by Andy Woods
An In-Depth Letter of Information For Those Left Behind
The following was written by Stephen Thomas. He wrote it as information people can print out and leave in a place where it will be found should the Rapture take place. This letter contains invaluable information those left behind will need to know.
Print this out and put it where it will be found.
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Those who are reading this page come under two groups. The before group and The after group. The page is mainly for the after group however, we will address the before group, in short, as an introduction to the main theme of this page.
The Before Group
The Before group, are those who live in the time period just before an event called the Rapture of the church. This event is Jesus returning for His bride (The Church), to take her to heaven. Protected from a period of time known as, the tribulation period or Daniel's 70th week. A time where the church age ends and another time period starts. This is known as a pre tribulation Rapture. There are many differing ideas on who is Raptured and who is left behind and there always will be until the event happens, but then it will be to late. I would like to note that the bible talks about the one's that are watching and waiting for His return. Rev3:3 and Rev 3:15-16 are scriptures speaking to the church and are very sobering. I make no judgement on who will be Raptured or who will be left behind, however it seems that God does. The people living before the Rapture have every opportunity to totally attach themselves to the things of God and His will, rather than the things of this world. A time to eagerly watch and prepare fore His return, before it is to late. Time is short. Those living in this before group, that are certain of their position, may wish to copy this page to leave it behind as a guide to your family, friends and loved ones that do not accept this revelation as you do. John 3:3 and John 3:5
The After Group - THOSE LEFT BEHIND
If you are reading this after a great disappearance of people all over the world, then you have entered or nearing the time period called "The Tribulation" or Daniels 70th week. The following information covers the 2550 days and an additional 45 days, according to Daniel 12, from around the time of the disappearing. Your decisions will effect your future for eternity. Carefully read the following outline.
First, you need to understand what this time period is all about. In the book of Revelation 3:10 in the bible it speaks to the church before the Rapture. It says that He (God) will keep His people from the time of trial that will come on the whole world to test those living on the earth. So this time of trial is the seven year tribulation period designed to test those living on the earth. The bottom line is that you will have two choices. Either accept the new world system that satan is behind or accept God and His heavenly system. If you choose satan you choose his fate. If you choose God, you receive a future with Him. As stated, this decision will have eternal results, whichever you choose.
At the moment, I am assuming that you are devastated. You are searching for answers. Not only answers, but the "truth". You are seeing earthquakes, death and destruction all around you. Wars and rumours of wars. Maybe a E.P.M. - electromagnetic pulse high altitude nuclear detonation. People are missing world wide. Possibly, you have family, loved ones or friends missing or even dead. You may have had someone tell you about this time period before hand. You may be confused about what you are being told or what you are hearing on news sources. You may think you have been left behind and have no hope. You have one hope. But only one hope, and one way. That way is Jesus. Remember only two choices but when you know the truth there is really only one choice. JESUS. There will be a great multitude that come out of this tribulation period, that accept the truth, the bible teaches.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of allnations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 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.
It is the blood of the lamb (Jesus) that washes our sins away. Some bible scholars have predicted that tribulation believers will out-number those who are Raptured. That means tribulation believers can go to heaven. Before I continue with the tribulation outline, I would like to lead you through a prayer of salvation. In doing this, we acknowledge in our hearts that Jesus is lord, we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later and we repent of our sins in the name of Jesus. This is a decision that only you can make. Please say this prayer to God the Father.
John 3:16, Rom 3: 23-24, 1 John 1:7, Rom 8:16, John 1:12, Rom 10:9-10, Matthew 16: 24-26
These words are not a magic chant that opens the door to heaven. It is the genuine heart felt desire to commit your life to Christ as Lord and Savior that is important and the above words are only a guide. The scriptures above are part of what Godfs word says about salvation. Then try to get baptised. There will be many that do what you have just done in choosing God over satan and his new world system. Those who have chosen God will go through trials in tribulation but be strong to the end. Your reward will be beyond imagination. This brings us to something in this tribulation period that you must know. The next is the second most important thing (salvation being the first must do). The second is a must not. You must not receive the mark of the beast.
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
There are many views on what the mark of the beast is. Some say a verichip implanted in the skin, others a laser embedded tattoo under the skin. What we need to understand is that whatever it is, we know that it is a means of control. Nobody will buy or sell without the mark of the beast. This will happen around the middle of the tribulation period.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Anyone that does this will be accepting the world system of satan over God. As stated above, if you do this you will spend eternity in hell with satan. Once a person accepts the mark of the beast they have no hope.There is no going back. Their future is sealed together with satan for eternity.
So far......
We have one must do ... Receive salvation through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And...........one must not do ... Don't receive the mark of the beast.
TRIBULATION :- WHY? AND WHY NOW?
A lot of people in this time period have previously had little time or understanding of God and His word. They may have heard but not accepted Him and what He says. His word is an account of Creation, History, His Law and a manual on how mankind is to live. If you live according to the manual the warranty is eternal life with God and all that goes with it. If you donft live according to the manual the warranty is void and you are judged with satan. A large portion of the bible is prophetic and warns about this time period. It is not a fable that only old women believe, It is the word of God. It is truth. After Adam and Eve fell and sin took hold, God's judgement on mankind was The Floodh in Noah's day. Only Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives survived. It was a type of Rapture in those days. After this God placed a time period on mankind, to bring an end to sin. That time period has reached itfs final season. The last time period, is a seven year period, that started around the time of the disappearing of people all over the world. A time when a world leader will sign a peace treaty with Israel and many others. The bible tells us what will happen in the 70 weeks of time, and at the end of the 70th week (seven year period).
Some of this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus on the cross and the balance at His second coming. So this last seven years of man kinds time as we know it, has a defined purpose. The first half of the seven years period is known as the beginning of sorrows and the last, Great Tribulation or the wroth of God. It is a time when a world leader will come to the front and deceive many. This brings us to the next must know.
DECEPTION, SIGNS AND WONDERS
You are now living in a time of great deception. After the disappearance of many all around the world, you will see a world leader come on the scene. He will appear to be solving the world situation. He will seem to be a man of peace. A world statesman. Many will be amazed at his ability to introduce peace. Over this final seven year period he will bring this world to near destruction. The bible calls this man The Anti-christ. He is the father of lies and deception. His aim is to steal and destroy. He will give a false account of the worlds events and the disappearing. He will be given power to deceive many. He will work with a man known in the bible as The False Prophet.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs andwonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
His sole aim is to take as many as he can to hell, his fate, leading people away from the truthh and salvation through accepting Christ Jesus. Do not be deceived by this final world system leader.
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
When you understand the purpose of this time period and all the lies and deception, false signs and wonders, you will realise that there are few people you can trust. Get a Bible. It will be your guide for truth in these days.
Having said this, God has not left you alone. He has control over this time. The only thing He won't do is make you decision for you. that's your choice so donft get it wrong. He also uses supernatural powers to assist people to make their choice. Some, before the Rapture believe that The One Hundred and Forty-four Thousands are sealed for special service during the tribulation period. Also, The Two Witnesses in the city of Jerusalem. The world will see the two witnesses on television.
You will need to show caution when listening to religious leaders, churches and individuals in your time. The media and a push to a world religion ruled by the false prophet, will have its foundation in satan the deceiver. You may see a push for a New World Order which is also satanic at it roots. Judge everything against the word of God, your bible. That is the real truth. I know all of this is a lot to take in and fear will try to take hold. Trust in God above and not what your own understanding is. Trusting you own understanding is why you are in Tribulation in the first place. Jesus and His promises are your hope and your strength. OK lets now look at the events you can expect to see in the future.
TRIBULATION EVENTS
The bible's ancient prophets foretold much about this time period and of coarse differing interpretations will be around but we should be able to map a series of events, not being dogmatic in the order of these events. Don't forget that this web site (rapturewatch) holds a wealth of information about end times. In the forms, people have posted information from all over the world on different subjects.
