The Rapture

I read a comment that said that they will believe what the Bible said but I dont care about the Greek. If this is the case here then read no farther because know how a word is defined is the only way to know its meaning of the subject one is studying. For a person to say that is like wanting to be an English teacher without wanting to go to college. I am putting in the verses as the books were written and not in the order they are in the Bible. All verses are for the King James Version, the Amplified Bible, and Strongs Concordance Dictionary. I will try to add the whole paragraph to get a more in-depth look at what is being said but if not, I will give the start and ending verse reference (Subject from vs. start to end of a paragraph) Rule #2 Read by Paragraphs. This is not just to show what the rapture is but to show when in reference to the Great Tribulation. There is pre, mid and post tribulation theories on when the rapture will happen or if it will happen at all. I am a Pre-Tribulation believer and this is a very in-depth reason why. In a Strongs Concordance the letter <G> <Greek> for New Testament words and <H> <Hebrew> in the Old Testament words.

Sub-Topics
1. Caught up - Where does the word Rapture come from 2. I have set before thee an open door 3. Similarities of the rapture in the Old and New Testament 4. As in the Days of Noah 5. The Order of Events in Revelation 6. We are not Appoint to Gods Wrath 7. Be ready and Watch 8. We look for the blessed hope and His appearing 9. The Tribulation 10. When the Wicked One is Revealed

1. Caught up - Where does the word Rapture come from?

We will come back to this verse later to cover it all, but for right now it is all about the words caught up. The first thing we are going to do it to define caught in the Strongs Concordance. Caught <G726> a derivative of <G138> (haireomai); to seize (in various applications) :catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). - Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Chosen <G138> From 2 Thess. 2:13 because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: How it is used in Latin in the Vulgate 1 Thess. 4:17 deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul rapiemur cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus. Rapiemur - verb - first-person plural future passive indicative of rapio "we shall be snatched, we shall be grabbed, we shall be carried off" "Rapture" is derived from Middle French rapture, via the Medieval Latin raptura ("seizure, rape, kidnapping"), which derives from the Latin raptus ("a carrying off") Now that we established why it is called the rapture even if it is not in the Bible but the definition of it is clearly taught. Now we can go step by step through the Bible to understand it more clearly. Some of these verse we will cover twice so we can stay on one sub-topic at a time 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 Subject from vs. 13 (Start) to 18 (end) 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. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Subject from vs. 51 to 58 51 Behold, I shew 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. This is not the opinion of the Apostle Paul but from the word of the Lord and he explaining why not to grieve for the dead. Paul is comparing two types of people, those which are alive and those which are asleep. He uses the word asleep the same way it is used in Luke 11:11 that I might wake him out of his sleep and in verse 14 Jesus says, Lazarus is dead. Jesus used the word sleep for the word dead.

He goes on to explain the order of events that the dead will raise first than we which are alive will be caught up together in the clouds. Those dead and alive will meet in the clouds before going on to heaven. We are not given one clue to why the clouds first then heaven. To the Thessalonians it was a reassurance and to the Corinthians he is revealing a mystery. I am not skipping over the archangel or the trump of God but we pick it up in another sub-topic later on. It will be done in a twinkling of an eye and we shall be changed from our bodies now to our resurrected bodies. In 1 John 3:2 it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. It will be so quick of an event that we will not realize it until we are standing in heaven.

