The Rapture: After Eliminating the Impossible We Are Left with the Truth

 

“If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth...” Sherlock Holmes. 

I guess that is how he figured out so many crimes, he reviewed the evidence and figured out who it couldn't be and was left with who it was.

Let's use that principle of deduction in regard to the various rapture theories and see what transpires. First, let’s recreate that statement and put it into a rapture timing perspective. 

If you examine all the prophetic truths concerning the timing of the rapture and compare the various rapture theories to all those prophetic truths and eliminate all the theories that contradict any of the prophetic truths, then whatever theory remains no matter how improbable, must be the truth. 

Ok, let’s do just that. First, let’s list all the parameters concerning the timing of the rapture seen in scripture, and then we will compare the rapture theories to see which one remains—that is, agrees with all the parameters. And remember, no matter how improbable that must be the truth. Here are the rapture timing parameters. 

1.  A Christian will not be subject to God’s wrath. 

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

2.  No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2

3.  Jesus will only return to the clouds at the rapture, not to the earth 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

4.  The rapture occurs after the antichrist is revealed and performs the abomination of desolation. 

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 

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. 

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

5.  The rapture is not imminent until all the prerequisites are fulfilled. 

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 

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. 

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

6.  During the end times Christians will be subject to sorrows and tribulations. 

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be… 

Immediately 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 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 they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 21:21, 29-31

7.  Christians are persecuted by the antichrist 

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17 

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation 13:7

8.  Christians are removed out of the midst of the great tribulation 

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be… 

Immediately 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 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 they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 21:21, 29-31

9.  The rapture occurs after the moon is turned to blood after the sixth seal is opened 

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; 

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 

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; 

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: 

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Revelation 6:12-17 

Immediately 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 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 they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 21:29-31

Ok, so those are all the end times prophetic parameters concerning the timing of the rapture. So, now let’s see how each theory either agrees or disagrees with each parameter. Remember the one which remains—agrees with all the parameters, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

(Check mark = the theory agrees with this parameter

 X = the theory disagrees with this parameter) 

 

Prophetic truth/principle	Pre-trib	Mid-trib	Post-trib	Pre-wrath
A Christian will not be subject to God’s wrath	Ö	Ö	´	Ö
No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return	Ö	´	´	Ö
Jesus will return only to the clouds at the rapture, not the earth	Ö	Ö	´	Ö
The rapture occurs after the antichrist is revealed and after he performs the abomination of desolation	´	Ö	Ö	Ö
The rapture is not imminent until all the prerequisites are fulfilled	´	Ö	Ö	Ö
During the end times Christians will be subject to sorrows and tribulations.	´	Ö	Ö	Ö
Jews and Christians are persecuted by the antichrist	´	´	Ö	Ö
Christians are removed out of the midst of the great tribulation	´	´	´	Ö
The rapture occurs after the moon is turned to blood after the sixth seal is opened	´	´	Ö	Ö

The only theory that agrees with all of the end-times scriptural principles is the Prewrath theory.

“If you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth...” Sherlock Holmes. 

Why do so many reject the truth? 

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 

Have you had your epiphany? You need to be prepared for the end times! Read The Coming Epiphany;—Your Guide to Understanding End Times Bible Prophecy. 

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. 

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The Day of the Lord; the What and the When

One of the most important end times concepts in the Bible is a concept known as The Day of the Lord. A proper understanding of this concept in scripture yields profound results. In this post we will briefly examine key passages about The Day of the Lord and see what it reveals.

First off; the Day of the Lord is talked about in both the Old and New Testament.

10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty.

11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,

14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,

15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,

16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish.

19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Isaiah 2:10–22:

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. 1 Thes 5:1,2

As you can see from those passages the Day of the Lord comes suddenly as a thief in the night, catches many unawares, and is a time when God’s wrath is poured out upon the world.

Another fact that I would like to bring out is that The Day of the Lord is not a single day; it is a period of time that starts with a specific event and extends into the Millennium. Mr. Showers explains it like this.

The future Day of the Lord will have at least a twofold nature. First, it will be characterized by darkness and a tremendous outpouring of divine wrath upon the world (Joel 2:1–2; Amos 5:18–20; Zeph. 1:14–15; 1 Th. 5:1–11). Amos 5:18–20 emphasizes that this will be the total nature of the Day of the Lord for God’s enemies. It will bring no divine light or blessing to them. This will be the nature of the Day of the Lord during the 70^th week of Daniel. Second, the Day of the Lord will also be characterized by light, an outpouring of divine blessing, and the administration of God’s rule. The Prophet Joel, after talking about the darkening of the sun, moon, and stars and God’s Day of the Lord judgment of the armies of the nations gathered in Israel (Joel 3:9-16), foretold great divine blessing “in that day” (Joel 3:17–21).^[1]

Here are the verses that he referred to.

