Rapture Theory

The Rapture Theory:
It's Surprising Origin

by Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D., 1976

Almost all Christians are interested in prophecy. This is especially so if the prophecies show what will happen to Christians themselves. There is nothing wrong in desiring such personal knowledge. Even our Lord gave a considerable amount of teaching about the circumstances to befall His people at the end of the age (Matthew 24:22-25). All of us share a common concern in wanting to know about the participants, the chronology, and the geography of those prophecies. To comprehend the full knowledge of them it is obvious that all relevant statements of our Lord and His apostles must be properly interpreted and placed into a coherent order. Many Christians have attempted to do this. As a consequence, the doctrine of the Rapture has arisen. So important has it become to many that the teaching is now sanctioned as the prime revelation from God to show what will happen Lo members of His church just before and during the second coming of Christ. Some even look on it as the heart and core of present Christian expectations! Because of this, it will pay us to review what the doctrine is all about.

The word "Rapture" is not found in the Bible. There is also no single word used by the biblical authors to describe the prophetic factors which comprise the doctrine. Its formulation has come about by means of induction. Certain biblical passages concerning the second coming (and the role that Christians will play in that event) have been inductively blended together to establish the teaching. The modern expression "Rapture" was then invented to explain the overall teaching and the term suits the subject well. The basic tenets of the doctrine are uninvolved. Simply put, it purports that Christ will come back to this earth in two phases. He will first return invisibly to rapture His church away from this world so that they might escape (or partially escape the prophetical tribulation to occur near the end of the age, then later Christ will return in a visible advent to dispense His wrath on the world's nations. This is the general teaching.

Many details concerning these prime factors, however, are hotly debated. There is especially much argument over the chronological features associated with it. Some think the time lapse between the two phases will be 3 1/2 years, others say 7 years. Some feel that the Rapture of the church occurs before the Tribulation, others about mid-way through, Many suggest that the church will be taken to heaven for protection, but a few have proposed a geographical area on this earth. There are those who feel that only part of the church will escape, while others say all will he rescued, These variations, along with others, have multiplied the interpretations to such an extent that many diverse secondary opinions exist among those holding the belief. But all are unanimous on one point: the central theme of the Rapture shows that Christ will return to earth in two phases.

The Newness of the Doctrine

It may come as a surprise to many Christians, but the doctrine of the Rapture is not mentioned in any Christian writings, of which we have knowledge, until after the year 1830 A.D. Whether the early writers were Greek or Latin, Armenian or Coptic, Syrian or Ethiopian, English or German, orthodox or heretic, no one mentioned a syllable about it. Of course, those who feel the origin of the teaching is in the Bible would say that it only ceased being taught (for some unknown reason) at the close of the apostolic age only to reappear in 1830 A.D. But if the doctrine were so clearly stated in Scripture, it seems incredible that no one should have referred to it before the 19th century. This does not necessarily show that the teaching is wrong, but it does mean that thousands of eminent scholars who lived over a span of seventeen centuries (including some of the most astute of the "Christian Fathers" and those of the Reformation and post-Reformation periods) must be considered as prophetic dunces for not having understood so fundamental a teaching. We are not denigrating the doctrine in mentioning these historical facts. That is not our intention. But we do feel that the Foundation should show the historical problems associated with the teaching. This lapse of seventeen centuries when no one mentioned anything about it must be a serious obstacle to its reliability.

Its Beginning

The result of a careful investigation into the origin of the Rapture has been recently published. The book is an excellent one which deserves to be read by all people interested in the subject. Its title: "The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin" by Dave MacPherson. He catalogs a great deal of historical material which answers the doctrine's mysterious derivation. We wish to review the results of his research. In the middle 1820's a religious environment began to be established among a few Christians in London. England which proved to be the catalyst around which the doctrine of the Rapture emerged. Expectations of the soon coming of our Lord were being voiced, This was no new thing, but what, was unusual was the teaching by a Presbyterian minister named Edward Irving that there had to be a restoration of the spiritual gifts mentioned in I Corinthians 12-14 just before Christ's second coming. To Irving, the time had come for those spiritual manifestations to occur. Among the expected gifts was the renewal of speaking in tongues and of spirit-motivated prophetic utterances. Irving began to propagate his beliefs. His oratorical skills and enthusiasm caused his congregation in London to grow. Then a number of people began to experience the "gifts." Once this happened opposition from the organized churches set in. It resulted in Irving's dismissal from the Presbyterian church in 1832. His group then established themselves as the Catholic Apostolic Church and continued the teachings of Irving.

These events were the beginnings of what some call present day Pentecostalism. Indeed Irving has been called by some church historians "the father of modern Pentecostalism." What does all this have to do with the origin of the Rapture doctrine? Very much indeed. Let us look at what happened in the year 1830 -- two years before Irving's dismissal from the Presbyterian church. In that year a revival of the "gifts" began to be manifested among a few people living in the lowlands of Scotland. They experienced what they called the outpouring of the Spirit. It was accompanied with speaking in "tongues" and other charismatic phenomena. Irving had been preaching these things must occur, and now they were.

On one particular evening. the power of the Holy Spirit was said to have rested on a Miss Margaret .Macdonald while she was in a state of illness at home. She was dangerously sick and thought she was dying. In spite of this (or perhaps because she is supposed to have come under "power" of the spirit for several successive hours during which she experienced the manifestations of "mingled prophecy and vision." The message she received during this prophetic vision convinced her that Christ was going to appear in two stages at His second coming -- and not one! The emanation revealed that Christ would first come in glory to them that look for Him and again in a final stage when every eye would see Him. It was this visionary experience of Miss Macdonald which represents the prime source of the modern Rapture doctrine as the historical evidence compiled by Mr. MacPherson abundantly shows.

The Influence of John Darby

Many people have thought that John Darby, the founder of the Plymouth Brethren, was the originator of the Rapture doctrine. This is not the case. Darby was a brilliant theologian with outstanding scholarly abilities. Even those who have disagreed with his teachings admit that he, and many associated with him, helped to cause a revival in biblical learning throughout the evangelical world (which even has been perpetuated down to our own present day). All who love biblical research ought to be thankful for what Darby and especially his associates accomplished for biblical scholarship. They particularly helped pave the way for the renewal of modern lexical studies of the languages of the Bible. The doctrine of "dispensationalism" was also a teaching they brought to the attention of the Protestant world.

It had long been thought by many Christians that the Rapture doctrine originated with ,John Darby. It is now known that this is not true. Darby only popularized it. Scofield and others who took over Darby's mantle later helped to make it respectable, Today, many of those in the evangelical sphere of Christianity are so certain of its veracity that it is accepted as the absolute truth of God. The fact is, however, John Darby received the knowledge of the doctrine from someone else. The source was the Margaret Macdonald mentioned above.

The studies of Mr. MacPherson show that her sickness during which she received her visions and revelations occurred sometime between February 1 and April 14, 1830. And by late spring and early summer of 1830, her belief in the two phases of Christ's coming was being mentioned in praise and prayer meetings in several towns of western Scotland. In these meetings some people were speaking in "tongues" and other charismatic occurrences were in evidence. These extraordinary and strange events in western Scotland so attracted John Darby that he made a trip to the area to witness himself what was going on. Though he did not approve of the ecstatic episodes that he witnessed. it is nonetheless significant that Darby, after returning from Scotland, began to teach that Christ's second coming would occur in two phases. MacPherson shows good evidence that Darby had even visited Miss Macdonald in her home. There can hardly he any doubt that the visions of Miss Macdonald are the source of the modern doctrine.

Visions and Dreams

While it is possible that visionary revelations can come from God, it is always prudent to be cautious in such matters. Near the same time that Miss Macdonald was receiving her visions, Joseph Smith in America was experiencing his apparitions which brought Mormon doctrines to the world. John Wilson also had his dreams which were the spark that started the false teaching of British realism. Not long afterwards Ellen G. White received her visions that resulted in many Seventh Day Adventist teachings. And remarkably, all these individuals received revelations of doctrines which were much at variance with one another. Such incidents bring to mind the warning that God gave to Moses.

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying, let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

· Deuteronomy 13: 1-3

The teachings of visionaries also recall to mind what the apostle John tells Christians.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

· I John 4:1

And though some point to the prophecy of Daniel that "knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4) a proof that the revival of doctrinal truths will occur at the end of the age, this is not what Daniel meant. If one reads the prophet carefully. he will find that Daniel is speaking about the knowledge of his prophecies which will be increased. not the revival of general doctrines. In the original text of Daniel the definite article occurs before the word "knowledge." Daniel actually said "THE knowledge will be increased" and the text shows he means "the knowledge of his prophecies." Daniel is in no way speaking about renewing of doctrines at the time of the end. A further admonition is necessary concerning the origins of teachings which might happen near our own time. It is by the apostle Paul.

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."

· I Timothy 4:1

These warnings from God's word are given as a reminder that we ought to exercise caution in accepting the truthfulness of visionary revelations especially those that happen near the end of the age and are contradictory to themselves or the Bible.

Conclusion

While there are many suspicious factors conferred with the origin of the Rapture, it could be admitted that the doctrine may reflect a teaching found in the Bible. At least, many feel so. John Darby no doubt thought there was something to it because after his trip to Scotland he changed his mind from believing in a single stage coming and adopted the two stage doctrine which became known as the Rapture. Darby was certainly not a visionary and his teachings whether right or wrong) are almost always based on scriptural revelation. It was Darby who popularized the Rapture with the scriptural arguments which seem so convincing to some. It could be that the teaching is basically true, but we at the Foundation for Biblical Research in Pasadena have felt incumbent to show our readers the unbiblical source of the doctrine. Too many people have for gotten that it was Miss Macdonald's visions which introduced the doctrine to the world.

In our next Exposition in this series we to show the biblical evidences which tend to support the doctrine. In the one to follow. we'll show those which seemingly speak against it. Our desire to place into your hands the necessary evidence for you to make up your own minds on the In closing, we wish to state one word that no one can gainsay. Whether one believes in the rapture or not, it has nothing to do with the assured salvation that all Christians have in Christ. That is a fact!

The Second Coming of Christ as declared by the Apostle Paul in his Thessalonian Letters is not the ‘Pre-tribulation RAPTURE,’ but His bodily coming at the end of the Tribulation Period.

A Study on the Pre-Tribulation Rapture

(Efren de la Cruz Agbulos, 2000)

significant facts to start with:

(John 17:15,20)

15 I do not pray for You to take them out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil.

20 And I do not pray for these alone, but for those also who shall believe on Me through their word,

(Isa 26:19-21)

19 But your dead will live;

their bodies will rise.

You who dwell in the dust,

wake up and shout for joy.

Your dew is like the dew of the morning;

the earth will give birth to her dead.

20 Go, my people, enter your rooms

and shut the doors behind you;

hide yourselves for a little while

until his wrath has passed by.

21 See, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling

to punish the people of the earth for their sins.

The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her;

she will conceal her slain no longer.

the same word, "PAROUSIA", was used in the

following verses:

matt. 24:3

matt. 24:27

matt. 24:37

matt. 24:39

1 cor. 15:23

1 thess. 2:19

1 thess. 3:13

1 thess. 4:15

2 thess. 2:1

2 thess. 2:8

(colossians 3:4)

Paul alludes only to one coming

Recipients: Mostly gentiles

Purpose of 1 Thessalonians:

1) future of believers who die before Christ’s return

2) time of His return

Purpose of 2 Thessalonians:

1) answer misunderstanding that the Lord had already come

2) give further explanation on his first letter, outlining the events that are bound to happen before the coming of the Lord,

as described in (1 Thess. 4:15-17)

I. Who will come down with Christ at His coming?

1] (1Thess.3:13; 2 Thess.1:7) holy ones; angels

(Zech. 14:5) (Matt. 25:31) (Jude14)

2] (1Thess.4:14) believers who’d slept in Christ

II. Purposes of His coming According to the Thessalonian letters

1] (2Thess.1:6) pay back trouble to those who trouble the Thessalonians/Christians

2] (2Thess.1:8,9) punish those who do not know God

3] (2Thess.2:8) overthrown the anti-Christ

4] (2Thess.1:7) give relief to Christians, including Paul

5] (2Thess. 1:10) glorified in His people

III. Manner of Christ’s coming

1] (1Thess. 4:14) will come with angels and believers

2] (1Thess. 4:16) ‘come down’ (to earth) from heaven (Acts 1:11)

IV. Action of the saints

1] (1Thess.4:17) meet the Lord in the air, where the “air” is just the place of meeting, a long ways off the ground, because the Lord Jesus Christ is really on His way down to earth

V. Time of Christ’s coming

1] (1Thess.5:4) should not surprise Christians

2] (2Thess. 2:3) will not come until the anti-Christ is revealed

3] (2Thess. 2:7) the ‘restrainer’ should be taken away first before the anti-Christ is revealed.

Talking Points:

1) Paul was referring to only one coming in both Thessalonian letters

2) The difference lies in Paul’s treatment of the subject: in (1 Thess.) the future of believers who die before His coming; in (2 Thess.) that the Lord has not yet come

3) If it were the pre-tribulation rapture, the judgment of unbelievers (2 Thess. 1:6-9) and the destruction of the anti-Christ (2 Thess. 2:8) would not have been the purposes of His coming, since the act of judging unbelievers and the overthrowing the ‘lawless one’ is at the end of the Tribulation Period

4) And Christ would not have come with His mighty angels if the purpose was just to fetch believers (2 Thess. 1:7)

5) (1 Thess. 4:16) refers to a ‘coming down’ from heaven, with the earth as the reference point of Paul (Acts 1:11)

6) If we were on our way up to heaven, Christ would have been the one to meet us, whereas in (1 Thess. 4:17) the believers are the ones to meet the Lord

7) The picture of (1 Thess. 4:17) is that of an Oriental guest being met by the host while still a long ways off. In this case the Christians are the hosts out to ‘meet’ the coming Lord Jesus Christ

8) The sequence of Christ’s coming according to Paul:

a] The ‘restrainer’—possibly an angel or the present world economic and political systems—is taken away first (2thess. 2:7)

b] Then a falling away; then the anti-Christ to be revealed, (2Thess. 2:8)

c] Then Christ would come and all believers to be gathered to Him (2Thess.2:1-3)

If the church were the ‘restrainer’, then that would not be in keeping with the sequence of Christ’s coming according to Paul

9) It is a grave interpretation error to take just two verses (1 Thess. 4:16,17) without considering its place in both letters, which, incidentally, was written just 6 months apart, and claim that it points to the pre-tribulation rapture.

10) The evidence from the 2 letters themselves overwhelmingly prove that Paul was referring to just one coming.

11) And that coming is not the ‘pre-tribulation Rapture,’ since the event stated in Paul’s letters is related to the punishment of unbelievers and the destruction of the anti-Christ which, we all know, cannot happen at the beginning of the Tribulation Period

13) In (Matt. ch. 28), Jesus tells us that He would be with us up to the end of the age. The church will be here up to the end of the age to fulfill the ‘Great Commission.’

14) (1 Corinthians 15:51,52) does not refer to a ‘rapture’ either but to the

process of change from a ‘perishable’ body to a ‘imperishable’ body the moment Christ comes down from heaven. It doesn’t refer to any upward flight/movement at all.

15) (Daniel 7:21-25), the Anti-Christ will defeat the saints until the coming of Christ.

16) (1 Thess. 4:16) the rapture was supposed to be secret, but Paul was describing something open and public (Mark 13:26)

17) There is no evidence from Scriptures that the Lord Jesus Christ even hinted to His disciples that they would be caught up in the clouds before His bodily second coming as described in (Matthew ch. 24), among others.

18) (Rev. 19:8,9) The wedding of the saints and the Lamb will occur upon the bodily return of Christ on earth just at the end of the tribulation

period, and not in heaven after a pre-tribulation rapture as some groups would claim.

19) (2 thess. 2:2)

Paul equates the return of Jesus in the Thess. letters as the Day of the Lord

20) (1 Thess. 4:15)

The language here seems to indicate a not so common event transpiring, such as a wave of persecution against believers, for Paul to suggest that many believers would die, but some would be left alive unto the coming of the Lord

Texts to consider:

Isaiah 66:15,16

Zech. 14:5

Dan. 7:21-25

Rev. 19:11-15

Matt. 28

Matt. 24

1 Cor. 15:51,52

2 Thess. 1:7

2 Thess. 2:8

1 Thess. 5:2

1 John 2:28

THE "RAPTURE" DOCTRINE [IV]
"The Origin of the Secret Rapture Doctrine"
by Dr. Les Aron Gosling
Copyright © BRI 1985, 1997
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

One cannot help but assume the secret rapture theory to be an ancient historical belief of mainstream Christianity due to the enormous publicity it receives, and the mammoth number of books, lectures, sermons and wall-charts that teach it as a biblical fact, and which are presently available in the Christian marketplace. The doctrine is also heavily promoted on Christian audio-tapes, on TV programs, in films and on lapel buttons and car bumper stickers. I recently saw a car bearing the sticker, "In case of Rapture this vehicle will be driverless." In my opinion, the owner was spiritually brainless, or theologically brain-dead, to so openly and brazenly display such inconsideration toward his/her fellow human beings for whom Mashiach also died.

Western Christians live their lives as if they were the only believers on Earth. This is illustrated clearly in their view of Christians avoiding tribulation or "wrath." They seem to be oblivious to the fact that in ancient times Christians were burned alive, crucified, sold as slaves, and thrown to wild beasts in Roman arenas for the amusement of the blood-lusting crowds. They seem to be oblivious to the fact that during the height of the Roman Catholic Church’s power, believers underwent a score of horrifying torturous ordeals. They experienced man’s wrath, and Satan’s wrath, in every conceivable form. Burnings, rape and drownings were commonplace. Foxe even records (in his Book of Martyrs) how women of all ages had starving rats forced into their vaginas and were then sewn up leaving the rat to chew its way into the abdomen in order to get out of the trap it was in. Horrifying? Feel like fainting? Don’t write in to BRI protesting the content matter of our lectures -- this is history and as Christians we should face up to the past with honesty. How can we face up to the past if none of us are aware that things like this actually happened? And they are happening still.

