Rapture of the Church

by Bart⁽²³⁾

Lately there have been a lot of discussions over various biblical doctrines and beliefs of the church. One such discussion is about the Rapture of the church. The following is more about the position I hold to and why, than anything else, and was originally written to defend the teaching of the Rapture, to a group of young men who deny it altogether. I would like to give an overview here, and if there is interest, I can follow on with a more in depth study of the various views and teachings on this matter. In studying about the ‘Rapture’ I was surprised to discover that most Christian faiths believe in a calling away of God’s church. I find this intriguing as there is seemingly not an abundance of Scripture on the matter. Where Christian faiths differ is, not if the Rapture will be a real event, but, in the relation to the timing of the Rapture. In other words, most agree that an event will occur in the future where God will call His Bride, the church, off the earth, but do not agree if this event will take place before the time of Jacob’s Trouble (the Tribulation period), sometime after its start, at its midpoint, or at its conclusion.

The most popular view, and widely accepted (my opinion), is known as the Pre-Tribulation view (the Rapture taking place before the 7-year Tribulation Period). Second in line are the Pre-Wrath and Mid-Tribulation views, followed by the Post-Tribulation view. The Pre-Tribulation view had a re-birth, so-to-speak, in the early 1800’s, even though it has been constantly taught throughout church history, and has been in the forefront ever since, but things are rapidly changing. The view that is becoming ever so popular and is probably being promoted more than any other view worldwide is the Post-Tribulation view, which sees the church raptured off the earth as one of the concluding events of the Great Tribulation period. Yet there is one more view which seems to be coming on the scene in a strong way. This is the Preterist view.

Preterism is the teaching that all end time prophecy has already been fulfilled, with most being completed before the 70 A.D. invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. Because of this fulfilled prophecy view, Preterism teaches that the Rapture is a non-event, i.e. the Rapture is either not in the Bible; it is a made up doctrine of the church to give believers false hope of escaping judgment upon the earth, or that it has already taken place prior to 70 A.D.

I have heard it said by several people on different occasions that, “the New Testament is in the Old concealed; the Old Testament is in the New revealed.” If this is the case, and I believe it is, then the Rapture of the church, if a real event and doctrinally taught in the New Testament, will be concealed within the pages of the Old Testament. This article will examine if the Rapture is taught in the Bible. We will look at the New Testament teaching, then the allusions to the Rapture in the Old Testament. This journey into the Old Testament will help shed light on what this event is all about, including its timing.

Before delving into the New Testament to see where this Doctrine of the Rapture of the Church is taught, let me explain where we get the word, Rapture, as this word is not in the English Bible. The word comes from the Latin, Rapiemur, and is translated ‘caught up’. It is found only in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 using the Latin Vulgate with the English of this verse reading: “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 (emphasis mine).” However, the main teaching of the Rapture comes from the entire passage of: 1 Thessalonians 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 which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (This last verse is often overlooked and it is an important verse as to the timing of the Rapture, as we will examine in a few moments).

Another important passage to consider is: 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 “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.” Two classes of people in view here: Those that have died in Christ (the dead shall be raised), and those living at His coming for us (and we shall be changed). Notice this passage on the resurrection supports 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 perfectly.

It can be argued that by reading the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ you can imply when the Rapture of the church will take place by who is absent during the time of Tribulation. Revelation’s outline is told us in 1:19 where Jesus instructs John to: “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” Chapters 4-22 are the “hereafter” chapters. Chapter 1 John describes Jesus whom he saw; Chapters 2-3 are seven personal letters to the churches by Jesus; Chapters 4-19 are the future judgments upon the earth, which is known as the Tribulation Period; Chapters 21-22 are a description of a New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem. What is interesting, and is a support for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is that after John is called up into heaven in Chapter 4:1, there is no mention of the church upon the earth during the time of Tribulation. So those holding to a Pre-Tribulation Rapturist view maintain that John being called up into heaven is representative of the Rapture.

