THE VOICE OF SEVEN THUNDERS

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Contents

1 Origin.....................................................................................12 Sabbath....................................................................................53 Passover & Unleavened Bread................................................................114 Firstfruits................................................................................215 The Greater Fulfillment of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits.....................256 Historical Pentecost.......................................................................697 Six Characteristics of Old and New Testament Pentecost.....................................778 Pentecost - A Love Story...................................................................899 Pentecost's Prophetic Placement............................................................9510 Feast of Trumpets.........................................................................10111 The First Four Trumpets of John's Revelation..............................................10712 The First Great Woe Trumpet Five..........................................................11913 Decision - The Second Woe.................................................................13314 The Parallelism of the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls.........................................13915 The Seventh Trumpet.......................................................................16316 The Witnesses of the Seventh Trumpet......................................................18117 The Time of Great Shaking.................................................................18718 The Resurrection and Rapture..............................................................19319 The Day of Atonement Stage One - The Law..................................................19920 The Day of Atonement Stage Two - Grace....................................................20721 The Day of Atonement Stage Three - Wrath of the Lamb......................................21322 Feast of Tabernacles......................................................................21923 The Feast of Tabernacles Christ's Earthly Kingdom.........................................22324 The Joy of the Lord.......................................................................229

Chapter One

Modern Bible studies and sermons sometimes marginalize the Old Testament's relevance. Without detracting from the importance of the New Testament, we must never forget that Christian Scripture is the fulfillment of everything written by Moses and the prophets. As Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matthew 5:17

The Bible of the Early Church was the Old Testament expounded on by Jesus' disciples in their personal letters. Defending the Gospel to Felix, Paul stated, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:" Acts 24:14

Then before King Agrippa, Paul said, "... believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest." Acts 26:27

Whereupon, King Agrippa replied, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 26:28

Gentile Believers, who neglect the Jewish roots of their faith, are denied half a legacy. Trying to fully understand the New Testament without using the Old Testament is futile. The discovery of truth is hindered in such a limited environment. Thus, we must trace the origin of the Apocalypse deep within the Old Testament.

Surveying Old Testament Scripture, we notice one area which is often ignored. Sadly, these neglected texts are necessary for understanding New Testament doctrine. We refer to the Law. Without making Grace subservient to Moses, Paul said the Law completed God's purpose, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." Galatians 3:24-25

As a schoolmaster, the Law provided many symbolic lessons that Paul said were examples, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Colossians 2:16-17

Without giving the Law more authority than Grace, the apostle alluded to the Old Testament as a "shadow of things to come."

So does the Law contain relevant information today? Absolutely! And Paul, a proponent of Grace, often resorted to the Law's authority.

Although the book of Leviticus is rarely considered prophetic, it provides incredible clues for future events. In fact, Leviticus 23 was probably the reference Paul used when speaking symbolically of "holy days, new moons, and Sabbaths!" In this passage, God commanded Moses to institute the following holidays: Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles.

Gradually, other traditional celebrations were added to the Jewish calendar. However, most subsequent observances are not mentioned in Scripture. But the holy days of Leviticus were important enough to be mandated by law.

But for what reason?

Each celebration was a reminder of God's faithfulness, ".... When thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage." Deuteronomy 6:11-12.

For Israel's survival, God was memorialized as the exclusive source of deliverance.

Although the events in Leviticus have already occurred, every memorial provides a double fulfillment. Each consummation attests to God's faithfulness during Old and New Testament times. But as before, the greatest, current threat is forgetfulness, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Hebrews 2:1

The success of the New Testament Church depends on God being our only source of help.

So, what is the significance of the holy days in Leviticus 23?

The entire text outlines events on earth from Creation to the Kingdom Age of Christ. Exploring this Scripture, we rediscover the forgotten origin of the Apocalypse and look ahead to the end of time.

But what criteria should be used for examining the Old Testament's apocalyptic roots?

First, two questions must be asked, "Is anything accidentally stated in God's Word? Does God's Word refute itself?"

The answer to both questions is a resounding "No!"

A universal "absolute" is embodied within God's Word. Despite a lack of understanding, we are not permitted to rummage through Scripture, accepting what is "comfortably" true. Even the Prophet Daniel did not always realize the full implication of divine revelation, "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Daniel 12:8-9

Just as Daniel failed to completely grasp a vision, we must occasionally wait for the "day to declare" God's plan. (1 Corinthian 3:13) Thus, patient observance is required.

Additionally, Scripture must be...