Much of what I am about to say will be new to some, unbelievable to many, and controversial to most. But please read on and seriously consider what is written herein, because your eternal life depends on it.I have spent many hours over the past few years studying the scriptures regarding the timing and substance of the rapture. Also, I have listened to lectures on the subject in-person and on TV, I have read numerous books on the subject, and I have heard sermons preached on the subject. You should also know that until a few months ago, I myself was a "pre-trib" rapture believer; however, I am quite confident that I was wrong. I have received recent revelation from the Holy Spirit in regard to the scripture I have studied on this subject, which has opened my eyes.
Again, please consider seriously what I say herein. I have no book contract or other financial reason to write this. I believe that what I say herein is God's truth for us and that he wants me to publish it. Study it out for yourself. Do not be complacent in your understanding. God desires that you prepare your heart to seek Him to know Him, His commands, and His truth. (See for example, Acts 15: 17; Zeph 2: 3; Jer 29: 13; Ps 27: 8; Is 55: 6; Hos 10: 12; Ezra 7:10; Chron 16: 10-11; 2 Chron 12: 14; 2 Chron 20: 33) To prepare your heart to seek the Lord means to determine in your heart that you will seek the Lord. The best way to do this is to read His word, fast and pray; with necessary repentance.
As many of you are aware, the term "rapture" is not found in any English translation of the Bible. It is the Latin word "raptio" which has been translated into English as "rapture" and was used in the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible to represent the original Greek words found in 1 Thes 4: 17 meaning to be "caught up" or "snatched away." The Latin Vulgate version of the Bible was commissioned in 382 C.E. by Damasus I of Rome.
In general, the rapture is a future event, believed by Christians, whereby there will be heard the voice of the Archangel Michael, the blowing of the trumpet of God (the last trump), and a shout of command of the Lord Jesus to call all true believers up to the clouds of heaven to meet with him in the air. At that time, all those who are dead in Christ having believed in Jesus' salvation for them will rise (i.e. be resurrected) and will be instantly given new, eternal and immortal spiritual bodies which are immune to death, disease and any other effect of sin. Then, those who are still alive and surviving who believe that Jesus is their salvation will be "changed in the twinkling of an eye" and also be given new, eternal and immortal spiritual bodies (1 Cor 15).
The Greek word translated as "remaining" in 1 Thes. 4: 17 in many English translations of the Bible more accurately means "alive and surviving." This rapture event will be amazingly quick and will result in a meeting with Jesus for the raised (resurrected) dead in Christ and those living and surviving on earth who are believers. Jesus will then take them with him to Heaven, soon to return to earth with him to battle, as described in Rev 19: 11, 14. From that point on, they will be with Jesus forever in their new immortal spiritual bodies.
As a point of history, over the past few hundred years, many Bible scholars have expressed various opinions regarding the likelihood, timing and conditions surrounding the rapture of the Christian church. As stated above, the term "rapture" is equated with the concept of a "catching away" of the church of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament, at a future point in time in proximity to the final 7 years of man's reigning on this earth, commonly referred to as the "7-year tribulation."
Firstly, I would rather refer to this final 7-year period as Daniel's 70th week (i.e., a "week" of years = 7 years; Dan 9: 27), since nowhere in scripture is there a period of time referred to as the "7-year tribulation", but there is indeed scriptural basis for the term "Daniel's 70th week." During this time, there will be "tribulation" (i.e. affliction, pressure) on all humanity. But, a period called the "Great Tribulation" is described by Jesus in Mat Chapter 24, and it will not commence until some time in the midst of the 70th week (Dan 9: 27) when the "Abomination of Desolation" (i.e., the person who will be the satan-possessed anti-Christ who will influence all world governments, and eventually rule a one-world government during Daniel's 70th week) described in Dan 11: 31 enters a future rebuilt temple of God on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and declares himself to be God (2 Thes 2: 3-4). Thus, the Great Tribulation begins about 3 1/2 years before Jesus' 2nd coming, which is to occur at the end of the 70th week.