In the bible, in Matthew 24 is where Jesus disciples asked about the end of the age and His coming.
You may have experienced some of these points (events) already. Wars, Kingdoms against Kingdoms, Famine, Pestilence, earthquakes in divers places. It says that all these things are the beginning of sorrows. This is the first half of the tribulation period. It goes for 1260 days. This is the time period where the new world leader will establish his world system. DO NOT TRUST HIM. You will see many wars and trouble in the middle east involving Israel as well as other countries in the world.
Israel (God people and holy land), in defence, will Fight neighbouring countries including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The mountains will be on fire (Psalm 83). Damascus in Syria will be destroyed( Isaiah 17: 1).
After this victory by Israel the Arab nations might call out for Russian support. This could be the time of the first Ezekiel war when Russia, Persia and many others come against Israel. Any of these wars could trigger a peace treaty in the region by this world leader the bible calls the anti-christ.
Dan 9:27 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 itdesolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The 'week' this scripture is talking about is the Hebrew way of saying seven years. This is where we get Danielfs 70th week. So in the middle of the seven years, anti-christ will break the agreement and persecute the Jewish people. Jesus warned about the time the abomination of desolation would be set up in the wing of the temple. This seems to point to Israel building another temple on the mount in Jerusalem, as anti-christ places a statue in the temple the bible says. At this time the Jewish will know that it is time to flee Jerusalem.
This is the second half of the tribulation period and is called Great Tribulation. The planet will also endure the wroth of God being poured out from heaven onto earth. This is a time like no other in history. The best way to get an understanding of what to expect is to read the book of Revelation in the bible from chapter 6 to the end in chapter 22. Then maybe Matthew chapter 24 which we have touched on, in this page. Reading these chapters will ensure I have not forgotten to tell you something important.
There will be other wars that I will list for you:
As you can see, horrific days. Along with wars comes the satanic release and death, depravity, decease, epidemics. Volcanic activities . Be careful of government health systems. It may be easy at first to make a genuine commitment to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is going to become harder as time goes on and the mark of the beast has been established in the middle of the tribulation. You may have to flee from the system like the Jewish people. I know that Christians all over the world that have been Raptured have left food, water and provisions behind just for you. Some live in remote areas as I do so if you have to flee persecution, do it. Find a safe house. My home is stocked with provisions as many others will be also. You may have to die rather than be part of anti-Christs world system and his punishment. This is the better option if that is how it is to be.
If this is your fate understand that at that very moment, you step into heaven. Your eternity, in great joy, is assured. This will take great strength but a must, as the option, in the lake of fire with satan is not even a consideration. There is much more I could say but I think the above and your search for the truth will bring you to a sobering understanding of this time period you find your self in.
After what has be said, I would like to conclude :-
. One must do.........................Address your salvation situation with God. (detailed above)
. One don't do.........................Do not receive the mark of the beast. (detailed above)
Beware of the one world government, one world religion, world health organisations, satanic deception in the form of other beings, satanic signs and false miracles. Read your bible and the scriptures I mentioned. Search for other true believers and pray continually.
Myself and many others have prayed for you and others in this time period. We continue to ask our heavenly father to strengthen, provide, protect and guide you through this time of tribulation and look forward to welcoming and meeting you in heaven. You are expected to join the other saints and the host of heaven before our Father in heaven. Be strong, your reward is waiting.
Solomon's conclusion :- the wisest man to ever live.
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Print this out and put it where it will be found.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those who are reading this page come under two groups. The before group and The after group. The page is mainly for the after group however, we will address the before group, in short, as an introduction to the main theme of this page.
The Before Group
The Before group, are those who live in the time period just before an event called the Rapture of the church. This event is Jesus returning for His bride (The Church), to take her to heaven. Protected from a period of time known as, the tribulation period or Daniel's 70th week. A time where the church age ends and another time period starts. This is known as a pre tribulation Rapture. There are many differing ideas on who is Raptured and who is left behind and there always will be until the event happens, but then it will be to late. I would like to note that the bible talks about the one's that are watching and waiting for His return. Rev3:3 and Rev 3:15-16 are scriptures speaking to the church and are very sobering. I make no judgement on who will be Raptured or who will be left behind, however it seems that God does. The people living before the Rapture have every opportunity to totally attach themselves to the things of God and His will, rather than the things of this world. A time to eagerly watch and prepare fore His return, before it is to late. Time is short. Those living in this before group, that are certain of their position, may wish to copy this page to leave it behind as a guide to your family, friends and loved ones that do not accept this revelation as you do. John 3:3 and John 3:5
The After Group - THOSE LEFT BEHIND
If you are reading this after a great disappearance of people all over the world, then you have entered or nearing the time period called "The Tribulation" or Daniels 70th week. The following information covers the 2550 days and an additional 45 days, according to Daniel 12, from around the time of the disappearing. Your decisions will effect your future for eternity. Carefully read the following outline.
First, you need to understand what this time period is all about. In the book of Revelation 3:10 in the bible it speaks to the church before the Rapture. It says that He (God) will keep His people from the time of trial that will come on the whole world to test those living on the earth. So this time of trial is the seven year tribulation period designed to test those living on the earth. The bottom line is that you will have two choices. Either accept the new world system that satan is behind or accept God and His heavenly system. If you choose satan you choose his fate. If you choose God, you receive a future with Him. As stated, this decision will have eternal results, whichever you choose.
At the moment, I am assuming that you are devastated. You are searching for answers. Not only answers, but the "truth". You are seeing earthquakes, death and destruction all around you. Wars and rumours of wars. Maybe a E.P.M. - electromagnetic pulse high altitude nuclear detonation. People are missing world wide. Possibly, you have family, loved ones or friends missing or even dead. You may have had someone tell you about this time period before hand. You may be confused about what you are being told or what you are hearing on news sources. You may think you have been left behind and have no hope. You have one hope. But only one hope, and one way. That way is Jesus. Remember only two choices but when you know the truth there is really only one choice. JESUS. There will be a great multitude that come out of this tribulation period, that accept the truth, the bible teaches.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of allnations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 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.
It is the blood of the lamb (Jesus) that washes our sins away. Some bible scholars have predicted that tribulation believers will out-number those who are Raptured. That means tribulation believers can go to heaven. Before I continue with the tribulation outline, I would like to lead you through a prayer of salvation. In doing this, we acknowledge in our hearts that Jesus is lord, we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead three days later and we repent of our sins in the name of Jesus. This is a decision that only you can make. Please say this prayer to God the Father.
"God, I recognize that I have not lived my life for You up until now. I have been living for myself and that is wrong. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. I acknowledge the completed work of Your Son Jesus Christ in giving His life for me on the cross at Calvary, and I long to receive the forgiveness you have made freely available to me through this sacrifice. Come into my life now, Lord. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward, I will no longer be controlled by sin, or the desire to please myself, but I will follow You all the days of my life. Those days are in Your hands. I ask this in Jesus' precious and holy name. Amen."
John 3:16, Rom 3: 23-24, 1 John 1:7, Rom 8:16, John 1:12, Rom 10:9-10, Matthew 16: 24-26
These words are not a magic chant that opens the door to heaven. It is the genuine heart felt desire to commit your life to Christ as Lord and Savior that is important and the above words are only a guide. The scriptures above are part of what Godfs word says about salvation. Then try to get baptised. There will be many that do what you have just done in choosing God over satan and his new world system. Those who have chosen God will go through trials in tribulation but be strong to the end. Your reward will be beyond imagination. This brings us to something in this tribulation period that you must know. The next is the second most important thing (salvation being the first must do). The second is a must not. You must not receive the mark of the beast.
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
There are many views on what the mark of the beast is. Some say a verichip implanted in the skin, others a laser embedded tattoo under the skin. What we need to understand is that whatever it is, we know that it is a means of control. Nobody will buy or sell without the mark of the beast. This will happen around the middle of the tribulation period.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Anyone that does this will be accepting the world system of satan over God. As stated above, if you do this you will spend eternity in hell with satan. Once a person accepts the mark of the beast they have no hope.There is no going back. Their future is sealed together with satan for eternity.
