The Rapture
When Will The Rapture Happen?
The Most Important Day
The most important day of your life and mine is the day of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. The Bible also refers to this as the “catching away.” The English word “rapture” is not in the KJV Bible. However, the word is biblically accurate because “rapture” originated from the Greek word “harpazo” which is derived from the Greek New Testament manuscripts of 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and is translated “caught up,” which holds the same definition. This verse tells us that living saints will be caught up (raptured) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
If We are Born Again
The Bible teaches that a time is coming when Jesus Christ will return to the earth. We will be caught away if we are born again. If we are living for Jesus Christ at His coming, we will be caught up in the air to meet Him there, and we will be with Him forever. We will go with Him to the Battle of Armageddon. He will put down the thrones of human government. We will crown Him King of kings and Lord of lords. He will then rule the world for one thousand years, and we will rule and reign with Him as kings and priests.
False Christs
Jesus warned His disciples that false Christs would arise in the last days and deceive many. Jesus admonished His disciples to not respond if they heard rumors that Messiah was in the desert or that He was in the secret chambers. Jesus said don’t believe it and don’t even go to investigate. He went on to explain why they should pay no attention to these false reports. He said, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be,” (Matthew 24:27). Jesus was simply saying that He would not show up secretly on earth at His Second Coming, but that He was coming like lightning in the clouds of heaven.
A Body Like His
When Jesus comes, if our bodies are changed supernaturally from mortal to immortal, the Bible tells us that we will have a body like Jesus had after His resurrection. He could walk through walls. He was not bound by the laws of space and time as we are now. Then the Bible tells us that we will be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air. That means we will have passed into eternal life. The reason it will be the most important day in your life and mine is because when that event occurs, if your feet leave the ground, if you rise to meet Jesus Christ in the air, then no matter whether you have a penny in the bank, whether anybody knows your name, whether you are world famous or relatively unknown, if you are prepared for that pivotal moment that will determine your eternal destiny, your life will be a smashing success!
Immediately After the Tribulation
Mathew 24:29-31 describes what happens after the Great Tribulation: “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: 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. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
You cannot read Matthew 24 without concluding that Jesus Christ placed the rapture immediately after the tribulation of those days.
The First Resurrection
The term “first resurrection” is found in only one passage in the New Testament, Revelation 20:4-6: “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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Though not explicitly called “the first resurrection” in these passages, here are some other places that speak of the event we refer to as the rapture:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
Regarding the timing of these events, 1 Thessalonians 4 says that the rapture will happen at “the coming of the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:52 says that this will happen at “the last trump.”
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 teaches that Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection…then afterward they that are His at His coming. The scriptures do not teach two comings. There will be one changing from mortal to immortal. It happens at the first resurrection as described in Revelation 20:4-6.
By reading Matthew 24:22-31 we know that the elect will be present until the time that Jesus sends his angels to gather them together unto Him (the rapture). The terms “elect” and “election” are used numerous times in the New Testament in reference to the Church. According to 1 Peter 1:2, the elect have the operation of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Furthermore, Jesus promised in John 14:16 that the Comforter (the Holy Ghost) would abide in believers forever. 2 Thessalonians 2:6-8 speaks of an entity that holds back the revealing of the Antichrist. Some people teach that the thing that “now letteth (restraineth)” is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world. There is nothing in this passage that supports such an interpretation. The clue to the correct identity of this entity appears to be found in verse 6, “that he might be revealed in his time.” The thing that restrains the revealing of the Antichrist is God’s very own timeline. Just as Jesus, the true Christ, was not revealed until “the fullness of time was come” (Galatians 4:4), the false Christ, the man of sin, will not be revealed until God’s timeline dictates it.
Eternal Life
Now even if you are the wealthiest person on earth, and perhaps everyone in the world knows your name, if you are not prepared, and your feet don’t leave the ground at the rapture, then you were an abysmal failure. You failed the one thing that is absolutely critical and mandatory in our lives. It is the most important day, because on that day, either we enter into eternal life or we don’t.
At Any Time
Even before the rapture, God can come for any one of us at any time: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:42,44
When discussing the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with others there is some confusion that the Second Coming and the Rapture being the same Event.
Are the Events the same?
I appreciate Rev. Baxter’s teachings and watch his program every time he is on TV and study my Bible while watching the TV program.
