The Events That Will Lead Up To The Anti-Christ's 666 Global State

When the Rapture of the Church finally takes place - in which Almighty God the Son calls out His body (saints and ambassadors) - it (The Rapture) will be a wondrous sign unto the apostate western world more so than a sign unto the whole world. For all had better be prepared, for Almighty God's "Day of Wrath" is now at hand (2 Thess. 2:3-12)!

The official commencement of this horrific seven year period will be the breaking of the 1st seal (i.e., the "Confirming of the Covenant" - Dan. 9:27) by Almighty God’s Lamb (i.e., The Lord Jesus Christ) in Heaven (Rev. 6:1). It is at this precise moment that the man of lawlessness (i.e., the anti-Christ) will be revealed unto the entire world (2 Thess. 2: 3-12; Rev. 6:2). This revealing of the Anti-Christ and the commencement of this seven year tribulation period will begin when this man (i.e., the Anti-Christ) adds his position of great power and authority to a covenant with Israel on the behalf of Israel’s defeated enemies (Ezek. 38:8,11-12, Dan. 9: 27). Israel will sign this covenant from a position of strength, not weakness (Ezek 38: 8). Israel will then have rest and dwell in their land in safety because they have eradicated their border enemies (Ezek. 38:8,11-12, Rev. 11:3-7). This position of power does not mean that Israel's heart is right with Almighty God, for it will not be (Rev. 11:8). Israel at this time will also have the super natural protection of Almighty God’s two witnesses who possess Almighty God's Divine authority and are extremely more powerful and than the anti - Christ and his global confederacies (Rev. 11:3-6).

"This revealing of the Anti-Christ and the commencement of this seven year tribulation period will begin when this man (i.e., the Anti-Christ) adds his position of great power and authority to a covenant with Israel on the behalf of Israel’s defeated enemies"

These two lamp stands of Almighty God (Moses and Elijah) will preach salvation in Jesus Messiah, re- institute the temple, its sacrifices and its priesthood. They will preach repentance and testify to ALL that the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. These two will then prepare the remnant of believing Jews and a chosen 144,000 Jewish men - from the 12 tribes of Israel - (Matt. 24:14, Rev. 7:4-8, 11:13) for their global ministry unto All of the nations of the earth and their Messiah’s glorious and imminent return and Kingdom. It will be at this time -the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period - that the WORLD will seek every and any opportunity to root out and destroy these two Divinely appointed vessels of Almighty God... all to no avail (Mal. 4:4-6, Rev. 7,14:1-4,11:3-8).

It will be at this time - at the beginning of this seven year period, while Israel dwells in their land in absolute safety - that the WHOLE GENTILE WORLD will be trodden down by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Rev. 6:1-8). It will be after their catastrophic ride through out the entire world that the world will lose ¼ of its total population (1.75 billion) to war, famine and pestilence and will cause global markets to be wiped out and implode (Rev 6:1-8). Following the Four Horsemen’s ride of doom and the opening of the fifth seal will be the opening of the sixth seal in which a GREAT GLOBAL EARTHQUAKE will gain the world’s full attention. As the heavens depart as a scroll and EVERY mountain and island are moved out of their places it will send absolute terror into the hearts of every human being alive (Jew and Gentile) on planet earth (Rev. 6:12-17).

"It will be after their catastrophic ride through out the entire world that the world will lose ¼ of its total population (1.75 billion) to war, famine and pestilence and will cause global markets to be wiped out and implode"

For it is now - at this time - that the inhabitants of the world will FULLY comprehend indeed that they are now in the long predicted “Day of the Lord” and His “Day of Almighty God's Wrath"! (Rev. 6:15-17)

The Trumpet Judgments . Following the Seal Judgments of the Lamb of God come Almighty God's "Trumpet Judgments" upon the earth’s inhabitants, its vegetation, its water (fresh and salt) and the celestial lights in the first and second heavens (Rev. 8:1-13).

As we shall see, the first four of the seven Trumpet Judgments shall strike the earth and its inhabitants with EXPONENTIAL unparalleled global cataclysmic destruction. Let us take a look!

The First Trumpet Judgment destroys 1/3 of all trees and grass upon the face of the earth with fire! (Rev.8:7). That comes to roughly 1.33 billion trees. 7% of all land mass is covered with grass. This area covers 9.93 million sq/km or 3.8 million sq/miles. This total area - which is given over to fire - is roughly a little bit bigger then the total land mass of the United States which would include Alaska. Can you even imagine the smoke which is generated from this global inferno?

