Rapture and Resurrection

One of the most crucial revelations in regard to end time events is the revelation of the Rapture of the Church. Though the Old Testament and Synoptic Gospels reveal much concerning the physical Second Coming of Christ, the specific revelation concerning Christ's coming to take His church out of the world, both living and dead, was not revealed until the night before His crucifixion. (John 14:1-3). Because the apostles at that time did not understand the difference between the first and second comings of Christ, they could hardly be instructed in the difference between the Rapture of the Church and Christ's second coming to judge and rule over the earth. A careful study of 1 Thessalonians 4 will do much to set the matter in its proper biblical revelation and place while attempting to understand the symbolic revelations put forth in Daniel and Revelation. In an atmosphere of unprecedented apostasy, let the reader be clear on this face: THE KING IS COMING AND HE IS COMING SOON! The rapture of the Church is the next great event on God's prophetic calendar. It behooves us to make ourselves ready for the Rapture of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

By Chris McDonald

 

TEXT: 1 Thes. 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them, which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others, which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them that 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.
 
Daniel 12:6-13 - And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? [7] And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swear by him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. [8] And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? [9] And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. [10] Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. [11] And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. [12] Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. [13] But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shall rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
 
One of the most crucial revelations in regard to end time events is the revelation of the Rapture of the Church. Though the Old Testament and Synoptic Gospels reveal much concerning the physical Second Coming of Christ, the specific revelation concerning Christ's coming to take His church out of the world, both living and dead, was not revealed until the night before His crucifixion. (John 14:1-3). Because the apostles at that time did not understand the difference between the first and second comings of Christ, they could hardly be instructed in the difference between the Rapture of the Church and Christ's second coming to judge and rule over the earth.

A careful study of 1 Thessalonians 4 will do much to set the matter in its proper biblical revelation and place while attempting to understand the symbolic revelations put forth in Daniel and Revelation. I know there are tremendous disagreements in the Body of Christ regarding the timing of the Rapture. Some denominations are even going as far to deny there will even be a rapture. I remember hearing a Christian music artist who was a bit on the heavy side tell a story related to a ministry in North Carolina who had asked him to come sign for them. Before the service the pastor pulls this man into a room and says "we are glad you're here but please don't play any rapture songs; we don't believe in the rapture." This artist giggled at first then looked at this pastor shaking his head and said, "you don't believe in a rapture? Well, you'll believe in it when you see my big old body go through the first layer of clouds." The pastor stood in silence and walked off. This story made me laugh when I first heard it but my laughter turned to mourning for the state of the Body of Christ as millions continue to wander day after day aimlessly along not feeling anything prophetic is upon us nor is anything spoken by the Holy Ghost through Paul is or even will happen.

I had debated not dealing with the rapture in our current online study of Daniel but one cannot understand Bible prophecy and put these symbolic passages in the right perspective unless one first grasps the truth of the coming of the Lord FOR the church. Let me say this before I state what our ministry believes concerning the rapture. I respect the opinions of those who sincerely want to know truth and believe in a rapture, yet they see this event taking place more toward the middle of Daniel's 70th week instead of it taking place prior to the beginning of the Great Tribulation period. We believe and teach that the Bible lays it out as clear as day that the church will be taken out of this world PRIOR to the 70th week of Daniel taking place. One of the key elements in understanding the rapture is the understanding that the rapture AND the resurrection of saints spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15 ARE the same! That is extremely important to grasp.

Hear what I say to you for millions fail to grasp the importance of the coming resurrection of believers as spoken of in 1 Corinthians 15. The Resurrection of Christ was and is essential to true Christian faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Paul offered the proof of the resurrection in the context of his defense that the resurrection was what confirmed the fact that Christ was who He claimed to be, the Son of God who had the power to lay down His life and take it again. (John 10:17-18). Paul, accordingly added, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith!"

In 1 Cor. 15:17, he adds, "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." The fact of resurrection makes our hope extend into eternity, not to this life only. The Apostle's defense of the resurrection of Christ ends with his defense of what the Holy Spirit terms through Paul, a "great mystery," as stated in 1 Cor. 15:51-58. Though the normal order for all men is to live, die, and then be subject to resurrection, there will be one grand exception at the end of the age. In history, Enoch and Elijah, were caught up to heaven without dying (2 Kings 2:11; Heb. 11:5). At the Rapture of the church, however, a WHOLE generation of those who are saved will be caught up to heaven without dying. This will constitute the grand exception to the normal rule of death and resurrection. This translation without dying was revealed by Paul:

1 Cor. 15:51-58
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

As is brought out in the doctrine of the Rapture not only will living Christians be caught up to heaven without dying, but those Christians who have died will be resurrected. Both will receive their new bodies which are suited for heaven without dying, but those Christians who ahve died will be resurrected. Both will receive their new bodies which are suited for heaven. As Paul stated, they will be: imperishable, never subject to decay, immortal, not subject to death.

1 Cor. 15:53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

They will also be free from sin and be the objects of God's grace and blessing throughout eternity. At the Rapture of the Church, there will be a victory over death and the grave. Paul declares in 1 Cor. 15:54-55:

1 Cor. 15:54-55
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

In this quotation from the Old Testament, Paul was quoting Isaiah 25:8, which states that God will "swallow up death forever," and from Hosea 13:14 where God states, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where O, grave, is your destruction?" This doctrine is stated with greater clarity in the New Testament as Paul traced the victory through Jesus Christ:

Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.

