This is a different and refreshing approach to the massive and incredibly important topic of the Rapture, something that is very special to Christians. This will not be trying to prove a particular rapture theory correct, nor will it be trying to disprove any particular rapture theory either. The Rapture will be looked at in a neutral and objective manner, trying to assess ALL the possibilities of where the Rapture could take place on the time line in line within Bible Prophecy. What does the scripture say rather than what other people or myself have to say.
This is a complex topic, but the ultimate goal is to keep this as simple as possible with no complex information or presentations, but some explanatory diagrams do creep into the video (below) due to the complex nature of the topic.
In the video featured at the end of this article
1. Will firstly look at the main Bible verses that mention the Rapture, which come mainly from The Apostle Paul and John, which are straight out of the New Testament in the Bible
2. What are the Four Main Rapture Time line Theories out there. At present they are Pre Tribulation Rapture, Mid Tribulation Rapture, Pre Wrath Rapture and the Post Tribulation Rapture and a demonstration where they appear on the Book of Revelation Prophecy Timeline.
3. A look at TEN possible rapture points that appear on the Book of Revelation Time line covering a whole spectrum of chapters. An analysis of the relevant Bible verses using Xiphos Bible Software to see what they have to say in relation to a possible rapture at that time. Do they fit the description of a Rapture, or are they mentioning something else.
4. Some personal views on the rapture and the things I have seen out there and some further scripture, which you can FYOO (Form Your Own Opinion) on and DYOFR (Do Your Own Further Research)
Rapture Theories and Analysis
The very essence of The Twelve Gates website is based primarily on The Book of Revelation and the Bible Prophecy it contains. To get to the very bottom of the Rapture conundrum we have to FIRSTLY look at the two main verses that The Apostle Paul and John mention to get the background on what shape and form the rapture will take and how it will affect Christians in the last days.
THE 2 MAIN RAPTURE VERSES
1 Corinthians 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Once you have the HOW information on the Rapture contained in these verses and see what the Rapture actually is and what form it will take, then you can start to approach the topic of the WHERE and WHEN on the prophecy time line. This is NOT abundantly obvious on the first or subsequent readings from the above 2 scriptures.
THE REVELATION TIMELINE
Michael Svigel of retrochristianity.org states
"One must ask where the Rapture is found in the Revelation before one asks the question of when the Rapture is said to take place, if indeed the timing of the event is even asserted by the context"
This is a very valid and important statement as the Rapture and the Last Days are interconnected and the Book of Revelation in no uncertain terms is all about the last days. So if there is a Rapture then the Prophecy contained within the Book of Revelation will give a sure fire indicator whether there is one or not and possibly when it will occur?
The Ten Possible Rapture Points according to Keith H Esse of The Masters Seminary
The backbone of this study into the Rapture and when it could possibly occur appears in "the rapture and the book of revelation" part of The Masters Seminary Journal by Keith H Essex who is Assistant Professor of Bible Exposition. He comes up with the following ten possible rapture points throughout the Revelation Time Line they are as follows:
I have picked this particular study, as the angle he approaches the Book of Revelation in Rapture Prophecy terms is refreshing and open minded and starts right at the beginning to let the Bible reveal the truth instead of arriving with some pre-conceived notions of when the rapture will take place and using the Bible to provide the answer to that pre-conceived notion, which will always lead to the wrong result.
After conducting this study Keith H Essex then comes to the conclusion that only one of these Ten Rapture Windows could possibly be the rapture, which will be revealed at the end of this study in the video.
Watch the video The Ten Possible Rapture Points on the Revelation Prophecy by The Twelve Gates at You Tube for a full in depth analysis and some personal conclusions on this and other rapture theories and the possible timings and form your own conclusions.
The Seven Trumpets of Revelation are the second group of 7 God´s judgements that are dealt out to the earth and it´s inhabitants. The further we go into the 21 judgements the more serious are the events and their consequences. The question is are we in the Seven Trumpets phase now? The Seven Trumpets follow on from the Seven Seals and the opening of the Seventh Seal opens the door for the start of the series of the Seven Trumpets. This series of events precedes the last group of 7 judgements which are the Seven Vials or the Seven Bowls and are the most severe of the Seven Judgements.
