THINGS WE ARE EXPERIENCING ON OUR JOURNEY TO HEAVEN
THAT WILL END WITH OUR RAPTURE
10-17-21 This message may be viewed live streaming video at youtube.com and tabernacleofmoses.org today Sunday at 11:00 am, and repeated 24/7 thereafter. The video, audio, and study notes are archived.

PREFACE
(Matt 14:21)  And they that had eaten [of the five loaves and two fishes] were about five thousand men, beside [uncounted thousands of] women and children.

(John 6:15)  When Jesus therefore perceived that they [the unsaved multitude] would come and take him by force, to make him a king [a secular king among other secular kings, not understanding that He already is the secular/spiritual King of Kings], he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

THE JOURNEY OF DISCIPLES INTO HEAVEN COMMENCES
(Matt 14:22,23) And straightway [Gk: at once or soon] Jesus constrained [Gk: to necessitate: compelled] his disciples [Gk: learners, pupils] [students] to get into a ship [Gk: a vessel] [a wooden boat; symbolic of the church] [1], and to go before him [being supported upon the waters of separation (the Holy Spirit), separated from the 5,000 unbelievers, and from this earthly world] unto the other side [i.e., westward from the eastern wilderness unto the Promised Land, a type and shadow of Heaven], while he sent the [unsaved] multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away [2x for emphasis], he went up into a mountain apart to pray [an allusion to His upward ascension into Heaven (Acts 1:9)]: and when the evening was come [and “light” went out], he was there alone. [2]
1.    Commentary: “a ship” = was a vessel assembled out of wooden boards. Throughout the Bible, men are symbolized as trees (Psa 1:1-3). Please note as an example, that wooden boards (planks) represented the 48 priest-boards supporting the tabernacle, and that Jesus Christ is the Great Carpenter. Thus, the wooden boards (planks) become instruments (tools) of God that are employed to build a ship, i.e., the church, a container composed of wooden priest-boards that will carry us into our glorious future.
2.    (Acts 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. [and the Light went out]

THE GOSPEL SHIP IS SLOWLY BUT STEADILY MOVING FORWARD
THROUGH THE FIRST YEARS OF TRIBULATION
(John 6:16,17)  And when even [evening] was now come [about 6:00 pm] [1], his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum [in Palestine, in the Promised Land, fig. Heaven]. And it was now dark [i.e., “night” (Heb: a twist away of the light), an evil time], and Jesus was not [yet] come to them [for the second time (for His second coming)].
1.    (Rev 1:9)  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation [Gk: pressure: affliction, persecution, troubles], and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

(Matt 14:24)  But the [Gospel] ship was now in the midst [Gk: middle] of the sea [of humanity], tossed [Gk: tortured: pain, toil, tormented, vexed] with waves: for the wind [representing Satan, “the god of this world” 2 Cor 4:4] was contrary [Gk: opposite; fig. antagonistic: against] [them].

(John 6:18,19)  And the sea arose [Gk: to wake fully, arouse: stirred up] by reason of [the provocation of] a great wind [Satan, “the god of this world” 2 Cor 4:4] that blew [Gk: to breathe hard]. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh [Gk: (to squeeze or throttle); near] unto the ship [i.e., some Saints are blessed to see/feel “the pressure” of His soon coming]: and they were afraid [they were manifesting an awesome reverential fear]. [1]
1.    Commentary: the northern part of the Sea of Galilee was approximately seven miles wide. One furlong equals 1/8 of a mile. Thus, “about five and twenty or thirty furlongs” equals between 3.125 or 3.75 miles, or “about” 3 ½ miles (a significant number when related to the Tribulation period) to “the midst” (Matt 14:24; Mark 6:47) or approximate middle of the sea. The disciples embarked upon their journey about 6:00 pm at sunset, the advent of night (i.e., no light). 12 hours later, Jesus came from the east, from the wilderness (all the wise men come from the east) about 6:00 am with (as) the rising sun, walking upon the water of all humanity. So the disciples had rowed 3 ½ miles in 12 hours. A normal walking pace is 3 miles per hour. Had their journey been on land and, most relevantly, had the wind not been “contrary,” the disciples could have easily walked 36 miles during the same time that they suffered rowing in pain 3 ½ miles into the antagonistic face of the wind (Satan).

(Matt 14:26,27)  And when the disciples saw him [Jesus] walking on the sea [toward them (the second coming)], they were troubled [Gk: stirred up, agitated], saying, It is a spirit [Gk: phantasma; specter] [1]; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
1.    specter = Dict: 1. a ghost; appariton. 2. any object of fear or dread.
a.    Commentary:  Gk: phantasma = ghost, versus Gk: pneuma = spirit.

(Mark 6:51,52)  And he went up unto them into the ship [of us]; and the wind ceased: and they [now in His presence] were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered [Gk: admired, marvelled]. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened [Gk: stone; rendered stupid or callous: blind].
THE RAPTURE
OUR WONDERFUL CLOSING MIRACLE
(John 6:21)  Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. [1]
1.    Commentary: the Gospel ship was “immediately” “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor 15:52) transported (“caught up” 1 Thes 4:17) over the remaining 3 ½ miles to the Promised Land (Heaven), thereby instantly escaping this world at the onset of the Great Tribulation (global nuclear war).


IMMEDIATELY… IN HEAVEN

Amen