1 Cor. 15:57
But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

In light of this great doctrine of the resurrection and translation and the imminent hope fo the Lord's return, believers are exhorted to make the most of their remaining time on earth. Paul ends this discourse with encouragement that our work here on earth for the Lord is never in vain:

1 Cor. 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul's discourse in 1 Corinthians 15 serve as foundation for his teaching in 1 Thessalonians 4. The two cannot be separated and twisted to make people feel he is talking about events that will take place at the Second Coming of Christ when the Lord will physically return to the Mount of Olivet and rule from Jerusalem. The passage in 1 Thessalonians is one of the most crucial revelations in all the New Covenant in regards to the Rapture of the Church. The Rapture of the Church is ALWAYS presented as the next event and, as such, one that is not dependent on immediate preceding events. The Rapture of the Church, as defined in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, as being "caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air," is a wonderful truth especially designed to encourage Christians! Furthermore, Paul stated that he did not want the Thessalonians to be uninformed or ignorant concerning Christians who had died. Accordingly, they were not the grieve for them as the world does that has no hope. In this passage, as in all Scriptures, the sad lot of those who leave this world without faith in Christ is described in absolute terms of having "no hope," in the life to come. Only those who die IN CHRIST have the hope of life to come in heaven and being part of the greatest event in the believer's salvation experience. Let me make this abundantly clear. If there is no rapture, then our salvation experience will never be completed and it will be and is in vain!

When Paul wrote in Romans 8 that we shall be "glorified," together with the Lord, he was referring to the exact event we are discussing at this present moment - the rapture of the church. The "glorification," he speaks of will take place when "immortality," will replace mortality and "incorruption," will replace corruption for the New Testament believer. If we are to accept by faith what Christ did for us at the Cross and His resurrection from the dead, we should not be having so many issues with the fundamental and simple belief in a future resurrection of the saints which will take place at the Rapture of the Church. The "redemption of the body," being "glorified together," "corruption will take on incorruption," "mortality will take on immortality," ALL refer to ONE single event in the life of the believer - the RAPTURE of the Church. The rapture completes the great salvation process!

1 Cor. 15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Thes. 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Romans 8:13-17
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. [15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:18-25
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

1 Cor. 6:6-11
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. [7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? [8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. [9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Let me state this another way. When one says, "glorification," we are referring to the time when, at the parousia,or "appearing" of our Lord FOR the church, those who died in Christ and the living believers will be given the resurrection of the body, a final and full "redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:23), preparatory for and suited to the final state of the Christian believer. As a theological term it is a synonym of immortality, when immortality is thought of as the glorification which believers will receive, and not, as erroneously thought of, as simply the continued existence of both the believers and the finally impenitent. (Elwell)


Glorification, therefore, is only for believers, and it consists of the redemption of the body. At that time "this perishable" will "put on the imperishable," and "this mortal," the body, will "put on immortality" (I Cor. 15:53). Then death, the Christian's last enemy (I Cor. 15:26), will be swallowed up in victory (I Cor. 15:54). The finally impenitent will be resurrected, but this is a second resurrection, to damnation, the "second death" (Rev. 2:11). Scripture does not refer to this second resurrection as either immortality or glorification. Having stated all of this it would then become a common sense issue, not to sound mean about this, but knowing this event is for believers, why would believers have to be thrust into the Tribulation period to be "purified," and made "more ready" for this event to take place as some teach? The doctrine of the Rapture was given to Paul from the Lord Himself by special revelation; the Lord introduced the doctrine of the Rapture in John 14:1-3 without giving an exposition of ti while He was still on earth.

John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Lord Jesus Himself will come down from heaven, that is, there will be bodily return to the sphere of earth. Jesus will utter a loud command related to the resurrection of the dead and the translation of the living. This will accompanied by the voice of the archangel. The archangel Michael, though not related to the order of events here, in view of the fact that he is the leader of the holy angels in their opposition to Satan, can understandably voice triumph and victory. This will be followed by the trumpet call of God. When this sounds, the event known as the rapture will take place. Then, Christians still living, being translated into bodies suited for heaven, "will be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (v.17)

1 Thes. 4:17  - 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.

This "snatching" up or bodily lifting up of those on earth, whether living or resurrected, their meeting the Lord in the air, and then their triumphant return to heaven. This coincides with Jesus' view of the rapture in John 14:1-3 where Christ informed His disciples that He was coming for them to take them where He was, that is, in the Father's house in heaven. They will remain in heaven until the great events describing the period preceding the second coming of Christ will take place, and the church in heaven will participate in the grand procession described in Revelation 19 of Christ's return from heaven to earth to set up His earthly Kingdom. The Rapture will remove ALL separations between Christ and His true Church. Paul's mention of "clouds," in 1 Thes. 4:17 is taken by some to be literal as was true of the Lord's "ascension," in Acts 1:9. Some believe the great number of those raptured will resemble a cloud, similar to the reference of Hebrews 12:1.
Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

The locale of the church's future with Christ will not be permanent as the Lord will bring the Church WITH HIM at the Second Coming. The Church will be on earth during the millennial kingdom, and then will inhabit the new heaven and new earth throughout eternity. In each of these situations, the church will be with Christ in keeping with the symbolism of their marriage to Him as the heavenly Bridegroom. Though this passage is most informative concerning the nature of the Rapture, it is designed to be an encouragement to those who are living for Christ.  Now, there is not much debate on what has just been stated concerning the rapture. Where the debate has exploded on the scene in the last decade or so is the issue and question of the TIMING of the rapture of the church. Notice that there are no world-shaking events described as leading up to this event! As a matter of face, the church down through the centuries could expect momentarily the Rapture of the Church, which HOPE burns as a flame today in the hearts of those who have not gotten caught up in the false heresy of this hour and apostasy of the whore church. The HOPE of the Rapture has been passed down from the day of Paul till now. Men are trying their best to stamp out this hope but they can't do it!
 