I am aware that many TV evangelists, the typical Sunday school teacher, and most everyday Christians believe, teach and have been taught that a "pre-tribulation" or "pre-trib" rapture will purportedly take place some time prior to the "7-year tribulation", or Daniel's 70th week, which week commences with a peace covenant "with many" (perhaps a United Nations treaty, which most likely will include the nation of Israel) being "confirmed" by the "prince of the covenant." Again, this may be different from what some of you have been taught, but a study of Daniel Chapters 9 and 11 supports my contention regarding the terminology and substance of Daniel's 70th week.
I do believe that there will be a rapture of the church but I do not believe that scripture supports a "pre-trib", or "pre-70th week", timing of the rapture. I believe that the rapture will occur on a future Feast of Trumpets on a future Tishri 1 of the Biblical calendar (late-September/early-October). Generally, the church has been taught, albeit incorrectly, that the rapture will occur prior to Daniel's 70th week. The main reason for this misinterpretation of scripture, I believe, is due mainly to "wishful thinking." After all, who would want to endure the dreadful plagues and exceedingly hard times associated with the trumpet plagues of Rev Chapters 8 and 9?
Additionally, many ask, "how could a loving God punish his bride the church, and then after subjecting her to great affliction rapture her home to himself in heaven"? These questions appear logical, but remember where the Israelites were when the various terrible plagues of Egypt were brought about in the days of Moses -- the Israelites were in Egypt too, but were protected from the plagues while they lived in the area of Goshen, their place of refuge. The meaning of Goshen is "draw near." We will, no doubt, have opportunity to find and enter "mini-Goshens" during the 70th week. Where they will be geographically, I do not know. But, I have no doubt that they will exist and be available to those who seek the Lord, to those who draw near to Him, to be "hidden" in the time of trouble as described in Ps 27: 5. Likewise, God promises in Ps 50: 15 that if we call upon Him in the day of trouble we will be delivered.
So, to put it bluntly, for at least the reasons given herein, I believe that the rapture of the church, which includes both living believers and the dead in Christ, will not occur until the "Day of the Lord" at the end of Daniel's 70th week. At that time (the true "Last Day"), Jesus will return to earth to:
1) "harvest" or "catch away" or "rapture" his church to himself;
2) defeat the armies of the world's nations which have gathered at Armageddon (Mt. Megiddo) in Israel to destroy Jerusalem;
3) bind satan for 1,000 years; and
4) renew the earth and establish his eternal kingdom on earth, where he is forever King of kings and Lord of lords.
To properly understand scripture, the words of the Bible must be interpreted literally, unless they are clearly being used in a non-literal sense. Also, the context of the scripture must be considered. Taking quotes from scripture out of context misrepresents the true meaning of the scripture and misleads many.
The rapture event described in 1 Thes 4 is given a time frame in 1 Thes 5 as the "Day of the Lord." This is the day Jesus returns to earth, described above. Many teach that the event described in 1 Thes 4 is the "coming of the Lord" (i.e. the rapture) which is invisible to the world and is a separate event from the "Day of the Lord" described in 1 Thes 5 which, they say, is the Lord's "glorious appearance" (Titus 2: 13; Mat 24: 30) when Jesus returns and is seen by the entire world at His Second Coming on the Last Day. This bifurcating of the single event described in 1 Thes 4 and 1 Thes 5 is improper. In context, that which is described in 1 Thes 4: 15-17 is the same subject matter being further described in 1 Thes 5: 1-4, which follows immediately after 1 Thes 4 and is the same event. (See also, Ps 50: 4 describing a rapture of His saints during a last day scenario)
Jesus laid out the timing for the rapture/harvest on the Last Day in Mat 24: 29-31 while answering his disciples in regard to their questions concerning what would be the "sign of his coming, and the end of the age"? He answered them by saying that "immediately after the tribulation of those days ... they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds." (Emphasis added) This "gathering together "event is on the Last Day, the Day of the Lord. So, the tribulation comes first, then the rapture.
In Mat 13: 24-30 and 37-39, Jesus describes the same Last Day scenario of the rapture given by 1 Thes 5 and Mat 24: 29-31. He gives the parable of the good seed (wheat) and the bad seed (tares) being allowed to grow together until the harvest. The harvest is described in Mat 13: 27-29, 31 as occurring at the end of the age on the Last Day.
