1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 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. 17 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. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
The “RAPTURE!” No…it is not a word we actually find in Scripture. Instead, it is a word which we use to describe the event mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4 above. The word “rapture” comes from the Latin Vulgate (the Latin Bible) which translated the words “caught up together” using the word “raptus.” That term literally means “to be snatched away”. With that, it denotes that the “snatching away” is “to be taken away by another force.” The actual Greek word from which the Latin Vulgate derives its translation of “raptus” is the word “harpazo.” Harpazo also means “to snatch up; to seize” and the Latin Vulgate use of “raptus” is clearly an acceptable version of translation into what was a modern language of the time.
Thus…we learn in God’s Word that there will be a “RAPTURE” of the Church which will occur. But what is the difference…if there is INDEED a difference…in the “RAPTURE” and the SECOND COMING of Jesus Christ as mentioned in Revelation 19? I am sure that God’s Word provides for us insight into these TWO SEPARATE events. Yes…they are TWO DISTINCT occurrences. First, examine a few passages of Scripture regarding the SECOND COMING:
Revelation 19:11-19 NKJV “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.”
Zechariah 14:1-9 NKJV “Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. 2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. 4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You. 6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord-- Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be-- "The Lord is one," And His name one.”
Now…let’s examine the differences between the “RAPTURE” and the SECOND COMING in detail. (Other passages of Scripture which provide the insight and information will be noted…if not quoted…to provide the Scriptural basis for the points given.)
THE “RAPTURE”
1. The Lord…Jesus…will descend from Heaven with a shout. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
2. The “dead in Christ”…believers who have died…will be resurrected. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:52)
3. There will be a “shout”…either BY the Archangel or ACCOMPANIED by the Voice of the Archangel…as an announcement (“trumpet”) of the Lord’s coming. ( (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:52) (Note: the word “trumpet” can be an actual “reverberating sound” as in the blast of a trumpet OR it can mean “to sound or proclaim as if on a trumpet”… i.e. “He began to trumpet the accomplishments of his company.”)
4. The “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and changed FIRST…before the LIVING believers. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
5. The BELIEVERS who are alive on earth will be “changed” and “caught up” to meet the Lord in the “clouds.” (I Thessalonians 4:17, I Corinthians 15:52-53)
6. Jesus will gather BELIEVERS together…the “dead in Christ” and those “who are alive and remain”…both groups having been “changed”…receiving us to Himself. (I Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:2-3)
7. BELIEVERS…ALL CHRISTIANS…will dwell FOREVER with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:18, John 14:2-3)
8. Following the “RAPTURE“, those “caught up” will experience the “judgment seat of Christ” which EVERYONE must face upon death. For a believer, the term “judgment“ is not one of punishment: it refers to the “distinguishing between two positions“, noting that those “RAPTURED” are determined to be “washed in the blood of the Lamb“ and are to be REWARDED. (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10) (Note: when the “armies of Heaven” return with Christ in Revelation 19, they have ALREADY been clothed in “fine linen, white and clean.” Therefore, they have ALREADY appeared before the “judgment seat of Christ”, receiving their eternal reward.)
