A
Manchild Ministry
By Craig
Bluemel
TO THE READER: This is a relatively advanced teaching,
and requires a working knowledge of the history of the Christian church in the
20th Century, as well as some background in end-time event prophecies in
scripture.
Revelation
12:1-5 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the
sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve
stars. 2 And she being with child cried,
travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to
the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be
delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of
iron: and her child was caught up unto
God, and to his throne. King James
Version
Origin
of the Manchild Ministry:
History
of the Neo-Pentecostal Movement of 1901
The origin and concept of a “Manchild Ministry” dates
back as early as the early neo-Pentecostal movement which started at the
beginning of the 20Th
Century. The teaching espoused what was
also synonymous with what was often called the “Latter Rain Movement.” On January 1, 1901, in Topeka, Kansas, and
soon thereafter at the ‘Azusa Street Revival’ in Azusa, California, what was
coined as, “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” was experienced by people across the
United States, and then throughout the world.
A visible and audible manifestation of Christians speaking in other
tongues was evident, just as it had been in the Book of Acts during the
inception of the Christian church.
Revival spread across the land for the next several
decades, and soon there were revivals with miraculous healings occurring. God raised up men like Oral Roberts, Joe Coe,
Billie Sunday, Smith Wigglesworth, John Lake, Ern Baxter, William Branham, and
many more, through whom He performed miracle healings. Miracles of this magnitude were not palpable
since the days of the first apostles.
Christians everywhere were convinced these signs marked the beginning of
the last generation of God’s people just prior to the return of the Lord Jesus,
as he had promised nearly 2000 years earlier.
As the fervor and excitement for the coming of Jesus ran
high, there was opposition from the mainline denominations denouncing speaking
in tongues and claiming it was, “of the devil.” These self-righteous hypocrites rejected any
new gift of the spirit, and said speaking in tongues had ceased with the days of
the apostles.
Eventually, even most mainline denominations had to
concede that this was the work of God, for it was too widespread, and hundreds
of miraculous healings were filmed and medically documented. This did not persuade the Baptists,
Methodist, Presbyterians and others to adopt the speaking in tongues as part of
their doctrine, yet great numbers of their parishioners were experiencing it,
and were leaving the orthodox denominations for this fresh moving of the Spirit
of God. In fact, this gave birth to a
whole new breed of churches that called themselves “non-denominational.”
During this 20TH Century revival, many teachers of
the scripture began to study end-time events as never before, pondering the
return of Jesus Christ. The teaching of
the “Rapture” surfaced, and it was established as an event distinct from the
“Second Coming” of Christ.
The Pre-tribulation Rapture teaching said Jesus would
appear before the Great Tribulation, and then the ‘Second Coming” of
Christ. Some teachers taught that the
Rapture would be the physical removal of all born-again Christians from the
earth prior to the rise of the Antichrist and the mark of the Beast (666).
As teaching on the Rapture progressed, more differing
views were taken. While some held that
all Christians would go in the Rapture, others began to teach only certain
believers who were totally committed to Christ would be “caught away” to escape
the Great Tribulation. Hence terms like, “Total Pre-Tribulation Rapture”
and “Partial Pre-Tribulation Rapture” began.
Many churches rejected the notion and teaching of the
”Rapture” and said it was a doctrine seeking to avoid the kind of suffering all
Christians must endure.
“Post-Tribulation” believers took this view and posture by teaching all
true Christians must suffer and endure the time of Great Tribulation, and be
martyred for Christ by their refusal to take the mark of the Beast. Their reward would be resurrection from the
dead just prior to the return of Jesus, then ascending And descending to earth
with Him to defeat the Antichrist and his armies, who would be attacking
Jerusalem during the Battle of Armageddon.
The
“Latter Rain Movement” aka “Manchild
Ministry”
This study is not intended to unravel the many diverse
views on the Rapture or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Rather, it is to define what the “Latter Rain
Movement” aka the “Manchild Ministry” is, and to examine whether or not it has
scriptural merit.
The proponents of the “Partial Pre-Tribulation Rapture”
teaching were primarily responsible for the creation of another end-time event
doctrine known as, “The Manchild Ministry.”
The foundation for this doctrine is the word “manchild” in the King James
Version of the Bible in Revelation 12:5.
The context of Revelation 12:1-6 is used to elaborate exactly what the
“manchild” is, and what its purpose and function are.
Two concepts were key to the development of the teaching
of the Manchild Ministry. First, as
certain leaders in the churches noticed a tremendous lack of holiness
(i.e.-purity) in the lives of many Christians.
Receiving the, “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” was not enough to sustain a
righteous and blameless walk with God.
God was calling His people to become overcomers together with Jesus
Christ.
Sloppy Christian living, fraternizing with the world,
pursuing the cares of life, and a desire for wealth and financial prosperity
were proof that a Christians’ love for Jesus could die, or at best, become
“lukewarm.”
Many statistics today offer undeniable proof that
Christians, on a per capita basis, watch the same movies and participate in many
of the same secular activities as those who are unbelievers. Scripture distinguishes between different
types of believers and in the gospels Jesus gives many warnings to those who
seek to follow him. One notable example
is the parable of the four different types of soil. In this parable, the seed (symbolic of the
word of God) fell into rocky soil, shallow soil, soil overgrown with thorns, and
finally the good soil. Only one type of
soil (good soil) is the kind necessary to bear fruit to eternal life (Matthew
13:3-23).
Theologians and teachers deduced that only “overcomer”
type Christians would be taken to heaven alive at the time of the Rapture. Their deduction was based upon observations
in scripture; bearing in mind certain believers would either be “taken” and or
be “left” behind. The ones left behind
seemed apparent because of the tide of materialism and lukewarm attitude
prevalent in many, if not most churches.
