The Rapture
Updated 10/20/2001

The word Rapture does not appear in the Bible, it is a Latin word that means to be "Caught up". Quite plainly the Bible describes that when a certain time period has been reached, a time that only God the Father knows, God will send Jesus to call  His faithful followers home (The faithful followers of Jesus I refer to are those who are born again, those who have recognized the fact that they are sinners, realized that Jesus died on the cross for that sin, and have repented for all sin, and have accepted that forgiveness from God, and Jesus now lives in their hearts). Then Jesus will step out on to the clouds of Glory, and in a split second all of the dead in Christ shall rise first, and all of the true followers that are alive will be caught up together. Our bodies will change from flesh and bone or even dust in the case of the dead in Christ, into a glorified state that will be just like Jesus. This is just the beginning of our eternity, but there are still a lot of things, a lot of very bad things that are going to happen to the people left behind from the Rapture. As the chapters unfold we will see time periods and events paralleling each other such as the tribulation period and the marriage supper of the lamb, as well as other events that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Rapture takes place before the Tribulation period starts. And if you are not a believer in the pre-tribulation Rapture at this point you will become a believer by the end of this study guide. 

There are many views held on the Rapture by the Christian world today, Some believe that the Rapture takes place at the end of the Tribulation period which is known as Post Tribulation Rapture, Some say that After the first three and half years of the Tribulation the Rapture will take place, known as Middle or Mid-Tribulation Rapture. Some believe somewhere between the middle and the end when God's wrath is poured out also known as Pre-Wrath. Some have a view called the Pan-Rapture they believe that whenever it happens it will all pan out. And then there is the correct view of the rapture which is the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. I believe that the scripture cancels the possibility of a Mid, Post, and Pre-Wrath Tribulation Rapture, but read and determine for yourself

Jesus speaks to his disciples in the Book of Matthew.

(Mat 24:32-51 KJV) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (The parable of the fig tree is a prophecy about the end times associated with the rebirth of the nation of Israel) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Notice here that only God the Father knows when these events will take place) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Jesus describes his return and other events here and describes very much the time that we are in) (Mat 25:1-13 KJV) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (The parable of the ten virgins is clearly about the Rapture of the church showing how some are prepared and others are not). 

If you know anything about the Tribulation period you know that it all starts off with the Antichrist signing a seven year peace treaty with Israel. Now here is where scripture is going to cancel out Mid and Post Tribulation Rapture. Firstly I believe that the Bible is inspired by God, the men that penned the words were made holy through the blood of Jesus Christ and moved upon by the Holy Ghost while writing the scriptures. Scripture cannot contradict itself, and if you have a Bible with conflicting scripture throw it out and get yourself a good King James Bible.

 If I know the Tribulation period is 7 years long, then that also means that the middle of the Tribulation is three and half years away from the signing of the treaty, then I can look at my calendar and know the day of the Rapture. If I believe in Mid-Trib then the Rapture will happen three and half years after the treaty is signed. If I believe in Post-Trib then the Rapture will happen seven years after the treaty is signed. That is just common logic folks. This means I would know the exact time of the Rapture and couldn't be caught unprepared. Jesus wouldn't be able to come up on me like a thief if I have this information. Now that we have cleared that up. I will supply you with some scripture from the Bible explaining the Rapture as well as many scriptural events throughout the entire Book of Revelation that I feel give full creditability to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

Rapture of the land Picture provided by Duncan Long	Rapture of the sea Picture provided by Duncan Long
Rapture of the forgotten

Make no mistake the Rapture is not for everyone, only for the faithful to Christ. 

Rapture Poem called "Dear left behind" -"Here"

The Rapture will not include any of the people professing to be Christians as described earlier in the Seven churches text (5 out of the 7 churches are unacceptable to Christ, read the first three chapters of this study guide, many church goers will be left behind), the Rapture will not include any non-believer whatsoever (non-believers are the Atheists as well as anyone performing any kind of Paganism, witchcraft, or Satanism or any other religions of the world, this is anyone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as the only way of Salvation), and the Rapture is not for the Jewish people as they must still face the last week of Daniel's prophecy. All of the people mentioned above will face the horrors of the Tribulation period. And if you are still not getting it, these people are your unsaved loved ones, your mothers, and fathers, sisters, and brothers, your sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and family friends. The Rapture does not discriminate. These people are headed for eternity in hell. And hell is not the party place that everyone likes to joke about, it is eternal separation from the love of God as well as anyone that you hold dear, it is a place of wailing and gnashing of teeth, a place where you will pray for death, but death will no come. And even though those who miss the Rapture can still turn to God and be saved, will they do it in time? We will see in the coming chapters of the study guide that 50% of the worlds remaining population will die by the middle of the Tribulation period. Will they choose Christ in time. I look around and see the prophesies fulfilled everyday and can plainly see that the Rapture could happen at any moment and the people of this earth will not hear the spirit of God warning them, and when I see these people walking about it saddens me, because all I see is the living dead. 