The second coming and the rapture occur at the same time.
thank you for that information about the details of the rapture but i di notice that their was no mention of the 7 year period of the devils reign i dont like the word anti christ so i say devil anyhow, Though not explicitly called “the first resurrection” in these passages, here are some other places that speak of the event we refer to as the rapture:,You cannot read Matthew 24 without concluding that Jesus Christ placed the rapture immediately after the tribulation of those days.
so what do you mean by these 2 passages as it does confuse me and i know the word rapture is not in the bible so what is the correct word in the bible for rapture? and what is the name of the event after the rapture and are you saying in this thesis or short sermon, that immediately after the rapture that the 2nd coming will come, and if so how did you get to that conclusion?, As i remember pastor john hagee siad that there will be a rapture then 7 years that the anti christ the devil will reign then it will be judgement day for the whole world please reply and tell me if my discription is correct according to your theory or your understanding because it can be a bit confusing the exact way it will happen according to the bible especially that there is a scripture that says just will shorten his coming for the sake of the elect few.which so to speak throws a spanner in the works but from my theory that i wrote alot of people have said thats how they have understood these events also. anyhow please excuse my very bad typing and no commerce or stuff and sorry if i am all over the place and your confused with writing hope to hear from you soon GOD bless.
The word rapture is not in the Bible but the concept is taught. Biblically this event is known as the gathering together, the resurrection, or the catching away.
The rapture occurs during the second coming of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us that as The Lord is descending from heaven those in Christ, both dead and alive, are caught up to meet The Lord in the air. Revelation 19 shows that once we are with Him we continue down with Him to fight in the Battle of Armageddon. Once we put all of the scriptures together we see the big picture.
The Bible does not teach a 7 year tribulation period. Daniel 7:25, Daniel 12:7, Revelation 11:1-2, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 12:14, and Revelation 13:5 teach us that the tribulation is 3 1/2 years. We also see this once we compare Matthew 24:15-21 with Daniel 9:27. I hope this helps you. God bless.
good questions.
Truely we need to be fully prepared for the rapture.
the debate I have is the rapture going to occur before or after the tribulation? or who is going to be left behind?
Matthew 24:29-31 shows that it will happen after the tribulation.
It seems to me that Rev 4:1 and 5:9 is the Church…
Arent the jews the elect..From my study and understanding,there r 3 groups..Church,Jews and Nations..The church will be raptured before 1Peter 1:2..Help..
Throughout the Bible God used the word “elect” for different people. Elect is used in reference to a single man, and it is also used in regard to Israel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament it is used in regard to two women, angels, and the church. The Roman church and the Colossian church were referred to as the elect. The word “elect” is also the same as “chosen” in the New Testament and multiple references are made concerning the church being the chosen. So to say that the elect only refers to Israel would overlook scriptures that clearly refer to the church as the elect as well.
Also we know that those who are in the rapture are saved. We know that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. Majority of the Jews deny that Jesus was the Messiah and for those who accept Jesus and obey the gospel they would then become part of the body of Christ, the church. We learn in Zechariah that Israel is saved after the Lord returns. So the elect that is gathered in Matthew 24 are not the physical people of God, the Jews, but rather the body of Christ, the church.
concerning the issue of when the rapture will happen, im not even sure anymore. i have been a christian all my life and after listening to very knowledgable teachers with different views on the matter, i have concluded that when the rapture happens should not really concern me as a christian. what should concern me and all of you, is am i ready today, and am i living every day as a witness for our lord. god bless.
Amen
I too have been quite confused on the issue, and have been back and forth. But like the previous comment honestly says, if we keep close to our Lord, we will be ‘hid’ in a way. I don’t know exactly how, (there’s a lot, even as True Christians were not supposed to know) but we can’t be afraid of what we might be asked by God to endure. True, the punishment is not meant for us, but our willing endurance through it, is a gift we can offer to God. The apostles, I’m sure, cringed at the thought of their destined persecution, but the Holy Spirit was with them to keep them strong. So, be prepared, spirtually and physically (within reason; pray to God to show you what to do) and for now, take one day at a time, like the apostles had to.
God Be with us all.
As in the days of Noah: Noah was a prepper God told him to build a boat and to fill it with food he was on the boat almost a year. Joseph gathered food for 7 years to prepare (prepper) for the bad seven. A wise man looks to the future to prepare (prepper) The Antichrist NWO is at the door it has been planned for over a 1000 to 2000 years ever since Satan knew he was unforgiveable he wants as many souls as he can take. How long can you go with out food. Remember the 5 foolish virgins they were not ready,,, their oil ran out, they were not preppers. All who believe in a secret Rapture had better read Psalm 91. We are here on earth, to him that overcometh and having done all to stand, overcame him satan by the blood of the lamb. You had get your spiritual and food ready, the giants are returning and the alien deception is almost upon us. Pray that you might escape all these things,, no this is not the rapture. In the old testament God hids his people from the coming wrath.