The “overcomers” would be the “manchild” of Revelation 12:5 that were
“caught up” to the throne of God.
The following Scriptures are a sampling of may used to
prove “overcomers will been “taken” while others shall be “left”:
Revelation 2:26-29 And he who overcomes, and he
who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are
broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father; and I will
give him the morning star. ‘He who has
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (NAS)
Matthew 24:38-44 “For as in those days which were before the
flood they were eating and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the
flood came and took them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man
be. Then there shall be two men in the
field; one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will
be left. Therefore be on the alert, for
you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time
of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not
have allowed his house to be broken into.
For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour
when you do not think He will. (NAS)
In Revelation 12:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, the
words “caught up” are used with reference to the church. These words “caught up” are the basis for the
Rapture doctrine, since the word “Rapture” cannot be found anywhere in
scripture. The Manchild Ministry is said
to take place prior to this catching up of believers into the air.
There are many conflicting views regarding the
Rapture. The recent “Left Behind” series
of books and movies have been instrumental in copious numbers of readers
believing Jesus will indeed come to rescue the faithful from the clutches of a
one-world government and the man called the antichrist. The common view portrays millions of
Christians instantly taken upward (literally) alive to heaven, leaving homes,
cars, airplanes, schools and other places vacant.
There is a rising number of Christians who reject the
notion of a “Rapture” altogether, and believe every Christian still living
during the reign of antichrist terror will either die by rejecting the “Mark of
the Beast” (666) or barely survive to see the Second Coming of Christ.
Although the word “Rapture” is never used anywhere in
scripture, the concept of being “snatched” or “seized” towards the throne of God
and the presence of Jesus Christ is evident in the original Greek text of
Revelation 12:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18.
Determining who the “manchild” of Revelation 12:5 is, and making the
connection between the manchild and those that are “alive and remain” in 1
Thessalonians 4:17-18 is, at best, an ambiguous link. It is not beyond the scope of possibility,
since both Greek texts use the word “harpazo” translated erroneously in English
as “caught up.”
A companion teaching that preceded the Manchild Ministry
doctrine was the “Latter Rain Movement” teaching, originating from three basic
text of scripture found in Joel 2:28, Acts 2:16-18 and James 5:7. These texts are: which read in contexts
below:
Joel 2:23-32 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. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and
the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the
cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army that I sent
among you. And you shall eat in plenty,
and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God that hath dealt
wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of
Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall
never be ashamed. And it shall come
to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young
men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in
those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire,
and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible
day of the LORD come. And it shall come
to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered:
for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said,
and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
(KJV)
Acts 2:1-21 And when the day of Pentecost
was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. And there appeared unto them
cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,
and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying
one to another, “Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue,
wherein we were born? Parthians, and
Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the
parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes
and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of
God.” And they were all amazed, and were
in doubt, saying one to another, “What meaneth this?” Others mocking said, “These men are full of
new wine.” But Peter, standing up with
the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, “Ye men of Judea,
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; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams: And on my servants
and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall
prophesy: And I will shew wonders in
heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of
smoke: The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord
come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.” (KJV)
James 5:1-8 Come now, you rich, weep and howl
for your miseries which are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and
their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like
fire. It is in the last days that you
have stored up your treasure! Behold,
the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by
you, cries out against you and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has
reached the ears of the Lord of Sabbath.
You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton
pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the
righteous man; he does not resist you.
Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious
produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late
rains. You too be patient; strengthen
your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (NAS)
Latter Rain – Manchild Ministry Doctrine Defined
The “Latter Rain Movement” teaching became synonymous
with the “Manchild Ministry” and, from the three passages listed above, its
proponents came to the following six conclusions:
1. The “latter rain” is mentioned in the Book of Joel
and NOT in the Book of Acts; nevertheless, one part of Joel’s prophecy IS
connected to what God said in Acts 2:16-17, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon
all flesh.” This is what happened
following the death and resurrection of Jesus, and marks the beginning of the
Christian church on the day of Pentecost.
This outpouring of the Spirit also marks what could be called the
beginning of the “last days.” This seems
to be a reasonable conclusion, and the context of Acts 2 supports this
teaching. Hence, from that time forward,
all Christian churches and believers that spoke in other (unknown) tongues were
labeled as “Pentecostals” because their experience coincides with the original
Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4.
2. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit has end-time
ramifications because, in both Joel and Acts, there are horrible events that
will precede the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord:
Acts 2:19-20
“And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The
sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great
and notable day of the Lord come.”
Latter Rain-Manchild doctrine teaches neither “wonders”
in heaven nor “signs” in the earth beneath has yet occurred. These events will follow the Rapture, and
occur during the time period known as ‘The Great Tribulation.” This too seems like a reasonable conclusion,
because in the Book of Revelation, such “signs” and “wonders” DO occur during a
period of great tribulation:
Revelation 6:9-17 And when he had opened the
fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word
of God, and for the testimony which they held:
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and
true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the
earth?” And white robes were given unto
every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a
little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should
be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there
was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and
the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth,
even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a
mighty wind. And the heaven
departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island
were moved out of their places. And the
kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains,
and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the
dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks,
“Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne,
and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and
who shall be able to stand? (KJV)
3. The disciples were purportedly “filled” with the Holy
Spirit and began speaking in other tongues, marking the fulfillment of Joel’s
prophecy: In the “last days” God would pour out His spirit on “all flesh” and
sons and daughters would “prophesy.” To
“prophesy” is simply to utter something by way of divine inspiration and
illumination, which is what the disciples did when they spoke in the tongues of
all ethnic Jewish groups in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, declaring, “…the
wonderful works of God.” On January 1,
1900, at Topeka, Kansas and Azusa Street in California, nearly 2000 years after
the first outpouring of God’s spirit, Christians gathered and also spoke in
other tongues. This glossa (tongue) was
the result and for a sign, it is claimed, of a new tremendous outpouring of the
Holy Spirit prophesied by Joel.