Here are some corresponding scriptures that mark the event known as the Rapture.

(John 14:2-3) "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." The key in this scripture is that Jesus will come again and receive us unto him where he is. Where is He? He is in heaven at the right hand of God the Father. So if we are received by Him where are we? Heaven. 

(1Corinthians 15:51-53) "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." We shall not all sleep means we will not all die before we will see heaven, this event will happen to both the dead and the living. The rest of the scripture speaks of how in a split second we will be changed instantaneously into an immortal status, and the reason for that is not so that we can still be living on earth like Superman. 

(1Thessalonians 4:16-17) "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." I think this scripture speaks for itself, It describes the actual event of the Rapture.

(Matthew 24:39-42) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. This same account is found in Luke 17. This is the Rapture. Can you see not everyone goes? The Ratio given here is one for one, I think the odds are even less than 50 % of the people are going to get to go, unless the ratio includes all of those that have died throughout the centuries.

The section that was previously here has been broken out into a separate section, to see every scripture in the Book of Revelation that points to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture go "HERE"

The people that wrote the King James don't have this fear because they are long dead, but not these new translators. Those are some terrible curses, I think I will stick with my old King James and if you're smart you will too. We just don't know how late it is and how soon this Rapture will be taking place. Right while we sit here time is passing away and the time is close. Now you know the message, now you have heard the message, now you have seen the message, what are you supposed to do with the message? Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. What is our job, it is to come alive and send this message every where that you can. If you buy a Bible a week I will find someone who needs that Bible. We must think about the world that does not know Christ, I have people begging me for materials, make the difference people.

We talked early on about the prophetical time clock and the wedge that stopped time for a period. Now that we have talked about the Rapture we need to take a quick look back at the meanings of the church names and Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy chart (see below) and you will begin to see the flow a little better.

The first was Ephesus which was desirable, the way Jesus wanted the church, but then they fell away. Then came Smyrna which suffered great bitterness for their faith, and was destroyed by what came out of it. Pergamos which married itself to the tower, or paganism. Out of that came Thyatira, the church of continual sacrifice delving deeper and merging with paganism until Christ was buried. Then came Sardis, the escaping ones, the reformation of the church, the escape from Roman Catholicism into Protestantism, but doctrine wasn't quite right yet. Then came Philadelphia the church of brotherly love and the light was back in the world evangelizing and spreading the truth once more to the world. Then comes Laodicea, people's rights, what the people want, except what the people want is not the truth.

Do you remember the meaning of the number 7 that we discussed earlier? It means complete, a finished cycle. God always uses this number to finish a project. If we look prophetically where we stand Chapter 2 and 3 tells us, we are in the seventh church age. The age that completes a cycle, but what cycle? The end of the church or the gap period from the time in Daniels 70 week prophecy that the wedge (church) got stuck in the clock. The church and the end of its age must come to a close before the 70th week of the  prophecy can come to pass. When the wedge is removed the Rapture takes place and the 7 year Tribulation period begins (the final week of the prophecy).

Concerning the confusion and the timing of the rapture. The Scriptures only supports the pre-tribulation rapture and this tract will outline some of the reasons why.

One thing that pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, pre-wrath, and post-tribulation rapture folks all have in common: they all believe that the Lord Jesus is coming back soon! However the ‘blessed hope’ is only for those who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. The other views, unfortunately, are all waiting for the Anti-Christ and not the Lord Jesus Christ. They have lost their blessed hope! The other views are robbers to the Christian as they seek to steal from the believer the imminent, soon, unknown, time & hope of the rapture.

Another thing the other views have in common is that they all viciously attack the pre-tribulation rapture. The goal is to disprove the pre-tribulation rapture at all costs. Each of the views contradicts and disproves each other but they are all strangely united in their attack of the pre-tribulation rapture.

The attacks have confused many Christians and caused some to forsake all prophecy. What a sad thing to happen! Prophecy is a blessing and it should be studied as most of the Bible deals with prophecy in some way. Jesus rebuked the people of His day for not recognizing what the Old Testament Prophets wrote. They should have recognized all the prophecies related to the Messiah. Today we are living in the days before the Second Coming of Jesus. How much more should we study and be encouraged by the sure Word of prophecy in these troublesome days?

In this documentation I will present several reasons why the pre-tribulation rapture is the correct view.

REASONS FOR THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE

NUMBER 1

The 70 weeks of Daniel’s prophecy.

This is for Israel not the Church!

All the other false views on the timing of the rapture have one thing in common. They don’t understand that God has a plan for the Church and God has a plan for Israel. The Church is a mystery, a called out people between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy.

