless God Himself blows it.

Do you know that TODAY marks Israel's New Year called Rosh Hashanah - Feast of Trumpet?
As a worshiper, my heart is in excitement, anticipation and readiness ... let's worship Him with this song - Days of Elijah .... Behold He Comes ... At the TRUMPET Call ... Who Was And Is And Is To Come



Last but not least, the revelation of Rosh Hashanah also saddens my heart to realize that many believers are taking the rapture without any sense of urgency! May this message quicken every reader to WAKE UP! MARANTHA - JESUS IS COMING SOON! GET READY!

Maranatha!
TPWC

2 comments:

Nicole McClintock (USA) said...

"Amen!!! Living a lifestyle of worship....Preparing for His return"

The Praise And Worship Connection said...

Amen! So blessed to know that you are one of the many "wise virgins"
God Bless! \0/