So far......
We have one must do ... Receive salvation through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
And...........one must not do ... Don't receive the mark of the beast.
TRIBULATION :- WHY? AND WHY NOW?
A lot of people in this time period have previously had little time or understanding of God and His word. They may have heard but not accepted Him and what He says. His word is an account of Creation, History, His Law and a manual on how mankind is to live. If you live according to the manual the warranty is eternal life with God and all that goes with it. If you donft live according to the manual the warranty is void and you are judged with satan. A large portion of the bible is prophetic and warns about this time period. It is not a fable that only old women believe, It is the word of God. It is truth. After Adam and Eve fell and sin took hold, God's judgement on mankind was The Floodh in Noah's day. Only Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives survived. It was a type of Rapture in those days. After this God placed a time period on mankind, to bring an end to sin. That time period has reached itfs final season. The last time period, is a seven year period, that started around the time of the disappearing of people all over the world. A time when a world leader will sign a peace treaty with Israel and many others. The bible tells us what will happen in the 70 weeks of time, and at the end of the 70th week (seven year period).
Dan 9:24 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.
Some of this prophecy was fulfilled by Jesus on the cross and the balance at His second coming. So this last seven years of man kinds time as we know it, has a defined purpose. The first half of the seven years period is known as the beginning of sorrows and the last, Great Tribulation or the wroth of God. It is a time when a world leader will come to the front and deceive many. This brings us to the next must know.
DECEPTION, SIGNS AND WONDERS
You are now living in a time of great deception. After the disappearance of many all around the world, you will see a world leader come on the scene. He will appear to be solving the world situation. He will seem to be a man of peace. A world statesman. Many will be amazed at his ability to introduce peace. Over this final seven year period he will bring this world to near destruction. The bible calls this man The Anti-christ. He is the father of lies and deception. His aim is to steal and destroy. He will give a false account of the worlds events and the disappearing. He will be given power to deceive many. He will work with a man known in the bible as The False Prophet.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs andwonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
His sole aim is to take as many as he can to hell, his fate, leading people away from the truthh and salvation through accepting Christ Jesus. Do not be deceived by this final world system leader.
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
When you understand the purpose of this time period and all the lies and deception, false signs and wonders, you will realise that there are few people you can trust. Get a Bible. It will be your guide for truth in these days.
Having said this, God has not left you alone. He has control over this time. The only thing He won't do is make you decision for you. that's your choice so donft get it wrong. He also uses supernatural powers to assist people to make their choice. Some, before the Rapture believe that The One Hundred and Forty-four Thousands are sealed for special service during the tribulation period. Also, The Two Witnesses in the city of Jerusalem. The world will see the two witnesses on television.
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundredandforty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
You will need to show caution when listening to religious leaders, churches and individuals in your time. The media and a push to a world religion ruled by the false prophet, will have its foundation in satan the deceiver. You may see a push for a New World Order which is also satanic at it roots. Judge everything against the word of God, your bible. That is the real truth. I know all of this is a lot to take in and fear will try to take hold. Trust in God above and not what your own understanding is. Trusting you own understanding is why you are in Tribulation in the first place. Jesus and His promises are your hope and your strength. OK lets now look at the events you can expect to see in the future.
TRIBULATION EVENTS
The bible's ancient prophets foretold much about this time period and of coarse differing interpretations will be around but we should be able to map a series of events, not being dogmatic in the order of these events. Don't forget that this web site (rapturewatch) holds a wealth of information about end times. In the forms, people have posted information from all over the world on different subjects.
In the bible, in Matthew 24 is where Jesus disciples asked about the end of the age and His coming.
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
You may have experienced some of these points (events) already. Wars, Kingdoms against Kingdoms, Famine, Pestilence, earthquakes in divers places. It says that all these things are the beginning of sorrows. This is the first half of the tribulation period. It goes for 1260 days. This is the time period where the new world leader will establish his world system. DO NOT TRUST HIM. You will see many wars and trouble in the middle east involving Israel as well as other countries in the world.
Israel (God people and holy land), in defence, will Fight neighbouring countries including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The mountains will be on fire (Psalm 83). Damascus in Syria will be destroyed( Isaiah 17: 1).
After this victory by Israel the Arab nations might call out for Russian support. This could be the time of the first Ezekiel war when Russia, Persia and many others come against Israel. Any of these wars could trigger a peace treaty in the region by this world leader the bible calls the anti-christ.
Dan 9:27 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 itdesolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
The 'week' this scripture is talking about is the Hebrew way of saying seven years. This is where we get Danielfs 70th week. So in the middle of the seven years, anti-christ will break the agreement and persecute the Jewish people. Jesus warned about the time the abomination of desolation would be set up in the wing of the temple. This seems to point to Israel building another temple on the mount in Jerusalem, as anti-christ places a statue in the temple the bible says. At this time the Jewish will know that it is time to flee Jerusalem.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel theprophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Mat 24:17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Mat 24:18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
Mat 24:19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! Mat 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 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.
Mat 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
Mat 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs andwonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before.
Mat 24:26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold,he isin the secret chambers; believe it not.
Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
This is the second half of the tribulation period and is called Great Tribulation. The planet will also endure the wroth of God being poured out from heaven onto earth. This is a time like no other in history. The best way to get an understanding of what to expect is to read the book of Revelation in the bible from chapter 6 to the end in chapter 22. Then maybe Matthew chapter 24 which we have touched on, in this page. Reading these chapters will ensure I have not forgotten to tell you something important.
There will be other wars that I will list for you:
- The war in Rev 6 (around the start of tribulation).
- Nuclear war - Rev 8 and Rev 9
- War in heaven - Rev 12
- War against the Jewish people and tribulation saints (you) - Rev 12
- The Middle Eastern wars of the Anti-christ - Daniel 11
- Battle of Armageddon - Joel 3, Zachariah 14 and Rev 19
- Second war of Gog and Magog at the end of the thousand year reign. - Rev 20 (The last war ever)
As you can see, horrific days. Along with wars comes the satanic release and death, depravity, decease, epidemics. Volcanic activities . Be careful of government health systems. It may be easy at first to make a genuine commitment to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is going to become harder as time goes on and the mark of the beast has been established in the middle of the tribulation. You may have to flee from the system like the Jewish people. I know that Christians all over the world that have been Raptured have left food, water and provisions behind just for you. Some live in remote areas as I do so if you have to flee persecution, do it. Find a safe house. My home is stocked with provisions as many others will be also. You may have to die rather than be part of anti-Christs world system and his punishment. This is the better option if that is how it is to be.
Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
If this is your fate understand that at that very moment, you step into heaven. Your eternity, in great joy, is assured. This will take great strength but a must, as the option, in the lake of fire with satan is not even a consideration. There is much more I could say but I think the above and your search for the truth will bring you to a sobering understanding of this time period you find your self in.
After what has be said, I would like to conclude :-
. One must do.........................Address your salvation situation with God. (detailed above)
. One don't do.........................Do not receive the mark of the beast. (detailed above)
Beware of the one world government, one world religion, world health organisations, satanic deception in the form of other beings, satanic signs and false miracles. Read your bible and the scriptures I mentioned. Search for other true believers and pray continually.
Myself and many others have prayed for you and others in this time period. We continue to ask our heavenly father to strengthen, provide, protect and guide you through this time of tribulation and look forward to welcoming and meeting you in heaven. You are expected to join the other saints and the host of heaven before our Father in heaven. Be strong, your reward is waiting.
Solomon's conclusion :- the wisest man to ever live.
Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Pre? Pre-Wrath? Mid? Post?
Whichever of these you are, what does the word "TRIB" have to do with your position?
The various positions on the timing of the Rapture place the timing at a certain point before, during, or after the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy, concerning which most will agree is the great Tribulation that Jesus prophesied in Matthew chapter 24. So let's look at Daniel's prophecy of that last "week," or seven-year period.