Interpretations
Some say the first six trumpets are used to serve as a wake up call to the sinners on Earth and a call to repentance. Why....... the judgements are not absolute they are given in one thirds. Each trumpet blast brings with it an event more disastrous in nature than the one before it and each one acts as a warning of worse to come. The seventh trumpet does not bring a disastrous event with it, instead it is sounded so that glory is given to God and His kingdom is announced. A kind of reprieve and announcement that these events were not man made and were not coincidence.
Parallels with the 3rd series of events The Seven Vials (Bowls)
The Seven Trumpets of Judgement shows a lot of similarities of being sort of parallel with the Third Group of 7 Judgements (The Vials/bowls). Because the first trumpet affects the earth, so does the first bowl, the second trumpet and bowl affects the sea, the third trumpet and bowl refers to the rivers, the fourth trumpet and bowl refers to the sun, the fifth trumpet and bowl refers to the bottomless pit or the abyss, the sixth Trumpet and Bowl to the River Euphrates and the seventh Trumpet and Bowl to the Second Coming! Therefore indications are indeed strong - if not pretty much overwhelming - that the seven trumpets and seven bowls refer to exactly the same events but with different emphases and viewpoints.
One observation, for example, is that "the Trumpets" seem to affect in "1/3rd proportions" and "the Bowls" seem to affect in "totallity".
The introduction to The Seven Angels with the Seven Trumpets
This is the beginning of the Seven Trumpets judgement in Revelation and starts at the opening of the Seventh Seal
Revelation 8:1-6 1. And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
This is the 7 Trumpet judgements with a brief summary and relevant Bible quotes (main points only)
The First Trumpet Hail and Fire mingled with Blood
Revelation 8:7-9 7. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
The Second Trumpet The mountain burning with fire cast into the sea 8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Some speculate that the "great mountain burning with fire" that plunges into the sea, in Revelation 8:8, is an impact event by a possible Near-Earth object.
The Third Trumpet The Great Star from Heaven called Wormwood
This impacts fresh water sources that man relies on including fountains of waters and rivers.
Revelation 8:10-11 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
The Fourth Trumpet The Cosmos is darkened for a third part
Revelation 8:12 12. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
The Fifth Trumpet The First Woe The opening of the Bottomless Pit and the release of the locusts
Revelation 9:1-5 1. And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
The Sixth Trumpet The Second Woe The Release of the Four Angels
Mention of the Euphrates River and the movement of a vast number of troops.
Revelation 9:13-16 13. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14. Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
The Seventh Trumpet or Third Woe and The Temple of God opened in heaven
Voices, lightning, thundering, an earthquake, and a great plague of hailstones.
Revelation 11:15-19 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. 16. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17. Saying, We give thee thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 19. And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The nature of the 7th trumpet shows that "time is no more, and that the mystery of God is finished.
Revelation 10:6-7 6. And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Where are we on the Seven Trumpets Timeline...if at all?
Hugely debatable topic, but if things are kept simple with no pre-conceived notions, everything becomes blatantly obvious. There are many views out there on where we are in the Book of Revelation timeline, all look plausible, but do the jigsaw pieces fit and if so does the picture match the word?
Here´s a look at some views that are out there which revolve around Revelation. Some say that we are passed the first group of judgements as in the 7 Seals of Revelation, some will say we are in the second phase of the next group of judgements which are the Seven Trumpets. Some will go as far as to say we are on the 6th trumpet. If you take a longer term view on the course of events that unfold in the Book of Revelation say 100 or so years, it could be right, it could be wrong? This would make the Tribulation period much longer than the Daniels final week or 7 years, if you subscribe to that theory. Certainly much longer than the 3.5 years, 42 months or 1260 days that are mentioned in the Bible many times, for the period of the Great Tribulation which many say encompasses the Trumpets and Vials (Bowls) that have many close parallels and similarities.
My views personally, we are on the maximum of Seal 5 in the 7 Seals judgements, if at all. You have to remember these are divine judgements the likes of which have not been seen and will not be seen again. I firmly believe we are not in the second group of more severe Trumpet judgements (not even Trumpet 1) which are fractional in nature and that is based on just reading the Bible, as it is, and not applying any pre-conceived notions. Many times, a third is mentioned being given judgement, two thirds are unaffected...the severity is still restricted. Again this preciseness is not a man made event, it comes from something far greater than that and suggest divine intervention......which of course it is.
