The Feeding of the 5,000
Lyn Mize
This study is on
the prophetic interpretation of The Feeding of
the Five Thousand (Matt. 14:1-36), which is the
feeding of the “multitudes” immediately before
the Separation takes place. The multitudes
typify those in the Church who are awakened by
the Midnight Cry and begin the process of coming
out of the cities and walking with Jesus. The
cities in Scripture are a type of the world
system. The multitudes of the Church are
currently caught up in the affairs of the world,
or the world system, but at the time of the
Midnight Cry the multitudes in the Church will
hear the Midnight Cry and come out of the world
system.
Note: Generally, a Christian must first understand prophetic events in the literal interpretation of Scripture before he is able to see them in the prophetic interpretation. The prophetic interpretation of Scripture requires a deep understanding of typology in Scripture and the ability to distinguish between the literal and figurative meaning of words in the Scriptures. Also, the prophetic interpretation does not introduce new doctrine, but simply expounds and amplifies the literal teachings on prophecy in Scripture. This is why literal prophecies should be understood first before studying the prophetic interpretation.
The Midnight Cry is, of course, “The Bridegroom Cometh” so they will hear this message, and begin the process of coming out of the world to be disciples of Jesus Christ. At the time of the Midnight Cry, the multitudes are desperately hungry for a meal of bread, and some meat to go along with it. It is up to the disciples of Jesus—the Philadelphia Church—to provide this great feeding of the multitudes just before the departure of these disciples occurs. Of course, the departure is the Separation of these disciples of Jesus from the multitudes. Consequently, the feeding of the multitudes must take place immediately before the Separation or Firstfruits Rapture takes place. We only have five small loaves and two fish, but it will be sufficient to feed everyone one good meal when it is blessed and multiplied by Jesus Christ.
I believe that Christ will utilize the Internet to take the five small loaves and two fish, and multiply it rapidly enough to feed the multitudes of the Church. I believe that Christ will do this during a very short period of time to satisfy and fill everyone in the Church with one good meal of bread and meat just before the Separation takes place. A teaching by one person can be rapidly multiplied in the process of E-mail. For example, I send a message to a hundred people, and each of these has the capability of sending the same message to many others, and then those who receive that message can send it to still others, etc. In the process, one message can literally be multiplied or sent out to millions of people in a matter of days or weeks. I believe the feeding of the multitudes will take place first, and then the Separation will occur.
We will now begin our teaching on the prophetic interpretation of the feeding of the five thousand, which is found in the fourteenth chapter of Matthew.
(Mat 14:1 KJV) At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
Prophetically, “At that time” would be the time for the Midnight Cry to go up and awaken the sleeping virgins. Herod is the king over the Jews (i.e., spiritual Jews or the Church), so Herod typifies the leaders of the Church, or the “Goodman of the house” in the following Scripture:
(Mat 24:42 KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
(Mat 24:43 KJV) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
The leaders of the Church today are the Laodicean church. It is a fact that the Laodicean church has bound the Church hand and foot, and put it in the dungeon of darkness to the truths of the Second Coming of Christ for His bride. The Church leaders have not taught the deeper truths of Scripture on the Separation (i.e., the Firstfruits Rapture), the difference between spirit and soul salvation, requirements for entrance into the kingdom of God, and the importance of rewards in the kingdom. The “goodman” of the house has failed miserably in feeding the flock of God. The goodman of the house does not know the watch in which the thief (i.e., Jesus) will come, or he would have watched, and not allowed the Church to be split up or separated.
We will see that the body of John the Baptist is a type of the body of Christ. The head is a type of the Philadelphia church, which will be separated from the body, and the body will be buried in the earth (i.e., left upon the earth), while the head will be presented before the court without the body. This is a picture of the Separation of the five wise virgins (i.e., the thinking virgins) from the five foolish virgins (the unthinking virgins).
The prophetic paraphrase of verse 1 is as follows:
(Mat 14:1 Prophetic Paraphrase) At the predetermined time the Laodicean Church, the most powerful of the four end time churches, heard the report of the coming of Jesus, (i.e., the Bridegroom cometh).
The Greek word for “fame” means “report” and pertains to the Midnight Cry about Jesus. The name Herod means heroic and refers to those in the Church who are the outward heroes. The Greek word for tetrarch comes from two Greek words meaning “four” and “first in political rank or power.” There are four end-time churches of Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, and Laodicea is the first in political power in the Church. It is Laodicea (i.e., the political powerhouse in the Church) that hears the Report of the Midnight Cry first, but it is too late to be part of the Five Wise Virgins. It is ironic that Laodicea will awaken to the truths of the Separation before Sardis and Thyatira, yet will still miss the Firstfruits Rapture.
(Mat 14:2 KJV) And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
(Mat 14:2 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Laodicea said unto its members, you are the gracious gift of God, baptized in the spirit, and the power and influence belonging to riches and wealth, and the power and resources arising from numbers do manifest themselves in you.
It is the Laodicean church that exercises the most control and political power over the Church. It is the Laodicean church that controls the prophetic teaching that is allowed among the Church body. The church of Philadelphia has very little power and authority in the Church, and the main body of the Church does not listen to Philadelphia.
It is the Laodicean church (i.e., Herod) that states to its members, “You are the body of Christ (i.e., the Church) and have been raised from the dead, and now mighty works or miracles are being manifested in you.”
The Laodicean church has been greatly deceived by false doctrine into believing that the Church is very much alive, and many miracles of healing, speaking in tongues, prophetic utterances, etc. are being manifested in the Church. The truth is that the body of Christ (i.e., John the Baptist in type) has been “laid hold on” by Laodicea (i.e., Herod), and bound hand and foot in the darkness of the dungeon. Being bound hand and foot means that the Church as a whole has been kept from working effectively for the Lord (i.e., the binding of the hands) or from having a faithful walk (i.e., the binding of the feet) with the Lord. The head of John the Baptist typifies the faithful Philadelphia Church, but she has also been ineffective in teaching the Word of God to the multitudes because she has been ostracized and ignored by the charismatic Laodicean church. The head of John the Baptist typifies the Philadelphia church, but it has been silenced in the dungeon by the Laodicean church. The Philadelphia church has been relegated to meeting in homes, and is not a voice in the Church today.
The Philadelphia church teaches the truth of the Word of God, but the church of Laodicea would rather hear about angelic visitations, visions, miracles, and prophetic utterances than learn the truth from the Word of God.
Laodicea (i.e., Herod) thinks that it is doing a mighty wonderful work in bringing the Church to life in performing miraculous healings, speaking in tongues, speaking forth new revelations, and doing many miraculous works. Unfortunately, it is Laodicea that has bound the Church and kept it from working in the power of the spirit. Even Philadelphia—the repository of spiritual truth—is silenced in the dungeon, while the daughter of the Babylonian Mystery Religion (i.e., Herodias) is free to deceive Herod by enticing him with her evil dance. We will see later that the word for dance means to depart from the ranklike or regular motion, and it typifies the melodramatic behavior that has ensnared the Laodicean church.