Western Christians seem oblivious that believers in other parts of the world are undergoing horrendous difficulties. And they are apparently ignorant to the tribulation, gaoling and martyrdom already experienced by countless numbers of faithful Christians in China, Russia, Romania, Cuba and Poland. We won’t even begin to list their problems or even begin to mention the trials and wrath encountered by believers in Middle Eastern nations and Black African states.

Someone should have told the millions of Chinese Christians who went to their deaths during Mao’s reign of terror, or the 250,000 Christian martyrs who perished around the globe in 1980-82 that they were not appointed to "wrath."

Strangely, one of the main points of the rapturist’s belief states that Messiah is coming for His saints without being noticed by the world! In their own words they state categorically:

"Quickly and INVISIBLY, unperceived by the world, the Lord will come as a thief in the night and catch away His waiting saints" (Jesse Silver, The Lord’s Return, 1914, 260). "His appearance in the clouds will be veiled to the human eye and NO ONE WILL SEE HIM. He will slip in, slip out; move in to get His jewels and slip out as under the cover of night" (Oral Roberts, How to be Personally Prepared for the Second Coming of Christ, 1967, 34). "It will be a SECRET rapture - QUIET, NOISELESS, sudden as the step of the thief in the night. All that the world will know will be that multitudes at once have gone" (G.S. Bishop, The Doctrine of Grace, 341). "In the rapture only the Christians see Him - it’s a mystery, a SECRET" (Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth, 1970, 143). "[The rapture] will be a SECRET appearing, and only the believers will know about it" (Herschel Ford, Seven Simple Sermons on the Second Coming, 1946, 51).

· With all due respect to the adherents of the secret two-stage coming of Our Lord, the very Scripture on which the above statements is based implies the absolute EXACT OPPOSITE!

"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 Messiah 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" (1 Thes 4:16-17).

This text implies anything but a secret, quiet, unknown event. Rather the noise level will be horrific and involve an astonishing resurrection power surge unleashed in untold millions of people receiving new bodies of immortal, incorruptible SPIRIT! If the great apostle Paul was trying to describe a secret and quiet event, he certainly chose the wrong words!

In fact even Yeshua Himself knew well in advance that the Church would fall into grave error on just this aspect of His coming, and He WARNED AGAINST THE RAPTURE! Notice it now:

"If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Messiah, or there; believe it not... If they shall say unto you... Behold He is in the SECRET chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Mt 24:23-27).

The only thing secret about the coming of Yeshua is the timing (Mt 24:36,43-44; 2 Pet 3:10). Not only is this the case, but Yeshua went on to assure His disciples that, rather than escape trials and tribulation (another important tenet of the rapturists) the Messianic Community would be subject to these very same conditions!

"In the world you shall have TRIBULATION" (Jn 16:33).

The Messianic Community would experience tribulation. Yet, even though they would suffer immensely from the wrath of man Mashiach never expected His followers would exit the planet. In fact He stated clearly enough "I pray NOT that thou [God] shouldest take them out of the world, but that you shouldest keep them from the evil" (Jn 17:15).

Just how plain are these words of Messiah! It was not His will that the disciples escape the confines of the world. One rapturist argued with me that these words of Yeshua applied only to His apostles at the time He spoke them. She failed to realise that in the same breath Yeshua added: "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which believe on me through their word" (Jn 17:20).

This statement includes us today! We are the inheritors of the message -- the Gospel -- of Messiah. In no way does Mesiah want any of us to leave the planetary environs -- His own statements have to be twisted for any evidence of a special, secret, quiet coming of the Lord for His saints. But these are factors often overlooked by believers in the two-stage rapture of the Messianic Community.

Some honest rapturists recognise the enormous difficulties involved in piecing together Margaret Macdonald’s new revelations about the "coming" of the Lord with the plain statements of the Scripture. And so they have attempted to devise word-gymnastics in order to extricate themselves and their doctrine from the pitfalls and flaws that they themselves admit are involved in believing in the two-stage second coming of the Messiah. As one scholar put it, the rapture cannot be the "coming" of "Christ" at all!

"Strictly speaking, the rapture is NOT THE SECOND COMING AT ALL. The second coming is the visible, local, bodily appearance of Christ in the clouds of heaven as he returns to this earth... in power and great glory" (Frank M. Boyd, Ages and Dispensations, 1955, 60).

Admits another: "The thrilling event which will both mark the end of the day and open the door for the Great Tribulation is the rapture... Specifically speaking, THIS IS NOT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. Rather this is the rapture, or the catching up, of the true church" (William W. Orr, Antichrist, Armageddon, and the End of the World, 1966, 9).

The problem now is that this ingenious manoeuvre raises more questions than it solves, and defies the plain words of the Lord Himself, "Be ye therefore also ready: for in such an hour that ye think not the Son of man COMETH" (Mt 24:44).

Why on earth would the Lord warn His disciples about the imperative need to be ready for the COMING of the Son of man, if the rapture takes place before His coming?

Again, Yeshua commanded His true disciples: "Occupy till I COME" (Lk 19:13). How then could the church be expected to "occupy until He comes" if the church will be raptured away seven years, or three-and-a-half years, before His coming?

We must press the point. Yeshua said: "I will COME again, and receive you unto myself" (Jn 14:3).

Therefore, according to no less an authority than Yeshua the Messiah Himself, it is when He COMES that He receives His people unto Himself -- if words still mean anything. This "receiving" is decidedly not seven years, or three-and-a-half years, before His COMING. This is why the apostles all admonished the Messianic Community, "Be patient then, brethren, unto the COMING of the Lord... for yet a little while, and He that shall COME will COME, and will not tarry" (Heb 10:36-37; Jam 5:7).

Now I don’t care if the last two references were sent to the Jewish saints as one body or the Gentile saints as another body -- the COMING of Messiah is the COMING of Messiah is the COMING of Messiah! WHY exhort the brethren to be patient unto the COMING of the Lord, if their true hope was some rapture prior to His COMING?

Paul did not think the rapture was a different event from the coming of Mashiach (1 Cor 1:7). For, he is adamant in referring to the rapture as the COMING of Mashiach (1 Thes 4:15) -- yes, he states it right in the middle of the so-called rapture passage.

The secret rapture doctrine is illogical and contradictory. Yet where did such a pernicious idea originate?

The period which brought forth Ellen White, Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, Charles Taze Russell, the Fox sisters, Helena Blavatsky and Annie Besant, the British Israelites and others of similar ilk, also gave birth to a certain Miss Margaret Macdonald in Scotland.

The Macdonald family was decidedly Pentecostal. They were preoccupied with the gifts of healing, and tongues. Not only did they speak in tongues, they interpreted them as well. They lived in Port Glascow and in the year 1830 the ignorant peasant girl, Margaret Macdonald, had visions of "Christ’s" return. Robert Norton, a clergyman and British physician, retold the events of 1830 but added that in his understanding Macdonald had studied the Scriptures and arrived at the view that there was to be a two-stage coming of the Lord for His saints before the dreaded "tribulation" (The Restoration of Apostles & Prophets: In the Catholic Apostolic Church, 1861). He wrote, "[W]e FIRST SEE the distinction between that final stage of the Lord’s coming, when every eye shall see Him, and His prior appearing in glory to them that look for Him" (p.15).

It is a contemporary admission, concerning the origin of the rapture theory, about which almost nobody today knows anything. Norton, in other words, was admitting that this doctrine was brand NEW -- no one had ever heard of it before in the entire history of the church!

But he was in error in his consideration that the Macdonald girl had "studied" the Bible on the two-stage coming of the Mesiah. Norton seems to have wanted to give the doctrine the cloak of "respectability." Macdonald herself admits it came through a prophetic trance!

In part, her utterance reads: "Now there is distress of nations with perplexity, the seas and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear - now look for the sign of the Son of man. Here I was made to stop and cry out, O it is not known what the sign of the Son of man is... I felt this needed to be revealed, and that there was great darkness and error about it; but suddenly what it was burst upon me with a glorious light. I saw it was just the Lord himself descending from heaven with a shout, just the glorified man, even Jesus... men think it will be something seen by the natural eye; but ‘tis spiritual discernment that is needed ...Only those who have the light of God within them will see the sign of his appearance... ’tis only those that are alive in him that will be caught up to meet him in the air... I repeated frequently, but the spiritual temple must and shall be reared, and the fullness of Christ be poured into his body, and then shall we be caught up to meet him."

For centuries the church believed in and taught the open, visible, awesome second Advent of Yeshua. Now, suddenly, with the trance-like visions and prophetic utterances of a religious peasant Edomite woman in an obscure town in Scotland something not previously known was presented -- the coming of the Lord alone, the Lord not seen, a quiet Advent, a secret coming!

Norton became a member of the Pentecostal "Catholic Apostolic Church" which was presided over by Edward Irving, who was an acquaintance of Margaret Macdonald! Irving had founded the sect after being excommunicated from the Presbyterian assembly for his teaching of this "new revelation" which he had enthusiastically embraced.

The new teaching of the secret coming of Yeshua for His saints was soon preached among the so-called Plymouth Brethren, and to be expected it split the church. In 1864, S.P. Tregelles, one of those members who rejected the introduction of such a new theory, noted: "I am not aware that there was any definite teaching [among the original Brethren] that there should be a secret rapture of the church at a secret coming UNTIL this was given forth as an ‘utterance’ in Mr Irving’s church from what was then received as being the voice of the Spirit. But whether any one ever asserted such a thing or not it was from that supposed revelation that the modern doctrine and the modern phraseology respecting it arose. It came, NOT from the Holy Scripture, but from THAT WHICH FALSELY PRETENDED TO BE THE SPIRIT OF GOD" (The Hope of Christ’s Second Coming, 1864, 34-37).

· Yet with its introduction, it was taught and preached as if it had always been taught and preached by the entire universal church.

Another very early convert to the church was an Englishman from Doncaster, Robert Baxter. Researcher Dave MacPherson notes, "Baxter had gone down to London in the fall of 1831, visited some of the prayer meetings which preceded the manifestations [spiritual gifts such as prophesying in the middle of a sermon, and speaking in tongues entirely at an inappropriate time and thus Scripturally out of order] in Irving’s church, and soon was a regular attendant at Irving’s services. He then became endowed with the prophetic utterances and had a number of personal revelations. Later, when certain prophecies made by him and others simply were not fulfilled, he became disillusioned and felt that he had been deceived and had in turn deceived others" (The Incredible Cover-Up: The True Story of the Pre-Trib Rapture, Logos International, Plainfield, NJ, 1975, 86).

Not only was this the case, but Baxter himself wrote an expose about the Irvingites in 1833. In one section he states: "There are some general characteristics in the work, which, apart from doctrines or instances of failure of predictions, cast suspicion upon it. One is the extreme secrecy enjoined by the spirit, and the manifest shrinking from public examination. The spirit has, both in England and Scotland, forbidden the writing down of utterances, and even the attempt to repeat them verbatim. Thus errors and contradictions are more easily concealed and explained away" (Narrative of Facts, Characterising the Supernatural Manifestations in Members of Mr Irving’s Congregation, and Other Individuals, in England and Scotland, and Formerly in the Writer Himself, 1833, 126).

In another part of the British Isles, the brilliant John Darby -- a noted scholar in the biblical field who penned more than 30 volumes of 600 pages each, and produced a translation of the Bible with notes (which BRI also utilises in its research activities) -- accepted the secret rapture, after visiting the Macdonald home in 1830, and gave the Macdonald belief much needed respectability when he presented it to the Brethren about a year later. But, although he was the undisputed leader of the Plymouth Brethren, his views on this subject were opposed by his equal, Benjamin W. Newton, who rejected Darby’s new views as "nonsense" and split the Movement. He was joined in his opposition by others of note -- namely Charles Spurgeon, William Booth and George Muller. Ernest Sandeen writes, "Darby introduced... the ideas of a secret rapture of the church and of a parenthesis in prophetic fulfilment between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel. These two concepts constituted the basic tenets of the system of theology since referred to as dispensationalism... Newton remembered, years later, opposing both positions. Commenting upon Darby’s interpretations of the seventy weeks of Daniel, Newton remarked, ‘The secret rapture was bad enough, but this was worse’" (The Roots of Fundamentalism, 1970, 38).

It was not long before these new views concerning the secret coming of the Messiah gained popularity in America. "The two stage coming view of the Brethren spread to America and other parts of the world in the latter part of the century. Darby visited the U.S. at least five times. His dispensationalism became part of the Scofield Reference Bible (1909)" (Macpherson, op.cit., 32).

Today this popular non-Scriptural idea, unknown to the original apostles, unknown to the Church for over 1900 years, unknown even to Our Lord Yeshua Himself, and which came out of the visions of an obscure peasant woman in 19th century Scotland, is accepted by countless millions as Gospel Truth.

It is as far from Gospel Truth as the idea that rabbits can lay eggs (although that is also accepted by countless millions of ignorant Christians and promulgated at Easter with equal fervour as the secret rapture).

It is beyond being highly suspect; it is a downright diabolical lie. It is time Christians returned to the plain teachings of the Lord Yeshua haMashiach and jettisoned fables by "old wives" and "silly women ladened with sins" (1 Tim 4:7; 2 Tim 3:6).

How valid is the “Rapture” doctrine? Will it stand up in the Court of Heaven? Have “Rapture” enthusiasts been led astray?

Origin Of The Rapture Doctrine
Part 1

In 1997, in an issue of my publication The Reformer, I issued a challenge to anyone who could document any evidence that the “Rapture” dogma, as publicized today, was taught by any “church leader” or “church father” prior to 255 years ago. No one came forward. It is now 2007. I’m still waiting.

In my research, I discovered that in 1742-44 Morgan Edwards wrote a book on the modern-day “Rapture” doctrine. It was published in 1788. Thus began the contemporary “Rapture” melodrama.

Morgan became a Baptist leader of notoriety, confirming my conviction that the “Rapture” doctrine is largely a Baptist doctrine, not a doctrine of Jesus and his apostles. As far as my research implies, there’s no record prior to 1742 of the “Rapture” doctrine being taught or its details being published by anyone, not even by the “church fathers.” It strikes me rather odd that if the “Rapture” doctrine is a divine teaching, why did our “church fathers” fail to write about it? They wrote about all other major doctrines of the apostles. Why would they overlook a major topic as important as the “Rapture?”

It should be noted at this junction that the “Rapture” teaching has Jesus descending twice more, once to “rapture” saints and once to put an end to the so-called “Tribulation” and “Armageddon,” followed by a thousand-year earthly government. In this matter, the “Rapture” advocates select a few distinct, highly symbolic passages from the Book of Revelation, tie them in with the Thessalonian verses, and the screenplay is consummated.

It is wise to remember that nowhere in scripture is it taught, or remotely indicated, that Jesus will personally and visibly return twice more. His second advent is alluded to time after time, but never a third advent. Nor do the scriptures speak of saints ascending into heaven twice, once at the so-called “Rapture,” and once again “when the thousand years are over,” as the doctrine is advocated.

The “Rapture’s” Authenticity
Part 2

Before delving further into the “Rapture” doctrine and its biblical authenticity, I think it wise that we identify the doctrine’s composition, for I do not wish to misrepresent. Let’s begin with the term “rapture.”

1) “Rapture” is not found in any of our oldest Greek manuscripts. It has its origin in the Latin word “rapere,” which means to “take away,” “snatch out,” or “to seize.” We must not call “rapture” a biblical term for there is no Greek word that translates it.

2) The idea is that Jesus will suddenly appear in the air to snatch away from the earth and take to heaven all living saints, as well as the resurrected bodies of those believers who have died.

3) If you are on the roof of your house, or riding horseback, or in your car on a busy highway, or in bed with your spouse, you will be “snatched”or “caught up”—disappear all of a sudden. Your unregenerate friends and relatives will be amazed at your sudden disappearance. Cars will crash without drivers; planes will fall without pilots.

4) At the “Rapture,” Jesus “snatches up the church” only. But at “The Revelation,” when He is revealed once again, He will “return with the church” and bring an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon.” A thousand-year earthly reign will then commence.

Does this sound like something you’ve never heard before? If yes, it is because you’ve never read it before—at least not in the scriptures. The scriptures used to support the “Rapture” are 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17, where Paul deals with the Lord’s return. Revelation, chapters 4-5, are supposed to capture the heavenly scene, and the 7-year “Tribulation” period, which follows the “snatching up,” is described in Revelation, chapters 4-19—or so allege the “Rapture” defenders.

Now read me carefully. If 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17 do not teach the “Rapture” creed, the entire core of the screenplay collapses. We agree that when Jesus returns, He will bring with him "those who have fallen asleep” (v.14). Furthermore, we concur that when He makes His second advent, He will “snatch up” those of us still living “to meet the Lord in the air” (v.17). It is agreed further that those of us still living will not precede or go ahead of those who have died (v.15). We will be caught up together with departed saints, after they have been resurrected from their paradise abode. These saints will accompany Jesus (“God will bring with Jesus,” v.14) as He gathers to Himself those who are still alive.

This is where the agreement ends. Our premillennial brethren have Jesus descending twice, once to “rapture” saints and once more when He returns with them to put an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon,” followed by a thousand-year earthly government. In this matter, they select a few highly symbolic passages from the Book of Revelation, tie them in with the Thessalonian verses, and the “Rapture stage” is ready to perform. Nowhere in the Thessalonian verses is it remotely implied that Jesus will descend twice more. Please keep that idea in mind as we examine this dramatic creed. For if, as stated earlier, these verses fail to advance the “Rapture” doctrine, it falls by the wayside.