In contrast, the Second Coming of Christ, WILL be preceded by divine judgments on the world and followed by the establishing of Christ's earthly kingdom. No mention is made of that here in Paul's discourse to the Thessalonians and Corinthians, but the emphasis is placed on the wonderful fellowship Christians will enjoy when we meet our Lord face to face in the clouds. The wonderful hope of the Rapture of the church is a source of constant encouragement to those who put their trust in HIM and who are looking for His coming. Paul said "comfort" one another with these words. There is not one single HINT that the Rapture would take place and occur at time when Christians would be experiencing the same judgments the wicked will be experiencing during the Great Tribulation.  There has been a new thought over the last decade called "the pre-wrath" rapture view which believes the church will participate in the Great Tribulation period but be taken out prior to "wrath" being poured out upon the Earth. That view is actually quite scriptural in light of 1 Thes. 5:9:
 

There is no question the church will escape wrath. That is clear from scripture. I believe, and take this as opinion here more than revelation, that the time leading up to the Rapture of the Church is going to be more perilous and dark than most are being led to believe. I have never seen a time when preachers of the gospel have lost their collective MINDS when dealing with end time events. There is a sickening and damnable silence behind pulpits that refuses to warn people of the coming storms that are about to erupt upon Planet Earth. I literally scream into the television when well known ministers get on these national television networks and are asked, "well do you think God is trying to warn the nation through the recent calamites we've faced, especially 9-11." Instead of these men having the backbone and saying "REPENT" and "THUS SAITH THE LORD" they become greed pimps and for the sake of not losing their donors deny anything bad is ever going to happen to the nation or world for that matter.

Not to get off on a tangent here let me state this. I have grown more and more inclined to a belief that the church will endure a great deal more prior to the rapture than the historical pre-tribulational doctrinal stance has braced us for. As a result of increased persecution many are going to depart from the faith. We here in America do not grasp that concept. We live foot loose, fancy free, wealthy, luxurious and without any deterrents on us to worship God. We are FREE to worship whenever we want. Sadly, the American church is squandering that opportunity and those freedoms are slowing but surely slipping away from us. This is going to increase the closer we draw to the rapture.
 
Paul warns us that before the Second Coming of the Lord (physically to Earth) that two things will happen – the man of sin will be revealed (Antichrist) and a great falling away in the church.

2 Thes. 2:7-8
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

2 Tim. 3:1-8
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

Some try to teach that the “falling away” will be a rise in “cults” and other movements that are already deceived. This "falling away" is not about cults. It is a corporate event where many who were once grounded in the faith will literally "depart" from the Lord in the end times. It’s known as “apostasy” in Scripture. Paul called it “perilous times.”

2 Peter 2:10-12
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. [11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. [12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

You cannot depart from something you never had to begin with. This will affect Christians. I know that flies in the face of the doctrine of unconditional eternal security that teaches that if one has been saved they can never lose their salvation. Let me state an important truth here. I don’t believe one can “lose” their salvation. Our salvation is based upon the finished work of Christ and as such we are SECURE in as much as we continue to place our faith in that FINISHED work. But there are myriads of warnings in scripture that if we “WILLFULLY” reject the truth after we have received the truth and stop placing our faith in Christ, then we stand in eternal jeopardy with our souls.

Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, [6] If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 4:4-6
For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. [5] And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. [6] Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

1 Cor. 10:10-13
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. [11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. [12] Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. [13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 
Something is going to happen in the near future where many will make that very choice. The apostasy in the church right now is basically over doctrinal issues concerning the cross. The enemy is subtlety taking the church away from the very foundational message that birthed the origins of the Body 2,000 years ago. Those two main messages was salvation through the blood of Jesus and the mighty baptism in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. Get them saved and get them filled with the Spirit. That was the pattern in the book of Acts and it should be our pattern today. Preachers however, just as they no longer preach on the rapture of the church, no longer preach the blood of Jesus as the only cure for the ills of mankind. Humanistic psychology has seeped into the church in a horrible way. We no longer send the drunk to Jesus and the altar to repent and be delivered, we send him to the church counselor to get counseling or check him into the local rehab center. We no longer tell the adulterer that he has to repent of his sin – we give him a 12-step program to assist him in overcoming his lust and bondage. This is already taking place as we write. I believe a second wave of this current apostasy is coming that is going to be even worse than what we are witnessing at the present time. The ordination of homosexuals, the denial of the deity of Christ, the removal of everything Christian in America and sadly even the church, is the tip of the ice berg friend.