(Daniel 9:24) Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE and UPON THY HOLY CITY, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Note: notice that the 70 weeks are ‘determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city’. This is the Jewish people of Israel and Jerusalem. We could stop right here as Daniel specifically says that the 70 weeks are for Israel and not the Church. The Church is a called out people between the 69^th and 70^th week. To put the Church on earth during the 70th week is to contradict Daniel above. Notice that 70 weeks of years (490 years) are determined upon the people of Israel to:

• finish the transgression
• to make an end of sins
• to make reconciliation for iniquity
• to bring in everlasting righteousness
• to seal up the vision and prophecy
• to anoint the most Holy (The Lord Jesus in the Millennial Kingdom)

All this has NOT yet been fulfilled. It will yet be fulfilled upon the nation of Israel just like Daniel was told. Let’s continue on in the prophecy:

(Daniel 9:25) Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. (26) And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

These verses are talking about the 7 weeks and 62 weeks of years, which add up to 69 weeks. At the end of the 69th week the Messiah will be cut off. This happened at the cross of Calvary. So all that is left is that final week of 7 years. For a more detailed explanation get a good prophecy book that studies Daniel’s 70 weeks. (Hal Lindsey, Grant Jeffery, M.R. Dehaan, Dwight Pentacost, J. Walvwood, Dave Hunt, Paul LaLonde etc...)

For a review: Daniel said there was appointed 70 weeks of years for Israel to bring in all righteousness and setup Messiah. When Jesus entered Jerusalem in His triumphal entry it marked the end of the 69 weeks. So we are waiting for the 70th week to be fulfilled. This 70th week begins when the Anti-Christ confirms a covenant with Israel for 7 years. In the middle of the week he will break his covenant and commit the abomination of desolation.

(Daniel 9:27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Now between the 69th and the 70th week there is a time gap, Commonly referred to as the Church age.

Points to consider:

• The prophetic 70 weeks stopped at the rejection and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Messiah.
• That occurred after 69 weeks or 483 years.
• God has been using the Church (invisible Body of Christ) during this time period.
  

QUESTION: What caused God’s prophetic time-clock to stop ticking after 69 weeks and what will cause it to resume at the 70th Week?

Notice the following Scripture:

(2 Thessalonians 2:3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

(4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

(5) Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

(6) And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

(7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

(8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

(9) [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

God is currently restraining the Anti-Christ by His Holy Spirit working in and through the Church (all the Spirit-reborn believers). When this restrainer (The Church) is removed, then and only then may the Anti-Christ be revealed so he can rise to power and confirm the covenant with Israel. As long as that restrainer is in the world the Anti-Christ cannot come to power. God’s restrainer is preventing that. (2 Thess 2:7)

None of the other rapture positions can give any account for what is restraining the Anti-Christ. To clear up any misconceptions I’ll say that the Holy Spirit will NOT be removed from the world. This is a common argument based on lack of knowledge of the pre-tribulation rapture. Those who say this ‘proves’ the pre-tribulation rapture are wrong usually use this argument. But the pre-tribulation rapture does NOT state that the Holy Spirit will be removed, but rather the Church will be removed. How can an Omni-present being be removed from anywhere? It cannot be done. God the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and will never cease to be anything less than that.

However in this Church age, God is restraining the Wicked One by His Holy Spirit through the Church. When the Church is removed the Holy Spirit will still be here, but the restrainer won’t be! At that point the Anti-Christ will be free to rise to power and confirm that covenant with Israel to start the 70th Week of Daniel.

To restate, the 70th week is a prophetic week for the Nation of Israel. The first 69 Weeks were for Israel and so it is with the 70th Week. During the 70th week God again deals with Israel and there is really no need for the Church to be present on earth.

Many scriptural promises of escape from the wrath of the Tribulation or the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy must be ignored by the other rapture positions.

Number 2 The Wrath of God is NOT to be poured out on His Church.

Verses like:

(Luke 21:36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(Romans 5:9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

(1 Thessalonians 1:10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

(1 Thessalonians 5:9) For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Revelation 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

THE ABOVE VERSES ARE BEING IGNORED! It is amazing how the Second Coming will be like the Days of Noah and the Days of Lot. Notice that God did not pour out His wrath UNTIL He had safely removed both Noah and Lot to a safe place. The post tribbers ignore this and expect the Church, the Bride of Christ, to endure the full impact of the Wrath of God, and the question is WHY? Why must the church endure the Wrath of God? It just doesn’t make sense.

To teach that the Church will go through the 70th week just doesn’t line up with the Bible. During the 70th week the book of Revelation will be fulfilled, with the seal judgments, trumpet judgments, and vial judgments. This is the WRATH of God and the Church has no part of it.

 and not the Church. God has made provision for Israel after the abomination of desolation. They are told to flee and there is a place prepared for them. There is no such provision for the Church, because the Church will not be here in the 70th week.

• God made provision for Noah and the flood.
• God made provision for Lot at Sodom
• God makes provision for Israel in the 70th week of Daniel.
• There has been no provision for the Church to go through the 70th week. Why? No need as the Church will not be in the world at that time.