The Greek word for “mighty works” in verse 2 above is as follows:
1411 dunamis-
strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
The Laodicean church has confused the last three definitions of this word with the first three definitions. The first three are the true power of the Holy Spirit, but the Laodicean church has substituted the last three definitions. Consequently, the Laodicean church thinks that it is working in the power of the Spirit, but in actuality, it is wretched, miserable, poor, naked and blind, as stated by Jesus Christ to Laodicea in the following Scripture:
(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:
Unfortunately, Laodicea will not awaken to its spiritual poverty until the Separation takes place, and she is left behind to go through the tribulation period.
(Mat 14:3 KJV) For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Laodicea—the politically powerful Church—has laid hold onto the Church and exerted its power over the Church and bound it hand and foot. The Greek word for “laid hold” is as follows:
2902 krateo-
1) to have power, to be powerful,
to be chief, to be master of, to rule
2) to get possession of
a) to become master of, to obtain
b) to take hold of
c) to take hold of, to take, to seize,
to lay hands on one in order to get him into one's power
Herodias is a type of the Babylonian Mystery Religion that inserted leaven or false teaching into the doctrines of the Church. These false teachings were inserted into the Church during the age of Thyatira (i.e., Herodias). The daughter of Herodias typifies further false doctrines in the Church inserted by Laodicea at the turn of the century. Laodicea represents the Pentecostal and charismatic churches that came into prominence at the beginning of the twentieth century. Laodicea is the last church age before the Return of Christ. As stated above, these false doctrines pertain to the power that has been usurped by Laodicea as a result of the power attributed to the following:
1. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
2. The power and resources arising from numbers
(Mat 14:3 Prophetic Paraphrase) For Laodicea had seized power over the Church, and bound it from watching during the night for Jesus. The method of distraction was the melodramatic behavior and language (i.e., tongues) that enthralled Laodicea.
Herodias typifies the same mystery religion that deceived Thyatira. Power and wealth seduced both churches, just as Herodias and her daughter seduced both Philip and Herod.
The brother of Herod, Philip, means “lover of horses” and horses symbolize pagan luxury, and dependence upon physical power instead of spiritual power. Thyatira was deceived by the same false religious system that has captivated Laodicea. Philip is the type for Thyatira. Thyatira is the Catholic Church and continues to be caught up in the trappings of wealth and power that has now deceived Laodicea—the Pentecostal church.
Herodias means heroics, which pertains to the melodramatic or emotional behavior and emphasis on speaking in tongues that binds the Laodicean church. The charismatic church of today has tremendous wealth and power by reason of its numbers, and they think that this is a sign of true spirituality. This is quite the contrary to what Jesus tells Laodicea:
(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:
(Mat 14:4 KJV) For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
The Philadelphia church as the truthful mouthpiece of God has spoken out against the false doctrine of Laodicea (i.e., the influence of the daughter of Herodias). Philadelphia has told Laodicea about the false teachings in Laodicea, but Laodicea refuses to listen. Laodicea is greatly deceived by the emotional highs—not spiritual highs—that she experiences and by the power and influence that belong to riches and wealth. This power and wealth arise from the sheer numbers in the Laodicean church.
(Mat 14:5 KJV) And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Laodicea would have destroyed and silenced Philadelphia completely, except there were too many unorganized small groups scattered here and there that looked to Philadelphia as an expounder of the truth. There are many individuals and small unorganized home churches that look to Philadelphia for the truth of the Word of God. Philadelphia seeks the truth from the Word of God. Laodicea seeks power and influence from wealth and emotional experience. Philadelphia relies on the Word of God. Laodicea relies on its experience. Laodicea seeks after the miraculous and the exciting. Philadelphia seeks Truth in both of its forms: The Living Word and The Written Word.
I have had Laodicean Christians accuse me of “mental gymnastics and parsing of the Scriptures” because I study the Bible in depth. These same Christians vehemently assert that they know what they have experienced in speaking in tongues. They rely on their experience over what the Bible states. The truth is they do not study the Bible to find out what it teaches. This is why Laodiceans disparage those who do study the Scriptures. To them “parsing the Scriptures” carries a negative connotation, but I am honored by this accusation. To parse the Scriptures means to examine them closely and to subject them to detailed analysis. God delights in Christians who parse the Scriptures. The following verse confirms this to be true:
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(Mat 14:6 KJV) But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
(Mat 14:6 Prophetic Paraphrase) But when the Age of Laodicea came, the offshoot (i.e., daughter of Herodias) of the Babylonian Mystery Religion (i.e., Herodias) departed from the rank like and regular motion (i.e., danced) of the Philadelphia church and excited the emotions (i.e., pleased) of those who birthed the Laodicean church (i.e., Herod).
The Philadelphia church age was in full blossom until around the turn of the century when the Pentecostal movement departed from the boring and mundane activity of Bible study for the more exciting activities of ritualistic dance and the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. The Pentecostal movement brought excitement into the Church with its charismatic preachers who incited the emotions of Christians with the so-called power gifts of the Spirit. Christians began to flock to these churches in droves seeking after the miraculous and the supernatural. The primary emphasis was the excitation of the emotions by feigned supernatural activities. The sign gifts of miraculous healing and speaking in tongues were “revived”, but since these sign gifts of the Spirit actually ceased in 70A.D. the revived gifts had to be fraudulent copies of the original true gifts. There are many Christians who sincerely think that they are performing all of these antics in the power of the spirit. The following Scripture confirms this, as they will actually offer their testimony to Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ:
(Mat 7:21 KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22 KJV) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23 KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Mat 14:7 KJV) Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
(Mat 14:7 Prophetic Paraphrase) Wherefore, Laodicea covenanted with the false religious system to provide whatever she desired.
The modern offshoot of the Babylonian Mystery Religion is the false doctrine of the Laodicean church, and this religious system has as its purpose the destruction of the Church. This will result in the splitting up of the Church where the faithful part of the Church is typified by the head of John the Baptist, and the rest of the Church is typified by the body of John the Baptist. There is going to be a “cutting asunder”, (i.e., Separation) of the head from the body. The head (i.e., faithful Philadelphia) will be presented in the court, while the separated body (i.e., the rest of the Church) is left upon the earth. The main body of the church will go underground in hiding from the Antichrist and his persecution of Christians. This going underground by the main body of the Church is typified by the burial of the body of John the Baptist.
(Mat 14:8 KJV) And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
(Mat 14:8 Prophetic Paraphrase) And it was the false religious system that had its origin in the Babylonian Mystery Religion that brought to the forefront the Philadelphia Church to be presented at court in a prominent and honored position.
Even though the purpose of the false religious system was to destroy the Church, it resulted in the exaltation of the Philadelphia church to an honored and prominent position in the court of the king, Jesus Christ. It is important to note that the name Herod is dropped in the following, and the phrase “the king” is used. This is important as the focus in the prophetic interpretation changes from the deceived Laodicean Church to the King, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Mat 14:9 KJV) And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
(Mat 14:9 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the King, Jesus Christ, was grieved that the Separation must take place. Nevertheless, because of the sacred limits placed on the Church about faithfulness, and the faithful few who fellowshipped with him at the same table, and fed upon the Word of God, He commanded the Separation to take place.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus Christ describes in detail the Separation and the necessity of watching for His return. Jesus warned that if the Church did not watch and prepare, then the unfaithful ones would be cut asunder or separated. Even though it grieves Him to temporarily split the Church, it must take place, as He has made a promise (i.e., oath) that He would do it.