Other supports for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture in the book of The Revelation are the mention of the candlesticks in Chapter 1 being identified as the seven churches (representative of all churches), which are seen before the throne of God in Chapter 4, showing the church is in heaven prior to judgment upon the earth, and then in Chapters 4 and 5 we see the 24-elders before the Lamb of God and His throne in worship. These Elders represent the redeemed of all ages, who are in heaven prior to the wrath of God being poured out upon the earth beginning in Chapter 6.

Some of those that do not hold to a Pre-Tribulation view will interpret these things in The Revelation as not being literal but figurative; allegories; so they can mean just about whatever the interpreter wants them to mean. Currently, the second most popular view in regard to the timing of the Rapture is the Pre-Wrath View in close conjunction with the Mid-Tribulation View. The Pre-Wrath people recognize from Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, et.al, that the Church, the Bride of Christ, will not be subject to the Wrath of God, therefore, will not go through the “Great Tribulation”. They do not see the first Four Seals of Revelation 6 as part of the “Great Tribulation”, so they view the Rapture as happening sometime after the Fourth Seal Judgment. The Mid-Tribulation people know from the books of Daniel and Revelation that the Tribulation Period is exactly 7-years in length with the Antichrist setting himself up as God at the mid-point. To them the Rapture will take place in conjunction with this event. The major argument against these two views is that the Bible clearly teaches that no one will know the hour of Jesus’ coming in the clouds to raise his Bride off the earth (Matt 24:36-39); so we ought to be ready, just as the saints at Thessalonica were after Paul wrote his two letters to them assuring them that the Rapture is a real event, and it had not happened yet, but will happen, so be ready as daily life continues on. This is where we get the teaching that the Rapture is imminent (likely to occur at any moment).

Let me define some terms before moving on to make things more clear: Where do the terms Tribulation, and Great Tribulation, come from? The most popular passage is Matthew 24:15-31 in which Jesus describes the Tribulation to His disciples referring to the last half of the Tribulation Period as a time of “Great Tribulation” (see also Revelation 7:14). To properly interpret the Bible and the purposes of the events of the 7-year Tribulation Period, we must understand the proper title of this future, yet soon coming event: This period of time is rightly referred to in Scripture as the, “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:4-9). Compare this with Revelation 12 and other passages and it becomes clear that the ‘target’ so-to-speak, of the Tribulation, is Israel, though the whole world will be affected by it.

For us to understand the timing of the Rapture, we need to know that there are greater purposes to the Rapture than calling us to Heaven to escape God’s wrath upon the earth. God has a plan for us, His Bride, to come back to earth with Him to assist in fighting His enemies, and in the setting-up of His Kingdom (Joel 2-3). If this is part of God’s plan, then the Rapture will have to come before His wrath is poured out upon the earth. I would like to make a point here about the Preterist teaching which is rooted in Reformed Theology (Calvinistic based): They see the church as replacing Israel (Replacement Theology). If you do not understand Israel’s purpose and her distinction from the church in Scripture and in prophecy, then you will not be able to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The enemies that God (and we) will fight in that day will be the enemies of Israel (Muslim nations); this is crucial to our understanding of end time prophecy and a role that the Rapture plays in this.

Perhaps what is most important regarding the Rapture is in knowing the ancient Hebrew wedding ceremony. In short, the man and woman became betrothed. At this point they were bound by a covenant agreement. The groom would return to his father’s house to build a place for him and his bride. Once accomplished and all was ready, at the appointed time he would go and fetch his bride, bringing her back to his father’s house to celebrate their union which included a feast. This is a picture of our (the church) relationship with Jesus our Bridegroom (Ephesians 5:17-33). He has purchased us with His blood and is gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3) and He will come at the appointed time to call us (Rapture) to His father’s house. Why is this so important to understand? The ancient Hebrew wedding, when viewed as a picture of our relationship with Jesus Christ, and taken within the context of the Scriptures as a whole, supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Scriptural evidence is also found in the teaching of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). Once we are raptured off the earth to join Jesus, we will be ushered in, wearing garments made from the righteousness of the saints, to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This will take place in heaven; not on earth, and I suspect, after the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema) where we will be rewarded for our service to Him. There are those that teach that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place on the earth after the 7-year Tribulation; however, when we continue reading in Revelation 19, we are already His bride when we ride with Jesus back to earth on white horses as Jesus judges and makes war. Now remember that I said earlier that 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (Wherefore comfort one another with these words) is often overlooked when reading this passage about the Rapture? Well, I will not be dogmatic about this, but want you to consider where the comfort in these words are if we are subject to God’s wrath (Tribulation Period) as His bride.

