Rapture..Storms..14th Day

(Originally posted Jan. 6, 2018)

Introduction...

In the previous post (Ps.119-7th Section) at this blog:

... King David brought our attention to verse 53 when he wrote:

"Horror 

hath taken hold 

upon me 

because of the wicked 

that forsake thy law."

... And the comment was made:

"While the wicked do not believe in the "cause and effect" character of God ... and are therefore unable to see the consequences of their rebellious behavior coming their way ... the righteous 

... are horrified ...

[in this case and context in Hebrew--a word that can also mean "greatly saddened"--not indicating that their faith has, in any way, diminished] 

... because they know judgment is coming.

The wrath of God will definitely be poured out upon all who have minimized ... rejected ... and forsaken the Word and Law of God."

The insight gleaned from verse 53 of David's Psalm

... very nicely carries us into the next logical consideration of "Rapture..Storms..14th Day"

... as it relates to the dichotomy of the "eating ... drinking ... and ... partying" of the spiritually blind

... while those with eyes to see ... are horrified by what they see ... coming upon the land.

The Scriptures provide many Rapture pictures 

... but two ... reminding us most of Noah's escape ... upon the waters ... from the wrath of God 

... one found in Matthew's account ... already addressed in the post:

"End Times...How to Walk on Water"

... from Matthew 14
          (see link below) 

... as well as Luke's account of the Apostle Paul's journey ... being presented here from Acts 27.

Background...

In Acts, Chapter 20 

... the Holy Spirit reveals to Paul that captivity would always be a concern and constant part of his life.

In Chapters 21 and 22 ... Paul receives two more warnings ... one from the Prophet, Agabus ... and another from the Holy Spirit warning him to leave Jerusalem immediately.

By Chapters 25 and 26
... Paul is in bonds fulfilling prophecy ... pleading his case before King Agrippa and being granted his request to go before Augustus, Emperor of Rome.

In Chapter 27
... This verbal picture ... reads like a parable ... detailing escape by the hand of God under perilous circumstances

... Here is where Paul enters his symbolic "Rapture experience" ... as he embarks a ship of Adramyttium.

"Adramyttium"

[G98]
=seaport of Mysia
="I shall abide in death"

The name ... "Adramyttium" ... now synching with the warning first given by the Holy Spirit in Chapter 20.

...Acts 27

...a Picture of

...the Rapture

And when it was determined 

that we should
sail into Italy, 

they delivered Paul 

and
certain other
prisoners 

unto one
named Julius, 

a centurion 

of Augustus' band."

v.1

A time came ... in the Providence of God ... when Paul entered a Ship sailing to Italy ... and He was entrusted to a soldier, named Julius, commissioned under Emperor Augustus.

"And entering into 

a ship of
Adramyttium, 

we launched, 

meaning to sail 

by the coasts of Asia; 

one Aristarchus, 

a Macedonian
of Thessalonica, 

being with us.

And the next day 

we touched at Sidon. 

And
Julius courteously 

entreated Paul, 

and
gave him liberty 

to go unto his friends 

to refresh himself."

v.2-3

Also in the Providence of God .... the centurion

... "Julius"... meaning "fair haired"... possibly referring to him as "not harsh in character"... treated Paul in a respectful manner

... allowing Paul the freedom to be with ... and encouraged by ... the company of his friends at Sidon.  

...Contrary Winds

...Bringing Change

"And when we had launched 

from thence, 

we sailed under Cyprus, 

because the winds 

were contrary."

v.4

"winds"
[G417]
= air

[G109]
= atmosphere

[G110]
= immortality

spiritual climate:

... moving
... changing
... blowing around
... dislocating
... relocating

"contrary"
[G1727]
= opposite

Before "escape" and "rescue"... some significant changes take place.

The "atmosphere" ... spiritual climate (of immortality) becomes

... opposite ... moving things around ... changing the norm ... converting ... dislocating ... relocating.

These changes are only witnessed by those in the boat residing upon the waters.

And this is only the beginning. . .

"And when
we had sailed 

over the sea 

of Cilicia
and
Pamphylia, 

we came to Myra, 

a city of Lycia."

v.5

"Myra"
[G3460]
= Myrrh
    ... Jesus on the cross
    ... anoint for burial

[G3458]
= millstone 
    ...(judgment?)