Agreed.
You can all stay here if you want, but when the trumpet sounds, I’m going with Jesus when He returns in the clouds and says “Come up hither.” Believe me, you don’t want to be here for the Tribulation. You will be glad that Jesus came and took us out of this world. God’s wrath during the Tribulation is not for His bride, but for those who rejected Jesus. Read Jack Van Impe’s book called Revelation. He explains verse by verse beautifully and it’s easy to understand. There is so much confusion in the body of Christ about this, but most Christians believe in a Pre-trib rapture because that’s what the Bible teaches.
I’m getting a little confused regarding the pre tribulation rapture and the post tribulation rapture. is it correct that those who are ready when Jesus Christ comes will caught up with Him, that being the pre tribulation rapture. and those who were not ready when he came that got left behind during the great tribulation and didn’t accept the mark who believe in Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth will end up being raptured during the post tribulation? is this correct?? just wanna make sure coz Im sharing this to my friends and love ones.
I wouldn’t get so wrapped up in ‘when’. We being living humans, are confined to linear space and time. Our Lord doesn’t have those constraints. Live everyday, one at time, in a prepared state, but in the mindset that you’ve already been raptured. God Bless.
Many people believe that the rapture and second coming and two separate events; the Bible teaches against this. The Bible teaches in 2 Thessalonians 2, that the rapture and the second coming are the same event. Jesus teaches that the rapture will happen at the end of the great tribulation, Matthew 24:29-31. God bless.
Does the Bible tell us when the rapture take place are we living in the last days does propheys point to Isreal as the main function that start process which will lead up to the rapture. Jesus is speaking about the olive tree when blossom then you know summer is near when you see the sign of the times know that my kingdom is near at hand.
The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:29-31, that the rapture will take place after the tribulation. We know this to mean at the end of the final seven years prophesied by Daniel. God bless.
how many yrs till the rapture do u think?
We are not sure as to how many years are left until the rapture; but we believe it will happen during our lifetime. God bless.
On the identity of the restrainer, which is given in masculine terms, I would submit that Daniel 12:1 appears to place Michael as the restrainer, who at the last days will stand (literally step aside) allowing terrible trouble to then come upon Israel, where before he was their special protector… There is no reason to conclude that Michael is disqualified from Restraining here since he does possess the power and authority to also cast Satan out of the Heavenly realm (Rev 12)…
Also, I would agree with your conclusion on Mt. 24:30 that Christ appearing in the clouds is visible to those on the earth (Rev 6) and they hide from his coming wrath… we see the angels going forth to take the elect in the rapture which parallels Mt.13 on the gathering of the wheat explanation… Also this order of Antichrist revealed in Mt. 24:15 at the abomination of desolation precedes the rapture in Mt.24:30… and a close look at Paul’s order in 2 Thess 2:1-5 also shows the same order–that the apostasy/falling away and revealing of Antichrist must precede our “gathering unto Christ” at the Rapture.
Something to consider,
James
Not only is the Rapture mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, Matthew 24:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; it is mentioned in numerous other New Testament passages that speak about Christ’s return.
For instance, Titus 2:13; “Looking for that blessed hope [the Rapture], and the glorious appearing [the Revelation] of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Will the Rapture of the Church bring both blessing and sorrow? Yes. Some will be ashamed (1 John 2:28), and some will be full of joy. That is why, in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Paul asks, “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?” What is going to bring you and me a great crown? He then answers, “Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” (v. 19). Paul was saying, “I’m going to present you-those I’ve won to Christ from Rome to Corinth-before the Lord, and that is going to be my joy.” But think of the multitudes who will stand before the Lord empty-handed. These are people who have been saved for years, but have no record of service-none whatsoever. They have never won a single soul to Christ.
Since every sign for Christ’s return to earth is already in progress (we’ll later look in some detail at contemporary events that prove this), this great wedding must occur soon. It will not be long before we hear the words, “Come up hither” (Revelation 4:1).
Then Revelation 19:7 says, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Every bride anticipates the joys of a honeymoon.
Therefore, the next logical question is, “How long will the honeymoon last for the bride of Christ?” After we are taken up in the Rapture (Revelation 4), we return with Christ in Revelation 19:14: “And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses.” Jude verse 14 says, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.”