When churches take the Bible out of their discourse and replace it with the Purpose Driven Life, "Houston, we have a problem!" This onslaught is going to be so powerful and deceptive that scores of truly grounded Christians will be shaken in their faith. This I believe will produce a corporate “backsliding” if you will on the part of thousands, possibly millions of Christian prior to the Rapture of the Church. The question is asked (and fairly) then, “What in the world would cause such?” One thing this writer believes without a doubt will arise (and it already is arising) is that persecution is going to increase against the true child of God. The seed of Cain and the spirit of self-will which is the Spirit of Cain is going to arise and kill the "Abels" of these last days who still offer up blood sacrifice spiritually speaking by believing solely in the blood of Jesus as the source of salvation and healing. Cain's spirit has always martyred the seed of Abel throughout the centuries and friend as we near the end of the church age I can assure you Cain's murderous spirit is about to rise again. It already is in many parts of the world.
 
The American church is about to taste the persecution that is griping the church in other parts of the world at the present time in an unprecedented way. We are so spoiled and obnoxiously greed infested along with being the most arrogant of any generation that the sting of this persecution will act as a serious catalyst for convulsions to rip through the Body of Christ. I see the upcoming Presidential election of 2008 as an earmark event that will either slow down this process or hasten it depending on who is elected. Many will die in the coming months and years if the Lord tarries giving their blood for the cause of Christ. I can’t even begin to guess how this will take place in the natural but write this down in a notebook and remember what I am telling you in this study.
 
This persecution will not be just persecution for the sake of persecution. This persecution will be centered around what in reality the entire Tribulation drama is about and that is the tiny nation of Israel. The litmus test of whether many will live or die in the last days is whether they stand with Israel or with the flood of Anti-Semitism that will explode on the scene during this period in the earth’s history. We discussed in lesson one the current statements being made in late 2007 in seeking to divide Jerusalem and push Israel back to pre-1967 borders. This is just a precursor friend of things to come!

We say these things to repeat a fundamental belief of our ministry. We believe and teach the church will NOT go through any part of the Tribulation period but will be taken out or Raptured PRIOR to these events Daniel and John saw coming upon Planet Earth. Without a doubt the timing issue is certainly open to discussion and debate. The issue of the rapture is one that I guess only eternity will answer. But I am certain of this one thing – there IS going to be a rapture of the church and it is very soon on the prophetic horizon. The Lord HIMSELF is about to descend from heaven with a SHOUT and the voice of the archangel, and the dead in CHRIST shall rise FIRST; then we which are alive and remain will be caught up to be with them in air forever and forever. Paul said to COMFORT one another with these words.

1 Thes. 4:14-17
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [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.
 
Seven Proofs

There are seven proofs we feel are found in the Word of God that helps one understand the timing on the rapture of the church.

In 2 Th. 2:1-12 we have a clear proof that the church will be Raptured before the day of the Lord, that is before the second advent, and before the Revelation of the Antichrist, before Daniel’s 70th week, before the future tribulation, and before the last seven years of this age which ends with the second advent of Christ to the earth.
 
2 Thes. 2:1-12
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. [3] 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; [4] Who opposes and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. [5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? [6] And now ye know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. [7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. [8] And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: [9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, [10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. [11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: [12] That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
 
In 2 Th. 2:1-4 Paul beseeches saints not to be deceived by any means or by anybody, as to the coming of the day of the Lord, or the Second Advent. The two things that were to precede the day of the Lord are:
 
1. “A great falling away” and
2. “That man of sin be revealed” (2 Th. 2:3).
 
Besides these two things Paul revealed that a third great event would take place, this one to precede the day of the Lord or Second Advent, and also precede the revelation of the man of sin. He said, “he who now letteth [hinders] will let [hinder] until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed” (2 Th. 2:7-8). Thus it is clear that the hinderer of lawlessness must be taken out of the way before the Antichrist can come. “Our gathering together unto him” of 2 Th. 2:1 and the hinderer of lawlessness being “taken out of the way” of 2 Th. 2:7-8 refer to the same event—the rapture of the church and Old Testament saints before the Revelation of the Antichrist. And then—when he who hinders lawlessness is taken out of the way—shall that Wicked be revealed.
 
        Who Or What Is the Hinderer of Lawlessness?
 
Paul definitely said that the hinderer of lawlessness would continue to hinder lawlessness “until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed,” whom the Lord shall destroy at His second advent (2 Th. 2:7-8). Thus, if the question of who or what the hinderer of lawlessness is can be settled, the time of the rapture would become a clear issue for most. There are three things that hinder lawlessness in the world today:
 
1. Human governments (Gen. 9:1-8; Rom 13; 1 Pet. 2:14)
2. The Holy Spirit ( John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7-11)
3. The Church (Mt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 12:28; Rom 12:3-8; 1 Pet. 4:10-19)
 
In no scripture in the two books to the Thessalonians did Paul mention governments or the Holy Spirit as being taken out of the world, but he repeatedly referred to the Church as being raptured out of the world and from the earth (1 Th. 1:10; 2:19-20; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; 2 Th. 2:1, 7-8). We must, therefore, conclude that the church is the hinderer of lawlessness, and for the following reasons.
 
