There is a Biblical standard of first mention that sets the pattern for future similar events, and these initial patterns are essential for understanding Yahweh’s message to the people of the world and are quite frequently noted in scripture. Parallels, patterns, pictures, and types are the backbone of scripture, which informs us that prophetic patterns are cyclical: what has happened in the past is bound to happen in the future! With this statement, scholars, teachers, pastors, and laypeople are in agreement, and there is little to no disagreement – well, almost no disagreement! Let’s examine further:
The Tabernacle and Yeshua
The tabernacle and its instruments are formed after the heavenly pattern (Exodus 25:9-40, Numbers 8:4). David proclaims that the entire Temple pattern was given to him by the spirit (1 Chronicles 28:19). Hebrews 8:5 puts it this way: “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” Yeshua is the pattern that we are to follow (1 Timothy 1:16).
Abraham, Isaac, and Yeshua
Abraham being called out of Ur and pagan idolatry into a relationship with Yahweh is a pattern for all humans to be called out of sin and into the kingdom of Yahweh.
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah is a pattern of Yahweh’s willingness to sacrifice Yeshua, again on Mount Moriah. The patterns are unmistakable: Isaac was the only son of his father Abraham; Isaac was sent to Mount Moriah, the present site of the Temple Mount; Isaac carried the wood upon which he would be sacrificed as an offering to God; A lamb replaced Isaac as the sacrifice. Yeshua is also the only son of his Father, Yahweh; Yeshua also goes to Mount Moriah; Yeshua also carries the cross (wood) upon which he was sacrificed as an offering to God; Yeshua is the lamb that is sacrificed.
Joseph and Yeshua
Joseph is a pattern of Yeshua. Joseph is rejected by his family, sold into slavery, becomes the right hand of Pharaoh, is not recognized by his brothers, and saves his family from starvation. Joseph in Pharaoh’s court to guarantee the survival of the Jews is a pattern of Yeshua in the heavenly court to guarantee our eternal survival.
Joshua and Yeshua
Hoshea’s name (he saves) is changed to Joshua (Yahweh saves) by Moses, thus denoting that Yahweh is salvation; Israel did not enter the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses, who represents the Law; Israel enters the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua; Israel enters the Promised Land on the third day after being instructed how to cross the River Jordan; Israel enters the Promised Land about 2000 cubits behind the Ark of the Covenant; When the Priests entered the Jordan, the water backed up all the way to the city of Zaretan (their distress) and to the city of Adam; After crossing, Joshua circumcised them.
Yeshua is the Savior; The promises cannot be obtained under the Law: the Law cannot bring salvation; Believers enter the Promised Land through Yeshua, The Savior; We are now at the start of the third day since Yeshua rose into Heaven; We are now about 2000 cubits behind our Ark, Yeshua; Yeshua’s blood washed away the sin and distress of mankind all the way to Adam; Yeshua circumcises our hearts.
Ruth, Boaz, and Yeshua
The story of Ruth has been called “The Romance of Redemption” wherein Naomi, a Jewish woman from Bethlehem, and a Gentile [Moabite] woman, Ruth, return to Bethlehem. Upon their return, Boaz falls in love with Ruth and marries her. Naomi represents the role of Israel, destitute and alone, not yet recognizing her Messiah Yeshua; Ruth represents the Gentile bride of Yeshua; and Boaz represents the Kinsman Redeemer, Yeshua.
The Bronze Serpent
Yeshua had to be lifted up just as the serpent was lifted up (John 3:14-15). The bronze serpent was a pattern – those who looked to the bronze serpent were healed of disease. All who look to Yeshua are given eternal life.
Melchizedek
Melchizedek is a pattern of Yeshua as both King of Salem (King of Peace) and High Priest. He sets the stage for Yeshua: “You are a priest forever, to be compared with Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10, 6:20, and 7:1-17).
The Pattern of Destruction
The Flood of Noah’s time wreaked utter destruction upon the earth: “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6). Genesis 7:10 puts it this way: “After seven days the water flooded the earth,” and Genesis 7:21 states clearly: “All living beings that moved on the earth perished – birds, livestock, other animals, insects, and every human being.”
This is a pattern of the coming destruction by fire: “The heavens and the earth are reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men,” says 2 Peter 3:7. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 puts it this way: “When Yeshua will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, he will take vengeance on them that know not Yahweh.” 2 Peter 3:10 is just as blunt, saying: “On The Day of Yahweh the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up.” So we have a pattern of the earth being utterly destroyed – first by water, next by fire.