Just a note about tribulation and The Tribulation: We are never promised to be protected from the trials and tribulations of everyday life; nor are we promised protection from persecution. We are promised to be protected from God’s wrath and this wrath will be poured out upon the earth during the 7-year period we call The Tribulation (most of the outpouring of God’s wrath will be during the second half of the Tribulation Period known as the Great Tribulation).

This leads me to an important point before we look at the Old Testament. We assume that the Tribulation will begin immediately after the Rapture. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that the 7-year Tribulation Period will begin straight away after the Rapture of the Church. Thirty or 40 years could lapse, after the church is caught-up into heaven, before the Antichrist signs a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, which signals the beginning of this period of time the Bible refers to as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble. This is important because I believe there is confusion about the timing of the Rapture because of prophecies which have not been fulfilled yet, e.g. the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the resurrection of the city of Babylon to a place of prominence in commerce and trade. Once we understand that there is an undefined period of time between the Rapture and the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation, we will come to the realization that the Rapture is imminent. There is nothing left to be fulfilled in prophecy for the Rapture to take place, except for that last soul to accept Christ as Saviour. I see this teaching of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture as very sad for those that hold to other views. Because, for them, every day that they wake up is a day in which Jesus cannot come back for His saints, for The Tribulation has not yet begun. For us who hold to a Pre-Tribulation view, the imminent return of Christ gives us hope day after day realizing that today we could be in heaven with our Lord Jesus. Think about these verses with me for a moment: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (7) I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Paul was ready to die and go to be with the Lord. Notice he did not say that he is going to get a crown for dying to go to heaven to see the Lord. There is a Crown of Righteousness ready to be given to all those who love His appearing (if He actually appears in the person’s lifetime or not). How will He appear to us if not in the Rapture? Blessed will be those who look for His return every day, and only those who see His appearing as imminent can do this.

For the New Testament to be in the Old concealed, we must find New Testament truths to be hid as treasure within the pages of the Old Testament. Therefore, the Old Testament is filled with allusions, prophecies, mysteries, pictures and types to New Testament truths. As an example, Genesis 22, the historical account of Abraham taking his only son Isaac to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him there, we through the New Testament understand that this is a picture of Jesus being sacrificed for us as the Lamb of God (I will not do a comparison here but encourage you to read Genesis 22 for yourself to discover the amazing parallels). My hypothesis, if you will, is that for the New Testament teaching of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture to be valid, it must be alluded to, or concealed, in the Old Testament. This is done for doctrines in the Bible as a way to authenticate the truths of the Word of God.

Most doctrines have their beginning in Genesis. This is true for the Rapture of the church as well. My first example, and probably the strongest, is found in Genesis 5: 18-24 “And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: (19) And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (20) And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. (21) And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: (22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (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.” Enoch’s son, Methuselah, was special. His name means that, ‘in his death, it (judgment) shall be seen’. The deluge of Noah’s day could not begin until Methuselah died. This is an example of God’s patience with mankind for Methuselah lived longer than any man on earth (969 years). The flood upon the whole earth was God’s judgment upon a wicked world. In this account there are two pictures of the Rapture. One is Noah and his family were lifted off the earth (caught up in the heavens) while God’s judgment was poured out upon the earth to remove the wicked. Noah and his family returned to the earth after God’s judgment was completed. Noah and his family were not subject to God’s wrath but miraculously protected from it. Another example of the Rapture is in the life of Enoch. Enoch walked with God (type of the church) and was not, for God took him. Enoch never saw death as he was raptured off the earth. What is significant about this is Enoch was raptured pre-flood, not mid-flood, or post-flood. Enoch is a perfect type of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church.