[G3433]
= hardship..difficulty

[G3434]
= Moloch

[G3455]
= mock

[G3461]
= multitude

"Lycia"
[G3073]
= wolfish..wolf

[G3074]
= cruel..greedy

[G3072]
= speech..tongue

[G3070]
= Lydia..travail

Paul's ship finally came to a place ... in his journey ... called Myra

... a city of Lycia

... a city named for cruelty ... greed ... deception ... and travail

... in a place reminding us of our journey with Jesus

... also confronting us with the reality of judgment ... hardship ... and false belief systems

... followed by multitudes that mock the true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

"And there
the centurion found 

a ship
of Alexandria 

sailing into Italy; 

and
he put us therein."

v.6

"Alexandria"
[G222]
= of Egypt
= of the world
= of man's rebellion
    .. sin

Paul has no control over the circumstances surrounding his journey

... The centurion makes connections for the next portion of the trip

... taking them into Italy via a ship from "Alexandria"

... a ship out of Egypt

... a ship representing the fallen world

... man's rebellion ... and sin taking them to Rome, Italy.

Nevertheless ... it is God who is really in control ... positioning Paul to experience the principles of salvation and escape upon the waters ... like the "Water of the Word" of God.

"And when we had 

sailed slowly 

many days, 

and
scarce were come 

over against Cnidus, 

the wind
not suffering us, 

[wind not allowing]

we sailed under Crete, 

over against Salmone;

v.7

Man's intention was to take the ship to Rome ... but the wind is changing everything ... and now the ship is being re-routed by a wind from God.

"And,
hardly passing it, 

came unto a place 

which is called 

The fair havens; 

nigh whereunto 

was the city of Lasea."

v.8

"hardly passing it"
[G3433]
= with difficulty

[G3881]
= almost sailing by

"fair havens"

[G2570]
= beautiful place

[G2568]
= good place to rest

"city of Lasea"

[G2996]
= shaggy
    ... like hair
    ... long tangled

[G2995]
= instrument
    ... technique of speech
    ... (not Word of God

[G2994]
= Laodicean
   (see Rev. 3:14-22)

[G2993]
= "justice of the people"
    ... judgment
= destroyed by EQ..66AD
   (...reminding of ignored Word of God ... 66 Books?)
= lukewarm...blind
= worldly

[G2997]
= cracking open
= burst asunder
= crash
(Ref. EQ?)

They almost missed it ... but were brought to a beautiful place ... a good place to rest ... called "Fair Havens"... BUT ... this place was located too close to Lasea... a place destined for judgment because of the tangled mess their sin had created.

"Now when 

much time was spent,   

and
when sailing 

was now dangerous, 

because the fast 

was now already past, 

Paul admonished them,"
v.9

Maybe they "stayed too long at the Fair"... Havens ... In any case ... it was now going to be difficult ... even dangerous ... to get back on course ... because it was after the "fast"... which means that it was after sunset ... getting too dark for sailing ... So Paul had to warn them.

...Paul Compelled

     ...to Warn...

"And said unto them, 

Sirs, I perceive 

that this voyage 

will be with hurt 

and
much damage,
not only 

of the lading
and ship, 

but also
of our lives."

v.10

Paul "perceives"... "he now has eyes to see" the danger ahead ... and realizes that they are risking their vehicle of transportation designed to take them across the water ... their ship ... their "ark" (if you will)

... while ... at the same time ... risking their very lives ... by continuing to go forward in the dark ... when they are unable to see where they are going.

"Nevertheless 

the centurion 

believed the master 

and
the owner
of the ship, 

["Alexandrian"
...worldly advisors]

more than those things 

which were
spoken by Paul."

v.11

Unfortunately ... the one in charge of Paul's life ... listens to the Alexandrians ... and disregards Paul's warning. 

"And because the haven 

was not commodious 

to winter in, 

the more part 

advised to
depart thence also, 

if by any means
they might attain
to Phenice, 

and
there to winter; 

which is an haven
of Crete, 

and
lieth toward 

the south west
and north west."

v.12

The owners and most on board ... were also anxious to leave the area because winter was approaching and they desired to get to a warmer climate where accommodations were more pleasant.