Ambassador Paul vs. The “Rapture” Viewpoint
Part 3

Let it be noted that if Paul in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-17 fails to bolster the “Rapture” doctrine, it falls by the wayside. Let’s examine the apostle’s remarks in detail. We’ll read them as they appear in the New International Version.

13. “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, and are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

1) Paul is speaking of one event, one occurrence, one happening—not two. It all happens in instantaneous succession.

2) A speedy return of the Lord apparently was on the minds of the Thessalonian saints, and they felt badly about those who had “fallen asleep” (died), thinking it a great loss that they were not alive to meet Jesus when He made His second advent (v.13).

3) When Jesus is personally revealed again, those saints who have died will be resurrected from their paradise abode and accompany Jesus as He gathers to Himself those who are still alive (v.14).

4) It would take a lot of theological distorting of verse 15 to make it mean something other than what Paul said. When Jesus makes His second personal advent, living saints will not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep, but “will be caught up together with them [departed saints] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”

5) Jesus will return from heaven for the second time with an announcement everyone will be able to hear (v.16). The dead in Christ will be resurrected prior to meeting the Lord, and prior to living saints gathering to Him.

6) In verse 17, “after that” points directly to the same sequence of things, as mentioned in verse 16. In other words, living saints will be caught up with resurrected saints the moment those saints are raised. I repeat again: Only one advent is alluded to in these verses.

Nowhere in scripture does it speak of Jesus making two personal advents, following His ascension into heaven two-thousand years ago. Nor do they speak of saints ascending into heaven twice. Saints have been reigning with Jesus since He was “Exalted [enthroned] to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33-35). He now sits on “David’s throne” (Acts 2:30) in heaven as King over God’s new nation or kingdom, the community of the saints. Jesus’ throne in heaven typifies David’s reignship over old Israel. David reigned as king over old Israel; Jesus now reigns as King over new Israel, the family of believers. The saints at Colosse had been “rescued from the dominion [kingdom] of darkness” and transferred “into the kingdom of the Son He loves” (Colossians 1:13).

As there can be no body without a head, or a kingdom without a king, we conclude that since the believers at Colosse were citizens of God’s kingdom, Jesus must have been their King! If He is now King, and He is, why in logic’s name would He surrender his superior kingship in heaven to return to earth to become King of an inferior kingdom during an alleged thousand-year earthly reign?

A Crushing Argument Against The “Rapture” Dogma
Part 4

One of the most crushing arguments against the modern-day “Rapture” doctrine is 1st Corinthians 15. Of the 58 verses contained in this chapter, 85 percent of them deal with the resurrection. Yet, in all of these verses, not once does Paul allude to Jesus descending twice more. Listen to verse 23:

“But each in his own turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes [referring to one advent], those who belong to him. Then the end will come.”

It might interest you to know that “will come” is not in the oldest Greek manuscripts. Literally, the verse reads, “Then the end.” End of what? End of time and tangible matter as we know them today. When that occurs, Jesus “hands over the kingdom [reign] to God the Father after he has destroyed all [earthly] dominion, authority, and power. For he must [now] reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (verses 24 & 25).

Our “Rapture” brethren say that Jesus will suddenly appear in the air to snatch away from the earth and take to heaven all living saints, as well as the resurrected bodies of those believers who have died. At the “Rapture,” Jesus “snatches up the church” only. But at “The Revelation,” when He is revealed once again, He will “return with the church”and bring an end to the “Tribulation” and “Armageddon.” A thousand-year earthly reign will then commence, as per the doctrine. Consequently, we have two future advents. It makes little difference whether Jesus’ feet will touch the earth during His first advent (“Rapture”). The fact is, there are two advents scheduled. The scriptures speak of only one.

If Jesus is to descend twice more, as our “Rapture” brethren claim, please tell me why Paul failed to communicate that fact when he wrote at length about the resurrection? He alludes to one advent (verse 23), not two. He had every opportunity to say something about a second advent. He is completely silent on the subject! You see, if the scriptures fail to teach that Jesus will descend twice more, the contemporary “Rapture” doctrine falls short of evidence. And when a doctrine falls short of evidence, it is most likely of man and not of God. The “Rapture” doctrine falls short of evidence. It simply ain’t there!

Jesus is now reigning over new Israel, the redeemed society. The new Israel was not meant to be earthly and external, as earthly kingdoms are, and her King was to reign in the hearts of His subjects, not from a throne constructed from earthly stones and materialistic hardware. Jesus states it far more exquisitely, “The kingdom [reign] of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom [reign] of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus reigns from His throne in heaven and in the hearts of His subjects, not in earthly Jerusalem at a future date. For then people would be able to say, “Here it is,” or “There it is.” And Jesus says this will not be the case!

A Spiritual Kingdom vs. The “Rapture”
Part 5

Up to this point, I have described in detail the “Rapture” theology, taking my information from those who advocate this teaching. I think it only fair that I allow you to hear from two of my readers who support the position I take. The first brother was, at one time, an ardent modern-day “Rapture” enthusiast. Apparently, he knows what he’s talking about. The second brother raises a point you won’t want to miss.

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“I can come up with hundreds of internal contradictions they [‘Rapture’ brethren] have to explain away on the basis of logic, supposition, and just plain guesswork. The secret is to listen to what they have to say, then ask them to explain the details. If you let them talk long enough, they will only confuse themselves. You don’t really have to attack or refute them. They do it themselves. It’s even better when you get two or more of them in a room together, because you will never see any two agree completely on the details.

“How do I know this? I was raised in a ‘pre-tribulation’ and a ‘pre-millennial’ church. I used to argue these positions and made myself look like a fool. Needless to say, I no longer believe in a ‘pre-tribulation’ Rapture. But I certainly don’t believe in using it as a test of brotherhood, as so many do.”—Rick Presley.

“I think it is interesting, albeit sad, that I’ve heard so many ‘rapturists’ and ‘premillennialists’ on the one hand speak of the short-sighted Jews of the first century who could not see the spiritual reign of Jesus in His earthly appearance, yet turn around and are guilty of doing the same thing by speaking of an earthly kingdom and reign the Messiah will usher in! I see no distinction in their follies.”—Joel Cranford.

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This brother makes an excellent point. I’d like to comment. The Jews in Jesus’ day failed to envision His reign as spiritual because they were looking for an earthly kingdom with all of the political trimmings that accompany earthly kingdoms. “Rapture” brethren are making the same mistake. They’re looking for a “glorified kingdom” with all of the “glorified trimmings” that accompany “glorified kingdoms.” In the meantime, they fail to understand that such a kingdom or reign has existed since the very moment Jesus was “exalted [enthroned] to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33). His kingdom is not earthly, palpable, and tangible. It is spiritual in that its King reigns from heaven and in the hearts of His subjects.

Ahhhh, Those “Rapture” And Other “Prophets!”
Part 6

Are those “doomsday prophets” counterfeit? Some, yes; others, no. In past years, I have written extensively on disagreements among brethren, and I have taken, and still take, the position that teaching falsely does not necessarily make a believer a false prophet or teacher, as per the scriptures. I do not believe most of my brethren who hold to the thousand-year earthly reign, the “Rapture”doctrine, and other related topics, are false teachers in the biblical sense.

It is my understanding that, in scripture, “false teachers” are those who teach falsely, knowingly and deliberately. The term is never once applied to those who embrace and advocate wrong teaching honestly and sincerely. So at this point, we need to ask ourselves: Can we logically and rationally equate false teachers who are sincere with those brothers who seem to have some kind of “supernatural” insight into God’s timetable for the ages? This is where the bone rubs. Should we make a distinction between the two? I’m inclined to answer in the affirmative.

Hal Lindsey and Grant Jeffrey are a case at hand. As you recall, a few years ago they sensationalized the Y2K scenario. Tens of thousands of gullible believers fell head-long into their soul-stirring and thrilling rhetoric and purchased their tapes and books. These two “prophets” capitalized upon the occasion and “collected” hundreds of thousands of dollars from suckered believers.

During the period leading up to Y2K, their speaking engagements were numerous, and untold thousands paid out cash to warm pews while Hal Lindsey and Grant Jeffrey tickled their ears with the “drama of the ages,”only to discover at 12:05 a.m. on January 1, 2000 that none of their “prophecies” materialized. What a disappointment that must have been for those tens of thousands of duped believers who had been brainwashed by two “celebrated prophets.”

When a brother steps into God’s role by either predicting or prophesying future events that are in His hands only, he has, in my opinion, involved himself in affairs that belong only to Deity. He dare not do that! Lindsey and many others have “played around” with God’s timetable for decades and have gotten rich by fleecing God’s sheep. This is why I’m inclined to make a distinction between those brothers who are sincerely wrong in some of their interpretations of scripture and those who play around with God’s timetable. Many of the “Rapture” enthusiasts fall into the same pigeonhole—not all of them, of course, but some of them.

Secret Rapture?

by
Jason Dulle

Pre-tribulationists have propagated the notion of a "secret rapture" of the church based on a misunderstanding of I Corinthians 15:51-52, and for theological purposes relating to their position. Before examining the Corinthian text to ascertain its meaning, we must first deal with the theological connection of the secret rapture teaching to the doctrine of the pre-tribulational rapture of the church.

While not a central teaching of the pre-tribulation doctrine, the secret rapture teaching is viewed to some degree as a logical corollary to the position. The reason such a teaching is so important to the position is because the Scripture is clear that the next appearance of the Lord on earth will be at the second coming (Matthew 24:23-31; Acts 1:11; II Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 1:7), which is to take place at the end of Daniel’s 70^th week (tribulation period). Pre-tribulationists, who maintain that Christ will return for His church seven years before His second coming, must explain how Christ can descend from heaven in return for His bride (I Thessalonians 4:16) before the second coming, without physically returning to the earth, and without being seen. They find the solution with the teaching of the secret rapture. At the rapture of the church, it is believed that Christ will descend from heaven in the clouds (but not visible to the earth-dwellers) while the saints are translated through the atmosphere in "a blink of an eye" to meet the Lord in the air, to immediately return to heaven with the Lord for the duration of the seven year tribulation.

Having examined the theological and logical necessity of the position, let us now examine the Biblical basis for a secret rapture. First Corinthians 15:51-52 is cited as evidence for the teaching, but the pre-tribulationists’ interpretation of the passage is problematic for several reasons. The passage is as follows:

Behold, I show 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. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

All verse divisions have been purposely omitted so the passage can be read as it would have appeared to the original readers. This is necessary because the verse division between verse 51 and 52 causes many to view verse 52 as the start of a new thought, in contradistinction to the subject of verse 51. Such is not the case. Verse 52 is a continuation of the sentence in verse 51. Most English translations blur this due to the fact that a comma or hyphen is inserted after "changed." When reading the passage without the verse divisions, or without the comma, we find Paul to be teaching that we shall all be changed in a moment. No mention is made of being raptured in a moment.

It is usually assumed that Paul’s topic of discussion here is the rapture, but the word "rapture" is never found in the passage, nor is the concept of a rapture indicated. The context is clear that Paul’s subject is the resurrection of the body, not the translation of the body to heaven. The context of I Corinthians 15 is consumed with the idea of the resurrection of the dead, and the nature of the resurrected body. Paul spoke of believers being "changed" at the resurrection, which is a reference to our future glorified bodies, not the event or speed of the rapture.

Some would contend that the rapture and the resurrection are to be thought of as one event seeing that they will happen at the same time. While both events will occur nearly simultaneous to one another, to infer that the two events are conceptually one, and can thus be interchanged, is to confuse two conceptually different, although related events. Paul’s reference to "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye..." is a reference to the speed of our glorification (the change from mortality to immortality, from corruption to incorruption), not the speed of a rapture. We will be changed from our natural, mortal, corruptible body to a spiritual, immortal, and incorruptible body in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Paul does speak of our rapture into the air to meet the Lord, elsewhere (I Thessalonians 4:16), but not in this context.

Seeing that I Corinthians 15:51-54 is not referring to the rapture of the church, I Thessalonians 4:15-17 is the only true rapture passage. In this passage we do not find any indication of the speed of the rapture. Paul merely noted that "we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep," 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..." (4:15-17). Here we are only given a rapture-order, but no rapture-speed in indicated.

Not only is there no Scripture supporting the notion of a secret rapture, but an examination of other Scriptures gives precedent for a visible, publicized rapture of the church. The rapture of the church is not the only rapture mentioned in Scripture. Enoch, Elijah, Jesus, and the Two Witnesses have also/will also experience(d) a rapture. None of these raptures were entirely secret, nor do those raptured simply disappear in a twinkling of an eye. Elijah’s rapture was witnessed by Elisha (II Kings 2:9-12). Jesus' rapture was witnessed by the apostles (Acts 1:9-11). The rapture of the Two Witnesses is said to be witnessed by their enemies (Revelation 11:3-12). If we could develop any Biblical precedent for the speed of the church’s rapture, it would appear that it will be slow enough for others to witness it.

Some argue for a secret rapture based on the Greek harpadzo ("catching away"), noting that it means to "seize suddenly." Texts cited include John 6:15 where the crowd was going to "take him [Jesus] by force," and Jude 23 where Jude spoke of saving some by "pulling them out of the fire." The word does carry the meaning of "take," and often a taking by force. When one seizes something by force, it is argued, they seize it quickly. I disagree that seizing something by force necessarily implies seizing it quickly. Even if we agree that the seizing is of a quick nature, being quick, and being secret are two entirely different things. Whether the rapture will take place in a few seconds or a few minutes cannot be known, but the Biblical precedent for raptures would indicate that the rapture of the church will be witnessed by the earth-dwellers.

It is interesting to note that if a lightning-speed rapture were true, why would it be necessary for Paul to note that the dead in Christ would rise first? No human being would be able to distinguish the difference of time-order between the dead and living saints. The statement that the dead will rise before those who yet remain alive would only make sense if there was enough time to truly distinguish who would go first and who would go next. A secret, or lightning-speed rapture makes these statements virtually meaningless, for only God would be able to tell any difference in the rising order of the believers.

We must conclude that there is no Biblical foundation to teach a secret rapture of the church. While this in itself does not dismantle the pre-tribulational position, it does create problems for the doctrine, which problems are not experienced in the post-tribulational view of the rapture. The post-tribulational rapture maintains that the rapture will occur at the second coming, which will be visible to earth-dwellers, and thus there is no need to postulate a secret coming of Christ or a secret rapture of the saints. The saints will rise to meet the Lord in the air, and immediately return with Christ to the earth to establish the Millennium, all of which will be witnessed by the unbelieving world.

Is the Pretribulation Rapture Biblical?

One of the most popular teachings today in Evangelical and Charismatic churches is the doctrine of the pretribulation rapture. The pretribulation rapture teaching is that there are two separate comings of Christ. The first coming is secret and occurs before the future seven year tribulation. At this coming Jesus comes for the saints (i.e., all genuine believers) both living and dead. These saints meet the Lord in the air and then are taken to heaven to escape the horrible judgments that take place during the seven year tribulation. At the end of the great tribulation Jesus returns to the earth with the saints. This coming is not secret but is observed by all. At this coming Christ crushes His opposition, judges mankind and sets up a one thousand year reign of saints upon the earth (the millennium). Some pretribulation advocates speak of two separate comings while others prefer to speak of one coming in two separate stages or phases (phase one is the secret rapture and phase two is the visible coming in judgment). Hal Lindsey likes to refer to the rapture as “the great snatch.” He writes: “The word for ‘caught up’ actually means to ‘snatch up,’ and that’s why I like to call this marvelous coming event ‘The Great Snatch’! It’s usually referred to as the ‘Rapture,’ from the Latin word rapere, which means to ‘take away’ or ‘snatch out.’”?

Although the pretribulation rapture doctrine is very popular and is even considered so crucial to Christianity that it is made a test of a person’s orthodoxy in some denominations, Bible colleges and seminaries, the exegetical and theological arguments used by its advocates are all classic cases of forcing one’s theological presuppositions onto particular texts (eisegesis). The purpose of this brief study is to show that the pretribulation rapture theory is not plainly taught or directly stated in any place in Scripture, cannot be deduced from biblical teaching, contradicts the general teaching of the Bible regarding Christ’s second coming and was never taught in any branch of the church prior to 1830.

The Origin of the Pretribulation Rapture Teaching

Whenever a Christian encounters a doctrine that has not been taught by anyone in any branch of Christ’s church for over eighteen centuries, one should be very suspect of that teaching. This fact in and of itself does not prove that the new teaching is false. But, it should definitely raise one’s suspicions, for if something is taught in Scripture, it is not unreasonable to expect at least a few theologians and exegetes to have discovered it before. The teaching of a secret pretribulation rapture is a doctrine that never existed before 1830. Did the pretribulation rapture come into existence by a careful exegesis of Scripture? No. The first person to teach the doctrine was a young woman named Margaret Macdonald. Margaret was not a theologian or Bible expositor but was a prophetess in the Irvingite sect (the Catholic Apostolic Church). Christian journalist Dave MacPherson has written a book on the subject of the origin of the pre-tribulation rapture. He writes: “We have seen that a young Scottish lassie named Margaret Macdonald had a private revelation in Port Glasgow, Scotland, in the early part of 1830 that a select group of Christians would be caught up to meet Christ in the air before the days of Antichrist. An eye-and-ear witness, Robert Norton M.D., preserved her handwritten account of her pre-trib rapture revelation in two of his books, and said it was the first time anyone ever split the second coming into two distinct parts or stages. His writings, along with much other Catholic Apostolic Church literature, have been hidden many decades from the mainstream of Evangelical thought and only recently surfaced. Margaret’s views were well-known to those who visited her home, among them John Darby of the Brethren. Within a few months her distinctive prophetic outlook was mirrored in the September, 1830 issue of The Morning Watch and the early Brethren assembly at Plymouth, England. Early disciples of the pre-trib interpretation often called it a new doctrine.”?