9. Following the “RAPTURE” and the “judgment seat of Christ”, those “caught up” will be united with Christ, as the “Bride of Christ” and the “Bridegroom” join together for the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Although being mentioned in Revelation 19, it is important to note: what is shown to be occurring on earth during what is most commonly known as the TRIBULATION period is happening AS other things are occurring in Heaven. Further, note that the reference to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” is BEFORE Christ returns in His SECOND COMING. Then, notice that those INVITED are called “ready”, and they are “granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” The significance in all of this is the fact that the CHURCH is called the “Bride of Christ” in God’s Word. We see here that the CHURCH…the true believers who have been raptured, are the ones present at the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb”…AND, they are seen RETURNING to earth with Christ at the SECOND COMING. Thus, we can conclude that the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” occurs BEFORE the SECOND COMING. During the 7 year period known as the TRIBULATION, the “bride of Christ” has been present with the Lord, experiencing the “judgment seat of Christ”, followed by rejoicing and worship as the “Bride of Christ” has been united with the “Bridegroom”, which culminates in the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” which immediately precedes the SECOND COMING. (Revelation 19:6-10)
THE SECOND COMING
1. Christ descends from Heaven with the “armies of Heaven”, which is the Church, noted by the clothing of “fine linen, white and clean”. The “Bride of Christ”…NOT angels…are noted in Scripture as “clothed in white”, as the words “white and clean” denote the fact that the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST has “washed them white as snow”, with the scarlet stains of sin being removed. (Note: refer above to the “marriage supper of the Lamb“) (Revelation 19:11-16, Zechariah 14:3-5)
2. An angel calls the birds to gather…noting that the enemies of God will be slain, their bodies to be eaten by vultures. (Revelation 19:17-18)
3. The “beast” (the Antichrist), the leaders of the world who followed him, and all the armies of those who oppose Christ will be gathered together in the Valley of Megiddo to make war on Christ. And…in return…the Lord makes war on the inhabitants of the earth gathered against Him. (Revelation 19:15-19, 21; Zechariah 14:1-3)
4. Christ will step foot on the Mount of Olives, at which time the Mount of Olives will split in two…”east to west”…as a “valley” is created, with one half of the Mount moving north and the other half moving south. (Zechariah 14:4-8)
5. The “beast” and the “false prophet” (note: it was the false prophet who worked many “lying” signs and wonders) are captured and “cast alive” into the “lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelations 19:20)
6. Christ destroys the armies who have amassed against Him by “the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.” (Revelation 19:21)
7. Satan is bound for 1000 years, being imprisoned in the “bottomless pit”…not yet being cast into the “lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:1-3)
8. Those who were martyred (“beheaded“) during the TRIBULATION period come forth before the “thrones“, and these people will live and reign with Christ in Jerusalem for a thousand years (the time known as the MILLENNIUM or the MILLENNIAL REIGN. (Revelation 20:4-6) (Note: there remains the 1000 year reign of Christ here on earth, the release of Satan for a “season”, the ultimate defeat of Satan as he is cast for eternity into the “lake of fire”, the destruction of Heaven and earth, the creation of a New Heaven and a new earth, and the eternal reign of Jesus Christ as Lord of all.)
These are the basic tenets of TWO DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT events as noted in the Word of God. As such, I am firmly established in the belief in a PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE. Let me further explain that position by examining a few other aspects of the Word of God…all of which gives Biblical support to what will be noted as the Pre-Trib view from this point forward.
1. The Bible says we are delivered from “the wrath to come.” (I Thessalonians 1:10)
The Bible clearly tells us…as believers…that we are NOT immune from trials and tribulations. We all go through various struggles, which may include: loss of a loved one, loss of a job, persecution, sickness, rejection, abuse…and many other things. But, as the Bible begins to describe a SPECIFIC time which will come on the earth…a time of “tribulation” which has never been seen BEFORE and which will never be seen AGAIN…there is a consistent reference to the truth that the Church (noted as true believers who have accepted Jesus as Savior AND Lord) is not AND will not go through that great time of WRATH. Notice first Matthew 24:21-22 NKJV as it says, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.”
This time of TRIBULATION is beyond ANY and ALL trials and troubles and discomfort that we may presently experience here on earth. Further, the Bible clearly denotes that the reason for such a time of TRIBULATION is for the purpose of “testing those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). In this passage, we learn that this is an “hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world.” Regardless of our own personal trials and tribulations, there has never been a time of “testing” directed by God which encompasses the “whole world.” Even with the flood, it was NOT a time of “testing”…it was a time of WRATH and JUDGMENT. In other words, once the doors to the Ark were closed, there was no hope for those left on earth. Thus...as we further study the Word of God, we see that God’s purpose for the TRIBULATION is to turn the hearts of the people to Him. This method MUST be used due to the fact that those who remain on earth rejected GRACE. God’s love is SO GREAT that He uses WRATH and JUDGMENT in one last effort to save those who will recognize that He is God and that Jesus Christ was the Messiah…being the Son of God Who came in human flesh. God…IN HIS LOVE…begins to pour out His WRATH on the earth in specific acts of JUDGMENT.