After the rapture at the beginning of the 70th week God will seal 144,000 Jews. The spotlight is again on the nation of Israel and these 144,000 will win an innumerable number of people to Christ. They will take over and do the Commission the Church has done for the last 2000 years. The Gospel will go worldwide and everyone on earth will hear it! So why should the Church be in the 70th week? There is really no reason or purpose. Today we have Christians in every major city, during the wrath of God we will have pestilence, all the vegetation burned, all water polluted and some say that it will not affect the Church? Sorry I find that hard to believe.

A final point is that during the Church age the devil (gates of hell) will not overcome the Church. During the 70th week the devil WILL overcome the tribulation saints.

NUMBER 3. The coming of Jesus is imminent! His coming will be at an UNKNOWN time and a KNOWN time.

The other views destroy the doctrine of the imminent coming of Jesus. Jesus is coming at an unknown time and believers are constantly being told to watch and be ready in Scriptures. All the other incorrect rapture views deny the imminent coming of Jesus.

These verses are being ignored or destroyed by the other views. Notice that the command is to watch because the time of the coming of Christ cannot be known! That is called imminence! As it could happen TODAY!

(Matthew 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (42) WATCH THEREFORE: FOR YE KNOW NOT WHAT HOUR YOUR LORD DOTH COME. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT THE SON OF MAN COMETH.

(Matthew 24:42) WATCH THEREFORE: FOR YE KNOW NOT WHAT HOUR YOUR LORD DOTH COME. (43) But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (44) Therefore be ye also ready: FOR IN SUCH AN HOUR AS YE THINK NOT THE SON OF MAN COMETH.

(Matthew 25:13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

(Mark 13:31) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (32) But of THAT DAY AND [that] HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (33) Take ye heed, WATCH AND PRAY: for YE KNOW NOT WHEN THE TIME IS. (34) [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. (35) Watch ye therefore: for YE KNOW NOT WHEN the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (36) Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. (37) And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH.

(Luke 12:36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (37) Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (38) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants. (39) And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. (40) BE YE THEREFORE READY ALSO: FOR THE SON OF MAN COMETH AT AN HOUR WHEN YE THINK NOT.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6. Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us WATCH AND BE SOBER.

(1 Peter 4:7) BUT THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND: be ye therefore sober, and WATCH UNTO PRAYER.

Now as you have read the above verses, let me ask you a question. Can the time of the Second Coming be known? Can we know the exact day? According to these verses the answer is NO! We cannot know the exact day of the return of Christ. Jesus is coming at an UNKNOWN time!

The UNKNOWN DAY of Jesus’ return, the rapture: We will not know when the rapture will occur. It is an imminent event which means it could happen at any time. No prophecy needs to be fulfilled before it happens.

In light of the UNKNOWN day there is also a KNOWN DAY of Jesus’ return. Did you know that after certain prophetic events the exact day of Jesus’ return can be marked on a calendar. Did you also know that you cannot have a KNOWN day of Jesus’ coming and an UNKNOWN day of His coming, on the same day? The UNKNOWN day is the rapture and the KNOWN day will occur at the end of the 70th week where Jesus will setup His kingdom on earth. Read on for more information about the KNOWN day.

(Daniel 9:27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for ONE WEEK: and in the MIDST OF THE WEEK he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

ONE WEEK =7 YEARS

MIDST OF WEEK = 7 years divided by 2 = 3 1/2 years

(Daniel 12:7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that [it shall be] for a TIME, TIMES, AND A HALF; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be finished.

TIMES, TIMES, AND A HALF =3 1/2 YEARS

(Revelation 12:6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.

AGAIN 3 1/2 YEARS

(Revelation 12:14) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

AGAIN 3 1/2 YEARS

(Revelation 13:5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

AGAIN 3 1/2 YEARS

NOTE: a prophetic week is 360 days

The KNOWN day: Once the 70th week of Daniel, or the time of Jacobs trouble begins we can easily tell the exact day when Jesus will return. Once the antichrist and Israel sign the covenant we know that in exactly 7 years Christ will return. In the midst of the week (3 1/2 years) the antichrist commits the abomination of desolation. From that point in time we know there is: 3 1/2 years left, or 42 months left, or 1260 days left. At this point the coming of Christ is KNOWN. So what do we do with all the verses that say His coming is UNKNOWN? Throw them out? Of course not!

NOW in light of all this information about the KNOWN day and the UNKNOWN DAY we can think this through. Since the incorrect views put the rapture sometime after the 70th week begins, they have lost the unknown day. All the verses that say that the coming of Christ will occur at an unknown time must be thrown out. If I am here then when the antichrist signs the covenant with Israel then I know that in exactly 7 years Jesus will return. You can be assured that I will mark my calendar and count the days!