2. I have set before thee an open door

Revelation 3:8 Subject from vs. 7 to 13

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelation 4:1 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. We will concentrate on the phrase open door, who and what this door symbolizes. The Bible is clear in John 10:7 and in 9 I am the door and we know this to be Jesus Christ. First of all, Christ is the door to His sheep and the door to Heaven. This next verse is VERY important about the keys to the Kingdom Heaven. In Matthew 16:18, 19, Jesus told Peter that I will build my church and I will give unto thee the keys to the Kingdom of heaven (Paragraph Chap. 16 vs. 13 to vs. 20; Rule # 2 Read by paragraphs). It is not Peter that Christ gave the keys to but my church and the keys is exactly what we are reading about in our salvation. The keys are the very Blood of the Lamb of the Living God. Who do we know that? Try to getting into heaven without the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and one can find himself in a very HOT SPOT. That is what rightly dividing the word means; 2 Timothy 2:15. If the Bible revealed everything then not even a library could hold it; John 21:25 in which Jesus didthe world itself could not contain the books Yes, the Lord opens doors and closes doors for us all the time throughout life but that is not the point here. It is a door that no man can shut, so it is a spiritual door or even in plainer words; the door to heaven.

Matthew 7:7, 8 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. This can only be the door to the Kingdom of heaven for Christians to knock on because only true Christians will seek to enter this door. We knock on this door by repenting and accepting Jesus Christ as our savior for the forgiveness of our sins. When we fall asleep (die), we enter that door that Christ keep open for us. John 10:1 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:7 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:9 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 14:6 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. We can see some similarities in these verses that there is only one way to the Father and enter into Heaven. In verse 1, that only thieves and robbers do not go through the door. In 14:6, the only way to the Father in through the Son, Jesus Christ; knowing that the door is the symbol of Christ and it is a door that only Christ can open or close; 10:7 and 9. Can we get any plainer verse then these verses? These doors are opening into heaven, not out of heaven. Now, we will look at a door from heaven and again it is our Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 19:11-14 11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

As we go through the Book of Revelation, the first 3 chapters talks about the church then we come to Revelation 4:1 Come up hither. There is no mention of a door until Revelation 19:11 I saw heaven open and He is followed by an army. These are Soldiers that was written in 2 Timothy 2:3, 4 as a good soldier vs. 4 that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier and in Ephesians 6:13 the whole armour of God As we come from heaven, we need not that armor for the Lord is with us. Who else is clothed in fine linen? It is none other than the church, the Bride of Jesus Christ in Rev 19:7, 8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. This is step closer to show that the church will not go through the Great Tribulation. We are the wife of the Lord Jesus Christ who died and gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:25) with so much love. Would you put your wife that you gave your life for to make her clean and white with your BLOOD just to put her through the WRATH OF GOD? I would not and neither would a LOVING GOD.

3. Similarities of the rapture in the Old and New Testament

Enoch Genesis 5:23-24 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: 24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Some may argue the Enoch was not a type and symbol of the church but Genesis being the seed plot of the Bible; I would say that it is more than possible. It is not coincidence that Enoch was 365 years old when God took him to paradise. Remember that no person could enter heaven before the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We could ask what tribulation in which the only one being the flood. He was taken 669 years before the flood therefore THEY would say that he cant be the type of the rapture. Still, he did not see death and he was taken as if the same as caught up to paradise just as we would be before the tribulation. Elijah 2 Kings 2:11 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. Elijah was taken just as Enoch was taken and maybe not in the same manner, it is not reveal how he was taken; just that God took him. This is the second time in the Old Testament that they were the same as caught up. It is said before 2 or 3 witnesses is the truth and here are 2 witnesses in these verses of a rapture taking place in the Old Testament.

AND Two Apostles: one that were caught up/away Now let us look at the word caught in two different places in the New Testament and compare it with the one in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Philip was told to go down to Gaza to baptize a eunuch from Ethiopia and when he was done the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip to Azotus which is 18 miles Northeast of Gaza; Acts 8:1-40. The Lord needed him there at a certain time and helped him along. We forget that the Lord can do anything that pleases Him to the glory of His purpose. Philip Acts 8:39, 40 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Paul 2 Corinthians 12:2 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. Caught <G726> from a derivative of <G138> (haireomai); to seize (in various applications) :- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). - Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. There is no doubt of the same word used in these two verses, Philip and Paul, which we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Here we see it again that before 2 or 3 witnesses is the truth and here are 2 of them in these verses also. We will not find any contradictions between any of these 4 verses; in fact, one verse is a witness to all the others.

