Pretribulation Rapture

The Rapture of the Church Explained

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Rapture Notes

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Although the word ‘rapture’ does not appear in English translations of the Bible, it is a term commonly used in associations with events which relate to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The meaning of the idea behind ‘the Rapture’ is to be ‘caught up’ or ‘snatched out’ by Jesus who will first come to take away the ‘saved’ to heaven just before the beginning of a 7-year period of time known as ‘The Time of Jacob’s Trouble’, ‘The 70th Week of Daniel’ or ‘The Tribulation’. The true, faithful believers will disappear in the “twinkling of an eye” as they are transformed into their new, perfect, complete spiritual bodies in an instant before being caught up to Heaven by Jesus. The sudden absence of millions of people, will, of course, not go unnoticed on Earth. There will be mass confusion and disruption of ordinary life. At the beginning of the Tribulation, the identity of the antichrist will be revealed as the one who confirms a peace treaty with Israel.  Non-believers will be left behind to face severe tribulation as the antichrist rises in power and takes on the role as the Beast who is Satan incarnate and proclaims himself to be god while requiring all people on Earth to worship him.  The second half of the seven year Tribulation is known as ‘The Great Tribulation’.  Although the Church will be absent during this time, new Christians, who will be known as Tribulation Saints, will endure extreme persecution to the point of death by beheading.  With the recent rise of ISIS in the Middle East one has to wonder if there isn’t an Islamic connection. Later, at the close of The Tribulation is when Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem in triumph and glory to defeat the antichrist and his armies. It is at this point that His return is known as the Second Coming.  This is the event when Jesus will victoriously return to conquer His enemies before establishing his millennial reign of Peace on Earth for a thousand years (the millennium) with His saints, the church.

After the thousand years, the rest of the dead will be raised to kneel before their judge, Jesus Christ, at the Great White Throne judgment. They will then be separated from God forever after they are cast into the lake of fire, while the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth (Revelation 19-22).

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2) The Second Coming occurs after the great and terrible Tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The rapture occurs before the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The Rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The Rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The Second Coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is not precluded by any unfulfilled prophecy and is thought to be imminent; that it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Distinct Differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming are Important!

1) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, then the believers would have to go through the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event, then the return of Christ would not be imminent – there are many prophesied events which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the Tribulation period, the Church is not mentioned at all in Revelation chapters 6–19. During the Tribulation, also known as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) – God will turn His primary attention towards the redemption of the remnant of Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

 

Definitions and Origin of the Rapture

  1. The English word “Rapture” is derived from the Latin verb “Rapere” meaning “to carry off,” or “to catch up” or “catch away” or “pluck out”.
  2. The English word “Rapture” is derived from Middle French rapture, via the Medieval Latin raptura (“seizure, kidnapping”), which derives from the Latin raptus (“a carrying off”).
  3. The Latin Vulgate translates the Greek ἁρπαγησόμεθα as rapiemur meaning “we are caught up” or “we are taken away” from the Latin verb rapio meaning “to catch up” or “take away”.
  4. Harpazo : the English transliteration of the Greek word for Rapture.

There are three main theories regarding the time frame of the Rapture:

  1. Pre-Tribulation or Pre-Trib: the Rapture event happens before the 7-year Tribulation, and is also known as ‘The Blessed Hope’.
  2. Mid-Tribulation or Mid-Trib: the Rapture event happens in the middle of the 7-year Tribulation
  3. Post-Tribulation or Post-Trib: the Rapture event happens at the end of the 7-year Tribulation

Two other lesser known and less popular theories are Pre-Wrath and the Partial Rapture theories.  In Pre-Wrath the Rapture event happens after the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation, but before God’s wrath is experienced on Earth as detailed in the Book of Revelation. The Partial Rapture is a subset of Pre-Trib, in which ONLY spirit-filled Christians who are ready, watching, and waiting for Jesus will be rewarded by being raptured.

The Rapture theory gained in popularity in the 1970’s due to books written by Hal Lindsey. In The Late Great Planet Earth Lindsey promoted the idea of an imminent Rapture based on the global situation at the time qualifying as the beginning of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

Some speculate that many non-believers who are left behind after the Rapture will finally come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as a result of the Rapture.  The others who are left behind will persist in their stubbornness and disbelief, concocting theories to “explain away” the catalclysmic, supernatural event.  Some of these theories may be tied to the great deception spoken of in Revelation, possibly even having to do with claims of ‘alien abduction’ or a ‘natural, universal, evolutionary cosmic purging’ of the inferior, intolerant Christians.

