I used to be a staunch pre-tribulation
man—taught it, defended it, and argued for it, but not anymore. Why? Because it
is not scriptural, and neither is the post-tribulation, and mid-tribulation
views—I will explain to you why, in a minute.
But before I do that let me tell you that I do believe in a literal 7 year end times period after which Jesus comes back to the earth to set up His literal 1000 year Millennial kingdom and I also believe in a rapture that will remove His children before His wrath is poured out upon the earth.
I also believe that it is vitally important for a Christian to have a correct rapture view, not only for the purpose of pleasing God by having correct doctrinal beliefs, but also for one’s own personal sake, because a wrong rapture view can leave a Christian open to destructive consequences.
Thus what I am about to explain to you is vitally important, and I know that as a good “Berean,” you will prayerfully examine the scriptures to see if what I am saying is true.
So when will the rapture occur? Paul basically answered that very question—the Thessalonians were confused about the timing of the rapture and God through the apostle Paul told them when it would occur.
15 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.
16 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:
17 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. 1Thes 4: 15-17
Here Paul is telling them that there will come a time when Jesus will descend to the clouds, and believers who are alive at the time will be caught up to the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This catching up is what the English word rapture means.
The Latin Vulgate translates the Greek ἁρπαγησόμεθα as rapiemur meaning "we are caught up" or "we are taken away" from the Latin verb rapio meaning "to catch up" or "take away".
So it is clear that even though the word “rapture” is not used in the Bible, the word “caught up” is used in the Bible, and in English we give that catching up event the name rapture based on the latin.
Thus the caught up/rapture event is clearly being discussed by Paul in this passage. Let’s see what else God tells the Thessalonians about the rapture event.
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1Thes 5:1-3
Here we are told that this caught up/rapture event will occur suddenly like a thief in the night and is clearly associated with and part of a greater event known as the Day of the Lord.
The Rapture occurs during the Day of the Lord
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thes 2:1-2
Here God again is discussing the rapture event as our gathering together unto Him at the coming of the Lord. He then calls this event the Day of Christ which is synonymous with the Day of the Lord, as it is the same Greek word. Again, God confirms that the rapture occurs during the Day of Christ or the Day of the Lord.
The Rapture occurs during the Day of the Lord
Now that we have clearly established the
fact that the rapture—the catching up, gathering unto Him—occurs at the Day of
the Lord event, let’s see what God says about the timing of the rapture.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: Acts 2:20
God clearly tells us in that passage that the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood before the Day of the Lord occurs.
The sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood
before the Day of the Lord
We have already established the fact
that the rapture occurs during the Day of the Lord. And since the sun is
darkened and the moon is turned to blood before the Day of the Lord, therefore
the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood before the rapture. Or in reverse order; the rapture occurs
after the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood.
The Rapture occurs after the sun is darkened and the
moon is turned to blood.
God tells us that the sun is darkened
and the moon is turned to blood after the opening of the sixth seal.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Rev 6:12
The sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood
after the sixth seal is opened.
Do you understand what this means? Since
the rapture occurs after the sun is darkened and the moon turns to blood, and
the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood after the opening of the
sixth seal, logic dictates that the rapture occurs after the sixth Seal is
opened.
The Rapture occurs after the sixth seal is opened
That is why I am no longer a pretribber,
because scripture clearly teaches that the rapture occurs after the opening of
the sixth seal. BTW; this is known as the pre-wrath rapture view.
Here is a confirmation of this fact. Look at what the rest of the Revelation sixth seal passage says.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev 6: 15-17
Notice that the people of the earth say “hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne.” Why do they say that? Because they see the Lord in the sky at the rapture event, after which the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth—rapture before wrath—pre wrath rapture.
Over the years I have corresponded with many about this issue, and one of the most common responses I have gotten from people is that they say that one’s rapture view is not that important, and we should not really discuss it because it is causes too much division in the body of Christ.
Well how important do you think a correct rapture view will be when Seals 1 to 5 are opened and you have to live through that time totally unprepared. Think about it.
The choice of what you believe about the rapture is yours to make, but realize that there will come a time in the future when a wrong rapture view can have serious consequences.
Let me sum things up.
The Rapture occurs during the Day of the Lord
The sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood
before the Day of the Lord
The Rapture occurs after the sun is darkened and the
moon is turned to blood.
The sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood
after the sixth seal is opened.
The Rapture occurs after the sixth seal is opened
1.
Sixth seal opened
2.
Sun darkened, moon to blood
3.
Day of the Lord/Rapture
The end times are getting closer every
day, in fact we may already be in the last 7 years. Time is running out, I hope you will make the right
choice as to what you believe concerning the timing of the rapture, for it is
very important. I encourage you to take these things before the Lord and
examine the scriptures to see if these things are true.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36
Not sure that you will go to heaven? The
end times are knocking on the door and so is Jesus. He wants to save you, will
you let him in? Find out what you must
do to be saved, click here.
Do you know what will happen in the end times and how to prepare for them? I wrote a book to help you. It is entitled The Coming Epiphany and will explain to you, in an easy to understand format what you need to know about the end times. The Coming Epiphany is available in paperback and as an eBook on Amazon.com. (If you cannot afford one please email me)
Note:
I appreciate and want to thank all of you who have helped support this ministry
by purchasing a book and or making a donation.
