Biblical Patterns Set the Stage :: By Jeff Van Hatten

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?

Website: https://raptureparty.net/

Email: jeff@raptureparty.net

Nov 15, 2021

God Is Frustrating the Democratic Agenda

When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, there was a massive surge of traffic to RR. People were wondering if the Antichrist had just been elected to office, and many Christians thought they were in big trouble.

Because the nation was in the middle of a recession, the American people blamed the Republicans for the economic downturn and voted for the party that was not in control. The Democratic Party gained a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, so they could pass any law they wanted.

Despite all the concern on the part of conservatives, the Democrats could hardly get anything done. During the first term, the only major bill that Congress passed was Obama Care. Angered voters gave control of Congress back to the Republicans in the 2010 mid-term election.

Near the end of Obama’s second term, he was able to do tremendous damage to the nation, even though both houses were controlled by the Republicans. Obama made things worse by packing the federal government with radical leftists and issuing a flood of executive orders.

When Biden was elected to office, I had great concern that the Democrats would quickly pass a series of laws that would turn the nation to the left. Biden’s first months in office are starting to look much like Obama’s first term. They have the potential votes, but they can’t get organized to pass the bills.

I had thought that the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework packages had been passed in August when the Senate passed it. Since we’ve already spent trillions on stimulus checks, I was all for a bill to fix roads and bridges. The nation’s infrastructure system recently earned a C- score from the American Society of Civil Engineers earlier this year.

About a month after the Senate vote, I discovered that the House Progressive Caucus was holding the Infrastructure hostage until the House voted on a bill they were promoting.

Build Back Better Act is a pork bill that gives welfare for kids, money for green energy projects, and adds to our national problem with soaring drug costs by telling drug companies to just send the bill to Uncle Sam. This bill also would raise taxes on large corporations and the wealthiest Americans.

Things were looking bad for Nancy Pelosi, where she couldn’t even get her party members to vote for an Infrastructure bill. The Republicans could have remained united and let the Democrats crash and burn. Just as they’ve done many times in the past, 13 members broke ranks to allow the bill to pass.

Build Back Better Act may pass in the House, but it is unlikely to pass in the Senate because of one key vote. Since the Senate is tied 50-50, any bill needs all senators plus the Vice President’s tiebreaker vote to pass. Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has balked at the idea of him voting for the bill. President Biden has promised that the $3.7 trillion price tag will be paid with tax increases, but Manchin knows that will never take place. The rich will always find ways to hide their wealth.

It seems clear to me that God is frustrating the Democratic Agenda by creating legislative log jams. There is still harm taking place that Biden is inflicting on America. Oddly enough, Obama did the same thing that Biden is doing. He apologizes to the world for the Trump years.

When Biden went to the UN climate summit in Glasgow, he apologized to the summit participants for Trump previously pulling out of the Paris Accord. When Biden called out China’s President Xi for skipping the summit, Beijing mocked Biden for being “powerless” and weak.

State-run English language Global Times mockingly called out the “noble” apology as, in reality, exposing the deep disunity of American politics, leading to a permanent state of gridlock as well as constant flip-flopping on the world stage.

The report said the Chinese public “cannot wait until 2024 when the Republican Party, or even Donald Trump himself, apologizes for Biden’s apology.”

Global Times included the following commentary focused on the constant “discord” in the US:

Most people believe this was hardly an apology but a slap in the face of his predecessor, a move to pin all the blame on Trump. This is not about how sorry Biden is. He was making a show and bringing US political infighting to the global arena.

America has become so hollowed out by years of reckless spending and political leaders that have no vision, our nation could implode at any moment. It is my hope that we make it to the rapture before the collapse takes place.

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev 3:10).

–Todd


Pope Pokes Armageddon Button

Nothing currently in view in geopolitics or even in socioeconomics or religious developments more clearly points to the lateness of the prophetic hour than the pope’s recent treacherous dealings with God’s chosen nation.

This pontiff has consistently and persistently poked his papal finger into the center of Israeli affairs as pertains to that nation’s dealings with its blood-vowed enemies.

This isn’t particularly surprising, due to the fact that the Vatican, whomever the pope, looks at Israel as having lost any and all rights to claims of God’s prophetic promises. This so-called Vicar of Christ continues to expand the boundaries of the Catholic Church’s replacement theology. That is, he continues to perpetuate the false declaration that the Catholic Church has replaced the Jews and the nation of Israel in God’s view, because the Jews rejected and murdered Christ.

In the Vatican’s view—and that regime is a government as much as any other—Israel today is no more than another government. And in many ways, the Catholic Church—like Israel’s surrounding enemy nations and, in fact, much of the world—looks at the Jewish state as an illegitimate “occupier” of land belonging to the so-called Palestinians. This is the prevailing, hostile attitude of almost all of the national entities making up the United Nations. Votes in that body consistently go against Israel when given the opportunities.

There have been times that, if not for the United States having a total veto on votes taken in the UN, Israel, if Heaven were not involved, would have long ago likely not survived as a national entity. Of course, we know that is an impossibility. God has said the following.

And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. (Genesis 17:7–8)

But, not unlike our own state department as of late, this pope has no qualms about treating Israel like the proverbial red-headed stepchild. Without invitation by anyone in charge of Israeli affairs—as far as has been divulged—Pope Francis is perpetrating perhaps the one evil against God’s chosen nation that could prompt the Almighty to bring about His wrath on a cataclysmic scale.

The story of that unwelcomed papal intrusion is seen through the following news item.

Pope Francis met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday. At the meeting, the Pope emphasized the importance of the “Two-State Solution” which would create an unprecedented Arab state inside of Israel’s borders, ethnically cleansed of Jews, with its capital in the section of Jerusalem containing Judaism’s holiest site.…

The talk “stressed that it is absolutely necessary to reactivate direct dialogue in order to achieve a two-state solution, also with the help of more vigorous effort on the part of the international community.”…

The term “Abrahamic religions” took on a specific meaning when the Pope led a “Prayer of the sons and daughters of Abraham” at the Great Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq which is purported by some to be the birthplace of Biblical Abraham. Despite the title of the event implying that all of Abraham’s offspring would be represented, the event brought together Muslims, Catholics, and Christians but no Jews were present.

The Pope presented Abbas with a copy of the Document on Human Fraternity, which he signed with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The document has been widely criticized as advocating for a one-world-religion, combining Catholicism and Islam. (“Pope meets Abbas, wants to divide Israel and give Temple Mount to Arabs, Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz, Israel365news, 11/5/21)

The pope’s actions, again, point to the lateness of the prophetic hour. We consistently examine all the issues and events and developments in every aspect of things going on today as the Tribulation era looms heavily on history’s horizon. No sign is more indicative of just how close that time of God’s holy judgment and wrath is than this attempt to divide god’s beloved land of promise.

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:1–2)

For the Christian, this is not a reason to fear punishment that will lead to Armageddon. That time of wrath is reserved for those who want to divide Israel. This action by the pope and other globalist elites, in fact, means that Christ’s call to the true Church—all born-again believers in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for salvation—must be right at the door.

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

—Terry