Here is the 50 million dollar question – will there be a Rapture of God’s saints before the Tribulation, or will all of God’s people living at that time have to go through the Tribulation and possibly be martyred for their faith?
I am going to go ahead and give you the main verses from Scripture that deal with the possibility of a Rapture. There is major divided opinion in the Body of Christ right now as to whether or not there is going to be a Rapture.
Each one of you will have to come to your own conclusion on this issue per your own interpretation of the Scripture verses I will list below. I will give you my opinion on this subject, along with pointing out key words and phrases in the following verses.
As you will see in the following verses, I believe there is very strong evidence from Scripture that there will be a Rapture – and that it will occur before the Antichrist starts the persecution of God’s saints, and before God starts to pour out His wrath upon the earth during the 7 year Tribulation. In other words, it will be a pre-tribulation Rapture.
1. This first verse is very interesting. You already know that one of the names of the Antichrist is the “lawless one” per the Scripture verse I gave you in my first article. This verse is definitely talking about the Antichrist. Here is the verse:
“And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8)
You know the lawless one is referring to the Antichrist because then the verse says that Jesus will destroy him when He comes back for the second time.
But look very closely at the phrase, “only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed …” The “H” in the word “He” is a capital H in the New King James Version of the Bible. This means “He” is either referring to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.
Since God and Jesus are in heaven right now, the “He” has to be referring to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has always been referred to as the One who restrains evil from getting out of control on this earth.
It says that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until “He” is taken out of the way. Since we know the Holy Spirit still has to be down here even if there is a Rapture, then who is “He” referring to?
If there is a Rapture, there still will be a multitude of people who are going to get saved and then martyred. If they are saved, then they are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which means the Holy Spirit is living on the inside of them like He is with us.
I believe the “He” may be referring to the “Holy Spirit operating through the Church.” This means that the Body of Christ, the Church, will be what is taken out before the Antichrist can be revealed.
Think about this. The Antichrist is going to be very easy to spot once he starts to enter onto the world scene. All of the Scripture verses I gave you on the Antichrist and 7 year Tribulation spell out exactly what is going to occur, and there will be more than enough astute Christians out there who are going to be able to pick up who he is once all of these events start to occur.
With some of the powerful TV ministries that we now have in place, I am sure that the Body of Christ will be shouting from the rooftops once the Antichrist is spotted.
The word would be spread very quickly and it would then become very hard for the Antichrist to rise to the kind of power that the Bible is foretelling.
I believe the Church has to be taken out as the above verse is stating before the Antichrist can be revealed to the rest of the world. And the above verse states that the Antichrist will not be revealed until “He” who is restraining him is taken out of the way!
Once the Body of real believers are raptured off the face of the earth, there will nothing left that will be able to stop the Antichrist from rising to full power. The rest of the world is going to be easily duped into believing in this man – especially with all of the false signs and wonders that will be performed on his behalf by the False Prophet.
I believe the above verse alone is very strong Scriptural evidence that there will be a Rapture of God’s saints before the Antichrist actually rises to full power.
2. This next verse talks about those who are “alive” will be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the “air.” Here is the verse:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This verse really seems to be implying that there will be a group of saints who are going to “caught up” or pulled up to meet the Lord in the air while we are still alive! These words spell possible Rapture to me.
3. The next verse tells us of a “mystery” – that not all of God’s saints are going to “sleep” – and that this group is going to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and that this event will occur at the last trumpet.
I believe the Last Trumpet is God’s last call to His people, and that it implies that whoever is saved and born again when this trumpet sounds off will be raptured and spared from having to go through the horrors of the 7 year Tribulation.
I believe the word “mystery” is being used to let us know that God is keeping the possibility of a Rapture a secret and a mystery to the rest of the world. This is why many of the Scripture verses pertaining to this event do not perfectly spell it out. However, there is enough of a hint in these verses for God’s own people to pick it up, but not the rest of the unbelieving world. Here is the verse:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” (1 Corinthians 15:51)
I believe the words “last trumpet” tells us this event will occur at the end of times. The words “shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” really do describe what could be a Rapture – the immediate vanishing and disappearance of God’s people from the face of the earth in the snap of a finger.
4. This next verse is coming direct from Jesus Himself out of the Book of Revelation. Here is the verse:
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
This verse could be literal interpretation – that Jesus will keep His Body of believers who are living at this time out of the hands of the Antichrist. He obviously will do it by either rapturing them off the face of the earth, or by providing them with some kind of physical protection if there will be no Rapture. My guess is that He will do this by rapturing them off the face of this earth.
5. Here is another verse from Jesus stating that we watch and pray that we be counted worthy to escape all the things that may be coming our way in the end times.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
This verse really seems to be implying once again that God is going to allow His own to escape or be prevented from having to go through the horrific events of the Tribulation.
6. Now here are some additional verses that are not quite as strong as the above verses, but do suggest the possibility that God will keep us from these horrific events.
“… and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
This verse either means Jesus will deliver us before the wrath comes, which would line up with a Rapture, or it may mean when He comes down for the second time at the battle of Armageddon to put an end to all of the carnage with the Antichrist.
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
This verse could be implying that His Body will not be appointed or be subject to the events of the Tribulation – or the wrath could simply be pointing to people going to hell for refusing to accept Jesus and His gift of eternal salvation.
Conclusion
If there is going to be a Rapture, I believe that God will rapture His believers off this earth sometime before the start of the 7 year Tribulation.
I do not think He will wait to the midpoint of the Tribulation where the Antichrist seats himself in the Temple proclaiming himself to be God and then starts the persecution of God’s saints.
I believe the Antichrist will be fully revealed to the world near the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation when he enters into a peace treaty and covenant with Israel, and then allows them to start rebuilding their Temple so he can eventually get into it at the midpoint of the Tribulation to proclaim himself to be God.
And remember the very first verse above, that the Antichrist cannot be revealed until “He” is taken out of the way. And when “He” is taken out of the way, then the Antichrist can be fully revealed to the rest of the world. And the “He” in my opinion may be the main Body of believers who are living at the time of these events.
The other reason I think the Rapture will occur sometime before the start of the 7 year Tribulation is that the Antichrist is going to need some time to set things up.
Once the Church is taken out, he will be free to start operating at full throttle.
The first thing he is going to do is convince and persuade the rest of the world to follow him, and I feel he will first do this by trickery and deception. If he starts the mass persecution too early on those who will not accept and take his mark, he will risk not being able to gain full control of everything.
I believe he will first suck everyone in by peace and diplomacy and the promise of a better world.
Then once he has enough of the nations on his side and the Jewish Temple has once more rebuilt, that will be the time he will then go for all of the marbles. He will seat himself up in the Temple at the midpoint of the Tribulation, proclaim himself to be God, kill anyone who will not accept his mark, and will then seek total world domination and control.
Think about this. This one man, through the power of Satan, will get a chance to have more power and more control over the entire world than any other man has ever had during the entire course of our human history. This will be the ultimate ego trip for a power hungry human being.
I believe that the last three and half years of the Tribulation are going to be the last and final history lesson from God to us.
With the Church being taken out of the way so Satan and the Antichrist can operate at full throttle, I believe that God is going to show all of us how much terror, death, and destruction humans and demons are capable of committing if given half the chance without God directly intervening.
In three and half years, Satan and the Antichrist are going to cause so much death and destruction on this earth, that Jesus Himself says that had these days not been shortened by God the Father Himself – that no flesh would have been saved! I really feel that Satan, if he knew he had the chance, would set up the entire scenario with the Antichrist to destroy the entire world through nuclear weaponry.
