Quite often lately, I've been asked if I believe in the Rapture of the Church and when do I think it will happen. It just so happens, I started writing a post like this years ago when I started noticing changes occurring in our world pointing to the end times being very close. For some reason, I left it in my drafts and never finished it. I've been working on this in little bits of time in a very busy season. I apologize for spelling and grammatical errors.
I have prayerfully studied the differing viewpoints numerous times over the course of my life. Every time I delve into it, I come away more convinced of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Now, I could be wrong. I might be missing something or blinded by something. My fallible self is why I am encouraging you seek the Lord on your own and do your own Bible study. He should be the source you seek.
I want to point out that I am sharing only some of my notes on the topic. I realize the individual notes on the different points themselves are brief, but maybe that will encourage you to pray for wisdom and understanding and do your own research and Bible studies into the different points. I had work planned, but I put that aside so I could finish writing this for those who have been asking.
First, I want to make sure that you realize the word rapture is in the Bible. In I Thessalonians 4:17, the words "caught up" are translated into Latin as raptere which is where we get the word rapture. In Latin, it means "to seize and carry off." In Greek, it is harpazo which means "to take/snatch away." This is the same word used to describe Paul being "caught up" to Heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. I feel the two verses are clearly talking about people being very quickly relocated from the earth.
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Jesus' own words make me believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
In Luke 17 Jesus points out that wrath came after Noah and Lot were safe. Notice that the wrath came immediately after their safety. Jesus tells us it will be like those days. He includes that the righteous were protected and then judgment came.
Revelation 3:10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
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The Rapture is sudden (twinkling of an eye) and stealthy (unknown time) (like a thief in the night). It involves Christians who are prepared (Parable of the Virgins). The Second Coming does not happen in a twinkling of an eye, and it is easy to pinpoint when it will happen. It is very public. Everyone will see Him. Matthew 24:29-31
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The restraining nature of the Holy Spirit who lives inside believers also points to a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. This is called the "indwelling of the Holy Spirit." Very clearly today, we can see evil bulging at the doors. If you are paying close attention, you can see goalposts by the other team being moved further and further back. What's holding evil from running rampant? What has to happen before the end time timeline begins?
And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
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But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 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. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. I Thessalonians 5:1-11
I don't find going through the worst period of trouble on the earth very comforting, do you? But, I do find a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church very, very comforting.
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God has a pattern of removing His people before He unleashes His wrath. Why would He treat us any less than them?
Noah and his family were removed from society and saved from God's judgment on the earth through the ark. They got into the ark BEFORE it started raining. Jesus is our ark saving us.
Lot and his family were removed from their society and saved from God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was told by the angel to hurry up because the angel could not do anything to Sodom until Lot had arrived at the safe destination. Genesis 19:21-22.
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We are told in Scripture we are not appointed for wrath. The word appointed here is also translated "to place." What I get from it is that we are not in the place of or in the way of His coming wrath. It's not meant for us. If we are not in the way of His wrath, then we have to be removed just as we see others being removed in other Biblical instances.
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Some maintain the Church has to go through the wrath and judgment to be good enough to go to Heaven. Gently said, to me, that is like saying the work on the Cross was not complete.
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A study of the holy feasts as a prophetic outline of future events: Four feasts happen in the spring (early in the timeline) and three happen in the fall (later in the timeline.)
These teachings that are hidden and found by those who search them out are one of the reasons I love studying the Word. There is the surface reading you can do, and then there are layers upon layers of learning for the diligent seeking Him. This lifetime is not long enough for all He has to teach us in His Word.
Spring:
1. Passover: Jesus' sacrifice for us, the Crucifixion happened
2. Unleavened Bread: removal of sin, Jesus buried on this day
3. First Fruits: Jesus' resurrection, Jesus is called the first fruit in I Cor. 15:20-23
4. Pentecost: 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits, this is when the Holy Spirit fell on the people in the upper room to birth the Church.
Fall:
5. Trumpets: the blowing of the trumpets/shofar in a feast that goes from sundown on one day to sundown two days later. A lot of Christians believe Jesus will return on these feast days but they do not know the year, day, or time.
a. Shofars are blown 100x using 9 sessions 11xs each = 99 which leaves one last final blast. The 100th blowing of the shofar is the longest and loudest. No one knows the day or time it will be blown.
b. There are many names for the Feast of Trumpets. These names also give us clues to the prophetic timeline: Wedding Day of the Messiah (Rapture-Jesus coming for His Bride), Yom Teruah the Day of the Awakening Blast (dead will awaken I Thes 4:13-18), Rosh Hashanah aka the beginning of civil New Year points to a new beginning with Christ.
The Feast of Trumpets in Jesus's Day was also called The Day Which No One Knows which would have been a name known by the disciples as they listened to Jesus say, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36. Both the name and the verse point us to a Jewish wedding where a groom would find a bride and before he could marry her, he would go away to make a place for them to live. The groom could not go get his bride until his father approved the dwelling and gave him permission. There are other names for the Feast of Trumpets, but I only chose to cover a few here for space and time reasons.
6. Atonement: 10 days after the Feast of Trumpets and this points to the Second Coming of Christ.
7. Tabernacles: 5 days later, 7 days long, this is where Jews live for seven days in booths signifying they will dwell with the Lord forever. This feast points us to eternity with our Lord and Savior. This feast is in the 7th month, is 7 days long, and is the 7th feast. 7 is the number of completion.
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I highly recommend e-Sword.
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