This is very much akin to the parent who warns his children to be obedient or they will be punished. It grieves the parent when the children are disobedient and do not heed the warning. However, the parent must adhere to the promise he made because of the oath and because of the children who heeded the warning and were obedient.
(Mat 14:10 KJV) And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
(Mat 14:10 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus Christ sent, and separated Philadelphia in its watching.
The Greek word for prison literally means “a watching” or “keeping watch” from the guards that keep watch over the prisoners, and this is the primary criterion for being taken in the Separation of the faithful from the unfaithful.
(Mat 14:11 KJV) And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
(Mat 14:11 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Philadelphia was brought in to a prominent and honorable position, and bestowed with the honor due the chaste virgin, and she credited the source of her spirituality, the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for charger means a flat surface used as a molding board. It is the wise virgins—the true thinking part of the Church—who allowed themselves to be molded into the image of Christ. Consequently, those members of the Church typified by the head will be presented in the court of King Jesus as the chaste virgin that Paul talked about in the following Scripture:
(2 Cor 11:2 KJV) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(2 Cor 11:3 KJV) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
There are many Christians who are beguiled (i.e., deceived) by the antics of the Laodicean church. It does not require the moving of the Holy Spirit for Christians to be worked up into an emotional frenzy. The Laodicean church employs loud music, illusions of the miraculous and religious rhetoric to do this. Religious rhetoric is language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, and intellectually vacuous. Even unsaved people work themselves up into an emotional frenzy with loud music and rhetoric that stimulate the emotions.
The reliance on the emotional side of religiosity is the reason that women make up a large portion of the leadership—including teaching and pastoral duties—in the Laodicean church. God forbids women from serving as pastors and teachers of doctrine in the church, but the Laodicean church has ignored this precept.
(Mat 14:12 KJV) And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
(Mat 14:12 Prophetic Paraphrase) And disciples were raised up from their defeat, and they died to self, and they went forth and proclaimed Jesus.
After the Separation takes place, numerous disciples will be raised up to faithfulness, and they will crucify their old flesh natures. They will proclaim Jesus Christ in spite of the persecutions that will be taking place. Many will be martyred for their faith and their proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All of this will take place in the first half of the seven-year tribulation period, as the main body of the Church will be raptured in the middle of the tribulation period.
(Mat 14:13 KJV) When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
(Mat 14:13 Prophetic Paraphrase) When Jesus heard the Midnight Cry, He departed His duties as High Priest, and separated himself from the main body of the Church. When the main body of the Church heard the Midnight Cry, they followed Him, and walked with Him and left the world system.
It is not until after the midnight cry goes up that the main body of the Church will pay attention to teaching that Jesus is coming for His bride. It will be too late at that time for the Firstfruits Rapture and the main body will be left to go through the tribulation period. Many will depart from the world system at that time and begin to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The cities of the earth typify the world system. Lot is a type of the unfaithful Christian and he lived in Sodom. This means that he was ensnared by the world system. Many Christians are currently caught up in the world system, and most will remain there until the midnight cry goes up. This is when many will realize their spiritual poverty and begin to walk with Jesus.
Unfortunately, this will be a time when Jesus has turned the Church over to Antichrist, and Jesus will not be active in the Church at that time. Jesus will allow Antichrist to do the winnowing and threshing to separate the chaff from the wheat.
(Mat 14:14 KJV) And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
(Mat 14:14 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus went forth at the time of the ingathering (i.e., the Rapture), and judged the main body of the Church with love and compassion, and totally cleansed them from their sin.
Note: The prophetic interpretation of this passage of Scripture follows the Semitic style of apocalyptic writing just as most of the Bible. This style of writing first provides an overview of the sequence of events being addressed, and then it goes back and provides details that take place in the overview. Verse 14 above concludes the prophetic overview, and verse 15 below begins the details that will take place at the midnight cry.
(Mat 14:15 KJV) And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
(Mat 14:15 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when it was almost midnight, the faithful Philadelphia church came to Jesus and said, the Church Age is over. The Church has become dry and barren, so put away (i.e., divorce or separate) those who have been unfaithful, so they can awaken to the truths of Scripture, and they can go and perform works that will make them a faithful group.
This verse is parallel with the five wise virgins beckoning for Jesus to come and separate the faithful from the unfaithful. The Church Age is over, and the Church has become very dry and desolate. The great majority of the Church are without spiritual food, and they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. The pastors in the Church have failed miserably in their assignment to feed the flock, and the Church is without the extra measure of oil spoken of in the parable of the ten virgins.
It is time for the Separation to take place, but there is an insignificant little boy who has had the foresight to bring along five small loaves and two fishes, just enough to feed a few people. The Separation will take place just as scheduled, but there is to be a grand feeding of the main body of the Church just before it does.
(Mat 14:16 KJV) But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
(Mat 14:16 Prophetic Paraphrase) But Jesus said to the faithful that before the Separation takes place, the main body of the Church must be fed a good measure of the Word of God, including the milk of the Word and the meat of the Word.
(Mat 14:17 KJV) And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
(Mat 14:17 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the faithful Philadelphia church said to Jesus, “We only have a small number of exegetical discourses on the basic doctrines, and a few teachings on the deeper truths in Scripture.
(Mat 14:18 KJV) He said, Bring them hither to me.
(Mat 14:18 Prophetic Paraphrase) Jesus said, let me have this small number of discourses on basic doctrines and the teachings on the deeper truths.
(Mat 14:19 KJV) And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
(Mat 14:19 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus commanded the main body of the Church to cease their meaningless activity and to come into the enriching favor of God. And Jesus took the discourses on basic doctrine, and the teachings on the deeper truths of Scripture. He then repeated it numerous times through the air, and prospered it, and multiplied it to disciples all over the world, and the disciples in turn sent it to the main body of the Church all over the world.
(Mat 14:20 KJV) And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
(Mat 14:20 Prophetic Paraphrase) And all segments of the Church received the teachings, and read and studied them, and they took in as much as they were able to receive. And the main body of the Church appropriated the teachings for distribution to the Jews and Gentiles during the coming famine of the Word of God.
The five loaves and two fishes are for the main body of the Church at the time of the Firstfruits Rapture. The remaining twelve baskets of fragments are for the Jews during the tribulation period. Twelve is the number of earthly government, which is for the Jews. Five is the number of grace and typifies spirit salvation for the Church. Two is the number of testimony and separation. The five and the two are seven and typify spiritual perfection.
(Mat 14:21 KJV) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
(Mat 14:21 Prophetic Paraphrase) And they that had received and understood the teachings represented every denomination and segment of the Church, virgins, yet still immature in their walk with God.
(Mat 14:22 KJV) And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
(Mat 14:22 Prophetic Paraphrase) And immediately after the grand feeding of the main body of the Church, Jesus compelled the faithful disciples into their new redeemed bodies to be transported into heaven, while he dismissed the multitude as yet unfit for the kingdom.
(Mat 14:23 KJV) And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
(Mat 14:23 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when Jesus had separated the main body of the Church, He ascended the throne of the kingdom of God, which was His alone. And when midnight was come, He was married to His bride and became one with her.
Note: The above verse ends the details about the Separation and the grand feeding of the Church just before the Separation takes place, and Jesus marries His bride. The focus now turns to the earth and those who were left behind in the Church to use the teachings that they had received just before the Separation took place.
