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| The Rapture Is there a rapture when the word is not found in the bible? The short answer is a definite yes. But when does it happen? The vast majority of evangelical, bible believing Christians are convinced that there is a pre-tribulation rapture. Anyone who tries to persuade them otherwise finds themselves strongly attacked (and usually in a very un-Christian manner). There is only one source to go to for the truth, and that, of course, is the bible. So, let us take a very careful look at what the bible tells us about this coming event. First, when did Jesus tell us he would be returning? Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Matthew 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. In both Matthew and Mark, Jesus tells us he will be coming back after the tribulation. That alone is enough for me. I believe what Jesus said, rather than what people say. However, there is much more to make the timing clear. Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. According to the above, the first resurrection occurs at the end of the tribulation when satan is cast into the bottomless pit. Now, we know that "the dead in Christ" will rise first and then the survising believers will be caught up. How do we know this? From Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 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. 16 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: 17 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. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. So, clearly, the dead in Christ shall rise first (this is the first resurrection) and then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up... Furthermore, Paul wrote the following in 1 Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. What happens at the last trumpet? Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. So the seventh trumpet sounds when the mystery of God is finished and the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord. Now, those who are convinced of the pre-tribulation rapture theory say that when Paul speaks of the last trumpet, he does not mean this trumpet. Well, what other trumpet could he mean? They say there is a secret coming of Christ for His church, but there is nothing, anywhere in the bible to sustantiate this claim. As a matter of fact, Paul also set the Thessalonians straight on this very point: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 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; That day, meaning the day of Christ's return, shall not come until there come a falling away first and that man of sin (anti-christ) is revealed. Although we may think that we are living in a time where the falling away (apostacy) is already here, I am sure that he is referring to the one world religious system which will be instituted and the ground work for which has been being laid for quite some time. Also, the anti-christ has not yet been revealed. What one world religion am I talking about? We find it in Revelation: Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (He looked like a Christian, but spoke like the devil.) Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 2 Thessalonians 2:6 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. There is a great misunderstanding of verse 7 within the church and a whole false doctrine has been created based on that misinterpretation. There is the belief that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth, taken out of the way, and, by default, so will all christians via the rapture, which makes no sense at all, because without the working of the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation possible and the bible clearly states that people will still be saved during the tribulation. Carefully read verse 6, it states that you know what withholdeth (not who) that he (the son of perdition) might be revealed in his time. This means that the son of perdition cannot be revealed until God says it is time. Although the Holy Spirit may be the one restraining and will be taken out of Satan's way, allowing him to perform his deeds, that in no wise translates into the Holy Spirit being removed from the earth. Other scriptures also tell us that the believers will not only be on earth during the tribulation, but will be severely persecuted: Matthew 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him (speaking of the anti-christ): therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. 31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. 32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. So, the the true believers will be persecuted, but the Lord will be with them. Many of them will be taken into captivity, tortured, and executed. However, the Lord is letting this happen, in order to try them and purify them. Their rewards will be great. It will be a time, much like it was for the early church. The Lord will be with His people and help them through this terrible time. Just as Noah and his family were not taken out of the world when God destroyed the world with the flood, but was protected and saved through it, so will many Christians be protected and brought through this tribulation. The times ahead are going to be terrible times. The bible tells us that before Christ's return, the vast majority of people on the earth today will die from wars, famines, plagues, and persecution. Only a small percentage will survive. Many, many will die without salvation. Be sure you are not one of them. Trust Jesus Christ, who took our sins upon himself and paid the penalty, dying for your and my sins. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Conclusion: The bible always interprets itself. Things are not laid out in chronological or any other order but rather it requires the serious disciple to spend time in the word and search the scriptures to arrive at the truth. Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. |
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