Posted on 05/10/2009 5:04:40 AM PDT by kindred
2-THE RAPTURE: IN BRIEF BY SCRIPTURE BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT. FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN CAME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE. BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER: CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING-1 Cor 15:20-23. So the saints are to be LOOKING (or watching) FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST-Titus 2:13. They are to look, in other words, for the Rapture. In looking for the blessed hope, the saints are to COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS-1 Thes 4:18.
And the saints are to be patient, as it is written, BE PATIENT THEREFORE, BRETHREN, UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD. BEHOLD, THE HUSBANDMAN (which is Jesus) WAITETH FOR THE PRECIOUS FRUIT OF THE EARTH (which is the saints), AND HATH LONG PATIENCE FOR IT, UNTIL HE RECEIVE THE EARLY AND LATTER (or autumn and spring) RAIN. BE YE ALSO PATIENT; STABLISH YOUR HEARTS (stand firm): FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD DRAWETH NIGH (or is near)-Ja 5:7,8.
The saints are to WATCH...AND PRAY ALWAYS, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS (the things of the Tribulation)-Lk 21:36. (The saints are not to) SLEEP, AS DO OTHERS; BUT LET US WATCH-1 Thes 5:6. The Bible warns, IF...THOU SHALT NOT WATCH, I WILL COME ON THEE AS A THIEF, AND THOU SHALT NOT KNOW WHAT HOUR I WILL COME UPON THEE-Rev 3:3. But BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING-Lk 12:37; because UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME-Heb 9:28. For the saints are to BE...READY-Lk 12:40.
And when certain signs and prophecies BEGIN TO COME TO PASS, the saints are to LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION (or your being caught up) DRAWETH NIGH-Lk 21:28. And when the Lord does come to take His people, BLESSED IS THAT SERVANT, WHOM HIS LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND SO DOING (which is denoting working for or serving God)-Lk 12:43. For there is a day coming when NO MAN CAN WORK-Jn 9:4. For those saints that have kept God’s Word, the Lord promises, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION (which is the Tribulation), WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH-Rev 3:10. For God cannot allow the Tribulation to come forth until He removes "His" people. As it is written, HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME THITHER-Gen 19:22.
(For) BEHOLD, I SHOW YOU A MYSTERY-1 Cor 15:51. AT MIDNIGHT-Mt 25:6; IN THE DAY OF CHRIST-Phili 1:10, 2:16; 2 Thes 2:2; IN THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST-Phili 1:6; IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS-1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; IN THE DAY OF REDEMPTION-Eph 4:30; THERE WAS A CRY MADE-Mt 25:6; (There was) A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL-1 Thes 4:16; BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH; GO (come) YE OUT TO MEET HIM-Mt 25:6. THEN ALL THOSE VIRGINS AROSE (or woke up), AND TRIMMED (or prepared) THEIR LAMPS. AND THE FOOLISH SAID UNTO THE WISE, GIVE US (some) OF YOUR OIL; FOR OUR LAMPS ARE GONE OUT. BUT THE WISE ANSWERED, SAYING, NOT SO (no); LEST THERE BE NOT ENOUGH FOR (both) US AND YOU: BUT GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL (the dealers), AND BUY (some) FOR YOURSELVES. AND WHILE THEY WENT (on their way) TO BUY (to make the purchase), THE BRIDEGROOM CAME (or arrived)-Mt 25:7-10. FOR THIS WE SAY UNTO YOU...THAT WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PREVENT THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP-1 Thes 4:15.
