Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
1 Thessalonians 4
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The resurrection of the dead in Messiah will take place first and then the catching up of those alive in Messiah. The phrase "caught up" comes from the Greek word "harpazo" and means "to sieze: catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). The question now is, where will the Church be caught up to? Will they go back to earthly Jerusalem with Jehoshua or up to New Jerusalem with Him? Paul gives us a strong indication in 2 Corinthians chapter 2: 2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.3And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Paul is speaking of himself and does not know whether this was a vision or whether he was physically transported. "Caught up" to the third heaven. The third heaven is Jehovah's dwelling place i.e. heaven aka New Jerusalem. How do we know this because in verse 4 Paul says he was "caught up" to paradise. Paradise is the enclosed garden; same place as the third heaven. Two times the phrase "caught up" is used here in 2 Corinthians ch. 2 and both times they refer to going up to heaven not earthly Jerusalem. This strongly indicates that the catching up in 1 Thessalonians 4 is also a going up to heaven instead of returning to earthly Jerusalem. To cement the fact that the reference to paradise is talking about heaven i.e. New Jerusalem, let's go to the words of the Son of God Himself in Revelation ch. 2: 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Jehoshua says the paradise of God contains within it the tree of life. We all know the tree of life is in heaven within the gates of New Jerusalem: Revelation 22:14 (KJV) 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. This city that contains the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God cannot possibly earthly Jerusalem because Revelation chapters 21 and 22 just got done describing in detail the dimensions and the features of New Jerusalem. There is a growing view within the Church that to be "caught up" i.e. the rapture is really saying that we will join with the Messiah in the air and continue on to the destination of going to earthly Jerusalem rather than going up to New Jerusalem. Paul's usage of being "caught up" in 2 Corinthians chapter 2 strongly refutes this as clearly the idea of being "caught up" is to actually go up not go back to where you were. Paul was "caught up" to the third heaven i.e the paradise of God which contains the tree of life and is within the gates of New Jerusalem. Paul's catching up to New Jerusalem in vision or transportation prefigures the catching up of the saints in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. Jehoshua the Son of God confirms that when He comes back, He will not be taking us with Him to earthly Jerusalem but rather to a place where He was going to go after His death which was His Father's house: John 14:1-3 (KJV) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Many use this passage to promote a earthly Jerusalem inheritance for the saints however Jehoshua refutes this as He says that He will come to recieve us unto Himself that we may be where He is. Where is this? Jehoshua says His Father's house. Where is His Father's house? Scripture clearly teaches that the Father's house is in heaven not earth: Hebrews 12:22-23 (KJV) 22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect The author of Hebrews leaves no doubt that the Father's house is not in any earthly city including earthly Jerusalem but rather it is in heavenly Jerusalem which is called the city of the living God. Jehoshua absolutely cements the truth that the Father's house is New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 3: 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. The city of Jehovah God is not earthly Jerusalem but rather New Jerusalem which is in heaven "cometh down out of heaven". Jehoshua promises the inheritance of New Jerusalem to the Church not earthly Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1-3 (KJV) 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God The holy city New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven from God (verse 2) is also referred to as the tabernacle of God (verse 3). The word "tabernacle" comes from the Greek word "skene" (Strongs 4633) and means "a tent or cloth hut: habitation, tabernacle". Tabernacle basically means house and it is the holy city New Jerusalem which is called God's tabernacle i.e. house. Believers can rest assured that they have a heavenly hope not an earthly one. That heavenly hope includes the new earth restored to paradise. Revelation 7:1-4 (KJV) 1And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Verse 1 of Revelation 7 goes hand in hand with Matthew 24:31 which reads: "And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Jehoshua says in context of Him coming in the clouds of heaven with great power and glory (Matthew 24:32). In verse 1 of Revelation 7 we see four angels holding the four winds of the earth back so that the elect of Jehoshua can be sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. This passage clearly demonstrates that the elect will be protected from the wrath of God as scripture clearly teaches that believers are not subject to the wrath of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (KJV) 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. This passage is in context with the second advent of the Son of God i.e. the rapture and Paul is clear that we are not appointed to the wrath of God but rather to obtain salvation by the King Jehoshua Messiah. This salvation is in context is speaking of the resurrection and translation of the saints at the last day. Paul actually tells the brethren to comfort one another with the fact that we are not appointed to wrath on the last day but rather salvation on the last day. Some believers today believe we have to go through the wrath of God by being on earth when it is poured out yet Paul says otherwise. Verses 3 of Revelation 7 further confirms that the saints will be protected from the wrath of God. What will facilitate this protection? Scripture teaches that it is the rapture of the living saints along with the resurrection of the dead saints i.e. the second advent of Jehoshua. Let's continue in the study to further prove this: Revelation 7:9-10 (KJV) 9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Verses 4-8 describe the sealed saints as coming from the 12 tribes of Israel which is the Church (Gal 6:16; James 1:1-2; Ephesians 2). After the sealing of the living saints right before Jehovah's wrath is poured out we see a great multitude in heaven of all nations which no man can number. Most Christians/Messianics acknowledge this to be the rapture because the great multitude is clearly in heaven during this scene. Those who deny that the rapture is a heavenly destination cannot explain away this verse as the redeemed saints are