In all of this…and I URGE you to read these Biblical accounts…we see that God virtually REPEATS what we saw when Israel was in captivity, as the Jews were slaves in Egypt. Moses goes to Pharaoh as directed by God, telling Pharaoh that God is declaring, “Let My people go!” As Pharaoh refuses, God must use WRATH and JUDGMENT to not only try to turn the heart of Pharaoh to Him (noting that God LOVED Moses and Pharaoh equally!), but to bring about the FREEDOM of the Israelites. As with this account, the Biblical account of the Tribulation period is very similar. In both cases, it is God’s LOVE which causes Him to SHOW that HE IS GOD! God uses MIGHTY ACTS to SHOW that there is no other power on earth equal to HIS power!
So…how does this show that the Church will not be present during the Tribulation period?
1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 NKJV 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 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. 9 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, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (emphasis added)
1 Thessalonians 5: 4-10 NKJV 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (emphasis added)
Paul is clear: God did NOT appoint us…call us…as BELIEVERS…to experience His WRATH. We find this THROUGHOUT Scripture. Noah was saved
FROM the WRATH and JUDGMENT of God. Lot was saved
FROM the WRATH and JUDGMENT of God. God’s WRATH is ALWAYS directed and reserved for UNBELIEVERS…for those who have REJECTED Him and His Word! And there is simply NO POSSIBILITY that we can separate the Tribulation period from this truth:
The 7 year period commonly called the Tribulation is a time in which God’s WRATH and JUDGMENT is poured out on all the earth!
Although Scripture shows us that the FIRST 3 ½ years of the TRIBULATION period are not as severe as the LAST 3 ½ years, we find that the FIRST 3 ½ years are unlike any time of trouble ever experienced on earth. Many discount the severity of the FIRST half of the TRIBULATION period. Here are just a FEW of the events mentioned in Scripture as occurring in the FIRST 3 ½ years: 1. The Antichrist is revealed as he signs a peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27)…2. The 7 Seals are opened: The Antichrist appears, World War, Extreme world-wide famine and inflation, one-fourth of the earth dies, a world-wide earthquake occurs, and the 7 Trumpet Judgments are introduced…3. The 7 Trumpet Judgments occur: Hail, fire, and blood are “cast down” on the earth, resulting in the destruction of one-third of all trees and grass being destroyed; a “mountain of sulfur” arises and falls into the sea, destroying a third of all sea creatures and shipping vessels; the “great star” (meteor) “Wormwood” strikes the earth, resulting in rivers turning “bitter” and causing the deaths of millions of the earth’s inhabitants; darkness increases as the sun gives off only a third of its present light, which also darkens the other stars and moon; horrible, demon-like creatures are released on the earth, as the pain from their stings are so painful that men will “seek death and will not find it”; 200 million “horsemen” are released to kill one-third of the inhabitants of the earth which remain; the 7th and last TRUMPET JUDGMENT introduces the VIAL JUDGMENTS, which will begin the SECOND HALF of the TRIBULATION period.
As you can see…even the FIRST 3 ½ years of the TRIBULATION are unlike any other time on earth. And, even though the LAST 3 ½ years are even WORSE, this in no way DIMINISHES the SEVERITY of that period of time. Thus, we can see that the FULL 7 YEAR PERIOD is a time of SEVERE TRIBULATION. The SEVERITY increases as each preceding “judgment” has not resulted in the people turning to Christ. Again, this clearly shows that those “left behind” after the “RAPTURE“…those going THROUGH this 7 year TRIBULATION…are those who are UNSAVED. Thus, I FULLY BELIEVE that the Church…TRUE BELIEVERS…will be gone, having been “RAPTURED” immediately preceding this time of TRIBULATION which comes upon the whole earth.
Examine this passage of Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 1:3-10 NKJV 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,
because our testimony among you was believed.
