Continuing the story of King David leaving Jerusalem because of the rebellion of his son, Absalom.
“Then said the king to Ittai (those with me) the Gittite (from the winepress), Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou [art] a stranger (foreigner, Gentile), and also an exile. And Ittai (those with me) answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. And David said to Ittai (those with me), Go and pass over. And Ittai (those with me) the Gittite (from the winepress) passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him. – II Samuel 15:19-22The king said to “those with me,” you are Gentiles and exiles. You do not have to come with me. But the Gentiles replied, “Wherever You are, there we will be.” They chose to follow Jesus. The Lord always gives us a choice. And the little ones, the children, will be with the Lord Jesus, also. Satan may try to explain the disappearance of the Church as sad people who were taken somewhere to be rehabilitated. How will they explain the innocent infants and children?
“ . . . the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. And lo Zadok (righteous) also, and all the Levites (priests) [were] with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar (my Father is great) went up (ascended), until all the people had done passing out of the city. – II Samuel 15:23-24With the king were the righteous and the priests. As Christians, we are “a royal priesthood.” And “My Father is great,” which must be the Lord Jesus, went up or ascended, until everyone was safely delivered. Then the king and the people crossed the Jordan, a picture of leaving this world and going to be with the Lord, which is frequently used at the time of death of a Believer.
“And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, (two camps)” . . . they were provided with food, drink and sleeping pads. – II Samuel 17:27-29At the place of two camps they were provided with sustenance and comfort. The two “camps” are possibly Paradise and Sheol, or the place of comfort and the place of torment. Consider the story of the rich man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31) When those caught up (raptured) to be with the Lord arrive in Heaven, they will be provided with sustenance and comfort.
What a wonderful picture of the Lord calling His Church to be with Him. And in the story of David’s departure from Jerusalem, it all occurred before the supernatural battle. For those of us alive for the Rapture, it will be before the Battle of Armageddon!! Praise the Lord!! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!