Jesus told his disciples to look for Signs which would indicate that the End was near. The Signs he mentioned included

  • Deception: false Christs leading people astray
  • Wars and Rumors or threats of Wars amongst the nations
  • Famine
  • Disease
  • Earthquakes and Tsunamis

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

 

“…For I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when I have gone and have prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself so that where I am, you also will be.”

John 14:2-3 (NIV)

I am really sorry you got left behind

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Dear Friend:

First of all let me say that I am really sorry you got left behind. In fact I feel guilty about it. We should have done more. No. Stop. That’s not right. Not “we should have done more” but I should have done more. I’ve always been a bit of a coward – to concerned about what other people might think of me rather than doing what I knew should be done.

Let me tell you a little bit about what has happened and what will happen. The Second Coming of Christ will occur in two stages. The first stage was the Rapture, which of course just recently occurred. The second stage will be the Revelation. The time between the two Stages is not less than seven years, and is occupied in the heavens by the Judgment of Believers for Works and on the earth by The Great Tribulation. At the Rapture he came for his Saints and at the Revelation He will come back with his Saints.

Weren’t those headlines something else when we all disappeared? What happened at the Rapture is best described in I Thess. 4:15-17. “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 together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

We definitely heard the shout, the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God. I’m not sure if you heard them or not; you may have mistook them for thunder, but we heard them and we are gone. It was glorious. First the dead in Christ were caught up in the air and then those of us in Christ who were still alive were caught up next. I saw my mother who had passed on and my sister who had died when she was four. Some of my friends are here; some are not. What is really sad is that the same goes for my family. We are of all different religious faiths. There are Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Jews, Jehovah Witnesses, Catholics and even a couple of Presbyterians. (That was a joke, since I am of the Presbyterian faith). We are the true Christians. We are the body of Christ. We are the Church of which Christ is the Head. We are the Bride. Christ is the Bridegroom.

There have been many royal weddings of international interest where the invited guests and spectators witnessed a spectacle magnificent in its appointments, and rejoiced in a union that bound together different nations. But the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride the Church will surpass them all, for it shall unite Heaven and Earth in a bond that shall never be broken, for what God (the Father) shall join together no man shall ever put asunder, and that union no divorce shall ever break. We are going to have the greatest, grandest wedding feast that has ever been seen anywhere. I can hardly wait. But first we are going to the Judgment of Believers. It’s not a judgment to see if we belong here. We know we belong here because we have accepted Christ as our Savior. It is not a Judgment for sin, but for “works.” It’s going to be more like a 4H Fair. You remember the 4H Fairs where the kids were given blue ribbons for the great projects and things they did during the year? It’s going to be something like that. The New Testament mentions five Crowns to be given as rewards.

You know, one of the best things about being here – in fact it’s fantastic – there is no hate here, only love. It’s a little bit like when I was on earth and would watch my small children and later my grandchildren. They didn’t know what hate was. They were so full of beauty, innocence and love it would bring tears to my eyes. That was probably the greatest joy I had on earth. Of course we were all like that at one time before the world messed us up.

I’m sorry. I’m running off at the “computer” again. I’m so excited about being here that I’m getting carried away. I need to tell you what’s going to happen on earth and what you need to do to get ready. Some people think the Second Coming of Christ means the end of the world. It’s really just the opposite. It’s just the beginning. Once the Tribulation Period is over Satan will be bound for 1000 years and people will be able to live on earth as God meant them to. You may have a little time to prepare for the Tribulation. It may be a few months or a few years before the peace covenant with Israel is signed but once that covenant is signed you will have seven years of hell on earth. None of this time, now that the Church is caught out, will be pleasant. You may have already noticed that all the really good people are gone. Lawlessness will be rampant.

I can’t get too deep here since I’m not a theologian – heck – I can’t even explain the Trinity. After all the books I read I found the best explanation of the Trinity to me was a little poem I came across entitled:

The Trinity

Three in One
And One in Three
And the One in the middle
He died for me.

