My hope is to, once again, give all the Biblical proof for a pre-tribulation rapture of the Bride of Jesus. Notice I didn't say church. That's because much of the group of believers who consider themselves part of the church are either apostate or lukewarm. I'm not trying to beat this subject to death, but I recently had to compile a list of proofs for someone who asked, so I thought it worth posting here. (This will be my last post for a few weeks as I am flying to Florida tomorrow.) If you have friends or family who are on the fence about the timing of the rapture, please send this to them. I hope everyone will take a serious look at all the Scriptures listed below.
I admit to growing weary of people emailing me with proof that there is no Pre-tribulation rapture while also insinuating that I am misleading people and doing harm to the body of Christ. Please, I beg you, Stop. I have studied this for years. I have asked the Lord to show me if I'm wrong and to lead me into all truth. So far, He has only confirmed my belief. I am a fallible human being and I certainly do not think I have everything right. I'm sure I don't. But my faith and belief in a Pre-Tribulation rapture of the Wise Virgins, the First Fruits Bride, thus far is unshakable. The last thing I want to do is mislead anyone or cause anyone to drift from the Lord when the Tribulation starts and people find themselves still here (as some have accused me of) That is why I keep asking the Lord for truth!
I have put together a list of Biblical reasons for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture below. I implore you to spend time going through it and looking up the Scriptures and to pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal all truth to you as you do. It is vitally important that we allow Scripture to confirm Scripture and the Holy Spirit to confirm in our hearts what is truth and what is not.
Believing in the timing of the rapture is not a salvation issue at all. If you are set on a post-Tribulation rapture, that's fine. You are still saved. Yet, I do see in Scripture that there are rewards for those who are looking and longing for Jesus to appear. So, maybe you'll miss out on some rewards? I don't know. Is faith in the pre-tribulation rapture something that you need to actually have in order to go in the rapture? I really don't think so, but it is a possibility since the Lord requires faith for many other things.
So, here we go!
Proof of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture
1. The Bible describes the Rapture and Second Coming as different events.
The Bible must see the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-4; I Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thes. 4:13-18) and the Second Coming (Zech. 14:1-21; Matt. 24:29-31; Mk. 13:24-27; Lk. 21:25-27; Rev. 19) as separate events, because when the verses are compared they describe two very different scenarios:
Rapture — believers meet Christ in the air
Second Coming — Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to meet the believers on earth
Rapture — Mount of Olives is unchanged
Second Coming — Mount of Olives is divided, forming a valley east of Jerusalem
Rapture — living believers obtain glorified bodies
Second Coming — living believers remain in same bodies
Rapture — believers go to heaven
Second Coming — glorified believers come from heaven, earthly believers stay on earth
Rapture — world left unjudged and living in sin
Second Coming — world is judged and righteousness is established
Rapture — depicts deliverance of the Church from wrath
Second Coming — depicts deliverance of believers who endured wrath
Rapture — no signs precede it
Second Coming — many signs precede it
Rapture — revealed only in New Testament
Second Coming — revealed in both Old and New Testaments
Rapture — deals with only the saved
Second Coming — deals with both the saved and unsaved
Rapture — Satan remains free
Second Coming — Satan is bound and thrown into the Abyss
2. The Tribulation is clearly a 7 year period.
An upcoming time period has been set aside for God to pour out His wrath upon the evil of the world, to regather Israel back into its land, to force Israel to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, and for the Messiah to return and fight for His believing remnant (Deut. 4:26-31; Isa. 13:6-13; 17:4-11; Jer. 30:4-11; Ezek. 20:33-38; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 24:9-31). This time period begins with a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27). The length of the Tribulation is seven years long, described in a variety of ways as “one seven” year block (Dan. 9:27), consisting of two “times, time and half a time” (two years + 1 year + half a year; Rev. 12:14), or two “1260 days” periods (Rev. 11:3), or two “42 month” periods (Rev. 11:2; 13:5).
Gog-Magog – 7 year clean up
Some say that the following Scripture which is obviously about the 2nd Coming also includes the Rapture and is proof that the rapture occurs at the end of the Tribulation. However, I urge you to note that Jesus gathers his people from the four winds and from HEAVEN.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and 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, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30-31
When Jesus returns to Earth in the second coming, we will return with him. See also Zech 14:5, Rev 19:14, and Col 3:4. In order to come with Him, we must have been brought to heaven first.