Why do I have this view that we are not in the Trumpet judgements phase of the Book of Revelation? IF the Book of Revelation is in fact a timeline of events that take place in the last days, then the 7 Trumpet judgements would follow one another as in First to the Seventh. On that basis let´s read the First Trumpet judgement bearing in mind that the higher the number the more severe they become. This is what it says in the Bible.....it´s very clear, simple and concise (KJV)
Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Hail and fire Mingled with Blood coming from the sky (heaven) and cast upon the earth? Just trying to get your mind round this one, nowhere in this Planet´s history has there been such an event. This event is so specific, it only affects plant life such as trees and grass and by burning. There is no mention of human life at all. This is a Biblical Event that cannot be recreated by man here on this earth. That rules out the longer term view of the Two World Wars, Hiroshima and as far as I´m aware anything that has happened in the last twenty or so years, in this planets recent history. As horrific as the Two World Wars were, including the Atomic bomb, these events were not so selective to burn and kill one third of grass and one third of trees on this planet. Do not even think that amount of vegetation was killed off during both World Wars combined. Even the recent epidemic of wildfires around the globe doesn´t come close. The toll of human life in the Two World Wars was many millions. This is not mentioned in the first Trumpet.....vegetation only....it´s that selective. This event has quite clearly not happened yet, which means the Second, Third, Fourth or any other Trumpet if they are in sequence have not happened either. That´s unless of course they are not in sequence, but then why would the Bible number them as a sequence increasing in intensity? What I´m trying to say is, if you start twisting the Bible or seeing something that isn´t there or applying man made or pre-conceived ideas to the Word of God, the result will be just some pre-conceived ideas and nothing more and the jigsaw pieces will not fit!
It´s quite clear that these Revelation events will be unmistakable events and will not be man made, they will be judgements from God and only can be created by God. There will be no confusion or mistaking these events....none whatsoever.....the source will be undeniable. But that´s just my view and there are four main camps or views on Revelation as mentioned previously which are Historic, Preterist, Futurist and Idealist. See The Seven Seals of Revelation for further details.
Expanding on that non sequential theory, maybe the Trumpets are not in sequence, maybe the second trumpet has happened and the first is yet to come? What does the Bible say about the Second Trumpet?
Revelation 8:8-9 8. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Again this event has not happened yet. A mountain burning with fire cast into the sea. Could be Hiroshima? As bad as that was, one third of the sea was not turned into blood? Yes there have been mass animal deaths around the world but not to the extent that a third of the creatures of the sea have died and certainly a third of the seas have not become blood. A third part of the ships were possibly destroyed in the First and Second World Wars but this doesn´t tie up with the other occurrences which again cannot be recreated by man, (certainly the blood part) and most certainly has not happened yet.
We could move onto the third trumpet Some say it has already happened on the long term view and it was the Chernobyl Disaster in 1986
Revelation 8:10-11 10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
Chernobyl was a terrible disaster and it contaminated water supplies and killed made many people sick or deformed but NOT to the extent of affecting a third of the planets fountains and rivers. Chernobyl translated means Wormwood, but it´s a nuclear power station not "a great star falling from heaven burning as if it were a lamp". Again there are some undeniable coincidences here if you take a longer term view on Revelation as in over the last 100 or so years. If you simply just read the words you realise the jigsaw pieces do not fit Chernobyl the Nuclear power Station in Russia. Again this was a man made event. Fukushima in 2011........same again...doesn´t fit. The Wormwood event is again an act of God and will be unmistakable and as said with the other two Trumpet events.........they have not happened yet.
We could go on with Trumpet 4,5,6 and 7, but I think it is proven conclusively that the first three trumpet events have yet to come to pass, therefore and just reading them quickly, you realise the latter Trumpets, are even more severe and definitely have not happened yet either! But then the Historic view would say these things will never happen as these things have happened already?
The Trumpet Judgments and the Rapture
Ending on a highly controversial and volatile topic being The Rapture, many people in the Post Tribulation Rapture camp will quote these verses to put a compelling argument that the Trumpet Judgement phase in the Book of Revelation is when the Rapture will occur especially at the last Trumpet. Post-tribulationists see the rapture happening during the seventh trumpet. Some say the "Last Trump" is not to be confused with the Seventh Trumpet? Compelling evidence below but still subject to debate none the less. Where do I stand on this, I´m Post Tribulation and No I´m not a Catholic! BUT if the Rapture happens Pre Trib that obviously would be the highly preferable option!
