MAY 21, 1988
The Blood Moon of the Church
The Church is replaced by the Great Multitude
In Revelation chapter 6 we see how God gives those whom were saved during the Church Age white robes and were told to wait for their fellowservants (the Great Multitude which no man can number).
Revelation 6:9-17 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
The following events occurred at the transition from the Church to the Great Multitude
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
The sun and the moon
Notice the prophesy begins as the Church Age ended with all those saved during the Church Age given white robes and are told to wait a short time as their fellowservants fulfill their testamony. But then John goes on to say what would happen before their fellowservants the Great Multitude shall emerge, the Sun shall turn black & the Moon shall turn to blood.
These two signs occurred at the start of the Great Tribulation.
These two spiritual signs represent God shutting off His Light to the Church (sun darkened) and the Church shining their own unclean light (moon bloody), although the Church still exists (as did the Temple after the Cross) God no longer uses it for His salvation plan even though they still broadcast their own gospel.
The earthquake and the stars fell
The other two signs that occurred during this transition were a great earthquake and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
Stars of heaven fell?
God links the end of the Temple Age with the end of the Church Age with "untimely" figs.
The stars represent the children (the congregation). If the stars fell to the earth, that means they are not shining their light. The Greek word for "fell" simply means to fall. But God compares the stars to "untimely" figs that fell. As shown below, these are useless, unripe winter figs that fall to the ground. Therefore we know that these stars that fell to the earth are also now useless because they have lost their light. They now represent the Church congregation... without light.
The original greek word used for "untimely" appears only this one time in the Bible. And it means the following...
Strong's Number: G3653
Greek Base Word: ???????
Usage: Untimely fig
Definition: An unripe (because out of season) fig.
Detailed definition:
An unripe fig which grows during the winter, yet does not come to maturity but falls off in the spring.
IDENTICAL EVENTS THAT BROUGHT GOD'S EARTHLY KINGDOM TO AN END
THE END OF THE CHURCH AGE
1. An earthquake occurs
2. The sun is darkened
3. The moon turns to blood
4. the stars fall to the earth
* Notice the Sun no longer shines His Light within the Church. But the Church continues to shine it's own salvation-less bloody light as long as it continues to stand.
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ANOTHER INTERESTING CONCEPT TO CONSIDER
Jesus not only foretold of the end of the Temple but also of the Church
The Fig Tree withered away/The Mountain tossed into the sea
Matthew 21:18-21 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
The Fig Tree represented Israel/Judah (the Temple).
Jesus cursed it and the Fig Tree withered to the roots.
The Temple would never be used again for salvation.
The Mountain represented the worldwide Church.
The Mountain was cast into the sea in Rev. 8:8.
The Church will never be used again for salvation.