Page 85 - Signs of the End

THE SIGNS OF THE END 49

The next feast on the Biblical schedule (given in Lev. 23) is the
Feast of Trumpets, known to the Jews as Rosh Hashana. This fes­
tival occurs in the early fall, usually in September. Could it be that
the Lord will fulfill this feast of the great assembly with the
Rapture of the Church? The Rapture could occur at any moment,
but, if the Lord were consistent with what He has done four times
before, He might well bring about the Rapture on the very day of
the Feast of Trumpets. It is something to ponder. At any rate, we
are commanded to "comfort one another with these words." The
Rapture is certainly a very comforting promise!

If, indeed, the Rapture is imminent, and no prophecy must be
fulfilled before the Rapture, is it possible that any prophecy could
be fulfilled before the Rapture? It appears that at least one prophe­
cy has actually been fulfilled, the restoration of Israel among the
family of nations. This gradual restoration was clearly prophesied
in the Dry Bones prophecy in Ezekiel 36. It did not have to happen
before the Rapture, but it has! The existence of Israel today is an
astonishing miracle, although the world and even some believers
in Christ do not appreciate its prophetic significance. Could it be
that other prophecies could be fulfilled before the Rapture? As Pre-
Tribulation Rapture believers, we hope that the only thing that
can't occur before the Rapture is the beginning of the Tribulation.

Could the Temple be rebuilt before the Rapture? It might be
unlikely, but may be possible. After all, the Second Temple contin­
ued to exist into the Church age for several years, until 70 AD. It
might be that the Third Temple could be built toward the end of the
Church age, sometime before the Rapture. The rebuilding of the
Temple appears to be more fitting for the Tribulation, but we can't
rule out the possibility that it could be (but doesn’t have to be)
rebuilt before the Rapture. We know for sure that the Temple must
be standing by the middle of the Tribulation, when the Antichrist
desecrates it, and causes the Abomination of Desolation (Matt.
24:15; 2 Thes. 2:3,4).

Could the G og/M agog war of Ezekiel 38-39 occur before the
Rapture? Again, it appears unlikely, but we must admit that it
would be possible. We are convinced that this war occurs some
seven years before the Lord returns to the earth to reign as King of
Kings, which would cause it to occur at or near the beginning of