The Second Trumpet Judgment will cause 1/3rd of all the seas of planet earth to turn to blood (Rev. 8:8-9). The fall out of this catastrophic global devastation will also cause 1/3 of all the sea creatures to perish and 1/3 of all the world's ships and their crews to perish also! Some facts:

1. 70.8 % of the earth’s surface is covered by water. 68% of that 70.8% is salt water. 1/3 of the seas or 22.6% of the world’s surface area or 122 million sq/km or 47.1 sq/miles will be decimated and turned into blood! That is roughly the size of the Pacific Ocean! (How horrific!!) Ocean info link . 2. The number of sea creatures destroyed by this trumpet judgment will be too innumerable to number. From the smallest creatures to the giant whales it must be in the trillions.

3. The total number of merchant ships that populate the world is about 55,000. This figure includes bulk carriers, dry cargo vessels, MPP's, container vessels, tankers, LPG's, LNG's, and most cruise ships; this number however does not include private vessels. The world's total number of ships of war is estimated at 4500. 1/3 of this number comes to roughly 19,833 ships that will be destroyed in this great Second Trumpet judgment not counting countless thousands of sailors lives that will also perish. Can you even envision such wondrous cataclysmic devastation that will ravish a sea mass of almost the size of the Pacific Ocean? . The Third Trumpet Judgment will cause 1/3rd of all fresh water to be poisoned with wormwood and become bitter. The effects of this judgment will cripple society and multitudes will perish because of their ingestion of these bitter waters (Rev. 8:11). In this period - due to the horrific consequences of the Seal and Trumpet Judgments - drinking water will be very scarce to come by.

3% of the entire world’s water is fresh water. 1/3 of this water supply (33% of the 3%) will be poisoned killing multitudes of the world’s inhabitants during this period.

. The Forth Trumpet Judgment will cause the celestial lights (sun, moon and stars) to dim their light 1/3rd of their normal strength (Rev. 8:12)!

Up to this point, try to comprehend - if at all possible - the unimaginable and exponential ravishing affects upon the face of the earth by these Seven Seal Judgments and the first four Trumpet Judgments. Remember, that these judgments were ordered upon the inhabitants of the earth and their planet because of their exponential godless rebellion and violence against the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God (Gen. 1:31, Isa. 24:5-6, Rom. 1:18-32). These horrific global catastrophes - including the unimaginable devastation incurred by the Four Horsemen and the wrath of man - in which 1/4th of the world’s population was slain - will bring to the fore front the unbridled passions and uncontrollable violence of humanity's godless and evil fallen heart (Ps. 7:9, Jer. 17:9-10, Matt. 15:17-20, Jude 1:10). Nothing manifests the human heart as tribulation does and reveals to all, our utter godless depravity with out the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Almighty God (Jer. 17:10, Matt 15:18-19, Gal. 5:19-21, Rev. 9:20-21).

These cataclysmic events will reveal and bring to the forefront humanities utter hatred and disdain for their Creator and His ETERNAL sovereignty (Rev. 9:20-21). As these events intensify, the world will outwardly manifest their ever hardening position towards Almighty God by their godless deeds and war against His redeemed. These will become absolutely callus, cold, hateful, unfeeling and violent towards one another (Matt. 24:12, 2 Tim. 3:1-7). Self preservation and individual survival during this time will make men violate and transgress Almighty God's absolutes and moral laws o places which they though never imaginable. Instead of repenting and crying out for Almighty God’s mercy and pardon, these will continually harden their hearts as Pharaoh of old and instead of looking into God's perfect mirror of righteousness (Psalm 19:7, Rom. 10:2-4), they will seek a scapegoat and a villain for their entire calamity (Matt. 24:8-13). Since Israel – at this time - is unaffected by these horrific Seal and Trumpet judgments that take place during the first half of this tribulation period, the world’s inhabitants will seek lash out after Almighty God’s people (i.e., Israel). Israel has always been the world's most favorite scapegoat and during this time, this hatred will reach an all new exponential level. The WORLD - at this time - will greatly unite as one man and seek to destroy Almighty God’s two witnesses (Rev. 11: 4-6) and the apple of His eye (i.e., the nation Israel) (Deut. 32:10, Psalm 17:8), but again, all to none avail (Ezek. 38:8, 11-12, Rev. 11:3-7).