Revelation 20:4 says, “And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” The only ones coming back with Him are the Bride-to begin the honeymoon. This does not include, however, the Old Testament saints. John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace [the new dispensation, or covenant] and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Now, concerning the salvation of John the Baptist-he did not become a part of the Bride at Pentecost. He was saved before Pentecost. So Jesus called him a “friend of the bridegroom” (John 3:29). John, then, is considered to be a friend of the Bridegroom but not part of the Bride.
The Church, or Bride, began to be formed on the Day of Pentecost and will be completed at the Rapture. Hence, the Old Testament saints are not members of the Bride or Church. Also, since the Church is evacuated at the Rapture-before the Tribulation begins (Revelation 4:1)-one can clearly see that the Tribulation saints who are martyred during this horrendous period do not constitute part of the Bride or Church.
The Bride is definitely that group of blood-washed believers beginning at Pentecost and completed at the Rapture.
Both the Old Testament and Tribulation saints are raised when Christ returns to earth, so they may be guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb on earth (see Daniel 12:2; Revelation 4-5).
God bless everyone, Tom
how do we know if its post trib?
The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:29-31, that the rapture will happen after the tribulation. God bless.
if the greek word for tribulation is Thlipsis, then this literally means “affliction” just like we are promised tribulation in this world and other examples where the word is used…it doesn’t refer necessarily to “The Great Tribulation.” Mt.24 appears to indicate that we will endure some measure of persecution before we are gathered to Christ… notice that the rapture in Mt.24:30 follows the signs of the blood moon and solar eclipse coinciding with the Sixth Seal of Rev 6. Since both Mt. 24:15, 30 / 2 Thess 2:1-5 indicate Antichrist revealed prior to the “gathering unto Christ,” many believe we will be here until just after the midpoint when the Abomination of Desolation occurs as mentioned by Jesus as what “reveals” the Antichrist. Interestingly, Christ mentions the Abomination of Desolation to watch out for and flee, but never mentions the Israeli covenant with Antichrist (Dan 9:27)… just something to mull over, but did you notice that in Dan 9:27 the covenant is confirmed (strengthened) with “many” for one week. Israel is not mentioned, only assumed. What if that covenant that is strengthened were with other political powers (10 kings?) and the matter of 3.5 years was not a “breaking of any covenant” (also not mentioned) but rather the time when Antichrist forces his will upon Israel simply in relation to that mentioned seven year period?
In that case there would be no Israeli covenant for believers to recognize (and believers entering the 70th week would be looking like we are now… they would reveal him before the Abomination revealing) we would be in the 70th week without realizing it or the identity of Antichrist until the Abomination took place, just as Jesus said.
Something to think about
I believe pre-trib teaching is part of the great deception. Its only been around for about 100 years.
If satan were smart, he’d have all of us believing we’re to be raptured out and have us lose faith cause we felt deceived when it don’t happen. (its just not scriptural)
God is the same today as he was in Noah’s day. He don’t change.
Jesus’s deciples died horrible deaths.
Stephen was stoned
Shadrach, Meshach, & Abenego were tossed into the furnace.
Parable of the 10 virgins – 5 took oil cause they knew they had to endure. 5 didn’t cause they thought they’d be raptured.
SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO DID NOT DIE IN THE FURNACE THEY WE’RE SAVED BY AN ANGEL SENT BY GOD, I do not know why you wish to strike fear in us, The bride of Christ, The words spoken by Christ in The Bible more than any others we’re “Fear not”. Jesus is coming back for His bride and He is not going to leave those who love Him and follow Him faithfully before the rapture happens to die. The rapture is happening soon.
Parable of the 10 virgins – 5 were prepared and entered the party, 5 were left at the shut door.
I see scripture that I firmly believe points to the rapture being pre trib. And I see scripture that firmly points to post trib. I believe some scripture is for the church, pre trib. And some to the Jews, post trib.for instance Luke 17 describes people being caught away , and Matthew 24:15-21, speaks of this same event, and in Daniel 9 this event is also spoken of as taken place half way through the 70th week.In this event people are taken away and some are being told to flee because of great tribulation that is about to occur.When I look at what Jesus, Daniel, and Paul had to say about this event. This is what I am deducing. Anyway lets just be ready.
(accidentally submitted before completed) at the same time the world is deceived by him big time and does not believe or ignores the Christians that will witness against him. The Antichrist’s true identity will be revealed to all, absolutely and finally, when Jesus returns and destroys him with the brightness of His coming. “…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.”(Revelation 19:20 KJV). It will also will be too late for those that follow him at this point. This is my understanding of these verses.