Latter Rain-Manchild proponents laid claim to a part of
Joel’s prophecy regarding the “former” rain, (because the word “former” in the
Hebrew means “teaching”). Subsequent to
the 1900 outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Topeka, Kansas and Azusa Street,
“teaching” about the return of Jesus became the primary emphasis in most
churches and many ministries across the globe.
Overzealous Christians hastily concluded the “former rain” (i.e. –
teaching rain) had begun, and according to Joel’s prophecy the, “latter rain,”
(in Hebrew meaning a “strong deluge”), was yet to come.
To Latter Rain Revivalists, the “former and latter” rain
in Joel 2:28-29 are prophetic promises to the church, or what they call
“spiritual Israel.” They do not
delineate the two distinct promises; that is, the former and latter rain to the
“children of Zion” (Israel) and what God promises to His church saying, “it shall come to pass afterward, that I will
pour out my spirit.” The prophecies concerning the outpouring of God’s
Spirit on “all flesh” and the “former and latter rain” must be distinguished as
two separate events. More detail will be
provided on this later.
4. As noted above, the proponents of the “Latter
Rain-Manchild Ministry” are thoroughly convinced the “latter rain” is a
supernatural event yet to come. One of
their emotionally charged arguments goes something like this, “The great and
notable day of the Lord hasn’t come yet!
Since the Hebrew word for ‘latter rain’ means ‘a deluge’ it MUST refer to
a greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the great end time
harvest of souls.”
Quick to use James 5:7 as further proof, they say, “The
farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, until it gets the early and
late rains. This is what the church is
doing now…patiently waiting, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
Undeniably, the text in James is a message to the
church. It verifies the need for
patience too, because no one knows the day or hour of the Lord’s return. Latter Rain doctrine makes a presumptuous and
inexplicable quantum leap from Joel’s prophecy to Israel regarding former and
latter rain in the same month, and James’ exhortation to the church using the
analogy of the patience of an ancient farmer waiting for the harvest (latter)
rains to gather in his crops.
Believing that God has a spectacular event in store for
those who patiently wait for the great latter rain outpouring of His spirit, a
great deal of apathy exists in the ranks of many charismatic circles. People are “waiting” for Jesus to return,
running to and fro from one charismatic renewal meeting to the next, forgetting
necessity of demonstrating “works” to validate their so-called
faith.
5. Because James 5:7 mentions “the last days” in the
same context as “the early and late rains,” it appeases the appetite of teachers
that are looking for “proof” to authenticate their view as they promote the
Latter Rain-Manchild Ministry doctrine.
Who can turn a blind eye when comparing those prophesied of in James 5:7
with those in the churches today that hoard wealth and prosperity?
Wouldn’t this equation be a perfect match for the
lukewarm condition of the church of Laodicea?
Revelation 3:14-19 And unto the angel of the
church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful
and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that
thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and
neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased
with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art
wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy
of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that
thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be
zealous therefore, and repent. (KJV)
This aspect of the teaching seems reasonable. There is a rampant teaching of prosperity and
seeking after financial gain in the Christian church today. This teaching draws believers away from their
first love, and causes them to be selfish, self-serving, and lukewarm. The Latter Rain folks see such lukewarm
commitment as the need for God to pour out His holy spirit in one last deluge
upon the church, thus reviving the materialistic Christians, and rapidly
maturing them in order that they not be left behind with the unbelieving world
during the time of the Great Tribulation.
This error in doctrine abnegates the personal responsibility of the
lukewarm to repent, and offers instead a miraculous touch from God instead.
6. When God pours out the “latter rain” it is purported
to be a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which the farmer in James 5 is
patiently waiting for. This farmer
represents all the true Christians, who will become a powerful army, with a
mighty anointing of God upon them, do great miracles, signs and wonders, and
then after 3 ½ years of potent ministry be “caught up” to God and His throne as
the mighty “Manchild” company of Revelation 12:5-6.
The view and concept of a mighty “Manchild” army of New
Testament believers is not only contrary to scripture, but feeds the human ego
and pride. It says, “ I can become part
of a special breed of believer in the last days that will conquer the antichrist
and win the world for Jesus Christ. Only
those who understand God’s plan can step into the anointing when He pours out
the latter rain of His spirit.”
The “Latter Rain” teaching specifies the “crops” will be
a last day harvest of souls just prior to the “Rapture’ and “The Great
tribulation.” These crops are harvested
from the seed of God’s word planted in the soil of men’s hearts, as in Jesus’
teaching about the four kinds of soil (Matthew13:3-18,18-23; Mark 4:2-20; Luke
8:5-15). Here is an example from Mark
4:8:
Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did
yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and
some sixty, and some an hundred.
(KJV)
Agriculture in the East needs both early (former) and
late (latter) rains. The early rains are
needed to help germinate the seed and grow the tender shoots, while the late
rains come toward the end on the growing season, and help bring the heads of
grain to full maturity so the can be harvested when ripe.
Latter-Rain teachers believe the late rains, or the
heavier deluge is symbolic of what God will do in the last days. They claim He will pour out His spirit in
such a mighty way it will mature the church much more quickly because Joel says
the early and late rains will come in the same month. Thus they anticipate a great revival and put
all their eggs into one basket, believing this is the only way the church as a
body of Christ can be made ready for the Rapture. In so doing, they are blind guides, ignoring
the many warnings from the Lord Jesus to be dressed in readiness (Read Luke
chapter twelve).