In his prayer for Christians in Thessaloniki, referred to in 2 Thes 1: 4-8, Paul states in his letter to them that because of their faith and patience through persecutions and trouble, they should be "counted worthy of the kingdom of God", and further states that God will repay with tribulation those who trouble them, giving them "rest ... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." (Emphasis added) (See also, Mark 8: 38) So, their rest from further persecution is not to be given by God until Jesus returns in full glory on the Last Day, described in Mat 24: 30 as His "glorious appearing."
If rest is to be given to believers from persecution, trouble, danger, etc., at any time other than the Last Day, then when? If such rest is to occur in a pre-trib rapture, prior to Jesus' being revealed, then why doesn't Paul say so? He describes only one time when such rest is to be given, and mentions no other time when rest for Christians from persecution will be given by God.
This Last Day rapture/harvest event and timing is vividly illustrated in Rev 14: 14-16, where the Son of Man is shown in the clouds of heaven putting in a sharp sickle to reap the earth of His followers at harvest. This event is placed in the Book of Revelation immediately prior to the pouring out of the last 7 plagues or "wrath of God" of Rev Chapters 15 and 16, described below.
Additionally, Rev 14: 4 describes the rapture of 144 thousand who have been redeemed from mankind and are first fruits to God and to the Lamb. If the church is raptured "pre-trib", this would also violate scripture since the 144 thousand are clearly raptured during the second half of the 70th week and are described in scripture as being first fruits. A "pre-trib" raptured church would necessarily precede the rapture of those 144 thousand and itself be first fruits which, according to scripture, cannot be.
The rapture/raising of the dead in Christ will also be a resurrection event. (See, 1 Thes 4: 16; 1 John 3: 2) But the first resurrection of humanity will not occur until the end of the 70th week, around the time the beast (anti-Christ) is destroyed. In fact, Christians who are killed for not taking the mark of the beast during the 70th week are participants in the first resurrection. (See, Rev 20: 4-6) Daniel 12: 2 teaches that "many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake." The timing for this event in Dan Chapter 12 is given at the end of Dan Chapter 11 and is the time when the anti-Christ is defeated. Furthermore, Jesus himself gave the Last Day as the time for the resurrection of those who believe in him, when he stated in John 6: 44 that "no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (See also, John 6: 39-40, 53-54) So, any teaching of a "pre-trib" rapture contradicts the timing of such a rapture event as described in scripture, which event includes the first resurrection of humanity.
Many in the church have been taught that the reference in Rev 4: 1 of a door standing open in heaven, which is described just after the letters to the seven churches in Rev Chapters 2-3, is an image of the "pre-trib" rapture of the church. In that passage, John is called up to heaven by Jesus to see things which are to take place after the letters to the seven churches are discussed in Chapters 2-3. I do not believe that the open door of Rev 4:1 is a picture of a "pre-trib" rapture of the church. Here, Jesus simply is bringing John up to heaven for him to see future events which have not yet happened on earth.
In fact, in Rev 3: 8 the "open door" in heaven is promised only to the "Philadelphia church." The attributes of those qualifying as members of the "Philadelphia church" are given in Rev Chapter 3. I believe that a rapture is indeed promised by Jesus to the "Philadelphia church" in Rev 3: 10, wherein Jesus says that "because you (the Philadelphia church) have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth." (Emphasis added) If this promise has any meaning, it is a reward only for those who persevere. Its interpretation must be consistent and in context with the above discussion and interpretation of scripture in regard to the substance and timing of the rapture.
In line with that, I submit that the "hour of trial" from which those who persevere will be kept is "the wrath of God" which occurs at the end of the 70th week, and perhaps all of the 7 trumpet initiated-events occurring during the 70th week since the Great Multitude in heaven of Rev Chapter 7 are seen by John just prior to the 7 trumpet initiated-events which begin in Rev Chapter 8. Therefore, one must strive to be a memeber of the true church, the "Philadelphia church", and not the lukewarm "Laodicean church" of Rev 3, or risk being left on earth during the entire Great Tribulation period (Mat 24; Mark 13) for cleansing and to bring about true repentance.