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(Listen), WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP (or die)-ref 1 Cor 15:51; FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH...THE TRUMP OF GOD-1 Thes 4:16; (and) IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP-1 Cor 15:52; (ref Num 10); FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND-1 Cor 15:52; and THE LORD…WILL…RAISE UP US BY HIS OWN POWER-1 Cor 6:14; God SHALL RAISE UP US ALSO BY JESUS-2 Cor 4:14. AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST-1 Thes 4:16; AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE-1 Cor 15:52; (for) GOD WILL REDEEM MY SOUL FROM THE POWER OF THE GRAVE: FOR HE SHALL RECEIVE ME-Ps 49:15. VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU (the truth), THE HOUR IS COMING, AND NOW IS, WHEN THE DEAD SHALL HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD: AND THEY THAT HEAR SHALL LIVE. MARVEL NOT (or do not be amazed) AT THIS: FOR THE HOUR IS COMING, IN THE WHICH ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE, AND SHALL COME FORTH (or come out); THEY THAT HAVE DONE GOOD, UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE (or will rise to live)-Jn 5:25,28,29. As it is written, THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE...THEY ARISE...THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD-Isa 26:19; and WE SHALL…LIVE WITH HIM-2 Tim 2:11. NOW THAT THE DEAD ARE RAISED, EVEN MOSES SHEWED AT THE BUSH, WHEN HE CALLETH THE LORD THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB-Lk 20:37. COME, MY PEOPLE...UNTIL THE INDIGNATION (which is the Tribulation) BE OVERPAST. FOR, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMETH OUT OF HIS PLACE TO PUNISH THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH FOR THEIR INIQUITY-Isa 26:20,21.
Then, of the saints which are alive, it is written, AND THE FIRST VOICE WHICH I HEARD WAS AS IT WERE OF A TRUMPET TALKING WITH ME; WHICH SAID, COME UP HITHER-Rev 4:1. THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP-1 Thes 4:17; (then we shall be caught up) TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR-1 Thes 4:17; (we shall be gathered) TOGETHER UNTO HIM-2 Thes 2:1; the saints will be raised up AT THE LAST DAY-Jn 6:40; ref 6:39,44,54. And the Lord will receive the saints, so that WHERE Jesus is, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO-Jn 14:3; AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD-1 Thes 4:17; (and) I LOOKED, AND, BEHOLD, A DOOR WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN-Rev 4:1. (And this know, that they which) WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE (or wedding, or wedding banquet, or feast): AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT-Mt 25:10. THEN SHALL TWO BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. TWO WOMEN SHALL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT-Mt 24:40,41. I TELL YOU, IN THAT NIGHT THERE SHALL BE TWO MEN IN ONE BED; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER SHALL BE LEFT. TWO WOMEN SHALL BE GRINDING TOGETHER; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT. TWO MEN SHALL BE IN THE FIELD; THE ONE SHALL BE TAKEN, AND THE OTHER LEFT-Lk 17:34-36. THEY ASKED HIM, "WHERE, LORD?" HE ANSWERED, "WHEREVER THERE'S A DEAD BODY, THAT'S WHERE THE VULTURES GATHER."-Lk 17:37 JNT.31
BELOVED, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, AND IT DOTH NOT YET APPEAR WHAT WE SHALL BE-1 Jn 3:2. At the time of the Rapture (in the twinkling of an eye), WE SHALL BE CHANGED. FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY-1 Cor 15:52,53; (because) FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; NEITHER DOTH CORRUPTION INHERIT INCORRUPTION-1 Cor 15:50. (For we groan) AS WITH THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH...TO HAVE OUR WHOLE BODIES REDEEMED AND SET FREE-Ro 8:22,23 JNT.32 FOR WE KNOW THAT IF OUR EARTHLY HOUSE OF THIS TABERNACLE WERE DISSOLVED, WE HAVE A BUILDING OF GOD, AN HOUSE NOT MADE WITH HANDS, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS. FOR IN THIS WE GROAN, EARNESTLY DESIRING TO BE CLOTHED UPON WITH OUR HOUSE WHICH IS FROM HEAVEN-2 Cor 5:1,2. For THERE IS ONE GLORY OF THE SUN, AND ANOTHER GLORY OF THE MOON, AND ANOTHER GLORY OF THE STARS: FOR ONE STAR DIFFERETH FROM ANOTHER STAR IN GLORY. SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. IT IS SOWN IN CORRUPTION; IT IS RAISED IN INCORRUPTION: IT IS SOWN IN DISHONOUR; IT IS RAISED IN GLORY: IT IS SOWN IN WEAKNESS; IT IS RAISED IN POWER: IT IS SOWN A NATURAL BODY; IT IS RAISED A SPIRITUAL BODY. THERE IS A NATURAL BODY, AND THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BODY. AND SO IT IS WRITTEN, THE FIRST MAN ADAM WAS MADE A LIVING SOUL; THE LAST ADAM WAS MADE A QUICKENING SPIRIT. THE SPIRITUAL DID NOT COME FIRST, BUT THE NATURAL, AND AFTER THAT THE SPIRITUAL-NIV. THE FIRST MAN IS OF THE EARTH, EARTHY: THE SECOND MAN IS THE LORD FROM HEAVEN. AS IS THE EARTHY, SUCH ARE THEY ALSO THAT ARE EARTHY: AND AS IS THE HEAVENLY, SUCH ARE THEY ALSO THAT ARE HEAVENLY. AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY, WE SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY-1 Cor 15:41-49. (And) WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; FOR WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS-1 Jn 3:2.