Bible Quotes
Here Paul was talking to all the Thessalonian Christians concerning all those Christians who had died.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the TRUMP of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Another supporting quote
1 Corinthians 15:51,52 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.
And another one
Matthew 24:29-32
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the SON OF MAN coming in the CLOUDS of HEAVEN with power and great glory.
31. 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.
The Rapture is surrounded by controversy but in these End Times it is a topic that draws increasing amounts of interest. It cannot be denied that we all know we are in the season as in "The End Times", but we do not know the day or the hour that the Second Coming will take place. The time of the end is drawing near and among those signs of the times would include the rebirth of Israel, which took place in 1948, we are seeing the recent alignment of countries against Israel, we are seeing the escalation of apostasy in the church, there’s a move toward globalism and global socialism, a continued move toward a cashless society and increasing signs of temporary martial law being labelled as "States of Emergency". The worlds moral compass is going haywire and there is confirmation in the natural world and in the Cosmos with Biblical signs that undeniably are saying......... the time is near.
This article is written with the True Believer in mind and not really for the Non Believer, but it makes an interesting read for the Non Believer regardless, but again has to be approached with an open mind. I´m not date fixing, making prophetic predictions or any such things in this article, just really trying to cut through the fog and confusion surrounding this topic and hopefully answer a few questions to make things clearer in these troubling times. There is nothing worse than waiting for something to happen and well......it doesn´t happen.
End of the World - When is Rapture
We are in trying and also deceptive times, if you are a Christian, I mean the real deal. Recently you are probably experiencing things you may not have experienced before. Visions, strange dreams, strange goings on and a general feeling and unease that seems to be increasing on a daily basis. You may be also be experiencing a form of persecution in some shape or form, it could be harassment or victimisation or something similar or general hostility. As the days get darker your light shines that more brightly and will attract unwanted attention, you will find out who your true friends are in these times . I have experienced all of these things increasingly over the past few months, but minus the visions, you may have experienced all.
We as many are aware are in the Jewish Shemitah Year of Jubilee and are approaching the "Feast of Trumpets", these are prophetic and historic times. September and October 2016 look particularly prominent and ominous and everybody is watching closely. You may be hearing stories of people having visions about the Rapture is coming in September, The Rapture is delayed 3 years, The Rapture isn´t coming at all, The Rapture will not be Pre Trib, the Rapture this and the Rapture that and the Rapture the other. Personally I have had no visions regarding the Rapture at all, but feel an increasing uneasiness. A tap on the shoulder from the Lord has prompted this article being brought into existence. This article will dive deeply into this topic. The Rapture is a vitally important one in the Christian faith and ties up very closely with the Great Tribulation which we will just skim in this article. The Tribulation is a massive whole stand alone topic in it´s own right, although intrinsically linked, the Tribulation is too vast to cover here.
A few words from the owner of this website on The Rapture
To understand what the Rapture and the Tribulation are we have to define them.
The Rapture Definition
The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air.
The Tribulation Definition
A period that many theologians say will be a difficult and chaotic period characterised by natural disaster, war, famine, disease, extreme weather and other climate chaos and unprecedented events in the Cosmos with persecution and great suffering after/before the second coming of Jesus Christ. The period of the ACTUAL Tribulation is confirmed 7 times in the Bible and is 3.5 years
Bible Quotes
3 1/2 Times - Rev 12:14, Dan 7:25, Dan 12:7
1260 days - Rev 11:3, Rev 12:6
42 Months - Rev 11:2, Rev 13:5
A word of Warning
First off I´m going to say this, and it´s not something people want to hear. Don´t get too reliant on this Rapture. I mean don´t think it´s not going to happen, but don´t be so reliant on this thing that it has the potential to destroy your faith, if it doesn´t happen at the time you are hoping it´s going to happen, or even if it happens at all. My attitude is when it comes.... it comes, if it doesn´t come it doesn´t come, just always be ready IF it does. Also my attitude is be prepared to go through this coming Tribulation, the same as everybody else but just remember, if you are truly a servant of God.........he will be by your side. The old adage "Put your trust in the Lord" and "The Lord will provide" are very relevant here. With that attitude if the Rapture doesn´t turn up on a certain date mentioned by somebody with a big following on Twitter or You Tube or a website or anywhere else, you have your options covered. If you are receiving dreams and visions yourself and you know otherwise fine, but I´m just warning you, if you are getting your info from the web, there are a lot of fakers out there, ( yes I watch this stuff as well)which just like the big name False Preachers or the False Prophets will lead you to a place but it will not be a Christian one. A little tip with such people, if you are getting confused, the jigsaw pieces just don´t seem to fit and things do not line up with scripture....evacuate! Don´t take my words and choice of videos as Gospel truth either, if something isn´t right, let me know or again.........beat a hasty retreat.
