Featured Articles

[Featured][twocolumns]

The Woman in Labor

The Woman in Labor & the Promised Seed:
The Central Framework of Bible Prophecy


Background: the Bible is essentially a macro-prophetic framework and narrative centered on the person of Jesus Christ and dealing with undoing the catastrophe caused by Satan in the Garden (cf. Gen. 3:15–16 and Rev. 19:10). In other words, the Bible is the narrative of the fall and God’s plan, through the Promised Seed, to overcome the fall. Thus, the woman in labor with the injured Promised Seed (Gen. 3:15–16) is the central theme and image in Scripture. It reoccurs very often in Scripture and is central to prophecy.


This is why the Prophets so frequently prophesy through this framework (see Isa. 7:10–17; 9:3–7; 26:17–21; 66:6–9; Mic. 5:1–5; Jer. 30:5–11; Hos. 13:9–14). For instance, immediately after we read the most famous section of Isaiah (The Suffering Servant—Isa. 53), we see the Gen. 3:15–16 image yet again (Isa. 54:1–10).


Now we read in Scripture that the Promised Seed is both individual and corporate. Paul ties this together very succinctly in Galatians 3: the Promised Seed is both Christ and the Church (Gal. 3:16, 29). It’s one and many. A mystery in ages past, somewhat hidden in the OT, fully revealed in the NT.






So we have:


1. The Template: a woman in labor with the Promised Seed that will be injured and yet crush/overcome Satan (Gen. 3:15–16).

2. The First Fulfillment (Individual): woman in labor (Mary), Promised Seed (Jesus, born in Bethlehem, as the Head of a mystical body), the adversary ready to devour (Herod, surely influenced by Satan), and an escape from the adversary/dragon (Jesus, the Promised Seed, escapes to Egypt).


3. The Second Fulfillment (Corporate/Collective): woman in labor (Israel/Zion), Promised Seed (Messiah as the Mystical Body, the Church), the adversary ready to devour (Satan and his global system, see Rev. 12–13), and an escape from the dragon (Mystical Body of Christ raptured to Heaven; see Rev. 12:5).

Interesting side note: Paul actually applies the Gen. 3:15 prophecy of Messiah crushing Satan’s head to the Church in Romans 16:20. I find that fascinating.






The future prophecy of Rev. 12 is based on the framework given in Isa. 26 and 66. In these two passages we see:


1. A woman in labor, defined explicitly as Israel/Zion.


2. A birth of individuals distinct from Israel/Zion (Isa. 26) / a birth of a nation distinct from Israel/Zion (Isa. 66).


3. Birthed/resurrected individuals hidden during the coming Tribulation (Isa. 26) / newly birthed nation (not Israel), born before the woman’s labor/travail/tribulation (Isa. 66).


In Rev. 12:5 John intentionally quotes the grammatically-incorrect Septuagint translation of Isa. 66 (“huion arsen”; lit. “a son, a male”); in other words, the male son of Rev. 12 is identical to the male son of Isa. 66. The male son of Isa. 66 is not an individual, but a nation—a nation distinct from Israel, because in Isa. 66 the woman is Israel, not the child. The child-nation of Isa. 66, distinct from Israel, would thus be the holy nation mentioned in 1 Pet. 2:9—the Church. Note that the Church literally began/was formed, or you might say was conceived, in Israel circa 30–33 AD on Pentecost.


Isa. 66 explicitly states that the woman will give birth before her labor. The woman’s labor pains are likened to the Trouble/Tribulation of Jacob (Jer. 30), the signs of the Tribulation given by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Mt. 24:8), and the onset of the Day of the LORD described by Paul in 1 Thess. 5:1–4.






Putting all these pieces together, we can view Rev. 12 as the crux of Revelation and a macro-timeline of end-time events. In fact, numerous scholars have noted that the book of Revelation is what is called a chiasm and Rev. 12 is the dead center of that chiasm (see here).


So first, we’ll define our terms and characters in Revelation 12:


The woman = Israel/Zion





The child = the Church





The dragon = Satan and his system trying to thwart the Church, and preparing to “devour [the Church] the moment he is born.”





The woman’s labor = the Tribulation of Jacob; Daniel’s 70th Week; etc





Note that there isn’t really any guesswork above. Rev. 12 explicitly defines the dragon; Isa. 26, 54, 66, etc, explicitly define the woman; Jer. 30, Mt. 24, 1 Thess. 5 explicitly define the labor; Isa. 65:1, Deut. 32:21, Rom. 10:19–20, 1 Pet. 2:9, Gal. 3:28–29, Eph. 2:14–16, 1 Cor. 12:12–27, etc, explicitly define the corporate man-child/nation; and so forth.