If by chance I miss the beginning of the 70th week, I won’t miss the abomination of desolation in the middle of the 70th week. At that point I know that in exactly 1260 days Jesus will return. You see I’ve lost the unknown day because I can mark the day on my calendar. I may as well throw those entire UNKNOWN coming verses out. There is no problem with the pre-tribulation view on the rapture. The rapture will occur at an unknown time sometime before Daniel’s 70th week begins. At that point the Church is taken to heaven and with the restrainer removed the Anti-Christ may come to power. There is an UNKNOWN day and a KNOWN day at the end of the 70th week. We have perfect harmonizing of Scripture with the Pre-tribulation rapture, which is the correct view. With all of the other incorrect rapture views we have to throw out the Scriptures related to the UNKNOWN day.

To repeat:

Since the false rapture views believes the rapture will occur sometime after the 70th week then why the command to WATCH and be READY? In the verses above the exhortation is to WATCH, WATCH, WATCH, and be ready! Why WATCH if the rapture will not occur until the end of the 70th week. Why bother watching for the coming of Jesus? Why not wait until you are in the 70th week to begin the watch. Human nature being what it is, that is what most people will do. So not only does the incorrect rapture views rob the Christian of the Blessed Hope of Christ coming to take him from the world before God judges it, he has no purifying incentive in lifestyle. Jesus cannot come today so why live in Holy expectation of His coming? However the pre-tribulation view has a great BLESSED HOPE looking for the coming of Jesus at an UNKNOWN time, that time could be today!!!!! Since the time is unknown and it COULD be today this is a purifying hope also, and encourages Holy living.

(Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The post/mid/pre-wrath robs the believer of both the blessed imminent expectation of the believer and the purifying hope of Christ’s return, which could happen today! These views are a robber.

Another way these incorrect rapture views robs from the blessed hope is, if the Church has to go through the 70th week it doesn’t have much to look forward to. There will be 7 seal judgments, 7 trumpet judgments, and 7 bowl judgments. During that time all the vegetation will be burned up, all the water will be polluted and turned to blood, the sun will scorch men, there will be massive earthquakes that shake every city in the world, and 100 pound hailstones. Now for the average person looking forward to going through that, we don’t have a hope but rather a dread and something to be feared. Then as a result of God judging the world there will be massive death and not many men will make it to the end, maybe only several million as opposed to 6+ billion currently living. What a ‘hope’ these views offers... almost certain death as God judges the world with His bride in it. Then they have the nerve to call those who believe in the Pre-tribulation rapture as an ‘escape’ theology. God has promised an escape from His Wrath and Judgment for His people and these false views make a mockery of that promise. This does not make sense to me, or to the intelligent person who thinks it through.

NUMBER 4 Populating the Millennium: and Post-tribbers

Let’s draw the picture here. We are at the end of the Tribulation and Jesus is coming. At this point the post-tribulation wrath rapture happens and all Gods people are raptured and given new immortal bodies. The wicked are left to be judged by God. So we have all God’s people removed from the earth, and all the wicked left. Now the question is: who will populate the nations of the millennium? The fatal error is that there is no one left to populate the nations of the millennium if the rapture happens at the Second Coming.

If the rapture occurs according to pre-wrath or post-tribulation we have a problem. Maybe you can answer that little problem. If all of God’s people are raptured at the end of the Tribulation at the 2nd coming of Jesus, then who will populate the millennium? Surely not the wicked. You see the folks with the truth of the pre-tribulation rapture don’t have any problem populating the millennium with mortals, but the post tribulation view does.

This is a nasty problem for the incorrect rapture views. You see if all of God’s people are raptured at the very end when Jesus returns that leaves only the wicked left. The wicked will all be destroyed at the coming of Jesus, so you have a problem. Who will populate the millennium? If the rapture occurs at the 2nd Coming all of God’s people will have their immortal bodies and they will not marry, have children etc, so they cannot be the ones who populate the millennium and have children etc. Some of course try to argue that the wicked will inherit the Kingdom of God. What foolishness to lower oneself in order to defend an incorrect doctrine.

(2 Thessalonians 1:7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Notice that ALL those who are not saved will be destroyed. By that time men will have accepted or rejected Jesus. So I repeat at the second coming of Jesus, all the wicked (Christ rejecters) are destroyed and all Gods people are raptured (according to post)- then there-is-no one left to populate the millennium.

Let’s dig a bit deeper about the lost inheriting the Kingdom:

Will the Christ rejecters inherit the Kingdom, in other words the wicked. Sorry that will not happen. By the end of the 70th week all mankind will have chosen sides either for or against Christ.

Again no problem with the pre tribulation view as there will be tribulation saints that will survive to the very end of the 70th week. The survivors of the tribulation saints will go into the Kingdom and not the wicked that will be destroyed. These saints will have children who must choose to accept or reject Jesus. As in every dispensational age sinful man has failed and at the end there will be many that have rejected Christ.

However if the rapture happens when Jesus returns you have no one to populate the kingdom. Problem for post tribulation and pre-wrath, no problem for pre tribulation.