Popular Rapture Films
Films are cashing in on this Rapture with the most recent being “The Remaining,” released Sep 2014, and “Left Behind,” which was released just afterwards in October 2014. just remember who are they are made by!
Current Events
The current events taking place around the globe are paving the way for an event to take place. The emergence of a New World Order (see 2030 Agenda) is now under way and is building in intensity and urgency and the extreme weather, natural disasters and the appearance of cracks in our modern day society and the early stages of martial law starting to appear are warnings signs and milder versions of what is to come. This is ushering in a new period where the world is rapidly heading towards a state of Great Tribulation and the acceleration of global events are the early warning signs of something much worse around the corner and signals the coming of the Anti Christ. You could say what we are witnessing are the birth pangs
Why is there so much debate about the Rapture in Christian Circles.
As you can imagine, IF the Rapture is coming, the time it comes in relation to the Tribulation, has a huge bearing on how much time a Christian will be spending suffering during that Tribulation period. The Tribulation is not something any mortal would want to experience, so obviously the shorter the better, if at all. If the Rapture comes before or just at the beginning, then a Christian will be effectively air lifted out and spared having to experience the extreme adversity, suffering and misery that such an event would throw at them. If the Rapture comes at the end of the Tribulation, then Christians would be experiencing exactly the same as people of other faiths and non believers during those times. Obviously not a desirable situation. So the time of the arrival of the Rapture is one that is fiercely debated but in reality no one really knows when the rapture is coming or even whether it is coming at all, but the scripture according to each Pre, Mid and Post have their fans. The Pre Argument seems to be the strongest and obviously the most favourable but read on for convincing arguments otherwise.
Rapture Might be Like This!
What is the purpose of the Tribulation?
As demonstrated many times in the Bible including Babylon, Sodom and Gomorrah and The Great Flood in the times of Noah, there have been destructive periods in the Bible where the world has seen God´s wrath, but these events have always happened for a reason. Babylon was punishment for Arrogance, Sodom and Gomorrah was punishment for Pride and the Sin of Homosexuality and The Great Flood in the times of Noah was in effect a system reboot of the planet to eradicate mankind who had become totally corrupted and start again afresh. Tribulation has appeared many times throughout the Bible on a personal basis and The Book of Job is a good introduction into this and a recommended read.
In this modern age, we have reached a time where mankind has become corrupted again and the Tribulation this time is designed not as a reboot for the world to start from scratch, but to separate the wheat from the chaff, to separate true believers from the rest and prove as a reminder (just like Sodom and Gomorrah) that sin comes at a terrible price. Only those who are "Saved" are spared the misery of the Tribulation either by being Raptured before the event or being protected during the event and Raptured half way through or at the end.
Strangely enough the Word Rapture does not appear in the Bible but is clearly referenced in the following 4 Bible verses, one is clearly pre tribulation on it´s own, 3 are more leaning towards Mid or Post depending on how you view the last Trumpet
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 This is the infamous Pre Tribulation Rapture Bible Quote. Asleep means Dead. This Bible quote has NO TIME MENTIONED, does not mention whether the Rapture is Pre, Mid or Post Tribulation
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Matthew 24:29-31 TIME MENTIONED VERY CLEARLY After the tribulation
29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31. 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.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 TIME MENTIONED CLEARLY The last trumpet.
50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
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.
Revelation 20:4-6 TIME MENTIONED CLEARLY After the Tribulation. Chapter 20 is aftermath after The Tribulation.
4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6. 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.
It´s part of the Christian Faith to face Tribulation
The Bible is packed with names that had to face severe adversity including Moses and the Exodus, Samson, John, Paul, David v Goliath, Noah and the infamous Job, and not forgetting God´s only begotten son.... Jesus. They were NOT airlifted out before their respective tribulations, they had a job to do and had to go through those Tribulations and guess what....God was by their side..always. If you are a True Christian you will know the good side is Joy, Peace and Humbleness, Wisdom and Understanding along with certain gifts, amongst other things, but with it comes pain, suffering and persecution. It has been like that throughout history. It goes with the Territory of being a Christian, think Jesus on the Cross. An airlift out via the Rapture before the Tribulation starts, I just don´t think fits in with the scheme of things or God´s plan, everybody is going to suffer through those times including Christians. I hope I´m wrong on this and as we delve deeper we will see what is revealed and that I am hopefully proven wrong.