"Seventy weeks are determined
FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND FOR YOUR HOLY CITY,
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."
Daniel 9:24
Most believers in the Rapture will agree on this point, that it will occur at some time relative to that last "week" of seven years which is yet to be fulfilled.
I believe that the timing of the Rapture is shown in this very passage in Daniel. And the key is -upon WHOM is this prophecy spoken?
The purpose of the last seven year period concerns Israel:
Seventy weeks are determined:
. upon YOUR PEOPLE, Daniel's people were the Jews,
. and upon YOUR HOLY CITY, and the holy city is Jerusalem.
This is a dispensational statement. The first 69 weeks of this prophecy ended with the crucifixion of Jesus. Then the story stops, and the church is introduced. And let me state here that I am absolutely NOT speaking of "replacement Theology," which is a heresy introduced later into the church.
The church was a HIDDEN MYSTERY not revealed to the priests and prophets of the Old Testament. And it has to be removed before Israel's story comes to completion in the last 7 years.
"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,
for the sake of his body, which is the church,
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God
which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
THE MYSTERY WHICH HAS BEEN HIDDEN from ages and from generations,
but now has been revealed to His saints."
Colossians 1:24-26
Jesus was rejected by Israel, and that ended 69 of the 70 weeks. The church age, the mystery age, was birthed on Pentecost, only days after Jesus was raised from the dead. It was a totally unexpected event. No prophet, no Old Testament holy man of God had any clue, any idea that there was going to be a dispensation separate from the Israel story. The mystery of the church was birthed on Pentecost and came in by total surprise, and she will go out the same way. Suddenly and unexpectedly.
And then the dispensation of the church is over, and the 70th week of Daniel begins. This period of time is determined upon ISRAEL, and that is stated very directly and very specifically in Daniel's prophecy. During the last seven years God will be preparing Israel to meet her Messiah. This period of time is not for the church, it's for Israel. God will be dealing with Israel alone.
The church age ends with the Rapture.
And THEN the 70th week determined upon ISRAEL begins.
The Rapture ends the mystery of the church. It takes place BEFORE the great Tribulation, BEFORE those last seven years begin.
The various positions on the timing of the Rapture place the timing at a certain point before, during, or after the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy, concerning which most will agree is the great Tribulation that Jesus prophesied in Matthew chapter 24. So let's look at Daniel's prophecy of that last "week," or seven-year period.
"Seventy weeks are determined
FOR YOUR PEOPLE AND FOR YOUR HOLY CITY,
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."
Daniel 9:24
Most believers in the Rapture will agree on this point, that it will occur at some time relative to that last "week" of seven years which is yet to be fulfilled.
I believe that the timing of the Rapture is shown in this very passage in Daniel. And the key is -upon WHOM is this prophecy spoken?
The purpose of the last seven year period concerns Israel:
Seventy weeks are determined:
. upon YOUR PEOPLE, Daniel's people were the Jews,
. and upon YOUR HOLY CITY, and the holy city is Jerusalem.
This is a dispensational statement. The first 69 weeks of this prophecy ended with the crucifixion of Jesus. Then the story stops, and the church is introduced. And let me state here that I am absolutely NOT speaking of "replacement Theology," which is a heresy introduced later into the church.
The church was a HIDDEN MYSTERY not revealed to the priests and prophets of the Old Testament. And it has to be removed before Israel's story comes to completion in the last 7 years.
"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ,
for the sake of his body, which is the church,
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God
which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
THE MYSTERY WHICH HAS BEEN HIDDEN from ages and from generations,
but now has been revealed to His saints."
Colossians 1:24-26
Jesus was rejected by Israel, and that ended 69 of the 70 weeks. The church age, the mystery age, was birthed on Pentecost, only days after Jesus was raised from the dead. It was a totally unexpected event. No prophet, no Old Testament holy man of God had any clue, any idea that there was going to be a dispensation separate from the Israel story. The mystery of the church was birthed on Pentecost and came in by total surprise, and she will go out the same way. Suddenly and unexpectedly.
And then the dispensation of the church is over, and the 70th week of Daniel begins. This period of time is determined upon ISRAEL, and that is stated very directly and very specifically in Daniel's prophecy. During the last seven years God will be preparing Israel to meet her Messiah. This period of time is not for the church, it's for Israel. God will be dealing with Israel alone.
The church age ends with the Rapture.
And THEN the 70th week determined upon ISRAEL begins.
The Rapture ends the mystery of the church. It takes place BEFORE the great Tribulation, BEFORE those last seven years begin.
Can A Believer Be Left Behind?
"...LOOKING FOR the blessed hope
and glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..."
Titus 2:13
and glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..."
Titus 2:13
In the late 60's and early 70's there was a great world-wide revival wherein multitudes came to the Lord. In the 70's and for quite a while later there was a lot of excitement about the coming of the Lord for his church, the event called "the Rapture." Books were being written about it, sermons were teaching on it, and there was a general hopeful expectation in the air.
But as time went on, the fervor cooled down and this subject got less and less attention. Apparently, many who heard it years ago got tired of it, lost interest in it, to the extent that today VERY FEW pastors even mention it anymore.
So will believers who are no longer interested, no longer eagerly watching, still be taken when the Rapture does take place?
I don't know. There is one Scripture that suggests that NOT ALL will be taken. The Scripture says the Lord will appear the second time "to those who eagerly wait for him." What about those who are no longer "eagerly waiting for him?"
"And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this the judgment,
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
TO THOSE WHO EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIM
he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."
Hebrews 9:28
but after this the judgment,
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
TO THOSE WHO EAGERLY WAIT FOR HIM
he will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."
Hebrews 9:28
Have you lost your eager anticipation of the coming of the Bridegroom? Does the passage of time mean the Lord has forgotten about it? Or - rather - is he separating out those who truly are eagerly waiting for him?
Will those who don't even believe in the pre-trib Rapture go with him when he comes? Perhaps. I hope so, for their sake. But there are many who are "preparing" for the Tribulation and many of those in that camp actually mock those who are eagerly waiting for the Bridegroom. One passage speaks specifically to that:
"...knowing this first:
that SCOFFERS will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts, 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 creation."
2 Peter 3:3-4
that SCOFFERS will come in the last days,
walking according to their own lusts, 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 creation."
2 Peter 3:3-4
It's amazing that what is so absolutely clear - is something many just cannot see. The obvious question is whether the scoffers will be penalized for not having the revelation. Well ...Jesus had harsh words for the religious leaders and scoffers of the time for not knowing the signs of the times.
"He answered and said to them,
'When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather,
for the sky is red;’
and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today,
for the sky is red and threatening.’
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky,
but you cannot discern the signs of the times.'"
Matthew 16:2-3
'When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather,
for the sky is red;’
and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today,
for the sky is red and threatening.’
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky,
but you cannot discern the signs of the times.'"
Matthew 16:2-3
For those of you who have once longed for the Lord but have lost "the blessed hope," I suggest you go back to your first love. Don't take a chance on missing it.
Margaret MacDonald Was Actually POST-Trib
·
MacDonald’s vision was in 1830, 3 years after
Darby’s conclusions about the Rapture
·
MacDonald was a member of the charismatic
movement of 1830. John Darby went to investigate and dismissed her “vision” as
"demonic." If Darby thought
MacDonald to be under an "evil spell," why on earth would he use her
writings to form some new doctrine?
·
MacDonald’s statements show her to hold a POST-trib position. She said of
the Tribulation:
"…being the fiery trial which is to try us …for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus." She looked for the Church being purged by the Antichrist. This is not pre-trib belief. Pre-trib doctrine shows the Church being removed BEFORE THE COMING of the Antichrist.
"…being the fiery trial which is to try us …for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus." She looked for the Church being purged by the Antichrist. This is not pre-trib belief. Pre-trib doctrine shows the Church being removed BEFORE THE COMING of the Antichrist.