3. The Tribulation is not for the Church
The Tribulation is God’s wrath upon the unbelieving world, and not for those who are saved from Christ’s resurrection to the Rapture — called the Church. Yes believers have suffered all throughout human history, but there is a special time (just like the Flood) set apart called the Day of the Lord for God’s wrath. Christians suffering and the Tribulation/Day of the Lord are different.
• True believers in Christ during the Church Age, represented by the Church of Philadelphia, are promised in Revelation 3:10, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”
• Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
• He also states in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 5:9 states, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
• Ephesians 5:6 states, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
• Colossians 3:4 states, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
• Luke 21:36: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Note that the Greek word here for “escape” does not mean to just hide or be protected. It means “to flee away, to seek safety in flight, to flee out of”
Again and again, Scripture states the Church is not meant to endure God’s wrath.
But is the Tribulation God’s wrath?
The Day of the Lord, which is also called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, is described in various places in the OT. This is the same thing as what we call The Tribulation, and it is equated with God’s Wrath. Read Joel 2, Isaiah 13:9, Revelation 6:16-17
4. The Old Testament and Revelation leave the Church out of the Tribulation.
The focus of the Tribulation — to pour out God’s wrath on the earth just like the Flood (Isa. 24:22; Zeph. 3:8; 1 Thes. 5:3; 2 Thes. 2:12) and to bring the Jewish people to accept Jesus as Messiah (Mat. 23:39; Lk. 13:35) — is addressed by the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation to the unbelievers and the Jewish people. In any biblical content concerning the Tribulation/Day of the Lord, the Church cannot be found.
The whole concept of the Church was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets. They focused on the nation of Israel. The Book of Matthew is written to the Jewish people, whom Jesus is addressing in Matthew 24. In the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3 cover the Church Age, but then there is no mention of the Church until after the Tribulation/Day of the Lord chapters 6-18. In Chapter 19, the Church returns to the texts and can be found, not suffering, but celebrating with Christ at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and preparing to return with Jesus to earth.
5. The Ancient Jewish Wedding
When speaking to the Disciples about His return and the End of Days, Jesus used Ancient Jewish Wedding speech. The Disciples would have recognized this right away
A. The man desiring to marry the woman approached her father and offered a huge bride price.
(Jesus fulfilled by offering His own life on the cross to purchase His bride)
B. If the father agreed to the price, he would call in his daughter and pour a glass of wine for both the man and for her. If she drank the wine, it meant she agreed to marry the man
(Jesus fulfilled this in Matthew26: Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” The disciples drank of the cup, thus accepting the contract. Important to note here that the phrase "I will not drink of this fruit... until... " is what the man would actually say to the woman and her father. The disciples would know this was an engagement.
C. The Groom now presents gifts to his intended Bride. These were to help her remember him fondly during the long engagement period.
(Jesus fulfilled this by giving us the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit)
D. The bride now partakes of Mikevh which is a cleansing bath
(Fulfilled by baptism)
E. The groom would now go and build a wedding chamber for he and his bride. Typically, this would be a room or rooms attached to his father's house. It was to be built only at his father's specifications and could only be deemed finished by his father's inspection. The groom and bride were to spend 7 days in this chamber after they were married. If anyone asked the groom when the chamber would be finished, he would reply. "Only my father knows."
Jesus fulfilled this when He told His disciples that No man knows the day or hour, only my Father in heaven. The disciples would have known this was a reference to the bridal chamber being completed and His return for his bride.
Jesus also fulfilled when he said "In my Father’s house are many rooms or mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Again, the disciples would have known this was a reference to a wedding.
F. The Bride makes herself ready. During this betrothal time, the bride spends her days preparing herself for the wedding. She makes her wedding gown and makes herself more beautiful. She never knows when the groom will come for her. He usually comes in the middle of the night, so she must keep her lamp full of oil and burning.
(Fulfillment: The True believers who are the Bride of Christ are currently spending their time making their wedding gown (Which is the righteous acts of the Saints. Rev 19:8) and making themselves more beautiful by doing the will of their groom. They keep their lamps full of the Holy Spirit so they will be ready when He returns.)