(Mat 14:24 KJV) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
(Mat 14:24 Prophetic Paraphrase) Now, those in the household of faith (i.e., those in the ship of salvation) were in the midst of the nations, and they were tortured and persecuted at the whims of restless and impulsive men, who acted upon their raging passions. The powers and principalities of the air were opposed to those in the household of faith.
Habakkuk describes in the literal interpretation of Scripture the tremendous persecution that the Church will go through after the Separation takes place. Christians will be rounded up and slain. According to Revelation, the method of execution will be beheading, so the guillotine will most likely be the instrument of execution.
This verse pertains to the main body of the Church who is going through the tribulation period and receiving persecution. After the main body of the Church is removed, the only disciples left on the earth will be the Jews and Gentiles who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period. God always leaves himself a witness upon the earth—even when the entire Church has been raptured to heaven.
(Mat 14:25 KJV) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
(Mat 14:25 Prophetic Paraphrase) And in the middle of the tribulation, Jesus appeared to the Church, and began to tread the winepress of the wrath of God.
This verse very briefly alludes to the main harvest rapture of the Church, by saying that Jesus came to them in the fourth watch of the night. Jesus will take the Firstfruits out at midnight, which is the third watch of the night. Those in the Church who are “Left Behind” will go through the first part of the tribulation, which is symbolized by the period of the third watch or the period from midnight until 3:00 A.M. The morning star appears at the time of the fourth watch, and then the darkest part of the night transpires between 3:00 A.M. and sunrise. The fourth watch of the night is the time of Jacob’s trouble, and it is the time when Antichrist persecutes Jews. The Main Harvest of the Church has taken place, and the Antichrist will shift his persecution from the Church to the Jews. Therefore, the following verse references the disciples who are left on the earth, and this does not include the Church.
(Mat 14:26 KJV) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
(Mat 14:26 Prophetic Paraphrase) Moreover, when the disciples looked up and recognized Jesus treading the winepress of the wrath of God, they were greatly perplexed and thought they were seeing an apparition. They cried out in fear of Jesus.
After the main body of the Church is removed and the 144,000 are sealed, Jesus will tread the winepress of the wrath of God. There will be many Jews and Gentiles who will come to know Jesus Christ during the last half of the tribulation period. At the very end of the tribulation period, Jesus will appear to the nations coming in the clouds with power and great glory. There will be a remnant of the Jews who will recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They will be greatly perplexed, as they have always been taught that Jesus was a prophet, but not their Messiah. They will see Jesus visibly with their own eyes, and they will think they are seeing an apparition. They will be very fearful, but Jesus will speak to them, and tell them His identity.
(Mat 14:27 KJV) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(Mat 14:27 Prophetic Paraphrase) But in truth and sincerity, Jesus spoke to them and said, “Have courage, I AM, do not be afraid.”
When Jesus touches His feet on the Mount of Olives, He will speak to the Jews in truth. He will tell them to have courage, and He will use the Jewish name of God, which is I AM, and He will tell them not to be afraid. There will be a group that will come forth boldly and will run toward Jesus in the power of the spirit. In the following verse, Peter typifies this remnant that will run toward Jesus in belief and call upon Him to save them.
(Mat 14:28 KJV) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
(Mat 14:28 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the faithful remnant of Jews answered Jesus and said, “If you are the Messiah, command us to come to you in the power of the Spirit.”
The faithful remnant of Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and they will ask Him for His commandment about what they are to do. This is the order of salvation. We first believe and then we are to become obedient to the commandments of Jesus.
(Mat 14:29 KJV) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
(Mat 14:29 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus said, “Come,” and the remnant of Jews stepped out in accordance with their spirit salvation and went unto Jesus in the power of the spirit.
At the time that Jesus sets his feet down on the Mount of Olives, there will be an earthquake and the Mount of Olives will split and a great valley will be created. The ones of the Jews who recognize Jesus as Messiah, and boldly step out in faith and run to Him will be saved from the nations that are seeking to destroy Israel. This is the time that the nation of Israel will be saved in a day. This event will take place on the Day of Atonement at the end of the seven-year tribulation period.
(Mat 14:30 KJV) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
(Mat 14:30 Prophetic Paraphrase) But when the remnant of Jews saw all of the opposing demonic spirits, they were fearful, and started to fall back and give up, but they called upon the name of the Lord and said “Save us.”
There will be great demonic opposition to the Jews, who recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, but they will call upon the power and authority of Jesus Christ, and they will succeed in the spiritual battle against the demonic opposition.
(Mat 14:31 KJV) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
(Mat 14:31 Prophetic Paraphrase) And instantly, Jesus stretched forth the mighty hand of God and rescued the remnant of Jews, and said unto them, “O ye of little faith, why did you doubt Me?”
Jesus Christ will reach out to His brethren the Jews and save them in that coming Day of Atonement. He will rescue them from the nations seeking to destroy them, and He will ask them why they had doubted that He was their True Messiah all this time. He will chastise them in love for their weak faith in Him as their Messiah.
(Mat 14:32 KJV) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
(Mat 14:32 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when they had realized the salvation of their lives, the contrary demonic spirits ceased their opposition to them.
When the remnant of Jews are safely in the protection of Jesus Christ, the demonic spirits will cease their opposition to the remnant of Jews.
(Mat 14:33 KJV) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
(Mat 14:33 Prophetic Paraphrase) When the remnant of Jews were completely redeemed, they worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ, saying “You are truly the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel.”
When the remnant of Jews are completely and totally redeemed in their earthly bodies of flesh and blood, they will worship Jesus Christ, and they will acknowledge openly that He is truly the Son of God, their Messiah Who had been denied by them for such a long time.
(Mat 14:34 KJV) And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
(Mat 14:34 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when they had passed over into the spirit filled life, they realized their inheritance in the lovely and fertile land of Israel. (i.e., the land flowing with milk and honey).
After the nation of Israel is saved on that coming Day of Atonement, they will receive their promised inheritance in the land of Israel, and the lovely and fertile land of Israel will once again provide bountiful harvests. The topography of the land will be changed and elevated into a fruitful plain. The land of Israel will run from the Nile River over to the Euphrates River, and the twelve tribes of Israel will be greatly blessed in the land as God’s earthly people.
The Church’s home will be the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Jews’ home will be the earthly Jerusalem. The Gentile nations will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem, and David will reign in his position in the heavenly aspect of the kingdom under Jesus Christ and over the nation of Israel.
(Mat 14:35 KJV) And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
(Mat 14:35 Prophetic Paraphrase) and when the men of Israel had personal knowledge of Jesus Christ, they sent out to the surrounding nations and brought some of all nations who were defiled with sin unto Jesus.
After the nation of Israel is saved on the Day of Atonement, the Gentiles of the world who are represented by the sheep in the sheep and goat judgment will also enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom, with Israel being the premier nation in the world. The earthly Jerusalem will be the capital of the world, and the blessings of God will flow out of this great city to the nations of the earth.
(Mat 14:36 KJV) And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
(Mat 14:36 Prophetic Paraphrase) And this group from all nations sought Jesus that they might cling to him and his work, and they were saved from perishing.
The sheep and goat judgment will take place upon the earth after Jesus Christ comes back in power and glory. There will be many Gentiles who will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom.