Satan already knows he is defeated. He already knows he will eventually end up in the Lake of Fire and Brimstone for all of eternity. He knows that this will be his last chance for mass destruction and terror.
If God would allow Satan anymore time than these three and half years, I really believe Satan would set the world up for mass destruction through nuclear weapons. He would then have the satisfaction that he literally destroyed the entire world before he goes to his final fate.
But thank our God, He will not allow this scenario to go this far. But God is going to allow it to go far enough to teach all of us a lesson that we will never, ever forget.
He is going to show us how quickly humans can be deceived by Satan and his demons, and the only thing that has kept this world in one piece throughout human history has simply been the power and restraining force of God the Father Himself operating through the Holy Spirit.
Bottom line – there is only maximum life with God or maximum death without Him.
The last three and half years of the Tribulation will show us what maximum death will really be like when God removes His Church off the face of this earth, and then allows the Devil and the Antichrist to do what they want with the power that will be given to them.
After we watch and see all of these horrific events unfold, we will never, ever want to forsake our God again. We will come to the full realization that without God in our lives – we can never have true happiness, joy, love, peace, or fulfillment in our lives.
Without God in our lives, there is only eventual maximum death – and the last three and half years of this Tribulation is going to prove that point once and for all to all of us. It will be the greatest history lesson that the world will ever receive – and something that we will never, ever forget for the rest of our eternal lives.
Will there be a Rapture?
You will each have to decide for yourselves on the way the above Scripture verses are being worded. My own personal conclusion, after putting all the above verses together like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle, is that there will be a Rapture, and that it will occur sometime before the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation.
I believe the Rapture is a “mystery” from God and that it is “hidden” in the above verses. God does not want the rest of the unbelieving world to have full access to this mystery, otherwise people will be accepting His gift of eternal salvation for the wrong reasons – to escape the coming horrors of the Tribulation and not with a true, repentant heart to want to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior for the sinners that we all truly are.
Again, you may want to put this article on the shelf in the event that we start to fast approach end time events in our lifetime. This article will make for good debate with other Christians who may not believe in the Rapture.
Next article in this series: “Warning – Do Not Take the Mark of the Beast.“
Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
My reply: (bear with me)
I would like to put to you a few questions. Do not get me wrong, I love your web site but may be you need to consider a few points about the rapture timing.
The God of the Bible is a God of Order not chaos. The 10 Commandments are a Devine Order.
The Universe is in Order not chaos. The Earth is in Order not chaos which blows away the Evolutionist’s.
Now regarding the Rapture, If you believe in an Imminent Rapture then you believe in a god of Chaos where as the God of the Bible is a God of Order.
The Jewish Festivals are the Festivals of Jesus, the Festivals of the Lord. Festivals of Order.
Jesus was the Passover, He is the Atonement, He will come back in the Feast of Trumpets at the last Trumpet and the Atonement will follow a week later.
Now we can work out the year from Israel, God’s Time Clock.
If you believe in a Pre Tribulation rapture this is deception.
If you believe in a Pre Tribulation rapture and that people can be saved
during the Tribulation period then you will have to discard the Parable of
the 10 virgins where Jesus tells us the door is closed after the Rapture.
There is no second grace period, the grace period ends at the rapture.
After the rapture there is absolute lawlessness on earth as God has removed
people’s conscience.
There are a number of different views on the coming Rapture (taken up to
heaven) of “born again” believers, which one is correct? Time will prove
which one.
Most Christian believers believe in a Pre tribulation rapture, I call them
“escapists” for they hate tribulation in their lives or
hardship/persecution.
They have no Biblical scripture to back there belief.
I believe the Rapture will occur Pre Wrath of God not before Satan’s wrath on the “believer’s.”
Two wars concerning Israel have to occur before a 7 year peace treaty is
signed between Israel and the Antichrist or One World leader (Daniel 9:27).
The 1st war is Psalm 83 with Israel taking out the surrounding nations,
Damascus disappears.
The 2nd war is Ezekiel 38 and leads to WW III where one third of the earth’s
population die.
From the signing of this peace accord the Tribulation period begins.
Half way through this 7 year period the Antichrist breaks the treaty with
Israel and the Great Tribulation period starts (Daniel 7:25).
In Daniel 12: 9 it tells us Daniel was told “Go now, Daniel, for what I have
said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end……”
In 1 Thessalonians 5: It tells us we won’t be in the dark regarding the
rapture or “day of the Lord”.
In 2 Thessalonians 2: “For that day (of the Lord) will not come until there
is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed –
the one who brings destruction….”
Read Matthew 24 slowly and carefully for it spells it all out – Jesus’
return and when.
Matthew 24 in sequence: 1st the Antichrist will be revealed, the One World
leader (24:5).
Then the wars & rumours of wars (24:6)
Then famines & earthquakes (24:7)
Then the hard labour, many Christians will be killed because of Jesus (24:9)
Many Christians will fall away (apostasy) (24:10).
The Gospel will be preached to the world (24:14)
The Elect or true believers will be raptured and God’s wrath will come
(24:14) (Revelations 8:1-7; 14:6-7).
John 6:35-40 tells us who are saved and when the rapture is.
In Matthew 25 there is a parable of the 10 virgins. 5 go in the Rapture to
the wedding feast with the Bridegroom (Jesus) while the other 5 lost their
trust/faith in Jesus (oil = Holy Spirit) and were not allowed in. After the
rapture the door is closed, no one else can get into heaven, there is no 2nd
chance, the “Grace Period” we now live in is finished.
After the Rapture there will be on earth absolute lawlessness unseen in the
history of man. We presume the Holy Spirit has left therefore there is no
restraining power of evil on earth. Madmax movies will look tame compared
to this period.
The surviving Jews will hide in a cave village in Jordan
When a sinner receives or believes in Jesus he has peace with God.
In Matt 24:36 Jesus says “no one knows the day or hour when these things
will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the
Father knows.”
Jesus did not say we would not know the year or the month. He also said in Matt 16
“You can predict the weather but you do not know how to interpret the signs of the times”
Ask your self if you are an “Elect” of God if not then maybe you need to be reborn. (Mark 13:27). For Jesus returns for His Elect, not the wannabees or luke warm or the believers living in sin.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. We expect He would return in a Sabbath
year and He would return during the Feast of Trumpets.
2011 is a Sabbath year but many signs have not been fulfilled, (see Matt 24).
Next Sabbath is 2018 which coincides with a generation or 70 years from 1948
when Israel was reborn (Psalm 90).
The beginning of the next Jubilee year is 2018.
The Feast of Trumpets in 2018 is September.
The 7 Jewish Feasts are about Jesus.
He was crucified on the Passover, He was the First Fruits to God and He is
the Feast of Tabernacles.
My dear pls read revelation again and know there’s a 2nd chance except this time it’s going to be much harder than before the rapture. It’s either you die for Christ or you receive the mark. It’s better we let people know now because it ain’t gonna be easy the. I myself is striving very hard by the Grace of ABBA Father to be in the first group oh.
Amen!!
You’ve got some good points, but you’re all over the place. Nice try but this, like 99% percent of everyone concerned with prophecy gets it wrong. You’re a date setter, and you don’t know the future.
I have never seen the Rapture doctrine broken down so eloquently anywhere else. Thank you for this. God bless.
“In Matthew 25 there is a parable of the 10 virgins. 5 go in the Rapture to
the wedding feast with the Bridegroom (Jesus) while the other 5 lost their
trust/faith in Jesus (oil = Holy Spirit) and were not allowed in. After the
rapture the door is closed, no one else can get into heaven, there is no 2nd
chance, the “Grace Period” we now live in is finished.”