The One in the middle, Jesus Christ, is the One you need to concerned with right now. If you don’t remember any other bible verse remember John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It’s really so simple. Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins and if you will accept him as your Savior you will be saved. The world has tried to add or take away from this. It was just too simple for them to understand. A man was trying to explain salvation to a carpenter friend of his who has just finished making a beautiful cabinet, but his friend just didn’t understand. The man picked up a carpenter plane and started to plane the just finished cabinet. His carpenter friend screamed at him, “Don’t touch it, you’ll ruin it. It’s finished.” “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” the man said. “It was finished on the Cross when Jesus died for your sins. You can’t add to it or take away from it.”

If you don’t have one you need to get hold of a bible. They won’t be around too much longer. I prefer the King James Version but use what your comfortable with. Go to the New Testament and start with John. After you read John go back and start with Matthew and read the whole New Testament.

You’re already at one of the best sites on the web. Download it all; print it out, whatever you have to do. It won’t be here much longer. Becoming a Christian during this time is not going to be easy. You think Hitler’s persecution of the Jews was bad? The antichrist’s persecution of people who become Christians during this period will be much worse.

I’ve read so many books on the Second Coming of Christ but the best was a 72-page book entitled “The Second Coming of Christ” by Clarence Larkin. This book was written in 1917. Think about it. Israel didn’t become a nation again until 1948, yet in this book he tells you everything that will happen. How did he know – because his only source was the bible. He also wrote a book on Daniel called “The Book of Daniel” and on Revelation called “The Book of Revelation” and another one called “Dispensational Truth” – all great books. Try to get them if you can, at least “The Second Coming of Christ”.

Remember, when this seven year peace covenant is signed with Israel this will begin the start of Daniel’s Seventieth Week or as some call it The Reign of Antichrist. I cannot begin to explain the horrors you will experience. Even in the beginning of the “week” with the opening of the Seals there is trouble. The first seal a White Horsed appears. The rider is Antichrist, as he becomes the Chief Ruler of the revived Roman Empire. Some countries won’t want him there and the Second Seal, A Red Horse that signifies blood and the sword of war, will follow this. There will be a war like you have never seen. The Third Seal, A Black Horse, Famine and then the Fourth Seal, A Pale Horse, Death, will follow this. And this is just what man will do to man. You haven’t even got to the rest of the Seals, like The Plague of Locusts, the size of which you’ve never seen. And you still have The Seven Trumpets and The Seven Vials to go. In the First Trumpet a third part of the trees and all green grass will be burnt up. In the Second Trumpet a third part of the creatures of the sea will be destroyed. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea.

I need to mention the “Mark”. I’m sure you have heard about it. Everyone has heard about the Mark of The Beast – you know 666. You won’t be able to buy or sell without it. So what! Don’t get it. Please, please, please, DON’T GET IT. If you do it’s all over. You’re doomed. Let me tell you about the very first Vial. “When the First Vial is poured out a noisome and grievous sore will fall upon the men who have the Mark of the Beast and who worship his image. This is a repetition of the Sixth Egyptian Plague.

There is one more piece of bad news that I need to tell you and I’m not sure how. I have a tendency to “sugar-coat” bad news but this can’t be sugar-coated. The only way I can see for you to get from where you are now to where we are now is that not only will you have to pass through great tribulation, but also you will probably have to suffer a martyr’s death for refusing to worship the “Image of the Beast.” It’s a shame. It really is. But you had your chance, just like the rest of us. It would have been so much easier back when the Church and the Holy Spirit were on earth for you to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. It’s going to be hard now, really hard, but you can do it. YOU HAVE TO DO IT. Look at it like I used to look at my life on earth. Even if I lived to be 100 years old, that compared to eternity would be like one tiny drop of water compared to all the oceans. It’s the same with you. Even if you have to suffer 7 years of hell and even if you have to die a martyr’s death; compared to eternity it is like a tiny drop of water compared to all the oceans.

Hope to see you soon.
Yours in Christ,
Clarence

Date Setting and the Rapture

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Bible prophecy date settingHe will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.'[1] In the middle of the `seven'[2] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him

Daniel 9:27

 

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. Mark 13:32 is an exact parallel.

Matthew 24:42
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:44
“For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Matthew 25:13
“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. Mark 13:33-37 is a parallel passage.