I agree with the above timing of our changing(aka rapture). “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;” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 KJV) and “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:” (2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV). The first revealing of the Antichrist will be to us that know the truth and have faith in Jesus, when they world is decieved
Greetings to u my belove and faithful sojourners in christ,
The teaching of christ concerning the rapture is true but let not ur heart be trouble u believe in God believe also in me, bcos in my fathers house are many mashions. This are the word of christ to comfort believers that there is hope remember that in the book of Rev. 1:6 it read: behold he comes with cloud and every eye shall see him both them that piece him shall wail bcos of him even so amen. The rapture is a turning point to true believers whom have been purge from sin with the blood of Jesus, it is something that build up our hope in christian race by the Grace of God. Bcos the lord make it very clear in the book of 1.cor: that we shall not all sleep but we shall all be change n the book of 1john also read that every man that has this hope in him purify himself even as he is pure. The lord is coming again to reign with his saint the rapture is also an invitation to the marriage supper of the lamb. This are the very hope we have as christians that our labour is not invain. Bcos the lord has make it cleare to us in rev22:12 saying: Behold i come quickly and my reward is with me to give to every man according to their works… Of a truth the wicked shall do wickedly but we don’t have to forget about those servant with 5 talent that gain other 5 and the one with 2 that also did the same. what about the 1 that was having only 1 talent what did he do with it? He went to hide it… All this are written for examples and for our admonition wherefore let him that think he standest take heed lest he fall.. The lord Jesus have said it all in the second to the last verse of rev22:21 that surely i come quickly…we as today saint should be able to say amen even so come Lord Jesus.
I am so glad I found your website. I have always felt like I was in the minority for not seeing scriptural evidence of a pre-trib rapture. I have also been bewildered at the vehemence over pre-trib vs mid or post-trib. I think we need to be prepared for persecution such as has never been seen before and be willing to die for Christ, rather than argue about when the rapture occurs in the timeline.
wise man
It all clear in the book of revelation: on the sounding of sixth trumpet & the sealing of the 144000, the rapture took place -it all happend at once (revel 7:9,13-14). They washed themselves with the blood. After that, comes destruction, then three &half year tribulation ruled by the beast. Then the left behind who did not take the mark of the beast but hold fast to the testimony of jesus christ & where killed will then come up( reve15:2-4).
In rev. the saints are returning with the Lord to the battle of armegedon. If it is post trib. we would meet ourselves coming and going. I believe the church is pre, and the trib. is for the Jews, who rejected their God time and time again. And in the tribulation God is recovering a remanant of the Jews.I believe the door is closed on the rest of mankind. Just like in the days of Noah
hey does anyone know what channel in Australia were it broadcasts the endtimes please inform ASAP thanks!!
We must believe scripture more than any triditian of man. Man is very often wrong so we must believe God.
Rom.3[3] For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
[4] God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; With that said all this stuff about Pre trib, mid trid, post trib must be based on God’s word. This one scripture tells when the rapture will happen: 1Cor.15[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. Remember “let God be true and everyman a lier”. All you have to do is find out when the last trump will sound. This is the Word of God on the issue. Rev.8[2] And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. I ask you which is the “last trump”? Here is the last trump sounding in God’s word: Rev.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. The Apostle also said this about it: 1Cor 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. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Here the last trump sounds: Rev.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.
The word of God is true. The rapture the will only happen at the last trump and not before.
So the question becomes, when does the seventh trumpet sound? Is it possible that it is the sounding of this trump that begins the 70th week of Daniel? If so, then the pre-trib view is correct. The problem then becomes, most pre-tribbers believe ALL of the trumpets sound during the Great Tribulation.
Perhaps we would do better if we followed the instruction of the Lord:
Acts 1:6-8 “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Paraphrased: “Don’t worry about things you can’t control. Do what I told you to do.”
If we are doing what He told us to do, what difference does it make when the rapture happens?
Praise the Lord!
Hello Mr. Saxton,
I just wanted to point something out that was pointed out to me. It’s very common to hear the conclusion that God won’t allow Satan to beat up on us, but will take us out before then. I once heard about a woman walking into her pastors office complaining about how life was so hard. Her words were That it was not fair. That she could not believe God would let this misfortune happen to her. Or, that He would allow her to be treated so badly. “I am a child of God,” she said, “how can He let this happen to me?” The pastor calmly looked over his desk at her and replied, “And what happened to the Son of God?”
We are to be a chaste virgin. However, being chaste does not mean there will not be persecution and tribulation. If we will remember, not only was Jesus beaten and crucified, but all of the apostles, with the exception of John, were martyred. Not only them, but so many saints of the early Church were as well.