Regardless of the timing of this passage…as many scholars differ regarding the reference here (whether it refers to the “Rapture” or to the Second Coming at the end of the 7 year Tribulation period)…we can learn 2 things from this passage…also noting the other Biblical passages which confirm these findings (many of which are noted above):
1. Christians WILL endure persecutions and tribulations
by the hands of men.
2. Non-believers who persecute Christians and who live in rebellion to God will experience “tribulation”
by the hand of God.
If we examine Scripture thoroughly, we see that this is the distinct pattern seen throughout the Word of God. Those who live in obedience to God as BELIEVERS encounter persecutions and tribulations…but these are ALWAYS perpetrated by their ENEMIES who are UNBELIEVERS. NEVER do we find God pouring out His WRATH and JUDGMENT on those who are following Him OBEDIENTLY! In contrast, we see that it is GOD who “repays” those who “trouble” BELIEVERS (using the wording of the passage quoted above)…as He pours out His WRATH and JUDGMENT on those UNBELIEVERS! God only judged ISRAEL when it was DISOBEDIENT…NOT when it was OBEDIENT and FAITHFUL! As in the passage above, we see Paul telling the BELIEVERS that they may be experiencing “persecutions” and “tribulations” at the hands of the UNBELIEVERS…but that God will give them “rest” at the appointed time...a time at which God takes “vengeance on those who do not know God.”
Thus, I also MUST believe that those who are FAITHFUL and OBEDIENT in these last days…a “remnant” of people noted as the TRUE “Church”…those who have not bowed to false teaching and compromise…will NOT be the target of God’s WRATH and JUDGMENT and “vengeance” during the 7 year period known as the TRIBULATION. (Note: the term “Great Tribulation” is used within Scripture, which appears to denote the SECOND 3 ½ year period when the persecution of BELIEVERS---those who reject the Antichrist and turned to God during this time, as they recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord---at the hands of the Antichrist and his followers reaches EPIC and NEVER-BEFORE-EXPERIENCED proportions!)
As noted earlier, during the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period, Revelation 6 gives us details of activities in Heaven…as “the Lamb” opens the “seals” one by one, and these words are spoken:
Revelation 6:15-17 NKJV 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Then, in
Revelation 9:20-21…as God’s WRATH and JUDGMENT has led to death and destruction on the earth (and what are known as the “Trumpet Judgments“ have been poured out)…we read these words: 20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (NKJV)
Repeatedly, we see references to UNBELIEVERS refusing to turn to God in repentance during this time. Yet, we see in several passages from Revelation that SOME turn to God…and they are noted in Revelation 8 as “the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” These would appear to be the CONVERTS who come to Christ during this period…resulting from the EVANGELISM of the 144,000 who come from the 12 Tribes of Israel noted in the same chapter.
Considering all of this information above, I believe that the 7 year Tribulation period is a time of WRATH and JUDGMENT from God on the earth…as He “pulls out all the stops” in His last attempts to reach humanity with a proclamation that “I ALONE AM GOD!” Those who did not accept Jesus under GRACE must now accept Him under WRATH and JUDGMENT. And…even then…if they turn to Jesus, God is MERCIFUL and He will welcome them into His Presence! But…they will have to go through TREMENDOUS persecution and tribulation due to the fact that they waited so long to accept Him. The Church will be present in Heaven during this time, as the BRIDE OF CHRIST is experiencing the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB…the reward for those who accepted Christ under GRACE!
2. The Biblical example of the BRIDE and the BRIDEGROOM
I will not dwell on this issue long, but there is GREAT significance to the BRIDE/BRIDEGROOM correlation given in Scripture as it refers to the “Rapture.”
Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV 1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
This would have been GREATLY understood at the time Jesus used this parable in His teaching. The Jewish wedding and wedding feast is a very elaborate and revealing picture. And…amazingly…it foreshadows the CHURCH (the Bride of Christ) as it unites with JESUS (the Bridegroom)!