So, our Rev. 12-defined order of events are as follows:


1. Dragon poised to devour the Church.


2. Church miraculously raptured to escape the dragon.


Note: this completes the Mystical Body of Christ and Jesus+Church begin to reign with the rod of iron (Jesus rules with a rod of iron in Psalm 2, but Jesus extends this promise to the whole Church in Rev. 2:26–27); thus Rev. 12:5 points back to Psalm 2, Rev. 2:26–27, and also Rev. 4–5 where we see Jesus reigning in Heaven with the Elders.


3. Dragon cast down with his minions.


Important note: Medieval Catholic theology teaches Satan was cast down with his angels in the beginning, but Scripture indicates this is yet future; note he still had access to Heaven in Job and also see Zech. 3; furthermore, Paul calls him the Prince of the power of the Air and the god of this age; note also: Rev. 12 indicates when Satan is cast down he has but a short time to do what he’s going to do, that is, namely, give his power and authority to the beast (see Rev. 13). Finally, Rev. 12 mentions a multitude rejoicing in Heaven (the newly raptured Church), but a warning to earth-dwellers: “but woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you…”


4. Woman in labor (i.e., Israel enters the Tribulation).


5. The dragon, unable to get the Church, turns his focus to pursuing Israel on earth (Rev. 12:13). This would be the first half of the Tribulation/Time of Jacob’s Trouble.


6. The woman escapes mid-trib and is fully protected for the last half, the Great Trib; see Rev. 12:6, 14; also Mt. 24:15–22.


7. Finally, since the dragon lost the Church pre-trib (Rev. 12:5), lost Israel mid-trib (Rev. 12:6, 14), he now turns his attention to the woman’s other children (“the remnant of her seed”) as described in Rev. 12:17. These do not escape and are all overcome by the dragon and his beast (Rev. 13:7). These would be what many call the “Trib Saints” (basically Gentiles who come to faith during the Trib and Great Trib; see Rev. 6:9–11; 7:9–14; 20:4).


Note that when we see the Trib Saints resurrected at the end of the Trib in Rev. 20:4, there is also pictured a distinct group seated on thrones (the Elders—the only group on thrones in Revelation).






Pre-trib bonus round: Paul’s chronology in 1 Thessalonians 4–5


When we read the most famous rapture-related section of Scripture as a single narrative whole, without giving heed to our modern verse and chapter markings, an interesting pre-trib picture develops simply by the order in which Paul writes:



FIRST: The resurrection and rapture of the Church


For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.



SECOND: The Day of the Lord and a reminder we escape; they don't


But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.



FINALLY: Paul's exhortation that the whole Church will be raptured, not just those watching; and a further reminder we are not appointed to wrath (cf. 1 Thess. 1:10), but they are, whereas we are appointed (“destined”) to live together with Him (i.e., 1 Thess 4:16–18 = 1 Thess. 5:9–11)


You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.



M - A - R - A - N - A - T - H - A





ARE YOU READY FOR WHAT'S COMING?  Faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on your behalf is the only thing that will save you from what's coming.  Are you still bearing your sins, or have you accepted that He died for your sins and rose again?  Today is the day of salvation.  You're not promised tomorrow.  Get on the Ark, because the flood is coming.



 A dmit that you're a sinner.

 B elieve that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again.

 C all on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you.


Post A Comment

33 comments:

  1. Good stuff!

    I admit I think we've still got a handful of years to wait, but that time is rapidly shrinking. I pray that God protects the children and His people until that day of Blessed Hope arrives.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful! Thank you AGAIN Gary. The work you, Jeff, and the rest of the crew do here at Unsealed is such pertinent research I find myself referencing your articles often. In this particular article, I especially appreciated the section:
    "The future prophecy of Rev. 12 is based on the framework given in Isa. 26 and 66."

    You give a much-needed explanation of how these Scriptures point to a PRE-Tribulation Harpazo.

    I just finished writing about Rosh Hashanah and whether the idioms associated with it--whether Scriptural or Traditional--should be considered as pointing us to that festival for the fulfillment of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. I came across information that I had not seen before pertaining to 1 Cor. 15:52 and would very much appreciate yours and anybody else's thoughts on what I found.

    And, of course, I referenced one of Unsealed's articles within that blog article😉 IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most welcome! I will surely enjoy reading your latest article.

      Thanks Lyn!