Acts 1:7
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

There are several passages that do suggest that the faithful believer will not be caught by surprise:
Luke 21:28
Hebrews 10:25
1 Thessalonians 5:4

Let us remember that the Lord has called us to be alert:
Matthew 24:42
Mark 13:35-37

Mark 13:34-37
“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” ,

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.”

“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,”

“And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:36-3

63 Reasons The Rapture Of The Church Is Not The Second Coming Of Christ To Reign On Earth

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Those who do not believe in the biblical doctrine of the Rapture of the Church, usually argue that there is only one Coming or return of Christ to the earth to judge the nations. Some hold that this One Coming is simply for taking the believers home to heaven, with a judgment to follow.

Those who hold to the Rapture of the Church are far more careful to observe what the Bible says in context. They can observe the simple fact that there is a difference between up and down. Believers go up to meet Christ in the air. The Second Coming is indeed truly a “coming of the Lord down to the earth physically to establish the millennial kingdom promised to the Old Testament prophets.

Below is a list of verses and points, as shown in the Bible, highlighting the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of the Lord to reign on earth. Some wonder why there is a heated discussion about this issue. It is important for the following reasons:

1. First, if the Rapture truly is in Scripture, that is enough to make it important. In other words, every doctrine the Lord has given us has a purpose and is important, simply because He has given it to us! 

2. The Rapture is called the Blessed Hope. It promises redemption from the terrible seven year Tribulation so detailed in the book of Revelation.

3. Generally speaking, those who deny the Rapture of the Church interpret the Bible in a “spiritualized or “allegorical way. They also fail to consider “contexts. They deny certain passages of Scripture in the normal sense. By letting the Bible speak plainly in its teachings to us, we honor the Lord. We take His Word at face value!

Some general rules to note: 
(1) Rapture passages are addressed to believers in the body of Christ. They are verses that speak of going directly back or up to the Lord in heaven. 
(2) Second Coming passages have to do with the Lord coming down to earth to bless Israel, judge the nations, and rule the earth with a scepter of iron! 

Comparison Of Rapture And Second Coming Verses:

 
Rapture
Second Coming

1.

Christ prepares a place for us and takes us back to heaven. I will come again and receive you to Myself (John 14:1-3).

Coming to reign and rule in Jerusalem, Christ’s feet touch upon the Mt. of Olives. “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount will split in its middle (Zech. 14:4).

2.

Christ prepares a place in heaven. “I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).

Christ becomes a ruling king on earth. “The Lord will be king over all the earth (Zech. 14:9).

3.

The Church is with the Lord in heaven. “Where I am, there you may be also (John 14:3).

The Jewish people are with their king on earth. “And people will live in [Jerusalem], and there will be no more curse, for Jerusalem will dwell in security (Zech. 14:11).

4.

Announced by the trumpet of God (1 Thess. 4:16).

Announced simply by a great trumpet (but not called the trumpet of God) (Matt. 24:31).

5.

Those “in Christ are gathered “to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17).

The “elect gathered (of Jews and the nations) (Matt. 24:31) to come before the king on His earthly throne (Matt. 25:31).

6.

The Lord descends from heaven with a shout (1 Thess. 4:16).

The Lord does not shout (Scripture gives no indication of such).

7.

The voice of the archangel is heard (1 Thess. 4:16).

Many angels sound a great trumpet but their voices are not heard (Matt. 24:31).

8.

No sign given for His coming.

A sign is given (Matt. 24:30).

9.

Called the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 5:9).

Called the Son of Man. A distinct messianic term used to describe the earthly Davidic king who shall reign in Jerusalem (Matt. 24:30).

10.

Comforting words for the Church. The Church will not mourn. “Comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:18).

The nation of Israel will mourn. “Those who pierced Him will mourn (Rev. 1;7).

11.

The Scriptures do not indicate that the lost of the world will see His Rapture coming.

The entire world will see the Son of Man coming. “All the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky (Matt. 24:30).

12.

The Church saints (those in Christ) will be caught up alive “to be together (with the resurrected Church saints) in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17).

The Messiah, the Son of Man, comes with the clouds (Matt. 24:30) to gather the elect to the place of His earthly throne (25:31).

13.