·
Margaret MacDonald’s Prophecy
Margaret MacDonald Was NOT Darby's Source
The Lie, from the Nazi era
If you tell a lie
big enough and often enough people will start believing it’s true.
|
David MacPherson
·
David MacPherson began the whole controversy with
his claims which have so little supporting evidence that one wonders how he could
write his book with a straight face. Pretribulationalists should be indebted
to MacPherson for exposing the facts, namely, that there is no proof that MacDonald
or Irving originated the pretribulation Rapture teaching.
·
Max S. Weremchuk wrote a major biography on
Darby entitled, “John Nelson Darby: A
Biography. “ In it he says, "Having read MacPherson's book I find it impossible to make a just
comparison between what Miss MacDonald 'prophesied' and what Darby taught. It
appears that the wish was the father of the idea.”
|
John Nelson Darby, wrote of the Pre-trib Rapture in January of 1827
·
His denomination was the Plymouth Brethren
·
Darby had already written out his
pretribulation Rapture views in January 1827, 3 years prior to the 1830
MacDonald prophecy.
·
Darby’s belief came from Scripture, not from a
girl’s prophecy.
He did not get his eschatological views from men, but rather from the doctrine of the church as the body of Christ. His views were gradually formed and theologically and Biblically based rather than derived from any Pentecostal group or MacDonald prophecy.
·
Darby went to the meetings being held where
MacDonald gave her word, and he concluded that what was going on there was
“demonic.” He would not have borrowed an idea from a source that he clearly
thought was demonic.“
·
Darby's understanding of the pre-trib Rapture
was the product of the development of his personal interactive thought with
the text of Scripture as he, his friends, and dispensationalists have long
contended.
·
Darby's earliest published essay on Biblical
prophecy was in 1829. In his earliest of essays, he expounds upon the Rapture
as the Church's hope, not the Church’s purification during the Tribulation.
·
Darby’s conclusion concerning the pre-trib Rapture
came when he saw clearly the distinction between Israel and the Church, two
separate dispensations.
|
Margaret MacDonald was post-trib
link
to the text of her message
·
MacDonald’s vision was in 1830, 3 years after
Darby’s conclusions about the Rapture
·
MacDonald was a member of the charismatic
movement of 1830. John Darby went to investigate and dismissed her “vision”
as "demonic." If Darby
thought MacDonald to be under an "evil spell," why on earth would
he use her writings to form some new doctrine?
·
MacDonald’s statements show her to hold a POST-trib position. She said
of the Tribulation:
"…being the fiery trial which is to try us …for the purging and purifying of the real members of the body of Jesus." She looked for the Church being purged by the Antichrist. This is not pre-trib belief. Pre-trib doctrine shows the Church being removed BEFORE THE COMING of the Antichrist. |
John Bray
Bray was an anti-Rapture
believer, but he said that Margaret MacDonald was teaching a single coming of
our Lord Jesus. This contradicts the Rapture doctrine which teaches a
two-staged event: first, Christ comres
for His Church and second, seven years later his return to earth. So Margaret
MacDonald was post-trib, NOT pre-trib.
|
Roy A. Huebner, Brethren writer
Huebner wrote that Darby first began to believe in the
pre-trib Rapture and develop his dispensational thinking while convalescing
from a riding accident during December 1826 and January 1827. Huebner wrote
of Darby's pre-trib and dispensational thoughts:
·
He saw from Isaiah 32 that there was a
different dispensation coming …that
Israel and the Church were distinct.
·
During his convalescence, Darby learned that
he ”ought daily to expect his Lord's return."
·
He also saw a gap of time between the Rapture
and the second coming
·
Darby himself said in 1857 that he first
started understanding things relating to the pre-trib Rapture "thirty
years ago," so that would be January
1827.
·
Darby had already understood those truths upon
which the pre-tribulation Rapture hinges. He claimed that the doctrine
virtually jumped out of the pages of Scripture once he accepted and
consistently maintained the distinction between Israel and the church.
·
Huebner considers MacPherson's charges as
"using slander that J. N. Darby took the pretribulation Rapture from
those very opposing, demon-inspired utterances.”
|
Margaret MacDonald's Prophecy
A Prophecy by 15-year-old Margaret MacDonald in Port
Glasgow, Scotland, about 1830.
Margaret MacDonald has been cited for "inventing"
the teaching known as the "pre-tribulation Rapture of the church." Not true! Margaret's views were POST-tribulational. There is nothing in her message that suggests that the church will be Raptured before The Great Tribulation. She did not preach the pre-trib
Rapture, so John Darby did not get it from her.
Her Prophecy:
It was first the awful state of the land that was pressed
upon me. I saw the blindness and infatuation of the people to be very great. I
felt the cry of Liberty just to be the hiss of the serpent, to drown them in
perdition. It was just ‘no God.’
I repeated the words, Now there is distress of nations, with
perplexity, the seas and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear. Now look out for the sign of the Son of Man. Here
I was made to stop and cry out, "Oh, it is not known what the sign of the
Son of Man is; the people of God think they are waiting, but they know not what
it is."
I felt this [sign] needed to be revealed, as there was great
darkness and error concerning it. But suddenly what it was burst upon me with a
glorious light. I saw it was just the Lord himself descending from Heaven with
a shout —just the glorified man, even Jesus; but that all must, as Stephen was, be filled with the Holy Ghost, that [we] might look
up, and see the brightness of the Father’s glory.
I saw the error to be that men think that it will be
something seen by the natural eye; but ‘tis spiritual discernment that is
needed—the eye of God in his people. Many passages were revealed in a light in
which I had not seen them before. I repeated, ‘Now is the kingdom of Heaven
like unto ten virgins, who went forth to meet the Bridegroom, five wise and
five foolish; they that were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with
them; but they that were wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.’
Don’t be unwise, but understand what the Lord’s will is; and 'don’t be drunk with wine which is excessive, but be filled with the Spirit.’ This was the oil the wise virgins took in their
vessels -this is the light to be kept burning -the light of God -that we may
discern that which does not come with observation to the natural eye.
Only those who have the light of God within them will see
the sign of his appearance. No need to follow those who say,
"...see here, or see there...," for his day shall be as the lightning
to those in whom is the living Christ. ‘Tis Christ in us
that will lift us up — he is the light — ‘tis only those that are alive in him
that will be caught up to meet him in the air.
I saw that we must be in the Spirit, that we might see
spiritual things. John was in the Spirit when he saw a throne set in Heaven. But I saw that the glory of the ministration of the Spirit
had not been known. I repeated frequently, but the spiritual temple must and
shall be raised up, and the fullness of Christ be poured
into his body, and then we will be caught up to meet him. Oh none will be
counted worthy of this calling except his body, which is the church, and
which must be a candlestick all of gold.
I often said, "Oh, the glorious in-breaking of God
which is now about to burst on this earth; Oh, the glorious temple which is now
about to be reared, the bride adorned for her husband; and Oh what a holy, holy
bride she must be, to be prepared for such a glorious bridegroom."
I said, "Now shall the people of God have to do with
realities—now shall the glorious mystery of God in our nature be known—now
shall it be known what it is for man to be glorified." I felt that the
revelation of Jesus Christ had yet to be opened up—it is not knowledge about God
that it contains, but it is an entering into God—I saw that there was a
glorious breaking in of God yet to be.
I felt as Elijah, surrounded with chariots of fire. I saw as it were, the spiritual temple reared, and the Head Stone
brought forth with shoutings of "Grace, Grace, unto it." It was a
glorious light greater than the brightness of the sun that shone round about
me. I felt that those who were filled with the Spirit could see spiritual
things, and feel [him] walking in the midst of them, while those who did not
have the Spirit could see nothing—so that two shall be in one bed, the one
taken and the other left, because the one has the light of God
within while the other cannot see the Kingdom of Heaven.