1. Human governments will never be taken out of the world to permit the Revelation of the Antichrist. He himself will even reign over ten kingdoms when he comes (Rev. 17:8-17). And many other governments will be here in other parts of the earth throughout all the days that the man of sin (Antichrist) will be here (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14; Rev. 16:13-16; Zech. 14:1-5).
2. The Holy Spirit will never be taken from the world, for Jesus promised that He would abide with us forever (Jn. 14:16). In Acts 2:16-21; Zech. 12:10 - 13:1, Mt. 24:14; Rev. 7:14; 19:10 and other scriptures we have much proof that the Holy Spirit will still be here throughout the tribulation and the reign of Antichrist. Therefore, He could not be the hinderer of lawlessness that will be taken out of the way.
3. The church will be taken out of the world by rapture, as stated in the above references. It is the only one of the above mentioned three hinderers of lawlessness that is to be taken out of the world, so it must be the hinderer of 2 Th. 2:7-8. (DAKE)

Some argue that the "CHURCH" is referred to as "bride of Christ," and thus could not be the "he" because of the masculinity of the pronoun in contrast to the feminine "she." That misunderstanding has led many to discount the notion the "he" in 1 Thessalonians is the Church. One must understand however that the "bride of Christ," does not just involve the CHURCH but it involves ALL saints from the time of Abel till now and is really the "New Jerusalem," which we will deal with in moment. The church exclusively does not define the Bride on any level. In fact in Ephesians 2:14-15, the Holy Spirit through Paul says we are "ONE NEW MAN" unto Christ, indicating that the church is seen in masculine terms through the eyes of God. We as the Body are certainly PART of the Lord's Bride awaiting our heavenly bridegroom but we are also part of HIS BODY - the MAN Christ Jesus. So to argue that the "he" cannot be the church simply because of semantics is not really a valid or sound argument.


That this hinderer of lawlessness will literally be taken out of the world is clear from the Greek statement, "ek mesou genetai," which means, “out of the midst be gone” (2 Th. 2:7-8). and well as “from among” and is so translated in Mt. 13:49; Acts 17:33; 23:10; 1 Cor. 5:2; 2 Cor. 6:17; Col. 2:13-14; 2 Th. 2:7.  (STRONG'S, DAKE) Thus, whatever is referred to in this passage as the "hinderer" is being taken out of the way and not being brought again into the midst of men. Some argue that the "he" is the Holy Spirit but that is impossible because there are going to be those who are born again during the Tribulation period as seen in Revelation 6:11-18. Even if we believed that the Holy Spirit would be taken out of the world to permit the revelation of the man of sin, then one would have to then surmise that the Holy Spirit would NEVER abandon the CHURCH (the Body of Christ), leaving it here on earth to go through the terrible sufferings attached with the Tribulation without His assistance and help.

Therefore, the church would be taken out of the world with Him, and thus the rapture of the church before the tribulation is proved either way. Men have stumbled over the use of the pronoun “he” in 2 Th. 2:7 for a long time and a great many teachers have not been able to bring themselves to the fact that a masculine pronoun could refer to the church when it has been universally taught that the church is the bride of Christ, a woman, a lady, and a virgin. If the pronoun “she” had been used in 2 Th. 2:7 every Bible scholar who teaches that the church is the bride of Christ would have automatically believed and taught that this “she” identified the church as the hinderer of lawlessness and would have used this as proof of the church being taken out of the world before the tribulation and Revelation of the Antichrist.
  
That the church is not the bride of Christ is clear from many scriptures and facts about the church and about the bride of Christ. First, in no scripture is the church ever called the bride of Christ, though the fallacy can be found universally in commentaries, Bible textbooks, doctrine books, songbooks, and other Christian writings. Never once is this idea stated in the Bible itself, though it does mention the bride of Christ and tells us exactly who it is. Rev. 21:9-10 the angel who said “I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” showed it to be “that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” See also Rev. 21:2 and 22:17.  The inhabitants of the Heavenly Jerusalem are called “his wife” in Rev. 19:1-10. The idea is that all the redeemed of all ages who will go to live in that city will become a part of the Holy City, which is the bride. But to call any individual, or any company of saints, or any group of Christians “the bride” is unscriptural. As a whole they can be a part of the bride, but no single one of them and no one company of saints in any age can be said to be the bride of Christ. See Jn. 14:1-3; Heb. 11:11-16; 12:22-23; 13:14. Second, to restate the obvious, in Eph. 2:14-15 and 4:13 the church is described as a man and not a woman.
 
Eph. 2:14-15
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
 
Eph. 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 
Being the body of Christ who was a man and the head of the church, it is only to be expected that His body (the church) would be referred to as a man and not a woman. It cannot be that the head would be that of a man and the body that of a woman. And so, since the church is the body of Christ as stated in 1 Cor. 12:13, 27; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18, 24, then the church is not to be considered a woman. Therefore, the masculine pronoun in 2 Th. 2:7 is proper and the only one to use of the N.T. church. It is perfectly scriptural to use the pronoun “he” when referring to the whole body of Christ. The Bible uses it many times when referring to whole companies or nations of people made up of both men and women. For example, all the nation of Israel is called “he” (Dt. 32:15; Isa. 11:16; Josh. 22:22).
 