Note: Generally, a Christian must first understand prophetic events in the literal interpretation of Scripture before he is able to see them in the prophetic interpretation. The prophetic interpretation of Scripture requires a deep understanding of typology in Scripture and the ability to distinguish between the literal and figurative meaning of words in the Scriptures. Also, the prophetic interpretation does not introduce new doctrine, but simply expounds and amplifies the literal teachings on prophecy in Scripture. This is why literal prophecies should be understood first before studying the prophetic interpretation.
The Midnight Cry is, of course, “The Bridegroom Cometh” so they will hear this message, and begin the process of coming out of the world to be disciples of Jesus Christ. At the time of the Midnight Cry, the multitudes are desperately hungry for a meal of bread, and some meat to go along with it. It is up to the disciples of Jesus—the Philadelphia Church—to provide this great feeding of the multitudes just before the departure of these disciples occurs. Of course, the departure is the Separation of these disciples of Jesus from the multitudes. Consequently, the feeding of the multitudes must take place immediately before the Separation or Firstfruits Rapture takes place. We only have five small loaves and two fish, but it will be sufficient to feed everyone one good meal when it is blessed and multiplied by Jesus Christ.
I believe that Christ will utilize the Internet to take the five small loaves and two fish, and multiply it rapidly enough to feed the multitudes of the Church. I believe that Christ will do this during a very short period of time to satisfy and fill everyone in the Church with one good meal of bread and meat just before the Separation takes place. A teaching by one person can be rapidly multiplied in the process of E-mail. For example, I send a message to a hundred people, and each of these has the capability of sending the same message to many others, and then those who receive that message can send it to still others, etc. In the process, one message can literally be multiplied or sent out to millions of people in a matter of days or weeks. I believe the feeding of the multitudes will take place first, and then the Separation will occur.
We will now begin our teaching on the prophetic interpretation of the feeding of the five thousand, which is found in the fourteenth chapter of Matthew.
(Mat 14:1 KJV) At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
Prophetically, “At that time” would be the time for the Midnight Cry to go up and awaken the sleeping virgins. Herod is the king over the Jews (i.e., spiritual Jews or the Church), so Herod typifies the leaders of the Church, or the “Goodman of the house” in the following Scripture:
(Mat 24:42 KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
(Mat 24:43 KJV) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
The leaders of the Church today are the Laodicean church. It is a fact that the Laodicean church has bound the Church hand and foot, and put it in the dungeon of darkness to the truths of the Second Coming of Christ for His bride. The Church leaders have not taught the deeper truths of Scripture on the Separation (i.e., the Firstfruits Rapture), the difference between spirit and soul salvation, requirements for entrance into the kingdom of God, and the importance of rewards in the kingdom. The “goodman” of the house has failed miserably in feeding the flock of God. The goodman of the house does not know the watch in which the thief (i.e., Jesus) will come, or he would have watched, and not allowed the Church to be split up or separated.
We will see that the body of John the Baptist is a type of the body of Christ. The head is a type of the Philadelphia church, which will be separated from the body, and the body will be buried in the earth (i.e., left upon the earth), while the head will be presented before the court without the body. This is a picture of the Separation of the five wise virgins (i.e., the thinking virgins) from the five foolish virgins (the unthinking virgins).
The prophetic paraphrase of verse 1 is as follows:
(Mat 14:1 Prophetic Paraphrase) At the predetermined time the Laodicean Church, the most powerful of the four end time churches, heard the report of the coming of Jesus, (i.e., the Bridegroom cometh).
The Greek word for “fame” means “report” and pertains to the Midnight Cry about Jesus. The name Herod means heroic and refers to those in the Church who are the outward heroes. The Greek word for tetrarch comes from two Greek words meaning “four” and “first in political rank or power.” There are four end-time churches of Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea, and Laodicea is the first in political power in the Church. It is Laodicea (i.e., the political powerhouse in the Church) that hears the Report of the Midnight Cry first, but it is too late to be part of the Five Wise Virgins. It is ironic that Laodicea will awaken to the truths of the Separation before Sardis and Thyatira, yet will still miss the Firstfruits Rapture.
(Mat 14:2 KJV) And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him.
(Mat 14:2 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Laodicea said unto its members, you are the gracious gift of God, baptized in the spirit, and the power and influence belonging to riches and wealth, and the power and resources arising from numbers do manifest themselves in you.
It is the Laodicean church that exercises the most control and political power over the Church. It is the Laodicean church that controls the prophetic teaching that is allowed among the Church body. The church of Philadelphia has very little power and authority in the Church, and the main body of the Church does not listen to Philadelphia.
It is the Laodicean church (i.e., Herod) that states to its members, “You are the body of Christ (i.e., the Church) and have been raised from the dead, and now mighty works or miracles are being manifested in you.”
The Laodicean church has been greatly deceived by false doctrine into believing that the Church is very much alive, and many miracles of healing, speaking in tongues, prophetic utterances, etc. are being manifested in the Church. The truth is that the body of Christ (i.e., John the Baptist in type) has been “laid hold on” by Laodicea (i.e., Herod), and bound hand and foot in the darkness of the dungeon. Being bound hand and foot means that the Church as a whole has been kept from working effectively for the Lord (i.e., the binding of the hands) or from having a faithful walk (i.e., the binding of the feet) with the Lord. The head of John the Baptist typifies the faithful Philadelphia Church, but she has also been ineffective in teaching the Word of God to the multitudes because she has been ostracized and ignored by the charismatic Laodicean church. The head of John the Baptist typifies the Philadelphia church, but it has been silenced in the dungeon by the Laodicean church. The Philadelphia church has been relegated to meeting in homes, and is not a voice in the Church today.
The Philadelphia church teaches the truth of the Word of God, but the church of Laodicea would rather hear about angelic visitations, visions, miracles, and prophetic utterances than learn the truth from the Word of God.
Laodicea (i.e., Herod) thinks that it is doing a mighty wonderful work in bringing the Church to life in performing miraculous healings, speaking in tongues, speaking forth new revelations, and doing many miraculous works. Unfortunately, it is Laodicea that has bound the Church and kept it from working in the power of the spirit. Even Philadelphia—the repository of spiritual truth—is silenced in the dungeon, while the daughter of the Babylonian Mystery Religion (i.e., Herodias) is free to deceive Herod by enticing him with her evil dance. We will see later that the word for dance means to depart from the ranklike or regular motion, and it typifies the melodramatic behavior that has ensnared the Laodicean church.
The Greek word for “mighty works” in verse 2 above is as follows:
1411 dunamis-
strength power, ability
a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth
b) power for performing miracles
c) moral power and excellence of soul
d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
e) power and resources arising from numbers
f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts
The Laodicean church has confused the last three definitions of this word with the first three definitions. The first three are the true power of the Holy Spirit, but the Laodicean church has substituted the last three definitions. Consequently, the Laodicean church thinks that it is working in the power of the Spirit, but in actuality, it is wretched, miserable, poor, naked and blind, as stated by Jesus Christ to Laodicea in the following Scripture:
(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:
Unfortunately, Laodicea will not awaken to its spiritual poverty until the Separation takes place, and she is left behind to go through the tribulation period.