I saw the people of God in an awfully dangerous situation,
surrounded by nets and entanglements, about to be tried, and many about to be
deceived and fall. Now will the wicked be revealed, (the Antichrist- 2 Thess 2:3) with all power and signs
and lying wonders, so that if it were possible, the
very elect will be deceived. This is the fiery trial which is
to try us. (She is showing the Church present during the Tribulation.) It will be for the purging and purifying of the real members of the
body of Jesus; but Oh! it will be a fiery trial. Every soul will be shaken to the
very centre. The enemy will try to shake everything we have believed in, but
the trial of real faith will be found to result in honor and praise and glory.
Nothing but what is of God will stand. The stony-ground hearers will be made
manifest. And the love of many will grow cold.
That night [and often since] I have frequently
said,"....now shall the awful sight of a false Christ be seen on this
earth, and nothing, but the living Christ in us, can detect this awful attempt
of the enemy to deceive—for it is with all deceivableness of unrighteousness
that he will work. He will have a counterfeit for every
part of God’s truth, and an imitation for every work of the Spirit.
The Spirit must and will be poured out on the church, that
she may be purified and filled with God—and in just the same proportion as the
Spirit of God works, so will he [the false christ]—when our Lord anoints men
with power, so will he [the false christ] do the same. This is precisely the
nature of the trial through which all those who will be counted worthy to stand
before the Son of man will have to pass through. (Again, she is showing the Church being tried in the Tribulation.) There will be an outward trial
too, but ‘primarily it will be temptation.’ It is brought on by the outpouring
of the Spirit, and will increase in proportion just as the Spirit is poured
out. The trial of the Church comes through the anti-christ, but it is by being
filled with the Spirit that we shall be kept. Pre-trib doctrine says the church will NOT be on earth when Antichrist is revealed. Here miss MacDonald is showing her post-trib view.
I frequently said, "Oh be filled with the Spirit—have
the light of God in you, that you may detect Satan—be full of eyes within—be
clay in the hands of the potter—submit to be filled, filled with God."
This will build the temple. It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,
saith the Lord. This will fit us to enter into the marriage
supper of the Lamb.
I saw that it was the will of God that all should be filled.
But what hindered the real life of God from being received by his people? It
was their turning from Jesus, who is the way to the Father. They were not
entering in by the door. For he is faithful who has said, "...by me if any
man enters in....he....shall....find pasture." They were
bypassing the cross, through which every drop of the Spirit of God flows to us.
All power that comes not through the blood of Christ is not of God.
When I say, "they are looking [away] from the
cross," I feel that there is much in it - they turn from the blood of the
Lamb, by which we overcome, and in which our robes are washed and made white. There are low views of God’s holiness, and a ceasing to
condemn sin in the flesh, and a looking from him who humbled
himself, and made himself of no reputation. Oh! it is needed,
much needed at present, a leading back to the cross.
That night [and often since] I saw that there will be an
outpouring of the Spirit on the body, such as has not been—a baptism of fire, that all the dross may be put away. Oh there must and will be
such an indwelling of the living God as has not been—the servants of God sealed
in their foreheads—great conformity to Jesus—his holy holy image seen in his
people—just the bride made comely by his comeliness put upon her. The servants of God sealed in their foreheads are the 144,000 Jewish evangelists preaching during the Tribulation. (Revelation 7:3-8)
This is what we are at present made to pray much for, that
speedily we may all be made ready to meet our Lord in the air—and it will be!
Jesus wants his bride. His desire is toward us. He that shall come, will come,
and will not tarry.
Amen and Amen Even so come Lord Jesus.
— End of Margaret MacDonald’s message —
What Is The Rapture?
This is a study on the doctrine of the Rapture. I've broken down the study into what I hope are manageable bites. There's a lot here, so take a topic from the list posted at the right and digest it before coming back for another topic. It's too much study for a one-time read.
This is a study on the doctrine of the Rapture. I've broken down the study into what I hope are manageable bites. There's a lot here, so take a topic from the list posted at the right and digest it before coming back for another topic. It's too much study for a one-time read.
Some basics:
What IS the Rapture?
The Bible tells us that before the great Tribulation comes upon the earth, the Lord will remove his believers from the earth.
"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 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
Thessalonians 4:16-18
The source of the word "Rapture"
In the Greek translation of the Bible, the words "caught up" are the word "harpazo," which means to sieze, catch away, pluck, pull, take by force.
When the Bible was translated into Latin in the 4th century, the Latin word used for "caught up" is raptere, "to seize, snatch, tear away." It's from "raptere" that we get the term "Rapture."
Whom Is He Coming For?
An ominous warning here. Not everyone is taken, as is gleaned from the parable of the five wise and the five foolish virgins. That's another study. The point here is this: he's coming for those who are eagerly watching for him. More often, conversation is about who the Antichrist might be. Jesus is coming for those who are eagerly waiting for HIM, not for the Antichrist.
"To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." Hebrews 9:28
As Christians we are not to look for the Tribulation, or for the Antichrist, but for "His Son from heaven who has delivered us from the wrath to come."
Ist Thessalonians 1:10
Jesus is the pattern
As it happened to Jesus, so will it happen to us. Those who have been conformed to his death, will also be conformed to His resurrection. Jesus is the pattern. We were shown a picture of the Rapture at the Rapture of Jesus. Are you surprised to hear that Jesus was Raptured?
"And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.''' Acts 1:10-11
More: on the right side panel, at the top
The 70th Week of Daniel
What Does The Bible Mean By "Week?"
Daniel 9:24-27
"Seventy weeks are determined upon your people..."
In the Hebrew, a "shavua" (translated "week") is a period of seven in the sense that a decade in English is a period of ten.
Seventy periods of seven equals 490 years. All but the last seven have been fulfilled, and that last period of seven is what is referred to as "Daniel's 70th week." It's a period of seven years determined upon Israel that is yet to take place before the end of the age. The purpose of it is judgment of the world, while Israel is protected and brought through to redemption.
The 70th Week Is Appointed Upon Israel, NOT upon the church.
Daniel 9:24 indicates that all 70 weeks are specifically determined upon Israel.
"...are determined upon your people and your holy city…."
It's determined "upon THY people," which is the Jews.
It's determined "upon THY holy city," which is Jerusalem.
It is not two half-weeks that are "determined" upon Israel and Jerusalem, but one period of 7 years.
The events of the period revolve around Israel, The Temple, Jerusalem, the Two Witnesses, and the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel ...not Upon the Church.
The church was not present during the first 69 weeks, and is not present in the last week.
During the Tribulation period described in the Book of Revelation chapters 6 through 19, the church is not named once. This is all the more noticeable since the word is used repeatedly in the first three chapters, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and then sending messages to seven specific churches.
The church age began suddenly and unexpectedly on Pentecost, and ends suddenly and unexpectedly, before the events of the 70th week begin.
Not Post-Trib
The post-tribulation view requires that the church be present during the 70th week of Daniel , even though it was absent from the first 69, which is conspicuously inconsistent.
Not Pre-Wrath
The pre-wrath view requires the church to be present during the first part of the 70th week, which indicates a misunderstanding of the purpose and continuity of the 70 weeks. It also suggests that the first half of the week will be relatively calm. No, as soon as "the Lamb" opens the seals (Revelation 6) it begins the wrath of God, and is anything but calm.
The text: Daniel, chapter 9:24-27
24: Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and your holy city, 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.
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 and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26: And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; the end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27: Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering; and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.
Daniel 9:24-27
"Seventy weeks are determined upon your people..."
In the Hebrew, a "shavua" (translated "week") is a period of seven in the sense that a decade in English is a period of ten.
Seventy periods of seven equals 490 years. All but the last seven have been fulfilled, and that last period of seven is what is referred to as "Daniel's 70th week." It's a period of seven years determined upon Israel that is yet to take place before the end of the age. The purpose of it is judgment of the world, while Israel is protected and brought through to redemption.
The 70th Week Is Appointed Upon Israel, NOT upon the church.
Daniel 9:24 indicates that all 70 weeks are specifically determined upon Israel.