9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord.

12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

17 So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

19 Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

21 For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.

To reiterate; the Day of the Lord is a period of time during the end times that comes upon the world suddenly as a thief in the night, after which God’s wrath is poured out upon the world. The Day of the Lord extends into the Millennium in which God’s blessings are poured out.

Now let’s consider the question; what event begins the Day of the Lord time period? That is a very easy question to answer, just ask yourself what event comes suddenly upon the world and catches many unawares.

The answer is; the rapture.

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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

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. 1 Thes 4:15 – 5:2

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

What event is Paul referring to in these verses that he says will happen at the Day of the Lord—the Day of Christ? What event comes as a thief in the night?

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not (Lk. 12:39–40).

What event were the Thessalonians afraid that they had missed because they thought they were now living in the Day of the Lord period? In both Thessalonian passages Paul is referring to the rapture; and it is clear from these passages that the event that is associated with the beginning of the Day of the Lord is the rapture!

A respected Bible commentator, J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M., explains it like this.

He must explain what he means by “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him” or else the solution to the problem cannot be grasped. Episynagoges (“being gathered”) defines what part of the parousias (“coming”) Paul has in mind. This is the great event he has described more fully in 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17—i.e., the gathering of those in Christ to meet him in the air enroute to the Father in heaven. This begins the day of the Lord. . . . He had told them that the coming of the Lord to gather his saints into heaven would initiate both the tribulation and the day of the Lord. They were promised immediate “rest” (1:7) and glorification with Christ (1:10), not increased persecution. . . . Despite their “persecutions and trials” (1:4) these Thessalonian Christians were not living in the day of the Lord as they had been erroneously told. A right understanding of “being gathered to him” reveals that they could not be so enmeshed, because for them Christ’s parousia will antedate the awful period to come. In fact, their “being gathered to him” will be the event that signals the day’s beginning.^[2]

Thus it is easy to see that the event that starts the Day of the Lord period is the rapture. Now the pertinent question is; when in an end times chronology will the Day of the Lord occur? Ponder this verse.

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

Let that verse resonate in your mind, even if it goes against all that you have been taught or believe—the truth will set you free. Clearly God tells us in no uncertain terms that the Day of the Lord and thus its beginning event—the rapture—occurs after the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood. God also clearly tells us when the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood.

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 answer is simple but the implications are enormous—the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood after the opening of Seal 6. Therefore sound logic concludes and demands that the Day of the Lord and the rapture occur after the opening of the Sixth Seal.

Seal 6: 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

Day of the Lord Rapture: 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

Seal 6 and then the Day of the Lord and the rapture.

There is no other way to interpret this, God’s Word clearly and without question tells us that the Day of the Lord and the rapture occur after the opening of Seal 6. In fact the rest of the Revelation 6 passage confirms this.

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

Did you note what the people of the earth said at the Sixth Seal  event? They said; “hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne.” And why do they say “hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne?” I contend that obviously they say that because they saw Jesus in the sky at the rapture.

Conclusion

To reiterate; the Day of the Lord is a period of time during the end times that comes upon the world suddenly as a thief in the night, after which God’s wrath is poured out upon the world. The Day of the Lord extends into the Millennium in which God’s blessings are poured out.

In regards to its timing; the Day of the Lord, which begins with 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 opening of Seal 6. Therefore scripture demands that we believe that the Day of the Lord and the rapture occurs after Seal 6 is opened.

Unfortunately many pastors readily affirm that The Day of the Lord is a period of time of which the rapture is the first event, but fail to realize it all begins after the opening of Seal 6. I pray their eyes would be opened—the truth shall set you free!

Note: for a full scriptural explanation of the Day of the Lord see The Coming Epiphany.

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)

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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 related websites. If you would like to republish his articles, please feel free to do so, just please include the original link to the article. The more people that see this information the better, and we need to wake more people up while there is still time.

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[1] Showers, Maranatha, Our Lord Come, 32–33,39.

[2] J. Hampton Keathley, III, Th.M., Correction Concerning the Day of the Lord, Part 1.http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1696#P336_80025