In response to the above….”After the door is closed, no one else gets into Heaven IS NOT TRUE!!!
They do have a 2nd chance..only this time its gonna be tougher…….they will have to do it during the last 7 years, of Tribulation like the world has never seen. Also, I take issue with being called an escapist for believing in the Rapture…..The time of “Jacob’s trouble” as so called in Jeremiah is God’s way of completing His part of the Covenant with Israel. The Bride of Christ has been taken and are with Jesus in Heaven, as Jesus said it would be. Not taken were some of the 10 virgins because they were not “ready”. But our God is so patient that He not only will give a 2nd chance during the Tribulation, but even in the 1000 year reign under Christ He will give people an opportunity to “walk away”, and sadly there will be those who do in that final battle (where Satan is loosed once more).
A main point for me…..Satan does not know when the “7 year” Trib begins..oh He knows exactly how long after that he has until the coming of the Lord…..7 years. Revelation is very specific about that. We all are told that no one knows the date or time when Jesus will return. well,if I am here, once the anti-Christ makes that deal with Israel and the world to begin rebuilding the Temple…..all I have to do is look at the time when the “abomination of desolation” in the Temple takes place and the Bible will tell me the exact day Jesus is coming. Might want to think on that one for a bit. That is the date that is known, the date that is unknown is..’when the 7 year clock starts ticking..and that cannot be known until He who restrains (many believe, as I do, the Holy Spirit throught the Church is He who restrains) is taken out so that the lawless one (anti-Christ) can be known…..(this event is the Rapture as many of us believe
God Bless
Very Good Thanks!Allen, it didn’t happen on 10-23-11 so that blows everything you believe out the window! Anyway please pray for me and my family,that we draw near Him and He to us.I need to be refilled with the Holy Spirit along with my family.I pray for people who hate me because I don’t want any one to suffer and burn.Even if they deserve it,Nobody should have to suffer like that.All they have to do is believe and be saved.I don’t want any one to miss the chance,not my worst enemy!! Please Pray for me!! Your brother in the Lord.–P.S. If you have anything for me fill free to send it to me at anytime.
Hey uhm, i din’t know how it happend but Jesus came to my heart just a couple months back.. Did he choose me for a reason? I mean i am a TOTALY different person now. Please pray for me, i pray for each and every soul on this planet and i believe Obama is the antichrist
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Excellent Article by “bible-knowledge” … confirms what I have believed since I was ‘born-again’ decades ago that GOD will take His Chosen ‘in a twinkling of an eye’!
The word rapture (in Greek harpazo, in Latin rapere) means to be caught up or taken away suddenly. The rapture refers to the sudden removal of all of God’s people on the earth. In the twinkling of an eye, born again Christians will suddenly be transformed out of our human bodies and will rise up into the air to join Jesus Christ.
Many Christians are afraid to talk about the rapture of the Church. Deep down they feel an excitement about the prospect of being snatched away in the twinkling of an eye to be with the Lord and Savior they love, worship, and have given their lives to. However, they fear being labeled or criticized for a hope that many through the ages have had; a hope that God fully intended for us to have. God warned us against ignoring the hope that end-times prophecy gives us in I Thessalonians 5:19 when he said “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
There is a reason Christ warned his end-times followers 13 times in the New Testament to not be deceived, and to watch and be ready. He wanted us to be excited about His glorious appearing.
Satan, on the other hand, does not want us to be excited. He is the master deceiver and wants us to believe his deception rather than the signs of Christ’s return given to us by Jesus himself. He will send many to deceive us and to rob us of the joy of living every day in anticipation of Christ’s return.
For those who believe that the Bible is the truth and is the very word of God, it’s easy to believe in and rejoice in the prophecies that tell of the rapture of God’s Church. The Bible tells us of others who have been taken up into heaven in very much the same way that we will be at the time of the rapture. Elijah was taken up into heaven like a whirlwind.
II Kings 2:11-12 “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel! And Elisha saw him no more.”
Enoch was also taken from this life so that he would not experience death.
Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because god had taken him away. for before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
So, when will the church be raptured? We know there is more evidence today that He is coming for His Church soon, than at any other time in history. As these signs intensify, all of us who know Christ as our savior will be looking toward heaven and awaiting the coming of our Lord.
Many biblical scholars feel that the rapture will occur prior to the Tribulation Period, or a pre-tribulation rapture. Thus God will spare his Church from the persecutions of the Antichrist and the wrath of God that will fall upon the inhabitants of the Earth during the end times. Those who come to Christ following the rapture will live through the persecution of Christians by the Antichrist and even martyrdom for their faith. There are several other views of the timing for the rapture of the Church, however, here we will examine the pre-tribulation view and the biblical support for it.
One of the best supporting verses from the Bible for the rapture of the Church is found in Revelation 3:10.
“Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.”
This verse is a promise made by Christ to one of His seven churches, the church of Philadelphia. The hour of trial Jesus speaks of in this verse is the period of time that our Lord calls the “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).
There are many verses in the Bible that describe the rapture. Christians in the first century church were so driven by the coming of their Lord and savior in the end-times that they shared their faith everywhere. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church in I Thessalonians 1:6-10
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
This belief in being taken up to meet Christ is the essence of hope. A hope that Satan will fight and challenge with all of his might.
We also read the following in I Thessalonians 4:16-18
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
The Lord will shout a loud command as he descends from heaven, and we will hear the voice of the archangel, perhaps to lead Israel during the seven years of tribulation as he did in the Old Testament. It should be an encouragement to all of us in these times of lust, greed, corruption, self-centeredness and resistance to all things that are of God.
I Corinthians 15:51-53 says, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall all be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” The Greek word here is harpadso, meaning “snatched up” to be with Christ. When Christ comes to set up his earthly kingdom at the end of the tribulation, he will come with power and the holy angels to bind Satan, and to deal with the earthly Kings who are gathered at Jerusalem to oppose Him. When He comes for his Church at the time of the rapture, He will leave his Father’s house and come in the clouds to call the dead in Christ and then the living church to “come up hither,” where they will join with each other in the clouds to live with Him in His Father’s house. Belief in this kind of resurrection was common among the Jews of that day. Martha believed Jesus when he challenged her to understand the coming resurrection of the dead. She responded to Jesus, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last days.”
When the rapture does occur, billions of people will be left behind full of surprise and shock at the disappearances of their loved ones, friends, and acquaintances.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Who knows what explanation the Antichrist will use to explain away the disappearances of millions of believers. But, one thing is for certain, with the main obstacle to his plan for the world removed, the way will be clear for the Antichrist to implement his evil plan for the world as is prophesied in the Bible. With the followers of Christ gone, few would stand in the way of a world religion that deifies man, and a world government that criminalizes belief in God.
II Thessalonians 2:3, 6-7 “Let no one in any way deceive you for it (the Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. And you know what restrains him now, so that in this time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.”
The word Apostasy may have 2 different meanings. The first is to fall away from the faith. In our world today, many are turning to a new age faith that vilifies belief in salvation through Christ, and changes the Word of God to fit an inclusive, creedless, self-gratifying religion that requires nothing and promises everything, including godhood. A belief that releases us from any responsibility, accountability or consequences in life, is becoming more popular in our humanist society and will gain in popularity as the end times progress.
The second meaning for apostasy in this verse is to depart, and may be a reference to the rapture. The forces of the Antichrist are restrained on Earth until the Holy Spirit which dwells within God’s Church is removed by the rapture. With Christ’s followers removed from the scene, the Antichrist will be released to usher in the world’s new age religion with all of its evils.