(Mat 14:3 KJV) For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Laodicea—the politically powerful Church—has laid hold onto the Church and exerted its power over the Church and bound it hand and foot. The Greek word for “laid hold” is as follows:
2902 krateo-
1) to have power, to be powerful,
to be chief, to be master of, to rule
2) to get possession of
a) to become master of, to obtain
b) to take hold of
c) to take hold of, to take, to seize,
to lay hands on one in order to get him into one's power
Herodias is a type of the Babylonian Mystery Religion that inserted leaven or false teaching into the doctrines of the Church. These false teachings were inserted into the Church during the age of Thyatira (i.e., Herodias). The daughter of Herodias typifies further false doctrines in the Church inserted by Laodicea at the turn of the century. Laodicea represents the Pentecostal and charismatic churches that came into prominence at the beginning of the twentieth century. Laodicea is the last church age before the Return of Christ. As stated above, these false doctrines pertain to the power that has been usurped by Laodicea as a result of the power attributed to the following:
1. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth
2. The power and resources arising from numbers
(Mat 14:3 Prophetic Paraphrase) For Laodicea had seized power over the Church, and bound it from watching during the night for Jesus. The method of distraction was the melodramatic behavior and language (i.e., tongues) that enthralled Laodicea.
Herodias typifies the same mystery religion that deceived Thyatira. Power and wealth seduced both churches, just as Herodias and her daughter seduced both Philip and Herod.
The brother of Herod, Philip, means “lover of horses” and horses symbolize pagan luxury, and dependence upon physical power instead of spiritual power. Thyatira was deceived by the same false religious system that has captivated Laodicea. Philip is the type for Thyatira. Thyatira is the Catholic Church and continues to be caught up in the trappings of wealth and power that has now deceived Laodicea—the Pentecostal church.
Herodias means heroics, which pertains to the melodramatic or emotional behavior and emphasis on speaking in tongues that binds the Laodicean church. The charismatic church of today has tremendous wealth and power by reason of its numbers, and they think that this is a sign of true spirituality. This is quite the contrary to what Jesus tells Laodicea:
(Rev 3:17 KJV) 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:
(Mat 14:4 KJV) For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
The Philadelphia church as the truthful mouthpiece of God has spoken out against the false doctrine of Laodicea (i.e., the influence of the daughter of Herodias). Philadelphia has told Laodicea about the false teachings in Laodicea, but Laodicea refuses to listen. Laodicea is greatly deceived by the emotional highs—not spiritual highs—that she experiences and by the power and influence that belong to riches and wealth. This power and wealth arise from the sheer numbers in the Laodicean church.
(Mat 14:5 KJV) And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Laodicea would have destroyed and silenced Philadelphia completely, except there were too many unorganized small groups scattered here and there that looked to Philadelphia as an expounder of the truth. There are many individuals and small unorganized home churches that look to Philadelphia for the truth of the Word of God. Philadelphia seeks the truth from the Word of God. Laodicea seeks power and influence from wealth and emotional experience. Philadelphia relies on the Word of God. Laodicea relies on its experience. Laodicea seeks after the miraculous and the exciting. Philadelphia seeks Truth in both of its forms: The Living Word and The Written Word.
I have had Laodicean Christians accuse me of “mental gymnastics and parsing of the Scriptures” because I study the Bible in depth. These same Christians vehemently assert that they know what they have experienced in speaking in tongues. They rely on their experience over what the Bible states. The truth is they do not study the Bible to find out what it teaches. This is why Laodiceans disparage those who do study the Scriptures. To them “parsing the Scriptures” carries a negative connotation, but I am honored by this accusation. To parse the Scriptures means to examine them closely and to subject them to detailed analysis. God delights in Christians who parse the Scriptures. The following verse confirms this to be true:
(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(Mat 14:6 KJV) But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
(Mat 14:6 Prophetic Paraphrase) But when the Age of Laodicea came, the offshoot (i.e., daughter of Herodias) of the Babylonian Mystery Religion (i.e., Herodias) departed from the rank like and regular motion (i.e., danced) of the Philadelphia church and excited the emotions (i.e., pleased) of those who birthed the Laodicean church (i.e., Herod).
The Philadelphia church age was in full blossom until around the turn of the century when the Pentecostal movement departed from the boring and mundane activity of Bible study for the more exciting activities of ritualistic dance and the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. The Pentecostal movement brought excitement into the Church with its charismatic preachers who incited the emotions of Christians with the so-called power gifts of the Spirit. Christians began to flock to these churches in droves seeking after the miraculous and the supernatural. The primary emphasis was the excitation of the emotions by feigned supernatural activities. The sign gifts of miraculous healing and speaking in tongues were “revived”, but since these sign gifts of the Spirit actually ceased in 70A.D. the revived gifts had to be fraudulent copies of the original true gifts. There are many Christians who sincerely think that they are performing all of these antics in the power of the spirit. The following Scripture confirms this, as they will actually offer their testimony to Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ:
(Mat 7:21 KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(Mat 7:22 KJV) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(Mat 7:23 KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Mat 14:7 KJV) Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
(Mat 14:7 Prophetic Paraphrase) Wherefore, Laodicea covenanted with the false religious system to provide whatever she desired.
The modern offshoot of the Babylonian Mystery Religion is the false doctrine of the Laodicean church, and this religious system has as its purpose the destruction of the Church. This will result in the splitting up of the Church where the faithful part of the Church is typified by the head of John the Baptist, and the rest of the Church is typified by the body of John the Baptist. There is going to be a “cutting asunder”, (i.e., Separation) of the head from the body. The head (i.e., faithful Philadelphia) will be presented in the court, while the separated body (i.e., the rest of the Church) is left upon the earth. The main body of the church will go underground in hiding from the Antichrist and his persecution of Christians. This going underground by the main body of the Church is typified by the burial of the body of John the Baptist.
(Mat 14:8 KJV) And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
(Mat 14:8 Prophetic Paraphrase) And it was the false religious system that had its origin in the Babylonian Mystery Religion that brought to the forefront the Philadelphia Church to be presented at court in a prominent and honored position.
Even though the purpose of the false religious system was to destroy the Church, it resulted in the exaltation of the Philadelphia church to an honored and prominent position in the court of the king, Jesus Christ. It is important to note that the name Herod is dropped in the following, and the phrase “the king” is used. This is important as the focus in the prophetic interpretation changes from the deceived Laodicean Church to the King, our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Mat 14:9 KJV) And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
(Mat 14:9 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the King, Jesus Christ, was grieved that the Separation must take place. Nevertheless, because of the sacred limits placed on the Church about faithfulness, and the faithful few who fellowshipped with him at the same table, and fed upon the Word of God, He commanded the Separation to take place.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus Christ describes in detail the Separation and the necessity of watching for His return. Jesus warned that if the Church did not watch and prepare, then the unfaithful ones would be cut asunder or separated. Even though it grieves Him to temporarily split the Church, it must take place, as He has made a promise (i.e., oath) that He would do it.
This is very much akin to the parent who warns his children to be obedient or they will be punished. It grieves the parent when the children are disobedient and do not heed the warning. However, the parent must adhere to the promise he made because of the oath and because of the children who heeded the warning and were obedient.
(Mat 14:10 KJV) And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
(Mat 14:10 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus Christ sent, and separated Philadelphia in its watching.