Daniel 12:10, speaking of the time we know as the Great Tribulation, says, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
Going through tribulation is not what causes the spots or wrinkles. How we react during tribulation can. Some may have learned to walk the fence of Christianity, never really giving it all to God, but balancing it just enough to convince the world. Going through the fire of tribulation will cause people to make a choice. Those who truly love God in their hearts will turn to Him. Those who do it just for show will fall away.
If the latter rain is to be greater than the former rain, I can only imagine and temble while believing that the latter persecution will be greater than the former. The early saints were not raptured out to avoid it, and I don’t see in Scripture where we won’t be persecuted by the evil of the world in the form of Tribulation.
Coming through Tribulation without failing God does not put a blemish on my robes, nor a mark on my crown. Count it all joy, make those robes “shine as the brightness of the firmament” & let my crown shine “as the stars for ever and ever”
You don’t iron wrinkles out of garments with a cold iron, you have to apply a little heat. To refine gold, you must put it through the fire.
God bless EndTime for the wonderful work for God you are doing!
Steve in SC
Irvin, I saw you on you tube in an interview where you said that the rapture will occur during the tribulation. Well i can see how may come to that. Rev 3 where you see the first resurrection is your major factor to this conclusion. And you also state that the tribulation is not God’s wrath which true, its not. It is Satan’s wrath. And the Lord God will not beat His bride before the wedding BUT will He allow Satan to beat His bride before the wedding? I believe not. It is clear the rapture will happen before the tribulation due to us being is chaste virgin through BELIEF ON CHRIST ALONE for He has made us clean through His finished work being the blemish for us. that why we don’t have have spot or wrinkle and are clean and chaste. He will not allow us to be subject to Satan’s wrath with tribulation. And little of us even know that New Age Luciferians are confirming that Jesus will rapture us and they are waiting on it to happen right now! I said it !!! So that they can have their time!! Which will leave the tribulation saints. Those that will believe on Christ after we are raptured. . but dont believe now.
I know what I believe about the rapture and what the bible teaches about the rapture. So I’m going to agree to disagree with my Brothers in Christ, so here’s my advice Be Prayed Up,Packed Up and Ready To Go Up.
I am not a pre-trib subscriber…I personally believe that we will go through the “tribulation” (testing) but will be “raptured” before the “Day of the Lord” (God’s judgement, or wrath)…that is my PERSONAL belief…
I could be wrong…but if I am, and pre-trib is correct, I win…if my view is correct, life will be harder, but, I win…
However, if the pre-trib is wrong, there are millions (literally) of people who will NOT be ready for the testing and many, many will fall away…I hope I AM wrong…believe me…I see a time when the coming persecution will melt away the superficial beliefs of many Christians and they will become followers of the world system and will betray those who are so in LOVE with God that they will lay down their lives, if necessary, for the LAMB…
For what its worth…I came from a looooonnng line of pre-trib teaching…this is not something I woke up one day and decided to rebel against…in fact, I keep thinking how I could possibly be right and so many wrong…but I simply CANNOT subscribe to the pre-trib theology based on years of searching, reading, praying, and thinking on these things…
All I want if for everybody to get rid of all the man-made books, videos, and other media and ONLY compare what verses of scripture say to each other…then ask for the direction…that’s all…
thanks love your teaching, it really help me to understand the bible more and more….
This is wrong. The Rapture is before the Tribulation. The Rapture and the Second Coming are 2 different things. The Rapture is when all Born-Again Believers will be taken by Jesus Christ himself. The Second coming of Christ is at the Battle of Armageddon when the Jesus comes with all the people who were Ruptured to face the Battle showdown between Good and Evil. Be ready for Jesus! The Rapture is VERY close. It could happen today.
Just to let you know I am not saying you are wrong or right. The pretrib rapture was a theory that came about though tghe catholic church then Darby prefected it. The Catholic church is responsible for the commercialzation of two of our most beloved holidays Christmas and Easter. These were comercialized though the easter bunny and Santa Clause. now I dont know many adults that believe in them. Well they have done the same thing with Christianity though the various Rapture theories almost as if people are getting their ticket to heaven. I believe this ww3 will be the major test of the pretrib rapture theory. If indeed it does not happen Dont go out and go postal on a preacher!! DO NOT loose your Faith!!! Instead pray the truth will be shown to you and all that do.
