In my church, the Pastor is teaching that The rapture is before the great tribulation and that some how Jesus will come but in an invisible way to rapture the church and take it to heaven, that we do not have to understand the great tribulation because we shall be with Jesus for 7 years celebrating the wedding of the Lamb, then Jesus is coming back in a visible way, and that the second coming is a different fact then the rapture, what do you think? the question:
Is the rapture at the same time of the second coming of Jesus?
Is the rapture before or after the great tribulation?
Is the rapture separate from the second coming of Jesus? Does the rapture save God's people from having to experience the great tribulation?
There are five basic points to consider when we look at the rapture.
Point #1: All through the Bible, the Second coming of Jesus is described as being anything but Secret. When Jesus comes everyone will know that He is coming. It says:
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:27.
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30.
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Isaiah 2:19-21
I have two other links on the second coming. click on them to see the Bible texts that I have found.
The Second Coming of Christ: The Remnant of the Wicked are slain
The Second Coming of Christ: The Righteous will Receive the Kingdom
Point #2: In Daniel and Revelation, God's people are described as living through the great tribulation. Let's look at a few verses.
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. Daniel 7:25
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Daniel 7:21.
Here we see that the little horn of the beast will wear out the saints of the most high and that the saints will be given into his hand until 3 and 1/2 years are up.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17
Here we see that the dragon, who is Satan, is wroth (angry) with the woman (the church) and makes war with the remnant of her seed (he makes war with those who are still alive). And how do we identify this group? these are those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ! This is God's people in the great tribulation!
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. Revelation 13:7
Here we have a mouth, which is the same as the little horn in Daniel, and we see that this mouth is given power to make war against the saints of God and to overcome them!
On another web page that I have, I made a synopsis of Satan's actions against the Righteous in the great Tribulation.
it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. Daniel 7:7
(It) was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, Daniel 7:21
He. . . shall persecute the saints of the Most High, Daniel 7:25
Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. Daniel 7:25
Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time. Revelation 12:12
he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. Revelation 12:13
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17
It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Revelation 13:7
and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Revelation 13:15
yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Daniel 11:33
This synopsis is from the legal battle page.
Point #3: Nowhere in the Bible is there any scripture that speaks of another rapture that is separate from the second coming of Jesus. There is no secret rapture before the tribulation time. None at all.
In 1 Thessalonians we see that both the dead who have died and also those who are yet alive (God's righteous people) will rise together to meet the Lord in the air. Also we see that this is not a secret event. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God"! It will be a very visible event. See the text below:
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.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
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.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.
Now in the secret rapture, do they say that only those who are yet alive go up? What about those who have died?
In this text, Paul is trying to give comfort to the Thessalonians, because they expected Jesus to come in their day. And yet, people were dying one by one. What would happen to these people who died?
Paul talks about the time when Jesus comes with a shout and with the trumpet of God, that both those who have died and those who are yet living will be taken up to heaven to ever be with the Lord. There is no mention of any previous secret rapture. None at all. Paul says both those who have died and those who are yet alive are all taken up to heaven together. That includes everyone. All of God's people will be raised together at one time.
Point #4: Some people use Luke 17:34-36 as evidence of a secret rapture. Let's look at the text:
"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
"Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
"Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
It seems to suggest a secret rapture. However when we read more of the text we find that it is not referring to a secret rapture at all. See the text below:
"And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:
"They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
"but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.
"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
"In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back.
"Remember Lot's wife.
"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
"I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.
"Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.
"Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left."
And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." Luke 17:26-37
We can see that Jesus is drawing a parallel between the second coming and the days of Noah, and also between the second coming and the days of Lot.
In Noah's time there were two classes of people; Noah and his family were taken into the ark and saved, while all the rest who refused to enter the ark were left outside to be destroyed by the flood. They did not get a second chance. Once the door closed on the ark, they were doomed.
In Lot's time there were two classes of people; Lot was taken out of the city of Sodom, and saved, while all those left in the city were destroyed by fire. Again, those who were still in the city were destroyed. They did not get a second chance.
Jesus says that it will be the same when Jesus comes. God's people will be taken to heaven to be with Jesus, while all the others will be destroyed. "two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." Again, there is no second chance.
Notice that in verse 37, the disciples asked "Where, Lord?" They wanted to know about those who didn't go to heaven, where were they going to be left. Notice the clear answer that Jesus gives: "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together." So, Jesus taught that the bodies of the wicked are going to be left on the ground for the eagles to consume.
This is similar to in Revelation where the remnant (the wicked) who are slain, are fed to all the fowls (birds of prey).