4. As in the Days of Noah

Rule # 5 The Bible is made for man in the language of man it must be interpreted by the rules the govern the human language. Matthew 24:36-39 about Noah/ Luke 17:26,27 about Lot (Gen. 18:16-19:29) 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Luke 17:28-30 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Twice Jesus gave us two warning from two different examples for the last days. If we look at these verses very closely using rule #5 in interpreting what the warning is telling us. 1. 2. 3. 4. As the days of Noe. (so shall the coming of the Son of man be) Eating and drinking and giving in marriage Noah entered into the Ark Took them all away So shall also the coming of the Son of man be In both warn start with Jesus referring to they as in separating the righteous from the wicked. Ask this question, did they refer to any of the righteous or just the wicked? Jesus left on confusion on when the Son of man was coming. We can even take a closer look when we put things in the eyes of Noe and what he saw. What did Noah know about the flood? Did Noah know the Lord was going to wait seven days before pouring out the waters on earth? No, just as we will not know when the rapture happens. 1. 2. 3. 4. The command to build an Ark The Bible commands us to watch Noe built the Ark Study and warn of the coming judgment Noe entered the Ark Very close to the rapture The Lord shut the door Jesus opens a door (closing they/they out)

Noah was also called to enter the Ark Noah entered the Ark, waited seven days and what happened next. The Lord closed the door to the Ark in Genesis 7:16 and the Lord shut him in but what did the Lord do in Genesis 7:1 Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. As in the days of Noah the Lord called the righteous to Come thou and all thy house into the ark (to safety) as in Revelation 4:1 Come up hither. After entering into the safety of the Ark then it was raised above the destruction of the wicked as the righteous will be raise above the tribulation. The Number Seven

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

The creation Seven days Gen. 7:10 And it came to pass after seven days the flood came The Walls of Jericho fell After seven days Churches of Asia Seven Spirits of God Seven Seals, trumpets and bowls - Seven

Why did the Lord wait seven days in verse 4 before making it rain on the earth? Why is the tribulation seven years? Here is a similarity in events, the seven days of Noah and the seven year tribulation. Those that study the Bible will find the number seven to the referring of completion. We know that Noah was in the Ark more than seven days but why seven day before the destruction, we may never know exactly; the point is that it was 7 days. It makes no difference as to the warning of the flood except until the day that Noe entered into the ark. It was the fact the redemption was still to all people during Noahs day; UNTIL THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. With the door closed there is no more redemption for them. Unlike Noahs time, some people will be saved during the tribulation.

5. The Order of Events in Revelation

We know that the order of the books of the Bible are not written in chronological order as it is in the Bible but each book is in chronological order and the book of Matthew is a great example. The book of Matthew starts with the genealogy of Christ, His birth, baptism, ministry, death and resurrection, and the same with most all the books in the Bible. Look closely to Revelation 1:10 and 4:1 and we can find similarities in these two verses. Revelation 1:10 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Revelation 1:11 11 What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia (Not the whole verse). AND Revelation 4:1 1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Revelation 4:2 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. From Revelation 1:1 to 1:9 is an introduction of John, the writer, and Christ, as Alpha and Omega. It is verse 10 that start the vision of John and look closely at these two verses but their similarities are so clear.

1. 2. 3. 4.