G. The Groom comes for His Bride
When the Groom's father approves of the wedding chamber, he gives his son permission to go get his bride. he bridegroom would abduct his bride secretly, like a thief at night and take her to the wedding chamber. As the bridegroom approached the bride’s home, he would shout and blow the shofar (ram’s horn trumpet) so that she had some warning to gather her belongings to take into the wedding chamber.
(Future fulfillment: When Jesus returns for His Bride, the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet our groom)
H. The Groom and Bride would spend the next 7 days in the Bridal chamber where they would consummate the marriage.
(Future fulfillment: While the earth is enduring a 7 YEAR Tribulation, Jesus and the church will be celebrating their marriage)
6. The Gates of Hell shall NOT Prevail against the Church
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Here we are told by Jesus, Himself, that Satan would never prevail against the church. Yet below in Revelation, we are told the opposite. “He” is the Antichrist, which is Satan incarnate.
Both can’t be true.
He was further permitted to wage war on God’s holy people (the saints) and to overcome them. And power was given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, Revelation 13:7
Notice it doesn’t say “church”, but saints. There will be many Tribulation saints, which are those people who got saved after the rapture. Many of them will probably get saved because of the rapture! The church is gone, which is the only thing that makes sense with these 2 Scriptures. The Bible does not contradict itself!
7: Like the Days of Noah
Jesus described the rapture in Matthew 24.
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:37-44
The Days of Noah right before the flood were very wicked, no doubt about that. But Scripture tells us that people were living their normal lives, eating, drinking, partying, marrying, doing business, and just going about their regular lives. If the Rapture is Mid or Post-Tribulation, Do you really think people will be living their normal lives, having fun and partying? Have you read Revelation? The events that occur in the Tribulation are beyond anything we can imagine. Jesus said it would be a time worse than any time in all of human history. He also said that if he didn’t cut that time short, no Flesh would be alive!
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22
The “elect” always refer to the Jews.
These are the things that will occur only in the first part of the Tribulation, even before the bowls of God’s Wrath are poured out at the end. No way people will be partying and carrying on with normal life through any of this.
8. God Turns His Full Attention Back to the Jewish People for a Final Seven Years
In Daniel 9, the Archangel Gabriel tells Daniel of events that will occur at the end of the age. He tells Daniel that 70 sevens have been decreed for the Jewish people and for the Holy City (Jerusalem) to complete a bunch of tasks you can read about in Daniel 9:24-27. All these tasks are specific for the Jewish people and have nothing to do with Gentiles. Bible scholars all agree that these 70 sevens or 70 weeks or years represent 70 x 7 years (490 years). Gabriel then goes on to tell Daniel that after 7 weeks + 62 weeks (Or 69 periods of 7 years = 483 years) the Messiah will be cut off or die. This happened precisely on the year Gabriel predicted. Notice, however that there is 1 period of 7 years left to complete what God has decreed for the Jewish people. That week or 7 year period has not yet happened. In fact, if you continue reading that chapter in Daniel, you'll see that Gabriel then talks about the Antichrist who will confirm the covenant with Israel for 7 years and then break that treaty in the middle of that time.
My point? God is not done with the Jewish people. After the church is gone, He will turn his full attention back to His chosen people, the Jews. We are currently in the age of the Gentiles, the age of Grace, but that will end when the Bride gets raptured. God will not be dealing with both the church and the Jewish people that final 7 years.
9. The Apostle Paul’s Own Words
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes 2 Thess 2
The church at Thessalonica was very worried, obviously, that the "Day of the Lord" had already begun. The Day of the Lord, from other Scriptures, encompasses the Tribulation. For some reason, they were frightened that they'd missed the Rapture! Note how Paul begins the Scripture. He mentions the Rapture right off, so we know that is the main topic. So, Paul gives them some clues about the timing of things to make them feel better. He says that the Day of the Lord will not happen until there is a great apostasy against God and the son of perdition is revealed.
The Great Apostasy is already here. This is a turning away of many believers from the True Faith. I will note also here, that there are some very reputable preachers who believe this "Falling Away" is actually a reference to the Rapture itself!.
