What Is The Rapture? pt 4

by Andy Woods





What Is The Rapture? pt 5

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.

"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 Godfs 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 donft 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 Floodh 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 itfs 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 truthh 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 donft 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 Thousands 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 Danielfs 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.



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

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

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

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

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.
·         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 —