"And when
the south wind 

blew softly, 

supposing that they 

had obtained
their purpose, 

loosing thence, 

they sailed
close by Crete."

v.13

God intervenes to keep them on His schedule ... providing a warm wind to lure them back into the waters.

...BUT...Suddenly...
 ..."Euroclydon"...

"But not long after 

there arose against it 

a tempestuous wind, 

called Euroclydon."

v.14

"Euroclydon"
[G5189]
= whirlwind
= hurricane
= tempestuous
= violent wind 

Things go from bad to worse ... Now they are going to learn a lesson about the importance of listening to Paul's advice.

"And when 

the ship was caught, 

and
could not bear up 

into the wind, 

we let her drive."

v.15

The situation was now beyond their control ... all they could do ... is let the Ship take them wherever it wanted to go.

"And running under 

a certain island 

which is called Clauda, 

we had much work 

to come by the boat:"

v.16

Because they did not heed Paul's warning ... much work had to be done to repair the damage.

"Which when they had taken up, 

they used helps, 

undergirding the ship; 

and,
fearing lest
they should fall 

into the quicksands, 

strake sail,
and
so were driven."

v.17

Their journey has developed into a very intense situation ... They are on continuous alert ... fearfull of pitfalls ... and quicksand ... yet ... forced to go forward.

...Time to Purge

"And we being 

exceedingly tossed 

with a tempest, 

the next day 

they lightened
the ship;"
v.18

Being greatly assulted by this mega-storm ... it became necessary to lightened the load by tossing out everything that was not absolutely necessary.

"And the third day 

we cast out 

with our own hands 

the tackling
of the ship." 
v.19

Even after tossing out everything that was not mandatory ... they had to make an even more difficult decision ... and cast out the tackling ... the mechanics ... which were absolutely required in order to travel any further ... now letting go of every ... humanly possible ... way to control the journey.

"And when
neither sun
nor stars 

in many days
appeared, 

and
no small tempest
lay on us, 

all hope that we
should be saved 

was then
taken away."

v.20

Even the celestial signs seem to come to an end ... while the environment becomes increasingly darker and more dangerous ... they were losing hope fast ... beginning to give up.

...Angel of God
...Speaks to Paul

"But after long abstinence 

Paul stood forth 

in the midst of them, 

and said, 

Sirs, ye should have 

hearkened unto me, 

and
not have loosed
from Crete, 

and
to have gained 

this harm and loss.

v.21

BUT ... after fasting and a lengthy separation ... Paul comes forward with another Word ... telling them that they should have listened to him ... and not launched out into danger 

... but quickly follows with another Word of greatly needed encouragement:

"And now I exhort you 

to be of good cheer: 

for there shall be
no loss of
[any man's] life 

among you, 

but of the ship [only]." 
v.22

Nevertheless ... Paul tells them to be of good cheer ... no one's life will be lost ... only the Ship will be damaged ... only the Vehicle of their salvation ... only Jesus??... (see further verses)

"For there stood by me 

this night 

the angel of God, 

whose I am, 

and
whom I serve,

Saying, Fear not, Paul; 

thou must be brought 

before Caesar: 

and, lo, 

God hath given thee 

all them that
sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, 

be of good cheer: 

for I believe God, 

that it shall be 

even as
it was told me.

Howbeit 

we must be 

cast upon 

a certain island."

v.23-26

Paul tells all on board ... that he is a servant of God ... that an angel messenger has brought the Word of God to him.

The Angel's message:

1.. All sailing with Paul will be saved ... rescued.

2..Take heart and rejoice.

3..They will be "cast" upon a certain island.

The specific ... Word ... Paul was given was: 

"cast"
[G1601]
= fall out...(caught up)
= sent forth
   (not their own power?)

[G1602]
= depart...sail from

[G1604]
= complete...fulfill

This rescue ... deliverance from the storm ... will be completed ... fulfilled when they will be "cast" upon a certain "island."