The following few verses are allusions to the Rapture; ponder and reflect on these: Isaiah 26:20-21 “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (21) For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” To me, this looks like a picture of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, especially when you read the full context beginning in verse 17 which speaks of a bodily transformation and resurrection of God’s people prior to Him judging the earth for her iniquity.

Zephaniah 1:18 “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; (2) Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. (3) Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger (emphasis mine)”. This verse implies that if the wicked of the earth repent before the day of the Lord’s wrath come, they would be hid, or protected from His wrath. This reinforces what the New Testament teaches, that those in Christ will be protected (raptured off the earth) before the Lord’s wrath is poured out in the 7-year Tribulation Period.

In my view, this doctrine of the Rapture of the church ( Harpadzo in the Greek) can be easily supported in the Scriptures (Old and New Testaments), especially the Pre-Tribulation view of the Rapture. I see those that hold to other views of the Rapture as having to skirt around Scriptures and relaxing principles of interpretation to make their views fit. To those that say there is no Rapture taught in the Bible, I would say that you do not know your Bible. There are a number of Raptures in the Word of God including Enoch, Elijah, Jesus (we call His Ascension), the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-12 (still future), et.al. So why do some people find it hard to believe in a literal Rapture of the Church?

One last thought before concluding: Please read with me, 2 Thessalonians 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 opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (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 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.” Paul is referring to the Rapture (our gathering unto Jesus). He is saying that we will know when that day is at hand because it will be preceded by a falling away first (apostasy). As soon as the Holy Spirit is removed, with the church, from the earth, then the Antichrist will be revealed (allowed to set his plan in motion). With the rise of the Antichrist will come from God strong delusion, that those on the earth will believe ‘the’ lie. I take this as a lie about what happened to the multitude raptured off the earth (could it be UFOs?). I see too people abandoning the Doctrine of the Rapture as setting the stage for this future delusion to take place.

This article may seem a bit long, but it is only scratching the surface when discussing the Rapture of the Church. Books have been written on the subject, and on every view point conceivable (not all mentioned in this article), and by very good scholars as well. I have not gone very ‘deep’ with this teaching, but have skimmed the surface of the Word of God to bring out what I believe to be the strongest viewpoint. I will confess that there are some problems with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture doctrine; however, it is the best defended position using the entire Word of God, and in keeping with the strictest principles of interpretation. As always, I pray that this article is both informative and helpful in your study of the Word. I do try to keep my biases from showing too much, and I need to be careful in being dogmatic, because over the years, as I have grown in the Lord, I have had to modify some of my doctrinal beliefs. I hope that I can always remain open to the Holy Spirit as He has promised to guide us in all truth. May you be blessed in your studies of God’s Word, and as always, if you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: (25) The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: (26) The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Article submitted Wednesday, February 16, 2011 & read 1651 times.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (1 year 1 day ago.)

Bravo Bart! Very well laid out. You bring up some great points - one being Scripture definitely teaches a rapture. I personally believe in the Pan-Trib view - It will all pan out in the end. LOL , but seriously, I strongly believe that God did not give us exact times on purpose. Wouldn't we as humans try to hold out til then? But also, it's obscurity is directly related to the fact that God said we would not know the hour. Our focus as Christians should not be about when we are leaving this place, but about redeeming the time as long as we are here.

I think it is great to discuss this issue as long is it does not become a tool for the devil to divide the church and sadly it has. Some teach Pre-Trib as if it were gospel and look down on those who hold to the mid-trib or pre-wrath view. What I think is a sadness is the deception and falling away from a belief in the rapture, because this is so evident.

You have given great passages for all of us to consider. I look forward to, and hope you dive deeper into this subject. I appreciate how you incorporated your position with Scripture while not blasting the other positions, only sharing your heart toward the position and not the believer. Again, well done. I do believe you will hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant." Blessings, Teresa
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (1 year 1 day ago.)