However, as this depressing time descends upon us, we can rejoice. God promised us that he would deliver his Church from the persecutions of the Antichrist and the wrath of God that will follow his rise to power. The rapture is the fulfillment of that promise.
I Thessalonians 5:4,9-10 “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”
Christ will return for those who have died and those who are still living and deliver us from the wrath and tribulation that will be suffered by those who follow the Antichrist.
Romans 5:9 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
I Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
God will come for his Church suddenly at a time when we least expect it. For this reason, He instructs us to be ready, always prepared, and on guard for his coming. As those around us turn their backs on God, worshipping themselves, other gods, or false prophets instead, we should be looking up. We should have our spiritual lives in order, so that we might escape what is to come. Especially as we are now witnessing the beginnings of birth pains, God reminds us that we need to be in prayer constantly so that we will not be led down the other path and miss His coming.
Luke 21:34-36 “Be on guard, that your heart may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon the face of the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
God felt it was so important for us to be alert and watchful for his coming that he reminded us several times to be ready.
Matthew 24:42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:44 “For the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
Matthew 25:13 “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”
It is to our benefit that God didn’t tell us the hour of His coming. It encourages us to live righteously as Christ may return any time, and it encourages believers to work diligently for the souls of friends, family and the lost of this world. It reminds us that we have much work to do and may not have much time to do it. If there was ever a time to be an example, share your faith, and make sure that everyone you know has heard the name Jesus, it is now.
After the rapture of the Church, the tribulation will fall upon the Earth. For those of us who received Christ and were prepared for His coming, we can shout for Joy. The Lord has prepared a place for us and we will be with him always.
Isaiah 26:19-21 “Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust awake and shout for joy. For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. Come, my people, enter into your rooms, And close your doors behind you; Hide for a little while, Until indignation runs its course. For behold, the Lord is about to come out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; and the earth will reveal her bloodshed, and will no longer cover her slain.”
Many Christians will read about the rapture of the Church which will occur before the tribulation and respond with “It’s too good to be true!” or “I don’t deserve to be saved from the wrath to come.” We often overlook, however, that trials and tribulations are a standard part of everyday life in a fallen world. But our Lord specifically informed us that the tribulation is a special judgment of God. It is for our sake that these days will be shortened for us. This escape from wrath is not based on merit, but on what the Bible says. God deals with us on a basis of grace when we accept him as our savior, and this basis extends itself to the tribulation. We should celebrate the saving grace of Christ. Let the joy that fills your soul at the mention of His return show in your life. Let it be an example that draws others in. Then tell everyone you know the reason for the hope that is within you so that they too may look to the future with excitement, hope and confidence, and you will see them in your Fathers house at that great time of reunion and rejoicing.
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FYI – You FAILED, Allan, of attempting to tear-down GOD’s promise to His chosen that are written in the Book of Life. (I Thessalonians 5:4,9-10)
Be Ready, Be Prepared, Be Joyful in LORD CHRIST JESUS!
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2Thessalonians2-7
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed,…
HE means to me when I read these scriptures says that HE is either Yeshua(Jesus) or an Angel who is restraining the lawless one and until Yeshua or an Angel is taken out of the way then the lawless one will be released to come to earth to take up war with the saints who keep Gods commandments.
I found your website by accident a few month ago. I have been a born again christian for 40 years with baptism of the HOLY GHOST for 40 years. I was not raised in a christian home but a community with a lot of christian influences, which I thank JESUS. I praise GOD every day of my saved life for the baptism of the HOLY GHOST and in 40 years I have seen him work in such powerful ways. GOD is real JESUS is real and the HOLY GHOST is real.It is simply letting the HOLY GHOST work in our lives thru the Blood Love and Devotion of GODS word to us. I found your article on Spiritual warfare extremely powerful and have use the advice and the word of GOD has worked thru these teachings.The last days we as christians will spend on earth no matter how long each of us have here will include more intense spiritual warfare and we must prepare for it. I agree with your teachings on the rapture. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your devotion to the HOLY TRINITY and your desire to get the true word of GOD to the world.
@mild bill. You dont need to be refilled with the Holy Spirit. Once you have the Holy Spirit its there to stay. just simply ask God to forgive you and start being a one day Christian. In other words wake up each day and offer yourself to GOD and work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Bring all thoughts into captivty and the next day you start all over again till it becomes a pattern in your life. Smiles. I would love to pray for you and your family. Oh yes and read your bible every day.
Take care
Listening to one teach concerning the pre-trib or mid-trib doctrine and you will soon find that scriptures are often taken out of context to support their view. For instance lets take a look at verse 28 of Lukes Gospel chapter 21″And when these things begin to come to pass,THEN look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh.”Many in the pop-culture of pre-trib are being told about an eminent return of Christ and that the Church should “NOW” look up for our redemption. However a closer examination of this text reveals to us that we are not as a Church to look up for our redemption until we see certain things come to pass.What are these things that we are to see come to pass?The preceding two verses reveal what those signs are; vs 25 an 26 reveal to us that the powers of heaven are shaken and signs would be revealed in the sun,the moon and the stars. These are the same exact signs that are referred to in Matthew 24:29 which says,the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Verse 30. And “THEN” shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven. Now note verse 31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. These verses taken in proper context reveal to us that the last signs to take place before God gathers together His elect{ what some refer to as the rapture} are the darkening and the shaking of the lights of heaven. And the first part of verse 29 tells us ” WHEN ” these signs will occur, immediately ” AFTER THE TRIBULATION ” of those days shall the sun be darkened. How is it that one can interpret the words immediately after, and then arrive at immediately before?
” What About The Restrainer ” Often in doctrinal discussions about Post Tribulationism one will often state, ” what about the Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:6, doesn’t the church have to be raptured before the anti-christ can come to power? Well lets take a look at that verse. 2 Thess. 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. ” When you read verse 6 you come across the words, ” and NOW ye know.” The reason Paul says it in this way is because he is remindind us, I just told you what is holding back the anti-christ from coming to power and what will take place that will allow him to come to power. For that explanation we need only go back 3 verses for the answer is given. verse 3. ” Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first , and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” There it is in plain sight. It is the falling away, an apostasy among the church which allows the anti-christ to come to power. Note that Paul says, this falling away must occur first, then the man of sin is revealed. The mention here of a missing restrainer, is not a reference to the removal of the church from the earth, but a removal of righteousness and holiness from among the ” church world.” When churches compromise, when righteousness is in decline, we can expect satan to take advantage of that broken hedge an make his move. We are even now watching as the church world continues its falling away, how that satan is making major inroads into our own nation to destroy it from its very foundation. Scripture is clear that these things will only grow worse. 2 Timothy 3:13 ” But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” As seducers continue to effect themselves and their doctrines upon the church, evil men will gain ground in the world of economics, the world of politics, and religion. This will culminate in the rise of a one world religion, a one world currency, and a one world government. Christians awake.
Revelations2:8-11 speaks about the church of Smyrna.
Smyrna – meaning “myrrh” from root meaning “bitter.” Myrrh is a tree resin with a bitter taste that was crushed and used in perfume, in incense, and as a preservative in burial. It is a symbol of death.
This is the end time chuch that remains after the Rapture and it’s duration is 10 days which represents a 10 year period.
(see Ezekiel 4:6 for an example)
This 10 year period is broken up into a 7 year tribulation and a further 3 and 1/2 year period of God’s destruction (not man made but cosmic).