For those left back on the earth that were not taken in the Rapture, WOE UNTO THEM...IN THOSE DAYS! FOR THERE SHALL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND-Lk 21:23. For they were left behind, because they would not repent. It is written, BEHOLD, I WILL CAST HER...AND THEM...INTO GREAT TRIBULATION, EXCEPT THEY REPENT-Rev 2:22. The saints that were watching and trusting in Jesus were raptured. It is written, EVEN JESUS, WHICH DELIVERED US FROM THE WRATH TO COME (or the Tribulation)-1 Thes 1:10; AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD-1 Thes 4:17.
4-THE RAPTURE The word "rapture" does not appear in the King James Version of the Bible. However, it is a word that symbolizes such biblical terms as the translation, caught up, our gathering together unto Him, and some other terms which are used in God’s Word. The words, "translate" or "translation" mean to carry away, remove, transport, change sides, transferral; thus, translation or rapture.
It is a term used to describe the removal from the earth of all living people that have received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The Scriptures show us that in the twinkling of an eye, all over the earth, all people whom Jesus "knows" will be removed from the earth to be with Him. It will be as in the days of Noah, when all those that trusted in God were removed before the flood came. The raptured people will never know death (or sleep). In the twinkling of an eye, they will be changed and will be with Jesus in a new incorruptible body.
5-HAS THERE EVER BEEN A RAPTURE BEFORE? The answer is yes. It is written, AND ENOCH WALKED WITH GOD: AND HE WAS NOT; FOR GOD TOOK HIM-Gen 5:24. It is also written, BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED THAT HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH-Heb 11:5. The Bible also tells us in 2 Ki 2:1-12, how Elijah was translated. We also see John in the Spirit on the Lord’s day-ref Rev 4:1. Jesus was taken up-ref Acts 1:9.
6-THE TWO QUESTIONS 1. At what point in the last generation does the Rapture come? 2. What happens to a person’s body when he is raptured?
7-QUESTION ONE: WHEN WILL THE RAPTURE COME IN RELATION TO THE OTHER EVENTS? (THE MOST RENOWNED SCHOLARS) Among the ten best known, born-again Bible prophecy scholars in the world, at the time this was written, beginning with Hal Lindsey, all without exception (to our knowledge) are convinced by God’s Word that the Rapture will come before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins. Of the ten best known, born-again evangelists in the world, at this time, all without exception (to our knowledge) are convinced by God’s Word that the Rapture will come before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins.