Hello Teresa, and thank you for your comments. I think it important for people to study the Word of God and define doctrines that they can stand on. I'm blessed to be part of a church that has in its congregation those that have different view points on doctrine without it being an issue. The leadership have defined our statement of faith so when people come to our church they know exactly where we stand, but they know too, that all are welcome if the agree with our statement of faith or not. I too believe that we as Christians should never look down on those who hold to different views. Our main focus should be Christ.

I really liked your 'Pan-Trib view'. The Bible is largely prophecy of which a lot is yet to be fulfilled. We see through a 'glass darkly' but one day we will all be in heaven and look back in hind sight, which is always 20/20, and be amazed at what we did understand and what we didn't. I try to be careful in standing up for what I believe to be true, but not to be critical of others if they view things differently. One thing we have to agree on though, is that there is only one way to get to heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Blessings, Bart.

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» left by Brian Farrell⁽²⁴⁴⁾ (1 year ago.)

Excellent article, Bart. Thank you for sharing this. I, for one, would love to hear more from you on this subject! This is one of the best articles on the rapture I have read in a while. Your hermeneutics, in my opinion, are spot on.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you (Titus 2:11-15).
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (1 year ago.)

Hello Brian, Great hearing from you, and thank you for your kind words, it means a lot. I love the passage you posted (Titus 2:11-15), it says it all doesn't it? I will do more on the Rapture. I had done some research sometime back on the timing of the Rapture (not to set a date) by looking at all the prophecies centred around the Second Coming, and found it a fascinating study. I may post my notes here, but for now I am looking at the Predestination issue as it is a hot topic here with much discussions on the matter. Blessings to you Brian.

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» left by Sam from Bastrop, Tx (1 year ago.)

Good comment Brian. The way to live in a nutshell.

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» left by Lance Ponder⁽⁹¹⁾ (1 year ago.)

I enjoyed reading your explanation of the various positions and I appreciate your efforts to define terms and sources. So often these discussions are so poorly established, but you've done a good job here. I do not share several of your conclusions, though you make compelling arguments. I hope when time permits to explain the points where we apart, though I think we share much more and that's the thought I will leave you with for the moment. Bless you for your efforts.
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (1 year ago.)

Thank you Lance for your comments. I look forward to discussing further. Blessings.

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» left by Lance Ponder⁽⁹¹⁾ (364 days 23 hours ago.)

After taking some time to think about this...

I appreciate your use of Genesis as a prophetic resource. I've heard of the Noah example before. Its an interesting thought and it might have some baring, but I don't see it quite the same as you do. I'll try to explain why in a moment.

What you explained about the preterist view is correct, in the strict preterist sense. I am partially preterist in that I believe certain parts of Rev 4-22 are already fulfilled. But not all, not by any stretch. For example, Rev 12:1-5 describes signs relating to Jesus' birth. This is an important point because it shows we take our own interpretations a bit too seriously when we plunk down a sheet of paper and write out the high points of Revelation as though they are all present in strict chronological order. If God revealed everything to John in chronological order he would be the only prophet in scripture to get a whole series of visions that way. Anyway...

Have you ever looked at the Exodus as a prophetic view of salvation, tribulation, wrath, judgment, and entry into the promised land? I think it presents a much broader and clearer prophetic view than the account of Noah. I don't mean to discount Noah, rather I see Noah with a little different spin.

My picture of things goes something like this... Jesus returns. The dead resurrect and the living are changed. All see the King coming in the clouds. Like citizens who rush out to welcome home a victorious king returning home, the church is caught up with the King as he is seen coming home. We don't get taken to heaven, rather we rise, join, and reenter alongside our Victor. His kingdom on earth is established, probably literally in the region of current Jerusalem. Earth undergoes regeneration but also wrath. The wicked are judged. In the Exodus, Israel experienced all of the plagues - most directly, but the last of them they were present as observers but did not suffer directly.