Third, not once is the New Testament Church called a woman, a lady, or a virgin. Furthermore, the church is never referred to by a feminine pronoun. Some think that Eph. 5:22-31 would be an exception to this, but a closer reading of the passage will make the meaning clear. Paul illustrates the headship of Christ to the church and His relationship with it by comparing this headship and relationship to a similar headship and relationship that exist between a man and his wife. Christ and His church are one thing and the man and his wife are another, with the feminine pronoun referring to the woman who is the wife of the man, not to the church as the wife of Christ. Fourth, some teachers use 2 Cor. 11:1-2 to make the woman a symbol of the church, but Paul is not emphasizing the femininity of the church here. He is simply expressing his desire for his own converts to be pure like a virgin, so that they may be presented in all purity before God. The whole church is not referred to here at all.
 
2 Cor. 11:1-2
Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. [2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
 
Fifth, others use Gal. 4:26 hoping to prove that the church is symbolized by a woman, but again, this is not the intention of the passage. The apostle expresses the idea that the Holy City is the headquarters and the source of all blessings, comparing the City of Jerusalem to a mother as the source of blessings to her children. Using the woman of Rev. 12 as a symbol of the church is missing the mark completely, for this woman is a symbol of Israel as a nation—and not the church (Gen. 37:9-10). Israel on the other hand IS seen as a woman throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and clearly shown to be the wife of God in Isa. 54:4-9; Hos. 2:14-18. The "HE" that is to be taken away is the CHURCH. When the CHURCH is taken away, THEN the man of sin and perdition will be revealed and the curtain raises upon the world's prophetic stage for Daniel's 70th Week.
 

Another Biblical proof the rapture will take place prior to the Tribulation is found in Rev. 1:19 and 4:1. All the dead and living in Christ at this point in time will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air to be taken to heaven to live in mansions, in the Father’s house with Christ eternally (John. 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Cor. 15:23, 51-56; Eph. 5:27; Col. 3:4; 1 Th. 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; Jas. 5:7-8; Heb 11:10-16; 12:22-23; 13:14; Rev. 5:8-10; 19:1-10). Christ made it clear to John in Rev. 1:19 and Rev. 4:1 that all the details of every prophecy in Rev. 4:1 - 22:21 were things that would be "hereafter," meaning that these events would take place AFTER the church age, which is pictured in Revelation 2 and 3. This is confirmed without controversy in the threefold division of the book of Revelation.
 
1. “Write the things which thou hast seen.” That is, as the first division of this book writes the vision that you saw of me (Christ) in the midst of the candlesticks in Rev. 1:11-18 (Rev. 1:19). This John did in the first chapter of the book.
2. “Write the things which are.” That is, in the second division of the book of Revelation write the things that I (Christ) will tell you to write about concerning the churches, or concerning the church on earth. This John did in Rev. 2:1 - 3:22 (Rev. 1:19).
3. “Write the things which must be hereafter.” That is, as the third and last division of the book of Revelation writes the things that I (Christ) will show you after you have completed things concerning the churches. These last things do not concern the things of the churches—they concern events after the church age. These things to happen after the church age were recorded by John in Rev. 4:1 - 22:21 (Rev. 1:19).
 
If one will accept this simple threefold division of Revelation, as in the above, and keep every detail of the events in the proper division as revealed, this will truly serve as the key to an understanding of the entire book. All that is required for an understanding of these events is to take them literally as things to happen on the earth from John’s day forward into all eternity to come, making sure above all else that each event is put in its proper place or order of events as they are revealed—each in its own division, not mixing those things concerning the church with those things which must be after the churches.
 
We have in the things concerning the churches, and the events which must be after the churches two separate and distinct series of happenings that cover two separate and distinct periods of time—one period covering the church age (Rev. 2:1 - 3:22), and the other covering the time from the end of the church age into all eternity to come (Rev. 4:1 - 22:5). These events include the following:
 
1. Events in heaven that John saw after he arrived there, as in Rev. 4:1, including the raptured church and O.T. saints who were seen in heaven by this time, being a fulfillment of things revealed here, for the first time, as happening after the churches (Rev. 4:1 - 5:14). The raptured church saints are definitely pictured as being in heaven at this point (Rev. 5:8-10).
2. Events of Daniel’s 70th week, or the last seven years of this age between the events which John saw in heaven in Rev. 4 and 5 and the second advent in Rev. 19:11-21. This period covers all the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials, and all other details regarding the two witnesses (Rev. 11:3-12), the woman and the manchild (Rev. 12), the two beasts (Rev. 13:1 - 14:20); and the great whore (Rev. 17).
3. The marriage supper of the Lamb and the second advent (Rev. 19:1-21).
4. The Millennium—1,000-year reign of Christ to put down all rebellion on earth (Rev. 10:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10).
5. Events ending the 1,000-year reign of Christ including the renovation of the heavens and the earth by fire (Rev. 20:7-15; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; Heb. 1:10-12; 12:26-29).
6. Events of the eternal new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21-22; Isa. 65:17; 66:22-24; 2 Pet. 3:10-13).
 
From the above we can see that it would be erroneous to make various details of history a part of things yet to happen which are the seven seals, seven trumpets, seven vials, and other events including the woman and the man-child of Rev. 12. For instance, it would be erroneous to say that the ascension of Christ 65 years before John wrote the book of Revelation was actually the ascension of the man-child (Rev. 12:5) in the middle of events that must be after the churches.  In a study by the source of a great deal of information for this study comparing 25 versions with the King James Version, every one is in agreement with the fact that the prophecies of Rev. 4:1 on through the 22nd chapter of the book are to be fulfilled in detail after the churches, that is, after the church age—and this is in agreement with the threefold division of Revelation as stated above. To quote various renderings of Rev. 4:1 one says, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place hereafter”; another says, “what must come to pass after this”; and others say, “which are to happen in the future”; and, “what things must come to pass”—all referring to what should happen after the churches which John had just completed writing about in the second division of his book (Rev. 2:1 - 3:22). The church is not seen in Revelation after Revelation 4:1. A common sense assessment of that fact would lead one to intelligently surmise the rapture will occur BEFORE the events that follow!