I was in the Spirit on the Lords day Come up hither A great voice the first voice As of a trumpet - I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking to me In verse 11, What thou seest, - I will shew thee things

This could have, just as easily, been one event but only John and the Lord would know this. Mainly, because it was not important to us to know this but it was important to put it in too different verses and with this we need to look close at why John did it. This is not to outline Revelation to detail and not all events will be included in this but an order in general to the topic. The separation of verses was NOT in the original letters written by John; added in the translating. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Introduction Rev. 1:1-9 In the Spirit <G4151> Rev. 1:10 Command to write Rev. 1:11 Description of Christ Rev. 1:12-20 Letters to the churches Revelation 2:1 to 3:22 Come up hither Rev. 4:1 And immediately I was in the spirit <G4151> Rev. 4:2 No more church.. His church on earth but His Bride in Heaven

Did John just happen to forget that he was in the Spirit and had to repeat it? I dont think so! STOP and take a minute to think about that. Special note: a little numerology on this verse. Rev. 1:10(Deliverance)

Rule #1 The Law of first mention 1. In the Spirit <G4151> Rev. 1:10 We are going to take a close look at verse 10 and go through every part of it starting with the Spirit. We go back to Matthew 1:18 she (Mary) was found with child (Jesus) with the Holy Ghost <G4151>. The word Ghost here is the same word used as the word Spirit. What is in us as a Christians? The Holy Ghost dwells within us as Christians but the same Holy Ghost that is within us was also within John at the time; he was a Christian. So why mention the fact that he was in the Spirit? An important verse is Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit <G4151> upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit <G4151>; and they shall prophesy: Another important verse is Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit<G4151> of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch

saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Same word used as it was with John and who is the spirit of the Lord but the Holy Ghost. This is another important verse that we will take a deeper detailed look at another time. In 1 Thess. 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit<G4151> and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. To keep in mind that we are talking about the order of event and this verse will be covered in great detail later; for now, it is in the spirit. Now, the order comes closer together in Heb. 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. If we die then the judgment, what happens when we are caught up? The order cant change because everyone stands/appears before the judgment seat of Christ; Rom. 14:10 and 2 Cor. 5:10. Special note: a little numerology 2 verses Romans 14(Deliverance/Salvation):10(Testimony) 2 Cor. 5(Grace):10(Testimony) Both in the same verse what are the odds of that without the Lords help The Judgment Seat of Christ has not taken place and we will cover that later but staying in the order of event to finish with in the Spirit. John could only be in the spirit because the rapture is the resurrection of our physical bodies or why would the dead raise first and the living is second. Paul said himself that we will change at a twinkling of an eye and For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. John can only give us what he sees and remember that it is only around A.D. 90 when this book was written. When Paul was caught up, he did not know whether he was in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth. The difference between Paul and John, it is most likely Paul was caught up at the time of his conversion and John had many years as an Apostle of Jesus Christ had more of an understanding as to what was taking place. Putting the pieces all together as of the Spirit, we will close this with one last verse in 2 Thess. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. That he that is taken out of the way is the Holy Ghost that comforts us and restrains evil from it rampage on earth. 2. On the Lords Day This is the ONLY time that the Lords day is mention in the Bible but the day of the Lord is mentioned 31 times in the Bible and only 5 of them in the New Testament. The resurrection of Jesus was on the first day of the week and Christian. Jesus rose on the first day; Matt. 28:1, Mk. 16:2, Lk. 24:1. Jesus sat down with His disciples on the first day of the week; Jn. 2019. They gathered on the first day; Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor. 16:2. This part is pretty clear on what John is saying because it is what John did not say that makes it clear; the Sabbath. 3. As of a trumpet

There are only two verses that refer to a trump in 1 Cor. 15:52 and 1 Thess. 4:16. Although, 1 Cor. 15:52 refers to the last trump but does both verses in Revelation but it is the last trumpet that throws everyone off because some people may be counting the trumpets from Rev. 8:6 to 10:7. These are the wrath of God as one might call them and in verse 7 the angel shall begin to sound then nothing but the mystery of God should be finished. This is the last trumpet of the seven and at the same time are voices of the seven thunders that are sealed up. To use these or this last trumpet for the rapture would not fit in with the rest of the pieces and that is exactly why we are looking at the rapture piece by piece as a puzzle. It is VERY CLEAR that God did not reveal all the pieces of the mystery of God. In Jewish history, there are many trumpets if we look them all up. Exodus 19:9 9 And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. Exodus 19:13 13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. Now look at a trumpet God was calling Israel to Mount Sinai in Ex. 19:9 to 20:18. I know similarities do not mean much unless there is a solid foundation for them and that is true with all Bible verses. Exodus 19:16 16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. We will never understand the plan of God, even a little bit, when studying the Bible because it is not all there; 6000 years and 66 books. So we REAL have to be careful not to add our opinion into our studies and that is what commentaries are all about; someones opinion. Exodus 19:20 20 And the Lord came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Similarities between Old Testament and New Testament God calling Israel and the Christ calling the Saints First Trumpet and Last Trumpet

