In my last post I stated: “My next post is from this following book of the Bible, Obadiah, and it is further confirmation as to Scripture’s timing relative to The Tribulation; The Day of the Lord and thus of The Rapture.”

Obadiah 1:15 “For the day of the Lord is approaching for all the nations! Just as you have done, so it will be done to you. You will get exactly what your deeds deserve. (NET)

This verse tells us that this book is a warning of the approaching Day of The Lord for all nations, but the key to understanding this prophecy and its timing is in its introduction.

Obadiah 1:1 The vision that Obadiah saw. The Lord God says this concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the Lord. An envoy was sent among the nations, saying, “Arise! Let us make war against Edom!” (NET)

In scripture we learn that the Edomite or the land called Edom originated from Esau the brother of Jacob who Himself became Israel just as Esau became Edom.

Edom is the land into which the remnant of Israel is to flee just before the Lord returns to earth. Here is what God says concerning Edom:

Obadiah 1:5 “If thieves came to rob you during the night, they would steal only as much as they wanted! If grape pickers came to harvest your vineyards, they would leave some behind for the poor! But you will be totally destroyed! (NET)

No question in this verse Edom’s Lot is total destruction, and vs 15 tells us when Edom and the nation’s will receive their judgment. It will occur in association with the coming Day of the Lord.

We are told in verse 15 that these nations will get exactly what they deserve. Edom is one of these Nations and is specifically addressed as the subject of this book. But the timing of this judgment is when: the Day of the Lord. But how does this scripture’s prophecy prove anything about this day’s timing and thus the timing of the Rapture? Many will ask: — Is not the Tribulation at least a part of this day’s Judgement? Listen:

Obadiah 1:10 “Because you violently slaughtered your relatives, the people of Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be destroyed forever. (NET)

This Judgement that will come to Esau’s people of Edom and the rest of the nations on this day is a forever thing. Here is what the Dispensationalists tell us.:

“Here is what Christ said: “When you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel — let the reader understand — then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matthew 24:15, 16).

The Lord must have had in mind Petra (pronounced PETra), a nearly inaccessible ancient city 50 miles south of the Dead Sea in southern Jordan and the surrounding mountainous area…Petra is located in biblical Edom”*

But the fact is Edom’s people will be present in the land when Israel’s remnant will flee to Petra, before the Lords coming. We know that because:

Isaiah 63:1-3 Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.” Why is Your apparel red, And Your garments like the one who treads in the wine press? “ I have trodden the wine trough alone, And from the peoples there was no man with Me. I also trod them in My anger And trampled them in My wrath; And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments, And I stained all My raiment. NASB

The fulfillment of this prophecy is believed by many scholars to be just preceding the Lords return in Revelation 19. He actually returns after saving Israel’s remnant in these same garments — stained in blood. This passage describes our Lord’s coming to Israel’s calling out from her protected place in Petra. Israel sees the same nation’s who are gathered for Armageddon coming through Edom for her.

Israel’s cry for help is described in Hosea, where Jesus says:

Hosea 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (KJV)

So Edom would not be destroyed until after the Tribulation when Jesus returns to save Israel from these invading nations that He has promised to destroy forever.

We observe that Jesus Himself is waring against the Nations and against the men of Edom when He tramples the wine press alone, with no man with Him. He stains His garments and these are the same garments that He wears to complete His wrath in Revelation 19, when He returns to gather the bride from one end of heaven and one end of the earth to the other. Heaven’s dead in Christ are resurrected and those in Christ who are alive on earth are Raptured on this Day of the Lord.

Up until this moment those in paradise had remained there as the dead in Christ. The Day of the Lord has now come when Jesus delivers Israel from Petra with no man with Him. Armageddon is raging on His Day.

Obadiah 1:21 Those who have been delivered will go up on Mount Zion in order to rule over Esau’s mountain. Then the Lord will reign as King! (NET)

It is at this time that the remaining nations from around the globe will be judged.

Matthew 25:31-33 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. NASB

All of this is confirmation of other prophets including Joel, and Jesus. Both were teaching concerning the sun, moon and stars being darkened as a sign before the coming day of the Lord. Jesus stated this to be following the Tribulation. Paul says that this coming is as a thief in the night (would this not imply this same darkness all over the earth?). Does Jesus not confirm this understanding in Revelation 16?

Revelation 16:15-16 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon. NASB

The prophets are unified in their message concerning the Day of the Lord. Jesus Himself giving us the final word.

*the above quote copied from what was Posted Friday, January 6, 2017 11:17 am

Clyne W. Buxton in the Cleveland Daily Banner. He is pre-Tribulational in his teaching.