Posted on 12/23/2013 7:16:44 PM PST by Uri’el-2012
Why I believe the Rapture of the Church
will take place between December 25, 2013,
and January 4, 2014
The Lord has been giving me pieces to a puzzle for the last 13 years, leading me to the date for the firstfruits Rapture of the Church. The puzzle ends between December 25, 2013, and January 4, 2014. I very strongly believe that the Rapture will take place on January 3/4, 2014. However, it is possible that the puzzle can end as early as December 25, 2013.
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More On The Olivet Discourse
Q. Matthew 24:15 to the chapter’s end seems pretty straightforward. It covers a period from the middle of Daniel’s 70th week until the LORD’s return. But I’m wondering about the specific time period indicated by Matthew 24:4-12. Could it be that Matthew 24:4-12 covers the first half of the 70th week? After all, verse 13 says that “he who endures to the end, the same shall be saved.” That doesn’t sound like a statement that would characterize the “church age” in general, but a period characterized by a return to the Mosaic Law.
A. Keep in mind the whole passage is a response to questions from Jewish disciples to their Jewish teacher about the future of Israel. From their perspective at the time, Israel had been given a 490 year period of time to accomplish 6 objectives that wold bring about the End of the Age (Daniel 9:24-27). 483 of these years had past, and because of statements Jesus had made about the temple being destroyed, they wanted clarification on the remaining 7 years. They didn’t know anything about a 2,000 year pause while the Lord built a Gentile Church and the Lord didn’t enlighten them. In fact there isn’t even a hint of the Church in the entire passage. For my explanation on why this this, click here
Matt. 24:4-14 contains several overview statements relative to their question about signs that point to His coming and the End of the Age. None of them are time specific but are common to the entire 2000 years. There will be false messiahs, wars and rumors of war, natural disasters. The Jews will be persecuted and put to death, many would turn away from the faith, and false prophets would deceive them. Because of this the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Then the Gospel will be preached to the whole world and the end will come.
This entire summary was intended for the Lord’s Jewish audience, not the Church. We know this because we’re not told that if we stand firm till the end we’ll be saved. We’re told that our salvation was guaranteed from the first moment we believed (Ephes. 1:13-14), and that it’s God Himself who makes us stand firm in Christ (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
Neither is the Church required to preach the Gospel to the whole world before the end can come. We’ve spent 2,000 years doing that and are no where near finished. But Rev. 14:6 says that at the beginning of the Great Tribulation God will send an angel to preach the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people. He will fulfill the Lord’s promise, not the Church.
Beginning in verse 15, the remainder of the chapter contains more detailed and specific prophecies, all of which were still intended for Israel. “Let those in Judea (Israel) flee to the mountains” (Matt. 24:16) and “Pray that your flight not be on the Sabbath” (Matt. 24:20) are clear examples. As you pointed out, this portion begins with the Great Tribulation and ends just after the 2nd Coming.
The bottom line is nothing in the Olivet Discourse was intended for the Church. It’s all about Israel.
http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/more-on-the-olivet-discourse/#more-19988
The Vatican has always been on another planet.
There is no ‘rapture’ but the one that Paul called out in 1Corinthians 15 “at the last trump.”
All are to be grafted into Israel, there is only one plan for both. (read Romans as many times as it takes for it to sink in)
Get ready for the trib that you are not planning for!
>> “This entire summary was intended for the Lord’s Jewish audience, not the Church” <<
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That’s pretty creative, but Yeshua didn’t come for any ‘church,’ In his own words, “I came only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Either you get “grafted into” the house of Israel, or you get to hear “depart from me, I never knew ye”
Jesus Christ told His disciples that His coming will be as the days of Noah - and then Jesus Christ, Himself, proceeded to describe the chronology of those days by explicitly stating that Noah "entered into the ark" before the flood came (Matthew 24:37-39). "so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." - Matthew 24:39. Key
To emphasize this point, Jesus Christ repeated this detailed account in Luke 17:26, recording the detail that Noah "entered into the ark" before the flood, and then "the flood came" (Luke 17:26-27). "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." - Luke 17:30
Jesus Christ also told His disciples that His coming will be as the days of Lot - and then Jesus Christ, Himself, proceeded to describe the chronology of that event by explicitly stating that Lot "went out of Sodom" before God's judgment rained down (Luke 17:28-29). "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." -
Luke 17:30 Key God reminds us of these individuals again, and tells us that it is God's nature to deliver believers before divine judgment: Noah, Lot, Rahab, etc. (II Pet. 2:5-9). Note that Peter (who penned the book of Peter) was present when Christ told it to His disciples the first time.
Right after that, He tells them about Noah and Lot, He further emphasizes this and describes 2-3 examples (Matthew 24:40-41, Luke 17:34-36) of how some people will be taken, and some will be left.