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. Revelation 19:21
Jeremiah also helps to show that there will be no one left on the earth after Jesus comes. It is interesting that he uses the same words used in the book of Genesis to describe the Earth. The Earth was without form and void.
And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Jeremiah 25:33.
I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light.
I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth.
I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled.
I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the LORD, By His fierce anger. Jeremiah 4:23-26.
So we can see that Luke 17 is looking at the same second coming that all the other verses in the Bible refer to. Some will be taken and saved, but all the rest will be left to be destroyed. So we can see that the rapture is at the same time of the second coming of Jesus. Its the same event.
Point #5: Some people use 1 Thess. 5:2 as evidence of a secret rapture when the Lord coms as a thief in the night. Here is the text:
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 1 Thess. 5:2
They assume that this must be a quiet, secret coming. But when we start opening the Bible to read more of it we find that it definitely does not speak of a quiet, secret coming at all. Let's look to see what it really says:
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.
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 1 Thess. 5:1-5
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:9-10
"For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
"But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:27,42-44.
So, we can see that in these three scriptures, the thief in the night means that it comes in an unexpected time. It is not talking about how Jesus is coming. This can be understood from the text itself: "be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief"
Each time the thief in the night is mentioned violent signs are spoken of, like: "Sudden destruction comes upon them" "as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west" "the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat"
It does not sound like a secret rapture to me! All these verses are really referring to the second coming of Jesus that will come at the end of time. So it should be clear that the rapture occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation when Jesus comes back. Remember the verses above (in Daniel and Revelation) that speak of God's people living through that Great time of tribulation. Also remember, that when Jesus comes, the righteous are taken up to heaven while all the rest are slated for destruction. Those who are still living are killed by the brightness of His coming.
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 1 Thess 2:8
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. Revelation 19:21
A very interesting addition to the thief in the night subject is found in Revelation 16. During the time of the plagues, the 7 last plagues in the great tribulation, between the 6th and 7th plague, Jesus says this:
For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
"Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame."
And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Revelation 16:14-16
After 6 of the plagues, demons are gathering the kings of the earth together for this great battle of Armageddon. It is at that time that Jesus says: "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame"
Right after this event, then the 7th and last plague occurs, "in which a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne (of God), saying, 'It is done!'" Revelation 16:17. So, the second coming of Jesus clearly comes at the end of the great tribulation time.
The second question:
Have you ever wondered, what if you already missed the Return of Christ? I am especially intrigued by the statement: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night"
Doesn't that imply that the Lord will return almost unnoticed? Until after He has returned to the heavens again?
The thief in the night can mean one of two things. Either the whole thing is going to be done in secret, which could be easily missed, like you are suggesting; Or it means that it will be a surprise, a sudden and unlooked calamity, and very noticeable.
Lets look at the Bible verses below, there are two Texts of Scripture side-by side, both having the statement we are looking for: "The Lord comes as a thief in the night". It's labeled with the color green.
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.
You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 1 Thess. 5:1-5
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
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; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:9-10
When we look at more of the verses we find that the event describe is not a secret event at all. But instead, we see violet statements like: "sudden destruction comes"; "they will not escape"; "the heavens will pass away with a great noise"; the elements will melt with fervent heat, both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up".
These statements from the Bible tells us that the thief in the night experience will be a very sudden event that will surprise the people of the world. It will not be unnoticed;
Now, Paul gives a special message to Christians in verse 1 Thess 5:4 that adds to the urgency of the surprise event. He says that since you are brethren (of Christ) and you are not (living) in darkness, so this Day should not take you by surprise as a thief.
So this event of the second coming of Jesus will surprise the people of the world and they will face destruction. But Paul says that this event should not surprise us who are followers of Jesus because we are not living in darkness. We are actually looking for this event and we will not miss it because every eye will see Jesus come in the clouds!
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Revelation 1:7
It will be such a noisy event with fire, lightning, and destruction, etc. that it will NOT be unnoticed!
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:27.
So we cannot imply that the Lord will return unnoticed because the Bible says it will be a violent and definitely a noticeable event. The context of the thief in the night means sudden destruction.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.
The third question:
We are not immortal now, but does it not say in 1 Corinthians 15:22 that all people will be made alive?
Let's look at the verse:
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22.
It does seem like the verse says that Jesus shall raise all people! However, let's look at more of the surrounding verses:
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
If we look at verse 23, we see that it tells who the "all" are. All will be made alive, first Jesus, who is the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming. It is only those who belong to Jesus, they alone will be raised to life and be made immortal.
So, all sons of Adam will die, but all those who are Christ's at His coming will be made alive!
**************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment