In this section, my intention is to give you, the reader a basic framework from the scriptures which you can use to understand Bible prophecy. I will first use Genesis 1 and show how each day of creation points to a 1000 year period in God’s plan for mankind. Second, I will use the Jewish feast days given in Leviticus 23 and show how they are prophetic road markers which show where we are in God’s plan for history.
2 Peter 3:8 says, “8 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.” The Genesis 1 account of creation is the actual historical account of creation. God took 7 literal 24 hour days to create our heavens and earth. He did not take 7 long periods of time to create. These days are prophetic in that they point to seven, 1000 year periods of human history. Each account of each day has a key cross reference word which points to the key figure of each 1000 year period of time. This is shown in the chart below.
Day 1, Key figure – Adam, (Seth & Cain), Key cross reference word – Divided, Supporting scripture – Genesis 4 & 5 (Lines of Seth & Cain)
Day 2, Key figure – Noah, Key cross reference word – Water, Supporting scripture – Genesis 6 -8
Day 3, Key figure – Abraham, Key cross reference word – Seed, Supporting scripture – Genesis 12 – 21 and Galatians 3:16
Day 4, Key figure – David, Key cross reference word – Rule, Supporting scripture – 1 Samuel 25:30, 2 Samuel 6:21, and 2 Samuel 7:8
Day 5, Key figure – Jesus Christ, Key cross reference word – Abundantly, Supporting scripture – John 10:10, (Please see teaching on the number 5)
Day 6, Key figure – The beast, Anti-Christ, Key cross reference word – Beast, Supporting scripture – Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:18, and Daniel 7
Day 7, Key figure – Israel at rest, Key cross reference word – Rest, Supporting scripture – Hebrews 3 and 4, Revelation 20
For confirmation of this understanding of God’s plan for history up through day 4 see my lesson on a basic chronology of the Old Testament. The outline above also gives a 2000 year plan for the church (days 5 and 6) and an actual 1000 year physical reign of Christ as king from Jeruasalem where Israel is at rest and chief among the nations.
Hosea 6:2 says, “2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” This scripture confirms the day for 1000 year understanding taught above. It is referring to Israel being revived after 2000 years of a mostly Gentile church (see Romans 11). In Luke 10, notice that the Good Samaritan (Christ) gives 2 pence (one for each day He is gone – each 1000 years) to the host (Holy Spirit). The host is charged to take care of the wounded and half dead man until the Samaritan returns. Here are some other scripture verses to consider: John 2:1, And the third day…; and John 11:39, Lazarus as a type of the O.T. saint had been dead 4 days.
The second part of this lesson is a look at the 7 Jewish feasts described in Leviticus 23 and show how they are prophetic markers in God’s plan for history. First I will give a chart which shows the feast, the scripture where it is described, the fulfillment, and supporting scripture.
Feast of The Passover – Leviticus 23:5, The crucifixion of Jesus Christ – John 1:29, Luke 22:1, Revelation 5:6
Feast of Unleavened Bread – Leviticus 23:6-8, Jesus Christ was without sin and did not see corruption – Psalm 16:10 and Acts 13:35
Feast of Firstfruits – Leviticus 23:9 – 14, Jesus Christ was the firstfruits of the harvest at His resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15:23, Isaiah 51:9 (the first “awake, awake”), Proverbs 25:7 (the first “come up hither”)
Feast of Pentecost – Leviticus 23:15-21,22, The Church age or general harvest which is finished at the rapture of the church – Acts 2:1, 1 Corithians 15:51, 1 Thessalonians 4, Isaiah 51:17 (the second “awake, awake”), Revelation 4:1 (the second “come up hither”) – Verse 22 is separated out because it represents the tribulation harvest or gleanings part of the harvest – Revelation 7 (see the word corners as in gleanings)
Feast of Trumpets – Leviticus 23:23-25, The rapture of the tribulation saints – Isaiah 52:1 (the third “awake, awake”), Revelation 11:12 (the third “come up hither”), 1 Corinthians 15:52 (at the last trump of Revelation 11:15), Isaiah 26:19, 20, Matthew 24:31 (not the rapture of the church here but of the tribulation saints)
Day of Atonement – Leviticus 23:26-32, The second coming of Jesus Christ, The entire book of Joel, Zechariah 12 – 15 (see phrase used 15 times, “in that day”), Revelation 1:7,10, Revelation 19
Feast of Tabernacles – Leviticus 23:33-44, The 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth and the restoration of Israel – Revelation 20
My hope is that with this basic outline you will begin to see how history, God’s prophetic plan, and the scriptures fit together. This basic outline is the border pieces of the puzzle. The other lessons in this Bible prophecy section will serve to fill in the pieces.