About the author: William Frederick;
M.Div. has been preaching and teaching the Word of God for over 30 years. He has
dedicated his life to serving God and helping others come to a saving knowledge
of the Lord Jesus Christ and understand essential end times Bible Prophecy
truths. He is the author of several books including The
Coming Epiphany and The Dollar Code. His articles are originally published on The
End Times Forecaster Blog. From
there, his articles are published and referenced on various prophecy news
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to do so, just please include the original link to the article. The more people
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Posts
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The reason there are very few comments is because you are a "know-it-all".
ReplyDeleteI do not "know it all", but I do know that the what the Bible says is true.
DeleteI am praying for you.
But let's keep on topic; show me from scripture that the Pre Wrath rapture view is incorrect.
In my opinion, it's because there is nothing to discuss. It's only a matter of belief.
ReplyDeleteBTW, "Rapture" isn't so believed in Catholicism! and in Europe as well. It's more a recent addition from american evangelists (like the sulfurous Darby!)and Mormons...^^ When we see what so many of those evangelists are doing: like asking more money from their followers to buy new jets and so on.. we can doubt that they are inspired by the Real God! Likelly there are more workshipping Mamon or Baal...which are the real "gods" for money and social success... Remember that the B.I.S. (bank of the banks) is citing in Basel (like Babel/ or Bâle in French like Baal)(Switzerland).It's not a pure chance! And that the zionism was created preciselly in that city too!
That's also why these evangelists/ protestants "christians" are feeling so close to the jews... which are finally workshipping the same god! and following the same purpose in the life...
Humm.. I really doubt this post won't be censured but... who knows... :-p
Definition belief
Deletenoun
1 something believed; an opinion or conviction:
a belief that the earth is flat.
2 confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof:
It has been proven that the rapture occurs after the 6th Seal is opened. Once something is proven it is beyond a belief--it is a fact.
Many of the early church fathers believed in a rapture and placed it after the antichrist came to power. And Spurgeon--a European--too.
The pretrib rapture theory was attributed to Darby.
If you don't want your posts censored then stay on topic and stop bashing others based on whimsical theories.
a statement unworthy of belief.
If you read the New testament, Jeusus was not "making money", earning gold and silver to buy fishes and breds to feed people and so on... Jesus NEVER touch money... He asks peter to pay for bith and He tells him how he will find the money (Matthew 17:24-27)
ReplyDeleteSo when I listen to your "fellow" Bo Polny and all his BS concerning his supposed God's money and so on... ^^ Gold is Satan's money because it's the money of that world and that world is under satan's rules for now...
So I guess Mary and Joseph were satanic for accepting Gold from the magi.
DeleteIf you want to post here and not have your comments censored then stick to the rules; keep on topic.
This is not a platform for bashing and or spreading heretical views.
Just wanted to throw This out there...
ReplyDeleteRevelationchapter12dotcom YouTube channel has a new video showing some amazing signs in Heaven. It's called "500 year sign. Rising in your heart. The say star."
I think it's worth mentioning. He does a lot of great Bible studies. Power point style.
Take from it what you will. He is always presenting the possibilities.
As with you, I was a pre-tribber. Grew up that way, with that belief. But then in the years, I came across mid-trib, post-trib, no-trib, and any-trib. All had convincing arguments, all supported by Scripture. So by the early 90's, I was confused by it all, and had to put it all "on the shelf".
ReplyDeleteDuring the late 90's onward, the Lord began to answer some of the questions I had had, and had placed on the shelf. One of those was "the rapture". In just 3 questions prompted to me by the Holy Spirit, the correct answer as to the timing of the rapture was ...
pre-wrath !
And the Scriptures you have quoted are as they were, and are, meant to be interpreted.
God's wrath - specifically, the "wrath of the Lamb of God" - is poured out during the 7th Seal, not before. Before this, we will witness calamities and judgments, many of which will appear as though God is pouring out His wrath.
Brother, you have nailed it ! But it is going to be a bitter shocker for the majority of Christianity that have bitten into the lies of the pre-Trib belief system. Pre-Trib will be one of the contributing factors - a major one - of the "great falling away".
At the turn of the century, Jesus quickened to me, that the play-out of the last 7 years will parallel His own 7 days experience. When He rode into Jerusalem, people were expecting Him to "take to the throne" and "make Israel great again". But He didn't do this. The people who were expecting to be rescued from Roman rule and Edomite rule became very disappointed. The religious establishment knew how to "play the people", so they seized the peoples' disappointments and turned them into rage against Jesus, which was then channeled into getting Jesus put to death and into the crucifixion of Jesus by the highest "governmental authorities" (for us, the future anti-christ global government). Jesus is in the grave (gone from the Earth) for three days. Then is resurrected, returned in His resurrected body, and appears to many. He continues to witness Himself to others, specifically His disciples. Forty days later, He ascends into the clouds, to sit at the right hand of God the Father, until He returns to establish His Kingdom on Earth.
There will be NO pre-trib rapture! And there will be a great falling away, because of this. But there are other factors, too, that will contribute to the "great falling away".
God bless you Brother !
Excellent write up and insights. Thanks for sharing your experience and for you encouragement.
DeleteI agree that the there will be many factors precipitating the great falling way. I believe that one of the main factors will be the false signs and wonders of the alien/UFO/antichrist. The first 5 seals will take their toll on many and not being able to buy or sell without taking the mark will also play a major factor on top of the disillusionment of no rapture.
May God bless you Sister!