Another proof of a rapture of the church and the translation of Old Testament saints before the tribulation lies in the literal fulfillment of Lk. 21:34-36. Christ personally promised all true believers who would meet the conditions that they would “escape all these things” and “stand before the Son of man.” The things that the “worthy” ones were to escape are those listed in Lk. 21:1-11, 25-33; Mt. 24:1 - 25:46; Mk. 13 and Rev. 4:1 - 18:24.

Luke 21:34-36
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] 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. 
 
The only way they could do this would be to be caught up or taken away from the Earth before these events took place. To escape means those taken in the rapture will  not suffer or have to endure these things, and then stand before the Son of Man. The last statement in that passage has led some scholars to believe Jesus was referring to the Judgement Seat of Christ that some feel will take place in heaven after the rapture and prior to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Second Coming.

They will therefore literally rise “to meet him in the air” and be received by Christ to go up to heaven to live with Him (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:23, 51-54; Eph. 5:27; Phil. 3:21; Col. 3:4; 1 Th. 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; 2 Th. 2:1, 7-8; Jas. 5:7-8; 1 Jn. 2:28; 3:1-3; Rev. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8-10; 19:1-10). The Greek word for “escape” in Lk. 21:36 is ekpheugo, meaning to flee out of the way (Acts 19:16); to get away (Acts 16:27); and to escape danger and even hell (Lk. 21:36; Rom. 2:3; 2 Cor. 11:33; 1 Th. 5:1-4; Heb. 2:3; 12:25).

A fourth Biblical proof the Rapture will take place prior to the Tribulation is found in Rev. 5:8-10. Here we have the raptured saints of all past ages up to this point already in heaven having been already redeemed and raptured to heaven. They are the “kings and priests” from “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” who will reign on the earth. They are in heaven at this point in the fulfillment of Rev. 4:1 - 22:21, all of which must be fulfilled after the churches.  The fact that they are here revealed as already having been redeemed and raptured cannot be denied. They are pre-tribulation saints and they are in heaven at the very beginning of the tribulation which starts in the first seal and continues throughout the entire seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven vials of Rev. 6:1 - 16:21; 18:1-24. The tribulation saints are those that are martyred in this 70th week of Daniel (Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 14:9-13; 15:1-5; 20:4-7; Dan. 7:21; 9:27). There is a special song of redemption related to the pre-tribulation saints (Rev. 5:8-10) that is entirely different from the song sung 3 1/2 years later by the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5), and the one sung seven years later by the tribulation saints (Rev. 15:1-5).

In 1 Th. 5:1-11 Paul makes it plain that the wrath of God, which begins in the sixth seal of Rev. 6:12-17 towards the end of the first 31/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week is not “appointed” for the church, but for an ungodly world. He said, “God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation [deliverance] by our Lord Jesus Christ,” so that both the dead and the living in Christ can live together in the rapture (1 Th. 5:9-11).  In view of this deliverance for both the dead and the living in Christ at the rapture, we are to be comforted (1 Th. 4:18; 5:11). And, since this wrath begins in the first part or in the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week, at the point of the sixth seal, then the church will be raptured before that. Furthermore, since the raptured saints are seen in heaven—in Rev. 5:8-10—before the first seal begins, we must then conclude that the rapture takes place before any of the seals begin. One need not forget that when we say "CHURCH" we are referring to both JEW and GENTILE who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. National Israel will be judged during the Tribulation but those left behind will not be left behind because they are Jews, they are left behind because they are LOST! That is an issue I will deal with in point 7 of this journal.

The enthroned elders of Rev. 4:4, 10; 5:5-8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16; 14:3; and 19:4 being seated on 24 thrones around the throne of God as representatives of the raptured saints of Rev. 5:8-10 is proof that they are not only redeemed, but that they are also raptured by this time, that is, before the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials begin.  The fact that they are seen in heaven in Rev. 5 at a time before the rapture of the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-5) and before the rapture of the tribulation saints (Rev. 15:1-4) makes it clear that the enthroned elders are representatives of the church and Old Testament saints, and not representatives of these other groups raptured later.

Daniel's prophecies and prophetic symbols regarding his 70th Week, deal with National ISRAEL, not the church. In addition, the Book of Revelation deals with the Church in detail in chapters 1-3 while chapter 4-19 deal exclusively with National Israel and events concerning the Antichrist, the seven seals, judgments and trumpets. gEvery individual is identified and recognized by his own features and characteristics. Even so, in this case a body of individuals is identified by its many features, characteristics, and peculiarities.
 