When you get into what is called "The Rapture of the Church" to fulfil the Second Coming and the time of the Millenial, with the Church being a body of believers, you will realise there are three distinct camps on when the Rapture will take place with a fourth camp also adding another point of view. Christians either believe that the Rapture will happen Pre Tribulation, Mid Tribulation or Post Tribulation with the fourth believing there will be no Rapture at all......just Tribulation.
The key to all of this is the Bible Verse Daniel 9:25 ( a whole separate article) and the Seventy Weeks with the last week being assumed to be the last 7 years of the world. The beginning is marked as where the Anti Christ signs the Peace Treaty with Israel and the End is when the Anti Christ and The Beast experience their last days. The Bible states that the length of the Tribulation will be 3.5 years and begins when the Anti Christ reaches the peak of his power and becomes the leader of the One World Government. Hence why many believe within the 7 year period of the Anti Christ on this earth, the Rapture will happen when the Anti Christ becomes supreme World Leader which is at the exact mid point of this 7 year period and this is when the Tribulation will begin for 3.5 years. Those who have taken the Mark (Christian Believers or Non Believers) will be left and those who have not taken the Mark as in True Christian Believers will be Raptured, hence the Pre Tribulation view point if the whole 7 year period as Stated in the Book of Daniel is classed as part of the Tribulation.
Pre or Post Tribulation Rapture
So who is right? Will the Rapture (if it happens) be Pre Tribulation, Mid Tribulation or Post Tribulation. A look at some views from various Bible scholars and other general people from You Tube that come up with an intelligent and valid point for whether the Rapture is Pre, Mid or Post Trib with some backing up with the word where appropriate.
1. The Pre Tribulation Camp
Dr. David Reagan talks to Dr. Ron Rhodes about several Bible Prophecy events, including the Rapture of the Church. Video 2010
A Watchman Report - The Rapture Controversy Aug 5 2016
2. The Post Tribulation Camp
Beyond Today -- Is the Rapture Real? and Proof the Rapture is Post Tribulation?
SUMMARY
Most people will be aware that when things are going well in their lives they do not need God, but in times of trouble people start turning to God in those times of crisis. This period in the worlds history will be that time. There is a war going on that most people are unaware of between angels of light and darkness in the spiritual realm and a way is being paved for something sinister that eventually will run the world, but it is part of God´s plan before the Second Coming. It´s in the scripture. The Tribulation as mentioned in the Book of Revelation is not something that anybody would want to be around for and the Rapture is the perfect answer to get airlifted out before the Tribulation starts.
There are cases for both pre and post rapture scenarios but after reading this article you really have to form your own opinion. Many videos were watched to arrive at these final ones. Both Pre and Post rapture are equally convincing but you just have to decide for yourself which camp you are in. The possibility of no rapture has not been mentioned in this article because it is so clearly stated in scripture, but again it is something to mentally take on board. All the big names in the Bible went through some form of Tribulation in their lives and us here now will be no exception. These will be testing times and your faith will be tested to the extreme also. It has to be that way.
My personal view is, yes I do believe in the Rapture and yes we are very close to the start of The Tribulation. My attitude though is to be mentally prepared for "No Rapture" unless nearer the time you hear otherwise, that way your faith remains rock solid. If you are in daily prayer you will know when it´s time. BUT be Rapture ready and be ready for it to come at any time, make sure you are "Right with God" and that your "House is in Order". Remember though if it does not happen Pre Tribulation, if you are a True Believer and have faith you are equipped to go through the Tribulation and have a powerful ally that will "show you the way" and "will provide".
On a final note, there are is so much noise out there about Christianity especially End Times with people talking on TV, You Tube, on websites, just everywhere, do what I do and just turn it all off for a couple of hours and just listen to the Spirit and read The Word, pray and you will find your answers.
Bible Quotes:
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Revelation 16:15
Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Matthew 24:21-22
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.
22. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Deuteronomy 4:30
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
1 Samuel 26:24
And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the LORD, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.
Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1 Thessalonians 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Revelation 7:14
And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Posts