The significant aspect which relates to the “Rapture” is this:
There are VERY SPECIFIC things which the Bride must do to be READY for her Bridegroom. It is interesting to note that the Bride is the one who presents a DOWRY at the time of marriage…just as the Bride of Christ must be READY to unite with Christ, as we will “cast our crowns” at His feet…and as we offer our bodies as “a living sacrifice” to God as we follow Jesus. In Jewish tradition…which was the custom of that time (and it is still practiced by devout Jews today)…when that specific time of marriage comes, the Bride is to be READY for the coming of her Bridegroom. Yet…the Bride is to be ready WITHOUT KNOWING when the Bridegroom is coming! If the Bride is NOT ready when the Bridegroom comes, then the marriage does not take place! It is considered a REJECTION and the Bridegroom leaves without the Bride! As the Bride waits for her Bridegroom in readiness…there will suddenly come a call from a distance, as someone cries, “Behold! The Bridegroom cometh!” At that time, the Bride is to GO OUT to MEET her Bridegroom! Then…all of those in the Bridal party are UNITED with the Bridegroom and they are taken to the MARRIAGE SUPPER! After a time of feasting and celebration, the Bride and the Bridegroom go ALONE to CONSUMMATE the MARRIAGE!
It is NOT just happenstance that God referred to the CHURCH as the “Bride of Christ”…and that Jesus is noted in Scripture as the “Bridegroom.” The Jewish tradition is a PATTERN and FORESHADOWING of the Church…as it is “RAPTURED” from this earth…as it “goes out” to “meet” the Bridegroom in the air…and it takes its place at the table of God, feasting at the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB!
With that….we also see the passage quoted above. There, Jesus is saying that some will not be ready to meet Him. Thus…when the cry goes out, “Behold! The Bridegroom cometh!”…many will be LEFT BEHIND! It will be TOO LATE to gain entrance to the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB…which is a feast and celebration reserved for the CHURCH…the BRIDE OF CHRIST!
3. The PURPOSE of the 3rd TEMPLE and the reinstitution of the offering of SACRIFICES
We learn in the Word of God that the Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, and that the offering of SACRIFICES will commence around the time of the TRIBULATION period. (Daniel 9, 2Thessalonians 2:4) Why is this necessary?? Why would God Himself (in His Word) seem to not only support this reinstitution of SACRIFICES, but the Bible seems to declare its necessity??
From the time of Jesus Christ here on earth, we have lived in a period of GRACE. Jesus came to earth TO DIE…to die on the cross. But why? God had declared that the price to be paid for sin was THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD. Up until Jesus came as the Messiah, mankind had to offer animals as a SACRIFICE for their sins. But…the blood of lambs and goats was not SUFFICIENT to pay the price of sin. Thus, there had to be REPEATED OFFERINGS of SACRIFICE to bring atonement for sin. Jesus Christ (Read Hebrews…the entire book…as it is a BEAUTIFUL account of all of this.) became our SACRIFICE, as He became “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." (John 1:29 KJV)
We learn in Daniel 9 that the Antichrist will expose himself after 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period. We see in this passage that he will no longer allow the Jewish people to continue their sacrifices.
Daniel 9:27 NKJV “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."
It is in
2 Thessalonians 2 that we see that the offering of sacrifices is being done in a newly rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. Why? Notice the reference, as it says and confirms that the Antichrist will declare himself to be God IN THE TEMPLE.
1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (NKJV)
Now…with all of these passages being evaluated and their truths put into context, I ask again: Why would God bring about the reinstitution of SACRIFICES?? What is the purpose?? There is only ONE possible answer as we examine the totality of the Word of God. What is it??
The world is no longer living under GRACE as we now understand and experience it!
If the Church was still present on the earth, then there would be no need for any other sacrifice offered for sins. So, notice what we see the Bible showing us regarding the Tribulation period. There are two things which point to a Pre-Trib “Rapture”: the necessity of SACRIFICES…and…the necessity of MARTYRDOM.
The Bible tells us that there will be MARTYRS during the Tribulation period. Revelation 13 tells us that the Antichrist will demand everyone to bow before the “image of the beast”, and that those who refuse to do so will be killed.
