Even though we can find solid evidence that a rapture will happen all over the place in the Bible, there are those that claim that it won’t take place before the start of the tribulation… they say that Jesus won’t come back to get his faithful until after the tribulation ends. Knowing that the tribulation will last for seven years, and if Jesus will only come back at the end of the tribulation to get His faithful, why do you suppose that He said in Matthew 24: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”?
How much more clearly could Jesus have said it? If the above verse isn’t compelling enough for everyone to understand that Jesus will come back suddenly, and without warning, then I don’t know what is.
Furthermore, I am inclined to ask anyone who does not hold a pre-trib view why they think that God would promise to keep His own safe from the coming judgments 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and then in Revelation 3:10 and then make the same people, who He promised to keep safe, suffer through any part of the tribulation?
In Genesis 5, we learn that Enoch was raptured by the Lord and in 2 Kings 2, we can read the account of how the Lord took the prophet Elijah.
In addition to the aforementioned verses, there are several other verses that point to a pretribulational rapture, one of which can be found in Matthew 16, where Jesus told His disciples that some people will not even taste death before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. The apostle Paul stated in First Thessalonians 4 that the believers who remain on earth, along those who have died in Christ, will be caught up together to meet with the Lord.
How about the one in Luke 17 where Jesus said that there will be two in a bed and one will be taken while the other one is left behind?
Could it be any clearer than that? To me, the Lord has stated quite plainly that He will keep those who love Him from the terrible things that are to come. In heaven, we will have new bodies, perfect bodies! I know I’m excited for the Lord to come and get me, how about you?
Do I know when this will happen? Nope! And if you ever hear someone say that it will happen on such and such date, don’t believe it. Remember: Jesus said in Matthew 24 that no one, except God, knows when the rapture will happen.
In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus warns us to keep our lamps full of oil AT ALL TIMES! Since none of us knows the timing of the rapture, we are to anxiously await the Lord’s return as though it could happen at any moment, because it will!
In case you misunderstood somehow, I will reiterate the worst things that will happen to everyone who is too stubborn to believe in Jesus before the rapture happens: they will live through seven years of absolute mind-boggling hell on earth. Worse than anyone can ever imagine.
As Christians, it’s our duty to try and reach out to the world before it’s too late. It says in the Bible that God will wipe all our tears away, but why do you suppose we’ll all be crying? Think about all of the people that you love: now imagine them enduring seven years of hell on earth and then residing in hell for eternity all because you were too afraid to speak up. Ouch!
Until next time…
New in Christ? The Bossy Church Lady has answers! Visit my website at: http://www.thebossychurchlady.net/
2 comments:
I would like to recommend that everyone read "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" (the long hidden history of the pretrib rapture view), "Famous Rapture Watchers," and "Pretrib Rapture Desperados." Marge
Thank you Marge for your comment! Dave MacPherson, who happened to write all three of the articles and books you mentioned, is correct: the rapture is nothing new, no matter whom discovered it first.
Genesis 5:24 tells us that God raptured Enoch and the apostle Paul confirms this fact in Hebrews 11:5. In 2 Kings 2:11, we can read the exciting account of how the Lord raptured Elijah: “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
Another thing which begs mentioning is a quote from one of Mr. MacPherson’s articles called PRETRIB RAPTURE DIEHARDS! In the article, Dave MacPherson said: “But a few diehards (with the stubbornness of Iraqi insurgents and New Orleans looters) keep on milking their cash cow while continuing to cover up and twist the following historical facts about their latter-day, cult-like belief:”
That’s a little harsh, don’t you think? My Bible, the King James Version, says that murder is wrong. Moreover, unlike the Iraqi insurgents, even the mere thought of killing or maiming another is repugnant to me… it’s just plain icky. Therefore, I feel that it is unfair to equate me, and others such as Tim LaHaye—whom I highly respect—with people who have so little regard for human lives. Don’t you? What’s more, I hardly think I’m getting rich off of my opinions; in fact, I haven’t mad a dime as of yet.
You and Mr. MacPherson are certainly entitled to your opinions and I’m entitled to mine.
Regardless of our opinions, one thing is certain: the Lord will rapture His church whether it be pretribulation or post!
In light of that fact, I must restate an earlier question: Knowing that the tribulation will last for seven years, and if Jesus will only come back at the end of the tribulation to get His faithful as some say, why do you suppose that He said in Matthew 24: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”?
Lastly, I must state the obvious (you’ll discover that I have a knack for that)… if you’re a believer and I am too, then wouldn’t it be better to work on our common goal, which is saving souls rather than debate what is plain for everyone to see within the Bible?
The Bossy Church Lady
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