THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

Note: Dispensation is oikonomia , meaning, “stewardship over an administration ” Note: The church is not mentioned again after chapters 2 and 3

2. The church age ends and the door of heaven opens; this is the imagery of the catching up

a. There was a voice of a trumpet

(1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor.15:52) (Matt. 25:10 - the door was closed) (1 Thess. 4:17 - the voice of archangel)

b. The door was opened for saints to enter

c. The words, “ Come up here ” d. Immediately he was in the Spirit

(Rev. 4:2)

3. The church age ends and the tribulation begins

a . The gospel is preached and the “end comes” (Matt. 24:14) b. The great tribulation is alluded to in Matthew 24:21 and Revelation 7:14 c. It is a seven-year period of time divided into two halves (Dan. 9:27)

4. The door signals a separation from the earthly to the heavenly

a. Revelation 4:1 is a transition that begins the morning service at the Temple b. Revelation 4:1 is when the door (Greek - thura ) of heaven is opened

Note: This is the imagery of the “catching away” or the R apture of the church

C. The Trumpet (Rev. 4:1)

1. Israel used four styles/types of trumpets

a. The long horn of an antelope b. The silver trumpet (Num. 10:1-10) c. The ram’s horn (also a shofar) is the shorter version d. The gold trumpet was used every seventh year

2. Israel blew trumpets

a. During the Feasts of Israel (Lev. 25:9) b. During Jubilee cycles (Lev. 25:9) c. During the new moon (Ps. 81:3) d. During times of war (Josh. 6:5)

e. During Israel’s journey in the wilderness (Num. 10:4) f. During special offerings and sacrifices (Num. 10:10) g. During special processions (2 Sam. 6:15)

3. Israel blew silver trumpets to assemble people at the tabernacle door (Numbers 10:2)

a. Two silver trumpets assemble the people at the door of the tent (Num. 10:3) b. They were sounded to gather the camp together (Num. 10:4) c. Paul spoke of our gathering together unto Christ (2 Thess. 2:1) d. Paul said we would be caught up together (1 Thess. 4:17) e. Paul said in the fullness of time Christ will gather together in one (Eph. 1:9-10)

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