The Pattern of Bodily Raptures
The sons of the prophets and Elisha watched Elijah climb into the chariot of fire pulled by horses, which took him up to the clouds (2 Kings 2:11-12) – he didn’t just disappear or vanish out of sight. The apostles visibly watched as Yeshua ascended (Acts 1:9-11) – he didn’t just disappear or vanish out of sight either. The same pattern we are told in Revelation applies to the Two Witnesses when they will be raptured – and the wording states clearly that “they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched” (Revelation 11:12). So we have a pattern of bodily raptures being witnessed.
The Pattern of Forty
Forty is a key number in scripture. The Hebrew slaves took forty years between their “resurrection” from the graves of Egypt to get “raptured’ to the promised land. This first mention of forty after “resurrection” sets the pattern. Yeshua (and the Holy Ones) spent forty days witnessing after his resurrection before he was raptured (second mention of forty). So we have a pattern of forty connected to resurrection, then rapture.
The Patterns Thus Far Hold True
The patterns of scripture set the stage for future similar events. On this there is much agreement.
- The Patterns of Abraham, Isaac, and Yeshua, of Joseph and Yeshua, of Joshua and Yeshua, of Ruth, Boaz, and Yeshua have all held true.
- The Patterns of The Bronze Serpent and Melchizedek have also held true.
- The Pattern of Destruction will hold true – first water, then fire. Of this there can be no doubt.
- The Pattern of Bodily Raptures has thus far held true, and we are told it will hold true for the Two Witnesses of Revelation – it will undoubtedly hold true for other similar future events.
- The Pattern of Forty has thus far held true – it will undoubtedly hold true for similar future events.
The Pattern of the Jewish Bride
A Jewish Wedding Ceremony is full of significant rituals and is a perfect prophetic parallel of the coming of Yeshua to take his church to be his Bride, a dress rehearsal for The Rapture. The patterns of leaving the father’s home to find a bride, paying the bride price, and returning to build an addition have thus far all held true. When the Jewish father tells his son to go get his bride, the bridegroom and his friends go to a place near her home and then carry her from her house to his in full view of all the neighbors who have been awakened by their shouting and blowing of the shofars and who are now watching the procession.
- It is a safe bet to believe that those who are resurrected or still living in Yeshua when our Heavenly Father gives Yeshua permission to go get his bride will also have a time of witnessing before their rapture, shall we say – forty days? – that’s what the Patterns of Forty indicate!
- It is a safe bet to believe that when Yahweh gives Yeshua permission to go get his bride, his Bride will also be clearly visible as they are taken up – that’s what both the Pattern of Bodily Raptures and the Pattern of The Jewish Bride indicate!
I Have a Question: Why the Disconnect?
Hosea 12:10 – “I have spoken to the prophets; it was I who gave vision after vision; through the prophets I gave examples to show what it would all be like.”
Romans 15:4 – “It is written that ‘Everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction’…so that we may have hope.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 – “These things happened to them as patterns, and they were written down as a warning to us who are living in the end of the ages.”
The patterns hold true throughout history, both past and future. Scripture interprets scripture and says: x and y are given as examples. The patterns indicate that past patterns will be similar in the future. So, then, why do so many teach that the patterns do not apply to the rapture of the Bride of Yeshua? Why the disconnect? Can you give me an answer to this conundrum?
Parallels and patterns are one of the methods that Yahweh uses to teach us, as stated in both the Romans and Corinthians passages above. Patterns set the stage for future similar events, and these initial patterns are essential for understanding Yahweh’s message. With this statement, scholars, teachers, pastors, and laypeople are in agreement, and there is little to no disagreement, no disconnect, except when it comes to the rapture patterns.
This failure to apply the same standard to all the above patterns is impossible for me to understand! If the patterns of Abraham, Isaac, Yeshua; Joseph and Yeshua; Joshua and Yeshua; Ruth, Boaz, and Yeshua; The Bronze Serpent; Melchizedek; Destruction; and Forty all hold true, then how dare we then dismiss the patterns of Bodily Raptures and the Jewish Bride and teach that these patterns will not hold true as well? Why the disconnect? Can you give me an answer to this conundrum? Is Yahweh schizophrenic? I think not. What do you say?
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Email: jeff@raptureparty.net