Hosea's
Two Day-Three Day Prophecy
by
Truth Ablaze
Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight
For me personally,
I find this passage in Hosea one of the most fascinating prophecies
about the rapture and the second coming. We know that everything is in
the bible for a reason. I believe that thousands of years ago, the
prophet Hosea was giving us an preview of: the suspension of the Old
Testament, the church age, then the resurrection. For us to be able to
glean something from this passage, we must understand that this is not
two literal days.
I'm going to write this article with the premise that you already have a
basic knowledge of bible prophecy. If not, then I would suggest looking
at some of our other rapture and end-times articles just to get a better
feel. This article is not really "doctrinal" in nature, but I
believe that we can learn from examples in the scriptures. The bible
often speaks to us through types and shadows.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written
aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be;
and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new
thing under the sun. 1:10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said,
See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us
We can learn a great deal by looking at the patterns that take place in
the bible. I believe this prophecy in Hosea is no exception.
First, let's look at verse 1:
Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the
LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he
will bind us up
I believe this speaks of the time when the Old covenant was suspended,
and national Israel was cut off for two days.
Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again
with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 27:51And, behold, the veil of
the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth
did quake, and the rocks rent
The veil of the temple being torn from the top to the bottom symbolizes
the ushering in of the new covenant or the "church age."
For almost two thousand years now, the Jewish people have been under
tremendous persecution. Though God has not cast them off forever and He
does have a future for them, the present time has been dreadful for the
most part.
Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and
said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
How prophetic were those words spoken by the angry Jewish crowd on that
crucifixion day!
But as I said earlier, we know that God is not finished with Israel.
Once the church age is over, He will again be in covenant with His
chosen people Israel.
Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his
people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham,
of the tribe of Benjamin
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of
this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness
in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come
in. 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There
shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob:
With this in mind, Hosea's prophecy really comes alive!
Hosea 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in
the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight
Now we come to the most fascinating part of the article. What is the
significance of this phrase "after two days" ? Well, let me
lay a little framework, and then we'll get deeper into the "two
days". Science and recorded history tells us that man has been on
the earth about 6,000 years (give or take a few years). I'm not going to
try to tackle the age of the earth issue for several reasons.
(1) It's not relative to the discussion, because we're dealing with
"human" history in this article..
(2) I'm not enough of an expert on the subject to discuss it thoroughly!
Perhaps number 2 is the greatest reason, but moving on.............
The bible often gives us many clues and details about the time-keeping
mechanisms of God. Now we're all familiar with the phrases "no man
knows the day or the hour", or maybe "it's not for you to know
the times or the seasons...." and those are very true indeed. So
the intent of this article is not to try to set a date for the rapture,
but to show patterns in the scripture that serve as signs. Jesus rebuked
the Pharisees because they were unable to discern the signs of the
times. But the children of Issachar were commended for their
understanding of the times.
I Chronicles 12:32 And of the children of
Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know
what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all
their brethren were at their commandment
Jesus said that we couldn't know the day or the hour, but we could know
when the time was "near."
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see
all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors
With the use of types and shadows, I believe that is entirely plausible
that God has given His people a general framework for the time of human
history. Let's first examine the issue of the "two days" of
Hosea's prophecy. I stated earlier that I didn't believe this was
speaking of two literal days. I can say that with some certainty because
that was written thousands of years ago, and yet none of us have been
raised up to live in His sight yet.
In the second epistle of Peter, we find a very strange passage of
scripture. Now I know that some take an allegorical approach when it
comes to scripture, but the placement of it leads me to believe it is
more than just figurative speech.
II Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of
this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a
thousand years as one day
This amazing verse is found in a passage speaking on the end times. With
the extremely brief second letter of Peter, I find it strange that he
would just wax poetic (remember he was a rugged fisherman after all) and
give us some figurative language in this crucial passage. What also
grabs my attention is that in this short epistle, he says "be not
ignorant of this one thing." I believe the apostle Peter was (under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of course) giving us a clue about the
approximate duration of the church age.
Jesus said that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word
shall be established", and we do have another witness found in the
psalms.
Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight
are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
Using this "formula" (I'm hesitant to use that word) we can
begin to see a sketch of the plan for mankind. As
I said earlier, this article is not a basis for doctrine, but for
edification and reflection Using the 1000 years= 1 day equation,
we can surmise a few things. We know that God made the earth in 6 days
and rested on the 7th (the number 7 represents completion).
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made
heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the
seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed
it.
Interestingly enough, man was created on the sixth day. We see this
theme throughout the scriptures that the number 6 usually represents the
number of man. Remember the giant who had six fingers and toes? What
about the antichrist's number?-it is the number of a man, and his number
is none other than 666. Of course, we can get carried away with bible
numerics (which is completely different than numerology which is demonic
and should be completely avoided), but they (the numbers in scripture)
can help to illuminate doctrine.
Following this train of thought, it is completely logical to infer that
man has a 6-day covenant on the earth where he (mankind) has dominion.