Christ’s power is not necessarily displayed openly to the world.

. He comes “with power and great glory as the Son of Man to rule on earth (Matt. 24:31).

14.

Called the Day of Christ (Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16). Day of blessing for the believer.

Called the Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:2). Day of judgment for the world, “When they (the world) says ‘Peace and Safety!’ then destruction comes upon them (v. 3).

15.

The Day of the Lord. “That day should not overtake you like a thief (1 Thess. 5:5).

The Day of the Lord. “Shall come [on them, the world] like a thief (1 Thess. 5:2).

16.

Believers in this Church age will be Raptured out of the Tribulation because they are sons of light, sons of the day (1 Thess. 5:5).

Unbelievers left behind to face the Tribulation (the Day of the Lord) because they are of the night, of the darkness (1 Thess. 5:5).

17.

Believers will be Raptured because they are not destined for wrath (1 Thess. 5:9).

Unbelievers will face the Day of the Lord because (implied) they are destined for wrath (1 Thess. 5:9).

18.

The Dead “in Christ are raised (1 Thess. 4:16).

No mention of the Dead “in Christ being raised.

19.

The Rapture takes place with no mention of the issue of sin.

The Second Coming of Christ to judge because of the wickedness of the world.

20.

No mention of Christ coming to rule on earth.

Mentions that He comes to establish His earthly kingdom (Matt. 25:31-34).

21.

No mention of believers “inheriting the kingdom prepared for you (Matt. 25:34).

The righteous “inherit the kingdom (Matt. 25:34).

22.

Christ does not do battle with His enemies at the Rapture.

Christ does battle with His enemies at His Second Coming (Rev. 19:17-21).

23.

Christ does not come to earth as a conquering warrior.

He comes to earth as a conquering warrior (Rev. 19:11-16).

24.

He comes as the Head of the Church.

He comes as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16).

25.

No earthly reign takes place.

He reigns for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-5).

26.

Those Raptured resurrected are taken up to meet the Lord in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17).

Those in the resurrection at the beginning of the thousand year kingdom, “will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years (Rev. 20:6). 

27.

When the resurrected Church saints, and we the living Church saints, all together are taken up in the clouds, it is said “we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17). Therefore, when Jesus comes to reign on earth for one thousand years, the Church Age saints will return with Him.

Those resurrected at the beginning of the one thousand year reign are apparently those who died during the great Tribulation (Rev. 20:6).

28.

Resurrection and Rapture only for “those in Christ.

A resurrection for Old Testament saints, that takes place after the “time of distress (the Tribulation) (Dan. 12:1-2).

29.

The unsaved people of the nations are unaffected and unchanged at the Rapture.

The nations are judged and/or blessed when the Messiah comes to reign.

30

The nation of Israel is left unchanged when the Rapture takes place.

The nation of Israel is gathered, judged, and the righteous Jews inter kingdom blessing.

31.

No herald goes before to announce the Rapture.

Elijah comes to announce the coming of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5).

32.

Can happen at any moment.

Comes at the end of the seven year Tribulation.

33.

Not before revealed that Paul had to reveal (1 Thess. 4:13). That’s why Paul says he must tell believers about the Rapture so that they would not be ignorant of the fact.

Throughly revealed in Old Testament promises and by Christ in the Gospels.

34.

Called a “mystery, something not before revealed (1 Cor. 15:51).

The Second Coming is a well known fact taught throughout the Old Testament prophets.

35.

Believers are changed (1 Cor. 15:51).

Believers are not said to be changed, that is, those who believed during the Tribulation and are alive to enter the kingdom when the Messiah comes.

36.

Before the Rapture, the believers are called those “in Christ (1 Thess. 4:16).

Those believing who are in the Tribulation (Rev. 6-19) are not called “Church saints nor “those in Christ.

37.

Before the Rapture, the believers are called those “in Christ (1 Thess. 4:16).

Both Jew and Gentile who enter the kingdom in their natural body are never called “the Church nor “those in Christ.

38.

When the Rapture takes place those in Christ are “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:51-52).

Though the Second Coming happens quickly, the event is still pictured as something that unfolds over (even) a short period of time. A sign in heaven is given, an earthly gathering takes place, both Jews and Gentile mourn at His coming, He steps onto the Mt. of Olives, He enters the city of Jerusalem.

