Messianics and the Rapture

Q What day of counting of the omer are we, do you use the Sadducean or Pharisaic way of counting and why do Messianics seem to be turning from belief in the Rapture and living in campers and tents, ready to run from the False Messiah.

A. There are several question here so let's take them one at a time. First, the counting of the omer comes from Lev 23.16 where we are told to count 50 days to the next feast called "Shavuot". A "shavuah" is a "seven" so we count 7 7's and that is why the feast is called Shavuot. There was a controversy in the 2nd Temple period between the Sadducee's and the Pharisee's as to when to begin the count.

The Sadducean position was to start counting the 1st day of the week of Passover week, which was a Sunday, and the Pharisee's began on the day after Passover, the 15th of Nisan. The correct position is the Sadducean because it's the only way to count seven sabbaths. The current Hebrew calendar goes by the Pharisaic calculations. The current calendar also has been changed to allow for Pharisaic doctrine which actually puts many Biblical feasts on the wrong day, and they admit it. As far as the second part of your question goes, there is no main Messianic theology. As was the case in the 1st Century, there are many opinions on many things. Here is the problem. Many have realized that the churches don't teach the truth and have come to realize that Yeshua is the Messiah and we are to keep the commandments.

They have no backround or knowledge of the Torah and they still hold on to false teachings that they have learned in the paganism that they have been involved in. The scriptures and the festivals teach a resurrection/catching away of believers before the Birthpains of the Messiah, but it needs to understood in the Hebraic context it was given. Many are unstable in their ways and use this instability as an excuse to not settle down, or grow up.WHen their welcome has worn out, they move again saying they are keeping ahead of the "New World Order" or the "U.N." or the "false messiah" or whatever. The real issue is that they are fearful and restless. I have a compassion for them because I see them like Shepherd. Restless sheep who are bothered by parasites and bugs, who are fearful of wolves, who hungry and thirsty ,cannot settle down.

They have to keep moving to get away from what is bothering them and they won't let anyone get close to them. The real issue isn't their position on the "rapture", it is they are malnourished and afraid. They have been abused by false shepherds who have not fed them properly. They have never had a good shepherd who feeds them on the truth of the Torah and Yeshua that will keep them healthy. They have been in churches with false shepherds who feed themselves at the expense of the sheep. When they finally run out of there, they have no place to go, they are unhealthy and sick and that is why they believe in so many things and are afraid. It is the job of the good shepherds to find them, reach out to them and try to get them healthy again.