Two Days

2 Peter 3:1 :" ¶ This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation."

It is beyond me how that so very many people can read the above scriptures, and yet still conjure up all the excuses, rationalizations and reasons for not preparing themselves for the return of the Messiah. Peter prophecies that there would be such a length of time until Yahshua's return, that the promise would seem stale. indeed, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation."

And so it is. Most "christian" leaders have turned away from the "blessed hope" and have submerged themselves into politics, psychology, social programs and an unending line of unscriptural practices and notions. They no longer believe in the promise. Oh, if asked they will certainly claim to believe, but shortly afterward will come their "qualifying remarks" such as,"...but you know", or" ...of course we believe ", or my personal favorite in which they attempt to turn the focus off of their unbelief and unto my extremism,"...but don't you think..." That's usually a grave error in judgement on their part, because I will then proceed to tell them exactly what I think. No they have become scoffers, if not in word then in deed. For Peter tells us that," [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness," and "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. "

People who are literally looking for and believing in the return of the Messiah, DO NOT want to be found unready or unworthy, but are seeking Him NOW, in their daily lives. Such people do tend to bear the brunt of much criticism and cynicism, because, afterall, who in their right mind would actually take to heart a 2000 year old promise? And to most people, 2000 years is a desperately long time.

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. "

Hosea 6:1 ¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.::2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. :3 Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth. "

Now, let's establish a few things. Let's look at verse 1,"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Scince the prophet Hosea has been giving on WHO Israel would actually be in the last days or end times (gentiles, or "not My people" http://remnantway.com/chapter_5_29.html ), who do you suppose that he is speaking of when he says that Yahweh has torn them but will heal them and has smitten them but will bind them up? That's right. "Lost" or put away Jacob Israel, lost to their identity, their old name, Israel, being left behind as a curse to be taken up by the descendants of Esau/Edom.

Daniel 12:1" ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. :2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. :4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

Here in Daniel we have the tying together of great trouble (Jacob's Trouble), the resurrection, and the time of the end. But in verse 7 another powerful identifying mark is added,"And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished. "

:3 "Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth." Here I am getting a little out of order, but do bear with me, I am still heading in the same direction. Here in Hosea verse 3 we have the "latter and former rains" Now where have we heard that before?

Acts 2:14"¶ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;"

But if we back up a few verses we find this referred to by Joel in different terminology: Joel 2:23 "Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first [month]. "

:2 "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." Yes we are right back at the 2 days. Here we have Hosea laying down a very precise pattern. After 2 days, in the third day He will revive us and raise us up. Add Peter's prophetic insight and this becomes even clearer: after 2 days ( 2000 years), in the third day (the 3000 year time frame) He will revive us and raise us up; or as Paul put it: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. "