October 21: Raptured? Or Returning from God's Feast?

Another rapture prediction is making news headlines. Will we soon witness those who are not “presently saved” being “annihilated together with the whole physical world” (familyradio.com, “What Happened on May 21?”)? Some believe that Christ’s return and the rapture will occur on October 21, 2011. Others speculate about December 21, 2012. However, there are many faithful Christians who—instead of worrying about October 21 supposedly being the end of the world—have joyfully been celebrating God’s annual Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34) and Last Great Day(Leviticus 23:36). Is there a connection between observing God’s annual Holy Days and not being misled by false teachers or doomsday prophets? Yes, there is!

Instead of becoming distracted by false prophets, true Christians look at actual prophetic milestones revealed in Scripture. By doing so, they understand that while we are rapidly approaching the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ, there remain more than three-and-a-half years of prophesied events that must first take place before Christ will return. So, instead of worrying that October 21 may be “the end of the world,” true Christians are persevering in preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and in observing God’s annual Holy Days! This is part of teaching—and living—according to the entire word of God (Isaiah 8:20).

Two of the seven annual Holy Days are the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, which thousands and thousands of faithful Christians have been observing this past week. This year, the Feast of Tabernacles began at sunset on October 12, and ended at sunset on October 19. This joyous “Feast unto the Lord” (Leviticus 23:39) is to be celebrated “forever” (Leviticus 23:21)—and “forever” includes 2011, 2012 and onward! Jesus Christ celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:10), and it will be celebrated by the entire world in the Millennium (Zechariah 14:19). The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day celebration that begins on “the fifteenth day of the seventh month” according to the Hebrew calendar (Leviticus 23:39), and pictures the coming reign of Christ on this earth (Zechariah 14:1-6; Revelation 20:6).

Immediately following the Feast of Tabernacles is the Last Great Day. This Holy Day, which falls on October 20 in 2011, pictures the time when the countless billions who have lived but were not part of the First Resurrection will be given their opportunity to come to repentance (Leviticus 23:36; John 7:37-38). At that wonderful time, people will have a choice to love and to obey God’s way, or to be blotted out of existence forever (Revelation 20:12-15). It was on the evening beginning the Last Great Day when Jesus Christ gave His powerful sermon beginning in John 7:37.

True ministers teach according to every word of God (Matthew 4:4), which is the ultimate Truth (John 17:17). This includes the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) based on both the Old and New Testaments (2 Timothy 3:16). However, the “false prophets” of whom Jesus warned (cf. Matthew 7:15) will twist or ignore Scripture. In fact, Isaiah 8:20 warns that if preachers do not teach according to the entire word of God, they have “no light in them.” The Bible says that Jesus Christ is the “true Light” (John 1:1-4) and it is He who lives in His true servants through the Holy Spirit (Colossians 1:27; Galatians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 13:5). So, by your Bible’s own definition, those who do not teach according to every word of God do not have Christ in them!

To learn more about this vital topic, read our articles, “When Will the Millennium Begin?” and “Will You Be Left Behind?” And watch our powerful telecast, “Secret Rapture or Place of Safety?” Do not be deceived by false prophets! Pray for God’s guidance, and prove from your own Bible who is teaching the Truth.