Hosea's two day-three day prophecy

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!

But the year 2000 has already come and gone

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).

Some final thoughts

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!

Truth Ablaze-the online ministry of Liberty Community Church
Indian Trail, NC
Copyright 2003