The “latter rain” in Joel 2:23-24 is NOT a prophecy
regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on God’s people in the last days,
but rather, it is a promise from Yahweh to Israel for restoration to their
crops:
Joel 2:23-24 Be glad then, you children of Zion, and
rejoice in the Lord, your God; for He gives you the former or early rain in just
measure and in righteousness, and He causes to come down for you the rain, the
former rain and the latter rain, as before.
And the threshing floors shall be full of grain and the vats shall
overflow with juice of the grape and oil.
AMP
Who is the Manchild?
The “manchild” found in Revelation 12:5 is the subject
of much controversy amongst the ranks of eschatologists. Many theologians consider the manchild to be
Christ, and the “woman” who gives birth to the child as Israel, and her crown of
twelve stars as the twelve individual tribes of Israel. This is the most common view. Others view the manchild as offspring of the
church, portrayed as the pregnant woman, whose crown of twelve stars is symbolic
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The problem with the view of the woman as Israel giving
birth to Christ is that it violates the context of chapter 12 of Revelation,
which takes place during the time of the dragon with 7 heads (each head
representing one of seven world governments that have existed since the time of
Egypt).
The last, and seventh head of the dragon is said to be
the “beast” (Revelation 13:1‑6) that “wages war” against the
saints and overcomes them (Revelation 13:7).
If the manchild in 12:5 was Christ, then he would have been caught up to
the throne of God as soon as he was born from Mary’s womb, which did NOT
happen.
This seventh headed beast is said to have power, which
causes the whole earth to worship his image, (Revelation 13:15‑18), and
to take make people take the mark of the beast (666), or the number of his
name. There are numerous scripture
passages proving the beast with seven heads exists in the end times, and not
during the time of Jesus Christ’s birth or earthly ministry; these verses are
found in Revelation 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2,10,13; 17:3,7,8,11‑13,16, 17; 19:20;
20:4,10.
Since it is clear that the manchild is born during the
time of the “beast” with 7 heads, this child must be symbolic of someone other
than Jesus Christ. In Revelation
1:1 the angel showed the apostle John “the things which must shortly take
place.” Most authorities agree that
John’s book of Revelation was written about 96 A.D. Therefore the, “things, which must shortly
take place,” is a reference to future events from 96 A.D. onward.
The book of Revelation is a book about events that are
futuristic in time; it is a prophetic book using signs and symbols to convey its
message (see Revelation 1:3; 22:7,10,18,19).
In fact the Greek word for “signified” in the King James Version (KJV)
translation of Rev. 1:1 literally means “signs and symbols.”
The question is: WHAT does the “manchild” of Revelation
12:5 represent? This male child is
symbolic of something or someone, but what or who? The Worrell New Testament
(A.S. Worrell’s Translation With Study Notes), Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell.
Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. 1980 edition
published by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, No 65802. Printed in the
U.S.A. Page 382, NOTES ON CHAPTER XII says:
We understand the woman in this chapter to represent
Christendom, and the man‑child to represent the overcoming portion of the
raptured saints. This chapter,
chronologically, seems to fit on to the close of the third chapter. Chapters 4
and 5 present a heavenly vision; chapters 6‑11 set forth in symbol the woes that
are to follow the rapture; and chapters 13‑19 execute these foretold woes.
Verses 1,2
“Clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet”; this indicates the
great honor and dignity that attach to the woman. “Travailing in birth, and being in pain to
bring forth”; this seems to represent the great labor and pain of Christendom,
in bringing forth the full overcomer, who is, with Jesus, to rule the world with
a rod of iron, (chapter 3:21).
Verses 3,4 these verses seem to represent Satan who is
striving to thwart the purpose of God to elevate to the throne a portion of the
seed of Christ.
Verses 5 “She
brought forth a manchild”; not Jesus Christ, as we understand it, but some
believers of the overcoming type (Ephesians 4:13,15), who are fit to reign with
Jesus by reason of His fully developed life in them. To make this man‑child refer to Jesus Christ
is to violate the universal principle in the language, which forbids, in the
very nature of things, the symbolizing of a past historical event! Christ had been born not far from ninety
years, when John wrote the book of Revelation; but if we understand this
man‑child as representing one of a class of full overcomers, who are to reign
with Jesus, and then there seems to be no violence done to the language.
In Revelation 12:5 the manchild is “caught up” to God
and to His throne. The Greek word for
“caught” is “harpazo.” Harpazo means,
“to seize” (in various applications), such as, “catch (away, up), pluck, pull,
take (by force).” See Strong’s
#726. There is no Greek word in the
original text indicating upward movement in Revelation 12:5. The word that follows “caught” does not mean
“up,” but rather, “toward.” In fact, the
Greek interlinear uses the word “prós”; prós (Strong’s #4314) is a preposition
meaning “toward.”
In Greek, when a preposition “pros” follows a verb
“caught” which is in the aorist indicative passive, it implies action at a
particular point in time, and would read in English like this:
Revelation 12:5 And her child was seized toward
the throne of the God (at a particular point in time).”
Here, the “child” is the object of what it is being
“seized toward” (i.e. – the throne of the God).
This shows a relationship between God and the child, causing us to
believe the child is referring to the church, for they are God’s children:
John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in
His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God. (NAS)
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness
with our spirit that we are children of God,
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,
if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with
Him. (NAS)
Romans 9:8 That is, it is not the children of
the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded
as descendants. (NAS)
Hebrews 2:11-13 For both He who sanctifies and
those who are sanctified are all from one Father for which reason He is not
ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Thy name to My brethren,
in the midst of the congregation I will sing Thy praise.” And again, “I will put my trust in Him.” And
again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given me.”