The Son of Perdition is the Antichrist. So, The Day of the Lord CANNOT even start until the AntiChrist is revealed. What does revealed mean? It means that those who are paying attention and know even a little bit about Scripture will know who he is. How? Because in Daniel 9:27, we are told that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant or treaty with Israel for 7 years. Obviously, if you are watching the news and you see a man strengthening or confirming a treaty with Israel for 7 years, you can bet that's the guy!
Hence, if these 2 things happen, the Tribulation can start right away. AND, Paul is saying don't worry cause before that happens, we will be gathered to meet Jesus. Hence the church is gone BEFORE the Antichrist is revealed. When the antichrist signs the 7 year peace treaty with Israel, the church will know who he is.
10. Who is the Restrainer?
Another thing to note here is that "something or someone" is restraining the Antichrist from revealing himself. Who or what is keeping the evil of this world from exploding to its full vileness?
Some believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, but if the Spirit leaves, how can anyone get saved? We know millions will get saved during the Tribulation, so the Holy Spirit must still be active on Earth. Some believe the Restrainer to be the Archangel Michael, but certainly one Archangel cannot by himself restrain all the devil and his angels. In fact, Gabriel needed Michael’s help to defeat one massive evil angel in Daniel.
Scripture always interprets Scripture, right? Jesus, Himself, told the church that we are the salt and light of this world. (Matt 5:13-14) The Holy Spirit inside of true believers is the only thing holding back the darkness. Our prayers are effective and powerful. The Holy Spirit within us, along with our good deeds, spread light everywhere! If we were not here, Satan would have free reign. Therefore, that is yet another reason to believe that the church must leave before the Antichrist can be revealed!
11. Apostle Paul tells believers to “comfort” one another with the words he just spoke about the Rapture
In 1 Thessalonians 4, he speaks of the Rapture yet again.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
It is plain that Paul had told the church at Thessalonica all about the rapture. If they were not to be raptured until the end of the Tribulation, why would he suggest they "comfort" one another with these words. What's comforting about going through the Tribulation and most likely getting your head chopped off?
12. The Saints we see in Revelation are Tribulation Saints, Saved After the Rapture, and are not under Grace.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:9-17
Tribulation Saints are Not under Grace. The conditions for their eternal salvation are not merely to believe and follow Jesus, but to overcome the devil by the blood of the lamb and their testimony and be willing to die as you see in the following Scripture.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:10-11
Addendum:
I also want to point out that every time God unleashes His wrath in Scripture, He always rescues His own first. Noah and his family and Lot and his family.
1. The Bible describes the Rapture and Second Coming as different events.
The Bible must see the Rapture (Jn. 14:1-4; I Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thes. 4:13-18) and the Second Coming (Zech. 14:1-21; Matt. 24:29-31; Mk. 13:24-27; Lk. 21:25-27; Rev. 19) as separate events, because when the verses are compared they describe two very different scenarios:
Rapture — believers meet Christ in the air
Second Coming — Christ returns to the Mount of Olives to meet the believers on earth
Rapture — Mount of Olives is unchanged
Second Coming — Mount of Olives is divided, forming a valley east of Jerusalem
Rapture — living believers obtain glorified bodies
Second Coming — living believers remain in same bodies
Rapture — believers go to heaven
Second Coming — glorified believers come from heaven, earthly believers stay on earth
Rapture — world left unjudged and living in sin
Second Coming — world is judged and righteousness is established
Rapture — depicts deliverance of the Church from wrath
Second Coming — depicts deliverance of believers who endured wrath
Rapture — no signs precede it
Second Coming — many signs precede it
Rapture — revealed only in New Testament
Second Coming — revealed in both Old and New Testaments
Rapture — deals with only the saved
Second Coming — deals with both the saved and unsaved
Rapture — Satan remains free
Second Coming — Satan is bound and thrown into the Abyss
2. The Tribulation is clearly a 7 year period.
An upcoming time period has been set aside for God to pour out His wrath upon the evil of the world, to regather Israel back into its land, to force Israel to acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah, and for the Messiah to return and fight for His believing remnant (Deut. 4:26-31; Isa. 13:6-13; 17:4-11; Jer. 30:4-11; Ezek. 20:33-38; Dan. 9:27; 12:1; Zech. 14:1-4; Matt. 24:9-31). This time period begins with a covenant between Israel and the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27). The length of the Tribulation is seven years long, described in a variety of ways as “one seven” year block (Dan. 9:27), consisting of two “times, time and half a time” (two years + 1 year + half a year; Rev. 12:14), or two “1260 days” periods (Rev. 11:3), or two “42 month” periods (Rev. 11:2; 13:5).