"As these events intensify, the world will outwardly manifest their ever hardening position towards Almighty God by their godless deeds and war against His redeemed"

Just when the inhabitants of the earth thought that it could never get any more horrifically worse, they are about to be visited by a host of ferocious conquers and tyrannical oppressors that know absolutely no mercy and transcend the limited boundaries of time and space. It will be at this time that Almighty God will not just be passing judgment upon the sons of Adam for their exponential transgressions, but also on the fallen hosts of Heaven’s realm - the demonic legions of fallen angels. These have greatly feared and dreaded this present hour which is now at hand (Matt. 8:29, Mark 5:7, Rev. 18:2).

The Three Horrific Woes unto the Earth! . The word “Woe!”, when used by Almighty God in this alarming and dreadful way should send ice cold shivers of fright up the spine of any individual, sane or insane. So dreadful, so unimaginable, so fearfully horrifying are these last series of Trumpet Judgments that an angel is sent by Almighty God to sternly warn the remaining godless and rebellious inhabitants of planet earth of what is yet to be!

Almighty God's Divine angelic air raid siren pierces through the world's darkness warning all of the pending doom which is now at hand. . “And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibitors of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” (Rev 8:13)

The First Woe! . This First Woe has to do with the demonic legions which are held prisoner in the bottomless pit called “the Abyss”. These demonic hosts were placed there by Almighty God for their gross transgressions and heavenly rebellion against Almighty God and His ETERNAL sovereignty. They were most likely placed their after the Noaic flood for their excessive part in leading men to global rebellion against their Creator and his natural laws (Gen. 6, Isa. 14:12-17, Ezek. 28:12-19, Jude 1:6).

"These godless beings in their psychotic rage and violence will seek to – once again - tyrannically dominate and plague man, preparing all of humanity for the Third Woe which is to come"

These insane supernatural beings - which transcend the realms of time and space - are exponentially more powerful and intelligent than man. These godless beings in their psychotic rage and violence will seek to – once again - tyrannically dominate and plague man, preparing all of humanity for the Third Woe which is to come. These demonic legions fully comprehend the hour in which they now occupy and know that their time is dreadfully short. These released demonic hordes from the abyss prison hold – as insane and delusional as they are – know quite well of the impending judgment and doom that awaits them in the Lake of Fire forever and ever! It is their sole intention to discredit Almighty God's Word and promises and to torment and take as many humans with them to their ETERNAL abode as possible (Matt. 8:29, 25: 41, Mark 1:24, 5:7, Luke 4:34). , These demonic legions are described to us as locust. Locusts are a consuming and devouring terror to all plant life that stands before them. So devastating are locust that they can wipe out vast plush green areas of vegetation in a matter of hours. These demonic hordes are told not to devour grass, but to torment men who have NOT the seal of Almighty God (Rev. 9:4). As these demonic hosts are released from their darkened prison in the abyss they will ravish and torment the unsaved defiant inhabitants of the earth for a period of five months (Rev. 9:5). These demonic hordes are lead by a demonic general named Abaddon, whose name means destroyer! What more do you need to know about this army and very hour!

"These demonic hordes are lead by a demonic general named Abaddon, whose name means destroyer!"

These tortured inhabitants of planet earth - who are also part of Lucifer’s satanic rebellion against Almighty God - are now being violently oppressed by Satan’s legions of fallen angels and are now driven as cattle by Satan to serve his destructive diabolical plan in his final war of this age against Almighty God (Rev. 16:13-16). Since these individuals out right reject the Divine revelation revealed to them by Almighty God, His two witnesses and His ministering angels, they have now opened themselves to the demonic influences and possession of their minds (2 Cor. 4:3-4, 2 Thess. 2:9-12).

Remember, by this time – the seven Seal Judgments and the first four Trumpet Judgments have passed (Rev. 6-8). Multitudes of millions (i.e.,1.5 billion) of the earth’s inhabitants have been slain by global war, pestilence and famine, not to mention the global environmental devastation that has ravished 1/3rd of the earth's natural resources, elements, sea creatures, shipping commerce, celestial lights. It is now - after all of this global devastation - that millions of enraged demonic hordes are released from their prison hold of the abyss and will now commence terrorizing and torturing countless millions of the surviving masses of unsaved mankind for five months.

