The Rapture – An Article to Knock Your Socks Off
The Time Has Come to debunk those errors regarding the Rapture not taking place.
I was raised in a family that followed Word of Faith teaching (yet I rebelled and went on my own left hand path at about the age of 13). When I realised I needed Jesus Christ in my life (much later in my life unfortunately) and was born again the ‘rapture’ was just part of something that I had heard about in passing – I was actually oblivious to Christian doctrine, including the doctrine of imminency.
After I was saved and battled to find churches to go too, I hit the internet in search of the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This was where I read up about PreTribulation and also PostTribulation (where Jesus Christ returns at the end of the Great Tribulation with no rapture of the church before that) And then just to put another spanner in the works, I heard about Amillennialism. Boy, oh boy.
So I started researching the Word of God and I started my research with Amillennialism, after 10 minutes of goggling I realised that Amillennialism was completely and utterly wrong.
I then went and looked at the Post Tribulation scenario. What I found interesting was that the Post Tribulation supporters use their verses to back up this idea but exclude the verses that point to the Rapture (or being caught up where the born again Christians will meet Jesus Christ in the air before the wrath of God is meted out on earth). I read so many PostTribulation websites and studied their little diagrams and it just didn’t make sense. I emailed 2 ministries in which I included many PreTribulation (Rapture) verses in my email and asked them to include them into their articles and they refused. The reason: They had enough Biblical scripture to prove Post Tribulation without having to include vital scripture that refuted what they say. How convenient I thought.
So there I was back at Pre Tribulation, still researching and knowing deep down all along that this was correct and that Jesus Christ the Son of God is coming back SOON to take His children away. At the end of the Great Tribulation He will return a 2nd time , this time setting foot on earth and crushing the enemy.
This is the reason for my blog, to warn people because I can’t handle the fact that many people I know like family, friends will be left behind and have to face delusion, confusion, terror and utter hopelessness in their minds as to what happened and try cope with the after effects.
That very moment will be unlike anything the world has ever experienced, and it gets worse. Much worse. Mass HORROR, mass MURDER, mass TORTURE, mass INCOMPREHENSIBLE evil will take place. Matthew 24:21 “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
At the same time I rejoice for I know that I am going to see Jesus Christ the Son of God, my King, my Lord, my Saviour, the ONE I love so much, the ONE who gave HIS life for me, the ONE who SAVED my life. I am going to see HIM SOON face to face. How awesome is that. I can’t wait.
We are in a time in history unlike anything ever seen before. Never in the last 10 years would I have ever thought that I would be alive to witness this. The (bride of Christ, i.e., born again Christians) being caught up to meet Jesus in the air.
Jesus said He would come when we least expect it. Generally the least expected thing happens when everything is going relatively well.
Matthew 24:37-41 37“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah 38“For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41“Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
Matthew 24:44 44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
During the rapture, Jesus Christ does NOT come down to earth. (So it is not considered His Second Coming). The dead in Christ rise first and then the body of Christ are caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the CLOUDS /AIR. 1 Thess, 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Jesus tells us that we are to COMFORT one another with this WONDERFUL passage of scripture.
Everything will happen very fast, so fast that it will be 1 Cor 15:52 “52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye…”
The bible tells us that even though we do not know exactly when Jesus is coming back to take the his church home Matthew 25:13 13“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”
He tells us to BE ON ALERT as we will see the day approaching (Biblical prophecy fulfilled) and as the day approaches we are to ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER. Hebrews 10:25: “25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
So it is clear that born again Christians will know that the day that Jesus Christ returns draws nearer and nearer. If not, Jesus would not tell us to BE ON ALERT at all times and for us to watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation. Matthew 26:41 41“Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus promised us He will look after us, because He paid the price for us – we are not destined for God’s wrath during the Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “9For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”
We are NOT destined to be TESTED Revelation 3:10 10 ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Our focus should be on Jesus Christ our Blessed Hope and we are not be disturbed by the things going on around as. Titus 2:13 “13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”
Do you fear that there is something terrible going on in the world but you do not know what it is? Do you remember someone speaking to you about Jesus and you brushed them off as talking a load of nonsense? Do you know the name of Jesus Christ in your mind, but your heart’s not interested because you prefer the ways of the world and sin? Do you want to know why you fear that there is something horrible coming this way? Do you want to change your ways and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sinful life so that you my enter God’s presence spotless.
Do you want to drop everything you are doing right now and speak to Jesus Christ the Son of God? Tell Him you are a sinner, tell Him you want to change your ways. Tell him you have disobeyed Him, but you ask for forgiveness for everything you have done and you are so sorry. Tell Jesus that you know and believe that He died on the cross for you as a sacrifice for your sin, and that He rose again 3 days later and ascended with a physical body into heaven. Tell Jesus that you want Him to come into your life, and make you a new person. Tell Jesus that you love him, honestly and truthfully with all your heart, mind and soul. Humble yourself before your KING as a sinner who does not deserve to be saved. But because of the love that God has for HIS creation, that is you, He created you. When you truly and utterly come to Jesus Christ and repent, God truly and utterly forgives you and you are saved.