Right after that, He warns them "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." If Christ returns at any other time than before the Tribulation, then you would know (to the day) when to expect Him. The fact that He is coming before is what catches people off guard. Key Right after that, He tells them of the metaphor of the unannounced thief (Matthew 24:43-44), and told His disciples His coming would be in the same manner.
Right after that, He uses the illustration of the unfaithful servant who was caught off-guard by his master's unannounced return (Matthew 24:45-51). Key Right after that, He tells them the parable of the ten virgins, and how some were caught unprepared for the bridegroom's unannounced return (Matthew 25:1-12).
Right after that, He warns them a second time, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." - Matthew 25:13 Key Right after that, He tells them of the parable of the talents, and a servant who was caught unprepared for his master's return (Matthew 25:14-30).
Here, in one sitting, Jesus Christ plainly explains the pattern of His return to a group of fishermen, and to make absolutely sure that they understand what He is saying, He lays out 2 biographical patterns, 2 pattern parables, and 2 explicit warnings about these pattern (with additional implied warnings woven throughout); the fact that He repeated something they needed to know six times in one sitting should tell us that He wants us to be absolutely clear about it!
Any teaching that ignores, contradicts, or reverses this clearly spelled-out pattern will end up ignoring and contradicting other Scripture as well, leading to confusion and deception. Do not hold to any prophetic pattern that goes against Christ's given pattern. The very first words out of Christ's mouth when He sat down to tell His disciples these things was this warning: "Take heed that no man deceive you." (Matthew 24:4).
The church is not appointed to wrath (Romans 5:9, I Thess.1:9-10; I Thess. 5:9). The church cannot enter "the great day of his wrath" (Rev. 6:17). Thirteen times in Revelation, the time of the Tribulation is described as a time of wrath (Rev. 6:16, Rev. 6:17, Rev. 11:18, Rev. 12:12, Rev. 14:8, Rev. 14:10, Rev. 14:19, Rev. 15:1, Rev. 15:7, Rev. 16:1, Rev. 16:19, Rev. 18:3, Rev. 19:15). Church
No NT tribulation passage mentions the church (Matthew 13:30, 39-42,48-50; 24:15-31; I Thess. 1:9-10; 5:4-9; II Thess. 2:1-11, Rev. 4-18). Nor is the translation (rapture) of the church ever mentioned in any passage dealing with the second coming after the tribulation.
Historical concept of imminency surrounding Christ's return. From a historical concept, the doctrine is not new, just more clearly classified and understood.
Pre-Trib allows literal interpretation of OT & NT. Post-trib must use some symbols or analogies.
Pre-Trib has a clear distinguishing between Israel and the church. Post-Trib has "replacement theology"
Pre-Trib gives distinction between Great Tribulation and tribulation in general. Acts 14:22 - the word tribulation is afflictions, not the time of God's wrath. Two different greek words.
Great Tribulation is for Israel's restoration, not to prepare the church for Glory (Deut. 4:29-30, Jeremiah 30:4-11 - "...even in the latter days..." "correct thee")
Pre-trib is founded on the definite teaching of Scripture that the death of Christ frees from all condemnation.
The Great Tribulation begins long before the seventh trumpet of Rev. 11. Pre-trib teaches that it starts in ch. 6.
Mid-trib teaches that the seventh trumpet of Rev. 11, the last of trumpet I Cor. 15:52, and the trumpet of Matt. 24:31 are the same event; but, they are three distinct events. They are not connected.
Pre-trib maintains the unity of the 70 weeks. Post & mid destroy the unity of the 70 weeks and confuse Israel's program with that of the church.
The church will not be overtaken by the day of the Lord (I Thess. 5:1-9).
The church of Philadelphia was promised deliverance from "the hour of temptation." Rev. 3:10
After translation, believers go to the Father's House in heaven (John 14:3).
Pre-trib does not divide the Body of Christ at the Rapture on a work principle (partial rapture). It is the final climatic aspect of salvation by grace.
All, not part, of the church will be raptured. (I Cor. 15:51-52, I Thess. 4:17).
The remnant of the Tribulation are Israelites, not members of the church.
Pre-trib does not confuse terms like 'elect' and 'saints' (saved of all ages). "Church" & "those in Christ" are those saved before Rapture. The "elect" and "saints" after the Rapture are not part of the Bride of Christ, the church.
The church is to look for signs of His coming. Believers in Tribulation are to look for signs.
Holy Spirit, as a restrainer, is removed before the lawless one dominates the Tribulation. II Thess. 2:6-8. The Tribulation cannot begin until this restraint (Holy Spirit) is lifted. Believers (Spirit-in dwelt) are translated.
II Cor. 5:10 records all believers before the judgment seat of Christ in Heaven - an event never mentioned in the detailed accounts connected with the Second Coming of Christ to earth.