The Greek word for prison literally means “a watching” or “keeping watch” from the guards that keep watch over the prisoners, and this is the primary criterion for being taken in the Separation of the faithful from the unfaithful.
(Mat 14:11 KJV) And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
(Mat 14:11 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Philadelphia was brought in to a prominent and honorable position, and bestowed with the honor due the chaste virgin, and she credited the source of her spirituality, the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for charger means a flat surface used as a molding board. It is the wise virgins—the true thinking part of the Church—who allowed themselves to be molded into the image of Christ. Consequently, those members of the Church typified by the head will be presented in the court of King Jesus as the chaste virgin that Paul talked about in the following Scripture:
(2 Cor 11:2 KJV) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
(2 Cor 11:3 KJV) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
There are many Christians who are beguiled (i.e., deceived) by the antics of the Laodicean church. It does not require the moving of the Holy Spirit for Christians to be worked up into an emotional frenzy. The Laodicean church employs loud music, illusions of the miraculous and religious rhetoric to do this. Religious rhetoric is language that is elaborate, pretentious, insincere, and intellectually vacuous. Even unsaved people work themselves up into an emotional frenzy with loud music and rhetoric that stimulate the emotions.
The reliance on the emotional side of religiosity is the reason that women make up a large portion of the leadership—including teaching and pastoral duties—in the Laodicean church. God forbids women from serving as pastors and teachers of doctrine in the church, but the Laodicean church has ignored this precept.
(Mat 14:12 KJV) And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
(Mat 14:12 Prophetic Paraphrase) And disciples were raised up from their defeat, and they died to self, and they went forth and proclaimed Jesus.
After the Separation takes place, numerous disciples will be raised up to faithfulness, and they will crucify their old flesh natures. They will proclaim Jesus Christ in spite of the persecutions that will be taking place. Many will be martyred for their faith and their proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All of this will take place in the first half of the seven-year tribulation period, as the main body of the Church will be raptured in the middle of the tribulation period.
(Mat 14:13 KJV) When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
(Mat 14:13 Prophetic Paraphrase) When Jesus heard the Midnight Cry, He departed His duties as High Priest, and separated himself from the main body of the Church. When the main body of the Church heard the Midnight Cry, they followed Him, and walked with Him and left the world system.
It is not until after the midnight cry goes up that the main body of the Church will pay attention to teaching that Jesus is coming for His bride. It will be too late at that time for the Firstfruits Rapture and the main body will be left to go through the tribulation period. Many will depart from the world system at that time and begin to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The cities of the earth typify the world system. Lot is a type of the unfaithful Christian and he lived in Sodom. This means that he was ensnared by the world system. Many Christians are currently caught up in the world system, and most will remain there until the midnight cry goes up. This is when many will realize their spiritual poverty and begin to walk with Jesus.
Unfortunately, this will be a time when Jesus has turned the Church over to Antichrist, and Jesus will not be active in the Church at that time. Jesus will allow Antichrist to do the winnowing and threshing to separate the chaff from the wheat.
(Mat 14:14 KJV) And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
(Mat 14:14 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus went forth at the time of the ingathering (i.e., the Rapture), and judged the main body of the Church with love and compassion, and totally cleansed them from their sin.
Note: The prophetic interpretation of this passage of Scripture follows the Semitic style of apocalyptic writing just as most of the Bible. This style of writing first provides an overview of the sequence of events being addressed, and then it goes back and provides details that take place in the overview. Verse 14 above concludes the prophetic overview, and verse 15 below begins the details that will take place at the midnight cry.
(Mat 14:15 KJV) And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
(Mat 14:15 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when it was almost midnight, the faithful Philadelphia church came to Jesus and said, the Church Age is over. The Church has become dry and barren, so put away (i.e., divorce or separate) those who have been unfaithful, so they can awaken to the truths of Scripture, and they can go and perform works that will make them a faithful group.
This verse is parallel with the five wise virgins beckoning for Jesus to come and separate the faithful from the unfaithful. The Church Age is over, and the Church has become very dry and desolate. The great majority of the Church are without spiritual food, and they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. The pastors in the Church have failed miserably in their assignment to feed the flock, and the Church is without the extra measure of oil spoken of in the parable of the ten virgins.
It is time for the Separation to take place, but there is an insignificant little boy who has had the foresight to bring along five small loaves and two fishes, just enough to feed a few people. The Separation will take place just as scheduled, but there is to be a grand feeding of the main body of the Church just before it does.
(Mat 14:16 KJV) But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
(Mat 14:16 Prophetic Paraphrase) But Jesus said to the faithful that before the Separation takes place, the main body of the Church must be fed a good measure of the Word of God, including the milk of the Word and the meat of the Word.
(Mat 14:17 KJV) And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
(Mat 14:17 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the faithful Philadelphia church said to Jesus, “We only have a small number of exegetical discourses on the basic doctrines, and a few teachings on the deeper truths in Scripture.
(Mat 14:18 KJV) He said, Bring them hither to me.
(Mat 14:18 Prophetic Paraphrase) Jesus said, let me have this small number of discourses on basic doctrines and the teachings on the deeper truths.
(Mat 14:19 KJV) And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
(Mat 14:19 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus commanded the main body of the Church to cease their meaningless activity and to come into the enriching favor of God. And Jesus took the discourses on basic doctrine, and the teachings on the deeper truths of Scripture. He then repeated it numerous times through the air, and prospered it, and multiplied it to disciples all over the world, and the disciples in turn sent it to the main body of the Church all over the world.
(Mat 14:20 KJV) And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
(Mat 14:20 Prophetic Paraphrase) And all segments of the Church received the teachings, and read and studied them, and they took in as much as they were able to receive. And the main body of the Church appropriated the teachings for distribution to the Jews and Gentiles during the coming famine of the Word of God.
The five loaves and two fishes are for the main body of the Church at the time of the Firstfruits Rapture. The remaining twelve baskets of fragments are for the Jews during the tribulation period. Twelve is the number of earthly government, which is for the Jews. Five is the number of grace and typifies spirit salvation for the Church. Two is the number of testimony and separation. The five and the two are seven and typify spiritual perfection.
(Mat 14:21 KJV) And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
(Mat 14:21 Prophetic Paraphrase) And they that had received and understood the teachings represented every denomination and segment of the Church, virgins, yet still immature in their walk with God.
(Mat 14:22 KJV) And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
(Mat 14:22 Prophetic Paraphrase) And immediately after the grand feeding of the main body of the Church, Jesus compelled the faithful disciples into their new redeemed bodies to be transported into heaven, while he dismissed the multitude as yet unfit for the kingdom.
(Mat 14:23 KJV) And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
(Mat 14:23 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when Jesus had separated the main body of the Church, He ascended the throne of the kingdom of God, which was His alone. And when midnight was come, He was married to His bride and became one with her.
Note: The above verse ends the details about the Separation and the grand feeding of the Church just before the Separation takes place, and Jesus marries His bride. The focus now turns to the earth and those who were left behind in the Church to use the teachings that they had received just before the Separation took place.
(Mat 14:24 KJV) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
(Mat 14:24 Prophetic Paraphrase) Now, those in the household of faith (i.e., those in the ship of salvation) were in the midst of the nations, and they were tortured and persecuted at the whims of restless and impulsive men, who acted upon their raging passions. The powers and principalities of the air were opposed to those in the household of faith.