Gog-Magog – 7 year clean up
Some say that the following Scripture which is obviously about the 2nd Coming also includes the Rapture and is proof that the rapture occurs at the end of the Tribulation. However, I urge you to note that Jesus gathers his people from the four winds and from HEAVEN.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and 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, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30-31
When Jesus returns to Earth in the second coming, we will return with him. See also Zech 14:5, Rev 19:14, and Col 3:4. In order to come with Him, we must have been brought to heaven first.
3. The Tribulation is not for the Church
The Tribulation is God’s wrath upon the unbelieving world, and not for those who are saved from Christ’s resurrection to the Rapture — called the Church. Yes believers have suffered all throughout human history, but there is a special time (just like the Flood) set apart called the Day of the Lord for God’s wrath. Christians suffering and the Tribulation/Day of the Lord are different.
• True believers in Christ during the Church Age, represented by the Church of Philadelphia, are promised in Revelation 3:10, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”
• Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
• He also states in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 5:9 states, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
• Ephesians 5:6 states, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
• Colossians 3:4 states, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
• Luke 21:36: Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Note that the Greek word here for “escape” does not mean to just hide or be protected. It means “to flee away, to seek safety in flight, to flee out of”
Again and again, Scripture states the Church is not meant to endure God’s wrath.
But is the Tribulation God’s wrath?
The Day of the Lord, which is also called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, is described in various places in the OT. This is the same thing as what we call The Tribulation, and it is equated with God’s Wrath. Read Joel 2, Isaiah 13:9, Revelation 6:16-17
4. The Old Testament and Revelation leave the Church out of the Tribulation.
The focus of the Tribulation — to pour out God’s wrath on the earth just like the Flood (Isa. 24:22; Zeph. 3:8; 1 Thes. 5:3; 2 Thes. 2:12) and to bring the Jewish people to accept Jesus as Messiah (Mat. 23:39; Lk. 13:35) — is addressed by the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation to the unbelievers and the Jewish people. In any biblical content concerning the Tribulation/Day of the Lord, the Church cannot be found.
The whole concept of the Church was a mystery to the Old Testament prophets. They focused on the nation of Israel. The Book of Matthew is written to the Jewish people, whom Jesus is addressing in Matthew 24. In the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3 cover the Church Age, but then there is no mention of the Church until after the Tribulation/Day of the Lord chapters 6-18. In Chapter 19, the Church returns to the texts and can be found, not suffering, but celebrating with Christ at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and preparing to return with Jesus to earth.
5. The Ancient Jewish Wedding
When speaking to the Disciples about His return and the End of Days, Jesus used Ancient Jewish Wedding speech. The Disciples would have recognized this right away
A. The man desiring to marry the woman approached her father and offered a huge bride price.
(Jesus fulfilled by offering His own life on the cross to purchase His bride)
B. If the father agreed to the price, he would call in his daughter and pour a glass of wine for both the man and for her. If she drank the wine, it meant she agreed to marry the man
(Jesus fulfilled this in Matthew26: Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” The disciples drank of the cup, thus accepting the contract. Important to note here that the phrase "I will not drink of this fruit... until... " is what the man would actually say to the woman and her father. The disciples would know this was an engagement.
C. The Groom now presents gifts to his intended Bride. These were to help her remember him fondly during the long engagement period.
(Jesus fulfilled this by giving us the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit)
D. The bride now partakes of Mikevh which is a cleansing bath
(Fulfilled by baptism)
E. The groom would now go and build a wedding chamber for he and his bride. Typically, this would be a room or rooms attached to his father's house. It was to be built only at his father's specifications and could only be deemed finished by his father's inspection. The groom and bride were to spend 7 days in this chamber after they were married. If anyone asked the groom when the chamber would be finished, he would reply. "Only my father knows."