In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, there is a reference to the
return of Jesus Christ for His church, and the same Greek word “harpazo” is used
for the believers being “caught” or “seized.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. (NAS)
Again, the Greek text in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 does not
support the idea of being caught “up” (as in an upward direction); the Greek
word for “up” (apo) is not used. Rather,
a primary preposition “en” is used; the Greek preposition “en” denotes those
being “seized” or taken into a fixed (permanent) position in their state
of existence and their relation of eternal rest with the Lord. This word “en” is rarely used with verbs of
motion, and even then is not to indicate direction. In other words, 1 Thessalonians 4:17
reads as follows using the Greek construction:
1 Thessalonians
4:17 b “Then we which are alive and
surviving shall be seized together into a fixed position, into a relation of
rest.”
If we compare Revelation 12:5 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17
side by side, we can see a definite relationship between the two verses:
Revelation 12:5 And she brought forth a
man-child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was
seized toward the throne of the God, (at a particular point in
time). *Literal Greek rendering.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and
surviving shall be seized together into a fixed position in a relation of
rest with them in clouds, to meet coming from different directions, the Lord
into the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. *Literal Greek rendering (KJV)
The Greek word for “coming” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is
parousía meaning ‘presence’; Jesus Christ is portrayed as “coming” in a
“presence” from multiple different directions.
When the text says the believers meet him in the air, it speaks not of
our immediate natural atmosphere, but a spiritual realm or dimension.
The Jews did not designate the “air” as the dwelling
place of angels, but of Satan and his demons.
It is in this context that Paul designates Satan as being the ruler of
the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2 & 6:12). The Lord will penetrate this realm or area in
order to deliver His own people from the earthly dimension.
Thus far, we have established three points:
The “manchild” symbolizes the church; male & female
believers collectively
The “harpazo” or “seizing” of the child toward God’s
throne indicates a relationship of parent to child.
There is a clear relationship in the use of the word
“harpazo” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Revelation 12:5 to offer proof of a
“seizing” of certain believers from the realm of this earth, and from Satan, the
god of this world, into another realm.
The Manchild and the Overcomers
The manchild represents the overcoming believers who are
watching and praying (Luke 21:34-36) in order to escape the beast, which brings
the Great Tribulation upon the lukewarm Christendom, which is deceived by the
cares of life. The manchild will be
“seized” toward the throne of God in Revelation 12:5, and “seized” into the
presence of Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
The verses below give us a better understanding of what exactly a
believer should be doing in order to escape the great tribulation:
Luke 21:25-36
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the
earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the
waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming
upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming
in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And He told them a parable: “Behold the fig
tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know
for yourselves that summer is now near.
Even so you, too, when you see these things happening, recognize that the
kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to
you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words
will not pass away. Be on guard, that
your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the
worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come
upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying
in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to
take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (NAS)
Something distinguishes the manchild overcomers from
other believers in the last days. That
distinction is their fervent (i.e. - boiling) love for Jesus Christ. Unlike the Laodicean church, which has become
lukewarm by seeking material and financial gain, the manchild is also symbolized
as the Philadelphia church, which has maintained their love and zeal for Jesus
Christ.
The book of Revelation contrasts the church of
Philadelphia with the church at Laodicea. Philadelphia represents the church of
overcomers, the manchild. Why? Because the text of Revelation 3:7-13 says
they have kept the word of Jesus’ patience, and are therefore they will be kept
“from” (Greek word is “ek”, meaning “out of”) the hour of temptation (the Greek
word means “testing”), which shall come upon all the world, to try them that
dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:10-13 ‘Because you have kept the word of My
perseverance, I also will keep you from (The Greek preposition is “ek” meaning,
“out of”) the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the
whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have,
in order that no one take your crown. He
who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not
go out from it anymore; and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the
name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven
from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
says to the churches.’ (NAS)
Laodicea seeks materialistic goals (Revelation 3:17),
and therefore they are similar to the rich in the “last days” that hoard wealth
and riches, as mentioned earlier in James 5:7.
This group of believers will not be one heart and mind with the manchild
during its development in the womb of the visible church (i.e. – Christendom),
which is symbolized by the pregnant woman in travail in Revelation 12:5. They will find repentance at a later time,
when they are tried by fire, so to speak, in the Great Tribulation, which shall
come upon the entire earth.
The church at Philadelphia has but a “little power,” yet
those who are part of Philadelphia are faithful to hold fast the word of God,
and will not abnegate or deny the name, character, authority, and reputation of
Jesus (see Revelation 3:8). This is
solid proof that the manchild is not some last day’s powerhouse army of
believers, but a meek and humble group of Christians, who have taken the role as
servants.
In fact, the Greek words “little power” in Revelation
3:8 are “mikrán dúnamin” meaning, “microscopic in strength, ability,
power.” God is saying the Philadelphia
church is not noted for their miraculous demonstration of signs and
wonders. In fact, they are actually
quite weak; but in this weakness, they find they are strong in God. If the Philadelphia church is synonymous with
the manchild of Revelation 12:5, then the Latter Rain concept of a manchild
company of believers endued with miraculous power, and doing greater works than
Jesus did is fallacious.
Philadelphia means literally “in the direction of being
in a fixed position, of close association in dear, and active fondness as
friends, coming from the same womb.“
This shows the primary characteristic of the Philadelphia-manchild church
is characterized by their committed friendships love one for another.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one
lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Perhaps this is what Christ meant in John
14:12 by His church doing “greater works” than He did. After all, the greatest of all of Christ’s
works was being humbled, even to the point of death on a cross. We are His servants, and the servant is not
greater than His master, is he? (Read John 15:20)
John 14:12
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do shall he
do also; and greater works than
these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”
NAS
One interesting note in the Greek text of John 14:12 is
the fact the word “works” following the word “greater” has been omitted. The English Bible translators erroneously
added the word “works” to comply with either their doctrine or assumption. Latter Rain – Manchild doctrine emphasizes
this verse, and uses it as a hallmark characteristic of what the Manchild
Ministry will be like. They believe when
God pours out the Latter Rain” or strong deluge of His spirit in the last days,
it will result in the manchild company doing greater miracles and signs and
wonders than Jesus Christ ever did.