"But when 

the fourteenth night 

was come, 

as we were driven 

up and down in Adria, 

about midnight 

the shipmen deemed 

that they drew near 

to some country; 
v.27 

Let's consider the significance of the "14th" as it's specifically placed and mentioned in the Word of God:

1..The number 14 

     ... is (2×7) 

     ... #7
        = complete
        = "earthly end"

     ... Just before #8
        = infinity
        = forever
        = eternity

2..The 27th Chapter 

     ... of Acts also
         represents (2x7).

3..It was verse 14 

    ... that served as an
        introduction to 
        the final mega-storm 

    ... those on board
        would be facing 

    ... when a tempestuous
        wind, called
        "Euroclydon" came
         on the scene.

4..Now in verse 27 

     ... brings us back to
         #14 again through
         its connection to the 

         timeframe in which
         they are currently
         residing.

     ... However... 
         #14 is actually #13 
         on God's calendar at
         this point, because
         the day always
         begins at sunset on
         the previous day.

So it was on the 13th/14th night ... before sunrise ... of the 14th day ... that the ship was driven up and down in Adria.

"Adria"
[G99-101]

= withered...but strong
   ...in weakness
= enduring
    ...an impossible
       situation

BUT ... at about midnight ... sailors ... those onboard ... "deemed"... "sensed" ... "were divinely inspired"... that they were drawing close to some country ... a "country" they were "looking for"... watching ... waiting for.

"And sounded, 

and found it
twenty fathoms: 

and
when they had gone 

a little further, 

they sounded again, 

and
found it fifteen fathoms.

Then fearing 

lest we should have 

fallen upon rocks, 

they cast four anchors 

out of the stern, 

and
wished for the day."

v.28-29

It was dark ... they were having a difficult time seeing where they were going ... afraid that they could be going toward danger ... so they cast out four anchors into the water (4 Gospels in the Water of the Word) ... to stabilize them ... to keep them from drifting into dangerous waters full of dangerous rocks ... not thee Rock.

Then they waited and longed for "thee day"... that special day when they could see the Light of a new day.

...Crew
...Doing it Their Way

And as the shipmen 

were about to flee 

out of the ship, 

when they had 

let down the boat 

into the sea, 

under colour 

[pretending]

as though
they would have 

cast anchors 

out of the foreship,"

v.30

At a certain point ... some of them wanted to jump ship ... leave the protection the Ship ... (Vehicle of their salvation) ... was providing ... trying to get into another  type of "life boat"... pretending to be casting anchors ... but instead ... trying to get where they wanted to go ... by doing that another way ... following their own inclinations ... instead of the Word of God that had already
been given to them. 

   . . .Paul Warns. . .

 "Stay with the Ship"

"Paul said
to the centurion 

and
to the soldiers, 

Except these abide
in the ship, 

ye cannot be saved.

Then the soldiers 

cut off the ropes 

of the boat, 

and
let her fall off."

v.31-32

Paul warns them that unless they stay with the Ship God has provided ... they cannot be saved ... escape destruction ... be rescued.  

So to assure their safety ... God removes their own means of escape.

..Deliverence Tarries..

...Spiritual
    ...Nourishment
        ...Required

"And while the day 

was coming on, 

Paul besought them all 

to take meat,
saying, 

This day is
the fourteenth day 

that ye have tarried 

and
continued fasting, 

having taken nothing.

Wherefore I pray you 

to take some meat: 

for this is
for your health: 

for there shall not 

an hair fall
from the head 

of any of you."

v.33-34

While it is still the 14th day ... a day spent in final "tarrying"... waiting for deliverance ... Paul encourages them to eat for their health.

When the day of deliverance draws close ... is at the door ... this is when it becomes vital ... to spiritual health and wellness ... to go deeper into the "meat" of the Word of God in order to find peace and understanding.

The Apostle Paul is verifying that this is what will keep them strong ... and confirms ... that they will ... then ... definitely ... safely ... arrive at their desired haven.

"And when he had
thus spoken, 

he took bread, 

and
gave thanks to God 

in presence of them all: 

and
when he had broken it, 

he began to eat.

Then were they all 

of good cheer, 

and
they also took
some meat."

v.35-36

Paul took bread ... broke it and ate ... just like Jesus did ... to encourage the disciples before He departed.

Here we have a beautiful picture of the last supper ... new covenant ... and salvation from death and destruction.

What else is really happening here?