Revelation 13:11-18 NKJV 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (emphasis added)
The refusal to bow before the “image of the beast” will be a person’s stance for Christ. We cannot know for sure what someone who refuses to bow will go through, but we can assume there may be attempts made to get them to bow. The possibilities are numerous…and horrible. But we know this from the passage above: those who refuse to bow will be killed. But…if these people had REJECTED Christ before the Tribulation period…why would they now refuse to bow…even to the point of death??
I believe this is due to the 144,000 Jews…and the 2 Prophets…who God uses to spread the truth to the world!
The 144,000 are foretold in
Revelation 7:1-8.…and the 2 Witnesses are seen in
Revelation 11:3.
1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, "Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; 6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; 7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; 8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
I MUST believe that people will accept Christ due to the work and words of those proclaiming the truth throughout the world! There would simply be no reason for ANYONE to spread the Gospel unless there was the possibility that people would BELIEVE their message and choose to REJECT the Antichrist. Thus, those who accept the TRUTH that Jesus Christ WAS the Messiah and that He IS God will be making a declaration FOR Jesus…and their FAITH will be honored! BUT…they will be declaring their allegiance to Christ by offering their OWN LIVES to be martyred! Those of us who now live as BELIEVERS do so with VERY LITTLE persecution involved…in comparison to what these Tribulation “saints” will face. Even as those in other countries today KNOW they MAY face persecution and death for their profession of faith…those who turn to Jesus during the Tribulation period will be facing IMMINENT persecution and death! If you think it is hard to live for Jesus NOW…you have NO IDEA how hard it will be to even PROFESS Jesus during the Tribulation period! Sadly…it is a WONDERFUL reality that SOME will accept Jesus during that period of time…but their previous refusal to serve Jesus Christ now means they will face indescribable hardship, persecution, and pain! This is NOT something we would EVER desire to face!!
Does it APPEAR that a few may ESCAPE death before the SECOND COMING? Yes…it does. After the 7 year Tribulation period, we see the Antichrist and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20). Jesus then sets up His Millennial Kingdom here on earth. Taking into account the totality of Scripture, it would appear that those who inhabit the earth at this time will be those who have SURVIVED the Tribulation period, having refused the “mark” of the “beast” as they declared their allegiance to Jesus Christ…not the Antichrist. Whether those who “rule and reign” with Jesus are the MARTYRS of that Tribulation period OR they are ALL BELIEVERS is debated…and I will not delve into that aspect here.
4. The One Who “restrains” being “taken out of the way”…allowing the “coming of the lawless one”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 NKJV 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 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. 8 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. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
There are a several things to note regarding this passage which seems to point to a Pre-Trib “Rapture.”
1. We see that Jesus will not come until there is a “great falling away.”
2. Paul previously spoke to the Thessalonians that there was something “restraining” the coming of the “lawless one.”
3. The Antichrist will appear when the One Who is “restraining” is taken out of the way.
4. The Holy Spirit (God) is the One Who is “restraining.”
5. The Antichrist will come with “deception.”
6. Those left to be deceived are “those who perish”…those who “did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Some of those points are clear in the passage and they need no explanation. But…why do I say that the “retraining” force in all of this…the reason that the Antichrist is held in abeyance…is the Holy Spirit? It is actually very simple: From the Greek, the translators bring forth the words “He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” The significance? The word “He” is used twice. Note that the word is CAPITALIZED. The reason is the wording from the Greek text…as it denoted GOD. The only time the word “He” is capitalized in Scripture is when it refers to God…whether God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit. And…since the time of Jesus on earth, the Holy Spirit has been the PRESENCE OF GOD here on earth. Further, we know that the Holy Spirit resides within BELIEVERS. Thus, if the Holy Spirit is to be “taken out of the way”…which will allow the Antichrist to then step forward…then the CHURCH…BELIEVERS…must be “taken out of the way.” This…I believe…is a reference to the “Rapture!”