"Could things get any more horrific than this? Oh… Yes! EXPONENTIALLY WORSE!!"

At this time, one might ask himself, “Could things get any more horrific than this?” For in this brief time period since the Covenant of Peace was confirmed - which was suppose to usher in world peace and a new global age for all mankind (Dan. 9:27, 1 Thess. 5:3, Rev. 6:2) - the whole world has been ravished beyond compare and humanity laid waste on a scale unparalleled. Vexed and tormented beyond belief by man’s transgressions and demonic oppression, could things get any more worse than this? Oh… Yes! EXPONENTIALLY WORSE!!

The back ground (Rev. 6, 8; 9:1-12:1) - has now been set for introduction of the sixth Trumpet “the Second Woe!”

As the multitudes of earth’s inhabitants feel the horrific judgments and plagues of Almighty God, the destructive out working of evil men and the oppressive tyrannical torture of the demonic devouring locust of First Woe, the remaining world’s inhabitants will have to brace themselves for the Second Woe which is at hand! A demonically induced and preconceived second Global War that will set the stage for Lucifer's (Satan's) Anti Christ and 666 global state (Rev 9:15; 13).

"They will be preparing the human soil to make way for Lucifer’s last offensive plan and push, the Abomination of Desolation and 666 global state".

As the completion of the five months of the First Woe comes to a horrific conclusion, the sixth trumpet sounds (Rev. 8:13)! The heavenly command is given from the golden alter which is before Almighty God in Heaven above to release the four angels that are bound in the great Euphrates River. God’s Word states that these four immensely powerful angels are “prepared” for this exact hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men! (Rev. 9:15). It would seem that Lucifer at this time – the commander and chief of the hosts of Hell – is seeking to drastically reduce and consolidate the world’s population to be more easily managed and controlled. This "prepared” plan of mass annihilation upon the remaining inhabitants of planet earth, is to allow Lucifer to control the masses and to eliminate any opposition to his up coming lawless one and demonic agenda (Rev. 13). As these four "extremely powerful" fallen angels begin their ministry of woe and destruction upon the remaining inhabitants of planet earth, they will be preparing the human soil to make the way for Lucifer’s last offensive plan and push, the Abomination of Desolation and his 666 global state (Matt. 24:15, Rev. 13).

These four mighty demonic angels of the Euphrates river prison hold are commanded to stir up a stupendous and mighty army of 200 million men to destroy the remaining world’s population by 1/3. So STUPENDOUS and FRIGHTENING are their description and vision that it takes the breath away from the reader of this text (Rev. 9:16-19).

"As we rattle off these horrific statistics of this period one has to shudder and try to grasp the vast carnage and devastation of this first three and a half year period. How do any of the haters of reality even make it to Armageddon at all?"

During these 13 months and 25 hours another billion plus or 1/3rd of the world’s remaining inhabitants will have been destroyed (Rev. 9:15)! As we rattle off these horrific statistics of this first three and a half year period one has to shudder and try to grasp the vast carnage and devastation of this time period. How do any of the haters of reality even make it to Armageddon at all? How do any survive to the end? Note that after all of this vast devastation and global carnage that the heart of the world has not grown softer to God but adamantly and violently harder (Rev. 9:20).

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries (drugs), nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts" (Rev. 9:20-21).

How awesomely amazingly, wondrously sobering and exponentially tragic beyond all compare, that the inhabitants of this ravished world would still rather follow their demonic masters and their base practices after all that has come to pass. Supra Insanity, supra hysteria, supra lunacy, does not even begin to explain, nor describe these wretched souls and their mental state (2 Thess. 2: 5-12). As Almighty God cries out in His GRACE and MERCY and in His wondrous ETERNAL love to His creation: turn, repent and be saved! Yield your hearts to the perfect spiritual and natural absolutes of peace and righteousness (Isa. 32:17, James 3:18)! Receive My pardon found in My Beloved Son and have and enjoy ETERNAL life (John 3:16-17) and enjoy ME, your Creator in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) as was My design! But astonishingly, these unrepentant transgressors reply in a violent and raging harmony - to the LOVE and GRACE of Almighty God and shriek - NEVER! And as it were, give Almighty God the “branch to the nose” as they hold on to their delusion and demonic insanity with an iron clasped fist. Almighty God’s Word states:

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess. 2:10-12).