The simple fact is John 14:12 reads from the Greek as,
“…the works that I do shall he do also; and greater…” Greater what? Not miracles, for sure. Philadelphia has only microscopic strength,
but they have the love of God, which is greater than any miracle or sign or
wonder.
The following is a list of the “greater” characteristics
of the Philadelphia church/manchild; note that not one verse associates
miraculous power as being part of what God or Jesus considers “greater!”
Matthew 11:11 "Truly, I say to you, among those born of
women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he. New American Standard
Mark 12:31 “The second is this, 'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than
these.” New American Standard Bible
Luke 22:27
For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is
it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who
serves. New American Standard Bible
John
13:13-17 “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher,
washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you
also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave
is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one
who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are
blessed if you do them. New American
Standard Bible
John
15:12-14 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have
loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are My friends, if you
do what I command you.” New American
Standard Bible
1 Corinthians
12:31-13:2 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still
more excellent way. 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to
remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. New American Standard Bible
1 John 4:4
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He
who is in you than he who is in the world.
New American Standard Bible
3 John 4 I
have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. New American Standard Bible
Note that the literal definition of Philadelphia
includes this church as “coming from the same womb.” This simple fact gives the Philadelphia a
clear and direct tie to the birth of the manchild from the womb of the woman in
Rev. 12:5. Ironically, with regards to
the birth of a Manchild, the Greek word “arsen” is used in reference to the womb
in another NT reference:
Luke 2:23
As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall
be called holy to the Lord; (KJV)
The word “manchild” is from two Greek words. “Man” is the Greek “arsen”
meaning “male”, (as stronger for lifting), and is from a root word
“airo” meaning, “to lift”; by implication, “to take
away”. The second part of the word
“child” is the Greek word “huios” and this word primarily
signifies the relation of an offspring to parent and not simply the birth as
indicated by the usual Greek word “teknon.”
In Matt. 19:4 “arsen” is used when Jesus said, “...He
(God) who created them from the beginning made them male (arsen) and
female.”
When we compare the concept of both male and female
being made into what scripture calls, “man,” the account in Gen. 5:2
applies:
“He (God) created them male and female, and He blessed
them & named them man (adam) in the day when they were created.”
Gen. 5:2 refers to both male and female as the
“manchild.” We know this because of the
manner in which Gal. 3:28 is written, and includes ‘arsen’ to refer to both man
and woman in Christ. In the NT “arsen”
is used in Gal. 3:28 which reads:
“... there is neither male (arsen) nor female; for you
are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal. 3:28
Combining these thoughts, “arsen” can refer to the
strength (lifting) of a body of believers in Christ who are born of the
Spirit (John 3:3,8) and are made one in the Spirit by God. The manchild of Rev. 12:5 symbolizes groups
of believers, both male and female, who have come from one Father; who have been
born of the Spirit of God, and nurtured in the womb of the visible church. Their oneness with God is seen in their
friendship and love for one another:
John 17:11,
21 “And I am no more in the world;
and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep
them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are…that
they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us; that the world
may believe that Thou didst send Me. (NAS)
John
13:34-35 “A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love
one another. By this all men will know
that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NAS)
As stated earlier, the Greek word “huios” primarily
signifies the relation of an offspring to parent and not simply the birth as
indicated by the usual Greek word
“teknon.” The Greek word “huios”
used for the “child” part of “manchild” shows the relationship of this body of
believers to their God. Huios is used in
the relationship between God and Christ as Father and Son. Huios is also used of the spiritual parental
relationship of God and His children, the body of Christ, referred to as “sons”
(though it is not speaking of the male and female gender; rather by way of
analogy) in the following scripture references:
Rom.
8:14 “For all who are being led by
the spirit of God, these are the sons
(huios) of God.”
Rom 8:19
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons (huios) of God to be
revealed. (NIV)
Rom 8:29
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of
his Son (huios), that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers.
(NIV)
Rom 9:25-26
As He says also in Hosea, “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My
people,’ And her who was not beloved, beloved.’
And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not
My people,’ There they shall be called
sons (huios) of the living God.”
(NAS)
2 Cor
6:14-18 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have
righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or
what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with
idols? For we are the temple of the
living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I
will be a father to you, and you shall be sons (huios) and daughters to me,” says the Lord
Almighty. (NAS)
Gal 3:26
For ye are all the children (huios) of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Gal
4:4-7 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son (huios), born of a woman, born
under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that
we might receive the adoption as sons
(huios). And because you are sons (huios), God has sent forth the
Spirit of His Son (huios) into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son (huios); and if a son (huios), then
an heir through God. (NAS)
Heb 12:7-11
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons (huios); for what son (huios) is there whom his father
does not discipline? But if you are
without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are
illegitimate children and not sons
(huios). Furthermore, we had earthly
fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be
subject to the Father of spirits, and live?
For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He
disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be
joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it
yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
(NAS)
SUMMARY OF THE ABOVE: The word “manchild” in Revelation
12:5 refers to a body of believers who are made one by the Spirit of God, as
long as they are willing to be led by His spirit. Huios is also used in Rom. 8:19
“sons”, Rom. 9:26 “children” or “sons” and in other texts in reference to
the body of Christ, both male and female.