      Delete
  3. Dear brothers and sisters, I love you so much! And very soon I hope to see you in the rapture/heaven.
    Yesterday I saw 2 short video's which made me very exited.

    The first one called:
    Is the Year of the Rapture Coded in the Revelation 12 sign?
    https://youtu.be/SvFAUMj70mI

    And the second one called:
    We live in a very special time!
    https://youtu.be/BHtLHO5UqTU

    Is there anyone who can verify if this could be true?

    There is a high watch time coming up!
    Bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both are quite interesting and good food for thought. I like the simplicity of Rev. 12 in 2017 and v. 5 five years later... also interesting about the WWII > possible WWIII parallels.

      We soon shall see!

      Delete
    2. The stuff about the Great Sign was very interesting, I agree, but the second video was a whole lot less convincing. The creator of that video had a very circular argument that went like this: IF a whole lot of future stuff aligned perfectly with the past, then it would align perfectly, therefore it will align perfectly! Which I found poor logic.

      Delete
  4. Thank you! I am grateful for your insights, that rightly divide the Word of truth. In Jesus there is no shadow or variation. He is so beautifully full of mercy and grace. Your study really cleared up some questions that I had; reading it brought me joy and caused me to rejoice in my Lord and Savior. To Him be all glory and Honor for He is worthy. God did and will continue to bless you, because He is faithful! Thank you Jesus!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings Annette! Thank you so much for your kind encouragement.

      "He is so beautifully full of mercy and grace."

      Amen and amen and amen. One day soon we shall see Him face to face, just as He is.

      Delete
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdfRGDjsF7Q "A National Economic DISASTER Could Result From This!!!"

    Watchman On The Wall 88 has been warning for a total financial and economic crash between now and November for a few weeks. After which the New World Order with digital currency will be formed. The New World Order involves the 10-nation European Revived Roman Empire, the Gog-Magog coalition and the Kings from the East (China).

    ReplyDelete
  6. At https://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=5572 "Will The New Shemitah Cycle Be A Turning Point In Human History?".

    ReplyDelete
  7. At https://www.raptureready.com/2022/09/13/rapture-soothsaying-by-mark-a-becker/ "Rapture Soothsaying :: By Mark A. Becker" a warning against Rapture soothsaying.

    ReplyDelete
  8. No one knows the day or the hour will always stay, because it may be September 15 here, eg 10 pm, but in Australia it will already be September 16 and another hour. It can't be the same day and hour anywhere in the world at the same time.
    We can only know that we are very close. Maranatha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Joyce,

      This is why many of us make our observations from Jerusalem. My observations are made using Israel time from the Southern location where the Temple is thought to have been in the City of David. Everything is relative to Jesus.

      Blessings,

      PR

      Delete
  9. Joyce and others who hold this "Traditional thinking"

    Putting Jesus' words into their proper context in His conversation with the Apostles clearly shows that He was not referring to the Rapture of the Church when He says that 'no man knoweth the day or the hour'.

    But because of the blind acceptance of the misinterpretation of scripture, a "tradition" has developed in the Church that today even a mere mention of the subject of the 'timing of the Rapture' brings the wrath of the pulpit down on anyone that would dare to ask the question: "Can we know the day of the Rapture of the Church?"

    However, now that we realize that we are not under the authority of Matt 24:36 we can legitimately ask our question and search God's word for the answer.

    And Jesus Himself warned of what tradition can do to understanding God's word when He said to the Pharisees in Matt 15:6: "you make void the word of God by your traditions."

    And it has never been any truer than it is in this matter regarding the day of the Rapture.

    For as God told Jeremiah in Jer 29:13:
    "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

    ReplyDelete
  10. From Sept 26th, 2022 (Feast of Trumpets) to the Day of Atonement 2029 = 2550 Days
    https://youtu.be/27H5RJT2tuk
    credits to "Pineman" on Five Doves dot com for sharing that information which I confirmed

    and here is a message about Chinese characters which interestingly points to the gospel and the truth in Genesis - and a similar point is made in the short message that Gary made - comparing the sadness of Eve and the sadness of Mary at the death of their son.

    The title of the message: How to share the gospel with the Chinese
    https://youtu.be/HkGIt55kbHg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true! But, remember how the end goes,

      11 Then I saw heaven opened, and
      behold, a white horse! The one
      sitting on it is called Faithful and True,
      and in righteousness he judges
      and makes war.

      (Revelation 19:11 ESV)


      The Second Coming is in time for war. War against the armies of the AC. After they are slain would come the time for the High Priest to prepare to enter into the Temple. His arrival on Erev Yom Kippur.