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See all articles on the rapture here
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toddott wrote:
The tribulation is the time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) trouble and NOT the church.
The entire series of seals, trumpets and bowls are all part and parcel of the seven year tribulation and NOT the church age.
The wrath spoken of during the tribulation is not wrath from men, nor from Satan, except as God may use these agencies as channels for the execution of His will; it is tribulation from God.
Isaiah 24:1; Joel 1:15; Zephaniah 1:18; Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 14:19; Revelation 15:4; Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1; Revelation 16:7; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 19:1-2).
The first great purpose of the tribulation is to prepare the nation of Israel (not the church) for her Messiah. The prophecy of Jeremiah (30:7) makes it very clear that this time that is coming has particular reference to Israel (NOT the church) for it is the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (NOT the church).
Paul clearly taught a Pre-Trib Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). In verse 18 he wrote: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” What kind of comfort do you have for the saints when you tell them they will be guarded and kept safe during the entire tribulation whilst the Bible teaches the exact opposite? (Revelation 13:7).
@Toddott you quote ( The Bible says that those things that happened to Israel are type/examples and warnings for us on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – May i have chapter and verse of the Bible please.
God required a price to be paid for sin. Jesus paid it for each and every one of us through His journey to the cross. His sacrifice made on behalf of all of us is why those of us who believe in Him will someday be gathered around His throne in heaven as seen in Revelation 7:12 saying, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” The church has obviously been raptured before Revelation 7:12 in this case if they are seen singing around the throne.
The 24 Elders are redeemed from the earth, yet the word says that no man has been in heaven. John 3 verse 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Why are these redeemed elders then seen in heaven? long before the end of the tribulation or even mid trib.
Nobody knows if there is a gap between the rapture and the start of the tribulation so speculating has been the order of the day. Its great to debate it and often when we do we get further insight to unanswered questions which is how the Holy Spirit works with us.
There is no mention of the Angels marking the church during the tribulation. Only the 144 thousand are marked to protect them. Why not the church as well if we are here.? We know the wicked take a mark as well but somehow we are not mentioned. Is it because we have been raptured. Obviously
Lastly. Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
This verse speaks of Gods love to us. For me it’s a precious promise that I wont be going through the tribulation, being a love letter full of hope and joy.
Imagine a earthly groom allowing his bride to witness the same horrors that are coming soon to the world. The earthquake alone will be so great that islands and mountains will be moved. Never mind the satanic raping of men, woman and children. The starvation, and the torment of the demons. Yet so many Christians nod their heads and say “yes Jesus will let you experience this but will protect. Makes no sense.
Please Google “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty,” “Pretrib Hypocrisy,” “Pretrib Rapture Stealth” and “Pretrib Rapture Pride.”
Lou
Dave MacPherson’s arguments to refute the Pre-Trib Rapture is old hat. Find something new and original. Maybe you should rather read your Bible and stop listening to people who hate the Parousia of Jesus Christ.
Read this.
TBC Staff
Jun 1 1995
Question: I’ve recently read documentation showing that the pretrib Rapture theory originated with a Jesuit priest, Emmanuel Lacunza, in the late 1700s, was picked up by an Edward Irving of Scotland (who translated Lacunza’s lengthy book from Spanish in 1826), and from Irving spread via a Margaret MacDonald to J. N. Darby and C. I. Scofield, who popularized it. Aren’t you embarrassed to teach a doctrine that originated with a Jesuit?
Response: The alleged Lacunza-Irving-MacDonald connection to Darby and Scofield has not been proved. Moreover, such speculation by MacPherson and others is pointless. Who cares where Darby and Scofield first got the idea of a pretrib Rapture? All that matters is what the Bible has to say on this subject!
I was taught a pretrib Rapture from childhood—not from the writings of Darby or Scofield, but from the Bible. As a Berean, I would not accept any belief were I not convinced that it was biblical. I hold to a pretrib Rapture because the Bible teaches it. I challenge you to check How Close Are We? against the Bible.
Furthermore, the claim that the pretrib Rapture was unknown in the church prior to Lacunza and Darby is not true. A sermon of uncertain authorship dating to at least the sixth century clearly presents the pretrib position. Titles “On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World,” it declares, “All the saints and elect of God are gathered together before the tribulation, which is to come, and are taken to the Lord, in order that they may not see at any time the confusion which overwhelms the world because of our sins.” For more information contact the Pre-Trib Research Center.