Free End Times Book (pdf).. - Rapture Notes

When animal sacrifices were still being offered the high priest first sanctified himself by taking a ceremonial bath
and putting on white garments. He then sacrificed a bullock to atone for himself and his fellow priests. Then two
goats were chosen, one for sacrifice in behalf of the sins of the people, and one to be released into the wilderness.
This "scapegoat" was symbolic of the pardon for sin brought through the sacrifice.
Since this is a day of mourning for sin, it is possibly symbolic of that future date when Christ returns to Earth in
glory. At that time Israel will mourn when they see their Messiah whom they have pierced
On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem. And I will pour out on the house of
David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they
have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one
grieves for a firstborn son. (Zechariah 12:9-10)
This future day of mourning is developed more fully in the third section of the book.
The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) --Fifteenth of Tishri
Leviticus 23:33-42
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary describes this feast for us.
This festival was observed on the 15th day of the seventh month to commemorate the wandering of Israel in the
wilderness. Features of the celebration included a holy convocation on the first and eighth days, and the offering of
many animal sacrifices. The Israelites were also commanded to live in booths made of palm and willow trees during the
festival to commemorate their period of wilderness wandering when they lived in temporary shelters. This feast is also
known as the Feast of Booths.
This could very well have been the time of year when Jesus was born.
The theme of the feast is appropriate since John 1:14 tells us that, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us."(Greek skenoo - "to tent or encamp", as God did in the Tabernacle of old). Incidentally, if Jesus was born
on this date, His conception would have taken place nine months earlier, about the time of Hanukah, the Feast of
Lights, in December of the previous year. This would lend some credibility to our modern observance of Christmas
in December.
As far as future symbolism is concerned, this feast is ideal for the concept of Christ ushering in the Kingdom Age -
again, dwelling, or encamping with mankind once again, this time as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Revelation of the Mystery of the Church through Paul
The "mystery" of the church was revealed to the Apostle Paul, and described by Him in numerous passages of
Scripture. In Romans 11:25 he used the word to describe the temporary "hardening" of Israel: "I do not want you to
be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in."
The word "mystery" (Greek musterion) meant a "secret," or something formerly hidden, but now revealed.
In Romans 16:25, Paul calls the Gospel, the proclamation of Jesus Christ, a mystery. In Corinthians 15:51-58, he
uses "mystery" to describe the resurrection and the glorified body that believers will receive. Paul taught that it was
a mystery (formerly hidden, but now revealed) that all things will eventually be brought together under the headship
of Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10).
In Ephesians 3 the Apostle explained in greater detail that the mystery of the church was part of God's purpose all
along to make Gentiles heirs together with Israel.
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done… 25