Past Patterns = Future

One of the coolest things I found when I began reading the Bible would have to be the Patterns.  His Word tells us that there is nothing new, everything has been done before.  There is so much to get into, I don't want to overwhelm, but I don't want you to be afraid to due of all the chaos going on. It has been written this way, there is nothing to fear.  Let's see why:

The Jewish Wedding - a foreshadowing, a picture, a pattern of the rapture.  Let's remember, as the Church, we are called the Bride (for a reason) and  Jesus is called the bridegroom (for a reason.)  Before I learned about this (and some other patterns we'll go over another time), I didn't know if we would be here for the coming tribulation or not.  See what you think:

1. In the Jewish custom of old, the bridegroom leaves his fathers house to choose his bride. 
2. Jesus left his Father's to come here and he wants you for His own.

1. The bridegroom searches for the one he wants and then asks her to be his, if she says yes, they make a covenent.
2. Jesus searches you out and asks you to be His - we too have a choice.  As Christians we make a covenant, a promise

1. After this, the Bridegroom returns to his fathers house to prepare a place for her near his fathers house. 
2. Jesus left to go to His Father to prepare a place for us.

1. The bride has no idea when the bridegroom will return for her, but she is to be ready at all times.
2. We have no idea when Jesus will return, but we are to be ready.(although we will go over time patterns next time!)

1. The bridegroom secretly comes and takes her to the place he has prepared for her, it is called the "Huppah" which means God's protection, His covering.  The Israelites called the cloud that led in the dessert by day and pillar of fire that led by night the Huppah.
2. Jesus comes back for the Church, His bride, and takes her to the place He has prepared for us, our Huppah

1. The bride and groom stay in the Huppah for 7 days before coming out and revealing her to everyone
2. The tribulation is 7 years and then we come back to earth with Him, all the world will see.

Nothing in the Bible is there for filler.  In the beginning you read and wonder "why does he write about the Jewish festivals so much, they are insignificant today" but upon further study you know He has a reason for everything.  He wants us to know these patterns, because:  As Christians we don't panic, we prepare!