Jesus fulfilled this when He told His disciples that No man knows the day or hour, only my Father in heaven. The disciples would have known this was a reference to the bridal chamber being completed and His return for his bride.
Jesus also fulfilled when he said "In my Father’s house are many rooms or mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." Again, the disciples would have known this was a reference to a wedding.
F. The Bride makes herself ready. During this betrothal time, the bride spends her days preparing herself for the wedding. She makes her wedding gown and makes herself more beautiful. She never knows when the groom will come for her. He usually comes in the middle of the night, so she must keep her lamp full of oil and burning.
(Fulfillment: The True believers who are the Bride of Christ are currently spending their time making their wedding gown (Which is the righteous acts of the Saints. Rev 19:8) and making themselves more beautiful by doing the will of their groom. They keep their lamps full of the Holy Spirit so they will be ready when He returns.)
G. The Groom comes for His Bride
When the Groom's father approves of the wedding chamber, he gives his son permission to go get his bride. he bridegroom would abduct his bride secretly, like a thief at night and take her to the wedding chamber. As the bridegroom approached the bride’s home, he would shout and blow the shofar (ram’s horn trumpet) so that she had some warning to gather her belongings to take into the wedding chamber.
(Future fulfillment: When Jesus returns for His Bride, the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet our groom)
H. The Groom and Bride would spend the next 7 days in the Bridal chamber where they would consummate the marriage.
(Future fulfillment: While the earth is enduring a 7 YEAR Tribulation, Jesus and the church will be celebrating their marriage)
6. The Gates of Hell shall NOT Prevail against the Church
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
Here we are told by Jesus, Himself, that Satan would never prevail against the church. Yet below in Revelation, we are told the opposite. “He” is the Antichrist, which is Satan incarnate.
Both can’t be true.
He was further permitted to wage war on God’s holy people (the saints) and to overcome them. And power was given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, Revelation 13:7
Notice it doesn’t say “church”, but saints. There will be many Tribulation saints, which are those people who got saved after the rapture. Many of them will probably get saved because of the rapture! The church is gone, which is the only thing that makes sense with these 2 Scriptures. The Bible does not contradict itself!
7: Like the Days of Noah
Jesus described the rapture in Matthew 24.
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:37-44
The Days of Noah right before the flood were very wicked, no doubt about that. But Scripture tells us that people were living their normal lives, eating, drinking, partying, marrying, doing business, and just going about their regular lives. If the Rapture is Mid or Post-Tribulation, Do you really think people will be living their normal lives, having fun and partying? Have you read Revelation? The events that occur in the Tribulation are beyond anything we can imagine. Jesus said it would be a time worse than any time in all of human history. He also said that if he didn’t cut that time short, no Flesh would be alive!
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22
The “elect” always refer to the Jews.
These are the things that will occur only in the first part of the Tribulation, even before the bowls of God’s Wrath are poured out at the end. No way people will be partying and carrying on with normal life through any of this.
- World Wide War
- World Wide Famine
- World Wide Disease
- 1/4 of the population killed
- Many Christians butchered for their faith
- 1/3 of the Trees burned up and all the grass burned
- 1/3 of Sea becomes blood and 1/3 of sealife dies
- 1/3 of Fresh water becomes poisoned
- 1/3 of sun and moon struck
- Locusts from the bottomless pit torture men with extreme pain for 5 months
- Massive army from the east kills 1/3 of mankind that is remaining
8. God Turns His Full Attention Back to the Jewish People for a Final Seven Years
In Daniel 9, the Archangel Gabriel tells Daniel of events that will occur at the end of the age. He tells Daniel that 70 sevens have been decreed for the Jewish people and for the Holy City (Jerusalem) to complete a bunch of tasks you can read about in Daniel 9:24-27. All these tasks are specific for the Jewish people and have nothing to do with Gentiles. Bible scholars all agree that these 70 sevens or 70 weeks or years represent 70 x 7 years (490 years). Gabriel then goes on to tell Daniel that after 7 weeks + 62 weeks (Or 69 periods of 7 years = 483 years) the Messiah will be cut off or die. This happened precisely on the year Gabriel predicted. Notice, however that there is 1 period of 7 years left to complete what God has decreed for the Jewish people. That week or 7 year period has not yet happened. In fact, if you continue reading that chapter in Daniel, you'll see that Gabriel then talks about the Antichrist who will confirm the covenant with Israel for 7 years and then break that treaty in the middle of that time.