For those who are still not convinced and think the unsaved may inherit the kingdom of God, here are some verses that say it all:

(Psalms 2:12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

(Zephaniah 3:9) For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

(Malachi 4:1) For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

(Matthew 13:41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

(Matthew 24:51) And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Matthew 25:12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

(Matthew 25:30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all.

(Luke 17:29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all.

(Luke 17:27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

(Luke 17:32) Remember Lot’s wife. (33) Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

(1 Thessalonians 5:3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(2 Thessalonians 1:7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

Now approaching New Jerusalem.	Our new home, New Jerusalem. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.	Those pearly gates we have heard of. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

 

NUMBER 5

The other tribulation views allow no time for the Judgment Seat of Christ, the Marriage of the Lamb, and the Marriage Supper to occur.

The Judgment seat of Christ:

(Romans 14:10) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

(2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

(1 Corinthians 3:9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye are] God’s building. (10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. (14) If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

(1 Corinthians 4:5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

The Wedding and Marriage Supper of the Lamb follows the Judgment seat (Rev 19:7-9). This occurs BEFORE the Second Coming, which is recorded in Rev 19:11-21.

(Revelation 19:7) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (9) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Only the Pre-Tribulation position allows sufficient time for these events to occur. You see believers will be in heaven at least 7 years before the Second Coming of Christ, lots of time for the Judgment seat, the Wedding, and Marriage Supper.

 

Which mansion could be mine? Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.	Jesus himself will welcome us through the gate.	Jesus will be with us forever.

NUMBER 6 24 Elders: Representative of the GLORIFIED Church

Here is a description of the 24 Elders:

(Revelation 4:1) After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (2) And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. (3) And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (4) And ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in WHITE RAIMENT; and they had on THEIR HEADS CROWNS OF GOLD.

• location is around the throne
• Wearing White Raiment which is a promise to the Church
• They had crowns of Gold on their heads indicating that the judgment seat of Christ has already occurred and His Church has been rewarded

(5) And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and [there were] seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (6) And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (7) And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle. (8) And the four beasts had each of them six wings about [him]; and [they were] full of eyes within:

and they rest not day and night, saying,. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, (10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11) Thou art worthy, 0 Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

(Revelation 5:8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

• They are kings and priests before God. Another promise to God’s Church

(9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (10) And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (11) And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the- beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; (12) Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

• They have crowns on their heads. Only the Church will receive and wear crowns, which they will then throw at the feet of the Lord Jesus in worship. The fact that they are wearing crowns indicates that the Judgment Seat of Christ has already occurred. This alone refutes the other incorrect views on the timing of the rapture and proves the pre-tribulation position as correct.

Some more points proving that the 24 elders represent the Church:

• They are numbered (24). On the other hand angels are never numbered
• Their position suggests that they represent the Church. They are seated on thrones surrounding the Throne of God. God gave the promise to His Church that she would reign with Him. Here are some promises the Lord Jesus gave to His people related to reigning with Him:

(Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

(Matthew 19:28) And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

They have white raiment again suggesting the Church. The white raiment represents the righteousness that has been imputed to the believer as a result of what Jesus did on the cross.

(Revelation 3:5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

They have a priestly ministry: They have "harps and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev 5:8)

This concludes this section. I think there is enough evidence to suggest that the 24 Elders represent the Church. The fact that they have crowns on their heads proves the Judgment Seat of Christ has already occurred. Only the Church is promised crowns in Scripture and in Revelation Chapter 4 they are wearing those crowns!

If that is true, which it is, then the rapture must have already happened!

We will worship God around His throne. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.	We will cast our crowns at Jesus feet. Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.	Jesus will accept those crowns, He is King of Kings.

OTHER POINTS

Here are a few additional points to consider related to the timing of the Rapture.

POINT 1

The other incorrect rapture views cannot explain why the church is so prominent in Revelation chapters 1-3, yet so totally absent during the wrath portion (Chapters 6-18)

The obvious reason is the Church is not on the earth.

Again the question arises? Why must the Church endure the wrath of God? The Seal, Trumpet, and Vial judgments will decimate the planet and there is no purpose at all for the Church to be here during that time. The 70th week, The Time of Jacobs Trouble is for the nation of Israel.

 

POINT 2

Trumpet errors. The post/mid tribulation view tries to make the trumpet in 1 Corinthians & 1 Thessalonians 4 the same as the trumpets in Revelation & Matthew 24. They get really hung up on the trumpets trying to prove the last trumpet is all the same: in Matthew 24 & Revelation, and 1 Corinthians.

The trumpet error has lots of holes in it. For example the trumpet Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 15:52 is a trumpet of blessing directly blown for the church. It is associated with great blessing for the Church. Also in 1 Corinthians 15:51 Paul states that this is a mystery... .something new., not-revealed. At the trumpet in Matthew 24. ..men will hide and be fearful as Jesus is returning in judgment. The last trumpet in Revelation is a trumpet of judgement. Clearly different trumpets.. .unless you want to twist, twist, and bend the Scriptures a bit.