John Nelson Darby (1800-1882), who was the leader of the Brethren movement and the “father of modern Dispensationalism,” took Margaret Macdonald’s new teaching on the rapture, made some changes (she taught a partial rapture of believers while he taught that all believers would be raptured) and incorporated it into his Dispensational understanding of Scripture and prophecy. Darby would spend the rest of his life speaking, writing and traveling, spreading the new rapture theory. The Plymouth Brethren openly admitted and were even proud of the fact that among their teachings were totally new ones which had never been taught by the church fathers, medieval scholastics, Protestant Reformers or the many commentators.

The person most responsible for the rather widespread acceptance of Pretribulationalism and Dispensationalism among Evangelicals is Cyrus Ingerson Scofield (1843-1921). C. I. Scofield published his Scofield Reference Bible in 1909. This Bible, which espoused the doctrines of Darby in its notes, became very popular in Fundamentalist circles. In the minds of many a Bible teacher, fundamentalist pastor and multitudes of professing Christians, Scofield’s notes were practically equated with the word of God itself. If a person did not adhere to the Dispensational, Pretribulational scheme he or she would almost automatically be labeled a modernist.

Today there is a whole plethora of books advocating the pretribulation rapture theory and the Dispensational understanding of the end times. Given the fact that among professing Christians the pre-trib rapture is still wildly popular, a comparison of this theory with scriptural teaching is warranted. We will see that the typical arguments offered in favor of this theory are in conflict with the Bible.

Revelation 3:10

A passage of Scripture that is considered crucial for a defense of the pretribulation rapture position is Revelation 3:10. “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” It is argued that this passage refers to the great tribulation (“the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world”) and that the church is promised a physical removal from the world for protection. The “from the hour of trial” (ek tes horas tou peirasmou) is interpreted in a spatial sense. The preposition ek, translated from, is interpreted as a preposition of motion. The saints will be taken out from within the earth to heaven. Thus, they are kept or preserved from the hour of trial.

The pretribulation interpretation of Revelation 3:10 is totally off the mark for a number of reasons. First, standard biblical methods of interpretation must be completely ignored to apply this passage to a future tribulation two thousand years in the future. The letter is addressed to a specific church (Philadelphia) in Asia Minor in the first century. The specific promise that is made by Jesus is given to the Philadelphian Christians and cannot be applied directly to all the churches of Asia Minor or the universal church. For example, the church of Smyrna is told that they “will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful unto death” (Rev. 2:10). They are to take comfort in the fact that they cannot be hurt by the second death (2:11). They are not promised protection from the coming time of tribulation. Further, the promise to the Philadelphian Christians is based on their past behavior: “Because you have kept [eteresas—aorist active indicative]...I also will keep.” “The aorist ‘didst keep’ states the historical fact. The church held fully and completely to the Word as was stated in v. 8: ‘and didst keep my Word.’”? Because the promise is based on the behavior of a particular church in Asia Minor it cannot be universalized to include all Christians in the distant future. To do so is to render the commendation to the Philadelphians meaningless.

Second, the time indicators within the passage render impossible the idea that the promise was not to take place for two thousand years. The passage says that the hour of trial is about to happen. “I also will keep thee from the hour of trial that is about to come upon all the world” (Rev. 3:10, Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible). When the verb mello is joined to the present infinitive which is what is found in Revelation 3:10 (tes mellouses erchesthai), it always expresses imminence. When Jesus says that the hour of trial is about to come, He means it will happen soon.? To place the promise thousands of years away is a denial of the plain meaning of the Greek language. Chilton writes: “Does it make sense that Christ would promise the church in Philadelphia protection from something that would happen thousands of years later? ‘Be of good cheer, you faithful, suffering Christians of first century Asia Minor: I won’t let those Soviet missiles and killer bees of the 20th century get you!’ When the Philadelphian Christians were worried about more practical, immediate concerns—official persecution, religious discrimination, social ostracism, and economic boycotts—what did they care about Hal Lindsey’s lucrative horror stories?”?

Third, the Pretribulationist’s idea that ek (from) in verse 10 is used in a spatial sense and thus refers to the saints being moved outside of the earth away from tribulation is not supported by the immediate or broader context of the book of Revelation. This novel interpretation cannot be found in any theological work or commentary prior to 1830 when the pre-tribulation theory was first espoused by Margaret Macdonald in western Scotland. Also, it is a historical fact that the church of Philadelphia was not taken to heaven during the tumult and persecution that took place soon after the Philadelphian Christians received this prophecy. The idea that Revelation 3:10 refers to the rapture is a classical case of reading one’s own preconceived opinions into a text. The most logical understanding of ek (from) in Revelation 3:10 is that Christ will protect the Philadelphian Christians from the soon-to-come trials. This understanding is exactly how the identical Greek phrase is used in John 17:15: “keep them from the evil one.” Jesus’ prayer does not refer to a spatial separation but to protection from the wiles of Satan. The church of Philadelphia is not going to be beamed out of the Roman empire but it will be protected and preserved through the coming trials.?

Further, according to the Dispensational understanding of the great tribulation, all genuine Christians must be raptured at the beginning of the tribulation while the Jews must stay on earth and go through the tribulation. The problem with this view is that it involves both an abandonment of the literal principle of interpretation and an arbitrary interpretation of the word “from” (ek). In other words when ek is used of Christians it means they will be raptured to safety in heaven, but when it is used of Jews it means they will remain on earth but receive protection. Oswald T. Allis writes: “Jer. xxx. 7 declares, ‘but he shall be saved out of it’ (literally, ‘from it’). Dan. xii. 1 says only, ‘thy people shall be delivered.’ In Rev. iii. 10 we read, ‘I also will keep thee from (ek) the hour of trial.’ In chap. vii. 14 we are told of those ‘who have come out of (ek) the great tribulation.’ Matt. xxiv. 22 by speaking of the shortening of the days of the tribulation clearly implies that the elect will pass through it. John xvii. 15 illustrates the ambiguity of the preposition ‘from’ (ek in the same sense of ‘out of,’ ‘away from’) the world, ‘but that thou shouldest keep them from (ek) the evil.’ the purpose of the sealing of the servants of God before the pouring out of the plagues (vii. 3) favors the view that they are to pass unscathed through them. Why should not the same apply to Rev. iii. 10? It seems rather inconsistent to insist that ‘from’ in Jer. xxx. 7 must mean that Israel will pass through the tribulation, but that ‘from’ in Rev. iii. 10 must mean that the church of Philadelphia, and by implication the entire church then on earth, will not pass through it but be delivered from it by rapture.”?

Dispensationalists, who are the chief advocates of the pretribulation rapture, claim that they are the champions of a literal approach to biblical interpretation. They say that a literal approach to prophecy logically leads to the pretribulation view. Yet there are a number of important passages such as Revelation 3:10 where Dispensationalists take a very non-literal approach while their theological opponents take a very literal approach. It has already been noted how the literal view of Revelation 3:10 has been totally ignored in order to posit a tribulation and rapture thousands of years in the future. This contradiction to the literal method of interpretation is also found in their overall view of the letters to the seven churches. According to C. I. Scofield and the vast majority of Dispensational authors, the seven churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 represent seven consecutive chronological periods of church history. According to the general outline of this scheme the church of Philadelphia represents a period of church revival and great missionary activity (A.D. 1750-1925) while Laodicea (the seventh century) represents the final period of church history, which is one of compromise and apostasy. This interpretation raises a number of questions. 1.) If the seven churches are seven consecutive periods of church history, why is the rapture passage in the sixth period, the time of revival and not the seventh and last period, the time of apostasy? If Dispensationalists were to be consistent they could not claim Revelation 3:10 as a proof text for the rapture. The Dispensational view of Revelation contains serious internal contradictions. 2.) There is not one thing within the text or context of this passage that indicates that the seven letters are somehow prophetic of seven long periods of church history. Although such an interpretation may be popular, one is not obligated to hold to a view that has no exegetical basis. 3.) The interpretation that claims the seven churches are seven long periods of church history is a very non-literal approach to biblical interpretation. Dispensational scholars are fond of accusing Amillennial and Postmillennial expositors of spiritualizing various Scripture passages. Yet the idea that the seven letters are long periods of church history is itself a blatant example of spiritualizing Scripture. The Dispensational slogan of “literal whenever possible” is a claim that obviously is not a reality.

Revelation 4:1

Another proof text for the pretribulation rapture theory is Revelation 4:1, “After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’” Pretribulationists cite this verse and then remark that the church is not observed on earth again until Revelation 19 when believers return to earth for the millennial reign of Christ. Pretribulationists reason that since the church is not mentioned as being on earth during the great tribulation after Revelation 4:1, then John’s removal to heaven must be equated with the rapture. Hal Lindsey gives us an example of the typical Pretribulationist understanding of this verse. He writes: “It’s important to note that the Church has been the main theme of Revelation until Chapter 4. Starting with this chapter, the Church isn’t seen on earth again until Chapter 19, where we suddenly find it returning to earth with Christ as He comes to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.... Although Revelation 4:1 does not specifically refer to Christ’s reappearance at the Rapture, I believe that the Apostle John’s departure for heaven after the church era closes in Chapter 3 and before the tribulation chronicle begins in Chapter 6 strongly suggests a similar catching away for the Church.”?

Does Revelation 4:1 and the fact that the word church (ekklesia) is not mentioned in chapters 4 through 18 prove or support the pretribulation rapture theory? There are a number of reasons why this argument in favor of Pretribulationism should be rejected. First, this argument is an argument from silence in which the idea of the pretribulation rapture is presupposed and then imposed upon this section of Scripture. In the immediate context (Revelation 4:2) it says that John the apostle is transported to the throne room of heaven. Not one word is uttered that suggests that John represents the church or that the people of God as a whole are taken to heaven. Also, there is not any mention or any indication whatsoever of a descent by Christ or a resurrection of the saints. In Revelation 4:1 there is mention of a trumpet but this is not the trumpet blast announcing the rapture. It is a voice that has a sound of a trumpet just like the voice of authority that John heard in Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.” What occurred in Revelation 4:1 with John was no different than the transportation and throne room scenes experienced by other prophets (e.g., Ezek. 1:1, 22-28; 8:3-4 [Ezekiel is apparently below the crystal sea looking up to the throne room]; Isa. 6:1 ff.; 2 Cor. 12:1-4).

Second, the argument from silence is arbitrarily applied to Revelation and could be used to prove many heretical doctrines if applied to other theological topics. The argument from silence consistently applied would not prove the rapture of the saints but the annihilation of the saints, for not only is the word church (ekklesia) not used of the saints on earth in chapters 4 through 18, it also is never used of the saints in heaven. Does this mean that all the saints have vacated heaven and moved to Limbo or some other place during these chapters? No. Of course not! This argument, if consistently applied, leads to an incredibly absurd conclusion. The word church (ekklesia) does not even occur in the book of Revelation until Revelation 22:16. Does this mean the church is not involved in the second coming, the resurrection or white throne judgment? No. Obviously not! An argument that proves too much is worthless.

Further, the reasoning that Pretribulationists use to make Revelation 4:1 a proof text for the rapture could also be used to prove many dangerous and heretical doctrines. In the book of Esther the words for God and Jehovah do not occur even once. Does this fact mean that God does not exist, or that God is a deistic absentee landlord of the universe? No. It certainly does not. It should be clear to everyone from this example that arguments from silence are useless.

Third, a careful examination of Revelation 4 through 19 proves conclusively that the church is on earth during this period. John does not use the word church (ekklesia) in these chapters but given the nature of apocalyptic literature where allusions to the Old Testament are constantly used to dramatically portray coming events, the non-use of the word church in the highly symbolic prophetic section of the book is not surprising. In chapter 6 after the opening of the fifth seal the martyred saints ask God to avenge their deaths on the persecutors “who dwell on the earth” (v. 10). These martyred Christians are told wait “until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed” (v. 11). The phrase fellow servants and brethren is used in Revelation to describe Christians in Revelation 6:11, 19:10 and 22:9. Paul uses the same terminology in Colossians 1:7; 4:7. There is not a shred of evidence to support the idea that those martyred during the tribulation are a Jewish remnant. These are Christians of every nation (cf. Rev. 7:9, 14) who die because the church of Christ is persecuted on earth.

In Revelation 7 there are the 144,000 saints of God. Dispensationalists argue that this large group refers to literal Israel and not the New Testament church which has been raptured. This view is based on a literal understanding of verse 4: “One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.” Although the idea of “literal whenever possible” is good, Revelation 7:4 ff. is obviously not meant to be interpreted literally. In Revelation chapter 7 God uses the imagery of the old covenant Israel’s military camp divisions (1 Chron. 4-7) to symbolize the new covenant church of God as an overcoming conquering army of Jehovah. This is evident for the following reasons. First, the book of Revelation often employs descriptions of Old Testament Israel directly to the new covenant church. The church is called a kingdom of priests (textus receptus—kings and priests) which is an allusion to the Old Testament identification of Israel in Exodus 19:6 (found in Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). The church of Jesus Christ is identified as the New Jerusalem—the gates of which bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The foundation of the city bears the names of the twelve apostles.

Second, we are specifically told in Revelation itself that the 144,000 are those redeemed by Jesus Christ from among men. “These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb” (Rev. 14:4). Third, the literal interpretation of Revelation 7:4ff ignores the fact that ten of the twelve tribes had disappeared in Assyria. Virtually all the ten tribes had inter-married with pagans and had long ago lost their ethnic identity. Further, “if Israel according to the flesh were meant, why should Ephraim and Dan be omitted? Surely not all the people in the tribe of Dan were lost. Not Reuben but Judah is mentioned first. Remember that our Lord Jesus Christ was of the tribe of Judah (Gn. 49:10).”? Fourth, the teaching of the New Testament is that the church which is composed of both Jews and Gentiles is the true Israel of God (cf. Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6; Gal. 6:16; 1 Pet. 1:1; 2:9-10). James, writing to Christians, even calls them “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (Jas. 1:1). Paul taught that all who believe in Christ are the true sons of Abraham (Rom. 4:11-17; Gal. 3:7); that the middle wall of partition has been removed by Christ; the believing Jews and Gentiles are one body (Eph. 2:14ff.). The church of Christ is one building (Eph. 2:20-22) and one bride (Eph. 5: Rev 21:9ff.). Fifth, that the 144,000 refers to all believers is proved from Revelation 9:4 where the demonic scorpions are told they can only harm those who do not have God’s seal on their forehead. Are we to believe that Jewish believers are protected while their Gentile brothers are left to perish? Of course not! The church of Jesus is definitely still on earth during the great tribulation.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7

Another argument for the pretribulation rapture is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, “And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way” (ASV). The standard Dispensationalist understanding of this passage is that the restrainer spoken of is the Holy Spirit. Pretribulationists argue that since the Holy Sprit dwells and works to restrain evil by means of the church, a removal of the Spirit entails a removal of the church. Once the church is raptured the Antichrist will be revealed.

Although this passage is a difficult one that has resulted in many different interpretations, the idea that this passage teaches the removal of the Holy Spirit is theologically impossible and totally contradicts the Dispensationalist’s own interpretation of the events that are supposed to take place during the tribulation. After the rapture a Jewish remnant of 144,000 is converted to Christ. These Jews will be the greatest evangelists the world has ever seen, who bring multitudes to Christ from every nation. What is wrong with this understanding of Scripture? It places the Dispensationalist in the position of either denying his own interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 or of denying the biblical teaching regarding the Holy Spirit’s role in converting sinners. The Bible teaches that no one can be converted without the regenerating and drawing power of the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 36:25-26; Jn 1:13; 3:5-8; Ac. 5:31; 11:18; 16:13-14; 1 Cor. 2:12-14; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:11; Tit. 3:5). Yet, Pretribulationists teach that the 144,000 Jews are converted after the departure of the Holy Spirit. They also teach that the preaching of these converted Jews will be a hundred times more fruitful without the Holy Spirit than the preaching of the church with the Holy Spirit throughout the so-called church age. Multitudes are said to be converted to Christ from every nation during the absence of the Holy Spirit in only 1260 days! The truth is that if the Holy Spirit is removed, there would be no converts during the tribulation—not even one.

Realizing the obviously unbiblical nature of the standard view, many modern Dispensationalists argue that the Holy Spirit is not taken away, “but ‘taken out of the way;’ thus the Holy Spirit will continue a divine activity to the end-time, though not as a restrainer of evil through the church.”? In other words the Holy Spirit doesn’t go away to heaven, He merely gets out of the way so that the anti-Christ can have sway over the masses. This interpretation avoids the absurdity of mass conversions without the Holy Spirit. However, it also removes 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 as a proof text for the pretribulation rapture. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t leave the scene but merely ceases to restrain the forces of evil as He had before, there is no longer any reason to suppose that this passage indicates the rapture of the church. The idea that the Holy Spirit is dependent on the church to restrain evil is not supported by Scripture. Further, even if the restraining power of the Holy Spirit came by means of the church, would not the massive revival throughout the earth caused by the preaching of the converted Jewish remnant also be a restraining of evil by Christ’s disciples (His church)? Dispensationalists can not have it both ways. Therefore, this passage has nothing to do with the rapture.