My point? God is not done with the Jewish people. After the church is gone, He will turn his full attention back to His chosen people, the Jews. We are currently in the age of the Gentiles, the age of Grace, but that will end when the Bride gets raptured. God will not be dealing with both the church and the Jewish people that final 7 years.
9. The Apostle Paul’s Own Words
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes 2 Thess 2
The church at Thessalonica was very worried, obviously, that the "Day of the Lord" had already begun. The Day of the Lord, from other Scriptures, encompasses the Tribulation. For some reason, they were frightened that they'd missed the Rapture! Note how Paul begins the Scripture. He mentions the Rapture right off, so we know that is the main topic. So, Paul gives them some clues about the timing of things to make them feel better. He says that the Day of the Lord will not happen until there is a great apostasy against God and the son of perdition is revealed.
The Great Apostasy is already here. This is a turning away of many believers from the True Faith. I will note also here, that there are some very reputable preachers who believe this "Falling Away" is actually a reference to the Rapture itself!.
The Son of Perdition is the Antichrist. So, The Day of the Lord CANNOT even start until the AntiChrist is revealed. What does revealed mean? It means that those who are paying attention and know even a little bit about Scripture will know who he is. How? Because in Daniel 9:27, we are told that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant or treaty with Israel for 7 years. Obviously, if you are watching the news and you see a man strengthening or confirming a treaty with Israel for 7 years, you can bet that's the guy!
Hence, if these 2 things happen, the Tribulation can start right away. AND, Paul is saying don't worry cause before that happens, we will be gathered to meet Jesus. Hence the church is gone BEFORE the Antichrist is revealed. When the antichrist signs the 7 year peace treaty with Israel, the church will know who he is.
10. Who is the Restrainer?
Another thing to note here is that "something or someone" is restraining the Antichrist from revealing himself. Who or what is keeping the evil of this world from exploding to its full vileness?
Some believe the restrainer is the Holy Spirit, but if the Spirit leaves, how can anyone get saved? We know millions will get saved during the Tribulation, so the Holy Spirit must still be active on Earth. Some believe the Restrainer to be the Archangel Michael, but certainly one Archangel cannot by himself restrain all the devil and his angels. In fact, Gabriel needed Michael’s help to defeat one massive evil angel in Daniel.
Scripture always interprets Scripture, right? Jesus, Himself, told the church that we are the salt and light of this world. (Matt 5:13-14) The Holy Spirit inside of true believers is the only thing holding back the darkness. Our prayers are effective and powerful. The Holy Spirit within us, along with our good deeds, spread light everywhere! If we were not here, Satan would have free reign. Therefore, that is yet another reason to believe that the church must leave before the Antichrist can be revealed!
11. Apostle Paul tells believers to “comfort” one another with the words he just spoke about the Rapture
In 1 Thessalonians 4, he speaks of the Rapture yet again.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
It is plain that Paul had told the church at Thessalonica all about the rapture. If they were not to be raptured until the end of the Tribulation, why would he suggest they "comfort" one another with these words. What's comforting about going through the Tribulation and most likely getting your head chopped off?
12. The Saints we see in Revelation are Tribulation Saints, Saved After the Rapture, and are not under Grace.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:9-17
Tribulation Saints are Not under Grace. The conditions for their eternal salvation are not merely to believe and follow Jesus, but to overcome the devil by the blood of the lamb and their testimony and be willing to die as you see in the following Scripture.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:10-11
Addendum:
I also want to point out that every time God unleashes His wrath in Scripture, He always rescues His own first. Noah and his family and Lot and his family.
And Finally,
This is a great article with tons of proof that the very early apostles and disciples believed in a pre-trib rapture. I am copying just one example from this article below. Irenaeus was a a disciple of Polycarp, who was one of the Apostle John's disciples!
