We are going to begin to talk about the actual second coming of Yeshua. Deut 33.2 says that the Lord came from Sinai, dawned on them from Seir and shone forth from Mount Paran, and he came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones. A “fiery law” is replaced by “lightning” in Matt 24.27. This is a double reference prophecy, which tells us that Messiah will return to Mount Sinai first. Jude 14 says that the Messiah will come with many thousands of his holy ones, and so does Rev 1.7. So, these events are linked. In Isa 63.1-6 we have a clear passage about the Messiah coming from Petra, so after he returns to Sinai he moves to Petra. This passage gives the idea of a priest who has walked among the korbanot (sacrifices) for six days in the Temple, and then the Temple is cleansed on the seventh day. This alludes to the 6000 years of history, and then Messiah comes at the beginning of the seventh day to restore all things. Rev 14 gives a basic chronology. Verses 1-7 refers to Rosh ha Shannah, v 8 talks about Tishri 8 and the destruction of Babylon (America), v 9-13 refers to persecution by the false messiah and v 14-20 refers to the days leading up to Yeshua’s coming to Jerusalem. So, we have Yeshua coming to Mount Sinai on Rosh ha Shannah, and moving north to Petra.
Hab 3.3-16 says that Messiah will come from Teman and Mount Paran, referring back to Deut 33.2 and Mount Sinai. It says his radiance is like the sun and he has rays coming from his hand, also referring to the “fiery law” flashing in his hand in Deut 33.2. The passage goes on to talk about his coming and the judgment against the nations in his way, like Cushan and Midian (Mount Sinai is in Midian). Zech 12.8-10 says that he will give believers power like the mighty men of David. Isa 42.10-13 says that the people will sing a “new song” (idiom for “the Messiah has come”) and it says that the wilderness will will sing, and Kedar (the “black tents” of the Beduin) and the inhabitants of Sela (Petra) will sing. Then in v 13 it says that the Lord will go forth like a warrior, utter a shout (teruah) and raise a war cry and then prevail against his enemies. Petra will be the first place Yeshua will be seen on Rosh ha Shannah. As he moves north, it will take ten days, arriving on Yom Kippur, Tishri 10, at Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives (Isa 40.3). Jer 48.40-47 describes how Moab will be taken and restored in the “latter days” or “acharit yamim” which is an idiom for “when the Messiah comes.” The “mighty men” in v 41 are the men of the false messiah who have pursued those ion the wilderness. The armies of the east had to send men after them and these will turn and fight against Yeshua.
Jer 49.19-22 says that Messiah will go forth against Edom and Teman, and the noise is heard at the Red Sea. He will swoop like an eagle against Bozrah (Petra area). Zeph 1.7-9 and 2.8-11 talks about the judgment coming on Moab and Ammon as Yeshua moves north “in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice” which is another way of saying “the day of the Lord.” Ezek 25.1-14 also brings out what is going to happen to Ammon, Rabbah, Moab and Edom. These are all terms for the Jordan area today. Zech 14.3-5 describes the approach of Yeshua and how he goes forth to fight against those nations just mentioned. The “valley” mentioned in v 4 is a new valley to the Wadi Kelt. The Wadi Kelt is the route the pilgrims took to Jerusalem when they came to Jerusalem, especially at the time of the festivals. It is the road where the Good Samaritan story took place, and there is a “Good Samaritan Inn” on this road even today. There is a hill behind it and from there you can see the hill called “Azal” referred to in v 5. It sits overlooking the Dead Sea. The Mount of Olives will split, from east to west. The Mishnah says that the Mount of Olives is called the “Mount of the Messiah.” As Yeshua approaches, people will be repenting as they see the awesomeness of what is happening, just like people did as they saw Israel coming out of Egypt and then approaching Jericho (Rahab-Josh 2.8-14). As they believe they will flee through this valley for protection. Song 8.5 says “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?”