Daniel is given a period of weeks of years for all the event that were to follow but what where those weeks based on? Apophis has a 7 year orbit which crosses the earth’s orbit and I believe this is what those 7 years are based on.
Apophis is coming for a close swing of the earth in 2029 and some have perdicted that due to the key hole effect the next orbit of Apophis will hit the earth, the final 7 years or last week of Daniel.
In the middle of that week the 7 year treaty of the Antichrist is broken.
When that asteroid hits the earth in 2036 that is when those of Christ’s people who do not wish to remain are taken out, this woman of believers are taken out for 3.5 years (Revelation 12:14) to the desert in most translations but can also mean a secluded place i.e. heaven to wait it out till the cosmic destruction has finnished and then returned to the earth.
Hi Mart,
I so enjoyed reading your take on the church of Smyrna, however after doing my own research on this comet I calculated that it will be appear 81 years after Israel has become a Nation. My question is so what happened to the generation that Jesus Spoke of in Matthew 24 v 34 which I know relates to his second coming, but if we say that this comet is the buring mountain in Revelation we have a problem with the generation theory. Please an input would be most appreciated.
@Tahj,
Please read your bible as neither of them play an important role in end times. They are just types of the Anti-christ and false prophet. I know many Americans would enjoy seeing america in prophecy but sadly she falls by the way side just as the rest of the world does. Israel will become a great nation.
Rapture is biblical truth. Believe and be saved.
Yes I to believe Jesus is coming very soon. Those who do not want to spend for ever in hell with sinners that did not repent, but eternity in Heaven with our Lord and he´s holy people , repent, forgive and give your live to Jesus because he is the only way to salvation, the time is right now people.
No worries…worry is sinful! As long as we are living our Christ like lives and praying to do His will…what will be-will be! We need to concern our prayers for our God to open the hearts of the unsaved, for them to accept and beleive in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are meant to be soldiers for Christ, the battle is here and the word is our armour. Keep your faith! Hold on strong with all your might – DO NOT BE DECEIVED – stay focused on the path of righteousness. I don’t know what or when, but I will be READY, and I do know where I’ll END up! Do you?
Answer to Question:
God rescued the Righteous (Noah, and his family! Lot, and his family) prior to his Judgment (Wrath) on those Left Behind. Just as us Saved Born Again (New Creatures) Rapture before the Tribulation (Wrath)
One taken (Rapture) the other (Left Behind in Tribulation)
Isaiah 26:20-21
(Rapture)
Come,my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee hide thyself as it were for a little moment until the indignation be overpast.
(Tribulation)
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity, the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
One shall be taken (Rapture) and the other Left Behind Luke 17:35-36
Luke 17:35-36
Two women shall be grinding together (Working) the one shall be taken (Rapture) and the other left. (Left Behind- Tribulation)
36Two men shall be in the field (World) the one shall be taken (Rapture) and the other left. (Left Behind- Tribulation)
The New International Version (NIV) completely removes the Rapture Scripture Luke 17:36. To read the Scripture Luke 17:36. Read the Holy Bible king james version (KJV) The Holy Bible KJV is as the 7 seventh purification Psalm 12:6-7. The powerful name JEHOVAH is shared 7 seven times in the Holy Bible KJV Exodus 6:3
Those in the Ark were Taken- Taken up, as we are Taken- Taken up- Rapture, as the Lord was Taken- Taken up, Deuteronomy 4:20, Acts 1:2, Acts 1:9, Acts 1:11
Reading the Holy Bible king james version (KJV) The book of Luke- The proper word is (eagles) not the word “vultures” as in the The New International Version (NIV) be gathered together Luke 17:37. Also read the Scriptures: Exodus 19:4, and Isaiah 40:31 from the Holy Bible king james version.
Luke 17:37
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the (eagles) be gathered together.
Exodus 19:4
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on (eagles) wings) and brought you unto myself)
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with (wings as eagles) they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Taken- Forth out of
Deuteronomy 4:20
But the LORD hath (taken) you, and brought you (forth out of) the iron furnace, even (out of) Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
As the Lord was Taken- Taken up- Raptured
Acts 1:2
Until the day in which he was (taken up) after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was (taken up) and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Acts 1:11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is (taken up) from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was (taken up) from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
Just as us Saved, and Sealed Born Again (New Creatures 2 Corinthians 5:17)Rapture (lifteth up) before the Tribulation (Wrath)
As Noahs Ark Lifted above (bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth)
Genesis 7:17
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.
Llifteth up the meek: as Now, and when we Rapture…
He casteth the wicked down to the ground) as the Meek, are (lifteth up (Rapture)
Psalm 147:6
The LORD (lifteth up the meek) he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
One taken (Rapture) the other (Left Behind in Tribulation)
Don’t Be Left Behind…
The Chosen (Righteous) Born Again (New Creatures) Will be Rescued (Raptured) to Heaven (New Jerusalem) with our Wonderful LORD, King Jesus Christ of Nazareth in the Rapture Miracle…
Reference:
The Rapture, and End Times Bible Prophecy
http://www.raptureprophecy.net/the-rapture-and-end-times-bible-prophecy/
Praise be to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is written:
II Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
“RAPTURE! PROPHECY OR HERESY”
is a book by Colonel H. Speed Wilson (Daring Publisher). Since 1989, he has offered a $10,000 reward to anyone who can prove scripturally that the Saints are taken OUT OF THE WORLD.
Who is wise enough to understand this?
Who has been instructed by the LORD and can explain it?
Why has the land been ruined and laid waste like a desert that no one can cross?
Concerning the first verse that was written. II Thes 2:6-8.
Now let’s look at what it really says.
II Thes 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
At a recent prophecy presentation at our church the floor was opened up for questions and a lady posed a question concerning babies and young children at the time of the Rapture. Some debate and discussion followed with mixed opinions about their fate. If a new born baby is taken in the rapture what about a baby born the very next day after the rapture? The questioners were asking based on their own honest concerns. Any help will be appreciated. Thank You
Have you read:
Absent from the body, present with the Lord!
A lot of great comments and questions have been posed here on this website. I see some comments that reflect great scholarly knowledge of scripture, but to be quite honest, also a few cases of attitude that suggest “I’m right and you’re wrong”, which comes across a little argumentative and contentious in spirit. Some of us were probably circumcised on the eighth day but We need to boast about Jesus, not our knowledge.
We who love Jesus look for his return with great anticipation. While we wait, we labor to harvest and we influence as many as we can for the Kingdom. We need to have the mind of Christ, not the mind of argument. I can hardly wait for his return and every day I hope this will be the day. If we truly love the Lord, we ought to be excited about his return. We don’t need to fear the future, and that includes even the tribulation itself. Whatsoever things are of a good report, think on these things, (said Paul).
Our future is in his Christ’s hands, and he is trustworthy and faithful.
We will reign with Jesus. Whatever happens don’t be afraid. If you belong to Jesus, you’re in good hands. He didn’t bring us this far and redeem us just to abandon us in the tribulation. While my curiosity is enormous, the fact is I don’t really need to know exactly when the rapture is going to take place. I am commanded to watch and pray, and be vigilant. The bottom line is we don’t precisely know when the clock starts ticking for the tribulation. We know the midway point of the tribulation and we know the outcome. What more do we need? Jesus told us about the season of his return and that this will reveal to us that he is at the door, and that time is at hand.
A compelling argument is made for the Feast of Trumpets being a Jewish holy time that Jesus might return. But there are other holy days that also hold great significance. Consider this: is there any day (Passover, Easter, Christmas, or other days) that wouldn’t be equally wonderful? I would be O.K. if it were on Tuesday or any other day. We are entering the season of his return.