Irenaeus
Irenaeus (130 A.D. – 202 AD) was a bishop of the church in Lyons, France. He was an eyewitness to the Apostle John (who wrote the Book of Revelation) and a disciple of Polycarp, the first of the Apostle John’s disciples. Irenaeus is most-known for his five-volume treatise, Against Heresies in which he exposed the false religions and cults of his day along with advice for how to share the Gospel with those were a part of them.
In his writings on Bible prophecy, he acknowledged the phrase “a time, times and dividing of times” in Daniel 7 to signify the 3 ½ year reign of the Antichrist as ruler of the world before the Second Coming of Christ. He also believed in a literal Millennial reign of Christ on earth following the Second Coming and the resurrection of the just.
On the subject of the Rapture, in Against Heresies 5.29, he wrote:
“Those nations however, who did not of themselves raise up their eyes unto heaven, nor returned thanks to their Maker, nor wished to behold the light of truth, but who were like blind mice concealed in the depths of ignorance, the word justly reckons “as waste water from a sink, and as the turning-weight of a balance — in fact, as nothing;”(1) so far useful and serviceable to the just, as stubble conduces towards the growth of the wheat, and its straw, by means of combustion, serves for working gold.And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.”(2) For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption.”
Irenaeus (130 A.D. – 202 AD) was a bishop of the church in Lyons, France. He was an eyewitness to the Apostle John (who wrote the Book of Revelation) and a disciple of Polycarp, the first of the Apostle John’s disciples. Irenaeus is most-known for his five-volume treatise, Against Heresies in which he exposed the false religions and cults of his day along with advice for how to share the Gospel with those were a part of them.
In his writings on Bible prophecy, he acknowledged the phrase “a time, times and dividing of times” in Daniel 7 to signify the 3 ½ year reign of the Antichrist as ruler of the world before the Second Coming of Christ. He also believed in a literal Millennial reign of Christ on earth following the Second Coming and the resurrection of the just.
On the subject of the Rapture, in Against Heresies 5.29, he wrote:
“Those nations however, who did not of themselves raise up their eyes unto heaven, nor returned thanks to their Maker, nor wished to behold the light of truth, but who were like blind mice concealed in the depths of ignorance, the word justly reckons “as waste water from a sink, and as the turning-weight of a balance — in fact, as nothing;”(1) so far useful and serviceable to the just, as stubble conduces towards the growth of the wheat, and its straw, by means of combustion, serves for working gold.And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.”(2) For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption.”
Irenaeus in this passage describes the church leaving the sinful world just before unprecedented disasters. Note his use of the term “caught up” which is Rapture terminology as that is the meaning of harpazo, the term for “caught up” in the King James Bible describing the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4. He then quotes Matthew 24:21 where The Lord Jesus Christ says: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” And it is during this time that those who convert to Christianity during the final years will receive the incorruptible crown mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:25. In Irenaeus’ belief, the Rapture took place prior to the end times Great Tribulation.
God Bless all of you! See you in the clouds!
Wow! That’s a lot of reading, it may take me the two weeks you’re off to get through it!😁
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info, enjoy your time with family and know we are praying for you.
Bev H
LOL Glad it will keep you busy, Bev!! There's nothing like diving into the Scriptures, seeking God's truth! I appreciate very much your prayers!
DeleteThank you, MaryLu!! Longing for and praying for the blessed return of our Savior Jesus the Christ as we rise up to meet him in the clouds. May God give you an extra measure of blessings for all you do as a true watchman. Looking forward to greeting you ... face to face in the very near future. In my most recent Rapture Dream, near the end, the Word said ... "Not yet, but very, very soon!" May it be so. Maranatha!!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat!! I'm looking forward to seeing you as well!! Won't it be wonderful? So awesome you had a Rapture dream! Very very soon sounds good to me! Blessings!
DeleteI'm embarrassed to admit that I never realized that the rapture and Jesus' second coming were separate events. Thanks for 'schooling' me :-)
ReplyDeleteMaryLu, I have so much to say, yet I just want to be silent and dwell on all of this. Sister this is an extraordinary teaching ! I feel like we should canonize you LOL ! But it is not necessary, Jesus already deemed you a Saint !
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord go before you as a Mighty Warrior guarding and guiding your path to Florida and back. Fire , safety, and peace on you Sister, and if anyone can put those 3 things in you at one time, we know Jesus can !