1. Lord came down(Ex. 19:20) - The Lord descend(1 Thess. 4:16) 2. Lord called Moses up(Ex. 19:20) - Caught up together(1 Thess. 4:17) 3. The voice of the trumpet(Ex. 19:16) - Trump of God(1 Thess. 4:16) 4. Cloud upon the mount(Ex. 19:16) - To Lord in the air(1 Thess. 4:16) To make all things clear, these similarities are beyond questioning because it is here in black and white. Is it the trumpet sound in 1 Thess. 4:16 and 1 Cor. 15:52? I am saying, Not that it is but it is all possible. What I am making crystal clear is it is NOT the trumpet in Revelation at all. The fact is that a trumpet will sound and there are several verses will show that it will happen.

6. We are not Appoint to Gods Wrath Bible Study Rule #2 read by paragraph To get the whole mean of the subject that the writer is saying.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul is warning the Thessalonians is the sudden return of Christ and the mean topic between Thess. 5:1-10 is in verse 2 talking about the day of the Lord. Although the subject is the day of the Lord, we are concentrating our subject on the phrase God hath not appointed us to wrath. I will cover the day of the Lord in another chapter. It is very important how Paul used the word We and how he used the word they. He separated Christians and non-Christians with the words We and they. Paul refers to us as we are not of the night, nor of darkness but uses they as they will not escape and the word children is used only to refer to Christians. It is also important to notice the phase he uses about peace and safety saying, For when they say, peace and safety and not We. It does not have to be peace and safety for us, just them. He separated verses 1 through 3 and 4 through 6 with the words but ye, brothern. It was as if he was telling us about our perspective on watching for the return of Christ. In this, we will look more into the Wrath of God. The Bible is clear about the wrath of God and we will take a look at where God points His wrath. We will now look back to where the phase wrath of God was first mentioned. The phase Wrath of God appears in the Bible 10 times, once in the Old Testament and nine times in the New Testament. In Psalm 78:31, the wrath of God on the disobedient of Israel but look at the rest of them. The Wrath of God 1. John 3:36 he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. 2. Rom. 1:18 against all ungodly and unrighteous of men.

3. Eph. 5:6 upon the children of disobedience. 4. Col. 3:6 cometh on the children of disobedience. 5. Wrath of God in Rev. 14:10, Rev. 14:19, Rev. 15:1, Rev. 15 and Rev. 16:1. The phase wrath of God is mentioned more in the Book of Revelation than in any other books of the Bible and not once, beside Israel, does it mention Christians being a part of Gods wrath on the world. Now we will look at a few verses of just the word wrath which appears 198 times and only 47 times in the New Testament. The word wrath starts in Matt. 3:7 but we will start at Luke 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Here Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. up through the Age of Grace or what some call the Church Age. One verse stands out, in Rom. 5:8,9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Paul makes it clear even to the Romans that we shall be saved from wrath. Therefore, if we are going through a tribulation then why would Paul tell them both Romans and Thessalonians that we are not? This should show beyond all doubt that we as Christian will not be at any time subject to the Wrath of God.

