I wrote this paper while studying the book of Revelation. I realize that the Rapture of the church is a controversial subject....but I believe we are to take a literal view of scriptures and not a symbolic or spiritual one. Also, see The Overcomers.
Revelation is the only book of the Bible that promises a special blessing to the reader;
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near" (Rev. 1:3),along with this warning:
"If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18).
What is the Rapture?
The word rapture is not in the Bible. The Latin translators of the Bible used the word 'rapturo' - the root of the English word 'rapture'. In our Bible, the same Greek word, harpazo, is translated 'caught up' which means 'to seize upon with force' or 'to snatch up'. At the rapture, those who are in Christ will be 'caught up' in the air, and translated [changed], in a moment in time to join the Lord in the air.1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of any eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Let's take a look at the key phrases underlined in the verses above: in Christ, and in the air. In Christ
The rapture is exclusively for those who are in Christ - those who have accepted His death on the cross to redeem them - whether they are dead, or alive. It is not for the nation of Israel or the inhabitants of the earth who have rejected Jesus as their Savior - they are not in Christ. The unsaved do not recognize Him until He comes back to the earth at His Second Coming.
In The Air
Jesus' feet do not touch the earth when He comes to snatch us away. We will meet the Lord in the air. The Rapture is characterized as a 'translation coming - the dead in Christ will rise with resurrected bodies, and we who are alive will be changed in a moment.Has anyone been caught up before?
Yes, God has removed individuals from the earth for His own particular reasons. He will continue to catch up those whom He chooses.
Enoch Genesis 5:23-24 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Elijah 2 Kings 2:11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Jesus Acts 1:9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Jesus was taken up to heaven to allow for the Holy Spirit to come indwell the believers at Pentecost (John 16:7).
Where is the rapture mentioned in the Bible?
In Revelation 4:1 John is taken in the Spirit to see "those things which must take place after this."Revelation 4:1-2 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice, which I heard, was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, 'Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.' Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
John's translation to the throne in heaven pictures the church at the end of the age. It occurs prior to the opening of the first seal and the appearance of the rider on the white horse (Rev. 6). The 'come up here' command heard by John is the same command given to the two witnesses in Revelation 11 when they were translated back to heaven.
Revelation 11:12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.' And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Are there two "comings" of Christ?
Yes, let's look at two of the ways the word "coming" is used in reference to Christ's return.Christ's Second Coming to Earth
Coming - #3952 Parousia (Strong's) - Being near, advent (often, return; specific of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); physical aspect: - coming, presenceMatthew 24:27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
At Christ's Second Coming, the Lord appears with His saints, coming from heaven to earth to set up His Messianic Kingdom (Zechariah 14:4-5; Matt. 24:27-31).
The Rapture of the Church
Coming - #3952 Parousia (Vine's) - Literal, a presence with, and being, denotes both an arrival and a consequent presence with. When used of the return of Christ, at the rapture of the church, it signifies, not merely His momentary 'coming' for His saints, but His presence with them from that moment until His revelation and manifestation to the world.1 Corinthians 15:23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming (rapture).
1 Thessalonians 4:15 -17 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming (rapture) of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (harpazo) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 Concerning the coming (rapture) of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
The movement of the believer at the Rapture is from earth to heaven in which the Lord comes to call His bride up to His Father's House (John 14:3).
When will the rapture take place?
There are two specific events, which must take place before the Antichrist (man of sin) is revealed. They are: the falling away, and the restrainer must be removed, and then the man of sin is revealed.The falling away
First, there must be a falling away. The phrase falling away may also be translated 'apostasy' or a 'falling away from God's truth'. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3 it specifically refers to the final apostasy (revolt), indicating that many will fall away from God's truth. If you look at the condition of the world we live in today, I'd say we're there now.2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
The Restrainer is Removed
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.The 'He' that Paul is referring to in these verses is not the person of the Holy Spirit. Translated from the Greek noun pneuma, 'He' is not gender specific - it is used in the neutered sense - being neither male nor female. The person of the Holy Spirit is the pronoun ekeinos - in the masculine.