I believe that the "wrath of God" does not occur until the 7 bowl/vial plagues described in Rev Chapters 15 and 16 are carried out. In fact, the passages of Rev 15: 1, 7 and 16: 1 describe how the wrath of God is that which is contained in the 7 bows/vials to be poured out on the earth, which happens at the end of the 70th week. I believe that it occurs after the members of the church still on earth and surviving and who have not taken the mark of the beast have been raptured.
Understand that tribulation and God's wrath are not the same thing. The church on earth will endure tribulation, which is defined as persecution, great pressure, danger, and affliction. It is recorded in John 16: 33 that Jesus told His followers, "in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (Emphasis added) At Mat 24: 9, Jesus tells His disciples in regard to their questions concerning what would be the "sign of his coming, and the end of the age" that "they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake." (Emphasis added)
As recorded in Acts 14: 22, Paul told believers in the cities of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) that "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." (Emphasis added) In 2 Tim 3: 12, Paul tells Timothy that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (Emphasis added) Revelation 2: 10 describes how Jesus, in addressing the church at Smyrna, tells the believers that they will suffer and be tested through tribulation, but to be fairthful and endure to receive the crown of life. Thus, there is no free pass given to a Christian to be kept from tribulation.
If we are alive and surviving during the time of the anti-Christ, we will face tribulation, but not God's wrath. Paul makes this point clear and tells us in 1 Thes 5: 9, that "God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Emphasis added) Jesus spoke of a Great Tribulation which is to begin in the midst of Daniel's 70th week, when the Abomination of Desolation enters the temple and declares himself to be God, and it will last for about 3 1/2 years until the Last Day. (Mat 24: 15-21; 2 Thes 2: 3-4; Dan 9: 27) But, the wrath of God is reserved for after the saints still alive and surviving on earth are raptured.
Whether or not the rapture of the church occurs literally on the "last 24 hour day" of the age or some time prior during the last half of Danienl's 70th week, it will certainly occur prior to the wrath of God being poured out near the end of Daniel's 70th week subsequent to the Great Tribulation period spoke of by Jesus in Mat 24 and Mark 13. The day of the rapture will indeed be the "last day" on earth for believers before Jesus comes to rule and reign as King of Kings.
Regarding the seven trumpet-initiated events, plagues or judgments of Rev Chapters 8, 9 and 11, I do not know when the first four of the seven events will occur, but because of their placement in the Book of Revelation vis-a-vis other events described therein, it seems most likely that they will occur during the second half of the 70th week during the Great Tribulation spoken of by Jesus in Mat Chapter 24. If so, these events must be endured by the church on earth at that time, and are designed to bring about God's final plan to bring man to repentance or to face judgment. If one or more of these events occur during the 70th week, their origin may be the two witnesses of Rev Chapter 11 who are given power/authority to cause various plagues (similar to Moses in Egypt) as often as they see fit. I believe that the final three trumpet-initiated events (trumpets 5-7 -- the three "woes") of Rev Chapters 9 and 11 will occur during the 70th week.
I believe that the two witnesses will appear on the scene in Jerusalem around the time the Abomination of Desolation appears on the scene. A reading of Dan 9: 27 in combination with Dan Chapter 11 and 2 Thes 2: 3-4 discloses that he who is the Abomination of Desolation (i.e. the beast, anti-Christ) is revealed in the midst of Daniel's 70th week in the new rebuilt temple of God in Jerusalem. According to 2 Thes 2: 3-4, the Day of the Lord cannot occur until after the "man of sin/lawlessness" is revealed. This is another nail in the coffin against the "pre-trib" rapture doctrine.
Additionally, I believe that events surrounding the opening of the seven seals discussed in Rev Chapters 6 and 8 are not judgments, but are simply an unfolding of events caused by the actual opening of the seals by Jesus, who has been in heaven for almost 2, 000 years. I submit that scripture does not confine events related to the opening of all seven seals to the 70th week. Jesus simply told John 2, 000 years ago to come up and see things which would occur in the future. (See, Rev 4: 1) Although I believe that events related to the opening of the final three seals will occur during the 70th week, I do not know whether any of the first four seal-related events have occurred in history or whether they will occur during the 70th week. But, I believe that events associated with the opening of each of the seven seals are necessary to accomplish God's plan of redemption of mankind and redemption of the earth.