Habakkuk describes in the literal interpretation of Scripture the tremendous persecution that the Church will go through after the Separation takes place. Christians will be rounded up and slain. According to Revelation, the method of execution will be beheading, so the guillotine will most likely be the instrument of execution.
This verse pertains to the main body of the Church who is going through the tribulation period and receiving persecution. After the main body of the Church is removed, the only disciples left on the earth will be the Jews and Gentiles who were saved during the first half of the tribulation period. God always leaves himself a witness upon the earth—even when the entire Church has been raptured to heaven.
(Mat 14:25 KJV) And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
(Mat 14:25 Prophetic Paraphrase) And in the middle of the tribulation, Jesus appeared to the Church, and began to tread the winepress of the wrath of God.
This verse very briefly alludes to the main harvest rapture of the Church, by saying that Jesus came to them in the fourth watch of the night. Jesus will take the Firstfruits out at midnight, which is the third watch of the night. Those in the Church who are “Left Behind” will go through the first part of the tribulation, which is symbolized by the period of the third watch or the period from midnight until 3:00 A.M. The morning star appears at the time of the fourth watch, and then the darkest part of the night transpires between 3:00 A.M. and sunrise. The fourth watch of the night is the time of Jacob’s trouble, and it is the time when Antichrist persecutes Jews. The Main Harvest of the Church has taken place, and the Antichrist will shift his persecution from the Church to the Jews. Therefore, the following verse references the disciples who are left on the earth, and this does not include the Church.
(Mat 14:26 KJV) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
(Mat 14:26 Prophetic Paraphrase) Moreover, when the disciples looked up and recognized Jesus treading the winepress of the wrath of God, they were greatly perplexed and thought they were seeing an apparition. They cried out in fear of Jesus.
After the main body of the Church is removed and the 144,000 are sealed, Jesus will tread the winepress of the wrath of God. There will be many Jews and Gentiles who will come to know Jesus Christ during the last half of the tribulation period. At the very end of the tribulation period, Jesus will appear to the nations coming in the clouds with power and great glory. There will be a remnant of the Jews who will recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They will be greatly perplexed, as they have always been taught that Jesus was a prophet, but not their Messiah. They will see Jesus visibly with their own eyes, and they will think they are seeing an apparition. They will be very fearful, but Jesus will speak to them, and tell them His identity.
(Mat 14:27 KJV) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
(Mat 14:27 Prophetic Paraphrase) But in truth and sincerity, Jesus spoke to them and said, “Have courage, I AM, do not be afraid.”
When Jesus touches His feet on the Mount of Olives, He will speak to the Jews in truth. He will tell them to have courage, and He will use the Jewish name of God, which is I AM, and He will tell them not to be afraid. There will be a group that will come forth boldly and will run toward Jesus in the power of the spirit. In the following verse, Peter typifies this remnant that will run toward Jesus in belief and call upon Him to save them.
(Mat 14:28 KJV) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
(Mat 14:28 Prophetic Paraphrase) And the faithful remnant of Jews answered Jesus and said, “If you are the Messiah, command us to come to you in the power of the Spirit.”
The faithful remnant of Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and they will ask Him for His commandment about what they are to do. This is the order of salvation. We first believe and then we are to become obedient to the commandments of Jesus.
(Mat 14:29 KJV) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
(Mat 14:29 Prophetic Paraphrase) And Jesus said, “Come,” and the remnant of Jews stepped out in accordance with their spirit salvation and went unto Jesus in the power of the spirit.
At the time that Jesus sets his feet down on the Mount of Olives, there will be an earthquake and the Mount of Olives will split and a great valley will be created. The ones of the Jews who recognize Jesus as Messiah, and boldly step out in faith and run to Him will be saved from the nations that are seeking to destroy Israel. This is the time that the nation of Israel will be saved in a day. This event will take place on the Day of Atonement at the end of the seven-year tribulation period.
(Mat 14:30 KJV) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
(Mat 14:30 Prophetic Paraphrase) But when the remnant of Jews saw all of the opposing demonic spirits, they were fearful, and started to fall back and give up, but they called upon the name of the Lord and said “Save us.”
There will be great demonic opposition to the Jews, who recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, but they will call upon the power and authority of Jesus Christ, and they will succeed in the spiritual battle against the demonic opposition.
(Mat 14:31 KJV) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
(Mat 14:31 Prophetic Paraphrase) And instantly, Jesus stretched forth the mighty hand of God and rescued the remnant of Jews, and said unto them, “O ye of little faith, why did you doubt Me?”
Jesus Christ will reach out to His brethren the Jews and save them in that coming Day of Atonement. He will rescue them from the nations seeking to destroy them, and He will ask them why they had doubted that He was their True Messiah all this time. He will chastise them in love for their weak faith in Him as their Messiah.
(Mat 14:32 KJV) And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
(Mat 14:32 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when they had realized the salvation of their lives, the contrary demonic spirits ceased their opposition to them.
When the remnant of Jews are safely in the protection of Jesus Christ, the demonic spirits will cease their opposition to the remnant of Jews.
(Mat 14:33 KJV) Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
(Mat 14:33 Prophetic Paraphrase) When the remnant of Jews were completely redeemed, they worshipped the Lord Jesus Christ, saying “You are truly the Son of God, the Messiah of Israel.”
When the remnant of Jews are completely and totally redeemed in their earthly bodies of flesh and blood, they will worship Jesus Christ, and they will acknowledge openly that He is truly the Son of God, their Messiah Who had been denied by them for such a long time.
(Mat 14:34 KJV) And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
(Mat 14:34 Prophetic Paraphrase) And when they had passed over into the spirit filled life, they realized their inheritance in the lovely and fertile land of Israel. (i.e., the land flowing with milk and honey).
After the nation of Israel is saved on that coming Day of Atonement, they will receive their promised inheritance in the land of Israel, and the lovely and fertile land of Israel will once again provide bountiful harvests. The topography of the land will be changed and elevated into a fruitful plain. The land of Israel will run from the Nile River over to the Euphrates River, and the twelve tribes of Israel will be greatly blessed in the land as God’s earthly people.
The Church’s home will be the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Jews’ home will be the earthly Jerusalem. The Gentile nations will walk in the light of the New Jerusalem, and David will reign in his position in the heavenly aspect of the kingdom under Jesus Christ and over the nation of Israel.
(Mat 14:35 KJV) And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
(Mat 14:35 Prophetic Paraphrase) and when the men of Israel had personal knowledge of Jesus Christ, they sent out to the surrounding nations and brought some of all nations who were defiled with sin unto Jesus.
After the nation of Israel is saved on the Day of Atonement, the Gentiles of the world who are represented by the sheep in the sheep and goat judgment will also enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom, with Israel being the premier nation in the world. The earthly Jerusalem will be the capital of the world, and the blessings of God will flow out of this great city to the nations of the earth.
(Mat 14:36 KJV) And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
(Mat 14:36 Prophetic Paraphrase) And this group from all nations sought Jesus that they might cling to him and his work, and they were saved from perishing.
The sheep and goat judgment will take place upon the earth after Jesus Christ comes back in power and glory. There will be many Gentiles who will enter into the earthly aspect of the kingdom.