"...are determined upon your people and your holy city…."
It's determined "upon THY people," which is the Jews.
It's determined "upon THY holy city," which is Jerusalem.
It is not two half-weeks that are "determined" upon Israel and Jerusalem, but one period of 7 years.
The events of the period revolve around Israel, The Temple, Jerusalem, the Two Witnesses, and the 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel ...not Upon the Church.
The church was not present during the first 69 weeks, and is not present in the last week.
During the Tribulation period described in the Book of Revelation chapters 6 through 19, the church is not named once. This is all the more noticeable since the word is used repeatedly in the first three chapters, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and then sending messages to seven specific churches.
The church age began suddenly and unexpectedly on Pentecost, and ends suddenly and unexpectedly, before the events of the 70th week begin.
Not Post-Trib
The post-tribulation view requires that the church be present during the 70th week of Daniel , even though it was absent from the first 69, which is conspicuously inconsistent.
Not Pre-Wrath
The pre-wrath view requires the church to be present during the first part of the 70th week, which indicates a misunderstanding of the purpose and continuity of the 70 weeks. It also suggests that the first half of the week will be relatively calm. No, as soon as "the Lamb" opens the seals (Revelation 6) it begins the wrath of God, and is anything but calm.
The text: Daniel, chapter 9:24-27
24: Seventy weeks are determined upon your people and your holy city, 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.
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 and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.
26: And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; the end of it shall be with a flood, and till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27: Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering; and on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate.
The Church Conspicuously Missing
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.'' Revelation 4:1
The Church Conspicuously Missing After Revelation Chapter 3
The church is mentioned repeatedly in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and sending messages to seven churches.
But from chapter 4:2 on, "after those things," the church is not named once throughout the entire account of the Tribulation period.
From the moment John is told to "Come up here," for the remainder of the vision he is in the presence of the Lord, looking down on the dreadful events of the Tribulation on the earth. He is seeing it from heaven.
It is significant in the fact that John is told to "Come up here."
The very same words are spoken to the two witnesses before they too are raptured:
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. " (Revelation 11:12).
The Church age began suddenly and unexpectedly on Pentecost.
It will also end suddenly and unexpectedly.
The is the "mystery" Paul was speaking of, the church age, something not revealed in the Old Testament and something not present when Daniel's "70th week" begins again.
There are two peoples of God, Israel and the church.
Two covenants.
Two programs.
Two "times."
In the 70th week, God is dealing with Israel and judging the world.
The Church Conspicuously Missing After Revelation Chapter 3
The church is mentioned repeatedly in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, where Christ is seen walking among the churches, and sending messages to seven churches.
But from chapter 4:2 on, "after those things," the church is not named once throughout the entire account of the Tribulation period.
From the moment John is told to "Come up here," for the remainder of the vision he is in the presence of the Lord, looking down on the dreadful events of the Tribulation on the earth. He is seeing it from heaven.
It is significant in the fact that John is told to "Come up here."
The very same words are spoken to the two witnesses before they too are raptured:
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. " (Revelation 11:12).
The Church age began suddenly and unexpectedly on Pentecost.
It will also end suddenly and unexpectedly.
The is the "mystery" Paul was speaking of, the church age, something not revealed in the Old Testament and something not present when Daniel's "70th week" begins again.
There are two peoples of God, Israel and the church.
Two covenants.
Two programs.
Two "times."
In the 70th week, God is dealing with Israel and judging the world.
What Is The Trump of God?
Shall the Bridegroom come for his Bride with a trump of JUDGMENT???
Of course not!
There is more than one kind of Trumpets.
The Trumps of the Tribulation are the trumps of angels delivering the JUDGMENTS of God's WRATH.
The Rapture takes place not with the trumpet of angels but with the "Trumpet of GOD."
Let us not confuse the "Trumpet of God" with the temple trumpets or the shofar. Remember that those trumpets continue during the Millennium, so none of them are "the last trump" anyway.
The silver trumpet
Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the assembly and for directing the movement of the camps.
Numbers 10:2
The shofar or ram's horn
Rosh HaShanah is the day of "the blowing of the trumpets."
According to the Mishnah, the trumpet used for this purpose is the ram's horn not the silver trumpets mentioned in Numbers 10.
There are two FUNCTIONS of Trumpets:
1. the Trumpet call to war
2. the Trumpet call to assembly
The seven trumps of the Book of Revelation are trumps of war, trumpets of judgment.
The trumpet of the seventh angel in Rev. 10:7 is straightforwardly presented as the last of seven trumpets of angels blown in a sequence as God releases His WRATH upon a Christ-rejecting world.
The trump of Corinthians is not a trump of judgment;
it is not a trump of angels;
it is the Trump of God;
a trump of assembly.
When Jesus comes with the Trump of God, it is the call to assembly.
Paul mentions the "Trumpet of God" in connection with the rapture.
It is interesting that this term appears only twice in the Bible:
at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai at Pentecost;
and at the Rapture.
When Jesus comes, it's with the "Trump of God." He's coming to assemble the Church, not poor judgment on her.
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 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Of course not!
There is more than one kind of Trumpets.
The Trumps of the Tribulation are the trumps of angels delivering the JUDGMENTS of God's WRATH.
The Rapture takes place not with the trumpet of angels but with the "Trumpet of GOD."
Let us not confuse the "Trumpet of God" with the temple trumpets or the shofar. Remember that those trumpets continue during the Millennium, so none of them are "the last trump" anyway.
The silver trumpet
Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the assembly and for directing the movement of the camps.
Numbers 10:2
The shofar or ram's horn
Rosh HaShanah is the day of "the blowing of the trumpets."
According to the Mishnah, the trumpet used for this purpose is the ram's horn not the silver trumpets mentioned in Numbers 10.
There are two FUNCTIONS of Trumpets:
1. the Trumpet call to war
2. the Trumpet call to assembly
The seven trumps of the Book of Revelation are trumps of war, trumpets of judgment.
The trumpet of the seventh angel in Rev. 10:7 is straightforwardly presented as the last of seven trumpets of angels blown in a sequence as God releases His WRATH upon a Christ-rejecting world.
The trump of Corinthians is not a trump of judgment;
it is not a trump of angels;
it is the Trump of God;
a trump of assembly.
When Jesus comes with the Trump of God, it is the call to assembly.
Paul mentions the "Trumpet of God" in connection with the rapture.
It is interesting that this term appears only twice in the Bible:
at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai at Pentecost;
and at the Rapture.
When Jesus comes, it's with the "Trump of God." He's coming to assemble the Church, not poor judgment on her.
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 together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53
Who Is The Restrainer?
Who is NOT "the restrainer?"
It is not the Holy Spirit.
We know that no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:3)
If the Holy Spirit were taken out of the way, no one would be saved from that point on.
We know there will be multitudes of people saved during the Tribulation, so the Holy Spirit is on the earth then.
The Holy Spirit is NOT the restrainer referred to in this passage.
Then who is taken out of the way?
Who is hindering the mystery of iniquity?
Who IS the restrainer?
The one restraining iniquity is the Body of Christ on earth.
The Body of Christ is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
The Body of Christ is to occupy until Jesus comes.
The Body of Christ is hindering the working of iniquity.
If the Body of Christ weren't here, the whole world would be gay and killing babies, and all wickedness would have free reign without any restraint whatsoever.
It is the Church, the Body of Christ, who is testifying to the lost and inviting them to come to the Lord. And it is the Church who will be taken out of the way.
And THEN that lawless one will be revealed and will take over, when there isn't a single righteous person to restrain him. In fact, those who are left behind will welcome him.
"I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive." John 5:43
The text: 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8
3. 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,
4. 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.
5. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6. And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7. 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.
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.
It is not the Holy Spirit.
We know that no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:3)
If the Holy Spirit were taken out of the way, no one would be saved from that point on.
We know there will be multitudes of people saved during the Tribulation, so the Holy Spirit is on the earth then.
The Holy Spirit is NOT the restrainer referred to in this passage.