Jesus in the flesh [his body], had to be taken to heaven to allow the Holy Spirit to come indwell the believers (John 16:7). In the same way, the church [his body] must be taken to heaven to remove the indwelling Holy Spirit from the earth. It will be like Pentecost in reverse.
The Greek word for taken (ginomai) means awakened, altered, to arise, be removed, be assembled, and be married to. It describes what happens to the church [the bride of Christ] not the Holy Spirit. When the bride of Christ is removed, things will go back to the way they were before Pentecost. The Holy Spirit will be here on earth so that He can lead people to Christ, but the Holy Spirit-filled Christians won't be here- just as they weren't present prior to Pentecost. Right now, the body of Christ is restraining the man of sin, and we are not about to roll over and play dead. We know by looking at the Old Testament that the presence of the Holy Spirit on earth doesn't restrain sin. The body of Christ must be removed before the Antichrist can be revealed to the world.
Then, the lawless one is revealed
Now that the restrainer (the Body of Christ) has been taken out of the way, the man of sin (Antichrist) is able to make his grand entrance on a white horse. As Jesus opens the first seal in Revelation 6:1, the Antichrist goes out conquering and to conquer. Revelation 6:1-2 "Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, 'Come and see.' And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.Our Blessed Expectation
There are several passages that suggest that the faithful believer (those not in darkness) will not be caught by surprise. The Bible teaches that Christ can come at any moment, and He has called us to be alert.Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." 1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
Mark 14:35-37 "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!
Why is this all happening?
Daniel wanted to know what was meant by the prophecy in the book of Jeremiah, that said God "would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem" (Dan. 9:2). The angel Gabriel came to Daniel and told him what it meant.Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks (of years) are determined for your people [Israel] and for your holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
Gabriel told Daniel that seventy weeks would be determined upon your people, the people of Judah, and your holy city, Jerusalem. The seventy years is the time that God has specifically set aside for dealing with His people - the nation of Israel. Since one week signifies seven years in the Bible, seventy weeks is 490 years.
The prophecy in Daniel 9:24 states that at the end of 490 years, the transgression would be finished, sins would end, reconciliation for iniquity would be made forever, everlasting righteousness would be brought in, visions and prophecies would be sealed, and the most Holy - the Messiah, would come back to redeem the world. Gabriel also told Daniel when the Messiah would come to earth the first time.
Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks [years] and sixty-two weeks [years]. (69 weeks of years) The End of the 69th Week of Daniel On April 6, A.D. 32, sixty-nine weeks or 483 years (this includes leap years) after Gabriel gave Daniel the meaning of the prophecy (Daniel 9:25) Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, so the prophecy was fulfilled precisely. John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Sixty-nine out of the prophesied seventy weeks ended that day when the nation of Israel rejected their Messiah. And because they rejected Him, God concealed the truth from them.
Luke 19:41-42 Now as He drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes."
Romans 11:8 Just as it is written: "God has given them a spirit of stupor; eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."
Psalm 69:23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see.
When Israel rejected their Messiah, God's 'clock' stopped, marking the end of the sixty-ninth week. From that time through the present day, we have been in an unspecified period of time, uncertain when the seventieth week would begin.
What happens between the 69th and 70th weeks?
God offers the gift of salvation to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy. Read more about Israel's part in all this.Romans 11:11 I say then, have they stumbled that they (Israel) should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Romans 11:25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
On the day of Pentecost the church was born, and God switched His attention from the age of Law [Israel], to the age of Grace [the Church].
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of thefullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.
The 'fullness of the times' is when Christ gathers together those who are in Him, both in heaven (dead) and on the earth (living) - the rapture of the church.
When does the 70th Week begin?