7. Be ready and Watch

We have for years, looked at the rapture as a dont touch subject with the excuse that no one knows that day or hour, Matthew 24:36; 25:13; Mark 13:32. Therefore when the subject about the rapture comes up, the first thing out of most people is, YOUR DATE SETTING. It is so true that we will not ever find the date or time of the rapture but if the Lord found it important enough to tell us to watch therefore (Matt. 24:42, 25:13) then it must be important. Matthew 24:43-44 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Mark 13:33-34 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at

even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 2 Peter 3:3-4 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. There are more verses to be found along with some parable from Jesus about watching and waiting. In Matt. 24:43, Jesus calls the one that watches for His coming a goodman of the house. We have so many excuses for not preaching about the rapture and I even have heard them. Some may ask, what does watching and waiting have to do with the rapture? Jesus did not suggest us to watch but as the porter, He commanded the porter to watch and be ready for the rapture. As the other sub-topic is written, they will all fall into place like a puzzle.

8. We look for the blessed hope and His appearing

Rule of Studying Rule # 6 Never let an obscure (clear) passage or verse contradict plain passage or verse John 14:1-3 1 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. Titus 2:13 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 1 John 3:1-2 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

We have to remember that it is the Apostle Paul that is writing most of these letters about the rapture and knowing the he will not contradict himself in any way, shape or fashion. Several fact about Paul that we must look at for the reason that he told Titus to look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing. Facts: 1. Jesus never told them when He would return. 2. Only Jesus Christ knew the future events and beyond. 3. They knew the Bible (what they had) better than we do now. 4. They could not put all the prophecies together for our time. The Apostle could not see future event like Christ could. 5. Therefore they were looking for Christ to return in there time. The Apostle Paul would not lie to Titus if Paul knew that Christ return would not happen for another 2000 years. The New Testament was not put together as we have the bible now. So why did Paul tell Titus to look for it? Look at all the letters of Paul concerning the coming of Christ and is plain that even he was looking for the coming of Jesus Christ. What do you think the Apostle lived through when Jerusalem was ripped apart by the Romans? Remember that John was boiled in oil before being sent to the Island of Patmos. The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian after wards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. - Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Think about them words without injury and Paul is telling them about a blessed hope. Therefore we know that John was the last Apostle to die after writing the book of Revelation and the letters to the seven churches of Asia. Paul said, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Therefore if we are to be like Jesus Christ at His appearing then it clearly means we will have new bodies; resurrected bodies. They knew enough to distinguish between their tribulation and that Great Tribulation. Knowing that the blessed Hope would be before that day the Lord will judge the wicked, not the righteous and the wicked.

9. The Tribulation
Tribulations, tribulations and more tribulations that has been on this earth since the fall of man and the flood; we are talking about a certain tribulation lasting 7 years. What does this have to do with the rapture? It is another piece of

the larger picture of when the rapture takes place; before, during or after. For this we will look back into the Old Testament book of Daniel. Daniel 9:24 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. 70 weeks total Threescore is 3 X 20 = 60 weeks Threescore and two weeks and two weeks plus 7weeks = 69 weeks 70 weeks will do what: 1. To finish the transgression. 2. To make an end of sins. 3. To make reconciliation for iniquity. 4. To bring in everlasting righteousness. Daniel 9:26 26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 1. Commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem 7 weeks 2. To build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince 62 weeks | 7 wks | 62 wks | cut off (the Cross) rapture | 7 wks (Pre-Trib)| Two things took place in this verse and one is misunderstood as part of the tribulation. The Messiah be cut off and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. which some believe to be part of the Great Tribulation and they divide the tribulation into two different parts. Some say that the Great Tribulation took place in 70 A.D. when the Temple was destroyed. Daniel 9:27 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

