What do two Sticks have to do with the Resurrection and Rapture? They speak of Joseph and Judah, and a coming together associated with resurrection. We find all this spoken of in Ezekiel 37, just before these sticks are prophesied to one day be joined in conjunction with this resurrection.

In Genesis scripture tells that Joseph is sold into Slavery, and that then he is falsely imprisoned, and eventually after interpreting dreams he is placed in a high position in Pharaoh’s court. He then marries a gentile woman and has two sons. and it is through Ephraim the younger of the two, that the blessing to the gentile nations, which blessing was first given to Abraham is once again proclaimed. But we only know this because of the following confrontation that took place between Joseph and Jacob his father, who was renamed Israel by God:

Genesis 48:19 But his father (Jacob) refused and said, “I know, my son (speaking to Joseph), I know; he (Manasseh) also will become a people and he also will be great. However, his younger brother (Ephraim) shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” (NASB1995)

So, we have this promise to the nations coming through Ephraim, and the promise reveals as apart from yet included with the twelve tribes of Israel (orJacob), who was the spokesman for this blessing. What then is the significance of these nations unconnected to Israel?

Following all of this we see in Ezekiel 37:19 the following from God: say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim (remember he is representing these nations), and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand.”‘ (NASB1995)

So at the very least God has just told us that all of His people both Jew and Gentile are to be (in the days surrounding the resurrection of Israel) one new man. This is amazing evidence of the timing of the rapture of the church that Jesus stated that He, Israel’s Messiah, was building.

Other reasons why this is important, and what it might mean? There are two sticks, one stick represents Ephraim and the nations separate from, but along with the tribes of Israel, and the other stick represents Judah from whom comes the promise of Israel’s line of rulers on the throne of David, (the Messiah fulfilling this promise). These are all together and they are brought together as one as result of the time of resurrection, these sticks when joined in a yet to be future time, will represent the coming together of these God’s people from around the globe both dead and alive, as they are joined with the coming King who has continued on the throne as promised to David. This Messiah from Judah is the bridegroom. And He will take His rightful rule as The king over all the nations, with His bride as they rule from Jerusalem over a world of yet mortal men (see the judgment of nations Matt chapter 25).

*An article from Jloose inspired this understanding.