39.

When the Rapture and/or the resurrection of “those in Christ takes place, the believer is given “the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ over the issue of death (1 Cor. 15:57).

When the Second Coming takes place, Christ comes as the victorious king and general. Following the kingdom and the Great White Throne Judgment, certainly all saints of all the ages past are given eternal life. But this is not mentioned as such at the Second Coming.

40.

The exhortation to look for “the glorious appearing of Christ for His own, the Church (Titus 2:13) loses its significance if the Tribulation must first intervene. Church believers, then, should look for signs. But they are not told to.

 

41.

Creation is unchanged.

Creation is changed by the blessings of the kingdom (Isa. 65:25). “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, … They shall do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain, says the Lord.

42.

At the time of the Rapture, or before, there is no indication that the Church saints will see the antichrist or the “power, signs, and false wonders of Satan (2 Thess. 2:8-9).

After the Rapture and sometime before the Second Coming of Christ, the antichrist will “display himself as being God in the temple (2 Thess. 2:4; 8-9).

43.

The Rapture is not the Day of the Lord which holds terror for the world.

The Day of the Lord is a terrible event that the believers in the Church do not fear. “Do not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed … to the effect that the day of the Lord has come (2 Thess. 2:1-2).

44.

The “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him is not the Second Coming (2 Thess. 2:1).

The Day of the Lord is “a coming to earth, not our being gathered to heaven (2 Thess. 2:2).

45.

Christ is not said to destroy the antichrist “with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8).

Christ destroys the antichrist at His coming (2 Thess. 2:8).

46.

The Rapture is not called the Second Coming.

This is virtually called the Second Coming in Hebrews 9:28. Christ “shall appear a “Second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

47.

In the Rapture “we are “caught up into the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17). “Caught up in Greek means to suddenly “snatch, jerk away, remove quickly.

This is not said of the Second Coming.

48.

For those who are now looking for the Rapture, a hope is given and causes a moral purification (1 John 3:2-3).

This is not said of those looking for the Second Coming, though that is a glorious event in itself!

 

 

Proofs of the Imminency of the Rapture*

Imminency means that Paul taught that the Rapture could happen at any time to those to whom he was writing. The key to Rapture passages is Paul’s use of we, you, us. In other words believers NOW are to look for this catching away! (Sometimes these pronouns are not in the English Bible versions but they are implied in the grammar of the verbs Paul uses.) The you, we, us passages addressed to the body of Christ, the Church saints.

* read my latest thoughts on the Doctrine of Imminence as of 2015 by clicking here

49.

John 14:1-3

I go to prepare a place for YOU.
I will receive YOU to Myself.
Where I am, there YOU may be also.

50.

James 5:7-9

[YOU] strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
[YOU] behold, the judge is standing right at the door.

51.

1 Thess. 1:9-10

YOU wait for His Son from heaven.
Jesus, who delivers US from the wrath to come.

52.

1 Thess. 2:17-19

YOU [our hope], in the presence of OUR Lord Jesus at His coming.

53.

1 Thess. 3:13

That [He may] establish YOUR hearts … before OUR God and Father at the coming of OUR Lord Jesus with all His saints.

54.

1 Thess. 4:13-18

WE who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede THOSE who have fallen asleep.
WE who are alive and remain shall be caught up TOGETHER with THEM in the clouds. WE shall always be with the Lord.
YOU comfort one another with these words.

55.

1 Thess. 5:1-11

YOU are not in darkness, that the day [of the Lord] should overtake YOU like a thief.
YOU are all sons of light and sons of day.
WE are not of night nor of darkness.
But since WE are of the day, let US be sober.
God has not destined US for wrath, but for obtaining salvation (deliverance) through OUR Lord Jesus Christ.

56.

1 Thess. 5:23

May the Lord sanctify YOU … without blame at the coming of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.

57.

2 Thess. 2:1-2

With regard to the coming of OUR Lord Jesus Christ and OUR GATHERING TOGETHER to Him.
[YOU] be not quickly shaken … to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

58.

1 Tim. 6:14

YOU keep the commandment … until the appearing of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.

59.

1 Cor. 15:51-52

WE shall not all sleep, but WE shall all be changed.
The dead in Christ will be raised imperishable, and WE shall be changed.