If the church is seen on earth and is being dealt with by God during the tribulation in chapters 4-19 in the book of Revelation, then we must see its earmarks. But they are not to be found; in addition, the  terms “church” and “churches” are not found once after Revelation 4:1.  On the other hand, there are evidences of National Israel everywhere in this section. And this fact is most striking: Israel is not mentioned at all in Rev. 1:1 - 3:22 which deals only with the church on earth. This fact shows that the two different institutions are dealt with in different parts of the book of Revelation: first, the church, comprised of both JEW and GENTILE, until its rapture in Rev. 1:1 - 3:22; then Israel after the rapture of the church, in Rev. 4:1 - 22:5.

There is a powerful Hebraic character and flavor of Revelation following the rapture in Revelation 4:
 
1. The word “Lamb” is used of Christ 27 times after Rev. 1-3 (which deals with the church age) and not once in these first three chapters of the book. It is never used by Paul in his epistles to the churches; and outside the book of Revelation it is used only in Jn. 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:19. The Lamb is the antitype of all Jewish sacrifices.
2. “The Lion of the tribe of Juda” and “the Root of David” (Rev. 5:5) show a Jewish connection.
3. The 144,000 of Rev. 7:1-8; 9:4; 12:5; 14:1-5 are Jewish as well as the woman and her remnant.
4. The events of the seals, trumpets, and vials are a partial repetition of the plagues in Egypt which took place at a time when the Gentiles were seeking to destroy Israel (Rev. 6:1 - 19:21).
5. The tribulation of Rev. 6:1 - 19:21 concerns Israel in particular (see Chapter 2).
6. Daniel’s 70th week will be fulfilled in Rev. 6:1 - 19:21 which definitely concerns “thy people” (Israel) and “thy city” (Jerusalem) as indicated in Dan. 9:24-27. The middle and last 31/2 years of this Week are mentioned many times in connection with Israel but not in connection with the church (Dan. 7:21, 25; 9:27; 12:1-7; Mt. 24:15-22; Rev. 11:1-12; 12:5, 14; 13:5).
7. The ministry of the angel around the altar (Rev. 8:2-5) and the horns of the altar (Rev. 9:13; 11:1; 14:19; 16:7) are familiar only to Israel.
8. The temple and its worship, the altar, the court of the Gentiles, the Holy City, olive trees, the candlesticks (Rev. 11:4), the ark of the covenant (Rev. 11:1-19; Zech. 4:14; Mal. 4:5-6) and other details here are Jewish—not details related to church worship.
9. “The kingdoms of this world” becoming those of God and of Christ is strictly Jewish in prediction and in fulfillment, being mentioned hundreds of times in the Jewish O.T. as well as in the N.T. (Lk. 1:32-33; Acts 1:6-7; Rev. 11:15, etc.).
10. The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (Rev. 13:1 - 19:21) are referred to many times in Jewish prophecies in O.T. books whereas the church is not once mentioned as being here when these prophecies are being fulfilled.
11. Michael (Rev. 12:7-12) is truly Jewish as he is the prince of Israel (Dan. 10:13-31; 12:1-9). He is never mentioned in connection with the church.
12. Literal Babylon of Rev. 14:8; 16:17-21; 18:1-24 is solely a Jewish reference and the predictions will be fulfilled when many other Jewish predictions are fulfilled (Isa. 13-14; Zech. 5; Jer. 50-51). Babylon was the place where Israel was held captive for many years (Jer. 25).
13. Armageddon of Rev. 19 is Jewish (Zech. 14:1-14).
 
As we close I want to address something very important concerning the Tribulation, known as Daniel's 70th Week, and National Israel. Many people wrongly accuse those who believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture of being prejudiced in their views when we state that the Tribulation concerns Israel and not the Church. When we state such, we are referring to National Israel, and ALL who are left behind when the trump of God sounds. One must understand that when the trump sounds, ALL who are born again will be taken at the Rapture of the Church. The Lord is not going to leave a portion of His Body on earth and take a portion to heaven. In contrast, NONE who are left behind will be left behind because of their culture, race or nationality. Those left behind are left behind because they are LOST and don't know the Lord Jesus Christ! Those part of National Israel who go through the Tribulation are left behind because they have not come to a saving knowledge of Christ. The Rapture of the CHURCH will include both JEW and GENTILE and include ALL believers from all ages since righteous Abel to the last saint saved before the trump of God sounds.

Neighbor, we wrote this lengthy journal today to bring an important doctrine to the minds of your remembrance. We write to shake a sleeping church hopefully to its senses to get its heart and mind out of Sodom and start looking up for our redemption is soon and drawing NIGH. The night is coming when the curtain on this age will come down and those not ready to meet the Lord are going to face one of the most horrible times Planet Earth will ever face. Jesus called it "great Tribulation," a time so bad that there has never been a time like it in the past nor will there ever be a time like it in the future. In the midst of a growing darkness and apostasy, I pray these words find lodging in the hearts of those whom the Spirit is speaking to in these latter days. If you're lost and don't know the Lord then friend when the trump sounds you are going to face this terrible time on Earth, known as Daniel's 70th Week, the Great Tribulation, the "time of Jacob's trouble," the days of vengeance. I leave you with the words of Jesus who warned His disciples to "watch" and "pray always" that they may be counted "worthy to escape" such things that are coming to pass upon the Earth. The only way we are made worthy is through the precious shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! It's getting late neighbor, and the King is at the door! God bless.

Luke 21:34-36
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] 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.

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Chart: Rapture Vs. Return - Comparative Chart of Second Coming And The Rapture of the Church