Sign Of Jonah

During an extended study into an explanation for the reason Christ mentioned that he would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights I believe that the Spirit has guided me to this wonderful revelation. Read with an open, spirit guided mind and determine if it sounds spiritually sound and biblically based.

The Jonah Prophecy

The prophet Jonah ran away from God and became a prophetic symbol of Christ’s coming and His mission on Earth.

Parallel 1 – Jonah went onto a vessel heading in the wrong direction

Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

The first ship ever built according to the bible is the ark. Genesis 6:14-17 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.  And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and everything that is in the earth shall die. This then gives precedence to any reference made of ships in biblical prophecy. A ship will thus represent the vessel of God’s divine grace. The nation of Israel at the time of Christ’s coming could correctly be referred to as the vessel. They were the depositories of the law. As Jesus told the woman of Samaria; John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Jesus entered Israel a nation whose mandate was to live lives that drew all nations to God. Instead they had gone down the path of exclusivity and driven away heathens. Their religious leaders were also corrupt, guided by the desire for wealth, fame and ruler ship. Hence Jesus continually gave rebukes and warnings. Hear the words of John the Baptist

and also Christ; ‘Ye generation of vipers.’ The 23rd chapter of Matthew offer pertinent advice ‘Do as they tell you but don’t follow their example’; after this solemn instruction Christ shows clearly why the example of the Pharisees was such a dishonour to God. Christ’s final denunciation of the group is calling them hypocrites. A hypocrite is somebody who pretends to have admirable principles, beliefs, or feelings but behaves otherwise. Thus the scribes and Pharisees had the truth from God but did not act in accordance with the knowledge they had obtained. Teachers of the truth they fail miserably in practicing the lifestyle which would lead to a life of blessing here on earth and heavenly joy at the coming of Christ.

Parallel 2 – Jonah was thrown out of the vessel into the sea

Jesus’ teachings created quite a stir in Israel; he was rejected by his own. The sea in bible prophecy always represents people and here Jesus proceeded to teach the Samarians and other neighbouring nations. Yet this was not to be the final rejection. The nation of Israel went as far as to completely reject Christ by throwing Him out of the nation of Israel and to the judgement of a foreign power. Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. John 19:15 But they cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him.’ Pilate saith unto them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’

Parallel 3 – Jonah was in the belly of a whale (great fish) for three days and three nights

Jesus mentioned to his disciples Luke 11:29-30 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

Matthew 12:39-40 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

This is quite different from another prophecy in which he said that on the third day he would rise again.

Matthew 20:18,19 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 9:31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Listen to the words of Angels Luke 24:6-7 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’

 The word of the risen Christ Luke 24:45-47 Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’

By checking carefully even using Hebrew reckoning of days from Friday to Sunday morning, preparation day to first day of the week, all that can be gotten is three days and two nights. This along with the previously mentioned difference in biblical statements must mean that the ‘heart of the Earth’ was not talking simply about death.

The encounter with the whale when looked at from a prophetic and physical perspective is not death but indeed a separation from God and also a kingdom. A whale is an animal and animals represent kingdoms of the world in bible prophecy. Daniel 7:17, 23 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. So let’s think about some facts before we go further.

On several occasions during his life Jesus could have been taken except that he walked through the midst of the crowd. Luke 4:28-30 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

At the feast of Tabernacles, we have a wonderful thing happen let us look at some key verses from the text. John 7:6-8 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come.

John 7:19, 20, 25, 26 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me? The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this

he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?

John 7:30, 32 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him. John 7:45, 46 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.

He even taught in the temple and was not taken; John 8:2, 20 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come.

They tried to kill Jesus and he once again walked through the midst of the crowd; John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Listen to satan tempting Christ; Luke 4:9-11 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Satan had purposefully left out an important part of the prophecy. God would not keep us when we presumptuously place ourselves in danger. Listen to His true promise to His son; Psalm 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

At the garden of Gethsemane He says to his disciples that his time was now come; Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Mark 14:41-42 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. John 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

The Saviour also mentioned that at his word twelve legions of Angels would be at his beckoning yet they weren’t used. Even though it is important to point out at this time that they did not give over Christ until sure of His willingness John 18:4-6 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

It was Jonah who had to give permission for the men to throw Him overboard and it was Christ who needed to give permission to be taken; John 18:7-9,12-13 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Spiritual or divine protection was not awarded Christ at the garden of Gethsemane. The very angels were anxious about protecting The King of Heaven; however, the plan of salvation required death. Even the leaders of Israel knew this yet they failed to recognize the significance of Christ’s death. John 11:49-53 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Listen to the parallel words of Jonah giving instruction to the men on the ship; Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

The whale is a large mammal that lives its entire life in the water. Whales resemble fish in many ways, but they are not fish. (From Microsoft Encarta) Whales are the largest fish-like creatures and hold first place when it comes to size among all the living creatures of the world. It is no new belief that the ‘fish’ that swallowed Jonah may have been a whale and thus we recognize a prophecy that it would be the largest kingdom that ever was would swallow Christ. Without controversy the Roman Empire has the record of controlling the largest percentage of the known world at the time of their reign.

Further information reveals that this great sea creature was also referred to as Leviathan in the bible. Linking the verses together we find:

Job 41:1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord [which] thou lettest down?Psalms 74:14 Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, [and] gavest him [to be]

meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.Psalms 104:26 There go the ships: [there is] that leviathan, [whom] thou hast made to play therein.Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that [is] in the sea.Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Because the Roman government was in charge of the society no death sentence could be administered to a male by the Jews without authority from Rome. The plan was to deliver Him to the Roman rulers Luke 20:20 And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Thus we recognize the passion beginning from Thursday night. Now three days and three nights becomes a breeze.

Night 1 – Thursday Night                Day 1 – Friday

Night 2 – Friday Night                    Day 2 – Sabbath

Night 3 – Saturday Night                Day 3 – Sunday

As is clearly seen from the verses at the top that make reference to Him being raised the third day there is only the possibility of dying the sixth day of the week in order that He could be raised the first day of the week. Luke also provides us with a beautiful Chronology:

Luke 23:53-56 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment. Emphasis mine

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered

in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye [him that liveth]   among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Luke 24:1-7 margin

Conclusively we see that the Sabbath kept in this case is the Ten Commandment Sabbath and thus the day before must have been the sixth day of the week since we are sure that the resurrection, without a doubt, occurred on the first day of the week.