The 24 elders (Rev. 4:4-11) as reps of the church would necessitate the rapture and reward of the church before the Tribulation. They cannot be in three spots at the same time (if post-trib).
The wedding feast takes place before the Second Coming. Rev. 19:7-10.
Tribulations saints are not raptured at the second coming, but remain and have children (Isa. 65:20-25) and enter into the Millennium Kingdom.
The judgment of the Gentiles following the second coming (Matt. 25:31-46) is on natural bodies - which would have been impossible if they were translated at the Second Coming.
If the Rapture took place at the Second Coming, there would be no need to separate the sheep from the goats. (Matt. 25:31)
The coming of Christ is imminent. If it waited on the Tribulation, it would not be imminent.
The exhortation to be comforted (I Thess. 4:18) is very significant in the pre-tribulational view (contradicted by most post-tribulation). There is no comfort in having to suffer through the Tribulation and its horrors.
Believers are to look for signs of His coming, not signs of the Tribulation. Titus 2:13.
The exhortation to purify yourself in light of His coming has most significance if His coming is imminent. I John 3:2-3.
Differences Between the Rapture and the Second Coming
50 Reasons Why the Rapture Must Happen Before the Tribulation
Thanks!
Thanks!
1Cor 15:51-53
Jesus is the Messiah that the Jews had been anticipating for centuries (see Luke 2:25; 3:15). As such, He was born into a Jewish family and was reared according to Jewish law in a Jewish town (see Luke 2:27; Galatians 4:4). Jesus selected Jewish disciples, spoke in Jewish synagogues and the Jewish temple, and traveled mostly in Jewish areas. His mission, in fulfillment of the Jewish prophets, was to the Jewish people. However, none of this means that Jesus’ ministry was limited exclusively to the Jews.
In Matthew 15, there is an incident that, at first, seems to confirm the idea that Jesus came only for the Jews. Jesus was traveling through Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile region, and “a Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly’” (Matthew 15:22). This Gentile woman recognized Jesus as the Messiah (“Son of David”), but “Jesus did not answer a word” (verse 23). As the woman kept up her appeals, Jesus finally responded, but His words seemed to hold little hope: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (verse 24). However, the woman did not give up, and Jesus eventually granted her request, based on her “great faith” (verse 28).
The fact that Jesus helped the Canaanite woman, even though His mission was to the Jews, is a significant detail in the Gospel narrative. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus gave other indications that His power and compassion reached to all people. He healed a Roman centurion’s servant (Luke 7:1–10). He traveled through the Gentile region of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1). He ministered in a Samaritan city (John 4).
Jesus came to save everybody (1 John 2:2). Jesus Christ is God Himself (John 1:1). Jesus died on the cross as the payment for all our sins, and He rose from death in resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Jesus said He was the Good Shepherd, and He predicted that His flock would be greatly expanded: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).
It took a while for the early church to recognize that salvation was available to the Gentiles. The Jewish Christians who fled the persecution in Jerusalem went into the Gentile regions of Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, but they were “spreading the word only among Jews” (Acts 11:19). Peter was hesitant to bring the gospel to a Gentile household, but God made it plain that Cornelius was also one of the elect (Acts 10).
“Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too” (Romans 3:29). Jesus was the Jewish Messiah, but He had come to offer salvation to everybody. The Messiah was to be a “light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). So call on Jesus, because “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).
P.S. The first six trumpets are also about men making war, beginning with the aftermath of a nuclear attack, and its effects on the Earth’s life.
Beautiful exposition. Thank you
How do you reconcile your belief with Scripture?
baruch HaShem uri I'm not familiar with this connection
Well, if the Rapture is mid-Trib, or pre-wrath, then there must be some passage in Scripture which tells us that a Rapture will take place at the time of the sixth seal. Can you post that Scripture that tells us that the Rapture will happen at the sixth seal so we can see if mid-Trib or pre-wrath Rapture theories are correct?
I’m sure that you’re praying that I’m wrong, but no cigar.
Reading the scriptures with pre-trib glasses has a disastrous effect on one’s understanding.
We are one. One plan, one resurrection.
Read, read, read, and see if you can find a resurrection between the first at the last trump, and the second, 1000 years later at the end of planet Earth.
One people, one olive tree, one plan of salvation.
Also note that the branches that get grafted into the good olive tree are taken from a ‘wild’ olive tree!
Do you have ANY Scripture you can give me that would validate your opinion that the Church will go through the Tribulation?
Paul’s words: “At the last trump”
Ask your question of yourself; you’ve absolutely zero scriptural foundation for your beliefs.
What do you think? Should we go with your opinion or should we go with what the Holy Spirit wrote?
1Corinthians 11:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
[24] For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
If you are of a wild olive tree, just who are you? (hint: olive tree = Israel)
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