This would make the entire passage fully understandable, as Paul noted that those left to be deceived are
“those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” This is a reference to SALVATION by GRACE! Thus, we see that those left behind refused the grace of God which led to salvation. And…with the “Rapture” of the Church, the period of GRACE has come to an end…and God is soon to pour out His WRATH and JUDGMENT on the earth! Yet…again…God only does this to try ONE LAST TIME to turn the hearts of the UNREPENTANT to Him! Even as the people cry out in recognition that God is the One now JUDGING the earth…most will STILL refuse to turn to Him. At some point…God will simply allow them to believe a “strong delusion”, and their fate will be sealed forever!
5. The “Seventy ‘sevens’” as noted in Daniel 9:24, culminating in the 70th Week
This one last major reason for believing in a Pre-Trib “Rapture” of the Church is due to the “70 weeks” prophecy in the Book of Daniel. It is a heavily debated portion of Scripture. Thus…I would not hinge my belief in the “Rapture” on this one passage alone. But…with all the other things I have mentioned above, I do believe that the 70th week refers to the 7 year Tribulation period.
I do not want to delve into that deeply here for many reasons (length being the main issue…as this is lengthy enough already). But….from studying the passages in light of other portions of Scripture and combining it all with what I have stated in the above points, I believe that the 7 year Tribulation period ushers in the end of the Church era (for the reasons stated above) and God again places His focus on His “chosen people”…ISRAEL. As seen in the Bible, it is during these 7 years that the Jews will realize that they missed the Messiah when He came…as they have rejected Jesus as Christ and as the Son of God from the time of His crucifixion.
The Jews will have their eyes opened during the Tribulation period…and they will come to know Jesus…accepting Him as Messiah and Lord! With the totality of Scripture taken into account, I believe this is the most Biblical explanation of the 70th Week as mentioned in Daniel. Thus…I believe that it points to the Church being “Raptured” immediately before that 7 year period (the “70th Week)…leaving God to pour out His WRATH and JUDGMENT on the earth as He once again draws ISRAEL back to Him…just as He had to do several times in the Old Testament.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons above, I believe in a Pre-Trib “Rapture” of the Church…which is the LAST DAYS “remnant” who is presently alive on earth (Yes…I believe the “Rapture” is THAT imminent!)! I believe that Christians tend to forget that other Christians throughout history have lived and died for Christ…and that many only think in terms of this present generation. In so doing, we think it is ALL ABOUT US…but it ISN’T! People have served God down the through the ages…FAITHFULLY! We are NOT the only ones who served Jesus!
Actually…as the Bible describes the “last days”, we see that the generation which sees the “Rapture” and “Second Coming” of Jesus Christ will be an EVIL and PERVERSE generation! Oh…the Bible is FULL of passages which show that the last generation will be CORRUPT in every way! God’s Word says that the people will have “itching ears”…or…the “Tell us only what we want to hear!” syndrome. The last generation will “not endure sound doctrine”…and the “false teachers” and the “false prophets” will come in as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and as “angels of light.” Yet…these “seducers” will not care for the flock at all! Jesus called them “hirelings” in John 10...as He warned us that these men would come seeking their OWN GAIN…yet they will ABANDON the flock when the REAL WOLF comes in to “devour” them.
We see the Bible telling us “the love of many will wax cold”…as we see that many will “turn away from the faith”, heeding “doctrines of demons” and “fables” as they are brought into the Church “secretly”…and the “destructive heresies” lure the people AWAY from God. The “hirelings” will take everything they can from the flock…and “through covetousness” they will “make merchandise” of the Church!
Tell me:
Isn’t it amazing how God spoke so many words to be written approximately 2000 years ago…and those words PERFECTLY DESCRIBE the time in which we now live!
YES! I believe the Bible was pointing to this present generation…the generation of 2013! And…I believe the Bridegroom is about ready to call to His Bride…to receive Her unto Himself!
Can you hear it?!? Listen…I can almost hear the “trump of God”…and I hear the words of the messenger as he proclaims:
“BEHOLD! THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH!”
Are you ready to meet Him???