As the Second Woe comes to a horrific and devastating conclusion, one may ask himself, “What can ever top that?” It has been now exactly forty-two months and three and one half days since the Anti Christ’s confirming of the covenant with Israel and the world (Dan. 9:27, Rev. 6:2; 11:7-14) and since then, it has been absolute hell on earth (beyond one's comprehension) and a non stop global blood bath.

"It is at this time that Almighty God will now remove His hedge that has protected Israel for these last forty two months".

As we are now about to see, Israel (the hosts of unbelieving Jews (Rev. 11:8) will now begin to feel the chastening hand of Almighty God, the global ravishing of Satan’s hatred and the world’s wrath. As the Second Woe comes to a near completion, so does also the mighty Two Witnesses of Almighty God’s ministry. Their 1260 days are now fully accomplished and NOW the Anti Christ will own the next remaining 1260 days or 42 months of this tribulation period (Rev. 11:3; 13:1-5). The Second Woe has now come to a horrific conclusion following the Two Witnesses' resuscitation and ascension into Heaven in front of the newly reigning Anti Christ (Matt. 24:15, Rev. 13:1-5) and ALL of their global God hating enemies (Rev. 11:7-14). The exceeding terror and reality that now permeates ALL of the world's godless inhabitants because their dreaded enemies - which were destroyed by their no "savior and hero" (i.e., the Anti Christ) - have been resuscitated and have accended into Heaven (Rev.11 :7-12).

The accumulated exponential catastrophic events of these first 3 1/2 years have now set the stage and tilled the ground for Lucifer's global "666" ultra fascist state.

The “Great Tribulation" also called "Jacob’s Trouble”, HAS NOW BEGUN! With the institution of the Abomination of Desolation (Jer. 30, Dan. 12, Zech. 11. Matt. 24:15, Rev. 11:1-2, 12:9-17, 13), events for Israel and the godless world’s inhabitants will get even more exponentially worse, to the point of unimaginable proportions!

My dear friend, please try to comprehend that ALL current global events are heading to this destination and EXPONENTIALLY beyond (Rev. 19:11-21)! There is absolutely NO hope for mankind apart for their Creator and Savior. Do you have a personal relationship to Jesus Christ? All depends on this very union.

Some Questions About the Rapture
1. Is the term “rapture” found in the Bible?

Yes and no. It is not found in the English translation of the Bible (KJV), but it is derived from a Latin verb (rapere, to snatch, seize) which was used in the Latin Bible to translate the Greek verb “caught up” (harpaz) in 1 Thessalonians 4:17— “Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP [raptured] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” It is very interesting to see how this verb “caught up” is used in the New Testament. Study the following verses: Acts 8:39 (”caught away”), 2 Corinthians 12:2,4 (”caught up”), Revelation 12:5 (”caught up”); John 10:28-29 (”pluck out of”), etc.

2. Has a rapture-like event ever taken place in history?

Yes, on several occasions. Enoch was suddenly removed from earth by God. God took him (Gen. 5:21-24). Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Philip was raptured (suddenly removed) from one place to another (Acts 8:39). Paul was raptured to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2,4). The Lord Jesus was raptured to heaven at the ascension (Rev. 12:5). But that a whole generation of believers will suddenly be removed from earth to heaven without seeing physical death is an event unprecedented in the history of the world (compare 1 Cor. 15:51).

3. What do people mean when they say “secret rapture”?

This is a common term used by men who deny the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. In what sense is the rapture a secret? In 1 Corinthians 15:51 the truth pertaining to the Rapture is called a “mystery.” This means that it was a truth that was unrevealed to men in previous ages. Moses, David, Isaiah and John the Baptist knew nothing of the rapture of the Church. It was a secret or mystery that had not yet been revealed. However, a New Testament “mystery” is something that was once hidden but now revealed. God has made it known to His saints and it is a secret no more. Paul said, “I shew you a mystery.” If he showed it to us, then it is no longer hidden. It is clearly revealed to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.

The Rapture is also a secret event in the sense that it will occur suddenly and be unannounced to the world. There will be no forewarning. It will take place at God’s appointed time and it will take the world by surprise. It will be over before the world has time to realize that it happened.

4. Will the Rapture be a “silent rapture”?

When Christ calls His Church to Himself there will be sounds and noise involved. “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” (1 Cor. 15:52b). “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” (1 Thess. 4:16).