Daniel's 70th week is another problem. Daniel's last week is very curious indeed. Most people think it refers to 7 years of intense tribulation with rapture happening at the mid point. That's not what the text says and it takes a fair amount of rationalizing to think it does. What it says is half way through there will be an end to sacrifices and offerings. It seems more logical to me to understand Jesus' ministry lasted 3.5 years at the end of which his sacrifice ended the practice of animal sacrifice. Oddly enough it was another 37 years until the temple was destroyed and the physical practice ended. You might not know this, but the miraculous sign of the thread changing color at the passover scape-goat ceremony is said to have ceased after the crucifixion and was not observed again after that. I think half that week was Jesus' ministry. What I haven't figured out is what the other half of that week is all about. But I do not think it means there's a rapture followed by a few more years of abominations in Jerusalem before the final judgment. At least that's how I see it.
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (364 days 18 hours ago.)

Hello Lance, you present some interesting views and arguments. I have heard of the Exodus picture. Parts of it make sense to me, e.g. I understand Egypt in Scripture as being a type of the world. I understand Israel as God's people in Egypt. I can see the judgments being poured out as God's wrath upon the 'world' if you will; and God's protection over His people. I can see where all this can be a picture, or illustration of what's to come. The difference I see between this and the illustraion I used of Noah, is that Noah and his family returned to a brand new, re-created world where Israel left Egypt to roam the wilderness 40-years, and the entering of the promised land wasn't for them but for their children, and the promised land was something their children had to fight for. To me this mars the picture or illustration a bit. To be true to the picture, the Israel that was delivered from Egypt, never saw 'heaven', the promised land. Anyway, that's just my take.

I agree with your comments about Daniel's 70th week in regards to the Rapture. I don't see the Rapture happening 'mid-week'. I have to look at the length of Jesus' ministry. I never thought of it lasting 3.5 years, only that it spanned three Passovers. Some very interesting comments you make that I will certainly think on.

Thank you for sharing your picture of things to come. I see things this way: The Rapture happening at any moment. The Antichrist being revealed and allowed to set things in motion to accomplish his plan. At some undefined time after the Rapture, the Antichrist signs a 7-year peace treaty with Israel signifying the beginning the 7-year period of Tribulation (where the Seals of Revelation begin opening). Prior to this and after the Rapture the church will be in heaven partaking in the Bema and then the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. At the mid-point of the Tribulation the Antichrist breaks his agreement, and this triggers the Great Tribulation. Three and one half years after this we return with Christ to earth to destroy His enemies and set-up His kingdom where we'll reign with Him for 1,000 years. I think this is pretty much the traditional Pre-Trib view/teaching.

Thank you Lance for your comments; definately some food for thought that I'll take on board.

Every blessing!

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» left by Ralph from Yucca Valley CA. (163 days 10 hours ago.)

Hi, Bart excellent article to bring up at this time,with the land of ISREAL is being divided by the U.S.A. and the U.N.(JOEL 3:1,2).We are not going to agree with each other all the time as Paul thru the Holy Spirit said, for we know in part,and we prophesy in part.(1cor.13:9).So let me add my little part.When paul tought of the gathering(Rapture) it was from the old testament, the new testament was not complete yet.So your scripture of Isa.26:20,21 and Isa.57:1,2. he would of used, the interesting thing is that if we seperate as most teachers do the first 39 chapters as the old and the last 27 the new, we have the raptrure twice as you pionted out.

When I studied the day's in Daniel 12:11,12 there are more then 3.6 yrs, so the time period after the last 3.6 yrs sounds o.k.the book is still sealed.

Bart studio 2peter 3:4-7 and Gen.9:11-15 God only destroy the earth not the heavens.

Thanks Bart,excellent comment's from all

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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (163 days 7 hours ago.)

Hello Ralph, Thank you for your comments. I am concerned about the division of the land of Israel. This month the UN will be voting to accept a Palestinian State. If passed, they will seek US protection, which means that the US will not protect Israel, if accepted. You cannot offer protection to two opposing countries. Whatever happens, we can be assured that we are in the last days and the time is short.

Thank you for your insights. It is easy to assume that the 1st century church had a New Testament perspective. For them, the Scriptures were the Old Testament. Thank you for this reminder. This is why I try to find a teaching in the OT that seems apparent in the NT (the Old is in the New revealed, the New is in the Old concealed...as they say). Every blessing to you Ralph.