Another reason that this passage should not be considered a proof text for the rapture is Paul’s teaching in the immediate context. The Thessalonians were troubled because of false teaching regarding the day of Christ. Many within the church believed that the day of the Lord had already taken place. Paul wants to remove any misconceptions regarding this coming day by pointing out that certain events must take place before this coming. Paul says there must first be a falling away or rebellion and the man of sin must be revealed. Then he gives certain details regarding the man of sin and when these things will occur. What is particularly interesting regarding this section of Scripture is that it proves that the Thessalonians who had previously received instructions by Paul did not know anything about a pretribulation rapture. If they had been taught such a doctrine then they would have known that the day of the Lord could not have taken place, for the rapture had not yet occurred. Furthermore, it proves that Paul did not believe in a pretribulation rapture (or that he was negligent in his instructions), for Paul says nothing about a rapture that is to occur seven years before the day of the Lord. If Paul believed in pretribulation rapture one would expect him to say: “Don’t be deceived that the day of the Christ has already come, brethren. It can only come after you have been raptured to heaven. The fact that you are still on earth is proof positive that it had not yet occurred.” Paul does not tell the Thessalonian brothers to look for the rapture but to look for an apostasy (or rebellion) and the man of sin. If the pretribulation rapture theory were true, why would Paul instruct these Christians to look for events that are supposed to happen during the tribulation, when the church is not supposed to be around? It is obvious that Paul presupposes that the church will indeed be present on earth during the great tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

One of the most popular arguments for the pretribulation rapture is based on 1 Thessalonians 5:9, “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is argued that the great tribulation is an unprecedented time of God’s wrath falling upon the whole world. Since believers are specifically told that they are not appointed to wrath, it is only logical to conclude that the church will be removed from the earth before God’s wrath is poured out. This removal is the rapture of the saints. This argument for the rapture is fallacious for a number of reasons. First, it assumes that the wrath spoken of in verse 9 is the wrath poured out during the tribulation. The context of chapter 5 however makes it abundantly clear that the wrath spoken of in verse 5 is not the wrath of the tribulation but the wrath that occurs at the second coming of Christ—the day of the Lord (cf. 1 Th. 5:1-3).

Second, it assumes that the only method at God’s disposal for protecting the church from His wrath is a total removal from the earth. An examination of the wrath of God in both testaments reveals that the Pretribulationist assumption is totally unwarranted. When God poured out His wrath upon Egypt, He spared the people of Israel (cf. Ex. 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 11, 26; 10:23; 11:7; 12:23; 14:28-29) without first removing them out of the land. The prophet Isaiah says explicitly that God can judge the earth without harming His own covenant people who remain on earth. “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain” (Isa. 26:20-21).

The nail in the coffin to the Pretribulationist use of 1 Thessalonians 5:9 comes from the book of Revelation which shows that God’s people are protected from His wrath during the tribulation. In Revelation 6:16 it is the heathen that ask the mountains and rocks to protect them from the wrath of the lamb. A wrath that falls as a response to the prayers of persecuted and martyred saints (Rev. 6:9-11). After the fifth trumpet is sounded, the locusts of destruction are ordered by God only to harm “those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” (Rev. 9:4). God’s saints are specifically protected from harm. In Revelation 9:20-21 we are told that these plagues were directed to wicked men. Revelation 14:9-10 says that those who are to experience God’s wrath and undiluted indignation are those who receive the mark of the beast; who worship the beast and his image. This obviously excluded Christians. Revelation 16:1-2 says that God’s wrath (the first bowl) is only to be poured out on the worshipers of the beast, who have his mark. Once again believers are excluded. In 16:9 and 11 those who receive God’s plagues are identified as blasphemers who refuse to repent. A careful reading of Revelation demonstrates that although God’s people experience persecution, death and harm at the hands of wicked men they are carefully and lovingly excluded from every act of God’s wrath. God’s wrath only falls upon those who are the enemies of Christ and His church. The wrath that falls on the wicked is God’s loving response to the prayers of His saints. Does the church need to be completely removed from the earth to be spared from God’s wrath, as Pretribulationists assert? The Scriptures answer that question with an emphatic “no!”

The “Children in the Millennium” Argument

One argument that is used by both pre and mid-tribulationists is based on the necessity of human beings entering the millennium with natural, non-glorified bodies. Premillennialists teach that during the millennium people with glorified bodies will dwell side by side with people who have not yet been glorified. The millennium must begin with people who are converted after the rapture yet before the second coming so that procreation can occur during the millennium. Natural bodies and procreation are necessary because descendants are needed who will rebel against Christ at the end of His earthly reign. If the rapture and second coming occur at the same time, then all believers would have glorified bodies and there would be no natural descendants who could rebel. Christians with glorified bodies cannot rebel because one aspect of glorification is losing the ability to commit sin.

This argument may have an effect upon historic Premillennialists who believe in a literal one thousand year reign of Christ on earth that is to begin immediately after the post tribulation rapture and second coming occurs. It, however, has no effect upon those (Amillennial and Postmillennial) believers who reject Premillennialism as unscriptural.

Because the Bible very clearly teaches in both the gospels and epistles that the second coming of Christ, the rapture, the resurrection and judgment of the righteous and the wicked are to occur on the same day (the day of the Lord) Premillennialism with its separate resurrections and judgments must be rejected. Note the following passages.

Matthew 25:31-46—“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world....’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels....’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Matthew 13:30—“Let both [the righteous and the wicked] grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn’” (cf. Mt. 13:47-50).

John 5:28-29—“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

John 6:39-40—“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Cf. Jn. 6:44, 54).

From these passages we learn that Christ taught a general judgment of all men, not just the wicked. Jesus plainly taught that there will be a general resurrection in which all men will be raised on the same day. There is nothing in the New Testament regarding a partial bodily resurrection which is followed by another bodily resurrection or 1000 years (or for the Dispensationalist, 1007 years). Further, Jesus taught that the bodily resurrection of the dead and the day of judgment occur on the last day. The designation last day means the end of human history. It precludes another thousand years of non-glorified earthly existence.

The epistles of Peter and Paul are even more explicit in their rejection of Premillennialism.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10—“...it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed....”

For the apostle Paul, the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous are to occur simultaneously, immediately following the second coming of Christ. There is nothing here teaching separate comings. There is nothing about a secret rapture. There is no 7 year, 1,000 year or 1,007 year gap between the glorification of the saints and the destruction of the wicked. According to Paul they occur the same day (“that Day”), the day Christ returns. Further, note that Christ comes from heaven to crush His enemies and judge the world. Jesus does not crush the wicked from His earthly throne in Jerusalem, as Premillennialists assert. Note also that there are no wicked people left to populate the earth during the millennium, and the saints will all have glorified bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:23-26, 50-54—“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end…. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death…. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.... Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”

According to Paul, the second coming of Christ and the glorification of the saints will occur immediately prior to the final state. Christ returns, the saints receive immortal, glorified bodies “then comes the end.” (The adverb eita, translated then in “then comes the end” in the New Testament, never refers to a long period of time. It is the adverb used to denote a short period of time.) There is no place in Paul’s understanding of the second coming to put a 1,000 year reign. When Christ returns, the kingdom is delivered to the Father. Furthermore, after Christ’s return, death is completely destroyed and abolished. How can there be converts in the millennium who live, have children and die, if death is abolished at the second coming?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4, 9-10—“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.... For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”

Once again the apostle Paul teaches that the day of the Lord is a day of deliverance for the saints but wrath for the wicked. Paul does not tell believers, to look for a secret rapture seven years before the second coming. He points them to the second coming itself when both parties, believers and unbelievers will be dealt with. Believers are to “watch, and be sober” in preparation for the second coming (1 Th. 5:6). When Christ returns they will “live together with Him” (1 Th. 5:10) but unbelievers will receive God’s wrath—sudden destruction will come upon them (1 Th. 5:3). If Christians are to be secretly raptured away from the earth seven years before Christ’s second coming, then why do the Scriptures repeatedly teach that Christians are to remain on earth until the revelation of Christ? The resurrection of the righteous and the wicked and the final judgment both occur on the same day, the day of the Lord (Mt. 13:47-50; 25:31-34, 41; Jn. 5:28-29; 6:3-40, 44, 54; Rom. 2:5-8, 16; 1 Th. 5:1-4, 9-10, etc.).

2 Peter 3:4-10—“‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation’.... But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat....” Peter teaches that the second coming, the day of judgment and the beginning of the final state occur contemporaneously. Like Paul, Peter says that these events occur on the “the day of the Lord.” According to Premillennialism Christ does not come on the day of judgment, because He is already on earth ruling from Jerusalem. But Peter says that when Christ returns, the judgment occurs and then the heavens and the earth are destroyed. The Premillennialist believes that Christ will return and rule on earth for 1,000 years before the elements are destroyed. Thus Peter’s account of Christ’s coming totally contradicts Premillennial doctrine.?

The “Translation Versus Return” Argument
Another pre-tribulationist argument is based on the difference between the translation of the saints at the rapture and the return of Christ to earth to establish His millennial kingdom. It is argued that the rapture of the saints is a catching away up into the air. However, the return of Christ is a returning to earth. Therefore, since the rapture and second coming describe two very different activities (one is a catching up while the other is a going down) they must be two separate events separated by time. Pretribulationists also argue that a clear demarcation exists between the rapture and second coming on the basis that at the rapture no judgment occurs but at the second coming there is a judgment. Once again this is supposed to prove that the rapture and second coming are two separate events that take place at different times (a seven-year difference).
These Pretribulationist arguments should be rejected for the following reasons. The idea that the difference between the translation of the saints and the return of Christ proves the pretribulation rapture theory is an argument begging the question. In other words it assumes what it sets out to prove. It is true that the rapture and the return to earth are not exactly the same events. This point, however, tells us nothing regarding the time sequence of these events. Jesus could meet the saints in the air as He returns to earth. There is no scriptural reason to assume a seven year gap between the rapture and return. Given the passages discussed in our consideration of Premillennialism, the rapture, second coming, and general judgment all occur on the same day. The saints meet Christ in the air and return to earth with Him.
What about the argument that at the rapture no judgment takes place but at the second coming there is a judgment? As noted above there is no biblical reason to take events such as the rapture, second coming and judgment that all are to occur the same day and insert several years between them. What is particularly devastating to the Pretribulationist is the fact that when Paul discuss the second coming and gives us the most explicit passage in the New Testament on the rapture he connects Christ’s descent with both the rapture and the judgment of the wicked. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 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. 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. 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.... For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Th. 4:13-17; 5:2-4). Note that Paul connects the second coming, the rapture and the destruction of the wicked all together. He presents them as coterminous and not separated by seven years. Everything will take place on that “Day” (5:4)—the day of the Lord. Furthermore, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 explicitly teaches that the rapture is a public event, not secret: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”
Oswald T. Allis exposes the fallacious manner in which Pretribulationists make subtle distinctions in Paul’s terminology which the apostle himself never intended. He writes: “The question which confronts us is this. If the distinction between the rapture and the appearing is of as great a moment as Dispensationalists assert, how are we to explain Paul’s failure to distinguish clearly between them? And the failure of other writers, Peter, James and John, to do the same? Paul was a logician. He was able to draw sharp distinctions. If he had wanted, or regarded it important, to distinguish between these events, he could have done so very easily. Why did he use language which Dispensationalists must admit to be confusing? Feinburg [a noted Dispensationalist scholar] made the following surprising statement regarding the three words we have been discussing: ‘We conclude, then, that from a study of the Greek words themselves the distinctions between the coming of the Lord for His saints and with His saints is not to be gleaned’ (Premillennialism or Amillennialism? p. 207). Such an admission raises the question whether the distinction itself is valid. If the distinction is of importance, Paul’s ambiguous language is, we may say it reverently, inexcusable. If the distinction is negligible, accuracy of statement would be quite unnecessary. We conclude, therefore, that the language of the New Testament and especially of Paul not merely fails to prove the distinction insisted on by Dispensationalists but rather by its very ambiguity indicates clearly and unmistakably that no such distinction exists.”?

The “No Signs Verses Many Signs” Argument

A popular Pretribulationist argument is based on the idea that passages which discuss Christ’s second coming indicate that many signs will proceed the second coming, while passages that discuss the rapture mention no signs. Feinberg writes: “In Matthew 24:32-51 our Lord makes it clear that these signs are to alert the believers that His coming is near: ‘Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door’ (Matt. 24:33). On the other hand, there is no mention of any signs or events that precede the Rapture of the church in any of the Rapture passages. The point seems to be that the believer prior to this event is to look, not for some sign, but the Lord from heaven. If the Rapture was a part of the complex of events that make up the Second Advent, and not distinct from it, then we would expect that there would be a mention of signs or events in at least one passage.”? In other words you can’t have signs and no signs at the same time. Therefore, the rapture and second coming must occur at different times.

The signs verses no signs argument should be rejected for a number of reasons. First, the idea that certain signs will precede the second coming of Christ is based on an incorrect interpretation of Matthew 24. The signs of Matthew 24:6-33 (wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes, false prophets, etc.) are signs not of the second coming but of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 by the armies of Titus. This is indicated by the context (Mt. 23), the disciples’ question (Mt. 24:3), the time indicator (Mt. 24:34) and the parallel passage in Luke 21:20. After noting the signs Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass till all these things take place” (Mt. 24:34). Kik writes: “Viewing what is obvious from this sentence, one would judge that every thing mentioned in the previous verses were to be fulfilled before the contemporary generation would pass away. That is certainly the evident meaning, and one that may be taken as literal. The generation living at the time of Christ would not pass away until all things he had mentioned hereto were manifested.”?

Second, passages which are used as proof texts for no signs before the rapture are better interpreted as referring to the second coming itself and not just the rapture. A favorite passage for Pretribulationists is 1 Thessalonians 5:2 which says, “the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.” The coming as a thief in the night is interpreted to mean that the rapture comes secretly. That is, it is a surprise. There are no signs that precede it. The problem with such a view is: 1.) The phrase “day of the Lord” is consistently used in the New Testament to refer to the day of judgment which occurs a the second coming; and, 2.) The context of 1 Thessalonians 5:2 clearly indicates that the day of the Lord is a day when the enemies of God will be destroyed (cf. 1 Th. 5:3). Christians are told to watch and live sober because they know the day of judgment is coming (1 Th. 5:6ff.). The signs vs. no signs argument simply has no exegetical support.

Conclusion

Although the pretribulation rapture theory is very popular today, given arguments that are offered in support of this doctrine we must declare Pretribulationalism to be contrary to the clear teachings of Scripture. Simply put, there is not one shred of evidence that can be found in the Bible to support the pretribulation rapture. The typical Pretribulational arguments offered reveal a pattern: of imposing one’s presuppositions onto a text without any exegetical justification whatsoever; of finding subtle meaning between words and/or phrases that were never intended by the author; of spiritualizing or ignoring passages that contradict the Pretribulational paradigm; and, of imposing Pretribulationalism upon passages that actually teach the unity of the eschatological complex (i.e., the rapture, second coming, general resurrection, and general judgment all occur on the same day—the day of the Lord). It is our hope and prayer that professing Christians would cast off this escapist fantasy and return to the task of personal sanctification and godly dominion.

Antichrist

This lesson will focus on the antichrist and what he will be doing when he is kicked out of heaven. I know many believe by the time the antichrist comes you have taken part in the rapture. If this is the case then you may believe there is no need for you to study this information. This is what makes the rapture doctrine so dangerous. Let's just suppose for a moment you are wrong. You would be totally unprepared to deal with tribulation and the deception that shall come upon the whole world. We don't insist you believe as we do but I urge you to consider the information we have provided you on the rapture. God says in Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" Make sure you are not one of those people. Consider this, not only are outsiders at odds with the rapture but those who believe this doctrine are at odds with each other. There are three different interpretations on when it will happen. This doctrine is not sound and for this reason it has caused all kinds of confusion. God is not the author of confusion 1 Cor. 14:33.

To start I think it is important to examine the title "antichrist". As English speaking people our first impression of the title would be that it is in opposition or against the Christ. This is not so in the Greek, from a prime root 473 in the Greek dictionary of the Strong's Concordance. It is defined as instead of or in place of. We can determine from this research that the antichrist is not coming openly in opposition of Jesus but rather in the place of Jesus, playing that role. This is how he is able to deceive the whole world. Many who have been taught the rapture will think he is Jesus because of a lack of knowledge. Let's examine some of the names Satan has used over the years and what he is really after.

Isaiah 14

12) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

These verses show what Satan's plan is. He wants to be God. This name Lucifer 1966 in the Hebrew Dictionary is defined as "the morning star". This name belongs to Jesus and Satan will imitate every detail we know about Jesus.

Revelation 22:16

16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

We all know that Jesus is our Rock, that Rock on which Peter would build the church. That immovable Rock on which we can stand and not be moved. That same spiritual Rock our fathers drank from in the desert with Moses. Well in true form Satan uses this name also.

Ezekiel 28:12-19

12) Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

The word Tyrus here 6865 in the Hebrew dictionary means "rock". In the following verses you will see this can only be speaking of Satan.

13) Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14) Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Here you see Satan was made a beautiful and wise cherub. He was even given the position of guarding the mercy seat. In short he had it all until iniquity was found in him. If you read verses 16-19 you will find that he fell because of his pride. He wanted to sit in the mercy seat rather than protect it. It just so happens this is were Christ sits. Satan wants to hold the position of Christ and he will get his chance to play Christ when he is thrown to the earth. He will be very convincing, he is very capable of fooling you if you are not prepared to deal with him. Unfortunately those who have been taught the rapture likely will be fooled.

Now let's look at some of the methods Satan uses to deceive.

