“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.
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