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» left by Teresa^(1,647) (162 days 14 hours ago.)

Hi Ralph (dad) and Bart. Good stuff! I appreciate the conversation between believers on this site. I believe our prayers are answered in that while we may not agree on every issue, we agree on the essentials and we are united in Christ. There is so much to consider and I thank both of you for all the wisdom and insight you share.

I think its great that we have seen many different perspectives here, and not just on this issue - we are learning from one another. So again, thank you both! Blessings! Teresa

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» left by Jim Lamb from Baytown, TX (362 days 1 hour ago.)

The rapture of the church is one of the most exciting doctrines of the Bible. You did a great job of outlining the Pre-tribulational viewpoint; many today are going mid-trib and post-trib. I get a number of articles that postulate that we who believe in the pre-trib position are biblically challenged. Great Job!
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (362 days ago.)

Hello Jim, great hearing from you, and thank you for your comments. The Rapture, just the thought of it, excites me; can't wait. It's amazing the attitude of some towards others and what they believe. I know some young people that think I'm basically an idiot for what I believe doctrinally, and it blows me away, especially when I have been studying these things long before they were born. I never criticise them but challenge them to be able to support their views from the Word. One thing that is really great about World Wide Bible Studies is that there is always a mutual respect for others and what they believe. It creates some good discussions and I've learned a lot being part of WWBS. Thanks again Jim; talk to you soon. Blessings!

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» left by Kathleen Cloud from Knoxville, Tn (360 days 8 hours ago.)

Wonderful Bart! I see scriptures that I have read over the years in a whole new light. Its amazing to see scriptures in the OT as a type of rapture. I appreciate the in depth study. My view of the timing of the tribulation period is quite basic. I believe in pre trib simply because God loves us so much with an unconditional love (And undeserving love)that He sent his son Jesus to die a very cruel death on a cross for our sins. And those who repent of their sins and confesses faith in Christ as Savior and Lord will be with Him either in death or in the rapture of the church meaning the body of believers. to accept any thing other than pre trib is like God saying to the believer "Ok, you are going to face my wrath anyway". Jesus Gods son paid much too high a price for that.
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (360 days 4 hours ago.)

Hello Kathleen, thank you so much for your comments. I agree with you 100%, God's love is too great for Him to subject us, His Bride, to His wrath. God's blessings!

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» left by Teresa (359 days 15 hours ago.)

Hi Kathleen.

So true! Jesus paid a very high price indeed. What an amazing love. I do have to comment on your statement "To accept any thing other than pre trib is like God saying to the believer "Ok, you are going to face my wrath anyway" - With love and respect, this is an inaccurate thing to say because one thing that is for sure, God's wrath is not poured out until 1/2 through the tribulation period. First, their is the wrath of man, we see that now. Not so much in American, but look at all of our brothers and sisters in Christ how are paying a painful price because they are Christians. Revelation tells us that the wrath of God does not start until the 5th seal is broken, which seems to tie in with when the anti-christ steps into the temple of God and proclaims he is God - and this too happens 3 1/2 years into the tribulation - the great tribulation.

Anyway, I appreciate your perspective, but just wanted to clearify that a person has valid reasons to not accept pre-trib and still say we are not appointed to God's wrath.

Many blessings to you in the name of Jesus :-)

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» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ (354 days 8 hours ago.)

Teresa stole my line (the pan view) I am chicken enough to hope for a pre-trib rapture and realistic enough to know that he kept the children of Israel IN Egypt right through the plagues (safely I might add) and kept Noah right in the middle of the flood in the ark.... You have done a great job here in your article, by the way.

My hubby says "have your bags packed"... be ready!
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» left by Bart⁽²³⁾ (354 days 4 hours ago.)

Hi Marijo. I've never heard of the Pan-view before Teresa's comments, and I like it :-) Thank you for your comments. My "bags are packed" and I'm ready to go; whenever that may be. Blessings!

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