Jesus said: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars”…
It just so happens that we are about to experience an extreme Solar flare of CME energy at the end of 2012/early 2013 that has potential for catastrophic consequences according to NASA commissioned scientific research; we are experiencing severe earthquakes of increasing magnitude all over the world, famine, unparalleled evil in the world, and apostasy that Jesus described in Matthew 24:12.
NASA calendar records show we will have a total solar eclipse on Mar 20, 2015, and FOUR BLOOD MOONS during a 12 month period on: Apr 15,2014-(on Passover), Oct 8,2014, Apr 4, 2015-(on Passover), and on Sep 28,2015-(on Feast of Trumpets)! Talk about signs in the sun, the moon and the stars!
The “Great Tribulation” conditions that are described in Revelation 6:12-17, Rev 16:18-21, and Rev 21:1 that lead to a ‘new heaven and a new earth’ are gearing up to occur. There is quite a bit of science that explains how these things can happen during a polar shift, by either a star such as “Wormwood” described in Revelation 8:11 or by asteroids striking the earth. NASA is tracking a 10th planet dwarf star (Eris) approaching earth with infrared technology that could potentially cause some gravitational problems, but won’t say much about it. In fact, their silence is attracting considerable attention, and in their ‘good will’ desire to not create panic, they have made some contradictory, duplicitous statements. Russian media has acknowledged what NASA refuses to publicly admit. A lot of very interesting things are happening, including Israel openly discussing a preemptive attack on Iran. The season and climate are right for something significant and eternal to happen.
Commentator #32 (Old Boxcar)on March 30th asked a provocative question about babies that might be born the day after the rapture takes place. Depending on one’s point of view, and when the clock starts ticking, such a birth could arguably occur during some phase of the tribulation.
Here is my thought on this excellent question. Revelation speaks of those who do not accept the Mark of the Beast, and neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (the Millennial period) [Revelation 20:4].
Some scholars argue there is no ‘second chance’ but that argument could only apply if you missed the rapture to begin with. Since no one really knows exactly when the rapture will take place, the next thing you can do is diligently read what scripture has to say about the mark of the beast and the antichrist.
What I found so interesting in chapter 20 of Revelation is that it speaks of Satan, the Devil, being cast into the pit and bound for a thousand years (during this millennial period). This will be a tremendous period of time, prosperity, joy and wonderful blessing, since there will be no evil around us to tempt us or produce crime and other evil or failure. The Bible says: that Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should not deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season (Rev 20:3 KJV). Verse 7: And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of prison, (verse 8) and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth…
Why would Satan be allowed to deceive and tempt people again?
I believe that those who somehow make it through the Tribulation, or who were born either after the rapture or during the millennium period of time, will never have been tried and tested as other saints were during an entire life time and journey of faith, daily and yearly being tempted with all manner of evil, having to make choices over whether or not to honor and serve God. Our faith is about surrendering our will to God and choosing to follow Jesus, not our own selfish, sinful desires. Our choice and participation in this journey is a factor. When we fail, we ask for forgiveness, but one has to want to be with Jesus, want to follow and serve him, and want to live with him in eternity. Simply not wanting to go to hell does not in itself qualify anyone for heaven.
Those who live through the millennium while Satan is bound in the pit, will not yet have been tested,nor their faith tried, and they will not have been forced to make choices regarding right and wrong, good or evil, since they have not yet been exposed to evil, while Satan was bound. These people will have lived in a protected ideal world that surrounded them with goodness. If we consider that even Jesus, who was without sin, was tried and tested in the wilderness, and so have we, during our lifetime in smaller, yet real ways, then why would anyone else not be tested or tried or allowed into heaven without being tested in some practical fashion? Not being tested would seem to go contrary to common sense and scripture (Proverbs 17:3 Jeremiah 17:10).
I don’t personally believe there will be any untried, untested people in heaven: just those who overcame adversity through the power of choosing Jesus, and accepting his blood and forgiveness. Jesus is all about choice, and it isn’t an accidental thing. It’s a deliberate choice and way of living based on his grace and forgiveness. You can’t live for Christ and at the same time be living just for yourself or the devil. Revelation 21:7 speaks of those who will live eternally with Jesus: he who overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son [or daughter]. Those who live during the Millennium must be taught to follow Jesus and ‘overcome’ because they will be tested at the end of the millennium (after Satan is loosed for a season) just like all of us have been tested in our lifetimes. Those who live during the Millennium must personally choose to follow Jesus themselves. No one overcomes by simply claiming the works of others. Everyone who lives through the millennium will need to have a personal relationship with Jesus that is based on substance and choice. No one will be able to claim salvation because their parents were saved and forgiven. It reflects the paradigm of our faith: have you been forgiven and washed in the savior’s blood because you chose Jesus? The baby who is born the day after the rapture, (or during the millennium) must have a chance to make such a free-will choice of their own, and they will get the chance to make such a decision, I believe.
Well, I may be very wrong, and believe in the rapture BUT not til the 6th seal. I think the seals could be before it all begins, as in braxton hicks labor signs. Then the trumpets with witnesses could last 3.5 years and be the first half. I believe the restrainer is Michael the archangel and the reaping with blood up to the horse’s bridles is many saints being beheaded…there could also even be a fake tribulation and fake muslim antichrist when the real one wipes out Islam setting himself up as God with strong delusion convincing people that the tribulation has ended.
(Thanks, Bible…. Wondering if you have already read this internet piece.)
PRETRIB RAPTURE SECRETS
How can the “rapture” be “imminent”? Acts 3:21 says that Jesus “must” stay in heaven (He’s now there with the Father) “until the times of restitution of all things” which includes, says Scofield, “the restoration of the theocracy under David’s Son” which obviously can’t begin before or during Antichrist’s reign. (“The Rapture Question,” by the long time No. 1 pretrib authority John Walvoord, didn’t dare to even list, in its scripture index, the too-hot-to-handle Acts 3:21!) Since Jesus can’t even leave heaven before the tribulation ends (Acts 2:34,35 echo this), the rapture therefore can’t take place before the end of the trib! (The same Acts verses were also too hot for John Darby – the so-called “father of dispensationalism” – to list in the scripture index in his “Letters”!)
Paul explains the “times and the seasons” (I Thess. 5:1) of the catching up (I Thess. 4:17) as the “day of the Lord” (5:2) which FOLLOWS the posttrib sun/moon darkening (Matt. 24:29; Acts 2:20) WHEN “sudden destruction” (5:3) of the wicked occurs! The “rest” for “all them that believe” is tied to such destruction in II Thess. 1:6-10! (If the wicked are destroyed before or during the trib, who’d be left alive to serve the Antichrist?) Paul also ties the change-into-immortality “rapture” (I Cor. 15:52) to the posttrib end of “death” (15:54). (Will death be ended before or during the trib? Of course not! And vs. 54 is also tied to Isa. 25:8 which is Israel’s posttrib resurrection!)
Many are unaware that before 1830 all Christians had always viewed I Thess. 4’s “catching up” as an integral part of the final second coming to earth. In 1830 this “rapture” was stretched forward and turned into a separate coming of Christ. To further strengthen their novel view, which the mass of evangelical scholars rejected throughout the 1800s, pretrib teachers in the early 1900s began to stretch forward the “day of the Lord” (what Darby and Scofield never dared to do) and hook it up with their already-stretched-forward “rapture.” Many leading evangelical scholars still weren’t convinced of pretrib, so pretrib teachers then began teaching that the “falling away” of II Thess. 2:3 is really a pretrib rapture (the same as saying that the “rapture” in 2:3 must happen before the “rapture” [“gathering”] in 2:1 can happen – the height of desperation!).