The incorrect assumption made is that there is only one kind of trumpet blast. This is a bad assumption. There are trumpets of judgment in Revelation. Who says the trumpet calls for Israel, The Church, and the judgments of Revelation are the same type and trumpet???? Only by streeeeeeeeetching the Scriptures can those trumpets be linked into the-same trumpet blowing.

THE TRUMPET IN REVELATION IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE IN MATTHEW 24

In the book of Revelation the 7th angel sounds and the call is made that the kingdoms of this world become Christ’s. BUT we still have the 7 bowl judgments to be poured out on the earth. This is also a proof that we have a different trumpet than the one in Corinthians and in Matthew. When the one in Matthew sounds, Jesus is seen by all on earth as He returns (Matt 24:30). Matthew 24 does not have the bowl judgments as they have already occurred...Jesus is returning to earth and everyone will see Him coming. But when the last trumpet sounds in Revelation, this signals the beginning of the bowl judgments. Clearly a different trumpet from the one in Matthew 24.

This is proof positive that the trumpets are DIFFERENT. All those who try to twist the trumpets into their incorrect views of the rapture are standing on very shaky ground. (Earthquake!!)

 

POINT 3 No resurrection in Matthew chapter 24

RESSURECTION IN MATT 24??? When Jesus returns... .Not in My Bible! But that is what I have been told by some followers of the incorrect views of the Rapture.

Where is the resurrection in Matthew 24? There is clearly no resurrection in Matthew 24.. .in fact if you look at Matt 25 you will see a separation of sheep and goats rather than a resurrection. Matthew chapter 25 follows right after Matthew 24 and should not be ignored OR ‘ignored by spiritualization’.

(Matthew 25:31) When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Notice that after Jesus returns in Matthew 24 there is a sheep and goat separation in Matthew 25. This is not necessary if the rapture happens according to the post-tribulation view. The separation would have already occurred at the rapture. There is no problem with the pre-tribulation view as the rapture would have happened before Daniel’s 70th week and the separation of the survivors of the Tribulation in Matt 25 makes perfect sense.

Another point is if the resurrection occurs in Matthew 24 they why bother separating the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25 as the rapture would have done that? To have a resurrection in Matthew 24 just doesn’t make sense or line up with the Bible or Matthew 25.

Another thing I have been told is that the elect in Matthew 24 are the Church. Where does it say the elect He gathers are the Church in Matthew 24 and not tribulation saints or Israel? Some claim the term ‘the elect’ only refers to the Church. They are probably the same ones who claim all the last trumpets are the same. The elect can be Israel, or the tribulation saints, or the Church.

CONCLUSION:

Many times when talking to the adherents of the incorrect rapture views I hear this death question.

CLASSIC STUPID QUESTION

If a day comes in your lifetime when there is a mark given on the right hand or on the forehead, without which you cannot buy or sell anything, will you receive that mark?.. or die?

This is a really stupid question a standard one given by the followers of the incorrect rapture view. This is not the first time I have heard it.

It shows the following:

These people cannot tell the difference between the tribulation that the Church has experienced for the last 2000 years and the tribulation of the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy for Israel. Try picking up and reading Foxes Book of Martyr’s and read about some ‘tribulation’ that the church has experienced in days past. Do a few studies on the current persecution of the Church in China, Russia, Mexico and other places.

It assumes a bloodbath in the 70th week for all believers. It is a death question...a "what if" that will not happen to the Church because of the pre tribulation rapture. It will however happen to the tribulation saints. Why would God send His loved bride into the 70th week and into the bloodbath? There is no reason at all and certainly has no part of the ‘blessed hope’. The blessed hope of these incorrect views is the bloodbath of the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy which is        ...certain death.

If these people have a martyr complex then why wait until the tribulation of the 70th week. Why not go to Saudi Arabia and preach the Gospel, or go to Tehran and hand out Gospel tracts? I guarantee you will get your desired results TODAY! Prove you do not wish to ‘escape tribulation’.

For those reasons there is no reason to answer a question that is doctrinally incorrect, and just downright stupid.

Oh how the headlines will read, as the Christians disappear from the earth.

To conclude: In this document we have looked at the fact that the 70 weeks of Daniel’s prophecy is for Israel and not the Church. We saw that the wrath of God is not to be poured out on His beloved Church. Also, there is no reason for the Church to be on earth during Daniel’s 70th week. We showed that there was a KNOWN day of Christ’s return and an UNKNOWN day, which is the rapture. We looked at the problem of populating the millennium. This alone refutes the post tribulation view, as they leave no one alive on earth but the wicked to populate the 1000-year reign of Christ. We also had a peek at the Judgment seat of Christ, the marriage, and the 24 elders in Revelation who are representative of the glorified & rewarded Church. We covered a few other points but surely enough evidence has been given to show that the pre-tribulation view is Scriptural and is the-only view that harmonizes with the entire prophetic picture.