60.

Phil. 3:20-21

OUR citizenship is in heaven.
WE eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Christ] will transform the body of OUR humble state (or humiliated body).

61.

Titus 2:13

[WE are] looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of OUR great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

62.

1 John 2:28

WE may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

63.

1 John 3:2-3

WE know that, when He appears, WE shall be like Him, because WE shall see Him just as He is.
EVERYONE who has this hope fixed on Him purifies HIMSELF, just as He is pure.

Looking for the Messiah

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Love of Money, Increase of WickednessFor the first time in recorded history we see 3 of the world's major religions looking for the appearance of their savior, messiah or enlightened one.

Christians are looking toward the Second Coming which is the return of their savior, Jesus Christ, the son of God.

Jews are looking for their messiah to come for the first time.

Muslims are looking for the return of the Mahdi, or enlightened one.

The meaning of Islam is 'peace'. Peace in the Middle East between the Arab nations and Israel is the ultimate but elusive objective of all governments which are involved in the so-called peace process.

While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1 Thess 5:3

They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14

Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
Revelation 6:4

Christians also believe in the appearance of a global leader who rises from obscurity. A man who speaks of peace but who also is hell bent on destruction. His title is the Antichrist and his number is 666. I personally do not believe that it will be possible to identify who this person is until a 7 year peace treaty is signed between Israel and presumably the Arab Nations. The word 'Anti' is Greek and not only means 'in opposition to' but also means 'in place of'. So by his very nature he will be against God, but will see himself as a god or savior of humanity.

I found myself wondering about the Bible passage describing people saying "Peace, peace" … wondering if that might be translated as "Islam, Islam" since the meaning of 'Islam' is 'peace'.

The Koran mandates the muslims "fight against those who believe not in Allah" who refuse to accept what Allah or Mohammed taught, even if they are the People of the Book, who are essentially the Christians and the Jews, until they pay a tax in acknowledgment of the superiority of Islam and until they are in a state of subjection.

From the Koran 009.030 :

"The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth!"

There can never be true amity between the world's 3 major religions. Judaism and Christianity will eventually be reconciled when the Jews look upon the One who they pierced and weep in acknowledgment of their error. What will happen to the third religion, Islam? While it is true that Islam is currenlty the fastest growing religion in the world, it's destiny can only be to cease to be, to not even be a memory in His story.

War, Evil, Peace and Communism in the United States

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So the war has begun. As of this moment it is still unclear whether or not Saddam Hussein was injured or killed during the initial attack. Despite almost a dozen American casualties it seems that this war has been too easy so far, which is rather disconcerting. In the end if we were to lose only 5% of our combat troops that would amount to 2,000 lives. Hardly insignifcant. God loves each of them. Here at home and all across the world in major cities people are protesting against the war, againt the Bush administration and against everything that America stands for.

‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’
– Edmund Burke

Many of these people whose stale motto is “Give Peace a Chance” have no idea that the promoters of the largest organized protests are actually funded by enemies of the United States…they either don’t know or they don’t care. The World Worker’s Party, a communist organization, has been on of the largest sponsors of the catchy “Not in My Name” protests. Clearly there is something going on here thats on more of a spiritual level. I’m sure the battle is raging in the heavenlies. Many people are wondering if Armageddon is about to happen. Nobody can really say just yet, but it is going to happen, thats as sure as the Second Coming of Christ and the Rapture of His church before the Second Coming. It doesn’t take much of an imagination to see the equivalent of a World War starting soon when you consider the complexities of having to deal with Turkey, Iran, Russia, North Korea and China all at the same time. There will be wars and rumors of wars…

1 Peter 3:12-15
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Are you ready? If Christ were to return tonight while you are in your bed, would you be ready?

Communist Goals

These are only a few exceprts from the Congressional Record by:

HON. A. S. HERLONG, JR. OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Thursday, January 10, 1963

  • Develop the illusion that total disarmament [by] the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.
  • Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.
  • Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers’ associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
  • Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
  • Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.
  • Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
  • Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them “censorship” and a violation of free speech and free press.
  • Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
  • Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural, healthy.”
  • Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with “social” religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious crutch.”
  • Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of “separation of church and state.”
  • Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.
  • Internationalize the Panama Canal.