One more thing before getting into the tribulation in the New Testament and that is the word he in this verse. This is referring to the anti-Christ that breaks the 7 year covenant in the first 3 years of the tribulation. In Rev. 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months and to continue forty and two months. He continues in power for another 42 months after his first 42 months of RULING. Now to look at the tribulation in the New Testament and see what the meaning is of the Great Tribulation. Matthew 24:21 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. The subject start in verse one with Jesus and His disciples on the Mount of Olives but in verse 3 we have three different questions the disciples asked Jesus. 1. When shall these things be? 2. And what shall be the sign of thy coming? 3. And of the end of the world? From verse 5 to verse 14, Jesus gives a list of things that will happen before the end comes but last on the list was the preaching of the gospel to all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Jesus than warns them whoso readeth, let him understand and He referred by to Daniel 9:27 in Matt. 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:). The Great Tribulation is not all the 7 years but the last 3 years of the total tribulation. Why? It is clear in Daniel 9:27 And he makes a covenant with many for one week and he breaks it after 3 years. A faults peace at the first half and Great Tribulation on the second half but here is the catch in Matt. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Many people thing this to be the saints or the church that goes through the tribulation. The people that are left behind out of them some will be saved and will die for their faith. The will die because they did not believe and doubted Jesus Christ as their savior but they eyes will be opened after the rapture. There is Gods elect in the Old Testament, the New Testament (Age of Grace) and throughout the Tribulation besides the 144,000. It will be people from all faiths and religions that wake up and realize they should have accepted Christ and come to understand the power in the blood of Jesus Christ. Revelation 7:13-14 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Here John is being told that these are they that come out of the Great Tribulation with white robes. According to Daniel, one cant have great tribulation anti-Christ shall confirm the covenant with many but only when a covenant is broken that problems starts. It is a 7 year tribulation because Gods wrath is on the ungodly but it will be the last 3 years that the tribulation becomes the Great Tribulation where heads will roll.

10. When the Wicked One is Revealed To conclude this chapter on the rapture, we find that these verses are one of the many supporting the foundations to the Pre-Tribulation doctrine. If we are to make a point of these verses in accordance to the rapture, the tribulation, the anti-Christ and what takes place first. We have to be taken caught up before that wicked one is revealed. 1. Pre-Tribulation We are gone before he is revealed. 2. Med-Tribulation We see him making a covenant. 3. Post-Tribulation We see him making and know who he is. Which one of these takes us out of the way before the man of sin is revealed? 2 Thessalonians 2:5-11 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he (2 thess. 2:4) might be revealed in his (appointed time of God) 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: The Apostle Paul has already told them once before as we see, I told you these things, when he was with them, and now in a letter. Paul is telling them the he (the wicked one) will only be revealed in his (Holy Spirit) time. We need to understand what Paul said what he did; ye know what withholdeth. If they know who with holds the why dont we know? We need to ask ourselves, what

restrains the evil or iniquity of this world? The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost and we find this in John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7. Why did Paul say that iniquity was a mystery? Because it is! We find this mystery in Ezekiel 28:15 speaking of Satan; the once anointed cherub. Until we are in heaven, some of this will always be a mystery to us and it started with Lucifer. From there it went to Eden the garden of God. Iniquity has been working in this world since the fall of Adam and still worked in Pauls day. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way. Now what is Paul talking about when he wrote only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. This might be explained better in the Amplified Bible. Ask an important question, what would happen if the Holy Ghost, which is within us all, was no long on earth? What would happen to evil or iniquity? If the Holy Ghost is taken out of the way that we would be taken out of the way as well? The Holy Ghost cant be taken out without us as Christian is taken out of the way also. One cant happen without the other because the Holy Ghost dwells within us as Christians; 2 Timothy 1:14 the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. We can understand what Paul was writing that we will be taken out of the way before the he (the man of sin) is revealed. The same Even him will be destroyed at the coming of Christ; Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophetboth were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. We need to ask ourselves, is this signs of a rapture verses or explain in some point of time of events? Let fit 2:4 into the equation to shed more light on the rest of the verses. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 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; What day will come? According verses 1 and 2, the day of Christ, and with the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him. It is starting to piece together what the Bible teaches about the rapture and its the timing of events that will take place.