Then who is taken out of the way?
Who is hindering the mystery of iniquity?
Who IS the restrainer?
The one restraining iniquity is the Body of Christ on earth.
The Body of Christ is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
The Body of Christ is to occupy until Jesus comes.
The Body of Christ is hindering the working of iniquity.
If the Body of Christ weren't here, the whole world would be gay and killing babies, and all wickedness would have free reign without any restraint whatsoever.
It is the Church, the Body of Christ, who is testifying to the lost and inviting them to come to the Lord. And it is the Church who will be taken out of the way.
And THEN that lawless one will be revealed and will take over, when there isn't a single righteous person to restrain him. In fact, those who are left behind will welcome him.
"I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive." John 5:43
The text: 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8
3. 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,
4. 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.
5. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?
6. And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
7. 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.
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.
Resurrection Comes Before The Judgments - Isaiah 26
There is a reference to the Rapture in the Old Testament. This passage in Isaiah clearly shows that the Rapture will take place BEFORE the judgments begin:
First the resurrection:
"Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead."
Then a hiding away:
"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."
Then the judgments:
"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."
Isaiah 26:19-21
First the resurrection:
"Your dead shall live; together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead."
Then a hiding away:
"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."
Then the judgments:
"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."
Isaiah 26:19-21
Are Pre-Trib Rapture Believers Escapists?
Believers who await a pre-trip Rapture are criticized for taking an "escapist" view. "Why," critics say, "should we get the easy way out when so many others are suffering all over the world?"
Why? Because Jesus TOLD us to ask for it!
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'' Luke 21:36
This is something he counsels us to do, it's not a suggestion.
Those who are taken in the Rapture are not taken on the basis of how much they have suffered. They are taken on the basis of the church age being closed. The Rapture takes place independently of what any believers have or have not suffered.
Believers down through the ages have encountered the full spectrum of human experience, from the terrible sufferings of those who died of torture, all the way to the opposite scenario such as the sheltered woman who never knew much of any suffering in this life and dies a peaceful death. At times, babies or children are taken without having gone through suffering.
Suffering is not the issue. We're not going to be kept here during the Tribulation because of others who suffered terribly before.
There is a time set, period. Before the last week of Daniel which is determined upon Israel, and when the church age ends, Jesus will come for his believers.
Jesus told believers to ASK for this "escape," to pray for it.
It bears repeating:
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.''
Luke 21:36
Why? Because Jesus TOLD us to ask for it!
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.'' Luke 21:36
This is something he counsels us to do, it's not a suggestion.
Those who are taken in the Rapture are not taken on the basis of how much they have suffered. They are taken on the basis of the church age being closed. The Rapture takes place independently of what any believers have or have not suffered.
Believers down through the ages have encountered the full spectrum of human experience, from the terrible sufferings of those who died of torture, all the way to the opposite scenario such as the sheltered woman who never knew much of any suffering in this life and dies a peaceful death. At times, babies or children are taken without having gone through suffering.
Suffering is not the issue. We're not going to be kept here during the Tribulation because of others who suffered terribly before.
There is a time set, period. Before the last week of Daniel which is determined upon Israel, and when the church age ends, Jesus will come for his believers.
Jesus told believers to ASK for this "escape," to pray for it.
It bears repeating:
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.''
Luke 21:36
Enoch - A Type
"And Enoch walked with God: and was not; for God TOOK him."
Gen. 5:24
Enoch, a gentile, was a type of the Rapture.
He is said to have been born and raptured on the date Sivan 6.
In "The Legends of the Jews," H. L Ginzberg wrote that according to Israel's oral tradition, Enoch was raptured--taken to heaven --on the very day of Pentecost.
In Talmudic tradition, not only was Enoch raptured on Pentecost, he was also born on Pentecost.
The church was born on Pentecost.
Gen. 5:24
Enoch, a gentile, was a type of the Rapture.
He is said to have been born and raptured on the date Sivan 6.
In "The Legends of the Jews," H. L Ginzberg wrote that according to Israel's oral tradition, Enoch was raptured--taken to heaven --on the very day of Pentecost.
In Talmudic tradition, not only was Enoch raptured on Pentecost, he was also born on Pentecost.
The church was born on Pentecost.
A Personal Word
I was going to be going with some friends to a "Prophecy Conference" in a city not too far from home.
There was a question on my mind concerning the timing of the Rapture. So before the conference, I brought my thoughts to the Lord.
From the things we do know about "the last days," one thing that stood out glaringly to me is that the Temple in Jerusalem isn't yet built. The Book of Daniel -- and this passage is quoted by Jesus himself -- says that three and a half years into the Tribulation, the Antichrist goes into the Temple, into the Holy of Holies, and proclaims that he himself is God. This is called "The Abomination of Desolation."
Well, not only is the Temple not built, the Temple Mount itself is still under the jurisdiction of the Palestinians. So, I was thinking, by the time it takes for Israel to get control of the Temple Mount, and THEN considering the time it will take to build the Temple, bearing in mind that the previous Temple was compared to the seven wonders of the world, you're talking how many years for all this to be accomplished? "So," I opined to the Lord, "it's going to be awhile, right?"
Listen to this story.
We went to Portland and attended the conference. On the last day, we were just as alert and interested as during the first hour, so interesting was all we heard that weekend. Then .... suddenly ....a woman comes into the hall, goes onto the stage, and whispers into the speaker's ear, then leaves. The speaker turns to us and tells us that there's been some conflict in the schedule, and that we have to leave the hall, because a WEDDING is scheduled to take place now in this hall.
WE WERE INTERRUPTED BY A WEDDING! ! !
For those of you who don't understand -- the Rapture is when Christ comes for His Bride, the church.
The chills went up and down my spine, the way it always does when you realize the Lord has touched you. Instantly I knew that this was the direct answer to my question, "you can't be coming anytime soon, because so much needs to happen first, right?"
NOTHING needs to happen before the Rapture. In fact, this very point had been made during the teachings at the conference. Yes I did "catch" that fact, but never as powerfully as when the Lord went out of his way to show me personally that our lives are going to be INTERRUPTED BY A WEDDING!
There was a question on my mind concerning the timing of the Rapture. So before the conference, I brought my thoughts to the Lord.
From the things we do know about "the last days," one thing that stood out glaringly to me is that the Temple in Jerusalem isn't yet built. The Book of Daniel -- and this passage is quoted by Jesus himself -- says that three and a half years into the Tribulation, the Antichrist goes into the Temple, into the Holy of Holies, and proclaims that he himself is God. This is called "The Abomination of Desolation."
Well, not only is the Temple not built, the Temple Mount itself is still under the jurisdiction of the Palestinians. So, I was thinking, by the time it takes for Israel to get control of the Temple Mount, and THEN considering the time it will take to build the Temple, bearing in mind that the previous Temple was compared to the seven wonders of the world, you're talking how many years for all this to be accomplished? "So," I opined to the Lord, "it's going to be awhile, right?"
Listen to this story.
We went to Portland and attended the conference. On the last day, we were just as alert and interested as during the first hour, so interesting was all we heard that weekend. Then .... suddenly ....a woman comes into the hall, goes onto the stage, and whispers into the speaker's ear, then leaves. The speaker turns to us and tells us that there's been some conflict in the schedule, and that we have to leave the hall, because a WEDDING is scheduled to take place now in this hall.
WE WERE INTERRUPTED BY A WEDDING! ! !
For those of you who don't understand -- the Rapture is when Christ comes for His Bride, the church.
The chills went up and down my spine, the way it always does when you realize the Lord has touched you. Instantly I knew that this was the direct answer to my question, "you can't be coming anytime soon, because so much needs to happen first, right?"
NOTHING needs to happen before the Rapture. In fact, this very point had been made during the teachings at the conference. Yes I did "catch" that fact, but never as powerfully as when the Lord went out of his way to show me personally that our lives are going to be INTERRUPTED BY A WEDDING!