We are to grow in our relationship with our Heavenly
Father. We do this by walking in the
footsteps of His only begotten Son, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Just like a child grows inside the nurturing womb of its
mother, the manchild is to grow up into Him who is the Head, even Christ
(Eph.4:15-16). As the context of
Ephesians chapter four indicates, this growing up, or maturing into Christ can
only happen through the ministry of the different members of His spiritual
body:
Eph 4:11-16
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and
some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of
service, to the building up of the body
of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs
to the fulness of Christ. As a
result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and
carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness
in deceitful scheming; but speaking the
truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even
Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which
every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (NAS)
BECOMING A PART OF THE MANCHILD
Phil.2:
1-5,12-15 shows us that in order to be presented blameless as the people who
will be a part of the “manchild” we are to be conformed to the image of
Christ. We are to have the same attitude in us that
was in Him; taking on the form of servants, regarding one another as more important
than ourselves.
Jesus was the example of what we are to be to one
another and to the world…. humble servants.
Servitude is an expression of sacrificial love, genuine friendship, and
the effectual working of each individual member of the manchild’s body.
Phil 2:1-5
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation
of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and
compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same
love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind
let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not
{merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of
others. Have this attitude in yourselves
that was also in Christ Jesus. (NAS)
It has always been a command to every believer in Jesus
Christ to, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” It is now, as it has always been in times
past, the choice of the individual believer.
Phil
2:12-15 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and
trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for
His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or
disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children
of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you appear as lights in the world.
(NAS)
Mankind is basically selfish by nature, but God’s Word
demands death to self (Gal. 2:20) through serving others (Matt.23:
11). Through this death to self
comes the new life in Christ (Rom. 6:4-11), but it is a narrow path to
follow, and few choose to go this path:
Matt
7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many
are those who enter by it. For the gate
is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” (NAS)
This is why the manchild of Revelation 12:5 is
seen as a smaller body than that of the woman; they are those “few” who
walk on the narrow path. The manchild is
not a great powerhouse last day’s army as supposed by the early neo-Pentecostal
revivalists. The manchild is the same as
the church in Philadelphia that has but a
“little power,” (Lit. Greek=micro amount of miraculous
power).
Christendom at large is lukewarm and selfish, but within
the body of the woman is growing a smaller company of believers who is beginning
to learn the meaning of becoming bondservants of Christ. These few believers are treading the path of
thousands of believers in days gone by who have also walked as
bondservants. The difference is, that
they live in an age, pre-determined by God that will make them a company of
believers who are “seized” from this earth into the realm of God.
Just as the symbolic woman in Revelation 12:5 is
travailing in pain, trying to give birth to her manchild, so the church today is
in the “pains of childbirth” until now, eagerly awaiting the “revealing of the
sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19-22).
Jesus asked His Father, and was assured of a promise
that one day the church would give birth to a body of believers that would truly
be “one” (John 17:11-12).
In Isaiah 66 there is a prophecy that coincides
with the prophecy of the manchild birth in Revelation 12:5. Isaiah speaks first of the birth of Christ as
a man child, and then the birth of many children:
Isaiah
66:7-9 Before she travailed, she
brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child (Jesus the
Christ). Who hath heard such a thing?
who hath seen such things? Shall a land
be born in one day? Shall a nation be
brought forth at once? For as soon as
Zion travailed, she brought forth her children (the Manchild of Rev. 12:5). “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to
bring forth?” saith Jehovah: “shall I that cause to bring forth shut (the
womb)?” saith thy God. (ASV)
The womb of the church has been barren for almost 2000
years since the death and resurrection of Jesus. But just like Sarah who was past her child
bearing years, God produced a manchild (see Ro.4:17-25). Isaiah 66:8 says this manchild will be
a nation brought forth all at once; 1 Pet.2:9 confirms this as a “holy
nation.”
In this last generation before the Lord’s return (Luke
21:32), God is bringing to the breach a people who “tremble at His Word.”
(Isaiah 66:5) But just like Christ was
hated by the religious men of His day, and delivered up because of their envy
and jealousy, so the manchild shall be “hated for His Name’s sake,” (Is.66:5;
Matt.10:22; 24:8-9; Mk.13:13), even by their own brethren.
Nevertheless, Gal. 4:26-29 promises that the
Jerusalem above is free, she is our mother, and she will cause the barren woman
to give birth in the midst of persecution (see Gal. 4:29). Perhaps this hatred and persecution is what
is meant by the “pains” of childbirth the visible church experiences, as a body
of believers develops within its womb, kicking and moving against the walls of
tradition, and causing the woman to separate the child from itself.
One of the characteristics of the manchild is their
love for the truth of God’s word, and a desire to obey it, no matter the cost
(John 17:14-17; 7:16-17; 4:23).
·
They value God’s truth above the traditions and orthodoxy of man
(Col. 2:8; Mk. 7:8-9).
·
They recognize the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, and
study it to show themselves approved of God, not men (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
·
They grow in the truth, not for the sake of doctrine alone, but to
draw closer to their Lord and to one another (John 5:39-40).
The Scriptures say that there will be a great falling
away of believers in the last days because Christians don’t have a love for the
truth (2 Thessalonians 2:3; l0-l2; l:Tim.4:l). God’s Word is said to be
the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17), and Christ said that this “sword”
would bring division, even in the family of God (Matt.10:34). The word of
God shall either unify those who speak it to one another in love (Eph.
4:15,21,25), or it will divide those who are disobedient to it.