The belief that the rapture of the church takes place prior to the tribulation period is a vain imagination thought up by man. It is a hope of escaping that which may be some very difficult times of existence. Our hope is not supposed to be one of escape. Our hope is to be in God! In Him we should trust and have faith that He will provide and care for His children. God’s Word, not man’s, teaches that, if we are still alive when the tribulation time comes, we will experience it. You need to read and study God’s Word and let HIM tell you about it. Don’t base your faith on other books, or let someone else tell you what to believe. How are you going to be able to stand firm on your belief if you have not studied for yourself? You won’t! If your faith is based on books other than the Bible, or another person’s interpretation of God’s Word, then you will not stand, but fall into confusion. And you will fall quickly when the persecution begins! When times get really hard, you may to stand firm in your faith even unto death! Make sure it is YOUR faith you are standing on and not someone else’. This is not to say that you shouldn’t search out other books, or teachings, to help you understand God’s Word. We all need input from various sources. That’s what church is supposed to be about. But choose your sources wisely. Make sure they match up with God’s Word. READ, STUDY, PRAY, and STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH.
We find multiple scriptures that show these events occurring at the same time. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 refers to them as one day, Matthew 24:29-31 shows them happening together, 1 Corinthians 15:23 shows that they happen together, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 shows that they happen together. Just some scriptures to take into consideration.
Timothy,
Western Christians have a very hard time with the rapture and all the theories behind this event that will take place. We have to understand that the rapture is not designed to save any one from any tribulation. Instead you have to look at ancient Jewish Marrage tradition How was it done? Basicly the groom parts from his bride at the ingagement party to prepare a place for them usually attached to his fathers home. The father of the groom is the only one that knows when the marrage will take place. The groom has no clue. When the place is prepared then wedding party sets out down the street, the bride has to be ready with her servents when she hears the trumpets coming down the street she meets the groom sits next to her groom and is then lifted up and carried away to the marrage celebration. This is the rapture remember the end is Jesus marring his church. He is looking for a real bride so he is going to test our faith in him with the tribulation, EVEN IF WE ARE SAVED!!!. We are going to be saved from the wrath though him NOT by him!!! in other words Spiritually NOT phyically. The key is we have to keep the faith in him at all times. The way I figure this will go down is several people will fall away or stand in rebellion because when this war happens they were not be raptured. Just like in ww2 this history will repeat itself again. This time the people will join the NWO’s interfaith church which is blastphamy. They will be chipped but when the antichrist trys to make them take his creed or mark and they deny it. They will beheadded electrnicly (though the chip). This will automaticly save them and send them to Heaven. For those of us that do not take part in the chip or the economy we will be on our own ( without the world ruling us) we will just have our faith in God till he returns for us. NEVER loose your faith Be patient.. do not allow anyone deceive you by any means. for that day shall not come till there be a falling a way first then the man of sin be reveiled the son of perdition 2 Thes 2:3 THIS BLOWS THE PRETRIB RAPTURE CLEAN OUT OF THE WATER!!!
Most pretribbers teach the Christians will know who the antichrist is before the 7 year period happens we are real close to that last 7 yrears who is the antichrist??? I have no idea when he is reveiled he will be reveiled to the world not just to the believers. I hope this helps you. God Bless
First I think you are onto something very important, which is the Bible, both Old & New Testament, was written by Jewish men, about the Jewish people and the very first believers in Jesus Christ were Jewish, and Jesus himself was the Jewish prophesied Messiah. All of the Bible is written with a Jewish cultural mindset.
Second I think it’s important to look at who translated the Manuscripts. How certain words were changed. For example: the pale horse, which thanks to this Minister, I now understand.
Third, consider how God delivered His chosen people from bondage in Eqypt. Were they raptured even as the Eqyptian soldiers were drowned?
I’m just saying, think about it. Open you eyes to all of God’s miracles.
I want to be the partaker of your teachings please
I don’t believe he is saying that. He is attempting to show another reason why the pre-tribulation rapture theory is incorrect. One of the main tenants of the near satanic pre-trib theory is that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the world during the Great Tribulation. This would mean that Christians could not be here either, thus the need for a pre-trib rapture.
If you have accepted Christ as your lord and savior, and believe that he died and rose again to cover your sins, and have not accepted the mark of the beast, then you will be raptured at the end of the Great Tribulation.
