The Rapture in light of The Ascension

disciple4life asked me in a private message what I thought of the harpazo and whether it could happen at any moment. I thought the answer would be a good topic of discussion for the group.

I know that we have put a lot of emphasis on the feasts and I believe that is for good reason. As I have pointed out in several other thread, I do believe that the Feasts stand at the appointed times on the prophetic clock of God. But, rather than go on about the feasts here, I propose something different.

These ideas have been floated by others. I’m just lasso’ing a few of them and bringing them here.

Act 1:6  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Act 1:7  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Act 1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

As several others have pointed out - this event was not on a known feast day. Though it can be related to a feast day with a count of 40 (first fruits) and with a count of -10(Pentecost).

But there are some other oddities to connect: two men stood by them in white apparel. It does not say angels, perhaps they were, perhaps they weren’t but the word men, is the same word for men in the next verse when talking about the disciples. Also, white apparel, similar to the robe’s given in revelation. These are the linens of righteousness.

We are also told that Christ would come in like manner - accompanied by two witnesses? outside the normal feast schedule? in the air?

* There are many places where we are told, we don’t know the hour - watch. It comes at a time when you do not expect. Even these people were told they don’t know the times or seasons. Watch - Watch - did I say it: WATCH.

* The parable of the 10 virgins, shows us that there will be a warning very shortly before His arrival. The virgins did not know when it would happen.

* Many people believe that Daniel’s 70th week is on the other side of a Gap. Even if you are not onboard with that gap or with a future 70th week…I think these gaps may be pointed to by the feasts schedule itself. There are two gaps: between Spring Feasts -gap- Pentecost -gap- Fall Feasts.

Perhaps during this gap, the feast schedule does not apply. It would seem that we will KNOW when we receive the warning call - perhaps 10 days prior? But I don’t think we will figure it out - we will be told as we watch and pray. And we will have no doubt when we are told. And it may not be on a feast day. In a perfect harmonic way, we would receive our warning on Pentecost and 10 days later we rise. But my concept of harmony might not be the Lord's.

After the harpazo, the gap closes and we are back on the feast schedule. 

My main point is not to argue when the rapture is or isn't. It is this - it is fun to figure things out.  It is even instructed in some cases (like the mark), but I firmly believe that now - more than ever - we are being called to be in a mode of watching and praying!  Waiting for the Word.  Resting in Him. He will tell us and we will know!