      This has me asking if we should be looking at the day between Shabbat Shuba and Yom Kippur on Tishri 7, 5790 AM, Sunday, September 16 to Monday, September 17, 2029. If for a Great Sign 5th Anniversary harpazo (9/23/2022) 2,550 days later is the last Day of Awe before Erev Yom Kippur, 5790.

      Keep watching, waiting, witnessing and working!

      PR

      Delete
  11. Interesting timing - https://www.israel365news.com/274830/watch-red-heifers-arrive-in-israel/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very important prophetic developments. Does this mean that the rebuild of the Third Temple won't happen until 2023-2024?

      Delete
    2. Moin, I wondered about that also. Someone else I read says the heifers are just under a year old, and they can't be sacrificed until 2 years and one day, which would put the Temple cleansing into late next year. With the highspeed train from BenGurion to the Temple Mount slated for use by Passover in the Spring, it would appear the prophetic stage is growing more and more apparent for the revelation of the AC/Covenant . . . .

      Delete
    3. I just think it means we're now much closer : )

      Delete
    4. Keep in mind too that the two witnesses will testify in sackcloth for 1,260 days. Who knows how much of that will be from the Temple yet to come? At least we know they will testify in the holy city and lead up to the second woe.

      Is there time for all of that to happen? IMHO, absolutely.

      For instance, *IF* the harpazo were to happen on Tishri 27 of this year, that's one week from today (9/23/2022), then that would leave at least 1,260 days for the time of their ministry before an important date.

      What is that date?

      *IF* the two witnesses are the sign marking the end of the generation *AND* (Psalm 90:10) can be interpreted as being 80 prophetic years inclusive (that's year 0-80 for a factor of 79) then,

      79 x 360 days/prophetic year = 28,440 days

      Friday, May 14, 1948 + 28,440 days = Thursday, March 26, 2026 (Nisan 8, 5786)

      *IF* this was the day of the death of the two witnesses then they would be raised and taken on Monday, March 30, 2026 (Nisan 12, 5786). This would be the last day of their testifying before the inhabitants of the earth and the last day of their ministry. Thus,

      Monday, March 30, 2026 - 1,260 days = Monday, October 17, 2022 (Tishri 22, 5783) or what we otherwise know as Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.

      Seven days after the modeled death of the two witnesses is Pesach I. Three days later is Sunday, April 5, 2026 and what is suggested as the mid-point of the modeled 70th week or the beginning of the Great Tribulation. (Matthew 24:15-16)

      Not being dogmatic about it. But it is an interesting possibility and as we know,

      "For all things are possible with God."

      RED LETTERS (Mark 10:27)

      Delete
    5. "For instance, *IF* the harpazo were to happen on Tishri 27 of this year, that's one week from today (9/23/2022), then that would leave at least 1,260 days for the time of their ministry before an important date."
      Ps Rich,
      In the above comment, I think you meant Elul 27 vice Tishri 27.

      Delete
    6. To err is human, proof readers untie. Yes, Elul is what was meant. Thank you!

      Delete
  12. At https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/germany-ready-for-a-leading-military-role-in-europe-chancellor-scholz-says/2686886# "Germany ready for a leading military role in Europe, Chancellor Scholz says".

    Does this mean that the antichrist might indeed emerge from Germany, just like his predecessor Adolf Hitler?

    ReplyDelete
  13. NASA's DART mission prepares for an asteroid collision

    Quoting, CNN,

    A NASA spacecraft that will deliberately crash into an asteroid is getting closer to its target.

    The DART mission, or the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, will have a rendezvous with the space rock on September 26 after launching 10 months ago.

    The spacecraft will slam into an asteroid's moon to see how it affects the motion of an asteroid in space. A live stream of images captured by the spacecraft will be available on NASA's website beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET that day. The impact is expected to occur around 7:14 p.m. ET.

    Imagine that, intercepting asteroids on the Feast of Trumpets?! Tune in and you can watch the live stream,

    Watch a Live Feed from NASA’s DART Spacecraft on Approach to Asteroid Dimorphos

    Quoting, NASA,

    NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) has one single instrument onboard – the Didymos Reconnaissance and Asteroid Camera for Optical Navigation, aka the DRACO camera. DRACO serves as the spacecraft’s eye and will guide DART to its final destination: impact with asteroid Dimorphos. The stream you’re watching is a real-time feed from the DART spacecraft enabled through the DRACO camera sending one image per second to Earth. In the hours before impact, the screen will appear mostly black, with a single point of light. That point is the binary asteroid system Didymos which is made up of a larger asteroid named Didymos and a smaller asteroid that orbits around it called Dimorphos. As the 7:14 p.m. EDT (23:14 UTC) impact of asteroid Dimorphos nears closer, the point of light will get bigger and eventually detailed asteroids will be visible.