2 Corinthians Chapter 11

2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4) For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Notice Paul is very concerned here that the reader might be deceived. Why would Paul be so concerned about us being deceived if we are to be taken in a rapture before the deceiver comes to the earth? Verse 4 makes this very clear. We have those here now who are teaching another Jesus. The rapture teaches you that Christ will come first. This is simply not true and it can easily be proven. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 1-4 clearly state we will not gather back until a falling away first and that man of sin the son of perdition is revealed. Now let's think back to Eve and what happened in the garden. Satan used God's own words to deceive Eve. He simply put his own little spin on them. Another place we can see this is were Christ was tempted by Satan. This is a good test for anyone. Go to Matthew 4:6 and read what Satan said there. Can you see where he twisted the scriptures? Now go to Psalms 91:11-12. Satan knows the scriptures we need to be ready. Let's read more about these false teachers Paul is warning us about.

13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Here we see Satan himself will appear as an angel of light so don't be surprised if those who carry his message appear to be "holy" men. Be careful the deception has already begun. We know that Jesus is our Light, are you beginning to see the parallels between the two?

Mark 13:21-23

21) And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

22) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

23) But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Here we are being warned directly from Christ about false christs and deception. Why would He go to all the trouble to warn us if we wouldn't see these things happen. This does not exclusively address the time before the tribulation. These false christs will be showing signs and wonders. These are the supernatural beings you can read about in Revelation chapter 9. If you went to that chapter notice their power is in their mouth in verse 19. You talk or in their case preach with your mouth.

Revelation 13:11-14

11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Notice this beast which is the antichrist looks like the lamb. Who is the lamb? Jesus is the Lamb slain who cleanses us with His blood. He speaks as a dragon though, when he speaks he speaks lies and deception. Over and over we have seen how Satan imitates Jesus. if you have been taught the rapture these lies will be hard to seperate from the truth.

12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13) And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Here we learn about the power and miracles that the antichrist can perform. He is coming to deceive and he will deceive many. Notice in verse 12 he caused those on the earth to worship the beast. He didn't make them. Verse 14 tells us he caused them to worship the beast through the miracles and deception. We have learned in this study that the antichrist will not come in opposition to Christ but in the place of Christ. He will do everything within his power to make us believe he is. He is coming first, don't take my word for it get in the bible and find out for yourself. If you believe we are in error feel free to contact us. Discussion is how we learn and we all can profit from rational debate. We hope you enjoyed this study, please read all of our studies. God Bless!

Any Moment Rapture

The any moment doctrine is probably the heart and soul of the rapture. Most followers of the rapture believe Christ could return at any moment. The bible clearly teaches us against this. We can read about what we should look for before we can expect the return of Christ in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.

2 Thessalonians 2

1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

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;

If you can read then it is crystal clear in verse 3 that we will not gather back to Christ until two things happen. The falling away- apostasia (deflection from the truth; apostasy) and the man of sin the son of perdition must be revealed first. Perdition means to perish and only one entity has been sentenced to death at this time. This would be Satan and you can read where God sentenced him to death in Eze. 28:13-19. Anyone who tells you the falling away is the rapture has not researched the words in the Greek language and they are misleading you. This is irrefutable proof that Christ will not return at any moment. Satan has not been revealed to us and the falling away has not reached it's full.

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.

Here we read about what the man of sin will be doing when he appears on earth. Do you see this happening today? This is why so many times in the bible we are told to watch. If the rapture were true we would have nothing to watch for. Here we can clearly see that we do have something to watch for before we can expect Christ to return. Who will you believe a preacher or God? Now we will look at the verses that are used to support the any moment rapture scenario.

1 Thessalonians 4 13-17

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.

If we wish to understand the bible we have to stay with the subject. The subject here is those which are asleep. The dead in other words. In verse 14 we learn that we shouldn't worry about those who are asleep because God will bring them 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.

We are still talking about the dead. Those of us who are alive and remain here on earth unto the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have already passed on into the next life. We will not precede them because they are already with God. Notice it says we which are alive and remain. Paul did not qualify this statement which means everyone who is alive and remains. In 1 Cor. 15:51 we read that we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. This is important so keep this in mind.

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:

We are still discussing the dead. Verses 16-17 will give us the order in which we gather back to Christ.

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.

Now we see those which are alive and remain will gather back to the Lord after those who have already passed on. Verse 17 is describing the order in which this happens. It is not describing how to the extent that he wanted this to be our authority on the matter. What did Paul say he wanted to talk to us about in this chapter? In verse 13 he says those which are asleep not our gathering back to Christ. You will read about our gathering back to Christ in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.

In order to fully understand these verses we must determine which trump is the trump of God. 1 Corinthians 15:52 is a parallel verse to 16-17 and it will help us to do that.

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.

Remember we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. So if either of these verses are describing the rapture then that would mean we all would be leaving the earth. We know this cannot be true. Everyone agrees there will be people on the earth during the tribulation. The key here is the last trump. This clarifies which trump we are talking about. If we go to Revelation and read chapters 8-11 we will find there are 7 trumps.

I know some will try and confuse this by saying "There are many references to trumpets in the bible, and there is no clear association- no direct statement stating that the trumpet referred to by Paul is the same as written about by John." This may be so but the word last is an identifier and in the Greek it means the furthest one out or final. So by that reasoning this is at the very least the seventh trump. In addition they also say "Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians long before John penned Revelation. So how could Paul make an association with a truth that was not yet revealed by God?

This is a desperate attempt to discredit a scripture they cannot reconcile with their doctrine. Who is the author of the bible? Is it Paul or John or Isaiah. No, the author of the bible is God, these were just men that God used to pen the books. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is given by the inspiration of God. So maybe Paul couldn't make the association with what was to be written in Revelation but do you really believe that God himself didn't have the foresight to know this would be an important prophecy? If that was the case could we rely on any of the prophecies in the bible? After all Revelation means to uncover or reveal. Suggesting that some things were hidden or covered before the book was written. Now you will see why they put up such a fuss over the seventh trump.

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.

This is what we have been reading about in Corinthians and Thessalonians. We have not been reading about some rapture "secret" or otherwise. All those things we read about happen at the last trump. Jesus returns to reign on the earth at the last trump not to rapture us away and come back again. The last trump is the final one, meaning the tribulation is over and the millennium is about to begin. If you read through the trumps this is very easy to determine. 1 Thessalonians was written to comfort us and let us know our loved ones are coming back and we will see them again. In verse 18 Paul says comfort one another with these words. They are very comforting, God loves us and doesn't leave us without knowledge. The question is will you listen to Him?

As A Thief

In this study I want to examine the use of the phrase "I come as a thief". We will look at how and where it is used to see if we can understand the meaning a little better. Repeatedly in the bible we are told that we should watch and the reason we are given is because the Lord will come as a thief in the night. In other places it says you know not when the Lord doth come but it is the same thought. As we progress through this study we will cover some other points that are relevant to what is being discussed

Matthew 24:42-44

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.

I think it is important to address who the thief is. I have received several e-mails that imply Christ is the thief. While He comes as a thief, the adjective is describing His coming not Him personally. Christ is coming to gather us together with our loved ones and those who have passed on. This is a great gift and the opposite of thievery. I want you to notice these verses follow the left behind verses so let's remember someone is taken and someone is left. In verse 43 we are given the position of the goodman of the house to look at for our example. In this example his house is broken up. In verses 45-46 we are told that a faithful and wise servant will be caring for his household and will be blessed for doing so when Christ returns. The faithful servant didn't allow his household to be broken up. This implies the breaking up takes place before the return of Christ. We can read about this breaking up in Mark 13.

Mark 13:9-12

9) But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Who do you think is behind these councils and ruling the synagogues at this time? If you read Revelation 2:9-10 you will find that these are the synagogues of Satan and it is the devil who will cast you into prison.

10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Do you know that this is the job that God has for His servants during this time. Many who know the truth will help to publish the gospel among all nations. The next verse will tell us how.

11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

These events will likely be televised either nationally or worldwide much like the trials that were held for suspected communists many years ago in this nation. When you allow the Holy Spirit to speak through you, you will be giving a great witness for God that will reach many people. When the Holy Spirit speaks it is undeniable and will likely turn many from the worship of the beast. This hour that is spoken of in this verse is the same hour of temptation we read about in Rev (3:10). We are kept from that temptation because the Holy Spirit gives us what we shall speak. Satan is so convincing that if we had to speak for ourselves he would probably convince us he is Christ. The next verse tells us how we are delivered up and this is where the breaking up of the house takes place.

12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

The breaking up of the house is a two fold teaching. First the house is split between those who believe the antichrist and those who don't. Then in their ignorance family will betray family in an effort to convert the poor sinner who doesn't believe the lies of the antichrist. Satan will break up your house if you do not prepare your family to deal with him. If we know he is coming first and what methods he will use we can escape this and properly take care of our household. When would you least expect Christ to come? When you think He is already here, right?

Revelation 16:15-17

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.

16) And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17) And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

I want you to notice this is said just before Armageddon and the seventh vial is poured out. Once that seventh vial is poured out it's over. Why are we still receiving this warning so late into the tribulation if we are not going to be here? Will you ignore the word of God or can you see that this presents a real problem for the rapture doctrine. Those who choose to ignore the word of God will be ashamed and their nakedness or lack of truth will be out there for all to see.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

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.

Here again the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. It will be the day not Christ Himself. As it says in verse 9 of this chapter God hath not appointed us to wrath and in 2 Peter 3:9 the Lord is not willing that any should perish. He has warned us over and over again to watch and He gives us the tools we need if we listen to His word rather than that of man. Verse 3 is very important and we can learn a lot by examining it closer. The first thing that jumps out at you is the word Peace, notice it's uppercase. We are talking about a person rather than a condition. Isaiah 9:6 Christ is the Prince of Peace. So when they say Christ is here as in Matthew 24:23 and think they are in safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them and they shall not escape Christ's judgment. God sent us His word and He tells us how to escape these things. He will be very unhappy with those who fail to study it and find the truth. I think you would agree it will take a miracle to bring peace to this earth. Daniel 11 tells us this is how the antichrist comes in "peacefully" and obtains the kingdom through flatteries. He will take over the world and unite the nations all under a platform of peace.

Daniel 11:21-22

21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

22 And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

Notice with the arms of a flood are they overflown. Just like in the days of Noe, they knew not until the flood came and took them away. Never suspected a thing. As I stated earlier when would you least expect Christ to come?

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.

We are not in darkness so our house should not be broken up and this day should not come upon us as a thief. We have been given the signs to watch for and told that this would happen. Antichrist is the thief coming to deceive the whole world and rob us of our expectation. The reason this day comes as a thief is because many have unwittingly been robbed by antichrist and false teachers. The rapture is setting them up for Satan to knock them down. If Christ could come at any moment what are we watching for? Don't listen to fables and the rapture is a fable devised by man. Let no man deceive you study and find the truth. God Bless!

Come Up Hither

In this study you will see a prime example of how those who teach the rapture twist the scriptures to fit their doctrine. This is very easy to see and I hope it will put you on guard and cause you to examine the rapture more closely. Whenever you hear someone defend this verse in favor of the rapture they will always start their argument with "We believe". Well, it really doesn't matter what we believe but what the bible says matters a great deal. Will you listen to God's word or take their word for it?

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.

If you go back and read chapter 1 verses 1-9 you will find that John is the one these things were showed to on the Lord's day. So I ask who is the one who looked and saw a door open in heaven? Who heard a voice as it were a trumpet talking to them? If you were taking an English test and you said the church you would surely fail. Sadly many of us will fail because of false teachings like the rapture. In order for you to believe this is being addressed to the church you have to ignore the rules of grammar, ignore the word of God, and add an object that there is no article for. This is adding to the word of God. We are warned about doing such things in Revelation chapter 22:18.

Revelation 22

18) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Another popular misconception that is used to support the rapture theory is that the church is not mentioned after Revelation Chapter 4. One of the problems we have when we try and refute this statement in discussions is that whenever we show where the church is mentioned it is dismissed and we get the explanation "those are tribulation saints". Since this has become such a crutch for a failing doctrine we have decided to look at this from a different perspective. Chapters 4-6 all link to one another and are chronological. Let's look at some scripture and prove this point and see what we can learn from the Word of God.

Revelation 4

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.

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.

Revelation 5

1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

As you can see when we get to Revelation Chapter 5 John is still looking upon the throne and seeing things that are happening in heaven. Now though John notices a book in the hand of the One that sat on the throne. The book of the seven seals. This chapter will lead us in to chapter 6 and the opening of the seals.

Revelation 6

1) And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2) And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Here is where we really need to think about the come up hither theory. According to this teaching what happened to John in Revelation 4 was symbolic for the church. Keeping this in mind and now having proven chapters 4-6 are chronological, then the church should not see these seals opened. They should be taken away in the rapture before these things come to pass. The white horse (first seal) has a rider which is seen with a bow. This bow if we look to the Greek (toxon) is from the simplest fabric. Not a bow like an archer and not the beautiful rainbow we see around the throne in Revelation 4:3. This is a fake and we have read about this before.

Matthew 24

4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Moving on to the second seal.

Revelation 6

3) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4) And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Here we read about a red horse (a war horse) again we have read this before.

Matthew 24

6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Seals 3 and 4 of Revelation

5) And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6) And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

7) And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8) And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

In these two seals we see famine, pestilence, and war. All are prophecies we are very familiar with.

Matthew 24

7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8) All these are the beginning of sorrows.

The last verse really says it all. These are the beginnings of sorrows! Now by this theory the church should have already been taken by the time we see these things come to pass. We are seeing these things happen before our very eyes and to my knowledge no rapture has occurred. If it did you missed it friends. Is the Bible wrong, or is this doctrine wrong?

Let's look at one more point on this subject. In Revelation Chapter 1 John is given an explanation of some of the things he is seeing. Of particular interest are the seven stars and seven golden candlesticks.

Revelation 1

20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The seven golden candlesticks are a symbol for the seven churches we read about in chapter two and three. There are only two of those God was happy with. Smyrna and Philadelphia. If you read through those two chapters this is very easy to determine. Now let's look for proof that those churches will be here during the tribulation period. Disregarding any scriptures that could be perceived as "tribulation saints".

Revelation 11

3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5) And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Rightly dividing the word we know that the two olive trees and the two candlesticks are not one in the same. We were told back in Revelation Chapter 1 that the candlesticks are the churches. As we know there were only two that were pleasing to God and this must be the two we are reading about here. It is clear from these verses they will be here for the tribulation of antichrist.

Left Behind

The left behind teaching is one of the cornerstones of the rapture doctrine. In this study we will examine it in great detail. It is taken from Matthew 24 and there is a lot more information there than is commonly taught. If you have been taught the rapture you have likely never studied these verses to the depths this study will take you. We should test any doctrine we follow to be sure it is in harmony with God's word. We ask that you view this study with an open mind and then you can decide for yourself.

Matthew 24 (37-46)

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

Here we are told that before Christ returns it will be just like in the days of Noe. Then we are given a general description of what was happening at that time. There is a lot more to this than what is actually said. To understand this completely we must go to Genesis and find out exactly what was happening at that time.

Genesis 6

1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Here is the marrying that was spoken of by Jesus in the book of Matthew. I want you to notice how these sons of God are contrasted with men. In this verse the Hebrew word that is translated God is Elohim. This title is always used of God in relation to creation or as the creator. You can contrast this with God in verse 5 in which it is Jehovah. Jehovah is always used of God in terms of His covenant relationship with man. This will be relevant after we read the next two verses.

3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

We see here that when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men giants were born in the earth. Now this is not normal. So I think it is fair to say these sons of God are something other than the men that daughters were born unto. The title sons of God or son of God (Elohim) is only used of Adam (Luke 3:38) who God created directly and of angels (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7) that is up until the time of Christ through which we become a new creature and all things are of God (2 Cor.5:17). The word giants in the Hebrew dictionary is nephilim. It means fallen ones. From these two facts we can determine that these giants were the offspring of fallen angels. I know if you have never been taught this before it may seem outrageous but hang on and we will further document this statement. The book of Jude will tell us about these fallen angels and their sin with the daughters of men.

Jude

6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

These two verses tell us about the angels leaving their habitation and compares their sin to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels are not flesh they are spirits. This is the reason giants were born in the earth. An unnatural act caused an unnatural result. You can also read about the angels sin in 2 Peter chapter 2 (1-5). To complete this portion of the study and lead you to my point we need to go to 1 Corinthians 11. In the 5th verse of this chapter it states that a woman should not pray or prophecy with her head uncovered. We will find the reason for this in verse 10.

10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

The power the woman should have over her head is Christ. Why, because of the angels. Just like in the days of Noe these angels along with their ring leader Satan will leave their habitation and come to the earth (Rev. 12:9). The angels will be marrying the daughters of men just as they did at that time. God sent the flood in Noah's time to destroy these unnatural nephilim. Noah was spared because he was upright and his generations were perfect (Gen. 6:9). Noah's family had not mixed with the fallen angels or the giants. This mixing with the angels and their offspring was all plotted by Satan himself to corrupt the seed line in which Christ was to come. If he could have accomplished this God's word would have failed.

Now why is this important? This will help us to determine at what time the one is taken and the one is left in Matt 24:40. The angels do not appear on the earth until the sixth seal.

Revelation 6:12-13

12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13) And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Angels are often referred to as stars in the bible, here are just a few examples: (Rev. 1:20, Rev. 9:1, Dan. 8:10). At the time the one is taken there are angels on this earth taking the daughters of men as wives. As we just read the angels do not appear until the sixth seal and by this time we are in the tribulation period. There is only one seal that has not been opened and when it is opened Christ returns to reign on the earth. If the one that is taken is taken in the rapture then it certainly is not a pre-tribulation rapture. It just doesn't fit. Now let's return to the book of Matthew and see if we can determine who is left behind.

Matthew 24

39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

I just want you to ask yourself one simple question about this verse. In the time of Noe who was taken in the flood? Was it Noe who was upright and just? Those who are taken are taken in a flood of lies and deception. This will be the flood of the end times and we can read about it in Daniel chapter 11.

20) Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.

21) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries.

22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.

23) And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.

Notice this vile person shall become strong with a small people. This is the little horn of Daniel 8:9, which is the antichrist. Satan doesn't come in like most people think but rather he comes in peacefully and obtains the kingdom through flattery and deception. Words are his weapons along with a few miracles he has the power to perform. He is very convincing and notice "with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown" Just like in the days of Noe. In Revelation 12:15 this flood is mentioned again.

15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Here again we see this flood of lies and deception and it comes right out of his mouth. It's amazing how many e-mails we have received were people say there is no way a Christian could be deceived by Satan. If he can obtain rule over the whole world through his deception and flattery it wouldn't be too smart to underestimate his ability to deceive you or me. We need to take this seriously and prepare ourselves.

44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Many will think he's already here because they have been taught he comes first. The antichrist comes first and he will be playing the role of Christ.

45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Notice the faithful and wise servant is found here on earth taking care of his household. He wasn't taken away in a rapture. We need to prepare ourselves and our family with the spiritual meat of the word. We have to separate the false doctrines like the rapture from the word of God. If we do this we will be blessed when the Lord comes. I hope you enjoyed this study, God Bless!

Mark of the Beast

This is a study we feel is extremely important considering the time we are living in and the seriousness of this subject. There has been much speculation about what this mark will be. It was believed by some that the social security number was to be the mark, others have since speculated it will be a computer chip, and an insignia in the form of a tattoo continues to be a popular theory. Our view on this differs from all these and we hope you will join us in this study as we explain why. Let's start with the verses that concern this mark.

Revelation 13

11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13) And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Hopefully we are all aware that there are two beasts that shall rise before the return of Christ. The first being a political system made up of many nations which shall rule the earth under one united government. This system is to receive a deadly wound which will be healed by a religious figure in the form of the dragon. Upon healing the wound the dragon (Satan) will become the spokesman for the system and eventually rise to ultimate power and reign supreme over the nations. What we are reading about here is his rise and the transformation from a political system into a religious system. This is evident when we look at his characteristics and his actions. The two horns like a lamb which are symbolic of Jesus and the miracles that follow are evidence of this statement. We were told in 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 that the man of sin would be portraying God and that we shouldn't expect Jesus to gather us unto Him until we see this happen.

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.

Revelation 13

14) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

It is important that we realize just how deceiving the Antichrist will be. Many will believe he is Jesus. His methods of deception will be supernatural. In verse 13 we read he will be able to make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men. This will captivate many and his ability to unite the world under a peace platform will have great spiritual significance for some. We are told he will deceive the whole world (Rev. 12:9) and his methods of deception will not be as easily recognized as some would have us believe.

15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Here we see the mark will either be in the forehead or in the right hand. Here we want to reason with you a little bit about this mark and what exactly it will be. The first point we want to make is about deception. How many people would the Antichrist be able to fool if he was gathering hoards of people together and placing a literal mark/chip in their forehead or in their right hand. Wouldn't this give most anyone pause and cause them to turn away? Remember he is claiming to be Christ and he will deceive the majority of the people here on earth. Secondly how would placing a mark on someone change their feelings toward God? If someone held you down and tattooed 666 on you would you love God any less or be any less loyal to Him?

God gave us a mind and expects us to reason out certain events that will come to pass. This particular event and what we are commonly told about it just do not seem plausible to us. We rather believe that the mark is in your mind. In other words it is what you believe and who you follow. You brain is in your forehead where we are told the mark will be placed. If you believe the Antichrist is Jesus then you are marked and God knows your mind. Now as far as the right hand, I think most people know that the majority of folks are right handed. What do we primarily do with our hands? We work. There will be those who are just deceived by Satan and there are others who are not only deceived but will work to bring forth a great revival unto him, believing him to be Jesus.

17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

If you do not participate in mandatory worship at this time you will be an outcast and denied the right to trade. I know this would worry some but God is faithful and will take care of those who follow Him. He is able to provide just as He did in the desert when He fed the Children of Israel with angels food (manna). He may provide for us another way but He will provide all the same.

18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

At this point let's look at the counterpart to the mark of the beast. God intends to set a seal upon His servants during this time and as we will read later it is their protection. Many like to say God has not appointed us to wrath and we totally agree but this doesn't mean He will not allow us to be tested.

Ephesians 1

3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

These verses show us that we were chosen even before the beginning of this current age to the adoption of Christ. Should we be worried that we cannot buy or sell? God didn't bring us this far to have us perish for lack of food.

10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Here we see once we here the truth we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise being our inheritance in the kingdom of God. God's people are sealed with truth which prevents them from being deceived by false doctrine and false prophets. It works the same with those who follow the Devil. They are sealed with lies and become blinded to the truth of God's word.

2 Corinthians 4

1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Now I don't believe any of you believe that the seal of the Spirit is visible to the eye. Why then would we conclude that mark of the beast would be any different. The beast may not be in power at this time but the mark is already being implanted in the minds of those who are deceived. You don't have to look very far to find doctrines that are in complete opposition to one another. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Deception is rampant.

Revelation 9

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.

Here we see the protection that the seal of God affords His servants. Again do any of us believe this seal is visible to the eye? Why would the mark of the beast be any different? Has God appointed us to wrath? Absolutely not but will we be tested? Let's look at the next verse.

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 word torment that we read here comes from the Greek root basanos and it means a touch-stone. A touch stone is used to test the purity of metals. God has told us through His word that we are to buy fine gold tried in the fire that we may claim that inheritance that He has waiting for us. He is going to allow us to be tested to see if we are loyal and worthy to claim His promises.

Revelation 3

18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In conclusion if the mark should be a visible one you should you have no trouble recognizing it. We don't believe it is and we want to be sure you are aware of that possibility. If you were looking for a visible mark and it never came it could get you into trouble as far as prophecy is concerned. We are to be watchmen and we must know what to watch for. We truly believe that time is growing very short and it is very important that we watch current events and be aware of what is happening in the world around us. Pay attention this is the time to watch. God Bless!

Our First Love

If you have read any of the studies on this site then you know it is our stand that the rapture is the tool Satan is using to prepare unsuspecting Christians for the deception that he will cause to come upon the whole world. In this study I hope to show you that God has a job for us to do and it doesn't include hiding from the enemy in the form of a rapture. If you are a Christian you should look forward to having a part in God's plan. What purpose could be greater than to have God use us to bring His will to pass? In this study we will see what our church should be teaching us and we will learn how to do that job.

I know many of the people who read this probably go to a church which teaches the rapture doctrine. You are most likely very skeptical about what you have read on this site. After all I'm sure your preacher is a good man who has devoted his life to the word of God. Why would he teach you a doctrine that is contrary to God's word. The truth is they have been taught just as they are teaching us. Many simply don't know any better and those who do often have their hands tied by denominational guidelines. Going against these guidelines could end their career or at the very least get them fired.

What it comes down to is this. It is our own responsibility to find the truth for ourselves. Your salvation is too important to leave in the hands of another human being. While Jesus is the savior, the bible when speaking about the tribulation says those who receive not the love of the truth will perish 2 Thessalonians 2:10. Now we will look at two churches that are referenced in the book of Revelation and see what we can learn from them.

Revelation 2

1) Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2) I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3) And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

I want you to notice that the Church of Ephesus has a lot of good things going on within it's congregation. They have labored for God, they've been patient and they have even tried many false teachers and proven them to be liars. Sounds pretty good, what more could they do?

4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love

Even with all of those good qualities this church still fell short of the mark. They left their first love. As a Christian our first love is He who's name we bear. Now we know from Hebrews 13:5 Christ will never leave us or forsake us. Our salvation is always there. It is the case however that we can leave Him. Who is Christ? John 1:14, Christ is the word. We can get so far away from God's word that we put our very salvation in jeopardy. This particular church has done just that. They have let fables creep into their teachings and it has put them in jeopardy. God gave us instruction on how the word should be taught so this doesn't happen.

Isaiah 28

9) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Many teachers will give you one verse and tell you what you should believe about it. This is not how God said to do it. This is how we get away from the word because we are not getting the fullness of what is being said. If you are not being taught line upon line and precept upon precept you are not receiving the full instruction that God intended for you. This is why doctrines like the rapture flourish in our churches. When you view the verses that are used for the rapture in context and with verses that are speaking of the same subject you can easily see it is not biblical. They won't give you these verses because it will raise too many questions or it should if you are sincerely seeking truth.

5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

What are the first works that God is talking about here? Before we can properly serve God we have to be educated in His word, so we know how to serve Him. Notice this church has fallen and is urged to repent. While we are saved but once, we are required to repent of any sins we commit once we are in the body of Christ. Now notice this church has fallen, this is very interesting because we know from 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that before Christ returns there will come a falling away first. Which means apostasy - to abandon ones faith. These people are experiencing this falling away because they have not been taught the truth. Your church may be morally sound and your preacher may be a fine man but are they teaching you the truth? It's up to you, not your preacher but you alone will answer for yourself on the day of judgment.

8) And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9) I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

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.

11) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

>Notice God has no quarrel with the church of Smyrna. This is the model we should be following today. We see this church is facing tribulation instead of hiding behind a "secret" rapture. They know the difference between those which say they are of Judah but are of the synagogue of Satan. They were not deceived. We can read more on this in Mark 13.

Mark 13

9) But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

You see this church knows they have a job to do and are preparing themselves for that. That is why God has no quarrel with them. If you are being told you are not going to be here then God is not happy with your church. There is no rapture "secret" or otherwise. Why do you think they have come up with this doctrine of a "secret" rapture? It is because the rapture is coming under more and more scrutiny and it is not in the word of God. For this reason they invented the "secret" rapture so they could hold onto their doctrine and not have to prove it within the scriptures.

10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

You will be part of publishing the gospel to all nations if you know the truth. These trials will be seen by many people. They will most likely be much like the trials we had in this country many years ago for people suspected of sympathizing with the communist party. As we learn in the next verse when we are delivered up the Holy Spirit is going to speak through us. This will be a great witness for God. It will be undeniable and by allowing the Holy Spirit to do this you will likely help to turn many away from the worship of the beast.

11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost

The hour spoken of here is very important. It is the hour of temptation we read about in Revelation 3:7-13. It says there that "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience. I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation". Many will say we are kept from that hour of temptation through the rapture. This is not true, we are kept from it because we do not speak but the Holy Spirit speaks for us. Here we have learned what our job is and how we should do it. We know what church is acceptable and which one is not. Let's look at verse 12 in Mark and find out how we are delivered up to these councils.

12) Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Rapture?

Those who teach the rapture most often quote 1 Thessalonians chapter 4:16-17. In this study we are going to examine 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. There we will learn that the first letter had caused some confusion among the Thessalonians. Many had come to the conclusion that Christ could return at any moment to gather His church. Paul strongly refutes this in the second letter and he will tell us exactly what we should look for before we can expect Christ to return. The rapture will not stand against these teachings. In order to protect their doctrine those who teach the rapture have twisted these scriptures to align with their teachings. We will show you where this is done and prove to you that they are deceiving you. On that same note we will read where God warns us against teachers like these and even against the rapture doctrine itself. God knew this would happen and He has provided us with the knowledge to overcome false teachers.

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

1) Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

Here you see Paul is going to talk to us about the return of Jesus and our gathering back to Him. He says don't be troubled or doubtful due to a (deceiving) spirit, some other teaching, or any letter we have written you (the first letter), as that the day of Christ is at hand. The day of Christ is not at hand, it will not happen until the events are fulfilled that we will read about in the next verse.

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;

Paul makes it very clear that the day of Christ will not come until there is a falling away first and the man of sin the son of perdition is revealed. Now how could any reasonable person read this and say that nothing has to happen before Christ returns to the earth? This is one of the places were teachers have taken a great liberty with the word. Some will tell you that this falling away is the rapture of the church. This is absolutely not true and can be easily disproved. If you have a Strong's Concordance you can look up this word falling #646 apostasia: it means deflection from the truth. If you have been taught this is the rapture then you have been deceived. It actually means apostasy, which is to abandon one's religion. This is being fulfilled right now, in fact those who teach this are fulfilling it.

The second event that has to occur before that day is the revealing of the man of sin the son of perdition. To understand who this is we must examine both titles. We know that sin entered into the world when Eve was beguiled by the serpent, who is Satan and took of the tree of knowledge Genesis 3:6. So if sin entered into the world as a result of the deception of Satan wouldn't it make sense if he was called the man of sin? The other title "the son of perdition" #684 in the Greek means to perish or die. Only one entity has been sentenced to to death by God at this time. Our (eternal) judgment will not come until the white throne judgment in Rev. 20:11-12. You can read where God sentenced Satan to death in Eze. 28:13-19.

Now that we know who this is we need to find out at what time he is revealed. As verse 3 plainly states that day is not coming until he is revealed. Now in order to reveal something it has to have been hidden. I have maintained throughout the studies on this site that the antichrist will come to the earth playing Jesus. This is why it is hidden and this is how he is able to deceive so many. In Rev. 12:9 it says he will deceive the whole world. If he was immediately revealed at the point he is thrown out of heaven he wouldn't deceive anyone. There are very few if any that would willingly follow him. Rev. chapter 16 gives you the 7 vials which are the seventh trump. There you will find the vials are judgments from God upon the beast and his followers. Many that teach the rapture like to say God hath not appointed us to wrath and for this reason the rapture is a valid teaching. Well, the tribulation can be broken down into two parts. The first part is the tribulation by Satan and the second beginning with the seventh trump is the tribulation by God. The tribulation by God is only for the beast and his followers. Now during this period of the seventh trump Satan will be revealed for who he truly is. All those that followed him will be receiving these plagues and there will be no doubt that they are not in good standing with God. After this and only after this does Christ return to reign on the earth. This is why He's coming, you couldn't find a verse stating Christ returns two times in the bible to save your life. This is why we have new theories popping up like the secret rapture, it's nonsense!

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

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.

This verse very clearly states the son of perdition will portray himself as God. This is how he deceives the whole world.

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

In order to understand this verse we need to understand who or what is being referred to. The word withholdeth means "holds fast" and the he is Satan as we learned from verse 3. So this should read "now ye know what holds fast that Satan might be revealed in his time". I know those who teach the rapture say the church is the what that is holding fast in this verse. This is incorrect, the Greek word that is translated "what" which acts like an English pronoun is #3588 and it is singular and neutral. Meaning it can only be speaking of a place and not a person or people. If we go to Rev. 12:7 we find that that the beast rises out of the bottomless pit. We also find that before Satan comes to the earth as antichrist there is war in heaven and he is kicked out of heaven by Michael. No place is found in heaven for him anymore. We can easily draw from these verses that Satan is being kept in a bottomless pit somewhere in heaven.

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

We have just covered the what now we will clarify who is holding Satan. This verse says iniquity which is wickedness is already at work. So even though he is not presently here Satan's spirit is already at work on the earth. The he that is holding fast "letteth" in this verse can only be Michael. I say this because not long after the (he) that is holding fast is taken out of the way, Satan is revealed as we will learn in the next verse. Since it is Michael which casts him to the earth it must be Michael who is holding him. It makes no sense to say the church is holding Satan in a bottomless pit in heaven. The church is not in heaven. To say that this is spiritual makes no sense either because his spirit is already at work on the earth. If we can't hold his spirit from working on the earth how can we hold him back in heaven. This business about the church being the great restrainers will not hold water.

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:

This is as clear as day, once Satan is revealed then Christ returns and will destroy him. There is no rapture, Satan comes first and then Christ. He will deceive the whole world, we need to be ready.

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

10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Notice those who perish do so because of a lack of truth. Don't be one of those this is not hard. Let the bible be your authority and not man. This is the great falling away - the deflection from the truth we read about in verse 3.

11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

God will send those who would not receive the truth strong delusion in the form of the antichrist. This is the lie, he's coming playing God and many have been taught that Christ comes first. This makes it really easy because much of the deception is already here. Iniquity is already working.

12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness

The last place we will go is Ezekiel chapter 13. This chapter is about false teachers and how they make up their own salvation rather than teaching God's word. That is what the rapture is doing today. The doctrine that is being discussed in these verses will line up perfectly with what the rapture teaches today and in my opinion it is the rapture. You can decide for yourself. We will only cover a few verses but I urge you to read the whole chapter.

Ezekiel 13

18) And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?

What we have here is very interesting. This sew pillows to all armholes and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature simply means a one size fits all doctrine. For instance they may say "All you have to do is believe". God expects more from you than that. In the book of James 2:19 we are told even the devils believe and tremble. You want to do more for God than that don't you? God says "You are preying upon my people by teaching lies" and furthermore He asks can you save my people with your manmade religion?

19) And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?

These teachers are polluting God's truth for payment. If you tell people what they want to hear they will likely keep coming back again and again. That's a steady flow of money. They are condemning those who are of a pure heart and those who are hypocrites believe they are saved.

20) Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

These pillows are covering up the truth and polluting the word of God. This is the rapture foreseen by God and He is warning them as well as you don't teach it and don't believe it. I'm sure you have heard hymns about flying away, coincidence? God is very good to us and he will tear away the lies and deception during the millennium. At that time we will have one church instead of numerous denominations and false doctrines like the rapture. We can do better right now though if we pray for knowledge and listen to God's word instead of man. I hope you enjoyed this study. God Bless!

The Marriage Supper

In this study we are going to look at the marriage supper and the time in which it will happen. Many believe this event happens just after the "rapture". We contend it happens just after Armageddon and the return of Jesus. If we can determine at what time the marriage supper takes place we will have a better understanding of when we will gather back to Christ. We can read about the marriage supper in Revelation chapter 19.