Other Google articles on the 182-year-old pretrib rapture view include “Pretrib Rapture Politics,” “Pretrib Rapture Scholar Wannabes,” “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “X-Raying Margaret,” “Edward Irving is Unnerving,” “Thomas Ice (Bloopers),” “Walvoord Melts Ice,” “Wily Jeffrey,” “The Rapture Index (Mad Theology),” “America’s Pretrib Rapture Traffickers,” “Roots of (Warlike) Christian Zionism,” “Scholars Weigh My Research,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” “Appendix F: Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Pretrib Rapture Secrecy,” “Deceiving and Being Deceived,” and “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” – all by the author of the bestselling book “The Rapture Plot” (see Armageddon Books).
Good Day all,
before I express my attitude and feelings on the rapture I wish to make know that i am one of those Christians who have this deep love for all and when putting my views over on any biblical topic i do it in love.
first of all there is no secret rapture. I belive this word “secret” has its roots in the american society and it has become a word used in mocking the rapture. Over the years I have begun to see a split in the christian society and hate and dislike has begun to creep in becauce of the rapture.
There are 2 main camps. one is the pretrib and one post rapture.
Both camps fight to express their view point and thus forgetting to study the word to find themselves approved. 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Many times we sit in church pews never going back home to check out if what the pastor is saying is correct.
Might I site an example. Delaney quotes Acts 3:21 How can the “rapture” be “imminent”? Acts 3:21 says that Jesus “must” stay in heaven (He’s now there with the Father) “until the times of restitution of all things” which includes, says Scofield, “the restoration of the theocracy under David’s Son” which obviously can’t begin before or during Antichrist’s reign.
Delaney the bible also says 1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Now you express yourself by saying that Jesus “must” stay in heaven. It does not mean that at all. Lets take it from the top.
Act 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
You need to read this in context and once you do so you will get a better picture of what it means. After Jesus died he was “must” if you will be received by heaven. It further adds that Jesus will stay in heaven ( and it does not say he must stay in heaven) till the times are ready for the restitution which is the second coming. no, Jesus does not come to earth for the rapture, but we which are alive meet him in the air.
The rapture debate will never go away and as time marches on more and more people will hate each others doctrines and despise those who support the theory of the rapture. I have even been told I am going to hell as i support the doctrine of imminence. Its suppose to be the doctrine of the devil.
I smile and say to those who mock me well then Jesus will send me to hell for longing to see him in the air and to be be with him forever. and while I am in hell jesus will reward for longing and aching to see him in the rapture.
Please read 2 Timothy chapter 4 verse 8.
The rapture and those who support it feel the pain of those who say mean and nasty things about those who support it but this much I will say….as each new year approaches I say “thank you Father God for allowing me another year on hell, as it will give me time to spread the word.” And should the rapture happen then I shall look up for my redemption is near.
If we do go through the tribulation then we should be watching out for the Anti Christ and thats not what i think Jesus wants. He wants us to look out for him. We as his bride should be longing to see his face and not the face of the Anti Christ. If that is the case then I wish to debate this with Jesus when I am judged because then the story of his return has been lied to me in his word.
Thank you.
IF there really were a doctrine of imminency why did Jesus predict how Peter would die (at an old age)? Jesus predicted the demise of the temple in 70AD, 30 some years after He was crucified. That means that Jesus couldn’t return until those things happened or He would have not been correct in his predictions. Paul tod the Thessalonians that Jesus would not return until after “the great falling away” and “the man of lawlessness is revealed. So Jesus couldn’t return until after this. So is there a place in the Bible where the theory of Imminency starts?
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 17:15
I pray not that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil.
Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
God allows His children to go through tribulations, but never His wrath. Being tried and tested by God is a good thing.
1 Thessalonians 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
We can expect to experience tribulations but be delivered from His wrath. This will indeed happen at the rapture. What about God’s Wrath? Clearly it starts at the 6th seal:
Rev 6:12,17
12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood…17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
This shows us that first 5 seals must be various tribulations and not part of God’s wrath. These terrible things involve wars, famines, plagues, and persecutions, which Christians have lived through before. Will we have to endure these tribulations that clearly are not the wrath of God? Consider the following scriptures:
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the DAY OF THE LORD so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thess. 4:15–5:2)
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the DAY OF CHRIST is at hand. (2 Thess. 2:1–2)
The rapture happens at the same time as the Day of the Lord because we see from the previous two passages that they are talking about the rapture and call the event the Day of the Lord or the Day of Christ. Next consider Acts 2:20
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable DAY OF THE LORD come:
The moon is turned to blood before the Day of the Lord. Read the verse below where we are told the moon turns blood red at the sixth seal. (Note there will be other blood moons before this but this particular one will also have the sun becoming black):
And I beheld when he had opened the SIXTH SEAL, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Rev 6:12
SO….
1. The Rapture is part of – occurs during – the Day of the Lord.
2. The Day of the Lord occurs after the moon is turned blood red.
3. The moon is turned blood red (& sun darkened) at the 6th seal is opened.
THEREFORE: The rapture happens after the opening of the sixth seal.
We’ll find confirmation of this scenario in Rev 6:15-17
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6:15-17
The kings and great men are trying to hide from the face of Him that sits on the throne. That’s Jesus. The world will only see Jesus when He appears at the rapture. We are also told God’s wrath begins at this time also.
Christians can be subject to tribulations, but not the wrath of God which comes after the sixth seal is opened. It is only at this time that we are removed. Just like Israel in the days of Moses: they were kept safe when the plagues were happening all around them, but when the wrath of God came and killed all the first born they were saved by the “blood of the lamb” on their doorposts.
Christians can be subject to the tribulations of the first 5 seals. We will not be taken out by a secret coming of Christ.
One more interesting fact:
The same day that Noah entered the ark, the flood came and killed them all.
The same day that Lot left Sodom, fire and brimstone destroyed them all.
The same day the church is Raptured, ON THAT DAY, THE WICKED WILL BE DESTROYED!
I submit that those hoping to be taken out before all the ugliness comes are only playing church. God needs you to grow up as a believer, having given power and authority to His obedient, Armour-clad church. It is those who are playing church that are the ones who will be left . . . left wondering what hit them.
Great comment. I am so concerned about all the people who are deceived by the false pre-trib rapture theory that was started after 1830! Jesus himself said the rapture would be “after the tribulation” in Matthew 24, and in Revelation 20:4-5 it says: “4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” How can the martyred saints be the first resurrection if the church is raptured 7 years before? So many other things but I think you are well aware of them. God bless you!
I am glad at least people are speaking and thinking about Gods word. My only comment is to rightly divide Gods word to understanding. The subject, deception in the 17th chapter, book of Luke. Stumbling blocks to us. Those in the field, one taken the other left, referring to deception the one taken is taken by deception, the one left, left in the field (earth), is left to work for the Lord. Same in the mill, one taken and one left. One is taken be deception and the other left to work for the Lord. God says, He will be happy to return and find us working. Thanks for Loving the Lord.
– Bonita
When you talk about the Anti Christ why do you ignore most of what the Bible says about him? A careful study of all Scripture says about the Anti Christ will clearly show (as the church since the Reformation believed) that it is none other than the Papacy of Rome.
And clearly there will be no rapture!
And there will be no 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. For didn’t Jesus say, “My kingdom is NOT of THIS WORLD “?
