The Rapture

 

 

What is it?

 

From the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology by Baker Publishing Group, we have this definition:

 

“Rapture of the Church. A phrase used by premillennialists to refer to the church being united with Christ at his second coming (from the Lat. rapio, "caught up"). The main scriptural passage upon which the teaching is based is:      

 

(1 Th 4:15)  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. {16} For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

(1 Th 4: 17)  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.

 

So back to Our Questions:

 

 

 

 

 

(Mat 24:36 NKJV)  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

 

While we don’t know the exact time, the main question is, will “the rapture,” the catching up of the saints, take place (1) before the tribulation, or (2) before the wrath of God is poured out, or just when in regard to “end time events”? 

 

What would I like? (1) before the tribulation!

Does that mean much?  No, because God is the One Who decides that.

 

What do I think the Bible says?  I believe:

The rapture takes place after the tribulation,

but before the wrath of God is poured out. 

Not what I would prefer, but what I believe the Bible teaches:

 

(Mat 24:21-22 NKJV)  "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. {22} "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” 

 

More evidence of trouble: (Rev 13:1-9 NKJV)  "Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, . . . {2} . . . and . . . The dragon gave him [the beast] his power, his throne, and great authority. {3} . . .  And all the world marveled and followed the beast. {4} So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" {5} And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. {6} Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. {7} It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. {8} All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. {9} If anyone has an ear, let him hear."

 

The “beast” is the antichrist who is the cause of the great tribulation brought on the saints of God.

 

Since the days are to be shortened, does that mean they will be less than the 3 ½ years indicated in Revelation, or is 3 ½ years the shortened time?  Again, I don’t know.

 

Do consider this:  If the saints were not going through the tribulation, why would it matter if those days were shortened?

 

 

 (1 Th 5:9 NKJV)  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

The wrath is the wrath of God.  He is behind it, and it is against those who oppose God.

 

 

(Mat 24:36-37 NKJV)  ""But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. {37} "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”  [But what does He mean? Notice:]

(Mat 24:38) "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, {39} "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

 

 

(Mat 24:40) "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. {41} "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

 

 

 {42} "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. {43} "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. {44} "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

 

 

(Luke 17:34-36 NKJV)  ""I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. {35} "Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. {36} "Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.""

 

 

They are in serious trouble, and they know it.

 

(Rev 6:12-17 NKJV)  "I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. {13} And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.

(Rev 6:14) Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. {15} And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, {16} and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! {17} "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?""

 

 

Another point to notice:

 

{34} in that night there will be two men in one bed:

{35} Two women will be grinding together

{36} Two men will be in the field:

 

When the rapture occurs, it will be night in some places, and daytime in others.  We understand that now.  I’m not sure how they understood it.

 

 

(Rev 1:7 NKJV)  "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

 

I find no “secret rapture” being taught in scripture.

 

So how does all of this affect us?

What should we do accordingly?

 

Matt 24: 42: "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. {43} "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. {44} "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

 

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