    At 7:14 p.m., the DART spacecraft is slated to intentionally crash into asteroid Dimorphos. This stream will be delayed due to the time it takes the images to arrive at Earth, plus additional time for feeding the images to various platforms. For the most up-to-date DRACO camera feed, please tune into the NASA DART Impact Broadcast here: https://youtu.be/4RA8Tfa6Sck

    After impact, the feed will turn black – due to a loss of signal. After about 2 minutes, this stream will turn into a replay – showing the final moments leading up to impact. That replay file will also become available on NASA websites and social media accounts.

    DART is a spacecraft designed to impact an asteroid as a test of technology. DART’s target asteroid is NOT a threat to Earth. This asteroid system is a perfect testing ground to see if intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way to change its course, should an Earth-threatening asteroid be discovered in the future.


    Yes...NASA certainly does like it's acronyms.

    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  14. SIGN for the Rapture:

    In the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Church at Thessalonica, he told them that before the Rapture would occur an event would take place that would leave no doubt of the impending Rapture. He told them to watch for "the dead in Christ to rise first"! I Thes. 4:16

    This is an event that will mimic an event that took place at the time of Jesus' resurrection and is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew Matt 27:52-53

    Known dead people will be brought back to life in a 'spiritual' body and appear to living people in Jerusalem. That is the Gospel account of what happened the first time, and it is what Paul is empathically explaining to watch for this time.

    Additionally the Gospel records, that after Jesus raised from the dead He remained on earth for 40 days and then He ascended into heaven. Paul is explaining that this is the same sequence of events that will take place at the time of the Rapture of the Church. He is demonstrating that the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is indisputably linked as a foreshadow to the Rapture of the Church. And, because the Church is called the Body of Christ this is said to be the 'Body of Christ' going up into heaven in both instances.

    Paul is also saying that from the time the 'dead in Christ' raise from the dead this time, they will stay on earth for 40 days [just like their predecessors did in Matthew 27: 52-53] and then they will be Raptured along with those that are a live and waiting for the 40th day to arrive. The living are waiting for the 40th day because they knew the warning sign had taken place 40 days prior.

    And lastly, Paul sets the timing for both the 'dead in Christ to rise' as well as the Rapture when he says that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the Jewish Feast of First Fruits and ascended 40 days later. That interpolates into the 'dead in Christ' will rise this time on the Jewish Feast of First Fruits and the Rapture of the Church will happen 40 days later. And all that comes together to say that the WARNING SIGN for the Rapture of the Church is the 'dead in Christ' rising on First Fruits!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sign for the Rapture

    We're gone. Approximately 2.6 billion people from every nation will simply be gone.

    The idiom of 1,290 days spoken of through the prophet Daniel *may* speak of the day count leading up to the AoD. (Daniel 12:2-11) Beyond that the Lord Himself will come on the clouds to meet us in the air. The trumpet will sound and...

    We're gone!

    ReplyDelete
  16. At https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/7th-congress-of-leaders-of-world-religions-adopt-human-fraternity-chrislam-document-pope-francis-mohamed-bin-zayed/ "CHRISLAM CONFIRMED: Led By Pope Francis, Leaders Of The World’s Religions Formally Adopt Human Fraternity Document At 7th Congress".

    See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxC1796AgHE "World Religious Leaders SIGN And ADOPT Human Fraternity Document!!!" by Watchman On The Wall 88.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A timely post. Thank you!

      Delete
    2. The heretic pope does his best to lead people astray.

      Delete
  17. For those who did not see it, Appiryon posted a very interesting comment/dream at the end of the previous thread. Check it out, it is quite interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well... 5 years ago to the day...

    Who would have saw what has come in those 5 years. 5 is the number of Grace, so I hope that means something this year.

    🚫 🍇

    🦊FoxMan

    ReplyDelete


Recommended

[Top Post][grids]

World News

[Top World News][bleft]

Highlights

[Highlights][twocolumns]

Bible Study

[Bible Study][list]

Astronomy

[Astronomy][bleft]

Politics

[Political][twocolumns]

Wolf Watch

[Wolves][bsummary]

Birth Pangs

[Birth Pangs][bleft]

Archaeology

[Archaeology][twocolumns]

Science

[Top Science][list]

In-Depth Articles

[In-Depth][bleft]