How much of this noise the unsaved will hear is not revealed in Scripture. The event will happen so suddenly and will take place so quickly that it is probable that the only thing the unsaved will notice is the sudden disappearance of those who are true believers. So it was in the case of Enoch. He was there and suddenly “he was not; for God took him” (Gen. 5:24).

5. How quickly will the Rapture take place?

This is answered in 1 Corinthians 15:52, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” The word “moment” is interesting. It is the Greek word “atom.” The word atom means “not cut, you cannot cut it anymore.” Suppose you were to keep cutting up a pie into smaller and smaller pieces. If you had a knife sharp enough (that is, with a small enough blade) you could keep cutting the pieces down to the point where you could not cut the pieces or particles any smaller. We call this an “atom.” [However, we now know that you can even cut atoms into smaller particles].

The term “atom” is also used of time. We can cut time into years and into days and into hours and into minutes and into seconds. An “atom of time” is the smallest measurement of time (the point where you can’t cut time anymore). In English we might call this a “split-second.” How fast will the Rapture take place? In a split second, in the twinkling of an eye. If the unsaved blink, they will miss it!

6. As the Rapture takes place, what is the order of events?

This is answered in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

FIRST, God (in the Person of Christ) will come down from heaven and He will bring with Him the souls of those “which sleep in Jesus,” that is, who have died in Christ (see verse 16 and verse 14).

SECOND, those who have died in Christ will rise first (v. 16). Their bodies will be raised from the graves.

THIRD, those believers who are alive and remain unto the coming of Christ will be caught up or raptured. Thus those who have died in Christ and those who are alive when Christ returns will together meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever (v. 17 and see John 14:3).

7. When was the Rapture first revealed?

The Rapture was not revealed until the Lord spoke the words “receive you to Myself” found in John 14:1-3 the night before He died on the cross. Don’t make the mistake of looking for the Rapture in Matthew chapter 24. His coming mentioned in Matthew chapter 24 is His coming to the earth following the great Tribulation.

8. What about those who set dates for the Rapture?

Edgar Whisenant wrote a book entitled, 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Could Be In 1988. Of course, the Lord did not come in 1988 so a new book might have been written: 89 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Take Place in 1989. Someone surmised that the added reason given in the new book could be this: “Reason #89—Because He did not come in 1988.”

Many others have foolishly tried to set dates. (1) How unwise to try to announce that which God has chosen not to reveal? God has not told us the time. He wants us to be ready always.

9. What will happen to infants at the time of the rapture?

The best selling book Left Behind and the film by the same title depict all infants and young children being removed and raptured from the earth, including infants and children of unsaved people. Mothers were running around in panic crying out, “Where is my baby?”, etc. But does the Bible really teach this?

The rapture is when Christ comes to remove (”catch up”–1 Thess. 4:16-17) the church (all true believers) from earth. He will come to receive His bride and bring her to heaven. Thus, the rapture is for those “in Christ,” those who are part of the body and bride of Christ.

Infants are not saved and they are not in Christ; nor are they part of the church. It would be wrong to point to a living infant and say, “That baby is saved and has eternal life and his sins are forgiven!” On the contrary, every baby is born in sin and every infant has a wicked sin nature (Rom. 5:12, Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Psalm 58:3). Babies are not saved and they do not possess eternal life. If this were true, then does this mean that when they get older they become UN-saved and forfeit eternal life? This is Biblically absurd. It would also be absurd to say that all the unsaved children around the world growing up in Hindu and Muslim and Buddhist homes are part of the church that is in Christ.

Keep in mind that an infant that is a year old at the time of the rapture will be approximately 8 years old at the time when Christ returns to this earth to rule and reign, and thus will be certainly old enough to make a responsible decision for or against Christ at that time or even prior to that time.

Whether or not Christ takes infants that belong to saved parents is not revealed in the Scriptures, though it does seem reasonable to suppose that God would take such infants instead of leaving them parentless and defenseless. One thing we do know for sure is that God will do what is right (Gen. 18:25; Rom. 9:14). God is certainly far more concerned for every infant and young child (saved or unsaved) than we are.

What kind of concept of God does the Left Behind book and film convey to the world when unsaved mothers are going around in deep panic crying, “Where’s my baby?” It makes God look like a kidnapper! This gives Reformed men and others all the more reason to mock our “secret rapture theory” (as they call it).