Why stop here? There are lots of good books that give Scriptural references to the pre-tribulation rapture. Authors like Dwight Pentecost, John Walvwood, Hal Lindsey, Grant Jefferies, and Dave Hunt Paul LaLonde give lots more reasons for the pre-tribulation rapture.

Here are some points to study or ponder in light of what you have read:

What about the KNOWN day and the UNKNOWN day of Jesus’ coming?

Study Daniel’s prophecy about the 70 weeks to ISRAEL. The post tribulation, mid-tribulation, pre-wrath all make the same error. They cannot tell the difference between God’s plan for Israel and the Church, which is a mystery, and a called out people between the 69th and 70th week.

Have a look at the 24 elders in Revelation

Notice they have crowns & sit on thrones, etc.

Sounds like the Judgment seat of Christ has occurred.

Who else but the Church will wear crowns? (No one)

Think through the ‘who will populate the millennium’ problem. The post tribulation leaves no saved mortals after the ‘rapture’ to inherit the Kingdom of God and populate the nations. The pre-tribulation leaves the saved, un-resurrected Tribulation saints who will go into the millennium, have children etc.

Prepared for those who love Him	1 Cor2:9; Jam 1:12; Jam 2:5.
Make yourself ready	Rev 19:7; Mat 24:44; Mark 13:40.
Blessed are those	Mat 24:46; Rev 1:3; 19:9; 22:7.
Morning Star rises in your heart	2 Pet 1: 19.
Hold fast what you have	Rev 3:11.
Looking for Him	Mat 24:50; Luke 12:46; Tit 2:13.
Know his master will	Luke 12:47; Mat 7:21; Rom 12:2.
Look for His appearing	Tit 2:13.
Be found in peace	2 Pet 3:14.
Keep in the love of God	Jude 1:21.
Patient--waiting	Jam 5:7-8.
Establish your hearts	Jam 5:8.
Not ashamed before Him at His coming	1 John 2:28.
Do not leave your first love	Rev 2:4.
Be ready and watch	Mat 24:42-43; 25:13; Mark 13:35,37,39 Rev 3:3;
	Rev 16:15.
Kept the command to endure	Rev 3:10.
Chosen and faithful	Rev 17:14.
Loved His appearing	2tim 4:8; James 1:2.
Eagerly wait for Him	Heb 9:28.
Worthy	Luke 21:36; 2 Th 1:11.
Seek those things which are above	Col 3:1.
Set your mind on things above	Col 3:2.
Willing to come	Mat 22:2-3.
Hear His voice	John 5:25; John 10:3,4,16,27,28; Rom 8:30; iTh
	4:16; Rev 3:20,21; Rev 4:1
Let him who is listening say come	Rev 22:17.
Let him who is thirsting say come	Rev 22:17.
Seek Him	2 Chr 15:2,13.
Loyal to Christ	2 Chr 16:9.
Take heed that no one deceives you	Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8
Learn this parable from the fig tree	Mark 13:28; Luke 21:29-3 1.
Take heed watch and pray	Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36.
Strive to enter through the narrow gate	Mark 13:24.
Not weighed down with cares of this life	Luke 21:34.
Watches and keeps his garments	Rev 16:15.
Those who do his Commandments	Rev 22:14.
When you see all these things know	Mat 24:33.
Warning the rapture is near	Mat 24:44-46; 1 Tim 4:16.
Who were ready	Mat 25:10.
See things happening know that it is near	Mark 13:29.
Be awake & aware what is happening	Mark 13:36.
Watch for the signs	Luke 21:11, 24-25.
Things begin to happen...look up!	Luke 21:28.
The Spirit and the bride say come!	Rev 22:17.

If you wish to make the commit to Christ here is a prayer sample for you to follow, speak to God with your heart and mean it and He will save you. If you don't wish to make the commitment yet, don't stop reading here, your going to need to know what is going to happen to you when you miss the Rapture.

At any time you need to pray for your salvation during reading this study guide or any other time in your life, Here is a simple prayer for you to help guide you. Pray this and mean it from your heart and the Lord will save you.

"Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned-against others and against myself, but most of all, against You. I know that you love me, because you proved it by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank You, Jesus, for doing that for me. Please forgive me for my sins, and give me your power to resist the temptation of sin. I believe you rose from the dead, and that You really are the only true God. By faith, I accept You, Jesus. Thank You for giving me eternal life with you. I ask You to come into my life and live at the center of it and be not only my Savior but the Lord of my life. Cleanse my heart and purify me through sanctification. Teach and guide me by your Holy Spirit that I may share your truth with all that will hear it. Give me the strength to walk the Christian walk against all opposition, so that I may stand before You and here the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

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