8-CONFUSION AND MAKING GOD’S WORD OF NO EFFECT Why then does there seem to be confusion among some people on this subject? The answer is clear. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION-1 Cor 14:33. Satan is the author of confusion. Some people hold the incorrect position that the Rapture will take place in the midst of the Tribulation. Some hold the misguided position that the Rapture will come at the end of the Tribulation. Others hold the mistaken position that the Rapture will come after the Tribulation, and there are others who hold yet a different position. There are some misguided people who do not believe there will be a Rapture. They do not believe that Jesus will actually return as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, as the Scriptures clearly point out. They do not believe there will be a period called the Tribulation. Others believe that Jesus returned about 1800 years ago, and still others about 100 years ago. No matter how famous a Bible teacher is, or how anointed he appears to be, or how much he proclaims the Gospel, when there is confusion on a major Bible subject, such as the Rapture, which is clearly and unmistakably stated in the Bible, something is wrong. A person that believes the Rapture will come during or after the Tribulation, also may not "even begin" to understand what the Tribulation will really be like. There has never been in the history of the earth a time, either before the flood or after, that will be as bad as what is soon to come. It is written, FOR THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS WAS NOT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE. AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED, THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED: BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED-Mt 24:21,22. These people usually do not understand the trumpet judgments and when they will occur. Some mistakenly try to associate the Rapture with the seventh trumpet of Rev 11:15. They may not consider the blowing of the trumpets in Numbers chapter ten. The words "trump" or "trumpet" or "trumpets" appear in the Bible app. 114 times. Several different Hebrew and Greek words are used. They may not understand the seven feasts of Israel and their significance. They may not understand the biblical reasons for the Rapture. They may not understand the Jewish marriage customs. Neither do they usually understand that there will be very few people left alive after the Battle of Armageddon. For some reason, many Scriptures are not understood correctly by these people. The Scriptures clearly show that the born-again saints are to understand the Bible regarding the times which would precede the Tribulation. Then, knowing and understanding the times, they are to watch and be ready for the Rapture. As it is written, LOOKING (which can also mean watching) FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST-Titus 2:13. Regarding the Rapture, it is written, WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS-1 Thes 4:18. We are not to watch for the Tribulation, but for the blessed hope. In watching for the blessed hope, we are comforted. God forbid, there would not be comfort, if we had to go into the Tribulation. By watching for the Tribulation, instead of the blessed hope, we nullify the Word of God. To watch for the Tribulation, is to watch for the most horrible time in the history of the world. To think that one would enter this utterly terrifying period, when many will be killed, would mean the Christian would live a life of fear. During the Tribulation, those who receive Jesus Christ will not have power to stand against the Antichrist. The saints will be given into the hand of the Antichrist. As it is written, I BEHELD, AND THE SAME HORN (the Antichrist) MADE WAR WITH THE SAINTS, AND PREVAILED AGAINST THEM-Dan 7:21. AND HE...SHALL WEAR OUT THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH...THEY SHALL BE GIVEN INTO HIS HAND UNTIL A TIME AND TIMES AND THE DIVIDING OF TIME-Dan 7:25. Most saints that get saved, during the Tribulation, can expect to be horribly persecuted, beaten, and then killed by being beheaded. Those that teach the Rapture will not come prior to the Tribulation, as already mentioned, are making certain Scriptures of no effect. They are not teaching the people to watch for the "blessed hope," that is, the return of Jesus to take "His" people. They are not teaching others to watch as God commands. Those that teach the Rapture will not come prior to the Tribulation are making God’s Word of no effect (null and void). This is exactly what Satan wants to do. The Scriptures show that we are to watch. Those who do not teach that the Rapture will soon come are, in effect, teaching a form of rebellion against God’s commands.
Modern state of Israel bears watching, though some Jews always were living in Palestine. It would not prove the bible wrong at all if what we now call the modern state of Israel dissolved until some later time.
The sequence of events in Revelation suggests the answer is yes. Possibly there will be a lot of instant new Christians when they see existing Christians vanish. The absence of Spirit may be a relative matter, tied to the presence of Christians in the world. (Fewer Christians = less Holy Spirit.)
Indeed. And God has clearly stated the translation will occur in the Scriptures of His beloved apostle to the Gentiles Paul and that by the revelation of Jesus Christ to him when Jesus took Paul into the Arabian desert to Sinai and stripped him of all pharisee traditions that warred against the Word given to Moses and revealed to Paul all the necessary doctrines of the new testament body of Christ.Read Galatians and then all the writings of Paul and you will see that the revelation of the rapture was given only to Paul.
So many who say they are Christians rely on the teaching of their particular denomination, the more noble rely on the Scriptures and will refuse the fables of the world church.
Only Paul writes about it, but I hope you’re not trying to say that proves no others were told.
Yes, the Holy Ghost will go up in the rapture with all indwelt believers and then such delusion shall prevail world wide for those left behind. Nevertheless, God will make a way for some to be saved as the 7 year tribulation speaks of tribulation saints who will war against the ungodly Antichrist and be murdered for their faith in Jesus who is Christ indeed.
[Only Paul writes about it, but I hope you’re not trying to say that proves no others were told.]