It is important to realize that the issue under discussion is not what happens to infants who die. Though it is not our purpose here to defend the doctrine of infant salvation, yet we are assured, based on Scripture, that they will be SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS (see the helpful book by Robert P. Lightner entitled Heaven For Those Who Cannot Believe). The issue is this: What happens to infants that are alive at the time of the rapture? This is an entirely different question.

The book LEFT BEHIND is a fictional book based on prophecy, but it does teach doctrine. One of the very questionable doctrines it teaches is that at the time of the rapture pregnant women will suddenly become un-pregnant (that is, the unborn babies will be taken in the rapture, leaving the unsaved mother many pounds lighter!). A rapture for embryos! The following is found on pages 46-47 of the book LEFT BEHIND:

Most shocking to Rayford was a woman in labor, about to go into the delivery room, who was suddenly barren. Doctors delivered the placenta. Her husband had caught the disappearance of the fetus on tape. As he videotaped her great belly and sweaty face, he asked questions. How did she feel?

Then came the scream and the dropping of the camera, terrified voices, running nurses, and the doctor. CNN reran the footage in superslow motion, showing the woman going from very pregnant to nearly flat stomached, as if she had instantaneously delivered. “Now, watch with us again,” the newsman intoned, “and keep your eyes on the left edge of your screen, where a nurse appears to be reading a printout from the fetal heart monitor. There, see?” The action stopped as the pregnant woman’s stomach deflated. “The nurse’s uniform seems to still be standing as if an invisible person is wearing it. She’s gone. Half a second later, watch.” The tape moved ahead and stopped. “The uniform, stockings and all, are in a pile atop her shoes.” Etc.

According to this teaching, after the rapture there will be a period of nine months when no babies will be born anywhere in the world (the only exception being some babies conceived after the rapture that may be born pre-mature)! Maternity wards in hospitals will be empty for months! Later in the book there is an argument between Rayford and his flight attendant, Hattie, about Hattie’s sister who is out of work because she worked at an abortion clinic and there simply aren’t any abortions to be performed. In summary, the film and book teach that at the time of the rapture all infants on earth are raptured and taken to heaven including all unborn children.

The tribulation is a period of time when God’s wrath will be put on display. It will be the most severe period of judgment the world has ever known. It will be similar to the plagues that fell on Egypt, only on a world-wide scale and more severe. It is helpful to think back through history on other occasions when God’s judgment fell in order to see what happened to infants. 2

Is it unthinkable that God should expose helpless infants to a terrible time of judgment? What about the babies in Jericho? Were they supernaturally delivered? What about the children of the kingdom of Bashan and the children of the kingdom of Heshbon (see Deut. 3:6)? In Egypt the firstborn of each household was slain from the palace of Pharoah and on down. In Bethlehem God allowed babies to be slain due to Herod’s jealous rage (Matthew 2).

Children often in Scripture and in life bear the consequences of their parents’ unbelief. Is this principle going to be overthrown at the rapture? Unsaved moms going around and saying, “Where is my baby?” eliminates one of the horrors of that time of judgment—having your children suffer with you throughout that period. It undercuts one important reason to be saved—that is, for the sake of our children and other family members (Acts 16:31; 2:39; 1Cor. 7:14 etc.). Was not one of the rich man’s worst torments in Hell (Hades) the fact that his brothers were going to join him (see Luke 16:27-31)? One of the greatest reasons to be saved is for the sake of family and friends that we may influence, that they may save themselves from this wicked generation. Cornelius is to be the example of us all, who called together his kinsman and friends to hear the gospel (Acts10:24).

Why would God deliver infants and unborn of the unsaved just prior to the first half of the tribulation, which is much milder, and have other infants suffer in the last half which is more severe (Luke 21:23)? Why would God allow pregnant women to be ripped up in other historical judgments and do extraordinary things to avoid it in this last one (2 Kings 8:12; 2 Kings 15:16; Hosea 13:16; Amos 1:13; Isa. 13:15-18)? See also Deuteronomy 28:54-56 and Lamentations 2:20 for other examples of children suffering (being literally devoured) in historical judgments.

The fact that people have experienced historical judgment does not automatically mean they have come under damnation. Moses is the classic refutation of this. He came under historical judgment which involved death, but certainly he was a saved man ( Hebrews 11: 24-26; Matt. 17:3-4). Are we to believe that all the infants that drowned in the flood are in hell because they experienced an historical judgment? Certainly not.

