Subject: The Strange Trial in II Peter 4:12 and The Seven Good Years vs the Seven Evil Years in Genesis Chapter 41

Dear Friends,

In our last Pastors’ Page we addressed the subject “Standing and Turning with the Apostle John” who was on the Day of the Lord, as the Seventh Millennial Day, according to Revelation 1:10. As previously stated, we believe we are presently standing on the Day of the Lord, according to the Millennial Day Principle based on the “Seven Creation Days” in Genesis chapter one. See Special Studies “Seven Millennial Days” and “Millennial Day Principle.” From this vantage point the Apostle John witnessed the Day of the Lord breaking in the heavens as signified by the message; “Behold the Lord Cometh” (Rev. 1:7). See Special Study “Turning with the Apostle John.”

Things We Will Address

Before we turn with the Apostle John, and peer into the Day of the Lord and examine the events taking place in the heavens, we feel it necessary to address the immediate events taking place on the earth and in our world. In our next Pastors’ Page, we intend to address John’s vision of the “Son of Man,” as Judge, standing in the midst of the Seven Churches and His nine-fold description in Revelation 1:13-18. 

The “Strange Trial”

At this time, we feel it necessary to address the “Strange Trial” which has engulfed the world and our nation stemming from the Coronavirus Pandemic. We will be considering this “Strange Trial” in the scriptural context of I Peter 4:12-18. We will not address the origins of this pandemic outbreak or our national and medical response. However, as you know, this “Strange Trial” has closed our Churches and minimized the preaching of the gospel for several weeks. Now we are facing a wave of racial protests and violence in our cities which is almost eclipsing the Pandemic. These are truly the “sorrows” defined in the prophecies of Matthew 24:7 and Luke 21:25. In the Strong’s Concordance the word “strange” means “foreign.” It is noteworthy that the Coronavirus emanated from a foreign land. 

Strange: G3581. xenos, xen’-os; appar. a prim. word; foreign (lit. alien, or fig. novel); by impl. a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer: –host, strange (-r). 

Many Prophetic Responses

The Coronavirus Pandemic, plus the present chaos within our cities has stirred up a broad range of prophetic responses within the Church. It is not uncommon to hear various ministers and those claiming to be prophets, to announce that we have passed into the Seven Year Tribulation Period and the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” have been released. Still others reserve their opinion but remain in a quandary in trying to salvage their ministries using various means such as internet conferencing and/or live streaming and other means. Grace Assembly has resorted to meeting via Zoom.com and feel thankful for this “way of escape” provided by the Lord. We have now resumed our services, however under strict challenging guidelines. Pray for us! 

Where Are We in Bible Prophecy?

During this period of prophetic confusion, a “spiritual vacuum” has been created causing many to ask “Where are we in Bible Prophecy?” It is tempting to remain silent, nevertheless, we feel we must share what we believe is a “word in season” and “meat in due season” according to the “more sure word of prophecy?” In our last Pastors’ Page, as restated above, we believe we are now standing on the beginning of the Day of the Lord, as the Seventh Day. We also believe we are stepping into the breaking of the Third Day, as the Day of Christ. The Day of the Lord, as the Seventh Day, and the Day of Christ, as the Third Day, are two prophetic days of a thousand years referenced in the Scriptures. These two prophetic days run parallel, howbeit with some variations and difference in spiritual emphasis. We will try to define both the similarities and differences between these two prophetic days and explain why believers need to remain open minded in understanding God’s “times and seasons.”

(Eccl 3:1 KJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:                                                    (Est 1:13 KJV) Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times. 

The Day of Lord

We will state again our rational for the Church presently standing on the Day of the Lord, as the Seventh Day. This Day is based on the “Seven Creation Days” in Genesis chapter one and using the Millennial Day Principle according to II Peter 3:8. In essence, this Day is a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Divinity and the Great Creator. This Day begins in the heavens, as the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) rises in the east and sets in the west. (Matthew 24:27) This Day will usher in the enthronement and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ according to Revelation chapter four. See Special Studies “Seven Millennial Days” and “Millennial Day Principle.”

The Day of Christ

In contrast, the Day of Christ, as the Third Day, has its basis in Christ’s First Advent when the “Word was made flesh” according to St. John 1:14. From thence there has been “two days” or 2,000 years arriving at the Third Day, using the Millennial Day Principle. Christ was also resurrected from the dead on the literal “third day.” We believe there is a foreshadowing of the greater Third Day, in which Christ will be joined by His Church, as His Mystical Bride and Body through resurrection and translation, as the redeemed, by rank and order. Therefore, the Day of Christ, as the greater Third Day, will be the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Humanity and the Great Redeemer according to Revelation chapter five. Within this Third Day, Christ will be joined, in the heavens, by the redeemed, as the “fullness of Christ” before returning to establish His earthly Kingdom through Israel. 

Unfolding Events on The Day of Christ

This is only a brief overview of these two distinctive prophetic days as recorded in the Scriptures. The Day of Christ, as the Third Day will introduce many unfolding events beginning with the “Son of Man” standing in the Midst of the Seven Churches. His nine-fold description is that of a Prophet, Priest and Judge and He is clearly beginning Judgment at the House of God according to Revelation chapters 1-3 and I Peter 4:17. This Judgment will be necessary in preparing the Living Church for translation, even by rank and order according to I Corinthians 15:23. See Special Study “John Caught Up To the Day of the Lord.” These will eventually fill up Christ’s Heavenly Kingdom following the resurrection of those who are asleep in Christ. As stated above, we will devote our next pastors’ page to these events. See Special Study “Order of the Resurrection.”

“A Word in Season”

Therefore, we believe we are standing in the breaking of the Day of Christ, as the Third Day and must consider the prophecy in Genesis chapter 41 of the “Seven Good Years” that will clearly precede the “Seven Evil Years.” See Special Study “Seven Good Years and Seven Evil Years.” In the present climate, the possibility of “Seven Good Years” seems obscure and remote and will be refuted by many. Nevertheless, when considering this “Strange Trial” in the scriptural context of 1 Peter 4:12-18, we find this trial is just prior to Judgment beginning at the house of God described in Revelation chapters 1-3. This may seem to be a “Strange Message,” but one must remember from history that “chaos” and “confusion” often precedes a change in the Divine order both spiritually and naturally. These adverse events may indeed prove to be a “smokescreen” created by our adversary in his attempt to becloud and withstand God’s Divine order. Notwithstanding, we believe this prophecy, according to Genesis chapter 41, will prove to be a “word in season” in comforting the household of faith according to the “more sure word of prophecy.” It may also define the greater need of the household of faith in knowing how to pray in these difficult times. 

(2 Chr. 7:14 KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

In Christ, 

Gerald and Jolene Cooley, Pastors of Grace Assembly