Bible Studies

BIBLICAL PATTERNS SET THE STAGE PART TWO

by Jeff Van Hatten
10/15/21
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In Part One of this series, we looked at the patterns of Abraham, Isaac, and Yeshua, Joseph and Yeshua, Joshua and Yeshua, Ruth, Boaz, and Yeshua, The Bronze Serpent, and Melchizedek, and stated that “patterns set the stage for future similar events, and these initial patterns are essential for understanding Yahweh’s message. With this statement scholars, teachers, pastors, and lay people are in agreement, there is little to no disagreement.”

In Part Two we now look at some other patterns and see if this above statement still holds true.

The Pattern of Destruction
The Flood of Noah’s time wreaked utter destruction upon the earth: “the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (2 Peter 3:6). Genesis 7:10 puts it this way: “After seven days the water flooded the earth” and Genesis 7:21 states clearly: “All living beings that moved on the earth perished — birds, livestock, other animals, insects, and every human being.”

This is a pattern of the coming destruction by fire: “The heavens and the earth are reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men,” says 2 Peter 3:7. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 puts it this way: “When Yeshua will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, he will take vengeance on them that know not Yahweh” 2 Peter 3:10 is just as blunt, saying: “On The Day of Yahweh the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up.” So we have a pattern of the earth being utterly destroyed – first by water, next by fire. Are we in agreement?

The Pattern of Forty
Forty is a key number in scripture. The Hebrew slaves took forty years between their “resurrection” from the graves of Egypt to get “raptured’ to the promised land. This first mention of forty after “resurrection” sets the pattern. Yeshua (and the Holy Ones) spent forty days witnessing after his resurrection before he was raptured (second mention of forty). So we have a pattern of forty connected to resurrection, then rapture. Are we in agreement?

The Pattern of Bodily Raptures
The sons of the prophets and Elisha watched Elijah climb into the chariot of fire pulled by horses which took him up to the clouds (2 Kings 2:11-12) -- he didn't just disappear or vanish out of sight. The apostles visibly watched as Yeshua ascended (Acts 1:9-11) -- he didn't just disappear or vanish out of sight either. The same pattern we are told in Revelation applies to the Two Witnesses when they will be raptured - and the wording states clearly that “they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched” (Revelation 11:12). So we have a pattern of bodily raptures being witnessed. Are we in agreement?

The Pattern of the Jewish Bride
A Jewish Wedding Ceremony is full of significant rituals and is a perfect prophetic parallel of the coming of Yeshua to take his church to be his Bride, a dress rehearsal for The Rapture. When the Father tells his son to go get his bride, the bridegroom and his friends go to a place near her home and then carry her from her house to his in full view of all the neighbors who have been awakened by their shouting and blowing of the shofars and who are now watching the procession. Are we in agreement?

The Patterns Hold True
The patterns of scripture set the stage for future similar events. On this there is much agreement.
● The Pattern of Destruction will hold true – first water, then fire. Of this there can be no doubt.
● The Pattern Of Forty has thus far held true – it will undoubtedly hold true for similar future events.
● The Pattern Of Bodily Raptures has thus far held true – it will undoubtedly hold true for similar future events.
● The Pattern Of The Jewish Bride being carried in full view of others has thus far held true – it will undoubtedly hold true for similar future events.

The Disconnect
Hosea 12:10 – “I have spoken to the prophets; it was I who gave vision after vision; through the prophets I gave examples to show what it would all be like.”
The patterns hold true throughout history, both past and future. Scripture interprets scripture and says: x and y are given as examples. The patterns indicate:
– It is a safe bet to believe that just as water destroyed the earth, so will fire.
– It is a safe bet to believe that those who are resurrected or still living in Yeshua when he returns will have a time of witnessing before their rapture, shall we say ----- forty days?
– It is a safe bet to believe that the Bride of Yeshua will also be clearly visible as they are taken up.

So, then, why do so many teach that the patterns do not apply to the rapture of the Bride of Yeshua? Hypocrisy I say! Jeremiah 5:21 puts it this way: “Hear this, foolish people without understanding, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.” Yeshua puts it this way: “You hypocrites! You teach man-made stories and fictions as if they were doctrines.” (paraphrase of Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:7-9, Mark 7:6-7)

Conclusions
Romans 15:4 – “It is written that 'Everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction' …so that we may have hope.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 – “These things happened to them as patterns, and they were written down as a warning to us who are living in the end of the ages.”

Parallels and patterns are one of the methods that Yahweh uses to teach us. Patterns set the stage for future similar events, and these initial patterns are essential for understanding Yahweh’s message. With this statement scholars, teachers, pastors, and lay people are in agreement, there is little to no disagreement, except when it comes to the rapture patterns, parallels, pictures, and types.

This failure to apply the same exegetical standards to all biblical patterns is flat out hypocrisy! If the patterns of Abraham, Isaac, Yeshua; Joseph and Yeshua; Joshua and Yeshua; Ruth, Boaz, and Yeshua; The Bronze Serpent; and Melchizedek; Destruction; and Forty all hold true, then how dare we then dismiss the patterns of Bodily Raptures and the Jewish Bride and teach that these patterns will not hold true? Are we still in agreement?