Those who advocate that all babies throughout the world will be raptured might reason in this way: Since infant salvation is true, then infant rapture must also be true. The rapture of infants of the unsaved is a very bold extrapolation on no Biblical grounds and seems an unwarranted sensationalist device for creating a dramatic effect in a book or film. The real horror is not babies disappearing, but remaining to grow up in those awful times. “Woe unto them with child and to them that give suck in those days” (Matthew 24:19).

Consider the message our Lord gave to the women of Jerusalem who were bewailing Him on His way to the cross. “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us [compare Hosea 10:8 and Rev. 6:16]. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:28-31). If what God has done in the past is a indication of what He will do in the last great historical judgment, then this passage has great bearing. Children suffered greatly in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD which is a prototype of the last great judgment.

“But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people (Luke 21:23). This passage is significant because Luke seems to connect the sufferings in 70AD with end time events in the future at the return of Christ. The future tribulation will be a time of special suffering for those who are pregnant and for those who have small children who are nursing.

The days of Noah are parallel to the days just prior to Christ’s coming to earth (Luke 17:26; Matt. 24:36ff). Certainly the unsaved babies of Noah’s day did not escape the terrible judgment that came upon the entire world (and the fetuses did not escape either). They all drowned. I am not commenting on the eternal destiny of any of these children, but the historical judgments in this life certainly are experienced by them. Why would the judgments of the tribulation be any different than those of the past?

It seems far more in line with Biblical teaching to suggest that infants of unsaved parents at the time of the rapture will enter the tribulation along with their parents, and with their parents will face whatever those frightful days will bring. If an infant should suffer physical death during the horrors of the tribulation period, God will take care of this person based on His abundant mercy and the work of Christ on the cross. The benefits of Christ’s cross-work (justification, etc.) are applied to this person at the time of death and not before.

10. If a person rejects Christ before the Rapture can he be saved after the Rapture?

There are some who teach that those who do not get saved prior to the Rapture have no hope of being saved after the Rapture. This view is based upon a misunderstanding of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” They understand this passage to mean that if a person rejects the truth prior to the Rapture, he will be deluded and unable to believe following the Rapture. Who then will be saved during the Tribulation? They teach that those saved during the Tribulation will be only those who never heard the Gospel prior to the Rapture.

What does the passage really teach? These verses in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 are not talking about people who reject the truth before the Rapture. They are referring to people who reject the truth during the Tribulation. These are people who willfully decide to follow the devil’s man (see the context of 2 Thess. 2:3-9). These are people who reject the truth and receive the LIE that the man of sin is to be honored as God and worshiped. These are those who deliberately choose to take the mark of the beast and worship this evil man. According to Revelation 14:9-11, those who take the mark cannot be saved. Their destiny is Hell. Thus, during the Tribulation, those who willfully identify with the devil’s man are doomed and damned (2 Thess. 2:12). In that day the issue will be very clear: worship God (Rev. 14:6-7) or worship the devil’s man (Rev. 14:9-11). One’s choice will determine one’s eternal destiny.

If a person refuses to believe on Christ prior to the Rapture, there is still hope that he will trust Christ after the Rapture. His earlier rejection was not final and not fatal. God still reaches out to men in grace during the Tribulation. However, it is always dangerous to reject the truth, no matter when you live. The time to be saved is today, not tomorrow. If a person refuses to be saved today, what guarantee does he have that he will be willing to be saved in the future?

If a person refuses to trust Christ today when it is easy (for many, little or no persecution), why should this person be willing to trust Christ tomorrow when it will be very difficult (great persecution for believers during the Tribulation). Those who reject the Gospel today are in danger of rejecting the Gospel tomorrow. The person who rejects the Gospel before the Rapture could very well be one of those who will worship the man of sin during the Tribulation. Those who are unbelievers today will probably be unbelievers tomorrow.

God can certainly save a person who at one time strongly rejected the truth. Remember Saul of Tarsus. Remember how you yourself once rejected the truth before you were saved! During the Tribulation, God will be willing and able to save all those who will turn to Him. The same is true today: “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

The time to believe is now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). It is never safe to delay such a decision. The time to be saved is now, prior to the Rapture.

Isaiah summed up the duty of man regardless of what dispensation he lives in: “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon Him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).

The Middletown Bible Church
349 East Street
Middletown, CT 06457
(860) 346-0907 More articles under Prophecy

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.