seen standing before the throne of God and the Lamb. We know that Jehovah's throne room is in heaven not on earth. His tabernacle is New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem (Rev 3:12; Rev 21). Hebrews 8:1 (KJV) 1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; This verse in Hebrews is one of many that show that the throne of Jehovah and His Lamb are in the heavens not on the earth. Revelation 7:13-17 13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes The great multitude which includes the 144,000 came out of the great tribulation which ranges John's time (Rev 1:9) to the Messiah's coming (Matt. 24:21,29). Verse 15 reiterates that the great multitude are before the throne of Jehovah God in the heavenly temple serving Him night and day. There is nowhere in Revelation 7 that even hints that the redeemed saints are in earthly Jerusalem post resurrection and rapture. Again, the Lamb of God Jehoshua is described as in the midst of the throne (verse 17) which we know is in the heavenly sanctuary not earthly Jerusalem. Verse 16 shows the rest that the redeemed will have in heaven. A further proof that the great multitude is pictured here in New Jerusalem not the earthly one is found in Revelation 21: 1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Whereas Revelation 7:9-17 describes the saints entering New Jerusalem after the second advent, Revelation 21:1-6 describes them in New Jerusalem after the thousand year reign of the Messiah. Looking at the striking similarities of these two passages (Rev 7 and Rev 21), it is safe to conclude that they are talking about the exact same time frame meaning that the second advent is the conclusion of the millennium not the start of it. The second advent and the conclusion of the millennium both result in the saints entrance into New Jerusalem via the rapture. This supports the Amillennial position meaning that the millennial Kingdom spans the age of the new covenant Church. The similarities in these two passages are striking as they describe almost the exact same thing. Verse 15 of Rev 7 - Jehovah who sits on the throne will dwell with the saints who are before the throne. Verse 3 of Rev 21 - the tabernacle of God (New Jerusalem) is with men and He (God) shall be with (dwell) them. Verse 16 of Rev 7 - the saints will hunger nor thirst anymore nor have the heat of the sun light on them (Rev 22:23-no sun needed in New Jerusalem). Former things are passed away. Verse 4 of Rev 21 - there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying nor anymore pain. Former things are passed away. Verse 17 of Rev 7 - the Lamb will lead the saints to living fountains of waters and God will wipe all tears from their eyes. Verse 4 of Rev 21 - God shall wipe all tears from their eyes. Verse 6 of Rev 21 - God will give freely unto the saints the fountains of the waters of life freely. We see that these two passages of scripture, Rev 7 and Rev 21, are talking about the same thing i.e. the redeemed saints in New Jerusalem right after the second advent which concludes the millennium. Not a hint about earthly Jerusalem in these passages. Let's go to Revelation 14 and see what becomes of the 144,000, aka the great multitude aka the Church, after their rapture from the earth: Revelation 14:1-5 (KJV) 1And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:3And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. The 144,000 spoken about in Revelation 7:1-4 are with the Lamb (Jehoshua) in mount Zion. How do we know that this is heavenly Zion and not the earthly one? Because verse 3 says they were redeemed from the earth and we also need to hearken back to Hebrews 12:22 where mount Zion is identified as the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. They are without fault before the throne of God taking us back to the throne room scene of Revelation 7:9-17 which is a post rapture passage showing the saints to be in New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem. The seal of the living God that the 144,000 received in Revelation 7 is shown to be the Father's name in Revelation 14:1. This hearkens back to the Shema of Israel Jehovah our God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Mark 13:28-34) which the Israelites were supposed to have sealed in their foreheads and right hand. In verse 3 of Rev 14 the redeemed are singing the song of Moses (Rev 15:3;Ex 15:1-19), which is a song of deliverance. Just as Jehovah used the parting of the red sea to deliver the old testament Hebrews, He will use the rapture to deliver the new covenant Israelites. In both cases the wicked were/will/be destroyed after the saints are out of harms way. In Revelation 15 we will see this scene in chapter 14 repeated which will be another proof of the saints post resurrection/Rapture destination to be New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem. Revelation 15:1-4 (KJV) 1And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. This passage in Revelation 15 shows us some important truths. One of them is that right before the wrath of God is to be poured out on the world the saints are seen in New Jerusalem on the sea of glass mingled with fire. The reference to the sea of glass could only be describing New Jerusalem as that is precisely how the city is described in Revelation 21:18, 21. Revelation 15:1-3 is basically repeating the same scene in Revelation 14:1-5. Both passages reference the song of Moses and both describe the saints as being in New Jerusalem in heaven not on earth. If Revelation 14 isn't conclusive about the saints being in heavenly Zion then Revelation 15 proves it without a shadow of a doubt. The fact that the saints are seen here in New Jerusalem before the seven last plagues have been poured out proves that the Church will not be here on earth when the wrath of God falls. It also proves that the rapture takes us to heaven not back to earthly Jerusalem. Both in Rev 14 and 15 the saints sing the song of Moses proving these two scenes are the same event and if that is the case then this proves that the Zion that the saints are standing on is the heavenly one as Revelation 15 undoubtedly shows us. By the time the wrath of Jehovah falls on the earth, the saints will have already overcome the beast, his image, his mark and his name. This overcoming exempts them from experiencing Jehovah's wrath in any way including being on earth when it is executed. This fact causes the saints to worship Jehovah God Almighty in song and declare that His works are marvelous. In verse 4, the sing that His (Jehovah's) judgments are made manifest by way of the seven last plagues that are about to fall on the earth. The judgments are made manifest (clear, evident) only after the saints are raptured and seen here in New Jerusalem. It is now present tense i.e. when the saints are standing on the sea of glass that Jehovah's judgments against the nations are made evident (manifest).
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