1.
...Who were these people in the boat?

...They were the ones
giving thanks for the
"Bread"... the spiritual food which God provides for those who are grateful for all He has given through the "Bread."

2.
...Why was the "Bread" broken?

...The "Bread" was broken as a reminder (1Cor.11:24)
referring to the body of Jesus being broken for us.

... And AGAIN on the 14th day
... reminding that the
"Ship" of our salvation will be broken again in 

this account ... when we get to verse 44.

So as soon as they all ate the Bread ... they were encouraged and rejoiced. 

Why? ... because they were finally nourished by the Bread ... understood ... and believed that they were actually about to be delivered out of the perilous sea (of humanity).

"And we were in all 

in the ship 

two hundred 

threescore
and sixteen souls.

And when they
had eaten enough, 

they lightened the ship, 

and
cast out the wheat
into the sea."

v.37-38

276 people on board:
= 15 = 3×5 = 3× 

... three times ... the mercy of God ... on those who stay with the Ship...those who eat the Bread and Meat of the Word.

The "wheat" being cast out of the Ship into the "sea of humanity" will be found later in the Water of the Word ... waiting for Jesus ... to rescue them also ... at another time.

   ...When it Was Day...

"And when it was day, 

they knew not the land: 

[knew nothing
of this land]

but they discovered 

a certain creek 

with a shore, 

into the which 

they were minded, 

if it were possible, 

to thrust in the ship.

And when they 

had taken up 

the anchors, 

they committed themselves 

unto the sea,

[unto the
Water of Word] 

and
loosed the rudder bands, 

and
hoised up the mainsail 

to the wind, 

[Holy Spirit
over the Water]

and made toward shore.

[desired Haven]

...The Ship is Broken...

And falling
into a place 

where two seas met, 

they ran
the ship aground; 

and
the forepart stuck fast, 

and
remained unmoveable, 

but
the hinder part 

was broken 

with the violence
of the waves."

v.39-41

Finally it was thee day ... They finally see land ... a land they had previously only "deemed" ... "spiritually sensed"... "knew in their hearts" ... existed ...but now actually can be seen from the Ship ... and soon discover that there is a creek ... more Water ... which can move the Ship ... and can thrust them ... with the help of the Wind (Spirit of God) ... right toward the blessed shore ... their desired Haven.

When the Ship runs aground ... goes as far as it can go ... we see that the "forward part" ... (the Word that went before) ... stays firmly settled ... "immovable"... while the latter part (the Ship's body) has to be "broken" by the "violence of the waves" (by the sea of humanity).

...Hopeless Situation?...

At first it appears ... their journey is going to end in death:

"And the soldiers' counsel 

was to kill
the prisoners, 

lest any of them
should swim out,
and escape.

"But the centurion, 

willing to save Paul, 

kept them
from their purpose; 

and
commanded that they
which could swim 

should cast themselves 

first into the sea, 

and
get to land:"

v.42-43

The military wanted to destroy the prisoners (bound on/to the Ship) ... but the one in charge of Paul ... provides an alternative to save them ... by dividing them into two groups.

The first group was comprised of those who could "swim"... ones who knew how to maneuver ... function ... in the Water. 

"And the rest, 

some on boards, 

and some on 

broken pieces
of the ship. 

And
so it came to pass, 

that they escaped 

all safe 

to land."

v.44

The second group was able to escape as well ... by clinging to the broken pieces of the Ship.

Jesus is our Ark...our Ship...He was broken for us...so we could escape safely to our Heavenly land ... to our Father's House.

"And when
he had given thanks, 

he brake it, 

and said, 
Take, eat: 

this is my body, 

which is broken for you: 

this do
in remembrance
of me."

-1 Cor.11:24

Rapture
... those with eyes to see
... can see
... it coming. 

Storm
... those with eyes to see
... can see
... it coming.

14th Day
... to be determined
... by those who
... have eyes to see
... and will know it
... when they see
... it coming
..."at an hour
... when we think not."

"Therefore
be ye also ready: 

for in such an hour 

as ye think not 

the Son of man
cometh."

-Matt.24:44

Another Rapture Storm Picture . . .

**Click Here**

"End Times..How to Walk on Water"

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