The seventh "day" or 7th thousand year period would be the
millinial reign of Christ on the earth (where the kingdoms of the earth
become the kingdoms of Christ and God). The first "2 days"
(2000 years) represent the time from Adam to the calling of Abram. The
second set of "2 days "(next 2000 years or cumulative total of
4 days) goes from the calling of Abram to the time of Christ. (just a
side note: It's interesting that in Genesis, the sun or "great
light" as it's called was created on the 4th day, just as Christ
who is the "Sun of righteousness"-according to Malachi 4 came
to the earth on the 4th day or four thousandth year.) The next "2
days" I believe represent the church age, and the final or 7th
"day" climaxes with the thousand year reign of Christ on the
earth. If you want to get even deeper, we can infer that at the end of
the 7th day there will be the 8th day. The number 8 represents new
beginnings. Remember that it says about Noah and his family that there
were 8 souls saved by water. The 8th day is marked with a new heaven and
a new earth!(I warned you-this is pretty deep stuff!)
Now, let's shift the focus back to the verse in Hosea chapter 6 because
I realize I've become rather long-winded in this discussion. So to
recap:
Hosea 6:2 6:2 After two days will he revive us:
in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight
I believe this 2 day period represents roughly 2000 years for the church
age, and the third day beginning with the first resurrection.
Interestingly enough, the bible has quite a few references to the
"third day", and there are strong references to the
rapture/coming of the LORD. Let's look at some of them.
Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go
unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them
wash their clothes, 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the
third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon
mount Sinai.
Notice that the LORD tells Moses to "sanctify them today and
tomorrow and let them wash their clothes." That accounts for two
days or two thousand years that the church is supposed to be living holy
and sanctified lives. Jesus is coming after a bride without spot,
wrinkle, blemish, or any such thing. (Ephesians 5). They are exhorted to
be ready for the third day when the LORD will come down in the sight of
the people. This is a type of when Jesus will return again to resurrect
His people.
Exodus 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount
unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their
clothes. 19:15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third
day: come not at your wives. 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day
in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick
cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so
that all the people that was in the camp trembled. 19:17 And Moses
brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they
stood at the nether part of the mount. 19:18 And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and
the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole
mount quaked greatly. 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded
long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by
a voice. 19:20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of
the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and
Moses went up.
The symbolism of the rapture is very evident here. Again, the theme of
"two days" of sanctification followed by the "third
day" of the LORD'S appearance. Even more interesting is the sound
of the trumpet heard at the exact same time. (Compare that with I Cor
15, I Thess 4, and Rev 4 where the trumpet heralds the coming of
Christ.) Finally, notice that the LORD called Moses "up", just
as we will be "caught up" together in the clouds to meet the
LORD in the air.
II Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the
captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father,
I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal
thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD
Is it any coincidence that he is healed and called to the house of the
LORD on the third day?
Esther 5:1 Now it came to pass on the third
day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court
of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat
upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the
house
On the third day, the church (who is the espoused bride of Christ) will
put on a robe and crown, and go meet the king to celebrate the marriage
supper of the Lamb!
Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and
tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to
morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Again, I find this verse amazing! Notice Jesus shows that He will cast
out devils and heal (do cures) today and tomorrow (that's 2 days right?)
and the "third day" (just like Hosea) He will be perfected. I
believe this is a reference to the church (who is the body of Christ)
that is casting out devils and doing the work of the LORD with His power
during the church age, followed by the resurrection when Christ is
"perfected." Now of course, He already is perfect and always
was. But I believe this is symbolic of the fact that He (Christ Jesus)
is the "head" , and we (the church) are the body. On the third
day, the head and the body will be perfectly joined together, and so
shall we ever be with the LORD.
John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage
in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there
As we looked at earlier, there will be a marriage of the church and the
bridegroom (Jesus) on the third day.
We also know that Jesus (who is our example that we are to follow) was
Himself raised on the third day. Doesn't it stand to reason that the
church would follow His example, and also be raised on the third day to
live in His sight? The verses stating that Christ rose on the third day
are too numerous to mention here, but take my word for it-He did rise on
the third day praise God!
Well, there's some debate about that, but it's really not tantamount to the discussion anyway. Remember that Hosea's prophecy says "in the third day He will raise us up to live in His sight. So, it is entirely probable that we may have entered into that third day and will soon be raptured. We must also realize that we follow a different calendar than what God illustrates in His Word. In the book of Revelation, we see years being calculated in units of 360 days as opposed to the 365 day Roman model that we use. Also, the church age didn't start until the resurrection of Christ (yes, even John the Baptist is an "old testament" saint).
Again, this study
is not meant to be taken as doctrinal truth, nor am I "adding"
to what the Word has said. It does us no good to spend every waking hour
trying to set a date for the rapture. My intent in this article is to
show you that we are indeed living in that hour when the Son of Man will
appear to take His church to His Father's house. There are plenty of
other "signs" of the times in the word of God that tell us
that we are living in that time. I hope that you find this interesting
and encouraging as you study the word of God. We have to be careful
because the bible warns us of "private interpretations", but I
see nothing wrong with examining the scriptures to find deeper truths.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto
the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and
to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his
secret unto his servants the prophets
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour
of kings is to search out a matter
God bless you as you study His word!