It begins when the Antichrist confirms the covenant (treaty) with Israel, and God starts His 'clock' up again. Daniel 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week (seven years); but in the middle of the week (3 ‡ years) he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.Confirm, literally translated means, he will 'enforce the covenant upon the many.' The question is when does he do that? First, there will be much speculation as to the whereabouts of the ones who vanished (when the church is raptured). People will come up with all sorts of explanations for it ; UFO's invaded the earth (look what's happening with the Raelian Movement) or, Mother Earth has purged herself of the intolerant religious fanatics who were hindering the movement to a peaceful 'One World' order. I believe that the Antichrist will use this unique opportunity to offer consolation and peace to the world. He will rise in power sufficient enough to enforce the covenant with Israel for seven years. I don't know how long it will take for him to do that, but Jesus said that the generation (commonly accepted to be 40 years) that sees these things beginning to take place [the rapture is the beginning] would not pass until all these things take place.
Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Matthew 24:33-34 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."
Since there is a definite seven-year period immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ, there could be up to as many as 33 years (40-7) between the catching away and the beginning of the seventieth week. These intervening years could also include the rebuilding of the Temple, the rebuilding of Babylon, and other anticipated positionings for the final climax.
What happens during the 70th Week?
Beginning with the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6, and continuing through the opening of all seven seals, God exhorts the Jews, His chosen people, to repent. This 'week' is sometimes referred to as 'Jacob's trouble', which pertains to the descendents of Jacob/Israel (God renamed Jacob 'Israel' after He struggled with him, Gen. 32:28). Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; and it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. (A remnant will be saved - Jeremiah 13:8)This 7-year period [known as The Tribulation] is actually two 3 ‡ year periods. The first 3 ‡ years will be a time of peace and normalcy. However, at the end of 3 ‡ years, the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, takes away the daily sacrifice, and places there the abomination of desolation, thereby ushering in the second 3 ‡ years - called the Great Tribulation.
Daniel 11:36 Then the king (Antichrist) shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.
Matthew 24:15-16, "Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."
For those still on the earth when the first 3 ‡ years (1260 days) have ended, you could literally count the days until Christ returns with His saints.
Revelation 13:5 He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (1260 days)
(Why then are there an additional 30 days mentioned in Daniel 12:11? And why does Daniel 12:12 say "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days"? Although Daniel does not explain these varying durations, it does not alter the timing of Christ's return. The establishment of Christ's millennial kingdom requires time, and His Advent may be followed by several divine judgments (Matt. 25:31-46) and the regathering and judgment of Israel (Ezek. 20:34-38)).
For the Gentiles, this will be a period in which they betray Jesus and go through torment and destruction to the end. Some assume that this is an all out attack by Satan, when in reality, it is God who has granted him the authority to do so, just as He did with Job. Power is also given to the angels to bring famine, disease, death, and to torture the people on the earth. Only a few will survive the final 3 ‡ years.
Revelation 13:7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
The saints? Yes, don't forget, the Holy Spirit is still leading people to salvation during the 70th week. Colossians 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.
God will save His remnant out of Israel.
Zechariah 13:8-9 "and it shall come to pass in all the land," says the Lord, "that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it; I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; and each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"
The church will not be present for the seventieth week, as it was not present during the first sixty-nine weeks [Remember the church wasn't born until Pentecost, which was after Israel rejected their Messiah].
Where is the church during the 70th Week?
We spend the 'week' in the marriage chamber, according to Jewish tradition. Our bridegroom is Jewish and has taken us to His Father's house for the weeklong marriage celebration. The parable of the ten virgins is a clear illustration of how our bridegroom will come secretly to take us to His Father's house. The wise virgins were ready, their lamps filled with oil, but the foolish ones had not taken the time to prepare for such an event. The Wedding ModelMatthew 25:10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
John 14:2 "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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
Jewish customs are often used as illustrations in the Bible. It is not coincidence that in John 14:2, Jesus chooses the precise words that a Jewish bridegroom would use when addressing his future bride. He tells her he is going to prepare a place for her. Then he leaves to go back to his father's house to prepare the marriage chamber. He returns for his bride at a time she is not expecting him, crying out, 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming!' She is supposed to be ready for him, whenever he may show up. They go to the father's house and enter the bridal chamber - they consumate the marriage - and the bridal week begins.