As we have said before, we believe that Yeshua comes to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives on Yom Kippur, exactly 2520 days from the start of the Birth-pains. Here are some clues as to why this is true. In Matt 24.27-31 it syas that Yeshua will come with the sound of “a great trumpet” which is an idiom for Yom Kippur. There are three eschatological trumpets (shofarim) in the Scriptures. The first trumpet is related to the betrothal of Israel on Shavuot. The “last trump” is relayed to Rosh ha Shannah and the full marriage. These two trumpets relate to the two horns of the ram caught in the thicket in Gen 22. The “great trumpet” or “Shofar ha Gadol” relates to the Neilah service on Yom Kippur. The Lord will accept repentance up until this trumpet is blown. Then the “door is closed (Neilah) for repentance once this trumpet is blown. And that is what we see happening as the Lord comes in Matt 24.27-31. This is clearly Yom Kippur. That means that the Birth-pains will start on a Yom Kippur, ten days after the Natzal, or rapture, of the believers to heaven on Rosh ha Shannah, Tishri 1. Micah 5.4 uses several Yom Kippur terms. It says he will “arise and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.” This describes the function of the high priest on Yom Kippur, where the name of the Lord was mentioned for all to hear. This service is described in the Yom Kippur Mussaf service and on p 591 of the Yom Kippur Machzor by Artscroll. Another clue can be found in Matt 3, where Yochanon reveals Yeshua on Yom Kippur. Yeshua went into the wilderness on Elul 1 and stays 40 days, the time of repentance. He comes down on Yom Kippur (John 1.29-34) and Yochanon reveals him to be the “servant of God” who will take away the sins of the world, all Yom Kippur terms.
Now, let’s look at Joel 2.15-16. It says, “Blow a trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast (the fast of Yom Kippur), proclaim a solemn assembly (there are two festivals called a “solemn assembly.” They are Rosh ha Shannah and Yom Kippur. Since there is a fast, this must be Yom Kippur). Gather the people, sanctify the congregation , assemble the elders, gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom (the Messiah) come out of his room (chedar) and the bride out of the bridal chamber (chuppah).” In other words, the bridegroom and the bride are coming on Yom Kippur. Deut 32.43 also refers to the coming of the Messiah where it says that the Gentiles will rejoice with the Jewish people. For he will avenge the blood of his servants and will render vengeance on his adversaries, and he will “atone for his land and for his people.” This is all Yom Kippur terminology. Zech 9.14 gives us another glimpse into the coming of the Messiah and Yom Kippur because it says, “Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning (the “fiery law” of Deut 33.2 and the “lightning” of Matt 24.27); and the Lord God will blow the trumpet (the “shofar ha gadol” of Yom Kippur-Matt 24.31; Isa 27.13), and will march in the storm winds of the south (the direction he will be coming from-Deut 33.2; Isa 63.1-6; Hab 3.7; Zech 9.14).”
The next clue comes from the Shema liturgy. When you say the second part of the Shema, you cover your mouth, except on Yom Kippur because the Lord has come (see a Yom Kippur prayer book on the Shema). It has been done this way before the time of Yeshua. Another passage that reveals the coming of Yeshua on Yom Kippur is Isa 52.13-15. It alludes to the ashes of the red heifer and has a tie in to the Yom Kippur service. The high priest “sprinkles” the blood on the Ark (and later the foundation stone where the Ark stood), the veils and the Altar of Incense. In Isa 52.13-15 he “sprinkles” the nations. In Zech 14.3-7 it says that the Lord is gathering the nations against Jerusalem. They turn to fight Yeshua, and it is too late for them to repent because the “Great Shofar” or “shofar ha gadol” has already sounded, “closing the gates” (Neilah) of repentance.” Rev 19.19 says “And I saw the beast (the false messiah) and the kings of the earth (the nations) and their armies, assembled to make war against him who sat upon the horse (of Rev 19.11), and against his army (the holy ones of Deut 33.2, Jude 14. This army is the Messiah, the glorified believers who will come out of Jordan and are like the mighty men, the “givorim” of King David-Zech 12.8-10).” Jer 19.1-15 describes the death and carnage that will result from this one-sided battle around Jerusalem. Yeshua will arrive in Jerusalem and stand on the Mount of Olives, and the Great Shofar blows. The angels are dispatched to gather the unbelievers first (Matt 13.29-30) to the judgment in Matt 25.41-46. Then, believers are gathered (Matt 13.24-30, 24.29-31, 25.31-40; Luke 17.33-37). In Part 17, we will pick up here and discuss what happens to the false messiah and the false prophet.
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