I know that only Paul the apostle to the gentiles wrote of the translation of the saints, dead and alive, before the Wicked One is revealed and the other Scriptures fall into line with it.
As I continue to struggle with the nuances of religion, I can only apply my common sense.
Why did God put us here if not the hope to be with Him? Why did God put BILLIONS of us on this earth, if not that He enjoys a really, really big party.
Or is it your contention that God possibly knew only one in a million would end up worthy, and the billions would at least give Him a few thousand of us for His company. To what purpose? Why not just make a few thousand of us of sterner stuff that would keep him company and avoid all of this time and hassle.
It doesn’t stand to reason that God filled the earth with billions of His people expecting or desiring so few to be with him. Nope. He tends his flock and desires to lose very few to the wolves. I think there is plenty of room in Heaven and I think through God’s mercy, he is going to want to fill that room and is giving us every chance to make it, many times over.
Nobody knows, although many profess to know. I’ve long lost count of how many sincere, devout Christians I have known, and righteous born-again Christians I have known, who have all found at least one fatal flaw with everybody they have ever met, that will keep them all from the Kingdom of Heaven.
I don’t pretend to know, but I don’t think God is so stupid or naive that he created billions of souls just so a handful could be with him. I’m not buying it. If that was the case, he sure wouldn’t need to send his only Son to try to reign us all in, as surely he could have gotten his few St. Patricks and Mother Teresa’s without having his Son here to be crucified.
Nope. I’m not buying it. But what the heck do I know?
The modern state of Israel is the 2nd time God brought His chosen people into the land He gave them and is mentioned in old testament prophecy, Ezekiel is one of the more prolific as well as others.
However, God said He would divide the world against Israel and bring them to fight against the Lord Jesus Christ on the mountains of Zion and He is making Israel a burdensome stone to all peoples and whoever burdens themselves with it He said He will cut in pieces. This is the end tribulation war of Armageddon.
What did Jesus mean in that verse? Something other than what he said?
We who are born again Christians are sinners saved by the grace of God and imputed with the righteousness of Christ and not our own, we are forgiven but still in the flesh and God will finish His Work of righteousness in us when He redeems our bodies at the resurrection of the just by Jesus Christ.
Please read the Pauline epistles to understand the Scriptures for the body of Christ. Not our righteousness, His righteousness imputed to us by faith of how Jesus Christ was crucified for our SINS and rose again the third day for our justification so that we are saved and kept by Him as the Scriptures teach.
I just keep in mind that what we call Israel now is a tiny spot of land compared with its biblical extent, which it will resume when it is blessed again to that role. There are far more Jews in the USA alone than in that little spot of land.
Then there are the panmillenialists, who believe it will all pan out in the end.
In a class on the Book of (the) Revelations, I wrote a thesis entitled " A Pre-millenial Response to the Heresy of Post-Millenialism". I got an A from the Prof, a Post-mil guy.
2 Tim 2: 14Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his,"[a] and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."
"For then shall be (1) great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.To recap:
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.* 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. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately (2) after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
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 (3) Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and (4) they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
--Matthew 24
1. ...then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.Now let's boil it down a bit more so we don't get lost in all the words (notice that I didn't overuse capital letters):
2. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened...
3. ...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.
4. ...he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
1. Great tribulation such as has never been seen or will be seen.And now again:
2. Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven, seen by everyone on earth.
3. Sound of trumpet and angels collecting elect throughout the earth.
1. Great tribulation.Compare it with your statement above: The rapture of the church, the body of Christ, must precede the tribulation in order that all of God's Word be fulfilled.
2. Jesus returns.
3. Trumpet sounded. (see 1 Corinthians 15:52).
4. Angels sent.
5. Believers gathered. (see 1 Corinthians 15:23)
The Gospel according to: Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsay, M.R. DeHaan, H.A. Ironside, C.I. Scofield, Margaret MacDonald.
Geez Louise, I see nothing that is “secret” in this scenario of people vanishing in plain sight, with a terrible sight in the sky accompanying it.
Multiple gatherings can be argued as well (it would be absolutely necessary if more elect dwell on earth after a rapture/translation of the existing elect). There are variations, like mid-trib and a very small contingent of after-pre-but-before-mid-trib.
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