Your big problem is that you take passages of the Bible that should be interpreted literally – symbolically and vice versa . The first basic rule of Bible interpretation is that you start with the clear passages, and let them help you understand those that are not all that clear.You do the opposite (esp. re. the end times).
There most certainly will be a rapture. The actual word in scripture is “harpazo”. It means to be “caught up”. Rapture is the latin translation of the original. It’s right there in black and white 1Thessalonians 4:17. Believers will be caught up when Christ comes – it’s a done deal because God’s Word is 100% true. Please don’t deny bible truths. The only thing people continue to argue about is when this will happen. My comment below shows that the ‘Catching Up’ will happen at Christs’ return at the end of a tribulation period.
As for the Kingdom: The origin and nature of this Kingdom, was first revealed by Daniel, and could not be more sharply defined. Jesus said: “My kingdom is not FROM hence” (John 18: 36). Daniel tells us that that there’s a Kingdom in the form of a falling Stone not made by earthly hands. This stone is launched like a torpedo from an airplane. It is “the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance” (2 Thess. 1: 7). It is exclusively a kingdom FROM on high. Its abrupt collision with world-powers is not gradual, but a sharp military overthrow. The vacuum it creates, it also fills – therefore the Kingdom is as literal and earthly as the kingdoms which came before it. It is earth’s final kingdom and royalty, imperishable, unchanging & divine. The Kingdom reigns in the sense the old kingdoms reigned with the difference being that it is God’s Kingdom and Christ is King. If the Smashing Stone written in Daniel is not a catastrophic Advent, followed by a literal Empire then all imagery is a falsehood, and language is meaningless. “Behold there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto the son of man, and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, THAT ALL THE PEOPLES, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES SHOULD SERVE HIM” (Dan. 7: 13). We should not misquote our Lord. Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not FROM (ek) this world”. He never said: “My Kingdom is not of this world.” The Stone descends from heaven, but it is earth which it fills. Don’t base your faith on human theology and traditional teaching like the opinions of controversialists who misquote our Lord.
Our Lord shows us the actual descent of the Stone:- “When the Son of Man shall come in his glory” – that is, as He has already once been on earth, on the Mount of Transfiguration – “and all the angels with Him, then shall He sit on the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered ALL THE NATIONS” (Matt. 25: 31). It is manifest from the thronging Angels that it is the descent of the Lord at the Second Advent, which the Saviour had just indicated:- “then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and with great glory” (Matt. 24: 30). It is a judgment of “nations” – therefore not of the dead, among whom there are no nations; as the final judgment is of the dead alone (Rev. 20: 11), so this judgment is of the living alone; resurrection is never once named; and it is pre-millennial, for the Judge says, – “Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom” (Matt. 25: 34). Finally conclusive are our Saviour’s word to the Apostles : “I appoint unto you a kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones JUDGING THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL” (Luke 22: 29). That is, the “kingdom,” according to our Lord, is the epoch of the re-emergence of the Twelve Tribes; and so, manifestly, a fulfilment of the word which follows the prediction of His descent on Olivet, when “the Lord shall be KING OVER ALL THE EARTH” (Zech. 14: 9)
Thank you! These verses are so comforting to God’s children. I wanted to add a couple more that I believe pertains to the rapture as well. Isaiah 26: 19-21 But your dead will live, their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead. ( watch carefully) Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until His wrath has passed by. See,the Lord is coming out of His dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the bloodshed upon her; she will conceal her slain no longer.
2nd verse Psalms 27:5-6 For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in his dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Hello,
Yes, Rapture will happen first Bible says that clearly why? At the time there will be Saints living among the rest, so they must be removed from the Earth since they are ready to live in Heaven and wouldn’t be able to withstand EVIL that Antichrist will bring to Earth, the remaining people and among them Christian will have to live through ANTICHRIST time. During this time some will have the change of hearts and it will be converted (they will become Apostles) these people who will die for Jesus will be saved and the rest will be left behind and will end up in Hell as a final destination.
God Bless you
Yes this answer is a good summary. Too many gentle souls to withstand what will be unspeakable evil. Women and children mostly, but even those men that weren’t called to be soldiers, but rather gentle christian men.
I am happy that you all believe that rapture is coming, but the question is when.
the bible says no one knows the day and the hour when the Lord Christ Jesus will come and no matter what will happen on that day, God’s grace will be there to protect you. Jesus says all things shall pass away, but his word shall stand. This simply means all his promises will still work in our favor.
Hello there,
I didn’t say the Rapture is coming, I only explained what the Holy Bible states it’s part of Divine plan, and yes only God the Father knows the time.
It doesn’t matter when, what really should matter to Christians is “to live by” 10 Commandments Lord gave us.
God Bless
Brother you are confused and the spirit of the whore church has made you fall astray,
luke 17:33 to 37
just like it was in the days of noah people were eating and drinking, and the flood came and destroyed them ALL, so shall it be in the days the son of man is reaveled
two shall be in the field, one will be taken and one will be left,
and the disciples asked him “lord WHERE” AND jesus answered “WHERE THERE IS A DEAD BODY AND THE VULTURES GATHER
There is going to be judgement and those whom are taken will be killed, this is after the tribulations
Matthew 24 ;5 to 36
and there will be great tribulations and then AFTER THESE THINGS, THE SON OF MAN SHALL GATHER HIS ELECT
1 THESOLONIANS 4:16 IS TALKING ABOUT AFTER THE END, AND YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU READ
IT STARTS BY SAYING
Those of us whom REMAIN, And are alive….. Notice it says ALIVE and Remain, in matthew 24 33 to 36 says there will be some taken, being taken is death and this verse starts off with Alive and REMAIn, so there will be a rapture but it’s at the end not before the tribulatoin
1 Thess 4:16-17 the Lord descends, and then the shout of an archangel, and then the sound of the last trumpet, and then the dead in Christ shall be resurrected first, and then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up. No one is caught up until the dead are resurrected. John 6:39,40,44,54 Jesus said he would resurrect his children at the last day, which is at the last trumpet, not seven years before the last day. If the living are not being caught up until the dead are resurrected, and the dead are resurrected at the last day. Then the living are caught up at the last day
I believe the rapture is not to heaven, it is gathering together of all the saints at the 7th trumpet within the earth.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 say we will be caught up in the cloud to meet the lord in the air, not to heaven.
Christians will have to go through the tribulations.
So true Rocky. A lot of people are preaching and teaching a pre trib rapture, and by doing so they are not preparing others nor themselves for the tribulation. In II thess 2 chap Paul tells us that the rapture or the coming of Christ can’t come until two things happen. A fallen away and the man of sin- antichrist be revealed. The he that is taken away is not the Holy Ghost. There is no devil in hell more powerful enough to have the Holy Spirit removed. Neither will God remove him because, the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of grace draws one to Christ. Therefore, how will the Jews or others be able to to get saved without him. Therefore, we will be raise up at the last day. Jesus said so himself 4 times in John 6 chap vs 39-40; 44,54.
I hope you realize that all these people commenting are false prophets and have clearly ignored Revelation 22:18-19. Deceivers the lot of you.
“18 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Amen and Amen! I am glad for the truth that George stated and agree’d with by Victoria. The Rapture really does happen but just as Matthew 24 states it is at the end of the great tribulation time, at the LAST TRUMPET. The Day of the Lord. My concern is that some in the church are getting there hopes up that they will not have to endure any tribulation. The Word of God says that we will have to endure tribulation. The Lord will help all of us that will be tested in the trials. Always keep your eyes on the Lord. And don’t ever give up. Thank you all! Keep the Faith! Neil