Isaiah 27:20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation is past. For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.
Based on Jewish tradition, the bride and groom remain in the bridal chamber for one week during the wedding celebration. This is more than just an interesting parallel; it is a direct foreshadowing of things that will happen. Jesus will come to take His bride secretly to His Father's mansion, where we will enjoy a seven-year wedding feast.
Ephesians 5:31-32 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
At the end of the seven-year [tribulation], the bride of Christ is no longer referred to as the bride, but rather His wife! (Rev. 19:7). After Christ and the church are married, we return to earth with Him (Rev 19:14). We will watch Him, as He alone, strikes the nations.
(If my future husband willingly left me in a place where He was going to be unleashing destruction of such magnitude, I would think twice about going through with the wedding! I can't understand why Christians think Jesus would hurt His own "BODY" and "BRIDE"!)
It's worth briefly mentioning, that Israel cannot be the bride of Christ. As the law was set forth in Leviticus, a High Priest cannot marry someone who is divorced or widowed. Jesus is OUR (the church's) High Priest. Leviticus 21:13-14 And he [the high priest] shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow or a divorced woman or a defiled woman or a harlot - these he shall not marry.
We know that Israel is an adulterous wife, already married to the God the Father. Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband.
Jeremiah 3:14 "Return, O backsliding children," says the Lord, "for I am married to you."
Jesus returns to earth!
Yes, and we come with Him for a thousand year 'honeymoon'. When Jesus returns to earth with His heavenly armies and His saints, He is coming to smite the nations, and to set up His millennial kingdom. Unlike the rapture, every eye will see Him Coming. It is at this time that rebellious Israel and all unbelievers will realize that He is the Messiah - The King of Kings.Israel Will Mourn For Him
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Sprit of grace and supplication; then they will look upon Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.Every Eye Will See Him
Rev. 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him [Israel]. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.Matthew. 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
His Feet Will Touch The Ground
Zechariah 14:3-4 Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, and He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two.The Saints Come With Him
Zechariah 14:5 Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You.Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
The oldest prophecy in the Bible was by Enoch regarding Christ's return to earth. He said it was a time to execute judgment on all. For God to include the redeemed during His execution of judgment on the people of the world would mean that the blood Jesus shed on the cross wasn't sufficient to justify us. Once we have been made the righteousness of God, we cannot be judged for sin a second time.
Jude 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all."
Exhortation
A post tribulation perspective would lead us to store up food and survival equipment out of fear. How can our children grow in their love for the Lord when they believe that He will make them endure years of undeserved judgment and punishment? They would be subjected to seeing their friends, neighbors and relatives dying all around them.1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We would be teaching our precious little ones that God punishes His obedient children. Fear is ALWAYS from Satan, and our children should never be living with it.
2 Timothy For God has not given us spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
When we take God's Word literally, we know that the true believer must be escorted to heaven before the 70th week of Daniel can begin. We don't fear the future when we understand and believe what God has said to us - and we can focus on spreading the truth. If you need help understanding, there is One you can ask.
John 14:26 The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Don't let the devil steal the truth from you. Don't let him kill your hope. And don't let him destroy your faith. Jesus has come that you may have an abundant life!
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
This is a summary of what the Holy Spirit showed me while studying the book of Revelation. I share it with you now in the hope that it will renew your hope for the future and to remind you that God's promises are true and His words are everlasting. It's not meant to be the final word. Only God's Word is final, so get in it and run to and fro!
But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the Book until the time of the end. [Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and knowledge [of God's purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great. (Dan. 12:4 Amp.)