You may consider the scroll being opened by the Lamb (i.e. Jesus) in heaven, one seal at a time, as the deed to the earth. The earth was originally given (deeded) to Adam (Gen Chapter 1), but through his disobedience (Gen Chapter 2) satan gained rights (through the deed) to the earth. A study of traditional procedures for the purchase and subsequent redemption of real property in ancient times involved such a scroll, having writing and being sealed until a time for the redemption of the property by the original owner, if the owner was able, to re-obtain the real property from loss. Such a procedure is described in Lev 25: 23-25, where a redeemer kinsman could purchase the property on behalf of the owner who had lost the property. In Jer 32: 10, it describes that a scroll describing a purchased title to real property was rolled up and then sealed. The outside of the sealed scroll contained the conditions necessary for the original owner to redeem the lost property.
Those who persevere during the 70th week and are raptured are members of the church who are alive and surviving at the end of the 70th week who do not shrink from their faith by not loving their own life to the point of death (Rev 12: 11; Rev 14: 13; Luke 17: 33; John 12: 25) and who refuse to take the mark of the beast. Many will be killed for such refusal (Rev 13: 15), and unfortunately, I believe that many members of the church living in the 70th week will not endure, but for the preservation of their life will accept the mark of the beast (Rev 13: 16-17) to be able to buy food and other items to survive. This short-sighted decision by believers and non-believers alike will be eternally fateful.
Here is a likely scenario -- once the treaty "with many" is confirmed, many in the church will be at a loss to explain why no rapture occurred, causing confusion among believers (see, 2 Pet 2: 3-4), or will attempt to explain that it was not the "covenant" of Dan 9: 27. But you reader, do not lose heart at that time, but know that no "pre-trib" rapture is promised in scripture. Thus, it is imperative that those living through the 70th week be strong in faith. As stated above, even if you are a believing, born-again Christian you can lose your eternal salvation if your faith waivers and you take the mark of the beast. To do so damns your soul for eternity (Rev 14: 9-11).
The ability to renounce your salvation forever is spoken of in scripture, for example, in Heb 6: 4-6 and Heb 10: 26-31. (See also, 2 Pet 2: 4, 20-21; Zeph 1: 2-3, 6) Once saved, you are in God's hand, and nothing in heaven or on earth can take you from God's hand. (See, John 10: 28-29) But, because God has given us each free will, you can walk away from God's hand, lose his protection, grace and favor, and be at risk of facing his eternal judgment along with unbelievers. You can also be blotted out of the Lamb's Book of Life. (Rev 3: 5) Obviously, you cannot be blotted out unless you were at one time in the Book of Life.
In summary, taken together, all the scripture discussed above point to a rapture of the church immediately prior to the "wrath of God" being poured out on those remaining on earth. If you are a believer, you have nothing to fear, but do not be complacent in hoping for and depending on a "pre trib" rapture to escape the coming "time of trouble" to occur during the 70th week. Do not love your life to the point of losing your salvation during the 70th week when things get quite uncomfortable and unpleasant. Do not take the mark of the beast on your hand or forehead.
Remember that Jesus commanded us to persevere and hold fast to our faith by practicing patient endurance, especially in the end-times. (See, for example, Rev. 3: 10; Mat 24: 13; Mark 13: 13; Luke 21: 19) (See also, 2 Pet 3: 17) By definition, you cannot endure without a struggle. But, to do so will bring you an everlasting reward of eternal life in a disease-free, joyful, unspeakably beautiful future with God himself. In Is 40: 31 it says that, "those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." Renewing one's strength takes affirmative action and effort, not complacency. But we must wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and he shall strengthen our heart (Ps 27: 14).
The "time of trouble" spoken of throughout the Old Testament is indeed just around the corner. It is time to repent and to prepare your heart to seek the Lord to escape things to come and to be hidden in the time of trouble. (Psalm 27: 5; Zeph 2: 3; Rev 3:10)
For another argument against a "pre-trib" rapture, please click on "June 2009" under Blog Archive to see my June 2009 blog entitled, "Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven or on Earth? Is there no pre-tribulation rapture?" Also, to check out my other previous blogs, click on the "Older Post" link below.
For an excellent video which touches upon many of the points made herein, please visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jTmZHDb_sP8#!
2012 - True Believer
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