Revelation Chapter 19

1) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Here is where we will begin our study. We should note the time here and the events that have just transpired. The Lord has just judged Mystery Babylon the great whore which had reign over the kings of the earth. We have to go back to chapter 16 to fully understand the timeframe here. In chapter 16 we see that the seven vials are being poured out upon the beast and his followers. In verse 19 we learn that the great city (Babylon) is included in these judgments. Now we know that what we are reading in chapter 19 is taking place after the seven vials are poured out. This is important.

Revelation 16

19) And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

When we look at chapter 17 we are reading about an event that is taking place in heaven. John is shown all things concerning Babylon and it's fate, only this time with an explanation. Now when we move on to chapter 18 we see that the city has indeed fallen.

Revelation 18

1) And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

2) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Now this will set up what we are about to read in chapter 19. We know chapter 19 happens after the fall of Babylon and we have just learned that the fall occurs during the seven vials. Which are the seventh trump.

Revelation 19

5) And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

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.

These scriptures give us a clear picture of when the marriage supper takes place. In verse 7 we learn that the marriage supper is come. So the time for it to take place is here. Meaning that as of yet it has not happened. We also learn that the wife has made herself ready and we are told she has done this by her righteousness in verse 8. She has not worshipped the beast or taken his mark. This is why the wedding apparel is granted to her and this is how she made herself ready. Her loyalty to God has proven her worthiness.

11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

These verses give us the reason why the time for the marriage has come. Christ is returning to the earth, not for a rapture but to make war. Armageddon is about to take place.

14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

I know many want to tell you you are part of this army. These are the people who have passed on before us. Your grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. Remember in 1 Thessalonians we were told that we shouldn't worry about those who have passed on before us because God will bring them with Him. These are those people.

1 Thessalonians 4

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.

We need to remember the time for the marriage supper had come but it had not happened yet. We will see this happen in the following verses.

Revelation 19

17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Here we see the marriage supper come to fruition. It is called such because it is the reunion of Christ and those saints who have passed on with those who are alive and remain on the earth. This will be the time where we shall all be changed and will no longer be in the flesh. This is the reason for the fowls of the earth which are called to rid the earth of those bodies. This will tie us in with another rapture favorite.

1 Corinthians 15

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.

Here we see this changing of the body occurs at the last trump. Again the changing of the body and the marriage supper are in harmony with each other. The fowls are called to eat the flesh of men because men have shed their flesh body. This marks the reunion of the saints with Christ (the marriage) and the changing of the body (the supper).

We hope we have presented you with a clear picture of the marriage supper or "wedding" as some call it. The scriptures we have covered prove that it will not happen until Christ returns to reign on the earth. There is no need for a rapture at this time. If we were to take part in a rapture we would be leaving the very place Christ is about to reign. If you hold to the rapture doctrine we urge you to find out when your doctrine says the marriage supper or "wedding" will take place. If it is contradictory to what we have just covered then we implore you to rethink your position. We are not trying to discredit any one person or particular church. We do this because we care about the truth and we love the word of God. If you need further clarification or just want to discuss any biblical topic please feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to speak with you. God Bless.

The Beasts of Revelation

We welcome you to another study with The Rapture Rebuttal. The focus of this study will have little to do with the rapture but will instead focus on the two beasts of Revelation and the entities involved therein. Jesus told us over and over again that we should watch and be alert to the events around us. It is vitally important that we understand how prophecy will unfold in the last days so we know what to watch for. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul tells us that their should be no division among us and we should all speak the same thing. These days I would submit there are more divisions than ever and it seems the churches agree on very little. If this doesn't bother you it should. We hope with this study we can clear up some of the misunderstandings about who or what these two beasts are. Please join us as we search the scriptures in an effort to shed light on this subject.

Revelation 13

1) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2) And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Here John describes this first beast to us using symbolism. If we search out the scriptures we can get a far clearer picture of what John is actually seeing. The first place we will need to go to do that will be the book of Daniel.

Daniel 7

2) Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

3) And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

4) The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.

5) And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

6) After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

7) After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns

8) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Here we are given a vision of Daniel who is seeing four beasts that will rise in succession to one another. Each of the first three are known by a single symbol. The lion, bear, and leopard. When we get to the fourth beast we are told it is exceedingly strong and diverse from all the beasts before it. If we go back and look at the beast from Revelation 13:2 we see the beast there which is this fourth beast from verse 7 has the attributes of the lion, bear, and leopard. Within this diverse fourth beast we are seeing the convergence of all these beasts into one diverse exceedingly strong beast. It is essential that we understand this as we move forward. Please note the little horn in verse 8, it has a mouth speaking great things. You will need this information later. Now you have heard our interpretation of these things but let's hear what Daniel was told about theses four beasts.

17) These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

18) But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

19) Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20) And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21) I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Here the mystery will begin to be unraveled. Again please make a note that it is the little horn who will make war with the saints.

23) Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

In verse 23 we find out what the beast is. The beast is a kingdom. We know many believe this beast to be a man. This does not align with these scriptures and we have proof here that we are talking about a kingdom rather than a man. The ten horns are 10 kings which rule this kingdom. It is important to understand these simple facts. What we have here is a system of government ruled by 10 kings not by one man. Now let's focus on the little horn. In verse 24 we see that a king shall rise after these 10 kings which will subdue 3 kings. He (little horn) will speak great things against the Most High and think to change times and laws. Please continue to make notes about what the little horn is doing because if we want to understand who he is we need to keep this information on hand.

Now we know that the beast is a kingdom and not a man. It is diverse meaning it has many parts and is ruled by 10 kings which the horns symbolize. We have learned that the little horn will A) Make war with the saints B) Speak very great things against the Most High C) Change times and laws.

Revelation 13

3) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Here we see this kingdom receive a deadly wound and is no doubt on the verge of collapse. A common question would be how does a kingdom receive a deadly wound? Well we know this kingdom is diverse (made up of many parts) and is ruled by 10 kings. This deadly wound which we see is not deadly at all because it is healed, will likely come in the form of a dispute between the kings which rule it. We believe that this dispute will make the threat of war and dissolution imminent. After many attempts by mere men to reconcile the dispute the dragon will step in and heal the wound. We will give our basis for this reasoning in the following scriptures.

4) And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Here is the first instance of worship we see connected to the beast and the dragon. It is important to understand at this point those who are participating in the worship are doing so voluntarily. It is the dragon who gives power to beast and the beast was on the verge on collapse, so it must of been the dragon who restored the beast and healed the deadly wound. The statement who is able to make war with him is a key as to what the wound was. Obviously you can't make war with a kingdom that rules over the whole world. Those who are involved in worship are amazed at the dragon's ability to unite the people and restore the kingdom. The dragon will most likely be a religious leader who will bring all parties together again and unite the world under a platform of peace and spiritual enlightenment. Even the kingdom itself will become an object of worship because it has brought peace to an otherwise war weary world.

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.

Here a mouth was given unto the beast. This is another reason why this beast must be a kingdom and not a man. If it were a man or an agent of Satan it would not need to be given a mouth to speak the great things we are about to read about.

6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Here we must think back to the little horn of Daniel. If you made a note then you see one of the things the little horn was to do was to speak very great things against the Most High. At this point we want to figure out who the dragon is and what is the relationship to this little horn. This will help us to understand this prophecy much better.

First the dragon - If we go to Revelation Chapter 12 we will find in verse 9 that the dragon is none other than Satan himself.

9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In verse 9 we are given a few of the names Satan is called by. Each name is particular to what role he has played throughout time. We want you to be aware that the dragon was cast to the earth and particularly that his angels were cast out with him. This will be important as we look at the little horn.

The little horn - We need to go back to the book of Daniel for this portion in Chapter 8

8) Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9) And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

10) And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

This ties us directly in with verse 9 of Revelation where the angels are cast out with Satan. In verse ten above they are called stars but in the bible angels are often referred to as stars and we believe we are reading about the same event here. The little horn and Satan are the same person just referred to by different names. More proof comes when we read that the little horn comes in peaceably and obtains the kingdom by flatteries in Daniel 11:21. We submit he comes in peacefully by healing the deadly wound which is a threat of war. These flatteries will help to elevate him in the sight of political leaders as well as the general population and eventually lead to his rule. Now we will move on just a bit.

Revelation 13

7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

If you took notes then you will see that it is the little horn in Daniel 7:21 who makes war with the saints. At this point the little horn has risen and is beginning to take control of this government. How did he rise and become the mouth piece for this government? He did it as the dragon when he healed the deadly wound. All the same person just different names.

8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Here is more proof that the dragon and little horn are the same. In the first instance of worship who was it that was being worshipped? It was the dragon. Those who worshipped him and the beast did so voluntarily at that point. Now we are told the whole world will worship him and this will be under a religious government in which worship will be mandatory. This is not unprecedented, not too many years ago the Iatola Komani came on the scene in Iran and took control of that country on a religious platform.

Just to review, what we are witnessing here is Satan's rise to power. First as a religious figure who mingles in political issues. As the dragon he will mediate a political dispute between kings. In doing this he will be elevated for his wisdom and will be the mouth piece for this one world system. This platform elevates him as the little horn we see rise up in Daniel. This is just the progression of one man from a religious mediator in the first beast system to the eventual ruler of the second beast system.

11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Here is the peak of the rise of the little horn where he has complete control over the one world system. Only this beast looks different. It has two horns like a lamb but speaks as a dragon. We know Christ is the Lamb and this is where Satan will claim to be Christ. Why is it that this beast speaks as a dragon? It is the dragon. It's just that simple. If we understand all these names are one entity and are particular to his actions then we will understand these two beasts.

12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Here we see that the second beast (whatever you wish to call him it is Satan) has all the power of the first beast. Why? It's the same system only now one man is ruling it and it has become a religious system. If you took notes you will remember that the little horn would change times and laws. Here is where we see this take place, it is now a law that you must worship in his brand of religion in order to have the right to buy and sell. Once again all the same entity just different names.

13) And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Who is deceiving those on the earth in verse 14? Some would say it is the false prophet. This is just another name of Satan. If we go to Revelation Chapter 12 we will learn that this is the dragon or Satan who deceives the whole world..

9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

All these players are performing the same actions. Why? They are all one entity.

Revelation 13

15) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

We hope we have presented a clear picture of these two beasts and who the players are in them. When you look at all the evidence it all comes back to one entity, Satan. He is called many names but he is the same old deceiver from the garden. He creates a one world government by influencing the kings of the earth to agree to such a system. Then because he only has a short time to reign on this earth and his rise to power must be swift, he creates dissention (by influencing a dispute between the kings) and resolves the dispute. This elevates him and eventually leads to his rule over the whole kingdom. We hope you enjoyed this study, God Bless!

The First Death

We are pleased to bring you another study in God's Word. In this study we are going to examine the first death, the first resurrection, the second death and the second resurrection. The verses we will use will cover the return of Jesus, the millennial period, and up to the white throne judgment. We know that God is the same yesterday, today and forever from (Heb. 13:8). Keep this in mind as we progress through this study.

To begin we need to understand that we have two bodies. One is an earthly or natural body and the other is a spiritual or heavenly body. We will begin this study in 1 Corinthians 15 where we will learn about each body.

1 Corinthians 15

35) But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

I just want to note that this is talking about the dead in general and not just those who overcome.

36) Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37) And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

What we should take away from these scriptures is that the body you have now is not the same body you shall have.

40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

42) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

44) It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

49) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neith

51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Verse 51 is important. I think we all agree that we are going to be judged whether it be for reward or punishment. In order for that to happen we have to change from this earthly body into a spiritual body. We cannot inherit the kingdom of God in the flesh nor can we be in the presence of God in the flesh. Where God is there is heaven also because He is the temple of it (Rev 21:22). This is why we shall all be changed whether we are sinner or saint. We will not all die before the coming of the Lord but we must all be changed into the spiritual body to be in His presence.

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.

This word corruptible is 862 in the Greek and it means undecaying. What we read about in verse 52 is the first death. It is only the death of the flesh and we must all endure it in order to put on our spiritual body. Later we will cover how this happens but before we do that let's remember that this happens in the twinkling of an eye. It takes place in an instant and you will not feel any pain. For every death there will be a resurrection.

53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Verse 53 is very important. It separates body from soul. When we are talking about corruption we are speaking about the flesh. When we are talking about mortal we are speaking of soul. We must keep these two separate in order to understand the next verses. Now let's read about the first resurrection.

Revelation 20

1) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Keep in mind what we are reading about here is after the tribulation. Satan has had his fun and now we are moving into the millennium.

3) And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

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.

Again this first resurrection happens just before the millennium and after the tribulation. Now the dead that is spoken of here has nothing to do with the body they have. We all must change into that incorruptible (undeacaying) body. This has to do with their soul. They have not put on an immortal soul. Those who overcome will put on an immortal soul at the first resurrection. We know this because verse 6 tells us the second death has no power on those who take part in the first resurrection. Just to clarify the first death and first resurrection happen at the same time.

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.

As we will read later the second death is the death of the soul. This is how we know that the first resurrection is of the soul as well as the body because it has no power over those who overcome.

Now lets review just a bit. The first death happens at the last trump (1 Cor. 15:52, 1Thes. 4:17). For every death their is a resurrection and the first resurrection happens in harmony with the first death. The first resurrection is that of the body and soul for those who overcome but is only of the body for those who don't.

I wanted to cover the first resurrection before we got into how the first death actually happens because they happen simultaneously. Now we will look at how we actually change from this body to the spiritual body. If you read this information and didn't realize that it happens in the twinkle of an eye it could be a bit frightening. We are not trying to frighten anyone so just keep this thought in mind as we read these scriptures.

Zechariah 14

1) Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

3) Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

5) And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

I included these verses just so you know what day we are talking about. Verses 8-10 will look ahead to the future after all of these things happen. When we get to verse 12 in this chapter we continue on from what is being discussed here.

12) And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Now notice this plague will happen to all nations that fight against Jerusalem. This is indeed all nations because we read in verse 2 God will gather all nations against them. So no one will escape this.

15) And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague

Verse 15 is important because it is going to establish a timeframe. Up until this point we have said nothing on the rapture. One reason is because there is a lot of information to absorb in this study and two if you are a student of the rapture doctrine you know were the problems lie. We are going to give you quite a few verses here because they are necessary and will help you a great deal if you clear your mind and let the bible speak.

Revelation 19

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.

What we are reading about in these verses start way back in Revelation 16:17 and continues on up until this point. I strongly encourage you to read it all. We didn't include it all because this study is already long enough. You will find in Rev. 16:17 that the seventh vial is being poured out. Now the vials are the seventh trump it is just divided into 7 judgments against the beast and his followers. So keep in mind where we are at. This is the end and Armageddon is taking place. What is so vitally important for you to understand is in verse 9 it says blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper. So reason this out with me. We are at the end and nobody has taken part in the marriage supper as of yet. This is certainly a problem for the rapture and I don't need to tell you that.

10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Christ is coming to make war, not for rapture.

12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Now verse 18 will establish that timeline I was talking about. The fowls are told to eat the flesh of kings and horses etc. This ties us directly to the changing of the body we read about in Zechariah 14:12-15. We are talking about the same event and you can clearly see from Zechariah that our old bodies will be gone. This aligns with what we read about in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed. I hope you can see this, it is a beautiful example of how God's word always harmonizes within itself. This is why the rapture teachers want to give you a verse or two and tell you what to believe about them. They know if you get into the word and find these beautiful truths they are going to have their hands full.

19) And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Now we will move on to the second resurrection and the second death. Just remember we were all changed in that first resurrection but not all were granted an immortal soul.

Revelation Chapter 20

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.

This thousand year reign is what is commonly referred to as the millennial reign of Christ. Those who overcome will be priests. Now a priest is a teacher. They will be teaching those who did not overcome during the tribulation. We can read about this in Ezekiel 44.

23) And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

This is what the priests will be doing during the millennial period. Verse 28 will document that this is the millennium. At no time has man lived with God on this earth. A note about Ezekiel, from chapter 40 until the end is all about the millennium and what will happen there. When you read these chapters though you have to understand that there is no flesh during that time. All animals and people have put off the flesh. When it talks about sacrifices these are not literal but are symbolic. At the time this was written Israel and Judah were still under the law and I suppose that is why it written in this manner.

24) And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

25) And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.

26) And after he is cleansed, they shall reckon unto him seven days.

27) And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith the Lord GOD.

28) And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession.

Again the dead person discussed in verse 25 is spiritually dead it has nothing to do with their body. This verse clearly tells us that we will recognize our loved ones and we can even go to them for teaching purposes. Now let's go back to Revelation.

Revelation 20

7) And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

In verse 3 of this same chapter it would say Must be loosed a little season. The people who are on earth when the tribulation happens were chosen to be here. They were chosen to be tested. The reason Satan must be loosed again is because all of those who failed to make it through the first tribulation must be tested after the thousand years of teaching. Remember God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So unless you die before Christ returns God is going to allow Satan to test you.

8) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Notice how this is happening, sound familiar? Things are transpiring just as they do before Jesus returns.

9) And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Here again you see this go down just like it did before the millennium. Why am I harping on this? Well if God is always the same and is no respecter of persons then why was there no rapture or similar event for these people. The nature of God doesn't change, his method of testing didn't change, so why all of a sudden did He leave something out? This should put us all on notice as to just how convincing Satan will be. He not only fooled these people in the tribulation but after 1000 years of teaching they still were deceived.

11) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

There we have the second the death. The second resurrection also happens at this time for those who made it through this period of testing in the millennium. This resurrection is of the soul from mortal to immortal. We have covered quite a bit of ground and I hope you found this study beneficial. We know now when the resurrection takes place, at what time, and for whom. The wedding will not happen before the tribulation as we read earlier. I hope you enjoyed this study, God Bless!