Hi, Timothy what scripture support your saying that the Holy Ghost or Spirit will not be present during the last days. I used to believe in the rapture thing that we would be taken up and all. But this is a testimony, that I believe was given me by God. I remember reading about the Black plague and how the Christians choose to stay behidn to help and how many of them died during that because of their kindness. Honestly I was kind of conflicted. I was kind of thinking that if they were to die anyway then why stay? But stay they did. Then much later God brought that question back to me. We are the presence of God on earth, we are His vessel, His temples, we are His mark on earth just like the mark of Cesear on the coins. We are His ambassadors! So to me God posed this question, during the worst time in human history, why would I remove my presence of the face of the earth? How are people suppose to be saved? Then I knew that we were not going to be raptured up. There is also much more scriptures supporting this, but that was how I received my revelation. I hope it helps someone else out there. However, I know that we are not to face the wrath of God, because we are His children, but doing the great tribulation and the antichrist we are to suffer. Who else would the antichrist target? He is after all the antichrist. If Christ who lives in Believers has been removed who is he to target? Who is he to kill?
Oh sorry Misread you commit lollol.
I would consider myself “pre-trib”, but I have never once heard anybody teach that the Holy Spirit will be removed during the tribulation, not sure exactly who you’re listening to. The Holy Spirit will operate as He did during the Old Covenant. Hence, Joel’s dreams and visions during the tribulation, which are not necessary while we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
I guess it depends at what point you believe the Lord pours out His divine wrath. Jesus opens the 1st seal, I just don’t see any way past that being the beginning. Every time God pours out His wrath on a society or the world, he protects His elect, ie Noah and Lot. It has nothing to do with going through persecution. We have been lucky in the United States, but after spending over 3 years on deployments to the Middle East, Christians are enduring persecution every minute of every day there and in Africa. If our marriage is a picture of the Church’s relationship with Christ, can you imagine Jesus beating and killing His bride for 7 years then returning in love. It’s not biblical, nor is the Church meant for God’s wrath. The Church doesn’t need to prove anything to God, Jesus already did everything for us to merit God’s favor.
Oops, not sure how this ended up under your comment, was meant as a general post
Hi,
Do you believe the wrath of God is the entire seven years. The Bible tells us the first 3 1/2 years will be the reign of the Antichrist. I think during this time Christians will suffer. But not after.
While i understand that the issue of whether the rapture is postorpretribulation raises tempers among christians what concerns me so much is that many times either of the sides believe what they are believing in is right but the problem is the truths cant be two it means of these two everyone is facing the truth and the counterfeit at the same time.So where dowe turn to?We turn to the spirit of God,you should be able to see it in scripture not because my pastor told me this and that because what happens when may be my so called missed it?I was studying how the Jewish wedding was conducted and i have discovered that some truths about prophesy are hidden in the parables and even in Jewish culture.When a young man had proposed to a young lady ,an engagement ceremony would take place meaning a covenant was in place that the couple would be married and they would all drink from the same cup which as believers we do when we take communion which is a covenant in remebrance of Him.After this the youngman would return to his father where he was expected to build a house for his bride and the time for him to return to take his bride was only determined by his father who would first of all inspect everything and if satisfied would give the go ahead for the youngman to go and pick his bride thats why the bible says of that day no one knows even the Son or angels but only the father.Now during those times in the east,there was a system in which brides were abducted in the middle of the night and this actually happens even in Africa now where the groom comes at night and they depart during the night and people learn of their disappearance when morning comes.Now if you follow the events properly you will find that the wedding of the lamb takes in heaven and come the wedding day the couple would proceed into a room where they would stay there for 7 days while celebrations are taking place outside and they would reappear later after those 7 days so in this scenario the door opens as they go in and it reopens as they come out.If we say the Rapture is depicted in Mathew24:29-31 then it doesnt appear to be occurring in a twinkling of an eye which is less than a second and at the same time He doesnt seem to be coming as a thief in the night in other words once you see those events before his eventual appearance everyone will have known that its rapture not so?The gathering of the elect mentioned in verse 31 of Matthew24 to me doesnt appear to be rapture.
We have to be careful when comparing the Bible to a wedding tradition. Is the wedding tradition infallible or is the Bible? When we answer this question I believe we cannot compare scripture to a wedding tradition to try and draw a conclusion. Dealing with 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, we need to read it to understand what is being said. When we do this we learn that the rapture does not happen in the twinkling of an eye it is our change from mortal to immortal that happens in the twinkling of an eye. Then when we consider the Lord coming as a thief in the night we must consider 1 Thessalonians 5. In the very beginning of this chapter we learn that the Lord will come as a thief in the night to those who are in darkness. Then we learn that those of us who are in the light should not be taken by surprise by the coming of the Lord. So those of us who are in the light should have understanding of the times. Now when we take all of these things into consideration we can see that Matthew 24:29-31 is a depiction of the second coming and the rapture.
Oops, I missed the reply button, that message was meant for Elizabeth.
What is holy spirit has to do with the rapture i.e can some who is yet to receive the power of holyspirit be raptured