The greatest commandment Jesus gave His disciples is
found in Mark 12:29-31. It is to:
1. Hear that the Lord our God is one Lord
2. Love the Lord your God with all your
heart, soul, mind, and strength
3. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus, prayer that we become one, as He and the Father
are one, is relational. A man cannot say
he loves God whom he has not seen, yet hate his brother whom he has seen (l
Jn.2:3- 6, 9-11; 4:20-21). The
“manchild” in the womb of the church is perfected (Greek means matured) by the
love they have for one another (1 John 4:7-19).
After the manchild has fully matured within the womb of
the visible church, and the woman with a crown of 12 stars gives birth to the
child (Revelation 12:1-2,5), she flees into the wilderness to be
nourished by God for 3 ½ years
(Revelation 12:6). The seven-headed dragon pursues the woman with a flood
of destruction, but she was protected for 3 ½
years (see Revelation 12:14-16). The crown of 12 stars on her head
represents the 12 tribes of Israel, each with 12,000 members, totaling 144,000;
and symbolically these represent the first fruits of national Israel who are
sealed in Christ (Revelation 7:4-8; 14:4).
The 144,000 which are known as the “first-fruits” of
national Israel, will fulfill the last half of the 70 weeks of Daniel by
confirming the covenant with Messiah the Prince (Jesus) during the time of God’s
wrath upon the Gentiles. (See Daniel 9:24-27) The 144,000 are Messianic
Jews, who, like some of their Jewish brethren in the days of Jesus’ 3 ½ year
ministry, and confirmed the covenant with Jesus for the first half of the
70Th week, now complete
the prophecy by doing the same during the last 3 ½ years before the Second
Coming of Christ to earth. Like the
manchild, they will rule and reign with Christ upon the earth for 1000 years
during the period known as the Millennium.
What will happen to the lukewarm Laodicean church? These are the same as the “two witnesses” who
prophesy for 3-21 years, and then are martyred for Christ (see Revelation
11:1-14). They are also seen in
Revelation chapter 12 as the “remnant” of the woman’s seed upon whom the
seven-headed dragon makes war with when he is unable to destroy the woman with
the crown of 12 stars (see Revelation 12:17). These Laodicean believers are now compelled
to become red hot, and repent of their lukewarmness, because they will be tried
in the fires of the great tribulation (Rev.3: 18-19). These believers will sit down with Jesus on
His throne, but they are not mentioned as reigning with Him like the manchild
is.
SUMMARY:
The manchild of Revelation 12 is not Jesus Christ, but a
body of overcomers in Christ, both male and female, made one with Him and with
one another as they are led by God’s Spirit, and as they manifest His love to
each other and the world. These believers escape the great tribulation, although
some of them will suffer as martyrs before the Great tribulation. Their escape
as the living will come when they are “seized toward the throne of the God”
after the birth from the womb of the visible church.
Their distinctive qualities are:
1. Love for the truth (i.e.-God Himself
through His Word and Spirit
2. Love for one another
3. Perseverance
4. Watch and pray
5. They have a love for Jesus Christ that
is “hot”; like a bride for her groom - (See Song 6:8-10)
6. They won’t deny His Name
7. Have a little power, and an open door
for ministry.
8. They have the same attitude as Jesus
had; to be servants, meeting needs wherever the opportunity provides
The manchild is a direct contrast to the lukewarm
Laodicean church that is weighed down by the cares of life, and so misses the
upward calling in Christ. These
Laodiceans are the same as the “remnant” of the woman’s seed, or the same as the
two witnesses, upon whom the beast with seven heads wages war. They had the same opportunity as the manchild
to be caught up, but they were foolish, and they hated their own brethren who
were following the truth; this hatred was fueled by envy and jealousy.
The 144,000 are Messianic Jews who are the same as the
woman with the crown of 12 stars who flees into the wilderness to be nourished
by God for the 3 ½ year period of the
wrath of the beast. Then, after the two
witnesses are killed, the 144,000 are sealed during the wrath of God upon the
Gentiles for 3 ½ years, thus fulfilling
the prophecy of the 70 weeks of Daniel to confirm the covenant with Messiah the
Prince for one week (i.e. a week of years), help bring in everlasting
righteousness, and rule and reign with Christ and His manchild during the
Millennium.
NOTE - The manchild only represents the
overcomers at the end of time. There are believers throughout the history of the
church who have attained to a state of full maturity, or completion for their
era. The manchild group is significant because they develop into their mature
state as a cooperative body of believers, not just as individuals.
Becoming
the “man” & “child” God wants:
Eph 3:14-19
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in
heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the
riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in
your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may
be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and
height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that
you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.
(NAS)
Matt 18:2-6
And He called a child to Himself and
set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and
become like children, you shall not
enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this
child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;
but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is
better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be
drowned in the depth of the sea.
(NAS)
Acts
13:22 “And after He had removed him,
He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said,
‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a
man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ (NAS)
Luke
18:16-17 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to
Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as
these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of
God like a child shall not enter it at all. (NAS)
Rom 2:9-11
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of
the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to every man who does good, to the Jew
first and also to the Greek. For there
is no partiality with God. (NAS)
1 Thessalonians
5:2-9 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come
just like a thief in the night. While
they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them
suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman
with child; and they shall not escape.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you
like a thief; for you are all sons of
light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not
sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at
night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober,
having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of
salvation. For God has not destined us
for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NAS)
Revelation
3:13 ‘He who has an ear, let him
hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ (NAS)
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Likewise, Jesus' Second Coming will not happen all in one day, but will occur in stages and cover many years (which is why the dates in the above chart are approximate and not exact). The Lord's "Second Coming" is a transition period between the Age of Grace and the 1,000 year Age of Peace. Let us compare the second coming of Christ to the blasting off of a rocket with three different stages. The first stage of the rocket is the conception and birth process, which is the focus of this writing.
The chart above gives a rough timeline of where we are in the maturing process of God's government on the earth. The reason the conception for this birth is placed at 
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